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  • Automatic Racing Prepares for Dramatic Finale at VIR
    Created: Monday, September 29, 2008 Author: Jeff
    ALTON, Va. – There’s nothing like a little drama at the end of the race season. Automatic Racing co-drivers Jep Thornton and Jeff Segal clinched their first KONI Challenge championship last year at Virginia International Raceway, and they’re hoping for a repeat at this weekend’s season finale. Thornton and Segal, who drive the No. 09 Automatic Racing Imported Car Store/Rogue Engineering/LandAir/Engine Music Studios BMW M3, were well on their way to winning their second consecutive championship this year. They posted a top-five finish in the first eight rounds of the season, giving them a healthy points lead, but a crash at New Jersey dropped them to sixth in the points. Never ones to give up easily, Thornton and Segal earned valuable points two weeks ago at Miller Motorsports Park. The KONI Challenge season wraps up this weekend at VIR with a six-hour endurance race, and six drivers are all in close contention for the driver championship in the Grand Sport cla...
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  • Formula BMW Americas - Qualifying – Rounds 13 & 14, Thunderbolt Raceway
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    In this morning’s 25-minute qualifying session overall point leader Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational), of Nevada City, California, scored the pole position for both Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship. He backed up his fastest lap of 1:18.427 minutes around the 2.17-mile, 10-turn Thunderbolt Raceway with a second quick time of 1:18.456 to record his seventh and eighth poles of the season. Rossi’s double-pole adds two more points to his lead, meaning the 17-year old needs to net only nine more points than Ricardo Favoretto (Autotecnica) in this weekend’s races to clinch the Championship.   Eurointernational teammates Giancarlo Vilarinho, of Brazil, and David Ostella, of Canada, qualified second and third for both Rounds to lead the Rookie qualifiers. Ostella, who has struggled in qualifying recently, recorded a seasons-best qualifying effort.   The chase for the Rookie title is currently a three-way battle between Gianmarco Ra...
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  • Formula BMW Amercias - Race – Round 13, Thunderbolt Raceway
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) won Round 13 of the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship today at Thunderbolt Raceway, in Millville, N.J. Starting from the pole, the 17-year old Californian finished 8.625 seconds ahead of teammate Giancarlo Vilarinho in the 17-lap contest around the 2.17-mile, 10-turn circuit to extend his lead in the Overall standings. Vilarinho’s runner-up finish was the Brazilian’s best finish of the season. He was the top finishing Rookie in today’s race. Canadian Formula BMW Junior and Rookie Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica), coming on strong from his sixth-place starting position, finished third to retain the lead in the Rookie Championship.   Rossi led every lap, setting a race record of 1:19.767 minutes on lap 13, to record his seventh victory from the pole this season. With a 49 point lead in the overall standings he needs to finish higher than fourth in tomorrow’s Round 14 race to clinch the 2008 Formula BMW Americas title...
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  • Formula BMW Amercias - Race – Round 14, Thunderbolt Raceway
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    With his second win of the weekend at Thunderbolt Raceway, in Millville, NJ, 17-year old Californian Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) clinched the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship. Rossi is first American to win the title in the five year history of the series and the first driver ever to clinch the championship before the final race of the season.   Winning eight races from eight poles this season Rossi now stands at the top of the Formula BMW Americas record books with 11 career wins and 10 career poles.   Starting from the pole, Rossi won Round 14, finishing 8.6 seconds ahead of Formula BMW Junior and Rookie Mikael Grenier (Apex-HBR Racing Team) in the 17-lap race. Grenier’s fourth podium finish of the season moves him back to second in Rookie points. Giancarlo Vilarinho (Eurointernational) finished third, for the young Brazilian’s second podium finish of the weekend. Vilarinho set the fastest lap of the race (1:29.128 minutes) on lap 16.   ...
