EMS Race Team has reached the top step of the podium during their last two Ferrari Challenge events. But after two-straight victories overseas—first at Le Mans in France and then the Nürburgring in Germany—driver James Weiland and his team from Boardwalk Ferrari / Ferrari of San Francisco will now return home to the United States to race the Brickyard. From July 26-28, EMS will compete in the North American Ferrari Challenge races at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the hopes of keeping their winning streak alive.
The iconic speedway in Indianapolis made its name for the 500-mile race that has taken place for over a century on Memorial Day weekend and as the host of the United States Grand Prix in the early 2000s. The Ferrari Challenge competitors will race the 2.439-mile Grand Prix road course that makes use of the fabled front straight and mixes in 13 turns within the infield space. Legendary drivers who have earned victories on the renown track throughout its rich history include Michael Schumacher, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, among others.
“We’re excited to be back home racing on American soil,” Weiland said of the upcoming weekend in Indianapolis. “We were able to have some success overseas in France and in Germany and hopefully that momentum will travel with us to the Brickyard. Regardless of the outcome, though, we expect this to be a fun and challenging course to drive and are hoping to put forth our best effort while we’re there.”
The upcoming Ferrari races in Indianapolis will mark the first time that EMS Race Team has competed at the Brickyard. Constructed in 1909, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a permanent seating capacity of 257,325 which makes it the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. In addition to the Indianapolis 500, the speedway also hosts NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 and Lilly Diabetes 250. From 2000 to 2007, the speedway hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix and from 2008 to 2015 the Moto GP. When Weiland takes the track in Indy while driving PARIS the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge trimmed in red, he will do so to raise awareness for the three foundations his team races to promote.
“This is a new track for us,” Weiland added. “So whenever we get the chance to race at a new venue our goal is to raise as much awareness as we can for PETA Cruelty Free, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and Cornerstone of Hope. The best way we can do that is to get each of them back up onto the podium so that will be our goal this week.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than three million members and supporters. Products proudly displaying the bunny logo are cruelty-free, meaning that they were produced without testing on animals. Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation’s mission is to provide educational support to at risk children through a combination of 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 Ferrari Challenge at the Brickyard throughout the week, be sure to follow EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
