Offical Grand-Am GT RX-8 Thread
07-21-2011, 05:49 PM
#1851
Dempsey Racing Back to Full Strength for American Red Cross 250
read more at: http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.c...es=r&cid=44149
MILLVILLE, New Jersey - Dempsey Racing is back to full strength for this weekend’s American Red Cross 250 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, with Joe Foster set to rejoin Patrick Dempsey in the team’s rebuilt lead car.
The team had its primary car destroyed in last month’s race at Road America, when Chevrolet Camaro driver Gunter Schaldach lost his brakes and hit Foster from behind, sending the No. 40 Visit Florida Mazda RX-8 into a barrier. Rescue workers at the scene cut the roof from the car to ease in extricating Foster from the vehicle.
When the car was returned to the shop, Dempsey Racing stripped it to the bare chassis. The team fixed the roll cage and replaced the roof before sending the car to Riley Technologies to rebuild the rear of the car that was damaged in the crash, along with checking all the pickup points. Dempsey Racing then replaced all of the bodywork.
The team had its primary car destroyed in last month’s race at Road America, when Chevrolet Camaro driver Gunter Schaldach lost his brakes and hit Foster from behind, sending the No. 40 Visit Florida Mazda RX-8 into a barrier. Rescue workers at the scene cut the roof from the car to ease in extricating Foster from the vehicle.
When the car was returned to the shop, Dempsey Racing stripped it to the bare chassis. The team fixed the roll cage and replaced the roof before sending the car to Riley Technologies to rebuild the rear of the car that was damaged in the crash, along with checking all the pickup points. Dempsey Racing then replaced all of the bodywork.
07-23-2011, 01:44 PM
#1852
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Congrats!! to the Sahlen #42 Car with Edwards / Nonnamaker qualifying in pole position Go! hot dogs Go. They are really improving each week. They were doing well at Laguna Seca until that oil line trouble. I was at the corkscrew when he came through and then the 69 after spinning after hitting the oil I couldn't believe it. Let see an all rx8 podium tomorrow!
07-25-2011, 11:02 AM
#1858
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that was a fun race!
yeah, they needed to come in for fuel at the end which really hurt them but the 70 car looked awesome.
I was both horrified and impressed with the conditions that some of these drivers were in as they opted to run without cool boxes. I can't even imagine how some of them did it.
Go SpeedSource!
yeah, they needed to come in for fuel at the end which really hurt them but the 70 car looked awesome.
I was both horrified and impressed with the conditions that some of these drivers were in as they opted to run without cool boxes. I can't even imagine how some of them did it.
Go SpeedSource!
08-15-2011, 11:34 AM
#1860
It's Not Easy Being Green
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Not sure what happened to the 69 but it looks like they're not going to be able to repeat.
08-20-2011, 12:24 PM
#1861
Upsilon Sigma Mu Chi
Spoiler (sort of)
Thanks to MRN for the excellent GT coverage!!!
I didn't have to wait til 7 PM for delayed coverage from SPEEDTV...
Congrats to the #70 Speedsource and #41 Dempsey teams (Yaay, Dane!) for an amazing showing for the 2-3 podium at the Cirque!!
I didn't have to wait til 7 PM for delayed coverage from SPEEDTV...
Congrats to the #70 Speedsource and #41 Dempsey teams (Yaay, Dane!) for an amazing showing for the 2-3 podium at the Cirque!!
08-22-2011, 09:24 AM
#1862
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Oh well. Now only 5 points and two teams between the 70 and the championship. Considering the age of the RX8 versus the other platforms and the way the series had tilted the playing field this would be incredibly impressive. I don't believe the Mazdas have had much luck at Mid-Ohio but maybe this year they're due.
Also for anyone who doesn't follow the series Ferrari F458 Italias are going to be running in it next year. BMW M3s, Camaros GT-Rs, Vettes, 3rotor RX8s, Porches GT3s, an occasional Mustang, and now Ferraris running on a regular basis.
That should make things a bit more interesting.
08-22-2011, 11:06 AM
#1863
Upsilon Sigma Mu Chi
Great race! Bummed the officials called for a caution in the last few minutes (the car was already under power when they tossed out the double yellows - boo). Led to a great TV ending with Bomarito almost getting past Lidell but if they hadn't signalled caution I think he would have had a better chance of getting around him.
Oh well. Now only 5 points and two teams between the 70 and the championship. Considering the age of the RX8 versus the other platforms and the way the series had tilted the playing field this would be incredibly impressive. I don't believe the Mazdas have had much luck at Mid-Ohio but maybe this year they're due.
Also for anyone who doesn't follow the series Ferrari F458 Italias are going to be running in it next year. BMW M3s, Camaros GT-Rs, Vettes, 3rotor RX8s, Porches GT3s, an occasional Mustang, and now Ferraris running on a regular basis.
That should make things a bit more interesting.
Oh well. Now only 5 points and two teams between the 70 and the championship. Considering the age of the RX8 versus the other platforms and the way the series had tilted the playing field this would be incredibly impressive. I don't believe the Mazdas have had much luck at Mid-Ohio but maybe this year they're due.
Also for anyone who doesn't follow the series Ferrari F458 Italias are going to be running in it next year. BMW M3s, Camaros GT-Rs, Vettes, 3rotor RX8s, Porches GT3s, an occasional Mustang, and now Ferraris running on a regular basis.
That should make things a bit more interesting.
08-22-2011, 11:09 AM
#1864
Administrator
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Great race! Bummed the officials called for a caution in the last few minutes (the car was already under power when they tossed out the double yellows - boo). Led to a great TV ending with Bomarito almost getting past Lidell but if they hadn't signalled caution I think he would have had a better chance of getting around him.
Oh well. Now only 5 points and two teams between the 70 and the championship. Considering the age of the RX8 versus the other platforms and the way the series had tilted the playing field this would be incredibly impressive. I don't believe the Mazdas have had much luck at Mid-Ohio but maybe this year they're due.
Also for anyone who doesn't follow the series Ferrari F458 Italias are going to be running in it next year. BMW M3s, Camaros GT-Rs, Vettes, 3rotor RX8s, Porches GT3s, an occasional Mustang, and now Ferraris running on a regular basis.
That should make things a bit more interesting.
Oh well. Now only 5 points and two teams between the 70 and the championship. Considering the age of the RX8 versus the other platforms and the way the series had tilted the playing field this would be incredibly impressive. I don't believe the Mazdas have had much luck at Mid-Ohio but maybe this year they're due.
Also for anyone who doesn't follow the series Ferrari F458 Italias are going to be running in it next year. BMW M3s, Camaros GT-Rs, Vettes, 3rotor RX8s, Porches GT3s, an occasional Mustang, and now Ferraris running on a regular basis.
That should make things a bit more interesting.
I thought he was gonna take him when Lidell went wide and the back end came a little loose with 2 turns to go! I jumped up and was screaming, "take him!!!!"
sooo close.
Either way, this sets up one HELL of a final race.
This is my first year watching the Grand Am and I'm hooked.
08-22-2011, 01:04 PM
#1866
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Hopefully we meet the goal of 100+ cars at the corral and cheer the teams on to a championship.
08-22-2011, 01:07 PM
#1867
Upsilon Sigma Mu Chi
finally had a chance to watch the race yesterday and what a freaking awesome day for the 70 SpeedSource.
I thought he was gonna take him when Lidell went wide and the back end came a little loose with 2 turns to go! I jumped up and was screaming, "take him!!!!"
sooo close.
Either way, this sets up one HELL of a final race.
This is my first year watching the Grand Am and I'm hooked.
I thought he was gonna take him when Lidell went wide and the back end came a little loose with 2 turns to go! I jumped up and was screaming, "take him!!!!"
sooo close.
Either way, this sets up one HELL of a final race.
This is my first year watching the Grand Am and I'm hooked.
I think I heard John Doonan (Mazdaspeed) mention something about continuing support in the future a few races ago. I would hope that they would since they have already committed to more grassroots support.
08-22-2011, 01:15 PM
#1868
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I don't know if I'm going to be able to make it but I'm going to try. No idea if anyone from here is going to attend or not but Marlon and the regular attendees will probably be there.
Yeah I'm very concerned about whether or not this will be the last hurrah for Mazda. I'm not even sure if it is so much a question of Mazda's suport or whether they will even be allowed to field a car. I don't see a viable production model that can compete in this. I don't believe any of their piston engines are competitive and it seems unlikely that the rotary will be allowed if it is not in a production model. It was always a little odd to me that the 3 rotor was allowed considering it is not a production engine.
Mazda seems to be getting good value out of their continued sponsorship. They played up the championship last year in a lot of advertisements and if they win the manufacturing or the overall (or both!) that will still be a pretty good ROI. I am unclear how that translates to sales but it's got to be worth something since most manufacturers do it.
Originally Posted by alnielsen
The question is whether Mazda will be putting money into the series next year. If the teams have to run as privateers, they won't have the money to compete for the lead.
Mazda seems to be getting good value out of their continued sponsorship. They played up the championship last year in a lot of advertisements and if they win the manufacturing or the overall (or both!) that will still be a pretty good ROI. I am unclear how that translates to sales but it's got to be worth something since most manufacturers do it.
08-23-2011, 08:36 AM
#1869
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finally had a chance to watch the race yesterday and what a freaking awesome day for the 70 SpeedSource.
I thought he was gonna take him when Lidell went wide and the back end came a little loose with 2 turns to go! I jumped up and was screaming, "take him!!!!"
sooo close.
Either way, this sets up one HELL of a final race.
This is my first year watching the Grand Am and I'm hooked.
I thought he was gonna take him when Lidell went wide and the back end came a little loose with 2 turns to go! I jumped up and was screaming, "take him!!!!"
sooo close.
Either way, this sets up one HELL of a final race.
This is my first year watching the Grand Am and I'm hooked.
09-17-2011, 10:51 PM
#1871
Upsilon Sigma Mu Chi
Too many yellows...
I watched from work, unable to post though.
I guess I should extend congrats to Brumos for grabbing the drivers' championship.
Congrats to all of the Mazda teams for bringing home the Manufacturers Championship! Although they were under weight penalties and various obstacles, the rotaries came through...
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom!
I watched from work, unable to post though.
I guess I should extend congrats to Brumos for grabbing the drivers' championship.
Congrats to all of the Mazda teams for bringing home the Manufacturers Championship! Although they were under weight penalties and various obstacles, the rotaries came through...
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom!
09-18-2011, 07:09 PM
#1872
I worked in the #49 Sahlen car's pits until they ran out of luck. The #30 car was blocking on the track. That was part of his problem, if you watched the race on TV. The Sahlen team reported him twice to GA. The second time, saying they were going to push him out of the way if he did it a third time. That is why the #40 caused the #30 to spin and the #49 got caught up and taken out.
The team was also upset about the way the safety team handled the situation after the incident. I saw the car in their paddock afterward. I was a corner worker for 15 yrs and was interested on what happened. After reviewing the TV coverage, I believe most the teams criticism were not warranted.
The team was also upset about the way the safety team handled the situation after the incident. I saw the car in their paddock afterward. I was a corner worker for 15 yrs and was interested on what happened. After reviewing the TV coverage, I believe most the teams criticism were not warranted.
09-18-2011, 10:08 PM
#1873
Upsilon Sigma Mu Chi
I worked in the #49 Sahlen car's pits until they ran out of luck. The #30 car was blocking on the track. That was part of his problem, if you watched the race on TV. The Sahlen team reported him twice to GA. The second time, saying they were going to push him out of the way if he did it a third time. That is why the #40 caused the #30 to spin and the #49 got caught up and taken out.
The team was also upset about the way the safety team handled the situation after the incident. I saw the car in their paddock afterward. I was a corner worker for 15 yrs and was interested on what happened. After reviewing the TV coverage, I believe most the teams criticism were not warranted.
The team was also upset about the way the safety team handled the situation after the incident. I saw the car in their paddock afterward. I was a corner worker for 15 yrs and was interested on what happened. After reviewing the TV coverage, I believe most the teams criticism were not warranted.
That's really a shame since the 49 car was very much in the running before that happened. That had to be intense to witness in the pits.
SPEED & GA had very little to say about it.
Thanks for the insight answering the questions about Foster's swears that were accidentaly broadcast.
09-19-2011, 12:41 AM
#1874
Actually, I was say it was more confusion about what was going on than exciting. The incident happened at least 1/4 mile away and you couldn't see what was going on. I over heard the team manager (I really don't know what his title was) complaining to the GA official about what was happening on track. They had 2 pit boxes for 3 cars (our pit didn't have a box). One of them had a tv that could be watched, but we were focused on the possibility that a pitstop could happen at any moment and didn't have the time to watch it. Even after the incident, we didn't know if it was drivable or later if it could be fixed, so there wasn't any thought to watch a replay. Only the team manager (and the crew with radios) that was in touch with the driver had any indication of what happened. The crew was kind of in the dark until a little bit of info was passed down. I was unaware of whether the car could be fixed, until they started to clean up the pit area (put away tires and gather up air lines). Only then did I know that I wasn't needed any longer. I was there for fun. For them it was their business.
09-19-2011, 08:15 AM
#1875
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All gone until next year. Until then, watch what I have recorded. Wife came home while the race was on with my surround sound very loud. She knew it was the last race and did not complain a bit. Guess I'll keep her another 32 years.