July 27 , 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Review: New Jersey Motorsports Park 250 presented by Crown Royal

Racers Edge Motorsports’ Mazda RX-8 was fast all weekend during the New Jersey Motorsports Park 250, but an unscheduled pit stop late in the race cost the team a likely top five finish. Jordan Taylor was joined by Dave Lacey in the No. 30 3dimensional.com/Idemitsu Mazda RX-8. When the two and three quarter hour time limit expired the car was in 9th place.

The team employed a new strategy in qualifying and chose to have Dave Lacey qualify the car. Although he was hindered by traffic throughout the session, Lacey still managed to qualify in 16th place, an impressive feat considering that Lacey had not been inside a race car since the Rolex 24 in January. After the green flag fell, Lacey succeeded in passing several cars before pitting at the 45 minute mark for fuel, fresh tires and a driver change.

On a day when drivers were complaining about heat and tire wear after 15 minutes in the car, Jordan Taylor was called on to deliver a two hour stint in a cockpit where the thermometer soared to nearly 140° F. He did not disappoint. Although the stop put the red RX-8 a lap down, Taylor raced his way back onto the lead lap and with 30 minutes to go in the race the 3dimensional.com machine was running third.  Unfortunately a full course yellow late in the race allowed many lead lap cars behind Taylor to grab fresh rubber. Taylor lost two spots to cars with much better tires (and drivers who had not been in the cockpit for over 90 minutes) but was holding strong in fifth place. Oil from another car forced Taylor off track, and grass from the incident clogged the radiator. This forced a late race pit stop, which relegated the car to a ninth place finish.

July 9 , 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: New Jersey Motorsports Park 250
presented by Crown Royal

Racers Edge Motorsports will be looking to earn another impressive finish when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 travels to New Jersey Motorsports Park for the 2010 season’s ninth round.  Jordan Taylor and Dave Lacey will pilot the No. 30 3dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 at NJMP’s 2.25 mile Thunderbolt Raceway.

The red RX-8 was fast during the last round at Daytona International Speedway but did not finish as high as the team would have liked. In qualifications Jordan Taylor’s blistering lap was bested by less than two hundredths of a second, literally on the last lap of the session. Nevertheless, the second place starting spot continued Taylor’s domination of qualifications in 2010: it was his sixth consecutive front row starting spot.

Taylor started the race strong and closely followed the leader from second place before ducking into the pits under full course yellow to turn the red RX-8 over to Todd Lamb. Unfortunately, Lamb overheated during his stint and fell to 11th before pitting to allow Taylor to re-enter the race. Taylor again showed the 3dimensional.com machine’s pace, staying ahead of the race leaders despite being mere seconds from going a lap down. Taylor also succeeded in passing three cars without the aid of a full course yellow to bunch the field together. When the checkered flag fell, the 3dimensional.com machine was shown in eighth place.

Although the series has only been visiting the track since 2008, both Taylor and Lacey have experience with it in a GT car. Taylor finished 13th in 2008 in his debut race with Racers Edge Motorsports. Lacey earned a 15th place GT class finish in the same year. Look for a veteran’s experience and a teenager’s speed to be a winning combination for Racers Edge Motorsports at New Jersey Motorsports Park!

Live television coverage of the NJMP 250 Presented by Crown Royal begins Sunday, July 18th at 1:00PM on SPEED TV. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128. Don’t forget to check out GRAND-AM’s Twitter page.

Become a Racers Edge Motorsports Team fan! Visit the team’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Racers-Edge-Motorsports/307829913763?ref=mf

July 7, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Review: Brumos Porsche 250

Racers Edge Motorsports earned mixed results during the July 4th weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Jordan Taylor, Todd Lamb and the No. 30 3dimensional.com/Idemitsu Mazda RX-8 were scored in 8th place at the end of the two and a half hour event, but Taylor did start the race from second place.

The team was pleased with its performance during qualifications. Jordan Taylor put down a blistering lap but it was bested by less than two hundredths of a second; literally on the last lap of the session. Nevertheless, the second place starting spot continued Taylor’s domination of qualifications in 2010; it was his sixth consecutive front row starting spot.

Taylor began the race with a strong stint. Unfazed by the race leader’s initial pace, Taylor maintained his composure and was close behind for the entirety of his first session in the car. Taylor ducked into the pits under full course yellow to turn the red RX-8 over to Todd Lamb.

