James ClayJames Clay

[JAYMS CLAY]
Blacksburg, Va.
Age: 35

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. Enjoys house techno music, but does not dance to it. Wields a mean barbeque - loves to cook and grill at home on weekends.

 

Nick EsayianNick Esayian

[NIK eh-SAY-un]
Encinitas, Calif.
Age: 41

2008: First season with BimmerWorld netted Esayian a best start of fourth and a best finish of sixth as he adapted to the rear-wheel drive BMW E90 platform.

 

2007: Earned three top-ten finishes driving an Acura TSX for RealTime Racing. Best finish was eighth at both Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

 

Previously: Won the SCCA Central Division Regional Championship in 1993 and Milwaukee Region Rookie of the Year in the same year. He finished in the top 10 in points in the SCCA Central Division from 1994-95, and then improved to top-five finishes in points from 1996-2002 in the SCCA So Pac Division. Also, finished in the top 10 in final points in three seasons of Neon Challenge as well as scoring a top-three finish in final points for the 1999 NASA Touring Car Championship. In 2002, ran two SPEED Touring Car races in an Acura Integra Type R, with a best finish of 25th at Road America. In 2003, competed in SCCA National Series finishing third in points in SoPac Division in the SSB class. Driving for RealTime Racing in 2004, finished fourth in Rookie of the Year points standings and 18th overall in Touring Car after running all 10 events for the first time in career.  Best finish (15th) came at Portland after starting 21st. In 2005, his second full season with RealTime Racing, posted career-best eighth-place finish at Mosport after qualifying 14th.  Including that race, earned the first four top-10 finishes of his career (St. Petersburg, Portland, Mosport and Laguna Seca). Finished 12th in the Drivers' Championship. Finished ninth in the 2006 SPEED Touring Car Drivers' Championship racing a RealTime Acura RSX. Earned six top-10 finishes with and finished a career-best seventh at Sebring.

 

Personal: Born Nov. 7, 1967. Is CEO of Debt Cures, LLC., enjoys golf, tennis, off road motorcycling, politics and the beach. He is married to Carrie and they have two sons Jake and Troy. Drives a Mercedes Benz S550 on the street. Earned a BBA (Marketing) from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and holds and MBA from the University of Redlands.

 

Seth ThomasSeth Thomas

[SETH TOM-us]
Cumming, Ga.
Age: 32

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 are expecting their first child in 2009.

 


Lance Boicelli
Mechanic

Aaron Coalwell
Team Representative
Name: Lance Boicelli
Hometown: Clayton, CA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly-in
Years with Bimmerworld team: 6
Years involved in racing: 6
How did you get started in racing: I always wanted to race cars as far back I can remember. As soon as I graduated college and had the means to purchase a car that would allow me to pursue that dream of racing that is when I started my adventure. The car was a 1990 BMW E30 M3 and the year was 2000.
Favorite racing series to watch: F1, besides the boys in blue and yellow of Speed WC TC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: So far, VIR, but I haven't been able to attend every venue that they race at.
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Spa-Francorchamps of the F1 Belgian Grand Prix
First car owned: 1985 Ford Bronco
Current daily driver: A 2001 Audi S4 Avant, the family wagon. The stable also includes a 2006 Mini Cooper S (wife's choice), 1991 BMW E30 318i (beater errand runner), 1988 BMW E30 M3 (street car sitting the barn for the past couple of years), 1989 BMW E30 M3 (current racecar)
Dream car: Porsche Carrera GT
Hobbies: Working on home improvement projects
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: I would love to be able to fabricate/machine more parts for racecars myself. A lack of time and appropriate equipment are limiting factors for me and this hobby.
Favorite music genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite movie: Die Hard
Favorite food: A Veal Piccata dish that I use to cook when I worked at an Italian restaurant during High School.
Miscellaneous:
Name: Aaron Coalwell
Hometown: Acworth, GA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly-in
Years with Bimmerworld team: 1
Years involved in racing: 12
How did you get started in racing: Schools' Formula SAE team and working SCCA Club Races as scrutineer.
Favorite racing series to watch: Formula 1, Moto GP, ALMS, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Road Atlanta
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Nurburgring
First car owned: 1975.5 Nissan 280-Z
Current daily driver: 1999 BMW 540i & 2006 Suzuki GSX-R 750
Dream car: Bugatti Veyron EB16.4
Hobbies: Riding Motorcycles, Target Shooting, Downhill Skiing
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Fencing
Favorite music genre: Techno / Electronica
Favorite movie: LeMans
Favorite food: Anything Italian, especially Pizza
Miscellaneous: I wrote the rules for SCCA Club Racing for 2-years and SCCS Pro Racing for 6-years, including most of the rules still being used for the World Challenge series.

