The 2011 RallyCar series kicked off in Atlanta, MI with the frigid Sno*Drift Rally and held quite a few surprises. More than living up to its name, Sno*Drift Rally is the only winter rally on the RallyCar calendar and sees ambient temperatures as low as 0-degrees during night stages. This meant that competitors drove the entire race on ice and snow, sliding sideways and churning powdered clouds of ice dust when blasting through every corner. If there’s one way for any driver to improve his or her car control and technique, it has to involve ice and sliding – there’s a reason why Finland is able to mass produce so many great rally drivers.

Temps reached as low as 0-deg at night

The majority of the stages took place in the frost-covered forests of northern Michigan, almost four-hours north of Detroit. Aside from a couple of more spectator-friendly Super Special stages held on the second day of competition, rally racers were faced with high snowbanks, slight hills, and quick, tree-lined forest roads. Add in the complete darkness of night stages and you’ll quickly realize how the Sno*Drift Rally event separated the different levels of driving talent.

Early bets were on that the large, sponsor-backed teams were going to dominate the rally. Powerful, fully-prepped Open Class cars, multiple crew members, and reputable driving talent led many spectators to expect a battle between Rockstar Energy Rally Team’s Antoine L’Estage/Nathalie Richard (Lancer Evo X) and Subaru Rally Team USA’s David Higgins/Craig Drew and Dave Mirra/Marshall Clarke (Subaru WRX STI).

Beyond the RVs and large, covered pit areas, the Open Class leaders also featured impressive driving resumes. L’Estage and co-driver Richard are the 2010 Rally America Champions, Higgins was the 2002 SCCA ProRally Champion, and BMX rider Mirra was the 2008 Rally America Rookie of the Year.

Showing just how tough rally racing really is, and how even the best fortunes can turn in racing, L’Estage’s Rockstar Evo X overheated on the first day during Stage 4. We know how it sounds but yes; it’s possible to overheat when racing in the cold, even when daytime temperatures don’t peak over 20-degrees. Subaru Rally Team USA then looked to capitalize on the podium until Stage 6, when Higgins and Drew were taken out by a mechanical failure.

2WD Sparco Scion xD

This then left the door open for many of the Super Production competitors, who drove minimally modified, all-wheel drive, turbocharged machines with responsive torque curves and solid traction.

Travis Hanson and Terry Hanson would eventually claw their way to the overall rally victory in their Super Production Subaru WRX STI, edging out Dave Mirra and Joseph Burke’s Open Class cars. As privateers, Hanson Motorsports pulled off an early season upset, showing how important driver/co-driver talent is in rough conditions.

Sno*Drift Rally also held a special category called the Sno*Attack, a sort of “rally within a rally” for two-wheel drive competitors. The 2WD’ers included 2010 2WD National Champions Chris Duplessis/Catherine Woods (Scion xD), 2009 2WD National Champions Dillon Van Way/Jake Blattner (Ford Fiesta), Wyatt Knox/Verena Mei (Mazdaspeed3), and Chris Greenhouse/Phil Marsh (Plymouth Neon).

With the field filled with the usual WRX STI and Evo racecars, many of the relatable 2WD rally cars became instant fan favorites. Hondas, VWs, and the all-new Scion xD drove against the turbocharged Mazdaspeed3 and 2011 Ford Fiesta. There was even a Ford Aspire and boxy Volvo 242 mixing it up on the snow.

Duplessis and the Sparco Rally xD team took the early lead, despite having brought out an all-new, untested car which previously was used mostly at auto shows. A flat tire and fuel shortage put Duplessis behind at the end of the first day and despite attempting to make the most of the xD’s nearly stock engine setup, the Scion would finish in second place behind Van Way’s Ford Fiesta. Greenhouse/Marsh’s Neon would finish out the 2WD podium.

2011 RallyCar Sno*Drift

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Ford’s newest World Rally Championship (WRC) competitor, the 1.6-liter turbo Fiesta RS, is set to debut this week with FIA homologation approval. Ford WRC drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala will enter the Fiesta RS in its first WRC round in early February, Rally Sweden.

From Ford:

Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car is set to receive final clearance for its FIA World Rally Championship debut this week when motorsport’s governing body gives it the seal of approval to compete in Rally Sweden next month.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is ready to approve homologation of Ford’s challenger for the 2011 championship after the car successfully cleared tough technical inspections to ensure it complies with the sport’s new cost-effective regulations.

This means that Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila will put the Fiesta RS WRC through its paces for the first time in the WRC when the 13-round season begins in Sweden (10 February).

“We worked closely with the FIA throughout the development of the car to ensure our understanding of the regulations was aligned with that of the governing body,” said Ford of Europe’s motorsport chief, Gerard Quinn.  “We expect the paperwork to be finalised this week, and everyone involved with the programme is looking forward to an exciting season ahead, with the action beginning over Sweden’s frozen roads in 10 days.”

Ford’s road technology powers Fiesta RS WRC

Ford’s four-wheel drive WRC challenger is derived from the best-selling Fiesta road car.  It was developed from the 2010 Monte Carlo Rally-winning Fiesta S2000 rally car by the Blue Oval’s long-term British-based partner M-Sport, with support from Ford of Europe.  It forms part of a new era in the World Rally Championship, for which a revised cost-effective formula is introduced this season.

The WRC is acknowledged as the toughest form of motorsport for production-based cars, which battle for world titles in such diverse and demanding conditions as the barren, frozen countryside of Sweden and sweltering temperatures and boulder-strewn roads of Greece.

M-Sport, together with Ford’s engineering team, undertook a varied and structured development programme with the Fiesta RS WRC in readiness for the 2011 season.  Work will continue, with the car shortly due to be taken to the Environmental Testing Laboratory at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in the UK to evaluate and optimise engine performance.

Ford Abu Dhabi technical director Christian Loriaux said the team had not compromised on anything.  “We obtained plenty of data from the standard Fiesta road car, and the S2000 which competed in the S-WRC and other championships last year.  We re-evaluated every area and if we thought certain areas could be improved, we went ahead and did so,” he said.

“Apart from the roll cage and chassis there aren’t too many parts that the Fiesta RS WRC shares with the S2000.  Plenty of parts may look similar, but they have been modified to be lighter, stiffer or whatever we felt would bring an improvement,” added Loriaux.

Ford of Europe’s design team played a key role in the look of the Fiesta RS WRC.  Its input ensured that the car visually reflects the successful ‘kinetic design’ styling cues synonymous with Ford’s line-up on the road.

“Together with Ford of Europe’s design team, we carried out a full restyling of the car to incorporate as many aspects as we could of Ford’s kinetic design styling cues that are an integral part of the company’s road vehicles.  There are some necessary modifications for aerodynamic reasons, but both Ford and M-Sport are delighted with the car’s appearance,” said Loriaux.

1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost technology

The 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine that powers the rally car draws on the knowledge of Ford’s advanced EcoBoost technology, used in its latest production cars.

Quinn said: “Ford’s EcoBoost road engine represents a new generation of downsized, high-efficiency, petrol engines.  Developed by Ford engineers in Europe, the four-cylinder EcoBoost production unit combines high-pressure direct injection, advanced turbocharging and twin variable valve timing to maximise combustion efficiency.  Different displacements are already available in Ford road vehicles around the globe.

“The knowledge accumulated during the design of the EcoBoost road engine proved invaluable during development of the rally car unit.  Technology transfer usually switches from rally cars to road vehicles, but in this situation we’re delighted it has taken the opposite route,” he added.

Engine tuner Pipo Moteurs took responsibility for the development of the Fiesta RS WRC’s power plant.  The French company, which has developed a strong relationship with

M-Sport and Ford in motorsport in recent years, worked closely with engineers from both companies throughout the process of developing the competition unit.

Ford provided key support in this task via its global engineering facilities, including its Powertrain Research and Innovation Centre in the United States, its Engine Research Centre at Dunton in the UK and its Research & Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen, Germany, to evaluate performance.

The most challenging task was to implement direct injection technology, which is relatively new in motorsport, and Loriaux admitted the engine development was a huge task.  “It was a massive undertaking.  Direct injection was a complex beast and it was the first time many of us in the team had the opportunity to work with forced injection in a competition engine.  The engine was the biggest challenge of the whole project,” he said.

Under the skin of the Fiesta RS WRC

The Fiesta RS WRC’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost power unit has turbocharging from a Garrett system, which is fitted with a 33mm inlet restrictor, as required by FIA regulations.  The unit is managed by Cosworth’s electronic engine system.  Cosworth also provides chassis data acquisition.

The four-wheel drive transmission contains mechanical front and rear differentials, with a clutch disconnect system fitted to the handbrake.  The M-Sport / X-Trac-built six-speed sequential gearbox is operated by a mechanical shift, using a twin disc clutch built by

M-Sport and AP Racing.

Both front and rear suspension comprises MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers, which are adjustable in bump and rebound.  It contains fully adjustable steel links and the uprights are made from machined aluminium.

Brembo ventilated brake discs with four-piston monoblock calipers provide the stopping power on both loose and sealed surface roads, with the braking system adjustable to provide either front or rear bias.

Michelin’s 650mm tyres will be used on all surfaces, allied with 7in x 15in aluminium wheels for gravel and snow and 8in x 18in wheels for asphalt.

Fiesta RS WRC racks up testing kilometres

The Fiesta RS WRC has covered more than 11,000 kilometres of testing on gravel, asphalt, snow and ice in preparation for its WRC debut – the equivalent of more than two full seasons of WRC competition.

The team began by installing a 2.0-litre engine from a 2010 Focus RS WRC into the Fiesta S2000 rally car in March last year.

Testing was stepped up significantly in August when a 1.6-litre prototype engine (without direct injection) was installed for the first time.  Since then the car has been trialled on gravel roads in Britain, Portugal, France and Spain and on asphalt in Britain, France and Spain.  Snow and ice tests have taken place in Sweden.

“We’re encouraged by both the car’s performance and its reliability over thousands of kilometres of testing, and we’re confident we can transfer that into competition.  But the true test will come during the opening round in Sweden next week,” said Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson.

“It was a challenging test programme.  Matching the car to the tyres of our new supplier, Michelin, was a demanding process.  We’ve made excellent progress but I believe Mikko and Jari-Matti will learn more about the way the tyres behave as we encounter new conditions on different rallies,” added Wilson.

Drifting under the Middle East sun in 2011 took another step forward with the announcement of the driver/entry list for the Yas Marina Circuit invitational event. Taking place on the F1 track in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Formula D event will take place on February 25, 2011 and features an all-star line-up of drivers. The event will be streamed live via the Internet and promises to help raise the international field for both drifting and Formula D.

The accepted drivers, that will be shipped over to the UAE, include past Fredric Aasbo (Toyota Supra), 2009 Formula DRIFT champion Chris Forsberg (Z), Tanner Foust (Scion tC), Ryan Tuerck (Pontiac Solstice), Mike Whiddett (Mazda RX-8), Daijiro Yoshihara (Nissan 350Z), Ken Gushi (Scion tC), and Michael Essa (BMW 335i) along with Tony Brakohiapa (Ford Mustang) as the alternate driver.

From Formula Drift:

Formula DRIFT has announced the official entry list for the Inaugural Formula Drift UAE Invitational Competition at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 25, 2011.

A diverse selection of the top drivers from around the globe will showcase world-class drifting to the Middle East. The official roster of drivers include: past Scandinavian champion, Fredric Aasbo, 2009 Formula DRIFT champion, Chris Forsberg, 2-time Formula DRIFT champion and 3-time X-Games Gold Medalist Tanner Foust, top ranking driver, Ryan Tuerck, past New Zealand champion and Formula DRIFT USA & Asia competitor, Mike Whiddett, Formula DRIFT veteran Daijiro Yoshihara and Formula Drift regulars Ken Gushi, and Michael Essa along with Tony Brakohiapa as the alternate driver.

“Formula DRIFT is dedicated to providing the best drifting action to fans everywhere,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We are proud to showcase the best drivers from around the world to an international audience in Abu Dhabi at what is probably the most spectacular racing facility in the world.”

In addition, the event will be streaming live via the DriftStream on www.formuladrift.com. Fans will be able to catch all of the exciting action from the comfort of their own home. The live stream will air on February 25, 2011. For broadcast times visit the Formula DRIFT website .

For those that are interested in attending the live event, online tickets will go on-sale soon and can be purchased through this link – Event Tickets Tickets can also be purchased through the Yas Marina Call Centre at: 800-YAS-(927) or international number at +971 (0) 2 446 0384, which is open 7 days a week from 9 AM – 6 PM, local time. Tickets can be purchased directly at the Yas Marina Circuit at the East and West Entrance Gate Welcome Centre, Yas Hotel, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit Kiosk. In addition, tickets may also be purchased at select Virgin Megastores within the UAE beginning January 25, 2011.

DTM has recently signed a three-year contract to make Hankook Tire the exclusive supplier for its series. After Dunlop pulled out of the series in late 2010, the series was left without an official tire for the 2011 season. With V8 engines, sequential transmissions, and some of the most dramatic and distinctive aerodynamics around, DTM racecars are known for being quick. It would be a complete crapshoot to leave DTM cars stuck on spec all-season rubber.

Eager to expand their brand and international presence (who doesn’t want pseudo-chic European appeal, right? – Ed.), Korean tire manufacturer Hankook recently signed on as the slick tire manufacturer for DTM. The 7^th largest tire manufacturer in the world, Hankook can now claim DTM along with its presence in Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, and time attack. Wait, does that sound right?

From DTM:

Wiesbaden. Effective immediately, Hankook Tire is the exclusive tyre supplier to the international touring-car series DTM. The contract recently signed between the tyre manufacturer and DTM umbrella organisation ITR is initially slated to run for three years. It takes account of both the current set of rules and regulations, valid until the end of 2011, and the future version, which is to apply starting in 2012, and covers the supply of equipment not only to the current teams, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but also to other vehicle manufacturers as well (BMW from 2012 onward).

This exclusive partnership with the most popular international touring-car series heralds a new era in the motor sport activities of Hankook Tire, currently the seventh largest tyre manufacturer worldwide. In recent years, the company had focused its track racing motor sport activities on long-distance events, to resounding success in spectacular races including the 24-hours classics in Le Mans and on the Nürburgring. From now on the DTM will form the core of the international Hankook motor sport activities in the years to come.

Jin-Wook Choi, Executive Vice-President and European head of Hankook Tire: “The DTM is one of the most professional racing series around. Together with Audi and Mercedes-Benz, two of the world’s most successful premium car manufacturers, the DTM represents top-level international motor sport. That’s why we are very pleased at the trust and confidence that event organisers, vehicle manufacturers, and teams have placed in us and our brand, and we are proud to have been selected as the exclusive tyre partner for the years to come. Now we will focus all our efforts on bringing our motto ’Driving Emotion’ home to global fans of the DTM as well, and on demonstrating the superior quality of our products.”

Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board, ITR e.V. (DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): “We are very happy with the long-term partnership with premium tyre manufacturer Hankook. During the negotiations prior to signing this contract, it already became apparent how motivated those in charge at Hankook are while dealing with the DTM project. The performance of the race tyres also convinced everyone involved right away. Personally, I am happy that we have found another international corporate group that is willing and able to keep our high pace and our quality standards as an exclusive supplier in the years to come. Hankook has everything it takes for that.”

Jamie Green DTM driver (Mercedes-Benz): “My first impressions of the new DTM tyres are all positive. Hankook has identified the requirements for a DTM tyre properly and managed to provide us with a tyre with high grip level and good load capacity right away. The first tests with the new tyres were great and I am looking forward to work with the new DTM tyre partner and to have exciting races in the coming season.”

The Yokohama Tire Corporation-sponsored West Racing Team announced Nicky Pastorelli (pictured above) and Dominik Schwager will be its drivers for the 2011 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season. The two veteran racers, who last year were teammates in the FIA GT1 championship, will campaign West Racing’s first ADVAN® A005 tire-shod Lamborghini in the ALMS GT Class.

“West Racing owner Eduardo Espindola has hired two, top-notch seasoned pros,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama senior manager of motorsports. “The competition will be tough, but Nicky and Dominik have experience racing Lamborghinis, so we’re anticipating an exciting, successful season.”

“I’m proud to be part of the West-Yokohama racing team,” said the Dutch-born/Italian-bred Pastorelli, who won the European F3000 championship in 2004. “It’s a great challenge to be part of a new project and help make it successful.”

The ALMS campaign will reunite the German-born Schwager with Yokohama. In 2004, he was a driver of the ADVAN-shod Toyota Supra in the Japanese Super GT series. “I’ve always been interested in ALMS racing, so this is a tremendous opportunity. Because we’re a new team, I know the task ahead is going to be demanding, but thanks to technology partners like Yokohama, I know we’ll be competitive.”

“I’m confident Yokohama’s motorsports heritage will be very well represented by Nicky and Dominik and the entire West Racing Team,” said Briggs.

Before the start of the 2011 season, let’s finish up taking a look back at some of OR and Photography Editor Aaron Kupferman’s best images from 2010. See Part 1 and Part 2 of this series by clicking the links.

1. Project Lancer Evolution X

Our Lancer Evo X project car invades the oil fields of central CA after traveling to Buttonwillow Raceway (note the wheels and tires) and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We’d like to test it more but unfortunately it’s currently sidelined with MAF/intake issues.

2. Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT

Showing off why it’s such a fan favorite, the Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT spits fire while downshifting. Shot at Petit Le Mans.

3. Rahal Letterman BMW M3 GT2

With simple, clean, and effective teamwork and organization, it came as little surprise that Rahal Letterman Racing won the teams’ championship in 2010. Shot at Road Atlanta.

4. Gymkhana Grid

Combining autocross and drifting, Gymkhana Grid required each competitor to make a spin turn through each mirrored course. Kupferman managed to get this interesting perspective on the spin turn while Patrick Mordaunt’s 350Z makes a pass. Pictured at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

5. Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche made big “green” news when it announced that it would be going hybrid with an actual functioning racecar. Ok, so it’s not exactly a Prius, the GT3 R Hybrid runs more of a F1 KERS-style hybrid system, but it’s something. Shot at Road Atlanta.

6. Honda CR-Z

Supposedly reclaiming the spirit of the CR-X, Honda’s CR-Z made a big splash at the 2010 SEMA Show. Hidden next to an endurance racecar and a 700hp example, the CR-Z Hybrid R Concept show car gathered lots of attention. Pictured in Las Vegas, NV.

7. Kyle Mohan’s Mazda RX-7

Despite using a car more than a decade older than most of his competition, Kyle Mohan entered the Redline Time Attack series with grassroots appeal. Winning the Drift Class was just a bonus. Shot at Auto Club Speedway.

8. Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The dominant Porsche force in ALMS GT racing, Flying Lizard Motorsports took the drivers’ championship with Patrick Long and Jorg Bergmeister. Pictured at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

9. Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance

The annual car show, held in Beverly Hills, CA, showcased supercars in an even more expensive environment. Only in Beverly Hills is a Ferrari Enzo not the most attention-grabbing car.

10. Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance

Not all people only buy cars as status symbols. The Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance also showcased a few immaculately restored historics and rare cars, such as this 1934 Pierce-Arrow, all owned by real gearheads.

Before the start of the 2011 season, let’s take a look back at some of OR and Photography Editor Aaron Kupferman’s best images from 2010. To see Part 1 of this series, click here.

1. Krohn-Risi Competizione Ferrari F430

Grand-Am DP team Krohn Racing joined forces with ALMS Ferrari stalwarts Risi Competizione for the enduros at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Sebring, and Le Mans. Here, the Ferrari F430 GT turns on to the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

2. Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance

Ferraris and red carpet. On display in the middle of Beverly Hills. Enough said.

3. Redline Time Attack

Not a common sight among the hordes of turbocharged entries, this Lotus Elise takes on the clock in the Redline Time Attack series. Shot at Auto Club Speedway.

4. Flying Lizard Motorsports

The Porsche racing team would win the 2010 Drivers’ Championship with their 911 GT3 RSR. Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long are scheduled to return with the team for 2011. Pictured at Petit Le Mans.

5. Tanner Foust

Besides being a rally racer, stunt driver, and TV host, Foust won two X-Games events, the Gymkhana Grid Invitational, entered the Race of Champions, and did his Formula Drift duties. And there was this thing called Top Gear. Shot at Toyota Speedway.

6. BMW M3 GT2

The successful Rahal Letterman Racing team took the manufacturers’ and teams’ championships with their V8-powered BMW M3 GT2s. Shot at Road Atlanta.

7. Risi Competizione

Before the night endurance sets in, the team takes a moment to swap advice on handling the Ferrari F430 GT at Road Atlanta.

8. ALMS GT Battle

With peaceful scenery, no barriers, and a famous reputation, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is always popular with race fans. Here, the GT-class Ferrari, Porsche, and Chevrolet battle it out of the Corkscrew turn.

9. SEMA Show

The SEMA Show, held in Las Vegas, NV, is a continual show of parts, girls, and over-the-top tuned machines. These widebody E30 BMWs sit just outside the convention center.

10. Rahal Letterman Racing

By chance, this picture summed up the ALMS GT 2010 season. With the Flying Lizard Porsches pressuring them the whole way, the Rahal Letterman Racing team just managed to take the manufacturers’ and teams’ championships with their BMW. Shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

11. Corvette Racing

The most dominant American force in GT racing this year, Corvette Racing took the Petit Le Mans GT class win. Shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

12. Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

The French came to the US, racing for one reason – for practice to beat Audi at Le Mans. Their closed-top prototype showed big speed but came up short in the reliability department. Pictured at Road Atlanta.

13. Gymkhana Grid

Gymkhana – it’s kind of like autocross and drifting. Riding strong on millions of online views, Ken Block opened up his own gymkhana series, with the first at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA.

14. ALMS GTC

With spec Yokohama slick tires, similar prep, and limited modifications, the ALMS GTC class features spec pro-level Porsche 911 GT3s going at it. With TV time at stake, some cars are pushed beyond the edge. Shot at Road Atlanta.

15. Flying Lizard Motorsports

With the track completely wet, due to rain during practice, the Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes to the corners alone. Shot at Petit Le Mans.

Mazda often makes the claim that, on any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. Visit a random track day, club race, or pro race and you’ll bear witness to the validity of that statement. In the US, MX-5 Miatas, RX-7s, RX-8s, and other Mazda-powered vehicles are a common site at the track. Not even mentioning the massive growth of the Spec Miata class, Mazdas are involved in formula, prototype, touring car, and GT racing the world over. We took the chance to catch up with the folks at MAZDASPEED Motorsports to talk to them about their 2010 season and their announcements for 2011.

Dyson Racing's Mazda MZR-R Lola LMP at Petit Le Mans

OR: Many weekend racers are talking about the B-Spec race series announcement from PRI and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill race. Do you see a lot of momentum behind the Mazda2 formula?

MM: The reaction has been very strong, both at Thunderhill and PRI, as well as the resulting web chatter.  In addition to the support of sanctioning bodies, we have been approached by tracks interested in buying fleets of the new cars as an affordable driver training vehicle.

OR: Honda is on board with their Fit but there are a lot of other b-segment cars that aren’t commonly raced. Are other manufacturers interested in participating?

MM: Yes, Nissan even added a quote to our joint release at PRI.  A number of other car companies are calling us, asking for details.  Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible.  The more cars that are eligible, the better for everyone.

OR: The car seems to be built for close and cheap racing, yet still utilizes a new chassis. How much would an estimated budget be for the car?

MM: The final price has not been set as we develop the final rules, but our goal is to have cars that are ready to race for under $25K.  Of course as used street cars become available, and given the DIY skills of racers, that price could come down considerably.

Patrick Dempsey behind the wheel

OR: How does that compare against campaigning a car such as a slightly older MX-5 Miata?

MM: It’s all a matter of preference.  Some racers will prefer a more traditional rear-wheel drive car like a MX-5 Miata, while others will want to be in the newest class with the newest cars.  There is no one price to build a Miata to race as you could build a Spec Miata for under $10K, or spend much more to race in EP or FP.

OR: Another important announcement from the 2010 PRI Show was the addition of the Mazda Road to Indy program. How does that affect the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder program? Is it now conceivable for a driver to come from club racing all the way up to top-tier open wheel racing?

MM: It’s the perfect compliment to the open wheel side of the MAZDASPEED ladder.

OR: With Chevy returning to the INDYCAR series, does Mazda have any plans to field or support a team in the open wheel series?

MM: That’s easy — NO. Go to a SCCA or NASA club event and we outnumber Toyota, Honda, and Nissan combined.  With so many Mazdas being raced it’s easy for people to forget that we are a very small 2% market share company on the road.  We are a small company and need to be very careful with limited resources.  While we are big fans of the Indy 500, to build a Mazda for the series would mean drastically slashing other racing programs.  The Mazda niche is in grassroots and a bottom up philosophy.  The Mazda Road to Indy matches that philosophy while living within our means and resources.

OR: With the year just about to end, what were some of the biggest highlights or success stories in the MAZDASPEED Motorsports 2010 season?

MM: Obviously the amazing team effort in Rolex Grand-Am GT was the highlight.  Mazda took the manufacturers championship, our teams finished 1-2, and our drivers took 1-2-3-4.

OR: What were some of the low points during 2010?

MM: Seeing talented drivers sitting out for lack of resources.  The business struggles are why Mazda has taken to producing free business seminars for racers at venues like the recent Performance Racing Industry Trade show in Orlando.  We want to grow the grid sizes in our ladder series.

Charles Espenlaub & Tri-Point Engineering

OR: Mazda has always been proud of the fact that more of their cars are at racetracks each weekend than any other brand. Did that hold true in 2010?

MM: Absolutely.  We scored a new record at the SCCA Runoffs this year.  Biggest starting field ever.  60 cars took the green flag in Spec Miata.  The Mazda market share at the runoffs is #1 and has increased the past four years.

OR: Patrick Dempsey’s driving efforts with Mazda this year also gathered lots of news. Had he progressed well as a spokesman and driver throughout the year?

MM: Patrick teaches us about being a spokesman!  Patrick is amazing.  What people need to understand is just how serious he is about all aspects of the sport.  The challenge for Patrick is when he misses races for filming obligations.  Like any driver, the best thing to maintain your skills is seat time.

OR: Longtime Mazda team Tri-Point Engineering changed from World Challenge road racing to time attack during 2010. Did Mazda want to see a larger push into the growing youth area of “unlimited” modification time trials?

MM: The variety of hardware found at a time trial is impressive.  For Tri-Point it’s a great way to showcase their talents in front of potential customers.

OR: The Mazda-powered Dyson Racing ALMS LMP finished just off the podium in the team championship this year. How did that program go?

MM: Obviously we had more than our fair share of bad racing luck in ALMS.  We led more races, including our home race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but failed to generate the wins we would have liked to see.  The win at Mid-Ohio showed that the car and team are capable of winning.

B-Spec Honda Fit and Mazda2

OR: Will we see any changes in the car or team for 2011?

MM: You’ll need to wait for announcements from Dyson on that front.  We are still three months away from Sebring.

OR: Any last words that you’d like to pass on to the racing hopefuls out there?

MM: If you think you might want to try racing, there are three great ways to do so at minimal cost and risk.  The best approach is to take a class with the Skip Barber Racing School.  The skills they teach you can also help you avoid an accident on the road.  There are two other great ways to get competitive with your street car — off the road of course.  We encourage participation with autocrosses and solo events like those staged by the SCCA as well as the High Performance Driving Experience with NASA.

Even with a recovering economy, 2010 was a great year for gearheads. There was big news in F1, ALMS, and rally racing (check out our Top 10 list here – Ed.) and lots of new car releases that show that manufacturers still care about performance. New Mustangs and Italian compacts are great, but they can be even better once they’re raced. Before the start of the 2011 season, let’s take a look back at some of OR and Photography Editor Aaron Kupferman’s best images from 2010.

