2011 IndyCar News and Discussion Thread

[bradk12fan]

Isn't there a 17th round that is TBA? I heard that the season finale was going to be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

[Muzza]

Vegas was a very strong rumour early on when they first started talking about next years events. There was even some talk that it may be part Road and part Oval  which would have made for some great racing (remember reading that somewhere) but at this stage its not on.

I am  that Chicago didn't make the cut as it's always a great race.

Meanwhile news now is that Edmonton  is off the list with at this stage no replacement.

After three years of racing on a temporary City Centre Airport circuit, the IZOD IndyCar Series won’t return to Edmonton, Alberta, in 2011.
Octane Motorsports Events Inc., which received approval through a City Council vote days before the July 25 race won by Scott Dixon to take over promotion of the event from Northlands for three years, and the City of Edmonton could not come to an agreement by an Oct. 29 deadline.
Montreal-based Octane sought to retain the original 1.96-mile course, but the city closed Runway 16-34 a week after the Honda Indy Edmonton and moved air traffic to Runway 12-30, which was repaved prior to the IZOD IndyCar Series’ initial visit. Retaining that circuit would close the airport – primarily used for cargo, by the military and private pilots – during the three days of the event.
Octane agreed to reconfigure the course incorporating the closed runway, but the sticking point is who would cover the financial obligation – projected at $3.2 million (Canadian) -- for repaving and site improvements on the runway and taxi roads to meet the sanctioning body's approval. City Council declined to act on funding beyond approving in July its $5.5 million, three-year contribution to the event as a major sponsor.
In a statement, City of Edmonton CFO Lorna Rosen said: "City Council quite properly set reasonable limits on the amount it was willing to invest and in the end we just could not make the money work. We looked at a range of possibilities for additional investment or cost savings. ... but the city reached its limit on what it could invest."
“We are extremely sad to confirm that our group will not be able to offer to the Western Canadian fans an Indy racing event in Edmonton in 2011,” Octane president Francois Dumontier said in a statement. “We set a deadline for a final answer from the City of Edmonton concerning the status of the eastern runway and its surroundings grounds at the City Centre Airport. Until the last minute, we hoped that the city would agree with our legitimate request to provide us a site equivalent to the one the previous promoters have worked with and without having our group investing in ground works.
“The city’s final decision has made it impossible for us -- as professional and experienced motorsports promoters -- to offer an event complying with our high quality standards, able to satisfy the fans and the sanctioning organizations and maintain the quality of the spectacle.
“Negotiations delayed our marketing plan for the 2011 event and already compromised its success. This delay also conflicted with our July public promise to the fans to be at work in Edmonton in September 2010.”
The 2011 event was scheduled for July 24 – two weeks following the Honda Indy Toronto and two weeks before the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Octane Motorsports Events is expected to meet with INDYCAR officials next week to examine potential venues to keep 17 races on the schedule “if possible to the benefit of Western Canadian fans,” according to Dumontier. The group also promotes the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix.
“We are disappointed that the city and the promoter were unable to reach an agreement on the venue changes,” the sanctioning body said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that in a time when INDYCAR is experiencing momentum and growth, the city would want to miss out on the opportunity to be part of it. We’ve enjoyed our time at Edmonton as the fans there truly embraced Indy car racing.
“We currently are examining options for our schedule to see if there are opportunities to replace the event.  As we move ahead into 2011, we are confident that our schedule will continue to produce the fastest and most versatile racing in the world, challenging both driver and team alike while providing exciting entertainment for fans.”
City Centre Airport has been in operation since the 1930s. It was expanded during World War II to accommodate its role as part of the Northwest Staging Route, which was used to ferry aircraft and other equipment to the Soviet Union. The facility played host to three Champ Car World Series races in 2005-07. Dixon won the inaugural IZOD IndyCar Series race in the Alberta capital, with Will Power prevailing in 2009. James Hinchcliffe (2010) and J.R. Hildebrand (2009) won Firestone Indy Lights races on the circuit.
“Our group entered the process of becoming the Edmonton Indy’s new promoter in good faith,” Dumontier said. “We returned from the July race with enthusiasm and confidence, and until last Friday had all intentions to promote a spectacular Edmonton Indy for 2011 and many years to come. We wish to thank all the Western Canadian racing fans and the Edmontonians who warmly welcomed us and offered their support in the last few months.”

[bradk12fan]

I am  that Chicago didn't make the cut as it's always a great race.

It's not that Chicago didn't make the cut... All International Speedway Corporation tracks, Watkins Glen, Chicago, Homestead, etc, have been taken off the schedule because Indycar want to 'return to it's roots' and Indycar's roots are with road courses, and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated tracks.

[Mothers Worry]

Great to see you back Brad! Hopefully we will be seeing more of you into the future!

 

[bradk12fan]

Great to see you back Brad! Hopefully we will be seeing more of you into the future!

