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Automatic Racing to Enter Rolex Series GT Class in a BMW M6 |
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Written by Beth Dolgner
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Saturday, 15 September 2007 |
 TOOELE, Utah – Automatic Racing will enter a BMW M6 in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series GT class in 2008, the team announced in a press conference this morning at Miller Motorsports Park.
Automatic has been racing BMW M3s in the KONI Challenge Series for the past six years, and 2008 will mark the first time that the team has moved up to the GT class of the Rolex Series.
2008 will be the inaugural race season for the M6, and Automatic Racing will be the first team to campaign one. Riley & Scott will be crafting the tube frame chassis for the M6.
"Automatic Racing and the new BMW M6 will be the perfect addition to the growing GT class in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series," said Grand-Am President Roger Edmondson. "We have seen Automatic develop into one of the top teams in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge in the past six years and their presence in Rolex GT will raise the bar in that series as well. Automatic's introduction of the M6 will also give BMW its strongest presence in the series in years and we look forward to the rejuvenated effort."
“I’m very excited to be moving into the GT class of the Rolex Series,” remarked team owner Jep Thornton. “Grand-Am has seen a great deal of growth over the past few years, and it’s obvious that the GT class is one of the most competitive venues. Joe Varde has proven his skills at building a competitive car, and we’re anxious to get the M6 on track at Daytona next year.”
“We have been working hard over the last several months on moving our GT program forward. Automatic Racing is committed to constantly improving and introducing new programs as we stay in step with the growth of Grand Am,” stated David Russell, Automatic Racing’s business manager.
The GT program marks an extension of the team’s current program, and the car will have a dedicated crew led by team manager Joe Varde. Automatic Racing will still be campaigning four BMW M3s in the Grand Sport class of KONI Challenge.
Automatic Racing has been successful in the KONI Challenge Series since their debut with one BMW M3 in 2002. During their first full season in 2003, the team was already a podium contender with a trio of top-three finishes. Automatic expanded to a two-car team in 2005, and in 2006 the Orlando, Florida-based team doubled in size, growing to four entries. Automatic entered this season with sponsorship from Fresh from Florida, and has delivered 10 top-five finishes so far. In addition, the No. 09 currently holds the points lead in the Grand Sport class.
Announcements regarding Automatic Racing’s driver lineup and sponsors for the GT-class BMW M6 will be made in the coming weeks.
More information about Automatic Racing can be found online at www.AutomaticRacing.com.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 October 2007 )
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