Racers and spectators were blessed with a beautiful weekend of perfect fall weather for Round 2 of the 2009-2010 Gulf Coast Race Series at Circuit Grand Bayou. The November 1st race challenged the racers to a little extra "trick or treating" on the track in case they didn't get enough Halloween festivities. The Mike Poupart Motorsports paddock area was looking a little more normal with three cars for this event. Crew duties were headed up once again by Robbie Poupart with support from Patty Poupart, Heather Melancon, and Shane Poupart.
Johnny Walter returned for his first outing since the charity race last April with the needed repairs complete on his car. The new black hood and light gray bumper were obvious on his #98 GT1 Corvette, but others wondered what other new "tricks" he might be bringing to the track. He would be racing against close friend and teammate, Christian Francois who had a good points lead by finishing 1st in GT1 with his #77 Corvette at the last race and hoping for a repeat "treat". Mike Poupart got the steering arm issue resolved and returned with the #28 Panoz in the GT2 class.
The practice session was mostly uneventful. Johnny ran only 2 laps coming in to change tires. Mike ran only 5 laps and Christian ran 6. Qualifying was a little more interesting. Mike would be starting on the pole with a qualifying time of 1:19.611 with Chris Wilken (BCI Motorsports #01 Corvette) at P2 with a qualifying time of 1:21.061. Johnny qualified in P7 while Christian would start in P13 next to Moe Douroux (BCI Motorsports #02 Corvette) who completed the back row in P14.
Patty Poupart was on track to photograph the feature races for all of the race groups starting with the GT feature race. The vantage spot was alongside of the front straight tooking towards turn 10 where the green flag drops for each race.
Wilken started on the outside of Poupart and, at the green flag launch, his window net dropped, causing enough distraction to let Poupart take the lead and allowing Doug Boozer (#20 Panoz) to enter turn 10 on the inside of Wilken. Wilken went into the pits to fix the window net and came back onto the track after the entire field had gone through turn 14. After chasing down the field for a couple of laps, he lost his motor taking him out of the race on lap 3. This was Wilken's first race of the 2009-2010 series. His car looked similar to Walter's with a new black hood and light blue molded bumper reflecting changes he has been making in the off-season.
Christian fought hard from the back of the pack and moved up a few spots. He was setting up to pass Scott Dunlap (#2 Grand Prix) and Teddy Busick (#36 Porsche) in lap 9 after clearing turn 14 onto the front straight when he broke the axel on his Corvette. He coasted the remaining distance of the front straight taking the runoff and parking by the oak tree for the remainder of the race. He ended up with a 12th place finish over, but 3rd in GT1.
In retrospect, Poupart and Walter seemed to have an easy race. Both cars were strong throughout the race. Walter finished 6th overall with a 1st place GT1 class win. Poupart took the checkered flag on lap 12 taking the overall win for the GT group and finishing 1st in the GT2 class. His fastest lap was a 1:20.196.
Sunday, December 6th is Round 3 of the series. The points after the first two races are close for the class leaders and we can expect some hot racing in the cooler months as the class battles continue. See you at the track!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
2009-2010 Gulf Coast Race Series - Race #1 Complete!
The 2009-2010 race series started out on the wet side and, for the first time in 8 years, was called a "rain-out" with the feature races being postponed from October 4th to October 17th. Returning two weeks later, the weather was great and there were even more drivers than the previous outing. As an added incentive, any driver who was attended the October 4th rain-out and returned on October 17th was awarded 2 additional bonus points. That was a big help to some drivers who didn't finish well in the feature races.
This year the classes of GT1, GT2, and GT3 are grouped together and Mike Poupart Motorsports had 2 cars running in this group. Christian Francois' yellow #77 Corvette ran in GT1 and Mike Poupart took the orange #28 Panoz GTLS out for its maiden feature race in GT2. Twelve drivers took the green flag for the GT race and boy, was it exciting!
