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Cameron Lawrence and Carl Rydquist Score Double Top Ten Result for Franklin Road and Showtime Motorsports

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Sonoma, CALIFORNIA – May 2, 2022 – On a gloriously sunny late Spring California day, Round 5 of the 2022 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship season TA2 Class finished under caution but not before the Tennessee based Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports team had taken another significant step towards establishing themselves as a major force in the Series. Both cars finished in the top ten for the first time; an extremely satisfying achievement that underscores the enormous amount of hard work put in by Ken and his crew all year.

As if to illustrate that their cars are perfectly matched, Carl Rydquist and Cameron Lawrence qualified next to each other on the grid in P12 and P13 respectively in 1:38.072 and 1:38.109.

With a few skirmishes along the way in a largely clean, green flag race there came an extended caution on Lap 34. Teammates Carl and Cameron were still locked together with Cameron making the pass to sit in P9 with Carl in P10. However, drivers reported that there was still too much oil on the track to go green again. With the clock ticking down, the race finished under caution with the standings remaining unaltered.

Carl achieved a notable personal milestone at the checkered flag which he mentioned after the race, “Personal goal unlocked, which was to finish in the top ten in a National race. It feels long overdue but I haven’t done that many yet – so it’s awesome. You always want to beat your teammate but I raced wide on one corner and let him go. I’m glad for the team, because he needs the points for the Championship.”

Of the Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro he was piloting he added, “The car was consistent. Not quite as quick as we’d like it to be but I’m glad how we rallied and we have both cars next to each other so any change we do, you can see straight away. It gives us a lot of data today.”

Team principal Ken Thwaits was also pleased with the overall outcome, “It was a great day for motor racing. The good California weather finally arrived on the last day. Carl started P12 and Cameron P13 and I’ll take top ten finishes any day.”

Next time we see Cameron will be Memorial Day weekend at Lime Rock Park while Carl will be back in action at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.

We can confirm that highlights of Saturday’s TA Class race will be screened on Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on the CBS Sports Network in a show billed as 2022 Trans Am presented by Franklin Road Apparel. Highlights of today’s TA2 race are on the same channel at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, May 8.

Visit the team’s website for Showtime Motorsports showtimemotorsports.net. Learn more about the Showtime Motorsports team partner, Franklin Road Apparel at franklinroad.com and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at gotransam.com. #GoTransAm

Check out the Showtime Motorsports Facebook:
facebook.com/showtimemotorsp/ and @ShowtimeMotorsp on Instagram.

About Showtime Motorsports:
The Showtime Motorsports brand includes Ken Thwaits’ racing team and racecars, and an outstanding classic Camaro collection. Showtime Motorsports brings together a dynamic staff who employ diverse talents and share a passion for cars, racing and caring for clients like they are our own family members.

Pierre Gasly’s Miami Helmet Design Revealed via NFT

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Alongside connecting them with rare “In-real-life” experiences within the motorsports world

London, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — London, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Another overlap between the NFT community and mainstream sports as Pierre Gasly announced his special helmet for the first ever Miami Grand Prix. With further utility on top when redeeming these NFTs, granting access to the most exclusive grand prix experience in Monaco.

Inter-connecting the earlier days of the internet, when this art style for the helmet emerged; vaporwave aesthetics graced corners of the internet and later popularized through several notable mainstream mediums, including a notable TV Show “Miami Vice”; correlating to the early-adopters of NFTs of today.

The collection is aiming to break ground on NFT utilisation by granting NFT holders access to unique experiences unavailable in public sale. Accompanied with cherished memorabilia from the driver himself as well as meet and greets.

On May 2nd, three unique (1/1) NFTs featuring his helmets will be put up for auction on gasly.infinitynft.net, including a celebrated helmet that marked Gasly’s rise to the top of motorsport. Bids for these items will start at 0 FTM:

  • Miami GP Helmet | 2022: Special One-Off Helmet featuring the Vaporwave Design for the highly anticipated 2022 Miami GP. The NFT used in Gasly’s announcement for his Miami GP Helmet.
  • Monza Winning Helmet | 2020: A celebrated helmet from Gasly’s first race victory in Monza, an iconic race track in Formula 1™ history.
  • Pierre Gasly’s Helmet | 2022: Brand new helmet design for the 2022 Formula 1™ season, featuring the Fantom Logo.

