>> It was a wild weekend in Mid-Ohio, as intense weather and racing made for an action-packed Round 9 of the Grand American ... >> Derhaag Motorsports returns this weekend to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the 250-mile EMCO Gears Classic presented ... >> Storm clouds swirled over Watkins Glen this weekend as the No. 40 Preformed Line Products Pontiac Riley got ready ...

Recap Of Chris Bingham's Racing Experience: 2006 Grand Am Daytona Prototype 2005 Grand Am Daytona Prototype 2004 Limited schedule in Grand Am Rolex Series (injury) 2003 NASCAR Busch series, 3rd place SR2 class at Daytona 24 hours 2002 Grand Am GTS Champion, Daytona 24, Sebring 12 hours 2001 Grand Am GTS Champion ,Daytona 24, Petit LeMans 2000 Grand Am SR Riley & Scott, IRL, Daytona 24, Sebring 12 hours 1999 ALMS Prototype Riley & Scott, Daytona 24, Sebring 12 hours 1998 ALMS GT Porsche RSR, Daytona 24, Sebring 12 hours 1997 Indy Lights, Daytona 24 1996-1992 testing Indy lights, sportscar racing, driving Instructor 1991 Jim Russell 2nd place championship series, 2nd place pro series. 1990 Jim Russell graduate run off winner Chris Bingham is a professional racing driver with an impressive resume. He is a two-time professional driving champion, a frequent visitor to racing podiums in several different sportscar racing series, a graduate of the Jim Russell Racing School, and a man who has shown consistently favorable results in a wide variety of race cars - from open wheel to stock cars. Chris was born on December 15, 1971 and at the age of 20 he entered the prestigious Jim Russell School where his talent became apparent immediately. He earned an invitation to the 1991 graduate run-offs and, against stiff competition from 70 other Russell School graduates, Chris won! His prize was a fully sponsored season in the 1992 Russell Triple Crown Championship Series where he not only won six events but also finished on the podium fifteen out of eighteen races. Birth Date: Dec 15, 1971 Residence: Bellevue, WA Hometown: Bellevue, WA Height: 5 feet 11 inches Weight: 195 pounds Wife: Cherish Son: Race Daughter: Baylie He finished second overall in the final standings and again earned another step up the professional racing ladder, testing with a professional Indy Lights team. Where has this talented driver put his hands to work? - In 1994 he had his first ever ride in a World Sports Car at the IMSA event at Phoenix. He started 25th in the unqualified and outdated car, and proved his talent by driving to 5th spot behind the ultra-competitive Ferrari 333SPs. - Chris competed in his first Daytona 24 Hour race in 1997, driving a GT-3 Porsche for Team Seattle. Chris turned the car's fastest lap ever recorded in qualifying and passed every car in his class during his driving stint. - Also in 1997, Chris drove an Indy Lights car in four events for the Leading Edge Motorsports team. His skill on the track was enhanced by his ability to communicate effectively with the crew and engineers. Chris was impressive, and he improved his standing with each race, earning championship points by the third event. - 1998 saw a return to endurance racing in a Porsche RSR. He drove in both the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours events - two of the greatest racing events in the sportscar world - gaining valuable experience in this grueling atmosphere. - In 1999 Chris was finally able to put together his first full season of Motor Racing. The Hybrid R&D Team brought him in as its #2 driver for the Prototype Sports Car Championship. Chris quickly emerged as the #1 driver, helping to elevate the team into a top ten placing in the overall championship. And the team achieved this while running against factory multi-car teams from BMW, AUDI, PANOZ, PORSCHE, and FERRARI. Chris also finished 6th place overall at Sebring 12 hours and 4th place overall in Pheonix. - In 2000 Chris again ran a limited number of races, putting in just half a season with the Hybrid Racing team, driving a Riley & Scott chassis in the sports racer class. He pulled down a 5th place at Phoenix. He also pursued his possible involvement in the IRL series by completing his rookie test with Mid America Motorsports. But having tested late in the season, he decided to concentrate on 2001. It was a wise choice as his racing resume was about to be improved substantially. - In 2001 Chris was contacted by Saleen about driving their new Saleen S7R in the Grand Am series. It was in this series and with this car that Chris really began to make a name for himself as a professional driving talent. He piloted the Park Place Racing Saleen SR7 to not one, but two consecutive GTS Driving Championships. - In his first championship year, Chris won 7 of 9 races and won the pole position in 8 out of 9 races, and he set 8 new track records. His accomplishments did not go unnoticed by the members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA). They nominated him as one of only six drivers in the world for the "Best Road Racer of the Year" award. And sponsors took notice as well, with Chris signing an endorsement contract with Gatorz sunglasses. Chris has also enjoyed successful sponsorship associations with such well known companies as Microsoft, Compaq, Altech Investments, Starbucks, K&N engineering and many more. - In his second championship year Chris pulled down 4 wins, 5 poles and 5 new track records. He also became the first ever Grand Am two-time GTS champion. - Having established himself with consecutive driving championships in sportscar racing, Chris signed a contract for 2003 to race in the NASCAR Busch series with Jay Robinson Racing. Unfortunately his season was cut short as he was involved in a serious boating accident that put him out of racing for several months. He has since fully recovered from his injuries and he made his return to sportscar racing at the Virginia International Raceway round of the 2004 Grand Am Rolex Series. The experience convinced him the Daytona Prototype class was the place for him to be. In 2005, Chris owned, operated and drove for his own Daytona Prototype Team in the Grand AM Rolex Series with a season's best 4th place finish. In 2006, Chris was hired by Derhaag Motorsports and again ran 2006 Daytona Prototype Series with co-drivers Randy Ruhlman and Ron Fellows. When not behind the wheel of a race car, Chris is a successful business man who owns and operates an ongoing commercial and residential real estate, private development, private lending and holding company. That enterprise keeps him busy when he isn't concentrating on his racing. Born in Seattle, Washington, Chris still makes the Pacific Northwest his home. When not working or racing, Chris enjoys golf, fitness training, running, skiing and summer water sports. In addition, Chris has worked with the Seattle Children's hospital for the last 10 years, helping to raise over 2 million dollars for the kids. (Visit www.teamseattle.com for information on how you can help to.) Chris and his family have made a 1 million dollar donation to Children's hospital to support the kids.