IndyLights – Firestone Indy Lights 2013 Schedule

INDYCAR released the race schedule for the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights season. We already knew the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, so the details of the Indy Lights schedule really comes as no surprise. One thing I am rather surprised at is the absence of the Circuit Trois-Rivières from the schedule. Instead of racing in Canada, the Firestone Indy Lights series rejoins the IZOD IndyCar Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course the first weekend in August. This is going to make track time during the already jam-packed weekend at Mid-Ohio…

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Episode 160 — OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIf you missed it last night on ETV Live!, we had the honor of speaking with the newly signed pilot of the #9 Firestone Indy Lights racing machine for Belardi Auto Racing, Mr. Peter Dempsey. Peter shared with us his experiences struggling to find a stable ride through the end of 2011 with Andretti Autosport, racing and coaching in 2012 at Indianapolis and Detroit this past season with Younessi Racing, and ending the 2012 season with Belardi. We also asked him to do some…

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Rally – WRC Musical Chairs

By Mike Shaw, Rally Reporter: As the WRC season nears its end, drivers and teams start the process of playing musical chairs in hopes of landing the next championship. The stakes are especially high for 2013 as it has the potential to be a huge turning point for the sport. At least it had the potential, as suddenly the number of available seats has been drastically reduced for 2013. Late last week we heard the official, although long rumored, exit of BMW / Mini as an official works manufacturer. The…

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SCCA – Kansas City Region’s First Rallycross

First of all, let me say, HOLY CRAP WAS THAT A TON OF FUN!!! This past weekend the Kansas City Region of the Sports Car Club of America held its very first rallycross event. It was a new experience for everyone as only five out of the thirty participants had ever rallycrossed before. Most of the competitors were very experienced autocrossers, and there were a few like me who have only scant experience at autocross and none at rallycross. Fortunately, we did have the help of a few knowledgeable and…

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Breaking: WRC – Ford Quit as Title Sponsor to M-Sport

COLOGNE, Oct. 15, 2012 — Ford of Europe today announced that it will withdraw from the FIA World Rally Championship as a title sponsor after the 2012 season. The company said it made the decision as part of a review of its European business in the current difficult economic environment. “Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “At this time, however we determined that it was better…

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Rally – Leo Parente Asks, Is the WRC Better Off Without Loeb?

If you don’t already watch Drive’s Leo Parente and his SHAKEDOWN show on YouTube, then log out of WoW, put the pizza rolls down, and go subscribe! Its some of the best and unvarnished motorsports commentary you’re going to find. This week, Leo asks the question that we had touched on during last week’s show on ETV Live, “Will the 2013 WRC Season be more exciting without Loeb?” Shaun’s response was an emphatic yes, and I couldn’t bring too much argument. Regular listener and contributor, Mike Shaw, argued that the…

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Indy Lights – Dempsey Signs With Belardi for 2013

The engines and tyres have barely had time to cool down from the The Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Test that took place yesterday and today on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield road course and we’re already seeing driver signings for 2013. Peter Dempsey has had a tough few years in the Mazda Road to Indy program, his last full-season ride being with AIM Motorsports for the 2009 Star Mazda season. In 2010, he returned to his native Ireland and ran Formula Ford events for his father’s team,…

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USF2000 and Pirelli World Challenge Are Solid with Green-Savoree

While I thoroughly enjoy the IZOD IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, I must admit that my favourite parts of the weekend are the USF2000 and World Challenge races. The USF2000 races this year have seen a huge increase in participation level, with grid sizes routinely in the high 20s and sometimes in the 30s. The SCCA World Challenge has also seen a high level of participation in its three classes. The variety of machines, Championship, Formula Continental, and Formula Enterprise cars…

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SCCA – Photog Stinks It Up in KCR Solo Event 10

It’s a good thing for me that Mr. Pechin didn’t show up last Sunday for the Kansas City Region of the Sports Car Club of America (KCRSCCA) Solo Event #10 held at the Metropolitan Community College Blue River Campus’s Precision Driving Center. I stunk it up!! Fill with confidence, or more accurately overconfidence, I went out to attack what I thought was going to be a fairly straightforward circuit. Dan Wheeler, the Event Chair and course designer for Event #10, created a very deceptive layout with elements that forced you…

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USF2000 – Jarett Andretti to Test with Andretti Autosport at Putnam

It’s good to be an Andretti! Open-wheel racing will see yet another Andretti among it’s ranks as Jarett Andretti, son of John Andretti, will get a chance to test a USF2000 car at Putnam Park Raceway later this month. Andretti Autosport. It’s good to see Michael Andretti continue to draw in fresh, young, American drivers into the Mazda Road to Indy program. It’s worth noting that not only is Michael bringing new talent into USF2000, but he’s been good at promoting his recruited talent through the Mazda Road to Indy…

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