FOTA PRESS RELEASE 23 October 2009
FOTA welcomes Jean Todt to the FIA Presidency
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) today congratulated Jean Todt on his victory in the FIA presidential election, and welcomed him to his new position. Speaking after the result of the election had been announced in Paris,
FOTA Chairman
Luca di Montezemolo said: "I would like to send my best wishes to Jean Todt in his new role, as I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment. I am sure that, under his guidance, the Federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and FOTA, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environment”. “Formula One is about to embark on a new phase: all the stakeholders must work together with an eye to the future, to increase the credibility and interest generated by this sport, tackling the technical and environmental challenges that await it, while keeping unchanged, those characteristics that have made it one of the most popular disciplines on the world stage”.
FOTA Vice Chairman John Howett added: ”I extend my best wishes to Jean Todt as he takes on this demanding but crucial role. I am convinced that Jean Todt’s presidency represents an opportunity for all Formula One’s stakeholders to unite under his leadership and work together to strengthen our sport. FOTA is looking forward to supporting him to broaden the appeal of our sport among fans and sponsors while respecting Formula One’s great heritage to which he has contributed enormously".
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Kyle Busch to US F1 in 2011?
NASCAR star Kyle Busch has been singled out as a key target of the new Team US F1, as the outfit continues its preparations to enter grand prix racing in 2010.
Although US F1 is unlikely to field an American driver for its debut campaign, the team is keen to get a home-grown driver in for 2011. Sporting director Peter Windsor has said that Busch is high on his list of contenders for 2011 – and would like him to test the car next year.
Speaking to USA Today, Windsor said: "If he wanted to drive for us in 2011, we'd certainly be keen on that. I think there'll be a lot of speculation about that as time goes on. If I was Kyle, I'd be saying to myself, 'Yeah, those guys all talk the talk, let's see what they do, let's see what the car's like. Let's see what the race shop is like.' Fair enough. We're going to do a good job. I know when Kyle gets to see it, I'm pretty sure it'll get his pulse rate going."
He added: "I've watched him a lot and have massive respect for him. I know people who know him very well. I believe Kyle can win a World Championship in Formula 1. I think he's got exactly the right talent, the right approach. I'd love to see him in a Formula 1 car.
"If he wants to jump in our car next year for doing some demonstrations here in the States, he's very welcome to do that."
Windsor has revealed that he has already met with Busch's business team, and he is well aware that the American driver's contract with Joe Gibbs Racing expires at the end of next season.
Busch himself said earlier this year that he would not totally rule out a switch to F1, providing he achieved title success in NASCAR.
"It's definitely something I wouldn't shoot down," he was quoted as saying shortly after the official launch of US F1. "If I could win a championship (in NASCAR) in the next two or three years, then I wouldn't mind going doing (F1) for a few years and coming back.
"I think I'd still be young enough that if I could win a championship by 25, go run Formula 1 for a few years and be back (in NASCAR) by 28."
This article originally appeared in Autosport.com
Although US F1 is unlikely to field an American driver for its debut campaign, the team is keen to get a home-grown driver in for 2011. Sporting director Peter Windsor has said that Busch is high on his list of contenders for 2011 – and would like him to test the car next year.
Speaking to USA Today, Windsor said: "If he wanted to drive for us in 2011, we'd certainly be keen on that. I think there'll be a lot of speculation about that as time goes on. If I was Kyle, I'd be saying to myself, 'Yeah, those guys all talk the talk, let's see what they do, let's see what the car's like. Let's see what the race shop is like.' Fair enough. We're going to do a good job. I know when Kyle gets to see it, I'm pretty sure it'll get his pulse rate going."
He added: "I've watched him a lot and have massive respect for him. I know people who know him very well. I believe Kyle can win a World Championship in Formula 1. I think he's got exactly the right talent, the right approach. I'd love to see him in a Formula 1 car.
