Lotus Cup USA West ... Ready For Launch

Andy Kern's 2010 Isotope Green 2-Eleven with fully compliant inaugural 2011 Lotus Cup USA number plates for Round 1 at Willow Springs International Raceway. Image Credit: Andy Kern (2011)

Lotus Cup USA West ... Ready For Launch

The inaugural launch of what is hoped to become a grand club classic series of annual races (as the Lotus Cup has become in Europe) sets off from Rosamond, California at the oldest dedicated road course in Southern California ... Willow Springs International Raceway. This weekend, March 5 & 6, in conjunction with Redline Track Events, about 25 competitors will gather with their Lotus Elise, Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa race cars to begin an eight race series season that will see these very light and very fast enthusiast vehicles compete at some of the best racing venues anywhere. Welcome to the Lotus Cup USA - West Coast edition.

When the season-ending event at Las vegas Motor Speedway takes place during the first weekend of November, these Lotus car owners will have raced at such vaunted ALMS, NASCAR, and IndyCar venues as Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Firebird International Raceway at Phoenix, Miller Motorsports Park outside Salt Lake City, and, of course, Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.

This weekend will also feature The Redline Pro Track Challenge, The Redline Pro Time Attack, and The MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championship.

This excerpted and edited from Redline Track Events -

Road Racing With A Twist

The Pro Track Challenge introduces one of the most exciting twists to road racing in decades! Competitors will race “Heads-Up” in 2 lap, rolling start, wheel-to-wheel Battles, with the winner moving on and collecting the winnings; and the loser loading the car on the trailer. Over the course of an afternoon of racing, 22 separate Battles will play out in exciting “Green-White-Checker” intensity. With a winner being determined every four minutes, the Pro Track Challenge offers rapid fire action full of adrenaline, sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
----
Circuit Battles TV Show

Circuit Battles is the new television show airing on the Versus Network, chronicling the 16 teams of the Pro Track Challenge as they fight their way through the season. The first one hour show will air on Versus March 26th at 11:00 am Pacific time/2:00 pm Eastern time. Don’t miss the first “Circuit Battles”! It will be epic!
----
Redline Pro Time Attack is the premiere event for Pro level time attack teams to showcase their talent, skills, products, and sponsors. Redline Pro Time Attack offers the most consistent, professionally managed and newsworthy events for the sport of Time Attack. As the longest running and most respected sanctioned time attack events in North America, Redline Pro Time Attack offers certifiable competition results, sanctioned by the most thorough and tested time attack rule set, backed by 40+ years of combined motorsport event experience.

Beginning with the 2011 season, Redline Pro Time Attack will reformat the weekend of racing activities to better showcase the top level talent and premier teams that are involved in the sport of time attack. Fans of the Redline Time Attack Series can expect to see a total of up to 45 cars competing at any given event, consisting of a wide range of vehicles, teams and drivers. The mix of vehicles will consist of both Franchise Teams and non-franchise teams.
----
the MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championship (MPTCC for short!), sanctioned by Redline Track Events, is set to reinvigorate road racing! With a relatively open set of rules for the two classes of competition, fan friendly aspects of the popular sport of Time Attack will finally be applied to traditional road racing.

Redline Track Events, has teamed up with Mike Kojima, founder of MotoIQ.com, to bring excitement and relevance back to circuit racing. Production based cars racing in two different classes (weight:power ratios) with bolt on performance upgrades will be a featured aspect of all 10 Rounds of the Redline Track Events 2011 season.

By following a simple formula of creating two classes, keeping the cars and the parts used relevant to the aftermarket tuner scene, featuring popular drivers and tuners, and welcoming fans and media alike, the MPTCC will quickly become the preferred destination for grass roots and semi-professional circuit racers.
----
Free Ticket to Round 1 Willow Springs!

To introduce the new Pro Track Challenge racing format and to allow the maximum number of people possible to attend the filming of the first episode of “Circuit Battles”, Redline Track Events is giving away free tickets to Sunday, March 6th Round One at Willow Springs International Raceway!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of the inaugural event of 2011. If you would like to attend Saturday, March 5th tickets will be available at the gate for $10.00. That makes the price of admission for a full weekend of non-stop action only $10.00!!!

Children under 12 are always free with an adult at Redline Track Events!
----
The first episode of the TV show “Circuit Battles” will air on the Versus Channel March 26th at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern. Be at part of history!!
Reference Here>>

While this pairing with the greater Redline Track Events makes for a broadened menu of track competition schedule of events ... seeing nothing but cars in colors with the unique character and hue of Isotope Green, Laser Blue, Chrome Orange, Carbon Grey, and Solar Yellow carrying the prestige of the Lotus car mark may just be what most purist club racers will be looking for during the inaugural Lotus Cup USA West Coast series of races at Willow Springs.

... notes from The EDJE

37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix Festivities Begin With C-300 Mixer

C-300 Redcoat membership display at the C-300 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach kick off mixer. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix Festivities Begin With C-300 Mixer

It's that time of year, again, where the city begins to think about welcoming over 100,000 visitors to watch several races and attend activities that officially start with the Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame induction ceremony on the sidewalk in front of the Long Beach Convention Center and culminates with a two-hour IndyCar race on Sunday.

For 37 years (can you believe it?), open-wheel cars with very powerful engines have been competing and the sounds of high-revving engines have echoed off of the sides of the skyscrapers along the harbor shore in downtown Long Beach.

The kick-off event that signals the beginning of this grand motor culture activity to most of the community conscious folks in Long Beach and surrounding environments is the party put on by the Redcoats of the Committee of 300, or C-300.

The C-300 & Toyota Grand Prix Kick Off Party is scheduled to be held this Wednesday - February 16, 6-9pm, at the Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway, Long Beach.

The Redcoats of the Committee of 300 volunteer each year to manage the granstands and support the activities that make up the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Long Beach Mayor, Bob Foster welcomes and applauds the efforts of the Committe of 300 at last year's Toyota Grand Prix Kick Off Party. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

More specifically, this Mission Statement excerpted and edited from the Committee of 300 -

To Promote, Support, Enrich and Direct the grandstand operations during race weekend.

To staff of the press room, photo towers, and TV carts during race weekend.

To provide a first rate hospitality area -the C300 Paddock Club- for our guests during race weekend.

To serve the community by providing volunteer support to such activities as the LA Auto Show, Christmas parades in the Long Beach area, decorating the Long Beach float for the Tournament of Roses Parade, and the Long Beach Marathon to name a few.

To promote the Grand Prix of Long Beach and its beautiful host city.
Reference Here>>

So, in about two months, and around tax filing due date time, the 37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach - the third stop of the 2011 IndyCar Championship Series will be held with a host of motor culture events to absorb just about any fan.

Schedule Of Events - 37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach

THURSDAY, APRIL 14

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame Ceremony (Pine Ave. in front of Long Beach Convention Center)

6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine Ave. (incl. Tecate Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Finals)


FRIDAY, APRIL 15

7:00 a.m. Gates Open

7:15 - 9:15 a.m. ALMS Practice

8:00 a.m. Lifestyle Expo Opens

9:35 - 9:55 a.m. Team Drifting Demonstration

10:00 - 11:15 a.m. IndyCar Practice

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Toyota Pro/Celebrity Practice

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice

2:25 - 3:25 p.m. IndyCar Practice

3:40 - 4:10 p.m. Toyota Pro/Celebrity Qualifying

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. IndyCar All-Driver Autograph Session (IZOD IndyCar Series Paddock)

4:20 - 4:45 p.m. World Challenge Practice

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. ALMS Qualifying

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Tecate Light Fiesta Friday Concert (Artist TBD)

7:00 p.m. Toyota Grand Prix Charity Ball at the Westin Long Beach


SATURDAY, APRIL 16

7:00 a.m. Gates Open

7:15 - 7:45 a.m. World Challenge Practice

8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice

8:55 - 9:20 a.m. Team Drifting Demonstration

10:25 - 11:25 a.m. IndyCar Practice – Split Groups

11:40 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
12:55 - 1:55 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying 2:30 - 3:50 p.m. IndyCar Qualifying & Firestone Fast 6

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. TEQUILA PATRÓN AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES RACE (120 minutes)

6:00 p.m. Lifestyle Expo Closes

6:30 p.m. Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar Concert (Artist TBD)


SUNDAY, APRIL 17
7:00 a.m. Gates Open

8:00 a.m. Lifestyle Expo Open

8:00 - 8:15 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice

8:25 - 8:55 a.m. World Challenge Qualifying

9:15 - 9:45 a.m. IndyCar Practice

10:00 a.m. Grid Firestone Indy Lights Cars/Indy Lights Pre-Race

10:25 - 11:30 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Race

12:30 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Pre-Race Ceremonies

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Race number 3 of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series) 3:40 - 3:55 p.m. Team Drifting Challenge 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. SCCA Pro World Challenge Championships Race

5:30 p.m. Lifestyle Expo Closes

Tickets for the 37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach found HERE>>
(SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE)

Come and enjoy an evening of camaraderie with the internationally renowned volunteer C-300 citizens of the greater Long Beach community and you too can become a Redcoat and be a part of a tradition of service wrapped in motor culture and good nature.

