Maria Costello enjoys first test on Philip Youles Triumph at Guadix in Spain.

The petite blonde from Northamptonshire has recently returned from Spain, where she had a successful first outing on her newly acquired Philip Youles Triumph Daytona 675.

The TT’s fastest woman was at the Spanish Mountain circuit, Guadix, for three days testing her Triumph for the first time. Not only was it her first outing on the 675 but also on Michelin tyres and the first time she’d ridden since the Manx Grand Prix back in September 2007.

“Guadix is the perfect circuit to blow away the cobwebs after a period off the bike. This circuit is very technical and offers every type of corner so it really keeps you on your toes. It was perfect for my introduction to my new 2008 race bike.” Added Costello.

The test was very productive and thanks to help from other racers who were attending the www.racedays.net event, including former MotoGP racer Jeremy

McWilliams, Maria was able to make progress with setting up the Triumphs suspension and generally getting to grips with the triples power delivery and handling.

“I’m loving the way the Triumph feels, both power wise and handling. The Michelin tyres felt good and so did the Promach rear sets I had specially made to fit my small feet. The GPR steering damper was also a great asset, the fact that you can adjust it while riding was so beneficial. I have to admit that I decided on this bike without ever having ridden one before, but I definitely made the right decision. I love it!” Smiled Costello.

Maria will be competing on this bike in the Triumph Triple Challenge, a prestigious one make series exclusively for Triumph Daytona 675’s.

The nature of the series is to encourage the rider’s skills to shine as all the bikes will have to adhere to strictly enforced rules and therefore will be evenly matched. This will mean incredibly close and exciting racing.

She will also be racing both her Triumph and her BERING Honda RVF400 at the North West 200, Manx Grand Prix and Scarborough road races, to name just a few.

The 2008 Triumph Triple Challenge Race Calendar:
1) 22-23 March - D

onington Park
2) 26-27 April - Cadwell Park
3) 10-11 May - Brands Hatch (GP Circuit)
4) 24-25 May - Silverstone
5) 28-29 June - Cadwell Park
6) 19-20 July - Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit)
7) 15-16 August - Oulton Park
8 ) 13-14 September - Snetterton
9) 27-28 September - Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit)
To find out more about the series go to: www.triumphtriplechallenge.co.uk

[Source]

Sarah Fisher Plans Own Indycar Team

Feb 28, 2008

Indianapolis, IN – Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) announced today the formation of an IndyCar Series team that will compete in the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 along with select events on the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule with a full-time debut planned for 2009. Sarah Fisher will wheel the No. 67 Honda powered Dallara. Fisher made the announcement at Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of the IndyCar Series spring training sessions, alongside fellow female pioneers, Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James.

After reviewing a handful of options for the 2008 racing season, starting my own team was the best opportunity for the partners we had moving forward and really is the next step for me and my career, says Fisher, President of SFR. This is something we strategically prepared to take on by consulting many different people in the motorsport realm—we didn‘t wake up one day and decide we were going to start a race team. Everyone we spoke with was very positive and felt if we could get it put together, it would be an amazing feat. It‘s hasn‘t been an overnight accomplishment, but it was certainly the next step for me and Andy [O‘Gara], my husband, as a couple. For my age and what we want to do in the future, this was our next step. The 27-year-old Fisher, who was awarded the 2001, 2002 and 2003 IndyCar Series ‘Most Popular Driver’ award and the 2005 NASCAR West Regional Series ‘Most Popular Driver’ award, continues on in the newly unified IndyCar Series with 67 IndyCar Series races under her belt. During her IndyCar Series career thus far, Fisher became the youngest women to race in the Indianapolis 500, became the first woman to capture the pole position and is the fastest female qualifier for the Indianapolis 500, in the 91 year history of the event.

As a driver, you don‘t have as many responsibilities as a team owner, continued Fisher. With more responsibility comes added pressure and as Billie Jean King once said, ‘pressure is a privilege’. It‘s interesting to take on a different project and be able to have our own direction and responsibility. We have surrounded ourselves with the right people that believe in us and this vision. It‘s fulfilling to guide the people you believe in. Being the driver for the team is something that is only appropriate as that is what started all of this. I‘ve always been a woman driver but being a female owner of a business is a big step. The only difference I can really think of is that in my company, the toilet seat will be left down. Guthrie broke the gender barrier at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1976, St. James followed in 1996 and Fisher took the torch in 2000.

In 2008 Fisher continues Guthrie‘s pioneering vision by taking a team ownership role in addition to her driving duties. For Janet, being the first female owner/driver at the Indy 500 only gives me more motivation and confidence, says Fisher, who lists Guthrie as one of her heroes. Back in 1976 when she owned her team, she wasn‘t even allowed to use the restroom in the paddock. To follow in her shoes is really inspiring and if she could do it back then, we should be able to do it in 2008. Some of Fisher‘s biggest fans made the trip to Miami to help break the news, Guthrie and St. James.It is the greatest good news that Sarah has been able to form her own team, said Guthrie, who first met Fisher in May of 2002 at the IMS. She is an extremely talented driver, and this new opportunity is just the break that she has needed. Having run my own team at the Indianapolis 500 in 1978, when I scored my best finish there, I know what a huge and difficult challenge it is, and I‘m sure that she will be up to it. Sarah has the talent and the ferocious desire that is necessary for success, and this is her best opportunity yet. “I met Sarah when she attended our driver development program in 1996 and it was evident that she was a future star, said St. James, who last competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 2000. She was intense, committed, and determined to win then and those qualities have only deepened with her maturity. Racing requires many elements to be successful, and having a team of people around you who are completely committed to your success is one of the most important. Even though the competition in the IndyCar Series is fierce I think with Sarah’s experience and now her own team she will have the ability to shine like never before.”

[Source]

Girl [racer] power becomes highlight of the 2nd London Motorsport Show

On the 8th and 9th of December 2007 saw the 2nd London Motorsport show take place at the ExCel centre in Docklands. Girlracer had an impressive stand featuring many of the top female drivers in British Motorsport. There was the MG belonging to the most successful woman to race in the BTCC, Fiona Leggate, soon to be British GT driver, Anna Walewska with her Dodge Viper, Cassey Watson, an upcoming driver in the Ginetta Junior championship and Dawn Boyd from the Uk Mini Challenge Championship.

Also present were the 2006 Silverstone rally school Ladyquest winner, Beck Kirvan, and VW racer Karen Andrews and Autograss racer Michaela Bevans. It wasn’t just four wheeled Motorsport that was represented as the impressive Motorcycle racer Sam Burnam had her bike on the stand. Even Motorsport on the water was covered with National and European Championship winning Power Boat racer Sarah Donohue sharing her experiences, which even include Stunt driving for a James Bond Movie

The stand formed part of a women in Motorsport display designed to encourage potential upcoming female racing drivers to take an interest in the sport. The other purpose of the stand was to launch the Brand new Girlracer product GR1, a Fragance designed to make both your car and house smell amazing!

The stand was the busiest in the whole show with all the drivers talking to huge numbers of people throughout the two days, hopefully encouraging many more women to enter what has until recently, been a male dominated sport. The entire Girlracer range of products was on display throughout the stand and proved to be very popular with visitors.

Director Gary Wood declared the event to be a huge success, “It’s been a fantastic event, but very tiring!” he said after the show.

The next big Motorsport show is the annual Autosport event at the NEC in January where there should be another Girlracer stand. We hope to see you there!

Q & A with Danica Patrick

 

02/20/2008 - 09:22 AM

Indianapolis, Ind.

 

Danica Patrick: ready to get back to work. (LAT photo)

Highlights of a media teleconference with Andretti Green Racing IndyCar driver Danica Patrick. Q: Dario Franchitti said at Daytona that he expects you’re going to win your first race this season. Secondly, on the [Sports Illustrated] swimsuit issue, do you expect to get any criticism on that?

DANICA PATRICK: As far as your first question, sounded more like a statement, didn’t it? Dario (Franchitti) is a great guy. I guess I never thought in my career I’d be toe-to-toe with him at any point and earn those kinds of respectful and honoring words from a guy like Dario Franchitti. He’s a great friend and a great guy. I think that I’ll hope that his words are more of a statement than a question or anything.

Then as far as your other question about the swimsuit issue, you know, I think, I guess I would ask, are you criticizing it or have you heard about anything? Because, to me, the swimsuit issue is beautiful. It’s women looking beautiful. They do a tasteful job.

I am one of a long line of celebrities that have been in that magazine. You know, it’s the biggest issue of the year for magazines. So I am completely honored to be in it. I had a great time. Everybody was very respectful and did a great job of putting together that magazine. I think it’s one of the best swimsuit issues I’ve ever seen. So it was beautiful.

Q: I agree with you that the SI thing looks great. And I have to admit I laughed pretty hard at the GoDaddy commercials.

DP: Good. It was meant to make people laugh.

Q: Well, good. It succeeded with me, anyway. But it was pretty edgy. What’s the line? What would you not do and where is the line between sort of promotion and distraction?

DP: Well, I think that the line for me is my line of how I feel. If I get into a situation that I feel uncomfortable in, if you get that gut feeling of, ‘Yeah, this isn’t right,’ or you feel self-conscious or embarrassed, that’s where I draw the line. So I would never do anything that I feel uncomfortable in.

I’ve had situations where if a photo, somebody wants to take a photo a certain way, I’ll say, ‘Look, I’m not real happy with this idea. But, take a Polaroid. Let me look at it and see what I think.’ Then I can look for myself to see what it looks like as well. So I take very many precautions to make sure that I feel comfortable in every situation, and then I can never really be embarrassed.

It doesn’t matter what people say. I’ve respected my own line. I haven’t crossed it. So, for me, I think that swimsuit issue is probably, obviously, about as far as I’d go with as little clothes. But I have a hard time with never saying never, because I think that that can come to bite you later on. But let’s just say I’m pretty happy with that line right there.

Q: Do you see a correlation between the fact that the [IndyCar] series has lost two champions and two Indy 500 winners, and the fact that all the promotion lately is about a guy who dances and a girl who wears a swimsuit?

DP: No, those are great things. Let’s take Helio [Castroneves] for instance. A lot of people do that show. Twenty million people watch it, which is great. And the things that I’ve done, 97 million people watched the Super Bowl. And the swimsuit issue sells more copies than any other issue of the year. So I think those are amazing things for the Indy Racing League to have as far as marketing tools and personalities.

I’ve always known that the IndyCar Series has great potential for personalities and interests within the media. So I think it’s just great that it’s showing now. You know, I think it’s great for everybody.

 

Now in her second season with Andretti Green, Patrick is confident of building on momentum. (LAT photo)

Q: What is your take on these open-wheel reunification talks and how it could affect your racing? DP: Well, I would imagine I’m probably speaking for many people when we say it’s about time. You know, it’s been a tough process for everybody. It’s been disappointing for a lot of people. I think it’s distracted and taken away a lot of good sponsors that were discouraged by the split. So I hope this is like a new birth of sponsorship and interests.

I’ve always said that fans need something easy. Fans need something simple that’s easy to understand. When you try to explain it – which, trust me, I barely understood it, initially, about the two series and everything – it’s crap. It makes it difficult. So this is going to make everything so much easier.

We’re going to get great races put together. We’re going to have all the best events put into one series, and more drivers, and that always makes for more passing, more excitement, more interest. So it’s a win, win, win, win situation.

Q: Besides the swimsuit issue and your business and the Super Bowl ads, did you do anything fun during the break? Did you get any vacation time?

DP: I did go on vacation, actually. My husband and myself and another couple, we took a trip back to Fiji. We went there for our honeymoon, so we went back there to a different place. We had met a couple of really nice people at a charity event that let us stay at their house. So not an all-bad situation. So we had a nice time.

We’ve been fairly busy. We’ve had sort of probably two different times during the off-season where we’ve had maybe a week to 10 days of pretty slow. But that’s nice. It helps you get refreshed and get energized and want to get back to work. Because, you know, there’s nothing worse than waking up and not having anything to do and no reason for the day. It’s like, ‘Oh, I guess I’ll work out today for four hours because I’ve got nothing else to do.’ So, yep, we had a good time.

Q: With the season coming up, are there any particular goals you’ve set for yourself?

DP: I’m consistent on this one. I don’t set any goals that I have to achieve or do, and I guess if I had to say one it would be win. But I’m not very much different than every other driver out there and that is their goal as well. Then follow that up by, win with the words ‘as many times as you can.’ I wouldn’t think I’m much different than any other driver out there.

Q: With the second season with Andretti Green, do you feel a lot more comfortable with the team now since you’ve been through it once before?

DP: I do. This is the most excited I’ve been going into a season, the most comfortable I’ve felt. This year I feel like excitement is sort of maybe number one to nervousness. Where normally every other year I was more nervous than anything. So I’m really excited about it.

I feel confident as a driver. I feel like I’ve really come into my own and feel like I’m able to really push those limits to where I need to be. And I’m just really excited.

 

Danica and Marco Andretti figure to be carrying the torch for American drivers’ win chances this year. (LAT photo)

Q: With Sam Hornish leaving the series this year that, leaves you and Marco [Andretti] as the most significant American drivers of substance. Does that add any pressure to you this year? DP: No, no, I didn’t even know that until you mentioned it. I think we have so many. I guess it’s hard for me to really look at it like American drivers, because there’s a bunch of us. I guess if there were only a couple you’d feel that pressure, excitement to be kind of someone that the home team would cheer for, hopefully.

But not really, you know. I think for me I look at every competitor as being one in their own – a competitor in the IndyCar Series, regardless of their background and where they’re from. I guess you kind of forget all the accents after a while. So, no, I don’t feel anything for that.

Q: With the talks on unification, do you feel all the drivers are eager for that to finally happen? Do you think it would be a smooth process?

DP: I would think all the drivers and probably the owners and the series owners are probably excited. I think there’s been a long string of years that have been financial burdens, probably, for those who own the series and trying to keep them going.

So will it be an easy transition? Absolutely not. It’s going to be probably difficult, it’s probably going to be a little messy. Probably going to be a little bit of that transition of what is going where? Who is doing what? What are the new rules?

But from my standpoint, I think that the IndyCar Series has kind of prevailed as the successful series that’s really made a difference and really come through and brought the fans out.

I think that probably most people recognize that. So I don’t see a lot of things changing as far as the people that are in the IndyCar Series and the people that exist there.

So it will probably be tougher for the drivers and teams coming over from the other series just because it’s going to be, you know, they’re going to be walking into our series. But I think it’s the best thing that we can possibly do.

I think there are so many people that believe it’s long overdue. I’m one of them. I’ve been working really hard since I came to the IndyCar Series to make it bigger, better than ever. And this is one of the things that I had always hoped that would happen so I’m glad to be a part of it.

 

Danica’s connection with the fans is readily apparent, but she’d like to see the series reach out to a wider potential audience. (LAT photo)

Q: To kind of build upon the merger talk, when you combine that with some of the things you’re doing in the off-season such as the Super Bowl ads, SI swimsuit issue, Castroneves with the dancing, how can the IRL turn all these things and create positive momentum and bring out a larger fan base in 2008? DP: I’m probably not exactly the right person to ask. But I have my own ideas so I’ll give you those. I think that in this, where we’re at right now, we’re kind of at a pivotal stage where we can really make it big and we can really push ourselves out there.

I kind of have a theory that it takes money to make money. I wish there would be more ads. I want to see more commercials. I want to know when our races are on TV because I’m watching the shows that I watch on TV, and I don’t see that. So you watch TV and you see advertisements for every other sporting event, every other big sporting event 10 times during a program. I think that we need that. I think that we need mainstream exposure.

The race fans that are going to watch are going to watch. We need to make sure we reach out to all of those people that are watching House or Desperate Housewives or something. We need to really push and come up with some clever commercials that display some personality and funny is always funny. Funny is always good.

That’s what I’d like to see happen. But I’m not the one with the checkbook, and I’m not the one calling the shots. I’m just a little driver with ideas.

Q: On your first season last year with Andretti Green Racing. Were you pleased with the year or disappointed with seventh in points?

DP: You know, I think that whenever you come to the end of the season you always think this, this, and this could have gone right and I would have been there. I had a chance in the last race to actually finish fifth in the championship. Things needed to play out right, but I was that far into the game. I was close enough in points. So fifth I would have been ecstatic for that.

Given the year and how the previous years had gone, I think that would have been great. But you know, I think that I’m very happy with how the road-course racing progressed through the year. And I think I’m going to be really strong on the ovals and excited. I feel like I’ve got a lot stored up inside me to let out, so I’m excited.

Q: How much pressure do you feel this year to get your first win? Do you feel as much as last year?

