Monthly Archives: December 2013

19th Annual Harry A. Miller Club Vintage Indy Car Meet Pleases Vintage Indy Car Fans

by: Steve Zautke   7/30/2013

Indianapolis 500 – Some Bits And Pieces

by: Steve Zautke   5/27/2013

NASCAR Drivers At Indy – Fans Love It

by: Steve Zautke   5/21/2013

A.J. Foyt Racing Returns To Victory Lane

by: Steve Zautke   4/24/2013

Bench Racing Weekend – 2013

by: Steve Zautke   3/21/2013

   more Around The Bend columns

Book Review – Let’s Go Racing By Rex Robbins With Dave Argabright

by: Steve Zautke   11/22/2013

Book Review: Did You See That? – Unforgettable Moments in Midwest Open-Wheel Racing

by: Steve Zautke   9/27/2013

Book Review – “Frank Lockhart – American Speed King”

by: Steve Zautke   9/6/2013

“California Gold The Legendary Life of Troy Ruttman” by Bob Gates

by: Steve Zautke   1/9/2013

Video Review – Spirit Of Racer Jimmy Bryan Captured On DVD

by: Steve Zautke   12/31/2012

   more Book Review columns

Chicago Whispers – Recalling The 2012 Season

by: Stan Kalwasinski   12/21/2012

Whitey Gerken

by: Stan Kalwasinski   1/30/2012

Chicago Area 2011 Racing Wrap-Up

by: Stan Kalwasinski   12/23/2011

Biography: Jimmy Snyder The Flying Milkman

by: Stan Kalwasinski   11/30/2010

Bob Pronger – Biography

by: Stan Kalwasinski   9/7/2010

   more Chicago Whispers columns

Exit 500 The Race After The Race

by: John Close   11/18/2013

‘Cause’ For Concern?

by: John Close   11/11/2013

Johnson’s Chase Record Is Mind Numbing

by: John Close   11/4/2013

Martinsville Antics Prove Need For Driver Neurocognitive Testing

by: John Close   10/28/2013

Trucks Looking For Financial Balance

by: John Close   10/21/2013

   more Close Calls columns

Homestead-Miami Fantasy Forecast

by: Ron Engel   11/15/2011

Texas Fantasy Forecast

by: Ron Engel   11/1/2011

Martinsville Fantasy Forecast

by: Ron Engel   10/25/2011

Talladega Fantasy Forecast

by: Ron Engel   10/18/2011

Charlotte Fantasy Forecast

by: Ron Engel   10/11/2011

   more Cup Corner columns

A View From The Berms – The U. S. Grand Prix @ Austin

by: Paul Gohde   11/21/2013

Shakeup In Chicagoland – NASCAR Chase Starts

by: Paul Gohde   9/15/2013

Changes Coming As ALMS And Grand-Am Move Closer To Merge

by: Paul Gohde   8/11/2013

Racing Versus Passing

by: Paul Gohde   7/30/2013

20th Brickyard 400 To Be Run At Indianapolis

by: Paul Gohde   7/24/2013

   more Fourth Turn columns

Chicago Whispers – Remembering Tony Bettenhausen

by: Stan Kalwasinski   5/16/2011

The Joe Jagersberger Story

by: Kem Robertson   5/2/2011

Frontys, Fists and Frank Brisko

by: Kem Robertson and Earl Fabritz   3/15/2011

NASCAR 2011 Gets In Gear With Daytona Test

by: Cathy Elliott   1/20/2011

NASCAR Drivers On The Clock For The Rolex 24 At Daytona

by: Cathy Elliott   1/13/2011

   more Guest Column columns

A Racing Weekend

by: Eddie LePine   11/19/2013

The End of an Era – The Beginning of an Era

by: Eddie LePine   8/16/2013

The Greatest Driver?

by: Eddie LePine   6/1/2013

Long Beach ALMS Wrap Up

by: Eddie LePine   5/6/2013

Audi Conquers Sebring – Again

by: Eddie LePine   3/20/2013

   more On The Road columns

Tony Kanaan Matches The 1957 Performance Of Sam Hanks

by: John Atlas   5/28/2013

66 Cars, 31 Drivers And 1 Dirt Track Veteran Entered For Indy 500

by: John Atlas   5/10/2013

Art Malone Bridged The Gap From Drag Strip To Super Speedway

by: John Atlas   3/31/2013

Indy; When It Sizzles!

by: John Atlas   5/30/2012

Simona de Silverstro Shows Her Stuff On Bump Day At Indy

by: John Atlas   5/21/2012

   more The Dirt Guy columns

by Eddie LePine and Jack Webster
6/19/2013 “When you’re racing, it’s life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting.” That line from the classic Steve McQueen film “Le Mans” pretty much sums it all up for endurance racing drivers and fans from around the world, because the waiting is almost over. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is this weekend. Top racers from around the world are converging on the French town of Le Mans for the 81st running of the most famous endurance race in the world. In the McQueen film, which was set in 1970, it was a classic Porsche/Ferrari battle. In 2013 in real life, this year’s race is shaping up as an Audi/Toyota battle for overall honors. It will be a battle between the diesel hybrid from the German manufacturer and the gasoline hybrid from the Japanese automotive giant. On paper and based on history, you have to favor Audi in this battle at Le Mans, as Audi has won the French classic endurance race 11 times. Toyota has never won. In this year’s race, 3 of the all-conquering Audi R18 e-tron Quattro race cars will be pitted against the 2 Toyota entries. In addition, the Audi squad features 8 time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, who will no doubt being going all out to win his 9th Le Mans. Tom is teamed with long time co-driver Allan McNish and new Audi pilot Loic Duval – a formidable combination of experience, speed and youth, which should serve their chances well. Of course, not to be forgotten are the winners of the past two Le Mans races – Audi pilots Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler – teamed together again this year and going for the hat trick. There are those who have said that Toyota was not showing all of their cards at the recent Le Mans test session, where Audi came out on top of the speed charts. Perhaps that is the case, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Toyotas on the front row of the grid. Word from inside the Audi camp is that there are some unresolved technical issues on the new Audi R18 as well. Also, in an attempt to perhaps slow up the German juggernaut, the Toyotas have been granted an extra 3 liters of onboard fuel from the ACO, which over the course of 24 hours could make a difference. However, when one takes a look at the balance sheet we think that you can only come to one conclusion. It seems likely that Audi will be taking the Le Mans trophy for the 12th time. It will be a fast race, a close race, with drama and unexpected events as usual. Toyota will be fast, but falter. Audi will be fast as well and win. That’s our opinion. We will know the final result this Sunday. After the podium celebrations in France on Sunday afternoon we will once again be in the position of “just waiting” for the 82nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, when we may be saying “Will it be Porsche or Audi in the lead?”

Photos from RacingNation.com

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Sebastian Vettel with a trophy was a common theme in 2013. [Photo courtesy Circuit of the Americas/Regis Lefebure]		Andrew Palmer in the GMG Racing Lamborghini Beverly Hills Gallardo. [Photo courtesy Jamey Price/ Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series]
Sebastian Vettel celebrates his ninth consecutive race win at Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil Sunday. [Photo by Getty Images]	Intrepid writer starts race from Felipe Massa’s spot. [Paul Gohde Photo]	Fans fill the track during the post-race walk. [Paul Gohde Photo]	Damon Hill signs for fans. [Paul Gohde Photo]	Vettel leads at the start as the field heads for “Phil Hill”. [Paul Gohde Photo]	A Red Bull formula one car exits the final turn at the Autodomo de Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The final race of the season this year, the track is named for a famous formula one driver. [Photo by exclusivegp.com]	TRG new Aston Martin ready to hit the track. [Eddie LePine Photo]	Benoit Treluyer the 2011 and 2012 24 Hour of Lemans winner taking a break from helping out with all new Audi R8’s. [Eddie LePine Photo]	New R8 with the Tudor United Sports car Championship livery. [Eddie LePine Photo]