Again, The C-300 & Toyota Grand Prix Kick Off Party is scheduled to be held this Wednesday - February 16, 6-9pm, at the Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway, Long Beach.

Be there ... and become ... a C-300 Redcoat!

... notes from The EDJE

Lotus Evora - Queen of Curves

Evora at Zuma Beach. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

Lotus Evora - Queen of Curves

Curves have a decided double meaning when speaking of Evora. In one manner Evora’s curves are about pure beauty and in another it’s how rapidly and safe Evora powers through corners. Considering the magnificent shapes Evora embodies, I am suggesting that the Lotus design studio had Victoria Secret catalogues around for inspiration. The design gods got their creation right. You will see different sensual lines every time you take her out; dating should be so rewarding.

Appreciate a tailored look? Direct your attention to the narrow waistline of Evora. Imagine the figure of Scarlet Johansson on the Red Carpet. With this figure were Evora dressed in red or yellow, she could easily be mistaken for one of the Italian competitors. Only Evora’s modest price-per-performance dollar would give it away as not one of the $150,000 Italians.

Evora with the Malibu pier in the background. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

Evora’s lines are purposeful rather than for mere beauty. The rear integrates a floating rear wing providing downforce while contributing to the low 0.33 drag coefficient. The design is so efficient that it eliminates the need for a weight-adding electro-mechanical wing that rises at speed, like in some Porsches. This is in keeping with the practical philosophy of Lotus Cars founder Colin Chapman of “Performance through Lightweight”.

Evora from the tail at Latigo beach on a Pacific coast day. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

Atop her sensuous curves there is Evora’s unusual roofline. The bodywork joining the rear quarter and glass to the roofline appears as two points of connecting rectangles. Think of it as the Geometric Abstraction style of Piet Mondrian’s paintings or a Giulio Lazzotti table. Perhaps these too were part of the Evora inspiration.

Evora design curves in Laser Blue. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

This is the world’s only mid-engine 2+2 on the market. For the purest, the standard 2+0 is equipped with a shelf area rather than the small rear seats. Once inside, Evora’s cockpit is unusually open, unlike the cramped even claustrophobic feel common in many sports cars. The A-pillars on modern cars are thick and often block side vision while cornering. Lotus, renowned for its superior handling, would have none of these restrictions.

In contrast to the norm, Lotus designed the Evora’s windshield so that the “A” is pulled rearward and to the side. Envision a jet fighter canopy, this may have been the designer’s muse. This functional design contributes to the driving pleasure by providing a spaceship panoramic view. Evora is designed to be much wider inside than her perceived dimensions, giving driver and passenger additional personal space.

Evora interior sweep in black. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

The layout of the interior and controls is elegant and simple with one exception. The ignition switch is hard to see and reach on the steering column. Complicating things is the engine immobilizer on the key that gives you 40 seconds to start the car once you enter. This is not very practical for a Le Mans start, or everyday use. Drawing from Lotus’ racing, a simple and appropriate fix would be a red starter button.

Evora’s interior is a cross between stylish modern Italian and functional Swedish. Features include a dash and center-shift console of aluminum, leather Recaro high back seats and a flat-bottomed magnesium steering wheel. An interesting option is the reversing camera accessible via the touch screen. Those not used to the tiny rear window or relying on the excellent side mirrors will appreciate this option.

This test car was a striking Laser Blue with black interior, and was a hit by all that saw her. Would you rather be seen around town in Chrome Orange, Storm Titanium or Phantom Black? Done, the color pallet for Lotus looks like a Dunn Edwards store and features twenty choices. Considering how exclusive these cars are you may be the only one in your market driving a Graphite Grey Evora with a Paprika interior.

