PLANO, Texas (April 4, 2022) – Today Fast Track Racing announced an impressive four-driver TCX class lineup led by the 2021 TCX Drivers’ Champion Jacob Ruud in the 14-race 2022 TC America powered by Skip Barber road racing series beginning April 15-17 at Sonoma Raceway.
Ruud, winner of ten TCX main events in 2021, took the inaugural TCX campaign by storm last year with impressive performances throughout the SRO America tour, which included race wins, pole positions and fastest race laps. Now, the Rochester Institute of Technology college student returns this year in the No. 1 ArmiClenz BMW M2 CS (Cup) to lead the four-car contingent for the Texas-based Fast Track Racing operation, sponsored by Sewell Automotive Companies.
Ruud, the 22-year-old driver from Racine, WI, didn’t have much time to celebrate his series championship as he carries a full load of credits in his quest for his Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity for graduation this May. While his winter testing has been limited on-track, Jacob has continued his simulation work of the various SRO tracks for 2022. Along with the championship title effort, Ruud has launched Jacob Ruud Racing; a personal brand following his journey to defending the TCX title. Follow @JacobRuudRacing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
“Last year was a ‘Dream Season’ for me and the Fast Track Racing guys,” said Ruud. “Winning ten races and the championship was so much more than we expected with the new BMW M2 car. But the team did a great job giving me a super machine to drive and we were prepared for every track. We didn’t know what to expect with the new series and new car. Now, this year, I know I have a target on my back as the defending champion. I am anxious to get back to Sonoma Raceway with the car and the team. I hope to continue our success.”
Joining Ruud in the four-car Fast Track Racing TCX squad will be former skiing star Olivia Askew of Salt Lake City, UT, young racer Garrett Adams of Oviedo, FL, and software entrepreneur Mark Wilgus of Colleyville, TX. Askew and Adams, both college students, have been members of the Fast Track Racing team in the past, while Wilgus makes his TC America debut in 2022.
Askew, the former Freeride Junior World Skiing Champion (2017), competed in a limited TCX schedule in 2021 with Fast Track Racing and recorded two third and fourth place finishes. The University of Utah math student now returns for a full season in the No. 29 DXDT BMW M2 CS (Cup) machine in search of podium (top-three) finishes at Sonoma Raceway.
“I learned a lot with the Fast Track Racing team last year in the new M2 car in the TCX class,” said Askew. “The TCX car is advanced from the TC car I drove previously. I learned about the aerodynamics and the ABS braking systems with the M2 and I struggled initially. But with more seat time in the M2, I became more familiar with the TCX car. I really enjoy driving the TCX car now. Learning the lines in racing is similar to learning the lines in skiing and I’m developing my driving style more with each on-track session. I’m anxious to get to Sonoma and drive the M2 again.”
Adams, a college student at Seminole College (part of the University of Central Florida) studying mechanical engineering, made a sensational TCX debut last year at Sebring International Raceway with a top-three finish in the No. 54 BMW M2 CS (Cup) mount. Garrett follows in his father’s (Michael) racing footsteps, who competed in BMW M3 sports cars in the 1980s.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be behind the wheel,” said Adams, who developed his driving on FORZA and Grand Turismo simulation games as a teenager. “I thought I wanted to be a racing engineer or team manager. But I ran some track days with my dad’s Camaro, and I was pretty quick. So, I drove some Southeast road races, and we moved to the TCX class at Sebring last year. Getting on the podium at Sebring was big for me. I’m very excited to drive the entire TCX series with Fast Track Racing in 2022.”
Wilgus, a software company founder, enters the SRO America road racing series for the first time in 2022 with Fast Track Racing after campaigning in a variety of pro events previously. Wilgus has been working closely with his driving consultant, Cameron Shields, and Fast Track Racing team manager Toby Grahovec, a former TC America series driving champion, as Mark prepares for his SRO debut in the No. 76 Fast Track Racing BMW CS (Cup) car next month at Sonoma Raceway in the TCX division.
“I am excited about moving into the SRO America series this year,” said Wilgus. “I couldn’t be in a better place than with Toby and his Fast Track Racing crew. They have won races and championships for many years, and they have a solid background with the TCX M2 car. I have been driving the BMW M2 cars in other series and I’m very anxious for the first TC America races at Sonoma this year.”
Grahovec and his Fast Track Racing organization led the inaugural TCX tour in 2021 with Ruud’s driver title, the team championship and the manufacturer’s crown for BMW. Now, with four season-long entries, Fast Track Racing will be one of the contenders for additional race wins and championships in 2022.
“We are very excited with our TCX team for the 2022 TC America season,” said Grahovec. “Jacob returns to defend his title and Olivia and Garrett showed great potential last year. Mark is familiar with the BMW M2 car and that helps with our team. It’s a very busy season for Fast Track Racing with four TCX cars and two GT4 efforts. So, I’ll step away from the driver’s seat to concentrate on the management side.
Fast Track Racing’s TCX squad will compete in the seven-weekend, 14-race tour beginning at Sonoma Raceway April 15-17, followed by Ozark International Raceway May 20-22, Virginia International Raceway June 17-19, Watkins Glen International July 22-24, Road America Aug. 19-21, Sebring International Raceway Sept. 23-25 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oct. 7-9.
ABOUT FAST TRACK RACING: Fast Track Racing was founded in 2005. Fast Track Racing has sold 117 BMW factory race cars to our customers in the past five years. Fast Track Racing has earned six championships in the SRO World Challenge series, and two S.C.C.A. National Championships. Fast Track Racing is the first and only United States team to win the BMW Sports Trophy. In total, Fast Track Racing has earned 26 professional wins and over 100 total wins, including 22 poles and 113 podiums, with 23 of the fastest laps in SRO competition. As BMW Motorsport experts, Fast Track Racing also races these vehicles and knows them inside and out. Fast Track Racing is tenured, with track-tested experience. Fast Track Racing has engineering expertise and provides coaching and consultation to ensure a driver’s performance is maximized.
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