BELLE ISLE Great Atmosphere, Tough Track

Detroit, Michigan (August 31, 2008) – Motor City lived up to its name this weekend as thousands of racing fans and enthusiasts poured in to attend the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. In conjunction with the race was a nearly weeklong 10th Annual Viper Owners Invitational. Approximately one thousand owners came to the city for the Dodge sponsored festivities, bringing with them more than 400 of their beloved street cars from all over North America. Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper welcomed the opportunity to meet the fans and enjoyed signing autographs, “It was a lot of fun,” Courtney said, “The place was packed. I couldn’t believe how enthusiastic everyone was. It was great.”
Dodge had a plethora of events and entertainment planned; including factory tours and chances to check out the Chelsea Proving Grounds and watch the Viper owners tear up the track.
The highlight of the weekend’s events was the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT race held on Sunday afternoon. This was the first time in years the series has been on the Belle Isle track and it proved to be daunting. “The track is narrow with high concrete barriers making it difficult to pass on. If you do not qualify well, it is tough to finish well,” said Courtney.
“I can’t ever remember our cars being so far off the pace this season,” said Courtney. The Vipers were running around 2 and a half seconds back of the leaders. Knowing how important a good qualifying spot would be, Courtney pushed the car hard and went just a tick over its limits coming into Turn One, but kept the slide off the wall for more than 100 yards before the bottom of the car caught on the raised concrete and twisted the car into the wall, damaging the suspension and brake lines. “I got lucky there, it could have been much worse. Along with a close call in Saturday’s practice, when the steering wheel came off in another spin, I really got a couple of breaks by not further damaging the car, or myself,” said Courtney. The team was forced to use the first lap time, putting the No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper 14th on the grid.
With only three hours between qualifying and the start of the race, the Woodhouse Team did an unbelievable job putting the car back together. “I really need to thank the whole Team, Erik Messley, Eddie Martin, Ashley Wick, Rick Maxwell and Bob Woodhouse for getting my car ready for the race,” said Courtney. “I do not like putting our team and crew in that position.”
“Detroit was tough for me; passing was a challenge, almost impossible with the intake restriction we have now. I was fighting a soft brake pedal due to the damage from my qualifying spin,” said Courtney. “That, and the fact that the Vipers were just not as competitive at this venue, it was nearly impossible to move through the field.” Courtney finished the race in a frustrated 11th position, but maintained his 8th place standing in the Championship Points race.
Brian Simo, new to the Woodhouse Racing Team, stretched his racing muscles in his first SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT race this weekend. “I think Brian did well for his first time in a Viper,” said Courtney. Simo finished 10th.
The Woodhouse Team is readying the cars for the New Jersey Motorsports Park near Millville. “It is another new track for me and a chance to make things right. I look forward to the challenge,” said Courtney.
You can watch the Detroit Belle Isle race on the SPEED Channel September 12 at noon, (EDT).

VIPERS CONVERGE ON BELLE ISLE Jeff Courtney prepares for a new track and new teammate

Milwaukee, Wisc. (August 29, 2008) – The engine has barely cooled in his No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper as Jeff Courtney prepares to hit the track at Belle Isle near Detroit, Michigan this weekend. Fresh off of a 7th place finish, Courtney hopes to add another top ten, or better, finish to the Woodhouse Racing Team’s accomplishments this season and improve his current 8th place standing in the SPEED World Challenge Points race.

The raceway at Detroit Belle Isle is organized and promoted by a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, of which Roger Penske is chairman. Under his direction, Belle Isle underwent some major modifications. Another new addition for 2008 is the SPEED World Challenge GT Championship that is set for this weekend. “I’ve never raced on this track before. I don’t have a clue as to what to expect at this track, but as with any challenge, I look forward to taking it on,” said Courtney. These next two races, both here at Belle Isle and Thunderbolt Millville in New Jersey, are unknowns for Courtney, as he has never raced on these tracks that were newly added to the SPEED World Challenge series.

Another addition has been Brian Simo to the Woodhouse Racing Team. Simo will be driving in the No. 13 Foametix Dodge Viper, which Tommy Archer drove to three checkered flags this year. “I’m really going to miss Tommy, he’s a great driver and we had a lot of fun. I wish him all the best,” said Courtney. “Simo should be a good addition to the team, he brings NASCAR experience, and he’s a former Trans Am Champion,” said Courtney. Although Simo is new to SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT racing, his experience, particularly on the Belle Isle track, will come in handy this weekend.

Detroit has been flooded with Dodge Vipers this weekend as over 400 customer-owned Vipers are in attendance at a four-day Viper customer appreciation event sponsored by Dodge. The Viper Club of America, which started in 1994, is opening its very own Hall of Fame this year; Woodhouse Racing Team owner Bob Woodhouse is one of the first ten inductees. “It’s a great honor for Bob,” said Courtney. “Congratulations, he deserves it.”