Evora with a Paprika leather interior. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

A trip from Malibu to the central coast wine country allowed for participation in a rally during this five hundred mile drive. My lady passenger commented on how the comfortable seats held her in place on the twisty roads and the secure feeling at speed Evora gave her. Part of this secure feeling comes from what Lotus refers to as Versatile Vehicle Architecture. This design won the Dewar Trophy for Technical Excellence with a chassis weighing only 440 lbs. yet provides outstanding rigidity.

1925 Rolls Royce. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)


A rest stop during the day's drive. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)


Arriving at the vinyeard. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

Similar to Lotus racecars the Evora’s nose channels massive airflow through the radiators creating downforce at speed and lowering the drag coefficient. The result of all this downforce and its light weight can best be felt in the curves. Lean and roll are absent and the suspension does not beat up the occupants at speed, even on slippery country roads. Contributing factors to superior handling comes from a weight distribution of 39% front and 61% rear and her lean weight of 3,047 lbs. As a result Evora was never challenged beyond her outstanding abilities.

Evora's cooling system. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

The brakes are immense and provide confident stopping power. Adhesion comes from (225/40ZR18) tires up front and (255/35 ZR19) on the rear. The only annoyance was noise on deeply grooved freeways coming from the low profile tires. This is nothing unusual from other similar wheel and tire setups, once on smooth pavement everything is again quiet.

Evora has a range of wheels to choose from. Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

The steering is noteworthy in its precise feel and lack of effort. There is no play in its geometry; when you turn the wheel the car responds immediately. Lotus’ World Champion drivers Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti would have demanded nothing less.

Overall, Evora’s inherent qualities sharpen ones skill level. You develop into a more competent and safe driver effortlessly. Got any cars like that in your garage?

Beautiful? Yes, Handling? Incredible. So how does she perform power wise? The power is seamless with Evora’s dual overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine gets its linear feel from the Lotus (VVT-i) intelligent variable value timing. This allows the 3.5-liter to rev rapidly and not be short of breath at higher rpm. All of this accented with a wonderful growl from the exhaust that is absolutely addictive.

Overnight cases welcome! Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

In its current state of tune Evora turns a 0-60 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds. Evora’s power comes from its mid-engine Toyota sourced 3.5 liter V-6, producing 276 hp @ 6,400 rpm to the rear wheels. Due to its superb power-to-weight and final drive of 3.23 she reaches162 mph.

Lotus engineers developed the electronic engine controls along with the clutch and six-speed gearbox to suit their requirements. The clutch is light and the shifting is easy and precise with the floor mounted six-speed manual. A sports ratio 6-speed is optional. Gearing is nicely matched with reverse up to the far left.

If you require more power, it’s coming. By mid-year Lotus will be delivering a Supercharged “S” model. The “S” delivers 345 hp and reaches 172 mph for those track day aficionados. The 0-60 mph drops to 4.6 seconds with the “S”. While Evora is not short on power some drivers just enjoy the feel and instant respond superchargers deliver.

Taking the upmost interest in Evora during the rally was the driver of a Porsche Cayman S. He appreciated the Lotus pedigree and recognized value. Evora is serious competition for Porsche 911 and Cayman S models.

Some considering the outstanding Audi R8 4.2 for $114,200 or 5.2 at $149,000 may ask themselves the following question. Other than the 4.2 being a half second faster than the standard Evora, just what do you get for those extra dollars, that I am not getting with the Evora?

There is a mileage bonus over competitors too. The EPA ratings are 18-city and 27-mpg highway; 30 mpg plus on the highway is being reported. With its 15.6-gallon tankthis makes for an extended driving range.

Evora is not about ultimate quarter mile times or reaching speeds three times the limit. In a word, Evora is about “balance”. Evora performs exceptionally in all meaningful categories while turning heads with her beauty. Bottom line; don’t wait for weekends to enjoy Evora, this car is designed to make every day more exciting.

Gentlemen prefer not to be surprised publicly or discuss price. However, the best surprise is a happy one. The base price of the Lotus Evora 2+0 (rear jump seat delete) is $64,000 plus delivery and options. Brilliant!

Evora! Sound like a lady you would like to get to know? ... Search/LotusCars.com

Lotus History and DNA

Image Credit: James Groth (2011)

Lotus Founder Colin Chapman was green before the term acquired its new meaning. He pioneered efficient performance from the use of lightweight materials and demonstrated it by winning on the track. This is the DNA of Lotus. Anyone interested in the extensive 60-year Lotus history should spend time at LotusCars.com.

