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Danny Cooper Wins 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 Motorcycle Race

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Official Release
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The battle for two-wheel supremacy in the 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 saw Danny Cooper and Jacob Argubright go head-to-head and wheel-to-wheel for much of the race, but in the end, only one could take top honors. Cooper would outlast Argubright and the Pro Moto Open field for the unofficial victory, completing six laps in just over nine hours.

A total of 115 riders, including more than 30 Sportsman Open Ironman riders who planned to solo the event, took the green flag from Primm at 8AM on Saturday. The Pro Open quartet of Cooper, Argubright, Jesse Canepa, and Scott Moses would launch first. Argubright led early on, but the duo would later trade the lead on course in one of the more impressive battles of the event.

Cooper would secure the top spot for good as Argubright suffered setbacks later in the race, and he would run uncontested in the standings for the second half of the race. The final margin of victory was 28 minutes and 14 seconds, a difference that doesn’t fully tell how closely matched the two racers had been earlier on. More than half of that difference came from the final lap.

Full live timing and scoring (including live unofficial results), as well as livestream and Weatherman radio coverage, can be found at live.themint400.com.

The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt. but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.

The 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 continues in Primm with the conclusion of today’s Unlimited, Motorcycle, and Youth races. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Mint 400
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America, and is held each March in the treacherous foothills of Sin City. The multi-day event features a massive vehicle parade down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, a two day festival on historic Fremont Street, and two days of grueling off-road racing on a desolate and punishing 400-mile racecourse. Nearly 65,000 off-road and recreational enthusiasts come to watch 500 race teams in 50+ classes from 25 different states and 15 different countries go door to door, while the Livestream coverage is beamed to over 800,000 viewers worldwide. No other off road race allows fans the thrilling experience of watching the top off-road race teams from around the world battle for fame and glory, in a festival setting – complete with a luxury VIP section. The Mint 400 is “The Great American Off-Road Race”!

Round 3 Racing Takes Win and Podium at COTA

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Official Release
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Austin, Texas (4 December 2021) – It’s a Texas takeover for Round 3 Racing (R3R) as the team took the GP1 class win and second place in GP3 in the opening race on Saturday of the World Racing League (WRL) season at Circuit of the Americas.

The double podium finish marks the 17th and 18th podium appearances for R3R this season.

No. 701 Team Cooper Tires Porsche Cayman (GP1)

The Team Cooper Tires trio of Loni Unser, Mike Gilbert and Mo Dadkhah crossed the finish line first after eight hours of racing to take the GP1 class victory.

Starting on the second row in third, Unser suited up for the race start. With a field of 98 entries, the opening laps brought dense traffic for the young driver to navigate. Unser kept the No. 701 Porsche in the lead group for 29 laps before bringing the car to pit lane to hand over to Dadkhah.

Clean maneuvers by Dadkhah and Gilbert during the second through fourth hours kept the No. 701 in contention as door-to-door racing brought out full course cautions. Strategy calls by team engineer Steve Mason saw the No. 701 Porsche pushed to its full capacity running to the final drops of fuel each stint.

Lady Luck was on the side of the No. 701 Porsche when the competitor ahead received a penalty with 20 minutes remaining. The race control call elevated the No. 701 Team Cooper Tires Porsche Cayman into the lead to secure the class win – the second GP1 victory of the season for Unser, Gilbert, and Dadkhah.

“It came down to that penalty,” said Dadkhah. “I exited pit lane on the tail of the class leader and knew what I had to do. Then (Steve) Mason came over the radio and told me to go into fuel save mode. I kept thinking to myself how I was going to be able to catch him if I had to save fuel and really began to doubt myself. Internally, I told myself to shut up and learn how to drive this track as Mason needed me too. When the yellow came out I saw the leader pass under yellow but didn’t think they had been penalized. When I passed start/ finish (Steve) Mason came over the radio and said you won that race. I had goosebumps. It was the first time in sports I’ve ever cried. It’s unbelievable.”

No. 605 Hagerty Drivers Club Porsche Boxster (GP3)

The No. 605 Hagerty Drivers Club Porsche Boxster of Carter Pease, Cole Loftsgard, Dennis Neel, and Jim Ptak returned to the WRL GP3 podium for the eighth time this season. The second place result is the driver team’s first at COTA.

Loftsgard took the first stint of the day and worked the tools in the Porsche to push the No. 605 two laps past the fuel window of the GP3 class. He then returned to pit lane for a full tank of fuel and driver change. The extended fuel range allowed Loftsgard, Pease, Neel, and Ptak to create a one lap lead to the position behind.

While the race clock ticked, the team behind the wheel of the No. 605 maintained their position in second while on-track incidents by competitors brought out six full course cautions and packed the field. The Boxster utilized the extended fuel window yet again to bring home the second place finish in the GP3 field.

The No. 605 Hagerty Drivers Club Porsche Boxster now sits five points behind the lead of the Overall National Championship. The title comes down to tomorrow’s final eight hour race of the season.

No. 601 Team Sentinel Porsche Boxster (GP2)

The No. 601 Team Sentinel Porsche Boxster of Hannah Grisham, James Candelaria, Christian Maloof battled through adversity to take the checkered flag in the Boxster’s final race weekend with R3R.

Maloof’s opening stint placed the Boxster in the top three of the GP2 class where the team stayed for the majority of the eight-hour race. The Sentinel drivers remained in contention through the on-track melee for a strong finish but on lap 60, Grisham was forced to bring the No. 601 Porsche to the garage as the crew diagnosed a broken wheel bearing

The No. 601 Team Sentinel Porsche Boxster came to the finish in ninth.

No. 401 Team Hagerty BMW M4 GT4 (GTO)

In its debut race with R3R, the No. 401 Team Hagerty BMW M4 GT4 of Sarah Montgomery, Buz McCall and Brad McCall used the opening race of the weekend to learn the new machinery. Montgomery qualified the BMW on the front row in second ahead of the field of 49 GTO entries. She was quickly catching the lead car of NASCAR pros before a broken alternator belt brought the BMW to the garage just after the two hour mark.

Once the No. 401 BMW returned to the course, the McCalls traded the driving duties back and forth utilizing track time behind the wheel before the Team Hagerty entry returned to the garage for the remainder of the race.

The Round 3 Racing team returns for the final eight-hour endurance race of the season Sunday, December 5th at 8:00am CT. The National Championship will be decided when the checkered flag flies at the conclusion of the race at 4:00pm CT.

Is It Cheaper to Ship or Tow Your Race Car?

By
SM
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You only want to drive your race car on the track. So how do you get it from place to place? You could trust shipping it with one of the leading auto shipping companies, or you could tow it. One saves you time; the other saves you money. So, which is it going to be? Read on for the benefits and drawbacks of car shipping and towing.

Tow It

Towing is the clear winner if your primary concern is budget as Long-distance vehicle towing rates are quite lesser. First, you have lots of options for trailers and towing dollies. There are open and closed options, aluminum and steel construction, and all manner of accessories. You can rent or buy a trailer or towing dolly for much less than paying to ship your race car. You can even rent or purchase enclosed or covered towing for cheaper than shipping in most cases. It all depends on your needs. Towing gives you better control of the situation, and you can stay with your race car. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your situation and finances. Towing certainly has its benefits, not least of which is it is the cheaper option.

Here are some reasons you might want to tow your race car:

  • Cost-effective: Towing is clearly the cheaper option.
  • Control: You never leave your race car.
  • Protection: You’re able to always watch and protect your race car.

That’s all well and good, but what about the responsibility of keeping track of and protecting your race car? It’s probably not a solo job, so you’ll have to find someone to help. In that case, you will likely need to pay or reimburse them in some way. Navigating will be difficult as well as parking. Not to mention you’ll be towing a race car across the country. That’s a big job, and not everyone can do it. You must consider wear and tear on your body as well as on the car.

