| August 2010 |
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Schumacher Penalized
Aug 1 - The Mercedes driver will be penalized 10 grid positions at the next grand prix after he pushed his former team-mate within centimetres of a
concrete wall at the Hungarian gp.
Aug 1 - The Mercedes driver will be penalized 10 grid positions at the next grand prix after he pushed his former team-mate within centimetres of a
concrete wall at the Hungarian gp.
Schumacher wrote on his website: "The manoeuvre against him
was too hard. I didn't want to endanger him with my manoeuvre. If
he had this feeling I am sorry, this was not my intention."
Williams driver Rubens Barrichello called the move the most
dangerous in his long career and said the German should have
been black-flagged for dangerous driving.
The seven-time world champion initially denied he was at fault.
However, on reflection Schumacher admitted to making a mistake.
"Immediately after the race yesterday I was still in the heat of it all,
but after I looked again at the situation with Rubens I have to say
that the stewards were correct with their judgement."
The incident occurred when the pair were battling for the final
point-scoring 10th place and Schumacher ran wide coming into
the pit straight.
Barrichello moved to pass his former Ferrari team-mate on the
inside but Schumacher moved across forcing the Brazilian close
to the pit wall.
An accident was only averted when the wall ended and Barrichello
was able to pass into Turn One.
Schumacher, 41, was given a 10-place grid penalty for the
Belgian Grand Prix and the incident sparked widespread
condemnation.
BBC Formula 1 pundit Eddie Jordan told 5 live: "It was horrific. Not
only did he [Barrichello] just miss the wall, he [Schumacher]
pushed him right across the pit-lane exit. You can see the white
lane you are not supposed to go across and then he
[Schumacher] pushed across on to the guard rail on the other
side.
"His legacy is damaged as a result of this, in my opinion.
"Yes, there is a sense of frustration that the car is not quick
enough and he is getting absolutely rammed by his team-mate,
young Nico Rosberg."
Veteran BBC commentator Murray Walker agreed with Jordan's
assessment.
was too hard. I didn't want to endanger him with my manoeuvre. If
he had this feeling I am sorry, this was not my intention."
Williams driver Rubens Barrichello called the move the most
dangerous in his long career and said the German should have
been black-flagged for dangerous driving.
The seven-time world champion initially denied he was at fault.
However, on reflection Schumacher admitted to making a mistake.
"Immediately after the race yesterday I was still in the heat of it all,
but after I looked again at the situation with Rubens I have to say
that the stewards were correct with their judgement."
The incident occurred when the pair were battling for the final
point-scoring 10th place and Schumacher ran wide coming into
the pit straight.
Barrichello moved to pass his former Ferrari team-mate on the
inside but Schumacher moved across forcing the Brazilian close
to the pit wall.
An accident was only averted when the wall ended and Barrichello
was able to pass into Turn One.
Schumacher, 41, was given a 10-place grid penalty for the
Belgian Grand Prix and the incident sparked widespread
condemnation.
BBC Formula 1 pundit Eddie Jordan told 5 live: "It was horrific. Not
only did he [Barrichello] just miss the wall, he [Schumacher]
pushed him right across the pit-lane exit. You can see the white
lane you are not supposed to go across and then he
[Schumacher] pushed across on to the guard rail on the other
side.
"His legacy is damaged as a result of this, in my opinion.
"Yes, there is a sense of frustration that the car is not quick
enough and he is getting absolutely rammed by his team-mate,
young Nico Rosberg."
Veteran BBC commentator Murray Walker agreed with Jordan's
assessment.
"I am a massive Schumacher fan but I have to say he's gone down
a bit in my estimation; his aggressive tactics have been over the
top too often," he said.
"Australia '94, Jerez '97 and now Hungary in 2010 are just three
examples which all exposed a flaw in his character and he more
than deserved his 10-place grid penalty for Spa.
"I have to say the one in Hungary was the worst I have ever seen
because if it had gone wrong Rubens Barrichello could have been
very seriously hurt, maybe even killed, and the same thing applies
to a lot of people in the pit lane.
"I just think he went a step too far and I sincerely hope that the
rapping on the knuckles that he has had will stop him doing it
again. But I doubt it."
Schumacher returned to Formula 1 this season after three years
in retirement but has been well off the pace in the drivers'
championship.
The former Ferrari driver is sitting in ninth position, 123 points
behind leader Mark Webber of Red Bull.
Team-mate and compatriot Rosberg, 16 years Schumacher's
junior, is in seventh position but boasts a far superior points tally
having notched 94 for the season so far.
