Sports Car Insiders Feature Stories

The Future of IndyCar Racing

Editor — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:44:04 +0000

I’ve been inundated with email from readers wondering what my take is on the DeltaWing IndyCar concept http://deltawingracing.com/ ever since it made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show last week. I must admit my initial reaction was negative. Though I applauded the thinking behind it, I felt that it was too cartoonish-looking to bring the sport forward. Needless to say, my first impression didn’t last. But before I give my final assessment, some background is called for here.

Peter M. De Lorenzo is a national columnist who founded Autoextremist.com, a highly-regarded website devoted to news, commentary and analysis of the auto industry. He is considered to be one of the most influential voices commenting on the business today.Three years ago I attempted to push the sport forward with my Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation concept at an invitation-only meeting in Detroit. I presented my proposal to a group of industry representatives from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Firestone and motorsport leaders - including Tony George and Scott Atherton - in a speech entitled “The Future of Racing,” and though interest in the concept was initially high and it was deemed visionary, the realities of the automobile business at that moment in time prevented the interested manufacturers from going forward.

Mud In My Blood? Maybe

Editor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:18:35 +0000

[VIEW GALLERY]Since moving to Florida, I’ve missed one scheduled Swamp Buggy race… five out of six.

I have to tell you, it just fascinates me on so many different levels. I keep trying to assess what it is that makes this form of motorsport so intriguing to me. Sure, it’s got all the basics… noise, speed, horsepower and all the human passion that comes along with racing. But I see that at every race I shoot. There are lots of forms of racing out there… so what makes this show so unique?

Dole at Daytona

Editor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:34:56 +0000

The 2010 Rolex 24 hours of day - part wet, part cold, unpredictable as ever. The Daytona International Speedway is a great place to kick off the racing season, except for any decent or new shooting locations. Two horseshoes, a chicane, an outside start shot and a pan shot inside of turn 4 pretty much covers the entire shooting locations. I did find one new place to shoot this year, thanks to nice security folks who let me wander without a hassle. So what do you do when the photos are essentially the same year after year? Photoshop baby. Crank it up to 11.” View the Gallery

Slipping Quietly Through the Night

Editor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:24:07 +0000

Photos by Rick DoleThough they are not scheduled to participate in this year’s running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, Audi Sport quietly pulled into Sebring this week to do some testing on the legendary air field. Of course, Sports Car Insider had people on the ground.

Rick Dole sent over a few spy shots of the updated Audi R15 Plus and the Audi R8 GT3 slated to run compete in the FIA European GT3 Championship. The R8 is also rumored to be coming to ALMS GTC in 2011.

Setting the table for a new, more relevant NASCAR.

Editor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:38:07 +0000

Photo by Rick DoleEditor’s Note: In Part Three of an exclusive three-part series (please see Sources at the bottom of this article of follow Business as Usual No Longer Applies and Charting A New Course.), Peter outlines the most substantive and wide-ranging package of changes coming to NASCAR in years. Due to the news breaking nature of this column we’d like to give you a reminder that the entire contents of this website are ©2010 Autoextremist.com, Inc. We are more than happy to give permission to other media outlets for quotes and use of this content as long as proper attribution is given.

Peter M. De Lorenzo is a national columnist who founded Autoextremist.com, a highly-regarded website devoted to news, commentary and analysis of the auto industry. He is considered to be one of the most influential voices commenting on the business today.After a highly-confidential meeting that took place over the weekend before the Daytona 24 Hour race - and in subsequent meetings that will be played out in the early spring - it’s clear that we are on the precipice of a dramatically different direction for NASCAR, one that not only marks a new era of NASCAR involvement and cooperation with the manufacturers, but a new willingness on NASCAR’s part to move the needle in a positive direction, embrace change, and make genuine, substantive progress when it comes to creating more relevance between what the car companies are selling, and what NASCAR is racing.

2010 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic

Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:36:01 +0000

• On Track Photo Gallery
• Concorso d’Eleganza Photo Gallery

The 19th Annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic was held in Palm Beach, Florida at The Breakers Resort Hotel, on January 19 to 24, 2010. This extraordinary event is a six day convention for Ferrari owners and enthusiasts and their 400 Ferraris.

The Cavallino Classic is regarded as one of the top four automotive events in the world, along with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Test Drive: Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK

Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:37:00 +0000

The Porsche 911 has to be the single most recognizable car model in the world. Ferrari may have more widespread brand awareness even in obscure countries, but there are probably more people that recognize the “911” model designation than those that identify “F430” or a “599 GTB” as Ferrari’s. Porsche has used the 911 moniker since the car was introduced over four decades ago and has stayed incredibly consistent with its overall design and layout. It’s clear when comparing a modern 911 to a 30-40 year old 911 that they’re the same model from the same car company.

Porsche has also made the 911 famous through racing, as it’s the single most popular model that has been raced over the last few decades and they’re on tracks everywhere, from Porsche Club of America racing through ALMS and everywhere in between. In 2009, Porsche’s won championships in ALMS, World Challenge and Grand Am here in the U.S., often against higher-horsepower cars or more “purpose-built” racing machinery that has little connection to their street car counterparts, which the 911 certainly does.

PATRÓN GT3 CHALLENGE BY YOKOHAMA TEAMS TEST AT SEBRING

Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:02:44 +0000

The New Year is already proving to be an exciting one for the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. With seventeen confirmed entries, as well as several more interested parties, the grid is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and talented the series has ever seen. Series Manager, Mike Simons, is positive about the upcoming season. “I’m confident that this season is going to be one of the best we have ever had,” said Mike. “We have a wonderfully diverse series composed of teams and drivers who possess exceptional experience and phenomenal talent. The International Motor Sports Association is honored to partner with Patrón and Yokohama, as well as having the support of Porsche Motorsports North America. With these extraordinary teams, we are looking forward to a very successful season.”

STAR MAZDA 'SPRING TRAINING' AT SEBRING CONCLUDES WITH 23 CARS ON TRACK

Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:38:00 +0000

The first official Series test for teams and drivers competing in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear concluded Sunday afternoon. With 23 cars taking to the track over the three-day, six-session test, a group that included a dozen returning drivers and 11 rookies, it was Conor Daly, the 2009 MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder scholarship winner who set the quickest time in the final session. Driving the #22 Juncos Racing Mazda, Daly, who won from the pole at New Jersey Motorsports Park and scored six podium finishes to clinch third in the championship in his rookie year, turned a lap of 2:00.588 (110.459 mph). The Star Mazda Championship lap record at Sebring is still held by Dane Cameron, the 2007 series champion, at 1:59.986.

COOPER TIRES PROTOTYPE LITES CHAMPIONSHIP TEST AT SEBRING

Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:00 +0000

With their eyes on the radar and their feet on the pedals, the drivers of the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship risked a little rainwater to get out and put down some miles at Sebring International Raceway. But the intermittent weather turned out to be a great opportunity for the Cooper Tires to demonstrate their performance.

The Promoter Test day, on January 22nd, began with some sudden showers, but that didn’t deter the teams from making the best of a wet situation. Being careful to maintain control of the car at almost 100mph while still pushing it to the limit is no easy task. But all the drivers showed great talent and calculation, and their Cooper Tires showed just as much tenacity.