SIR JACKIE STEWART HONORED AT RRDC LONG BEACH BANQUET

The April 18 RRDC Evening with Sir Jackie Stewart Presented by Firestone drew a crowd of well over 400 guests that included champion racing drivers, industry leaders, sanctioning group representatives and other icons of the racing world. 

The 14th annual banquet celebrating the legends of motorsport honored the three-time Formula 1 World Champion at a banquet held at the Long Beach Hilton Hotel prior to the running of the 49th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. All proceeds from the evening, including from the live and silent auctions, will benefit Stewart’s Race Against Dementia, Team USA Scholarship, and The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC’s SAFEisFAST initiative.

The event honors auto racing’s most influential leaders, which have included Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Johnny Rutherford, David Hobbs, Rick Mears and Jacky Ickx.

“Tonight, we’re honoring Sir Jackie Stewart, dubbed the ‘Flying Scot’ for good reason,” said Road Racing Drivers Club president Bobby Rahal in his introduction. “His incredible list of accomplishments includes three Formula 1 World championships – where he held the record for the most wins by an F1 driver for 14 years – and Rookie of the Year honors at the Indianapolis 500 – a race he almost won but was denied by a mechanical failure with eight laps to go.

“Alongside his numerous career milestones, Sir Jackie was and is an outspoken advocate for safety in racing, as well as for those battling dyslexia and dementia – funding the global charity Race Against Dementia.”

Rahal recognized event sponsors Firestone, SRO Motorsports Group and Greg Gill; Lexus Racing, Jeff MacPherson; Checkered Past Productions and Chris Locke; Club Wheelhouse and Martin Lauber; Big Machine Spiked Coolers and Scott Borchetta; M1 Concourse; the SEMA Organization; Jimmy Vasser and his sister Vicki of V12 Vineyards; and Jeff O’Neill of O’Neill Wines. 

A short video written and voiced by NBC Sports TV commentator Leigh Diffey chronicled Stewart’s career, and a “vintage” clip from the Ed Sullivan Show featuring a staged slot-car race among early-era F1 drivers Stewart, Graham Hill, Dan Gurney and Stirling Moss entertained the racing royalty in the audience. Also shown was a dynamic music video featuring Stewart’s son Paul as well as accomplished musicians Eric Clapton, Nick Mason and Simon Le Bon providing a glimpse into the life of Sir Jackie Stewart, who was awarded the OBE in 1972 and knighted in 2001.

Rahal then quizzed Stewart, who shared stories of his years with race teams such as BRM, Tyrrell, and others, and recounted tales of his many encounters with other internationally acclaimed racing drivers, in particular his friend Mario Andretti, who came to the stage.

The two bantered about their on- and off-track relationship, with Andretti finally responding with, “Well, Jackie is Jackie. We’ve known each other for eternity. He’s one of the individuals in my life that has inspired me to be a better driver. But our friendship was there from the beginning and it got stronger and stronger as individuals and we look back and reflect on our time together and it brings smiles to our faces. And he has a great sense of humor. He showed that tonight beautifully.

“Also, for him to come forward and spend so much time to try to address the dementia situation is a credit to him. We try to participate in our own way to help that aspect. Jackie is a mover and shaker. We talked about the safety aspect of the sport, and how important that was. And now he wants to battle something that’s affecting him personally. Good for him.”

Said Stewart,” I’m very proud that I was invited in the first place and I’m really so happy to have this financial commitment in our fight to Race Against Dementia. It’s such an important thing for my whole family, for the world. It’s very important. Very big. Thank you for the honor.”

A “live” painting created in the first two hours of the evening by renowned artist Bill Patterson depicting Stewart’s career from 1965 to 1973, featuring his 1965 BRM and 1973 Tyrrell F1 race cars, signed by Stewart, was auctioned off, fetching $26,000. As bidding between two individuals progressed, auctioneer Leigh Diffey offered up a second matching painting, with the approval of the artist, upping the bid for two paintings to $52,000. Top bidders? Mario Andretti! and Scott Borchetta!

A silent auction was also held of a number of racing images signed by Stewart.

The stage banner, displayed behind Stewart and Rahal. and the canvas prints of Stewart’s Tyrrell F1 car were created by Paul Laguette, whose mother-in-law suffers from dementia. This, and his love of the sport, inspired Laguette to produce these pieces.

About Race Against Dementia:
Race Against Dementia was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, funding early-career researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia. With over 55 million people affected globally and someone diagnosed every three seconds, Race Against Dementia is taking immediate action to drive significant breakthroughs and develop leaders in the field.

Supporting Race Against Dementia can help talented research scientists continue to seek preventative treatments and cures for dementia. https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

“I now face one of the biggest challenges of my life. I will put all my efforts into finding a cure for this horrendous illness.” – Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

 

 

 

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LBGP EVENT PASSES FOR RRDC MEMBERS

RRDC members attending the April 18 RRDC Evening with Sir Jackie Stewart, have paid your 2024 dues, and would like to have event passes for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for the weekend, please email Judy Stropus at jstropus@earthlink.net and let me know by April 10.

You may pick up the passes at the dinner registration at the Long Beach Hilton as you arrive for the dinner. Please be sure to pick up the envelope before the end of the evening.

Thank you to RRDC member Jim Michaelian for providing these passes to RRDC members in good standing attending the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the RRDC Evening with Sir Jackie Stewart on April 18.

Judy Stropus
RRDC
jstropus@earthlink.net

P.S. – The dinner’s proceeds will help support Race Against Dementia, founded by Stewart, as well as the RRDC’s young driver initiatives, including its groundbreaking SAFEisFAST.com program and the Team USA Scholarship, which the RRDC has backed since 1997 and has been providing opportunities for talented young American race-car drivers since 1990. The Mark Donohue Foundation, a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization, was formed to further support the SAFEisFAST.com initiative. Information about the Foundation can be found here on the RRDC’s website.

About Race Against Dementia:
Race Against Dementia was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, funding early-career researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia. With over 55 million people affected globally and someone diagnosed every three seconds, Race Against Dementia is taking immediate action to drive significant breakthroughs and develop leaders in the field.

Supporting Race Against Dementia can help talented research scientists continue to seek preventative treatments and cures for dementia. https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

“I now face one of the biggest challenges of my life. I will put all my efforts into finding a cure for this horrendous illness.” – Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

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RAY EVERNHAM’S NEW BOOK – TROPHIES AND SCARS

Ray Evernham has plenty to say about his life and NASCAR career, and now everyone gets to hear it. Evernham, 2023 RRDC member class, has authored a new book, Trophies and Scars, where he opens up about his journey to NASCAR, the days building, leading, and leaving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team, as well as his marriage, divorce, and second marriage. In a discussion with The Racing Writer’s Podcast, Evernham explains sharing those stories, digs into other memories from his career, fighting with Bill France Jr., and much more. Kelly Crandall, Racer.com

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SPEEDTOUR ALL-STARS COMING TO LIME ROCK IN JULY

Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) and Lime Rock Park are proud to announce the SpeedTour All-Star Race, which will bring together an unprecedented gathering of motorsports legends to race at the historic Connecticut circuit, July 19-20. Gathering icons from Formula 1, NASCAR, INDYCAR and IMSA, the SpeedTour All-Star Race will pair all-star drivers with competitors from the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series to compete as co-drivers in a 60-minute race that will air live on MAVTV.

“We’re really excited to debut the SpeedTour All-Star Race,” said Tony Parella, CEO of PMH. “The concept draws off the Vintage Race of Champions (VROC) format that we featured pre-COVID, but by using the spec TA2 cars and pairing the legend drivers with our current TA2 drivers, it will take this event to the next level. Lime Rock Park has been a fantastic partner for many years, and the fans in New England have been great supporters of our SpeedTour events, so I am excited to bring this show to them and look forward to seeing everyone in July.”

“Lime Rock Park is thrilled to continue to build its collaboration with PMH to bring this amazing new SpeedTour All-Star Race event to fans throughout the Northeast,” said Dicky Riegel, President and CEO of Lime Rock Park. “With our decades-long history of Trans Am racing here at The Park, the new All-Star format will shine an even brighter light on the cars and stars that make TA and TA2 racing such a fan favorite. We anticipate that this will be the biggest event of 2024 at Lime Rock.”

With 16 legends already committed to race, the field includes Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 champions, IROC winners and drivers who have stood atop the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Daytona. The field represents nearly 6,000 NASCAR starts, 47 Indianapolis 500 starts, 50 F1 starts, 88 IROC starts, seven Rolex 24 at Daytona victories, four 24 Hours of Le Mans wins and two 24 Hours of Nürburgring triumphs. In total, they’re responsible for eight NASCAR championships, an INDYCAR championship, 11 road racing championships, an IROC champion, three USAC championships and four Rallycross championships. There are also six members of the RRDC among the legends: Geoff Brabham, Ron Fellows, Davy Jones, Max Papis, Boris Said and Danny Sulliovan. 

• Greg Biffle – 2004 Daytona 500 Pole winner, 2002 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion
• Geoff Brabham – Four-time IMSA GTP Champion, 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, 1981 Can-Am Champion, 1997 Bathurst 1000 winner, 10 Indianapolis 500 starts, two-time IROC winner and RRDC member
• Ron Fellows – Three-time American Le Mans Series Champion, 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner, 20 Trans Am Series race wins, RRDC member
• Davey Hamilton – Two-time INDYCAR Vice Champion, 11-time Indianapolis 500 starter
• Ron Hornaday – 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, four-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion
• Davy Jones – 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, 1990 Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, five-time Indianapolis 500 starter, RRDC member
• Bobby Labonte – 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, 2000 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, 1991 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, 2001 IROC Series Champion
• Pippa Mann – 2021 24 Hours of Nürburgring winner, seven-time Indianapolis 500 starter
• Paul Menard – 2011 Brickyard 400 winner, two-time Trans Am Series race winner
• Ryan Newman – 2008 Daytona 500 winner, 2014 Brickyard 400 winner, 1999 USAC Silver Crown Series Champion, 2023 SRX Champion
• Max Papis – 2004 Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype Champion, two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, five 24 Hours of Le Mans podiums, seven F1 starts, RRDC member
• Boris Said – 2004 Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series GT Champion, two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, 2005 24 Hours of Nürburgring winner, 2002 Trans Am TA Champion, 100+ Trans Am starts (18 wins) and RRDC member
• Ken Schrader – Two-time USAC Champion, 984 starts in NASCAR’s top-three series, four NASCAR Cup Series wins, 18 ARCA wins
• Mike Skinner – 1995 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, 1997 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of The Year, 1997 Daytona 500 Pole winner
• Scott Speed – 28 F1 starts (including a top-10 finish at Monaco), four-time Rallycross Champion, three-time X Games Gold Medalist
• Danny Sullivan – 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner, 1988 CART Champion, 1998 Rolex 24 at Daytona class winner, 15 F1 starts (including a top-five finish at Monaco), RRDC member

Combining legendary all-star drivers with today’s stars of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, the duos will team up in the TA2 spec racecars for a 60-minute race. The all-star driver will qualify and start the race before a mid-race five-minute pit stop allows for a driver change, giving the wheel to today’s TA2 Series star. All cars will pass through standard tech to ensure a fair playing field in the spec racecar. Drivers will not only be racing for a trophy, as a $50,000 winner-takes-all prize will also be on the line for the race-winning team.

The action starts Friday, July 19, with all-star drivers taking to the track for a 30-minute practice session, followed by qualifying that afternoon. Saturday, July 20, will be all about the fans, as drivers will participate in a group autograph session at 10 a.m. ET, followed by a fan walk and pre-race ceremonies on pit road at 12 p.m. ET. The SpeedTour All-Star Race will go green at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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FIRESTONE RETURNS AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF RRDC’S EVENING WITH SIR JACKIE STEWART AT LONG BEACH

Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time Formula 1 World Champion, will be honored by the Road Racing Drivers Club in Long Beach on Thursday April 18. The “RRDC Evening with Sir Jackie Stewart presented by Firestone” is the RRDC’s 14th banquet annual honoring auto racing’s most influential leaders and icons. It will be held prior to the 49th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The Firestone brand will return as presenting sponsor of the RRDC banquet for the 13th year.

Tickets may be purchased at here. All are welcome, but this event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.

“Having Firestone support the RRDC Long Beach dinner for more than a decade is a true privilege,” said RRDC President Bobby Rahal. “Firestone has an unrivaled heritage in motorsports dating back to the first Indy 500® in 1911. We always welcome Firestone’s support, and salute the brand’s long-standing success and contributions to the sport.”

Previous RRDC honorees were Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Johnny Rutherford. David Hobbs, Rick Mears and Jacky Ickx. These “RRDC Evenings” are acknowledged as highlights of the auto-racing social calendar, drawing fans and luminaries from all forms of motorsports.

The dinner’s proceeds will help support Race Against Dementia, founded by Stewart, as well as the RRDC’s young driver initiatives, including its groundbreaking SAFEisFAST.com program and the Team USA Scholarship, which the RRDC has backed since 1997 and has been providing opportunities for talented young American race-car drivers since 1990. The Mark Donohue Foundation, a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization, was formed to further support the SAFEisFAST.com initiative. Information about the Foundation can be found on the RRDC’s website.

Born in 1939, Stewart was involved with cars from an early age. Leaving school at age 15, (his dyslexia undiagnosed until much later), he found his personal voice in sport, first as an Olympic-class shot, then in motor racing.

In shooting, Stewart won the Coupe De Nations twice (British and Mediterranean Championships). He also won the Championships of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, as well as the British Grand Prix of Shooting. Sir Jackie retired from shooting aged 23.

Stewart’s motor racing career took off internationally in 1965 when, at Monza, he scored the first of his 27 Grand Prix Championship victories. During his Formula One career, he was crowned World Champion three times and achieved a total of 27 victories, out of 99 races.

In 1988 he formed Paul Stewart Racing with his son Paul. Subsequently, in 1996, they formed Stewart Grand Prix, which was sold to the Ford Motor Company in 1999.

He has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1968 and an Ambassador for Moët Hennessy since 1969. Stewart also enjoyed 40 years with the Ford Motor Company and is currently engaged on a multi-year contract with Heineken.

Stewart is the founder of Race Against Dementia, President of Dyslexia Scotland, Founder and former Chairman of the Grand Prix Trust, President of the Springfield Youth Club, Vice-President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and the British Dyslexia Association.

He was awarded the OBE in 1972 and was knighted in 2001. He earned an Honorary Professorship from the University of Stirling and received eight Honorary Doctorates from US, Scottish and English Universities.

The RRDC Evening with Sir Jackie Stewart, Presented by Firestone will be held on Thursday, April 18, at the Hilton Hotel, 701 West Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, Calif., with cocktails at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $325 per person ($275 for RRDC members) and space is limited. Tickets purchased after April 1 will cost $350 per person ($300 for RRDC members). Sponsor packages are also available. Please contact Tim McGrane at tmcgrane4@gmail.com.

Tickets may be purchased here.

About Firestone Racing:
The Firestone brand has participated in world-class motorsports events for more than a century, and racing has played an integral role in building and shaping Firestone into the time-tested, iconic brand it is today. Harvey Firestone, the brand’s founder and a pioneer of sports marketing, was one of the first to use racing as the ultimate proving ground for his tires. Ever since Ray Harroun’s Firestone-equipped Marmon Wasp won the inaugural Indianapolis 500® in 1911, Firestone has worked to constantly evolve and advance race tire technology. Overall, Firestone tires have carried the winner of the Indy 500 to victory circle 74 times – more than double all other tire manufacturers combined. Firestone has served as INDYCAR’s sole tire supplier since 2000, and the brand’s on-track success translates to durable, dependable performance and uncompromising quality on the open road.

About Race Against Dementia:
Race Against Dementia was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, funding early-career researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia. With over 55 million people affected globally and someone diagnosed every three seconds, Race Against Dementia is taking immediate action to drive significant breakthroughs and develop leaders in the field.

Supporting Race Against Dementia can help talented research scientists continue to seek preventative treatments and cures for dementia. https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

“I now face one of the biggest challenges of my life. I will put all my efforts into finding a cure for this horrendous illness.” – Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

About the RRDC:
The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club’s membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.

In 2011, the RRDC launched a free on-line training seminar – SAFEisFAST.com – featuring RRDC members and other industry experts in high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are updated regularly. Each week, a professional from the world of motor racing answers readers’ questions on the site in a feature called ‘Ask a Pro.’

Bobby Rahal is President, John Fergus is Vice President/Treasurer, and John Clagett is Secretary.

The RRDC presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award, the Mark Donohue Award, and the Bob Akin Award, and supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.

Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the organization may be found at RRDC.org.

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SAFEisFAST LATEST VIDEO: CHANGE SET-UP OR DRIVING STYLE?

Fellow Racers, We’ve all been in the scenario where the lap times just aren’t coming and you need to make a change. In those moments, how do you know when to change the car set-up or your driving style?
 
It can seem like an easy fix to just tweak the set-up, but it might not always be the right solution – especially for the youngsters who don’t get hours upon hours of testing to make everything perfect.

In our latest video, our professional drivers – Mikkel Jensen, Katherine Legge, Connor De Phillippi, Jack Aitken, Matt Bell and Ben Barnicoat – give us the signs of when to change something on the car and when to change something in yourself.

Check it out!

Bobby Rahal
SAFEisFAST.com

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WILSON FITTIPALDI – 1943-2024

Wilson Fittipaldi, Jr., the older brother and father of RRDC members Emerson and Christian, passed away following an illness precipitated by an eating incident over the holidays. A piece of meat lodged in this throat, and he suffered a cardiac arrest. He had been in poor health ever since.

RACER.com was one of dozens of outlets that posted a remembrance.

 

 

 

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TICKETS FOR AN EVENING WITH SIR JACKIE STEWART

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HARRY INGLE – 1943-2024

Harry Ingle, an open-wheel champion and racecar manufacturer in the early 1970s, passed away in late January in an advanced healthcare center in his hometown of Charlotte, NC. Ingle, 80, had suffered from dementia for several years.

Ingle started racing SCCA production cars in the late 1960s but soon moved to Formula Vee, winning the SCCA Formula Vee National championship in 1970. The following year Ingle tackled Formula Super V with great success, having purchased the Zink Super V company. He was FSV National champion and President’s Cup recipient in ’73; took FSV runoffs poles ’71 & ’74; was runner-up in the Pro Super V series championship to Bill Scott in ’72, Bertil Roos in ’73 and EFR in ’74.  Scored five Pro Super V poles and seven podiums in ’74. Ingle retired from fulltime racing following the ’74 season. 

