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#1
Johnny D

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Grand Champion to be crowned May 3 at Mazda Raceway

Napa Valley, CA — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) together with Mazda will line-up 20 championship-winning drivers from the 2014 season to race in the inaugural Mazda Race of NASA Champions. This historic event will take place during the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca weekend, May 1-3.

The 20 NASA Champion drivers represent 13 states, from nearly all NASA regions across the country. Each racer will compete in identically prepared Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge Mazda MX-5s to vie for the title of NASA Grand Champion.

The Grand Champion will be eligible to compete in the Mazda Club Racer Shootout for a $100,000 scholarship to be used to fund a full season of racing in the SCCA Pro Racing Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires racing series.

“This program speaks volumes to the importance Mazda places on grassroots motorsports as they are truly devoted to finding the best driver in NASA to represent the association in the annual Mazda Club Racer Shootout later this year,” said Ryan Flaherty, NASA National Chairman. “Both of our companies share a common vision for offering new opportunities to grass roots racers and this program could help identify the next great driver in our sport. We can’t wait to see the action in two weeks at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca."

“Over the past few years NASA competitors have been extremely impressive at our annual Club Racing Shootout,” said John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations. “We expect the NASA champions to have a great battle in the identical MX-5 cars.”

Mazda Race of NASA Champions entry:

— Craig Ames, NASA SoCal, Western States Champion, ST1

— Ben Anderson, NASA Central, PTD Eastern States Champion

— Paul Arnold, NASA Southeast, Eastern States Champion, FFR Challenge

— Edgar Cabrera, NASA Northeast, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, GTS3

— Jeremy Croiset, NASA SoCal, Western States Champion, Honda Challenge 2

— Sandro Espinosa, NASA Southeast, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, Spec E30

— Larry Fraser, NASA NorCal, Western States Champion, Spec E30

— Chi Ho, NASA Florida, Regional Champion, TTB, Eastern States Champion, TTC

— Tristan Littlehale, NASA NorCal, Western States Champion, GTS2

— Michael McAleenan, NASA NorCal, Western States Champion, GTS3

— Ricky Johnson, NASA Arizona, Regional Champion, Western States Champion, PTB

— Tommy Lo, NASA NorCal, Western States Champion, TTE

— Ronald Nielsen, NASA Southeast, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, TTF

— Jay Pellegrini, NASA NOLA, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, Spec Z

— Eric Powell, NASA Florida, Regional Champion, Western States Champion, PTD, TTD

— Matt Powers, NASA NorCal, Western States Champion, GTS4

— Cory Rueth, NASA Texas, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, Spec Iron

— Dave Schotz, NASA Arizona, Regional Champion, Eastern States Champion, PTB, Western States Champion, TTC

— Dan Williams, NASA Rocky Mountain, Eastern States Champion, 944 Spec

— David Ziegler, NASA Great Lakes, Eastern States Champion, ST3


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#2
john mueller

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This is a really neat think NASA & Mazda are putting on...  I see Jeremy Croiset kicking some major butt or done blowin'-up!


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#3
Johnny D

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Provisional Schedule

http://www.mazdarace...hedule_4.23.pdf
J~


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2011 NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship E3 Champ
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Novel Approach - When a paragraph simply won't do... Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#4
ECOBRAP

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Going to be a fun weekend, I am going to head to Laguna to watch. Finally get to see Kyle L. in the MX5 cup, and as a bonus get to see my good friend Tristan Littlehale race in the Race of Champions, and a few of the GT Academy guys I competed with are driving in Continental Tire. Anyone else going?


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#5
Ron Alan

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I will be there....I'm keeping my win pic quiet! But he should be right there with Eric Powell and Ben Anderson!
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#6
Ron Alan

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Sounds like the regular MX5 cup series guys arent to happy about the additional cars joining the group. I assume there will be split starts though. But for sure lap traffic will make things interesting!


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#7
fotostars

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I may go down to see Kyle L. race but that will only be Sat. . I am booked Sunday...


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ECOBRAP

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I will probably only be there Saturday as well, we will see. The MX5's have arrived for the race of champions! I thought they would be using Skip Barber cars but these look brand new?!? I want one...

