Elk Grove Native to Campaign Formula Pro USA F4 Championship with World Speed Motorsports Support
World Speed Motorsports is proud to announce that 15-year-old Erik Doan has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 VMB Driver Development Scholarship. Doan, a standout talent from Elk Grove, California, will transition from karting to open-wheel racing, competing in the 12-round Formula Pro USA F4 Western Division Championship.
World Speed Motorsports was instrumental in founding the VMB Driver Development Scholarship in 2014. For over a decade, this talent pipeline has successfully propelled drivers into top-tier global series, including the World Endurance Championship (WEC), IMSA, SRO, and the F1 Academy. By securing this scholarship, Doan joins an elite list of alumni who have used this platform as a springboard to professional motorsport careers.
Speed and Maturity
Doan earned the scholarship following a dominant 2025 season where he secured a “triple crown” of major US junior karting championships, including wins at ROK Vegas, the California ProKart Challenge, and the Challenge of the Americas. While his on-track stats—10 wins and 15 podiums in his last 31 starts—were a major factor, the selection committee was looking for the total package.
“We first met Erik at last year’s scholarship shootout, and he immediately made an impression on the entire team,” said Telo Stewart, Team Principal at World Speed Motorsports. “Obviously, his results in karting proved he has the raw speed, but what really stood out to us was his demeanor. His professionalism and maturity are well beyond his years. Erik maintained a professional dialogue with us all year, proving that he possesses the persistence and business savvy required to succeed in motorsports. That maturity, paired with his raw speed, is why he secured the VMB Driver Development Scholarship.”
The 2026 Campaign
For the 2026 season, Doan will execute a dual-path development program. On the open-wheel side, he will pilot the World Speed Motorsports F4 car at iconic venues including WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway, and Thunderhill Raceway Park.
“I am thrilled to be selected by World Speed Motorsports as the recipient of the 2026 VMB Driver Development scholarship,” stated Doan. “This support, combined with the team’s guidance, will allow me to realize my dream of racing formula cars against top-tier competition. My long-term goal is to become a professional sports car and prototype driver, and this opportunity is the perfect environment to develop the skills necessary to reach that level. Given World Speed’s stellar reputation for developing talent, I am humbled by this chance and plan to make the most of it.”
Simultaneously, Doan will make the jump to the Pro X30 ranks in karting. He will compete with PSL Karting at the Superkarts USA Winter Series, Pro Tour championships, and the Stars Championship Series. Additionally, he will contest select west coast events with Salinas-based West Coast Motorsports.
Off the Track
Doan’s discipline extends beyond the cockpit. A dedicated student-athlete, he maintains a 4.0+ GPA and competes as a varsity cross country and track and field athlete, ensuring his physical conditioning matches the demands of professional racing. His long-term professional goals are focused on sports car and prototype racing in series such as IMSA and the WEC.
About World Speed Motorsports: World Speed Motorsports is a dominant force in West Coast open-wheel racing. Since 1991, the team has captured countless championships and race wins, focusing on driver development and engineering excellence. www.WorldSpeed.com
About VMB Driver Development: Established in 2014, VMB Driver Development provides talented up-and-coming drivers with the financial and technical support necessary to transition from karting to professional car racing. Doan‘s signing is a testament to the vision of Steve Bristentine and Andy Brown, the driving forces behind the VMB program’s mission to support the next generation of racers. www.WorldSpeed.com/vmb
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