Freedom Autosport’s O’Doski and Carbonell Third at Homestead; Aiming for More Success at New Jersey

HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Rhett O’Doski and Andrew Carbonell arrived at the podium ceremonies following the Kia 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway armed with swim masks. The Freedom Autosport co-drivers finished third in the Street Tuner class, driving the No. 26 Mazda MX-5, and they thought the masks would be useful during the traditional champagne spraying.

O’Doski and Carbonell were happy to score a podium finish in their home state of Florida, but the post-race festivities were far different from their feelings during the 2.5-hour GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race.

“I sum it up into one word: stressful,” Carbonell says of the final laps. “Usually with restarts, the pack bunches up and you know you can try to work your way through. At Homestead, though, we had issues with third gear. Cautions are good news and bad news: good because it bunched up field, but bad because people I’d gapped could get past me. I knew I’d either get on the podium or get freight trained.”

O’Doski could have used a swim mask during his stint, which began in the rain. “The MX-5s handle well at Homestead, but with the weather, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. It feels great to get the team’s first podium finish of the season,” says O’Doski.

The No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 of Derek Whitis and Tom Long started at the back of the grid. They finally made it to the front, but the car was hit, going from a top-five spot to 17th. The contact caused a big vibration that lasted until the checkered flag, but they held on for sixth, giving Freedom Autosport two cars in the top ten.

Tyler Cooke and Steve Phillips were running strong in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 before a mechanical problem forced their early retirement.

Now, Freedom Autosport prepares for round four at New Jersey Motorsports Park, May 11-12. “New Jersey, with its high-speed corners, has always been a good track for our great-handling Mazdas,” says team co-owner Whitis.

Freedom Autosport has earned the pole there three times, including two poles for Carbonell, but bad luck has always plagued the Freedom MX-5s during the race. The team put a MAZDASPEED3 on the New Jersey podium last year, but they are still trying to find the same success with an MX-5.

“We’re positive about New Jersey. We’ve always been competitive there. Last year I was leading the last couple minutes, then on the last restart a GS car spun and I lost the race lead,” says Carbonell. “We’re ready to get the devil off our back at New Jersey. The cars are so great there and I’m going there with a positive attitude, especially after finishing well at Homestead.”

“There is a devil at New Jersey that has gotten the MX-5s every year,” agrees Long. “I hope we can get in and get out of there before he realizes that we’ve come. We’ve had horrible luck but the MX-5s have always been extremely competitive there. The track suits our cars very well, and it’s just a matter of getting some luck on our side to finish up front.”

Bob Thornton will join Cooke in the No. 27 MX-5 at New Jersey, marking his Freedom Autosport debut.

Find out if Freedom Autosport has broken their New Jersey curse during the 2.5-hour race on Saturday, May 12, at 3:15 p.m. The race will also be aired on SPEED on Saturday, May 26, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Carbonell and O’Doski will be packing their swim masks, just in case.

ABOUT THE INJURED MARINE SEMPER FI FUND
The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Urgently needed resources are distributed to post 9-11 Marines and Sailors, as well as members of the Army, Air Force or Coast Guard who serve in support of Marine forces. Freedom Autosport is a longtime supporter of the Semper Fi Fund. For more information please visit
www.semperfifund.org.

ABOUT MAZDA
On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the world is Spec Miata, with more than 2,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing.www.mazdausa.com.

South Boston Speedway & Long Road Racing Present Spec Miata Oval Racing Series

SOUTH BOSTON, Va.—South Boston Speedway and Long Road Racing are proud to introduce the new Spec Miata Oval Racing Series at the historic 4/10-mile South Boston Speedway. For the first time, Spec Miata racers will be able to race under the lights in a unique short track format.

The inaugural Spec Miata Oval Racing Series event will be a 25-lap exhibition race on the night of Saturday, May 5, 2012. The race is open to all NASA and SCCA Spec Miata cars, and both Hoosier SM6 and Toyo RA1 spec tires will be allowed. The top racers will take home trophies and bragging rights after a night of close racing on a NASCAR-sanctioned track.

Long Road Racing will be on hand to offer trackside race day support and setup. “It’s short track, and it’s a unique experience for road racers,” says Long Road Racing owner Glenn Long. “It’s a fun way to maximize your investment. Racers who have bought a Spec Miata can now get more use out of their car and enjoy it in a unique new way.”

