Racing Discussion Thread

My mind is full of wat.

The announcement has just begin.

And they are pretty much telling us nothing. They don't know anything yet.

I can see the fans right now and tell you this has no chance of happening..This looks as bad as the Champ Car/Indycar situation.


I am seriously disappointed in this. No details. No nothing. When asked about the commonality of the series that they touted the whole time, Jim France couldnt even give one example. I can already see on Facebook that some former Grand-Am teams are pissed and saying this wont work.

ZANARDI WINS GOLD!

BBC wrote:

Competing in the H4 handcycling time trial, the 45-year-old beat Germany's Nobert Mosandl by more than 27 seconds at Brands Hatch.

Zanardi had both legs amputated following a near-fatal Champ Car accident at Germany's Lausitzring.

Since then he has finished fourth in the 2007 New York marathon and won world time-trial silver in 2011.

It is the third time Zanardi has been on the podium at the Kent circuit, each time in very different circumstances.

In 1991, as a 24-year-old with his sights trained on Formula 1, he secured second place in a Formula 3000 race for the Il Barone Rampante team around the track.

After losing his legs, he returned in 2008 to take third place in a specially adapted car as part of an Italian-Spanish team that finished third in the World Touring Car Championship.

Before Wednesday's race, it had become clear that a handcycle might finally be the vehicle to finally take him to the top step.

Even before dedicating himself fully to the sport, Zanardi finished 15th in the 2009 World Championships time trial.

His subsequent commitment bore fruit with a second-placed finish at the 2011 Worlds and victory over the previously dominant American Oscar Sanchez in the first race of the 2012 World Cup in Rome.

The undulating nature of the Brands Hatch circuit was also in Zanardi's favour, with uphill sections favouring double amputees such as himself.

In sunny but windy conditions he duly built a lead of 14 seconds over Mosandl after the first of the two laps and, in a perfectly paced race, had almost doubled that margin as he crossed the finish line.

Zanardi's triumph is especially impressive after the personal disaster that befell him 11 years ago.

After a Formula 1 career that comprised 41 races but little success, he had returned to the Champ Car series in which he had previously won two titles.

Attempting to rejoin the race at the Lausitzring, he lost control, skidding into the path of Canadian driver Alex Tagliani who could not avoid slamming into the side of the Italian's car at more than 200mph.

After losing three-quarters of his blood en route to the hospital, Zanardi defied paramedics' fears by surviving.

And he might be about to confound expectations once again.

Zanardi warned before the race that his age may mean London 2012 would be both his first and last Paralympics.

But with Mosandl six years his senior and his closest challenger, Zanardi could take the chance to defend his title in Brazil - the county where, in taking sixth in the 1993 Grand Prix, he achieved his best Formula 1 finish.

Marshall Pruett/SPEED.com wrote:

If the news of Alex Zanardi's triumph in the Men's Individual H 4 Time Trial event at the 2012 London Paralympic games wasn't enough of a thrill on Wednesday, SPEED.com has confirmed two of the 45-year-old Italian's closest friends are working to enter him at the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

“He told a reporter yesterday for me to watch out because he wants to race at the Indy 500 next year," said Jimmy Vasser, who co-owns the KV Racing IZOD IndyCar Series team and drove with Zanardi at Target Chip Ganassi Racing from 1996-1998.

"And he wasn’t kidding and that’s not how we’re taking it. I’ve got to get him in a car at Indy next year,” Vasser said emphatically. “I spoke to Chip [Ganassi] and said we need to make it happen between the two of us before somebody else steps in to run him; he belongs driving for me or Chip or in a car we run together. I’m serious. Stay tuned.”

Ganassi told SPEED.com he and Vasser have only just started to discuss what it will take to run Zanardi at Indy 500--an event he missed due to the split between CART and the Indy Racing League--but remains optimistic it will come to fruition.

