GRAND-AM Road Racing

About Us - KONI Sports Car Challenge

Feb. 6, 2009

ABOUT US  //  KONI CHALLENGE SERIES

The GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge is GRAND-AM's showcase for the latest in international and American-made high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans straight from the dealer showroom floor. With major modifications permitted only in the area of safety, the KONI Sports Car Challenge is home to the same cars seen on streets and highways around the world every day. The 2009 season marks the ninth year that GRAND-AM has owned and sanctioned the KONI Sports Car Challenge, previously known as the GRAND-AM Cup Series from 2001-2006 and KONI Challenge Series from 2007-2008. KONI signed on as the title sponsor of the series in late 2006.

The starting fields for KONI Sports Car Challenge races typically feature more than 60 of today's hottest import and domestic production cars that usually race together while competing for both class honors and the overall victory. Series races are primarily run as the featured support events for the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. However, the KONI Sports Car Challenge continues step into the spotlight with a few feature races of its own in 2008.

Like the Rolex Series, the KONI Sports Car Challenge is made up of two classes of race cars. The big-bore Grand Sport (GS) class features a rules package that allows exotic international machines like the Porsche 996 and 997, Nissan 350Z, BMW M3 and others to go head-to-head with American iron such as the Camaro and Dodge Challenger. The smaller Street Tuner (ST) class is GRAND-AM's offering to the import and compact car crowd, with the Mazda RX-8 and Mazda MX-5, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Dodge SRT4, Mini Cooper S, Acura TSX, a variety of BMWs and other models eligible. In 2009, the GS and ST classes will run separately from each other in six of 11 event weekends.

All KONI Sports Car Challenge classes run on Hoosier tires, and at least two drivers must drive in each competing race car under green flag conditions, making at least one driver change mandatory. KONI shocks are mandatory beginning this season.

Grand Sport - GS

The Grand Sport (GS) class is made up of several factory sports and popular high-performance cars from around the world with minimal performance modifications, but full safety systems. Minimum weights range from 2,900 lbs. to 3,300 lbs. Engines are tuned to produce between 375 and 425 horsepower depending on the car, and the competition is further equalized in vehicle weights. Models include Porsche 997, BMW M3, Ford Mustang GT, Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Nissan 350Z. Top speed for most GS cars is 160 mph.

Street Tuner - ST

The Street Tuner (ST) class features a variety of sports cars and high-performance compacts that are as equally popular with KONI Challenge Series competitors as they are with today's consumers. Unlike the bigger GS class where V-8s are allowed, ST is limited to four- and six-cylinder engines, although turbocharged and supercharged models are permitted. Engines produce between 170 and 240 horsepower depending on the car, while minimum weights range from 2,200 lbs. to 3,125 lbs. Fuel tank capacities range from 16.9 to 17.9 gallons. Popular models in the ST class include the Mazda RX-8, Mazda MX-5, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Acura TSX, Subaru Legacy, Mini Cooper S, BMW Z4 and Volkswagen GTI. Like the GS class, the only major modifications allowed in ST are in the area of safety. Top speed for ST race cars is about 135 mph.