Full Throttle

Crosby to attempt full Busch schedule with GIC.

GIC/PSE-93 announced the signing of Kim Crosby to drive the No. 93 race car for a full-schedule of 35 races in the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series.

The team also announced that Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, a Louisiana-based product originally created to relieve diaper rash, will continue its association with Crosby as a primary sponsor.

GIC/PSE-93 is a joint venture of Mooresville, NC - based GIC Motorsports and Raleigh, NC, sports and entertainment communication, marketing and sales firm PSE-3.

Crosby, who has previously divided time between the cockpit of race cars and her office as assistant principal of Slidell (La.) Junior High, will become only the third woman in NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup history to compete in a full-race schedule. She shares the full-time designation with Shawna Robinson and Patty Moise, both of whom ran full schedules in the Busch Series in the 1990s.

Crosby ran five NASCAR Busch Series races in 2004, with her best finish a 20th-place lead-lap run in Talladega. In four career ARCA RE/MAX series races, her finishes included a 21st in Kentucky and a 23rd in Nashville in 2003, as well as starts in Talladega and Daytona.

I have to be honest, it takes all the will power I can muster to abstain from making any snarky/snide comments. With Boudreaux’s Butt Paste as a sponsor the opportunities for a satirical response are boundless. In the spirit of the Season I’ll just wish her the best and leave it at that.

But I do have a question: If Boudreaux’s Butt Paste was originally created to relieve diaper rash, just what the hell is it used for now ? And by who, inquiring minds want to know?

For the sake of F1 starting grid members during the ‘05 season lets all hope Toyota hasn’t utilized a reverse gear for the coming year, (well… at least those few that will be starting behind Ralf). Ralf Schumacher’s wife, Cora, has let the cat out of the bag during an appearence on a German talk show.

It appears that like many women, the former William’s F1 star is more than a little spatially challenged. “Ralf causes accidents you’d expect from women,” said Mrs Schumacher on a German TV chat show. “There have been a number of them getting into and out of parking spots.” In his defence, Cora claims that since leaving BMW WilliamsF1 for Toyota, he has had difficulty getting used to the road cars provided for him.“Ralf was waiting for the beep to let him know how close he was to the car behind when we heard a different noise,” she revealed.

Sometimes it is very difficult to satirize true life events, even for me, so I’ll let this stand on it’s own.

Via PitPass.

FONTANA - Event organizers and sanctioning body officials were reluctant to declare the weekend’s GT Alive at California Speedway a success.
The estimated two-day crowd of more than 45,000 told a different story. The crowd on hand for the Japanese Grand Touring Championship and D1 Drifting trailed only the two NASCAR Nextel Cup races in attendance at the Fontana track.

It mattered little that Andre Lotterer ran off with Sunday’s lone JGTC race, a 25-lap sprint that the German driver won by more than 10 seconds. What turned heads was the estimated crowd of 15,000 that stayed until after 9 p.m. to watch the drifting competition under temporary lights.

“Great concept, bad execution on our part,” said Randy Grupe, promoter for the first such event of Japanese road racing in the United States. “The theme park was very ambitious and with only two days, it was hard to execute.

“We were understaffed, we had a lot of last-second issues, such as parking, VIP grandstands and garage (area) problems. But I am encouraged and looking forward to next year.”

Jiro Kaji, secretary-general of the Japanese Touring Association, said he was reserving judgment of the JGTC American debut until after he “collected all the information.”But he made it plain he was troubled by various issues, some that were simply a matter of miscommunication between the event promoters, his group and the SCCA, the American sanctioning body.

During the post-race press conference, Kaji apologized several times for the various problems, which stemmed from changing the day’s schedule to parking woes.

“The first time is hard to control,” said Kaji. “The first time on this track, there were a lot of confusion. This was very different from the organization we have normally. We know what we did was not what was originally planned.”

“We apologize for this turning out amateurish.”

It was harsh criticism for an event that drew so many, and that so many did not seem to mind the inaugural jitters. In addition to the road races and drifting, the crowd was entertained by an autocross and nearly 100 vendors.

“I received three excellent feedback comments,” said Grupe, who said his group spent more than $2

This is a sobering thought for any NASCAR venues in search of a second Nextel Cup date.

The announced merger of cell-phone companies Sprint and Nextel would create the third-largest U.S. mobile phone company. Adding Sprint as a partner to NASCAR’s biggest sponsor could lead to a second Cup race at Kansas Speedway — considering Sprint’s headquarters in Overland Park, Kan., are about 20 miles away.

Think not? Consider this: The Kansas track is owned by International Speedway Corp., a publicly held corporation controlled by the France family, which owns and controls NASCAR.

And we all know how much the corporate bigwigs love to wine & dine their buddies at the track. All, I might add, in a place high above the regular paying customers in their high rent Sky Boxes and “Hospitality Suites.”

UPDATE: If you didn’t know before, you know now. I love satire. So you also shouldn’t be surprised to learn I found this piece in the Daytona Beach News-Journal worth the read, and a couple chuckles. In it writer Ken Willis plays “What he said/What he meant,” after news of the Nextel/Sprint merger hit the newswires. At least I think it’s satire, you be the judge:

What Brian France said: “NASCAR is excited about the merger opportunity for its friends at Nextel.”

What he meant: Of course, we’d be more excited if this had happened two years ago. Put those two companies’ resources together, and we could’ve made our $700 million deal look like ARCA money. And as for our “friends,” we’re assuming they’ll still have corner offices. If not, tell ‘em I’m in a meeting and will get back to them.

What he said: “Nextel’s leadership has built an outstanding company and successfully served its millions of customers.”