Unfortunately, Lamb overheated in the Florida summer heat during his stint and fell to 11th before pitting to allow Taylor to re-enter the race. Taylor again showed the 3dimensional.com machine’s pace, staying ahead of the race leaders despite being mere seconds from going a lap down. Taylor also succeeded in passing three cars without the aid of a full course yellow to bunch the field together. When the checkered flag fell, Racers Edge was shown in eighth place. Although the finish was not terrible, it was not indicative of the car’s pace throughout the weekend. The team is looking forward to the next round at New Jersey Motorsports Park in two weeks.

June 30, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Brumos Porsche 250

Racers Edge Motorsports will be competing for its third podium finish of 2010 when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 visits the Daytona International Speedway for the Brumos Porsche 250. Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will negotiate Daytona’s 3.5 mile, 12 turn road course in the No. 30 3dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8.

The last round at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was a success for the red No. 30. Jordan Taylor earned his third pole of the 2010 season and fifth consecutive front row starting spot. Taylor started the car, led briefly and spent the majority of his first stint just behind the leader in second place. Jade Buford drove a solid stint and avoided going a lap down despite a 20 second stop-and-go penalty and being trapped on the tail end of the lead lap on a full course caution. The pit stop for the second driver change left Taylor buried deep in 9th place, but good pit strategy and skilled driving during his 90 minute final stint moved the car up six spots to third place. One of Taylor’s more impressive moves was actually a bit of agricultural racing when he left the pavement to avoid a spinning Daytona Prototype entry. When the 3dimensional.com machine crossed the finish line it was less than a car length behind the second place car, and gaining more than half of a second per lap. Another handful of laps might have allowed the No. 30 to visit victory lane, as the race winning car crossed the finish line using its reserve fuel tank.

The team is anxious to earn its third podium finish of 2010. Taylor and Lamb have both improved over the course of the season as the pair grows more familiar with the red RX-8. The two have also driven on Daytona’s high banks in the car during the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. Although a mechanical failure caused a poor 29th place finish in class, Taylor qualified the car in second place. Raw speed will be more important in the July race at Daytona because of the race’s two hour and forty-five minute time limit. The Rolex 24 places a premium on reliability, but parts are not stressed as much in the Rolex Sports Car Series’ sprint format. Regardless of the race’s length, look for the red RX-8 at the top of the charts in qualifying and on race day at the next round at Daytona International Speedway.

Television coverage of the Brumos 250 begins Saturday, July 3rd at 1:00PM on SPEED TV. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128. Don’t forget to check out GRAND-AM’s Twitter page.

Become a Racers Edge Motorsports Team fan! Visit the team’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Racers-Edge-Motorsports/307829913763?ref=mf

June 24, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Review: EMCO Gears Classic Presented by KeyBank

Racers Edge Motorsports persevered through a difficult first half of the EMCO Gears Classic Presented by KeyBank to earn a third place finish. Jordan Taylor and Jade Buford drove the No. 30 3dimensional.com/Idemitsu Mazda RX-8 to its second podium finish of 2010 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

ldquo;Front Row” Jordan Taylor continued his streak of front row qualifying starts by posting his third pole of the season. It was the fifth race in a row that Taylor started first or second. After leading the first lap, Taylor spent the majority of his first stint in second place. A pit stop to change drivers dropped the red RX-8 toward the bottom of the standings, but Jade Buford battled through a twenty second stop-and-go penalty and kept the car on the lead lap.

Jordan Taylor eventually returned to the cockpit buried deep in 9th place, but solid pit strategy and skilled driving during his 90 minute final stint moved the car up six spots to third place. One of Taylor’s more impressive moves was actually a bit of agricultural racing when he left the pavement to avoid a spinning Daytona Prototype entry.

When the 3dimensional.com machine crossed the finish line it was less than a car length behind the second place car and gaining more than half of a second per lap. Another handful of laps might have allowed the No. 30 to visit victory lane, as the race winning car crossed the finish line using its reserve fuel tank. Nevertheless it was still an excellent finish for the Racers Edge Motorsports team. Look for the red RX-8 at the top of the charts in qualifying and on race day at the next round at Daytona International Speedway.

June 11, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Review: Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

Racers Edge Motorsports posted a strong finish to the first half of the 2010 Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season. The No. 30 3Dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 earned a sixth place finish in the season’s second longest race at Watkins Glen International.

