Daytona Beach, Fla. (23 January 2014) – They say that being lucky can be better than being good, but as Rum Bum Racing showed on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, being well-prepared can sometimes trump both.
Having the car prepared well in advance of the session, the championship team was first in the qualifying line and ready to go as the 2014 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar (CTSC) Championship launched with the first grid-setting session of the season.
That preparation paid dividends as Rum Bum Racing drivers Nick Longhi and Kaz Grala made the most of the open track when the field took the green flag for the 15-minute session.
The two were able to score a fast lap time before a red flag came out, which sent all the cars back to pit lane to wait for the track to go back green. With Longhi putting the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche on the top spot on the board and Grala nabbing third with the No. 03 Rum Bum Racing BMW M3, it was a long wait for the team before the green flag came back out. When it did, there was but three minutes left on the board.
Once again heading out in formation, but this time mired in traffic, Longhi and Grala looked to make the most of the last lap flyer but were stymied by slow traffic in the bus stop as the checkered flag flew. But Longhi’s first lap time was still good enough to score a spot on the front row, with Grala set to start from the seventh row in 13th.
“The fact of the matter is that in this series, you have to go, right away,” said Longhi, who will share the No. 13 Porsche with Matt Plumb. “It was just about everything the car had. We knew there wouldn’t be much time and we were right in the middle of traffic. We gapped a little bit and it worked well until we got into the bus stop and someone was just parked there. But I’m super happy with how the weekend has started-the team put me in position to have that clear track. It was great to get one fast one in before the red flag. We do not have the fastest car at this track, so it was down to the team that put us in this position. I’m amazed by the job that Kaz Grala has done, he’s a NASCAR star of the future to keep an eye on, there is no question.”
Grala, who is the youngest driver in IMSA history, will make his Daytona debut tomorrow as he takes the green flag for the first time at the famous circuit before handing the car off to his co-driver Hugh Plumb.
“The Continental tires felt really good – it felt like I had a lot of grip,” said Grala, who is set to co-drive with Hugh Plumb. “We had a pretty good lap, some nice drafting with my teammate. We did catch a bit of traffic on that last lap which unfortunately ended up killing my run on the front stretch. But Nick (Longhi) wasn’t as affected so he ended up really fast and we were just a bit slower. But all in all, it was a really, really good qualifying run and I am pumped for tomorrow. I think we are in a great starting spot and it’s a 2.5-hour race so we should have plenty of time to make up ground.”
Rum Bum Racing will see a final 30-minute practice session tomorrow morning and the BMW Performance 200 will go green at 1:45 PM (ET).
Live timing and scoring can be followed at www.scoring.imsa.com. FOX Sports 2 will have same-day television coverage of the season opener at 6:00 PM (ET).
Rum Bum Racing Information:
2010: 3 Wins (Daytona, Trois Riviers, Miller Motorsports Park)
BMW Manufacturer Championship
2011: 3 Wins (Daytona, Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course)
BMW Manufacturer Championship
2012: 5 Wins (Barber Motorsports Park, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Road America, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock Park)
IMSA Team Champions, Porsche wins Manufacturer Championship
2013: 3 Wins (Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road America)
IMSA Team and Driver Champions, Porsche wins Manufacturer Championship
Kaz Grala Bio:
At 4 years old, Kaz got his first kart – a CRG Bambino with a 50cc Comer, which he raced at the F1-Outdoors road course in Massachusetts.
At 7 he started racing year-round at F1-Boston, a multi-track indoor road racing facility also in Massachusetts. He accumulated over 100 wins and 2 championships.
At 10 he started racing Bandolero cars in Charlotte NC. This was his introduction to oval racing. He won multiple championships (oval and road course) including the most prestigious Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
At 12 Kaz moved up to Legend Cars. In 2012 he won 15 of 58 races run all over the country on both ovals and road courses. Ended Legends by winning the Winter Heat Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the highest and age-unlimited Pro Division.
Kaz kicked off 2013 as the youngest NASCAR driver ever to compete at Daytona International Speedway. At 14 years and 51 days old he started his first ever race in a Late Model Stock Car at the inaugural Battle at the Beach. On June 22, 2013 Kaz won his first LMSC race at Hickory Motor Speedway – becoming the youngest winner in UARA series history.
At the Roar test (Jan 3-5), Grala was 15 years and 5 days old, the youngest driver ever to participate in an IMSA/Grand-Am sanctioned event.
The post Front Row Start for Rum Bum Racing at Daytona appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
Orlando, Fla. (20 January 2014) – The two-time defending IMSA Champion Rum Bum Racing squad is ready to get the season off to another fast start, and the team has doubled down to score a big result this weekend in the home race.
The team will kick off the 2014 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge championship in Friday’s BMW Performance 200 at Daytona International Speedway (Rum Bum Racing Fans can tune into same day broadcast on Fox Sports 2 at 6:00 PM ET) with a strong two-car entry for the opening round of the 2014 season.
Rum Bum Racing will return to a two-car effort for the season-opener with 2013 IMSA champions Matt Plumb and Nick Longhi returning to the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche, while 15-year-old Kaz Grala will join sportscar veteran Hugh Plumb in the No. 03 Rum Bum Racing BMW M3.
The addition of the No. 03 BMW for the Daytona event followed a successful and productive test at the Roar Before the 24 two weeks ago when Grala and Hugh Plumb each logged laps around the 3.56-mile roval circuit driving the BMW machine during the three-day test. It was the first experience in the BMW, and first taste of professional level road racing, for Grala, who currently competes in the United Auto Racing Association Late Model Stock Tour, and the young racer immediately impressed the team.
Rum Bum Racing will make history at Daytona as Grala is set to become the youngest driver to compete in IMSA history. He is the son of Darius Grala who raced in the GT and Daytona Prototype ranks from 2002-2005, winning at Watkins Glen in his debut race.