On May 5th, a Pierre Gasly Helmet Collection NFT Series will drop, consisting of an exclusive Fantom x Gasly Helmet design, raced last month during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. These will be on direct sale, with the fixed price of 125 FTM or 125 TOMB.

“I am really happy to continue my journey with Fantom and build on the success of our first NFT drop. For this second one, we wanted to launch an NFT collection that would summarize my career, and we decided to feature each of my helmet designs as unique NFTs. This way, the collection will keep building as I collaborate with designers and artists for my future helmets. Hopefully, some of those NFTs will become more valuable as I progress in my career. As for the first drop, we are linking tangible collectibles and VIP experience to the NFTs as we really see this as a new way to engage with the fan community and reward them for their support.”

Pierre Gasly, Formula 1™ Driver Scuderia AlphaTauri.

“Pierre Gasly is among the most successful F1 drivers in the sport, and Fantom could not be more excited to collaborate with him on his Helmet Series NFT collection,” said Fantom CEO, Michael Kong. “Gasly is an innovator and ground-breaker, exemplified by his being the first driver to launch an NFT collection last year. Along with Pierre, Fantom is keen to drive more interest and adoption to the value of the blockchain space, and introduce them to the high-speed Fantom network.”

Michael Kong, Fantom CEO.
To participate in Pierre Gasly’s NFT auction and public sale, please visit: http://gasly.infinitynft.net.

Pierre was the first ever Formula 1™ driver to release his NFT collection, in October 2021. In collaboration with Fantom Foundation and Infinity NFT. It was a success deemed and covered by big news media around the world.

To learn more about Fantom’s collaboration with Gasly and additional details of the launch, please visit: https://fantom.founation.

Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly is a 25-year-old French racing-driver, who is currently racing in Formula 1™ (F1™) with Scuderia AlphaTauri. He was the first ever Scuderia AlphaTauri race winner, achieved during an unforgettable surprise victory at Monza. Last season, Pierre rewrote the history books again by becoming the highest point scorer in Scuderia AlphaTauri’s history. Alongside another podium finish in Baku. Marking the start of many greater things to come from the fan favorite.

Pierre is active outside of motorsports, being heavily featured in Netflix’s Formula 1™ Documentary “Drive to Survive” as well as being very vocal about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Twitter | Instagram | Website

About Fantom

Fantom is a fast, scalable, and secure layer-1 EVM-compatible platform built on a permissionless aBFT consensus protocol. On Fantom, transactions are confirmed in 1 second and cost a fraction of a cent. Speed, low transaction costs, and high throughput make Fantom ideal for DeFi applications and real-world use-cases.

Website | Twitter

W SERIES MIAMI PRESENTED BY HARD ROCK® KICKS OFF RECORD 2022 SEASON AT INAUGURAL FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX

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London, 2 May 2022

W Series, the international single-seater motor racing championship for women, today announces that Hard Rock International® will be the title sponsor of the 2022 season-opening double-header in Miami, USA, taking place this weekend.

W Series Miami presented by Hard Rock features two races in support of the inaugural Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, taking place 6-8 May. The double-header at the brand-new Miami International Autodrome, located around Hard Rock Stadium, kick-starts W Series’ third on-track season. The season includes ten Formula 1 support races across eight Grand Prix weekends – the most races that W Series has ever staged in a single season.

Hard Rock International is a brand built on diversity and has been recognised as such, most recently by Forbes Magazine’s Best Employers for Diversity. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a strategic pillar under the brand’s ‘Love All-Serve All’ motto, including programs that support diverse hiring and development for women.

With venues in 68 countries spanning 253 locations, including hotels, casinos, rock shops, and cafes, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognised companies. Hard Rock destinations are in the world’s greatest international gateway cities, including its two most successful flagship properties in Florida, home to the world’s first Guitar Hotel, where its headquarters are located.