Let’s look at some more of the downsides to towing your race car:

  • Responsibility: You are the sole person responsible for the safe transport of your race car.
  • Time and Energy: It’s a tiring and time-consuming task to tow a vehicle.
  • Road costs: You’ll have to spend on fuel, food, and lodging on the road.
  • Parking: You will have to find appropriate parking, which may require payment. 

If you’re planning to rent a towing truck or SUV, keep those costs in mind, as well as the responsibility of caring for not one but two vehicles on a cross-country trip. You will need to keep all the paperwork in order and schedule a time to return your rentals. If you’re moving, don’t plan on using the moving van to tow your race car. Most companies won’t allow it.

Ship It

On the other hand, you could give up the responsibility and the hassle of dealing with cars on the road by hiring an auto shipping company. There are many reasons to ship your race car. You’re not going to drive it and put all those miles on it, ruin the tires, or risk a breakdown.

While towing your race car is cheaper in the short run, the benefits of shipping your race car might outweigh the benefits of a cheap ticket. Here are some of the factors that affect the price of your auto shipment:

  • Time of year
  • Open or enclosed transport
  • Distance traveled
  • Vehicle size

Depending on your situation, you may be able to lock in low rates from these companies by booking early and moving in the off-season. You may be eligible for other discounts as well, but you’ll have to compare quotes to get a real picture of what shipping your race car will cost.

While open transport is cheaper, it’s likely you’ll want to opt for enclosed transport if you’re going the shipping route. While enclosed transport is the more expensive option, it’s also the better protection option for your race car. First, enclosed transport protects your race car from the elements and road debris. Second, your race car is not on display to tempt vandals and thieves. 

Other factors that affect shipping are going to depend on where you are and where you’re going, and how busy the season is. These factors can be ascertained with a free quote from the auto transport company’s website. Shop around and get at least a few quotes before making your decision. These companies and carriers are in constant competition, and this reflects in their rates. Look for and ask about any discounts you may be eligible for. 

Here are the upsides to shipping your vehicle:

  • No worries about road problems
  • Travel hassle-free
  • Extra insurance is provided by the shipping company

If you’re looking for a money-saving option, shipping is not the way to go. While you reap extra benefits from shipping your car, there is no doubt you pay for the privilege. There are, of course, downsides to shipping your car:

  • Expensive
  • No control
  • Delays happen

If you hate having your race car out of your sight, this is probably not the option for you. Letting professionals take control of your race car and ship it for you may be asking too much. If you’re trying to save dollars, then shipping is going to be more expensive than towing every time.

You should still get a quote or two just to see what you’re up against. Once you tally your road costs, you may find that shipping is much easier for the price, and towing is not worth the savings.

Six More HSR Sebring Historics Race Winners Crowned in B.R.M. Endurance Challenge and Sasco Sports International/American Challenge Season Finales

By
Official Release
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  • Pierce Marshall and Eric Foss Co-Drive Matador Motorsports 2016 No. 3 Corvette C7.R to Overall B.R.M. Endurance Challenge Win
  • Billy Johnson Tops Stacked Sasco Sports International/American Challenge Field for Overall Victory in Alegra Motorsports 1973 No. 122 Porsche 911
  • NASCAR Legend Bill Elliott Second Overall and Sasco Sports American Division Winner in Vintage Race Car Restorations 1970 No. 9 Ford Mustang Boss 302

SEBRING, Florida (December 4, 2021) – Six more Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Sebring Historics race winners were crowned in the B.R.M. Endurance Challenge and Sasco Sports International/American Challenge 2021 finales Friday at Sebring International Raceway.

The B.R.M. and Sasco Sports season-ending HSR championship feature races set the stage for this weekend’s sixth annual HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, which is just getting underway at Sebring International Raceway.

The B.R.M. Endurance Challenge overall and GT Modern (GTM) victories went to the Matador Motorsports 2016 No. 3 Corvette C7.R of Pierce Marshall and his coach and co-driver Eric Foss. The victory made the familiar yellow C7.R two-for-two this weekend after Marshall solo drove the Corvette to victory in Friday’s season-ending HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT race.

