Zwolsman Sr. and the Law

They say that history has a habit of repeating itself… Which is why the story recently penned by Robin Miller seems eerily reminiscent of the John Paul Sr. drug scandal that rocked the racing world 20 years ago.

His father’s illegal activities effectively knocked John Paul Jr. out of ever landing another top flight drive. Will this happen to Charles Zwolsman Jr.?

F1 Winter Samba

Although the majority of Formula 1 constructors have previously tested at various winter locations, ten F1 teams have just concluded participating in F1’s latest test at Barcelona.

And with the final pre-season test to take place this week in Bahrain, I found Adam Cooper’s commentary on the subject pretty interesting as he seems to be seasoned enough to not get too wrapped up by the winners of the “Winter Olympics.”

This refers to F1 teams laying claim to the top of timing sheets by sending their chassis out on “flyers” to solely grab headlines by setting the day’s fastest time.

While various teams have topped the time sheets ranging from BMW-Sauber, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull. Interestingly Ferrari’s Felipe Massa claims that the Scuderia’s switch to a longer wheelbase will not be detrimental to the Prancing Horse’s chances in 2007.

And as Mr. Cooper points out, hopefully the final test will potentially shead some light on who’ll be towards the sharp end of the grid at Melbourne, yet only time will tell who the real winners are…

Loeb to miss Le Mans

Reigning three time WRC Champion Sebastian Loeb has decided to skip this year’s 24 Heurs du Mans after running at the Circuit de la Sarthe the previous two years.

And perhaps it’s a good idea for Loeb to focus his efforts upon the World Rally Championship after an uncharacteristic outing of multiple crashes into snow banks in the just completed Norway Rally…

Ferrari 60th Birthday Announcement

Wile the Scuderia creeps towards Senior Citizen status by turning 60 this year, Shell Oil has decided to make quite a ruckus over the impending birthday.

Imagine waking up to the shrill sounds of exotic Formula 1 machinery barking loudly in the early morning hours of your neighborhood? This is apparently exactly what has happened in Monaco.

Meanwhile Shell is busily trying to film commercials around the globe, with first London’s location being scrubbed and relocated to Monaco. Now comes word that the Sydney “shoot” has also been pulled. So much for the lure of free TV promotion as the Oil giant seems unwilling to “Shell” out any extra dinero on the mega-bucks commercials…

Super Mario

What can you say about Mario andretti? Like who doesn’t know his name? Has it really been 13 years since I saw Mario in Portland on this 1994 ARRIVEDERCI TOUR…

And it’s funny to read Rich Conklin’s commentary about Mario Andretti:The Racer’s Racer. Conklin writes that Mario was just itching to get in and race while being the Grand Marshal for the Baja 1000 back in 2003. This is especially funny to me since I’ve just heard that Mario is featured in the Baja film: Dust to Glory… Where Mario gets’s his wish sort of…

Well at least he gets to drive a Trophy Truck. The film also features Jimmy Vasser, while everybody’s chasing after Baja’s “Bad Boy, a.k.a. Dirt Mann…” (Robby Gordon)

As you may know Mario has won virtually everything, except the Baja and the 24 Heurs du Mans… Yet I’d have to say that my most favorite memory about Mario is his comments towards Steve McQueen racing in the 12 Hours of Sebring…

You see McQueen, the prolific actor turned ammeter racer was sporting a cast on his foot at the time, yet the Gulf Oil liveried Porsche 908 Spyder McQueen was sharing with Peter Revson was leading the race…

And although Revson was doing the lion’s share of the driving, Mario was so incensed with the idea of a movie star beating him… That he jumped into one of the Scuderia’s prototypes that he wasn’t originally entered in. Pummeling the Ferrari’s protesting chassis to the edge of failure, Mario took the overall victory as he’d been smoldering over the thoughts of a “Frilling” Actor winning! (Revson/McQueen finished 2nd overall)

For more Rich Conklin commentary’s, see: Bah-Jah

Racing Mounties

Ah, the pomp ‘N circumstance of another press release. Yet this time the noise makers are Up North, eh? This has to do with Champ Car returning to a very old haunt, none other than Circuit Mont-Tremblant after a nearly four decade’s hiatus.

And perhaps Champ Car should be holding this event on Boxing Day instead of Canada Day weekend as ironically Normand Legault is one of the partners promoting the event.

You may recall that Legault is Bernie Ecclestone’s “whipping boy” of the frozen tundra. You see, Legault is the promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix along with the now defunct Molson Indy Champ Car event held on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Legault was implicated in the Champ Car lawsuit claiming breech of contract and overdue payments, upon Legault purposely scuttling the Champ Car event in favour of a RASSCAR Busch Series race. Ironically the Mont-Tremblant event replaces Montreal…

This is why I found it so damm hilarious that Champ Car is now in “cahoots” with the turncoat promoter. Interestingly there’s NO mention of Champ Cars acrimonious dealing with the diabolical henchman in their press release.

