JustRacing Features

BMW CCA Club Racing Expands Classes

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:43:24 PST

BMW CCA Club Racing Expands Classes
By Mark Dadgar, BMW CCA Club Racing Staff

Greenville, SC (December 11, 2008) -- BMW CCA Club Racing is delighted to announce that beginning in 2009 it will accept BMW race cars prepared to other sanctioning bodies’ class rules. These cars will run within their foreign classes at BMW CCA Club Racing-sanctioned events.

BMW CCA Club Racing has a well-defined set of rules with five preparation levels and classes that were designed to be inclusive, providing a place for members to race their cars. Currently there are some provisions for BMWs that may not meet the specific preparation requirements to participate within the existing class structure. The change maintains the BMW CCA Club Racing classes while welcoming BMW’s prepared to other road racing classes as well.

The non-BMW CCA Club Racing classes will be integrated into the program following the BMW CCA Club Racing rules with one exception; they will not be eligible for National Championship points. However, they will participate for Regional Championships in their respective classes; this is, of course, independent of the sanctioning body for whose class the car is prepared.

While BMW CCA Club Racings preparation levels and classes have a place for all race prepared BMWs, this change recognizes several factors: 1) The BMW CCA Club Racing program is limited. With only 40 events per year there may not be enough activity in the area near the members to warrant their preparing a car to the BMW CCA Club Racing rules and another sanctioning body may provide more events locally. With this change they can participate in both their local series and the BMW CCA Club Racing series equally. 2) When prepared to other sanctioning bodies rules the drivers may be disadvantaged when classed with cars fully prepared to the BMW CCA Club Racing rules. With this change drivers can participate in two series with the same preparation rules. 3) The potential for larger fields at any given event provides excitement for the participants and incentive for the promoters.

About BMW CCA Club Racing
Founded in 1995, BMW CCA Club Racing offers all BMW CCA licensed club racers a competitive driving experience conducted in a fun, safe, and friendly environment for all types of factory authorized or constructed BMWs. For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com

About BMW CCA
The BMW Car Club of America has over 76,000 members and 65 chapters within the United States. BMW CCA's mission is to enhance the BMW experience for its members by providing services, support, information, and activities that promote camaraderie and encourage social awareness and responsibility. The BMW CCA National Office may be reached at (864) 250-0022.

Contact:
Mark Dadgar
Marketing Director, BMW CCA Club Racing
mark@justracing.com
(408) 348-2878

Posted On 12/11/08

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New SPEED TC Rules Package to Cut Costs, Development

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:13:23 PST

New SPEED TC Rules Package to Cut Costs, Development
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Pro Racing

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 23, 2008) – SCCA Pro Racing has released changes to its 2009 rules package for the SCCA SPEED Touring Car Championship, designed to reduce both engineering development and cost to race teams.

“When I first took on this job less than a year ago, one of the main things that was evident was the need to scale back the investment necessary to run at the front of Touring Car,” SCCA Technical and Competition Director Ken Tripkos said. “The racing at the front of the series is outstanding and we have dedicated teams doing an excellent job. However, both real and perceived costs have diminished the size of the overall field and that needs to be addressed.”

The new rules package reduces both permitted suspension modifications and overall power output of the engines.

New cars for 2009 will retain stock suspension pickup points and the overall ride height will be raised from 3.0 inches to 3.5 inches.

“Much of the developmental cost and engineering in a Touring Car is in the chassis and suspension,” Tripkos said. “With the previous ability to relocate suspension pickup points within a certain radius, teams were completely re-engineering good factory setups to try to get down to the permitted ride height.”

Engine power outputs will be developmentally limited to approximately 260hp (a five percent reduction from 2008). The acceleration performance rate will be based closely on that of a stock BMW 330i. Stock transmissions will be utilized unless a necessity is proven for a stronger component. Additionally, full diameter clutch discs are required with stock diameter, ferrous flywheels.

“The power needed to be competitive has put both real and perceived strains on other components within the engine and drivetrain,” Tripkos added. “While there will need to be some alternate components and development for the smaller motors, most of the powerplants will remain largely unmodified in both the rotating assembly and the cylinder heads.

“Less power and stress at the clutch will promote longer gearbox life and allow some cars to retain their stock and stock-type components, reducing costs.”

“We’ve received a lot of input and support from manufacturers, current teams and potential teams, and we have made some positive changes to the Touring Car Championship rules to reduce the cost of entry and maintenance costs throughout the season,” SCCA Pro Racing President & CEO Robert Wildberger said. “We’ve done this while recognizing that the SPEED Touring Car Championship had some of the most competitive racing between brands in any North American series in 2008 and many of our teams have considerable investments. The goal is to promote growth without diminishing the current product. We believe that the new rules will accomplish this.”

Current cars will continue to be eligible for competition, with adjustments to balance with cars built to 2009 specifications.

2009 SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Rules Change Summary

Pickup Points
      2008 – Pickup points may be moved
      2009 – Original pickup points must be retained

Ride Height
      2008 – 3” ride height minimum
      2009 – 3.5” ride height minimum

Wheelbase and track
      2008 – Unspecified
      2009 – Specifications established for each model

Spindle modifications to correct bump steer
      2008 – Permitted
      2009 – Not permitted. May be corrected through offset bushings and/or tie rods

Flywheel
      2008 – Ferrous or Aluminum
      2009 – Ferrous only

Clutch
      2008 – Unrestricted clutch and pressure plate design
      2009 – Stock diameter clutch required

Gearboxes
      2008 – Standard or alternate sequential gearboxes permitted
      2009 – If approved based on need, sequential gearboxes will carry an up-front penalty to balance performance potential

Gears
      2008 – Cars permitted one set of gear ratios and two final drive ratios
      2009 – Cars permitted one set of gear ratios and one final drive ratio

Dry Sump Oiling System
      2008 – Permitted with 10lb penalty
      2009 – Considered for approval on case-by-case basis

Water Pumps
      2008 – Mechanical or electric water pumps permitted
      2009 – OE-type water pumps required

The complete 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Rules will be released in November. Additional information about the 2009 Touring Car rules package changes can be found in participant bulletin 20 at http://www.world-challenge.com/files/competitors/WCPB20-2008.pdf

Posted On 10/23/08

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SCCA Begins Search Process for Executive Succession

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:01:53 PST

SCCA Begins Search Process for Executive Succession
By Eric Prill, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 16, 2008) – Sports Car Club of America’s Board of Directors announced today that it has begun a process to find the Club’s next president. Current SCCA President and CEO Jim Julow informed the Board of his intention to leave the post at the end of his three-year contract, February 1, 2009.

“While we were saddened to hear that Jim will not be extending his contract, change brings opportunity,” SCCA Chairman R.J. Gordy said. “Jim has brought tremendous business operations acumen to the position, and we believe it has changed the business side of the Club in a very positive manner. We now look ahead to the opportunity to expand on what Jim has brought the last three years.”

Julow intends to serve his full contract that named him to the post in 2006.

“I will do everything I can to help transition SCCA to its next president,” Julow said. “It is a great organization with great members, and I will miss the interaction with the individuals that make the Club special. However, over the last several months, it has become clear that the Board and I disagree on the amount of change the Club needs and the pace at which that change needs to occur. For that reason, we differ philosophically, and it’s best for the Club and its future to make a change moving forward that will bring the board and its president much more into alignment.”

The new executive search will be led by a search committee, made up of members of the current SCCA Board of Directors with outside counsel. The Board has also determined a slight change in the duties of the position, including a title change to president and chief operating officer.

“We are seeking candidates with a strong background in marketing and business operations, as well as a solid understanding and appreciation of the Club’s culture,” Gordy said. “The president and COO will lead the staff in executing the policy set forth by the Board of Directors.”

Interested parties should e-mail resumes to presidentsearch@scca.com or fax to (785) 862-7190.

SCCA
Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 50,000-plus member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. It annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 113 regions and professional subsidiary. Landmark events and series for the Club include the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships, the Club Racing National Championship Runoffs®, and The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Championships and ProSolo Championship. For more information, please visit www.scca.com.

Posted On 10/16/08

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JustRacing.com Now Has A Facebook Page

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:51:48 PST

JustRacing.com Now Has A Facebook Page
By Mark Dadgar, JustRacing.com

JustRacing.com is proud to announce that it now has a Facebook page. If you are a Facebook user, please considering becoming a Fan of JustRacing.com.

Click here to view the JustRacing.com page on Facebook.

Thank you for your support!

Posted On 10/9/08

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MotorsportReg.com and Lockton Affinity Launch Innovative Track Insurance Program

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:23:40 PST

MotorsportReg.com and Lockton Affinity Launch Innovative Track Insurance Program
By Mark Dadgar, Pukka Software

Los Gatos, CA (July 29, 2008) – Pukka Software, creators of MotorsportReg.com, and Lockton Affinity today announced the industry’s first comprehensive insurance program for high performance driving event participants. The HPDE Insurance Program, available exclusively via MotorsportReg.com, provides an a la carte, single-event policy designed to provide affordable physical damage coverage to cars used in performance driving schools at race tracks across the United States.

"Many automotive insurance policies now exclude coverage for non-competitive events at motor racing facilities," said Pukka Software founder Brian Ghidinelli. "The HPDE Insurance Program allows enthusiasts to participate in exciting high performance driving schools without risking the vehicle they drive every day."

The HPDE Insurance Program, administered by Lockton Risk Services, offers an agreed-value insurance policy providing primary coverage for incidents in the paddock or on the racing surface whether the vehicle is being driven by the primary driver, co-driver, or instructor. After-market modifications are covered and claims will not affect participants’ street insurance rates or claim histories. $10,000 of damage coverage can be had for as little as $67. HPDE Insurance Program policies are sold online and can be obtained as quickly as 5-10 minutes.

