Mi-Jack Conquest Racing
Encyclopedia
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
and the Atlantic Championship. Formerly it competed in the Champ Car World Series
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
. It is owned by former series competitor Eric Bachelart
Eric Bachelart
Eric Bachelart is a former race car driver and current Conquest Racing team owner.-Racing career:...
. The team ran in Indy Lights competition in the late 1990s with Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:...
, who brought sponsorship from Hollywood cigarettes and Mi-Jack sponsored brothers Chris
Chris Menninga
Chris Menninga , is a retired racecar driver who has raced in open wheel racing.Menninga started in the Barber Dodge Pro Series where he raced from 1995 to 1997, winning a race and finishing fourth in points his final year. He then moved to Indy Lights driving for Conquest Racing in 1999 finishing...
and Jamie Menninga. The team jumped to the Indy Racing League in 2002 with Laurent Rédon
Laurent Redon
Laurent Rédon is a former race car driver from Loire, France.Rédon began his professional racing career in the French Formula Three Championship, winning it in 1995. He then moved to International Formula 3000 where he finished 8th in the points for DAMS in 1996 and 9th for Super Nova Racing the...
; the Frenchman won rookie of the year honors but was not retained when the team jumped ship to Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
in 2003.
The team ran Mario Haberfeld
Mario Haberfeld
Mario Haberfeld is a Brazilian auto racing driver.After winning the British Formula Three Championship in 1998, he drove in Formula 3000 from 1999 until 2002. He posted some decent results, but struggled his first season driving for the McLaren junior team failing to score a single point while...
in an unloved Reynard
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
chassis and shared information and resources with Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...
's team, that ran future Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
driver Tiago Monteiro
Tiago Monteiro
Tiago Vagaroso da Costa Monteiro is a Portuguese racing driver. He drove for Jordan, Midland and Spyker MF1 teams—all different iterations of the same team as it was bought by new owners during a two year stint as part of the Formula One paddock...
. In 2004 the team expanded to two cars, fielding Justin Wilson in a Lola with several others in a Reynard. Wilson signed with RuSPORT
RuSPORT
RuSPORT was an auto racing team that competed in the Champ Car World Series. It was founded in September 2002 by Carl Russo.Russo drove for the team then known as Performance Development and Racing based in Fort Collins, Colorado which was owned by Steve Wulff...
for 2005 and Conquest ran teenagers Nelson Philippe
Nelson Philippe
-Early career:Philippe raced go-karts from 1998-2002. In 2003, he raced in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing the season with one podium, and four top five finishes....
and Andrew Ranger
Andrew Ranger
Andrew Ranger is a Canadian racing driver driving in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the #27 Ford Fusion for Jacombs racing and the #35 Waste Management Chevy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East...
, each 18 years old when the season started.
While Philippe left for 2006, the team retained Ranger dependent on his Canadian sponsorship and signed 2005 Champ Car Atlantic champion Charles Zwolsman
Charles Zwolsman
Charles Zwolsman Jr. is a race car driver who formerly competed in the Champ Car World Series. He is the son of former sports car racing driver and career criminal, Charles Zwolsman, Sr., who competed in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Zwolsman started racing go karts before competing in Formula...
to the second car. There were rumors Darren Manning
Darren Manning
Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:...
would replace Ranger early in the season but this was put to rest with his on-track performances and more money coming into the team. Internet betting web site Goldenpalace.com
GoldenPalace.com
GoldenPalace.com is an online casino, hosted at Mohawk Internet Technologies, which is located in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory near Montreal. They are well-known for their publicity stunts. They are also known for large 'bonuses' which must be waged a comparatively excessive fifty times before...
signed on as Zwolsman's sponsor at the second race in Houston.
The team branched into the Atlantic ranks in 2006 with drivers Graham Rahal
Graham Rahal
Graham Rahal is an American race car driver. He currently participates in the IZOD IndyCar Series. He is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal.-Early racing:...
and Al Unser III.
After the 2006 season
2006 Champ Car World Series Season
The 2006 Champ Car season was the third and penultimate season of the Champ Car World Series era of American open wheel racing. It began on April 9, 2006 in Long Beach, California and ended on November 12 in Mexico City, Mexico after 14 races. The Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series...
