Fraser McConnell

Fraser McConnell (born September 9, 1998) is a Jamaican professional racing driver. McConnell is the most competitively successful Jamaican driver in the history of international rallycross racing—his championship victory in the 2019 Americas RallyCross Championship marked the first and only championship win by a Jamaican driver in the series’ history.[1] In 2021, McConnell became the first and only Jamaican to claim a supercar victory in the Rally X Nordic league.[2][3][4][5] In 2021, McConnell's debut supercar campaign received public recognition from Usain Bolt and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.[6][7]

Fraser McConnell
NationalityJamaica Jamaican
Born (1998-09-09) 9 September 1998
Bog Walk, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Nitrocross career
Debut season2021
Current teamDreyer & Reinbold Racing
Car number35
Starts18
Wins2
Podiums5
Best finish3rd in 2022–23
Championship titles
2019Americas Rallycross ARX2

McConnell currently competes professionally Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Group E class.

Early life

McConnell was born in Bog Walk in St. Catherine, Jamaica.[8] McConnell began karting, motocross, and rally at the age of eight.[8] He achieved early success throughout his junior career, being named Jamaican Driver of the Year twice,[2] and later claiming victory at Jamaica's nationally competitive Dover Race Track at the age of 16.[1]

Racing career

McConnell made his rallycross career debut in 2018, competing in North America's ARX2 series.[8] In his first race, McConnell recorded the fastest-out-of-the-box time, and ultimately reached the final four times out of five.[8] In the final round of the season, McConnell achieved a podium finish.[8][4]

In 2019, McConnell made his international racing debut with Olsbergs MSE.[9] That same year, McConnell won the ARX2 championship, marking the first time in history for a Jamaican to lift the title.[2][4]

In 2021, McConnell secured his first supercar victory, defeating three-time FIA world champion Johan Kristoffersson at the RallyX Nordic in Nysum, Denmark.[10][11]

McConnell joined Lewis Hamilton's Team X44 in Extreme E for the 2023 season. He replaced Sébastien Loeb as Cristina Gutiérrez's partner.[12]

Racing record

Supercar
Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 Rank Points
2021 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST UTA
4		 ERX
5		 WHP
10		 HLN
11		 FIR
15		 9th 71

Group E
Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
2022-23 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing FC1-X GBR
4		 SWE
4		 ERX
3		 GHR
1		 WHP1
6		 WHP2
6		 QBC
4		 GHR2
2		 GHR3
9		 GHR4
2		 3rd 348
2023-24 MID
1		 UMC1
11		 UMC2
4		 WHP1
 WHP2
 HLN1
 HLN2
 STA
 TBA
 TBA
 4th* 147*

Complete Extreme E results

(key)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos. Points
2023 X44 Vida Carbon Racing Spark ODYSSEY 21 DES1
4		 DES2
6		 HYD1
1		 HYD2
9		 ISL-I1
8		 ISL-I2
8		 ISL-II1 ISL-II2 COP1 COP1 5th* 57*

* Season still in progress.


References
  1. Bell, Delano George (2021-03-20). "10 Things to Know about, Fraser McConnell, Jamaica's First Ever Race Car Rallycross Champion". Jamaicans.com. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  2. Korney, Stephanie (2021-05-03). "Jamaican Rallycross Driver Fraser McConnell Beats World Champion at First RallyX Nordic in Denmark". Jamaicans.com. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  3. McLeod, Sheri-Kae (2021-05-03). "Jamaican RallyCross Driver Fraser McConnell Scores Win at RallyX Nordic". Caribbean News. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  4. "The breakthrough Supercar win that's inspired a title charge". DirtFish. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  5. Wheeler, Daniel (May 3, 2021). "McConnell going flat out for RallyX Nordic title". The Jamaica Gleaner.
  6. "VIDEO: Fraser McConnell dedicates maiden RallyX Nordic win to Jamaica". www.loopjamaica.com. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  7. Haycox, Matt (4 May 2021). "Usain Bolt praises Fraser McConnell for his international rallycross win – Matt Haycox". Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  8. "Fraser McConnell – RX2 Rallycross". Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  9. Lindroos, Pontus (2021-03-24). "Fraser McConnell Returns to RallyX Nordic with OMSE". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  10. "How Höljes helped McConnell's RallyX Nordic title hopes". DirtFish. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  11. "Jamaican Fraser McConnell bags first season win at Rallyx Nordic". Our Today (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  12. Howard, Tom (2023-03-07). "Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team". www.motorsport.com.
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