Posted (11/05/2011) -
At the season finale at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Will Nonnamaker extended his streak of starting a Continental Tires Series event to 16 straight years. Will drove the #43 Team Sahlen MAZDASPEED3 in the ST Class with Gareth Nixon as his co-driver. During the event, the team ran well, rising up into the Top 10. An unfortunate broken fuel strap put the team down 3 laps, while repairs were made. In the end, the duo finished in 20th spot out of 32 starters in class.
“My streak of 16 straight years just about ended. But the program with Gareth for the season finale came together right at the end of the season. Although I was only able to compete in one Continental event this year, it was nice to be able to extend the streak at my home track of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.” – shared Will Nonnamaker
During Will’s streak, that dates back to 1995; he has driven in many iterations of what is currently the Grand American Continental Tire Series. Transgressing back in time, the series has been referenced and titled as: Koni Challenge Series, Grand-Am Cup, Motorola Cup, IMSA Endurance Challenge, Speedvision Cup, Firestone Firehawk Cup.
“The series name has changed through the years, but the spirit of this type of racing has remained the same. Door handle to Door handle racing with production based cars. My career started too late to actually have driven in the original Playboy and Escort Endurance Series, so I can’t claim to have been here since day one. But I can say that I truly enjoy this series. Currently, I race full time in the ROLEX series. These all out race cars are a real kick in the pants to drive. And the level of professionalism from both the teams and drivers is top of the top. But I will always have a passion the Continental Tire Series.” – further added Will Nonnamaker
Within this 16 year span, Will has competed in 138 events, with 38 podiums and 15 victories to his credit. The highlight to those years was winning the ST class driver championship 3 times; 1999, 2001, 2002. Will has competed as well in the GS class, with pole position and podium success.
Through those 16 years, Will has driven many different types of cars:
Mazda MX-6
Mazda 626
Acura Integra GSR
Acura Integra LS
Porsche 911
Dodge SRT-4
Mazda RX-8
MAZDASPEED3
Shared Will’s Dad Joe Nonnamaker - “It’s hard to believe that Will has been racing for this many years, let alone a streak of 16 straight years. As I think back to 16 years ago, there are very few drivers who were even in the series back in 1995. It was always Will’s passion to race, and to see him accomplish this goal, and to have accomplished it with success is gratifying as a parent.”
The 2011 Team Sahlen campaign in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is supported by Mazda, Mazdaspeed, HRPWorld.com, Cool Shirt, Racetech Seats, BBS, Racing Print Media, Alcon, Mothers Polish, EMCO, NGK Spark Plugs, TheRaceSite.com, Western New York Flash, Grassroots Motorsports, Castrol Oil, Holliday Canopies, ASC Industries, Iannetti Design Ideas, CM Racing