11182252_10153526594216754_5637811271329


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#9
Johnny D

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Gallagher Captures top Position in Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Opening Practice at Mazda Raceway

MONTEREY, Calif. (May 1, 2015) – Patrick Gallagher, of Thornville, Ohio, showed good pace as he finished at the top of the time sheets in the opening practice in preparation for Round Five and Six of the SCCA Pro Racing Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the Monterey Grand Prix. John Dean, of Sebring, Florida, was second followed by Drake Kemper, of Toluca Lake, California.

Gallagher, at the wheel of his No. 44 Howard Concrete Pumping MX-5, put down a fast lap of 1:41.696 (79.224 mph) at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit. Gallagher said he is looking forward to a strong run during the race as the conditions during this session will be similar to those forecasted for the race.

"The track is really good," Gallagher said. "We're going to be racing in one of these early-morning sessions, so I'm really happy to have pace in these conditions. What we need to focus on now is qualifying, which will be after 4:00 p.m., to get some pole position points.

"I think we have a really good car for the race. We're going to do a long-run simulation in the next practice."

In the No. 16 Bulb Jacket/PPG/Sick Sideways MX-5, Dean logged a fast time of 1:41.802 (79.124 mph). That was good enough to place Dean second in the session.

"The track felt great this morning," Dean said. "The tires felt awesome. I felt like I could really drive the car without being twitchy in places. There are some scary corners here, like Turn Six, the Corkscrew, and Turn Nine, but the car felt really stable in those sections. So, it helped me to feel really confident.

"The car started to go away after a few laps. So, we'll review the data, and make some changes for the race. As for qualifying, our setup should work pretty well."

Kemper, at the controls of his No. 99 Royal Rugby/Mazda Motorsports Development/BFGoodrich Tires MX-5, stopped the clocks with a fat lap of 1:42.244 (78.800 mph). That time put him in the final podium position.

"The track was unbelievable," Kemper said. "Yesterday the track was pretty greasy and we were on some old tires. Today we put stickers on, and the cool temperatures helped out too. This is the Mazda Raceway that I love.

"With the NASA guys, 48 cars is a lot. Especially, on a, roughly, 2.2-mile circuit like this. There wasn't one lap where you didn't pass at least one car. It makes it challenging, but also fun."

Timothy Paul, of Mahopac, New York, finished the first official session of the weekend in fourth. His best lap was a 1:42.248 (78.797 mph), in his No. 6 ALARA Racing/Cellmark MX-5.

Dean Copeland, of Bowie, Maryland, completed the top five positons with at time of 1:42.289 (78.765 mph), at the controls of his No. 7 Copeland Motorsports/Sync Speed Inc. MX-5.

In the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge series, Robby Foley, of Randolph, New Jersey, finished the first session of the weekend at the front of the pack. He turned a lap of 1:44.604 (77.022 mph).

"Yesterday during the test day it was pretty warm," Foley said. "It was cooler this morning, so the cars were a bit more happy. The track tends to get a little greasy as the temperatures go up, but it was pretty good this morning. The cars made a little more power and we didn't have to fight the track as much, and we were able to get the car dialed in pretty well.

"When we qualify in the afternoon, the track will probably be hot again. So, we may have to make some changes for that."

Ben Albano, of Greenwich, Connecticut, was the second quickest driver in the class, at the controls of his No. 61 Project Yellow Light/Manfredi Jewels SBMX-5, with a time of 1:35.297 (76.631 mph). Completing the top three drivers in the class was Nikko Reger, of Houston with a time of 1:45.446 (76.407 mph).

As part of the Mazda Race of NASA Champions class, Corey Rueth, of Manchaca, Texas, finished the session on top with a time of 1:45.268 (76.536 mph). Matthew Powers, of San Rafael, California, and Jeremy Croiset, of Tehachapi, California, rounded out the podium positions with times of 1:46.443 (75.691 mph) and 1:46.569 (75.602 mph), respectively.

The Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup is next on course at 10:40 a.m. (PDT) for their second practice of the weekend. Qualifying is slated to being at 4:50 p.m. (PDT), later in the day. Race One of the weekend is scheduled for Saturday, at 8:40 a.m. (PDT), with Race Two set to start at 9:10 a.m. (PDT) on Sunday.

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Monterey Calif. - Results from Practice One for Saturday's Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires Round Five race, part of the Monterey Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with position, class, car number in parenthesis, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour

1,MX,{44},Patrick Gallagher,Thornville Ohio,MX-5,1:41.696,79.224
2,MX,{16},John Dean II,Sebring Fla.,MX-5,1:41.802,79.142
3,MX,{99},Drake Kemper,Toluca Lake Calif.,MX-5,1:42.244,78.8
4,MX,{6},Timothy Paul,Mahopac N.Y.,MX-5,1:42.248,78.797
5,MX,{7},Dean Copeland,Bowie Md.,MX-5,1:42.289,78.765
6,MX,{11},Ara Malkhassian,Houston Texas,MX-5,1:42.305,78.753
7,MX,{34},Matt Koskinen®,Harper Woods Mich.,MX-5,1:42.323,78.739
8,MX,{8},Nathanial Sparks,Spanish Fort Ala.,MX-5,1:42.481,78.617
9,MX,{4},Kyle Loustaunau®,Vacaville Calif.,MX-5,1:42.507,78.598
10,MX,{35},Devin Jones,Mooresville N.C.,MX-5,1:42.508,78.597
11,MX,{24},Peter Portante,Plainville Conn.,MX-5,1:42.550,78.565
12,MX,{12},Zach Lee,San Antonio Texas,MX-5,1:43.309,77.987
13,MX,{17},Nick Igdalsky®,Stroudsburg Pa.,MX-5,1:43.431,77.895
14,MX,{14},Sarah Montgomery,Lafayette La.,MX-5,1:43.563,77.796
15,MX,{32},Keith Jensen®,Dallas Texas,MX-5,1:43.656,77.726
16,MX,{26},Tim Probert,Houston Texas,MX-5,1:43.861,77.573
17,MX,{72},Charles Paquin,Ottawa Ont. Can.,MX-5,1:44.352,77.208
18,MX,{10},Brent Mosing,Lafayette La.,MX-5,1:44.392,77.178
19,MX,{77},Hernan Palermo®,Houston Texas,MX-5,1:45.220,76.571
20,MX,{52},Steve Bottom,Newport Beach Calif.,MX-5,1:45.709,76.217
21,MX,{28},Aurora Straus®,New York N.Y.,MX-5,1:53.650,70.891

1,SBMX,{65},Robby Foley,Randolph N.J.,SBMX-5,1:44.604,77.022
2,SBMX,{61},Ben Albano,Greenwich Conn.,SBMX-5,1:45.138,76.631
3,SBMX,{68},Nikko Reger,Houston Texas,SBMX-5,1:45.446,76.407
4,SBMX,{67},Sam Adams,Richfield Wis.,SBMX-5,1:45.498,76.369
5,SBMX,{62},Kieron O'Rourke,Grand Cayman,SBMX-5,1:49.391,73.651
6,SBMX,{69},Chris Beaufait,Freeland Wash.,SBMX-5,1:50.012,73.236

1,SBNC,{27},Corey Rueth,Manchaca Texas,,1:45.268,76.536
2,SBNC,{40},Matthew Powers,San Rafael Calif.,,1:46.443,75.691
3,SBNC,{25},Jeremy Croiset,Tehachapi Calif.,,1:46.569,75.602
4,SBNC,{36},Larry Fraser,Novato Calif.,,1:46.725,75.491
5,SBNC,{29},Eric Powell,Orlando Fla.,,1:46.916,75.356
6,SBNC,{30},David Ziegler,Baltimore Ohio,,1:47.005,75.294
7,SBNC,{2},Michael McAleenan,Tacoma Wash.,,1:47.173,75.176
8,SBNC,{19},Daniel Williams,Scottsbluff Neb.,,1:47.782,74.751
9,SBNC,{38},Sandro Espinosa,Atlanta Ga.,,1:48.030,74.579
10,SBNC,{96},Tommy Lo,Sunnyvale Calif.,,1:48.464,74.281
11,SBNC,{33},Tristan Littlehale,Saratoga Calif.,,1:48.499,74.257
12,SBNC,{42},David Schotz,Chandler Ariz.,,1:48.788,74.06
13,SBNC,{3},Edgar Cabrera,Queens N.Y.,,1:49.651,73.477
14,SBNC,{9},Craig Ames,Laguna Niguel Calif.,,1:50.548,72.881
15,SBNC,{15},Jay Pellegrini III,Covington La.,,1:50.746,72.75
16,SBNC,{41},Ricky Johnson,Queen Creek Ariz.,,1:51.019,72.571
17,SBNC,{21},Ronald Nielsen,Gainesville Ga.,,1:52.310,71.737


