Indy Cars & F1 Magazine

Adrian Newey rues loss of diffuser blowing

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:15:28 +0000

The Red Bull RB8 ran its first laps in the hands of Mark Webber at Jerez this morning, and after its debut technical director Adrian Newey had some interesting comments to make about the car.

He insists that it still has much in common with the RB5 of 2009, although over time the design has adapted to various rule changes. He also said that RBR lost more than most with the ban on exhaut blown diffusers.

?The principal challenge has been the restriction in the exhaust outlet position,? said Newey. ?Coupled with the restriction on engine mapping, which really means we?ve lost the exhaust blown technology that we developed initially in 2010 and then took a further step last year.

“Certainly last year?s car was designed around that, we adopted that exhaust position in the wind tunnel in August and designed the car around it.

?Perhaps other people copied ours and therefore hadn?t designed their car around it. If you lose that, it stands to reason that you perhaps lose more than other people. Obviously the work over the winter has been to try and mitigate against that, but it?s a lost technology, it can?t simply be re-invented.?

Newey admits that the nose of the car is not as pleasing as he would have liked.

?That?s really a product of the regulation that has restricted the height of the nose, but not the height of the chassis. We?ve taken a high nose route, along with most of the field, and to satisfy that regulation we?ve ended up with an awkward looking step at the front. Those who pursued a lower nose in the first place have managed to maintain a smooth shape.?

Intriguingly he said that the car is not as steeply raked as its predecessor. Last year there was controversy over the way the front wing appeared to be closer to the ground than that of other cars. The lack of exhaust blowing has changed that.

?Yes, it certainly means that the very good rear downforce that we were able to enjoy at high rear ride height is massively compromised. So part of the work on this year?s car had to be reducing the rake from what we had last year.?

Asked by this writer about the RB8?s exhaust position, Newey played down the significance.

?I think in truth there?s not a lot to come out of exhausts. What often happens in those situations is you get a reasonable variety of different positions, because there?s not a lot to be gained from it. We?ve obviously launched in the position we?re in ? other people are taking different routes. As I say I doubt if there?s a lot to be had from the various different positions that people are sporting.?

Newey also said that the hole at the top of the nose was “primarily for driver cooling.”

Adam Cooper’s F1 Blog

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg

American Cars Highlighted in New GT5 Time & Drift Trials

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:15:26 +0000

Gran Turismo 5 February 9th, 2012 by Famine

More Time and Drift trials have been added to Gran Turismo 5?s Seasonal Event lists and fans of the game?s US road cars will be pleased. Each of the two events features a trial involving American non-race cars ? limited by PP in the Time Trial and by tyres in the Drift Trial ? along with two further open-to-all challenges. Here?s the numbers you?ll need to know:

Time Trial No. 29

500PP American Cars: Cape Ring Time Trial
American non-race cars only, limited to 500PP on Sports/Hard tyres or worse
Gold: Cr.250,000 Silver: Cr.150,000 Bronze: Cr.100,000
600PP Suzuka Circuit Time Trial
Any car limited to 600PP on Sports/Hard tyres or worse
Gold: Cr.250,000 Silver: Cr.150,000 Bronze: Cr.100,000

Drift Trial No. 29

American Cars: Sarthe Circuit 2009 (no chicane) Drift Trial
American cars only on Comfort/Soft tyres or worse
Gold: Cr.250,000 Silver: Cr.150,000 Bronze: Cr.100,000
Nürburgring 24H Course Drift Trial
Any car on Comfort/Soft tyres or worse
Gold: Cr.250,000 Silver: Cr.150,000 Bronze: Cr.100,000

There is no additional reward for these events, nor has there been an Online Collectors? Dealership update yet. All of the events are available until 3am GMT on 23rd February 2012.

Thanks to doodlemonoply for the tip!

GT5 Photomode images courtesy of WeZR1 and astonmartin90.

GTPlanet

Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard

Tony Marks Racing and Leilani Munter Team Up To Bring Dolphin Awareness to the High Banks of Daytona

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:15:34 +0000

No. 12 The Cove / Dolphins Awareness Dodge Charger

Mooresville, NC (February 8, 2012) Leilani Munter may be small but she is a huge force when it comes to standing up for causes that she is very passionate about, especially the inhumane captivity and slaughter of dolphins around the world. Leilani will be driving the first ever ocean awareness themed car on the high banks of Daytona joining Tony Marks Racing in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards on February 18, 2012. In an incredible display of the public?s support of her cause, Leilani?s race to bring public awareness to the plight of the dolphins has been funded completely by donations from individuals and organizations who wanted to help get her ocean awareness race car on track.