The Hungaroring incident was the second time Schumacher has
been penalised by the stewards this season following a
20-second time penalty for overtaking Ferrari's Fernando Alonso
at the final corner at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Schumacher passed the Spaniard's Ferrari going into Rascasse
and out of Anthony Noghes after a safety car had moved into the
pits on the final lap to claim sixth place, but stewards said the
move breached the rules.
However, despite his indifferent season, Schumacher insisted he
will be driving for Mercedes next season in search of an
unprecedented eighth world championship.
a bit in my estimation; his aggressive tactics have been over the
top too often," he said.
"Australia '94, Jerez '97 and now Hungary in 2010 are just three
examples which all exposed a flaw in his character and he more
than deserved his 10-place grid penalty for Spa.
"I have to say the one in Hungary was the worst I have ever seen
because if it had gone wrong Rubens Barrichello could have been
very seriously hurt, maybe even killed, and the same thing applies
to a lot of people in the pit lane.
"I just think he went a step too far and I sincerely hope that the
rapping on the knuckles that he has had will stop him doing it
again. But I doubt it."
Schumacher returned to Formula 1 this season after three years
in retirement but has been well off the pace in the drivers'
championship.
The former Ferrari driver is sitting in ninth position, 123 points
behind leader Mark Webber of Red Bull.
Team-mate and compatriot Rosberg, 16 years Schumacher's
junior, is in seventh position but boasts a far superior points tally
having notched 94 for the season so far.
The Hungaroring incident was the second time Schumacher has
been penalised by the stewards this season following a
20-second time penalty for overtaking Ferrari's Fernando Alonso
at the final corner at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Schumacher passed the Spaniard's Ferrari going into Rascasse
and out of Anthony Noghes after a safety car had moved into the
pits on the final lap to claim sixth place, but stewards said the
move breached the rules.
However, despite his indifferent season, Schumacher insisted he
will be driving for Mercedes next season in search of an
unprecedented eighth world championship.
Castroneves Penalized
Aug 3 - At the end of the last IndyCar race, the winner, Helio
Castroneves, was charged of blocking his team-mate by IRL
officials and the race win was given to 2nd place finisher Scott
Dixon.
Castroneves flew into a cussing rage after getting out of his car.
He grabbed an official with both hand by the shirt collar and
pushed him back. In response, the IRL has fined him $60,000
and put him on probation for the rest of the year.
Aug 3 - At the end of the last IndyCar race, the winner, Helio
Castroneves, was charged of blocking his team-mate by IRL
officials and the race win was given to 2nd place finisher Scott
Dixon.
Castroneves flew into a cussing rage after getting out of his car.
He grabbed an official with both hand by the shirt collar and
pushed him back. In response, the IRL has fined him $60,000
and put him on probation for the rest of the year.
Villeneuve Finishes 8th In NASCAR Race
Aug 9 - For the Zippo 200 at The Glen, Jacques Villeneuve
arrived with a lot of fan interest. For the race, the Canadian
qualified the Dollar General Toyota sixth and wound up eighth
place after an exasperating race. "Today was fun," he said. "We
tried a different strategy but it didn't work out, which made my day
challenging. We had a better car than eighth place, but I had to
drive conservatively due to brake issues."
Villeneuve's road-racing prowess was not lost on the younger
drivers, and they were said to line-up behind him in practice,
hoping to learn from an expert. The native of Canada said he was
impressed with the interest of the young drivers and wished he
had had enough sense to do the same thing years ago.
After The Glen, Villeneuve and the Nationwide Series circuit
travels to Montreal to race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. "The
track bears my father's name it is in my courtyard," he said. "I
have been racing there since 1993 and to be able to go back with
NASCAR will be great. A year ago I was competitive and this year
we are taking the car I raced at Road America. We have saved
the car for the Montreal race."
Aug 9 - For the Zippo 200 at The Glen, Jacques Villeneuve
arrived with a lot of fan interest. For the race, the Canadian
qualified the Dollar General Toyota sixth and wound up eighth
place after an exasperating race. "Today was fun," he said. "We
tried a different strategy but it didn't work out, which made my day
challenging. We had a better car than eighth place, but I had to
drive conservatively due to brake issues."
Villeneuve's road-racing prowess was not lost on the younger
drivers, and they were said to line-up behind him in practice,
hoping to learn from an expert. The native of Canada said he was
impressed with the interest of the young drivers and wished he
had had enough sense to do the same thing years ago.