Catherine Bond Muir (Chief Executive Officer, W Series) said:

“W Series’ 2022 season will start with a bang in Miami, so Hard Rock – a brand which, like W Series, champions diversity and creating more opportunities for women – is the perfect title partner for our opening double-header as we continue to make lots of noise in the USA. As a massive Hard Rock fan – I love their food and visiting their venues around the world – I am delighted.

“Last year’s season finale in Austin – W Series’ first event in the USA – was spectacular, as our women racing drivers showcased their skills in front of 400,000 people across the weekend, creating incredible momentum we are carrying into the inaugural Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. W Series Miami presented by Hard Rock will be the biggest event we’ve ever staged, and we’re humbled by the fantastic reception from fans and partners alike. We can’t wait for the racing to start.”

Tracy Bradford (President of Seminole Hard Rock Support Services and Co-founder of Seminole & Hard Rock Women in Leadership internal mentoring program) said:

“Hard Rock is honoured to support W Series and help kick off what’s certain to be an incredible season by serving as title sponsor during the inaugural Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. As a brand that prioritises equity through our ‘Love All-Serve All’ motto, we’re proud to encourage women to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams whether it’s on the track or anywhere out in the world.”

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Icons Lynyrd Skynyrd To Perform at the Ultimate American Salute Before 63rd Running of the Coca-Cola 600

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  • Southern rock icons and 2006 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform a raucous pre-race concert on May 29 before the 63rd running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • Concert will include a mix of legendary hits like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Simple Man” and many more from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s unparalleled career
  • To purchase tickets, camping and upgrades for the Coca-Cola 600, visit charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-FANS (3267); infield pre-race concert is free with a Sunday race ticket

CONCORD, N.C. (May 2, 2022) – Fans will roar and the red, white and blue will wave before the green flag falls over the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will salute America with the ultimate Memorial Day Weekend mix of rock and racing in front of a captivated audience.

The legendary rockers are best known for the RIAA Platinum-certified “Sweet Home Alabama” and self-proclaimed signature song, “Free Bird,” which Rolling Stone said was “easily the most requested live song in existence.” With everlasting hits such as “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “What’s Your Name,” “Call Me The Breeze,” “You Got that Right,” and more, it is easy to see why Rolling Stone named Lynyrd Skynyrd one of its 100 Greatest Bands of All Time.

The 2006 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will perform a bevy of their Southern rock anthems free for Coca-Cola 600 ticket holders during an hour-long pre-race concert on pit road. Fans who upgrade their race ticket to a Track Access Pass will have stage-front access for the performance.

“We can’t wait to get to rocking with all the race fans,” lead singer Johnny Van Zant said. “This is going to be one of the coolest concerts we’ll play all year. It’s not often that you get the chance to perform before something as true-blue American as the Coca-Cola 600. Everybody had better be ready because it’s going to get wild.”

MORE INFO:

The Lynyrd Skynyrd Coca-Cola 600 pre-race concert will come to life on pit road at approximate 4:00 p.m., mere hours before NASCAR’s best battle in the ultimate test of man and machine, the 63rd running of the Coca-Cola 600. The concert is part of a series of exciting pre-race festivities, which will also feature a the nation’s largest salute to the U.S. Armed Forces and an electric driver introduction.

With a catalog of more than 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” having sold more than 2 million ringtones, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Lynyrd Skynyrd remain a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations.

TICKETS:
Tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 start at just $49 for adults. Kids 12 and under get in for just $10 with a paying adult. For tickets to all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events, including the 63rd running of the Coca-Cola 600, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.

FOLLOW US:

Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events during its 60th anniversary season by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Toyota Celebrates Milestone with Multiple Darlington Throwback Schemes

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PLANO, Texas (May 2, 2022) – Toyota is set to celebrate its 1,500th race competing in NASCAR with special throwback schemes at Darlington Raceway to commemorate the milestone. With the race being a part of NASCAR’s Official Throwback Weekend, Toyota will collaborate with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) to highlight milestone moments in Toyota’s NASCAR tenure.

“As someone who has been a part of these historic NASCAR milestones in Toyota Racing history, it is extremely rewarding to look back and celebrate how much we have achieved in our nearly two-decade run in NASCAR,” said David Wilson, president, TRD (Toyota Racing Development). “We look forward to honoring these moments as we continue to work hard to have many more reasons to celebrate in the future.”

Denny Hamlin will lead this campaign as his FedEx Express Toyota Camry TRD will showcase the livery that he ran when he drove to his – and Toyota’s – first Daytona 500 victory in 2016. Hamlin claimed his win on a day where Toyota’s teamwork efforts were highlighted when Camry drivers earned four of the top-five finishing positions and led 158 of 200 laps.

“Winning my first Daytona 500 in 2016 was a special day for Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx and Toyota and me,” said Hamlin. “We showed how effectively teamwork could work. I was proud to deliver a first for Toyota and am excited to celebrate that moment at Darlington Raceway as Toyota Racing hits a milestone start.”

His teammate, Christopher Bell, will also showcase a big moment in his early career as he looks back on his 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship aboard his SiriusXM Toyota Camry TRD. Bell showcased SiriusXM colors on his Toyota Tundra in two of his six victories that season on his way to the title.

“I’ve been a proud member of Team Toyota for several seasons and I’m excited to be a part of this milestone race in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Bell. “SiriusXM has been such a big part of so many big moments in my NASCAR career thus far, and I’m thrilled that they are on my Camry this weekend as we look to deliver a victory.”

In Toyota’s 1,498th race on Friday evening, both of HRE’s Toyota Tundra TRD Pros will highlight founding members of Team Toyota in the Truck Series event.

California’s Tyler Ankrum will honor fellow California native Mike Skinner, who was a big part of Toyota’s early success in the Truck Series. Skinner was a part of Toyota’s first season in NASCAR (2004) and earned 12 wins aboard a Tundra.

“It’s very cool to be a part of a landmark weekend for Toyota and I’m happy to be honoring fellow Toyota and California driver Mike Skinner,” said Ankrum. “My LiUNA! Tundra TRD Pro looks great, and we hope to do what Mike did quite a few times in this scheme, drive it to Victory Lane.”

Chase Purdy has chosen to honor a NASCAR icon – Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip was a part of the first Truck Series ownership group for Toyota in 2004. His team delivered Toyota’s first NASCAR Rookie of the Year title with David Reutimann the same year. Additionally, Waltrip made several starts aboard his Tundras during his ownership run. Purdy is campaigning the scheme that Waltrip drove to his final Truck Series start at Martinsville in October 2005.

“Darrell Waltrip is a legendary name in NASCAR for his work on and off the track,” said Purdy. “His team was part of Toyota’s foundation in the Truck Series, and I’m excited to honor him and his team’s legacy. This Tundra TRD Pro looks fast, and it will look great running for the win at Darlington.”

Since debuting in the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona in 2004, Toyota has won 566 total races – 164 in the Cup Series, 186 in the Xfinity Series and 216 in the Truck Series. Toyota has won three Cup Series driver titles, three Xfinity Series driver titles and nine Truck Series driver titles since 2004.

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About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

NTE/SSR Heats up Season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

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SALINAS, Calif., (May 2, 2022) — While the temperature at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was rather cool, NTE/SSR put some heat into their season at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round four with the No. 42 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo. Lamborghini GT3 Junior driver Jayden Conwright earned the team a second-place starting position and together, he and Marco Holzer drove to earn a sixth-place finish.

“We had a great car this weekend and showed we have what it takes to run up front,” said NTE Sport owner Paul Mata. “We’ve had a lot of bad luck this year that had prohibited us from finishing a race, so it was nice to be able to complete a race and run strong. We showed we have the speed, and we’re looking forward to more progress. It was great to have Marco join our effort as well, and he was a good fit for Jaden. They both performed well and we hope to continue to improve our results this season.”

This race marked the first race back in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for NTE/SSR newcomer Marco Holzer, who previously raced in the IMSA-sanctioned American Le Mans Series. Holzer wasted no time jumping back into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the first time since 2015. He and Conwright used Friday and Saturday’s practice sessions to provide detailed feedback to the team to dial in the No. 42 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo setup for Sunday’s two-hour, forty-minute race.

