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FLOWDYNAMICS SPRINT CAR TEAM 2022 SEASON WRAP UP

Flowdynamics drivers Matt McCarthy and Logan Williams at Perris in 2022. Doug Allen photo.

(Ontario, CA, December 13, 2022) The Ontario, California-based USAC/CRA Flowdynamics sprint car racing team has wrapped up its 2022 racing season. When all was said and done, drivers Logan Williams and Matt McCarthy had both finished in the top ten of the series championship points standings.

The team had perfect attendance in 2022 showing up at all 21 series races. Each of the team drivers qualified for 16 of the main events and all told, there was a Flowdynamics car in 19 of the 21 mains. Third-generation driver Williams had eight top 10 finishes during the season and three times he placed in the top five. His best outings were a pair of fourth-place finishes. The first of those came at the Bakersfield Speedway on May 14th. That was followed by another fourth on August 6th at the grand reopening of the Santa Maria Raceway. McCarthy, who makes his home in Riverside, California, placed in the top ten four different times. His best main event finish came at Perris Auto Speedway on March 26th when he came home seventh.

Williams, who calls Yorba Linda, California home, ended up ninth in the championship point standings. McCarthy, The father of two young children was one spot behind in 10th. Over the course of the year, each of the drivers won two heat races.

The team’s brightest moment came in August when Perris Auto Speedway hosted the annual California Racers Hall of Fame Night. A large crowd turned out to see the race which featured thousands of extra dollars added to the purse. The increased dough saw every team go the extra mile to be competitive on that very special evening. McCarthy fired the first salvo on the night when he captured the Woodlands Auto Display/Billy Wilkerson Fast Time Award for the first time in his career. If that was not enough, the 2017 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year backed it up by scoring the win in the special four-segment Junior Kurtz /Bill Simpson Trophy Dash. He did so by passing and beating three of the best drivers west of the Mississippi.

McCarthy and his teammate Williams, the 2013 Perris Auto Speedway Young Guns Champion and 2014 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, do not have a long time to rest. The 2023 campaign will kick off at the “Diamond In The Desert,” Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway, on January 27th and 28th. At the same event in 2022, it was Williams’ time to shine as he recorded a six-place and two seventh-place finishes at the popular “Copper State” speed plant.

Even though the 2022 season ended in early November and the first races of 2023 are still six weeks away, the action at the Flowdynamics race shop is nonstop. Cars are being prepped for another run for racing glory next year. In addition to equipment prep, the team is talking with potential marketing partners for the upcoming season. If you or your business would like to join one of the most organized and quickest teams in the west, contact John McCarthy at the following 909 930-5522 or mailto:john@flodyinc.com

McCarthy, Williams, and the entire flow dynamics racing team would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. They look forward to seeing you somewhere along the way in the early part of 2023.

McCarthy and Williams would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2022 season possible. Flowdynamics Inc., JFK Design Build, Cal Therm Mechanical Insulators, CRC Component Repair Co., Encore Gas and Supply, Drink-Pac, and Benic Enterprises.

Matt McCarthy 2022 Results

1/27/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main

1/28/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main

1/29/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 14th A Main

3/26/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main

4/1/22 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main

4/2/22 Tulare Thunderbowl USAC/CRA 18th A Main

4/23/22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

4/30/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS

5/14/22 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA 16th A Main

5/28/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main

6/11/22 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 16th A Main

6/25/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 8th A Main

8/6/22 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 18th A Main

8-20-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main

9-17-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 12th A Main

10-8-22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

10-28-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 14th B Main

10-29-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 21st B Main

11-3-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 14th B Main

11-4-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 12th B Main

11-5-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 11th B Main

Logan Williams 2022 Results

1/27/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

1/28/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main

1/29/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main

3/26/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main

4/1/22 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main

4/2/22 Tulare Thunderbowl USAC/CRA 12th A Main

4/23/22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main

4/30/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main

5/14/22 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA 4th A Main

5/28/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

6/11/22 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

6/25/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 5th A Main

8/6/22 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 4th A Main

8-20-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS

9-17-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS

10-8-22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 16th A Main

10-28-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 21st A Main

10-29-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 23rd A Main

11-3-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 11th B Main

11-4-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 17th A Main

11-5-02 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National 12th B Main

Why Is Car Maintenance Important?

Photo by C Joyful on Unsplash

Maintaining your car is important for a lot of reasons. Not only does it keep your car running smoothly and looking good, but it can also help you avoid costly repairs in the future. This blog post will discuss some of the most important reasons why you should maintain your car regularly. We’ll also provide some tips on how to do so effectively!

