GREETINGS GRIDLIFE FAMILY,

The GRIDLIFE team has been hard at work to adjust and push through this challenging season both on the motorsports, and festival side. Through close cooperation with facilities, and our community, we have been able to safely and successfully pivot our motorsports experience to adapt to this moment in time. But, as the season draws to its conclusion we have one more pivot to make that will affect the #GRIDLIFE Midwest festival. 

Originally, we moved the Midwest festival to October with the hope that the state of Michigan, and the country as a whole, would be in a place where we could produce the #GRIDLIFE Experience as we know it without compromise, with full production. But due to the current state of the Covid-19 Crisis we are forced to make changes to the GRIDLIFE experience this year both for the safety of our community and to comply with restrictions, and regulations that are currently in place for the state of Michigan. Here is what to expect from the October 2020 edition of GRIDLIFE Midwest.

THE FULL MOTORSPORTS EXPERIENCE

The GRIDLIFE Motorsports experience will remain largely unchanged for this event. We have already confirmed an incredible Drift lineup from Team Falken / Ryan Litteral / Ryan Tuerck / Chris Forsberg and MORE, along with a stacked lineup of GRIDLIFE Time Attack and GLTC action for the weekend. Additionally, for the first time we will be running the track at night and bringing the #GRIDLIFE NightShift sessions to the midwest!

NO FESTIVAL STAGE FOR 2020

We know this is a big one, but with the music industry at a halt and social distancing in place there is no possible way for us to execute the music portion of the event safely and legally at this time. As with our Alpine Horizon event, music will still play a part of the experience with our GRIDLIFE RADIO broadcast that can be enjoyed from your paddock or camping space.

BARS & ALCOHOL

There will be no alcohol sales at GRIDLIFE Midwest 2020, per social distancing restrictions in 2020. This means there will not be a trackside beer garden, on-site bars, or event happy hours this year. Attendees 21+ are permitted to bring their own to enjoy at their respective campsites

LARGER CAMPING SPACES

With the campgrounds now being expanded to the concert grounds, attendees will be able to spread out with new expanded camping spaces providing more opportunity for social distancing. We are also removing our fire pit rules, and allowing attendees to have fires in their sites for a more traditional camping experience.

OPEN TO EXISTING TICKET HOLDERS ONLY

As of today, no additional tickets to GRIDLIFE Midwest 2020 will be available for purchase. If you have already secured your tickets you are good to go. No additional tickets will be sold.

FIRST ACCESS THE FULL 2021 GRIDLIFE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE. 

For those of you that choose to hold on to your existing 2020 tickets, and support GRIDLIFE through this incredibly challenging year, we want to ensure that you are first in line for the full return of the complete GRIDLIFE Midwest Experience in 2021. We will be giving everyone that attends GRIDLIFE Midwest 2020 first access to presale tickets for the Midwest Festival’s full return in 2021.

FULL SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE

Safety of our attendees is our absolute priority. We will not produce an event that places attendees at unnecessary, or heightened risk. We want to protect our community and this event’s future at all costs. So we will have a full and comprehensive distancing, masking & other protocol in place for the duration of the event.

REFUND PERIOD

We are opening up a refund period for all ticket types for the next 15 days through 11:59pm EST September 11th. To request a refund simply fill out this form and the face value of your ticket purchase will be returned to the original purchaser’s card. 

Over the past seven years the GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival experience has become recognized globally as the pinnacle of grassroots car culture and festival immersion in North America. At the heart of this is our community of drivers and attendees that make this experience so incredibly special. We look forward to the moment when we can safely and legally return to that experience, and rest assured when this is all over we will light up the GRID like never before! Thanks everyone for your support, stay safe, stay sane and we will see you all soon.

#GRIDLIFE Crew

RACE HERO LIVE TIMING

EVENT SCHEDULE

GRIDLIFE LIVE BROADCAST

TRACKBATTLE OVERALL RESULTS

TRACKBATTLE RUN GROUPS

2020.09.13 - 9:20 - End of TrackBattle Heat 4

Dry track on Sunday morning as drivers were eager to lay down some faster lap times. Ryan Matthews wasted no time and was able to reset the SM record with a 2:21.067.

TrackBattle Heat 4 Results

2020.09.12 - 18:00 - End of GLTC Race 1

#GRIDLIFE Touring Cup at the National Park of Speed took off Saturday with a wild start in the rain. Second place starter Tom O'Gorman braked late into turn one, edging out polesitter Todd Kaley. Out of turn two, Eric Kutil used his front-wheel drive grip to accelerate past O'Gorman's S2000, and took the lead into turn 5. Behind them, D.j. Alessandrini and Ryan Kristoff  sliced through the field, gaining 11 and 15 spots respectively. Through the kink, Ben Hawrysko's E46 M3 hydroplaned, making heavy contact with the driver's right wall and brought out a full course yellow. The cleanup was extensive, and the race ended under caution, giving Eric Kutil his 13th victory in the series, with Emile Tabb 2nd, O'Gorman 3rd, Kaley 4th, and Pervez Randelia's FR-S in 5th.

GLTC Race 2 Results

2020.09.12 - 15:20 - End of TrackBattle Heat 3

Tom O’Gorman is co-driving Steve Loudin’s C7 ZR-1 this weekend, and I think that everyone is on the edge of their seat to see how fast the car can go, once the weather dries up. In this session, he was able to secure an overall best time of 2:23.443. Definitely a respectable time during the session, but no where near the full potential of this car on a dry track. Streetmod driver Ryan Matthews was only a tenth behind him with a class leading 2:23.539. The SM record from last year is 2:21.895 by Dewey DeWitt, but I don’t expect that one will last to the end of the day tomorrow. In SGT, Coby Shield improved on his best from 2019 with a 2:26.238.

2020.09.12 - 12:40 - End of TrackBattle Heat 2

Drivers took to a drying track, though no one was near their personal bests from last year. The weather is expected to clear up for the final session this afternoon, so we’re looking for everyone to improve in Heat 3.

TrackBattle Heat 2 Results

2020.09.12 - 11:40 - End of GLTC Qualifying

Todd Kaley made a long drive from Florida, to rejoin GLTC here at Road America. Todd ran well at the SLB/Gridlife GLTC event at COTA in February, and wasted no time showing the field how to be quick in the rain here in Wisconsin. 2:50.666 was about six tenths faster than 2nd place Tom O’Gorman.

GLTC Qualifying Results

2020.09.12 - 11:00 - End of TrackBattle Heat 1

A soggy track and an early start on Saturday morning eased some of the tension that’s typical before drivers take to the track for the first time on a race weekend. Drivers can rest assured knowing that they don't have much to gain by going hard the in the wet, as the track is set to dry by the end of the day today. Coby Shield in his SGT Camaro was fastest overall, with Jackie Ding not far behind. Coby’s 2:54.029 is impressive on a track with standing water.

