News

TRG - Magic in Miami - Ready for the Grand Prix of Miami

postdateiconWednesday, 25 April 2012 15:39 | PDF | Print | E-mail
Petaluma, CA (April 23, 2012) - The Racer's Group heads back to Florida this weekend for The Grand Prix of Miami, the third round of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and one of the most successful circuits ever for TRG.
TRG tackles Homestead Miami Speedway, a 2.3 mile, 11 turn "roval," a combination road course and oval, with high banked turns and a flat infield section. Set-up and race strategy are critical everywhere, but even more so at a track that has such a variety of corners. TRG has proven that it excels at both. The team hopes that the speed it has shown both at the season opener in Daytona and at the second round at Barber Motorsports Park, will once again put TRG in position to win.
"This has been a magical place for us in the past," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "We have had four poles, three wins and ten podiums here. We know going in that we have two very fast cars and four fast drivers. The team is ready to show, hopefully once again, what we can do here in Miami."
TRG's three wins came in consecutive years from 2004 to 2006.
"We have had a really fast car this season," said Steve Bertheau, driver of the No. 67 Sargent & Lundy Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. "The team really comes prepared. We're ready to show just how good this Porsche really is!"
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can do on this Grand-Am circuit," said Emilio Di Guida, who pilots the No. 68 Porsche. "With each race, I'm getting more familiar with the team and the car. This is a bit of a home race for me, so I'm ready to show what we can do!"
Bertheau teams with sports car vetern Spencer Pumpelly, while Di Guida brings Porsche ace Jeroen Bleekemolen as his teammate. SPEED will telecast the race live at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
033112_barber_bc321Petaluma, CA (April 23, 2012) - The Racer's Group heads back to Florida this weekend for The Grand Prix of Miami, the third round of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and one of the most successful circuits ever for TRG.

TRG tackles Homestead Miami Speedway, a 2.3 mile, 11 turn "roval," a combination road course and oval, with high banked turns and a flat infield section. Set-up and race strategy are critical everywhere, but even more so at a track that has such a variety of corners. TRG has proven that it excels at both. The team hopes that the speed it has shown both at the season opener in Daytona and at the second round at Barber Motorsports Park, will once again put TRG in position to win.

033112_barber_bc296"This has been a magical place for us in the past," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "We have had four poles, three wins and ten podiums here. We know going in that we have two very fast cars and four fast drivers. The team is ready to show, hopefully once again, what we can do here in Miami."

TRG's three wins came in consecutive years from 2004 to 2006.

"We have had a really fast car this season," said Steve Bertheau, driver of the No. 67 Sargent & Lundy Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. "The team really comes prepared. We're ready to show just how good this Porsche really is!"
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can do on this Grand-Am circuit," said Emilio Di Guida, who pilots the No. 68 Porsche. "With each race, I'm getting more familiar with the team and the car. This is a bit of a home race for me, so I'm ready to show what we can do!"

Bertheau teams with sports car vetern Spencer Pumpelly, while Di Guida brings Porsche ace Jeroen Bleekemolen as his teammate.

SPEED will telecast the race live at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
 

TRG - Looking Strong for Long Beach

postdateiconWednesday, 11 April 2012 17:52 | PDF | Print | E-mail
The American Le Mans Series season continues as TRG prepares to take on the streets of Long Beach, site of America's longest running grand prix street race, now in its 38th year. Heading into this weekend's Tequila Patrón American Le Mans at Long Beach, TRG returns to its home state of California ready to run up front.
After showing good speed late in the 12 Hours of Sebring, drivers Emilio Di Guida and Spencer Pumpelly are ready to hit the ground running at the challenging and unforgiving street circuit. With the combination of 11 turns in 1.968 miles all shoehorned between cement walls, it's critical to come off the truck ready to race.
"Our cars and team are in top form," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "At every track, it's important to stay out of trouble, but it's even more critical at a street circuit like Long Beach. We know that the car is quick, and Emilio is running stronger and stronger with every event as he gets familiar with each circuit. With him and Spencer in the car, we should be able to run up front and have a real shot at the win. We have run really fast here in our two previous races. I have always wanted to win here so this should be exciting."
Coming off a fourth place finish at Sebring, TRG looks to move forward in the standings, always with an eye on the championship at the end of the season.
"Spencer is a seasoned teammate. Sebring was a good test to begin the season, and I'm looking forward to working with him the rest of the year," said Di Guida.
"Emilio really works hard, and he's been very competitive," said Pumpelly. "We should be right in the middle of battle for a win here. I think that driving with Emilio during the course of the full season will make our car a threat to win at every race," said Pumpelly.
avior_2012_ALMSThe American Le Mans Series season continues as TRG prepares to take on the streets of Long Beach, site of America's longest running grand prix street race, now in its 38th year. Heading into this weekend's Tequila Patrón American Le Mans at Long Beach, TRG returns to its home state of California ready to run up front.