Jordan Taylor started the weekend on a good note: his fourth straight front row qualifying position (2nd place at Watkins Glen) is proof that he is one of the best in the business at laying down a hot lap when it matters most. The red RX-8 was competitive early in the race, as Taylor, Todd Lamb, and Jade Buford all kept the car on the lead lap. A scheduled brake pad change was executed under full course yellow but left Buford three quarters of a lap down when the race returned to green. The car eventually went a lap down.

Although great pit strategy put the 3Dimensional.com machine back on the lead lap, a jammed lug nut on the final stop forced the team off the lead lap again. Although the team lost its battle to finish on the same lap as the leader, it was encouraged by the fact that in the last 20 minutes of the race Jordan Taylor was running laps as fast or faster than the GT class leader.

June 3, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

Racers Edge Motorsports will try to post another impressive finish when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 heads to Watkins Glen International for Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. Regular drivers Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will be joined by Jade Buford in the No. 30 3Dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 as the trio does battle with 16 other GT class entries.

The 6th round of the season will place extra stress on a team’s drivers. The “Six Hour” is one of two endurance races on the 2010 schedule, the other being the Rolex 24 at Daytona. All other races are shorter than three hours and classified as sprint races. To cope with the extra stress many teams add a third driver to their roster. Racers Edge Motorsports is no different: Jade Buford, a regular in the team’s Ford Mustang BOSS 302R from the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, has been “called up” to share driving duties in the race.

One challenge Racers Edge’s drivers will not face is learning the Watkins Glen track. Each has made a start at “The Glen.” Jordan Taylor finished 15th in the Daytona Prototype class at the Crown Royal 200 in 2009 that used Watkins Glen’s short NASCAR course. Todd Lamb earned a fourth place finish in the GS class by passing two cars on the last lap of the Koni Sports Car Challenge race in 2009 on the 3.4 mile, 11 turn long course layout. Jade Buford finished 20th in the ST class in the same race. Anticipate skilled driving and well prepared equipment to earn the red RX-8 a good finish at Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.

The previous race at Lime Rock Park resulted in a disappointing finish for the red RX-8. After posting the fastest lap times in two practice sessions, Jordan Taylor used the red number 30’s speed to earn the second pole of the 2010 season. During the Memorial Day Classic, Jordan Taylor led in the early part of the race and stayed within striking distance of the leaders for the remainder of the event, until contact with a lapped car damaged the front suspension and knocked the Racers Edge machine out of the race.

Television coverage of Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen begins Saturday, June 5th at 2:00PM on SPEED Channel. Coverage ends at 4:00PM, but resumes at 6:00PM and lasts through the conclusion of the race. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128. Don’t forget to check out GRAND-AM’s Twitter page.

Become a Racers Edge Motorsports Team fan! Visit the team’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Racers-Edge-Motorsports/307829913763?ref=mf

May 21, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Memorial Day Classic

Racers Edge Motorsports will be looking for its second podium finish of 2010 when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 visits Lime Rock Park on Monday, May 31st for the fifth race of the 2010 season. Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will pilot the No. 30 3Dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 around the 1.53 mile, 7 turn road course.

Todd Lamb likes the team’s chances at Lime Rock. “Our RX-8 has been up front the last 2 races, and based on testing a few weeks ago I think we're going to have a strong run at Lime Rock as well. I have to thank Mazda for this great opportunity to be in the Rolex Series. [I’m] looking forward to the double-header - and we have two birthdays to celebrate on race weekend as well!” In addition to the Rolex Series race, Lamb will drive in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge’s ST class race on Saturday, May 29th.

The red RX-8 was at the front of the pack for most of Round 4 at Virginia International Raceway. Todd Lamb was the quickest GT car in the 3rd practice session, and Jordan Taylor earned the first pole position of both his and Racers Edge’s Rolex Sports Car Series careers. During the race, Taylor drove away to an eight second lead before pitting at the end of his first driving stint. Lamb emerged in second place at the end of the cycle of green flag pit stops, but quickly passed to regain the lead and led the race for the remainder of his middle stint.; Unfortunately the team was beaten off pit road by several cars when it made the final pit stop of the day under full course yellow. Racers Edge never managed to get the track position back and had to settle for a 6th place finish in class. The result was not bad, but it was not reflective of the team’s speed over the course of the weekend.