The No. 12 TMR Dodge Charger will feature the Academy Award winning documentary ?The Cove? which exposes the annual slaughter of thousands of dolphins in a small cove in Taiji, Japan. The documentary, which won over 70 awards globally, also exposed the undeniable connection between dolphin parks and dolphin captivity with the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world. Munter, a biology graduate, has made three trips to Japan to document the dolphin slaughter first hand and keep the issue in the public?s mind. Leilani comments, ?Racing a ?The Cove? themed race car at Daytona is an incredible opportunity to reach a new audience about this important issue and since the race is broadcast live on SPEED, it will be seen in the United States and overseas.?

Leilani Munter

The star of film, dolphin activist Ric O?Barry, and the director Louie Psihoyos will be joining Leilani at Daytona and autographing 1000 DVD?s of the movie to give away to race fans during the autograph session in the ARCA garage on Saturday, February 18 at 12:30pm. ?The Cove? was produced by the Oceanic Preservation Society, a non-profit organization that creates film, photography and media that inspires people to save the ocean. Special thanks to sponsor pair Networks (http://www.pair.com), a carbon neutral website hosting company who hosts Leilani?s websites and the Shaw Family Fund for their significant contributions to ?The Cove? dolphin awareness campaign at Daytona.

?I am excited Leilani is with the team for Daytona and hopefully we can take this further into the future. She is a very driven person and passionate about what she believes in; what she is doing is an honorable thing- she takes risks to expose the brutal slayings of the dolphins and that is something that a lot of us would not even think about doing,? said team owner Tony Marks.

TMR Racing is holding a screening of the film at the race shop so the team will have a deeper understanding of the motivating force behind their driver. Leilani?s birthday is Saturday, February 18th and this year it falls on race day- what better way for her to celebrate than to take the No. 12 ?The Cove?/Dolphin Awareness Dodge Charger to Victory Lane.

Be sure to follow Leilani in her No. 12 ?The Cove?/Dolphin Awareness Dodge Charger in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway LIVE on SPEED Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

For more information on ?The Cove? go to thecovemovie.com, opsociety.org and dolphinproject.org

To learn more about Leilani and her endeavors visit leilanimunter.com

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing visit tmr-racing.com

- Tony Marks Racing Press Release

Catchfence

Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti

2013 Audi RS4 Avant rendered

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:15:28 +0000

Recent rumors flying around the internet have suggested that Audi are preparing to launch the RS4 and if reports prove to be correct, it will only be available as an Avant variant. With this in mind, Jon Sibal has completed a rendering of what the final model may look like.

The design features an RS inspired front end with a mesh grille, a set of 20 inch wheels, wide fenders and blacked-out window trims.

Power for the model would come from a 4.2-liter V8 engine with around 450 PS (331 kW / 444 hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. Audi’s Seven-speed S tronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system would also make its way into the system.

It should enable the RS4 Avant to accelerate from 0-100kph (0-62mph) in just under 5 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250kph).

A 3rd quarter launch has been mentioned which would mean we shouldn’t be too far off an official debut. The fact the Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner makes it a very likely contender, although it remains to be seen whether it would debut production ready or as a pre-production concept.

Worldcarfans

Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol

Schumacher quickest on day two of test as Webber leads 2012 runners | 2012 F1 testing

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:15:24 +0000

Michael Schumacher was fastest at Jerez on Wednesday

Michael Schumacher topped the times on the second day of testing at Jerez.

Driving last year?s Mercedes W02, Schumacher set a best time of 1?18.561, more than a second quicker than Kimi Raikkonen?s fastest lap yesterday.

Raikkonen completed his second full day of testing for Lotus, he and Schumacher sharing a track for the first time since Schumacher first retired at the end of 2006.

He had a minor off in the morning, skidding into a gravel trap in the E20. But he continued his programme, running a longer stint in the afternoon and ending the day fourth having logged well over 100 laps.

