Posts Tagged ‘Bed and Breakfast News’
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas from Sweet Home Alabama
Montgomery, Ala. — A spa treatment at Marriott’s number one rated spa in the world, weekend getaways and a membership to Bellingrath Gardens are a few gift ideas for Mother’s Day. The Alabama Tourism Department has compiled the following list of gift ideas from several of the state’s tourism destinations.
Gift Card to Marriott’s Number One Spa in the World - The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa, Point Clear
Choose from a variety of treatments and packages: A Taste of Spa: 20-minute Upper Body Massage, 20-minute Express Facial, and 20-minute Petite Pedicure, $187.
Grand Spa Sampler: 50-minute Custom Massage, 20-minute Express Facial and Grand Spa Pedicure, $264. Make a spa reservation at 251-990-6385 or www.MariotGrand.com.
After the spa treatment enjoy Sunday Brunch at the Grand Hotel. (Conference Center 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | The Dining Room 11:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. for hotel guests only), $49.95 Adults; $24.95 Children (ages 5-11). Reservations are required: 251-928-9201.
Treasure Island Bed & Breakfast on Logan Martin Lake, Pell City
Moms can relax on the shores of Logan Martin Lake while enjoying a breakfast overlooking the lake. Add homemade chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling cider, roses, and a personal cake. Rates: $100+ per night. Reservations: www.TreasureIslandBedandBreakfast.com.
Alabama State Park Gift Cards – various parks throughout the state
A gift card can be purchased for any amount and is good for use at any Alabama State Park. Call 1-800-ALA-PARK for more information.
Mother’s Day Lunch at an Alabama State Park
Treat your mother to a Mother’s Day lunch buffet at one of five resort lodges. Lakepoint State Park, Cheaha State Park, DeSoto State Park, Lake Guntersville State Park, and Joe Wheeler State Park all have restaurants onsite. The buffet prices vary per park. Purchase the day of or in advance by calling 1-800-ALA-PARK.
Certificate for Overnight Stay at Lake Guntersville State Park, $250
Mom will enjoy a restful retreat at Lake Guntersville State Park. This 2-night package includes a bluff side hotel room with 2 queen beds and a view of the 69,000-acre Guntersville Reservoir, a breakfast for 2 and a dinner for 2 during her stay. To purchase, call 256-505-6601.
A Pair of Quality Down Pillows – The Pillow Factory, Muscle Shoals, $25 per pillow
See the pillows being made on site as you choose a pair that will give mom a good night’s sleep or give her a cozy down comforter. Pick up your gifts at the outlet shop located in The Pillow Factory, 298 River Road, or order by calling 866-834-0613 or 256-383-8507. Email: brendacrossno@comcast.net or visit the www.PillowMakers.com.
“Visit Tuscaloosa” Gift Items:
Travel mug, $5 (special Mother’s Day price) for moms on the go,
Eco-friendly reusable tote, $1.00, help mom go green this Mother’s Day,
Travel Sewing Kit, $1.00, a perfect travel gift for Mom. To order call 1-800-538-8696.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery
ASF members can enjoy a delicious brunch in the Patron’s Lobby before a matinee performance of Hamlet. Call ASF’s member concierge at (334) 271-5325. $35 per person; $25 member fee to get access to this event
Dauphin Island Hand-Painted Collector’s Plate
The plate features Alabama’s coast with a hand-painted scenes of Dauphin Island from artist Susan Alsup. The plate can be used as an elegant serving piece or a unique wall display available in a variety of colors. Purchase for $59.95 at http://giftshop.disl.org or call 866-403-4409.
Gift Items at the Dothan Visitor Center:
Alabama Dyed in the Dirt Shirts – A great gift to celebrate the mom who loves to garden. The shirts are dyed in organic soil found in Alabama, ($15.00). Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Jams and Jellies – Spread the love with all natural, organic jams and jellies made each season by the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Master Gardeners, ($4.00). Todd’s Homemade Cane Syrup – Give mom local syrup that goes great with just about anything, ($6.00). Collector Spoons – Add to Mom’s souvenir spoon collection. Each describes Dothan as the “Peanut Capital of the World.”