 

Thanks, I finally got internet up and running in student housing at Ai, but I've been able to catch up here and there. I'm glad to be back

[Muzza]

I am  that Chicago didn't make the cut as it's always a great race.

It's not that Chicago didn't make the cut... All International Speedway Corporation tracks, Watkins Glen, Chicago, Homestead, etc, have been taken off the schedule because Indycar want to 'return to it's roots' and Indycar's roots are with road courses, and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated tracks.

Aaaahhh, that makes sence now..

[Muzza]

News is that Vegas is a go for the final race next year, No offical press release is out as yet.

[bradk12fan]

News is that Vegas is a go for the final race next year, No offical press release is out as yet.

It's going to be either Fontana (Auto Club Motor Speedway) or Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and I heard that they are trying to replace Edmonton with Road America

[Muzza]

From what i have read Edmonton is back on (due to sign contract shortly) and Vegas is a certin for the last race on the celander (R17)

Have updated the calender as per above..

[bpratt]

From what i have read Edmonton is back on (due to sign contract shortly) and Vegas is a certin for the last race on the celander (R17)

Same track layout as previously used, or will it be different?  I vaguely remember hearing something along the lines of a new layout for Edmonton.

[bradk12fan]

From what i have read Edmonton is back on (due to sign contract shortly) and Vegas is a certin for the last race on the celander (R17)

Same track layout as previously used, or will it be different?  I vaguely remember hearing something along the lines of a new layout for Edmonton.

I believe there will be a new layout, because the city wants to use the longer runway at the airport, and offered two of the other runways to be used for the track, but those 2 runways have to be repaved

[Muzza]

Yep its a new lay out for this year:

1. There is a new 2.256-mile, 13-turn circuit that design consultant Tony Cotman calls “exciting for everyone” that will be employed.
2. There is a simplified ticket price structure, including a reduction in three-day package and race day general admission prices from 2010, being implemented. Tickets go on sale Feb. 11.
3. There are six grandstands that will be closer to the course, and there’s even RV parking along the circuit.

Those details were unveiled at a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, for the fourth annual event (with a twist) at City Centre Airport on July 22-24 that features the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.

The twist is a change in the circuit location at the downtown airport following the closure of one of the two runways two weeks after the 2010 event. But, according to Cotman – president of NZR Consulting Inc. – the move was welcome.

The circuit, which incorporates the closed East runway, will present challenges to drivers and action all around for spectators. There’s a 90-degree first turn, hairpin turns in the northwestern (Turn 5) and southwestern (Turn 13) corners and two long straights. Cars will run counterclockwise.

“The other (1.96-mile, 14-turn) course one was good and fast initially but it was too hard to pass on,” Cotman said. “One of the big things we needed to focus on with this course was how to make the show better, and I think we’ve achieved that. There were restrictions relating to the airport but I think we can create a much better actual racetrack for racing on and obviously that’s what people come to see. It will be better.”



Attached is a full map.

[bradk12fan]

I heard that Indycar's President issued a challenge to any non-Indycar driver that if they can win the season finale at Las Vegas, they would win $5 million dollars, has anyone else heard anything on this?

[Oldtony]

It seems to be aimed at no one in particular.
F1 drivers will be in Korea for a GP.
Nascar have an event the same weekend. Not sure about DTM, ALMS or anything else.
Sounds to m like a gimmik where you put up the money knowing you are very unlikely to get a winner.
What is Seb Bourdais doing this year. If he doesn't get a regular Indy drive is he eligible?
Almost makes you think Tony George is back on the Board........Oh! Yeah!

[bradk12fan]

Well, I know that most NASCAR drivers had said that they were not going to attempt the Indycar race in Las Vegas as they will be in Charlotte competing for the race. Juan Pablo Montoya said that it would be logistically impossible to compete in both events, A.J. Allmendinger on the other hand has expressed interest in competing at Las Vegas.

[bradk12fan]

Dixon, McMurray to swap rides in test event

Team owner Chip Ganassi will do his own driver swap during a closed-to-the-public event later this month in Alabama.

On March 16, NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray (he of 2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 fame) will drive Ganassi Racing’s No. 9 Target Honda Indy-car that Scott Dixon drives in the Izod IndyCar Series. It’ll happen at Barber Motorsports Park, east of Birmingham, about a half hour from Talladega Superspeedway.

Later that day, after a short jaunt eastward on Interstate 10 to Talladega, Dixon--a two-time series champion and the 2008 Indy 500 winner--will turn laps in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shop Chevrolet that McMurray drives in Sprint Cup.

April will be a crowded month for racing in Alabama. The Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series will visit Barber on April 7-9 for its third event of the year. The Izod IndyCar Series will race there on April 10 in round two of its 17-race season. ARCA has a 250-mile race at Talladega on April 15, the Nationwide Series has a 312-mile event there on the April 16, and NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams have a 500-mile race there on April 17.

