GoRacingTV

Test precedes lessons for first-timers

author — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:12:07 +0000

By Dave Lewandowski

In the IZOD IndyCar Series season opener, the test preceded the lessons.

Four drivers competed in their first series race (plus 2007 Firestone Indy Lights champion Alex Lloyd participating in his first street/road course event) March 14 in the São Paulo Indy 300 with mixed results but experience to transfer to the next event on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

“I am glad to get this first weekend finished,” said Mario Romancini, a two-time Firestone Indy Lights race winner in 2009 who was driving the No. 34 Conquest Racing entry. “Everything was new to me and we experienced some difficulties, preventing us from running as much as we would have liked each practice session. In the IZOD IndyCar Series, I understand now, more than ever, how important it is to get as many laps as possible to help understand the track and fully understand what to expect from the race car.

“I guess I got to experience a lot of scenarios this first weekend in IndyCar. Our lap times got better as the day went on and I was getting more confidence in myself and in the car. With this first race behind us now, I am really looking forward to the next race at St. Petersburg in a couple of weeks.”

Romancini and Lloyd (two-time race winner at St. Pete) are familiar with the layout, while Simona De Silvestro and Takuma Sato will attempt to gather as much information from previous years’ data and three practice sessions on March 26-27 preceding qualifications. Additionally, Ana Beatriz, who competed in her hometown in Brazil and has driven at St. Pete the past two years in Firestone Indy Lights, is seeking to extend her program with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

De Silvestro became the first driver to lead a lap in their debut race since Graham Rahal at St. Petersburg in 2008. De Silvestro started 11th in the No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing car and led Lap 24-28 of 61. The car experienced rear suspension issues that required a lengthy pit stop and she finished 16th.

“I think we can be pretty competitive during the year,” she said. “Now we just have to continue to work real hard and I’m sure we’ll go in the right direction.”

Sato, driving the No. 5 KV Racing Technology car, started 10th but was involved in a first-lap multi-car incident.

“It was not a good memory for my first IZOD IndyCar Series race, but seeing (teammate) E.J. (Viso) finish solid (12th) and the KVRT team working well together makes me feel overall that we have learned a lot and I look forward to my next race in St. Petersburg,” he said.

source http://www.indycar.com

Dan Gardner Spec and Scion to Field Two-Car, Three-Driver World Challenge Effort

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:26:06 +0000

By: Series Staff

Torrance, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2010) - After three extraordinary seasons spent clawing through the road racing ranks, the Scion team fielded by owner/driver Dan Gardner will launch a new two-car, three-driver program to take on the World Challenge Touring Car series, arguably the highest level of production-based sedan racing in North America.

Dan Gardner Spec Scions will race World Challenge Touring Car in 2010.

The team, known as Dan Gardner Spec (DG-Spec), is built upon the new line of high performance parts Gardner has developed over the last three and a half years racing a Scion. DG-Spec logos will adorn both cars.

“This is a huge step forward for Scion and the team,” said Gardner. “I’m excited to launch the DG-Spec line and go both feet (and cars) into the World Challenge series. Huge thanks to all our sponsors and supporters that made this happen. We pushed everyone hard, and everyone stepped up their game to make this possible.”

The No.18 Scion tC Touring Car will be driven by MavTV-sponsored driver Robert Stout, 2009 NASA PTA National Champion. Stout”s adaptable nature makes him a great fit to drive the car, and also a perfect fit for the Scion brand at just 18 years old.

“Before I drove the Scion tC, I had no idea what to expect from a front-wheel-drive racecar like the Scion,” Stout said. “My first time behind the wheel blew me away. The car is seriously fast and it’s going to be awesome to race it in World Challenge!”

The No. 36 car will be co-driven by veteran club and Grand-Am driver, Tom Lepper, and Gardner himself. The two will be competing for the team championship, as they accrue points together for the car. Both Lepper and Gardner also have 2009 championships under their belts with Lepper having won the crown in the US Touring Car Championship series, and Gardner having won both the NASA PTC and WERC Endurance E1 titles.

“I’d had some good exposure to Dan and the Scion team over the last few years, and I was impressed at the entire effort,” said Lepper. “I’m standing in my seat with excitement to be a part of it all. I know the cars are well-developed, and this is a team that has a shot at the championship if we play our cards right.”

