Full Throttle

Bill Wilson, CEO of Pitroadmotorsports.com, announced that its online store will be selling a new line of NASCAR merchandise - apparel geared towards the medical and healthcare industry - Scrubs, both tops and bottoms, available in all the popular NASCAR drivers logos.

The Scrubs from Landau are available in number of colors and design for both male and female professionals.

Question, was the marketing genius that thought this one up under the intimate care of an anesthesiologist at the time? It would explain the drug induced thought process.

On the other hand it could open up an entirely new marketing venue for NASCAR.

Wilson and Brian France can use the well known marketing scam of “product placement” by having the actors on Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy wear hospital scrubs adorned with NASCAR logos.

Hell, the always cantankerous Jack in the Hat, who many claim is devoid of “bedside manner,” (Just ask Toyota Execs) could make a guest appearance on House for a head-to-head match of irreverence and curmudgeon[ness] with Dr. Gregory House.

The winner would receive a complete DVD collection of the ’70’s TV series Marcus Welby, M.D.

On the other, other hand my idea is just as ludicrous as that of having medical professionals wearing uniforms that have been NASCAR-ized.

A week after finishing a disappointing 12th at Sonoma, New Zealander Scott Dixon won the pole for Sunday’s Detroit Indy Grand Prix.

Dixon, who leads Helio Castroneves by 43 points with two races remaining this season, lapped the 2.906-mile course at Belle Isle Park in one minute, 12.282 seconds at 103.090 miles per hour for his seventh pole of the season and 15th career.

“Man what a session - we had a fantastic car and I’m happy we got the pole,” Dixon said.

“All we’re worried about now is getting one more point than Helio. So far so good, but we have a long way to go.”

Castroneves, the only other driver mathematically capable of winning this year’s title, will start second after qualifying in 1:12.765, clocking 102.412 mph.

The Brazilian is coming off a victory at Sonoma that cut Dixon’s lead from 78 points to 43.

Oriol Servia qualified third, followed by Justin Wilson, Ryan Briscoe and Graham Rahal.

Last year’s winner here, Tony Kanaan, will start eighth. His Andretti Green Racing team-mate, Danica Patrick, rolls off 10th.

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Beijing Guoan driver Davide Rigon will start from pole position in tomorrow’s first ever Superleague Formula event – the Italian pulling out a stunning performance in today’s qualifying shoot-out at Donington Park U.K.

Rigon not only topped the timesheet in the Group B qualifying session, he set the fastest overall qualifying time, stopping the clocks at 1 minute, 18.746 seconds.

The top four drivers from each of the two groups did battle in the qualifying shootout. Rigon was joined from Group B by Robert Doornbos (AC Milan), Enrico Toccacelo (AS Roma) and Duncan Tappy (Tottenham Hotspur).

Group A shoot-out qualifiers were Borja Garcia (Sevilla), Yelmer Buurman (PSV Eindhoven), Kasper Andersen (Olympiacos) and Alesandro Pier Guidi (Galatasaray SK).

Rigon deafeted Pier Guidi (Galatasaray) in his quarter final, Buurman (PSV Eindhoven) in the semi-final and then took the pole position battle against Garcia – going even faster in the pole shootout, recording a 1 minute, 18.529 second lap to lead home the Spaniard by 0.822 of a second.

Rigon and his Zakspeed team were thrilled to earn the first ever Superleague Formula pole position for Beijing Guoan – the club that is now set to move into the Olympic stadium.

Each of the shootout quarter, semi and pole battles featured two cars on track, separated by more than five seconds for a single flying lap.

Rigon will be joined by Garcia on the front row for the first race tomorrow, with Buurman and Andersen starting on row two – the PSV driver earning third courtesy of recording a faster time in his semi final.

Andersen pulled out the performance of the shootout when he came back in his quarter final to defeat AC Milan’s Robert Doornbos after trailing in the opening two sectors of the lap.

Duncan Tappy and Tottenham Hotspur pulled out the best performance of the UK clubs, making the top eight shoot-out and qualifying eighth. Ranger’s Ryan Dalziel was 15th overall while Liverpool driver Adrian Valles was unfortunate during qualifying – suffering an alternator problem which prevented him from setting a time.

