Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team have been actively preparing for the 80th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most challenging and prestigious sports car race.   But before the cars can take to the track, they must undergo a rigorous technical inspection known as scrutineering. Beyond the sporting importance of this technical operation, it also provides free entertainment that spectators love — starting with the Le Mans citizens who flock to the square in large numbers to see the cars and drivers entered for the famous endurance race.

Bill Pollack, Winner of 1952 Golden Gate Park Road Races, Named Grand Marshal of 2012 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival

SONOMA, Calif. (May 14, 2012) - Bill Pollack, who drove an Allard J2 in 1952 to a victory at the first Golden Gate Park Road Races in San Francisco, has been named Grand Marshal of the third annual Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival at Infineon Raceway June 2-3, 2012. Pollack, an influential pioneer of the California sports-car racing scene in the 1950s, headlines this year’s event, “Moments in Time: a Celebration of the History of Motorsports.”

The program for the 26th annual historic-car event organized by General Racing Ltd. in Sonoma will focus on highlights of the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s - the eras in which auto racing began to cement its international status as a world-class spectator sport.

Pollack began his career in the late 1940s and early ‘50s racing an MG, then won the Pebble Beach Road Race twice in Tom Carstens’ famous red-wheeled, Cadillac-powered Allard J2, as well as the Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned 1952 Golden Gate Park Road Races. Driving a variety of other cars, such as Alfa Romeos, Porsches and Maseratis, he won in Stockton, Willow Springs, Torrey Pines, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, among other venues, competing in over 60 races.

The 87-year-old, who now resides in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is also credited with designing the race course at Willow Springs, Calif.

SunTrust Racing Takes Corvette Daytona Prototype to Victory Lane at New Jersey Motorsports Park; Win Marks Second Consecutive Win of the Season for Angelelli and Taylor and Third Win for Corvette DP

MILLVILLE, NJ (May 13, 2012) – Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor sent a message to their competitors in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series that they are contenders for the championship by taking the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Corvette Daytona Prototype (DP) to victory lane today at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The win was the third for the Corvette DP in the first four races of the 2012 season.

It is the second consecutive win for the pair this season, but their first at the at the 2.25-mile, 14-turn road circuit located about an hour south of Philadelphia.

 Jota Sport wins close fought battle

A frenetic battle during this weekend’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps has resulted in a last minute but well deserved victory for Zytek. The Jota Sport Zytek-Nissan Z11SN of Sam Hancock and Simon Dolan fought hard to win the LMP2 class, often leading the field. Having been in front for a large proportion of the race, the Jota team found itself in second place with approximately 50 minutes of the race remaining. However, after the leader pitted for a splash and dash with five minutes to go the Jota powered Zytek-Nissan took the lead and eventually the chequered flag.  This was the first prototype victory for the Kent based squad.

Spa, the second round of the new World Endurance Championship, attracted a large and high class LMP2 field. Included were the Zytek of last year’s Le Mans LMP2 winner Greaves Motorsport and the car entered by Jota, Zytek’s first ever chassis customer returning to the prototype ranks for this season. Also present were two Gulf-Lola LMP2s powered by Zytek Nissan engines.

ALMS’ Best on Display in Monterey       Championships close heading to six-hour enduro at Mazda Raceway

Thirty-four of the world’s top sports cars take on the renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca circuit next week in the American Le Mans Monterey presented by Patrón. This six-hour enduro in Monterey, Calif., offers a heartier points payout and, with the Le Mans break on the horizon, represents a pivotal moment in the 2012 season.

An eclectic mix of prototype and GT cars dot the entry for the third round of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón championship. Twenty-five teams representing an astounding 13 automobile, chassis and engine manufacturers – along with four tire manufactures – make up the roster. This year’s race marks the 14th consecutive year Mazda Raceway plays host to an ALMS round – including the third straight six-hour enduro.

Just two races into the season, championship battles are in full swing. The ALMS’ two premier championships – P1 and GT – boast razor-thin margins. In the case of P1, no margin exists, with four drivers tied for the championship lead. Dyson Racing’s Chris Dyson and Guy Smith clinched last year’s class championship at Mazda Raceway (race was held in September). The duo won in its Lola-Mazda coupe at Sebring to open the season, but is neck-and-neck with Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr of Muscle Milk Pickett Racing – winners in the most recent round at Long Beach while driving a Honda Performance Development ARX-03a.

SunTrust Racing Wins Rain-Soaked Rolex Sports Car Series Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Victory is Second Consecutive Win for Corvette Daytona Prototype

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (April 29, 2012) – The No. 10 SunTrust Racing Corvette Daytona Prototype DP driving duo of Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor battled from the ninth starting position in what can only be described as extremely adverse conditions to capture their first win of the season in the Rolex Sports Car Series. 

The win is the second consecutive for the Corvette Daytona DP which made its debut in Rolex competition at the 2012 Rolex 24-Hour race at Daytona in January 2012.

“We are very happy,” said Angelelli. “The team did an amazing job, good strategy at this.  I think it was just fantastic.  Our Corvette was perfect."

I was given the opportunity to drive with a friend, Jerry Wiegert, to the "Mothers Car Corral", and a possible ride in his Vector. It was set up in what was the ALMS Paddock hours earlier. The guys (and gals) of Mothers put on a spectacular fun event for the car lovers of Southern California both dreamers, owners and just - fans of our car culture. 

Jim Hall Honored by Peers and Racing Elite at RRDC Evening with Jim Hall in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 14, 2012) - Jim Hall, internationally renowned as an ingenious designer, engineer, championship racer and innovator in the sport of auto racing, was honored on Thursday by close to 350 of his peers and racing elite at the RRDC Evening with Jim Hall presented by Firestone. This was the fourth annual Road Racing Drivers Club West Coast banquet, held prior to the running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The dinner was also supported by Chevrolet and Honda.

Hall, whose accomplishments ranged from the 1960s, with the remarkable series of Chaparral race cars he built, to the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s as an IndyCar team owner, was interrogated in the style of the Late Show with David Letterman by RRDC president Bobby Rahal. Rahal coaxed many an interesting story from the usually reserved Hall, who retired from racing in 1996. From his initial encounter with Chevrolet engineers and executives who partnered with him to help create such advanced race cars as the “vacuum cleaner” Chaparral 2J, to his experiences as a team owner and co-driver with racing champions Roger Penske, Johnny Rutherford, Brian Redman and Gil de Ferran, Hall entertained the crowd with accounts never before chronicled.

Wacky Weather Intervenes in ALMS Long Beach Qualifying as Grid Positions are Determined by Current Point Standings; Paul Miller, Flying Lizard Porsches Fifth and Six in GT For Race

Long Beach, CA – April 13, 2012 – After a steady downpour for morning practice, the American Le Mans GT field was hoping for a dry track for late afternoon qualifying at the Long Beach Grand Prix street circuit, but the rain gods had other plans, and qualifying was washed out for tomorrow’s two-hour race.

TRG - Looking Strong for Long Beach

of America's longest running grand prix street race, now in its 38th year. Heading into this weekend's Tequila Patrón American Le Mans at Long Beach, TRG returns to its home state of California ready to run up front.

After showing good speed late in the 12 Hours of Sebring, drivers Emilio Di Guida and Spencer Pumpelly are ready to hit the ground running at the challenging and unforgiving street circuit. With the combination of 11 turns in 1.968 miles all shoehorned between cement walls, it's critical to come off the truck ready to race.

"Our cars and team are in top form," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "At every track, it's important to stay out of trouble, but it's even more critical at a street circuit like Long Beach. We know that the car is quick, and Emilio is running stronger and stronger with every event as he gets familiar with each circuit. With him and Spencer in the car, we should be able to run up front and have a real shot at the win. We have run really fast here in our two previous races. I have always wanted to win here so this should be exciting."

TRG pairs DiGuida and Bleekemolen for Full Season in GRAND-AM

 Petaluma, CA- Following a successful drive at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, veteran Venezuelan sports car racer Emilio DiGuida has joined forces with TRG for the entire season in the Rolex GRAND-AM Series, teaming with Porsche Supercup sensation, Jeroen Bleekemolen. 

With five championship wins in Venezuela, DiGuida has demonstrated his competitiveness at the GT level. Joining TRG in 2011, he saw his first action at Road America with a sixth place finish and again drove for TRG at Laguna Seca. DiGuida shared the all-South American TRG entry at this year's Daytona 24 Hours, a drive that saw the car steadily climb through the GT class. 

"Emilio has done an incredible job for us, both last year and this year," said team owner Kevin Buckler. "We were all so proud of him earlier this year in Daytona as he emerged as one of our team leaders with a really solid run and lap times that were incredible.  He is totally committed to his driving and he and Jeroen are going to make one hell-of-a-team.  Emilio has proven to be an asset to the team in many ways, and we are looking forward to a terrific run at the GT Championship." 

