GRAND-AM // EMCO GEARS CLASSIC @ MID-OHIO

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Curtis Creager, in addition to shooting last weekends CTSCC race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, was also present for the eighth round of the 2010 Rolex GRAND-AM Series, the Emco Gears Classic. Collecting the win in the Daytona Prototype (DP) clas was the Chip Ganassi Racing BMW Riley of Pruett and Rojas, followed shortly thereafter by Negri and Pew in the Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley. Finishing third was Frisselle and Wilkins in the AIM Autosport Ford Riley. In the Grand Touring (GT) class, Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand took the win in their Turner Motorsport BMW M6, finishing ahead of Adam Christodoulou and John Edwards in the SpeedSource Mazda RX-8.

Follow the link for additional images and complete results... [read more]











Rolex GRAND-AM Series // Emco Gears Classic @ Mid-Ohio:

1 01 DP 1 Pruett / Rojas Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates / BMW Riley 107 1:18.985 72 87.510
2 60 DP 2 Negri / Pew Michael Shank Racing / Ford Riley 107 1:19.509 83 87.484 Crown Royal XR
3 61 DP 3 Frisselle / Wilkins AIM Autosport / Ford Riley 107 1:19.450 81 87.483
4 6 DP 4 Frisselle / Valiante Michael Shank Racing / Ford Dallara 107 1:19.149 80 87.470
5 90 DP 5 Garcia / Rice Spirit of Daytona Racing / Porsche Coyote 107 1:19.519 83 87.402
6 99 DP 6 Fogarty / Gurney GAINSCO/ Bob Stallings Racing / Chevrolet Riley 107 1:19.208 9 87.381
7 77 DP 7 Gidley / von Moltke Doran Racing / Ford Dallara 107 1:19.259 88 87.356
8 59 DP 8 Donohue / Law Brumos Racing / Porsche Riley 107 1:19.573 95 87.354
9 10 DP 9 Angelelli / Taylor SunTrust Racing / Ford Dallara 107 1:19.098 80 86.814
10 9 DP 10 Barbosa / Borcheller / France Action Express Racing / Porsche Riley 106 1:19.687 95 86.013
11 7 DP 11 Lester / Philippe Starworks Motorsport / BMW Riley 105 1:19.217 92 85.255
12 94 GT 1 Auberlen / Hand Turner Motorsport / BMW M6 104 1:25.521 91 84.888
13 68 GT 2 Christodoulou / Edwards SpeedSource / Mazda RX-8 104 1:25.630 65 84.881
14 30 GT 3 Buford / Taylor Racers Edge Motorsports / Mazda RX-8 104 1:25.451 77 84.879
15 69 GT 4 Assentato / Segal SpeedSource / Mazda RX-8 104 1:25.484 71 84.782
16 57 GT 5 Davis / Liddell Stevenson Motorsports / Camaro GT.R 104 1:25.870 52 84.732
17 40 GT 6 Espenlaub / Foster Dempsey Racing / Mazda RX-8 104 1:26.104 11 84.701
18 07 GT 7 Edwards / Russell Banner Racing / Corvette 104 1:24.698 87 84.693
19 42 GT 8 Lally / Nonnamaker Team Sahlen / Mazda RX-8 104 1:25.848 53 84.559
20 97 GT 9 Bremer / Schaldach Stevenson Motorsports / Camaro GT.R 103 1:25.884 50 83.704
21 41 GT 10 Gue / Keen Dempsey Racing / Mazda RX-8 102 1:25.501 91 83.324
22 43 GT 11 Nonnamaker / Nonnamaker Team Sahlen / Mazda RX-8 100 1:25.206 77 81.453
23 75 DP 12 Jonsson / Krohn Krohn Racing / Ford Lola 98 1:20.569 53 80.016
24 8 DP 13 Dalziel / Forest Starworks Motorsport / BMW Riley 56 1:18.604 53 56.155
25 70 GT 12 Bomarito / Tremblay SpeedSource / Mazda RX-8 21 1:26.318 7 80.275
26 28 GT 13 Collins / Gigliotti / Lux LG Motorsports / Corvette 21 1:26.698 7 53.325
27 44 GT 14 Potter / Stanton Magnus Racing / Porsche GT3 12 1:27.275 6 87.854
28 31 GT 15 Curran / Wilden Marsh Racing / Corvette 1 1:46.600 1 59.539

Photo: Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // D1 GRAND PRIX TO AIR ON SPEED THIS SEPTEMBER

According to Autoblog, the D1 Grand Prix will air on SPEED starting this September. The Japanese series, which was founded in 1999 by Daijiro Inada and Keiichi Tsuchiya, will be segmented into 15 one-hour programs, nine of which cover races in Japan, three in the U.S., as well as an exhibition and a wrap-up show. The first broadcast will be September 12th // [comment]

CTSCC // EMCO GEARS CLASSIC @ MID-OHIO

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Curtis Creager, was at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last weekend for the seventh round of the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC), the Emco Gears Classic. Collecting the win in the Grand Sport (GS) class was the TRG Porsche 997 of Bertheau and Pumpelly, while the Magnus Racing Porsche Cayman of Keen and Potter finished second. In the Street Tuner (ST) class it was the BimmerWorld GearWrench BMW 328i of Heumann and Thomas that crossed the line first, followed shortly thereafter by Hurley and Stadtlander in the APR Motorsport Volkswagen GTI.

Follow the link for additional images and complete results... [read more]








Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge // 2010 Emco Gears Classic @ Mid-Ohio:

1 41 GS 1 Bertheau / Pumpelly TRG / Porsche 997 84 1:33.461 37 75.493
2 44 GS 2 Keen / Potter Magnus Racing / Porsche Cayman 84 1:33.471 63 75.460
3 48 GS 3 Espenlaub / Putman Fall-Line Motorsports / BMW M3 Coupe 84 1:33.970 61 75.440
4 61 GS 4 Johnson / Roush Roush Performance / Ford Mustang GT 84 1:33.733 56 75.427
5 23 GS 5 Carroll / Ende BGB Motorsports / Porsche Cayman 84 1:33.971 83 75.418
6 52 GS 6 Michaelian / Wilden Rehagen Racing / Ford Mustang GT 84 1:34.162 81 75.389
7 96 GS 7 Auberlen / Dalla Lana Turner Motorsport / BMW M3 Coupe 84 1:34.533 58 75.378
8 16 GS 8 Jeannette / Montecalvo Multimatic Motorsports / Mustang Boss 302R 84 1:35.268 18 75.272
9 99 GS 9 Hillestad / Waddell Automatic Racing / BMW M3 Coupe 84 1:34.532 64 75.267
10 37 GS 10 Gue / Seafuse JBS Motorsports / Mustang Boss 302R 84 1:34.384 35 75.264
11 60 GS 11 Mason / Pecorari Rehagen Racing / Ford Mustang GT 84 1:35.604 68 75.234
12 07 GS 12 Heath / Sellers Euro Motorworks Racing / Porsche 997 84 1:33.274 49 75.232
13 35 GS 13 Aquilante / Spaude Subaru Road Racing Team / Subaru WRX-STI 84 1:34.414 74 75.193
14 88 GS 14 Ellis / Wellon Ranger Sports Racing / Porsche 997 84 1:35.413 74 75.178
15 19 GS 15 Adams / Phillips Capaldi Racing / Ford Mustang GT 84 1:36.065 71 74.851
16 46 GS 16 Cameron / Finlay Fall-Line Motorsports / BMW M3 Coupe 84 1:35.084 60 74.847
17 81 ST 1 Heumann / Thomas BimmerWorld/GearWrench / BMW 328i 83 1:37.633 54 74.331
18 171 ST 2 Hurley / Stadtlander APR Motorsport / Volkswagen GTI 83 1:37.905 23 74.325
19 75 ST 3 Eversley / Lutz Compass360 Racing / Honda Civic SI 83 1:37.522 67 74.321
20 80 ST 4 Clay / White BimmerWorld/GearWrench / BMW 328i 83 1:37.635 11 74.317
21 18 ST 5 Gerrard / Jensen RRT Racing / BMW 328i 83 1:37.937 54 74.309
22 31 ST 6 Bocchino / Lamb i-MOTO / Mazda Speed 3 83 1:38.199 79 74.285
23 22 ST 7 Lepper / Schmidt GS Motorsports / Chevrolet Cobalt SS 83 1:38.469 58 74.245