1. Brass Monkey Racing R35 Nissan GT-R

One of the only GT-R road racing teams in 2010,Brass Monkey Racing fielded a pair of orange Nissans in the SCCA Pro World Challenge series. Here, the #97 GT-R is turning a corner at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach street course.

2. Gymkhana Grid

You couldn’t make it through 2010 without hearing the term “gymkhana”. Rally racer Ken Block popularized the sport, which is a combination of autocross and spin turns, with online videos and then put on the first Gynkhana Grid event in December. His mighty Ford Fiesta would lose to Tanner Foust’s X-Games Ford.

3. Audi Quattro Concept

One of the most highly anticipated concepts unveiled in 2010 was the Audi Quattro Concept. Futuristic design, actually lightweight, (2,866 lbs), and packed with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Shot at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

4. Rahal Letterman Racing BMW M3 GT2

BMW fans got something to spray Internet web boards with when the M3 GT2 was released. Run in the US by Rahal Letterman Racing in the ALMS, the M3 GT2 was V8-powered and re-sculpted in all the right places. It also didn’t hurt that the team and car would take the 2010 ALMS Manufacturer and Team championships. Shot at Road Atlanta.

5. American Le Mans Series

The ALMS showcased some of the best racing all year, thanks to solid teams and some interesting structuring of its multiple classes. Here, the Falken Tire Porsche 911 GT3 RSR battles the Chevy Corvette C6.R GT2, all while passing a Porsche GTC-class 911. Pictured at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

6. Dyson Racing Mazda LMP Coupe

As Mazda’s most high-profile supported race team, Dyson Racing saw a lot of action during the 2010 ALMS season. Their Lola chassis, weighing in under 2,000 lbs, was powered by the 500hp+ turbocharged Mazda MZR-R four-cylinder engine, much to the disappointment of rotary fans. Shot at Road Atlanta/Petit Le Mans.

7. N1 Concepts Honda S2000

Time attack is all about the one perfect lap and its open nature appealed to tuners and weekend enthusiasts, continuing on in 2010. N1 Concepts adapted their naturally aspirated ex-J’s Racing Honda S2000 and set a few very fast times with driver Andrie Hartanto. Shot at Auto Club Speedway.

8. Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance

The 2010 Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance featured fancy cars in an even fancier setting – Beverly Hills, CA. We couldn’t afford a thing on hand but the show had some truly historic and rare cars on display, along with this Porsche 911 GT3. Shot in Beverly Hills, CA.

9. Aston Martin LMP1

Aston Martin’s LMP1 racecar, officially known in nerd-speak as the Lola-Aston Martin B09/60, is a 6-liter V12-powered closed-top prototype that marked the British marque’s return to Le Mans. Shot at the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

10. Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

One of the most dominant Porsche racing teams in the US, Flying Lizard Motorsports took the 2010 ALMS GT Drivers’ Championship at Petit Le Mans. Drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long are scheduled to come back for 2011. Shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

11. ALMS Porsche GTC

Offering one more way for rich and starving hopefuls alike to professionally race in front of a TV audience, the ALMS’ Porsche GTC series was made up of rules-limited Porsche 911 GT3s. Since all the cars run a similar power-to-weight ratio and Yokohama slicks, the racing came down to the drivers. Shot at Road Atlanta.

12. Rhys Millen’s Hyundai PM580

Built for the 2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Rhys Millen’s Hyundai PM580 looked more like a prototype racecar than a rally machine. Using a 700hp+ engine and LMP aerodynamics, Millen attempted to take the overall record at the hill. Mechanical troubles prevented him from going 100%. Shot at 2010 SEMA Show – Las Vegas, NV.

13. Chevy Corvette C6.R

Having moved into the ALMS GT2 category to take on the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the Chevy Corvette C6.R continued the racing effort of America’s “supercar”, winning the Petit Le Mans endurance race. The company behind the development, Pratt & Miller, will also be handling the Cadillac CTS-V World Challenge program in 2011. Shot at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

14. ALMS Technical Inspection

Pro racing series require pro-level rule enforcement. Since longtime racing engineers have all built up a storehouse of cheating and “rule bending” tricks, scrutineers have to be even more thorough. Here, the BMW M3 GT2 is put on a portable lift and its underside is checked by an ALMS/IMSA tech official for straightness and ground clearance. Shot at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

15. Patrick Long

America’s only factory Porsche driver had a great year in 2010. Although dabbling in NASCAR, Long still found great success driving Porsches. He would take the GT Drivers’ Championship with Flying Lizard Motorsports. Shot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

(c)Stev Bonhage/Red Bull Photofiles

1. Sebastien Vettel becomes youngest Formula 1 world champion ever

It was only a matter of time. After destroying as a test driver, Scuderia Torro Rosso racer, and Red Bull Racing team member, Vettel became the 2010 F1 World Champion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. His qualifying pace and race speed during 2010 were never questionable subjects but some doubted his maturity and ability to thrive under pressure. By keeping a level head and driving some great races towards the end of the season, Vettel was able to beat rival Lewis Hamilton and teammate Mark Webber in the race for the championship. At 23 years of age, Vettel beat Hamilton by five months for the “youngest” title.

(c)Brian Nevins/Red Bull Photofiles

2. Travis Pastrana heads to NASCAR

After making a big splash in motorcross and helping to bring rally racing into the American public eye, Pastrana is moving to NASCAR. The racer, always known for his daring tricks and no fear driving style, will be owner and driver of Pastrana-Waltrip Racing in 2011. As part of this partnership, this means that Pastrana will be driving Toyota Camrys provided to him in partnership with NASCAR racer Michael Waltrip. Pastrana is supposed to run in at least seven NASCAR Nationwide series races in 2011 and might continue on in rally racing.

To car racing fans, Pastrana is best known as the Subaru rally driver who brought the sport into the mainstream. Subaru has since ended its contract with Pastrana, although he may return to rally for one-off events.

courtesy of Audi

3. Audi takes 1-2-3 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

It all went according to plan. Ten years ago, Audi decided to enter Le Mans and the ALMS series with a top-level prototype. Their R8 racecar took five wins out of seven races at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and then the R10 TDI continued that streak. They even made one of the best car racing documentaries of all time out of it.

But once the R15 TDI debuted, the competition became fierce from Peugeot and the 908 HDi FAP. With a serious effort and budget from the French team, Audi was expected to finally turn over the crown as the top team. After playing catch-up to Peugeot in practice and qualifying, Audi stayed close to its formula of reliability and steady, quick pace. The end result was a complete sweep of the podium. Audi recently pulled the wraps off of the R18 racecar and aren’t looking to stop any time soon.

by Aaron Kupferman - Motorsportlens.com

4. Jeff Zwart sets new 2WD record at Pikes Peak

In recent years, the biggest news coming out of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been Monster Tajima’s repeated efforts to take the overall record in his Suzuki and the growing paving of the course. Until this year. Successful photographer and TV commercial director Jeff Zwart brought his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to the hill and strapped on a set of Pirelli rain “wet” slicks. The end result was a Time Attack 2WD class time faster than even the Time Attack 4WD winner. Zwart’s run, captured by a series of HD cameras, would eventually explode across the Internet, bringing more exposure than any other car entered.

(c)Vesa Koivunen/Red Bull Photofiles

5. Kimi Raikkonen rocks the WRC

Considered one of the fastest racecar drivers on Earth, Raikkonen had a lengthy and top-tier Formula One career ahead of himself. As the 2007 World Champion, the then-Ferrari F1 driver could have found himself at any number of top teams. But in a surprise move, Raikkonen decided to leave F1 and joined the WRC full-time in 2010. Driving for the Citroen Junior Team, Raikkonen was put into a Citroen C4 WRC and paired with co-drive Kaj Lindstrom. Showcasing his ability and long-time rally experience (he is Finnish, after all – Ed.), Raikkonen took one rally win and multiple top ten finishes. Raikkonen is expected to stay in the WRC for 2011 although the team has not been finalized at this point.

by Duane Uyeda

6. The downfall of World Challenge

The SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge series was at one time the undisputed top touring and GT car series in the US. It was the place where manufacturers such as Acura, Mazda, Cadillac, Audi, and Volvo came to battle it out with $100,000+ factory-backed racecars. But as the economy began to turn south, and World Challenge lost its Speed TV backing, it became harder and harder for manufacturers to justify building $150,000 touring cars.

Teams such as Tri-Point Engineering and Champion Audi, always racing in the mid-2000s, were no longer present in 2010 and World Challenge was forced to change the rules to be more budget friendly. A new class appeared in 2010, GTS, which allowed the use of older touring cars, as the newer cars were much more limited in modification. Cadillac has announced its intention to return to World Challenge with the new CTS-V and with the Versus TV package still in place, we hope that World Challenge can find its way.

by Aaron Kupferman - Motorsportlens.com

7. Tanner Foust dominates everything sideways in America

Practically setting the blueprint for the mainstream racecar driver, Foust had a banner year in 2010. Setting himself up as one of the most famous racing personalities in the US, Foust came 2^nd in the Formula Drift championship, 1^st in the X-Games Rally and Super Rally races, beat Ken Block at his own game, did the Race of Champions, drifted Mulholland, drove supercars on TV, won the first RallyCar rallycross race, and starred in Top Gear USA. Does this guy ever sleep?

courtesy of BMW

8. BMW M3 GT2 art car at Le Mans

V8-powered, sculpted, and extremely badass, the BMW M3 GT2 already saw success worldwide before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For the 2010 race, BMW decided to do something different and called up artist Jeff Koons. Best known for abstract works that look like giant balloon animals, Koons created a striking M3 that looked fast even when it was sitting still.