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  • Formula BMW Pacific makes motorsport history - Qualifying - Round 12 and 13
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Marina Bay, Singapore – It was a day of firsts as Formula BMW Pacific made motorsport history when the field of 17 became the first cars to take to the brand-new Marina Bay street circuit. Later, in qualifying, guest driver Doru Sechelariu (18/ROM/Meritus) took his first-ever pole in a time of 2:21.843 for Round 12, with his second-fastest qualifying lap giving him pole for Round 13.   After completing his first season in Formula BMW Europe, Sechelariu joined the Formula BMW Pacific series in order to gain more driving experience. The Romanian was thrilled with his first-ever pole, and said that coming to Singapore, he expected to perform well.   “I think we did a very good job,” Sechelariu said. “The car had a good set-up and taking my first pole is a very nice feeling. I was able to improve every lap.” Joining Sechelariu on the front row for Rounds 12 and 13 is current series’ leader, Ross Jamison (18/HKG/Meritus).   “T...
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  • Formula BMW Pacific - Race - Round 12 - Sechelariu takes first-ever win on Singapore street circuit
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Marina Bay, Singapore – It was a momentous occasion for Doru Sechelariu (ROM/Meritus) as the fifteen-year-old became the first-ever race winner on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.   It was Sechelariu’s first-ever Formula BMW victory and the Romanian – who now considers Singapore as his favourite circuit – won in convincing style, leading the entire way from Ollie Millroy (18/GBR/Motaworld) and Ross Jamison (18/HKG/Meritus). Australian Chris Wootton (19/AUS/Meritus) was the top Formula BMW Junior in fourth.   With Sechelariu and Millroy both guest drivers, and therefore not eligible to score points, series-leader Jamison took the full 20 points, plus the additional point for being on pole. Jamison had a 22-point lead coming to Singapore, and his result extends that advantage to 43 points over Sean McDonagh (19/USA/E-Rain).   BMW Junior Simon Moss (17/RSA/Mahara) failed to finish after picking up a puncture early on, meaning Wootton closes the g...
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  • Formula BMW Pacific - Race - Round 13 - Sechelariu caps perfect weekend with second win
    Created: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Marina Bay, Singapore – Doru Sechelariu (15/Meritus) completed a perfect weekend on the Marina Bay street circuit as the young Romanian won Round 13. He added a second trophy to his collection after taking victory in Round 12 yesterday, winning both races from start to flag.   Ross Jamison (18/HKG/Meritus) finished second, while Gabby Chaves (15/COL/Atlantic Racing Team) rebounded from a disappointing Round 12 with a third-place finish in Round 13.   Rookie Dominic Ang (18/MAS/Team Holzer PFX) had his best finish of the season in fifth, while Marlon Stöckinger (17/PHI/Eurasia Motorsport) was the top Formula BMW Junior, finishing in seventh.   As a guest driver, Sechelariu is not eligible to score points and therefore Jamison took the full 20 points plus an addition one for pole, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship to 56 points. Sean McDonagh (19/USA/Team E-Rain) finished the race in sixth position, and remains second in the drivers&rsqu...
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  • FOURTH WIN IN A ROW FOR TURNER BMW
    Created: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Author: Jeff
    MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK, Tooele, UT -- For the fourth time in three years, Turner Motorsport has won the Koni Challenge race at Miller Motorsports Park. They are now 3 for 3 in the GS class with a BMW M3 while also winning the ST class in 2006. In a race decided by brakes and handling, Bill Auberlen and Matt Alhadeff teamed up for the checkered flag this year in the #96 H&R Springs/StopTech Brakes BMW M3.   There was lots of action during the race, especially in the final laps, so make sure your TiVo is set for October 12 at 11:00am (ET) when this race will be broadcast on The Speed Channel. A re-broadcast of the New Jersey race will be on this Saturday at 3:00pm (ET).   Matt Alhadeff was celebrating his second consecutive win at Miller Motorsports Park this past weekend. He scored the win last year in a Turner M3 with Joey Hand co-driving. This year, regular TMS pilot Bill Auberlen took the wheel of the #96 H&R Springs/StopTech Brakes BMW M3. They started from in...
