by Tara Pachmayer | Jun 28, 2017 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team is traveling around the world to raise awareness for PETA Cruelty Free, Cornerstone of Hope and Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation. This past weekend, they visited Budapest, Hungary to compete in the Ferrari Challenge at the Hungaroring Circuit. They brought along Erin, the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge, who’d race in the capital city of Hungary. With a population of 1.8 million people, Budapest is one of the largest cities in all of Europe. After competing in California and Quebec to kick off the 2017 Ferrari Challenge, this marked the first time that Erin and driver James Weiland raced overseas this season.
“Having the chance to travel around the world and raise awareness for the causes close to our heart is a tremendous opportunity for our team,” Weiland said. “To be able to do that in Hungary and race at the Hungaroring was an awesome experience. We really enjoyed the culture as well as the drivers and fans we met throughout the weekend. It was certainly a challenging track and the drivers here in Europe are extremely talented. We were hoping for better results, but we learned a lot and improved as a team which is always our goal.”
Despite struggling with an intermittent electronic issue, Erin responded well on Sunday to the adjustments made by the Boardwalk Ferrari crew throughout the weekend. Due in part to those technical issues, EMS finished in 8th position in Race 1. After qualifying 6th for the second-straight day on Sunday, however, Erin fought hard throughout Race 2 picking up one spot to finish 5th. She was closing in on the two cars in 4th and 3rd position down stretch, making up considerable ground before simply running out of laps.
“It was good racing out here with these drivers,” Weiland added of his European competitors. “But while we definitely have work to do as a team, we were proud to represent PETA this weekend after everything they’ve accomplished recently. We were proud to represent Cornerstone of Hope and Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation, too, but we dedicated the weekend Gajraj as a way of saying thank you to everyone involved in helping bring him home earlier this month.”
After spending 50+ years chained near popular tourist spots in India, Gajraj the elephant was rescued by PETA and a team of supporters in June. Gajraj’s treatment sparked a global #FreeGajraj campaign led by PETA India and its international affiliates. The elephant is now living in an Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura, receiving vital veterinary treatment and beginning his integration into the company of fellow elephants after all these years alone following the rescue.
Next up for EMS Race Team is the Ferrari Challenge at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France on July 22-23 as the world tour continues. 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 motorsport upon opening, hosting its first French Grand Prix in 1971. After a hiatus, the track now owned by Bernie Ecclestone announced a return of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix in 2018.
For more on Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and PETA Cruelty Free check out their websites. For behind the scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge in Hungary visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Tara Pachmayer | Jun 20, 2017 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
EMS Race Team travels next to the Hungaroring Circuit to compete in the Budapest, Hungary Ferrari Challenge on June 23-25. This follows a recent trip to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal during F1 weekend, along with an opening event at Laguna Seca in California. Erin, the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge, will race for her first time overseas during the Budapest event, as well as the fourth and fifth times overall. It’s a point in the young season when driver James Weiland and the Boardwalk Ferrari crew have had a chance to start to learn and grow with their new racecar.
“There is certainly a feeling out or learning process when you’re adjusting to a new car,” Weiland said of the Ferrari 488 Challenge model that was introduced this season. “But we’ve raced Erin a few times now and after Montreal, we’re becoming more and more comfortable with her as a team. Hopefully we can carry that momentum overseas when we race in Budapest.”
The Hungaroring is a motorsport track in Mogyoród, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, the world-famous track opened and became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix held behind the Iron Curtain. Legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have all won at the Hungaroring stadium that holds 70,000 racing fans. But the 2.72-mile track with 14 turns is certainly not without its challenges. The twisty and bumpy track makes it difficult to pass, putting qualifying and starting fast at a premium.
“We’re excited to compete at the Hungaroring Circuit and experience the culture of Hungary during race weekend,” Weiland added. “We’ll be staying in Budapest and we’re looking forward to meeting people and sight-seeing when we’re not racing. But we’re also excited to get onto the track and compete with these phenomenal Ferrari Challenge drivers from all over the world. That’s how we get better as a team, so we’re going to put forth our best effort while spreading the word for Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and PETA Cruelty Free.”
PETA announced a major victory recently that will surely help to inspire EMS Race Team in Budapest. After spending 50+ years chained near popular tourist spots in India, Gajraj the elephant was rescued. Gajraj’s treatment sparked a global #FreeGajraj campaign led by PETA India and its international affiliates. The elephant is now on his way now to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura to receive vital veterinary treatment and begin his integration into the company of fellow elephants after all these years alone following the rescue.
