Kodewa and Lotus choose Lola LMP technology for 2012Two more Lola LMP2 Coupes have been announced by a new Lola customer today. The German-based Kodewa team has entered Lola LMP2 coupes, designed and built in Huntingdon UK, in the new FIA World Endurance Championship.

Recognizing the innovative design technology and title winning pace of the Lola LMP range, Kodewa have partnered with Lotus Group who will supply the engines. The Lola B12/80 LMP2 Coupes are set to run in the black and gold livery, first made famous in the 1970's. It will be the second famous color scheme to be represented by Lola in 2012, as the classic blue and orange of Gulf Oils will adorn the Gulf Racing Lola LMP2 cars this season.

Bryan Herta Autosport principals partner Mygale racecars in North AmericaBryan Herta Autosport team owners Bryan Herta and Steve Newey have partnered with Indianapolis based businessman and Jeffrey Mark Motorsport team owner Jeff Mark to form Mygale North America. The new company will import the French manufacturer's racecars to the United States and Canada and provide customer support for new and existing Mygale car owners.

Bryan Herta Autosport will campaign at least two cars in the 12-race 2012 F1600 Formula F Series, competing in the Mygale SJ11 chassis with Honda power. The series was introduced to the U.S. in 1969 and has been a training ground ever since for future professional drivers.

Since he parted company with HRT a few weeks ago, Colin Kolles has been busy preparing alternative plans for the 2012 season, although he is still entirely possible that he will pop up somewhere in F1 in the course of the next season.

Kolles’s Kodewa has just been named as Lotus’s team in the LMP2 championship, running a Lotus-engined Lola coupe.

The car will run in the Lotus black and gold livery, although the design has been done by Daniel Simon, who liveried the HRT last year.

Several treated for smoke inhalation at Joe Gibbs RacingUPDATE A piece of equipment in the machine shop caught fire today at our Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Huntersville, NC. The fire department was called and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished. A few of our employees received treatment on site for issues related to smoke inhalation. All employees were able to return to work within the hour to continue preparations for the 2012 NASCAR season. Joe Gibbs Racing PR

01/31/12 Several people were treated for smoke inhalation at Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville Tuesday afternoon, officials said. According to Huntersville police, some machinery at the racing compound caught fire. Firefighters were called in to battle the blaze around 2:45 p.m. The fire is under control, fire officials said. Medic officials said units responded to the fire, but had not yet transported anyone. No one has commented on what caused the fire or how much damage was done as a result of the fire. Almost a year ago, a similar fire happened at the facility that caused two people to be treated for smoke inhalation. According to officials, the 2011 fire started in an engine dyno during a test. WSOC

Despite poor economy ISC made $69M profit in 2011UPDATE International Speedway Corp. saw an increase in profits in 2011 while also cutting seating capacity at nine of its 12 tracks that play host to Sprint Cup races. ISC, a publicly traded company with more than 71 percent of its stock owned by the NASCAR-controlling France family, saw its stock remain in the $26 dollar range since the release of its annual financial report Thursday that listed a 4.5% increase in profits from core operations. ISC began significantly decreasing the number of seats in 2010, when it cut capacity at several tracks. The most significant drop came at Phoenix, which saw its capacity shrink from 67,000 to 55,000. Daytona remains ISC's biggest track at 147,000 grandstand seats and has not seen a significant seat change in the last two years while the remainder of the Cup facilities have had a combined decrease of 15%. ISC sold 83-87% of its capacity for Cup events, ISC President John Saunders said in a conference call Thursday with investors. Overall ticket sales revenue, though, was down 10% from $160.5 million in 2010 to $144.4 million - and down 43% from $253.7 million four years earlier in 2007. Ticket prices will remain basically the same for 2012, after a drop of about 3% for Cup races for an average ticket price of $82.17. While ISC took in $144.4 million in ticket sales, it took in much more from television rights. Its broadcast revenues from the NASCAR television contract, where it took in $202 million in 2011, will rise 3.5% in 2012. Scene Daily

01/27/12 Despite seeing total revenues decrease by $15.6M last year, Int'l Speedway Corporation Thursday reported net income of $69.4M for FY '11. Admissions revenue decreased 10% from '10 to $144.4M, but ISC did not host IndyCar Series events at its Kansas, Chicagoland, Watkins Glen or Home. While it's customers (the fans) are fighting to make ends meet financially, and despite many empty seats in the grandstands, ISC was making so much profit years ago due to ridiculous ticket prices that even now it's profit is huge. Fans are not stupid, they see this, and will continue to not show up at the races in protest. In turn ISC is making their seats wider, thereby reducing the number of empty seats so it does not look so embarrassing. Rest assured that if they could fill all the seats they would, even if the paying customers were packed in like sardines.

