| December 2018 News |
Historic Indy 500 Radio Broadcasts
Dec 12 - The estate of Sid Collins, the legendary IMS
Radio Network lead announcer and “Voice of the 500,”
donated numerous transcription discs containing races,
qualifying shows and interviews from the 1950s.
Although shaped like a record, the discs are made of
acetate – a material that, unlike vinyl records, degrades
over time. The transcription discs were cut live during
the race, in the radio booth with Collins, using a record-
ing lathe that created the grooves instantaneously.
IMS Museum staff is working with Bloomington, Ind.-
based Memnon Archiving Services, and in conjunction
with media preservation experts at Indiana University,
to save these one-of-a-kind recordings.
“We were able to preserve and restore them at the high-
est quality,” said Figurelli. “Listening to them is a unique
window into history. It’s like you are there.”
IMS Radio Network broadcasts covering 1960-64, and
1966-present, plus the 1955 & 1958 “500” audio, are
available via MP3-format digital download (no compact
discs) for $10 each.
To purchase, visit Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcasts
More broadcasts to be converted are planned with the 1959
& 1960 race coming next spring.
Dec 12 - The estate of Sid Collins, the legendary IMS
Radio Network lead announcer and “Voice of the 500,”
donated numerous transcription discs containing races,
qualifying shows and interviews from the 1950s.
Although shaped like a record, the discs are made of
acetate – a material that, unlike vinyl records, degrades
over time. The transcription discs were cut live during
the race, in the radio booth with Collins, using a record-
ing lathe that created the grooves instantaneously.
IMS Museum staff is working with Bloomington, Ind.-
based Memnon Archiving Services, and in conjunction
with media preservation experts at Indiana University,
to save these one-of-a-kind recordings.
“We were able to preserve and restore them at the high-
est quality,” said Figurelli. “Listening to them is a unique
window into history. It’s like you are there.”
IMS Radio Network broadcasts covering 1960-64, and
1966-present, plus the 1955 & 1958 “500” audio, are
available via MP3-format digital download (no compact
discs) for $10 each.
To purchase, visit Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcasts
More broadcasts to be converted are planned with the 1959
& 1960 race coming next spring.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
One of the aging acetone transcription discs
F1 Driver's Move to IndyCar
Dec 12 - Marcus Ericsson is joining IndyCar after several
years of racing in Formula 1.
On December 4th, Team Penske held a practice at Sebring
Raceway in central Florida. Erisson was there too with his
Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports Honda.
Ericsson watched Penske drivers Will Power, Josef
Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud tackle the 3.74-mile
course, before coming out and running over 100 laps.
Driving the bumpy and dirty Sebring track had to be a big
change from the perfect Formula 1 tracks Ericsson has
gotten used to. But he seemed enthusiastic and said, “It
reminds me of back in the day when I was doing British
F3 and stuff like that. We were testing a lot on tracks like
this – old airfields in the UK and tracks that were bumpy.
This track is fun to drive. It has a lot of character. All the
curbs are different. It’s bumpy, and the bumps affect the
car differently in each corner. In F1, every track is
extremely smooth. All the curbs are the same everywhere.
They try to make all the tracks the same, literally. This
place is unique. Every piece of it is unique.”
Ericsson said that the IndyCar requires a lot more work to
drive than the F1 car. IndyCars do not have power
steering nor the downforce of Formula 1 cars.
"Actually it’s fun to have a car like this because you feel
you can do more as a driver to make the difference, to
find the way around the balance issue. So in F1, you’re
trying to use all these tools to get your car perfect and
precisely right for every corner, but in IndyCar it feels like
you have to find the best compromise setup for several
corners and then it’s up to you as a driver to make the best
job of what you’ve got, even if that means you have to
battle the car a bit more. It’s very satisfying," Ericsson said.
He thinks he also has some things he's learned in F1 that
may help the team, though he said, "I also think the team
is really at a high level. I’ve been impressed with the way
they work and the preparation they do before a test with all
the prep on the setup side. That’s been quite impressive.”
Dec 12 - Marcus Ericsson is joining IndyCar after several
years of racing in Formula 1.
On December 4th, Team Penske held a practice at Sebring
Raceway in central Florida. Erisson was there too with his
Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports Honda.
Ericsson watched Penske drivers Will Power, Josef
Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud tackle the 3.74-mile
course, before coming out and running over 100 laps.
Driving the bumpy and dirty Sebring track had to be a big
change from the perfect Formula 1 tracks Ericsson has
gotten used to. But he seemed enthusiastic and said, “It
reminds me of back in the day when I was doing British
F3 and stuff like that. We were testing a lot on tracks like
this – old airfields in the UK and tracks that were bumpy.
This track is fun to drive. It has a lot of character. All the
curbs are different. It’s bumpy, and the bumps affect the
car differently in each corner. In F1, every track is
extremely smooth. All the curbs are the same everywhere.
They try to make all the tracks the same, literally. This
place is unique. Every piece of it is unique.”
Ericsson said that the IndyCar requires a lot more work to
drive than the F1 car. IndyCars do not have power
steering nor the downforce of Formula 1 cars.
"Actually it’s fun to have a car like this because you feel
you can do more as a driver to make the difference, to
find the way around the balance issue. So in F1, you’re
trying to use all these tools to get your car perfect and
precisely right for every corner, but in IndyCar it feels like
you have to find the best compromise setup for several
corners and then it’s up to you as a driver to make the best
job of what you’ve got, even if that means you have to
battle the car a bit more. It’s very satisfying," Ericsson said.
He thinks he also has some things he's learned in F1 that
may help the team, though he said, "I also think the team
is really at a high level. I’ve been impressed with the way
they work and the preparation they do before a test with all
the prep on the setup side. That’s been quite impressive.”
| Marcus Ericsson |
Taylor Kiel, SPM’s general manager, said Ericsson will test
again after the first of the year in preparation for the 2019
season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on
March 10 at St. Petersburg, Florida.
again after the first of the year in preparation for the 2019
season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on
March 10 at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Supersonic Car for Sale
Dec 12 - In July of 2010 I reported that some Brits were
building a land speed record car meant to reach 1,000 mph.
The supersonic vehicle, named the Bloodhound, was built
with a jet engine bolted to a rocket, and is mostly finished.
However, the company behind the project has run out of
money and is selling off their assets. The car itself is for
sale for only $318,000.
Bloodhound Programme Ltd, also built a 18km long,
1500m wide racetrack at Hakskeen Pan in the deserts of
the Northern Cape of South Africa for the car.
Planned test runs above 500mph were supposed to take
place in late 2018 before trying to break the world land
speed record in late 2019. The team needed around $33
million in funding to complete the project.
So, the Thrust SSC, driven by Andy Green, still holds the
land speed record. It broke the sound barrier and reached
763 mph in 1997.
Dec 12 - In July of 2010 I reported that some Brits were
building a land speed record car meant to reach 1,000 mph.
The supersonic vehicle, named the Bloodhound, was built
with a jet engine bolted to a rocket, and is mostly finished.
However, the company behind the project has run out of
money and is selling off their assets. The car itself is for
sale for only $318,000.
Bloodhound Programme Ltd, also built a 18km long,
1500m wide racetrack at Hakskeen Pan in the deserts of
the Northern Cape of South Africa for the car.
Planned test runs above 500mph were supposed to take
place in late 2018 before trying to break the world land
speed record in late 2019. The team needed around $33
million in funding to complete the project.
So, the Thrust SSC, driven by Andy Green, still holds the
land speed record. It broke the sound barrier and reached
763 mph in 1997.
Bloodhound SSC
Thrust SSC
Force India Team Renamed for 2019
Dec 13 - The Force India team will officially be known as
Racing Point for the 2019 Formula One season.
The change was confirmed with the release of the official
2019 championship entry list, which was finalised after
Force India had completed the 20-driver grid by
announcing Lance Stroll as Sergio Perez's teammate for
the season. Stroll is the son of Canadian billionaire
Lawrence, who led a consortium to purchase the team
after it fell into administration in August.
From that point on, it was effectively rebooted as "Racing
Point Force India" in the championship, a different entity
to the "Sahara Force India" team it had been previously,
starting again on zero points in the constructors'
championship. The team will officially take on the name
of the consortium for next year, meaning the Force India
title will be absent from the grid for the first time since
2007.
Hopefully they'll get rid of the pink color that dominates
their race cars!
Dec 13 - The Force India team will officially be known as
Racing Point for the 2019 Formula One season.
The change was confirmed with the release of the official
2019 championship entry list, which was finalised after
Force India had completed the 20-driver grid by
announcing Lance Stroll as Sergio Perez's teammate for
the season. Stroll is the son of Canadian billionaire
Lawrence, who led a consortium to purchase the team
after it fell into administration in August.