24 92 ST 8 Gilsinger / Johnson HART / Honda Civic SI 83 1:38.607 55 74.238
25 94 ST 9 Cabrera / Leroux LRT Racing / Acura TSX 83 1:38.538 24 74.195
26 74 ST 10 Aschenbach / Thilenius Compass360 Racing / Honda Civic SI 83 1:37.543 82 74.193
27 197 ST 11 Cattaneo / Mirzayan RSR Motorsports / Mini Cooper S 83 1:38.629 82 74.182
28 26 ST 12 Carbonell / O'Doski Freedom Autosport / Mazda MX-5 83 1:38.288 68 74.181
29 93 ST 13 Cunningham / Wittmer RealTime Racing / Honda Civic SI 83 1:38.560 47 74.174
30 181 ST 14 Baas / Halpin APR Motorsport / Volkswagen GTI 83 1:37.624 83 74.163
31 86 ST 15 Prey / Sigal Prey Racing / Boxster 83 1:38.594 54 74.140
32 34 ST 16 Bosch / Kennedy Next Generation Motorsports / BMW 330 83 1:39.241 56 74.047
33 43 ST 17 Nonnamaker / Sahlen Team Sahlen / Mazda Speed 3 83 1:39.028 80 74.039
34 12 ST 18 Burrows / Hopwood Kinetic Motorsports / KIA Forte Koup 83 1:40.384 54 74.000
35 62 GS 17 Atterbury / Cates Mitchum Motorsports / Camaro GS.R 83 1:34.709 37 73.796
36 6 GS 18 Bell / Bucknum Stevenson Motorsports / Camaro GS.R 82 1:34.170 72 73.435
37 196 ST 19 Congleton / Trinkler / Zacharias RSR Motorsports / Mini Cooper S 82 1:37.892 79 73.395
38 69 ST 20 Milarcik / Wise Pirate Motorsports / Mazda RX-8 82 1:39.463 18 73.158
39 10 ST 21 Jonsson / Lally Kinetic Motorsports / KIA Forte Koup 82 1:39.405 55 73.108
40 42 ST 22 Leroux / Leroux LRT Racing / Honda Civic SI 82 1:38.978 12 73.074
41 97 GS 19 Hand / Marsal Turner Motorsport / BMW M3 Coupe 81 1:33.729 81 75.147
42 77 ST 23 Kirby / Liefooghe Compass360 Racing / Honda Civic SI 81 1:38.259 56 72.403
43 59 GS 20 Anthony Jr. / Winchester Rehagen Racing / Ford Mustang GT 78 1:35.075 35 69.627
44 25 ST 24 Long / Whitis Freedom Autosport / Mazda MX-5 77 1:38.277 44 73.739
45 15 GS 21 Foster / Maxwell Multimatic Motorsports / Mustang Boss 302R 75 1:34.763 36 67.144
46 32 ST 25 Hacquard / Kleinubing i-MOTO / Mazda Speed 3 72 1:37.985 68 73.271
47 76 ST 26 Miller / Theetge Compass360 Racing / Honda Civic SI 70 1:38.295 60 71.508
48 45 GS 22 Borcheller / Hendricks Fall-Line Motorsports / BMW M3 Coupe 67 1:34.445 57 59.924
49 13 GS 23 Bacardi / Plumb Rum Bum Racing / BMW M3 Coupe 59 1:33.491 24 71.683
50 89 GS 24 Freile / Rossi Ranger Sports Racing / Porsche 997 56 1:35.279 45 72.009
51 83 GS 25 Cosmo / Tetreault BGB Motorsports / Porsche Carrera 54 1:33.598 43 68.053
52 36 ST 27 Brown / Olson Next Generation Motorsports / BMW 330 47 1:39.632 18 71.274
53 55 ST 28 Beede / Grahovec Marren Motor Sports Inc. / Honda Civic SI 32 1:41.000 15 68.602
54 9 GS 26 Carter / Plumb Stevenson Motorsports / Camaro GS.R 27 1:35.084 15 63.582
55 38 GS 27 Dumoulin / Jenkins BGB Motorsports / Porsche Cayman 25 1:35.702 18 71.916
56 05 GS 28 Altenburg / Musser Momentum Race Group / Camaro GS.R 19 1:35.751 17 70.281
57 29 GS 29 Buford / Gutierrez Racers Edge Motorsports / Mustang Boss 302R 19 1:36.350 7 47.857
58 21 ST 29 Danyliw / Holtom GS Motorsports / Chevrolet Cobalt SS 14 1:38.714 11 60.398
59 90 ST 30 Galati / Schmitt HART / Honda Civic SI 1 2:21.274 1 44.567
60* 02 ST 0 Smith / Taylor Maxwell Paper Racing / Mazda RX-8 0 0 0.000
61* 198 ST 0 Congleton / Zacharias RSR Motorsports / Mini Cooper S 0 0 0.000
62* 14 GS 0 Anthony Jr. / Edwards TC Motorsports / Mustang Boss 302R 0 0 0.000

