Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip are sharing driving duties of the #55 Aaron?s Dream machine next year.� Mark Martin will drive in 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup events including the Daytona 500 and Michael Waltrip will drive in seven other events.� What is not clear is if the events Michael Waltrip will drive in include the Bud Shootout or the Sprint Showdown Race as they only mentioned the three other restrictor plate races and the race at Kentucky.� Which is only 4 races.� In a statement during the press conference Michael indicated they had 30 races with Aaron?s and there would be 6 races that remain unsponsored.� I will speculate that Michael Waltrip will run one of the Martinsville races plus the four mentioned above and the two exhibition races for the total of seven.
In reviewing last season, the #21 Wood Brothers car ended the season 37th in points while only racing 18 races or 1/2 of the season.� That is an incredible feat.� They were 147 points out of 35th.� If they race...
Saturday
Marussia targets second test for new car
Marussia is planning to run its 2012 car at the second pre-season test at Barcelona, with technical consultant Pat Symonds revealing it will be virtually an all-new design from last year's chassis. With Symonds having taken over the technical direction of the outfit following the departure of Nick Wirth, the team has been making the most of a tie-up with McLaren to produce a car that will deliver a good step forward
Todt wants superally abolished
The future for the World Rally Championship's controversial superally regulation has been called into question by FIA president Jean Todt. This week's Monte Carlo Rally is the first event since 2004 to be running without the regulation, now called Rally 2, which allows crews who have retired to return to the rally on the following day with the possibility of still scoring points.
Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton
Happy Hour: Will neutering the Busch boys dull down NASCAR?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com (note new address) or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face. Let's begin with a pressing question:
Won't a NASCAR season where The Busch Brothers are totally PC, only thank their sponsors and the team and behave like choir boys be terrible for NASCAR? Do we really need to see Kurt and Rowdy behaving exactly like Edwards and Johnson?
? Larry from Texas.
This is the flip side of the "Kyle Busch must be stopped / Kurt Busch must be shut up" argument. Let's be honest: most NASCAR drivers, if you hung out with them at a bar, would be more interesting and better conversationalists than any of your friends. But your friends aren't larger-than-life, and that's what NASCAR fans gravitate toward. Your average driver might walk into a room and own it; the larger-than-life ones walk into Daytona and own it.
So here's the question for you: how much are you willing to tolerate from a driver in the name of "personality"? Me, I'm pretty forgiving with on-track incidents and on-radio yammering; I'm not so crazy about, say, driving 128 mph on surface streets. And you?
Next up: more Chase ideas!
____________________
I suggest having a point given for each position for each lap. The leader gets 1 point, second gets 2 and so on down the pack. The winner gets 5 bonus points. ( It might be easier for the "math challenged" to give 43 for first, 42 for 2nd, etc. That is for people who think more is better.)
Logic: Someone who runs in front for the majority of the race and gets taken out near the end by "The Big One" will deserve more points that the driver who runs 25th all day long. There needs to be a premium for front runners. It should be easy to score with today's computer set-ups.
? Dick
That sounds so phenomenally complicated that I'm not sure why NASCAR hasn't done it yet. Think about it: if you give 43 points for first place, and someone goes wire-to-wire, you're talking 21,500 points for one race! That's awesome! Tie a dollar value to each lap and then you'll seriously see some action!
Now, look, I'm just a simple English major and don't know much about math, but wouldn't totaling up the points per lap have the same net effect as the average-finish stat, which we already calculate? By that standard, Edwards owned last season, with an average finish two places better than second-place Kevin Harvick.
Though if NASCAR does come up with a more complicated system, I'm definitely going into the number-crunching side of the industry. Heck with words.
____________________
So Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will run the 6 at the 500. I like the idea, but it got me thinking; would a top-shelf organization like RFR consider running the 6 as a modified start and park to maintain owner points, with a few full races thrown in? Think about it; one or two fuel runs, outlast the other start and parks, and you potentially get a position in the mid or high thirties. That has value, not just for top-35, but for driver development as well.
