About Jake Cowden
Jake Cowden, a 19-year-old from Aurora, Ontario, is focused on achieving his goals of becoming a sports car/prototype driver and racing mechanic. Jake is the freshly crowned 2023 Emzone RCC Champion, and was the 2022 Toyo Tires F1600 Champion. Jake's 2023 season was phenomenal, with seven P1 finishes and five P2 finishes in 12 races. Jake's 2022 season was incredible, also with 100% podium finishes! Additionally, Jake demonstrated his ability to adapt to new tracks in the Quebec series, with four 1st place finishes at the tracks of Trois Rivieres’ GP3R and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Formula 1 Grand Prix support race. Jake was selected for the 2022 Team Canada Scholarship, and competed for Team Canada in England at Brands Hatch and Silverstone!
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Jake takes advantage of Ontario’s cold and snowy winters to further develop his driving ability by competing in Ice Oval Snowmobile racing following the lead of Gilles Villeneuve. In his rookie year, Jake won the Junior 340 and the Sport 340 Series Championships. In his second year, 2022, Jake won the F500 Sports Championship and was awarded Junior Driver of the Year. In 2023 he won the Semi-Pro F500 Championship. Jake and his father build and maintain his sleds.
Jake’s racing career began in go-karts at the age of 10. With his dad as his mechanic during his five years in karting, Jake earned many Series Championships while progressing in Briggs & Stratton from Junior Lite to Senior. In his senior year in karting, Jake achieved 33 podiums in 38 races. Jake won the 2020 KartStars National Senior Championship, Goodwood TRAK Senior Champion, Mosport MIKA Senior Vice- Champion, Ron Fellows MRFKC win and podiums, and KartStars Senior Series Championship driving for and sponsored by Karts & Parts.
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Jake’s go-karting, snowmobile racing, and car racing success earned the attention of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, and he was a co-recipient of the 2021 Future Hall of Famer award. Jake is determined to make this honour prove to be an accurate forecast of his potential.
Academically, Jake also shows his commitment. Jake achieved early acceptance into the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Jake will become a licenced automotive mechanic adding to his knowledge of race engineering. Jake graduated high school in June of 2022 and is an Honour Role Student, Ontario Scholar (95% average) and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM). A certified ski instructor, skate patrol guard, and a drummer, Jake balances a busy schedule.
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Jake is active in fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and Alzheimer’s Society of York Region in honour of his grandmother. In his past three campaigns he has raised $30,000 and his goal for this year is to raise $10,000 within the generous motorsport community.
Jake is a well-rounded, talented, and determined individual who is focused on his goals and finds opportunities to develop his skills and further his passions. His racing success has been fueled by his passion and the expert advice and mentoring provided by his coaches throughout his career.
