2008 Mosport - IMSA Lites

In 2006, the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA) introduced IMSA Lites. The series was created to provide an opportunity for drivers competing at the amateur level to advance to a professional series or to prepare for a category such as the American Le Mans (ALMS). The mission is to develop future drivers and teams for the ALMS. Three years later, the series was exceeding IMSA's expectations.

IMSA Lites features three classes of purpose-built sports racing prototypes – Lites 1, Lites 2 and Lites 3. The primary factor determining the categorization of a car is engine displacement.

Lites 1 (L1) – This is the fastest category. The most common vehicle in this group is the Elan DP-02 manufactured by Elan Van Diemen. The DP-02 features a carbon fiber monocoque fitted with an aerodynamic package that includes a front splitter, diffuser and rear wing. The car is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder Mazda MZR motor mounted to a six-speed sequential transmission.
Lites 2 (L2) – This group includes several chassis and engine combinations. The West WR1000 is a popular choice powered by a 1000-cc Kawasaki ZX engine. The car also uses an electronic paddle-shift system.
Lites 3 (L3) – Only one car competes in this category. The Van Diemen DP-06, introduced by the Sports Car Club of America in 2002, is powered by a 2.3-liter Mazda MZR engine.

2008 IMSA Lites Championship consisted of six race weekends, with doubleheaders at each event.

March 13-14 – Sebring International Raceway
May 17-18 – Miller Motorsports Park
July 11-12 - Lime Rock Park
August 23-24 – Mosport International Raceway
October 2-3 - Road Atlanta
October 18-19 – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

In addition to a driver’s championship, there are also titles for Teams and Constructors.

The fourth weekend of the 2008 IMSA Lites Championship was held at Mosport International Raceway. Drivers would compete in rounds seven and eight on the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course. Poor weather conditions prevented the drivers from qualifying. The grid for round seven was set by the combined fast times from practices one and two.

Nineteen competitors enter Motorsports International Raceway’s turn nine for the start of round eight for the 2008 IMSA Lites Championship. On the pole is Jonathan Goring in the No. 14 Inspire Motorsports Elan DP-02. On the outside of Goring is the No. 7 Primetime Race Group Elan DP-02 of Joel Feinberg. Row two is occupied by the No. 21 Elan DP-02 of Charlie Shears and Lucas Downs driving the No. 79 entry.

The L1 category of the 2008 IMSA Lites series was being dominated by Jonathan Goring. Goring drove the No. 14 Inspire Motorsports Elan DP-02. In rounds seven and eight at Mosport, he added another two victories to his total. On Saturday, Goring started on the pole and went flag-to-flag to win by a margin of 29.867-seconds. He delivered the same performance in the finale and won by 16.840-seconds.

Australian Tom Drewer was having a tremendous amount of success in the L2 division of the 2008 IMSA Lites Championship. Drewer piloted the No. 45 West WR1000 prepared by PVM Racing and had racked up several class victories prior to his visit to Mosport International Raceway. In round seven, Drewer grabbed the victory after starting twelfth overall and first in class. On Sunday, he encountered an issue and finished third.

There were only two L3 entries at Mosport International Raceway and they happened to be teammates. The No. 5 KC Racing Van Diemen DP-06 was driven by Sports Car Club of America veteran Chris Funk. His teammate was Kelly Toombs in the No. 36 Van Diemen. The points leader, Funk, captured the victory in the opening race. The honours for Sunday’s contest went to Toombs.

Ricky Taylor, the son of sportscar champion Wayne Taylor, competed in the opening at Sebring International Raceway driving an Elan DP-02. When the series made its stop at Mosport, Taylor was in the L2 category No. 27 West WR1000 with backing from Brach’s. In the weekend’s first contest, he finished five laps behind the winner in third place. Taylor picked up the win in the final event when Tom Drewer had issues.

POS.	CLASS	DRIVER	CAR	LAPS	RETIREMENTS
1	L1	Jonathan Goring	Elan DP-02	24	-
2	L1	Joel Feinberg	Elan DP-02	24	-
3	L1	Lucas Downs	Elan DP-02	24	-
4	L1	Jon Brownson	Elan DP-02	24	-
5	L1	Johnny Meriggi	Elan DP-02	24	-
6	L1	Matt Downs	Elan DP-02	24	-
7	L1	Charlie Shears	Elan DP-02	24	-
8	L1	Jonathan Gore	Elan DP-02	24	-
9	L1	Gary Gibson	Elan DP-02	23	-
10	L1	Anthony Nicolosi	Elan DP-02	23	-
11	L2	Tom Drewer	West WR1000	23	-
12	L1	Jarrett Boon	Elan DP-02	23	-
13	L2	Eric Vassian	West WR1000	23	-
14	L1	Michael Mallinen	Elan DP-02	23	-
15	L1	Fred Kaimer	Elan DP-02	23	-
16	L1	Richard Berry	Elan DP-02	23	-
17	L3	Chris Funk	Van Diemen DP-06	22	-
18	L3	Kelly Toombs	Van Diemen DP-06	22	-
19	L2	Jordan Taylor	West WR1000	18	Did Not Finish
20	L2	Ray Langston	West WR1000	17	Did Not Finish
21	L2	Alain Nadal	West WR1000	14	Did Not Finish
22	L1	Antonio Downs	Elan DP-02	0	Did Not Finish
23	L1	Dan Weyland	Elan DP-02	0	Did Not Finish

POS.	CLASS	DRIVERS	CAR / ENTRANT	LAPS	RETIREMENTS
1	L1	Jonathan Goring	Elan DP-02	21	-
2	L1	Joel Feinberg	Elan DP-02	21	-
3	L1	Lucas Downs	Elan DP-02	21	-
4	L1	Charlie Shears	Elan DP-02	21	-
5	L1	Matt Downs	Elan DP-02	21	-
6	L1	Jon Brownson	Elan DP-02	21	-
7	L1	Johnny Meriggi	Elan DP-02	21	-
8	L1	Jonathan Gore	Elan DP-02	21	-
9	L2	Jordan Taylor	West WR1000	21	-
10	L1	Jarrett Boon	Elan DP-02	21	-
11	L1	Fred Kaimer	Elan DP-02	21	-
12	L2	Eric Vassian	West WR1000	21	-
13	L1	Michael Mallinen	Elan DP-02	21	-
14	L1	Richard Berry	Elan DP-02	20	-
15	L3	Kelly Toombs	Van Diemen DP-06	19	-
16	L3	Chris Funk	Van Diemen DP-06	19	-
17	L2	Tom Drewer	West WR1000	12	Did Not Finish
18	L1	Gary Gibson	Elan DP-02	11	Did Not Finish
19	L1	Anthony Nicolosi	Elan DP-02	7	Did Not Finish
20	L1	Antonio Downs	Elan DP-02	-	Did Not Start
21	L1	Dan Weyland	Elan DP-02	-	Did Not Start
22	L2	Alain Nadal	West WR1000	-	Did Not Start
23	L2	Ray Langston	West WR1000	-	Did Not Start

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