1987

  • born

1997

  • sees a scale-model, Le Mans-winning Porsche race car at the local mall. the dream is born

2000

  • every racing book that can be obtained is read, and re-read

  • starts working towards first car

2003

  • buys first car, 1990 Nissan 240sx

  • begins secretly practicing in the canyons while his parents are asleep

2004-2005

  • volunteer trash collector, Skip Barber Racing School, Monterey, CA

  • Doc Wong Driving Clinics, Northern California

  • first introduction to organized racing: Jim Russell Racing School - Techniques of Karting Class, Sonoma, CA

  • invited to Jim Russell Racing School's Scholarship Runoffs (reserved only for school's fastest pupils). Declines and uses entry funds towards college degree

2005-2009

  • UCLA - B.A., International Development Studies

  • Div. 1 Pac-10 academic-scholar athlete, co-captain, varsity rowing

  • insomnia due to racing dreams

2009-2010

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), SF Bay Area

  • insomnia due to racing dreams

2010-2012

  • Peace Corps Liberia, Education volunteer (West Africa)

    • first group to return since country's 14 year-long civil war

    • triples HS exit-exam pass rates for seniors as teacher, admin. advisor

    • constructs first science laboratory in school district, USAID SPA grant

    • invited by Liberian Ministry of Education to develop national middle and HS academic curricula

    • climbs Kilimanjaro, rides a Honda 125cc from Cape Town > Dar es Salaam with best friend

    • insomnia due to racing dreams

2012-2013

  • fundraising for Canada

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    • private tutoring

    • insomnia due to racing dreams

2014

  • Bridgestone Racing Academy - Mechanic Trainee Program

    • Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Ontario, Canada

    • previous attendees include F1 World Champion & Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve, NASCAR's Danica Patrick, and IndyCar's James Hinchcliffe

    • trades labor for driving time in school's F2000 open-wheel, formula race cars

      • 10 year racing hiatus, begins season 15+ seconds off the pace

      • sets lap-time equal to chief instructor in final race

      • recommendation by academy president to obtain competition racing license

2015

  • Rotax 125cc Kart Racing Series with Simraceway Performance Driving School (former Jim Russell school), Sonoma, CA

  • first season racing go-karts, slicks

    • Season Results:
      Race 1, 3/28/15 - 11th
      Race 2, 4/25/15 - 6th
      Race 3, 5/23/15 - 10th
      Race 4, 6/13/15 - 7th
      Race 5, 7/11/15 - 3rd (podium)
      Race 6, 8/15/15 - 3rd (podium)
      Race 7, 9/5/15 - 9th
      Race 8. 10/10/15 - 5th (hit, fastest lap)
      Race 9, 10/31/15 - 5th (hit, fastest lap)

    • Season Standings - Tied for 4th out of 22 competitors

2016

  • offered, accepts Instructor position with Simraceway Performance Driving Center - Sonoma, CA

  • training

2017

  • raises $16,000 with online GoFundme fundraiser and gala event, purchases race car

  • competes in SCCA Majors/Hoosier Super Tour (top amateur level in U.S.), SCCA Regionals with support from sponsors: Hana Japan Steak & Seafood, Marin Acura, Cafe Tapioca, and Tomas Sport Tuning
    (6 races, abbreviated season due to budget)

    • 100% probability to place top-5

    • 66% podium finish rate

    • 50% pole position rate

    • 33% win rate

    • all new, first-time tracks

    • self-crewed race car, pit-crew comprised of friends staying in tents

2018

  • VLN 1 - BMW M235iR, Cup 5 Class - Nurburgring, Germany

    • 7th in class, 67th overall

    • Highest finishing American in class

    • Highest finishing Japanese driver overall, 2nd @ P95 Toyota Gazoo Racing

    • Finished higher than: 3x Le Mans Champion; F1 Junior Development driver; Porsche, Lamborghini, Toyota factory drivers

    • Total laps on Nurburgring prior to first race weekend: 2

  • Lead Instructor - Simraceway Performance Driving Center, Sonoma, CA, USA