Yet perhaps that’s why Messer’s Kalkhoven and Forsythe shied away from the Montreal press conference and sent “Bully Boy” (Paul) Gentilozzi as their series spokesman instead...

“Blame Canada!”

Da Matta Interview

Although most of the current media focus has been upon the recently completed Champ Car test at Houston. In case you’ve been wondering how Cristiano Da Matta’s recovery has been progressing lately, then you’ll want to check out David Phillips commentary, Same Old Da Matta.

And although Da Matta hasn’t been cleared to drive a race car yet, he’s definitely retained his sense of humor. Talking about the incident with the deer at Road America, Da Matta quips that there’s likely zero deers roaming the pavement in Las Vegas…

Da Matta is thinking about attending this year’s inaugural Vegas Grand Prix after his friend Oriol Servia suggested it to him. So hopefully we’ll see Da Matta’s smiling face while being interviewed by the DUDLEY DUO ‘O Rick “Insert $ponsor’s Name Here” Benjamin and Derr-wreck Daily…

Bah-Jah

In case you were wondering how the “Dirt Mann” (Robby Gordon) did in his Team Hummer USA during this year’s Paris Dakar rally… Gordon finished 8th Overall, which is very impressive for a non “Works” (Factory-Backed) team.

Meanwhile while I was writing about Rich Conklin’s commentary on Mario Andretti, I came across another of his stories about the one hour documentary I’d recently watched on the Speed channel: Two Roads to Glory. This was a special about two different team’s paths towards competing in the grueling Baja 1000 in street legal Toyota FJ Cruisers… Whatever those are?

Team Australia confirms Pagenaud

Although it had been long speculated that Simon Pagenaud would be joining Team Australia in 2007, the team has finally confirmed this during the second day of testing in Houston…

Pagenaud’s announcement gives Champ Car a grand total of eight confirmed drivers for the upcoming season. With just under two months to go prior to the season opener at Las Vegas, Champ Car needs to get serious and start filling up its grid…

And the icing on the cake for “Team Aussie,” was Will Power (the driver) being the fastest runner on the final day of Houston testing…

Laguna Seca turns 50

Laguna Seca, home of the famed Corkscrew (corner) has just announced that the race track will host the final Champ Car/Champ Car Atlantics open test (March 7-10) prior to the season opener at Las Vegas. Laguna Seca Raceway will use this event to showcase the start of its 50th Anniversary…

OOPS! Sorry, but it will always be Laguna Seca to me, NOT Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, since I visited this fantastic race track back in 1994, prior to the owner’s selling out…

Webber’s Sour Grapes?

Mark Webber has once again gone for the jugular with his latest comments towards his previous employer Williams.

Webber claims that Williams is now nothing more than Toyota’s “B” team and doesn’t expect the Grove squad to pull itself out of last years abyss, since Toyota will not wish to be out-gunned by their customer team…

And although Webber does have a point, I surely hope that he’s partly wrong since I’d like to see Nico Rosberg kick some tail this season!

Ironically Weber’s current team is also utilizing customer engines, so does this make Red Bull Racing Renault’s “B” Team?

Massa bullish on BMW-Sauber

Is this just another wrinkle in the never ending mind games that Formula 1 drivers are renowned for? I find it a bit strange to read that Felipe Massa is claiming that BMW-Sauber is the team to beat so far…

Perhaps Massa is just taking a swipe at his real rivals for the upcoming season by claiming that BMW-Sauber looks stronger then McLaren-Mercedes, Renault and the others…

It will all get down to “brass tacks” in just one month Down Under, eh?

Williams good out of the box

With the launch of the Williams FW29, the team has been quite encouraged by the new race cars showing of speed during initial winter testing.

And although Mark Webber has snubbed Williams, the Grove squad has so far to date outpaced the mighty “Works” Panasonic-Toyota F1 team

Bernie Power

Ah, what better way to spend the day SPURNING the way too OVER HYPED, LATHERED OVER Daytona 500 than by writing and posting a few Formula 1 stories instead…

And why is it that Mr. “Etch-My-Stone” always makes me think of the Muppets? Not to be confused with those two loveable characters that Sesame Street “Killed-Off,” Bert and Ernie, but more like Oscar the Grouch.

I found the tidbit of F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s having a deal inked with South Korea a bit startling…

Recall that Champ Cars has just pulled the plug on South Korea after three years of failed attempts to host an inaugural Open Wheel event there. Champ Car has jettisoned the trouble plagued venue in favor of hosting its first ever race in China this May.

Does Bernie know something that Messer’s Kalkhoven and Forsythe don’t? Or more likely is it the fact that Bernie’s pockets are deeper…

Vickers Victimized

See what happens when you stray into foreign territory? Although I did have the scuttlebutt correct over the Ray Evernham driver’s comments towards his speculated hanky-panky with Erin Krocker, unfortunately I named the wrong driver…

The disgruntled driver in question was Jeremy Mayfield, NOT Bryan Vickers. Vickers was driving for Hendrick Motorsports last season before jumping to Red Bull Toyota.

