the jade gurss blog

Andretti Autosport

I am thrilled and excited to announce my new position as Director of Corporate Communication for Andretti Autosport. It's a very exciting opportunity for me, and involves a move from the Charlotte area to Indianapolis. The team is top-notch with superb young, personable and fast drivers in the IndyCar Series, and a strong driver development program that is preparing the stars of tomorrow. 

For more details about Andretti Autosport, visit their official website or keep up to speed on Twitter at @FollowAndretti. 

Why I'm a Publicist...

and NOT a racecar driver... In honor of my new position, here's footage of my one and only drive in an IndyCar.

Note - I did manage the delicate task of taking off without stalling, but at the end of the video you'll see the result of a rookie driver who is inexperienced with what is known as "turbo lag." 

The car is a Reynard/Mercedes-Benz from PacWest Racing, raced by Mauricio Gugelmin in the CART IndyCar Series. 

 

"In The Red" - Now Available

My new book - IN THE RED - is now available! You can order from the usual book outlets, or receive the shipment immediately by ordering from Octane Press. It will also be available in eBook format very soon. Thanks for all of the interest and the orders thus far!

For more book details, visit the following locales on the web: 

Twitter:   @InTheRed2001 - daily updates and dialogue. Follow the Twitter feed for media appearances, autograph signings and more fun. 

Facebook:  "Like" the In The Red Facebook page for daily updates, photos, videos and more.

Tumblr:  The "In The Red" Tumblr page offers even more photos, videos and sounds updated often. 

Darren Crane: '11 Golden Benny Karting League Champ

 League Donates $1,015 to Help Local Families 

With the season championship on the line, Darren Crane erased any doubts as he scored second place in the first race and then won the December finale to snare his first Golden Benny Karting League Championship at Victory Lane Karting in Charlotte, NC. Hans Soneson, the 2010 champion, was second in points followed by Fred Ogrim, the 2008 GBKL champ. Crane led the league with six race wins and also grabbed two clean sweeps in 2011, winning both races in March and September. Dan Burke led the league with 10 fastest laps during the season, while Ogrim ended the year with the fastest race lap of the year in both directions.

In the night's first race, John Luzzi and Dr. John Connaughton paired for the victory, with Connaughton passing Crane for the win with less than two laps remaining in the race. Crane was teamed with Paul Shelton in second place, followed by Ogrim and David Vasta in third place. Ogrim had the fastest race lap.

The season finale proved to be the most competitive race of the year, as the top four teams ran in close proximity for the final 30 minutes. In the final stint, Michael Ibach grabbed the lead and the victory for himself and teammate Crane. Shelton and Mike Birkle were a close second, followed narrowly by the third place team of Luzzi and Jade Gurss and Walt Sova and Connaughton in fourth place. Ogrim once again had the fastest lap.

 

Charity Funds:  Thanks SO much to everyone who contributed this year! I have mailed a check for $1,015.00 to the Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports (WAM). They will be using the funds to adopt/assist local families in need during the holidays. While the karting is immense fun, the donations help make the GBKL a more worthwhile endeavor. Thanks again.

 

2012 Schedule:  We're set for the 2012 season of Golden Benny, so mark your calendars with the following race dates: 

Jan. 11*

Feb. 1

March 7

April 4

May 2

June 6

July 11*

Aug. 1

Sept. 5

Oct. 3

Nov. 7

Dec. 5

(*= second Wed. of the month due to holidays)

December Race Results: 

Race One: Forward / 32 min.

1.) Luzzi / Connaughton  44 laps

2.) Shelton / Crane

3.) Ogrim / Vasta

4.) Ibach / Birkle

5.) Dan Burke / Todd Inskeep

6.) Sova / Gurss

7.) Soneson / Michael Pomeroy 

Fastest Lap: Ogrim, 41.1 sec.

Race Two:  Reverse/ 60 Min.

1.) Ibach / Crane 83 laps

2.) Shelton / Birkle

3.) Luzzi / Gurss

4.) Sova / Connaughton

5.) Ogrim / Pomeroy 

6.) Burke / Vasta

7.) Inskeep / Doug Miller

Fastest Lap : Ogrim, 40.539 sec.

2011 SEASON RESULTS

Total Entries:  47 drivers

Top 10 in Points: 

1.)  Darren Crane 317

2.)  Hans Soneson 281

3.)  Fred Ogrim 276

4.)  Paul Shelton 255

5.)  Dan Burke 243

6.)  John Connaughton 224

7.)  Jade Gurss 223

8.)  Mike Birkle 208

9.)  Michael Pomeroy 207

10.)  John Luzzi 190

Race Wins: 

1.)     Darren Crane     6

        Jade Gurss

3.)    Hans Soneson  3

        Michael Ibach 

        Jamil Nassar

        Dan Burke

        John Reaney

        Andrew Hopwood

Fastest Laps: 

1.)      Dan Burke  10

2.)      Fred Ogrim  7

3.)      Hans Soneson 4

Most Points in an Event: 

1.)      Darren Crane 39  (Twice)

        Andrew Hopwood

        Andrew Von Fange

4.)      Darren Crane 37

        Ed Schurr

        Jason Robert

Fastest Lap: 

Forward:  Fred Ogrim  41.050 (Nov.)

Reverse:  Fred Ogrim  40.501 (Oct.)

Most Laps: 

32 Min/Forward:  Luzzi/ Connaughton  44 laps / 43.443 sec. avg (Dec.)

32 Min/Reverse:   Hopwood/J. Nassar 43 laps / 43.347 sec. avg. (Nov.)

60 Min/Forward:   Shelton/Schurr 82 laps / 43.572 sec. avg. (Nov.)

60 Min/ Reverse:  Ogrim/Gurss 84 laps / 43.035 sec. avg (August)

Golden Benny Karting League

HALL OF CHAMPIONS**: 

2003: Ryan Kurek

2004: Ryan Kurek

2005: Brandon Sperling

2006: Dan Burke

2007: Jade Gurss

2008: Fred Ogrim

2009: John Reaney

2010: Hans Soneson

2011: Darren Crane

(**= it's a short hall... like the one leading to your guest bathroom...) 

Full Stats Online 24/7:  http://public.iwork.com/document/?a=p33819828&d=2011_GBKL_Point_Standings.numbers

Thanks again to everyone - 2011 was BAF*** (as usual) and 2012 will be more of the same!

(***= Big Ass Fun)