May 3, 2007, Nashville, TN: In only its second season of racing, the North American MINI Cooper Championship (NAMCC) is making significant strides as it links up with one of the most prestigious historic racing events on the racing calendar. Brian Redman, himself a former Mini racer, has added the North American MINI Cooper Championship, NAMCC East rounds 1 & 2, to his Intercontinental Events vintage racing event, the “Jefferson 500” held at Summit Point Raceway on May 18-20.

“This is a big step forward,” added NAMCC series organizer Phil Wicks. “We are thrilled that Brian Redman has agreed to help generate new awareness of our series and permitted us to be a part of his prestigious event.” Like many British racers who started their careers during the heyday of the original Mini Cooper, Redman was an early racer of the iconic car. His career continued to the highest plateaus of international competition by competing in both Formula One Grand Prix and Le Mans sports cars series.

“We hope that the MINI contingent will be well represented,” said Wicks. “There will be several classic Mini racers in the Redman hosted events and they will be equally welcome to compete in our NAMCC races. This should be a fantastic event for Mini enthusiasts. We look forward to seeing many, many Minis/MINIs, on the grid or enrolled in the Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy as well as many more in the parking lot!”
In addition to the Minis, fans will likely see vintage marques including Aston Martin, BMW, Mustang, Corvette, Porsche as well as thoroughbred racers like March, Lola and Lotus.

Coinciding with NAMCC, Phil Wicks will be conducting another Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy on May 19. Brian Redman himself is expected to be on hand as a guest lecturer!

“How often does one have the chance to get guidance from a world class racing driver like Brian Redman,” added Wicks. “We are thrilled to have him revisit old times with our event!” Finally, Saturday evening event attendees will be trading stories at a bull roast/lobster dinner after the day’s events.

Series official sponsor MavTV will return to Summit Point to video both the NAMCC events as well as the “Jefferson 500” vintage race for a special broadcast on MavTV.

In addition to MavTV, series official sponsors include ALTA MINI Performance, Hendrick Motorsports, Kumho Tires, Minnie Pearl Foundation (official charity), M7 Tuning and recently added Minspeed.

For more information on the NAMCC, visit the website at www.minidriving.com and click on the race series pages.

Contact: Phil Wicks

615/354-5576
racerwicks@aol.com

 

Anyone who knows how to fix this post, feel free. My first thread and it's screwed up! sorry about that. Please fill me in. Thanks.

 

The Jefferson 500 has always been a fun event. I recommend going on Sunday, as that is when the BMWCCA holds their BBQ.

 

All fixed!

 

Anyone else going to the course?

 

Yep - that's the problem with copying and pasting from a web page or other source. Don't do that!

 

Awww, I leave May 17th. :(

 

Unfortunately the Jefferson 500 has been canceled.

 

ok- so ill be at the r32 track event that weekend- so is there still going o be some mini folk at the track- ...??? ill be at the bmwcca event this weekend tooo --- yay for track!

 

Jefferson 500 has been cancelled

 

This sucks...just got this tonight. Obviously not driving to FL or SC...


Good evening.

Unfortunately, we received notice this afternoon that the track and the organizers of the weekend at Summit Point May 18 - 20 have cancelled the event. We have no idea what precipitated this action. But we are left with no choice but to cancel our participation. This was a joint venture between Summit Point Raceway, Brian Redman Jefferson 500 Classic, and Phil Wicks Driving Academy. We were given no notice of this cancellation.

I am very sorry for this late notice. We have events scheduled at Sebring FL June 16, Talladega July 21-22, and Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw SC September 22 and 23. We will be happy to carry your registration over to any of these events. If you want to participate in either of the two-day events, we will provide you with a special rate.

Please let us know as soon as possible how you would like to handle your registration. This cancellation is very much beyond our control.

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=4]Phil Wicks
Phil Wicks Driving Academy[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

The rumour going around is that entrants into the racing were so few that the event wasn't feasible. Sad that all the old race car guys have given up! This would have been the seventeenth year of the Jefferson 500. Can you imagine if the Goodwood Festival of Speed got cancelled in the UK due to lack of participation? Oh well, now I have to find something else to do on May 20th!

 

Anyone thinking of going to summit piont on the 19th?

 

I am not sure how much fun watching VWs and Phil Wicks Academy people driving around will be. Have fun though.

 

If you read the above posts you'll note that Phil Wicks won't be there, don't know about the r32's.

 

if you goto the main course, they will be having track days for bikes there by NESBA. so you can sit up on the benches over by the carousel and watch em come around. you can also hang out in the paddock at the main course.

 

I know the NAMCC won't be there, but I thought they would still have the driving school

 

I am going to pass.

 

No once the Briam Reddman race cancelled everything unraveled. Probably everyone split up costs to keep it affordable.