The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33538
T by Beth Dolgner photos courtesy RSR Motorsports here are a lot of terms that could summarize RSR Motorsports’ 2010 race season: transition year, learning year, a year of growth. Usually, when a team uses those phrases, it roughly translates as, “We didn’t have a good season, but we’re working on it.” Not so for RSR Motorsports. The team began the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series with plenty of speed, but not enough reliability. By the final three races of the season, though, the team’s MINI Cooper S racecars had become a formidable trio in the Street Tuner class. Despite issues with reliability, the 2010 season began on a positive note. Craig Conway and BJ Zacharias earned a second-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the second race of the year. Their performance in the No. 196 RSR Motorsports MINI gave the team an optimistic outlook. Round three was at Barber Motorsports Park, where the team expected a solid showing thanks to the track’s tight, MINI- friendly layout. What the team hadn’t counted on was a fire. Thankfully, the flames on the No. 198 MINI broke out during a pit stop, so safety crews were able to extinguish the blaze quickly. Like a phoenix rising from the flames, RSR’s fortunes began to change after the Barber round. The team opened up a new shop in Kissimmee, Florida, and took all car preparation work in-house: a first for RSR Motorsports. Still, reliability was an issue. Round six at Watkins Glen was dampened by a clutch problem in the No. 196 MINI and a transmission issue in the 197. Jim Haaser joined the team as chassis engineer prior to round seven at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The hiring proved to be a turning point: both MINIs entered at Mid- Ohio performed flawlessly from start to finish. The fire at Barber meant that RSR Motorsports had to completely rebuild the No. 198 MINI — the first time RSR had built a complete car in-house. When it returned 20 www.mc2magazine.com Sarah Cattaneo, Owen Trinkler on the podium at Miller Motorsports Park. to action at New Jersey Motorsports Park, team owner Randy Smalley and team manager Owen Trinkler took the win. Proving that it wasn’t a fluke, RSR Motorsports returned to the front of the class at Trois-Rivieres, giving the No. 198 MINI, as well as Smalley and Trinkler, a second consecutive victory. The driver line-up changed for the season finale at Miller Motorsports Park, pairing Sarah Cattaneo with Trinkler. RSR Motorsports ended the season with another success, as Cattaneo and Trinkler took a hard fought second place. During a very busy off-season, RSR Motorsports rebuilt the rest of their MINI fleet. They had more than twenty test days in preparation for the 2011 season, and returning sponsors include Cruise America and Thor Motor Coach. As Trinkler said following the 2010 finale at Miller, “What a way to build momentum for 2011. This is the momentum we want before we fight this season for the championship.” Barn Stormers 2011 RSR’s Success Sets Stage for 2011