NASCAR And Turner Sports Restructure And Extend Digital Partnership Through 2016UPDATE #2 In a phone interview Monday, NASCAR Vice President of Digital Media Marc Jenkins said NASCAR is at the "tail end" of the process of thinking of what it wants to do with its website. He said NASCAR is working toward having several camera angles for fans to watch a race on the website, like what was done during the Chase For The Sprint Cup on the current website. "That drives a better fan experience when watching the race," Jenkins said. "In my mind, more important than just a pure stream of the race broadcast is the alternate camera angles, it's the dynamic leaderboard, it's the car data, it's all those things that help people enjoy the race more." Jenkins said they also hope the NASCAR site will help drive traffic to the drivers' websites and could offer a content management system teams and drivers could use in production of their websites. Scene Daily

No FIA consequences for convicted Sutil - manager(GMM) Adrian Sutil's manager on Tuesday said the German driver is free to return to formula one. 29-year-old Sutil had emerged from a Munich court with a criminal conviction for grievous bodily harm, an 18-month suspended jail term and EUR 200,000 fine. The former Force India driver also has no job at present.

"I can not say whether anyone in the sport wants to work with me," he was quoted on Tuesday by the SID news agency.

Sutil's manager Manfred Zimmermann, however, said the path is clear for his client to resume his career.

Lorenzo fastest, Stoner sidelined in MotoGP testingToday the MotoGP teams officially kicked off the 2012 MotoGP season with the first of three days testing at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.

Due to early morning rain, the track conditions were not good enough to go out on track until midday.

Jorge Lorenzo turned the fastest lap for Yamaha and Dani Pedrosa set the second fastest laptime of the day with a 2'02.003.

Celebration of Automobiles expands at IndyThe Celebration of Automobiles returns May 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, featuring an expanded lineup of events that pay tribute to the heritage of automotive development at the track for more than 100 years.

A Vintage and Historic Car Show featuring some of the most beautiful and rare cars from 1920-70 will be the focal point, with an Emerging Tech Showcase being integrated into the event. The new addition is an Automobile Festival, featuring hundreds of current and late-model vehicles, and displays from aftermarket accessory and automotive product companies

Panther Racing CEO receives medal for outstanding servicePanther Racing CEO and managing partner John Barnes last week was presented the Arizona Adjutant General’s Medal for outstanding service and unwavering commitment to the United States National Guard.

The National Guard returns as the primary sponsor of the No. 4 Panther Racing car to be driven by JR Hildebrand in the 2012 season.

“I’m just unbelievably humbled by this honor and have to thank my good friend Gen. (Hugo) Salazar for everything he’s done for Panther,” Barnes said. “I say it all the time, but we’re just doing what we feel is right for the soldiers who serve this country. I feel like every honor we receive as a team is more a testament to the hard work they do and how eager we are to help support those efforts.”

Said Salazar: "Patriot citizens such as yourself have made the National Guard a proven operational force that is always ready and always there to defend America both at home and abroad. Your efforts reflect great credit upon yourself, your family and the Panther Racing team.” IndyCar.com

Of course, Wilson was sporting the winner's watch from the title sponsor (though he'll have to withdraw a few links in the band for it to fit properly). Wilson took in the completed Honda-powered No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing car, which he'll be shaking down Jan. 31 on the Sebring short course, for the first time.

Wilson, twice at runner-up in the endurance race on the 23.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course, earned the victory in his fifth attempt. It was the first for Shank, who will enter a car in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

One of the six BMW Motorsport cars for the 2012 DTM season will be the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM, bearing the design of Castrol EDGE and Aral Ultimate.

This marks an extension of the existing, long-term partnership between Castrol and BMW Motorsport, and sees Aral Ultimate presented as partner of BMW Motorsport in the DTM. “For many years we have put our faith in high-performance Castrol lubricants, and have celebrated countless successes together on the racetrack,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “For that reason, everyone here at BMW Motorsport is delighted that we are able to build on this established partnership in the DTM. Castrol EDGE and Aral Ultimate are high-performance brands, which suit our DTM project perfectly.”

