Zach Banks-Calderín | |
|---|---|
 Banks in 2019 | |
| Born | Zachary Mitchell Banks (1997-12-15)December 15, 1997 (age 27) |
| Alma mater | Florida State University, B.S. 2021 |
| Occupation | Racing driver |
| Years active | 2012 - present |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Racing career | |
| Teams | Zach Banks-Calderín Racing |
| Former teams | International Racing, Ocala Gran Prix |
| 2021 Monticello Karting Championship career | |
| Car number | 28 |
| Engine | ROK Senior |
| Starts | 10 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Poles | 5 |
| Fastest laps | 10 |
| Previous series | |
| 2014-2017 2014-2017 2018-2020 | Florida Winter Tour U.S. ROK National Championship Monticello Karting Championship |
| Championship titles | |
| 2019 - 2020 | Monticello Rok Senior Champion |
| Awards | |
| 2015 | Most Consecutive Wins (Homestead Karting) |
| Statistics up to date as of 4/17/2021. | |
| Website | www |
Zachary Banks-Calderín (born December 15, 1997) is anAmerican racing driver. Banks has recorded over 90 career race wins.
Born to Cuban immigrant mother Jacqueline and Irish-American father Jason, Banks-Calderín grew up inMiami, Florida,[1] where he attendedGeorge Washington Carver Middle School, and laterChristopher Columbus High School, Immaculata-La Salle High School, andCoral Gables Senior High School, where he graduated. Banks-Calderín graduated with honors and served as president of his class during his junior year of high school. Banks-Calderín began attendingFlorida State University in 2016, pursuing a degree in management information systems.
Banks-Calderín competed in his first karting race in October 2012. He recorded his first win in October 2013 atHomestead-Miami Speedway in TAG Junior. His first championship came in early 2014 with International Racing,[2] shortly after turning 16.[3]
Banks-Calderín's karting career progressed to the international stage with top-10 finishes in both the Cold Stone Florida Winter Tour and the United States ROK National Championship in 2015 and 2016. He won the 2016 Florida Karting Championship Series[4] atHomestead-Miami Speedway in TAG Senior and the 2016 Florida State championship[5] in ROK Senior. Banks-Calderín began testingLe Mans sports cars in 2017 atHomestead-Miami Speedway andDaytona International Speedway. In mid-2017, Banks-Calderín took a brief hiatus from racing to further his studies at Florida State.
Banks-Calderín resumed racing in September 2018, winning his first 8 races, consecutively. Banks-Calderín followed up his championships with another championship in the Monticello Racing Series in December 2019. Banks-Calderín won 17 races in 2019.
In August 2019, Banks-Calderín became an officially licensedSports Car Club of America (SCCA) andInternational Motor Sports Association (IMSA) race car driver.
In December 2020, Banks-Calderín repeated as champion at Monticello in ROK Senior with a 15-win season, shortened by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Banks-Calderín won his 3rd consecutive championship at Monticello in 2021.[6] Banks-Calderín graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a degree in Management Information Systems, and stopped racing at Monticello.
After almost 2 years away from racing after college, Banks-Calderín moved to Charlotte, NC in May 2023 to resume his racing career - restarting his career under the name Zach Banks-Calderín, to honor his Cuban upbringing.[7] Banks-Calderín worked atRackley WAR from May-July 2023, gaining experience before attempting to move up the ranks in oval racing.[7]
Banks-Calderín has been featured as a guest on several podcasts and interviews since September 2018.
Banks-Calderín was selected for the 2020NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Driver Recruitment Program inFontenay-le-Comte, France. Banks-Calderín signed a letter of intent to drive for Hendriks Motorsport for the 2020 season. However, due to the economic effects of theCOVID-19 pandemic, the plans never materialized.
Banks-Calderín speaksSpanish,English, andItalian. Banks-Calderín has competed and placed on the podium of multiple ultramarathon races, including winning the 2020 Hellcat 50K in the male 20-24 category.[8] Banks-Calderín has also competed in severaltriathlons,duathlons, and otherendurance events.