400 WHP RX-7 on Speed1 Dynojet

Details on the engine build to follow. Enjoy!

Drift vs. Grip... Drift Can Be Fast & Hamfist Proves It!

By: Jake

Hamfist Racing driver Brian Goldstein has been under the radar for years on the racing scene. He is always just out to have fun. He doesn't run the national level autocross races, but when he races he destroys any cometition in his path. Greatly influenced by the drift culture and the recent Ken Block gymkhana videos, Brian has always had a penchant for driving sideways. However he doesn't compromise his speed like a lot of Formula D fanboys. So, in his search for the marriage of drifting AND speed, he explored new varieties of motorsports.

In the 08/09 winter Brian discovered Monticello Motor Club's winter driving series. The event was a "balls out" time trail rally on the private Monticello Motor Club racing circuit blanketed in ice and snow. The venue finally afforded him a place to showcase the speed in drifting his 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The first event Brian ran on all-season tires to get acquainted with the Ice-Age-like conditions. But it didn't take long to realize he was competing on the wrong rubber. By the second event, Brian had picked up a fresh set of dedicated snow tires and took to the rally race once again. The improvement was extraordinary. He was able to blast through every turn at full opposite lock with total control and lots of speed. The end result was an overall 1st Place - Fastest Time of Day. Check out the video below!

Monticello Motor Club disappointed the rally community over the 09/10 winter season by discontinuing the Winter Driving Series time trial races. Frustrated that he couldn't continue showcasing his drift skills in the snow, Brian began looking elsewhere. The drift scene was too much about show and not enough about being fast. Autox after autox you could hear Brian asking course designers to implement gymkhana elements and 360* turns around single cones. Finally, his requests were heard... sort of. NOPI and Hot Import Nights hosted a Gymkhana competition at Englishtown Raceway Park. Brian once again failed to disappoint, executing drifts and rotation far better than the rear-wheel-drive machinery in the mix. The spectators loved it! Check out the video below of his last run. Half way through the run the car fuel starved and turned off. I suspect that run would have been FTD if the fuel pump didn't start sucking air.

What sideways action will Brian get into next? Time will tell. But I suspect he is already having fun with his new RWD daily driver Miata in the secluded roads of some backwoods NY State Park.

Video: Rhys Millen Motorsports Pikes Peak Hyundai Genesis PM580

Photo By: Autoblog

NJ Motorsports Park Filed Bankruptcy

The Daily Journal
Written by: JOSEPH P. SMITH

"MILLVILLE -- The fact that New Jersey Motorsports Park got through its 2010 season is a debt it owes, literally and figuratively, to the Millville Rescue Squad.

One result of the federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection motion the park filed Monday is that the privately owned park's financial picture is now public business. Everything from ownership portions, to mortgage structure, to outstanding vendor balances is disclosed -- or soon will be.

According to court papers, the Motorsports Park's largest local creditor is the Millville Rescue Squad. The park fell behind $520,035 on payments to the private nonprofit last year. The squad provides a range of emergency response services, without which the park cannot operate.

"As the debt was accruing, we knew that discontinuing service would stop track operations and cost people jobs," Rescue Squad Chief John Redden said Tuesday.

Last month, with the squad threatening to hold back its services for the 2011 season, an agreement was reached to repay the debt. The terms of the deal require a $200,000 payment to the squad by this Friday, and another $200,000 in July.

The remainder of that debt will be settled in monthly payments, along with concurrent 2011 payments, park and rescue squad officials said.

Among other details contained in the massive bankruptcy filing is the park's gross annual income. Since opening in 2008, it has averaged about $9 million annually from racing events and concessions, a sum an official said is less than projected. The park, which employs 250 full- and part-time workers, has spent more than $45 million on capital improvements, of which half was paid to contractors in Cumberland County, according to the court papers.

Joseph Savaro, a partner in the Motorsports Park, said the recession's impact on residential and commercial real estate depressed the park's earnings. Efforts to sell villas, or townhouses, at the park took a particularly hard hit, he said; only eight are sold.

"We still have faith in the project," Savaro said. "We'll get through this Chapter 11. A lot of companies have been through that."

Savaro said the proposed construction of a motocross facility, called the Field of Dreams, also is important financially.

"That clearly would have helped us," he said. "We tried to create critical mass and have diversity. We're still going to attempt things to turn it around, but the Chapter 11 helps us get on our feet."

Park owners want to restructure their debt and continue to operate the facility, including the upcoming season of scheduled races. But what happens next is up to the judge overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings.

Even the validity of the Motorsports Park deal with the rescue squad is now in question -- thanks to the bankruptcy filing.

