Oriol Servia Captures DRR Seat, Becomes One Of The Lotus Legion

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Oriol Servia driving the #2 Telemundo Newman/Haas Dallara through the end of the left-sweeping turn #10 at the 2011 37th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Servia went on to finish in the top 10 at P6 while avoiding late race mishaps. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

ChampCar standout and leader in performance consistency, Oriol Servia secures the lead seat on the planned two-car effort at Lotus works powered (Judd) Dreyer and Reinbold Racing (DRR).

Last year driving the old Dallara in its final season for the now disbanded Newman/Haas Telemundo sponsored effort, Oriol finished every race registering three podiums. This performance netted the Spainard a fourth in points lead by season’s end, ahead of Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves, and all four rides in the Andretti Autosport stable. Not bad for a one-year campaign on an understandably proud but fading team.

At the announcement, Oriol said this about the courtship with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing; “I couldn’t be more excited, for many reasons. DRR is a team that I raced against since 2008 and they’ve always shown to be very professional at the racetrack.”

“Although I knew the owners, I didn’t know them very well, to be honest. Before signing with the team, like everybody else, I did my research and I couldn’t find one individual that didn’t speak highly of Dennis or Robbie, which gave me a lot of confidence.”

“I went to the team’s sponsor summit last week and met all of their partners that they have been involved with for many, many years, which was another clear sign that they are good people.”

On Dreyer and Reinbold running the Lotus twin-turbo power-plant prepared by John Judd in the back of the new DW12 chassis … Servia is really anxious to give it a spin.

“I started on the front row for the Indianapolis 500 and I want to improve on that. I’m at the best point in my career and it was very important to partner with the right team. When I visited the DRR facility in Indianapolis, I couldn’t have been more impressed.”

“We are starting with a new engine and chassis, and I have confidence in Lotus and our ability to develop a quality product in 2012. When you have everyone [four teams, and factory support from Lotus works] pulling in the same direction like we are now is when we can accomplish our goals.”
(ht: The Checkered Flag)

At this time it is not known who will be Oriol’s DDR team-mate but the rest of the Lotus Legion is filling in quickly and holds some pretty substantial and recognizable names from the former ChampCar World Series (CCWS) and CCWS open wheel ladder step, Formula Atlantic Series.

Joining Oriol Servia – Spain – (8 years CCWS finishing season P2 in 2005) in fielding a Lotus-powered DW12 in its inaugural season are the recently announced Dragon Racing stable of Sebastien Bourdais – France – (4-time CCWS Season Champion for Newman/Haas) and Katherine Legge – England – (Toyota Atlantic won three races in 2005, becoming the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America – First woman to drive and lead a lap in CCWS 2006), Bryan Herta Autosport’s Alex Tagliani – Canada – (CCWS standard-bearer in Atlantic and ChampCar for 12 years – 107 consecutive CCWS starts – finishing with CCWS co-owner Paul Gentilozzi’s Rocketsports Racing team) … still waiting for a team-mate, and HVM Racing’s Simona de Silvestro – Switzerland – (CCWS Formula Atlantic race winner – Long Beach 2008, 2009 season P3) who is also waiting for a team-mate … currently, the Lotus Legion for 2012!

… notes from The EDJE

- Article first seen as Oriol Servia Captures DRR Seat, Becomes One Of The Lotus Legion at Technorati -

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“Senna” Bestowed MPG’s Best Of The Year Dean Batchelor Award

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

John Bisignano, former ESPN motorsport journalist during Senna’s timeframe, accepts the Dean Batchelor Award on behalf of Asif Kapadia and Manish Pandey for the documentary, “Senna”. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

 

“Senna” Bestowed MPG’s Best Of The Year Dean Batchelor Award

 

“Senna” … the critically acclaimed documentary about the racing spirit and history of F1 driver Ayrton Senna just won the overall “Best Of The Year” Dean Batchelor Award – Excellence in Automotive Journalism for 2011!

Established by the Motor Press Guild in 1995, the Dean Batchelor Award recognizes excellence in automotive journalism as exemplified by the man it is named after – Dean Batchelor.

The Award singles out individuals demonstrating outstanding achievement in the profession of automotive journalism. Each year MPG presents the Dean Batchelor Award to the journalist judged to have produced the single piece of work which best represents the professional standards and excellence demanded by Dean Batchelor during his life as an editor, writer, and chronicler of the automotive industry.

The product of years of archival research, “Senna” traces the life and career of Brazilian racer and three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna, and his death at Tamburello corner while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. The film was released overseas in 2010 and made its U.S. debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2011, where it won the Audience Award. It has also taken awards at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Adelaide Film Festival, and won the Motor Press Guild’s Best Audio/Visual Award for the Sept. 2010 to Sept. 2011 qualifying period before being bestowed the 2011 honoree as best out of four Dean Batchelor category award winners.

 

Catagory winners as follows (honored December 13, 2011):

 

Best Audio Visual: Senna, by Asif Kapadia and Manish Pandey

Image Credit: Working Title

 

Best Book: “Elva, The Cars, The People, The History” by Janos Wimpffen

Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

 

Best Photography: “Everybody’s a Photographer” by Reinhard Klein

Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

 

Basically, the highest award gearheads could bestow on a work of art and/or communication dedicated to motor culture in these four categories.

All hail “Best Of The Year” Dean Batchelor Award – Excellence in Automotive Journalism for 2011 to the documentary movie … “Senna”!

… notes from The EDJE

 
<Article first published as “Senna” Bestowed MPG’s Best Of The Year Dean Batchelor Award on Technorati>

Filed Under: f1, Featured Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kimi Raikkonen Joins Lotus Renault GP for 2012 F1 Season

November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Image Credit: lotuscars.com

Kimi Raikkonen came across the pond to keep his skills fresh by driving a NASCAR truck in the Camping World Truck Series in 2011. Further, Kyle Busch Motorsports built a car that former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen used to make his debut in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series. That one-time entry proved to be a springboard toward a full-time effort on the circuit that Busch’s organization will undertake next year … but this effort will be without the services of Kimi.

Kimi has decided to campaign the Black and Gold of Lotus Renault GP for the 2012 season and the ambassador of Group Lotus, Jean Alesi, couldn’t be more pleased as expressed in this Lotus interview release.

Jean, are you excited about the news that Kimi Raikkonen is returning to F1 next year with Lotus Renault GP?

It’s fantastic news. Kimi has more natural speed than just about anyone who has ever raced a Grand Prix car, and if he’s coming back it’s because he wants to do it, he misses F1, and he believes he can do well. He has had a short break, which was a little bit forced by Ferrari. I think he was fed up with the system and wanted to take time out, which I can totally understand. But now he’s coming back, with Lotus, so it’s really exciting.