, Mike Lanigan pulled his company's support from the race team due to a lack of funding. In a Speedtv.com article, Bachelart was about to shut down his team when his sponsor called with a deal for the 2007 season. But on February 6, 2007 a New York based company, later confirmed to be vodka company 42 Below, gave them sponsorship with former A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
driver Matt Halliday
Matt Halliday
Matthew Halliday is a motor racing driver from New Zealand.-Formula Racing:His formula racing career has involved various single seater series in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States...
. However, after poor performances in Vegas, Long Beach, and Houston, Halliday was released in favor of Jan Heylen
Jan Heylen
Jan Heylen is a Belgian racing driver who most notably competed in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career and F3000:...
. Jan Heylen drove the next 9 races for Conquest Racing and his best finish was a 2nd place at the Bavaria Grand Prix of Holland. On October 3 it was announced that Jan Heylen would be replaced for the rest of the season by the returning Nelson Philippe.
In Late December 2007 the team announced the signing of new marketing partner, Opes Prime
Opes Prime
Opes Prime Group Limited was an Australian securities lending and stockbroking firm which suffered a dramatic collapse in 2008.-Overview:The company was founded in 2003 by Laurie Emini and Julian Smith...
Group Ltd, an Australian-based financial services provider. Following the unification of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League, Conquest was the first Champ Car team to confirm their participation in the IRL IndyCar Series, with driver Franck Perera
Franck Perera
Franck Perera is a race car driver who has competed in a number of international open wheel racing championships.-Career:...
named to drive one of the team's two cars. The other driver entry has been confirmed as Enrique Bernoldi
Enrique Bernoldi
Enrique Antônio Langue e Silvério de Bernoldi is a Brazilian racing driver who raced for the Arrows Formula One team...
will be driving for Conquest Racing during the 2008 IRL Championship.
However on the eve of the opening race of the 2008 IndyCar Season, on 28 March 2008, Opes Prime was placed in receivership,and left the team shortly after. Sangari stepped up to sponsor both cars after Ares also left the team. After the Long Beach Grand Prix
Long Beach Grand Prix
The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is an open-wheel race held on a street circuit in Long Beach, California. Christopher Pook is the founder and promoter which began as a vision while working at a travel agency in downtown Long Beach. It was the premier circuit in the Champ Car from 1996, and...
, Perera was replaced in the #34 car by Jaime Camara
Jaime Camara
Jaime Camara is a Brazilian race car driver, who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series for Conquest Racing.-Indy Racing League:...
to complete a fully Brazilian lineup. Alex Tagliani
Alex Tagliani
Alexandre Tagliani is a Canadian auto racing driver from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving the #77 entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.-Champ Car career:...
replaced Bernoldi in the last three races of the season due to an injury.
Tagliani ran for the team part-time in 2009, including the Toronto Grand Prix that saw Tagliani lead a majority of the race before being eliminated in a late race crash. Conquest Racing entered a second car for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:...
the driver of the number 36. Junqueira qualified for the 500, while Tagliani did not, which resulted in Tagliani taking over the 36 car for the 500.
Nelson Philippe returned to the team late in 2009 after Tagliani and Conquest parted ways. The season was cut short for Phillipe and Conquest after a horrifying accident with Will Power
Will Power
William Steven Power is an Australian motorsport driver, who currently competes in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, driving for Team Penske.-Australian Racing:...
at Infineon Raceway.
