Other Motorsports (merged)

[Matthew Gutteridge]

Campos edged closer to lining up on the grid for the opening race of 2010 in Bahrain after a buyout which also saw Colin Kolles named as team boss.
Spanish businessman Jose Ramon Carabante, who set up the team in partnership with Adrian Campos, has become the majority shareholder.
Former Force India team principal Kolles will reprise that role at Campos as well as becoming managing director.
The team are understood to wish to find a role for Campos, a former F1 driver.
BBC Sport learned earlier this month that the team were struggling to find the required budget for their debut season in F1.
The team were understood to be behind on their payments to Italian race-car constructor Dallara.
However, Carabante is confident that his buyout will be enough to secure Campos Meta 1's place on the starting grid on 14 March.


"The whole rescue operation has been a race against time with the goal of always having the team run two competitive cars at the first grand prix," he said.
"We have a lot of hard work still ahead of us but we are excited about making our F1 debut and looking forward to a competitive season.
"I would like to thank (F1 commercial supremo) Bernie Ecclestone, who worked tremendously hard to support our efforts to keep the team viable."
Kolles first entered F1 in 2004 as team principal of Jordan, following the team's sale to Alex Schnaider, and held the same role at Force India, which Jordan morphed into, until the end of 2008.
"I could not resist this tremendous challenge and am very excited to join forces in this new team," said Kolles.
"Over the next 10 days we will review the entire operation, find the extra funding to ensure the team will make the first race in Bahrain, announce the line-up for 2010 in due time and make the operation viable under Jose Ramon Carabante's new ownership."
Campos have already signed Brazilian Bruno Senna, the nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, but have yet to sign a second driver.
The team have not yet fired up their 2010 challenger whereas fellow newcomers Virgin Racing and Lotus F1 have already joined in multi-team testing in Jerez.
There has also been increasing speculation that USF1, who are also among the four new 2010 entrants, are struggling both financially and with the technical development of their car.

Thank god Lets hope that USF1 can get their problems sorted out and Stefan can get a grid slot

 

[Trebor901]

It was with huge pleasure i read this afternoon that Andy Neate has been confirmed for his racing return with WSR in a BMW in BTCC. Just 18 months after surviving a horror smash which saw him break his neck.

More info here. Also Plato news is expected within the next few days

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=1823

 

[Hans Sneep]

24-02-2010

The GP2 Asia Series arrives in Bahrain this weekend for the final two rounds of the championship. On this occasion, Ocean Racing Technology will reunite with Yelmer Buurman, who raced for them twelve months ago when they first joined the series, and will now partner Fabio Leimer on the Sakhir circuit.

For the four races set to be disputed in Bahrain, the Dutch and Swiss racers will have the role of gathering important data, which will be invaluable to the team for the upcoming GP2 Main Series, while also giving their all to finish in the points.

Yelmer will make his return to Ocean Racing Technology and will replace Max Chilton, who is under contract with another team for the final two GP2 Asia Series events; however, the English racer will still join Tiago Monteiro and Jose Guedes' team for the GP2 Main Series.



Ocean Racing

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

http://www.fiawtcc.com/Read_News.asp?idnews=474

 

[Hans Sneep]

Bianchi grabs first GP2 pole position

25 February 2010



Reigning Formula 3 Euroseries Champion Jules Bianchi has claimed his first ever GP2 pole position, having been second fastest in practice at Sakhir on Thursday. The ART driver lapped the Bahraini circuit just four thousandths of a second quicker than championship leader Davide Valsecchi, who lines up second for iSport.

After finishing second to Valsecchi earlier in the day, the roles were reversed for Bianchi in qualifying as the Frenchman stormed to his maiden GP2 Asia pole with the same team with which he stunningly claimed his F3 Euro title in 2009; the 20-year-old produced a fantastic last-gasp effort to steal the top spot in glorious fashion.

With the sand at the desert circuit having been cleared from the racing line in practice, the field was able to enjoy a far more grippy surface this afternoon as Spain's Javier Villa drove well to place his Arden in the top three.

There was also a highly credible performance for ex Virgin F1 reserve driver Álvaro Parente, who claimed fifth behind Meritus' Filippi after being confirmed at Coloni at late notice.

Filippi held the top spot with ten minutes to go before Bianchi moved up to P1 as Villa pushed Valsecchi back to fourth; the championship leader then responded, ceasing provisional pole once again, before Bianchi eventually stole the top spot by the narrowest of margins.

Oliver Turvey, pole winner in Abu Dhabi last time out, led the way for British honours in sixth for iSport as countrymen Sam Bird and Max Chilton completed the session 11th and 13th fastest for ART and Addax respectively.


