Newly crowned Star Mazda champion Conor Daly will test with Manor Motorsport and Status Grand Prix at the upcoming GP3 winter test session's at Estoril, Portugal, Oct. 13-14, and Jerez, Spain, Oct 20-21, as the second-generation racer explores what might be the next best move for his professional career. It will be his first time in a GP3 car, but having attended the final rounds of the 2010 championship at Monza last month, Daly says he is looking forward to his upcoming experiences.
"This is an important test for me as I will work directly with some outstanding European teams and I will get to compare myself directly with some of their proven talents" said Daly. "I want to learn and absorb as much as possible as we work through what might be the best move for my career."
The tests will be primarily backed by Doug Mockett & Company, with additional support from Callcap, Merchant Services LTD, The College Network, Createc and Alpinestars. "At such a critical time in my career, to have supporters who believe in my dream as much as I do and help me make this happen is very satisfying," added Daly. "I want success for them as much as I do for myself."
Daly won this year's Formula Star Mazda championship presented by Goodyear in record-setting style with seven wins, nine pole positions and 12 podium finishes. In his first Star Mazda season in 2009, Conor was a race winner and finished third in the championship. In 2008 Conor won the Walter Hayes Formula Ford Trophy in England as a member of the Team USA Scholarship, the Ontario Formula Ford Rookie of the Year title, and the Skip Barber National championship.