For more on Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and PETA Cruelty Free check out their websites. For behind the scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge in Budapest, Hungary visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Tara Pachmayer | Jun 13, 2017 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
When championship driver Gilles Villeneuve was asked about his approach to racing he offered the following: “I will drive flat out all the time. I love racing.” During Round 2 of the Ferrari Challenge in Montreal—at the circuit that bears Villeneuve’s name—EMS Race Team demonstrated their love for racing by driving flat out all weekend long despite the adversity that came their way. In only their second race against professional drivers in the Trofeo Pirelli class, driver James Weiland and the Boardwalk Ferrari crew qualified second out of 45 overall. After an unfortunate incident ended their day early in Race 1, EMS came right back to finish strong on Sunday.
During qualifying for Race 1, Weiland and Erin, the ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge, posted a lap time of 1:38.5 which was good for second overall. Erin would start outside Row 1 for Race 1, and finish the first lap running second before a puncture took out her right rear on Lap 2. While Weiland was able to save it, avoiding any contact following the puncture, the incident ended the day for Erin. The Race 1 finish would put EMS starting in the 38th position on Sunday, but Erin continued to compete despite that challenge. She’d fight for 22 places in 11.5 laps of green flag action prior to a yellow flag under which the race concluded 16th overall.
“Considering the way we qualified, and the way we finished on Sunday, we felt like we made a lot of progress for our second race weekend of the season,” Weiland said. “Obviously the puncture during Race 1 was unfortunate, but that’s racing. Our team did an excellent job getting Erin ready to race on Sunday, and it was great to be behind the wheel when she’s running like that. If we continue to do the things we were able to accomplish this weekend we should be in good shape for the Hungaroring.”
Round 2 of the Ferrari Challenge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve served as a support race for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) finished first while Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) rounded out the top three. The F1 event helped make for one of the biggest crowds of the Ferrari Challenge season, which always helps raise awareness for the missions close to EMS Race Team’s heart.
“The crowd of racing fans here in Montreal is always exciting to compete in front of during F1 weekend,” Weiland said. “But what is most important for us is to get the Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and PETA Cruelty Free flags waving in front of so many new people. We had people asking us about each of the three great causes that are featured on Erin throughout the weekend and we’re always happy to spread the word about the great work that each group does for our communities.”
For more on Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation and PETA Cruelty Free check out their websites. For behind the scenes coverage of the Ferrari Challenge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We will be back in action at the Hungaroring Circuit in Budapest, Hungary June 23-25.
by Tara Pachmayer | Jun 2, 2017 | EMS Ferrari Challenge
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec will host Round 2 of the 2017 Ferrari Challenge on June 9-11. The Ferrari Challenge drivers will compete in a support race for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, which will also be held in Montreal throughout weekend. Driver James Weiland and the Boardwalk Ferrari crew will be competing on the same track as F1 stars Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton and others. This marquee-racing event is expected to draw a capacity crowd of 100,000 fans who are sure to make it a festive atmosphere for racing.
“We were fortunate enough to win in Montreal last season in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class and we’ve always loved racing on this track,” Weiland said. “This season, competing against the Ferrari Challenge drivers in the pro class, we know we’ll have our work cut out for us. But we feel like we learned a lot as a team last month in Laguna Seca, and we’re just focused on giving our very best effort throughout the weekend.”
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve first hosted the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978. Past winners include Michael Schumacher, Jackie Stewart, defending champion Lewis Hamilton, as well as the iconic Aryton Senna. EMS Race Team competed at the legendary track in Montreal for the first time during the 2013 Ferrari Challenge. This year, Weiland will be driving the new ems+ Ferrari 488 Challenge, Erin, who made her debut in May at Laguna Seca.
“We’re looking forward to getting back out on the track with Erin in Montreal,” Weiland added. “With the large crowds that we’re expecting, this is always a terrific opportunity for her to showcase the charities that we race to raise awareness for in Cornerstone of Hope, Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation, and PETA Cruelty Free. We brought Cornerstone and PETA to Montreal in the past, but this is the first time we’ll have the Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation logo on our car in Montreal. Hopefully, some fans take the time to visit each website and learn more about what those great causes are all about.”
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. Since 2009, Coach Sam’s has been successful in reaching hundreds of children and motivating them to believe in themselves, leading to improved academic performance and self-confidence, setting them on the path toward a brighter future.
For more on Coach Sam’s visit their website. You can also visit Cornerstone of Hope and PETA Cruelty Free. To follow along with behind-the-scenes coverage throughout race weekend, visit EMS Race Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Recent Comments