DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – VRD Racing by Pole Position is thrilled to announce the signing of Spanish driver Ivan Machado Perez for the 2026 USF Juniors season. The 24-year-old Spaniard brings impressive credentials from both karting and formula car racing as he takes the next step in his motorsport career.
Machado's racing journey began at age 8 in karting, where he captured the 2017 Spanish District Championship Asturias Senior title. After progressing through various karting categories, he transitioned to formula racing at 15 before funding challenges temporarily sidelined his career. Undeterred, Machado turned to iRacing to maintain his skills, ultimately winning the 2024 Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series championship.
His virtual success translated into a real-world opportunity when he earned a full-season ride in the 2025 Skip Barber Formula Race Series. Machado dominated the championship, winning 10 out of 14 races with a perfect 100% podium rate, capturing 10 pole positions and 10 fastest laps. Most recently, Machado set the fastest lap time during the USF Juniors Fall Combine Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway while testing with Olivia Racing.
"I'm extremely excited to join the USF Juniors grid with VRD Racing by Pole Position for the 2026 season," said Machado. "I'm very grateful for the trust Dan and Yannick have placed in me, and I'm fully focused on building a strong campaign together to fight at the front from the very beginning. Let's get to work!"
VRD Racing's Dan Mitchell expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "Ivan has shown tremendous dedication and skill throughout his career. His ability to consistently run at the front, combined with his professional approach both on and off the track, makes him an excellent fit for our program. We're excited to help him continue his progression, and we believe he has the talent to compete for wins right from the start of the season."
VRD Racing, based in Dawsonville, Ga., at Atlanta Motorsports Park, is known for its commitment to developing young talent in motorsports. VRD Racing continues to provide a platform for young drivers to progress through the motorsport ranks, with a proven record of success in the USF Pro Championships and GB3.