Racers Edge Motorsports, born from the passion and expertise of successful racer Jon Mirachi in May 1990, wasn’t just built on speed; it was meticulously crafted on the principles of superior race car preparation and chassis setup. Mirachi, a proven winner in both SCCA Pro Racing and SCCA National Club Racing, discovered his knack for not only driving but also engineering winning machines. His expertise became highly sought after by fellow competitors, leading him to realize the opportunity to share his deep knowledge and experience professionally. This marked the inception of Racers Edge Motorsports, a company dedicated to providing comprehensive race car services, with a core focus on chassis setup expertise and driver coaching – the essence of a successful Racers Edge Race Car Setup Program.
From Prototypes to Professional Series: Honing the Race Car Setup Program
The initial decade, from 1990 to 2000, saw Racers Edge Motorsports establish its brand as a dealer and race team for prototype race cars. They campaigned tube-framed, mid-engined sports prototypes like the SCCA Spec Racer and the Sports Toyota, both powered by robust 4-cylinder engines. Participating in both club racing and professional series, Racers Edge quickly became synonymous with meticulous preparation and exceptional chassis setup. These single-make series, characterized by strict technical regulations, demanded a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics and precise adjustments. This environment became the proving ground for what would evolve into their renowned racers edge race car setup program. Victories and four championships during this period underscored the effectiveness of their approach.
Between 1997 and 2003, Racers Edge expanded its expertise into formula car racing, becoming a dealer, distributor, and race team for the Formula Mazda. This tube-framed, open-wheel car, powered by a Mazda Rotary engine, elevated their competition to mid-level professional racing. From 2001 onwards, their exclusive focus on the professional Formula Mazda series allowed them to refine their development and preparation principles further. Applying the same rigorous standards that brought them success in earlier series, Racers Edge solidified its reputation across North and South America. Twelve race wins and two championships in just three seasons demonstrated their mastery of chassis setup and vehicle dynamics within another tightly controlled single-make series. Crucially, Racers Edge handled all critical aspects in-house, from damper tuning to gearbox rebuilds, excluding only sealed engine rebuilds. This hands-on approach was fundamental in developing the comprehensive understanding that underpins their racers edge race car setup program. The series’ popularity with drivers from both continents, as a stepping stone to Indy Cars, broadened Racers Edge’s brand recognition, especially after championship wins by Guy Cosmo (US) in 2002 and Luis Schiavo (Venezuela) in 2003. This era also marked the beginning of a valuable collaboration with MoTeC in 2001, a partnership that continues to this day, enhancing the data-driven approach of their racers edge race car setup program.
Carbon Fiber and Data Acquisition: Advancing the Race Car Setup Program
The years 2004 to 2006 saw Racers Edge embrace carbon fiber technology with the Pro Formula Mazda. This carbon fiber tub open-wheel Formula car, the US equivalent of Formula 3 in Europe, presented new challenges and opportunities. As a dealer, distributor, and race team, Racers Edge raced and developed these advanced machines, marking their first foray into carbon fiber chassis. Race wins in 2004 and 2006 further cemented their status as a leading professional team. Despite the single-make chassis and sealed engines, Racers Edge maintained its in-house approach, managing everything from servicing Hewland sequential 6-speed transmissions to chassis tuning with push-rod/rocker suspension and Öhlins dampers. This period emphasized the growing importance of data acquisition in race car setup. Television coverage of the series even featured Racers Edge explaining how they utilized data to optimize both driver and car performance, highlighting a key component of their evolving racers edge race car setup program.
In 2007, Racers Edge aimed for top-tier sports car racing, leveraging their established reputation to secure an opportunity to run a GM factory-supported Pontiac GXP.R in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series. This move into the Rolex Series brought collaborations with industry giants like GM Racing, Pratt & Miller, and Katech engines. The Rolex cars, equipped with MoTeC dash/data systems and Bosch Engine Management, necessitated partnerships with Bosch engineers, expanding Racers Edge’s expertise in advanced software and electronics. Working closely with Katech, they deepened their understanding of high-performance engine integration. While engine internals remained with Katech, Racers Edge managed all other service work, including the X-Trac sequential 6-speed transmission. Their inaugural season in the Rolex Series focused on mastering endurance racing strategies and perfecting rapid pit stops, crucial elements for success at this level. Although race wins eluded them in the first season, the groundwork was laid for future triumphs, fueled by their continuously refined racers edge race car setup program.
