2013 IndyCar Series / Mazda Road to Indy discussion

Franchitti is expected to miss the season finale at Fontana while he recovers from injury. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110461)

Mazda Road to Indy news:

Sage Karam took his third Indy Lights victory of the season at Houston, with Gabby Chaves second and Conor Daly third. Karam (425 points) has a 16-point lead over Chaves going into the final round at Fontana. (http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.co...restone-indy-lights-at-houstons-reliant-park/)

Matthew Brabham concluded his dominant Pro Mazda season by winning both Houston races. He ends the season on 466 points, followed by runner-up Diego Ferreira on 357 and Shelby Blackstock on 297. (http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/10/07/brabham-finishes-another-win-mazda-series/)

Brabham, who carried the #83 made famous by his dad to a spectacular season for Andretti Autosport, was presented with his Mazda Road to Indy champion’s prize package of a scholarship from Mazda worth over $636,000 to advance to Indy Lights competition next year.
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Scott Hargrove secured the USF2000 championship with a third place in race 1 at Houston. For winning the series title, Hargrove will receive a $383,000 scholarship to advance to Pro Mazda next year. (http://www.theprovince.com/Surrey+r...on+with+third+place+finish/9002936/story.html) Top three in the final standings: Hargrove 294, Alberico 277, Grist 215.
 
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The top competitors in USF2000 and Pro Mazda this season received honours and over $1.2 million in prize money at the awards banquet in St Regis of Houston. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-9-Drivers-honored-in-Pro-Mazda-and-USF2000)

Dario Franchitti left Houston after earlier surgery on his injured ankle, and will travel to Indianapolis for further evaluation. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-10-Franchitti-up-and-around)

The Ganassi team announced Alex Tagliani will be the substitute driver of the #10 car at Fontana. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-9-Tagliani-to-sub-for-Franchitti-in-finale)

Anthony Allmendinger has been confirmed in a third Penske entry at Fontana. Having been replaced in the #47 JTG Daugherty Nascar Sprint Cup car by a returning Bobby Labonte for Talladega, Allmendinger will no longer have a schedule conflict. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-9-Allmendinger-to-compete-in-season-finale)

GP2 title contender Sam Bird has expressed interest in joining an Indycar team. He is unlikely to be offered a seat at Mercedes F1, who are retaining their existing line-up, and GP2 champions cannot continue in the category. (http://www.autoballa.com/2013/10/ro...ntender-interested-gp2-sam-title-move-indycar)
 
The US National Guard have moved to their title sponsorship to Rahal-Letterman's Indycar team. (http://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...will-be-backed-by-the-national-guard-in-2014/)

The additional funding, crucial for midfield teams that typically do not attract Indycar's more high-end sponsors such as Target, HP, DHL and Microsoft, could lead to RLL expanding to 3 cars.

Dario Franchitti has successfully undergone final surgery to repair his ankle. He is still under contract at Ganassi for 2014 and is likely to return to racing in the off-season. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-14-Franchitti-has-second-surgery-on-ankle)
 
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Indycar Series Round 19 of 19: MAVTV 500

ogjog1.jpg


Venue: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA
Track length: 2.00 miles
Banking: 14 degrees (corners), 11 degrees (frontstretch), 3 degrees (backstretch)
Race length: 250 laps (500 miles)

Overview: CART first raced at Auto Club Speedway in 1997, scheduling a 500 mile race and continuing until 2002. The IRL series added a 400-mile race to the track between 2002 and 2005. Gil de Ferran holds the lap record (set in 2000), at 237.977mph which is also a closed-circuit speed record. The 2003 IRL race was the fastest circuit race in motorsport history, with an average speed of 207.151 mph. In 2012, the re-unified IndyCar series returned with a 500 mile event at night to close the season, along with a shorter race for Indy Lights. Both titles will be decided here in 2013, with up to $1 million available to the Lights champion looking to step up to IndyCar. The Fuzzy's Triple Crown was lost by Tony Kanaan at Pocono, but a $250,000 secondary prize is still up for grabs if either Kanaan or Scott Dixon win (thus taking 2 of the 3 Triple Crown race victories).

