| October 2008 |
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Castroneves Accused Of Tax Evasion
Oct 10 - Helio Castroneves has been indicted by the federal government on one count of fraud and six counts of tax
evasion - totalling 5.5 million. They say he used an elaborate plan to funnel money through multiple foreign companies
between 1999 and 2002. If found guilty, he would be facing 5 years in federal prison on each charge. He went to court
today and will return later in the month. Castroneves won the Indy 500 in 2001 & 2002 for Penske Racing.
Oct 10 - Helio Castroneves has been indicted by the federal government on one count of fraud and six counts of tax
evasion - totalling 5.5 million. They say he used an elaborate plan to funnel money through multiple foreign companies
between 1999 and 2002. If found guilty, he would be facing 5 years in federal prison on each charge. He went to court
today and will return later in the month. Castroneves won the Indy 500 in 2001 & 2002 for Penske Racing.
Suppose that Helio goes to jail, or,
runs off to South America. That would
leave a nice job opening at Penske.
Wouldn't it be funny if the guy left
hanging after the funny season, Vitor
Meira, ends up with one of the best
seats in IndyCar? Heh heh.
Helio said today that he is honest and
innocent of these charges. He relies
on attorneys and accountants. His
sister and attorney were also charged.
Update: He won't be back in court until
after the 2009 IndyCar season ends.
runs off to South America. That would
leave a nice job opening at Penske.
Wouldn't it be funny if the guy left
hanging after the funny season, Vitor
Meira, ends up with one of the best
seats in IndyCar? Heh heh.
Helio said today that he is honest and
innocent of these charges. He relies
on attorneys and accountants. His
sister and attorney were also charged.
Update: He won't be back in court until
after the 2009 IndyCar season ends.
Formula One Blows Off North America
Oct 9 - First the United States, now Canada: North America is off the Formula One
calendar.
Canada has been replaced by a new race in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for 2009
per a revised schedule issued Thursday by the FIA. The Abu Dhabi race will end an
18-race season in mid-November. Nine races will be held in Europe, seven in Asia, one
in South America and one in Australia.
Additionally, the Turkish Grand Prix switches from August to what was Canada's June
slot. The Italian and Belgium races switch dates, moving the Belgian race to the end of
August and the Italian event to mid-September.
Renewal of a US Grand Prix continues to generate talk, which might or might not be
helped along by the scheduled appearance in December of Indianapolis Motor
Speedway owner Tony George at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco.
Oct 9 - First the United States, now Canada: North America is off the Formula One
calendar.
Canada has been replaced by a new race in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for 2009
per a revised schedule issued Thursday by the FIA. The Abu Dhabi race will end an
18-race season in mid-November. Nine races will be held in Europe, seven in Asia, one
in South America and one in Australia.
Additionally, the Turkish Grand Prix switches from August to what was Canada's June
slot. The Italian and Belgium races switch dates, moving the Belgian race to the end of
August and the Italian event to mid-September.
Renewal of a US Grand Prix continues to generate talk, which might or might not be
helped along by the scheduled appearance in December of Indianapolis Motor
Speedway owner Tony George at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco.
Will Paint Help the COT Look Better?
Oct 12 - Jeff Gordon's Dupont Chevy is getting a new paint
scheme for 2009.
Gordon has always been sponsored by Dupont Paint.
His first car had a rainbow paint job and was called "Rainbow
Warrior." After that, he had a "fire and flames" paint job.
The new look is called "Firestorm" and still has some fire on the front
of the car, but then turns into black. Sam Bass, who has designed
all of the paint schemes, says the new one will make the car "appear
to be a flaming thunderball rolling out of the dark clouds."
Many Photos of Gordon's Special Paint Jobs
Oct 12 - Jeff Gordon's Dupont Chevy is getting a new paint
scheme for 2009.
Gordon has always been sponsored by Dupont Paint.
His first car had a rainbow paint job and was called "Rainbow
Warrior." After that, he had a "fire and flames" paint job.
The new look is called "Firestorm" and still has some fire on the front
of the car, but then turns into black. Sam Bass, who has designed
all of the paint schemes, says the new one will make the car "appear
to be a flaming thunderball rolling out of the dark clouds."
Many Photos of Gordon's Special Paint Jobs
| 1993-2000 Rainbow |
| 2001-2008 Flames |
| New for 2009 |
Alonso Pours It On
Oct 12 - After a dismal season, suddenly Fernando Alonso has won two
F1 grand prix in a row! However, he is only in 7th place in the points,
with Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber all ahead of him. His teammate is back
in 13th place.
Meanwhile, poor Honda is in last place even though they have Rubens
Barrichello and Jenson Button as drivers.
With two more races to go, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads with a 5 point
advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa.
Oct 12 - After a dismal season, suddenly Fernando Alonso has won two
F1 grand prix in a row! However, he is only in 7th place in the points,
with Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber all ahead of him. His teammate is back
in 13th place.
Meanwhile, poor Honda is in last place even though they have Rubens
Barrichello and Jenson Button as drivers.
With two more races to go, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads with a 5 point
advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa.
Indy Driver Updates
Oct 15 - Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos advances to
IndyCar next year, driving for Luczo Dragon Racing for the full season. In
the last six years, Matos has won titles in Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic,
Star Mazda and the Skip Barber National Championship. LDR is owned
by Jay Penske and Steve Luczo.
Alex Lloyd has a contract for next year as the development driver for
Chip Ganassi Racing
Vitor Meira has found a home at A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Meira makes his
debut aboard Foyt's traditional No. 14 entry in the non-points round in
Surfers Paradise, Australia next month, as they figure out their bearings
and prepare for next year. Meira finished the season in 13th spot.
NASCAR journeyman and professional stuntman Stanton Barrettt, 35,
will drive for Greg Beck's revived team, operating under its new name of
Team 3G Racing for 2009.
Oct 15 - Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos advances to
IndyCar next year, driving for Luczo Dragon Racing for the full season. In
the last six years, Matos has won titles in Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic,
Star Mazda and the Skip Barber National Championship. LDR is owned
by Jay Penske and Steve Luczo.
Alex Lloyd has a contract for next year as the development driver for
Chip Ganassi Racing
Vitor Meira has found a home at A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Meira makes his
debut aboard Foyt's traditional No. 14 entry in the non-points round in
Surfers Paradise, Australia next month, as they figure out their bearings
and prepare for next year. Meira finished the season in 13th spot.
NASCAR journeyman and professional stuntman Stanton Barrettt, 35,
will drive for Greg Beck's revived team, operating under its new name of
Team 3G Racing for 2009.
Stoner Wins Australian MotoGP
Oct 12 - For the second year in a row Casey Stoner has won at his
home event, the Australian GP at Phillip Island. Last year's MotoGP
champion started from pole and led every lap around the 4.445 km
(2.762 miles) circuit. This year's title winner, Valentino Rossi, crashed
in qualifying but was still able to move his way into second place. The
Fiat Yamaha rider passed Nicky Hayden for the spot on the final lap.
Hayden's third moved him up two places in the point standings.
Quick all weekend, Stoner was hungry for today's win. The Aussie
shattered the track record to gain the top starting spot. In the race only
Hayden could keep up, but eventually even the American fell six seconds
away from the Ducati.
In contrast, Rossi had a terrible Saturday. The Italian looked quick during
practice but a mistake in qualifying sent the Fiat Yamaha bike into the
gravel. Rossi banged his head pretty good and wasn't able to place a
competitive time before the end of the session. After a good night's rest
the Doctor was ready to make up for his spill.
Starting twelfth on the grid the champ quickly dispatched a large chunk of
the field before hanging onto the tail of his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo.
Without losing his pace Rossi slipped past the sister Yamaha and then
worked on James Toseland for third, the pair not giving an inch before
Rossi finally made a pass stick. Rossi became a man possessed, with six
seconds between himself and Hayden he gave his all to catch the Honda.
When Hayden's rear tire faded away Rossi was able to make the pass on
the final lap. Clearly Rossi won the hard charger award, gaining eleven
positions on his quest for the best possible finish.
Oct 12 - For the second year in a row Casey Stoner has won at his
home event, the Australian GP at Phillip Island. Last year's MotoGP
champion started from pole and led every lap around the 4.445 km
(2.762 miles) circuit. This year's title winner, Valentino Rossi, crashed
in qualifying but was still able to move his way into second place. The
Fiat Yamaha rider passed Nicky Hayden for the spot on the final lap.
Hayden's third moved him up two places in the point standings.
Quick all weekend, Stoner was hungry for today's win. The Aussie
shattered the track record to gain the top starting spot. In the race only
Hayden could keep up, but eventually even the American fell six seconds
away from the Ducati.
In contrast, Rossi had a terrible Saturday. The Italian looked quick during
practice but a mistake in qualifying sent the Fiat Yamaha bike into the
gravel. Rossi banged his head pretty good and wasn't able to place a
competitive time before the end of the session. After a good night's rest
the Doctor was ready to make up for his spill.
Starting twelfth on the grid the champ quickly dispatched a large chunk of
the field before hanging onto the tail of his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo.
Without losing his pace Rossi slipped past the sister Yamaha and then
worked on James Toseland for third, the pair not giving an inch before
Rossi finally made a pass stick. Rossi became a man possessed, with six
seconds between himself and Hayden he gave his all to catch the Honda.
When Hayden's rear tire faded away Rossi was able to make the pass on
the final lap. Clearly Rossi won the hard charger award, gaining eleven
positions on his quest for the best possible finish.
Briscoe Win At Home
Oct 26 - IndyCar held a non-points race in Australia this weekend.
Ryan Briscoe won his first IndyCar race on home turf at Surfers
Paradise by beating two other local heroes. After pole starter Will Power
hit the wall on lap 16, Briscoe took over the lead and then held of Scott
Dixon over the last 15 laps to win the 300-kilometer race by 0.5019
seconds.
"It's so amazing to be able to win a race in my home country," said
Briscoe of his third victory this season for Penske Racing. The native of
Sydney became the first Aussie to win this event in 18 seasons.
Oct 26 - IndyCar held a non-points race in Australia this weekend.
Ryan Briscoe won his first IndyCar race on home turf at Surfers
Paradise by beating two other local heroes. After pole starter Will Power
hit the wall on lap 16, Briscoe took over the lead and then held of Scott
Dixon over the last 15 laps to win the 300-kilometer race by 0.5019
seconds.
"It's so amazing to be able to win a race in my home country," said
Briscoe of his third victory this season for Penske Racing. The native of
Sydney became the first Aussie to win this event in 18 seasons.
Stoner Wins Last MotoGP of Season
Oct 26 - Casey Stoner has won the Valencian GP, the final event in the
2008 MotoGP season. The Aussie led from start to finish, claiming his
sixth victory this year. Stoner held off local rider Dani Pedrosa for the
win while Valentino Rossi moved his way from starting tenth to finish
third in the race. The Championship was already decided last month,
with Stoner finishing second to Rossi.
Oct 26 - Casey Stoner has won the Valencian GP, the final event in the
2008 MotoGP season. The Aussie led from start to finish, claiming his
sixth victory this year. Stoner held off local rider Dani Pedrosa for the
win while Valentino Rossi moved his way from starting tenth to finish
third in the race. The Championship was already decided last month,
with Stoner finishing second to Rossi.
Rossi Wins MotoGP Malaysian GP
Oct 19 - Valentino Rossi may have already won the MotoGP
championship this year, but that wasn't going to stop the Italian from
taking more wins. In a day described by most teams as "sweltering",
Rossi played it cool to win the Malaysian GP in Sepang. Polesitter for the
race, Dani Pedrosa, crossed the line second. Andrea Dovizioso
earned the first podium of the season for JiR Team Scot, better late than
never. Circuit temperatures hit 140° F!
Oct 19 - Valentino Rossi may have already won the MotoGP
championship this year, but that wasn't going to stop the Italian from
taking more wins. In a day described by most teams as "sweltering",
Rossi played it cool to win the Malaysian GP in Sepang. Polesitter for the
race, Dani Pedrosa, crossed the line second. Andrea Dovizioso
earned the first podium of the season for JiR Team Scot, better late than
never. Circuit temperatures hit 140° F!
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