| November 2013 |
| Latest news is at the bottom |
American Wins GP2 Race
Nov 2 - Alexander Rossi has claimed his
maiden GP2 victory in Abu Dhabi after a
sensational performance that will certainly
help his cause to become the first American
Formula One driver since Scott Speed in
2007.
Rossi has balanced his GP2 campaign with
testing duties at Caterham, and the support
series has seen him flourish with three
podium finishes in 2013. However, after
scoring his first pole position yesterday,
Rossi went on to win the race ahead of
Britain’s Jolyon Palmer.
Fans in the U.S. will get the chance to see
Rossi run at Austin later this month when he
takes part in the first free practice session
for the Caterham F1 team.
(GP3 is a feeder series to GP2 which is a
feeder to Formula 1.)
Another American doing well in the FIA
world is Conor Daly, son of Derek Daly
and resident of Indianapolis.
Daly won a GP3 race this year and finished
the season in 3rd place. Daly also
competed in this year's Indy 500, driving
for A.J. Foyt.
Nov 2 - Alexander Rossi has claimed his
maiden GP2 victory in Abu Dhabi after a
sensational performance that will certainly
help his cause to become the first American
Formula One driver since Scott Speed in
2007.
Rossi has balanced his GP2 campaign with
testing duties at Caterham, and the support
series has seen him flourish with three
podium finishes in 2013. However, after
scoring his first pole position yesterday,
Rossi went on to win the race ahead of
Britain’s Jolyon Palmer.
Fans in the U.S. will get the chance to see
Rossi run at Austin later this month when he
takes part in the first free practice session
for the Caterham F1 team.
(GP3 is a feeder series to GP2 which is a
feeder to Formula 1.)
Another American doing well in the FIA
world is Conor Daly, son of Derek Daly
and resident of Indianapolis.
Daly won a GP3 race this year and finished
the season in 3rd place. Daly also
competed in this year's Indy 500, driving
for A.J. Foyt.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Conor Daly won at Valencia |
Alexander Rossi won Abu Dhabi GP2 race
Changes At The Speedway
Nov 10 - Additional spectator mounds and grandstands
will enhance the fan experience for the sports car races
July 25th and the entire MotoGP weekend in August by
providing more exciting vantage points to see the action
in the infield section of the course.
Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles has completed
the formation of his leadership team. Jay Frye, a racing
executive who successfully transformed two teams into
NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders, is the new chief
revenue officer. C.J. O'Donnell, who has worked in
key marketing positions for various brands within Ford
Motor Company, will join Hulman Motorsports as chief
marketing officer. The appointments complete a
reorganization that began earlier this year. This
includes combining the commercial functions of
INDYCAR and IMS, including sales, licensing,
marketing and communications, into Hulman
Motorsports, which O'Donnell and Frye will lead.
In May, Derrick Walker was named as president
of INDYCAR operations and competition. Other
members of the Hulman leadership team include
Jeff Belskus, president and chief financial officer
of Hulman & Company; Gretchen Snelling, vice
president and chief legal counsel; Robby Greene,
president of IMS Productions; and Doug Boles,
president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.
Nov 10 - Additional spectator mounds and grandstands
will enhance the fan experience for the sports car races
July 25th and the entire MotoGP weekend in August by
providing more exciting vantage points to see the action
in the infield section of the course.
Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles has completed
the formation of his leadership team. Jay Frye, a racing
executive who successfully transformed two teams into
NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders, is the new chief
revenue officer. C.J. O'Donnell, who has worked in
key marketing positions for various brands within Ford
Motor Company, will join Hulman Motorsports as chief
marketing officer. The appointments complete a
reorganization that began earlier this year. This
includes combining the commercial functions of
INDYCAR and IMS, including sales, licensing,
marketing and communications, into Hulman
Motorsports, which O'Donnell and Frye will lead.
In May, Derrick Walker was named as president
of INDYCAR operations and competition. Other
members of the Hulman leadership team include
Jeff Belskus, president and chief financial officer
of Hulman & Company; Gretchen Snelling, vice
president and chief legal counsel; Robby Greene,
president of IMS Productions; and Doug Boles,
president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.
The huge and wonderful "Celebration of Automobiles"
car show will return for a fourth year on May 8-10,
2014. Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser
will serve as the honorary head judge and he will
determine which classic/vintage car will win the
prestigious Driver's Choice Award. There will be a
special spotlight on cars built in Indiana. The new
addition to the show is the inclusion of motorcycles
from 1910-70. Also an artist pavilion featuring
world-class automotive art is another new attraction
for 2014.
Miles spoke on TV today about the possibility of
changes to the qualifying format for the Indy 500. He
said that all the drivers will qualify on Saturday, but the
order is only provisional. On Sunday, the drivers who
qualified Saturday in positions 10-33 will re-qualify for
those spots. During the last session of the day, the
drivers who were in the fast 9 the previous day will
now re-qualify for the first three rows of the grid.
car show will return for a fourth year on May 8-10,
2014. Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser
will serve as the honorary head judge and he will
determine which classic/vintage car will win the
prestigious Driver's Choice Award. There will be a
special spotlight on cars built in Indiana. The new
addition to the show is the inclusion of motorcycles
from 1910-70. Also an artist pavilion featuring
world-class automotive art is another new attraction
for 2014.
Miles spoke on TV today about the possibility of
changes to the qualifying format for the Indy 500. He
said that all the drivers will qualify on Saturday, but the
order is only provisional. On Sunday, the drivers who
qualified Saturday in positions 10-33 will re-qualify for
those spots. During the last session of the day, the
drivers who were in the fast 9 the previous day will
now re-qualify for the first three rows of the grid.
2013 MotoGP Champion
Nov 10 - Mexican Marc Marquez, 20, has become
the youngest ever MotoGP World Champion. He is
also the first rookie to win the championship since
Kenny Roberts in 1978.
The championship came down to the last race of the
season. Marquez finished in third place with enough
points to seal the championship over his main rival
Jorge Lorenzo who won the race. Marquez won the
title by a margin of just four points with 334 to
Lorenzo’s 330.
Since starting his first MotoGP campaign at the start of
this year, Marquez has broken practically every rookie
record on his way to the world title including six race
wins, 9 pole positions, 16 podiums and 11 fastest
race laps.
First competing in the 125cc World Championship in
2008 Marquez had a steady climb through the ranks
until he eventually clinched the title in 2010 and the
graduated into the Moto2 class where he made an
instant impression notching up multiple race wins.
However, a nasty crash in first year of Moto2 saw
Marquez suffering an eye injury that threatened to end
his racing career but the Spaniard was dogged in his
determination to continue to race and came back in
2012 to take the championship title.
Following his first ever podium at the season opener in
Qatar, Marquez was an instant sensation and began
what was to become one of the most exciting MotoGP
seasons. His Moto2 style of riding was credited with
getting that extra bit of speed from the bike. The
smooth driving Lorenzo made a valiant effort for the
championship, winning 5 of the last 7 races.
Nov 10 - Mexican Marc Marquez, 20, has become
the youngest ever MotoGP World Champion. He is
also the first rookie to win the championship since
Kenny Roberts in 1978.
The championship came down to the last race of the
season. Marquez finished in third place with enough
points to seal the championship over his main rival
Jorge Lorenzo who won the race. Marquez won the
title by a margin of just four points with 334 to
Lorenzo’s 330.
Since starting his first MotoGP campaign at the start of
this year, Marquez has broken practically every rookie
record on his way to the world title including six race
wins, 9 pole positions, 16 podiums and 11 fastest
race laps.
First competing in the 125cc World Championship in
2008 Marquez had a steady climb through the ranks
until he eventually clinched the title in 2010 and the
graduated into the Moto2 class where he made an
instant impression notching up multiple race wins.
However, a nasty crash in first year of Moto2 saw
Marquez suffering an eye injury that threatened to end
his racing career but the Spaniard was dogged in his
determination to continue to race and came back in
2012 to take the championship title.
Following his first ever podium at the season opener in
Qatar, Marquez was an instant sensation and began
what was to become one of the most exciting MotoGP
seasons. His Moto2 style of riding was credited with
getting that extra bit of speed from the bike. The
smooth driving Lorenzo made a valiant effort for the
championship, winning 5 of the last 7 races.
| Marc Marquez - Repsol Honda |
2014 IndyCar Testing
Nov 13 - IndyCar announced today that IZOD IndyCar
Series teams will be permitted a total of 18 testing days,
with the opportunity for additional bonus days, between
now and the 2014 season finale.
Full-season IndyCar Series teams will have a total of 18
test days to be used in any combination of engine
manufacturer tests, team tests, Open Tests, straight line
and full-sized wind tunnel tests through the 2014 season
finale at Auto Club Speedway.
"Our objective was to structure the testing rules so that
everybody had equal opportunity and an equal number
of days," said Derrick Walker, president, competition
and operations, INDYCAR. "Rather than INDYCAR
designating specific numbers for each category of
testing, the onus is on teams to utilize days as they
feel is best for their individual program."
Additionally, IndyCar Series teams can receive two
bonus days by testing a current Indy Lights driver.
Teams will have two additional days for testing rookie
drivers and any new entrant will have four additional
offseason team test days in addition to its allotment
of 18 days.
Nov 13 - IndyCar announced today that IZOD IndyCar
Series teams will be permitted a total of 18 testing days,
with the opportunity for additional bonus days, between
now and the 2014 season finale.
Full-season IndyCar Series teams will have a total of 18
test days to be used in any combination of engine
manufacturer tests, team tests, Open Tests, straight line
and full-sized wind tunnel tests through the 2014 season
finale at Auto Club Speedway.
"Our objective was to structure the testing rules so that
everybody had equal opportunity and an equal number
of days," said Derrick Walker, president, competition
and operations, INDYCAR. "Rather than INDYCAR
designating specific numbers for each category of
testing, the onus is on teams to utilize days as they
feel is best for their individual program."
Additionally, IndyCar Series teams can receive two
bonus days by testing a current Indy Lights driver.
Teams will have two additional days for testing rookie
drivers and any new entrant will have four additional
offseason team test days in addition to its allotment
of 18 days.
Open Tests will be held at three venues that host 2014
IndyCar Series events:
• Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., on
Monday, March 17, and Tuesday, March 18. Spring
training is mandatory for all Leaders Circle entrants.
• The newly modified Indianapolis Motor Speedway
road course will host an Open Test on Wednesday,
April 30.
• The 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval will host an Open
Test on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda have five
on-track test days. Mileage amassed while using a
manufacturer development engine does not count
against a team's maximum of 10,000 miles during
team tests, Open Tests and race events in a calendar year.
Season ends for Kimi Raikkonen
Nov 13 - Back pain is forcing Kimi Raikkonen into
back surgery and consequently he will miss the final
two F1 races of the season.
Lotus is expected to hire fellow Finn, Heikki
Kovalainen to replace Raikkonen instead of their
reserve driver, Davide Valsecchi because
Kovalainen has the experience.
Nov 13 - Back pain is forcing Kimi Raikkonen into
back surgery and consequently he will miss the final
two F1 races of the season.
Lotus is expected to hire fellow Finn, Heikki
Kovalainen to replace Raikkonen instead of their
reserve driver, Davide Valsecchi because
Kovalainen has the experience.
Franchitti Announces Retirement
Nov 14 - 3-Time Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti
tweeted today that he has retired from racing.
He says that the injuries he sustained in the violent
wreck in Houston last month is the cause. His doctors
have told him he must stop racing.
He was looking forward to the 2014 IndyCar season
and hopes that he can find a role to play in the league.
Between 1998-2002, Franchitti raced for Team Green
in CART where he won 10 races.
Between 2003-2007, Franchitti won 8 races driving
for Andretti, winning the championship and the Indy
500 in 2007.
He spent 2008 in NASCAR driving for Chip Ganassi.
He switched back to IndyCar in 2009 driving for Target
Chip Ganassi Racing where he won the championship.
In 2010 Franchitti again won the championship as well
as the Indy 500.
In 2011 he repeated that winning his third championship
and third Indy 500.
Nov 14 - 3-Time Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti
tweeted today that he has retired from racing.
He says that the injuries he sustained in the violent
wreck in Houston last month is the cause. His doctors
have told him he must stop racing.
He was looking forward to the 2014 IndyCar season
and hopes that he can find a role to play in the league.
Between 1998-2002, Franchitti raced for Team Green
in CART where he won 10 races.
Between 2003-2007, Franchitti won 8 races driving
for Andretti, winning the championship and the Indy
500 in 2007.
He spent 2008 in NASCAR driving for Chip Ganassi.
He switched back to IndyCar in 2009 driving for Target
Chip Ganassi Racing where he won the championship.