After The Glen, Villeneuve and the Nationwide Series circuit
travels to Montreal to race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. "The
track bears my father's name it is in my courtyard," he said. "I
have been racing there since 1993 and to be able to go back with
NASCAR will be great. A year ago I was competitive and this year
we are taking the car I raced at Road America. We have saved
the car for the Montreal race."
Rossi Will Switch Teams Next Year
Aug 15 - The rumors have been plentiful in speculation that Italy's
favorite rider would be making a dream come true by switching to
the color red in 2011. The nine-time World Champion -- and
six-time MotoGP title holder -- announced today that the dream is
real: Valentino Rossi will be riding for Ducati in 2011 for an initial
two year deal. One of the most winning riders in the history of the
sport will leave Yamaha after seven years of success to try and
extend his record breaking carrier with the Italian team.
For the 2004 season Rossi made a switch from Honda after
earning three titles with the Japanese team. At that time the
dream for Ducati began with the Italian press in frenzy over
Rossi's naturally impending switch to the red team. Yet their
hopes were shattered when Rossi announced he would ride for
Yamaha, which at the time was running midfield at best. In the
2004 season it became evident why he went with Yamaha,
earning the championship with nine grand prix wins.
Rossi and Yamaha would go on to earn three more titles together,
setting new records along the way including the most race wins in
the premier class and the leader in overall podiums with 168.
Aug 15 - The rumors have been plentiful in speculation that Italy's
favorite rider would be making a dream come true by switching to
the color red in 2011. The nine-time World Champion -- and
six-time MotoGP title holder -- announced today that the dream is
real: Valentino Rossi will be riding for Ducati in 2011 for an initial
two year deal. One of the most winning riders in the history of the
sport will leave Yamaha after seven years of success to try and
extend his record breaking carrier with the Italian team.
For the 2004 season Rossi made a switch from Honda after
earning three titles with the Japanese team. At that time the
dream for Ducati began with the Italian press in frenzy over
Rossi's naturally impending switch to the red team. Yet their
hopes were shattered when Rossi announced he would ride for
Yamaha, which at the time was running midfield at best. In the
2004 season it became evident why he went with Yamaha,
earning the championship with nine grand prix wins.
Rossi and Yamaha would go on to earn three more titles together,
setting new records along the way including the most race wins in
the premier class and the leader in overall podiums with 168.
The Tonight Show With MotoGP
Aug 18 - Late-night television host Jay Leno will serve as grand
marshal of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP motorcycle race.
He will meet with MotoGP teams and riders the day of the Aug. 29
race at IMS. He will also present a trophy to a podium finisher.
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the greatest
spectator tracks in the world,” Leno said in a news release.
“Thankfully my R1 will stay in the Big Dog Garage as I plan to
watch and cheer on our three Americans right from the pits.”
Leno also served as pace car driver for the 1999 Indy 500.
Aug 18 - Late-night television host Jay Leno will serve as grand
marshal of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP motorcycle race.
He will meet with MotoGP teams and riders the day of the Aug. 29
race at IMS. He will also present a trophy to a podium finisher.
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the greatest
spectator tracks in the world,” Leno said in a news release.
“Thankfully my R1 will stay in the Big Dog Garage as I plan to
watch and cheer on our three Americans right from the pits.”
Leno also served as pace car driver for the 1999 Indy 500.
MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo at the Yamaha race party
that Jay Leno hosted at his home in July.
that Jay Leno hosted at his home in July.
IRL Texas Race to be Split in Two
Aug 19 - Texas Motor Speedway will host twin 275-mile races on
the same night, June 11, 2011.
Billed as the Firestone Twin 275s, the two full fields will race two
275-kilometer races (171miles/114 laps each) and will crown two
race winners. There will be two victory lane ceremonies and the
evening will have an hour "half-time" in between the two races to
allow crews to work on the cars between the two segments.
17 twin IndyCar races were ran between 1967 and 1981.
Qualifying and many other details still have to be sorted out by
Bernard, the Indy Racing League and IZOD IndyCar Series
officials.
Aug 19 - Texas Motor Speedway will host twin 275-mile races on
the same night, June 11, 2011.
Billed as the Firestone Twin 275s, the two full fields will race two
275-kilometer races (171miles/114 laps each) and will crown two
race winners. There will be two victory lane ceremonies and the
evening will have an hour "half-time" in between the two races to
allow crews to work on the cars between the two segments.
17 twin IndyCar races were ran between 1967 and 1981.
Qualifying and many other details still have to be sorted out by
Bernard, the Indy Racing League and IZOD IndyCar Series
officials.
MotoGP Standings Heading Into Indianapolis
| Jorge Lorenzo has won 8 of 12 races so far in 2010 2010 MotoGP Schedule with Winners |
Power Wins IRL Road Course Championship
Aug 22 - IndyCar is now recognizing the driver who performs best
on road and street courses with a trophy and cash.
Will Power has won it in its inaugural year buoyed by victories at
Brazil, St. Petersburg, Watkins Glen and Toronto. He added a
victory in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma today, and also finished
on the podium at Long Beach, Edmonton and Mid-Ohio. His points
total was supplemented by seven Pole Awards on road/streets.
Mario Andretti presented the Mario Andretti Road Championship
Trophy and a $50,000 check to the Team Penske driver in Victory
Circle following the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Aug 22 - IndyCar is now recognizing the driver who performs best
on road and street courses with a trophy and cash.
Will Power has won it in its inaugural year buoyed by victories at
Brazil, St. Petersburg, Watkins Glen and Toronto. He added a
victory in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma today, and also finished
on the podium at Long Beach, Edmonton and Mid-Ohio. His points
total was supplemented by seven Pole Awards on road/streets.
Mario Andretti presented the Mario Andretti Road Championship
Trophy and a $50,000 check to the Team Penske driver in Victory
Circle following the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.
2010 Red Bull MotoGP at indianapolis
Aug 29 - Much to the disappointment of the American fans it was
not a local hero that won today's Indianapolis GP but a Spaniard.
Texan native and rookie Ben Spies took his first MotoGP series
pole yesterday but after leading for seven laps he lost the position
to Dani Pedrosa. The Repsol Honda rider would go on to control
the pace, leaving Spies to settle for second as his best result so
far this year. Title leader Jorge Lorenzo crossed the bricks in
third, out of the top two for the first time this year.
"I'm really happy with this win and it was an especially tough one
because of the heat today," said Pedrosa. "I didn't make the
perfect start but I was quite quick through the first few tight
corners and stayed close to the leaders. My rhythm was good
today and even though Spies was strong in front I was able to
close him down and make the pass.
"When I was out in front it was quite hard to stay focused and at
the end of the race I was really tired - but I'm very happy because
last year I crashed when I could have won and now I have made
up for it," added the Spaniard.
Spies led off the line at the Brickyard as Andrea Dovizioso
jumped into second with Kentucky native Nicky Hayden holding
onto third. As Spies pulled out a gap on his Tech 3 Yamaha, the
two riders following him soon fell victim to Pedrosa. Lorenzo was
next to dispatch Hayden, the American would be pushed back to
sixth by the end of the race.
Pedrosa then dispatched his teammate, Dovizioso, on lap four
and started to reel in Spies. Three laps into the chase and Spies
went wide through turn ten, giving the Spaniard his chance to
close in and make the pass happen on the front straight. There
was little the Yamaha rider could do as Pedrosa caught his
slipstream and blew past for the lead.
"When Dani passed me I knew I couldn't follow him, so I let him go
and concentrated on keeping a gap to Jorge in third and that's
what I achieved," explained Spies. "I can't complain because it was
a great weekend and to be top Yamaha rider when you look at
who else is on that bike is pretty satisfying. It hasn't sunk in yet
that I've finished second in my home race. But I'll enjoy it before I
hop on a plane and try and do it again in Misano next weekend."
Meanwhile Lorenzo was shaping up for a fight with Dovizioso and
would make his move on lap twelve to take the final podium spot
for the Fiat Yamaha Team, "Of course I shouldn't be disappointed
with third place but at the same time I'm not happy with my race
today, I didn't ride as well as I could have and I didn't get a good
start. The conditions were incredibly hard and I simply didn't have
the physical strength to push as hard or do the same times I did in
practice; it was like a race in Malaysia! The track was so slippery
and it was very difficult to use the tyres as you wanted to, I think
honestly I'm quite lucky to have finished third today."
Aug 29 - Much to the disappointment of the American fans it was
not a local hero that won today's Indianapolis GP but a Spaniard.
Texan native and rookie Ben Spies took his first MotoGP series
pole yesterday but after leading for seven laps he lost the position
to Dani Pedrosa. The Repsol Honda rider would go on to control
the pace, leaving Spies to settle for second as his best result so
far this year. Title leader Jorge Lorenzo crossed the bricks in
third, out of the top two for the first time this year.
