by Tara Pachmayer | Feb 1, 2016 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
The 2016 Ferrari Challenge season got off to a slow start on Thursday, as rain poured down on the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. But by Saturday morning, clear skies and sunshine would give way to an exciting day of racing that preceded the Rolex 24. As the weekend concluded, EMS Race Team would eventually earn a podium finish while breaking in a new car and celebrating the charities they compete to promote.
The new ems+ Ferrari Challenge 458 EVO is named Paris. She is the sister of Erin, who was driven over the past two seasons by James Weiland. Her first official qualifying session was rained out on Thursday, so the drivers were slotted according to how they finished the 2015 campaign to begin Race 1. This put EMS Race Team of Boardwalk Ferrari starting outside row four, positioned 1st in class and 8th overall. Shortly after the race began, however, an incident on Lap 1 dropped Paris all the way back to 36th place overall. Despite making up significant ground, moving all the way up to 18th by mid-race, a second incident ended her day—but Paris would respond the next morning.
The Boardwalk Ferrari crew, along with Erin, helped make sure Paris was ready to compete at a high level on Saturday and that’s exactly what happened. After snagging pole in class during an actual qualifying for Race 2, Weiland’s No. 18 car would ironically start 8th overall in the same exact spot as Race 1. From there, Paris would help him engage in a classic duel with competitors Steve Johnson and Wei Lu throughout the morning. The following description of how that battle played out during Saturday’s race at Daytona is offered via Ferrari.com
“James Weiland (Boardwalk Ferrari) had a successful early start, finding himself racing against the Trofeo Pirelli drivers for the first half of the race. However, yesterday’s winner, Steve Johnson (Ferrari Ft. Lauderdale) wouldn’t let him out of sight, edging Weiland to his limits. And on several attempts, Wei Lu (Ferrari of Vancouver) tried to sneak in on the attack for a top three finish but unfortunately entered Turn 1 from the straightaway with too much force, losing him a chance for the podium. Johnson would stand on top of the podium steps again, with Weiland on his left and Arthur Romanelli (The Collection) on his right.”
Weiland was very complimentary of Johnson, Lu, Romanelli, and his other competitors following the race on Saturday. He was also proud of his team, who did a great job putting Paris in a position to earn her first podium while waving the flag for Cornerstone of Hope and PETA Cruelty Free all weekend long.
“Johnson is a great competitor and put up a tremendous fight,” Weiland said after the race. “He drove really hard, along with Wei Lu, Arthur Romanelli and all of the other drivers. While first place is certainly our goal, it felt good to get the season started with a podium finish that we can build on heading into our next race. I really thought our Boardwalk Ferrari crew led by Rudy Courtade and David Cameron did a tremendous job of getting Paris ready to run. As always, I also appreciated the expertise of my coach, Conrad Grunewald, and data manager, Andrew Prendeville.”
What also meant a lot to Weiland was the awareness he helped begin to raise again this season for the two charities that are prominently featured throughout Paris’ updated design.
“We’ve always had the Cornerstone of Hope and PETA Cruelty Free logos on our car, but I think Paris’ updated design helps those logos appear more prominent,” Weiland added. “With some of the new drivers in the series this season, we were asked about each organization and always appreciate the chance to let people know about the great work that Cornerstone and PETA continue to do for our community.”
For more pictures, videos and behind-the-scenes coverage of race weekend at Daytona, check out @emsRaceTeam on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to stop by emsRaceTeam’s Vimeo page.
by Tara Pachmayer | Jan 19, 2016 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team will bring significant momentum to Daytona International Speedway to begin the 2016 Ferrari Challenge Schedule on January 28. Driver James Weiland and the Ferrari of San Francisco crew closed out the 2015 campaign by securing two victories in Mugello, Italy during the Finali Mondiali in November. This served to bookend a season that began on the track at Daytona with a Race 1 victory last January. Competing for the second-straight year in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class, Weiland is excited to continue raising awareness for the charitable efforts he holds close to his heart by racing at a high level in Florida.
“We felt good as a team about the way we finished in Italy last season and we’re looking forward to building on that success in Daytona,” Weiland said. “The competition will be increasingly stiff, and we know how hard we’ll have to work to get back onto the podium. But we’re excited about the challenge along with the opportunity to race at a great track against the best Ferrari drivers in North America.”
Weiland will continue racing to raise awareness for the PETA Cruelty Free Campaign along with the Cornerstone of Hope Foundation throughout the 2016 circuit. Those decals will once again be proudly featured on the ems+ Ferrari Challenge 458 EVO, which will also hit the track with an updated design on a new car named Paris. The name was chosen in honor of a beloved family dog that passed away. It may even be in action at times alongside EMS Race Team’s original car, Erin.
“We’re definitely excited to get Paris onto the track during her first race at Daytona,” Weiland added. “Paris features a newer design, with a royal blue theme throughout the car. Erin will continue to feature more of the red-themed design. In either case, we’re hoping the PETA and Cornerstone logos can keep helping us run a little faster whenever we need that extra boost.”
Paris made an unofficial debut at Daytona in early January for a practice session following a shakedown run at The Thermal Club. During her second lap of the morning, Weiland lost her for a brief instant at 120 mph+ in the LH Kink. Fortunately, however, with 180 degrees of wheel he was able to keep her on the road and moving forward. There’s nothing finer than a good save, and once she let her feelings be known and got realigned, Paris ran great for the rest of the day. Hopefully she keeps that going for Weiland and company when the season begins for real later this month.
For updates throughout the Ferrari Challenge weekend along with live-timing race results, follow @EMSRaceTeam on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to check out EMS Race Team’s Vimeo Page for behind-the-scenes action following the competition.
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 | 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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