Perhaps I’d better stick to Open Wheel racing instead…

Mikey’s Moonshine

I’m not sure what’s worse… The fact that I actually bothered to search for news about “Little DW’s” funny smelling fluid’s or the fact that I’m writing once again about “RASSCAR.”

But you have to admit that it’s pretty damm funny how much media attention has been thrown on the 800lb Gorilla racing series over the rash of incidents involving various teams CHEATING…

And after 4 cars were caught during qualifying the past weekend, comes word now that Michael “Squeaky Clean” Waltrip has just been busted for using an ILLEGAL fuel additive in hopes of boosting performance. The unknown fluids were discovered when tech inspectors removed Walt rip’s intake manifold…

Waltrip claims he’s innocent yet has just incurred the rath of “RASSCAR: by earning the largest monetary fine in series history along with the second most point’s penalty…

And speaking of Toyota, both of the Team Red Bull cars didn’t make the “big show.” So AJ Almendinger and Brian Vickers aren’t off to the best of starts for the 2007 season.

And to think that Jack Roush was so afraid of Toyota outspending everybody in RASSCAR that he sold half of his team to the ownership of the Boston Red Sox (Fennway Sports Group) for 50 million dollars.

Makes you wonder what the Hierarchy in Tokyo is thinking right now about their RASSCAR and Formula 1 programs. (Since Williams seems to be outpacing the factory for the moment)

Meanwhile the leading candidate for Rookie of the yeark, “MAC” Montoya actually led his Twin 150 qualifying race briefly before wheel bearings burnt up and sent MAC hard into the wall, tearing off a front fender.

And I love it! Now comes word that Jeffery “Pretty Boy” Gordon’s car has just been found ILLEGAL after winning his Twin 150 race, which keeping in line with RASSCAR’s new bullish view on CHEATING should see “Pretty Boy” docked a ton of points along with the sixth crew chief being suspended… I guess “Racin Really is Rubbin!”

Makes you wonder if this has always been the state of RASSCAR or if the temptation to CHEAT has simply escalated due to the mountain ‘O “greenbacks” currently involved…

Back Home in Indiana

After coming out of retirement last year in order to compete alongside his son, Michael Andretti has just announced that he’ll once again race at the Brickyard this Memorial Day weekend…

And although the Andretti Indianapolis “curse” is quite overbearing, apparently the lure of drinking the milk along with a pretty hefty paycheck is just too strong of an enticement for Michael to pass up, along with racing against his son…

Move Over Danica

Although Danica Patrick is the media darling of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IRL’s first lady racer has just been announced as part of a two car effort for Dreyer & Reinbold.

Sarah Fisher will return to the cockpit full-time in 2007 with beleaguered ex-Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice. Rice was released from Rahal/Letterman Racing at the end of last year, while Fisher struggled to regain a ride in the IRL…

Meanwhile speculation suggests that if Larry Cahill can get his hoped for IRL team up and running it will feature another female driver, Milka Duno. This would give the IRL three bonafied females on the track…

And while Patrick was busy gussying herself up for a Playboy “shin-dig” in Miami the night before the Super Bowl, her arch nemesis Katherine Legge was busy accepting her Speed TV award for best “wall-smack…”

Marco seeing double

Marco Andretti has just made his second trek “Across the Pond” along with his chaperone, none other then Grandpa-pa Mario…

The young IRL phenom has completed testing for Honda Racing in Jerez aboard last year’s Honda RA06. While the team kept a low profile towards the young American’s progress, it was hard to not focus upon Marco’s return… (Especially with grandpa Mario wandering the pits)

While Honda F1 Racing boss Nick Frye stated that there’s no future plans to test Marco any further this year, it’s quite possible that Tony George may hope to trot out the youngster in front of the USGP fans this summer. Honda is also quite keen to use the star power of the Andretti name. Is a Formula 1 drive on the horizon for Marco?

Switch grass ‘N stuff

You know that old saying, know your friends, but keep an even closer eye on your Enemies… Well suffice it to say the IRL is definitely the ENEMY! Yet one must wonder what’ll happen this year with the series deciding to switch to E100, better known as 100% fuel grade Ethanol…

As Champ Cars continues to muddle about finding drivers with big enough wallets to buy the limited number of open seats, the Indy Racing League currently has a larger starting grid than Champ Car. Meanwhile the IRL has just wrapped up a two day test at the famed Daytona International Speedway…

Practicing on a modified 10 turn road course, the IRL cars attempted to circulate the famed 31 degree banking for the first time in nearly four decades with apparent ease. There were 9 teams and 17 drivers taking part in the two day test…

The fans attending were assaulted by the overpowering sickly sweet smell of corn syrup along with a vastly different style of race car than those tin tops them good ‘ole boys drive…

Will the IRL eventually host a race at Daytona? Only time (and money) will tell…

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR-02

"Will the REAL Toro Rosso Stand Up!"

