by Brendan Bowers | Apr 30, 2024 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Mugello Circuit, Italy – EMS Race Team is traveling to Italy to compete in the Ferrari Challenge Europe Series at the Mugello Circuit on May 3-5. The team is coming off a podium finish last month in Japan and hopes to build on that momentum during the Ferrari Races at Mugello.
Driver James Weiland is returning to a world-famous circuit that he’s had success racing in the past. During the Ferrari World Finals in 2019, Weiland made a dramatic overtake on the final lap to win the Coppa Shell Championship at Mugello.
Reserve driver Max Weiland being in Italy that day rooting his Dad past the finish line made it an even more special weekend. The team hopes that this year’s car–ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge–finds a similar pace and result.
“We’re grateful and excited to be racing in Italy,” Weiland said. “We are looking forward to competing with some excellent drivers and having a lot of fun on the track. It’s always special being able to compete at the Mugello Circuit.”
The Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, also known as Mugello Circuit, is in the municipality of Scarperia and San Piero, near Florence. The circuit is in a region steeped in history, art, and culture, set amidst the mountains and rolling hills of Tuscany.
The circuit’s current layout dates back to 1974. The track measures 5,245 meters in length and 14 in width. The track includes 15 corners, six left, and nine right, and a main straight of 1,141 meters.
ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge
After racing the 488 Challenge EVO over the last few seasons, this year’s Ferrari Challenge race car is the Ferrari 296 Challenge. The tires were exclusively developed by Pirelli for this new model. The design phase involved the use of advanced simulation technologies and almost a year of development that included a variety of different verification loops on international circuits.
The use of a wider front wheel with an 11” channel allowed Pirelli to develop a tire geared towards better turn-in grip, lower wear, and greater consistency throughout a race. ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge is racing in Italy to raise awareness for Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation, PETA Cruelty-Free, and Cornerstone of Hope.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization globally. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning they were produced without testing on animals.
Coach Sam’s Scholar’s mission is to provide educational support to at-risk children through 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.
“We are proud of the work that Coach Sam’s, Cornerstone, and PETA continue to do for our communities,” Weiland added. “Our team plans to do the best we can to make them proud of us while we were racing in Italy.”
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team in Italy, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also stream the racing action live at Ferrari.com.
by Brendan Bowers | Apr 12, 2024 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Suzuka Circuit, Japan – EMS Race Team traveled to Asia to compete in the Ferrari Challenge Japan at the Suzuka Circuit on April 5-7 during Formula 1 weekend. The trip was a fantastic opportunity to experience Japanese culture and the team was very grateful for the opportunity. Coming together to earn a podium finish made it even more special.
EMS Race Team driver James Weiland, reserve driver Max Weiland, and the Ferrari of San Francisco / R3 Motorsports team made the journey around the globe from Cleveland, OH to arrive in Tokyo, Japan. They boarded the bullet train to the Suzuka Circuit on April 2.
The Ferrari of San Francisco-R3 Motorsports, Inc team has arrived Tokyo Station and is about to board the Bullet Train…
Posted by EMS Race Team on Tuesday, April 2, 2024
ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo arrived earlier in the week after departing from Los Angeles. The team joined her on April 3 for open practice. Max made sure the team was prepared and stayed focused.
ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari of San Francisco Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO and the reserve driver (Max…
Posted by EMS Race Team on Wednesday, April 3, 2024
ERIN started fast at Suzuka. Her practice times slotted P3 in class and P5 of 29 overall. She qualified for the Ferrari Challenge Japan season-opening event in the wet later on but encountered some issues.
Entering the race, EMS qualified P12 of 29 drivers. ERIN found her pace quickly, though, and regained the speed from practice. She passed six drivers on her way to earning P6 overall and P3 in class.
“ERIN does it again,” Weiland said following the 3rd place finish in the Japan Ferrari Challenge. “We raced from P6 to P3 in class, and P12 to P6 overall on this mega circuit. It’s always nice to be on the podium! Some really good racing with some really good drivers out here. Thanks to the entire R3 Motorsports, Inc. team!”