TrackBattle Heat 1 Results

GRIDLIFE is excited to welcome VP Racing Fuels as the Official Fuel Partner of the 2020 GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival. As the official fuel partner for this year’s festival, VP Racing will be on site offering race fuel sales and via pre-order starting today.

For drivers attending the GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival, the pre-order form link is below. VP asks that that all orders be made before end of business Tuesday Sept 29th. If you happen to miss the pre-order VP Racing Fuels will also have many of their popular fuels at the event for sale in 5 gal pails, and 54 gal drums including: VP110, C16, X98, X85, MS109, MS100 and MS93. VP will be onsite in the pro-paddock at Gingerman all weekend at the 2020 GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival.

EVENT SCHEDULE

GRIDLIFE LIVE BROADCAST

TRACKBATTLE SEASON POINTS

We have arrived at the conclusion of the 2020 #GRIDLIFE TrackBattle season. We made it. To say that this year has been strange is an understatement. We started the 2020 competition season at the end of 2019, and began 2020 with an event cancellation because of COVID. When the mass quarantines were winding down, drivers rallied around us to create a season worth remembering. Each year, the level of competition that drivers bring to our events impresses all of the GRIDLIFE Track Team. 2020 is no exception. While the championships for each class are effectively locked up, GRIDLIFE Midwest Fest brings out the best of the best. Drivers will be looking to break records if the weather in South Haven cooperates. Here’s who you should be keeping your eye on:

STREET

Josh Halka did his off-season homework in 2019, and put together a compelling case for an S209 turbo swap into a Subaru WRX/STI. Adam Jabaay (GRIDLIFE Motorsports Director) and Abe Schmucker (GRIDLIFE Competition Director) are the GRIDLIFE Supreme Court, and get to decide based on the arguments presented, and interpretation of the rules. Josh argued well, and was able to do this swap. To our knowledge, this was the first case of this turbo being purchased to be swapped into a non-S209 car in America. The results speak for themselves. He’s been in contention for the top spot on the podium at every event he’s attended. With the championship in his pocket already, he’ll be focused on trying to reset his own record here at Gingerman Raceway. Both Charles Miller and Brandon Ranvek/Team Twitch have their own entries, and aren’t far behind on pace. Expect both of them to be challenging the record by the end of the weekend. The time to beat in Street Class is 1:37.770.

STREET GT

Coby Shield has ran away with the championship this year. The only class with a driver scoring a perfect 400 points. However, he’s taking the weekend off. Chris Bickford and Alex Artayet will be on track, chasing Coby’s record set this spring. The time to beat in Street GT is a very respectable 1:37.313.

FCP EURO STREET MODIFIED

Street Mod presented by FCP Euro has really been the class to watch this year. Alex Moss, Jackie Ding, Ryan Matthews, Dewey Dewitt and RS Motors have been in a 5-way battle for the top of the podium at each event. In the end, Moss came away victorious in accomplishing his goal of winning the season championship, and has elected to put the car into the shop to rebuild this winter. The rebuild, is fitting a BMW-sourced DCT to a turbo k-swapped S2000. He’s been planning the project for more than a year, and along with Andy Smedegard, have decided to take their time on this one to make sure everything is perfect. In it’s place, he’ll be co-driving the One Lap TTRS with driver Micaiah Hackbarth. Many expect Jackie Ding to run away with this event at Gingerman, because he has so many laps with this car at this place under his belt, but don’t count the TTRS out of this one. This car is FAST through corners, and is certainly the highest horsepower SM competitor we’ve had. Micaiah struggled at Road America a few weeks ago with Haldex issues, but we think that’ll be fixed by this weekend. Shawn Krebsbach’s taken pause from previous events to focus on Gingerman. He’s been fast here, and this weekend is no exception. We’re also expecting Dewey to bring his A-game with a new motor partner, and a fresh rebuild. Let’s hope that this is a great conclusion to a fantastic season long battle. The record time in FCP Euro Street Mod is 1:33.095.

TRACK MODIFIED

Things went crazy in TrackMod in 2020. For the most part, Feras Qartoumy was competing exclusively against the clock, as many of the typical competitors we see in TM were absent this year. With a pair of giant turbskis, and a sequential transmission, laptimes have been on another planet. If the weather is good, expect Feras to be the first car on street tires we’ve seen go under 1:30. His current record is 1:30.557. I’m told that Andy Smedegard might get to do some fast laps in the MS7, but the jury is out on how close this battle could be. The time to beat in Track Mod is Feras’ 1:30.557.

UNLIMITED

Don’t expect any fireworks here this year. With the borders being closed, our Canadian competitors have been sidelined from our events. Hopefully we’ll see a return to competition from Will Au-Yeung, James Houghton, and the local team from Professional Awesome.

GRIDLIFE LIVE BROADCAST

Catch the TrackBattle action on track with GRIDLIFE Live  - Broadcasting HERE Friday at 12:15 pm EST, and Saturday 11:15am EST (times are estimated and are subject to motorsports schedule changes).

TRACKBATTLE EVENT PODIUM

TRACKBATTLE OFFICIAL RESULTS

GLTC WEEKEND OFFICIAL RESULTS

RACE HERO LIVE TIMING

EVENT SCHEDULE

GRIDLIFE LIVE BROADCAST

TRACKBATTLE RUN GROUPS

2020.10.02 - 17:10 - End of GLTC Race 1

A chaotic start in the largest GLTC field we’ve ever seen on track. As the green flag waved, the light showers affected the total grip on the course. Both Luke McGrew and Emile Tabb made the right call at the last minute to put on their wet weather tires, and the results speak for themselves. This is Luke’s second race win, and a well deserved finish in his car after so many teething issues on building and developing this racecar.

GLTC Race 1 Results

2020.10.02 - 15:40 - End of TrackBattle Heat 4

Dry track. Finally a chance for these incredible cars to begin to stretch their legs. Before the event, Track Modified driver Feras Qartoumy said he was chasing a 1:28 as soon as he got the chance. On his only hot lap of the session, he managed a 1:27.097. This is the first car on street tires that we’ve seen under 1:30 at any GRIDLIFE event ever. A fantastic result on his first real attempt of the weekend. In Street Mod, Jackie Ding momentarily held the record with a 1:32.799. The very next run group, Shawn Krebsbach reset the record with a 1:32.256. In Street class, Josh Halka continues to improve his pace, and widen the gap to the rest of the field with a new record time of 1:36.753.

TrackBattle Heat 4 Results

2020.10.02 - 14:20 - End of GLTC Qualifying

A record setting GRIDLIFE GLTC field took the track to set their position for race 1. A total of 46 cars set times during the session, with familiar drivers taking the top spots. Eric Kutil qualified P1, with a 1:38.759 and Aaron Leichty not far behind with a 1:39.594. These laps are slightly slower than times set in qualifying at the same race last year, but a giant field meant that drivers were fighting traffic on their pursuit of their ideal lap. Race 1 is going to be a barn burner.

