WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators say NASCAR's aviation division violated federal regulations when it allowed a plane that crashed outside Orlando, Fla., in 2007 to return to the air without maintenance after a pilot reported an electrical malfunction the previous day.
Staff investigators told the National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday that the crash, which killed five people, was in part a result of sloppy maintenance record-keeping at the organization. NASCAR has a fleet of planes comparable to a small charter operation or a tiny airline.
"I think we're going to find that this accident started before the airplane even left the ground," said board member Robert Sumwalt. He said NASCAR "enabled this tragic, unnecessary crash."
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said NASCAR has worked with aviation industry experts "to improve our safety management systems so as to prevent an accident like this from occurring in the future."
Investigators said the pilot who flew that Cessna the day before the crash turned off the radar system and pulled its circuit breaker in midflight after he began smelling a burning odor. After flying safely for another hour or so, the pilot submitted an incident report to NASCAR's maintenance division.
Investigators said NASCAR had no system for ensuring that reports were addressed or tracked. NASCAR couldn't provide a copy of the incident report submitted the day before the crash, for example.
NASCAR did not inspect the problem before the plane was allowed back in the air on July 10. The pilot in charge that day was told of the incident before he took off and should have investigated further, investigators said. But he may have believed the radar system was simply broken and could have reset the circuit breaker.
About one-third of the way into the 100-mile trip from Daytona Beach to Lakeland, an electrical problem recurred. The pilot reported smoke in the cockpit minutes before going down, killing both people on board including Dr. Bruce Kennedy, the husband of NASCAR executive Lesa France Kennedy and also a pilot, and one adult and two children on the ground. Investigators later found extensive evidence of an electrical fire on board.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Allmendinger signs with Richard Petty Motorsports
STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Richard Petty Motorsports announced Wednesday that A.J. Allmendinger has agreed to a contract that calls for him to race in the 2009 season with the team retaining an option for 2010.
Allmendinger, 27, will drive the team's No. 44 Dodge in the Budweiser Shootout plus the first eight races of the 2009 Cup Series season as well as the Daytona race in July. The team is looking to put together a sponsorship package that would guarantee the No. 44's participation in the remaining 2009 races and the 2010 season.
"This is pretty awesome news for me," said Allmendinger, who posted two top-10 finishes in 2008 and a victory in the Sprint Showdown. "I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. We have a lot of work to do on the track and need to sell some sponsorship, but this team has great equipment and I think there is a lot of chemistry here based on how we did at the end of last season."
Allmendinger begins his third full season in Cup Series racing after driving the final five races of the 2008 season with the RPM team. He posted the 14th most points of any driver during that five-race period.
"I cannot put into words how excited I am to run the No. 44 in 2009," Allmendinger said. "I raced with these guys five times last year and loved everything about it. The cars were great, the guys were great and we put up some pretty good results. I'm just very grateful to have this opportunity."
Allmendinger, a Los Gatos, Calif., native, is a five-time winner in the Champ Car World Series but is relatively new to the world of the heavier, full-bodied stock cars.
"A.J. has a ton of potential," team owner Richard Petty said. "I went testing with him a few weeks ago. When he climbed out of the car I think he went to everyone working on the car asking them questions and wanting to know what was going on. That's the kind of thing you want out of your driver. He's a young guy and I think we can help him and he can help us."
Allmendinger joins Richard Petty Motorsports' teammates Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson. Sammy Johns will serve as crew chief on the No. 44.
Allmendinger, 27, will drive the team's No. 44 Dodge in the Budweiser Shootout plus the first eight races of the 2009 Cup Series season as well as the Daytona race in July. The team is looking to put together a sponsorship package that would guarantee the No. 44's participation in the remaining 2009 races and the 2010 season.
"This is pretty awesome news for me," said Allmendinger, who posted two top-10 finishes in 2008 and a victory in the Sprint Showdown. "I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. We have a lot of work to do on the track and need to sell some sponsorship, but this team has great equipment and I think there is a lot of chemistry here based on how we did at the end of last season."