Mazda, Brembo, and Suspension Re-engineering: Innovating the Race Car Setup Program
The period from 2008 to 2011 marked a return to Mazda for Rolex GT Series competition and a significant phase of technical development for Racers Edge. Running a Riley Technologies tube frame chassis Mazda GT with Bosch engine management and MoTeC data systems (similar to the Pontiac), Racers Edge began to truly push the boundaries of race car engineering. Initially using Öhlins dampers and collaborating with Öhlins engineers on 7-post rig suspension tuning, they showcased their commitment to cutting-edge setup methodologies. A pivotal moment arrived in 2010 when the series reduced the minimum ride height. Racers Edge’s engineering team expertly re-engineered the suspension mounts in-house, preserving correct suspension geometry on the Riley chassis, which lacked adjustable control arm mounting points. This involved bracket redesign, fabrication, and welding – a testament to their deep engineering capabilities. The re-engineering proved highly successful, making Racers Edge the fastest of the seven Mazda GT cars in the series in 2010. Six pole positions, podium finishes, and contributing to Mazda winning the Manufacturers title demonstrated the effectiveness of their innovative racers edge race car setup program. This era also saw the start of a collaboration with Brembo, working with Mike Messina to develop a lightweight brake package for sprint races, further optimizing car performance.
2012 presented a unique challenge: building a Dodge Viper tube frame car for the Rolex series in just 90 days. Racers Edge successfully designed, built, and gained series approval for the Viper, partnering with Arrow Racing Engines for the Viper V-10. Despite promising initial testing, the program faced unforeseen circumstances and dissolved after the Rolex 24 of Daytona. However, this project further showcased Racers Edge’s rapid development capabilities and adaptability, reinforcing their comprehensive approach to race car engineering, a cornerstone of their racers edge race car setup program. The Viper utilized Moton dampers, Brembo brakes, and MoTeC systems, continuing their pattern of collaborating with world-class suppliers.
In 2013, Racers Edge demonstrated their adaptability again by preparing their year-old Riley chassis Mazda GT for the Rolex 24 Hour race for a Mexican driver group. With a focus on reliability due to budget constraints, the car ran trouble-free for 24 hours, finishing 16th, highlighting the robustness of their preparation and setup processes, even under pressure.
Simultaneously, from 2010 to 2015, Racers Edge competed in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series with factory-supported Ford Mustangs. Working with Ford Racing and Roush-Yates engines in another rules-restricted series, they continued to demonstrate their expertise in optimizing car performance within tight regulations. Again, MoTeC and Brembo components were integral to their competitive and reliable race cars, underscoring the value of their established technical partnerships within their racers edge race car setup program.
GT4 and GT3 Success: The Modern Race Car Setup Program
Looking ahead, Racers Edge recognized the growth potential of GT4 racing and entered the market in 2016 with the SIN R1 GT4. Contributing to the final development of the SIN R1, they transformed it into a race-winning machine. Three seasons in the Pirelli World Challenge GT4 series yielded impressive results: 10 wins and 21 podium finishes, proving their acumen in the GT4 class and the adaptability of their racers edge race car setup program to different car types.
The move to the GT3 Pro/Am class of the Blancpain SRO GT World Challenge America Series in 2019 marked their latest successful chapter. Choosing the Acura NSX GT3 Evo and partnering with Honda Performance and Development (HPD) and Acura Motorsports, Racers Edge achieved immediate success, winning a race in their debut weekend. Their first season culminated in 2 pole positions, 3 race wins, 9 podiums, and the championship – a fitting celebration of their 30th racing season. Continuing their partnership with HPD and Acura from 2020 to 2023, Racers Edge added another 20 GT3 wins and championships in 2020 and 2022, solidifying their position as a dominant force in GT3 racing and demonstrating the consistent winning results stemming from their mature racers edge race car setup program. Their five seasons with the NSX resulted in 3 championships and 22 race wins, more than any other Acura/Honda NSX team globally.
In 2020, HPD selected Racers Edge to operate the HPD Driver Academy, leveraging their long history of driver development. Academy graduates have since raced in GT3 with Racers Edge, achieving wins and championships, further validating the effectiveness of both the academy and Racers Edge’s driver coaching and race car setup program.
Looking to 2024, Racers Edge is poised to continue their winning trajectory with Acura and HPD, aiming for more championships in SRO GT3, developing the new Acura Integra competition version, and nurturing new talent in the HPD Academy.
Beyond Racing: Comprehensive Race Car Expertise
Beyond their racing programs, Racers Edge operates behind the scenes, providing subcontracting services to other high-profile professional teams. From rebuilding IMSA Tudor Championship Series Porsche GT Americas to servicing Pirelli World Challenge GT3 Lamborghini Gallardos and modifying track day cars, their capabilities are extensive. After over three decades, Racers Edge Motorsports stands as a testament to expertise in all facets of race car preparation, development, service, and repair. Their highly skilled staff and collaborations with world-class suppliers, combined with their deep understanding of sanctioning body regulations, make them a premier provider of race car services, anchored by their foundational racers edge race car setup program that has propelled them to consistent success across diverse racing series for over three decades.
