Thursday, June 30, 2011
Richard Petty Drivers Search
Renowned road course racer Marcos Ambrose and two-time Nationwide series champion Randy LaJoie will, again, be among the guest instructors when Richard Petty's Driver Search III takes place December 6-9, 2010 at Charlotte...
Race, Reuse, Recycle: A Call to Action
The Indianapolis 500 celebrates its centennial this year. This is not a story about Indy, though it is about the cars that used to race there.
One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
AttachmentSize
IMG_1091resized.jpg357.8 KB
One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
AttachmentSize
IMG_1091resized.jpg357.8 KB
David?s Blog: From One Short Track to the Next
David and the UPS team head to Darlington Raceway this weekend after earning their best finish of the season last week in Richmond
Crown Royal ending NASCAR team sponsorship
Crown Royal will end its sponsorship with Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the year, and parent company Diageo will not renew its deal as an official NASCAR partner. View full post on NBCSports.com: NASCAR / Motors addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-racing%2Fcrown-royal-ending-nascar-team-sponsorship'; addthis_title = 'Crown+Royal+ending+NASCAR+team+sponsorship'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: Crown, ending, nascar, Royal, Sponsorship, team
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Was Your High School Shop Car This Cool?
Fredom High School in Freedom, Wisconsin, just wrapped up the build of a 1980 Camaro. Jay Abitz, the Automotive Instructor of the Freedom Auto Club, sent us a bunch of photos that chronicled the build that began in the fall of 2008. “Students started by stripping the Camaro inside and out, completely removing and gutting [...]
Video: How to do a Donut on Three Wheels.
Step One: Start with a car with three wheels. Step Two: Proceed as usual. Morgan launched a new version of its historic three-wheeled car earlier this year. The original 3-wheeler was built by the British company from 1911 until 1939, when Britain entered WWII, and was a sporty but economical alternative to traditional 4-wheeled cars. [...]
Martinsville Qualifying Rained Out
Sorry if I havn’t been on here in a while, I’ve been a bust little kitten! Martinsville qualifying got rained out last Friday, so everyone at this point knows the drill after all that mess goes down. The starting grid goes in order by points. Surprise, surprise! Why don? we just serve Jimmie Johnson his [...]
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
NASCAR Drivers In Their 20?s
pictures of the drivers addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-drivers%2Fnascar-drivers-in-their-20s'; addthis_title = 'NASCAR+Drivers+In+Their+20%26%238242%3Bs'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: 20's, drivers, nascar, THEIR
Special Edition: David Talks about Ned Jarrett Tribute Car
David Ragan talks about UPS's tribute to NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Ned Jarrett
Learn 2 Breakdance ? The Ultimate How To Breakdance Guide
Cutting Edge Sales Page with an Amazing Conversion Rate.. You Will Make Money Promoting This! 75% Max Commissions. Affiliate Go Here: http://www.learn-2-breakdance.com/aff.html Learn 2 Breakdance – The Ultimate How To Breakdance Guide addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fpitstops-2%2Flearn-2-breakdance-the-ultimate-how-to-breakdance-guide'; addthis_title = 'Learn+2+Breakdance+%26%238211%3B+The+Ultimate+How+To+Breakdance+Guide'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: Breakdance, Guide, Learn, Ultimate
Was Your High School Shop Car This Cool?
Fredom High School in Freedom, Wisconsin, just wrapped up the build of a 1980 Camaro. Jay Abitz, the Automotive Instructor of the Freedom Auto Club, sent us a bunch of photos that chronicled the build that began in the fall of 2008. “Students started by stripping the Camaro inside and out, completely removing and gutting [...]
Monday, June 27, 2011
Kurt Busch celebrates at Sonoma
Kurt Busch won the first road course race of his career with a dominating performance at Infineon Raceway, beating Jeff Gordon by four seconds. View full post on NBCSports.com: NASCAR / Motors addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-racing%2Fkurt-busch-celebrates-at-sonoma'; addthis_title = 'Kurt+Busch+celebrates+at+Sonoma'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: busch, celebrates, Kurt, sonoma
Ragan Transfers to All Star Race with Showdown Win; Ends Night in 8th
David Ragan and the UPS team started from the front and ended from the front of Saturday night's Sprint Showdown. The team then went on to finish eighth in David's first appearance in the All Star race
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Own Kyle Petty's '06 Victory Bike and Ride Across the US
A special online auction give you the chance to own Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory motorcycle and join Kyle on the 2009 Ride Across America. But hurry, the auction runs July 15-25, 2008. All proceeds benefit two extremely...
Goings on at Amy?s Bad Groove
Here are a couple of excerpts from Amy’s Bad Groove this week: In I Have Stupid (NASCAR) Questions, I laments over the fact that she has questions about NASCAR she is afraid to ask…for fear of looking stupid: Anyway I have been a NASCAR fan for years (as in since childhood)?and I have a couple [...]
How could ?King Richard? be wrong?
How do you get strange looks from the staff at HOT ROD? Get over-excited, point at a G-Body�Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2, and say something like “Dude, look at that cool Pontiac Gran Prix, man I love those cars….remember the Petty cars, guys…ah guys?” In fact I remember seeing at least two of these beauties on [...]
Saturday, June 25, 2011
1st Annual Austin F1 Club Meeting Overview
Wild Bubba’s Wild Game Grill was very well attended by the Austin Formula 1 Club (AF1C), this past Saturday, June 18, 2011.� I was able to met some new friends & hooked up with other F1 friends. Here is Wild Bubba’s Formula 1/COTA memorabilia corner.� Quite an interesting assortment of neat F1 stuff to honor [...]
Austin F1 USGP/COTA Site Visit, June ?11, Part 1
This past weekend’s visit to Austin was very fruitful, in an Austin USGP Formula1, COTA (Circuit of The Americas) sort of way.� The events & happenings were distinct in their own right.� I will present in them in 3 parts.� Here is the first installment: Part 1 – Track site visit, around COTA, afternoon… Construction [...]
Race, Reuse, Recycle: A Call to Action
The Indianapolis 500 celebrates its centennial this year. This is not a story about Indy, though it is about the cars that used to race there.
One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
AttachmentSize
IMG_1091resized.jpg357.8 KB
One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
AttachmentSize
IMG_1091resized.jpg357.8 KB
David?s Blog: Ready for Racing in Richmond
David Ragan heads to one of his favorite tracks on the circuit this weekend. It's short-track racing under the lights in Virginia!
Friday, June 24, 2011
A General Review Of The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated as the 2nd most popular among 7 regular-sized passenger trucks and this is inferred from research and by evaluating 66 article sources submitted by critics, by conducting test drives of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and analyzing thoroughly some information and facts that are from credible and secure resources. [...]
Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L Twin-Turbo Dyno Video
Here’s what 813hp looks and sounds like: If we told you to imagine a lightweight British car with a powerful American V-8, you might conjure up a Shelby Cobra; we certainly would. The Hennessey Venom GT takes that 1960s Carrol Shelby formula to wicked excess, starting with a Lotus Exige foundation and tossing most of [...]
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sports Car Racing in America is at a Crossroads. The Directions are in French.
A few months ago the F�d�ration Internationale de l?Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l?Ouest (ACO) announced a partnership that would turn the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup sports car racing series into the FIA World Endurance Championship, beginning in 2012.
This is a definite upgrade.
The FIA runs Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, the World Touring Car Championship and many other series. It has decades upon decades of history and milestones, experience, partnerships and power.
Having the FIA take over the series that shares specs, sexy prototypes and two races a year with the nine-race American Le Mans Series (ALMS) provides huge opportunity. It's the best (and only) way "Le Mans" -style sports car racing can grow to become an F1-modeled, international multi-million dollar motorsports entertainment division.
But wait. On this continent NASCAR is the king in the motorsports entertainment industry. Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series racing sells more tickets, attracts more media coverage and launders more manufacturer and sponsorship dollars than every other series in America combined.
And wouldn't you know it. NASCAR's even got a road racing division, the Grand-Am series, featuring Daytona Prototypes (a certain, famous Florida family's take on what a sports car racing prototype should be) and full race GTs plus classes for modified production cars.
Grand Am was started in 2000, either as a really cool, nepotistic 35th birthday present for fledgling racer J.C. France, son of NASCAR's Jim France, or as a serious business venture to use the equity and lessons learned from NASCAR to creating a low-tech "rubbin's racing" road racing series.
