Competent Motorsport LLC Announce New Series for 2012 – Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West

Posted on February 13, 2012 by KevinFranz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Information: Greg Franz (949)851-4731

gfranz@competentms.com

Competent Motorsport LLC Announce New Series for 2012 - Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West

Newport Beach, CA, February 13, 2012 – Competent Motorsport LLC today announced a partnership with Porsche Motorsport North America with PMNA’s sanctioning of the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West racing series. Although 2012 will be the inaugural season for the series, Competent Motorsport has been operating the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA racing series since 2007.

“This announcement represents the evolving process of creating a racing series for Porsche 996/997 GT3 Cup cars that through professional coaching and competitive seat time gives our drivers a spring board to develop their race craft skills and if they chose be ready for the next level of sports car racing.” said Greg Franz, President of Competent Motorsport LLC and founder of the Series. Over the past five years the drivers, series partners, and staff have all contributed to make this happen in raising the bar in presenting a specification series that allows drivers to race knowing that their success is based on the one variable – the driver.

“We are pleased to take our partnership with Porsche Motorsport North America to a new level and look forward to their technical and professional support. We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Jens Walther, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America and his staff over the past five years and we are committed in presenting the best motorsport events with quality track time for our drivers”, Franz expressed.

“Since its inception the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA has been home and an important stepping stone for many Porsche race drivers. We appreciate this series to step up to a true one-make Cup and welcome the teams and drivers in the international Porsche one-make Cup family,” said Jens Walther, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

The Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series in 2012 will be comprised of seven (7) events and fourteen (14) races at some of North America’s most challenging racing venues. The first event will be held at Miller Motorsports Park as part of the Utah Grand Prix on April 27th – 29th. Other venues for the 2012 season include Thunderhill Raceway Park, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (2 events), Portland International Raceway for the Rose Cup Races and Infineon Raceway. The final event/venue of the inaugural season will be announced in March.  

For additional information regarding the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series, please visit the Competent Motorsport website: www.competentms.com

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Pirelli Drivers Cup USA “Rolls the Dice” in Las Vegas — Season Finale — Announcement of Series Champions

Posted on November 11, 2011 by KevinFranz

Pirelli Drivers Cup USA “Rolls the Dice” in Las Vegas – Season Finale – Announcement of Series Champions

Newport Beach, CA, November 11, 2011 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the site for the season finale for the 2011 season of Pirelli Drivers Cup USA as part of the inaugural North American Festival of Speed event held on November 4th – 6th.

The stage was set for Race #11 & Race #12 as the venue integrated both the speedway oval and the road course (e.g. roval). In addition, this was the first night race which added additional challenges and excitement for the drivers during the event weekend. The challenge with a roval track with tight infield requires a suspension set up that is somewhere between the optimum set up for either course condition. The teams had a setup for the cold night race for Saturday with a race beginning at 9:40 PM and a warmer day race on Sunday afternoon. With coaching and race insight from professional sports car driver Kelly Collins; the drivers worked on tire management and track position for both types of races during the weekend.

Friday’s Test & Tune Day activities were shorten after the first practice session when a desert rain storm blanketed the track and sent everyone back to the garages to stay dry. The sessions were going to be used by the drivers to familiarize themselves with the track and course configuration. The rain only showed up on Friday afternoon and was not an issue during the rest of the weekend event.

With the rain out of the picture, Saturday night started with the drivers using the practice session under the lights to begin to focus both of track position and training their vision for the other drivers on the track. Before long the qualifying session was upon the drivers and the drivers stepped up their game on the track with Jim Walsh #96 (Jim Walsh Racing) in his Group C 2011 997 GT3 Cup at 1:14.8 leading the way, David Calvert –Jones #12 (Competition Motorsports) Group B 2008 997 GT3 Cup at 1:16.8 charging to the front, and Doug Baron #77 (911 Design) Group A 2004 996 GT3 Cup  at 1:17.9 helping to set the field for Race #11.

As the green flag dropped, the drivers darted for track position as the drivers transitioned from the speedway oval to the infield course. With this field you could not make a mistake or your track position was altered and you played catch up. As the drivers battled the field throughout the race, when the checkered flag was waved, the podium was set. Brian Wong #23 (Competition Motorsports) won Group C with a very clean drive with Dave Cormier #24 (Vici Racing) racing his newly acquired 2011 997 GT3 Cup to a second place on the podium and Robert Rodriguez #69 (P7 Racing). Brian Wong #23 also had the fastest lap during the race at 1:15.3. Group B had three different teams running for the podium and it was back and forth between all these drivers to finally have David Calvert-Jones #12 (Competition Motorsports) in first, John Krieg #88 (Truspeed Motorcars) and Dave Leyvas #65 (Race Technik) to round off the top three. Group A had the perennial Doug Baron #77 (911 Design) on top challenging many of the 997 GT3 Cup cars during the race with Ricky Johnson #31 (Race Technik) runner up.

