msumlin

We'll let you park it, it will just be at the rear of the area. Not a problem at all.

Rhawb

Is the corral outside the gates? I know there is a dog track next door to the speedway, but I'm not sure if that's considered the old dog track. I assumed the corral was going to be in the yellow parking area on the west side of the infield.


Edit: I may as well cover all my questions in this post
-Can I bring a friend's car with me to park in the Mazda corral? If not, I'll probably just park elsewhere and visit.
-Provided there's room, can we regular ticket holders camp within the corral?
-If not, are we still allowed to camp in the regular infield parking areas? I realize you may not know this one since it's not related to the Mazda corral, but if anyone knows this answer I'd appreciate it. I don't see any mention of being able to just plunk down a tent next to your car wherever you end up parking like I've done in the past. It sounds like they're trying to force everyone to get these crazy expensive reserved camping tickets.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I also missed out on the ticket special. Are we welcome to join in on the activities?

msumlin

Sure, any Mazda owner is welcome to join us.

msumlin

Here's the Story

Dempsey Joins Freedom Autosport At Daytona

The two Mazda MX-5s that won races for Freedom Autosport during the 2009 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge circuit will return to the 2010 season opener, but the team's newest additions - MAZDASPEED3s - will attract Patrick Dempsey.

Dempsey, who will also compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Saturday, will suit up to drive the No. 27 MAZDASPEED3 with Formula Atlantic Championship driver John Edwards. Also running a MAZDASPEED3 are Taylor Hacquard and Ryan Ellis in the No. 28.

Team manager Tom Long, who will pilot the No. 25 Mazda MX-5 at Daytona, is excited Dempsey will join the four-car team.

"He brings a lot of star power to the lineup," Long said.

Long expects his regular teammates - including Andrew Carbonell and team co-owners Rhett O'Doski and Derek Whitis - to be in the MAZDASPEED3s soon. At this juncture, he notes the team is looking forward to helping Mazda manufacturer title as well as take a team championship.

"The 2010 season will prove to be Freedom Autosport's strongest year ever in competing for the manufacturers championship within GRAND-AM competition," Long said. "Building on our 2009 successes, and moving forward with the all new Mazdaspeed3 is a fantastic opportunity Mazda has provided us. Debuting a Mazda filled driver lineup for Daytona like this will be sure to start the season off with plenty of Zoom-Zoom!


We are finalizing the schedule todqay and we are working on getting our membership access to the Drivers meeting and also a trip to Victory Lane! Once that is done, we'll post the schedule!!!!

msumlin

UPDATED SCHEDULE UPDATED SCHEDULE UPDATED SCHEDULE








Mazda schedule Friday January, 29th
Daytona International Speedway


9:00 am to 9:30 am Meet with Continental Tire Series Manager Jeff Smallwood at The Toshiba Business Center Transporter

10:00 am to 10:30 am Driver meet and greet with Todd Lamb and Jordan Taylor at Racers Edge Team Transporter

11:15 am Meet with Steve Focazio at Toshiba Business Center Transporter

11:30 am to 12 noon Pirelli tire demonstration and tour

12 noon to 12:30 pm GRAND-AM and Toshiba Business Center Transporter tours

11:30 am to 12 noon Meet & Greet with Speedsource

1:00 pm to 1:30 pm Fan Walk on Pit Road

1:45 pm to 4:15 pm Continental Sports Car Challenge Fresh From Florida 200

3:30 pm Sunday Attend Victory Lane Celebration



Below are links to the official site of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the site to sign-up for the GRAND-AM weekly newsletter where you can stay informed about everything you want to know about GRAND-AM Racing.

Official GRAND-AM website: http://www.grand-am.com/rolex/
Newsletter site: http://www.grand-am.com/newsletter/

DailyDriver2k5

I won't be driving my 8 there , but look for me, I will be the guy wearing the black hat with yellow Mazdaspeed on it. If I do drive my 8 there do I have to pay a special fee to park in the Mazda section on Saturday?

