We started Compass360/Racing in 2003. After two years in the Porsche Club Racing series we though it would be fun to see how we did in regional racing. After all, we'd finished on the podium in every PCA race save one, with multiple firsts at Mosport and Watkins Glen.

At the end of 2003, we'd won the regional Championship by a wide margin, and driver Karl Thomson had also taken Rookie of the Year honors. A good season, then.

Grand Am Cup was the place to go from regionals. To our mind it's got the formula bang-on: street stock with pretty evenly matched cars from BMW, Mazda, Acura, Dodge, Audi, Lexus and Porsche, , and the 3-hour endurance format gives a good chance for a good result to most teams. The competition is close. It's televised. And some of the top names in road racing are in the series (think guys like Randy Pobst and Terry Borcheller).

The Compass360 team is anchored by our Crew Chief Ian McQuillan. His shop, Boxer Autosport, is has been a well-respected place for European auto service for more than 20 years. Ian's experience in Trans Am, regionals, Porsche Club and stock car racing is invaluable, but the fact he's an exceptional driver in his own right makes a real difference.

Karl Thomson is our lead driver, and is known for bringing the car home regardless of its condition. He really believes that "to finish first, first you must finish," and his 2003 Championship is a result of that. Out of 46 races he ran in 2003, he took the checkered flag 45 times.

Team Strategist is Rob Lavigne. His passion for racing is as astonishing as his analytical skills. His timing of our pit stop helped us get a top-10 finish in only our second Grand Am Cup race. And Rob is the only guy we know who managed to get Paul Newman's autograph.

Rounding out our crew are Paul Bruch, Phil Thomson and Jeff Karl. Without these guys a bunch of things couldn't happen. The car wouldn't get to each race. Pit stops would take forever. Lunch would not be served. Each one of these guys makes a real difference at each event.