An attorney the squad hired to sit in on talks with the park advised the nonprofit squad is in a "positive position" even if bankruptcy occurred, Redden said. And Motorsports Park officials said their attorneys advised the deal with the squad will stand despite court oversight.

However, the parties acknowledge there is a chance the presiding judge may disagree.

"It's in the hands of the court right now," Redden said. "We'll be consulting with an attorney to determine how we proceed."

Monday's filing lists the park's top 20 creditors -- that is, businesses to whom it owes money. Court documents indicate there are 150 creditors in total.

Topping that list is Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital Inc., now part of Bank of America. The bank is owed about $30.54 million, although it has "knocked down" the amount to $20 million to aid the park in its reorganization plan, according to the filings.

Other area creditors include Henry Cifaloglio Inc. of Buena, at $14,003; Kavanagh, Kavanagh & DiLazzero LLC of Millville, $9,684; and Waste Management of New Jersey at $8,374.

Also owed money, but in a separate category, is the Cumberland County Empowerment Zone Corp.

The Empowerment Zone, which is federally funded, loaned $425,000 to the park at a 5 percent interest rate to go toward 2010 operating funds.

Jeannine MacDonald, the zone's executive director, said Tuesday the loan is guaranteed with personal notes from park investors Lee Brahin and Harvey Siegel. The bankruptcy proceedings should not have an impact on the debt, she said.

MacDonald said the park paid only interest on the loan through 2010. The principal was due this past December but has not been paid, she said. MacDonald said the park in January started making payments of both principal and interest on a 10-year amortization schedule.

"We are of course concerned about the local vendors and the long-term success of the park," MacDonald said. The zone has met with the park about the loan, but put further talks on hold to let the bankruptcy case proceed further, she said.

Savaro said Tuesday the owners have no interest in selling the establishment and that the park's managing partners remain Lee Brahin and R.J. "Dick" Valentine. However, the reorganization is affecting the ownership structure.

The reorganization plan calls for fresh capital of at least $2 million from an entity identified as NEI Motorsports LLC, a group headed by Valentine. NEI also includes some new investors.

In return for the $2 million, the papers indicate NEI receives enhanced ownership rights.

The filing states the $2 million is meant to meet the costs of the restructuring, including:"

The Unofficial Hamfist Racing Jack

*Don't try this at home.















Photo Courtesy of La Repubblica Italy

Petter Solberg's Personal Car Collection

Rally New York USA | March 25-26

By: Jake

Rally New York USA is always full of gifted hot-shoes not afraid of a little cliff-side drifting. These guys were born in the dirt with a steering wheel in hand. If you're a fan of loose surface antics, Rally New York is as good as it gets, barring WRC stages! For the price of a tank of gas, you can experience thrills rivaled by WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal, taking place simultaneously halfway around the world - estimated airfare $2,000.

Hamfist Racing Subaru STI on Real Time Attack Flyer

New Circuit Only 2.5 hours from NYC Begins Construction 2011

By: Jake

Last year developer Louis J. Mascaro received final land use approval to build a "multi-functional, state of the art motorsports complex situated on 668 scenic acres... in Berks County, Pennsylvania" called Liberty Bell Motorsports Park. The site is a brief 2.5 hour drive from NYC. "The park will consist of 4 different racing circuits - two 26 foot wide tracks that are approximately 0.5 mile in length can be operated independently of each other or operate as a 0.84 mile road course. Both are served by their own pit/paddock areas and are designed for Karting, SuperMoto, MiniMoto and MiniGP... The two 40 foot wide, 1.5 mile courses can be operated independently of each other or combined to form a world class road course totaling 3.11 miles in length. All courses were designed with minimal concrete barriers... [and] incorporate massive run-off areas, many larger than football fields. The absence of tunnels or bridges minimizes the damages encountered by these structures. This modern technology ensures being able to safely compete in events while greatly minimizing the chances for driver injury or damage to equipment." The park will also include extensive campground facilities and a car museum. Construction is poised to begin this year.

Liberty Bell Motorsports Park website

New Supporting Vendor Section Thanks Mazda Motorsports

By: Jake

We have added a supporting vendors list to the website. In recognition for all of Mazda's support to the Hamfist Racing fleet over the years, www.MazdaMotorsports.com is now our first official supporting vendor! We hope to be racing Mazdas for many years to come with continuation of the Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development program. Readers can keep an eye out for new supporting vendor updates. Please remember to support vendors that support racing.

New 2011 SCCA Solo Racing Contingency Program

The SCCA released the 2011 contingency sponsorship programs for Solo & ProSolo racing last week. The roster includes the usual suspects, including some of our personal favorites including Mazdaspeed, Hawk Performance, AST Suspension & Hoosier Tire. Hamfist Racing would like to thank each and every sponsor. You are all in good form and understand what it takes to successfully market and promote your products!