The gift items are available at the Dothan Visitor Center, 3311 Ross Clark Circle.
Weekend Getaway on Alabama’s Beautiful Beaches
Treat mom to a rejuvenating getaway on 32 miles of white sand beaches and turquoise water. With an almost endless variety of accommodations, restaurants and attractions, mom will enjoy a variety of things to do and see in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Price varies. To make reservations, visit http://gulfshores.com/packages-deals.
Tickets to the Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival (May 14-16),
Give mom a weekend pass to one of the most talked-about music festivals. Two of the four music stages will literally rise from the sand. To order a 3-day weekend pass for $159 visit www.hangoutmusicfest.com.
Edited: May 1st, 2010
Rain, Rain go away from Talladega and Alabama bed and breakfast
Talladega Superspeedway officials were wrestling Friday morning with a troublesome Saturday weather forecast that calls for strong storms, high winds and possible tornadoes in the speedway area.
Track officials were meeting with National Weather Service personnel Friday morning to analyze the forecast. The weather service has issued a “special weather statement” for central Alabama, predicting severe thunderstorms Saturday and Saturday night in central Alabama. There is an 80 percent possibility of precipitation Saturday.
The likelihood of extreme weather is of particular note in the speedway vicinity because thousands of fans are gathering in the area’s campgrounds for the NASCAR weekend. Many plan to camp out in tents and similar structures which obviously could be impacted by strong storm conditions. (more…)
Edited: April 24th, 2010
Sato joins Indycar Series for 2010
Former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato will be joining KV Racing in the Indycar Series for the upcoming season. After his adventure with Super Aguri, which came to a sudden end in 2008 when the team went bankrupt, the Japanese driver was unable to find a racing seat in F1 so has decided to join Indycars as of this season.
“This is a very exciting time for me and all of my supporters,” 33-year-old Sato said. “I really missed racing last year and can’t wait to get started in this new challenge with such a great team. To me, KV Racing is a team with massive potential and great team spirit.
“With such a great champion as Jimmy leading the team, I am really confident that we will soon be a strong combination.
“I am also really motivated by the chance to be fighting at the front of the field, something I have missed in recent seasons. I want to sincerely thanks everyone who has continued to support me through difficult times and look forward to enjoying success together very soon.”
Edited: February 19th, 2010
Alabama Tourism Department revises ‘100 Dishes’
Scallops at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile, a sushi roll at Jensei in Homewood, fried chicken at Maggie’s Diner in Tuscaloosa and a peanut butter and jelly pastry at the Cotton Row in Huntsville are a few of the new dishes listed in the latest edition of the “100 Dishes To Eat In Alabama Before You Die” brochure released by the Alabama Tourism Department. From BBQ to fresh Gulf seafood, the brochure lists dozens of restaurants in small towns and downtowns across the state. Royal Red Shrimp at Old Bay Steamer and King Neptune’s on the Gulf Coast, the catfish and cheese grits at Radley’s Fountain Grill in Monroeville, baked grits at Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, tomato salad at Hot and Hot Fish Club, L.A. Caviar at Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, fried chicken at Martin’s in Montgomery, BBQ Chicken with white sauce at Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur and orange-pineapple ice cream at Trowbridge’s in Florence are just a few long time favorites.
Two of the state’s celebrity chefs appear on the covers. Lucy Buffett of Lulu’s in Gulf Shores is seen holding a “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” made famous by her brother Jimmy Buffett, on one side, while Frank Stitt is pictured on the reverse shelling fresh peas at one of his Birmingham restaurants, Highland’s Bar & Grill. Buffett and Stitt were selected for the covers because of their dedication to serving food grown by local farmers as well as being champions of the Farm-to-Table Movement. Stitt was honored by the James Beard Awards in 2009 as one of the nation’s best chefs and Highlands Bar & Grill was named one of the top five restaurants in the U.S. by the James Beard Foundation. Stitt also owns Bottega and Chez Fonfon in Birmingham. Lucy Buffett has appeared numerous times on NBC’s Today Show and the Food Network promoting and preparing her recipes from her cookbook, “Crazy Sista Cooking.”