Video: Joao Barbosa takes wife on a wild ride around Daytona Hi Banks in a 2 seaterJoao Barbosa takes wife for the 1st time in a ride around Daytona International Speedway at 185mph in a 2 seater Daytona Prototype

Formula One legend Rubens Barrichello and IndyCar superstar Tony Kanaan put in a full day of testing today for KV Racing Technology at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida.

Barrichello, #5 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone, who was driving an IndyCar for the first time and for the first time at Sebring, ran 94 laps, approximately 150 miles, making progress throughout the day. By the end of the day he was posting times that were competitive with drivers who have been in the series for several years and tested at Sebring before.

UPDATE What began as a pick-me-up message from Tony Kanaan two weeks ago has developed into serious consideration by Brazilian Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello to join the IZOD IndyCar Series for the 2012 season.

Kanaan, who sent the note to his good friend after Barrichello was replaced by Bruno Senna at Williams F1, welcomed Barrichello with a dinner attended by Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Oriol Servia ("he noticed the atmosphere; how we all get along") on Jan. 29. Kanaan was happy to have Barrichello accept the invitation to join him at Sebring.

"McLaren has had absolutely no contact with Pure for many months," a McLaren spokesman said. "Moreover, the contact we did have with Pure, many months ago, was of an entirely informal nature, and was merely a courtesy gesture."

Group submits 68-page business plan to run Baltimore GPOne of several groups vying to run the Baltimore Grand Prix in 2012 has submitted a detailed 68-page business plan to City Hall officials according to the Baltimore Sun.

Geoff Whaling, CEO of North American Motorsport Events Inc., provided the plan to The Baltimore Sun on Monday and said he is "awaiting a response from the city" on his proposal.

Whaling, the former head of economic planning and tourism for the city of Toronto, said he designed and implemented a plan for that city's race, called the Molson Indy Festival.

In the Baltimore plan, Whaling's team proposes creating a non-profit organization to run the race that would leave debts from last year's race with previous event organizer Baltimore Racing Development. His proposal anticipates the race continuing to lose money for the next two years, before turning a profit in year four.

The Repsol Honda Team, 2011 Triple Crown Champions, hosted the media at a Team Presentation in the Pan Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur tonight with a press conference and welcome party.

After the winter break, team riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa returned to the media spotlight refreshed and eager to start the new season. Alongside them were HRC team bosses, Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC Executive Vice President), Hideki Iwano (Director, Assistant to Team Principal), Shinichi Kokubu (Technical Director) and Livio Suppo (Communications and Marketing Director). This was also the first opportunity for the media to see the new RC213V bike complete with 2011 World Champion, Casey Stoner's number '1' emblazoned on the front.

UPDATE Wal-Mart announced it is expanding its Race Time 2012 program to give fans more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan events at stores, a greater selection of authentic NASCAR merchandise and a special sponsorship of Bill Elliott at the Coke Zero 400. Wal-Mart’s Race Time program, launched last year as the largest retail promotion in NASCAR history, gives fans authentic merchandise and fan events at Wal-Mart stores in every NASCAR Sprint Cup series race market. This year, Wal-Mart has more than tripled the number of companies offering displays of authentic merchandise, doubled the number of fan events at stores and increased the race markets where the $99 Wal-Mart Family Track Pack will be offered. For more about Wal-Mart’s Race Time 2012 program and the races the $99 Wal-Mart Family Track Pack will be available at Walmart.com/NASCAR. Wal-Mart/Mitchell Communications Group.

Mario Andretti (L) presents the Mario Andretti trophy to Tony Stewart (R) as Speed Performer of the Year

Racing legend Mario Andretti presented his namesake trophy to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart on SPEED Center earlier this evening, acknowledging the three-time champion’s Chase run as the difference maker among a very impressive field of finalists for the annual SPEED Performer of the Year presented by ACE.

“This is an awesome moment in my career,” Stewart said on the program. “I grew up in Indiana watching this guy a lot. Winning any award is an honor, but winning one with Mario’s name on it is very special.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star AJ Allmendinger drove the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Ford / Riley Daytona Prototype entry to the win. It was an epic battle over the final two hours between three Ford DP entries in one of the most competitive Rolex 24 events in recent memory.

New IndyCar represents a learning curve for teams and driversScott Dixon acknowledges he's been spoiled during his IZOD IndyCar Series career that began in 2003 with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Spoiled in the fact that “we knew the old car so well.” Other veteran drivers would likely agree as development of the new Dallara DW12 chassis is akin to breaking in a pair of leather shoes.

This week, the two-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion’s attention turns from the 3.56-mile course he toured in the Rolex 24 At Daytona over the weekend to the 1.7-mile Sebring short course for the next round of testing the chassis and 2.2-liter, turbocharged V-6 engine.

California orders automakers to sell more non-polluting vehicles by 2025California regulators today approved a plan that would require 15.4 percent of new vehicles sold in the state to be electric, fuel-cell or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2025.

The rule -- supported by major automakers -- is part of a broader package of regulations called the Advanced Clean Car program designed to cut vehicle greenhouse gas and smog-forming emissions.

The sweeping new auto emission standards could mean 1.4 million electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles on California roads by 2025.

Marco Andretti was treated for dehydration Sunday after his final stint in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Andretti was a last-minute addition to the Starworks Motorsport team, and agreed to run in the twice-around-the-clock endurance race even though he was in the middle of a two-day IndyCar test session. He finished at Palm Beach International Raceway on Saturday afternoon, then hustled to Daytona to make his debut in the prestigious sports car event.

"Do they make a 40-hour energy drink?" he posted Saturday on his Twitter page. "Going to be a long couple days but there is no better place to be than the cockpit."

The 50th running of the Rolex 24 classic at Daytona has come down to an exciting 3-way battle for the win with 4 hours to race. The No. 01 Ganassi BMW at the hands of Scott Pruett currently holds a slim lead over the Michael Shank Ford and the polesitting No. 8 Starworks Ford with Ryan Dalziel behind the wheel.

In the GT class the Brumos Racing Porsche GT3 holds a slim 29 second lead over the TRG Porsche GT3.

It's no secret that Champ Car produced the best drivers in America. From the Andretti, Foyts, Unsers, Juan Montoya and even today's crop of drivers. The best ones came from Champ Car or Champ Car Atlantics. It was the best racing series in America until Tony George destroyed it.

At the Rolex 24, where the biggest names in American racing are gathered to meet this weekend, it is those same Champ Car trained drivers that shine. Be it Justin Wilson, who currently leads, Juan Montoya, Ryan Dalziel, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and even Scott Pruett - when they are in the car they take the other drivers to school.

At the 17 hour mark Wilson leads Joey Hand (who also came up through the Champ Car ladder series) and Lucas Luhr.

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh thinks Kimi Raikkonen's return to the FF1 grid this season with the Lotus team will be good for the sport.

The former McLaren driver returns to the sport after two years away, having competed in the World Rally Championship after his departure from Ferrari at the end of 2009.

Raikkonen took twelve of his 18 F1 victories while driving for McLaren before signing for Ferrari for the 2007 campaign and Whitmarsh said the 32-year-old was a welcome addition to the grid again for the season ahead.

Hendrick says association with Phoenix doesn’t circumvent four team cap

Rick Hendrick (R)

Rick Hendrick bristled at the suggestion that his Hendrick Motorsports team might be seen as gaining an unfair advantage through its relationship with Phoenix Racing and owner James Finch.

Hendrick, who says Finch has been a “good friend and a good engine customer” through the years, scoffed at the idea that the single-car team is a satellite operation of his own four-team program and might be seen as a fifth entry for the 10-time championship group.

Paul Tracy is close to putting together a deal to run in IndyCar this season, but said 2012 will be his final year in the open-wheel series.

The Canadian announced Saturday night that he's working on a deal with Michael Shank Racing, is close to securing a sponsor and is working on an engine package. MSR will be a new team in IndyCar this season, and is co-owned by NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger.

MSR had indicated when it announced its formation it would be partnered with Lotus for an engine program. But the team has not made an official announcement, and Tracy has a personal services contract with Honda.

As the sun began to rise at the 15 Hour mark of the Rolex 24 the polesitting No. 8 Starworks Ford driven by Ryan Dalziel still led with a 21 second cushion over the No. 01 Chip Ganassi BMW driven by Memo Rojas. Justin Wilson was 3rd in the No. 60 Michael Shank Ford.

In GT class Rene Rast led in his Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 by 14.2 seconds over Marc Lieb in the Brumos Racing Porsche GT3. Then two minutes after the 15 Hour mark a caution flag came out and the field dove into the pits and bunched up behind the pace car.

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