Current points standings:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_IndyCar_Series_season#Driver_standings

Drivers' preview:


Entry list:

http://digbza2f4g9qo.cloudfront.net...-ACS/indycar-entrylist?vs=1&d=20131014T180837

In addition to the changes mentioned earlier in this thread, John Hildebrand closes out the year in the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport entry. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/08/8-13-Hildebrand-Filippi-complete-season-for-Barracuda)

Spotter guide:

http://digbza2f4g9qo.cloudfront.net...S/indycar-spotterguide?vs=1&d=20131015T141601

Schedule:

http://digbza2f4g9qo.cloudfront.net...ndycar-weekendschedule?vs=1&d=20131014T180839

TV coverage:

BT Sport 2 - 01:30 Sunday 20th October (live)

ESPN UK - 17:30 Sunday 20th October (re-run); 17:30 Monday 21st October (highlights); 10:30 Tuesday 22nd October (highlights)
 
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Second practice saw Marco Andretti at the top of the speed chart (218.755mph), followed by Helio Castroneves (218.745mph), and Ed Carpenter (218.147mph).

Full timesheet: http://www.imscdn.com/INDYCAR/Documents/2876/2013-10-18/indycar-results-pf.pdf

Practice 2 highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=760f4d5ayUM

Team Penske locked out the front row for the MAVTV 500; Will Power took pole position with a 220.775mph run, Helio Castroneves was second (219.677mph) and Anthony Allmendinger third (218.894mph).

Full qualifying results: http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10...IndyCar-Series/16-ACS/indycar-qualresults.pdf

Post-qualifying interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytgsF4b89w

Starting lineup

1) Will Power
2) Anthony Allmendinger
3) Sebastien Bourdais
4) Charlie Kimball
5) James Jakes
6) Marco Andretti
7) Ed Carpenter
8) James Hinchcliffe
9) Tony Kanaan
10) Carlos Munoz
11) Ryan Hunter-Reay
12) Helio Castroneves*
13) Simon Pagenaud
14) Oriol Servia
15) John Hildebrand
16) Simona de Silvestro
17) Scott Dixon*
18) Justin Wilson
19) Pippa Mann
20) Josef Newgarden*
21) Alex Tagliani*
22) Graham Rahal
23) Tristan Vautier*
24) Sebastian Saavedra*
25) Takuma Sato*

*10 place grid penalty for early engine change
 
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Fontana race results

1. Will Power Penske-Chevrolet 3hrs 13mins 42.8699s/250 laps
2. Ed Carpenter ECR-Chevrolet +1.4883s
3. Tony Kanaan KV Racing Technology-Chevrolet +1.8615s
4. James Hinchcliffe Andretti Autosport-Chevrolet +3.0395s
5. Scott Dixon Ganassi-Honda +15.8759s
6. Helio Castroneves Penske-Chevrolet +1 lap
7. Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport-Chevrolet +2 laps
8. Simona de Silvestro KV Racing Technology-Chevrolet +3 laps
9. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport-Chevrolet +8 laps

Retirements

Charlie Kimball Ganassi-Honda +12 laps/Engine
John Hildebrand Bryan Herta Autosport-Honda +13 laps/Engine
Sebastien Bourdais Dragon-Chevrolet +21 laps/Suspension
Simon Pagenaud Schmidt Motorsports-Honda +33 laps/Engine
Alex Tagliani Ganassi-Honda +41 laps/Accident
Graham Rahal Rahal-Letterman-Honda +50 laps/Engine
Anthony Allmendinger Penske-Chevrolet +62 laps/Accident
Takuma Sato AJ Foyt Enterprises-Honda +106 laps/Engine
Justin Wilson Dale Coyne Racing-Honda +140 laps/Collision
Oriol Servià Panther-Chevrolet +140 laps/Collision
Josef Newgarden Fisher-Hartman Racing-Honda +140 laps/Collision
Tristan Vautier Schmidt Motorsports-Honda +140 laps/Collision
James Jakes Rahal-Letterman-Honda +140 laps/Collision
Carlos Munoz Andretti Autosport-Chevrolet +150 laps/Collision
Sebastian Saavedra Dragon-Chevrolet +181 laps/Puncture
Pippa Mann Dale Coyne Racing-Honda +182 laps/Collision

Fastest lap: James Hinchcliffe, 218.501mph on lap 127

Scott Dixon secured the 2013 Indycar championship with his 5th place finish, 27 points ahead of Helio Castroneves. The rest of the top 5 (that are eligible for additional prize money): Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Marco Andretti.

