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'm really happy that I will be with Racers Edge in the Mazda RX-8 alongside Todd for my first full season of Grand-Am competition. The car and team showed speed all throughout last 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 in GT."
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.
December 7, 2009
Buford, Racers Edge Head to Daytona for December Test
Twenty-one-year-old Jade Buford, co-driver Jordan Taylor and Racers Edge Motorsports will head to Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday for the two-day GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 test.
Buford will drive the No. 30 Mazda RX-8, sponsored by IDEMITSU Racing Oil and Cobalt Friction, with Taylor, a two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona participant.
Buford will realize his dream when he steps foot on the grounds of Daytona, which is located only a half hour away from Racers Edge’s team headquarters in DeLand, FL It will mark the first time Buford has ever participated in any type of sanctioned event at Daytona, as he prepares to drive in his first Rolex 24 At Daytona in January.
“I am very excited about this chance to drive with Racers Edge during this week’s test,” Buford said. “Everyone on the team has worked really hard, and I can’t wait to be out on the race track."
Racers Edge team owner Jon Mirachi, who has worked with several talented, young up-and-coming drivers throughout his career, brought Buford into the team’s fold following the 2009 Rolex Series race at Barber Motorsports Park in July. Mirachi coached Buford, who turned times and speeds that would have made him competitive in the previous day’s race. Buford made his Rolex Series debut in September at Miller Motorsports Park, driving with Dane Cameron.
A season after running 10 of 11 races on the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge 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.
October 30, 2009
Off Season?? Not for Racers Edge!
After surviving a very demanding and challenging race season - both on and off the track - the Racers Edge team is already looking forward to, and preparing for, the start of the 2010 season.
Outside of a little time off for catching up with friends and family and a somewhat slower pace at the shop, things are pretty much status quo as the team prepares for the 1st race of the new season - the grueling ROLEX 24 hours at Daytona.
The crew has already stripped the car to the frame and has begun the rebuilding process. Each and every component is carefully inspected and rebuilt or replaced, as necessary. A very time consuming task for sure, but one that the mechanics enjoy and offers them an infinite sense of pride as 'their' car crosses the finish line - on it's own - 24 hours later!
While we have personally thanked our sponsors for their support throughout the 2009 season, we'd like to take this opportunity to do it publically, as well. Without the support of companies like 3-Dimensional Services, Cobalt Friction, Idemitsu, Piloti and Mazda, we simply couldn't do it. They are an integral part of our team.
Enjoy the holidays, be safe and we'll see you...at the races!
September 11, 2009
Racers Edge Tackles Miller With All-Rookie Line Up
Racers Edge Motorsports announced today it will compete with three young, upcoming drivers for the next Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 event Sept. 19 at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Team regular driver Dane Cameron will be joined by fellow rookies Jade Buford and Jordan Taylor, whose combined average age is only 20 years old. They will drive the No. 30 3Dimensional.com/
Team owner Jon Mirachi stated the reasons behind the unusual approach to the event.
"As a team, our heritage has been all about working with young drivers to help advance their careers," Mirachi said. "We try to provide the right atmosphere, input and advice so they can thrive and succeed. We chose these three young men because we believe they all have great talent, desire and the right mental approach to the task.
"I truly believe all three of them are future superstars in our sport," Mirachi said. "As for using three drivers instead of the more customary two, the two-hour, 45-minute format allows adequate time for us to give all three talented young drivers the opportunity to display their abilities."
Cameron has been racing since a young age and has already won numerous races and championships. He has caught the eye and support of Mazda and is a part of their Mazdaspeed Driver Development Ladder to help develop young American driving talent. His first season in the Rolex Series has seen him qualify on the front row and lead several races. He is poised to get his first win at any time.
Taylor has been competing in select Rolex Series Daytona Prototype races this season, but made his debut in the Rolex Series GT class in 2008. Taylor has previously raced and tested with Racers Edge so he knows the team's Mazda RX-8 and the personnel well.
Buford has been racing successfully this season in the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge. He tested with Racers Edge in July and immediately impressed the team with not only his talent but his thoughtful and professional approach to his first drive in a top level GT car.
"After that test, I knew I had to make the right opportunity happen to get Jade in our car for a race," Mirachi said. "Not only was I impressed with his abundant talent, but he was a complete pleasure to work with. I've been looking forward to his debut race in the series and I'm glad we can provide him with this opportunity."
August 07, 2009
Racers Edge Finishes on Podium at Watkins Glen
The Racers Edge Motorsports Team took their Mazda RX-8 to Watkins Glen, NY to compete in the 2-hour Grand Am Rolex Series race held there on Friday night. The event, which also holds a round of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, drew a large crowd and the weather was picture perfect for the Grand Am portion of the event. After running strong in practice, qualifying and starting driver Tom Sutherland qualified the car on the front row in the second starting spot with an impressive qualifying run. Tom’s run was so strong that his second and third best laps were also good enough for second starting spot. Then unfortunately, at post qualifying technical inspection, the car’s front splitter height was found to be just a little bit too low. The team’s times were disallowed and the car moved to the back of the starting grid for the race. Despite the disappointment, with a full two-hour race and a strong car and driver line up, the team remained confident they could still win the race.
Once the race got underway, the Racers Edge Motorsports prepared Mazda performed flawlessly as Tom worked his way through the field. Along with Tom’s impressive driving, excellent tire and pit stop strategy by the team helped him progress all the way up to third place by lap 25. On lap 46 Tom turned the car over to co-driver Dane Cameron and the battle up front continued. The racing was intense among the top three, with Dane actually passing for the lead at one point during lap 72, until finally finishing in third place and securing a spot on the podium in victory circle.
While enjoying the post race festivities in victory circle, team owner Jon Mirachi noted how proud he was of his team’s efforts; “Whenever you have to overcome adversity, like starting at the back of the grid, it’s a real measure of the team’s motivation, preparation and character to see how they respond and handle the adversity put in their way. I am really proud of everyone’s efforts as we overcame all obstacles and were in a position to battle for the win over the last green flag run to the finish.”
The team’s next race is in Canada at Montreal, Quebec on August 29th. Look for the team’s red #30 machine to be running up front and challenging for the win! If you can’t attend the race in person, be sure and follow the action live on SPEED TV at 2:00 pm on August 29th. |