Andy Warhol made the BMW art car concept famous in 1979 and fans were excited to see how the modern reboot would fare. After all, the racecar was already proven; it just looked a lot better for Le Mans. Unfortunately, the #79 BMW M3 art car retired early and didn’t finish the 24-hour endurance race. There’s always next year.

by Christopher Jue

9. D1GP and Japanese drifting near death

Although drifting is still uber-popular in the US and is growing quickly in Australia and Europe, it was born in Japan. With their cheap, turbo, rear-wheel drive Silvias, Supras, and Cefiros, the Japanese street racing scene took to the hills and practiced the best part of rally racing. Their technique would eventually spawn an entire pro series, D1GP, which amazed and inspired young men the world over.

But as the world began to catch on to drifting, it also began to move away from the Japanese scene. D1GP has been unable to re-create another successful US event for years and news of its Japanese events rarely goes international. The latest blow came when it was announced that founders Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada would be leaving the series, possibly to start another.

courtesy of ESPN Images

10. Rally racing gets the US recognition it deserves

This last milestone is hard to judge but it’s one that we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. We’re huge fans of rally cars jumping blind crests, sliding sideways through dirt, and flying over ice. But America has never really been a rally racing country. We think 2010 is the year that it’s all going to change.

Rally racing has been around of decades in the US and the X-Games has had a rally category for years. But 2010 marked the point at which the mainstream public sat up and took notice. In 2010, rally was everywhere. It was at Pikes Peak, X-Games Rally, X-Games Super Rally, RallyCar, in video games, and the RallyCar rallycross in New Jersey. The key was rally racing’s marketing push as an “extreme sport”. This was due in no small part to the names attached to it – Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra, and Bukcy Lasek. Block’s series of Gymkhana videos, viewed tens of millions of times, even helped push his effort into the WRC with Ford.

OR: 2010 marks the third consecutive victory for you at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Endurance racing is a conglomeration of many things, but mainly consistency – both in the car and in the driving. How have you managed to stay on top?

TM: To finish a 25-hour race is tough when you consider how hard the car is being pushed and how long the team is working. To win a 25-hour race is a huge accomplishment for the entire team but to win a 25-hour race three years in a row is massive!

The drivers and crew can’t make any mistakes in order to win the 25-hour. One mistake could either end your race or put you many laps down, which can be hard to recover from.

Racing the Lotus Exige in World Challenge

OR: Cooperation amongst team drivers is essential to winning in an endurance race. How was the experience racing alongside the new drivers this year?

TM: I won with the same drivers in 2008 and 2009 so I was a little concerned coming into this race simply because I didn’t know them that well, except for C.J. [Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson].

In long races like this you always worry about drivers getting caught up in their own agendas, like getting a fast lap and things like that. We had a team meeting before the race and I talked about how important is was to not make mistakes and everything else is just secondary. To win the E1 class, you are pretty much driving all-out for 25 hours. If we can go quick and not make mistakes, even better.

OR: Was it difficult to find the proper setup for all four drivers?

TM: It can be difficult to set up the car for four different drivers simply because everyone wants it to be fast. But you want the car to be fast and easy on the tires at the same time and a lot of fast setups eat up tires. Tire management is very important in endurance racing and you also need a car that’s comfortable for everyone to drive, which will help us reach that goal of no mistakes.

OR: How’d you get stuck with the 1 AM – 6 AM stint? Draw the shortest straw on that one or was it just part of the strategy?

TM: I defiantly didn’t draw the short straw! I started the race, so I knew that I would be back in around 1AM and I’ve always been comfortable driving at night. Before I even got in the car we knew that I was going to do at least a double stint, which is three hours. I was open to even doing a triple stint, which I’ve done the past two 25-hour races.

The track was still wet before I got in the car but we couldn’t see any more rain coming for a while so I told them to put on the slicks. When I got in the car we were 2^nd in class, six laps down to the leader, and 10^th overall. It was tricky at first but the track eventually got a dry line. But it never dried off-line, which made passing very hard!

By the time my 2^nd stint was ending the track was getting worse so we decided to keep me in the car since I was used to the conditions and making up ground on the leader. Anytime you put in a new driver it takes a few laps for that driver to get up to speed and even more so at night, in the rain, and bad conditions. By the time my 3^rd stint was over I was spent and ready to get out of the car.

Driving all out for five hours in the rain can be exhausting and it was! I had made up all the laps and passed the leader to take over first in class. I even made it up to 3^rd overall, which is crazy because the classes above ours was filled with Porsche Cup cars, DP cars, and prototypes!

Winning the 25 Hours of Thunderhill E1 class

OR: How did the wet conditions affect your race?

TM: I think they helped our race because all the drivers did awesome. We also changed to wets and back to drys at the perfect time and I think a few teams were caught out by the rain. Plus, we are the only team that had a drifter. Hehe….

OR: This year, you raced the same Mazda MX-5 that you won with in 2008. Did you choose the car/team because it has already proven it can go the distance?

TM: This year C.J. and I decided to drive together and since he ran with MER last year, it made the most sense to run with that team. And since I ran and won with MER back in 2008, I was excited to get back there and try for another win.

OR: You also compete in Formula Drift, time attack, and World Challenge. How would you compare enduro racing to these other series?

TM: Endurance racing has zero similarities to drifting but has some similarities to time attack and even more similarities to Word Challenge racing.

I would say the similarities between time attack would be that you are trying to get everything out of the car but in endurance racing you are trying to get everything out of the car for the current situation or condition.

Whether you have to drive around a mechanical issue or weather condition, you are still driving hard. Like World Challenge, you need race craft and need to be aggressive but smart when dealing with traffic but in endurance racing you have more time to be patient.

OR: Describe the driving styles and strategy you use between these different series. You’ve said that drifting and road racing are like basketball and golf – could you elaborate?

TM: I like to use the analogy “basketball to golf” because you are trying to get a ball in the hole, you just do it differently. In racing, you are trying to stay at the car’s limit as best you can without going over it and without going under it, which is a very fine line. In drifting, you are trying to keep the car past its limits and the further you get past the limits, the more angle and impact you get out of the car.

OR: World Challenge at Long Beach – you won the GTS class in a Lotus Exige. This was the first win for Lotus at Long Beach since Mario Andretti won in an F1 Lotus in the late 70s. You’ve called the Streets of Long Beach the “American Monaco”. What makes that win so special?

TM: There is so much racing history at that track, going back 35 years. So just racing on that track is a great feeling and to win on top of that is something I’ll never forget. The fact that I did it in a Lotus, which hasn’t been back to victory lane at LB in a very long time was a big accomplishment for the entire team.

OR: World Challenge pits many different setups against each other in a multi-class on-track battle. Does the low power, yet nimble Lotus require a different driving style to get the most out of it, especially when compared to something like an ALMS Porsche?

TM: When racing, I’m always trying to minimize mistakes that might slow me down and when racing a lower HP car it becomes first priority. I drive an ALMS Porsche the same but you can get away with making a little mistake because you have the power to get you out. In a lower HP car, any corner leading onto a long straight becomes a little more important

OR: Although you only participated in 3 races of the World Challenge in 2010, you placed high enough in each to clinch fifth place overall. Will we see a return to WC in 2011?

TM: We had a good showing in the three races we did. Two poles, one first, and two seconds. Not bad but we wanted to do more to go for the championship. A sponsorship deal fell through so our season was done. We are working on coming back to World Challenge with Lotus as we speak. It looks like we will be doing the four west coast races and if we can find more sponsorship, we will do the full season.

Drifting the Falken 350Z in Las Vegas

OR: You had a lot more success in road racing this year than in drifting. What do you attribute this to?

TM: Ummm, That’s always a tough one to pinpoint! I finished 3^rd in the 2009 Formula D Championship, so I came into 2010 putting a lot of pressure on myself to win the Championship and made some mistakes because of it. We also moved some people around at Team Falken and I think I had the hardest time adjusting to it, which didn’t help my cause. Racing truly is a team sport!

OR: How do you feel this season has gone for you career-wise? What areas do you feel you need improvement in and where have you excelled?

TM: I don’t think it helped or hurt me career wise. But I do think it reminded people that I can race any car, any series, and win! I want to be known as the driver that could win in anything.

One thing I would love to change is the amount of drifting practice I get. I don’t own my own drift car so the only practice I get is at Formula D events. Some events we only get 5 practice runs before qualifying, and that make it tough!

OR: What can we expect from you for the 2011 season? More road racing? Drifting? Maybe a little of everything again?

TM: I hope a little of everything! At this point, I’ll be returning with Team Falken Tire in a brand new Z for Formula D. I’ll be racing in a handful of races in the World Challenge in the new Lotus Evora Cup car. I’m also working on a deal that is 90% done to run a full season in Grand Am. So if everything works out, my wife is going to hate me because I’ll be racing a lot!

As I write this, Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three video has 18,773,977 views on YouTube alone. Gymkhana Two “The Infomercial” has crossed the 20 million view mark and that’s not even counting the couple million hits from the original hooligan gymkhana video. So it goes without saying that many young, Internet savy car enthusiasts know who the hell Ken Block is now.

