BimmerWorld
James ClayJames Clay

Blacksburg, Va.
Age: 36

2009: Two fast race laps, two podium positions, and two Hard Charger awards on the way to an 8th place finish in the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car drivers’ championship.

2008: Claimed first series win at Road America. Qualified in top-10 at eight of ten rounds.

2007: BimmerWorld team developed new BMW E90 chassis in house and collected the first North American win for the chassis at Mid-Ohio with driver Joey Hand. In seven starts, tied his career-best finish of third at Road Atlanta, where he set the fastest lap of the race.

Previously: His first race was a BMW Club Racing event at Pocono in 1998. 2001 ECR Enduro Series Champion, second in 2001 ARRC Enduro Championship, second in 2002 ARRC ITS Championship. Won five SCCA Regional ITS events in 2001 in a BMW 325. Followed that up by winning four times in six starts in 2002 SCCA Regional ITS races. In 2002, ran three SPEED Touring Car races in a BMW 325is, with a season-best finish of 14th at Washington, D.C. In 2003, competed in his first full season of SPEED Touring Car competition. Scored his first top-10 finish at Road Atlanta. Picked up three top-10 finishes in 2004, including his first top-5 (Road Atlanta) and finished 16th in points. Clay's Crew Chief Jason Marks was awarded the Zimmerman Cup as SPEED Touring Car's top crew chief. In 2005, collected six top-10 and three top-five finishes in 10 starts, driving a BMW325i. Finish 10th in the Championship points. Returned in BMW in 2006 to contest eight rounds, earning top-10 finishes at Miller Motorsports Park and Mosport.

Personal: Born Aug. 14, 1973. BimmerWorld owner. Played semi-professional football after college as a 300 lb-plus offensive lineman. Wields a mean barbeque - loves to cook and grill at home on weekends.

 

Bill HeumannBill Heumann

Louisville, KY
Age: 53

2009: BMW CCA Club Race National I Prepared Class Champion. Nine first place and 6 second place finishes out of seventeen starts. Class lap record holder at Sebring International Raceway. Winner of the "Spirit of Club Racing" award.

2008: Competed in BMW CCA Club Race I Prepared Class with a newly built Bimmerworld BMW E36 M3. Finished third nationally with five first place, two second place, and 2 third place finishes out of twelve starts.

Previously: Began high speed driving in 2003, became a driving instructor for BMW CCA in 2005 and an instructor for the Tire Rack Street Survival Program in 2006. Captured two first place finishes in 2006 in first race. In 2007, won four of six races in a BMW Club Racing J Prepared 318ti.

Personal: Bill Heumann is C.E.O. of Fisher-Klosterman, Inc., a CECO Environmental Company and Director of Corporate Development for CECO Environmental (OTC symbol: CECE). He was president of the Bluegrass Bimmers BMW CCA from 2007-2008 and vice president from 2005- 2007. He and his wife Lynn have two adult sons who are also auto enthusiasts. His other interests include karting, sailing, and free diving.


Seth ThomasSeth Thomas

Cumming, Ga.
Age: 33

2009: Took a collection of three wins on the way to his 4th place finish in the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car drivers' championship.

2008: Finished in top-10 seven times with best finish of 2nd at VIR. Earned Cool Move/Hard Charger at Mid Ohio.

2007: In fourth season with BimmerWorld, scored three top-10 finishes and earned his highest qualifying position at his home track, Road Atlanta, where he started second and led the most laps. Best finish of the year was fifth at Miller Motorsports Park.

Previously: Graduated from the Skip Barber Racing School. In 2001, raced ITB BMW in Southeast Endurance Series. In 2002, ran a Dodge Neon in SSC and won ARRC Enduro. In 2003, won SARRC ITS Championship; won the ARRC ITS Championship; and drove a BMW to a third place finish in Pro IT Series ITS class. In 2004, put together solid rookie season in nine Touring Car events, highlighted by first top-five finish of career at Road Atlanta.  Also ran the event's fastest lap in a BMW 325i.  Finished third in Rookie of the Year point standings. Broke into the top 10 in the 2005 Touring Car Drivers' Championship in only second year of competition, using eight top-10 finishes in 11 starts.   Tied career-high finish with a fourth at Cleveland.  Took home three top-ten finishes in 2006. Best finish came at Sebring where he finished sixth.

