SPIKE KOHLBECKER JOINS THE TOYOTA GAZOO RACING NORTH AMERICA INAUGURAL GR CUP WITH TECHSPORT RACING

Spike Kohlbecker prepares to launch his sports car debut with proven championship team, TechSport Racing, in the new GR Cup, single-make series as part of the SRO America sanctioning body.

The new 2023 GR Cup Race Car built by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) in Mooresville, NC

““I’m thrilled to pilot the #55 GR Cup race car. And the chance to work with a championship winning team like TechSport is a unique opportunity for sure. Awesome tracks, large fields, and an extremely competitive group of professional drivers with backing from Toyota and SRO – Wow, what a year this is going to be!””

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Louis, MO (Wednesday, February 22, 2023) – Spike Kohlbecker of St. Louis, MO joins Championship wining team, TechSport Racing, in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s GR Cup Series. In partnership with sanctioning body SRO America, the GR Cup will provide drivers and teams the opportunity to compete in large, competitive fields at some of the most iconic racing venues in North America. The single-make series, featuring the Toyota GR86, will make its debut at Sonoma Raceway in April before traveling to the famous Circuit of Americas in May.

Spike Kohlbecker set to debut with TechSport with Toyota’s GR Cup at Sonoma Raceway Park

““I’m grateful for the opportunity to pilot the #55 GR Cup car with the support and guidance of the TechSport Team. I’m always looking for a challenge, never afraid to do hard things, and this year will certainly be a challenge. With a proper race car, a proven team, the manufacturer support from Toyota Gazoo Racing North America, world-famous tracks, and a proper series supported by SRO America, this is great way to further develop my professional racing career. No doubt this is all made possible by my sponsors and supporters. I look forward to welcoming them and everyone that has been on this journey with me to all the races this year. To have the chance to represent my supporters and my #STLMADE community again is just a dream come true.””

KOHLBECKER AND KIWI MOTORSPORT CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP

Spike at speed in Invercargill, New Zealand. Southernmost FIA track in the world. Photo: Terry Marshall

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the track when it’s safe to do so. I want it to be safe for me, the team, and everyone at the track – whenever that is. Until then I’ll be using my time wisely, preparing for what will be my first race in the US. I’ll be ready to go.”

Spike Kohlbecker set to make long-awaited US debut after impressive run in New Zealand’s TRS Formula 3 series.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Louis, MO and Dallas, TX (Tuesday, May 5, 2020) – Returning Formula 4 United States Championship powered by Honda team winner Kiwi Motorsport, and rising open wheel racing talent Spike Kohlbecker rejoin on US soil after a successful season in New Zealand. Kiwi Motorsport owners Garry Orton and Teena Larsen commented, “We’re glad to have Spike back with the team here in the US. After watching Spike’s amazing progress in TRS Formula 3 we sat down with Spike and set forth a plan to run in the US and now that plan has come together.”

Spike and Kiwi Motorport team owner Teena Larsen. Photo: Euan Cameron

Kohlbecker will also reunite with renowned Indy Lights engineer Tim Neff. “Tim and Spike really connected in New Zealand and their time together in Formula 3 will certainly put them in a good position coming into the season. And after Spike’s breakout run at the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend where he secured his place as the series Most Improved Driver, I have no doubt Spike will be running up front here in the States”, added Orton.

Spike and Tim Neff confirming on objectives. Photo: Bruce Jenkins

“When asked how he felt about racing in the US and rejoining the Kiwi Motorsport team Spike noted, “To say I’m excited to race in the US with Kiwi Motorsport is an understatement. I’ve already heard from many of my sponsors and supporters – it’s going to be great to have them in the stands and with me in the pits. I learned a lot from my time in New Zealand and I feel like I have a solid foundation coming into the year. This will be yet another challenge for me, but I am ready.”

Kohlbecker’s first race in the Formula 4 United States Championship powered by Honda is scheduled for Virginia International Raceway with subsequent races at Barber Motorsports Park, and Sebring International Raceway. Two additional race weekends are pending rescheduling before the season concludes at the prestigious Circuit of the Americas —United States Grand Prix on October 23-25. 

