Three significant things came up this week on the 2012 chassis decision for the IRL. An article came out in USA Today with comments from Brian Barnhart, a chassis design criteria was released by the IndyCar Series and pictures of three chassis concepts started circulating from Dallara. The Leagues Design Criteria Safe: The new chassis must adhere to the league’s already high safety standards while exploring new technology to improve safety in all aspects of the car. Raceable: The new chassis must continue to produce the exciting racing that has…
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The latest news from the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, and USF2000!
IndyCar – Rallying the Masses
We interrupt this website to bring you this important announcement. Dear Vision Racing Fans, We cannot tell you how much your words of support and encouragement have meant to all of our team members in the past few days. We want you to know that we are working hard to get past this speed bump and get our team back to the business of building race cars & IZOD IndyCar & Firestone Indy Lights racing. Many of you have asked what YOU, as fans, can do to help. Well, we…
Read MoreIndyCar – Randy Bernard Accepts IRL CEO Position
Its not a real surprise, but its now official. Randy Bernard, former CEO of the Professional Bull Riders Inc., recently accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Indy Racing League. The official word from the league is set to come out sometime next week, but if Curt Cavin says its so, that’s certainly good enough for us here at The Paddock. Many have deep reservations about Mr. Bernard’s qualifications as a CEO of the league given that he has no motorsports experience. Not only that, but he’s never…
Read MoreIndyCar – …well, crap.
I tried to come up with a better, more professional title to this post than “…well, crap.”, but let’s be honest. Nothing else really works for a day like today unless I allow myself to decend into a explitive-laced tirade about the two major bombs that were dropped today. Let’s get this morning’s news out first… “It is with profound regret & heavy hearts that we share the following update with you all. Despite the team’s best efforts, Vision Racing will be suspending all racing operations. We have an amazing…
Read MoreIndyCar – IZOD Dumps Cash on Advertising
I was pleasantly surprised this weekend to see IZOD IndyCar Series commercials air during both the AFC and NFC league championship games this weekend. Short of the Superbowl, there is hardly any other advertising buy that would attract the attention of more eyes. The commercial used was the same bit that IndyCar fans were treated to all season last year (‘everything gonna be all right’) but ended with an advertisement for the Sao Paulo race and the phrase ‘The Fastest Race on Earth’. While this is the first time I…
Read MoreIndyCar – Belskus is Searching for New IRL Leader
Word is on the street (and in the Indianapolis Star) that the IRL is looking for a new CEO. Jeff Belskus took over for Tony George last year after his mom, his sisters and the consigliori voted him out of his positions of leadership within the family business. At this time, Jeff serves as the CEO of Hulman & Co., IRL, IMS, IMS Productions and the radio network. Busy man, but he is looking for help, especially since Joie Chitwood (IMS CEO) and Charlie Morgan (IMS Productions CEO) left for…
Read MoreIndyCar – New Fuel Probe for 2010
Hopefully a recently announced change to the refueling system for the 2010 IndyCar season will see a reduction in the number of premature drive-offs and fuel spills that lead to the fiery pit-lane incidents that we saw in 2009. Two such incidents stand out in my mind: Meira’s fire at Indianapolis, and Tony “The Torch” Kanaan’s fire in Edmonton. In both of these incidents, fuel was sprayed over the driver and car during a refueling stop and was ignited by the exhaust manifold. These situations are often caused by premature…
Read MoreIndyCar – Tony George Completes Separation From IMS
Mari Hulman George today announced that Tony Hulman George has resigned his position on the board of directors for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and for Hulman and Company, completing the separation that was started earlier this year. The remaining board of directors is comprised of Tony’s mother Mari Hulman George, Tony’s sisters Nancy George, Josie George, Kathi George-Conforti and family attorney Jack Snyder. Tony previously served as chairman of the board and president of the IRL, IMS and Hulman and Company, but back in June the remainder of the board…
Read MoreIndyCar – Ryan Hunter-Reay Livery for 2010
Ryan Hunter-Reay has posted a picture of his 2010 livery on his twitter account. For your pleasure, we have taken the liberty of posting here for you to enjoy. This will probably not be his livery for the entire season since Andretti Autosport has only announced a partial season effort with IZOD as the primary sponsor. No further word has come as to what races he will be contesting, other than Indy. Michael Andretti said that they were still working on making his deal a full season effort and that…
Read MoreIndyCar – FAZZT Reveals Tagliani Livery for Sao Paulo
The FAZZT Racing Team used the opportunity presented by the Montreal International Auto Show today to reveal their sponsorships and livery for the #77 car to be piloted by Alex Tagliani in this coming season of IZOD IndyCar Series racing. From the team press release: The FAZZT Race Team has announced a partnership with Bowers & Wilkins (B & W), the worlds leading producers of reference quality hi-fi and home theater speakers, and unveiled their livery for the inaugural race of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series March 14 in Sao…
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