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  • Automatic Racing Drivers Shine at Miller; Dane Cameron Debuts
    Created: Monday, September 22, 2008 Author: Jeff
    TOOELE, Utah – The KONI Challenge race at Miller Motorsports Park had some challenges and disappointment for Automatic Racing, but Sunday’s race was a chance to show off how much talent is on the team. Charlie Putman and Charles Espenlaub led the charge this weekend in the No. 91 Automatic Racing BMW M3. Putman qualified a solid seventh, the quickest of the Automatic drivers. He and Espenlaub kept the car near the front during the race, and with ten minutes remaining Espenlaub was in second place. The duo’s hopes for a podium finish were dashed when contact from another car took the No. 91 M3 out of the race with the checkered flag just minutes away. “The late-race yellow closed up the field, and the worst happened,” said Putman. “Our car was super, and we knew we had a shot at doing well. It was really a good weekend; those racing things just happen. We have to judge the weekend by our performance, not by our results, and the performance was great...
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  • CELEBRITIES STAR FOR RAC EVERYMAN TRACK DAY
    Created: Monday, September 22, 2008 Author: Jeff
    View the Pictures   Team RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley were today joined by a host of celebrities including Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, current Miss England Laura Coleman, former Coronation Street actress Lucy Evans and the darts duo of Colin Lloyd and Mervyn King at Rockingham Motor Speedway for a Track Day hosted in aid of Everyman.   The celebrities competed head to head in a variety of motoring tests including high speed single seater racing, rally driving, 4x4, karting, wet grip and even a pit-stop challenge.   Turkington and Jelley presented a cheque of £15,000 to Melissa Morley, representing Everyman at the Northamptonshire circuit.   Helping out on the day was the full support of Team RAC including drivers Turkington and Jelley, whose British Touring Car Championship season concluded on Sunday with the former claiming the prestgious Independents Title.   Colin Turkington said: “I was delighted to be invol...
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  • TEAM RAC DO THE DOUBLE AT BRANDS HATCH
    Created: Sunday, September 21, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Team RAC will be celebrating today after doing the double at the final meeting of the HIQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch yesterday (Sunday 21 September).  Team RAC again won the Independent Teams Trophy and Colin Turkington retained the Independent Drivers Championship.   Despite entering the weekend 22 points ahead of Mat Jackson, winning the Independents was by no means going to be an easy task for Turkington.  Jackson won the first two races of the day  making it extremely tough for the Northern Irishman. However a points tally of 323 secured Turkington the Independent Drivers Championship.   Round 28 Colin Turkington moved a step towards securing the Independents Drivers Championship but a win for Jackson meant the title would go to the wire.   In  beautiful sunshine, in front of another bumper crowd at Brands Hatch, Stephen Jelley began the first race of the day in pole position after a great performance in qualifyin...
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  • DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR JACKSON AS HE CLAIMS RUNNERS’-UP SPOILS
    Created: Saturday, September 20, 2008 Author: Jeff
    BMW Dealer Team UK driver Mat Jackson brought his 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car campaign to a celebratory end today as he claimed two consecutive victories and finished in fourth place in the final race of the year. As a result of his superb results the Accident Exchange-backed driver finished second in both the overall Championship standings and the Independents’ Trophy.   In race one Jackson had the best possible start to the day. Starting from second on the grid he quickly tucked in behind pole sitter Stephen Jelley on the run to the first turn. Determined as ever Jackson passed his fellow BMW driver to claim the lead at the end of the opening lap. Demonstrating the superb handling of the BMW320si Jackson was soon in a race of his own; opening up a five second advantage by lap 17. Despite the changing order of the ensuing pack Jackson was never closely challenged for the lead and the 27-year-old returned home victorious with a valuable 16 points in the bag, which ult...
