|
 |
|
 |
| February 20, 2008 News |
| EKN Awards 2007: Rising Star - Connor De Phillippi |
| |
 | Rising Star - Connor De Phillippi
(Photo: SHIFT Communications Group) |
For EKN Awards Week, the Rising Star category was one of the toughest in which for us to sort out all the nominees and it was even harder for the EKN staff to choose just one driver. Looking at all five nominees, each of them could have been chosen for the outstanding performances they had in 2007, but like racing, only one can win. This year, Connor De Phillippi will add his name to the other eight pilots associated with the EKN Awards Rising Star.
The 15 year-old from San Clemente, CA competed in his first full season as a Senior driver after a very successful run in the Junior ranks. De Phillippi began running in the S3 125cc stock shifter division toward the end of 2006, earning a couple podium finishes at ProKart Challenge events while scoring the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals X S3 class win late in the year.
After a rough 2007 ProKart Challenge beginning, De Phillippi went on to record five wins (four straight) and three runner-up finishes to earn the S3 class championship - arguably the toughest class in the PKC program. Moving up to the S1 Semi-Pro class just before the SKUSA SuperNationals XI, De Phillippi was among the favorites, having earned three SuperNats victories in the last two years.
Slowing getting faster each session on track, De Phillippi saved his best for last. Qualifying eighth, the Californian recorded finishes of sixth, fourth, and second in the heat races to start fourth for the main event. The 25-lap Final was all De Phillippi. After two of the front runners retired with mechanical troubles, he would pace the field unchallenged to take the win. The victory gave him four SuperNationals titles, vaulting him to the status as the all-time SuperNats race winner, breaking a tie with former Formula 1 driver Scott Speed and current Grand-Am driver Michael Valiante.
Following the SuperNats, Connor was selected to be part of the Superkarts! USA/MG Tires national race team at the Granja 500 endurance race in São Paulo, Brazil. Running with three veteran pilots - Alex Speed, Bryan Eady, and Fritz Leesmann - De Phillippi shined. Selected by the team to qualify the team kart in a Formula 1 format, the pressure was on and he delivered, putting the team in the upper half of the field. During the race in his first stint, he was on his game again, moving through the field and up to second place, leaving the packed media room inquiring as to just who was this ‘Connor De Phillippi’.
Recently, De Phillippi was one of 50 karters to participate in the Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out. After three days of on- and off-track assessment at Sebring International Raceway, Connor was awarded the top prize of a fully paid 14-race season in the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda. Our Rising Star is doing just that.
EKN would like to congratulate Connor De Phillippi for his successful 2007 season and the 2007 Rising Star award. To discuss the EKN Awards Week festivities and announcements, please visit the Official Discussion Thread. |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
