Anybody out there following the Grand Am?
- Thread starter Parnelli Bone
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- macospet1
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http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...ave-action-express-racing.aspx?cid=6383&sid=1
DAVID DONOHUE TO LEAVE ACTION EXPRESS RACING
David Donohue the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona champion and a four-time race winner in Daytona Prototype competition will be leaving Action Express Racing.
Donohue finished the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season fourth in DP and was the second-highest Corvette Daytona Prototype driver. This season marked Donohues tenth consecutive season driving in the top level of the Rolex Series. In 2009, he won the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Darren Law, Buddy Rice and Antonio Garcia. That victory came on the 40th anniversary of his fathers 24 hour win in 1969.
2012 has been one of my most challenging seasons, said Donohue. While it is very rewarding to have finished fourth in a field of some of the best in this business, I believe it has come time for me to leave the team that I have driven with for the last ten seasons. My father only drove for one team during his entire career so this is a difficult decision, but ultimately it is the best for me.
"I want to thank all of my teammates, both drivers and crew, for their hard work and tireless dedication. It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked with so many fine people.
For the first four races of the season Donohue anchored Action Express Racing's effort along with Darren Law in the No. 5 Action Express DP. Four different co-drivers shared the car with Donohue in the next nine races with a second place finish at Belle Isle Park marking the seasons best finish.
IN THE COCKPIT: Andy Lally, Lime Rock
What a year. To be honest, this was one of the most interesting racing seasons of my life...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/in-the-cockpit-andy-lally-lime-rock/
What a year. To be honest, this was one of the most interesting racing seasons of my life.
We had our highs and our lows, but the lows were with the blown motors (Road America) and cockpit fires (Watkins Glens), things that we really couldnt do much about. Of course there were the shoulda, woulda, couldas at Montreal and Lime Rock...but our highs were the absolute highest.
We won the 50th Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This is a win that, on its own, would make any racer's year; for some it would make their career. However it didnt stop there for us. On top of that we added the Inaugural GRAND-AM Rolex Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to our win list. In doing so we also won GRAND-AMs Inaugural North American Endurance GT Championship. This is going to be a sought after Championship in sports car racing that will live on for many years to come, especially with the merger coming.
It's been an honor to be a part of this team, and it's been great to strengthen a friendship and bond that Ive had with John Potter since we first raced together in 2009.
In addition to John Ive been re-united with many old friends on this team. One of them, Tucker Merten, has been one of my best friends through my racing career. We've worked with so many teams together, and hes been a part of so many important moments in my life; from our first win together in 1999, to winning our first Rolex 24 in 2001, to kissing the bricks at Indy this year.
My engineer, Lars Giersing and I have worked together on different teams and won a ton of Rolex races together. Hes one of the best engineers Ive ever worked with and someone who understand what Im talking about (or yelling about) and can usually give me what I want.
Those are just a couple of examples, John and Lorie Bedell, Patrick Dubuc, Stephane Bellerive, Abel Jimenez, Dan Lourenco, Wayne Lollis, Steve Taft, Taylor Bedell, Shannon Davis, Drew Cushman, Sean Heckman, Jessica Bregy, Rob Ilsley, Shannon Bedell, Natalie Buccino, Rusty Loggins, Roque Pastorius, Caitlin Hutchinson, Thad Aagaard, and Kevin Walker all played their part, and its truly a special group.
Outside of the races themselves, another reason that this has been one of the most interesting race seasons of my life is due to the kind of team that Magnus Racing is. I've worked with many teams over the years and this one certainly has one of the most interesting outlooks... and I love it.
We take our racing very, very seriously. However we make it a point not to take much else too seriously... and I love that. To put it simply, Magnus Racing goes against the traditional grain of most front running sports-car teams. I think that is the reason that Magnus is quickly becoming one of the most popular teams in the garage.
I would draw this comparison for those who do not know much about Magnus Racing; have you read the short story, The Emperor's New Clothes? We are the child at the end of the story. In a sport full of BS press releases and boring, recycled rhetoric that goes on and on to no end, Magnus stands alone in letting true feelings be known about their results and the events around them, and they do it with humor. It is such a refreshing vibe, and I believe the fans are recognizing it.
