Mundelein IL / Indy IN USA
April 5, 2009
FROM:http://www.imsaracing.net/

"One driver who did not participate in the test but will be participating in the race this weekend is three-time Atlantic race winner Tonis Kasemets. The Estonia-born racer—who finished third in both races of a doubleheader last season at Road America in his lone Atlantic weekend of the year—will drive the No. 35 Polestar Motor Racing machine."

RESULTS: After starting 4 days too late for even 1 test lap, Tonis strapped into his Mazda powered Swift .016 - ready to rock.  He gained momentum with each lap.  Excellent team chemistry - a very good fit.  Kasemets started P11 and made brave yet safe moves to P7 within the 1st lap.  A 1st lap accident left a large debris area - therefore the majority of the race moved under yellow.  Finally, 14 laps under Green and Tonis decided to simply hold his line.  His lap times were up there with the Top 3, but traffic became an issue.  He's extremely happy with finishing P7 and is "Completely confident that the Top 3 is only a matter of time - just a few more laps."  And is "Very much looking forward to Utah."  

Sincere thanks to those who pitched in at the 11th hour, to make sure Tonis was at the Atlantics' Season Opener at Sebring with Polestar Racing.  Special thanks - to the Griffith's and Bruce Potter - for seeing in Tonis - what we ALL see.  Champion, gentleman, passionate, discipline and completely focused on staying at the TOP of the Podium. 

Room for Sponsorships still available on the car too! 
Contact either Tonis or Jill for more information. 
Thanks to all who remain on board the "Team Tonis" Train!

Archives: www.teamtonis.com

 Tonis Kasemets And Polestar Motor Racing Team Up in Atlantic Championship

CHARDON, Ohio (March 17, 2009) – Two entities that have had considerable success in the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda have joined forces, as driver Tonis Kasemets and Polestar Motor Racing will take to the track in the 2009 Atlantic Championship season-opener next week at Sebring International Raceway.
 
Kasemets, a three-time race winner in Atlantic competition, will pilot the Polestar-prepared No. 35 machine in the $50,000-to-win race. The Estonia-born driver who now makes his home in Mundelein, Ill. competed in Atlantic Championship races at Road America in 2007 and 2008, scoring a third-place result in the first race of last year’s doubleheader on the famed Wisconsin road circuit. He earned victories in both races of a doubleheader at Portland and also won at Road America in 2005, his lone full season in the Atlantic Championship.
 
“Jim and I we have tried to do this for last 10 years, now it looks like we can do it,” Kasemets said. “We like winning and I would like to win that race for me and Polestar!
 
Owned by Bruce Potter and Jim and Pam Griffith, Polestar Motor Racing owns six victories in the Atlantic Championship and had its best season in the series in 2005, when rookie Katherine Legge won three times and finished third in the championship standings. Jim Griffith is one of the most respected engineers in the Atlantic Championship, guiding championship-winning efforts for Patrick Carpentier in 1996 and Alex Barron in 1997 with Lynx Racing and Buddy Rice in 2000 with DSTP Motorsports.
 
“Working with Tonis is something that we’ve always worked toward doing,” said Jim Griffith. “Having come from programs like Lynx and DSTP, those were programs designed to help people that had a lot of talent. Tonis has all of that talent and drive and we’re excited to be back in Atlantic. I just think it’s one of the most pure racing series there is, and this year’s prize package makes it possible to do it. The competition is great and the cars are very durable. The package makes you want to hang it out and go after it. We’re excited to go out there and do this.”
 
The 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda gets underway on Friday, March 20 at Sebring as part of the prestigious Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh From Florida weekend.