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BMW sales soar in China as wealth grows
[Editor's Note: Yet more positive news about the auto industry in
China, this time in Beijing again.] BMW says its sales in
China have more than doubled this year. Chief executive Helmut
Panke said the company sold 11,800 cars in China, including 900 BMW 3
Series cars made in the northeastern city of Shenyang, in the first 10
months of the year. The Munich-based company exported 10,950 3 Series
and 5 Series cars to China. Sales of the company's top-of-the-range 7
Series cars exceeded expectations, Mr Panke said.
BMW, DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz unit and other carmakers are
expanding in China as a decade of economic growth averaging 8 per cent
a year makes their cars affordable to more people. Luxury carmakers
are also overcoming the stigma of having their vehicles made in China.
"There is enormous momentum building in China. The key message to our
customers in China is if you are interested in a BMW, you can get the
same quality car made to BMW's standards and specifications [in the
mainland]," Mr Panke said. "It is not a question of losing the brand's
cache."
Mercedes-Benz is in talks to make its C-Class and E-Class cars in
Beijing. General Motors will begin making Cadillac cars in Shanghai
next year. Ford Motor may assemble Volvo, Range Rover and other
premium brands in central China. Volkswagen's Audi unit already makes
its A4 and A6 models in China, giving it an estimated 40 per cent of
the country's premium-brand market.
Huang Zhizhong, a Beijing-based restaurateur who was considering
replacing his BMW 325i with a 7 Series model, said luxury cars "are
still the most sought-after status symbol" in China. "Each luxury
brand has an image. The BMW image says: `I'm making it'."
BMW started making the 325i in Shenyang last month with Brilliance
China Automotive Holdings, the country's biggest manufacturer of
minibuses.
11/27/03
Williams BMW test notes - Thursday
At the third day of testing in Valencia the BMW WilliamsF1 Team
drivers covered a lot of laps and continued developing components for
the 2004 season. It was a warm and sunny day in Valencia,
with occasional winds blowing at the ‘Circuit de la Comunitat
Valenciana Ricardo Tormo’. Conditions the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and its
drivers used for another day of extensive testing. Just as they
had done on Tuesday, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ralf Schumacher and test
driver Marc Gené worked on a different program each. But although they
focused on development work and didn’t care about lap times, two of
them had succeeded in improving the lap times they had set on Tuesday
respectively Wednesday, when the third day of testing was over.
Juan Pablo worked on suspension test, covered 52 laps and improved to
1:10.021 minutes, thus gaining second place on the time sheets.
Ralf Schumacher, who had been the fastest on Wednesday, focused on
tire evaluation test and lapped the 4.005 kilometer circuit 69 times.
At the end of the day he had set a personal fastest lap time of
1:10.601 minutes and was fourth. Marc Gené came fifth. The local
hero had the task to do some test starts and to work on the
development of the traction control. The Spaniard covered stunning 87
laps and set his fastest lap of this week’s test so far (1:11.013),
when lapping the circuit for the 65th time. First place was
gained by David Coulthard’s McLaren MP4-19.
11/27/03
Sons to follow in famous fathers
footsteps
Nelson Piquet and Nico Rosberg will both take part in a forthcoming
BMW WilliamsF1 Team test in Spain in early December. The
two young protégés will join incumbent drivers Ralf Schumacher and
Marc Gené. The Jerez test will commence on Tuesday 2nd and conclude on
Thursday 4th December. Piquet will test the FW25 on the 2nd and the
morning of the 4th while Rosberg will run on the 3rd and in the
afternoon of the 4th. Rosberg and Piquet were selected for the one-off
test roles as part of the team's ongoing commitment to developing
emerging talent. More.....
11/27/03
Audi UK to run Audi R8 at Sebring,
LeMans Audi UK, the
British importer of the German prestige car manufacturer, will contest
the Le Mans 24 Hours and the inaugural Le Mans Endurance Series next
year with an Audi R8 sportscar.
Regarded as the best "open top" sportscar of the modern era, the
2002-specification Audi R8 will be prepared by Audi UK’s new
motorsport partner, Veloqx Motorsport. The Audi Sport UK Team
Veloqx R8 will also contest the Sebring 12 Hour sportscar endurance
race in Florida, USA (20 Mar) following a winter in which the
Brackley, Northamptonshire, based Veloqx squad will familiarize
themselves with the LMP900 class Audi.
David Ingram, Audi UK’s Motorsport Manager, commented: "The 2004 Le
Mans race will mark the third occasion an Audi entered by Audi Sport
UK has contested the famous French race and I’m eagerly looking
forward to next June. Apex Motorsport ran the Audi R8C in 1999 while
this year Arena Motorsport prepared the Audi R8 that we [Audi UK]
bought from Audi Sport almost 12 months ago. Both teams did a
fantastic job for us and we are very much looking forward to our new
partnership with Veloqx Motorsport.
"Our sportscar program will consist of six races in 2004 and Veloqx
are totally focused towards the Audi program in these races and are
hungry for success. Sam Li’s team has already made its mark in
motorsport but he now wants to build a long-term relationship with a
manufacturer in the prototype class which Audi feels is very
important."
The Veloqx team, under the direction of Sam Li, has enjoyed great
success this year with class wins in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le
Mans 1,000-kilometre race. They also proved themselves in the
highly-competitive FIA GT Championship.
"The competition will be strong, especially from our fellow Audi
competitors who know the R8 extremely well but we are confident that
our winter test program will ensure our success."
The Audi "factory" team scored three successive victories in the Le
Mans 24 Hours (2000-02) while a "customer" team entered R8 recorded a
fifth consecutive rostrum finish for Audi in this year’s
round-the-clock encounter. Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx – 2004 Program
20 Mar Sebring 12 Hours, FL, USA (American Le Mans Series, Rd1)
25 Apr Le Mans 24 Hours – Official Test Day
09 May Monza 1000km, Italy (Le Mans Endurance Series, Rd1)
12-13 Jun Le Mans 24 Hours, France
11 Jul Nurburgring, Germany (Le Mans Endurance Series, Rd2)
15 Aug Silverstone, UK (Le Mans Endurance Series, Rd3)
12 Sep Spa-Francorchamps, Bel (Le Mans Endurance Series, Rd4)
11/27/03 Formula BMW
Juan
Pablo at Formula BMW test
Juan Pablo Montoya went to Oschersleben while the Formula BMW ADAC
Championship young guns were doing preparation tests for the 2004
season.
During its test for the 2004 Formula BMW
ADAC Championship season team Muecke Motorsport had the chance of
welcoming a very special guest: BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver Juan Pablo
Montoya – accompanied by his father Pablo – traveled to Oschersleben
to visit the Berlin based team and to watch his younger brother
Federico’s progress while preparing for his first single seater
season. In 2004 Federico Montoya will be competing in the Formula BMW
ADAC Championship behind the wheel of a car entered by Muecke.
“Juan Pablo was really taken with what he saw”, said team boss Peter
Muecke. “He has announced that he will pay us another visit in the
course of the season, should he find the time to do so.”
Federico’s decision to race for team Muecke may prove to have been a
perfect and promising choice for his maiden single seater season, as
this is the team the superior 2003 champion Maximilian Goetz has been
racing for.
Federico’s team mate will be Sebastian Vettel, winner of the 2003
Formula BMW ADAC Championship Rookie Cup. But the young gun from
Heppenheim, Germany was not only the best rookie of the 2003 season
but also runner-up in the championship.
“With Sebastian and Federico we have signed the first two drivers for
our 2004 Formula BMW ADAC Championship assault”, added Peter Muecke.
“But in the coming weeks we are going to sign another two drivers for
the 2004 season.”
11/27/03
New McLaren breaks record at Valencia
David Coulthard broke the Valencia lap record in the new McLaren
MP4-19, on its third day of testing since it broke cover on Tuesday.
"Is it quick enough to win a grand prix?" he asked. "That's the
question and we just won't know until we get to Melbourne and see what
everyone else can do." He wasn't too down though. "The good
thing is," he continued, "we're out here now and have more time to
develop the car." Juan Pablo Montoya, who like team-mate Ralf
Schumacher was working through a chassis set-up program for new tires
and suspension geometry finished up second fastest, with a lap of
1m10.218s, compared to Coulthard's 1m10.021s (Montoya had run a
1m10.081s lap on Tuesday). Valencia testing day 3 (unofficial) Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires Time Laps
1 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes* M 1m10.021s 51
2 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m10.218s 57
3 Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m10.419s 109
4 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m10.601s 70
5 Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m11.013s 88
6 Franck Montagny Renault M 1m11.035s 115
7 Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m11.252s 95
8 Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m11.562s 107
9 Justin Wilson Jaguar M 1m11.866s 124
10 Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m12.133s 79
* = 2004 car
11/27/03
Jordan takes Heidfeld option
According to this Autosport.com article,
Formula 1 team Jordan Grand Prix has taken up an option on the
services of former Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld. The 26-year-old German
will test for the team at Jerez next week. "Nick is a prime candidate
for a revitalized Jordan Grand Prix next year," said team boss Eddie
Jordan. "We are anxious for him to start getting to know the team at
this stage. It is an important test as we have got a lot of new
components to try as well as vital tire testing for Bridgestone."
Heidfeld will be joined at the test by Formula 3000 racer Jaroslav
Janis, who will get his first taste of F1. They will both drive
Ford-powered EJ13 chassis.
11/27/03
Brunotti Extends BAR F1 Deal
Glamorous clothing manufacturer Brunotti have extended their
sponsorship deal with the BAR F1 team.
Photos
11/27/03 MotoGP
Record crowds for MotoGP in 2003
MotoGP has reported record crowds for the 2003 season.
Rights holder Dorna reports a four percent rise in weekend crowds over
2002 – with a total of 1.7m spectators turning out trackside.
The increase represents an average of almost 70,000 people attended
each of the events. The biggest rises were at the Cinzano
British Grand Prix at Donington Park, with a 18 percent increase on
race-day and a total of over 107,000 fans for the weekend and the
Cinzano Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland at Sachsenring, which welcomed
a season record of 204,000 – ten percent more than the previous year.
11/27/03
Fabrizio Del Monte to drive Minardi
The European vice champion title that Fabrizio Del Monte has recently
conquered in the Euro 3000 Series on board car #6 of the GP Racing
Team, has put Fabrizio’s talent out into the light. GP Racing
and the Minardi F1 team, have made an agreement (thanks to their good
relationship) that will allow Fabrizio Del Monte to make his debut on
the F1 car on the Vallelunga (now able to cater to a Formula One
single seater car by law) track, December 12th.
This test represents personal success for Fabrizio and for GP Racing
as well. GP Racing believed in Del Monte’s potential and relaunched
his career to the top in the European Motor Sports industry. GP Racing
has proven to be the ideal springboard that leads to sport
professionalism. “I believe that Del Monte is one of the most
competitive drivers on the international scene. I am therefore very
happy that the Minardi F1 team has given him the possibility to prove
himself during the test session in Vallelunga. I‘m sure that Fabrizio
will fully take advantage of this opportunity!”
Fabrizio Del Monte “Words can’t express how happy
I am. The Minardi team is giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity
and I don’t want to ruin it. I’ve been training everyday so I can be
100% prepared and ready. I could only imagine how challenging it will
be to drive a Formula One car and so I don’t want to neglect the
physical side of it. To all my fans: for an unforgettable experience,
come to Vallelunga.” Press release
11/27/03
BAR team to take center stage at MPH
show Lucky Strike BAR Honda will take centre stage at
next month's MPH '03 motor show, which will be held at London's Earls
Court exhibition centre over the weekend of 11-14 December.
The event, hosted by Top Gear television presenter Jeremy Clarkson,
takes the traditional motor show format and added a fast-paced live
action arena with stunts, demonstrations and races. BAR drivers Jenson
Button, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson will all be participating
during the four-day motoring extravaganza.
BAR will be the only Formula One team appearing live on stage at the
event, providing an exclusive insight into the team in action, as well
as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the pressure of an
F1 pit-stop at first hand. During the live show, audience members will
be chosen at random and trained up to be a member of the BAR pit-crew,
before performing a tire change on the main stage. Following their
nine seconds of fame, one of the BAR drivers will be reviewing the
performances with Clarkson to measure them against the high standards
of the regular BAR pit-crew.
The team will also bring another element of the F1 paddock to the show
by displaying its motorhome in the main hall. A range of pit-stop
equipment will be on display around the motorhome and the drivers will
be on hand at various points throughout the day to answer questions
from the fans and to sign autographs. Official BAR merchandise will
also be on sale at the event, giving people a real chance to look part
of the team.
The live show will be run on all four days and tickets for MPH '03 are
available from the ticket hotline on 0870 060 6030.
11/27/03
New CART testing rule a boon to
ladder series This
CART.com
article talks about the new rule that will afford Champ Car
teams 2 additional days of testing if they use Toyota Atlantic
drivers. Read why this new rule is one of the best CART has
implemented in a long time.
11/27/03 Dallara-Nissan
2004 Dallara Nissan World Series
Provisional Calendar [Editor's Note: The Shanghai race
shown on the schedule could have been a CART race, it even had a big
sponsor, but CART declined to consider the offer. The race will
be at the F1 circuit currently under construction.]
March 28 Jarama (Spain)
April 24 Dubai (UAE)
May 23 Magny Cours (France)
June 27 Zolder (Belgium)
July 25 TBA (Spain)
August 8 Eurospeedway Lausitz (Germany)
October 3 Catalunya (Spain)
October 17 Valencia (Spain)
November 7 Shanghai (China)
11/27/03
Burti crashes Ferrari at Barcelona
Thursday Ferrari test driver Luciano Burti has crashed
his Ferrari F1 car into the pit wall at Barcelona today.. Burti was
exiting the final corner when he lost the rear of the car. Burti was
unhurt and the car lost both its front and rear wing. The
Brazilian completed 15 laps for the morning when the crash occurred.
Photos
11/27/03
Announcements expected before NASCAR
banquet
Next Thursday is shaping up to be a day of answers in NASCAR. News
conferences scheduled for next Thursday morning by Richard Childress
Racing and Evernham Motorsports at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New
York City should shed some light on several lingering questions left
over from the 2003 season. RCR will start the morning addressing
its #30 AOL Chevrolet team in Winston Cup, announcing its new driver
for the 2004 season and crew chief, sources said. Although the driver
situation remains clouded, sources confirmed Kevin Hamlin, currently
the crew chief with RCR's #31 Cup team, will move to the #30 in the
same role. RCR's announcement will be followed shortly by
another from Evernham Motorsports. The scope of the Evernham
announcement remains unclear, but sources confirmed the future of
veteran Bill Elliott, who drives the #9 Dodge for Evernham, will be
addressed at the event. For the past several months, Elliott, 48, has
been contemplating retirement, or at least a reduced schedule for the
2004 season.
ThatsRacin.com
11/27/03
Some not happy with new Friday rule
Some people in the F1 paddock are not happy with the new F1 rule that
allows teams at the bottom of the points standing, to bring in new
drivers and test them for 2 hours on Fridays of race weekends.
The rule was meant to give new drivers a chance to be seen and to give
them some valuable F1 seat time. However, some of the drivers
who already secured a full-time ride don't like it. "Friday is a
crucial day in the lead-up to the race weekend," Mark Webber told
Australasian Motorsport News, "and there will be up to 10 additional
drivers out on the track. Some of the teams will look upon
it as a chance to boost revenue and we could possibly see some very
inexperienced drivers out there on a one-off basis. There's the real
possibility of someone having their first run in a GP car on a Friday
at a Grand Prix. That's not the place for your first run in one
of these cars," continued the Australian. "The experienced drivers can
generally deal with one less-experienced driver at a time, but if two
very inexperienced drivers get together it could be a big drama.
