The new year is here and with it brings many changes throughout the auto racing world. But 2014 in racing can be described in two words, New and Unknown, okay three words.
It seems like every championship has some major change that it will have to undertake in 2014. New regs in F1 and LMP1, new championships in TUSCC and Formula E, new or returning makes in multiple championships like Porsche in LMP1/WEC, Hyundai in WRC, Citroen in WTCC, Bentley in GT3 and Volvo in V8 Supercars. All will be covered and so much more in 2014 on Five Lights Motorsport Blog
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Friday, November 1, 2013
Brian's vision & why I can't stand pay drivers....
This week, Brian France, the chariman of NASCAR sat down to do an interview to discuss how he plans to improve the races, especially in the 1.5 mile tracks.
“I’m really excited about what our competition group is working on,’’ France said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “We had an important test a couple of weeks ago (at Charlotte) and an important meeting last Thursday with the crew chiefs and the drivers.
“I think you’re going to see already good racing get elevated a notch or two if some of the things that we think are doable can happen. We have a dedicated group working only on what is the best package we can come with, in particular, on the mile-and-a-halves that give the most drivers an opportunity to pass (and) to win.
“Candidly we’re evolving our approach to things. I use the words more science than art, more fact-based things as we go into testing. We’re marrying that with our institutional knowledge, what makes the cars easier to drive, easier to pass. That’s what what NASCAR is all about.
However, that was not the most important piece of news.... Here's what caught a lot of attention...
France did not give a timetable for when a new manufacturer would enter the sport, joining Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota.
“The U.S. is the largest car market in the world,’’ France said. “We’ll always be a critical market. My sense is at some point we’ll be welcoming a new manufacturer in and we’ll be happy to do that.’’
This would lead to the speculation that was mentioned in an earlier note with NASCAR doing work already for their gen 7 cars, one of the rumors was they wanted to attract more manufactures and possibly do a V6 Turbo and Carbo Fiber (ala DTM). France realizes this if he wants to get more people at the track, this would be a good way to go. Besides, VW has a factory in Tennessee, Hyundai & Nissan have factories in Alabama & Ohio has had a huge factory... That makes Honda. Its time we get more manufactures in while still keeping GM, Ford & Toyota happy.
Now I would like to take some time on a subject that IMHO bothers me... Pay drivers, these are drivers who through sponsorship get a ride on a race team. The best example of this is one of the greatest motorsports in the world, Formula 1.
The reason why you see a lot more of these pay drivers, its because despite how fantastic F1 is, its also rather expensive to field a team. The best example is that of Pastor Maldanado, a Venezuelan driver who has backing from PDVSA, you see if Pastor didn't have that huge sponsorship, he wouldn't have the Williams ride, now one would think why would be upset, he's talented, knows how to drive... Because guys like Nico Hulkenberg that are talented are not living their F1 dream. The rumor is that Maldonado will take over Kimi's ride because again, he has money.
Sadly another example is the once former great team of Sauber who unfortunately were having money issues, so a group of Russian's help them out, in return an 18 year old would have a guarantee seat.
Last but not least is Toro Rosso (a bit of irony here) when Daniil Kvya beat out Carlos Sainz Jr and Antonio Felix De la Costa for the seat that was Daniel Ricciardo. Rumors swirled that it was because of financial backing but its rather ironic that Toro Rosso a sister team of the world's biggest energy drink needs financial backing....
It just sickens me as a motorsport enthusiast that pay drivers who have either very little or no talent at all managed to take away the ride for drivers that are the future. I hope one day that talent will outshine the almighty dollar, but sadly I don't think that will change for many many many years to come. Sadly, money will always talk. That's just my 2 cents though.
“I’m really excited about what our competition group is working on,’’ France said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “We had an important test a couple of weeks ago (at Charlotte) and an important meeting last Thursday with the crew chiefs and the drivers.
“I think you’re going to see already good racing get elevated a notch or two if some of the things that we think are doable can happen. We have a dedicated group working only on what is the best package we can come with, in particular, on the mile-and-a-halves that give the most drivers an opportunity to pass (and) to win.