"Car enthusiasts have been asking for an affordable means of insuring their vehicles at driving schools for years," said Ryan Staub, Producer at Lockton Affinity. "We partnered with the most widely adopted event registration service to make this coverage easy to acquire. By offering the HPDE Insurance Program during the registration process, MotorsportReg.com event organizers will tap into additional participants who could not previously join in the fun."

The HPDE Insurance Program is initially available to attendees of non-competitive driving events hosted by BMW Car Club of America, Porsche Club of America, Audi Club North America, and Triangle-Z Car Club. Other organizations wishing to have their programs approved for the HPDE Insurance Program should contact Lockton Affinity.

Please visit http://www.MotorsportReg.com/index.cfm/event/hpdeinsurance for more information or to purchase an HPDE Insurance Program policy.

About Pukka Software
Pukka Software provides the MotorsportReg.com Event Management Platform, which enables event organizers and staff to streamline their operations via a comprehensive web-based service. Complete with tools such as calendar management, online payment processing, email blaster, and extensive reporting functionality, MotorsportReg.com reduces red tape and makes event management fun again. Organizers from every major enthusiast organization including the BMW CCA, Porsche Club of America, Audi Club North America, SVTOA and SCCA use MotorsportReg.com to manage social and driving events across North America.

About Lockton Affinity
Starting as a modest, home-based insurance agency in 1966, Lockton Companies has become the largest privately-held insurance brokerage firm in the world. Lockton Affinity, an affiliate of Lockton Companies, was formed in 1987 to meet the specialized, dynamic needs of affinity groups. Today they administer over 90 insurance programs and are one of the leading insurance program administrators in the US.

Contact:

Pukka Software:
Mark Dadgar
mark@pukkasoft.com
(415) 462-5603

Lockton Affinity:
Ryan Staub
rstaub@locktonaffinity.com
(866) 582-4957

Posted On 7/29/08

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Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup TV Package Announced

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:47:17 PST

Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup TV Package Announced
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Pro Racing

IRVINE, Calif. (July 9, 2008) - After months of hard work following the open wheel unification in February, which turned many support series’ schedules upside down, Mazda has announced the 2008 TV package for the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. The series will have all eight races broadcast in an expanded 60-minute package by DIRECTV and DISH Network. All content will be produced by the Carolinas Production Group/Visioncast.

Race fans from coast-to-coast with DIRECTV or DISH Network will find the races broadcast on Comcast Sports Net West (CSN West) and MASN (Mid Atlantic Sports Net), both a part of their sports paks. In addition to national coverage, the races will be broadcast regionally on Time Warner Sports Net, LoneStar Sports Net, Comcast 900 Sports, MavTV, AmericaOne Network, and AMGTV. Each race will have multiple broadcasts. Additional channels may be added as the season progresses.

“In just two years, the MX-5 Cup has established a reputation for great racing, extremely close action, with a minimum of yellow flag time,” Mazda North American Operations Alternative Marketing Manager Jim Jordan said. “To better showcase the races, and allow for more feature stories we have stepped up our TV package to a full one-hour program per race. Airtimes will vary by region but will reach over 53 million households when the first race airs this week. When we asked our racers, and our fans what they most wanted to see changed for 2008, the number one answer was show the complete race, and the 60 minute format will allow for that. We are also pleased to have new partners like Playboy and LifeLock joining Mazda and Kumho for the broadcasts.”

In what is believed to be a first for a professional series, the races will also be available online via a dedicated YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/MazdaMX5Cup). Each race will be available on demand.

The broadcast team is led by veteran Rick Benjamin, with analysis provided by racer Elliott Forbes-Robinson, aka “EFR”. EFR is still very much hands-on and lapped with the MX-5 racers in a Road Atlanta practice session. Pit reporters will be a rotation of Derek Pernesiglio, Todd Lewis and Rod Albright. Joe Ligon and Tom Gee will produce the shows. All have extensive motorsports backgrounds and know their way around a racetrack.

"I'm excited our company has the opportunity to take this outstanding motorsports series and add major elements of creativity and production value to its broadcast coverage,” Carolina Group Prodcutions’ Benjamin said. “We've been able to work with a terrific platform created by Mazda and its partners in the MX-5 Cup series and create coverage for this series that I think will help it become an even bigger factor in professional racing. We've been able to put together a network-level broadcast crew to cover the series, and I think fans and stakeholders in the championship will be pleased with what they'll see this season and beyond."

“I had never driven an MX-5 Miata before and was impressed with the brakes and handling of the car, when I took a few laps at Road Atlanta,” Forbes-Robinson said. “After watching the first race of the year at the Mitty weekend I could tell that the series has quite a few drivers that do a really good job of racing. The qualifying and the racing is very close and the drivers were not making crazy moves and raced well together. The race was fantastic and I am looking forward to working with Rick Benjamin on the rest of the races in 2008.”

Round One of the 2008 MX-5 Cup season at Road Atlanta recently aired on July 8th. Round Two from Mosport International Raceway is scheduled to air the week of July 21. Detailed broadcast schedules will be posted shortly to both www.mx-5cup.com and www.mazdaspeeddevelopment.com.

About SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup:
Stepping up in place of the former MAZDASPEED Miata Cup, the SCCA Pro Racing Mazda MX-5 Cup made its debut in 2006. Featuring identical Mazda MX-5s on spec Kumho tires, MX-5 Cup gives drivers the opportunity to run on high-profile weekends in an economical, entry-level racing series. The 2008 MX-5 Cup schedule features eight races at prestigious events across North America, and with grids composed of roughly 30 cars at each race, MX-5 Cup has become one of the best shows in motorsports today. The season champion is awarded a factory supported Mazda ride in the series above. 2007 MX-5 Cup Champion Jason Saini is racing a MAZDA6 in the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship.

About Mazda:
Mazda is the brand of choice for road-racers across North America. More than 9,000 grassroots racers compete in various classes with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). Racers who are years away from earning a driver’s license can now begin their professional motorsports careers in the Mazda family. A driver can begin in karts and progress through the Skip Barber series, Club Racing Formula Mazda, professional Star Mazda and finally to Formula Atlantic, all with Mazda. No other car company has ever connected the dots this way.

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the world is Spec Miata, with more than 1,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing. For more information on MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development, visit www.MAZDASPEEDDevelopment.com.

Posted On 7/9/08

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Andy Pilgrim's Living the American Dream

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:46:00 PST

Andy Pilgrim's Living the American Dream
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Pro Racing

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 18, 2008) - Andy Pilgrim is a lucky guy. He’ll be the first to tell you that. From racing motorcycles in England, to becoming a Champion road racer in the United States and a GM factory driver, all while growing a successful business, the pieces have all settled into place. Many struggle to accomplish just one of those things, but the English-born Cadillac CTS-V driver makes it look effortless.

In speaking with him however, you’ll find it was far from effortless. It’s his attitude rather, that makes it all seem simple. He prefers it that way.

“Life is what you make it,” Pilgrim says while delving into the politics and frustrations of racing. “If you see things as being a problem, then it’s a problem. You have to see them as a solution. Sometimes, there is no solution and it’s easy, but the best you can do is go forward. What are you going to do? Sit there and sulk about it for the rest of the day or the rest of the year?

“I’ve always been the kind of person that just deals with it. Life is going to throw enough garbage your way without making it worse and creating more garbage. I just think that I’m very lucky to be a professional race car driver, especially as old as I am now and still doing it at a factory level. This is not something I did as a kid, ever. I dreamed I could, but I never though I’d be able to. To still be doing it, I feel so very, very fortunate.”

In a sport as emotionally charged as auto racing, where your destiny doesn’t rest merely on the agility of your arms and legs, but on the performance of the 3,000 lb. machine you’re strapped in to, not to mention the fickleness of a sponsor’s checkbook, that can be a tough lesson to learn. For Pilgrim, appreciating and making the most of what you have, started with motorcycle racing in England.

“My parents didn’t have any money for me to race anything. Nobody in my family raced – there was none of that stuff. When I started racing motorcycles, I had a job as a computer programmer and basically I raced my street motorcycle. I was a fast street rider and I thought ‘well, the only way to see if you’re any good is to go to the track.’ A friend of mine had a van, so I basically paid for his gas and put my bike in the van and he’d drive me to the track. That’s how I started racing motorcycles. I won, what would be the equivalent of some Divisional Championships. I got second in the National British Championships, won some club championships in two and a half years of racing. But the whole idea was that I really wanted to race cars, I just couldn’t afford it. I loved bikes, but I didn’t want a career riding motorcycles, I really wanted to race cars.”

Computer geeks rejoice, because it was programming that gave Pilgrim an opportunity to come to the states and embark on his own ‘American dream.’

“I came here in 1982 and started programming, but of course I had no money for race cars. In 1984, with a friend of mine, I did some autocross, and that’s where I met Randy Pobst for the first time. I didn’t do much of it, but I went to the National Championships one time. A buddy of mine said ‘you need to go road racing,’ and at the time I didn’t know anything about road racing.

“IMSA, at that time, had the Renault Cup series. A buddy of mine in Vegas had a second hand one for $6500. So I had four grand, then I borrowed three grand from a bank manager. I told him I was buying furniture. I figured if he ever actually came to the house to see if I actually bought the furniture, I’d take the seats out of the Renault, stick them in the living room and say ‘here’s my furniture.’ I was working in El Paso at the time. I bought the car in Vegas, left the car in Vegas. I flew from El Paso to Vegas and drove the car to the race track. I slept in the car, didn’t have money for a hotel. I drove to the track, qualified 18th and I think I finished ninth out of 55 cars. I won $500. A set of tires at the time was $140, so it paid for my $55 Southwest Airlines ticket and it paid for my tires for the next race – I though I was in heaven. That’s how racing started for me.”