“Kaz did an absolutely amazing job at the test,” said team manager Matt Plumb. “He really set everyone’s minds at ease that he could get the job done and he fit in perfectly working well with all of us. He is very professional, especially for his young age. I also love the fact that Rum Bum Racing is once again part of making history. I think that he’s going to raise some eyebrows this weekend and we are very excited to have him on board.”
Rum Bum Racing, which operates its race shop in nearby Orlando, Florida, has traditionally performed well at the Daytona circuit, which features the famous Daytona high banks as well as the twisty infield sections of the road course.
The 2014 event marks Rum Bum’s fifth Daytona race and the team has never finished outside of the top-five at the track. The group claimed victory in its first-ever race in 2010 in the No. 13 BMW with drivers Gian Bacardi and Matt Plumb. Rum Bum Racing returned the following year and once again claimed top honors with the No. 13 BMW. 2012 saw Rum Bum Racing take fifth at the finish. The road to the championship in 2013 kicked off with a run to the podium for Longhi and Plumb as the potent duo claimed the team’s third Daytona podium as the two took a second-place finish.
“Going into this race is an insurmountable challenge because everybody raises their game,” said Plumb of the season-opening event. “The one thing you can be sure of is that as the bar is raised, our crew rises with it. We have done a tremendous amount of work over the off-season to make sure we are at the level or above everybody else. Just like last year, we didn’t have the five wins that we had the year before, but we had the consistency. We got the car reliable, the handling is consistent and we can make it run over a long period of time. So that is going to be our strong point and our focus, keep finishing and keep it reliable.”
Rum Bum Racing is the first to field a 15-year-old driver in an IMSA-sanctioned event and the team will target another first this weekend: with a strong two-car effort, the group looks to take its first double podium finish.
“The Roar test allowed me to get comfortable in the car and with the track, both being new to me,” said Grala. “Heel-toe down-shifting is a technique that I wasn’t completely confident with coming into the test, but by the second day, it felt completely natural. The most important thing for me in the race will be to stay relaxed. I enjoy road racing a lot and this car is a blast to drive. I very much appreciate this opportunity from Mr. Bacardi to be with a championship winning team. I cannot wait for the race on Friday!”
The team was further encouraged in the test by the pace that the BMW showed with both Grala and Hugh Plumb at the wheel, underscoring the strength of preparation by the team as the M3 had not turned a wheel in anger for over a year yet was right on pace in testing.
“I’ve raced against Rum Bum Racing this team for several years, and now, getting the chance to run for this team is an incredible honor and I’m really grateful to Mr. Bacardi for the opportunity,” said Hugh Plumb, who has countless laps of experience with the BMW M3 platform. “Everyone is 100% dedicated to winning, and the level of preparation is just incredible. I’m really looking forward to racing with Kaz (Grala)-he was just really incredible in the test. He approached it like an experienced 25 year old racer, not a 15 year old who was coming from a circle track background. What he did in the test was pretty amazing and I am sure he will continue to hit his marks and just keep improving. This is a great opportunity and I’m just really looking forward to Daytona.”
Both cars will take to the track for official practice on Wednesday (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM). Thursday will see a third round of practice (11:45 AM – 12:15 PM) before a 15-minute qualifying session which is set to begin at 2:30 PM. A 30-minute final practice will take place at 9:45 AM on Friday with the 2.5-hour race to begin at 1:45 PM. All times are Eastern Standard.
Live timing and scoring can be followed at www.scoring.imsa.com. FOX Sports 2 will have same-day television coverage of the season opener at 6:00 PM (ET).
Rum Bum Racing Information:
2010: 3 Wins (Daytona, Trois Riviers, Miller Motorsports Park)
BMW Manufacturer Championship
2011: 3 Wins (Daytona, Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course)
BMW Manufacturer Championship
2012: 5 Wins (Barber Motorsports Park, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Road America, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock Park) IMSA Team Champions, Porsche wins Manufacturer Championship
2013: 3 Wins (Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road America)
IMSA Team and Driver Champions, Porsche wins Manufacturer Championship
Kaz Grala Bio:
At 4 years old, Kaz got his first kart – a CRG Bambino with a 50cc Comer, which he raced at the F1-Outdoors road course in Massachusetts.
At 7 he started racing year-round at F1-Boston, a multi-track indoor road racing facility also in Massachusetts. He accumulated over 100 wins and 2 championships.
At 10 he started racing Bandolero cars in Charlotte NC. This was his introduction to oval racing. He won multiple championships (oval and road course) including the most prestigious Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
At 12 Kaz moved up to Legend Cars. In 2012 he won 15 of 58 races run all over the country on both ovals and road courses. Ended Legends by winning the Winter Heat Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the highest and age-unlimited Pro Division.
Kaz kicked off 2013 as the youngest NASCAR driver ever to compete at Daytona International Speedway. At 14 years and 51 days old he started his first ever race in a Late Model Stock Car at the inaugural Battle at the Beach. On June 22, 2013 Kaz won his first LMSC race at Hickory Motor Speedway – becoming the youngest winner in UARA series history.
At the Roar test (Jan 3-5), Grala was 15 years and 5 days old, the youngest driver ever to participate in an IMSA/Grand-Am sanctioned event.
*2013 was another championship year for Rum Bum Racing, watch the video here: http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/rum-bum-racing-2013-championship-season
*Youngest-ever driver in modern IMSA Era as promising young NASCAR pilot joins Rum Bum Racing for Daytona round with experienced BMW veteran Hugh Plumb
*BMW and Porsche dual-attack for 2012 and 2013 IMSA Champions
The post Defending Champs Rum Bum Racing Ready To Take on Daytona with Two-Car Entry appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is proud to announce that Casa Vieja Lodge is TBF’s newest Tag and Release Program partner. They join King Sailfish Mounts, Pelagic Gear, and Bisbee’s Black and Blue, and Costa Sunglasses as sponsors of TBF’s cornerstone conservation program. Established in 1990, The Billfish Foundation’s Tag and Release Program is the largest private billfish tagging database in the world, and is the cornerstone of TBF’s conservation and advocacy efforts.