Or perhaps it was a return volley after the ALMS was formed in 1999 by Georgia businessman Don Panoz to bring the ACO -sanctioned, hi-tech European Le Mans cars and stars here to America, after IMSA and then the Professional Sports Car Racing Series went away.
That part of history doesn't matter now. It's been over 10 years and yes, we have two different sports car series that are completely incompatible. Both are trying to appeal to the same audience but with different cars, engines, rules and especially philosophies about the racing itself.
Sound familiar? It should. "The Split" just about killed open wheel racing in America.
Sports car racing as an asset, i.e. two different series offering marketable motorsports entertainment, is a distant third behind NASCAR and IndyCar here in the good old U.S. of A. NASCAR has a monopoly and a proven, self sustaining ladder system including local series and ARCA. IndyCar is poised to thrive again after the key competition for its necessary resources -- a competitive series -- finally went the way of all things.
Sports car racing though, as long as its split into two different series, has those same problems open wheel did after it went through that expensive, bad-for-the-kids nasty divorce.
Fact: While two competitive series can somewhat share an audience or a fan base, because the racing discipline is the similar, its much harder to share manufacturer support, sponsorship and available media exposure.
As a matter of fact, in this still lousy economy, it's almost impossible.
With the FIA's takeover of Le Mans sports car endurance racing the ALMS can definitely benefit -- if it can survive long enough. It will be able to market its racing as a laboratory for innovation and the development of new technologies on a world stage; with advances in propulsion, safety, energy storage and more the byproduct of competition at the highest level. And don't forget the allure, the luxury, the hospitality excesses attached to a real, FIA world championship series featuring brands like Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari and Porsche.
Grand Am is ready though. For 2012 the featured Daytona Prototypes are being redesigned to allow for more styling cues; to allow manufacturers to make them look more closely related to their street production vehicles --like Fords, Chevys, BMWs and Porches.
Hot damn.
Grand Am wants their road racing series to remain exactly as it was conceived; with bang- and almost bulletproof cars powered by reliable, proven engines and drivetrains and rules that pretty much take creativity and innovation completely out of the equation.
They believe the drivers are the stars and the cars are just necessary equipment to generate support and revenue from manufacturers. And to keep the manufacturers happy and interested, Grand Am is attempting to make the race cars look more like production vehicles.
Best of luck with that one. No one, absolutely no one, thinks trying to make a Ford powered Daytona Prototype feature 'the look and feel' of a Mustang is going to put one more butt in the grandstands.
So, for your sports car racing in America entertainment, and interest, I see three different scenarios for what lies ahead:
The first is the most likely, the Status Quo. Grand Am will continue on with a 12 or so race schedule, same with the ALMS, and the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans events will be the only ones that anyone really pays attention to. Both series will try to soldier on with a handful of prototypes at other events and American sports car racing will fall further and further behind NASCAR, IndyCar and even NHRA drag racing.
The second scenario is bye-bye to the ALMS completely and everyone surrenders to the power of NASCAR. The two FIA WEC events in North America become as valued and rare as the F1 races in Canada and Austin, while the Grand Am Rolex series slugs along, either racing alone or with NASCAR or IndyCar at select venues.
Finally, and filed under the When Pigs Fly category, there's the shiny object merger scenario, where the new Grand American Le Mans Series abandons the Daytona Prototypes and runs a 16-or-so North American series featuring FIA WEC-spec rules and classes. The Rolex 24, Sebring and Petit Le Mans would also be part of the new, expanded FIA WEC schedule which could also include events in Canada and Mexico.
Of course, it?s all wishful thinking. But why not?
A merger eliminates the inefficiencies of a shared fan base and compromised TV, manufacturer and sponsorship participation. One American series using FIA rules and regs makes all sports car racing 'apples to apples' and it also makes it a lot easier for carmakers to commit due to economy of scale.
But that's just my take. What's yours?
Read more of Bill Tybur at his website: https://fmfl.net
This is a definite upgrade.
The FIA runs Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, the World Touring Car Championship and many other series. It has decades upon decades of history and milestones, experience, partnerships and power.
Having the FIA take over the series that shares specs, sexy prototypes and two races a year with the nine-race American Le Mans Series (ALMS) provides huge opportunity. It's the best (and only) way "Le Mans" -style sports car racing can grow to become an F1-modeled, international multi-million dollar motorsports entertainment division.
But wait. On this continent NASCAR is the king in the motorsports entertainment industry. Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series racing sells more tickets, attracts more media coverage and launders more manufacturer and sponsorship dollars than every other series in America combined.
And wouldn't you know it. NASCAR's even got a road racing division, the Grand-Am series, featuring Daytona Prototypes (a certain, famous Florida family's take on what a sports car racing prototype should be) and full race GTs plus classes for modified production cars.
Grand Am was started in 2000, either as a really cool, nepotistic 35th birthday present for fledgling racer J.C. France, son of NASCAR's Jim France, or as a serious business venture to use the equity and lessons learned from NASCAR to creating a low-tech "rubbin's racing" road racing series.
Or perhaps it was a return volley after the ALMS was formed in 1999 by Georgia businessman Don Panoz to bring the ACO -sanctioned, hi-tech European Le Mans cars and stars here to America, after IMSA and then the Professional Sports Car Racing Series went away.
That part of history doesn't matter now. It's been over 10 years and yes, we have two different sports car series that are completely incompatible. Both are trying to appeal to the same audience but with different cars, engines, rules and especially philosophies about the racing itself.
Sound familiar? It should. "The Split" just about killed open wheel racing in America.
Sports car racing as an asset, i.e. two different series offering marketable motorsports entertainment, is a distant third behind NASCAR and IndyCar here in the good old U.S. of A. NASCAR has a monopoly and a proven, self sustaining ladder system including local series and ARCA. IndyCar is poised to thrive again after the key competition for its necessary resources -- a competitive series -- finally went the way of all things.
Sports car racing though, as long as its split into two different series, has those same problems open wheel did after it went through that expensive, bad-for-the-kids nasty divorce.
Fact: While two competitive series can somewhat share an audience or a fan base, because the racing discipline is the similar, its much harder to share manufacturer support, sponsorship and available media exposure.
As a matter of fact, in this still lousy economy, it's almost impossible.
With the FIA's takeover of Le Mans sports car endurance racing the ALMS can definitely benefit -- if it can survive long enough. It will be able to market its racing as a laboratory for innovation and the development of new technologies on a world stage; with advances in propulsion, safety, energy storage and more the byproduct of competition at the highest level. And don't forget the allure, the luxury, the hospitality excesses attached to a real, FIA world championship series featuring brands like Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari and Porsche.
Grand Am is ready though. For 2012 the featured Daytona Prototypes are being redesigned to allow for more styling cues; to allow manufacturers to make them look more closely related to their street production vehicles --like Fords, Chevys, BMWs and Porches.
Hot damn.
Grand Am wants their road racing series to remain exactly as it was conceived; with bang- and almost bulletproof cars powered by reliable, proven engines and drivetrains and rules that pretty much take creativity and innovation completely out of the equation.
They believe the drivers are the stars and the cars are just necessary equipment to generate support and revenue from manufacturers. And to keep the manufacturers happy and interested, Grand Am is attempting to make the race cars look more like production vehicles.
Best of luck with that one. No one, absolutely no one, thinks trying to make a Ford powered Daytona Prototype feature 'the look and feel' of a Mustang is going to put one more butt in the grandstands.
So, for your sports car racing in America entertainment, and interest, I see three different scenarios for what lies ahead:
The first is the most likely, the Status Quo. Grand Am will continue on with a 12 or so race schedule, same with the ALMS, and the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans events will be the only ones that anyone really pays attention to. Both series will try to soldier on with a handful of prototypes at other events and American sports car racing will fall further and further behind NASCAR, IndyCar and even NHRA drag racing.
The second scenario is bye-bye to the ALMS completely and everyone surrenders to the power of NASCAR. The two FIA WEC events in North America become as valued and rare as the F1 races in Canada and Austin, while the Grand Am Rolex series slugs along, either racing alone or with NASCAR or IndyCar at select venues.