Full standings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_IndyCar_Series_season#Driver_standings

Race highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyvDfMc7zlU

In-car videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdIDh0X8Kc

Post-race interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INRHqYsOVPY
 
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Time for a post-season news round-up, including the Mazda Road to Indy:

Sage Karam clinched the 2013 Indy Lights championship (and a $1 million scholarship prize) with a 3rd place finish at Fontana. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXfVgpi-Q4)

Sebastien Bourdais will leave Dragon for a two-year deal with KV Racing. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-17-Bourdais-to-drive-for-KVSH-in-2014)

Andretti Autosport will switch to Honda engines in a multi-year agreement. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-19-Andretti-Autosport-moves-to-Honda)

James Hinchcliffe retains his seat at Andretti Autosport after signing a contract extension. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-19-Hinchcliffe-re-signs-with-Andretti-Autosport)

The 2014 schedules for USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights have been announced. Most venues will be shared with Indycar. Indy Lights will cut two ovals for cost reasons, and use a feature\sprint race model for its road course races. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-24-2014-Mazda-Road-to-Indy-schedule)
 
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Time for more Mazda Road to Indy news updates:

Team USA scholarship winner Jake Eidson (2013 F1600 series champion) put on a competitive showing at the Formula Ford Festival, finishing first in the opening heat race and charging from 11th to 5th in the main event. Team Canada scholarship winner Scott Hargrove (2013 USF2000 champion) finished a strong third, behind 2012 UK Formula Ford champion Wayne Boyd and eventual winner Niall Murray (Ginetta series regular). (http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-238135.html)

The Skip Barber Racing School will award approximately $336,000 in scholarships next month to winners of three different event categories.

The Karting Scholarship Shootout offers up to $80,000 to aspiring kart racers making the step up to single seater formula cars. The winner of the shootout is offered a fully funded season of Skip Barber in either the Summer or Winter series. Second and third place receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. (http://skipbarber.com/karting-scholarship-shootout/)

The Race Series Championship Shootout offers $200,000 to the winner, targeted at moving successful racers forward to the USF2000 national championship. The top five drivers in both the Skip Barber Summer and Winter series can enter at no cost (additional entrants pay $8,500), to compete against each other in track and off-track events (including media relations and fitness). (http://skipbarber.com/race-series-championship-shootout/)

The Indycar Academy offers a pathway into racing for those with no prior experience, with up to 10 days of pre-event training in Skip Barber cars permitted for event entrants. The winner of the shootout receives a fully funded season in the Skip Barber Summer or Winter series. Second and third place receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. (http://skipbarber.com/indycar-academy/)
 
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Another news update, including the Mazda Road to Indy:

Among the early driver announcements, Matthew Brabham stands out as the most notable, both by name and on track results. Having won this year's Pro Mazda championship in dominant fashion, he will step up to Indy Lights in 2014 with Andretti Autosport. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110749)

Group A Racing will join the USF2000 championship for 2014, having commenced their testing program at New Jersey Motorsports Park. (http://www.usf2000.com/News/13-10-3...14_USF2000_Campaign_with_Testing_Program.aspx)

The 2014 Indycar Triple Crown will consist of three 500-mile races, as Pocono has been extended to 200 laps. The $1 million headline prize and $250,000 secondary prize remain in place. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/10/10-25-100-miles-added-to-Pocono-race)
 
Off-season Indycar testing commenced yesterday at Sebring, with KV Racing Technology bringing two drivers (2014 signing Sebastien Bourdais and Indy Lights driver Mikael Grenier). Testing regulations for November 2013-August 2014 have been updated, with a maximum of 26 days testing and 10,000 miles permitted during that period. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/11/11-13-Testing-regulations-for-2013-2014)

The Skip Barber Indycar Academy Shootout was won by Michai Stephens, who had previously placed 4th in the inaugural event. Having received a fully-funded Skip Barber season, placing in the top 5 there would allow him free entry in the Championship Shootout for a funded USF2000 season the following year. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/11/11-11-Notes-Stephens-wins-INDYCAR-Shootout)

The Championship Shootout winner was Aaron Telitz, previously runner-up in the Skip Barber Winter Series 2012-13. He receives full funding for an entry in the 2014 USF2000 season. (http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.c...ad-racing/telitz-claims-skip-barber-shootout/)

The Karting Scholarship Shootout was won by Luke Gabin, who receives a complete Skip Barber Winter or Summer Series season package. (http://ekartingnews.com/2013/11/13/...ins-skip-barber-karting-scholarship-shootout/)

