Team SpeedSource Press Updates!

[jri4]

Hello everyone,

This thread will be used to follow the journey of Team SpeedSource throughout the 2012 GrandAm Rolex Series season. Speedsource, established in 1995 by Sylvain Tremblay provides "provide full-service race services and custom components to both club level and professional series drivers." (SpeedSource-About)



Currently, Tremblay and the SpeedSource team competes in the GrandAm Rolex Series, in the GT Grand Touring class. In 2012, they will field one RX-8 in their push for a championship. Please visit their website for more info about the team, and stay tuned for updates regarding the upcoming 2012 season!

SpeedSource

 

[jri4]

To catch you up to current a little bit, here is a brief recap of last season's finale at MidOhio and the year-in-review for both SpeedSource and Mazda:

SpeedSource Scores Second Place at MidOhio

 

[jri4]

New Headquarters and New Livery!

Mazda Announces Rolex GT 2012 Programs

Big changes for Mazda in the upcoming 2012 GrandAm season! Some of the biggest news comes from the SpeedSource camp, who have moved into a new facility in Coral Springs, Florida as of December 1st, 2011. In collaboration with Mazdaspeed Motorsports and associate sponsor Castrol, the #70 SpeedSource RX-8 will be sporting a new livery during the 2012 campaign.

For the 50th running of the Daytona 24 hour race in January, the #70 team has added two young, talented drivers to the stable to bring home a second watch in three years! Marino Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe will join regulars Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathon Bomarito as drivers for the race! It will be the first time both drivers have commanded an RX-8 around Daytona!

Lastly, I want to thank SpeedSource for giving me the opportunity to keep up to date with current proceedings regarding their facility! Check back daily for more updates!

Thanks again!

 

[jri4]

SpeedSource Announces Driver Lineup For Rolex 24

SpeedSource Announces Driver Lineup For Rolex 24

SUNRISE, Fla. - SpeedSource has set its driver lineup for the No. 70 MAZDASPEED RX-8 in the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Joining full-season drivers Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito will be James Hinchcliffe and Marino Franchitti . Both are Mazda alums, Franchitti from the American Le Mans Series and Hinchcliffe from Formula Atlantic and Star Mazda.

Hinchcliffe competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2011, placing 12th in the final point standings. He captured the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award with four fourth-place finishes among seven top-10 finishes. He also finished second in the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Championship with three victories.

"I'm thrilled to be able to race in the Rolex 24 At Daytona," Hinchcliffe said. "That race has been on my bucket list and to get the chance now is awesome. I know a little bit of what to expect because I did a race with SpeedSource back in 2005, so it will be great to reunite with Sylvain and the guys and get back in the RX-8. It's a huge opportunity."

The SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 will also have a new look for 2012, showcasing the MAZDASPEED corporate look as long-term partner Castrol transitions into an associate sponsor role for 2012,

SpeedSource is a two-time GT winner of the Rolex 24, capturing honors in 2008 and 2010. Tremblay was part of the lineup in both victories, with Bomarito kicking off his MESCO Rookie of the Year campaign in 2010. The pair finished third in the standings in both 2010 and 2011.

New look for the 70 car

 

[jri4]

Daytona 2012 - Roar Before the 24 - SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 by Old Boone, on Flickr

Roar before the 24...showing off the new livery!

 

[jri4]

SpeedSource will be looking to work their way through the field to a victory in the 50th running of the Rolex Series Daytona 24 Hour. The four man team of Sylvain Tremblay, Jonathon Bomoarito, James Hinchcliffe, and Marino Franchitti will start 37th overall (out of 60 total entries) and 25th in GT after today's qualifying session.

 

[Perro del Sol]

Currently running in 6th place as up from 13th. Marino Franchitti is currently in the car. We're a lap down a lap, so were still in contention for the win.

 

[jri4]

Pictures taken by Mazdaspeed Motorsports:

I had to work yesterday, so I am just now catching up on the race! So far, so good for the SpeedSource crew!

Bottom line: I need to find some SpeedSource swag, rocking that awesome color scheme!

 

[jri4]

Speedsource Sixth Place Finish @ Daytona 24

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the historic Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This twice-around-the-clock spectacle attracts dozens of the finest teams and drivers in all of international motorsports. With a strong endurance racing pedigree, the SpeedSource team arrived in Daytona prepared and ready-to-race. Regular-season drivers Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito were joined by racing superstars Marino Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe in the #70 Mazdaspeed RX-8.

A flawlessly executed race plan led to a strong Sixth Place finish in GT. The SpeedSource car was able to improve 18 spots from the initial starting position of 24th; one of the best improvements of the entire race field and the highest finishing Mazda. As has become typical of the Coral Springs, FL-based team, the SpeedSource advantage came through great race strategy and flawless pit stops. In total, the crew performed 34 scheduled pit stops that included: 24 tire changes, 29 full fuel fills, 5 partial fuel fills, 16 driver changes, and installing fresh brake pads. Even with the sheer quantity of scheduled service, the team spent an unprecedentedly low total stopped time of only 19 minutes and 43 seconds!

It was instilled from pre-race strategy meetings that the key to a strong finish was going to come from flawless execution both on-track and in the pit lane. All four drivers drove error-free stints, often times double stinting for 90 minute sessions. However, despite the effort, the straight-line speed of the leading German cars was too much to compete with; the #70 Mazdaspeed RX-8 fell a lap down for every two hours of green-flag running. The nimble Mazda RX-8 was able to keep strong pace through the Daytona infield but, once on the banking, top speed differential to other engines over twice the size of the 20B 3-Rotor did not provide a level playing field. In total, the 6th place finish came 5 laps down to the GT class leader.

"I have never had the pleasure of driving a better prepped racecar," recalled Tremblay after the race. "The guys did an amazing job calling a great race, unfortunately the parity is too great between cars right now and the finish position does not showcase the amazing team effort."

"That was an amazing performance for 24 hours and was a perfect example of everyone doing their respective jobs perfectly," exclaimed Bomarito about the blistering pit stops.

The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series will take a two month hiatus as many teams will elect to rebuild their racecars. Round two of the 2012 season will take teams to Barber Motorsports Park just outside of Birmingham, AL the last weekend of March.

Metrics:
Improved 18 positions in class
722 laps for 2570 miles
18,772 gear shifts
10,140,000 engine revolutions
34 pit stops for 578 gallons of fuel and 104 tires

 

[jri4]

A few important updates down from the SpeedSource camp this week!

First off, check out their new and imrpoved website to keep up with the most current info and updates (besides this thread, of course!)
SpeedSource, Inc. Website

Also, I encourage you to show your support for SpeedSource by liking their Facebook Fan Page!
https://www.facebook.com/SpeedSource

Lastly, follow the SpeedSource crew on twitter! @speedsource
@speedsource

SpeedSource thanks you for all the support and wishes to continue growing their ever-increasing fan base!

 

[Perro del Sol]

check out the new Castrol/Shine Box Vide with Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito @ Daytona.


http://www.myshinebox.com/

 

[jri4]

A couple contests are happening within the SpeedSource camp! To get in on the fun, be sure and 'like' their Facebook Fan Page and follow them on Twitter!

https://www.facebook.com/SpeedSource
@SpeedSource

Quotes are taken directly from Facebook page:

Keep following us for a chance to win free tickets to Barber; contest will be announced Wednesday at 7PM!

Tell us what your favorite track is and get 10 of your friends to like our page and your post! First one to do it gets a free Mazda SKYACTIV iPhone 4S case!

 

[Perro del Sol]

We have the I phone cases, pretty nice

 

[JReichle1]

Speedsource Sixth Place Finish @ Daytona 24

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the historic Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This twice-around-the-clock spectacle attracts dozens of the finest teams and drivers in all of international motorsports. With a strong endurance racing pedigree, the SpeedSource team arrived in Daytona prepared and ready-to-race. Regular-season drivers Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito were joined by racing superstars Marino Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe in the #70 Mazdaspeed RX-8.

A flawlessly executed race plan led to a strong Sixth Place finish in GT. The SpeedSource car was able to improve 18 spots from the initial starting position of 24th; one of the best improvements of the entire race field and the highest finishing Mazda. As has become typical of the Coral Springs, FL-based team, the SpeedSource advantage came through great race strategy and flawless pit stops. In total, the crew performed 34 scheduled pit stops that included: 24 tire changes, 29 full fuel fills, 5 partial fuel fills, 16 driver changes, and installing fresh brake pads. Even with the sheer quantity of scheduled service, the team spent an unprecedentedly low total stopped time of only 19 minutes and 43 seconds!

It was instilled from pre-race strategy meetings that the key to a strong finish was going to come from flawless execution both on-track and in the pit lane. All four drivers drove error-free stints, often times double stinting for 90 minute sessions. However, despite the effort, the straight-line speed of the leading German cars was too much to compete with; the #70 Mazdaspeed RX-8 fell a lap down for every two hours of green-flag running. The nimble Mazda RX-8 was able to keep strong pace through the Daytona infield but, once on the banking, top speed differential to other engines over twice the size of the 20B 3-Rotor did not provide a level playing field. In total, the 6th place finish came 5 laps down to the GT class leader.

"I have never had the pleasure of driving a better prepped racecar," recalled Tremblay after the race. "The guys did an amazing job calling a great race, unfortunately the parity is too great between cars right now and the finish position does not showcase the amazing team effort."

"That was an amazing performance for 24 hours and was a perfect example of everyone doing their respective jobs perfectly," exclaimed Bomarito about the blistering pit stops.

The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series will take a two month hiatus as many teams will elect to rebuild their racecars. Round two of the 2012 season will take teams to Barber Motorsports Park just outside of Birmingham, AL the last weekend of March.

