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2005 NEWS: US MOTORSPORTS

PRESS RELEASE

"WINS" Weight Highlights 2005 Trans-Am Rules Changes (FEB 10, 2005)

The Weight Indexed Neutralization System (WINS) is among several rule changes being instituted for the 2005 Trans-Am racing season. Other changes include a modified ride- height rule, and rules designed to further enhance driver safety. The goal of the WINS Weight program is to provide close competition at the head of the field. To that end, the system will assess a 25-pound weight handicap against the winning driver of each race this season. An additional 25 pounds will be added for a second victory. The first 25 pounds of WINS Weight will be removed if the car finishes outside of the top three in a subsequent race. If a driver finishes outside the top three following that race, the final 25 pounds will be removed. The maximum WINS Weight is 50 pounds. If a winning driver doesn't race in the next scheduled event following a victory, 50 pounds of WINS Weight will be assessed at the next event in which that driver races.

"The WINS Weight program is designed to equalize the top drivers and teams in the Trans-Am Series, with a final goal of a more competitive racing environment," said Trans-Am Executive Director John Clagett. "Our drivers, teams and, most of all, our fans will benefit from closer, more competitive racing action." In order to further promote driver safety, the Series will require cars to have two master electrical cut-off switches this season--one inside the cockpit, and a second switch mounted on the driver side A-pillar. Taping of body latches will be strictly prohibited this season. The HANS device will continue to be mandatory for all Trans-Am drivers.

The Series has also modified its ride-height rule this season. The new rule stipulates that no part of the car, other than wheels and tires, may touch the ground when the tires on one side of the car are deflated. Previously, the rule specified all cars were required to meet a 2.5-inch minimum ride height. All cars must also run identical wing mounting posts this season.

The Trans-Am Series features closed-fendered, production-based, V-8- powered sports cars, competing on permanent road courses, and temporary street and airport circuits throughout North America. The Trans-Am Series is America's oldest continuously running road racing series and celebrates its 40th consecutive year of competition in 2005. (TRANS-AM)

Lexus Sets Sights on First Rolex 24 Victory (FEB 1, 2005)

Featuring a powerful driver line-up that includes defending series champion Scott Pruett, Lexus has set its sights on its first Rolex 24 at Daytona victory in this weekend's Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series opener at the Daytona International Speedway. Pruett returns in last year's championship-winning CompUSA Lexus- Riley, one of six Lexus-powered entries in the race including three from the stables of Ganassi Racing. Pruett will be joined in the #01 CompUSA car by full-time Grand Am teammate Luis Diaz, as well as IRL rookie Ryan Briscoe, who comes to Ganassi Racing after serving as the Toyota F1 test driver for the past three seasons. Ganassi Racing also will field a car for Target drivers Scott Dixon, the 2003 IndyCar Series champion, his IRL teammate Darren Manning and Nextel Cup driver Casey Mears. Veteran road racers Stefan Johansson and Cort Wagner will team with Nextel Cup star Jamie McMurray in the #02 New Century Mortgage Lexus-Riley.

Also returning with Lexus power for the 2005 season is Doran Racing and the #27 Lexus-Doran. Italian FIA GT champions Matteo Bobbi and Fabrizio Gollin are in line to run the full season with the team. They'll be joined for the Rolex 24 by sports car star Didier Theys -- a two-time Rolex 24 winner who co-drove to victory for the team at Watkins Glen last year.

New to Lexus power in 2005 will be Robinson Racing. Formers sports car and NASCAR star turned television analyst Wally Dallenbach Jr. will anchor the #74 -- 74 Ranch Resort Lexus-Riley. He'll be joined by younger brother Paul Dallenbach, team owner George Robinson and former IndyCar driver Johnny Unser for the twice-around-the-clock extravaganza.

Rounding out the Lexus line-up is the #3 OzExe Lexus-Fabcar from Cegwa Sport. Team owner Darius Grala will be joined by Mark Patterson, Bohdan Kroczek, Quentin Wahl in the cockpit.