? Jeff "Sarge" Smith
Statesboro GA
That's not a terrible idea, though it does kind of straddle the fence of elite team/start-and-parkers. Kind of like a high-end steakhouse having a drive-thru window. I'd imagine it's more a matter of resources and preserving the identity of the brand than anything else; better to reroute the money into three good teams than three good ones and one mediocre one. Still, these are changing times in NASCAR, and you might well see big-time teams adapt to these times.
____________________
Video time! One of the best parts of travel is renting cars. One of the worst parts of covering the Daytona 500 is trying to rent a car and getting nothing but a behemoth Mercury Grand Marquis. Yes, I drive to the track in a car not unlike what my grandfather used to drive. But thanks to this video provided by loyal reader Sam Sevr, I can now see many more possibilities for what to do with this rental car (a bit of NSFW language):
I'll be doing burnouts approximately three hours after the checkered flag drops. Meet me at the start-finish line.
____________________
An idea: in the Chase, the lowest finishing driver of the Chasers is eliminated. Think about it: the number one driver, if he finishes lowest, is done. This way we would have an exciting Chase, with No. 1 versus No. 2. And here is a new wrinkle: for the last race, the top two drivers have their points set to zero. it would be a win-or-go-home excitement that people would love. What do you think?
? Mitchell Mauthe
In theory, I love the idea. In practice, it'd be a little harder to implement, simply because of the Vickers Effect: i.e., you never know when someone's going to do something to take out a top Chase competitor. The uncertainty is always a part of racing, yes, but it rarely comes with such a heavy penalty on an entire season. So what this would probably lead to is very tentative racing, rather than very competitive racing.
And yes, I know I gave you guys a homework assignment last week, and several of you came through HUGE, so much so that I'm devoting a separate post to it later this week. But here's another for you: anybody who feels like going through the Chase, race by race, and seeing who would be left standing in an elimination system will get a hearty attaboy/girl and posting right here. Have fun!
____________________
Last year in early Feb. I called Penske racing and talked to a Ms Bonnie. I told her the nas car title in 2011 was Roger Penskes to loose. Numbers NEVER lie. The #12 is bad luck. I would very much like someone to help me write a novel on this. Look at what happened to teams like the 99, 18. And look at RCR. Again its numbers that is the problem. OHHH.. And did I mention Dale Jr ?? Please listen carefully. Dale Jr. Can never win with the #88 and#7. It is against everything his dad ever raced for. Please give me a chance to explain this. One other thing that will shock nas car in 2012... Watch what is to take place with the #48. This will be the top nas car story of 2012. THANKS
? Eddie Hall
Daviston, AL
You know, I'm tempted to write this off as another lunatic letter from a "nas car" fan, but what if Eddie from Alabama is right? What if there is some huge numerological conspiracy in NASCAR that we've all been missing all these years? This could be like a redneck "Da Vinci Code"! It's all been in front of us, all along! [The entire letter is sic'd for illustrative purposes.]
All right, since we're already off the track and deep into the infield, let's close with this one, a reference to me calling myself a dork last week for visiting an art exhibit on New Year's Eve:
____________________
After so many years of looking at the paint jobs on the race cars, I guess I can understand why you might belittle visiting an art exhibit, your sense of aesthetics has probably been fried for a long time. I happen to love racing, but am a professional artist. It might actually be good for NASCAR to start losing its ignorant boozing redneck "culture" but I am not holding my breath on that one. By the way, what I did for New Year's was work on a painting for my new book that will be published in June, and completely enjoyed doing so. But this kind of reader comment will never see the light of day on Happy Hour.
? Lexi Sundell
P.S. Happy New Year anyway.
I love these kinds of comments; daring me to publish something when you're flat-out wrong is a surefire route to publication! But all's good. I dropped a little art-knowledge on Lexi (this is all an act; I'm actually a 65-year-old female college professor) and asked her to send some of her work, and she complied. This one's called "Dancing With The Dew":
Wow. That's classy. My readers have talent! Anybody else got any skills? Music? Moviemaking? Hit us up with your work before the season starts.
