Darren Manning lived up to his promise as a talented driver and quick study in his debut season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing and the Indy Racing League. His ability to adapt quickly was evident from the start of the year as he finished two of the season’s first three races in the top-five. In addition, his ability to race at a consistently high level helped him finish the 2004 season ranked eleventh in the driver standings, only one spot behind team-mate and 2003 IRL Champion Scott Dixon.

Darren’s fast start was equalled by a strong finish despite missing the final two races of the season due to injury. All but two of his eight top-10 finishes, including four top-five finishes, came within the first three and last five races of the season. Having missed out on competing in the last two races the 29-year-old Briton still finished the season with an eleventh place ranking, and the strong races he had been running in the end has Darren and the rest of his team looking forward to an even stronger season in 2005.

“Although I’m very adept at adapting to the changing race circuits, I feel like I got more comfortable as the year went on,” said Darren. “I’m not content with just being a part a proven, championship calibre team and great league. Last season, I made a good first impression. This season, I want to make my mark.”
Darren’s experience and diverse driving career made him an attractive option for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Darren showed off his skill in a racecar by posting top-10 finishes in 15 of 18 CART races in 2003. He finished the season strong with a second place podium finish in Australia and placed ninth overall in the series point standings.

“No matter where he has raced, Darren has found success,” said team owner, Chip Ganassi. “He is a true professional that picks up nuances very quickly. His confidence rubs off on everyone around him and I’m confident he’s going to have a big season.”

2003
In 2003, Darren competed full-time in the CART series with Walker Racing and scored his best finish of the season in the finale at Australia, coming home second and placing him ninth overall in the series point standings. Darren was signed by Target Chip Ganassi Racing in November to pilot the No. 10 Toyota Panoz G-Force, a relationship that is continuing into the 2005 season.

2002
In 2002 Darren competed in the ASCAR Championship with Bintcliffe Sport Racing. He also made his Champ Car debut in Rockingham England with Team St George. Darren led 18 laps en route to a ninth-place finish.

2001
2001 also saw Darren working as a television presenter on ITV's Pulling Power programme, testing new cars and demonstrating his racing skills in an ASCAR. He also set a new land speed record whilst driving backwards in a Caterham.

2000 - 2001
BAR Honda F1 team signed Darren up for the 2000 season as a test driver, a relationship that continued into the 2002 season. Darren also raced with the Arden International F3000 team in 2000, finishing eighth overall in the championship with one pole position, two podium finishes and several top-10 finishes. Darren continued to test for BAR Honda in 2001 as well as competing in the F3000 championship with Arden again, finishing tenth overall with several top-six qualifying positions, one podium and several top-six finishes.

1999
In 1999 Darren won the All Japan F3 championship, with six consecutive victories. He dominated the Macau Grand Prix, leading from start to finish from pole position. Leading every lap and setting yet another lap record, he became the first man to achieve the "perfect" win since Ayrton Senna. Manning went on to win the Korean Grand Prix setting the fastest lap along the way. He also attended a very successful F1 test at Jerez with the Williams team.

1998
Due to a limited budget, Darren only competed in selected F3 races in 1998 but once again managed to win at the British Grand Prix support race at Silverstone. He also won at Snetterton prior to making his All Japan F3 debut. Darren finished third at Sendai Hiland, he also competed in the European F3 championship and the infamous Macau Grand Prix, finishing fifth and setting a new lap record.

1996 - 1997
In his first season of F3 in 1996 Darren finished seventh overall, including an impressive win in the British Grand Prix support race at Silverstone winning the Graham Hill trophy. Darren remained in F3 for the 1997 season.

1992 - 1996
In 1992, he raced in the Brands Hatch Formula First winter series with SpeedSport and finished second overall with two wins, three fastest laps, and one pole position. Darren's outstanding start impressed team boss Mike O'Brien and in 1993 Darren progressed to the Formula Vauxhall Championship with SpeedSport. Darren finished the Vauxhall championship second overall with three wins. 1993 also saw Darren competing in the winter series, finishing second again. Soon he was receiving the recognition he deserved, becoming a finalist in the McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the year award.

Darren raced in the Formula Vauxhall series for the next two seasons, claiming 14 podiums, three poles and a new lap record at Snetterton. It soon became evident that Darren was ready to move up to the ranks of the British Formula three championship.

1986 - 1991
Darren began his career in karting at the age of ten and competed in British, European, and World Karting championships on a professional level between 1986 and 1991.