TOM DAVEY HONORED POSTHMUSLY WITH THE BOB AKIN AWARD
Category Archives: Club News
NASCAR HONORS JANET GUTHRIE; LIEBENGOOD FOUNDATION LAUNCHING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR STRESSED POLICE OFFICERS
During the NASCAR Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremonies Friday, Janet Guthrie was named recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Guthrie, 85, did not attend as she has not flown since the onset of COVID in 2020. However, she spoke by telephone to the Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler, who asked what […]
“SEBRING 1983 – THE WARHORSE AND THE HITCHHIKER” NOW AVAILABLE
“Sebring 1983 – The Warhorse and the Hitchhiker” – the latest book by all-around motorsports enthusiast, author and the recognized expert on the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, Ken Breslauer – is now available for immediate orders. As the oldest active sports car race and one of the most revered motorsports events in America, […]
THE ART OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING – LATEST FROM SAFEisFAST
Fellow racers, When only a few laps remain and you’re being pressured from behind for the win, you need to know The Art of Defensive Driving. It’s not as simple as covering the inside or parking it on the apex, there’s a fine line between defending well and doing something that could land you […]
GIL DE FERRAN, 1967-2023
Gil de Ferran suffered a fatal heart attack Friday while practicing with his son at The Concours Club race track in Opa-locka, Florida. RRDC President Bobby Rahal said, “All of us at the Road Racing Drivers Club are saddened by the passing of racing great and RRDC member Gil de Ferran. “Gil was a tremendous […]
RRDC ANNUAL DAYTONA MEMBERS DINNER A MONTH AWAY
Thanks to the organizational skills of RRDC member Lisa Noble, the RRDC will hold its annual members’ dinner at the Daytona 500 Club in advance of the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona. The RRDC members’ dinner has become the perfect venue for members and their guests to bench race, meet, and enjoy an evening filled with […]
BILL WARNER GRAND MARSHAL FOR SEBRING’S SPEEDTOUR OPENER
Racer, collector, photographer and founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Bill Warner will serve as grand marshal for the season-opening Sebring SpeedTour, February 22-25, 2024. “We’re honored to welcome Bill Warner as the grand marshal of the Sebring SpeedTour,” said Tony Parella, CEO of SpeedTour. “A devoted motorsports and automotive enthusiast, Bill is a […]
SAFEisFAST – HOW TO DEAL WITH TOUGH TIMES IN RACING
This is a very special film for us, as it’s the first in a new series where the topic has been chosen by a guest driver editor! We are delighted that our first driver editor is Indy 500 winner and 2016 IndyCar champion Simon Pagenaud, who has chosen the topic ‘How To Deal With Tough […]
KEN SQUIER BELOVED BROADCASTER PASSES AT 88
Ken Squier, the legendary broadcaster, passed away Wednesday night in Waterbury, VT, at age 88. Co-founder of Motor Racing Network, Squier set the highest marks for journalistic excellence in both the broadcast booth and the printed page. He was an astute observer of motorsports and a kind and caring friend to many in the racing […]
ARUTUNOFF, FOSS, O’CONNOR INTO SCCA HALL OF FAME
RRDC members Anatoly Arutunoff, Bruce Foss and Vicki O’Connor are among the five-person 2024 SCCA Hall of Fame class which also includes Terry Ozment and Fred Wacker, Jr. The Induction Ceremony will be held Jan. 19, 2024, as part of the SCCA National Convention and will be streamed on the SCCA’s official Facebook page and […]
TEAM PENSKE CLAIMS SECOND CONSECUTIVE NASCAR CUP TITLE
Ryan Blaney prevailed in a four-car showdown for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship by finishing second overall in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney’s title was the second consecutive Cup championship and fourth overall for Team Penske, Of Blaney’s accomplishment, Team Penske Executive VP Walt Czarnecki said, “Clearly a breakthrough. It’s given him […]
HOW TO WIN WITH RACECAR TECH – LATEST VIDEO FROM SAFEisFAST
Fellow racers, have you watched onboard laps where the driver seems more interested in their steering wheel than where they’re going? That’s because more tools than ever are now available to make set-up adjustments from inside the car to extract maximum performance. In our latest video, topflight racers – Ricky Taylor, Renger van der Zande, […]
SULLIVAN CLAIMS NINTH, HOUK 14TH FOR TEAM USA SCHOLARSHIP IN FORMULA FORD THRILLER
DARTFORD, Kent, UK (October 22, 2023) – Team USA Scholarship drivers Jack Sullivan and Ayrton Houk this afternoon were embroiled in the thick of the action during an enthralling 20-lap Grand Final to the 52nd annual BRSCC Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. Sullivan ultimately finished ninth, moving up one position from the start, while Houk […]
TEAM USA SCHOLARSHIP READY FOR FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL
DARTFORD, Kent, UK (October 20, 2023) – Three days of testing at the historic Brands Hatch Circuit are in the books. Now it’s time to go racing. For well over 50 drivers, including Team USA Scholarship representatives Ayrton Houk, 20, from McCordsville, Ind., and Jack Sullivan, 17, from Hamilton, Ohio, the 52nd annual BRSCC Formula Ford […]
TOM DAVEY – 1942-2023