It means that the likes of Pizzonia are excluded," said Webber,
referring to his former Jaguar team-mate, "which isn't reasonable."
Mears to drive ROC
Casey Mears will spend his Thanksgiving holiday weekend the same way
he spent most of his year, racing. Mears, a member of Team USA powered
by CENTRIX Financial, is in the Canary Islands for the Michelin ROC
Nations Cup. "I am honored to have this opportunity to
participate in a race of this caliber," Mears said. "It is very
special for me to get the chance to race for my country against some
of the best racers in the world." The Michelin ROC Nations Cup was
created to find the "World's Fastest Nation". Each country
participating is represented by a circuit racer, a rally (or off-road)
driver and a motorcycle rider. As driver of the #41 Target Dodge for
Chip Ganassi Racing, Mears brings his off-road experience as well as
his NASCAR experience to the table. Mears will be joined on Team USA
by Boris Said, 2002 Trans-Am Champion and Travis Pastrana, Gold
medalist at the X and Gravity Games. The Michelin ROC Nations Cup will
take place on Saturday, November 29th at 10am. Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates PR
11/26/03
Villeneuve admits F1 career is over In
this TSN.ca article,
former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve finally admits his F1 career
is over. He also pans BAR team boss David Richards and lauds
former teammate Jenson Button. Juan Pablo Montoya's decision to
join McLaren in 2005 has left a vacancy at Williams, but Villeneuve
does not believe he would be a target for his former team.
"I don't think Williams will want me back," said Villeneuve,
who has also been linked with a test role at McLaren. Villeneuve
believes his name was tarnished, and his chances of securing a drive
in 2004 severely hampered, by suggestions that he was difficult to
work with. "Last year, someone in the paddock was trying to destroy
everything I achieved, putting about that I was a pain to work with,"
he said. "Everyone believed it. Even Bernie Ecclestone believed it
because he was telling me I had to change. There was nothing I could
do about it. It was out of my hands. "I got a rubbish offer from BAR.
It was insulting because there was no money involved. We went back
with a counter offer but heard nothing. Everyone knew that Takuma
would be in the car next year and if they had told me in May that I
wouldn't be driving for them I would have respected it - but they
didn't. I didn't race in Japan because why should I risk my life for
someone (Richards) like that?" Now the question remains
whether Craig Pollock and partner Kevin Kalkhoven can persuade
Villeneuve back to CART in the 2nd PK Racing seat alongside Mika Salo.
CART does have three Canadian races and if OWRS is successful in their
buyout, and immediately puts in place some very positive series
enhancing programs, thereby raising the image of CART on a worldwide
level, it's quite possible Mr. Villeneuve might have a change of
heart. Right now his position is no return to CART, but that's
the old CART. He may have an entirely different view of the new
CART. Time will tell....
11/26/03
Wood Brothers moving
Wood Brothers Racing announced today the team has found a
building in Mooresville, and will begin moving out of the
team's shop in Stuart, Virginia this coming Monday. The search
for a new race shop took several months, but Eddie and Len
Wood feel that they have found the right place to start the
2004 season for the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus team.
Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing said today,
"We've found a building. We're going to start moving on Monday
into a shop now owned by Robert Yates Racing in Lakeside Park
in Mooresville. "It was the first building we thought of way
back in the middle of the summer when we first started talking
about moving, but all the parties just never got together
until a few days ago. "Then all the stars lined up just right,
everybody got together and from the time we started talking
until the papers were signed it was just about 30 hours. "The
really ironic thing is that it is the shop that Ricky (Rudd)
had when he had his own race team. When he started driving for
Robert, Robert bought it from him, and now Robert is leasing
it to us. "We'll continue to work on our 2004 stuff here, and
move our equipment when space becomes available. We really
have to thank Robert and Doug Yates for working with us on
this because they are still using the building for some
chassis work, and will be there until the middle of December.
So we will share the space until they can relocate the work
they are doing in that building right now.
11/26/03
Guy Cosmo to
ALMS for Sebring & Petit LeMans
Guy Cosmo has been confirmed as the third driver with Bobby
Sak and John Olsen for the #12 American Spirit Racing entry at
Sebring and Petit Le Mans. “Guy did a fantastic job for us at
Sebring this year,” stated Lewis. “He only had 10 laps in the
car prior to the event and it was his first time in an LMP
car. He was consistently fast and I was extremely impressed by
his talent and personality. I’m very happy to have him back. “
“I am very excited to be back with American Spirit Racing for
Sebring and looking forward to the Petit Le Mans,” comments
Cosmo. “Jon was great to work with this year and he has put
together a tremendous program for 2004. I have no doubt that
this will be THE premier team in LMP2 to win the
Championship.”
11/26/03
Bobby Sak and John Olsen to
ALMS
American Spirit Racing President Jon Lewis announced today
that Trans-Am rookie standout, Bobby Sak and Formula Mazda
pilot John Olsen have been signed as full-season drivers in
its ALMS LMP2 Prototype Championship operation. Bobby, who
captured the attention of fans throughout North America in
2003 with one of the strongest rookie battles in Trans-Am
history, will pilot one of the Team’s Nissan/Lola prototypes.
“Bobby has shown some very strong driving talent this year and
I am looking forward to a stellar performance with our Team in
2004,” commented Jon Lewis, President of American Spirit
Racing. “Bobby has proven that he can run with the best and I
am extremely excited about him joining our Team. I feel that
the LMP2 prototypes will suit his driving style very well. I
am honored that Jon Lewis has asked me to join the American
Spirit Racing LMP2 operation,” said Bobby Sak. “The American
Le Mans Series has always intrigued me and I am excited to be
an integral part of this very strong program. I have every
intention of bringing home the Championship for Jon and
American Spirit Racing.”
11/26/03
Ferrari on top again at
Barcelona
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires
Time Laps
1 Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m17.282s 68
2 Jenson Button BAR-Honda M 1m17.431s 84
3 Felipe Massa Ferrari B 1m17.763s 68
4 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda M 1m17.707s 70
5 Luciano Burti Ferrari B 1m17.893s 60
6 Giancarlo Fisichella Sauber-Petronas B 1m18.246s 83
11/26/03
Williams 1-2 at Valencia again
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires
Time Laps
1Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m10.322s 82
2 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m10.341s 66
3 Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m10.421s 66
4 Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m10.761s 93
5 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes* M 1m11.069s 59
6 Franck Montagny Renault M 1m11.211s 69
7 Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m11.267s 104
8 Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m11.747s 20
9 Christian Klien Jaguar M 1m11.929s 86
10 Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m12.002s 71
* = 2004 car
11/26/03
CART-Themed Monster Garage
Episode TV rating
Monster Garage’s popular host Jesse James and his gang of
automotive extremists converted a 750hp Champ Car into a
working street-line painter last Monday night on the ever popular
Discovery Channel, with the episode delivering one of the
highest ratings of the season. The hit cable show followed the
crew, which included Rocketsports Racing owner Paul
Gentilozzi, through the entire process of transforming a
former Walker Racing Champ Car chassis into the world’s
fastest street-line painter, drawing in 1,097,000 households
at 1.2 with a 2 share. The show’s 1.2 rating eclipsed the 2003
average of 1.1 at 969,000 households and ranked third overall
on the night among last Monday’s programs for men ages 18-49. The
Champ Car-driven episode will re-air on the Discovery Channel
following the “Day After Thanksgiving Marathon” on Monday,
November 29 at 9:00 p.m. and midnight ET, and again on
Saturday December 27th at 8:00 and 11:00 p.m.
11/26/03
Plummeting TV Ratings for the
IRL will cost them money
It looks like the IRL's dismal TV ratings will see it headed
for a time-buy situation before long, or at best, a
significantly lower TV revenue stream. This USA Today
article says, In the last year, ESPN has negotiated
decreases in contracts for tennis' Wimbledon and the French
Open and soccer's World Cup and Major League Soccer. After the
holidays, the NHL figures to be next. Ditto for the Indy
Racing League. Previously, ESPN, then trying to
develop ESPN2, paid the NHL $120 million a year for five
years. The NHL is shopping for a new deal, but the lone sniff
came from Spike TV. With NHL ratings lagging and a work
stoppage looming for next season, ESPN/ABC likely will pay
about $80 million a year in a three-year deal, a one-third
decrease. Considering the state of the NHL, the league should
treat it as a post-holiday present.
11/26/03
Bahrain Sports Minister takes
over F1 race
Bahrain’s Minister for Sports and Youth has taken over as
managing director of the Gulf state’s new Formula One race
track. Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa replaces Hans
Geist, formerly of Austria’s A1 Ring track, in the role. Geist
is reported as continuing with the project, but in a
consultancy position. Al-Khalifa is also the president of the
circuit and one of the driving forces in securing a slot on
the Formula One race calendar.
11/26/03
CART venues want government support too
This Toronto Sun
article says, If the federal government is going to act as the
$6-million man at the 2004 Formula One race in Montreal it must do the
same for the Toronto and Vancouver Molson Indys (CART), a race
executive has charged.
Bob Singleton, general manager of the Toronto and Vancouver races,
told The Toronto Sun it would be an outrage if similar sponsorship is
not given to Canada's other two major centers of auto racing.
"I'm happy that the federal government saw fit to take a sponsorship
position with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal," Singleton said.
"But we (Toronto and Vancouver) have been fighting to find sponsorship
dollars, too."
The feds came up with the plan to be a big-time sponsor in Montreal
after F-1 bosses said they would drop the Canadian GP from the 2004
calendar because of Canada's refusal to allow tobacco advertisements
at the event. Five of the 10 F-1 teams are backed by tobacco
money and each had demanded more than $2 million US in compensation
from Montreal race organizers if they could not run cigarette logos on
their race cars.
"The same tobacco legislation that is at the centre of the Montreal GP
problems also affects Toronto and Vancouver," Singleton said.
When the anti-smoking law came into effect Oct. 1 this year it meant
that Toronto and Vancouver would have to find a key sponsor to come up
with the kind of money that Imperial Tobacco -- through its Player's
brand -- paid for sponsorship. "We are not asking for a
handout," Singleton said. "But we are saying that Toronto and
Vancouver deserve an equal opportunity to have Canadian government
sponsorship."
11/26/03
Drivers nominated for all-American
team
Paul Tracy (#3 Player's/Indeck Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) led the
Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford nearly
from start to finish in capturing his first series title in 2003, and
now paces a quartet of CART stars as they look to earn a spot on the
prestigious Auto Racing All-America Team, presented by the American
Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.
Tracy joined Bruno Junqueira (#1 PacifiCare
Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone), Sebastien Bourdais (#2 Lilly
Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) and Toyota Atlantic champion A.J.
Allmendinger as CART representatives to earn spots in the balloting
for the 33rd annual All-America team, with voting beginning today
among the 300 members of the AARWBA membership. The Champ Car drivers
earned berths in the open-wheel racing category while Allmendinger was
tabbed in the at-large category. The top-two drivers in each
category's voting will earn first-team status, with the third and
fourth drivers to be named to the second team. Anyone else that
garners at least five percent of the vote will merit honorable mention
status.
Frank Biela, Ron Fellows and Marco Werner, all driving champions in
the 2003 American Le Mans Series season, have been nominated for
inclusion on the 2003 Auto Racing All-America team. Nearly 300 members
of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA)
will vote to select the 14 drivers, two in each of seven categories,
for the All-America team. AARWBA members have annually chosen the
All-America team since 1970. Members will select a first team, which
will be honored at the annual AARWBA banquet on Jan. 10 in Pomona,
Calif.
11/26/03
Acer
Ferrari 3000 laptop If you cannot afford the car, you
could at least afford its notebook. The Ferrari 3000 is not a new
model of what is regarded by most as the king of cars. It is an Acer
laptop in Ferrari red with matching badge to boot. Acer is the
official supplier of personal computers, notebooks and servers for the
Ferrari F1 racing team this year. Curiously, Acer has
picked an AMD chip for the Ferrari 3000, which is supposed to have the
same sort of powerhouse performance as the race car. Based on an
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ energy-saving processor, it is supported by a speedy
graphics engine, an ATI Radeon 9200 with 128-megabyte video memory. It
comes with 512 megabytes of DDR RAM and 60 gigabytes of hard-disk
storage. The racing-car red laptop also features built-in
wireless LAN 802.11b and g connectivity as well as Bluetooth.
A 4-1 MB memory-card drive comes integrated. It has four USB 2.0
ports, an S-Video output as well as a FireWire port. It has a 15-inch
display and weighs almost 6.6 lbs, which puts it on the heavy side.
Price is Ferrari-like at around $2,000 to $3,000, depending on
options.
11/26/03
A failure of our system
Dear AutoRacing1.com, While I was sitting here wrapped in my usual
task of begging and chasing money for deserving and talented racing
drivers...I was smacked in the face by a simple fact. The racing
series (mostly open wheel of course) that count on drivers to fund
their own efforts are the very ones that are suffering the most. CART,
F-3000, Toyota Atlantic, IPS etc...There must be a connection and
even though it is completely obvious to the folks outside of
motorsports, insiders continue to miss the point. Here is a job that
requires serious sacrifice, effort and risk and a young hopeful is
allowed/forced to pay for the privilege. Imagine the state of the NFL
& NBA if you had to write a check to build your resume.
NASCAR and F1 have suffered through the years but somehow both have
built their very own economy and marketing platforms that put most
major companies efforts to shame. Maybe I'm naive, but at no time in
history did they ever require the lion's share of drivers and their
friends and families to shoulder the burden of company growth. Is
acceptance of "that's just the way it is" nothing more than an excuse
for laziness or is it just a complete lack of vision? I guess the
passing of time will tell the story and answer the question.
As Penske once said (at least, I was told Roger said it) "You know one
of the biggest problems we've created in American open wheel racing in
our quest to do and get the best of everything: While importing
British team managers, engineers and mechanics, we have also imported
the European system of let the driver find the money. Teams have
gotten lazy in their responsibility of finding sponsorship and placed
the burden on the last person on earth equipped for such a task-the
racing driver. It'll hurt us in the long run and I consider it a
failure of the system" Name Withheld Dear
nameless, There is certainly a lot of truth in what you write.
And, let me add, that allowing car manufacturers to pump a lot of
money into a team (with free engines, etc.) and, therefore, either
steal/buy all the best drivers or dictate who a driver should be
smacks in the face of fairness and long-term stability. Mark C.
Newman wins 4th Qtr. DOY voting
Ryan Newman backed up his convincing third quarter Speed Channel
presents Driver of the Year 2003 title by easily topping the vote for
the fourth quarter. The winningest driver in the Winston Cup series
this year scored three more wins, six poles, and had eight top-five
finishes in the final quarter of the season. The 25-year-old, from
Indiana who drives the Alltel Dodge, had to rebound from a slow start
to his season. Newman acknowledged that, rather than giving up, his
team dug in and regrouped from that point. "We had a stretch of bad
luck earlier in the season and bounced back from that," he said. "The
fact that we won the third-quarter voting and now have come out on top
for the final quarter is a statement about the strength of our team."