What he meant: Who cares if I can’t get a signal in Talladega? It’s just two weekends a year.

What he said: “Once the merger is completed, the company will have greater resources in technology, services, and the ability to reach its customers.”

What he meant: Maybe even those in Anniston.

What he said: “All of this will benefit the NASCAR relationship and will provide NASCAR the opportunity to reach new fans nationwide.”

What he meant: I’m thinking they’re not too excited in Rockingham, but look for a cardboard cutout of Dale Jr. at a Sprint store near you.

What he said: “NASCAR’s premier national series will continue to be known as NASCAR Nextel Cup in 2005 and will build on the outstanding success of the 2004 season.”

What he meant: I hope the Boys in Marketing have already copyrighted that “Sprint to the Nextel Cup” slogan I saw on the Internet today.

What he said: “NASCAR’s 10-year agreement remains in place and all of NASCAR is looking forward to great success in the years to come.”

What he meant: Ten years from now, I don’t care if you’re calling us the Sprint-Nextel-Cingular-AT&T-Joe’s Discount Wireless Cup, as long as those checks keep clearing.

Satire it may be, but the “Sprint to the Nextel Cup” line was in fact on the internet Friday and apparently coined by Jeff Wolf of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Deanne Davis has commenced season 2004/05 in impressive style after scoring second place in the annual Jack Willsher Cup for Formula 500

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, December 17, 2004….. Although the World Championship title had been decided it was clear that drivers were ready to do battle today at the Grand Prix of the United Arab Emirates.

Cappellini in pole position quickly took a clear lead ahead of the pack ensuring that main rival Gillman was kept at bay. Biting hard at their heels were drivers Comparato, Selio and Dessertenne all eager to win the 3rd place position in this years UIM F1 Powerboat Championship. Despite the midfield battle, Emirates driver Tany Al Qamzy determined from the outset to make an impression in front of his home crowd, managed to hold third place tightly behind Gillman.

Current 2nd place winner in the Championship Francesco Cantando was however not in great form this race having suffered neck problems on his journey over from Italy. With the pain obviously bothering him, Cantando soon made a decision to retire from the race since there was no threat to his overall position.

By lap 13 Gillman and Cappellini were neck to neck and it looked at one stage that Gillman could pull out all stops and overtake. Congestion from the other boats luckily worked in Cappellini’s favour allowing him to pull in front once again. His luck was however short-lived - engine problems on lap 25 forced Cappellini to stop and subsequently retire from the race opening the field for the rest of the drivers. Gillman seized the opportunity racing ahead, followed by Comparato and Tany Al Qamzy. Bocca from the Rainbow Corona team was enjoying a fast race at this stage currently in 4th position chased hard by Elliot in 5th, Selio in 6th and Dessertenne in 6th.

“F1 Powerboat Racing can be compared to racing an F1 car across a ploughed field

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, December 16, 2004

Hey you… yes you! See that button over there?

Yea that one, top right, that says Asian Blog Awards, don’t be a disenfranchised voter, push it (or click here) and vote for Full Throttle or my alter-ego Cranial Cavity. The “Cavity” is listed under Best Design and Best Philippine Blog. Full Throttle is listed under Best Philippine Blog, Best New Blog 2004, and Best Design.

Help a 20 year Navy Vet out, us Ex-pats need all the help we can get over here! What’s your incentive you say? Just go vote, every day til New Years, then we’ll talk, OK?

Although I generally agree with this Tennessean piece there are a couple odd references that could have been stated more clearly, or not at all.

NASCAR’s accident and spin rates during the past four years have remained virtually unchanged despite several rule changes, a new playoff-style points race and the addition of more SAFER barriers.

USA TODAY database analysis shows that in 2004 there were 204 incidents on the track, 13 percent fewer than 2003 and roughly equal to the average in the past four years.

Keep in mind the title of this article is “Accidents, spin rates stay steady despite rule changes.” I suppose one could argue the new Chase format could lead to tighter racing and more accidents, but the story refutes that idea. But please, somebody explain to me how on earth did the installation of SAFER barriers have an effect on accidents, discounting the injury factor. Do SAFER barriers operate in the same manner as a magnet and it’s north/south effect? Are race cars “magnetic north” and SAFER barriers “magnetic south,” and act to repel each other? Strange, no?

The story goes on to correctly credit the SAFER barriers for the reduction of injuries and noted 14 tracks installed softer walls, with half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway slated to add them by next season. But then heads off into more illogical nonsense.

Combine SAFER barriers, which cushion collisions with the wall, with Goodyear’s new, softer tire compound and NASCAR shaving an inch off the rear spoiler to provide less downforce, and drivers appeared to have better control of their cars.

Let me state up front, I don’t hold a PHD in aerodynamics, nor have a wind tunnel situated smack in the middle of my back forty. But even this backyard mechanic knows less rear spoiler means less driver control, not the same or more.

But that’s me. I think I’ll head on over to EBay and see if there is a slightly used wind tunnel on auction. Then maybe I can make some reasonable sense of this nonsense.

Here is a link to the original article in the USA Today written by Mary Jo Sylwester. It’s essentially the same, but does include a small chart of the accidents in the last four years.

UPDATE: While on the subject of accidents and spin rates, this years Buckshot Jones Wreck-a-Racer Award has been announced. Why am I not surprised who the winner is. Anyone wanna bet now that he is the owner of his team the accident rate for ‘05 takes a nose dive.

UPDATE II: It’s always nice when you find yourself in agreement with the experts. See what Greg Biffle has to say after his Roush Team tested at Kentucky Speedway: