IMSA News Roundup: August 18, 2016

August 18, 2016 Leave a comment

IMSA News Roundup: August 18, 2016

Notebook Items Include Risi Competizione Looks To Continue Strong Showing At VIR; van der

Zande Enjoying Standout Season On Two Continents; MINI JCW Records First Fastest Race Lap

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 18, 2016) – A trip to VIRginia International Raceway for the Michelin GT Challenge on Sunday, August 28 is just what the doctor ordered for Risi Competizione.

The Houston-based team is coming back from a heartbreaking conclusion to the recent Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America. Now, it’s looking to continue its recent success at VIR when Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander roll out the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE.

Two years ago, Fisichella scored a thrilling last-lap victory, passing the Porsche of Bryan Sellers in the final turn to win in the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia started from the pole by Pierre Kaffer. It was the team’s second-consecutive victory at VIR, with Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli winning an ALMS race at the circuit in 2013. Last year, Fisichella and Kaffer finished third, trailing the two Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSRs.

“I have to say VIR is probably my favorite circuit in the U.S.,” Fisichella said. “First of all, because I like the shape of the circuit. Also, I have great memories from there. We won in 2014 and last year we finished third. The circuit suits the Ferrari well; probably with the new 488, it will be good, too. I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m happy to be going there soon.”

In the recent race at Road America, Fisichella led nine laps before turning the red Ferrari over to Vilander, who worked his way up to second behind Richard Westbrook’s No. 67 Ford GT. The race restarted with five minutes remaining following a late caution. With the Ford beginning to lose power with two laps remaining, Vilander made his bid for the lead. However, he was touched by a Prototype and spun. Vilander quickly recovered from the incident and returned to action, finishing fifth.

Van der Zande Enjoying Standout Season On Two Continents

A late-race mechanical issue at Road America ended a streak of seven consecutive podium finishes for Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow in the No. 8 Starworks Motorsport ORECA FLM09. The mechanical issue caused Van der Zande to crash, bringing out the final caution and resulting in a sixth-place finish. As a result, the No. 8 pair enters the next round for the Prototype Challenge (PC) class at Circuit of The Americas with a seven-point lead in the standings, 293-286, over PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports drivers Robert Alon and Tom Kimber-Smith.

For van der Zande, 2016 has been a dream season, beginning with a fourth-place finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and WeatherTech Championship success that includes victories at Detroit, Watkins Glen and Lime Rock Park. His success also has carried over to international competition.

“I’m having a great season,” said the driver from the Netherlands. “I was second at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, second at Spa 24 Hours – and you have to be lucky to even finish those races. Being on the podium in both of them is fantastic. It’s been a great season in America, and we have a bit yet to go. I’m really enjoying it, getting to run in the best of both worlds in IMSA and in Europe.”

While he’s looking to capture the PC championship, van der Zande has his eye on the future.

“I love Starworks, and I would love for an opportunity to stay with them,” he said. “If [Starworks owner] Peter [Baron] moves to Prototype, I’m ready to go for it. I’d love to step up. I think I’ve proved my point in PC, and I would like to show my mojo in the Prototype class. I’m talking to a few teams, both in Prototype and GTD. I enjoy American racing. I’m always coming late to the races, and I’m always jet lagged, but I don’t really feel it, because I enjoy the atmosphere and the great racing.”

Fastest Race Lap Another Milestone For MINI JCW Team

MINI JCW Team put another notch in its belt at Road America, with Mat Pombo giving the team its first fastest race lap in IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge completion in the No. 73 Shopminiusa.com/ATELIER MINI John Cooper Works.

Pombo turned a lap of 2:31.809 (96.0 mph) on the 18th lap – just before the one-hour mark – while running 23rd in the Street Tuner (ST) field. Pombo had taken over for Derek Jones moments earlier, with the team making an unscheduled pit stop to take advantage of a caution flag.

Told to let loose, Pombo worked his way to the front, where he led for six laps. With 45 minutes remaining, he was told to go into fuel conservation mode. Spencer Pumpelly went by to take the lead, with Pombo remaining in second through the white flag. Midway through the final lap, Pombo began to run low on fuel, and he limped the car home to finish seventh.

“Running the fastest race lap shows our cars are in contention to win,” said team owner Luis Perocarpi. “We’re creeping up there. Now we can go into races consistently fighting for podium finishes. It’s been a lot of work, taking a street car – the same car you can buy at the dealership – and being competitive with teams who’ve had a few years to develop their cars.”

Perocarpi also proudly pointed to the results shown by the No. 52 MINI at Road America.

“Ramin [Abdolvahabi] had his career-best qualifying, 15th,” Perocarpi said. “He and Nate Norenberg brought the car home in 12th, which was the highest our No. 52 car has ever finished. That’s another indication that our cars are super competitive.”

The three MINIs will carry “Parked it” stickers at VIR, honoring the late Bryan Clauson. Perocarpi was Clauson’s crew chief at the 100th Indianapolis 500 in May, with the sprint car star finishing 23rd.

