Local athlete, 14-year-old Cohen Loewrigkeit, of Brownwood, TX, completed the National Flat Track (NFT) 2023-2024 Winter Series earning three Texas North Regional Titles and three Series State Titles. Loewrigkeit, who goes by the nickname “Coco”, clinched the wins in the 250cc Amateur, 450cc Amateur, and Open Amateur classes.
The Winter Series was the first full season for Coco riding his 2023 Honda CRF 250R. “My bike was set up by Jacob Lehmann and it is super fast. I have a lot of fun riding it,” he said. “I still love riding the 2014 bike that Bubba (Anthony Lochbaum of Stephenville, TX) sponsors me with. It’s just a little bit slower than my new bike.”
Lehmann (Lehmann Racing, Floresville, TX), who originally hails from Snohomish, WA, is a former pro American Flat Track (AFT) and 2014 Peoria TT Champion, and he is a proud sponsor and coach of Coco. He and Coco have been riding and working together for going on two years now. “Jacob and Coco are both #4, so I think they were meant to ride together,” joked Loewrigkeit’s mother, Carolyn Loewrigkeit. “I love watching them ride. Jacob has taught him so much, it’s just awesome,” she said.
The summer series race events have begun, and Coco has started off well, winning six first place finishes at the ½ mile Texas Fandango (250cc Am, Open Am, and Pro Am classes). Weather has been an issue so far at the start of the season, but despite some early races being cancelled, Cohen still plans to race in as many regular season races as possible, before heading to the AMA Amateur Nationals in DuQuoine, IL, June 30th-July 5th. “I really need to get practice in on some of the bigger tracks so I can do well at Am Nats. I will race both of my bikes that week at all four tracks (short track, ½ mile, TT, and mile). I hope to qualify for each race – that’s my goal. I’m really looking forward to the mile track. Everyone says it’s the best ride ever!”.
Loewrigkeit also plans to start riding a 450cc bike this season. “Gram and Gramps (Norm and Gail) Olley with MDS (Motorcycle Dealer Services, Lewisville, TX) are sponsoring me with one of their 450’s this season. Those bikes are fast, and I will have to learn some new things because it is a bigger and heavier bike.”
In addition to Lehmann Racing, Bubba Racing, and MDS, Coco is powered by several local, State, and National sponsors. “We couldn’t get Cohen to the races without the awesome people and businesses that sponsor him, some who have been with us since he has started racing,” said Loewrigkeit’s Dad, Ken Loewrigkeit. “It truly is a blessing, and we hope everyone takes an opportunity to support these businesses because they are just the best!”
“I want to say thank you to all my sponsors because they help me so much. I’m going to keep riding and practicing, and I’m gonna’ make sure that I make them proud. Thank you, everyone!”, added Coco.
Cohen is proud to be sponsored by local business sponsors AIT Services, Jeff Meadow Construction, Blazer Apparel, Central Texas Truck and Trailer and AMSOIL, Matt’s Mantiques, Dr. Hatter, Racing, Cain Electric, Heart of Texas Flooring, Demand Staff, Inc.,
Cousin’s Construction, and G3 Exotics. He is also proudly sponsored by State and National Sponsors Vinson Construction, Lehmann Racing, Motorcycle Dealer Services (MDS), LS2 Helmets, Forma Boots, Dunlop Tires, AOT Racing, MotoGear, EVS Sports, ODI Grips, and Dominus Corporation.
Follow Coco on social media to keep up with all his racing highlights. Facebook: Cohen.Loewrigkeit, Instagram: @cocolocoracing, and TikTok: cocolocoracing.
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Texas Families Form Texas Racing Series
In an exciting development for fans across Texas, a group of riders and families from Bishop, Brownwood, Floresville, Waco, and Webster, TX, have formed the Lone Star Flattrack Association (LSFTA). The Association’s goal is to revive and grow the only original and oldest American motorcycle racing sport that is flat track racing. “Our great State, at one time, was a mecca for flat track racing. Today, there are only a few races held in Texas, and they are organized by out of State promoters, not Texans.”, stated Andy Robinson (McGregor, TX), the Association’s Vice President, and the man that brought the idea to form the Association to the rest of the group.
The Association’s focus is to offer multiple race venues throughout Texas and to provide safe, well organized, and family-oriented race events. “The majority of the best riders in the sport come from either the east or west coasts (NY, CA, OR), or the mid-western States (PA, OH, IL), and a really big reason for that is because in each of those areas there are so many opportunities to race,” according to Ken Loewrigkeit, the Association’s President. “There might be a handful of events in TX, particularly in the summer, and that’s just not enough to build our young riders,” Loewrigkeit continued. “Racing, as a sport, is also expensive, as you can imagine, and to have travel expenses on top of that, say to travel to even OK or KS on a regular basis, really starts to add up. We really hope, even by next year, to have at least two events a month, from March to October, racing at multiple venues with different track sizes and types. This will give the current riders and future riders the best chance to really grow and build their skills, and it keeps our Texas families in Texas” added Loewrigkeit.
The Association has nine (9) two-day race events scheduled as part of its inaugural season. The first event at the Waco Eagles MX Club ½ mile track was postponed due to rain, so Rounds 3 and 4 at the Gathering Moss Short Track, Brownwood, will kick off the season on May 18th and 19th. “We really want to get the local communities involved in the races. It gives our rider athletes the chance to really shine in front of their local family and friends. There’s nothing better!”, said Loewrigkeit.
The Association will also sponsor a riding school on May 25th and 26th at the Gathering Moss Short Track, Brownwood, held by Pro riders Jacob Lehmann and Brad “The Bullet” Baker. This school will be the first of its kind in the Central Texas area and has already attracted riders from TX, as well as riders from neighboring States. “To have Jacob and Brad here in Brownwood, two of the best in the sport, giving a school for riders, both young and old, is just amazing for our area,” said Loewrigkeit.
“I can’t stress it enough”, Loewrigkeit added, “we just want everyone to come out and enjoy the races as a rider, as a spectator, as a proud Mom and Dad, whatever. It’s an awesome family atmosphere and it’s a great American sport. We hope to see everyone at the track!”.
LSFTA has worked hard to establish a strong social media presence. More information about the Association, riders, events, etc. can be found on their website: www.lonestarflattrack.com, Facebook: Lone Star Flattrack, Instagram: Lonestarflattrack_.
Also, if you are a local, State, or National business or individual interested in advertising/sponsor opportunities with the Association, contact them directly by email: [email protected], or by phone: (325)642-4356.