Today's IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series headlines
1. Seven drivers to test at Barber Motorsports Park
2. IndyCar Series, Indy Pro Series drivers slated to compete in karting event
3. Another bundle of joy
1. Seven drivers to test at Barber Motorsports Park: Dan Wheldon
has been anxiously awaiting the IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber
Motorsports Park.
Not only is it the IndyCar Series' first test on the 2.38-mile,
16-turn road course at in Birmingham, Ala., it's also one of the few
opportunities he will have to drive the car before the winter. It's all
part of the off-season planning for the 16-race IndyCar Series season.
"It's great to get back in the Target car and test so soon after the
end of the season," the 2005 IndyCar Series champion said. "It might
not seem like it's been that long since the last race, but to a driver,
it's an eternity because that's where we love to be. Any time that we
can get on track to test is a chance for us to improve, and it's really
important to drivers and teams to push forward with development in order
to raise the level of competition for the next season of racing."
Wheldon will join six other drivers from four IndyCar Series teams at
the test, which will allow IndyCar Series officials to further evaluate
technical changes for the upcoming season.
"The test will help us further access the variable ratio steering racks
that a few teams will have and it will be phase two of the paddle
shifting installation program," said Les Mactaggart, senior technical
director for the IndyCar Series. "One of the Ganassi cars will have that
system, and this test is a chance to have more miles put on the system."
Wheldon or his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon will use
the paddle-shifting system during the one-day test.
"It's always exciting to take part in the evaluation of a new venues and
possible additions to the IndyCar Series schedule," Wheldon said. "I've
heard a lot about the track and can't wait to drive it first hand."
Other drivers scheduled to test are: Andretti Green Racing drivers
Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick, Team Penske's Helio
Castroneves and Panther Racing's Vitor Meira.
$FAST FACTS:
WHAT:
IndyCar Series Open Test
WHERE:
Barber Motorsports Park, 16-turn, 2.38-mile circuit
WHEN:
9 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Oct. 12
CARS:
Dallara chassis; Honda Indy V-8; Firestone tires; 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol
SCHEDULE (All times local; subject to change):
9a.m. -- Noon IndyCar Series testing
Noon -- 1 p.m. Lunch Break
1 -- 5 p.m. IndyCar Series testing
***
2. IndyCar Series, Indy Pro Series drivers slated to compete in
karting event: With upwards of 225 drivers representing more than 90
international entries, Mark Dismore has coined the Mazda Robo-Pong 200
presented by Bridgestone the Indy 500 of karting.
The endurance karting event Oct. 14 at New Castle Motorsports Park in
Indiana (12:30 p.m., free admission) features 500-Mile Race winner Dan
Wheldon, 2007 IndyCar Series championship runner-up Scott Dixon, 2006
Indy Pro Series champion Jay Howard and ABC/ESPN IndyCar Series driver
analyst Scott Goodyear among the competitors.
Many professional drivers are paired with some of karting's top drivers.
Wheldon and Mark Dismore Jr., who won the event in 2005, have teamed
up again. Also entered to compete from the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro
Series are Vitor Meira, A.J. Foyt IV, Robbie Pecorari, Matt Jaskol, CR
Crews and Logan Gomez.
"I think most racing drivers who are fortunate to make a living in
motorsports are real respectful of karting," said Dismore, a former
IndyCar Series driver who owns and operates the 1.1-mile karting
facility off I-70. "That's where 99 percent of them have come from, and
it's a tribute to the sport and a tribute to them as individuals to come
back to their roots and participate in this race with a bunch of guys
who would love to change places with them."
Teams representing the continental United States, Canada and even the
Dominican Republic will be aiming for a $5,000 payday among the purse of
$25,000.
"I want to make it the Indy 500 of karting," Dismore said, "and I
think it's quickly becoming that. Typically when you go to a national
(karting) event there will be maybe 500 entries but there also are 15
classes. At the end of the weekend you have 15 winners. This event you
have one class of racing and one (team) winner. Just like the Indy 500,
there is one winner."
Each team is comprised of two to four drivers in 125cc water-cooled
racing karts. The approximately four-hour race will feature a minimum of
three pit stops per team for fuel and driver changes.
Morning practice Oct. 13 is followed by qualifying (2 p.m.), which will
set the top 50 teams on time. The pole-winning team will receive a $500
bonus. The last 20 karts will have to gain entry into the 70-kart field
through a 75-lap race at 4 p.m. The event will be taped for a one-hour
broadcast on Speed this fall.
"Every year this gains momentum and continues to grow," said Dismore,
who also will compete in the race. "I'm real excited about it."
***
3. Another bundle of joy: IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter and his
wife Heather are celebrating the birth of their first child. Carpenter's
daughter, Makenna Alayne was born on Oct. 9. She weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz.
and was 20.5 inches long at birth.
***
The 2008 IndyCar Series season begins under the lights on March 29 at
Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 16-race schedule, one of the most diverse
in all of motorsports, features races on 11 ovals, three permanent road
courses and two temporary street circuits, all broadcast worldwide
through a comprehensive, long-term agreement with ABC Sports/ ESPN.
-credit: irl