Pilgrim continued to perform well in a move to the ultra-competitive Firestone Firehawk Series. He started the 1986 season paying for a ride with a team run by Bill Bailey, but eventually impressed Bailey enough to forgo the race payments, as long as he could find his own way to the track. Things continued to get “bigger and better” as he expanded to some Escort Endurance series races as well. Eventually, Pilgrim, who still had a full-time job as a computer programmer was spending more time at the track than in the office.

“In 1989 I was racing too much to keep a full-time job, so at that point I had about 20 grand saved up and I started my own consulting firm. Now, the Stanford MBA business program does not tell you if you want more time off, start your own company, but that’s effectively what I was thinking to myself. Little did I know, 19 years later, the company’s grown and we’ve got about 160 people working for us. Along the way, I’ve had a full-time professional racing career. Lucky for me, in the last 10 years, I’ve had some great people managing the company, Electronic Computer Services, so I can go play race cars. It’s unusual in a sense; starting a business and starting racing when I did and then growing a business and growing the racing, I don’t think there’s many people who’ve done that.”

There also aren’t very many people who’ve had the chance to race a Cadillac CTS-V either. The 520hp, 3000lb sedan burst onto the scene in 2004 and Pilgrim was there every step of the way. How does the CTS-V and World Challenge stack up to the other jobs on Pilgrim’s resume?

“It’s a showroom stock-based, high-performance automobile on steroids. It’s heavy and it’s very much based on a street car. We’ve still got a lot of stock suspension stuff on it and everything. From SSB and SSC cars all the way up to World Challenge, you’re looking at a progression there that’s production-based. World Challenge is the Incredible Hulk, where the SSB and SSC cars are just regular showroom stock, there’s very little modification. It’s a lot of fun to drive, but it’s hard to drive on the extreme limit, consistently.”

The CTS-V was fast out of the box, perhaps a little too fast. After all Andy, isn’t sandbagging half the game of SCCA SPEED GT?

“It’s hard for me to say anything about that,” Pilgrim says. “Honestly, we don’t have anything left in our car. After we came out so strong in that first race [Sebring 2004] and Cadillac so badly wanted a win, we basically let everything out of the bag in the first race. When I came off the line with no clutch, 45 seconds behind the field, and came back. That screwed us up totally for the rest of the whole deal. We had nothing [more] in 2006, nothing [more] in 2007, nothing [more] in 2008. Really, we had very little after 2004 in terms of things we found in testing that we could use later.”

Despite having “nothing,” Cadillac still managed to take titles in 2005 and 2007, and came damn close in 2004 and 2006, but that’s Pilgrim’s line and he’s sticking to it. He’s been doing this long enough to know how the game works.

“I don’t see the data they [SCCA Pro Racing officials] have, but they can see our acceleration curves, they can see what we’re doing… so I think they have a good idea what’s going on. I think, more than a performance balance, I see it as a points balance and a Championship balance. I have to respect that we’re in the entertainment business. I’m comfortable that they keep an eye on performance and try to keep the playing field level, and if they keep the points and the Championship in balance through the year and if the guys that win it make the least mistakes, as opposed to the guy that has the fastest car, then I think SCCA is doing a great job.”

Racing for years in series that use performance balancing and being a factory driver, Pilgrim is all too familiar with the politics of racing, but his “just deal with it” attitude allows him to avoid any frustration and has a lot to do with his long career.

“I understand how to play a game. There’s certain things that go on in factory racing that you just have to deal with. If you want to race, there’s always the politics of racing and I think if the politics make you crazy, then you’re not going to race in professional racing for too long. There’s a big picture and frustration makes your picture much smaller. I very rarely get frustrated. I’m very competitive, but I don’t get frustrated. The bottom line is: there’s a solution, not a problem.”

The politics have changed for the Cadillac team this year and the pressures of the factory are no longer there, as support has switched from GM to Remington. The results however, remain consistent, with Pilgrim the only SCCA SPEED GT driver to finish each of the opening four rounds on the podium.

“It’s definitely a little more laid back and a little easier going, but I’m a professional, I am with GM Racing, I still answer to GM Racing and for me it’s not very different. Neville [Agass] is my crew chief and Ben [Bradley] I knew from the Corvette program and obviously Cadillac as well. The preparation on the cars is fantastic. Neville has given a lot of feedback to those guys and Dan [Fiffick, team manager] is a really conscientious guy and he’s got a great bunch of people working for him.”

When Pilgrim’s not strapped into the CTS-V or checking in on his computer consulting business, he has another passion that’s close to his heart: teaching teenagers safe driving. Though Pilgrim himself is not a parent, losing friends in accidents at a young age, and later watching a friend lose his child in a car accident, convinced Pilgrim that something needed to be done. He began approaching high schools in his area and volunteered to speak to students about safe driving. Prom week became a busy time for Pilgrim’s speeches and the parents in the audience took notice of what he was saying.

“It was the reformed drug addict, the reformed alcoholic and then me. Parents would come to these assemblies and they would tell me, ‘what you just said was great, but he’s going to forget it by next Wednesday. Why don’t you make a video?’ It was the parents that prompted me to think about it.”

Pilgrim did more than think about it. He did it. After finding no luck trying to find corporate backing for a video about responsible driving, Pilgrim and a business partner used their own money to make the video titled, The Driving Zone: Essential Techniques for New Drivers. Pilgrim was proud of the video, but knew it needed a little something extra if he expected kids to pay attention, that’s when he enlisted the help of friend and NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“He said ‘where do you want me to be? What do you want me to do? I’m in, no problem.’ It was awesome. We went to his house and shot some stuff, then inserted about 20 items into the video. It sort of helps the kids pay attention, because it’s not sexy, you have to pay attention and he helps the kids pay attention when we tried some focus groups.”

Pilgrim continues to speak at high schools about safe driving and even found the time at Watkins Glen to drop by the local high school to talk.

Speaking of Dale Jr. though, after putting in two solid NASCAR Busch Series races at Watkins Glen and Montreal for Junior’s team last year, will Pilgrim be climbing back into a stock car this season? Probably not this year owing to Junior’s switch to Hendrick Motorsports, but in his best English-North Carolina drawl, Pilgrim recalls Dale Jr. hinting at where his next ride might be.

“He said, ‘You know what? I’m not sure if I’m going to put you in one of these road races, cause you know how to road race. I think it might be kinda fun to run you at Martinsville sometime.’ He had a wink in his eye and a nasty smile on his face, kind of like ‘you can see how the real races go,’ or something like that.”

Maybe Pilgrim will get his shot at a half-mile oval, maybe not. He’s just grateful for the opportunity and is dead set on having fun. After all, we’re talking about the guy whose helmet covered in cartoons.

“Cartoons make me smile. They teach things about the realities of life much more so than regular sitcoms. I’ve always had an affinity for cartoons and for making fun of life in general. When I first put cartoons on, going back at least 12 years… people really liked it, even adults. South Park is brilliant for me. It makes fun of everybody and everything and that’s the way life should be. Life should not be taken too seriously.”

The competition takes Pilgrim seriously though. ‘Mr. Consistency’ is a Championship threat year in and year out. It didn’t come easy though; hard work and a positive attitude were paramount to Pilgrim’s success and continue to open doors for him.

The rest of the SPEED GT grid will just have to deal with it.

Top Ten Finish

1. If I couldn’t be a race car driver I would be:
“A professional golfer. I only discovered golf about seven years ago, but I wish I’d discovered it sooner.”

2. Favorite vacation spot:
“Southern California, Laguna, Newport Beach, places like that.”

3. Favorite corner in all of racing:
“The Kink at Elkhart Lake.”

4. If you could jump into any Touring Car, which would it be?
“PD’s for sure. I love PD, he’s a great guy, so I’d definitely use his car.”

5. If you could have dinner with any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
Tiger Woods

6. Bungee jumping or skydiving?
“Skydiving”

7. Favorite English Premier League Team:
“Manchester United, my cousin plays for them. He was the Center Forward for England. That’s why I didn’t play soccer, I saw him play when I was 13 and thought ‘yeah right!’”

8. I can cook the best:
“Toast”

9. If your MP3 player was wired to your helmet in a race, what song would be playing?
“The Cure, ‘Elise.’ When you’re racing you have to be relaxed. You want your favorite relaxing music, you don’t want something that’s going to make you go down to the zero brake marker and shove it in a trap.”

10. Most embarrassing racing moment:
“Spinning on the pace lap at Long Beach two years ago.”

Posted On 6/18/08

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SCCA Announces Runoffs Continuous Participation Rewards Program

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:39:15 PST

SCCA Announces Runoffs Continuous Participation Rewards Program
By Eric Prill, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (June 11, 2008) – Sports Car Club of America, Inc. announced today a new rewards program for drivers who hold active participation streaks at the National Championship Runoffs®. The program benefits will first be awarded at the 2009 event.

Designed to reward Club Racing drivers who have supported the Runoffs continuously throughout the years, SCCA has developed a program of benefits including: early registration and parking spot selection; car number priority; ability to participate in a special test day; priority event registration; and a discounted Runoffs entry fee.

“The Runoffs has been through a transition period since 2004, and it is important to recognize the racers that have supported the event over time and through the transitions,” SCCA Club Racing VP Terry Ozment said. “The program we have developed will reward these drivers without adversely affecting anyone who did not attend the Runoffs in the previous year.”

While specific details of each program will be finalized in 2009, the following components have been confirmed:

Registration
There will be three tiers of the opening of Registration and entry acceptance for the event. Drivers with 10 or more consecutive years of active participation will be able to register first, followed by drivers with one to nine years of consecutive participation. Finally, drivers who did not participate in the event the previous year will be able to register for the event. The final details of the timing of this will be determined at a later date, although it is expected that the early registration periods will not last for more than one week each.

