That time of year again...

[dwalker460]

Yeap, time for my season to start. My cars run in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car series ( world-challenge.com ) and yeap, we are getting a late start since Touring Car did not run the first two rounds at St Pete or Long Beach.
Lots of changes this year, including-
Brand new cars for us this year as we are switching from the Mazda RX-8 to the Mazda MX-5, rotary engine to piston engines. Underneath the cars are virtually the same suspension, brakes, etc. so our experience with the RX-8 puts us ahead of the curve. We have been allowed a 2.5litre motor instead of the 2.0 the MX-5 comes with, which is pretty much the only way the MX-5 could be competitive.
New softer tires- the Pirelli Slicks we used last year were the DRY-HARD compound, this year we are on the DRY-MEDIUM. This helps us, as the front wheel drive cars are much harder on tires than our lighter rear wheel drive cars. Last year with the DH tires we pulled 1.8G at Mid-Ohio, the DM's should be even grippier.

Only 6 events this season, but 14 races-
Circuit of the Americas with V-8 supercar, Austin TX, triple
Lime Rock, Conneticut, triple
Toronto Grand Prix with IndyCar, double
Mid-Ohio Grand Prix with IndyCar, double
Sears Point with IndyCar, Sonoma CA, double
Houston Grand Prix with IndyCar, double

The double races are run as two 25 minute sprints, with a 10 minute break in between. Which means the drivers have to be aggressive enough to get the job done in a short period of time- only about 13-15 laps- but remember to not damage the car, as there is no time to repair anything, and if we touch anything on the car besides taking some tire pressures or rotating (but not replacing) the tires we lose our grid position and have to start from the bakc. Yeap, some strategy there.

All races are broadcast live on the internet and then later on NBCSports, which is pretty cool. The internet coverage and commentary is much better these days and makes for a good show.

You would think that my days are filled with building and tuning the cars, but the reality is I spend a lot more time talking to potential sponsors discussing partnerships, dealing with drivers and their agents, and working with SCCA Pro Racing/WC Vision. I used to be a race technician, now I am closer to being an administrator or worse, a politician. Graphic artists are also always an issue, probably because I fail at communicating what is in my head to someone who might actually be able to put it on paper or into photochop.

Since racing is expensive- tires are $1500 a set and we use two sets a weekend, entry fees are $2500 to $3000, and the diesel just to get the cars to the track is usually a couple grand. Heck, its not unusual to have a $1500 or higher hotel bill, I am always looking for partnerships. I would LOVE to find some firearms related sponsors for this year, ESPECIALLY at Lime Rock in Connecticut. Would literally do a whole new livery/wrap for almost nothing, just to get the point across. Unfortunately I know literally no one in the firearms industry to even get a conversation started.

Anyway,thats what I have been up to, life is getting busy as it always does this time of year, my little vacation is at its end...

[OtterbatHellcat]

That's pretty cool, brother.

I'm an old racer myself, I totally understand the fun of it.....but not the expense.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

You need to get into sprint cars. That's where it's at!

You should post up some current pics!

[buffalobo]

Keep us posted. TV schedule, any media coverage. Results, pics, lotsa pics.

[dwalker460]

Last seasons RX-8 at Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Some videos of the past seasons, in-car stuff, etc http://www.grid1motorsport.com/gallery/video/

More pics- http://www.grid1motorsport.com/gallery/pics/

No pics of the MX-5's, mostly because they are not done yet, and I usually wont put out pics until they come off the trailer at the first race.

[10mm-man]

I am always looking for partnerships. I would LOVE to find some firearms related sponsors for this year, ESPECIALLY at Lime Rock in Connecticut. Would literally do a whole new livery/wrap for almost nothing, just to get the point across.

How much to wrap it in Double Logo: ddarmory.com I am a small guy with every dime going into the firearms but i like the idea of a big red DD logo in CT. when do you need the $$ by?

[dwalker460]

How much to wrap it in Double Logo: ddarmory.com I am a small guy with every dime going into the firearms but i like the idea of a big red DD logo in CT. when do you need the $$ by?

Give me a call when you have time and we can definitely talk about it. We have been talking about a 2nd Amendment car all season, The series CEO/President is a no PC gun guy and is fine with whatever I want to do. NBCSports might have and issue, but they do not handle production, soooo who cares what they think

[Irving]

I may actually be interested in helping to fund this 2A related sponsorship. It might not be much, but if I can help fill a gap some where give me a call with some notice.