Modestly, he acknowledged the team aspect of the sport when he said,
"like I've been saying all along, it's a credit to my entire Matt
Borland-led Penske Racing South team. They're the best out there and
we share all the ups and downs together." With nine first-place Driver
of the Year 2003 votes Newman far outdistanced (107-71) second place
vote getter, Kenny Bernstein, of the NHRA who had two. Steve Kinser,
racing in the World of Outlaws, was third in the balloting (57 points)
followed by Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR) who also had two first-place
votes. The ageless 59-year-old Bernstein came out of retirement to
fill the seat of his injured son Brandon, in the Budweiser/Lucas top
fuel dragster and had a remarkable four-for-four wins in the final
rounds of the POWERade series. Other drivers getting first place votes
were Sam Hornish, Jr. of the Indy Racing League, Greg Anderson of the
NHRA, Paul Tracy (CART) and Jeff Gordon (NASCAR). A total of 18
drivers got votes. In the fan vote - between eight nominated
drivers - available at
www.speedtv.com, NASCAR's Winston Cup drivers dominated again
garnering the top three positions, with Gordon taking the top honors,
followed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Newman, Anderson, Bernstein and
Kinser. Newman was understandably moved by the results. "For the
voting media members to consider us as being at the top our
game-especially with all the drivers and teams who won championships
out there-is quite an honor that we are most appreciative and proud
of, " he added. In its' 37th year the Driver of the Year 2003 title is
unique because it is the only award that encompasses all of the racing
series in the United States and fan participation. A panel of 18
leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. and a
cumulative fan vote on Speedtv.com determine the winner. In quarterly
voting, points are awarded on a declining 9,6,4,3,2,1 basis. In
recognition of this honor Newman will receive a trophy and a Maurice
Lacroix Swiss Watch. Maurice Lacroix USA - the official watch of the
Driver of the Year 2003 award - is one of the fastest -growing Swiss
watch manufacturers in America, with more than 400 quality jewelers
representing the award-winning collection in the United States.
President of the Driver of the Year 2003 Foundation is Barry Schmoyer,
businessman and sportsman of Sarasota, Florida. Further information on
the award may be obtained from Driver of the Year 2003 Foundation, PO
Box 49827, Sarasota, FL 34230 or from (941) 953-6209. PR
11/25/03 Team USA
Team
USA Scholarship To Return After One-Year Hiatus
What do Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Jerry Nadeau, Memo Gidley, Buddy
Rice, A.J. Allmendinger and the late Tony Renna have in common? They
were all recipients of Team USA Scholarships in the early stages of
their careers.
This winter, at least two more talented young American drivers will
carry the patriotic red-white-and-blue Team USA Scholarship colors in
the six-race Talley’s New Zealand International Formula Ford Series,
which will be held over three consecutive weekends in January 2004.
The youngsters also will have a chance to win one of the most
prestigious events in the Southern Hemisphere, the New Zealand Grand
Prix, previous winners of which include Formula 1 greats Stirling
Moss, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and
John Surtees.
“I am very proud to have taken part in the Team USA Scholarship
program,” says Herta, the 1991 Scholarship winner and subsequently a
race winner in both Champ Car and IRL Indy Car competition. “It gave
me an opportunity to represent my country in international competition
and it certainly helped to advance my career.”
For the first time since its formation in 1990, with Vasser as the
inaugural recipient, no Scholarship was awarded in 2002. “The reason
was two-fold,” says program manager and long-time auto racing
journalist/broadcaster Jeremy Shaw. “Firstly, Red Bull introduced its
Driver Search and provided an opportunity for four gifted youngsters
to race in Europe. Secondly, and quite frankly, aside from the Red
Bull selections, there weren’t any other drivers who I felt were in a
position to capitalize in the same way as our 2001 picks, A.J.
Allmendinger and Bryan Sellers.”
Allmendinger went on to win the 2002 Barber Dodge Pro Series and the
2003 Toyota Atlantic Championship, while Sellers won the 2002 Formula
Ford 2000 Zetec Championship and recently was confirmed as primary
driver for Toyota Atlantic Championship-winning team Lynx Racing for
the 2004 season.
“I am delighted that A.J. and Bryan have continued the tradition of
success for Team USA Scholarship alumni,” says Shaw. “And I have been
heartened this year to see a wealth of new talent ready to follow in
their footsteps.”
Long-time Team USA proponents and noted talent-spotters Steve and
Christine Horne, whose Tasman Motorsports Group achieved much success
in the 1990s in Indy Lights and Champ Car competition, once again have
pledged their support. Former winners Vasser, the 1996 Champ Car World
Series title-holder, and Herta also are on board.
Negotiations are progressing well with several potential partners,
although additional funding is still being sought. All enquiries will
be gratefully received. An announcement to confirm this year’s
Team USA Scholarship winners is expected to be made next week.
Contact: Jeremy Shaw, 949-766-9504,
jeremyshawracer@cox.net
11/25/03 ROC
Arciero invited to CENTRIX ROC
After winning the Trophy Truck division of the Baja 1000 on Nov.
21-22, Ryan Arciero was invited to participate in the CENTRIX ROC
America Challenge on the Canary Islands in Spain, November 29. The
race will pit him against other top drivers from the US including
Casey Mears, Boris Said and Travis Pastrana.
"My Spanish is going to be very good after spending weeks down in
Baja, Mexico preparing and racing in the Baja 1000, and now heading
off to Spain's Canary Islands," explained Arciero. "This is a huge
opportunity, and one that I'm thankful to CENTRIX for giving me.
"While my family has been racing in the US for the past 45 years, and
I've gained success in off-road and now NASCAR racing, I have a good
feeling that the people there are going to ask 'who is that guy?' I'm
actually hoping that's what they'll say, so I can show them who I
really am and what I can do in person. This should be a lot of fun."
Arciero be racing a single seat ROC car, powered by a six-speed
sequential, 170 hp, Honda CBR 1100cc Blackbird. The vehicle is
equipped with Michelin tires, and Fast & Speed adjustable shocks.
"We were impressed with Ryan's performance at the Baja 1000 this
year," said CENTRIX Financial CEO, Robert E. Sutton. "After winning
the race, we had to find a way to get him over to compete at the
CENTRIX ROC America Challenge."
Arciero's victory was his second Baja 1000 win. The first coming at
the 1998 point-to-point Baja 1000 when he teamed with Bob Gordon
(father to Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon), to win the Class 1
championship. He also won the Parker 425 and the Baja 500 in the
Trophy Truck division.
On paved ovals, Arciero earned six pole positions, six wins, nine
top-fives and ten top-ten's in the 2003 Ultra Wheels Super Truck
Series.
The CENTRIX ROC America Challenge will be televised on Speed Channel.
Date and time TBD.
11/25/03
***Reader Question***What changes are
coming for the IRL? A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1.com,
With another year of horrendous crashes and injured drivers behind
them, and with their cars now taking flight like airplanes, what can
we expect in the way of changes for 2004? Kurt Schneider, New
York Dear Kurt, Don't expect many changes. As we
understand it, the IRL does not want to muck with their close
finishes. It's their #1 marketing slant. We hear they will crank more
wing into the cars to slow them down (more drag) and plant them even
better to the race track. They are looking for a 5 MPH reduction
in lap speed according to Brian Barnhart. While not official
yet, when we heard this we almost fell off our chair in a fit of
laughter, and then immediately went into a prayer session for the poor
hapless drivers. You see, the cars are already at 100% throttle
caused by underpowered cars that are already firmly planted to the
track with huge amounts of downforce. This 100% throttle running
artificially creates "pack racing." With even more
downforce next year, and more wing (think bigger hole in the air) the
packs of cars will be even larger, i.e. more cars in close proximity.
It's the close rubber-tire-to-rubber-tire racing and touching that
causes so many crashes in the IRL. It does not matter if they
are running 220 or 215 MPH, there are going to be as many or more
crashes in the IRL in 2004. Racing open wheel cars on
high-banked tracks in packs is a sure recipe for disaster.
Drivers are going to clock a lot of sheet time in 2004 once again.
And at 215 MPH, when the wheels touch and air gets under the cars,
they are going to take flight just like they do now at 220 MPH.
It's a sad state of affairs really. CART has little money behind
it right now. All the big money is over in the IRL and it's
being used to lure CART drivers and teams into a situation that 1)
Destroys a lot of cars, 2) Injures a lot of drivers, and 3) Because of
#1 and #2, it is one of the most expensive racing series in the world
to compete in. One of these days they are going to launch a car
completely over the safety fencing and into a crowded grandstand.
It's only a matter of time. When that happens, it will be lights
out for Tony George's concept of open wheel racing. Mark C.
11/25/03
Fisichella happy with Sauber debut
Sauber Petronas' new driver Giancarlo Fisichella conducted his first
Formula One test for his new team today at the Circuito de Catalunya
in Barcelona. He ran a scheduled program, which focused on damper
tests, and covered 99 laps with a best time of 1m18.532s.
"For the first day with my new team I'm quite happy with the result,"
Fisichella said. "I covered almost 100 laps, which is a lot for
Barcelona. In the morning we had some problems with the car set-up and
my seat position was not the optimum and needed some adaptation. Later
I was able to complete the scheduled test program for today, but there
is still a lot to learn. It's a very nice and familiar atmosphere at
Sauber. Everyone works in a very professional and friendly manner."
"Today has been Giancarlo's first run for us," said chief race
engineer Jacky Eeckelaert. "He has the reputation of being a very
professional and factually thinking racer and he underlined this.
Although he had some minor problems in the morning with his seat he
was still very quick on the track and made very few mistakes. And this
in a car he had never driven before. He did a very good job today. I
can say that I recognized him from the time at Jordan in 1997 when we
worked together in one team. He is still the same pragmatic guy."
Fisichella will continue testing in Barcelona tomorrow and Thursday.
From 8 to 10 December Felipe Massa will test in Jerez. Test driver
Neel Jani will complete the test program for this year on 11 December,
again in Jerez.
11/25/03 Industry News
Hyundai to build 2nd plant near Beijing
[Editor's Note: With Korean car giant Hyundai possibly taking an
active role in CART's Seoul, South Korea race, one has to wonder if a
project like this near Beijing will prompt Hyundai to want to sponsor
a CART race in Beijing in 2005 - see rumors page for info on the
Beijing track.] Hyundai Motor, South Korea's largest carmaker,
plans to set up a plant in China to produce 600,000 cars annually by
2007. The factory would be built near Beijing and construction
would begin next year, a company spokesman said. It will be
Hyundai's second Chinese plant. Last year, Hyundai set up
a 50:50 joint venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding to
produce passenger cars. The plant in Beijing has so far
produced 43,000 Sonata saloons. The joint venture, Beijing
Hyundai Motor, initially planned to expand to 200,000 cars by 2005,
and to 600,000 cars by 2010. "But due to rising demand in the
Chinese market, we decided to set up a second plant by 2007," Hyundai
spokesman Jake Jang said.
11/25/03
Bell feeling good about Jaguar
test Townsend Bell thought he did a good job
in his first test of a modern Formula One car on a full
circuit. Bell ran 63 laps today at the Valencia circuit in
Spain as 11 cars and drivers began the official re-start of
the on-track preparation for the 2004 F1 season. Bell's best
was .5 seconds slower than Mark Webber and .4 seconds slower
than Christian Klien. While the times were not relevant in
comparing drivers, Bell's time represented a good first run in
the Jaguar F1 machine.
Bell's best lap was a time of 1 minute, 12.33 seconds as
Michelin shod teams tried 8 different sets of tires to assess
the various combinations being developed for the next season.
The day didn't get underway as planned for Bell as Mark
Webber, Jaguar's leading driver tested the car in the morning
and on his final lap had an engine problem..."I thought I
might not get to run today, said Bell, "but the team did an
engine change and I had most of the afternoon to get used to
the Jaguar F1 car".
"This was a very different experience from the B.A.R. Honda
test which took place in France last September" stated the
young Californian. " To race these modern F1 cars on a proper
circuit is amazing. The speed sensation is unbelievable, so
much downforce! Just as you take a breath after a fast corner
you are screaming on to the next corner and so on around the
track. It was great!! There is a lot to learn but I felt good
about my first shot at a lap in anger. I put it into the
gravel on one lap, but with no damage at all".
"It will take some time to wring everything out of an F1 car,
but it was a good start I think", said Bell. The test was
billed as an evaluation of Townsend Bell and Christian Klien
of Austria. The press saw it as a shootout, but it was clearly
an evaluation run for the Jaguar F1 team as they tried tires
and fuel loads continually to learn things about the Jaguar R4
that will become a part of future developments. The team will
test Klien again tomorrow as Webber steps up the workload as
well. Jaguar's Tony Purnell, David Pitchforth and John Allison
will determine the potential in Bell's performance as it
relates to his future in the team. The decision will take some
time for evaluation. Bell felt he did his job and is satisfied
that he was given ample opportunity to prove himself and
thanks the team for making the test a reality.
The times below were set today in Valencia. Townsend Bell
pointed out that even though his best was just .5 second off
the time set by Jaguar F1 team leader Mark Webber it is not a
clear indication of track speed. Webber ran only in the
morning which was slower, the fuel loads were different as
were the constant changing of tires which effected speeds
dramatically. It was not possible to make apple to apple
comparisons and that is the way the Jaguar F1 team planned it.
Valencia photos
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires
Time Laps
1 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m10.081s 69
2 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m10.718s 37
3 Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m11.224s 56
4 Alexander Wurz McLaren-Mercedes M 1m11.299s 53
5 Franck Montagny Renault M 1m11.873s 84
6 Mark Webber Jaguar M 1m11.876s 37
7 Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m11.950s 89
8 Christian Klien Jaguar M 1m11.955s 54
9 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes* M 1m12.035s 47
10 Townsend Bell Jaguar M 1m12.330s 63
11 Ryan Briscoe Toyota M 1m12.660s 70
* = 2004 car
11/25/03
Fellows
to have surgery
Popular Canadian racing driver Ron Fellows, who drove the last
two races of the 2003 American Le Mans Series season with a
painfully dislocated shoulder, will undergo surgery Dec. 1 in
Indianapolis to repair the damage. Fellows, who drives for the
factory Chevrolet Corvette team in the American Le Mans
Series, has won the GTS class driving title the past two
seasons in the sports car racing series. He expects to be
fully recovered from the surgery to begin his title defense
when the 2004 ALMS season starts with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours
of Sebring March 17-20. More....
11/25/03
McLarenMP4-19 debuts
The new Team McLaren Mercedes 2004 Formula One car, the
MP4-19, made its track debut today at the Valencia circuit in
Spain with David Coulthard at the wheel. This week’s three day
session will be followed by the start of the team’s full
pre-season test program at Barcelona and Jerez in the first
two weeks of December, with David and Kimi Raikkonen supported
by Third Driver Alexander Wurz and Test Driver Pedro de la
Rosa. More...
11/25/03
McLaren steals Ferrari
aerodynamicist
McLaren has signed Ferrari’s chief aerodynamicist Nick
Tombazis. Tombazis will work alongside the head of
aerodynamics Peter Prodromou as chief engineer after he has
finished his military service in Greece in six months time.
McLaren’s team manager Martin Whitmarsh said in a statement:
"We are pleased to take this opportunity to announce the
continued strengthening of our technical team, with the
appointment of Nicholas Tombazis as Chief Engineer Aerodynamic
Development. We believe this latest addition to the team will
help to ensure we maintain the positive development impetus of
the past year both in the build-up to and during the coming
season."
11/25/03
First-ever law firm to become
NASCAR sponsor
LA PLATA, Md. – One of the country’s most established, yet
fastest-growing legal firms, has teamed with one of the
country’s top sports marketing agencies for a new extensive
involvement in motorsports. Jenkins, Jenkins & Jenkins, P.A.,
headquartered in La Plata, is planning on sponsorships of
stock car racing teams in 2004. The firm will work with
Williams Company of America, Inc, a Mooresville, N.C.-based
agency that is considered the leader in motorsports public
relations. “Like other companies, our firm is looking towards
motorsports to help as we expand our business and help our
clients,” said Frank P. Jenkins, who owns the highly-respected
firm with his father, Louis P. Jenkins, Sr., who started the
firm over 40 years ago, and his brother, Louis P. Jenkins, Jr.