The B.R.M. Prototype victory – and a sixth-place overall finish – went to co-drivers Richard Carlino and Dave Handy, who secured top class honors in the Sasco Sports-prepared 2011 No. 25 Oreca FLM09 Prototype Challenge “PC” car.

In B.R.M. Historic class competition, the Don Hoevel Racing 1976 No. 93 Chevron B36 of Chip Halverson and Larry Webster broke through for the class win. The quick Chevron also placed ninth overall, the only Historic class competitor to finish in the overall top-10 in the 34-car field.

In a flat-out Sasco Sports finale that saw 33 cars take the green flag, Billy Johnson took control at the start and led every lap for the overall and Porsche-class win in the Alegra Motorsports 1973 No. 122 Porsche 911.

Legendary NASCAR driver Bill Elliott was Johnson’s nearest challenger, but “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” never got close enough to battle for the overall win. Elliott crossed the finish line second overall and scored the Sasco Sports American division victory in the Vintage Race Car Restorations 1970 No. 9 Ford Mustang Boss 302.

Gary Moore stayed in close touch with Elliott throughout the Sasco Sports sprint to complete the overall podium and take second place in the American division in his Cobra Automotive 1966 No. 98 Shelby GT350.

The overall Sasco Sports top five included second-place Porsche finisher Yves Scemama, who was fourth in his 1974 No. 52 Porsche 911 IROC, and Jeff McKee in his popular 1964 No. 51 Ford Falcon prepared by Olthoff Racing in fifth overall and third in the American division.

Josh Tuggle finished third in the Sasco Sports Porsche class in his 1974 No. 114 Porsche 911. Both Tuggle’s 911 and Scemama’s similar Porsche IROC model are prepared by Heritage Motorsports.

A trio of quick BMWs swept the Sasco Sports International podium. The victory went to Patrick Womack in his Fall-Line Motorsports 1973 No. 20 BMW 2002 while John Bibbo finished third in his similar Heritage Motorsports 1976 No. 208 BMW 2002.

Splitting the 2002 competitors on the podium was returning HSR driver Robert Albino in his Hudson Historics 1998 No. 192 BMW M3.

Marshall and Foss were joined on the B.R.M. GTM podium by runner-up Cody Ware in his 2017 No. 412 Porsche 991 Cup prepared by Hairy Dog Grrrage. Third went to Michael Flynn in his Irish Mike’s Racing 2015 No. 95 Porsche 991 GT3 America.

Halverson and Webster led a B.R.M. Historic top three that included second-place finishers Hartmut Von Seelen and Kevin Wheeler in the 1973 No. 51 Porsche 911 prepared by KMW Motorsports. Francesco Melandri finished third in his Amalfi Racing 1996 No. 96 Porsche 993 GT2.

Friday concluded with the HSR Classic Sebring’s now traditional “Parade of Planes” that followed several fly overs and landings all day at nearby Sebring Regional Airport. The vintage and historic aircraft will be on display in the HSR paddock until Sunday mid-morning when they will once again be paraded back to Sebring Regional for departure.

Among the quality lineup of vintage airplanes at Sebring is the debuting 1946 ERCO Ercoupe 415-C of pilot and owner Lisa Heidinger. Designed prior to World War II by future Piper Aircraft Chief Designer Fred Weick, the Ercoupe is frequently referred to as the “Model T of the Sky.” Designed to be easy to fly and affordable and sold in in department stores like Macy’s and JC Penney, the Ercoupe was way ahead of its time in both appearance and technology. It used an innovative tricycle gear and a system to fly the airplane without rudder pedals. You simply steered it like a car.

Heidinger, the first woman pilot to participate in the Classic Sebring, Pistons and Props, purchased her Ercoupe in the spring of 2021 as a partially completed project. After trailering it to Florida from Ohio, she went to work recovering the fabric wings and completing the assembly. The plane was ready to go after just six weeks, and following a debut at the Sun-‘n-Fun airshow and fly-in Lakeland, Florida, Heidinger set out for the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She departed Florida in mid-July and returned 30 days later after a journey covering 2,500-plus miles, seven states and a total 33.3 hours in a vintage airplane, navigating with nothing but a wet compass and an iPad.

