Zach_Banks

Zach Banks-Calderín

Zach Banks-Calderín

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Zachary Banks-Calderín (born December 15, 1997) is an American racing driver. Banks has recorded over 90 career race wins.

Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...

Early life

Born to Cuban immigrant mother Jacqueline and Irish-American father Jason, Banks-Calderín grew up in Miami, Florida,[1] where he attended George Washington Carver Middle School, and later Christopher Columbus High School, Immaculata-La Salle High School, and Coral Gables Senior High School, where he graduated. Banks-Calderín graduated with honors and served as president of his class during his junior year of high school. Banks-Calderín began attending Florida State University in 2016, pursuing a degree in management information systems.

Racing career

2012 - 2014

Banks-Calderín competed in his first karting race in October 2012. He recorded his first win in October 2013 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in TAG Junior. His first championship came in early 2014 with International Racing,[2] shortly after turning 16.[3]

2015 - present

Banks-Calderín's karting career progressed to the international stage with top-10 finishes in both the Cold Stone Florida Winter Tour and the United States ROK National Championship in 2015 and 2016. He won the 2016 Florida Karting Championship Series [4] at Homestead-Miami Speedway in TAG Senior and the 2016 Florida State championship [5] in ROK Senior. Banks-Calderín began testing Le Mans sports cars in 2017 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Daytona International Speedway. In mid-2017, Banks-Calderín took a brief hiatus from racing to further his studies at Florida State.

Banks-Calderín resumed racing in September 2018, winning his first 8 races, consecutively. Banks-Calderín followed up his championships with another championship in the Monticello Racing Series in December 2019. Banks-Calderín won 17 races in 2019.

In August 2019, Banks-Calderín became an officially licensed Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) race car driver.

In December 2020, Banks-Calderín repeated as champion at Monticello in ROK Senior with a 15-win season, shortened by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Banks-Calderín won his 3rd consecutive championship at Monticello in 2021.[6] Banks-Calderín graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a degree in Management Information Systems, and stopped racing at Monticello.

After almost 2 years away from racing after college, Banks-Calderín moved to Charlotte, NC in May 2023 to resume his racing career - restarting his career under the name Zach Banks-Calderín, to honor his Cuban upbringing. [7] Banks-Calderín worked at Rackley WAR from May-July 2023, gaining experience before attempting to move up the ranks in oval racing. [7]

Banks-Calderín has been featured as a guest on several podcasts and interviews since September 2018.

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series

Banks-Calderín was selected for the 2020 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Driver Recruitment Program in Fontenay-le-Comte, France. Banks-Calderín signed a letter of intent to drive for Hendriks Motorsport for the 2020 season. However, due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the plans never materialized.

Personal life

Banks-Calderín speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. Banks-Calderín has competed and placed on the podium of multiple ultramarathon races, including winning the 2020 Hellcat 50K in the male 20-24 category.[8] Banks-Calderín has also competed in several triathlons, duathlons, and other endurance events.

References

  • "Florida Pro Kart Series - Summer #1 - Saturday". AlfaKarl. 2015-05-30. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  • "Championships - overview". Mylaps.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  • "Championship Standings of PRD Junior Fall Championship 2013". Organisation.mylaps.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  • "More Great Racing At Florida Karting Championship Series Round Three". Go Racing Magazine. 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  • "Zach Banks profile". International Racing USA. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  • "More Great Racing at Florida Karting Championship Series Round Three". Ekartingnews.com. 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  1. [1]
    "Zach Banksb biography". internationalracingusa.com. International Racing USA. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  2. [2]
    "Zach Banks Driver Database". Driverdb.com. 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  3. [3]
    "Go Racing Magazine - FKCS". Go Racing Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  4. [4]
    "2013 PRD Senior Championship results". Homestead-Miami Speedway. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  5. [5]
    "2015 Summer Championships - Ocala Gran Prix". Ocala Gran Prix. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  6. [6]
    "Zach, 01/18/2023: : M". ZBC. 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  7. [7]
    "2024 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program Entry Video | Zach Banks-Calderín". Zach Banks-Calderin. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  8. [8]
    "HellCat 10K/30K/50K, 01/18/2020 : : My.race|result". HellCat. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
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