SCCA Pro Racing

CHARLOTTE (September 5, 2023) - With students across the country returning to the classroom, so, too, are drivers from Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas). Over 70% of the drivers who have competed in FR Americas this season have done so while balancing both racing and academics.

Drivers like Nicole Havrda (No. 6 No. 6 Valley Kitchens / Farrow / Colonial Countertops / Hardwoods / Road to Racing Ligier JS F3), Austin Hill (No. 8 SoOhio Equip / Alum Trailers / Ferris Mowers / Big Tex Trailers / PJ Trailers / CM Truck JS F3) and Cole Kleck (No. 11 Velocity Racing Development Ligier JS F3) are all enrolled in high school. Havrda is entering her senior year and taking online classes, while Kleck and Hill are both members of the Class of 2025 in their local school districts.  

Ryan Shehan (No. 66 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) and Manuel Roza (No. 12 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) both recently completed their high school studies and collected their diplomas this past spring. Shehan has since gone on to take the Michigan Real Estate License exam, while Roza will embark on his freshman year of college this coming January studying Engineering.

Cooper Becklin (No. 19 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3), Rodrigo Gutierrez (No. 10 Velocity Racing Development Ligier JS F3) and Nick Persing (No. 29 OPI Commercial Builders Ligier JS F3) are all entering their sophomore year of college. Becklin transferred to Oregon State University where he is studying Graphic Design, while Gutierrez will continue his coursework in Business Administration at the University of South Florida. Meanwhile, Persing is back at Boise State University to continue working toward his Business Management degree.

After wrapping up a summer internship as an investment analyst, Oliver Westling (No. 1 JENSEN Ligier JS F3) returns to Chico State University for his junior year studying Business Entrepreneurship.

With his college degree just months away, Max Hewitt (No. 39 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) begins his final semester at Baylor University where he is studying Communications and Entrepreneurship as a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity (pictured).

For now, these students only need to worry about the classroom, but that will change with the Andy Scriven Memorial at the VIR Gold Cup SpeedTour just around the corner. 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.

Photo provided by Max Hewitt, who is pictured with his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers.