A Ford dealer, who follows NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, told Dave Despain of Speed’s WINDTUNNEL that the “Car of Tomorrow/Today” (aka COT) does nothing for his business on Mondays. It doesn’t matter if a Ford won. The COT does not resemble in the car in the showroom. This dealer hopes that Ford will get out of racing and put the money into some other program that will help stimulate traffic in the showrooms.
This guy makes a good point. It’s sort of irrelevant because the only cars that are selling are those getting mileage in the mid-30 range, hybrids and four cylinder compact. However, when Ford and the others in the big three come out with more fuel-efficient cars they should still maintain some presence in NASCAR. This same Ford dealer talked about seeing Dodge pick-ups on the road with the #24(Jeff Gordon) and the #8(Dale, Jr.) and feels that there’s no longer any brand loyalty.
ESPN’s coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen, which included a red flag of more than 40 minutes, earned a 3.6 final household coverage rating, down from last year’s 4.1. The telecast had 3.4 million household impressions, down from last year’s 3.9. Final ratings from the telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Watkins Glen on ABC will be available later. This report came from ESPN and the Jayski.com webpage.
The radical revamp of the Eastern Creek circuit near Sydney, could secure the long-term future of Australian Grand Prix, according to organizers.
Allan Moffat, a board member of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, said he thought the work could be enough to tempt the Australian Grand Prix away from Melbourne - despite the Albert Park circuit’s recent deal to host the event until 2015.
Speaking to the Australian Daily Telegraph, Moffat said: “Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne’s refusal to host a night race. We would be in a position to take advantage.
“It would cost three times as much to develop a suitable facility on virgin land. We have the basis for it right here in the middle of Blacktown, Australia’s fastest growing area.”
As part of the £43 million plan to develop Eastern Creek into a ’super-circuit’, the new facility would use more than 70 per cent of the current circuit and would be reversed to run anti-clockwise. Organizers have said that work could be completed in two years. This report came from SportsBusiness.com. We also got this from that publication. “In the promotion of our forthcoming Formula 1 supplement, SportBusiness may have mistakenly given the impression that Bernie Ecclestone endorses the publication. We are happy to confirm that Mr. Ecclestone is not connected with the supplement and to apologize for any misleading impression given.”
A historic 1949 MG TC, the first race car ever driven by legendary racer and manufacturer Carroll Shelby, will be sold at No Reserve during the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Las Vegas Oct. 15-18,2008; a portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit one of Mr. Shelby’s charities. Shelby piloted the MG (Lot #819) to a surprise victory in a road race in Norman, Okla., in 1952, a win that set the stage for his prolific career.
Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Events,” the Las Vegas auction will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and feature hundreds of desirable collector vehicles and lavish lifestyle events, while SPEED cameras capture live, high-definition coverage. “We’ve sold some special cars during our 37-year history, but this MG ranks among the most significant vehicles to ever cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.
“In 2007, we sold the ultra-rare 427 Shelby Cobra Super Snake, followed by Carroll’s personal ‘69 GT500 convertible this year in Scottsdale. Now, we’re offering collectors a chance to nab the racecar that started it all for the legend over half a century ago, while also benefiting one of his charities. Carroll is an American icon both behind the wheel and under the hood - an inspiration to enthusiasts of all ages.”
This info came from Barrett-Jackson.
Fleet Week San Diego is gearing up for the 11th annual vintage “race at the base” set for September 27-28, 2008. The Coronado Speed Festival is a celebration of classic sports and racing cars built from the pre-WWII until the 1970s. Set against the stunning San Diego Bay, a spectator-friendly 1.7-mile course is constructed in a matter of days on the tarmac at one of the most distinctive racecar locations - Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of Naval Aviation.
This spectacular affair happens once a year, so get your tickets now for this chance to experience it for yourself. A perfect event for the whole family, the Coronado Speed Festival offers the following activities:
Watching over 225 of the world’s most unique and pedigreed machines race around the track Stepping back in time to enjoy auto racing’s rich history with tours of the racecar pits and interviews with drivers
Visiting the car club corral, which shows off a variety of automobiles that range in age, model and make, visitors can purchase racing equipment and accessories in vendor village Also, viewing a multitude of current Navy jets and helicopters, special boats and hovercraft, as well as vintage aircraft and step aboard these massive and historical machines
The Coronado Speed Festival is produced by San Diego Fleet Week Foundation and hosted by the Naval Base Coronado and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program (MWR), which benefits military personnel and their families. They in turn provide positive support for the active duty military community and their families through Quality of Life Programs including single Sailor Recreation Centers, Fitness and Aquatic Facilities and the Base Theatre Free Movies. The Southern California community is given this unbelievable opportunity to thank the men and women defending our freedom in person.
We read with interest a Mike Mulhern story in the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal that if a gambling casino is approved at the Kansas Speedway then Lesa France Kennedy will petition NASCAR for a second Cup date at the ISC owned venue. Speedway Motor Sports Chairman Bruton Smith is also quoted as saying that if a casino is criteria for a second Cup date then his Las Vegas Motor Speedway should also get a second date.
Consider this, though. New England is in the grip of a deep recession and there have been major layoffs at the region’s most popular casinos like the Indian owned Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun both in Conn. Also, Twin Rivers in Lincoln, RI, the Ocean State’s dog track along with thousands of slot machines, has also made some major cutbacks such as their marquee restaurants are closed during the week and only open on weekends. That’s because the slot machine handle is off, way off.
Seniors account for the majority of customers all three gambling venues during the weekdays. They’ve been staying home because they are more concerned about putting gasoline in their cars and what it’s going to cost them to buy fuel oil and stay warm this coming winter. If Lesa France Kennedy thinks that gambling is the solution to generate more business and income for the International Speedway Corp., don’t be too sure about that. This oil crisis is nationwide and Kansas City is still in the USA. We don’t see economy improving until the price of oil and gasoline drops significantly. And that could take quite a while.
Yes, He REALLY Said That -Gene Simmons, on IndyCar drivers. “Our drivers are like rock stars. If they weren’t driving, they’d be on stage trying to steal your girlfriend.” That gem came from the Valvoline Track Talk Newsletter.
Let’s see what’s happening this weekend in terms of Gearhead action on the tube. It’s an early start on Wednesday with the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks on Speed at 8 p.m. On Friday at 8 a.m. it’s F1 Practice on the new street circuit in Valencia, Spain. At 10:30 a.m. Speed offers Nationwide Practice at 10:30 a.m. from Bristol followed by Cup Practice at noon. Speed and TSN air Cup Qualifying at 3:30 p.m. then Nationwide Qualifying at 5 p.m. ESPN/TSN kick in at 6 p.m. with Cup Final Practice and then the Nationwide Series race at 8 p.m.
Saturday’s action starts at 8 a.m. with Speed and TSN going with F1 Qualifying from Valencia, Spain. HDnet comes on at 5:30 p.m. with the NASCAR East Series event from Mansfield, Ohio. At 7 p.m. ESPN/TSN/RDS all offer the NASCAR Cup event from Bristol, TN. Sunday starts the action early at 6 a.m. with the GP2 from Valencia, Spain on Speed followed by the F1 race airing also on TSN at 7:30 a.m. At noon Speed offers the Grand Am Rolex race from Sonoma, Calif followed by a 3 p.m. airing of the ALMS event from Mosport, Ont. ESPN2/TSN both air the IRL Indy Car race from Sonoma, CA at 5:30 p.m. (END)
NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES, NOTES AND OTHER SOURCES.
Car Insurance Chevy Impala for sale
