Improving Every Opportunity - Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira climbed the racing ladder in Europe and started racing in the United States with great expectations placed on him from his team owners. Bruno’s ethic of always improving had earned him great results with prominent teams and has elevated smaller operations. His abilities and determination are two valued assets that give him the potential to achieve success in sports cars.
Mecca of Speed: How have you adjusted your driving style from your primary experience in the open wheel formula to this Jaguar sports car?
Bruno Junqueira: I have to find a little bit more in the car. Kenny Wilden drove this morning so I’ve only turned about three laps so far this weekend. It’s very different because we don’t have much downforce compared to a single seater. In the slow corners the car is pretty good but when you go to the high speed corners that I could take flat out in an open wheel car I now have to brake.
Corners like the Kink and the Carousel are very different in a sports car compared to when I drove them in ChampCar. Those cars had massive wings that generated a lot of downforce.
At the end of the day you can drive single seaters, this Jaguar, or even a bike, it’s always fun here. more
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Dead Man’s Switch - Tammy Kaehler
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) paddock is an international mix of technology and personalities who come together forming a close knit racing community. Among the drivers, engineers, crews, and series officials is Tammy Kaehler, an author who has launched her first mystery set in the world of the ALMS.
Mecca of Speed: How did your become involved with the ALMS before writing Dead Man’s Switch?
Tammy Kaehler: It started when I was working as a freelance writer doing technical and marketing material. At the time, I knew nothing about motorsport. In 2004, the company I was working for became the series sponsor for The American Le Mans Series and a Porsche GT team. I was given the opportunity to attend the events, doing hospitality and entertain their customers at the races. more
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Race From The Start - Lucas Luhr
Strategy and engineering are essential to a successful motorsport program, but Lucas Luhr has never forgotten the simple fact that to win you must race from the green to checkered flag.
Mecca of Speed: The Muscle Milk Aston Martin turned only one lap during practice yesterday, was there an unforeseen issue with the car?
Lucas Luhr: Due to an engine change prior to this event, we only wanted to do a quick shakedown yesterday. We did have a little issue that prevented us from completing a lap, but we knew what was wrong, so we were not to worry about it.
To be honest, we did not plan on testing yesterday like the other teams, so it was an issue. more
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I Am A Racing Driver - Jan Magnussen
Racing is a competitive business with obstacles at every corner. Jan Magnussen started racing go karts with an eye on Formula 1 and transitioned to a successful career in sports cars. His success is not only counted by championships, but the quality of life he has achieved developing into a true professional driver.
Mecca of Speed: We are in the thick of the season right now. Corvette recently won at Mosport and had a great run going at Mid-Ohio until the rain hit at the end of the race. How is the momentum in the team right now?
Jan Magnussen: If it weren’t for the weather, I think we would have won at Mid-Ohio, but right now the momentum is quite strong for the number 4 car. Our overall pace is still behind the BMWs who have an overall advantage, but we are closing the gap and racing really well. We are cutting down their points lead with four races to go. more
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The 1969 Penske-Sunoco Camaro Z/28 – History On The Track
Patrick Hogan of Littleton Colorado knows quite a bit of the motorsport history around Roger Penske and Mark Donohue. Patrick’s racing stable includes a few vintage cars that Penske owned and Donohue drove. He is the proud owner of a 1967 Lola T70 Spyder and a 1969 Camaro Z/28. During the 2011 Kohler International Challenge at Road America, Patrick brought the Sunoco Camaro back to Elkhart Lake to race on the historical 4-mile track.
This particular Camaro has a very rich in history. It’s easy to spot on the track thanks to the Sunoco logos on the quarter panels and Penske Chevrolet logo on the fenders. In 1969 the car achieved first place finishes at Michigan International, Bridgehampton, Bryar Motorsports Park, Mont-Tremblant, Watkins Glen, Laguna Seca, Sears Point, and Riverside. With Donohue winning six of the twelve races that year, the car easily captured the manufacturer’s championship. more
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What I Bring To A Team – Max Papis
Massimiliano Papis started racing go karts in his native Italy and climbed the open wheel ladder to Formula One. In 1996 he crossed the Atlantic to race for Ferrari in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and became Mad Max. Building a successful career in the US, he is better known by Max Papis.
Mecca of Speed: Max, you don’t have a fulltime ride in the Nationwide series and it has been a few years since you last raced at Road America, what preparation have you made for this weekend?
Max Papis: I don’t race a lot with KHI (Kevin Harvick Inc.) but I do know most of the guys on the team, so it’s not like starting with a new team. It’s going to take a little time understand what this car needs in terms of set-up for this kind of racetrack. more
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For The Motorsport Enthusiast
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2012 Motorsport Memories Calendar - Won & Only
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Dead Man’s Switch by Tammy Kaehler
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