"I'm really happy with this win and it was an especially tough one
because of the heat today," said Pedrosa. "I didn't make the
perfect start but I was quite quick through the first few tight
corners and stayed close to the leaders. My rhythm was good
today and even though Spies was strong in front I was able to
close him down and make the pass.
"When I was out in front it was quite hard to stay focused and at
the end of the race I was really tired - but I'm very happy because
last year I crashed when I could have won and now I have made
up for it," added the Spaniard.
Spies led off the line at the Brickyard as Andrea Dovizioso
jumped into second with Kentucky native Nicky Hayden holding
onto third. As Spies pulled out a gap on his Tech 3 Yamaha, the
two riders following him soon fell victim to Pedrosa. Lorenzo was
next to dispatch Hayden, the American would be pushed back to
sixth by the end of the race.
Pedrosa then dispatched his teammate, Dovizioso, on lap four
and started to reel in Spies. Three laps into the chase and Spies
went wide through turn ten, giving the Spaniard his chance to
close in and make the pass happen on the front straight. There
was little the Yamaha rider could do as Pedrosa caught his
slipstream and blew past for the lead.
"When Dani passed me I knew I couldn't follow him, so I let him go
and concentrated on keeping a gap to Jorge in third and that's
what I achieved," explained Spies. "I can't complain because it was
a great weekend and to be top Yamaha rider when you look at
who else is on that bike is pretty satisfying. It hasn't sunk in yet
that I've finished second in my home race. But I'll enjoy it before I
hop on a plane and try and do it again in Misano next weekend."
Meanwhile Lorenzo was shaping up for a fight with Dovizioso and
would make his move on lap twelve to take the final podium spot
for the Fiat Yamaha Team, "Of course I shouldn't be disappointed
with third place but at the same time I'm not happy with my race
today, I didn't ride as well as I could have and I didn't get a good
start. The conditions were incredibly hard and I simply didn't have
the physical strength to push as hard or do the same times I did in
practice; it was like a race in Malaysia! The track was so slippery
and it was very difficult to use the tyres as you wanted to, I think
honestly I'm quite lucky to have finished third today."
The Dovizioso's fall down the order continued as his fellow
countryman Valentino Rossi went past for fourth. Rossi had a
quite race, after dumping the Yamaha three times this weekend,
caution was his race strategy.
"This was a good race for us after the weekend," said Rossi.
"Fourth is quite good in the circumstances but the important thing
is that my rhythm in the race was strong and I felt much happier
on the bike. I did some good laps and I wasn't too far from the
other Yamahas, but unfortunately I paid a lot for my lack of fitness
in this heat and in the end I had to stop pushing because I didn't
have any strength left in my body. I'm happy though because we
came back to a good setting and with me riding well, and if you
consider I had three small crashes in the weekend, fourth isn't so
bad. Now we will look forward to Misano, my home race!"
Tire choice seemed to play a major role in today's race. Spies
kept a softer rear tire while Pedrosa went for the harder choice in
today's hot and humid temperatures. All riders slid around
regardless of their choice, it would come down to who had the
right compound to help hang on for all 28 laps.
Casey Stoner started on the harder rubber but was caught out
with a lowside spill in the middle of a corner. The Ducati rider's
day was over before ten laps had been completed. Also unhappy
with his choice was Colin Edwards, the Texan pulled into the pits
to swap but still couldn't get the bike to hook up. He'd return to the
pits for good halfway into the race. Gresini Racing's Marco
Melandri and Pramac's Mika Kallio would also retire from the
race.
"I am very disappointed - it was a nothing crash but obviously it
was enough to leave me out of the race," commented Stoner. "I
know a lot of people have had front end crashes but apparently
here at Indianapolis we have gone back to the situation we were
in at the start of the season and we've struggled to find front-end
feel in the corners. It is a real shame because we had good pace
and I think we could have been on the podium."
With seven races to go Lorenzo still has an impressive lead for
the championship but Pedrosa was able to close the gap slightly
with the win today. Dovizioso takes over third in the points from
Stoner while Rossi and Spies move to within striking distance to
the Aussie.
In the third year that the MotoGP series has come to Indy, Spain
reigned supreme in all classes. Nicolas Terol won in the 125cc
class while Toni Elias would go on to take the win for M2. With
now three different winners and two bike manufacturers no one
has been able to assert a clear legacy at the historic circuit. Spies
will have another chance next year with the factory Yamaha team
to take Indy for himself and the American fans.
