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Automatic Racing
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Series:
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Grand-Am Rolex and KONI Challenge Series
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Class:
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Rolex: GT and KONI: Grant Sport
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Car:
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Rolex: BMW M6, KONI: BMW E46 M3
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Numbers:
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99, 09, 90, 91
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Team Manager:
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Joe Varde
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For five years, Automatic Racing has been a contender in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, growing from a one-car team to a serious force fielding four BMW M3s in the series' premier class, Grand Sport.
Automatic Racing began in 2002, earning top-ten finishes right from the start. The Orlando, Florida-based team earned seven top-tens, including a second place and two thirds, during their first full season in 2003. 2004 presented some challenges, but six top-ten finishes and a third place led to seventh in the class championship.
Automatic Racing expanded to a two-car team in 2005, once again earning six top-tens during the season to give the No. 09 BMW the fifth spot in the championship.
The team expanded again for 2006, growing to a four-car effort. The No. 90 BMW was driven to seven top-ten finishes in just ten races, including a second place and two third-place finishes, for sixth in the overall championship. The No. 09 BMW also tasted success with a third-place finish.
2007 was the team's best season yet. Jep Thornton and Jeff Segal earned the driver and team championships in the No. 09 BMW M3. Earning a KONI Challenge championship only served to whet the team's appetite, and late in the season they announced plans to campaign the BMW M6 in the GT class of the Rolex Series.
The 2008 season marks the return of all four BMW M3s in the KONI Challenge series, with Thornton and Segal ready to defend their titles. In addition, Automatic Racing has become the first team in the world to race the M6.
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