One More Round... of Thanks and Gratitude

October 24, 2009
Mundelein, IL

On behalf of all within Team Tonis – we offer our sincerest thanks to the Atlantic Series; the Drivers and the Teams.  To the many friends and photographers who attended - no matter the elements or the extremes.  To the fans - who didn’t miss a beat!  We truly appreciate all who made the effort to stay ‘up to speed’.

Personal thoughts from Tonis: “I can’t say enough thanks to the Atlantics Championship crew - Ben Johnston, Vicki O’Connor, Polly Gallimore and the Full staff; to everyone at Cooper Tires and Pi/Cosworth/Mazda. I really appreciate receiving all of my prize monies in a timely manner!

Am very grateful to have been able to compete in another full season… thanks to the Polestar Family - for their help to jump start at Sebring.

Our Formula Atlantic Family, as a ‘Community’ - might of appeared small - yet I feel that we did a very professional job.  The field featured a lot of great talent and I really enjoyed racing with some of the best in open wheel.

Additional thanks to each Team and Driver.  We were like a Family all season long, looking out for one another, pitching in or lending a hand.”

Our thanks too, to our Sponsors:  Fatburner - KC Grupp and FlexOvit abrasives!

We’re very proud to have been a part of the 2009 Atlantic Championship season.

Kasemets’ More Than Ready for Laguna Seca / Season Finale

October 6, 2009
Mundelein, IL USA

 
Round 12 of 12

Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda ”Monterey Sports Car Championships”

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca   11-turn, 2.238-mile permanent road course

Tonis and crew are “very excited” as Kasemets further expresses: “Entering the last Atlantic race this year, our intention is to stay 5th in points.”  (Currently at 95). A solid 5th so far - within 24 Contenders of the ’09 Campaign: 19 of those in the Swift 016.a plus an additional 5 entries in the C2 Class.  Tonis has made five Top 5 finishes and 1 Podium this year.

The return of the bright yellow #35 Fat Burner/Polestar/Mazda-Cosworth/Swift 016.a/Cooper Tires entry takes to the famed Laguna Seca track, beginning Friday with two practice sessions: 

8:50 – 9:35am PT    /    11:50am   –  12:35pm ET
4:05 – 4:35pm PT    /    07:05pm   –  07:35pm ET

Live Timing and Scoring for all on-course outings: www.atlantic-championship.com

Kasemets’ 2009 Season Report Card

Tonis bounces back to 5th in points + his fifth Top 5 at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres Quebec, Canada

The Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda made it’s 9th stop of the 12-race schedule, at the 40th Anniversary of the GP3R, August 14-16.  Tonis Kasemets made his way back to the front very quickly, consistently P3 in opening practice.  All involved were very relieved, as the #35 Fat Burner/Polestar entry was still a ‘repair in progress’ when the Team arrived at the track.  During the prior race weekend at Mid Ohio, Kasemets racked up his only DNF of the season - due to an unfortunate lap 1 incident in T3 and the 1st in Atlantics since San Jose in 2005. 

With no time for private testing - the Team - consisting of Tonis, team mate/brother Madis and “U-U” (Urmo Unus) still managed to rebuild our car and it was the “rocket ship” all had hoped.  A great come back.  Running steadily in P3, 4 and 5 during all practice sessions, Kasemets qualified P6.   On lap 1 of the race, he fell to P7 but was back up to P6 by lap 11.  He quickly made his way to P5 on lap 14 then to P4 on lap 28 - where he remained although wanting desperately to make 1 more pass - for P3 - but he played it ‘safe’ and held - through the remaining 22 laps. 

Our thanks to everyone who made it possible to make the trek to Trois-Rivieres and to all who sought out parts, among many other kindnesses.  To the fans - who send the greatest messages!  YOU are the best!

Photos>

Photos courtesy of Steven Hubert, Polly Gallimore and Phil Sedgwick. 
Enjoy the many snaps and we hope to see you at Mosport, August 30th!