In keeping with its mystery thriller suspense theme, Scuderia Toro Rosso took a decidedly low key approach to unveiling the much ballyhooed STR-2 yesterday in Barcelona. Well sort-of, since there were NO answers to any of the media’s pressing issues…

Although the wraps were taken off Toro Rosso’s new Red Bull “Light” along with Vitantonio Liuzzi being confirmed as one of the team’s two race drivers, Luzzi was unable to partake in any shakedown laps as the track went into a Red flag period just prior to the days final moments of testing. Therefore Luzzi was unable to get onto track.

Meanwhile Gerhard Berger was busy telling anyone who’d listen for the one millionth time that the STR-2 was completely “Legal.” And along with the spat over Toro Rosso’s 2007 challenger, American Scott Speed was noticeably absent with Berger saying that there’s contractual issues needing to be hammered out in order to “ink” Speed to a second season…

This obviously has to do with Speed wishing to sign the best deal possible while Sebastian Bourdais waits in the wings to jump to Toro Rosso in 2008…

To read aboutSpyker F1’s 2007 Launch, see: Spyker F8VII

Stinking up F1

Ok, I know that I shouldn’t be touting diesels as being stinky... But they still have a bit of a reputation. Especially when I just heard that the number 1 cause of cancer in the northwest comes from breathing diesel particulates… Followed closely by benzene, a byproduct of all pump gasoline’s…

Meanwhile Ferrari test driver Marc Gene has just commented after testing the Peugeot 908 that he thinks that diesel engines would be well suited for Formula 1 in the future…

And it seems hard to believe that Formula 1 would switch from the beloved internal combustion “lumps” running on “pump” grade gasoline, especially with the Middle East just having confirmed its second Grand Prix…

Yet then again with the IRL and the ALMS switching over to Ethanol, I suppose just as long as it’s some form of Dinosaur petroleum base product, since "We’ve Got to squeeze out one more hit before it’s ALL gone…”

Schuey’s Excellent Adventure?

Holy Ford Fusion Batmann!

What in the HELL is the world coming too? After seven time World Champion Michael Schumacher rightly SLAMMED “RASSCAR” upon Juan Pablo Montoya’s decision to become a “good ole boy” last July, comes word that Ray Evernham has offered Schumacher the opportunity to test drive one of his team’s race cars anytime…

Perhaps Evernham is trying to make everybody forget about last year’s acrimonious riff between ex- Evernham driver Jeremy Mayfield and himself? You don’t remember Mayfield's accusing Evernham of spending too much quality time with female protégé Erin Krocker and not enough time focusing upon the race team…

Hey, can I help it? If you spend any lengthy amount of time watching the SPEED channel you’re bound to see something on “RASSCAR…” As it’s ALWAYS the top story on The Speed Report…

Showdown in Melbourne?

Nope, I’m not talking about the season opening Formula 1 race… I’m talking ‘bout the possibly impending legal showdown over whether or not Scuderia Toro Rosso’s and Super Aguri’s 2007 race cars will be deemed acceptable by the FIA…

The war of words continues to ratchet up as Sir Frank Williams and Colin Kolles are upset by the two teams back handed methods of customer chassis engineering with Kolles promising legal action…

Meanwhile Gerhard Berger whom previously told the duo to "Go ‘F Yourselves!" stands firm on his corporate double-speak towards Toro Rosso’s new challenger being completely above board…

While it’s hard to fathom the FIA kicking four competitors off the starting grid “Down Under,” the bank accountants and lawyers are certainly earning their retainers as I write this…

Perhaps some of the impending controversy will be resolved tomorrow when Scuderia Toro Rosso is slated to possibly unveil the much awaited STR-2 at Barcelona…

Meanwhile I’m fairly certain that several wire transfers of dinero will occur prior to the green lights being flashed in Melbourne…

Champ Cars Damage Control

Ah, the joys of confUZers! As Blogger.com seems to have been suffering bouts of ADD recently…

Naturally after penning Open Wheel moving further Apart? Which questioned Champ Cars current chassis count, Champ Car decided to publish a press release on January 9th, just prior to the Sebring test. The release stated that 25 Panoz Dp-01’s had already been ordered for the upcoming season…

Yet while the yearly soap opera ““As the Daze’s ‘O Champ Cars Turns” continues playing on the small screen, Champ Car president Steve Johnson claimed that all is well in the Champ Car World Series and that car count will be up for the 2007 season with many driver announcements to follow shortly…

Here’s what the sorid 2007 Champ Car grid looks like after testing at Sebring this past January…