I've had a thought in my head all year long but I only told John Potter this last week. I told him he reminded me of a young Rob Dyson with a twist. At first, he wasn't sure if he should take it as a compliment but I assured him it was. Funny enough, I bumped into Rob later that day at Lime Rock, and he asked how I liked the new team I was with. I repeated what I told Potter earlier, and Rob gave me one of his long hard stares and nodded his head.
He wished me luck. I think he approved.
Rob added as we left each other that John was going to have to work his ass off if that was the case. I agreed. I doubt I will be driving for this long, but how cool would it be to celebrate Magnus Racing's victory in the 75th Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona?
Back to this year, I want to close out by congratulating Jeff Segal, Emil Assentato, and the entire Aim Autosport FXDD Ferrari team. Team Principals Ian Willis and Andrew Bordin did a great job taking a car that had never been raced in this series, winning their third race of the season, and never looking back. They ran a great effort and had the consistency required to win a championship.
I'm looking forward to next year. Thank you all for following along with me this year, and if you have liked what you read let the guys at SPEED.com know.
I'd love to do this again next year.
DAVID DONOHUE TO LEAVE ACTION EXPRESS RACING
David Donohue the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona champion and a four-time race winner in Daytona Prototype competition will be leaving Action Express Racing.
Donohue finished the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season fourth in DP and was the second-highest Corvette Daytona Prototype driver. This season marked Donohues tenth consecutive season driving in the top level of the Rolex Series. In 2009, he won the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Darren Law, Buddy Rice and Antonio Garcia. That victory came on the 40th anniversary of his fathers 24 hour win in 1969.
2012 has been one of my most challenging seasons, said Donohue. While it is very rewarding to have finished fourth in a field of some of the best in this business, I believe it has come time for me to leave the team that I have driven with for the last ten seasons. My father only drove for one team during his entire career so this is a difficult decision, but ultimately it is the best for me.
"I want to thank all of my teammates, both drivers and crew, for their hard work and tireless dedication. It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked with so many fine people.
For the first four races of the season Donohue anchored Action Express Racing's effort along with Darren Law in the No. 5 Action Express DP. Four different co-drivers shared the car with Donohue in the next nine races with a second place finish at Belle Isle Park marking the seasons best finish.
IN THE COCKPIT: Andy Lally, Lime Rock
What a year. To be honest, this was one of the most interesting racing seasons of my life...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/in-the-cockpit-andy-lally-lime-rock/
What a year. To be honest, this was one of the most interesting racing seasons of my life.
We had our highs and our lows, but the lows were with the blown motors (Road America) and cockpit fires (Watkins Glens), things that we really couldnt do much about. Of course there were the shoulda, woulda, couldas at Montreal and Lime Rock...but our highs were the absolute highest.
We won the 50th Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This is a win that, on its own, would make any racer's year; for some it would make their career. However it didnt stop there for us. On top of that we added the Inaugural GRAND-AM Rolex Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to our win list. In doing so we also won GRAND-AMs Inaugural North American Endurance GT Championship. This is going to be a sought after Championship in sports car racing that will live on for many years to come, especially with the merger coming.
It's been an honor to be a part of this team, and it's been great to strengthen a friendship and bond that Ive had with John Potter since we first raced together in 2009.
In addition to John Ive been re-united with many old friends on this team. One of them, Tucker Merten, has been one of my best friends through my racing career. We've worked with so many teams together, and hes been a part of so many important moments in my life; from our first win together in 1999, to winning our first Rolex 24 in 2001, to kissing the bricks at Indy this year.
My engineer, Lars Giersing and I have worked together on different teams and won a ton of Rolex races together. Hes one of the best engineers Ive ever worked with and someone who understand what Im talking about (or yelling about) and can usually give me what I want.
Those are just a couple of examples, John and Lorie Bedell, Patrick Dubuc, Stephane Bellerive, Abel Jimenez, Dan Lourenco, Wayne Lollis, Steve Taft, Taylor Bedell, Shannon Davis, Drew Cushman, Sean Heckman, Jessica Bregy, Rob Ilsley, Shannon Bedell, Natalie Buccino, Rusty Loggins, Roque Pastorius, Caitlin Hutchinson, Thad Aagaard, and Kevin Walker all played their part, and its truly a special group.
Outside of the races themselves, another reason that this has been one of the most interesting race seasons of my life is due to the kind of team that Magnus Racing is. I've worked with many teams over the years and this one certainly has one of the most interesting outlooks... and I love it.
