ZIMBABWE’S motor racing whizzkid Axcil Jefferies has broken into new ground. After failing to secure himself a good sponsorship package that could have seen him racing for the Malaysia-based Caterham GP2 Racing Team this year, Jefferies has found an alternative and has opted to ply his trade in the United States where he has been invited to race in that country’s IndyCar series.

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The IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing and Jefferies revealed from his base in England on Tuesday that he has finally decided to go and compete in the United States after his plea for sponsorship from local and foreign companies, which could have helped him to join the Caterham GP2 Racing team this year, fell into deaf ears.

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“Yeah, it’s been tough trying to get sponsorship and sadly the corporates in Zimbabwe did not come on board. However, I was approached by Starting Grid Inc (an American motorsport group) and Bryan Herta Autosport (an American IndyCar Team ) and they offered to resurrect my career and offered (me) a fully paid for Test and Race in Mid Ohio.



“Over and above that, they decided to pay for all my accommodation and place me in a motorsport gym for a month. They will also have me at the Indianapolis 500 where I will be presented to the fans. Indianapolis 500 is the world’s biggest motorsport event.

“I am very grateful to Starting Grid Inc and Bryan Hurta Autosport for making it happen. I am looking forward to testing the Indy Lights car which is a 3.5litre V8 . . . Rest assured I will make Zimbabwe proud. All praise to God. I am grateful,” said Jefferies (19), who left England for the United States on Tuesday.



Jefferies was, however, disappointed that he failed to realise his dream of racing for Malaysia’s Caterham GP2 Racing Team this year due to lack of sponsorship.

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“It is a real shame we did not secure sponsorship for GP2 as the Caterham F1 team had offered me a Formula One development role that would have seen us get to F1 next year.”