Mario Romancini
Mario Romancini
Mario Romancini is a professional racing driver from Brazil.Romancini started his racing career in 2006 in the Brazilian Formula Renault 2.0 series. Driving for the Full Time Racing Team, he took two podium finishes, including one race win, to finish the season in fifth place...
was announced as the driver of the Conquest Racing number 34 for the entire IndyCar Series 2010 schedule. Bertrand Baguette
Bertrand Baguette
Bertrand Baguette is a Belgian racing driver from Thimister-Clermont. Since 2000, he has competed in various motorsport formulae.-Karting:...
began running for the team in a second car at Barber, bringing Belgian sponsorship. The team placed both cars in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
where Romancini finished 13th and Baguette ended up in 22nd after losing a mirror early in the race. Conquest Racing planned to continue running both drivers for the remainder of the season but replaced Romancini with Francesco Dracone
Francesco Dracone
Francesco Dracone is an Italian racing driver.Dracone began racing professionally in the Italian Formula Three Championship in 2002. He raced in that series until 2005. In 2006 he moved to Euroseries 3000 driving for Euronova. He finished 21st in points. He returned in 2007 driving for ASR and 2G...
at Mid-Ohio and Infineon due to Romancini's lack of sponsorship.
For 2011, the team will run only one car, the 34, with Colombian driver Sebastian Saavedra
Sebastian Saavedra
Sebastian Saavedra is a Colombian racing driver of Portuguese and Korean origin from Bogotá.-early career:After a childhood in karting, Saavedra drove in Formula BMW USA for Gelles Racing, finishing 11th in points. He also drove in two races in Formula BMW ADAC and competed in the Formula BMW...
.
IRL/CCWS
| Year | Car | Drivers | Races | Wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | D.C. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Infiniti Infiniti is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional... |
 Laurent RedonLaurent Redon Laurent Rédon is a former race car driver from Loire, France.Rédon began his professional racing career in the French Formula Three Championship, winning it in 1995. He then moved to International Formula 3000 where he finished 8th in the points for DAMS in 1996 and 9th for Super Nova Racing the... |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 229 | 12th |
| 2003 | Reynard Reynard Reynard is the subject of a literary cycle of allegorical French, Dutch, English, and German fables largely concerned with Reynard, an anthropomorphic red fox and trickster figure.-Etymology of the name:Theories about the origin of the name Reynard are:... -Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
 Mario HaberfeldMario Haberfeld Mario Haberfeld is a Brazilian auto racing driver.After winning the British Formula Three Championship in 1998, he drove in Formula 3000 from 1999 until 2002. He posted some decent results, but struggled his first season driving for the McLaren junior team failing to score a single point while... |
18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 12th |
| 2004 | Lola/Reynard Reynard Reynard is the subject of a literary cycle of allegorical French, Dutch, English, and German fables largely concerned with Reynard, an anthropomorphic red fox and trickster figure.-Etymology of the name:Theories about the origin of the name Reynard are:... -Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
 Justin Wilson |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 11th |
| Alex Sperafico Alex Sperafico Alexandre Sperafico is a Brazilian driver. He is the oldest of the four racing Speraficos.From 2000 to 2001, and for one start in 2003, Alexandre competed in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and won a race at Sebring on the weekend of the 2001 12 Hours of Sebring. In 2002 he was one of three Speraficos... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 19th | ||
| Nelson Philippe Nelson Philippe -Early career:Philippe raced go-karts from 1998-2002. In 2003, he raced in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing the season with one podium, and four top five finishes.... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 16th | ||
| 2005 | Lola-Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
 Andrew RangerAndrew Ranger Andrew Ranger is a Canadian racing driver driving in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the #27 Ford Fusion for Jacombs racing and the #35 Waste Management Chevy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East... |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 10th |
| Nelson Philippe Nelson Philippe -Early career:Philippe raced go-karts from 1998-2002. In 2003, he raced in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing the season with one podium, and four top five finishes.... |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 13th | ||
| 2006 | Lola-Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
Andrew Ranger Andrew Ranger Andrew Ranger is a Canadian racing driver driving in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the #27 Ford Fusion for Jacombs racing and the #35 Waste Management Chevy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 200 | 10th |
 Charles ZwolsmanCharles Zwolsman Charles Zwolsman Jr. is a race car driver who formerly competed in the Champ Car World Series. He is the son of former sports car racing driver and career criminal, Charles Zwolsman, Sr., who competed in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Zwolsman started racing go karts before competing in Formula... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 161 | 13th | ||
| 2007 | Lola-Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