Tanner Foust in his rallycross Ford Fiesta

Part marketer and part rally racer, Block created and sustained the gymkhana video momentum to gain massive amounts of exposure for the sponsors that help him do what he really wants – specifically, World Rally Championship (WRC) racing. With so many people watching and salivating, gymkhana is now famous and has, as a result, grown past its digital roots.

Known as Gymkhana Grid or Gymkhana Grid: The Ken Block Invitational, the now public racing event took place at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. Similar to drifting in many ways, it came as no surprise that Gymkhana Grid took place at drifting’s original home and involved a field of drivers that were almost all Formula Drift racers.

Gymkhana Grid differed from drifting in one major way – it was timed. Two competitors at a time would line up next to each other and then take off along twin mirrored courses. The first to cross back across the start/finish line would be the winner. The course was not laid out autocross-style but was rather marked with simple cones and barrels, encouraging drivers to find different lines and execute well-timed spins. There was even a 720-degree donut turn at the end of each course.

"Spin box" in the gymkhana course

Although fully drifting the course would lead to a slower time, drivers were encouraged to keep the tail out around certain corners and had to execute precision donuts and spin turns at times. Cars that displayed any understeer or lack of power were at a clear disadvantage.

With the course requiring a definite knowledge of oversteer, tire smoke, and rear end control, it came as no surprise that the field was composed of rally racers and drift drivers.

The all-wheel drive class was led by Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta and Tanner Foust’s X-Games/Rallycross Ford Fiesta. Drift racer Stephan Verdier converted his tired drift Subaru STI back into AWD for this competition while Crawford Performance brought out their orange STI with skateboarder Bucky Lasek at the wheel. After the car broke a transmission and then suffered from severe understeer with no e-brake, Lasek was unable to put on any kind of show.

The rest of the field was made up of Lancer Evolution and WRX STI competitors, the most popular AWD offerings in the US. Thomas Smith drove the Zenkai Motorsports Subaru STI but seemed to be having trouble getting the car to turn the way he wanted. Rally driver Wolfgang Hoeck didn’t have any problems getting his Lancer Evolution racecar to spin and pirouette but seemed to be down on power and car compared to the competition.

The two-wheel drive class was composed almost completely of Formula Drift racers and the usual drift machine choices. The two standout cars included Kevin Abbring’s very competitive bio-methanol Nissan 350Z and Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s borrowed (from Ken Block) 1978 Ford Escort Mk2. A successful J-WRC Dutch rally racer, Abbring was driving in the US for the first time and his rally-prepped 350Z had a nearly stock engine setup. He would finish 3rd in 2WD. Look here at OR for future coverage on Abbring and his Z.

Because his name was the one up in lights and it was his event, Block would be in the final run of the night. This meant that the two-wheel drive class finished up first, going run after run until the field was cleared out. Dai Yoshihara would take the eventual class win in his V8-powered Nissan 240SX Formula D machine, ahead of John Rusakoff’s Toyota Corolla and Abbring’s flex-fuel 350Z.

The AWD class was filled with fewer surprises. Once Stephan Verdier advanced into the third spot, it all came down to the battle that everyone knew was going to happen – Foust versus Block. The two fastest and most professionally prepared cars in the field were in a league of their own during each race. Unfortunately for Block, so was Foust. The experienced rally and stunt driver showed his experience with a couple dominant runs and beat Block at his own event. Maybe, next time – the Tanner Foust Invitational?

With Mario Theissen leaving as head of BMW Motorsport, there were a few worries that the famous German auto manufacturer would be shaken up amidst the change in staff. Don’t even worry about it. With four major programs in place, BMW isn’t going anywhere.

Jens Marquardt will be taking over BMW Motorsport on January 1, 2011 and will oversee its BMW M3 GT2, WTCC, DTM, and formula car programs.

WTCC BMW 320si in 2010

The M3 GT2 program will continue in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) as well as in endurance races in Europe and Asia. Although not specifically named, the BMW M3 GT2 will probably head to Le Mans yet again.

BMW, having lost out to Chevy in the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season, will continue on in the WTCC for 2011. The chosen car is now the 320 TC, powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder – the same as will be used by Mini in the World Rally Championship.

Ahead of a full-on 2012 DTM program, BMW will participate in a DTM event to be held at Munich, Germany’s Olympic Stadium. Finally, BMW will continue its young formula driver program with the Formula BMW Talent Cup.

From BMW:

Munich, 4th December 2010. BMW announced details concerning its 2011 motor racing programme during the BMW Sports Trophy Awards Ceremony held in Munich on Saturday. The company’s programme for the coming season has four main stays: Numerous campaigns with the BMW M3 GT2 in endurance racing, with a simultaneous ramping up of the successful Customer Racing programme. Preparations for BMW’s return to the DTM in 2012 are running flat out, while the brand’s decades-long young driver development commitment continues under the Formula BMW Talent Cup banner.

“The 2011 international motor racing season will once again see BMW play a major role,” said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “Our chosen vehicle for endurance campaigns is the BMW M3 GT2, which not only celebrated victories in the 2010 American Le Mans Series, but also proved successful in Europe and Asia. The car will once again be campaigned in 24-hour classic events in Europe, and in the ALMS in North America. We are convinced we will be able build on the successes of this past year in order to continue the BMW M3’s unique motor racing success story.”

Theissen continued: “The BMW 320 TC, powered by the newly-developed 1.6-litre four-cylinder (DI-)turbo engine, will expand our Customer Racing offering, and be entered in the World Touring car Championship by private teams. The traditional BMW Sports Trophy and our new Formula BMW Talent Cup young driver programme complete our involvement. In parallel we are naturally pressing ahead with preparations for our return to the DTM. Development of the BMW M3 DTM is progressing very well.”

Jens Marquardt, who from 1st January 2011 will share responsibility for BMW’s motorsport activities before replacing Theissen on 1st July 2011, was publicly introduced in the BMW Welt’s Double Cone auditorium. “It is a privilege to meet the BMW Motorsport family ahead of officially joining the company,” said the 43-year-old. “BMW Motorsport’s programme is extremely comprehensive, and BMW fans across the world can look forward to a thrilling season. I am proud to be able to contribute to these projects from next year.”

Consistency in the cockpit.
The driver line-up for the BMW M3 GT2 campaigns remains unchanged. Andy Priaulx (GB), Augusto Farfus (BR), Dirk Müller (DE), Dirk Werner (DE), Jörg Müller (DE), Uwe Alzen (DE), Dirk Adorf (DE) and Pedro Lamy (PT) will race the BMW M3 GT2. As last year, it is planned to contest the big 24-hour races in Europe. A final confirmation for racing at the Nürburgring (DE), in Le Mans (FR) and in Spa-Francorchamps (BE) will be made depending on regulation decisions and the categorisation of the BMW M3 GT2. Participation in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) has yet to be confirmed for the same reason.

In preparation for the race on the “Green Hell”, it is planned to send the BMW M3 GT2 into action at numerous VLN rounds. The ILMC includes the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours plus events in the USA, Europe and Asia.

While BMW Team Schnitzer, which proved victorious in November’s 2010 ILMC season finale in Zhuhai (CN), will be responsible for European operations, BMW Team RLR (Rahal Letterman Racing) will race the BMW M3 GT2 in the US. Having claimed both the ALMS team and manufacturer titles in the GT category in 2010, the team, overseen by Bobby Rahal (US), aims to add the Drivers’ Championship. Dirk Werner joins the previous line-up of Dirk Müller, Bill Auberlen (US) and Joey Hand (US), all of whom will contest the full ALMS season.

FIA WTCC remains an important Customer Racing platform.
The FIA World Touring Car Championship remains an important Customer Racing platform, enabling private teams and drivers to demonstrate the potential of the BMW 320 TC at the highest level. The BMW 320 TC will compete for victories and titles in the Independents’ Trophy of the WTCC. Private teams and drivers will campaign the car – based on the successful BMW 320si WTCC, but fitted with the new 1.6-litre four-cylinder (DI-) turbo engine. The “TC” in its terminology stands for “Touring Car”. Therefore this car will represent BMW in the WTCC in 2011, although a works campaign is not planned. To date BMW Motorsport Distribution has delivered over 60 BMW 320si WTCC racing kits to customer teams across the world. The 1.6-litre unit fitted to the BMW 320 TC will enjoy parallel use in the MINI WRC, the car chosen by the cult MINI brand for its FIA World Rally Championship programme, which commences in 2011.

The two additional products in BMW’s Customer Racing range are the BMW Z4 GT3 and the BMW M3 GT4. The racing version of the BMW Z4 carved a strong reputation for itself in 2010, scoring numerous victories in the FIA GT3 European Championship, and posting strong results in endurance racing, while the BMW M3 GT4, a motorsport variant closely linked to the production car, enjoyed widespread popularity with customer teams.

BMW presence at DTM event in Olympic Stadium.
BMW confirmed its presence at the DTM event in Munich’s Olympic Stadium on 16th/17th July 2011. BMW Motorsport wants to use the opportunity of graphically presenting its history and tradition in the DTM in close proximity to the company’s headquarters – the “BMW Four-Cylinder” building.

First class coaching for young talents.
In 2011 BMW will again offer a comprehensive driver development programme with the new Formula BMW Talent Cup, which consistently prepares young talents for a career in motorsport. Dirk Adorf will provide advice and support to the participants. The highlight of this programme will be the grand finale, staged as part of the DTM event at Oschersleben. The winner will receive a fully-sponsored season in a more senior feeder category.