Finally, and filed under the When Pigs Fly category, there's the shiny object merger scenario, where the new Grand American Le Mans Series abandons the Daytona Prototypes and runs a 16-or-so North American series featuring FIA WEC-spec rules and classes. The Rolex 24, Sebring and Petit Le Mans would also be part of the new, expanded FIA WEC schedule which could also include events in Canada and Mexico.
Of course, it?s all wishful thinking. But why not?
A merger eliminates the inefficiencies of a shared fan base and compromised TV, manufacturer and sponsorship participation. One American series using FIA rules and regs makes all sports car racing 'apples to apples' and it also makes it a lot easier for carmakers to commit due to economy of scale.
But that's just my take. What's yours?
Read more of Bill Tybur at his website: https://fmfl.net
New Power Tour Wallpapers Available
We just uploaded seven new wallpapers to Hotrod.com taken from our stop at J and J Cars and Parts on the first leg of Power Tour. They’re all shots of the various Mopar emblems we came across on our short tour of the yard. It’s actually four different emblems, we just tweaked one to give [...]
Superstores!
Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC. is proud to announce the launch of some of our newest Super Store Websites. Be sure to check them all out.
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
The Saga of the Competition + Mustang Funny Car
The story of Competition + and how a collection of drivers, car owners and fuel funny cars lead to a sad event at the 1967 Nationals at Indianapolis
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Racing in America's Road Trip to Indy - Part 2
By Christian Overland, executive vice president, The Henry Ford
I had a phone conversation yesterday with my friend Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus, about his father Colin Chapman?s 1965 Indy 500 winning car - the Lotus-Ford 38/1 - which is now part of the collections of The Henry Ford and will be featured in the upcoming Racing in America exhibition.
Clive, who was in charge of the 38/1?s restoration, is unable to attend the Indy 500 this year to see the Lotus-Ford 38/1 run with four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. driving it on the brickyard track minutes before the start of the Centennial Indy 500. Classic Team Lotus and Clive are supporting the Grand Prix Masters race this weekend at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit in Kent, England.
As we talked about Classic Team Lotus?s work in bringing back the most important Indy 500 winner to operating condition and conserving the car by retaining 90% of original materials as it was on race day in 1965, he was delighted to hear that Firestone and Coker Tires teamed up in creating exact replica tires and that the restoration was 100% complete.
I was relating to Clive that I ran into Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing, at the Long Beach Grand Prix earlier this year and he had a surprise for me in that Firestone was working with Coker Tires to create a set of replica tires for the 38/1 to run on at Indy and be exhibited on in the Racing in America exhibition. What was extraordinary about the replica tires was that Coker and Firestone had to go back to their records to re-develop the tire, because the original molds did not exist.
Normally, tire development can take a year or two or, if you have the engineering, perhaps six months at best. However, Coker did the tire development in three months to be ready for the car?s first return to the Indy 500 race since it won in 1965, which was an outstanding achievement (you can see the video on Racing in America?s FaceBook and YouTube pages).
I wish my friend was here with me to see his father?s car run once again at Indy. Rest assured, Clive and Colin Chapman, along with the original Lotus-Ford team and the entire Classic Team Lotus organization are here in spirit and celebration.
First, KV Racing brought back Lotus into Indy racing and Tony Kanaan is driving with Jim Clark?s winning number 82 on his green and yellow car. ESPN writer John Oreovicz, wrote a terrific article Driving History in this year?s 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Program about reigning Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti?s hero and fellow Scotsman Jim Clark and of course the Lotus-Ford 38/1 which Dario drove last year.
We also met up with an industrial designer whose all time favorite race car is the Lotus-Ford 38/1 as he was present in 1965 when Clark won the Indy 500. The designer was also inspired by Len Terry who ?got it right both visually and in performance? as the designer of the Lotus 38s. Terry left Lotus soon after the 1965 win to create another legendary design in Dan Gurney?s Eagle Indy Cars for All American Racers.
Four time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. spoke to a large crowd yesterday at the speedway about what it means for him to drive the Lotus-Ford as he was Jim Clark?s teammate at Indy in 1966 (you can see the video on Racing in America?s FaceBook and YouTube pages).
We have heard many wonderful stories and tributes about the Lotus-Ford 38/1 this weekend and now it is our turn. Racing in America salutes Jim Clark, Colin and Clive Chapman, along with the entire Lotus and Ford racing families for outstanding achievement and contributions to Indy 500 history.
Indy 500 Tip: If you are at the track Sunday the Lotus-Ford 38/1 will be brought out of F1 garage #1 before it runs at 11:00 am.
I had a phone conversation yesterday with my friend Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus, about his father Colin Chapman?s 1965 Indy 500 winning car - the Lotus-Ford 38/1 - which is now part of the collections of The Henry Ford and will be featured in the upcoming Racing in America exhibition.
Clive, who was in charge of the 38/1?s restoration, is unable to attend the Indy 500 this year to see the Lotus-Ford 38/1 run with four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. driving it on the brickyard track minutes before the start of the Centennial Indy 500. Classic Team Lotus and Clive are supporting the Grand Prix Masters race this weekend at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit in Kent, England.
As we talked about Classic Team Lotus?s work in bringing back the most important Indy 500 winner to operating condition and conserving the car by retaining 90% of original materials as it was on race day in 1965, he was delighted to hear that Firestone and Coker Tires teamed up in creating exact replica tires and that the restoration was 100% complete.
I was relating to Clive that I ran into Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing, at the Long Beach Grand Prix earlier this year and he had a surprise for me in that Firestone was working with Coker Tires to create a set of replica tires for the 38/1 to run on at Indy and be exhibited on in the Racing in America exhibition. What was extraordinary about the replica tires was that Coker and Firestone had to go back to their records to re-develop the tire, because the original molds did not exist.
Normally, tire development can take a year or two or, if you have the engineering, perhaps six months at best. However, Coker did the tire development in three months to be ready for the car?s first return to the Indy 500 race since it won in 1965, which was an outstanding achievement (you can see the video on Racing in America?s FaceBook and YouTube pages).
I wish my friend was here with me to see his father?s car run once again at Indy. Rest assured, Clive and Colin Chapman, along with the original Lotus-Ford team and the entire Classic Team Lotus organization are here in spirit and celebration.
First, KV Racing brought back Lotus into Indy racing and Tony Kanaan is driving with Jim Clark?s winning number 82 on his green and yellow car. ESPN writer John Oreovicz, wrote a terrific article Driving History in this year?s 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Program about reigning Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti?s hero and fellow Scotsman Jim Clark and of course the Lotus-Ford 38/1 which Dario drove last year.
We also met up with an industrial designer whose all time favorite race car is the Lotus-Ford 38/1 as he was present in 1965 when Clark won the Indy 500. The designer was also inspired by Len Terry who ?got it right both visually and in performance? as the designer of the Lotus 38s. Terry left Lotus soon after the 1965 win to create another legendary design in Dan Gurney?s Eagle Indy Cars for All American Racers.
Four time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. spoke to a large crowd yesterday at the speedway about what it means for him to drive the Lotus-Ford as he was Jim Clark?s teammate at Indy in 1966 (you can see the video on Racing in America?s FaceBook and YouTube pages).
We have heard many wonderful stories and tributes about the Lotus-Ford 38/1 this weekend and now it is our turn. Racing in America salutes Jim Clark, Colin and Clive Chapman, along with the entire Lotus and Ford racing families for outstanding achievement and contributions to Indy 500 history.
Indy 500 Tip: If you are at the track Sunday the Lotus-Ford 38/1 will be brought out of F1 garage #1 before it runs at 11:00 am.
Fun kids duathlon features alongside Rally Whangarei
Alongside the top class rally action during the International Rally of Whangarei, which runs from 15 to 17 July, local children get a special race of their own. On Saturday 16 July, the first Grid Kids run-and-bike duathlon to be run in the region takes place at Whangarei?s Pohe Island before the rally cars use [...]
Wreck Takes Ragan Out Early in ?Dega
David Ragan and the UPS team had their day cut short in Talladega on Sunday. After starting seventh, a mid-race wreck forced the team out of the race and into the garage.
Race, Reuse, Recycle: A Call to Action
The Indianapolis 500 celebrates its centennial this year. This is not a story about Indy, though it is about the cars that used to race there.