Kimi’s speed was never in question, but there were concerns he failed to develop the car as Michael Schumacher had done before him. Is that a concern for you now?

Michael was brilliant at that, but it isn’t working for him now at Mercedes and I think this is a reflection of how F1 has developed in recent years and re-prioritized. Now you just need to focus on having a quick driver, someone who does the job. The great thing with Kimi is he extracts the maximum from a quick car. When the car was good at McLaren and Ferrari he was always winning. LRGP will expect him to extract the maximum from the Lotus as well.

It’s sure to fire up the workforce at Enstone, isn’t it, having a world champion in the car?

F1 teams need a driver who will consistently set lap times that are 100 percent on the edge. That is what a driver of Kimi’s caliber can do, to dance on the edge and never fall off. From that, the engineers get a baseline. They understand the true speed of their car and can make changes accordingly. It eradicates any doubt. I expect Kimi will be a very valuable tool indeed. But I don’t expect a lot of talking outside the car! I’m sure he hasn’t changed a bit.

Let’s talk about the Sao Paulo race. Bruno Senna was given a drive-thru penalty after he came together with Michael Schumacher. Did you think that was unfair?

Definitely, yes. It was a 50/50 accident, so why penalize one of them? Both cars were compromised – Bruno with a broken front wing and Michael with a rear puncture. To then penalize one of the drivers in this situation kills the spirit of racing. The stewards should have let it go.

Vitaly Petrov started the year on a high with his podium in Australia and finished the season tenth in the Drivers’ World Championship. How well do you think he did?

He’s been very competitive when the car is quick, and it’s been more difficult for him in the second half of the season. He did a fantastic first grand prix but he seems to suffer more when the car is not perfect.

Lotus Renault GP started the year on the podium but struggled towards the end. Did the designers take a few wrong turns?

The R31 was extremely aggressive in terms of design. At the start of the season, Red Bull’s designer Adrian Newey said that the most creative car out there was the Lotus Renault GP. When the best designer in the world says that, it means a lot, and at the start of the year LRGP were brilliant. Then the exhaust-blowing rules changed, and that hurt the team a lot. We were penalized more heavily than any other team. To finish fifth in the championship is superb.

How did you rate the F1 World Championship 2011 generally?

Even though Red Bull Racing was dominant throughout, I thought it was a very interesting season and I enjoyed the races very much. Out of those 19 races, only three or four were a bit boring; I was on the edge of my seat for the rest. We’ve seen lots of overtaking, lots of incidents, and there was tough competition out there, particularly between McLaren and Ferrari. Lotus Renault GP were very competitive at the start of the season as well, so overall I really enjoyed it.

Which race stood out for you?

My shoes are still drying after the Canadian Grand Prix, so that was memorable not least for the incredible race we saw. I could have done without the two-hour red flag delay in the middle, but that race was really exciting and it’s always great to see a change of the lead on the last lap.

Sebastian Vettel was the class of the field, but who would you nominate as your Man Of The Year?

Apart from Vettel, who did an unbelievable job, the award should go to Jenson Button. I was not surprised by his performance, because he’s been a world champion, but the way he managed to be there all the time, even when he was struggling with set-up, and still get good points was impressive. He also pulled some great overtaking moves, so he was aggressive when he needed to be and smooth when he needed to be, adapting to the Pirelli tyres quicker than most. What a mature performance, and all the more impressive when your team-mate is Lewis Hamilton and Jenson is still, essentially, the new boy. I believe 2011 was even more impressive than his championship-winning year, given that he didn’t have the best car and his team-mate was Hamilton.
(ht: Lotus Motorsport and Group Lotus)

… notes from The EDJE

Filed Under: f1, Featured Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

LA Auto Show Keynote Places Mazda’s Yamanouchi In Spotlight

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi kicks off the L.A. Auto Show and answers questions from the gathered press with translator at his side. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

LA Auto Show Keynote Places Mazda’s Yamanouchi In Spotlight

Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi kicks off the L.A. Auto Show with an overview of the current state of the automotive industry, including lessons learned after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, as well as the recent Thai floods. Additionally, Yamanouchi will discussed the theme of the show, “Fuel Efficiency Comes Standard.”

He was introduced by Mitch Bainwol, the new President of Auto Alliance, who is attending his first auto show after spending many years associated with the Grammys.

Tahashi, at 67 years old, has spent 44 years in the auto industry and became a corporate officer in his 50′s.

After introducing himself, he reviewed the recovery process from the Tsunami and floods in Thailand. He stated that he learned,”Remarkable things can be accomplished when people work together.”

Full production was able to resume in three months as opposed to the six to nine months predicted by observers. This was achieved by looking at supply chain strength through a global outlook.

This morning Mazda will introduce the new CX 5 and this car exemplifies the theme of the show … “Fuel Efficiency Comes Standard.”

The MX 5 has become the largest selling mark and Zoom-Zoom the most recognizable trade mark phrase in the automobile industry according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Zoom-Zoom is not just a selling phrase but embodies the passion to bring fun driving automobiles to the consuming public. Of the 28 brands on the market, Consumer Reports places Mazda as #4 for quality and design among all marks.

SKYACTIV technology will bring an overall fuel economy by 30% by 2008 and with the new designs planned to be introduced, by 2015 Mazda expects to improve another 30%. Lightweight materials and slippery body design has helped, but the SKYACTIV engine, transmission and body/chassis design technology contributes by providing good acceleration along with fuel efficiency. For example, the 1.2 L engine (Mazda 2) delivers 0-60 in just under 9 seconds.

SKYACTIV manufacturing concepts allow Mazda to produce gas and diesel engines in the same plant.

The new 2.0 L introduced in the Mazda 3 SKYACTIV in 2012 delivers 40 mpg fuel efficiency.

Mazda will continue to build on 3 million vehicles per year to deliver value to the people and customers who invest in Mazda’s future. Most cars sold will still be those that use standard gasoline.

… notes from The EDJE

 

<Article first seen as LA Auto Show Keynote Places Mazda’s Yamanouchi In Spotlight at Technorati>

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Ford Uses QR Code To Create Social Interest In New Escape LA Auto Show Reveal

November 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Under wraps and QR Codes, the new 2013 Ford Escape gets an introduction by Ford CMO, Jim Farley at BlogWorld and New Media Expo in Los Angeles. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

Ford Uses QR Code To Create Social Interest In New Escape LA Auto Show Reveal

On November 4th, during an end of day keynote presentation at BlogWorld and New Media Expo, Jim Farley, Chief Marketing Officer of Ford Motor Company, announced a social media based promotion of the next generation Ford Escape . This promotion will run daily until the Global Debut of the Ford Escape (first previewed as the concept SUV, The Ford Vertrek) at the LA Auto Show during Press Days on November 17, 2011 at the LA Convention Center.