For the Labor Day Weekend, Belle Isle has a long list of entertainment planned as well as racetrack action. Root for Courtney and the entire Woodhouse Team while getting live lap notes at www.world-challenge.com. The race is set for Sunday, August 31, at 12:45 pm

2008 Mid Season Windshield Report

Blair NE August 25, 2008. The sun is beautiful as it sets in the western sky while this is getting written from 28,000 feet on the way home from Mosport, a well known Canadian race track outside of Toronto. Our little Woodhouse Performance team finished 4th for Tommy and 7th for Jeff.

Sunsets make one reflect, I’m thinking back on the first part of the year and feeling a warm glow. This was the year we raised the bar. Our little team was incredibly challenged as it entered the racing competition in March at Sebring, Florida.

We remain survivors but not without the bruises, the discord and learning about how to get along with each other in a high stress environment. Add in a portion of car damage, five broken engines, 7 transmission failures along with the back bone of the transport trailer cracking open somewhere between Omaha and Orlando, and one begins to recognize a challenge.

This team reminds me of that children’s book about the “Lil Engine That Could”. They’ve been just that and more.

It is said the value of any prize is related to the sacrifice made to achieve it. The third race of the season Tommy Archer brought us a first place……….. I couldn’t contain it, eyes gushed. Everyone tried so hard, it was awesome.

At the same time, things are good; Tommy Archer gave the team a total of three wins in five for the #13 Viper Competition Coupe. The bad news is we lose Tommy in the car for the rest of this year. Detroit Belle Isle Gran Prix and the Viper Convention will not be the same without the Dodge Road Race King.

The good news is we get to continue with Jeff Courtney and his KENDA sponsor along with FOAMETIX, who has been Tommy’s main support all year. We also get to continue with Brian Simo, ex-trans am champion and Claudio Burton the president of Foametix. So hang on, the ride is but half over.

To see in car Video from the windshield of Jeff Courtney go to www.world-challenge.com If this can’t convince you that the SPEED World Challenge is better than drugs and just as addictive then you have no driving passion at all.

Written in Tribute to the fine Woodhouse team of people that made this happen: Rick Maxwell, Crew Chief; Susan Dunklau, Team Manager; Ashley Wick, Lead Technician; Erick Messley, Car Chief; Eddie Martin, Certified Viper Tech; Andrew Richmond, Marketing; Claudio Burton, pres of FOAMETIX; and part time Driver; Jeff Courtney, Driver; incredible Tommy Archer, Driver; John Mills, engineer and the race car equivalent to Einstein.

Your grateful team owner Bob Woodhouse

BORDER CROSSING: Mosport Track near Toronto, Canada Produces 7th Place Finish for Courtney

Toronto, Canada (August 23,2008) – Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper took to Mosport International Raceway near Toronto, Canada this weekend in the 7th race of the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Series. An additional 10% air intake restriction and a limited qualifying time did not keep Courtney from attacking the field and walking away with a 7th place finish overall.
During practices, the Woodhouse Racing Team had gotten the car to a reasonable point, Car Chief Erik Messley and Viper Tech Eddie Martin had planned on making a few more adjustments during the qualifying laps, but they were cut short due to a crash. “We had some ideas on what it was going to take to improve the handling, but we did not get the chance to test them in the qualifying session. We still had a good car considering our restrictions,” said Courtney who qualified the car 11th on the grid.
Courtney aced the standing start and jumped ahead of a couple cars. During the first lap of the race, Courtney saw an opportunity to make a move and gain three more positions. “Down in turn five, the field kind of bunched up. I expected three cars to push wide and so I took a gamble and went down into second gear,” Courtney said. “Instead, I got pinched off and went up on the curb and missed my shift. Instead of making up three spots, I lost three spots. That move may have been a little greedy on the first lap, but hey, that’s racing.”
Courtney battled with James Sofronas in the No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3. “Sofronas defended well, I kept harassing him, hoping he would make a mistake, but he never did anything I could capitalize on,” said Courtney.
Late in the race, the Corvette of Brian Kubinski lost the motor, blowing oil all through turn nine, in front of the Aston Martin driven by Tommy Milner Junior, the Porsche of Sofronas and the Viper of Courtney. Sofronas and Milner spun out, but fortunately Courtney made it through unscathed. “We got lucky to get through that, some didn’t,” Courtney said. “That was a wild ride, I just hung on in the car, completely sideways; I just got lucky and saved it, inches from the pavement edge.”
The yellow flag stayed out while the checkered flag flew for Eric Curran in the No. 30 Whelen Engineering Corvette.
“It was a good race, for what we were given to work with weight, restrictor and all, we did a good job,” said Courtney.
The Woodhouse Team barely has time to catch their breath before they head over to the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, August 29-31.
Catch this weekend’s race on the SPEED channel on Wednesday, August 27, at 1 pm (EDT).

WOODHOUSE RACING HIT WITH RESTRICTIONS

Milwaukee, Wisc. (August 18, 2008) – Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper, tore through the field at his home track of Road America in Elkhart Lake last weekend, advancing 18 positions and earning the Racing Electronics Holeshot Award as well as the Sunoco Hard Charger Award. Courtney started last on the grid, which provided the opportunity to showcase his ability to move to the front. Despite losing one transmission in practice, the electrical glitch in qualifying, and again losing fifth gear near the end of the race, Courtney garnered an 8th place finish. “From the start of the race on it seemed as if all the breaks fell our way, allowing for the eighth place finish,” said Courtney.

“Road America was a turning point for us, I feel,” said Courtney. “We’ve struggled a bit in the past couple events, but Team Woodhouse has really provided a great car, some of these things are out of our control. But, we’re confident that we have the team and the equipment to get the job done in spite of additional adjustments that are coming for Mosport. We were just informed of an additional 10% air intake restriction and an additional loss of 50 pounds to the Porsche teams. We as a team need to do everything that much better if we plan on improving in the point standings.”

As Courtney and the team head over to Mosport International Raceway near Toronto, Canada, there are several things to be mindful of. This track has earned the respect of several big name drivers, partially due to the danger and difficulty it offers. Two of the 100 mph high-speed corners here are terribly unforgiving. Turns two and four are blind as you approach them, then they drop down a hill as they turn, lessening the car grip. If you lose it, the chance of leaving on a tow hook is excellent.

Courtney hopes to turn the season around here, to finish in the top five, but he is also aware of the necessity of keeping the car in one piece, since the Detroit Belle Isle Gran Prix is the following week, with no time to fix a major crash. “I feel a responsibility to keep the car whole and to keep team moral high,” said Courtney.

Teammate Tommy Archer is expected to drive the No. 13 Foametix Dodge Viper for the Woodhouse Team. Archer has already collected three of the elusive checkered flags in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Series. This time, Courtney hopes to give Archer a run for his money.

You can catch live action updates at www.world-challenge.com for Saturday’s race at 6:30 pm (EST)

TURNING POINT? After Bad Luck in Previous Races, Courtney Makes the Turn and Picks Up Awards at Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (August 10, 2008) – Jeff Courtney was determined to put on a great show for the hundreds of fans and supporters invited to the race this weekend. The overwhelming consensus was that he succeeded. “First off, I personally want to thank the people that were responsible for making the hospitality event happen. Jim Kacmarcik from Kapco, Inc., Woody Alverson from Accurate Metal Products, Andrew Schwartz and John Riechers of MPI Coin/Coins of America and Tom Multerer from TJM Integrated Wealth Management,” said Courtney. “It was a great event and I really thank them for their support and for all of the friends and family that made it out. I also want to add a special thank you to LesleyAnn Neulreich of ProMPI for all of her hard work in putting the event together.”
On Saturday after several successful and promising practice runs, there was an electrical failure in Courtney’s No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper. Car Chief Erik Messley and Technician Eddie Martin rushed to fix the problem, but it could not be diagnosed in time to make a qualifying lap. Courtney was forced to start the race on Sunday at the back of the pack. “Our car continually got better throughout the week. The car was fast; I felt we had a top three car. Then the electrical failure. It’s the old racing cliché, you can lose it all on a 20 cent part,” said Courtney. “The whole team takes it really hard when something like this happens, it is hard for me to watch them feel so down. This was something that could not have been diagnosed during normal car preparation.”
Courtney blasted out of start and immediately began to make up for their dead last start by weaving through traffic to pull his way up to the leaders, advancing seven positions in the first lap to earn himself the Racing Electronics Holeshot Award. “We got the kind of start that we needed, we knew that a lot of things needed to work in our favor to move our way through the field,” said Courtney.
A couple of yellow flags also worked in Courtney’s favor, bunching up the cars. “To come up through a field filled with such talented drivers, we needed to get a few breaks,” said Courtney. In lap 15, the No. 8 Cadillac of Andy Pilgrim lost its engine and the car started on fire as it came into turn 5, crashing into the tires. Oil slick on the track forced the remaining cars to gingerly make their way through an all-course yellow, which remained for the finish of the race. Courtney had advanced a total of 18 places, earning himself the Sunoco Hard Charger Award and a respectable 8th place finish.
“Normally, I am a driver that NEVER wants to see a race finish under a yellow. This time, we were wounded, with fifth gear gone and fourth was questionable. I was just holding on when the yellow popped out. This was the second trans failure of the weekend. When my Car Chief Erik Messley radioed me that the race was going to finish under yellow, I was ecstatic. I felt like we were a sitting duck out there.”
“All things considered, things really worked out for us, maybe our luck has finally turned,” said Courtney.
“Jeff did what he does best, stayed patient and came from behind,” said Team Owner, Bob Woodhouse. “The electrical failure was unfortunate, but nobody could predict that. He did the best he could with what was handed to him, it doesn’t get more thrilling than what he did today! I’m really proud of him.”
Things are looking up for the Woodhouse Team, Courtney’s teammate Tommy Archer in the No. 13 Foametix Dodge Viper took his third checkered flag of the year, a win even more remarkable considering he was not even expected to race here this weekend but was asked by team owner Bob Woodhouse if he could fill in on short notice.
“Tommy, well what can you say about Tommy? He is phenomenal. I just can’t say enough about our guys,” said Woodhouse. “Success is in the details, our entire team is fully committed and striving for perfection at every race.
”Courtney maintains his 7th place standing in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT points race.
Catch the Road America SPEED GT race Wednesday, August 20 at noon (EDT) on the SPEED Channel.
The next race is Mosport Canada, August 21-24.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME Courtney Hoping Hometown Fans Will Help Get Season Back on Track

