Dallara creates new chassis for IndyCar
By CLIFF BRUNT (AP) – 37 minutes ago
INDIANAPOLIS — The IndyCar Series has decided to go with a Dallara chassis for the 2012 season in a move it hopes will help small-budget teams and generate some fresh buzz for open-wheel racing.
The new chassis will cost $349,000 each, officials said Wednesday, with a complete car costing $385,000. That's a 45 percent price decrease from the current formula.
"The figures they throw up are a good start," said Sarah Fisher, a driver and owner of Sarah Fisher Racing.
Cars will feature a rolling chassis with an enhanced safety cell, and manufacturers will be able to be dress the cars in multiple ways with aero kits. Each team can race two different aero kits from any manufacturer during the season, with a maximum price of $70,000 for each kit.
"I think it definitely helps the smaller teams," IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said. "To think that if Mr. (Roger) Penske wants to build an aero kit, a small team can purchase that for $70,000 — that's what's going to happen. I think there's going to be some major companies and individuals who want to create that aerodynamic. I think some of the smaller teams will be able to make some gains because of that."
Points leader Will Power likes the simplicity. For example, the suspension will be a part of the safety cell, meaning teams won't have to figure that out on their own.
"Basically, you get the car and you design it the best you can, and you go as fast as you can," Power said.
The decision falls in line with Bernard's goal to create more excitement in the series and cut costs for the teams. Since coming to IndyCar from the Professional Bull Riders Association in February, he has made dramatic changes that include adding oval and street/road course championships to the season and creating competition for the future engine package.
Safety was a primary concern in the decision.
"A lot of drivers told us they wanted to see it go faster and they wanted to break track records, and that's great, but our primary responsibility has to be the drivers and the fans," Bernard said. "I think it's very important that we put that in perspective at this time."
IndyCar considered opening the series up to multiple chassis, but Bernard said that would have driven up the cost. Five companies created designs for the new chassis. In the end, IndyCar went back to Dallara — the same company that created the current chassis in use since 2003.
"I am happy about Dallara," Fisher said. "They've been great in the past. I think it's great that as a committee, Randy put together and listened to all of us and all of our thoughts moving forward."
Bernard said the competition gave the series a chance to improve its product.
"I think this allowed us to make some changes," he said. "Our fans told us they wanted to see different cars on that racetrack. They didn't want to see a single spec. I think the fact that it's very safe, and the fact that it offers relevance to aerodynamics — it offers everything we set out to do."
Dallara, based in Parma, Italy, also announced that will expand its operations to Speedway, Ind., where the chassis will be built. The new location will be the racing company's only operation outside of Italy. Bernard said it was important that the chassis be American made.
Ground is to be broken later this year, and the plant is expected to be up and running by the end of 2011.
"We're going to fast-pace it," said Scott Harris, executive director of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission. "There's a lot of decisions to be made. This has evolved quickly."
Harris said it could add more than 100 jobs.
Now, the race to create the best body begins.
"I think there's the question of who's going to come in and build the different aero packages," Fisher said. "I think that's really exciting."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
WINSLOW CHARGES INTO TOP FIVE RESULT AT WATKINS GLEN
WINSLOW CHARGES INTO TOP FIVE RESULT AT WATKINS GLEN
James Winslow finally achieved the result his Firestone Indy Lights Series form has deserved when he claimed fifth place in the Corning 100 at the historic Watkins Glen circuit in New York State.
The Briton’s previous three outings in the IndyCar feeder series had seen him suffer more than his share of misfortune but, despite qualifying at the former Formula One venue suggesting that Lady Luck was again absent from his side of the Sam Schmidt Motorsport garage, Winslow turned things around on race day to produce his best result of the season.
Facing another new venue, but not having so much as set foot in a race car since his last Indy Lights outing on the streets of Long Beach – where the steering wheel of the #77 car came off in his hands as he was chasing a potential podium finish – Winslow’s initial progress was slowed by handling problems that plagued his practice sessions.
Still struggling massively to pinpoint the right balance and set-up heading into qualifying, the multiple F3 and V6 champion was denied the chance to continue working on the car when a fitting on the sump broke on a kerb, causing him to spin out of the session before he had set a time, and leaving the #77 at the very back of the grid. The post-session examination of the car also revealed a faulty front brake cylinder, which had no doubt contributed to Winslow’s woes and added to the problems that needed to be addressed before Sunday’s 30-lap encounter.