Allmendinger begins his third full season in Cup Series racing after driving the final five races of the 2008 season with the RPM team. He posted the 14th most points of any driver during that five-race period.
"I cannot put into words how excited I am to run the No. 44 in 2009," Allmendinger said. "I raced with these guys five times last year and loved everything about it. The cars were great, the guys were great and we put up some pretty good results. I'm just very grateful to have this opportunity."
Allmendinger, a Los Gatos, Calif., native, is a five-time winner in the Champ Car World Series but is relatively new to the world of the heavier, full-bodied stock cars.
"A.J. has a ton of potential," team owner Richard Petty said. "I went testing with him a few weeks ago. When he climbed out of the car I think he went to everyone working on the car asking them questions and wanting to know what was going on. That's the kind of thing you want out of your driver. He's a young guy and I think we can help him and he can help us."
Allmendinger joins Richard Petty Motorsports' teammates Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson. Sammy Johns will serve as crew chief on the No. 44.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports to be featured in Nationwide Insurance 2009 marketing campaign
Charlotte, NC — Nationwide Insurance announced today at NASCAR Nationwide Series media day that NASCAR racing superstar, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his company JR Motorsports will be featured in a new marketing campaign that will begin in February.
The company also introduced other activities related to the sponsorship, including the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, which involves an increased winner’s purse at four NASCAR Nationwide Series races, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN ‘Driver Pick
’Em’ game presented by Nationwide Insurance, a weekly interactive competition for cash prizes that will be available on ESPN.com
Nationwide’s partnership with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports, the company he owns that fields NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, will include TV and radio advertising. In the ads, Earnhardt Jr. talks about his family’s 30-year history with Nationwide. Earnhardt Jr, is a current Nationwide customer – as are many other members of his family. The campaign will also involve personal appearances with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports driver, Brad Keselowski.
“My family has been with Nationwide for three generations,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “When they asked me to appear in the campaign I knew it was a good fit because I’ve always appreciated the relationship our family has had with our Nationwide agent. The service we have received as customers has been outstanding.”
Nationwide has created an interactive micro site, nationwide.com/dalejr, which will feature behind the scenes videos and photos from the recent ad shoot. The final ads will be available on this site in mid-February
The campaign is a departure from previous Nationwide ads featuring celebrities. Despite the obvious opportunity for a racing pun, the ad does not include the company’s famous Life Comes at You Fast line and is not intended to be humorous. It’s framed as a customer testimonial, and true story from a family with one of the richest traditions in NASCAR.
“When we considered our approach for 2009 the Earnhardt family’s long history with Nationwide presented us with a great opportunity to talk about how many of our customers stay with us for a lifetime,” said John Aman, associate vice president of sponsorships for Nationwide
“This is a serious time for Americans,” Aman said. “People are worried about the economy, their jobs, and their retirement plans – so we didn’t want to make a joke. We felt like this was an opportunity to tell an honest story about a real family who has been with Nationwide for generations because they appreciate the service and value Nationwide provided. This family just happens to include some of the greatest race car drivers ever.”
In years past, Nationwide has featured celebrities like Kevin Federline and Fabio during the Super Bowl.
“We've had success in building buzz with Super Bowl ads in the past,” Aman said. “At this point in time, we're focused on developing a deeper relationship with NASCAR's very loyal fan base as the official provider of auto, home and life insurance and through this new partnership with JR Motorsports.”
The company also introduced other activities related to the sponsorship, including the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, which involves an increased winner’s purse at four NASCAR Nationwide Series races, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN ‘Driver Pick
’Em’ game presented by Nationwide Insurance, a weekly interactive competition for cash prizes that will be available on ESPN.com
Nationwide’s partnership with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports, the company he owns that fields NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, will include TV and radio advertising. In the ads, Earnhardt Jr. talks about his family’s 30-year history with Nationwide. Earnhardt Jr, is a current Nationwide customer – as are many other members of his family. The campaign will also involve personal appearances with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports driver, Brad Keselowski.
“My family has been with Nationwide for three generations,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “When they asked me to appear in the campaign I knew it was a good fit because I’ve always appreciated the relationship our family has had with our Nationwide agent. The service we have received as customers has been outstanding.”
Nationwide has created an interactive micro site, nationwide.com/dalejr, which will feature behind the scenes videos and photos from the recent ad shoot. The final ads will be available on this site in mid-February
The campaign is a departure from previous Nationwide ads featuring celebrities. Despite the obvious opportunity for a racing pun, the ad does not include the company’s famous Life Comes at You Fast line and is not intended to be humorous. It’s framed as a customer testimonial, and true story from a family with one of the richest traditions in NASCAR.
“When we considered our approach for 2009 the Earnhardt family’s long history with Nationwide presented us with a great opportunity to talk about how many of our customers stay with us for a lifetime,” said John Aman, associate vice president of sponsorships for Nationwide
“This is a serious time for Americans,” Aman said. “People are worried about the economy, their jobs, and their retirement plans – so we didn’t want to make a joke. We felt like this was an opportunity to tell an honest story about a real family who has been with Nationwide for generations because they appreciate the service and value Nationwide provided. This family just happens to include some of the greatest race car drivers ever.”
In years past, Nationwide has featured celebrities like Kevin Federline and Fabio during the Super Bowl.
“We've had success in building buzz with Super Bowl ads in the past,” Aman said. “At this point in time, we're focused on developing a deeper relationship with NASCAR's very loyal fan base as the official provider of auto, home and life insurance and through this new partnership with JR Motorsports.”
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
iRacing Announces 2009 World Cup as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Joins Competition Committee
A big thank you to Jerry for this information!
Annual Club Championship Features Global Tournament for Internet Racing
BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 19 -- The World Cup of iRacing(TM), a global, team-style, annual internet-racing competition, was announced today by John Henry, chairman of iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC. Henry also announced that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has joined iRacing's Competition Committee, the group charged with overseeing the new tournament and other internet racing activities.
"The World Cup of iRacing represents a new aspect of the sport of internet racing," Henry said. "In addition to all of the individual racing opportunities that iRacers enjoy, the World Cup of iRacing gives each of our members around the world the chance to compete as part of a geographically-based club, working throughout the year with their teammates toward a common goal, one that would be out of reach for the vast majority of people racing on their own - a true world championship."
Details of The World Cup of iRacing are available on iRacing's public Web site (www.iracing.com). Henry also noted that Earnhardt's assumption of a position on iRacing's Competition Committee formalizes a relationship that began several years ago.
"Dale's passion for motorsport is recognized by sports fans everywhere, and his keen interest in auto racing simulation is well known," Henry said. "As one of our cadre of volunteer alpha and beta testers, Dale's input was invaluable during the initial development of the iRacing simulation software and racing service. He's continued to be an important source of technical input as we've developed our stable of stock cars. Now, as a member of the Competition Committee, he's helping us shape the newest form of motorsport - one that is fun, inexpensive and easily available to virtually anyone with a broadband internet connection anywhere in the world. We're thrilled to have Dale join us in this new capacity."
Earnhardt has used the iRacing.com service to prepare for real-world test sessions and races, but his regular participation in race series organized by iRacing's sanctioning body, FIRST, is primarily about personal enjoyment and a love of competition. Earnhardt will have a continuing voice in the development of a form of motorsport competition that is easily accessible not only to veteran racing drivers, but to fans as well.
"It's a great honor to join the iRacing Competition Committee," Earnhardt said. "Simracing is a major part of my life and I hope to be involved in helping iRacing bring the community the best simulation possible. I look forward to being an asset to the committee and iRacing as a whole as the development continues. It's an amazing time to be a simracer."