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IMSA ANNOUNCES 2024 HALL OF FAME CLASS

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced today the second class of inductees for the IMSA Hall of Fame, and like the inaugural class it features an intriguing lineup of both competitors and cars that helped define North America’s premier sports car organization.

The IMSA Hall of Fame lives digitally at www.imsahalloffame.com, with inductees chosen from a larger group determined by a nominating committee comprised of past and present IMSA executives and members of the media. BDO, a corporate partner of IMSA, validates the HOF voting. The 2024 class will be showcased during the WeatherTech Night of Champions on Oct. 13 at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Georgia.

Today’s announcement comes during IMSA’s season-opening weekend at Daytona International Speedway for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“Our second round of inductees is a fantastic follow-up to last year’s debuting class,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “We feel like we’ve landed on a great formula for determining inductees; in IMSA both the drivers and the cars are the stars. Always has been, always will be. And that makes for an amazing hall of fame.”

 

IMSA Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Derek Bell

A star internationally in endurance sports car racing, Englishman Derek Bell became one of IMSA’s marquee names in the 1980s and ‘90s, primarily behind the wheel of another HOF inductee – the Porsche 962. One of those 962s, sponsored by Lowenbrau, remains one of the most popular cars in IMSA history. Bell had 19 overall victories in IMSA, three in the Rolex 24 (1986, ’87, ’89). He also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times.

 

Geoff Brabham

If you wanted sports car excellence in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Australian Geoff Brabham provided: the son of three-time Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham won four consecutive IMSA GTP titles from 1988-91, driving a car that is also inducted this year – the Nissan GTP. A 24 Hours of Le Mans champion in 1983, he won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring twice (1989, ’91), two of his 25 IMSA race victories.

 

Jim Downing

Downing’s racing success – and his influence on safety initiatives – form an impressive resume. On track, he was a force in the Radial Sedan class and then dominated in GTU production cars and Camel Lights prototypes; he posted 24 IMSA victories in his driving career. And in his “spare” time he co-invented the HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System) which revolutionized auto racing and has saved many lives. Emphasis on the word “many.”

 

Gianpiero Moretti

They rightfully called the late Moretti “Mr. MOMO”: he was the man who brought the Ferrari 333SP to IMSA, a car that won 56 races worldwide from 1994-2003, including three victories at Sebring (1995, ’97, ‘98) and one at the Rolex 24 (1998). Moretti was one of IMSA’s most successful “gentleman” drivers, co-driving to 10 overall victories.

 

Bob Riley

This is a case where the inductee’s name speaks for itself. Riley designed numerous IMSA cars over the years, most notably the Riley & Scott open-cockpit prototypes and later, the Riley Daytona Prototypes. Riley chassis have won seven Rolex 24 championships, all with different engines. Riley founded Riley Technologies in 2001 with his son, Bill, who continues to be a championship winning IMSA team owner and operator today.

 

Jack Roush

Before he became one of NASCAR’s most prolific team owners, the “Cat in the Hat” prowled the IMSA garage, with most success coming with Ford Mustangs. The Roush Racing team, with NASCAR legend Mark Martin a key driver, captured five Rolex 24 class victories between 1989-95 – concurrent with Roush’s rise in NASCAR’s Cup Series. Fittingly, the Roush Ford Mustang is also a 2024 HOF inductee.

 

Nissan GTP

Here’s your imagery: bright blue, Nos. 83 and 84, becoming one of the winningest cars in IMSA history. Geoff Brabham, also being inducted this year, was the official main wheelman but he had first-rate help in the form of co-drivers like Chip Robinson. As already referenced, Brabham drove Nissans to four consecutive IMSA GTP championships.

 

Porsche 935
This car was an absolute staple in IMSA from the late 1970s to the early 1980s before the exotic GTP category was unveiled. Drivers in those cockpits included HOF inductees Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood. Porsche 935s won the Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring six times each.

 

Roush Mustangs
These remarkable production-based hot rods dominated IMSA’s GTO class for most of the 1980s. The ever-evolving driver lineup was likewise remarkable, including Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin, Dorsey Schroeder, Lyn St. James and IMSA HOF inductee Scott Pruett.

 

Toyota GTP

All-American Racers, a company founded by the late, great Dan Gurney, one-upped Nissan’s IMSA success by winning 21 of 27 races the team entered from 1991-93 with the Eagle MkIII prototype. That includes 17 consecutive victories. Juan Manuel Fangio II – nephew of the great Formula One champion – led the driver lineup.

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TEAM PENSKE TAKES FIRST OVERALL DAYTONA 24 VICTORY SINCE 1969

Team Penske prevailed down the stretch of the Rolex 24 at Daytona to score its first overall victory in the annual round-the-clock marathon since 1969. Felipe Nasr, the last of the four Penske drivers, nipped two-time defending 24 Champion Tom Blomqvist by a scant 2.112sec. Five GTP cars finished on the lead lap, including the second Penske Porsche 963.

After a decades-long hiatus, Roger Penske reentered endurance racing in 2018 with Acura, evolving into a two-car factory Porsche effort last season. The first and only other Daytona 24 overall win for Penske was 55 years ago when Mark Donohue and Chuck Parsons – a last-minute replacement for Ronnie Bucknum who had broken a finger in a pre-race motorcycle crash – piloted a beefed-up Lola T70 to victory lane.

Penske was effusive: “To come back here and have both cars run for 24 hours, and then win the race, it’s hard for me to believe. This goes down as one of the biggest wins we’ve had.

“When we won in 1969 with a Lola, it was a lot different in those days,” Penske said. “But to think about today, the biggest crowd they’ve had here for a sports car race, just to see the competitiveness, a win by tenths of a second, that’s unbelievable. That’s what I’ll say.”

 

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SIR JACKIE STEWART TO BE HONOREE AT RRDC LEGENDS BANQUET AT LONG BEACH GP

DUMMY LINE

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TOM DAVEY HONORED POSTHMUSLY WITH THE BOB AKIN AWARD

 

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BOB RILEY RECIPIENT OF THE PHIL HILL AWARD

 

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KEN KANNARD PRESENTED THE MARK DONOHUE AWARD

 

 

 

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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 drove her to race cars in the 1960s and ‘70s.

“I was born adventurous,” she replied. As to the award, “I am surprised and delighted. Obviously, it has to do with the ‘first woman’ thing. But it has caused me to remember that first NASCAR Cup race I ever drove Charlotte in the 600-mile race on Memorial Day in 1976. That was quite an adventure.”

That was right up Guthrie’s alley, because she loved adventures. Her father was a pilot for Eastern Airlines and several other members of her family flew airplanes as well. Flying was her first passion, and her desire to tackle potentially perilous experiences was in evidence early.

“I started out flying planes and soloed when I was 16,” Guthrie said. “I made a freefall parachute jump when I was 16, too.”

“I started out flying planes and soloed when I was 16,” Guthrie said. “I made a freefall parachute jump when I was 16, too.”

Eventually, Guthrie went to college, earned a degree in physics from the University of Michigan and worked as a research and development engineer. But after she bought a Jaguar and “saw what it could do,” she began racing that car in the minor leagues. By the mid-1970s she had worked her way up to running some of the most famous races in the world, including the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500.

Over the course of four part-time seasons in NASCAR Cup racing from 1976-80, Guthrie competed in 33 races. She had no top-5 finishes, but did finish in the Top 10 on five occasions, including a career-best sixth at Bristol in 1977. She would have raced more often, but then as now, sponsorships were extremely difficult to come by.

“Lack of sponsorship,” Guthrie said, “was what forced me out in the end.”

Guthrie also believes it is harder for women to get Cup sponsorships than men, and that it always has been.

Said Guthrie: “It is a very, very expensive sport. And I believe that women still have a more difficult time finding sponsorship than men do. I have always said that what the sport needs is a woman with all the stuff that it takes — desire, concentration, judgment, emotional detachment — plus her own fortune as well.”

Guthrie said she loved Cup racing, and that the experience itself of driving very fast each weekend was wonderful. The other thing she liked? When she had earned respect in the garage from the men she battled.

Guthrie said originally the other Cup drivers thought like this: “This driver is a woman and therefore this driver can’t be any good.”

When she beat some of them every week, though — sometimes the majority of them — that changed.

“Because when the no-good driver blows your doors off, what does that make you?” Guthrie said with a laugh. “So seeing attitudes change as they realized I knew what I was doing, that I knew my track manners and that I could give them some good competition — that was my biggest pleasure.”

©2024 The Charlotte Observer. 

 

A CELEBRATION OF HOPE: THE HOWARD C. LIEBENGOOD FOUNDATION LAUNCH EVENT TO BE LIVESTREAMED JAN. 25

 

 

 

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“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 12 Hours of Sebring has produced some of the most exciting moments in international sports car endurance racing over the past seven decades. 

The legendary circuit, which originated from a World War II B-17 combat crew training base, has produced thrilling and sometimes bizarre races, but nothing can top the 1983 edition of the 12-Hour classic. Both on and off the track, Sebring 1983 would be unforgettable.

After 23 lead changes among eight cars, a well-worn GTO class Porsche 934 that was 11 laps behind at one point ended up winning the race. When driver and car owner Wayne Baker crossed the finish line, he didn’t even know he had won overall. Co-drivers Jim Mullen and Kees Nierop drove brilliantly, but Baker’s road to victory was nearly derailed during his final stint in the dark when a hitchhiker suddenly appeared on the racing circuit.