2011 NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship E3 Champ
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Novel Approach - When a paragraph simply won't do... Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#10
Johnny D

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Gallagher Tops Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Practice Two from Mazda Raceway

MONTEREY, Calif. (May 1, 2015) – Patrick Gallagher, of Thornville, Ohio, topped the time card in the second practice in preparation for Rounds Five and Six of the SCCA Pro Racing Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the Monterey Grand Prix. John Dean, of Sebring, Florida, was second with Kyle Loustaunau, of Vacaville, California, cracking the top three for the first time in his young Mazda MX-5 Cup career.

Gallagher wheeled his No. 44 Howard Concrete Pumping MX-5 to the top of the leaderboard, once again. He registered a fast time of 1:42.747 (78.418 mph) at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit.

"We didn't really get a clean lap that session," Gallagher said. "So, it's difficult to know exactly where we stand. I don't think anyone else got a clean one either, so it should be interesting in qualifying.

"I'm really happy. Jason [Hoover] isn't even here and these guys are killing it on car setup. He's on the golf course tuning the car. We'll see where things are in qualifying and the race. The car is great, so we're going to bolt on some new tires and see if we can go get some pole points."

In the No. 16 Bulb Jacket/PPG/Sick Sideways MX-5, Dean was, once again, in the hunt for the top time of the session. His best lap was registered as 1:42.939 (78.268 mph) at the stripe.

"This track has some fun sections, but it's not my favorite," Dean said. "I go out there and treat every on-track session like a job. I try to analyze how I can become a better driver and how to make the car better, both for myself and the team. We're running really well on older tires.

"We made some changes that session that made the car slightly worse. But, sometimes you need to make the car worse to figure out how to make the car better. I think we now know how to make things better for my car, and the rest of the team."

Loustaunau, at the controls of his No. 4 Mazda Motorsports Development/BFGoodrich Tires MX-5, logged his first top-three finish in an official series-sanctioned session. Loustaunau said it was only practice, but admitted that the strong pace, evidenced by his best lap of 1:42.966 (78.247 mph), gave him confidence moving toward qualifying and the two races still to come.

"I haven't been to this track in five years," Loustaunau said. "The last time I came here was the second race of my career, ever. So, this is basically a new track for me. I only live three hours from here, so you would think I have thousands of laps around here but that's not the case. This track is tough. It's a difficult track to learn, but I'm slowly picking it up, session by session.

"My team has given me a good car. I'm just working on the nut behind the wheel. This is Jason Hoover's home track. Technically, this is the team's and my home track. We bring our 'A' game when we're here, and don't want to be anywhere other than that podium."

Peter Portante, of Plainville, Connecticut, finished practice two in fourth. He logged a best time of 1:43.966 (78.064 mph) at the wheel of his No. 24 Intercity Lines MX-5.

Dean Copeland, of Bowie, Maryland, also reprised his role of top-five finisher. He ended the session with a fast lap of 1:43.275 (78.014 mph) in his No. 7 Copeland Motorsports/Sync Speed Inc. MX-5.

In the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge series, Robby Foley, of Randolph, New Jersey, was the top driver after registering a lap of 1:44.950 (76.768 mph).

"With the increased heat, the track was definitely greasier," Foley said. "We dropped some time from this morning's session, but that's to be expected. The car is a little loose, at this point, but that's better than being tight around this place. Looking toward qualifying, it's going to be warmer and slicker. So, we'll just have to keep an eye on that.

