I just discovered that the Firestone Indy Lights organizers are publishing podcasts in itunes – check it out – the subscription is free!
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/firestone-indy-lights-highlights/id301627556
Firestone Indy Lights Podcast
February 27th, 2010BSR YouTube Channel just launched!
February 8th, 2010We’ve just finished a new video called “Experience the Excitement” and posted it on our brand new BSR YouTube Channel. Check it out, along with a few other viewing treats at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BrianStewartRacing
Be sure to turn up your volume for the full effect! Enjoy…
Randy Bernard, New CEO of IRL
February 2nd, 2010The Indy Racing League has announced that Randy Bernard, longtime CEO of Professional Bull Riders Inc., is the new CEO of the Indy Racing League, sanctioning body of the Izod IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.
Jeffrey Belskus, president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp., announced the hiring on Tuesday. Bernard will start his new job on March 1. He replaces IRL founder Tony George, who resigned his positions within the Hulman-George family empire last June, and Belskus, who has filled the role in an interim capacity.
BSRKC Banquet a Huge Success!
January 31st, 2010Last night Brian and I, along with hundreds of drivers and parents, attended the annual awards banquet of the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship. The spectacularly orchestrated event was organized with painstaking detail by Lynda and Enzo Chiovitti and carried out with the help of a dozen volunteers.
In addition to an abundance of draw prizes, the top finishers in each of the classes took home a variety of treasures including custom made jackets, gift certificates, impressive trophies and cash prizes.
It was heartwarming to meet so many young people with an abundance of both talent and passion for the sport, regardless of their final standings.
Here’s a list of the 2009 winners of each class:
CADET
Taylor Wassink
NOVICE
Clay Van Eerd
JUNIOR LITE
Scotty Nagel
JUNIOR MEDIUM
Scotty Nagel
JUNIOR HEAVY
Tristan Gill
NOVICE TAG
Tyler Ripani
ROTAX MINI- MAX
Grant Quinlan
ROTAX MAX JUNIOR
Garett Grist
ROTAX MAX SENIOR
Lorenzo Mandarino
ROTAX MAX DD2
Darren White
F125 SHIFTER
Zack Meyer
SENIOR LITE
Jonathon Treadwell
SENIOR HEAVY
TJ Marshall
MASTERS
Jake Collison
2010 IZOD Indy Car Series Television Broadcast Schedule
January 24th, 2010Date-Location-Venue-Television
Sunday, March 14 Sao Paulo, Brazil 2.3-mile street course VERSUS
Sunday, March 28 Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. 1.8-mile street course ABC
Sunday, April 11 Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course VERSUS
Sunday, April 18 Streets of Long Beach, Calif. 1.968-mile street course VERSUS
Saturday, May 1 Kansas Speedway 1.5-mile oval ABC
Sunday, May 30 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval ABC
Saturday, June 5* Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval VERSUS
Sunday, June 20 Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval VERSUS
Sunday, July 4 Watkins Glen International 3.4-mile road course ABC
Sunday, July 18 Streets of Toronto 1.721-mile street-course ABC
Sunday, July 25 Edmonton City Centre Airport 1.973-mile airport course VERSUS
Sunday, Aug. 8 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course VERSUS
Sunday, Aug. 22 Infineon Raceway 2.245-mile road course VERSUS
Saturday, Aug. 28* Chicagoland Speedway 1.5-mile oval VERSUS
Saturday, Sept. 4* Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile oval VERSUS
Saturday, Sept. 18 Twin Ring Motegi 1.5-mile oval VERSUS
Saturday, Oct. 2* Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5-mile oval VERSUS
* Denotes night race Schedule Subject to Change
BSRKC Event Venue Change
January 23rd, 2010The Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship announces change of venue with Mosport off the schedule for 2010
Sutton West, Ontario – The Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship regrets to inform the Ontario karting community, it’s member clubs and loyal racers that the Mosport International Karting facility has removed itself from the 2010 schedule. Mosport International Karting owner Ken Flute informed the BSRKC executive of this decision today. Reasons cited by Mosport International Karting for the change were a potential conflict with an as yet unannounced karting series.
“We are very disappointed in this turn of events,” comments Enzo Chiovitti, Simcoe Kart Club President and BSRKC Principal. “We were looking forward to having Mosport host two rounds of racing in 2010. The plans were confirmed, the contract was signed and the schedule has been in place for weeks.”
The Executive and Organizing committees of the BSRKC will hold meetings in the coming days to develop an action plan to complete or modify the existing 2010 BSRKC schedule. In 2009 the BSRKC had record numbers of entries at all their events with nearly 500 entries at the Shannonville round which hosted the 2009 Ontario Grand Nationals. The Steering committee and the member clubs will look at all options to deliver value and excitement to the 2010 season.
“The 2009 season was stellar for all involved in the BSRKC series,” states Jake Collison, WRKC Vice President. “We made some exciting changes to the program for 2010 and we’ll now just need to tweak that a bit.”