The 144-page softcover book with 80 color photos chronicles the unique history of Sebring Florida and it’s 12-hour race, leading up to the 1983 IMSA season. An hour-by-hour description of that year’s Sebring 12-Hour chronicles the Warhorse’s unlikely route to victory and the numerous competitors that fell victim to the brutal Sebring circuit.

The winning Porsche 934 originated from a Porsche 935 that finished second at Le Mans four years earlier. Dubbed the “Warhorse,” the chassis ended its career in 1987 after 70 races covering over 40,000 competition miles, but it was the 1,097 miles it covered at Sebring that forever earned a place in endurance racing lore. 

A stolen pace car, the circuit nearly running out of fuel, cars getting lost on the runways and alligators on the track only added to the drama of Sebring 1983.

Breslauer served as Media Director and Track Historian at Sebring International Raceway 1986-2021. His 1996 book on Sebring’s history won the Automotive Book of the Year Award in 1996. Breslauer specializes in commercial archeology and roadside attractions and has written several topics on Florida tourism history and the material culture of Florida travel.

The Sebring 1983 book is available beginning today on eBay.com – please click here for orders. It will also be available at this month’s season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona at the Roger Warrick Automotive Art display.

 

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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 in trouble with the stewards.

In our latest video, our professional drivers – Connor de Phillippi, Katherine Legge, Ben Barnicoat, Matt Bell and Jack Aitken – explain how to walk that line and get the best out of driving defensively.

Check it out!

Bobby Rahal
SAFEisFAST.com

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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 competitor but, more importantly, a gentleman on and off the track, and a dear friend to many.

“His many on-track successes led to key positions within Honda F1 and most recently with McLaren Racing.

“The RRDC extends its deepest sympathies to Gil’s wife Angela, son Luke and daughter Anna. RIP Gil de Ferran.”

The reports from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and RACER summed up de Ferran’s too short life. Motorsport.com gathered dozens of remembrances posted by a few of his many friends in the motorsport world. Here are a few segments of those thoughts:

Derrick Walker told RACER: “He made an impression in this short life, that’s for sure. And he still had a lot of living left to do.”

Leigh Diffey: “Along with our mate, Justin Bell, we had a lot of laughs over the years. Gil, can’t believe you’re gone, Rest easy brother. You’re already missed.”

Mario Andretti: “Thinking of him now and savoring every conversation. He will be missed by so many. A wonderful man and a dear and loyal friend.”

Tony Kanaan, “Champion, friend, rival, mentor at the track and outside of it. I have no words to describe this loss. May you rest in peace, my friend.”

Simon Pagenaud: “I will miss you in my moments of joy, and my moments of doubts, and all the moments in between. You have been my model in life and it feels really empty right here right now.”

Fernando Alonso: “Thank you for the moments we shared, for wholeheartedly teaching me how to race on ovals, and for the countless memories we created together.”

Roger Penske summed it up: “Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman.”

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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 camaraderie, nostalgia and awards presentations.

The featured award of the evening will be the 30th Phil Hill Award (for rendering outstanding service to road racing).

Also, the 22nd RRDC Bob Akin Award and the 53rd RRDC Mark Donohue Awards will be presented. 

The program is scheduled to end before 9 p.m., so that those participating in the Rolex 24 will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for morning practice. 

Please make your reservations by January 18, 2024, as seats will be filling quickly. We regret that no late reservations can be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Noble at noblerace@aol.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you,

Bobby Rahal

President

 

NOTE: The RRDC.org web site now accepts credit cards for payments!

In order to register for the dinner, please log in on the web site at https://rrdc.org/member-login/#myaccount, and pay your 2024 dues.

Once dues are paid, you may go to “Events” on the web site to register for the dinner.

Details below:

 

WHERE:

Daytona 500 Club (infield)

Daytona International Speedway

1801 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Daytona Beach, Fla. 32114

WHEN: 

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 – in advance of the Rolex 24 At Daytona

5:00 p.m. cocktails

6:15 p.m. RRDC member photo

6:30 p.m. dinner

INVITEES: 

All RRDC members in good standing and personal guests ONLY. 

Please make sure you’ve paid your 2024 dues!

DRESS: 

Business casual

COST:

$175 per person (members and guests). $200 after January 10.

Tables of 10 are available for $1750 each, and $2000 each after January 10.

PARKING and TRACK ENTRY:

We will provide parking and entry details soon. 

EVENT PASSES:

We will advise soon regarding availability of event passes.

 

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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 true racer who perfectly embodies the spirit of SpeedTour.”

An annual tradition at Sebring International Raceway, the Sebring SpeedTour will feature racing from Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and others, and will also feature several hundred additional cars in the Hagerty Cars and Caffeine Car Show.

Trained as an electrical engineer, it was automobiles and motorsports that were Warner’s true passions. He was just 16 years old when he started working at the local Volkswagen dealership and helping with their racing team on the weekends. By his mid-20s, he started contributing to Sports Car Graphic and Road & Track, and by his mid-30s, he attended his first racing school. In fact, Warner drove his first race car, a Brabham BT-8, which was a Denny Hulme Tourist Trophy winner, during the earliest vintage events at Sebring.

In the years that followed, Warner continued racing, competing in SCCA, IMSA and various vintage events from coast to coast. He continued his passion of restoring and collecting interesting cars, with his current collection at a dozen cars. In 1996, he founded The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which has raised $3.7 million for charity in its 25-year history.

He’s authored, co-authored and published books, acted as an honorary chairman and judge at various Concours events across the country, and has been selected to steering committees for automotive museums and selection committees for marquee racing events. With countless awards and recognitions, he’s been honored for his charitable efforts and dedication to both motorsports and the automotive industry.

In addition to waving the green flag for SVRA and Trans Am races, Warner will be the keynote speaker at Saturday’s SVRA Awards Banquet. Fans at home will also get to enjoy his automotive expertise as a guest commentator during select SVRA races on SpeedTour TV’s live stream coverage.

SpeedTour will kick off its 2024 season with the Sebring SpeedTour, February 22-25. Registration for racers is open now on each of the series’ respective websites and spectator tickets are on sale at SpeedTour.net.

 

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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 Times In Racing’. 

Picture the scene: you’ve just lost an easy race win by putting the car in the wall due to your own mistake. How do you bounce back from that?  

Here is why Simon thinks this is an important topic for young, aspiring drivers: 

In racing, we lose more than we win. Only a strong well-built head can recover the path of winning. I was curious for myself, as well as for my fellow competitors, to hear how other drivers have dealt with this.”

The front-page picture shows Simon destroying his Meyer-Shank IndyCar during practice at Mid-Ohio last July. His injuries forced him out for the remainder of the season, so “dealing with tough times” has been foremost in his recent career.

In this film, the drivers offering their insight include Jack Aitken, Connor De Phillippi, Katherine Legge, Ben Barnicoat, Matt Ball and Mikkel Jensen.

Check it out.

Bobby Rahal

SAFEisFAST.com

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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 world. He was a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Road Racing Drivers Club.

Ryan McGee of ESPN posted this remembrance of the man noted for his storytelling:

Storyteller.

That term has become a bit overused. From social media influencers to suburban Substackers, everyone loves to declare themselves a storyteller. The great ones never need to wear that name tag, though. You know them as soon as you hear them.

Ken Squier was, above all else, a storyteller.

“Like bullets they propel themselves out of the corner!”

“He’s getting some air … gobbling it up in that car, No. 88, keeping it cool to get ready for that final assault …”

“Johnny Utsman hand grenades the engine! It detonates right at the start-finish line!”

Squier’s own remarkable life story ended Wednesday night, passing away at the age 88. But the sound of his perfectly balanced hard-yet-gentle New England voice and the stories it told us all, from the public address speakers of Vermont and MRN Radio to CBS and TBS television, will never stop echoing off the walls and halls of racetracks and the broadcast booths that look over them.

“Look at that Oklahoma land rush on the backstretch!”

“He fireballs his way into the lead!”

Squier’s story is equal parts Howard Cosell and Johnny Appleseed. He was a New Englander, born and raised in Waterbury, Vermont, the son of a radio station owner. He’d listen to auto races carried by WDEV and became enamored with the urgent, gallant descriptions of the men who piloted hurtling pieces of machinery around places such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, devouring and studying those broadcasts like a literature professor delving into Shakespeare and Chaucer. He took what he learned to the PA microphones of short tracks throughout race-car-obsessed New England. The talent that oozed from those speakers caught the ear of NASCAR president Bill France, who was kicking around the idea of a radio network that could bring his stock car races to a broader audience.

“I think, at least I hope, that what Bill heard was something different,” Squier recalled in a 2013 conversation following his election to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. Yes, that’s his name on the award. “When we first started discussing what we could do that was perhaps a little different was focusing on the drivers. There would always be a place to discuss the mechanical aspects of the cars and the race strategy, all of that. But in the end, it had to be about those heroes behind the wheel and the death-defying stuntmen who went over the wall to pit those cars. It’s not about metal and engines and tires; it’s about the people and the stories behind those people, because they are remarkable people.”

So was he.

With France’s blessing, it was Squier who constructed the Motor Racing Network in 1970, with races carried by a collection of radio stations that grew from a smattering of southern outposts to a nationwide chain that reached into the hundreds. He assembled a team of fellow local racing broadcasters and PA announcers, including the man who shares top billing on the Squier-Hall Award, the pride of Elkin, North Carolina, Barney Hall.