SCCA Official Release Statement Feb. 18th 2011:

"With the season-opening event for the 2011 Tire Rack SCCA National Solo season just a few weeks away, participants should register now to be eligible for the thousands of dollars in contingency payouts.






Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo National Series

As part of its across-the-board Platinum SCCA contingency program, Volkswagen offers both event and year-end prizes for drivers finishing in the top three in either class or Gumout Super Challenge competition. Drivers taking a class win in one of 16 eligible classes earn $400. Should they take the Gumout Super Challenge, they win $800. Year-end class winners can also garner another $1,000 for doing it in a Volkswagen, with the year-end Challenge winner grabbing a $5,000 prize.

Honda, also a Platinum contingency sponsor, will pay $500 for a Super or Ladies Challenge win in each event, and $150 for a class win. Year-end class and challenge champions could take home $500 from Honda.

Longtime SCCA supporter Hawk Performance offers up $100 in product credit to any class or Gumout Super Challenge winner displaying Hawk Performance decals.

Bridgestone will post $500 for a Challenge win, as well as cash for a top three finish in any Street Touring class. Win a season-long class or Challenge title, and take home another $1,000.

Toyo Tires matches Bridgestone’s posting for Tire Rack ProSolo Street Touring® participants with its Silver level Contingency program.

Hoosier, Kumho, Mazdaspeed and TRD each post Bronze level programs, meaning registration and redemption are handled through those companies directly.

Kumho offers product credit for class and Challenge wins at events, including a $600 credit for a win in the Street Touring category. Hoosier offers two tires for a class win and one for a second-place finish. Event Gumout Super Challenge, year-end point Champions and Finale class winners each take four tires with a win.

Mazdaspeed will again pay out class, Challenge and year-end awards ranging from $200 for a class event win to $800 for a point championship. Likewise, TRD will pay class and year-end awards ranging from $200 to $1,000 for competitors in Toyota vehicles.








Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour

In Tire Rack Solo National Tour competition, Volkswagen will pay up to $500 for a class win and $300 for second place for VW drivers in any of 34 eligible classes.

Bridgestone, Toyo and Yokohama will each pay out top three finishes in the Street Touring Category, with $300 going to the winner.

AST Suspension continues as a contingency sponsor, offering the top-three finishers in eligible classes product certificates, with a $500 award going to class winners.

Like AST, Hoosier and Mazdaspeed also offer Bronze packages. Winners on Hoosier tires win a pair of tires, with a single tire going to second-place finishers. Mazda will pay a National Tour class winner $200 for a win and $100 for a second place finish.

Kumho Tires offers product credits to top-three in class finishers, rewarding the Street Touring Category with $600 in credit to champions, and $400 and $300 for second and third. All other classes receive $300, $200, and $150 in credit for a top three finish.

In addition to the National program contingencies, Bridgestone and Toyo Tires have also posted programs for the Tire Rack SCCA Divisional Solo Championships that matches their National Tour payouts.

For complete details on all of these contingency programs, visit www.scca.com/solo and click the “contingencies” link. A link for online registration is available there as well.

The 2011 Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour begins March 12, with the Dixie National Tour in Adel, Ga. The Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo National Series begins with the Mineral Wells Pro Solo, March 26, in Mineral Wells, Texas."

2011 SCCA Solo contingency registration forms and additional info available HERE

"Senna" (Ayrton Senna Documentary) - Limited Screening NYC

Senna, a documentary about Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the Formula 1 world championship three times before his tragic death at age 34, will be showing at East Village Cinema only until February 24th. Show times are limited to just 12:15PM and 2:30PM daily.

If The Stig Could Talk

Having Randy Pobst test drive AND comment was brilliant! It's as if The Stig could talk. Enjoy this superb road test from Motor Trend of the GTR, Z06, and Shelby GT500. If you want a spoiler hint on who wins, just look at the 0-60 times.

SCCA Autocross on TV News

Maybe this video is a little stale for some, but it does a great job describing what autocross is all about to the public. Perhaps pitching autocross to our Hamfist followers is moot. You all drank the Kool-aid a long time ago.

They've Been Calling it a Toyobaru

By: Jake

They can call it Shirley for all I care, as long as they build it and we can drive it. All automotive biz rumors suggest it will be built, in both Subaru trim and Toyota (or Scion)! Here are the latest images in the rumor pool. One magazine seems to know some technical details, but take them with a grain of salt. The car will have three things going for it: 1) It'll have a Subaru boxer motor, 2) It appears to be sexy, 3) It's rear wheel drive. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and if we're lucky Santa will put them in dealer showrooms by next Christmas.