Mike Cope Racing heads to VIR with full paddock and addition of Tony Buffomante
September 25, 2014
Ron Keith and Kevin Poitras third and fourth at the top of TA2 point standings
(Team Release) ALTON Va. (Sept. 25, 2014) – As Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) heads to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for Round 10 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship, the team brings one of the most talented stables in the Trans Am paddock featuring Ron Keith, Kevin Poitras and Tony Buffomante.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have this kind of talent with us at MCRE,” said Mike Cope, team owner. “Ron and Kevin have proven their ability time and time again this year in TA2; together they’ve put MCRE on the podium seven times—an accomplishment we’re very proud of in our debut year. Adding Tony to the mix is an incredible bonus, everywhere he’s gone he’s won and performed very well. He already has a win under his belt in TA2, so hopefully we can help him get back on the podium once more at VIR.”
“From a team perspective, it’s a great feeling,” continued Cope. “We have three drivers who can podium on any given day and are all eyeing that top spot. It’s the kind of ambition we want at MCRE.”
Ron Keith was forced to sit out the action at Lime Rock Park last weekend during Round 9 but will be more than ready to return to the cockpit of the No. 25 Offsite Management Ford Mustang in which he has had continued success throughout the year, never missing a podium in a race he’s started. Now, Keith goes into VIR with a new engine and the same mindset he takes to every other race.
“I’ve raced at VIR before in my GTA car,” said Keith. “Unfortunately we only made it a few laps before we had mechanical issues set in, but it’s a great track and I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t raced at a lot of the tracks we’ve visited this season; I try and go in with the same attitude each time, appreciating them for what they are and what it’s like to race on them. If you go in saying you dislike a track, you’re not setting yourself up to succeed.”
The addition of Tony Buffomante to the MCRE paddock comes as little surprise to Keith after his years of experience with the team.
“I think everyone knows how Mike Cope operates now,” said Keith. “I ran with him back in the circle track days, so I knew what I was committing to, but now everyone knows he runs a very organized team and his cars are winners—not because of the chassis, but because of how he goes about setting up a racecar. If you think about it, he has plenty of years of experience with these cars, just because they turn right and left doesn’t change what they are underneath—a platform he has decades of experience with. He knows the geometry inside and out. It’s no surprise to me to see the level of success we’ve enjoyed and that talents like Tony want to come race with Mike Cope.”
Kevin Poitras led MCRE in Keith’s absence with a sixth place finish at Lime Rock Park, in what was a survivor’s race in TA2, but had a strong showing throughout the weekend, being third quickest in qualifying with a 54.371. He’ll look to build on that momentum at VIR as he closes in on third place in the points standings, a position currently held by teammate Ron Keith.
“We have fun with it and we’ll joke around,” said Poitras. “We’ll call each other and kid about trading paint; but when we get on the track, and I’m sure Ron will say the same thing, we’re there to race. When we’re close on track, there’s an element of courtesy to it; we’re not going to pinch each other off, but I want to come in third in the points. That’s as high as I’m going to get and if I get a chance to pass him on the last lap of race, I’m going to do it.”
Just as Tony Buffomante is excited to return to the TA2 class and the Trans Am Series, he’s just as excited to get underway with MCRE.
“I can’t wait to get back in TA2 and start racing with Mike Cope,” said Buffomante. “When I met with Mike and toured his facilities, it was pretty clear to me that our way of thinking is similar and our goals are aligned. We both want race wins, and I think we’ll build on the success he’s had in his program with Ron and Kevin.”
Buffamonte has participated in the TA2 class once before, at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2013 where he finished first after a race long duel with eventual TA2 Champion Cameron Lawrence.
MCRE will first take to the track at Virginia International Raceway on Friday, September 26, at 12:00 p.m. EDT for practice, followed by a 5:00 p.m. practice later that day. Qualifying will take place on Saturday, September 27, at 12:00 p.m. in preparation for the 101.37 mile, 31 lap Trans Am race for Round 10 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship on Sunday, September 28.
MCRE Driver and Team Quotes for Virginia International Raceway
Ron Keith, driver of the No. 25 Offsite Management Ford Mustang
You are currently three points ahead of teammate Kevin Poitras in the battle for third place in TA2, how do you balance such tight competition with a teammate?
