Cooper Broll had never driven a race car, let alone imagined himself on the starting grid of a professional championship. A native of Truckee, California, his world revolved around icy slopes and ski gates, not braking and apexes. But that was before fate threw him a curve. A promising ski racer in the Lake Tahoe region, Cooper’s athletic dreams were put on hold when he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. For six long years, the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing was replaced by doctor visits and recovery. But when the disease finally went into remission, Cooper was ready to chase that thrill again — only this time, it wasn’t on snow. In the summer of 2022, Cooper showed up at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a Skip Barber Three Day Racing School. What started as a bucket-list experience quickly ignited a fire. The progression was fast and furious: Two Day Advanced Racing School, Advanced Coaching, testing in the Skip Barber TC race car, and then — barely a year later — a professional debut in TC America. Two standout seasons later, Broll has leveled up once again — now piloting a McLaren Artura Trophy Evo in the McLaren Trophy, America series. And he’s not just filling out the field — he’s fighting for the championship. “Skip Barber has taken me very far,” Cooper said. “From a kid learning how to threshold brake and hit an apex at Laguna Seca back in 2022, to a professional that’s currently second in the McLaren Trophy, America Championship.” It’s not just talent that’s fueled his rise. It’s the people. “The incredible coaches have really made it all possible. My favorite part about Skip Barber is the family feel of the team,” Broll shared. “It’s not just a job for them — they’re invested. It really is a team sport. We share the highs and lows together, and it wouldn’t be possible without them.” That team spirit has taken on a new meaning in 2025, as Cooper is co-driving for the first time in his career. He’s sharing the No. 919 PiedParker McLaren Artura Trophy Evo with Tommy Pintos, a McLaren Graduate Factory Driver. On paper, they come from vastly different backgrounds. On track? They’re proving to be a formidable duo, stacking podium finishes in the Pro class and keeping the championship title well within reach. “I want to be on that top step,” Cooper said with conviction. “We’ve got the pace — the car and the drivers. It’s just a matter of when it all comes together. It’s tough competition out there, but we can do it.” From ski poles to steering wheels, from Lyme disease to the podium — Cooper Broll’s story is proof that with the right team, the right training, and relentless drive, anything is possible. Ready to write your own racing story? Explore opportunities with Skip Barber Racing School!