A strong second-place qualifying position from Conwright showed the GTD class that NTE/SSR has the pace to be a top contender. When avoiding an out-of-class LMP2 spin on track the No. 42 lost a position early in the race, but an incident involving in-class Russell Ward in the No. 57 allowed Conwright to regain the lost position.

The team strategy called for an alternate approach, hopeful the race would play into their hands, but Conwright experienced a small position setback that was chipped down throughout the pit window. Though the No. 42 experienced some intermittent power loss during the first stint, Conwright was able to keep the car within the GTD top-four until the mandatory driver change.

Holzer started his stint in 10th position and spent his time behind the wheel climbing back through the field. Over the radio, he reported to the team that he was losing grip in his aggressive pursuit. After overtaking two more cars with just minutes remaining in the race, Holzer took the checkered flag in sixth place, the team’s best finish to date this season.

DRIVER QUOTES

Jaden Conwright
I think that we had the pace for a podium, so it’s a bit frustrating to have some little technical issues throughout. Given all the issues we had earlier in the year, I don’t think we had a bad result. As a team, we’ve never really worked together in a sprint round so it’s a new environment for us. I think overall there are a lot of positives to take away and we know what areas we need to improve. I’m looking forward to Mid-Ohio. We should have some of the little details ironed out a bit more.

Marco Holzer
I think starting with a sixth-place finish in the first race was good and the car was good. I had a little bit of trouble and destroyed the tires while trying to fight back, but in the last 10 minutes or so I was able to overtake two cars. We have to see where we are losing time. Pace-wise, we are there with the front cars. I’m overall really happy and everyone did a great job. I hope to do more.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
Race one on Saturday had an aggravating start for Jeff Courtney, who began in ninth but lost positions by turn one due to multiple cars jumping the start. He focused forward in the No. 42 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 for the rest of the race allowing him to avoid numerous competitors’ offs, spins, and car-to-car contact. After position gains and setbacks, Courtney used a race restart to his advantage and drove his way through the field earning one position from where he started the race. Courtney maintained this gain and crossed the finish line eighth in class.

Courtney started Sunday’s race fifth in class. Two competitors passed the No. 42 at the start of a full-course caution. A timely review was completed and Courtney was able to regain the two positions before the race restart. With a little over 10 minutes remaining, he held back seventh place with no pressure from behind. With the end of race in sight, the car was forced to complete a drive-through penalty assigned for slowing in pit lane during the pit stop. Due to this lost time, Courtney finished the race in ninth place.

Next up in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the Dallas, TX-based team, is the Lexus Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio May 13-15. The team will make an announcement regarding their plans at a later date. For event information, visit imsa.com.
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Jeff Courtney
I had a blast driving the Lamborghini. It’s a super cool car. The weekend felt like a bit of a disaster due to mistakes; some of my own, some of others. While there were a lot of things that I don’t think went in my favor and I wanted to do a hell of a lot better, there’s no crying, it’s racing. I’m thankful for Paul Mata and the whole NTE crew for a great car and this whole weekend.

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About NTE Sport
NTE Sport is based in Dallas, Texas, and first raced in 2020. Owner Paul Mata has been in the industry for over 20 years before starting his own team and has always focused on bringing together a diverse group of individuals to provide new opportunities and bring new people into the sport. Past female drivers include Sheena Monk and Ashley Freiberg, and drivers from diverse racial backgrounds include Ryan Nash, Jaden Conwright, and Kerong Li. Dedicated to bringing highly skilled individuals from various backgrounds, NTE Sport aims to continue to make North American sports car racing a fun, welcoming, supportive environment while participating in the most competitive series in North America.

About Star Spangled Racing
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Star Spangled Racing is a newer sports car racing team, established in 2020 by first-generation immigrant Tiger Tari from Turkey. Tari is an accomplished businessman, race car driver, and philanthropist with big motorsport ambitions. Star Spangled Racing provides driving opportunities in the USA and Europe. Follow on Instagram here.

