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Birth date: 30 April 1975
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 135lbs
Birthplace: North Yorkshire, England
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Darren Manning lived up to his promise as a talented
driver and quick study in his debut season with Target Chip
Ganassi Racing and the Indy Racing League. His ability to
adapt quickly was evident from the start of the year as
he finished two of the season’s first three races
in the top-five. In addition, his ability to race at a consistently
high level helped him finish the 2004 season ranked eleventh
in the driver standings, only one spot behind team-mate
and 2003 IRL Champion Scott Dixon.
Darren’s fast start was equalled
by a strong finish despite missing the final two races of
the season due to injury. All but two of his eight top-10
finishes, including four top-five finishes, came within
the first three and last five races of the season. Having
missed out on competing in the last two races the 29-year-old
Briton still finished the season with an eleventh place
ranking, and the strong races he had been running in the
end has Darren and the rest of his team looking forward
to an even stronger season in 2005.
“Although I’m very adept at
adapting to the changing race circuits, I feel like I got
more comfortable as the year went on,” said Darren.
“I’m not content with just being a part a proven,
championship calibre team and great league. Last season,
I made a good first impression. This season, I want to make
my mark.”
Darren’s experience and diverse driving career made
him an attractive option for Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
Darren showed off his skill in a racecar by posting top-10
finishes in 15 of 18 CART races in 2003. He finished the
season strong with a second place podium finish in Australia
and placed ninth overall in the series point standings.
“No matter where he has raced, Darren
has found success,” said team owner, Chip Ganassi.
“He is a true professional that picks up nuances very
quickly. His confidence rubs off on everyone around him
and I’m confident he’s going to have a big season.”
2003
In 2003, Darren competed full-time in the CART
series with Walker Racing and scored his best finish of
the season in the finale at Australia, coming home second
and placing him ninth overall in the series point standings.
Darren was signed by Target Chip Ganassi Racing in November
to pilot the No. 10 Toyota Panoz G-Force, a relationship
that is continuing into the 2005 season.
2002
In 2002 Darren competed in the ASCAR Championship with Bintcliffe
Sport Racing. He also made his Champ Car debut in Rockingham
England with Team St George. Darren led 18 laps en route
to a ninth-place finish.
2001
2001 also saw Darren working as a television presenter on
ITV's Pulling Power programme, testing new cars and demonstrating
his racing skills in an ASCAR. He also set a new land speed
record whilst driving backwards in a Caterham.
2000 - 2001
BAR Honda F1 team signed Darren up for the 2000 season as
a test driver, a relationship that continued into the 2002
season. Darren also raced with the Arden International F3000
team in 2000, finishing eighth overall in the championship
with one pole position, two podium finishes and several
top-10 finishes. Darren continued to test for BAR Honda
in 2001 as well as competing in the F3000 championship with
Arden again, finishing tenth overall with several top-six
qualifying positions, one podium and several top-six finishes.
1999
In 1999 Darren won the All Japan F3 championship, with six
consecutive victories. He dominated the Macau Grand Prix,
leading from start to finish from pole position. Leading
every lap and setting yet another lap record, he became
the first man to achieve the "perfect" win since
Ayrton Senna. Manning went on to win the Korean Grand Prix
setting the fastest lap along the way. He also attended
a very successful F1 test at Jerez with the Williams team.
1998
Due to a limited budget, Darren only competed in selected
F3 races in 1998 but once again managed to win at the British
Grand Prix support race at Silverstone. He also won at Snetterton
prior to making his All Japan F3 debut. Darren finished
third at Sendai Hiland, he also competed in the European
F3 championship and the infamous Macau Grand Prix, finishing
fifth and setting a new lap record.
1996 - 1997
In his first season of F3 in 1996 Darren finished seventh
overall, including an impressive win in the British Grand
Prix support race at Silverstone winning the Graham Hill
trophy. Darren remained in F3 for the 1997 season.
1992 - 1996
In 1992, he raced in the Brands Hatch Formula First winter
series with SpeedSport and finished second overall with
two wins, three fastest laps, and one pole position. Darren's
outstanding start impressed team boss Mike O'Brien and in
1993 Darren progressed to the Formula Vauxhall Championship
with SpeedSport. Darren finished the Vauxhall championship
second overall with three wins. 1993 also saw Darren competing
in the winter series, finishing second again. Soon he was
receiving the recognition he deserved, becoming a finalist
in the McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the year award.
Darren raced in the Formula Vauxhall series
for the next two seasons, claiming 14 podiums, three poles
and a new lap record at Snetterton. It soon became evident
that Darren was ready to move up to the ranks of the British
Formula three championship.
1986 - 1991
Darren began his career in karting at the age of ten and
competed in British, European, and World Karting championships
on a professional level between 1986 and 1991.
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