As Lamb alluded, both Racers Edge drivers have birthdays in the month of May. Taylor’s birthday was May 10th, while Lamb’s will be on May 30th. Both of the “birthday boys” have also had success on the short Lime Rock track, which places a premium on negotiating traffic. Lamb earned a 3rd place finish in the ST class during the 2007 Koni Challenge Series race. Taylor won a pair of races while participating in the Skip Barber Eastern Series in 2007. Expect the Racers Edge Motorsports team’s experience to result in a good finish on Memorial Day!

Television coverage of the Memorial Day Classic begins Monday, May 31st at 2:00PM on SPEED Channel. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128.Don’t forget to check out GRAND-AM’s Twitter page.

April 24, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Event Review: Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway

The Racers Edge Motorsports team’s weekend at Virginia International Raceway began a lot like the previous race at Barber Motorsports ark. The team’s bright red Mazda RX-8 was fast as soon as it hit the racetrack. Driver Todd Lamb was the quickest GT car in the 3rd practice session, while Jordan Taylor qualified on the pole position, the first pole for Taylor in his young career and also for Racers Edge in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

During the race, Taylor drove away to an eight second lead before pitting to turn the car over to Todd Lamb. Lamb emerged in second place at the end of the cycle of green flag pit stops, but quickly passed to regain the lead and led the race for the remainder of his middle stint. Lamb then pitted under full course yellow on lap 53 and switched places with Taylor for the final stint of the race.

Unfortunately the team was beaten off pit road by several cars, and passed by two others that exploited a loophole in Grand-Am’s yellow flag rules. Racers Edge never managed to get the track position back and had to settle for a 6th place finish in class. The result was not bad, but it was not reflective of the team’s speed over the course of the weekend. Expect Racers Edge to be fast again for next month’s race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut.

April 14, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Bosch Engineering 250 at VIR

Racers Edge Motorsports is looking to carry momentum from its first podium finish of 2010 on to Virginia International Raceway for Round 4 of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will drive the 3Dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 in the Bosch Engineering 250. Racers Edge demonstrated the massive potential it has this season in Round 3 at Barber Motorsports Park.

The red RX-8 showed its speed early in Round 3 when it posted the fastest lap in the first practice session. Jordan Taylor backed up the team’s practice speed by qualifying in second place with a lap that was two hundredths of a second from earning the GT class pole. In the Barber race Racers Edge managed to avoid the bad luck that had plagued the team in the first two rounds. Taylor passed polesitter Jonathan Bomarito on the opening lap and led easily before turning the car over to co-driver Todd Lamb. An excellent performance from Lamb allowed the team’s unique strategy of changing drivers twice to succeed. During his second driving stint Taylor patiently worked his way through the field and held off a hard charging Sylvain Tremblay over the final laps for a season best second place finish.

Racers Edge team owner Jon Mirachi is eagerly anticipating the upcoming race in Virginia. “Barber was fantastic! We’ve been fast all season, but finally the bad luck was gone and we got to really show our potential. We only just missed pole position and just missed getting the win, so I can’t wait to build on that momentum going to VIR!”

The team has a great opportunity to move up from its 8th place position in the team point standings. Both drivers have won while driving Mazdas at Virginia International Raceway, although the wins came in cars that were of the MX-5/Miata variety. Taylor won a 13 hour endurance race in 2009 at the 17 turn, 3.2 mile track in the Spec Miata class on a team that included current Daytona Prototype and previous Racers Edge driver Dion Von Moltke. Lamb won the first Mazda MX-5 Cup race at the Alton, Virginia track in 2009 and fought back from an early accident in the second race to score enough points to secure the 2009 championship.

Although sports car racing is unpredictable, there is an excellent chance that Racers Edge Motorsports will have an impressive race at VIR. Its drivers’ skills and experience, combined with a fast RX-8 and a clever pit strategy will be a difficult combination to beat.

Television coverage of the Bosch Engineering 250 begins Saturday, April 24th at 2:00PM on SPEED Channel. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128.