David and Kristen Salazar, the new owners of Casa Vieja Lodge, one of the world’s premier saltwater sports fishing destinations, are pleased to announce an expanded relationship with The Billfish Foundation (TBF) as a official Tag and Release Program Sponsor.
David said, “As new owners of Casa Vieja Lodge, and it only felt natural to become a TBF Tag and Release Sponsor.” “As stewards of the environment,” said Kristen, “Casa Vieja Lodge shares this vision, and always practices responsible conservation techniques so that future anglers can have an experience as special as those of today.”
The tag and release data provides valuable information for stock assessments that are instrumental in a time when industrial longlines represent the largest source of marlin mortality. This data provides the groundwork for conservation minded policy, scientific advancement and gives insight into the demographics and socio-economic benefits generated from billfishing.
Peter Chaibongsai, TBF’s Director of Science and Policy, said, “we are excited to have one of the premier fishing lodges on board to collect data and promote billfish conservation. It illustrates to us and their clientele that they understand the importance of billfish conservation, how better billfish numbers bring better business and most importantly, that conservation pays.”
Located on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, Casa Vieja Lodge provides anglers with an unbelievable resort experience and a modern, six-boat fleet to fish the world’s most productive waters for billfish angling. Its location and resources put Casa Vieja Lodge in a unique position to provide TBF with valuable data. This data aids TBF in its research, advocacy, and education efforts, promoting conservation. “
TBF is looking forward to having Casa Vieja Lodge on board and excited for the future with all these great companies coming on board to support TBF’s Tag and Release Program! To learn more about TBF’s Tag and Release program or to become a sponsor, please contact us at 954-938-01050 or by email.
The post WELCOME CASA VIEJA LODGE AS A TAG & RELEASE PROGRAM SPONSOR! appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
The Billfish Foundation is proud to announce the Award Winners for the 2013 Tag and Release Competition. This year TBF received nearly 7,500 tag and release reports from all over the world through both the traditional card system and TBF’s Tag and Release Online Database. Many new names have emerged in this year’s competition and we are excited to see the continued support from winners of previous tag and release awards.
This year the Award Ceremony is sponsored by Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments with the awards presented by TBF Tag and Release Program sponsors King Sailfish Mounts, Costa Sunglasses, Pelagic Gear, and Casa Vieja Lodge. The ceremony will take place in conjunction with the Miami International Boat Show and will be Thursday February 13, 2014 at 6:30PM in the Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island. All are welcome to attend and show their support for the 2013 Tag and Release Award Winners.
Top Overall Tagging Angler – Christian Hampl – Quepos, Costa Rica
Top Overall Lady Tagging Angler – Martha Macnab – Balboa Island, CA USA
Top Overall Youth Tagging Angler – Nick Brackmann – Huntington Beach, CA USA
Top Overall Tagging Captain – Edgar Montero – Quepos, Costa Rica
Blue Marlin – Mike Brauser – Lighthouse Point, FL USA
Sailfish – Jose Guanipa – Caraballeda, Venezuela
Spearfish – Gray Ingram – Jupiter, FL USA
Swordfish – Richard Gudoian – Key Largo, FL USA
White Marlin – Laurent Sahyoun – Casablanca, Morocco
Black Marlin – Scott MacGowan – Baynton, Australia
Blue Marlin * – Daniel James – Wadeye, Australia
Blue Marlin * –Oliver Porter – Bull Creek, Australia
Blue Marlin * – Joseph Sutherland – Broome, Australia
Sailfish – Henry Riggs-Miller – Victoria, Seychelles
Blue Marlin – Christian Hampl – Quepos, Costa Rica
Sailfish – Jack Duvall – Kemah, TX USA
Spearfish – Sandra Hiler – South Bend, IN USA
Striped Marlin – Martha Macnab – Balboa Island, CA USA
Blue Marlin – Ronnie Fields – Lake Park, FL USA
Sailfish – Fin Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA
Spearfish – Ronnie Fields – Lake Park, FL USA
Swordfish – Sean O’Connor – Key Largo, FL USA
White Marlin – Christian Banazeth – Auch, France
Black Marlin – Bernard Vale – Coral Bay, Australia
Blue Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, Australia
Sailfish – Ross Newton – Broome, Australia
Striped Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, Australia
Black Marlin – Tim Richardson – Bangalow, Australia
Blue Marlin – Edgar Montero – Quepos, Costa Rica
Sailfish – Skeet Warren – Flamingo, Costa Rica
Spearfish – Gene Vander Hoek – Kailua-Kona, HI USA
Striped Marlin – Bernabe Ruiz – Cabo San Lucas, MX
Ages 8 And Under – Charles Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA
Ages 11-12 – Jack Way – Houston, TX USA
Ages 11-12 Runner-Up – Serenity Schneider - Boca Raton, FL USA
Ages 13-15 – Nick Brackmann – Huntington Beach, CA USA
Ages 13-15 Runner-Up – Lillian Way – Houston, TX USA
Ages 16-17 – Matthew Hancock - San Antonio, TX USA
Top Overall Release Angler – Tiffany Sisolak – Kitty Hawk, NC USA
Top Overall Release Lady Angler – Tiffany Sisolak – Kitty Hawk, NC USA
Top Overall Release Youth Angler – Gregory Benn - Great Falls, VA USA
Top Overall Release Captain – Brad Philipps – Guatemala City, Guatemala
Blue Marlin – Gray Ingram – Jupiter, FL USA
Sailfish – Gray Ingram – Jupiter, FL USA
White Marlin – Gregory Benn – Great Falls, VA USA
Black Marlin – Henry Riggs-Miller – Victoria, Seychelles
Sailfish – Henry Riggs-Miller - Victoria, Seychelles
Black Marlin – Barry Alty – Gold Coast, Australia
Blue Marlin – Christian Hampl – Quepos, Costa Rica
Sailfish – Tiffany Sisolak – Kitty Hawk, NC USA
Striped Marlin – Chris Bays – Kailua Kona, HI USA
Swordfish – John Gregory – Kerikeri, New Zealand
Blue Marlin – Ronnie Fields – Lake Park, FL USA
Sailfish – Scott Leon – Pembroke Pines, FL USA
White Marlin – Fin Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA
Black Marlin – Brad Philipps – Guatamala City, Guatemala
Sailfish – Rolly Pierre – Denis Island, Seychelles
Black Marlin – Brett Alty – Coombarah, Australia
Blue Marlin – Edgar Montero – Quepos, Costa Rica
Sailfish – Brad Philipps – Guatemala City, Guatemala
Spearfish – Chris Bays – Kailua Kona, HI USA
Striped Marlin – Chris Bays – Kailua Kona, HI USA
Swordfish – John Gregory – Keri Keri, New Zealand
Ages 8 And Under – Brown Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA
Ages 11-12 – Bo Ingram – Greensboro, NC USA
Ages 11-12 – Katie Davis – Malibu, CA USA
Ages 13-15 – Gregory Benn – Great Falls, VA USA
Ages 13-15 Runner-Up* – Nick Brackmann – Huntington Beach, CA USA
Ages 13-15 Runner-Up* – Wesley Davis – Malibu, CA USA
Ages 16-17 – Ridge Murphy – Homestead, FL USA
* Denotes a tie
The post TBF Announces the 2013 Tag and Release Award Winners appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Daytona Beach, Fla. (5 January 2014) – Following a quick turnaround from the holiday season, Rum Bum Racing went back to work this weekend as the team looks to not only return to victory lane at Daytona International Speedway, but also make progress towards a third consecutive IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Championship.
With a mixture of old and new, the team struck a great balance over the weekend and is prepared to take on the challenge of the new IMSA era.
With three days of testing for the Roar Before the 24 test at Daytona International Speedway this weekend, Rum Bum Racing was in full force as the team took to the track with two entries.
Leading the effort was the defending champion No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche 911 with Matt Plumb and Nick Longhi behind the wheel, with the sister No. 03 BMW M3 being shared by Rum Bum Racing newcomers Hugh Plumb and Kaz Grala. The BMW hadn’t been used in anger for quite some time, and arrived to the test fully prepared as Rum Bum Racing fans have come to expect.
“It was important for us to bring the BMW to give us a kind of baseline of where everybody really is,” said Matt Plumb. “And to be able to dust this thing off after sitting for two years and have it be top-two and top-three on the time sheets every time we tried to go fast shows us that we have a lot to look out for this season.”
Laying down over 200 laps throughout the three day test gave the Rum Bum crew valuable information and experience going into the opening race of the season, and the entire team feels confident in their ability to contend with the field and finish the race well.
Although the Rum Bum crew comes into this season with two consecutive championships under their belts and a great amount of familiarity among the team, they are by no means taking anything for granted and know what it will take to get that elusive top spot on the podium at the BMW Performance 200.
“With all the years that this team now has worked together, it is comfortable–but there is no complacency–we are just as motivated as the first day we showed up here in Daytona four years ago,” added Plumb. “Everybody knows how everybody else works and as I have said before, everybody had been so familiar with everybody from the moment we started this deal.”
Grala, who is the 15 year old son of former Daytona Prototype pilot Darius Grala, set a new mark as the youngest to participate in an IMSA event at Daytona International Speedway. But the outing was no mere statistical exhibition run, as the youngster was right on the pace with the BMW as he soaked up as much guidance as he could from his experienced co-driver Hugh Plumb.
“This week was awesome! I have never raced on this track, never driven it and actually never even seen it until this week,” said Grala, who also was in short track action on Saturday night at the fabled New Smyrna Speedway just down the road. “I had also never been in this car before so it was a whole new experience for me. I had a little bit of experience with the heel-toe downshifting, but not much at all. I was never able to do it really smoothly until this weekend. I got really comfortable with it because this track has a lot of heavy braking zones and downshifts. Really I have just been having fun out there this weekend.”
Hugh Plumb, who has won in IMSA with brother Matt as his co-driver, was impressed with what he saw in his first outing with Rum Bum Racing.
“First of all what a privilege it is to drive with such a team of absolute champions,” said Hugh Plumb. “They prove it on and off the track. So it is a huge privilege to be able to drive with them and hopefully we can continue the relationship. My co-driver, Kaz Grala, did an amazing job, and a big thanks to Luis Bacardi and my brother Matt Plumb for giving me this opportunity today.”
With such a big weekend, it was understandable that Grala could hardly shake the grin from his face.
“It was huge to be able to partner with Rum Bum Racing,” said Grala. “Everything from driving tips, downshifting tips, just everything. These guys really helped out and they seriously know what they are talking about, obviously coming off of two championships they are no slouches.”
Rum Bum Racing will be back in action in three weeks’ time for the BMW Performance 200 at Daytona International Speedway January 25.
The post Double Success for Rum Bum Racing at the Roar Before the 24 appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
Orlando, Fla. (2 January 2014) – This weekend, Luis Bacardi’s Rum Bum Racing will return to Daytona International Speedway, the site of its dramatic breakthrough debut victory, for a three day test as the team looks to score a third consecutive IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Team Championship in 2014.
The team has enjoyed remarkable success at the fabled high-banked track and will open the 2014 IMSA season with three days of testing during the traditional “Roar Before the 24” test. The team is pleased to have Matt Plumb and Nick Longhi return to co-drive the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche as the 2013 IMSA Driver Champions look to add to their stellar race record together.