GLTC Qualifying Results

2020.10.02 - 13:00 - End of TrackBattle Heat 3

The track was still wet this morning, as drivers continued to find time to improve. Don’t expect any of these times to stand as personal bests this weekend. The weather is looking good for Heat 4. Hopefully we see some fast times soon.

TrackBattle Heat 3 Results

2020.10.01 - 18:30 - End of TrackBattle Heat 2

No longer raining, a few more drivers took the track in another “open” session. We’ve still got 2 days of competition left and drivers are hunting for those dry sessions. Look for Friday morning for a much larger group of cars to take the track.

TrackBattle Heat 2 Results

2020.10.01 - 16:00 - End of TrackBattle Heat 1

Wet track for session 1 as drivers reacclimatized to Gingerman Raceway. Alex Moss of team Snap Understeer piloted the Audi TTRS to a time attack wet record on track with a 1:59.009. Only 0.7s off the fast wet time we’ve ever recorded, it’ll be exciting to see if we can improve that record over what is expected to be a rainy weekend. Some dry is expected but it’s going to be a mix throughout the next 3 days.

TrackBattle Heat 1 Results.

GRIDLIFE is teaming up with our friends over at Rally Ready for a rally challenge at our inaugural GRIDLIFE Bayou Bash at Nola Motorsports November 6 - 8. If you didn’t already know, not only does NOLA have an incredible road course, kart track and skid pad, they also have a 3/4 mile rally course along with 12 miles of off road trails. So that got us thinking. We are bringing in Rally Ready to take full use of this course with the first ever Rally Ready Challenge. Rally Ready will be bringing cars direct from their stables and pitting drivers head to head with a hot lap challenge all weekend long.

RALLY READY CHALLENGE

• $20 gets you behind the wheel of a Rally Ready Prepped 2.5L Subaru WRX.

• Each registered GRIDLIFE Driver gets one lap at $20. Additional runs are $50 per run.

• Laps are Hand Timed, Fastest lap of the day wins.

• RRC Competition is open to any registered GRIDLIFE driver.

• The Rally Ready Challenge will be open daily Saturday & Sunday from 12pm - 5pm.

• Recce laps must be done in drivers own vehicle.

DRIVER REGISTRATION AND SPECTATOR TICKETS FOR GRIDLIFE BAYOU BASH ARE AVAILABLE NOW

TRACKBATTLE EVENT PODIUM

GLTC WEEKEND PODIUM

2020.11.07 -15:00- End of TrackBattle Heat 6

Drivers had one more chance to put everything together at the end of the day here at Bayou Bash. Jackie Ding took the opportunity to further improve the FCP Euro Street Modified class record with a most impressive 1:48.853. Less than a second ahead of him, Casey Jones was unable to improve, was the fastest time recorded this weekend with a 1:48.261 in the Unlimited class. Unchallenged for a large portion of the weekend in Street Class, driver Josh Halka was content to watch the final session from the sidelines on his way to a weekend victory.

TrackBattle Heat 6 Results

2020.11.07 -13:30- End of GLTC Race 4

9 cars were inverted for the start of race 4. McGrew was not able to take the green flag because of a mechanical issues. Ronnie Soliman started on pole position but suffered a clutch failure causing a DNF. Eric Kutil also suffered a mecahnical from 5th position. S2000 Racer Dysen Pham was able to take his first GLTC win.

2020.11.07 -13:00- End of TrackBattle Heat 5

For his second session on track here at NOLA Motorsports Park, FCP Euro Street Modified driver Jackie Ding was very quick with a new personal best and class record 1:49.275. Most other drivers struggled to find more pace, but Jackie is now firmly in the top spot of the SM podium. Will he be able to find any more time in the final session of the weekend?

TrackBattle Heat 5 Results

Heat 6 Run Groups

2020.11.07 -10:00- GLTC Race 3

Luke McGrew and his NC Miata had a great start at the green flag and held the outside line on the way into turn 1. It was neck and neck with Kutil until Mcgrew took the lead entering the esses. By the end of lap 1. Kutil and McGrew were still nose to nose. By lap 3, the pace of Kutil was too much for McGrew hold off, and Kutil was finally able to get by. Scott Robertson in his street-driven GLTC car finished well improving up to 6th position. On the final lap, Andrew Rains was challenged by Todd Kaley but was able to hold off final charge to take 3rd position.

GLTC Race 3 Results

GLTC Race 4 Grid Order

2020.11.07 -09:40- End of TrackBattle Heat 4

Jackie Ding took to a damp track for the first time of the weekend this morning. In just 3 hot laps in the session for him, he was able to drop 10s of his overall time to set a new track record in the FCP Euro Street Modified class of 1:50.908. With that much pace on a damp track, it’s likely he’ll be sub-1:50 by the end of the day.

TrackBattle Heat 4 Results

2020.11.07 - 16:20- GLTC Race 2

Eric Kutil was the first driver to make it to turn 1 after the green flag dropped. After recovering from a bad race 1, Luke McGrew had a great start improving 7 spots up to 5th by the end of lap 1. By the end of the race, he’d climbed all the way to second overall, but Kutil could not be caught. Now competing against the clock, Kutil put down an incredible 1:51.386 lap on his way to victory.

GLTC Race 2 Results

GLTC Race 3 Grid Order

2020.11.07 - 16:00- TrackBattle Heat 3

Josh Halka continued to push the pace in Street Class with a new record time of 1:53.631. In SGT, GRIDLIFE newcomer was able to put down an incredible 1:50.479, setting the bar for a new record very high for an inaugural event. In SM, Michael Aumick was not far behind with a 1:51.253. In TM, Dalton Klein went quicker too with a 1:49.785. Casey Jones continue to lead the event with a 1:48.261 in his Unlimited Class Corvette.

TrackBattle Heat 3 Results

Heat 4 Run Groups

2020.11.07 - 15:00- TrackBattle Heat 2

Michael Aumick had huge improvement in pace this session setting a new SM record with a 1:52.007. Casey Jones improved by 0.4s as well with a 1:48.546 in his Unlimited class Corvette. Chet Moseley is now fastest in SGT with a 1:50.896. The track records are going to get faster here as drivers continue to tune their cars for this bumpy circuit as we move to heat 3.

TrackBattle Heat 2 Results

Heat 3 Run Groups

2020.11.07 - 14:10- End of GLTC Race 1

Eric Kutil jumped out to an early lead, with Todd Kaley not far behind by the end of lap 1. Despite qualifying in P3, Luke McGrew struggled during the race dropping 7 positions by the time the checkered flag flew. Andrew Rains from Apex Pro is here, and managed a great start gaining 2 positions during the race to finish in 3rd place in his BMW.

GLTC Race 1 Results

Race 2 Grid Order

2020.11.07 - 13:20- End of TrackBattle Heat 1

GRIDLIFE newcomer Casey Jones hit the ground running in his Corvette with an impressive 1:48.867 clearing the rest of the field by nearly a second. We’ve mentioned that GLTC could easily become the TrackBattle retirement home for some time attack drivers. Alex Moss agrees, and debuted a recently purchased Street class S2000 dubbed the “401k”. Josh Halka was fastest in Street with a 1:55.971. Drew Cleaver is running in Street GT in his Tesla Model 3 as well. Expect lots of fast times throughout the weekend as drivers get familiar with this circuit.

TrackBattle Heat 1 Results

2020.11.07 - 12:40- End of GLTC Qualifying

Drivers managed a track with wet spots and some heavy bumps during this heat. Eric Kutil had a great start at a new track, taking pole position with a 1:52.082. Todd Kaley was 2nd with 1:53.438. Luke McGrew was third with a 1:54.205. Expect a great start in a field of 18 cars at the beginning of race 1.

GLTC Qualifying Results

2020.11.07 - 08:00- Start of Day 1 of Bayou Bash

Drivers are currently getting the ins and outs of racing here at NOLA Motorsports Park from #GRIDLIFE TrackLord Adam Jabaay. Despite being at the end of racing season, we’ve got a strong field for this first points event of 2021. For the last few years, GRIDLIFE has managed to add a new track to the racing calendar each year. While we were expected to travel to NCM back in April, COVID restrictions forced us to postpone. NOLA is a recent addition to the calendar and we’re grateful that so many drivers have come out to support the series.

TrackBattle has a good cross section of both new to GL drivers, and familiar names. While our heavy hitter Canadian friends are still limited in travel, the Street, Street GT, Street Modified, and Track Modified classes have known podium winners here at this event. With a track that’s new for many, we’ll see how these drivers cope with this unfamiliar course.

GLTC drivers have shown up as well, as we’re expecting a field of roughly 22 cars at this inaugural event. Eric Kutil and his recently internet famous EG is here, and so is the duo of Andy Smedegard and Ronnie Soliman in the TRAINER S2K. Tom O’Gorman’s car is fixed and ready to race. Expect GLTC practice to start here in about 20 minutes

RACE HERO LIVE TIMING

EVENT SCHEDULE

GRIDLIFE LIVE BROADCAST

[12/15/20 - GRIDLIFE HEADQUARTERS - Chicago, IL]

GRIDLIFE is very happy to announce our 2021 GRIDLIFE Competition Schedule. All rounds listed in this 2021 Schedule are points rounds that count toward the 2021 season championship. Many of the tracks in this schedule are favorites to GRIDLIFE drivers, and we’re excited to be adding two new tracks with Grand Circuit at NCM, and Heartland Motorsports Park.

March 6-7 “GLTC COTA Special” at COTA - Austin, TX

The GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC) will join our friends at Super Lap Battle at the highest profile facility in the country, Circuit of the Americas, for two days of the best club racing in the country. Points earned at this event will count towards the 2021 GLTC season.

April 17-18 “GRIDLIFE Grand Circuit” at NCM Motorsports Park - Bowling Green, KY

Two action packed days at a modern classic of a track. Full fields of GLTC and Time Attack action will face this challenging circuit for the first time. In addition, HPDE Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced will round out the on-track action. Friday night load in/Check in, camping available to all. MUFFLERS REQUIRED, per track rules, no exceptions!

June 4-6 “Spring Kickoff” at Gingerman Raceway - South Haven, MI

Nothing beats three days of racecar noises cutting through the trees at the home track of GRIDLIFE, Gingerman Raceway! The Spring Kickoff will feature TrackBattle, GLTC, GRIDLIFE DRIFT and HPDE, with Thursday night load in, and camping available to all, spectators included. There's no place like Gingerman and we can't wait for Spring 2021.

June 25-27 “GRIDLIFE Chicago” at Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, IL

Autobahn is one of the staple facilities in the GRIDLIFE calendar and just a quick drive from downtown Chicago. 2021 will be the first time this facility hosts a three day TrackBattle round! TrackBattle, GLTC, GRIDLIFE DRIFT and HPDE, along with a car meet on the lawn will celebrate the summertime vibes in Chicago.

July 23-25 “Alpine Horizon Festival” at Pikes Peak International Raceway - Colorado Springs, CO

The most motorsport-diverse event on the GRIDLIFE schedule returns for the third year to Pikes Peak International raceway for the Alpine Horizon Festival! On track activities include: TrackBattle, GLTC, GRIDLIFE DRIFT and HPDE. Off track, explore Colorado with guided excursions, tackle the 2.1 mile dirt Rally track and test your ride on the skills course. When the sun sets behind the Alpine Horizon, prepare yourself for long and loud nights of "GRIDLIFE NightShift" featuring GRIDLIFE Drift, lasers, music and more. Camping available to all.

Aug 6-8 “Mid-Summer Meet" at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, OH

Mid Ohio Sportscar Course has been a favorite facility of drivers for many years, and plays host to GRIDLIFE TrackBattle, GLTC, and HPDE again in early August. Three days of racing and three nights of garage hangouts at one of the best tracks in the country. Thursday night entry, and camping available to all!

Aug 20-22 “GRIDLIFE Heartlands” at Heartland Motorsports Park - Topeka, KS

GRIDLIFE is excited to bring the show out to Heartland in Topeka, Kansas for the first time! We'll all meet in the middle at this amazing facility for 3 days of TrackBattle, GLTC, GRIDLIFE DRIFT and HPDE, PLUS an evening test and tune Drag racing (a first for us)! Come break in this new facility with us!

Sept 16-19 “GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival” at Gingerman Raceway - South Haven, MI

The OG GRIDLIFE event, Midwest Festival. We're pushing this Festival to September to enjoy the historically perfect-weather in Western Michigan, and give as much time as possible for that GRIDLIFE Festival experience we all missed in 2020! Four days of on-track and off-track parties! HPDE, GLTC, Time Attack, Drift, and more!

Oct 9-10 - GRIDLIFE FINALS - “Elkhart Classic” at Road America - Elkhart Lake, WI

This one’s for all the cheddar. GRIDLIFE returns to beautiful Road America and its backdrop of Autumn leaves for the 2021 TrackBattle Finals. The 2021 Season Championships of Time Attack and GLTC will be decided here over two days of competition. Friday night load in/check in, camping welcome, and Bratwurst recommended.

ABOUT GRIDLIFE

GRIDLIFE is a motorsports brand founded in 2014 that produces best-in-class grassroots racing events and experiences around the country. Featuring the youngest and fastest growing paddocks in North America, GRIDLIFE brings the grassroots racing experience to new heights with top tier content production and livestream broadcasts at every round in the competition season. GRIDLIFE Gaming produces eSport events both virtually and IRL. GRIDLIFE pioneered the Motorsports Music Festival concept in 2014 and plans for a return to music (hopefully) by Fall 2021.

For a complete list of ALL GRIDLIFE 2021 events and experiences visit www.grid.life/events

FOLLOW GRIDLIFE:

www.grid.life

instagram.com/gridlifeofficial

facebook.com/gridlifeofficial

twitter.com/gridlifefest

youtube.com/gridlife

twitch.tv/gridlifeofficial

Fight the FOMO - Watch GRIDLIFE Live - Broadcast live on www.grid.life, Facebook and YouTube.