Reasons Why Car Maintenance Is Important

There is no denying that a car is expensive. Therefore, it is important to take good care of your car and ensure that it runs properly for many years. Car maintenance is essential in order to keep the vehicle running safely and efficiently. It’s very important to get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible when you think there is a problem. At places like Prestige Car Specialist you can get fast diagnostics, battery replacements, transmission rebuilds, performance tuning, and much more at affordable prices and fix the problem before it becomes an even bigger problem.

Here are some benefits of regular car maintenance:

Keeps Your Car Running Smoothly

One of the most important reasons to keep up with your car maintenance is to ensure that it runs smoothly. Regular maintenance can help detect potential problems and allow you to fix them before they become more serious and costly. This helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns as well as saves you money in the long run.

Improves The Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency

Regularly changing your oil, air filter, and fuel system can help improve the overall fuel efficiency of your vehicle. This will help you save money on gas as well as reduce emissions from your car, making it more environmentally friendly.

Increases The Lifespan Of Your Vehicle

Regular maintenance is also essential to keep your car in good condition for a longer period of time. By making sure that your car is being serviced regularly, you can help to extend the life of your vehicle and get more years out of it. For long-term protection against rust and wear, many car owners trust solutions from businesses like Spray Tech Coatings in Grand Rapids.

Keeps You Safe On The Road

Regular maintenance is also important for maintaining the safety of your vehicle. This includes checking brakes, tires, and other parts to make sure they are in good working condition. Keeping up with regular maintenance will help to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.

You should always set aside enough money to keep up with your car maintenance. Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle will help it to remain in better condition for longer and ultimately save you money in the long run. So make sure to follow a regular maintenance schedule and always keep an eye out for potential problems. Doing this will ensure that your car stays reliable and safe for many years to come.

If you are short on cash and need to have your car serviced ASAP, you can always get a loan from lending companies. For car repair loans, go to https://www.jacarandafinance.com.au/loan/car-repair-loans/.

Examples of Basic Car Maintenance Services

Now that we have established just how important car maintenance is for your vehicle, let’s take a look at some of the basic services that are commonly associated with car maintenance.

Oil Change

One of the most common and important services included in car maintenance is an oil change. This service should be done regularly to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently. It involves draining out the old oil and replacing it with fresh, clean oil.

Brake Inspection

Another important service included in car maintenance is a brake inspection. This ensures that your brakes are functioning properly and can help to identify any potential issues before they become major problems.

Tire Rotation/Alignment

A tire rotation or alignment should also be done regularly as part of a car maintenance plan. This helps to ensure that your tires are wearing evenly and allows them to last longer.

Battery Check

It’s also important to have the battery checked during routine car maintenance services. This ensures that the connections are clean and tight and can help prevent unexpected issues down the road.

Engine Diagnostics

Engine diagnostics are also an important part of car maintenance. This allows a mechanic to identify any potential issues with the vehicle’s engine and can help prevent major problems in the future.

These are just some of the basic services that are included in car maintenance. Regularly completing these tasks will help keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Ultimately, investing time into routine car maintenance can save you money over the long term, as it can help prevent major issues from occurring down the road.

Next time you bring your vehicle in for service, make sure to ask your mechanic about the services included in a car maintenance plan. With proper care and attention, you can keep your vehicle running like new for years to come. Investing in regular car maintenance is well worth it!

Bottom Line

Car maintenance is very important and can help keep your vehicle in good condition and running smoothly. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run by reducing repair costs, improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and extending the lifespan of your car or truck. It is also important to remember that keeping up with routine maintenance will help ensure your safety on the road.

So make sure you are following the recommended service schedule for your car and address any problems as soon as they arise. Doing so can help you save money, improve performance, and extend the life of your vehicle.

Your Guide to Motorsports Gambling for 2023

This 2022 year of motorsports is ending, leaving behind the history that took place during the plethora of races. The holiday season is a period for the fans and race teams to relax and recuperate to prepare for the upcoming season. Next year’s race schedule has been announced for the two largest motorsport series, NASCAR and Formula 1, and the teams know exactly when they will have to perform again.

An often-neglected aspect of many fans who partake in sportsbook betting is being unprepared. While the teams are readying themselves for the upcoming season, you could spend that time getting prepared for placing strong sportsbook bets. Continue reading to learn some tips to aid your 2023 sportsbook betting year.

Location, Location, Location…

More often than not, many sportsbook bettors will have a difficult time picking which website, app, or company they wish to use to be the middleman for massive bets. Sportsbooks bettors will consider the following for example: If a website is too niche, the prize pools will not be as large, and inversely if it is too broad it may be limited on the additional betting methods. Searching for the best location for you is essential for readiness when the 2023 motorsports series begin. You will always want to have an account set up and ready to go.

When choosing where to be, investigate its origin and credentials. An example of a website for those across the pond would be casino Katowice, which boasts the following: Milan Rabrzski checked сasino Katowice for interesting games related to betting on racing events. This sentence identifies it is both backed by the local government and what it offers. To discover whether a location you have found is credible, research on your own at google to find evidence that supports its claims.

Multiple Series or just One?

While betting on multiple racing series can be an efficient use of opportunity cost, it runs a risk of losing money. The main problem is that it makes it significantly harder to understand all the players and situations during any given race. Those who focus on a single series can easily follow and understand each driver, team, and track to make the strongest predictions and bets.

Do not let us deter you, however, if you are an individual who can devote a minimum of six hours a week to researching betting strategies, utilizing multiple race series can be a great way of compounding gains.

Relearn Motorsport Betting Strategies

There are a ton of different strategies you can use during any given race series. Having mastery of betting strategies allows for immense flexibility on any potential race weekend. Depending on the amount of confidence in prediction, an individual will know when and where to implement certain strategies. To refresh yourself on motorsport betting strategies, visit the site here.

Conclusion

The drivers and teams go through a ton of preparation for each season. What would prevent you from doing the same? As with anything in life, the more time and effort you put in, the more you stand to gain. Every single year of motorsports is full of excitement, this may be your year to make your mark, and gamble responsibly!

Cadillac Racing: Laura Wontrop Klauser Zoom transcript

DETROIT (Dec. 14, 2022) — GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser participated in a Zoom media conference hosted by IMSA with the three other manufacturer LMDh project leads.

After nearly two years of preparation, including five months of on-track development encompassing more than 20,000 kilometers, the Cadillac V-LMDh will make its competition debut Jan. 28-29 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will attempt to secure the pole Jan. 22 for the 61st edition of the race.

Transcript of Laura Wontrop Klauser Q&A:

YOU’VE BROUGHT THE CHIP GANASSI RACING AND ACTION EXPRESS RACING TEAMS UNDER ONE UMBRELLA AS CADILLAC RACING. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THAT PROCESS HAS GONE?

“This program in general has really rallied all of us to work together – even across the OEs. We had such compressed timelines. We have a brand-new hybrid spec system in the car. The chassis are all new for all of us, so we had to pull resources together to get to the point where we had running cars at Daytona last week and as we prepare for the Rolex. So, it’s the same approach for the teams. If we try to be off on different islands, we would be unable to compete once we got to the Rolex. We had to work together. We had to swap parts back and forth to make sure cars were running. We had to share learnings and, I think, necessity can be the best tool that you can have in your toolbox because there really was no other option to get this program done than to collaborate. That has driven the message, and what I think has been great is seeing the results of the collaboration, seeing the ability to get the test program more done by having the two teams helping us and running two cars instead of running one car. The benefits are coming in. We still have a huge mountain to climb and constantly pushing that rock up the hill. Thankfully, we’re all rallying behind the rock together – depending on which rock we’re pushing that day. So, it’s nice to have people standing next to your right and left while you’re trying to do something incredible.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PRINCIPAL CHALLENGE IS AHEAD OF THE ROLEX 24?

“Parts management has been a struggle; to get enough parts and to make sure that the quality is what we need. Especially with fielding three cars, we want to make sure we have everything for primaries, we have spares and then, God forbid something happens in the Roar, we have backups for backups. Some of it we’re probably going to get just before and some we might not have backups for backups. Really, just having enough parts to field the cars successfully and working with the supply chain. Of course, Christmas makes things a little tricky, too. Trying to get things this time of year is a challenge, but we have a full team on it and working through it.”

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY UNIQUE CHALLENGES OR SURPRISES TO GET EVERYTHING TO WORK SEAMLESSLY?

“The sheer amount of code and software that has been written to run this car is daunting. We cannot have enough software engineers working right now because everything on the car is connected. Things that we never had to worry about influencing each other in the past with the DPi or other race programs, now if one thing is slightly off it’s not going to run or turn or brake or whatever it needs to do. The importance of making sure that all the calibrations are correct and then the safety critical component of that to make sure that everything is correct is huge. Working through all of that has probably been the biggest mountain once we had all the parts on the car to test. This whole program has been a challenge.”

HOW DID YOU GET TO THIS POINT WITH YOUR ENGINE PACKAGE?

“Like everyone, we did not have much time to make a decision and move on for with what we wanted to do with this car. A lot of it is leaning on the experience that we’ve had for decades racing at GM – both Chevrolet and Cadillac – especially with the DPi and the eight cylinder. As quickly as we could, we did some engine packaging studies for multiple engines, and after we reviewed what we were trying to do, the criteria and the performance requirements for this platform, for us and our experience it made sense to carry forward with the V8 architecture. This is a new engine for this car, but leaning heavily on experience and architecture of V8 engines that we have across the portfolio. No regrets, especially as we look to our trip overseas to run in the WEC. I think we’re bringing America pretty loud and strong with our Cadillac and we’re proud of that.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE HYPERCAR AND THE LMHD CAR FOR THE WEC?

“In terms of the two platforms racing against each other, there’s been so much work that has gone into that, countless technical working groups meetings, discussions, lots of decisions that were made to try to bring parity between the two platforms. The effort has been put forward to make it happen correctly. Did we miss something? Maybe. There’s always that one thing that once you worry about all the bigger things then the little things become big things. I really applaud the effort from the two sanctioning bodies as well as the manufacturers. This is definitely a team sport to figure out how to get all these cars together so they can race in parity.”

HAS IT BEEN MORE OF A CHALLENGE FOR YOUR BRAND THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOING IN?

“I still have a lot of growing and experiences ahead in my career. I can’t wait to compare whatever the next challenge is to this one, because this one has been incredible. And it’s been incredible what we’ve done in a short period of time with all of the economic factors in the world that have influenced how everyone is running their businesses these days. Labor shortages, supply chain. They are real and they impact us every day. We have brought on some incredible young people to our program that are just blowing us away with what they are able to do. If you say, ‘Hey, we have this problem to solve. Figure it out,’ and then give them the freedom and the ability to do what they think is right, it’s been awesome. It really is the future. It’s seeing how we can mesh people with 20-plus years of experience in racing with new people who have more experience in this new software and everything we’re bringing onboard. You can see the mature and the up and coming working together and how they are learning from each other. It’s given us a great opportunity to just grow what our motorsports family is in terms of everyone who is working one the cars and the types of people being part of this.”

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

Winter Jam Drifting Event Promises Action, Thrills Dec. 17-18, 2022

Area’s largest drifting event will host over 300 drivers at Sonoma Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (December 14, 2022) – Winter Jam, Northern California’s largest drifting event is back Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18, 2022 at Sonoma Raceway. Hosted by Sonoma Drift, the event will take place in six different locations with varying configurations around the Sonoma Raceway facility including the road course and main paddock.

This year sees the 11th event and the return of the “Shootout,” a Pro-Am competition at Turn 7 on Sunday with drivers competing for a Formula Drift PROSPEC competition license. Spectators will also be treated to an exciting “Team Tandem Competition” at Turn 11 on Saturday at 2:00 pm. For the ultimate thrill, spectators 16 and over can get a ride-along pass allowing them to ride as a passenger with drifters on the course. Good all weekend long, the pass is free with a $20 donation to Speedway Children’s Charities which gives grants to local Sonoma County non-profits.

Organized for pro and enthusiast drivers alike and welcoming beginners, there is a course for every skill level to gain experience and have a great time on track in a safe and regulated environment. Sonoma Raceway’s 2.52-mile track will have courses going up through Turns 2-4, at Turn 7, through the Esses of Turn 8 and around the hairpin at Turn 11. Two other locations including the main paddock will also be home to closed loop courses.

Visit the Sonoma Raceway website for a schedule of events, printable map and tickets for both spectators and PROSPEC Shootout participants. Ride-along passes for ages 16 and up can be purchased at the event, though minors aged 16 and 17 years must have a parent present to sign a waiver. If a parent is not able to accompany the minor, a notarized waiver signed by a parent must be presented. Children 12 and under are FREE.

Sonoma Raceway is a 2.52-mile and 12-turn road course and quarter-mile drag strip located at Sears Point in Sonoma County, California. Built in 1968 the track is carved into rolling hills with 160 ft of total elevation change. It is host to one of the few NASCAR Cup Series races each year that are run on road courses. It is one of the world’s busiest racing facilities, with track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year. A complete and versatile motorsports complex, it is home to one of the nation’s only high-performance automotive industrial parks with approximately 70 tenants.

Wright Motorsports Assembles Impressive Lineup to Defend Rolex 24 Victory in No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche

BATAVIA, Ohio. (December 14, 2022) – The highly-anticipated 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona will kick off the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next month, and Wright Motorsports has assembled another impressive lineup to defend last year’s unforgettable victory. Ryan Hardwick, Jan Heylen, and Zacharie Robichon all return to the Wright Motorsports No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) in defense of the win and will be joined by veteran Wright driver Dennis Olsen.

The full-season entry will begin the year with the longest race on the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech calendar and the first of four endurance races. As Olsen returns to the team for January’s Rolex 24 only, the fight for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup title will be in the hands of Hardwick, Heylen, and Robichon for the three other endurance races of the 2023 season. Announcements for the seven IMSA WeatherTech Sprint races will follow at a later date.

The trio, then joined by Porsche factory driver Richard Lietz, were a critical part to the team’s Rolex 24 victory last year, leading 258 of 761 laps. The impressive performance set the tone for another championship-contending season where the team ultimately finished second in the GTD class.

Olsen last raced with Wright Motorsports in 2019, where he earned four podium finishes in what is now the SRO Fanatec GT World Challenge America championship. He also participated in the team’s Indianapolis 8 Hour effort that season, racing alongside Dirk Werner and Matt Campbell. More recently, driving another team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, the Norwegian racer stood third on the Daytona podium while watching Wright celebrate it’s Rolex 24 At Daytona win last season.

New to 2023 for Wright Motorsports is a technical partnership with Motul. The two brands will work together to develop further products such as iconic 300V engine oil, RBF 700 brake fluids, gear oils, and other performance lubricants/chemicals. In addition to Wright Motorsports utilizing Motul lubricants on the No. 16 Porsche, the French lubricant’s company has also formed a partnership with Ryan Hardwick’s Mountain Motorsports, one of the largest retailers of motorcycle and powersports vehicles in the nation. Motul has been a strong supporter of other privateer Porsche programs having supported championship-winning 911 GT3 Rs for the last two years.

Sabelt, offering tailor-made design and manufacturing solutions for racers, has also joined Wright Motorsports for the new race season. With premium racing gear and custom-designed equipment, the Italian company manufactures original car seats, seat belts, and motorsport products, in addition to seatbelts for military, aviation, and aerospace applications.

The brand-new No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) will begin the 2023 season at Daytona International Speedway, January 20-22 with the Roar Before the 24, the first full-field test for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors. All teams will have five on-track sessions to shake down their cars before qualifying on the final day. The following week will be filled with official practice sessions in anticipation of the start of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Saturday, January 28 at 1:40 PM ET. The 61st running of the event will air live, flag-to-flag on Peacock. For more information, visit wrightmotorsports.com.

DRIVER QUOTES

Ryan Hardwick

I am excited to be returning with Wright Motorsports and Porsche in the brand-new type 992 GT3 R! This team has become like family to me, and I truly enjoy competing alongside them. We also have our winning driver lineup back together again, with both Jan Heylen and Zach Robichon joining me in the No. 16 car for the IMSA Endurance Championship. I’m really looking forward to returning to Daytona next month, with the goal of defending our Rolex 24 victory from last season.

Jan Heylen

I’m really looking forward to going back to Daytona with Ryan and Zach! We have a good track record as a driver pairing and we have the best team to support us. The goal is obviously to try and win the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, and I know we’ll have all the tools to be in contention for the title. Consistency is key and Ryan and Wright Motorsports made sure we have exactly that.On top of all this, we’ll be starting the 2023 season with a brand-new Porsche. There’s a lot to be excited about and I can’t wait to get started.

Zacherie Robichon

I’m excited to be back with Wright Motorsports and of course to once again be sharing the car with Ryan and Jan. We had a little bit of everything last year but obviously our highlight was the victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. This year we’re looking forward to rolling out with the all-new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 R and we hope we can continue our success. We have our work cut out for us, but I am looking forward to supporting the guys once again in our push to win the Michelin Endurance Cup.

Dennis Olsen

I’m very happy to be a part of Wright Motorsport for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. I know the team very well from a few years ago, and they have developed a lot since then and are definitely one of the top teams! I think we got a strong line up in GTD with Ryan, Jan and Zach. There is a new factor for everyone in the team which is the latest generation Porsche 911 GT3 R – but I have great trust in Porsche’s development of the car, and we have a strong package. I can’t wait to get started with Daytona Roar.

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

1st Phorm
1st Phorm is a sports nutrition company based in St. Louis, MO. In 2009, CEO Andy Frisella and his business partner Chris Klein started the brand, and since then, it has become the fastest growing supplement company in the world. 1st Phorm has set the standards in the industry for quality and helping people reach their goals. This new racing partnership is not their first time in the exotic car scene either. 1st Phorm has been the title sponsor for the Gold Rush Rally for six years running. With over a million followers across social media, 1st Phorm has amassed a huge cult-like following known as, “The Legion of Boom.” They stand for a movement in the fitness world. To turn it back to what it was meant to be. Helping others improve their lives, to be a good human… and to drop the excuses and do the work. 1st Phorm is a winning brand and they don’t expect anything less when it comes to their race team. For additional info: www.1stphorm.com

Mountain Motorsports
Mountain Motorsports is a group of motorcycle and powersports dealerships with multiple locations in the southeastern United States. The company was founded by lifelong friends Ryan Hardwick and Justin Price when they opened their first location as a single-line Honda dealership in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1999. The company has since grown into one of the largest retailers of motorcycle and powersports vehicles in the nation, spanning nine dealership locations representing eleven of the industry’s most well-known brands. For additional info: www.mountainmotorsports.com

Una Vida Tequila
Una Vida translates to One Life. That is how this brand started. By people who want to live their “One Life” to the absolute fullest and to their highest potential. A group of guys from the Midwest who love great quality tequila, and want their One Life to have meaning and impact others.

One Life, One Tequila is our CORE BELIEF. We’re building the only tequila brand you will ever need to drink. Una Vida is bigger than just tequila we’re also building a culture of people who want to live their life to their utmost potential.

Our story begins and continues to grow bottle by bottle. It’s a life mission for us to create a community of people who all raise a glass knowing they’re living their ONE LIFE! For more information, visit unavidatequila.com

Motul

Motul is a world-class French company specializing in the formulation, production, and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars, and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for the industry via its MotulTech activity. Present in more than 120 countries, Motul USA was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of Motul France and is based in Southern California. Motul is recognized as the specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant for automotive engines, the 300V lubricant, making use of Esters technology from the aeronautical industry.

Throughout the years, Motul has gained experience as an official supplier for many racing teams and manufacturers to further technological development in motorsports. Motul is supporting those teams in international competitions such as 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super GT, Formula Drift, Pikes Peak, Dakar, Le Mans Classic, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, IOM TT, and score of others.

Sabelt

Sabelt was founded in 1972 and started as a manufacturer of safety seatbelts for original equipment. Over the years, the expansion of the compulsory nature of seatbelts brought about new production systems allowing the company to consolidate and develop an extensive knowledge of buckle systems, seatbelts and complex retention systems. This technological foundation made it possible to create specific systems for racing cars, in which extreme conditions and safety requirements posed a challenge that was not easy to conquer. Having achieved industry leadership, Sabelt has expanded its range by also dedicating itself to high-end sports road car accessories and niche markets, becoming the European leader in the development and production of 3 different businesses: Racing, OEM (original equipment seats) and belts for special applications.

Columbia Sportswear Expands Partnership with 23XI Racing

Iconic sportswear company returns to 23XI with a multi-year deal

Mooresville, NC (Dec. 14, 2022) – 23XI Racing announced today a multi-year extension with Columbia Sportswear, which will return as a primary partner with 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace for an increased number of select races on the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD. Columbia has been a valued partner with Wallace for several years and the renewal ensures that more exciting innovations, designs and activations from the brand will continue to be seen on and off the track.

This extended partnership with Wallace and 23XI provides unique ways for Columbia to highlight their innovative spirit to NASCAR fans. Wallace is an avid outdoorsman himself, and especially enjoys fishing, hiking and outdoor photography. He not only wears and tests Columbia’s technical gear in the outdoors, but he also worked closely with Columbia’s team to design a bold new collection of limited-edition apparel and footwear earlier this year.

As Wallace is set to begin his third season at 23XI Racing, he is coming off a career-best year. Wallace raced to a dominant win in September at Kansas Speedway, earned 23XI the team’s first pole award in August at Michigan International Speedway, and posted five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes along with leading a total of 150 laps throughout the season.

“Bubba has been a stellar partner for Columbia and our relationship with NASCAR has been instrumental in extending the Columbia brand within their growing fanbase, many of whom are outdoor enthusiasts,” said Columbia President Joe Boyle. “As a company that is always driving new innovation in the outdoors to keep people comfortable and protected, we often have the opportunity to apply our new technologies to other industries. As we expand on this partnership in the future, we’re looking forward to working closely with Bubba and his crew to help them achieve even greater success.”

“Working with Columbia has been a fantastic match as they share a lot of the same values that I have and that the team supports,” said Wallace. “It’s also been a fun relationship that’s allowed me to spend more time exploring the outdoors and following my passions. I’m honored to have them continue this journey with me and 23XI and look forward to more exciting things to come in 2023.”

“23XI has enjoyed a great partnership with Columbia and we are excited to announce their continued support of Bubba and the No. 23 team,” said 23XI President Steve Lauletta. “As a founding partner with 23XI Racing, Columbia has believed in our team and mission from day one, and the support of such a well-known and well-respected brand has been integral to our success. We’re looking forward to many more seasons with Columbia as part of the 23XI family of partners.”

About Columbia Sportswear Company

Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company’s passion for the outdoors and innovative spirit into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company’s website at www.columbia.com.

About 23XI Racing

23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. With rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace selected to drive the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD, the team made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace made history on October 4, 2021, when he captured his first career Cup Series win, becoming just the second African American to win in the Cup Series, and earning 23XI its first-ever victory. 23XI expanded to a two-car organization in 2022 with Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD. With a win at Kansas Speedway in May of 2022, Busch earned 23XI the team’s first-ever playoff berth. In 2023, 23XI will feature the lineup of Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 Toyota and Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota.

TireRack.com To Sponsor Battle on the Bricks in 2023 at IMS

IMSA Event Tickets On Sale Dec. 20

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022) – Indianapolis Motor Speedway and TireRack.com – a customer-direct tire, wheel and car accessory distributor – announced Dec. 14 an entitlement sponsorship of the Battle on the Bricks IMSA sports car event in September 2023.

TireRack.com is the “Official Partner of the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks” and “Official Partner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

“The opportunity to join as official partners in bringing IMSA sports car racing back to IMS amplifies how important tire performance is to our DNA,” said Matt Edmonds, executive vice president, TireRack.com. “Tire performance always plays a critical role for every driver, on the track or the street, and IMSA at IMS provides an exceptional showcase right in our home state of Indiana.”

The TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks features the return of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to the Racing Capital of the World from Sept. 15-17, 2023, with a full weekend of sports car racing on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile IMS road course. The two-hour, 40-minute feature event will take place Sunday, Sept. 17, with live NBC network television coverage.

“We welcome TireRack.com as a partner of this exciting weekend of IMSA sports car racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We know many sports car fans also are enthusiasts who enjoy working on their own cars, including me, and TireRack.com provides 24/7 access to shop for the highest-quality tires, wheels and car accessories with a focus on the best prices and customer service, which is an ideal match.”

In addition to Sunday’s WeatherTech Championship race, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will headline the action Saturday, Sept. 16 with a four-hour, bumper-to-bumper traffic jam of production-based race cars.

With 18 different manufacturers competing in IMSA, the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks weekend will be a three-day festival showcasing the pinnacle of sports car racing.

Fans who signed up for event updates about the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks will receive a ticket pre-sale link via email. Ticket sales will open to the general public Tuesday, Dec. 20. Visit ims.com/imsa to sign up for event updates and purchase tickets once available.

In another exciting addition to the sports car weekend, fans can camp in the IMS infield, access not available during any other race weekend. Powered and primitive spaces will be available to purchase throughout the infield for public camping.

IMSA also will return to IMS in 2024 and 2025 for longer endurance races. Fans who purchase race tickets or infield camping in 2023 will have first access to secure those spots for the 2024 IMSA endurance race.

Tire Rack, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is a leading independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories. Since 1979, Tire Rack has grown from a single-point retail store in Indianapolis to encompass over 2.8 million square feet of space in 10 distribution centers across the country. Tire Rack does business as TireRack.com online, TR Wholesale Solutions in the car dealer and wholesale channels and Tire Rack Mobile Installation in select areas as a mobile installation solution.

Rosberg X Racing suffer Extreme E title heartbreak in Season 2 finale

Rosberg X Racing (RXR) came tantalisingly close to securing back-to-back Extreme E championship titles. However, an incident-packed Uruguay Natural Energy X Prix in Punta del Este meant Nico Rosberg’s outfit ultimately came up short in the championship decider – losing out by two points to Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing.

Here’s how the Season 2 title slipped away from RXR’s grasp.

Nico Rosberg’s outfit entered the weekend in Uruguay as favourites, 17 points ahead of their closest contenders, and eventual Season 2 champions, X44 Vida Carbon Racing. However, a series of unfortunate events for the team denied them their second Championship title in Extreme E.

The misfortune began in Q1 on Saturday, following a roll for their ODYSSEY 21 during Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky’s second lap. After going through an intricate corner by Waypoint 19, the car flipped, and the resultant accident ruled the team out of the rest of the session.

Despite the setback, RXR showed a masterclass in resilience by getting the car ready in time for Q2.

The session started well with Johan Kristoffersson taking the lead initially. However, a collision with ABT CUPRA XE’s Nasser Al Attiyah caused the Swedish driver to spin. Kristoffersson recovered to get back on course, but there was too much damage and RXR were forced to retire from their Q2 Heat – capping off a disastrous Saturday and ensured they would have to compete in the Crazy Race on Finals Day.

Here, they would face their direct championship contenders, X44 Vida Carbon Racing, head-on for a place in the Final and with the chance secure back-to-back titles.

The Crazy Race was set to be dramatic and, despite a strong start, Åhlin-Kottulinsky was pipped by X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s Cristina Gutiérrez and had to make do with second at the first turn.

RXR’s title hopes were soon rocked yet further, as contact with JBXE’s Hedda Hosås caused significant damage to Åhlin-Kottulinsky’s ODYSSEY 21. The Swede somehow managed to get back to the Switch Zone, where the RXR mechanics worked hard to get their damaged ODYSSEY 21 back out into the race in search of essential points.

Kristoffersson stood pensively on the sidelines as the team worked frantically to fix their damaged car. Nico Rosberg’s team appeared to have done the impossible as Kristoffersson set off from the Switch Zone after lengthy repairs, but RXR were soon disqualified for a Switch Zone infringement after having too many mechanics working on the car at the driver change.

This left the team watching on anxiously as the Final got underway, with X44 Vida Carbon Racing needing to finish third or higher to snatch the title away from RXR.

That they did in a dramatic conclusion to the season in Punta del Este, with X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s Gutiérrez and Sébastien Loeb finishing in third place to take a maiden championship title.

For RXR, having lead the standings for so long and been so strong for much of Season 2, it was heartbreak as the checkered flag fell in Uruguay.

Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, RXR, said: “The weekend was incredibly tough, and naturally, this is not what we had expected. But I want to focus on the positives: we had a very strong season overall and can be proud of our performance. The team has done such an amazing job and gave us the best possible car, so I am very thankful to them, as well as our fans.”

Throughout 2022, RXR remained the team to beat and demonstrated their speed throughout – breaking X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s stranglehold of the top qualifier spot, as well as two X Prix victories and securing three Continental Traction Challenge wins.

They will no doubt be a force when Season 3 kicks off on 11-12 March 2023 in NEOM, Saudi Arabia.

Johan Kristoffersson, RXR, said: “We would have liked to fight for the Championship in Uruguay and we are disappointed that we didn’t take part in the battle to show our best. But that’s racing. And while it is frustrating to lose out on the title at the last minute, we are also proud of our overall achievement and we will fight again in 2023.”

Kimmo Liimatainen, RXR Team Principal, added: “This is obviously a devastating end to our Championship dreams. But second place is still something to be proud of.

“I want to thank our world class drivers who gave it their all the entire season, our team of technicians and engineers who defied the odds by getting our car back up and running, our partners who share our vision for a more sustainable future, the team behind-the-scenes, and of course… our incredible fans. We will be back.”

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

CP and Toyota to join forces to study path toward carbon neutrality in Thailand

Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of CP, and Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota

TOKYO, Dec 14, 2022 – (JCN Newswire) – Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) will explore collaboration toward carbon neutrality in Thailand. Both companies are willing to welcome any partners who share the same view.

Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of CP, and Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota

Since its establishment in 1921, CP has been operating with the core value of three benefits: to country, to people, and to organization. CP provides accessibility to high quality products and expands its business in Thailand to a wide range of fields, including retail (such as 7-Eleven), distribution, industrial product, and agriculture & livestock. In the distribution field, CP has been supporting the lives of Thai people by transporting and delivering a variety of products through its wide-ranging operations, considering social, economic and environmental impacts and sustainability practices.

In addition, Toyota’s business in Thailand has garnered the support of a number of stakeholders including Siam Cement Group, an important local partner for Toyota, and has grown along with the development of Thai society through products, tax payment, employment and technology transfer, while overcoming a number of challenges such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2011 floods.

Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota, commented, “The two companies, both of which consider the best for Thailand and the Earth, have agreed to proceed with what we can do now, by using each company’s strengths and assets. I believe that taking this crucial step will allow us to be rewarded with the appreciation from the country, and will change the future landscape.”

Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of C.P. Group, responded, “What President Toyoda and I share is affection and gratitude to Thailand, and both of us very much want to give back to the country. I am delighted that both companies have an opportunity to jointly consider collaboration toward carbon neutrality in Thailand and welcome any companies that share the same carbon neutrality ambitions.”

Specifically, CP and Toyota will explore social implementation in the following three areas. With these actions being linked with each other, the two companies will proceed with what can be done now, to consistently reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire process of producing, transporting, and using energy, toward accelerating carbon neutrality.

  1. Production of hydrogen using biogas derived from farm wastes (with the focus on economic zones)
  2. Introduction of fuel cell delivery trucks into CP’s fleet, which are to use the above-mentioned hydrogen (provide a variety of solutions such as BEV and FCEV, considering travel distance and load weight)
  3. Efficient logistics by proposing optimized delivery routes through connectivity technology

This collaboration will be considered with the participation of True Leasing Co., Ltd, CP’s transportation service business. In addition, the study will be conducted with Hino Motors, Ltd. who will participate into these efforts, which will be made in Asia by Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (capitalized by Isuzu Motors Limited, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., and Toyota), which has been established with the aim of helping solve challenges faced by the transport sector and achieve carbon neutrality by realizing and spreading CASE technology. Furthermore, as carbon neutrality should be tackled by all people and industries, CP and Toyota are willing to welcome any partners who share the same view toward carbon neutrality.

For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/38429479.html.