The 2023 Formula Pro USA Western FR Series was the fourth season of the Formula Regional-level championship that ran under an F3 moniker before 2020. The championship was promoted and organized by Exclusive Racing and Exclusive Auctions, and ran under the same sporting regulations as the FIA-sanctioned Formula Regional Americas Championship.
After having already won the winter series earlier in the year, Nicole Havrda also won the main championship.
Teams and drivers
All drivers competed with Honda-powered Ligier JS-F3 cars on Avon tires.
Race calendar
The 2023 calendar was planned to be held over twelve races spanning across six weekends. Compared to 2022, Buttonwillow Raceway Park joined the schedule, replacing one of the three rounds at Thunderhill Raceway Park. The weekend at Laguna Seca was cancelled mid-weekend, meaning only ten races were held.
Race results
Season report
The season began at Thunderhill Raceway Park with the same two drivers that contested the winter championship. The competitive order of that championship continued, with Valley Kitchens' Nicole Havrda winning both races and establishing an early ten-point lead over WSM's Jay Horak. Horak had been faster at points throughout the weekend, as he scored one pole and both fastest laps, but had to concede both race victories to Havrda.
Larry Schnur joined WSM and the series for round two at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, but was also no match for Havrda. The Canadian expanded on her success in round one to dominate and sweep the weekend, taking both poles, fastest laps and race wins. Her advantage over Horak was now 30 points as the WSM teammates both claimed a second and a third place each.
A return to Thunderhill Raceway Park brought no change in the formbook. While Horak was on top in the first qualifying session and also claimed the fastest race lap, Havrda was once again unbeatable in the race. As the second day rolled around, she then took another clean sweep with pole position, fastest lap and race victory. Horak had to be content with two second places once again, both times ahead of Schnur, seeing Havrda's standings lead grow to 45 points.
The race weekend at Laguna Seca was cancelled for unknown reasons, creating a gap of two months ahead of the final two rounds of the championship.
Sonoma Raceway hosted the penultimate round of the season, which saw Kiwi Motorsport and Jake Bonilla join the championship, albeit at the expense of Schnur. Here, Havrda threatened to continue her dominant form, but she was unable to start race one from pole, leaving Horak to take the win. She continued to struggle in race two, finishing third and last, while Bonilla claimed a debut win. This reduced Havrda's championship lead to 15 points.
The championship returned to Buttonwillow Raceway Park for the season finale, where four cars were entered. Kiwi Motorsports' debutant Jett Bowling took pole, but Horak was on a mission to win the title as he claimed the race win. Havrda came third with the fastest lap, so her lead was reduced further to only seven points. It was all to play for in the final race, but Havrda took pole position, fastest lap and the win to secure the title.
Only five drivers competed in the series, with most rounds only seeing three cars compete. Havrda was clearly ahead of defending champion Horak on most occasions, save for her off weekend at Sonoma that allowed Horak to close back into the championship fight.
Championship standings
Points were awarded as follows:
See also
2023 Formula Pro USA FR Winter Series
References
External links
Official website: