Good Morning Acumen Motorsport race fans and supporters:   We tested the Acumen Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3 Cup racecar – yes that is a mouthful – for 2 1/2 days from Friday Jan. 6th to Sunday Jan. 8th.  The changes we made after the December tire testing resulted in a substantial increase in top end.  With the latest taller rear tire, some adjustments were necessary to the rear fenders to keep from tire rubbing.  We found we needed a bit more to get the racecar lowered to our targeted spec.  This will be done for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of the month.  Our crew and drivers expect an increase in corner exit speeds that will translate to lower lap times.  We skipped the last practice session on Sunday – removed both the engine and transmission and air freighted them to the Porsche rebuild shops – we will have them back in a week and fresh for the race.  Hang on – it’s going to be quite a ride!

Racers and race fans:  We are back from two and a half days on the high banks (31 degrees) and infield curves at Daytona doing our final testing before the big race weekend.  Testing results coming in a separate chat tomorrow.  We did make progress on several aero-dynamic drag issues resulting in a seven mile per hour increase in top end.  We are at 175+ MPH at the end of the front straight and about 165 MPH just before the back straight chicane. Whoosh!  Drivers and crew had a great time in the warm Florida sunshine.  We head back in two weeks.

Acumen Motorsport fans – thanks for all your good words and support this past year.  We built a team from scratch in 14 months with the big task still ahead this month leading up to the Rolex 24 at Daytona. 

We are still interested in the country or state you are from – let us know when you comment.

Thanks and Happy New Year to you all.  ‘Uncle Frank’

Race fans:  We greatly appreciate all the kind and encouraging words posted here with ‘Chat with Frank’.

We would like to know where you are from.  Several of you (maybe more) are from beyond North America.  Let us know your home town and country.

Where are we:  The team base is Morris, Illinois with drivers and crew from Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, New York, and Indiana.  All coming together for one of the worlds top endurance races. 

We are glad to have you with us for the ride.

New pictures are going on the web site from the tire test.  Check it out!

Racers and race fans:  The best holidays to all of you and your families.  May peace be with the earth this coming year and racing be intense and safe.

Our new radio batteries were delivered yesterday – and on the chargers next to Christmas ornaments. Part of Christmas day is with family and part is sorting parts and equipment for January testing!

Tough time of year to loose those extra pounds with dinners and parties – but this racer started the day at 5:50AM at the gym!

Acumen Motorsport team members and guests:

We have sent out an email blast about hotel rooms.  If you are coming to the Rolex 24 at Daytona and did not get the info. email us.

Race fans and team supporters:

The Roar before the 24 – January 6th – 8th is coming up fast.  This is the final testing period before the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 28th-29th.

The goal is to have the suspension set perfectly for the race, get our lap times into race range over long runs, practice pit stops/driver changes over and over.

While the team gets the car ready – we are also setting up our support and team guest hotel room blocks, RV R and R guest sites, food services for the team, uniforms, shirts, jackets, passes, driver RV rest zone (between stints), spare parts, golf carts and service vehicles, airline tickets, rental cars, etc.  About forty Acumen Motorsport team members are involved in this pre-testing prep.

Acumen Motorsport race fans and supporters, we are announcing a new associate sponsor for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona next week. 

Jim Kelly – our photographer and video guy will be posting new pictures and video on the Acumen Motorsport web site from our tire testing last week.

The huge job of getting a competitive racecar to Daytona for the 24 Hour takes all of the Acumen Motorsport team working on several different projects.

Don Hoevel, our crew chief, and his guys are dismantling parts of the Porsche now for rebuilds on several systems prior to the Roar testing Jan. 6th – 8th.

Driver Scott McKee, Pit crew Jeff Hallquist and me are working on pit and paddock service vehicles, RV rentals and hospitality (we are tagging driver Gary St. Amour to help). 

Come join us for the race – we have several premium locations for you to join us and watch the race.

Tony Kester is working with John G. on computer data and Douglas Grunnet and Pat Galick get to wrap it all together. Whew!

5:40 am Sunday – heading to the gym shortly – back on the workout schedule.