Pontiac GXP.R Driver Paul Edwards Going for Three in a Row in Mexico City

[Ming]

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Pontiac Driver Paul Edwards Going for Three in a Row in Mexico City





by Kyle Chura, Banner Racing

MEXICO CITY, Mexico -- Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R driver Paul Edwards will be looking for the Hat-Trick in Mexico City this weekend. The young Californian has been able to amass a perfect two win record in as many Grand-Am races at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez located in the heart of Mexico City .

In 2005, the Pontiac GTO.R was the platform for Edward's first Mexico City win. Co-driving with Jan Magnussen the duo were able to utilize a strong, no mistake, run to take the GT win in the Grand-Am series' first visit to the track. Along with trying to win his third in a row at the Mexican track, Edwards will also be looking to add to his seven career wins in the Grand-Am GT series.

In 2006, Edwards combined with Kelly Collins to take victory number two in Mexico City also at the wheel of the GTO.R.

"I have been lucky to have good cars and great co-drivers the last two years," Edwards said. "The Mexico City track is a great circuit. The long straight really lets the LS2 engine unwind and go. The back side of the track with the fast esses lets us take advantage of the handling and downforce of the GTO.R as well as allowed the drivers to show their stuff. In 2005 we had the opportunity to go through the baseball stadium which added a few more turns and was a great combination of corners as the stands were full of passionate local fans."

This year, Edwards will have the new No. 7 Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R to wheel around the 2.5-mile, 14-turn Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. The Banner Racing team debuted the new GXP.Rs and made a strong showing in the season opening Rolex 24 hours at Daytona, finishing second with teammate Kelly Collins and fill-in driver Andy Pilgrim, Edwards is keen to keep the momentum going. In the teams companion No. 06 GXP.R, team owner Leighton Reese, Tim Lewis and Johnny O'Connell brought their new GXP.R to the line in fifth place.

"We had a very reliable car at Daytona," Edwards commented. "The car handled well and the team did a great job, we just had to pit for gas, tires and a fresh driver. The car never went back to the paddock for prolonged repairs. For a brand new car, the race could have only gone better if we were one more step up on the podium. We are a little down on horsepower compared to our top GT competitors with the way the rules are right now, but we are keeping in the game with strong drives, good pit work and consistent lap times."

Source: http://www.whowon.com/sResults.asp?S...StoryID=213736

[tamatt27]

What are the specs for the GXP-R? Is it RWD?

[Ming]

Originally Posted by tamatt27

What are the specs for the GXP-R? Is it RWD?

Look to the Grand American Koni Challenge for more close-to-stock racing. The Rolex efforts might look more real than a NASCAR shell, but are heavily modified from their production cousins, apparently.

I've read that the GXP.R G6 is basically a reskin of the GTO.R from last year. So that would make it RWD, yes.

Formerly the Grand-Am Cup Series, the KONI Challenge is the premier proving ground for many of today's automotive manufacturers. The series competes at historic tracks in the United States and Canada, featuring some of the best production car drivers from around the world. The series complements the Rolex Sports Car Series by using race cars that are actual production cars. Similar to the Rolex Series GT cars in appearance, KONI Challenge cars are straight off the showroom floor with only minimal racing modifications to enhance safety and performance.

[ProjectRS]

love the looks!

[Delta2.2]

Originally Posted by Ming

Look to the Grand American Koni Challenge for more close-to-stock racing. The Rolex efforts might look more real than a NASCAR shell, but are heavily modified from their production cousins, apparently.

I've read that the GXP.R G6 is basically a reskin of the GTO.R from last year. So that would make it RWD, yes.

cobalt ftw!!!! lol ya awsome news but to be honest i dont think that the G6 GXP race car is gonna bring in sales considering its a V8 rwd gto basically in a G6 shell but then again i may be wrong...i mean nascar does pretty well lol

[gopedxr7]

i really wish that GM would advertise the cobalt more with it being raced against mustangs. it would give it so much more exposure

Alan

[mcool]

Originally Posted by Ming

Look to the Grand American Koni Challenge for more close-to-stock racing. The Rolex efforts might look more real than a NASCAR shell, but are heavily modified from their production cousins, apparently.

I've read that the GXP.R G6 is basically a reskin of the GTO.R from last year. So that would make it RWD, yes.

Hopefully in a year we'll see the G8 as a race car instead of the silly G6 coupe. Obviously the Commodore has a great track presence down under.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by gopedxr7

i really wish that GM would advertise the cobalt more with it being raced against mustangs. it would give it so much more exposure

Alan

The Cobalt is in the ST class and the Mustang is in the GS class. The usually share the track during the race but are ranked and finish by their classes.

The Cobalt goes up against BMW, Acura and Mazda (RX-8) to name a few. The GTO and Cadillac CTS-V race against the Mustang, but as of this year with the series name change from Grand Am Cup I have not seen a big GTO or CTS-V presence in the Koni Challenge. The GTOs in the GS class looks (looked) much more like "Stock" cars than what ran in Rolex...because they are basically showroom cars modified with safety enhancements.

[HEVguy]

That makes me wonder, how is the G6 GXP selling, or has it gone on sale just yet???

[MCGARRETT]

It has not gone on sale yet, it is for the 2008 model year, the same thing is available as the G6 GTP this year,without the optional tacky body kit.