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| Team Falken Tire has taken delivery of a brand-new ’12 Porsche GT3 RSR chassis. |
Falken Tire Introduces ’12 Porsche GT3 RSR to Compete in New Season of ALMS
In its quest to extend the momentum generated in the 2011 American Le Mans Series (ALMS), Team Falken Tire has taken delivery of a brand-new ’12 Porsche GT3 RSR chassis. The car was sent to Derrick Walker’s race shop in Indianapolis in preparation for competition in the GT class and will make its season debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring March 17.
Drivers Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers will return to pilot the car, which is one of only four new race-designated Porsches in the U.S. The veteran duo secured two wins for Team Falken during last year, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and on the streets of Baltimore.
The top model of Porsche Motorsport's customer racing vehicles is termed “a technically mature” race car, according to Porsche officials. However, the ’12 GT3 RSR features extensive modifications, including flared front- and rear-wheel arches, as well as new intakes on the sides to provide better air flow to the engine.
Falken Azenis race slicks will again be used on the Porsche, updated through research and development during the off-season. Also joining Team Falken this year will be HPI Racing.
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| Mike Spencer will begin the drive for five straight USAC/CRA championships on Saturday. Photo: Doug Allen. |
Perris Auto Speedway Opens 17th Season With Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Perris Auto Speedway (PAS) will open it's 17th season this Saturday night, February 25, with the Sokola Shootout for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, PAS Senior Sprints and the California Lightning Sprint Cars. Saturday's race honors the memories of past CRA president and car owner Gary Sokola and his son Mark who was a sprint car racer. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the first race will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The PAS is increasing its purse for 2012, returning to what it was a few years ago. The winner will again receive $2,500 (as opposed to $2,000 the past few seasons) and it will pay a minimum of $300 to start the main (as opposed to $150).
Temecula, California, second-generation racer Mike Spencer heads the list of entries for the USAC/CRA portion of the show. He will begin the drive for five straight USAC/CRA championships on Saturday. The 30-year-old led the series with six wins in 2011.
The leading challengers for Spencer's crown are 22-year-old Nick Faas of Huntington Beach, California, and Yorba Linda's Matt Mitchell. Faas ended up second in the standings to Spencer in 2011 and won three of the final eight races of the year, including night number one of the Budweiser Oval Nationals. Mitchell, 24, won two mains in 2011 and ended up third in points behind champion Spencer and Faas.
Rounding out Saturday's show will be the California Lightning Sprint Series. This will be the 19th season for the series that has produced such stars as Mike Spencer, Darren Hagen, David Cardey and Greg Bragg.
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| CJ Wilson Racing drivers Elliott Skeer (left) and Emilee Tominovich at a recent team test. Photo: CJ Wilson Racing. |
CJ Wilson Racing Announces Driver Roster For 2012 Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Season
CJ Wilson Racing has announced its 2012 Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup driver and team sponsor line-up. The team has been chosen by MAZDASPEED Driver Development ladder driver Elliott Skeer, who will be joined by rookies Stevan McAleer and Emilee Tominovich, as well as second-year driver, Charles Paquin. The team has also announced an extended team partnership with ModSpace.
The No. 29 ModSpace Mazda MX5 entry will be piloted by specially selected drivers throughout the season. The company will select drivers based on their business-to-business relationships that align with the corporation’s business objectives. Previous drivers have included Chad McCumbee, Ari Strauss, Nick Igdalsky, Justin Marks and Marc Miller. Drivers for 2012 will be announced soon.
The team also will debut a partnership with Forza Motorsports 4 and Xbox 360.
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| GOJO will continue its sponsorship of Hanna Motorsports’ team cars for the 2012 race season. |
GOJO, Hanna Motorsports Continue Partnership
GOJO has announced its continued sponsorship of Hanna Motorsports’ team cars—including the namesake GOJO Firebird—for the 2012 race season.
The GOJO-emblazoned Hanna Motorsports team cars will be featured at 55 events during the 2012 race season, including NHRA events. In addition to the GOJO Firebird, Hanna Motorsports runs the Top Secret Firebird and the Queen of Diamonds 300 MPH Dragster.