Photo: Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

WTCC // SEAT & BMW TAKE VICTORIES @ ZOLDER

The FIA World Touring Car Championship made its first ever visit to the Belgium circuit of Zolder this weekend. In front of a raceday crowd of over twenty thousand the two race wins were shared between Seat and BMW. Race one saw current champion Gabriele Tarquini take victory after Sunred Sport Seat team-mate Jordi Gene was excluded for a technical infringement post race. The air restrictor on the Spaniard’s TDI Leon was found to not comply with the regulations thus robbing him of his first victory since Mexico 2008. Completing the podium were the RML Chevrolet's of Yvan Muller and Alain Menu... [read more]

Guernsey's Andy Priaulx made it three wins for the season in the reverse grid race two after fending off the chasing Chevrolet Cruze of Rob Huff and SR-Sport's Tiago Monteiro.

The multiple former champion felt at home at the former F1 circuit but explained that BMW are somewhat struggling for pace over a single lap, "“It was really nice to see so many spectators supporting our team so it felt like a home race for me. It was a similar atmosphere to being at Brands Hatch. Race 1 was much more exciting as after qualifying it was going to be a hard race. I kept attacking Coronel and getting through really was crucial to winning Race 2. I’d love to be able to win Race 1 as well but we just don’t have the pace in qualifying so Race 2 is our only chance of victory at the moment.”

Chevrolet retain their lead in the manufacturers championship while Frenchman and 2008 champion Muller still leads the drivers standings from Tarquini and Priaulx.

Results FIA WTCC Zolder Belgium 19-20th June 2010:

Race One:

1 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon
2 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze
3 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze
4 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI
5 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze
6 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI
7 1 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si
8 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI
9 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si
10 Fredy BARTH SUI SEAT Leon TDI


Race Two:

1 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si
2 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze
3 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI
4 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze
5 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze
6 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon TDI
7 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI
8 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si
9 Sergio HERNANDEZ ESP BMW 320si
10 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI

The series now moves on to Portimão, Portugal, on July 3rd/4th.

Editorial/Photos: Neil Tozer

NEWS // NICOLAS PROST DRIVES RENAULT F1 CAR

Nicolas Prost, son of four time Formula One world champion and former Renault F1 driver, Alain Prost, was invited to Magny-Cours this past weekend and allowed to drive Renault's 2009 F1 entry, the R29. The car wore the team’s 2010 color scheme which is in many ways similar to the design used when his father drove for Renault in the early nineteen eighties... [read more]

Alain Prost drove for Renault from 1981 to 1983, winning nine Grand Prix and finishing second overall in the championship in his final season with the team. Prost left the team after the 1983 season, frustrated that the French automaker would not develop their turbocharged powerplant further.

Nicolas Prost won the European Formula 3000 championship two years ago and now races in the Le Mans Series. Prost, along with Renault Development Driver Ho-Pin Tung and Mikhail Aleshin, were allowed to drive Renault's 2009 spec car as part of a demonstration put on by the French automaker over the weekend.

Images and Info: F1Fanatic
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

EYE CANDY // AN ART CAR @ LE MANS

Last weekend, the 17th Art Car commissioned by BMW made its racing debut at the 78th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And even though the car, which was driven by Dirk Werner, Dirk Muller and Andy Priaulx, had mechanical issues and had to retire early, it's presence didn't go unnoticed // [comment]

WTCC // TARQUINI BEATS RAIN TO ZOLDER POLE

Current FIA World Touring Car Champion Gabriele Tarquini took pole position at Zolder today for round of the 2010 series. The amiable Italian recovered from an engine destroying trip through Zolder's 2nd chicane in free practice to claim the top spot for tommorow's first race ahead of team-mate of Jordi Gene. In a qualifying session that was dominated by changeable weather conditions Tarquini stole a march on his rivals, completing his hot lap in Q2 shortly before the circuit was hit by rain... [read more]

“The cold conditions were good for us" commented the Italian. It was good to get a lap at the start of Q2 and fortunately we chose to put new tyres on for our first run and it paid off. My second practice session was cut short as I tried to fly at the second chicane!

