“Auto Racing: Schumacher calls off return - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette” plus 4 more

Auto Racing: Schumacher calls off return - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Gordon says back still stiff after accident - The State
Motorcycle racing, all about family and friends - Abbotsford News
Drag racing - Brainerd Dispatch
Red Line Oil To Continue Sponsorship Of Kalitta - The Auto Chanel

Auto Racing: Schumacher calls off return - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Posted: 11 Aug 2009 09:33 PM PDT

Michael Schumacher called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering neck injuries from a motorcycle crash six months ago.

The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and hoped to return at this month's European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Ferrari announced yesterday that test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massa's place.

The 40-year-old Schumacher, who retired at the end of the 2006 season, occasionally raced in a motorcycle series before his crash.

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," Schumacher said. "That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula One yet.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible. However, much to my regret it didn't work out."

The neck pain arose after testing an old Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy, said the German star, who won 91 races in 250 starts in a 15-year career.

"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me," Schumacher said. "All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo thanked Schumacher for his loyalty to the team in attempting an F1 comeback.

"No doubt his return would have been good for Formula One and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again," Montezemolo said.

Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, said the crash in February was "the most serious accident that Michael had in his motor sports career."

Badoer, a 38-year-old Italian, was first floated by Italian media after Massa's crash last month took him off the race circuit.

Badoer said on Ferrari's Web site he had mixed feelings about his chance to drive in a F1 race.

"Since I've been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I've got the possibility to make this desire come true," he said. "I'm really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return. I'm saying that as his friend and his fan."

The 28-year-old Massa underwent surgery on multiple skull fractures after he was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a protective tire barrier during qualifying for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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Gordon says back still stiff after accident - The State

Posted: 11 Aug 2009 08:35 PM PDT

The six-car accident also had Jeff Burton dealing with soreness Tuesday, while the crew chief for Sam Hornish Jr. said his driver was surprised at how well he felt.

Gordon, Burton and Hornish got the worst of the accident that began when Hornish was run off course into a tire barrier. Hornish's car shot back onto the track and into the path of Gordon, who hit the barrier.

"He's doing really well," crew chief Travis Geisler said. "He said he was in good shape and was just going to take it easy today and get a little rest, but otherwise he was in good shape."

Geisler praised the safety standards of NASCAR's current cars for allowing the drivers to walk away unharmed. But he questioned why Watkins Glen does not have energy-absorbing barriers that would have lessened the blow Gordon took when his car hit a steel fence.

ESPN analyst Ray Evernham, who won three championships as Gordon's crew chief, echoed Geisler's call for improved barriers at Watkins Glen.

"Is there a better way of building a soft wall or something to absorb the impact other than the tires?" Evernham asked during a teleconference. "The tires seem to take that energy and then throw the car back further than we've seen soft walls and other things do."

RPM swaps chiefs for Allmendinger and Sorenson. Richard Petty Motorsports has swapped the crew chiefs for AJ Allmendinger and Reed Sorenson.

Allmendinger will begin working with Mike Shiplett this weekend at Michigan International Raceway. Sorenson will be teamed with Sammy Johns.

Allmendinger is currently 24th in the Sprint Cup Series standings, while Sorenson is 29th.

Team co-owner Richard Petty had indicated a swap was coming somewhere in the organization, which has only star Kasey Kahne in contention for a berth in the Chase for the championship.

Roush asks for portion of suit to be dismissed. Roush Fenway Racing has asked a federal court to dismiss a wrongful termination charge made by a former crew member for Carl Edwards.

The motion filed in U.S. District Court does not address Jason Myers' claim that Roush officials violated the Family Medical Leave Act. Roush officials say that Myers should be seeking a breach-of-contract claim — not wrongful termination.

Myers claims he was actively seeking medical leave when he was fired in February after a third failed suicide attempt. His attorney says the alleged FMLA violation is Myers' "flagship claim" and Monday's filing does not ask for that to be dismissed.