One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
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One of those cars, a 2000 Lola chassis, was all but destroyed in a crash at another stop on the Indycar racing circuit. Fortunately, that ?tub? ended up at the DeLaSalle Education Center high school in Kansas City, Mo., where ?at-risk? students and their mentor-instructors thought it would enhance their education and inspire their futures if instead of just studying car design and construction, they could actually design and build a car of their own.
By the way, by ?at-risk? we?re talking about teenagers who, in many cases, had experience with drugs and violence and without what DeLaSalle offers might be heading soon to incarceration or interment.
Instead, they took a race car chassis that also had no future and turned it into an amazing electric-powered vehicle with a see-through skin that they?ve tested at Bridgestone?s Texas Proving Grounds track. They also got to make field trips to Ford?s design studios in Michigan and to the automotive technology and restoration department at McPherson College in Kansas. The car will be on display in early May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Working one-on-one with their mentors, the students restored the Indy car tub, designed and fabricated the shrink-wrap style, see-through body and its wire-frame support, installed the electric motors and other components, and even drove the car for its test laps at Fort Stockton, Texas.
They call it experiential learning, and it continues as the DeLaSalle students continue to develop the car so it can go farther and faster on each recharge. By the way, those students also are going farther and faster. They?re staying in school and graduating and enrolling in college.
And now those original DeLaSalle mentors have formed a non-profit called MINDDRIVE so they can share the program with other students at other schools, which is where you come in. I?m sure that some of you who read this website either are or have been Indy team owners or know people who are or have been Indy team owners and who therefore have a bunch of old, obsolete chassis cluttering up their garages.
Except as the kids in KC have shown us, those tubs aren?t obsolete. They can be used to teach and to inspire another generation.
So this is a call to action. Contact someone at MINDDRIVE through www.minddrive.org website and donate those tubs, and then offer to become a mentor at a school in your own community. You?ve won on the track, now win for the future.
AttachmentSize
IMG_1091resized.jpg357.8 KB
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Some Great Facts Of ElmScan 5
This deal is more than perfect for the money. Mostly scan devices are cheaper, and their software?s are extremely expensive but ElmScan 5 is extremely cheaper. ElmScan 5 is cheap and cheaper. There more than many websites, which are offering, the software for ELM 327 IC, it shows that this device is adaptable. Mixture of [...]
Monday, June 20, 2011
Oval Track Racing vs. Road Racing... Is One Better Than the Other?
"Road racing is a participant's folly; oval racing is spectator's delight."
Those were the words that Clint Brawner wanted me to put on a bumper sticker almost 30 years ago. But my, oh, my how times have changed -- as evidenced by this past weekend's Le Mans, NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar races.
In 1987, just a few months before his passing, I had the great pleasure of meeting and spending some high quality time with legendary IndyCar chief mechanic Clint Brawner. When he found I was a member of the world's second oldest profession, i.e. advertising, he told me he had always wanted a bumper sticker or t-shirt that that conveyed his view of the difference between road racing and oval racing.
Clint's opinion was probably valid way back when. His career started and remained centered around roundy-round racing where fans could sit in the grandstands and watch men and their machinery wage battles on two straightaway?s joined by sweeping left turns.
But since the advent of television and cameras-everywhere coverage, the action and excitement of road racing has become every bit as accessible and interesting as left-turns-only events.
Last weekend we all got to see the best of both worlds as F1 was in Canada, the world's fastest sports cars were enduring 24 hours at Le Mans and the best American NASCAR and IndyCar drivers were doing their thing on big ovals in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Unless you are an "I hate everything except what I love" ideologue I will defy you to say one type of racing was better than the other.
At Montreal, where the Canadian Grand Prix was started in the rain, Jenson Button won after crashing with teammate Lewis Hamilton, rejoining in last place and then fighting his way back to take the lead on the last lap when Sebastian Vettel lost traction in one corner. And we got to see it all. Thanks to television coverage we knew Vettel's tires were going away, we saw the narrow lane on a drying track he finally had to veer from and then the pass for the win. It was one of the best races of the season, of any kind.
It was a spectator's delight.
Ron Hornaday won his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race of the weekend on Friday night at Texas after 168 laps around a mile-and-a-half oval filled with spins and contact and beating and banging and then a penalty of all things to decide a winner. Johnny Sauter, who dominated the race, made a move to block Hornaday on the last green-white-checkered restart and was black-flagged to come home 22nd in the final results. The race was a pleasure to watch from anywhere.
Jeff Gordon won the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono but perhaps the most interesting aspect was the ongoing tete-a-tete between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. The Pocono tri-oval has the widest front straight of any and the protagonist Harvick constantly made his Chevy as wide as a rich NASCAR driver's Newell Motor coach is long to block, impede, irritate and annoy Busch And the cameras caught it all.
In France, for the 79th time, they held the 24 Heures du Mans sports car race on the Circuit de le Sarthe, a 13.629 kilometer track that includes public roads. To some participants, those who fell out due to mechanical problems and crashes, this grand-daddy of all road races was indeed folly.
But even here, halfway around the world, we were able to watch and enjoy the world's greatest and most famous sports car endurance race from start to finish thanks to cable TV and the Internet. We were able to revel in the dramatic overall win by the third string Audi over the favored Peugeots after the numbers one and two cars fell out in frightening style, thankfully with no injuries. We got to witness a Corvette win its class 10 years after its first victory at Le Mans in this, the year that Chevrolet celebrated its 100th anniversary.
And we got to watch Andrea Robertson become the first female driver to stand on the podium since 1931, part of the first husband and wife team to earn that same honor, after her Ford GT -- a limited production car built from 2005-2006 only, inspired the famous Ford GT40 built specifically for Le Mans in the mid-sixties --finished third in class.
Finally there was the Twin 275s at Texas, the first IndyCar double-header since 1981, where Penske driver Will Power got his first oval win ever in the second race after Dario Franchitti took the first in his Ganassi entry.
Clint Brawner would have loved it. I don't think he would have been too crazy about the blind draw for starting positions between the two races and I KNOW he would have hated spec cars but the racing was spectacular.
Just like at Le Mans and Montreal.
I will forever treasure getting to meet Mr. Brawner and hearing his views on which kind of racing was better. I'm sorry I couldn't have created at least one bumper sticker, just for him, which illustrated his passion for oval racing.
But most of all I'm sorry he lived in a different era sans hi-tech communications, instant exposure and immediate, electronic gratification.
He just never knew what he was missing.
Read more of Bill Tybur at his website: www.fmfl.net
Those were the words that Clint Brawner wanted me to put on a bumper sticker almost 30 years ago. But my, oh, my how times have changed -- as evidenced by this past weekend's Le Mans, NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar races.
In 1987, just a few months before his passing, I had the great pleasure of meeting and spending some high quality time with legendary IndyCar chief mechanic Clint Brawner. When he found I was a member of the world's second oldest profession, i.e. advertising, he told me he had always wanted a bumper sticker or t-shirt that that conveyed his view of the difference between road racing and oval racing.
Clint's opinion was probably valid way back when. His career started and remained centered around roundy-round racing where fans could sit in the grandstands and watch men and their machinery wage battles on two straightaway?s joined by sweeping left turns.
But since the advent of television and cameras-everywhere coverage, the action and excitement of road racing has become every bit as accessible and interesting as left-turns-only events.
Last weekend we all got to see the best of both worlds as F1 was in Canada, the world's fastest sports cars were enduring 24 hours at Le Mans and the best American NASCAR and IndyCar drivers were doing their thing on big ovals in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Unless you are an "I hate everything except what I love" ideologue I will defy you to say one type of racing was better than the other.
At Montreal, where the Canadian Grand Prix was started in the rain, Jenson Button won after crashing with teammate Lewis Hamilton, rejoining in last place and then fighting his way back to take the lead on the last lap when Sebastian Vettel lost traction in one corner. And we got to see it all. Thanks to television coverage we knew Vettel's tires were going away, we saw the narrow lane on a drying track he finally had to veer from and then the pass for the win. It was one of the best races of the season, of any kind.
It was a spectator's delight.
Ron Hornaday won his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race of the weekend on Friday night at Texas after 168 laps around a mile-and-a-half oval filled with spins and contact and beating and banging and then a penalty of all things to decide a winner. Johnny Sauter, who dominated the race, made a move to block Hornaday on the last green-white-checkered restart and was black-flagged to come home 22nd in the final results. The race was a pleasure to watch from anywhere.
Jeff Gordon won the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono but perhaps the most interesting aspect was the ongoing tete-a-tete between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. The Pocono tri-oval has the widest front straight of any and the protagonist Harvick constantly made his Chevy as wide as a rich NASCAR driver's Newell Motor coach is long to block, impede, irritate and annoy Busch And the cameras caught it all.
In France, for the 79th time, they held the 24 Heures du Mans sports car race on the Circuit de le Sarthe, a 13.629 kilometer track that includes public roads. To some participants, those who fell out due to mechanical problems and crashes, this grand-daddy of all road races was indeed folly.
But even here, halfway around the world, we were able to watch and enjoy the world's greatest and most famous sports car endurance race from start to finish thanks to cable TV and the Internet. We were able to revel in the dramatic overall win by the third string Audi over the favored Peugeots after the numbers one and two cars fell out in frightening style, thankfully with no injuries. We got to witness a Corvette win its class 10 years after its first victory at Le Mans in this, the year that Chevrolet celebrated its 100th anniversary.
And we got to watch Andrea Robertson become the first female driver to stand on the podium since 1931, part of the first husband and wife team to earn that same honor, after her Ford GT -- a limited production car built from 2005-2006 only, inspired the famous Ford GT40 built specifically for Le Mans in the mid-sixties --finished third in class.
Finally there was the Twin 275s at Texas, the first IndyCar double-header since 1981, where Penske driver Will Power got his first oval win ever in the second race after Dario Franchitti took the first in his Ganassi entry.
Clint Brawner would have loved it. I don't think he would have been too crazy about the blind draw for starting positions between the two races and I KNOW he would have hated spec cars but the racing was spectacular.
Just like at Le Mans and Montreal.
I will forever treasure getting to meet Mr. Brawner and hearing his views on which kind of racing was better. I'm sorry I couldn't have created at least one bumper sticker, just for him, which illustrated his passion for oval racing.
But most of all I'm sorry he lived in a different era sans hi-tech communications, instant exposure and immediate, electronic gratification.
He just never knew what he was missing.
Read more of Bill Tybur at his website: www.fmfl.net
Jinkies! Scooby-Doo Dodge A100 van is our eBay find of the day.
The things you’ll find on eBay. According to the listing, this ’66 Dodge van, in full Scooby-Doo regalia, belonged to Hanna Barbera. As of June 14th 2011, the auction has less than a day to go with a bid of $12,000. Just think, this piece of animated-psychedelia-turned-real could be yours for less than the price [...]
Ron Pellegrini?s Superbird Buick Funny Car
There were only a handful of Buick funny cars in the 1960s, and Ron Pellegrini raced two of them. The first was a fiberglass 1967 Gran Sport known as SuperBird.
Austin F1 USGP/COTA Site Visit, June ?11, Part 1
This past weekend’s visit to Austin was very fruitful, in an Austin USGP Formula1, COTA (Circuit of The Americas) sort of way.� The events & happenings were distinct in their own right.� I will present in them in 3 parts.� Here is the first installment: Part 1 – Track site visit, around COTA, afternoon… Construction [...]
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Ragan and UPS Team Battle Tricky Triangle; Finish 17th
David and the UPS team fought changing weather conditions and a temperamental car to finish 17th at Pocono Raceway
Dick Smith defeats Ron Ross for gasoline Funny Car Honors
Dick Smith's Firebrewed Dodge Coronet defeated Ron Ross for the gas funny car crown at Detroit Dragway's Midwest Championships.
SRC: ALL SET FOR ?SCOTTISH? SHOWDOWN
David Bogie is aiming to further tighten his grip on the MSA Scottish Rally Championship with a second successive victory on his home event next weekend. He goes into the RSAC Scottish Rally on Saturday, June 25th,� with an eleven point advantage over Euan Thorburn in the overall drivers' standings, and is odds-on favourite to [...]
Lucas Oil Nitto Tire S13.5 on TV
We follow Joons blog pretty avidly, and love it! He sports Enjuku stickers on the side skirts of his s13.5 that was just in an awesome Lucas Oil commercial. Congrats to Joon! He keeps making great moves with his career and we’re looking forward to watching him during the 2011 season of
Friday, June 17, 2011
Nitromethane and Thunder Valley
Bonus Interviews for the show week of June 18th – Hot Rod Magazine Live welcomes Anthony Vestal from NHRA to give a recap of the NHRA SuperNationals and a preview of the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
A Simple Review Of ElmScan 5
ElmScan 5 is perfectly made for those who are a fan and expert with the updated software. It is working quite well with my 2001 Mazda prot�g� mp3. It has the power to attach a car?s computer fast and same result with my laptop, which is operating, by windows vista. ElmScan 5 is remarkably easy [...]
Limelight Dodge: the Jack-Knife Funny Car
The front clip tilted forward, gasser style. The rest of the Limelight's body however, was hinged at the rear and could be titlted up like a typical funny car.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Hot Rod Power Tour 2011: That?s a Wrap!
The Hot Rod staff is back in the office this Monday. We’ve had one day to rest and reflect on the 2011 version of Power Tour, which also happened to be my first. It turned out to be everything I thought it would, from exciting to exhausting. We’ve posted thousands of photos, hundreds of Facebook [...]
Wild Bubba?s Formula1 Meet, Greet & Eat
The Formula 1 Event of the Year for Texas! This is a must attend event for those of you interested in the Formula1 Austin USGP (United States Grand Prix) at COTA (Circuit of The Americas)!� This is being brought to you by Wyman “Wild Bubba” Gilliam. The announcement this past week�of the June 17 2012 [...]
Pit Road Spin Puts Ragan 28th in Dover
David and the UPS team started Sunday's race in the 14th position, but a spin at the entrance to pit road under green resulted in a 28th-place finish
David?s Blog: Superspeedway Racing in ?Dega
David Ragan and the UPS team head to Talladega Superspeedway for this weekend's race. David talks racing in 'Dega and answers your fan questions.
Funny car showdown: Jerry Harvey against Wayne Gapp
In a battle of SOHC powered Fords, Wayne Gapp defeated Jerry Harvey at Detroit Dragway's 1967 Midwest Championshps.
Formula1 Austin USGP Race Date Announced!
Here is Formula1 Austin USGP highly anticipated news! Circuit of The Americas UPDATE: We have another exciting update to share! The World Motor Sport Council has published the 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix race calendar, and June 17, 2012 is the date assigned to the United States Grand Prix. Now the construction folks at the [...]
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
34 down, 2 more to go
That’s right the 2008 season is winding down. �With only two races left, it’s Jimmie’s championship to lose. �Carl did cut down some of Jimmie’s lead in Texas, but Jimmie and Chad have been here before. �I have to admit since Talladega I haven’t been all that excited about the racing. �I guess it’s because [...]
Superstores!
Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC. is proud to announce the launch of some of our newest Super Store Websites. Be sure to check them all out.
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
DELTA WING IS COMING TO LIFE
By John Oreovicz
Ben Bowlby?s DeltaWing concept car created a lot of controversy and conversation when it was pitched as a potential ?Indy car of tomorrow? in early 2010.
Now, with the help of Dan Gurney?s All American Racers and defending American Le Mans Series champions Highcroft Racing, a revised version of the DeltaWing is becoming a reality. Bowlby?s design has already been accepted as a special category ?56th entry? for the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The DeltaWing concept is polarizing, to say the least. In many respects, the car resembles a land speed record machine, with its narrow front wheels tightly tucked in to a slender, rocket-like fuselage that spreads to accommodate a wide rear track with semi-enclosed rear wheels. Viewed from above, the car resembles a triangle - hence the name DeltaWing.
To comply with Automobile Club L?Ouest rules, the cockpit of the DeltaWing that will compete at Le Mans next year has been expanded to include dual openings. But for the most part, the illustration released Thursday is faithful to the original single-seat concept intended for Indy car racing that debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
That car sparked a huge debate among open-wheel fans. Once famous for innovative designs like the Cummins diesel powered car that qualified on pole for the 1952 Indianapolis 500 or the STP Turbine that nearly captured the 1967 race in the hands of Parnelli Jones, Indy car racing devolved into a spec-car formula since 2003. While many observers praised the radical thinking that went into the DeltaWing, an even larger group thought that the boundary-pushing design was a step too far and questioned the unusual machine?s ability to negotiate corners.
