Auto Racing Series and Season Schedules for 2008

The racing world, in all its shapes and forms, is gearing up for the 2008 series season. Schedules have been updated, teams have confirmed drivers, and the fans have already ensured that they have a copy of the 2008 series schedules for their favourite sports. No matter what type of racing fans prefer, it is going to be a year filled with good racing and spectacular events.

In the NASCAR camp, teams are gearing up for the sixtieth year of NASCAR racing, and all its divisions have already confirmed venues and races for their 2008 series schedule. The NASCAR season runs from February to November, and the Sprint Cup Series will be kicking off the new season on the 9th of February 2008 with the Budweiser Shootout at the Daytona International Raceway. It will be the last season that Craftsman will be sponsoring the truck series and the Daytona 500 will be celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. A new series will be introduced, namely the NASCAR Nationwide Series, which will replace the NASCAR Busch Series and run from the 16th of February to the 15th of November.

The Formula One arena has a few rule changes for the upcoming year, and their season will start on 16 March 2008 with the last race taking place on 2 November. With seven teams rearing to go, it will be interesting to see how they perform under the new rules. The changes that have been made to the rules include Bridgestone being the 2008 – 2010 official tyre sponsors, the installation of a standard Electronic Control Unit, gearboxes have to remain in the cars for four Grand Prix and changes will be penalised, new restrictions of aerodynamics changes during the season and engine changes, the ban on traction control, and the banning of tyre warming blankets.

The Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing season for 2008 will run from 9 March to 26 October. Two minor changes have been made to the 2008 series schedule, with the Grand Finale being held in Valencia on the 26th of October, instead of the 2nd of November as previously planned, and the Portugal race being moved forward from the 20th to the 13th of April.

January 25th is the date for the first race of the 2008 World Rally Championship Season that will finish at the Wales Rally GP, which is held between the 28th to the 30th of November. Very small changes have been brought forward, in the interest of the public. The term “leg” will from now on be called “day”, and each day the running order will be selected according to the classification of the event.

Other racing organisations such as the Drag Racing circuit and the National Hot Rod Association are also preparing to start their new seasons. With so many racing schedules and noteworthy racing taking place, it is going to be a tough choice to decide which to attend. The year 2008 is going to be a spectacular racing season, where new legends will be made and memorable races will be recalled and spoken of for years to come.

Discover the Daytona 500 Exhibit

Auto racing enthusiasts can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Orlando Science Center between 30 November 2007 and 6 January 2008 to get an in depth view of what it takes to participate in, and win, the Daytona 500. The Orlando Science Centre has joined forces with Daytona International Speedway to put together an amazing exhibit which they have called “Discover the Daytona 500“.

This exhibition features authentic racing cars, racing gear and scale model racing, offering visitors a hands-on experience as they explore the history and science behind auto racing. One of the highlights of Discover the Daytona 500 is Jeff Gordon’s #24 DuPont Automotive Finishes Chevrolet. Visitors can have an up-close look at numerous past and present cars that dominate the Daytona International Speedway.

Memorabilia from Daytona 500 events, including the racing gear of renowned drivers Dale Jarrett and Richard Petty, will be on display. A life-size cutaway stock car model will give visitors inside information on the workings of these popular auto racing cars. There will also be a racing seat for visitors to strap themselves in, a working V-8 engine, a recreated pit stop area and an example of the Gatorade In-Car Drinking System (GIDS). Visitors are sure to be fascinated by the highlights of historic races that will be shown on a video wall, as well as by the driving simulator. The scientific principles relating to the auto racing world will be vividly illustrated through authentic displays and live demonstrations.

The Orlando Science Center aims to provide learning experiences for all age groups. With this in mind, the Discover the Daytona 500 exhibition will have a children’s area where little ones can enjoy a number of themed activities, including the opportunity to drive a battery-operated racecar on a miniature track. Older children can experience the excitement of racing by means of the slot car and pinewood derby tracks, or they can enjoy remote control racing.

The Discover the Daytona 500 exhibition, which is running concurrently with the Orlando Science Center’s holiday exhibit, Titanic, is an event that the whole family will enjoy. Even the most knowledgeable auto racing fan is likely leave the exhibition having learned something new about their favorite fast moving sport.

The Impressive Caparo T1 Race Car

British automobile manufacturer Caparo Vehicle Technologies has produced a two-seater, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car, which they have named the Caparo T1. The design of this new auto racing car was inspired by Formula One; with the goal of being to create an affordable race car that is also street legal. With the ability to achieve zero to 60 mph in just below 2.5 seconds and zero to 100 mph in 5 seconds, with a top speed of 200 mph, the Caparo T1 is considered to be the fastest car in the world.

The exterior of the Caparo T1, which is very similar to a Formula One auto racing car, makes use of high-strength, low-weight carbon fiber in the construction. The interior of the Caparo T1 is devoid of any unnecessary features, also with the aim of reducing the overall weight of the car. The multi-function dashboard includes race data logging, as well as speed sensors to monitor traction control and launch control. The driver’s seat is set slightly forward from the passenger’s seat to allow the seats to be positioned close together, resulting in a reduction of the car’s overall width. Six-point harnesses for the driver and the passenger, as well as a head protection system are included in the safety features of the interior design. A central safety cell consisting of a high-strength steel roll hoop with a fire system contribute to the overall safety of the Caparo T1. The aerodynamic light-weight design of the Caparo T1 is a large contributing factor toward the speed achieved, as well as the overall efficiency of the car.

The design of the engine went through a number of changes before developers were satisfied with the current powerful 3.5 liter V-8 engine, which has resulted in the Caparo T1 having an exceptionally high power-to-weight ratio (acceleration capability).

Due to the diligence and commitment of the Caparo Vehicle Technologies development team, any problems that were encountered during the development of the Caparo T1 have been overcome and the race track debut of this new street legal auto racing car is an event that auto racing fans are eagerly looking forward to.

USRA 2008 Rulebook Released

Every year the United States Racing Association (USRA) reviews and updates their official rulebook to ensure that races are kept fair and that rules stay up to date with improvements and changes in the industry. The recent release of the USRA 2008 Rulebook has everyone in the industry buzzing with excitement.

According to the USRA, the changes came about after an extensive review of the various combinations of classes that are currently sanctioned by the organization. The 2007 Rulebook caused quite a stir when it was released last year, as it included a number of significant changes that ensured that the 2007 racing year was an exciting and successful one. Included in these changes was the addition of a spec motor, as well as providing the option of a quick change rear-end. This year, the successes and failures of the 2007 year were considered and only a few minor clarifications and safety standards have been added or changed to ensure that things keep running smoothly.

The most significant change to the USRA Rulebook for the new year applies to the Stock Car and USRA B-Mod classes. The participants in both classes have now been given the option of using a crate engine. Stock Cars are also allowed to use non-claimable spec motors. These allowances have already seen significant changes starting to take place and the 2008 racing season proves to be a very exciting and unpredictable one. The changes were brought about mainly due to efforts to keep the cost issues involved with Stock Car races as low as possible so that racing enthusiasts can continue to participate in this exciting form of dirt racing.

The USRA was formed with the goals of increasing driver participation, increasing sponsorship and increasing attendance. These are things that the organization is definitely managing to achieve and we can certainly look forward to more exciting changes in the future. In the meantime, the 2008 USRA rulebook will come into effect on 1 January 2008. Those wishing to know more about the new rule changes can have a look at the rulebook on the United States Racing Association’s official website.

The All America Auto Racing Team

The annual All America Auto Racing Team has been selected by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) for the past 37 years. The 2007 winners will be honored at the 38th All America Auto Racing Team Banquet to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Indianapolis on 12 January 2008.

The All America Auto Racing Team is the only one of its kind in motor sports, a fact that is recognized by Reuters, Associated Press and major publications. Two team members are selected from seven categories each year. In the event of a tie, both drivers are selected. The fourteen driver team is selected from Open Wheel, Stock Car, Drag Racing, Sports Car, Short Track, At Large and Touring Series championship categories.

The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association, founded in Indianapolis in 1955, is the largest and the oldest organization of its kind. With ongoing support of the aims and programs of >AARWBA, its membership has increased to over 400 throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Europe.

The Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy for AARWBA Driver of the Year is awarded to the driver who receives the most votes. Jerry Titus was an AARWBA member who, in addition to being a motor sports journalist, was a well-respected auto racing driver. He was the Trans-Am Champion in 1967 and was placed third in the Trans-Am series in 1968 and 1969.

The 38th All America Auto Racing Team Banquet will also be the venue for the presentation of the AARWBA Pioneer in Racing Award to Carl Haas in recognition of his achievements as one of the most successful team owners and businessmen in the history of motor sports. The Pioneer in Racing Award is considered to be one of the most prestigious honors awarded by the AARWBA. The award is given to an individual who has a long record of dedication and achievements which have made a positive contribution to the sport of auto racing.Auto racing enthusiasts who are able to attend the 38th All America Auto Racing Team Banquet – an event that is open to the public – can look forward to a history-making evening of excitement.