“It was good to be back in the car after early three months away, but I couldn’t believe it when we started the weekend with more bad luck,” Winslow commented, “We know that the car is good, but we just couldn’t get a handle on the set-up to start with. We needed the track time, but didn’t get it – and then the sump breaking in qualifying just compounded matters.”
Without a qualifying time, the #77 car lined up last on the grid but, with the various problems solved, Winslow suddenly found that he had a car he could work with, and wasted little time making up places. A good start gained four spots immediately, with another falling to the Briton on lap two. Four laps later, Sam Schmidt team-mate Philip Major was accounted for, while fellow countryman Stefan Wilson’s retirement handed Winslow another position.
In all, Winslow completed eight passing moves as he made his way through the closely-matched field, and was catching another Briton, Martin Plowman, as the race entered its final stages. However, despite setting his fastest lap of the race during his pursuit of the second-year driver, Winslow saw any chance of catching – and passing – his rival when Plowman’s AFS/Andretti Autosport team-mate, Charlie Kimball, blocked the #77 car, despite being four laps down.
“The car was completely different in the race,” Winslow confirmed, “I was comfortable with it straight away and was able to drive it on the limit. That allowed me to catch and pass drivers ahead of me, and I was flying until Kimball blocked me. I was a second a lap faster than Plowman, and got to within a second of him, so I’m sure team orders were in play. It’s frustrating as I’m sure that I could have finished fourth.
“Still, it was good to be competitive – we were trading lap times with the top three drivers – and making up all those places meant that I earned the Hard Charger award. I have to thank the team for sorting the issues we faced this weekend and for giving me a great car for the race. Hopefully, this is the change of luck that the #77 team needed, and we can run at the front from now on.”
‘A big thank you must go out to Peter Thornton and Focal Point Lighting, Sam & Jeanne Mudd, Alan Lewis, Dean Tank, Gordon Hunt and the Sam Schmidt Motorsport team for helping to get this great result, I’m looking to take this momentum forward and finish in the top 3 at the coming events’
"James had an awesome race," team owner Sam Schmidt added, "He's shown over and over again that he can make passes happen where others can't. To start from last and come away with a top five is very satisfying for him and that whole crew."
The Firestone Indy Lights series now heads across the US-Canada border, to the streets of Toronto, for round seven of the season on the weekend of 18 July.
Ends.
About James Winslow
James Winslow is one of Britain’s best motor racing talents, having won three international titles in as many years, four in all, and won races in every category he has contested – from karting to Renault V6. A full member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club [BRDC], he followed up the 2006 Asian F3 crown with similar success in Renault V6 in 2007 before adding another title in the close-fought Australian F3 series. He became a vital member of Team Great Britain in the A1 Grand Prix series and raced impressively on his debut in Australia’s V8 Supercar category, but came to wider prominence when he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal, and other accolades, for bravery shown in rescuing a fellow driver from a burning car in 2006. For more, visit www.jameswinslow.com
About Sam Schmidt Motorsport
Sam Schmidt Motorsports is one of the biggest names in US open-wheel motorsport, having dominated the Indy Pro and Firestone Indy Lights series. The team, founded by former IRL driver Sam Schmidt, has won three drivers’ titles and 30 races to date, including four Freedom 100s at Indianapolis. For more, visit www.samschmidtmotorsport.com and, for more on the Bright Side of the Road Foundation, visit www.brightsideoftheroad.org
About Firestone Indy Lights
The Firestone Indy Lights Series (nee Infiniti Pro Series) is the final staging post for drivers on their way to the IZOD IndyCar Series. Using identical Dallara chassis, powered by 3.5-litre V8 engines and featuring sequential six-speed gearboxes, the category provides a level playing field, and takes in some of the most iconic US venues, including Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Long Beach. For more, visit www.firestoneindylights.com.
James Winslow finally achieved the result his Firestone Indy Lights Series form has deserved when he claimed fifth place in the Corning 100 at the historic Watkins Glen circuit in New York State.
The Briton’s previous three outings in the IndyCar feeder series had seen him suffer more than his share of misfortune but, despite qualifying at the former Formula One venue suggesting that Lady Luck was again absent from his side of the Sam Schmidt Motorsport garage, Winslow turned things around on race day to produce his best result of the season.
Facing another new venue, but not having so much as set foot in a race car since his last Indy Lights outing on the streets of Long Beach – where the steering wheel of the #77 car came off in his hands as he was chasing a potential podium finish – Winslow’s initial progress was slowed by handling problems that plagued his practice sessions.