A year from now, we?ll find out just what the DeltaWing is capable of. Although specifics about the car?s powertrain have not been released, it will be fascinating to see if what Bowlby and his computer simulations insist will work in theory actually translate to a real racetrack. The car is expected to utilize a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing about 300 horsepower.
The 56th place on the Le Mans grid is reserved for a technologically innovative car outside of the standard prototype and GT categories to showcase future-minded thinking.
?The interest of this project is based on the optimization of all factors that have an impact of global energy consumption and efficiency of the car: Weight, power and drag,? said Vincent Beaumesnil, sporting director of the ACO. ?We want to give the opportunity to evaluate each technology, and this project shows that ahead of hybrid, bio-fuel or electric technology, we can explore other ways to improve efficiency.?
Englishman Bowlby is the former chief designer for Lola Cars and the architect of the Lola Indy car that dominated the CART-sanctioned series from 2000-06. He claimed that the Indy car version of the DeltaWing could meet or exceed current performance levels despite having less than half the power of the 3.5-liter Honda V-8 engine currently utilized in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
?The secret to the DeltaWing car is simplicity and efficiency,? Bowlby stated. ?To achieve a dramatically reduced carbon footprint, we have looked at ways to reduce weight and drag, as well as the total number of components required to build the car. The 56th entry is really a golden opportunity for us because it gives us the chance to make a step change and race a car that doesn?t comply with the existing rulebook.
?We really have to applaud the ACO for having the foresight to create this opportunity for an entry like ours,? he added. ?We believe this is a true automotive innovation which could be the catalyst for changing the way people look at not only racing car design, but automotive design as a whole.?
The Le Mans project is also a tremendous opportunity for Gurney and his Santa Ana, California-based AAR, who have not been regular participants in a racing series since they withdrew from the CART-sanctioned Indy car series in 2000.
Gurney is famous for winning the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix in one of his own Eagle racing cars. Eagles also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968 and 1975, as well as 17 consecutive IMSA GTP race wins and two series championships in 1992-93.
?I have a lot of curiosity and when I first discussed this car with Ben Bowlby, I listened closely and tried to shoot holes in what he was saying,? said Gurney, who co-drove a Ford GT to victory with AJ Foyt in the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours. ?But I quickly found I wasn?t able to.
?The combination of proven items that make up the character and capabilities of the DeltaWing car make it an extremely exciting project,? he noted. ?It weighs half as much current cars, it burns half as much fuel, it uses much less tire, yet goes the same speed because of the exceptional aerodynamics and low drag. After looking at the project and the technical aspects of the car, I was asked if we would like to build it. I didn?t hesitate for a moment ? my response was absolutely yes.?
The final piece of the puzzle is Highcroft, which found itself sidelined from ALMS competition earlier this year after losing support from Acura and Honda Performance Development.
?This is an amazing opportunity,? said Highcroft owner Duncan Dayton. ?To take a totally innovative design like this to Le Mans and run before a worldwide television audience of more than 600 million people is an incredible story.
?In my opinion, it has the potential to be one of the most significant developments in motor racing in 50 years,? he added. ?It is so new and exciting, and such an interesting departure from the traditional race car development path?it is highly relevant to the future. Given that the world is concentrating on efficiency and green technologies in an attempt to achieve sustainability, this project will help promote the direction that is being adopted throughout the entire automotive industry.?
John Oreovicz is a long-time auto racing journalist who writes for ESPN.com and other publications.
Photo courtesy of Project 56
Ben Bowlby?s DeltaWing concept car created a lot of controversy and conversation when it was pitched as a potential ?Indy car of tomorrow? in early 2010.
Now, with the help of Dan Gurney?s All American Racers and defending American Le Mans Series champions Highcroft Racing, a revised version of the DeltaWing is becoming a reality. Bowlby?s design has already been accepted as a special category ?56th entry? for the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The DeltaWing concept is polarizing, to say the least. In many respects, the car resembles a land speed record machine, with its narrow front wheels tightly tucked in to a slender, rocket-like fuselage that spreads to accommodate a wide rear track with semi-enclosed rear wheels. Viewed from above, the car resembles a triangle - hence the name DeltaWing.
To comply with Automobile Club L?Ouest rules, the cockpit of the DeltaWing that will compete at Le Mans next year has been expanded to include dual openings. But for the most part, the illustration released Thursday is faithful to the original single-seat concept intended for Indy car racing that debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
That car sparked a huge debate among open-wheel fans. Once famous for innovative designs like the Cummins diesel powered car that qualified on pole for the 1952 Indianapolis 500 or the STP Turbine that nearly captured the 1967 race in the hands of Parnelli Jones, Indy car racing devolved into a spec-car formula since 2003. While many observers praised the radical thinking that went into the DeltaWing, an even larger group thought that the boundary-pushing design was a step too far and questioned the unusual machine?s ability to negotiate corners.
A year from now, we?ll find out just what the DeltaWing is capable of. Although specifics about the car?s powertrain have not been released, it will be fascinating to see if what Bowlby and his computer simulations insist will work in theory actually translate to a real racetrack. The car is expected to utilize a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing about 300 horsepower.
The 56th place on the Le Mans grid is reserved for a technologically innovative car outside of the standard prototype and GT categories to showcase future-minded thinking.
?The interest of this project is based on the optimization of all factors that have an impact of global energy consumption and efficiency of the car: Weight, power and drag,? said Vincent Beaumesnil, sporting director of the ACO. ?We want to give the opportunity to evaluate each technology, and this project shows that ahead of hybrid, bio-fuel or electric technology, we can explore other ways to improve efficiency.?
Englishman Bowlby is the former chief designer for Lola Cars and the architect of the Lola Indy car that dominated the CART-sanctioned series from 2000-06. He claimed that the Indy car version of the DeltaWing could meet or exceed current performance levels despite having less than half the power of the 3.5-liter Honda V-8 engine currently utilized in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
?The secret to the DeltaWing car is simplicity and efficiency,? Bowlby stated. ?To achieve a dramatically reduced carbon footprint, we have looked at ways to reduce weight and drag, as well as the total number of components required to build the car. The 56th entry is really a golden opportunity for us because it gives us the chance to make a step change and race a car that doesn?t comply with the existing rulebook.
?We really have to applaud the ACO for having the foresight to create this opportunity for an entry like ours,? he added. ?We believe this is a true automotive innovation which could be the catalyst for changing the way people look at not only racing car design, but automotive design as a whole.?
The Le Mans project is also a tremendous opportunity for Gurney and his Santa Ana, California-based AAR, who have not been regular participants in a racing series since they withdrew from the CART-sanctioned Indy car series in 2000.
Gurney is famous for winning the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix in one of his own Eagle racing cars. Eagles also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968 and 1975, as well as 17 consecutive IMSA GTP race wins and two series championships in 1992-93.
?I have a lot of curiosity and when I first discussed this car with Ben Bowlby, I listened closely and tried to shoot holes in what he was saying,? said Gurney, who co-drove a Ford GT to victory with AJ Foyt in the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours. ?But I quickly found I wasn?t able to.
?The combination of proven items that make up the character and capabilities of the DeltaWing car make it an extremely exciting project,? he noted. ?It weighs half as much current cars, it burns half as much fuel, it uses much less tire, yet goes the same speed because of the exceptional aerodynamics and low drag. After looking at the project and the technical aspects of the car, I was asked if we would like to build it. I didn?t hesitate for a moment ? my response was absolutely yes.?
The final piece of the puzzle is Highcroft, which found itself sidelined from ALMS competition earlier this year after losing support from Acura and Honda Performance Development.
?This is an amazing opportunity,? said Highcroft owner Duncan Dayton. ?To take a totally innovative design like this to Le Mans and run before a worldwide television audience of more than 600 million people is an incredible story.
?In my opinion, it has the potential to be one of the most significant developments in motor racing in 50 years,? he added. ?It is so new and exciting, and such an interesting departure from the traditional race car development path?it is highly relevant to the future. Given that the world is concentrating on efficiency and green technologies in an attempt to achieve sustainability, this project will help promote the direction that is being adopted throughout the entire automotive industry.?
John Oreovicz is a long-time auto racing journalist who writes for ESPN.com and other publications.