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  • P2 FOR JACKSON AS HE PREPARES FOR INDEPENDENT SHOWDOWN
    Created: Friday, September 19, 2008 Author: Jeff
    BMW Dealer Team UK’s Mat Jackson put in a sterling performance at Brands Hatch circuit today as he qualified his Accident Exchange-backed BMW in second place for the final round of the series.   Jackson was understandably delighted with the result at the 1.19-mile Indy track as he starts four places clear of BMW rival Colin Turkington who he is hoping to steal the Independents’ Trophy from and also claim third place in the overall Championship standings. Jackson looked set to take pole but late-charging Independent driver Stephen Jelly edged him out of the top slot by a mere six hundredths of a second with only six minutes of the 30-minute session remaining.   Jackson commented, “Just the job, I’ll settle for second place, there is a lot to play for tomorrow. Obviously it would be good to have claimed another pole as we did in the opening round earlier in the year but second suits me fine.”   Team Principal Tony Jackson commented, &ldq...
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  • BimmerWorld and GearWrench Team Up for Three Car Attack at Road Atlanta
    Created: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Author: Jeff
    The start of the 2008 SCCA SPEED World Challenge season would find the veteran BimmerWorld BMW team and GearWrench, the leading manufacturer of ratcheting wrenches and mechanics' hand tools, partnered to introduce the GearWrench brand through the team's winning performances in North America's most exciting road racing series. After a year of escalating performances, capped off with BimmerWorld owner/driver James Clay's dominating win at Road America in August, GearWrench and BimmerWorld have taken the next step to amplify their partnership for increased promotional exposure. With the World Challenge season drawing to a close October 3rd at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Georgia, all three BimmerWorld BMW E90's will feature prominent GearWrench branding across their hoods. The growth in the partnership will also see the #34, #36, and #38 cars being entered under the the "BimmerWorld / GearWrench BMW E90" banner for the event. GearWrench Brand Manager Marc Mangus see...
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  • Automatic Racing’s Thornton and Segal Looking for Redemption at Miller
    Created: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Author: Jeff
    TOOELE, UT – With only two races remaining in the KONI Challenge season, Automatic Racing’s Jep Thornton and Jeff Segal are on the offensive to regain the driver championship lead during this weekend’s race at Miller Motorsports Park. Thornton and Segal were having an unprecedented season prior to the last round at New Jersey Motorsports Park, finishing in the top five in every race. After getting hit by two other cars at New Jersey, though, the drivers of the No. 09 Imported Car Store/Rogue Engineering/LandAir/Engine Music Studios BMW M3 found themselves out of the driver championship lead in the Grand Sport class. It’s not all bad news, however. The No. 09 Automatic Racing M3 still leads the team championship, and the driver championship lead is only six points away. Thornton and Segal are no strangers to a little bit of late-season drama. They had hoped to wrap up the 2007 championship at Miller, but a broken axle meant that the battle continued to the last...
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  • JACKSON IN HUNT FOR INDEPENDENTS’ SPOILS AT BTCC FINALE
    Created: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Author: Jeff
    BMW Dealer Team UK driver Mat Jackson makes his way to the final round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend as the ultra-competitive series concludes at the picturesque Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.   The Accident-Exchange-backed driver has already been awarded two accolades this week: his second HiQ Champagne Moment Award for his stunning drive from 13th to victory at Silverstone and the Official BTCC.net fans trophy. However, Jackson arrives at Brands in search of the most important accolade of all, the Independents’ Trophy and will battle it out with fellow BMW driver Colin Turkington as the pair go head-to-head for not only the Independents’ spoils but for third place in the overall BTCC Championship.   The Henley-in-Arden-based driver has enjoyed a fantastic season which has seen the 27-year-old claim eight podium finishes, three victories and dazzle the BTCC fans on several occasions with his flamboyant driving skills in treachero...