US DRIVER, SPIKE KOHLBECKER SIGNS WITH KIWI MOTORSPORT

F1600 Ace, Kohlbecker Confirmed for New Zealand’s Castrol Toyota Racing Series (TRS)

Auckland, New Zealand and St. Louis, Missouri USA (Saturday, January 4, 2020) – Veteran Castrol Toyota Racing Series and 2019 US Formula 4 Championship team, Kiwi Motorsport adds Kohlbecker to their lineup of international drivers for the highly anticipated 2020 TRS Championship. Since the launch of the Tatuus-based 280 horsepower turbocharged FT-60 chassis in May there has again been worldwide attention on the series that is set to field a full grid of 20 drivers beginning on January 17 at Highlands Motorsports Park on New Zealand’s South Island.

Photo: Andrea Pritchard

Kiwi Motorsport owner Garry Orton commented, “Teena and I first met Spike at Teretonga Park, New Zealand where he was racing F1600 and we’ve kept a close eye on his career ever since. Coming off a very strong F1600 season in the UK, I am sure Spike is going to perform very well in TRS. This year’s lineup has attracted some of the best up and coming drivers in the world so this year will again be a very tough series. We’re thrilled that Spike will be working with renown Indy Lights engineer Tim Neff. Tim has experience at many of the TRS tracks and will be a great mentor to Spike in this next big step in his career.”

TRS Category & Operations Manager Nicolas Caillol added, “We are very pleased to welcome Spike in our series this season. I have watched his performance since I met him in Teretonga last year when he was racing F1600 here in New Zealand. His results in the highly competitive Formula Ford in the UK have convinced me he will be able to take the challenge this season in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series. He already has the knowledge of some of the tracks which will allow him to focus more on the driving of the new FT-60. I’m looking forward to seeing him on track.”

In preparation for the series Spike noted, “I’m excited to take the next step in my racing career in the TRS series with Kiwi Motorsport. No doubt it will be a challenge but that’s exactly what I want. The tracks, the New Zealand fans, and the TRS series are all world-class and will serve as a great foundation for the next step in my career. Racing against the best is what every great driver wants to do in order to establish where you are and where you need to be. I am very grateful that my sponsors and supporters see this opportunity as a key step in my development.”

AUTO RACING’S RISING OPEN-WHEEL STAR AND ST. LOUIS NATIVE, SPIKE KOHLBECKER NAMED AS SEMI-FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS TEAM USA RACING SCHOLARSHIP

Photo: Nick Ammann, Cfx, Inc.

16-year-old balances international competition and high-school education in pursuit of his dream.

At only 16 years old, St. Louis, Missouri-native Spike Kohlbecker has driven farther – and faster – than most people ever will. Performing exceptionally well in New Zealand earlier this year and shattering expectations,

Spike continued to compete in the UK Ford FF1600. Spike’s racing history/story began with kart racing at the age of 5, Kohlbecker recently transitioned to competitive open-wheel (Formula Ford/F1600) car racing and has been named a semi-finalist for the prestigious Team USA Scholarship.

Photo: Mark Schwigen

Celebrating its 30th year, the Team USA Scholarship provides opportunities for talented young American race-car drivers at an early stage in their careers. The program covers the cost to represent the United States in two of the world’s largest and most competitive races held in the United Kingdom: the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone. The program also provides introductions to influential figures within motorsports who can offer valuable insight and contacts to assist these young drivers’ progress up the racing ladder.

Kohlbecker has already made the first cut from 10 candidates to 6 semi-finalists, with 2 finalists from the group of 6 to be selected later this summer.

““Being considered for the Team USA Scholarship is a dream come true,” said Kohlbecker. “The names of past candidates and winners is an impressive list that includes five drivers who competed in this year’s Indy 500. I am honored to be considered for this opportunity and am fortunate to have the support of my family and my sponsors to help me continue to pursue my dream of winning the Indy 500.”
”

