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Indianapolis, IN / Sebring, FL
March 10, 2007
Tonis Kasemets races into his 33rd birthday this week by piloting a freshly
assembled IMSA Lite, which literally touches the racing surface for the first
time in opening practice on March 14th at Sebring International Raceway. IMSA
Lites are part of the many support events for the World Renowned Mobile1 "12
Hours of Sebring". This year is the 55th annual event.
**The #6 Parallax entry; load-in at Pabst Racing Services in Wisconsin
Kasemets is "Very excited to be back in competition, surrounded by my closest
friends and in this beautiful new car." Tonis has been very busy off season,
testing several types of racing machines. This opportunity puts most of "Team
Tonis" back together in one paddock. Additionally, Tonis holds several track
records at Sebring, on both the short and long courses.
Indeed a "One for all, all for one" endeavor, Tonis wishes to express "Many
thanks to Bob 'Fireball' Lojkovic and our '3 Musketeers': Rick 'Aramis'
Bartuska, Steve 'Athos' Kohli and Jason 'Porthos' Kubasak. All of these
'characters' collaborated to form PARALLAX RACING and I am extremely honored
to be the first to race for them." Tonis' long time racing sidekick, Augie
"Tweak" Pabst III, is back in his Crew Chief position and Jerome "Frenchie"
Guimont returns as Chief Mechanic.
Kasemets is also "Very excited to have our long time friend Jay, of Flexovit
Abrasives Products USA, as our Guest this weekend."
The #6 Parallax IMSA Lite was prepared in very short order by Pabst Racing
Services, however, Tonis "expects an excellent run this weekend and also
appreciates everyone's efforts to make this happen." He adds, "I have many
friends who'll be at Sebring this weekend. I wish them well and look forward
to seeing them again."
** Techno-Facts: The Parallax #6 IMSA Lite is a DP02 / 2.3 liter / 335 horsepower / 6-speed sequential / Hankook tires.
For more information about the event: http://www.sebringraceway.com/
Jill Savage / Team Tonis Media - PR
jsavage@toniskasemets.com
jillsavage@insightbb.com
The Team Tonis DP01 Champ Car Super Sleigh by Stevie Moquin
Hard to believe the "Bridgestone presents Champ Car World Series powered by Ford" 2006 season is already in the record books!
All of us at Team Tonis would like to thank everyone for their support and faith that endures, as history is made 2006 = Tonis Kasemets becomes the first Estonian to ever make the jump to Champ Car.
Since settling in North America for good in 1994, Kasemets used his patience wisely. Then he began his rise through the open wheel ladder system in various series. Scoring podium after podium with several pole positions, setting new track records on 13 occasions as well as fastest race laps... also recorded during practice and qualifying.
Tonis was just waiting for the day when he'd live the dream that brought him to the United States of America: Champ Car.
Tonis comments: "I would like to thank Rocketsports Racing for their many opportunities this season. My deepest appreciation to Flexovit Abrasives USA for their unwavering support and sponsorship. I sincerely hope we will continue to work together in the future.
My deepest thanks to my Friends and Family... without whom, all of this would not have been possible. Thanks also to the many fun people in the paddock this season, who offered beautiful photos, a 'replica Champ Car' (made of paper) and other gracious acts of kindness.
And finally... to the Fans, old and new - the miles you've traveled to either watch me race or made the effort to meet along the way... you are truly the best!
I wish you ALL a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year."
Jill Savage @ Team Tonis
jsavage@toniskasemets.com
Willows, CA USA
December 3, 2006
Champ Car driver Tonis Kasemets joined Midwest Spec Racer's prototype Toyota-powered Spec Racer effort for the 2006 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by the US Air Force.
Tonis qualified the Hoosier-shod Toyota in 8th position overall in the 56-car field, ahead of his team car by nearly two seconds. Tonis ran as high as 6th place during the event, but a faulty fuel pump and a few other minor but time-consuming mechanical problems put the team out of contention for the overall victory. Despite the problems, the car finished second in class, and Tonis ran the fourth-fastest race lap of the event. Tonis' fastest time came with a remarkable effort in the 25th hour of the race. The car had been running hard for more than 24 hours when Tonis took to the track for a final "quick" stint. To the team's amazement, he consistently ran laps under two minutes, including a flyer at 1:57.4. None of the other seven drivers in either of the MST Toyotas broke the two minute barrier even once for the weekend.