Also on hand with Rum Bum Racing for the Roar test will be Kaz Grala and Hugh Plumb, who will be testing the No. 03 BMW M3 machine that the team first scored a victory with at the track in 2010.
Kaz Grala, who is the son of former Daytona Prototype pilot Darius, has been building a career on the NASCAR path and has already notched several championships and records on his way up. The wins and accomplishments are all the more impressive given that he is yet to turn 16 years old. (15 years, 5 days old as of the first day of the test, setting a record for youngest driver to participate in an IMSA event).
The young driver is eager to soak up as much experience as he can get as he samples the car in the test.
Hugh Plumb has raced the BMW M3 platform the last two years and will take part in the test to support Grala’s progress on the track while also helping the team get reacquainted with the BMW platform.
“Nick (Longhi) and I have known Darius for ages and have literally watched Kaz grow up, so we’ve followed his progress in NASCAR and it’s been nothing short of impressive,” said Plumb. “We mentioned to Mr. Bacardi that there was a young talent who was looking to get some experience in a sports car and he was 100% behind us bringing this M3 out for the test. Hugh has a lot of current experience in the BMW so he should be a great help to Kaz to learn the car and the track as well. This is going to be another incredibly competitive season, and we have a big list of things we want to learn this weekend to be in as strong a position as possible for when we come back to race in a few weeks.”
The test will run from Friday to Sunday (schedule link: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2014/Roar-Before-The-Rolex-24/Schedule.aspx). IMSA.com will post timing and scoring information throughout the weekend.
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Kaz Grala notes:
- At 4 years old, Kaz got his first kart – a CRG Bambino with a 50cc Comer, which he raced at the F1-Outdoors road course in Massachusetts.
- At 7 he started racing year-round at F1-Boston, a multi-track indoor road racing facility also in Massachusetts. He accumulated over 100 wins and 2 championships.
- At 10 he started racing Bandolero cars in Charlotte NC. This was his introduction to oval racing. He won multiple championships (oval and road course) including the most prestigious Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- At 12 Kaz moved up to Legend Cars. In 2012 he won 15 of 58 races run all over the country on both ovals and road courses. Ended Legends by winning the Winter Heat Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the highest and age-unlimited Pro Division.
- Kaz kicked off 2013 as the youngest NASCAR driver ever to compete at Daytona International Speedway. At 14 years and 51 days old he started his first ever race in a Late Model Stock Car at the inaugural Battle at the Beach. On June 22, 2013 Kaz won his first LMSC race at Hickory Motor Speedway – becoming the youngest winner in UARA series history.
- When he climbs into the Rum Bum car tomorrow, he will be 15 years and 5 days old. The youngest driver ever to participate in an IMSA/Grand-Am sanctioned event.
The post Rum Bum Racing Ready to Roar in Daytona Once Again appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
Recreational fishing organizations in Australia are applauding the newly elected Liberal Party’s plans to suspend and reform the management plans for the nation’s network of marine reserves. The newly appointed Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, is also a welcomed change for the nearly five million anglers across the country. The party has vowed to take significant measures to not only restructure the management plans, but also ensure that there is adequate consultation with stakeholders and better representation for anglers.
Earlier this year, the controversial management plans for commonwealth marine reserves were passed which would have locked out anglers from over half a million square miles of ocean (see “The Future of Australia’s Marine Reserves”). Some of these reserves included no-take zones within the Coral Sea that would prohibit anglers from fishing in some of the best marlin grounds in the world. This would result in huge losses for the recreational fishing industry in Australia, which generates an estimated AUD $10 billion annually. For the Cairns region alone, independent economic assessments have estimated that if the original management plans were implemented the reserves could lead to a loss of $15 million annually for the charter sector alone and a significant risk of losing half of the fleet. These plans were approved all despite there not being sufficient consultation with stakeholders and the lack of a sound scientific basis for the design of these reserves. Anglers and numerous other user groups alike felt that their voices were not heard over the powerful, foreign based environmental groups which exerted a strong influence in the creation of these reserves. These groups took an uncompromising approach to the issue which advocated for the entire Coral Sea to be managed as a no-take zone, closing off the Coral Sea to all fishing.
Fortunately, the Liberal party led by Prime Minister Tony Abbott is taking steps in the right direction. Abbott has pledged to establish a scientific panel to conduct a thorough review of the science behind the design of the reserves as well as regional advisory panels. These panels are intended to ensure that adequate consultation occurs with all stakeholders to fully understand the potential impacts of the reserves and ensure that a balanced approach is taken between conservation and the needs of users. Additionally, the Liberal party has vowed to establish a Recreational Fishing Council as well as allocate $1 million to support the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF). The council will be responsible for improving communications with anglers by collecting catch data as well as data on the socioeconomic impacts of anglers to better manage fisheries and represent anglers.
Anglers around the world should also be pleased to know that the actions being taken in Australia represent a growing trend of recognizing the importance of incorporating into the management of marine environments, something that environmental groups failed to do here. In the end, the extreme, unwavering position taken by some environmental groups proved to be their downfall as indicated by one group who even admitted to making “errors in judgement” when dealing with the recreational sector. Their actions may ultimately prove to a detriment to any legitimate conservation efforts as now the entire drafting process will have to begin anew taking resources and efforts away from utilizing existing, proven management practices such as size limits and enforcement. However, this is not just a win for anglers, but for everyone who has a stake in the marine environment and the local economies that are driven by a vibrant sportfishing industry. Hopefully, political leaders in Australia will make good on their promises to help restore the confidence of anglers and give the recreational sector the “respect and recognition it deserve as contributors to the environment, healthy lifestyles and to the nation’s economy.”