Lexus-powered cars won 5 races and 11 of 12 pole positions in 2004. In addition, the manufacturer powered Scott Pruett and Max Papis to the Driver's Championship, as well as Ganassi Racing to the team title. SPEED will provide 14.5 hours of television coverage on this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona beginning at noon on February 5, and will carry all of the action through the first seven hours of the race. After a one-hour break, the telecast resumes at 8:00 p.m., with coverage continuing until 11:00 p.m. ET. The third and final segment of the telecast will hit the airwaves at 8:00 a.m., and run through the race's conclusion, including the post-race victory celebrations. (TOYOTA)

DA MATTA RETURNS FROM F1 (FEB 2, 2005)

2002 Champcar champion Cristiano da Matta will rejoin the Champcar series after 2 years in F1 (Toyota). He will drive for PKV Racing alongside another former champion, Jimmy Vasser.
PKV (Dan Pettit): "... The addition of Cristiano to PKV Racing's driver lineup gives us the strongest team we have had in our three year existence and one of the most exciting in Champ Car history. Cristiano is, obviously a tremendous driving talent, a past champion and a driver who knows how to win races."
DA MATTA: "... it (Champ Car) is the most competitive series in the world and one that puts a premium on a driver's ability. The decision to join PKV Racing was not a difficult one. I really only talked to three teams and, in the end the best opportunity for me was here."

PORSCHE ENTRIES AIM FOR 21ST OVERALL WIN AND 60TH CLASS VICTORY - MORE THAN ANY OTHER MARQUE - IN THE 2005 24 HOURS AT DAYTONA (JAN 31, 2005)

In the storied history of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, Porsche has outdistanced all other marques with 20 overall wins and 58 class victories, and Porsche Motorsport North America President Uwe Brettel would like nothing better than to see Porsche win another Rolex 24 overall and finish first in both classes again in 2005. "Unlike other years when Porsche fielded factory teams at this race, we are hoping to get to the winners circle through the efforts of our customer teams," said Brettel, who took over the top spot at Porsche Motorsport North America a year ago. "But many of these private teams are taking advantage of the broad support Porsche offers to all its customers, including engineering help, engine services, at-the-track trouble-shooting, parts availability, and public relations activity," said Brettel, who pointed out that three Porsche-powered Daytona Prototypes and 23 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers (in the GT class) are entered in this year's event, to be held February 5-6, 2005, starting at noon, at Daytona International Speedway.

In the Daytona Prototype class, the two original cars - the Brumos Fabcar Porsches - are back for a third season with stiffer chassis and improved performance. Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas join regulars Hurley Haywood and J.C. France in the #59 car, while the #58 Red Bull entry has regulars David Donohue and Darren Law joined by Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr. Maassen, Luhr and Bernhard - all German drivers - are all former American Le Mans Series champions, with Bernhard winning the GT class at the Rolex 24 in 2002, and winning overall as well as GT in 2003 with The Racer's Group Porsche. Luhr was part of the winning Rolex 24 GT effort in 2001 in the Petersen/White Lightning Porsche. Dumas, a French driver, won four ALMS poles in four attempts last year, while Rockenfeller was part of the Flying Lizard team that was second in the GT class and third overall at the Rolex 24 last year.

The third Porsche-powered Fabcar, the Money Network/Performance Friction entry - a former Brumos race car - will be run by Tim, Josh and Jake Vargo from Tennessee and Brady Refenning, from Stuart, Florida. Highlights for this year's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racing contingent include six entries from Kevin Buckler's The Racer's Group, including a new Porsche for Joe and Jay Policastro, winner's of last year's GT class, and a Porsche dubbed Team 16 for the three 16 year-old drivers who will be making their Rolex 24 debut - Brad Coleman, Colin Braun, and Adrian Carrio. The fastest of the Buckler entries during January practice days was the car driven by Buckler, Andy Lally, Carlos de Quesada, Hugh Plumb and Marc Bunting, while Canadian drivers from last year's Rolex 24 SGS winning team - Doncaster Racing - will be in a Porsche entered by Peter Baron's The Racer's Group East (David Lacey, Greg Wilkins, Mark Wilkins, David Shep along with Englishman Robert Nearn).

The fastest GT car in practice earlier this month was the TPC Porsche entry led by team owner Michael Levitas, former Rolex 24 GT winner Randy Pobst, Spencer Pompelly, Canadian Jean-Francois Dumoulin (in the winning Doncaster car last year), and John Littlefield. Levitas has entered another car which includes Mike Fitzgerald, who has won the GT class twice in the Rolex 24, and a third car which includes former Star Mazda champion Guy Cosmo. TPC won the Rolex Grand-Am SGS class championship in 2004 in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racer.

The Flying Lizard Motorsport team, which finished second in GT a year ago in its first Rolex 24, and was second fastest during practice days, is back with the a familiar driver line-up including Porsche factory driver Patrick Long - the only American factory driver currently working for Porsche - along with Johannes van Overbeek, Jon Fogarty, Lonnie Pechnik and Seth Neiman.

Porsche Michelin Supercup champion Wolf Henzler and his Farnbacher Racing team have made the trip from Germany to contest the class in the Porsche GT3 Cup car which dominated that series last year, and Grand-Am Cup champions Wayne and Will Nonnamaker have entered three cars in the Rolex.

Other Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers to watch include an all-star European team lead by Dieter Quester and Karl Wendlinger from Austria, Johnny Mowlem from England and Victor Vosse from Belgium. Baldwin-Tafel Racing has entered a Porsche for veterans Jack Baldwin, Robin Liddell, Andrew Davis, Jim Tafel, and defending Grand-Am Cupchampion Craig Stanton.

The 23 Porsche Rolex GT competitors will be driving Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, purpose-built race cars manufactured by the Porsche factory on the same assembly line as Porsche's complete line of sports cars for the consumer. The 2005 model for Grand-Am racing is based on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup street car (996), while the Porsche Michelin Supercup series has moved to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car based on the newly-introduced 997 model.

The Cup car carries over last year's improvements to driver safety and comfort as well as measures to avoid over-revving or overheating of the engine. The six-point safety belt and racing bucket seat underwent modifications to integrate the Head and Neck Support System (HANS), which helps prevent head and neck injuries. The safety cage features an additional cross bar as well as a transversal bar behind the seat and reinforcement to the A-pillar. With this, the GT3 Cup meets the current FIA safety requirements. Thanks to last year's new adaptor for the seat bracket, very tall drivers now enjoy enough head room. The new rear side windows of plastic with ventilation slots provide good air flow through the cockpit and help reduce weight. Three minor modifications improve operational safety of the 2004/05 GT3 Cup:
* A shift light comes on in the cockpit warning the driver when shifting revs are reached.
* The speed-limiter ensures that the speed limit in the pit lane is not exceeded.
* The water level control light warns the driver when the coolant level is too low.

Since 2003, the six-cylinder boxer engine with 3,598 cc capacity delivers 390 hp (287 kW) at 7,300 rpm. Maximum torque remains unchanged at 390 Nm (6,500 revs), with maximum revs reached at 8,000 rpm. A recent improvement is an intake air shrouding on the engine, which prevents hot air from around the engine or from under the vehicle reaching the combustion chambers and causing power loss. The continuously variable adjustable height, camber and track of the suspension with Sachs gas-pressure shock absorbers adjustable in two position as well as adjustable anti-roll bars open many possibilities for setting up the car. Through the use of carbon fiber and plastic, the weight of the 911 GT3 Cup remains at 1,160 kilos (2,552 lbs - raised to 2,600 lbs. for Grand- Am rules). All windows, with the exception of the windscreen, are plastic, with the rear lid and doors made of carbon fiber.

The 2004/05 911 GT3 Cup competes in the Porsche makes cup races as well as many other racing series. Older vehicles can - with the exception of the safety cages - be modified to 2004/05 specifications. Due to the great demand for the 911 GT3 Cup, Porsche built about 150 new units in 2004.

The 2005 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona will be televised live by The Speed Channel television network, with more than 16 hours of coverage starting at 11:30 AM Eastern time on Saturday, February 5 (check local listings for the exact times for coverage in your local area). The race starts at noon (one hour earlier than previous years) and will end at noon on Sunday, February 6. Also, the more than 110 affiliates of the Motor Racing Network (MRN) nationally will provide coverage on the radio - check local listings for time in your area. The cars will see their first track time on Thursday, February 3, when practice opens at 10:00 AM. The first round of qualifying will take place Thursday afternoon, followed by a night practice Thursday night. Final qualifying will take place on Friday, with the race starting Saturday at noon Eastern time. (PORSCHE USA)

Disney, Pixar on-board with Newman at Daytona (JAN 26, 2005)

Film Legend Paul Newman Celebrates His 80th Birthday Today and Races for New Record at Next Week's Rolex 24 at Daytona in Disney and Pixar Sponsored Racecar. At an age when most people think about slowing down, film legend Paul Newman, who celebrates his 80th birthday today (1/26), is set to put the pedal to the metal behind the wheel of a Disney and Pixar sponsored racecar on February 4th, and race for a new record at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, it was announced today. The Academy Award-winning actor, who voices the character of a 1951 Hudson Hornet named Doc Hudson in the summer 2006 computer-animated feature, "Cars" (a Disney presentation of a Pixar Film), already holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest driver to win a professionally sanctioned race in 1995 at Daytona. Newman will be joined by Sebastien Bourdais (2004 Champ Car World Series Champion for Newman/Haas Racing); Cristiano da Matta (2002 Champ Car World Series Champion for Newman/Haas Racing); and Michael Brockman, Newman's co-driver when they won the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 1995.

Commenting on the announcement, Newman said, "We all like to push the envelope. I just hope the old bones can motor along Fed Ex and not Delayed Delivery. Fortunately, I'll be with a champion bunch of shoes and good race car courtesy of John Lasseter of Pixar and Disney." Pixar's John Lasseter, director of "Cars" and an Oscar-winning director responsible for the "Toy Story" films and "A Bug's Life," added, "When Paul races next week at Daytona, I'll be there cheering him on along with a few others from the 'Cars' production team. It's been a thrill working with him on our movie, and getting a chance to discuss our mutual love of cars. Moviegoers are going to love hearing Paul's amazing performance as Doc Hudson in 'Cars,' and we're really honored to have him in our cast." Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said, "This is the second year that Disney and Pixar are sponsoring Paul's car at Daytona, and we're proud to be associated with this great actor and car enthusiast. 'Cars' is shaping up to be another spectacular movie from John and the Pixar animation team, and a worthy successor to our Oscar(R) nominated hit, 'The Incredibles.' We'll be rooting for Paul to win at Daytona, and eager for audiences to hear his memorable performance in the film next summer." (WALT DISNEY)

Ford Racing's Mustang GT to compete in Grand Am Cup (JAN 25, 2005)

• Ford Racing's competition program for the new 2005 Mustang GT delivers first race cars to compete in the Grand-Am Cup's GS Class.
• Ford Racing Mustang GT race cars will compete at the season- opening race at Daytona International Speedway.
• Ford Racing's 5.0-liter Cammer 'R50' V-8 powers the Mustang GT race car.

The Ford Mustang and sports car racing. The two have gone hand-in-hand since the car's debut in 1964, and the latest version of Ford's "pony car" will soon be returning to the track in the Grand-Am Cup Series. Today, Ford Racing and the Grand American Road Racing Series announce that Ford Racing's 2005 Mustang GT race car has been homologated to compete in the GS Class of Grand-Am Cup. The Ford Racing Mustang GT race car is based off the all-new 2005 Mustang GT that recently hit showroom floors at Ford dealerships around the country.