"If he wants to jump in our car next year for doing some demonstrations here in the States, he's very welcome to do that."
Windsor has revealed that he has already met with Busch's business team, and he is well aware that the American driver's contract with Joe Gibbs Racing expires at the end of next season.
Busch himself said earlier this year that he would not totally rule out a switch to F1, providing he achieved title success in NASCAR.
"It's definitely something I wouldn't shoot down," he was quoted as saying shortly after the official launch of US F1. "If I could win a championship (in NASCAR) in the next two or three years, then I wouldn't mind going doing (F1) for a few years and coming back.
"I think I'd still be young enough that if I could win a championship by 25, go run Formula 1 for a few years and be back (in NASCAR) by 28."
This article originally appeared in Autosport.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Donna Mae Mims Passes
Donna Mae Mims passed away Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 at the age of 82. This legendary female sports car driver was known by many as the "Pink Lady,""Think Pink," and"Donna Amazing".
Ms. Mims started racing in 1958 and was the first woman driver ever to win a Sports Car Club of America National Championship H Production 1963.
She worked for Yenko Chevrolet and Yenko sports car division as executive secretary for both and was the liaison for design and production with the Yenko sports car division with such cars as the Deuce, Camaro, Nova, Chevelle and Corvair. She worked closely with Zora Arkus Dontuv, Ed Cole and the pioneers of Chevrolet Racing. Her career and involvement in Yenko led her to racing such cars as the Camaro, Austin Healey, MG, Corvette and Corvairs.
She raced many times at Sebring, Daytona and Riverside, and many other tracks throughout the US.
Ms. Mims started racing in 1958 and was the first woman driver ever to win a Sports Car Club of America National Championship H Production 1963.
She worked for Yenko Chevrolet and Yenko sports car division as executive secretary for both and was the liaison for design and production with the Yenko sports car division with such cars as the Deuce, Camaro, Nova, Chevelle and Corvair. She worked closely with Zora Arkus Dontuv, Ed Cole and the pioneers of Chevrolet Racing. Her career and involvement in Yenko led her to racing such cars as the Camaro, Austin Healey, MG, Corvette and Corvairs.
She raced many times at Sebring, Daytona and Riverside, and many other tracks throughout the US.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Scott Sharp Forms New Ferrari GT2 Team
2009-10-10 20:21:00by PR
Champion race car driver Scott Sharp, who has made his mark everywhere from Trans-Am and Champ Car to IndyCar and the American Le Mans Series, announced Saturday his latest venture in motorsports. The Patrón Highcroft Racing star has created and will own a new race team called Extreme Speed Motorsports that will compete in the American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class.
The team will race a Ferrari 430 GTC and be sponsored by The Patrón Spirits Company (Tequila Patrón) and supported by Ferrari Corse Clienti. Sharp has also named the team’s first driver - Ed Brown, currently a Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama driver and American Le Mans Series GT Challenge class driver with ORBIT Racing. Co-drivers will be announced at a later date.
“I’ve worked very closely with Ed for the past three years, and I’m impressed with his growth and maturity on the track,” said Sharp, who leads the American Le Mans Series’ LMP1 championship with David Brabham heading into the season’s final race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The GT2 field will undoubtedly be very tough, but I’m confident that Ed’s approach will prove successful for the team. And I am ecstatic that our new team will be partnered with such iconic brands as Patrón Tequila and Ferrari Corse Clienti. We’ve had a great year at Patrón Highcroft Racing, and I’m looking forward to combining my own racing with Brabs and the boys with team ownership next year.”
Sharp has scored three victories with teammate Brabham for Patrón Highcroft Racing in the 2009 American Le Mans Series and also contested this year’s Indianapolis 500 aboard a Patrón-sponsored entry.
Team sponsor Patrón is a longtime supporter of motorsports, and brings a popular presence at American Le Mans Series races.
“Scott’s impressive career has made him one of the most accomplished competitors in racing. It’s a tremendous honor to drive for his new Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Brown, whose best finish in GT Challenge class this season was a runner-up position at Lime Rock Park.
“Ferrari Corse Clienti is committed to keeping the Prancing Horse name at the highest levels of racing in the U.S., and we’re excited to count among our rows the new Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Ferrari’s Maurizio Nardon. “We welcome Scott and his team, and look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation.”
"We’re excited and proud to associate the Tequila Patrón name with Extreme Speed Motorsports and Ferrari,” commented Matt Carroll, Patrón’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our association with motorsports, and the iconic brands and top-notch teams in this premier racing series, fits perfectly with our ultra-premium Patrón brand. We’re looking forward to another great season in 2010.”
Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series added, “The announcement of this new team fulfills the vision we had when we launched the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. This is especially gratifying because it involves individuals who have participated with us at other levels of competition, and are ready to do battle now in the Series’ most competitive class.
“When we created the GT Challenge class, it was designed so those drivers could progress to GT2. Clearly that’s what has happened in this case, and it is evidence that the plan is working. Ed and Scott form a unique team. They are the perfect pair to be the first to announce a venture of this type. I suspect this is only the first example of a new American Le Mans Series program growing out of the IMSA and Series ladder system."
The American Le Mans Series opens its season in 2010 with the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on March 20.
Source : ALMS
Champion race car driver Scott Sharp, who has made his mark everywhere from Trans-Am and Champ Car to IndyCar and the American Le Mans Series, announced Saturday his latest venture in motorsports. The Patrón Highcroft Racing star has created and will own a new race team called Extreme Speed Motorsports that will compete in the American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class.
The team will race a Ferrari 430 GTC and be sponsored by The Patrón Spirits Company (Tequila Patrón) and supported by Ferrari Corse Clienti. Sharp has also named the team’s first driver - Ed Brown, currently a Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama driver and American Le Mans Series GT Challenge class driver with ORBIT Racing. Co-drivers will be announced at a later date.
“I’ve worked very closely with Ed for the past three years, and I’m impressed with his growth and maturity on the track,” said Sharp, who leads the American Le Mans Series’ LMP1 championship with David Brabham heading into the season’s final race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The GT2 field will undoubtedly be very tough, but I’m confident that Ed’s approach will prove successful for the team. And I am ecstatic that our new team will be partnered with such iconic brands as Patrón Tequila and Ferrari Corse Clienti. We’ve had a great year at Patrón Highcroft Racing, and I’m looking forward to combining my own racing with Brabs and the boys with team ownership next year.”
Sharp has scored three victories with teammate Brabham for Patrón Highcroft Racing in the 2009 American Le Mans Series and also contested this year’s Indianapolis 500 aboard a Patrón-sponsored entry.
Team sponsor Patrón is a longtime supporter of motorsports, and brings a popular presence at American Le Mans Series races.
“Scott’s impressive career has made him one of the most accomplished competitors in racing. It’s a tremendous honor to drive for his new Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Brown, whose best finish in GT Challenge class this season was a runner-up position at Lime Rock Park.
“Ferrari Corse Clienti is committed to keeping the Prancing Horse name at the highest levels of racing in the U.S., and we’re excited to count among our rows the new Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Ferrari’s Maurizio Nardon. “We welcome Scott and his team, and look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation.”
"We’re excited and proud to associate the Tequila Patrón name with Extreme Speed Motorsports and Ferrari,” commented Matt Carroll, Patrón’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our association with motorsports, and the iconic brands and top-notch teams in this premier racing series, fits perfectly with our ultra-premium Patrón brand. We’re looking forward to another great season in 2010.”
Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series added, “The announcement of this new team fulfills the vision we had when we launched the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. This is especially gratifying because it involves individuals who have participated with us at other levels of competition, and are ready to do battle now in the Series’ most competitive class.
