×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 983
log in

Auto Racing

Gearing up for the Indy 500 - Preview edition

 

The Indy 500 is the biggest race on the season and it's even bigger this year as it is the 100th anniversary running of it. There are the usual Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing contenders who are the favourites, but what might be more interesting are the Bump Day battles to qualify.

Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is unlike any other qualifying session.  There will be 40 drivers competing for 33 spots and a lot of uncertainty is in the air.  Canadian Paul Tracy knows all to well how difficult Bump Day can be as he failed to qualify for last year's race. The frustrating part for us is that the speed was in the car at various times of the day. Two days ago we were second-quickest on the track.

Bump day will be a battle of wills, timing, weather, and courage.  This is what makes racing fun - it's all on the line this weekend to get into the field.

This year will be the first time the Indy 500 will be the first oval course of the year.  If we look at who will be the favourites, we can look no further than last year's winner Dario Franchitti.  This will be Franchitti's eighth start at the Indy 500 and he already has had two celebratory milk showers.

Franchitti's biggest contender might just be his Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon.  Dixon won this event in 2008 and needs to make an impact this year after stumbling from the blocks.

One can never count out three-time winner Penske's Helio Castroneves, but if his start to this year is any indication - it doesn't look like lady luck is on his side.

Rounding out the favourites to win the 100th Indy 500 would be Penske's Will Power (has yet to win an oval race) and Ryan Briscoe, KV Racing's Tony Kanaan, and Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti.

 

  • Published in News
  • 0

Japan Tragedy Affecting the Auto Industry

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, took the lives of over 12,500 people and injured in excess of 4,000 people; even now, some 14,500 are still missing. In addition to the devastating human toll, the disaster has also wreaked havoc on Japan’s infrastructure and economy, with implications for the auto sector.

  • Published in News
  • 0

Canada Post Goes Electric

As one of the largest transportation fleets in Canada, Canada Post is taking every step to be more environmental. On April 5th, 2011, they unveiled the eStar, the first of four all-electric vehicles built for them by Navistar, an American manufacturer of medium and heavy trucks. The eStar has a range of 160 km per charge, and only takes six to eight hours to fully recharge.

  • Published in News
  • 0

The Last Word: How To Avoid Slip-Slidin’ Away

Summer has come and gone, which means it’s time to get ready for fall and winter driving. Preparation should include an oil and filter change, as well as a thorough check under the hood and an inspection of the vehicle's underside.

  • Published in News
  • 0
Subscribe to this RSS feed