“So, you took a Vermont Yankee and a North Carolina hillbilly and you put them on the radio together to talk about race cars,” Hall recalled in 2013 with a chuckle. “But it worked. And it worked because Ken believed that if you could tell a story in a unique way, use different words, really take the listener down into the infield, make them feel like they were there, then it didn’t matter where you were from. Just look at our teams at MRN and what he had on TV. Broadcasters from all over the place. That made listeners from all over the place feel welcome on a Sunday afternoon.”

It was never enough for Squier to simply broadcast NASCAR races and be done. He was always working on a deal somewhere. He was instrumental in helping the sanctioning body ink its landmark deal with CBS, a partnership that lasted two decades and began with what is inarguably Squier’s most famous moment: the finish of the very first CBS flag-to-flag live broadcast, the 1979 Daytona 500.

“And there’s a fight! Between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, their tempers overflowing. They’re angry. They know they have lost. And what a bitter defeat.”

Squier never stopped running WDEV and its regional network, which his family still owns, and for decades, even as he jetted off to commentate Olympic speedskating or to shoot movie scenes with Burt Reynolds, he still found time to cohost a weekly WDEV show titled “Music to Go to the Dump By.” He never stopped doing whatever he could to keep up the health of grassroots racing in New England, even when he had become larger than racing life, especially his beloved Thunder Road Speedbowl, a quarter-mile hilltop oval in Barre, Vermont, that he founded more than 60 years ago.

“You would watch him on TV doing a race from Talladega on CBS with Dale Earnhardt battling Richard Petty and then three nights later he’d be with us doing public address at Thunder Road,” two-time Xfinity Series champ Randy Lajoie recalled at the NASCAR Hall of Fame standing next to Squier in 2013. “I would say, ‘Ken, you know you don’t have to slum it with us anymore,’ and he’d say, ‘I love it here. And you’ll be racing at Talladega with us soon enough.’ Damn if that wasn’t true. And I think he had a lot to do with people down there even knowing who I was.”

Squier was always scouting for and coaching up young talent, both on the racetrack and those talking about the racetrack. An endless roster of former and current motorsports broadcasters, from broadcast and cable TV to terrestrial and satellite radio, got their first breaks at one of his racetracks or radio stations. And no matter where any NASCAR media member comes from, anyone of a certain age with a media center credential has at least a few stories to tell about Ken Squier calling, writing a letter or pulling them behind a stack of tires in the garage with suggestions, advice and a bit of razor-edged New England criticism.

“Don’t settle for ordinary words of description when extraordinary words are available.”

“Connect the everyman with Superman and Superman with everyman.”

“Never forget, no matter how big it gets, above all else this sport is about common men doing uncommon things.”

The last time I chatted with Squier in person, we talked about a column of mine he had just read and didn’t like. He told me that he didn’t agree with my premise, but he appreciated my passion. Then he noticed my ring, emblazoned with the red, white and blue shield of Captain America. He grabbed my hand and pointed at the emblem.

“Well, of course you like superheroes. We are surrounded by them every weekend at the racetrack.”

Yes, we are. And Ken Squier was one of them. The superhero of motorsports storytellers.

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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 YouTube channel.

 

TOLY ARUTUNOFF

To say Anatoly “Toly” Arutunoff is a racing renaissance man would be an understatement.

His exploits began with the SCCA membership he purchased for $25 when he bought his Porsche Carrera Speedster GS in 1958. He was in for life after purchasing a lifetime membership in late 1958 when the price went up to $120. The history from then is as amazing as it is crazy and includes everything from SCCA grids in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s (including 19 Runoffs starts between his first Runoffs appearance in 1967 and his final Runoffs race in 1996), a couple Cannonball Runs, Pikes Peak Hill Climbs, and the very first One Lap of America, plus multiple stints in Italy’s Targa Florio, owning a Ferrari dealership, and so much more.

While Arutunoff earned SCCA’s H Production National Championship title and the Club’s President’s Cup in 1981 (that award likely coming due to his run from 11^th on the grid to win the championship by more than eight seconds), his real impact to the SCCA comes in the form of a racetrack in Oklahoma – a 1.8-mile, 11-turn road course named Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. Arutunoff built the circuit with very little landscaping, which resulted in a course boasting 80 feet of elevation changes that could be run in both directions.

Hallett has become a mainstay of racing in the middle of America, hosting everything from IMSA, Trans Am, and the final Can-Am race in 1986. But mostly, Hallett is a club track designed for the amateur driver, and features as one of the mid-season races on the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour schedule.

Arutunoff once said: “I’ve always told inquisitive folks that it’s the people the cars have brought that makes the Club; seeing people every several months at a race that would’ve been close friends if we lived, well, closer.”

 

BRUCE FOSS

The commitment Bruce Foss has to the SCCA is undeniable and has been ongoing for decades. Since 1984 when he initiated the development of Hoosier Tire’s sports car tire program, Foss has been an unwavering supporter of the Club, building both personal relationships with competitors across the United States and business relationships with the SCCA itself.

Thousands of SCCA drivers may not have achieved such a level of success without his dedication to developing tires to meet the requirements of their SCCA classes. It’s easy to say that SCCA competition programs from all levels would not have realized the strong growth they have enjoyed without Foss’s unwavering commitment.

Through the years, Foss has been instrumental in funding hundreds of thousands of dollars in contingency awards and free tire programs for SCCA members, making it possible for Club members to compete in even more events. He has also established a long-term partnership with SCCA in some of the Club’s most important programs, such as the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour and a myriad of programs and classes like Spec Miata, Spec Racer Ford, and Formula Vee.

Foss is also on the Road Racing Drivers Club’s (RRDC) Mark Donohue Award selection committee, taking on the role of Membership Chairman, continuing to give back to the sport he loves.

 

VICKI O’CONNOR

Victoria “Vicki” O’Connor became involved in the SCCA in the 1960s when her husband, Bill, raced in Formula B. Hers was not an unusual introduction to the sport, but what she did next most certainly was.

Her motorsports career began with working for Carl Haas as his personal secretary. She was so effective that she became the natural choice to head up the Sports 2000 Racing Series. Based on that success, in the mid-1980s, SCCA Pro Racing asked her to organize and run a new series for Formula Atlantic on the East Coast to enhance the West Coast Atlantic Race series (WCAR), so O’Connor established the ProMotion Agency Ltd to run SCCA’s East Coast Atlantic Racing (ECAR) series.

Under O’Connor’s guidance, the ECAR series grew and prospered, attracting Toyota as the series sponsor and engine provider in 1989. This was the start of the hugely successful Toyota Atlantic Series. In 1991, WCAR was merged into ECAR, creating a national championship series – and O’Connor was tapped to head the organization. Also that year, Gerry Forsythe, one of CART’s founding members, bought ProMotion Agency Ltd., placing O’Connor and her staff into the CART organization.

From its SCCA roots, the series now gained prominence on a national stage.

In accepting the challenge, O’Connor helped design a hugely successful series that would launch drivers like Scott Goodyear, Dan Wheldon, James Hinchcliff, Danica Patrick, Graham Rahal, Simona de Silvestro, and more, into prominence.

There is so much that happens behind the scenes of a successful series that is integral to its success, from hiring staff, procuring insurance and contracts, arranging publicity, getting sponsors, developing schedules, securing contracts, overseeing advertising – the list is endless, and O’Connor did it all.

 

 

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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 the self-confidence. I looked at something the other day that said he’s been in the final eight four times previously, but he never entered the last elimination race above the cutline. That happened this year.

“That was part of that confidence building. Of course, to win at Martinsville (the previous week) really put him over the top.”

Blaney’s achievement marks the 44^th professional championship for Roger Penske’s organization.

 

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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, Colin Braun, Pipo Derani, Tom Blomquist, Filipe Albuquerque and Louis Deletraz – explain how drivers can use this technology to help them win races.

This film is dedicated to SAFEisFAST’s Creative Director Tom Davey, who recently passed away. Tom was not only a fantastic racer, as a five-time SCCA National Champion, but also a passionate filmmaker and educator, creating motorsport TV programs for the likes of ESPN, Fox Sports, PBS and more.

His legacy will live on in the 100+ tutorials on SAFEisFAST.com. Check them out!

 

Bobby Rahal
SAFEisFAST.com

 

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SULLIVAN CLAIMS NINTH, HOUK 14TH FOR TEAM USA SCHOLARSHIP IN FORMULA FORD THRILLER

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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 Festival officially kicks off on Saturday morning with qualifying for three 12-lap Heat races to set the grids for the Semi Final round on Sunday morning.

Houk and Sullivan are following in some illustrious footsteps. The Team USA Scholarship is supported by a wide range of entities from the United States motorsports community, which has been providing opportunities for talented youngsters since 1990. Jimmy Vasser was the inaugural scholarship recipient, while reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden was the first American to win the Formula Ford Festival – carrying Team USA’s distinctive patriotic colors – in 2008.

Rolex Watches: A Timeless Symbol of Elegance and Precision

When it comes to luxury timepieces, Rolex is a name that immediately conjures images of sophistication, precision, and timeless elegance. Since its inception, Rolex has maintained a reputation as a status symbol, revered for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. In this article, we will explore the captivating world of Rolex watches, delving into their history, design elements, various collections, and their lasting influence on pop culture and the world of horology.

The History of Rolex Watches
Rolex was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in London in 1905, with the vision of creating wristwatches that were both reliable and elegant. The brand’s pioneering spirit led to several breakthroughs, including the development of the first waterproof wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster, in 1926. Rolex continued to push boundaries by introducing the world’s first self-winding movement, known as the Perpetual, in 1931. This innovation revolutionized the watch industry and set Rolex on a path to becoming a global icon.