Still struggling massively to pinpoint the right balance and set-up heading into qualifying, the multiple F3 and V6 champion was denied the chance to continue working on the car when a fitting on the sump broke on a kerb, causing him to spin out of the session before he had set a time, and leaving the #77 at the very back of the grid. The post-session examination of the car also revealed a faulty front brake cylinder, which had no doubt contributed to Winslow’s woes and added to the problems that needed to be addressed before Sunday’s 30-lap encounter.
“It was good to be back in the car after early three months away, but I couldn’t believe it when we started the weekend with more bad luck,” Winslow commented, “We know that the car is good, but we just couldn’t get a handle on the set-up to start with. We needed the track time, but didn’t get it – and then the sump breaking in qualifying just compounded matters.”
Without a qualifying time, the #77 car lined up last on the grid but, with the various problems solved, Winslow suddenly found that he had a car he could work with, and wasted little time making up places. A good start gained four spots immediately, with another falling to the Briton on lap two. Four laps later, Sam Schmidt team-mate Philip Major was accounted for, while fellow countryman Stefan Wilson’s retirement handed Winslow another position.
In all, Winslow completed eight passing moves as he made his way through the closely-matched field, and was catching another Briton, Martin Plowman, as the race entered its final stages. However, despite setting his fastest lap of the race during his pursuit of the second-year driver, Winslow saw any chance of catching – and passing – his rival when Plowman’s AFS/Andretti Autosport team-mate, Charlie Kimball, blocked the #77 car, despite being four laps down.
“The car was completely different in the race,” Winslow confirmed, “I was comfortable with it straight away and was able to drive it on the limit. That allowed me to catch and pass drivers ahead of me, and I was flying until Kimball blocked me. I was a second a lap faster than Plowman, and got to within a second of him, so I’m sure team orders were in play. It’s frustrating as I’m sure that I could have finished fourth.
“Still, it was good to be competitive – we were trading lap times with the top three drivers – and making up all those places meant that I earned the Hard Charger award. I have to thank the team for sorting the issues we faced this weekend and for giving me a great car for the race. Hopefully, this is the change of luck that the #77 team needed, and we can run at the front from now on.”
‘A big thank you must go out to Peter Thornton and Focal Point Lighting, Sam & Jeanne Mudd, Alan Lewis, Dean Tank, Gordon Hunt and the Sam Schmidt Motorsport team for helping to get this great result, I’m looking to take this momentum forward and finish in the top 3 at the coming events’
"James had an awesome race," team owner Sam Schmidt added, "He's shown over and over again that he can make passes happen where others can't. To start from last and come away with a top five is very satisfying for him and that whole crew."
The Firestone Indy Lights series now heads across the US-Canada border, to the streets of Toronto, for round seven of the season on the weekend of 18 July.
Ends.
About James Winslow
James Winslow is one of Britain’s best motor racing talents, having won three international titles in as many years, four in all, and won races in every category he has contested – from karting to Renault V6. A full member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club [BRDC], he followed up the 2006 Asian F3 crown with similar success in Renault V6 in 2007 before adding another title in the close-fought Australian F3 series. He became a vital member of Team Great Britain in the A1 Grand Prix series and raced impressively on his debut in Australia’s V8 Supercar category, but came to wider prominence when he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal, and other accolades, for bravery shown in rescuing a fellow driver from a burning car in 2006. For more, visit www.jameswinslow.com
About Sam Schmidt Motorsport
Sam Schmidt Motorsports is one of the biggest names in US open-wheel motorsport, having dominated the Indy Pro and Firestone Indy Lights series. The team, founded by former IRL driver Sam Schmidt, has won three drivers’ titles and 30 races to date, including four Freedom 100s at Indianapolis. For more, visit www.samschmidtmotorsport.com and, for more on the Bright Side of the Road Foundation, visit www.brightsideoftheroad.org
About Firestone Indy Lights
The Firestone Indy Lights Series (nee Infiniti Pro Series) is the final staging post for drivers on their way to the IZOD IndyCar Series. Using identical Dallara chassis, powered by 3.5-litre V8 engines and featuring sequential six-speed gearboxes, the category provides a level playing field, and takes in some of the most iconic US venues, including Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Long Beach. For more, visit www.firestoneindylights.com.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wade Cunningham #77 Lucas Oil /Bald Spot Sports / Sam Schmidt Motorsports wins Freedom 100 at Indy - Racer.com
Wade Cunningham wins Freedom 100 at Indy - Racer.com: "Wade Cunningham held off Charlie Kimball by 0.4368sec to become the first three-time winner of the Firestone Freedom 100 on Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“The car was great in the draft and it was pretty easy for me to pass Charlie, and both times he got in front I didn't panic because I knew in a couple of laps I'd be back in front,” said Cunningham, the 2005 series champion, who started second in the No. 77 Lucas Oil/BSS/Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry. “I never gave him the chance to get by.”"
“The car was great in the draft and it was pretty easy for me to pass Charlie, and both times he got in front I didn't panic because I knew in a couple of laps I'd be back in front,” said Cunningham, the 2005 series champion, who started second in the No. 77 Lucas Oil/BSS/Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry. “I never gave him the chance to get by.”"
Monday, April 05, 2010
Bald Spot Sports and Circuit Motorsports 25th Anniversary Event Contingency Program
Bald Spot Sports and Circuit Motorsports have partnered to provide a contingency award program for the 25th Anniversary Spec Racer Ford Celebration Event being held at Road Atlanta April 10-11, 2010.
Further details on the 25th Anniversary Event are available throught the offical event web site at www.srf25.com
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Catch Bald Spot Sports on Factory Made
The Factory Made episode featuring Bald Spot Sports is scheduled to air on The Science Channel, Thurday, April 22, 2010 at 8:00 PM Eastern and Pacific Times / 7:00 PM CST and 6:00 PM MST. Please check out the tv listings section of www.sciencechannel.com
Discovery Channel aired the episode on April 1 @ 10:00 AM Eastern. Check out Dicovery's website for additional airdates. http://disc-discovery.com/tv-schedules/weekly.html.
Thanks again to JR Hildebrand (www.jrhildebrandracing.com) and Andretti Autosport (www.andrettiautosport.com) for all their help.
The segment looked great and we will make sure to post any links and or clips that we can.
Discovery Channel aired the episode on April 1 @ 10:00 AM Eastern. Check out Dicovery's website for additional airdates. http://disc-discovery.com/tv-schedules/weekly.html.
Thanks again to JR Hildebrand (www.jrhildebrandracing.com) and Andretti Autosport (www.andrettiautosport.com) for all their help.
The segment looked great and we will make sure to post any links and or clips that we can.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Testing shows that the Bald Spot Sports Arpro headrest drops G forces
Rearward thinking
By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.comSunday, January 3, 2010
Air bags in the cockpit?
The Indy Racing League isn't quite there, but the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights continues to research, test and develop innovative hardware and materials to better protect drivers in the current Dallara chassis while projecting applications for the new generation of race car due in 2012.
Indy Racing League director of engineering Jeff Horton recently tested a variety of headrest configurations at the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation in Westfield, Ind. Results will be presented at the annual Indy Racing League season preview meeting Jan. 12 and recommended for implementation by teams for the season that begins March 14 in São Paulo, Brazil.
"For the past several years we've seen higher head G forces in rearward accidents than we think we should," Horton says. "The car will hit at 50-70 Gs against the SAFER Barrier and with the centrifugal force pulling the driver's head forward they get a little bit of a run at the headrest. So it's not uncommon to see near 100 Gs or higher on the head when the Gs of the car are much lower. The goal was to tune the headrest system to allow the head Gs to be reduced in a rearward accident."
Horton developed a "floating back" to curb the disparity in G forces. The Kevlar skin of the headrest is attached to the front of the foam and the sides are allowed to float, "so the driver only feels the effect of the foam during impact," according to Horton.
"The skin is necessary to keep the helmet and HANS device from digging into the raw foam, which allows the driver to ramps because of the stretch of the seat belts in a rearward accident," Horton says.
They also have experimented with different foams that provide increased energy absorption. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) - beads mixed with a two-part resin and harden - has been the standard.
"Through our own testing, we know the inconsistencies of the how glue affects the hardness of the foam," Horton says. "The material of the future is Expanded Polypropylene (EPP, engineered plastic foam). Its beads are steamed together, and all the material is made in blocks and then machined into the shape you want and it's 100 percent consistent.
"It's lighter (1.5 pound per cubic foot), which is the same technology as some of our seats. Teams are switching because of the weight difference. This should be less expensive because a team should be able to handle repairs in-house -- it's a simple machined piece of foam with a Kevlar skin that's been molded and all they have to do is glue it together. Before, it required body work so you needed a carbon shop to do the repairs and there was a specific process needed to pour the EPS foam."
Impact testing at CAPE consistently showed a drop in head G forces from 148 for the current headrest to 104 using the floating system and EPP foam.