While giving a presentation to a room full of New Media writers, Jim pointed out that the SUV car parked to his stage right had QR Codes that would connect people with an interactive support site. Anyone with a QR Code reading application loaded into their compatible iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (all require iOS 4.2 or later), would be taken to a site managed Linkby GoldRun where each day, a new puzzle would reveal a small image of the Escape, or some related feature associated with it. Other challenges would reveal teaser videos which share more information about the Escape.


iPhone user at BlogWorld scans QR Code and launches GoldRun social media promotion for the new 2013 Ford Escape. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

While Ford will be sharing the teaser videos on the newly minted Ford Escape Facebook fan page for those without iPhones or iPads, those with these devices will get to see the teasers first through the QR Code apps.

For example, the video demonstrating the new handsfree lift gate was first seen by users of the GoldRun app, and then hitting the public two days later.

Anyone who completes the final challenge will not only see a full reveal but will also be entered to win a vacation worth up to $3,000 through Living Social Escapes.

Image Credit: GoldRun (2011)

Download the GoldRun app here and like the new Ford Escape Facebook fan page here.

What is really cool about this is how Ford leverages its understanding of communications in a New Media world and has the confidence built through previous social media engagements to use internet and internet-based writers to engage a whole new strata of people who like to do more … than just read.

Hopefully, we will see you at the LA Auto Show as a guest of The Ford Motor Company.

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT Tagged With: , , , , ,

IZOD IndyCar Series 2012 Motorsports Musings

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Memorial three-abreast five lap salute To Dan Wheldon performed by the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers at Las Vegas Motor Speedway October 16, 2011. Image Credit: LAT Photo

 

IZOD IndyCar Series 2012 Motorsports Musings

The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season will be the 101st season of American open wheel racing. It is hard to get one’s mind around the beginning of a new season of competition when the previous season ends, in such tragedy, as the 2011 season ending race in Las Vegas played out.

The memorials and auctions in support of all that Dan Wheldon and his family stood for during his career have taken place and are winding down on the internet. The response on eBay in terms of donated items and bidding response was beyond anyone could have imagined. Dan was unique in that he was very independent and corporate at the same time. A trick that held him in high esteem with the top brass in the series and some of the most renegade fans this sport had to offer. He was so unique in this posture, he was probably one of a very few IRL standard drivers fans from the former CART/ChampCar series could relate to and half embrace as their own.

Dan had a large hand in helping to understand and craft the beginning of a new era in American open wheel racing as it enters 2012. So large was his influence, the IZOD IndyCar Series and Dallara have decided to rename the new chassis Dan spent the last months of his life testing with the Bryan Herta Autosport engineering staff based out of Santa Clarita, CA.

The Dallara DW12 IndyCar Safety Cells, ready for their close-up, as they sit next to the “yard of bricks” start/finish line. Image Credit: Ron McQueeney

The new era, as set upon by the ICONIC committee in 2010, will feature the IndyCar Safety Cell monocoque and suspension parts renamed the Dallara DW12 which, instead of being a pure specification car where all of the component parts come from the same manufacturing resouces, keeps the driver encased in a frame covered with a choice of outer composite aerodynamic body work (not at first, but starting in 2013), rolling on tires from Firestone (with discussions of having a potential of at least two manufacturers supplying solutions during future seasons), powered by engines supplied by at least three different manufacturing marks in 2012 (Honda, Chevy/Illmore, and Lotus/Judd). What this brings to a racing series is an element of diversity in the fielding of a competitive entry. This places even greater emphasis on the team’s engineering, and support make up as well as driver talent.

With all of this diversity and evolution of technology in the paddock, one has to ask, what is the IZOD IndyCar Series going to do to meet the support challenges that will show themselves on the track during race events?

The management and negotiation quotient between additional suppliers for body parts, and engines is only a part of the equation … race control has to be considered on the other side. Cars being fielded with a broader diversity of component parts will translate to a greater difference in performance on the track between teams.

Will the current, years old specification template, and staff (with a cobbled together, two series philosophical input flow), stand up to the demands this new ICONIC committee Dallara DW12 approach exact? Given the troubles that exposed themselves this past year (possibly placing the series championship at stake), can the current race control be the standard for 2012 and beyond … or is it time for a change that can adapt to the engine and aero-package diversity that will present itself in competition?

On behalf of the unique approach the ICONIC committee and CEO Randy Bernard have embraced, which recognizes the precept that some potential for technology evolution is a good thing for motorsports, let’s hope that management template evolution can be explored in background series support and race control as well.

… notes from The EDJE

 

<Article first appeared as IZOD IndyCar Series 2012 Motorsports Musings at Technorati>

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Dan Wheldon eBay Charity Auction Held In Memorial & Family Support

October 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Memorial display on entrance to Conseco field for the Dan Wheldon Memorial service held in Indianapolis. Image Credit: Danial Incandela for IndyCar

Dan Wheldon eBay Charity Auction Held In Memorial & Family Support

Yesterday, October 24, 2011, eBay officially started posting items donated for auction of its Charity eBay Auction in memory of Dan Wheldon. 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund. This effort had its spark of a start through the desire of one of IZOD IndyCar Series youngest drivers, Graham Rahal.

This excerpted and edited from eBay -

Dan Wheldon
June 22, 1978 – October 16, 2011
Charity eBay Auction In Memory of IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Dan Wheldon
Auctions begin October 24th and run for 10 days

Graham Rahal didn’t know what he was starting when he offered to auction the race-used helmet, gloves and shoes he used in Las Vegas to raise money for the family of the late Dan Wheldon.

Rahal’s gesture began an outpouring of support from celebrities and athletes around the world who wanted to donate memorabilia to raise money for the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund.

“I certainly appreciate everyone’s support for Dan’s Memorial Auction,” said Rahal, who recently completed his first season with Chip Ganassi Racing. “I never thought when I tweeted about auctioning my helmet that we would get this kind of reaction.”
[>Reference Here]

NASCAR, LOWES liveried, “Lion Heart” visor-decaled racing helmet used in several races donated by El Cajon, California, native and five-time NASCAR Series Season Champion, Jimmie Johnson. Image Credit: eBay

It just becomes an additional grip to the heart to see the community and culture of motorsports come together over the tragic loss of one its most revered and respected figures.

Contributors include drivers and members from many competitive disciplines … for example, people can bid on a surfboard donated by multiple World Surfing Champion, Kelly Slater … a NASCAR, LOWES liveried, “Lion Heart” visor-decaled racing helmet used in several races donated by El Cajon, California, native and five-time NASCAR Series Season Champion, Jimmie Johnson (already catching its own auction action at $13,000 at post publish) … Firestone Tire Table Signed by all 2011 Indianapolis 500 Participants … Skip Barber Racing School 3 Day Session … NASCAR driving legend, Mark Martin, donated a Mark Martin #5 Black Windbreaker Size L, Cap, #5 Round Decal & T-Shirt … Indianapolis Colts Signed Helmet — Peyton Manning, Donald Brown & More (team member signatures) … much more!  