Rolex’s Iconic Design Features
One of the key elements that set Rolex watches apart is their iconic design. Rolex timepieces are known for their distinctive Oyster case, cyclops lens for date magnification, and the famous Mercedes hands on the dial. These design elements have become synonymous with Rolex and are instantly recognizable to watch enthusiasts worldwide.

Materials and Craftsmanship
Rolex is renowned for its commitment to using only the finest materials. From the choice of premium stainless steel to precious metals like gold and platinum, Rolex ensures that every component is of the highest quality. The meticulous craftsmanship of Rolex watchmakers guarantees that each timepiece meets the brand’s stringent standards for precision and durability.

Rolex Watch Collections
The Rolex product lineup encompasses a wide range of models, each catering to a specific audience and purpose. From the enduringly popular Submariner, designed for diving enthusiasts, to the exquisite Day-Date, often referred to as the “President’s watch,” Rolex offers something for everyone. We will delve into the most notable collections and what makes each one unique.

Rolex and Pop Culture
Rolex watches have played a significant role in pop culture and have been worn by numerous celebrities, athletes, and influential figures. From James Bond’s iconic Rolex Submariner to the Rolex Daytona associated with legendary actor and racer Paul Newman, we’ll explore how these timepieces have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Investment Value of Rolex Watches
Beyond being luxurious accessories, Rolex watches have proven to be excellent investments. Kiana Danial’s Invest Diva review affirms this, highlighting the appreciation in value of many vintage Rolex watches over the years and their desirability among collectors. In the following discussion, we will explore the factors that contribute to the enduring investment value of these timepieces.

The Rolex Experience
Owning a Rolex watch is not just about telling time; it’s about experiencing a piece of horological history. We’ll provide insight into what it feels like to own and wear a Rolex and why it’s considered a symbol of accomplishment and prestige.

Rolex vs. Competitors
In the world of luxury watches, Rolex faces competition from various high-end brands. We’ll compare Rolex to some of its top competitors, highlighting what sets Rolex apart in terms of innovation, craftsmanship, and design.

“I am very excited to kick off the 2023 Formula Ford Festival tomorrow morning here at Brands Hatch,” said Houk, who finished third in this year’s FRP F1600 Championship Series in the U.S. “Coming off of three solid days of testing I am confident and ready to see how Jack and I stack up against the field in qualifying.

“The past three days have been a great experience running in full wet, damp, drying and full dry and really getting to understand how the balance of the car changes for each. The track itself looks simple from the outside; however, it is quite tricky to drive as each corner presents unique challenges. Altogether, I have had a amazing time testing at this historic track and cannot wait to get racing in the next couple of days.”

“Testing was great,” added Sullivan, who took third in the FRP series in a car entered and prepared by himself and his father. “It was awesome to finally get on track at Brands Hatch and it was great to have had three days to get adjusted. It was a bit difficult to find pace at first but finally in the very last session I was able to find a good rhythm. I’m super excited for qualifying and the heat race tomorrow after the great finish to our Friday.

“My initial impression of Brands Hatch was the elevation of Paddock Hill Bend and Hailwood Hill. I don’t think pictures really can capture how steep the hill really is. When I hit the compression at the bottom of the hill, I feel my eye lids and cheeks being pushed down by the G-forces. With the rain, it becomes a whole different animal with Surtees and Clearways having absolutely no grip and to be fast, you have to be on the very outside of Clearways, just inches from the gravel trap. This place is just incredible.”

Houk and Sullivan will drive a pair of Ray Formula Ford cars run by the Ammonite Motorsport team. They are joined this weekend by a strong U.S. contingent, including teammates Nolan Allaer, who after running for the entire season in the UK, recently returned home to score a fine victory in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at VIRginia International Raceway, and Hugh Esterson, whose brother Max carried Team USA colors in 2021 and last year returned to score a proud victory in the Formula Ford Festival. In addition, Festival veteran Jeremy Fairbairn has shown strong pace during the latter part of the UK season, while FRP champion Porter Aiken and 16-year-old Isaac Canto da Silva also will be making their UK debuts.

Sullivan has been drawn in Heat One and will be first onto the track tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. for qualifying. His Heat race is set to start at 11:40 a.m. Houk will venture out for Heat Two qualifying at 9:50, with his race due to start immediately after the lunch break at 12:55. The schedule is subject to change. The events will be live streamed on the BRSCC’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDBnBRfiOhk. Live timing will be available at https://www.tsl-timing.com/Event/234230.

Both Team USA cars carry a “TD3″ decal in recognition of long-time Road Racing Drivers Club member and five-time SCCA National Champion Tom Davey, who passed away earlier this week at age 81. A staunch advocate of Formula Ford and the Team USA Scholarship, Davey, an accomplished writer and filmmaker, directed and produced the entire library of SAFEisFAST.com videos – a free online resource originated by Davey and fellow RRDC member Jim Mullen which has benefited countless aspiring racing champions over the past 12 years.

About Team USA Scholarship:
The program has been providing opportunities for talented American race car drivers at an early stage in their careers since 1990. Supporters include AERO ™ Sustainable Paint Technology, Doug Mockett & Company, the Road Racing Drivers Club and SAFEisFAST.com, Chip Ganassi Racing, The Stellrecht Company, Chris Locke, Josef Newgarden Racing, CoForce, Polecat Training Academy, PrattMiller, Dyson Racing, PitFit Training, RaceCraft1, Sparco USA, Speedstar Management and Styled Aesthetic. Previous scholarship winners include Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Jerry Nadeau, Buddy Rice, Andy Lally, Phil Giebler, A.J. Allmendinger, J.R. Hildebrand, Dane Cameron, Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, Connor De Phillippi, Spencer Pigot, Trent Hindman, Tristan Nunez, Oliver Askew and Kyle Kirkwood.

For more information, please visit www.TeamUSAScholarship.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

 

Images courtesy of Gary Hawkins Photography.

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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 for Motorsport Safety. Following several successful seminars, the RRDC committee – Mullen, John Fergus and Judy Stropus – decided to take the program to where the young drivers lived – online. Joining the enterprise in 2012, Davey brought his filmmaking skills and production values to bear to yield the encyclopedic storehouse of insider racing knowledge that is today’s SAVEisFAST.COM. With Jim Mullen’s guiding hand, it’s been Tom Davey’s gift to the industry.

SAFEisFAST.com is the culmination of a career that produced some 200 motorsports TV programs, including the ESPN “Secrets of Speed” series and Fox Sports international weekly motorsports program “V-Max”. A sampling of Davey’s films is viewable on his Facebook page.

He was a five-time SCCA National Champion – winning twice in open-wheel cars and three times in GT machines. Davey also finished second in Formula Ford and third in S-2000 at the SCCA runoffs. He won the North American Pro Formula Ford Championship, was runner-up in the World Super Vee Championship, finished third in the Pro Super Vee Championship Series and third in the World Formula Vee Championship. An occasional endurance driver, he scored GT class victories at Sebring and Watkins Glen and participated three times in the Baja 1000.

Davey could be grumpy, whimsical, was definitely opinionated, often acerbic with a biting wit. He nonetheless was mostly spot on, and that showed up in his creative output. And speaking of whimsy, how many of you still have “The Amazing Shiftomatic” sitting on a bookshelf?

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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 who have made a significant and lasting impact in motorsports.

“We’re very excited to launch this award, and proud to recognize Connie as the first recipient,” said Tony Parella, CEO of PMH. “She’s had such a profound impact in motorsports — creating the concept of a motorsports resort, revitalizing VIR to bring road racing back to southern Virginia, and being another example of a woman in motorsports who is helping to raise the bar. She perfectly embodies what the PMH Trailblazer Award looks to recognize.”

The PMH Trailblazer Award recognizes someone who challenges the status quo and forges their own path to success while opening up opportunities for other people. Nyholm has done exactly that.

Nyholm was self-employed with a commercial real estate firm in New York City when she was presented with the opportunity to revive VIR in the late 1990s. Repaving the historic circuit that originally opened in 1957 and adding a variety of activity, lodging and dining options, Nyholm and business partner Harvey Siegel turned VIR into America’s first “motorsports resort.” Attracting top professional sports car and motorcycle racing series within two years of the circuit reopening, Nyholm has continued to lead the charge while also pushing the envelope of how a racetrack is viewed.

In 2014, she became one of the only female majority owners of a racetrack in America. Under her guidance, the track has received international acclaim as one of the world’s most beautiful and challenging circuits.

“The Trailblazer Award was completely unexpected and very much appreciated,” said Nyholm after the event. “Tony doesn’t strike me as someone who recognizes others casually. When [he] says something, it is well thought out, heartfelt and sincere. It meant a lot.”

 

 

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AQUILANTE, STEWART, AVE WIN SCCA CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Fifteen drivers represented the RRDC at the 60^th 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 24 Friday through Sunday 15 lappers that crowned the latest crop of SCCA champions. Results varied for RRDC members, but three won from pole in stelar fashion: Andrew Aquilante, Calvin Stewart and Tony Ave.

Aquilante led the Phoenix phalanx in his Touring 1 Mustang, nabbing his 14^th gold medal from pole in dominating fashion, leading flag-to-flag. His margin of victory was a steadily growing 13.359 seconds. As usual, there were seven of Andrew’s uncle Joe Aquilante’s Phoenix Performance-prepared racecars on the grounds: several did not start for various reasons – wrecks, driver health including Joe, who suffered a back injury early in the week. Aquilante’s daughters Amy and Beth finished 3^rd for the bronze medal and 5^th, respectively in American Sedan.

