When GRAND-AM introduced its new Daytona Prototype class back in2003, Brumos Racing was there. One of the first teams to support the concept with a firm commitment, Brumos campaigned a pair of Porsche-powered FABCARs in the inaugural race. Since then, Brumos has competed in every race held by the GRAND-AM Rolex Series – a
claim no other team can make.
Now, as GRAND-AM and the American LeMans Series prepare to merge into the newly formed United Sports Car Racing group, Brumos has made the difficult decision to end their 2013 season early, following their upcoming race at Road Atlanta. After over ten years of competition without any break, Brumos will take some much-needed time off the road to focus on the future and the new era of sports car racing that lies ahead.
Brumos team owner Dano Davis explains
“We have been proud to be part of the GRANDAM Rolex Series since the inception of the DP class in 2003. Hurley Haywood and Peter Gregg earned their first IMSA championship for Brumos in 1971 and followed up with more championships, and 24 Hours of Daytona victories, making Hurley one of the most successful road racers in history. We thank Hurley and Peter, as well as the many other drivers and team
members, who have built the legacy of Brumos Racing through the years.“When I bought the Brumos dealerships in 1990, Bob Snodgrass and I decided that racing was important to our company. We competed in the IMSA SuperCar Series and won championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. We are proud to have won the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona and most recently, the Rolex Series GT Championship in 2011, our first year back in GT competition.
“Our racing is extremely competitive and expensive, and sponsorship is a necessity to continue. Thus far, we have been unsuccessful in our efforts to acquire that sponsorship. We will complete our 2013 season with the race at Road Atlanta and work towards our return to the new USCR Series in the future. I thank our drivers, Andrew Davis and Leh Keen, our team manager, Skip Schinsing, along with all of our team members whose expertise and dedication have allowed us to continue to build the heritage of Brumos Racing.”
The GRAND-AM Rolex Series race at Road Atlanta will be held on April 20, 2013, with a start time of 4:30 PM ET. The 2.75 hour race will be broadcast live on SPEED TV.
We have a number of questions into Brumos about their announcement, but as of publishing, we haven’t yet heard back. We’ll update you, and this post, once we do!
UPDATE: 4/17/2013 6:45 pm – Brumos responded to our request for additional information. We had asked the following (Brumos Racing’s responses are in italics below each question):
1. Can you comment on what amount of sponsorship would be required for Brumos Racing to continue in Grand-Am?
We can’t put a specific dollar amount on a sponsorship, each situation is reviewed individually and there are way too many variables that have to be considered to be able to publicly quote an amount.
2. Will Brumos Racing definitely return in 2014 for the USCR series?
There is no definite commitment at this early stage on when we will be able to return – it’s just too early to know.
3. What will happen to Leh and Andrew? Will they continue on with Brumos Racing in some other capacity?
Andrew & Leh both have plans in the works for ALMS rides for the remainder of this season. Andrew continues as a driving instructor for the Porsche Sports Driving School and he and Leh have both assisted with the Brumos Driving Experience, our company driver training program, and may help out with other projects from time to time.
Other Porsche Blog Posts You Will Enjoy
FLATSIXES.com’s Great Driver Series: Andrew Davis and Leh Keen
Results and Pictures from Porsche’s Performance in the GRAND-AM at the Circuit of the Americas
The Rumors Are True! Grand-Am and ALMS Announce Formal Plans to Merge.
View Comments (8)
So thankful I am going to Road Atlanta this weekend to see the Brumos Porsche for the last time this season. Adore Hurley, Leh and Andrew. Hope to see you guys back together again in 2014.
Lauren,
Have a blast!
So sorry to read this. Have been a fan for a number of years and even visited the dealership because of the raceteam. Hurley was always accessible, as was Andrew Davis and Leh. Will miss seeing the familiar colors and numbers. I only hope that sponsorship comes through for next year and beyond. What a great legacy...
Brumos Porsche: There Is No Substitute.
Tony Benken
Nashville, TN
This has been a strange transitional year for some famous liveries - the Flying Lizards, for example, stepped down from GT to GTCin ALMS, but seeing the famous Brumos 59 retire early is a sad thing. I hope they find the sponsors to get back on the track with the USCR in 2014!
Sponsors pull out because they don't get ROI. Regardless a team wins or not, the brand (Automotive) will always get recognized. I do not blame Porsche. They make reliable GT3 cars for there teams. However Porsche always wins. Currently my sponsor has given me til June to find another brand or we fold as well. We race 911 GT3s (2) as well. Viper is catching more eyeballs, Corvette, McLaren, Aston Martin, Z4 GT3, Ferrari very expensive but always fun to watch, we even test drove Lamborghini Trofeo model. I think Brumos will defy a turn for Porsche. Maybe it's time Porsche to re-create an 991 (I know it is all new) or introduce another model/brand for racing. Brumos is big name and that will be noticed by many. Thanks.
This is horrible news for race fans. I'm sadden to see one of the most popular teams disappear. I don't even want to watch anymore racing on TV. i wonder if this is going to effect others. Thanks Brumos...you guys are the best.
As a former Jacksonville resident, PCA member, and Grand-Am devotee, I feel the loss of Brumos Racing. Hurley, Leh, and Andrew brought a lot of class to the series.
In recent years, Brumos and other Porsche teams struggled to keep the flat 6 engines competitive with the V8s in both the DP and GT classes. Hopefully, Brumos will return once a competitive platform is available...they have the driver and technical side covered.
SORRY TO HEAR OF THIS LOSS OF A GREAT LEGACY.
I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO MEET AND CHAT SHARING SOME WINE WITH PETER GREGG A FEW DAYS BEFORE AN IMSA RACE AT LIME ROCK AND TO SHARE TIME IN THE INFIELD WITH HIS TEAM MANY YEARS AGO.
MY WIFE, CAROLYN, AND I RAN A GTO IMSA RSR IN PCA IN THE EARLY 80'S. AND AFTER SEVERAL CHANGES OF HANDS, IT ENDED UP AT BRUMOS, WHICH PUT IT BACK TO FACTORY APPEARANCE AND USED IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS A DRIVER'S ED CAR FOR CUSTOMERS AT MOROSO. WE HAD STOPPED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON A TRIP TO FLORIDA AND SPOKE WITH BOB SNODGRASS WHO REMEMBERED THE CAR WELL. IT LEFT THERE TO A "TOY STORE" IN MIAMI AND WAS BOUGHT AND TAKEN TO THE U.K. TO RUN IN VINTAGE EVENTS THERE.
FRANK CARRINGTON,FORMER PRESIDENT OF PCA/CVR AND ORIGINATOR OF "ZONE 1 TECH TACTICS"