Become a Racers Edge Motorsports fan! Visit the team’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Racers-Edge-Motorsports/307829913763?ref=mf

April 11, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Event Review: Porsche 250 at Barber Motorsports Park

The Racers Edge Motorsports Mazda RX-8 was blindingly fast and trouble free all weekend at Barber. The red #30 machine set fast time in the first practice and qualified second by only .02 of a second, barely missing the pole position. At the start of the race, driver Jordan Taylor took the lead and led until the first round of pit stops when he turned the car over to co-driver Todd Lamb. Todd marched back toward the front and cruised in second place before returning the car to Jordan. Jordan raced hard and finally settled for a well deserved second place finish.

This was a great event for the team and really helped boost everyone’s confidence going into the next round at Virginia International Raceway. Look for the bright red machine to be at the front of the grid next week!

April 1, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Gives Back at Porsche 250 at Barber Motorsports Park

The Racers Edge Motorsports team will be assisting a hometown charity in Saturday's Porsche 250. For every lap that drivers Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb complete, the team will make a donation to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

"That charity is very active in our hometown of DeLand, Florida, so we decided to make a donation for every lap we complete in this weekend's race," Mirachi said. "That will be matched by several people in our community, and we would be thrilled if anyone in the GRAND-AM community would also join in and contribute."

The Mazda will carry the American Cancer Society decals on its doors. "It's the Relay for Life, but we're doing a special twist on that and calling it the Laps for Life," Mirachi said. "Typically, we will complete 100-110 laps racing here."

April 1, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Porsche 250 at Barber Motorsports Park

Racers Edge Motorsports will be looking to end a streak of bad luck on April 10th when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 travels to Birmingham, Alabama for the third race of the 2010 season. Drivers Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will pilot the No. 30 3 Dimensional.com/Idemitsu Racing Oil Mazda RX-8 at Barber Motorsports Park’s 2.3 mile 17 turn road course.

Taylor, Lamb, and Racers Edge can all draw from previous experience at Barber. Taylor finished 13th while piloting a Daytona Prototype in 2009, and Lamb earned a 4th place finish in the GS class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 2008. Racers Edge Motorsports also posted their team’s best finish in 2007 when Drew Staveley and Eric Lux finished 6th in class.

The team of Taylor and Lamb has developed great chemistry in just two races together. Todd Lamb qualified the red RX-8 in the 5th starting spot for round two at Homestead Miami Speedway and then Lamb’s solid driving stint during the race had the car running solidly in the top 5 when he turned it over to Taylor. Unfortunately, a fluke mechanical failure forced the team’s early and spectacular exit from the Grand Prix of Miami. A crack developed in the muffler which allowed hot engine exhaust gasses to start a fire which burned its way into the cockpit. Fortunately driver Jordan Taylor was unhurt, but the car was retired to a 17th place GT class finish in a manner that will most likely earn Racers Edge a spot on the season ending highlight film. Be sure to check out the short video that GRAND-AM produced about the fire and its cause at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQ0Aw0B00Q&feature=youtube_gdata

The team has since repaired the car and is anxious to get back to the track. Team owner Jon Mirachi spoke for the team: “It’s certainly been a rough start to the season, but we are truly confident in ourselves and our Mazda RX-8. We have great driving talent, along with great engineering and preparation so it’s only a matter of time before the luck falls our way.” You can bet that if the Racers Edge Motorsports team can avoid the bad luck that has plagued them in the first two races, expect an impressive performance from the red No. 30 at Barber Motorsports Park.

Television coverage of the Porsche 250 begins Saturday, April 10th at 1:30PM on SPEED Channel. Live radio coverage will also be broadcast on MRN and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Channel 128.

March 16, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Event Review: Grand Prix of Miami

The Racers Edge Motorsports Mazda RX-8 ran fast in qualifying and was poised for a strong finish at the Grand Prix of Miami, only to end up out of the race early due to a spectacular and bizarre exit from the race – on fire! Check out the video story of what happened by clicking on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQ0Aw0B00Q&feature=player_embedded#

February 23, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Grand Prix of Miami

After a month long break, Racers Edge Motorsports will travel to the Grand Prix of Miami for the second round of the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. Regular season drivers Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will pilot the No. 30 Idemitsu Racing Oil/Mazda/Moton Suspension Technology Mazda RX-8 at Homestead Miami Speedway’s 2.3 mile, 11 turn road course.

Although this will be only their second race together, Taylor and Lamb hope to improve upon the team’s 6th place finish in Miami last year. Lamb is already familiar with the Miami track: he earned a 5th place finish there in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race (GS class) in 2009, while Taylor has also raced at the Speedway on several occasions scoring a 9th place finish there in 2009 driving a Daytona Prototype.