"I'd sure like to do it and I wouldn't want him doing it with anybody else," he said, echoing Vasser's sentiment. "Right now, it's just talk, but I would think you could get a lot of support for it."

Ganassi also said that if it happens, it would need to involve a proper testing plan prior to running at Indy.

"It has been a lot of years since he's been in a formula car, so you couldn't just show up and run him," he remarked. "You've got the fitness and figuring everything out and making it work, provided it happens, to consider before you go around Indy."

From a technical standpoint, the new Dallara DW12 Indy car chassis comes equipped with some of the devices Zanardi would need to pilot the car like a hand clutch and paddle shifters.

Speaking with Dallara Wednesday morning, the American arm of the Italian racing car constructor confirmed it would be able to develop and provide throttle and braking controls for Zanardi if given approval by the IndyCar Series.

Dallara currently works with Zanardi on a few different projects, including the custom hand-powered bike he uses in Paralympic competition.

Ryan Newman has signed a one year extension with Stewart-Hass Racing for 2013 to drive the #39 Chevrolet

Tom Jensen/SPEED.com wrote:

Ryan Newman has signed a one-year contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing, team sources have confirmed.

Newman is the third major driver to make Silly Season news in the last 48 hours. On Tuesday, Matt Kenseth announced that he would replace Joey Logano at Joe Gibbs Racing next season. Later that day, Logano said he would move to Penske Racing, where he will replace Sam Hornish Jr., who is expected to remain at Penske in a NASCAR Nationwide Series ride.

A native of Indiana, Newman drove for Penske for seven full NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons before moving to SHR when his boss and fellow Hoosier Tony Stewart started that team in 2009.

For his career, Newman has 16 race victories, 49 poles, 84 top-five and 160 top-10 finishes in 393 career starts. He has won one race in each of the last three seasons at SHR and has made the Chase for the Sprint Cup twice. Newman has an outside chance of making the Chase this year, but will need a victory at Richmond and additional help to get in this time.

SHR is looking for additional sponsorship next year for both Newman’s No. 39 Chevrolet and the No. 14 Chevy of SHR driven by Stewart. Last week, SHR announced that it was losing Office Depot, one of Stewart’s primary sponsors, and earlier in the season, the U.S. Army said it would not return to Newman’s No. 39 Chevrolet in 2013.

Hmmmm......

Andrew Benson/BBC.com wrote:

BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan reported on Wednesday that Hamilton, whose McLaren contract runs out this year, had agreed terms with Mercedes.

But when asked if he knew which team he would be with for 2013, Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, said: "No."

The 27-year-old Briton added: "I want to win. Just need to think of the right place to do so."

But he echoed his management's statement on Wednesday that he was "in advanced negotiations with McLaren", adding: "That's what we're working on."

Hamilton, who drives alongside fellow Briton Jenson Button at McLaren, said he did not have a deadline for a decision and insisted he was focused on the remaining eight races of the current campaign.

"I'm in a great position and I just need to focus on the preparations for these races," he said.

"There is a long way to go. Jenson has shown we have great potential in our car and team. That's what I need to focus on."

Hamilton has had a mixed season so far. He won in Canada and Hungary but lies fifth in the standings, 47 points adrift of leader Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.

But Button believes his countryman will remain with McLaren.

"I think I'll have the same team-mate next year because this is the best place for him," said Button, speaking at an official news conference ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

"If you're in the same place for too long, it can get a bit stale, but not here. This is a great team and a team that's always giving us a chance to fight for wins.

"Whether we've had the chance to fight for the championship, that's another question, but they always give you the possibility of winning grands prix and that's what a driver wants.

"I don't think anything will change next year in terms of driver line-ups, but I might be wrong."

Speculation about Hamilton's future has gathered pace in recent days.

The Englishman, who has spent his entire F1 career with McLaren, found himself in trouble during at last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix for tweeting sensitive technical information about the McLaren cars.

