Kelly Banks
About Kelly Banks
Kelly Banks is a Senior Engineering Electro-Mechanical Technician at Nikola Motor Company and Director Of Services at Kelly Banks Research, with extensive experience in automotive technology and motorsports.
Current Positions
Kelly Banks is currently working at Nikola Motor Company as a Senior Engineering Electro-Mechanical Technician since 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Additionally, Banks serves as the Director of Services at Kelly Banks Research since 2020 in Mobile. Banks also holds the position of Lead Creative at Kamikaze BottleRockets LLC since 2010 in Mobile.
Former Roles and Experience
Kelly Banks worked at Faraday Future as an Engineering Test Specialist in 2018 for 4 months in Gardena, California. Previously, Banks was an Engineering Technician at Toyota Motor Corporation from 2007 to 2018 in Gardena, CA. This extensive experience in the automotive field has equipped Banks with a diverse skill set.
Education and Certifications
Kelly Banks studied Automotive Technology at the Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc, earning an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, Banks graduated from the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving's Grand Prix 3-day course, completed the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, and graduated from Bill Burke's Off Road & 4x4 Driver Training.
Motorsport Involvement
Kelly Banks has an extensive background in motorsports, serving as a spotter for Rob Carlsen #32 in Formula Drift Pro2 and a track safety coordinator and racing vehicle technical inspector for The Drift League Season 1 & 2. Banks has also provided driver training instruction for Faraday Future at level 3R and held the position of VP Safety & Scrutineering for POP Shop Track Days.
Competition and Judging
Kelly Banks has been active in various racing competitions and judging roles, including participating as a driver in the Desert Meihan Drift Matsuri in Phoenix, AZ, and the Super D Matsuri in Apple Valley, CA. Banks achieved notable victories such as the SCCA Solo II Salina Region Champion STS II in 2004 and the 2013 Bondurant Super Kart Enduro Champion WKF class. Banks has also served as a drift judge at Firebird International Raceway's Local Drag N' Drift Series and as a guest judge at Hot Import Nights in Phoenix in 2013.