Johan A. Manchola Prieto

Johan Manchola (born July 1, 1988 in San Francisco) is a Colombian racing driver. Won the Formula BMW championship in 2006 after coming stateside and advanced to Champ Car in 2007. He has raced in that series for a year, winning three races and finishing 2nd and 3rd in the championship.

Career

Manchola was born in the summer of 1988 in San Francisco, California. The Colombian's career began in his native country during 1995 competing in several karting events. In his four year career in Karts, Manchola picked up a number of trophies, including the Colombian Formula Championship and a Winter Tour champion title, in the Pro-Shifter class, both of which were won in his final year in karting, 1999. He then moved up into Formula racing the following year in the form of Formula BMW, competing in its American series. In his début season, in which the Colombian participated in all fourteen rounds, he picked up a win in San Jose, a pole position, a fastest lap and a podium at downtown closed event. With a collection of 85 points, Manchola finished 4th overall in the Drivers' Championship.