paul_dezod

TORRANCE, Calif. — After three extraordinary seasons spent clawing through the road racing ranks, the Scion team fielded by owner/driver Dan Gardner will launch a new two-car, three-driver program to take on the World Challenge Touring Car series, arguably the highest level of production-based sedan racing in North America.

The team, known as Dan Gardner Spec (DG-Spec), is built upon the new line of high performance parts Gardner has developed over the last three and a half years racing a Scion. DG-Spec logos will adorn both cars.

“This is a huge step forward for Scion and the team,” said Gardner. “I’m excited to launch the DG-Spec line and go both feet (and cars) into the World Challenge series. Huge thanks to all our sponsors and supporters that made this happen. We pushed everyone hard, and everyone stepped up their game to make this possible.”

The number-18 Scion tC Touring Car will be driven by MavTV-sponsored driver Robert Stout, 2009 NASA PTA National Champion. Stout’s adaptable nature makes him a great fit to drive the car, and also a perfect fit for the Scion brand at just 18 years old.

“Before I drove the Scion tC, I had no idea what to expect from a front-wheel-drive racecar like the Scion,” Stout Said. “My first time behind the wheel blew me away. The car is seriously fast and it’s going to be awesome to race it in World Challenge!”

The number-36 car will be co-driven by veteran club and Grand-Am driver, Tom Lepper, and Gardner himself. The two will be competing for the team championship, as they accrue points together for the car. Both Lepper and Gardner also have 2009 championships under their belts with Lepper having won the crown in the US Touring Car Championship series, and Gardner having won both the NASA PTC and WERC Endurance E1 titles.

“I’d had some good exposure to Dan and the Scion team over the last few years, and I was impressed at the entire effort,” said Lepper. “I’m standing in my seat with excitement to be a part of it all. I know the cars are well-developed, and this is a team that has a shot at the championship if we play our cards right.“

The season already has a highlight reel, and the team hasn’t even run the first race yet. The number-36 car, just three weeks ago, was Gardner’s commuter car. Today, it’s a full-fledged World Challenge Touring Car racecar.

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Scion and DG-Spec to Field 2-Car World Challenge Team
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“I honestly don’t know how they did it,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “This might be the fastest a pro road racing car has ever come together. It’s truly a testament to the team. I can only imagine the sacrifice and commitment. Scion is pumped to be a part of this, as Gardner and the DG-Spec team ready for war in the World Challenge series.”

The team has chronicled the build-up of the number-36 car in both still and time-lapse format. The process, as well as some testing with Stout, can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ZZ_ElJDY4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyoj6yhqHM

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/w...ter-paint.html

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/w...ion-tc-16.html

http://gtrusa.blogspot.com/2010/03/w...n-11-days.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udd07RgVu4

“It’s been a great ride for us with Gardner and this team,” said Gary Boler, TRD business operations manager. “It’s fantastic for us to be able to promote and prove the performance and durability of our TRD parts at an extraordinarily high level of competition. World Challenge sits at the pinnacle of road racing, and it’s with great pride that we continue to support the effort.”

The team leaves this week for St. Petersburg, Florida for the first race of the season. The Grand Prix event takes place March 26-28. The event is a double-header with races through the streets of St. Pete on both Saturday and Sunday. Live timing and scoring can be found at www.world-challenge.com. The race will be broadcast on the Versus Network on Sunday, April 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The 2010 schedule will find the team racing 12 races at 8 venues across the US and Canada, with all races being nationally broadcast on Versus, home of IndyCar and other popular sports series.

"We are excited to have DG Spec running two Scion tCs this year in World Challenge Touring Car," said Dave Drimmie, VP, Marketing & Communications, WC Vision. "The competition is going to be fierce in that class with Mazdas, Acuras, Hondas, VWs, Chevys and Scions running."
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Scion and DG-Spec to Field 2-Car World Challenge Team
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The team’s progress throughout the season can be followed at www.scionracing.com and www.facebook.com/scionracing.

The DG-Spec team uses and is supported by:

• Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit
• Jackson-Dawson Communications
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Nitto NT-01 tires for testing
• Enkei PF01 17x8 wheels
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, fuel rail, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• DG-Spec Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash and VNET sensors
• AEM sensors, EMS, and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• Reflections body work
• America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• DG-Spec Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates
• Goodridge fittings and lines
• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, window nets, and other safety and crew gear
• DC Sports header
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• NST supercharger pulley, Braille batteries, and shifter bushings
• Sampson Racing Communications (SRC) radio systems


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Scion and DG-Spec to Field 2-Car World Challenge Team
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The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate classes (World Challenge Touring Car, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge GT) races follow a sprint format and are 50 minutes start to finish. Each race features thrilling standing starts, adrenaline filled door-to-door action, and top-notch drivers. Drivers pilot cars from the world's most popular manufacturers. Race prepped versions of the cars we drive on the streets! The World Challenge is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.

DG Spec is a line of parts designed and endorsed by National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner. Gardner draws up the specifications for the parts himself. The parts are then tested and proven on the track. The goal of DG Spec is to provide enthusiasts with parts that have been developed on the track and that have significant performance advantages at an honest price. Parts are offered either in hardcore track trim, identical to what Gardner and his team race with, or in Gardner-specified standards more appropriate for enthusiast use on the street.

red123

cool vids. all the best to team Gardner!

DG Spec line, awesome news to the scion community. peace

chicotunner07

always nice to see more scions out there racing, but im sad to see another turdcharger on a tc, i was hoping for a Dezod'd out tc, alpha mani and all, lol

good luck!

crush02342002

iTrader: (2)

reminds me, has anything been done to the s/c? as in bearings and other components?

TunerKid

I WANT THAT CAR!!!!

BLUEMEANIE

Dezod - AWESOME!!

lol @ the amount of time it took some one to bash on the SC.

chicotunner07

^ok, so it wasnt all a bash on the charger, but why have 2 of the same thing? i thought they would have diversified a little and gone with one SC, and one turbo. oh well, lol

Ace83

iTrader: (6)

x2, I want to see the alpha kit and dezod engine is action!

BLUEMEANIE

Its one team and two cars in the same production vehicle based race series.

GQQSE13

nice write up n vids; good luck guys!

DezodDon

Yay 2 Dan Gardners driving 2 cars

BLUEMEANIE

^ Seeing as both cars are the same I would consider turbo'ing one of the Dans.

Thorium06

iTrader: (5)

the supercharger/intercooler on the new car looks like the old setup on the old car. maybe using spare parts that were within reach?

DezodDon

Probably trying to keep both cars consistent so they can switch out if needed.

adg016

Please remember...for pro racing, competition vehicles must be homologated. FI parts must come from the factory and/or the factory arm. You can't just do what you want. Not how pro racing works.

Thanks for the support guys!

Domo

iTrader: (3)

just curious, why did you guys switch to the PF01?

adg016

We still will rock a few RPF1s, but Enkei's new wheel is the PF01, so that's where we're at. Plus it has some big benefits in strength and caliper clearance. Strong possibility of doing a DG-Spec wheel again here very soon.

Domo

iTrader: (3)

I thought the RPF1s had significant clearance already? Either way, if you do decide to start another Enkei GB, try to get 17x9

gwtc

iTrader: (4)

Nice...great job on the build Dan + team, wish you guys the best for this year race season, btw...do you have a list of oem parts that are left over(if any) from the new car? I haven't been able to come down, let me know, thanks.

adg016

Yes, parts are left. I have no list. You can ask me what you are looking for, or just come down and take what you'd like.