April 21, 1965
Born in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA.
Kelly Collins began racing motorcycles at age seven. He came through the ranks of off-road motorcycles before progressing into Formula Ford and Formula Mazda racing in 1987, where he enjoyed six wins. In 1988 he progressed into the Barber Saab Series where he raced until 1990.
In 1992 Collins earned his first endurance race win in 12-hour Firestone Firehawk race at Sebring. From 1993 to 1996 Collins drove a Honda to 8 wins in the IMSA Sport Championship, for 1997 and 1998 he raced a Porsche in the PSCR GT Championship.
In 1999 he won the GT3 Class at the Rolex 24 Hour race at Daytona in a Porsche 911 RSR for Alex Job Racing finishing sixth overall. For Sebring 1999 Collins drove for Alex Job Racing and had another GT Class win before moving on to Martin Snow Racing and driving a Porsche 911 Turbo in the GTS class for four rounds.
Collins first race for Corvette Racing was at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in 1999, he then returned to Martin Snow Racing for the remaining two rounds in the ALMS.
Highlights of Collins' career include multiple victories at Petit Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona, and 12 Hours of Sebring. Kelly also scored four podium finishes at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with teammates Andy Pilgrim, Frank Freon, and Oliver Gavin. In 2001, Collins helped write history by teaming with the legendary Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Andy Pilgrim in the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Collins and Pilgrim's road racing expertise helped Dale and his son take their first and only podium finish together in a Corvette C5-R.
Kelly Collins began racing motorcycles at age seven. He came through the ranks of off-road motorcycles before progressing into Formula Ford and Formula Mazda racing in 1987, where he enjoyed six wins. In 1988 he progressed into the Barber Saab Series where he raced until 1990.
In 1992 Collins earned his first endurance race win in 12-hour Firestone Firehawk race at Sebring. From 1993 to 1996 Collins drove a Honda to 8 wins in the IMSA Sport Championship, for 1997 and 1998 he raced a Porsche in the PSCR GT Championship.
In 1999 he won the GT3 Class at the Rolex 24 Hour race at Daytona in a Porsche 911 RSR for Alex Job Racing finishing sixth overall. For Sebring 1999 Collins drove for Alex Job Racing and had another GT Class win before moving on to Martin Snow Racing and driving a Porsche 911 Turbo in the GTS class for four rounds.
Collins first race for Corvette Racing was at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in 1999, he then returned to Martin Snow Racing for the remaining two rounds in the ALMS.
Highlights of Collins' career include multiple victories at Petit Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona, and 12 Hours of Sebring. Kelly also scored four podium finishes at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with teammates Andy Pilgrim, Frank Freon, and Oliver Gavin. In 2001, Collins helped write history by teaming with the legendary Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Andy Pilgrim in the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Collins and Pilgrim's road racing expertise helped Dale and his son take their first and only podium finish together in a Corvette C5-R.
Happy Birthday Bud! Great guy to have worked with. Wishing you many many more!
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