Ken Murillo

Ken Murillo
Born1966
Previous series
1991
1990
1989-1990
1988
1986-1987
1986		Indy Lights
SCCA World Challenge
Formula Ford 2000 Canada
Formula Super Vee
Barber Saab Pro Series
IMSA Firestone Firehawk
Championship titles
1988
1987		Formula Super Vee
Barber Saab Pro Series

Ken Murillo is a former racing driver from Santa Rosa, California. Murillo won the 1987 Barber Saab Pro Series and the 1988 Formula Super Vee USA Robert Bosch/Valvoline Championship. Murillow currently co-owns Michelin Pilot Challenge team Murillo Racing.

Racing career

Murillo started in the first season of the Barber Saab Pro Series. Murillo won eighth race at Watkins Glen International. While Willy Lewis won the championship Murillo ended up ninth in the 1986 Barber Saab Pro Series season. The Californian returned in the series the following year winning the first two rounds at Bicentennial Park and Road Atlanta. Murillo also won the race at Watkins Glen International. With three drivers winning three races the title chase was very close. But as Murillo outperformed Bruce Feldman and Jeremy Dale during the final round at Tamiami Park Murillo won the title.

After failing to obtain a racing seat in the American Racing Series for 1988 Murillo joined the Formula Super Vee.[1] Murillo drove in the SCCA Formula Super Vee USA Robert Bosch/Valvoline Championship for Lee Hagen Racing. He raced his Volkswagen powered Ralt RT5 to victory at Phoenix International Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Nazareth Speedway. Due to a strong last quarter of the season Murillo took the title over E.J. Lenzi.[2]

Following his championships Murillo moved to Canada to race in the Formula Ford 2000. He finished consistently in the top five in his J.H. Racing Swift SE3 sponsored by Lucasfilm. The following year the American won the first race of the season at Mosport Park. After four more podium finished Murillo finished runner-up in the championship, behind Bobby Carville.[3]

Murillo also made an appearance in the SCCA Escort World Challenge at Mosport Park. Together with Tod Gartshore, Charlie Henry and Ron Tambourine Murillo participated in the Toronto Star 24-Hour World Challenge. The Eagle Talon entered by Archer Brothers finished twelfth overall, sixth in class.[4]

After failing to qualify for the Indy Lights race at Long Beach Murillo retired from professional auto racing.

Racing record

Formula Super Vee

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Rank Points
1988 Hagen Racing PHX
1 		LBH
4 		DAL
4 		IRP
3 		MIL
5 		DET
3 		NIA
2 		CLE
4 		MEA
4 		MDO
1 		ROA
3 		NAZ
1 		STP
1 		1st 194[5]

American open–wheel racing results

(key)

Indy Lights

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points
1991 LBH
DNQ 		PHX MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR DEN MDO NZR LS - -

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status
1998 Mid-Ohio Nissan 240SX GT3 1 1 Running

References

  1. ^ "CAREER ENHANCEMENT AWARD ANNOUNCED" (PDF). Legacy Tobacco Documents Library. Barber Saab Pro Series. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  2. ^ "1988 Valvoline Championship for Bosch-Volkswagen Super Vee". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Championnat Canadien de Formule 2000". Autocourse. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  4. ^ "1990 Escort World Challenge" (PDF). SCCA. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  5. ^ Phillips, Dave (December 12, 1988). "All the Answers". On Track Magazine (December): 34–39. Driving with heads-up maturity that belied his rookie status, Murillo was a deserving champion.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Barber Saab Pro Series Champion
1987 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Formula Super Vee USA
1988 		Succeeded by