A few months ago we had no idea what “Muscle Milk” was…

It is a health, body building, protein supplement for athletes and active, athletic people. “Muscle Milk” is also the sponsor for the Picket Racing #6 ARX-03a P1 Class Prototype.

If the stuff works as good as the team did at Virginia International Raceway perhaps we should grab a bottle or two…

It was as if “Dark Helmet” from “Spaceballs” pushed the “Ludicrous Speed” button… (more…)

Baltimore was a tight fit, apparently…

The American Le Mans Series comes away from Baltimore with points tight and a few dents to pound out to be pretty for the Virginia debut. Coming into Virginia International Raceway, with only one other race to follow, the points separating 1st and 2nd are not enough to guarantee anyone a comfort zone. All the classes could get shaken up at VIR which means tense racing and a good show for fans.

But first, the shake up at Baltimore…

It didn’t take long. First turn from the start and everyone backs up in a tight bunch leaving several prototypes nose to tail like a stalled train. The streets of Baltimore offered no forgiveness for run off. The course was enclosed by buildings and barricades and in that first turn it was full of bumpers. A few laps and cracked carbon fiber later the racing settled down… a bit. (more…)

Southside Virginia has been hosting some classes with a fast learning curve. Drivers and teams are finding the ins, the outs, the tricks and the lines for the picturesque straights and turns of Virginia International Raceway.

American Le Mans will be racing here in September. Five classes of cars ranging from custom shell prototypes to modified production touring cars will be mixing it up among the trees and the twists when they pull off the grid with the green flag. As this will be their first race at VIR the teams are anxious for track time to find all they can about how to get around as fast as possible. With long straight runs, hard braking, downhill bends and some narrow sections the challenge of driving here is multiplied many times with unfamiliarity.

With that in mind, ALMS has paid a few visits to VIR with a variety of their series to find what all the fuss is about concerning this road course in Virginia. NASCAR tests here. Grand-Am has raced here. SCCA and AMA race here. Movie, TV and music stars have driven here. All have fond words of praise for the experience. Now, American Le Mans takes their turn with a first visit as part of the 2012 race schedule. (more…)