James Weaver

4/3/1955

Record updated

Cites Dick Morris as his mentor in British Formula Ford competition “because he would never give up and was always the man to beat.” Won seven races in FF 1600 ranks between 1977 and 1978 before career path took him to British and European Formula 3. Finished seventh in 1981 British F3 championship with one win, then improved to fifth in 1982, also ranking fourth in European F3 title chase, scoring three wins. Third in British Touring Car championship in 1984 (Class A) with one win and second in 1989 (champion of Class B) with 11 wins. Has had brief stints as CART and Indy Lights racer, though bulk of his body of work has been in sports and touring cars over past two decades. Finished 11th in 1989 CART Long Beach event. Has competed many times in 24 Hours of Le Mans but has never scored overall win; finished second in 1985. Ranked seventh in 1994 WSC points driving Dyson’s Ferrari 348-powered Spice; won WSC class at Sebring 12 Hours. Runner-up for 1995 World Sports Car title with wins at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Sears Point, Mosport and New Orleans. Won British BPR GT title in 1996 with four wins. Had successful 1997 season, winning overall in Daytona 24 Hours to start year, then going on to wins at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Sears Point in IMSA competition. Even better season in 1998, winning USRRC Can-Am title and finishing either first or second in nine consecutive events in Dyson cars. Daytona SR class winner for Dyson in 2000 en route to GARRA driving title for first of two straight years. In-season, Weaver commutes frequently to his home/family in England, “so most often I’m in coach class of a 747”. Likes to spend off-season time in Barbados. Favorite places to drive are Watkins Glen and Mosport “because they are natural road circuits.”. Says if he had not gone into racing, “I would have been in serious trouble.”