Pumpelly to drive the SLR 722 GT in World Challenge

[arig]

Congrats to Spencer Pumpelly for grabbing this seat. Good luck in that car, it looks like a beast.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=334758

TRG (The Racer's Group) is planning a new challenge, jointly with the Texas-based Circle B Motorcars and the British RML Group (Ray Mallock Limited). The three companies are planning to enter the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT series in Joliet, Illinois at the Autobahn Country Club for the July 24-26 event with a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT.

The No. 71 Circle B Motorcars Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT. Photo by TRG.

"Bearing in mind that these cars have a racing [COLOR=#0033CC ! important][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]history[/COLOR][/COLOR] in Europe dating back to 2008, we are excited to see what it can do in U.S. trim," said Circle B Motorcars owner Peter Blom. "We decided to race the 2009 version of the car here in the states to see if we can draw out the street versions of the cars that are currently in North America. Some people buy these cars to add to a collection, I bought mine to race. Together with TRG, we will see exactly what this great car is capable of in competition. It looks like it is going 200 mph standing still and I can't wait to see it on a U.S. race track."
It will mark the first time in the series' 20-year history that the German marque has been involved in the GT series based in America, though privateers have run the Mercedes brand in the past.
TRG Motorsports, owned by Kevin Buckler, have campaigned sports cars in a variety of series but this new venture will be their first in th SCCA World Challenge. Currently TRG is one of the top teams in the Grand-Am Rolex Series GT class as well as providing rides in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup series. If that was not enough, Buckler tossed his hat into [COLOR=#0033CC ! important][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]NASCAR racing[/COLOR][/COLOR] in 2007 under the TRG Motorsports banner and have made their way into the main [COLOR=#0033CC ! important][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]Sprint [COLOR=#0033CC ! important]Cup [/COLOR][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]Series[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR].
It is not unusual to see Buckler take his chances on a new venture or turn a racing challenge into a full-blown business project -- from a winery to racing -- Buckler seems to have a golden-touch. With championships and award winning wines, he just keeps marching into the future. "We want to showcase the performance of this awesome car here in the states as well as our team's capabilities," he said.
"TRG will be making its debut as a team in the series as well. It will be the car's first competitive laps in North America and we hope that some of the owners that have the street version in this country will also want to bring their cars out to race, or simply do some track days."
RML is well-known to European fans and to many in North America. They have over 25 years under their belt on working with clients around the world with their home base in Northamptonshire, England. They also have championships in several series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins. Working with McLaren Technology, the Formula One Mercedes-Benz supported team, Mallock and his group developed the Mercedes 722 GT into a car capable of turning 680 Horsepower with a Mercedes V-8 engine. Only 15 of the SLR McLaren 722 GTs have been produced at this time. No word if RML plans to put more of the exotic sportscar into existence.
However, the No. 71 Circle B Motorcars entry into the SCCA World Challenge has to have modifications with with a 550 HP V-8 engine and it will need the required homologation to meet the SCCA specifications. Bill Rader will head the project at the TRG facility in Mooresville, N.C.
"TRG and our awesome Mooresville facility will be prepping the SLR's for clients to run in a variety of events, not just in full blown race trim," said Buckler. "We want the owners that purchased these vehicles to experience the thrill of learning to push the car to its limits, whether that is in stock trim or at a [COLOR=#0033CC ! important][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]driver's [COLOR=#0033CC ! important]education[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] event."
Buckler did name the driver for their new adventure and to many it should not be a surprise. One of TRG's sportscar top racers will have the seat for the four events that the team will enter. "Spencer (Pumpelly) is going to drive the car for us in four races this season at Autobahn, Mid-Ohio, Road America and Road Atlanta to showcase the car and the team's abilities," said Buckler. "We are looking forward to seeing what exactly this car can do against the established competition in the World Challenge GT Series."
Pumpelly has already had the chance to run a shakedown in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT at the Virginia International Raceway facility. "Considering the amazing performance of the [COLOR=#0033CC ! important][COLOR=#0033CC ! important]street [COLOR=#0033CC ! important]car[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] versions and the history of both Mercedes-Benz and McLaren I could not imagine this won't be a rocket ship," Pumpelly said. "From what I have seen so far I think racing drivers and fans alike have a lot to be excited about with this car," he said.
"World Challenge is tough racing. The format is a pure sprint with a daunting standing start to kick it all off," added Pumpelly. "The expectations going into it can only be that the car is going to be a powerhouse and the team backing it, TRG - one of the best in the business."

[jcraige]

The car looks sweet. Gotta love it!

[blackcobra]

now that's going to be interesting to say the least. if they get a really great sponsor for the whole season. sure would make things really interesting in a series growing and growing every year. now if someone could bring the ford gt up the field, and up in the top five it would make for some top notch racing.