Dempsey Racing Confirms ALMS P2 Program, Le Mans Return
    Move comes with support of Mazda, Silicon Tech Racing, Trina Solar, GNC Beverages and Motegi Wheels
 

Dempsey Racing principals and co-drivers Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster confirmed today the team’s entry into the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) P2 division with a partial schedule of races this year, fulltime competition in future seasons, and a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, possibly as soon as 2013.

The announcement was made in a press conference at the 60th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida where Dempsey and Foster were joined by Silicon Tech Racing (STR) principal Henri Richard and their teammates Duncan Ende and Dane Cameron.  Richard, Ende and Cameron are co-driving in this weekend’s Sebring event in the Silicon Tech/Dempsey Racing No. 025 Future Electronics/HP/STANDD/Pounce Consulting/Racer’s Roast Oreca FLM09 in the Prototype Challenge (PC) division.  The race marks the worldwide debut of Dempsey Racing in prototype sports car competition with the expansion to the P2 class scheduled to start within the next few ALMS events.

“We’re excited to compete for the first time at Sebring, with our STR partners, as well as take the additional step of an eventual entry into the P2 field,” Dempsey said.  “It’s no secret that I really enjoyed my experience at Le Mans in 2009, and would love to go back with our own effort.  We have a history of taking things one step at a time, and this is just the next step toward that goal.”

ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
USF2000 CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY MAZDA
NOTES AND QUOTES, PRE-RACE
SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

THOMAS MCGREGOR, #7 TEAM EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT INC / DAIRY QUEEN 

•       Finished seventh after starting from the third position 

• Made contact with his teammate on the first lap, losing four positions 

     "It wasn't as great as of a day as I had hoped for. The team and I had high expectations going into the race, especially with us starting third. During the first lap, another car and I made contact and I and lost four spots. Once we started to make some headway, another caution came out. I am really thankful for all the Exclusive Management Inc. / Dairy Queen team did to set up the car. I am satisfied with their effort and I'm happy to be on the team. We're looking forward to (the next race at) St. Pete(rsburg)."

SHELBY BLACKSTOCK, #8 TEAM STARSTRUCK

•       Finished 32nd after starting from the sixth position 

• Was caught in a wreck with his teammate on the first lap

     "I started sixth and passed to fifth on the first lap when Thomas and I made contact in the corner. I went into the pits and had some work done on the car. Once the green flag came back out, I advanced four positions by the time we were at turn seven. On lap seven, I was avoiding a wreck in front of me when I got hit from behind and pushed into another car. We are going to put it behind us and get ready for St. Pete. It will be my first street race and that is something that I have always wanted to do throughout my career."

Prestigious accolade for Porsche works driver


Hans Herrmann inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame


Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is delighted to announce that a special accolade has been awarded to one of its most successful works drivers. Hans Herrmann, born in 1928, was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame on 16 March 2012. This prestigious award from the organizers of the famous American racing circuit was announced in the run-up to this year’s 12 Hours of Sebring, which was held for the sixtieth time in 2012. Also inducted to the Sebring Hall of Fame were the American racing legends Geoff Brabham, Denise McCluggage, Johnny O'Connell and Jim Downing.

In a racing career spanning from 1953 to 1970, Hans Herrmann was twice the overall winner at Sebring. In 1960, he won the legendary twelve-hour race in a Porsche 718 RS60 with Oliver Gendebien, and repeated the feat in 1968, in a Porsche 908 with Jo Siffert. He also won his class for Porsche in 1956 and 1966. His first overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960 was one of the most important wins in Porsche’s racing history. This was the first outing for the new Type 718 RS60 1.6 liter car, and it ended in a double victory for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer as the Porsche teams of Herrmann/Gendebien and Holbert/Schechter crossed the line in front of their competitors from the 3-litre class.

Nissan Backs Ground-Breaking DeltaWing Project For Le Mans
    Powered by Nissan 1.6-litre DIG-T engine technology in this generation’s most revolutionary, exciting racing project
 

Nissan is aiming to change the face of endurance racing forever by becoming a founding partner in the most radical motorsport project of its time – Nissan DeltaWing.

A highly advanced and hugely efficient Nissan engine will power the remarkable DeltaWing car as it races in anger for the first time at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (16-17 June).

While Nissan DeltaWing will not be classified in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Company is looking to showcase the pioneering technology that will show one potential direction for the future of motorsport and will feed into the research and development of future technologies, that filter down to Nissan’s road car product range.

A race-prepared 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, featuring direct petrol injection and a turbocharger, will power Nissan DeltaWing, which is half the weight and has half the aerodynamic drag of a conventional racer.

Porsche with seven works drivers, 16 Porsche 911 race cars at 60th anniversary classic in Florida

SEBRING, FL. – March 13 -- One of the most famous long distance sports car races in the world  turns 60 years old this week  - The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida.  

Sebring  is the oldest and toughest road race in North America, and fans will not only see the American Le Mans Series kick off the new season at the 60th anniversary of the event on March 17, but  they will also  experience the long-awaited debut of the new World Endurance Championship as well as the first race outing of the 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which underwent improvements in many areas.

As the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race, Porsche is strongly represented with seven factory  drivers and 16 strong entries in four classes at the 3.74-mile, 17-turn course.

On March 15, 1952, the 12-hour race celebrated its inauguration. Immortalized on the winners’ list are racing legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Jacky Ickx and Mario Andretti. Hollywood stars have also fulfilled their racing dreams here: For instance, Steve McQueen finished second overall in 1970 with a Porsche 908, while well-known entertainers Paul Newman, Dick Smothers, James Brolin, Bobby Carradine, Gene Hackman, Lorenzo Llamas and now Patrick Dempsey seek glory at Sebring.

TEAM FALKEN TIRE MAKES FINAL SEBRING 12 HOUR PREPARATIONS  

Sebring, FL. (Mar. 13). The week much anticipated week of America's premier sports car endurance race has arrived and Team Falken Tire has completed the final pre-season test before the season-opening event. After spending over a month on modifying their new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the team is ready to compete in the 60th Anniversary of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida.   

  Team Falken at Sebring International Raceway

In a two day test in February, the American Le Mans Series team continued to find the proper balance in the new race car, faced with finding a completely new race setup and the development of the Falken Tire Azenis race slicks. The team felt they had progressed from the first test to the second, but still felt additional improvements could be made.    

"The car handled really well and we were bettering our times from the last test here at Sebring," said driver Martin Ragginger. "Hopefully we can come back Thursday with what we would see as our best set up." The first three of the four test sessions ran smoothly, with Sellers, Martin Ragginger and Wolf Henzler rotating seat time in the car.

Introducing the Next-Generation Frontal Head Restraint

All-New ‘NecksGen’ System Latest To Be SFI Certified for Worldwide Motor Racing

EL CAJON, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2012) – Race drivers from all motorsports disciplines around the world have a revolutionary new option in head and neck protection with today’s introduction of the NecksGen frontal head restraint system by the Southern California-based company NecksGen, Inc.

Frontal head restraints are mandated as required safety equipment by sanctioning bodies in most major racing series worldwide as injury from an unrestrained head and helmet is a major factor in neck injuries that often result in paralysis and death.

NecksGen takes safety and quality to a higher level with its lightweight and simple-to-use unit designed to work in conjunction with the multi-point seat-belt harness of any high-speed racing vehicle. Constructed in Southern California from the latest carbon fiber composite material from DuPont, the NecksGen system has achieved superior results in Certification 38.1 testing by the Safety Foundation Institute (SFI), which issues and administers safety standards for specialty and performance products in the automotive and racing industries.

Weighing in at just 1.6 pounds

MAZDA TEAMS UP WITH VELOCITY FOR 2012 U.S. TV BROADCASTS

MAZDA MOTORSPORTS HOUR TO DEBUT IN APRIL

February 21, 2012 (IRVINE, Calif.)  The best race in the world is hearsay unless people see it.  Some of the best racing in the world is not the headline race, but the support races featuring the stars of tomorrow.  Mazda has supported more road racers over the past decade than any other automaker, and for 2012 is stepping up that support to include extended TV coverage on the new Velocity network.

“Hardcore fans know that some of the most intense action can be found in the Playboy MX-5 Cup, Star Mazda and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship.  But if you weren’t at the race, you are left to take our word for it.  Now, thanks to a partnership with Velocity, and Carolinas Production Group, fans can enjoy the action on a regular basis from their living room,” noted Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager, Mazda North America.

Rick Benjamin, award-winning motorsports broadcaster, will host "The Mazda Motorsports Hour".  Benjamin's Carolinas Production Group will handle production and distribution of the Hour.   Benjamin said, "it's an honor for our company to be selected once again to produce and place coverage of the Playboy MX-5 Cup, Star Mazda, and USF2000 championships.  Our partnership with Velocity gives us a tremendous platform to showcase the incredible talents of young drivers and veterans alike who are taking full advantage of Mazda's ladder system.” 