End Quote:

Oliver Gavin, No. 4 Corvette Racing Corvette C7.R, on the finish at Road America: “Those final laps were crazy. When the caution came out with 12 minutes to go, we thought the race was over – little did we know. At the restart, it was frantic and everyone seemed to press the self-destruct button. Tommy [Milner] kept his cool, made the smart moves and worked his way up the order, while we all watched on in amazement. The volume got louder and louder in the Corvette Racing pit and then, when Tommy passed Richard [Westbrook] for the lead, everyone went crazy! With 30 minutes to go in the race, the No. 67 Ford was leading and we were sixth. We were effectively tied on points at that moment. To finish the way we did is huge for the title race for Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, and Tommy and I.”

Contact:

Nate Siebens
Senior Manager, IMSA Communications

(386) 310-6568

nsiebens

IMSA Roundup_August 18.pdf

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Michelin GT Challenge At VIRginia International Raceway Features GTLM Competitors Battling For Overall Victory

August 17, 2016 Leave a comment

Michelin GT Challenge At VIRginia International Raceway

Features GTLM Competitors Battling For Overall Victory

IMSA Releases 26-Car Entry List For Sunday, August 28 Event

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 17, 2016) – Competitors in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class will be racing for the overall victory in the Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway on Sunday, August 28 (live, FS1, 1:30 p.m. ET).

The GT Daytona (GTD) class will join the GTLM competitors in the two-hour, 40-minute race on the challenging, 3.27-mile layout. IMSA today released a 26-car entry list for the event, Round 10 of the 2016 WeatherTech Championship.

Porsche North America is the defending winner of the Michelin GT Challenge, with Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy leading a 1-2 finish in 2015 in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR. Frederic Makowiecki will join Earl Bamber in the No. 912 team car.

“I’m heading to Virginia with great memories,” Tandy said. “Last year, I clinched pole position and we won the race. We led practically from start to finish. If you consider the extremely tough competition in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, this is something quite special. The Prototypes are not contesting this race, so all the competitors in the GTLM class are going for overall victory. For drivers, teams and manufacturers, this is a very special challenge.”

Factory teams from BMW, Chevrolet, Ford and Ferrari will challenge Porsche for both class and overall honors. Corvette Racing is riding a two-race winning streak, with Virginian Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin holding a 13-point lead in the GTLM standings. After opening the season with victories in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, the No. 4 Corvette C7.R is coming off wins at Lime Rock Park and Road America. The team’s two-car entry also includes Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia in the No. 3 Corvette C7.R.

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has collected three wins this year, with Richard Westbrook and Ryan Briscoe second in the standings in the No. 67 Ford GT. Also competing at VIR will be 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro class winners Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller in the No. 66 Ford GT.

Risi Competizione won at VIR in 2014 on a last-lap pass by Giancarlo Fisichella, in addition to finishing on the podium last year. The team has a new Ferrari 488 GTE for 2016, with Fisichella joined by Toni Vilander.

Another team to watch is BMW Team RLL. John Edwards and Lucas Luhr scored the first podium finish of the season for the No. 100 IHG Rewards Club BMW M6 GTLM in the most recent event at Road America, while Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner have five top-five finishes this season in the team’s No. 25 BMW.

The GT Daytona (GTD) class features a variety of GT3 machinery fielded by six different manufacturers. Ferrari enters the event with a 15-point lead atop the GTD standings. Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan won at Sebring and Watkins Glen among five podium finishes in the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, with the team the 2015 GTD winner at VIR.

Magnus Racing’s Andy Lally and John Potter are second in the points, trailing Nielsen and Balzan 243-228, with two victories and four podium finishes in the No. 44 Audi Tire Center/Auric Solar Audi R8 LMS GT3. Stevenson Motorsports has a pair of runner-up finishes for Robin Liddell and Andrew Davis in the No. 6 Audi, with Lawson Aschenbach and Matt Bell in the No. 9 Stevenson Automotive Group entry.

Porsche’s entry includes two cars for Alex Job Racing, the No. 22 WeatherTech Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by Cooper MacNeil, and the No. 23 Team Seattle/Heart of Racing entry of Mario Farnbacher and Alex RiberasPark Place Motorsports has the No. 73 Porsche for Patrick Lindsey and Joerg Bergmeister.

Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen – two-time 2016 GTD winners in the No. 33 Riley Motorsports ViperExchange.com/Cruising with the Monkey Dodge Viper GT3-R – will be joined in the Dodge lineup by the No. 80 Lone Star Racing ACS Manufacturing Viper of Dan Knox and Mike Skeen.

Lamborghini makes its WeatherTech Championship debut at VIR. Paul Miller Racing has Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow in the No. 48 Castrol Edge/Universal Industrial Sales Lamborghini Huracán GT3 that scored the manufacturer’s first podium finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Change Racing has Spencer Pumpelly and Corey Lewis driving the No. 16 Pertamina/Monster Energy Lamborghini, while Dream Racing has Lawrence DeGeorge and Cedric Sbirrazzuoli in the No. 27 Huracán GT3.

BMW returns with a two-car entry for Turner Motorsport. Bret Curtis and Jens Klingmann share the No. 96 Spectra Resources/United Steel/Valspar Paint/IHG Rewards Club BMW M6 GT3, while Markus Palttala and Michael Marsal co-drive the No. 97 Alvarez & Marsal BMW.

Practice for the Michelin GT Challenge begins at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, August 26, with qualifying at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday. The weekend also includes the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, racing on Saturday at 1:55 p.m. ET, plus the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama.

