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 | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Jamaican |
| Born | 9 September 1998 Bog Walk, St. Catherine, Jamaica |
| Nitrocross career | |
| Debut season | 2021 |
| Current team | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dodge |
| Car number | 35 |
| Starts | 24 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Podiums | 9 |
| Best finish | 2nd in 2023–24 |
| Championship titles | |
| 2019 | Americas Rallycross ARX2 |
McConnell currently competes professionally Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Group E class of Nitrocross.
Early life
editMcConnell 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
editMcConnell 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
editComplete Nitro Rallycross results
editSupercar
edit| 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
edit| 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 1 |
WHP2 2 |
HLN1 5 |
HLN2 2 |
LAS 1 |
LAS 4 |
2nd | 504 | |||
| 2024-25 | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dodge | Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X | RIC1 3 |
RIC2 2 |
UMC1 |
UMC2 |
FMP1 |
FMP2 |
MIA1 |
MIA2 |
LAS1 |
LAS2 |
2nd | 107 |
Complete Extreme E results
edit(key)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | JBXE | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES |
ISL1 |
ISL2 |
COP |
ENE 9 |
21st | 2 | |||||
| 2023 | X44 Vida Carbon Racing | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES 1 4 |
DES 2 6 |
HYD 1 1 |
HYD 2 9 |
ISL1 1 8 |
ISL1 2 8 |
ISL2 1 9 |
ISL2 2 1 |
COP 1 3 |
COP 2 3 |
4th | 109 |
| 2024 | Acciona | Sainz XE Team | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES 1 4 |
DES 2 1 |
HYD 1 2 |
HYD 2 2 |
ISL1 1 |
ISL1 2 |
ISL2 1 |
ISL2 2 |
VAL 1 |
VAL 2 |
2nd* | 76* |
* Season still in progress.
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (2021-05-03). "Jamaican RallyCross Driver Fraser McConnell Scores Win at RallyX Nordic". Caribbean News. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ a b c "The breakthrough Supercar win that's inspired a title charge". DirtFish. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ Wheeler, Daniel (May 3, 2021). "McConnell going flat out for RallyX Nordic title". The Jamaica Gleaner.
- ^ "VIDEO: Fraser McConnell dedicates maiden RallyX Nordic win to Jamaica". www.loopjamaica.com. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ Haycox, Matt (4 May 2021). "Usain Bolt praises Fraser McConnell for his international rallycross win – Matt Haycox". Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ a b c d e "Fraser McConnell – RX2 Rallycross". Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ Lindroos, Pontus (2021-03-24). "Fraser McConnell Returns to RallyX Nordic with OMSE". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "How Höljes helped McConnell's RallyX Nordic title hopes". DirtFish. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ "Jamaican Fraser McConnell bags first season win at Rallyx Nordic". Our Today (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
- ^ Howard, Tom (2023-03-07). "Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team". www.motorsport.com.