The post A Step in the Right Direction for Australia appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
The annual negotiations by member nations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concluded in late November following intense negotiations over western and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna; North and South Atlantic swordfish; and North and South Atlantic albacore. The current landing levels for both western and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna were not increased, but rather extended for another year pending the outcome of 2014 stock assessments. The swordfish management measures were extended for another three years, which protects the U.S. quota share for that time. TBF President Ellen Peel, U.S. Recreational Fisheries Commissioner, said “fortunately the U.S. did not lose any swordfish quota, she encourages all anglers to report every swordfish they land to protect the U.S. interest.” The landings limit for North and South Atlantic albacore will remain at the current levels.
The big disappointment was failure to reach agreement on a number of shark measures, especially requiring that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached, which the U.S. proposed.
Compliance with ICCAT measures again received a lot of attention with nations agreeing that the records of the 47 member and 5 non-member nations be reviewed and action taken if found out of compliance. The U.S. remains the leader in keeping compliance an important issue that receives a significant amount of attention during the negotiations each year.
The post 2013 ICCAT Negotiations Protects U.S. Swordfish and Bluefin Share appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
This past November, TBF staff members attended the 66th Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference hosted by the Harte Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University. More than 400 scientists, marine managers, fishermen, students, and NGOs from 35 countries came to Corpus Christi, Texas to share their work and exchange information on the management of marine resources.
Topics of interest to TBF included fisheries governance and recreational fisheries in the Caribbean which involved interesting research on artisanal fishing as well as the management of fish aggregations devices (FADs), issues which are of growing importance internationally. With marine protected areas (MPAs) threatening to lock out anglers from fishing grounds in places like Australia and most recently Bermuda, new research on MPAs was another important topic for TBF. Exciting research was also presented on dolphinfish (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, and flyingfish, all of which are important prey for billfish.
TBF also participated in the conference by presenting some of its own research. Science and Policy Associate, Michael Kelly and TBF intern, Kristina Trotta both presented their findings from projects which focus on the Caribbean. Trotta presented results from research that compliments previous work conducted by TBF in the northern Caribbean for the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism. Similar methods used for prior research conducted in Puerto Rico and USVI were utilized by TBF to gauge the level of sportfishing in Colombia as well as the motivating factors and potential economic growth of sportfishing in the country. As part of a Caribbean wide campaign, ongoing research being conducted by TBF in the Caribbean was also presented by Michael Kelly. This work focuses on working with stakeholders and officials in the Caribbean to assess the existing levels of sportfishing in the region, the capacity to expand sportfishing and highlight the potential for Caribbean nations to capture the many benefits of sportfishing. The intent of this research is to help influence policies in the Caribbean toward conserving gamefish and promote sportfishing in the region. Ideally, this work will show that that sportfishing offers a much more sustainable means of benefitting from marine resources instead of practices such as longlining or selling fishing rights to foreign nations.
Keep an eye out for more on TBF’s work in the Caribbean and the results of the research in Colombia in TBF’s ‘News’ section or contact one of the TBF staff members for more information. Learn more about TBF’s work in our Research section.
The post 66th Annual Gulf & Caribbean Fisheries Institute appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Rum Bum Technology has reecently launched www.rumbumoutdoors.com which follows Andre Carbonell through his outdoor and hunting adventures around the world as a tv show coming to you soon. Rum Bum Outdoors is currently being produced and filmed at a few locations including but not limited to Florida, South Dakota, and Colorado. Currently on the website you can check out various features including location information, photos of hunts, future blogs, as well as preview video to the Rum Bum Outdoors show featured on the website. When your done checking out all the information, feel free to go and buy some of your own Rum Bum Outdoors hunting gear on the shop section that is part of www.rumbumgear.com
From the world to your eyes let Rum Bum Outdoors take you on the most amazing hunting adventures.
Follow Andre Carbonell as he embarks on an adventure to the ends of the world; hunting for all of the species known to man. Travel with him as he visits the savannahs of Africa, the mountain tops of Asia, Europe’s highlands, New Zealand’s mountains, Australia’s plains and forest and the heavy woods found throughout the United States of America. Every situation can and will be different, sometimes uncomfortable and perhaps even dangerous…..Read more only on www.rumbumoutdoors.com
In October, the students in South Broward High School’s Marine Policy class participated in their annual mock debates about billfish policy as they worked together to create a management plan for billfish in the United States. Groups of students represented different stakeholders in the fishery such as recreational fishermen, commercial fishermen, environmental groups, scientists, and government officials as they debated on how to implement increased conservation measures for billfish. TBF’s Andrew Cox attended the final day of debates where the students finalized their positions and came to a conclusion for a new management plan. Students were given insight and feedback on their proposed management plan and how many of the items suggested were things that TBF is currently working on such as increased gear restricted areas and catch caps on billfish. TBF is looking forward to next year’s billfish debate!
The post TBF Talks Billfish Advocacy in Classroom appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Russell Nelson, The Billfish Foundation’s Chief Scientist and a former leader of the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, has passed away. His unexpected death is a loss to those who knew him and to the fisheries he helped over a long career. When it came to ensuring healthy fish populations, Russell Nelson was the perfect combination of scientist and reason.
As executive director of the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission (FMC), which later became part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Nelson helped develop regulations that brought redfish, snook and other species back from the brink of extinction in Florida waters. Russell also protected sea turtles by getting Florida to require turtle excluder devices on shrimp boats.
Appointed by the governor, the MFC’s commissioners were citizens that sometimes had little knowledge or understanding of saltwater issues, but Russell always there to gently guide them to do the right thing for Florida’s marine resources. He not only knew the science that would help a species, he also knew human nature and how that had to be figured into the management equation.
“Russ was an enormous asset to the Marine Fisheries Commission and was a phenomenal contributor to the safety and conservation of many fisheries in the United States,” said R.Z. Safley, a former Florida legislator and one-time member (1986-1988) of the Marine Fisheries Commission. “He was a good scientist and a hard-nosed advocate for (marine conservation). He was important to the science of fishery management for decades.”
“He was well-educated; he was one of those guys, like Einstein, who had pathways through the brain the rest of us didn’t have,” said Roy Williams, former assistant executive director of the Marine Fisheries. “He was a good scientist but he also had pretty good political insight. Most of the issues we dealt with were tough, because you had to say ‘No,’ to somebody. Russ was good because he could balance the science and the politics.”
After leaving the FWC in 2000, he founded Nelson Resources Consulting, an Oakland Park-based international fisheries consulting group that specializes in conservation science and advocacy for recreational fishing interests.
With The Billfish Foundation, Russell was instrumental in several of TBF’s socio-economic studies in the Los Cabos region of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama as well as being a loud voice for recreational fishing during international negotiations. His insight into dynamics of fisheries and the socio-economic benefits generated from sport fishing played pivotal roles in assisting many governments make decisions to further benefit sport fishing and tourism opportunities.
“All I can say is that Russell, in addition to being a brilliant scientist and analyst, had the most subtle sense of humor of anyone I’ve ever known,” said Joan Vernon, of Key Biscayne, who conducts the Presidential Challenge and worked with Nelson on billfish conservation issues in countries visited by the tournament series. “He had the ability to put complicated issues into perspective and reach sound conclusions that benefited not only the fish, but the economic issues involved as well. His outlook on life was an inspiration for all that knew him. It is hard to imagine life without Russell.”
“He was super,” said Capt. Bouncer Smith, of Miami Beach, who took Mr. Nelson and friends of his from Sweden daytime swordfishing two weeks ago. “He had semi-retired, bought a motorhome and went all over the Eastern United States trout fishing and visiting people.”
Russell received his doctorate from North Carolina State University, then worked as a research biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service before working for the Marine Fisheries Commission. Highly respected, Nelson also served for 14 years as a member of both the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils and also served on the U.S. delegation to the International Committee for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
Nelson is survived by TBF President Ellen Peel, two adult daughters, Rebecca and Kate, his mother and several siblings. A celebration of Nelson’s life will be held Sunday October 13, 2013, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) headquarters in Dania. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Billfish Foundation by clicking here.
The post TBF Mourns the Loss of TBF Chief Scientist, Russell Nelson appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Look for TBF at the 54th edition of The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) running from Thursday, October 31st – Monday November, 4th. FLIBS promoters forecast this year’s event to be one of the best ever, with new attractions including Seafair, which features upscale food, drinks and shopping, and the Sailfish Pavilion located at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. Be sure and visit The Billfish Foundation’s display at the Bahia Mar location near the front of the entrance tent.
Steve Goione, TBF’s 2013 artist will be a guest at our booth on the first two days of the boat show. Steve celebrated his home state of North Carolina and its iconic boat-builders when he created “A Rigger Full” for the TBF 2013 Print of the Year. The centerpiece of the print features a sleek sportfishing boat aptly name Release Me, with masts loaded with TBF tag flags. Two beautiful blue marlin complete this beautiful work of art. Steve will be at the TBF display on Thursday and Friday, illustrating an original pen and ink remarque on the print during show hours to increase its value and exclusivity even more! Those who join or renew their TBF membership at the boat show will be entered into a drawing for this one of a kind work of art!
TBF will also be debuting some brand new apparel from our conservation partner, Pelagic. You will definitely want to check out this great looking gear either for yourself, or be ahead of the game and start your holiday shopping for your favorite anglers!
The post Come See What’s New At TBF During The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show! appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Photo Credit to Alonso Abuchaibe
With billfishing at its peak in many destinations worldwide, TBF and TrollPro.com would love to see your amazing fishing videos. Similar to our monthly photo contest, we will reward you with prizes for sending in the best short videos to us!
All you need to do it submit your video to us via email, mail, or share your file via dropbox.com or Google Drive and be sure to “like” our TBF facebook page as well as TrollPro’s Facebook page. Once we contact and confirm the details of the video provider, we will post the top choices on our TBF facebook site. The winning video will be posted on our social media outlets and we’ll mail out your prize! We might even use your videos in future events!
RULES:
FORMAT: Videos should be 10 minutes or less in duration. Do not send us YouTube or vimeo links that are not your own! Send your files by email, or sharing them via dropbox.com or google drive to [email protected] or just send us a flash drive to our office – ATTN: Video Contest!
1. Your submission e-mail should contain contact information, credits, a short description of location, species, highlights and if a TrollPro Video Housing was used.
2. Videos should be no shorter than 10 seconds and no longer than 5 minutes of footage. Edited footage is fine as well.
3. Videos must not contain any inappropriate material and should be in good taste, suitable for all audiences.
4. The videos can be of billfish in the water and/or underwater, jumping shots, on the teaser, in the dredge teaser or free swimming and must be submitted by the 1st of the month. The contest will begin October 1st, 2013 and you have until October 15th to submit your video. The top videos will be voted on and the winner will be announced in our monthly e-newsletter.
5. Since TrollPro is a proud co-sponsor of this contest, any winning video that is captured in whole or part with a TrollPro Underwater Marine Video Housing, TrollPro DredgePro, or TrollPro Down Rigger Series housing and displays proof will receive an additional bonus from TrollPro!
6. Prizes will only be mailed to addresses in the United States.
• .MOV
• .MPEG4
• .AVI
• .WMV
• .MPEGPS
• .FLV
• 3GP
• WebM
PLEASE NOTE: Any video of a fish that has been removed from the water will be disqualified. Not only is this harmful for the fish, but it is also illegal in the Atlantic and its surrounding waters according to Atlantic Federal Regulation 50 CFR 635.21.
**By submitting videos to The Billfish Foundation and TrollPro you have given us the right to use your VIDEO in any of our digital (Facebook, twitter, etc.) or traditional (brochures, publications, promotional materials etc.) media outlets.