The season already has a highlight reel, and the team hasn’t even run the first race yet. The number-36 car, just three weeks ago, was Gardner’s commuter car. Today, it’s a full-fledged World Challenge Touring Car racecar.

“I honestly don’t know how they did it,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “This might be the fastest a pro road racing car has ever come together. It’s truly a testament to the team. I can only imagine the sacrifice and commitment. Scion is pumped to be a part of this, as Gardner and the DG-Spec team ready for war in the World Challenge series.”

“It’s been a great ride for us with Gardner and this team,” said Gary Boler, TRD business operations manager. “It’s fantastic for us to be able to promote and prove the performance and durability of our TRD parts at an extraordinarily high level of competition. World Challenge sits at the pinnacle of road racing, and it’s with great pride that we continue to support the effort.”

The team leaves this week for St. Petersburg, Florida for the first race of the season. The Grand Prix event takes place March 26-28. The event is a double-header with races through the streets of St. Pete on both Saturday and Sunday. Live timing and scoring can be found at www.world-challenge.com. The race will be broadcast on the Versus Network on Sunday, April 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The 2010 schedule will find the team racing 12 races at 8 venues across the US and Canada, with all races being nationally broadcast on Versus, home of IndyCar and other popular sports series.

“We are excited to have DG Spec running two Scion tCs this year in World Challenge Touring Car,” said Dave Drimmie, VP, Marketing & Communications, WC Vision. “The competition is going to be fierce in that class with Mazdas, Acuras, Hondas, VWs, Chevys and Scions running.”

The team’s progress throughout the season can be followed at www.scionracing.com and www.facebook.com/scionracing.

The team has chronicled the build-up of the number-36 car in both still and time-lapse format. The process, as well as some testing with Stout, can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ZZ_ElJDY4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyoj6yhqHM

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/world-challenge-prepartion-after-paint.html

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/world-challenge-preparation-scion-tc-16.html

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/world-challenge-preparation-11-days.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udd07RgVu4

The DG-Spec team uses and is supported by:

· Scion-supplied OE parts

· TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit

· Jackson-Dawson Communications

· Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps

· Nitto NT-01 tires for testing

· Enkei PF01 17×8 wheels

· OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)

· Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, fuel rail, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line

· Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning

· Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks

· Vogtland springs

· DG-Spec Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits

· Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant

· Racepak IQ3 logger dash and VNET sensors

· AEM sensors, EMS, and dry flow air filter

· Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights

· Reflections body work

· America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing

· Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses

· Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel

· AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch

· DG-Spec Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates

· Goodridge fittings and lines

· Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads

· G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, window nets, and other safety and crew gear

· DC Sports header

· Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts

· HoseTechniques silicone hoses

· Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear

· NST supercharger pulley, Braille batteries, and shifter bushings

· Sampson Racing Communications (SRC) radio systems

DG Spec is a line of parts designed and endorsed by National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner. Gardner draws up the specifications for the parts himself. The parts are then tested and proven on the track. The goal of DG Spec is to provide enthusiasts with parts that have been developed on the track and that have significant performance advantages at an honest price. Parts are offered either in hardcore track trim, identical to what Gardner and his team race with, or in Gardner-specified standards more appropriate for enthusiast use on the street.

source http://www.world-challenge.com

PEUGEOT’S GENE QUICKLY TAKING A LIKING TO SEBRING

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:30:01 +0000

Spanish star and reigning Le Mans winner quickest in first official test

2010-03-17

Marc Gene and Peugeot fired the first salvo for the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida with the fastest lap in official testing for the opening round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Gene, also a test driver for Ferrari’s F1 effort, set a best lap of 1:45.811 (125.885 mph) in one of two diesel-powered factory Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs that are entered in America’s most demanding race.

Gene will drive with fellow 2009 Le Mans 24 Hour-winning teammate Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson. Gene had never driven at Sebring before this week but he adapted well. The Spaniard was 0.337 seconds ahead of Pedro Lamy in the second Peugeot coupe. Lamy, driving with Sebastien Bourdais and Nic Minassian, turned a best time of 1:46.148 (125.485 mph).