Mark Webber also beat Raikkonen?s time with a 1?19.184 at the wheel of Red Bull?s RB8, which was quickest of the 2012 cars.

Daniel Ricciardo snuck inside Raikkonen?s best time from Tuesday, setting a 1?19.587 in the Toro Rosso STR7. Jean-Eric Vergne will have his first run in the car tomorrow.

The Ferrari F2012 completed almost 100 laps in Felipe Massa?s hands. He was seventh-fastest ahead of Jenson Button in the McLaren.

Among the new faces was Jules Bianchi, who had his first run at the wheel of the Force India in the morning, before handing it back to Paul di Resta.

Sergio Perez took over from Kamui Kobayashi at Sauber.

At Caterham, Heikki Kovalainen used KERS in the car for the first time, and racked up an impressive 139 laps. New reserve driver Giedo van der Garde will make his debut for the team tomorrow.

Tomorrow Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will be in action for their respective teams.

Jerez test times

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Image © Red Bull/Getty images

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Daytona Speedweeks schedule

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:15:23 +0000

Events at Daytona International Speedway leading into the Feb. 26 Daytona 500:

Thursday, Feb. 16

11 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

1 p.m.: Admission Gates open

1 p.m.-5 p.m.: ARCA Practice

Noon-6 p.m.: Inspection Station Activity in Sprint Fanzone

6 p.m.: Garages close

Friday, Feb. 17

9 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

9 a.m.-7 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (must be 18 or older)

2 p.m.: Admission gates open

2 p.m.: ARCA qualifying (2 laps, all positions)

5 p.m.-5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout practice

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout final practice

8 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout draw party located outside Turn 4 tunnel on the Speed Channel stage

9 p.m.: Garages close

Saturday, Feb. 18

9 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (must be 18 or older)

9 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Victory Lane

9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.: Admission gates open

10 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.: ARCA final practice

10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice

12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.: ARCA all access/autograph session in garage

2 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice

4 p.m.-6 p.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (all ages)

4:40 p.m.: ARCA Racing Series: Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 (80 laps, 200 miles)

7:48 p.m.: Budweiser Shootout driver introductions

8:29 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout (75 laps, 187.5 miles)

11:30 p.m.: Garages close

Sunday, Feb. 19

7 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Gatorade Victory Lane

8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

9 a.m.-Noon: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (all ages)

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

Noon: Admission gates open

1:05 p.m.: Daytona 500 qualifying (2 laps, 2 positions)

5 p.m.: Garages close

Wednesday, Feb. 22

9 a.m.: Admission gates open

10 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Gatorade Victory Lane

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice

2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice (final practice before Gatorade Duels)

7 p.m.: Garages close

Thursday, Feb. 23

7 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

8 a.m.: Admission gates open

8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (all ages)

9 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4

9 a.m.-9:50 a.m.: Nationwide Series Practice

9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Live Music: The Trans Ams on the Sprint Fanzone Main Stage

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Budweiser Clydesdale appearance

12:10 p.m.-1 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Practice

1:40 p.m. (approx.): Gatorade Duel race No. 1 driver introductions

2:19 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Duels At Daytona (60 laps, 150 miles, each race)

5 p.m.: Nationwide Series garages close

6 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series garages close

6 p.m.-7:20 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice

Friday, Feb. 24

7 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

7 a.m.-7 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Gatorade Victory Lane

7 a.m.-10 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (must be 18 or older)

8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4

10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

11 a.m.: Admission gates open

11 a.m.-noon: Sprint Cup Series practice

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice

1:05 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 qualifying (2 laps, all positions)

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Sprint Fanzone Guided Garage Tours courtesy of Goodyear (Must be 18 or older)

2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Autograph Session in Sprint Fanzone

3:30 p.m.-6 p.m.: Budweiser Clydesdale appearance in Sprint Fanzone

3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Live Music: Megaphone on the Sprint Fanzone main stage

4 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series garages close

4:05 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 qualifying (2 laps, all positions)

6:30 p.m.: Nationwide Series garages close

7 p.m.: NextEra Energy Resources 250 driver introductions

7:52 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)

Saturday, Feb. 25

9 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

9 a.m.: Admission gates open

9 a.m. : Midway display area opens outside Turn 4

9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (must be 18 or older)