"Looking forward, toward the race, I like to get the car to the point that it comes into the best handling toward the end of the race. That way I have something to drive when it comes down to crunch time."

Sam Adams, of Richfield, Wisconsin, finished second with a best lap of 1:45.077 (76.675 mph), with Ben Albano, of Greenwich, Connecticut, in third after turning a lap of 1:45.379 (76.455 mph) in his No. 61 Project Yellow Light/Manfredi Jewels SBMX-5.

In the Mazda Race of NASA Champions class, David Ziegler, of Baltimore, Ohio, was the top driver with a lap of 1:46.411 (75.714 mph). He was followed by Jeremy Croiset, of Tehachapi, California, and Eric Powell, of Orlando, Florida, who had best laps of 1:46.243 (75.705 mph) and 1:46.650 (75.544 mph), respectively.

Qualifying for the Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup is slated to being at 4:50 p.m. (PDT), this afternoon, with Race One scheduled for Saturday, at 8:40 a.m. (PDT). Race Two is set to start at 9:10 a.m. (PDT), on Sunday.

Like the series on Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaMX5Cup and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MazdaMX5Cup.

Monterey Calif. - Results from Practice 2 for Saturday's Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires Round Six race, part of the Monterey Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with position, class, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.

1,MX,{44},Patrick Gallagher, Thornville Ohio,MX-5,1:42.742,78.418
2,MX,{16},John Dean II, Sebring Fla.,MX-5,1:42.939,78.268
3,MX,{4},Kyle Loustaunau®, Vacaville Calif.,MX-5,1:42.966,78.247
4,MX,{24},Peter Portante, Plainville Conn.,MX-5,1:43.207,78.064
5,MX,{7},Dean Copeland, Bowie Md.,MX-5,1:43.274,78.014
6,MX,{35},Devin Jones, Mooresville N.C.,MX-5,1:43.281,78.009
7,MX,{99},Drake Kemper, Toluca Lake Calif.,MX-5,1:43.391,77.926
8,MX,{8},Nathanial Sparks, Spanish Fort Ala.,MX-5,1:43.457,77.876
9,MX,{6},Timothy Paul, Mahopac N.Y.,MX-5,1:43.468,77.868
10,MX,{11},Ara Malkhassian, Houston Texas,MX-5,1:43.606,77.764
11,MX,{14},Sarah Montgomery, Lafayette La.,MX-5,1:43.911,77.536
12,MX,{12},Zach Lee, San Antonio Texas,MX-5,1:44.020,77.454
13,MX,{34},Matt Koskinen®, Harper Woods Mich.,MX-5,1:44.222,77.304
14,MX,{77},Hernan Palermo®, Houston Texas,MX-5,1:44.264,77.273
15,MX,{17},Nick Igdalsky®, Stroudsburg Pa.,MX-5,1:44.505,77.095
16,MX,{10},Brent Mosing, Lafayette La.,MX-5,1:44.677,76.968
17,MX,{26},Tim Probert, Houston Texas,MX-5,1:44.769,76.901
18,MX,{32},Keith Jensen®, Dallas Texas,MX-5,1:45.001,76.731
19,MX,{72},Charles Paquin, Ottawa Ont. Can.,MX-5,1:45.110,76.651
20,MX,{52},Steve Bottom, Newport Beach Calif.,MX-5,1:45.499,76.368
21,MX,{28},Aurora Straus®, New York N.Y.,MX-5,1:53.082,71.247

1,SBMX,{65},Robby Foley, Randolph N.J.,SBMX-5,1:44.950,76.768
2,SBMX,{67},Sam Adams, Richfield Wis.,SBMX-5,1:45.077,76.675
3,SBMX,{61},Ben Albano, Greenwich Conn.,SBMX-5,1:45.379,76.455
4,SBMX,{68},Nikko Reger, Houston Texas,SBMX-5,1:45.732,76.2
5,SBMX,{63},Bryan Hixon, San Antonio Texas,SBMX-5,1:45.947,76.046
6,SBMX,{62},Kieron O'Rourke, Grand Cayman,SBMX-5,1:47.206,75.153
7,SBMX,{69},Chris Beaufait, Freeland Wash.,SBMX-5,1:51.018,72.572