Schumacher calls off comeback, cites neck injury. Michael Schumacher called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering neck injuries from a motorcycle crash six months ago.

The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and hoped to return at this month's European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Ferrari announced Tuesday that test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massa's place.

Schumacher said on his Web site he informed top Ferrari officials on Monday evening that "unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe."

The 40-year-old Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season. Since then, he has raced occasionally in a motorcycle series before being injured in a crash.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible. However, much to my regret it didn't work out."

Andretti adds fifth car for Infineon. Frank Montagny has been hired to drive a fifth car for Andretti Green Racing later this month.

The Frenchman will be in the cockpit of the No. 25 car at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

He made seven starts for Michael Andretti's team in the American Le Mans Series last year and now will join Andretti's IndyCar regulars — Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, former series points winner Tony Kanaan and Hideki Mutoh.

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Motorcycle racing, all about family and friends - Abbotsford News

Posted: 04 Aug 2009 03:22 PM PDT

Amid the tent tops, camping trailers, motorcycles of every shape, size and colour at the Cariboo Raceway, an unexpected sight – women walking around in racing leathers and smiling.

Marjie Robertson of Quesnel is a long time dirt-biker, who at the urging of friends Dave Viskari and Steve Graham, decided to give racing on pavement a try.

"It was pretty easy to convince me," Robertson said with a shrug.

Saturday was her first time road racing, and she obviously has a knack for it.

"I've finished first in both my races," Robertson said, seeming unaccustomed to the attention.

Robertson, who has raced dirt bikes far and wide, from Chilliwack to Dawson Creek said the most difficult part of the transition from the dirt track to pavement is the stance.

"On dirt you spend alot of time standing on the bike, on pavement you sit."

Then there are the reflexes, she added.

Some reflexes are appropriate for one sport and not the other.

"I have to remember not to put my foot down in the corners," Robertson said, something that is common in dirt-bike racing and potentially very dangerous racing on a paved track.

The key to success, Robertson said is in the rider's ability to concentrate.

"You can't let your mind wander, you need to stay focussed the whole race."

Racing alongside Robertson in the intermediate class was Sharon Ham, a mother of three girls, who also races motorcycles.

Ham has spent the last three years following her husband Kevin and daughters Jana and Robin, 11, and Brooke, 13, to different racing events in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The decision to race motorcycles was pretty much made for her earlier this year when she received a motorcyle for mother's day, she said with a sheepish smile.

"It's fun, if you can't beat them, join them," she said.

"It's something we can all do together as a family."

Daughter Robin felt the same way, saying the best part about racing motorcycles was racing with her family.

Ham, like Robertson, appears unaccustomed to the attention and says that racing in front of a crowd makes her nervous.

That nervousness, admitted Ham, compounds the most difficult part of racing for her, the start.

That is when the racers are lined up on the starting grid of the race when the riders are revving their engines waiting for the starter to send them on their way.

"Don't pop a wheely," Ham says is the main throught going through her head at the start of the race.

The start of the race is also the most troublesome part of racing for daughter Jana.

"The start line, being in the right gear," she said.

Sister Brooke felt the same way.

"It's the starts, popping my clutch."

Sam McManus, 18, made the trip to Quesnel from Calgary, because she likes to race against her friends.

She has been racing for a couple of years, but had to take a year off after a crash.

"I knocked my head pretty good."

Like Robertson, McManus had dirt bike experience before making the transition to road racing.

"I'm hooked," she said.

"I love the dicing with people in the corners."

With barbecues cooking up in between race meals, and lawn chairs and fans, the raceway had a family friendly feel to it, and that in the end is what draws these ladies to the track.

"I like racing with my family," Robin Ham said.

"I like finishing ahead of my mom, Brooke Ham said with a big grin.

"Racing with my family," Jana said.

Dad Kevin agreed.

It's a great family activity," he said pointing to all the tents and trailers, friends gathering to share a laugh after racing each other on the track.

