It’s been a while since I updated my blog. I took some time off to reconnect with my friends in Atlanta and overall just focus on making 2012 the best it could be.

However things are already starting in the off-season. I recently went up to Brainerd, MN to race with AMG in the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series doubleheader. I’d never been to Brainerd so I figured it would be a good opportunity to try on a new track.

The first race we struggled to get the setup right on the car with the new BFG tires. We got close and I wound up with a third place finish. For the second race, we got the car dialed in much better and I qualified second. On the standing start, I got a great launch and led into the first turn. It was a mad scramble up front as it started to rain in the first few laps. Eventually I found myself the only car out on slicks while the rest of the field pitted for rain tires. I finished second on slicks to my teammate on rain tires - the 2011 series champion, Michael Cooper. Congrats to Michael on a great season, and congrats to AMG for the third championship in a row and the team award! Congratulations are also in order for Scott Shelton, series Rookie of the Year, who ran with AMG as well.

I was able to attend the series awards banquet in Atlanta after Petit Le Mans, and it was great to socialize with the folks from Mazda, BFG, and other teams in a relaxed setting. And of course, Deanna and Pilar from Playboy made for some lovely scenery as always.



Just after the start of the Petit Le Mans race, I actually started a different kind of event. The 24 Hours of Booty at Stone Mountain in Atlanta is a charity bike ride that raises funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation to find a cure for cancer. I joined Team Pirate Treasure to ride in the event, and rode with over 400 other riders who rasied $220,000 for the cause. What a great accomplishment!



And now I’m in the midst of planning for the off-season endurance races. I’ll be running with AMG at the 13 Hours of VIR in a Spec Miata – we’re going for the class win with a fast, reliable car. As well, I’m in the planning stages for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, with a few different options on the table.

2012 is looking to shape up really well in Grand Am competition, with some options opening up in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series in both ST and GS….soon there will be some tough decisions to make regarding teams/cars/drivers. Hopefully things will be sorted out in time for some pre-season testing.

Don’t forget to follow me on FaceBook (/toddspeed) and Twitter (toddspeed) for frequent updates.

Posted by Todd on 10/04 at 02:59 PM



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