DAVIDE RIGON (Beijing Guoan): “I am very happy about my team and my car because we did a lot of work yesterday to find a good set-up and this morning the car was very fast.

“The car was great in qualifying but you not only need a good car, you need to make sure you don’t make a mistake. It wasn’t simple to ensure you didn’t make an error in each of your one-lap shootouts.
“There is a lot pressure to make sure you get it right. The 15 minutes qualifying session is just the start, then the battle begins.”

BORJA GARCIA (Sevilla FC): “I am really happy for myself and Sevilla FC because the car was strong and I did a good job. “We have to wait and see tomorrow in the races and it is important to start with a good result. However, I am looking forward to fighting with Davide and the other drivers right up to the last lap. “I think the qualifying format for Superleague Formula is unbelievable. You only need to concentrate hard and you don’t have to worry about traffic, red or yellow flags or anything else – just you and the car. “It is really hard to find a clear lap in other categories but here you can really show what the car can do.”

YELMER BUURMAN (PSV Eindhoven): “I hope the car is strong tomorrow, but we haven’t tried it yet on full tanks so it will be interesting to see how the car will react.

“We were struggling a bit this morning, but we improved quite a lot as the day continued. Hopefully we can keep moving forward to aim to make the final shoot-out next time.
“It was very competitive out there with a lot of extremely experienced drivers so I am happy to be third.”

KASPER ANDERSON (Olympiacos): “I’m definitely delighted to be involved in the championship and we’ve seen a clear sign that this is going to be a big success for everyone.
“The format for qualifying is really exciting for both the drivers and the spectators.
“I was really happy to bounce back in my quarter final against AC Milan. I pushed a lot but made a mistake in the first sector, but the rest of my lap was really good.”

Technorati Tags: SuperLeague Formula, Donington Park, Beijing Guoan

The sophomore NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season is winding down, with just three events left on the calendar after tonight’s Coke Zero 200 at Cayuga International Speedway.

And the fight for the championship looks like it will go down to the last lap at Kawartha Speedway on Sept. 27th.

Steckly assumed command of the points standings by winning the season opener in May at Cayuga Motor Speedway. He further cemented his grip by winning two of the next three events and has not come close to relinquishing the lead since that hot start.

Scott Steckly leads the points — in his No. 22 Tow Truck in a Box/Erb Group Dodge — with 1,525. D.J. Kennington, who has been pulling double duty by racing almost a full schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, is second in the No. 17 Castrol Dodge just 113 points back and defending champion Andrew Ranger is third in the No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford, 11 points behind Kennington.

Kennington has yet to reach victory lane this season but consistently has had solid finishes keeping him within striking distance of Steckly.

“This is a crazy sport and anything can happen,” he said. “(Steckly) hasn’t shown any signs of letting up, but we’ll be right there in case he does.”

Ranger has two wins to his credit in the Dave Jacombs Racing prepared Ford and hasn’t given up on repeating as champion.

“We won two events, but (Steckly) finished just behind, so we’re not picking up as much ground as I’d like,” Ranger said. “Steckly has just been so good all season, but we’re not quitting.”

Steckly certainly has been the surprise of the 2008 season, but the Milverton, Ont., native did win the final race of the 2007 season to pave the way for 2008 where, so far, he’s notched three visits to victory lane.

Now he has to start looking at points racing — driving to protect his lead — something that is against everything a race car driver stands for.

“I know we’re not supposed to look ahead and think like this, but we’re trying to win this championship,” he said. “We have to aware of the guys with nothing to lose.”

First practice at the five-eighths mile oval south west of Hamilton starts at 2 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and the green flag at 7 p.m.

Yes, you read the headline correctly.

The Principality of Monaco is famous worldwide for its racing heritage, so A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is delighted to announce A1 Team Monaco will be competing in the series in Season Four. Not only will the red and white colours of the Monaco flag adorn the car, but the venture also has the personal blessing of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The team will be headed by joint seat holders, Clivio Piccione and Hubertus Bahlsen. A former F3 and GP2 race winner, Piccione will also be only the second person in the series’ history to take on the dual role of being the race driver as well as seat holder. The 24-year-old Monegasque has enjoyed the patronage of Prince Albert II throughout his career, and also has the support for this venture from the Monaco Government and the President of the “Conseil National”.