On that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here.� Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
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Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Tested! The Most Powerful Camaro Ever Packs More Than Just Engine
Midway down the main straight at Inde Motor�sports Ranch outside �Tucson, Arizona, the shift lights on the head-up display flash. At 106 mph, we grab fourth gear, and another wave of ferocious acceleration propels the car forward. We graze 130 mph before hitting the brakes and downshifting for Turn Three, a fast right-hand sweeper that [...]
Friday
Lotus pleased with engine progress
Lotus has declared itself pleased with the results of the first two tests of the engine that it will take into this year's IndyCar season.
Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith Josй Froilбn Gonzбlez Oscar Gonzбlez
Getting Around Near and Far ? The Supercharged Bike-Sharing Card
Ah, the convenience of a bike-sharing membership. With the swipe of a card, you can get from one side of the city to another, or simply from your home to the metro stop. And in the near future, your bike-sharing bona fides could get you a lot farther.
Haikou Public Bicycles in Haikou, China recently formed [...]
Haikou Public Bicycles in Haikou, China recently formed [...]
Source: http://streetsblog.net/2012/01/18/getting-around-near-and-far-the-supercharged-bike-sharing-card/
Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III
Monte admits long event a mistake
Next year's Monte Carlo Rally is expected to return to a shorter format after a disappointing level of entries for this week's World Rally Championship opener. Commissioner general of the Automobile Club de Monaco Michel Ferry admitted the six-day format of the event, which is returning to the WRC for the first time since 2008, was too much
Thursday
Caterham confirms move to Leafield
The Caterham team has announced that it is planning to move from its current base in Hingham, Norfolk to different facilities in Leafield. Caterham aims to relocate to the Leafield Technical Centre, which has been associated with motorsport for several years after it was sold to Tom Walkinshaw Racing in 1993 to become the Arrows's team base. The facility would later become the Super Aguri team's headquarters when the Japanese squad made its Formula 1 debut back in 2006
Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III
Teased: Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva
Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi, Design/Style
Mitsubishi has been something of a punching bag among both analysts and critics in the United States for some years now, with lukewarm reception to new products and meek sales figures. But while few were paying attention, the Japanese brand's pendulum made a mighty swing in the right direction in 2011, with sales finishing up over 40 percent year-over-year, making it the second fastest-growing brand in the States. Of course, total brand sales were just 77,995 (2010 sales: 55,683), but one has to start somewhere.
Buoyed by increasing demand for new products like the Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi isn't quite "feeling its oats" just yet, but it's alive and kicking. As further evidence, the company has just released a teaser image of an unnamed vehicle it plans to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Significantly, Mitsubishi indicates that this is the first time it has ever chosen to stage a global product reveal in Europe. The mystery vehicle, which appears to be a crossover - likely the next-generation Outlander - will go on sale in 2012. The second-generation Outlander has been on sale here since 2006, with a facelifted model arriving for the 2010 model year.
Mitsubishi says this is the start of a new, "re-focused design language," which evidently means moving away from the massive Lancer Evolution-inspired grille that currently adorns the Outlander. We like what we see here, from the gaping lower air intake to the U-shaped hood pressing and assertive headlamps. We'll probably have to wait until closer the Swiss show starts to get a closer look at the rest of the vehicle, but for now, check out the image above and the press release after the jump.
Continue reading Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva
Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/mitsubishi-teases-mystery-reveal-ahead-of-geneva/
Josй Froilбn Gonzбlez Oscar Gonzбlez Aldo Gordini Horace Gould
Ogier crashes out in Monte Carlo
Sebastien Ogier's sensational run on the Monte Carlo Rally has come to an end after the Volkswagen driver crashed out on SS10. The Frenchman had run as high as third on the opening round of the World Rally Championship, despite driving a Super 2000-specification Skoda Fabia against the powerful World Rally Cars.
Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson
NASCAR optimistic over rule tweaks
NASCAR chiefs are optimistic that changes made during this week's Daytona test will at least reduce the level of tandem racing seen in restrictor plate events during the 2012 Sprint Cup season. The series is keen to eliminate the practice seen in recent Daytona and Talladega rounds, where cars split off into two-car tandem drafting pairs, and has made a series of technical tweaks - including adjustments to restrictor plate size and radiators during the test itself - in an effort to bring back multi-car groups. NASCAR has also banned car-to-car radio communication, which drivers had been using to collaborate with drafting partners.
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/nascar-optimistic-over-rule-tweaks/
Wednesday
Kasey Kahne apologizes for tweet about? breastfeeding?
Ah, Twitter. You're so convenient. So concise. So public. We all have moments when we want to instantly tell someone about what we're seeing right then and right there. And Twitter, you do a damn good job of providing us a platform.
When at the grocery store on Tuesday, Kasey Kahne tweeted that he saw a woman breastfeeding her child in an apparently very open way, and expressed his reaction to what he saw, adding a couple (off) color comments to the initial observation.
Of course, that first tweet (and the deleted follow ups) led to responses, and Kahne responded to one response with an insult that also has been deleted, but screen grabbed in infamy.
[Related: The top 10 sporting gaffes of 2011]
And in a perfect encapsulation of our social media internet world, Kahne issued an apology Wednesday night for those comments via his Facebook page.
I understand that my comments regarding breastfeeding posted on Twitter were offensive to some people. For that, I apologize. It was in no way my intention to offend any mother who chooses to breastfeed her child, or, for that matter, anyone who supports breast feeding children. I want to make that clear.
In all honestly, I was surprised by what I saw in a grocery store. I shared that reaction with my fans on Twitter. It obviously wasn't the correct approach, and, after reading your feedback, I now have a better understanding of why my posts upset some of you.
My comments were not directed at the mother's right to breastfeed. They were just a reaction to the location of that choice, and the fashion in which it was executed on that occasion.
I respect the mother's right to feed her child whenever and wherever she pleases.
Kasey Kahne
I'm not going to get into the issues surrounding Kahne's comments or defend or condemn, except to say that it's another reminder of the ? sometimes absurd, sometimes not�? blowback that can be sparked with off-hand social media comments by public figures. (And besides, do you really want to be reading about the social acceptance and practice of breastfeeding in public? No, you don't.)
[Related: NASCAR's top five stories of 2011]
Situations like these are a bit of a catch-22 for NASCAR, its drivers and fans. We've heard the cries for more personality and less "vanilla" too many times to count as the commercialization of the sport increases even further. And conversely, we've seen how well drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have been accepted on Twitter over the course of the last year because of their unscripted comments. It can be a fine line between personal and professional and hopefully this need for an apology doesn't push Kahne too far to the public relations realm on his Twitter account.
60 days until the Daytona 500.
Follow Nick Bromberg on Twitter at @NickBromberg.
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Senna movie gets BAFTA nominations
The Senna film has been nominated for three British Academy Film Awards, ahead of the gala ceremony that takes place next month. The documentary on the life of the late three-time world champion has already proved a hit with cinema audiences, and picked up a number of trophies - including an AUTOSPORT Award last year. Now, it has been recognised by the judges of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), who have nominated it in three categories
Fantasy Racing Darkhorse Picks: 2011 Kobalt Toos 500 at Phoenix
Expert
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdel
Regan Smith
38
12.74
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Kasey Kahne
1
14.63
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Kasey Kahne
1
16.20
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Regan Smith
38
16.06
Eric McClung
KFFL
Kasey Kahne
1
14.86
Eric McGuire
free agent
Mark Martin
16
16.20
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Kasey Kahne
1
15.20
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Kasey Kahne
1
13.20
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
David Ragan
33
22.31
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Greg Biffle
13
17.00
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Martin Truex Jr
20
12.97
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Martin Trues Jr
20
14.91
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns [...]
