Vilho Aatola

Indy Junior Academy Class of 2024

Vilho Aatola is the first young driver of the Indy Junior Academy. He joined the academy in August 2024 and was selected for testing in Texas. In November 2024, he participated in a three-day test session with DEForce Racing. Vilho passed the test with flying colors and received contract offers from two USF Juniors teams. The journey to Indy has begun.

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More information: Anne Aatola, anne.aatola@gmail.com

Season 2024

Test Drive in Florida

December 2024

Vilho has signed a contract with the Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD) team for winter testing and the YACacademy Winter Series. Vilho participated in two days of USF Juniors testing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on December 12-13, 2024, impressing with his driving on both days and consistently ranking among the fastest drivers in the class during every session.

– The test days were a great success. Vilho is a young, talented driver, and we need this young man to race the full 2025 season in the USF Juniors series, said team owner Jay Howard enthusiastically.  

– Since Vilho is just starting his career in open-wheel cars, we focused on familiarizing him with the track, racing lines, and the car, as well as introducing him to our team. He handled the car professionally and clocked the fastest lap times throughout the tests. Vilho was a true professional out of the car too, he was very polite and nice to be around. I personally enjoyed working with him one on one with coaching, he listened well, and then he executed, Howard added.

Aatola himself was pleased with the test days and the experience gained.  

– It’s been great working with the JHDD team. Jay is an excellent driving coach who provides very practical driving tips. Every session is also analyzed using videos and data, Aatola summarized after a successful testing experience with his new team.

Photos: Indy Junior Academy / Aatola Racing Team

Tests in Texas

November 2024

November 7.-8.2024 Vilho took part in DEForce Racing Team’s test at the MSR Houston track in Angleton, Texas. He performed exceptionally well, which led to contract offers from two USF Juniors teams.

Vilho Aatola testing USF Juniors -class car. The video features the fastest lap of the day, 1:32,17.

Photos: Indy Junior Academy / Reggie Mathalone

Senior Max Rookie Year results

February-August 2024

1. Place, Central-European Rotax Max Challenge, 5. Round, Austria
CENTRAL-EUROPEAN ROTAX MAX CHALLENGERESULTS
23.-25.2.2024 Bonus Cup | Jesolo, ItalyP6
01.-03.3.2024 1. Round | Jesolo, ItalyP15
03.-05.5.2024 2. Round | Slovakia Ring, SlovakiaP10
21.-23.6.2024 3. Round | Trinec, TsekkiP2
28.-30.6.2024 4. Round | Trinec, Czech RepublicP4
20.-22.9.2024 5. Round | Speedworld, AustriaP1
TOTAL RESULT IN THE SERIESP3/78
Vilho Aatola kaudella 2024
MAXEURO TROPHY ROTAX MAX CHALLENGERESULTS
12.-14.4.2024 1. Round | Genk, BelgiumP44/73
07.-09.6.2024 2. Round | Wackersdorf, GermanyP47/73
Saksa05.-07.7.2024 3. Round | Franciacorta, ItalyP51/116

Previous Seasons

Aatola has been racing since he was 9 years old.