Lotus Latest Manufacturer to Join ALMS Ranks
Lotus Motorsport, Alex Job Racing form GT partnership

presented by Tequila Patrón. Lotus Motorsport and Alex Job Racing announced a partnership today that will see Lotus Alex Job Racing compete for the GT championship in the 2012 American Le Mans Series.

 The factory-backed effort will feature a 2012 Lotus Evora GTE car beginning with the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach the weekend of April 14th. Lotus AJR will carry sponsorship from Battery Tender, William Rast and is a Yokohama-supported team for 2012. It will go head-to-head against factory and works-supported GT entries from the likes of BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari and Porsche.

"This is doubly good news for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón," said Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO. "It's a pleasure to welcome the Lotus brand and its spectacular Evora to the most competitive GT class of racing in the world. But to have this factory-backed effort spearheaded by Alex Job – one of the most successful team owners in ALMS history – assures that this will be yet another championship-caliber entry to the GT class. I know that fans at each of our events will be enthralled when the AJR Lotus, complete with its iconic livery and Battery Tender sponsorship, hits the track."

AUTO CLUB’S ROBERT HIGHT WINS ARIZONA NATIONALS

PHOENIX --- Robert Hight and the Auto Club Ford Mustang raced into the record books extending a number of personal best streaks today winning the 28th annual Arizona NHRA Nationals in a great all John Force Racing final round against teammate Mike Neff. In the final Hight’s Ford Mustang outran Neff’s Castrol GTX backed Mustang 4.139 seconds to 4.168 seconds, in the first all JFR final round at Firebird Raceway. Until today, no other JFR driver other than John Force had won at Phoenix and he had won eight times.

“I’ll be honest with you. We did not have a chance if Mike Neff was running like he was running all day. I am not sure what kind of a problem he had on that last run but Jimmy just made it go down the left lane. We picked it up a little from the round before,” said Hight. “We were having trouble out there because there was a little bump that just upset our car because that was right where we were giving it some clutch. I’ll be honest I would not have bet on a 4.13 beating Neff in the final.”

Hight has appeared in two previous finals at Firebird Raceway losing to Tony Pedregon in 2007 and then to Jack Beckman in 2008. Today’s win was the 24th of Hight’s career in 38 final round appearance. He has won at least one race every year of his career. This is the 16th different tour event Robert has won and it’s the 14th different track on which he has won. In the last two rounds Hight was relegated to the trickier left lane.

National Speed Sport News To Return

Turn 3 Media, LLC Announces a New Era for National Speed Sport News, Launch of SPEED SPORT Magazine

February 2, 2012

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — With an all-new monthly print publication launching in March and an aggressive plan for the future, Turn 3 Media, LLC, is bringing back the National Speed Sport News brand, identified for its namesake weekly newspaper that was widely recognized as the “Bible” of American auto racing news.

Turn 3 Media, LLC, a North Carolina company founded by publishing veteran Curt Moon, former SPEED executive Joe Tripp, and motorsports television personality Ralph Sheheen, has acquired the exclusive rights to National Speed Sports News from The Kay Publishing Company.

Founded in 1934 and edited by “The Dean of American Motorsports Journalism” Chris Economaki beginning in 1950, National Speed Sport News ceased publication of its venerable weekly newspaper following the March 23, 2011 issue.

MISSING TROPHY RETURNED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY 45 YEARS AFTER HISTORIC LE MANS VICTORY

• Winning trophy from 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans event returned to Ford.
• Victory in 1967 remains the only victory by an American car, prepared by an American team with American drivers in race history.
• Victory was second of four consecutive Le Mans wins by Ford from 1966-69.

DEARBORN, Mich.  – A trophy from one of Ford Motor Company’s greatest racing triumphs has just returned home in time to help celebrate the 45th anniversary of Ford Racing's 1967 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The victory that day was piloted by the All-American team of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt in a car prepared by Carroll Shelby and his Shelby-American race team.  The trophy was recently returned to Edsel B. Ford II, a Ford Motor Company board member.

ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
USF2000 CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY MAZDA
COOPER TIRE WINTERFEST
NOTES AND QUOTES, POST-RACE
SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

THOMAS McGREGOR, #7 TEAM DAIRY QUEEN / EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT INC

• Finished Cooper Tire Winterfest Race 2 as P4
• Started Race 3 in the fourth position and finished eighth

JDC MOTORSPORTS SIGNS ASHLEY FREIBERG FOR 2012 STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP ROOKIE CAMPAIGN

Illinois racer joins forces with defending champion as part of TrueCar 'Women Empowered Initiative’

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (February 6, 2011) – JDC MotorSports is very pleased to add American Ashley Freiberg to its driver line-up for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season. Seeking to repeat as series champion, the Minnesota-based squad will have the talented rookie behind the wheel in the Mazda Road to Indy series via the newly created TrueCar, Inc. 'Women Empowered Initiative’.

In addition to always striving to win championships, JDC MotorSports has continually been focused on finding and developing talent behind the wheel. That continues in 2012, with the addition of Ashley to its Star Mazda Championship roster. Thanks in large part to a new driver advancement program by TrueCar entitled 'Woman Empowered', Ashley will join forces with the defending and three-time Star Mazda champion JDC MotorSports. The former Skip Barber Racing champion, who has four Star Mazda races on her resume, including a top-five finish in 2010 at the Autobahn Country Club, will contest the entire upcoming 18-race campaign, partnering fellow up-and-comer Juan Piedrahita under the JDC awning.

Le Mans Invitations Include ALMS' Finest
Dyson, Corvette, Flying Lizard each with two entries and an HPD LMP2 for Level 5

Sports car fans in America will have plenty to cheer for at this year’s 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Once again, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is well represented on the entry list for the world’s greatest motor race. A two-car invitation to Dyson Racing and five American GTE invites highlight the U.S. contingent released today by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest – the sanctioning body for Le Mans.

The revolutionary DeltaWing from Highcroft Racing is entered as the race’s 56th entry – a spot reserved for cars displaying innovative technology. DeltaWing will showcase a unique concept demonstrating ultra-efficient performance with half the weight and horsepower of a traditional racing car.

The FIA WEC and Sebring

A stellar entry list was announced today by the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. America’s premier endurance race runs on Saturday, March 17, and will mark the debut of the new world championship.

GEORGE FOLLMER HONORED WITH RRDC'S 2012 PHIL HILL AWARD

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2012) - George Follmer, who has competed in virtually every form of auto racing and is considered one of the sport's living legends, was honored by the Road Racing Drivers Club with the 2012 Phil Hill Award. RRDC president Bobby Rahal presented Follmer with the award at a dinner prior to the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

The Phil Hill Award has been presented annually since 1993 to the person who the RRDC feels has rendered outstanding service to road racing. The recipient may be a driver, entrant or outstanding member of a sanctioning body.

It is named in honor of America’s first Formula 1 World Champion (in 1961), and is not only a tribute to his masterful accomplishments on the race track, it also recognizes his contributions as a great ambassador for the sport. Hill passed away in 2008.

California native Follmer was born in 1934 and is the only professional racing driver from the United States to compete in Indy Cars, NASCAR, Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship, Can-Am, Trans-Am and IMSA.

LITES ONE CHAMP TESTS DYSON LOLA-MAZDA LMP CAR
Part of new BAR1 Motorsports LMPC team for 2012 ALMS

BRASELTON, Ga.  – The present met the future on Tuesday, as 18-year-old Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda Lites One champion Ricardo Vera tested in the Dyson Mazda-powered Lola at Sebring International Raceway.

Part of Vera’s award for winning the Lites One title was a test session in the Dyson LMP1 car, so Vera joined Chris Dyson at Sebring International Raceway on Tuesday to check out the top run of the American Le Mans Series prototype ladder.

Not surprisingly, the young Vera, a native of Puerto Rico, got up to speed quickly – with only 10 laps in the morning session and 25 laps in the afternoon, he was able to set a very respectable lap time near the end of his final run.

“First off, I really appreciate the Dyson team, they were very nice to us and very professional,” said Vera. “The car was great – it was almost easier to drive than the LMPC car! I was impressed by the braking of the car and the handling. The gears were really quick and smooth. I would love to get another chance to drive the LMP1 car, it was a great experience!”

LITES ONE CHAMP TESTS DYSON LOLA-MAZDA LMP CAR
Part of new BAR1 Motorsports LMPC team for 2012 ALMS

BLACK SWAN RACING DIVES INTO LMP2

Two-time GT Challenge champion gets first taste of prototypes at Sebring

After two exceptional seasons in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón`s GT Challenge category, Black Swan Racing owner Tim Pappas is eyeing LMP2 for 2012. Pappas and teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen recently tested an Oak-Pescarolo from Oak Racing at Sebring International Raceway as the two-time defending GTC Champion begins the process of selecting a chassis and engine combination to contest the 2012 season.

