Invercargill race car driver Jamie Conroy is heading to the United States on a “reconnaissance trip”.
During the summer Conroy competed in New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Car Series for the first time.
The former New Zealand Formula Ford champion now wants to pick the brains of the best in the United States to boost his knowledge to help a likely second shot at the 2015/16 TRS.
Conroy will leave on May 14 for a three month stint in the Untied States.
He aims to gain a better understanding of how the racing scene in America operates, including the sponsorship and marketing aspects. While there he will be a spectator at four IndyCar championship rounds, including the world-famous Indianapolis 500. Each round also hosts rounds of the Pro Mazda Championship, a tier of the Mazda Road to Indy Program which Conroy hopes to one day compete in.
He hasn’t got any drives sorted for his time away but hoped something might open up when he gets there.
“For me it is a learning trip and finding out as a much as I can, but in saying that I definitely will be taking my helmet to. You never know what might happen.”
“For me, the next step to progress my career in racing is to head to America. New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series has been a huge experience for me, but the need is there now for me to look overseas to continue my learning.”
“It’s going to be a very valuable experience for me to see first-hand how racing at the highest levels in America is done, and will help me to build a stronger, more complete understanding of the next steps for me.”
He will head to America under the watchful eye of Steve Horne of Tasman Motorsports Group.
Horne – who is the founder of the successful ex-CART team – supported Conroy in the 2015 Toyota Racing Series, and has had a key role in Conroy’s recent developments.
Conroy will continue his fitness training while overseas and upon returning will continue to prepare for his second season in the Toyota Racing Series, which begins in January 2016.
