Rahal Gets Increased Sponsorship & Sub For Brack
January 9, 2004
Rahal Racing has announced that it is increasing its partnership with sponsor Argent Mortgage Co. LLC. The mortgage lender will become a major sponsor of the team’s Pioneer/Argent Mortgage Panoz G Force/Honda. Additionally, Rahal has confirmed that Buddy Rice, former Cheever Redbull Racing driver, will sub for the injured Kenny Brack…
Motorsport.com: Rahal inks increased IndyCar sponsorship
RPM.ESPN: Brack still rehabbing from injury
IndyRacing.com: Team Rahal Signs Rice as Substitute Driver
Jerez Day Two - Montoya Still On Top
January 9, 2004
Juan Montoya was again atop the F1 testing charts in the new Williams FW26. Montoya lapped the Spanish track in 1.16.721, over a tenth of a second faster than the previous day, when the new car made its testing debut…
PlanetF1.com: Jerez: FW26 Blitzes The Competition Again
F1Racing.net: Jerez Day 2: New Williams still fastest
Corvette Annouces Plans For 2004
January 9, 2004
The Corvette racing team, ALMS manufacturers’ championship winners for the past two years running have announced thier plans for the 2004 season. The Corvette C5-R will start next year with significant developments in tire technology, personnel, engineering and aerodynamics.
The 2004 driver lineup is as follows:
#3 Corvette C5-R
Ron Fellows
Johnny O’Connell
Max Papis
#4 Corvette C5-R
Oliver Gavin
Olivier Beretta
Jan Magnussen
Motorsport.com: Corvette Racing 2004 program
Road to Le Mans passes through Sebring
January 9, 2004
BRASELTON, Ga. - The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the race that will open the 2004 season for the American Le Mans Series March 17-20, has taken on added importance for sports car racing teams that want to compete in the 2004 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ford Daytona Testing Notes
January 8, 2004
Ford Racing Notes And Quotes NASCAR Preseason Thunder, January 8, 2004 Daytona International Speedway
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 97 Sharpie/Irwin Taurus, has won eight races the past two seasons and ranked second behind Ryan Newman with four series victories in 2003. Busch, who finished 11th in the point standings, spoke about the many changes taking place in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
Waltrip on Top of Chart at Daytona
January 8, 2004
Michael Waltrip led the time sheets again in Thursday morning’s pre-season test session at Daytona International Speedway.
Chevy Daytona Notes-Thursday
January 8, 2004
“Notes and Quotes” from various Chevrolet teams and drivers after the first test session at Daytona.
Paul Gentilozzi: The Whole Package
January 8, 2004
Paul Gentilozzi has got to be one of the coolest guys in racing today. Not only does he have the balls to take a series in total shambles and try to make something of it, he still gets out there and drives every once in a while…quite well I might add…
While owning a race series, running a race team and conducting a real estate business, Gentilozzi expects to race at least four of five times in Trans-Am this year.
“I’d like to get in there and cause a little trouble,” he said. “Maybe run a couple of endurance events, too.”
FreeP.com: Gentilozzi has high hopes for CART
ESPN To Make Earnhardt Movie
January 8, 2004
ESPN said Wednesday it has revved up development on a slate of TV movies, including a biopic of late auto-racing star Dale Earnhardt.
“3: The Dale Earnhardt Story,” chronicling the life of the NASCAR star who died in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500, is scheduled to bow in late summer.
It will be ESPN’s third original longform production, following 2002’s “A Season on the Brink” and “The Junction Boys.” Russell Mulcahy (”Skin”) will direct. Casting is expected to be announced soon.
“It really is an inspirational story,” said Rob Semiao, senior vp ESPN Original Entertainment. “We tried to capture the inner drive of who he is.”
However, the movie does not have Teresa Earnhardt’s blessing…
Reuters: ESPN in Driver’s Seat with Earnhardt Movie
ThatsRacin.com: ESPN doing Earnhardt movie, but without widow’s blessing
ADT Champion Names 2004 Driver Lineup
January 8, 2004
BRASELTON, Ga. - Fierce rivals for the American Le Mans Series championship in 2003, drivers JJ Lehto and Marco Werner will become teammates and co-drivers for the 2004 season with ADT Champion Racing.