"As better materials come along, it's easier to put them in," Horton says. "It gives you the flexibility to change materials; if something better comes along that attenuates the energy then it's no problem. Everything Dr. Trammel and I have done research-wise we're trying to make the current cars safer and collect data on everything that will help us make things safer and less expensive on the new car."
So air bags in the cars next? Horton and Trammel have looked into at least mini-air bags on the six-point driver harness. They'll do more research.
By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.comSunday, January 3, 2010
Air bags in the cockpit?
The Indy Racing League isn't quite there, but the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights continues to research, test and develop innovative hardware and materials to better protect drivers in the current Dallara chassis while projecting applications for the new generation of race car due in 2012.
Indy Racing League director of engineering Jeff Horton recently tested a variety of headrest configurations at the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation in Westfield, Ind. Results will be presented at the annual Indy Racing League season preview meeting Jan. 12 and recommended for implementation by teams for the season that begins March 14 in São Paulo, Brazil.
"For the past several years we've seen higher head G forces in rearward accidents than we think we should," Horton says. "The car will hit at 50-70 Gs against the SAFER Barrier and with the centrifugal force pulling the driver's head forward they get a little bit of a run at the headrest. So it's not uncommon to see near 100 Gs or higher on the head when the Gs of the car are much lower. The goal was to tune the headrest system to allow the head Gs to be reduced in a rearward accident."
Horton developed a "floating back" to curb the disparity in G forces. The Kevlar skin of the headrest is attached to the front of the foam and the sides are allowed to float, "so the driver only feels the effect of the foam during impact," according to Horton.
"The skin is necessary to keep the helmet and HANS device from digging into the raw foam, which allows the driver to ramps because of the stretch of the seat belts in a rearward accident," Horton says.
They also have experimented with different foams that provide increased energy absorption. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) - beads mixed with a two-part resin and harden - has been the standard.
"Through our own testing, we know the inconsistencies of the how glue affects the hardness of the foam," Horton says. "The material of the future is Expanded Polypropylene (EPP, engineered plastic foam). Its beads are steamed together, and all the material is made in blocks and then machined into the shape you want and it's 100 percent consistent.
"It's lighter (1.5 pound per cubic foot), which is the same technology as some of our seats. Teams are switching because of the weight difference. This should be less expensive because a team should be able to handle repairs in-house -- it's a simple machined piece of foam with a Kevlar skin that's been molded and all they have to do is glue it together. Before, it required body work so you needed a carbon shop to do the repairs and there was a specific process needed to pour the EPS foam."
Impact testing at CAPE consistently showed a drop in head G forces from 148 for the current headrest to 104 using the floating system and EPP foam.
"As better materials come along, it's easier to put them in," Horton says. "It gives you the flexibility to change materials; if something better comes along that attenuates the energy then it's no problem. Everything Dr. Trammel and I have done research-wise we're trying to make the current cars safer and collect data on everything that will help us make things safer and less expensive on the new car."
So air bags in the cars next? Horton and Trammel have looked into at least mini-air bags on the six-point driver harness. They'll do more research.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sam Schmidt Motorsports signs Pippa Mann
PIPPA MANN AND SAM SCHMIDT MOTORSPORTS TEAM UP FOR 2010 FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS CAMPAIGN
INDIANAPOLIS -- With preparations well underway for the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season, Sam Schmidt Motorsports announced today its first signed driver for its campaign with Englishwoman Pippa Mann joining the team.
"I'm really excited to be joining Sam Schmidt Motorsports for 2010," Mann said. "Sam contacted me after the last race in 2009 through my management team and let me know he would like me to test for his team. For me, going into a long winter with no definite plans for 2010, this was a great opportunity to run with one of the top teams in Firestone Indy Lights."
Mann joins the team after her first season of racing in the U.S.-based circuit, where she made 15 starts and earned three top-ten finishes, including her best finish of eighth at the season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Since that race, she has taken part in a handful of test sessions with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, with both driver and team evaluating one another in pursuing a future campaign together.
Mann said, "Overall, the tests went well, and I was extremely impressed not just with the cars, but with the attitude and atmosphere of the entire organization throughout the test, from team manager, to engineers, to the mechanics, and tire guys. I had an extremely tough learning year in 2009, and my goal for 2010 is to bounce back from that, and come back showing everything that I've learned. Sam's team, with their vast experience and history of running championship winning cars, is a perfect environment for me to accomplish that goal."