Contact:

Nate Siebens
Senior Manager, IMSA Communications

(386) 310-6568

nsiebens

VIR 2016 Entry List Rls.pdf

2016_weathertechchampionship_vir_preevent_entrylist.pdf

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Richie Morris Racing Brings Momentum to Peoria

August 14, 2016 Leave a comment

Richie Morris Racing Brings Momentum to Peoria

Returns to Honda power for single-cylinder race outing

Peoria, IL (14 August 2016) – Just days after racing in Rapid City, South Dakota on Tuesday night, Richie Morris Racing (RMR) will look to continue to build momentum through the AMA Pro Flat Track season this weekend as the squad as arrived to Peoria, Illinois for Sunday’s AMA Pro Grand National Championship at the Peoria Speedway. With the Peoria TT using only single cylinder specifications, the team will once again utilize the Honda CRF 450.

RMR became a partner with the American Honda family ahead of the 2016 season and is looking forward to the return at the famed Peoria TT.

Piloting the McElroy Packaging, Roland Sands Design and Tucker Rocky-supported entry, RMR rider Cory Texter has carded two consecutive top-ten finishes since joining the team. His sister and teammate Shayna Texter has continued to grow her speed on the twin in-house built chassis.

Tuesday night’s run at Sturgis saw Shayna Texter unload with confidence, posting competitive times in practice and earning a front row start for the semi. Despite setting a fastest lap that was just three tenths off the winners best, Texter came home eighth in the semi.

Cory Texter, who took ninth in his debut run with RMR at Charlotte, demonstrated the continued progress that the team has made with the bike. Despite a disappointing qualifying run early in the day, and then a challenging brake issue that kept him from charging to the finish in the final, Texter was able to bring home tenth at the finish in the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines main.

“I was happy with our run in Sturgis," said RMR team owner Richie Morris. "We have seen more and more progress with the team and riders, we learned even more on Tuesday night. It is great to have these two races so close to each other in the schedule when we’ve got some momentum like this. It means a lot of hard work from the team, but everyone is focused on being competitive and hopefully we can keep that going on Sunday. We are happy to be representing Honda once again and are looking forward to making the most of the weekend.”

The race is slated to be streamed live at fanschoice.tv.

Miller Lite/AMA Pro Grand National Championship at the Peoria Speedway

Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines schedule:

2:24pm – 2:32pm GNC1 Heat 1 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

2:32pm – 2:40pm GNC1 Heat 2 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

2:40pm – 2:48pm GNC1 Heat 3 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

3:14pm – 3:22pm GNC1 Semi 1 18 Riders 10 Laps (1-3 to Main)

3:22pm – 3:30pm GNC1 Semi 2 18 Riders 10 Laps (1-3 to Main)

4:10pm – 4:20pm GNC1 Main Intro

4:20pm – 4:50pm GNC1 Main Event 18 Riders 25 Laps

Fans who are interesting in following Shayna Texter, RMR, and Cory Texter on social media can do so here!

Shayna Texter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaynatexter/

Shayna Texter Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaynatexter

Cory Texter Twitter/Instagram: @CoryTexter

Cory TexterFacebook: Cory Texer Racing

RMR Twitter: @RMorrisRacing

RMR Instagram: @RichieMorrisRacing

RMR Facebook: Richie Morris Racing

The official hashtag for AMA Pro Flat Track is #AMAProFlatTrack, and be sure to follow AMA Pro Flat Track on Twitter and Instagram at @amaproflattrack.

About RMR

RMR is a professional motorcycle race team. Having competed at the highest level in different genres of motorcycle racing, RMR has won four national championships in AMA Pro Road Racing. The team has scored numerous wins and podium finishes with many different professional riders. We believe in building a solid platform to win races and championships. In doing so, our mission being that of delivering value to our riders and partners.

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2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule Revealed

August 9, 2016 Leave a comment

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule Revealed

12-Event Schedule Features Venue Stability, Date Shifts For Two Events

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (August 5, 2016) – The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule unveiled today in Road America’s new Victory Lane in front of an audience of stakeholders, media and race fans features venue stability – all 12 racetracks that have hosted WeatherTech Championship events since the 2015 season are on next year’s schedule.

However, the schedule does include a few notable alterations and date shifts for two events. The event at Circuit of The Americas – which has been run in September since the WeatherTech Championship’s inception in 2014 and also hosted an American Le Mans Series event in September 2013 – will move into the spring in 2017. In addition, the event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – which has traditionally been run in late April or early May – moves to September in 2017 as the penultimate round of the WeatherTech Championship.

“The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship once again features 12 of the most iconic road-racing facilities in North America,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “These venues have outstanding support from race fans, and deliver exposure in important and strategic markets for our competitors and stakeholders. Aside from a couple of date changes and adjustments to the WeatherTech Championship content at some events, there are no major surprises. This schedule represents the stability of our racing platform and a continuation of IMSA featuring the best-of-the-best racetracks and event promoters.”

The WeatherTech Championship GT Daytona (GTD) class will compete in all 12 events, while the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class is slated for 11 races. The Prototype (P) class will be featured in 10 events, and the Prototype Challenge (PC) class will have an eight-race schedule in 2017.