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdel
Regan Smith
38
12.74
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Kasey Kahne
1
14.63
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Kasey Kahne
1
16.20
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Regan Smith
38
16.06
Eric McClung
KFFL
Kasey Kahne
1
14.86
Eric McGuire
free agent
Mark Martin
16
16.20
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Kasey Kahne
1
15.20
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Kasey Kahne
1
13.20
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
David Ragan
33
22.31
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Greg Biffle
13
17.00
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Martin Truex Jr
20
12.97
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Martin Trues Jr
20
14.91
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns [...]
Tuesday
Schmalenbach Surges to Sebring Victory
In a race of pit-stop tactics and survival, Sebastian Schmalenbach scored his first 2011 iRacing.com Pro Series Road Racing (iPSRR) victory in the penultimate round of the championship with a masterful fuel-strategy over 52 laps of the virtual Sebring International Raceway. As the green flag dropped Pablo L�pez tried to squeeze his Williams-Toyota FW31 between the left-hand wall and My3id’s Andre Boettcher. Finding there was no room to get through, the Radicals Racing sim racer darted to the right, directly into the path of Twister Racing’s Jeremy Bouteloup.� Bouteloup?s attempt at evasive action resulted in contact with Roy Kolbe, triggering a chain reaction involving a further eight cars – including Ian Lake, who barrel-rolled into retirement along the front-straight. The midfield carnage on the start-line separated the field into two [...]
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/schmalenbach-surges-to-sebring-victory/
What offseason? Tony Stewart assembles Chili Bowl champ team
Now this is just getting silly. Weeks after winning the Sprint Cup championship and then taking down Indy Car drivers at the Indy Carting Classic, Tony Stewart is mounting an assault to take down his third Golden Driller Trophy at the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
The festivities begin Jan. 10, and Stewart will be part of a four-man team that includes Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Bryan Clauson and Jake Blackhurst. All four are reigning champions in their various divisions and fields.
The Chili Bowl goes down at the QuikTrip Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Stewart hasn't raced there since 2008; that year, he finished 8th in the finals. But he's bringing the above ride, dubbed "Back in Black," to the race thanks to some sponsorship from Chevrolet Performance Parts. (We're thinking Stewart doesn't have to do a whole lot of begging for money right about now.)
For more info, check out ChiliBowl.com. And if you go, by all means, reach out to us here. We want photos. Cotton candy. Souvenirs. Perhaps even some chili.
Speeds top 200 mph at Daytona test session
NASCAR is making gains toward breaking up the two-car tandem racing that has taken over at Daytona and Talladega, but the fix sent speeds soaring over 200 mph Friday in a test session.
Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/speeds-top-200-mph-at-daytona-test-session.html
Ravitch: Big Business, Cuomo Have Failed to Lead on Transportation
Richard Ravitch pointed the finger at the business community and the governor's office for not standing up in support of transportation infrastructure. Image: Wikimedia.
New York’s infrastructure is dangerously underfunded and threatening to cripple the region’s economy, warned former lieutenant governor and MTA chairman Richard Ravitch in a speech on Thursday.
Having taken the helm of the [...]
New York’s infrastructure is dangerously underfunded and threatening to cripple the region’s economy, warned former lieutenant governor and MTA chairman Richard Ravitch in a speech on Thursday.
Having taken the helm of the [...]
Paul Goldsmith Josй Froilбn Gonzбlez Oscar Gonzбlez Aldo Gordini
Monday
Audi R8 LMS ultra to fight for World Champion's title in 2012
AUDI Motorsport Ingolstadt, December 20, 2011 - GT1 World Championship to be held with GT3 cars in 2012 - Team WRT from Belgium is set on battling for championship - Two new Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid...
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/audi_r8_lms_ultra_to_figh.php
Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida
ALMS to debut new electric racer
IMSA, the International Motor Sports Association which sanctions the American Le Mans Series, has entered into a joint venture with strategic sustainability experts Quimera to showcase a new fully-electric vehicle at events this year. A version of Quimera's AEGT All-Electric GT car is expected to debut in demonstration runs at selected races in 2012, with the aim of launching a new international electric racing series from as early as 2013. ALMS boss Scott Atherton said the ILMS prided itself on championing green technology, labelling Quimera's GT car as the 'real deal'
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/alms-to-debut-new-electric-racer/
Look back on the 2011 seasons of Junior, Johnson and Keselowski
We're just weeks away from the start of the 2012 season ... and, really, only weeks away from the end of the 2011 one, too. NASCAR's funny that way. Anyway, let's continue with our season wrapups, featuring a few guys whose names you know well.