1,SBNC,{30},David Ziegler, Baltimore Ohio,,1:46.411,75.714
2,SBNC,{25},Jeremy Croiset, Tehachapi Calif.,,1:46.423,75.705
3,SBNC,{29},Eric Powell, Orlando Fla.,,1:46.650,75.544
4,SBNC,{19},Daniel Williams, Scottsbluff Neb.,,1:46.973,75.316
5,SBNC,{27},Corey Rueth, Manchaca Texas,,1:46.988,75.306
6,SBNC,{36},Larry Fraser, Novato Calif.,,1:47.053,75.26
7,SBNC,{40},Matthew Powers, San Rafael Calif.,,1:47.169,75.178
8,SBNC,{38},Sandro Espinosa, Atlanta Ga.,,1:47.216,75.146
9,SBNC,{37},Paul Arnold, Franklin Tenn.,,1:47.469,74.969
10,SBNC,{18},Chi Ho, Orlando Fla.,,1:47.483,74.959
11,SBNC,{3},Edgar Cabrera, Queens N.Y.,,1:47.651,74.842
12,SBNC,{2},Michael McAleenan, Tacoma Wash.,,1:47.683,74.82
13,SBNC,{42},David Schotz, Chandler Ariz.,,1:47.820,74.725
14,SBNC,{33},Tristan Littlehale, Saratoga Calif.,,1:48.144,74.501
15,SBNC,{96},Tommy Lo, Sunnyvale Calif.,,1:48.269,74.415
16,SBNC,{41},Ricky Johnson, Queen Creek Ariz.,,1:48.739,74.093
17,SBNC,{9},Craig Ames, Laguna Niguel Calif.,,1:48.945,73.953
18,SBNC,{15},Jay Pellegrini III, Covington La.,,1:51.763,72.088
19,SBNC,{21},Ronald Nielsen, Gainesville Ga.,,1:52.357,71.707


2011 NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship E3 Champ
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Novel Approach - When a paragraph simply won't do... Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#11
Johnny D

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Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Race Round 5

http://www.race-moni...Session/5362965
J~


2011 NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship E3 Champ
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#12
Johnny D

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Corey Rueth on Pole for Mazda Race of NASA Champions Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Ziegler and Powers round out top three qualifiers

MONTEREY, Calif. (May 1, 2015) - Corey Rueth (Manchaca, Texas) will start the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) first ever Mazda Race of NASA Champions at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from the pole position for Sunday morning's 45-minute race.

The 20 NASA Champions took to the track in their equally prepared Mazda MX-5 Cup race cars for the 15-minute qualifying session this afternoon under sunny skies. The field of champions began to swap the pole position early. Larry Fraser (Novato, Calif.), Matthew Powers (San Rafael, Calif.) and Eric Powell (Orlando, Fla.) all throwing down early fast laps. As the session progressed Rueth put in a time of 1:45.619 on his third flying lap that, at the time, bested the field by over one second. The fans had to wait until late in the session when David Ziegler (Baltimore, Ohio) put in a time of 1:45.665 on his eighth lap to start next to Rueth on the all champions grid. Third place was a battle between Jeremy Croiset (Tehachapi, Calif.), Fraser and Powers. The coveted third place starting position was eventually won by Powers with a lap of 1:45.820.

Corey Rueth is the NASA Texas, Eastern States Champion in his Spec Iron Mustang. He will startSunday's race as the pole sitter in the No. 27 Mazda MX-5.

"So far it has been an amazing weekend," Rueth said. "NASA put it all together with the help of SCCA, Mazda, BFGoodrich and Battery Tender. The whole event has been run very smoothly. We have reviewed each other's video and data. We are working together as NASA brethren to get faster. I am proud to be a part of it. I typically drive a Spec Iron Mustang. The Mazda goes so nice I feel like I am in a warm bath. I managed to run a 1:45.619 and I just kept the car under me. The MX-5 seems to reward with you a 95% effort as opposed to trying to force it into the corners. For the race I plan to manage my tires and I am not going to make a move until I know I have an opportunity to go for the win."

