(Volkswagen)
Volkswagen will take its record-breaking fully-electric ID. R to the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, for another record attempt. “After the record on Pikes Peak, the fastest time for electric cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is the next big challenge for the ID. R,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets. The ID. R is powered by two electric engines with a system capacity of 670HP and weighs less than 2,500 pounds, including the driver. “Above all, we will modify the aerodynamics of the ID. R, in order to cope with the conditions on the Nordschleife, which differ greatly from those on Pikes Peak,” says François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport (in other words, that massive rear wing will get trimmed considerably). Unlike Pikes Peak, which starts at an altitude of more than 9,000 feet and ends at 14,115 feet, the Nordschleife winds its way through the Eifel region at between 1,050 and 2,024 feet above sea level. The iconic German circuit has a very unique characteristic, not least thanks to the long Döttinger Höhe straight. “As part of our meticulous preparations for the record attempt, we will put the ID. R through an intense test and development program at various racetracks in the spring,” Demaison adds. The record attempt is planned for the summer. Romain Dumas will be at the wheel again for the record attempt. He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the ID. R Pikes Peak in June 2018 and, with a time of 7:57.148 minutes, becoming the first driver in over 100 years of the iconic race to go under eight minutes. The Frenchman also has four victories in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring to his name. “The thought of driving the ID. R on the Nordschleife is already enough to give me goosebumps. I know the track very well, but the ID. R will be a completely different challenge, with its extreme acceleration and huge cornering speeds,” says Dumas. “I can hardly wait for the first tests. Breaking the existing electric record will certainly not be a stroll in the park.” The current record for fully-electric vehicles stands at 6:45.90 minutes—at an average speed of almost 115 mph—and was set in 2017 by Britain’s Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9. A comparatively narrow track—13 miles long, with no fewer than 75 corners, and regularly climbing or descending through the Eifel forests—the Nordschleife, which was opened in 1927, is one of a kind and continues to serve as the ultimate test environment for the automobile industry. Former Formula 1 world champion, Jackie Stewart, once respectfully called the circuit the “Green Hell.” Despite the iconic circuit being subjected to repeated modifications, it has not hosted Formula 1 since 1978.
Volkswagen will take its record-breaking fully-electric ID. R to the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, for another record attempt. “After the record on Pikes Peak, the fastest time for electric cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is the next big challenge for the ID. R,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets. The ID. R is powered by two electric engines with a system capacity of 670HP and weighs less than 2,500 pounds, including the driver. “Above all, we will modify the aerodynamics of the ID. R, in order to cope with the conditions on the Nordschleife, which differ greatly from those on Pikes Peak,” says François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport (in other words, that massive rear wing will get trimmed considerably). Unlike Pikes Peak, which starts at an altitude of more than 9,000 feet and ends at 14,115 feet, the Nordschleife winds its way through the Eifel region at between 1,050 and 2,024 feet above sea level. The iconic German circuit has a very unique characteristic, not least thanks to the long Döttinger Höhe straight. “As part of our meticulous preparations for the record attempt, we will put the ID. R through an intense test and development program at various racetracks in the spring,” Demaison adds. The record attempt is planned for the summer. Romain Dumas will be at the wheel again for the record attempt. He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the ID. R Pikes Peak in June 2018 and, with a time of 7:57.148 minutes, becoming the first driver in over 100 years of the iconic race to go under eight minutes. The Frenchman also has four victories in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring to his name. “The thought of driving the ID. R on the Nordschleife is already enough to give me goosebumps. I know the track very well, but the ID. R will be a completely different challenge, with its extreme acceleration and huge cornering speeds,” says Dumas. “I can hardly wait for the first tests. Breaking the existing electric record will certainly not be a stroll in the park.” The current record for fully-electric vehicles stands at 6:45.90 minutes—at an average speed of almost 115 mph—and was set in 2017 by Britain’s Peter Dumbreck in a NIO EP9. A comparatively narrow track—13 miles long, with no fewer than 75 corners, and regularly climbing or descending through the Eifel forests—the Nordschleife, which was opened in 1927, is one of a kind and continues to serve as the ultimate test environment for the automobile industry. Former Formula 1 world champion, Jackie Stewart, once respectfully called the circuit the “Green Hell.” Despite the iconic circuit being subjected to repeated modifications, it has not hosted Formula 1 since 1978.