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Drag racing - Brainerd Dispatch

Posted: 11 Aug 2009 08:54 AM PDT

WHAT: 28th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, 16th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Brainerd International Raceway and Resort. Track is located north of Brainerd on Highway 371.

WHEN: Aug. 13-Aug. 16

THURSDAY, Aug. 13: Sportsman qualifying begins at 9:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, Aug. 14: Sportsman eliminations begins at 9:15 a.m.; pro qualifying sessions at 2:45 and 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 15: Sportsman eliminations begin at 9 a.m.; pro qualifying sessions at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 16: Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.; final eliminations at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: Aug. 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m.; Aug. 16: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day at 10 a.m., ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 9 p.m.

2008 BIR event winners: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Tony Pedregon, Funny Car; Kurt Johnson, Pro Stock; Matt Smith, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TICKETS: Order by phone (866) 444-4455 or online at brainerdraceway.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass): Thursday: Adult, $20; child (ages 6-12), $10. Friday: Adult, $40; child, $15; Saturday: Adult, $55; Child, $15. Sunday: Adult, $55; child, $15.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass): Thursday: Adult, $45; Child (6-12 years), $35. Friday: Adult, $65; Child (6-12 years), $40. Saturday: Adult, $80; Child (6-12 years), $40. Sunday: Adult, $80; Child (6-12 years), $40.

Red Line Oil To Continue Sponsorship Of Kalitta - The Auto Chanel

Posted: 11 Aug 2009 04:32 PM PDT

BENICIA, August 11, 2009: Top Fuel racer Doug Kalitta will once again carry the banner for Red Line Oil on his 8,000-horsepower, 300+mph, nitro-fueled dragster at this weekend's, Aug. 14-16, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series national event in Brainerd, Minn., at Brainerd Int'l Raceway and for the two following NHRA events in Reading, Pa. and Indianapolis, Ind.

After a successful event for Team Kalitta, Red Line, and their customers at the previous event in Sonoma, Calif., Red Line decided that one event was not enough time to display their stunningly sleek and sharp dragster on the drag strip, so they have extended their partnership with the Ypsilanti, Michigan-based race team for Brainerd, Reading, Penn. (Aug. 20-23), and the most prestigious drag racing event in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Sept. 2-7.

"We had a feeling that this car would come off looking great," said Cameron Evans, Director of Sales and Marketing for Red Line. "Everyone at Red Line loves Top Fuel, especially when your car looks that cool when it first rolls out of the transporter. With the help of Kalitta Motorsports, we were able to add these three races so we are absolutely thrilled and look for another strong and consistent run in Minnesota and further."

Doug Kalitta has been driving Top Fuel dragsters since his Rookie of the Year Award-winning season in 1998, and has made two trips to the winner's circle in Brainerd, 2005 and 2003. This year he won the season opener in Pomona, Calif., and is currently in 9th place in Full Throttle championship points. Kalitta has finished in the top ten in Full Throttle Top Fuel championship points in every season of his drag racing career.

"We're really pleased that Red Line will continue as our primary partner for the next three events," Jim Oberhofer, General Manager of Kalitta Motorsports and Crew Chief of the Red Line Oil dragster, said. "Our partnership with Red Line has been and continues to be exceptionally beneficial both of us. Red Line has been great to us over the years and having their extra support for these next three events will be a big boost for the team, plus the race car does look awesome going down the race track."

The relationship between Red Line Oil and Kalitta Motorsports began in 2000 when the team was a Red Line customer, using Red Line 70wt Racing Oil to bolster the reliability of its multi-vehicle drag racing team. Red Line began sponsoring the Kalitta race cars in 2001. Both companies are celebrating anniversaries in 2009 – Red Line's 30th and Kalitta Motorsports' 50th.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. manufactures more than 100 quality products for the automotive, racing, motorcycle, marine and industrial markets. Its complete line includes a wide variety of motor oils, gear oils, additives, and greases. For more information, please visit www.RedLineOil.com, call 800-624-7958 or contact Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp., 6100 Egret Court, Benicia, CA 94510.