Sunday, February 27, 2005

NHRA: SCHUMACHER, FORCE AND JOHNSON WIN

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher raced to victory Sunday at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix.

John Force and Allen Johnson also were winners at the $1.8 million race, the second of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher earned his 22nd career Top Fuel victory and third at FIR by posting a final round performance of 4.485 seconds at 329.50 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to defeat upstart Morgan Lucas, whose Lucas Oil dragster lost power past mid-track and recorded a 4.967 at 207.53.

Schumacher drove his consistently quick dragster to early round wins over Bruce Litton, Cory McClenathan and Brandon Bernstein before racing past Lucas in the final-round.

"It's so cool to drive a car for the best Top Fuel team I've ever seen, from either the inside or across the pit with someone else," said Schumacher, who regained the series points lead with the victory. "Alan (Johnson, crew chief) is at a level that's better than anything he's ever done before. The car is perfect.”

It was the third runner-up finish for Lucas, who has been to three finals in 10 career Top Fuel starts.

"I feel a little sorry for Morgan,” Schumacher said. “I know what that's like. I went to nine finals before I won so I know you start thinking things like, 'What do I need to do to win one of these things?' He'll get his. That's a great car and he's a good driver."

Defending series champ Force earned his 115th Funny Car victory by powering to a 4.802 second run at 344.12 mph in his Castrol GTX Start Up Ford Mustang to hold off Ron Capps, who drove his Brut Dodge Stratus to a 4.856 at 321.27 in his first final round appearance since 2003.

It was Force’s eighth victory at FIR, the most by any NHRA driver.

“We love coming to Arizona,” Force said. “This was a good win. We were running 4.60s last year like magic and went to Pomona two weeks ago and got overconfident and stopped reading the track and started running on ego. (Austin) Coil (crew chief) told me we were going to fix it this weekend and we did.”

Force, who increased his head-to-head record against Capps to 34-7 with the victory (7-2 in final round meetings), was happy to renew his rivalry with his old friend.

"I'm glad to see Capps back in the mix because he's been down for awhile," Force said. "I gave him a big ol' kiss down there because I was happy for him. He said, 'What's that?' and I told him it was that cologne he's wearing, I couldn't resist. He's running good now and that's another car to worry about.”

Capps, whose last victory came at Phoenix in 2003, was pleased to be back in a final round after enduring his worst season ever in ‘04.

“We were close,” Capps said. “It’s disappointing because we wanted to get Brut and Dodge a win. To come out on the losing end hurts a little bit, but it’s OK. We made huge, huge gains. I’m really excited about going to the next race in Gainesville (Fla.).”

Semifinalist Phil Burkart, who upset Cruz Pedregon in the first round and defeated Whit Bazemore in the second, claimed the series points lead in Funny Car for the first time in his career.

“It’s not like we need any extra motivation, but it made a chill run down my back to hear that,” said Burkart, who was runner-up at the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. “We know it’s only the second race of a 23-race season, and we have the mindset that we’ll probably have to win at Gainesville to keep the top spot, so we’ll go down there and try to do that. For the next couple of weeks I’m going to be looking closely at the newspaper in the hope they run the standings. It’s going to be an honor to see my name at the top.”

Johnson scored his third career victory and first since 2002 by beating Ron Krisher in the final round. Johnson, who moved into the series points lead for the first time in his career with the win, covered the distance in 6.801 at 202.36 in his J&J Racing Team Mopar Dodge Stratus, while Krisher trailed in his Valvoline Chevy Cavalier, clocking a 6.887 at 190.65.

"I think the parity is back in Pro Stock," Johnson said. "We've been dominated by Greg (Anderson) for the last two years so the rest of us are pretty anxious to get some wins ourselves. He's been two or three hundredths ahead of everyone, but I don't think there were many races today decided by more than a thousandth of-a-second. We'll probably see 12 to 14 winners this year like we did in 2002.”

Johnson defeated V. Gaines, Jason Line and Jeg Coughlin to advance to the final round. It was the first Pro Stock win for Dodge since 2002 (Larry Morgan, Sonoma, Calif.).

"This was a big win for our program and for Mopar,” Johnson added. “It's been awhile since Mopar has won a race in Pro Stock so it's nice to put them back in the winner's circle.”

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Russ Bond feature in Today's Toronto Star... must have furniture for the racing fanatic

You might need to register at TheStar.com to see this story, so I posted the body of the copy below.
Russ Bond took time away from mastering the new GT4 game to write a story for today's Wheels section about an affordable way to bring the racing experience into your own living room... if your better half will let you.