No series can run without the great help and support from the karting community including an army of great clubs and volunteers. The BSRKC is looking forward to 2010 and will kick things off with the 2009 Banquet of Champions being held on January 30th. Class Champions will receive a host of great prizes including The Stewart Cup, cash, jackets, trophies along with AMG class champion plaques and gift certificates to celebrate the 2009 season and prepare for 2010.
For more information on the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship go to the series website at www.bsrkc.com , call Lynda Chiovitti at 905.722.3089 or contact her via email at LyndaChiovitti@hotmail.com .
The Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship Series and its Principals, Organizers, Volunteers and Sponsors are committed to presenting the most professional regional karting Series in North America at an affordable cost. The BSRKC Series is dedicated to providing an environment of sportsmanship and camaraderie while furthering the development of kart racers of all ages and competitive levels. The BSRKC Series also intends to advance our karters into the higher echelons of motorsports through our Series’ namesake and Indy Racing League® Firestone Indy Lights™ Team Founder, Brian Stewart and Brian Stewart Racing.
Interview with Roger Bailey on the “Road to Indy”
January 23rd, 2010Roger Bailey, Executive Director of the Firestone Indy Lights Series, recently sat down with the folks at SidePods Podcasts to talk about the recently launched ladder program, the Road to Indy.
BSR has put two new racing teams in place is support of the Road to Indy – our USF2000 Team as well as our Star Mazda Championship Team.
Ta listen to the interview, follow this link and then scroll right down to the bottom of the page and click on the audio bar. The interview is about 8 minutes in length.
Enjoy!
BSR to Launch Star Mazda Team in 2010
January 18th, 2010Today marks the official announcement that we will field a team in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear in 2010. “In our 45-year history, we have consistently graduated drivers through the various levels of open-wheel racing. Since 2005 we have sponsored the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship (BSRKC) and we recently added a USF2000 team to our Driver Development Program,” said team founder, Brian Stewart. “With the addition of our Star Mazda team, we now have a seamless series of stepping stones for a driver moving from karting right through to our Firestone Indy Lights team.”
Participants in BSR’s Star Mazda Team will compete in 13 races over the course of the season and will be supported by Indy-Lights quality staff and technology. “Each driver will be supported by all of the resources of our Driver Development Program which includes many of the most skilled personnel in auto-racing,” adds BSR Business Manager, Janet Stewart. “The addition of this team gives drivers as well as sponsors a wide spectrum of opportunities to get involved with one of the most respected racing teams in the industry.”
“Tommy Byrne who is one of the most intuitive drivers I have ever known,” remarks Brian, “will be providing the drivers with personal coaching and, as with our USF2000 Drivers, Jim Leo of Pit Fit will be working with them and providing the drivers with individualized fitness plans and on-going support. Winning is what we do best and we have put the resources in place to provide our drivers with every possible advantage.”
Brian has been winning races ever since he first stepped onto the track at Mosport International Raceway in 1966. “When I stood in the Winner’s Circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006 and 2007, I couldn’t help but feel that it was my destiny,” observes Brian. “Once you start winning, it becomes a way of life and I don’t ever want to stop.” BSR has had an outstanding record of winning at all levels of open-wheel auto racing in North America in which we have participated – a record that includes four Indy Lights Championships. Past drivers include well-known names such as Paul Tracy, Brian Herta, Eric Bachelart, Christiano Da Matta, Scott Maxwell and Wade Cunningham.
In addition to being mentored by Brian, a Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame Member, drivers will also be able to participate in the team’s track-side USF2000 and Firestone Indy Lights Team activities. Space in BSR’s Star Mazda Team is limited, so those interested in becoming involved should contact Janet Stewart, BSR Business Manager, at 613-299-5003 or janet@brianstewartracing.ca right away.
Only ONE speeding ticket later…
January 15th, 2010Brian and I are back from the Indianpolis Motor Speedway where we attended the Indy Racing League Safety Meeting on Tuesday. More than 16 hours of driving down and back garnered us only one speeding ticket from a friendly Indiana State Trooper in the early hours of one morning.
The meeting was attended by more than 250 people involved in the league – team owners, drivers, mechanics, engineers, racing officials and sponsors. The agenda included a number of presentations and without a doubt the highlight was that by Mike Kelly of IZOD. Regardless of the financial support that IZOD will be providing to the Series in the coming years – this guy’s contribution should be regarded as priceless! This corporate boss is seriously “switched on” when it comes to both racing and marketing. He walked us through some of the activities that had already been completed like the clothing line that they’ve launched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKWfIrgu3Xw and the special events at Macy’s in New York, as well as his vision for the future of our sport and specifically, the IRL. With Mike Kelly at the helm, we are in for a bright future!
Indianapolis Here We Come!
January 11th, 2010Brian and I are headed for Indianapolis this morning for the IRL Team meeting. This event marks the official beginning of the Firestone Indy Lights season.
The drive should take us about 9.5 hours (according to Google Maps). Of course, he is planning to be “on the pace” as he calls it and make it there in 7.5 hours, as long as the weather co-operates. I have my dark sunglasses packed (so I can close my eyes while passing and he won’t know it).
I’ll report on the meeting in a couple of days and let you know the highlights!