"I'm really happy to have got my best result in MotoGP in front of
the American crowd and at a track as famous as Indianapolis. I
always said I wanted my best result in my home race, so it's
mission accomplished," said Spies.
countryman Valentino Rossi went past for fourth. Rossi had a
quite race, after dumping the Yamaha three times this weekend,
caution was his race strategy.
"This was a good race for us after the weekend," said Rossi.
"Fourth is quite good in the circumstances but the important thing
is that my rhythm in the race was strong and I felt much happier
on the bike. I did some good laps and I wasn't too far from the
other Yamahas, but unfortunately I paid a lot for my lack of fitness
in this heat and in the end I had to stop pushing because I didn't
have any strength left in my body. I'm happy though because we
came back to a good setting and with me riding well, and if you
consider I had three small crashes in the weekend, fourth isn't so
bad. Now we will look forward to Misano, my home race!"
Tire choice seemed to play a major role in today's race. Spies
kept a softer rear tire while Pedrosa went for the harder choice in
today's hot and humid temperatures. All riders slid around
regardless of their choice, it would come down to who had the
right compound to help hang on for all 28 laps.
Casey Stoner started on the harder rubber but was caught out
with a lowside spill in the middle of a corner. The Ducati rider's
day was over before ten laps had been completed. Also unhappy
with his choice was Colin Edwards, the Texan pulled into the pits
to swap but still couldn't get the bike to hook up. He'd return to the
pits for good halfway into the race. Gresini Racing's Marco
Melandri and Pramac's Mika Kallio would also retire from the
race.
"I am very disappointed - it was a nothing crash but obviously it
was enough to leave me out of the race," commented Stoner. "I
know a lot of people have had front end crashes but apparently
here at Indianapolis we have gone back to the situation we were
in at the start of the season and we've struggled to find front-end
feel in the corners. It is a real shame because we had good pace
and I think we could have been on the podium."
With seven races to go Lorenzo still has an impressive lead for
the championship but Pedrosa was able to close the gap slightly
with the win today. Dovizioso takes over third in the points from
Stoner while Rossi and Spies move to within striking distance to
the Aussie.
In the third year that the MotoGP series has come to Indy, Spain
reigned supreme in all classes. Nicolas Terol won in the 125cc
class while Toni Elias would go on to take the win for M2. With
now three different winners and two bike manufacturers no one
has been able to assert a clear legacy at the historic circuit. Spies
will have another chance next year with the factory Yamaha team
to take Indy for himself and the American fans.
"I'm really happy to have got my best result in MotoGP in front of
the American crowd and at a track as famous as Indianapolis. I
always said I wanted my best result in my home race, so it's
mission accomplished," said Spies.
Tragedy Strikes At Indianapolis
Aug 29 - A racer lost his life today at the Indy Speedway.
During a warm-up lap this morning for the Honda Moriwaki
MD250H race, racer Xavier Zayat ran into the back of Peter
Lenz, killing Lenz. From what I've heard, Lenz layed it down, got
up and was fine and had his hands up, when Zayat came along
and nailed him. The accident happened after exiting the chicane
down in turn one of the oval, Zayat was not injured.
This series class is an opportunity for young talent (12-18 years
old) to race at the Brickyard on nearly identical race motorcycles
for the first time.
Lenz, who was 13 years old, had been riding since he was 5 years
old. He had won 9 championship and 9 regionals. Lenz's father
was present today. They are from Vancouver, Washington.
The fatality is the first at the Speedway since Oct. 22, 2003, when
IndyCar Series driver Tony Renna was killed in a crash during
testing.
List of Drivers Killed at the Indy Speedway
Aug 29 - A racer lost his life today at the Indy Speedway.
During a warm-up lap this morning for the Honda Moriwaki
MD250H race, racer Xavier Zayat ran into the back of Peter
Lenz, killing Lenz. From what I've heard, Lenz layed it down, got
up and was fine and had his hands up, when Zayat came along
and nailed him. The accident happened after exiting the chicane
down in turn one of the oval, Zayat was not injured.
This series class is an opportunity for young talent (12-18 years
old) to race at the Brickyard on nearly identical race motorcycles
for the first time.
Lenz, who was 13 years old, had been riding since he was 5 years
old. He had won 9 championship and 9 regionals. Lenz's father
was present today. They are from Vancouver, Washington.
The fatality is the first at the Speedway since Oct. 22, 2003, when
IndyCar Series driver Tony Renna was killed in a crash during
testing.
List of Drivers Killed at the Indy Speedway
| Michael Lenz with his son Peter |
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |