There is no doubt that some of the best drivers in the pro ranks got their early race training in the DC Region of SCCA. This past weekend brought a great deal of success to several of our friends and ex teammates who are now running in the pro leagues.
Top of the list is Dean Copeland, our Spec Miata teammate for many years who made the jump to MX-5 Cup. Dean finished 2nd (by 2 100ths of a second!) this weekend at VIR in the first race of the MX-5 Cup season.
What is really impressive is the fact that Dean does not race for one of the multi-car, high dollar teams with the half million dollar rigs and 10 man crews. No way. He and his dad drag their stuff to the track in the same trailer they used when Dean was 12 and raced karts with Kevin. Way to go guys! It’s great to see that talent, dedication and tons of hard work still trump money (at least once in a while).
VIR was the place to be this past weekend with multiple pro races on the schedule. Next up was the opening double round of the VW Jetta TDI Cup.
Drivers compete in identical Jetta TDIs prepared by VW Racing. If there’s ever a series that depended almost entirely on driver skill (and of course some racing luck) this is it. The first race Saturday was won by ex DC Region Spec Miata pilot Ryan Ellis, while the 3rd position was taken by 2008 DC Region ITA champion AJ Nealey. AJ got his start in karts with the local Woodbridge Kart Club, the same club that spawned Dean Copeland and Kevin Kopp. Sunday, Ryan repeated and won the second race with AJ this time finishing 4th out of the field of 26. Great performance guys!
We’ll continue to follow and report on these drivers throughout the season and we wish them the best of luck and good fortune.
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