Later this summer, at Watkins Glen International, 2008 Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton will swap cars with two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart for a series of exhibition runs.



Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110304/IRL/110309949#ixzz1G1poH3vl

[Muzza]

Early Start for this years Indy 500

The 33 drivers will cross the famed Yard of Bricks to take the green flag for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 at noon (ET) Sunday, May 29, 2011.

The start time has been 1 p.m. since 2006.

“Our fans also have told us they like an earlier starting time, and it’s very important for us to stay responsive to their vital feedback.”

The inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 started at 10 a.m. after race organizers determined that start time would allow the race to be completed by dinner time. That stood as the official starting time for the event through 1941. After a four-year hiatus due to World War II, the race resumed in 1946 with an 11 a.m. start, a time that remained unchanged for 59 consecutive races through 2004.

The start time moved to noon in 2005 and again to 1 p.m. in 2006, when Indiana began observing Daylight Savings Time.

[bradk12fan]

John Andretti has Indy 500 ride:

John Andretti has ride for Indy 500: John Andretti will drive the fifth Andretti Autosport car in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The others will be for IndyCar regulars Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Mike Conway and Danica Patrick.(Indianapolis Star)(3-11-2011)

from jayski.com

The past 2 years, he drove in a Richard Petty Motorsports car prepared by Andretti Autosport, I guess with RPM's shake-up, they are not entering the 500 this year.

[kevrulezz]

http://www.crash.net/indycar/news/169888/1/motegi_forced_to_switch_to_road_course.html

Motegi forced to switch to road course

It had already been announced that this September's IndyCar race at the Twin Ring Motegi motorsports facility in Japan would be the last time the event would be on the series calendar.

But the earthquake and consequent tsunami and nuclear problems had thrown even this last swan song visit into doubt, with not only the local infrastructure affected by the recent disaster but the 1.5-mile, lozenge-shaped oval track itself damaged by the 9.0 quake in March.

On Friday, it was confirmed that the oval - the only one of its kind in Japan - would not be repaired in time to hold the IndyCar race on September 18, but that the series still wanted to race in Motegi: both to show solidarity with Japan as it rebuilds from the disaster, and to have the chance to say goodbye to a venue that hosted CART events from the year after the facility opened in 1997; and for IndyCar for the last eight years.

As well as the oval track, the facility also features a 2.98-mile, 14-turn clockwise natural-terrain road course which shares the front-stretch and pit lane with the oval track.

The road course is a busy circuit and hosts events for Formula Nippon, Super GT and Super Taikyu; the MotoGP race scheduled for April has already been postponed to October in the wake of March's earthquake.

“In conjunction with Mobilityland, we have made the decision to move forward with our race in Motegi after closely monitoring the on-going situation in Japan for several months,” said Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar. “After weighing a variety of options, we felt it was best to move the race to the road course. We understand that Japan is steadily moving forward with reconstruction and we look forward to entertaining our strong fan base at Motegi with our inaugural run on the road course.”

The road course is being repaved this week to take car of any quake damage.

“We had examined the option of restoration work to the oval, but considering the large-scale public works impact on society in this circumstance and the cost entailed, we felt it was best to move the race to the road course,” said Hiroshi Oshima, president of Mobilityland Corp. "Though we have been forced to change what we have been doing by the earthquake disaster, we will make sure our fans experience another exciting race.”

The switch from an oval to a road event will please some drivers like Will Power who has been dominant on the street and road events so far this year, but will frustrate those drivers who are less happy with off-oval excursions.

In particular, Danica Patrick will be disappointed not to be able to compete one last time at the oval track where she won her one IndyCar series victory back in 2008. Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon have both won here twice, and Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan have also taken the chequered flag on the Motegi oval in the past.

Motegi is leaving the IndyCar calendar by mutual agreement, as the tough economic climate batters the motor industry as a whole, including Honda Motor Company which owns Motegi through the Mobilityland Corp. subsidiary company.

[Muzza]

Been a bit busy of late and had no time to get a thread going for R6 at Texas motorspeedway....

This year they ran two races on the saturday with an hour break in between them. First race was all as per normal in regards to Qualifying with Dario winning from start to finish, he had a very fast car and no one came close to catching him except Dixon who had a last lap go.
The second race saw eack driver having to pick a tyre on the stage, turn it around and see where they would start (Dam stupid when there are points at stake).
It was inverted so last place picked first and so on until it cam down to the last 3, Will Power got the best of them picking #3, Dixon picked 18th and Dario got 28th...
So Dario's race was done before he even started, only good thing to come from it was that Will  had his first win on an Oval 

Interesting coincidence happened during the draw of the positions, Will picked #3 (Heilo’s race #) Heilo picked #6 (Ryan’s race #) and Ryan picked #12 (will’s race #)