Milwaukee, Wisc. (Aug. 5, 2008) -"The disappointment is still there, but we need to turn the page," said Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 Kenda/TJM IWM/Coins of America Dodge Viper, whose unfortunate transmission failure forced a 15th place finish at Mid-Ohio. This was in spite of qualifying on the second row and running third at the beginning of the race. "I have confidence in the Woodhouse Team that the car will be ready for the race at Road America," said Courtney. "I'm really motivated to get my season back on track."

The Woodhouse Team can still taste the thrill of victory, along with the agony of defeat. While teammate Jeff Courtney struggled to finish using only the fifth gear, teammate Tommy Archer in the No. 13 Foametix/Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper took the checkered flag at Mid-Ohio. "We're coming together as a team now and I am even more determined. We will rise from this," said Courtney.

Immediately after the race at Mid-Ohio, Crew Chief Rick Maxwell and Lead Technician Ashley Wick took the Vipers to the Wind Tunnel in Detroit, Michigan where aerodynamic performance tests were done. Time slots in the Wind Tunnel are difficult to come by and are highly sought after. "It was a great opportunity for us," said Courtney. "Both Rick and Ashley seemed pleased with the results."

Thanks to Erin Cechal from SCCA Pro Racing and Julie Sebranek from Road America, Courtney was scheduled for a live radio interview on "Racing RoundUp" hosted by Jim Tretow and John Puestsow on Monday, July 28 on ESPN Radio 540 AM. "The show was a lot of fun, it is a great way to bring exposure to our series, our sponsors, our team and myself," said Courtney.

Attentions have now turned to the upcoming race this Sunday at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where hundreds of Woodhouse Racing and Jeff Courtney supporters are expected.

"It is going to be awesome," said Courtney, regarding the upcoming hospitality event hosted by Jim Kacmircik of Kapco, Inc. and Woody Alverson of Accurate Metal Products along with regular sponsors Andrew Schwartz and John Riechers of MPI Coin/ Coins of America, and Tom Multerer of TJM Integrated Wealth Management.

Jeff Courtney has further teamed up with MPI by adding ProMPI's LesleyAnn Neulreich as his marketing and event promotion coordinator. "LesleyAnn has done a great job working on this event," said Courtney, "She hustled between setting up for Mid-Ohio and now this event at Road America. I want to thank her for all her hard work."

On Friday night, many of the Woodhouse Performance Team, including Courtney and team owner Bob Woodhouse, will be participating in the Tour de Road America, a bike race along the track to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

On Sunday, guests will be able to meet and greet the drivers, technicians and team owner, Bob Woodhouse, as well as participate in a special question and answer session with Courtney.

Tickets for events from Thursday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, are available at the gate, or you can order them online at www.roadamerica.com. Racing at Road America is truly an exciting family-friendly event, children 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission and parking is included in the ticket price. Road America is also running a special promotion this weekend with the Salvation Army. For those who bring in a non-perishable food donation valued at $5.00 to the gate will receive $10.00 off the price of their admission ticket.

"It's a great effort for a great cause," Courtney said. "I really encourage all who can come out to Road America this weekend to support the Salvation Army."

Come out and cheer on Jeff Courtney as he sets his sights on the podium at his home raceway; be among the privileged to watch the Woodhouse Racing Team continue to tear up the track!