After showing good speed late in the 12 Hours of Sebring, drivers Emilio Di Guida and Spencer Pumpelly are ready to hit the ground running at the challenging and unforgiving street circuit. With the combination of 11 turns in 1.968 miles all shoehorned between cement walls, it's critical to come off the truck ready to race.

"Our cars and team are in top form," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "At every track, it's important to stay out of trouble, but it's even more critical at a street circuit like Long Beach. We know that the car is quick, and Emilio is running stronger and stronger with every event as he gets familiar with each circuit. With him and Spencer in the car, we should be able to run up front and have a real shot at the win. We have run really fast here in our two previous races. I have always wanted to win here so this should be exciting."

sebring_2012_1Coming off a fourth place finish at Sebring, TRG looks to move forward in the standings, always with an eye on the championship at the end of the season.

"Spencer is a seasoned teammate. Sebring was a good test to begin the season, and I'm looking forward to working with him the rest of the year," said Di Guida.

"Emilio really works hard, and he's been very competitive," said Pumpelly. "We should be right in the middle of battle for a win here. I think that driving with Emilio during the course of the full season will make our car a threat to win at every race," said Pumpelly.
 

TRG at the 50th Running of the 24 Hours of Daytona

postdateiconMonday, 02 April 2012 17:01 | PDF | Print | E-mail

TRG at the 50th Running of the 24 Hours at Daytona from TRG on Vimeo.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona has established itself as the most difficult test of man and machine in the sports car world. The long night of lapping the combination road course and high-banked oval has been the litmus test for drivers, teams and manufacturers for half a century.

This is the big one. Sports car racing’s Super Bowl. The best cars and the best drivers all come here with one thing in mind. Winning. This year’s race featured more competitive cars and drivers in the GT class than anyone could recall, 45 entries... but to finish first, you must first finish; and that is the other huge challenge of this event.

TRG brought an armada of five gleaming Porsches, an army of mechanics and support staff (125), and 23 drivers from 13 countries.

5 Cars Started. 5 Cars Finished. 23 Drivers. 86,400 Seconds. 12,157 Total Miles.

1 Team

TRG

Last Updated (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 18:07)

 

Porsche 250 - Post Race Report

postdateiconSunday, 01 April 2012 15:36 | PDF | Print | E-mail
Birmingham, AL (March 31, 2012) – For the second straight year, TRG showed great promise at the Porsche 250 at Barber Motorsports Park but racing can be a difficult dance partner, and this year’s race provided its own series of challenges for the two car team.
As the race began, both cars ran strong and the team was ready. An early caution bunched up the field and on the re-start things look good. Emilio Di Guida in the 68 and Steve Bertheau in the 67 were both running well but a close pass on a slower car tangled up several cars in the treacherous turn 5 and the 68’s race was cut short, through no fault of his own.
“We had 2 really good cars and 4 really strong drivers,” said Kevin Buckler, TRG team owner. “We knew this morning we were good. Emilio and Steve were doing great but passing can be treacherous here. We came up on a slower car and got tangled up. I feel so bad for Emilio as he was completely innocent and was driving so well all weekend. He and Jeroen were going to be contending for the win. Steve was really on fire this weekend and Spencer turned the fastest lap in GT. We will take 2 good cars to Homestead, one of the most successful tracks ever for TRG.”
During the opening laps, both Di Guida and Bertheau were getting into the pace of the race and beginning their run up through the field. A three car incident tolled the end of the day for the no. 68, cutting short a nice drive for Di Guida even before he could turn the car to Jeroen Bleekemolen.
The #67 Sargent & Lundy car saw good pace early, with Bertheau running his best laps of the weekend, before turning the car over to TRG’s veteran Spencer Pumpelly. In a performance recalling his drive last year, Pumpelly tore through the GT field, keeping the team within eight points of the championship lead heading into the third round at Homestead Motor Speedway on April 29, 2012.
67_porsche250Birmingham, AL (March 31, 2012) – For the second straight year, TRG showed great promise at the Porsche 250 at Barber Motorsports Park but racing can be a difficult dance partner, and this year’s race provided its own series of challenges for the two car team.