Mike started P2 next to Bob Beasley's Mazda RX-7 "hybrid" and had plenty of room to get around turn 10 and take the race lead. From my viewpoint at the end of the front straightaway wall where I was crouched down shooting photos of the race start, the cars barrelled towards me and then made the jog for turn 1. On lap 2, the motor let go in Gary Small's Porsche 944 and his back wheels caught the oil causing him to skid sideways past the turn, past me, and on through the grass stopping at the edge of the track about halfway to turn 2. The fire/rescue guys that were spotting me grabbed hold of me to make sure I could get back to safety if necessary and, in the excitement of jumping backwards, I failed to get the close-up shot as he went by. It was exciting nonetheless! Another car (Paul Burch - BMW) following a little behind Gary went skidding off the left side of the track just a little further down from where Gary was stopped. A couple more took the runoff at the end of the front straight and around the oak tree. Yellow flags went out and I got behind the wall in a safer position in case someone else got into the oil. It wasn't long before the race was black flagged.
The Panoz had a mechanical issue (left steering arm broke) and was out for the remainder of the race after completing only 1 lap. About 15 minutes of racing was left at the restart. The GT2 race and overall GT win went to Harold Petit (BMW) with Beasley coming in 2nd in both respects. Christian Francois stayed clean all race and brought home the win in GT1 finishing 5th overall in the GT group.
In 2 weeks the group reconvenes for Round 2. Don't miss it!
This year the classes of GT1, GT2, and GT3 are grouped together and Mike Poupart Motorsports had 2 cars running in this group. Christian Francois' yellow #77 Corvette ran in GT1 and Mike Poupart took the orange #28 Panoz GTLS out for its maiden feature race in GT2. Twelve drivers took the green flag for the GT race and boy, was it exciting!
Mike started P2 next to Bob Beasley's Mazda RX-7 "hybrid" and had plenty of room to get around turn 10 and take the race lead. From my viewpoint at the end of the front straightaway wall where I was crouched down shooting photos of the race start, the cars barrelled towards me and then made the jog for turn 1. On lap 2, the motor let go in Gary Small's Porsche 944 and his back wheels caught the oil causing him to skid sideways past the turn, past me, and on through the grass stopping at the edge of the track about halfway to turn 2. The fire/rescue guys that were spotting me grabbed hold of me to make sure I could get back to safety if necessary and, in the excitement of jumping backwards, I failed to get the close-up shot as he went by. It was exciting nonetheless! Another car (Paul Burch - BMW) following a little behind Gary went skidding off the left side of the track just a little further down from where Gary was stopped. A couple more took the runoff at the end of the front straight and around the oak tree. Yellow flags went out and I got behind the wall in a safer position in case someone else got into the oil. It wasn't long before the race was black flagged.
The Panoz had a mechanical issue (left steering arm broke) and was out for the remainder of the race after completing only 1 lap. About 15 minutes of racing was left at the restart. The GT2 race and overall GT win went to Harold Petit (BMW) with Beasley coming in 2nd in both respects. Christian Francois stayed clean all race and brought home the win in GT1 finishing 5th overall in the GT group.
In 2 weeks the group reconvenes for Round 2. Don't miss it!
Monday, October 5, 2009
2009-2010 Gulf Coast Race Series - Race #1 Update
From Chris Wilken on behalf of The Circuit at Grand Bayou:
Race 1 has been rescheduled to Oct 17. This is a makeup date as we were unable to finish the schedule due to inclement weater. This is the first time in eight years a race has been called due to weather. We have attempted to quickly implement a solution favorable to the majority of participants.
Friday Oct 16th will be an afternoon lapping day from 1 - 4. The price is only $50.00 or free if you are a Circuit Grand Bayou Member. You will be able to leave your rigs overnight for Saturday's race or for Saturday's open lapping session.
Racers who wish to participate but who were not present on Oct 4th are welcome to do so. You will start at the back of the qualified cars. A 2 point bonus will be awarded to Racers who participated on Oct. 4th.
There is open lapping availabe after the race for $50.00. No charge for Circuit Grand Bayou Members or race participants.
Round 2 of the race series: November 1st
Beater Bash Nov 20 and 21: www.BeaterBashOnline.com for more info
For upcoming events and goings on watch this website. http://circuitgrandbayou.com/raceseriesupdate.aspx
T shirts and caps on sale at the front gate.
There are a limited number of Circuit Grand Bayou Memberships available. Contact Kent Broussard at Kent@USRacingClub.com
Race 1 has been rescheduled to Oct 17. This is a makeup date as we were unable to finish the schedule due to inclement weater. This is the first time in eight years a race has been called due to weather. We have attempted to quickly implement a solution favorable to the majority of participants.
Friday Oct 16th will be an afternoon lapping day from 1 - 4. The price is only $50.00 or free if you are a Circuit Grand Bayou Member. You will be able to leave your rigs overnight for Saturday's race or for Saturday's open lapping session.
Racers who wish to participate but who were not present on Oct 4th are welcome to do so. You will start at the back of the qualified cars. A 2 point bonus will be awarded to Racers who participated on Oct. 4th.
There is open lapping availabe after the race for $50.00. No charge for Circuit Grand Bayou Members or race participants.
Round 2 of the race series: November 1st
Beater Bash Nov 20 and 21: www.BeaterBashOnline.com for more info
For upcoming events and goings on watch this website. http://circuitgrandbayou.com/raceseriesupdate.aspx
T shirts and caps on sale at the front gate.
There are a limited number of Circuit Grand Bayou Memberships available. Contact Kent Broussard at Kent@USRacingClub.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Circuit at Grand Bayou Purchase is Complete!
The Circuit at Grand Bayou, Inc. announced the purchase of an existing 1.8 mile road race course circuit and more than 100 acres of land from Belle Rose, LA-based No Problem Raceway Park, LLC. The course, which is located near Donaldsonville, LA, is only 60 minutes from New Orleans and 40 minutes from Baton Rouge.
With the completion of the purchase, The Circuit at Grand Bayou opened the only motorsports resort in the Gulf South. The new resort with the existing 1.8 mile road racing course will have one of the finest racing schools in the U.S. and offer individual club memberships, arrive-and-drive programs, corporate events, special events and more.
For those more interested in being a spectator, The Circuit at Grand Bayou will also be home to the Gulf Coast Race Series, which includes seven events that run between October and April each year, the first of which will be on October 4. In addition, a large number of other motorsports events have been scheduled over the next 12 months including the first of several Porsche Club of America events starting on September 26.
Kent Broussard, president of The Circuit at Grand Bayou, said, "We have been working on this project for a year, and now our members have a place to come and enjoy the benefits of the only motorsports resort and road racing club in the Gulf South region. This is a win-win situation for our resort, its members and No Problem Raceway."
The resort is currently hosting daily activities for its members and their guests including daily access to the 1.8-mile road racing course, driving school classes, covered garages, and weekend side-by-side racing events. The resort has also begun preparing the site for the construction of a clubhouse, condominiums, and a new road racing track to replace the existing track.
The Circuit at Grand Bayou racing club promises to be the South's newest and most exciting road racing facility. When fully built, it will include a 2.5 mile state-of-the-art road racing course, a full-service clubhouse with spa, locker rooms, restaurant/lounge, private offices and viewing decks, garages and condo homes. For those interested in membership or other information, please contact Kent Broussard at kent@circuitgrandbayou.com or visit The Circuit at Grand Bayou website at www.circuitgrandbayou.com.
With the completion of the purchase, The Circuit at Grand Bayou opened the only motorsports resort in the Gulf South. The new resort with the existing 1.8 mile road racing course will have one of the finest racing schools in the U.S. and offer individual club memberships, arrive-and-drive programs, corporate events, special events and more.
For those more interested in being a spectator, The Circuit at Grand Bayou will also be home to the Gulf Coast Race Series, which includes seven events that run between October and April each year, the first of which will be on October 4. In addition, a large number of other motorsports events have been scheduled over the next 12 months including the first of several Porsche Club of America events starting on September 26.
Kent Broussard, president of The Circuit at Grand Bayou, said, "We have been working on this project for a year, and now our members have a place to come and enjoy the benefits of the only motorsports resort and road racing club in the Gulf South region. This is a win-win situation for our resort, its members and No Problem Raceway."
The resort is currently hosting daily activities for its members and their guests including daily access to the 1.8-mile road racing course, driving school classes, covered garages, and weekend side-by-side racing events. The resort has also begun preparing the site for the construction of a clubhouse, condominiums, and a new road racing track to replace the existing track.
