Introduction: This year, the IZOD IndyCar Series does something that many fans thought was a no-brainer for several seasons. They’re going to Brazil! This year, more than ever, it makes total sense for IndyCar to venture down to South America. There are a number of drivers from South America and especially Brazil, and a major sponsor and partner of the league APEX Brazil, so there will is strong support for the series which will hopefully translate to a strong attendance. The race will be held in the streets of Sao…
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The latest news from the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, and USF2000!
IndyCar – The BAT Project
Bruce Ashmore, Alan Mertens and Tim Wardrop, all with serious design and engineering credentials in IndyCar racing, have put together a concept for the 2012 IndyCar Chassis. Calling themselves BAT Engineering, BAT for Bruce, Alan, and Tim, the trio have created a concept that started not with a discussion amongst aerodynamicists, but with Dr. Trammell and and other Indy Racing League safety officials. The first goal of the chassis was to be safe, which leads the concept to have very wide sidepods and closely protected wheels. The second objective was…
Read MoreIndyCar – Drivers for Sao Paulo and Beyond
The inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300 takes place in just a few short days, but there is still some suspense about who will be filling out the field for the race. Here’s what we know, the IRL has indicated that the entry list numbers 24 cars. So far, we have 22 confirmed car/driver combinations for the event. James Rossiter tested the #32 Lola painted car, and we know that car is on the plane to Brazil. It just sounds like we are waiting on an announcement for that program, so…
Read MoreIndyCar – Milka Signs On Full-Time at Dale Coyne Racing
As we mentioned in this week’s podcast, Milka Duno will be driving for Dale Coyne Racing. The surprise, at least to me, is that she’s slated for a full-season effort. Although Milka has been in the series for three years now, she has never been a full-time driver. This could be a real boon for Milka. Not to make excuses, but it is difficult to find consistency when you’re not consistently on the track. Here’s Milka’s thoughts from the Dale Coyne Racing’s official press release, “I look forward to competing…
Read MoreIndyCar – Simona De Silvestro To Run Big Cars With HVM
In a bit of a surprise to us here at Openpaddock.net, Simona De Silvestro secured a full-season ride in the IZOD IndyCar Series with HVM Racing. In a collaborative effort with HVM Racing, Team Stargate Worlds will enter the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series with driver Simona De Silvestro. Known as Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing, the team will carry primary sponsorship from Stargate Resistance and associate sponsorship from Bernard Richards Manufacture (BRM), FireSky, Cheyenne Mountain Games, and Cardinal Technologies. De Silvestro and the # 78 entry will also lead the Do…
Read MoreIndyCar – Saavedra Joins Bryan Herta Autosport for 2010
Sebastian Saavedra who drove in the #27 AGR/AFS Firestone Indy Lights entry in 2009 has recently been announced as Bryan Herta Autosport’s second driver. Saavedra finished third in the 2009 championship after battling his teammate and eventual champion JR Hildebrand all season long. He had never raced on an oval, let alone a superspeedway, before coming to the Firestone Indy Lights series, yet he won his first oval race at Kansas in the most racing treacherous conditions I’ve ever seen. He backed up his strong oval performance with great run…
Read MoreIndyCar – Lotus Returns to the Greatest Spectacle In Racing
The folks at Racecar Engineering are reporting that Lotus is looking to return to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, as Team Lotus USA. Motorsport Director Claudio Berro told highly regarded British publication Motorsport News “the Indycar dream is very real for us. We are talking to an existing team about forging an alliance. The American marketplace is very important for Lotus and there is a pedigree and history at the Indy 500. When people think of Lotus they think of competition and racing, it is…
Read MoreIndyCar – More Drivers Confirmed for 2010
Today, we got confirmation that Viso and Mutoh were confirmed full-time drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the 2010 season. E.J. Viso was announced today as the second full-time driver at KV Racing Technologies joining their other full-time driver, Takuma Sato, and part-time driver, Paul Tracy. Hideki Mutoh was announced as Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing sole full-time entry for 2010. We had been expecting Mutoh’s confirmation for some time, but Viso’s confirmation is good news for a series that has really struggled for good news lately. KVRT Announces EJ Viso As…
Read MoreIndyCar – Simona on the Sidelines as Stargate Worlds Goes Bankrupt
In an article by IGN.com, we find out that the game development company, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy in Arizona’s Maricopa County Court. While the company is still up and running for now, they’re certainly not in a position to fork out the $3M+ that it would take to sponsor Simona di Silvestro in an IZOD IndyCar Series ride, or even the lesser level of sponsorship that it would take to place her in the Firestone Indy Lights series. Tough break for HVM since Simona had a fantastic test…
Read MoreIndyCar – Takuma Sato Signs With KVRT
As we reported in an article from Feb 6th, former F1 BAR Honda and Super Aguri driver has signed with KV Racing Technologies for a full-time ride in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series. “We are very excited to have been able to put this deal together with Takuma and his group,” said KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “I can’t wait to see what I know will be a extremely fast pace by Taku on the road courses and look forward to working with him and getting him up to speed on…
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