RYAN HAMPTON Although he has road-racing roots and he was the Sports Racing Prototype II national champion in 2000 in the Grand Am Rolex Series with six victories, Ryan Hampton's goal is to compete in the Indy 500. He competed in five of seven Infiniti Pro Series races in 2002 and won his third race ever in that series, becoming the first driver in Indy Racing League history to lead a race from start to finish with his Gateway victory. He passed his IRL rookie test in 1999 and is poised for IRL stardom. He's also keeping his road-racing skills sharp by continuing to compete in Grand Am and ALMS races, and he has two podium finishes at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona (2001 and 2002) to his credit.
2002: Although he only competed in five of the seven races, he won the Infiniti Pro Series race at Gateway from the pole and finished ninth in points for the series inaugural season. With the Gateway victory he became the first driver in IRL history to lead a race from start to finish. Finished third in Infiniti Pro Series season finale at Texas after starting 12th. * Finished third in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the SRP II class driving a Kudzu-Mazda. * Finished fourth in the ALMS event at Sears Point Raceway in the LMP675 class.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2002 Infiniti Pro Series Results:
Track Kansas Nashville Michigan Kentucky Gateway Chicagoland Texas |
Race Date 07/07/02 07/20/02 07/28/02 08/11/02 08/25/02 09/08/02 09/14/02 |
Speed Did not compete Did not compete 176.682 mph 174.380 mph 143.747 mph 172.384 mph 171.791 mph |
Qualified 12th 11th 1st 12th 12th |
Finished 7th 12th 1st 14th 3rd |
Laps 30 66 80 41 67 |
Status/Reason Running Running Running Engine Running |
|
Hampton drove for Conti/Genoa/Frost Racing, which finished tenth in the team standings in its inaugural year. Team Info: Conti-Genoa-Frost Racing Owners: Dave Conti, Angelo Ferro and Garlon Frost
Dave Conti began his racing career as an engine builder for Ralt America, working on the cars for the Formula Atlantic series in the early ˜80s. In 1982 he formed Conti Racing and specialized in driver development in open-wheel racing series such as F2000, Atlantic and Indy Lights. His teams have fielded cars for such notables as Michael Andretti, Danny Sullivan, Mark Dismore and Robby McGehee.
Angelo Ferro has been active in motorsports for nearly two decades and has competed in various series, including SCCA Can-Am, Formula 3000, Toyota Atlantic and Indy Lights. Genoa Racing, named after Ferro's hometown of Genoa, Italy, has fielded cars for drivers such as Jimmy Vasser, Greg Ray and Ivan Capelli.
Garlon Frost, an accomplished businessman and auto enthusiast, has stepped into the role of team owner to give up-and-coming American drivers the opportunity to showcase their talent. Frost is the CEO of a pharmaceutical wholesale distribution company in Dallas, Texas.
2001
* Finished second in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the SRP II class driving a
Kudzu-Mazda.
* Finished first in the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in the SRP II class.
* Nominated for the U.S. Formula Ford 2000 Hall of Fame.
2000
* Won the Grand Am SRP II championship on the strength of six victories: Phoenix,
Homestead, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Daytona and Trois-Rivieres. Third at
oad Atlanta and Watkins Glen. Polesitter in SRP II class at Homestead, Lime
R ock, Mid-Ohio, Daytona, Road America and Trois-Rivieres. Set the class's
fastest race lap at Lime Rock, Daytona and Road America.
1999 * Finished sixth in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GT2 class driving a Twin-Turbo Mazda RX-7. * Passed his Indy Racing League Rookie test with A.J. Foyt Racing at Texas Motor Speedway. * Started on the front row at Pikes Peak Intl Raceway in F2000 race, but dropped out due to mechanical failure.
1998
* Finished second in points in Formula 2000 and third in Oval Crown points
with three victories (Charlotte, Watkins Glen); two seconds (Homestead, M
inneapolis); one third (Homestead); three poles; nine top-five finishes and
10 top-10 finishes. All-time qualifying record at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
* Won the Legends Pro National Championship.
* Finished 19th at the Rolex 24 in the GT3 class in a Nissan 240SX.
1997
* Finished sixth in points in Formula 2000 and fourth in Oval Crown points
with one win (Charlotte) and three podium finishes (a second at Charlotte
too and a third at Phoenix). Rookie of the Year in Oval Championship. Four
top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes despite missing four of the 12 races.
Two front-row starts
* Formula 2000 Oval Crown Rookie of the Year.
* Legends Pro National Champion with five victories in six races and one second.
* Awarded a scholarship to the Team Green Academy. Scholarships are awarded
to the top 25 young drivers in the United States.
* Competed in 75th Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
1996
* 1 victory, Thunder Hill Raceway.
*1 top-10 in USF2000.
1995
* SCCA: Three victories and two seconds in five races.
* Skip Barber: Two victories in two races.
1994
* SCCA Improved Touring B class champion with eight victories, two seconds,
seven poles and three track records.
1992
* Karting champion, Piston Port Lites, with four victories, three thirds and
one track record.
* Third in KT-100 Lite Championship.
PROFESSION:
Professional race car driver.
Instructor, Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.
Instructor, Panoz Racing School.
CHAMPIONSHIPS:
2000 Grand Am Champion, SRP II.
Second in USF2000 Championship, 1998
1998 Legends Pro Grand National Champion
1997 Legends Pro Grand National Champion
1994 SCCA ITB champion
1992 SCS Karting Champion
All Time Race Speed Record Holder, USF2000
All Time Qualifying Speed Record Holder, USF2000
ACHIEVEMENTS
AND AWARDS:
Team Green Academy Scholarship, which is awarded to the top 25 young drivers
in the United States.
Oval Crown Rookie of the Year USF2000, 1997.
Nominated to the USF2000 Hall of Fame.
TRACK
RECORDS:
Sears Point
Lime Rock
Road America
Daytona
Phoenix Intl. Raceway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Gateway Int'l Raceway
Watkins Glen
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Willow Springs Int'l Raceway
Las Vegas Int'l Speedway
Firebird Int'l Raceway
PERSONAL:
Enjoys hiking, camping, ice hockey, karting.