Welcome to the newest FRN Blogger, Shea Holbrook…

Whether you’re male or female, there’s something about a high speed thrilling street race that makes motorsports fans ecstatic! Excitement is revving high and for a split second everyone stands on their feet as the green flag waves. Turn 1, fans eyes are glued to their favorite driver. Drivers push hard, brake deep, check their mirrors, and force an opening to advance. Crew members are fixated on the last corner patiently waiting for their car to come around, untouched. It’s an all-out brawl from there!

One of the most prestigious street races kicks off in St. Petersburg, FL for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg the “World’s Fastest Spring Break Party!” March 26-27, 2011. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit incorporates streets of downtown St. Petersburg and a section of runway of Albert Whitted Airport. Racers fly down the airport runway into Turn 1 where the braking zone is all paint. There’s a tight right-hander into Turn 1 and then a quick left-hand turn. Plenty of drivers have gotten into trouble in these two turns over the years. Another short straight away from Turns 3 to 4 presents passing opportunities and a very small runoff area for cars that just might brake to late preventing being overtaken. The quick right then left-hander brings you to Turn 6. Carrying speed through these corners are crucial. Turns 6 and 7 can be a handful; they’re the only blind corners on the track where you have no idea what’s ahead until you get there. With a flick of the wrist, turns 7, 8, and 9 are right-handers. Light braking into Turn 9 launches you onto the back straightaway with a slight left-hander. Be careful. Crowns in the payment can get cars here that back off the throttle, sending them into the wall. This lefty and be lucky…Turn 10 is the perfect opportunity for passing by out breaking our opponent. This turn is exciting for fans watching in grandstands, and lots of action happens here! Underneath the bridge for a quick right then left where some drivers go two wide into Turns 13 and 14 battling for the lead on the front straightaway.

Now that you’ve mentally driven one lap around St. Pete let’s find out whose racing!

Sports car drivers and IndyCar drivers racing during the same weekend? That’s right! This is heaven for motorsports enthusiast. The IZOD IndyCar Series is the primary race event of the weekend and races on Sunday. Last year Will Power (no pun intended, it’s really his name!) took to the streets and swept away a first place starting off his season fast. Who will win this year’s race? Maybe Dancia Patrick, she sure has made a name for herself in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series. Or will Dario Franchitti come back to win the championship by first taking a win at St. Pete. Can you tell just by listening to the engines what types of cars are on track? You’ll know when the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge sports cars hit the circuit. The rumble of the Grand Touring (GT), Grand Touring Sport (GTS), and Touring Car (TC) machines are mean! The World Challenge 2011 season is expected to be full of hype, extreme competition, and an extraordinary amount of fan interaction. Last year’s winners were: Randy Pobst GT winner, Peter Cunningham GTS winner, and Todd Buras TC winner. Teams take grid for the doubleheader weekend, one race Saturday, and one Sunday. This will be the second year World Challenge is the support series to IndyCar. The majority of IndyCar races are live on the VERSUS Network and all World Challenge races are aired on VERSUS.

So who is your favorite team? Maybe Shea Racing! Come out to all 2011 races to meet and watch the team and I perform at our best in the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Series. Follow our No. 67 K&N Air Filters sponsored Honda Civic Si. Then come out to see us for the next race in Long Beach, CA. where Lucas Oil and Shea Racing have partnered for yet another thrilling street race.

Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – the World’s Fastest Spring Break Party!

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