Heamin Choi
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| Heamin Choi | |
|---|---|
| File:Heamin Choi Fuji Speedway.jpg
Choi in 2013
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| Born | January 11, 1984 (age 31) Busan, South Korea |
| Previous series | |
| 2014 2013 2012 2009,2010 2007 2006 2004,2005 2002,2003 2001 2000 1999 |
Korean Le Mans Series Super Race USF2000 National Championship Super Race Pro Mazda Championship Korea GT Championship BAT Championship Formula Korea BAT Championship Formula 1800 NTC PRD Kart race NTC Freshman Kart Race Carman Park Cup Kart Grand Prix |
| Championship titles | |
| 2013 2006 2005 |
Super Race GT Korea GT Championship GT1 Formula Korea |
| Awards | |
| 2012 2003 |
KMA Global Driver of the Year KARA Rookie of the Year |
Heamin Choi (born January 11, 1984) is a popular Korean driver recognized as the first Korean drivers to have raced in the American Open Wheel Series (Pro Mazda, USF2000). The first Korean drivers to have participated in any race held in the US. His other achievements include the 2005 BAT Championship(Formula Korea), 2006 Korea GT championship(GT1), and 2013 Super Race GT driver's title. He was also the Samsung Everland scholarship driver through year 2003 to 2005.[1] Currently, He is preparing for his third challenge in American Open Wheel Series.[2]
Contents
Early career
His racing career started at the young age of 15 in year 1999 with his debut at the Carman Park Kart Grand Prix. Despite of his parents disapproval in racing, with the condition to bring up his grades in high school, he received the approval from his parents for their support and entrance in the Kart racing. However, his high school grade did not improve but the racing score improved. At the same year, he entered the team Redstone under the instruction of Hong Suk Cho, the team director and he finished 4th at his second race. In year 2000 he finished 2nd in the Japan New Tokyo Circuit Freshman Kart Race Time Trial. By winning 5 times in the Korean Kart series, he started gaining attention as a Kart prodigy in the Korean motorsport community. Also, he has gained experience in riding the Kart at various track conditions, such as wet track and street track.[3] However, in early 2001, he was injured on his left rib in Japnanese Kart race and he had to stop the kart race with high g-force.
2001–2006
In year 2001, Choi joined Hankook Tire’s Ventus Motor Sports team, which run formula cars, touring cars, and off-road rallycross cars. He have been trained by Myung Mok Lee, who is known as the champion of the Korea Touring Car Championship. In the team, Choi was given the role of testing the Formula 1800.[4]
In year 2002, Choi marked his debut for the pro formula race in Korea, finishing 6th in his first race qualification and 6th in championship. In year 2003, Choi was selected as the Samsung Everland Speedway Scholarship driver for the first time and finished 5th at the BAT Championship (Formula 1800).[4] In year 2004, Choi joined the Hyundai Oilbank racing team and he finished runner-up in the Formula Korea championship. In year 2005, Choi won the drivers championship title of BAT Championship (Formula Korea). In year 2006, Choi moved to Grand Touring race for the new challenge after achieving the formula Korea Championship. Despite of the difficulty in adapting to GT car from formula car, he has won the championship for the GT1 Class.
2007
After Choi made two championship title in a row, he turned his attention to international competitions by participating in the IMSA Star Mazda Championship(Pro Mazda Championship) Launga Seca Race with JDC Motorsports.[5] Choi finished 19th in the race. However, he provided an astonishing show by passing 9 cars during the race.[6]
2009–2011
Taking a short break, Choi then participated in the Korean Stock Car race and finished 4th in round in year 2009. In year 2010 he joined the Atlas BX racing team as a touring car driver and finished 4th in the 2010 F1 Korean GP support race.[7]
2012
In year 2012, Choi continued his challenge for competing in the international arena by participating in Coopertire USF2000 Championship.[8] Also, Choi finished 9th in his second event in St. Petersburg and with his continuous progress he ranked 6th in his first qualifying in lucas oil raceway oval track with the anticipation for the race.[9]
2013
In year 2013, Choi took part in the Formula 3 test with Double R racing in England[10] and in the Super Formula pre-season testing at Fuji Speedway, Japan.[11] Despite of driving a heavier car, Choi made very competitive lap time. However, sponsor company was in the trouble of operating its race track in Korea and Choi failed to compete in Super Formula series. Therefore, Choi decided to race in Korean GT championship and achieved driver's title.[12]
2014
In year 2014, Choi participated in the first Korean le mans series and won the race with his Korean stock car.
Racing record
American open-wheel racing results
Indy Lights
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Schmidt Peterson Motorsports | STP |
STP |
LBH |
ALA |
ALA |
IMS |
IMS |
INDY |
TOR |
TOR |
MIL |
IOW |
MDO |
MDO |
LAG 12 |
LAG 11 |
16th | 19 | ||
| 2016 | Schmidt Peterson Motorsports | STP | STP | PHX 16 |
ALA | ALA | IMS | IMS | INDY 12 |
RDA |
RDA |
IOW |
TOR |
TOR |
MDO |
MDO |
WGL |
LAG |
LAG |
17th* | 14* |
* Season still in progress.
References
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