Team owner Jon Mirachi is really anxious for the Homestead race to get here. “After the big disappointment at the Rolex 24, with the engine failing less than 3 hours into the race, the entire Racers Edge crew can’t wait to get back to the track. Following a race like that, all you can do is get ready for the next one and once the car hits the track we’ll all be busy getting the car set up and ready to compete for the win. It’s the best way to put the 24 behind us. I like Homestead and with our car, team and driver line up, I like our chances to win as well!”

Racers Edge Motorsports showed high potential for the 2010 season during the season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona. Jordan Taylor posted an impressive qualifying time that secured a second place starting spot for the No. 30 RX-8, and battled his way into the GT class lead. Unfortunately a broken bolt in the engine ended the team’s day after only 2.5 hours of the 24 hour race, relegating the team to a 28th place finish in class.

If Racers Edge Motorsports performance in the early part of the Rolex 24 is any indication, be sure to keep an eye on the red No. 30 at the Grand Prix of Miami.

Coverage of the Grand Prix of Miami begins on Saturday, March 6th at 5:00PM on SPEED Channel.

February 1, 2010

2010 GRAND-AM ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA RACE REPORT

Racers Edge Motorsports competed in the GRAND-AM Rolex 24 at Daytona last weekend and the team’s race started out great but then ended early on a disappointing note.

The bright red #30 Mazda RX-8 qualified on the front row with talented team driver Jordan Taylor barely missing the pole by less than one tenth of a second. The team was thrilled with both Jordan’s and the car’s performance and was really looking forward to the race. They knew they had a fast car, excellent driver lineup and a well prepared crew.

Come race day, with a steady, heavy rain coming down, the race was started under full course caution. Once the green flag waved, Jordan immediately took over the lead and pulled away comfortably. The #30 was out front for several laps and then the team instructed Jordan to settle into a comfortable cruising pace with the long 24 hour race ahead.

After about an hour and a half, Jordan turned the car over to team mate Todd Lamb. Todd continued to cruise comfortably as the rain stopped and the track began to dry. Suddenly, while braking for turn 6, Todd had a front wheel lock up and he skidded gently into the tire wall. Once under way again, the instrument panel inside the cockpit indicated high engine water temperature and finally the car died out on track. The officials towed the car to the garage where the team determined that a crucial bolt inside the engine had broken. The broken “tension bolt” seals coolant in the engine, which explained the overheating, but unfortunately, there was no way to repair the damage other than to replace the engine – which the rules do not allow. Once the team understood about the coolant leak, it also explained Todd’s sudden unexpected trip into the tire wall, since coolant was leaking out onto the tires.

It goes without saying that the team was terribly disappointed to retire from the race after barely 2 ½ hours of running. Months of preparation go into getting everything ready for a 24 hour race and the team felt really prepared and excited for their chances to win.

Team Owner Jon Mirachi thanked the crew and tried to keep everyone’s spirits up and focused on the next race in the series, at Homestead – Miami Speedway on March 6th. The team showed great potential, so look for the #30 to again be up front at the next race!

January 26, 2010

Racers Edge Motorsports Preview: Rolex 24 at Daytona

Racers Edge Motorsports will be looking to start the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season on the right foot when the green flag waves for the Rolex 24 at Daytona at 3:30PM on Saturday, January 30th.

Jon Mirachi, owner of the No. 30 Idemitsu Racing Oil/Mazda/Moton Suspension Technology Mazd RX-8, is optimistic about the team’s chances at the Rolex 24. “I can’t wait to start the 2010 season and what better way to test the teams and drivers right away, than with the challenge of a 24 hour race at Daytona!” The optimism is not without merit; the team tested well at Daytona earlier in January.

Full season co-drivers Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb will share driving duties with Jade Buford and Glenn Bocchino for the Rolex 24, North American sports car racing’s equivalent of the Super Bowl. Each driver had an impressive 2009 season.

Jordan Taylor finished 10th in the 2009 Rolex 24 in the Daytona Prototype class, following a 15th place GT class finish in 2008. Taylor made one start for Racers Edge in 2009 at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Racing is in Taylor’s blood: his father is two time Rolex 24 winner and Daytona Prototype team owner Wayne Taylor. Jordan’s older brother, Ricky, will drive for their father’s team in the 2010 season, including the Rolex 24.