2021 GRIDLIFE OFFICIAL PARTNERS

[1/14/21 - GRIDLIFE HEADQUARTERS - Chicago, IL]

GRIDLIFE published its 2021 competition schedule last month, but has since had to make a small adjustment to the GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival date, moving it up one week to September 9-12, in order to avoid a scheduling conflict that arose with another motorsports entity.

After experiencing the struggles of rescheduling the Midwest Festival twice in 2020 due to Covid-19, GRIDLIFE will work hard to avoid any further rescheduling to the 2021 schedule. We do not expect to have to move this date again.

We are super happy with the September 9-12 date for the Midwest Festival, and we expect to produce an event IN 2021 that more closely represents what our fans have come to expect out of the Midwest Festival.

Below is the revised 2021 GRIDLIFE Competition Schedule

Were kicking off #GRIDLIFE TrackBattle ES officially with our first season of official competition. Each week we are asking drivers to build cars, battle for the fastest laps on a specific track and submit photos or screen captures to qualify for the broadcast finals happening each week on Wednesday at 9pm EST.

PARTICIPATION IS SIMPLE

• Join the #GRIDLIFE Discord and become a part of the #GRIDLIFE Gaming Community

• Build a car conforming to the TrackBattle ES rulebook

• Race your car on that weeks track and set your fastest time! (Clean laps only with no assists)
  You can race by yourself or in one of our community or official qualifying lobbies happening nightly in the Discord.

• Submit your time to our weekly qualifying form via photo or screen capture (All times must be submitted by midnight EST the Tuesday before broadcast finals)

• Top 20 fastest times in each class each week will be invited to participate in the broadcast finals for that round happening each Wednesday at 9pm EST.

• A season lasts 4 rounds total. Each season we will crown a different champion. Points from all Round finals will count towards Super Stages happening each quarter and at festival and GameNight events.

GOLD PASS TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 1/22 12PM CST

SECURE YOUR SEASON PASS STARTING AT $600 DOWN

2021 GOLD PASS PACKAGES

GOLD PASS PERKS

+2 Crew for all attended events. (up to $800 value)

+2 VIP Upgrade for Festival Events (up to $425 value)

GRIDLIFE GOLD Swag Pack ($120 value)

Camping for all events ($360 value)

Unique Gold Pass livery ($80 value)

2020 Project Inclusion (Spotters Poster / Guide)

Live Stream + Media inclusion 

Gold Perks Partners offers

Driver Lounge access (where applicable)

Early Paddock entry (where applicable)

Discount & Priority Access to Skip Day events in 2021

2021 EVENTS

What an incredible season! Thanks to everyone that supported our series in a very difficult year. Here are your 2020 TrackBattle season Champions. For full season points results follow the link below.

[02/02/21 - GRIDLIFE HEADQUARTERS - Chicago, IL]

GRIDLIFE is excited to announce Hawk Performance as the Official Brake Partner of the GRIDLIFE Touring Cup 2021 Season. 

The Hawk Performance team will be on-site at a number GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC) events throughout the season including the Alpine Horizon Festival at Pikes Peak International Raceway, July 23-25, and the Midwest Festival at Gingerman Raceway, September 9-12, engaging with fans, hanging out with drivers, and generally supporting the GLTC season. 

“Hawk Performance is thrilled to partner with GRIDLIFE GLTC in 2021.”

John Butler, Product Specialist and Marketing Lead at Hawk Performance had to say of the partnership.

“GLTC’s competitive, yet attainable, field fits perfectly with Hawk’s three decades of grassroots motorsports involvement, and the Hawk team is eager to support GLTC drivers and teams out-brake the competition.”

In addition to the on-site presence, several Hawk Performance-sponsored drivers will be participating in the GRIDLIFE 2021 season including Seth Gale and his Acura Integra competing in GLTC, Johnny Rose and his NC Miata competing in Time Attack Street Mod, and Team Professional Awesome competing in Time Attack Unlimited with their Mitsubishi Evo.

In support of the GRIDLIFE driver community, Hawk has provided exclusive offers to GRIDLIFE Gold Pass holders via GRIDLIFE’s Gold Pass Perks program, as well as podium prizes for each GLTC round in the 2021 season. 

For more information on Hawk Performance’s full line of products visit:

www.HawkPerformance.com

ABOUT HAWK PERFORMANCE

Hawk Performance is a leading supplier of severe duty and high-performance friction products manufactured in ISO-certified facilities for the motorsports and performance automotive aftermarket. Hawk Performance products are engineered to allow users to control, command, and conquer the terrain for which their vehicles are designed. Decades of experience in developing friction materials for aerospace, industrial, military, automotive and motorsports applications give Hawk Performance an advantage over the competition.

Chicago, IL (Feb 17th, 2021)

GRIDLIFE is excited to announce the first project car in the newly developed GRID GARAGE program, the CRX TA-CR (Time Attack / Club Racer).

At the core of the GRIDLIFE community is a grassroots spirit of building and driving the car that moves you. Walking through the paddock on any given GRIDLIFE weekend you will spot dozens of swapped vehicles; new motors in older chassis, and sometimes even Honda motors in non-Honda chassis. The spirit of hot rodding within the GRIDLIFE community is alive and well, and Honda has always been at the center.

Honda and engine swaps, in fact, are partially the reason that GRIDLIFE Founders, Chris Stewart and Adam Jabaay, came to start GRIDLIFE. The two met serendipitously when Chris was sourcing B Series motors to swap into his CRX. Chris left a note on a random 1989 lowered white civic hatchback inquiring if any parts were needed. Turns out, that Civic belonged to Adam Jabaay, and the two instantly struck up a friendship around the love of Hondas, Road Racing, and the projects they enabled.

Nearly two decades after that initial meeting, the Honda swap story comes full circle with the #GRIDLIFE CRX TA-CR. Starting with the original CRX chassis, originally purchased by Chris in 1997. The CRX TA-CR concept will showcase modern motorsports functionality with period correct styling.

Utilizing the friends and knowledge within the Midwest GRIDLIFE community, the CRX TA-CR will be built in collaboration with the shops and competitors that compete within the GRIDLIFE series. The project will be a full ground-up restoration centered around the crown jewel of modern Honda motor technology with the HPD K20C1 Crate Engine Package. Featuring a unique wide body and the most functional road racing components, the CRX TA-CR will look and play the part of the ultimate Time Attack Club Racer.

The Project is currently underway, and GRIDLIFE will be releasing a full video series on the build from start to finish. Look for updates on our socials throughout the year as this incredible vehicle story comes to life.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE HPD K20C1 ENGINE PACKAGE

"How GLTC Things Work."
From Scott Giles - Competition Driver Development Lead

Starts!

Do you love race starts?  I love race starts.  They're the best part of a race, which is why we do at least 4 of them every weekend.