We take our racing very, very seriously. However we make it a point not to take much else too seriously... and I love that. To put it simply, Magnus Racing goes against the traditional grain of most front running sports-car teams. I think that is the reason that Magnus is quickly becoming one of the most popular teams in the garage.
I would draw this comparison for those who do not know much about Magnus Racing; have you read the short story, The Emperor's New Clothes? We are the child at the end of the story. In a sport full of BS press releases and boring, recycled rhetoric that goes on and on to no end, Magnus stands alone in letting true feelings be known about their results and the events around them, and they do it with humor. It is such a refreshing vibe, and I believe the fans are recognizing it.
I've had a thought in my head all year long but I only told John Potter this last week. I told him he reminded me of a young Rob Dyson with a twist. At first, he wasn't sure if he should take it as a compliment but I assured him it was. Funny enough, I bumped into Rob later that day at Lime Rock, and he asked how I liked the new team I was with. I repeated what I told Potter earlier, and Rob gave me one of his long hard stares and nodded his head.
He wished me luck. I think he approved.
Rob added as we left each other that John was going to have to work his ass off if that was the case. I agreed. I doubt I will be driving for this long, but how cool would it be to celebrate Magnus Racing's victory in the 75th Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona?
Back to this year, I want to close out by congratulating Jeff Segal, Emil Assentato, and the entire Aim Autosport FXDD Ferrari team. Team Principals Ian Willis and Andrew Bordin did a great job taking a car that had never been raced in this series, winning their third race of the season, and never looking back. They ran a great effort and had the consistency required to win a championship.
I'm looking forward to next year. Thank you all for following along with me this year, and if you have liked what you read let the guys at SPEED.com know.
I'd love to do this again next year.
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
http://jalopnik.com/5948767/the-last-race-of-grand+ams-flame+spitting-mazda-rx+8s
The Last Race Of Grand-Am’s Flame-Spitting Mazda RX-8s
Oh man! I never got to see this car in person but I will definitely miss it! I've seen and sharedthe track with cars using the same engine and it definitely is something! That scream is just savage an the flames are just awesome!
I just hope Mazda can come up with a car as awesome as this one for the coming season!
- 7,594
- Ontario,Canada
- macospet1
- My What?
Turner is rumoured to be running a pair of Z4 GT3s next year, and don't forget Multimatic wanting to run a pair of Aston Martin Vantage GT3s in the Rolex 24. The Camaro and possibly the M3 will be the only tube frame cars in the 2013 season. Isn't the Whelen Corvette tube frame as well?
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
No way of knowing that will be the case, we know there will be direct link to LeMans, so that leaves some possible scenarios.
-GT3 cars tuned down to GT-C Specs wich will be welcomed at LeMans from 2014 onwards.
-2 GT classes on the new series, GT-E and GX/GT-C.
-GT3 cars will be accepted at LeMans with after meeting a set of modifications to comply with GT-E rules.
Not sure about that, wasn't that car converted from WC-GT?
01GTP
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I'm kinda surprised.
Is Wayne closing shop ?
http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...ona-secures-ricky-taylor-for-2013-season.aspx
Here's a link to photos from the upcoming ST race from Lime Rock.
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/album.php?albumid=4741&pictureid=52045
Is Wayne closing shop ?
http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...ona-secures-ricky-taylor-for-2013-season.aspx
Here's a link to photos from the upcoming ST race from Lime Rock.
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/album.php?albumid=4741&pictureid=52045
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- 35,478
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I'm kinda surprised.
Is Wayne closing shop ?
http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...ona-secures-ricky-taylor-for-2013-season.aspx
Here's a link to photos from the upcoming ST race from Lime Rock.
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/album.php?albumid=4741&pictureid=52045
Can't see the pics.
As for Ricky gettig hired, its not Wayne closing shop. Its Spirit Of Daytona getting a driver that can actually be in the car all season long as opposed to the on & off they had with Antonio Garcia.
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- 7,594
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- macospet1
- My What?
Angelelli will have Jordan Taylor as his Corvette DP teammate in 2013
http://www.motorsport.com/grandam/n...n-taylor-as-his-corvette-dp-teammate-in-2013/
Championship car owner and driver Wayne Taylor announced today that his 21-year old son, Jordan Taylor, would co-drive with Max Angelelli for the 2013 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car season. The pair will drive the Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette Daytona Prototype. Jordan Taylor replaces his older brother, Ricky Taylor, who has switched to the Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP for the year ahead.
Said Wayne Taylor, Its been an exciting time for me, given the fact that Ricky has driven for me for the last three years. According to the proud father, his eldest son has been fielding offers for several months and once the decision was made, it left a seat open in the Taylor car, setting the stage for Jordans selection. However, other drivers were considered before the decision was made and also General Motors played a key role in the selection process.
To date, Jordan Taylor has excelled in the GT class, having scored two class victories and five poles along the way. He was second in the 2011 championship and won in Detroit in June. He has raced in 10 DP races, but nine of them came early in his career.
About the transition, Jordan said, I think it will be really cool. Im obviously excited to join the team, (to) drive with Max (Angelelli), and (to) be with my dad around the race track. The young driver admitted he has always been hesitant to drive for his father, to offset any appearance that he had not earned the drive.
When you look at it from the outside and the inside, my dad has this team that has won races, is capable of winning a championship, a great teammate, great crew guys and everything, so why not make the most of that opportunity, go to a place where youre going to be in a good environment and (where) everyone is willing to help and teach you, Jordan added.
Wayne Taylor indicated that his team had been looking ahead, to see where the team was headed beyond the current season and once it looked like Ricky would move on, the wheels were set in motion to nail-down an operational plan for 2013 and beyond. Also, they knew that SunTrust would not be returning as the primary sponsor going forward, although the banking concern will be with the team but not in the same capacity.
Jordan Taylor has been successful in driving General Motors products, including his experience as a factory driver for Corvette Racing in the American LeMans Series. In this regard, he has gained considerable experience, which the elder Taylor believes will be beneficial going forward.
Their first race together will be in the Rolex24 at Daytona three months from now. While Wayne Taylor views the 24-hour race as one of the most grueling events on the calendar, his young son sees it as an opportunity to hone his skills, as they will have the opportunity to test in November and again in early January. By the time you get to the race, youve done about five days and probably 12 hours in the car, and youve been working with your teammate and the team throughout the whole process, Jordan said. Going into a big race like that is almost a better first race of the year than, say, a going to a sprint race.
Angelelli and Taylor have been together since 1999, co-driving the car for some six years. Max is not only been a teammate, but hes been a very close family friend, Wayne Taylor said. Hes seen both Ricky and Jordan grow up. Its very much a family relationship, and he is a partner in Wayne Taylor Racing.
According to Wayne Taylor, his sons are totally focused on racing, even though they are also college students. At the end of the day, they live in the sport morning, noon and night, he commented. Having driven my whole career, and Shelly (Taylor) traveling the world with me, being able to own my own team, having them both compete with me, I dont know how much better it can get that that.
While the two brothers are highly competitive on the track, they get along well at home and they see no downside to racing against each other. Jordan said he plans to lean on Ricky for tips on how to interact with the team. I know I need to be ready about two hours before I need to get into the car or dad will start yelling, Jordan said.
Wayne Taylor Racing will have a slightly different look for the 2013 season, but they fully expect to be just as competitive as ever, and the entire organization is looking forward to the pre-season testing and their debut race in late January 2013. Win, lose or draw on the track, the Taylor family is a winning combination.
http://www.motorsport.com/grandam/n...n-taylor-as-his-corvette-dp-teammate-in-2013/
Championship car owner and driver Wayne Taylor announced today that his 21-year old son, Jordan Taylor, would co-drive with Max Angelelli for the 2013 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car season. The pair will drive the Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette Daytona Prototype. Jordan Taylor replaces his older brother, Ricky Taylor, who has switched to the Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP for the year ahead.
Said Wayne Taylor, Its been an exciting time for me, given the fact that Ricky has driven for me for the last three years. According to the proud father, his eldest son has been fielding offers for several months and once the decision was made, it left a seat open in the Taylor car, setting the stage for Jordans selection. However, other drivers were considered before the decision was made and also General Motors played a key role in the selection process.
To date, Jordan Taylor has excelled in the GT class, having scored two class victories and five poles along the way. He was second in the 2011 championship and won in Detroit in June. He has raced in 10 DP races, but nine of them came early in his career.
About the transition, Jordan said, I think it will be really cool. Im obviously excited to join the team, (to) drive with Max (Angelelli), and (to) be with my dad around the race track. The young driver admitted he has always been hesitant to drive for his father, to offset any appearance that he had not earned the drive.
When you look at it from the outside and the inside, my dad has this team that has won races, is capable of winning a championship, a great teammate, great crew guys and everything, so why not make the most of that opportunity, go to a place where youre going to be in a good environment and (where) everyone is willing to help and teach you, Jordan added.
Wayne Taylor indicated that his team had been looking ahead, to see where the team was headed beyond the current season and once it looked like Ricky would move on, the wheels were set in motion to nail-down an operational plan for 2013 and beyond. Also, they knew that SunTrust would not be returning as the primary sponsor going forward, although the banking concern will be with the team but not in the same capacity.
Jordan Taylor has been successful in driving General Motors products, including his experience as a factory driver for Corvette Racing in the American LeMans Series. In this regard, he has gained considerable experience, which the elder Taylor believes will be beneficial going forward.
Their first race together will be in the Rolex24 at Daytona three months from now. While Wayne Taylor views the 24-hour race as one of the most grueling events on the calendar, his young son sees it as an opportunity to hone his skills, as they will have the opportunity to test in November and again in early January. By the time you get to the race, youve done about five days and probably 12 hours in the car, and youve been working with your teammate and the team throughout the whole process, Jordan said. Going into a big race like that is almost a better first race of the year than, say, a going to a sprint race.
Angelelli and Taylor have been together since 1999, co-driving the car for some six years. Max is not only been a teammate, but hes been a very close family friend, Wayne Taylor said. Hes seen both Ricky and Jordan grow up. Its very much a family relationship, and he is a partner in Wayne Taylor Racing.
According to Wayne Taylor, his sons are totally focused on racing, even though they are also college students. At the end of the day, they live in the sport morning, noon and night, he commented. Having driven my whole career, and Shelly (Taylor) traveling the world with me, being able to own my own team, having them both compete with me, I dont know how much better it can get that that.
While the two brothers are highly competitive on the track, they get along well at home and they see no downside to racing against each other. Jordan said he plans to lean on Ricky for tips on how to interact with the team. I know I need to be ready about two hours before I need to get into the car or dad will start yelling, Jordan said.
Wayne Taylor Racing will have a slightly different look for the 2013 season, but they fully expect to be just as competitive as ever, and the entire organization is looking forward to the pre-season testing and their debut race in late January 2013. Win, lose or draw on the track, the Taylor family is a winning combination.
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
So, I posted on the merger thread, but looking at this the homologated cars on the weight part do look very interesting:
http://blog.mcmahonraceworks.com/rolex-gx/
Weight
Audi TT 2550 lb.
BMW 1 Series 2450 lb.
Chevy Cruze 2450 lb.
Ford Focus 4-door 2450 lb.
Hyundai Genesis 2550 lb.
Lotus Evora GX 2550 lb.
Mazda ??? 2450 lb. (w/ transaxle)
Nissan 370Z 2550 lb.
Nissan Altima 2550 lb.
Porsche Cayman 2550 lb.
Scion FR-S 2500 lb.
Subaru BRZ 2500 lb.
Volkswagen EOS 2450 lb.
http://blog.mcmahonraceworks.com/rolex-gx/
Weight
Audi TT 2550 lb.
BMW 1 Series 2450 lb.
Chevy Cruze 2450 lb.
Ford Focus 4-door 2450 lb.
Hyundai Genesis 2550 lb.
Lotus Evora GX 2550 lb.
Mazda ??? 2450 lb. (w/ transaxle)
Nissan 370Z 2550 lb.
Nissan Altima 2550 lb.
Porsche Cayman 2550 lb.
Scion FR-S 2500 lb.
Subaru BRZ 2500 lb.
Volkswagen EOS 2450 lb.
ITCC_Andrew
(Banned)
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First I've heard of that car. What does that look like?
I think RML would beg to differ
ITCC_Andrew
(Banned)
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- 35,478
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Don't ask, don't tell, is a good philosophy here, but... since you asked
*shakes head* good grief...
There's a World Chevy Car championship, or you mean something else?
01GTP
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Iv'e seen Jason Plato on Fifth Gear, pretty funny fellow.
The series just started here on Velocity.
Never really saw in during the coverage we get here.
It's true the Cruze is not competitive.
Nobody could keep up.
Looks like a fun bunch of cars in that list.
The series just started here on Velocity.
Never really saw in during the coverage we get here.
It's true the Cruze is not competitive.
Nobody could keep up.
Looks like a fun bunch of cars in that list.
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