From that point on, it was effectively rebooted as "Racing
Point Force India" in the championship, a different entity
to the "Sahara Force India" team it had been previously,
starting again on zero points in the constructors'
championship. The team will officially take on the name
of the consortium for next year, meaning the Force India
title will be absent from the grid for the first time since
2007.
Hopefully they'll get rid of the pink color that dominates
their race cars!
| Their new logo features the flag of India colors. |
| Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll |
Carb Day Concert News
Dec 18 - The popular 70s pop band Kool & the Gang will
be opening the Carb Day concert for Foreigner, as reported
last month.
This will be the first time a black band has played on Carb
Day.
You may remember some of their hits:
Joanna, Celebrate!, Celebration, Jungle Boogie, Get
Down On It
Original Members:
Robert Bell - bass guitar
Ronald Bell - keyboards
Dennis Thomas - saxophone
George Brown - drums
Ricky West - keyboards (dead)
Charles Smith - guitar (dead)
Robert Mickens - trumpet (dead)
Dec 18 - The popular 70s pop band Kool & the Gang will
be opening the Carb Day concert for Foreigner, as reported
last month.
This will be the first time a black band has played on Carb
Day.
You may remember some of their hits:
Joanna, Celebrate!, Celebration, Jungle Boogie, Get
Down On It
Original Members:
Robert Bell - bass guitar
Ronald Bell - keyboards
Dennis Thomas - saxophone
George Brown - drums
Ricky West - keyboards (dead)
Charles Smith - guitar (dead)
Robert Mickens - trumpet (dead)
| 1974 |
| 2017 - Original Members George Brown, Ronald Bell, Robert Bell, Dennis Thomas |
| Kool & the Gang - THEN & NOW |
New Name for Pro Mazda Series
Dec 19 - With the withdrawal of Mazda's sponsorship in
the IndyCar three-series ladder system, known as Mazda
Road To Indy, the middle series is getting a name change.
Pro Mazda will be called Indy Pro 2000 in 2019.
Originally the series was called Star Mazda in 1991.
It became Pro Mazda in 2013.
This series slots in between the lower rung USF2000
series and higher run Indy Lights series.
Dec 19 - With the withdrawal of Mazda's sponsorship in
the IndyCar three-series ladder system, known as Mazda
Road To Indy, the middle series is getting a name change.
Pro Mazda will be called Indy Pro 2000 in 2019.
Originally the series was called Star Mazda in 1991.
It became Pro Mazda in 2013.
This series slots in between the lower rung USF2000
series and higher run Indy Lights series.
Sports Car Team to Enter IndyCar
Dec 19 - The IndyCar Series is adding a new, part-time team
for the 2019 season, one with a championship pedigree and
an eye toward full-time INDYCAR participation in 2020.
DragonSpeed announced today that it will compete in five
races next season, including the 103rd Indianapolis 500,
powered by Chevrolet engines and with British driver Ben
Hanley. They are based in Jupiter, Florida.
Founded by team principal Elton Julian in 2007 to compete
in sports car series around the world, DragonSpeed won the
2015 Pirelli World Challenge GTA championship and 2017
European Le Mans Series LMP2 title. In addition to its
IndyCar Series effort, the team will continue competing in
WEC. The team is also scheduled to compete in IMSA's
Rolex 24 at Daytona.
DragonSpeed will race in these IndyCar races next year:
1. St. Petersburg
2. Birmingham (Barber)
3. Indy 500
4. Road America
5. Mid-Ohio
Julian said the team plans to run a full-season IndyCar Series
in 2020.
Dec 19 - The IndyCar Series is adding a new, part-time team
for the 2019 season, one with a championship pedigree and
an eye toward full-time INDYCAR participation in 2020.
DragonSpeed announced today that it will compete in five
races next season, including the 103rd Indianapolis 500,
powered by Chevrolet engines and with British driver Ben
Hanley. They are based in Jupiter, Florida.
Founded by team principal Elton Julian in 2007 to compete
in sports car series around the world, DragonSpeed won the
2015 Pirelli World Challenge GTA championship and 2017
European Le Mans Series LMP2 title. In addition to its
IndyCar Series effort, the team will continue competing in
WEC. The team is also scheduled to compete in IMSA's
Rolex 24 at Daytona.
DragonSpeed will race in these IndyCar races next year:
1. St. Petersburg
2. Birmingham (Barber)
3. Indy 500
4. Road America
5. Mid-Ohio
Julian said the team plans to run a full-season IndyCar Series
in 2020.
| Ben Hanley |
Hanley, 33, has recently been
endurance racing sports cars in
WEC, ELMS, and IMSA for
DragonSpeed. He has also
been driving GP2s cars, tire
testing for Pirelli.
The Indy 500 will be Hanley's
first race on an oval! He
realizes it's going to be a
massive task for him and the
new IndyCar team, but he's
looking forward to it.
endurance racing sports cars in
WEC, ELMS, and IMSA for
DragonSpeed. He has also
been driving GP2s cars, tire
testing for Pirelli.
The Indy 500 will be Hanley's
first race on an oval! He
realizes it's going to be a
massive task for him and the
new IndyCar team, but he's
looking forward to it.
| Ben Hanley driving DragonSpeed's WEC LMP1 at the 6 hours of Shanghai on November 18, 2018 |
Organizational Changes at IndyCar & IMS
Dec 19 - Jay Frye will become President of INDYCAR as part of Hulman & Company organizational changes announced
today by Mark Miles, President and CEO of the parent company.
Frye, who has led INDYCAR’s Competition and Operations departments since November 2015, will add Marketing and
Communications to his responsibilities, effective Jan. 1. Miles will continue as CEO of INDYCAR.
Frye joined Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in 2013 as Chief Revenue
Officer, leading the combined team of INDYCAR and IMS in sponsorship sales, licensing and account services. In 2014,
the team secured a title sponsorship agreement with Verizon as well as the addition and expansion of several other corporate
partners, including TAG Heuer and Panasonic.
Mark Sibla, INDYCAR Chief of Staff, Competition and Operations, will similarly expand his role with the Indianapolis-
based sanctioning body, becoming Chief of Staff of all INDYCAR departments.
The reorganization is a result of C.J. O’Donnell’s resignation at year’s end. O’Donnell has been Chief Marketing Officer at
INDYCAR and IMS since November 2013.
Curt Cavin, INDYCAR Vice President, Communications, and a new role to be filled of INDYCAR Vice President,
Marketing, will report to Frye.
Additional organizational changes have been made at IMS, including:
· Jarrod Krisiloff will have his responsibilities expanded at IMS, becoming Vice President, Facilities and Events. He has
been Executive Director, Events, for the past two years.
· Dan Skiver will become Director, Operations, and responsible for the many functions related to IMS events.
Pat Garlock will be promoted to Assistant Manager, Facilities and Events.
· Alex Damron will be promoted to Senior Director, Communications, for IMS and Hulman & Company, and corporate
communications will be added to his responsibilities.
List of IMS & IndyCar Staff
Dec 19 - Jay Frye will become President of INDYCAR as part of Hulman & Company organizational changes announced
today by Mark Miles, President and CEO of the parent company.
Frye, who has led INDYCAR’s Competition and Operations departments since November 2015, will add Marketing and
Communications to his responsibilities, effective Jan. 1. Miles will continue as CEO of INDYCAR.
Frye joined Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in 2013 as Chief Revenue
Officer, leading the combined team of INDYCAR and IMS in sponsorship sales, licensing and account services. In 2014,
the team secured a title sponsorship agreement with Verizon as well as the addition and expansion of several other corporate
partners, including TAG Heuer and Panasonic.
Mark Sibla, INDYCAR Chief of Staff, Competition and Operations, will similarly expand his role with the Indianapolis-
based sanctioning body, becoming Chief of Staff of all INDYCAR departments.
The reorganization is a result of C.J. O’Donnell’s resignation at year’s end. O’Donnell has been Chief Marketing Officer at
INDYCAR and IMS since November 2013.
Curt Cavin, INDYCAR Vice President, Communications, and a new role to be filled of INDYCAR Vice President,
Marketing, will report to Frye.
Additional organizational changes have been made at IMS, including:
· Jarrod Krisiloff will have his responsibilities expanded at IMS, becoming Vice President, Facilities and Events. He has
been Executive Director, Events, for the past two years.
· Dan Skiver will become Director, Operations, and responsible for the many functions related to IMS events.
Pat Garlock will be promoted to Assistant Manager, Facilities and Events.
· Alex Damron will be promoted to Senior Director, Communications, for IMS and Hulman & Company, and corporate
communications will be added to his responsibilities.
List of IMS & IndyCar Staff
| BEST MOMENT IN RACING 2018? |
| Will Power - 2018 Indianapolis 500 Winner |