Grid
Before we can start a race, we have to grid everyone.  It's always helpful to our grid team for people to show up as soon as the previous session rolls, and everyone waiting until the last minute to come to grid almost guarantees a delayed start which results in a shortened race.  Our rules here fluctuate a bit as different tracks present different grid challenges (I'm looking at you Gingerman), but any penalties for not being in your grid spot on time will be clearly communicated in the driver's meetings.  You should assume if you're late, you're going to start at the back.

If you just thought to yourself "But what if I miss the driver's meeting?" the answer is you're not supposed to do that, so don't do that.
If you just thought to yourself "Hmmmm, that's a crafty way to make sure everyone comes to the driver's meeting."  Why yes.  Yes it is. 

Empty Grid Spots -
We fill them up.  If you qualified 4th and 3rd place doesn't show up to grid, you're starting 3rd <high five>.

The Splitter -
In this case The Splitter is not the thing on the front of your car that makes you carry more ballast, it's the person at grid exit telling you if you are starting on the left or right side of the track.  This person wears the Orange Gloves of Power and points to the side where you need to go.  GO TO THAT SIDE.  Please don't decide that you're 11th so you absolutely know you're starting on the left.  Things change, people don't show up to grid, the polesitter may have decided to be a contrarian.  Whatever.  Go where the splitter points.  And pretty please don't run over the splitter.

Formation Lap (rolling starts) -
The goal is always one formation lap, so please get formed up as quickly as possible.  Stragglers are no fun for the people stuck behind them, so don't be that no fun person.  The pace car will always roll slow early to give everyone time to exit the grid (this varies by track, and I'm looking at you again Gingerman), and then increase to a pace of 40 to 45mph.  Our goal is to see everyone 2 by 2 BEFORE entering the start straight.  If the field looks good, the lights will go off on the pace car and it will enter pit lane.  Once the pace car exits the track the pole sitter controls the field and is expected to steadily maintain the pace car's speed until the green flag is dropped. 

Wave Offs -
The Starter or Race Director can wave off a start if the field is not formed up well.  In this case you will get exaggerated NO gestures and no green flag.  This means you get another formation lap with the pole sitter acting as pace car.  40 to 45mph... Try again.  The clock is now running on the race length, because the schedule doesn't care about your shenanigans.

Typically if just the very back of the field is not formed up we will go green, and have some "please don't do that" discussions after the race.

START - GREEN GREEN GREEN!!!  GO!

With GLTC green means go.  You DO NOT have to wait to cross the starting line to execute a pass.  We do not want brake checking and field compression issues with a waving green flag. 

Jumped Starts -
We have multiple people watching from multiple points, and we also typically have at least one camera in every car.  Jumping the start is not recommended as you're probably going to get caught.  If its extremely obvious and multiple officials agree, you're going to get a black flag and a visit to pit lane, where we will make sure the "you've been naughty" conversation is long enough to result in a Very DFL rejoin.  If it's a close call, video will be reviewed post race and the penalty determined at that point.  

This also applies to lagging back, creating an excessive gap, and getting a run.  Don't do that.

See also "teamwork" bumping before the green because two cars accelerate better than one.  Yeah... Don't do that one either.

Standing Starts -
We do them sometimes.  For standing starts everyone will grid, split, and formation lap the same as a rolling start, and return to marked positions on the front straight.  There will be grid workers on the safe side of the pit wall providing guidance to your stopping point.  Once everyone is in place, the starter will hold up one hand to indicate that we are 5 to 10 seconds from green, and then... GREEN.

In the off chance we have access to a light system we'll use it, but that's a bonus we don't plan on in advance, and another reason to come to the drivers meeting. Right?

Jump start rules for standing starts are the same as rolling starts. 

So that’s starts! Stay tuned for more episodes of How GLTC stuff works.

2021 SERIES PARTNERS

AUSTIN, TX -

The GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC) wheel-to-wheel racing series makes its second trip to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in conjunction with Super Lap Battle USA this weekend, March 5-7th. The familiar juggernauts of last year’s champion Eric Kutil, and the runner-up Aaron Leichty, will make their first appearances in GLTC at the 3.5 mile, 20 turn road course. Leichty will be wearing all white this weekend - behind the wheel of a 2010 Porsche Cayman, a striking change from his Honda powered Miata which scored the most victories of any car last season (9).

Several other regulars in GLTC will also join the grid in Texas - including the quartet of Ford Duratech-swapped NC Miatas, driven by two-time race winner Luke McGrew, Erik Meadows, Justin Lee, and newcomer Gary Wimble. Two GRIDLIFE TrackBattle time attack record holders will make the jump to wheel-to-wheel racing this season. Austin Hertel’s Street Class Nissan 370Z has been reconfigured for GLTC, while Jeremy Swenson spent the off-season building a 2001 C5 Corvette.

For frontrunners Leichty and Kutil, the biggest threat to their season-long title run may come from another 370Z - this one dressed in carbon from Chris Forsberg Racing. Behind the wheel will be 2011 GT Academy champion, Bryan Heitkotter, who will add GLTC to an impressive list of racing experience - including seasons in World Challenge and IMSA. The RSX crew of Jeremy Boysen and Ben Dozeman are back again this season, representing two of the six front-wheel drive entries. 

GLTC’s thrilling single class sprint-race format sets four 15-minute sprint races across the weekend, with drivers competing on a variety of drivetrains, tire compounds, power levels, and weights. Circuit of the Americas will provide a unique challenge for GLTC drivers, with one of the fastest average speeds of any track on the schedule.

The action at the GRIDLIFE Touring Cup 2021 debut at COTA will be live on YouTube and Facebook via Super Lap Battle this Saturday. Following the COTA Debut, GRIDLIFE will host eight additional GLTC races through the GRIDLIFE 2021 competitive season. All GRIDLIFE events will be livestreamed on GRIDLIFE’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and are presented with the support of the GLTC 2021 Season Sponsors: FCP Euro, Valvoline, Advance Auto Parts, MOMO and Hawk Performance.

The next GLTC race on schedule is to be held at the Grand Circuit at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. 

GRIDLIFE TOURING CUP ENTRY LIST - CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

0 - Ben Dozeman - ‘02 Acura RSX

3 - Erik Meadows - ‘09 Mazda MX-5

3 - Jeremy Swenson - ‘01 Chevrolet Corvette

05 - Bryan Heitkotter - ‘10 Nissan 370Z

5 - Luke McGrew - ‘07 Mazda MX-5

14 - Emile Tabb - ‘91 Mazda Miata

16 - George Koustoumbardis - ‘03 Mazda Miata

19 - Aaron Leichty - ‘10 Porsche Cayman

23 - Jordan Wallace - ‘95 Acura Integra GSR

33 - Justin Lee - ‘06 Mazda MX-5

34 - Austin Hertel - ‘13 Nissan 370Z

36 - Tyler Starr - ‘91 Honda CRX

82 - Eric Kutil - ‘92 Honda Civic Si

87 - Nicholas Stentiford - ‘05 Honda S2000

99 - Jeremy Boysen - ‘02 Acura RSX

101 - Gary Wimble - ‘06 Mazda MX-5

898 - Brian DeFrees - ‘09 Honda Civic

GRIDLIFE GLTC COMPETITIVE SCHEDULE 2021

1. APRIL 17-18  GRIDLIFE Grand Circuit (NCM, Bowling Green, KY) 

2. JUNE 4-6 GRIDLIFE Spring Kickoff (Gingerman, South Haven, MI)  

3. JUNE 25-27 GRIDLIFE Chicago (ABCC, Joliet, IL)

4. JULY 23-25 Alpine Horizon Fest (PPIR, CO Springs, CO) 

5. AUG 6-8  GRIDLIFE Mid-Summer Meet (MID-O, Lexington, OH) 

6. AUG 20- 22 GRIDLIFE Heartland  (Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, KS) 

7. SEPT 9-12  GRIDLIFE Midwest Fest (Gingerman, South Haven, MI) 

8. OCT 9-10  GRIDLIFE Elkhart Classic (Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI) 

GLTC 2020 GALLERY

SERIES PARTNERS

Austin, TX -

GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC) opened its 2021 season at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this past weekend, March 5-7th. For the newcomers to GLTC, including previous GRIDLIFE Time Attack record holders Jeremy Swenson and Austin Hertel, as well as 2011 GT Academy winner Bryan Heitkotter, the goal was simply to learn about their cars and their competitors. But after Saturday morning’s early practice, it was clear that all three were quick studies. Others new to the series included Gary Wimble, Tyler Starr, and Jordan Wallace, who entered their first GLTC rounds at the 3.5 mile, 20-turn road course.

Austin Hertel and his 2013 Nissan 370Z ran second quickest in practice, with a time of 2:30.177, just six tenths of a second behind last year’s champion, Eric Kutil, who paced practice with a 2:29.544. Kutil, with help of new sponsor Hybrid Racing, spent most of Friday night chasing mechanical issues with a new differential. Later in the day, Kutil would also break a 3rd-gear shift fork and was forced to sit out for the rest of the day while the car was repaired. Qualifying was cut short by a black flag caused by an expiring motor from the #33 Thing 3 Racing MX-5 of Justin Lee. When the black flag lifted, there was only time for one flying lap for the rest of the field. Aaron Leichty’s 2010 Porsche Cayman snagged pole by nearly a second, even with a huge slide coming out of turn 19. Luke McGrew would start alongside him for the first race of the weekend. 

The first race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon was also slowed by an early caution - Ben Dozeman’s Acura RSX broke a ball joint in the first sector, sliding to a smokey stop at the apex of the turn 11 hairpin. When the yellow flag lifted, Aaron Leichty drove out to a commanding lead, and brought home his first victory of 2021. Luke McGrew finished second, with Austin Hertel coming home in third in his first-ever race. With three races scheduled for Sunday, the paddock was a busy place with drivers diagnosing electrical and mechanical issues, hoping to sort out the gremlins before morning.

Daybreak on Sunday brought excitement and energy to the paddock - GLTC would be the first grassroots racing series to ever utilize the Formula 1 style lights for a standing start. Spectators lined the fences to watch seventeen cars launch skyward under the gantry and towards the 133-foot climb in turn 1 at COTA. Race two proved to be much more competitive, with a six-car battle for third including Heitkotter, Morrison, Hertel, McGrew, Boysen, and Meadows. Ben Dozeman’s RSX went up in smoke, causing a brief full-course yellow flag that signified the end of the weekend for the #0 car. Eric Kutil’s charge from the rear of the field slid to a stop in the esses after a quarter-mile slide through turn two after a three-wide pass attempt on Austin Hertel and Emile Tabb. A subsequent curb strike would break Kutil’s rear suspension. Jeremy Swenson’s strong early run ended with contact and a tire rub from contact in turn 1 from Emile Tabb, who would go on to finish second. Leichty would again go unchallenged and start from the pole for race 3. 

GLTC race 3 saw Eric Kutil finally podium after starting in the back of the field, clawing through traffic in the fast-paced esses. Bryan Heitkotter and his Chris Forsberg Racing Nissan 370Z battled with Jeremy Boysen, Austin Hertel, and Erik Meadows consistently throughout the 15-minute race, each driver daring the other to brake later into the tight hairpins at COTA. Heitkotter would steal his second fourth-place finish of the weekend as he gained confidence in his 370Z’s brakes. Leichty looked like he would sweep the weekend with a third victory, but he’d start 8th in the final race of the weekend with the field inversion.

The final race of GLTC COTA Special was Kutil’s last chance to kickstart filling out the 2021 wins column, but to do it, he’d have to run down polesitter Jeremy Swenson’s thunderous Corvette. Aaron Leichty finally showed weakness buried in traffic at the start - his 3,000 pound Cayman struggling with the high speed corners compared to the nimble and lighter machines around him. Out front, Swenson’s rear tires began to lose grip. Kutil closed the gap and slid by in the final turn of the circuit at the halfway point of the race. With a weekend of adversity now behind him Eric Kutil would claim his first 2021 victory at Circuit of the Americas, with Austin Hertel picking up another podium in second, and Luke McGrew rebounding from engine issues for third. 

Aaron Leichty’s fourth place finish was his worst of the weekend, but plenty good enough to take home the weekend points victory. His Winning Formula Teammate Emile Tabb’s quiet consistency paid off for 2nd, and Austin Hertel’s fantastic first round brought him a third-place trophy and a huge smile. Even with trials and tribulations at a shakedown weekend for many, GLTC’s COTA Special brought the feel-good attitude and excitement of competition that has become embedded within GRIDLIFE culture. NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY,  is next on the GRIDLIFE Touring Cup schedule in April.

All GRIDLIFE events will be livestreamed on GRIDLIFE’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and are presented with the support of the GLTC 2021 Season Sponsors: FCP Euro, Valvoline, Advance Auto Parts, MOMO and Hawk Performance.

GLTC COTA SPECIAL WEEKEND RESULTS

POS DRIVER PTS

1. Aaron Leichty - 91

2. Emile Tabb - 69

3. Austin Hertel - 67

4. Bryan Heitkotter- 60

5. Luke McGrew - 57

6. Eric Kutil  - 53

7. Erik Meadows - 52

8. Joel Morrison - 51

9. Jeremy Boysen - 50

10. Jeremy Swenson - 43

11. Dysen Pham - 40

12. Nicholas Stentiford - 33

13. Brian DeFrees - 33

14. George Koustoumbardis - 26

15. Jordan Wallace - 15

16. Adam Jabaay- 10

17. Ben Dozeman - 10

GRIDLIFE GLTC COMPETITIVE SCHEDULE 2021

1. APRIL 17-18  GRIDLIFE Grand Circuit (NCM, Bowling Green) 

2. JUNE 4-6 GRIDLIFE Spring Kickoff (Gingerman, South Haven, MI)  

3. JUNE 25-27 GRIDLIFE Chicago (ABCC, Joliet, IL)

4. JULY 23-25 Alpine Horizon Fest (PPIR, CO Springs) 

5. AUG 6-8  GRIDLIFE Mid-Summer Meet (MID-O, Lexington, OH) 

6. AUG 20- 22 GRIDLIFE Heartland  (Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, KS) 

7. SEPT 9-12  GRIDLIFE Midwest Fest (Gingerman, South Haven, MI) 

8. OCT 9-10  GRIDLIFE Elkhart Classic (Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI) 

GRIDLIFE announces the development of an all-new class to its TrackBattle time attack motorsport series called, “Club Track Rat”, or “ClubTR” for short. ClubTR will be a 200 treadwear class supported by the Falken RT660 tire.