Evora’s tagline is “True Character” and hers is derived from 79 Grand Prix victories, 7 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championships and 6 Drivers’ Championships in the most challenging and contested forms of automotive racing.

Certainly Mr. Chapman’s philosophy of “Performance through Lightweight ” was ahead of the industry. It’s even more pertinent in these times of preserving natural resources. Parent company Proton is investing a billion-dollars in the immediate and long-term future of Lotus while their new management team is rapidly advancing the Lotus DNA for a new century.

Anyone attending this years LA or Paris Auto Shows saw Lotus shock the automotive world by introducing five completely new models. Effectively Lotus covered the competition from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin and upped the ante.

The new CEO Dany Bahar instigated this bold move. He was the successful Senior Vice President at Ferrari heading up global car sales, F1 Marketing, and the Brand to mention just a few of his responsibilities. His goal: “return Lotus to premium brand status and profitability”.

Actress Sharon Stone and Paul Stanley of the group Kiss unveiled two of the five new models at the LA Auto Show evidenced Lotus is not going to be a one hit wonder with the Evora. Anyone attending the press preview saw how Mr. Bahar’s philosophy translated into five new models, demonstrating his ability to return Lotus to profitability. After seeing the new models his goal of restoring Lotus to its premium brand status appears very achievable.

January 2010, Mr. Bahar tasked designer Donato Coco to design five new models using none of the existing cars or chassis. Mr. Bahar wanted them done in nine months time, ready for the Pairs Auto Show. Oh, but Coco you only have five months time before having to show them to management for approval. This simply has not been done before. Yet, Donato Coco and his team did it and got it right, to the mass approval of the public and press at these important shows.

This management team is looking unparalleled. The key managers recently came from the top European bands and know how to succeed. The only somewhat comparable in terms of PR helping return a car company to profitability would be Chrysler. In the early 80’s Chrysler showed the press and Wall Street its advanced styling with concept cars, when it had nothing but the mundane “K” car to sell. Chrysler sold the future and in that era it worked. This type of PR would not work in today’s market without the spectacular, mostly finished five new models Lotus put on display.

In conclusion, while Lotus is showing five years of the future they are also ready to challenge the sports car market today with Evora, a serious and superior car for the dollar.

Contribution By:
James Groth
Miles Ahead Communications
Malibu, CA



TAGS: Lotus Evora, James Groth, Donato Coco, Lotus, Colin Chapman, Versatile Vehicle Architecture, Performance through Lightweight, Miles Ahead Communications

Lotus Cup Comes To North America

Lotus Motorsport’s IndyCar driver Takuma Sato and 1996 Champ Car winner, Jimmy Vasser have also given extensive feedback having driven the Evora Cup/GT4 at the legendary Laguna Seca race circuit in early August 2010, giving Lotus’ newest race car a most diverse and comprehensive pedigree. Image Credit: Lotus Motorsport

Lotus Cup Comes To North America
Popular Lotus Cup Race Series gets a global makeover

Over the years, the Lotus Cup Race Series has developed into one of the most successful enthusiasts race series brands in the world. Races feature capacity grids of Elise, Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa race cars racing and jostling for position. Previously operated exclusively from several countries in Europe and Japan, the Lotus Cup has now expanded considerably to include the USA, UK and Eastern Europe.

For 2011, not only has the Lotus Cup grown in size, the organization of the series has been consolidated. For the first time this year, drivers will now race to one set of rules, regulations and formats in championships around the world including:

• Lotus Cup UK
• Lotus Cup Europe
• Lotus Cup Italy
• Lotus Cup USA (West Coast) • Lotus Cup USA (East Coast)
• Lotus Cup Eastern Europe
• Lotus Cup Japan
(new for 2011 in BOLD)

Director of Lotus Motorsport Claudio Berro said: “Lotus sports car racing is one of the most popular forms of accessible motorsport in the world, both at a spectator and participant level. Now is the time to bring these championships under the Lotus umbrella, to ensure consistent look and feel to the competition. This will have obvious benefits to the current drivers and encourage new racers, ensuring that the cars and components remain good value and the competition retains its accessibility.”

Lotus will provide increased support and investment for these race series and will also ensure that the new Cup Championships retain the community feel and friendliness that an enthusiast based race series needs.

The Lotus Cup Championships will receive a new identity, logos, branding, website and Corporate Identity which are aligned closely to Lotus’ new motorsport strategy and initiatives announced over the last few months and consolidated at the Autosport show last weekend.

The excitement and race heritage design of Lotus will be zipping by at a North American track in 2011 at the following venues!

Lotus Cup USA 2011 - West Coast Schedule
(subject to change)

5th -6th March
Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond , CA

9th – 10th April
Firebird International Raceway, Pheonix, AZ

28th – 29th May
Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA

25th – 29th June
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

27th – 28th August
Miller Motorsports Park , Salt Lake City, UT

24th – 25th September
Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA

15th – 16th October
Spring Mountain Raceway, Pahrump, NV

5th – 6th November
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas , NV

----

Lotus Cup USA 2011 - East Coast Schedule

9th – 10th May
Watkins Glen International Raceway, Watkins Glen, NY

11th – 12th July
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

24th – 25th September
Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham . AL

The only schedule conflict for the inaugural 2011 North American campaign participant would happen on September 24th - 25th. If one wanted to race "bi-coastal", the campaigner would have to choose between Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, California about a two hour drive North on the 5 artery into the central valley from Los Angeles, or the latest rising star dedicated road racing track on the North American racing scene (which hosts the IZOD IndyCar Series - April 10, 2011), Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama.

The series rules may exclude a "bi-coastal" desire to race in all scheduled inaugural Lotus Cup Series races in North America ... but this does present an interesting proposition for the first time Lotus Cup Race Series participant.

For further information regarding the Lotus Cup, please contact Lotus Motorsport: motorsport@lotuscars.com

... notes from The EDJE

You must have these letters in your Team Name

Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2011)

Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2011)

You must have these letters in your Team Name ...

To Win the Grand-Am Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, it seems you must have the letters T R G in the name of your Team. Target, TELMEX, and TRG have the letters T, R, or G in their name.

The Racer's Group (TRG) at Daytona.2011

TRG on Pole in GT for Rolex 24 At Daytona - Controversy ends TRG one-two

Daytona Beach, FL (January 27, 2011) - TRG Porsche ace Dominik Farnbacher will start the No. 66 TRG/Porsche from the pole in GT for this weekend's Grand-Am Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16 Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona.

After the GT qualifying session, Andy Lally in the No. 67 TRG/Sargent & Lundy/South Point Hotel & Casino/Porsche had the fastest lap time. However, in post qualifying inspection the blue and black Porsche was found to have the rear spoiler mounted too far to the rear by only one millimeter and the time was disallowed. The infraction ruined what would have been a TRG one-two at the front of the GT field.

Dominik Farnbacher, the 2008 GT class winner at Daytona, inherited the pole in GT. His lap time of 1:48.781 has the 67 car in perfect position for the start of the twice-around-the-clock race. Farnbacher is joined in the 66 by Ben Keating, Tim George Jr., and Lucas Luhr.

"It is too bad for Andy and the team, they deserved the pole," Farnbacher said. "I am happy to start from the pole. We still have it for TRG. Without Kevin I wouldn't be here right now, so it is nice that TRG still has the pole. My lap was really good. The car was phenomenal. It was really good in the Horseshoe and really stable under braking into the Bus Stop. The only issue I had was with the brake bias. I was having some tire lock-up and the brake bias was not really helping. I had to brake a little earlier to stay safe and it worked out to having a pretty good lap."

The 67 team was able to backup their practice speeds as they were the fastest GT car in each of the two free sessions today. Lally, a two Rolex 24 Hour winner, laid down a fast lap of 1:48.487 on his fifth circuit of qualifying to secure, at the time, the pole position. The post qualifying infraction sends Lally to the back of the GT field for the start on Saturday. Lally's teamed in the 67 with Steve Bertheau, Brendan Gaughan, Spencer Pumpelly, and Wolf Henzler.

"This was a really nit-picky call," Lally said. "We went down to tech to measure the wing before qualifying, we knew we were close, but we thought we were within the spec. We have such a good car. We now have to make our way through the 30 car GT field safely. We did this last year. We started from the back in 2010 and by the first pit stop we were third. We will have to do that again. On the positive side the crew has really been hustling to give us a great car. Kevin has been working his tail off to field fast cars as you can see on the timing sheet. My team is made up of veterans and we have been working hard on the set-up of the car since the test back at Homestead. I had a dream lap, I caught a sniff of a draft down the back stretch and that gave us that little extra push for the fast time."

