Grand-Am
SCC: BGB Motorsports drops 2009 program
BGB MOTORSPORTS CHOOSES SABBATICAL FROM GRAND-AM SERIES (Ormond Beach, FL, USA - February 18, 2009) For the first time in 5 years, BGB Motorsports will not contest a season of competition in the Grand-Am Koni Sports Car Challenge Series. The ...
Edited: Dec 21, 2009, 5:24 AM
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BGB MOTORSPORTS CHOOSES SABBATICAL FROM GRAND-AM SERIES
(Ormond Beach, FL, USA - February 18, 2009) For the first time in 5 years, BGB Motorsports will not contest a season of competition in the Grand-Am Koni Sports Car Challenge Series. The team is currently making preparations to cease their Porsche program. The group supports two Porsche 911 Carreras in the Grand Sport class and has been supporting Porsches in the series since the inaugural Grand Sport race at Daytona in 2004, when the Grand American Road Racing Association revised what was then known as Grand-Am Cup, into 2 classes. Team Principal John Tecce commented:
"This is the first year that we are not able to secure season-long funding commitments from drivers for at least one of our cars. In seasons past, even if the deal came together after Daytona, we usually had something by this point. With the uncertainty in the markets and with discretionary spending, we're just as affected as everyone else, as we experience the same problems as everyone else. We've had to make some difficult decisions about the program. My first introduction to professional motorsports and the first sports car race I ever attended was the Grand-Am Cup race at the Watkins Glen in 2001, and I've only missed 2 events since."
At the first round in support of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, both BGB Porsches led the 67 car field as a result of great pit stops, sound race strategy and good race craft; like the other Porsches however, they couldn't match the overall pace of the Mustangs. Tim George, Jr. and Craig Stanton finished 6th and teammates Joe Masessa and Nick Longhi finished close behind in 12th finishing as the 2nd and 4th highest placing Porsches. Since 2004, BGB has supported multiple Porsches, missing only one Grand-Am race weekend in over 5 years of competition. Beginning with the Porsche 911 Carrera 996 chassis and then evolving into Porsche's latest 997 chassis, BGB has been led by veteran Porsche pilot Craig Stanton for the last 3 seasons. With Stanton pushing the team further up the ladder, BGB became the most successful entry for Porsche, winning 3 races in 2008 and being the highest placing Porsche entry in the Team and Driver's Championships for the last two seasons of competition. Everything took form in late 2006 when Tim Traver and Mikel Miller won the 2006 6 Hours of VIR finale and locked up a Manufacturer's Title for Porsche Cars North America, over BMW and Ford.
"We are going to withdraw the entries for the next round at Homestead Miami Speedway and we are ceasing planning for all races thereafter. If down the road things improve and we're able to secure full-season, market level commitments from customers, we'll evaluate re-starting the program for 2010. For now though, we're going to step back and create a plan to try and sustain the brand while the world tries to figure itself out. We've tried to find ways to reduce costs and lean things out but you can't trim enough out and we can't compromise on the product we prepare and deliver. It's all very unfortunate because as a team we've been able to create success together, but with the lack of season-long revenue we've had to make the difficult decision to let everyone in the shop go. We wish them luck in whatever they choose to do, and while this is hard to say, we hope to see them supporting other teams to be as successful as they've helped us to be."
-credit: www.bgbmotorsports.com.
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