Despite what you may see right above these words, the 4AG Time Trial is not part of a LeMons race. The famous racing series for $500 clunkers has produced more than a few “interesting” multi-colored and dented gems but the lightweight treatment above is just a coincidence.

No disrespect to the competitors in the 4AG Time Trial that took place at the Streets of Willow track at Willow Springs but some have taken the art of function over form to the literal extreme. In fact, many owners took great pride in that.

Serious eyewear for serious driving

Organized and run by the Drift Association as part of their Grip Day 2 event, the 4AG Time Trial was a competition for fastest lap amongst Toyota 4AG engine-powered machines. The field was required to run a Toyota 1.6-liter 4AG engine of any variation and was comprised of a few early MR2s and more track-ready rear-wheel drive Corollas than we’ve ever seen before in one place.

Slower entrants were entered into the Class 1/Street Tire class, which ruled out forced induction and required tires with a UTQG of 120 and higher. Faster cars with more modifications went into the Class 2/Race Tire class, which allowed racing tires and an unlimited number of engine modifications.

The event was a successful throwback to more sporty days from Toyota; back when they thought mass producing rear-drive Corollas and mid-engine sports cars was a good idea. Despite the many years of age creeping through their chassis, each Toyota took to the track and came back session after session. Contrary to their age, some of the cars present were even full bore track machines.

Although reportedly still on used tires and not in optimal condition, Taka Aono’s AE86 Toyota Corolla racecar can run in the low to mid 1:20s, showcasing what can be done with the old Toyota chassis. An expert with the platform, Aono has won a few SCCA Auto-X national championships with a Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, Aono was busy doing lead-follows with students and handling his obligations as a driving instructor.

Less extreme than Aono’s racecar was the track car of Travis and Wesley Hamachi. Although caged, the blue street legal Corolla was on its maiden full track day voyage. A 20-valve naturally aspirated engine powered the Toyota, which was still spitting leaves (from sitting during storage) and working out a new brake setup.

A bit less extreme in the mechanical sense, but vastly more in the “oh shit” sense, was the Toyota MR2 of Mark English. Originally picked up for a couple hundred bucks and turned into a 24 Hours of LeMons racer, the faded red MR2 has seen its fair share of wheel-to-wheel action and accidents. After crashing the car a few times, English gave the MR2 the lightweight treatment by slicing pieces of its body off.

The almost unidentifiable Toyota would finish 3^rd in the time trial event, behind Pilun Chen’s Hoosier-shod and winged Toyota MR2 in second and Wes Hamachi’s Toyota Corolla in first.

Combining two of Japan’s most popular racing series for the first time ever, the JAF Grand Prix was resurrected after twenty years. Held at the massive F1-friendly Fuji Speedway, the Fuji Sprint Cup held races on the same day and same track configuration with Super GT and Formula Nippon.

Seeing as many Super GT drivers are Formula One hopefuls and compete in the Formula Nippon series as well, some changes to the schedule were in order. Normally, Super GT races are run with two drivers from each team driving one stint each in the same race,swapping during a mandatory stop. But for this competition, the two drivers each drove a full race, one per day during the weekend. Team points are given for a cumulative finishing position between both drivers.

In the higher horsepower GT500 class, Richard Lyons drove the Zent Cerumo SC430 to a time of 1 min. 33.475 sec. to claim the pole position for Race 1. In qualifying for Race 2, Tsugio Matsuda drove the Calsonic Impul Nissan GT-R to a time of 1 min. 33.569 sec. in the closing minutes to take pole position. The ARTA Garaiya took the pole position for both GT300 races.

From pole position, Lyons executed a perfect start in the Lexus SC430, despite the use of a standing start format that he is not used to. He jumped out into the lead, followed by Hiroaki Ishiura in the MJ Kraft SC430. As Fuji is Toyota’s home course, the race was expected to develop into a showdown between these two Toyota SC430 machines but that was not what was in store. While Lyons continued to run away with the lead, Ishiura was chased down and passed by the Calsonic Impul Nissan GT-R of Ronnie Quintarelli and the Keihin Honda HSV-010, driven by Koudai Tsukakoshi.

Lyons was able to maintain a 5-9-second margin of victory over the rest of the field, all the way to the checkered for a perfect pole-to-win victory. The winner of the tight battle for 2nd was young Koudai Tsukakoshi in the HSV-010, while Quintarelli in the Nissan GT-R finished 3rd.

The GT300 class Race 1 saw the pole-starting ARTA Garaiya of Shinichi Takagi gradually fall back into the pack as a battle for the lead developed between Yuji Kunimoto in the Corolla Axio apr GT and Hiroki Yoshimoto in the triple a Vantage GT2.

In the latter stages of the race,the leaders were joined by 2nd-place qualifier Katsuyuki Hiranaka in the Jim Gainer Ferrari F430, battling through the pack with determination after losing ground at the start. In the end, the race came down to a side-by-side dogfight between Yoshimoto in the Aston Martin and Hiranaka in the Ferrari, with Hiranaka emerging victorious.

In the GT500 class Race 2, it was the 2nd-place qualifier Daisuke Ito, in the ENEOS SC430, who got the best start, while pole sitter Tsugio Matsuda in the Calsonic Impul GT-R fell slightly behind. Once in the lead, Ito went on to show his credentials as a GT veteran by holding off fierce challenges from this season’s GT500 driver champion, Takashi Kogure (Weider HSV-010) and by Kazuya Oshima (MJ Kraft SC430) in the latter stages to claim a hard earned victory.

The GT500 class overall win and the JAF Grand Prix title went to the ENEOS SC430 pair (Daisuke Ito/Bjorn Wirdheim). As the GT500 winning team, Lexus Team LeMans ENEOS also received the mysteriously named Prize of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation.

In the GT300 class Race 2, pole sitter Morio Nitta, in the ARTA Garaiya, made the fatal mistake of a flying start instead of a standing start. This gave the lead to the two Fairlady Zs but, in the latter stages of the race, they were passed by Tetsuya Tanaka in the Jim Gainer Ferrari F430. Tanaka went on to win the race and repeat the Race 1 success of his teammate Katsuyuki Hiranaka and bring the team its second consecutive victory in two days.

These consecutive wins brought the Jim Gainer Ferrari F430 team the GT300 class JAF Grand Prix title.

The 2010 Redline Time Attack season came to a close at Auto Club Speedway, the cavernous NASCAR-friendly facility that we shall always refer to amongst ourselves as California Speedway.

Sparco Mazda MX-5 Miata

With a massive oval and twisty infield section available within the speedway’s walls, Redline chose to go with the familiar “Roval” configuration. In this track setup, competitors get flagged out on to the banked oval and accelerate into the infield section, which is flat and full of low-speed, tight turns. From there it’s a full throttle blast up the banking and around a portion of Auto Club Speedway’s banked oval. With top time attack cars capable of punching through the 160 mph mark, the track favors high horsepower and aerodynamically stable setups.

Sadly, not too many fully built, top level teams showed up to race. Despite (or prehaps because of – Ed.) having broken lap records just a few days prior on Wednesday, Saturday did not show any sign of teams like Sierra Sierra Enterprises, FX Motorsports Development, AQ Motorsports, AMS, or Hasport.

This was good news for GST Motorsports and their Subaru Impreza, which took a new track record (1:35.548) and overall event win over the COBB Nissan GT-R (1.37:548) and Insane Speed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (1:40.020).

The Super Modified class also saw the return of the very loud, very naturally aspirated, and very well-built Fontana Nissan 350Z. The uncorked ex-Grand-Am road racing Z cranked out a 1:41.369, making it the fastest naturally aspirated car of the event. Second in the Super Modified class went to the AE Performance Porsche GT3 Cup while K&N Engineering’s twin-turbochaged Infiniti G35 went for a 1:43.707 before damage to the car ended their day.

K&N's Infiniti G35 after a bit of battle damage

The Modified class was all all-wheel drive, turbocharged metal with COBB’s mean widebody Nissan GT-R taking a new class track record with a 1:40.395. Fontana Nissan’s black Nissan GT-R took second in class, making it a GT-R 1-2 in front of Takata Time Attack/LIC Motorsports’ Subaru WRX STI. Keep an eye out soon for a full feature on the Takata/LIC Subaru WRX STI.

Although outgunned against the turbo monsters, Sparco’s Mazda MX-5 made its debut in time attack with pro driver Charles Espenlaub at the wheel. The NC-chassis Miata ran a 1:47.202 for second place in the Modified RWD class.

The Street class, usually a good source of competition among relatable tuner entries, turned out to be a battle of attrition. Mazdatrix’s Mazda RX-8 showed up with a new turbo system in place of its supercharger but ended up with engine belt heat issues. Despite suffering mechanical issues, Berk Technology ended up taking the Street RWD class championship with their turbo BMW 135i.

2010 Redline Time Attack Class Champions

Super Modified AWD Champion
Jeff Westphal aka G-Stig – GST Motorsports Subaru Impreza L

Super Modified RWD Champion
Andrie Hartanto – N1 Concepts Honda S2000

Super Modified FWD
Dez Ballard – ABF Motoring MINI Cooper S

Modified AWD
Brian Lock – COBB Motorsports Nissan R35 GTR

Modified RWD
Carl Rydquist – City Tire/AE Performance/Hankook Nissan 350Z

Modified FWD
Tetsu Fukui – Inline4 Racing Honda Civic

Street Tire AWD
Cameron Benner – COBB Motorsports Subaru STI

Street Tire RWD
Mike Bonanni – Berk Technology BMW 135i

Street Tire FWD
Clint Boisdeau – ABF Motoring MINI Cooper S

Enthusiast AWD
Roger Hocking – Mitsubishi Evolution IX

Enthusiast RWD
Paul Dentice – AE Performance Nissan 370Z

Enthusiast FWD
Chris Billedo – SpeedZone Motorsports Honda Civic Si

Drift Class
Kyle Mohan – Nexen Tire/Spyder Energy Mazda RX-7

After more than 10 years of what must have been the greatest job on Earth, Mario Theissen has announced his retirement. As BMW Motorsport Director, Theissen had his hands in every racing program that BMW participated in, from Formula One to GT cars.