Dan Wheldon Charity Auction reactions Tweet-By-Tweet:

 

DWheldonAuction Dan Wheldon Auction by GrahamRahal
First item is up! Taste of the Track — Monticello Motor Club Racetrack Experience, NY r.ebay.com/fQGcOu

 

IndyCar IZOD IndyCar Series
The first item of the @DWheldonAuction is up for bid, new items every two minutes! r.ebay.com/fQGcOu

 

DWheldonAuction Dan Wheldon Auction by BeccyGordon
Next item is @kellyslater surfing legends signed Surf Board! Kelly Slater Signed Channel Islands 5’11 Whip Surfboard r.ebay.com/JtUIJx

 

pressdog Bill Zahren
Wheldon Memorial Auction Opens .. BID, ye BASTARDS bit.ly/uAgg66

 

dariofranchitti Dario Franchitti by scottdixon9
the bids have started on @DWheldonAuction , over $11k already for @JimmieJohnson helmet. I’ve got my eye on that one!!

 

indy44 Matt Archuleta
Just broke $13,000 HOLY (Insert cuss word here) RT @pressdog: $11,000 RT @indy44: Nice! RT @AllenWedge: Jimmie’s helmet already over $10,000

 

BHA Bryan Herta
The @DWheldonAuction is live, all proceeds go to support the Wheldon Family.

 

BeccyGordon Beccy Gordon
I really want the @kellyslater board for our house! I know @RyanHunterReay asked him to donate it & I want it! ;) @DWheldonAuction

 

indy44 Matt Archuleta
Takes a couple minutes for video to load-> A public celebration of Dan Wheldon’s life bit.ly/smjzgf #Lionheart #IndyCar

 

DWheldonAuction Dan Wheldon Auction by AllenWedge -We promise there will be cheaper items coming. Wow never expected this. We have lots of team hats etc coming up in the next few days.

 

16AndGeorgetown James Black – $35k and counting.Impressive\

 

SBPopOffValve Tony – The Mark Martin 1/64 signed diecast may end up being the most expensive 1/64 diecast ever – already past $300.

 

DWheldonAuction Dan Wheldon Auction by SBPopOffValve -Remember everyone this is only the start. Please stay tuned and keep bidding. There will be hundreds of items still to come!
-END-

 
May all of the competitors, fans, and people who have an interest in the sadness that is the tragic end of Dan Wheldon’s life be able to put an exclamation point on the mourning process through the Dan Wheldon eBay Charity Auction held in memorial and Wheldon surviving family support.

… notes from The EDJE

 

[Article first published as Dan Wheldon eBay Charity Auction Held In Memorial & Family Support at Technorati]

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Is Fisker Automotive Another Solyndra Style Waste Of Money?

October 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ABC News focuses on the one Fisker assembly line already running in Finland. Some of those federal energy dollars were used on design plans. ABC interviewed Fisker head, Henrik Fisker who assured reporter Brian Ross the federal money was not being used to pay workers at the plant. Image Credit: Fisker Automotive, Inc.

 

Is Fisker Automotive Another Solyndra Style Waste Of Money?

We, at The EDJE, have a neighbor whose family was happy to tell me, about six months ago, that they had private investments in Fisker Automotive, Inc.

News broke this week stating that Obama’s Department of Energy was acting as a venture capitalist by issuing a 500 million dollar plus loan to a car manufacturing company on the heels of the bankruptcy announcement of Solyndra, a solar cell manufacturer where the Obama Administration thought it was a good risk to place taxpayer money at risk in a company that they knew would go bankrupt.

The Fisker Karma, front view. Image Credit: Fisker Automotive, Inc.

This excerpted and edited from Newsworks -

Tactics of Delaware carmaker Fisker questioned by ABC News
By John Mussoni – October 21, 2011

ABC News partnered with the Center for Public Integrity to do a series of reports that aired on various broadcasts over Thursday and Friday. It pointed to over $500 million in U.S. Energy Department loans for Fisker to build new-age fuel efficient cars.

The failed new energy company, Solyndra, is also casting a shadow over Fisker Automotive and other new technology companies. The ABC News report raised questions about how federal dollars are being spent in getting the Fisker assembly line up to speed in the old Boxwood Road GM plant in Delaware.

The report points to a General Accounting Office report saying there is not enough oversight on how the money is being spent. The GAO report also states there aren’t enough trained engineers who can analyze whether companies like Fisker and its chief competitor, Tesla Motors, are spending money appropriately.

ABC News focuses on the one Fisker assembly line already running in Finland. Some of those federal energy dollars were used on design plans. ABC interviewed Fisker head, Henrik Fisker who assured reporter Brian Ross the federal money was not being used to pay workers at the plant.

There is a tone of skepticism in both reports about whether there could be another company that fails despites federal backing.
—-
Delaware has money tied to Fisker as well.

The state of Delaware has a big stake in Fisker’s success. Part of the deal struck in October 2009 was a $9 million grant that would off set utility charges while Fisker started the necessary changes needed to change the assembly process from what was left behind with General Motors to the Fisker assembly line. To date the state has paid $5 million, according to Governor Jack Markell’s office.

The state has also invested another $12.5 million in a loan to Fisker that will be converted to a grant if hiring goals are met. There have been 100 people hired so far in 2011. The goal is over 2,000 workers to be in place by 2013.
—-
A Fisker spokesman told Fox Business Channel what the company meant to say was that full distribution would not begin until 2013. The spokesman said the company was still on track to begin production a year from now.

The Delaware facility looks about the same as it did when General Motors shut down the plant in July 2009. The water tower still has the GM logo. There are padlocks on the fences where hundreds of workers used to work.
[Reference Here]

Karma, rear view. Image Credit: Fisker Automotive, Inc.

When I came home, I could not wait to write the following:

“I just found out today in the news that you (and your dad) have nothing on me, in that, I am an investor in the Fisker Automotive, Inc. too! We have great taste.

This is NOT a Solyndra type of deal that the Obama Government made because there is actually a market for well conceived, well designed, limited production run boutique automobiles … no matter the sales price. The solar panels that were supposed to be produced at the Solyndra could only be made for $6.00 in a $3.00 solar cell market price world.

I hope to see Henrik Fisker again at the LA Auto Show.”

As per Fisker – Not a single dollar of the DoE loans has been, or will be, spent outside of America. All expenditures are reviewed by PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) on behalf of the DoE. Image Credit: Fisker Automotive, Inc.