1. Newman/Haas
Reigning champion Sebastian Bourdais will return in attempts to become the first 4 time consecutive Champion, while Rookie sensation Graham Rahal will be his teammate. And with both drivers participating in the 3 day test it’s clear that Bruno “Whiny bags” Junqueira will not be returning to Newman/Haas in 2007…

2. RuSPORT
I assume the team’s name will remain unchanged now that Dan Petitt is the new team owner. Justin Wilson and sponsor CDW were confirmed just prior to the test’s kick-off, while Ryan Briscoe signed with Roger Penske to drive a Porsche Spyder…

Mario Dominguez tested in Sebring in the team’s second entry, yet Dominguez has nothing further lined up with the team, as the seat remains unoccupied. Once again it’s down to whom can bring the necessary dinero with a quartet of drivers in the running…

3. Forsythe
This “Big Team” seems wrought with question marks, as Gerry Forsythe seems to be getting advice from Gerhard Berger? While “Sand Dune” Tracy is assured of a drive, the team’s second seat is currently empty…
.
It’s hard to fathom that one of Champ Cars winning drives will be left vacant, especially with the surplus of drivers currently available. Yet it appears that the Forsythe “sweepstakes” will become a bidding war between Jos “The BOSS” Verstappen and Red Bull’s Robert Doornbos who’s flush with cash…

I’d give the nod to Doornbos, although I think the better bet would be Team Minardi USA since Forsythe’s top engineer Scott Cannon has moved there after being let go. Cannon led AJ Almendinger to 5 victories last year…

4. Team Minardi USA
This team is a bit of a wildcard now that ex-Formula 1 boss Paul Stoddart has bought into last year’s CTE/HVM race team. Although Nelson Philippe just completed a seat fitting prior to Sebring, there was speculation that he’d possibly jump to the empty Forsythe chair. Yet Philippe’s best options appear to stay put or jump to RuSPORT...

“Speedy” Dan Clarke would like to retain his drive with the team, although there had been whispers of Katherine Legge’s name as a possible candidate, this now seems unlikely…

Although Doornbos tested for the squad at Sebring, I still expect that Verstappen will join the team for a 3 car effort…

5. Team Australia
Look for Will Power to continue with the squad with Reigning Champ Car Atlantics Champion Simon Pagenaud most likely bringing his $2 million paycheck with him to replace ex-team leader Alex Tagliani, Pagenaud tested with the team at Sebring…

6. Rocketsports
Will Mario Dominguez retain his seat at the floundering race team? And Tagliani seems destined to rejoin the very team that dumped him in favor of Timo Glock’s Deutschmarks as he was the sole driver testing at Sebring…

And with one seat available, will Junqueira join the fray, or will this seat also go to the highest bidder?

7. Mi-Jack
Unfortunately last year Andrew Ranger’s on-track performances were overshadowed by Rick Benjamin’s sponsor endorsements, along with Rookie driver Charles Zwolsman showing brief flashes of brilliance…

Going into this year’s upcoming season both drivers appeared to be hard pressed towards retaining their seat’s since the team is struggling to obtain funding…

With Mi-Jack skipping the Sebring test there were rumours of team owner Eric Bachelart being forced to close his doors. Now word comes that Mi-Jack will only be fielding a single car entry for 2007, with the team’s previous driver duet looking for employment elsewhere…

So just who will be the team’s new driver? Could it be Reigning A1 GP Champion Alex Permit?

8. PKV
This team is once again being revamped upon announcing that it will
Become Red Bull’s American farm team…

And the poorly kept rumours suggesting that Scuderia Toro Rosso test driver Neil Jani would join PKV were confirmed prior to Sebring. Meanwhile relative unknown Clivio Piccione waits in the wings. Perhaps there are some delays with the necessary wire transfers?

Also making a strong case for remaining with the newly renamed Red Bull PKV was Oriol Servia who set the fastest overall test time…

And although there appears to be no room for Legge at PKV, with the massive personal investment that Kevin Kalkhoven has made in Legge it’s hard to believe she’ll be dropped from Champ Cars…

9. Dale Coyne
Once again “The little Team that could,” will have NO shortage of veteran Champ Car drivers knocking at its doors along with several aspiring young-guns to choose from. The question is who’ll be willing to drive for Coyne or bring the needed “dinero” to fill a seat…

While last year’s final line-up did a yeoman’s job, it’s hard to tell if Jan “Van Haggar” Heylen and Andreas Wirth will return?