Starting alongside Rueth will be David Ziegler. Ziegler will take the start in the No. 30 Mazda MX-5 and is the NASA Great Lakes, Eastern States Champion, driving a ST3 spec Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

"This whole experience has been pretty amazing," Ziegler said. "NASA, SCCA and Mazda have put together a great weekend. I usually drive a Corvette C5 so the Mazda MX-5 is a little different to drive. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but the car is balanced well and it is a real joy to race. I went out with the intention of going as fast I could. I kept the car on the track and put in a pretty good time. In the race I plan to be smooth and consistent and stay out of trouble."

Matt Powers is the NASA NorCal, Western States Champion in his GTS4 Class BMW M3. He will take the green in the No. 40 Mazda MX-5.

"My usual ride is a BMW M3," Powers said. "The Mazda MX-5 is quite a bit different. The power to weight ratio is almost double between the M3 and the MX-5. It is a great experience to drive the Mazda. So far the weekend is great. NASA and Mazda have put together a very cool weekend and I am glad to be a part of it. For the race, I think there are going to be some cautions. I want to move up a little bit and be close to the lead at the 35 to 40 minute mark. I am not sure it is going to be about tire management, but I know it is going to be a battle the whole race."

The 45-minute Mazda Race of NASA Champions will take the green flag Sunday, May 3 at 10 a.m. PT.

For more information contact Kyle Chura, NASA Media, kyle@kcapr.com, (248) 821-0468.

Mazda Race of NASA Champions Grid:
1.Corey Rueth, Manchaca, Texas 1:45.619
2.David Ziegler, Baltimore, Ohio, 1:45.665
3.Matt Powers, San Rafael, Calif., 1:45.820
4.Larry Fraser, Novato,Calif., 1:45.910
5.Jeremy Croiset, Tehachapi, Calif., 1:45.981
6.Ben Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn., 1:46.001
7.Eric Powell, Orlando, Fla., 1:46.372
8.Sandro Espinosa, Atlanta, Ga., 1:45.472
9.Michael McAleenan, Tacoma, Wash., 1:46.526
10.Chi Ho, Orlando, Fla., NASA Florida, 1:46.836
11.Dave Schotz, Chandler, Ariz., 1:46.836
12.Tommy Lo, Sunnydale, Calif., 1:46.849
13.Dan Williams, Scottsbluff, Neb., 1:46.874
14.Tristan Littlehale, Saratoga, Calif., 1:1:47.094
15.Edgar Cabrera, Queens, Ny., 1:47.778
16.Ricky Johnson, Queen Creek, Ariz., 1:48.629
17.Paul Arnold, Franklin, Tenn., 1:48.634
18.Craig Ames, Laguna Nigel, Calif., 1:49.061
19.Jay Pellegrini, Covington, La., 1:51.429
20.Ronald Nielsen, Gainesville, Ga., 1:52.339
2011 NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship E3 Champ
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Novel Approach - When a paragraph simply won't do... Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#13
Chad Martin

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Yikes.  That was a mess.  I imagine some very angry folks.  I think at best half the NASA field belonged on the track...i'm not sure how great an idea it was to make the TT champs eligible...i don't think they had the chops for a race like that with the pro MX-5 Cup guys in the same session.

 

Congrats to Matt, he ran a really clean race.



#14
fotostars

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Was there a video feed somewhere? Can someone summarize the "mess"? I couldn't be a the track today, what happened?


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#15
Chad Martin

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Couple mid-pack nasa guys went for divebomb glory on the first lap in T1&2...with predictable results plowing into top five guys.  Then the double yellow turned into a bumper cars session between the cup back markers, the skippy regulars, and the NASA front runners that was about as epic a fender banger session as ive seen.  But not the good kind...

 

Lots of action for a crowd but for anyone who watches a lot of racing there were lots of cringe worthy and face-palm moments.

 

The nasa backmarkers really tried to get out of the way when they needed too with varying success, i'm sure it had to have been aggravating for the pro guys tho.

 

Video feed was Mazda Live on Ustream, camera work was actually quite good.






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