THE LINE
Monday, January 17, 2011 at 03:49PM January 19, 2011
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out TRG's 2011 Rolex 24 Preview video here as the team prepares for the season's opening endurance race at Daytona International Speedway. - PMD.
(Ford)
Ford's all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car will make its debut in Finland's Arctic Lapland Rally next week. Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila will drive a leg each in the two-day snow and ice rally based in Rovaniemi, as the final part of the squad's pre-season testing schedule. The Arctic Rally will conclude the Fiesta RS WRC's comprehensive test and development program ahead of its FIA World Rally Championship debut at Rally Sweden (February 10 - 13) next month.
After first being presented the 18th annual Gorsline Scholarship by racing legend Stirling Moss at the Autosport Dinner in England on Dec. 5, 18-year-old Conor Daly was again honored at the 41st AARWBA (American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association) banquet in Indianapolis on Jan. 9. Daly, of Noblesville, Ind., is the 2010 Formula Star Mazda champion and the son of professional racing champion Derek Daly. The Gorsline Scholarship, presented by Gorsline Company, recognizes aspiring drivers and helps provide the tools that will assist these drivers in developing skills on and off the track to attain their professional goals. As the scholarship winner, Daly worked with Dr. Jacques Dallaire, Director of Performance Prime, in an individually-designed performance-enhancement program, courtesy of Gorsline Company. Presenting the award to Daly at the AARWBA Banquet, held at Target-Ganassi's race shop in Indianapolis, was nine-time American sports-car champion Scott Pruett. "Conor is part of the new generation of outstanding drivers who have a great future in front of them," said Pruett. Gorsline Company, headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., pioneered the business of providing insurance for high-risk professionals. The company specializes in providing racing drivers and owners creative, custom-designed insurance packages and estate planning strategies.
Roy Salvadori in his Jaguar E-Type (No. 5) temporarily holds off eventual winner Graham Hill in his Jaguar E-Type (No. 4) at the 1961 National Open Oulton Park (GT) race. Salvadori went on to finish a close third. Jaguar will be the featured marque of the 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 19-21 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón has named Erin Cechal to the position of Director of Public Relations and Media Services. Cechal comes to the ALMS from Just Marketing International where she served as a Communications Specialist. In that capacity see oversaw all public relations services and media-related activities for Legends of Motorsports, A Bobby Rahal Signature Event. A graduate of Wisconsin’s school of journalism, Erin's primary responsibilities for the ALMS will include coordination with race market media and track promoters, media-driven promotions, publications, content generation for americanlemans.com, at-track media relations and input on social media programs. Cechal will report to Bob Dickinson, Vice President of Public Relations/Media Services and she begins her responsibilities today, January 19. In other moves, Ryan Smith has been promoted to Senior Director of Public Relations/Digital & Social Media while Allison Barry becomes Manager of Public Relations and Community Affairs with a particular focus on the ALMS’ official charity (Austin Hatcher Foundation), at-track fan activities and green racing initiatives.
Road America, SCCA. Road America has just signed a two-year extension of the original three-year agreement with the SCCA to keep the Runoffs at "America's National Park of Speed" through 2013, ensuring that the premier event for amateur road racers will remain at America's most picturesque circuit through the event's historic 50th running. “Feedback from competitors and our members indicated that we should extend our relationship with Road America, but the reality is, assuring that the 50th Runoffs is at a track with an equal amount of history and significance is a natural fit,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “The 2013 event will be a historic milestone for both the Runoffs and Road America, and we’re looking forward to sharing it, and the next three Runoffs, with them.” More than 600 competitors participated in 28 classes at the 2010 Runoffs, which included four days of qualifying and three days of races. In addition, over 500 volunteer workers operate the week-long event, making the Runoffs the center of the road racing world during that period. “We've seen some of our season's finest, most competitive racing action during the Runoffs,” George Bruggenthies, Road America President, said. “The extension through 2013, including the 50th anniversary, is a great compliment to our organization. We will work closely with the SCCA to plan a celebration which befits the incredible spirit and passion behind SCCA club racing.”
Corvette Racing has added two new drivers to its lineup for the 2011 American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (pending official invitation). Tommy Milner will join Olivier Beretta in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R for the full season, with Antonio Garcia continuing as third driver at Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans. Richard Westbrook will be teamed with Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R in the three long-distance events. Milner, 24, of Lake Mary, Fla., is a second-generation racer who has competed in formula and sports car series with distinction. Milner has driven for factory-affiliated teams representing Panoz, Porsche, and BMW, and has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He finished third in the ALMS GT standings in 2010. Westbrook, 35, of London, England, won the FIA GT2 championship in 2009, and scored podium finishes in 24-hour races at Le Mans (third in GT2) and Daytona (third overall) in 2010. A two-time Porsche Supercup champion, Westbrook delivered a win in the ALMS GT2 class at Road America in 2008. He has competed in the Spa and Nurburgring endurance races, selected ALMS and Grand Am events in the U.S., and the FIA GT1 championship.
A special-edition Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible will serve as the official pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD
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