South Boston Speedway COO/Executive Vice President Nick Igdalsky is a veteran Mazda road racer, and he understands the allure of a new series. “Spec Miata owners are road racers, but they live for competition,” Igdalsky says. “This is a new kind of competition they can do with the same car, the same tires, and virtually the same setup.”

A new kind of competition isn’t the only appeal of the Spec Miata Oval Racing Series. It is also an affordable way for racers to get on track. Saturday’s events cost just $40 per car and driver, which includes race entry and all on-track sessions. Crew and spectator passes are just $10. The race day schedule includes two to three practice sessions, qualifying, and the 25-lap race.

An additional practice day will be held on Friday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for $150 per car. There is also an optional night practice on Friday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. for $40. Racers participating in the daytime practice can participate in night practice for free.

Spec Miata racers can register in advance at  www.longroadracing.com/sobo.aspx. The schedule for the Spec Miata Oval Racing Series inaugural race, as well as other South Boston Speedway activities, can be found at www.southbostonspeedway.com/schedule/index.htm.

ABOUT SOUTH BOSTON SPEEDWAY

Over the past 50 years, South Boston Speedway has earned a reputation for the best NASCAR-sanctioned short track racing in the country. The 4/10-mile oval is home to racing and testing by the most legendary names in both short track racing and all levels of NASCAR. Following a recent renovation, fans—who simply call the track “SoBo”—can enjoy premiere short track racing in a modern setting. South Boston Speedway is online at www.SouthBostonSpeedway.com.

ABOUT LONG ROAD RACING

Long Road Racing specializes in Spec Miata rentals, race car service and preparation of all brands, trackside support, race team management services, and transportation and logistic services. In addition, they also offer maintenance, repair and performance tuning for all sports cars. Long Road Racing’s 12,500-square-foot shop in Raleigh, North Carolina, includes the city’s only four-wheel-drive Dyno. Learn more online at www.LongRoadRacing.com.

 

Freedom Autosport to Race GRAND-AM Rolex Series in a Mazda RX-8

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Freedom Autosport announced today that they will run select GRAND-AM Rolex Series races during the 2012 season, campaigning a Mazda RX-8 in the GT class.

For team co-owners Rhett O’Doski and Derek Whitis, this is a natural extension of their highly successful GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge program. O’Doski and Whitis will co-drive the Mazda RX-8, and Whitis credits Mazda’s outstanding motorsports program as the catalyst that has allowed Freedom Autosport to make this transition.

“Mazda has been a key part of our Continental Tire program, and our Mazda MX-5s have continued to be competitive in the ST class, year after year,” Whitis says. “We want to take that same successful combination of Freedom Autosport and Mazda’s racing pedigree to the next level. We’re excited to be collaborating with Sylvain Tremblay on this project. He runs a first-class organization at Speedsource.”

That successful combination has certainly been apparent in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series. During their first season in 2008, Freedom Autosport earned two podiums and took seventh in the team championship. In 2009, the team took their first two victories. The success continued, and in 2011, Freedom Autosport amassed 15 top-ten finishes, including two wins, en route to giving Mazda the ST manufacturers championship.

“Freedom Autosport has been a top competitor in the ST class for four years. We have an outstanding crew, and we look forward to bringing their skill and professionalism to the GT class of the Rolex Series,” says O’Doski.

In addition to representing Mazda in the Rolex Series, Freedom Autosport will also continue to raise awareness for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides support for injured and ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Freedom Autosport will announce their Rolex schedule in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the team will be busy with Friday’s Continental Tire season opener, which gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET at Daytona International Speedway.

Freedom Autosport’s Jarett Andretti and Tyler Cooke Team up for Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Jarett Andretti and Tyler Cooke met each other for the first time two weeks ago during the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Raceway. When the two teenagers meet again, it will be as co-drivers in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5.

Andretti and Cooke will co-drive during the GRAND-AM 200 at Daytona International Raceway on Friday, January 27, the opening round of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season.

Andretti, 19, will be making his debut in GRAND-AM, as well as his debut at the track where his father John Andretti won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race. He had the opportunity to drive the Freedom Autosport Mazda during the test, but is very much looking forward to racing at the historic Daytona circuit.

“I want to keep expectations realistic for my debut. We are a young team. But we want to go out there and run as hard as we can for as long as we can, and see where we take it. If we have a shot to win it, we’ll take every opportunity to do it,” Andretti says.

