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.
by Brendan Bowers | Oct 31, 2023 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
Mugello, Italy – EMS Race Team finished strong in the Ferrari Races at the Mugello Circuit last week. Starting Race 2 on Friday in P23, driver James Weiland moved past 12 cars to cross the finish line in P11. During a race that ended with less than 15 minutes of green light action, it seemed the only thing preventing Weiland from overtaking more positions was the safety car.
“There were a lot of fun battles out there today,” Weiland said after the race in Italy. “It was really nice to be out here competing with these guys. We were very grateful to be here and had a lot of fun. Big thanks to Rossocorsa and R3 Motorsports as well as our entire team for an enjoyable week.”
Seeing the Electronic Merchant Systems 488 Challenge EVO back on the track was 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. But before he even got onto the track for the first time in 16 months they were faced with adversity.
ERIN was damaged severely while unceremoniously blown up on an out lap in the final session on Sunday. She will be fixed and fine, but EMS Race Team was forced to use a backup car on Thursday and Friday.
“The team did a great job getting a car ready for us this weekend,” Weiland added. “It felt great to be out here racing to raise awareness for Coach Sam’s, Cornerstone, and PETA Cruelty Free with them at such an amazing event.
The backup car that EMS raced 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.
Racing in the rain on Thursday, EMS started 20 of 37 for Race 1. After a few laps, the team moved up to P14 before a competitor tapped and spun Weiland’s car off the track. He lost a few positions about 15 seconds after that but got that same car in the last corner to finish P17.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of EMS Race Team at Mugello throughout the weekend, follow along on Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram.
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.
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