About Southwest Funding
Southwest Funding began operations in 1993 under the name Dallas Residential Mortgage. We enjoyed great success early on and before long we were serving the entire state of Texas. This growth caused us to change our name to Texas Residential Mortgage.

As we continued to grow and thrive in the industry, Texas Residential Mortgage was changed to Southwest Funding to better accommodate our growing business in other states.
Today we’re still thriving, thanks in part to happy customers who have spread the word about what our company is doing to help borrowers get a home loan that fits their situation in an enjoyable and timely way. www.southwestfunding.com

Lamborghini Dallas
Lamborghini Dallas has earned the Highest Rated Lamborghini Dealer in the United States award by DealerRater 10 years in a row. With a state-of-the-art showroom, factory-certified service facility, parts depot, and a team of master technicians, Lamborghini Dallas is dedicated to the legacy of the famed raging bull. As a member of Boardwalk Auto Group, we cultivate a focus on top-flight performance. It’s the driving force behind every nameplate we represent, every car we maintain, and every customer we have the privilege to serve. Performance. It’s what we do.

Era Motorsport Takes IMSA LMP2 Points Lead with Laguna Seca Podium

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MONTEREY, Calif., (May 2, 2022) – Era Motorsport completed the first sprint race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s LMP2 class this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Indianapolis-based squad drove a masterful race to finish in second place in the No. 18 Oreca, taking the championship points lead with drivers Dwight Merriman and Ryan Dalziel.

The team arrived at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a strong package, placing third and fourth in the two practice sessions. The No. 18 Oreca LMP2 prototype qualified in sixth place, ready to fight to the front in the short two-hour, 40-minute race on Sunday.

Dwight Merriman started from sixth and played his opening stint smart and smooth. While other cars careered off course or into their competitors, Merriman kept the Oreca prototype intact, narrowly avoiding multiple bouts of contact. He took the car’s first pit stop in fifth place, and the team quickly got the No. 18 Oreca serviced and back on track before a full-course caution temporarily paused the race. He rejoined, racing in sixth under clear, sunny skies, and as the race continued on, Merriman’s on-track performance came alive.

His clean and consistent laps allowed him to gain ground on the competition, methodically working his way through slower, lapped traffic while creeping closer to the other LMP2 cars. He made his climb to third place look easy, running behind the No. 52 of Patrick Kelly, who ran 22.3 seconds ahead. As the race clock ticked on, the pair found themselves running in first and second.

Co-driver Ryan Dalziel took over during the mandatory driver change pit stop, with a fresh set of tires, and the Oreca full of fuel. With one hour, 40-minutes remaining, his performance echoed that of Merriman’s, driving a clean stint to stay out of trouble and be there to fight in the end. In the final thirty minutes, he had worked his way up to second place, racing behind the No. 8 of Louis Deletraz, who had created a sizable lead.

After impressive drives by Merriman and Dalziel, and the support of a speedy crew in pit lane, the No. 18 Oreca LMP2 prototype finished second in class, earning Era Motorsport a second podium in three races. The pair and the team now lead the LMP2 driver and team points with four races remaining.

The LMP2 class will next race at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course, racing alongside the DPi, LMP3, and GTD classes in another two-hour, 40-minute sprint race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Lexus Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio will take place on Sunday, May 15 at 2:10 PM ET, live on the USA Network and streaming on Peacock.

DRIVER QUOTES
Dwight Merriman
It was a good day. Everybody did their job. The crew did a great job which made the result possible. I was happy to pick my pace up from yesterday. I haven’t been here a ton in this car so I’m still learning and it’s coming together a little bit. Good result.

Ryan Dalziel
Today was a really good result. Coming into the event, we had an opportunity to leave here with driver point leads, and we accomplished that. It was a tough race, with only one yellow flag. The car was really good, the crew nailed their pit stops, and Dwight had a brilliant stint, so it was a good points day, and I’m glad it’s a quick turnaround to Mid-Ohio.

