Posted (10/08/2006) -
The onset of autumn in Virginia set the perfect scene for Huffmaster's season finale at Virginia International Raceway.
Rob Huffmaster capped off his Rising Star sensation season with a fantastic run at the Grand-Am Cup 6 hour finale held at Virginia International Raceway on October 8th weekend. Rob was fastest in Practice 1, and netted a 6th place finish in the Street Tuner race.
The weekend started for Rob and his father Ray on Thursday Test Sessions. Both drivers used the sessions to gain valuable track time on the classic road course circuit.
Then the first practice session on Friday occurred, and Rob put the Street Tuner field on notice that the #65 SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 would a strong contender come Sunday.
"Rob has really developed as an all around driver throughout 2006. His maturity and speed behind the wheel are amazing for a 20-year-old driver. I feel that this is a sign of things to come for 2007, and we look forward to having Rob and his father, Ray, back with SpeedSource as solid race and championship contenders next season,"
- stated team owner Sylvain Tremblay.
When Qualifying came on Saturday morning, Rob again put up a strong time, posting 5th fastest out of 35 ST cars.
The father and son duo proved their 5th place qualifying effort was no fluke by holding strong for the entire 6 hours of the event. Rob started and finished the #65, for at total of 3 stints, while Ray assisted with two strong stints of his own. In the end, the No. 65 Mazda RX-8 finished in 6th place.
"Ray did a very solid job behind the wheel, and Rob continued to lay down some blisteringly quick times," said Tremblay.
"This 6 hour enduro was a really education for me. There is an evolution to an individual's driving style to go from the shorter 2 hour and 45 minute races to a 6 hour event. Saving gas and conserving the transmission were key points to our making it to the end in 6th place."
- stated Rob Huffmaster
Grand-Am Cup competition was not the only racing that Rob competed within in 2006. Rob also contested a full schedule of SCCA Regional events in the ITS class. As in the Grand-Am Cup, Rob drove a Mazda, this time a RX-7. During the 9 race season, Rob won 9 races, 9 pole positions, and set fastest race lap 9 times. At Mid-Ohio and Gingerman, Rob broke the ITS track record. In the end, he was awarded the Great Lakes Region ITS Championship.
"I am so proud of Rob this weekend and his evolution as driver during the entire season. He has really turned into quite a driver, and I am sure we are going to be a threat for podiums and even perhaps victory in 2007."
- states Ray Huffmaster
"I feel we accomplished our goals for the season. Three Top 10s in 5 Cup outings were favorable outcomes. During our 5 Grand-Am Cup events, we got faster and faster while demonstrating consistency in pace."
- stated Rob Huffmaster
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