“Candidly we’re evolving our approach to things. I use the words more science than art, more fact-based things as we go into testing. We’re marrying that with our institutional knowledge, what makes the cars easier to drive, easier to pass. That’s what what NASCAR is all about.
However, that was not the most important piece of news.... Here's what caught a lot of attention...
France did not give a timetable for when a new manufacturer would enter the sport, joining Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota.
“The U.S. is the largest car market in the world,’’ France said. “We’ll always be a critical market. My sense is at some point we’ll be welcoming a new manufacturer in and we’ll be happy to do that.’’
This would lead to the speculation that was mentioned in an earlier note with NASCAR doing work already for their gen 7 cars, one of the rumors was they wanted to attract more manufactures and possibly do a V6 Turbo and Carbo Fiber (ala DTM). France realizes this if he wants to get more people at the track, this would be a good way to go. Besides, VW has a factory in Tennessee, Hyundai & Nissan have factories in Alabama & Ohio has had a huge factory... That makes Honda. Its time we get more manufactures in while still keeping GM, Ford & Toyota happy.
Now I would like to take some time on a subject that IMHO bothers me... Pay drivers, these are drivers who through sponsorship get a ride on a race team. The best example of this is one of the greatest motorsports in the world, Formula 1.
The reason why you see a lot more of these pay drivers, its because despite how fantastic F1 is, its also rather expensive to field a team. The best example is that of Pastor Maldanado, a Venezuelan driver who has backing from PDVSA, you see if Pastor didn't have that huge sponsorship, he wouldn't have the Williams ride, now one would think why would be upset, he's talented, knows how to drive... Because guys like Nico Hulkenberg that are talented are not living their F1 dream. The rumor is that Maldonado will take over Kimi's ride because again, he has money.
Sadly another example is the once former great team of Sauber who unfortunately were having money issues, so a group of Russian's help them out, in return an 18 year old would have a guarantee seat.
Last but not least is Toro Rosso (a bit of irony here) when Daniil Kvya beat out Carlos Sainz Jr and Antonio Felix De la Costa for the seat that was Daniel Ricciardo. Rumors swirled that it was because of financial backing but its rather ironic that Toro Rosso a sister team of the world's biggest energy drink needs financial backing....
It just sickens me as a motorsport enthusiast that pay drivers who have either very little or no talent at all managed to take away the ride for drivers that are the future. I hope one day that talent will outshine the almighty dollar, but sadly I don't think that will change for many many many years to come. Sadly, money will always talk. That's just my 2 cents though.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
News & Notes from the touring world & more....
Well let's start off with Japan's Super GT. It looks like that with the exception of Nissan, all of the cars received a face lift.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nTtysUYr9k#at=17
Honda will use the NSX & Lexus will use the LF-CC, this is more that likely to accompany the new changes that are coming with the new spec rules.
Meanwhile, in DTM... Many people known that the M3 that BMW is using is going away so of course, BMW needs a replacement. Enter the M4
http://www.racer.com/bmw-to-run-new-m4-in-2014-dtm/article/307816/
IMO, this could have the potential to be a very good looking car & with BMW'S record at DTM right now, I'd say the future is looking bright for BMW.
Now there is two other cars that I have been drooling over...
The Corvette C7r
http://www.racer.com/corvette-c7r-breaks-cover-in-monterey/article/307811/
Bentley's GT3
http://www.racer.com/bentley-pursuing-sales-semi-works-program-for-continental-gt3/article/307575/
Both of these cars I have been looking forward to sine they were both announced and with the rules changes with USCR & Pirelli Challenge. I can't wait to see the Bentley & I love how the Corvette is going to look in Endurance racing as well. Plus it could be in the USCR as well.
The new cars look amazing & I can't wait to see more, I just hope that the DTM series will still happen here in the US.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nTtysUYr9k#at=17
Honda will use the NSX & Lexus will use the LF-CC, this is more that likely to accompany the new changes that are coming with the new spec rules.
Meanwhile, in DTM... Many people known that the M3 that BMW is using is going away so of course, BMW needs a replacement. Enter the M4
http://www.racer.com/bmw-to-run-new-m4-in-2014-dtm/article/307816/
IMO, this could have the potential to be a very good looking car & with BMW'S record at DTM right now, I'd say the future is looking bright for BMW.
Now there is two other cars that I have been drooling over...
The Corvette C7r
http://www.racer.com/corvette-c7r-breaks-cover-in-monterey/article/307811/
Bentley's GT3
http://www.racer.com/bentley-pursuing-sales-semi-works-program-for-continental-gt3/article/307575/
Both of these cars I have been looking forward to sine they were both announced and with the rules changes with USCR & Pirelli Challenge. I can't wait to see the Bentley & I love how the Corvette is going to look in Endurance racing as well. Plus it could be in the USCR as well.
The new cars look amazing & I can't wait to see more, I just hope that the DTM series will still happen here in the US.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the USCR
With 5 months until the Daytona 24 and the debut of the new American Sportscar championship, the. USCR. We still know very little about schedule and tv rights but the class structure is beginning to take shape for the most part. Some areas the USCR has done quite well but in others not so much.
The Good
- Allowing GT3 spec cars into the GTD class is a win but these are not the same exact cars that run in the Blancplain and FIA GT series but somewhat modified but not to the extent that Grand-Am was running where brands like Aston Martin essentially had to build an entirely different car compared to a normal GT3 car just to fit GA's regs .
- Speeding up the Daytona Prototypes instead of slowing down the LMP2 cars in order to create a level playing field. Slowing down the P2 would have allowed the potential of a GTLM car to fight for the overall victory.
-Leaving GTLM to ACO spec and not tweaking it to hurt what they wanted to keep which is a tie to Le Mans.
The Bad
- I have nothing against Continental Tires but having a spec tire for every class besides GTLM is not what is good for the series however with that said I hope that any P2 team who wants to go to Le Mans could use Conti's and not lose out to the massive Dunlop contingent there
The Ugly
- Getting Rid of P1 was a TERRIBLE idea even though it is a privateers driven effort in the US and costs do get expensive but that means that if brands like an Audi, Toyota, Nissan, Porsche, and Ferrari all of which have 2014 reg LMP1's Confirmed or Rumored to build or supply either a DP or a P2 to fight for an overall win at two of the biggest Sportscar races in the world, Daytona and Sebring.
- The lack of news coming out of the Series officials is the worst thing about the series thusfar and it is a crying shame that we have no news about schedule, tv rights, balence of performance rules, and so on and so forth.
The Good
- Allowing GT3 spec cars into the GTD class is a win but these are not the same exact cars that run in the Blancplain and FIA GT series but somewhat modified but not to the extent that Grand-Am was running where brands like Aston Martin essentially had to build an entirely different car compared to a normal GT3 car just to fit GA's regs .
- Speeding up the Daytona Prototypes instead of slowing down the LMP2 cars in order to create a level playing field. Slowing down the P2 would have allowed the potential of a GTLM car to fight for the overall victory.
-Leaving GTLM to ACO spec and not tweaking it to hurt what they wanted to keep which is a tie to Le Mans.
The Bad
- I have nothing against Continental Tires but having a spec tire for every class besides GTLM is not what is good for the series however with that said I hope that any P2 team who wants to go to Le Mans could use Conti's and not lose out to the massive Dunlop contingent there
The Ugly
- Getting Rid of P1 was a TERRIBLE idea even though it is a privateers driven effort in the US and costs do get expensive but that means that if brands like an Audi, Toyota, Nissan, Porsche, and Ferrari all of which have 2014 reg LMP1's Confirmed or Rumored to build or supply either a DP or a P2 to fight for an overall win at two of the biggest Sportscar races in the world, Daytona and Sebring.
- The lack of news coming out of the Series officials is the worst thing about the series thusfar and it is a crying shame that we have no news about schedule, tv rights, balence of performance rules, and so on and so forth.
Friday, August 2, 2013
World Challenge seems to be going in the right direction!
In my honest opinion as a motorsports there is a very under appreciated race series out there and that is the Pirelli World Challenge. Its actually a very interesting racing series, its not everyday you see a dominant Cadillac goes up against a Volvo. There are two classes in this GT & TC in the main series. The races for the current season along with last season has been some of the best I've seen & its about to get better. Like Jacob said before hand, he feels that GT3 is the future of racing, well it's about to get interesting...
http://www.racer.com/fia-gt3-cars-in-fia-aero-trimapproved-for-pirelli-world-challenge-competition-in-2014/article/305887/
Series promoter WC Vision announced Friday it has approved the use of FIA GT3 cars running FIA approved aero packages for competition in the Pirelli World Challenge starting in 2014. Prior to the start of the 2013 season, the series approved three FIA GT3 platforms – the Audi R8 LMS, Mercedes SLS, and BMW Z4 – for competition in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class.
“Following two years of extensive research including a full season of competition we are pleased to announce the approval of GT3 cars with their FIA approved aero packages to race in our series,” said the series' director of competition, Geoff Carter. “With the prior inclusion of ABS and traction control our approval allows manufacturers from around the world a stable platform for customer-focused racing.”
“With the integration of FIA GT3 cars into the Pirelli World Challenge GT championship, we are looking forward to a stronger, deeper GT field for 2014,” said Scott Bove, president and CEO of WC Vision. “Fans will see for the first time fully homologated FIA GT3 cars running in full as delivered GT3 trim race against Pirelli World Challenge GT cars from Porsche, Cadillac, Audi, Chevrolet, Volvo, and Nissan. Our series next season will truly deliver the best global GT racing platform in North America. With over a million TV and Internet viewers and over 500,000 followers on Facebook, we at PWC will deliver on-track excitement like never before.
This has been looked at by all gearheads as an excellent move & frankly, I have to agree, we don't get a lot of the GT3 love here in the states but this is a step in the right direction, who knows? Maybe this will lead to a new certain racing organization to take the same step *cough, cough* USCR *cough cough*
http://www.racer.com/fia-gt3-cars-in-fia-aero-trimapproved-for-pirelli-world-challenge-competition-in-2014/article/305887/
Series promoter WC Vision announced Friday it has approved the use of FIA GT3 cars running FIA approved aero packages for competition in the Pirelli World Challenge starting in 2014. Prior to the start of the 2013 season, the series approved three FIA GT3 platforms – the Audi R8 LMS, Mercedes SLS, and BMW Z4 – for competition in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class.
“Following two years of extensive research including a full season of competition we are pleased to announce the approval of GT3 cars with their FIA approved aero packages to race in our series,” said the series' director of competition, Geoff Carter. “With the prior inclusion of ABS and traction control our approval allows manufacturers from around the world a stable platform for customer-focused racing.”
“With the integration of FIA GT3 cars into the Pirelli World Challenge GT championship, we are looking forward to a stronger, deeper GT field for 2014,” said Scott Bove, president and CEO of WC Vision. “Fans will see for the first time fully homologated FIA GT3 cars running in full as delivered GT3 trim race against Pirelli World Challenge GT cars from Porsche, Cadillac, Audi, Chevrolet, Volvo, and Nissan. Our series next season will truly deliver the best global GT racing platform in North America. With over a million TV and Internet viewers and over 500,000 followers on Facebook, we at PWC will deliver on-track excitement like never before.
This has been looked at by all gearheads as an excellent move & frankly, I have to agree, we don't get a lot of the GT3 love here in the states but this is a step in the right direction, who knows? Maybe this will lead to a new certain racing organization to take the same step *cough, cough* USCR *cough cough*
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Eldora... The next big race & the bext big stars!
For those that missed out, NASCAR's Camping World Truck series had a race on a Wednesday night, but that wasn't the only oddity in that case, the big deal with this race...
It was race at Eldora Speedway, a well known dirt track. Famous for the Prelude to the Dream and a track that is owned by 3 time champion Tony Stewart.
This race showed a lot of potential and it didn't disappoint. The qualifying races were fantastic and then there was the race. The race was fantastic, the bumping, the banging, it reminded me of old school racing. I also noticed two guys who have a great shot of being the future of NASCAR, Austin Dillon & Kyle Larson. I honestly think both guys are going to be future champions in Sprint Cup someday. Both guys just drove like crazy and these two have a great future, but they're just the beginning of the cream of the crop. We also got Ty Dillon, Jeb Burton, Trevor Bayne, Darrell Wallace Jr. just to name a few even some in sprint cup now like Brad Keselowski
I'd say that with the drivers that are up and coming, NASCAR has a bright future ahead. Last but not least here are some gifs thanks to jalopnik to check out some of the best stuff from the race, enjoy!
http://jalopnik.com/nascars-amazing-first-dirt-race-in-43-years-a-gifstra-914524212
It was race at Eldora Speedway, a well known dirt track. Famous for the Prelude to the Dream and a track that is owned by 3 time champion Tony Stewart.
This race showed a lot of potential and it didn't disappoint. The qualifying races were fantastic and then there was the race. The race was fantastic, the bumping, the banging, it reminded me of old school racing. I also noticed two guys who have a great shot of being the future of NASCAR, Austin Dillon & Kyle Larson. I honestly think both guys are going to be future champions in Sprint Cup someday. Both guys just drove like crazy and these two have a great future, but they're just the beginning of the cream of the crop. We also got Ty Dillon, Jeb Burton, Trevor Bayne, Darrell Wallace Jr. just to name a few even some in sprint cup now like Brad Keselowski
I'd say that with the drivers that are up and coming, NASCAR has a bright future ahead. Last but not least here are some gifs thanks to jalopnik to check out some of the best stuff from the race, enjoy!
http://jalopnik.com/nascars-amazing-first-dirt-race-in-43-years-a-gifstra-914524212
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
2014 Formula 1 Changes
With 2013 halfway over, motor racing series all over are starting to fill in the blanks for the next season.
Formula One started planing the 2014 Season following the announcement of the Russian GP in Sochi and the unveiling on the new engine regs calling for a V6-Turbo being built by the engine manufacturers. But it's not only the cars and drivers that are changing but the schedule is changing once again. The aforementioned Russian GP will make its debut alongside the GP of America at Port Imperial, NJ, but the return of the Austrian GP has been rumored to be in the schedule with a supposed contract between Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz being completed for a return to the Red Bull Ring/A-1 Ring/ Österreichring. The season could inflate to 22 races up from 19 this year but Korea and even staples like Canada and Japan are being questioned for 2014 races. So this is what I the schedule could look like in 2014
1: Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit
2: Australia, Albert Park Circuit
3: Malaysia, Sepang International Circuit
4: China, Shanghai International Circuit
5: Spain, Circuit de Catalunya
6: Monaco, Circuit de Monaco
7: Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
8: America, Port Imperial Street Circuit
9: British, Silverstone Circuit
10: Austria, Red Bull Ring
11: Germany, Hockenheimring
12: Hungary, Hungaroring
13: Russia, Sochi Olympic Park Circuit
14: Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps
15: Italy, Autodromo Nazionale Monza
16: Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit
17: Korea, Korean International Circuit
18: Japan, Suzuka Circuit
19: India, Buddh International Circuit
20: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit
21: United States, Circuit of the Americas
22: Brazil, Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos)
Formula One started planing the 2014 Season following the announcement of the Russian GP in Sochi and the unveiling on the new engine regs calling for a V6-Turbo being built by the engine manufacturers. But it's not only the cars and drivers that are changing but the schedule is changing once again. The aforementioned Russian GP will make its debut alongside the GP of America at Port Imperial, NJ, but the return of the Austrian GP has been rumored to be in the schedule with a supposed contract between Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz being completed for a return to the Red Bull Ring/A-1 Ring/ Österreichring. The season could inflate to 22 races up from 19 this year but Korea and even staples like Canada and Japan are being questioned for 2014 races. So this is what I the schedule could look like in 2014
1: Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit
2: Australia, Albert Park Circuit
3: Malaysia, Sepang International Circuit
4: China, Shanghai International Circuit
5: Spain, Circuit de Catalunya
6: Monaco, Circuit de Monaco
7: Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
8: America, Port Imperial Street Circuit
9: British, Silverstone Circuit
10: Austria, Red Bull Ring
11: Germany, Hockenheimring
12: Hungary, Hungaroring
13: Russia, Sochi Olympic Park Circuit
14: Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps
15: Italy, Autodromo Nazionale Monza
16: Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit
17: Korea, Korean International Circuit
18: Japan, Suzuka Circuit
19: India, Buddh International Circuit
20: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit
21: United States, Circuit of the Americas
22: Brazil, Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos)
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