The post Introducing the TBF/TrollPro Monthly Video Contest! appeared first on The Billfish Foundation.
Notes:
2nd consecutive GRAND-AM Team Championship
First driver championship for both Matt Plumb and Nick Longhi
Rum Bum Racing Helps Porsche Secure Manufacturer Championship (Rum Bum Racing team manufacturer affiliation has won every year that Rum Bum has raced in GRAND-AM)
2013 Rum Bum Racing: 11 starts, 1 pole, 3 wins, 7 podiums, 9 top-fives, 91 laps led
Total since 2010 GRAND-AM debut: 41 starts, 14 wins, 5 poles, 22 podiums, 28 top-fives, 2936/3168 laps completed (93%)
Lakeville, Conn. (29 September 2013) – On Saturday at Lime Rock Park, Rum Bum Racing made history, once again.
With scores of friends and family as well as team owner Luis Bacardi and wife Jennifer on hand, Matt Plumb and Nick Longhi combined to bring the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche home on the podium at Lime Rock Park to secure the team’s second consecutive GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Team Championship.
The run to the podium finish capped an 11-race run to the championship as the Bacardi-led squad completed a successful defense of their breakthrough 2012 championship.
The 2013 season saw Rum Bum Racing utilize both teamwork and speed in equal measure to score three wins and seven podiums, including the incredible debut for the team’s in-house built Porsche 911 that saw Rum Bum win at Mid-Ohio. After track debris went into the engine area at the penultimate round of racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Rum Bum Racing fans had to wait until Lime Rock Park for the team to confirm the championship goal.
“Winning one of these championships is like getting struck by lightning; it rarely ever happens twice,” said Plumb. “And the fact that we have won it twice like this is really a testament to the team, from the top-down. From Mr. Bacardi to Joe Varde to all the guys going over the wall, everyone knows what their job is, they know how to do it.
“In 2009 when Joe Varde and I sat down and tried to map out what this was all going to look like, winning the 2012 and 2013 championship was not necessarily ‘hanging off the tree’,” said Plumb, who also works outside the cockpit as the general manager for the team. “But we knew we wanted to win races and we knew we had to please our owner whose goal was to win races and so we are just thrilled to have had the luck and the good fortune to get here.”
Longhi, who qualified sixth, then took a heads-up and conservative approach in the early stages of the race before turning the car over to Plumb to take to the finish. On the final pit stop during the all-green-flag race, Varde eschewed new Continental Tires to score track position.
The race, like much of what Rum Bum Racing has set out to achieve, went largely according to plan as Plumb was able to move up to fight for a third place finish as the team capped off an incredible year with yet more champagne.
“It was obviously a culmination of a lot of effort,” said Longhi. “It all started with Luis Bacardi and Matt Plumb who were the originators of the entire concept and approach, and then Joe Varde bringing that team together that Matt has run. Not only does he drive the car but he also runs the team, and over the last few years it has been a fantastically successful arrangement.”
Claiming his first-ever driver championship was something that Longhi was happy to do, but the New York resident has been focused on what the team could accomplish from day one.
“It’s an incredibly privileged position to be in, to be involved with this group of people because they are fantastic,” said Longhi. “It’s a fantastic group of people. I don’t know if ‘chemistry’ is the right word, but we are all friends and I think that is extremely important.”
Rum Bum Racing will look forward to continuing its legacy of success, and will announce plans for 2014 in the coming weeks.
The Lime Rock Park Champions Weekend race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 on October 6 at 5:00 PM ET.
The post Rum Bum Racing Wins Second Consecutive GRAND-AM Championship appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
Lakeville, Connecticut (27 September 2013) – With a conservative approach in play, Rum Bum Racing will start from sixth on the grid for the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Championship Weekend event at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.
Nick Longhi, who along with co-driver Matt Plumb, leads both the team and driver championships, will open the race from the third row after he posted a fast lap time of 57.697-seconds around the quick 1.53-mile Lime Rock Park track. With a significant gap in the points, Rum Bum Racing is poised to score a second consecutive GRAND-AM championship on Saturday.
“The car is great,” said Longhi of the qualifying run. “We know what we have to do for the race and as usual (crew chief) Joe Varde and the crew have prepared an immaculate car. It’s good, it’s quick and it’s reliable. It’s a great track. We love Lime Rock. It’s my and Matt’s (Plumb) home track. We’ve won the last two races here. We just love this place. There is no place like it in North America. In terms of the feeling of this racetrack and the fans, I just love it. Well done for the crew, having the car ready to go off the trailer. I don’t think we’ve touched it in terms of set up changes. Joe (Varde) just nailed it.”
With just one 45-minute practice session held ahead of qualifying, the GS teams had limited time to work on car setups. But the Rum Bum Racing crew delivered yet another strong car with both drivers happy with the setup before the practice session was even completed. After just 18 laps of running, Rum Bum Racing was happy with the car as the team posted the fifth quickest time of the session.
Though the team has played a conservative hand entering the season-finale event, Lime Rock has traditionally been a very strong circuit for Rum Bum Racing with the squad having won the previous two events at the track.
“We’re being careful in terms of saving the car mechanically for the race,” continued Longhi. “We know we have to score the points because the big picture is the championship. We don’t want to get in the middle of other people’s races as well. There are plenty of races going for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in the championship. Once we have done what we need to do, we’ll move on to the next thing, but right now we’re being conservative. The car is great and we’re ready to go.”
The qualifying session marked the final time the GS cars will be on track ahead of the race which is set to go green Saturday at 9:50 AM ET. Live timing and scoring is available on www.grandam.com. FOX Sports 1 will televise the race Sunday, October 6 at 5:00 PM (ET).
The post Title in Sight As Rum Bum Racing Set for Third Row Start appeared first on Rum Bum Racing.