 Matt HallidayMatt Halliday Matthew Halliday is a motor racing driver from New Zealand.-Formula Racing:His formula racing career has involved various single seater series in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 21st |
 Jan HeylenJan Heylen Jan Heylen is a Belgian racing driver who most notably competed in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career and F3000:... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 16th | ||
| Nelson Philippe Nelson Philippe -Early career:Philippe raced go-karts from 1998-2002. In 2003, he raced in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing the season with one podium, and four top five finishes.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 19th | ||
| 2008 2008 IndyCar Series season The 2008 IndyCar Series season was the 13th season of the IndyCar Series. Its premier event was the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on May 25. The first race was held March 29 at Homestead. It was the 97th recognized season of top-level American open wheel racing.... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
Franck Perera Franck Perera Franck Perera is a race car driver who has competed in a number of international open wheel racing championships.-Career:... |
31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 29th |
| Enrique Bernoldi Enrique Bernoldi Enrique Antônio Langue e Silvério de Bernoldi is a Brazilian racing driver who raced for the Arrows Formula One team... |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 220 | 22nd | ||
| Jaime Camara Jaime Camara Jaime Camara is a Brazilian race car driver, who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series for Conquest Racing.-Indy Racing League:... |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 23rd | ||
| Alex Tagliani Alex Tagliani Alexandre Tagliani is a Canadian auto racing driver from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving the #77 entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.-Champ Car career:... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 32nd | ||
| 2009 2009 IndyCar Series season The 2009 IndyCar Series season was the 14th season of the IndyCar Series. The 17-race season began on April 5, and its premier event, the 93rd Indianapolis 500 was held May 24. All races were broadcast on ABC or Versus in high-definition... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
Alex Tagliani Alex Tagliani Alexandre Tagliani is a Canadian auto racing driver from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving the #77 entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.-Champ Car career:... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 22nd |
| Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | ||
| Nelson Philippe Nelson Philippe -Early career:Philippe raced go-karts from 1998-2002. In 2003, he raced in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, finishing the season with one podium, and four top five finishes.... |
01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 35th | ||
 Kosuke MatsuuraKosuke Matsuura is a race car driver currently competing in the Formula Nippon series. He previously competed in the IRL IndyCar Series.-Early career:After winning the Japanese Formula Dream Championship in 2001, Kosuke attracted the attention of former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki as a teenager and was placed... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 36th | ||
| 2010 2010 IndyCar Series season The 2010 Izod IndyCar Series season was the 15th season of the IndyCar Series, and the 99th recognized season of top-level American open wheel racing. It was the series' first of six planned seasons under Izod title sponsorship, a multi-million dollar deal which was announced on November 5, 2009... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
Mario Romancini Mario Romancini Mario Romancini is a professional racing driver from Brazil.Romancini started his racing career in 2006 in the Brazilian Formula Renault 2.0 series. Driving for the Full Time Racing Team, he took two podium finishes, including one race win, to finish the season in fifth place... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 24th |
| Bertrand Baguette Bertrand Baguette Bertrand Baguette is a Belgian racing driver from Thimister-Clermont. Since 2000, he has competed in various motorsport formulae.-Karting:... |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 213 | 22nd | ||
 Francesco DraconeFrancesco Dracone Francesco Dracone is an Italian racing driver.Dracone began racing professionally in the Italian Formula Three Championship in 2002. He raced in that series until 2005. In 2006 he moved to Euroseries 3000 driving for Euronova. He finished 21st in points. He returned in 2007 driving for ASR and 2G... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 37th | ||
 Tomas ScheckterTomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.-Early years:... |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 29th | ||
 Roger YasukawaRoger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is a Japanese-American auto racing driver.Yasukawa started karting in Southern California, winning the California State Championship in 1991 in Junior Sportsman. He then moved to Italy to compete in JICA... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 40th | ||
 Sebastian SaavedraSebastian Saavedra Sebastian Saavedra is a Colombian racing driver of Portuguese and Korean origin from Bogotá.-early career:After a childhood in karting, Saavedra drove in Formula BMW USA for Gelles Racing, finishing 11th in points. He also drove in two races in Formula BMW ADAC and competed in the Formula BMW... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 33rd |
1Driver competed for Conquest in addition to another team that season.