Team Sahlen recently attended the KONI Challenge Series January Test Days.  Although the goal of the weekend was a very modest plan to get additional track time since last racing the Mazda at the July Glen race, the end result was a bit surprising. 

Competition on the track for ultimate lap time was up for grabs.  Many teams were running brand new tires and low fuel loads to accomplish hot laps.  The Team Sahlen Mazda RX-8 was instead running on tires remaining from the July Glen race and full fuel loads.  Despite this handicap on the competition, Team Sahlen surprised a few people in the paddock by setting the 5^th fastest time in every session the Mazda went out on track.

"The Mazda is always fun to drive. I am really looking forward to coming back here at the end of the month for the season opener.  There will be over 30 Street Tuner cars in that race, so this track time now will be invaluable."

- States Joe Sahlen

The 2009 Team Sahlen KONI Challenge Series Campaign is support by HRPWorld.com, HAWK Performance, Cool Shirt, TheRaceSite.com, TheRaceMarket.com, Grassroots Motorsports, Holliday Canopies, CM Racing,  Genesis Technologies, Endurance Karting and Mazdaspeed.