In 2014 Ryan Verra became the first Canadian driver to race in the F3 Series in Brazil, as well as the first Canadian with a podium finish in Brazil since F1 Driver Jacques Villeneuve in ’97.
Ryan is a natural born athlete having done many different sports and martial arts since he could walk. His intrigue for man made machines and speed brought him into the highly technical and dangerous world of wheel to wheel formula car racing late; but his dedication, talents and persistence has allowed him to climb into many different cockpits in 2012 which landed him a seat in the premier Mazda Road to Indy USF2000 league; the official ladder to the IZOD Indycar Series.
Verra’s racing background includes numerous top-10 finishes in the F1000 Championship Series, multiple podiums and 2 wins in the Mazda Road to Indy USF2000 Series and multiple podiums in Formula 3 Brazil. Ryan signed with race team Alliance Autosport as a full time driver in the Official Mazda Road to Indy of 2013 sanctioned by INDYCAR finishing second with 206 points in his rookie season and landing him a scholarship award.
After a eye surgery scare in early 2014, Ryan was out of the pilot seat for 8 months before returning to the drivers seat of not only a race car, but in late 2014 he traveled to South America to race in the Brazilian Formula 3 Championship. As the only Canadian in the series he brought home 3 podiums and enough points to finish in the top 10 with only a partial season. The F3 series has been a first major stepping stone for Formula One hopefuls and has launched drivers such as Nelson Piquet, Ricardo Zonta and Helio Castroneves.
In 2014 he became the first Canadian driver to race in the F3 Series in Brazil, earning 2 podium finishes for the partial season and becoming the first Canadian with a podium finish in that country since F1 Driver Jacques Villeneuve in ’97.
Philanthropy
Having lost 2 relatives to Cancer in 2012, and seeing the affect of the horrible disease on those close to him, Ryan contacted the Cancer Research Society and together they came up with a campaign called ‘Driven 2 Research’; raising awareness and funding for Cancer Research by utilizing the huge exposure race drivers get on and off the track. Continuing to push himself not matter what down the Road to Indy and international stomping grounds of racing, just as those who fight cancer do everyday hoping for a cure.
Ryan also takes time to mentor the youth and his peers at various races and events. A big part of his experience came from life lessons he shares with the youth and helps inspire them to follow their dreams.
Ryan works with various charities and fundraisers throughout the year and participates as a guest athlete, public speaking, hands on work, and volunteering.
Some Include:
Made by Momma, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Kid Sport, Ronald McDonald House, Cancer Research Society, Calgary Flood, High River Community Council, Monterey School