2008 Grand Am GT Classic at Lime Rock

[Raynman]

I finally got around to uploading a few photos from our corral at Lime Rock.

The first day's photos are in this album:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v80/rayn...0one/?start=all

Stay tuned for more photos.

The was an explosive growth of RX-8s in Koni Challenge ST Class - a testament to the race-proven RX-8.

ROAR graciously welcomed our corral participants to their paddocks to talk
about the team, their cars, etc.

Raynman

Astral

Altspace

Subspeed6

Two Rays don't make a wrong. I've actually met Ray Ray. He's the fueler for Hypersport, and quite a character.

Former Tri-Point Mazda6 driver, Randy Pobst, driving for APR Motorsports.

The crew wheels Jason Saini's 6 to the scales.

Charles Espenlaub during practice. Unfortunately, he never did manage to find a good setup all weekend and thus he struggled with pace.

Chip Herr at turn 2.

Patrick Lindsey in the #57 Horton Motorsports Mazda6

Jim Daniels driving the #75 Tri-Point Mazda6. Jim made his Mazda6 debut the week before in Utah.

A friend of the Mazdaspeed corral, Charlie Putman comes out of the turn.

Not even a crash earlier in practice can deter five time World Challenge champion Michael Galati.

Jason Saini coming off a great win at Miller, Utah.

 

[bazooka joe]

nice pics ray!

 

[Raynman]

Finally got around to uploading photos from day two! More to follow!

The complete day two album:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v80/raynman/2008 Grand Am Classic at LRP/day two/

Astral rolls in to the corral

Nick "The Hamster" Ham in the 70 SpeedSource car.

A corral full of Mazdas and Mazda enthusiasts

A few corral participants got to be flag bearers for the Mazdaspeed teams.

The Mazdaspeed teams ready the cars at false grid. In the background, the Skip Barber MX-5 race is in full swing.

Chip Herr, driver par excellence.

Jim Daniels in the Freedom Koni Challenge MX-5.

Jim also drives the Mazda 6 for Tri-Point Motorsports.

Charles Esplenaub rockets through turn 4.

"The Hamster" drops by the corral to hang out with Mazda fans.

This particular fan was overcome by the sheer awesomeness that is Nick Ham. Or, was it because of the beer? Or the heat? Nevertheless, his face has been stuck like that since.

Craig Stone hands a hero card to a rotary fan.

Too cute!

 

[Raynman]

We're on to day three! Sorry for the delay. My god, I didn't realize how many photos I took.

Day three is a Sunday, and there is no racing at Lime Rock on Sundays. So, we invited the teams to the corral BBQ for lunch. It was a great opportunity for us, the fans, to show our appreciation to the teams that were racing under the Mazdaspeed banner that weekend. It was great seeing the team crews, drivers, and fans mingle in the corral and check out our cars for a change.

The full album:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v80/rayn...RP/day%20three/

Jim Daniels (gray shirt) and Chip Herr (black Mazdaspeed shirt) make an appearance at the corral and autograph posters for attendees

Tri-Point drivers Jason Saini (left) and Charles Espenlaub (right) at the autograph session

Meg and Charles discuss her Mazdaspeed3

Everyone wants to know about the Mazdaspeed3! Hypersport RX-8 driver Joe Foster (left) and Jason join in the discussion.

Down at the paddock, Racers Edge driver Craig Stone chats with corral attendees.

Jason Saini and Horton Motorsports driver Patrick Lindsey (2nd from left) hang out at corral

The grillin' is in full swing!

John Marachi and Racers Edge arrive at the corral for the BBQ and check out our cars.

Mrs Msumlin conducts the charity raffle for Autism Speaks. The teams donated shirts, hats, and memorabilia for the raffle. We raised about $450 for the charity.

 

[erick pina]

no coments.

 

[altspace]

Ahhhh, such a great 4 days.

 

[altspace]

Doh, ya caught me on camera (in the middle). It was great talking to Chip about cars.

 

[bazooka joe]

no coments.

(scratch)

 

[AtenzaNY62]

awesome pics raynman, those touring mazdas look so pretty lol

 

[gr?]

Chip lives about 10 minutes from me. He's at our local autocrosses when he's not out racing. He came out one day, jumped in a car he's never driven before and posted the FTD lol

 

[jbiird317]

those pics are great, looks like a cool mazda group you guys have there!

 

[bazooka joe]

several groups...nepoc, cleveland6 club etc,, good times!

 

[low_psi]

great pics!!!