The inaugural World Cup of iRacing begins February 1st, with the start of the first of four 12-week 2009 iRacing competition seasons. It will be contested by 35 clubs, which encompass the entire iRacing membership and are organized by global geographic region. Clubs will compete through the four quarterly seasons, followed by a regional runoff and then on February 6, 2010, a one-day, winner-take-all day of racing to determine the World Cup of iRacing champion.
iRacing.com was founded in September of 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group - the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing - as well as an avid simracer. The iRacing team combines more than 100 years of real-world racing experience with more than 50 years of successful racing simulation development. The company has developed numerous corporate relationships in the motorsport industry, including agreements to develop track simulations with International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, and Panoz Motor Sports Group and vehicles with General Motors, Riley Technologies, Radical Sportscars, and 600 Racing. iRacing is the official simulation partner of the Star Mazda Championship and the Skip Barber Racing School.
Annual Club Championship Features Global Tournament for Internet Racing
BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 19 -- The World Cup of iRacing(TM), a global, team-style, annual internet-racing competition, was announced today by John Henry, chairman of iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC. Henry also announced that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has joined iRacing's Competition Committee, the group charged with overseeing the new tournament and other internet racing activities.
"The World Cup of iRacing represents a new aspect of the sport of internet racing," Henry said. "In addition to all of the individual racing opportunities that iRacers enjoy, the World Cup of iRacing gives each of our members around the world the chance to compete as part of a geographically-based club, working throughout the year with their teammates toward a common goal, one that would be out of reach for the vast majority of people racing on their own - a true world championship."
Details of The World Cup of iRacing are available on iRacing's public Web site (www.iracing.com). Henry also noted that Earnhardt's assumption of a position on iRacing's Competition Committee formalizes a relationship that began several years ago.
"Dale's passion for motorsport is recognized by sports fans everywhere, and his keen interest in auto racing simulation is well known," Henry said. "As one of our cadre of volunteer alpha and beta testers, Dale's input was invaluable during the initial development of the iRacing simulation software and racing service. He's continued to be an important source of technical input as we've developed our stable of stock cars. Now, as a member of the Competition Committee, he's helping us shape the newest form of motorsport - one that is fun, inexpensive and easily available to virtually anyone with a broadband internet connection anywhere in the world. We're thrilled to have Dale join us in this new capacity."
Earnhardt has used the iRacing.com service to prepare for real-world test sessions and races, but his regular participation in race series organized by iRacing's sanctioning body, FIRST, is primarily about personal enjoyment and a love of competition. Earnhardt will have a continuing voice in the development of a form of motorsport competition that is easily accessible not only to veteran racing drivers, but to fans as well.
"It's a great honor to join the iRacing Competition Committee," Earnhardt said. "Simracing is a major part of my life and I hope to be involved in helping iRacing bring the community the best simulation possible. I look forward to being an asset to the committee and iRacing as a whole as the development continues. It's an amazing time to be a simracer."
The inaugural World Cup of iRacing begins February 1st, with the start of the first of four 12-week 2009 iRacing competition seasons. It will be contested by 35 clubs, which encompass the entire iRacing membership and are organized by global geographic region. Clubs will compete through the four quarterly seasons, followed by a regional runoff and then on February 6, 2010, a one-day, winner-take-all day of racing to determine the World Cup of iRacing champion.
iRacing.com was founded in September of 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group - the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing - as well as an avid simracer. The iRacing team combines more than 100 years of real-world racing experience with more than 50 years of successful racing simulation development. The company has developed numerous corporate relationships in the motorsport industry, including agreements to develop track simulations with International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, and Panoz Motor Sports Group and vehicles with General Motors, Riley Technologies, Radical Sportscars, and 600 Racing. iRacing is the official simulation partner of the Star Mazda Championship and the Skip Barber Racing School.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
The 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction will take center stage in Scottsdale, Ariz. From Jan. 11-18, 2009, the all No Reserve auction will feature everything from muscle cars and classics to a historic vintage airplane, providing collectors with one of the most eclectic dockets in auction history. SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale - January 13-18 LIVE on SPEED.
Dates and Broadcast Times (EST)
Tuesday, January 13
7pm - 12 Midnight
Wednesday, January 14
7pm - 12 Midnight
Thursday, January 15
7pm - 12 Midnight
Friday, January 16
2pm - 12 Midnight
Saturday, January 17
2pm - 12 Midnight
Sunday, January 18
2pm - 6pm
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale - January 13-18 LIVE on SPEED.
Dates and Broadcast Times (EST)
Tuesday, January 13
7pm - 12 Midnight
Wednesday, January 14
7pm - 12 Midnight
Thursday, January 15
7pm - 12 Midnight
Friday, January 16
2pm - 12 Midnight
Saturday, January 17
2pm - 12 Midnight
Sunday, January 18
2pm - 6pm
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Preseason Thunder set: Fan Fests on Jan. 16-17
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Race fans will receive a sneak peek of DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 as well as the new racing season on Jan. 16-17 with the annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests at historic Daytona International Speedway.
Fans can get their racing fix prior to Speedweeks and the Daytona 500 with numerous activities with their favorite drivers from the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series in the Sprint FanZone located in the heart of the World Center of Racing.
Among the activities planned for both days include:
• Interactive fan forums
• Autograph sessions
• Show cars, displays, music
• Online auction
• Blood drive
In addition, the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on track with ride and driving packages available. The ride-only packages can be purchased on-site while the driving packages must be purchased in advance at 1-800-BE-PETTY.
Tickets, which go on sale at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.
Drivers scheduled to make appearances beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 include Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, Mike Skinner and Jon Wes Townley.
Scheduled to appear during the noon-4 p.m. session on Jan. 17 include Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard and Alex Garcia.
In the 4-8 p.m. session on Jan. 17, drivers scheduled to appear include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Ron Hornaday.
Additional drivers and more details about the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be released in the coming weeks.
Fans can get their racing fix prior to Speedweeks and the Daytona 500 with numerous activities with their favorite drivers from the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series in the Sprint FanZone located in the heart of the World Center of Racing.
Among the activities planned for both days include:
• Interactive fan forums
• Autograph sessions
• Show cars, displays, music
• Online auction
• Blood drive
In addition, the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on track with ride and driving packages available. The ride-only packages can be purchased on-site while the driving packages must be purchased in advance at 1-800-BE-PETTY.
Tickets, which go on sale at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.
Drivers scheduled to make appearances beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 include Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, Mike Skinner and Jon Wes Townley.
Scheduled to appear during the noon-4 p.m. session on Jan. 17 include Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard and Alex Garcia.
In the 4-8 p.m. session on Jan. 17, drivers scheduled to appear include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Ron Hornaday.
Additional drivers and more details about the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be released in the coming weeks.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Petty, GEM complete deal
Richard Petty will remain a prominent figure in the garage. However, Petty Enterprises -- a 60-year staple in the Cup Series -- has closed its doors.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings announced Thursday an agreement in principle to form a new Cup team co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings (owned by majority shareholder Boston Ventures) and Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
"I want to get back to winning and together we will bring the resources, technology and infrastructure to do that," Petty said.
The team will field four Dodge entries in the 2009 Cup season: Nos. 9, 10, 19 and 43. Read the rest of the story here.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings announced Thursday an agreement in principle to form a new Cup team co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings (owned by majority shareholder Boston Ventures) and Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
"I want to get back to winning and together we will bring the resources, technology and infrastructure to do that," Petty said.
The team will field four Dodge entries in the 2009 Cup season: Nos. 9, 10, 19 and 43. Read the rest of the story here.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Dakar Rally
NASCAR.com
JACOBACCI, Argentina -- Spanish driver and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz won Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Monday and now holds the overall lead by 5 minutes, 45 seconds over South African Giniel De Villiers. The third stage was 551 kilometers, from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci.
Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon finished 10th and moved up to ninth overall, 34 minutes, 32 seconds behind.
Sainz, just as on Sunday, bested De Villiers on Monday by 3 minutes, 26 seconds. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel finished third, 4 minutes, 56 seconds behind.
Stage 4 on Tuesday will be from Jacobacci to Neuquen, a distance of 459 kilometers.
The 2009 Dakar Rally was switched this year from Africa to Argentina and Chile because of security fears. It features 540 competitors from 50 countries and covers 9,000 kilometres over 13 stages -- three in Chile and 10 in Argentina -- with the finish scheduled for Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.
The 2008 Dakar, which was to have started in Lisbon before heading to Africa, was cancelled the day before the scheduled start because of specific terrorist threats made against the event. It was the first cancellation in the history of the race since its inception in 1979 due to security concerns after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania.
The Dakar Rally is being broadcast on Versus, with daily updates on RobbyGordon.com.
However, for really awesome updates and more head on over to The Church!
JACOBACCI, Argentina -- Spanish driver and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz won Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Monday and now holds the overall lead by 5 minutes, 45 seconds over South African Giniel De Villiers. The third stage was 551 kilometers, from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci.
Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon finished 10th and moved up to ninth overall, 34 minutes, 32 seconds behind.
Sainz, just as on Sunday, bested De Villiers on Monday by 3 minutes, 26 seconds. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel finished third, 4 minutes, 56 seconds behind.
Stage 4 on Tuesday will be from Jacobacci to Neuquen, a distance of 459 kilometers.
The 2009 Dakar Rally was switched this year from Africa to Argentina and Chile because of security fears. It features 540 competitors from 50 countries and covers 9,000 kilometres over 13 stages -- three in Chile and 10 in Argentina -- with the finish scheduled for Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.
The 2008 Dakar, which was to have started in Lisbon before heading to Africa, was cancelled the day before the scheduled start because of specific terrorist threats made against the event. It was the first cancellation in the history of the race since its inception in 1979 due to security concerns after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania.
The Dakar Rally is being broadcast on Versus, with daily updates on RobbyGordon.com.
However, for really awesome updates and more head on over to The Church!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Gentlemen, start your bobsleds!
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 fired up, the rumble of its exhaust echoing through the Adirondack Mountains. That can mean only one thing: The Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge is ready for its fourth run.
And even though the embattled economy forced Chevrolet to pull out as a sponsor this year, Bodine had positive news on Friday—dedication of a new building for U.S. athletes to work on their bobsleds.
“It’s hard to tell you how excited we are and what this means for our project and bobsledding in general,” Bodine said. “It was time to upgrade the facilities. The problem has been that we’ve built so many bobsleds we couldn’t find a place to store them. We really, really needed this building.”
The Bobsled Challenge is an effort to raise funds to keep the U.S. men’s and women’s bobsled teams at the forefront of international racing. It will again feature NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially made bobsleds down the Mount Van Hoevenberg track outside Lake Placid. Members of the New York State Army National Guard will serve as brakemen, and the U.S. Bobsled National Championships, a four-heat competition over two days, will be held in conjunction with the Bobsled Challenge. Read more here.
And even though the embattled economy forced Chevrolet to pull out as a sponsor this year, Bodine had positive news on Friday—dedication of a new building for U.S. athletes to work on their bobsleds.
“It’s hard to tell you how excited we are and what this means for our project and bobsledding in general,” Bodine said. “It was time to upgrade the facilities. The problem has been that we’ve built so many bobsleds we couldn’t find a place to store them. We really, really needed this building.”
The Bobsled Challenge is an effort to raise funds to keep the U.S. men’s and women’s bobsled teams at the forefront of international racing. It will again feature NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially made bobsleds down the Mount Van Hoevenberg track outside Lake Placid. Members of the New York State Army National Guard will serve as brakemen, and the U.S. Bobsled National Championships, a four-heat competition over two days, will be held in conjunction with the Bobsled Challenge. Read more here.
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