IMSA: SpeedSource adds veteran engineer

SpeedSource Engineering announced that sports car racing veterans Link Smith and Jeff Braun have formally joined the factory-backed team. The duo have been added to support the continuing development of the Mazda Prototype program in IMSA's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

"We have focused most of our energy over the past 24 months on development of the SKYACTIV diesel engine program," explains Sylvain Tremblay, CEO at SpeedSource. "Parallel to the development that David Haskell and his team continue with the Mazda diesel engine program, Jeff and Link will build on the gains we've already made in our chassis program. The SKYACTIV diesel with its extremely high torque levels and lower RPM range offer a unique set of challenges. Link and Jeff both bring proven track records of innovation as evidenced by their impressive list of podiums, race wins and championships."

Smith, who joined in October 2013, brings 20-plus years in senior roles in sports car racing and two Grand-Am prototype championships. Smith said, "I'm excited to join SpeedSource in support of the new Mazda Motorsports SKYACTIV-D Prototype program. The opportunity to guide development of a new factory-backed project with technology that has never been used before is extremely rare, and one that I could not pass up."

Braun's addition at SpeedSource brings the number of degreed engineers at the South Florida-based team to seven.

"I am very excited to join Sylvain and his SpeedSource team. Having watched the phenomenal progress in their first four race events, I knew this was a serious engineering-based program. And, it's exciting to be part of an organization where I can put my race engineering experience to the ultimate test with this all-new project," enthused Braun. "This team exemplifies the 'Never Stop Challenging' spirit of Mazda that I had to try to compete against for many years, and now I am humbled to join this group of dedicated pros."

Other senior SpeedSource team members include lead engineer Marcus Shen, plus Zack LaGrone, Cody Ragone and driver/engineer Joel Miller. Miller, who spends his weekdays at SpeedSource putting his engineering degree to work, then tests his engineering prowess behind the wheel as driver of the No. 07 Mazda SKYACTIV Prototype.