Archive for April, 2011
2007 Formula 1 World ChampionKimi Raikkonen has added his name to the list of international racing stars that are interested in a career in NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya has been the most successful international star to make the move winning at both of NASCAR Sprint Cup’s road course event (Sonoma, Watkins Glen.) Montoya and Raikkonen were teammates at Mclaren F1 before Montoya made his entry to NASCAR.
Raikkonen will test a NASCAR Truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports this week and possibly make his first start at the Charlotte event this season. Raikkonen is participating the World Rally Championship this year just as he did last season. Raikkonen will have to fit in the NASCAR events during WRC off weekends.
Juan Pablo Montoya, Nelson Piquet Jr, Narain Karthikeyan, Mattias Ekström, and Marcos Ambrose are just a few of the international stars that have tried their hand at NASCAR. NASCAR is a sport viewed around the world and is now becoming an option for the world’s best drivers due to it’s international popularity.
Does Raikkonen have a chance? Of course he does. Anyone who has been competitive in an F1 car and a WRC car can learn the particulars of a stock car. We are excited to hear the news of Raikkonen’s move and can’t wait for him to put down the off road helmet and strap into a stock car. What do you think about his chances in NASCAR?
Motocross Champion and Greatest of All Time Ricky Carmichael is showing good progress in his NASCAR career. This past weekend at Martinsville Virginia Carmichael had a strong truck all race long and finished 8th.
8th is not Carmichael’s best finish of his career. However, Carmichael did lead 26 laps. 20 more than he has lead i his career. Carmichael fell out of the top five during the race and then fought back to the front. Overall Martinsville was Carmichael’s best race in a stock car. We look forward to Carmichael fighting for a win before the 2011 season is over. Soon Carmichael will be standing in victory circle without his motocross boots, but still holding the trophy.
Does Carmichael win a NASCAR race in 2011? Let us know what you think!
The Half Mile closed course world record was smashed March 19 by Jason Blonde in his Xtreme Sprint Car. The old track record was set by Sammy Swindell in a World of Outlaws Sprint Car in 2000.
Sammy Swindell’s record was set when the Bristol Motor Speedway was covered in dirt for a 30 lap WoO feature event. The old record was 13.860 at 138.442 mph average speed.
Jason Blonde’s new record is 13.245 at 144.871 mph average. Jason hit the wall in an earlier run and bent a part of the rear suspension. Blonde’s team received help from the #2 Penske Sprint Cup team to fix the car and make another run at the record.
Jason Blonde was able to beat 2 Super Modified Cars and an Asphalt Sprint Car owned by Tony Stewart and driven by Bryan Clausen.
Scott Russell ran a Super Bike at Bristol and ran a conservative lap which still broke the Half Mile closed course record.
Next year Bristol Motor Speedway management hopes to have an Indy Car participate in the speed trials next year. We would all love to see an F1 car or a ALMS LMP1 car on the track also. Look for the record to fall next year again! Sorry folks no off road helmets in sight at this speed trial event.
Metal Mulisha racer Brian Deegan is attempting to win 2 championships this year on the Lucas Oil Off Road Series. Deegan is running the Lites Class and the Pro 2 class. Deegan ended the 2010 season with 5 consecutive wins in the Lites Class and now wants the title.
This year has started off well for the Deegan with 1 win in the Lites Class and 1 podium finish in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class. The freestyle motocross superstar and X Games medalist is well on his way to a very successful 4 wheel season on the LOORS tour. Look for Deegan to be back in his dirt bike gear for X Games later this year.
The 2011 Supercross season moved to Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington Texas tonight. Rookie Trey Canard put his #41 Honda on the top step of the podium for the third time this season. Mike Alessi got the hole-shot but Canard took over from there. Reed was second with Stewart third early in the event. On lap 9 Stewart lost control while trying to make a pass on Reed for second. Stewart’s mistake also took Reed off his bike.
With Reed and Stewart going down, Ryan Villopoto took over second place at the finish with Ryan Dungey third. Stewart came back to finish 4th, Reed could only get up to 8th.
The second place finish for Ryan Villopoto gave him back the points lead. Unofficially its Villopoto in first, Dungey second, Reed third, Canard fouth, and Stewart 5th in the season points standings. Keep checking in with Off Road Accessory Review.com and the Pro Bike Helmets.com facebook page for more news and Supercross Results from Texas. See the top riders and their motocross gear in action when CBS plays the tape delayed event Sunday morning.
The easiest way for a weekend racer to make race day more enjoyable is by getting organized. Most weekend racers work hard all week and then throw together their dirt bike gear, and take their bike with last week’s mud still on it, and go racing.
Some quick preparation ideas include, organizing needed tools, make a checklist of needed fluids, and test your equipment.
Many racers have a small tool box with a pile of random tools in it. Keep a small tool box with only regularly used tools in it. Have the rest of your tools separate. You’ll appreciate this when you have to make a quick sprocket change.
A short list of fluids and supplies can be used to make sure you brought everything you need. We don’t want to pay track price for chain lube.
Test your equipment before each race. Check for lose bolts, dirty air cleaners, lose chain, and other common problems. Save yourself time at the track and prepare yourself to enjoy racing!