Tom Davey, a champion race driver whose day job as writer and filmmaker produced a body of work that has enriched motorsports for decades, passed away Tuesday morning at age 81. One of his proudest achievements has been the creative evolution of SAFEisFAST.com, launched by Jim Mullen in 2010 with grants by the FIA’s Institute […]
CONNIE NYHOLM INAUGURAL PMH TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENT
Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) named Connie Nyholm, majority owner and CEO of VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), the inaugural winner of the PMH Trailblazer Award as reported by Racer.com. The presentation took place during a Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) Fundraising Dinner at the VIR SpeedTour on Saturday night. The newly established award recognizes individuals […]
AQUILANTE, STEWART, AVE WIN SCCA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fifteen drivers represented the RRDC at the 60th SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Virginia International Raceway owned by club member Connie Nyholm, Sep. 29 through Oct 3. It was oddly overcast Sep 25-28 – the four days of practice/qualifying – looking more like the Pacific NW than southern Virginia. The weather improved for the […]
TWO FOR TEAM USA TO THE UK
Team USA Scholarship has chosen a pair of young racers for the annual foray to the UK to compete in the 52nd Formula Ford Festival at Brand Hatch, Oct 21-22, and the 23rd Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone, Nov 4-5. Ayrton Houk and Jack Sullivan will follow in some illustrious footsteps during the next few […]
JANET GUTHRIE HONORED BY NASCAR; JEFF ZWART SUBJECT OF PIKES PEAK RELEASE
Janet Guthrie has been selected as the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Guthrie will be recognized along with the Class of 2024 electees at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Jan. 19 in Charlotte. Guthrie broke barriers in the sport and was the first woman to find success […]
BETH PARETTA GRAND MARSHAL AT LIME ROCK JULY 21-22
Beth Paretta has been named Grand Marshal for the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, July 21-22. Paretta is the owner/founder/Team Principal of Paretta Autosport which fields a women-driven entry in the NTT IndyCar Series. As such, she will also host the Women in Motorsports North America “Power Hour” reception on the […]
ADRIAN NEWEY ON PODIUM FOR RED BULL’S 100TH F1 VICTORY
Adrian Newey was on the Canadian Grand Prix podium at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal Sunday for Red Bull’s 100th Formula One victory. Not coincidently, it was Newey’s 200th career win for F1 cars that he has designed at McLaren, Williams, Torro Roso and Red Bull. The RRDC member is arguably one of the most […]
COMING SOON: HAYWOOD AND DONOHUE AT PIKES PEAK; PORSCHE PANEL IN PHILLY; SPRINGER AND LONG AT LAGUNA
PIKES PEAK HILLCLIMB, JUNE 24-25 Hurley Haywood will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. Haywood will make a demonstration run up the mountain in a Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S on Sunday, June 25. “Few names have made their mark on American […]
HOWIE LIEBENGOOD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED
From a career as a professional race car driver to his service as a United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer, Howard “Howie” Liebengood was a quiet, effective leader who exhibited outstanding personal character and strong moral fiber in all situations. He protected the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack, and died by suicide […]
TEAM PENSKE SCORES A RARE SWEEP
For the first time ever a racing organization won both the Indianapolis 500 and the World 600 on a Memorial Day weekend. Fittingly that organization was Team Penske which won a thrilling Indy 500 for a record-extending 19th time on Sunday and followed with a convincing victory Monday in the rain-delayed Coca-Cola 600. Roger Penske’s […]
RAHAL ANNOUNCES “INDY RECOVERY PLAN”
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing limped away from the Memorial Day weekend at Indianapolis with a solid determination to come back from an uncharacteristic flop – only one of the 4-car team managed to qualify. Marshall Pruett posted an in-depth review of the team’s performance by Bobby Rahal who voiced a total commitment to right the […]
TIM CINDRIC TO JOIN TONY GEORGE IN IMS HALL OF FAME
In ceremonies at the Indiana Roof Ballroom this May 26, Tim Cindric and Tony George will be formally inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. TIM CINDRIC: Tim Cindric currently serves as President of Team Penske. Cindric has overall management responsibility for Team Penske’s racing operations which includes teams competing in the NTT IndyCar […]
REDMAN AND HOBBS AMONG 2023 BSCHoF INDUCTEES
Brian Redman and David Hobbs are among the members of the 2023 class of inductees into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame. Another 2023 inductee is RRDC member in memoriam Brian Fuerstenau. Here are the RRDC member bios for the class of 2023: Brian Redman – Brian Redman has been a Champion on three Continents […]
SAFEisFAST 2023 TEASER
The SAFEisFAST gurus have pieced together snippets from the archives into a fascinating teaser for the 2023 season. This “Best of…” clip includes jewels from Mario Andretti, Fernando Alonso, Roger Penske, Juan-Pablo Montoya and many others. It’s a must-watch summary of what SAFEisFAST is all about.