Detailed event information for the Classic Sebring 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, including weekend schedules and entry lists, is available at www.HSRRace.com.

Spectator tickets for the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour are available exclusively at Sebring International Raceway throughout the event. Learn more at www.HSRtickets.com.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

Dustin Jones Wins 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Race

By
Official Release
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After an intense battle over four grueling laps that eventually came down to corrected time, Dustin Jones took home the overall checkered flag in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Race in the 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400. The Pro UTV Turbo driver conquered four laps of the Nevada desert with a total time of 8:28:17.949. Vito Ranuio, who led much of the way, finished less than three minutes behind in second, while defending Mint 400 winner Branden Sims completed the podium.

“Since when we first got into desert racing, everybody knew the Mint,” said Jones, who previously won the Great American Off-Road Race on his first try in 2015, in just his third-ever desert race. “It was the biggest race of the year, so it was a dream for us to win it the first time. But to come back out here—and it was a struggle, and a hard race—it almost makes you tear up to come out and win the Mint 400 again.

“I didn’t come here to finish second, I didn’t come here to finish top 10, I came here to win. I was going to crash the car or win.”

A talented field of past Mint 400 winners, including recent event champions like Jones, Sims, and Mitch Guthrie Jr., headlined the marquee UTV entries, but the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Race was much more than a side-by-side showcase for professional drivers. Hundreds of racers lined up across dozens of sportsman car, truck, and UTV classes for up to four laps of this year’s 97-mile course. Ranging from modern machinery, to Baja Bugs and other vintage vehicles, to even selected military vehicles as part of the Mint 400 Military Challenge, the Limited Race always features one of the most diverse lineups of any off-road race in the world.

But as nightfall hit in the second half of the race, all eyes turned to the front of the Pro UTV field. Many of the biggest names were in contention for the podium through much of the race, with Sims, Guthrie, 2021 UTV World Champion Phil Blurton, and Mike Cafro among the big names running strong for the event. but as the action drew towards the finish, Ranuio and Jones established themselves as the two drivers to beat, with Ranuio still out front and Jones flirting with the lead on corrected time.

The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt. but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.

The 2021 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 continues in Primm with tomorrow’s Unlimited, Motorcycle, and Youth races. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt. but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.

This year’s BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 will take place from December 1-5 in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Mint 400
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America, and is held each March in the treacherous foothills of Sin City. The multi-day event features a massive vehicle parade down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, a two day festival on historic Fremont Street, and two days of grueling off-road racing on a desolate and punishing 400-mile racecourse. Nearly 65,000 off-road and recreational enthusiasts come to watch 500 race teams in 50+ classes from 25 different states and 15 different countries go door to door, while the Livestream coverage is beamed to over 800,000 viewers worldwide. No other off road race allows fans the thrilling experience of watching the top off-road race teams from around the world battle for fame and glory, in a festival setting – complete with a luxury VIP section. The Mint 400 is “The Great American Off-Road Race”!

Online resource for auto insurance discounts for military veterans

By
SM
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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

There are many automobile insurance companies that offer discounts to active military servicemen and women as well as military veterans that were honorably discharged. These discounts can often save even more on your policy.

There are also companies that offer discounts on auto insurance for disabled veterans who have been honorably discharged. Before you make a final insurance decision on your automotive insurance, you should always check with multiple insurance providers to find the best price and the right policy that will fulfill your particular needs. Not all companies offer the same premiums and coverages, so you could save some money by shopping around.

Why are there military discounts? Well, these companies consider veterans to be among the low-risk drivers because of their military training based on rigorous standards set forth for all military personnel. The military training combined with a clean driving record, veterans should be able to find low-cost insurance that will meet their needs. Sometimes, they can include all of the family members on their policy and that can mean even more savings.

You also need to understand that specifications for discounts may differ from one company to another. Another item to keep in mind is that often military veterans may also qualify for other incentives including but not limited to a safe driver discount if they have a clean driving record.