"We're excited about expanding our road racing efforts in the Grand American Series with the addition of our race-prepared Mustang GT," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "The 2005 Mustang and our 5.0-liter Cammer 'R50' V-8 make the perfect combination to extend Ford's rich sports car racing heritage."

As announced at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association (SEMA) Show in November 2004, Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) has become the one-stop shop for all the racing needs of the Mustang enthusiast. FRPP will offer the race-prepared Mustang GT in Grand-Am Cup specification, as well as all the racing components necessary for race team support and for those enthusiasts interested in enhancing their own Mustangs. FRPP also offers a 2005 Mustang "body-in-white" for those enthusiasts looking to build their own race cars. Using the FRPP catalog of performance equipment, the "do-it-yourself" builder has a choice of crate engines, from pushrod to modular V-8s, and driveline components to help build a car for a variety of racing series, including drag racing.

"Our goal with this competition program for the new Mustang is to capitalize on our performance parts program and the Mustang's successful history in road racing," continued Davis. "The 5.0-liter Cammer engine family represents the future of Ford Racing Performance Parts, and this program could help solidify the Cammer as the performance crate engine of choice. As well, this competition program will spur the development of performance parts for the new Mustang, and possibly more programs for competition in other racing series."

The 'R50', the race version of the Cammer V-8, as found in the Mustang GT racer, is an evolution of the all-aluminum Cammer 'T50' crate engine, which is currently available from Ford Racing Performance Parts. The 'R50' racing version features many enhancements for road racing highlighted by new cylinder heads, from the Ford GT supercar program, and a unique intake manifold. The Cammer V-8 is based on Ford's family of modular V-8 engines; including the 4.6L DOHC supercharged V-8 as found in the SVT Mustang Cobra.

"Ford Racing's grassroots motorsports efforts have been extremely successful in providing opportunities to go racing at a good value," continued Davis. "We've worked closely with Grand-Am to ensure that the Mustang GT will not only be competitive, but will also offer racers a durable, reliable, and affordable package to go racing in Grand-Am Cup."

The debut race for the new Ford Racing Mustang GT race car will be the Grand-Am Cup Daytona 200 on Friday, February 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Ford Racing currently supplies the 5.0-liter Cammer 'DP' V-8 engine, developed by Robert Yates Racing, to competitors in the Daytona Prototype class of the Grand American Rolex Series. Recently, Ford Racing announced an all-star NASCAR Nextel Cup driver line-up for the Crown Royal Ford Multimatic Daytona Prototype race car competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, including 2004 Nextel Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch, 2003 Nextel Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth, and former NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series Champion Greg Biffle. The race-prepared Mustang GT in full Grand-Am Cup-spec, as well as the 'R50' Cammer V8 and the 2005 Mustang "body-in-white", are available through Ford Racing Performance Parts. (FORD RACING)

CB Motorsports and Chase Competition Engineering To Enter Rolex 24 hours at Daytona in a Pontiac-Chase Daytona Prototype (JAN 24, 2005)

Getting all the way through the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona can be a grueling experience but sometimes just getting to the race can be just as difficult. For Chris Bingham and Robert Chase, the trip is about to become a bit less stressed. After several aborted separate attempts by both Bingham and Chase to get back to the action, the two have decided to join forces to take on the daunting task of running around the clock. CB Motorsports and Chase Competition Engineering are pleased to announce that they are entering the Chase CCE-001 Daytona Prototype in the 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Pontiac powered car will be running under the CB Motorsports / Chase Competition Engineering banner, with crew support provided by Zip Racing. Sponsorship for this effort will come from Matte Leao and Spike Energy Drink, the manufacturers of an energy drink. Matte Leao is immensely popular in South America.

The trio of Bingham, Chase and Zip Racing Crew Chief Paul Chabris last combined talents to run the Chase at the Virginia International round of the 2004 season. (A problem with the bolts providing support for the gearbox knocked them out of starting the California round.) Robert Chase heads up Chase Competition Engineering (CCE). CCE is one of only seven constructors approved by the Grand American Road Racing Association. He is determined to put his chassis out on the track to demonstrate the potential of his design in an effort to attract buyers to his chassis rather than to one of his competitors. Chase wants to showcase his car in the best possible light.