About Era Motorsport
Era Motorsport was formed in 2018 with the idea of providing unmatched excellence in historic racing. Just two years later, the team expanded to the world of professional sports car racing, fielding an Oreca 07 in the prolific IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2021, the team went on to win at the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona, in what was their second attempt competing in the event. Motorsport isn’t just a hobby, it is a way of life: a passion that is in the team’s blood. Whether you find us in the IMSA WeatherTech paddock with modern prototypes or chasing down lap records in our fully restored classic sports cars, or even globetrotting to experience historic F1 at some of the world’s most iconic circuits, Era Motorsport has something for everyone. In 2021, the team secured a prestigious victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and also became class champions in the Asian Le Mans Series.

Thwaits and Pickett Duel in the Sun in Exciting Sonoma Showdown

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Sonoma, CALIFORNIA – May 1, 2022 – Round 5 of the 2022 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship season was the second leg of the California doubleheader and as a spectacle, it didn’t disappoint with a nip-and-tuck race that saw Ken Thwaits grab the final National podium spot. His P3 and valuable Championship points haul closes the gap in the Drivers Championship to Amy Ruman, who endured a luckless day and retired when her P6 was assured.

Only two of the TA field in Saturday’s race competed at Sonoma Raceway the last time the National Championship visited the California track in 2004. The legendary Greg Pickett was one of those drivers and he and Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports Principal Ken Thwaits enjoyed an epic ‘duel in the sun’ with the veteran Pickett.

“We had a lot to prove here after Laguna Seca,” said Ken in the pit lane after the race. “The goal was to run a nice clean race, run as hard as we can and save our tires until the end and boy did we put on a show there!”

The two TA1 drivers were racing very close together as the race entered the second half as Ken pointed out, “The last 25 laps was nip-and-tuck with one of the greatest in Trans Am history so I’m very humbled. I’m not going to be that guy that takes Greg Pickett out! He was faster in some areas and I’d catch him back up.”

Ken continued, “Greg had spun in the carousel. I thought maybe this was my chance but I couldn’t close it at that point. Then I thought maybe he’d run out of tire, and he did, but so did I, so in the end we were just slipping and sliding everywhere but it was fun.”

Ken qualified in P3 in 1:34:343 and of the weekend as a whole he added, “We got the weather to cooperate. This track is a monster. It’ll just bite you everywhere. You’ve got to really have your act together to go fast here so hats off to Chris Dyson and Tomy Drissi.”

Ken added an interesting note with regard to Sunday’s TA2 race where Cameron Lawrence and Carl Rydquist will be flying the flag in the twin Franklin Road Apparel Chevrolet Camaros when he added, “We kind of have an opposite strategy in TA2. This weekend, we went out on slicks in the first session. We ran 4th and 5th and Cameron had never been here before and he’s 5th. I think we learned more than the other guys.”

We can confirm that highlights of the TA race will be screened on Saturday May 7 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on the CBS Sports Network in a show billed as 2022 Trans Am presented by Franklin Road Apparel. Highlights of Sunday’s TA2 race are on the same channel at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday May 8.

Next up for Ken is a trip to Lime Rock Connecticut when the iconic muscle car series reassembles for more high octane action.

Shop Franklin Road Apparel at: https://www.franklinroad.com/search/trans+am/

Visit the team’s website for Showtime Motorsports showtimemotorsports.net. Learn more about the Showtime Motorsports team partner, Road Apparel, at franklinroad.com and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at gotransam.com. #GoTransAm

Check out the Showtime Motorsports Facebook page: facebook.com/showtimemotorsp/ and @ShowtimeMotorsp on Instagram.

About Showtime Motorsports:

The Showtime Motorsports brand includes Ken Thwaits’ racing team and racecars, and an outstanding classic Camaro collection. Showtime Motorsports brings together a dynamic staff who employ diverse talents and share a passion for cars, racing and caring for clients like they are our own family members.

Do You Need To Take Your Car To A Houston Repair Shop?

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SM
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photo by People Creations

If you live in the Houston area or surrounds you may know that mechanic shops in Houston are not all the same. Finding the right one is very important, after all, if you need a mechanic you are going to need one immediately. When it comes to cars, they often are able to tell us, when they need a repair shop. There are signs, sounds, and even symptoms that you could look out for.