“Our firm’s focus is aimed solely at satisfying our clients’
various needs,” he said. Jenkins, Jenkins & Jenkins
specializes in personal injury, all real estate matter,
criminal, traffic and corporate law. “Jenkins, Jenkins &
Jenkins has some exciting announcements to make in the near
future about its involvement with motorsports, and
specifically NASCAR racing,” said Williams Company president
Richard N. (Chip) Williams. “No law firm has ever attempted
the involvement they are preparing to announce, and we are
very excited to be working with them.”
11/25/03
Ferrari dominates Tuesday AM
testing at Barcelona
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tires
Time Laps
1 Luca Badoer Ferrari B 1m17.799s 42
2 Felipe Massa Ferrari B 1m18.184s 46
3 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda M 1m19.072s 33
4 Luciano Burti Ferrari B 1m19.192s 37
5 Giancarlo Fisichella Sauber-Petronas B 1m19.743s 37
6 Jenson Button BAR-Honda M no time 2
11/25/03
Montoya warns Coulthard to
deliver or F1 career over
After signing for McLaren, Montoya is set to replace Coulthard
in 2005. The Colombian gives a strong recommendation for the
Scot next season. "One day you think ‘that’s it’ and it’s over
for you and the next day everything changes. DC needs to get
on with it and show what he can do if he wants to stay in
Formula One. The only way is that he raises his game or he has
to think about whether he quits now. If you don’t perform, you
don’t get the job," Montoya told The Times.
11/25/03
Testing images from Valencia
and Barcelona
F1 testing resumes after the long layoff, with McLaren
wheeling out the new 2004 MP4-19 at Valencia, whilst Euro
F3 hot shoe Christian Klien had his first test for Jaguar.
Arden F3000 driver Townsend Bell was also seen preparing for a
run in the Jaguar. Over in Barcelona, Giancarlo Fisichella had
his first run for Sauber, whilst BAR's Jenson Button tested an
04 concept car.
Valencia photos |
Barcelona
11/25/03
Coulthard website shut down
from lack of support
This Scotsman.com
article says, Try to get into the official David
Coulthard website and a message tells you that it has been
suspended due to lack of support. It is a feeling the Scottish
driver will be growing au fait with.
This week McLaren finally came clean on one of the worst-kept
secrets in Formula One, by announcing Juan Pablo Montoya would
be joining them from Williams in 2005.
No-one at the team has said as much, but as far as the
watching world is concerned, it’s Coulthard who will be shown
the door to make way. Even if it transpires that it’s Kimi
Raikkonen who vacates his seat, it will only be because the
cool Finn got a better offer elsewhere. The point is, his
destiny remains in his own hands, come the end of the season
the only thing in Coulthard’s will be a begging bowl as he
seeks new employment.
The fact is both Montoya and Raikkonen are young men in
demand, Coulthard on the other hand is merely one of the
sport’s elder statesmen in decline. Having emerged on to the
scene in 1994, following the death of Ayrton Senna, he was
seen as a cross between lantern-jawed Buzz Lightyear and 007
in the paddock. All honor and glamour, the clean-cut young man
with impeccable manners and talent talked a good game. But two
top teams and ten seasons later, it’s his inability to turn
words into deeds which sees him portrayed as an old man of the
pits, whining when things go wrong. Victor Meldrew rather than
James Bond.
More....
11/25/03
Toyota launch date set
The Panasonic Toyota Racing team announcing that they are
planning to unveil their 2004 car, the TF104, on Saturday January 17th
at its factory in Cologne, Germany. The car launch will be
combined with the unique opportunity for the media to see behind the
scenes of the Toyota Motorsport factory, where Toyota creates its
entire F1 car - engine, chassis and gearbox - under one roof and is
sure to be a very interesting event to say the least! Launch dates so far:
Williams FW26 – January 5th
Sauber C23 – January 12th
Toyota TF104 – January 17th
Jaguar R5 – January 18th
Renault R24 – January 29th
11/25/03
Bell hopes to become next American in
F1 Townsend Bell is one of the drivers being
considered as Mark Webber’s teammate at Jaguar Racing for the 2004
Formula One season when this week he will join Austria’s Christian
Klien, 20, who finished second in the Euro Formula 3 championship, and
England‘s Justin Wilson, who competed in five Grand Prix for Jaguar
last year, in a test for Jaguar. This will be Bell’s second test
in a F1 car . The American completed more than 930 miles (1,500 km) of
straight-line testing at the Lurcy circuit in central France
on a one-mile (1.5-km track. Here he worked closely with Honda
engineers to collect data during a three day test with the
British American Racing squad in September of this year.
His goal is to become the first US. driver to compete in F1
since Michael Andretti…. “I’d like to play a small part in
making F1 more popular in the United States, which would be
great for everyone, not just myself,” he said. “None of it
matters, however, unless you are getting the results on the
racetrack. It is just a question of getting the right
opportunity. Maybe that comes tomorrow; maybe that comes next
year or the year after. Whether it is fair or not, I get a bit
of an advantage because I’m an American, and that is nice, for
once. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity. I've worked
hard for chances like this, and I plan to make the most of it.
Having tried Bridgestone tires on the BAR, I'm also looking
forward to having a run on the Michelins with Jaguar."
11/25/03
BAR tests hybrid car for 2004
Below is BAR's new hybrid 2004 test car a non-painted 'concept'
machine that will be at the centre of BAR's winter development
program. First tasks for the car are in evaluation of the
team's 2004 engine and rear-end package and in working for the first
time with Michelin tires, following the team's split with Bridgestone,
announced today. Jenson Button is at the wheel of the '04
concept car in a three-day program at Barcelona, while Takuma Sato
works with this year's BAR 05 . BAR technical director Geoffrey
Willis commented: “This week's program is essentially the start of our
2004 season. We have made significant advances for next year with both
engine and transmission." Shuhei Nakamoto, engineering director
for Honda Racing Development, said: "We are excited about seeing our
new engine put through its paces on the track. It is lighter, more
compact and has a lower centre of gravity than last season's unit."
BAR is planning a much more extensive test program this winter. Willis
explained: "Another major technical development is of course our move
to Michelin tires. We are embarking on a steep learning curve in order
to re-optimize our car, and we are planning to conduct substantially
more testing than we did prior to the 2003 season."
11/25/03
BAR switches to Michelin
Bridgestone Motorsport has confirmed that it will not supply tires to
the BAR-Honda team in 2004. BAR will now switch to Michelin, and
will test the French rubber for the first time today (Tuesday). BAR
has used Bridgestone tires since it entered F1 in 1999, but is
understood to have become increasingly frustrated at its close
relationship with Ferrari. It will now join Williams, McLaren,
Renault, Jaguar and Toyota on Michelin rubber, but will test as
planned today in Barcelona alongside Bridgestone teams Ferrari and
Sauber on Michelins which will have their logos blacked out.
Bridgestone's director of motorsport Hiroshi Yasukawa said: "Whilst
Bridgestone is naturally disappointed not to continue its working
relationship with the BAR Formula 1 team, we wish them the best of
luck in their future endeavors." BAR team principal David Richards
said: "We would like to thank Bridgestone for the excellent technical
partnership we have enjoyed with them over the past five years. We
wish them well for the 2004 championship and beyond."
11/25/03
NASCAR on TSN in Canada through 2007
TSN has renewed its commitment to NASCAR with a new three-year
broadcast deal, effective February 2004. The new agreement
provides TSN with 16 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES races annually,
including such favorites as the Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR NEXTEL
All-Star Challenge and Coca-Cola 600. TSN has been televising
NASCAR since the network’s inception in 1984. Over the
next three years, viewers will see top NASCAR drivers Matt Kenseth,
Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kurt Busch compete at the best
tracks on the circuit, including Daytona International Speedway,
Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. TSN’s
2004 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES schedule is as follows:
Budweiser Shootout (Daytona International Speedway) - Saturday, Feb. 7
Gatorade 125s (Daytona International Speedway) - Thursday, Feb. 12
Pontiac Performance 400 (Richmond International Speedway) - Saturday,
May 15
NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) - Saturday,
May 22
Coca-Cola 600 (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) - Sunday, May 30
MBNA America 400 (Dover International Speedway) - Sunday, June 6
Pepsi 400 (Daytona International Speedway) - Saturday, July 3
New England 300 (New Hampshire International Speedway) - Sunday, July
25
Pennsylvania 500 (Pocono Raceway) - Sunday, Aug. 1
Sirius at the Glen 200 (Watkins Glen International) - Sunday, Aug. 15
Michigan 400 (Michigan International Speedway) - Sunday, Aug. 22
Sharpie 500 (Bristol Motor Speedway) - Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004
Chevy Monte Carlo 400 (Richmond International Speedway) - Saturday,
Sept. 11
Sylvania 300 (New Hampshire International Speedway) - Sunday, Sept. 19
MBNA America 400 (Dover International Speedway) - Sunday, Sept. 26
UAW-GM Quality 500 (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) - Saturday, Oct. 16
DeLorean car up for auction by CARA
Despite the cancellation of the CARA Charities’ ‘Runway Madness’
extravaganza originally set for Friday, Oct. 31, the popular “Runway
Madness Online Auction” has already opened its doors for participants
with the annual online auction of valuable racing items and ‘one-off’
products. The auction website, featuring a variety of racing
collectables and entertaining specialty gifts, will be found on
www.caracharities.org. The
CARA Charities online auction will run from Nov. 23 to Nov. 30,
midnight (EST). This year’s “Runway Madness” charity event, an annual
benefit dinner and party held prior to the CART race at California
Speedway and a primary fundraiser to assist worthwhile causes on a
national and international scope, was scheduled for another exciting
evening. However, the devastating fires in the Southern California
area forced the Nov. 2 King Taco 500 and the CARA Charities’ party to
be canceled this year. With the usual large silent auction as
part of “Runway Madness,” this year’s online auction is bigger and
better than ever before. Leading the unique items in this year’s
online auction will be a 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 street car donated by
Cars 4 Causes. The DeLorean DMC-12 has 28,485 original miles and is
powered by a rear-mounted, 130-horsepower Peugeot-Renault-Volvo
fuel-injected, 2.8-liter V-6 engine. The DMC-12 features sleek, clean
lines and that sets the car apart from many other collectable
automobiles. The body is a high-quality brushed stainless steel (the
paint can’t chip or fade and it’s impervious to rust) and the car is
complimented with the wild gull-wing doors and features charcoal gray
leather. The DMC-12 has a five-speed manual transmission, power
steering, power brakes and power windows, tinted glass, AM/FM cassette
stereo and Goodyear 195/60R14 tires. There is slight damage to the
bumper, steering wheel and driver’s seat. For further information on
DeLorean DMC-12 and its parts, supplies and upgrades, click on
www.usadmc.com. Some of the other
top items in the online auction are a Cosworth V-8 Engine Coffee
Table, Romero Brito hand-painted driver’s helmet with display case, a
glass top coffee table with Champ Car drivers’ names etched into it,
framed autographed grid passes autographed by the winner of the race,
several vacation packages and Newman’s Own gift baskets. Other items
include many autographed souvenirs from Champ Car drivers and teams.
In addition, a strong list of collectables are on the CARA website
from the popular Route 66 Rendezvous charity affair at California
Speedway in September.
11/24/03
CART will regret leaving Mid-Ohio
This Mansfield, Ohio News Journal
article says, It's been a week since the announcement, but I'm
still trying to make sense of it. No Champ Car racing at
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course next summer? How can this be?
After Milwaukee, no track had a longer and richer history with CART
than Mid-Ohio. The last race under the USAC banner and the first to be
run as Championship Racing League (later CART) was at Mid-Ohio in
1980. Since 1983, CART made the Lexington track an annual
stop........The list of winners at Mid-Ohio is a who's who of
open-wheel racing: Johnny Rutherford, Mario Andretti, Bobby Rahal,
Emerson Fittipaldi, Teo Fabi, Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Alex
Zanardi, Juan Montoya, Helio Castroneves and Paul Tracy. The least
talented to take the checkers -- Roberto Guerrero, Adrian Fernandez
and Patrick Carpentier -- aren't exactly career backmarkers.
Mid-Ohio was all about seeing the best at their best. Unfortunately,
that isn't enough in motorsports anymore. It's not about competition
and it's not about the fans. It's the corporate dollar that greases
this wheel. When Mid-Ohio lost its Miller Brewing
sponsorship after the 2001 race, CART stepped in to help with the
promotion. CART no longer has the funds to do this, and Mid-Ohio
doesn't want to underwrite a race for the millions it can't recoup.
It's the reality of the situation and speaks volumes for how far CART
has fallen. That no company has stepped up to sponsor a race that
still brought out more than 40,000 people on race day is all you need
to know about CART's place in the motorsports universe.
Some have questioned Mid-Ohio's loyalty to open-wheel racing, but who
is leaving who?
CART's prospective new owners -- Paul Gentilozzi, Gerald Forsythe and
Kevin Kalkhoven -- say they only want to go where they can make money.
That's fair enough, but why is Cleveland still a go? It's
doubtful there was ever a more costly race in the history of the sport
than the Cleveland Grand Prix last summer. At Mid-Ohio, they don't
have to convert an airport into a race track, bring in grandstands for
25,000 (or was it 50,000 people?), set up enough lights to illuminate
28 football fields, then pay CBS to broadcast it tape delay the next
day. But Cleveland is that coveted urban market they
crave, so it stays whether it makes a dime or costs millions.
It's true Steam Corners isn't Seoul, South Korea, and Greater
Mansfield isn't Miami, but I thought Mid-Ohio was exotic in that it
wasn't exotic. There's something to be said for small-town charm, and
with a schedule filled with big cities, it was certainly unique.
No other sport and no other series was as intimate with its fans. The
permanent road courses like Mid-Ohio fostered it the best. Good luck
trying to recapture the magic in Denver, Las Vegas and Korea.
Here's hoping CART goes through with its impending December sale and
the new owners get it together for 2004 so a comeback to Mid-Ohio in
'05 is viable. CART needs it. Mid-Ohio needs it. Most of
all, the fans need it.
11/24/03
Still more
feedback on Champ Cars, the
next generation A reader writes, Dear Mark
Cipolloni, Regarding your latest article on the next
generation of Champ Cars, Enjoyed your piece on the next
generation of Champ Cars - However, I'm afraid that (presuming that
Gentilozzi et al succeed in their purchase of the company) the focus
next year will be on keeping a full field of cars rather than starting
over with a clean sheet of paper and redefining what the cars in the
CCWS will look like. I understood that your proposal was for
2005, but that being said, it seems to me that the design and
engineering for a new car needs to start now (or at least within the
next four to six months) for it to be track-ready for the 05 season.
It took what - 18 months? - for Dodge to put together a car for
Winston Cup competition a few years ago. That was a lower-tech "stock"
car that had a host of France-family inspired specifications as
prerequisites. Is it realistic to expect the OWRS group to have the
resources to expend on redesigning the cars for 2005? Has the sale of
the company pushed off the involvement of new engine manufacturers and
chassis constructors even further into the future? David
Jacobs, Chicago, IL
Dear David, Clearly, the window for 2005 may have already passed,
hence why the article stated 2005 or 2006. 2004 will definitely
be a rebuilding year and the focus will be staying alive.
However, that does not mean the technical staff can't be drafting a
new specification. We suspect CART's staff is in close
communication with the FIA regarding their plans for the Formula 2
specifications. If our readers were sharp they would have
noticed that the dimensions I proposed for the new Champ Car are
identical to a F1 car. I called for a spec chassis. CART
could contract with Renault tomorrow, for example to supply the entire
CART grid with its 2003 F1 chassis. The design is already in the
bag. They could contract with Lola, but they don't have a current F1
chassis design in the can. Certainly Renault, or whoever won the
contract, would have to ramp up to satisfy the volume. As for an
engine, companies like John Judd's for example, were producing 3.0 L
V10's that weighed close to 200 Lbs dry weight back in the early 90's
making around the same 750 HP I suggested for the new Champ Car.