If you are a disabled veteran and you have a vehicle that has been modified you should make your insurance agent aware of these items as they will probably increase the value of your vehicle. Items such as seat modifications, pedal extenders, ramps, hand controls, and any other altercations made to your vehicle should be included on your insurance policy. The US Department of Veteran Affairs may provide monetary support for these modifications if you meet their eligibility requirements.

There are other things that a veteran can do that could reduce their insurance rates. One way is to choose a higher deductible or and another is to combine all of your insurance, such as home, auto, and life insurance, into one policy. This is another reason to shop around to find the policy that is best for you and your family’s needs.

There are numerous insurance companies that offer military discounts to active military members and some of them include Allstate, Esurance, Farmers, Geico, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Safe Auto, Safeco, State Farm, The General, and USAA. Disabled veterans will also be offered the same discounts.

It is always a good idea to check with the insurance company to be certain what type, if any, discounts, are included for active, retired, or disabled military personnel. Finding the best insurance rates can be time-consuming and there are multiple factors that will determine which policy is right for you.

Although there are automobile insurance companies that will provide reduced rates to past, present, retired and disabled veterans, there is no easy answer as to which one is right for you. It will require diligence by doing the research, getting multiple quotes, and reading reviews. But in the end, your hard work should pay off with the right policy for the right price.

Official Competition Begins at Sebring International Raceway Thursday for the HSR Sebring Historics and HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour

By
Official Release
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  • Todd Treffert Continues Sebring Reign with Sixth-Straight Overall and GT Classic B.R.M. Endurance Challenge Win and Third HSR Classic RS Cup Victory in Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC
  • Tom McGlynn and Son Jimmy McGlynn Co-Drive 901 Shop No. 181 Porsche 914/6 to B.R.M. Endurance Challenge Vintage Victory
  • Pierce Marshall Wins Stoner Car Care Global GT Race in Matador Motorsports 2016 No. 63 Corvette C7.R

SEBRING, Florida (December 2, 2021) – A rapid-fire run of three-straight Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) feature races kicked-off the competition schedule Thursday at Sebring International Raceway for the HSR Sebring Historics and this weekend’s sixth running of HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network.

The undeniable star or the day was Todd Treffert who continued his recent reign over Sebring International Raceway with two feature race wins Thursday in his Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC prepared by the 901 Shop.

Treffert scored the overall and GT Classic (GTC) victories in the B.R.M. Endurance Challenge race and backed it up less than an hour later with another flag-to-flag triumph in the HSR Classic RS Cup race.

Combined with the season-opening HSR Spring Fling, Treffert has amassed a run of six-straight overall B.R.M. Endurance Challenge victories at Sebring the last few years. His Classic RS Cup win today was also his third straight victory at the Sebring Historics in the all-Porsche class series for 1970’s era 911 RS/RSR and IROC models.

Yves Scemama finished second overall and in GTC in the B.R.M. race in his 1974 No. 52 Porsche 911 IROC while Damon DeSantis and David Hinton completed the overall and GTC podiums in the 1974 No. 82 Porsche 911 RSR. Both the Scemama and DeSantis Porsches are prepared by Heritage Motorsports.

The Vintage class victory went to the family team of Tom McGlynn and his son Jimmy McGlynn in their No. 181 Porsche 914/6 prepared by the 901 Shop.

The McGlynns crossed the finish line just behind the GTC top-three and joined the other Vintage podium finishers in securing overall finishing positions four through six in the 31-car field.

Travis Engen finished second in Vintage and rounded out the overall top five in his GMT Racing 1962 No. 1 Lotus 23B. John Deford completed the Vintage podium while also taking sixth overall in his 1970 No. 57 Porsche 914/6 prepared by the 901 Shop.

Thursday’s other feature race winner was Pierce Marshall who topped a fast field of recently retired GT cars for the HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT victory in his Matador Motorsports 2016 No. 3 Corvette C7.R.

A pair of Porsches from Hairy Dog Grrrage secured the final two Stoner Car Care Global GT podium positions.

Cody Ware finished second in his 2017 No. 412 Porsche 991 Cup ahead of the team’s similar sister entry of Jason Krikorian in the No. 36 Porsche 991 Cup.