Photo courtesy of Project 56
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #130
As I’m putting this post together, I’m watching SPEED’s coverage of the Ride Swap with Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton at Watkins Glen. �If you didn’t get to see it, check your TV listings for the replay and watch it. �Very cool. �Anyway, on to the questions. �If you don?t know what this post is,�we�answer [...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
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Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Dick Smith defeats Ron Ross for gasoline Funny Car Honors
Dick Smith's Firebrewed Dodge Coronet defeated Ron Ross for the gas funny car crown at Detroit Dragway's Midwest Championships.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Dick Mack?s Satisfaction Chevelle versus Bob DuBrock?s Mustang
Dick Mack ran a full bodied Chevelle funny car with a shortened wheelbase approaching that of a fuel altered. The Satisfaction, running out of Ohio, garnered runner-up honors in the fuel category.
Jack Thorton and the Southern Style Dodge Funny Car
Jack Thorton competed in both the UDRA and NASCAR circuits with Southern Style Dodge Funny Car during the 1967 season,
Road Test Review of Cruze 2011
Do not mistake the Cruze for a Corvette, as both the engines offer better acceleration in most of the situations. The turbo charged cruze versions provides a better feel of energy especially in the cities and while merging on to the highway. The manual transmissions and eco versions have not been available yet for the [...]
Wreck Takes Ragan Out Early in ?Dega
David Ragan and the UPS team had their day cut short in Talladega on Sunday. After starting seventh, a mid-race wreck forced the team out of the race and into the garage.
Monday, June 13, 2011
DENNIS KUIPERS WANTS TO SHOW GOOD FORM IN GREECE
Dennis Kuipers and Frederic Miclotte return to the FIA World Rally Championship after a short break. The FERM World Rally Team will start the second half of the season with an absolute classic: the Acropolis Rally. The Dutch-Belgian duo can hardly wait to race stages again. "It was difficult waiting for so long", says [...]
AMSOIL University 2011, What?s In It For You?
This will be a different & busy week� In preparing to bring my AMSOIL Dealership to the next level of performance, I am attending the AMSOIL University in Duluth, Minnesota. AU focuses on providing Dealers training in all aspects of operating and growing their businesses, including technical know-how, customer service and more. All attendees have [...]
This Weekends Race?
I just got this email through NASCAR.com Due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Hanna, tomorrow?s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway has been postponed until 1 p.m. Sunday. The Nationwide event will now be run at 7 p.m. Sunday.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado: Gas Milleage And Cost Review
The EPA mileage rankings for 2011 designs weren’t accessible at this point of analysis. However, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 have both been considered as the leaders in the race and trendsetters in terms of fuel consumption and mileage. Chevy strives to remain as a leader for the model-year 2011 with EPA [...]
This Week in the NASCAR Blogosphere
By the end of the race at Lowe’s Motorspeedway the Chase will be half over. When the heck did that happen? I don’t know. Last weekend’s race at Talladega provided Tony Stewart with his first win of the season, his first win there in a sprint cup car and ended his 43 race winless streak. [...]
Sunday, June 12, 2011
You Too Can Be Fast And Fabulous!
Hey race fans- just wanted to let you know that you can win a $25.00 BP gas card from TheFastandTheFabulous.com. Just fill out the form located here. And while you are there poke around- it’s a great racing blog!
Petty Holdings Announces Richard Petty's Driver Search
Training Camp & Competition Will Award Opportunity in ARCA Racing
Series and Marcos Ambrose and Randy LaJoie have joined the staff of
Richard Petty's Driver Search.
Series and Marcos Ambrose and Randy LaJoie have joined the staff of
Richard Petty's Driver Search.
Then He Went To Wailing on My Fist With His Head and Other Notes from Kansas
If you’ve heard Bobby Allison recount the story of the infamous “fight on the backstretch” once, you’ve heard it a thousand times – the headline above being one of his favorite lines from the retelling. And while that was 1979, it could have easily been used to describe the scene in the garage Saturday afternoon. [...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
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Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
2011 Power Tour Day 4 Wrapup, Nashville, Tennessee
It’s Tuesday, June 7, and the HOT ROD staff is just winding down at midnight after a huge day at Power Tour. While the event has been big so far, today was the day it really gathered steam, and the crowd at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee, seemed to us to be the largest yet. [...]
Road Test Review of Cruze 2011
Do not mistake the Cruze for a Corvette, as both the engines offer better acceleration in most of the situations. The turbo charged cruze versions provides a better feel of energy especially in the cities and while merging on to the highway. The manual transmissions and eco versions have not been available yet for the [...]
Saturday, June 11, 2011
From Racedriven ? Win a $25 BP Gas card photography Contest.
I?m sure most of us have seen the every changing gas prices daily over the past several months including hitting $4 for a gallon for gasoline at one point this year, so thanks to M80 on behalf of BP, I am running an automotive photography contest with each winner receiving one $25 BP Gift Cards. [...]
AMSOIL Traxxas TORC Round 1, Douglas Wins!
Last September AMSOIL Traxxas TORC driver Scott Douglas won the AMSOIL Cup. A couple of weeks ago, I met Scott at AMSOIL University.� I was able to congratulate him on a great Traxxas TORC Championship last year & wished him continued success for this season.� Here are pix of us in front of his winning [...]
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #129
Another drama filled weekend of racing is in the books, and this week we move to Pocono and Texas. �The Nationwide Series takes a quick break, while the Trucks and Cup cars will be in action. �Setting up the slide into the weekend, we’ve got the 129th round of reader questions and our attempts at [...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
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Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Hobart Brothers Welding Tips Poster
Hobart Brothers offers the cure to common stick welding troubles. The poster illustrates common weld defects, their causes and solutions and is available free of charge in Spanish and English.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Ron Pellegrini?s Superbird Buick Funny Car
There were only a handful of Buick funny cars in the 1960s, and Ron Pellegrini raced two of them. The first was a fiberglass 1967 Gran Sport known as SuperBird.
Rough Night in Darlington; Ragan Finishes 21st
David Ragan and the UPS team battled back from contact in the middle of Saturday night's race to finish 21st
David?s Blog: Superspeedway Racing in ?Dega
David Ragan and the UPS team head to Talladega Superspeedway for this weekend's race. David talks racing in 'Dega and answers your fan questions.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Did Chad Knaus Say What I Think He Said?
fleet�ing ex�ple�tive a�non-scripted verbal�profanity or�obscenity expressed and broadcast during a�live television broadcast or�radio broadcast. The term appears primarily in discussions of United States�broadcasting law. Yep, he did. If you watched the Coca-Cola 600 all the way through Sunday night, you were treated to a little fleeting expletive courtesy of Chad Knaus. As Jimmie Johnson’s engine [...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
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Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
BUILD >>> Travis Clark ? DMCC ISIS Sponsored Drive
Hey everyone, wanted to share my 93′ 240sx vert I have been building for the last seven months.
Here the car is in its earlier stages. Caged and gutted:
Braced up the rear subframe suspension arm tabs to add some stiffness and strength:
Also went with the parts shop max spindle kit. Ran it the last
Here the car is in its earlier stages. Caged and gutted:
Braced up the rear subframe suspension arm tabs to add some stiffness and strength:
Also went with the parts shop max spindle kit. Ran it the last
Superstores!
Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC. is proud to announce the launch of some of our newest Super Store Websites. Be sure to check them all out.
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
Do you have a car that isnt a 240sx? Do you want some parts that may not be on our main EnjukuRacing.com site? Now we have SuperStore sites with Every
Engine Compression Check Made Easy
Keep tabs on your engine's compression ratio and performance with this cool new compression tester from Katech Performance...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Miller to Unveil Revolutionary TIG Welder at 2008 SEMA Show
Get hands-on experience and expert demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting. Test Miller TIG and MIG welders that make it easier to learn to weldperfect for enthusiast-level motorsports applications.
David Ragan Wins Pole for Sprint Showdown
David Ragan and the UPS team claim the top spot in qualifying for the Sprint Showdown on Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Dick Mack?s Satisfaction Chevelle versus Bob DuBrock?s Mustang
Dick Mack ran a full bodied Chevelle funny car with a shortened wheelbase approaching that of a fuel altered. The Satisfaction, running out of Ohio, garnered runner-up honors in the fuel category.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
100th Anniversary of Indy 500 Race Surprise
Today mark’s the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500.� This is actually the 95th running of this world renowned racing spectacle.� This year’s 33 starters featured a variety of racing men & women, as well as other distinctions.� In addition to the unpredictable racing action of today’s race are the following tidbits: The first winning [...]