Ryan Eversley put in a lap of 1:49.451 in the No. 4 TRG/Children's Tumor Foundation/Porsche that will have him starting from the seventh position. Eversley ran his fastest lap of the day by more than a second. Eversley is partnered in the No. 4 with Ron Yarab, Daniel Graeff, Richard Zahn, and Kenny Wallace.

"I was easily a second faster in qualifying," Eversley said. "We weren't that happy with the handling of the car in practice. We talked with Kevin and the crew guys and we got the thing dialed in - it's a bullet. It is nice to start in the top 10 for the race. At the start we will be racing with good guys toward the front of the field that don't make dumb rookie mistakes. Being in the top 10 is really important to our effort and everyone at the Children's Tumor Foundation. I was able to get a huge tow from one of the RX-8s and I was just flying into Turn One. It was amazing the draft that I got."

Jeroen Bleekemolen drove the No. 54 TRG/Black Swan/GMG/Porsche to a time of 1:49.554 that will see him come to the green from the sixth row in GT. The 54 guys were third in each practice session, but a mechanical gremlin that couldn't be remedied prior to qualifying held the team back. Bleekemolen shares the car with Tim Pappas James Sofronas, Bret Curtis, and Patrick Pilet.

"In practice we were really going well," Bleekemolen said. "We were still trying to improve and then we had something go wrong with the car which has us about a second off. We will find the problem and fix it for the race. We will be right up there with the fast guys. In qualifying it was the best that we could do. It is disappointing. I compete with these guys all of the time and I am able to run with them. We have a top three car, we just need to find the problem and we will be good for the race."

With only three laps in the car prior to qualifying, Ken Dobson took the No. 53 TRG/Nadeau Motorsports/North American League/Porsche out and posted a time of 1:51.983 which will have him starting from the 12th row in GT. Dobson shares the seat with Coulter Mulligan, Jim Michaelian, Bob Doyle, and Dr. Joe Castellano.

"Qualifying was the longest stint I've had in the car," Dobson said. "I was able to come to terms with the handling. I had a chat with Andy between the last practice and qualifying and I applied the tips he gave me and it worked out pretty well. He pointed out what I was leaving on the table and it helped tremendously. Every lap I was getting faster and there is still more to gain. I only had three laps in the car in practice and with the qualifying laps I now have a total of eight. For the race we have to hold the car in the top 10 and we will see what 24 Hours bring us."

Team owner Kevin Buckler is disappointed with the way qualifying worked out in the tech inspection line, but happy with the hard work and results of the team so far this weekend.

"It is great to have a TRG Porsche on pole to start the Rolex 24 Hour," Buckler said. "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity though to take the entire front row, one-two, for the start of this monster event and I thought we earned it. One millimeter off on the way the rear bumper was mounted and this is what got us? It would have been better to start one-two, but we will have the 67 up there in no time. This will motivate the drivers and the crew to do that little extra to prepare these cars for the race. Andy had a great lap. He is really dialed in around here. The 67 guys had the car at the top of the time sheet all day. Dominik and the 66 team also did a great job. He didn't have a ride here up until after the test and he really proved that he is one of the best Porsche drivers there is today. Ryan did a really good job. He improved on his time by more than a second and was our surprise of the day. Jeroen and the 54 guys had some car trouble or he would have been up there pushing Andy and Dominik for the pole for sure. We will put every effort into finding out what happened with their car. The 53 guys are now on pace and the long night practice will help them to get acclimated to the car as well as some running tomorrow. It is great to start at the front. The key will be to run a clean, fast and very clever race. The biggest chess game in the world is about to begin!"

The Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona will be televised live on the SPEED Channel in two segments. The first segment will air from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 29th, rejoining the action from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 30. MRN will broadcast four live segments, including two hours of coverage at the start and finish of the event, for SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128 plus more than 60 MRN affiliates throughout North America: 3-5 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Jan. 29; 7-7:30 and 2-4 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Jan. 30. Six short updates are scheduled for the affiliates: 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. (ET) on Jan. 29; Midnight, 6 a.m., 10 a.m. and Noon (ET) on Jan. 30.