The 2017 WeatherTech Championship season opens with the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona on the weekend of January 26-29 at Daytona International Speedway, followed by the 65th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida at Sebring International Raceway on March 15-18. All four WeatherTech Championship classes will compete in the pair of Florida endurance racing classics, which also represent the first two rounds of the four-race North American Endurance Cup.

The WeatherTech Championship then heads west to the streets of Long Beach, California, for the BUBBA burger SportsCar Grand Prix at Long Beach on April 7-8. The prestigious Southern California street race will include the Prototype and GTLM classes racing alongside the GTD class for the first time in 2017.

Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas will represent Round 4 of the season with all four classes competing in a race into the night on the weekend of May 5-7. The WeatherTech Championship will be joined by three other IMSA-sanctioned series. From there, the WeatherTech Championship goes to the streets of Detroit’s Belle Isle Park for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on June 2-3 for a sprint race including the Prototype, PC and GTD classes.

The third Patrón Endurance Cup event of the season returns to Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on the weekend of June 30-July 2, followed by the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada on July 7-9. Both races again will feature all four classes.

Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut will host the first of two 2017 races exclusively featuring the WeatherTech Championship GT classes. GTLM and GTD machines will take center stage in the Northeast Grand Prix on July 21-22.

All four classes return to competition at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on the weekend of August 4-6 for the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase. As has been the case since 2015, the WeatherTech Championship GT classes will once again headline the Michelin GT Challenge weekend at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia on the weekend of August 25-27.

The Prototype, GTLM and GTD classes then return to the west coast on the weekend of September 22-24 for the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda in Monterey, California at the world-famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. After a two-week break, the WeatherTech Championship and Patrón Endurance Cup seasons draw to a close at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia with the 10-hour Petit Le Mans on the weekend of October 5-7.

In addition to the full 2017 WeatherTech Championship schedule, IMSA officials also confirmed dates for four sanctioned test sessions, including two set for later this year. A two-day test for all four WeatherTech Championship classes has been scheduled for November 15-16, 2016 at Daytona International Speedway, followed by a second Daytona test for the Prototype, GTLM and GTD classes on December 13-14, 2016.

The annual Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona three-day test is slated for January 6-8, 2017. A two-day test at Sebring International Raceway for the WeatherTech Championship also is scheduled for February 23-24, 2017.

2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule

Date Event (Duration) / Venue Classes / Duration

Jan. 26-29 Rolex 24 At Daytona P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Florida 24 Hours

March 15-18 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Sebring International Raceway – Sebring, Florida 12 Hours

April 7-8 BUBBA burger SportsCar Grand Prix at Long Beach P/GTLM/GTD
Long Beach, California 100 Minutes

May 5-7 Circuit of The Americas P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Austin, Texas 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

June 2-3 Chevrolet Belle Isle Detroit Grand Prix P/PC/GTD
Belle Isle Park – Detroit, Michigan 100 Minutes

June 30-July 2 Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Watkins Glen International – Watkins Glen, New York 6 Hours

July 7-9 Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

July 21-22 IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix GTLM/GTD
Lime Rock Park – Lakeville, Connecticut 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

Aug. 4-6 Continental Tire Road Race Showcase P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

Aug. 25-27 Michelin GT Challenge GTLM/GTD
VIRginia International Raceway – Danville, Virginia 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

Sept. 23-24 Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda P/GTLM/GTD
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, California 2 Hours, 40 Minutes

Oct. 5-7 Petit Le Mans P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia 10 Hours

IMSA WeatherTech Championship Sanctioned Test Sessions

Date Venue Classes

Nov. 15-16, 2016 Daytona International Speedway P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Daytona Beach, Florida

Dec. 13-14, 2016 Daytona International Speedway P/GTLM/GTD
Daytona Beach, Florida

Jan. 6-8, 2017 Roar Before The Rolex 24 At Daytona P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Daytona Beach, Florida

Feb. 23-24, 2017 Sebring International Raceway P/PC/GTLM/GTD
Sebring, Florida

Contact:

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Richie Morris Racing Heads for Sturgis

August 9, 2016 Leave a comment

Richie Morris Racing Heads for Sturgis

Half-mile oval with both Cory and Shayna Texter for RMR in-house built chassis

Sturgis, SD (9 August 2016) – As the throngs of passionate motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Sturgis, South Dakota this week for the 76th annual rally, the AMA Pro Flat Track racers will be performing in front of a huge crowd on Tuesday evening at the Black Hills Half Mile.

Richie Morris Racing (RMR) will look to continue the increased momentum the team has been building with the in-house built chassis in AMA Flat Track Pro competition. The Sturgis race will mark not only the one year anniversary since RMR announced that Shayna Texter would join RMR, but it is also the second outing with RMR for her brother Cory Texter.

Cory Texter joined RMR ahead of the Charlotte round, and was immediately on the pace as he raced his way into the final event on his way to a ninth place Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines finish in the McElroy Packaging, Roland Sands Design and Tucker Rocky-supported entry.

“Charlotte was a great first weekend, with Cory taking a top ten in the final,” said RMR team owner Richie Morris. “With Cory joining Shayna here at RMR, now we’ve got even more information for this bike that we can use and that was really helpful in Charlotte and we hope we can keep making that kind of progress.”

