Well this weekend for Connor had mixed emotions!  He finished 3rd in qualify and 3rd in the first go round on Saturday. After all the first heat races were over Connor would start on the second row for today's first heat race.  He was in 2nd for a number of laps only to miss a shift falling back to 8th and finishing 8th for the race. The H pattern style shifting has been a little tricky for him to get use to.

 In the Final race today Connor started on row 8 in the 15th starting position. Getting a great start he passes 3 cars in the first lap and by lap 8 he was 6th. Unfortunately not use to the more aggressive driving style in Europe a few laps later Connor gets hit from behind and sent off the track into the sand pit. He gets back on the track but has fallen back to 13th. He again starts to make his way through the pack again only to fall victim to another driver spinning out and coming back onto the track clipping Connors car and sending him off the track again. Now falling back to 15th he keeps his cool but by this time the race was near the end and he could only pass 5 cars by the time the checkered flag was waved. Finishing in the final in 10th spot for all the mishaps I think overall was a great finish!

A little disappointed on his finish today, he proved to himself and others that he can come from behind. He said if only there were more laps the outcome may have been better.  With one race under his belt and racing elbow to elbow with the Europeans he now knows what to expect for the next race. Putting this crazy weekend behind him he will go back to Ireland with the Dempsey's until his next race on October 31 at Silverstone for the Walter Hayes Memorial race.

Check Connors blog for daily updates while he is in England, and get the scoop from Connor and Brett Smrz during an interview with Radio LeMans!

Radio LeMans Interview Part 1

Radio LeMans Interview Part 2

       Series Champion earns a fully funded ride in the 2010 Star Mazda Series

Connor completed his goal of winning the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National presented by Mazda title this weekend (October 9-10), with a fourth and seventh place finish in the season-finale at Lime Rock Park. Earning himself a fully-funded ride in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship via the MAZDASPEED Driver Development Ladder program.

For Connor, the goal right from the get go at the fast Lime Rock Park road course was to ensure he took the green flag for race one of the season-finale doubleheader. In doing so, he would secure the Skip Barber National title. That being said, he was not going to merely just go out for a leisurely drive, given a pair of wins would give him nine career victories, and a new series record.

While things didn’t go exactly as planned after qualifying fourth in the rain for race one and seventh after running out of gas for race two qualify he had his work cut out.

Unfortunately conditions were less than ideal for race one. As the rain fell making for a very slick track combined with reduced visibility from the cars ahead made passing extremely difficult. With a lengthly full-course caution prevented any passing for several laps resulting in Connor holding on to fourth place and clenching the National Championship.

For race two on Sunday Connor knew his 7th place starting position would be a difficult one to come from behind on this narrow 1.53 mile track. The rain had stopped but the track was still very wet and slick in spots. At the green flag he immediately advanced one position and continued to charge towards the front. On lap three going two wide into turn two Connor gets pinched, forcing him into a water puddle and off the track. Putting this misfortune behind him he focused on working his way back to the front. Routinely turning the fastest laps of the race, Connor was among the top-five just after the halfway mark of the 25-lap affair. With three laps to go Connor found himself in 3rd place completing a stunning run to the front. As the top three cross the start/finish line for the final lap, Connor passers for the lead.  Unfortunately the fairytale finish did not occur, as a big twitch in “The Lefthander” resulted in briefly sliding off-course for a second time. Able to keep going without losing too much time, he ended his 2009 Skip Barber National season with a seventh place finish.

“While it’s not the way I wanted to end the season, I’m extremely happy to have won the 2009 Skip Barber National title,” “I’m already looking forward to the 2010 Star Mazda season, but before that I’m off to England, where I hope to extend the Team USA Scholarship win streak in the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy.”

As member of the Team USA Scholarship program Connor will pilot a car for Cliff Dempsey Racing this coming weekend (October 17-18) in the famed Formula Ford Festival at the Brands Hatch Circuit in England, before taking part in the renowned Walter Hayes Trophy event on October 31-November 1 at the Silverstone Circuit in England. Connor will also be trying out  for the F1 Grand Prix Shootout Scholarship while he is in England.

Connor De Phillippi and Brett Smrz Selected for 20th Annual Team USA Scholarships
 
 Braselton, Ga. (September 25, 2009) ­ Connor De Phillippi, from San Clemente, Calif., and Brett Smrz, from Coeur d¹Alene, Idaho, have been named today as the latest recipients of prestigious Team USA scholarships. The two teenagers will follow in the footsteps of an array of accomplished American drivers who have earned these awards since Jimmy Vasser became the first Team USA Scholarship winner in 1990.
 
 De Phillippi and Smrz will have an opportunity to fly their nation¹s colors in two world-renowned events in England later this month the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch October 17th & 18th and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone October 31 & November 1st. 

 ³I am thrilled to be representing the United States and the Team USA Scholarship,² said 16-year-old De Phillippi, who has taken a commanding lead in this year¹s BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, winning seven of 10 races held thus far. ³It is my first big shot to prove myself on the European circuit. I look forward to meeting many new people in the racing community and hopefully posting some excellent results.²
 
 De Phillippi and Smrz were chosen from an accomplished list of candidates. After considering the candidates¹ racing resumes and other off-track skills, a smaller group was invited to demonstrate their prowess on Cruden America¹s  high-tech, full-  motion, F1-style simulator located in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
 
The Team USA Scholarship is supported by Doug Mockett & Company, Road Racing Drivers Club, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Robo-Pong, Highcroft Racing, American Honda, Silicon Salvage, McMurry Inc., Dyson Racing, Metalore, The Gorsline Company, Integrated Performance Technology, PitFit Training, Sparco USA, OnCars.com, eFormulaCarNews.com, Speedstar Management, Manifest Group

 For more information, please visit www.TeamUSAScholarship.org.