Notes from the Edge ... of Florida

To people from the Midwest, Florida tends to be typified by Disney World, oranges, beaches, and automobile racing. (I know there's a lot more to Florida than that, of course.)

Right now, for me, racing is top of mind.

During the January 7-9 weekend, Subaru Road Racing Team (SRRT) tested as part of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series at Daytona International Speedway. Then SRRT returned for the series' first race of the 2011 season January 28. Joining the team for the two weekends cannot be considered a hardship. Leaving single-digit temperatures for daytime highs in the 60s and 70s took little convincing This year's Rolex 24 at Daytona took place on Saturday and Sunday (January 29 and 30) with only fog disrupting it this year.

In another month, SRRT returns to Florida -- to Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead. In between the races during the Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend and the Homestead race, fans have a number of racing events from which to choose, including the Daytona 500, motorcycle racing, numerous short-track events around the state, and the 12-hour endurance race at Sebring.

For a race fan who dislikes the cold, these events make the Sunshine State doubly attractive.

SRRT did well in the GRAND-AM 200 at Daytona on January 28. Read the team's press release concerning the race here.

SRRT Performance in the 2011 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport Class
Event	Date/Location	Drivers	Finishing Position	Driver Standings	Team Standing
Round 1: GRAND-AM 200 Daytona International Speedway	January 28 Daytona Beach, FL	Andrew Aquilante/ Bret Spaude	13	25/25 (tie)	13
Round 2: Homestead 200 Homestead- Miami Speedway	March 5 Homestead, FL

 

 

Meanwhile, Approximately 1,300 Miles North

The last weekend in January was a double dip for Subaru Motorsports. While SRRT basked in the Florida sunshine, Subaru Rally Team USA (SRT USA) traveled from Vermont to the northern part of lower Michigan, (around Atlanta) where winter maintained a frigid grip for the RallyCar National Championship in the Sno*Drift Rally event.

Privateers Travis Hanson/Terry Hanson in their 2007 WRX STI took 1st, with Dave Mirra/Marshall Clarke following in SRT USA #40 WRX STI. Mechanical issues sidelined David Higgins/Craig Drew in SRT USA's #75 WRX STI. Find coverage of the Sno*Drift weekend on the SRT USA website here.

SRT USA Performance in the 2011 RallyCar National Championship
Event	Date/Location	Drivers	Finishing Position	Driver Standings
Round 1 Sno*Drift Rally	January 28-29 Atlanta, MI	David Higgins	DNF1	—
		Dave Mirra	2	2
Round 2 Rally in the 100 Acre Wood	February 25-26 Salem, MO	David Higgins
		Dave Mirra

¹ Engine

I hope to see you at Homestead and/or 100 Acre Wood (watch for the Drive Performance WRX)!

-- Ric Hawthorne