Second Season of Unified Indycar Racing Commences

It may not be the first season of unified racing for the IndyCar Series, but teams returning to this year’s events will likely feel that it is. Last year the unification decision was announced in February, just days before pre-season testing commenced. Drivers were ill-prepared for the changes and many suffered for this during the course of the season. This year they can kick off their season truly prepared for it.

Things started out a bit rough-and-tumble for the 2008 IndyCar racing season after some major changes were made a little too close to the first open test. The February Open Test in Homestead, Miami, was missed and a separate Open Test was held in Sebring, Florida. Teams had to spend at least half the season preparing back-up cars just to make it through with some hope of success. Fortunately the drivers were eventually able to catch up, and by the end of the season there were two rookie breakthrough wins by Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal.

Now the 2009 IndyCar series unified racing season is ready to begin as cars get ready to return to the track from February 24-25 for the Open Test. Stating his expectations for the year, Vitor Meira, who has been racing the series for seven years and will be moving to AJ. Foyt Racing for the season, said: “It’s definitely going to be tougher. With the off-season that we have, the new teams have had a lot of time to think, a lot of time to correct their mistakes. Since their learning curve is higher than ours, they’re going to be able to start in better shape than last year.”

Apart from the Open Test announcement, teams will also be racing two new street courses in Long Beach California and Toronto. Drivers seem to be excited about being given the chance to race where people like Mario and Michael Andretti, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti have raced and won before. Will Power remarked that “Unification was the best thing that could’ve happened for open-wheel racing in North America”, due to the fact that “it’s created a lot more interest in the sport.” He couldn’t be more right and no doubt the 2009 IndyCar Series will be a massive success.

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.