by Tara Pachmayer | Nov 23, 2015 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
The Ferrari Challenge World Finals were held this past weekend at the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany, Italy. The world famous track is home to Scuderia Ferrari, the racing team founded by Enzo Ferrari way back in 1929. For the 2015 season-ending event, drivers from 24 different countries converged on the mecca of Ferrari racing and the EMS Race Team was proud to be a part of that.
Just prior to making the trip across the Atlantic Ocean, IMSA.com caught up with EMS Race Team driver James Weiland to preview the competition.
“I drove in the Finali Mondiali two years ago in Mugello, and with time in the simulator recently at GPX Lab in Miami, I am ready to go,” Weiland told IMSA. “The warm up lap is where I feel all the anticipation. You know you are surrounded by very good drivers from all these different countries from around the world. You try to take in all of the colors and all the cars and the beautiful setting while trying to warm up the tires and systems and just waiting for what seems like forever for that green flag. But then the green flag flies, the engines are screaming and it’s time to get down to racing.”
When the green flags flew on Friday, Erin, EMS Race Team’s Ferrari 458 Challenge Evo, was ready to run. As she does throughout the season, Erin proudly displayed the logos of PETA’s Cruelty Free campaign and the Cornerstone of Hope on the rear and front of the car.
During stiff competitions with the top drivers from Ferrari Challenge North America on Friday and Saturday, EMS Race Team did their best to spread the word on each cause with a pair of 1st place finishes.
Weiland and his Ferrari of San Francisco team dedicated Race 1 at Mugello to raising awareness for PETA Cruelty Free. By the time his first Finali Mondiali race of the weekend was over, the Cruelty Free Bunnies were looking back at the competition on their way to the victory. After qualifying 3rd in class, Erin did enough to cruise through the finish line 1st in class and 3rd overall for Race 1 among a field of 37 drivers.
On Saturday, Weiland dedicated Race 2 to the great work our neighbors at the Cornerstone of Hope do for the community. Despite another tough fight among a talented field, the Cornerstone logo that adorns Erin’s hood was the first to bust through the finish line once again. With the help of his coach, Conrad Grunewald, and each member of the Ferrari of San Francisco team, Weiland finished 1st in class for a second straight day and 4th overall for the race.
In recap of Race 2 at Mugello, Motorsport.com offered the following:
“Perhaps the most exciting action of today’s race was the duel between James Weiland (Ferrari of San Francisco) and Anthony Imperato (Ferrari of Long Island). From the first lap to the last turn of the 30-minute race, the drivers battled for the lead. Although Imperato tried his chance for the overtaking, the space and strategy just wasn’t enough. Weiland was victorious in the end when Imperato made a mistake coming home third behind Ross Garber. Mike Zoi won the championship.”
“The Ferrari of San Francisco team did a great job getting us ready to race at Mugello all weekend long,” Weiland said. “It was really special to be able to secure two victories, and I can’t thank my team and coach enough for putting me in position to win. But the best part was being able to help raise awareness for the great work our friends at Cornerstone of Hope do for our community, as well as what PETA is able to consistently accomplish with the Cruelty Free campaign. Hopefully we were able to help others learn a little bit about those causes during our trip to Italy.”
For more on the Ferrari World Finals at Mugello, check out EMS Race Team on Facebook and Twitter.
by Tara Pachmayer | Sep 14, 2015 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
During a trip to Circuit Mont-Tremblant last month, EMS Race Team driver Jim Weiland split the driving duties with his coach, Conrad Grunewald. The duo managed to bring home first in the Enduro, one of the many accomplishments for the Cornerstone of Hope / EMS+ / Ferrari of San Francisco Ferrari 458 Challenge “Erin” since coach Grunewald got on board. This past weekend, Grunewald also helped Weiland navigate Erin through some wet and competitive races back at Mont-Tremblant, as the 2015 Ferrari Challenge season continued.