In addition to driving duties, Kasemets showed his team spirit and racecraft by helping out his teammates on the radios, with strategy and with car setup for much of the race. Team driver Jason Kubasak commented "Tonis was a great addition to the team. He not only ran incredibly quick laps, he was also very easy on tires, made no mistakes, was accommodating to the team and the crew and was just a great guy to have around. We're hoping Tonis will join us again next year."
The 25 Hours of Thunderhill is in it's fourth running, and the field continues to grow in stature. This year manufacturer-backed teams from Mazda, Honda and BMW battled with privateers competing in a variety of cars from Porsche 911s to Mitsubishi Evos. BMW had one of the more interesting entries, finishing fourth overall with factory drivers Joey Hand and Bill Auberlen teaming with Car and Driver magazine in a turbo diesel 335d. A 2004 Porsche Supercup dominated this year's event by qualifying on the pole, setting fastest race lap, winning the race overall and setting a record race distance of 705 laps (2115 miles), beating last year's record pace by more than 120 miles.
The race is organized and sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association and takes place at Thunderhill Raceway Park, which is owned by the San Francisco region of the Sports Car Club of America. The track is located an hour north of Sacramento in Willows, California. For more information, visit www.nasaproracing.com.
August 14, 2006
Indianapolis, IN/Mundelein, IL USA
After a whirlwind two weeks of Grand Am and Champ Car testing August 1st through the 4th in Michigan and Wisconsin, prepping and traveling to upstate New York for another career first: his debut in the Rolex Grand Am event at Watkins Glen August 10 and 11th, then flying to Stamford, CT for a two day visit with friends, fans and business persons who kindly hosted the first Team Tonis Fan Appreciation Party at the Rack-N-Roll Sport Club Sunday... Tonis said it best, "We had a blast!"
Kasemets has returned home to Illinois, is finally taking a few days off but still carries a huge smile on his face as he reflects on the weekend. As event organizer Brian J. Defreese of KB Marketing comments, "It was truly a unique and exciting event having Tonis here." And Tonis feels that the Fan Appreciation Party "was actually quite nice!" He adds: "It was great to give back to the fans. This was an excellent opportunity for ‘the driver’ and the fans to spend time together. I had a wonderful time, met some very fun people who are truly loyal Champ Car fans. I think we are on to something here. I’d like to do this again soon!"
During Kasemets’ weekend in Stamford, he also attended the charity event hosted by *"One", the campaign to end poverty: *http://www.one.org
Fans ventured from the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and surrounding areas to enjoy a rare opportunity to be with the up and coming "Estonian Rocket", who is on a six-race deal as the Pilot of the #18 Flexovit Abrasives/Rocketsports Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone Champ Car World Series entry. Tonis’ next scheduled CC race is at Road America/Elkhart Lake, WI on September 24th with his finale’ in Mexico City on November 12th.
Arranging the fan event in Stamford was a logical move, as Kasemets was in nearby Watkins Glen, New York for the Crown Royal 200 in the #50 Rocketsports Ford- Crawford Daytona Prototype (DP). Thursday August 10th, Tonis took to the 2.45-mile road course for all three practice sessions before qualifying, running 14th fastest of 26 entries during his first practice outing. Kasemets then put the #50 DP on the starting grid in row six/P12, the best starting position to date for the Rocketsports team in the Grand Am Championship. Tonis was afforded the opportunity of co-pilot, substituting for team owner/driver Paul Gentilozzi and shared driving duties with team regular Tomy Drissi. Unfortunately, the #50 succumbed to power steering failure early in the race Friday evening. Tonis managed to put in nine laps before the team had to retire the car for mechanical issues. Kasemets says his first GAC experience was “very fun and interesting. I’m really looking forward to doing it again. The DP suits my driving style, as the fundamental driving technique is similar to Atlantics and Champ Car. Except everything happens slower, i.e. the DP is a heavier chassis. I also want to thank Paul Gentilozzi for allowing me to fill in for him at the Glen.” Before Tonis’ final 2006 events in Champ Car, he’ll get another shot in the #50 DP during the nine-hour Grand Am race at Miller Motorsport Park in Tooele, Utah on September 2nd. (Check local TV listings for air times of both Champ Car & Grand Am).
While in Connecticut, Tonis received excellent hospitality from restaurants and their owners, such as Frank of Italia’s Risorante in Norwalk and Shamus of *Tiernen’s Pub & Restaurant in Stamford. J.C. of The Four Points Hotel/Starwood Resort "enjoyed having Tonis at his hotel." And they were wonderful hosts as well. *http://www.tiernansbar.com
Sunday’s Fan Appreciation Party was the perfect atmosphere for fans to meet and greet Tonis while watching the Denver Champ Car race on the vast amount of 27 inch televisions at host locale The Rack ‘N’ Roll Sports Club. Bar manager “Tiny” and bartender Rob provided a fun new “Team Tonis” drink, as well as a very comfortable setting for this unprecedented chance for the fans to meet one of the Personalities of Champ Car. Food catered by Leo was a hit as well!
Also in attendance, rising Superbike star Athena Detlefs from Westchester, NY. She’s leaning towards a career in open wheel and sat with Tonis for much of the race Sunday, asking questions and learning from him. As with most up-and-comers he meets, Tonis offered Athena “any help (he) could”.
One of the most frequent comments from those at the Sunday event, as Tonis “intensely” watched the drivers take to the Denver GP course: “It was as if he was driving right now! Yet you can interrupt him with any question and he gives you his total undivided attention.”
In closing, we’d also like to thank promotional sponsor *Alliance Limousine President Alan Oyugi, who was excited to learn about Tonis’ trade. Alan comments, “Tonis is extremely personable and a lot of fun to talk to.” Thank you Alan for taking such excellent care of Tonis while he was in your area. *http://www.alliancelimousine.com
Thank you again Stamford, CT. Your courtesies and graciousness will not be forgotten!
Jill Savage @ Team Tonis
jsavage@toniskasemets.com
Indianapolis, IN/Stamford, CT USA
August 7, 2006
Heads-up Champ Car Fans!
Join Rocketsports Racing #18 Champ Car World Series Pilot Tonis Kasemets before, during and after the Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver:
Place: The Rack Roll Sports Club
Location: 268 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT
Date/Time: Sunday August 13th, 2:00 –7:00 PM ET
Other: No cover. Food and drink specials also.
It’s our first “Tonis Kasemets Fan Appreciation Party”! We hope you can all join us!
Tonis is jazzed to hang with the fans, sign autographs and share some of his experiences so far this season. In addition to his Hero Cards and Posters, we’ll also have the Flexovit/Rocketsports/Champ Car shirts and hats to giveaway. Bring your cameras too!
Champ Car on the Streets Of Denver is live on Speed, 3:30 to 6:00 PM ET this Sunday. Tonis Kasemets resumes his CCWS/RSR six race schedule in September at Road America.
Jill Savage @ Team Tonis
jsavage@toniskasemets.com
Indianapolis, IN / Neenah, WI USA
August 5, 2006
Tonis Kasemets and Team Tonis would like to extend our best wishes to Cristiano da Matta, his loved-ones, RuSPORT Racing and all involved in this past week’s misfortune at Elkhart Lake, WI during Champ Car World Series open testing at Road America.
A personal note from Tonis: “I’m wishing my good friend ‘Shorty’ all the best and hope he gets well quick.” For updates concerning Cristiano and/or to send cards: http://www.rusport.com/
We’d also like to give Rocketsports’ PR Lady Heather Haupt and all at RSR a “Big thank you!” for your excellent work this season, especially on the freshly revamped RSR website. Amongst all of the new data, fun images of Tonis available in the new Photo Gallery: http://www.rocketsportsracing.com/
Additional thanks to our Associate sponsors Darksyd Designs Web Design/Hosting. Your work, approaching year 4, is greatly appreciated. And new in 2006: “Indy Music Scene”. Adding new graphics to the #18 Flexovit Abrasives/Rocketsports Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone entry is always a good thing!
To all of the fans and supporters of Tonis, we deeply appreciate your nonstop inquiries for Kasemets’ information. For autograph requests and up to the minute details about his exciting, ever changing season, hit the Rocketsports link at the top right of each of Tonis’ web pages.
New images of Tonis are also available, per each event, in the www.toniskasemets.com ‘Photos’ section. Front page updates as warranted.
Jill Savage @ Team Tonis
jsavage@toniskasemets.com
Check out the archived Tonis news.
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