With two fast riders creating twice the information for RMR to use for development of the in-house built chassis, the team is looking to continue to accelerate the progress as the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule races through a busy August starting with the big visit to Sturgis.

“We are all so passionate about this sport, so to go to an event like Sturgis where there are so many people that share that passion, it adds even more to the event,” said Morris. “These are some awesome race fans and we want to put on another great show for them on Tuesday night.”

FansChoice.tv will broadcast the entire Black Hills Half-Mile live and in high definition at www.fanschoice.tv/watch-live/ama/flat-track. Coverage will begin with Practice and Qualifying at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT). The Pre-Race Show will take place at 7:15 p.m. ET (4:15 p.m. PT), followed by Opening Ceremonies at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) and Heat Races immediately afterwards at 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT). The GNC2 class will grid up for their Main Event at 10:40 p.m. ET (7:40 p.m. PT) followed by the 18 fastest flat track motorcycle racers in the world at 11:10 p.m. ET (8:40 p.m. PT).

Gates for the Black Hills Half-Mile open at 3:00 p.m. local time, with Opening Ceremonies set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at just $30 and are going fast. For additional information, please visit http://www.blackhillshd.com/.

Fans who are interesting in following Shayna Texter, RMR, and Cory Texter on social media can do so here!

Shayna Texter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaynatexter/

Shayna Texter Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaynatexter

Cory Texter Twitter/Instagram: @CoryTexter

Cory TexterFacebook: Cory Texer Racing

RMR Twitter: @RMorrisRacing

RMR Instagram: @RichieMorrisRacing

RMR Facebook: Richie Morris Racing

The official hashtag for AMA Pro Flat Track is #AMAProFlatTrack, and be sure to follow AMA Pro Flat Track on Twitter and Instagram at @amaproflattrack.

About RMR

RMR is a professional motorcycle race team. Having competed at the highest level in different genres of motorcycle racing, RMR has won four national championships in AMA Pro Road Racing. The team has scored numerous wins and podium finishes with many different professional riders. We believe in building a solid platform to win races and championships. In doing so, our mission being that of delivering value to our riders and partners.

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2017 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Schedule Includes Pair Of Endurance Races On 10-Race Calendar

August 9, 2016 Leave a comment

2017 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Schedule Includes Pair Of Endurance Races On 10-Race Calendar

Four-Hour Endurance Race Added At Daytona, Proposed For Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (August 5, 2016) – The 2017 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge schedule will include the return of endurance races to the 10-race calendar, which was announced today by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) at Road America.

The 2017 Continental Tire Challenge season will open with a four-hour endurance race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, January 27 as part of the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona event weekend. Planning is underway for a second four-hour enduro to be held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, September 23, during the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda. Final confirmation is expected in the near future.

The four-hour races will be the first for the series since the 2009 season finale at VIRginia International Raceway, which also was a four-hour race. The remaining eight Continental Tire Challenge events in 2017 all will be two hours in duration. All races will include both the Grand Sport (GS) and Street Tuner (ST) classes.

“We expect that the addition of two endurance races to the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge in 2017 will be welcome news for series competitors and fans,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “Next year, we will begin the transition to GT4 technical specifications for the Grand Sport class ahead of full integration in 2018. As a result, we anticipate an intriguing and diverse mix of race cars in both the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes at all 10 races next season.”

Sebring International Raceway hosts the Continental Tire Challenge for the fourth time on Friday, March 17, followed by Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, which moves from a fall date into the spring in 2017 for a race on Saturday, May 6.

Rounds 4 and 5 of the Continental Tire Challenge will be the only events on back-to-back weekends in 2017. Watkins Glen International hosts the series on Saturday, July 1, ahead of the lone trek north of the border to Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Saturday, July 8.

Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut opens the second half of the season on Saturday, July 22. Road America in Elkhart Lake is next on Saturday, August 5 as part of the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase, with the annual visit to VIRginia International Raceway in Danville, Virginia set for Saturday, August 26.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca marks the penultimate round of the 2017 season with the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix presented by Mazda on Saturday, September 23 ahead of the season finale at Road Atlanta during the prestigious Petit Le Mans weekend on Friday, October 6.

In addition to the 10-race schedule, IMSA also confirmed participation for the Continental Tire Challenge in the annual season-opening Roar Before The Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Speedway on January 6-8, 2017.

Every Continental Tire Challenge race in 2017 again will be streamed live on IMSA.tv, with tape-delayed television coverage on FOX Sports. The complete television schedule will be released at a later date.

2017 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Schedule

Date Venue / Location Duration

Jan. 27 Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Florida 4 Hours

March 17 Sebring International Raceway – Sebring, Florida 2 Hours

May 6 Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas 2 Hours

July 1 Watkins Glen International – Watkins Glen, New York 2 Hours

July 8 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada 2 Hours

July 22 Lime Rock Park – Lakeville, Connecticut 2 Hours

Aug. 4-6 Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 2 Hours

Aug. 26 VIRginia International Raceway – Danville, Virginia 2 Hours

Sept. 23 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, California 4 Hours*

Oct. 6 Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia 2 Hours
* – Subject to final confirmation

Contact:
Nate Siebens
Senior Manager, IMSA Communications
(386) 310-6568
nsiebens

2017 ICSTC Schedule Release.pdf

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Richie Morris Racing Set for Charlotte

July 28, 2016 Leave a comment

Richie Morris Racing Set for Charlotte

Debut for Texter Express as Shayna and brother Cory set for first weekend as teammates at RMR

Charlotte, N.C. (28 July 2016) – Richie Morris Racing (RMR) will be back in action this Saturday as the AMA Flat Track Pro riders kick off the second half of the 2016 championship with a visit to the The Dirt Track at Charlotte half-mile oval for the CHDDA Charlotte Half-Mile on Saturday.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway-based event marks the debut for RMR’s new rider line up as Cory Texter has joined Shayna Texter at RMR for the remainder of the 2016 season. The team has been making progress with an in-house developed chassis, and with two riders now on board will look to continue to accelerate that development.