Patrón Highcroft Racing’s Honda Performance Development ARX-01c was third overall and first in LMP2. Marino Franchitti’s lap of 1:47.995 (123.339 mph) was more than 1.5 second quicker than the second-place P2 entry of Klaus Graf in the Muscle Milk Team Cytosport Porsche RS Spyder.

Franchitti is driving with 2009 LMP1 Series champion David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud, who finished second in last year’s championship. Graf, team owner Greg Pickett and four-time GT champion Sascha Maassen are in the Cytosport Porsche.

Dyson Racing’s isobutanol-powered Lola B09/86-Mazda coupe was less than a tenth of a second behind the Porsche with newcomer Andy Meyrick turning the car’s best lap. He is driving with Chris Dyson and Guy Smith.

Two-time Sebring overall winner Andy Wallace was the fastest driver in the new LMP Challenge class, featuring the ORECA FLM09 prototype. Wallace turned in a quick lap of 1:57.101 (113.748 mph) in the Genoa Racing FLM09 that he will drive with open-wheel standout JR Hildebrand and Tom Sutherland.

The British veteran was 0.153 seconds better than the Green Earth Team Gunnar entry of Gunnar Jeannette, Christian Zugel and Elton Julian. Zugel’s best lap was a 1:57.254 (113.510 mph) and gave the team less than a 0.1-second edge over the first of Level 5 Motorsports’ two entries – this one of Scott Tucker, James Gue and IndyCar star Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Amazingly, the top five cars were within 0.523 seconds each other. It was just as close in GT2 with five cars within 0.629 seconds. Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen went quickest in class with a lap of 2:01.837(109.326 mph) in the Corvette C66.R that he will drive with eight-time Sebring winner Johnny O’Connell and Antonio Garcia. The trio won in GT1 last year for Chevrolet’s factory road-racing team.

Corvettes sat 1-2 with Oliver Gavin quickest in the sister C6.R. Gavin’s best pass was a 2:02.020 (109.162 mph) lap in the car he will share with Olivier Beretta and Emmanuel Collard, an overall Sebring winner for Penske and Porsche in 2008.

Risi Competizione’s Pierre Kaffer sat third thanks to Pierre Kaffer’s lap of 2:02.268 (108.941 mph) in the Ferrari F430 GT he will share with Jaime Melo and Gimmi Bruni. Risi has been on a tear in endurance events not having lost at Sebring, Le Mans or Petit Le Mans since the 2008 running of the 12 Hours.

Alex Job Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entry of Jan-Dirk Lueders – driving with Bill Sweedler and Romeo Kapudija – went quickest in GT Challenge with a lap of 2:06.986 (104.893 mph). The car, however, crashed late in the session but the team expects to have it repaired for Thursday morning’s first practice session.

Shane Lewis went quickest for the second-place Velox Motorsport Porsche. He turned a lap of 2:07.924 (104.124 mph) and will drive with Jerry Vento and Lawson Aschenbach. Next up with The Racer’s Group Porsche of Henri Richard, Andy Lally and Duncan Ende, who posted a lap of 2:08.357 (103.773 mph).

Thursday’s first practice session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and America’s greatest sports car race, starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET with live coverage on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET. Live coverage also will be available on American Le Mans Radio, as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 245. Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

source http://www.americanlemans.com

March 17, 2010 - Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Notebook

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:26:21 +0000

Mar. 17, 2010

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The following are news and notes for the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

V-Pack Motorsport’s BMW 330i Still Going Strong

John Vincent’s V-Pack Motorsport team always produces a strong BMW 330i for Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner competition.

The No. 24 has also been around the longest. The car is in its 10th year of competition in the series, and at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this month, completed its 30,000th mile. The car also acquires speed the longer it runs. For example, in 2001 at Daytona International Speedway, the car roared around the 3.56-mile track in a time of 2:21.619. This year at Daytona, the car went 2:10.430.

Vincent has the No. 24 entered for next month’s race at Barber Motorsports Park with co-drivers Sam Schultz and Ari Straus. The two finished ninth at Daytona, and are seeking their second top 10 of the season at Barber.

Capaldi Racing Enters For Barber

Capaldi Racing will make its second ever Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport start in at Barber Motorsports Park. The duo of Brad Adams and Steve Phillips, currently sixth and seventh respectively in Ford Racing Mustang Challenge points, will drive.

