by Brendan Bowers | Jul 16, 2025 | Electronic Merchant Systems
James Weiland and the EMS Race Team will be in Spain this week for the Barcelona Ferrari Challenge. From July 17-20, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will play host to the racing action. Located just outside the city of Barcelona, the track provides a thrilling experience for drivers and racing fans.
Since it opened in 1991, this world-renowned venue has become synonymous with speed, precision, and excitement. The site is home to the Spanish F1 Grand Prix and the Catalan MotoGP Grand Prix. The course, featuring a mix of long fast straights and tricky corners, will present a challenge throughout the weekend.
The drivers will be racing the Ferrari 296 Challenge. It’s the ninth model in series history, powered by a 700-horsepower turbocharged V6. The engine is based on the Ferrari 296 GTB road car.
“We’re excited to be racing in Spain,” Weiland said. “This is a challenging track, and we’ll be competing against a field of talented drivers. But we plan to give our best effort as a team throughout the weekend.”
Racing to Raise Awareness
Weiland is a former Ferrari Challenge North American champion who races to raise awareness for three special causes. ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge will be competing to support Coach Sam’s Scholars, PETA Cruelty-Free, and Cornerstone of Hope.
Coach Sam’s Scholars works to improve literacy, personal development, and health for at-risk children through innovative educational programs. PETA Cruelty-Free advocates for the ethical treatment of animals and promotes cruelty-free products, proudly recognized by the bunny logo. Cornerstone of Hope is committed to providing support, education, and hope for those experiencing grief.
“We’re proud to represent Coach Sam’s Scholars, PETA, and Cornerstone,” Weiland said. “Each of these organizations makes a tremendous impact, and we’ll do our best to raise awareness for their work while competing in Barcelona, Spain.”
For exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team in Spain on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We appreciate your support!
by Brendan Bowers | May 6, 2024 | Electronic Merchant Systems
Mugello Circuit, Italy – It was a familiar result despite the new look for ERIN and EMS Race Team in Italy. After racing the Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO over the last few seasons, driver James Weiland competed on May 3-5 at the Ferrari Challenge Europe event in a new car–the Ferrari 296 Challenge–for the first time.
The learning curve, however, was short. On Sunday, ERIN qualified P3 before finishing on the podium. When the race began, she came out of Turn 1 in P5 before going to work. Weiland drove from P5 to P4 to P3, before sliding back to P4. After a big moment later in the race, ERIN made an overtake for third and never looked back before snagging P2 at the finish.
“ERIN does it again,” Weiland said after the race. “Great work by David Cameron and Ray Banda who took this new Electronic Merchant Systems – PaymentCloud Ferrari 296 Challenge and had her running flawlessly.
“Coach Conrad Grunewald is always so critical. Thank you to Ferrari of San Francisco, R3 Motorsports and Rossocorsa, and everyone who made this weekend a success. We are very proud to be on the podium here representing Coach Sam’s Scholars, Cornerstone of Hope, and PETA Cruelty-Free.”
Watch Race 2 at the Mugello Circuit in Italy
In Race 1, EMS Race Team qualified P9 and finished P5. But the team and driver would build on that momentum for the second race of the weekend on Sunday and finish P2. You can watch that race on YouTube by clicking the link below.
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.
Racing to Raise Awareness & Support
ERIN the Electronic Merchant Systems Ferrari 296 Challenge raced 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.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the EMS Race Team in Italy, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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