Personal: Born Oct. 3, 1976. Garage is stocked with a Dodge SRT 8 Grand Cherokee, Porsche 911 GT3 and BMW M3 Lightweight. Enjoys mountain biking. He and wife Resa celebrated the birth of their daughter Adelyn Grace in 2009.

 

David WhiteDavid White

Raleigh, NC
Age: 34

2009: BMW Club Racing J-Prepared national champion, 10 class wins in 11 starts and three class lap records. Overall winner at SCCA Summit Point 12 Hour and VIR 13 Hour races. Three class wins in the NASA Southeast Endurance Challenge and one Spec E30 sprint race win.

2008: A dominating 12 class wins in 12 starts and four class lap records on the way to the BMW Club Racing J-Prepared national championship. Overall winner at the SCCA VIR 13 Hour race. Five class podium finishes in the NASA Southeast Endurance Challenge and one class win in the GTS Challenge series. Class wins in both the 6 hour and 90 minute PBOC Sebring endurance races.

2007: BMW Club Racing I-Prepared national champion with nine class wins in 14 starts and three class lap records. Four NASA class wins and one class lap record in the GTS Challenge series.

Previously: Began racing in 2005 with BMW Club Racing and NASA scoring 2 class wins. Claimed nine class wins in NASA’s GTS Challenge and three class wins in BMW Club Racing in first full-schedule season in 2006.

Personal: Born Feb. 24, 1975. Earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from NC State University. Enjoys alternative and heavy metal music. Drives a BMW M3 on the street.



Josh Gallimore
Car Chief #80, Jackman

John Gaskins
Mechanic, Fuel
Name: Josh Gallimore
Hometown: Dublin, VA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: in shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 1st travel year
Years involved in racing: 1st
How did you get started in racing: motocross
Favorite racing series to watch: Rally
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Mazda Raceway
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Daytona
First car owned: 1949 Ford
Current daily driver: 1990 Chevy Van
Dream car: 1940 Ford coupe
Hobbies: motocross and hot rods
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: TIG welding
Favorite music genre: metal and rockabilly
Favorite movie: Public Enemies
Favorite food: Barbeque
Miscellaneous:
Name: John Phillip Gaskins
Hometown: Macon, GA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 1
Years involved in racing: 1
How did you get started in racing: I was in the right place at the right time!
Favorite racing series to watch: F1, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Road America
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Monza
First car owned: 1996 Nissan 240sx
Current daily driver: 1985 heavily modified 325/ 1996 BMW M3
Dream car: Aston Martin DB9RS
Hobbies: Tattoos, Playing Guitar, HPDEs, Hiking, Cooking, Reading, Beating Ryan at FORZA 2
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn:
Favorite music genre: Indy/Electronic
Favorite movie: Labyrinth
Favorite food: Vegetables
Miscellaneous:

Matt Humphries
Mechanic, Driver Changer

Ryan Kuhn
Car Chief #81, Tire Changer
Name: Matt Humphries
Hometown: New Castle, VA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: in shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 1st
Years involved in racing: 4
How did you get started in racing: Helpling my friend on his late model stock car at local short tracks
Favorite racing series to watch: NASCAR, Daytona Prototype, Local Racing
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Daytona
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Daytona
First car owned: 2000 Ford Ranger
Current daily driver: 2000 Ford Mustang GT/ 2000 Ford Ranger
Dream car: 2003 Ford Cobra with heavy modifications
Hobbies: Hunting, Cars, and going to the local races
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Get better at TIG welding
Favorite music genre: Rock
Favorite movie: Gone in 60 Seconds
Favorite food: Steak
Name: Ryan Kuhn
Hometown: Walled Lake, MI
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 2
Years involved in racing: 10
How did you get started in racing: My wife's family races.
Favorite racing series to watch: ALMS, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Road Atlanta
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Houston Motor Sports Park
First car owned: 1968 Ford F100-391
Current daily driver: 1997 BMW 328
Dream car: Saleen S7
Hobbies: Bench Racing, Shooting Pistols, Watching Sports
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Skydiving
Favorite music genre: Alternative, Country
Favorite movie: C'était un rendezvous, The Game
Favorite food: Mexican, Pasta
Miscellaneous:

Andrew Manzella
Mechanic, Fuel

Jason Marks
Crew Chief
Name: Andrew Manzella
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly-in
Years with Bimmerworld team: 2
Years involved in racing: 20+
How did you get started in racing: My father is a 40 year SCCA member, official and competitor. I have been around racing my entire life.
Favorite racing series to watch: ALMS, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Sebring is my favorite track.
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Le Mans
First car owned: 1987 Honda CRX Si
Current daily driver: 1998 BMW M3 sedan
Dream car: 997 Porsche GT3 RS
Hobbies: Racing, Shooting, RC cars
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Patience
Favorite music genre: Rock
Favorite movie: Boondock Saints
Favorite food: Steak
Miscellaneous:
Name: Jason Marks
Hometown: Radford, VA (originally) Pittsburgh, PA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 8
Years involved in racing: 8
How did you get started in racing: Wrong Place, Wrong time.
Favorite racing series to watch: AMA/ MotoGP, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Sears Point
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Mugello or Estoril
First car owned: 1985 Honda Prelude
Current daily driver: e36 BMW with one of everything BW has to offer, two of some stuff...
Dream car: 30's or 40's coupe done right.
Hobbies: Hunting and Shooting
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Master Gunsmithing, Stock Work, Checkering.
Favorite music genre: 3 cars and none of the CD players work.
Favorite movie: Old School, O Brother Where Art Thou, Kramer vs. Kramer
Favorite food: I am not too picky, butter, garlic and/or salt makes everything better.
Miscellaneous: I was put on probation during my first club race weekend.

Eric Schieb
Data Systems, Electronics

Justin Shaw
Mechanic, Tire Changer
Name: Eric Schieb
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly in
Day Job: owner of Electron Speed an racing electronics and development company
First car: BL Mini 1000
First racing: late 1980's on Georgia Tech's Formula SAE team and an individual effort in Solo II with an AE86 Corolla
Current cars: 2000, ZQ8, HO-4.3, Chevy S10, and a reengineered '91 Miata
Dream car: always my current project: '41 Ford PU on a modern fully boxed, race bred chassis.
Hobbies: who has time for hobbies when you have a dream job engineering race cars?
Favorite movies: Ronin, Blade Runner and Amelie
Favorite music genre: my Pandora station is an eclectic mix of music from Euro techno to female singer/songwriters to...
Name: Justin Shaw
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 2
Years involved in racing: 20+
How did you get started in racing: Well I started racing motorcross, and always had a love for cars.
Favorite racing series to watch: Supercross and WC.
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Road Atlanta
Race circuit you would most like to visit: I think Long Beach would be cool
First car owned: VW
Current daily driver: VW
Dream car: James Clay E36 wagon, its sick
Hobbies: BMX and Motorcross
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: I would like to learn how to weld I think that would be useful. I've been practicing on Dave White's car in my spare time.
Favorite music genre: Rock
Favorite movie: I have many
Favorite food: When we are on the road we eat well, and Pizza is number one.
Miscellaneous:

David Simpkins
Chief Mechanic

Wayne Yawn
Lead Engineer
 
Name: David Simpkins
Hometown: Dublin, VA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 7
Years involved in racing: 9
How did you get started in racing: I started working with James directly out of high school.
Favorite racing series to watch: WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Road Atlanta
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Road Atlanta
First car owned: 1993 BMW 325
Current daily driver: 1991 Chevy S-10
Dream car: 1954 Ford F100
Hobbies: Racing dirt bikes, Restoring old cars and trucks
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn:
Favorite music genre: Heavy Metal
Favorite movie:
Favorite food: Italian
Miscellaneous:
Name: Wayne R. Yawn
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly in
Years with Bimmerworld team: 2
Years involved in racing: 19
How did you get started in racing: Formula SAE
Favorite racing series to watch: Daytona Prototype, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Toss up between Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Laguna Seca
First car owned: 1976 GMC 4x4 Pickup
Current daily driver: 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
Dream car: Lamborgini Countach
Hobbies: Motorcycle riding (dirt and street), Camping
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: To play the guitar
Favorite music genre: 80's Big Hair Rock
Favorite movie: Cool Hand Luke, Ronin
Favorite food: Chic-Fil-A
Miscellaneous: