Please forgive me, but we’ve fallen behind a wee bit as we get this blog started while I began working through another physical challenge that’s been placed in front of me. A lot is going on and it’s going to get busier yet as Lowe’s Motor Speedway hosts the annual NASCAR Media Tour and the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series kicks off its season with the grueling 24 (hours) At Daytona.
I had never been to the 24 until a couple of years ago when I got a personal invitation from my friend Adam Saal, who is the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for Grand Am. He told me it would be a great event and it was. If you haven’t gone, consider this my personal invitation to you to make the trek to Daytona.
A bunch of folks from NASCAR, The Champ Car World Series, the Indy Racing League and more will be participating in this year’s 45th edition of the twice-around-the-clock competition. They all – most notably the Nextel Cup guys – found it a much more relaxed atmosphere than they faced week-in and week-out in their regular series.
A driver lineup that really caught my attention includes Memo Gidley, Michel Jourdain Jr. and Oriol Servia. All three have competed successfully in Champ Car in the past, as well as other disciplines. They will be joined in the Doran Racing JE4 Ford by Fabrizio Gollin, who has been a regular in Grand Am.
More on the announcement of the drivers can be found at :
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7549
or Gidley’s web site:
www.memogidley.com
There’s trouble in Paradise. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his step-mom, Teresa, have apparently traded some barbs. Teresa took over Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) when the NASCAR icon lost his life in a crash at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. Junior drives for DEI but he wants more say in the racing operation.
Lewis Franck proposes a solution – form two companies. Read what Lewis has to say on SI.com in his weekly Inside NASCAR column:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lewis_franck/01/15/earnhardts/index.html
There’s more to come, including what some folks have been saying about the loss of Benny Parsons, who finally succumbed in his battle with cancer. I will also be at the NASCAR Media Tour Monday through Thursday and at the 24 At Daytona next weekend and will file a number of reports from those two events. Have a great day.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Friday, January 5, 2007
Earnhardt Revisited
Every year about this time, as folks begin to gear up for the new racing season, the tragic accident that claimed Dale Earnhardt’s life six years ago becomes a topic of discussion among race fans, many of whom are still in mourning over the loss of “The Intimidator.”
Earnhardt tied “The King” Richard Petty for the most championships ever in NASCAR’s premier series, each winning the title seven times. Many feel The Intimidator had at least one more championship in him when, at age 49, he suffered the fatal injuries on the final lap of the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2001.
On my weekly radio show, the award-winning Dave Coffin Motorsports Show, this Saturday (Jan. 6), noted neurosurgeon Chris Carver will join the show’s founding host, Tony Karis, and myself to talk about Earnhardt’s accident and what really claimed his life. Dr. Carver will also address why doctors sometimes induce comas, such as when open-wheel star Cristiano da Matta was involved in his freak testing crash at Road America.
Dr. Carver is the man I believe God used to spare me from a wheel chair in 2005. He is a partner in Central Coast Brain & Spine Associates with offices in Monterey and Salinas and a very gifted neurosurgeon.
If you have questions for Dr. Carver, or any of the guests Tony and I have on the show, you can call (831) 373-1234. The show is on every Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon (Pacific time) on historic news talk radio KNRY-1240 AM. You should also be able to pick up the show on the web at www.knry.com.
An official announcement will be coming out shortly, but get ready because tickets go on sale Monday for all the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca except the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Tickets and information are available by calling 1-800-327-SECA (7322) or logging on to www.laguna-seca.com. There are still tickets available for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, but I would recommend you get on that as soon as possible because they will go fast.
Earnhardt tied “The King” Richard Petty for the most championships ever in NASCAR’s premier series, each winning the title seven times. Many feel The Intimidator had at least one more championship in him when, at age 49, he suffered the fatal injuries on the final lap of the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2001.
On my weekly radio show, the award-winning Dave Coffin Motorsports Show, this Saturday (Jan. 6), noted neurosurgeon Chris Carver will join the show’s founding host, Tony Karis, and myself to talk about Earnhardt’s accident and what really claimed his life. Dr. Carver will also address why doctors sometimes induce comas, such as when open-wheel star Cristiano da Matta was involved in his freak testing crash at Road America.