Parking
Like Registration, paddock parking spots at Road America will be first available to the drivers with 10 or more consecutive years of active participation. The group with one to nine consecutive years of active participation will be able to choose next, followed by those drivers who did not participate in the previous year’s event. The timing will likely coincide with registration.

Car Numbers
With registration being a stepped process, so will the assignment of numbers. Any driver remaining in the same class will have the right to the same number the following year during the early registration period. Likewise, any available number may be selected by drivers during this early registration period. Once general registration opens, all numbers will be available. If two drivers had the same number in different classes of a combined race group in 2009, the number will go to the driver with the most seniority first based on consecutive years of active participation.

Special Test Day
For 2009, the SCCA National Championship Runoffs will hold three days of qualifying (Tuesday through Thursday) with one session for each class each day. The Monday between the traditional promoter test week and the start of qualifying will be made an additional test day open to all drivers but with registration preference to drivers based on consecutive years of active participation. Initial invitations will be made based on the driver with the most years of consecutive Runoffs participation to the least. Additionally, all drivers with an active participation streak will run the test day at half price the normal rate of a test day. All remaining slots will be opened up for registration on a first-come, first-served basis at the regular test day price.

Entry Fee Discount
In 2009, any driver who participated in the previous year’s event will receive a $50 discount on their entry fee (limit one class entry per driver).

For any of the programs utilizing a list based on consecutive seniority, car class will not be factored. For instance, Dave Weitzenhof’s current streak is at 33 years. The fact that this streak included four different classes is inconsequential to the list. Participation is defined as having been entered in the event and turned a wheel on track during the official event. Multiple classes campaigned in the same year still only count as one year of participation.

The 2008 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be held Oct. 6-12 at Heartland Park Topeka. In 2009, the event will move to Road America. For more information about the event, please visit www.scca.com/runoffs.

Posted On 6/11/08

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SCCA Board Rescinds National Club Racing Consolidation Plans

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:36:15 PST

SCCA Board Rescinds National Club Racing Consolidation Plans
By Eric Prill, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (June 6, 2008) – In a conference call Wednesday night, the Sports Car Club of America Board of Directors voted to rescind all planned consolidations that were announced following its May meeting. The Board cited considerable member input for its decision.

The Board previously moved to direct its Club Racing Board to consolidate the C and D Sports Racing classes into one class and the Showroom Stock B cars into either Showroom Stock C or Touring 3 for 2009.

Additionally, it had approved the CRB to combine for the 2010 season: Sports 2000 with C and D Sports Racing; GT-3 with either GT-Lite, D Prepared and/or GT-2 and B Production; F, G and H Production; ST and Touring 1; and Formula Atlantic (FA) and Formula 1000 (FB).

All consolidations were rescinded following a substantial amount of member input and feedback from the May 21 Fastrack® News announcement.

Additionally, due to the change in class structure plan, the Board rescinded its motion to have 23 races at the 2009 Runoffs and 21 in 2010.

Runoffs eligibility will change in 2009, with only classes carrying an average of 2.5 cars or more per National race event from the previous year invited to compete at the event. A maximum of 24 races will be held at the 2009 Runoffs, with combined class races created if the number of eligible classes per the 2.5 rule exceeds 24. Consistent with this change, the existing 24-class limit for the Runoffs has been lifted.

The Board stressed that only the class consolidations and the number of classes and races at the Runoffs were rescinded.

The following items from the May Board of Directors minutes remain unaffected, including: Improved Touring remaining a Regional-only class with the CRB working to migrate cars to National classes as an option; raising the number of finishes required for Runoffs eligibility and the number of out-of-division races that may be counted; locking in the top 10 classes in participation for a stand alone race at the Runoffs; and establishing a Tuesday through Sunday Runoffs schedule.

“Based on the member input we received following the release of the May Board minutes, it was clear that the path we had chosen for class consolidation was not supported across the membership,” SCCA Board of Directors Chairman R.J. Gordy said. “The Board strives to improve our activities for the membership, and receiving input is a critical part of the process. It is important to note that, while we have rescinded some of the items approved in May, many of the other items approved have gained considerable support and we are making positive progress.”

Full minutes from the June 4 Board of Directors meeting will be available in the July Fastrack News, which will be posted on or around June 20 at www.scca.com.

Posted On 6/6/08

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Portland's Harris Set to Defend Rose Cup Title

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:47:25 PST

Portland's Harris Set to Defend Rose Cup Title
By Randy Unsbee, Oregon SCCA

Tough competition expected from two Shelton Porsches at the 48th edition of this event

PORTLAND, Ore. – May 28, 2008 – Portland’s Todd Harris is defending his Rose Cup title from last year in the 200 mph Fluge Global Adventures (FGA) Derhaag Trans-Am Corvette. Wilsonville’s Matt Crandall, in the FGA Panoz GTS, joins Harris on the team.

Both drivers are among the favorites in the 48th running of the Rose Cup Races, presented by Temp-Control Mechanical Corp. Todd Harris, a professional race driver, is owner of the Pro Drive Racing School at Portland International Raceway (PIR). Pro Drive is also the season sponsor for the Spec Racer Ford class championship that competes in the Oregon Region Sports Car Club of America (ORSCCA) road racing championship.

His primary competition will come from Portland’s Neil Shelton in the Porsche 962 Le Mans prototype car that has been confirmed as legal to compete this year by the SCCA. Perennial favorite Monte Shelton, also of Portland, will compete in his Porsche 911T.

“We were recently at a test day together at PIR and Neil is doing a great job,” Harris said. “The Porsche 962 is flying around the track. With the entry of Monte as well, there will be in two Sheltons gunning for me this year.”

“We’re a little faster than last year, but don’t know if that is because of changes we’ve made to the car, or from changes in track configuration and new asphalt. We’re at least a 1.5 seconds slower than Neil’s Porsche 962 at this stage,” Harris added.

Harris’ teammate, Matt Crandall, has won the Rose Cup GT2 class several times previously, leads the season-long points championship, and recently scored a Sports Car Club of America National class victory at Pacific Raceways in Washington.

“I’m very excited about the GT2 class in this Sunday’s Rose Cup race,” Crandall said. There’s a lot of Porsches to run against in the class and it’s going to be a big battle: American iron vs. German engineering. We should show real well with the FGA Panoz GTS. We beat them last year so they’ll be looking for us,” he said. Crandall also has prior Rose Cup class victories in Formula Atlantic and C Sports Racing.

Absent from this year’s festivities is team leader Nick Fluge, who will not be on hand to defend his Festival Trophy title from last year in his Corvette Z06. Instead, he is off this weekend to Las Vegas to compete in the first World Series of Poker event of the year. “Without Nick Fluge’s support there is simply no way I could have defended my Rose Cup crown this year. I’ll be doing my best to make him proud on race day,” Harris said.

The Rose Cup is also one of eight race weekends this year in the Oregon Region Sports Car Club of America Road Racing Championship, presented by Fluge Global Adventures.

Fluge Global Adventures burst upon the sports scene in 2007 with victories in the famous Rose Cup races and a championship with the Oregon Region SCCA in a 198 mph Corvette Z06.

For 2008, Fluge has an even more ambitious schedule starting with select appearances in sports car races at Portland International Raceway. He already leads this year’s Super Touring class in the SCCA road racing championship.

Ongoing reports, results and new challenges are posted regularly on the group’s Web site, www.flugeglobaladventures.com. The green flag falls on the Rose Cup feature race this Sunday at 3:20 p.m. at Portland International Raceway.

About Todd Harris
Todd Harris is the president of Pro Drive, Inc., and has been competing in a variety of motor racing events throughout North America over the past 15 years.

The son of an amateur race car driver, Todd was immediately attracted to the sights and sounds of competitive auto racing and started his racing career in go-karts. Before moving into the world of car racing, Todd won many regional and state karting championships. The transition from karts to cars went smoothly for Todd, as he claimed many victories during his rookie season of car racing.

The Tigard, Oregon resident continued his success by becoming the Northern Pacific and Oregon Region Champion while setting track records at race tracks up and down the west coast. During a two-year period, Todd won 17 races in a row while racing in Sports Car Club of America’s most competitive class, Spec Racer Ford. In 1997, Todd was bestowed the award of “National Driver of the Year” by the Sports Car Club of America’s Oregon Region.

In recent years, Todd has been competing and winning races in a wide range of race cars including sports racers, formula cars, and grand touring cars. If it has four wheels and a motor, chances are Todd is going to be fast in it.

When Todd is not behind the wheel of a race car, he is coaching drivers ranging from amateur club racers to professional racecar drivers competing in the likes of NASCAR and Champ Car. He can also be found on local television and radio stations offering valuable driving advice to motorists.

Todd is a graduate of Portland State University, an avid guitar player, and classic film buff. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Calvin and Taylor.

About Matt Crandall
Matt Crandall, Wilsonville, Ore. has been involved in the automotive and racing business for all his adult life. He is an entrepreneur, involved in the selling of exotic sports cars and luxury automobiles, and is a recognized amateur race car driver with the Sports Car Club of America. He has excellent mechanical skills and knowledge, helps other drivers hone their skills on the race track as an instructor, and is also capable of providing track support as needed.

He is a five-time Oregon Region Champion with wins in Formula Atlantic, C-Sport Racer and, most recently, the 2006 GT-2 Class Champ in a Panoz. He has raced successfully on nearly all West Coast race tracks, including Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, Infineon, Thunderhill, Portland and Seattle. He also has experience at Road Atlanta. In Europe, through his prior association with Ferrari and Maserati sales, Matt had the opportunity to experience these automobiles at the world-famous Fiorano and Parma race tracks in Italy.