As the race began, both cars ran strong and the team was ready. An early caution bunched up the field and on the re-start things look good. Emilio Di Guida in the 68 and Steve Bertheau in the 67 were both running well but a close pass on a slower car tangled up several cars in the treacherous turn 5 and the 68’s race was cut short, through no fault of his own.

“We had 2 really good cars and 4 really strong drivers,” said Kevin Buckler, TRG team owner. “We knew this morning we were good. Emilio and Steve were doing great but passing can be treacherous here. We came up on a slower car and got tangled up. I feel so bad for Emilio as he was completely innocent and was driving so well all weekend. He and Jeroen were going to be contending for the win. Steve was really on fire this weekend and Spencer turned the fastest lap in GT. We will take 2 good cars to Homestead, one of the most successful tracks ever for TRG.”

68_porsche250During the opening laps, both Di Guida and Bertheau were getting into the pace of the race and beginning their run up through the field. A three car incident tolled the end of the day for the no. 68, cutting short a nice drive for Di Guida even before he could turn the car to Jeroen Bleekemolen.

The #67 Sargent & Lundy car saw good pace early, with Bertheau running his best laps of the weekend, before turning the car over to TRG’s veteran Spencer Pumpelly. In a performance recalling his drive last year, Pumpelly tore through the GT field, keeping the team within eight points of the championship lead heading into the third round at Homestead Motor Speedway on April 29, 2012.
 

TRG Heads to Barber Motorsports Park with Formidable Two-Car Entry

postdateiconWednesday, 28 March 2012 15:08 | PDF | Print | E-mail
TRG Heads to Barber Motorsports Park with Formidable Two-Car Entry
Petaluma, CA (March 27, 2012) - With the frenzy of Daytona's 24 Hours a distant memory, TRG resumes its 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, AL, for the Porsche 250.
TRG heads into Round Two of the GRAND-AM series after a strong showing at Daytona where it claimed its 12th podium in 11 years with all five of its cars finishing the race while improving their positions in GT class. Beginning with this weekend's Porsche 250, TRG charges into the season with two cars, both capable of winning the race and vying for the series championship.
Barber Motorsports Park, the 2.3 mile, 17-turn track, is known for its constant series of turns combined with sweeping elevation changes. Drivers Steve Bertheau and Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 67 Sargent & Lundy Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car hope to pick up where they left off at last year's Porsche 250 as they charged through the field late in the race.
Pumpelly and Bertheau look to build on their 2011 season successes. Pumpelly celebrated two GRAND-AM wins among his three podiums and a trip to Le Mans. Bertheau had a break-out GRAND-AM season with two wins in the GT Category in his initial season, including his inaugural race, the prestigious Rolex 24.
"I am really looking forward to running at Barber. Last year was an amazing experience," said Bertheau. "Spencer was truly a great guy from whom to learn some of the ropes, and now we are ready to tackle a full season together. His brilliant drive through the pack was the highlight of last year's race. We'll be ready to make another run at it this week."
TRG's second car with the recently announced addition of Emilio Di Guida and Jeroen Bleekemolen, gives TRG one of its strongest entries in recent years. With five championship wins in Venezuela, Di Guida joined TRG in 2011, racing at Road America and Laguna Seca. Di Guida shared the all-South American TRG entry at this year's Daytona 24 Hours, a drive that saw the car steadily climb through the GT class.
Di Guida teams up with Bleekemolen, the Dutch racing driver, in the No. 68 Porsche in what looks to be a formidable combination. Bleekemolen's experience ranges from DTM to Formula 3. As a multi-time winner of the Porsche Supercup Championship, he has become recognized among the world's elite Porsche drivers. He joined TRG for his third Rolex 24 at Daytona in its famed No. 67, teaming with Bertheau, Wolf Henzler, Marc Goossens and Pumpelly, helping to guide the car to within nine seconds of a GT victory.
"It is really nice to be heading to Barber with these two strong lineups", said team owner Kevin Buckler. "After such an incredible run with Steve last year, it is great to have him back for a full season and going for a championship. He continues to improve at every event. Spencer is a rock and at the top of his game right now. He is always a threat to win whenever he gets in the car. Both Emilio and Jeroen did a great job for us at the Rolex 24 earlier this year. Emilio just keeps improving each race and has shown some real leadership skills. And Jeroen is unquestionably one of the best talents in the paddock. This will be a very formidable team and I am really excited to be with all these guys."
The Porsche 250 Grand-Am from Barber Motorsports Park can be seen March 31, 2012 at 4:00 PM EDT, on SPEED.
TRG fans can also follow on www.theracersgroup.com, follow us on
Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheRacersGroup)
and Twitter (@theracersgroup).
67__bus_stopPetaluma, CA (March 27, 2012) - With the frenzy of Daytona's 24 Hours a distant memory, TRG resumes its 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, AL, for the Porsche 250.