Kohlbecker got his start in local kart racing at tracks such as the Gateway Kartplex at World Wide Technologies Raceway. Since 2010, he has racked up countless local, regional and national wins and has been a factory-sponsored kart driver for St. Louis-based Margay Racing, as well as a driving instructor for other ambitious young karters. Eager to expand his capabilities to include auto racing, Kohlbecker began racing Formula 1600 open-wheel, open-cockpit cars in 2018. Pursuing this new passion has taken him around the globe. Kohlbecker spent most of 2018 in Canada, where he scored multiple wins and numerous podium finishes. He then progressed to New Zealand where he scored many podium finishes. He now competes in the UK National Championship Series, where again he has scored multiple wins and is challenging for the UK National Championship. Kohlbecker is the first US driver to score wins in both the Canadian and UK Formula Ford National Series championship events, an especially impressive feat considering he is only 16 years old. His early success in open-wheel racing has not gone unnoticed in racing circles. Racing legends, officials, team owners and industry writers alike are singing his praises as a promising young talent.

Photo: Mark Schwigen

Balancing academics and auto-racing aspirations
Participating in international racing competitions has made it impossible for Kohlbecker to have a traditional high-school experience, as he is often on the road for weeks – sometimes months – at a time. Seeking a way to continue his high-school education while competing abroad, Kohlbecker and his family found a viable option at Kirkwood High School through the Launch program – Missouri’s solution for course-access issues for school districts and families in need of flexible and personalized learning options. With the approval of – and in cooperation with – administrators and faculty, Kohlbecker became the first student in the state of Missouri to take the Launch online program internationally.

Kohlbecker is currently conducting his studies in the United Kingdom while racing in the Avon Tyres Formula Ford UK National Championship Series – all while successfully taking an accelerated course load.

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KOHLBECKER WINS AT LEGENDARY BRANDS HATCH

““Racing at the world famous Brands Hatch Indy circuit was a dream come true. It was Round 5, Race 1 of the UK National Championship that I finished with a win and took the top step of the podium. I sure hope it was an interesting race for the diehard UK racing fans who came out in force to watch because for me in was an intense race. I will remember this hard fought win for a long time.””

MID-SEASON UPDATE: SPIKE CURRENTLY IN 2nd PLACE IN THE UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

2019 has been an incredible year for me and I’m only half way into it. Coming back from New Zealand with a massive amount of experience really helped set the tone for the year. Great things are happening on and off the track and I’m pleased to share a few of them with you in this mid-season report. I can’t thank my friends, family and supporters enough for making this dream become a reality.

I’m now in 2nd place in UK National Championship and with 4 more races in England and Northern Ireland, there is still plenty of time to come visit me. You won’t want to miss the action at legendary tracks like Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

Hope to see you at the track soon.

Living and racing in New Zealand helped me develop on and off the track.

Racing in “En Zed” (as the Kiwi’s would say) was an experience I will never forget. The learnings on and off the track made me a better driver and a better person thanks in part to the support of John and Trish Crawford. Jumping into a new car, a new country, and unfamiliar tracks was the challenge I was looking for. Double podiums in my first 2 weekends of racing helped earn some incredible press coverage.

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The tremendous trio of Cliff Dempsey Racing, Ray Racing chassis, and Bold Engines will put a smile on your face for sure.

Racing for the legendary Cliff Dempsey Racing Team is a incredible opportunity for me to learn from yet another world-class program. Experiencing my third chassis in as many series, I’ve grown accustomed to the Ray Racing chassis and love the nimble feel I get with the car at some of the trickiest tracks I’ve raced on. Right away I was in the hunt with this team scoring a double podium and a win in my first race weekend in the UK.

In the UK everybody is a race fan.

I always heard the UK fans were mad about their racing — and they are! It’s been real fun racing in front of big crowds at tracks in England and Wales (and soon to be in Northern Ireland).

I’m currently in 2nd place in the UK National Championship at the mid-point of the season. This series has been the challenge I was looking for. As I told the UK Motorsports media here, I’m not chasing trophies - I want to race against the best.

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Celebrating another podium appearance with Michelle.

Who is Michelle? Racing is a team sport and none of my success would be possible without the support of Michelle Dempsey both at the track and at home. Just when she thought she was done with teenagers she gets to deal with me. Michelle has looked after young drivers from all over the world at her home in Brigstock, England. I’m thankful I have an opportunity to live and race with Cliff and Michelle ... it’s an experience I will never forget.

I’m looking forward to the 2nd half of the season. Check my social channels for further updates.