The Sunred Seat driver went on to add "I destroyed the flat bottom and the engine was leaking oil. We changed the engine as we had no penalty due to using it for the last three events, so to come out with a pole has been a lucky day for us.”

Two Chevrolet's will occupy the second row of the grid with Switzerland's Alain Menu just edging out 2008 champion Yvan Muller.

Q1 and Q2 Qualifying Results // WTCC @ Zolder - June 19th 2010:

1 1 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon TDI 1:38.999 1:38.265
2 4 Jordi GENE ESP SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.061 1:38.430
3 8 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze 1:38.840 1:38.494
4 6 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze 1:39.037 1:38.584
5 7 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze 1:39.187 1:38.779
6 5 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.072 1:39.072
7 18 Fredy BARTH SUI SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.151 1:39.173
8 3 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI 1:38.875 1:39.255
9 11 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si 1:39.030 1:42.856
10 10 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si 1:39.112 1:52.493
11 2 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.456
12 17 Michel NYKJAER DEN SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.472
13 27 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS BEL SEAT Leon 1:39.610
14 20 I Darryl O'YOUNG HKG Chevrolet Lacetti 1:39.824
15 24 I Kristian POULSEN DEN BMW 320si 1:39.863
16 35 Vincent RADERMECKER BEL Chevrolet Cruze 1:40.003
17 15 I Franz ENGSTLER GER BMW 320si 1:40.058
18 25 I Sergio HERNANDEZ ESP BMW 320si 1:40.278
19 26 I Stefano D'ASTE ITA BMW 320si 1:40.287
20 19 I Harry VAULKHARD GBR Chevrolet Lacetti 1:40.395
21 21 I Mehdi BENNANI MAR BMW 320si 1:40.738
22 16 I Andrei ROMANOV RUS BMW 320si 1:42.934

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

(Photo dedicated to the late Richard Tozer 21st June 1935 - 29th July 2009)

CTSCC @ MID-OHIO // PROMOTER DAY

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Curtis Creager, is live at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the seventh round of the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Follow the link for images from Thursday's 'Promoter Day,' and be sure and stay tuned for continued coverage throughout the weekend... [read more]






Photo: Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

TURNING LEFT & RIGHT // TOYOTA SAVE MART 350 PREVIEW

In the past, we have tended to stay away from the world of NASCAR, but considering that ColdTrackDays is dedicated to reporting on motorsport news and culture from around the world, it is hard to ignore the most popular form of motorsport in America. There are some that are of the opinion that NASCAR is not “real racing” but I question their reasoning and whether they have even experienced an event in person. What is “real-racing” anyway? Personally I have always wanted to see what a top class NASCAR event is like and what better way to experience this than at the first road race of the 2010 Sprint Cup season... [read more]

The track, Infineon Raceway, has been around since the late sixties and has hosted a round of the top stock car series for a number of years now. Built on the rolling hills in the middle of California’s wine country, the track is constantly twisting and changing elevation. This is a challenging course for even the best GT racer, let alone a heavy stock car designed mainly for turning in a single direction.

On Thursday the teams arrive and get their equipment set up. The trailers are works of art, chrome and flashy colors are the name of the game here.

The NASCAR fan base is incredibly huge. People come from all over the country to support their favorite drivers such as Tony Stewart.

…and of course, Ricky Bobby.

The setting sun shines brilliantly over the hillside illuminating the grandstands and pit complex. With the little taste I got today, I’m getting the feeling that this will be quite a show come race day. I can’t wait for what tomorrow will bring when the cars take to the track for practice.

Images and Editorial: Camden Thrasher

EYE CANDY // TROFEO MASERATI @ ZOLDER

ColdTrackDays associate editor, Neil Tozer, is at the Circuit Zolder in Belgium for this weekends WTCC race, and thought this image of a Trofeo Maserati Gran Turismo MC would make a nice bit of Eye Candy before the weekend. We'd have to agree // [comment]

CTSCC // ANTHONY JR. TO RACE #59 REHAGEN RACING MUSTANG

Our good friend Ted Anthony Jr. just sent us this photo of the #59 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang which he will be driving in this weekends Emco Gears Classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Anthony, who previously drove the TC Motorsports x ColdTrackDays Mustang Boss 302R, qualified 26th for tomorrow's race, noting that the #59 Mustang was significantly down on power. Additionally, for those of you unwilling to wait for SPEEDs broadcast of the CTSCC Emco Gears Classic (June 26th @ 1pm EST), tomorrow's race will be streaming live on GRAND-AM.com starting at 1:15pm EST // [comment]