This excerpted and edited from Fisker website -

Fisker Statement re: Misleading News Reports
ID: 567 | 10.21.2011

There have been stories in the media today commenting on the Department of Energy (DoE) loan guarantees Fisker Automotive received. We wanted to give you some more information.
—-
Not a single dollar of the DoE loans has been, or will be, spent outside of America. All expenditures are reviewed by PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) on behalf of the DoE.

After receiving the DoE loan, Fisker made it a priority to create U.S. jobs which led to the purchase its own assembly plant in Delaware where we plan to establish production of our second, higher volume, line of vehicles (Project Nina).

There are currently over 100 workers reconfiguring the Delaware plant so that Fisker will be ready to begin hiring a skilled hourly workforce to producing its Nina platform vehicles in the U.S. for sale around the world. Many of these Delaware costs are covered by the DoE loans.

For the Karma program, the DoE loan money was used solely in the U.S. to fund design, engineering, and integration work.

Only private equity financing, of which we have raised over $600 million so far, has been used for costs not covered by the DoE loans, of which only a small part is production costs in Finland.

The majority of our private funding has been used to create jobs, including 650 people at Fisker’s headquarters in California, over 100 at the Delaware plant and many more at various suppliers throughout the U.S.

At the inception of the company, Fisker explored the possibility of producing the Karma in the U.S. However, there are no contract manufacturers like Valmet in the U.S., and none of the established domestic automakers were willing to partner with Fisker to provide a manufacturing option in the U.S. that would work for the Karma program. Our assembly arrangement for the Karma was in place before the DoE loans were approved, and has been widely reported on since 2009.

There is no link between Fisker Automotive and any political party. We are politically neutral – our focus is on building luxury electric vehicles.

More than 45% of the components of the Fisker Karma sedan are manufactured by approximately 40 suppliers located in the U.S. Some of our biggest suppliers in the U.S. include A123 Systems (Li-ion battery), General Motors Springhill Engine Plant (gasoline engine), Goodyear (tires) and TRW (regenerative braking system).
—-
With the help of DoE loans, Fisker has already created hundreds of U.S. jobs, with thousands more in the near future. Ultimately Fisker is a high-tech American car company that we’re confident will be an American success story to be celebrated.
[Reference Here]

So, is Fisker Automotive another Obama/Solyndra style waste of taxpayer money? If the former design director of Aston Martin and the once president and CEO of BMW’s DesignworksUSA, Henrik Fisker has his way, we think not.

… notes from The EDJE

 

[Article first published as Is Fisker Automotive Another Solyndra Style Waste Of Money? at Technorati]

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT Tagged With: , , ,

Dan Wheldon Killed: The First and Final Laps, Tweet by Tweet

October 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Will Power and Dario Franchitti as they wait to start engines and begin the race to decide who will be 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series champion. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

Dan Wheldon Killed: The First and Final Laps, Tweet-By-Tweet

The season finale of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series gets played out here in the land where gambling is king and glitz is the salve that makes everything work. This is the last official race with the old Dallara chassis that helped to establish the Indy Racing League (IRL) and was the equipment used to secure the merger between the ChampCar World Series (CCWS) and the IRL through the last three years.

Thirty-four cars will take to this short 1.5 mile oval for 300 miles and every effort has been made to field all the equipment that can roll and race because this will be the last time these Dallaras will be used by this racing series.

One example as to what can happen when one works hard to take old parts and stitch together a car to race happened when James Jakes had to exit the second practice session on Friday early in a fiery smash in turn #2 due to suspension failure. These 200mph Dallara cars are not supposed to do this.

James Jakes driving for Dale Coyne Racing as he coasts to a stop as fuel flairs up along the wall. Image Credit: Yahoo.Sports.Com

CGRTeamsChip Ganassi Racingby LVMotorSpeedway – We’re about an hour away from the green flag here @LVMotorSpeedway for the @IndyCar season finale! Catch the action-packed race LIVE on ABC!

NewmanHaas Newman Haas Racing – @OriolServia with friends @MichelJourdain and @AdrianF007 yfrog.com/o0211ruj

Green! Green! Green!

Everyone gets off without a hitch – the field of 34 cars are up to speed at over 200 mph

Dario Franchitti moves ahead of Will Power to put him a few more points down.

Cars go three wide in most of the corners around the track … very close racing

Lap 10 of 200

SBPopOffValve Tony – Danica in the middle, three-wide. She’s thinking, “I can’t wait until I’m doing this at half the speed.”

Crash Crash Crash – YouTube LINK>> – Lap 12 of 200

Eight cars involved, one car flies in the air, one on its lid

Dale_Nixon Dale Nixon – Holy crap this does not look good..

99forever Steph@MoreFrontWing – Can’t breathe. #indycar

Red Flag after 12 laps

kart58 Paige – God… that looked like Indy 1973 carnage. Not good. #indycar

UPDATE – 15 cars collected in the mess on turn #2

DRRIndyCar DRRIndyCar – Bia says she’s sure she hit debris at slow speed.

toomuchracing Pat W – Will Power’s car is involved and he’s out of the race, Dario Franchitti is champion

Verizon Penske Racing’s car driven by Will Power. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via broadcast image (2011)

Sebastian Saavedra touches a car next to him with left wheel as he seeks to get out of the top groove and this sets off the chain reaction

DRRIndyCar DRRIndyCar – Assessing the damage to the 24 and 11. Both drivers say their cars are probably going to be able to continue.

pressdog Bill Zahren – RT @rosslancaster: @pressdog RT @f1fanaticlive: Rice, Power, Mann, Lloyd, Wheldon, Viso, Tracy, Kimball, Schec… (cont)

PantherRacing Panther Racing – Appears JR is out of car and OK.

IndyRacingNut Tony Wittrien – Anyone with word on Wheldon’s condition? Please?

SBPopOffValve Tony – Oh shit. The yellow tarp is on Wheldon’s car.

shagers Shane Rogers – That tarp is a major, major concern. #indycar

99forever Steph@MoreFrontWing – Bad. RT @JennaFryer WTF is the yellow tarp? #indycar

toomuchracing Pat W – Out of the race per ABC: Power, Cunningham, Hildebrand, Howard, Bell, Scheckter, Meira, Kimball, Mann, Rice, Viso, Lloyd, Mann, Rice

specutainment Midweek Motorsport by radiolemans – 12 cars out in huge shunt at Vegas. Power involved,Dario made it thru. Red Flag. Press room very quiet.

Replay of video taken from Will Power’s car camera … Will takes off and gets launched airborne and turns 180 degrees and lands tail first

toomuchracing Pat W – Hoping the yellow tarp on the car is just a yellow tarp on a car and not a sign of something bad

Dale_Nixon Dale Nixon – That in-car footage on @12WillPower is frightening. That wheel almost came right into his camera

IndyRacingNut Tony Wittrien – Just felt compelled to give my 2yr old son a big hug…..#PrayForWheldon

UPDATE – Dan Weldon taken by heliocopter to University Hospital … all other drivers are under their own power.

pressdog Bill Zahren – Decisions made immediately post-trauma are not usually sound. RT @DriveAvailable: @SBPopOffValve That’s racing. Don’t over-react please.

colinsato Colin Sato by toomuchracing – Paul Tracy says there are a lot of younger drivers who don’t know how to react. He was around for G. Moore and J. Krosnoff. #indycar

specutainment Midweek Motorsport by radiolemans @ @nellietellie another one of those creepy moments at the track when everything goes quiet – even the press room were shocked…..

Will Power has been resubmitted to the field infirmary for further observation

This posting will become updated when more information is available – cars out (13) are #17 Wade Cunningham, #4 JR Hildebrand, #22 Townsend Bell, #15 Jay Howard, #57 Tomas Scheckter, #83 Charlie Kimball, #8 Paul Tracy, #59 EJ Viso, #77 Dan Wheldon, #19 Alex Lloyd, #30 Pippa Mann, #12 Will Power, #44 Buddy Rice.

Two cars are damaged but may continue are #14 Vitor Meira and #18 James Jakes.

END

Randy Bernard, President and CEO of the IZOD IndyCar Series announces in the Media Center that Dan Weldon passes away from unsurvivable injuries. Pippa Mann, Will Power, and JR Hildebrand were transported to the hospital for injuries and observation.

GRAND PRIX ASSOCIATION OF LONG BEACH STATEMENT
REGARDING DAN WHELDON

JIM MICHAELIAN, PRESIDENT & CEO, GRAND PRIX ASSOCIATION OF LONG BEACH:

“Our hearts are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Dan Wheldon. He was a great representative of our sport and personified what the IZOD IndyCar Series is all about. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Susie, his children and family. He will be missed.”
-TGPLB-

STATEMENT FROM ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT ON PASSING OF DAN WHELDON

“It is with extreme sorrow that we have lost one of our champion drivers today. Dan was an Indy 500 champion and IndyCar Series champion with Andretti Autosport-and one of our closest competitors. Dan brought such enthusiasm and passion to the sport not often seen in motorsports. We will remember Dan’s tremendous racing accomplishments with our team as well his infectious personality. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Dan’s family, racing team and friends today. Dan is one of IndyCar’s greatest champions.”

… notes from The EDJE
Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , , , ,

Kentucky 300 – Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s Ed Carpenter in the Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing Dallara by a nose and a Push-To-Pass on the Downy soap sponsored Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti (just 0.0098sec at the line, the closest finish at Kentucky and sixth closest in series history) who get extra points for leading the most laps. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey

Kentucky 300 – Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

Will Power took the championship lead over Dario Franchitti by 11 points … now 12 with the Peak Pole award during qualifications … after his runner-up finish two weeks ago in Motegi, Japan.

On ovals, Power and Franchitti trail Scott Dixon for the A.J. Foyt Trophy honoring the best driver on oval tracks for the ICS season. Motegi winner Dixon leads Franchitti 181-164 with Power an additional 19 points behind.

Dixon faces elimination from the overall championship this weekend, at 59 points behind Power. If he can’t close to within 53, his title chances are officially over.

Power and Franchitti have been closer on ovals than it might appear on the surface, as Power looks to secure his first title. The Australian actually holds a qualifying edge, 7.67 to 7.83, from the six oval races this season.

Hoping for a good result this weekend are Helio Castroneves, the 2010 Kentucky winner, and Ed Carpenter, the 2010 Kentucky polesitter and twice defending runner-up finisher. While Carpenter’s Sarah Fisher effort showed impressive pace in qualifying at both Indianapolis and Texas, it’s been largely a struggle from there this season.
(ht: racer.com)

The following is a feel for the Kentucky 300 as it happened via entries limited to 140 characters as seen on the social communications web portal, Twitter (with a few added live blogging entries from The EDJE). Welcome to the Kentucky 300, Tweet-By-Tweet!


kvracingKV Racing Technology

Driver Introductions are underway, hope u have tuned into @versusindycar

tial99 Tia by indy44

They are really workin driver introductions @KySpeedway! We’ve got flames of fire, sparklers of fireworks & Van Halen “Right Now”. #indycar

its_meatballCorey Ashenfelter

Anyone have the radio broadcast, safety team & race control scanner frequencies for todays race? #indycar#kyspeedway

seeuatthefrontKatie

Having fun introducing mom to the current #IndyCarfield a bit at a time. She likes the 2012 car, too :-D

NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

Being told we are being recognized on the @VersusIndyCar broadcast. Let us know if you hear it!

MoreFrontWingMore Front Wing

Not a particularly warm welcome for Danica. She’ll get better next year.

tracksideonline TrackSide Online

Crowd abysmal. Nothing else to say, really.

Oriol Servia as he sit in his Telemundo Newman Haas Honda Dallara office getting ready to race. Image Credit: Newman Haas

NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

AWESOME! “@LewisFranck:@NewmanHaas right after Chickenfoot! Polaris Hardest Working Team award clip. Then showed Oriol.”

asapsportsASAP Sports

KENTUCKY INDY 300 interviews bit.ly/oFK4I2w/ Scott Dixon Dario Franchitti Will Power Graham Rahal IZOD #INDYCAR

eddstrawF1Edd Straw

Good to see @DBattistinimaking his IndyCar debut. Covered some of his races when he won the UK Caterham Superlight Championship in 2003!

TheEDJEEdmund Jenks

An all CCWS alumni front row to start this OVAL race with Power and Rahal – The evolution of IRL to IndyCar – #indycar

Drivers, Start Your Engines!

shagersShane Rogers

Need to train the pit techs when 1 is not hot to say “1 cold”, not “1 not”. Not sounds a lot like hot. #indycar

IndyCarPRINDYCAR PR

Field is rolling for the first pace laps.

Formula1Paddock Formula 1 Paddock

IndyCar time!! quite a few brits in tonights race!

