EMS Race Team Earns Podium Finish in New Zealand Ferrari Challenge

by Tara Pachmayer | Apr 17, 2018 | EMS Ferrari Challenge

The race around the world continued for EMS Race Team at the New Zealand Ferrari Challenge. Over the last 12 months, EMS Race Team has competed in eight different countries. On April 12-15, driver James Weiland and the Boardwalk Ferrari crew added New Zealand to a list that already included the United States, Canada, Hungary, France, England, Italy and Australia. Racing at the Hampton Downs in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, Weiland would guide ERIN the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge to EMS Race Team’s fourth podium of the 2018 season with a second-place overall finish in Race 1.

“You have to credit some amazing late-night engineering from Travis Low and tuning from David Cameron of the Boardwalk Ferrari team to get ERIN prepared her performance in Race 1,” Weiland said. “It really was a great job by the whole team to earn a podium while competing against such a talented group of drivers here in New Zealand.”

After earning that second-place overall finish in the Trofeo Pirelli class in Race 1, Weiland and ERIN followed that up with a top-five overall performance in Race 2 to close out the weekend. EMS qualified third for Race 1 and fourth for Race 2 before finishing P2 and P5, respectively. This came during a wet weekend in Auckland that saw both races go off on the same day with only a short break in between.

“Overall, it was a very enjoyable trip to New Zealand,” Weiland added. “Got some hardware in Race 1 and Auckland was very nice. My six-year-old son, Max, gave me a teddy bear so I would not get lonely on the trip and Duffy went everywhere with us. Really good guys and good racing here in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific. Thanks to Tony from Continental Cars – Ferrari and the Boardwalk Ferrari team, David Cameron, Travis Low and Conrad Grunewald. Our goal was to get PETA Cruelty Free, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and Cornerstone of Hope onto the podium and we’re proud to have been able to accomplish that.”

Well a very enjoyable trip to New Zealand. Got some hardware in Race 1 and Auckland was very nice. My 6 year old son Max gave me a teddy bear so I would not get lonely on the trip and Duffy went everywhere with us. Really good guys and good racing… https://t.co/qNcaYchseL pic.twitter.com/8PSck60nGC

— EMS Race Team (@emsRaceTeam) April 16, 2018

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than three million members and supporters. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning that they were produced without testing on animals. Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation’s mission is to provide educational support to at risk children through a combination of literacy, personal development and health and fitness programs designed to develop the whole child. Cornerstone of Hope, meanwhile, is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope for the grieving. Guided by Christian values of compassion and service, they welcome and serve all seeking support. EMS Race Team has proudly raced to raise awareness for each cause as they’ve crisscrossed the globe over the past year.

For behind-the-scenes coverage throughout race weekend in New Zealand visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also find more pictures of EMS Race Team’s new mascot, Duffy, along with shots of ERIN during her trip to Hampton Downs.

EMS Race Team Travels to New Zealand for Next Round of Ferrari Challenge Action

by Tara Pachmayer | Apr 10, 2018 | EMS Ferrari Challenge

Riding the momentum of a second-place overall finish in the Trofeo Pirelli pro class during F1 weekend in Australia last month, EMS Race Team is now preparing to compete in New Zealand for the next round of the Ferrari Challenge on April 12-15. This trip marks the first time that driver James Weiland and ERIN the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge will ever race in New Zealand. Hampton Downs Motorsport Park will be hosting the action during a weekend that expects to be jam-packed with racing excitement out on the track.

“We’re certainly looking forward to racing in New Zealand as well as experiencing the culture,” Weiland said. “Hampton Downs is going to be a challenging track and hopefully we can get used to it pretty quickly during the practice rounds. Our goal will be what it always is, to stay focused as a team on improving collectively and performing our best throughout the weekend. If we’re able to accomplish that, we will put ourselves in position to compete for a spot on the podium.”

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is located in northern Waikato, New Zealand near Auckland and Hamilton. As New Zealand’s most modern motorsport complex, it boasts three different track configurations along with two skidpad areas, one for driver training, the other for drifting as well as an SUV course and go-kart track. On October 18, 2009, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park was open for business and the first competition was held in January 2010. Today, after significant enhancements ever since, Hampton Downs is considered one of the most technically advanced race circuits in the world.

“PETA’s cruelty free bunnies gave us an extra boost in Australia and we’re hoping the same thing happens again here in New Zealand,” Weiland added. “We’re dedicating the race weekend to PETA cruelty free and everything they do for animals, so hopefully we can help raise some awareness with a solid effort. We’re also excited to be raising awareness for Coach Sam’s Inner Circle and Cornerstone of Hope while we’re in New Zealand as well. Like we do every race weekend, we encourage you to visit each website and learn everything you can about what each group is doing for our community.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than three million members and supporters. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning that they were produced without testing on animals. Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation’s mission is to provide educational support to at risk children through a combination of literacy, personal development and health and fitness programs designed to develop the whole child. Cornerstone of Hope, meanwhile, is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope for the grieving. Guided by Christian values of compassion and service, they welcome and serve all seeking support.

For behind-the-scenes coverage throughout race weekend in New Zealand visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.