Today’s practice sessions were great; got the bugs worked out and we seem to have a car that will race well. Qualifying and the race are tomorrow, Saturday at 2:00PM ET, 11:00AM PT. Keep track of the action live @ Grand-Am.com. Also, the last race at Homestead FL, can be seen Saturday on SPEED at Noon ET, 9AM PT. Spend the morning/afternoon keeping track of my racing endeavors! 

Qualifying was a challenge due to ABS failure, resulting in me not able to brake as late as my  competitors…started the races in 11th. I got up to 4th in race one; had the pace of the leaders, but got squeezed off the track with 2 laps remaining and ended up 12th. Race 2 saw a lot of agressive bumping and banging. Again, I had the pace of the lead group of 3 competitors, but due to my 11th starting position, I couldn’t get thought the pack quickly enough to latch onto them, finishing P5. Pace is there for sure, just need to not have car issues in qualifying. Looking forward to heading back to the States for the next Continental Tire Sports Car Challeng race in New Jersey, with teammate Aleks Altberg and the APR Motorsports crew!

This weekend (April 28^th & 29^th, 2012), the 3-year old series – Scirocco R-Cup China is about to unveil season 2012 at Shanghai International Circuit (SIC).

Scirocco R will have brand new R engines providing 270 hp. Volkswagen is not only bringing to Chinese Motorsport a machine with more power, but also a greener one. As the new Scirocco R is the one and only race car in China that is up to Euro 5 Emission Standard. Scirocco R racing cars’ cornering speed will become even more impressive thanks to the Bridgestone slick tires (more grip), more advanced brake system and the new nitrogen-charged suspension (better stability). Comparing with pole lap in 2011 (Sepang), this newly upgraded Scirocco R managed to take 7 seconds off the lap time during the pre-season test at Sepang International Circuit.

The debut race will feature 20 drivers from Mainland China, Chinese Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, USA, Italy, France and Japan. Bao Jin Long (car No.8), Yuan Bo (car No.9), Pu Jun Jin (car No.11) and Yin Hai Tao (car No.23) are from Mainland China; William Lok (car No.3), Arthur Wang (car No.6), Eric Lo (car No.10), Joeson Ko (car No.12) and Max Wong (car No.22) are from Chinese Hong Kong; More driver from Chinese Taipei will join the 2012 Scirocco R-Cup: George Chou (car No.15), Tiger Wu (car No.16), Kwo Tong Hsieh (car No.17), Super Yen (car No.19), Peter Wang (car No.20) and Richie Ho (car No.21); Sam Yau (car No.5) and David Cheng (car No.7), two drivers from USA with strong performance from last year, will continue to race in Scirocco R-Cup; Stefano Montesi, the newly crowned champion of 2011 Scirocco R-Cup China from Italy, will drive behind the wheels of car No.1; French driver Patrick Boulaud, another podium frequenter, will continue his outstanding performance in 2012; Ida Sang (Ida Masahiko), Scirocco R-Cup’s old friend from Japan, will race the 2012 season in car No.2.

The series will feature 2 practice sessions on Friday; qualifying on Saturday morning (10:30-11:00), round 1 in the afternoon (14:05-14:35) and round 2 on Sunday morning (11:50-12:20). Stay tuned for more from Scirocco R-Cup China.

2012 Scirocco R-Cup China Race 1 entry list:

VW Scirocco R-Cup China 2012 Race 1 Schedule

April 28, 2012 Saturday
10:30-11:05       Qualifying
11:45-12:15       Kick-off Ceremony
14:05-14:35       Round 1
14:40                   Podium ceremony round 1
14:50-15:00       Press Conference round 1

April 29, 2012 Sunday
11:50-12:20       Round 2
12:25                   Podium ceremony round 2
12:35-12:45       Press Conference round 2

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Click here: Barber Motorports Incident Shown On Speed

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    Follow us via grand-am.com tomorrow at 8AM ET for final practice, and 10:15AM ET for qualifying.