by Brendan Bowers | Oct 26, 2023 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Mugello, Italy – EMS Race Team is returning to action for the Ferrari Races in Italy this week. Driver James Weiland and his team from Rossocorsa and R3 Motorsports are scheduled to compete at the world-famous Mugello Circuit on Thursday and Friday. It will be the team’s first race since last year.
Seeing the Electronic Merchant Systems 488 Challenge EVO back on the track will be a welcomed sight for racing fans. Weiland, a former Ferrari Challenge North America Champion, arrived with his team in Florence, Italy last week for testing. Despite some early adversity, they are locked in and ready to go.
“It’s been a long time, but we are excited to be back competing,” Weiland said. “We arrived last Friday for testing over the weekend. Unfortunately, ERIN was damaged severely as we were unceremoniously blown up on an out lap in the final session on Sunday.
“She will be fixed and fine, but not right away. So, we will be in a backup car on Thursday and Friday while racing to raise awareness for Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation, Cornerstone of Hope, and PETA Cruelty Free.”
The backup car that EMS will be racing is pictured above. 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. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world’s largest animal rights organization.
Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning they were produced without animal testing. Cornerstone of Hope, meanwhile, provides support, education, and hope for the grieving.
Thursday’s Race 1 Recap from Mugello, Italy:
Race 1 went pretty well on Thursday in the rain under the circumstances. We started 20 of 37. Moved up to 14 over the first few laps. We didn’t quite pull off a side-by-side move in the fast Lavelli left-hander, and our competitor tapped us and spun us.
We lost a few positions and about 15 seconds after that. Got that same car in the last corner to finish P17.
Our fast lap was P7. We are getting there but a lot more to do. On Friday, Race 2 goes at 7am ET broadcast live on live.ferrari.com
For behind-the-scenes coverage of EMS Race Team at Mugello throughout the weekend, follow along on Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram. You can also stream the racing action live at Ferrari.com.
by Brendan Bowers | Jun 15, 2022 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Driver James Weiland and EMS Race Team opened the 2022 Ferrari Challenge Europe schedule with a podium finish in Portugal before competing in France for Round 2. This weekend, Weiland—a Cleveland, Ohio native—and his team from Boardwalk Ferrari and Ferrari of San Francisco will be competing in the Ferrari Challenge North America Series.The team recently announced they were a late entry to the Ferrari Races in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 17-19 during F1 weekend in Canada.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve first hosted the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978. Past winners include Michael Schumacher, Jackie Stewart, Aryton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes Driver, Hamilton, won in 2019 the last time the event was held in Montreal before it was postponed due to health concerns.
EMS Race Team has competed in the Ferrari Challenge races at the legendary track in Montreal during F1 weekend several times before and it is always a memorable experience. The team’s first race at Gilles Villeneuve was in ’13, and they most recently earned a podium there in ’19. Weiland and his team also won at the legendary track just north of the Great Lakes in ’16 on their way to the Ferrari Challenge North American Championship that season.
“When we had an opportunity to enter the race in Montreal we jumped on it,” Weiland said. “We really enjoy racing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and are looking forward to being in the beautiful city of Montreal. Hopefully we can represent well for PETA Cruelty Free, Cornerstone of Hope and Coach Sam’s Scholars while we are there.”
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 that 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. EMS Race Team will continue to race to raise awareness for each of their important missions during the Ferrari Races in Montreal.
A team effort that results in a podium finish or better will be the goal for Electronic Merchant Systems Racing Team on the track in Montreal. But they will also be keeping a close eye on the F1 race to watch the best drivers in the world compete for the Grand Prix win. The EMS Race Team Reserve Driver recently met Charles Leclerc of Ferrari who currently trails only Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez of Red Bull as the top-3 drivers in the points standings heading into the weekend.
EMS Race Team, meanwhile, will have a chance to score points in the Ferrari Challenge North American Series during the upcoming Ferrari Races. However, these results will not impact the Ferrari Challenge Europe Standings where EMS is slotted to race a partial schedule.
For more behind-the-scenes coverage of EMS Race Team throughout the season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
Visit this link to stream the racing action live from Montreal:
https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/corse-clienti/live-ferrari-challenge-montreal
by Brendan Bowers | May 18, 2022 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
After opening the 2022 Ferrari Challenge Europe schedule with a podium finish in Portugal, EMS Race Team traveled to the south of France for Round 2 at Circuit Paul Ricard. While the results weren’t what the team had hoped for, driver James Weiland and his crew from Rossocorsa, R3 Motorsports, and Ferrari of San Francisco did their best to raise awareness for PETA Cruelty-Free, Coach Sam’s Scholars, and Cornerstone of Hope throughout the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
After a P7 finish on Saturday, things did not go EMS Race Team’s way on Sunday. ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO continued to receive contact throughout Race 2 and was eventually punted during the final lap through no fault of her own. But the good news for the team—in addition to being able to accomplish their goal of raising awareness for three causes that are close to their hearts—was that the Reserve Driver, Max Weiland, continues to heat up the karting ranks while staking his claim to the top spot.