And how does Andretti go about learning a new track, a new car, and a new series? “Usually I just start with the basics: read the rulebook! I try to build up speed gradually. I still have a lot to learn, and I look forward to learning from such a professional organization like Freedom Autosport,” he says.

Cooke, 17, will campaign the entire season with Freedom Autosport. Already a veteran with experience in Spec Miata and the Playboy MX-5 Cup, Cooke was on hand two weeks ago to test the No. 27 MX-5 at Daytona.

“I thought the test was great; it really got me accustomed to the track in that kind of car,” Cooke says. “I really enjoyed how the crew handled it; they did a spot-on job. I have to thank the entire team for their help. It was a perfect test for us. I think the Mazda MX-5 is the best car out there for braking and cornering.”

Freedom Autosport has worked hard over the off-season to remain one of the top competitors in the Street Tuner class. The team built two new MX-5 chassis and rebuilt a third.

“We delivered Mazda the manufacturers championship last year, and we want to do the same again this season. We’re looking forward to more success, as well as the chance to raise awareness of the Semper Fi Fund,” says Freedom Autosport co-owner Derek Whitis.
“Freedom Autosport continues to be a solid contender in the ST class with three MX-5 entries and a history of wins and podium finishes,” adds team co-owner Rhett O’Doski, who will share the No. 26 MX-5 with Andrew Carbonell. “In addition to having veteran drivers on this team, it’s also exciting for us to foster the talents of young drivers like Tyler and Jarett.”

“I think the ST class is more competitive than ever. It will be an interesting season with all of the manufacturers who are involved in the series now, but I think the MX-5 will continue to be a strong championship contender,” says Freedom Autosport Team Manager Tom Long. He and Whitis will co-drive the No. 25 MX-5.

Catch Freedom Autosport’s three Mazda MX-5s in the series opener on Friday, January 27, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The GRAND-AM 200 at Daytona International Speedway launches the ten-race season and, hopefully, another record year for Freedom Autosport.

Javier Mendoza Joins Long Road Racing Team

RALEIGH, N.C.—Long Road Racing is pleased to announce that Javier Mendoza has joined the team as a full-time crewmember. Mendoza brings his talent as a crew chief, chassis dynamics specialist and mechanical engineer to his new role with the team.

Mendoza will focus his efforts on the development and preparation of Long Road Racing’s customer cars in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series. He will also act as car chief for the No. 27 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5, a perennial Continental Tire Series champion contender.

Mazdas are a specialty of Mendoza’s, just as they are for Long Road Racing. Prior to joining the team on a full-time basis, Mendoza worked race weekends as a carchief for Long Road Racing. He also pitched in during four furious days of car preparation prior to the GRAND-AM race at New Jersey Motorsports Park, during which two cars were completely rebuilt, resulting in a pole position and the team’s first podium finish for the MAZDASPEED3.

Mendoza’s Mazda history dates back to 2006, when he joined Hyper Sport. Under his guidance as crew chief, the team took second in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Series championship in 2006. Mendoza moved up to the Rolex Series with the No. 40 Dempsey Racing Hyper Sport Mazda in 2008. He has also worked with teams in the American LeMans Series, SCCA World Challenge, Spec Miata and MX-5 Cup.

“Javier’s Rolex experience adds an additional key element to Long Road Racing,” says Glenn Long, owner of Long Road Racing. “We have a lot of experience with club racing and the Continental Tire series, but we don’t have a lot of the Rolex crew members. I think the methodologies and procedures that are used in Rolex will be an advantage; Javier’s experience helps us gain that in our racing program.”

After going to school for automotive technology in his home country of Venezuela, Mendoza began working in the spec series owned by a friend’s father. He was a volunteer initially, but soon worked his way up to a crew chief. Meanwhile, Mendoza earned his mechanical engineering degree before moving to the United States in 2004.

Now, Mendoza is looking forward to using his vast experience to propel Long Road Racing’s fleet of customer Mazdas to victory. He says, “I’ve seen this operation for many years and I believe that Glenn is a focused businessperson. I like the way he presents himself and the way the team presents itself. There’s a chance to grow here and to have a career. I’m happy to be here because the operation has high standards.”

Long Road Racing specializes in Spec Miata rentals, race car service and preparation of all brands, trackside support, race team management services, and transportation and logistic services. In addition, they also offer maintenance, repair and performance tuning for all sports cars. Long Road Racing’s 12,500-square-foot shop in Raleigh, North Carolina, includes the city’s only four-wheel-drive Dyno. Learn more online at www.LongRoadRacing.com.