John Gaskins
Car Chief #36

Justin Gardner
Car Chief #34
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:
Name: Justin Gardner
Hometown: Charleston, WV
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: WyoTech - Through school.
Favorite racing series to watch: Figure 8 school bus racing, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Haven’t seen them all yet!
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Any new one is great!
First car owned: 1988 Chevy S-10
Current daily driver: E30 325is
Dream car: 1984 Chevy Citation ... Murdered out
Hobbies: Jet skiing, Snowboarding, Street Bikes, Pogo Sticks
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Too many to list.
Favorite music genre: Depends
Favorite movie: Transporter
Favorite food: Mom's cooking
Miscellaneous: Looking for S65 engine to drop in my E30. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris Knab
Data Systems

Ryan Kuhn
Car Chief #38
Name: Christopher Knab
Hometown: Altoona, PA
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly-In
Years with Bimmerworld team: 6
Years involved in racing: 8
How did you get started in racing: First job out of college I was a Network Admin for a regional Insurance Agency in Johnstown, PA. The President of the company was currently driving for DuPont Racing in World Challenge and in a Nissan DP car in Rolex. He invited me to come and perform Data Acquisition for his car at Mosport in 2000.
Favorite racing series to watch: Honestly, I find racing on TV brutally boring to watch. If I had to pick something that catches my attention it would be Lucas Oil, Bus Racing Figure 8 and WC.
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Laguna Seca
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Dubai Autodrome
First car owned: 1975 Dodge Santana Van Equipped with PA system and Smoke screen
Current daily driver: BMW M3
Dream car: Tesla Roadster
Hobbies: Geo Politics, Electromagnetic Energy, Guitar
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Piano
Favorite music genre: Punk Rock
Favorite movie: Strange Brew
Favorite food: Pizza
Miscellaneous: I like long walks on the beach and a good cry.
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:

Chas Lattin
Mechanic

Andrew Manzella
Mechanic
Name: Chas Lattin
Hometown: Montour Falls, NY
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Shop
Years with Bimmerworld team: 2
Years involved in racing: 2
How did you get started in racing: Went to school to study Motorsports. Drawn to Motorsports because of family and growing up close to WGI.
Favorite racing series to watch: F1, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Watkins Glen - my hometown track.
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Spa
First car owned: 1974 Beetle convertible project
Current daily driver: 1987 BMW 325is
Dream car: Zonda F
Hobbies: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Basketball, Running
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Free Climbing
Favorite music genre: Rock
Favorite movie: Boondock Saints
Favorite food: Steak
Miscellaneous:
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:

Jason Marks
Crew Chief

Robert Mosley
Logistics Manager
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.
Name: Robert Mosley
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Do you work in shop or fly-in for races: Fly-in
Years with Bimmerworld team: 4
Years involved in racing: 8
How did you get started in racing: Volunteering at regional track school events with BMWCCA, PCA, and AUDI club events.
Favorite racing series to watch: F1, WC
Favorite race circuit that team races on: Infineon or Miller
Race circuit you would most like to visit: Brands Hatch
First car owned: 1970's Datsun B210
Current daily driver: 89 325i with no muffler
Dream car: a rust free 89 325i with a muffler
Hobbies: searching for a free muffler for an 89 325i
What hobby/skill would you most like to learn: Needlepoint Potraits
Favorite music genre: Old Punk and Speed Bluegrass.
Favorite movie: Steel Magnolias
Favorite food: Mexican, its mandatory for BimmerWorld team members.
Miscellaneous: I am lucky to be a part of such a great group of people with BimmerWorld racing. For a car guy like myself it's a dream to be able to participate, on any level, in professional motorsport but its even better when its with a team like BimmerWorld!

Justin Shaw
Mechanic

David Simpkins
Chief Mechanic
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:
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:

Wayne Yawn
Engineer
 
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: