Highwind Driver Academy

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23px-Flag of Ireland.svg-1-.png Highwind Driver Academy
Founded 2019
Base Dublin, Ireland
Founder(s) Ahmed Cheema
Operated by Highwind
Total number
of drivers
1
Junior Series Titles
VWRS None
VERS None
VARS 1 (2020)
VOARS None

Highwind Driver Academy was a youth academy to train drivers to one day race for the Highwind team in Formula Virtual. The academy looked to sign up young talents and provide them with assistance in not only junior series championships, but also in other tier 1 endeavours such as the Virtual 24. Highwind's experienced driver Diego Campos helped with training young drivers when he was part of the team.

Formered initially as the Cheema FV Driver Academy when Highwind ran under its old name, the only member of academy was Finland's Henri Ruotsalainen. Finishing in the top three of VERS on debut, he joined the Highwind Driver Academy and went on to win in VARS and won the rookie title in VWRS. He would also race in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the V24 with Highwind in the GT categories. Ruotsalainen would continue to excel after Highwind folded, reaching Formula Virtual in 2024.

Graduates to Tier One

Driver Junior Team experience Tier One experience with Highwind Tier One experience with other teams
Years Former series
23px-Flag of Finland.svg-1-.png Henri Ruotsalainen 2020-2022 VARS (2020)
VWRS (20212022)
N/A Formula Virtual (SRT 2024)