GREEN GREEN GREEN! – Lap 1 of 200

The field takes the Green Flag to start the Kentucky 300, the next to last race in the IZOD IndyCar Season. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Clean start. Surprised. Good job everybody. #indycar

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Will Power leads the first lap. #IndyCar

Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

I interested in seeing how Race Control screws the #Indycarrace up today. They have to be running out of ideas by now

Lap 10 of 200

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Power has a slight margin over Rahal, who has Hinchcliffe right behind him. Franchitti up two places to ninth. #indycar

tial99 Tia

Sheriff Deputy in stands. Guess they’re serious about the rules! I’m not standing but my feet can’t stop bouncing! Shaking Stands. #indycar

BrunoTarulli34Bruno Tarulli

#IndyCarOtro link: bit.ly/mZo43t

Lap 20 of 200

Dario passes Dixon to take over P8 … up from P11

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds.

indy44Matt Archuleta

Bell +12 Briscoe +8 Wheldon +7 #IndyCar

seeuatthefrontKatie

Love watching @Hinchtownmaking @GrahamRahal‘s life difficult. Can tell Hinch has him rattled. #IndyCar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Hinchcliffe still very close to Rahal but can’t find a way past, Power one second ahead. #indycar

Lap 30 of 200

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Suspect the changed aero rules are the reason. RT @gochrisuniverse No pack racing. Why would Firestone alter their tire compound? #INDYCAR

Dario passes Carpenter and RHR on Lap 34 for P6

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Helio has a water leak in the car…due to engine change just before start. Helio pitting now #IndyCar

tial99 Tia

Castroneves concerns with car. Coming in. #indycar

Lap 40 of 200 – Clean & Green from the “Drop”!

Dario slips back to P9, Dixon moves up to P7 followed by Carpenter at P8

AirNickVNick Van De Sompele

love to see all of the 15 people that still care about indycar are at the race today!

cristina_CHCHTV Cristina Tenaglia

“@IndyCar: Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds.”#kentuckyindy300

Lap 50 of 200 Pit Stops begin

Will Power and Ana Beatriz get together – Beartiz is sent out in front of Power

Lap 56 of 200 – Dario Franchitti leads with the top 10 being Hildebrand, Andretti, Dixon, Rahal, RHR, Carpenter, Hinchtown, POWER, and then Briscoe … Castroneves’ day is done

ingridmaeIngrid S

Tough break for Helio. #IndyCar @KySpeedway

Lap 60 of 200

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

RT @spunk72: Anybody but Dario. Seriously. #IndyCar

A full field races hard behind the leaders at Kentucky Speedway. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia

msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

Incredible pit shuffle there! Dario 8th to 1st, Will Power 1st to 8th. Bonkers! #IndyCar

Rachaelwith2AsRachael

I don’t quite understand how Dario has put himself in front but I’m loving it!! #indycar

GL2488Glenn Locke

Uh oh, in #indycar it could become a Ganassi 1 2

KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300 Lap 65: @dariofranchittileads @JRHildebrand by .1030: 3-5: @scottdixon9 @MarcoAndretti @GrahamRahal @RyanHunterReay

Lap 70 of 200

Power drops to P9 – Franchitti, Hildebrand, and Dixon are 1-2-3!

Beard77Wronkle

Watching the IndyCar Kentucky 300. Good race very fast lots of action so far. #IndyCarDominates

Indy_ModeMandy Valentine

I hate Robin Miller. Just FYI. One thing i don’t miss about living in Indy is him. #indycar

Lap 79 – YELLOW Flag for debris

Lap 80 of 200

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Debris in the backstretch, CAUTION Lap 80. #IndyCar

Anthony_StuartAnthony Stuart

Phantom debris cautions, coming soon to an INDYCAR race near you

shagersShane Rogers

Yellow for Will Power’s toys which have been thrown out of the pram in turn 2. #indycar

Will Power comes in for adjustments and repairs from the bump given him by Ana Betriz – Down to P18 down by 24 points if race were to end this minute.

StwrdDiscretion Steward’s Discretion

Strictly speaking, duct tape isn’t approved equipment. But I’ll let it go, @12WillPower . THIS time.#indycar#fastesttapeintheworld

FollowAndretti Andretti Autosport

Nice job Team @GoDaddy! RT @IndyCar Danica Patrick gains the most spots coming out of the pits, moving up four spots to ninth.

shagersShane Rogers

Might be two years in a row Will Power’s lost the championship due to a hole in his car on a 1.5. Remember Texas 2010? #indycar

Lap 90 of 200

More sidepod repairs to Powers car – sad really.

Verizon Penske Racing’s Will Power in for a splash of ethanol and tires late in the race to maintain position of not losing more points to rival and three-time IZOD ICS champion, Dario Franchitti. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey

Lap 91 of 200 RESTART

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Green flag on Lap 91. Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, Hildebrand and Rahal lead.

driverswanted07Ross Bynum

Can I start the “Anybody but Franchitti” chant? #Indycar

LewisFranckLewis Franck

Curious. IndyCar teams have spare noses. No spare sidepods available?

KF4LMTMac McCormick III

@CathyCardinalNothing IndyCar Race Control does anything surprises me.

Report from IMS Radio – Castroneves sidepod will not fit as per team leader Cendric.

Lap 100 of 200

JaysKeysJay’s Keys

@IndyCar We’re halfway through Kentucky Indy 300. Franchitti leads Andretti by .0626 secs

indy44Matt Archuleta

Will and Liz’s dinner table might be pretty quiet tonight. #IndyCar

Lap 110 of 200

motorsport_feed Motor Sport News

#INDYCAR: Conquest Racing Kentucky qualifying report dlvr.it/p1hVk #motorsport

jmcc09 Jenna

Briscoe is tumbling down. Now P15. Anyone at the track listening to his radio? #indycar

GL2488Glenn Locke

Andretti has been trying to pass Franchitti for the last 32 laps. #indycar

Lap 120 of 200

Top 10 are Franchitti, Andretti, Dixon, Carpenter, Hildebrand, Rahal, Hinchcliff, Servia, RHR, and Kimball.

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing – Wheldon was up to 12th and is now back in 15th. Seems to be slowing a touch. #IndyCar

3Paige14Paige

Will wouldn’t have been where he was in the pits if it weren’t for his bad qualy run in New Hampshire. #indycar

IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Carpenter has made his way back into the top 5, currently in 4th between Dixon and Hildebrand. Power still holding in 23rd, Patrick in 12th.

Lap 130 of 200

tial99 Tia

Heard over radio “Dont get stupid up there.” #indycar

Power within a few laps of going 1 Lap down.

amarquis32Andy Marquis

Franchitti is the luckiest person in motorsports. #IndyCar

Lap 140 of 200

estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Pit stops beginning once more. #IndyCar

Service Central/Ganassi Racing’s Graham Rahal in tow behind Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti … and ahead of Franchitti team-mate Scott Dixon, Telemundo Newman Haas’ Oriol Servia, and eventual race winner, Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing’s Ed Carpenter. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid

toomuchracingPat W

yikes RT @estradawriting: WHAT. Carpenter’s helmet coming apart and he’s holding left side bolts together with his hand. #IndyCar

YELLOW Flag –

KF4LMTMac McCormick III

That was scary. Simona got sideways on pit lane and hit a KV crewman waiting to do pit stop. #IndyCar

WxTurtleColin Z.