Posted On 6/2/08

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UUC Motorwerks Sweeps J-Prepared and Spec E36 at Mid Ohio

Wed, 28 May 2008 10:51:10 PST

UUC Motorwerks Sweeps J-Prepared and Spec E36 at Mid Ohio
By UUC Motorwerks

May 28, 2007 - The winter cobwebs were shaken off and left in the dust last weekend at Mid Ohio.

Friday's testing sessions yielded promising times for the races ahead. Arjun Soundararajan and Gautam Pathak drove the #54 car in J-Prepared and Tim Smith with co-driver Doug Thoms competed in the #22 Spec E36 car. This event also highlighted the team's new sponsor, BMW Cleveland.

Saturday's qualifying session showcased the team's improvements during the off season with Arjun taking pole for J-Prepared with a solid 2.5 second gap, and Tim Smith out-qualifying his closest competitor by .2 seconds to steal pole for Spec E36.

The Sprint race on Saturday went smoothly from the start with Arjun holding the lead in J-Prepared through the checkered flag. Tim Smith battled with the Spec E36 field during the 30 minute run, earning him his first win of the season.

Qualifying on Sunday set the tone for the 90-minute enduro that afternoon as Gautam took pole for J-Prepared with a two-second lead. Doug Thoms was set to start third in class, but was confident that his setup would work to his advantage. Gautam started the race and led for his 50-minute stint. After a flawless pit stop, Arjun took over and continued to hold the class lead. Gautam commented that "the Alcon brakes held up brilliantly during the entire session - They definitely gave me a late-braking edge."

Arjun and Tim took the checkered flag for the second time that weekend in J-Prepared and Spec E36 for UUC Motorwerks.

Special thanks to Bill Kenny and the team from BMW Cleveland, who were on hand all weekend. Additional thanks go out to our generous sponsors, Alcon, Recaro, HRP World, Vibrant Performance, CG Lock, and SPC Performance.

UUC Motorwerks
10 Ilene Court, Unit #5
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com
908-874-9092

Posted On 5/28/08

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034Motorsport Enjoy Top Result at Long Beach Super Lap Battle

Thu, 15 May 2008 08:06:56 PST

034Motorsport Enjoy Top Result at Long Beach Super Lap Battle
By Christian Miller, 034Motorsport

LONG BEACH, CA -- Renowned tuning shop 034Motorsport, respected for their reliable high-power Audis, were proud to be a part of the Primedia Super Lap Battle at Long Beach, one of the premier support events to the final Champ Car race.

“It’s an amazing atmosphere,” remarked 034’s driver Christian Miller. “This weekend is one of the biggest racing weekends in America, and we were so excited to show our stuff in front of so many fans!” Indeed, with the weekend being the last-ever Champ Car race, and with Danica Patrick having won her first race at Motegi the night before, the grandstands were absolutely packed.

This was good news for the Primedia event, which was by invitation only. The 034 team were pleased to have had their Audi A4 included on the list, and were keen to take a class win.

“We had some great tires, provided by Continental, for our run at the ‘Street’ class. Unfortunately, no other cars in this class were able to attend, so we switched to ‘Limited’ to have a little more fun,” noted Miller.

That made the racing a real crap shoot, with Miller up against other teams running tires that were pretty much race-spec rubber. The result was actually better than one would expect: a 2nd place in class.

“The Continentals were great, but no match for the Toyos, which are race tires,” laughed Christian. “The Contis are a street tire, and so to have them as competitive as they were is pretty amazing!.”

In the end, Miller missed out on the top spot in class by just eight-tenths of a second. That’s a testament to not just the tires, but some great driving by Miller and amazing preparation by the 034 crew. The team’s Audi features the first known transplant of Volkswagen’s VR6 engine into an A4 for road racing use, and showcases the driveline and chassis development of 034Motorsport.

The 034 Audi is no stranger to the podium, having been first in the 2007 Eurotuner GP, first in last year’s final Redline Time Attack at Laguna Seca, and third in Primedia’s 2007 Super Lap Battle.

“We had a great time at Long Beach, and think it’s a great venue for Time Attack-style racing,” said 034 President Javad Shazdi. “The fans were really excited to see us and were so enthusiastic. I hope we’ll be back there again next year!”

Photo courtesy 034 Motorsport.

About 034Motorsport:

034Motorsport is one of the premier fuel injection and engine management developers in the Audi/Volkswagen market and beyond. The flagship ECU model, the 034EFIStage IIc, features fully programmable coil-per-cylinder, degree based ignition with sequential staged fuel injection, closed-loop oxygen sensor and idle control, launch control, turbo anti-lag, boost control, data-logging and many, many other features. Constant development means more innovative features in the future and an ever competitive product that constantly advances the state of the art in engine management. 034Motorsport is committed to creating engine management and motorsport solutions for your project application. Visit 034Motorsport at www.034motorsport.com.

Posted On 5/15/08

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LeMons: Court Summerfield Tragedy

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:52:53 PST

LeMons: Court Summerfield Tragedy
By Jay Lamm, Founder

5/12/08 - A tragedy occurred at the 24 Hours of LeMons last Saturday at Altamont Motorsports Park. Court Summerfield, a driver, died.

A California Highway Patrol investigation was undertaken at the track. The CHP informed us that there was no mechanical failure or unsafe track conditions and that no other cars were involved. The CHP also informed us that, based on physical evidence and witness statements, it appears that the driver was not conscious prior to impact. We are awaiting the final reports.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Court's wife and family. We have established a memorial fund in his honor, with Court's wife receiving all proceeds. If you wish to contribute, please send your contact information and pledge amount to jlamm@driversdoor.com.

I'm deeply grateful for the outpouring of thoughts, wishes, and support shown to Court's family and teammates in the wake of this tragedy; thanks to all of you for being there when it's mattered the most.

Jay Lamm, Founder
24 HOURS OF LeMONS

Posted On 5/12/08

Comments

MORacingFan says:
5/18/08 14:13

This is always the worst kind of news we can find on racing sites. I am grateful it does not show up more often. Tragic to learn of a driver going down and yet not knowing why. Condolences to the family. Keep up the investigation to see what happened. Hang onto the good memories.

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SCCA Runoffs Moving to Road America in 2009

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:45:07 PST

SCCA Runoffs Moving to Road America in 2009
By Eric Prill, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 12, 2008) – Sports Car Club of America, Inc. announced today the results of a vote by its Board of Directors that will move the National Championship Runoffs® to Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) in 2009. Road America will become the sixth venue to host the event, dating back to 1964.

The Board directed its staff to move forward to negotiate a three-year agreement with Road America for SCCA Club Racing’s signature event, which has averaged over 650 participants since 2000. The Runoffs is currently in the final year of a three-year agreement at Heartland Park Topeka, in Topeka, Kan.

“Given the deep history the track, the town of Elkhart Lake and SCCA enjoy, it only seems natural for the most prestigious Club Racing event in the world to be hosted by Road America,” SCCA President & CEO Jim Julow said. “The Board had a difficult decision, as we had an unprecedented number of outstanding potential hosts for the event, meaning the long term future of Club Racing’s National Championship is very bright.”

“The SCCA has been an integral part of our 53 year-history,” Road America President and General Manager George Bruggenthies said. “The opportunity to showcase our facility and our community to a nation of SCCA racers and fans is a tremendous honor. On behalf of our board of directors and staff, my thanks to the SCCA for their confidence. We promise to build on the outstanding Runoffs tradition and exceed stakeholder expectations.”

The first-ever “Interdivisional Championship,” later referred to as the “Runoffs,” was held at Riverside Raceway (Riverside, Calif.) in 1964, and alternated coasts with Daytona International Raceway (Daytona Beach, Fla.) through 1969. In 1970, the event began a 24-year run at Road Atlanta (Braselton, Ga.), before moving to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio) in 1994. After 12 years in Ohio, the Runoffs moved to Heartland Park Topeka in 2006. The move after three years signifies a change in philosophy after such long runs at venues from the 1970s through the turn of the century.

“Club Racing in the United States has evolved in the last decade, and rotating the Runoffs will do nothing but help the event and the Club Racing program, overall,” SCCA Chairman R.J. Gordy said.

“This is by no means a reflection on the job that Raymond Irwin and his staff have done at Heartland Park Topeka,” Julow added. “In the last four years, they have met every challenge and request and built a tremendous facility that is worthy of potentially hosting not only the Runoffs, but other high-profile road racing events in the future. Additionally, the local community and business groups have been outstanding and we thank them for their continued support.”

The event has grown in both size and stature over the years, with approximately 700 of the nation’s best amateur race drivers from across the country making the annual trek for the event that spans an entire week, preceded by additional days of optional testing. The sheer number of competitors makes the Runoffs the largest annual amateur road racing event in the world, and results in an average local economic impact approaching $10 million each year.

The Runoffs annually crown the National Champions of SCCA Club Racing’s National level classes (currently 25) and has been referred to as the “Olympics” of motorsports. Drivers from across North America race locally to earn points, with the top-10 qualifying drivers from the nine SCCA Divisions in each class earning an invitation to compete in the event. The list of past Runoffs Champions is a who’s who in road racing history that includes Skip Barber, Michael Galati, Paul Newman, Bobby Rahal, Graham Rahal, Greg Ray, Boris Said and Scott Sharp.

Road America’s history dates back to the early 1950s when public street races in the Elkhart Lake area were a part of the SCCA national championship series. When street racing became illegal in 1952, participants and supporters joined efforts and raised funds to develop Road America. The track held its first event, the SCCA National, on September 10-11, 1955. The inaugural June Sprints® was held the following year, June 23-24, 1956. Today, the 14-turn, 4.048-mile track holds its original configuration and continues to challenge the world’s best two- and four-wheel racers.