And with Legge and Junqueira setting quick times aboard Coyne’s new Panoz’s, it appears that they may be hard pressed to retain their seats…

Meanwhile Coyne has quietly admitted that he already has a sponsor lined-up for one of his race cars…

10. Pacific Coast Motorsports
Making their Champ Car debut this season, PCM was one of the 3 teams with confirmed drivers prior to the upcoming 3 day Sebring test. The team will feature American Alex Figge and Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel…


With Champ Cars second open test at Houston set for Feb. 12-13, it’ll be interesting to see if Champ Car can alleviate any of the bleeding towards the swirling negative publicity over their faltering car count…

And unless Champ Car makes some really really really bold moves… It’s likely to have another “minimalist” car count for the upcoming season, which would be a far cry from the predicted increase of 22-24 chassis…

And I can tell you its pretty SAD to see only 17 cars taking the green flag while the lower series feature full grids of 10+ more cars…

Villeneuve tests 908

Jacques Villeneuve is busy acclimatizing himself with the brand new Peugeot 908 at France’s Paul Ricard circuit and has told an Italian newspaper that he’s impressed by the diesel powered race car…

JV will team with Sebastian Bourdais and Marc Gene aboard one of Peugeot’s two entries for this summer’s 24 Heurs du Mans…

Corn Fed ALMS

The American Le Mans Series has decided to jump on the bandwagon of running alternative fuels for the 2007 season by announcing that all competitors will race on E10 derived petrol…

E10 stands for 10% Ethanol blended gasoline which will be used for the first time ever in a 12 hour endurance race this March at Sebring…

Gidley gets Ferrari drive

Well sort of… Memo Gidley has just been announced as Peterson/White Lightning’s reserve driver and will possibly just stand in the pit box for the duration of the entire race. Current team plan’s call for the squad’s two drivers to contest the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring without a third driver…

Open Wheel being trampled by Nextel Cup

OUCH! There I said it, Nextel Cup instead of its true moniker “RASSCAR!” And having just read Robin Miller's latest commentary is pretty depressing for all of us Open Wheel and Sports Car fans as Miller eludes to the upcoming Daytona 500’s purse being LARGER than the entire seasons of Champ Car, IRL, ISP, Atlantics, ALMS and Grand Am put together…

I guess that’s why they call “RASSCAR” the 800 pound Gorilla…

For more Robin Miller rantings, see: Miller Knows

Dutch Trifecta

Although the Spyker F8VII has just undergone it’s maiden shake down test on the frigid Silverstone tarmac in the hands of both Spyker F1 drivers…

It appears that the scrap over Giedo Van der Garde is perhaps related to the Dutchman’s love life… As the scuttle-butt making the paddock rounds centers on Van der Garde’s defection from Super Aguri being attributed more to lust then Kroner’s…

Meanwhile Mike Gascoyne and Adrian Sutil are dutifully carrying out the dreaded “double-speak” associated with any F1 team’s latest car launch, exclaiming that the new F8VII will be “Super!”

Spyker F8VII

Spyker has just launched its first racing chassis, the F8VII as its 2007 challenger. The car is a bit of a hybrid with old and new bits added, with the largest change being the customer Ferrari “lump” behind the cockpit…

Don’t expect any major design influences from the team’s Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne until the arrival of the F8VIIB sometime in August…

The much discussed signing of four test drivers including Van der Garde seems solely centered around cash. It is rumoured that each tester will pay $90,000 per day of testing…

This would seem to lend credit to the theory that Spyker isn’t as flush with Dutch Kroner’s as it would like the media to believe? Of course one can never have too much money in the world of Formula 1…

To read about William Grand rix’s 2007 Launch, see: Williams FW29

Is Red Rubber Better?

I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or bad thing that Formula 1 drivers don’t like change either…

Although I haven’t heard any announcements about this, I did report previously about Bridgestone being keen to “spice up the show” by running different race rubber…

And apparently Bridgestone has gotten their way with the FIA towards introducing two tire compounds to be utilized during F1 races…

But the grids elder statesman, “DC” (David Coulthard) thinks its silly. Apparently Coulthard doesn’t like the thought of Formula 1 taking another page out of Champ Cars playbook with the adoption of alternate “Red” tires…

Drivers will be required to utilize at least one set of hard and soft compound tires during each race…

Super Tug ‘O War?

Apparently Spyker F1 Racing has taken a page from Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Gerhard Berger’s playbook? In an attempt to cause a minor controversy Spyker has just announced Dutchman Giedo van der Garde as one of its four test drivers…

The only problem with this most curious announcement is that back in December Super Aguri announced van der Garde as its test and reserve driver! And the team has just put van der Garde behind the wheel of one of their F1 chassis in hopes of giving the Dutchman the opportunity to rack up enough miles to qualify for his required Super License…

So who will van der Garde ultimately drive for?

Have Money, Will Travel

Although Robert Doornbos has been confirmed as Red Bull Racing’s test and reserve driver… Doornbos is itching to continue racing this year…

With both of RBR’s Formula 1 race seats spoken for and the cancellation of Friday third drivers, Doornbos is hoping to land a ride in Champ Cars. And his rumoured $5-10 million of sponsorship backing should easily solve the problem of buying a ride in the beleaguered series which still doesn’t have a full grid confirmed for 2007! (Can you say Forsythe?)

Middle East Thirsty for F1

It’s funny how the sands of the Formula 1 landscape have shifted over time. Imagine that the United States once hosted two F1 events. And until recently it was a long held tradition for Italy and Germany, two of F1’s Mecca’s to lay claim to double race dates…

Yet the ebb and flow of countries desiring tourism dollars has spurred a never ending struggle for Formula 1 events. While Honda’s Suzuka track has lost the battle to rival Toyota’s Mount Fuji circuit, there have been whispers of both tracks hosting races in the future…

But with the lucrative sway of oil money the Middle East has become the new “Double Whopper” of the future. Bahrain became the first Middle East country to host a Formula 1 race in 2004, signing an exclusive deal with F1 Supremo (Dictator) Bernie Ecclestone…

And while Bahrain has just signed a long term contract extension, another Middle East country has entered the fray. Abu Dhabi has just confirmed plans to host its inaugural Grand Prix upon being added to the 2009 F1 calendar…

Leading up to this announcement was the $40bn Abu Dhabi has thrown towards the development of Yas Island, which is to include a Ferrari World theme park as the Abu Dhabi government is keen to upstage Bahrain’s honor of Middle East “destination spots…”

Senna headed for F1?

Bruno Senna, the late Ayrton Senna’s nephew appears to be on the fast track for a future seat in F1…

Senna has just been announced as part of Arden International’s two car GP2 effort for 2007…

Arden International is owned by Christian Horner, whom after a failed attempt to purchase Jordan Grand Prix, took the position of Technical Director at Red Bull Racing instead…

Interestingly Bruno’s “career” is being guided by mentor and former teammate of Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger… Who seems to be busy telling Sir Frank to “Bugger Off!”

The new Prancing Horse

While the fanfare of Kimi “spottings” in Scuderia crimson has faded as Ferrari knuckles down to the task of winter testing. It’s amazing what happens as soon as one of Formula 1’s all time greatest drivers leaves the fold.

Ferrari is declaring that the Scuderia will start the season with both of its racing drivers on equal terms to compete for the championship. This is unlike the Schumacher era where his teammate was definitely the number two driver…

Sutil still learning

Spyker F1 Racing’s newest recruit Adrian Sutil says he’s still got a lot to learn in Formula 1 despite Lewis Hamilton’s predictions that Sutil will “blow” teammate Christijan Albers away this season… (First I believe that Sutil needs to get on track!)

Who is Tomas Enge?

Adding fuel to the fire about Aston Martin’s possible withdrawal from the ALMS is the announcement that Tomas Enge will be one of Peterson/White Lightning “hot-schues…”

Ok I’ll admit it, I’m partial to racing drivers with the first name of Tom… Although there aren’t any currently in Formula 1. Yet Tom Kristensen and Tommy Kendall come to mind…

I suspect that few will recall Enge was the firs Czechoslovakian driver to race in Formula 1. (briefly) After having worked his way up the ranks of F3 as a teammate of current BMW-Sauber F1 driver Nick Heidfeld, Enge signed on as a Jordan Grand Prix test driver in 2000.

In the fall of 2001 Enge did a deal with Prost Grand Prix for a similar testing role prior to making his Formula 1 racing debut when subbing for the injured Luciano Burti. After several spectacular crashes, the cash strapped Alain Prost declined to retain Enge’s services for the following season…

In 2002 Enge returned to the International F3000 series with Arden and was the dominant force that season. Unfortunately Enge was stripped of the F3000 Championship after failing a drug test in Hungary. Thus handing the title over to series runner-up Sebastian Bourdais…

Enge then struggled to revive his tarnished racing career by jumping to the Indy Racing League prior to racing sports cars for David Richards…

Enge has recently returned to his single seater roots and is currently driving in this years A1 GP Championship for the Czech Republic, along with just having competed in this year’s Rolex 24…

Ferrari’s White Lightning

As previously mentioned, Peterson/White lightning will switch from Porsche to Ferrari in 2007 and the team has just announced its driver line-up for the single car effort…

Audi’s “Double Trouble

Audi AG has confirmed that the German manufacturer will return to the ALMS LMP1 Category, contesting the full 2007 season with a pair of its revolutionary turbo diesel R10’s…

Look for defending LMP1 Champions Alan McNish and Rinaldo Capello to be joined by Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner for the team’s two car effort…

The French Connection

Peugeot has just unveiled its 2007 24 Heurs du Mans challenger; the LMP1 908

Along with the new cars launch comes the rebirth of Peugeot Sport which has been out of racing since withdrawing from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2005…

And the 908’s debut showcases Peugeot’s all new turbo diesel racer along with the announcement of the team’s six driver line-up for the upcoming 24 Heurs du Mans…

Peugeot has committed two cars to the full six race LMS schedule and will feature an all-star cast including such luminaries as “JV” and “Sea Bass…”

Yes that’s right… Now that Jacques Villeneuve’s 2007 “RASSCAR” plans seem to have fizzled, the “Kanuck” will attack the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2007 instead…