“When we created the GT Challenge class, it was designed so those drivers could progress to GT2. Clearly that’s what has happened in this case, and it is evidence that the plan is working. Ed and Scott form a unique team. They are the perfect pair to be the first to announce a venture of this type. I suspect this is only the first example of a new American Le Mans Series program growing out of the IMSA and Series ladder system."
The American Le Mans Series opens its season in 2010 with the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on March 20.
Source : ALMS
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Final Points Standing for the LeMans Series 2009
The Final Points Standing of the season (Top 3 Teams in each class only.)
N° Cat. Team Car Points
007 "LM"P1 Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston Martin 39
16 "LM"P1 Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo - Judd 26
10 "LM"P1 Team Oreca Matmut AIM Courage-Oreca LC70 - AIM 23
40 "LM"P2 Quifel ASM Team Ginetta-Zytek 09S - Zytek 33
33 "LM"P2 Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd 24
29 "LM"P2 Racing Box Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd 23
72 "LM"GT1 Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R 44
50" LM"GT1 Larbre Competition Saleen S7R 34
55" LM"GT1 IPB Spartak Racing Lamborghini Murcielago 18
77 "LM"GT2 Team Felbermayr Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 36
92 "LM"GT2 JMW Motorsport Ferrari F430 GT 35
84 "LM"GT2 Team Modena Ferrari F430 GT 24
N° Cat. Team Car Points
007 "LM"P1 Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston Martin 39
16 "LM"P1 Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo - Judd 26
10 "LM"P1 Team Oreca Matmut AIM Courage-Oreca LC70 - AIM 23
40 "LM"P2 Quifel ASM Team Ginetta-Zytek 09S - Zytek 33
33 "LM"P2 Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd 24
29 "LM"P2 Racing Box Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd 23
72 "LM"GT1 Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R 44
50" LM"GT1 Larbre Competition Saleen S7R 34
55" LM"GT1 IPB Spartak Racing Lamborghini Murcielago 18
77 "LM"GT2 Team Felbermayr Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 36
92 "LM"GT2 JMW Motorsport Ferrari F430 GT 35
84 "LM"GT2 Team Modena Ferrari F430 GT 24
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
FOTA Press Release
FOTA Formula One Teams Association Blvd du Theatre, 2 - 1211 Geneva (CH) Tel: +41.22.3108203 / Fax: +41.22.3108205 Monza, 9 September 2009
PRESS RELEASE
The FOTA Executive Committee, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, today enjoyed a productive meeting in Monza. FOTA re-affirmed that all teams competing in Formula One are able to join the association. FOTA therefore welcomes back into full membership both Williams and Force India. The Executive Committee also looks forward to welcoming the new entrants to join the association whilst they continue to prepare for next year’s championship. The FOTA Executive Committee looks forward to working with the FIA and Commercial Rights Holder to promote a healthy, dynamic and sustainable sport. To this end, FOTA intends to now enter into open discussion with the Commercial Rights Holder with the wish to confirm arrangements beyond 2012. Furthermore, FOTA will now arrange a seminar, open to representatives of the major stakeholders (including Media, Sponsors and Promoters), to discuss how working together we can develop the show creating a more attractive spectacle for the fans.
PRESS RELEASE
The FOTA Executive Committee, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, today enjoyed a productive meeting in Monza. FOTA re-affirmed that all teams competing in Formula One are able to join the association. FOTA therefore welcomes back into full membership both Williams and Force India. The Executive Committee also looks forward to welcoming the new entrants to join the association whilst they continue to prepare for next year’s championship. The FOTA Executive Committee looks forward to working with the FIA and Commercial Rights Holder to promote a healthy, dynamic and sustainable sport. To this end, FOTA intends to now enter into open discussion with the Commercial Rights Holder with the wish to confirm arrangements beyond 2012. Furthermore, FOTA will now arrange a seminar, open to representatives of the major stakeholders (including Media, Sponsors and Promoters), to discuss how working together we can develop the show creating a more attractive spectacle for the fans.
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