On race weekends at Homestead-Miami Speedway, revving engines fill the air as drivers line up, mechanics make final adjustments, and spectators gather along pit lanes. What was once a small regional racing scene is gaining momentum as FARA Racing grows in participation, competition, and fan interest.
For Kevin Blanco Jr., co-owner of Speed Factory and mechanic with Velocity Racing Development, the transformation has been clear.
“When I first started, there weren’t a lot of cars,” Blanco said. “Now we’re seeing many more drivers and teams. Every event feels bigger than the last one.”
Across the United States, the FARA series has expanded over the past year, drawing new drivers, teams, and spectators. The growth reflects a surge of interest in South Florida motorsports fueled by social media, global racing exposure, and events like the Miami Grand Prix.
That atmosphere also attracts international drivers seeking additional experience, including 23-year-old Uruguayan driver Maite Cáceres.
“I started racing when I was 17 years old, which is considered late in motorsports,” Cáceres said. “A lot of drivers begin when they’re eight or nine. FARA really helped my development as a driver.”
Cáceres has since become the first female driver to secure a podium finish in a Formula car race in the United States.
“Miami is like my home base now,” Cáceres said. “Racing in front of local fans and friends is very special.”
In Formula FARA, competitors race open-wheel cars built on Ligier Formula 4 chassis powered by 2.0-liter Honda engines producing about 160 horsepower. The standardized design ensures competition is determined largely by driver skill and car setup.
“The goal is to develop the driver,” said Blanco.
By focusing on driver development, Formula FARA has become an important proving ground for young racers transitioning from karting.
Axel Robards, 15, is one of the young competitors taking advantage of that opportunity. Inspired by watching his older brothers race, he transitioned from karting to cars at age 11.
“The speed is higher, the suspension is different, and the way the car handles is not the same,” Robards said. “Racing here helps you learn quickly.”
As participation grows, competition has intensified, he said: “There are more drivers now. It gives you more people to battle with, which helps you improve.”
Axel’s father, Thad Robards, said the family discovered FARA while researching development opportunities.
“We actually heard about it through Velocity Racing Development,” Thad Robards said. “They recommended coming here to get real race experience before moving up.”
Velocity Racing Development is a U.S.-based junior formula racing team focused on training and developing young drivers for higher levels of motorsports. The organization provides coaching, race support, and “arrive-and-drive” opportunities in developmental championships.
The father and son duo found more than just a training ground.
“When we first came, we thought it would be a smaller series,” Robards said. “The atmosphere is amazing. There’s music, food, spectators, and multiple classes racing at the same event.”
At Homestead-Miami Speedway, fans can also move freely through the pit area and interact with drivers and teams.
Blanco credits increased exposure for attracting a new generation of racing fans: “Motorsports is becoming more popular because of social media and Formula One being here in Miami,” he said.
As more fans discover motorsports in South Florida, many believe the region is becoming an important racing hub. From young drivers chasing podiums to international competitors building careers, growing crowds suggest that the future of racing in Miami is accelerating quickly.
Blanco notes the passion and commitment of drivers and teams are what drive the sport forward.
“Teamwork is everything in racing,” he said. “Everyone has to communicate, know their role.”
For drivers, the series offers valuable experience and a pathway into professional racing.
“This sport is no joke,” Cáceres said. “You need to be precise and perform at your maximum level.”
Cáceres said she credits discipline and motivation as a key to success, and she believes the local racing culture offers a more personal experience.
“In Europe, fans are far away in the stands,” she said. “Here, they are in the pits and feel part of the event.”
Cáceres also hopes her experience inspires more women to pursue motorsports.
“I would tell female drivers to work hard and train even harder,” Cáceres said. “It’s a physically demanding sport, but don’t let that stop you.”