"This is the first time I`ve driven anything out of a GT car, showroom stock or similar production-based car," Pappas said following the test. "It was incredible. I`ve never had anything that had that level of downforce and technical aspects. It`s still just unbelievable.

"I think most people, who would look at a prototype car from a fan`s perspective, would be incredibly surprised at how easy these cars are to drive."

2011 ALL-AMERICA TEAM ANNOUNCED

AMERICAN AUTO RACING WRITERS & BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2011 ALL-AMERICA TEAM



Burbank, Calif. Dec 6, 2011 - -  As the national motorsports professionals association has done since 1970, the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association has announced its annual "All America Team".  


Unique in all of motorsports reporting, members of "AARWBA" each year elect a special team of drivers who represent the broad spectrum of professional motorsports.  AARWBA then bring  them all together at a gala dinner gathering where each is presented with the organization's coveted "Horsepower" trophy which symbolizes top performance in each category.


AARWBA members across the country vote on drivers by the specific category of racing which they participate in and two drivers from each of the disciplines are elected to the first team.

SERIES' BEST RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO LE MANS IN 2012
The perks of winning in the ALMS

The rewards for champions in the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón continue to roll in. Six ALMS teams earned a total of eight automatic entries into the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) announced. The ACO is the sanctioning body for Le Mans, the world’s greatest sports car race.

By way of the ALMS’ official relationship with the ACO, Series teams have multiple ways to earn automatic invitations to Le Mans. Class champions and the runners-up in the LMP1 and GT classes for 2011 received berths for next year’s race, as did class winners at the 14th annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda, and LMP and GT winners of the season-long MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge. The ALMS qualifiers include:

Two entries
• Dyson Racing: Winner of the American Le Mans Series LMP1 championship and MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge LMP category
• BMW Team RLL: Winner of the ALMS GT championship and MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge GT category
• Corvette Racing: GTE Pro winner at 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours and runner-up in ALMS GT championship

One entry
• Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing: Runner-up in ALMS LMP1 championship
• Level 5 Motorsports: LMP2 class winner at Petit Le Mans

EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS EXPANDS 2012 CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE THE PRESTIGIOUS ROLEX 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA

Stuart, FL, November 17, 2011- American Le Mans Series - Presented by Tequila Patrón challengers Extreme Speed Motorsports will supplement its 2012 ALMS GT schedule with the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car seriesTriple Crown which includes the prestigious, 50th Anniversary running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

The team's Ferrari F458 Italia will be piloted around the 3.56 mile historic road course at Daytona International Speedway by team regulars, with specific driver lineups to be announced at a later date. The Extreme Team will once again feature the black and green livery of Tequila Patrón for 2012.

The addition of the Grand Am series Triple Crown events gives ESM the opportunity to also compete at the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen, and the inaugural three hour race at the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway--which expands their current foothold in sports car racing.

The Grand American Road Racing Association was founded in 1999 and sanctions six unique series, including the premier Rolex Sports Car series. Featuring both prototype and grand touring classes, Grand-Am has cemented its place in the American motorsports scene.

DEMPSEY RACING, SILICON TECH RACING JOIN FORCES IN 2012
Collaboration to contest full ALMS season in LMP Challenge

The LMP Challenge class in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón continues to grow with the addition of a high-profile team for the full 2012 championship. Dempsey Racing and Silicon Tech Racing (STR) announced a new partnership that will see Silicon Tech/Dempsey Racing contest the full ALMS schedule. The effort marks the first foray into the American Le Mans Series for Dempsey Racing – owned by Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey.

Dempsey and Joe Foster, co-owner of Dempsey Racing, are joined in the 2012 ALMS program by Henri Richard – STR team principal and a three-time winner in the Series including an LMPC victory at last month’s Petit Le Mans.

“We’ve been seeking to expand our program base for some time and we firmly believe that we’ve arrived at the correct opportunity with Henri and his Silicon Tech Racing partners,” Dempsey said. “Next year will be a big step for Dempsey Racing as we continue to work with our long term manufacturer partner Mazda and expand into the ALMS. We have long term, international aspirations, and long term international partners like Silicon Tech Racing and Mazda will help us achieve those goals.”

