With only 11 drivers heading to the opening weekend in New Orleans, the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship will have a much smaller field than the F4 US Championship that it races alongside, but there are still some quality drivers to watch out for. Find out who they are in Feeder Series’ guide to the 2023 Formula Regional Americas season.

By Eddie Fuhrer

When powerhouse TJ Speed Motorsports pulled out of the 2023 FR Americas season, it created the possibility for a new teams’ champion in the series for the first time since 2020. On top of that, Future Star Racing chose not to field a team as well, which has opened the door even more to new challengers in the series.

With so many teams backing out of the championship, it was a serious surprise when the entry list was announced for the upcoming weekend in New Orleans. While in F4 US, many of the drivers and teams were known already, the release of the entry list was the moment when fans found out on the spot who the vast majority of the 2023 FR Americas drivers are.

Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport

At the time of writing, more than half of the 11 cars confirmed for the upcoming season are for the Crosslink Kiwi team. After finishing second in the teams’ championship last season, they are by far the favourite to come away with it in 2023. 

New Zealander Callum Hedge picked up three wins as runner-up in this year’s Formula Regional Oceania Championship (FROC) and enters as one of the championship favourites. He landed on the podium at least once at every circuit the series raced on, showing his consistency.

Teammate Ryan Shehan also raced in FROC, where he picked up podiums at Teretonga and Manfeild. Shehan moves up to FR Americas after a fourth-place finish in the F4 US standings in 2022.

Another strong competitor in F4 US last season, Bryson Morris, finished second in the championship. He will also step up with the Crosslink Kiwi team to FR Americas for 2023. 

Meanwhile, Cooper Becklin ran full time for Crosslink Kiwi last season in FR Americas and picked up a podium at Mid-Ohio as part of a seventh-place championship finish – second to last out of the full-time drivers. 

Closing out the Crosslink Kiwi line-up is Kevin Janzen, who finished 16th in the standings in 2022, and Manuel Roza, who picked up two wins and nine podiums in NACAM F4.

Cameron Racing

It truly feels like Crosslink Kiwi versus the world in this series, but there are some other drivers to keep an eye on.

Nick Persing will be racing for newcomers Cameron Racing, after finishing with four podiums in FR Americas last season. He picked up a second-place finish at both Mid-Ohio and Circuit of the Americas.

Jensen Global Advisors

Continuing the tradition of Swedish-born California native, Oliver Westling will be racing for Jensen Global Advisors in the upcoming season after putting up strong, consistent results in the 2022 season, including a podium in the final race at the Circuit of the Americas.

IGY6 Motorsports

IGY6 Motorsports returns to the FR Americas grid and keeps Hayden Bowlsbey, son of co-owner Clark Bowlsbey, as part of their team. He finished 11th in the championship after running five weekends during the season.

IGY6 will also add Max Hewitt, a 21-year-old who last competed in karting in 2019.

Austin Hill Motorsports

Austin Hill will be making the jump to a family-owned outlet at the age of 16 after picking up eight wins in Formula Race Promotions across 32 races in the 2022 season.

JMF Motorsports

Currently racing in Formula Pro USA, 17-year-old Nicole Havrda also seeks to make an appearance during the season, driving for JMF Motorsports.

Calendar

Rounds 1-3: NOLA Motorsports Park (9-12 March)
Rounds 4-6: Road America (18-21 May)
Rounds 7-9: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (22-25 June)
Rounds 10-12: New Jersey Motorsports Park (28-30 July)
Rounds 13-15: Virginia International Raceway (5-8 October)
Rounds 16-18: Circuit of the Americas (2-5 November)

Where to watch

Many of the races throughout the season will be live streamed on the Formula Regional Americas YouTube channel. Make sure to also check out the website for the series and their social media accounts to learn more about where to follow along with races.

Header image credit: Gavin Baker Photography

Wish to donate a different amount? You can donate any amount directly to our PayPal page here.