The Circuit at Grand Bayou racing club promises to be the South's newest and most exciting road racing facility. When fully built, it will include a 2.5 mile state-of-the-art road racing course, a full-service clubhouse with spa, locker rooms, restaurant/lounge, private offices and viewing decks, garages and condo homes. For those interested in membership or other information, please contact Kent Broussard at kent@circuitgrandbayou.com or visit The Circuit at Grand Bayou website at www.circuitgrandbayou.com.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Introducing The Circuit at Grand Bayou
Mike Poupart Motorsports announces its support and promotion of the new Circuit at Grand Bayou.
U.S. Racing Club is set to purchase, on August 31, 2009, a significant portion of the road course from No Problem Raceway, located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The existing road course is approximately 1.8 miles in length and currently host the Grand Bayou Racing Series, which begins the 2009 season in September.
The Company plans to change the name of the existing road course facilities to The CIRCUIT at GRAND BAYOU and has plans to significantly improve, lengthen and enhance the road course portion of the complex. Tree removal and pre-construction has already begun. In addition to making improvements to the existing road course, the Company plans to open a premier racing school and build surrounding ammenities, such as a clubhouse, garages, condos and more.
The Company has begun pre-selling Executive Memberships at a significant discount prior to August 25th. To view the Membership Agreement, Calendars and General Brochure and get MORE information on Condos, Track Design and Time Schedules, go to the U.S. Racing Club website.
Don't wait! Changes are happening FAST!
For membership or investor information, please contact:
Kent Broussard - U. S. Racing Club, Inc.
Email: kent@usracingclub.com
(949) 436-0471
Chris Wilken
Email: chris@buckeyecontractors.com
(504) 616-3064
Mike Poupart
Email: mpmotorworks@bellsouth.net
(504) 472-0400
Catch the Excitement!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
24 Hours of LeMons - Laissez Les Crapheaps Roulez
Poo-Parts Racing Honda Civic entered in LeMons Race at No Problem Raceway Park.
Crap can racing at its finest! Our racer is not only made up of “poo-parts,” but it is also driven by “Pouparts.” Yes, it’s a pile of poo, but it’s ours and we’re proud! Three of our team members have driven in previous LeMons events (Mike, Patty & Robbie). It’s time to corrupt the other son (Shane) and make this a Poupart family affair. We will, however, have to dub a couple of close friends as “Pouparts” for the weekend (car owner Jeff Moore and Kenny Pullin) in order to maximize our team member count. We sure don’t want to spend more than an hour at a time in a race car in the mid-summer heat of south Louisiana. We might be slow, but we’re not stoo-pid!
What a fun event! Thanks again to Jay and the gang for traveling down to south Louisiana to pass a good time with us! Hope you do it again!
There is a Picasa web album with photos (LOTS of 'em) from the event back in June, 2009. The direct link is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PoupartPhotos/24HoursOfLeMonsPooPartsRacing789HondaCivicPooper?feat=directlink
If anyone is interested in obtaining full size images, just email me aggressive@aggressiveinc.com and let me know what you are looking for.
Patty Poupart
Crap can racing at its finest! Our racer is not only made up of “poo-parts,” but it is also driven by “Pouparts.” Yes, it’s a pile of poo, but it’s ours and we’re proud! Three of our team members have driven in previous LeMons events (Mike, Patty & Robbie). It’s time to corrupt the other son (Shane) and make this a Poupart family affair. We will, however, have to dub a couple of close friends as “Pouparts” for the weekend (car owner Jeff Moore and Kenny Pullin) in order to maximize our team member count. We sure don’t want to spend more than an hour at a time in a race car in the mid-summer heat of south Louisiana. We might be slow, but we’re not stoo-pid!
What a fun event! Thanks again to Jay and the gang for traveling down to south Louisiana to pass a good time with us! Hope you do it again!
There is a Picasa web album with photos (LOTS of 'em) from the event back in June, 2009. The direct link is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PoupartPhotos/24HoursOfLeMonsPooPartsRacing789HondaCivicPooper?feat=directlink
If anyone is interested in obtaining full size images, just email me aggressive@aggressiveinc.com and let me know what you are looking for.
Patty Poupart
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