The engine ran with a Yamaha nameplate. That's a 10-year old
design that is at least 50 pounds lighter than the current Champ Car
engine, perhaps as much as 100 Lbs lighter when you take into account
all the turbo plumbing. We are sure the current generation of F1
engines are much lighter than that, but CART teams can't afford those
exotic material lightweights. The bottom line is that CART would need
a variation on the F1 V10 engine design, removing some of the
expensive exotic materials and lowering the RPM. They do not need an
engine from a clean sheet of paper. I believe 2005 is still
possible, but 2006 is more likely. Unfortunately for CART,
Formula 2 will be out in 2005 and will immediately bump Champ Cars
down a notch in the world order. Of course CART could adopt the
Formula 2 car for its next generation Champ Car and be ready to go in
2005 with a better performing car. Could there be a secret plan
in place to call it Formula 2 in Europe and Champ Car in North
America, with both being a feeder to F1? Wasn't Chris Pook telling
everyone who would listen that CART would be a feeder to F1 and use
V10 engines? Renault is doing the F2 car and they have
stated they want to begin selling cars in the USA again.
Hmm..... Mark C.
11/24/03
More feedback on Champ Cars, the
next generation A reader writes, Dear Mark
Cipolloni, Regarding your latest article on the next
generation of Champ Cars, One issue that I haven't seen
regarding the turbo vs. normally aspirated argument - the turbo is
naturally silenced, perhaps making it more appropriate for downtown
street courses. CART doesn't need trouble with some of its most
successful venues if an increased noise issue is introduced - remember
the cancelled ALMS race in Washington DC? And while the V10 is
certainly a beautiful sound, anybody who I've ever taken to their
first CART event always marvels at the sound - it may not be the
incredible wail of an F1 motor, but it sure sounds a lot different
than any normal car and, particularly, pushrod engines such as stock
cars. I don't think you need normally aspirated V10s to sell the
sexiness of the sound to new fans, and the noise of a non-turbo motor
could create some problems that I haven't seen mentioned. Thanks!
Lando Magee - Sacramento, California
Dear Lando, You make a valid point that the screaming V10 engines will
be louder than the turbo engines. However, if you examine
the street circuits that CART races on, the majority are not adjacent
to major housing developments like the ALMS track was in Washington
DC. Also, the ALMS races are longer and the fields have a lot
more cars. The Champ Cars are not really on the track that many
hours during a weekend. As I stated in my previous response to
the reader below, the CART fans have become complacent with regard to
the sound. Right now, status quo isn't good enough for CART.
It needs a significant shot in the arm and it must redefine itself for
current market conditions. Too many fans are confused between
CART and the IRL. The current engines sound different, but not
that different. In CART's core market, the NAFTA market, there must be
no mistaking a Champ Car when you hear it. Mark C.
11/24/03 Industry News
Toyota loses logo lawsuit in China
A Beijing court yesterday dismissed a Toyota Motor lawsuit brought
against a mainland firm accused of copying its logo. The test case has
been closely watched by foreign multinationals worried about
protection of their intellectual property rights in China.
The No 2 Intermediate People's Court of Beijing rejected the suit
brought by Toyota in December last year against privately owned Geely
Group of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
Geely was accused of using a logo similar to Toyota's trademark "T" on
the hood, steering column and boot of its Merry cars. Toyota had
demanded Geely stop using the logos and pay compensation of 13.92
million yuan (HK$12.93 million) and costs of 150,000 yuan. But the
court yesterday ordered the Japanese manufacturer to pay costs of
80,360 yuan.
The court said consumers would be able to distinguish between a Toyota
and Geely as the two logos were clearly different in design. It said
consumers took a long time before buying a car and would not be
confused between the two models or decide their purchase on the basis
of a small item such as a logo.
"We feel regret that the viewpoint we expressed was not recognised.
After we have made a detailed study of the contents of the judgment,
we will then decide how to react," Toyota's Beijing office said in a
written statement. The Japanese company has 30 days to launch an
appeal. Shi Yusheng, a lawyer for Toyota, said the company
was disappointed by the verdict.
11/24/03
PPI personnel changes
PPI Motorsports today announced it has hired former Tide
Racing crew chief Mike Beam as competition director for its
racing programs. Beam is joined by David Charpentier, who will
serve as crew chief for the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet driven by
Ricky Craven. Scott Miller, crew chief for the No.32 Tide
Pontiac in 2003, is exploring options both within and outside
of the team’s engineering group.
Beam, a veteran NASCAR Winston Cup Series crew chief, returns
to PPI Motorsports after serving as crew chief for Richard
Childress Racing’s No.30 Chevrolet in 2003. As competition
director, Beam will help focus the organization’s in-house
operations toward increased performance. He will also work
with Charpentier and the crew of the No.32 Tide Chevrolet to
ensure the team’s at-track competition needs are met.
“Bringing Mike back on board is just what our company needs,”
said Cal Wells, president of PPI Motorsports. “We experienced
a bit of a learning curve with the switch to Pontiac and our
own engine program, and we’re at the point now where we can
really push our efforts to the next level. With his ability,
experience, and familiarity with how we operate, Mike is an
ideal choice to help us do that.”
“I’m thrilled to be back at PPI Motorsports,” Beam said of his
decision to return. “It’s like coming home in a lot of ways.
I’m really excited to be in a position where I can help set
direction not only for the race team, but also for the whole
company. PPI Motorsports is a quality operation, and I’m happy to be
working with everyone here again.”
11/24/03
Feedback on Champ Cars, the
next generation A reader writes, Dear Mark
Cipolloni, Regarding your latest article on the next
generation of Champ Cars, I'm confused. You began the
year pushing for non-turbo motors in CART. However,
editorially, you have continued to point out the benefits of
the turbo motor and their increased use with most major
automobile manufacturers, further demonstrating the need for
CART to stay with a formula that mirrors real world
applications. Now you're back to lobbying the non-turbo formula.
Staying turbo/Cosworth will make the "private labeling" of the
Cosworth mill much easier, especially for other Ford marques
that might benefit from a performance association (Volvo,
Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lincoln, even Mazda) as well as
manufacturers outside Ford (Chevworth?). I feel this private
label approach still represents a key transitional
option/opportunity for CART until they have rebuilt the
stature of the series enough to then either write a new engine
spec with the knowledge there are multiple manufacturers
interested in participating; or, they keep the current turbo
formula with new engine manufacturers wanting to build motors
for the series (Audi, other F1 manufacturers).
CART has made an enormous investment in their turbo identity.
It's ingrained in its tradition and history. Walking away from
the turbo motor could be very risky. I agree with just about
everything else you have suggested, especially a smaller,
lighter, nimbler chassis optimized for road racing. The
suspensions also need to be supple/sophisticated enough to be
tuned for Road America one week and a junk temporary road
coarse in downtown Wherever the next.
I would also recommend CART management carefully consider ALL
of these potential changes with an eye toward attracting
current manufacturers/suppliers in F1 to CART. Just as there
is a finite pool of available sponsorship dollars so too are
there a limited number of qualified part and systems
manufacturers. Helping all these manufacturers expand their
businesses can only help CART in the long run. Providing all
the F1 manufacturers a new market to sell into also serves to
loosen up F1's stranglehold.
I think CART owes Bernie a little payback and should move
closer to F1 conceptually. Picture more sensible, cost
effective version of the modern F1 chassis/systems with 2.65L
turbo V8s carrying the names of 3 or 4 car companies (Jaguar,
Porsche, Lincoln, Audi, Mercedes Benz . . . . . Land Rover
(kidding). Diversity makes the world go 'round and CART needs
to carefully balance maintaining tight controls with
stimulating future participation by a multitude of
manufacturers. JN Anderson, Chicago, IL.
Dear JN, First let me clarify my position on turbo engines vs.
a screaming V10. Yes, CART has a lot of history with the
turbo, and yes it would be an acceptable platform for Champ
Cars, but after further soul-searching and analysis, I have
come to the conclusion that the sound of the cars has a major
impact on the fan's perception of what they are watching.
And while the current engine has a nice sound to it, it's
simply not unique enough for most to really take notice.
However, the scream/wail of a F1 V10 engine sends chills down
one's spine. It's something no fan will ever forget.
Status quo isn't good enough for CART. The fan base has
become too blasé about the product. As for your points
about all the Ford marques badging the engine, they can do
that with any engine regardless of whether it's a turbo or a
screaming V10. As for CART owing Bernie a payback, that's one
man CART must not make enemies with. With the oval track
cartel against it, CART needs to maintain a good relationship
with anyone in the road racing business. Mark C.
11/24/03
New McLaren brand focus
McLaren today announced a new brand strategy for its group of
companies. The TAG McLaren Group of companies will, with
immediate effect, assume the new name of the McLaren Group.
The change follows on from the increasing prominence and
reputation of the McLaren brand and its importance in the
Group’s activities, as witnessed by the continued success of
its Formula One racing team and the high profile McLaren F1
and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren high performance road cars. This
increased emphasis on the McLaren brand is also consistent
with the Group’s strategy of focusing on its core automotive
activities with which the McLaren name is synonymous.
The change has been made with the full support of the Group’s
three shareholders: DaimlerChrysler AG; TAG Group (Holdings)
SA; and Ron Dennis, CBE. In line with the new brand strategy,
some of the Group’s companies’ names will change,
either with immediate effect or following their migration to
the McLaren Technology Centre, the Group’s new corporate
headquarters. These other name changes are as follows:
- TAG McLaren Holdings Limited, the Group’s holding company,
will change its name to McLaren Group Limited.
- McLaren International, the Group’s Formula One racing
operation, will be renamed McLaren Racing.
- The Group’s electronics subsidiary will change its name from
TAG Electronic Systems to McLaren Electronic Systems.
- The name of the Group’s marketing subsidiary will change
from TAG McLaren Marketing Services to McLaren Marketing.
During 2004 two new businesses will also be created: McLaren
Applied Technologies; and McLaren Heritage. The former will
seek to exploit in industrial and consumer applications the
automotive technologies that are developed within the Group.
The latter will form a focus for the optimum utilization of
the Group’s racing and automotive heritage.
“We are currently in the process of moving to our new
corporate headquarters and Research and Development facility,
the “McLaren Technology Centre”, and decided that this would
be a good time to review our brand and naming strategy,”
explained McLaren Group Chairman & CEO, Ron Dennis. “The
strategy of focusing on our core automotive business means
that it is entirely logical to emphasize the McLaren aspect of
our heritage.”
“We are honored that the TAG name has played such a strong
part in our success over the years and that TAG retains its
long-term commitment to the Group but McLaren is now such a
strong brand in its own right that all of our shareholders
believe that the name should be at the forefront of our brand
strategy. We have used this opportunity to modernize some of
the company names and to update some of our graphical
identity. I am proud that the McLaren Group is renowned for
the high quality of its presentation and its attention to
detail, and very much hope that these changes will be seen as
consistent with that approach.”
11/24/03
Williams announces launch date
The BMW Williams F1 team is the fourth team to announce their
official launch date, however the Grove based squad may be the
first team to launch their new 2004 contender with a January
fifth date set for the unveiling of the FW26. No venue was
announced yet.
11/24/03
Technical rundown with Renault's Bob
Bell The Renault F1 Team’s Technical Director may have
been out of the spotlight in the design office last year, but his team
was working hard: the verdict from 2003 is extremely positive, and
means the team is confident for 2004. More....
11/24/03
German politicians criticize Schumachers The Schumacher brothers have been called
‘unpatriotic’ for not living in Germany. German Finance
Minister Hans Eichel was the first to criticize the drivers last month
but now Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and other members of the ruling
SPD party have added their voices to the controversy.
Lower Saxony state premier Sigmar Gabriel has been amongst the most
outspoken, saying: "It's unpatriotic of these people taking full
advantage of the possibilities of our country all their lives but then
shoveling their money into Switzerland or Liechtenstein. I
even consider that behavior anti-social."
Reinhard Buetikofer, the co-leader of the Green party has even
suggested stripping tax exiles of their German citizenship. He
said: “Those who don't want to pay (German) tax can give up their
German passports. Ralf responded, "Germany is simply a taxation
jungle. I don't feel like having tax collectors on my heels. I don't
want to be hunted down like Boris Becker or Steffi Graf. That's why I
used the chance to go abroad for tax reasons."
11/24/03
Ecclestone house sale update
Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone is in talks to sell an £85m
Kensington home - the most expensive private house in the world - to
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovitch. Ecclestone is expected to accept
£70-75m for the property, which he bought in 2001 for £50m but never
occupied.
11/24/03
New
Tom Kristensen book available The new book, "Tom K &
LeMans" has just become available. Author Nils Finderup is receiving
accolades on his latest book, the follow up to the Danish only release
"Tom Kristensen, The Life of a LeMans Winner" (2001). The latest
release is available through the Tom Kristensen website and Nils is
looking for an American distributor. Tom Kristensen is heading for the
position of the greatest sports car driver ever. The Dane had his
début at the world’s best known race, Le Mans, in 1997 and has won the
French classic five times out of seven. This book describes Tom
Kristensen’s magical seven races, using words and fantastic pictures,
some of which have never been published before. Many of the best
photographers within the sport have caught the highlights, the clever
angles, the anecdotes and even the rare glimpses of defeat. Through
the photographer’s lenses the readers get a unique insight into the
race of legends and a driver that already has become a living legend.
11/24/03
Paul Newman on Letterman
CART team owner Paul Newman will be a guest on the David Letterman
show tonight (Monday). Paul is working on a new movie (hence the
beard) that we assume he will talk about, but with both he and
Letterman owning Champ Car teams, we are willing to bet they talk
racing at some point.
11/24/03 Formula 3
Antinucci: Did you know?
Did you know that Italian-American Formula 3 sensation Richard
Antinucci, winner of this past weekend's Korea Super Prix and winner
of the Blue Riband award for the best overall driver in both the Macau
and Korea Super Prix events, is Eddie Cheever's nephew? Yup, and
like Cheever who also lived his early years between the USA and Italy,
has his eye on Formula One. "It was awesome," a delighted
Antinucci commented on the win, "Wining these races and being the most
successful driver overall in the two end-of-season events is a dream
come true. "Both tracks are very tricky as they are street
circuits that no-one has access to all year - it is all down to your
driving on the day and having a strong team behind you. I cannot thank
my engineer, Peter Berry, and everyone at Hitech enough for all they
have done for me." The American - who switched teams
several times during 2003 before landing at Hitech - saw him finish
third in one race at Macau but retire in the other when another driver
took him out. At both circuits, he was consistently at the top of the
timesheets and impressed Hitech team boss David Hayle. "He
was first or second all weekend, and on the pace," the former Fortec
team manager commented, "It was unbelievable stuff, nothing was going
to stop him." Having proven he can beat the best F3 drivers in
the world, some of which are already F1 test drivers, it remains to be
seen what Antinucci's next step will be, F3000, CART or a possible
test driver role with an F1 team. This Italian-American appears
to have a bright future ahead of him. Mark C.
Monster Garage on Monday
Jesse James and the crew of his Discovery Channel hit Monster
Garage will reveal tonight what happens when a band of
mechanics, engineers and fabricators accept the challenge of
turning a Champ Car into a working street-line painter. The
episode of the popular cable hit will air tonight on the
Discovery Channel from 9 – 10 p.m. Eastern Time as viewers can
follow the crew through the entire process of transforming a
former Walker Racing Champ Car chassis into the world’s
fastest street-line painter. The final demonstration phase
will see the Champ Car squaring off against a RoadLazer street
painter like those commonly used in the State of California’s
highway system. The crew included Rocketsports Racing team
owner and potential Champ Car World Series owner Paul
Gentilozzi, who flew to James’ California shop last month to
help oversee the design and production of the car as well,
while PK Racing engineer John Ward was on hand to supervise
the demonstration phase of the project, which took place last
week at the Irwindale Speedway oval in Irwindale, California.
11/23/03
Will Renault save 2004 French GP?
Reacting to the news that their home French GP was cancelled for 2004,
the president of the French Renault F1 team put out this statement -
”I cannot envisage a F1 World Championship which would not include a
French Grand Prix!” The French GP is the oldest on the
calendar. Don't be surprised if Renault steps in, puts up the
money owed Bernie Ecclestone from last year and saves the 2004 race.
11/23/03
Frentzen's future on hold
Formula 1 veteran HH Frentzen is not sure whether he will be back at
Jordan in 2004 because the team is looking for a funded driver. He
writes on his website - “Relating to my future in Formula One I cannot
give any new information,” he said on his official website. “Eddie
Jordan offered me a seat in his team. But at the moment they haven't
confirmed an engine contract and the finance of the team hasn't been
secured for the next season yet. Here, more patience is needed.”
11/23/03 Formula 3
Korea Super Prix drivers impressed with
Kumho tires Kumho Tires aims to become one of the top
eight tire manufacturers in the world by 2007 (and is eyeing the CART
series). Top F3 drivers from around the world were left impressed by
the performance of their Kumho tires, supplied to all entrants at
today's 5th International Korea F3 Super Prix.
"The grip from the Kumho has been good all weekend, and our team has
found a good set-up with the tire," said event winner Richard
Antinucci. "I found it really important to focus on getting a lot of
heat into the rear tires on my warm-up lap and that helped me to get a
really good start on the shadier side of the track."
Antinucci burst into the lead at the opening corner of race one and
was never headed again, leaving Menu Motorsport's Robert Doornbos to
take the eventual runner-up spot.
The Dutchman benefited from prior Kumho experience, gained while
racing in the F3 Euroseries this year, where all runners use the high
performance rubber.
"I've raced all year in the F3 Euroseries on the Kumho tire, and here
with Menu Motorsport in Korea we've found a really good set-up with
the tire," said Robert. "It works really well, especially in
qualifying and we got a good peak out of the tire. Then during the
race we were able to do very consistent lap times without any flat
spots. So I was impressed with the tire, it has a good feel."
Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton may have endured a nightmare event, his
hopes ending with an early collision in race one, but the McLaren
protégé couldn't fault the Korean tire giant – declaring their product
superior to other brands.
"I started testing in the UK on the Avon tire and before we came over
to do this race, we tested the Kumho tire and I definitely felt they
were much better than the Avon tire," said Hamilton. "It's really good
to test the tires because you can feel all the different
characteristics and compounds and I've been happy with the Kumho tire,
and I can get a good time out of them when they're at their best."
11/22/03
Schumacher
visits Maranello Michael Schumacher visited Maranello
for the first time today as a six-times world champion. Michael
briefly interrupted his holiday to spend a day at Ferrari, where he
met up with Managing Director of the Gestione Sportiva, Jean Todt, as
well as Rory Byrne and Paolo Martinelli, with whom he discussed the
development of the car which the Scuderia will field in the 2004
Formula 1 World Championship.
Also on the day’s agenda was a visit to the Gestione Industriale. This
gave Michael the opportunity to celebrate his fourth consecutive title
in the Scuderia’s colours with the workforce.
'It
was great to be back in Maranello for the first time since Suzuka.
Meeting up with Jean, Rory and Paolo has made me even keener to get
back on track, especially as they told me so much about the new car,
which sounds really promising. I keep in regular contact with them but
today I was able to see the latest developments in the project for
myself. We are still right in the middle of preparations for next
year, but already I can feel the desire to go racing again. I also
visited the Gestione Industriale where I saw a lot of interesting
things, including the new 612 Scaglietti. It’s really beautiful! I
received a warm
welcome
from the people working there and it’s true that we are one big
family!'
Michael then left for Parma airport at the wheel of a Maserati
Quattroporte. Today’s visit was thus also an opportunity for him to
take to the road for the first time in the Trident marque’s latest
model.
11/22/03
Yates announces personnel changes
Robert Yates Racing announced today several changes to key personnel
positions for the No. 88 UPS and No. 38 M&Ms® Racing Teams. Eddie
D'Hondt was hired in late October to assume the role of General
Manager for the organization, while Mike Ford and Barry Swift return
to RYR where the pair was part of the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup
Championship team. Effective immediately, Ford will assume crew chief
duties for driver Dale Jarrett and the No. 88 UPS Team while Swift
will oversee all work performed while serving as the shop foreman for
both teams.
"This is just the beginning of the changes we will be making over the
course of the next month," said owner Robert Yates. "We obviously
slipped in 2003 from where everyone expects us to perform and that is
everyone from our sponsors, to the media and most importantly
ourselves. We know that championship caliber teams require the talent
of experienced people and securing the right people is the first step
in getting ourselves back to the level that everyone expects us to
perform.
11/22/03
Tagliani fire suit up for charity event
Jump online Sunday, November 23 and bid on Champ Car driver Alex
Tagliani's 2003 Rocketsports fire suit, that will be auctioned off in
the CARA Charities online auction. The Apex design ADM nomex suit
carries all 2003 team/series sponsor logos; Johnson Controls,
Microchip, Futaba, Saputo, Player's, Cosworth, Ford, Bridgestone and
the Champ Car World Series logo.
This is the first Rocketsports' suit Tagliani wore as he raced around
in the No.33 Johnson Controls Lola, and it carries the Player's logo,
which is now obsolete.
The online auction begins November 23 and runs through midnight (ET)
November 29.
Check the CARA website
for a complete list of items up for auction.
Other items up for bid include;
For your car collectible friends: 1983 DeLorean with 28,490 miles.
Stainless steel exterior and grey leather interior, 5 speed manual
transmission, power steering, power brakes and windows.
* Mario Andretti signed Ford GT40 photograph
* Tagliani fire suit
* Be a Crew member for a day
* Zanardi documentary & autographs
* Simple Green Safety Team fire suit
* 2003 grid pass collage
* Hand painted helmet
* Bridgestone bar table & stools
* Vasser fire suit
* Giaffone crutches
* Colts Touchdown Club tickets
* Rutherford fire suit
and much, much more. Rocketsports
11/22/03
Ranger wraps up title
Sixteen year-old Canadian Andrew Ranger has clinched the Title in the
2003 FRAN AM 2000 North American Pro Championship Series. With his
second place finish and fastest lap in Round 13, Ranger has 325
points; clinching the Title by one point before tomorrow's season
finale at Arizona Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
Feeling the heat of Ranger's resolve to return to form was Brazilian
driver Gustavo Sondermann. Sondermann managed to hold off Ranger for a
wire-to-wire victory in only his second FRAN AM race. The margin of
victory over Ranger was a mere 0.241 sec.
Ranger's AIM Autosport teammate and fellow Canadian Mark Wilkins took
the last podium position; finishing 6.088 secs off the pace. Canadian
Dan McMullen and British driver Robert Bell round out the top five
finishers.
Heading
into tomorrow's season finale, the top three positions in Championship
points are locked up. Behind Ranger are yesterday's winner Charles
Hall and Bell. Hall (right), driving #33 for GTI Motorsports, was the
Champion of the 2003 FRAN AM Winter World Series. Bell, piloting the
#7 Team FirstAir car, has managed to secure a 3rd Place finish despite
several tough breaks throughout the season. The season finale will be
run Sunday at Arizona Motorsports Park.
11/22/03
Bridgestone ready for winter testing Bridgestone kicks off its 2004 Formula One campaign at the Circuit de
Catalunya in Spain next week (25-27 November). After the satisfaction of seeing the Constructors' and Drivers' World
Championship titles secured by a Bridgestone equipped team and driver for a
sixth consecutive year, Bridgestone has a formidable testing and development program ahead in a bid to stamp its supremacy on cutting edge
tire
technology for a seventh year.
More......
11/22/03
French GP cancelled for '04, back in
'052nd UPDATE French
Grand Prix organizers confirmed today that next year's race has been
scrapped, but said they had signed a new five-year deal with Bernie
Ecclestone to keep the event at Magny-Cours from 2005. Circuit
boss Roland Hodel described the cancellation of the 2004 race in
central France because of financial problems as "simply a break."
"We're having a break in 2004, in agreement with Bernie Ecclestone,
and we have signed a contract from 2005 to 2009, with the possibility
of adding another five years... the Formula One site, it's
Magny-Cours," said Hodel. "In 2004 everyone who loves motor
sport has to launch into action to bring in all the partnerships which
are necessary for us to have Formula One back again." Marcel
Charmant, president of the Nievre regional authority announced Friday
that the race, scheduled to take place on July 11, 2004, had been
cancelled. "The financial situation of the investment company
means that it is not possible to give Bernie Ecclestone the guarantees
he requires for the finance of the race in 2004," said Charmant. We
now expect the British GP to move to July 11th as discussed on our
Rumors page. We have updated our 2004 schedules. 11/22/03 - French sports
minister Jean-Francois Lamour moved Saturday to save the French Grand
Prix amid reports that it has been cancelled due to financial
problems. Lamour said that he would do all in his power to
ensure that the French auto sport federation (FFSA) convince the
sport's governing body, the FIA, to maintain next year's French leg of
the world championship series. Marcel Charmant, president of the
Nievre regional authority said that the race, scheduled to take place
in Magny Cours on July 11, 2004, has been cancelled because of
financial problems. "The financial situation of the investment
company means that it is not possible to give (F1 supremo) Bernie
Ecclestone the guarantees he requires for the finance of the race in
2004," said Charmant. The regional authority of Nievre is the
majority shareholder in the company which owns the Magny-Cours
circuit. But Lamour believes that they may have jumped the gun
and said "that the decision to cancel was perhaps announced before it
was even decided by the competent authorities (the FIA)." The
FFSA, meanwhile, said in a statement Saturday that their president
Jacques Regis would hold a press conference on the subject here next
Wednesday.
Michelin F111/21/03 - The French Grand Prix, scheduled to take place here on July
11, 2004, has been cancelled because of financial problems,
Marcel Charmant, the president of the Nievre regional
authority, told Saturday's edition of the Journal du Centre
newspaper. "The financial situation of the investment
company means that it is not possible to give Bernie
Ecclestone the guarantees he requires for the finance of the
race in 2004," said Charmant.
11/22/03
Why CART should switch to a N/A V10
On a number of occasions we have expressed our strong opinion that the
next CART Champ Car engine should be a gasoline normally aspirated 3.0
L V10. We are of the opinion that North America would fall in
love with the sound and it would make CART unique in its own right.
We are not talking about a 19,000+ RPM F1 V-10, but something around
15,000 RPM will sound just fine thank you. Anyone who has heard
a F1 engine will attest to its glorious sound, even when the RPM was
much lower than today's
19,000.
Here's an example of what we mean - Eddie Jordan brought his F1 car to
the recent Macau GP to do some demo laps and give the Chinese their
first real glimpse of an F1 car ahead of next year's inaugural Chinese
GP in Shanghai. The F3 pole lap was 2m 13.016s. Ralph
Firman drove the Jordan EJ13 around the Macau circuit in 1m 54.6s.
Jonathan Noble writes in Autosport Magazine - "And if I loved it, you
can bet the Chinese were in ecstasy. Some who had only seen
display models at shows
could
only talk in awe about the wail of the V10 - simply amazed at its
power, speed and grace. I don't think I was alone in feeling
invigorated last weekend, though. I swear there were some grown
men nearly crying (with utter joy) in the pitlane last weekend." With all this
CART/IRL merger talk, God forbid if CART were ever to adopt the
hideous sounding low-revving IRL 3.5 L overweight boat anchor of an
engine when, for not a whole lot more money (if the rules are written
strict enough) it can have an engine in 2005 or 2006 that makes grown
men want to cry from sheer ecstasy of its sound. A boat anchor or
ecstasy, you decide. Mark C.
11/22/03
Atherton, others, to buy into ALMS
Don Panoz is offering shares in the Panoz Motorsports Group to ALMS
president Scott Atherton, and other key management personnel.
Panoz Motorsports owns ALMS as well as the Sebring, Mosport and Road
Atlanta tracks. Panoz has no intention to get out of his racing
empire, but he is getting up there in years and must start to divest
some of his interest to ensure what he has built has a future after he
is gone.
11/22/03 Industry News
Layoffs at Cosworth
Cosworth had laid off over 30 people in its England shop as a result
in business being soft. A lot has to do with F1 going to one
engine per weekend in 2004. The rule, meant to save money,
already is.
11/22/03 Industry News
Longtime CART publishing partners
getting in bed with IRL
British based Haymarket Publications, a longtime partner with CART, is
now getting in bed with the IRL. They will produce a monthly magazine
dedicated to just the IRL IndyCar series. Racer Magazine, who is
owned by Haymarket, will produce and publish the new monthly.
Meanwhile, British based Hazleton Publishing, another longtime partner
with CART, will produce the first annual Autocourse for the 2003 Indy
500 and the Indy Racing League. Autocourse will still publish its
beautiful Autocourse CART calendar and the 11th annual CART Champ Car
annual.
11/22/03 Off-Road
Arciero & Miller win Baja 1000 Truck
class
Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller have driven the #81 UMI Racing BFGoodrich
Chevrolet Silverado to victory lane... taking the prestigious Trophy
Truck class victory and completing a trifecta of victories: The Parker
425, Baja 500, and now... the Baja 1000. This is Ryan's 2nd Baja 1000
and today's win is the third victory in three attempts for the duo.
Ryan was actually the first car/truck driver across the finish line,
but unofficial results show that #113 (a Class 1 buggy) had an elapsed
time that just clipped the overall victory by 4 minutes.
11/22/03
Some in Montreal not happy with F1
antics This
article in the Montreal Gazette and this
article in the Toronto Star talk about the backlash of the
government paying off the F1 teams because Canada banned tobacco
advertising. - - It is distasteful for the federal government to
pay $6 million to Formula One racing to help keep the Canadian Grand
Prix in Montreal, says a doctor adamantly opposed to smoking and drugs
in sport. "I am a little bit taken back by that," Dr. Andrew Pipe, who
is stepping down as chair of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport,
said Thursday. "There is an enormous amount of wealth and money tied
up in Formula One racing. The fact they need government subsidies to
support their activities and have used their association with the
tobacco industry to exert leverage over the government to come forward
with that funding, I find that somewhat distasteful." The promoter of
the Canadian Grand Prix announced earlier this week that the Montreal
race, which had been in doubt because of federal anti-tobacco laws, is
back on the racing schedule. Part of the agreement calls for the
federal and provincial government to pay $6 million each over three
years to compensate up to five teams being forced to race in Montreal
without their tobacco sponsorships. Pipe, who is also head of
Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada, is pleased Ottawa didn't bow to
pressure to ease its tobacco advertising restrictions but criticized
Formula One for using the Montreal race as a hostage. "The Formula One
organization has not conducted itself well over the last several years
as the inevitability of the removal of tobacco sponsorship has become
evident," said Pipe, who is director of the prevention and
rehabilitation centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
"They have been ruthless and that's disconcerting."
11/22/03
Tracy not worried about CART's future
In this Canadian Press
article, 2003 CART champion Paul Tracy says he's not
worried about CART's future. "I don't really feel I'm in limbo,"
Tracy said during a recent visit to Homestead-Miami Speedway. "From
everything I'm hearing from my boss, there's going to be a series.
"If it comes to it and doesn't happen, I don't think it will be too
hard to find something." OWRS offered $7.4 million US -
about 56 cents a share - in August for all of CART's outstanding
stock.
Meanwhile, CART has indicated it will run out of money by mid December
and will have to cease operations unless the deal goes through.