"The team is quite pleased with what we've seen in Pippa during initial tests this off-season," team owner, Sam Schmidt, said. "Her pace and consistency has been good, and we're confident that we can provide Pippa with the tools that she needs to move up into the front part of the grid in the 2010 season."
With today's announcement, the two sides officially unite and can begin working towards a competitive 2010 season.
-credit: ssm
INDIANAPOLIS -- With preparations well underway for the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season, Sam Schmidt Motorsports announced today its first signed driver for its campaign with Englishwoman Pippa Mann joining the team.
"I'm really excited to be joining Sam Schmidt Motorsports for 2010," Mann said. "Sam contacted me after the last race in 2009 through my management team and let me know he would like me to test for his team. For me, going into a long winter with no definite plans for 2010, this was a great opportunity to run with one of the top teams in Firestone Indy Lights."
Mann joins the team after her first season of racing in the U.S.-based circuit, where she made 15 starts and earned three top-ten finishes, including her best finish of eighth at the season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Since that race, she has taken part in a handful of test sessions with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, with both driver and team evaluating one another in pursuing a future campaign together.
Mann said, "Overall, the tests went well, and I was extremely impressed not just with the cars, but with the attitude and atmosphere of the entire organization throughout the test, from team manager, to engineers, to the mechanics, and tire guys. I had an extremely tough learning year in 2009, and my goal for 2010 is to bounce back from that, and come back showing everything that I've learned. Sam's team, with their vast experience and history of running championship winning cars, is a perfect environment for me to accomplish that goal."
"The team is quite pleased with what we've seen in Pippa during initial tests this off-season," team owner, Sam Schmidt, said. "Her pace and consistency has been good, and we're confident that we can provide Pippa with the tools that she needs to move up into the front part of the grid in the 2010 season."
With today's announcement, the two sides officially unite and can begin working towards a competitive 2010 season.
-credit: ssm
Saturday, December 12, 2009
PRI Show 2009
Thanks again for everyone who made the trek to Orlando for the PRI show.
We had a great time and appreciate everyone who stopped in to see our custom seat inserts and new SFI 45.1 Roll Bar padding.
We had a great time and appreciate everyone who stopped in to see our custom seat inserts and new SFI 45.1 Roll Bar padding.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
IMIS SHOW A SUCCESS
Thanks for everyone that stopped by our booth at the IMIS show this week.
We had a great turnout and we look forward to seeing more of you in Orlando at the PRI show!
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Test for the Champ
2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand will fulfill a young race driver's dream when he joins Force India F1 for a two-day test at the Circuito de Jerez in southern Spain on Dec. 1-3
Hildebrand, 21, from Sausalito, Calif., will be joined in the rookies-only test by Scotsman Paul di Resta, whose cousin, Dario Franchitti, won the 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series Championship.
"I'm ecstatic about being given the chance to drive a Formula One car for the Force India F1 Team," said Hildebrand, who is currently in England preparing to drive the Mercedes-Benz-powered Force India VJM02 Formula One car. "I know it will be a challenge but I'm ready to take it on, and look forward to getting as much as I can out of the whole experience. It's an incredible way to cap off an already very special year and I'm very grateful for the opportunity."
Hildebrand's test-drive follows an impressive showing in Force India's F1 simulator in England last month.
"We are delighted to have Paul and J.R. join us for the young driver test," says Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal of Force India.
"Both of their showings in the simulator were excellent and we had no hesitations in offering them some valuable testing. We will be looking at their performance on track very closely and should they perform well, as we are confident they will, we will look at a permanent role for one within the team in 2010, potentially as a test and reserve driver. As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us. As we've always said, nationality isn't the primary selection criteria - it's talent and dedication to the cause and we have seen enough to know that these two have both."
Hildebrand was introduced to Mallya several years ago and following his Firestone Indy Lights title-winning season, was invited to try out the team's F1 test simulator.
"I thought I did quite well," Hildebrand said. "I knew there was room to improve but I felt I accomplished my goal, which was to learn and improve throughout the day. It took a while for the team to analyze the data but when I got the call to say I was going to have a chance to drive the car I was ecstatic. It couldn't have come at a better time."
By indycar.com
Hildebrand, 21, from Sausalito, Calif., will be joined in the rookies-only test by Scotsman Paul di Resta, whose cousin, Dario Franchitti, won the 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series Championship.
"I'm ecstatic about being given the chance to drive a Formula One car for the Force India F1 Team," said Hildebrand, who is currently in England preparing to drive the Mercedes-Benz-powered Force India VJM02 Formula One car. "I know it will be a challenge but I'm ready to take it on, and look forward to getting as much as I can out of the whole experience. It's an incredible way to cap off an already very special year and I'm very grateful for the opportunity."
Hildebrand's test-drive follows an impressive showing in Force India's F1 simulator in England last month.
"We are delighted to have Paul and J.R. join us for the young driver test," says Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal of Force India.
"Both of their showings in the simulator were excellent and we had no hesitations in offering them some valuable testing. We will be looking at their performance on track very closely and should they perform well, as we are confident they will, we will look at a permanent role for one within the team in 2010, potentially as a test and reserve driver. As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us. As we've always said, nationality isn't the primary selection criteria - it's talent and dedication to the cause and we have seen enough to know that these two have both."
Hildebrand was introduced to Mallya several years ago and following his Firestone Indy Lights title-winning season, was invited to try out the team's F1 test simulator.
"I thought I did quite well," Hildebrand said. "I knew there was room to improve but I felt I accomplished my goal, which was to learn and improve throughout the day. It took a while for the team to analyze the data but when I got the call to say I was going to have a chance to drive the car I was ecstatic. It couldn't have come at a better time."
By indycar.com
Hildebrand named to All-American Team
2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand is among the seven drivers honored with first-team honors on the 2009 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's All-America team.
Hildebrand, who won four races en route to the Firestone Indy Lights title, was the top vote-getter in the at-large category. It's the second time Hildebrand has been named to the All-America First team. He also was a selection in 2006 after winning the F2000 Championship.
"I'm honored to be included in such a fantastic group," said Hildebrand, who is testing a Formula 1 car for Force India at Jerez in Spain. "I have to thank the members of AARWBA for recognizing my season and including me on the team again."
2009 IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, who won five races and the IndyCar Series championship in his return to the series after a year in NASCAR, earned his second first-team honor by earning the most votes in the open-wheel category. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves earned the second-team honors in the voting of more than 300 members of the media.
Franchitti and Hildebrand, along with the rest of the first team - NASCAR Sprint Cup star Mark Martin, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., NHRA Top Fuel Champ Tony Schumacher, Rolex Sports Car Series co-champs Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney and World of Outlaws titlist Donnie Schatz - will be honored at the 40th AARWBA banquet Jan. 16 in Brownsburg, Ind.
The winner of the Jerry Titus Award, which is awarded to the top vote-getter over the seven categories, also will be announced at the banquet.
By indycar.com staff Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Hildebrand, who won four races en route to the Firestone Indy Lights title, was the top vote-getter in the at-large category. It's the second time Hildebrand has been named to the All-America First team. He also was a selection in 2006 after winning the F2000 Championship.
"I'm honored to be included in such a fantastic group," said Hildebrand, who is testing a Formula 1 car for Force India at Jerez in Spain. "I have to thank the members of AARWBA for recognizing my season and including me on the team again."
2009 IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, who won five races and the IndyCar Series championship in his return to the series after a year in NASCAR, earned his second first-team honor by earning the most votes in the open-wheel category. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves earned the second-team honors in the voting of more than 300 members of the media.
Franchitti and Hildebrand, along with the rest of the first team - NASCAR Sprint Cup star Mark Martin, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., NHRA Top Fuel Champ Tony Schumacher, Rolex Sports Car Series co-champs Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney and World of Outlaws titlist Donnie Schatz - will be honored at the 40th AARWBA banquet Jan. 16 in Brownsburg, Ind.
The winner of the Jerry Titus Award, which is awarded to the top vote-getter over the seven categories, also will be announced at the banquet.
By indycar.com staff Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Motor Racing Goes Green!
MOTOR RACING GOES GREEN WITH NEW
ZERO-EMISSION ELECTRIC CAR SERIES
EV CUP LEADS THE WAY
The world's first 'green' motor racing series, based totally around zero emission electric cars, has been launched in London, with plans to have cars racing across Europe in 2011.
The pioneering new series, known as the EV (Electric
Vehicles) Cup, is working with vehicle manufacturers to bring together a range of electric-powered cars to race at top circuits throughout Europe.
A new, London-based company, EEVRC Ltd, has been set up to introduce and run this new racing sector, which aims to help the car makers change the image of electric vehicles, from being local runabouts to high-performance, highly-desirable cars.
The EV Cup events initially plan to feature three different sectors of cars. The City and Sports classes will use race-prepared production cars, while the Prototype class will feature innovative new models. Already EV manufacturers THINK, Ginetta, Lightning Car Company and GreenGT have expressed their support for the series.
