2011 GRAND-AM Season Events
This just in through the MF Contact Form. Next year the GRAND-AM racing series will again be supporting Car Corral events around the country. They’re looking for MINI owners and local MINI clubs that would like to get involved at events in the 2011 season. MINIs did very well in GRAND-AM last year, so let’s turn out and support them again in 2011. For more information call Steve Focazio at (386) 310-6524 Or e-mail sfocazio@nacar.com. Here’s the schedule:
GRAND-AM Car Corrals For the 2011 Season:
Jan. 29-30: Rolex 24 – Daytona International Speedway
Mar. 4-5: Grand Prix of Miami – Homestead-Miami Speedway
Apr. 8-9: Porsche 250 – Barber Motorsports Park
May 13-14: Bosch 250 – Virginia International Raceway
May 28 & 30: Memorial Day Classic – Lime Rock Park
Jun. 3-4: Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen – Watkins Glen International Speedway
Jun. 24-25: Road America
Jul. 8-9: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Jul. 23-24: NJMP 250 – New Jersey Motorsports Park
Sep. 16-17: EMCO Gears Classic – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
<p>I will be at Daytona for the Rolex 24. The Grand Am will be right before that. Step it up a notch and you can go on pit road and meet the drivers! Ya!!</p>
<p>Watkins Glen is about 17 miles from my house. I attended last year’s event and caught up with Randy Smalley, owner of RSR Motorsports, in the garage area. Had a nice conversation as he explained the history of his race team and their prospects. They didn’t well that day as I think all 3 cars dropped out. However, I was surprised at their lap times, given that WGI has 2 fairly long straights and significant elevation changes.</p>
<p>The rules for the ST class are pretty tight, so the cars don’t look that much different from street versions (externally and internally). They were still running Gen 1 S cars. I believe it had something to do with the lack of a racing version of the current ECU and I think the rules were more favorable for the Gen 1 cars over the Gen 2 cars.</p>
<p>From what I remember, there wasn’t much of a MINI presence in the Corral area. I was there with a couple of other MINI owners, but there didn’t seem to be a real concentration. Hopefully I’ll get to go again if I am back in the US by then.</p>
<p>Long time Mini/MINI owner and RSR Motorsports crew member here. Our 198 car (rebuilt/improved after a fire in the pits @ Barber last year) finished the 2010 season with two 1sts and a 2nd in class. The other two cars will be brought up to the same level as the 198 prior to Daytona. Looking for good things this coming year! We are always happy to see MINI owners/fans in the paddock during race weekends.</p>
<p>We have been supporting RSR for the past four years. It would be great to have a large corral of MINIs at Lime Rock to support them this year.</p>
<p>I think the main reason that RSR is still racing the Gen 1 MCS is that the Rolex Grand-Am people have not approved the Gen 2 MCS yet. But this is not a bad thing as it allows RSR to continue to develop their cars and get faster and more reliable with every race. If they had to change cars to the Gen 2 MCS then it would be starting over, trying to figure out how to make the Gen 2 motor as strong and reliable as they have gotten the Gen 1.</p>
<p>RSR ended the 2010 season with podium places in the final three races. Two wins and a second. A great way to end the season. Lets get more support out there for them in 2011. See y’all at the track.</p>
<p>Hope to see you guys in Daytona. Good luck for the 2011 season!</p>