Putting up an optimistic front, the current CART leadership last week
issued a 2004 schedule. Tracy tried to ignore CART's burgeoning
problems throughout the year, preferring to concentrate on his first
season with Forsythe's team and the opportunity to finally cash in on
the promise he has shown over the years.
Asked if he would be interested in racing in the all-oval Indy Racing
League or NASCAR, which is also predominantly oval racing, if CART
does not survive, Tracy shrugged. "I want to continue in road
racing because that's what I love to do," he said. "I'd have to take a
look at what's going on and I'd certainly check out endurance racing,
but I would be willing to talk to anybody who is interested in talking
to me."
11/22/03 Formula 3
Korea Super Prix -
Hamilton shines again Click
here for qualifying photos. British ace Lewis Hamilton
clinched pole position for the International Formula 3 Korea Super
Prix with the fastest lap ever recorded around the Changwon Raceway.
The McLaren F1 protégé set a time of 1min 09.989secs to secure pole
for Sunday's race. Brazilian Nelson Piquet Junior lines up alongside
Hamilton on the front row, while Piquet's teammate Richard Antinucci
starts third, just ahead of Robert Doornbos.
Hamilton believes that on Sunday he can convert pole position into his
first victory, in only his third ever F3 start: "I think we have a
very good chance of winning, we've been quick in practice and
qualifying and I just need to stay calm and collected to come away
with the win," he said. "We put the new tires on and the car
felt really good. I made a few changes in my driving style and the
quick times just came. I don't have a lot of experience on street
tracks," he added, "but my experience of Macau has really helped me
this weekend."
Second on the grid overall was Richard Antinucci. The American lost his
times from the morning session after his Dallara Renault was found to
be underweight, however Antinucci set a time in the second qualifying
session that puts him on the second row for Sunday's race. "This
afternoon I was five kilograms overweight which proves that we've been
genuinely quick all weekend," said Antinucci.
Third on the grid was Hitech Racing's Piquet Junior, "I've found it a
difficult weekend so far, I've been struggling to get used to the
track as the corners are very tight and the chicane is risky. Yet in
qualifying, I cooled the tires down and then on my last lap I took a
risk at the chicane and made up all my time there but I don't know if
I could have gone faster than Lewis," said Piquet. "In Macau it was a
lack of experience, I wanted to go fast straightaway and I shunted
early on, but here I've kept off the wall and slowly built up my
confidence," he explained.
The Korea Super Prix 2003 will take place tomorrow, over two legs of
25 laps each.
Group 1 qualifying times
1. Lewis Hamilton GBR Manor Motorsport Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen 1min
9.989secs
2. Richard Antinucci USA Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+0.207secs
3. Robert Kubica POL Target Racing Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +0.405secs
4. James Courtney AUS TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.457secs
5. Andrew Thompson GBR Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+0.745secs
6. Paulo Montin ITA Three Bond Dallara F303 Nissan-Tomei +0.834secs
7. Nicolas Lapierre FRA Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
0.919secs
8. Pierre Kaffer GER Superfund TME Racing Dallara F303 Toyota-Tom's
+0.872secs
9. Alvaro Parente POR Carlin Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen
+1.295secs
10. Rob Austin GBR Menu Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Opel-Spiess
+1.450secs
11. Ernesto Viso VEN Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +1.677secs
12. Ronnie Quintarelli ITA JB Motorsport/Inging Dallara F302
Opel-Spiess +2.367secs
13. Gene Lee KOR Alan Docking Racing Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen
+4.242secs
14. Jin Woo Hwang KOR Prema Powerteam Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess
+4.435secs
15. Pedro Barral ESP Swiss Racing Team Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+13mins 28.077secs Group 2 qualifying times.
1. Nelson Piquet Jnr BRA Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
1min 10.249secs
2. Robert Doornbos NL Menu Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Opel–Spiess
+0.121secs
3. Tatsuya Kataoka JPN TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.183secs
4. Adam Carroll GBR Carlin M'sport Dallara F 302/3 Honda-Mugen
+0.262ecs
5. Fabio Carbone BRA Signature Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo +0.282secs
6. César Campanico POR Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
+0.311secs
7. Danny Watts GBR Alan Docking Racing Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen
+0.395secs
8. Nico Rosberg SF Carlin M'sport Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen
+0.604secs
9. Katsuyuki Hiranaka JPN Prema Powerteam Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess
+0.646secs
10. Hiroki Yoshimoto JPN Swiss Racing Team Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+1.361secs
11. Naoki Yokomizo JPN JB Motorsport/Inging Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+2.172secs
12. Fairuz Fauzy MAL Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +2.541secs
13. Marco Bonanomi ITA Target Racing Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+2.568secs
11/22/03
Williams will have to pay big $$ to get
Webber
Frank Williams will have to pay a large compensation package if he
wants to sign Mark Webber as replacement for Juan Pablo Montoya.
Webber has revealed his Jaguar bosses have spoken to Williams, who is
searching for a new driver with Montoya moving to McLaren in 2005.
But Webber has a lucrative contract until the end of 2005 leaving
Williams having to compensate Jaguar and the 27-year-old's manager,
Renault boss Flavio Briatore. "Frank would have to sign a very
large check to get Mark," said an F1 source. "Frank would have to pay
compensation to Jaguar and Flavio but 18 months later he could see
Mark join Renault. I can't see him doing that but anything is possible
in this sport."
11/21/03 Industry News
Wind Tunnel interviews
The LIVE Wind Tunnel is now on hiatus, but for the next 2 weeks we'll
be putting together some 'best of' shows we're calling Wind Tunnel :
The Interviews.
Monday 11-24 - Richard Petty / Steve Kinser
Tuesday 11-25 - Gil de Ferran / David Coulthard
Wednesday 11-26 - Jeff Gordon / Juan Pablo Montoya
Thursday 11-27 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. / Ricky Carmichael
Monday 12-01 - John Force / Paul Gentilozzi
Tuesday 12-02 - Tony Stewart / Brock Yates
Wednesday 12-03 - "Big Daddy" Don Garlits / Dan Gurney
11/21/03
BAR announces sponsorship deal
Lucky Strike B·A·R Honda announces today that it has signed the UK
division of Haas Automation, an American machine tool manufacturer, as
an official supplier to the team.
In its twentieth year of business, Haas is now the largest machine
tool builder in the United States, and employs almost 1,000 people in
its 820,000 square-foot facility in California, the most modern
machine tool manufacturing operation in America. Haas manufactures
four major product lines: vertical machining centers, horizontal
machining centers, CNC lathes and rotary tables.
Haas Automation will supply B·A·R with two high-speed CNC machining
centers, which will be operational in the team’s on-site machine shop.
Geoffrey Willis, B·A·R Technical Director, commented: “B·A·R’s
partnership with Haas Automation means we will be increasing our
on-site manufacturing capabilities by around 25 per cent. The extra
machines will reduce our downtime and increase our rate of
development, which in turn will lead to performance gain.”
Andrew Stevens, Managing Director of Haas Automation in the UK, said,
“We are delighted to establish a partnership with B·A·R. The
technically demanding and competitive environment of Formula One is a
perfect arena for Haas Automation to demonstrate the high performance
characteristics of their CNC machine tools - speed, accuracy and
reliability are all requisite components of a high-quality machine
tool, and each is used to the full in the machining of components for
a Formula One car.”
The Haas Automation tag is already synonymous with racing in the USA.
The company formed technical partnerships with a number of American
motorsport teams from 1995 onwards, and in 2002 Haas CNC Racing was
launched, with the announcement that it would compete in the Winston
Cup Series. The Haas CNC Racing Team is based in its own 40,000
square-foot building in North Carolina.
11/21/03
2004 Indy 500 schedule
announced
The 88th running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race will follow
the event's traditional three-week format, with Opening Day at
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway scheduled for Sunday, May 9,
2004, and nearly a month of pageantry and on-track action will
culminate with Race Day on Sunday, May 30.
Sunday, May 9 Opening Day Practice
May 10-14 Practice
Saturday, May 15 Pole Day (MBNA Pole Qualifying, practice)
Sunday, May 16 Second-day qualifying
May 17-18 No track activity
May 19-22 Practice
Saturday, May 22 Freedom 100 race for the Menards Infiniti Pro
Series
Sunday, May 23 Bump Day (Final day of qualifying)
May 24-25 No track activity
Wednesday, May 26 500 Festival Community Day
Thursday, May 27 Miller Lite Carb Day (Final practice,
Pit Stop Challenge, concert)
Friday, May 28 No track activity
Saturday, May 29 Public Drivers' Meeting, 500 Festival Parade
Sunday, May 30 88th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
11/21/03 Industry News
Roger Penske Wind Tunnel quotes
Below are select quotes from Thursday's Wind Tunnel with Dave
Despain on SPEED Channel. The legendary Roger Penske spoke
with Dave about his 37 years as a race team owner and Team
Penske's plans for the future.
Penske on future with Sam Hornish: "Sam is a
champion -- he has certainly proved that on the track. I hope
that our team can live up to giving him the equipment so that
he can be an Indy 500 winner.
"There has been a lot of speculation about him going over to
NASCAR. I will tell you, at this point, we have had a little
bit of discussion about it, but there is no plan -- short term
or long term. Our real plan today is to see him compete and
win another (IRL) championship and of course put an Indy 500
win in his career package."
Penske on comparisons between Mark Donohue and Ryan
Newman: "Mark Donohue was really special. When we went
to Indianapolis, they kidded us about being the college guys
with the crew hair cuts, but his technical approach proved a
lot -- I think that he had the best car and that's why he won
a lot of races.
"When I compare him to Ryan (Newman) and Matt Borland and the
team they put together, I think you have seen a great
communication capability. It takes that kind of communication
between the crew chief and the engineer and the team. Donohue
really started that. Mark led our team in that direction. We
were able to hire people who wanted to have a technical
package with a team and provide that expertise. Donohue was
really the spark plug. If you don't understand the car, I
don't think you're going to get in the winner's circle."
Penske on plans to return to F1: "No, not
really, Eddie Jordan talked to me really about Gil (de Ferran)
and the fact that he might be interested in Formula One, but
that was the only comment and maybe that was the tie in (to
rumors Penske was buying into Jordan Racing) but Gil obviously
has not made that decision and will not be in Formula One ...
we have no interest to go back at this point."
Penske on possibility of a third NASCAR Cup car:
"There has been interest by our team to possibly look at a
third car. Kodak has come back through and talked to four or
five teams in Charlotte -- they came to our shop and we made a
proposal. So, at this particular time, we have interest, we
have engine capability with our Penske Jasper program ... to
bring another young driver in might be a real opportunity for
us for next year."
Penske on NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Brendan
Gaughan: "Brendan is one of the young Dodge drivers
and obviously with our relationship with Dodge with Rusty and
Ryan, he could be a possibility. You have to decide, do you go
with a young driver or do you go with a proven star that has
been in NASCAR (WC). At this point, we don't have an official
announcement to make. Rumors seem to be the thing of the day
when you're in auto racing, but there is a lot of water that
has to go across the dam before we can make any formal
announcement, I can assure you that.
Penske on Toyota: "As far as our team is
concerned, we have a relationship with them in the IRL, we
have a long-term contract with Dodge (in NASCAR) and quite
honestly I haven't had any discussion as far as a Winston Cup
car with Toyota. I know they are going in the trucks -- we are
not in the truck series -- but they are going to be a
formidable competitor, a fair competitor and I hope to see
them in because I think the more manufacturers coming in, with
Pontiac dropping out, we don't want to see just one make out
there running with all 43 cars the same. We have no plans
because we have a long-term contract with Dodge and our
drivers."
Penske on other manufactures coming to NASCAR:
"I would think you're going to see not only Honda but other
manufacturers because of the success of the sport -- it's a
great place to showcase the technology and the performance, so
let's hope four or five other manufacturers come in and make
it a real race."
11/21/03
Lilly gets final FDA approval
of Cialis
Eli Lilly today has received the approval letter for Cialis(R)
from the Food and Drug Administration. We are told by our
Lilly sources to expect to see print and media adds galore in
the coming days/weeks. Further information
will be forthcoming. This opens the door for Cialis to be
displayed on the Newman/Haas car(s) in the USA. They already
had approval to display it in other countries and was on
Sebastien Bourdais's car in Mexico City.
11/21/03
Bahrain GP UpdateUPDATE Here is a page of
photos of the construction. 11/20/03 - The Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir, to the south of
Bahrain's capital Manama, is beginning to look more and more
like a Grand Prix circuit with every day that passes. With
construction engineers working around the clock to complete
the brand new circuit in time for next year's inaugural Grand
Prix, there was time for celebration this week as machinery
completed the first half of the all important track surface.
As the engineering team begin the 136-day countdown to the
Grand Prix all eyes are on the track surface on which drivers
such as World Champion Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya,
Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Raikkonen, David Coulthard, Fernando
Alonso and Mark Webber will race for the coveted title of the
first driver to win a Grand Prix in the Middle East.
The track laying activities are vitally important not only
because the curing process is critical in terms of the final
racing surface, but also because it is a milestone on the road
to the circuit's completion. 04.04.04 will be a significant
date in the Kingdom of Bahrain - traditionally, hosting a
Grand Prix demonstrates a country's engineering, business and
organizational prowess. Bahrainis are immensely proud of the
Grand Prix and see it as the catalyst to promote awareness for
Bahrain while endorsing the Kingdom's standing within the Gulf
region.
The first layer of asphalt now covers over half of the new
circuit and work is on schedule to have the complete circuit
covered by early December. The construction team is laying an
average of 650 tons of asphalt per day.
Overall some 12,000 tons of stone will be used in the track
building exercise - four thousand tons of which comes from
Wales and the remainder from Malaysia.
The second layer of asphalt will be laid when all the racing
curbs and run-off areas have been completed in the middle of
January and the final layer in early February.
As the work on laying the all-important racing surface
continues apace, the engineering teams are continuing to weave
a magical spell on the construction of the buildings and the
landscaping of the area that will give the circuit its unique
Arabic appeal. Press Release
11/21/03
IRL teams test revised
Homestead track
Several top IRL IndyCar Series teams tested Nov. 19-20 at the
reconfigured Homestead-Miami Speedway outside Miami.
Drivers who participated in the test included: Dan Wheldon
(Andretti Green Racing), Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi
Racing), Scott Sharp (Kelley Racing), Tomas Scheckter (Panther
Racing), Helio Castroneves and Sam Hornish Jr. (Marlboro Team
Penske). After Dixon won the Toyota Indy 300 on
March 2 at Homestead, construction crews began rebuilding the
four turns, which had been banked at six degrees.
The track now has a variable banking system, and the degree of
banking increases progressively from the bottom to the top of
each turn. At the midpoint of each turn, there are 18 degrees
of banking at the bottom, 19 degrees in the middle and 20
degrees at the top.
The track was repaved, and the SAFER Barrier, which debuted in
2002 at the 86th Indianapolis 500, was installed in the four
turns. Under development by the Indy Racing League and
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Midwest Roadside Safety
Facility since 1998, the SAFER Barrier was designed for
multiple impacts by IRL IndyCar Series cars and stock cars
during an event. NASCAR joined in the development of the
project in September 2000. Brian Barnhart, senior
vice president of racing operations for the IRL, supervised
the Homestead test.
“This test was conducted so we could evaluate the reconfigured
Homestead-Miami Speedway, as it’s obviously a lot different
from when we last raced there in March.” Barnhart said. “Our
teams, drivers, manufacturers and league officials gathered
valuable data to ensure that the IndyCar Series can put on the
best race for the fans, as well as a competitive and safe
environment for everyone.” Barnhart said there would be
more testing at HMS in December.
“With all the changes, this is basically a new facility for
the IndyCar Series, even though we’ve raced here since 2001,”
Barnhart said. “We want to ensure that our teams and drivers,
as well as our engine suppliers, Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota,
our chassis manufacturers, Dallara and Panoz G Force, and our
official tire, Firestone, have all the data they need to
ensure a good and safe show.” The 2004 IRL IndyCar
Series season begins with the Toyota Indy 300 on Feb. 29, 2004
at Homestead. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN.
11/21/03
Renault to unveil new car in
Italy The Mild Seven Renault F1 team has today
revealed the launch date for their 2004 car. The Renault F1
R24 will be unveiled on Thursday, January 29th, in Palermo,
Italy. Renault is the third team this week to confirm the
launch date for their 2004 car, Sauber and Jaguar confirmed
their launch dates earlier this week.
11/21/03 Industry News
Infineon Raceway repaving
complete
Construction crews have just completed work on two critical
areas of the road course designed to increase competitor
safety at Infineon Raceway. The hillsides at Turns 1 and
6 have been graded substantially, providing dramatically
increased runoff for competitors. There is now more than 120
feet of runoff at Turn 1, and 80 feet of runoff at Turn 6. The
newly shaved slopes have been hydro-seeded to aid in erosion
control and stabilization. The old, wooden bridges at
Turns 1 and 6 have also been removed and will be replaced by
bridges with a sturdy metal framework and ramps to provide
easier fan access. The bridges should be erected by March.
The new Turn 1 bridge will be 70 feet longer and will be
constructed approximately 100 feet closer to Turn 2. The new
positioning will remove the bridge abutment from the runoff
area. The Turn 6 bridge, meanwhile, will continue to overlook
the Carousel, however its abutment will also be removed from
the runoff area. Both redesigns will further enhance
competitor safety. This marks the second major
off-season project at Infineon Raceway as the road course was
repaved in August. As part of the repaving, more than 3,000
feet of French Edge Drains were installed to keep water from
draining under the track surface - the raceway is just 15 feet
above sea level. Curbing was also added at Turns 2, 6, 8 and
10. Portions of the road course that were repaved included
Turns 1-3, 6-8 and 11. Turns 4-5, 9-10, 12 and the Chute were
repaved prior to the 2003 season.
11/21/03
Petty movie update
Richard Petty's life and racing career will soon appear on the
big screen. Whether the film showcases the North Carolina
landscapes where "The King" became famous remains uncertain.
The Randolph County Tourism Development Authority wants the
state to develop a film incentive program that keeps the state
competitive for this and future movie projects. That comes
after officials in Georgia made a push to land the project
about the NASCAR legend. Petty, who's from Randolph County,
won seven Daytona 500 races and seven Winston Cup
championships during his 35-year stock-car racing career. The
film could have a $75 million budget and will be a joint
venture between actor Dennis Quaid and Disney Studios. Filming
is expected to begin between early 2004 and spring 2005.
Producers said Georgia has offered a 10 percent savings on the
$75 million budget if the film is made in and around Atlanta.
That has government officials, including Gov. Mike Easley and
state Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, scrambling to find a
solution. Easley's office, the state Commerce Department and
the North Carolina Film Office are talking with movie
producers and studios about the project, but officials would
not elaborate on possible incentives. Rebecca Clark, head of
the Piedmont Triad Film Commission, said local officials
believe the best option is to waive sales taxes on production
costs. Local officials estimated Tuesday that the government
would give up roughly $1 million in sales taxes to capture $18
million to $25 million for hotel operators, production
assistants, construction workers, retail outlets, trades
people and actors. An estimated 30 percent of a movie budget
is spent in the area where filming takes place. In exchange,
Warner Brothers promised to spend $12 million on the 12
episodes, hire 120 local people for production jobs and hire
300 locals as extras.
WRAL/AP
11/21/03
2003 STARS OF TOMORROW SPEED CHANNEL
DATES AND TIMES
Sunday November 23rd 4:00pm Eastern ICA from Sonoma
Monday November 24th 5:00pm Eastern ICA from Sonoma (replay)
Sunday November 30th 4:00pm Eastern ICC from Sonoma
Monday December 1st 5:00pm Eastern ICC from Sonoma (replay)
Sunday December 7th 4:00pm Eastern ICA & ICC from Moran Raceway
Monday December 8th 5:00pm Eastern ICA & ICC from Moran Raceway
(replay)
Sunday December 28th 12:00pm Eastern 3 hours of re-cap, all shows back
to back
11/21/03
F1
to follow CART into South Korea2nd UPDATE A press statement
released today stated: "The Memorandum opens up the possibility
of hosting a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship for the
country which has played host to the Olympics and co-hosted the 2002
World Cup. "A new facility will be constructed on a 327 acre
site reclaimed from the sea at Jin Hae, ten minutes from the major
city Busan, which boasts both an international airport and one of the
region's largest container ports. "The project is a joint venture
between private business concerns, and has the backing of both the
Central Government and that of the local Gyeongnam Provincial
Government. The development will be a comprehensive sports resort,
comprising hotels and other facilities as well as the race track
itself. It will benefit from the existing comprehensive infrastructure
and close proximity to Busan, which has a population of 3.9 million.
"Plans are underway to continue the highly successful International
Formula 3 Korea Super Prix, the year-end season closer which is now in
its fifth year, up to 2009 when the country hopes to host its first F1
event. "In addition, the new Sang Am street circuit
will host a round of Champ Cars in October 2004.
"Domestic motorsport is also developing quickly in Korea, a major
automobile manufacturer, with three circuits currently in use and two
under construction. Over 40 domestic racing events, plus some regional
race meetings, are on the calendar for 2004, and the Korean motorsport
governing body the Korean Automobile Racing Association (KARA), is
implementing a driver development program to bring youngsters in to
the sport. "The Taebeck and Everland Circuits are currently
hosting events on a regular basis, while the Sang Am Stadium Circuit
and You Joo Speedpark will be completed next year. Two rallies and
various off-road events are also held in South Korea annually. "As
well as Korean drivers, two of whom have competed this year in the
inaugural Formula BMW Asia series, KARA is also actively developing
its own motorsport officials and marshals. Several Korean youngsters
have competed in Formula Renault this year at China's Zhuhai
International Circuit." 10/22/03 - This Autosport
article talks more about this race. 10/21/03
- As AR1 reported
exclusively this past weekend, CART will be racing in Seoul,
South Korea starting in October, 2004. Now comes word
(from Korea Times)
that F1 will likely follow CART into South Korea five years later.
The South Kyongsang (spelled Gyeongsang on map to right)
Province government has signed a memorandum of understanding
with Formula One Management (FOM) for the hosting of the Korea
Formula One Grand Prix World Championship in the town of
Chinhae in October 2009. The Province Governor Kim Hyuk-kyu
reached the deal with Bernie Ecclestone, FOM president, in
London on Oct. 17. The contract for the hosting is planned to
be completed in South Korea within six months.
South Kyongsang is on the opposite end of South Korea from
Seoul where CART will race, so the two should not interfere
with each other. The town of Chinhae
is just the the west of Pusan (spelled Busan on map to right).
Meanwhile, the 5th International Formula 3 Korea Super Prix
will be held in Changwon, South Kyongsang (Gyeongsang) Province, from Nov.
18 to 23. of this year.
11/21/03 Formula 3000
BCN team will run 3 cars if needed
BCN Competicion has revealed that it would be prepared to field three
entries if it meant that F3000 survived the 18-car minimum imposed on
it by the governing body. Team manager Jaime Pintanel confirmed
that it would be prepared to run three cars next season if it helped
achieve the 18-car grids required by the FIA. "We can confirm
our participation in the championship - something that we have already
done with the FIA," he said. "With respect to the announcement that
there has to be a minimum of 18 cars on the grid so that the
championship can go ahead in 2004, we are confident that that will be
the case. However, we are aware that there may be problems
preventing the number being reached, but we can say that, in that
case, we would be willing to field three cars in order to help reach
the 18 required. For us, this alone would signify a few changes to our
logistics, since we would need to make some changes to our
transportation plans, but we would do it."
11/21/03 Formula 3
Korea Super Prix Practice times,
Hamilton shines In only his third Formula Three race,
British youngster Lewis Hamilton set the pace during the opening day's
practice session for the International Formula 3 Korea Super Prix. The
Manor Motorsport ace lapped the Changwon Raceway in 1min 10.788secs,
just 0.05 seconds faster than his closest rival James Courtney. Third
quickest was Courtney's TOM's teammate Tatsuya Kataoka. "Changwon is
not as narrow as Macau, so you can attack the track with a lot more
confidence straightaway, but it's still a challenge over the bumps,"
stated Hamilton, who made his only mistake of practice at the chicane:
"It was nothing major, but I did just clip the tire wall and slightly
damaged the front of the car. We're quick today, but it's qualifying
tomorrow which really counts."
James Courtney, who was leading the Macau Grand Prix before he retired
with a puncture last weekend, was happy with second place after he
spun in the morning. "It's been a good day and we've made a few slight
changes to the set-up. My last lap was my quickest and I had traffic,
so there's no doubt we can go faster tomorrow," said Courtney.
"However it's been quite cold today and as the circuit is short, it
takes a few laps to get everything up to temperature."
American Richard Antinucci, who set the fifth quickest time of the day
for Hitech Racing. He was five places ahead of his Dallara Renault-Sodemo
teammate Nelson Piquet Junior, who stayed clear of the wall during
practice to record the tenth quickest time.
Last weekend's Macau Grand Prix winner Nicolas Lapierre was seventh
quickest. Qualifying for the International Formula 3 Korea Super Prix
will take place tomorrow (November 22), with the race, two legs of 25
laps each, being run on Sunday. Full second practice times for this
Sunday's 5th International Korea Super Prix, held at Changwon.
Photos Practice times - 1
1. Richard Antinucci USA Hitech Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo 1min
11.416secs
2. Tatsuya Kataoka JPN TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.125secs
3. James Courtney AUS TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.343secs
4. Robert Doornbos NL Menu Dallara F302/3 Opel–Spiess +0.399secs
5. César Campanico POR Signature Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
+0.535secs
6. Paulo Montin ITA Three Bond Dallara F303 Nissan-Tomei +0.608secs
7. Fabio Carbone BRA Signature Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo +0.665secs
8. Lewis Hamilton GBR Manor Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +0.698secs
9. Nicolas Lapierre FRA Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
0.895secs
10. Danny Watts GBR ADR Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +0.962secs
11. Adam Carroll GBR Carlin Dallara F 302/3 Honda-Mugen +1.07secs
12. Pierre Kaffer GER Superfund TME Dallara F303 Toyota-Tom's
+1.095secs
13. Robert Kubica POL Target Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +1.159secs
14. Katsuyuki Hiranaka JPN Prema Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess +1.318secs
15. Hiroki Yoshimoto JPN SRT Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +1.548secs
16. Nico Rosberg SF Carlin Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen +1.661secs
17. Nelson Piquet Jnr BRA Hitech Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+1.753secs
18. Andrew Thompson GBR Hitech Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+2.069secs
19. Naoki Yokomizo JPN JB Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +2.238secs
20. Ronnie Quintarelli ITA JB Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +2.301secs
21. Alvaro Parente POR Carlin Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen +2.377secs
22. Rob Austin GBR Menu Dallara F302/3 Opel-Spiess +2.868secs
23. Marco Bonanomi ITA Target Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +3.469secs
24. Ernesto Viso VEN Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +3.933secs
25. Pedro Barral ESP SRT Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +4.935secs
26. Jin Woo Hwang KOR Prema Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess +5.030secs
27. Fairuz Fauzy MAL Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +5.565secs
28. Gene Lee KOR ADR Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +5.845secs Practice times -2.
1. Lewis Hamilton GBR Manor Motorsport Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen 1min
10.788secs
2. James Courtney AUS TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.055secs
3. Tatsuya Kataoka JPN TOM's Dallara F302 Toyota-Tom's +0.384secs
4. Robert Doornbos NL Menu Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Opel–Spiess
+0.385secs
5. Richard Antinucci USA Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+0.394secs
6. César Campanico POR Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
+0.458secs
7. Nicolas Lapierre FRA Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
0.579secs
8. Adam Carroll GBR Carlin Motorsport Dallara F 302/3 Honda-Mugen
+0.701ecs
9. Robert Kubica POL Target Racing Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess +0.707secs
10. Nelson Piquet Jnr BRA Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+0.745secs
11. Fabio Carbone BRA Signature Plus Dallara F302 Renault-Sodemo
+0.866secs
12. Paulo Montin ITA Three Bond Racing Dallara F303 Nissan-Tomei
+0.931secs
12. Andrew Thompson GBR Hitech Racing Dallara F302/3 Renault-Sodemo
+1.055secs
14. Hiroki Yoshimoto JPN Swiss Racing Team Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+1.277secs
15. Nico Rosberg SF Carlin Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen
+1.329secs
16. Katsuyuki Hiranaka JPN Prema Powerteam Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess
+1.353secs
17. Pierre Kaffer GER Superfund TME Racing Dallara F303 Toyota-Tom's
+1.403secs
18. Alvaro Parente POR Carlin Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Honda-Mugen
+1.592secs
19. Ernesto Viso VEN Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +2.062secs
20. Naoki Yokomizo JPN JB Motorsport/Inging Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+2.270secs
21. Ronnie Quintarelli ITA JB Motorsport/Inging Dallara F302
Opel-Spiess +2.498secs
22. Marco Bonanomi ITA Target Racing Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+2.902secs
23. Rob Austin GBR Menu Motorsport Dallara F302/3 Opel-Spiess
+2.920secs
24. Pedro Barral ESP Swiss Racing Team Dallara F302 Opel-Spiess
+2.924secs
25. Fairuz Fauzy MAL Promatecme Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen +3.880secs
26. Jin Woo Hwang KOR Prema Powerteam Dallara F303 Opel-Spiess
+4.980secs
27. Gene Lee KOR Alan Docking Racing Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen
+7.280secs
28. Danny Watts GBR Alan Docking Racing Dallara F302 Honda-Mugen
+11.974secs
11/21/03
Tent City to supplement lack of Bahrain
hotels A lack of hotels in Bahrain will force F1 folks
to sleep in tents, luxury tents in a "Tent City." "The main
permission is from the Formula One body and they have given us their
full support," said one of the men behind the idea, Rayan Kazerooni.
"They have even offered us a six-year license for the Tent City
project," he told the Gulf Daily News, "which would allow us to do it
alongside every Bahrain Grand Prix." Although it's understood
there are concerns regarding a lack of hotel rooms in the area, the
'camp' idea will allow visitors to experience traditional Arabic
culture. "We are talking about the history of Bahrain
amalgamated with hi-tech Formula One racing," added Kazerooni. "It
will create a flavor of past and present. We want visitors to live
the Arabian experience."
Bahrain is thought to have just 7,000 hotel rooms, and with over
30,000 race tickets already sold you see the problem. "There is a
problem with accommodation," admitted Kazerooni. "They are planning to
house people in places such as Qatar. But this is an
inconvenience when you consider it will be several hours between
people leaving their accommodation and arriving at the circuit in
Bahrain."
The only advantage to staying in a tent? You will be very close
to the circuit. Hotels are much further away.
"Gulf Air has requested 500 spaces," said Mr Kazerooni, referring to
the event sponsor. "They plan to sell a plane ticket, race ticket and
tent accommodation as part of a package. But we plan to approach
other airlines in the region to do something similar," he added.
"Formula One management will give us a list of all agents they have
sold race tickets to and we will offer it to them. We will then go to
sport and travel agents in Europe. "It will be a 24 hour operation to
get it going."
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Juan
Pablo at Formula BMW test
Juan Pablo Montoya went to Oschersleben while the Formula BMW ADAC
Championship young guns were doing preparation tests for the 2004
season.
Fellows
to have surgery
10/21/03
- As AR1 
Much
More...click on 2002 archives button below