Shayna and Cory Texter are the first brother and sister to qualify for a GNC1 main event together, and will target a fast start to the second half of the championship with their dual entries, which enjoy support from McElroy Packaging, Roland Sands Design and Tucker Rocky.

“It is pretty exciting for us to be looking ahead to a race with two riders, and everyone is pretty pumped about going to Charlotte,” said team owner Richie Morris. “We had a good test with Cory on Wednesday of this week. He is pleased with our equipment and is adapting quickly. We have a lot of work to do to keep building our notebook with the bike, and we are grateful to have this kind of line up to help us keep pushing on that development. The folks at AFT Events do a great job and hopefully we have another big turnout of AMA Pro Flat Track fans!”

Practice will kick off at 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, with opening ceremonies for the race slated to start at 6:00 PM ET. Heat races will kick off at 6:30 PM, with the GNC1 Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines main event set for a 9:15 PM start.

Stop by the Richie Morris Racing tent at the Charlotte Half Mile on July 30th to meet both Cory and Shayna Texter. For those who can’t make the event, be sure to tune in to FansChoice.TV. Additional event information is posted here: http://www.amaproracing.com/flat-track/events/default/view/642

Fans who are interesting in following Shayna Texter, RMR, and Cory Texter on social media can do so here!

Shayna Texter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaynatexter/

Shayna Texter Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaynatexter

Cory Texter Twitter/Instagram: @CoryTexter

Cory TexterFacebook: Cory Texer Racing

RMR Twitter: @RMorrisRacing

RMR Instagram: @RichieMorrisRacing

RMR Facebook: Richie Morris Racing

For fans that would like to follow via social media, the official hashtag for the Charlotte Half-Mile is #CharlotteHM. Follow Charlotte Half-Mile on Twitter at @CLTHalfMile and Instagramat @charlottehalfmile.

The official hashtag for AMA Pro Flat Track is #AMAProFlatTrack, and be sure to follow AMA Pro Flat Track on Twitter and Instagram at @amaproflattrack.

About RMR

RMR is a professional motorcycle race team. Having competed at the highest level in different genres of motorcycle racing, RMR has won four national championships in AMA Pro Road Racing. The team has scored numerous wins and podium finishes with many different professional riders. We believe in building a solid platform to win races and championships. In doing so, our mission being that of delivering value to our riders and partners.

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Cory Texter Joins Richie Morris Racing (RMR) for the Remainder of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Season

July 22, 2016 Leave a comment

Cory Texter Joins Richie Morris Racing (RMR) for the Remainder of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Season

Charlotte, NC 22 July 2016- Richie Morris Racing is pleased to announce that Cory Texter will join the team for the remainder of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track campaign, starting with the Charlotte Half-Mile event next weekend. Texter will have some familiar company under the RMR tent, as the 28 year old joins his sister Shayna, who has raced with RMR since the the closing stages of the 2015 AMA Pro season.

Competing in AMA Pro Flat Track’s top GNC1 Class, RMR has been making strides in the development of the team’s in-house built chassis so far in 2016, and will look to accelerate that progress as the season moves into its second half with the Charlotte Half-Mile race.

“At the beginning of the year, we just didn’t have the capacity to support two riders but as the season has gone on, and thanks to having a common sponsor in McAlroy packaging, we are now in a position to have two riders,” said team owner Richie Morris.

Cory Texter, who enters the Charlotte event weekend ninth overall in the AMA Pro GNC 1 standings, is looking forward to not only having another rider to work with in the development of the chassis, but also his ability to focus fully on the riding as he moves away from managing his own race team.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to ride for Richie Morris Racing,” said Cory Texter. “After a bunch of phone calls to Richie, we decided this would be the perfect fit for the remainder of the season. Now that I don’t have to put all my focus on running the logistics of my own team, I should be able to focus more on training and racing, which should be beneficial to me as a rider.”

The Texter siblings have a lot of success together in the sport. In 2014, they became the first brother and sister to qualify for a GNC 1 main event together, and the duo are the only brother and sister to compete together in an event at the X Games.

“I am really excited to work under the same tent as Shayna,” said Cory Texter, who scored a career-best third place result earlier this season in Phoenix. “We seem to motivate each other and having a teammate I know and trust to bounce information off of will be valuable to both of us.”

“It will be fun having Cory on the team,” said Shayna Texter. “He has been having a great season and his knowledge can only help move the team forward. We are both looking to finish out the year strongly. ”

The level of familiarity for Cory Texter will also extend to the crew, as Justin Bender will also join the RMR team and continue to be Cory’s mechanic. Davey Durelle of Durelle Racing will provide suspension tuning on the #65 RMR motorcycles. Durelle, a former national number competitor, has been working with Texter the last couple of seasons.