“It has by far been the most popular brochure that we have produced to date,” said tourism director Lee Sentell. “I think the reason it’s so popular is that people love food. We love to eat and we love to eat good food,” he added. More than 800,000 brochures have been printed and distributed since its initial printing in 2005 as part of the “Year of Alabama Food” tourism campaign. This is the third update of the publication. Copies of the brochures are available at the state’s eight Welcome Centers, by calling 1.800.ALABAMA (252.2262), or by going online at
Edited: February 19th, 2010
Drivers Appearing In Roush Fenway Party Zone
PrintEmail ShareRace fans can get their Talladega weekend cranked up early in the Roush Fenway Racing Party Zone with driver appearances by Colin Braun and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Open on Saturday of race weekend, the Roush Fenway Racing Party Zone has a host of amenities for fans. Including:
• Saturday admission into the Roush Fenway Racing Fan Party Zone, located in the Hospitality Village
• Catering for continental breakfast & buffet lunch
• Unlimited soda, water, beer & wine
• Pre-Race pit road tour (time & weather permitting)
• Event Souvenir
• Saturday Suite/Hospitality parking pass
• Appearance by Colin Braun and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
(Driver Appearance can be canceled due to time, weather or schedule changes)
• Games and activities including pool tables, foosball tables and basketball goals
Cost of admission is only $65 for adults or $45 for kids age 12 and under. Hospitality admissions must be accompanied by a frontstretch grandstand or tower ticket.
Talladega Superspeedway is preparing for the 2010 Aaron’s Dream Weekend featuring qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, followed by the ARCA Racing Series 250 race on Friday, April 23. On Saturday, April 24, fans will see qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, followed by the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. On Sunday, April 25, the greatest drivers in the world face off in the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
For more information on tickets to Talladega Superspeedway, please visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CDT, Monday- Friday.
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating eight motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and four in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Colin Braun, and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway. And for sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.
Edited: February 19th, 2010
Charlotte-based USF1 isn’t testing, isn’t saying a lot
As Formula One testing continued in Spain on Wednesday and a new season drew closer, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel posted the fastest lap.
The English team Lotus made a splash, returning to F1 after 17 seasons and dominating many of the headlines. The new USF1 operation, based in Charlotte, N.C., again dominated the anonymous quotes and whispers.
The first U.S. team to proclaim its entry in Formula One competition for three decades was nowhere to be seen.
On a rainy day and a soaked track, Vettel topped the charts, the Associated Press and others reported. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was sixth fastest with the Mercedes GP entry. Fairuz Fauzy was 11th in a Lotus.
Now back in F1 with Malaysian support, the Lotus team’s racing history is an extremely rich one.
A fraction of that history, but a significant part of the U.S. racing fabric: Lotus founder Colin Chapman, along with American hero Dan Gurney and two-time world champion Jim Clark of Scotland accelerated the revolution at the Indianapolis 500 nearly 50 years ago.
Emboldened by Jack Brabham’s top-10 showing in an underpowered mid-engined Cooper in 1961, Chapman put the Memorial Day weekend classic in his cross hairs.
With thumping Ford power, the nimble Lotus would quickly push the long-dominant Offenhauser roadsters off the Indy grid and out of the picture.
Stock car racing’s stamp was on that revolution as well, with the Stuart, Va.-based Wood Brothers operation recruited to handle the pit work at Indy. Champ car pit stops of the era were yawners compared with what had years earlier become routine in NASCAR racing.
The Woods’ reliability and speed rocked open-wheel racing’s world.
Unfortunately, USF1 appears less and less likely to weave any magic in the heart of stock car racing country and present it on a world stage in 2010.
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has for weeks expressed doubts about USF1, citing sponsorship difficulties.
“I think we won’t see Campos and I don’t think we will see the Americans,” at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14, the billionaire boss of F1 told the Sunday Express.
There was no response from team principals Peter Windsor or Ken Anderson to Ecclestone’s claims.
It was now being widely reported that YouTube founder Chad Hurley has withdrawn his support. He is said to be talking with established F1 teams.
Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez, signed only last month, appears to be looking, too.
Martin Urruty of the Argentine sports newspaper Diario Ole, told ThatsRacin.com on Wednesday that Lopez had met with Windsor. An account on the web site of cable TV’s Speed also noted the meeting.
