Principal owner of K-Hill Motorsports Kris Kaiser created an award-winning partnership with three-time Rookie of the Year Rafa Matos and Formula Zetec Championship Engineer of the Year John Walko, to support the highly anticipated Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda and Formula 3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda 2018 seasons.
In late 2017, Kaiser began collaborating with Matos and Walko to form an incredible expansion to K-Hill Motorsports, adding four F4 cars and three F3 cars to its operation.
“What this ultimately means is that K-Hill Motorsports will be able to offer another great step in our already successful ladder system for our career-oriented drivers,” Kaiser said. “This is such an exciting extension to our open wheel program.”
Matos will serve as the driving coach for both the F4 U.S. and F3 Americas drivers.
“I am looking forward to this upcoming challenge with K-Hill, focusing on the F4 and F3 open-wheel development series. I have won the F4 Championship twice as a driver coach, once with Vinicius Paparelli in 2014 and again in 2016 with Cameron Das,” Matos said. “I was also part of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system for seven years. I was the first and only driver to win every step of the ladder, which is incredibly important as I can offer contribution from my own experience to our future drivers.”
Since 1999, Walko has operated as a crew chief and engineer in SCCA Formula Ford, Formula Continental, Formula Ford Zetec Championship, Star Mazda and the F2000 Championship, as well as within the variety of vintage series in the east. Overall, his drivers have amassed wins and podiums by the dozen.
“I am really excited to be joining the K-Hill team for 2018,” said Walko, who will serve as lead engineer on both the F4 and F3 cars. “I have known Kris and Joe Kaiser since I started racings, and have been amazed at what Kris has done to grow his racing operation over the years. I look forward to the challenge of the new F3 car and getting to work with some promising young talent in the intensely competitive F4 U.S. Championship.”
As K-Hill Motorsports is preparing a multi-car F4 and F3 field, it is reviewing new driver candidates with car experience, as well as those straight out of karting. Interested candidates can contact K-Hill at brandi@khillracing.net.
About K-Hill Motorsports
K-Hill Motorsports is one of the most respected names in the motorsports industry, particularly open-wheel racing. With Kaiser at the helm, the legendary racecar design and production company offers a full-service prep shop and complete race team services for Formula Atlantic, Formula Continental, Formula Mazda, Formula Ford, Formula Honda, Swift 016, C-Sports Racer and Vintage. K-Hill Motorsports has been successfully serving the open-wheel industry for over 25 years. Highlights: 1996-1997 FA Runoffs Champion Steve Forrer, 2010-12 CSR Runoffs Champion Steve Forrer, 2014 Run Offs Champion Connor Kearby and Atlantic Championship Champion Daniel Burkett, 2016 Atlantic Championship Champion Ryan Norman and Atlantic Run Offs winner Ryan Norman, 2016 F1600 Champion Neil Verhagen and Formula F Run Offs Champion Neil Verhagen (who then graduated from K-Hill to enter the Red Bull Jr. Team), 2017 Atlantic Championship Champion Peter Portante.
About Raphael (Rafa) Matos
With four series titles and three Rookie of the Year awards in seven years, Raphael Matos’ name became synonymous with winner. Matos won titles in 2003 (Skip Barber Formula Dodge), 2005 (Star Mazda Series), 2007 (Champ Car Atlantic Series) and 2008 (Firestone Indy Lights Series and Rolex 24 at Daytona), which helped pave the way for a full time IndyCar Series ride in 2009 where he went to earn IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year and Indianapolis 500 Fastest Rookie.
About John Walko
Since 1999, Walko has been a crew chief and engineer in SCCA Formula Ford, Formula Continental, Formula Ford Zetec Championship, Star Mazda, and the F2000 Championship Series, as well as within the variety of vintage series in the east. Overall, his drivers have amassed wins and podiums by the dozen.
