RSR Motorsports MINI No. 195

RSR Motorsports has been representing MINI for many years in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Series.  So it was surprising to learn that the team run by Randy Smalley just added a Honda Civic Si to the lineup.

On Wednesday, RSR Motorsports will take delivery of their new Honda Civic SI, just two days before the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The Honda will join RSR’s three MINI Coopers in the ST class, carrying sponsorship from Cruise America, Thor Motor Coach and USLED.

Owen Trinkler will be making his 80th start in the series when Friday’s race gets underway. He’ll be driving the No. 197 RSR Motorsports Honda with Chris Puskar. Trinkler made his series debut in a Honda, and got his first series win in the marque, as well.

“The Honda will be a good car for Daytona,” Trinkler says. “It’s a bit of a change for the team, and we’ll implement some things we’ve done with the MINIs to see how well it translates. Our engineers have been looking at this car for a while, and it’s a perfect addition for us.”

Owen Trinkler’s former driving partner Sarah Cattaneo has moved on to the BMW 128i of Mitchum Motorsports.  But several other drivers are returning including Smalley, Trinkler, Puskar, Ron Farmer, and Jason Hart.  Farmer and Hart have had an entire season together in the MINI No. 196 and could be a surprise team in 2012.

Here is the RSR Motorsports lineup for Daytona:

195 RSR Motorsports Chris Puskar, Charlotte, N.C.
Randy Smalley, Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Owen Trinkler, Nashville, Tenn.
MINI Cooper S Cruise America, Thor Motorcoach
196 RSR Motorsports Ron Farmer, Houston, Texas
Jason Hart, Flower Mound, Texas
MINI Cooper S USLED, Cruise America, Thor Motorcoach
197 RSR Motorsports Chris Puskar, Charlotte, N.C.
Randy Smalley, Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Owen Trinkler, Nashville, Tenn.
Honda Civic Si Cruise America, Thor Motorcoach, USLED Carbotech
198 RSR Motorsports Corey Fergus, Powell, Ohio
Kyle Gimple, Minden, Nev.
MINI Cooper S Cruise America, Thor Motorcoach, Flying J

Read the entire press release RSR Motorsports Adds a Honda Civic to the Daytona Lineup.