DP: You know, I just want to get it done. Is that so bad to say? I feel like there’s been times where I’ve come close. There’s been times where I’ve been maybe more preoccupied being a team player. And I think that I really feel like it’s time. It’s my time to do it. It’s overdue, and it’s going to be a big relief when it finally happens.

I think that I always put so much pressure on myself. I don’t know if anybody ever sees how mean I look at the racetrack on race weekends. But I always put tons of pressure on myself, and I’m always very serious and very focused. I’d be lying if I said that there was more or less pressure from the first year till now.

[ Source ]

Nancy Matter Racing Announces Marketing Partnership With Drag Strip Girl Apparel

The Top Alcohol Funny Car Team of Nancy Matter is very proud to announce their new multi-year associate marketing partnership with Drag Strip Girl. The apparel and accessory company based in New Hampshire prides itself with having the most hip, yet casual drag strip attire. Drag Strip Girl Apparel is perfect for on and off the track, and appeals to women as well as young girls throughout the drag racing community.“Drag Strip Girl is an outstanding partner for us”, states Nancy. “All of the Drag Strip Girl merchandise is of the highest quality and affordable. It makes perfect sense for a female-owned team and driver to represent such a great brand. Dawn Mazi-Hovsepian, owner of Drag Strip Girl, has been
involved in drag racing her entire life, and has a very strong working knowledge of not only what goes on in the pits, but also within the business world for success. We’re extremely honored to be included as a new partner with Drag Strip Girl, and look forward to a very successful partnership in 2008 and beyond.”

“Becoming a marketing partner with Nancy Matter Racing was a no-brainer”, said Dawn. “Nancy is an extremely talented and self-motivated individual. I’ve watched the progression of her team over the past year, and appreciate her team’s dedication to fielding a top notch alky funny car in one of the toughest classes out there. I’m excited to be partnered with her team, and look forward to watching and helping Nancy achieve her many goals.”

Nancy Matter Racing will carry a variety of Drag Strip Girl merchandise at all Lucas Oil Events, trade shows, charity events, and scheduled match races. In addition, Drag Strip Girl merchandise will be available at www.NancyMatterRacing.com.

Drag Strip Girl is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable products, and support USA manufacturers. For a complete look at all the products available or to learn more about Drag Strip Girl, please log on to: www.dragstripgirldesigns.com

Taylor Holds off Craig for Win at Fontana

LAKC, February 10, 2008. Cal-Speed, Fontana

The LAKC club race in Fontana turned out to be another great race day for Carlee. In HPV 1 she had the fastest time during practice, and secured 3rd position for qualifying. In the heat race she finished 2ndnd position, shot in to try and pass Carlee on the final turn, but Carlee was ready for him and secured the win! Junior One ended pretty much the same as HPV 1 although this time Carlee qualified 2nd, finished the heat in 1st and continued to battle it out with Jake Craig in the main. After lapping at least 3 karts, the white flag came out with the top three in hot pursuit of the checkered flag with more lap vehicles approaching. Lady luck was again on Carlee’s side and as they rounded the final turn, once again Jake Craig made his move and Carlee was ready once more, and raced to the checkered flag to secure her second win of the day! behind Riley Reyes, then the main started with Riley having engine trouble and not starting, the main then became a battle with Jake Craig and Michael Womack with the three of them rounding the final turn almost 3 deep. Jake Craig, in 2

This turned out to be a great weekend for Carlee! 4 races and 4 wins! Her next race will be the IKF Region 7 at Buffalo Bills in Primm, NV.

After A Long, Uncertain Winter, There’s Hope

Frequent visitors to this humble web site are used to us announcing our racing plans for the new year in January or early February. Here it is nearly March and visitors have found the site almost abandoned, having had no changes since December. The reason was largely that we didn’t know what we were doing. It wasn’t indecisiveness on our part but due to a general insatiability in the TaG category.