After the late night race on Saturday night Sunday’s morning practice session came early for the teams. During the qualifying session for Race #12 the pole again was set with Jim Walsh #96 with Dave Cormier #24 on the front row with Jim; David Calvert-Jones #12 was the fastest for Group B and Doug Baron #77 captured the fastest qualifying for Group A.

Race #12 on Sunday again was cleanly run by all the drivers with plenty of excitement for the fans on hand watching. The same back and forth between the top drivers in each Group that we have seen all season was evident in this last race of the year as Brian Wong #23 was able to overtake Jim Walsh #96 for the victory very late in the race for a repeat of Race #11 the night before and overall winner. Group B had Roger Rodas #52 (Competition Motorsports) having a great end of season victory with team mate David Calvert- Jones second and John Krieg #88 rounding out the podium. Doug Baron #77 and Ricky Johnson #31 finished the same as the evening before in Group A with Doug being the victor.

On Friday night, Pirelli Tire USA hosted a reception at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media Center to recognize the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA 2011 season champions. With the drivers and team members along with family and friends present, Pirelli Tire executives Rafael Navarro (VP – Communications and Media Relations) and Gianluca Grioni (Motorsport Manager) acknowledged the championship drivers with the series trophies. Being recognized as the 2011 Champions were: Group A – Doug Baron #77 as a repeat winner from 2010 as Champion; Group B – Dave Cormier #24; who sold his Group B car after Infineon Raceway and ran his Group C 2011 GT3 Cup at Las Vegas; Group C was won by Bryce Miller #34 who race great all season to gain the top spot in the 2010-2011 997 GT3 Cup group.

In 2012, the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA sixth season will include seven (7) events at some of the most challenging venues in North America. The full schedule will be announced at the end of November.

The Pirelli Drives Cup USA staff wants to thank our drivers, their teams, and our series partners whose ongoing support and participation help make this series possible. Our partners for the 2011 season included Pirelli Tire, Porsche Motorsport North America, BBS America, Stand 21, Truspeed Motorcars, Mother’s Racing, RSS, MoTeC, Pagid RS, Chase Cam, and Thermal Motorsports Track and Club.

For more information about Competent Motorsport LLC and the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA series, go to www.competentms.com.

See you at the track in 2012…

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Pirelli Drivers Cup USA Treks up to Portland for the 51st Running of the Rose Cup Races

Posted on June 21, 2011 by KevinFranz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Information: Greg Franz (949) 851-4731
gfranz@competentms.com

PIRELLI DRIVERS CUP USA TREKS UP TO PORTLAND FOR THE 51ST RUNNING OF THE ROSE CUP RACES

The Pirelli Drivers Cup USA series returned to the Portland Rose Cup Race event as invited guests to be a featured race and were recognized for their very competitive but clean racing by all in attendance.

As with all events this season so far, we have out run the rain, wind, and almost snow in competing on the track; this event was no different. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the drivers had to wait until the start of practice sessions, qualifying session, and races (#7 and #8) to determine how the weather was going to impact their race strategy.

The race weekend had a mix of new drivers to the series and seasoned drivers as well as a number of drivers with local track knowledge resulting in some very interesting and exciting racing.

Qualifying on Friday afternoon was fast and furious as the drivers adapted to the cool weather and changing track conditions. Jim Walsh (Truspeed) led all racers with the fastest time of  1:15.5 with Bryce Miller (Truspeed) second at 1:15.6 and Rich Walton (Jerry Woods) third; Dave Cormier (VICI Racing) led Group B as Group A was headed up by Doug Baron (911 Design).

Race #7 (which was the qualifying race for Race #8) was held on Saturday afternoon and the racers were ready to test themselves and each other in the qualifying race. The race being held on the 1.95 mile course gave plenty of races within the race for both the drivers and the fans in attendance. The race was incident free and had Group A (2000-2005 996 GT3 Cup) point leader and 2010 Champion  Doug Baron (#77) winner with local knowledge racer Steve Streimer (#02) (Streimer Racing) finishing second and keeping Doug honest. Mark Whyman (#18) (Rothsport Racing) brought home third place on the podium and after his second event with Pirelli Drivers Cup this New Zealander is getting used to the competitive racing action. Dave Cormier (#24), the current points leader of Group B (2006-2009 997 GT3 Cup), had a tight race on his hands from a newcomer to the series in Phil Frogg, Jr. (#29) (Truspeed). Phil finished second with second place points leader Sloan Urry (#20) (Turspeed) rounding out the podium in third place.

