CHARLOTTE (September 19, 2023) – Cooper Becklin has been a near-permanent fixture on the Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) podium this season. Garnering 11 podiums in 12 races, the 19-year-old tied his career-best finish during the season-opening weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park and has since had the most consistent season of his formula racing career. While he’s still working to break through with his first-career win, Becklin is part this year’s FR Americas championship conversation while sitting third in the standings, just 98 points behind the leader.
A native of West Linn, Oregon, Becklin followed his father’s lead into a life in the fast line.
“My dad raced when he was younger—he actually raced motorcycles,” explained Becklin. “He put me in a go kart when I was still very young, and I just fell in love with it. I went from karting to Formula 4, and now we’re competing in FR Americas.”
Becklin joined the Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport organization just ahead of the 2021 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda (F4 U.S.) season after a successful career in karting and the Formula Pro USA F4 Western Championship. However, a crash in his F4 U.S. car early that season sped his progression to FR Americas, where the car features a Halo driver impact system to help protect Becklin’s 6-foot-2-inch frame.
With only two podiums recorded throughout his entire 2022 FR Americas season, the Oregon State student started 2023 by matching his entire previous season’s podium stats during the opening weekend at NOLA. After recording a second-place and third-place finish that weekend, Becklin stepped back on to the third-place step of the podium for Round 4 at Road America, and hasn’t stepped back off since.
“I came into the 2023 wanting to grow as a driver and wanting to put together good, consistent race finishes,” said Becklin. “It wasn’t necessarily a different mindset than I’ve had other years, but really just me being more comfortable with the car and looking to get better.”
Six races remain on the 2023 calendar, which means there are still 150 points up for grabs. With Becklin just 98 points out the lead, he still has viable chance at this year’s title.
“Winning a championship would mean a lot to me,” said Becklin. “It would not only be one of the best feelings in the world, but also allow me and others to understand what I am capable of as a driver.”
Becklin will resume his bid for the 2023 title when FR Americas returns to the track at VIRginia International Raceway, October 5-8. Tickets for the event are on sale now at VIRnow.com. Be sure to follow FR Americas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and updates.