Metrics:
Improved 18 positions in class
722 laps for 2570 miles
18,772 gear shifts
10,140,000 engine revolutions
34 pit stops for 578 gallons of fuel and 104 tires

Great Job, I love the picture of the three rotor blowing out flames. It sounds like the car and crew worked together and pulled off an amazing race. Keep it up guys!

 

[jri4]

New Contest Opportunity over on the Facebook Fan Page:

FAN PIC! When you attend a race this year, be sure to post the best pictures you take (can be of the car, crew, drivers) after each race! A week after each race, we will pic a winner. Your picture will be posted on our website, we will print it, Sylvain will sign it, and mail it back to you too!

 

[jri4]

Speedsource qualified ninth on the grid. Race is tomorrow on SPEEDTV @ 4pm!

 

[jri4]

Total domination. That is all.

 

[jri4]

One of these days I'll try my hand at writing my own race recap. Until then, I'll leave it up to the professionals!

SpeedSource was back in black for Saturday’s race at Barber Motorsports Park. The weekend marked a return to the iconic matte black paint scheme for the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 and the classic livery was warmly received through the paddock. On track, the return to racing since January’s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was equally welcomed and the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 driven by Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito cruised to victory in GT. The result brings Mazda its first victory for the 2012 season in just the second race of the Championship.

The SpeedSource crew knew early on in the weekend that the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 was excellent in preserving tires for long extended runs. This key trait would be pivotal for race day so the team elected to conserve their allotment of Continental tires. Sylvain Tremblay started the car from 8th on the grid and steadily followed the lead pack of cars in GT.

During the race’s second caution period, the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 was able to take the lead in GT. Great race strategy and a quick pit stop allowed Jonathan Bomarito to beat the rest of the field out of pit lane, effectively ‘leapfrog’ing’ the competition into first place.

“I was really just trying to drive smart and manage my tires,” recalled Tremblay. “The #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 was really consistent over the entire stint and I just had to wait for the call to pit.”

Bomarito would continue to push the pace and extend his mid-race lead. As teams approached their final fuel windows and pit stops began to cycle, the SpeedSource crew once again rose to the challenge. The #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 pitted for four tires and fuel yet maintained its race lead. A last-minute yellow by GRAND-AM would create some drama and stack up the GT field for a 3 lap shootout; however, opportune track position actually meant that the #70 Mazda would get a free 9/10th of a lap on the field. Bomarito was finally able to breathe easy as he coasted the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda RX-8 across the finish line in first place.

After the race, Bomarito recalled “the guys did an amazing job today. They really had to make some good calls for us to have any chance of winning this weekend and they did! Hats off to everyone involved.”

“Having Castrol back is huge for us, but the added support from ModSpace allowed us to be at the level that we know this team can operate at consistently. This win is all the crew, with great pit stops and flawless strategy; we truly beat much faster cars because of this fantastic team. Thank you Castrol, ModSpace and Mazda for being the best at what they do” Tremblay said after the checker.

The third race of the Rolex Sports Car Series schedule will bring SpeedSource to its home track of Homestead-Miami Speedway. Follow the action live on SPEED April 29th, 1 PM EST.

Taken from: http://www.speedsource.com/speedsource-news.cfm

 

[jri4]

Catching up on some SpeedSource team news...this one comes from the flood in Miami!

05/03/2012

This weekend marked the 3rd race of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Cars Series: The Grand Prix of Miami. The race was hosted in SpeedSource’s backyard track, Homestead-Miami Speedway. Florida welcomed teams with sunshine as the crews unloaded on Wednesday but it also welcomed fans with rain by week’s end.

The SpeedSource team was no stranger to Florida thunderstorms. After practicing in rain off and on, the team strategically prepared the #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 for the rain that Homestead was expecting. On Saturday, qualifying was canceled due to inches of rain gathering on the track. GRAND-AM announced that teams would then start the race by point standings. This meant that SpeedSource would start on the front row in 2nd.

Sunday’s weather was no surprise to the team as well. With non-stop rain, the race started under a full course caution. With Sylvain Tremblay leading the car in the front of the GT pack, SpeedSource maintained a lead as many cautions arose. The race became increasingly difficult as the race progressed and the rain accumulated. All teams had to weather the treacherous conditions as visibility was virtually non-existent due to the heavy spray of mist. After leading in GT, the #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 elected to pit under caution for fresh rain tires and a splash of fuel. This would allow the team to reach the scheduled race end with the newest tires and a full tank of Sunoco race fuel. However, this in-turn cycled the car back to the rear of the pack.

The Grand Prix of Miami was without a doubt a race against Mother Nature. The race was red flagged with an hour left and GRAND-AM ended the race early at 3:00PM due to rain. This was unexpected and prevented the team from regaining position. The #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 ended the race 12th in GT standings. With 2 weeks till the Global Barter 250 at New Jersey, the team is quickly planning on rebounding and reclaiming their stance as a podium team.

http://www.speedsource.com/speedsource-news.cfm

 

[THE Phen]

Hey folks, check it out. Sean's picture was used in the latest press release!

http://www.speedsource.com/speedsource-news.cfm?news_id=5367