Autobahn Country Club in Joliet - July 26 2009

Hometown Star to Shine at the Autobahn Grand Prix

Mundelein, IL USA
July 21, 2009

Tonis Kasemets continues his streak of gains during rounds 6 and 7 of the 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda this weekend… in his “back yard”… aka the “Autobahn Grand Prix sponsored by Harrah’s.”

Coming off of his second top 5 finish in race 5 of the 12 race season (at Lime Rock Park,  July 18th) - Kasemets is “proud and excited” to race at 1 of 2 of his ‘home road courses’ - the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL.  His other ‘home track’ is Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI - where he holds several course records.

Kasemets migrated from Parnu, Estonia to the USA in 1994 and quickly made his home base In Mundelein, IL.  He and his wife of 16 years - Ilona - continue to reside here, raising their 2 children - son Ayrton (age 13) and daughter Adry (age 6). 

Both Saturday and Sunday offer Feature racing in a double-header, including 35 year old Tonis in his Polestar Motor Racing/Fat Burner/Mazda-Cosworth #35.  Both events are on the longest course of the 3 different configurations of the Autobahn:  the 21-turn, 3.56-mile permanent road course.  Tonis has spent many days on the 2 other courses, so this weekend is lining up to be a bit of vast experience mixed with a new challenge.  Those who truly know Tonis, know that he “thrives on a good challenge.” 
 
(pron: Toe-NEES Kahz-uh-mets)

The Series: http://www.atlantic-championship.com
The Autobahn Grand Prix: http://www.autobahngrandprix.com

Motorhome in fire

Hi all, we had a motor home for the season, after  we got home from a good weekend in Lime Rock, during dinner neighbors had to call 911. When we went outside the motor home was in flames……….We stayed in it for 8 days and did not know any better. Please make sure you use SMOKE DETECTORS, because it could end bad!

Kasemets Scores Second Top 5 Finish of Atlantic's Season

Lakeville, CT
July 18, 2009

Tonis took the new Polestar Motor Racing/Fat Burner/Mazda-Cosworth #35 - aka "Yellow Magic" -  on it's maiden voyage weekend at the famed Lime Rock  Park - beginning yesterday, July 17th. Within 3 practice laps, he had his new Swift 016.a up to P2 on the 10-turn, 1.51-mile permanent road course.

Next were qualifications - all in the wet.  More like monsoon-style rain showers - but again, Tonis was in the Top 3 lap after lap with no complaints.  Kasemets hasn't met a road course he's not loved and running in the rain is 'just another day at the office.'  However, a problem occurred as Tonis explains:  "I had a good qual but the 3 car hit me!  So I had to come in for repair!  My in lap was P2 or P3!"  As the clock ticked - Kasemets' had to settle for another mid-pack start of P7.

Saturday, July 18 - Race day: "Start of race delayed due to earlier track issues"

Once underway - Tonis jumped from P7 to P6 quickly. Then made his move to P5 where he cruised comfortably until the end of the 40 minute event. Race details from Tonis: "It was a good weekend.  First time this year the car was good throughout the entire race.  We learned a lot at one test but there is more to learn.  Starting P7, finishing P5 with the 2nd fastest lap!  Am very satisfied."

That's two Top 5's within the first 5 events of the season.  Plus, an excellent finish for the first outing of the new #35 in the "2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda".

Full timing & scoring results/splits - used with kind permission of "IMSA Timing & Scoring"

Photos & more forthcoming.

Thanks to all for the great pre-race well wishes! 
Also - full coverage via http://www.atlantic-championship.com

The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix Atlantic Championships

Hi, it was good weekend. First time this year the car was good all thru race. We learned lot at one test but there is more to learn. Started P7 finished P5 with second fastest lap time!