Rhawb

Alright, what I understand after some research is that we'll be parking our cars just outside of the Turn 1 tunnel behind the grandstands and the camping will be a roped off area just inside of the turn 1 tunnel (see the map in my previous post). If this is the case, I'm going to have way too much stuff with me to leave my car and my supplies in separate areas; I'll just park in my usual spot which is in those short parking rows near the exit to the first infield hairpin. I'll swing by the camping area and say hi to everyone, maybe even a couple times - you guys are welcome to drop by the firetruck and pay us a visit if you'd like as well. Hope everyone enjoys the race!

Also, are guests allowed to tag along for the tours? I'm going to have 4 people with me and I don't want to just ditch them.

msumlin

No special fee

msumlin

This event as well as all of our events are open to Mazda owners and their guests.

Rhawb

Excellent, thanks - I'll see you guys there!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

hope i can get a pass into the corral just for friday..

as i have erics beer for the team!

beers

RK

iTrader: (1)

Anyone know if anybody from the Speedsource team, other Mazda GT teams, or anybody just hanging out at the track is going to be on Twitter for the race? Would love to get some updates from the pits but wouldn't mind updates from the track whenever the TVs shut off for the night.

Probably get some quicker updates through Twitter if any problems crop up as well.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Nevermind! Found them:

http://twitter.com/SpeedSource
http://twitter.com/GoDempseyRacing
http://twitter.com/Toddspeed

Rhawb

Good find RK! I'll definitely be following them during the race.

dezau

iTrader: (3)

hm.... so... i don't really get it... do i have to buy tickets to come? =_=

msumlin

All Mazda Corral members and guests are to report to the Toshiba Grand-Am hauler at 845am on Friday.

Refer to schedule posted above.

That's where we'll be handing out the raffle tickets for the give-aways, mazda posters and calendars.

if you need to contact me, my cell is 440 382-3636.
__________________

05TiGr8Lady

So how'd it go this year? Did you guys have a good time?

Rhawb

Excellent race! My feet hurt so bad that I've been shambling around like a zombie all day, but it was totally worth it. I'll try to post up my videos of the race later tonight or tomorrow.

Also, I was never able to find the Mazda corral - sorry I missed you guys!

darnellm

iTrader: (1)

I had a great time. Never did hook up with the Mazda Experience peps.
Corral was empty as far as I could tell.
I was hobbling after the first day too but got better.
The Conti tire race on Friday was in better weather.
The Riley RX-8 had the ST class covered most of the race until an incident.
The Camaros looked awesome on the track.

Go SpeedSource!

Rhawb

Alright, videos are up! Sorry my fingers show up in about half the videos - hope you enjoy anyway!
(Headphones and high volume are strongly recommended)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0plK1j91sY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfagOPccwC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju2J0aRT7aA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTPrjzX4Mg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20dEp1n-jHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU95hWKU30E

msumlin

Thanks to all that came out, it was a great weekend for Mazda and our membership. I hope eveyone received something form the drawings, I know most of you received a 2010 Mazdaspeed Motorsports Calendar and the limited edition 2010 Rolex 24 Hours RX-8 GT Poster.

Those posters were just for the Rolex event, so you will not see them at any other events, so enjoy them. We'll more events planned for this year!!!

EricMeyer

Great job as always Mr. Sumlin. Enjoyed sharing a brew with you.

darnellm

iTrader: (1)

It was nice meeting you Mr. Meyers. Thanks for the recommending the Myann Inn and the Ocean Deck. Ears plugs are not for track use only if you catch my drift.
BTW how did you know about my buddy Mr Cates?

msumlin

E-Roc as always it was a pleasure to share a brew and also break bread with you, Mickey and Mike. Let me know when you are leaving for VIR, maybe we can hook up on the road.

Also, thanks for Meyer swag, all of our members went nuts for it. I dare say, you have a bunch of new fans this year and next.