“We really haven’t talked about it all that much, since teaming up with Kevin this year the two of us have become good friends and we’re happy for each other’s successes. We want to help each other as much as possible, from learning the track to getting the gearing right, we’re a team and we’ll work with each other to get things right. We really haven’t had a situation where we’ve raced side by side much yet; but when it does happen we’ll race hard and clean, because we’re both racers and that’s what we do. “
Kevin Poitras, driver of the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro
What about MCRE attracts talented drivers like you, Ron and Tony?
“I visited Mike’s shop a year ago, and I was amazed by Mike’s knowledge and just how clean and organized everything was. I sat there and watched the crew work for a few hours, and it was impressive. At that time I was looking for a team to go to, a car to buy and had visited a few shops already but when I walked into MCRE I knew this was where I wanted to be. When you see how a shop is run, it’s a reflection on how they operate at the track and their product. My wife Tara and I went home and said ‘let’s just do it.’ I called up Mike, bought a car on his floor, ran Daytona last year, and finished fifth in my first race. It was a first-class experience, and I ended up onboard full time for 2014.”
“MCRE is a great racing team; they build excellent equipment and run a first-class organization. It’s a mix of good drivers and good equipment; and when you put them together, good things are going to happen.”
What are your thoughts on VIR?
“I don’t have a ton of experience at VIR; but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s a great track—a lot of technical parts, but two really strong straightaways. It’ll take a bit of time to get everything figured out, but I’m really looking forward to it. It reminds me of Road America where our cars performed really well, so hopefully we’ll experience something similar again this weekend.”
Tony Buffomante, Driver of the No. 79 Ilmor Powered Chevrolet Camaro
It’s been over a year since your last appearance in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 class. Are you excited to get back behind the wheel?
“It’s going to be fun. Every day you see a release about a new team or a new driver coming to Trans Am and to the TA2 class; it’s going to be tough competition, but that’s what you want as a competitor. You want to race against the best. You want to race against the likes of Cameron (Lawrence), Tommy (Kendall) and Bob (Stretch). It makes everything more rewarding.”
What are your thoughts on the track at VIR?
“I’ve been to VIR four or five times, and I’m ready to go back. It’s what I’d consider a classic road course. You can showcase all of your abilities as a driver and the capability of the platform— it has everything you want in a track.”
Twitter: @mikecoperacing
www.mikecoperacecars.com
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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises:
Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Quarter Master, Hawk Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Willwood, Port City Racecars, JRI Shocks and ButlerBuilt.
MCRE Driver Partners and Sponsors:
Ron Keith and the No. 25 Offsite Image Management Ford Mustang
Offsite Image Management, www.offsiteimagemgt.com
Offsite Image Management, one of the nation’s leaders in vendor neutral image archiving for critical access hospitals, actually has a great deal in common with the Trans Am race philosophy. Through DICOM technology, Offsite helps hospitals eliminate compatibility and efficiency problems. They offer a vendor neutral, fully accessible solution that allows for immediate patient image sharing to any doctor or hospital, anywhere, anytime.
Townsend Corporation, www.townsendcorporation.com
Headquartered near Indianapolis, in Parker City, Indiana, Townsend has grown five-fold since 1993. With a workforce in over 30 states, Townsend continues to safely deliver results and solutions that address the power industry’s most pressing issues.
Townsend provides a wide range of services, expertise, and innovative technology to its specialized core markets - vegetation management, power line clearance, custom blending and repackaging of herbicides, electric utility line construction, storm-damage relief, and process automation.
Kevin Poitras and the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro
Post Plastics, www.postplastics.com
Post Plastics is an environmental solutions provider specializing in the collection, recovery and redistribution of waste plastics from industrial processes such as manufacturing, fabrication and sign/display replacement.
With the goal of becoming Ontario’s most recognized and trusted brand for full service recycling, Post Plastics’ journey begins with a credible environmental policy that aligns with those of their client-partners.
Post Plastics’ commitment is to be a part of the waste-diversion solution with a working quality management program in place and a management team that understands and embraces its purpose.
Tony Buffomante and the No. 79 Ilmor Powered Chevrolet Camaro
Buffamonte Racing Enterprises, www.tonybuffomante.com
Tony Buffomante is a Principal with KPMG LLP's Information Protection Services practice in Chicago, Illinois. He has been racing karts, cars and offshore powerboats for over 25 years. Tony's career highlights include Championships in Star Formula Mazda, the SCCA Runoffs, NASA Super Touring and the Factory Five Challenge Series.