Simona was behind Wheldon in pits, was leaving- cold tires, you figure.#indycar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Pit stops under yellow. Hold your breath. #IndyCar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Now Andretti in a pit lane collision with Lloyd and Viso. #indycar

Venom Energy Andretti Autosport team as it tends after Marco Andretti’s Honda Dallara. Image Credit: Bret Kelley

theamyedixonAmy E. Dixon

What is going on at this #IndyCarrace!?

dbsdadTim Blum

Did everyone just forget how to drive?

The Venom Energy car of Marco Andretti unable to continue in the race.

Lap 147 RESTART

SnoopDarrJames Darr

Talking racing, or Ashley Judd? #indycarRT @paultracy3: Dario could have more luck than Jimmy Johnson

Lap 150 of 200

Top 10 being Dario, Rahal, Dixon, Carpenter, RHR, Servia, Hinchcliff, Cunningham, Patrick, & Briscoe.

allancaleyLincsWhite

@IndyCar “Oh Dear! Is that Will Power about to go a lap down, let’s throw a yellow and say there was debris on the track!!!”

indy44Matt Archuleta

Correction-> Marco said his Dad was right, it was his fault in the pits. #IndyCar

BJUNQUEIRABRUNO JUNQUEIRA

Too many drivers mistakes in the pits, the mechanics are paying the price @IndyCar what do you think @paultracy3 ?

Lap 160 of 200

tial99 Tia

Race to finish is gonna be about fuel. Graham doesn’t have enough to make it to the end. Plan is to draft off Dario. #indycar

CharlesRBlackCharles Black

@67edcarpenter to P3!! He’s flying! Clearly not worried about saving fuel. #IndyCar

Lap 167 – YELLOW Flag

GL2488Glenn Locke

Ana BEATRIZ HAS CRASHED HARD, yikes #indycar

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Ouch, that looks like a big whack for Bia. #indycar

stevie_mariee StevieMarie Nicole

Rough day in @IndyCarracing. First Simona then Andretti now Beatrice….

_michaelcurry_Michael J Curry

So look out RT @IndyCar: Pits are open.

davedusickDave Dusick

“@IndyCar: Yellow flag, Ana Beatriz hits the wall.” <– Franchitti, Rahal & Carpenter lead them into pits… Should be final stop. Lap 169.

Lap 170 of 200

burk992Chris Burk

Most are staying out. This is gonna get stupid. #indycar

hotrod_dqDale Quinn

If you think the stands at Dover are empty, check the Indycar race from Kentucky on Versus. You see more people at a bus stop!!!

NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Unfortunately, I think this race can be called. Dario’s going to win unless Ed pulls off a miracle. #indycar

msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

First half of race: pretty clean. Second half of race: giant hot mess. #IndyCar

Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

Everything has fell into Dario’s lap today. #indycar

tommifinntommifinn

#IndyCar#Beatriz: at least some justice, happy to see you on the wall. you deserved it!!!

Lap 178 of 200 – RESTART

Top 5 are Franchitti, Dixon, Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay, & Oriol Servia … Rahal at P16 … Power last on lead lap at P19.

Close, high-speed action at the line during the Kentucky 300. Image Credit: Brett Kelley

Carpenter passes Dixon for P2 and plants himself on Franchitti’s tail.

ThrashdannyDaniel Mayhew

an amazing indycar race action all over the place and incidents in the pits

Lap 180 of 200

besweeetBrian Sweet

Really want Carpenter to win this IndyCar race. 10 laps to go! Finish is going to be super close…

mveilensteinMarcal

9 laps left at Kentucky. Top 10 within 1.5s. #indycar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

When you don’t see them for a while, you forget how nutty these restarts are on ovals! Breathe… breathe… #indycar

f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Carpenter side-by-side with Franchitti for the lead. #indycar

KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300: @67edcarpenter led lap 185, still tight with @dariofranchitti

CharlesRBlackCharles Black

Dollar General is really getting it’s money worth from @67edcarpenter and @sfracing #IndyCar

amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Ed is giving Dario a run for his money. 17 laps left – Dario, Carpenter, Dixon, Cunningham, RHR, Hinch, Briscoe #IndyCar

99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

I’m yelling at the TV. I never do that! COME ON, ED! #IndyCar

Lap 190 of 200 – Carpenter is counted as the leader of the lap by a fraction of an inch.

SpeedFreakBashBash Beard

Man I love this dogfight between Ed and Dario! #INDYCAR

thehestercutionBrinton Hester

It looks like Carpenter isn’t using his overtakes #indycar

EOlmosEduardo Olmos Ayala

Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. #IndyCar

ingridmaeIngrid S

Now this is the kind of finish we live through the yellow finishes for!#IndyCar

Ed Carpenter uses final Push To Pass to catch Franchitti to the line with about an eight inch margin.

WGRFastTrackDave Buchanan

Woooo Ed Carpenter narrowly beats Franchitti for #IndyCarwin at Kentucky

MVBN15 MVBN15

That was a fantastic @IndyCarrace! Congrats to @67edcarpenter@SarahFisher67 and everyone else! #indycar

Team owner Sarah Fisher answers questions about the decision by Dollar General to not renew sponsorship of Ed Carpenter (seated next to Sarah) and Sarah Fisher Racing next year in the post race press conference. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid

indyram500Mark Thompson

@DollarGeneral PLEASE don’t pull the plug on SFR and Indycar…..patience pays off….what a race!!!

 


Beard77 Wronkle

Great to see a small team like SFR pick up a huge win on an oval. Hope we see multiple teams winning next season as well. #IndyCar

 


BUbacktobackChris Love

@67edcarpenter @sarahfisher67 @tomasscheckter Can’t wait till Vegas!! This will be lights out!! Way to go Ed. Nice work today!!

 


chrischiltChris Chilton

What a race that was, pit-lane mayhem, controversy, brilliant wheel to wheel racing. And a winning margin of 1/1000th of a second! #indycar
END – Results and background story here>>

In a post race interview, Penske Racing’s Tim Cendric gave this response when asked how this result effects Will Power’s chances at closing out the season as a winner at the last race in Las Vegas October 16th, 2011 – “Well, you know with a 1-2-3 finish [by Penske Racing ... as we did at Infineon Raceway], Will Power will become champion at the end of the race.”

A tall order since the 18th and final race of the season will feature a 34-car field for the IZOD IndyCar World Championships presented by Honda, which represents the largest field in series history and largest outside Indianapolis since 1997 at Las Vegas.

Going into the last race on October 16, 2011 in Las Vegas we will see Dario Franchitti lead Will Power by 18 points with Scott Dixon bringing up the rear with his A.J. Foyt Trophy in hand at 55 points with no chance for the championship … but all team-mates (3 for Ganassi and 2 for Penske) may have an affect on just who ends up with the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

… notes from The EDJE

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: , , ,
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