BARRY GREEN WITH GORDON KIRBY – “JUST A BLOKE’S STORY”
Racemaker Press has announced that “The Green Flag; Just a Bloke’s Story” – written by Barry Green in partnership with renowned author Gordon Kirby – is now available at Racemaker.com. “The Green Flag” is a hard-backed volume filling 266 pages with more than 150 photos and a comprehensive listing of Green’s career record. The book retails […]
JACKY ICKX HONORED BY RRDC AT LONG BEACH
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 14, 2023) – The April 13 RRDC Evening with Jacky Ickx Presented by Firestone was filled with amusing racing stories, heartfelt emotions, mutual respect and even a few manly hugs as the Belgian driver who’s won six times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and eight times on the Formula 1 Grand […]
LUCY FOYT, 1938-2023
Lucy Foyt, wife of A.J. Foyt, Jr., passed away Wednesday in a Houston hospital after a brief illness. She was 84. Here is the text of the A. J. Foyt Enterprises announcement of Lucy’s passing: “Lucy had a special appreciation for life, always embracing new experiences, people, and challenges. There was never a dull moment […]
SIX RRDC MEMBERS IN INAUGURAL IMSA HALL OF FAME CLASS
The inaugural class for the IMSA Hall of Fame has been selected and includes four drivers, three IMSA founders and four iconic race cars from throughout the sanctioning body’s 54-year history. Six members of the inaugural class are members of the RRDC, including four in memoriam. The inductees will be honored as part of October’s […]
JIM HAYNES 1933-2023
Jim Haynes, a seminal figure in the history of Lime Rock Park, has died, the track announced Friday on its Facebook page. A two-time SCCA National Champion driver, Haynes purchased Lime Rock Park in 1964 from its builders and over the next 11 years, first as owner and then as general manager, shepherded the facility’s […]
JACK(Y) OF ALL TRADES!
You are cordially invited to attend the RRDC Evening with Jacky Ickx Presented by Firestone on Thursday, April 13, at the Long Beach Hilton, reservation details at the end of this article. The RRDC’s 2023 honoree is known by many names: “Ringmeister” for his superlative performances at the incomparable Nurburgring, including qualifying third fastest for […]
DRS. STEPHEN OLVEY AND TERRY TRAMMELL IN MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME OF AMERICA’S CLASS OF 2023
The parallel and comingled careers of Drs. Stephen Olvey and Terry Trammell have advanced the promotion, organization and methods of racetrack driver safety orders of magnitude over the past four decades. Those nonpareil efforts have been recognized by the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America as the pair will be inducted as members of the […]
ANNUAL DAYTONA BANQUET REVISITED
The RRDC Annual Dinner was held on the Wednesday prior to the running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the Speedway’s banquet hall. This year’s fete was well attended. Photographer Wes Duenkel captured the shindig for us to enjoy later. Here are a few of his images.
MARK RAFFAUF EARNS RRDC’S 2022 PHIL HILL AWARD
Mark Raffauf, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Senior Director of Competition, was honored by the Road Racing Drivers Club with the 2022 Phil Hill Award. The 2019 recipient, RRDC President Bobby Rahal, made the presentation at the annual RRDC members’ dinner on January 25 prior to the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the […]
JOHN FERGUS IS RRDC’S 2022 BOB AKIN AWARD WINNER
John Fergus, a racing champion with multiple titles, businessman and Vice President/Treasurer of the RRDC, was named the 2022 recipient of the RRDC Bob Akin Award. He was honored at the annual Road Racing Drivers Club members’ dinner on January 25, prior to the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of […]