From a young age, Ridgeley W. has dreamed of becoming a professional race car driver. He started watching Formula 1 racing and Indycar competitions at just 8 years old, mesmerized by the speed and tenacity of the drivers who manned the wheels. As he enters his young adult life, his dreams are becoming a reality.
Ridgeley enrolled in Visions’ Independent Study Academy to allow him the flexibility to pursue his dream and the sport of racing. Not only did this give him the ability to train, but he was also able to explore other passions of his, including 3D design and printing. “Visions allowed me to explore my interests by giving me time to learn the skills and also through some of the classes they offer,” he shared.
Ridgeley has been racing for eight years, specifically regional level Formula 4 and go karts, and has been competing for six. From Los Angeles to Las Vegas, his nearly 20 races per year have brought him to new places and to new people, all who love the sport as much as he does.
“I love driving and also having tight competition with opponents but I also like the fact that almost everyone there has similar interests and are always nice and good people,” said Ridgeley.
While the sport may seem simple, racing takes an extreme amount of training and discipline.
“Being a racing driver is not as simple as it seems, especially at the competitive level. You have to stay fit and work out consistently,” Ridgeley shared. “I currently bike about 10 miles a day, and do as many as 40 situps in a single set to keep solid core strength, along with many other exercises.”
His hard work and determination have paid off, as he will be taking the wheel of the VMB Driver Development F4 for the Formula Pro USA F4 Championship’s 2025 season.
Finding Visions has been instrumental in Ridgeley’s pursuit of a professional racing career. By enrolling in a program that allowed him the flexibility to learn at his own pace, he was able to chase his dream and train at the level expected of a true professional.
The support of his teachers was also critical during his high school experience. When asked about his relationship with Visions staff and teachers, he stated that his relationship with his teachers was, “awesome.” They maintained a close relationship during his educational journey, from his first day to the moment he graduated from Visions as part of the Class of 2024.
Beyond racing, Ridgeley plans to continue his education at community college, hoping to dive deeper into a few of his other interests – Computer-aided design (CAD) software and 3-dimensional design. Beyond college, he dreams of racing with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Indycar, the races he’s been watching since he was just a young boy.
When asked what he’d say to another student considering Visions, Ridgeley said “go for it”, emphasizing the ability to plan your own schedule and “live a better, less stressful lifestyle.” He also leaves students with this:
“No matter what, always keep your head up and go for your dreams and always embrace change.”