After a morning warm up session on Sunday in semi wet conditions; the racers had three hours to see what conditions they were going to have to deal with in their featured race (Race #8) at the Rose Cup Races.

Although the sky was overcast the track was in excellent condition in time for the green flag; with drivers on the grid and the spectators in stands…the race was on!

Again everyone was pleased to see tight competitive racing with the racers co-existing with each other through the exciting 12 turns.

Results of Race #8 had Bryce Miller (#34) in Group A again on top of the podium after he lead going into turn 1 and never looked back for the entire race. Rich Walton (#75) and Jim Walsh (#96) enjoyed a back and forth race with Rich holding on for second and a repeat performance by Jim for third place on the podium.

Group B had a change early on when Dave Cormier (#24) suffered a flat tire ending his race in the first lap allowing the other racers in the group challenging each other to get onto the podium. Roger Rodas (#52) (Competition Motorsports) came away as Group B winner with another racer with local knowledge Steve Valentinetti (#40) (Gruppe Orange Racing) second after starting last in the field and again Sloan Urry (#20) capturing third place after this tight battle.

Group A brought Doug Baron (#77) his fifth straight win; again holding off Steve Streimer (#02) with Lorne Leibel (#8) (Truspeed) finishing third and his first podium finish of the 2011 season.

With four of our six events completed in the 2011 racing season the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA drivers will take a three month break and get ready for our remaining two events of the season.

For additional results, photos, videos, and information: go to www.competentms.com and follow us on both Facebook and on our YouTube channel.

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Season Opener for Pirelli Drivers Cup USA at Auto Club Speedway — Fifth Anniversary of the Series

Posted on April 15, 2011 by KevinFranz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Information: Greg Franz (949) 851-4731
gfranz@competentms.com

SEASON OPENER FOR PIRELLI DRIVERS CUP USA AT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY – FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS SERIES

Newport Beach, CA. April 12, 2011 – Every driver and crew member was ready for the start of the fifth season (April 8th – 10th) of the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA racing series at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. The course consisting of twenty-one (21) turns is always challenging for the drivers and this year was no exception for seasoned drivers or newcomers to the Auto Club Speedway.

The thirty-three (33) drivers were able to take advantage of the group and one-on-one coaching opportunities with the Pirelli Drivers Cup coach for this event, Johannes van Overbeek. On Friday, Test and Tune Day, he worked with the drivers on how to get to know this track and get up to speed quickly for the weekend. He briefed each driver on what he saw them doing during the sessions as he posted himself at different locations during the weekend to give them feedback.

Qualifying on Saturday afternoon brought both the seasoned veterans and new to the series drivers to their first qualifying session of the year. The drivers were focused on running four to five laps to get a good starting position for the race as the entrance to the infield (Turn 3) is not designed for 33 cars to fit into a two lane road.

Qualifying was led by one of our new young drivers, Bryce Miller (TruSpeed), who showed he was ready for the race to begin as we had all thirty three cars within seven seconds of one another. Bryce lead Group C (2010-2011 997 GT3 Cup) with Melanie Snow (Snow Racing) charging to the top for Group B (2006-2009 997 GT3 Cup) and last year’s Group A (2000-2005 996 GT3 Cup) Champion, Doug Baron (911 Design) setting the pace for that group.

As the 33 cars came to the green flag for the forty minute race, the excitement grew for both the drivers and fans as each turn became a race of itself. It was a clean and very competitive race from green to checked flag. At the end of the race, the overall winner and Group C first place went to Bryce Miller (TruSpeed) who continued to stretch his lead over the field as he was not waiting around for the group to catch up with him. Group C had Steve Goldman (Competition Motorsports) second and Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) rounding out the podium. Group B had fifteen racers going back and forth before Wes Hoaglund (Competition Motorsports) won the battle with Melanie Snow (Snow Racing) from Utah (along with son, Madison, who also races in Group B and husband, Martin, coaching and crew chief for the weekend). Dave Cormier (VI Racing) from Canada brought home the third position in Race #1. Group A had the usual suspects in the mix for the entire race with Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Racing) besting Doug Baron (911 Design) at the end of the race with John Trefethen (Trefethen Winery) taking third place on the podium.

Qualifying for Race #2 on Sunday morning brought out that same competitive charge from the drivers to get the best grid position possible for this race as grid position played such an important part of Race #1 strategy. Bryce Miller (TruSpeed) again was fastest in qualifying and lead Group C with Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports), Steve Goldman (Competition Motorsports), and Jay Hagenbuch (TruSpeed) right on his tail. Group B had Sloan Urry (TruSpeed), another young driver who was out to show everyone that he also was ready to go racing this season with his qualifying effort for number one. Behind Sloan was Melanie Snow (Snow Racing) and Wes Hoaglund (Competition Motorsports). Group A had Doug Baron (911 Design) followed by John Trefethen (Trefethen Winery) and past Group A Champion Brooks Potter (911 Design) to round out the top three qualifiers.