Adams is a native of New Orleans, La., and is the Vice President and General Counsel of OGRS, LLC. He began racing in 2004 and has competed in SCCA Pro Racing MX-5 Cup and SCCA endurance races across the country. He is making his series debut at Barber.

Phillips made his first and to date only series race at Miller Motorsports Park last season, finishing 21st. The native of Isle of Palms, S.C., first attended the Ford High Performance Driving School at Miller in 2007, and has competed in the Mustang Challenge since 2008. He won twice in Skip Barber MX-5 competition.

Source http://www.grand-am.com

Classic livery back in action at St. Pete

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:18:20 +0000

By indycar.com staff

The classic Racing Green and Yellow livery used on Lotus Racing cars in the 1950s and ‘60s returns to North America, with its debut on the No. 5 KV Racing Technology car in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 28.

Lotus and Cosworth have entered into a technical and commercial partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series team. The car will be driven by former Formula One driver Takuma Sato.

Lotus competed for a number of years in Indy car racing in the 1960s, winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1965 with the pioneering Lotus Type 38 driven by Jim Clark.

“Racing has always defined Lotus and on many occasions in motorsports history Lotus’ numerous innovations have re-defined racing,” said Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus. “It’s only fitting that as the Lotus Racing name re-enters Formula 1, we will also race and innovate again in IndyCar. The Lotus name will, once again compete in the top two open-wheel racing series for the passion and enthusiasm of car fans around the globe.”

Entering the IZOD IndyCar Series follows the recent announcement that the strategic partnership of Lotus and Cosworth will investigate opportunities to develop high performance engines for Lotus cars.

“This is fantastic news for everyone,” said Sato, who made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 14. “It is exciting for me to be a Lotus driver and I’m really looking forward to great success with this new project.”

source http://www.indycar.com

The Luck of the Irish Follows Conor Daly to P1 in Final Practice Session SEBRING,

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:59:05 +0000

Fla., March 17, 2010 – Conor Daly took the luck of the Irish with him this St. Patrick’s Dayto finish P1 in the final
practice session of the day. After two official test days yesterday and one official practice this morning, it seems the young
Irish-blooded driver found his stride in his lucky #22 Juncos Racing car during the final session this afternoon. With a time of
1:57.600, Daly also clocked in the only lap time under 1:58.000 in the official practice sessions today.

“I’m very happy with the day,” said Daly. “We worked hard all day today and yesterday, changed lots of things, looked for more speed and it’s really paid off. I really want to
thank the crew and everyone on the team because they worked really hard to get us to where we are now. Now, I’m looking forward to qualifying tomorrow.”

Tatiana Calderon has continued to improve during her time with Juncos Racing, finding time and using new tactics during every on-track session. Early on in this afternoon’s session, Calderon spun in turn 10, landing her #25 car in the dirt and ending her session early. Before today’s incident, Calderon’s best finishing position of the week was 11th in the first official test session on Tuesday, showing promise that she could finish in the top-ten in her rookie race this week. “I’m really happy with the team,” said Calderon.

“I’m improving a lot. I already did a better time in my first session this week than I did back at the series test in January. After the test, our driver coach Peter Dempsey sent me a debrief sheet to review, and I had time in between then and this race to really think about everything. The team has also helped me become much more mentally strong since the test in January which is really helpful. I’m really looking forward to qualifying tomorrow and the race on Friday.”

http://www.starmazda.com

WELCOME TO THE NEW AMERICANLEMANS.COM

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:41:23 +0000

A new look for the home of the world’s leading sports car championship

2010-03-17

2010 means a new season and a new Web experience for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Welcome to the new americanlemans.com, the official site for the world’s leading sports car championship.

Here you will find everything you want to know about the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón – news, race results and points, photos, video, Series 101 features, Green Racing information and everything you need to bring the experience of being at a Series event directly to your screen. We’re your headquarters for the American Le Mans Series.

We hope you enjoy the improvements to the look of the site, navigation and content. And this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for opportunities to get even closer to the online experience of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

WELCOME FROM SCOTT ATHERTON, PRESIDENT AND CEO
“The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is and always will be For the Fans. There is no greater avenue of fulfilling that premise than through our digital properties. The upgrades to americanlemans.com will give our fans an online voice and experience they have never enjoyed. Our goal is to provide our fans and users – as well as worldwide media members and our partners – with exclusive, engaging content that brings the experience of American Le Mans Series event to Web browsers worldwide.”

source http://www.americanlemans.com

THEY’RE ROLLING THROUGH THE GATES AT SEBRING!