5 Cars and 13 Hours at VIR

RALEIGH, N.C.—For Long Road Racing, this weekend’s 13-hour enduro at Virginia International Raceway is a numbers game. The team is entering three of their own Spec Miatas in the race and prepping two more cars for Freedom Autosport. Five cars racing for 13 hours is a daunting task, but one for which Long Road Racing is well prepared.
The SCCA’s Charge of the Headlight Brigade 13-Hour Enduro will include more than 60 cars on the starting grid. Over 20 of the entries are Spec Miatas, and four of those were prepared by Long Road Racing. The team has also prepared an STU-class Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 for the race.

Over the course of 13 hours, those five cars will wear out 80 tires, burn through more than 500 gallons of fuel and require over 25 crewmembers.

“Five cars is the largest number of entrants that any team has brought to this race before,” says Long Road Racing owner Glenn Long. “The crew is absolutely critical in what we do here. We need everything from people who ensure that the fueling rigs are always filled to my wonderful wife, who will be cooking for 40 people. Also, we have to ensure that all the spare parts are ready, organized and in the right place at the right time. It’s a lot of pieces and parts across three full pit setups. The crew at Long Road Racing are the ones who orchestrate all the pieces for this.”

Those crewmembers have been orchestrating Long Road Racing’s participation in the enduro for the past five years. The team has supported winning cars and finished second three years in a row in the Spec Miata class.

Even a task as simple as driving to the race track is a logistics challenge. Long Road Racing will have two haulers carrying cars and spare parts, as well as a third trailer for the pit carts, equipment and fueling rigs.

And then, of course, there are the 14 drivers for the race. “Our drivers are coming all the way from Ottawa, Canada, down to Orlando, Florida, and across to California. So they’re coming from all over North America for this race,” says Long Road Racing manager Tom Long.

In the Spec Miata (SM) class, Long Road Racing cars will include the No. 75, which will be shared by GRAND-AM Rolex Series driver John Edwards and his father Mike, as well as Greg Strelzoff.

Matt Graham, Richard Foegele and Bruce Gregory have teamed up to drive the No. 76. Meanwhile, Tyler Cooke returns to the No. 74 in which he’s won numerous races this season. Cooke is co-driving with Phil Mather and Jonathan Czarny.

The No. 56 of Tim Anderson, Chris Long and Jim Taggart rounds out the list of Long Road Racing-prepped cars in the Spec Miata class. Anderson is a CH-53 Helicopter Pilot in the Marines, which is fitting since the car is entered by Freedom Autosport. Long is an engineer and aerodynamicist in NASCAR, so he’s taking the opportunity to get on the other side of the window net this weekend.

The No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 driven by Derek Whitis and Rhett O’Doski will compete in the STU class. The Long Road Racing-prepared car is a veteran GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge competitor and winner in the ST class. Now, the car will be tested in an enduro that is five times the length of the standard Continental Tire race.

The race begins at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 29. When the checkered flag waves, Long Road Racing hopes to play another numbers game: one that includes the number one in both the Spec Miata and STU classes.

Keep up with Long Road Racing’s 13-hour enduro and other events at www.LongRoadRacing.com.

Freedom Autosport Ends Season with 4th; Manufacturer Championship for Mazda

LEXINGTON, Ohio—Freedom Autosport earned their 15th top-ten finish of the season during Saturday’s GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge finale at Mid-Ohio. The finish rounded out a season that propelled Mazda to the Street Tuner Manufacturer Championship.

“Our goal has always been to bring home the Manufacturer Championship for Mazda,” says Freedom Autosport co-owner Derek Whitis. “It was an amazing effort by Freedom and the other Mazda teams, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of the best automaker in the world: Mazda.”

Eric Foss and Brad Rampelberg finished fourth in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport MAZDASPEED3. The top-five result comes on the heels of their third-place finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park in July.

Nick Igdalsky and Ari Straus wrapped up the season with 14th in the No. 28 ModSpace/Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3. It was an impressive result for Straus’s first outing both with Freedom Autosport and in a front-wheel drive car.