Race #2 was run under sunny skies, as the ongoing changing weather had the drivers and teams on their toes to figure out the best race strategy for this race. Again racing was to be found in each turn and both infield and outer straightaways. With only a couple of laps to go; one car hit the wall in Turn #2 which brought out the yellow flag and eventually the checkered flag. The results of Race#2 came out to be Group A – Brooks Potter (911 Design) on top, with Doug Baron (911 Design) second and Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Racing) third. Group B had the largest group of  racers with Sloan Urry (TruSpeed) winning with Dave Cormier (VI Racing) in second and a newcomer to the series Roger Rodas (Competition Motorsports) finishing third. Group C had Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) and Bryce Miller (TruSpeed) going back and forth with Rich pulling out the victory with Bryce second. Jay Hagenbuch (TruSpeed) from Idaho was on that third position on the podium.

Pirelli Drivers Cup USA is proud to have been invited to participate at the Utah Grand Prix being held at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on 29 April to 1 May, 2011.

For additional Results, Photos, Videos, and information: go to www.competentms.com and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.

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Finale at Infineon Raceway; Group Champions Announced

Posted on November 9, 2010 by admin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Info: Greg Franz
949.851.4731
gfranz@competentms.com

Finale at Infineon Raceway; Group Champions Announced

Newport Beach, CA.
November 9, 2010

Pirelli Drivers Cup USA, featuring Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars, is a racing series dedicated to providing a safe racing environment for all participants where on race weekends drivers compete on challenging venues and as a good wine you must be patience and wait for the right time to harvest the grapes and this past weekend in the Sonoma/Napa Valley was the right time for competitive racing.

The final race weekend (November 5th – 7th) for the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA was held at the Infineon Raceway located in Sonoma, California in conjunction with NASA and the INEX World Finals. This event represented the last two races for the season, Race #11 and Race #12, for the series. The Pirelli Drivers Cup US A series experienced an assortment of weather conditions during the weekend which provided some exciting moments for the drivers in determining the Group champions for the season. The backdrop of the wine country provided the new drivers and regulars an opportunity to enjoy the region and their race craft on the track.

The course at Infineon Raceway (2.52 miles) provided a level playing field for both the Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars as the aero package, horsepower, and gearing are per factory specifications requiring the drivers to make the difference.

Qualifying on Saturday morning for Race #11 had the entire field within nine seconds with Steve Goldman (Competition Motorsports) on the poll joined by Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) in the first row.

On Saturday afternoon, Race #11 lived up to its expectations and gave everyone an exciting race to watch in determining the Group champions. As the flag dropped, the race to Turn 2 and 3 became a dash for position which carried through the entire race. Group A brought both Doug Baron (911 Design) and Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Racing) head to head in driving towards the championship…the battle from the very first race of the season until this weekend was in full swing. At the end, Doug Baron prevailed in Race 11th with Jim Walsh in second with the local driver and vintner, John Trefethen (Trefethen Vineyard) in third.

Group B (2006-2009 997 GT3 Cup Car) had a number of series regulars testing each other and the track to find out how to pull a victory out from a very competitive group. At the end Richard Walton stayed in front of Steve Goldman with John Kreig (Aasco Motorsports) finishing out the podium.

Group C (2010 997 GT3 Cup) had Brent Holden (GMG Racing) winning his group and claiming the championship for the season.

Sunday brought a mixture of weather conditions. Morning practice and qualifying were competed in the rain for Race #12…and then the sun came out for the final race of the season providing the drivers with a clean track for the finale. As in Race #11, when the flag dropped, the Porsche GT3 Cup Cars headed to Turn 2 with the pedal to the metal. When the checkered flag came down in the sunshine, Doug Baron lead Group A with Jim Walsh and Lorne Liebel following him to the finish line. In Group B, Rich Walton passed a number of the drivers in winning the race with Fred Poordad (Competition Motorsports) coming in second and John Kreig joining them on the podium. Brent Holden finished in first for Group C and captured the championship.

Also, this weekend the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA announced the 2010 Champions for each Group accordingly:

  • Doug Baron (911 Design) – Group A (2000-2005 996 GT3 Cup)
  • Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) – Group B (2006-2007 997 GT3 Cup)
  • Brent Holden (GMG Racing) – Group C (2008-2010 997 GT3 Cup)

The Pirelli Drivers Cup USA staff would like to thank the drivers and sponsors for a great year of racing and excitement throughout the season.

As we go into our 5th season, we are excited about the program we are putting together for the 2011 season which will continue in providing the drivers, race teams and sponsors one of the most competitive racing series in North America.

See you in 2011!!!!

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