TheStar.com - A must-have if you're serious

A must-have if you're serious
Simulators add to game experience Spend $28,000, or make it for $60


RUSS BOND // SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The other day, I raced Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 41 of his closest friends the full race distance at the Daytona 500 — taking about four hours — in the comfort of my living room, in front of my television.

I was gaming, but not just using your standard computer or video game system. To be a serious video gamer, you need serious equipment — just like real racing.

Lifelike racing simulators are a fast-growing must-have for any serious gamer and they are essential to getting the most out of any racing game.

We've all seen the arcade versions, but what is available for home use? With the new, long-awaited Gran Turismo 4 released this week, this is the time to get hooked up with a realistic racing simulator.

The top-of-the-line in personal simulators is clearly the replica F1 car from SiMiS (http://www.f1 sim is.com), which is rightly billed as the ultimate entertainment package.

Starting at about $28,000, the full-sized Formula One replicas have a computer where the engine would be. SiMiS is based at Silverstone in England (it doesn't get more F1 than that) and the cars are adaptable to meet any gamer's needs. The simulators can be outfitted with a PC, Xbox or PS2.

The cars look amazingly real and can be outfitted with any graphics package you can come up with. They have real F1 wheels and tires, and just like a real F1, SiMiS tailors the seating position with seat inserts to fit any size driver. If you want the ultimate game room accessory, this is clearly it.

For those who don't have a spare $28,000, there is a less-expensive line of simulators from Australian company Hyperstimulator.com. The top of the line is the Extreme, which sells for $5,397. Other models include the Proto GP ($3,103) and the Clubman kit ($600 to $1,600). These personal simulators feature a leather wheel, stainless steel gear paddles, sequential shifter, programmable buttons, carbon fibre dash and drilled pedals.

My favourite option for the Extreme is the $92 drink bottle, complete with tube of course, for those really long races.

Another option for serious gamers is to build your very own simulator tub.

It is not as difficult as you may think. I have built several and it probably is the most economical way of doing things.

Most gamers already have the wheel and pedal assemblies, so all you need is a trip to the hardware store for about $60 worth of wood and screws, followed by a stop at the local junkyard for a car seat.

Three hours of cutting and screwing later and you're all set to go racing.

Whatever option you choose, there is no doubt a good driving simulator will enhance any gaming experience, no matter what your budget.

There is one warning you should take note of from the http://hyperstimcanada.com site: "We accept no responsibility for broken relationships, divorces, missed appointments and lost time due to the use of the Hyper Stimulator. We only accept responsibility if you are having fun."

Now all I need is a crew chief simulator who can advise me whether to swap two tires or four in the pits at Daytona.

Hey, I only need a half a second.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
r.bond@russbondagency.com

Friday, February 25, 2005

OSCAAR: Biederman race set for Peterborough in '05

INSIDE TRACK EXCLUSIVE:

PETERBOROUGH, ON - Peterborough Speedway promoter J.P. Josiasse just stopped by the office with some exciting news for his track. According to Josiasse, he has an agreement with OSCAAR to host the 2005 edition of OSCAAR's Don Biederman Memorial race on the Saturday of the Labour Day Weekend (Sept. 3).



Last year, OSCAAR's version of the Biederman Memorial was held at Kawartha Speedway, after several years of being run at Flamboro Speedway. There was talk, at the time, that the race would move from track-to-track to give fans in different areas a chance to see the Biederman Memorial.

Josiasse said that promotion for the event will be done in conjunction with OSCAAR, and that efforts to build momentum for the event will start as soon as the Performance World Show, in March.

"Peterborough Speedway is the traditional home of the Super Late Models," said Josiasse. "So it's only right that a race of this size be held at Peterborough."

In addition to an OSCAAR SLM race at Peterborough in July, and the Biederman race on Labour Day, the OSCAAR tour will once again appear at Peterborough's Autumn Colours Classic.

"The Kawartha OSCAAR race attracted 26 Super Lates last year and we're thinking that we might get 28-30 if we promote it as a big race all summer," concluded Josiasse.

SPEED WORLD CHALLENGE: Jon Groom Racing signs Penfold

NEW JERSEY – After securing a two year, two-car deal with the team s primary sponsor Axa Financial, Inc., Jon Groom Racing has signed young Canadian driver Alex Penfold to drive the third Axa/Pfaff Porsche in his first Speed World Challenge event at Sebring March 15-18th, 2005.



