1 reply to this topic

[davew]

Danny Bender (Bravo Trailers, Autobahn Mazda, B.F. Goodrich Tires) drove his 2008 Mazda MX5 Miata to the T-4 national Championship at the SCCA Runoffs at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

 

Bender, of Northbrook Illinois, was supported by Advanced Autosports (www.advanced-autosports.com) from Beloit Wisconsin. Dave Wheeler, owner of Advanced Autosports, worked as a volunteer crew member for Danny's father, Mitch Bender, in the 1990's in the SCCA's Trans Am series. "After Mitch went into semi-retirement from racing, we would run into each other at the track or at various racing functions", said Wheeler. "When Danny started racing Spec Miata (SM) we hooked up again. Danny has run his SM and the T-4 car out of the Advanced Autosports shop for several years".

 

This particular MX5 Miata has spent most of its life at the race track. Running 5 seasons in the SCCA Pro Racings' MX5 Cup series. Including having been driven by actor/racer Patrick Dempsey. Until we began preparation for The Runoffs, the car still had its original engine and drive train installed. Starting with the strong basic platform of the MX5 Miata, made it much easier to build a race winning car. Competing against Ford Mustangs and Honda Civics was a challenge. Without the help of Mazda Motorsports, in both  technical and logistic support, this victory never would have happened.

 

The B.F. Goodrich G-Force R1 competition radial tire was new to the Advanced Autosports team for 2014. Thanks to Pete Calhoun and the engineering team at BFG, it was a simple process to learn the new tire. "The BFG's where as fast on lap number one as the where on lap twenty one."

 

This was the first Runoffs victory for both Danny Bender and Advanced Autosports (Advanced had finished second and third at previous Runoffs in the Spec Miata class with Voytek Burdzy). In 2014, Advanced drivers also earned the SCCA National Points Championship (Burdzy in SM) as well as 2 Northern Conference Championships (Burdzy in SM as well as Bender in T-4). Along with Central Division SCCA championships by Burdzy (his third consecutive in SM) and Wheeler(ITS).

 

Although no firm plans have been made, the Advanced Autosports team may return to its roots in professional racing for 2015." We are looking into various options for the 2015 season. But whatever we do it, will be in a Mazda" says Wheeler.

[Glenn]

Danny Bender (Bravo Trailers, Autobahn Mazda, B.F. Goodrich Tires) drove his 2008 Mazda MX5 Miata to the T-4 national Championship at the SCCA Runoffs at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

 

Bender, of Northbrook Illinois, was supported by Advanced Autosports (www.advanced-autosports.com) from Beloit Wisconsin. Dave Wheeler, owner of Advanced Autosports, worked as a volunteer crew member for Danny's father, Mitch Bender, in the 1990's in the SCCA's Trans Am series. "After Mitch went into semi-retirement from racing, we would run into each other at the track or at various racing functions", said Wheeler. "When Danny started racing Spec Miata (SM) we hooked up again. Danny has run his SM and the T-4 car out of the Advanced Autosports shop for several years".

 

This particular MX5 Miata has spent most of its life at the race track. Running 5 seasons in the SCCA Pro Racings' MX5 Cup series. Including having been driven by actor/racer Patrick Dempsey. Until we began preparation for The Runoffs, the car still had its original engine and drive train installed. Starting with the strong basic platform of the MX5 Miata, made it much easier to build a race winning car. Competing against Ford Mustangs and Honda Civics was a challenge. Without the help of Mazda Motorsports, in both  technical and logistic support, this victory never would have happened.

 

The B.F. Goodrich G-Force R1 competition radial tire was new to the Advanced Autosports team for 2014. Thanks to Pete Calhoun and the engineering team at BFG, it was a simple process to learn the new tire. "The BFG's where as fast on lap number one as the where on lap twenty one."

 

This was the first Runoffs victory for both Danny Bender and Advanced Autosports (Advanced had finished second and third at previous Runoffs in the Spec Miata class with Voytek Burdzy). In 2014, Advanced drivers also earned the SCCA National Points Championship (Burdzy in SM) as well as 2 Northern Conference Championships (Burdzy in SM as well as Bender in T-4). Along with Central Division SCCA championships by Burdzy (his third consecutive in SM) and Wheeler(ITS).

 

Although no firm plans have been made, the Advanced Autosports team may return to its roots in professional racing for 2015." We are looking into various options for the 2015 season. But whatever we do it, will be in a Mazda" says Wheeler.

Congrats to Dave and all his drivers for a great season, hope 2015 is even better!!!!!