Qualifying
Download PDF file

I had good qual, but #3 car hit me and had to come in for repair! My in lap was p2 or p3! 
Download PDF file

After New Jersey test

[pictures]

Building the car in Polestar Motor Racing

307 Park Ave. Chardon, Ohio  44024

I was in Cleveland for some days and helped to build our racecar. It took lot of detail work but it is now very nice. We are hoping to go testing next week in New Jersey July 14th, two days before Lime Rock Race.

more pictures>

Motorsports Park, Millville, New Jersey

Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix Atlantic Championships Race

Kasemets makes the Season Opener of Atlantics' Championships at Sebring

Mundelein IL / Indy IN USA
April 5, 2009
FROM: http://www.imsaracing.net

"One driver who did not participate in the test but will be participating in the race this weekend is three-time Atlantic race winner Tonis Kasemets. The Estonia-born racer—who finished third in both races of a doubleheader last season at Road America in his lone Atlantic weekend of the year—will drive the No. 35 Polestar Motor Racing machine."

RESULTS: After starting 4 days too late for even 1 test lap, Tonis strapped into his Mazda powered Swift .016 - ready to rock.  He gained momentum with each lap.  Excellent team chemistry - a very good fit.  Kasemets started P11 and made brave yet safe moves to P7 within the 1st lap.  A 1st lap accident left a large debris area - therefore the majority of the race moved under yellow.  Finally, 14 laps under Green and Tonis decided to simply hold his line.  His lap times were up there with the Top 3, but traffic became an issue.  He's extremely happy with finishing P7 and is "Completely confident that the Top 3 is only a matter of time - just a few more laps."  And is "Very much looking forward to Utah."

Sincere thanks to those who pitched in at the 11th hour, to make sure Tonis was at the Atlantics' Season Opener at Sebring with Polestar Racing.  Special thanks - to the Griffith's and Bruce Potter - for seeing in Tonis - what we ALL see.  Champion, gentleman, passionate, discipline and completely focused on staying at the TOP of the Podium.

Room for Sponsorships still available on the car too! 
Contact either Tonis or Jill for more information. 
Thanks to all who remain on board the "Team Tonis" Train!
Jill Savage/Team Tonis Media

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tonis Kasemets And Polestar Motor Racing Team Up in Atlantic Championship

 CHARDON, Ohio (March 17, 2009) – Two entities that have had considerable success in the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda have joined forces, as driver Tonis Kasemets and Polestar Motor Racing will take to the track in the 2009 Atlantic Championship season-opener next week at Sebring International Raceway.
 
Kasemets, a three-time race winner in Atlantic competition, will pilot the Polestar-prepared No. 35 machine in the $50,000-to-win race. The Estonia-born driver who now makes his home in Mundelein, Ill. competed in Atlantic Championship races at Road America in 2007 and 2008, scoring a third-place result in the first race of last year’s doubleheader on the famed Wisconsin road circuit. He earned victories in both races of a doubleheader at Portland and also won at Road America in 2005, his lone full season in the Atlantic Championship.
 
“Jim and I we have tried to do this for last 10 years, now it looks like we can do it,” Kasemets said. “We like winning and I would like to win that race for me and Polestar!
 
Owned by Bruce Potter and Jim and Pam Griffith, Polestar Motor Racing owns six victories in the Atlantic Championship and had its best season in the series in 2005, when rookie Katherine Legge won three times and finished third in the championship standings. Jim Griffith is one of the most respected engineers in the Atlantic Championship, guiding championship-winning efforts for Patrick Carpentier in 1996 and Alex Barron in 1997 with Lynx Racing and Buddy Rice in 2000 with DSTP Motorsports.
 
“Working with Tonis is something that we’ve always worked toward doing,” said Jim Griffith. “Having come from programs like Lynx and DSTP, those were programs designed to help people that had a lot of talent. Tonis has all of that talent and drive and we’re excited to be back in Atlantic. I just think it’s one of the most pure racing series there is, and this year’s prize package makes it possible to do it. The competition is great and the cars are very durable. The package makes you want to hang it out and go after it. We’re excited to go out there and do this.”
 
The 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda gets underway on Friday, March 20 at Sebring as part of the prestigious Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh From Florida weekend.