Alex will drive the third car alongside Robin Liddell and team owner, Jon Groom.
"We re very happy to have Alex on board for his debut in World Challenge GT racing and in a Porsche. We recently did an extended test with Alex and he proved to be quick, consistent and very grounded for a 19 year old. He got on very well with the team and should have a great future in sportscar racing."

Doug Spranger, Team Manager added, "We’re hoping that Alex will continue for the balance of the season as he s well-liked by the team, has a willingness to learn and, most importantly, early testing has shown him to be surprisingly quick and consistent".

Alex will be one of two 19 year olds entered in the GT field of the Speed World Challenge, but has had much racing success already given his young age.

Alex started kart racing in 1999 and by 2001 he was winning races, eventually earning the OKRA Championship "Senior Rookie of the Year" award, followed by 3rd overall in the Sunoco Ron Fellows OKRA Championship in 2002.

Alex ran selected shifter kart races in 2003 winning the Stars of Tomorrow Windsor Grand Prix by a clear 14 second margin before graduating to the Honda Michelin Challenge Series in 2004, where he had a pole, two wins and two podiums. A performance that earned him the Rookie of the Year title and 6th place overall.

"I’m really excited about this opportunity to drive one of the Jon Groom Racing 911 Porsches in what is one of the most exciting series around. I’d like to thank my Manager for his support in getting me here, and also Chris Pfaff who has helped me to this point in my career and is also a sponsor of the team. I know I have a lot to learn, but I can t wait to get started in March. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do the rest of the season and fight for Rookie-of-the-Year" said Alex.

For more information about the Speed World Challenge Series, visit www.world-challenge.com or www.jongroomracing.com

CONTEST: What can you Hemi?

That Thing Got a HEMI®? … It Could Soon!



Go to: www.WhatCanYouHemi.com and you could win a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle of your choice!

WINDSOR, ON. – Since the rebirth of the HEMI® engine, HEMI has become a brand within a brand, taking the hottest new Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles to a new level in power and technology. "That Thing Got a HEMI" has become a household phrase serving as a constant reminder that anything with a HEMI is truly top notch.

In celebration of the legendary HEMI engine, Chrysler Group launches the "What Can You HEMI?" contest today asking Canadian and American consumers the question: If you could infuse the power and torque of the 5.7-litre V-8 HEMI engine into anything, what would it be?

Chrysler Group is encouraging consumers to imagine the possibilities of HEMI power. Anyone up for the challenge is required to submit their HEMI-powered invention in a brief essay (300 words or less) and to support the idea with a sketch.

A panel of Chrysler Group judges will select five semi-finalists based on creativity, engineering feasibility, safety and functionality. The five semi-finalists will see their HEMI-powered idea brought to life and will win a trip for two to take part in the official unveiling of these creations.

One of the five final HEMI-powered inventions will be named the grand prize winner and its inventor will drive home in a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle of their choice.

"Our hottest new vehicles are powered by HEMI engines including the country's first production high-volume Multi-Displacement System (MDS)," said Joe Eberhardt, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group. "This contest is about extending the same power, torque and technology to make the ordinary, extra-ordinary and to have a lot of fun while we're at it."

Contest entries must be postmarked by April 6 and received by April 13, 2005 and should be mailed to:

"What Can You HEMI" Contest
P.O. Box 6761
Stacy, MN 55078-6761

More contest information is available at www.WhatCanYouHemi.com

The HEMI engine was first made popular in 1951 when Chrysler Corporation introduced its entry in the post-war horsepower race. Its power and efficiency made it an instant favourite for all sorts of motorsports vehicles.

Although reluctantly retired in 1959 due to high manufacturing cost, the HEMI design was still unsurpassed. In 1964, NASCAR competition sparked the HEMI's return, and it has remained available for motorsport use ever since. Today, the 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 engine, a modern high-performance, fuel-efficient and durable powerplant, is available on Chrysler 300C, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Ram Pickup, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum and later this year, Dodge Charger. On vehicles offering the HEMI engine, the take-rate in Canada is 42 percent.

The 2005 Chrysler 300C was the first modern volume production vehicle in North America to feature cylinder deactivation. Chrysler Group’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is a technology that seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-litre HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy up to 20 percent. MDS is also standard on Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee, equipped with a HEMI engine.

Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: www.media.daimlerchrysler.ca