RICHMOND, CA (Jul 29, 2008) —
Endurance racing is a motorsport which challenges drivers perhaps more than any other type of racing. Those who suit up often endure exposure to extreme temperatures when some races are held in zero degree weather or when temperatures inside the vehicle can reach 130 degrees. It takes a special person to perform the required mental and physical calisthenics to compete in a three, six, twelve, or twenty-five hour race; it takes a person who enjoys a mental as well as physical challenge.
This form of racing is enjoying
a surge in popularity as people are realizing how much fun the sport
can be and how easy it is to enter a race and compete. In endurance racing, drivers typically drive a road course
circuit that, depending on its length, would require more than one driver
to take shifts on the course. While that might reduce the fatigue each
driver endures, it also requires well-choreographed teamwork to run
smoothly.
Brett Strom, lead driver and
vehicle owner of the Class EO Nitto Tire car describes what it takes
to win races like the 2008 Six Hours of Button Willow Presented by AEM
Endurance Race and the 2007 "25 Hours of Thunderhill".
"I work in a car shop where we all do racing. We know each other and
work well as a team. It helps to have time to do the necessary prep
work, like rebuilding the car when necessary. Sometimes we'll prepare
for a race 12 months ahead of time, just to get everything set up."
Brett adds.
Asked to describe the special attributes that an enduro driver needs to have, he replied, "It for sure helps to be in good shape. I drive sprint and enduro, but prefer
enduro. I enjoy the mental challenge, the strategy. It's a mental game and a lot depends on how well you prepare and how well your team is working." Brett explains that the drivers all the way up to the sponsors who provide some of the critical equipment like tires, every individual is depended on as an important link in the operation.
Greg Clough of Fun Cup, another
driver who participated in the Button Willow Endurance Race, confirms
what Brett Strom says about the taxing conditions on the track when
he states, "Heat really takes a toll, even when you drive only
thirty minute sets." He also states that when he was in intense
competition, he would work out in the gym several days a week, to overcome
the g-forces racers pull in the corners, less so now as a more casual
competitor.
When asked about the importance
of teamwork, he replied, "In enduro racing, teamwork steps up into
a next level. Everyone on the team is more heavily relied upon for driving,
preparing the car and doing repairs." He also asserts that novices
can drive as successfully as experienced enduro drivers because the
focus is on driving consistently, relying on your fellow drivers, and demanding more tactics than aggressive
driving. "You want to preserve the vehicle in pristine condition
when you hand it over to give a teammate a chance to drive."
Greg had a few parting observations
that people entering the sport might find useful. "In enduro racing,
you don't compete as often, maybe half as often as sprint racing, but
you get more track time per race. You can have a family and a life.
Besides that, a big cost in motorsports is preparing and transporting
your vehicle. If you are going to haul a race car to a track, enduro affords you the
opportunity to get as much track time in per race as you could ever
want in one event."
RICHMOND, CA (Jul 28, 2008) — It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of long-time Nor Cal photographer Norm Cabana. In June, Norm was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. They did all they could at Stanford medical facility before sending him home. Norm spent the last few days surrounded by his family."I have known Norm for about 10 years now," said Jerry Kunzman, Nor Cal Regional Director. "He was a good businessman and always came through for me anytime I needed something special. He was a good man and a good friend. He will be missed for sure." Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Jun 20, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that
Colonial Honda of Glendale, CA will begin offering NASA Honda Challenge
racers a substantial discount on their OEM Honda parts!
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Jun 13, 2008) —
CORONA,
CA- June 10, 2008. The SoCal Region of the National Auto Sport
Association is pleased to report the successful conclusion of the 6
Hours of Buttonwillow Presented by AEM. The Mothers Car Care Products
Mazda CX-9 pace car led 40 teams determined to put as many laps behind
them in the first ever 6 hour endurance race out of the pits just after
high noon.
