Ryan Hampton is a former American Indy Lights driver. Besides racing cars in races he also competed in drift competitions.
Career
Hampton started his karting career in 1992 with the International Kart Federation. After racing touring cars in 1994 and 1995, Hampton made his openwheel debut in 1996. The racing driver from California competed a Van Diemen in the SCCAFormula Contintental class. The young driver also made his debut in the USF2000 in 1996. After failing to qualify at Walt Disney World Speedway his first start was at Phoenix International Raceway. At the Arizona track Hampton failed to finish. Hampton started three more USF2000 races with a best finish of tenth at Watkins Glen International. Ryan Hampton scored his first USF2000 win in 1997. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina a fierce battle for the win occurred between Hampton and Matt Sielsky. Hampton made a decisive pass for the win in lap 26 out of 30. Despite missing the first two races of the season, Hampton ended up sixth in the season standings. For 1998 Hampton was a championship contender in USF2000. Hampton won three races, one at Watkins Glen International and two at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However a devastating final race weekend obliterated his championship hopes. In the first race Hampton suffered car troubles. In the second race Hampton was disqualified as there was a foreign substance discovered on the cars tires in post-race technical inspection. Hampton finished second in the standings. For 1999 Hampton raced a partial season in USF2000. At the end of the season Hampton, and Larry Foyt, attended the Indy Racing League rookie test at Texas Motor Speedway. Hampton passed the rookie test in a Dallara IR9, previously raced by Billy Boat.
Grand-Am
In 1998 Hampton made is debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Hampton joined Kryderacing which entered a Nissan 240SX in the GT3 class. The car failed to finish due to a failed engine. The following year Hampton joined Dan Pettit's Pettit Racing in a Mazda RX-8. The car finished in 30th place overall. For 2000 Hampton joined Archangel Motorsport Services for the full season in the Rolex Sports Car Series SRPII class. Hampton, and teammate Larry Oberto, first raced a Chevrolet powered Magnum SC205 the team switched to the popular Lola B2K/40. The team scored five class wins and Hampton and Oberto were crowned SRPII class champions. Winning the championship earned him a U.S. F2000 Hall of Fame nomination. The following year Hampton joined Team Spencer Motorsports, again in the SRPII class. Racing a Kudzu Hampton was joined by Rich Grupp and Barry Waddell to score a class win at Watkins Glen International. The Californian remained at Team Spencer Motorsports for 2002 again running a partial schedule.
Indy Lights
Willing to return to open wheel racing, Hampton founded Ryan Hampton Racing for the Indy Lights. Hampton made his debut at Michigan International Speedway finishing seventh. At Gateway International Raceway the young driver won his first Indy Lights race. Hampton beat Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Ed Carpenter. The California driver lead each lap of the 30 lap race. Hampton made a final appearance in the series in 2004. With sponsorship by Bush-Cheney '04 Hampton started tenth but crashed out of the race.