ClubTR fills a space that GRIDLIFE found had developed over the last couple seasons: Both cars and drivers across the traditional classes continued to progress, putting up faster and faster times through the year. ClubTR fits into the mix nicely because it allows for more personalization and modification for car builds than many entry level classes in time attack. At the same time it balances the potential of speed with a control tire (RT660), and minimal horsepower by adding modification allowances.

Some of the most popular Track Day cars like S2000s, BRZ/AE86s, Civics, Fiestas, Miatas, and more are right at home in ClubTR, with minimal car prep required to set some fast laps in competition with fellow track rats.

We have selected the Falken RT660 as the spec tire for the ClubTR Class in 2021. The Falken RT660 provides the perfect balance of performance, longevity and price that makes it ideal for this driver focused class. Falken will be supporting drivers throughout the entire GRIDLIFE ecosystem in 2021. More announcements regarding Falken’s partnership with the GRIDLIFE will be announced in the coming weeks.

GRIDLIFE TRACKBATTLE SCHEDULE 2021

APRIL 17-18  GRIDLIFE Grand Circuit (NCM, Bowling Green) 

MAY 22-23 Track Day Picnic (Blackhawk Farms)

JUNE 4-6 GRIDLIFE Spring Kickoff (Gingerman, South Haven, MI)  

JUNE 25-27 GRIDLIFE Chicago (ABCC, Joliet, IL)

JULY 23-25 Alpine Horizon Fest (PPIR, CO Springs) 

AUG 6-8  GRIDLIFE Mid-Summer Meet (MID-O, Lexington, OH) 

AUG 20- 22 GRIDLIFE Heartland  (Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, KS) 

SEPT 9-12  GRIDLIFE Midwest Fest (Gingerman, South Haven, MI) 

OCT 9-10  GRIDLIFE Elkhart Classic (Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI) 

For more information on the new Azenis RT660, visit: www.falkentire.com/azenis/rt660

GRIDLIFE SKIP DAY INVITATIONAL - Willow Springs International Raceway - Rosamond, CA

GRIDLIFE is excited to announce that its fast growing wheel-to-wheel competition series, GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC), has just added two big names to the series’ list of sponsors. Valvoline and Advance Auto Parts will be supporting the 2021 GLTC season as Official Sponsors.

The co-sponsors will be supporting the season while promoting Valvoline VR1 Racing Motor Oil, available at all Advance Auto Parts retail locations. Additionally, Valvoline and Advance will offer exclusive discounts to GRIDLIFE season drivers.

Valvoline will be flying the flag on track as well during the 2021 season. Three-time Formula Drift Champion, Chris Forsberg, will be shredding tires on his Valvoline-Nissan Altimaniac drift taxi at multiple events throughout the season. Forsberg will also support the GLTC series with pro-driver Bryan Heitkotter piloting the Forsberg Racing team’s NISMO Parts USA 370Z. Also in the GLTC field representing team Valvoline is the Winning Formula team. 

“The Valvoline partnership is a long time coming. COVID-19 threw a wrench in the announcement in 2020, but the Valvoline team stayed in close contact throughout the year, and our relationship has really solidified. They’re the real deal. Valvoline genuinely wants to be a part of the GRIDLIFE experience and GLTC series. We look forward to building a great program together in 2021, and beyond.” 

Shawn Fenton - Strategy Director - GRIDLIFE

For more information on VR1, visit: https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/motor-oil/vr1-racing-oil

About ValvolineTM

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the Company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. It operates and franchises more than 1,500 quick-lube locations, and it is the No. 2 chain by number of stores in the United States under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM brand and the No. 3 chain by number of stores in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including Valvoline EV Performance Fluids; Valvoline Hybrid Vehicle Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline Premium BlueTM heavy-duty motor oil; Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid; and ZerexTM antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com.

Falken Tire has long been a supporter of GRIDLIFE and the GRIDLIFE community, and that relationship continues in 2021 with the introduction of the GRIDLIFE X FALKEN Azenis Club Program. Falken Tire will be supporting all drivers that select the RT660 as their tire of choice for the 2021 Season*. The Falken Azenis Club program will provide special offers, unique swag, and more throughout the season for Time Attack / Drift / GLTC & HPDE Drivers. 

In addition to GRIDLIFE driver support, Falken will be providing season competitors* in the new Falken Club TR Class their first set of RT660s at deep discount! Falken has set aside a limited quantity of the Azenis RT660s exclusively for GRIDLIFE ClubTR competitors. 

“Since day one, the team at Falken have been believers in the GRIDLIFE mission of automotive inclusion, and each year the community support from the brand grows stronger and stronger. With the introduction of the all new TrackBattle class “Falken ClubTR”, and now the Club Azenis program, we have one of the most comprehensive experience programs available for grassroots drivers. It’s going to be amazing to see the ClubTR class and the use of the RT660 across the GRIDLIFE community grow in 2021.” - GRIDLIFE Founder / Experience Director Chris Stewart

GRIDLIFE Kicks off their Official Season April 17-18 at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY

Season Competitors is defined by a minimum of 4 events. Availability for The Falken Club TR discount and The Azenis Club program is limited. Applications will be approved in order of receipt. Tire orders will need to be confirmed through GRIDLIFE and Falken. All orders must be placed 15 days prior to the competition event. 

GRIDLIFE TRACKBATTLE SCHEDULE 2021

APRIL 17-18  GRIDLIFE Grand Circuit (NCM, Bowling Green) 

MAY 22-23 Track Day Picnic (Blackhawk Farms)

JUNE 4-6 GRIDLIFE Spring Kickoff (Gingerman, South Haven, MI)  

JUNE 25-27 GRIDLIFE Chicago (ABCC, Joliet, IL)

JULY 23-25 Alpine Horizon Fest (PPIR, CO Springs) 

AUG 6-8  GRIDLIFE Mid-Summer Meet (MID-O, Lexington, OH) 

AUG 20- 22 GRIDLIFE Heartland  (Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, KS) 

SEPT 9-12  GRIDLIFE Midwest Fest (Gingerman, South Haven, MI) 

OCT 9-10  GRIDLIFE Elkhart Classic (Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI) 

For more information on the new Azenis RT660, visit: www.falkentire.com/azenis/rt660