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  • TURNER MOTORSPORT HOPES TO CONQUER UTAH (AGAIN)
    Created: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Author: Jeff
    MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK, Tooele, UT -- This weekend the Turner Motorsport BMW race team returns to a track that has been very kind to them on every occasion. The Miller Motorsports Park outside of Salt Lake City, Utah has hosted the Grand-Am Koni Challenge series since 2006 and a Turner BMW has taken top honors in 3 of the 4 races – a GS class win last year and the GS and ST wins in 2006. All three Turner Motorsport BMWs have something to live up to for the 2008 round at Miller Motorsports Park and you can catch the race live at the track or on The Speed Channel, September 27th at 3:00pm ET.   Matt Alhadeff was last year’s race winner in the GS class and he will be defending from the seat of the #96 Motul Lubricants/StopTech Brakes BMW M3 with his co-driver Bill Auberlen. The two have combined for three podium finishes this year, including the last race at New Jersey Motorsports Park.   Posing a serious challenge to their effort will be teammates Don Salama an...
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  • Mexico City to host 2008 Formula BMW World Final
    Created: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Munich, 17 September 2008. This year will see the Formula BMW season end in the Americas, with the “Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez”, situated in the heart of Mexico City (MX), hosting the 2008 Formula BMW World Final from 5th to 7th December. A unique prize awaits the winner of this prestigious event: the opportunity of a test drive in a BMW Sauber F1 Team Formula One racing car.   “We are looking forward to the opportunity of taking the Formula BMW World Final to the Americas,” says BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “After previous World Finals in Bahrain and Valencia, the young drivers will be able to prove their skills on this classic circuit located in the centre of Mexico’s capital city. I am convinced that this populous metropolis will provide the perfect setting for the highlight of our Formula BMW season. After events in Asia and Europe, the time has come to stage the World Final in the Americas. This year numerous no...
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  • MISS ENGLAND SETS TEAM RAC PULSES RACING
    Created: Sunday, September 14, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Photos of Miss England Team RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley took time out of their preparations ahead of the season finale of the 2008 HIQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this Sunday (21st September) to meet Miss England and announce Team RAC’s link up with Everyman.   Everyman, the UK’s leading male cancer campaign, will benefit from this year’s ‘RAC Charity Track Day’ in which Miss England, Laura Coleman, will be one of the celebrities participating alongside Turkington and Jelley.   In the spirit of the day, the Team RAC drivers donned fake moustaches to lend their support to Everyman’s TacheBack campaign which runs each September.   Heading into the final race of the BTCC, Turkington and Team RAC sit top of the Independent Drivers and Teams Championships respectively.  Turkington said: “Personally, it’s been a great season and lots of podium finishes have put me, and...
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  • Formula BMW Europe, 12-14.9.08: Rounds 15 + 16, Monza (IT)
    Created: Saturday, September 13, 2008 Author: Jeff
    Formula BMW Europe, 12-14.9.08: Rounds 15 + 16, Monza (IT).   Double win for Geronimi, Gutierrez celebrates title victory.   Monza (IT), 14 September 2008. Formula BMW Europe hails its new champions. After Mexican Esteban Gutierrez (Josef Kaufmann Racing) had already secured an early Formula BMW Europe title after Saturday’s race in Monza, the season’s final race on Sunday determined who would emerge as the best rookie. After 16 races, it was Danish driver Michael Christensen (Double R Racing) who claimed the “Rookie of the Year” title. Brazilian Tiago Geronimi (BR/Eifelland Racing) won the last round to enter the Formula BMW Europe list of winners twice on this final weekend of the season. In round 15 he left polesetter Carlos Huertas (CO/Double R Racing) and Marco Wittmann (DE/Josef Kaufmann Racing) trailing, while round 16 saw him beat Wittmann and Gutierrez.   Numerous drivers fell foul of Sunday’s challenging weather conditions in...
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