New Season, New Colours for Ben Cooper Racing

With three Rotax Grand Finals titles to his name along with countless victories and titles elsewhere around the globe, Ben Cooper is a one of the most renowned kart racers in the world. Recently he shifted his focus from racing to coaching, helping groom the next crop of karting talents and last year he partnered up with long-time friend and team manager Peter Kalman, creating the KMS North America Racing Team. But with the turn of the calendar and Kalman moving back to Europe it was time for Cooper to take control of his destiny and so he has created Ben Cooper Racing, North Americas newest karting team.

“As many people noticed at the Florida Winter Tour, we operated as the Jim Russell Karting Academy but it was time for a fresh start,” explains Ben Cooper. “I was advised to utilize my name as the brand and after many ideas and discussions, I decided the simple approach was the best in creating Ben Cooper Racing.”

Cooper came close to a fourth RGF title in 2014, finishing second in the Rotax DD2 class in Valencia, Spain (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Growing up and honing his talents in the United Kingdom with his father at his side, Cooper now resides in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, managing the Jim Russell Karting Academy. Papa Ben will be a vital part of the new Ben Cooper Racing operation where the team encourages it’s drivers to work closely with their parents as the mechanic, while BCR team managers provide assistance.

“Just like I learned with my dad, I want to influence the parent-driver combination as much as I can,” continues Cooper. “From experience I can tell you it is a much more rewarding experience working together hand in hand towards a common goal. Of course myself and Papa Ben will oversee the operation and lend a hand to all of our drivers whenever needed.”

Ben Cooper Racing drivers will race aboard BirelART chassis through SRA Karting with much of the operation being very similar to how KMS North America operated last season. The team has a very busy schedule penned for 2015 with intentions to compete in the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship, US Open, Coupe du Quebec, US Rotax Grand Nationals and Canadian National Karting Championships. Both Rotax Max and Briggs & Stratton programs are available to drivers and the team has positions available for interested drivers who want to join Ben Cooper Racing for any of the mentioned events.

Currently a handful of drivers have committed to Ben Cooper Racing for 2015 including: Micro-Max racers Justin Arseneau, Dale Curran and Brandon Itzchovitch; Mini-Maxers Chloe Chambers and Emma Dellattre; Xavier Dorsnie in Briggs & Stratton Junior; George Stojackovic and Rotax Junior along with DD2 drivers Dev Gore and Didier Carré.

For those interested in joining Ben Cooper Racing for racing events or professional driver coaching, email bcooper@kartingjimrussell.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook at http://fb.com/BenCooperRacing.