PORSCHE PORN // FLEX AND CREST

Taken at the Ganløse Hill Climb, an event put on each June by the Historik Motor Sport club of Denmark, this shot of an early 911 flexing its chassis as it crests the hill is but one of many photos that Christian Lunding took over the course of the weekend. Click here for additional images // [comment]

NEWS // VILLENEUVE TO RACE NASCAR @ ROAD AMERICA

Former F1 pilot, Jacques Villeneuve, is looking for a top three finish when the NASCAR Nationwide series visits Road America this weekend. The 1997 Formula One world champion will make his first stock car start of the season in the inaugural NASCAR race on Road America's four-mile road course... [read more]

"I'm not too worried about joining halfway through the season, as it is the first road course this year and the first time ever for NASCAR to be racing at Elkhart Lake," said Villeneuve. "A lot of drivers will be learning the track. We'll be looking for a strong result this weekend hopefully a top three finish if we avoid any issues."

The French-Canadian driver has not raced at Road America since 1995, where he collected his second consecutive victory on his way to the IndyCar title.

"Returning to Road America is very exciting as it remains one of my favourite tracks," he said. "I was hoping to return one day. I have great memories of the circuit as I won both times when I raced there in Indycars. In fact, Road American in '94 was my first win in the series."

Villeneuve, who will be driving for Braun Racing, has raced in the NASCAR Nationwide Series two times prior to this, at Montreal in 2008 and 2009. His best result is a fourth place finish which he collected last year.

Image and Info: Autosport
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // ANALYZING TIRE DEGRADATION AND GRAINING

Courtesy of our friends at Nextgen Auto and Dunlop, check out this video that hopes to explain tire degradation and graining, something every racing driver has experienced. Information is important // [comment]

EVENT PREVIEW // GRAND-AM @ MID-OHIO

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Curtis Creager, will be at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio this coming weekend for the eighth round of the 2010 Rolex GRAND-AM Series, the Emco Gears Classic. Stay tuned for coverage of both the Rolex GRAND-AM Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge throughout the weekend! // [comment]

NEWS // AMERICANS LOOKING TO INVEST IN F1?

Our friends at Autoblog are reporting that Parris Mullins, advisor and friend of YouTube founder Chad Hurley, visited last weekends Canadian Grand Prix in order to meet with F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone. According to Autoblog, Mullins was in Montreal representing a number of American investors, to include Hurley, all of whom are looking to invest in Formula One. And while none of the aforementioned investors are interested in starting their own team, they are looking at possibilities to invest in existing operations // [comment]

GEAR // KINECT CAPABLE FORZA 3 DEMO

The annual Electronics Entertainment Expo is underway in California and Microsoft has just unveiled their new Kinect peripheral for the Xbox 360. What amounts to a motion sensing camera, the Kinect enables gamers to play a number of forthcoming titles, controller free. One of those titles is a Kinect capable version of Forza 3. In the video featured above, watch as a pair of Turn 10 Studio execs demonstrate what the gaming experience will be like when the upgraded version of Forza hits stores shelves sometime in 2011 // [comment]

PLEDGE DRIVE // JUNE OF 2010

We've decided to try something a little different this month. Prompted by both friends and fans, we've added a 'donate button' to ColdTrackDays, allowing those of you interested in supporting our operation to donate a few dollars. We'd suggest $5 a month, as that's what you'd pay for a magazine, but you're welcome to plug in any figure that fits your budget. We'll run this same post, or something similar, at the half-way point each month, sort of like those pledge drives you hear on public radio ;) Your support is greatly appreciated - J.W. Coffey

GEAR // GRAN TURISMO 5 AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2ND IN 3D

Well, it's officially official. Sony and Polyphony Digital announced yesterday that their much anticipated Gran Tourismo 5 driving simulator will be available November 2nd, 2010. Adding to an already dizzying array of features (16 player capability, both mechanical and external damage, night and foul weather conditions, and more than 170 cars) GT:5 will also be playable in 3D. That's right, three dimensions. And while the trailer featured above probably isn't an adequate representation of what we can expect when GT:5 invades our living rooms (read: lives), it certainly stokes the fire // [comment]