October 26th, 2007 - Grand Am's KONI Challenge wrapped up it's 12-race 2007 season at picturesque Virgina International Raceway in early October. Karl Thomson, who co-drove with Billy Johnson in the #76 Acura TSX, looksback on the year with pride. "We started 2007 with a win at Daytona," he noted. "We won at Billy's home track (Laguna Seca) and at mine
(Mosport), and had another win at Watkins Glen. That is simply an amazing year!"
In fact, Johnson and Thomson took more wins than any other Street Tuner-class duo all year. They finished second in the ST Driver's Championship, and helped to bring Acura its second consecutive Manufacturer's Championship. "I've been a season-long driver with
Grand Am since 2004, and have helped to bring the manufacturer's title home three times. That's a special honor and we are looking forward to celebrating with Acura at the Grand Am banquet in Las Vegas!"
Despite winning more races than anyone else, Thomson and Johnson placed second in the Driver's Championship. "We had two races where contact took us out," noted Thomson. "At Lime Rock Billy had to slow
for a back-marker and got tagged from behind, which cracked the header and finished our race early. And at Mid-Ohio I got punted on the second lap, which broke the suspension and meant we ended up 29th."
for a back-marker and got tagged from behind, which cracked the header and finished our race early. And at Mid-Ohio I got punted on the second lap, which broke the suspension and meant we ended up 29th."
That was enough for #76's pair to finish just a few points behind the #95 Turner BMW of Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood. "It came down to a fight between the two cars in the last half of the season," remarked
Thomson. "It was a tight battle. One race we would do well and be ahead -- the next race they would squeak ahead -- it was back-and- forth until the end."
Thomson. "It was a tight battle. One race we would do well and be ahead -- the next race they would squeak ahead -- it was back-and- forth until the end."
"I think we made the ST-class fight interesting this year," he said. "Front-wheel drive versus rear-wheel; Japanese against German. Each car has strengths and that's what makes the battle so much fun!"
Johnson brought some extra excitement to the races with two dramatic last-lap passes for the lead, first at Mosport and then at Watkins Glen.
Johnson brought some extra excitement to the races with two dramatic last-lap passes for the lead, first at Mosport and then at Watkins Glen.
Thomson continued, "It's been a real honor to be in a championship fight with a team like Turner. They've been the class of the field for the past few years, and our guys have worked hard to bring our
game up to their level. Our Crew Chief, Ray Lee, especially, has been instrumental in getting our Acuras to the front."
game up to their level. Our Crew Chief, Ray Lee, especially, has been instrumental in getting our Acuras to the front."
Thomson's also proud of the strong results posted by the team's #75 TSX and #74 RSX-S. "VIR was a great indicator of how equally our cars are prepared," noted Thomson. "Each of our Acuras led the race at
some point. You've got to admit it's a pretty amazing feat to have three different cars from a single team lead a race!" Thomson puts that down to a great crew and carefully selected driving talent. "We really analyze each driver and pair them with a partner that will maximize the performance of both." He points to rookie Matt Pritiko, who had a number of impressive drives this season, including a fourth place at Trois-Rivieres. Beau Buisson, who was lead driver in the #75 also ran up front regularly, especially at Daytona, where he led for
his entire stint.
some point. You've got to admit it's a pretty amazing feat to have three different cars from a single team lead a race!" Thomson puts that down to a great crew and carefully selected driving talent. "We really analyze each driver and pair them with a partner that will maximize the performance of both." He points to rookie Matt Pritiko, who had a number of impressive drives this season, including a fourth place at Trois-Rivieres. Beau Buisson, who was lead driver in the #75 also ran up front regularly, especially at Daytona, where he led for
his entire stint.
"That's how it was for the whole year," explains Thomson. "Unlike many teams, there is no 'number one' car for us. The goal is always to get all of our Acuras right up front, every session, and at the end of the race."
"We're looking forward to the KONI banquet in Las Vegas next week," concluded Thomson. "A bunch of our crew is going with a few folks from Honda, and being part of SEMA gives us some great business
opportunities." In other words, sponsor agreements are expected in the weeks following the show, along with details on the team's program for 2008, which will once again feature a front-running Acura ST-class effort. Be sure to visit http://www.compass360.com/racing for details.
Compass360 Design + Advertising offers branding expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The firm's unique Brand- Aid(TM) process has helped clients in financial service, entertainment, real estate development and automotive sectors to generate greater value out of their marketing communications. Visit http://www.compass360.com/ for details.
Karl Thomson is a principal and lead driver with Compass360/Racing, the motorsports marketing arm of Compass360. His team fielded BMW Z3 entries in 2004 and 2005, winning the VIR race in '05 and bringing
the Manufacturer's Championship to BMW. In 2006 and 2007 Thomson teamed with Kensai Racing to run Acuras, rewarding Acura with the Championship twice in succession. Compass360/Racing returns in 2008
to compete for the Driver's, Team and Manufacturer's Championships with Acura in Grand Am's KONI series.
For PR inquiries contact Karl Thomson, (416) 465-2299 x21 or email karlt at compass360 dot com. Information on the team is available at http://www.compass360.com/racing
For more information on the KONI Challenge Series visit http:// http://www.grand-am.com/