Piccione says: “I am very proud to have been able to put this project together and I believe this new enterprise will bring a lot of excitement and glory to our country. It is a unique situation to be able to take on these two roles. I believe it is a great asset for me not just to be the driver, but to also have a real involvement within the team structure. I am really looking forward to racing for my country in the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car.”

Monaco resident Bahlsen, from Switzerland, races his own personal collection of historic Formula 1 cars, winning his group in the 2005 FIA Historic Formula One series.

“Linking A1GP’s unique race format - being the World Cup of Motorsport - with Monaco’s heritage in motor racing is a thrilling opportunity. I am looking forward to making this partnership successful, both with Clivio and Monegasque supporters as well as with A1GP,” says Bahlsen.

The team will be run on a day-to-day basis by its Team Principal, Graham Taylor. The Briton, from Gloucester, has worked in the sport for 21-years, and has engineering and management experience from Formula 1 to Touring Cars. (Graham has been Super Aguri Sporting Director and a technical director at Bridgestone among many other racing related positions - ed)

A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira, is particularly delighted to welcome this new team: “No doubt Monaco represents the smallest population of any of our national teams, but in terms of a worldwide reach there are fewer places that are better known. Our aim in A1GP was to be a truly global series and each year we welcome new teams that help us in this. We are very proud that a principality with such strong ties with the sport has chosen to become part of A1GP.”

Technorati Tags: A1GP, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, A1 Team Monaco

Phil Hill the only American born Formula One world champion died Thursday in a California hospital due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81 years old.

Hill will be remembered as one of the greatest race car drivers in American history, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on three occasions, 12 hours of Sebring three times and the Italian Grand Prix, among others. He will also be remembered as a great writer, known to many for his years of work writing about cars and automotive history for Road & Track.

Hill’s championship was the result of one of the toughest season-long battles in Grand Prix history. In their new mid-engine Ferraris, Hill and his teammate, German Wolfgang von Trips, swapped the title lead from race to race. There were personal triumphs, like Hill driving the first-ever sub-9 minute lap at the difficult Nürnburgring. But also frustrations, as when Stirling Moss knocked him out of contention during the French Grand Prix when Hill was well in the lead.

It was not until the penultimate race of the year, the Italian GP at Monza, that the title was settled in Hill’s favor. Von Trips was killed in a terrible second-lap accident with Jim Clark that also killed 14 spectators. Hill, by continuing on (to the drivers on the track, the incident looked no worse than other shunts thus far in the season) to finish first, and became the first American Formula One champion.

Hill was frustrated again when Enzo Ferrari decided not to participate in the year’s last GP, ostensibly out of deference to the Monza disaster. Hill and others believed that Ferrari simply didn’t want the expense of sending the team overseas with the manufacturers championship firmly decided in Ferrari’s favor.

Louis Stanley, writing shortly after the season, put it this way, “The absence S.E.F.A.C. Ferrari was regretted. It would have been a timely gesture to send one car for Phil Hill, the first American to become World Champion, but sentiment has little place in the Maranello setup.”

Thus the newly crowned World Driver’s Champion wasn’t able to compete in home Grand Prix, the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

Phil Hill is survived by his wife Alma, son Derek, daughters Vanessa and Jennifer, and four grandchildren.

Ferrari’s president Luca di Montezemolo sent his condolences: “I, as well as all employees of Ferrari are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Phil Hill, a man and a champion who gave so much to Ferrari and who has always greatly represented the company’s values inside and outside the racing track. Phil Hill raced and won many competitions both with prototype cars, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, won three times each, as well as with F1 single seaters.

With our car, Phil won the Formula One Championship title in 1961 as the first American-born to reach this result. Phil and I have always kept in touch throughout the years and I know I will miss his passion and love for Ferrari very much. My deepest sympathies are with his wife Alma and son Derek in this sad moment.”

Other racing community reactions to Hill’s passing and an excellent article originally printed by Automotive Quarterly in 1962.

Full Throttle also sends its respects and condolences to Hill’s family, friends, fans and fellow competitors.

The Superleague Formula Championship is set to hit the track for the first time this weekend with the global debut of the new football-themed motor racing championship at Donington Park in the UK.

The new championship brings together the international passion of club football with the speed and excitement of top-level international motorsport.