First up, Dale Earnhardt Jr. experienced a renaissance of sorts, making the Chase and doing pretty much everything but, you know, winning:
Next up, Jimmie Johnson, who saw his Cup chances end a whole lot earlier this year than they have in the past half-decade:
Finally, Brad Keselowski, who came from as close as you can to "out of nowhere" to make the Chase and briefly throw a scare into the sport's leaders:
Your thoughts on these three fine gentlemen's runs in 2011? Fire away.
James Hinchcliffe to take Danica Patrick?s IndyCar seat
James Hinchcliffe, the 2011 Izod IndyCar Rookie of the Year, has signed with Andretti Autosport to drive the GoDaddy car in 2012, replacing Danica Patrick after her departure to NASCAR full-time.
If you're a casual race fan who doesn't watch much IndyCar, you're probably wondering "Who's that?" or typing his name in the search bar in the top right corner. But don't worry, you may know him soon enough given all the GoDaddy ads during sporting events.
"I'm stepping into her heels, if you will," Hinchcliffe laughed about replacing Danica Patrick as the driver of Andretti Autosport's Go Daddy-sponsored No. 27 Chevrolet in 2012. "But that's part of what makes this deal so exciting because they did such a good job with Danica and her Go Daddy Girl image. I hope that makes me the first Go Daddy Guy."
Hinchcliffe, 25, drove for now (sadly) defunct Newman-Haas Racing in 2011 and had fourth place finishes at Long Beach, Loudon and Kentucky -- and he narrowly beat out the same initialed JR Hildebrand for the rookie of the year award. Hildebrand was leading the Indianapolis 500 on the final corner before he crashed and finished second to Dan Wheldon.
While Hinchcliffe is replacing Patrick, the ride was reported to be Wheldon's in 2012 before Wheldon was killed in a crash October 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The addition of Hinchcliffe puts Andretti Autosport now at three full-time cars for 2012 along with Marco Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay. Michael Andretti, owner of Andretti Autosport, will be on 'Celebrity Apprentice' in February.
Via RecreActiva: A Transformative Ciclovia for Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Mexico is showing how amazingly transformative a ciclovia-style road closure can be for its citizens. In seven years, their inaugural Sunday event Via RecreActiva has grown from just seven miles with 35,000 participants to 41 miles with 400,000 users every Sunday. It goes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and covers six municipalities.
Source: http://www.streetfilms.org/via-recreactiva-a-transformative-ciclovia-for-guadalajara/
Sunday
NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: AAA Texas 500 at texas Motor Speedway
Expert
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell
Carl Edwards
2
12.68
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Carl Edwards
2
13.38
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Kevin Harvick
13
12.62
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
12.88
Eric McClung
KFFL
Matt Kenseth
4
13.85
Eric McGuire
free agent
Matt Kenseth
4
15.15
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Carl Edwards
2
13.18
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
15.44
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
Kevin Harvick
13
13.03
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Carl Edwards
2
13.15
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Jimmie Johnson
14
14.18
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Matt Kenseth
4
12.71
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner
Carl [...]
Website
Pick to Win
Finish
Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell
Carl Edwards
2
12.68
Jerry Lagger
One and Done Game Winner
Carl Edwards
2
13.38
Dennis Michelsen
RaceTalkRadio.com
Kevin Harvick
13
12.62
Steve Wronkowicz
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
12.88
Eric McClung
KFFL
Matt Kenseth
4
13.85
Eric McGuire
free agent
Matt Kenseth
4
15.15
Dan Beaver
Fantasy Racing Games
Carl Edwards
2
13.18
Matt Mercer
On Pit Row
Carl Edwards
2
15.44
Adam Ansell
Roto Experts
no pick
Chris Leone
On Pit Row
Kevin Harvick
13
13.03
Bob Ellis
NASCAR Ranting and Raving
Carl Edwards
2
13.15
CharlieTurner
On Pit Row
Jimmie Johnson
14
14.18
Jordan McAbee
On Pit Row
Matt Kenseth
4
12.71
Jon Rodgers
Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner
Carl [...]
Status GP to develop LMP2 car
Status Grand Prix will develop an LMP2 sports car with the ultimate goal of competing in the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship. The Silverstone-based team, winner of the 2009 A1GP championship, will take delivery of the 2012-specification Lola B12/80 Coupe in the next few weeks. It is yet to finalise its test and race programme for this year, but is working toward competing in the newly-established WEC from 2013
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/status-gp-to-develop-lmp2-car/
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki
2012 IndyCar schedule released and Texas is on it
The 2012 Izod IndyCar Series schedule was released on Thursday and while it does contain Texas Motor Speedway, it also contains a date TBA.
Of the 15 confirmed races, 11 are on street and road courses and four are on ovals. The Series returns to Auto Club Speedway on September 15, as well as Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, and of course, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.�IndyCar had previously announced that it wasn't returning to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Dan Wheldon died in a crash, on October 16.
Last year's event at Texas Motor Speedway was a doubleheader, with each race counting for half points and the second race's starting grid being determined by a contrived lottery between the races. That format has been scrapped, and Texas will once again host one 550 kilometer race after the Indianapolis 500.
IndyCar will also make a visit to Qingdao, China, the first time the series has ever held a race in the country. IndyCar also returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil and Toronto and Edmonton.
- March 25:�Streets of St. Petersburg�(1.8-mile street course)
- April 1:�Barber Motorsports Park�(2.3-mile road course)
- April 15:�Streets of Long Beach�(1.968-mile street course)
- April 29:�Streets of Sao Paulo�(2.536-mile street course)
- May 27:�Indianapolis Motor Speedway�(2.5-mile oval)
- June 3:��Raceway at Belle Isle Park�(2.1-mile street course)
- June 9: �Texas Motor Speedway�(1.5-mile oval)
- June 23:�Iowa Speedway�(.875-mile oval)
- July 8:�Streets of Toronto�(1.755-mile street course)
- July 22:�Edmonton City Centre Airport�(1.973-mile airport course)
- Aug. 5:�Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course�(2.258-mile road course)
- Aug. 19:�Streets of Qingdao, China�(3.87-mile street course)
- Aug. 26:�Infineon Raceway�(2.303-mile road course)
- Sept. 2:�Streets of Baltimore�(2-mile street course)
- Sept. 15:�Auto Club Speedway�(2-mile oval)
Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle
Super-rare Jaguar XJ220S heading to Arizona auction
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Jaguar
With only 350 cars built, the Jaguar XJ220 is a collector's item, but some examples are rarer than others.
Having relied heavily on Tom Walkinshaw Racing for the development of the XJ220 in the first place, Jaguar turned to the outfit when it came time to assess the possibility of a competition version. Three XJ220C race cars were born as a result, but in order to homologate them for competition, Jaguar and TWR built six roadgoing examples dubbed XJ220S. One of them is now going up for auction.
To create the XJ220S, TWR removed all the aluminum bodywork (except the doors) and replaced it with carbon fiber, adding a front splitter, rear wing and wider side sills in the process. That helped drive weight down to just over 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), while the twin-turbo V6 was retuned to deliver 680 horsepower.
This particular car's owner recently had TWR install a titanium exhaust and recalibrate the engine output to nice round 700 hp. He also had it repainted the same shade of grey as the Lamborghini Reventon, fitted more modern headlights, and refurbished the magnesium wheels. As a result, RM Auctions expects it to fetch between $225,000 and $300,000 when it crosses the block in Arizona next month. Full details in the auction listing after the jump.
Continue reading Super-rare Jaguar XJ220S heading to Arizona auction
Super-rare Jaguar XJ220S heading to Arizona auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte
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