Chevrolet Unveils 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype
Will Debut in GRAND-AM Road Racing Series Rolex 24 in January
 

  
DAYTONA, Fla. – Chevrolet unveiled its 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype at Daytona International Speedway today. The Corvette Daytona Prototype will make its competitive debut in the 50th anniversary of the GRAND-AM Road Racing Series Rolex 24 at Daytona next January 26 - 29, 2012.

“Racing and performance are the founding principles of Chevrolet, and bringing the Corvette Daytona Prototype to GRAND-AM is a tremendous opportunity,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The opportunity for innovation is what makes the Daytona Prototype Class such a good fit for Chevrolet. Sports car and endurance racing is an outstanding platform for manufacturers like us to test and learn. The design of this race car incorporates iconic Corvette styling cues and will be immediately recognized by sports car enthusiasts and fans of GRAND-AM Road Racing. We are excited to see the Corvette DP compete in the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona next January.”

STAR MAZDA CHAMP VAUTIER TOPS TEST DAY FOR ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, October 29, 2011) - Andretti Autosport changed Firestone Indy Lights drivers for Day 2 of the Chris Griffis Memorial Test, but the team still finished on top of the timesheets.

2011 Star Mazda Champion Tristan Vautier turned the fastest lap of the two-day test, 1:20.0061, bettering the lap set by Peter Dempsey in the same No. 5 Andretti Autosport car by more than a half-second.

"I'm really pleased," Vautier said. "I didn't really try to focus on being first. I just tried to do my job for the team. I got up to speed very quickly and as I got used to the car, we made more changes. It was very good and got the fast lap."

Fast Andretti Autosport drivers was the theme for the test and the team dominated the Firestone Indy Lights and Star Mazda portion of the test as Dempsey led both sessions of Day 1 and Vautier topped both of Day 2's sessions. Zach Veach, who will for the team in Star Mazda in 2012, led three of the four sessions for Star Mazda cars though Englishman Jack Hawksworth beat him for the fastest overall lap of the two days with a lap at 1:25.4308 in a Team Pelfrey car.

ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT SIGNS THOMAS MCGREGOR TO COMPETE WITH USF2000 TEAM

Skip Barber champ and Exclusive Management Inc. driver signed as team's first USF2000 entry for 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 27, 2011) - Andretti Autosport announced today it has signed Exclusive Management Inc. driver Thomas McGregor for the 2012 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda. McGregor will pilot the No. 7 USF2000 car for Andretti Autosport.  

McGregor, a 19-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, previously spent a year and a half competing in Skip Barber and secured the Skip Barber Racing School Formula Southern Series Championship title in 2011. He was the runner up in both the Skip Barber Formula 2000 Western Series and the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED MX5 championships in 2011. He then moved on to compete in a partial schedule of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda Championship collecting two wins and a third place podium finish. To date, McGregor has accumulated a total of 17 wins, 33 podium finishes and 11 pole positions in 56 starts in the formula car.  

Grand Prix Racing Returns to Detroit

Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix to be held in June 2012  

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced a multi-year agreement with the Penske Corporation and INDYCAR to bring professional motorsports back to the Motor City for the first time in four years. The first Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be held June 1-3, 2012 at the picturesque 2.1-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park road course.

“Chevrolet has a long, storied history in Indy car racing,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “This year we celebrated the shared centennial of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500. We're excited to see that history continue with the help of Penske Corporation and INDYCAR bringing back open-wheel racing to Detroit in 2012.  This city is a natural for racing – it put the world on wheels and the roar of engines is something that simply belongs here."

Seinfeld Joins Singer as Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV Grand Marshal for October 14 – 16 Event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey

Atlanta -- October 10 – The man who inspired many of the Porsche race cars that will be on display at the upcoming Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will be joined by the man who has one of the most significant collections of those cars as Jerry Seinfeld has been named co-Grand-Marshal with retired Porsche Engineer Norbert Singer.  

Seinfeld, who will bring a number of his most-prized cars to Rennsport, was honored to be named to share the Grand Marshal duties with Singer. 

"Norbert Singer is one Porsche's most brilliant innovators and someone I have always wanted to meet. I am thrilled to join him in Monterey for Rennsport IV as Co-Grand Marshal," said Seinfeld.

Scott Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports took center stage Sunday evening, as he and co-driver Christophe Bouchut were crowned 2011 LMP2 champions in American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Fresh off a thrilling victory in the 14th annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda, Tucker, Bouchut and the entire David Stone-led organization celebrated a successful end to the ALMS season at the series’ “Night of Champions” celebration at Château Élan.