Then the BBC revealed he was poised to join Mercedes after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hinted that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was to retire and leave the team.

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn said a decision on his team's driver line-up was "still some way off".

"Lewis is a very good driver, an excellent driver," said Brawn. "We want to be a team that every driver wants to drive for."

But he added: "Michael has a huge amount to offer. I'm very happy with his performance. We have to find a solution together."

Schumacher, who came out of retirement in 2010, said he had yet to make a decision about his future but added that he was aware of the claims made by Jordan.

"There is no comment. Eddie can have his point of view," said the 43-year-old German, who insisted he was sticking to his original assertion that it would be October before he would make a decision. "I may regret giving that date, but I guess by then we'll have something to tell you."

Tony DiZinno/racer.com wrote:

Sebastian Saavedra will get another start in the IZOD IndyCar Series next weekend at Auto Club Speedway. The Colombian will make his third appearance of the year in the jointly entered AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport No. 17 Chevrolet, having previously competed at the Indianapolis 500 in May and on the road course at Sonoma last month.

Saavedra was eliminated from contending for the Firestone Indy Lights championship with a 10th place finish last race in Baltimore, following contact with Gustavo Yacaman as Yacaman exited Turn 1.

He'll now embark on his second doubleheader weekend of the year, having also done so at Indianapolis in racing both Indy Lights and IndyCar for a total of 600 miles.

A translated tweet he posted late Tuesday reads, “Well folks .. is a fact, for going to all 600 miles of Fontana! Lights 100 to 500 in @IndyCar #SiSePuede”

Andretti Autosport principal Michael Andretti expanded on adding a fourth car for this race in a teleconference Wednesday.

"He'll be fine. He's driven night races before," Andretti said. "I don't think he will have any problems.The good thing is he'll have three teammates to help him, as well, that's a big deal so he'll be okay. In fact, there's been times where it's helped us. Even at Sonoma there were a few things that Sebastian found in practice that actually helped the other guys. Having more cars out there helps and we have great people and his team ‑ it's not taking away from the other three teams."

Saavedra appears committed to a long-term relationship with AFS/Andretti, having competed with the team in 2009 and looking toward perhaps resuming full-time in IndyCar in 2013.

“In the beginning it was scary, it was a tough decision to make, to move back down,” Saavedra told RACER.com in Baltimore. “But to be honest it's been the best decision I've made in my life. Together with Gary Peterson, we're building a long-term relationship. It's been an amazing opportunity, having the chance to do the Indy 500 and Sonoma, it's opened doors.”

IndyCar is doing a manufacturers test today at Fontana, the test is closed to the public. Drivers in today's test are RHR, Power, HCN, Legge, Dixon, Dario, TK and Hinch.

Levi Jones is out for the rest of the season after having surgery to repair 2 herniated disks in his neck. He is the current points leader in USAC Sprint Cars and 4th in Traxxas Silver Crown points!

Carter 2 Motorsports has picked up 2 drivers for Salem in ARCA:

-Tim Veins who is the owner of RaceDaySponsor.com


-Jack Clarke, who finished 8th in F2 standings last year, he also drove the Boutsen-Ginion Oreca LMP2 in ELMS this year.

Because the Nurburgring 24 Hour race is on a German holiday next year, they will start the race on sunday and end on monday.

Charlotte Observer/Jayski.com wrote:

NASCAR Productions laid off about 15 percent of its Charlotte-based workforce this week in a restructuring of the unit that produces video for the motorsports giant. In all, 32 of 180 jobs were eliminated. Some of those employees will remain into the fall as the final leg of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races are run. Many of those laid off had more than a decade of experience in NASCAR and motorsports, including veteran project manager Chrissy Pellegrino and former WCNC (Channel 36) sports director Chuck Howard. Steve Herbst, who took over the unit in June during an earlier restructuring that saw the departure of chief operating officer Jay Abraham, said Tuesday the cutbacks were strategic moves reflecting the changing industry. After evaluating NASCAR Productions operations, executives decided to drop independent video production work on outside accounts not related to motorsports. It had been handling projects like Notre Dame hockey, University of Virginia football and music videos. Herbst said creating a NASCAR cable channel similar to the NFL's is still being considered for the Charlotte broadcast complex. "We've done quite a bit of thinking about it, but no decision has been made yet," he said.

I saw this coming a week or so ago. Sucks for the people who got laid off! Know some of them too!

Finally we have an FIA WEC event at a normal time for Americans. The Le Mans World Endurance Challenge is racing in Brazil this weekend on the Interlagos circuit Saturday.

Marussia in NASCAR, yep. First ARCA, then K&N.

Mike Conway will not compete in the Indycar race saturday. He does neet feel comfortable on ovals.

ESPN Deportes(Google Translation) wrote:

MEXICO - The driver Memo Rojas seeks the opportunity to get to Indy Car instead of Formula 1, said Thursday in interview on ESPN Initial Touch. Rojas explained that although it was the first rider to the team Telmex sent to Europe, his career has developed in the United States and therefore considered more feasible to get to Indy Car instead of F-1: "I focused American motorsport, I should perhaps looking for the opportunity to stay in Indy Car that's what I like, "said Rojas, without discrediting the three championships made in Grand Am" Grand Am is the most important categories, well respected and have been very successful. " Rojas currently runs the serious Rolex Grand Am with Scott Pruett and could be champion for the fourth time. However, the most important title that Rojas has won so far, said the Mexican driver, is the 24 Hours of Daytona: 24 Hours was the most important race, the first time I won was in 2008 with Montoya and Franchitti " . On the Mexican driver Sergio Perez Rojas felt that exceeded expectations at this time, but could not say which exceeds the pilot Pedro Rodriguez, who won seven podiums fomula 1 decades: "There would measure it by numbers because the technologies are different, Czech has exceeded everyone's expectations. Nowadays it is a consolidated driver in Formula 1, the results are speaking. I have the opportunity to meet very young and from the sporting point of view are handling incredibly. "

This would be a no brainer! As long as sponsor funds come(Telmex?). Chip has a open ride for next season. I could see it happening!

Roush Fenway Racing/Jayski wrote:

Roush Fenway Racing confirmed that 2011 Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will pilot its historic #17 Ford Fusion next season in the Sprint Cup Series. One of the emerging talents in NASCAR, Stenhouse steps into a championship-caliber program in the # 17, with current team partners Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each returning to the team as primary sponsors in 2013. "I can't think of a better fit for Ricky than the #17 team," added Jack Roush. "Ricky will have the luxury of being flanked by a championship-level team from the start. His drive, determination and commitment to winning will mesh very well with the demeanor of the #17 team. It will be our job to put him in the best equipment possible, as well as to guide him through the learning curves that are part of his rookie season. Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank and Zest each joined Roush Fenway's #17 team as primary partners in 2012. These three partners will return to the #17 again next year, with each increasing their commitment in 2013 for Stenhouse's entry into Sprint Cup competition. With their involvement, the majority of Stenhouse's races for 2013 are fully sponsored.

yes, fucks yes
2013 PASS National Series To Kickoff with Florida Winter Meltdown at Auburndale Speedway

Quote :

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 13) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) President Tom Mayberry announced today that North America’s top Super Late Models will kick off the 2013 PASS National Series at Auburndale Speedway in Florida. The Inaugural Florida Winter Meltdown scheduled for February 9, 2013 will be a 200 lap PASS National points race, paying $6,000 to the winner. It will mark the first ever trip for the PASS Super Late Models to the tight quarter-mile oval located in Winter Haven.

Awesome! Will be a win-win deal for sure!

Possibly short-tracks without SAFER barriers in 2013? For the past decade, SAFER barriers have been a necessity at ovals hosting NASCAR's top three series. But that could change in 2013. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director Wayne Auton said on Friday at Iowa Speedway that the sanctioning body is eagerly awaiting the results of a safety report to determine the feasibility of potentially adding one to three short tracks events to next year's to-be-announced truck schedule at facilities that don't currently have SAFER barriers already in place. Auton confirmed the long-standing rumor that at least one road course will likely appear on next year's slate of events, though he declined to name which road courses are under consideration.Asked when the truck schedule will be released, Auton said it's uncertain at this point as negotiations with tracks continue.(RacinToday.com)(9-15-2012)

TOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDO

flat short tracks don't need safer barriers IMO, Martinsville yes Because of the long straights, but it's not very necessary for a track like Toledo where you don't get far over 100 MPH, the cars are pretty safe these days.

lemonhead75 wrote:

Possibly short-tracks without SAFER barriers in 2013? For the past decade, SAFER barriers have been a necessity at ovals hosting NASCAR's top three series. But that could change in 2013. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director Wayne Auton said on Friday at Iowa Speedway that the sanctioning body is eagerly awaiting the results of a safety report to determine the feasibility of potentially adding one to three short tracks events to next year's to-be-announced truck schedule at facilities that don't currently have SAFER barriers already in place. Auton confirmed the long-standing rumor that at least one road course will likely appear on next year's slate of events, though he declined to name which road courses are under consideration.Asked when the truck schedule will be released, Auton said it's uncertain at this point as negotiations with tracks continue.(RacinToday.com)(9-15-2012)

TOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDOTOLEDO

Hmmm, HICKORY and CNS PLEASE! THX hehehe. I would say put some foam just to be safe like how alot of tracks do up north(Shangri-La 2, Chemung and Flemington are/were prime examples.) if they do no SAFER Barrier tracks next season. Tracks like Irwindale, Kern County, Shangri-La 2, New Smyrna tho might be out of luck on that plan

The Delta Wing is officially entered in Petit Le Mans.

Was on SPEED's website and was checking the current TV schedule for next month. Looking like no Bathurst, got reruns currently scheduled in it's place. I can kinda understand if it was because of F1 but didn't last year overlap with the pre-race show of the GP of Japan? No word on Surfers or a other race yet.

Jayski.com/Autoweek wrote:

It won't become official until later this week, but several reliable sources have released next year's NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule. The sanctioning body expects to confirm the "working copy" before the upcoming race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 2013 schedule includes 36 points-paying races, 26 "regular-season" events followed by the annual 10-race Chase for the Championship playoffs. All teams will run a 150-mile, non-points qualifying race at Daytona Beach in February. Some teams will run the non-points Budweiser Shootout at Daytona Beach in February and the Sprint Showdown and/or Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte in May. Other than the traditional Easter weekend in March, teams will have only one open weekend between mid-February and mid-November. There are no new venues and only one date change: Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway will swap their fall dates, Kansas City moving two weeks before Talladega (a week after Charlotte) instead of two weeks after. The 10 Chase venues remain the same as the past two years.

Hmmm, can't wait to see the Nationwide and Truck schedules though.

Jayski.com/AL.com wrote:

Justin Lofton has a good reason to keep an eye on the presidential election this year.Lofton The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver doesn't have a full season locked down for 2013 at Eddie Sharp Racing yet -- he said he has a verbal commitment for 10 races -- but he might after the Nov. 6 election. But whether he has a full-time ride in 2013 depends on who wins the election, he said. If Republican nominee Mitt Romney wins, Lofton said, there is a sponsor ready to commit. Lofton earned his first career Truck Series win earlier this year at Charlotte. He is currently fifth in the points standings.

Hmmm...

Bathurst is being broadcasted...

Not showing on this..... hopefully those reruns are a filler for now if they are broadcasting so they can do a press release a week before or something. inb4 speed2

here's the link to the schedule currently. http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/date/2012-10-6