Tag: Rolex

The folks at Daytona International Speedway spent a fortune to lay a new surface on the historic high bank raceway and January saw the first real test of the speed available during the Grand-Am Rolex 24. The Daytona Prototypes and GT series put on a fantastic show with Chip Ganassi Racing taking the top 2 spots for the Daytona Prototypes. The top 7 spots separated by 60 seconds after 24 hours of racing. That shows not only the durability of the cars and the tenacity of the drivers but also shows the quality of the new surface at Daytona.

The next big test is the Budweiser Shootout to show how the stock cars of NASCAR take to the surface. It looks promising!

There are some body modifications with a new nose on the cars.  The wing was replaced during last season for a more traditional spoiler in the rear.  The new surface should show the advantages of these modifications with more speed and more control at those speeds.

Let’s go racing. 2011 offers changes in the cars, some changes in drivers and teams, some new sponsors and colors and some new examples of speed.  This new season has put the fire into all the teams to go out and run hard. Every race matters with the new 43 point system so every start should be taken with a go out and run hard attutude. This can only mean a better show for the fans.  Since it ultimately comes back to the fan base anyway, it will be a win-win for the checkered flag and the grandstand. 

Start your engines and green-green go-go-go!

Here’s a Missed Gear Auto Quiz. What do you get when you take 3.2 miles of pavement, 1200 acres of scenic views, 4 or 5 divisions of high technology, a healthy dose of speed and a touch of nostalgia and mix them all together? You get a splendid automotive playground tucked away just east of Danville, VA known as VIR.  Virginia International Raceway has a historic beginning with the SCCA and names like Carl Haas and Carroll Shelby. Now, however, VIR hosts some national racing events while still playing host as a SCCA proving ground.

Grand-Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes at VIR
Grand-Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes at VIR

This past April 24, 25 and 26 VIR hosted the Grand-Am Rolex Series with Daytona Prototypes and GT cars racing for points and highlighted on SPEED Network for the world to see. (See pictures from raceday here!) Through the course of three days of laps, qualifying and racing, VIR also hosted the Skip Barber Racing School, the BMW Championship Series, the Star Mazda Racing Series and the innovative VW TDI Racing Series.

Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Class @ VIR
Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Class @ VIR

Your ticket to VIR, which won’t cost you even the slightest bit of skin from a favored body part, gets you access to all of this racing, the paddock and no assigned seats. From a driver or car owner standpoint, VIR offers facilities for performance engine and chassis tuning. For developing racers, the VW TDI facilities are based out of VIR. One of the fastest consumer-ready enthusiast cars is built on the grounds. The Ariel Atom boasts 300+ horsepower and 0-60 in under 3 seconds. There is rental housing, condo ownership, garage facilities and so much more.

Volkswagen TDI diesel racing based from facilities at VIR
Volkswagen TDI diesel racing based from facilities at VIR

VIR remains a premiere destination for club racers, enthusiasts and car lovers. Now, however, VIR is a fan destination for sports car racing and motorcycle racing events. Tickets are cheap. The racing is exciting. The views are beautiful. You can even see NASCAR road course testing and an air show! VIR is a petrol payground no racing fan should skip so take the opportunity to go racing in Southside Virginia. You will be glad you did.

The auto industry is in some kind of strange, financial black hole… NASCAR is shuffling teams… Race sponsors are holding close to the chest… What does it all mean to the rest of us that just like to watch’em race? Well… It means we have to step up. It means that we have to keep buying tickets even though our driver or team may be under different colors or even in a different car altogether. It means we have to expand our horizons and realize that the sport of auto racing is more than NASCAR on a Sunday. Indy, Formula 1, Grand-Am and all the series in between right down to the Saturday night race at the local track need as much support as we can throw at them.  …read more…  (more…)