From the Atlantic Championship
During a productive and well-attended owners meeting at Media Brokers International headquarters in Atlanta, several key components of the 2009 Atlantic Championship were discussed and finalized.
The schedule finalized
While the Atlantic Championship has approved Autobahn Country Club for use, the homologation process revealed that the safety systems currently in place in Savannah are not adequate for Atlantic competition. As a result, the race in Savannah has been postponed until 2010.
Consequently, it was decided that doubleheader races would be contested at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Autobahn Country Club in order to arrive at the desired 12 races for 2009.
The full 2009 Atlantic schedule
March 20 Sebring International Raceway - Sebring, Fla.
May 17 Miller Motorsports Park - Tooele, Utah
June 13 New Jersey Motorsports Park - Millville, N.J.
June 14 New Jersey Motorsports Park - Millville, N.J.
July 18 Lime Rock Park - Lakeville, Conn.
July 25 Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, Ill.
July 26 Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, Ill.
August 8 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, Ohio
August 16 Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres - Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
August 30 Mosport International Raceway - Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
September 25 Road Atlanta - Braselton, Ga.
October 11 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Monterey, Calif.
IMSA sanctioning back in 2009
Continuing a relationship that started back in 2008 - the first season since 1976, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has been renewed as the series' sanctioning body for 2009.
The 2009 Atlantic events will be conducted under the IMSA code, which establishes and oversees event, participant and safety parameters and conduct, as well as governing rules for each of its sanctioned series.
Cosworth engine agreement back
The series officials announced that Cosworth would continue to service the 2.3-liter, four-cylinder Mazda MZR engines used by every car in the series.
Mazda and Cooper still there
Mazda, the Championship engine supplier and sponsor since 2006, continues to identify Atlantic as the highest rung on its MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder. The ladder also includes Star Mazda, the Skip Barber National Championship Presented by Mazda and the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series.
Cooper Tire, meanwhile, has been the Atlantic presenting sponsor and official tire since 2007. Cooper has been extremely active in promoting its involvement in the series for the past two seasons and will do more of the same in 2009.
photo:Matthieu Lambert - Auto123.com
During a productive and well-attended owners meeting at Media Brokers International headquarters in Atlanta, several key components of the 2009 Atlantic Championship were discussed and finalized.
The schedule finalized
While the Atlantic Championship has approved Autobahn Country Club for use, the homologation process revealed that the safety systems currently in place in Savannah are not adequate for Atlantic competition. As a result, the race in Savannah has been postponed until 2010.
Consequently, it was decided that doubleheader races would be contested at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Autobahn Country Club in order to arrive at the desired 12 races for 2009.
The full 2009 Atlantic schedule
March 20 Sebring International Raceway - Sebring, Fla.
May 17 Miller Motorsports Park - Tooele, Utah
June 13 New Jersey Motorsports Park - Millville, N.J.
June 14 New Jersey Motorsports Park - Millville, N.J.
July 18 Lime Rock Park - Lakeville, Conn.
July 25 Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, Ill.
July 26 Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, Ill.
August 8 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, Ohio
August 16 Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres - Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
August 30 Mosport International Raceway - Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
September 25 Road Atlanta - Braselton, Ga.
October 11 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Monterey, Calif.
IMSA sanctioning back in 2009
Continuing a relationship that started back in 2008 - the first season since 1976, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has been renewed as the series' sanctioning body for 2009.
The 2009 Atlantic events will be conducted under the IMSA code, which establishes and oversees event, participant and safety parameters and conduct, as well as governing rules for each of its sanctioned series.
Cosworth engine agreement back
The series officials announced that Cosworth would continue to service the 2.3-liter, four-cylinder Mazda MZR engines used by every car in the series.
Mazda and Cooper still there
Mazda, the Championship engine supplier and sponsor since 2006, continues to identify Atlantic as the highest rung on its MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder. The ladder also includes Star Mazda, the Skip Barber National Championship Presented by Mazda and the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup series.
Cooper Tire, meanwhile, has been the Atlantic presenting sponsor and official tire since 2007. Cooper has been extremely active in promoting its involvement in the series for the past two seasons and will do more of the same in 2009.
photo:Matthieu Lambert - Auto123.com