Indycar News & Rumors.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Felix Rosenqvist to get another test with Ganassi at Mid-Ohio this week, alongside championship leader Scott Dixon. Rosenqvist, the 2015 European Formula 3 champion tested for Ganassi in July. last year.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130815

[TheMightyM]

I stumbled across this while looking for something else. The future of the Belle Isle race beyond 2018 depends upon obtain a new permit from Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources. Here’s a recent (June 2017) Detroit News article on the race’s economic impact and such. Sample quote:

It has about $1 million more in liabilities than assets at end of every year, but organizers say that is OK.

[T]he future is up in the air for Belle Isle’s Grand Prix, which needs approval from the Department of Natural Resources to continue beyond 2018 and routinely fails to turn a profit.

But the Chevrolet Grand Prix of Detroit presented by Lear, as it is known with the full bells and whistles of corporate sponsorship, is a success, the organizers say, because it draws money to the economy of the city, helps finance the improvement of Belle Isle, provides a postcard to the world for a rising Detroit, and it is quality racing.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

I stumbled across this while looking for something else. The future of the Belle Isle race beyond 2018 depends upon obtain a new permit from Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources. Here’s a recent (June 2017) Detroit News article on the race’s economic impact and such. Sample quote:

That's a very interesting article. All in all, it's actually quite a positive article. Who would have thought a motorsports event, would help an aquarium?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson would like to race at the 500.

http://www.indycar.com/News/2017/07/...s-eye-Indy-500

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

That's a very interesting article. All in all, it's actually quite a positive article. Who would have thought a motorsports event, would help an aquarium?

It is a very positive article. One number that stands out is the $13 million in annual expenses to put on the race and associated events. Wow, I wouldn't thought it was anywhere near that high. I can definitely see how a not quite so successful race could lose their promoters a ton of money.

[Formulahistory]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson would like to race at the 500.

http://www.indycar.com/News/2017/07/...s-eye-Indy-500

that's not new. But they both won't do it. Kyle was not allowed to do it in this season by his NASCAR team Joe Gibbs.

Kurt and Kyle Busch together at Indy would be amazing!

[S griffin]

I would like to see it happen too, it is supposed to be America's greatest race

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Formulahistory

that's not new. But they both won't do it. Kyle was not allowed to do it in this season by his NASCAR team Joe Gibbs.

Kurt and Kyle Busch together at Indy would be amazing!

That article is only dated the 26th July this year, so it can't be that old.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

It is a very positive article. One number that stands out is the $13 million in annual expenses to put on the race and associated events. Wow, I wouldn't thought it was anywhere near that high. I can definitely see how a not quite so successful race could lose their promoters a ton of money.

Compared to F1 it's minimal, as is a loss of $1m, when you consider what's been happening with an F1 track like Silverstone.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Bourdais makes successful test, in his return to IndyCar.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131060

[fieldodreams79]

No real concrete info here but interesting to see what the series is considering regarding future TV contracts.

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/14...t-2018-tv-plan

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Bourdais makes successful test, in his return to IndyCar.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131060

It was incredible to see him during the Mid-Ohio broadcast and Robin Miller stating that he's not even walking with a cane.

[fieldodreams79]

Tire test at Gateway story sounds positive:

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/14...ateway-surface

[Nikki Katz]

What's happened to aleshin this year? He used to be pretty good, but this year he's been crashing way too much and not always on the pace anyway. Anyway, he's gone for the season now, hope that there's still enough sponsorship for the car.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Nikki Katz

What's happened to aleshin this year? He used to be pretty good, but this year he's been crashing way too much and not always on the pace anyway. Anyway, he's gone for the season now, hope that there's still enough sponsorship for the car.

A bit sudden, however he hasn't left SMP but gone from their IndyCar team to their 2018 LMP1 project, which is in collaboration with Russian company BR Engineering. There's no announcement of a replacement driver.

http://www.indycar.com/News/2017/08/...hmidt-Peterson

[gert]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

A bit sudden, however he hasn't left SMP but gone from their IndyCar team to their 2018 LMP1 project, which is in collaboration with Russian company BR Engineering.

Hm I think there's a bit of confusion between SMP and SPM there?

He was driving for SPM (Schmidt/Petersen Motorsport) in Indycar and one of his sponsors is SMP.

SMP = SMP Racing = SMP Bank = a Russian bank owned/created by Russian Boris Rotenberg.
BR Engineering = Boris Rotenberg.

The Indycar team has nothing to do with SMP/BR. SMP was a personal sponsor of Aleshin, not Schmidt/Petersen.

[gert]

EDIT: ... sorry ... double post ...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by gert

Hm I think there's a bit of confusion between SMP and SPM there?

He was driving for SPM (Schmidt/Petersen Motorsport) in Indycar and one of his sponsors is SMP.

SMP = SMP Racing = SMP Bank = a Russian bank owned/created by Russian Boris Rotenberg.
BR Engineering = Boris Rotenberg.

The Indycar team has nothing to do with SMP/BR. SMP was a personal sponsor of Aleshin, not Schmidt/Petersen.

I stand corrected. Thanks for that.

[NaBUru38]

Aleshin crashed a lot, especially on ovals. Many people won't miss him. But he's a reasnoably good driver to me, and will do great in FIA WEC.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Is Wickens going to fill the empty seat at SPM?

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131261

[fieldodreams79]

Seabass cleared to race but not...

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/14...ical-clearance

[bjohnsonsmith]

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131268

Saavedra replaces Aleshin for next two IndyCar races.

[NaBUru38]

That's Pocono and Gateway, two ovals.

It's been rumored that Robert Wickens, Santiago Urrutia or Esteban Gutiérrez could take the seat for Watkins Glen and/or Sonoma.

[S griffin]

It's good Seabass is ready to race again, hope it's soon

[bjohnsonsmith]

Jack Harvey gets the SPM seat for the last two races.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131334