This years' Rolex Grand Am is over. It's been one of my more pleasurable racing tournaments during 2009, it's authentic road racing at a lower strata than ALMS. Though it's in its 10th year, Grand Am is yet to gain the kind of exposure or popularity it truly deserves. I have a theory. I reckon Grand Am is a racers race. By that, I mean it does away with the thrills and focuses on racing “Enduro” style. There's something profoundly admirable about that.
I'm guessing Grand Am will win over more people when popular race Drivers from mainstream tournaments cross over to it. It's inevitable. With Rodger Penske and Chip Ganassi involved, it has credibility. Either way, I hope with all my heart it doesn't go bust. American motorsports needs this form of road racing to continue if only to give enthusiasts another tournament to talk about.
Belated congratulations go out to Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney who dominated the Daytona Prototype class by steering the Gainsco Red Dragon to ultimate victory. Aside from all its other achievements on the track the car if anything, has been the most recognisable car on the Grand Am circuit.
I was watching a Vlog of Jon Fogarty summing up the 2009 season and his expectations for the 2010 when something he said caught me by surprise. Next Grand Am season will exclude the West Coast. No Laguna Seca, no Infineon Sonoma, no Long Beach, shock horror; some of my favourite circuits are not included on the 2010 Rolex Grand Am schedule.
No Sebring either. There'll be plenty of races taking place on these sun baked circuits I'm sure, nonetheless, I'm slightly disappointed, as I’m always look forward to any race taking place in both California and Florida alike.
Furthermore, I overcome with guilt. I've realised I neglected my self-appointed duty to keep all of my motor sports interests in sharp focus. Rather inexcusable of me. Race Teams start preparing for the next season before the current one ends, its only right that writers do the same. So, I checked out the Grand AM schedule for 2010 and I've placed it below. I love motorsports. Check it out:
January 8-10 Roar Before the Rolex 24 Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach.
January 30-31 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach.
March 6-7 Homestead-Miami Speedway. Homestead Miami Florida.
April 9-10 Porsche 250 Barber Motorsports Park. Birmingham Alabama.
April 24-25 Virginia International Raceway. Virginia International Raceway. Alton VA
May 28-31 Lime Rock Park. Lime Rock Park Lakeville CT.
June 5-6 Sahlen's Six Hours Of The Glen. Watkins Glen International-long course. NY
June 19-20 Mid Ohio. Sports Car Course. Lexington OH
July 2-3 Daytona 250. Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Fl.
July 17-18 New Jersey Motorsports Park. New Jersey Millville NJ.
August 8-7 Watkins Glen International. Watkins Glen Short Course. NY
August 27-28 Circuit Gilles Villenueve Montreal, Quebec.
September 11-12 Miller Motorsports Park. Tooele Utah.