Conrad got his start in road racing back in 2000 at a racing school in California, taking a 3-day racing course. After the course he got a job as a mechanic at the racing school where he spent quite a bit of time driving the 2-liter open wheel formula cars. In 2002, he raced in the school’s open wheel championship and was hired as an instructor for the school.
By 2003, Conrad was driving the data car for the racing school’s race series. In 2004, he received his first opportunity in the drifting world where he was one of 12 drivers representing the USA in the USA vs Japan D1 drift event in Fontana, CA. Conrad has competed the last 10 years in Formula Drift and is currently driving a 900HP Chevy Camaro in the Formula Drift Championship.
Although Conrad spent the majority of his time focusing on drift, he also spent plenty of time racing in IMSA and coaching in Ferrari Challenge. He currently works with the EMS Race team by helping Jim Weiland setup their 458 EVO Challenge car as well as hone his driving skills.
“Conrad has been great at helping us take our driving to the next level,” Weiland said. “He helps push forward by not only offering instruction, but also getting in the car to demonstrate how different turns or parts of the track should be handled. His experience as a driver really pays off in that capacity and has helped us improve a great deal.”
Not only is Grunewald part of the EMS team on the track, but he also uses EMS+ to accept payments off the track as well. It’s a mobile payment method that Grunewald said has served him well throughout his time as an instructor and coach.
“EMS+ makes it very easy to process a transaction right at the track or wherever I am with my clients,” Grunewald said. “The low 2.25% processing rate is very attractive along with the 24/7 customer service. It’s a big part of my business as a racing coach and really helped streamline my business ever since I signed up.”
To keep up with Conrad on and off the track, check out his Instagram page and follow on Twitter.
by Tara Pachmayer | Jul 9, 2015 | cornerstone of hope
Cornerstone of Hope is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope for the grieving. Guided by Christian values of compassion and service, the non-profit organization in Cleveland, Ohio welcomes and serves all seeking support. To help shed light on their tremendous work, EMS Race Team races to raise awareness for Cornerstone by featuring its logo on the hood of its Ferrari Challenge Car.
On Tuesday, June 23, Cornerstone held its Annual Hope Day celebration and the EMS+ team was on hand. The courtyard area at Cornerstone’s headquarters was transformed into a carnival for kids, and inside their were games, prizes, food, a photo booth, and fun for all who attended.
“We provide a full activity day for the families to come out between 6-8pm and play all sorts of carnival games,” Rachel Rego, Marketing Director with Cornerstone of Hope, said. “We have hot dogs, popcorn, chips, cookies and we also have tons of prizes for the kids to win. The kids get to go home with all sorts of really cool items. We even have a slip and slide down the hill out back.”
With the weather cooperating, the slip and slide was a massive hit. Kids were running from the bottom of the hill to the top for another chance to slide down in the summer sun. Genevieve Fowler, who we spoke with out back near Cornerstone’s state-of-the-art treehouse, talked about what Cornerstone’s Day of Hope means to her and her family.
“This is my second year here at Cornerstone of Hope for Hope Day,” Fowler said. “I came here with my mother, my niece, my daughter and my son. We lost my sister, Jacqueline Pugliese, in February of 2013. This day represents a fun day for kids. It represents a day of hope, a day of energy, a day of smiles. It brings kids together in a different way when they’re struggling with their daily routine and the fact that a loved one is gone from their lives. It gives them hope that the people surrounding them can help them through a tough time. The smile, the laughter, it’s overwhelming that this type of place can provide the hope that it does.”
Earlier this year, Cornerstone’s Annual Fund letter featured the Fowler-Pugliese family, describing Genevieve’s story. That letter is below, helping to illustrate the real impact that Cornerstone makes on the many lives they touch.
The smile and laughter throughout the day was truly overwhelming, and Cornerstone’s Day of Hope was a truly special event to be a part of. We were happy to have been there to feel the energy of healing and love that permeated all in attendance. To get involved with Cornerstone of Hope, and help support their mission, visit their website: Cornerstoneofhope.org.
by Tara Pachmayer | May 5, 2015 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team is powered by ems+ and competes to raise awareness for Cleveland’s Cornerstone of Hope Foundation. This past weekend, EMS Race Team competed in the Ferrari Challenge races at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California.