“Developing this in-house chassis is a big step for us and we’ve made a lot of good progress so far this year,” offered Morris. “Having Cory join us is only going to accelerate that process with the additional data we will be able to generate with two riders. And having our staff grow to support two bikes will also add to our capabilities as an organization so we can accomplish more. We’ve learned more and more about the bike, learning each time we go out and feel like we’ve got chassis and engine program close to where we want it. However, our goal is to gain as much knowledge as possible in 2016 as we are already working on our 2017 effort.”

The Charlotte event weekend is the second visit to the facility for the AMA Pro Flat track ranks, as the AFT events-promoted event grows momentum with the continued support of the Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association.

“Charlotte was a good event last year and there is a big partnership with the Harley Davidson dealer group in the area, so hopefully it can continue to grow with these promotional partners,” said Morris.

McElroy Packaging is a key competent to the expanded program, and will continue to support the RMR effort, as well as team partners Roland Sands Design and Tucker Rocky. The #65 bike will also use a D&D exhaust along with Vortex Racing Products.

Cory Texter will also continue to receive support from his personal sponsors, including Cycle World, K&N, Lancaster Honda, Shockstrap, Evans Cooling, Lightshoe and Motoshippers. In addition to these associate sponsors, Texter would like to thank all of his products sponsors and supporters for ensuring he made it to the track this season.

Stop by the Richie Morris Racing tent at the Charlotte Half Mile on July 30th to meet both Cory and Shayna Texter. For those who can’t make the event, be sure to tune in to FansChoice.TV. Additional event information is posted here: http://www.amaproracing.com/flat-track/events/default/view/642

You can keep up with the team’s progress at and away from the events, by following us at:

Cory Texter Twitter/Instagram: @CoryTexter

Cory TexterFacebook: Cory Texer Racing

RMR Twitter: @RMorrisRacing

RMR Instagram: @RichieMorrisRacing

RMR Facebook: Richie Morris Racing

About RMR

RMR is a professional motorcycle race team. Having competed at the highest level in different genres of motorcycle racing, RMR has won four national championships in AMA Pro Road Racing. The team has scored numerous wins and podium finishes with many different professional riders. We believe in building a solid platform to win races and championships. In doing so, our mission being that of delivering value to our riders and partners.

Source: Sunday Group Management

RMRtexterJoinsFinal.pages.pdf

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Ford GT Seeks Fourth Consecutive Victory In GTLM Return To Lime Rock Park For IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix

July 18, 2016 Leave a comment

Ford GT Seeks Fourth Consecutive Victory In GTLM Return

To Lime Rock Park For IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix

Saturday Race Will Be Televised Live On FOX

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 18, 2016) – The GT Le Mans (GTLM) class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to scenic Lime Rock Park near Lakeville, Connecticut, for Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix. The race will be televised live on FOX, with the three-hour program beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

This will be the first race for America’s premier GT division at the 1.5-mile circuit since 2013 – when the class competed as part of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón – and first as part of the WeatherTech Championship.

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing is riding a three-race winning streak in the class, capturing recent events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with the No. 67 Ford GT of Richard Westbrook and Ryan Briscoe. The team also fields the No. 66 of Dirk Mueller and Joey Hand, who won the GTE Pro class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

“There’s nothing’s like Lime Rock: it’s completely unique,” Westbrook said. “I’ve got fond memories there. My love for American racing started at Lime Rock when I got my first podium in America there in 2008, in the ALMS. It’s always a busy race. Such a short lap, and there’s a lot of strategy. It’s a hard, hard place to race in the heat of July. It’s important to try and have as clean a race as possible, but at Lime Rock, having a clean race is near to impossible.”

Corvette, BMW and Porsche have winning experience at Lime Rock and will be looking to end the Ford streak, while Ferrari also will be a strong challenger.
“Lime Rock is a tough track, and it’s the shortest and most aggressive lap that we do,” said three-time winner Oliver Gavin, who co-drives the No. 4 Corvette Racing Corvette C7.R with Tommy Milner. “You feel like you’re racing everyone all the time. It’s in a beautiful part of the world, but it’s a tough track for all of us to race on. When you’re driving out of there you feel like if you’ve had a good result, it’s a real big bonus.”

Gavin and Milner currently lead Westbrook and Briscoe in the GTLM point standings by five, 192-187. The Corvette Racing lineup also includes Jan Magnussen, an ALMS and Rolex Series winner at the circuit, with Antonio Garcia in the No. 3 Corvette.

BMW Team RLL won its class in two of the three most recent ALMS races at the circuit. Mueller – who now drives for Ford – shared in both of those victories, joined by John Edwards in 2013 and current Ford teammate, Hand, in 2011. Edwards now co-drives the No. 100 IHG Rewards Club BMW M6 GTLM with Lucas Luhr – a three-time LM P1 winner at Lime Rock – while Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner co-drive the No. 25 BMW.