Friday's feature race in Bahrain begins at 1pm local time (GMT +3)

Results Pole:
1 J. Bianchi ART Grand Prix 1:43.474
2 D. Valsecchi iSport International 1:43.478
3 J. Villa Arden International 1:43.519
4 L. Filippi Qi-Meritus.Mahara 1:43.523
5 A. Parente Coloni Motorsport 1:43.714
6 O. Turvey iSport International 1:43.818
7 G. Ricci DPR 1:43.918
8 C. Vietoris DAMS 1:44.086
9 C. Pic Arden International 1:44.172
10 S. Perez Addax 1:44.246
11 S. Bird ART Grand Prix 1:44.253
12 E. Piscopo DAMS 1:44.338
13 M. Chilton Addax 1:44.617
14 M. Herck DPR 1:44.671
15 A. Rossi Qi-Meritus.Mahara 1:44.713
16 Y. Buurman Ocean Racing Technology 1:44.724
17 V. Arabadzhiev Piquet GP 1:44.759
18 A. Zaugg Trident Racing 1:44.781
19 D. Zampieri Piquet GP 1:45.079
20 W. Bratt Coloni Motorsport 1:45.320
21 F. Leimer Ocean Racing Technology 1:45.371
22 J. Kral Super Nova International 1:45.424
23 J. Rosenzweig Super Nova International 1:45.980
24 P. Kralev Trident Racing 1:47.243
GP Update

 

[Rhys Gardiner]

This is why they should bin weight penalty/compensation systems altogether. Apart from making the racing artificial, the system they use is so confusing... :frown:

 

[Andreas Hultgren]

Polestar Racing, the defending Swedish Touring Car champions, have extended their contract with Volvo for another three years. "This feels incredibly good! Polestar has worked extremely hard during the last years both within motorsport and to develop the co-operation with Volvo," said team boss Christian Dahl.

Last year the team took both the drivers title (with Tommy Rustad) aswell as the team title.

STCC is the main series at the moment for the Volvo team but epanding to other series in the future is a possibility. The team is currently working on the new model of the C30.

Source | touringcartimes.com
Photo | Andreas Hultgren

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Too bad they decided to stick to the STCC only, and not expand to WTCC also.

Lets hope that Saab under the new ownership of Spyker will soon investigate a WTCC entry.

 

[Christopher Aponte]

Nascar is keeping on the westside for round 3.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway

There is a Nationwide (live broadcast right now on Justing.tv) and a Sprint Cup Race tomorrow

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Been there last year, great facility even its a small track.

 

[OverTake.gg]

• Spyker Squadron will enter one car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Squadron will also compete in the five-round Le Mans Series
• Peter Dumbreck, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Tom Coronel are confirmed as drivers for the Dutch team

Following last year’s fifth place in the Le Mans-GT2 category, Spyker Squadron, the factory race team of Spyker Cars, has received an invitation from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 12 and 13 June 2010.

In addition to competing in one of the most gruelling and famous races on the international motorsports calendar, the Dutch team, with Moscow based Convers Group as its principal sponsor, will also campaign in the 2010 Le Mans Series championship (LMS). The team will look to build on its most successful campaign in 2009, where it achieved second places at the Nürburgring and Silverstone rounds and finished third in the overall constructor standings.

For 2010, the five-round LMS replaces visits to Spain and Germany in favour of an 8 hour opening round at one of Europe’s most beautiful tracks, Paul Ricard in France, and a 1000 km race at the Hungaroring.

Scotsman Peter Dumbreck will drive the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R in all rounds of the Le Mans Series. At Spa, the Hungaroring and Silverstone he will be partnered by Dutchman Tom Coronel. Another Dutchman, Jeroen Bleekemolen will accompany Peter in the LMS opening round at Paul Ricard and in Portugal. The trio will share the car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Peter van Erp, Managing Director of Spyker Squadron explains: “We have decided to race with a familiar driver line-up for both the Le Mans Series races and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After an impressive 2009 season, we anticipate extreme competition this year and inviting Tom, Jeroen and Peter to drive the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R brings a huge advantage as they are very familiar with the Series, team and the car.

“At the same time we know exactly what our drivers are capable of as a trio of top-flight, highly-regarded racers. Peter Dumbreck is competing in the FIA GT1 world-championship schedule, Jeroen Bleekemolen in both the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Porsche Super Cup, and Tom Coronel in the WTCC. We will undoubtedly benefit from them competing in other world class series.”

Peter continues: “We are planning to use the same strategy as at the last two Le Mans Series races last season. We are not seeking a steady pace just to finish races, as we did in our first few years of competition, but instead to give 100% in every race to achieve podium finishes. Of course we will be able to improve our pace this year, and despite BMW, Jaguar and Corvette joining us in the field of Aston Martins, Porsches and Ferraris in the GT2 class, our aim is to emulate last year’s results.”