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:46:35 +0000

Some had been waiting for more than two weeks for 2010 opener

2010-03-17

A record number of spectators streamed into Sebring International Raceway early this morning as gates opened for Saturday’s 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Several hundred motorhomes and campers had been waiting in line for more than two weeks in anticipation of Wednesday morning’s opening. The race marks the start of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

Sebring International Raceway staff welcomed the record number of guests as they rushed to their favorite camping and viewing spots around the famous 3.7-mile road course.

“This is the largest number of guests ever to enter the raceway this early,” stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, America’s greatest sports car race, starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET with live coverage on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET. Live coverage also will be available on American Le Mans Radio, as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 245.Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

source http://www.americanlemans.com

PEUGEOT OPENS STRONG IN PREPARATION FOR SEBRING

author — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:42:40 +0000

Lamy/Bourdais/Minassian car quickest in Tuesday testing

2010-03-17

Peugeot seems eager to continue its run of endurance success with the fastest time unofficially Tuesday in testing for the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. The No. 08 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP of Pedro Lamy, Sebastien Bourdais and Nic Minassian posted a fastest lap of 1:46.232 (125.386 mph) around the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway.

The two factory Team Peugeot Total coupes are the favorites in the opening round for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Aston Martin Racing may have something to say about that in the end, though. The slick Aston Martin V12-powered Lola B09/60 coupe was second quickest on the day at 1:46.557 (125.004 mph). Adrian Fernandez, Harold Primat and Stefan Mücke will drive the works entry.

Drayson Racing made it a sweep for coupes in the top-three with a best lap of 1:47.223 (124.227 mph) in the Lola B09/60-Judd with Paul Drayson, Jonny Cocker and Emanuele Pirro driving.

The two Challenge class leaders Tuesday: Green Earth Team Gunnar (LMPC) and Alex Job Racing (GTC).

Patrón Highcroft Racing, last year’s LMP1 champion, was the fastest LMP2 with a lap of 1:48.318, set in the morning session. David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti are driving the Honda Performance Development ARX-01c. Dyson Racing’s isobutanol-powered Lola B09/86-Mazda sat second in class at 1:48.667, also set in the morning session.

In LMPC for ORECA’s FLM09 prototype, Green Earth Team Gunnar set the pace with a la of 1:56.882 (113.961 mph). Gunnar Jeannette, Christian Zugel and Elton Julian are teaming together. The GETG racer was just shy of two seconds clear of Primetime-Braille Battery Race Group’s Joel Feinberg and Kyle Marcelli.

Things stayed tight in GT2, a mouth-watering prospect for Saturday’s race. Risi Competizione’s Ferrari F430 GT was quickest in class with a 2:01.429 during the morning session for the car of Jaime Melo, Gimmi Bruni and Pierre Kaffer. Risi has won at Sebring twice in the last three years and hasn’t lost an endurance race since Sebring in 2008.

A familiar sight: Risi Competizione out front in GT2 at Sebring.

One of Extreme Speed Motorsports’ Ferraris sat second on the day. The Ferrari of Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek and Dominik Farnbacher turned in a best lap of 2:01.748. Corvette Racing’s Corvette C6.R of eight-time Sebring winner Johnny O’Connell, Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia was third at 2:02.327.

Alex Job Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car of Juan Gonzalez, Butch Leitzinger and Leh Keen was first among GT Challenge entries with a lap of 2:07.281. It was more than a second quicker than Velox Motorsports’ tandem of Shane Lewis and Jerry Vento.

The first official test session is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET Wednesday.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET. Live coverage also will be available on American Le Mans Radio, as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 245. Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

source http://www.americanlemans.com

NHRA Lucas Oil racers ready for JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals

author — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:48:36 +0000

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

No Problem Raceway Park will again serve as host to the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals, the popular program designed to showcase NHRA’s Sportsman racers. This year’s event marks year seven and is slated for March 19-21, featuring drivers in six NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series categories who will vie for valuable points leading to divisional and national championships.

The JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals boasts a guaranteed purse of more than $50,000, and competing classes include Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The event will also feature the popular Top Sportsman and Top Dragster categories as well as Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley-Davidson. Jet-car and Top Fuel Harley Motorcycle exhibitions are also planned.

“We’re glad to be able to offer our premier Sportsman racers a national event to call their own,” said Eric Lotz, NHRA director of field marketing. “The three JEGS SPORTSnationals events are an opportunity for NHRA and some of our member tracks to put the spotlight on the dedicated men and women who make up the Lucas Oil Series. That’s also why JEGS makes the perfect partner for these events. The folks at JEGS know and understand these racers and what goes into fielding a car week in and week out.”

Though the focus of the event will be on competition in the core NHRA classes, other special attractions include Super Stock and Stock class eliminations, the Top Sportsman and Top Dragster Shootout, and the King of the Bayou Shootout for Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street.

NHRA reintroduced the SPORTSnationals seven years ago at No Problem Raceway Park to rave reviews from racers and spectators. Prior to that, NHRA had hosted the SPORTSnationals from 1974 to 1986 at a trio of tracks, Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. (1974-80, 1985-86), the old Houston Int’l Raceway (1981-82), and O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (1983-84).

This season, NHRA will host two other SPORTSnationals events, the JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals in Fontana, Calif., in May and the JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals in Hebron, Ohio, in September.

TICKETS: General-admission tickets for the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals are $20 each day, $50 for a three-day pass, and $35 for a two-day ticket. For ticket information, call No Problem Raceway Park, 985-369-3692 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985-369-3692 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. For more information about the event, log on to www.NoproblemRaceway.com.

JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals

WHAT: Seventh annual JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals, a national event exclusively for competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Racers in six categories will be featured in competition, and racers in five of those categories will earn points leading to 2010 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national championships. Featured NHRA Lucas Oil Series categories are Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley-Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

Exhibition runs by jet cars and Top Fuel Harleys are slated throughout the weekend.

WHERE: No Problem Raceway Park, Belle Rose, La. Exit 1-10 at Sorrento (Exit 182). Follow exit to Highway 70 (Sunshine Bridge-Donaldsonville). Cross Sunshine Bridge and remain in the left lane. Follow Highway 70 for 12 miles toward Morgan City. Three miles past the intersection of Highways 70 and 1, turn right onto Highway 996. Track is 1 mile on the right.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 19-21

PURSE: Guaranteed purse of more than $50,000

SCHEDULE
Friday, March 19
Qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stock and Super Stock class eliminations, noon
Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Comp qualifying, 2 and 4 p.m.
Jet-car and Top Fuel Harley exhibitions, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 20
Qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Top Sportsman and Top Dragster qualifying, 10 a.m. and noon
Comp qualifying, 1 and 4 p.m.
Top Sportsman/Top Dragster Shootout, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.
Jet-car and Top Fuel Harley exhibitions, throughout the day

Sunday, March 21
Final eliminations, 9 a.m.
Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Comp round 1, 10 a.m.
Opening ceremony, noon
Jet-car and Top Fuel Harley exhibitions, 5 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Stock and Super Stock class eliminations, Top Sportsman/Top Dragster Shootout, jet-car and Top Fuel Harley exhibition runs

DEFENDING CHAMPS: Kevin Self (Comp), Brad Zaskowski (Super Stock), Austin Williams (Stock), Tommy Phillips (Super Comp), Tommy Phillips (Super Gas), Mike DeSio (Super Street), Jeffrey Barker (Top Sportsman), Casey Spradlin (Top Dragster), Alex Barmettler (Motorcycle)

ABOUT THE TRACK: No Problem Raceway Park is a 200-acre, multiuse motorsports park 55 miles southwest of New Orleans in Assumption Parish on Highway 996. Nestled on a ridge in the backwoods of southern Louisiana, the quarter-mile track sits 12 feet above sea level. In addition to the dragstrip, the facility features a 14-turn, 1.8-mile road course. The track was built in October 2001 by four drag racers with a $5 million initial investment. Pat Joffrion is the track’s general manager.

TICKETS: No Problem Raceway Park, 985-369-3692 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985-369-3692 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or log on to www.NoProblemRaceway.com

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass): Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $20; three-day pass, $50; two-day pass, $35
source http://www.nhra.com