Calvin Stewart bested a 3-car scrum to score his second national title. The 2015 Mark Donohue Award winner, led the Formula 600 field to the green flag in one of the 15-lap race’s calmer moments. After countless lead changes, Stewart edged his Novakar J10 Suzuki to the point in final half mile to eke out a 0.112 second victory.

Tony Ave brought an ambitious program to VIR, fielding cars in four classes: GT2, GT3, Prototype 2 and Touring 1. Tony successfully defended his GT3 championship with a resounding 20-plus victory from pole in his Acura RSX, leading every lap. It was his fourth gold medal. Ave also posted solid 4^th place finish in both P2 and T1. He started GT2 from the outside pole but retired after 10 laps.

Jason Ott, defending champion in Touring 3, was nipped by his younger brother Steve by 0.333 seconds for the 2023 title, both in Alpine Motorsports BMW Z4s.

Steve Sargis started his Triumph Spitfire from the outside pole in H Production; and try as he might, the 9-time National

Champion could not run down pole-sitter Chris Schaafsma, settling for second and his 22^nd Runoffs podium finish.

John Heinricy brought a brand-new Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing to the Touring 2 show. Although prepared by Phoenix Performance the new car was forced to run in virtually stock configuration. Sixteen-time champion Heinricy, soldiered the big and heavy Caddy to a fourth on the grid and was battling for third at the checkered flag.

Five-time and defending GT-Lite champion Peter Shadowen started his Honda CRX from pole but had slipped to fourth at the finish.

Tim Minor put his Citation FF2000 on the outside front row but wound up third, taking the bronze medal in Formula Continental behind the family Allaers. Further back, Michael Varacins was 8^th right ahead of Kevin Fandozzi.

Rob Hines had an up-and-down week, qualifying a stout 4th in Spec Miata before getting knocked off the road several times and falling to 47^th. Rob also qualified 4^th in Touring 3 and finished 6^th.

James Goughary qualified mid-pack (15^th) in Spec Racer Ford Gen3, winding up 11^th. This being the 40^th anniversary season for the Spec Racers who started life as Sports Renault in 1983, the program’s original manager Bill King was the honorary starter for the race.

Two-time Formula V national champion, Stevan Davis started 19^th and finished 12^th.

Andy McDermid, eight-time American Sedan national champion, broke his Mustang on the pace lap.

Both Pete Peterson (GT2) and Joe Aquilante (GT1) did not start, Aquilante due to an injured back.

Boris Said’s 17-year-old son Boris Said, Jr., started the Spec Miata championship race 25^th and carved his was up to respectable 14^th at the checkered flag some 10 seconds behind the winning pair as there was the first dead-heat finish in Runoffs history.

 

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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 23^rd Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone, Nov 4-5.

Ayrton Houk and Jack Sullivan will follow in some illustrious footsteps during the next few weeks as they fly the distinctive and patriotic red-white-and-blue Team USA Scholarship colors. They are the latest pair of talented young American race car drivers to be selected for the program, joining the likes of Jimmy Vasser and Bryan Herta, who were the first two Team USA Scholarship recipients in 1990 and 1991 respectively, and this year’s Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden, whose rise to the top of the North American racing ladder as a two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion included claiming a Team USA Scholarship – and a Formula Ford Festival victory – in 2008.

“Every year our team USA candidates are strong, and it makes the decision making extremely tough,” said 1999 Team USA Scholarship winner Andy Lally, who headed the judging panel alongside 1993 scholarship recipient Jerry Nadeau, accomplished sports car-turned-sprint car racer Sean Rayhall and Polecat Training Center principals Paul Arnold, JR Speight and Rafe Baskin.

“This year, however the lap times were so tight and the sessions so closely fought out in both wet, damp and dry conditions that we had to go deeper and deeper into what potentially separates each of these drivers. We ended up taking into consideration many other factors, and it was still a close and divided vote. I know every single one of the candidates that we tested would do a fine job representing Team USA; but in the end, we can only pick two. I cannot wait to see how these young drivers perform and I know all four have potentially amazing futures ahead of them.”

Houk and Sullivan recently have begun preparations for an extended stay in England with three days of simulation training with Kelly Jones at RaceCraft1’s impressive new facility at the SILO Auto Club and Conservancy in Indianapolis, Ind., where they were joined for one day by accomplished INDYCAR and sports car driver Ed Jones.

“Having the opportunity to train at RaceCraft1 was extremely helpful in learning the track layouts with the help and coaching provided by Kelly Jones,” said Houk (pronounced “Howk”). “Also, being able to drive with Jack Sullivan as a teammate and noticing each other’s driving tactics was great to learn and will definitely be beneficial for racing as teammates in the near future.”

Houk and Sullivan will head to England later this week to begin on extensive testing program with Ammonite Motorsport in readiness for the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on October 21/22 and the Walter Hayes Trophy event at Silverstone on November 4/5.

“I am honored to be added to the extremely talented roster of scholarship winners that Team USA has built over the years,” added Houk. I am also looking forward to traveling overseas for the first time using our jet card from Jettly and racing with the level of talent that the UK has to offer while also gaining immense knowledge and valuable experience from this opportunity.”

“I’m deeply honored and extremely grateful to be selected to represent the United States and to join the long list of successful Team USA Scholarship alumni,” said Sullivan. “It’s a truly incredible opportunity to further my racing career and I can’t wait for what lies ahead in the next few weeks.

“This opportunity will bring a lot of learning experiences on and off track and allow me to take a glimpse into what the life of a professional racecar driver looks like. I will get to explore a whole new world of racing, competing at iconic tracks, racing against new competitors, and running for a professional team for the first time. With all of the new connections and international exposure, I will be able to build up my value and enhance my marketing skills to help me step up through the ranks. I would like to thank Jeremy Shaw, all of the judges, and all of the partners and sponsors who make the Team USA Scholarship possible.”

About Team USA Scholarship:
The program has been providing opportunities for talented American race car drivers at an early stage in their careers since 1990. Supporters include AERO ™ Sustainable Paint Technology, Doug Mockett & Company, the Road Racing Drivers Club and SAFEisFAST.com, Chip Ganassi Racing, The Stellrecht Company, Chris Locke, Josef Newgarden Racing, CoForce, Polecat Training Academy, PrattMiller, Dyson Racing, PitFit Training, RaceCraft1, Sparco USA, Speedstar Management and Styled Aesthetic. Previous scholarship winners include Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Jerry Nadeau, Buddy Rice, Andy Lally, Phil Giebler, A.J. Allmendinger, J.R. Hildebrand, Dane Cameron, Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, Connor De Phillippi, Spencer Pigot, Trent Hindman, Tristan Nunez, Oliver Askew and Kyle Kirkwood.

 

 

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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 in NASCAR’s modern era. She was the first woman to compete in the Daytona 500 in 1977, the same year that she drove in her first Indianapolis 500. Guthrie was also the first woman to lead a lap in the Cup Series, and she finished among the top 10 five times in her 33 starts.

Foolproof Methods to Pass a Urine Drug Test

Ceasing Cannabis Use: The most effective way to reduce the detection window is by abstaining from cannabis consumption. By allowing your body time to metabolize and eliminate any stored THC, you increase your chances of passing a urine drug test sooner Homepage ndtv.com/.

Hydration and Exercise: Staying hydrated and engaging in regular physical activity can also aid in speeding up the elimination process. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins while exercise helps burn fat cells where THC metabolites tend to accumulate.

Dietary Considerations: Certain foods and beverages may have properties that support detoxification processes in the body. Including items like green tea, fruits rich in antioxidants, and foods high in fiber can potentially assist in clearing THC metabolites more efficiently.

It’s important to note that while these methods may help shorten the detection window, they are not foolproof guarantees for passing a urine drug test within a specific timeframe. Individual factors still play a significant role, and it’s advisable to consult with healthcare professionals or experts for personalized advice.

 

JEFF ZWART FEATURED IN PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB “BEHIND THE WHEEL” RELEASE

The August 3^rd edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race News was dedicated to 2018 PPIHC Hall of Famer Jeff Zwart, who is a spokesman and mentor for the event. Check it out here.

Semenax Effectiveness in Improving Male Health

Influential factors affecting duration of effects

Several factors come into play when considering how long the effects of using Semenax will last:

Dosage: The recommended dosage plays a crucial role in determining the duration of effects. Following the suggested guidelines ensures optimal results browse this site timesofisrael.com.

Consistency: Regular and consistent use of Semenax can maximize its benefits. Sticking to a routine helps maintain the desired effects over an extended period.

Overall health: A person’s overall health, including physical fitness and lifestyle choices, can impact how long Semenax’s effects last. Leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise can contribute to better results.

Metabolism: Individual variations in metabolism affect how quickly the body processes and utilizes the ingredients in Semenax. This, in turn, influences the duration of its effects.

By considering these factors, individuals can gain a better understanding of how long they may expect the effects of Semenax to last based on their unique circumstances.

Long-term benefits associated with consistent use

Apart from short-term effects, there is also evidence suggesting potential long-term benefits associated with consistent use of Semenax. While more research is needed to establish conclusive findings, some men report improved sexual function, increased fertility potential, and enhanced overall sexual well-being through prolonged usage.

It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside regular supplementation might contribute positively to achieving sustained improvements in male sexual health.