Dr. Carver is the man I believe God used to spare me from a wheel chair in 2005. He is a partner in Central Coast Brain & Spine Associates with offices in Monterey and Salinas and a very gifted neurosurgeon.
If you have questions for Dr. Carver, or any of the guests Tony and I have on the show, you can call (831) 373-1234. The show is on every Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon (Pacific time) on historic news talk radio KNRY-1240 AM. You should also be able to pick up the show on the web at www.knry.com.
An official announcement will be coming out shortly, but get ready because tickets go on sale Monday for all the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca except the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Tickets and information are available by calling 1-800-327-SECA (7322) or logging on to www.laguna-seca.com. There are still tickets available for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, but I would recommend you get on that as soon as possible because they will go fast.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Sports Cars a Big Hit
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca opens its Golden Anniversary season in May with the U.S. Sports Car Invitational featuring the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Good move.
I have to admit I wasn’t terribly excited when the formation of the series was announced and began operations in 2000. We already had the American Le Mans Series for sports car racing, which ran at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in its inaugural season in 1999 and had done so each year since.
The Rolex series added a Daytona Prototype class in 2003, starting with only five regular cars that year. Each year since, however, the DP class has experienced phenomenal growth, with grids of some 60-plus prototypes and GT cars at the Rolex 24 (hours) At Daytona. Huge fields have also shown up at each of the other events.
In the Rolex Sports Car Series, engines and chassis must meet defined standards to be eligible to compete. ALMS is a showcase for technology in its two prototype divisions. The Rolex series usually has very tightly contested races and the ALMS runs four classes of cars on track at each venue, promoting a ton of passing and the best cars money can buy.
At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we are blessed to have both series here in two fabulous events to open and conclude the season schedule.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona has attracted a large number of drivers from other disciplines, including NASCAR, Champ Car, the IRL and even the ALMS.
Last month, some of those other drivers got in some testing and – just as they do during the race weekend – they all had a blast. Among those in cars were four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon (who is from Vallejo) and newly crowned Cup champ Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, who drives a Hendrick Chevy co-owned by Gordon. Also, Sam Hornish Jr., who just won his third IRL/IndyCar championship, was there driving a prototype for Michael Shank racing.
They all had a ball. If you haven’t already seen it, use the following link to read their comments at the test session.
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7443
The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series is holding a three-day open test session that began today (Jan. 4) at Daytona. My friend Lynne Hunting (whose handle is Press Snoop) is at the test session and will be sending me info I’ll pass along for you to read.
Humid weather with scattered clouds greeted 68 cars that were entered for the annual three-day test for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Lynne wrote.The Grand-Am Entry List has 28 Daytona Prototypes and 40 GT cars. With an average of three drivers per car, this adds up to more than 200 drivers, not counting all those who are hanging out hoping to get into a car. After all, this is a test session and as such Grand-Am, does not control who is in the car, driver transponders aren't required, and all times are unofficial. Some teams have not listed some or all of their drivers, for a variety of reasons including benign neglect. One of the two CHIP GANASSI teams lists only SCOTT PRUETT of Auburn as driver because the team is making its full Rolex driver lineup announcement Friday as part of a batch of Media Conferences. When Pruett's co-driver is in the car, the live Timing & Scoring shows no name. But the Shadow Knows! It was SALVADOR DURAN of Mexico.The No.11 SAMAX Pontiac Riley lists TBA as drivers, but the four are: PATRICK CARPENTIER of Canada, RYAN DALZIEL of Scotland, DARRIN MANNING of England, and perhaps the only female driver for the test - MILKA DUNO of Venezuela.For the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona race a current valid FIA license is required, but there is no such requirement for the test. All the cars are seen by Grand-Am scrutinizers prior to going on track, but the process is less stringent than for a race weekend and they aren't checked after track sessions. One of the reasons for Pre Tech is familiarization for the teams, so they get used to the process, what tools are used and how things are measured.For the 2007 season, no new safety requirements have been imposed. The series already mandates the HANS Device, the only permissible head and neck restraint. Grand-Am also has required Vectran wheel tethers on all four wheels of the DP cars. The GT cars can use them but they aren't required. It's more difficult to install tethers on a GT car and the need hasn't been shown.GORDON, who drives theNo.24 Dupont Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Cup, will be making his Rolex debut this year. He's driving the No.10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley, with MAX ANGELELLI of Italy, JAN MAGNUSSEN of Denmark, and team owner WAYNE TAYLOR of South Africa. Angelelli was fastest near the end of the first practice session Thursday morning at 1:44.976 (122.085 mph). He also was fastest in the last session, with a lap of 144.357. Gordon had a lot of seat time Thursday. His is the first of several Press opportunities Friday afternoon, but I grabbed a chance to chat him up in one of his few moments out of the car. Gordon didn't know how many laps he'd done, but said he'd been in the car a lot. He didn't have 'expectations' per se as he didn't know what to expect, but is enjoying it. “The car does what I want it to.” Gordon had nothing but praise for the team and his teammates, who have helped him a lot. He is looking forward to the race.BILL AUBERLEN of Redondo Beach CA was the fastest driver overall Thursday afternoon in the second practice session, turning a lap of 1:44.977 (122.084 mph) in No.05 Sigalsport BMW Riley DP
In the larger GT class, DIRK WERNER of Germany was fastest overall for the day in No.85 Farnbacher Loles Motorsports Porsche GT3 Cup with a lap of 1:53.036 (113.38 mph). The sister Farnbacher Loles car was fastest in the morning session. CRAIG STANTON of Long Beach CA drove No.88 Farnbacher Loles Motorsports Porsche GT3 Cup with a lap of 1:53.409 (113.007 mph).
ANDY LALLY of Dacula GA was fastest in the second_GT session, driving TRG No.66 Porsche GT3 Cup at 1:53.706 (112.712 mph), good for twenty-seventh overall. Among his co-drivers is team owner KEVIN BUCKLER of Petaluma.
Testing resumes Friday morning and includes night practice.
I’ll continue to share the info Lynne sends (including some behind-the-scenes stuff) as the test session continues.
Later this month, I will be at the annual NASCAR Media Tour hosted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC and will provide reports out of the four-day extravaganza in which we visit most of the Nextel Cup participants’ shops. At the end of that week, I’ll be at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and send reports from there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and thanks to Lynne for the assist at the test days.
I have to admit I wasn’t terribly excited when the formation of the series was announced and began operations in 2000. We already had the American Le Mans Series for sports car racing, which ran at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in its inaugural season in 1999 and had done so each year since.
The Rolex series added a Daytona Prototype class in 2003, starting with only five regular cars that year. Each year since, however, the DP class has experienced phenomenal growth, with grids of some 60-plus prototypes and GT cars at the Rolex 24 (hours) At Daytona. Huge fields have also shown up at each of the other events.
In the Rolex Sports Car Series, engines and chassis must meet defined standards to be eligible to compete. ALMS is a showcase for technology in its two prototype divisions. The Rolex series usually has very tightly contested races and the ALMS runs four classes of cars on track at each venue, promoting a ton of passing and the best cars money can buy.
At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we are blessed to have both series here in two fabulous events to open and conclude the season schedule.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona has attracted a large number of drivers from other disciplines, including NASCAR, Champ Car, the IRL and even the ALMS.
Last month, some of those other drivers got in some testing and – just as they do during the race weekend – they all had a blast. Among those in cars were four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon (who is from Vallejo) and newly crowned Cup champ Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, who drives a Hendrick Chevy co-owned by Gordon. Also, Sam Hornish Jr., who just won his third IRL/IndyCar championship, was there driving a prototype for Michael Shank racing.
They all had a ball. If you haven’t already seen it, use the following link to read their comments at the test session.
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7443
The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series is holding a three-day open test session that began today (Jan. 4) at Daytona. My friend Lynne Hunting (whose handle is Press Snoop) is at the test session and will be sending me info I’ll pass along for you to read.
Humid weather with scattered clouds greeted 68 cars that were entered for the annual three-day test for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Lynne wrote.The Grand-Am Entry List has 28 Daytona Prototypes and 40 GT cars. With an average of three drivers per car, this adds up to more than 200 drivers, not counting all those who are hanging out hoping to get into a car. After all, this is a test session and as such Grand-Am, does not control who is in the car, driver transponders aren't required, and all times are unofficial. Some teams have not listed some or all of their drivers, for a variety of reasons including benign neglect. One of the two CHIP GANASSI teams lists only SCOTT PRUETT of Auburn as driver because the team is making its full Rolex driver lineup announcement Friday as part of a batch of Media Conferences. When Pruett's co-driver is in the car, the live Timing & Scoring shows no name. But the Shadow Knows! It was SALVADOR DURAN of Mexico.The No.11 SAMAX Pontiac Riley lists TBA as drivers, but the four are: PATRICK CARPENTIER of Canada, RYAN DALZIEL of Scotland, DARRIN MANNING of England, and perhaps the only female driver for the test - MILKA DUNO of Venezuela.For the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona race a current valid FIA license is required, but there is no such requirement for the test. All the cars are seen by Grand-Am scrutinizers prior to going on track, but the process is less stringent than for a race weekend and they aren't checked after track sessions. One of the reasons for Pre Tech is familiarization for the teams, so they get used to the process, what tools are used and how things are measured.For the 2007 season, no new safety requirements have been imposed. The series already mandates the HANS Device, the only permissible head and neck restraint. Grand-Am also has required Vectran wheel tethers on all four wheels of the DP cars. The GT cars can use them but they aren't required. It's more difficult to install tethers on a GT car and the need hasn't been shown.GORDON, who drives theNo.24 Dupont Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Cup, will be making his Rolex debut this year. He's driving the No.10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley, with MAX ANGELELLI of Italy, JAN MAGNUSSEN of Denmark, and team owner WAYNE TAYLOR of South Africa. Angelelli was fastest near the end of the first practice session Thursday morning at 1:44.976 (122.085 mph). He also was fastest in the last session, with a lap of 144.357. Gordon had a lot of seat time Thursday. His is the first of several Press opportunities Friday afternoon, but I grabbed a chance to chat him up in one of his few moments out of the car. Gordon didn't know how many laps he'd done, but said he'd been in the car a lot. He didn't have 'expectations' per se as he didn't know what to expect, but is enjoying it. “The car does what I want it to.” Gordon had nothing but praise for the team and his teammates, who have helped him a lot. He is looking forward to the race.BILL AUBERLEN of Redondo Beach CA was the fastest driver overall Thursday afternoon in the second practice session, turning a lap of 1:44.977 (122.084 mph) in No.05 Sigalsport BMW Riley DP
In the larger GT class, DIRK WERNER of Germany was fastest overall for the day in No.85 Farnbacher Loles Motorsports Porsche GT3 Cup with a lap of 1:53.036 (113.38 mph). The sister Farnbacher Loles car was fastest in the morning session. CRAIG STANTON of Long Beach CA drove No.88 Farnbacher Loles Motorsports Porsche GT3 Cup with a lap of 1:53.409 (113.007 mph).
ANDY LALLY of Dacula GA was fastest in the second_GT session, driving TRG No.66 Porsche GT3 Cup at 1:53.706 (112.712 mph), good for twenty-seventh overall. Among his co-drivers is team owner KEVIN BUCKLER of Petaluma.
Testing resumes Friday morning and includes night practice.
I’ll continue to share the info Lynne sends (including some behind-the-scenes stuff) as the test session continues.
Later this month, I will be at the annual NASCAR Media Tour hosted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC and will provide reports out of the four-day extravaganza in which we visit most of the Nextel Cup participants’ shops. At the end of that week, I’ll be at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and send reports from there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and thanks to Lynne for the assist at the test days.
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