Race 1–which ended in a podium finish–was dedicated to Cornerstone’s upcoming series of summer camps designed to help support those who lost someone they loved.
After qualifying second in class and seventh overall on Saturday, Jim Weiland and the Ferrari of San Francisco team added another trophy to the collection with a second place finish in Race 1.
“The Ferrari of San Francisco team did a great job getting us ready to race on Saturday,” Weiland said. “While we’re always looking for a first-place finish, it was great to get onto the podium in Sonoma. The best part was being able to help raise awareness for the great work that our friends and neighbors at Cornerstone of Hope do for our community. Hopefully we were able to help others learn a little bit about the Cornerstone team along the way.”
During race weekend, we caught up with Coach Conrad Grunewald and several members of the Ferrari of San Francisco team for a behind-the-scenes look at Sonoma. Those videos and photos are below.
VIDEO GALLERY:
Coach Conrad Grunewald talks about reviewing video and data in between practice sessions.
Andrew talks about preparations for Qualifying from the paddock at Sonoma.
Behind-the-scenes with Dave in the Ferrari of San Francisco Garage at Sonoma.
Rudy talks about adjustments and prep work on Saturday at Sonoma.
Starting in the 15th position for Race 2, the EMS+ car quickly passed six cars in front of them. But alas, the second race was unfortunately cut short after contact to the right rear of the car on Turn 3. That contact spun out the No. 18 car driven by Weiland and forced an early exit from the race. Overall, though, the weekend was a big success and helped prepare Weiland and his team for F1 weekend at Montreal–the next stop on the Ferrari Challenge schedule.
PHOTO GALLERY:
To learn more about Cornerstone of Hope and how you can help, visit CornerstoneOfHope.org.
by Tara Pachmayer | Mar 5, 2015 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
The Ferrari of San Francisco team had Erin, the ems+ Ferrari Challenge 458 EVO, ready to race as the 2015 season began at Daytona International Speedway. The competition was stiff, as expected, but the season started off well for the team from Cleveland, Ohio who left Florida with a Race 1 victory.
The No. 18 car driven by James Weiland qualified 2nd in class and 7th overall before winning a hard-fought battle with competitor Robert Herjavec. The 007 car driven by Herjavec finished in second place during Race 1 before winning on Sunday. The No. 518 car driven by Arthur Romanelli finished in third.
During Race 1, Weiland took the lead in the first corner. He was able to maintain that lead the entire race despite intense pressure, and it was the ems+ car that brought the PETA Cruelty Free Bunnies across the finish line first.
“Nothing is more fulfilling for me and my team than to see the PETA Cruelty Free Bunnies cross the finish line in first place,” Weiland said. “Those are the days we always get the most questions about PETA and about what the Cruelty Free campaign means. It’s always fun to reply by saying that the bunnies helped us win, too, because they did.”
Prior to the start of Race 1, the Ferrari Challenge competitors gathered on the Daytona track for a group picture. The lovely Erin was also asked to be included in the official shot.
During Race 2 on Sunday, an unscheduled pit stop on the warm-up lap caused the ems+ car to begin in 29th position. Weiland was able to pass a significant amount of cars early on, however, and managed a respectable 5th place finish (9th overall).
(EMS Race Team via Vimeo)
“We did have an electrical problem on the pace lap which required a pit stop during Race 2,” Weiland said. “But I was proud of my team, how quickly they resolved the issue, and we were able to rejoin the race and pick off some cars and run well from there. All in all, there were a lot of positives during our first weekend and we’re looking forward to building on that in Homstead.”
(EMS Race Team via Vimeo)
The next Ferrari Challenge race on the schedule will be in Homestead on March 6-8. For more racing action check out ems+ racing team’s page on Vimeo.
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