In 2010 Franchitti again won the championship as well
as the Indy 500.
In 2011 he repeated that winning his third championship
and third Indy 500.
Dario Franchitti's visage appeard on this year's Indy 500 ticket
IMS Road Course Construction
Nov 19 - A $5-million reconfiguration project to
transform the existing Indianapolis Motor Speedway
road course for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis
IndyCar Series race Saturday, May 10, 2014 was
completed today. The new layout features more speed
and hard braking zones to create more passing and
competitive racing. The project took 63 days, the same
number of days it took to pave the oval in 1909 with 3.2
million bricks!
Nov 19 - A $5-million reconfiguration project to
transform the existing Indianapolis Motor Speedway
road course for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis
IndyCar Series race Saturday, May 10, 2014 was
completed today. The new layout features more speed
and hard braking zones to create more passing and
competitive racing. The project took 63 days, the same
number of days it took to pave the oval in 1909 with 3.2
million bricks!
12,878' = 2.439 miles = 3.925 Kilometers
5
9
1-2 degrees
46'
50'
2,503' = .474 mile = .763 kilometer
2,869' = .543 mile = .874 kilometer
5
9
1-2 degrees
46'
50'
2,503' = .474 mile = .763 kilometer
2,869' = .543 mile = .874 kilometer
Detailed Specifications:
Course Distance:
Number of Left Turns
Number of Right Turns
Corner Banking
Track Width
Straightaway Width
Back Straight Length
Front Straight Length
Course Distance:
Number of Left Turns
Number of Right Turns
Corner Banking
Track Width
Straightaway Width
Back Straight Length
Front Straight Length
Video of Tony Kanaan driving new Corvette on new road course.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
Nov 18 - Jimmie Johnson won his sixth NASCAR Sprint
Cup championship, nailing it down in the season finale at
the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Going into the 36th
and final race of the season, the Californian needed to
finish 25th or better and by ending up ninth, he sealed
the championship by a margin of 19 points.
For the 2013 season, the 37-year old driver won six
times and earned 24 top 10’s with only one DNF in 36
races. During the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint
Cup, he won twice and had nine top-10s. For his
career, he has totaled 66 victories, but it is the growing
numbers of championships that are triggering national
recognition and prompting comparisons to legendary
drivers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty and their
seven titles. This championship marked the 11th for
Hendrick Motorsports.
Matt Kenseth finished second in the championship,
but call this his best season, despite the fact that he
won the series championship in 2003. "We didn't
come up with the championship -- the championship
is the ultimate goal," he said. "You always want that,
but from a competitive standpoint, it's been by far the
best season of my career. We led the most laps,
qualified the best, most wins, all that stuff." The
41-year old moved from Roush Fenway Racing to
Joe Gibbs Racing this year.
Nov 18 - Jimmie Johnson won his sixth NASCAR Sprint
Cup championship, nailing it down in the season finale at
the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Going into the 36th
and final race of the season, the Californian needed to
finish 25th or better and by ending up ninth, he sealed
the championship by a margin of 19 points.
For the 2013 season, the 37-year old driver won six
times and earned 24 top 10’s with only one DNF in 36
races. During the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint
Cup, he won twice and had nine top-10s. For his
career, he has totaled 66 victories, but it is the growing
numbers of championships that are triggering national
recognition and prompting comparisons to legendary
drivers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty and their
seven titles. This championship marked the 11th for
Hendrick Motorsports.
Matt Kenseth finished second in the championship,
but call this his best season, despite the fact that he
won the series championship in 2003. "We didn't
come up with the championship -- the championship
is the ultimate goal," he said. "You always want that,
but from a competitive standpoint, it's been by far the
best season of my career. We led the most laps,
qualified the best, most wins, all that stuff." The
41-year old moved from Roush Fenway Racing to
Joe Gibbs Racing this year.
| Jimmie Johnson, family and crew. |
Matt Kenseth
Vettel's Record Setting Season
Nov 24 - The Formula 1 season is over now and its time
to look at Sebastian Vettel's record breaking season.
Vettel won thirteen of nineteen Formula 1 races this
year tying the record set by Michael Schumacher in
2004. Vettel also had 16 podium finishes, 11-straight.
Vettel had 9 pole positions and 15 front row starts,
10-straight.
Vettel won the last nine races of the season. The only
F1 driver to win nine consecutive races was Alberto
Ascari, however Ascari's wins were spread over the
1952-53 season. Also, in comparison to other series,
Richard Petty had 10-straight Nascar wins in 1967
and AJ Foyt had 7-straight IndyCar wins in 1964.
Vettel garnered 397 points this season which is more
than any of the competing teams - ie. he didn't need a
teammate this year to get Red Bull their constructors
championship.
This year was Vettel's fourth consecutive championship.
Juan Manuel Fangio scored four of his five
championships in a row, between 1954-1957.
Michael Schumacher won five of his seven
championships in a row, between 2000-2004.
Vettel's Other Records:
In 2006, Vettel was BMW's Friday driver and became
the youngest driver to participate in a Grand Prix
weekend (19 years and 53 days old)
In 2007, he replaced an injured Robert Kubica at the
US GP at the Indy Speedway where he finished 8th,
becoming the youngest driver to score a championship
point. He also is the youngest o lead a race, to secure
pole position, and to win a race.
Nov 24 - The Formula 1 season is over now and its time
to look at Sebastian Vettel's record breaking season.
Vettel won thirteen of nineteen Formula 1 races this
year tying the record set by Michael Schumacher in
2004. Vettel also had 16 podium finishes, 11-straight.
Vettel had 9 pole positions and 15 front row starts,
10-straight.
Vettel won the last nine races of the season. The only
F1 driver to win nine consecutive races was Alberto
Ascari, however Ascari's wins were spread over the
1952-53 season. Also, in comparison to other series,
Richard Petty had 10-straight Nascar wins in 1967
and AJ Foyt had 7-straight IndyCar wins in 1964.
Vettel garnered 397 points this season which is more
than any of the competing teams - ie. he didn't need a
teammate this year to get Red Bull their constructors
championship.
This year was Vettel's fourth consecutive championship.
Juan Manuel Fangio scored four of his five
championships in a row, between 1954-1957.
Michael Schumacher won five of his seven
championships in a row, between 2000-2004.
Vettel's Other Records:
In 2006, Vettel was BMW's Friday driver and became
the youngest driver to participate in a Grand Prix
weekend (19 years and 53 days old)
In 2007, he replaced an injured Robert Kubica at the
US GP at the Indy Speedway where he finished 8th,
becoming the youngest driver to score a championship
point. He also is the youngest o lead a race, to secure
pole position, and to win a race.
F1 Driver Changes
Felipe Massa is being replaced at Ferrari by Kimi
Raikkonen.
Massa is replacing Pastor Maldonado at Williams.
Maldonado will probably be replacing Raikkonen at
Lotus.
For some reason, McLaren is replacing Sergio Perez
with Kevin Magnussen. We don't know yet where
Perez will end up.
Mark Webber is retiring at age 37 and Daniel
Ricciardo is replacing him at Red Bull, leaving his
seat at Toro Rosso.
Replacing Ricciardo at Toro Rosso is Russian rookie
Daniil Kvyat.
We will have to wait and see who drives for Force
India, Sauber, Marussia and Caterham next year,
although Jules Bianchi will remain at Marussia.
Felipe Massa is being replaced at Ferrari by Kimi
Raikkonen.
Massa is replacing Pastor Maldonado at Williams.
Maldonado will probably be replacing Raikkonen at
Lotus.
For some reason, McLaren is replacing Sergio Perez
with Kevin Magnussen. We don't know yet where
Perez will end up.
Mark Webber is retiring at age 37 and Daniel
Ricciardo is replacing him at Red Bull, leaving his
seat at Toro Rosso.
Replacing Ricciardo at Toro Rosso is Russian rookie
Daniil Kvyat.
We will have to wait and see who drives for Force
India, Sauber, Marussia and Caterham next year,
although Jules Bianchi will remain at Marussia.
2009, he became the youngest ever Formula One
runner up.
In 2010 he became the youngest ever Formula One
world champion. In the years that followed he would be
come the youngest ever double champion, triple
champion, etc.
He currently has 45 pole positions which places him
third all time.
runner up.
In 2010 he became the youngest ever Formula One
world champion. In the years that followed he would be
come the youngest ever double champion, triple
champion, etc.
He currently has 45 pole positions which places him
third all time.
| SEBASTIAN VETTEL |
