10th Anniversary of the Malaysia Grand Prix

The Formula One (F1) Malaysia Grand Prix attracts thousands of auto racing fans from around the world. As the biggest racing event in Malaysia, the Grand Prix is always an exciting occasion, but the 2008 event, set to take place on the weekend of 21 to 23 March 2008 at the Sepang International Circuit, promises to be the most exciting yet. Marking the 10th anniversary of the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, the organizers have a program of events lined up that they are confident will draw record crowds and prove to be highly entertaining for spectators.

In addition to the thrill of the Formula One race, the inclusion of the GP2 Asia Series and the new Speedcar Series as support races at the Malaysia Grand Prix will provide auto racing enthusiasts with additional excitement. As in previous years, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Formula BMW Asia will also form part of the program. The new Speedcar Series is a stock car racing championship which features identical V8 620bph stock cars that are not fitted with electronic driver aids, thereby becoming purely a test of driver skill.

The Sepang International Circuit is considered by many to be one of the most technical circuits in the Formula One series. Combining long high-speed straights with tight twisting turns presents an interesting challenge to auto racing drivers. The track itself is wide and allows opportunity for overtaking, which keeps the excitement of the race at fever-pitch. Add to this a festive atmosphere which is distinctly Malaysian and it is clear to see why the Malaysia Grand Prix is so popular among drivers and spectators alike.

Following the 2007 Formula One race the Sepang International Circuit completely resurfaced the 5.543 kilometer track. Additional safety features included the construction of tarmac run-off areas at seven of the turns as well as extended kerbs at six of the stretches. In addition to improving the safety of the track, all the facilities, including hospitality suites and race offices, were also upgraded. There is no doubt that the Sepang International Circuit and the organizers are ready to welcome the 125,000 auto racing enthusiasts that are expected to gather for the 10th Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix.

Racingsafer.com Driver Safety Seminar

With the objective of providing auto racing drivers with knowledge to enable them to make educated decisions regarding their personal safety as well as elevating safety at the track, Racingsafer.com will be hosting a Driver Safety Seminar at the K-Star Ranch in Mansfield, Texas on 26 January 2008. The seminar has been arranged in response to requests from various race tracks, manufacturers and service providers in the interests of promoting racing safety.

Although auto racing is an inherently dangerous sport, safety equipment and chassis manufacturers continuously make advancements in their products, which help to make this popular sport safer. There is no legal requirement for drivers to update their equipment, but many sanctioning bodies and racing track authorities try to encourage drivers to take advantage of rapidly advancing technology to enhance the safety level of auto racing.

The keynote speaker at the Racingsafer.com Driver Safety Seminar will be Tina Cresswell, the Sales Manager of Simpson Race Products. Having worked at Simpson Racing Products for 10 years and with 12 years of auto and sprint car racing experience, Tina is certainly qualified to offer sound advice on the latest technology.

Representatives from FASTT Motorsports Rescue will give some valuable insight on providing a safer environment for drivers and their crews, as well as for spectators at the track. The FASTT rescue truck is fully equipped with advanced rescue equipment which includes, saw-alls, hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life), jacks for vehicle stabilization and hand tools. Additionally the truck, known as “Rescue 1″, is outfitted with a variety of fire extinguishers as well as a system capable of extinguishing larger fires. Rescue 1 is also equipped with life support equipment to attend to the medical needs of injured drivers. Each member of the FASTT team has received extensive training in track safety and fire suppression, as well as rescue and emergency medicine.

Participants at the Driver Safety Seminar stand in line to win some great auto racing related prizes. These prizes will include safety equipment and the latest fuel cell product from RCI as well as a Fire Tech System. One lucky seminar participant will be awarded with a Team Membership to the Hall of Fame by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum.

The proceeds of the Racing.com Driver Safety Seminar will benefit the Ryan Bard Foundation and go toward future events for driver safety education, which is sure to benefit all involved in the fast moving world of auto racing.

The Fun-filled Daytona 200 and Bike Week

The Daytona 200 motorcycle race is held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. This 68-lap, 200 mile (322 kilometer) motorcycle race is set to take place on 8 March 2008 as part of the Daytona Bike Week. This 10 day event that draws motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide, will start on 29 February with a schedule jam-packed full of entertainment and excitement carrying on through to 9 March 2008.

This will be the 67th time that the Daytona 200 will take place and the event continues to grow in popularity. Crowds of up to 500,000 gather to enjoy the company of fellow bikers and the revelry which includes motorcycle races, concerts and virtually non-stop street festivals and parties.

The Daytona 200 has a long history which began on 24 January 1937, when the inaugural race took place on a beach and road course stretching over a distance of 3.2 miles just south of Daytona Beach. Ed Kretz of Monterey Park, California, riding an American manufactured Indian motorcycle at an average speed of about 73 miles per hour, was the first winner of the Daytona 200 and he was presented with the City of Daytona Beach trophy. The race continued on an annual basis until it was interrupted in 1942 by the rationing of fuel and lack of key engine components brought about by World War II. Despite the racing event being called off, bikers still gathered for an unofficial party which became Bike Week. When the Daytona 200 resumed in 1948 the race featured a record of 176 competitors. Due to beach development, the race was moved further south onto a circuit measuring 4.1 miles and in 1961 the Daytona 200 moved to the Daytona International Speedway – a popular auto racing venue.

Over time the Daytona 200 and Bike Week became a 10 day festival with hundreds of events taking place throughout Volusia County for the enjoyment of the hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide. Numerous camping facilities are made available and food vendors of every description make sure the crowds are well fed. The events include an invitation for bikers to “Ride the Loop” a popular 22 mile trail that winds through some of Florida’s most beautiful countryside.

The Daytona 200 is considered by many to be the motorcycle event of the year and, judging by the efforts put in by organizers and popularity of previous events, the 2008 Daytona 200 and Bike Week will prove to be a memorable experience.

2008 North American International Auto Show

One of the prime international auto shows in the world, the 2008 NAIAS, is set to take place from Saturday 19 January through to Sunday 27 January 2008. Companies in the automotive industry will have the opportunity to attend a preview of this much anticipated auto show on Wednesday 16 January and Thursday 17 January 2008, before it is opened to the general public.

The NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) started way back in 1907 as the Detroit Auto Show, which was a regional event with seventeen exhibitors. Over the years since then the show has grown to be an international world class event with more than 60 exhibitors representing well respected manufacturers and suppliers in the auto industry. The NAIAS has grown in popularity among auto enthusiasts who travel from far and wide to attend this well organized event.

Auto racing fans are no doubt looking forward to the Sprint Racing Day which is scheduled for Friday 25 January 2008 as part of the NAIAS. Auto racing drivers that will be present to sign autographs include American Le Mans Series driver Bryan Herta, IndyCar Series drivers Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan, as well as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle. Racing enthusiasts, young and old, can experience the thrill of auto racing while testing their driving skills in one of four three-quarter scale racing car simulators. Fans can expect to see exclusive video footage of the exciting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. There will be plenty of giveaways and a number of surprise appearances by some of the auto racing industry’s top drivers. Car displays will be put on by several top automotive manufacturers. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, American Le Mans Series and the IndyCar Series racing leagues will be represented in this motor sport celebration.

The NAIAS Automotive Education Day hosted by State Farm Insurance is scheduled for Wednesday 23 January starting at 8:30 am. The program will provide high school students with a unique opportunity to explore career paths within the auto industry.

There will be a number of contests running throughout the 2008 NAIAS including a photo contest, poster contest and the innovative “Courageous Persuaders” – a contest where high school students produce a video highlighting the growing problem and dangers of underage drinking. The judges of the competition include middle school students, thereby exposing them to responsible role models, sending a meaningful message.

With so much on offer for every member of the family, whether they are auto racing fans or not, the 2008 NAIAS is an event that should not be missed.