CTSCC - Round 1 from Daytona - APR Motorsport on ST pole

The 2011 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge kicks off today at 1:30pm EST, with the Grand Am 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Like other large tracks, the CTSCC is running combined classes at Daytona so both GS and ST cars will be on course at the same time. You can check out live timing and scoring for the race at www.grand-am.com - and it will be broadcast live on SpeedTV at 3pm on February 5th.

The good news for VAG fans is that APR Motorsport, who like previous years is flying the flag in the CTSCC, earned pole position in the Street Tuner class with new driver Ryan Ellis behind the wheel of their new-for-2011 Mk6 GTI 4-door. This is a very strong indicator that 2011 could finally be the year that APR Motorsport has what it takes to clinche the championship. The Mk5 GTIs were always a bit down on power, and for the Mk6 to be on pole it's clear that APR has been doing a lot of homework on getting the absolute maximum from the 2.0t TSI. Ellis managed a 2:06.818 to get ahead of the DeMan Motorsports Porsche Boxster, and the always-fast Compass360 Racing Honda Civic Si.

The disappointment is in Grand Sport, where the B8 S4 qualified a low 19th in class, reportedly due to minor suspension trouble. We saw flashes of brilliance from the supercharged sedan last year, but it was plagued with teething troubles and APR had a rough go of it. APR's Jeff Mishtawy is usually quite adept at calling race strategy and consistently puts the team in the position to win, but with the competitiveness of the CTSCC, starting back in 19th does not always bode well for podium finishes. If the car can hold together, it should do well.

Here we go! The first event for 2011 in the USA is almost underway...

_WRS

APR Motorsport: Ready for 2010

APR Motorsport, who managed to have a very fruitful 2009 by scoring not only their first win ever as a team, but also went on to score the MOST wins of any team in Koni Challenge last year, is looking to make 2010 a breakout year for the team. The championship in '09 went to Compass360, with their Honda Civic Si, but the strong APR Motorsport showing from June forward indicates 2010 could be the year for APR to make their championship bid. Both GTIs will return to the ST class to do battle once again, and the rest of the field will no doubt will be ready for them.



APR has decided not to rest on their laurels however, and has expanded in 2010, showing a strong commitment to the Grand Am series with a brand new Audi S4 3.0 TFSI. This is a very exciting development, and it pleases me to no end that APR has continued to commit to motorsport, even while so many other companies cut back or choose not to participate. The tribal style graphics which carry over from the GTIs are not my favorite...they're a bit busy for me, but I can understand the desire for visual continuity.



It takes more than money to make for a successful race team. It takes commitment, engineering and perhaps most of all, passion, to best the rest of the cars on the circuit and emerge anywhere near the top of the pack. APR has proved they can win, now let's see if they can keep it consistent and bring home a championship to VAG.



Ian Baas, who drove the #171 GTI last year, will be behind the wheel of the new S4, along with newly signed driver Mark White. White drove with APR in 2008, and should be a great addition to the team.



Check out this in-car lap from Daytona testing just a few weeks ago. The car certainly looks fit. (Ian is behind the wheel)

I always think I could be a competent race driver, then I see something like this and realize that's not likely. Still, it's fun to watch.

We will find out shortly whether or not this expansion will prove to be a wise move, or is perhaps going to spread resources too thin. Going by how Stephen and the gang usually do things, I would guess not. Here's to a championship season for both VW and Audi in 2010.

_WRS