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (May 28, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) opened registration today for the 3rd annual NASA National Championships presented by Toyo Tires at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. The tradition will continue for this year on September 11-14, 2008 with the national championship races taking place on Sunday, September 14, 2008 and Time Trial competition concluding on Saturday, September 13, 2008. The event has featured intense competition and has crowned champions is NASA's national classes for the past two years from fields of over 400 competitors. Contingency awards for last year's event topped $1,000,000 and recent major programs point towards exceeding that mark for this year.Registration for the event is now open at www.drivenasa.com/e/750 and more information on the event can be found at www.nasachampionships.com. Car numbers, garages, and paved paddock parking will be issued on a first come, first served basis, so racers should sign up early to guarantee their preferred selections. Read more
RICHMOND, CA (May 27, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) regretfully announces that Joe Drey of San Juan Capistrano, CA has succumbed to injuries suffered in an accident on May 24, 2008 at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, CA. Joe was participating in a NASA event behind the wheel of his beloved Mini Cooper S and despite the best efforts of the rescue team onsite and the medical teams at the hospital, he has now left us.
Joe started racing at 15 enjoying street drags with his friends. He got into formal track racing with an early 60's Corvette when he was in his early 20's. He eventually transitioned into Porsches, owning several over 3 decades and racing them all over California with a trailer and his own crew consisting of his two sons. As he got older he pulled away from the sport and it wasn't until the new Mini came out and he got the 9th one off the boat that his passion welled up in him again. He began immediately modifying the car and loading up on gear while frequenting his favorite track Willow Springs and taking courses including two trainings with Bob Bondurant.
Joe's family has asked that donations be made to the Mission San Juan Capistrano Preservation Fund in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made at http://www.missionsjc.com/donations.html Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Apr 17, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that Hawk Performance has become the "official brake products of NASA" for the 2008 season. As part of this new partnership, Hawk Performance has launched a substantial national contingency program that will benefit NASA's entire membership. In addition to all regional events, Hawk will provide significant contingency programs for the National Championships at Mid Ohio and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Apr 01, 2008) — Nitto Tire U.S.A., Inc., has always dedicated itself to supporting grassroots motorsports and the racing industry. To further support grassroots racing this year, Nitto announces its sponsorship of the 2008 United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) as the official spec tire. The series is a NASA-sanctioned professional series for late-model sports coupes and sedans.
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Mar 14, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce the expansion of the NASA-X program to include new rules and new leadership for 2008. NASA veteran Jon Felton has been appointed to be NASA-X National Director. This is Felton's 11th season as a NASA official and he is also a very experienced autocrosser and NASA-X organizer. Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Mar 10, 2008) —
The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that Hoosier Racing Tire will offer a generous contingency program to NASA members in 2008.
"We've done quite a bit of evaluation over the past couple years and realize we have a growing number of Hoosier Racing Tire customers competing in NASA," said Bruce Foss, Hoosier Racing Tire Road Racing Product Manager. "We want to include this growing number of racers in our contingency programs so they understand how much we value their support of the Hoosier Racing Tire brand. The purpose of this program is to reward the success of those drivers and ensure Hoosier Racing Tire remains the tire of choice for NASA racers in 2008."
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Feb 14, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce the continuance of Ford Racing Parts support of NASA's Spec Focus programs. Ford Racing will pay over $9000 in cash to winners in both NASA's Spec Focus Rally and Road Racing programs for 2008 with payouts of $1500 to the winners of the East and West rally programs and the overall champion at the NASA National Championships at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course presented by Toyo Tires. Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Feb 05, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that Exedy Racing Clutch will offer a contingency program as well as substantial discounts on Exedy products including clutch kits and flywheels to NASA members in 2008.
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Feb 04, 2008) — GoGoGear.com and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) announced the 2008 line up of licensed NASA merchandise that will be available exclusively through Gogogear.com. Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Jan 28, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce the
continuation of Toyo Tires' sponsorship of NASA programs for 2008. Toyo
will remain the Official Tire of NASA and NASA's choice for all spec
tire racing classes. Toyo has continued their generous "Toyo Dollars"
programs that allow top-finishing racers to receive rebates on their
future tire purchases. Most NASA spec tire classes will run on the time
tested Proxes RA-1 race tire which has proven to provide excellent
value and an even playing field for racers in those classes.
Additionally, some NASA classes will be racing on Toyo's next
generation Proxes R888 competition DOT radial which includes new
technology while maintaining the traditional Toyo values of long life,
consistent performance, and good value.
Read more
RICHMOND, CA (Jan 28, 2008) — The National Auto Sport Association's (NASA) has announced that their National Competition Manager Bryan Cohn is leaving after two years in the position. Cohn was instrumental in coordinating and implementing NASA's first National Championships in the Fall of 2006, held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH. He also helped facilitate an overall growth of 10 - 15 % per year for NASA during his tenure
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