IndyCar – Calendar Benefiting Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Racing for Kids Now Available

Its that time of year again! The 2011 IZOD IndyCar calendar is ready! When you purchase your new 2011 calender full of IndyCar goodness, you are also helping out two great charities, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Racing for Kids. To order, click on the image below, or go directly to http://www.umponline.com/calendar/. Be sure to put OpenPaddock.net in the “Instructions” box. THE 2011 IZOD INDYCAR OFFICIAL WALL CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE The Calendar That Excites Race Fans Every Day of the Year On behalf of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation…

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IndyCar – No Joy in Edmonton

Last night, it was announced that the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races at the Edmonton City Centre Airport will not happen for 2011 in spite of its being on the confirmed schedule and an agreement between INDYCAR, Octane Racing, and the City of Edmonton. In an article from the Edmonton Sun, it was revealed that negotiations between Octane and the city had reached a terminal end. What caused the breakdown was the City of Edmonton’s late and unilateral move to alter the deal agreed to by all…

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Rally – Kimi DNFs Spain Before it Starts

Kimi Raikkonen has put on a rather embarrassing performance in Spain already. The Finn has crashed out of the rally during the shakedown stage and will not make the start for Day 1. Citroen explained that the roll cage had suffered terminal damage and would not be ready in time to start the event. In my opinion this is yet another pathetic showing in a year that Kimi will want to forget period. Citroen have made it very clear they will not pay Kimi to drive and he needs sponsorship…

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IndyCar – USAC Champ Gets Oval Ride in Firestone Indy Lights

I don’t normally do this, but it so interesting that I’m going to post the press release from IndyCar in its entirety. I’ll have some commentary regarding this scholarship for the USAC Champion to race the ovals in Firestone Indy Lights afterward. FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP ADDED TO USAC NATIONAL DRIVERS CHAMPION’S PRIZE Wednesday Oct 20, 2010 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, will award the winner of USAC’s inaugural National Drivers Championship with a scholarship to…

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Rally – MINI Looking for More?

The big buzz heading into 2011 has been MINI and Prodrive collaborating for a WRC program. Two fantastic names in the lore of the WRC coming together to mount a challenge against the giants Ford and Citroen. Originally scheduled to miss the first four rounds of the next years championship, some words dropped by Technical Director David Lapworth on autosport.com may see the new team up its original 2011 commitment. “We’ve got a good idea of where we’re going,” said Lapworth. “It’s going to be a minimum of six rallies,…

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ALMS – Wiggins to Field an ALMS Prototype Entry for 2011

Racer Magazine released an article today announcing that Kieth Wiggins through his HVM Racing team intends to field a prototype entry in the American LeMans Series in 2011. Already having a relationship with Lola that started back in 1997, the team plans on running a Lola chassis with an engine manufacturer that is yet to be announced. Apparently, they are currently in negotiations with an engine producer and are not yet ready to make an announcement regarding their potential partnerships until all the contracts are signed. Good thinking, if you…

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Rally – Rally America 2011 National Championship Schedule

This morning, RallyCar announced their schedule for the six-round 2011 Rally America National Championship. While there are no surprises, it is nice to have the confirmed dates for those needing to make travel plans. We really missed not being with the Last Ditch Racing crew at the New England Forest Rally last year, and we plan on remedying that problem for 2011. Event Date Location Sno*Drift Rally January 28-29, 2011 Atlanta & Lewiston, MI 100 Acre Wood Rally February 25-26, 2011 Salem, MO Olympus Rally April 30-May 1, 2011 Ocean…

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IndyCar – Cross-Pollination Is a Good Thing!

Highcroft Racing, the team that has won back-to-back titles in the ALMS LMP2 class and still seeks an LMP2 class win at Le Mans, will be coming to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2011! This first year, they will be competing at select events only in preparation for launching a full-season effort in 2012 when the new chassis and engine come to the series. This is fantastic news, if you ask me. Its exciting enough that we’re getting another quality team coming to IndyCar Racing, but seeing that team come…

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