Raising tomorrow's 12-yr old F1 champions

His successor will be 43-year-old Jens Marquardt, an engine engineer previously employed by Ilmor Engineering before transferring to Toyota F1 in an operations and management role.

Marquardt said, “heading up BMW Motorsport is a dream job for me and a tremendous show of confidence. The endurance events with the BMW M3, the broad-based customer sport programme, the promotion of junior racing talent, and above all the DTM project are all fascinating challenges. I know that Mario Theissen will support me in every way and I can hardly wait to get down to work.”

Theissen himself joined BMW in 1977 as a development engineer, overseeing engine programs before taking over the motorsport programs in 1999. He was a common site in the hot pits and at press conferences during races, traveling to F1 events, the Macau Grand Prix, and the unveiling of the latest BMW M3 GT2.

Marquardt and Theissen will do the first six months of 2011 in a joint leadership role, easing Marquardt’s transition in as head of BMW racing. This will be important as BMW is still in preparations for its 2012 support/entry/return to DTM racing.

In China with BMW's successful WTCC team

“We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully,” explains Theissen. “With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favour of the DTM project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out. Now is also the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task and I look forward to our time working together. On 1 July 2011 he will be perfectly equipped to take over the reins.”

Held once a year, the invite-only Super Lap Battle time attack event is the VIP track day where lap records are always guaranteed to fall. This year was no different. Sierra Sierra Enterprises’ Lancer Evolution VIII officially beat the HKS Evo for the overall top time with a blistering 1:41.046. That’s fast, folks. We wouldn’t be surprised if some of the top Japanese teams decide to return next year to re-clinch the top spot.

AE Performance's supercharged BMW M3

The powerful rear-wheel drive FXMD Acura NSX gave the Evo a good run during the day, running laptimes near the all-wheel drive Mitsubishi but the day belonged to the former Formula Atlantic racing team. It could have been the amount of media coverage attached to the event (gotta keep those sponsors happy – Ed.) or the bragging rights associated with getting a coveted invite but the competition was fierce at Buttonwillow Raceway.

Time attack style racing in the US has reached “arms race” levels and it seems that every single class and car has gotten faster. AQ Motorsports’ Subaru WRX STI used Limited Class Toyo R888 tires to run times near what the Cyber Evo ran in Unlimited just a few years ago.

Down in the Street Class, AMS Performance returned after a brief hiatus from the Super Lap Battle. Armed with a sleek black R35 Nissan GT-R and a almost stock looking Lancer Evo X, AMS president Martin Musial set the pace on street tires, running comfortably in the 1:55 range with the Evo.

Tarzan Yamada in the Tomei Subaru STI

The battle was also close amongst the Unlimited Front Wheel Drive ranks with Charlie Rhyu’s CRX and Tage Evanson’s Honda Civic going faster than one would think possible with only two wheels for steering and accelerating. Evanson’s built, minimalist EG-chassis Civic appeared with a massive front wing spoiler, similar to the one made distinctive by Chris Rado’s Scion tC time attack car. One of the fastest Hondas at the Super Lap Battle for a few years now, Evanson ran comfortably in the 1:51 range.

Running close behind in the 1:53 range, Rhyu’s CRX ran less aerodynamics and fewer sponsors than the Civic. But with sticky Hoosier race tires, a built K-series engine, and a great sense of real world functionality, Rhyu showed off his familiarity with the track layout. As a bonus, Rhyu’s Top Setup Honda CRX is technically street legal, according to Chicago regulations. Who needs a trailer, right?

One of the most famous racetracks in the world, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has seen Moto GP, Formula One, IndyCar, and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) machines run across its pavement. Mass marketed in the infamous Gran Turismo video game series and centered around its iconic Corkscrew corner, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-class racing facility with the paddock setup, course size, and surroundings to back up its reputation.

Sparco Lancer Evo X

But the racetrack remains out of reach for many drivers. Nestled nearby quiet Monterey, the track is surrounded by wineries, high-end homes, and buildings that look like they stepped out of a craft store catalog. Needless to say, it’s an expensive area. The cost of entry, even for a track day, is higher than your “normal” track but the biggest deal breaker is the noise requirement.

Expensive homes need expensive quiet and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca only has a couple weekends a year that aren’t subject to a restrictive 92dB limit. Blame the neighbors for that one. The takers for 2010 on the noise-less weekends include ALMS, Moto GP, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and the Global Tuner Grand Prix (GTGP).

Consisting of time trials, an open GTGP Challenge race, Pirelli Drivers Cup USA Porsche race, and historic stock cars, the GTGP weekend was a mix of both time attack and wheel-to-wheel road racing.

K-Pax 3R Racing Volvo S60R

The GTGP is unique among the other events because of its more open nature. Instead of having to own an ALMS team or carefully restored vintage racecar, you can enter the GTGP with almost anything and run Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with no sound restrictions. Having been put into impound ourselves for driving a too-loud straight-piped Honda, we know how attractive that sounds.

The skies grayed and rain fell intermittently during the GTGP weekend but many racing teams and time attack competitors showed up to see what they could do around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The fastest of the time trial competitors would be World Challenge racing driver Andy Pilgrim in the K-Pax / 3R Volvo S60R with a 1:28.051 on Saturday. The next closest cars would be the GMG/StopTech Porsche 911 GT3 (James Sofronas) with a 1:30.760 and the fire-breathing 034Motorsport Audi A4 (Christian Miller) with a 1:31.221.

With the rain and weather affecting track surface conditions from session to session, it was difficult for entrants to go for all-out records. Still, during the GTGP Challenge race, the top four finishers on Saturday all managed to go under Pilgrim’s fastest time attack time. Pilgrim himself finished 2^nd with a 1:27.539 and Sofronas took the race win with a 1:26.549 in the GMG/StopTech/BBS World Challenge 997 Porsche GT3.

With a large paddock area and typical Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca organization, the GTGP weekend went off without a hitch. Crowds of spectators were able to interact directly with teams and drivers got lots of track time throughout the weekend. But, featuring a Porsche-only Pirelli Drivers Cup USA race and many tuned 911s, the GTGP was very Porsche-heavy.

Aside from the Sparco Lancer Evo X, Garage GT Subaru Impreza WRX STI, BR Racing BMW 135i, Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Scuderia, HorsePowerFreaks turbo BMW M3, 034Motorsport Audi A4, and a lone 350Z and VW Jetta, it was a Porsche show.

We’re all big Porsche fans at OR and love to see GT3 Cup cars race but variety is always a good thing. For an inaugural event, the 2010 Global Tuner Grand Prix went smoothly but there’s never any harm in throwing together a few ALMS, Grand-Am, rally, and heavy-hitter tuner cars on an unrestricted Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We’re just saying.

Contact
Global Tuner Grand Prix
www.globaltunergp.com

Just days off of the announcement that BMW is returning to DTM comes even more German racing news. DTM just announced their recent partnership with the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR. What this means for American road racing fans is the appearance of a “production-ish” (relative to Grand-Am’s Daytona Prototypes – Ed.) top-tier touring car racing series, complete with slicks, wild aero bodies, and pro drivers. There is no mention of whether Grand-Am DP cars will be phased out for DTM-spec racers.

Starting in 2013 and beyond, racecars conforming to DTM rules will be able to run in Grand-Am sprint races and the occasional NASCAR road course weekend. NASCAR, which owns Grand-Am, has the marketing muscle and event attendees to really push DTM’s appearance in the USA. With BMW back, DTM now houses three of the major German auto manufacturers (Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW) and features many former F1 hopefuls and drivers.

Could a NASCAR partnership be the way for F1 in the USA?

From DTM:

During the ninth DTM race of the season at Hockenheim, DTM rights holder and promoter ITR e.V. announced its planned co-operation with the North American sanctioning body GRAND-AM Road Racing beginning in 2013. Together with the organisers of the DTM, representatives of GRAND-AM, the road-racing component of NASCAR, have been working on the project for several months. The result of the co-operative partnership is the announcement of a new championship in the United States using cars to the new DTM regulations, to come into force in 2012.

The new US-based series for DTM cars, to run from 2013, will include races in a sprint format on event weekends that include the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car series and, in some cases, the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“Only days after BMW officially announced its commitment to the DTM from 2012, this is more good news concerning the future of the DTM”, says Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of the ITR e.V. “Internationalisation has been our goal, in order to ensure that cars to DTM regulations can be used in more countries all over the world. We have had very constructive talks with the GRAND-AM organisation and we are very excited with this new partnership.”

GRAND-AM president Tom Bledsoe said: “We are proud to forge these new relationships with the many manufacturers choosing to embrace the DTM vision, and we look forward to welcoming these exciting cars to the USA. With these announcements, we can begin planning with our media partners, race tracks and teams. The addition of a DTM-style sprint race will increase the attraction for our fans and help grow all GRAND-AM series.”