The date for the 2009 event has yet to be finalized, although it will move from October to September.

The 45th SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be held at Heartland Park Topeka October 6-12, 2008.

For more information about SCCA and the National Championship Runoffs, please visit www.scca.com/Runoffs.

For more information about Road America, please visit www.roadamerica.com.

For more information about Heartland Park Topeka, please visit www.hpt.com.

Posted On 5/12/08

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SCCA Board Approves NASA Licenses For Club Racing

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:44:59 PST

SCCA Board Approves NASA Licenses For Club Racing
By Eric Prill, SCCA Stauff

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 9, 2008) – Sports Car Club of America’s Board of Directors approved today at its face-to-face meeting in Topeka the acceptance of National Auto Sport Association licenses for Regional Club Racing competition, effective immediately.

The NASA Competition License joins those of 13 other organizations approved for Regional competition. Any of these license holders may participate in a Regional event, providing they are a full, First Gear, family or weekend member.

The full list of organizations with licenses approved for competition are:

BMW CCA
CACC
FIA
HSR
ICSCC
IMSA
MCSCC
NASA
PCA
Ontario Region CASC
SCCA Pro Racing
SVRA
VMC
Waterford Hills
West Canada Motorsports Association

Detailed information on the licenses approved for each organization is available in the SCCA General Competition Rules, section 3.1.5.

Posted On 5/9/08

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SCCA Launches Tire Rack Divisional Solo Program

Thu, 08 May 2008 01:07:59 PST

SCCA Launches Tire Rack Divisional Solo Program
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 8, 2008) - Sports Car Club of America is revitalizing its Divisional Solo program with the launch of The Tire Rack® SCCA Divisional Championships and Division Cup Challenge.

Currently an optional program for all of SCCA’s nine Divisions, The Tire Rack® SCCA Divisional Championships have been developed to create a clear ladder to National Solo competition. Participating Divisions will crown class champions in whichever manner they chose, whether it be through a point series or one winner-takes-all event.

Beyond the experience and confidence gained by taking part in events at the Divisional level, Soloists competing in the Tire Rack SCCA Divisional Championships will benefit via contingency programs and National Championship eligibility. Divisions enrolled in the new program can expect increased support from the National office in the way of fees and promotional items.

Additionally, Divisions will compete against each other in the Tire Rack SCCA Division Cup Challenge at the 2008 Tire Rack Solo National Championships. Each participating Division will earn points based on their total entries, number of rookie drivers and number of trophies earned. The Division accumulating the most points will earn the “2008 Tire Rack Division Cup.”

“We put this package together with the hope of growing the Divisional Solo program,” SCCA VP of Rally/Solo Howard Duncan said. “We want to give regional Solo participants a fun way to transition to National competition, while providing the Divisions with a package that’s easy to establish and won’t put a hole in their budget. This will certainly be a test year for the program, but it has great potential to enhance SCCA Solo as a whole.”

Bridgestone has already signed on as a contingency sponsor for the Tire Rack SCCA Divisional Championships. Soloists competing on Bridgestone tires in select classes will be eligible for cash awards if they finish in the top three of their Division’s Championship standings. Drivers must register for the program before competing and run with the required decals.

Currently the Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast Divisions have elected to participate in the Tire Rack SCCA Divisional Championships.

For more information on the new Tire Rack SCCA Divisional Championships, including contingency registration forms, and the Tire Rack SCCA Division Cup Challenge, visit www.scca.com/solo.

Posted On 5/8/08

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Texans Keep Trophies on Home Turf at Fort Worth National Tour

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:17:01 PST

Texans Keep Trophies on Home Turf at Fort Worth National Tour
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Staff

Story By John Lieberman

FORT WORTH, Texas (May 7, 2008) - Soloists came from as far west as California, as far east as Florida, as far north as Illinois and Wyoming, and from all points in between. They met in North Texas to battle it out on the Bus Lot at Texas Motor Speedway, where more than 200 drivers gathered for the Tire Rack® Fort Worth National Tour.

The largest class was Super Stock with 21 entries. Two Texans battled all weekend for the win, with Austin’s Lance Adams leading the way on Saturday in his Corvette and Plano’s David Smart setting the faster times on Sunday in his Sector 111 Motorsports Lotus Elise. But in the end, Adams was able to pull off the win by a scant 0.211-second.

By far the closest battle of the weekend was in the all-Mini Cooper S G Stock class with Texas Region’s Ken Orgeron taking the first day lead by 0.362-seconds over Red River Region’s Jeff Schaadt and the Big 5 Tire/Big Bad Wolf Racing Mini. Schaadt came back on day two to clench the victory by a mere 0.058-second.

On the other end of the totem pole, several classes were won by more than three seconds. Steven Pounds took A Stock in a Honda S2000 over fellow Texan Andrew VanderPloeg in the FTW Racing Honda S2000 by 3.021 seconds. Michael Cobb, of Lewisville, Texas, won D Stock in an Inspirus Technology Audi TT by 3.394 seconds over Bob Bailey’s Dodge SRT-4, and Terry Fair, of Fairview, Texas, ran away with X Prepared in his Chevy V8-powered BMW, beating Fred Langley’s Subaru STi by more than six seconds.

Driving the JANCO Custom Fab/Montiac Motorsports Pontiac Trans-Am in C Prepared, Plano’s Kurt Janish finished nearly four seconds in front of Todd Farris, of College Station, Texas, who was driving Alan Bartling’s Ford Mustang.
Donna Bartling, of Katy, Texas, took C Prepared Ladies by 4.355 seconds in the family’s Ferrous Equine.

From Tulsa, Okla., Pat Lipsinic’s HotSubarus.com/Zzyzx Motorsports Subaru Impreza took a 3.838-second Street Modified win over Grady Wood, of Heber Springs, Ark., in a Honda Civic.

In E Modified, another Tulsa driver, Douglas Turner, and his Eversharp Tool, Inc. Mazda Miata bested Texan Brian Sullivan’s Lotus Stalker by 3.176 seconds.

In Formula Junior B, young Daniel Seelig, from Edmond, Okla., crushed the competition by nearly 21 seconds in a Max-Torque Margay.

Of extra special note in the “wide margin of victory” category are B Modified and A Modified. Tommy Saunders, of Southlake, Texas, drove the familiar Hoosier TSR LeGrand Dragon to a 4.2-second BM win over Keith Starr, of Iowa Park, Texas, in a Quad Racing Integration Tiga DSR, but was later disqualified, having driven both courses several times during Friday’s setup. That gave the win to Starr by 0.194-second over another Texan, Dakota Southerland, in the Hernandez family’s Pocket Rocket Form S. Saunders would have set fastest time of the event with a 45.438 on his final Sunday run and an overall fastest time of 92.985.

Saunders’ normal co-driver, Stuart Lumpkin, of McKinney, Texas, ran the Dragon in A Modified trim and took a 5.891-second win over Brianne Corn who also took her turn with the Dragon. It should be noted that both had their fastest times on Sunday’s second run and Corn was only 0.167-second behind Lumpkin. How’s that for somebody who’s used to driving a Mini Cooper S in G Stock Ladies? The performance earned Corn the Solo Performance Specialties “Female Outstanding Performer” award from event officials. The male counterpart to that award went to Kevin Youngers, who besides serving as Chief Steward, loaned his 2007 Shelby Mustang to multi-time E Street Prepared National Champion Mark Madarash, of Red Oak, Texas, after Madarash blew the transmission in his Trans Am on Sunday’s first run. Though Madarash had a 1.3-second lead over Dave Whitworth, from St. Louis, Mo., after the first day, he was still able to stay within 0.4-second of the Chevrolet Corvette pilot’s winning time overall.

Special note should also be paid to Barry Booker and Paul Carrig, both from Shreveport, La., who took Carrig’s 2004 Volkswagen R32, shod with Dunlop tires, to a first and third-place finish in Street Touring® Xtreme. Booker clinched the overall win with a 2.85-second lead over Houston’s Norman Wilhelm in a Texas A&M Sports Car Club Subaru WRX running on Yokohamas. Could there be another “street” tire battle brewing here?

The Pace Lap Challenge Award for the most consistent lap times went to John Hale, of Austin, Texas, on Saturday. Hale’s Street Touring Ultra times on Saturday behind the wheel of an FTW Racing/RTRT Subaru STi were separated by only 0.292-second. Hale would have taken the honor again on Sunday, but no driver can win twice, therefore Andy Hollis was the second winner of the weekend, turning Street Touring S2 times with only 0.492-second difference in his ART/GRM/Soulspeed Mazda Miata. Both Hale and Hollis are now entered in a drawing to win a new Pace Pursuit® trailer. The winner will be drawn on the final day of qualifying for the 2008 SCCA National Championship Runoffs®.

A tip of the ten-gallon hat goes out to all of the Texas Region folks who worked so hard to make the Fort Worth Tour such a successful event, including Greg Piper who designed two fantastic courses. The Saturday night barbecue was a feast to remember, not to mention the SPS Friday night welcome party.

That southern hospitality will continue, May 24 – 25, for the next stop on the Tire Rack Solo National Tour: Atlanta Motor Speedway. To find out more or view full results from the Fort Worth National Tour, visit www.scca.com/solo.

Posted On 5/7/08

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USTCC: Tom Lepper Makes It Three Winners In Three Races

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:20:57 PST

USTCC: Tom Lepper Makes It Three Winners In Three Races
By Ali Arham, USTCC

Tom Lepper driving the Cobalt California/Red Line Oil Chevrolet Cobalt SS took the win at the Thunderhill Raceway round of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC). David Bongiovanni took second place in the GoodSport Racing Mitsubishi Evo and along with it the driver's points championship. Getting his first podium in only his third USTCC race was rookie Jerry Bradbury in the Mini Mania Mini Cooper S, who finished third. The race was not without controversy as Curt Simmons' Sunnyvale Dodge SRT-4 took the win on the track but was disqualified due to a body contact incident on the last lap of the race. Simmons and Bongiovanni were in a tie going into this round.