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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 circuit’s Sam Posey Straight on Friday, June 21, to showcase the accomplishments of women throughout motorsports – drivers, engineers, mechanics and team managers.

The WIMNA group is comprised of professionals dedicated to supporting and creating opportunities for women in all disciplines of motorsport by creating an inclusive environment that fosters mentorship, advocacy, education and growth.

“I hope this event inspires the next generation of female racers and industry professionals,” Paretta stated. She knows the paths to success are manageable, coming from a rich industry background that includes stints with Volkswagen and Aston Martin. She spearheaded the marketing and operations for the SRT performance brand and the championship-winning SRT Motorsports programs for Fiat Chrysler.

 

 

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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 brilliant racecar designers ever, in company with Colin Chapman and John Barnhard. His current Red Bull RB 19 has so far won all seven 2023 F1 races, an eighth straight including the final race of last season.

In all, Newey’s designs have won 11 F1 Constructors’ Championships with three different teams, plus a total of seven World Drivers’ titles. He came to Red Bull in 2006, his cars winning the F1 drivers’ and constructors’ championships consecutively from 2010 to 2013, the drivers’ championship in 2021 and both championships in 2022. Newey’s designs also won the 1985 and 1986 CART titles.

 

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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 motorsports the way that Hurley Haywood has,” said Melissa Eickhoff, PPIHC Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to have him take part in this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as Grand Marshal, and can’t wait to see him head up the mountain to kick off this year’s race day.”

The #59 Brumos Porsche colors that Haywood helped make famous over more than four decades of racing will be present in the race as well, with David Donohue once again competing in a Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport in hopes of setting a new Time Attack 1 record.

“With all the success that Porsche has had on Pikes Peak and with David Donohue running a Brumos car again, I’m super excited to be part of the event. I look forward to seeing you all in June!” said Haywood.

 

PHILADELPHIA CONCOURS PORSCHE PANEL, JUNE 24

The Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours D’Elegance on June 23-24 will celebrate the Porsche marque’s 75th anniversary this year with a special panel discussion during the Concours on Saturday, June 24, at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. Panelists Jack Atkinson, Prescott Kelly and John “Woody” Woodward will be joined by Hurley Haywood and David Donohue by video from Pikes Peak and by Alwin Springer.

 

PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION 7 FEATURES SPRINGER AND LONG

Porsche Motorsport North America’s first CEO Alwin Springer with share Grand Marshal duties with longtime Porsche factory driver Patrick Long for the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca the weekend of Sept. 28 – Oct. 1.

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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 after several days of sleep deprivation and nonstop work protecting an institution that meant so much to him.

Liebengood’s widow, Dr. Serena McClam Liebengood, has established the Howie Liebengood Memorial Scholarship Endowment to honor his memory and support one or more annual scholarships for students enrolled in Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts. Reflecting Howie Liebengood’s own personal values, recipients of the scholarship will be chosen based on their demonstrated honesty and integrity, as well as their outstanding personal character and strong moral fiber.

Foolproof Methods to Pass a Urine Drug Test

Ceasing Cannabis Use: The most effective way to reduce the detection window is by abstaining from cannabis consumption. By allowing your body time to metabolize and eliminate any stored THC, you increase your chances of passing a urine drug test sooner Homepage ndtv.com/.

Hydration and Exercise: Staying hydrated and engaging in regular physical activity can also aid in speeding up the elimination process. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins while exercise helps burn fat cells where THC metabolites tend to accumulate.

Dietary Considerations: Certain foods and beverages may have properties that support detoxification processes in the body. Including items like green tea, fruits rich in antioxidants, and foods high in fiber can potentially assist in clearing THC metabolites more efficiently.

It’s important to note that while these methods may help shorten the detection window, they are not foolproof guarantees for passing a urine drug test within a specific timeframe. Individual factors still play a significant role, and it’s advisable to consult with healthcare professionals or experts for personalized advice.

Liebengood has received numerous honors, both during his remarkable life and posthumously. Click here to read the entire Howie Liebengood Memorial Scholarship Endowment citation.

To make a gift in memory of Howie Liebengood, please click here.

Side Effects of Semenax and Safety Considerations

Dosage: The recommended dosage plays a crucial role in determining the duration of effects. Following the suggested guidelines ensures optimal results browse this site timesofisrael.com.

Consistency: Regular and consistent use of Semenax can maximize its benefits. Sticking to a routine helps maintain the desired effects over an extended period.

Overall health: A person’s overall health, including physical fitness and lifestyle choices, can impact how long Semenax’s effects last. Leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise can contribute to better results.

Metabolism: Individual variations in metabolism affect how quickly the body processes and utilizes the ingredients in Semenax. This, in turn, influences the duration of its effects.

By considering these factors, individuals can gain a better understanding of how long they may expect the effects of Semenax to last based on their unique circumstances.

Long-term benefits associated with consistent use

Apart from short-term effects, there is also evidence suggesting potential long-term benefits associated with consistent use of Semenax. While more research is needed to establish conclusive findings, some men report improved sexual function, increased fertility potential, and enhanced overall sexual well-being through prolonged usage.

It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside regular supplementation might contribute positively to achieving sustained improvements in male sexual health.

 

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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 19^th time on Sunday and followed with a convincing victory Monday in the rain-delayed Coca-Cola 600.

Roger Penske’s characteristic competitiveness shown through on the Indy victory stand. “I think the last two laps, I forgot about being the track owner and just said, ‘Go for it!’” he told an NBC television audience and the four-hundred thousand fans crowded into the venue he’d purchased from the Hulman-George family a little over three years ago.

“After you’ve been on your face for three or four years here in qualify8ing, I can tell you it was nice to see. We won nine races last year, won the championship, and yet we qualified in the back-half of the (Indy 500) field. The guys had worked so hard, and there’s guys that had had better ideas than us. We’ve just got to figure out how to find out what that magic is so we can be out front from the beginning.”

Then on Monday, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney turned in a strong drive to win the rain-delayed Coca-Cola at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Blaney took a page from the Newgarden book and went into the stands to greet fans and to give away the checkered flag, a personal tradition.

The only other racing organization to come close to a Memorial weekend sweep is Chip Ganassi Racing in 2010 when Dario Franchitti won the Indy 500 with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray finishing runner-up to World 600 victor Kurt Busch, oddly enough Team Penske’s only 600 victory before Blaney’s.

[Front page image by Rusty Jarrett, Motorsport Images]

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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 ship. Here’s the full text of the interview from RACER.com.

[Front page image by Paul Hurley, Penske Entertainment]

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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 Series, the NASCAR Cup Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the World Endurance Championship.

Cindric grew up working with his father, Carl, who was an IndyCar engine builder for IMS Hall of Fame member Herb Porter. A basketball standout and a Hall of Fame member of Pike High School (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he recently received an honorary doctorate in engineering after graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

After graduation, Cindric began his career with the TrueSports IndyCar team as a design engineer, then served as Team Manager for Team Rahal prior to joining the Penske organization as President in the fall of 1999. His 24-year career with Team Penske consists of more than 375 victories and 27 championships. His successes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway include eight Indianapolis 500 wins, eight IndyCar victories at the IMS Road Course, a Brickyard 400 win, and two NASCAR Xfinity Series victories.  

In addition, Cindric served as race strategist for Helio Castroneves’s first three Indianapolis 500 wins and currently serves in this capacity for the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, driven by Josef Newgarden, the two-time INDYCAR SERIES champion.

Cindric is the 30^th RRDC member to be inducted into the IMS Hall of Fame.

TONY GEORGE: Tony George began his tenure as President and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation in 1989, continuing the work his grandfather, Anton “Tony” Hulman, Jr, started when he purchased the Speedway at the end of World War II. He served in this role until 2009. George joins his grandfather, grandmother, Mary Fendrich Hulman, and his mother, Mari Hulman George, in the Hall of Fame.

Under George’s leadership, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway underwent significant changes. Before George assumed the role, the Speedway traditionally only had one race, Indianapolis 500. Determined to bring more events and different racing styles to the Speedway, George announced the addition of a NASCAR race, The Brickyard 400, which debuted in 1994.

Continuing to grow the events and programming, George also helped bring Formula One back to the United States by hosting the United States Grand Prix in 2000, which ran through the 2007 season. Hosting the Formula One race involved the construction of the road course inside the oval. The road course was also the home to the MotoGP event, held from 2008 through 2015. The road course continues to be used for IndyCar and NASCAR events, among others, throughout the racing season.

George also oversaw the construction of the current iteration of the Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Pagoda has nine tiers and reaches a height of 153 feet, equal to a 13-story building. The Pagoda has state-of-the-art facilities for race control, safety, timing and scoring, and radio broadcast booths. In addition to the Pagoda, the media center was constructed, and the tower terraces were rebuilt along with the suites behind Tower Terrace south. All of these new elements were designed to serve the Indianapolis 500 and other racing events that take place through the course of the year. 

George has made a lasting impact on the sport of racing outside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With a desire to improve the safety conditions for drivers, George enlisted the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop a new wall barrier for race tracks to reduce driver impact. The Steel and Foam Energy Reduction Barrier (SAFER Barrier) was installed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2002. The technology is still used and installed in numerous other racetracks. 

 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony and Dinner Presented by Shell

 

May 26, 2023

6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

 

Indiana Roof Ballroom

140 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, Indiana USA

 

TICKETS:

Individual: $250.00; Table $2000; VIP Table $5000.

 

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