Todd Lamb’s eight victories propelled him to the 2009 SCCA Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship. Lamb already has experience driving with teammate Glenn Bocchino: the two finished a season high 2nd at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge’s GS class in 2009.

Jade Buford posted a 2009 season best 4th place finish at Barber Motorsports Park while driving in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge’s ST class. Buford backed up this finish in the next race by finishing 11th at Trois-Rivières in Québec.

Glenn Bocchino earned a 2009 season best 2nd place finish at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca while co-driving with Todd Lamb in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge’s GS class. Bocchino knows the way to victory lane at Daytona: he won the 2008 Fresh From Florida 200 while driving in the CTSCC’s ST class.

If the success of the teams' drivers in 2009 is any indicator of future success, be sure to keep an eye on the No. 30 RX-8.

This will be the 48th running of the Rolex 24, which takes place at the Daytona International Speedway. The 3.56 mile road course is comprised of nearly all Daytona’s famous high speed oval, plus an infield section that is notorious for its slick pavement and off-camber corners.

Coverage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona begins on Saturday, January 30th at 3:00PM on SPEED Channel, and continues on SPEED at 7:00AM on Sunday, January 31st.

January 10, 2010

Racers Edge Signs Jordan Taylor and Todd Lamb for 2010 Rolex GT Season

After successful pre-season testing in the #30 Mazda RX-8, Racers Edge Motorsports signed young star Jordan Taylor and MAZDASPEED driver Todd Lamb to drive for the team in the Grand Am Rolex GT Series in 2010.

Racers Edge is based in DeLand, FL and run by team owner Jon Mirachi, who formed the team in 1990. The team has enjoyed a long standing relationship with Mazda, and the two drivers have an ideal background for the team.

Jordan is the 18 year-old son of Wayne Taylor, who got his start driving Mazdas in South Africa and won an IMSA championship with Jim Downing in a Mazda Kudzu. Jordan has previous experience in Daytona Prototypes as well as the Racers Edge RX-8, proving that driving ability can indeed be hereditary. Jordan, from Orlando, FL, is currently attending UCF for his mechanical engineering degree.

Jordan Taylor: "I'mreally happy that I will be with Racers Edge in the MazdaRX-8 alongside Todd for my first full season of Grand-Am competition. The car and team showed speed all throughoutlast year, week in and week out. I was a bit all over the place in 2009, racing 3 different DP's, a GT car, and some open wheel; so I am looking forward to being able to focus on one thing, which is running for the GT championship."

Todd, from Atlanta, GA, comes to Racers Edge for his rookie season in Rolex GT as part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder Program. By virtue of winning the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series in 2009, Lamb is receiving support from Mazda which is assisting him in reaching his goals in racing. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from GMI/Kettering and is a successful entrepreneur.

Todd Lamb: "This opportunity with Mazda is a dream come true - it is nice to see a manufacturer provide a ladder program that assists racers in moving up to the professional ranks. I am looking forward to racing with Racers Edge in the RX-8. Testing in Daytona for the 24 Hours has gone really well, and Jordan and I have a similar driving style so we are working well together. We feel like we are in a good position to help Mazda win the manufacturer's championship inGT."

You can keep track of the duo’s progress by watching all the races live on SPEED TV or follow the team’s progress on Twitter at twitter.com/toddspeed. allenge circuit in the Street Tuner (ST) division, Buford is scheduled to drive for Racers Edge in 2010 as they unveil the new Ford Mustang GT for the season-opening Continental Tire Challenge race in the Grand Sport (GS) class at Daytona. Buford’s GS co-driver will be Glenn Bocchino, who won the 2008 Continental Tire ST race at Daytona.

Mirachi believes Buford will make a great addition to his team in both cars he drives, and said he looks forward to seeing his efforts this week.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress from Jade since he made his initial appearance at the Barber test with us in July,” Mirachi said. “We feel that, though he is in the early stages of his professional racing career, this is the perfect opportunity for him to show his talent. We led laps and ran up front this season with the RX-8, and Jade should keep us there as he continues to progress.”

Taylor, the son of Rolex Series team owner Wayne Taylor, has competed on and off for Racers Edge, and finished in 10th-place in last year’s Rolex 24 in a Daytona Prototype.