Team behind Vilho

DEFORCE RACING TEAM

DEForce Racing has played a central role in launching Vilho’s Road to Indy journey. From the very beginning, the team has believed in his talent, commitment, and work ethic, providing a professional and competitive environment where he can take the next steps in American open-wheel racing.

As an established and ambitious organization within the Road to Indy ladder system, DEForce Racing is known for developing young drivers and guiding them toward the highest levels of motorsport. The team is led by owners David Martinez and Ernesto Martinez, whose vision and dedication have built a strong foundation for future champions. On track, Vilho works closely with race engineer Armando Valdes and driver coach Simon Sikes, whose experience and technical expertise are invaluable in his development. In the United States, Moises De La Vara oversees practical and operational matters, ensuring everything runs smoothly off the track.

Beyond titles and roles, the mechanics, truck drivers, and entire DEForce Racing crew have become a true racing family for Vilho. Together, they share a common goal: continuous progress and the pursuit of success at the highest levels of the sport.

PARENTS

Vilho’s parents, Anne and Tommi, have been the cornerstone of his journey in motorsport from the very beginning. In the early years, his father worked as his mechanic and his mother took care of catering and race-day support. As Vilho’s career has progressed, their roles have grown alongside it.

Today, both parents manage partnership discussions, team agreements, social media and media collaborations, while also overseeing travel and logistical arrangements. Working behind the scenes, they play a key role in ensuring that Vilho can focus fully on his performance and continued development on track.

INDY JUNIOR ACADEMY FIN-USA

Founded by former racing driver Tero Palmroth, the Indy Junior Academy is dedicated to paving the way for talented Finnish drivers into the American motorsport scene. With deep knowledge of the Road to Indy system and its unique dynamics, the Academy maintains extensive connections with teams and racing series across the United States. It supports drivers in contract negotiations and helps their teams navigate the development ladder from junior categories to the highest levels of competition.

In addition to Palmroth, the Academy’s advisory network includes several distinguished figures: long-time sports influencer Kari Haapiainen, Finland’s former Ambassador to Washington, Jukka Valtasaari, Finnish industrial counselor Ilpo Kokkila, business executive Osmo Hautanen, who played a key role in building Nokia’s mobile phone operations in the United States, and Larry G. Arnold, who has worked with Indy teams and served as a senior executive at Bristol Myers Squibb.

FLYING FINN ACADEMY

Flying Finn Academy is the official driver development program of AKK-Motorsport ry, created to support Finland’s most talented young drivers on their path toward professional motorsport careers. The Academy’s mission is to safeguard Finland’s proud racing heritage and ensure continued international success in the years to come through structured, high-level coaching and long-term athlete development.

The drivers selected to the Flying Finn Academy represent the most promising young talents in Finnish motorsport, all aiming for the top levels of international racing series and categories.

Vilho has been part of the Next Generation coaching group for the past two years. Through the program, he has received valuable support particularly in physical training and performance development. Currently, his entire strength and conditioning program — including planning, monitoring, and testing — is managed by the Academy’s coaching team, providing a professional framework to support his continued progress on and off the track.

CFAcademy

CFAcademy, based in Seinäjoki/Finland, has built a high-quality formula simulator, which Vilho has also used over the years. The simulator's chief architect, Andy Symonds, is known for several F1 team driving simulator projects. The driving coach has been William Alatalo, who is a Finnish professional racing driver competing internationally. Ossi Viljanen has played a key role as an important contact in helping Vilho find his path to CF Academy.

Kerttuli Sports High School and
Turku Region Sports Academy

Kerttuli Sports High School operates under a special mandate granted by the Finnish Ministry of Education, providing talented young athletes with the opportunity to combine high-level sports training with flexible and goal-oriented upper secondary education. It is the only sports high school in Southwest Finland and the second largest in the country. The school is also home to the nationally recognized elite sports program, the Turku Region Sports Academy.

For Vilho, admission to Kerttuli enables him to pursue quality academic studies while training twice a day in a structured and professional environment. The school’s flexible system also allows him to balance international testing and race travel alongside his education — an essential factor in progressing his racing career. With highly skilled and supportive staff, Kerttuli offers an ideal foundation for combining elite sport and academic success.