MBO Racing/Red Zone Performance Honda Civic driver, Pete Bovenberg, started from pole position scoring the first pole for the red Civic. Bovenberg did not get a great launch and was beaten to the first turn by Bongiovanni’s Evo. Chasing the Mitsubishi were Bovenberg, Simmons and Lepper. The four cars were bumper to bumper at the end of the first lap. Bovenberg kept the pressure on Bongiovanni but was forced to retire on lap two due to a broken suspension piece. With Bovenberg out of the picture, that left Simmons and Lepper to try to beat Bongiovanni. Simmons looked very strong as he closed the two second gap that Bongiovanni had managed to build. Simmons made his move at Turn 15 on lap five and passed Bongiovanni. After passing the Mitsubishi, Simmons started to pull away and it looked like the race was over. But Bongiovanni was not giving up easily as he drove a brilliant race and used slower traffic to his advantage and two laps later he not only closed the gap but repassed Simmons at Turn One. Simmons kept the pressure on and on the last lap tried to make a pass on Bongiovanni. Unfortunately, the move resulted in body contact with a lapped car which in turn resulted in a flat tire on the Mitsubishi.

While all of this was going on, Lepper was sitting back quietly and watching the two battle it out. He never quit and just sat back patiently waiting for the right moment. Along the way it was Lepper that set the fast lap of the race in the Chevy Cobalt SS. The incident involving Simmons and Bongiovanni was what Lepper was waiting for. He easily passed the pair and went on to take the checkered flag. Lepper became the third different winner in three races. Simmons finished second on the track but was disqualified for the incident. That was a big blow to his championship hopes as the reigning champion was tied for the points lead going into this race. Bongiovanni became the points leader, by a very slim margin, and the Lepper/Rojas team now become the major threat to Bongiovanni’s goal of winning the 2008 Driver’s Championship.

By scoring the win, Lepper was awarded the Go Pro HERO Quick-release vehicle camera kit. It is a shockproof camera designed for street and track cars and motorcycles and can also mount to any motorsports helmet.

Michael Mc Colligan won the Molecule Race Smart, Keep it Clean Move of the Race Award. McColligan, who drove the Mazdatrix/Racing Beat Mazda RX8, did a great job making a great move at the start and gained the most positions at the start.

Posted On 5/6/08

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Tom Lepper Wins USTCC Race at Thunderhill

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:48:20 PST

Tom Lepper Wins USTCC Race at Thunderhill
By Ali Arsham, USTCC

May 5, 2008 (Benicia , Calif.) – Tom Lepper, owner and driver of the Team Cobalt California Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbocharged car, won the third United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) race at Thunderhill Raceway Park on May 4.

“We overcame several mechanical issues earlier in the weekend,” Lepper said. “I would have been happy with a podium finish; the win was icing on the cake.”

Lepper battled with the Dodge SRT4 of Curt Simmons and the Mitsubishi Evo of Dave Bongiovanni throughout most of the race, setting the race’s fastest lap in the process.

On-track contact in the latter portion of the race secured the win for Lepper. Bongiovanni followed him with third going to Jerry Bradbury in a Mini Cooper S.

Thunderhill’s three-mile road course track was raced in an unusual clockwise direction adding difficulty to an already arduous track.

“Not many people had experience running the track backwards.” Lepper said. “It equaled the playing field for many of the seasoned racers.”

Lepper’s teammate, Rod Rojas, of the MOLECULE Nomex and Technical Fabric Care Products team, waited at the Start/Finish for Lepper to take the checkered flag. “What an exciting race,” Rojas said. “Molecule Labs is thrilled to have Tom as our partner in our effort to win the USTCC series. I have no doubt the Cobalt will show its dominance at the end of the season.”

USTCC is sanctioned by National Auto Sports Association (NASA). The next USTCC race will be held at Infineon Raceway, in Sonoma , Calif. , on June 29.

Lepper’s Chevrolet Cobalt is sponsored by Red Line Oil and Clutch Masters, as well as MOLECULE Nomex and Technical Fabric Care Products and GoPro Hero Digital Cameras.

Media Contact:
Robyn Lepper
robyn@teamcobaltcalifornia.com
Ph. 707-751-3836

Posted On 5/5/08

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Foss Wins First MX-5 Cup Race of 2008 at Road Atlanta

Sat, 03 May 2008 03:19:33 PST

Foss Wins First MX-5 Cup Race of 2008 at Road Atlanta
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Pro Racing

BRASELTON, Ga. (May 3, 2008) – Polesitter Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, won the first SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup race of 2008, part of the Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta. Hooverspeed teammates Todd Buras, of Melbourne, Fla., and Brad Rampelberg, of San Jose, Calif., completed the podium.

Car setup became a guessing game at Road Atlanta, after rain blanketed the 12-turn, 2.54 mile road course during the lunch hour. The shower ceased just as the group before the MX-5 Cup race took to the track and the teams watched on as a dry racing line began to form.

Last minute decisions meant several cars were late to the pre-grid and the No. 70 GRE/Velocity-club.com/Red Line Oil/SCDA1 Mazda MX-5 of Elivan Goulart, from Shelton, Conn., opted to change from wet to dry tires while waiting on the grid, forcing the third-place qualifier to start from the back of the field.

At the drop of the green, the No. 56 Hooverspeed/Pancreaticcure.org/Pancan.org Mazda MX-5 of Buras got a great start, taking over the early lead.

“It’s notoriously slick at Road Atlanta in the rain,” Buras said. “We knew that, so we softened the car up. We made the right adjustments, because the car was great. At Turn One I was in second and by 10A and B I was first.”

The first lap was the only lap Buras would lead though, as polesitter Foss motored back into the lead. Two laps later, Foss’ MER teammate and fellow front-row starter Ryan Schimsk, of Austin, Texas, took over the lead in the No. 81 Team MER/Airco Mechanical Mazda MX-5.

From there, the top four: Schimsk, Foss, Buras and Rampelberg, settled into a tight, but comfortable pack and broke away from the field. When Schimsk bobbled on lap 15 of the 23-lap, 58.42-mile race, Foss seized the lead. Schmisk held onto Foss’ bumper for several laps before falling back through the field.

Just as Foss began to pull a gap on second and third place, the full-course caution came out for the No. 32 Hale Motorsports/Patron Tequila Mazda MX-5 of Ian Ziering, which was in the tires at Turn Three. Without enough time to clean up the corner, the race, which averaged 80.732 mph, ended under yellow. Following the pace car across the start-finish line didn’t take away any of Foss’ excitement for his first MX-5 Cup win.

“I’m elated,” Foss said. “I’ve got to thank everyone: Team MER, Autobarn and Brook Co. It was a great race. Ryan [Schimsk] is an amazing teammate and we really worked well together. I was bummed that he had a little miscue that set him back. In my mind he was the guy to beat today.

“We guessed on the setup like I think all the teams did, because we didn’t know what the conditions were going to be. We just happened to hit on a decent setup, but I would say it was optimal. Everyone was fighting the same issue. I got a little break toward the end with about three laps before the yellow. Maybe my home track experience helped me out, because I noticed I was able to pull on everyone in Turn One to Turn Seven, and I was finally able to break the draft and get away progressively.”

Despite some serious nose-to-tail racing with his teammate, Rampelberg, Buras was able to bring his car home in second.

“It was a great race,” Buras said. “Everyone ran really clean and did a good job. Brad was fantastic. I slipped up once or twice and he got up there on my bumper instead of trying to go around. You couldn’t ask for a better teammate than Brad, I mean, he’s a National Championship driver. I think we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.

“I was really hoping we were going to go back to green, because I had my teammate behind me and we could have drafted [Foss] down the back straightaway. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but you can’t knock the result.

“We’ve got a new sponsor, Pancreaticure.com, and we’ve got a great contest going: guess how many points the No. 56 car will have at the end of the season and you could win a two-day Skip Barber school. We’re trying to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, so visit us at researchracing.com.”

In his first MX-5 Cup race, SCCA Spec Miata National Champion and winner of the Mazdaspeed Driver Development Ladder MX-5 Cup shootout, Rampelberg finished third in the No. 14 Hooverspeed Mazda MX-5.

“We made the call to put dry tires on and obviously that was the right call,” Rampelberg said. “I slotted into fourth on the start. Then we had two MER cars followed by two Hooverspeed cars. At that point, it was just a waiting game to see who was going to fall off, who put the biggest wet setup on. Schimsk ran well, but then I think his tires got away from him. The Kumhos on my car worked great. At the end I thought I had something for Eric and Todd, but that just didn’t happen.

“Getting on the podium is awesome anytime you do it, but especially being a shootout winner. Mazda has given me a great opportunity and I really want to do a good job for them this year as well as Jason Hoover from Hooverspeed, and P3 is a great place to start.”

Although he led an impressive 10 laps in his first-ever MX-5 Cup race, Schimsk would finish fourth. Also competing in his first MX-5 Cup race, seventeen-year-old Christian Franck, of Simi Valley, Calif., finished fifth in the No. 16 Alara Racing/Select Painting/ICC/CC7 Mazda MX-5.

Following a race-long battle, Anders Hainer beat out last year’s winner Ara Malkhassian for sixth place.

SCCA Touring Three National Champion Robert Huffmaster, of Clarkston, Mich., finished seventh and earned the Hawk Hot Lap for turning a new race lap record of 1:40.707 (90.798 mph) in the No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. Mazda MX-5.

Brad McAllister and Neal Sapp completed the top ten.