Additionally, Brian Bonner, USF1′s head of business development, has left, SpeedTV.com reported. The site also noted that the team’s Charlotte building is for sale, but said it holds a long-term lease.
And still, nothing from Windsor, an alumnus of Speed’s F1 coverage, or Anderson a designer. The most recent post on USF1′s site is a Jan. 25 item about the signing of Lopez.
The silence contrasts sharply with the noise made when Windsor and Anderson proclaimed their intentions a year ago.
The names of NASCAR standout Kyle Busch and Danica Patrick were bandied about.
More recently, the team’s defenders talked about plans to test a car at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. Never happened, Viv Bernstein reported in a blog on nytimes.com. And no test has been scheduled, the longtime racing writer says.
“The bottom line is really simple: Sponsor money didn’t come through the way it was supposed to,” Bernstein quotes an anonymous source.
“They’re having trouble making payroll, they’re having trouble paying suppliers, and that’s the situation they find themselves in,” the source said.
With preseason testing in Spain, where the new team says it’s European base will be, there is still no USF1 car.
Another source told Bernstein the team might buy a car rather than build its own. That way, USF1 could still have a place on the season-opening grid.
Swell.
Fans and even some of the financial supporters of the first team carrying the American flag into Formula One competition for 30-something seasons will apparently have to adjust their expectations.
They might have thought they were getting a chance to cheer, maybe even chant “USA!, USA!, USA!” It looks more like Darrell Waltrip just paid Carl Long for a starting position in a race he would have otherwise had no business running.
But at least Waltrip would be willing to talk about it.
Edited: February 19th, 2010
A Look Back at the Daytona 500
Plate racing is a lot about people helping you. When you get out there, you have a decision to make when you get behind somebody, of which one you want to help. I’ve been really fortunate that I’m pretty good friends with a lot of guys out there. You know, guys typically will help me when I get to plate races.
“You cannot win one of these races without help. It’s not just from one guy, it takes a lot of people. You got to have a fast car, and everything’s got to work out for you. I’ve been obviously really fortunate the last two plate tracks.”
— Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray on his success at Daytona and Talladega.
“Actually, I felt pretty good when I saw that 16 car [Greg Biffle] behind him because I know they’re friends. He didn’t smack him — he pulled up to him and pushed him gently. When he did that, I felt pretty good. I was hoping a big wreck would happen behind us. I didn’t care if it was the 42 car [teammate Juan Pablo Montoya] that wrecked behind us!
“No, I just wanted the race to end. And it ended. That’s all that counts.”
— Felix Sabates, co-owner of the Nos. 1 and 42 Chevrolets, on the last two laps of the Daytona 500.
“It was all a blur. I was just going wherever they weren’t. I really don’t enjoy being that aggressive. But if there was enough room for the radiator to fit, you just kind of held the gas down and prayed for the best.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., on his final-lap charge to second in the Daytona 500.
Misc. Notes
Jamie McMurray won his fourth career NASCAR Cup race with his victory in the 2010 Daytona 500. Three of his wins have come on restrictor plate tracks at Daytona (Feb. 2010, July 2007) and Talladega (Nov. 2009). McMurray’s first career Cup win came at Charlotte in his second career Cup start in October 2002.
McMurray joins Jeff Gordon (6), Bill Elliott (4), Tony Stewart (3), Michael Waltrip (3) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2) as the only active drivers with multiple points-paying wins at Daytona.
McMurray became the first driver since Richard Petty in 1979 to win the Daytona 500 from the lucky 13th-place starting spot.
The win was Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s first as a company following its merger (Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing) prior to the 2009 season. It was the first 500 victory for Chip Ganassi, who adds the Harley Earle trophy in a case that already includes the Borg-Warner trophy (Indianapolis 500) and two 24 Hours of Le Mans trophies.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s runner-up showing was his first top-5 performance since a third at Michigan in August 2009. Greg Biffle finished third, his first top 5 at Daytona since a win in July 2003. Clint Bowyer (fourth) recorded his second consecutive fourth-place run in the Daytona 500. David Reutimann (fifth) notched his first top-5 run in 13 plate-track starts in the Cup Series.