TRG heads into Round Two of the GRAND-AM series after a strong showing at Daytona where it claimed its 12th podium in 11 years with all five of its cars finishing the race while improving their positions in GT class. Beginning with this weekend's Porsche 250, TRG charges into the season with two cars, both capable of winning the race and vying for the series championship.

Bertheau_headshotBarber Motorsports Park, the 2.3 mile, 17-turn track, is known for its constant series of turns combined with sweeping elevation changes. Drivers Steve Bertheau and Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 67 Sargent & Lundy Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car hope to pick up where they left off at last year's Porsche 250 as they charged through the field late in the race.

Pumpelly and Bertheau look to build on their 2011 season successes. Pumpelly celebrated two GRAND-AM wins among his three podiums and a trip to Le Mans. Bertheau had a break-out GRAND-AM season with two wins in the GT Category in his initial season, including his inaugural race, the prestigious Rolex 24.

Pumpelly_headshot"I am really looking forward to running at Barber. Last year was an amazing experience," said Bertheau. "Spencer was truly a great guy from whom to learn some of the ropes, and now we are ready to tackle a full season together. His brilliant drive through the pack was the highlight of last year's race. We'll be ready to make another run at it this week."

TRG's second car with the recently announced addition of Emilio Di Guida and Jeroen Bleekemolen, gives TRG one of its strongest entries in recent years. With five championship wins in Venezuela, Di Guida joined TRG in 2011, racing at Road America and Laguna Seca. Di Guida shared the all-South American TRG entry at this year's Daytona 24 Hours, a drive that saw the car steadily climb through the GT class.

DiGuida_headshotDi Guida teams up with Bleekemolen, the Dutch racing driver, in the No. 68 Porsche in what looks to be a formidable combination. Bleekemolen's experience ranges from DTM to Formula 3. As a multi-time winner of the Porsche Supercup Championship, he has become recognized among the world's elite Porsche drivers. He joined TRG for his third Rolex 24 at Daytona in its famed No. 67, teaming with Bertheau, Wolf Henzler, Marc Goossens and Pumpelly, helping to guide the car to within nine seconds of a GT victory.

Bleekemolen_headshot"It is really nice to be heading to Barber with these two strong lineups", said team owner Kevin Buckler. "After such an incredible run with Steve last year, it is great to have him back for a full season and going for a championship. He continues to improve at every event. Spencer is a rock and at the top of his game right now. He is always a threat to win whenever he gets in the car. Both Emilio and Jeroen did a great job for us at the Rolex 24 earlier this year. Emilio just keeps improving each race and has shown some real leadership skills. And Jeroen is unquestionably one of the best talents in the paddock. This will be a very formidable team and I am really excited to be with all these guys."

The Porsche 250 Grand-Am from Barber Motorsports Park can be seen March 31, 2012 at 4:00 PM EDT, on SPEED. TRG fans can also follow on www.theracersgroup.com, follow us onFacebook (www.facebook.com/TheRacersGroup) and Twitter (@theracersgroup).
 
More Articles...

TRG_FRONTPAGE_AD3
TRG_FRONTPAGE_AD2
ARW_FRONTPAGE_AD

                     facebook_32twitter_32vimeo_32
feed-image

Copyright © 2012 The Racer's Group.
All Rights Reserved.