“It was a tough day at the office,” Weiland said on Sunday. “We were first hit at the start, and then hit a total of four times throughout the race. The last of the contact we received ended our race on the final lap for a finishing position somewhere around P30 after starting 5th and running P8 for most of the race. Nevertheless, it was good to be racing in the south of France and we look forward to visiting the Hockenheim Circuit for the first time during our next race.”
The Hockenheim Ferrari races will be held in Germany on July 22-24. EMS Race Team will look to make a push toward the top of a competitive Ferrari Challenge Europe field during the trip. In the meantime, they will continue to focus on the Reserve Driver who keeps working hard, doing his best, and improving every day.
“The good news is that the Reserve Driver snagged a couple more trophies in New Castle, Indiana while we were being punted from the track in France,” Weiland joked. “So, hopefully, we can build on the momentum he is creating while continuing to raise awareness for PETA, Coach Sam’s, and Cornerstone at a track in Germany that we’ve never visited before later this summer.”
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 that 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. EMS Race Team will continue to race to raise awareness for each of their important missions during the Germany Ferrari Races in July.
For more behind-the-scenes coverage of EMS Race Team throughout the season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
by Brendan Bowers | May 11, 2022 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team opened the 2022 racing schedule with a podium finish in Portugal. While battling through a wrist injury throughout the weekend, driver James Weiland was forced to miss the first qualifying session of the season. Despite that setback, he eventually qualified P4 on Sunday and executed the pass below to secure a P3 finish in Race 2 at the Portimao Circuit to open the year on the podium.
This week, Weiland and his crew from Rossocorsa, R3 Motorsports, and Ferrari of San Francisco will look to build on that success during the Ferrari Challenge in France. Round 2 of the European Ferrari Challenge Series will be held at the Paul Ricard Circuit during a jam-packed weekend of racing action. EMS last raced the Paul Ricard Circuit in 2017 and will try to leverage that experience during race weekend on May 13-15.
Constructed in 1970 by Paul Ricard at Le Castellet in the south of France, the circuit was the first of the modern autodromes. The track is characterized by its long Mistral straight (1.8 km) and elongated design built on a plateau. The length of the full track is 5.861 km (3.642 mi) and it’s known for its black and blue runoff areas known as the Blue Zone. It quickly became the premier venue for French motorsports upon opening, hosting its first French Grand Prix in 1971. After a hiatus, the track is now owned by Bernie Ecclestone and hosts the Formula 1 French Grand Prix.
“We’re looking forward to getting back on the track and competing against a talented field in France,” Weiland said. “Our reserve driver, Max, has won a couple of races already this year so he is definitely putting the pressure on us to deliver a strong result. We’re going to do the best we can to help raise awareness for PETA, Coach Sam’s, and Cornerstone of Hope and hopefully we can have the same success he’s been having.”
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 that 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. EMS Race Team will continue to race to raise awareness for each of their important missions at Paul Ricard in France.
To stream the racing action throughout the weekend you can go here. You can also follow EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all season long for the latest news and updates.
by Brendan Bowers | Apr 5, 2022 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
The Portimao Circuit in Portugal was packed with racing excitement during the opening weekend of the 2022 Ferrari Challenge season. ERIN, the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO, was among the 46 cars that competed in the year’s first race. Despite starting the weekend with a wrist injury that prevented driver James Weiland from participating in Q1, Electronic Merchant Systems closed strong with a podium finish in Race 2.
During the second race in Portugal on Sunday, Weiland and his team from Rossocorsa, R3 Motorsports, and Ferrari of San Francisco qualified P4. At the 16-minute mark of the race, Weiland made his move into a podium position for good. The Ferrari broadcast team discussed the pass that put ERIN into 3rd place.
Race 1 began with Weiland missing qualifying due to a wrist injury. A regimen of ice and rest helped the wrist get into good enough shape for the race on Saturday. But the team was forced to start in the last position because of the missed qualifying session. The 118 car made 16 overtakes in Race 1 to go from 29 to 13 overall.
“Portugal was a gorgeous country and we really enjoyed visiting,” Weiland said. “The racing was great throughout the weekend, and it was exciting to be back with our team competing. Our next goal is to race the best we can while raising awareness for PETA Cruelty-Free, Coach Sam’s Scholars, and Cornerstone of Hope during the Ferrari Races in May.”
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 that 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.
EMS Race Team’s official schedule for the 2022 campaign is listed below.
2022 Ferrari Challenge Europe Season Schedule:
- April 1-3 – Portimao
- May 13-15 – Paul Ricard
- June 17-19 – Budapest
- July 22-24 – Hockenheim
- September 16-18 – Silverstone
- October 7-9 – Mugello
- TBA – Finali Mondiali
Follow EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all season long for the latest news and updates. To stream the races live throughout the season bookmark this link: https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/corse-clienti/live.
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