“My very first win for BMW was at Lime Rock, so I have some good memories there,” Edwards recalled. “I also won for the first time in GRAND-AM with SpeedSource, with Adam Christodoulou [in 2010]. I’ve had a lot of success there, but going back there with three classes is going to be a busy race. The middle of summer is going to be a hot and humid time, so I think Lime Rock will be one of the most challenging races we face, both physically – from the heat side – as well as mentally, from the traffic side.”

Leading the Porsche North America assault are Nick Tandy and 2015 GTLM champion Patrick Pilet in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR, joined by Earl Bamber and Frederic Makowiecki in the No. 912 entry.

“A new race is always an interesting challenge,” said Makowiecki, who joins Tandy and Bamber at competing at the circuit for the first time. “For the teams it means a lot of work. We have just free practice and qualifying to set up the 911 RSR for this very special track. I hope we are successful.”

Ferrari is represented by the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE of Toni Vilander and Lime Rock newcomer Giancarlo Fisichella. Vilander and Fisichella finished second in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last month, and took third in the WeatherTech Championship race at Long Beach in April.

“I’ve been to Lime Rock a few times and it’s completely different from the other places we race,” Vilander said. “Overall, I like the track. It will be quite a hectic race, because we don’t have a big straight line to get relief, and you have to be really aware of the traffic and all around you.”

Practice for the IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix begins at 11:10 a.m. ET on Friday, with qualifying at 4:30 p.m. The weekend also includes the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, racing on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.

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Ford, Porsche Lead Point Races Entering Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

July 6, 2016 Leave a comment

Ford, Porsche Lead Point Races Entering Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Porsche Cayman GT4 Seeks Fourth Straight Victory In GS For Bodymotion Racing

RS1 Porsche Takes Lead In ST Battle As Pumpelly, Galante Win First Of 2016

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 6, 2016) – A pair of Toronto-based Ford teams lead the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge standings heading to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for Saturday’s race, Round 5 of the 2016 season, although Porsche teams are heating up the challenge with three consecutive victories.

Multimatic Motorsport fields the Grand Sport (GS) class points-leading No. 15 Ford Shelby GT350R-C of Billy Johnson and Toronto resident Scott Maxwell. C360R also looks for the hometown edge in a Multimatic Motorsport customer car, the No. 76 AERO Advanced Paint Technology/Children’s Tumor Foundation of Paul Holton and Pierre Kleinubing.

“I’m excited, because I grew up near the track and I will have a lot of family and friends coming to the race,” Maxwell said. “I know that place like the back of my hand, and on top of that, we had a terrible weekend last year, when we had a potential winning car and got taken out. So there’s a few reasons why I can’t get back to racing there.”

While Multimatic Motorsport holds the championship lead, two Porsche teams are closing in. Trent Hindman and Canadian Cameron Cassels are riding a three-race winning streak in the No. 12 Bodymotion Racing Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, while CJ Wilson Racing had both of its cars on the podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen.

Maxwell and Johnson have had their lead trimmed to seven points over Marc Miller and Winnipeg’s Daniel Burkett, drivers of the No. 33 ONE Capital Management/MotorOilMatters.org Cayman GT4, 123-116. Holton and Kleinubing are third with 110 points, while Hindman and Cassels – who sat out the season opener at Daytona – have moved to fifth with 105 points.

“This will be the first time I’ll ever be at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and I can’t wait to get there,” said Cassels, a Coldstream, British Columbia resident who has won three of his four career Continental Tire Challenge races. “I’m really excited to finally get the race there. I’m looking forward to see how we’ll do as a team, and I hope we can keep the momentum going.”

Pumpelly, Galante Take First Victory Of Season In RS1 Porsche, Take ST Points Lead

Spencer Pumpelly and Nick Galante took their first victory of the season last weekend at Watkins Glen in the No. 17 RS1 Legistics/RickieFowler.comPorsche Cayman. Entering the event tied for second in the Street Tuner (ST) standings – trailing by four points – Pumpelly and Galante now lead by seven points, 113-106.

“We won four races and had five podiums last year, but we also had a lot of mechanical problems,” Pumpelly said. “Watkins Glen was a big points day for us. A lot of really good cars had problems last week, so I think Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will be a big fight with 10 or 12 cars that can win the race. It will be tougher this week. We’re happy to reach the midway point of the season with a win and some real good finishes, so I think we’re in real good shape for the championship.”

Defending ST champions Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer are second in the standings after placing fourth at Watkins Glen in the No. 25 Freedom Autosport ModSpace Mazda MX-5. Many of the ST contenders encountered problems at The Glen. Former leader Chad Gilsinger placed 21st and fell to third with 92 points, 21 behind the leaders. Gilsinger will be joined by Ryan Eversley in the No. 93 HART Honda Civic Si this weekend.

NOTEBOOK

  • CJ Wilson Racing will entertain a number of National Hockey League players at the race. The guests of ONE Sports – which represents more than 90 NHL players – will have a pre-race tour before watching the event from a suite in the Event Centre.
  • Remo Ruscitti of Vancouver will return to the No. 18 RS1 SuperSeats/Romero Investment/Advisors Porsche Cayman this weekend, co-driving with Dillon Machavern.
  • Continental Tire Challenge practice at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will begin on Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET, with qualifying at 5:10 p.m. The two-hour, 30-minute Continental Tire Challenge race will take the green flag on Saturday at 12:25 p.m. ET. The race will be streamed live at IMSA.tv.

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