Five cars were forced to the rear of the field prior to the start of the event. Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon and Michael Waltrip went to the back for rolling out backup cars. AJ Allmendinger and Carl Edwards went to the back for engine changes.
Time of Race: Officially, 3 hours, 47 minutes, 16 seconds; however, with red flags lasting over 2 hours, the time invested went north of 7 hours.
Average Speed: 137.284 mph
Margin of Victory: .119 seconds
Caution Flags: 9 cautions for 40 laps.
Lap Leaders: 52 lead changes among 21 drivers: Martin 1-4, Kahne 5, Martin 6-12, Montoya 13, Earnhardt 14-17, Harvick 18-21, Sadler 22, Harvick 23-34, Ku. Busch 35-44, Allmendinger 45-47, Ku. Busch 48-49, Logano 50, R. Gordon 51, Ku. Busch 52-70, Allmendinger 71, Harvick 72, Allmendinger 73-79, Hamlin 80, Ku. Busch 81, Biffle 82-83, Ku. Busch 84, Biffle 85-94, Ky. Busch 95-97, J. Gordon 98-99, Bowyer 100-106, Biffle 107, Bowyer 108-109, Biffle 110, Bowyer 111-112, Ragan 113-114, Bowyer 115-118, Kvapil 119, Said 120, Bowyer 121-126, Kahne 127-129, Sadler 130, Bowyer 131, Sadler 132-135, Bowyer 136-137, Harvick 138-144, Sadler 145-147, Truex 148-150, Harvick 151-153, Montoya 154, Harvick 155-164, Speed 165-168, Biffle 169-175, Speed 176-183, Biffle 184-185, Bowyer 186-198, Biffle 199-202, Harvick 203-206, McMurray 207-208.
A Look Ahead to the Auto Club 500 from Auto Club Speedway
Still Seeing Full Fields
46 teams (the same number for this race last season) are officially entered for the Auto Club 500. Those that must race their way in (are not in the top 35 in owners points): 09-Aric Almirola, 13-Max Papis, 35-Johnny Sauter, 36-Mike Bliss, 46-Terry Cook, 55-Michael McDowell, 66-Dave Blaney, 71-Bobby Labonte, 82-Scott Speed, 87-Joe Nemechek, 90-Casey Mears
Crew Chief Change for Kenseth
In a surprise move on Wednesday, Roush Fenway Racing announced that NASCAR veteran Todd Parrott will assume crew chief responsibilities for Matt Kenseth’s No. 17 Ford effective immediately.
Drew Blickensderfer, who led Kenseth to a 2009 Daytona 500 win as well as another victory the following week in Fontana, had just completed his first year as Kenseth’s head wrench. Blickensderfer will assume a role in RFR’s Research and Development department.
Parrott began his crew chief career in the Cup Series in 1995 with Robert Yates Racing’s No. 88 Ford with Dale Jarrett. The two won a then-Winston Cup championship in 1999. He most recently served as crew chief on the No. 96 Hall of Fame/Yates Racing Ford of Bobby Labonte and Erik Darnell.
Auto Club Speedway Facts
Auto Club Speedway has hosted 19 Sprint Cup races since Jeff Gordon won the 1997 California 500. At the time, the track was known as California Speedway. The named was changed prior to the February 2008 event.
Jamie McMurray is looking to become the second consecutive driver to win back-to-back races to begin the season. Matt Kenseth did so last year, the first driver since Gordon in 1997 (Daytona, Rockingham) to do so.
Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with four career Cup wins at Auto Club Speedway. Gordon and Kenseth have three apiece. Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin and Elliott Sadler each have one victory in Fontana.
Only four drivers — Jeff Burton, Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek —have participated in all 19 Cup races held at ACS.
Kenseth leads all drivers with 11 top-10 finishes at ACS. Edwards, Gordon and Johnson have 10 apiece, while Gordon also leads the circuit with 10 top 5s.
Kyle Busch holds the track qualifying record of 188.245 mph set in February 2005.
Gordon’s win in the inaugural event is also the fastest at ACS, averaging 155.012 mph. As stated earlier, Kenseth is the defending winner of this event (135.839 mph). Johnson won the October edition (143.908 mph), his third consecutive fall win in Fontana.