On Sunday, Weiland, ERIN, and the team continued to push PETA, Coach Sam’s, and Cornerstone of Hope toward the front of the pack. EMS wrapped up the weekend with a P7 overall and a P4 in class the following day during the second race of the weekend.
Thank you, Suzuka 🌸 #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵
Posted by F1 on Tuesday, April 9, 2024
The Formula 1 Japan Grand Prix began shortly after the Ferrari Challenge finished. Max Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez earned a 1-2 finish to win the Japanese Grand Prix. The next race for EMS Race Team is at the Mugello Circuit in Italy during the Ferrari Challenge European series on May 3-5.
Thank you to Ferrari Races, Ferrari of San Francisco, R3 Motorsports, Inc and everyone involved with the Challenge event…
Posted by EMS Race Team on Monday, April 8, 2024
“Thank you to Ferrari Races, Ferrari of San Francisco, R3 Motorsports, and everyone involved with the Challenge event in Suzuka,” Weiland said. “A fantastic opportunity for the family and I to experience the Japanese culture and everything associated with F1 weekend. We really enjoyed the racers and the hard but respectful racing here. Can’t wait to come back.”
A #FerrariChallenge Japan round 1 photo dump 📸Trofeo Pirelli Motorsport Coppa Shell Motorsport #Ferrari488ChallengeEvo #FerrariCorseClienti #FerrariRaces
Posted by Ferrari Races on Tuesday, April 9, 2024
“We also want to say thank you to Coach Sam’s Scholars, Cornerstone of Hope, and PETA Cruelty-Free. We appreciate the work your teams do for our community. It is an honor for our team to represent yours on the track.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization globally. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning they were produced without testing on animals.
Coach Sam’s Scholars‘ mission is to provide educational support to at-risk children through 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.
Photos from the Japan Ferrari Challenge 2024 at the Suzuka Circuit
For more behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
by Brendan Bowers | Apr 2, 2024 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Suzuka Circuit, Japan – EMS Race Team is traveling to Asia to compete in the Ferrari Challenge Japan at the Suzuka Circuit on April 5-7. The Ferrari racing event will take place during Formula One weekend, as the world-famous track hosts the Japanese Grand Prix.
Driver James Weiland and his team from Rossocorsa and R3 Motorsports will return to Suzuka for the first time in eight years. During the 2016 Ferrari Races, Electronic Merchant Systems Race Team captured two first-place finishes in Japan.
They will attempt to do the same again this year, just before Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, and the rest of the F1 field take the same track.
Weiland, a former Ferrari Challenge North America Champion, is making the 6,000-mile journey around the globe from Cleveland, OH, to compete in the Ferrari Challenge Japan event. It’s an opportunity he’s very grateful for and looking forward to experiencing.
“We’re grateful and excited to compete here in Japan with such talented drivers at such an outstanding track,” Weiland said. “Formula 1 weekend being here at Suzuka adds tremendous energy, and our goal is to do the best we can as a team throughout the trip.”
ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO departed from Los Angeles International Airport last week to meet the team in Japan.
ERIN is racing to raise awareness for Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation, PETA Cruelty-Free, and Cornerstone of Hope. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization globally. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning they were produced without testing on animals.
Coach Sam’s Scholar’s mission is to provide educational support to at-risk children through 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.
“We are proud of the work that Coach Sam’s, Cornerstone, and PETA continue to do for our communities,” Weiland added. “Our team plans to do the best we can to make them proud of us while we were racing at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.”
The Ferrari Races will serve as a support race for Formula 1 weekend at Suzuka. Three races into the F1 season, there are only four points between the top two teams and 11 points between the top four drivers. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is currently first in the driver standings on the strength of two victories, while Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) won the third race.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team at Suzuka Circuit in Japan throughout the weekend, follow along on Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram. You can also stream the racing action live at Ferrari.com.
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