Clubs from across the globe will be represented on-track with their colours adorning 750 horsepower, V12-powered single seaters – each time fighting it out for 1 million euro prizemoney at every round.

The Donington weekend will be the first of six championship rounds in 2008 with other races scheduled for the Nurburgring, Germany (September 20-21); Zolder, Belgium (October 4-5); Estoril, Portugal (October 18-19); Vallelunga, Italy (November 1-2); and Jerez, Spain (November 22-23).

The Superleague Formula grid for Donington Park will include teams from the UK (Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur), Scotland (Rangers), Italy (AC Milan and AS Roma), Spain (Sevilla), Portugal (FC Porto), Netherlands (PSV Eindhoven), Germany (Borussia Dortmund), Belgium (RSC Anderlecht), Switzerland (FC Basel), Greece (Olympiacos), Turkey (Galatasaray), UAE (Al Ain), Brazil (Flamengo and Corinthians) and China (Beijing Guoan).

Each club will compete in identical single-seaters designed and built for the series by Elan Motorsport Technologies in the US. The beautiful music of the 750 horsepower, V12 engine was created for the championship by Menard Competition Technologies in the UK.

After the final round of pre-season testing this Thursday (August 28), the teams will hit the track for two practice sessions on Saturday morning followed by a new unique qualifying system.

Teams are split into two groups for 15-minute sessions. The top four cars from each group will then go into a shootout competition - 1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5th.

Two cars are sent out on track for a single lap time attack – each car getting the opportunity to set a time with their rival running five seconds behind.

The four winners of the quarter-finals, go into a semi-final battle. The final shoot-out for pole will be fought out between the two semi-final victors.

Sunday’s race format will also offer unique action with two races, the grid for the second event being a complete reverse grid of the race finish of the first event. The races will be be run through to a 44 minute time limit – at which point, drivers will receive the “one lap to go” signal.

Leading drivers taking part in the championship include a host of stars with experience in Formula 1, Champ Car World Series, GP2 and World Series by Renault including Robert Doornbos (AC Milan), Borja Garcia (Sevilla), Adrian Valles (Liverpool), Andy Zuber (Al Ain), Davide Rigon (Bejing Guoan), Enrico Toccacelo (AS Roma), Tristan Gommendy (FC Porto), Ryan Dalziel (Rangers), Yelmer Buurman (PSV Eindhoven), Max Wissel (FC Basel) and Alesandro Pier Guidi (Galatasaray).

“With the combination of football and motorsport, we wanted to create a race weekend format that was truly unique,” Superleague Formula President and CEO, Alex Andreu said.

“Our key focus is on providing excellent entertainment for the fans. We didn’t just want to copy what every other motor racing championship had to offer. Our championship will attract many fans who are completely new to motorsport and we wanted to ensure we provide a unique entertainment package.

“That is also why we have also placed a considerable emphasis on off-track activities to provide great entertainment for all the family.”

Off track activities will kick off at the Superleague Formula Central Stage that will be equipped with giant screen displaying on-track images. This area will also include entertainment from DJs, break-dancers, a freestyle football show, fashion shows, autograph sessions, interviews with drivers and prize draws.

World champions will be on track on two wheels with Chris Pfeiffer (World Champion in Freestyle Streetbike) joining forces with Narcís Roca for a motorcycle stunt show.

The Superleague Formula Football Zone will include a spectacular array of activities including a giant inflatable human football table – just like a normal table football game, but using real people. Penalty shoot-outs, radar shoots and an extra-large table football game featuring up to 10 players on each side are also on site.

Go-karting, radio control cars (featuring the colours of the Superleague Formula clubs), entertainers, comedians, cheerleaders and face-painters will also provide added entertainment for the fans.

Sunday’s race action kicks off at Donington Park on Sunday at 11.00am for the first race. Race two is scheduled for 2.00pm.

Cross Posted @ Asian Motor Sports

Related in the Full Throttle Network

• Bejing Joins SuperLeague Formula
• The Reds Go Racing - Liverpool FC join Superleague Formula
• Race for Superleague Formula Seats Hots Up

Technorati Tags: Superleague, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, World Series by Renault, Enrico Toccacelo, FC Basel, Donington Park, Tottenham Hotspur F.C

The final race seats for the opening round of the inaugural Superleague Formula championship have been locked in.