Richard Petty's Driver Search is On
If you are an aspiring racer looking to develop your skills and advance your career, Richard Petty’s Driver Search is the program for you.
Did Chad Knaus Say What I Think He Said?
[...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Own Kyle Petty's '06 Victory Bike and Ride Across the US
A special online auction give you the chance to own Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory motorcycle and join Kyle on the 2009 Ride Across America. But hurry, the auction runs July 15-25, 2008. All proceeds benefit two extremely...
Monday, June 6, 2011
Martinsville Qualifying Rained Out
Sorry if I havn’t been on here in a while, I’ve been a bust little kitten! Martinsville qualifying got rained out last Friday, so everyone at this point knows the drill after all that mess goes down. The starting grid goes in order by points. Surprise, surprise! Why don? we just serve Jimmie Johnson his [...]
Suspensions For Speeding? Not In This Sport
[...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
With the Centennial of the Indianapolis 500 this month, what is your Indy memory?
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, which was the greatest American race decades before Ken Squier tried to claim that title for Bill France?s sedan show. Indeed, decades before there even was a Daytona 500, the Indy 500 was the greatest race and not just in America but on the entire planet.
That no longer is true, but we?ll ignore that for now as we celebrate the history of the race and of a race track that has modernized nicely while clinging so tightly to its own history that it still has a brick-paved finish line.
Looking back at one hundred years of Indy 500s got me rooting around in the archives ? O.K., I just the shelves out in the garage -- where I found a scrapbook that preserves the full-page 500 preview I wrote for the Joliet (Illinois) Herald-News on Sunday, May 25, 1969.
I was still in college, though just days away from graduation, but worked weekends and summers as a sportswriter for my hometown daily newspaper, covering everything from high school sports to the United Auto Racing Association, which staged midget races on the paved quarter-mile track that surrounded the football field at Joliet Memorial Stadium. This was back in the day when Indy racers raced several nights a week, driving sprints and midgets, and occasionally one of the Bettenhausens from nearby Tinley Park or maybe Mel Kenyon would come from Indiana and bring their midgets to race when there was an open date on the USAC schedule.
Occasionally, one of our local drivers would be invited to take a run around Indy, either in testing or to attempt a qualifying run. UARA racer Roger West went to the Brickyard in 1969 and 1970 but didn?t make the 33-car grid either time.
With money I made writing about sports, I?d bought a brand new fastback Ford Mustang, sort of a college graduation present to myself, and my editor at the newspaper and our wives got up at o-dark-30 on race day and drove down to Indy for what would be the first of many 500s I?d cover at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that year for the Herald-News, and later for newspapers in Michigan and eventually for AutoWeek magazine.
?Granatelli and Andretti have a history of being snake bitten at Indianapolis,? I wrote in my preview story in 1969, ?so this year they?re teaming with hopes that ?Italian power? will cure their Indy ills.?
However, I added, those ills appeared to have continued so far that month of May: ?Andretti walked away from a fiery crash last Wednesday that destroyed the fastest of Granatelli?s cars.?
I don?t have a copy of the story I wrote after the race, though we all recall how, after crashing Andy Granatelli?s fastest car, Mario Andretti started the race in the team?s backup car, a Brawner Hawk, and drove it to a victory celebration that included a big kiss on the cheek from Granatelli.
Well, that was my first Indy experience. What was yours?
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That no longer is true, but we?ll ignore that for now as we celebrate the history of the race and of a race track that has modernized nicely while clinging so tightly to its own history that it still has a brick-paved finish line.
Looking back at one hundred years of Indy 500s got me rooting around in the archives ? O.K., I just the shelves out in the garage -- where I found a scrapbook that preserves the full-page 500 preview I wrote for the Joliet (Illinois) Herald-News on Sunday, May 25, 1969.
I was still in college, though just days away from graduation, but worked weekends and summers as a sportswriter for my hometown daily newspaper, covering everything from high school sports to the United Auto Racing Association, which staged midget races on the paved quarter-mile track that surrounded the football field at Joliet Memorial Stadium. This was back in the day when Indy racers raced several nights a week, driving sprints and midgets, and occasionally one of the Bettenhausens from nearby Tinley Park or maybe Mel Kenyon would come from Indiana and bring their midgets to race when there was an open date on the USAC schedule.
Occasionally, one of our local drivers would be invited to take a run around Indy, either in testing or to attempt a qualifying run. UARA racer Roger West went to the Brickyard in 1969 and 1970 but didn?t make the 33-car grid either time.
With money I made writing about sports, I?d bought a brand new fastback Ford Mustang, sort of a college graduation present to myself, and my editor at the newspaper and our wives got up at o-dark-30 on race day and drove down to Indy for what would be the first of many 500s I?d cover at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that year for the Herald-News, and later for newspapers in Michigan and eventually for AutoWeek magazine.
?Granatelli and Andretti have a history of being snake bitten at Indianapolis,? I wrote in my preview story in 1969, ?so this year they?re teaming with hopes that ?Italian power? will cure their Indy ills.?
However, I added, those ills appeared to have continued so far that month of May: ?Andretti walked away from a fiery crash last Wednesday that destroyed the fastest of Granatelli?s cars.?
I don?t have a copy of the story I wrote after the race, though we all recall how, after crashing Andy Granatelli?s fastest car, Mario Andretti started the race in the team?s backup car, a Brawner Hawk, and drove it to a victory celebration that included a big kiss on the cheek from Granatelli.
Well, that was my first Indy experience. What was yours?
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Dario2.jpg435.22 KB
Second Straight Top 10 for Ragan; UPS Team Finishes 7th at TMS
David Ragan and the UPS team had a solid weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. After capturing his first career Cup Series pole on Friday, David crosses the finish line in seventh place on Saturday night.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
CFRC 02/19/2012
Florida checking in with some good media from some of our local photographers Kayla and Brice. This event was a lot of fun, too many crashes, but a lot of good driving. Just keep an eye out for the next event on the 6th, Matt Petty and John Wagner are coming down for
Goings on at Amy?s Bad Groove
Here are a couple of excerpts from Amy’s Bad Groove this week: In I Have Stupid (NASCAR) Questions, I laments over the fact that she has questions about NASCAR she is afraid to ask…for fear of looking stupid: Anyway I have been a NASCAR fan for years (as in since childhood)?and I have a couple [...]
Ragan Earns First Top-Five and Third Top-10 of Season at RIR
David Ragan and the UPS team fought hard for a fourth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night
Engine Compression Check Made Easy
Keep tabs on your engine's compression ratio and performance with this cool new compression tester from Katech Performance...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
From Racedriven ? Win a $25 BP Gas card photography Contest.
I?m sure most of us have seen the every changing gas prices daily over the past several months including hitting $4 for a gallon for gasoline at one point this year, so thanks to M80 on behalf of BP, I am running an automotive photography contest with each winner receiving one $25 BP Gift Cards. [...]
David?s Blog: From One Mile-and-a-Half to the Next
The UPS team heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend 18th in points and for the second mile-and-a-half in a row
Pryce on target for Fiesta Sport Trophy
Pryce on the Bothwell stage late on the opening night of the Jim Clark Rally. Photo: John Evans, i2i photography Aberangell based teenager, Osian Pryce (18) and co-driver Iestyn Williams (39) of Abersoch, Gwynedd had a steady outing on the Jim Clark International Rally recently in their G&M Pryce Builders backed Ford Fiesta R2. This [...]
2011 Chevrolet Cruze: What You Need To Know
In the big leagues of small cars, it is true that Chevy never had a tough competitor. Chevrolet has always offered the best small cars of all time without compromising on any of the major features. The Chevrolet cruze offers everything a person can dream of a small car. It has better performance, good economy [...]
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hot Rod Staff Prepping for Power Tour
It’s just 16 days before the editorial staff of HOT ROD jumps on the plane for the 2011 Power Tour. We are wrapping up the final details of shipping the September issue of the magazine to the press, and we are all jamming to learn the new technologies for posting blogs, photos, and videos from [...]
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