Highcroft bags Johansson

Although not as well known as its two IRL counterparts (Andretti-Green Racing Fernandez Racing) making up the trio of Acura LMP2 competitor’s, Highcroft Racing has just announced its second driver who’ll partner David Brahbam. And talk about going to the well… His teammate is none other then the legendary “Stevie Johnson” who’s better known as Stefan Johansson…

Johansson’s resume reads like a who’s who of motorsports. The Swede has raced for several Formula 1 teams including Ferrari & McLaren, has seen action in Champ Cars along with winning the 24 Heurs du Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring…

RLR Announces Driver line-up

Rahal/Letterman Racing has announced its two drivers for its ALMS GT2 Porsche 911 entry. The team has decided to go for a dash of “Salt ‘N Vinegar,” by hiring one veteran and one rookie driver to their fold…

Corvette’s European Vacation?

While attending last December’s Autosport show, Corvette pilot Oliver Gabin stated that he was unsure of where Corvette would be racing in 2007…

Gavin noted that obviously Corvette would like to continue in the ALMS GT1 Category but it’s all up in the air right now as we don’t know what Aston Martin’s intentions are…

Ford has put the company up for sale and this has cast a shadow over its racing program, although Corvette had a spirited battle with the Aston Martin DBR-9’s last year. This has caused General Motors to ponder switching to the European Le Mans series (LMS) for ’07…

GM has since announced that Corvette will indeed return to ALMS in 2007 to defend its drivers and manufacturers crown along with also competing at Le Mans…

Williams FW29

There has been much Williams’s pre-launch speculation that the Grove based team has signed a “mega” deal with Lenovo of China to become its title sponsor…

Yet with today’s launch of the FW29, Williams confirmed that it had signed Lenovo to a major sponsorship deal while announcing AT & T as the teams new title sponsor…

Williams hopes to rebound from a very disappointing season last year as it struggled along with the unloved Cosworth V-8 “lump” after BMW left Williams to purchase Sauber…

To read about Red Bull Racing’s 2007 Launch, see: Red Bull Racing RB2

Rolex 24: 2007 Race review

Truly the real words of the New Year’s celebration to me occur every year around this time when the best 4 words of the New Year are spoken: “Drivers Start Your Engines!” As the command is given to commence the year’s first major motorsports event, the Rolex 24… (24 Hours of Daytona)

In what has fast become a yearly All Star Sports Car event, the Rolex 24 seems to gather an even more prestigious field of competitor’s each outing. This year’s stellar line-up included a dozen ex-Formula 1 drivers, 4 “RASSCAR” Champions, 6 Indianapolis 500 Winners, 3 Champ Car Champions, and 3 IRL Champions along with a host of former/current CART/Champ Champ Car & IRL competitors without mentioning a host of Sports Car standouts…

While the majority of the “BIG” name guest celebrities faltered, either due to teammates having on-track accidents or mechanical gremlins strike, in typical fashion “MAC” (Juan Pablo) Montoya came, saw and conquered.

In his Rolex 24 debut, MAC became only the second driver to have won the Rolex 24, Indy 500, Formula 1 races and a Champ Car championship, with Mario Andretti being the first…

Although a long time fan of Scott Pruett (since his Jack Roush Trans Am & Truesports CART days) I found myself rooting for the second place team instead…

This was the #11 SAMAX entry, which was a virtual unknown… And I felt it would be even cooler to see Darren Manning (England) who was unceremoniously “dumped” by “Cheep” (Chip Ganassi) win instead.

I also felt that “Pat Carpenter” (Patrick Carpentier: Canada) Was more then deserving of some long overdue international media attention. Fellow teammate Ryan Dalziel (Scotland) has steadfastly plodded along the past few years awaiting his chance of a full time Champ Car ride. And how refreshing it would have been for Mika Duno (Venezuela) to be on the top step of the rostrum… As I believe she’d been the very first female overall winner…

But alas, the combination of Salvador Doran, (Mexico) Montoya (Columbia) and Pruett (California) was simply too great as they “cruised” home to the checkers after a super hard fought final few hours of competition to record Ganassi’s second consecutive victory…

It’s Beginning to look a lot like a Full Grid

Although seven Formula 1 teams have already launched their 2007 challengers and the top 8 teams had previously confirmed their launch dates… Until recently the “Three Minnows” have been TBA… (With Spyker “Missing In Action”)

With Williams to launch its 2007 chassis on Feb. 2nd, this leaves just three teams to go through the pomp and circumstance: Spyker, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Super Aguri…

Spyker has recently announced it will launch its 2007 contender on Feb 5th

Meanwhile Super Aguri will use the maximum exposure of the world press to launch its latest creation during the Australian Grand Prix weekend…

This leaves only Toro Rosso unaccounted for... As Sir Frank Williams and others eagerly await it’s launching. And with Super Aguri slated last to launch, I’m sure the team hopes this isn’t an omen of what lies ahead for the 2007 season…