Chase: "I am so looking forward to this race. I think our car is going to be fast on that track. We have done a lot of aero work on the car and we have a date set to go back into the wind tunnel right after the Rolex 24. "We think the aero balance is where it should be for Daytona, and that the car will be fast there. At California, we had a structural failure in the gearbox brought on by the studs we had in there but we have resolved that problem. We have gone through the car from front to back. We have gone through everything. "Our drivers for the 24 hours will be Chris Bingham, Steve Ivankovich, Johnny Miller and Roger Scotton. I am convinced that if they can just keep the car on the asphalt, and off of pit lane, we should have a good showing."

Chris Bingham is a two time champion in the Grand American Road Racing GTS class. He has a Lexus-Riley Daytona Prototype on order that is due to be delivered in a few months. When ready, this new car will be campaigned by CB Motorsports. While awaiting delivery, Bingham is looking to get some championship points on the board. He has worked with Robert Chase before and he sees this pairing as a way to support both his and Chase's goal to make a positive impression on the competition. Bingham: "We ran the Chase at VIR in October. That was really the first time I was back in a competitive racecar after my injuries. It felt great to have a steering wheel in my hand and a fast car underneath me. I am excited about working with Robert, Steve, and Roger, and I think we have a good shot at both finishing the race and placing well.

Steve Ivankovich is a native of Chicago, Illinois and is the owner of Zip Racing. He finished second in the GT class at the 2002 California Rolex Series event and has campaigned a Porsche 911 in the American Le Mans Series in the past. Johnny Miller lives in Johnson City, Tennessee and has been a premier driver in the Trans-Am series, running in a Rocketsport Racing Jaguar with Paul Gentilozzi. He finished the 2002 Trans Am season in fourth place overall in the championship standings. He was voted the BBS Most Improved Driver of the year in 1998, and Rookie of the year in 1996. Roger Scotton is a Brazilian born racing driver and the CEO of Matte Leao North America, as well as the President of Roger Racing Inc. He is a former Brazilian Karting Champion, who he has continued to achieve success both on and off the racetrack. Mr. Scotton was a front-runner and winner in the Builder Barber Dodge Formula and finished 1st place in his class at the Moroso Speedway 24 Hours event. (Matte Leao)

Bridgestone-Shod Ricky Carmichael Takes AMA Supercross Points Lead (JAN 24, 2005)

Bridgestone-shod rider Team Makita Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael went wire to wire for his first victory of 2005 season. Carmichael won the second round of the AMA Supercross Series in Phoenix, Arizona last weekend. In the second Anaheim race Carmichael was once again unbeatable, leading from start to finish. Carmichael now leads the 2005 points chase for both AMA and THQ world supercross titles

"We are pleased to have Ricky Carmichael riding with Bridgestone tires again and congratulate him on his two supercross wins so far this season," said Bob Graham, motorcycle and kart product manager for BFNT.

In the 125cc class, Bridgestone-shod rider Team Makita Suzuki's Broc Hepler won his first supercross of his career at Phoenix and Monster Energy / Pro- Circuit / Kawasaki rider, Ivan Tadesco took the 125cc win at Anaheim. Tadesco is defending western series champion, and now leads the 125 points.

Nashville-based Bridgestone / Firestone North American Tire, LLC, is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural, motorcycle and other tires to its customers in North America. (BRIDGESTONE)

Brian Summers Resigns as Director of MARRC RRS (JAN 24, 2005, Chantilly, Virginia)

Brian Summers, Director of the MidAtlantic Roadracing Club (MARRC) Roadracing School (RRS) since 1997, is stepping down as Director of school effective January 22, 2005. “It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I am stepping down as Director of the MARRC Roadracing School, effective immediately. The reasons for this decision are personal in nature and do not come easy. I have accomplished almost every goal I had when I started leading the RRS in 1997 and now it is time for me to move on and concentrate on personal objectives. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this fine organization and the racing community and I depart with fond memories of people I have help get started racing, the friendships I have made and a feeling of accomplishment over the positive things our team has done with the school. I will now look for other ways to stay involved in the sport we all love and promote the advancement of motorcycle roadracing.” Brian Summers can be reached at racerbri@cox.net or by phone at 703-502-0000

Honda Drivers Continue to Lead IRL Pre-Season Tests (JAN 22, 2005)

Honda-powered drivers swept the top six positions in the first pre-season oval track IndyCar Series test of 2005 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The one-day run on the 1.5-mile Homestead oval followed two days of testing on the speedway's 2.31-mile road course, where Honda drivers also took the top two positions, and posted four of the top six times. Defending Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Rice led the speed charts virtually throughout the day for Honda and Rahal Letterman Racing, followed by Scott Sharp, making his on-track debut for Delphi Fernandez Racing. Championship runner-up in 2004, Dan Wheldon posted the third-fastest speed of the day, followed by 2004 rookie champion Kosuke Matsuura and 2005 rookie challenger Danica Patrick. Defending series champion Tony Kanaan rounded out the top six.

The final pre-season open test for the IRL takes place next month at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway. The 17-race IndyCar season starts March 6 on the Homestead oval, with the first street-circuit event in series history taking place April 3 at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the west coast of Florida.
Buddy Rice (#15 Argent/Pioneer Rahal Letterman Racing Honda): Fastest in road course practice: "We did our best time right after lunch, when the conditions are at their best, and led the time sheets all day. So we're pretty happy with where we're at on our oval set-up! The road course stuff is a big learning process for everyone, including us, but we made a lot of progress there as well, and worked our way all the way through our list of things to test. I think we're pretty much ready for the season to start right now."
(HONDA RACING)

Lacroix earns Formula BMW USA scholarship (JAN 22, 2005)

St-Eustache, Quebec, January 22nd. Formula BMW USA series officials announced yesterday that 15-year old driver from St-Eustache, Kevin Lacroix, will receive one of the $40 000 scholarship available for deserving drivers entering the 2005 North American championship. Following two extensive training sessions in Spain, Lacroix's name came out as one of the best talents along with another Canadian and four Americans. The next step for the talented young man who has raced karts for nine years will be to determine which team he will race with when the green flag drops for the first race at Laguna Seca on April 29.

"I'm very happy for this scholarship, declared Kevin. The five other guys are also 15 or 16 and we lived a tremendous experience with the people at BMW in Valencia (Spain). I love to drive the (BMW) FB2 because it is close to my kart driving style. I have tested other open wheel cars and this has to be the best step for the guys coming out of karting like me. I will make the best out of the testing days before we take to the track in California at the end of April."

Formula BMW: for the young wolves
Among the scholars, three are from California, one from Florida and one from British Columbia beside Lacroix. To become a scholar, Kevin had to convince the BMW instructors in December and January when two three-day training camps where held. His attitude on and off the track and his driving style surely made the difference. Lacroix and his team will now have to decide which team they will race with in 2005. "We are down to two teams, said Richard Galarneau, his new manager. We will be testing in the coming days and take our decision afterwards. Our goal is to find the team that can best put Kevin in a winning car."

2005: more testing and 14 rounds
Formula BMW USA has issued the 2005 calendar. The teams will have eight testing days and the drivers will dispute 14 rounds consisting of seven doubleheaders. For Kevin, the most significant remains the June 11 and 12 weekend when Formula BMW visits the Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack in Montreal as part of the Canadian Grand Prix. Other programs will be run across the United States in conjunction with other major racing series. The 2005 schedule is shown below.

Renewed sponsorship
Kevin Lacroix is entering Formula BMW USA in 2005 as part of a long- term relationship with major sponsors such as Uni-Select aftermarket network, SKF MotorSports, Raybestos, Tenneco, Pennzoil, Alpine Star racing wear, Auto Parts Plus and Lacroix Auto Parts. (www.kevinlacroix.com)