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.”
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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.
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.””