Track Specs: 2-mile, D-shaped oval; Banking/Turns: 14 degrees; Banking/Tri-oval: 11 degrees; Banking/Straightaway: 3 degrees
2009 Winner: Matt Kenseth
Cup Practice Times (all times Eastern): Friday, Feb. 19: 3:00-4:30 pm (SPEED-TV)
Saturday, Feb. 20: 2:30-3:15 pm (SPEED-TV); Happy Hour: 3:45-4:50 pm (SPEED-TV)
Cup Qualifying: Friday, Feb. 19: 6:40 pm (SPEED-TV)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500: Sunday, Feb. 21: 3:20 pm
Edited: February 18th, 2010
It’s Wrap at Daytona
Besides the fact that there was a major size pothole at Daytona International Speedway, there was also some great racing. The wing on the back of the cars, the same one that has taken some of the blame for the quality of racing since the inception of the “Car of Tomorrow”, has to be considered as part of the package that produced the exciting racing in the Daytona 500.
While the wing cannot be given complete credit for the quality of racing, it cannot be take all of the blame when the racing is deemed sup-par.
There is still plan to replace the wing with a spoiler, but there are rumblings that NASCAR may leave the wing alone for the three remaining restrictor plate races. Teams will be trying out the new rear spoilers at an open test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 23rd and 24th. The spring Talladega race is a month later on April 25th.
Brian Vickers commented about the change during testing at Texas Motor Speedway, “Theoretically, from what I’ve been told, the difference between the two (spoiler vs wing) is that the spoiler is better in traffic. Once you get in a lot of turbulence, the spoiler’s not going to lose a lot of efficiency while a wing really will.”
Many attributes including the car, the track, the rules and circumstance combine to produce either a good or bad race. Throw in the fact that race fans can be jaded in their view of a race if their driver doesn’t win and what is needed to make everyone happy after a race can be impossible to come up with.
Most fans would have to agree that besides pothole issues, Sunday’s race was one to remember. So, what went into making the Daytona 500 a great race? Mostly, it was rules.
Drivers were told that previous rules regarding bump-drafting were not in place anymore. “We will put it back in the hands of the hands of the drivers and we will say, ‘Boys, have at it and have a good time,’” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s Vice President of Competition. Confusion of where bump-drafting was allowed and the possibility of favouritism in enforcement of those rules were eliminated as drivers were told to police themselves. Without those worries, drivers were free to go out and race in the Daytona 500.
The holes in the restrictor plates were increased. With the size of the four openings at 63/64ths of an inch, more of the air and fuel mixture flows into the engine to increase horsepower and acceleration. The ability to let off the throttle and then get back on it allows the drivers more throttle control without the penalty of the engine starving for fuel when the racer wants to go.
Green-White-Checker rules were changed three days before the Daytona 500. NASCAR now allows up to three restart attempts prior to the white flag being displayed to try to not finish the race under caution. Only one restart attempt was allowed under the prior rules. Sunday’s Daytona 500 used two of the three restarts and eight extra laps. Clint Bowyer looked to be on his way to the win until the caution waved with five laps to go. Bowyer led the field back to the green but then Greg Biffle took away the lead and the yellow flag flew again. As the green flew again, so did Kevin Harvick, who took his turn back at the front. One more caution flag flew and on the second G/W/C attempt Jamie McMurray led the last two laps and held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the way to his first Daytona 500 victory. Four race leaders in the final moments of a race makes for an exciting event. Let’s not forget the double-file restarts, without those the lead changes probably would not have happened.
Does this mean that NASCAR racing is fixed and this will be the best racing ever. Let’s not go that far. Racing at restrictor plate tracks is completely different than the rest of the events on the schedule. What we do know is that NASCAR is making the effort to listen to fans and is working on improving their product. So far, so good.
Edited: February 18th, 2010
Porsche Sport Driving School: Barber Motosports
Porsche Driving Schools: The Porsche Sport Driving School is the ultimate adventure for driven Porsche enthusiasts. Sponsored by Porsche Cars North America, the purpose of the school is to teach drivers how to maximize both safety and performance while driving racy Porsches. The courses offered are not just for owners, as all cars used are owned by the PSDS. So, anyone with either a passion or an interest is invited to strap on a helmet, and participate in a one- or two-day course taught by savvy racecar drivers with impressive résumés. Generally, the students-to-instructor ratio is four to one, and there usually are 24 to 30 student drivers participating.
The Porsche Sport Driving School is located in Birmingham, Alabama, at the Barber Motorsports Park. The outdoor classroom is a 2.38-mile track that is 45 feet wide and has an 80-foot elevation change. The venue hosts major events such as the Grand Am series and the AMA Superbike series. It is situated on 740 acres in the middle of the woodsy, verdant outskirts of Birmingham.
Mid-engine Porsches available to students include a Boxster, a Boxster S, and a Cayman S. The fastest vehicles provided are the rear-engine 911 Carrera S and the 911 Carrera at 182 and 177 mph, respectively. The Cayenne S, which is Porsche’s all-terrain vehicle, is the turtle of the group with a top-track speed of 155 mph.
A one-day course costs approximately $1,795, and the cost of a two-day event is priced from $2,995 per driver. A guest is permitted to accompany a student at an additional cost of $125 per day. However, guests are permitted to drive only in vehicles driven by instructors. Additionally, there is a two-day advanced session that costs roughly $3,495 per participant. The fun starts at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4:45 p.m. The Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa is the recommended lodgings of the PSDS, as a special rate is extended to guests of Porsche.
To celebrate the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, Porsche and JustLuxe have teamed up to bring you three exhilarating adventures. As part of the campaign, Porsche is offering a chance to win a one-day precision driving course, as well as accommodations at the luxurious Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa.
Edited: February 18th, 2010
Luczo Dragon Racing and De Ferran Motorsports Join Forces to Create Cutting Edge IndyCar Racing Team
Steve Luczo and Jay Penske, co-owners of Luczo Dragon Racing, and Gil de Ferran, owner of de Ferran Motorsports and former Indy 500 winner, have merged their two businesses to create a new cutting edge motorsport venture that will leverage technology and science to compete at the highest levels of the IZOD IndyCar Series, it was announced today.
De Ferran, the 2003 Indy 500 winner and two-time IndyCar champion, will serve as co-owner, President and Managing Partner of Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports. After spending the last two years as driver and team owner of de Ferran Motorsports in the American Le Mans Series, de Ferran has been focused on bringing his championship experience to the IZOD IndyCar Series. The decision to join forces with Luczo Dragon Racing is based on a desire from both teams to build one of the most advanced and high technology motorsports operations in North America.
“We have been talking to Gil about this for some time and we felt this was the perfect opportunity to combine our resources,” Luczo said. “Gil has the experience of working with major manufacturers and leading racing teams all over the world and we feel we can bring the essential business acumen and managerial expertise to the operation. Our skills are highly complementary and we all have the same vision and ambitions. We’re very excited about the direction of our team.”
The combined skills of the three partners will create a formidable framework around which to operate. Penske, the youngest son of Roger Penske has built up an impressive media and publishing empire while maintaining a close interest in the sport via his young IndyCar team. Luczo is Chairman and CEO of Seagate Technologies and one of America’s most successful businessmen in the field of technology, while de Ferran’s successes are well documented in the world of motorsport as a driver and more recently a team owner.
“Gil and I have known each other for 10 years – when he started racing for my father,” Penske said. “Gil has always had ambitions outside of the car and Steve and I have been talking to him about working together for some time. Luczo Dragon Racing and de Ferran Motorsports will live together. We all share the same vision for the future in this industry and with our combined skills we are confident that we can make a real success story of this new venture. We have the resources and the knowledge to build a great motorsport organization together.”
“This is a hugely exciting announcement,” de Ferran said. “Our aim is to put together a state-of-the-art motorsports operation with a sharp focus in high technology and developing the science of performance. We have a very talented driver in Raphael Matos who has been a winner at every level he raced and showed great potential already last year, becoming rookie of the year. The foundation is set and with our collective resources and leadership we hope to break new ground and become one of the most competitive teams in the IZOD IndyCar series.”
Edited: February 17th, 2010