In 2010, EV Cup will hold a number of promotional events in the UK and mainland Europe, aimed at giving the public and would-be competitors a chance to sample the high power delivery of these innovative, green electric cars.
In 2011, the series is provisionally planning a six-race programme of events at top motor racing circuits in the UK, France and Germany. The organisers will work with the national and world-wide governing bodies to establish a unique, new set of rules for electric cars, with particular emphasis on safety.
Says Managing Director Sylvain Filippi: "We are creating an opportunity for the EV manufacturers to promote their vehicles in a new and exciting way. We want to show that green motor sport is a reality - and an exciting one at that."
The team at EV Cup have a wealth of experience in the motor industry, electric vehicle development and motor sport, all three sectors of which are seen as paramount in making this green concept motor sport take off.
Directors Sylvain Filippi and Andrew Lee have eight years'
experience within the electric vehicle sector. Race Director Grahame Butterworth has more than 30 years experience within motor sport as a competitor, organiser and sponsor. Most recently he introduced the innovative Fun Cup endurance series to the UK, where it is now flourishing.
Further details of the series and photos for download can be viewed at http://www.evcup.com.
Ends
FURTHER GENERAL ORGANISATION INFORMATION:
Sylvain Filippi
Tel: +44 (0)207 812 0578
Email: sfilippi@eevrc.com
Andrew Lee
Tel:+44 (0)207 812 0589
Email: alee@eevrc.com
FURTHER RACE INFORMATION:
Grahame Butterworth
Tel: +44 (0)1427 875900
Email: gbutterworth@eevrc.com
[Distributed by CDWrite on behalf of EEVRC Ltd.
ZERO-EMISSION ELECTRIC CAR SERIES
EV CUP LEADS THE WAY
The world's first 'green' motor racing series, based totally around zero emission electric cars, has been launched in London, with plans to have cars racing across Europe in 2011.
The pioneering new series, known as the EV (Electric
Vehicles) Cup, is working with vehicle manufacturers to bring together a range of electric-powered cars to race at top circuits throughout Europe.
A new, London-based company, EEVRC Ltd, has been set up to introduce and run this new racing sector, which aims to help the car makers change the image of electric vehicles, from being local runabouts to high-performance, highly-desirable cars.
The EV Cup events initially plan to feature three different sectors of cars. The City and Sports classes will use race-prepared production cars, while the Prototype class will feature innovative new models. Already EV manufacturers THINK, Ginetta, Lightning Car Company and GreenGT have expressed their support for the series.
In 2010, EV Cup will hold a number of promotional events in the UK and mainland Europe, aimed at giving the public and would-be competitors a chance to sample the high power delivery of these innovative, green electric cars.
In 2011, the series is provisionally planning a six-race programme of events at top motor racing circuits in the UK, France and Germany. The organisers will work with the national and world-wide governing bodies to establish a unique, new set of rules for electric cars, with particular emphasis on safety.
Says Managing Director Sylvain Filippi: "We are creating an opportunity for the EV manufacturers to promote their vehicles in a new and exciting way. We want to show that green motor sport is a reality - and an exciting one at that."
The team at EV Cup have a wealth of experience in the motor industry, electric vehicle development and motor sport, all three sectors of which are seen as paramount in making this green concept motor sport take off.
Directors Sylvain Filippi and Andrew Lee have eight years'
experience within the electric vehicle sector. Race Director Grahame Butterworth has more than 30 years experience within motor sport as a competitor, organiser and sponsor. Most recently he introduced the innovative Fun Cup endurance series to the UK, where it is now flourishing.
Further details of the series and photos for download can be viewed at http://www.evcup.com.
Ends
FURTHER GENERAL ORGANISATION INFORMATION:
Sylvain Filippi
Tel: +44 (0)207 812 0578
Email: sfilippi@eevrc.com
Andrew Lee
Tel:+44 (0)207 812 0589
Email: alee@eevrc.com
FURTHER RACE INFORMATION:
Grahame Butterworth
Tel: +44 (0)1427 875900
Email: gbutterworth@eevrc.com
[Distributed by CDWrite on behalf of EEVRC Ltd.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BSS SFI 45.1 Roll Bar Padding Arrives!
Newly designed BSS SFI 45.1 Roll Bar Padding is in stock. Check us out at the IMIS show booth 305 and at PRI with our client Motorama Kart Parts booth 323.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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