INDYCAR: Jones wins BRDC award

Indy Lights champion Ed Jones was awarded the prestigious Earl Howe Trophy for 2016 by the British Racing Drivers Club.

Jones collected the award, which is presented annually to the most successful BRDC member competing in North America, at a gala event in London.

"It's a great honour to be awarded the Earl Howe Trophy," said Jones, who will step up to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing next year.

"Just looking at the incredible roll call of drivers to have won it in the past like Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti is truly inspirational, and it's amazing to have now added my name alongside theirs.

"It's really rewarding to be recognized for everything we've achieved over the past couple of seasons. It underscores how far we've come since moving to the States in 2015, and there are so many people who have been instrumental in that success.

"It was definitely a gamble to walk away from Europe to chase the IndyCar dream, but it's one that has paid off through a lot of hard work – especially this year, when we really had to fight for the Indy Lights title up against a lot of tough opposition."

BRDC club secretary Gillian Carr said that Jones could be a trailblazer for a new generation of British drivers to try racing in the U.S.

"Ed's graduation to the Verizon IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing is a huge milestone for one of motorsport's most exciting young talents, and we hope that his winter program allows him to hit the ground running in St. Petersburg next March," she said

"It is a fantastic opportunity for Ed and as a former BRDC Rising Star, he is paving the way for other young British drivers who are considering a career in the United States."

Jones has already begun working with Coyne ahead of the Sebring test later this week.

"IndyCar will unquestionably be another big step, but I'm feeling ready for it and can't wait to get stuck in. I've had chance to spend a little bit of time with the DCR guys and get to know everybody there and we're already forming a close bond," he said.

"I'll be testing with them for the first time at Sebring at the end of this week. It will be good to get properly down to business and begin preparing in earnest for 2017, and having been away from the cockpit of a racing car for almost three months, I can't wait to climb back behind the wheel."