9 a.m.-Noon: Inspection station activity in Sprint Fanzone

9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Gatorade Victory Lane

9:30 a.m.: Driver Appearance: Elliott Sadler on the Sprint Fanzone Main Stage

10 a.m.-Noon: Budweiser Clydesdale appearance in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Live Music: Hayfire on the Sprint Fanzone main stage

12:45 p.m.: DRIVE4COPD 300 driver introductions

1:36 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 (120 laps, 300 miles)

5 p.m.: Garages close

Sunday, Feb. 26

7 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone and garages open

7 a.m.-1 p.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos in Gatorade Victory Lane

8 a.m.: Admission gates open

8 a.m.: Superstretch Fan Experience and Budweiser Party Porch open

8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Sprint Fanzone guided garage tours (all ages)

8 a.m.-Noon: Inspection station activity

8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Rock wall and power jump in kids area in Sprint Fanzone

9 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4

9 a.m.-9:40 a.m.: US Air Force Thunderbirds autograph session in Sprint Fanzone

12:20 p.m.: Daytona 500 Pre-race Show/Concert on Pit Road

12:40 p.m.: Daytona 500 driver introductions

1:29 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles)

Racing

Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi

Daytona 500 Winner Trevor Bayne

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:15:31 +0000

Feb 09

Thursday

Daytona 500 Winner Trevor Bayne

Caught in the Catchfence?

Comments February 9, 2012 ? 11:51 am | Print |

Driver reflects on year of peaks and valleys in our exclusive Q&A

Trevor Bayne astonished the sports world?and himself?on Feb. 20, 2011, when just one day after his 20th birthday and during only his second Sprint Cup start, he won the Daytona 500, NASCAR?s most prestigious race.

Today, the defending champion is preparing for the 2012 running of the Great American Race scheduled for Feb. 26 at Daytona International Speedway. American Profile recently caught up with Bayne, who became the youngest Daytona 500 champion in history while driving for legendary Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR?s oldest continually operating team. He reflected on winning the Super Bowl of NASCAR, his plans for the future, and the illness that temporarily stalled his meteoric rise. - Full Story by M.B. Roberts @ American Profile

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Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz

Star Mazda: JDC MotorSports Signs Freiberg for 2012 Rookie Campaign

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:26 +0000

JDC MotorSports is very pleased to add American Ashley Freiberg to its driver line-up for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season. Seeking to repeat as series champion, the Minnesota-based squad will have the talented rookie behind the wheel in the Mazda Road to Indy series via the newly created TrueCar, Inc. ?Women Empowered Initiative?.

In addition to always striving to win championships, JDC MotorSports has continually been focused on finding and developing talent behind the wheel. That continues in 2012, with the addition of Ashley to its Star Mazda Championship roster. Thanks in large part to a new driver advancement program by TrueCar entitled ?Woman Empowered?, Ashley will join forces with the defending and three-time Star Mazda champion JDC MotorSports. The former Skip Barber Racing champion, who has four Star Mazda races on her resume, including a top-five finish in 2010 at the Autobahn Country Club, will contest the entire upcoming 18-race campaign, partnering fellow up-and-comer Juan Piedrahita under the JDC awning.

?We are really excited about working with Ashley during the 2012 season,? stated JDC MotorSports team principal John Church. ?The opportunity to work with Ashley and TrueCar is a real honor, and we look forward to a great season.?

?It?s hard to express how excited I am for this opportunity that TrueCar has given me,? stated Ashley. ?I have an awesome team around me, with TrueCar, JDC, Burke Harrison, and Mike Zimicki. I am thrilled for the chance to work and learn with all of them this season. The only way to describe all of this coming together is like a ?dream come true?. Let?s go racing!?

The 2012 season is just the latest step on Ashley?s on-going quest to reach the top echelon of motorsports. The Illinois native, who currently resides in Vermont, first made her mark in the karting ranks, winning multiple races and championships. In 2007, Ashley made the transition to car competition, immediately showcasing speed and skill in Skip Barber Racing action. She continued her progression behind the wheel via greater and greater success in Skip Barber competition. Ashley made history in 2010, becoming the first female to win both a Skip Barber National race and championships, capturing two Barber Series titles via a 25-win season. Thanks to this success, Ashley was selected as one of six female racers in 2011 for the inaugural TrueCar ?Women Empowered Initiative?. This program is a multi-year commitment to support rising female racers in several series. TrueCar.com is the best way to begin the car buying process, because its certified dealers provide a hassle-free car buying experience, and the website makes you a pricing expert by telling what other people are paying for the car you want to buy.

JDC MotorSports will commence its chase for another Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear title on March 24-25, when the opening two rounds take place on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series. Prior to the season-opening doubleheader, Ashley and her teammate will take part in private testing, and be part of the annual Star Mazda Championship Spring Training event at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on March 19-20. JDC MotorSports is continuing to evaluate additional drivers for the upcoming race season, with interested drivers urged to contact the squad.

To keep up to date with the 2012 driver line-ups, be sure to regularly visit the eFormulaCarNews.com Tentative Entry List webpage located HERE

Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports

Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett Tony Crook

HVM hires new team manager

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:15:31 +0000

Lotus HVM Racing welcomes Shane Seneviratne as the team’s new manager effective immediately. Seneviratne (LEFT), former principal of US RaceTronics, has an 18-year history in Indy Lights and Atlantics, amassing multiple championships. Seneviratne fills the position vacated by outgoing team manager Vince Kremer, who has accepted a new position with Firestone Indy Lights.

“It is with bittersweet regret that I move on from HVM Racing to pursue an opportunity with the Firestone Indy Lights series,” Kremer said. “Having been a part of this operation since 1998 I have amassed many good memories and lifelong friendships. I wish nothing but continued success for HVM, Simona de Silvestro, Entergy and all of our commercial partners. I would also like to personally express my thanks and gratitude to Keith Wiggins for giving me the opportunity to grow professionally within the industry.”

As part of Dorricott Racing from 1993-2004, Seneviratne was an integral part of winning championships in 1999, 2001 and 2002 with drivers Oriol Servia, Townsend Bell and Jon Fogarty, respectively. In 1999, Dorricott became the first team to achieve the top three positions in the Indy Lights championship.

In late 2004, Seneviratne formed US RaceTronics to compete in the 2005 Atlantic Championship and immediately achieved success with multiple top-five finishes. Between 2006 and 2008 success continued with three poles, 12 podiums and one win (Carl Skerlong, New Jersey 2008) while the team consistently challenged for the championship.

In 2009, US RaceTronics teamed with co-team principal Imran Safiulla to form Team Stargate Worlds. The newly formed partnership generated instant success in grooming de Silvestro to achieve a female record of four poles and four wins in the 2009 Atlantic season. In the team’s six-year history it has garnered five wins, seven poles, and 21 podiums finishes as part of the Cooper Tire Atlantic Championship Series.

“First of all, we would like to thank Vince for over 11 years of dedication to our organization,” said Lotus HVM team owner Keith Wiggins. “We also welcome the appointment of Shane as our new team manager. Like many of us when we progressed through our careers, he brings qualities demonstrated in the lower categories to the next level of Series with fresh determination and proven organizational and people skills, vital to our progress”.

“I’m excited to be part of HVM Racing and happy to help Simona once more continue her remarkable racing career,” Seneviratne said. “The new IndyCar brings new challenges to teams that have not had to be dealt with for many years. I’m looking forward to contributing to this team in overcoming these challenges, and in strengthening the great chemistry that exists within HVM Racing.”

De Silvestro, who formerly worked with Seneviratne in the 2009 Atlantic championship, expressed excitement about having the chance to work with him again.

“Shane is awesome. I’m really excited to have the chance to work with him again,” she said. “We had great success together in 2009 and hopefully it will be the same here in IndyCar.”

Landon Cassill gets seat with new team

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:15:26 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Landon Cassill has a job for the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career.

Cassill says he’s been hired to drive for a team that purchased assets and last year’s points from the now defunct Red Bull Racing team. Those points guarantee Cassill a spot in the first five races of the season, and Cassill says he has a deal with the new team to drive all year.

The new team is made up of investors who had previously backed TRG Motorsports. Cassill says the owners will announce the team name and sponsorship in the coming days.

Cassill has made 48 Sprint Cup Series starts over the last two seasons, but has never raced in the Daytona 500. His best finish was 12th at Michigan last season.

S | Racing

Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra