IndyCar driver and all-star kart racer, Jay Howard, helms new driving school in New Orleans

NOLA Motorsports Park has partnered with world-renowned IndyCar driver Jay Howard to open the Jay Howard School of Racing at NOLA Motorsports Park in mid-January 2016.

The British-born Howard is the 2005 U.S. Formula Ford Zetec champion and 2006 Indy Lights Champion. As NOLA Motorsports Park’s resident “track pro” and Director of Karting, he’ll teach group classes and offer one-on-one instruction to racers of all ages and skill levels. 

Howard’s long coaching career is as impressive as his racing record. He specializes in taking drivers from go-karting to car racing—and many of his 40-plus students have won championships, from local club kart victories to world championships. Some have moved up the ladder from karting all the way to IndyCar, following in Jay’s footsteps. 

“I have a unique approach to coaching,” Howard says. “I offer something different, drawing from my experience when I raced, and combining that with what I’ve learned working with all my drivers at all levels. I look forward to working with local drivers and helping them develop and reach their goals. We definitely offer something unique that fits nicely with the most elite track in North America.”

NOLA Motorsports Park is a 750-acre motorsports facility in Avondale, La., just 20 minutes from downtown New Orleans. It is the only facility in the world with an internationally certified road course (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile/FIA) and kart track (Commission Internationale de Karting/CIK). The 1.5-mile go-karting track is part of a 40-acre dedicated karting space.

Park owners Laney and Ruth Chouest see Howard joining the team as a step forward in making NOLA Motorsports Park—and New Orleans—a world-class racing destination. Laney Chouest says of the partnership: “Jay Howard’s career and experience as a major driving talent, coupled with his willingness and ability to teach, is another asset that makes NOLA Motorsports Park the premier kart-racing facility in the U.S.”

“We’re going to make some good things happen with Laney and Ruth’s vision,” Howard says. “We’ve got some great things we’re working on, and I’m really optimistic.”