Round Two of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup moves north of the border to Mosport International Raceway, May 16 – 18. News, photos, live timing and lap notes are all available at www.mx-5cup.com.

Posted On 5/3/08

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Solo Tour Resumes in Texas, Evo School Debuts

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:28:48 PST

Solo Tour Resumes in Texas, Evo School Debuts
By Erin Cecal, SCCA Staff

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 2, 2008) – After more than a month off, The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Tour is back underway and returning to Texas Motor Speedway for the first time since 2001. Evolution Performance Driving Schools will join the Tour at Texas as the newly appointed Official Driving School of The Tire Rack SCCA Solo Program.

Well known throughout the Solo community, Evolution Driving Schools have long offered drivers a chance to hone their cone-skirting skills. Beginning in Texas, however, Evolution Performance Driving Schools will have classes at each stop of the 2008 Tire Rack National Solo Season, except at the Devens Tour due to site accessibility limitations.

“In addition to our existing line-up of schools, Evolution will be on the road with SCCA hosting the new Evo Advantage School before every Tire Rack Solo National Tour event, as well as a soon to be announced school before every Tire Rack ProSolo Series event that will focus on start line techniques,” Evolution Performance Driving Schools Managing Partner Pat Salerno said. “Soloists are invited to visit www.evoschool.com to learn more about our full line of schools and to sign up.”

Schools will run on Friday morning, prior to the usual Test and Tune, and be open to all participants for a price of $65. Walk-ups will be accepted at the Texas Tour, just visit the SCCA trailer, but classes are capped at 20 students each. Gerry Terranova and Neal Bellamy are the scheduled instructors in Texas.

“The Tire Rack Solo National Tour program has a long history of having an instructional component being a part of the events, so designating Evolution Performance Driving Schools as the Official Driving School is a natural extension of that heritage and we look forward to this being a benefit to our members as they strive to improve their driving skills,” SCCA Vice President of Rally & Solo Howard Duncan said.

More than 200 entrants have registered for this weekend’s Texas Tour with courses designed by Greg Piper. All participants will be treated to an all-you-can-eat Texas BBQ on Saturday night, hosted by the Texas Region.

Full results from Texas will be posted to www.scca.com/solo as they become available.

Posted On 5/2/08

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MER Teammates Tie for Qualifying Record at Road Atlanta; Foss Awarded Pole

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:26:51 PST

MER Teammates Tie for Qualifying Record at Road Atlanta; Foss Awarded Pole
By Erin Cechal, SCCA Pro Racing

BRASELTON, Ga. (May 2, 2008) – MER teammates Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Ryan Schimsk, of Austin, Texas, proved just how close the competition is in SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup when they entered identical fast laps in qualifying for Saturday’s Round One race, part of the Classic Motorsports Magazine Mitty Challenge. Going back to each of the drivers’ second-fastest lap times, Foss was awarded his second-consecutive Road Atlanta pole.

Driving the No. 28 Team MER/Autobarn Mazda/Brooks Co. MX-5, Foss entered a record-setting lap of 1:40.763 (90.747 mph) early in the 27-minute session. Satisfied with the time, Foss pulled the car into pit lane and watched his competitors inch closer to his pole time, ready to return to the car if necessary. Just before the checkered flag came out on the session, Schimsk’s No. 81 Team MER/Airco Mechanical MX-5 crossed the timing stripe and recorded the same exact lap time as Foss.

“I put my lap in pretty early,” Foss said. “It was a decent lap, but everyone was closing in, so I was getting a little worried. I was actually in pit lane when Ryan turned his lap and I was amazed that it was the same lap time. I was afraid that one of my teammates or someone else was going to take the pole away, so I’m just ecstatic that we’ve got two guys on the front row.”

Per the SCCA Pro Racing rulebook, when drivers enter identical fast times in qualifying, the drivers’ second-fastest lap times are used to determine the polesitter. Foss’ next fastest lap of 1:41.235 just barely beat out Schimsk’ 1:41.266.

“Obviously we’re pretty equal in speed, but we’re going to take a look at the data,” Foss continued. “Already this weekend we’ve found that Ryan is two tenths quicker than me in some corners and I’m a tenth or two quicker than him in others, so we’re trying to string the perfect driver together and adapt to each other. If we can do that and really continue to focus and work with each other, I think that’s going to give us a great opportunity.

“The field is much tighter this year. I don’t think there’s going to be a breakaway. We can always hope that, but realistically I think anyone in the top 10 has a really good shot.”

Third on the grid for Saturday’s race is Elivan Goulart, of Shelton, Conn., in the No. 70 GRE/Velocity-Club.com/Red Line Oil MX-5. Goulart clocked a 1:40.813 (90.702 mph) around the 12-turn, 2.54-mile road course.

Todd Buras, of Melbourne, Fla., will start fourth in the No. 56 Hooverspeed/Pancreaticcure.org MX-5. Buras entered a time of 1:40.941 (90.587 mph). He is followed on the timing sheets by Mark Jenkins, of Fairview, Texas. Driving the No. 25 Team MER/Jenkins Bros./Traxxas MX-5, Jenkins ties his career-best qualifying effort of fifth, with a 1:41.022 (90.515 mph).

Brad Rampelberg, Ara Malkhassian, Robert Huffmaster are sixth, seventh and eighth on the grid, respectively. All of the top-eight cars were under the previous qualifying lap record of 1:41.461 (90.123 mph) set by Foss last year. Brad McAllister and Deborah Loth complete the top ten.

The first race of the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup season will take place at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) tomorrow, May 3. Go to www.mx-5cup.com for results, live timing and lap notes.

BRASELTON, Ga. - Results from qualifying session one for Saturday's SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Round One race, part of the 2008 Classic Motorsports Magazine Mitty Challenge at Road Atlanta, with position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.

1, (28), Eric Foss, Fort Worth, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:40.763, 90.747.
2, (81), Ryan Schimsk, Austin, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:40.763, 90.747.
3, (70), Elivan Goulart, Shelton, Conn., Mazda MX-5, 1:40.813, 90.702.
4, (56), Todd Buras, Melbourne, Fla., Mazda MX-5, 1:40.941, 90.587.
5, (25), Mark Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, 254863511, 1:41.022, 90.515.
6, (14), Brad Rampelberg, San Jose, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.264, 90.298.
7, (11), Ara Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.276, 90.288.
8, (27), Robert Huffmaster, Clarkston, Mich., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.433, 90.148.
9, (39), Brad McAllister, Portland, Ore., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.471, 90.114.
10, (23), Deborah Loth, Fort Worth, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:41.572, 90.024.
11, (13), Anders Hainer, Woodland Hills, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.633, 89.970.
12, (16), Christian Franck, Simi Valley, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.656, 89.950.
13, (47), Mike Jenkins, Fairview, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:41.660, 89.946.
14, (6), Brett Smrz, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, Mazda MX-5, 1:41.781, 89.840.
15, (57), Steve Welk, Franklin, Wis., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.801, 89.822.
16, (19), Robert Michaelian, Seal Beach, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.884, 89.749.
17, (33), Neal Sapp, Chadds Ford, Pa., Mazda MX-5, 1:41.949, 89.692.
18, (26), Tim Probert, Houston, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:42.604, 89.119.
19, (43), Barry Fromberg, Plano, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:42.884, 88.876.
20, (21), Randy Hale, Haddam, Conn., Mazda MX-5, 1:43.454, 88.387.
21, (22), Laura Olson, Costa Mesa, Calif., Mazda MX5, 1:43.803, 88.090.
22, (00), Harrison Williams, Houston, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:43.877, 88.027.
23, (12), Alison Malkhassian, Sonoma, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:43.916, 87.994.
24, (24), Forest Barber, Fort Worth, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:43.925, 87.986.
25, (01), Bill Sweedler, Westport, Conn., Mazda MX-5, 1:43.949, 87.966.
26, (8), Carlos Tesler-Mabe, Vancouver, British Columbia, Mazda MX-5, 1:44.164, 87.784.
27, (35), Bob Audet, Alexandria, Va., Mazda MX-5, 1:44.846, 87.213.
28, (55), Susan Krohn, Houston, Texas, Mazda MX-5, 1:45.308, 86.831.
29, (54), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., Mazda MX-5, 1:46.298, 86.022.
30, (08), Colbi Bradley, Atlanta, Ga., Mazda MX-5, 1:46.351, 85.979.
31, (32), Ian Ziering, Los Angeles, Calif., Mazda MX-5, 1:49.960, 83.157.

Posted On 5/2/08

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BimmerWorld: Seth Thomas VIR Race In-Car Highlights

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:24:04 PST

BimmerWorld: Seth Thomas VIR Race In-Car Highlights
By Bimmerworld Media Services

t’s another BimmerWorld classic. All the ingredients are there for a masterful race:

Seth Thomas+BimmerWorld BMW E90+VIRginia International Raceway.

Add in driving in front of BimmerWorld’s home state family and friends, an epic rear-wheel drive BMW vs. front-wheel drive Acura/Mazda battle lap after lap, Seth’s masterful movement from 7th to 2nd place, and we have a hot dish of in-car racing footage awaiting you.

Click Here to watch BimmerWorld: Seth Thomas VIR Race In-Car Highlights

The BimmerWorld team is proudly supported by: Performance Friction, GearWrench, BMW USA, Alpinestars, BBS, Bimmerforums.com, Diffsonline, JB Racing, Moton, Powerflex, and Rogue Engineering.

BimmerWorld Media Services
mediaservices@bimmerworld.com

http://www.bimmerworld.com
http://www.bimmerworldracing.com
http://www.powerflexusa.com
Race Proven BMW Performance
877.639.9648

Check out our new BimmerWorld Video Channel on Brightcove.com

Posted On 5/2/08

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