Both of the Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5s were strong throughout the weekend, and the team’s pit strategy played out perfectly during the race. “We were hedging our bets with the strategy, guessing there would be a lot of cautions,” says Freedom’s team manager Tom Long. “There was a yellow at the 30-minute mark, so we did pit stops for both MX-5s, hoping the fuel strategy would work. It did.”

That aggressive strategy allowed Andrew Carbonell to work his way into contention for a top-five finish. Unfortunately, the No. 26 Mazda MX-5 that he shares with Rhett O’Doski retired when a power steering issue developed.

Long and Whitis had their own challenges in the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. Whitis qualified seventh, but the car dropped to the back of the field when the team gambled on the early pit stop. Long took over and worked his way up before another car hit him. Long recovered from the resulting spin into the gravel, only to develop a differential problem that ended his race early.

Nevertheless, Freedom Autosport was happy to deliver the ST Manufacturer Championship to Mazda. “It felt great to solidify the Mazda championship,” says team co-owner O’Doski. “Mazdas took first, third and fourth in the final race; it really proved why they deserved the title. Mazda’s John Doonan and Jim Jordan were at the awards banquet and it was great to see them accept the championship trophy for Mazda.”

Freedom Autosport’s season finale at Mid-Ohio will be broadcast on SPEED on Sunday, September 25, at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Freedom Autosport Poised to Deliver the ST Manufacturer Championship to Mazda

LEXINGTON, Ohio—At Freedom Autosport, teamwork is about more than just the crew and drivers. It is also about the people, companies and sponsors who support the team. During the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge finale at Mid-Ohio this weekend, Freedom hopes to deliver the Street Tuner Manufacturer Championship to Mazda.

Currently, Mazda sits in the top spot with 271 points, 17 more than second-place Volkswagen. That strong lead comes from the success of Freedom Autosport, who has amassed two wins, a second, three third-place finishes, and an impressive fourteen top-ten finishes so far this season.

Derek Whitis and Tom Long have finished in every podium position this year with the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. They realize the importance of delivering the championship to the manufacturer that has supported the team from the start.

“Going into the final race, our goal is the same as it was going into the first race: deliver the manufacturer’s championship to Mazda,” says team co-owner Whitis. “Freedom has been fortunate enough to score points in every race, including six podiums, to put Mazda in that position.”

“There’s been a lot of progress with our entire program,” says Long, who is also Freedom’s team manager. “We’re more consistent this entire season than we ever have been, so it’s allowed us to be in contention for more podiums and drive home great finishes for Mazda.”

Team co-owner Rhett O’Doski and Andrew Carbonell scored their first podium of the season at Virginia International Raceway in the No. 26 Mazda MX-5. They went on to win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, giving Mazda the victory on the marque’s home track.

“Our relationship with Mazda has been an important part of Freedom’s success,” says O’Doski. “In addition to achieving our milestones in Mazdas, they’ve also been instrumental in developing talented drivers, like Mazda driver Brad Rampelberg.”

In fact, Rampelberg and co-driver Eric Foss finished third in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport MAZDASPEED3 during the previous round at New Jersey. They hope for another podium finish to end their season on a high note.

Nick Igdalsky and Ari Straus will co-drive the No. 28 ModSpace/Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3. Igdalsky qualified fourth at New Jersey, proving how well Freedom Autosport has developed the car. The entry is also testament to theimportant role sponsors play in any championship race.

“ModSpace is very proud of Mazda and their lead in the manufacturer’s championship as we head to Mid-Ohio,” says William Mann, Director of Motorsports for ModSpace. “As a market leader in our industry, ModSpace can relate to the countless hours Mazda and Freedom Autosport have put into this charge at the championship. The two organizations have worked in tandem to get an edge on the competition. It’s elements like teamwork that will keep Mazda out front.”

The season finale begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17. Long sums up Freedom Autosport’s expectations with well-deserved optimism. “The MX-5 handles well, and Mid-Ohio is all about handling and subtle elevation changes. Between that and the strong development of the MAZDASPEED3 over the last few races, both cars will be really competitive,” he says. “We’re poised to bring this home for Mazda, and hopefully they’ll get the GT championship, too.”

Lime Rock Win Caps a Dramatic Race for Freedom Autosport

The Freedom Autosport crew had a very busy schedule the 1st week of June. Even amid celebrations for Derek Whitis and Tom Long’s win in Saturday’s GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST race at Lime Rock, the team was already preparing for the upcoming Watkins Glen race.