Late last year there was a outright uprising due to the Vortex Rok TT’s (the engine our team uses) performance by Buddy Rice (yes, the Indy Car driver), Joel Miller, John Zartarian and Victor Cabrera, Jr. at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas. Despite an entire season of racing in which the Rok TT lap times were at best matching the Parilla Leopard’s, people with a financial interest in maintaining the Leopard’s market dominance in North American TaG racing began pressuring the governing groups to penalize the Rok TT based on the results of this one race. To understand the dynamics here, the Parilla Leopard is the category’s standard, having gotten into the category very early. There have been approximately 9000 Leopards sold in the NA market in the last 7 years compared to 500 Rok TTs sold in the last year. So you can see how thousands of panicked voices can influence the people trying to run things. Leopard owners and dealers that felt threatened by the arrival of the Rok TT quickly formed an ugly mob calling for more handicapping weight to be added to karts using the Rok TT. Interestingly, when the same drivers that were in the top 5 in Las Vegas raced on a similar course (a temporary track set up in a parking lot - Stars All-stars in Orlando) two weeks later, they didn’t dominate and had best laps on par with the Leopards and Rotaxes proving to the sensible people that the SuperNat results were a fluke or simply a reward for better preparation.

For us, adding more weight to our karts was not an option. Because our drivers are so light, healthy and fit we already have to add 30 - 40 pounds of lead and another 15 pounds (which the Leopard masses had been screaming for and which WKA in their endless ineptitude conceded to) would be just ridiculous. In addition to taking advice from Leopard stock” concept of TaG racing. The problem is that a “box stock” anything doesn’t do much for all the 2-cycle engine builders that are struggling to keep busy and look to WKA leadership to help them out. Further, WKA approved the use of front brakes in TaG, the only non-shifter class now to allow front brakes. The idea was presented nobly as a safety feature but for people that have been watching WKA’s motives for years, the move was simply a way to allow karts shops to sell about $1000 worth of equipment to mount front brakes on existing karts. Or to sell new karts to racers replacing their “100cc” chassis for “125cc” chassis that come with front brakes. dealers and engine builders on how to penalize the Rok TT threat, WKA decided to permit modifications to the Leopard and Rok TT that were contradictory to the original “box

We saw nothing but parity from the Rok TTs in a season of racing against Leopards, Rotaxes, Bilands and Motori 7s so we crossed WKA (which sanctions the Midwest Sprint Series and the Great Lakes Sprint Series) off our list for 2008 but TAGUSA (which most other clubs thankfully use for TaG rules guidelines) was expected to do their own thinking and we could do nothing but wait for their ‘08 rules to be published in January. When the rules did come out in January every engine’s rules were set except the Vortex Rok TT’s which was listed as TBA. TAGUSA was going to re-test the Rok TT and set what it believes will be rules to retain parity with the other engines in the class.

In waiting for TAGUSA to do their testing and announce their findings we were completely prepared to sit out the 2008 season while we let the situation settle if necessary. Three different sets of rules; front brakes, no front brakes; 10 pounds more, 15 pounds more, 0 pounds more; engine mods, no engine mods… it was getting really stupid. Our argument in this debate was that if the engines were found to have an advantage (despite a year of race results that indicated there wasn’t) additional weight shouldn’t be the equalizing penalty because many, if not most, of the people that bought the 500 Rok TTs did so based on the weight the governing bodies set after initial testing. Suddenly many of those owners would have engines that no longer “fit” them and the values of those less-than-one-year-old engines would plummet (such a thing never occurs to WKA). Instead of adding weight, changes could be made to the engine to reduce perceived advantages: Specifying (exhaust pipe) flex length, restricting intake or exhaust, mandating base gasket thickness to change port timing. The one that made the most sense to us is the easiest: spec’ing head gasket thickness which would not only take compression out of the engine but would in turn reduce internal stress and give it improved longevity.

As we neared the end of February, neither TAGUSA or Stars of Karting had completed their testing of the Rok TT and neither had announced the medications they would impose, if any, to maintain parity to the Leopard. Press releases and industry forums could provide very little insight as to what is really going on behind the scenes so we made a last minute decision to attend the KMI Kart Expo in Chicago and try to get some answers.

The first glimmer of hope was from our old friend Curt Puluzzi owner and editor of National Kart News. He had been speaking with Marty Casey, the technical director of TAGUSA who had told Curt that they weren’t sure they were going to do anything but if they did it would not be a weight penalty. Later we spoke to Andre Martin of TonyKart Florida who, as a Vortex importer or distributor, seemed to be able to speak with authority to the situation. He felt that an exhaust restrictor might be the solution and that a header exchange program could be in the works. While he could say for sure that would be the final solution, he also said that additional weight would not be imposed. Lastly, discouraged by the TAGUSA booth being empty every time we stopped by (which was about 4 times both days) I gave up on trying to get an official comment from TAGUSA. Eric however managed to run into Dave Larson of TAGUSA and in spite of what was described as Dave’s uncooperative demeanor, Eric was able to get confirmation from him that the Rok TT would not receive additional weigh for 2008.

So while this news won’t be good for the Leopard crowd waving their torches and beating on the castle door, we left the KMI show at least knowing that we were not going to have to sell our Rok TTs and reinvest in new engines yet again. Instead we can turn our attention to the usual concerns like race schedules that work for us and budget. Right now with the cost of fuel and the economy in general it looks like we’ll return to our racing roots and run as many races as we can with our home club Mid State Ohio Kart Club as much as we can. There is even a notion floating around that this Old Man might run the club’s Masters class. We’re already stocking up on Advil.

[ Source ]

Randy Meyer Racing Signs New ‘Young Gun’ Driver for ‘08 Season

OLATHE, Kan. –

Diana Harker

Three time Division Five Champion and 2007 Brute Essence of Racing Award Winner, Randy Meyer has announced that he will be foregoing the driving duties of his A/Fuel Dragster for the 2008 season to focus on improving the teams performance and will instead hand the driver responsibilities over to new ‘young gun’ and rookie driver, Diana Harker. A highly respected member of the NHRA Drag Racing family, Randy Meyer has had a successful career spanning over 30 years of racing as Driver, Team Owner and Crew Chief from AHRA Pro-Comp to IHRA Top Fuel and NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster. A highlight for Meyer and team came in 2003 as Team Owner and Crew Chief, Randy Meyer tuned current Top Fuel Driver, Alan Bradshaw to an NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Championship cementing the Meyer Racing Team as force in the Alcohol Dragster ranks.

Meyer’s decision to sign Harker as driver for the team came after a successful debut in late 2007 where the Harker-Meyer team campaigned across four events at both the National and Divisional levels of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series. The 2008 season will see Harker and Meyer competing at a scheduled 12 races comprising of 7 National and 5 Divisional events on the Lucas Oil Series and the team will proudly represent Headman Hedders, ARP, Aeroquip, Taylor Cables, Solder Seal Gunk, Aeromotive, and Meyer Truck Center.

Diana Harker

“After a disappointing 2007 season, I’ve decided to forego the driving duties and focus solidly on improving the performance of this new car and to make sure it is once again up to our standards. I did not have to look very far for a replacement driver, Diana has proven that she can do the job very well and represent my team professionally. There is a new attitude and exciting times ahead for Randy Meyer Racing and I am proud to have Diana be apart of it.” said Meyer

Second generation Alcohol driver, Diana Harker is no slouch when it comes to racing. Having already had an extensive 11year drag racing career in Australia, the 24 year old rookie is looking to follow her twin sister, Kate’s example and gain much needed seat time in the A/Fuel Dragster ranks. Having made the transition to the United States in early 2007, Harker spent the year learning the ropes crewing on her father, Steve’s Alcohol Funny Car along with Sister, Kate’s A/Fuel Dragster ride owned by Tom Conway.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally have the opportunity to be competing this season on the NHRA Circuit and to be working with such a great professional team is a dream come true. Randy Meyer is a fantastic teacher and I have already learned a great deal from working with him and his team and I can’t thank them all enough for this opportunity.” said Harker

The Harker-Meyer Team will make their first debut race at the GatorNationals, March 13-16 in Gainesville FL but will first make a stop at the Eastern Spring Test Nationals in Valdosta GA March 6-8th in preparation for their debut.

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Thanks again to Erica Ortiz for sending us this article..

Daytona Gives DiCarlo No Brakes

DAYTONA BEACH FL (2-12-08) – Gabi DiCarlo was doing a masterful job avoiding everything that the competition was throwing at her during the first 35 laps of the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. The Great Clips Race Team that DiCarlo drives for had her in a position that was bound to reward the talented driver with a fantastic finish. She had already avoided two huge crashes that had decimated the 43 car field and was running in the 12^th position. Everything was in place for a challenging run to the end of the 80 lap season opening race, when Gabi was forced to radio to the crew that she had just lost the brakes on the Great Clips Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Crew Chief Barry Dodson and his young crew thrashed on the racer and did a great job in returning some of the cars stopping ability but the team found themselves 7 laps down to field.

“We had a great opportunity for a top ten finish, the car was good and Gabi was driving her heart out,” said Dodson. “We did a lot of testing with this car and never had a bit of trouble, I hate it that this one got away.”

Even with the adversity of the brakes, Gabi was still able to make the best of her first Daytona start with a fine 20^th place finish. The season looks as promising as ever as the Great Clips Team heads to 2^nd race of the year at Salem Speedway on April 13^th

The Great Sponsor Search

 

 

 

A Driver’s Life for Me: If You Want to Get Noticed, You’ve Got To Be Noticeable

The Great Sponsor Search

by: Lisa Klassen

 

 

I sat in the ACT booth at last year’s SEMA show signing autographs and smiling for photos. With nearly every signature came the question: “How did you get all of your sponsors?” It wasn’t that long ago that I didn’t have any sponsors. I was a punky kid, sneaking into the Vegas show, handing out photocopies with a picture of my rally car. “Hey, check out my website!” was my favorite line as I handed out another flier to an unsuspecting passerby. That was the start of the great sponsor hunt, and since so many seem interested, I thought I would share some pointers.

The Look

The most important principle to understand is that you and your car are an advertising vehicle for potential backers. As such, sponsors usually want someone who stands out from the crowd but will be a good representative. They want to see how you run your team and how you behave, so take care of your car and crew. Keep your ride clean and take care of your sponsors’ vinyl. While nonessential, matching team shirts still look very professional, as does a tidy service area

Be a Messenger

Learn how to communicate effectively. Sponsors will sign a lesser driver over a better one because the less-skilled pilot had great communication skills and was media savvy. Although drivers would like to think it’s all about the guy behind the wheel, the reality is we’re racing for our sponsors. It’s our job to promote them in return for their support. When a potential sponsor evaluates how you handle your team, they can reasonably assume that’s how you will treat their company.

Love the Media

A trick to learning effective interviewing is to watch motorsports on television and take note of how each driver conducts the Q&A. One of the most important things to do is to interject your sponsors into everyday speech - Rhys Millen is extremely good at doing this. Whenever he talks about his car, it’s not simply “the Solstice” but “the Red Bull Pontiac Solstice GXP.” If you don’t have sponsors yet, a team name is a good substitute.

As a new racer, plenty of resources are available to help develop your career. The first must-have is a website; there are plenty of free web hosting services that have easy-to-use software to help anyone build a page. The best sites contain these basics: news, a biography, information about the car, a schedule of events, photos and contact info. What really make a website standout are videos, merchandise, and extras like a blog. It is of critical importance to place links to your sponsors’ sites prominently throughout your site. I’ve been running my websites for nearly four years and every single one of my sponsors has said that the content on positively affected their decision to sign up.

MySpace and other networking services are excellent ways to meet other racers, make new fans and get noticed. Another great self-promotion tool is to take part in message boards. You should remember to keep your sponsors and industry contacts in the loop, and always let them know what’s going on through email updates. Whenever you send out messages, always be sure to include links to your site and those of your sponsors. And when you create an account for your team, remember that you are a professional, representing your team.

Set Goals

Aside from you and your car, the most important thing you need to develop is a prospectus that tells your sponsors who you are and what you would like to accomplish. Create a header with the name of you and/or your team for the top of the page. Use formal English and a business letter format.

Your introduction should briefly say something about you and your goals. Be specific in the next paragraph: What series are you going to run? What car will you drive? Then take another paragraph for yourself: Who are you? What have you accomplished? What makes you stand out? The final paragraph should address specific sponsorship requests: What exactly do you need? How are you and said company a good match? What can you do for them? This final question is the most important. Emphasize it in closing. Make sure your contact information is included.

When attending auto shows like SEMA, I often make about 20 copies of this prospectus and put them into binders to hand out to serious sponsors. Remember, appearance is everything. And when you ask for something, keep it realistic. Companies will offer you mostly product at first, but may also offer cash as you develop a relationship with them.

Stay tuned for part 2, where I’ll sit down with some of my sponsors and ask them what they’re looking for and what you need to seal the deal - LK

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