Mike Cope ready to rebound at Brainerd International Raceway
July 1, 2015
Team looks to for back-to-back team wins at Minnesota track
CLEARWATER, Fla. (July 1, 2015) – As the Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) team begins the long haul north from Clearwater, Florida to Brainerd, Minnesota for the Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic, the team prepares for a return to form at a track, at which, the MCRE program and platform have already had a strong showing, Brainerd International Raceway (BIR).
“BIR was a little bit of a mystery for us last year,” said Cope. “It was everyone’s first time at the track and we had to figure things out on the run. Fortunately for us we came away with the team’s first ever TA2 class win. This year we have a better feel for the track and it’s nice to have that in our back pocket as we head north—everyone was a little disappointed with New Jersey, and we’re all determined to turn over a new page and get back to our winning ways.”
In total, five MCRE built cars will be participating in the weekend with the trio of Tony Buffomante, Kevin Poitras and Keith Prociuk, participants in the MCRE arrive and drive program, in attendance as the MCRE team looks to once more break onto the podium. They join a 20-car strong TA2 field at BIR including Tony Ave, in an MCRE built, Tony Ave Racing prepped Ford Mustang, and Dillon Machavern, in an MCRE built, Riggins Engineering prepped Ford Mustang.
“We had some plain bad luck at New Jersey,” said Cope. “I’m confident that the talent behind the wheels of MCRE built cars can hang with anyone in the paddock, no question. Sometimes racing throws something unexpected your way, but you should see our drivers and our cars well towards the front throughout the weekend. There’s a lot of racing left in 2015, and all of MCRE is focused on getting a quality result once more at BIR.”
Heading into Round 6 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, drivers sporting MCRE built or prepped cars hold seven of the top 15 spots and four of the top ten in the 50-plus car TA2 point standings.
The MCRE team and all MCRE built cars will take to the track in several sessions throughout the weekend, all times Central:
Saturday, July 4:
10:30 – 11:15 AM – Trans Am Practice 1
2:20 – 2:40 PM – Trans Am “Fast Five” Qualifying
Sunday, July 5:
9:00 – 9:25 AM – Trans Am Practice 2
9:30 – 9:45 AM – Second Chance to Qualify
1:50 – 3:00 PM – Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic (Race)
Fans can keep up with MCRE throughout the weekend on Twitter at @MikeCopeRacing and keep track of each session at www.gotransam.com/live-timing or on Race Monitor.
A complete list of this weekend’s competitors who chose Mike Cope Racing Enterprises racecars: Keith Prociuk*, Dillon Machavern, Tony Buffomante*, Tony Ave, and Kevin Poitras*.
* MRCE “Arrive and Drive” customer
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.
MCRE offers a variety of services for drivers interested in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 program, including custom builds, arrive and drive programs, maintenance programs, consulting, driver mentoring, set-up and shock dyno. Learn more at www.mikecoperacecars.com.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Quarter Master, Hawk Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Wilwood, Port City Racecars, ButlerBuilt, Integra Shocks and Keyser Manufacturing.
MCRE Sponsors:
Bestline Superior Lubricants, www.bestlinelubricants.com
Since its incorporation, BestLine has developed a new line of full synthetic lubricants and lubricant additives that dramatically reduce friction, heat and mechanical wear to an extent never before seen or tested. BestLine refers to its proprietary technology as "Micro Lubrication Technology, (TM)" or "MLT."