Thursday wrapped up with the season-ending Classic RS Cup race that saw Scooter Gabel and Mike Banz chase Treffert to the finish. Gabel finished second in the Alegra Motorsports 1973 No. 122 Porsche 911 while Banz came home third in his Heritage Motorsports 1974 No. 13 Porsche 911 RSR

Friday’s on-track HSR highlights at Sebring include the year-end one-hour HSR B.R.M. Historic/Prototype and GT Modern (GTM) Enduro, the first rounds of the season-ending HSR WeatherTech Sprint races, and the final Sasco Sports International/American Challenge race of 2021.

Another Friday highlight is the arrival of vintage airplanes that will be landing all morning at nearby Sebring Regional Airport. The traditional “Parade of Planes” from the airport to the Sebring competitor paddock is scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Detailed event information for the Classic Sebring 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, including weekend schedules and entry lists, is available at www.HSRRace.com.

Spectator tickets for the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour are available exclusively at Sebring International Raceway throughout the event. Learn more at www.HSRtickets.com.
About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

Chase Elliott Wins Fourth Straight NMPA Most Popular Driver Award

By
Official Release
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AUSTIN, TEXAS - MAY 23: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Llumar Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on May 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chase Elliott continues to follow his family tradition, both on the race track and in the eyes of NASCAR Cup Series fans.

For the fourth straight year, Elliott has been named NMPA Most Popular Driver present by Hooters, the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans. Elliott easily outpolled the competition to win the 2021 honor.

Since 1990, drivers named Elliott or Earnhardt have monopolized the award. Chase’s father, Bill Elliott, won the honor a record 16 times, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. a close second as a 15-time NMPA Most Popular Driver.

Now Elliott is building his own tradition as the decisive winner of the award.

Historically, the NMPA Most Popular Driver presented by Hooters has honored the giants of the NASCAR Cup Series, from seven-time champion Richard Petty to David Pearson to Bobby Allison to Cale Yarborough to Darrell Waltrip—all Cup champions and all early selections to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The award was first presented in 1953, with Lee Petty earning the honor for the first of two consecutive years.

Historic Stock Car #MoreDriven by Goodyear Racing Award Concludes this Weekend at Sebring

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Official Release
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Three-Race Battle Within HSR Group 8 Stock Car Championship Concludes Inaugural Season this Weekend at HSR Sebring Historics

SEBRING, Florida (December 2, 2021) – The inaugural edition of the Historic Stock Car #MoreDriven by Goodyear Racing Award wraps up this weekend at Sebring International Raceway where a strong field in the Group 8 Stock Car division has turned out to compete in the season-ending HSR Sebring Historics on the legendary 3.74-mile road course.

Goodyear Racing and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) entered into the “MoreDriven by Goodyear Racing partnership earlier this year as a three-race battle awarding top Group 8 race finishers at select 2021 HSR race events.

The #MoreDriven Award began at last April’s 43rd HSR Mitty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, continued with the HSR Fall Historics at Road Atlanta in September and now concludes at Sebring where two more Goodyear Racing winners will be crowned.

Top performers in Historic Stock Car #MoreDriven by Goodyear Award feature races receive a certificate for a set of Goodyear Racing vintage stock radials, which are already a premium tire of choice for HSR Group 8 competitors.

Among the highlight entries at Sebring is multiple Hall of Famer Bill Elliott who returns to the wheel of his 2014 No. 19 Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Vintage Race Car Restorations. Elliott has earned multiple HSR Group 8 wins the last few seasons at Road Atlanta in addition to reaching the top step of victory lane in his most recent appearance at Barber Motorsports Park in 2019.

Another NASCAR notable competing at Sebring this weekend is Joe Nemechek who makes his HSR debut with his own and established NEMCO Motorsports team that has been in operation for more than 30 years. Nemechek competes this weekend in an ex-Terry Labonte Kellogg’s Corn Flakes 2006 No. 5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned by Larry Hoopaugh.