Daum Clinches POWRi Midget Championship, Clauson Wins Gold Crown At Tri-City

by: POWRi Racing Press Release   10/4/2013

Daum Takes Pepsi Nationals To Stretch Win Streak To Three In POWRi Midgets

by: Tim Tuttle   9/1/2013

Daum Dominates Jason Leffler Memorial For 3rd POWRi Midget Victory Of Season

by: POWRi Racing Press Release   8/28/2013

Daum Wins 2nd Race Of Season In POWRi Midgets At Valley Speedway

by: Tim Tuttle   7/27/2013

Felker Holds Off Adler For Win In POWRi Midgets At Macon

by: POWRi Racing Press Release   6/8/2013

   more POWRi Racing news

Exit 500 The Race After The Race

by: John Close   11/18/2013

Hamlin Wins At Homestead; Johnson Takes 6th Sprint Cup Championship

by: Joe Jennings   11/17/2013

Kenny Schrader Made His “Last Call” From Sprint Cup

by: Joe Jennings   11/17/2013

Keselowski Soars In Nationwide Series Season Finale, Dillon Perseveres To Win Championship

by: Joe Jennings   11/16/2013

Busch And Crafton Come Away NCWTS Champions At HMS

by: Joe Jennings   11/15/2013

   more NASCAR news

Fan To Design Winner’s Trophy For Grand Prix Of Indianapolis

by: Indianapolis Motor Speedway   11/25/2013

2014 Milwaukee IndyFest Tickets Go On Sale Wednesday November 20th

by: Milwaukee IndyFest   11/19/2013

Franchitti Unable To Continue Racing Career

by: Chip Ganassi Racing   11/14/2013

Indy Car Review – Ten Things To Consider- Part Two

by: Paul Gohde   11/11/2013

IndyCar Review 2013 – Ten Things to Consider – Part One

by: Paul Gohde   10/30/2013

   more IndyCar Series news

The Last American Le Mans Race

by: Eddie LePine   10/23/2013

Petit Le Mans Race Day Photo Album

by: Jack Webster   10/19/2013

Petit Le Mans – Practice & Qualifying Report

by: Eddie LePine   10/18/2013

Petit Le Mans Preview

by: Eddie LePine   10/9/2013

US GT Championship Cars Record Highest Top Speeds At ALMS Oak Tree Grand Prix

by: Virginia International Raceway   10/6/2013

   more ALMS news

Grand-Am Finale And DP Championship Goes To Angelelli And Taylor

by: Joe Jennings   9/29/2013

Sports Car Racing Ends Its Long Run At Lime Rock Park

by: Joe Jennings   9/28/2013

IMSA Announces 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Schedule

by: IMSA Media   9/20/2013

Changes Coming As ALMS And Grand-Am Move Closer To Merge

by: Paul Gohde   8/11/2013

Hartley And Mayer Capture First Grand-Am Victories At Road America

by: John Wiedemann   8/10/2013

   more Grand-Am news

Tracy Hines Makes The Trek West For The Hall Of Fame Classic

by: Tracy Hines Racing   10/24/2013

T. Swanson And Hines Romp In USAC Action At Lucas

by: Joe Jennings   7/27/2013

Jones Powers To Victory In Hoosier 100

by: Joe Jennings   5/24/2013

Hall Of Famers Headed For Indy May 18

by: Dick Jordan   5/8/2013

Bettenhausen, Rutherford, Hewitt & Bigelow USAC Hall Of Fame Inductees

by: Dick Jordan   4/2/2013

   more USAC news

F1 2013 Season Review: Vettel Makes It Four

by: Mark Gero   12/2/2013

Vettel Takes Ninth Consecutive Win In Brazil

by: Mark Gero   11/24/2013

Andrew Palmer Wins Lamborghini World Title In Rome For The USA

by: Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series   11/23/2013

Road America Launches New Website

by: Road America   11/22/2013

Book Review – Let’s Go Racing By Rex Robbins With Dave Argabright

by: Steve Zautke   11/22/2013

   more Motorsports News news