JDC Motorsports announced the addition of Michael Johnson to their 2014 Pro Mazda line-up. Having suffered partial paralysis from a motorcycle accident in 2005, he is the first racer with such a disability to compete at this level. (http://www.jdcmotorsport.com/JDC_PR_2013/JDC2013-47-110813-Mazda-Johnson-signing with header.pdf)
 
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Nismo said:
Dario Franchitti's retired on medical advice after his crash :(

https://twitter.com/dariofranchitti
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I expected Dario to retire around the end of 2014 simply because he's struggled to run up front the last couple of years. He's taken a few knocks in other types of vehicle before, and given that he'll be 41 next year (while falling further down the order) it makes no sense to continue.
 
Guerrilla said:
Like you say Indy he couldn't have gone on much longer to be fair to him but still sad that the decision is taken out of his hands and he didn't get a decent farewell race.
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True, it is unfortunate that he couldn't retire on his own terms. It looks like Justin Wilson and Ryan Briscoe are being rumoured as the top candidates to take over in 2014.

Edit: Seems the exact reason given was increased risk of concussion and subsequent brain injury in the long-term, according to Dr Steve Olvey. He referenced issues with NFL players and repeated concussions as an example.
 
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More driver signings have occurred, as a Honda manufacturer test is currently under way at Sebring.

Ed Carpenter Racing have announced Mike Conway in the #20 car for all road\street races in 2014. Carpenter will continue to participate as an owner-driver in the oval races. (http://www.edcarpenterracing.com/ECR-Adds-Mike-Conway-To-2014-In.news)

Carlos Munoz has been confirmed for the fourth Andretti Autosport car in 2014. He had three Indycar starts this year with a best finish of 2nd at the Indianapolis 500. (http://andrettiautosport.com/news/?p=3928#.Uoom7idCn48)
 
In a surprise move, Schmidt Motorsports have signed 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 champion Mikhail Aleshin to their second car for 2014. He will be the first Russian driver in Indycar racing. (http://www.spmindycar.com/mikhail-aleshin-to-drive-2nd-spm-car-in-2014-indycar-season/)

Firestone has been announced as the new sponsor of the St Petersburg Grand Prix, in a multi-year deal. (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/11/11-20-Firestone-to-sponsor-St-Petersburg-season-opener)

Juan Pablo Montoya will begin testing with the Penske team on Monday 25th November at Sebring. (http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.co...will-return-to-indycar-for-first-test-monday/

GP3 series driver Jack Harvey, best known for winning the 2012 British Formula 3 championship, tested with Schmidt's Indy Lights team. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111453)

Harvey, 20, finished fifth in GP3 this season [with 2 race wins], but the Racing Steps Foundation that supports his career is concerned that his prospects for a future in Formula 1 will be limited by a lack of opportunities.

Racing Steps Foundation coordinator Derek Walters said: "The difficulty for any young driver is how he can make his mark and make a living, and it's becoming more difficult. The sport seems to be in a pretty confused state and if we do another year with Jack in GP3, then GP2, then what?

"When you see drivers like Davide Valsecchi [the 2012 GP2 champion and Lotus F1 reserve driver, who was overlooked in the search to replace the injured Kimi Raikkonen in favor of Heikki Kovalainen] and so forth, an opportunity to jump into F1 unless you have 20 million euros, is pretty unlikely.
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Skeeter said:
Randomly left Motors TV on and the Pro Mazda season review is on. Christ, people think Vettel dominated! It looks like it was the Matt Brabham show!
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Well, he is Sir Jack's grandson, the genes are strong with him ;)

By the way it seems Montoya enjoyed his first test with Team Penske, still getting used to the handling of an Indycar after driving Nascar bricks for so long :p

 
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The 2015 Indy Lights chassis and engine package have now been confirmed, with Dallara and AER contracted respectively. Cosworth and PFC were also announced as equipment suppliers. The expected power output and capacity is 2.0L ~450hp with an additional 50hp time-limited boost system. The engine may be badged by Mazda or other manufacturers. (http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.co...ndy-lights-engine-supplier-from-2015/related/)
 
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Guerrilla said:
JPM looks to have dropped some weight, that gym time must be paying off :p Hope he goes well in Indy, he's a huge character to have back in the series :)
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Judging by how Barrichello did, it's more challenging than some people think. :) I think Montoya will be more competitive on ovals than road courses to start with.
 
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