Resume

Parker Thompson was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta and got behind the wheel of his first kart at the age of eight. He went from being a weekend warrior rolling a kart and toolbox in the back of a family half-ton in Calgary, to a championship-winning fixture in many of the world’s top karting events.

In 2012, Parker was the first ever North American to make it to the podium in the Junior Rotax category at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portimao, Portugal, where he was awarded 3rd ranking in the world.

At the age of 14, Thompson went on to live in Italy, leaving family and friends behind to race in Europe full time with the Energy Corse Factory team. This move helped accelerate his dream of becoming a professional racecar driver.

He had a record-breaking season for a Canadian, producing results yet to be seen by a North American competing at the world stage in Europe.

Currently, the accomplished seventeen-year-old looks to make it one step closer to his dream of a professional racecar driver and make the jump to racing formula cars. Thompson recently signed with JDC Motorsport to compete in the USF2000 Championship, the first step to the Mazda Road to Indy ladder to Indycar. With the help of Parker’s childhood coach from age ten, 2004 Indy 500 Winner Buddy Rice, and JDC Motorsport, Parker will be looking for top honors in his 2015 rookie season in the USF2000 Championship.

PERSONALITY SNAPSHOT

Five Hobbies/Interests:
1. Racing
2. Golf
3. Public Speaking
4. Campaigning Against Distracted Driving
5. Working out

Describe your personality:
If I were to describe my personality I would think humor would be at the top, along with fun to be around and kind. I love to have a good time and make people laugh. At the race track I’m extremely focused and determined to do what I need to do to win races. I am also very analytical when it comes to setup on the car and data.

Racing goal:
Get paid to drive fast cars around racetracks.

Racing hero:
Barry Sheene and Kimi Raikkonen

Fitness routine includes:
6-7 days a week in the gym compiled with a full load of cardio and muscle training circuits to develop durability over long races as well as the strength needed to get the most out of the car.

Muscle training focuses on my core, balance, chest and triceps, shoulders and traps, back and biceps, legs and neck.

Any pre-race rituals:
Before the race I warm up with brain integration exercises.

An interesting note about me:
I have never been off honour role with distinction all throughout Elementary, Middle School and High School.

When not at the track:
When I’m not at the track you will usually find me working on either school work or my campaign I am running to end distracted driving. Those two items keep me very busy on top of my racing duties. When I do get some time for myself though, I enjoy playing golf. Golf is really like racing in a way due to how mentally challenging it is. I love that golf can replicate racings mentally challenging side, yet is so different from racing at the same time.

RACING HISTORY

2013: Raced for Energy Corse Factory Team on the European Circuit

WSK Euro Sarno, Italy – Superpole
WSK Masters Preccinico, Italy – Superpole
Round 1 DKM Win, Ampfing Germany
WSK Euro 3rd Genk, Belgium
WSK Masters 3rd, La Conca
European Championship Alcaniz, Spain 4th Place

Eight top fives, four podiums, 2 Superpoles and a Win all throughout Europe in prestigious events such as the WSK Euro, WSK Masters, European Championships and German DKM Series.

2012 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals
Ranked 3rd in the World for Junior Rotax category
Rotax World Championships Portiamo, Portugal 3rd
First North American Junior Driver to ever finish on the Podium at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals

2012 Rotax Western Canadian Championship
Rotax Junior Champion
5/6 Race Wins

2012 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship
Rotax Junior Championship Runner-Up
2 Wins, 4 Podiums and 5 top fives/ 6 Races

2012 Florida Winter Tour (International)
Rotax Junior Championship 3rd Place
4 Podiums, 5 top fives/ 6 races

2012 Gatorz Challenge of Americas (International)
Rotax Junior Championship 3rd Place
3 Wins/ 6 Races

2011 Rotax Western Canadian Championship
Rotax Junior Champion
4 Wins, 6 podiums/ 6 Races

2011 Rotax Pan American Championship (International)
Rotax Junior 3rd

2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals
Member of Team Canada
Youngest Driver attending the World Championship
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

2011 Gatorz Challenge of Americas
Rotax Junior Champion
3 Wins, 5 Podiums, 6 Top fives / 6 Races

2011 Tag Junior SKUSA Pro-Kart
2 Wins, 3 Podiums / 4 Races attended

2010 Rotax MiniMax Challenge of the Americas (International)
3 Wins, 4 Podiums

2010 CIK International
3 Wins, 4 Podiums/ 6 races attended

2nd Overall in Championship
2 wins, 4 podiums

2010 SKUSA SuperNationals
Tag Cadet Runner-Up
Las Vegas, NV, USA
2010 SKUSA:
2010 IKF Region 7 Winter Series
KPV Champion
Comer Champion
KPV 1 Champion
Sportsman Runner Up
Total of 7 Wins and 16 Podiums for the Championships

2010 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix
Rotax Mini-Max Winner
Comer Cadet Winner

2009 IKF Region 7 Series
5 Wins

2008 Calgary Kart Club Champion
6 wins