Camaro returns to racing this weekend against Mustang, Challenger

[GMusa]

Camaro returns to racing this weekend against Mustang, Challenger



This Sunday, October, the classic dark blue Sunoco Chevy Camaro will race once again. What's more, the car will be piloted by drivers with rather appropriate last names: Donohue and Bucknum. Suddenly, it's 1969 all over again. Perhaps coolest of all, though, is that Chevrolet's revived pony will be lining up against its most classic nemeses, Ford's Mustang and Dodge's Challenger (yes, we know the original Mopar didn't hit the scene until 1970).

The retro racing action will take place during final round of the 2009 Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge season at Virginia International Raceway. Though the Bill Riley-built Camaro will be completed with barely enough time for a few shakedown runs ahead of the actual competition, David Donohue and Jeff Bucknum are both satisfied that it will be competitive. We look forward to watching the battle lines play out during the 2010 season. Hit the jump for the official press release, which includes plenty of commentary from the two drivers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/c...ang-challenge/

[supraracer]

Too bad that Speed fails to carry the Koni challenge again.

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by supraracer

Too bad that Speed fails to carry the Koni challenge again.

I guess I should have more faith, Speed just added the race to the lineup for 1:30 today.

[Brenie]

This is interesting, someone please explain to us ignorant foreigners this racing series and its status, we all now about the awfull NASCAR and the pretty cool LeMans series, I haven't heard of this one, is this just ovals or real race tracks or both?

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by Brenie

This is interesting, someone please explain to us ignorant foreigners this racing series and its status, we all now about the awfull NASCAR and the pretty cool LeMans series, I haven't heard of this one, is this just ovals or real race tracks or both?

http://www.grand-am.com

Koni is the lower tier of the Grand-Am series. Basically it follows the same formula of the LeMans series in that the cars are based on street vehicle. The difference is that in Koni you are very limited on the modifications that you can do. Of course, the governing body implements some equalization so that 370z can run fairly against Porches and the like.

[dreadnaught1181]

Originally Posted by Brenie

This is interesting, someone please explain to us ignorant foreigners this racing series and its status, we all now about the awfull NASCAR and the pretty cool LeMans series, I haven't heard of this one, is this just ovals or real race tracks or both?

Its body-in-white series, cars come from factory assembly lines with races taking place on dedicated road courses or on modified ovals. A brief overview can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koni_Challenge

I think it, along with the SCCA World Challenge, are good series but they need to get a better TV deal because the effort that SPEED puts in presenting the two sucks.

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by dreadnaught1181

Its body-in-white series, cars come from factory assembly lines with races taking place on dedicated road courses or on modified ovals. A brief overview can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koni_Challenge

I think it, along with the SCCA World Challenge, are good series but they need to get a better TV deal because the effort that SPEED puts in presenting the two sucks.

I had planned on going to the race this weekend since it's at VIR, but as usual, work got in the way.

[bone]

My brother and I were regular TransAm attendees from 1967 to 1970. We were Mark Donahue/Roger Penske fans until they switched to AMC in 1970. The 1969 Camaros were the the most beautiful and successful production race cars I have ever seen and that includes NASCAR. The 2010 models built by Riley and prepared and entered by the very strong Stevenson team have done a remarkable job in re-igniting the flames of the spectacular 1969 Sunoco Camaro. I wish them the very best against the incredibly fast and agile Mustangs and hope they continue with the program next year in Koni and perhaps Speed GT.

[BigAls87Z28]

They are coming to the new New Jersey Motorsports park next year! Im excited...I will have to see if I can get some pictures with it.

[CamaroCrazy]

I will be at this race tomorrow. I'm going to bring my camera so any pictures I get of this race will be sure to make it to GMI

[SCCA1995]

Originally Posted by dreadnaught1181

I think it, along with the SCCA World Challenge, are good series but they need to get a better TV deal because the effort that SPEED puts in presenting the two sucks.

It's too bad that ESPN won't spend the money for these events. Or maybe they just don't like racing anymore. They carried all of the NASCAR Craftsman truck races when it first got started. I enjoy truck racing more because everyone seems to be allowed more old school "rubbing" on the track.

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I will be at this race tomorrow. I'm going to bring my camera so any pictures I get of this race will be sure to make it to GMI

At least the weekend won't be a total waste.

[BigAls87Z28]

its on now. Im swapping between Koni and 20th Century Battlefield.

Uhhhh....Im watching this now.
I dont see any Camaro.


UH!! THIS ISNT VIR! The press release is from Sept 10th, but it says that it will race on Oct 4th.

No Camaro here. Unles this is a rerun and VIR was rained out? No idea.
http://www.grand-am.com/schedule/ind...es=k&cat_id=61

GA's website. It says VIR not going to be televised.

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

its on now. Im swapping between Koni and 20th Century Battlefield.

Uhhhh....Im watching this now.
I dont see any Camaro.


UH!! THIS ISNT VIR! The press release is from Sept 10th, but it says that it will race on Oct 4th.

No Camaro here. Unles this is a rerun and VIR was rained out? No idea.

Speed Uuggh! This is the last event. It's not raining here in VA.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I will be at this race tomorrow. I'm going to bring my camera so any pictures I get of this race will be sure to make it to GMI

Sounds great CamaroCrazy.I look forward to seeing some piks. The Camaro looks
really bitchin. Have a great time at the race.

[rsbaker]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Camaro returns to racing this weekend against Mustang, Challenger



This Sunday, October, the classic dark blue Sunoco Chevy Camaro will race once again. What's more, the car will be piloted by drivers with rather appropriate last names: Donohue and Bucknum. Suddenly, it's 1969 all over again. Perhaps coolest of all, though, is that Chevrolet's revived pony will be lining up against its most classic nemeses, Ford's Mustang and Dodge's Challenger (yes, we know the original Mopar didn't hit the scene until 1970).

The retro racing action will take place during final round of the 2009 Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge season at Virginia International Raceway. Though the Bill Riley-built Camaro will be completed with barely enough time for a few shakedown runs ahead of the actual competition, David Donohue and Jeff Bucknum are both satisfied that it will be competitive. We look forward to watching the battle lines play out during the 2010 season. Hit the jump for the official press release, which includes plenty of commentary from the two drivers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/c...ang-challenge/

This is what NASCAR should be and what it was in the beginning. I hate NASCARS now.