TRG Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona entries:

No. 4 TRG/Children's Tumor Foundation/Porsche

Ron Yarab, Daniel Graeff, Richard Zahn, Kenny Wallace, Ryan Eversley

No. 54 TRG/Black Swan/GMG/Porsche

Tim Pappas, Jeroen Bleekemolen, James Sofronas, Bret Curtis, Patrick Pilet

No. 67 TRG/Sargent & Lundy/South Point Hotel & Casino/Porsche

Steve Bertheau, Brendan Gaughan, Spencer Pumpelly, Andy Lally, Wolf Henzler

No. 66 TRG/Porsche

Ben Keating, Tim George Jr., Dominik Farnbacher, Lucas Luhr

No. 53 TRG/Nadeau Motorsports/North American League/Porsche

Coulter Mulligan, Jim Michaelian, Bob Doyle, Dr. Joe Castellano, Ken Dobson

TRG is a full-service motorsports company offering a total driver ladder approach. This approach starts with track days, goes to club events, up into street stock series and culminates in the ultimate goal of professional motorsports. With sports car focused facilities in Petaluma, California (Infineon Raceway) and Millville, New Jersey (New Jersey Motorsports Park) the team can offer turn-key support as well as arrive-and-drive programs.

The company's NASCAR operations are headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. The team fields a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry and has the capacity to run ARCA, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series.

The Racer's Group was founded in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of motor racing. The team boasts Rolex Series GT championships in 2005 and 2006 and holds the record for the most wins in Grand-Am with 31. The team's resume is highlighted by five championships, three Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona victories and a Le Mans 24 Hour win.

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Names Former Fairfax High School Student As Chairman

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Bldg. 3A, in Pomona, California 91768, USA. It houses a collection of memorabilia, automobiles and motorcycles related to the sport of hot rodding. Among other exhibits are one of A.J. Foyt's Coyote Indy Cars, Kenny Bernstein's first dragster to reach speeds in excess of 300 mph (480 km/h), the Bob McClung helmet and photo collection, a collection of Indy 500 credentials and artifacts from early events in the history of land speed records and hot rods. Temporary exhibits have also been created to honor participants in hot rodding including Vic Edelbrock, Don Prudhomme, the 1932 Ford, Track Roadsters, Parnelli Jones and the So-Cal Speed Shop. In 2008, the Museum began hosting a special exhibition dedicated to Gale Banks and his contributions to the sport of drag racing. The exhibit is entitled "Banks Power: The First 50 Years." The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. except on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Names Former Fairfax High School Student As Chairman

On December 20 2010, Speed Shop Founder and Hot Rod Icon Alex Xydias wthe as been named Chairman of the Board of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California located at the LA County Fair Grounds, Pomona.

Born in Los Angeles on March 22, 1922, Alex Xydias developed a love of customizing cars early in life. Alex' first hot rod was a '29 roadster he drove to Fairfax High School.

By the time WWII came along, Alex had built two more hot rods, one a '34 coupe and the other, a beautifully customized '34 cabriolet which he found in the lower basement garage at the Ambassador Hotel (now the location of a Taj Mahal of a school complex) in Los Angeles.

The So-Cal Speed Shop Team makes the cover of Hot Rod magazine, 1949, & The So-Cal Speed Shop 'Belly-Tanker' today on display at the 60th Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance 2010. Image Credit: Federico de California

He is most remembered for starting the first dedicated speed and custom parts shop for remaking cars to look good and go fast which he established the minute he was out of the military, in Burbank, California after the world war ended. In 1946, Xydias opened the So-Cal Speed Shop in Burbank, CA and established the So-Cal Speed Shop Racing Team. The Team received countless accolades but perhaps none greater than for The So-Cal Special Streamliner, one of the first hot rods to go over 200 mph and featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine in January, 1949.

Image Credit: The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California

“It’s a great honor to be elected as Chairman,” said Xydias. “My longtime dear friend Wally Parks had tremendous vision and passion for the sport. As Chairman, together with the other board members, I’ll strive to continue Wally’s legacy to develop a museum that is vital to the motorsports community.”

Alex Xydias and board members Thomas K. McKernan, Dave McClelland, Peter Clifford, Gary Darcy, Wayne McMurtry and Steve Gibbs will oversee all Museum activities including the planning and growth of Museum exhibits, fundraising and the popular NHRA Hot Rod Reunions. They will guide, support and advocate for the mission and vision of NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Control central and the Media Center behind the starting line at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks

We all look forward to what new exhibits Alex and the board he heads will bring to the museum in 2011. Make sure to drop by the next time the NHRA runs at Pomona for the 51st annual Kragen O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Thursday - Sunday, February 24-27, 2011 at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California.

... notes from The EDJE