(INDYCAR)
INDYCAR announced that global information technology and communications leader NTT has signed a multi-year agreement to become the IndyCar Series title partner. In addition, NTT becomes the official technology partner of INDYCAR, the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Brickyard 400 beginning in 2019. The announcement was made at the Detroit Auto Show. INDYCAR will partner with NTT to deliver digital innovations that enhance the fan experience. These innovations include the evolution of INDYCAR's mobile application and adoption of NTT's proprietary Smart Platform to support the sport and its venues in delivering better insights into the racing series. "NTT is proud to be associated with INDYCAR and accelerate the future of smart racing. Technological innovations have the potential to change the sport and fan experience drastically," said Jun Sawada, president and CEO of NTT. "NTT, along with our partners, aims to bring the Smart World to life as we have done for Smart City, Smart Entertainment, Smart Mobility and Smart Manufacturing. Based on our lengthy and successful experience, including work in mobile applications, analytics and user experience, we will help INDYCAR create the next generation of fans globally who aspire to enjoy racing through a more digital experience." "Having a strong technology partner is critically important to INDYCAR's continued growth, so we are thrilled to welcome NTT as our new title sponsor. INDYCAR's rise in popularity is a testament to the fact that we've made the sport as accessible as possible to our fans and we plan to continue in that mission," said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We have a history with NTT through NTT DATA's involvement in the sport with Chip Ganassi Racing. We know this partnership will help us attract the next generation of fans to what remains the most competitive racing program on the planet." Editor-in-Chief's Note: I appreciate the fact that landing a racing sponsor these days - any sponsor - is growing more and more difficult. And landing a series sponsor is even more of a challenge, so congratulations to INDYCAR and NTT on their new partnership. I must say, however, that the series logo is one of the worst I've seen in years. Dull and uninspired, it looks like all of five minutes was spent on it. I would hope that the powers that be involved would take another look at the design and rethink the logo, because it does nothing for the series or the partnership. -PMD
INDYCAR announced that global information technology and communications leader NTT has signed a multi-year agreement to become the IndyCar Series title partner. In addition, NTT becomes the official technology partner of INDYCAR, the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Brickyard 400 beginning in 2019. The announcement was made at the Detroit Auto Show. INDYCAR will partner with NTT to deliver digital innovations that enhance the fan experience. These innovations include the evolution of INDYCAR's mobile application and adoption of NTT's proprietary Smart Platform to support the sport and its venues in delivering better insights into the racing series. "NTT is proud to be associated with INDYCAR and accelerate the future of smart racing. Technological innovations have the potential to change the sport and fan experience drastically," said Jun Sawada, president and CEO of NTT. "NTT, along with our partners, aims to bring the Smart World to life as we have done for Smart City, Smart Entertainment, Smart Mobility and Smart Manufacturing. Based on our lengthy and successful experience, including work in mobile applications, analytics and user experience, we will help INDYCAR create the next generation of fans globally who aspire to enjoy racing through a more digital experience." "Having a strong technology partner is critically important to INDYCAR's continued growth, so we are thrilled to welcome NTT as our new title sponsor. INDYCAR's rise in popularity is a testament to the fact that we've made the sport as accessible as possible to our fans and we plan to continue in that mission," said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We have a history with NTT through NTT DATA's involvement in the sport with Chip Ganassi Racing. We know this partnership will help us attract the next generation of fans to what remains the most competitive racing program on the planet." Editor-in-Chief's Note: I appreciate the fact that landing a racing sponsor these days - any sponsor - is growing more and more difficult. And landing a series sponsor is even more of a challenge, so congratulations to INDYCAR and NTT on their new partnership. I must say, however, that the series logo is one of the worst I've seen in years. Dull and uninspired, it looks like all of five minutes was spent on it. I would hope that the powers that be involved would take another look at the design and rethink the logo, because it does nothing for the series or the partnership. -PMD
(©Handout/Getty Images Sport)
After Antonio Felix Da Costa (No. 28 BMW i Andretti Motorsport) and Alexander Sims (No. 27 BMW i Andretti Motorsport) came together with ten minutes left in the race while running 1-2, Jerome D’Ambrosio (No. 64 Mahindra Racing) survived a final lap charge after a late safety car to win the Marrakech E-Prix last weekend, his first on-track victory in Formula E. Robin Frijns (No. 4 Envision Virgin Racing) was second and Sam Bird (No. 2 Envision Virgin Racing) finished third.
After Antonio Felix Da Costa (No. 28 BMW i Andretti Motorsport) and Alexander Sims (No. 27 BMW i Andretti Motorsport) came together with ten minutes left in the race while running 1-2, Jerome D’Ambrosio (No. 64 Mahindra Racing) survived a final lap charge after a late safety car to win the Marrakech E-Prix last weekend, his first on-track victory in Formula E. Robin Frijns (No. 4 Envision Virgin Racing) was second and Sam Bird (No. 2 Envision Virgin Racing) finished third.
(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
Will Power and team owner Roger Penske were honored Wednesday night in Detroit for winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 last May. Both were presented with “Baby Borg” trophies, miniature replicas of the famous Borg-Warner Trophy that boasts the sterling silver likeness of every Indianapolis 500 winner. It was Power's first win in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." For Penske it was his seventeenth, extending his dominance as the most successful team owner in Indianapolis 500 history. “In all of the world, there is nothing like the Borg-Warner Trophy,” Penske said. Power plans to put his Baby Borg next to the Astor Cup replica that he earned by winning the 2014 NTT IndyCar Series championship. He has a wealth of other trophies in his basement from 35 career Indy car wins (tied for seventh all time), 54 pole positions (second all time) and 70 podium finishes. But the Baby Borg and Astor Cup replicas will be displayed in a special area at Power’s house in North Carolina – the crown jewels of Power’s outstanding career. The 103rd Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 26 and will air live on NBC. Tickets are available at IMS.com.
Will Power and team owner Roger Penske were honored Wednesday night in Detroit for winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 last May. Both were presented with “Baby Borg” trophies, miniature replicas of the famous Borg-Warner Trophy that boasts the sterling silver likeness of every Indianapolis 500 winner. It was Power's first win in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." For Penske it was his seventeenth, extending his dominance as the most successful team owner in Indianapolis 500 history. “In all of the world, there is nothing like the Borg-Warner Trophy,” Penske said. Power plans to put his Baby Borg next to the Astor Cup replica that he earned by winning the 2014 NTT IndyCar Series championship. He has a wealth of other trophies in his basement from 35 career Indy car wins (tied for seventh all time), 54 pole positions (second all time) and 70 podium finishes. But the Baby Borg and Astor Cup replicas will be displayed in a special area at Power’s house in North Carolina – the crown jewels of Power’s outstanding career. The 103rd Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 26 and will air live on NBC. Tickets are available at IMS.com.