Stock Car Group 8 has become one of HSR’s fastest growing and most popular divisions in recent years. This weekend’s Group 8 field at Sebring rivals the 20-car entry for the 43rd HSR Mitty, with entry lists comprised of primarily modern but retired stock cars from the last 20 years.

Historic Stock Car #MoreDriven by Goodyear Racing Award winners in the opening rounds at Road Atlanta include Brian Norman, Mark Furcini, Jack Finch and Elliott.

In addition to the Sebring Historics, the major on-track attraction this weekend is the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, tribute race that takes place Saturday and Sunday. It begins with a symbolic 12 hours of non-stop competition Saturday before all four competing Run Groups contest a final round of races Sunday morning to bring the Classic Sebring 12 Hour to a finish.

Vintage airplanes join the celebration on Friday after arriving throughout that morning at nearby Sebring Regional Airport. The traditional “Parade of Planes” from the airport to the Sebring competitor paddock is scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Detailed event information for the Classic Sebring 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, including weekend schedules and entry lists, is available at www.HSRRace.com.

Spectator tickets for the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour are available exclusively at Sebring International Raceway throughout the event. Learn more at www.HSRtickets.com.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

Showtime Motorsports Announces Drivers Lawrence and Rydquist for TA2 2022 Line-up

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Official Release
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Franklin, TENNESSEE – December 2, 2021 – The effervescent Ken Thwaits has just enjoyed an outstanding rookie season in Trans Am TA Class where he finished in a fantastic fourth place overall in the 2021 Drivers’ Championship after winning the XGT Championship the previous year. Now, the Showtime Motorsports Franklin Road Apparel Team Principal has recruited the two-time TA2 Class Champion Cameron Lawrence to drive the No. 6 Chevrolet Camaro in TA2 for the full 2022 season, while 2021 West Coast Champion Carl Rydquist will drive the No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro for 8-10 races in the 2022 season.

Cameron drove for Franklin Road for the first time at COTA this year at the season finale where he qualified in P4 and finished in P5. Cameron is the 2015 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and Sahlen Six Hours of Watkins Glen endurance racing winner. He is a two-time Trans Am Champion in the TA2 class with over 20 series wins to his name to date. New teammate Carl Rydquist was the runaway winner of this year’s West Coast Championship, collecting 204 Championship points over the course of a seven-race season that saw him win at Sonoma, Thunderhill, The Ridge Motorsports Park and Utah.

Ken himself will be back behind the wheel of one of the Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaros in 2022 but another seat in a full season TA Class Camaro is available to the right driver. We spoke to Ken this week about the exciting developments at Franklin Road and his enthusiasm for the season ahead was tangible, “I’m thrilled to be adding Cameron and Carl to the Showtime Franklin Road Apparel team for next year. They’re both great drivers and true Champions so naturally I look forward to being a part of their continued success. I’m looking forward to next season enormously. We have a great team to go to war with now and it’s going to be epic racing for the drivers and the fans.”

The 2022 season gets underway with the traditional season opener at Sebring International Raceway on February 24 to 27 with races at Charlotte and Atlanta before the end of March. The full program runs through to the season finale at COTA in November. 2021 was a great year for Franklin Road and for Trans Am and 2022 promises to be better still.

Ken’s commitment to Trans Am is further underlined by his flagship partner Franklin Road who markets branded Trans Am Apparel. Franklin Road has high-quality t-shirts, polo shirts, button shirts and caps bearing smart renditions of the famous Trans Am logo and modelled by none other than 2021 Trans Am Champion Chris Dyson. “I am honoured to showcase the Series’ new merchandise. Ken’s taste is impeccable, and we love the fact that Franklin Road has made this investment in Trans Am. It’s a great way for the fans to support us and display the brand,” said Chris Dyson, the ace driver at CD Racing. Teams and fans can find the Trans Am clothing, click here.

Check out the Showtime Motorsports Facebook page, click here!

Visit Showtime Motorsports online, www.showtimemotorsports.net and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, www.gotransam.com.

Learn more about the Showtime Motorsports team partner, Franklin Road Apparel at www.franklinroad.com.

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.

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