Research and statistics have found, that people are keeping their cars longer. Many cars are as old as 12 years of age and even longer. The older cars are the more likelihood they have of landing into problems and needing repairs and services. While you have options for Car repair in Houston TX, J&T Automotive is one of these options.

Top signs that indicate you may need a mechanic shop for your vehicle

1. Is your vehicle leaking oil?

While this may not be a major problem it certainly indicates at least a minor problem. There are a good couple of reasons why your car could be leaking oil and getting it checked out will be beneficial.

2. Does your car struggle to start?

While many cars as they get old, may begin struggling to start especially during colder climates, this does indicate a problem. There are a number of reasons why your car won’t start, and a flat battery could be the problem. However, a failing motor is another option and a mechanic shop in Houston will be able to help.

3. Does your car overheat?

If your car is starting to overheat, then you are going to want to have this seen by an experienced car mechanic. While it may be something simple, there are a couple of things that could be serious. Rather get it checked out immediately.

4. Are there strange sounds coming from the engine?

If you are hearing odd noises from the engine then you should rather be safe than sorry. Something could be losing or something may need tightening. These are the simpler things that may just require a car service. There are other bigger things it could be too.

5. Does it feel like your vehicle is losing power?

If it feels like your car is becoming slow and sluggish then you may have a problem. Over time it may start to feel like your car is losing its power. While this could be a transmission issue or even a fuel problem, it is always best to get the answer immediately from a qualified vehicle mechanic.

6. Does your vehicle stall?

If your car starts to stall this may be a sign that something is wrong. The truth is that it will only get worse over time. This may become tricky at robots and stop streets if your car dies out instead of idles. It may also cause you to put extra pressure on the starter motor, as you may try to continuously restart your car. A fully trained and experienced motor mechanic will be able to identify the problem and sort this out for you. 

How to find a quality Car Repair Service Shop in The Woodlands

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SM
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photo by People Creations

Unfortunately, we are living in times where car repair scams are very common. This means that finding auto maintenance and auto repair shops that are reputable in your area, is more important than ever before. If you stay in the Woodlands area and surrounds, you will want to find a quality repair center that is right for you and your vehicle.

There are on average 315 cases of car fraud per one million residents in the USA. These are not numbers to play with or take a chance with. It is essential to check out every single Auto Repair shop in the Woodlands TX area that you want to use. The good news is that there are many reputable car repair centers in The Woodlands such as Adams Automotive Woodlands.

Questions to ask a repair shop

1. Are your mechanics fully trained?

This may seem like a logical question, but you will be surprised by the answers. If the mechanics are fully trained, not only will they be able to tell you the specific qualifications, but you should be able to see them too. They should be plastered on a wall somewhere or they will be able to provide you with professional certifications and paperwork.

2. Are you an approved dealership?

Approved mechanic shops in the Woodlands will be associated with professional bodies. They will be able to name these bodies and associations very easily. They will also be able to show you affiliations and provide you with evidence. Do not be shy to ask for proof of being an approved dealership.

3. Do you have testimonials?

Not only will proper auto repair shops in the Woodlands have testimonials, but they will also have high ratings. Nearly all service places, products, and services have ratings online. If there are no ratings online then this is a dangerous sign. There should be multiple reviews, ratings, testimonials, and more from happy clients.

4. Do you offer warranties?

A reputable and reliable car dealership will be able to answer this question immediately. They should have decent guarantees on offer, that seem reasonable and fair. Although different places may offer different types of warranties, a reputable dealership will offer something that makes you feel comfortable.

5. What experience do you have working on my particular car make and model?

There are tons of different cars that exist out there. You always want to make sure that the place that you choose to take your car, has expertise with your particular car make and model. Some car shops may only work on certain cars, while others may be broader. If they have experience with your car, then you should feel comfortable.

6. Can you help me with transport?

It is important that any auto repair shop in the Woodlands that you choose, is convenient for you. It should be close to home or they should offer a temporary vehicle if your car is out of order for a few days. They may be able to offer you an added service of dropping you off at home or delivering your car back to you. Again, you should not be afraid to ask as quality repair centers will be willing to go the extra mile for their clients.

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