Tony
Rodgers
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
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| Nationality: |
Irish
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| Age: |
22
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| Education: |
1985-1992 - St. Aloysius Primary School
1992-1999 - Rathmore Grammar School - Belfast
Present - Currently on a gap year from a Mechanical
Engineering BSc
Degree at Queens University - Belfast
G.C.S.E: 10 ( 8 A's & 2 B's)
'A' level: 3 ( 2 A's & 1 B)
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| Racing
CV: |
1999
Irish Formula Ford Champion |
| Interests: |
I enjoy sport a lot and my favourite activities include football and boxing.
I also love swimming and I try to participate in all these sports as often as
possible. I have a keen interest in science and astronomy and I like to keep
myself informed in these areas by reading books and magazines.
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
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| How
it all began: |
In 1989, my family and I went on a weekend break to Newcastle. Much of our
time there was spent on the small go-karts where I was consistently faster than
everyone else. This is all the more surprising, as the ride supervisor had to
be persuaded to let me drive in the first instance. By finishing ahead of my
Uncle, who was a very successful karter a few years previously, it was his
conclusion that I had definite potential. It was then that he decided to give me
an opportunity to prove myself in a real kart. This initial experience of
karting ignited a burning desire to become a racing driver; a desire that continues
today to push me towards fulfilling my dream.... This was the beginning of a successful racing career.
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
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| Personal
Fitness: |
I fully appreciate the importance of physical and mental fitness. It is
crucial to be in top physical condition in order to drive a racing car consistently
fast. As my father was once a very successful Olympic boxer, I am fortunate
to have the guidance from both him and his trainer from his boxing years. I
train 3 nights a week in the local boxing club under the guidance of my father
and I run at least 20 miles per week. I also make the time to go swimming once a
week. I take my fitness very seriously and my training schedule keeps me in
very good physical condition.
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
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| Karting
CV: |
1990 - First year in karting and I finished 2nd in the NIKA Championship
1991 - 1st Race of Champions
2nd Ulster Championship
3rd Irish Grand Prix
1992 - 1st Irish Grand Prix
1st NIKA Championship
1st Race of Champions
1st Ulster Championship
1993 - 1st Irish Grand Prix
2nd NIKA Championship
1st Ulster Championship
Qualified 2nd on grid for the British Championship
2nd Irish Open Championship
3rd Race of Champions
1994 - 3rd Ulster Championship
1st Bangor Road Race (First road race for Juniors)
Pole position for the first 5 Nations Championship
2nd NIKA Championship
1995 - 1st 5 Nations Championship
2nd Ulster Championship
12th British Championship (Best result 4th at Clay Pigeon)
2nd NIKA Championship
1996 - 3rd NIKA Championship
7th First Round of British Championship
2nd Race of Champions
1997 - 1st NIKA Championship
2nd Ulster Championship
2nd Irish Grand Prix
3rd All Ireland Championship
3rd Irish Open Championship
9th British Open Championship
1998 - 2nd Ulster Championship
Won 5 out of 6 Rounds of NIKA Championship
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
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| Car
Racing CV: |
1999 - Formula Ford 1600 - Summary - 1st Place - 9
2nd Place - 2
3rd Place - 0
Fastest Lap - 8
Poles - 7
Lap Records - 1 at
Mondello Park
All Ireland Champion
Northern Ireland Champion
DHL Star of Tomorrow
Gary Gibson Memorial Cup
Fionn Murray Memorial Winner
This was my first full season in car racing. I finished First in the All
Ireland Championship, with 4 wins, 2 seconds and 2 non-finishes. Throughout the
season, I had 3 Pole Positions and 5 Fastest Laps. I also won the DHL Star of
Tomorrow Championship for being the most successful driver in my first season. I
also won the Northern Ireland Championship. This series consisted of 7 Rounds
with all results to count towards the championship. I won 5 Rounds and took 4
Pole-Positions and 3 Fastest Laps. I had accumulated enough points to win the
championship without competing in the final round.
2000 - Leinster Trophy winner
2nd Northern Ireland Formula Ford Championship
6th Ford of Ireland Championship
As the reigning Formula Ford 1600 Champion the 2000 season promised much.
Building on the car experience my uncle and I gained during 1999, we entered the
highly competitive Zetec Championship running all our own equipment. A total
of 5 wins including the prestigious end of year Leinster Trophy. Poor finishing
due to lack of racecar preparation meant we finished 2nd and 6th in the two
championships.
2001 - My first year of the highly competitive British Formula Ford
Championship had both highs and lows. The beginning of the season was difficult but
towards the end I began to get some good results including a 4th place at
Knockhill in Scotland. I ended the season on a real high, winning the Winter Series
race at Donington Park to mark myself as a potential favourite for the 2002
season.
2002 - I was offered a drive just before the beginning of the season with the
Norfolk based team Continental Racing. They had just changed car supplier
from the all conquering British Van Diemen to the French Mygale
marque. They appointed Jenson Button's Ford Engineer to work on my car which was a major bonus
for me and really sealed the drive. With no testing, I finished 8th at Brands
Hatch from 12th on the Starting Grid. We immediately benefited
from 2 days testing prior to the second race at Oulton Park. Qualifying 4th and running 3rd
in the race until a last lap collision with works Van Diemen driver Jan
Heylen. I have no doubt that we will win very soon as we are improving the car all
the time. Tony then ceased racing due to budget difficulties.
(Photo: Paula Hamilton)
2003 - Joined Jeff Harris's 2002 Formula Ford Winter Championship winning
team - Team Jato Motorsport - Running in the Championship Class alongside James
Harris in the Scholarship Class. |
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