Stars joining the championship include ex-Champ Car World Series race winner, Nelson Philippe (Borussia Dortmund); Brazilian driver, Tuka Rocha (Flamengo); Spanish GP2 ace, Andy Soucek (Corinthians); UAE-based Austrian, Andreas Zuber (Al Ain); Danish ace, Kasper Andersen (Olympiacos); Italian, Davide Rigon (Beijing Guoan) and young British stars, Craig Dolby (RSC Anderlecht) and Duncan Tappy (Tottenham Hotspur).

The complete Superleague Formula field for this weekend’s opening round will feature:

3 - AC Milan - Robert Doornbos
4 - Galatasaray - Alessandro Pier Guidi
5 - PSV Eindhoven - Yelmer Buurman
6 - Al Ain - Andreas Zuber
7 - Flamengo - Tuka Rocha
8 - Anderlecht - Craig Dolby
9 - Olympiacos - Kasper Andersen
10 - FC Basel - Max Wissel
11 - Borussia Dortmund - Nelson Philippe
12 - Beijing Guoan - Davide Rigon
14 - Corinthians - Andy Soucek
16 - FC Porto - Tristan Gommendy
17 - Rangers - Ryan Dalziel
18 - Sevilla FC - Borja Garcia
19 - Tottenham Hotspur - Duncan Tappy
21 - Liverpool - Adrian Valles
22 - AS Roma - Enrico Toccacelo

Technorati Tags: SuperLeague Formula, Robert Doornbos, AC Milan, FC Porto, Tristan Gommendy

A few days ago Speed TV floated the rumor Joey Logano would make his Cup presence felt at the wheel of the #96 entry fielded by Hall of Fame Racing.

At the time I rated it less than likely, but also used the “weasel phrase” on the other the hand as a way to hedge my bet.

Well I lose, (But glad I weaseled my way into being close) HoF has confirmed what was rumor, Logano will make 5 Cups starts for HoF starting with the Sept. 14 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (Can you hear Bruton Smith cheering in the background?)

“We look forward to working with Joey during the five races he will drive the No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota,” said Tom Garfinkel, co-owner of Hall of Fame Racing. “We’re happy to work with Joe Gibbs Racing to assist in Joey’s development as he prepares for a full season in Sprint Cup next year.”

“We appreciate Hall of Fame Racing helping us get Joey ready for 2009,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “They came to us with the idea before the August Michigan race and we think it’s a great win/win for all of us.”

Well good, for that kid but it was just a short time ago, Aug 7th to be precise, another kid had this to say about racing for HoF:

“I have really enjoyed my time testing with the people on the team and I’m looking forward to having a successful weekend at Michigan in the DLP HDTV Toyota and helping Hall of Fame Racing finish out the season as strong as possible.”

That was Brad Coleman a short three weeks ago when he was handed the #96 ride.

I guess when you’re 20 as Coleman is, and Joe Gibbs comes knocking on the door of its satellite team HoF 18 years of age is the “new 20″

Too bad because they both deserve a shot at a quality ride in Cup.

I’ll provides a few quotes and anecdotes, you provide the answer as to who said driver is. And note, those with sensitive ears and eyes may want to look away.

I’ll start with the most astounding quote in my book because it comes from Jim Hunter, Hunter of the “vanilla ice cream is too racy for my tastes,” and the “any answer is a good answer as long as it’s noncommittal” when talking to the press.

“He’s been an asshole at times,” Jim Hunter.

On the plane ride home from a track he plays computer mah-jongg and listens to Led Zeppelin. His fridge at home contains a six-pack of Schlitz and some canned tangerine wedges marinated in rum.

There is virtually no reading material in his house, “You want to hide something from me?” he says. “Put it in a book.”

This driver looks at the screen during quals, and another car’s time pops up. “There’s the dickhead,” he says to no one in particular.

Said of Dale Jr. while watching the spring NNS event at Talladega and wearing tighty-whiteys and eating microwaved Chef Boyardee ravioli: “Shit, you can’t blame Junior, even if it’s his fault.”

There’s so much more in the eight page article, but as I said it might not be safe for sensitive ears and eyes, it is Rolling Stone afterall.

So, before you look who is the driver?