Chris Dyson
Encyclopedia
Chris Dyson is a professional sports car racing
driver and team owner of Dyson Racing
.
Dyson made his professional racing debut in the 2001 Grand American Road Racing Championship season, driving a Riley & Scott Mk III
in the final two races of the season. In 2002, he finished second in the Grand-Am
SRP1 points, winning five races. He also made his American Le Mans Series
debut at the 2002 12 Hours of Sebring
.
In 2003, Dyson raced full-time in the American Le Mans Series
, driving an MG-Lola EX257
. Driving with Andy Wallace for most of the season, and with Didier de Radiguès
and Chad Block at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, Dyson took 4 wins and the drivers championship in the LMP 675
class.
The 2004 season
saw the MG-Lola reclassified into the LMP1 category against the Audi R8s; Dyson and Wallace scored 6 podiums in 8 races together. In 2005, he finished 2nd in the LMP1 drivers' championship, scoring 6 runner-up finishes. Dyson also drove at the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans
for Jan Lammers
' Racing for Holland
team with Lammers and Katsutomo Kaneishi
, finishing 7th overall and 6th in the LMP1 class. Dyson drove in 7 Atlantic Championship races in 2004 and 2005, earning a best finish of 4th at Long Beach in 2005.
Dyson finished 5th in driver points in 2006
, with a best finish of 2nd at Mosport
. Dyson also finished 4th at Laguna Seca with James Weaver
, in Weaver's final race. 2007
saw Dyson team with Guy Smith
in a Porsche RS Spyder
; the pair finished 4th in points. He finished 6th in points in 2008 and 5th in 2009. Dyson drove at Le Mans
in 2009 for Ray Mallock, retiring after 19 hours. In 2010, he finished 4th in LMP1 points and won one race with Guy Smith.
In 2011
, despite winning only one race, Dyson and Guy Smith won the LMP1 drivers' championship.
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
driver and team owner of Dyson Racing
Dyson Racing
Dyson Racing is a professional sports car racing team based in Poughkeepsie, New York in the United States. Founded by Rob Dyson in 1974, the team is one of the longest-running and most successful privateer racing organizations. Over the years, it has competed in IMSA GTO and GTP, SCCA Trans-Am,...
.
Dyson made his professional racing debut in the 2001 Grand American Road Racing Championship season, driving a Riley & Scott Mk III
Riley & Scott Mk III
The Riley & Scott Mark III was a sports prototype auto racing car developed by Bob Riley, Bill Riley, and Mark Scott of Riley & Scott Cars Inc.. Initially designed in 1993, the car was created for the World Sports Car category which was to debut in the North American IMSA GT Championship during...
in the final two races of the season. In 2002, he finished second in the Grand-Am
2002 Rolex Sports Car Series season
The 2002 Grand American Road Racing Championship season was the third season of the Rolex Sports Car Series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. The season involved five classes: Sports Racing Prototype I and II , Grand Touring Sport , Grand Touring , and American GT . 10 races were...
SRP1 points, winning five races. He also made his American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
debut at the 2002 12 Hours of Sebring
2002 12 Hours of Sebring
The 2002 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring was the 50th running of this event, and the opening round of the 2002 American Le Mans Series season. It took place at Sebring International Raceway, Florida, on March 16, 2002.-Official results:...
.
In 2003, Dyson raced full-time in the American Le Mans Series
2003 American Le Mans Series season
The 2003 American Le Mans Series season was the 5th season for the IMSA American Le Mans Series. It was a series for Le Mans Prototypes and Grand Touring race cars divided into 4 classes: LMP900, LMP675, GTS, and GT...
, driving an MG-Lola EX257
MG-Lola EX257
The MG-Lola EX257 was a Le Mans Prototype built by Lola Cars International for the MG car company for their attempt to compete again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in...
. Driving with Andy Wallace for most of the season, and with Didier de Radiguès
Didier de Radiguès
Didier de Radiguès is a Belgian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and racing driver.He made his motorcycle Grand Prix debut in 1979, racing in the 500cc class. His best year was in 1982 when he won two races and finished second to Anton Mang in the 350cc world championship...
and Chad Block at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, Dyson took 4 wins and the drivers championship in the LMP 675
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
class.
