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Conor Daly, a second generation race driver, is the son of professional race car driver Derek Daly (who reached the pinnacle of the sport, competing in Formula One and Indy Cars for well over a decade), and his Mom, Beth, who won a Novice Jet Ski World title in 1990. Conor’s career started racing go-karts as a 10 year-old. In 2005, He won 19 races, two championships and was elected “Junior Driver of the Year” by Kart Racers of America. In 2006 he won three World Karting Association National events including the jewel of the WKA season, the Grand Nationals in South Bend, Indiana. Towards the end of the season, and on age waivers (he was just 14 years old), he became the youngest driver in the country to win a "senior" Pro kart race when he won the Pro Invitational race at the TaG World Championships at Newcastle Motorsports Park, Indiana. In 2007, driving for the factory Top Kart team, Conor won the Stars of Karting TaG East championship having dominated the penultimate rounds In Schwano Wisconsin where he scored 2 pole positions, four fastest race laps and a first and second place in the finals. He finished off his season with five consecutive pole positions. In 2007 he also won three Skip Barber Regional races including a win in Moroso Park, Florida on his debut in the series. In 2008, Conor concentrated on race cars and had an outstanding season winning the Skip Barber National Championship (five wins) and the Ontario Formula Ford 1600 Rookie of Year (five wins). During his European debut he won prestigious Walter Hayes Formula Ford 1600 Trophy in Silverstone, England representing Team USA. Along the way he set three new lap records in Canada, and scored ten pole positions in three different classes. In 2009, as a member of the Mazdaspeed driver development system, Conor finished 3rd in the Star Mazda championship presented by Goodyear. He was the youngest winner of the season scoring his maiden championship win at the 4th round of the championship in May at the New Jersey Motorsports park. In 2010, Conor had a record setting year as he swept the Formula Star Mazda championship presented by Goodyear with seven wins (record), nine pole positions (record) and twelve podium finishes (record), most laps led (record), largest winning points margin in 23 year history of championship. What a season. In 2011, Conor competed in the European Formula One support series, GP3, driving for Carlin. He also competed in five Firestone Indy Lights races, driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, winning the Grand Prix of Long Beach. For 2012, Conor has signed with Lotus GP to contest the Formula One support series, GP3. Conor won in Barcelona on the opening weekend of the championship. Formula One came calling after Conor's Spanish win as Sahara Force India invited Conor to drive their Formula One car during an aero data mapping session in England. Primary sponsors for 2012: Callcap, Merchant Services LTD, The College Network, and Tom Lange Company. He is also supported by Ara Helmets, Alpinestars and Aspin Group. |
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