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Playa Del Racing Kicks Off Busy Off-Season at SEMA

Specialty Equipment Marketing Association Show Launches Tuesday

by Ryan Smith
ryan@playadelracing.com

One of Playa Del Racing's Indy cars will be a featured attraction at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association show in Las Vegas from October 30th through November 2nd. PDR drivers Al Unser III and Maryeve Dufault will sign autographs each day at the EcoTrek booth from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The SEMA show is the premier stage for innovative thinking in the automotive aftermarket industry.

"I can't wait to be a part of this event with EcoTrek and Ethos forEARTH," says Al Unser III, driver of the Playa Del Racing/Ethos forEARTH car No.21 in the Indy Pro Series. "SEMA week is a great event, and EcoTrek has some amazing products that show renewable fuels as capable of both superior performance and conservation."

EcoTrek is a non-profit organization that promotes education of and research into the expanded uses of viable renewable energy. PDR will be teaming up with EcoTrek and Ethos Fuel Reformulator to help raise the awareness of the general public about renewable fuel, and environmentally safe products.

"Working with EcoTrek gives us the opportunity to showcase the product that we believe in so deeply at Ethos forEARTH," says Dan Atkinson, CEO of Ethos forEARTH. "The SEMA show is the premier gathering of some of the greatest minds in the automotive and aftermarket industry. We are proud to be a part of it."

PDR is always working to get the word out about renewable energy. Adkins Energy, an ethanol producer located in Lena, Ill., signed as a sponsor with PDR in 2007 to help promote the benefits of ethanol and other renewable fuels.

"Adkins energy is a small town operation with big town ambitions," says Ron Fluegel, board member with Adkins Energy. "We are proud to be a part of Playa Del Racing, and even more proud to be associated with a league that is utilizing 100% ethanol fuel."

EcoTrek, Adkins and Ethos forEarth Partner PDR at SEMA

The SEMA show will be the first major event of the off-season for PDR, and its drivers.

"We are partnering with EcoTrek, Adkins Energy, and Ethos forEARTH not only because it's a great business opportunity for PDR, but also because these independent organizations are each singularly focused on saving our environment," says Susan Schafer, co-owner of PDR. "Ethos Fuel Reformulator is an amazing product that provides great benefits to those who use it and to our environment, and we are so proud to be associated with Tom Holm and EcoTrek."

EcoTrek is without peer in bringing the message of the benefits of renewable fuels to the American public through its television shows and public appearances. The SEMA show will give PDR a chance to show off its IndyCar Series Panoz chassis with a new green paint scheme and Ethos forEARTH sponsorship. The IndyCar Series is powered by 100% ethanol, which is a renewable fuel made from corn.

"Our goal in bringing our IndyCar to SEMA is to assist EcoTrek and Ethos forEarth to get the message to the world that renewable fuel can provide superior performance while mitigating negative impact on our world." says Gary Sallee, co-owner of PDR. "Our Indy cars can go 225mph at Indy using ethanol, and it's important for Americans to know that their passenger cars can run on ethanol and other renewable fuels as well."

Antinucci, Figueiredo and Lee Earn Oval Creds at KY Speedway

International Flavor of IPS Continues to Sizzle

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Bia Figueiredo at A1GP Shanghai. Photo: A1GP

The beat goes on for the Indy Pro Series.

Rising Cheever Racing star Richard Antinucci, along with Brazilian open-wheel sensation Bia Figueiredo and Champ Car Atlantic’s Matt Lee, successfully completed oval testing at Kentucky Speedway last week (October 18th).

Antinucci hopes to build on his impressive 2007 rookie season in the Indy Pro Series by tackling the oval portion of the schedule next year. He won last year at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and at California’s Infineon Raceway to cap an ever-improving results card in the series.

Already a star in her home country, Bia Figueiredo drove a car prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports on the same day as Antinucci to earn her rookie license on the 1.5 mile oval in Sparta, Kentucky.

The 22-year old female grew up in karts emulating her hero F1 great Ayrton Senna, chasing her dreams across South America and Europe into Asia with rides in Formula Renault and A1GP.

Also earning his oval stripes was 2006 FBMW championship runner-up Matt Lee.

“Richard did an exceptional job,” Butch Meyer, technical director of the Indy Pro Series, said. “We knew from watching him race on the road courses during the season that he is a very talented driver. I was very impressed with the feedback he gave to the engineers throughout the test. He’s a very professional race car driver.”

“Bia and Matt also did a very nice job and would be very competitive racers in the Indy Pro Series,” he added.

Cole Morgan, James Davison Take Pro Series Prelims

Top Young Drivers Test with Sam Schmidt Motorsports

From Indy Pro Series media reports:

With the official announcement that 2007 Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd has signed with Chip Ganassi Racing for 2008, Sam Schmidt Motorsports begins its search to replace Lloyd in earnest.

The team, in conjunction with the Indy Pro Series and Firestone, tested two young, up-and-coming drivers at Sebring International Raceway October 22nd-23rd.

Cole Morgan, the 2007 Hankook F2000 champion, and James Davison, who ranks second in Star Mazda, got their first opportunity to drive the 450-hp Indy Pro Series cars.

“It seems like we have to reinvent the wheel every year,” said team owner Sam Schmidt, whose drivers have won three of the last four Indy Pro Series championships. “We’ve had a lot of talented drivers do great things in our cars in the past, but the pressure is always on to continue running well with new drivers every year.”

“Personally, offering this test is very rewarding as I only wish this type of opportunity was available when I won the FC National Championship in 1993. I applaud series organizers for making this happen.”

Morgan, a 19-year old native of Florida, won the F2000 title on the strength of nine top-five finishes in 10 starts, including six victories.

Along with the championship, Morgan’s credentials include many successes in go-kart racing and a second-place finish at the 2006 SCCA Runoffs in the Formula Continental class.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Morgan said. “Sam Schmidt has built the most dominant team in the Indy Pro Series, and to be able to test with them is a dream come true. It really shows how committed Sam is to open-wheel racing in the U.S. People as generous as him are few and far between in such a cut-throat sport.”

Star Mazda Star Aims for More Indy Success

Davison, 21, has a victory and three pole positions to his credit in Star Mazda this season.

Among Davison’s other career highlights includes a win at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a Formula BMW race during the 2005 United States Grand Prix.

Having won there once, the Indy bug has bit him, and Davison aspires to win there again.

“I must thank Sam for showing an interest and believing in me,” said Davison, whose grandfather Lex Davison won four Australian Grands Prix. “It was my first time in the Indy Pro Series car, and I've never driven something that had so much power or weight. The team, the engineers, they all said how surprised they were that I quickly adapted to the car. The pace and consistency that I demonstrated were all very good. I'm just really happy with how it went.”

Alex Lloyd Signs With Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Indy Pro Series Ace Moves Up to Top-Notch IndyCar Drive

From Indy Racing League Media Reports:

Alex Lloyd. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

2007 Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd will join Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Driver Development Program, team officials announced October 17th.

Though Lloyd’s 2008 program is not set, it will most likely be a combination of IndyCar Series races, Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series races and testing.

“I wanted to make sure I’m in a place where I can have good prospects for the future, not just in 2008. I felt that by joining this team I have the opportunity to do well, and if I perform well to be there for a long time,” said Lloyd, who recorded an Indy Pro Series-record eight victories, including five in a row to commence the 2007 season.

“I can really learn the traits of the IndyCar Series and grow within the team. I feel that although I won’t be doing a full season next year, the races that I will be doing I will be in one of the best cars out there with a team I’ve admired for years. For me, that’s actually a more exciting thing than saying I’ll be doing a full year in a mid-field car."

“I’m happy they have given me this opportunity to be able to drive for them, get some races in and see how that progresses in the future. I’m sure over the next four to eight weeks we’ll have a clearer idea what our plan will be. I’m looking forward to get going in whatever aspect that might be.”

Late-Season Tests Give Alex a Chance to Shine

Lloyd, a native of Manchester, England, tested with Target Chip Ganassi Racing at Sebring in August with permission from Sam Schmidt Motorsports. He recorded laps comparable to ones posted by Scott Dixon. Later that month, Lloyd competed for the team in a Grand Am race at Infineon Raceway – in addition to participating in an Indy Pro Series doubleheader where he clinched the 2007 Indy Pro Series title.

“He is a talented driver and a perfect candidate for our development program,” Target Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull said. “In the span of 10 days, he took the wheel of two very different race cars for the first time. He showed at Sebring that he is ready to race an IndyCar (Series car), and then at Infineon Raceway for the Grand Am event, proved under race conditions that his skills were immediately equal to the best drivers in the very competitive high-horsepower Daytona Protoypes.”

Indy Pro Series Run Rejuvenates Lloyd's Career

Lloyd, who finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in the UK Formula Renault Championship in 2003, earned three poles and a victory in seven Formula 3000 races in 2005. He joined AFS Racing in 2006 for his first Indy Pro Series race on the streets of St. Petersburg, where he qualified on the front row and earned a podium finish.

"Alex will be very successful at TCGR," says SSM team owner Sam Schmidt

This past season, Lloyd started from the pole five times and from the front row in every race there were qualifications. He paced the field with 399 laps led, 751 laps completed, eight wins, 13 top-five finishes and 13 top-10 finishes (tie).

“Everyone at Sam Schmidt Motorsports is extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish with Alex in 2007,” team owner Sam Schmidt said. “We recognized his tremendous ability and potential in 2006 when he drove a partial season, and I’m glad that we were able to maximize those talents last year. Of course, the championship and multiple records are great, but we are ultimately in this business to graduate drivers to the next level. Alex is the total package and we have no doubt that he’ll be very successful driving for TCGR."

“He has legitimately earned the shot and I applaud Chip (Ganassi) and Mike for supporting the system.”

In Vogue: Leilani Munter Poses for Italian Fashion Magazine

Indy Pro Series' Rookie Promotes Environmental Awareness

From Leilani Munter Racing media reports:

Leilani Munter. Photo: ShawnPayneIRL

Leilani Munter has returned to the United States from Toronto where she was photographed by top fashion and celebrity photographer Paul Alexander exclusively for L'Uomo Vogue (Italian Vogue). Leilani will appear in the upcoming environmental issue of the world class fashion magazine.

Wearing a dramatic combination of Dolce and Gabbana and her SMART Papers racing suit, Leilani was photographed with the stunning background of the Malayan Woods Pavilion of the Toronto Zoo -- a misty tropical rainforest complete with live exotic butterflies fluttering about the set.

Fashion TV was on the set filming and will air footage of the photo shoot as well as an interview with Leilani when the environmental issue of L'Uomo Vogue hits the stands.

Leilani recently announced her commitment to purchasing an acre of endangered tropical rainforest for every Indy Pro Series race she competes in. She has already purchased two acres for her races at Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway and will purchase 16 more acres next year during her bid for 2008 Indy Pro Series Rookie of the Year.

Alex Lloyd and Wife Celebrate Birth of First Child

Indy Pro Series Champion Adds Another Title to his Resume: "Dad"

From Indy Pro Series media reports:

Alex Lloyd and wife Sam (Front), with family members at Sonoma. Photo: IndyRacingLeague

Record-setting 2007 Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd and his wife Samantha welcomed a daughter named Ava, on October 5th.

Ava, the couple’s first child, weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and is doing well at home with her mother, according to her proud father.

Lloyd is one of several IndyCar Series or Indy Pro Series drivers who have become or will become first-time dads during the offseason.

Tony Kanaan’s son Leonardo was born to he and wife Dani on September 18th.

Ed Carpenter and his wife Heather are expecting their first child sometime this month.

Three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. and his wife Crystal are expecting their first child in February.

Congratulations Alex and Sam, Tony and Dani, Ed and Heather, Sam and Crystal from IndyProRacer.com!!!

Indy Pro Series Announces 2008 Schedule

Sixteen-Races Split Equally Between Oval and Road&Street

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

A sixteen-race schedule of equal parts oval and road/street courses awaits in 2008 for the Indy Pro Series.

The developmental league to the Indy Racing League will test the skills of competitors over a diverse geography ranging from the beaches of Miami to the cornfields of Iowa to the scenic Finger Lakes.

New to the schedule is a return to Kansas Speedway on April 27th, where the Indy Pro Series began, and a second race at beautiful Mid-Ohio Sports Car course on July 20th.

“We’re very excited to offer a 16-race schedule for the second consecutive season,” said Indy Pro Series Executive Director Roger Bailey. “Just like the IndyCar Series, our champion will have to succeed on all types of racing circuits from short ovals, speedways and the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis to road and street courses."

Series Kicks Off March 29th at Homestead Miami Speedway

As it has in the past, the schedule begins with a season-opening round on the oval configuration of Homestead Miami Speedway on March 29th.

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg plays host one week later (April 5th & 6th) to the first of four double-header weekends.

Three weeks later the Indy Pro Series revs up at Kansas Speedway, a site that was not on the 2007 schedule.

Following that comes the glorious month of May in Indianapolis, featuring the Freedom 100 on "Carb Day" (May 23rd) over the 2.5 mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The famous Indianapolis 500 follows only two short days later on the same track.

Last year's Carb Day event drew a crowd in excess of one hundred thousand for racing, concerts, pit-stop competition and just plain fun on a bright, sunny, Indiana day.

"100K 'Carb Day' crowd at Indy is second to none," says Roger Bailey

“The opportunity to compete on Carb Day at Indianapolis in front of more than 100,000 fans is an experience that is second to none for our drivers, teams and sponsors,” said Bailey.

Single-Day DoubleHeader at the Glen on July 5th

If the fireworks of the Fourth of July aren't enough to satisfy the thirst for mid-summer excitement the Indy Pro Series is ready to provide plenty of extra pop and flash to that end.

The Series will conduct a single-day double-header of racing the day after the Independence Day holiday at Watkins Glen, New York.

The Indy Pro Series also runs twice at park-like Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course south of Cleveland, Ohio. The second race is another new event on the 2008 schedule.

“The doubleheader race weekends are very important to us,” added Bailey. “They allow us to maximize the amount of racing we do while helping us to contain costs. The inverted fields in the second races have allowed for a lot of passing and exciting racing for the fans.”

The Indy Pro Series concludes the year, alternating over the final half of the campaign between road courses and ovals, at Chicagoland Speedway on September 7th.

2008 Indy Pro Series Schedule

• March 29 Homestead-Miami Speedway
• April 5 Streets of St. Petersburg
• April 6 Streets of St. Petersburg
• April 27 Kansas Speedway
• May 23 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• June 1 Milwaukee Mile
• June 21 Iowa Speedway
• July 5 Watkins Glen International
• July 5 Watkins Glen International (same-day doubleheader)
• July 12 Nashville Superspeedway
• July 19 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
• July 20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
• August 9 Kentucky Speedway
• August 23 Infineon Raceway
• August 24 Infineon Raceway
• September 7 Chicagoland Speedway

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The Indy Pro Series is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Teams compete for almost $4 million in prize money in cars that are second in speed only to the IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit.

The complete Indy Pro Series schedule is telecast on ESPN 2 and available through live Webcasts. Graduates of this fast and cost-effective series include Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV.

Sean Guthrie Continues Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness

Susan G. Komen Foundation Benefits from Racer's Deeds

From Indy Pro Series media reports:

Indy Pro Series driver Sean Guthrie will appear as an in-studio guest on the nationally syndicated morning talk show “The Daily Buzz” on October 4th to promote the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Passionately Pink campaign.

“It will be the first time that I have ever been on a national news show,”said Guthrie, whose mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor. “I am more nervous about doing that then I am driving 200-plus mph and just inches from the wall.”

“The Daily Buzz” airs in 147 cities across the country, mostly on affiliates of The CW or MyNetwork. Check local listings for the time and channel in your area. Information on the Passionately Pink campaign can be found at www.passionatelypink.org.