The 2004 season
2004 American Le Mans Series season
The 2004 American Le Mans Series season was the 6th season for the IMSA American Le Mans Series. It was a series for Le Mans Prototypes and Grand Touring race cars divided into 4 classes: LMP1, LMP2, GTS, and GT...
saw the MG-Lola reclassified into the LMP1 category against the Audi R8s; Dyson and Wallace scored 6 podiums in 8 races together. In 2005, he finished 2nd in the LMP1 drivers' championship, scoring 6 runner-up finishes. Dyson also drove at the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans
2004 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 72nd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 12 and 13 2004.-Race:With the end of the Bentley project, there were no official factory teams at this years race, theoretically leaving it open to anyone...
for Jan Lammers
Jan Lammers
Johannes "Jan" Lammers, , is a racing driver and team principal from the Netherlands. He participated in 41 Formula One Grand Prix races, debuting on January 21, 1979. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988 and later participated in the race with his own team Racing for Holland...
' Racing for Holland
Racing for Holland
Racing for Holland is a Dutch motor racing team started by Jan Lammers in 1999. The team is initially specialised in endurance races such as 24 hours of Le Mans and FIA sportscars series. The team is now also participating in the A1 Grand Prix as the A1 Team The Netherlands.-History:Racing for...
team with Lammers and Katsutomo Kaneishi
Katsutomo Kaneishi
is a Japanese racing driver. He has competed in such series as the Japanese Touring Car Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and Formula Nippon.-External links:*...
, finishing 7th overall and 6th in the LMP1 class. Dyson drove in 7 Atlantic Championship races in 2004 and 2005, earning a best finish of 4th at Long Beach in 2005.
Dyson finished 5th in driver points in 2006
2006 American Le Mans Series season
The 2006 American Le Mans Series season was the 8th season for the IMSA American Le Mans Series. It was a series for Le Mans Prototypes and Grand Touring race cars divided into 4 classes: LMP1, LMP2, GT1, and GT2...
, with a best finish of 2nd at Mosport
Mosport
Mosport International Raceway is a multi-track facility located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. The facility features a , 10-turn road course; a half-mile paved oval; a 2.4 km advance driver and race driver training facility with a quarter-mile skid pad Mosport International Raceway...
. Dyson also finished 4th at Laguna Seca with James Weaver
James Weaver (racing driver)
James Weaver is a British former racing driver. He began his career in the European F3. In 1982 he was the Eddie Jordan Racing team's primary driver, but in 1983 he went back to the European F3. He debuted in the British Touring Car Championship in 1989 at the Oulton Park circuit in March that year...
, in Weaver's final race. 2007
2007 American Le Mans Series season
The 2007 American Le Mans Series season was the 9th season for the IMSA American Le Mans Series. It was a series for Le Mans Prototypes and Grand Touring race cars divided into 4 classes: LMP1, LMP2, GT1, and GT2. It began March 17, 2007, and ended October 20, 2007 after 12 races...
saw Dyson team with Guy Smith
Guy Smith
Guy Smith is a motor racing driver who has competed in various levels of motorsport.Smith started racing karts in 1987, winning the British Championship, and in 1991 finished second in the Senior World Championship...
in a Porsche RS Spyder
Porsche RS Spyder
The RS Spyder is a racing car designed by Porsche to compete in Le Mans Prototype Class 2 racing. The car takes its name from the legendary 550 Spyder of the 1950s...
; the pair finished 4th in points. He finished 6th in points in 2008 and 5th in 2009. Dyson drove at Le Mans
2009 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 77th Grand Prix of Endurance, an endurance auto race run over 24 hours. It took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, and was organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest over June 13–14, 2009 and was started by Fiat and Ferrari chairman Luca...
in 2009 for Ray Mallock, retiring after 19 hours. In 2010, he finished 4th in LMP1 points and won one race with Guy Smith.
In 2011
2011 American Le Mans Series season
The 2011 American Le Mans Series season is a multi-event motor racing series for sports racing cars which conform to the technical regulations laid out by the International Motor Sports Association for the American Le Mans Series...
, despite winning only one race, Dyson and Guy Smith won the LMP1 drivers' championship.