Victor R. Muller, CEO Spyker Cars, said: ”With the Saab acquisition under our belt we return to the race arena in 2010, both at Le Mans as well as in the LMS. For Spyker, racing is a pivotal element of our strategy, which we pursue with vigour. We will endeavour to improve on the excellent results of Peter van Erp and his team and strive for a podium place at Le Mans after our fifth-in-class finish last year. Also in the LMS we did well last year. This year the competition is more intense than ever before and we will fight to improve upon last year’s performance. I wish the team and drivers a very good race season.”

Tom Coronel said: “We performed really well in the last two Le Mans Series races of last year and I am looking forward to an even more competitive season. I know my team mates very well; they have a lot of Le Mans experience and know how the team works. Spyker could not ask for a better team to meet the increased competition in GT2.”

Peter Dumbreck said: “It is great to be part of the Spyker family again. Spyker Squadron made big steps in 2009 finishing fifth at Le Mans and twice on the podium in the Le Mans Series. This season will most certainly be the most competitive season in the history of the Le Mans Series and it will be exciting to be part of the Spyker team aiming to upset the big manufacturers.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen said: "This is my third season with Spyker Squadron and I am looking forward to driving in GT2 again this year in what will surely be an incredibly exciting season. After finishing fifth at Le Mans with the team last year I think we’re all striving to exceed that great result. It will be especially tough as other manufacturers such as BMW and Corvette have joined and raised the bar in the GT2 class, which looks like it will be the most competitive at Le Mans."

Key Dates in 2010 for Spyker Squadron
April 11, LMS R1 8 hours of Le Castellet, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France
May 9, LMS R2 1000 km of Spa, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
June 12-13, Le Mans 24 Hours, Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France
July 17, LMS R3 1000 km of the Algarve, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
August 21, LMS R4 1000 km of the Hungaroring, Hungaroring, Hungary
September 12, LMS R5 Autosport 1000 km of Silverstone, Silverstone, United Kingdom

 

[Xosé Estrada]

This is cool news, is a pleasure to see that spyker on track.

 

[Wido Rossen]

Simona de Silvestro has landed an Izod IndyCar Series ride.
The 21-year-old Swiss driver had one of the most successful seasons of all female drivers in 2009, winning four Atlantics races and capturing four poles while finishing third in the series. She became the first woman in series history to have earned the most wins, the most poles and led the most laps in a season.

She will drive for HVM Racing, having tested with the Indianapolis-based team twice.

The season begins March 14 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"From the first day of the first test we knew she could drive," team owner Keith Wiggins said in a statement released Tuesday. "The longer we worked with her the more she impressed us.

"I think she has a great future in this series."

De Silvestro becomes the third woman to announce an IndyCar deal for this season. Danica Patrick has a full-time ride with Andretti Autosport; Sarah Fisher will drive in half of the season for her own team, Sarah Fisher Racing.


In the mean time Robert Doornbos is without a drive for the new season.
A lack of sponsorship is to be the reason of this loss

 

[Hannu Karesola]

Rally Mexico starts tomorrow and this time on gravel roads. It will be interesting rally again. Championship fight continues and we'll see Ken Block first time in WRC. Shakedown stage is driven today and Ford's had problems in places where was some deep standing water. It broke the front of the car and Ford drivers told they need to be very carefully tomorrow when driving through the water.

Shakedown results:

1. P. SOLBERG. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:51.7
2. SORDO. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:51.8
3. OGIER. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:51.9
4. LOEB. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:52.5
5. RAIKKONEN. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:54.2
6. HIRVONEN. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 2:55.3
7. H.SOLBERG. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:56.2
8. VILLAGRA. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:56.4
9. WILSON. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:59.9
10. LATVALA. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 3:00.1
11. BLOCK. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 3:04.6

http://wrc.com

 

[Omer Said]

It seems this rally will be Citroens's. I hope Kimi will get a top 3 finish

 

[Martin Bulgin]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81850

Couldnt see a thread for this any where,lets hope they can keep up with Lotus and Virgin, I think the front end looks a bit like the Virgin in that pic.

Bigger pic http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/hrt-dallara-cosworth-first-impressions/

 

[Daniel Higgins]

I like that car, looks like someone has stepped on the front and squished it

 

[Daniel Plaikner]

Doornbos loses seat to a girl

outsch

 

[Eric Estes]

Only 3? I guess Milka Duno lost her ride? Maybe that's why she was at the ARCA race in Daytona.

 

[Brian Duddy]

Only 3? I guess Milka Duno lost her ride? Maybe that's why she was at the ARCA race in Daytona.

Milka has just announced a full-season deal actually, with Dale Coyne Racing. This shouldn't be surprising-he has quite the history of running ride buyers...