With the race scheduled for this Friday, June 3, Freedom Autosport has less than a week to prep their four Mazdas for the Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen. After a dramatic race at Lime Rock, they have plenty to do.

Qualifying at Lime Rock was the team’s best effort this season. Whitis earned the ST class pole in the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5, while Rhett O’Doski set the third-quickest time in the No. 26 Mazda MX-5.

After O’Doski’s solid first stint in the race, Andrew Carbonell took over in the No. 26 entry. He was battling for the lead when a collision sent him off course. His Mazda flipped half a dozen times before coming to a rest. Carbonell went to the hospital with a concussion, but he has been released and is resting at home.

It was an unfortunate end for O’Doski and Carbonell, who finished third at Virginia International Raceway just two weeks ago, but Whitis and his co-driver Tom Long were able to keep Freedom Autosport in the hunt.

Long was in third, behind Carbonell, and he moved into the lead in the No. 25 Mazda. He held off the competition to win the race by just two car lengths.

“It’s difficult to keep focused when you’ve just seen your great friend and teammate crash like that. But when I found out he was going to be okay, I just had to suck it up and keep our Mazda going,” says Long.

“This is our first win and first pole position of the season,” says Whitis. “While that’s always our goal, it’s made special to have done it on Memorial Day weekend as we thank those who’ve protected our freedom for the last 230 years.” Freedom Autosport is a proud supporter of the military and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

Team co-owner O’Doski says that the win was bittersweet following Carbonell’s violent crash, but that the team still plans to have all four Mazdas on track at Watkins Glen. “The car is totaled but the Freedom crew started preparing right after the race to not miss Watkins Glen. With only five days to make it, they’re literally working around the clock for us to make the race,” he says.

Nick Igdalsky and Bruce Ledoux had some excitement in the No. 28 ModSpace/Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3, too. The car went off-track and turned on its side early in the race, but was able to continue after being righted. Later, the car retired when a small fire erupted.

Eric Foss and Brad Rampelberg were lucky enough to escape any dramatics, and they finished 16th in the No. 27 MAZDASPEED3.

Freedom Autosport will be ready for another win on Friday, when their four Mazdas compete in the Continental Tire 150 at 6:00 p.m.

Freedom Autosport Right at Home on the VIR Podium

Freedom Autosport closed their homecoming weekend at Virginia International Raceway with a third-place finish for Andrew Carbonell and Rhett O’Doski in the Bosch Engineering 200.

Carbonell and O’Doski accomplished their podium finish in the No. 26 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 after Carbonell passed for third on the last lap of the 2.5-hour GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race.

In fact, it was his teammate Tom Long that Carbonell passed for the podium spot. Long and Whitis, in the No. 25 Mazda MX-5, finished fourth. Eric Foss and Brad Rampelberg finished tenth in the No. 27 MAZDASPEED3.

“Our Mazda MX5′s fastest laps weren’t even in the top 20, but through great driving and some amazing work from the crew, we got a 3-4 finish and three Freedom cars in the top ten,” notes team co-owner Whitis.

Teamwork proved to be key to Freedom Autosport’s success. The No. 25 and 26 Mazdas didn’t have the fastest lap times. To compensate, Long and Carbonell drafted each other for the final 45 minutes of the race.

“I figured we’d work together since we were underpowered,” says Carbonell. “It was fun, probably the most fun I’ve ever had in a race. We wound up three-wide going into the Roller Coaster on the last lap. I was able to get a good run onto the front straight, and it was a drag race to the end. We couldn’t have been there without each other.”

“Every one of our cars came from the back, and every one of us had to work hard to get up front,” says O’Doski. “We’ve had some disappointing results this year, but finally everything came together: teamwork, strategy, and a little bit of luck. It’s good to be on the podium again.”

Foss and Rampelberg drove a solid race, as well, coming from the back of the grid after a last-minute engine swap. Despite the setback, the duo was still able to crack into the top ten with their No. 27 MAZDASPEED3. Meanwhile, Nick Igdalsky and Bruce Ledoux completed the Freedom Autosport lineup with their finish of 30th in the No. 28 ModSpace/Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3.

Even with all of the excitement on track, the Freedom Autosport drivers still found time to meet with Mazda owners participating in the weekend’s Mazda car corral. In addition, the team sold team shirts and raffled off prizes, including a high-performance driving school donated by Chin Motorsports, to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. The team, assisted by the Team Ohio Mazda Club, raised over $1200 during the course of the weekend.