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5dollarpromo_160x600 Simcraft

February 2012

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M T W T F S S
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iRacing TV

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The Team

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  • David Phillips
    Editor and Chief
    David Phillips is a long-time contributor to print and electronic publications in the U.S. and abroad, including Racer, Autosport, AutoWeek, Motor Sport and SPEEDtv.com, oversees the daily updating of news stories and assigns, edits and contributes feature material for inRacingNews.com.
  • Chris Hall
    iRacing.com Series Writer
    Chris Hall has been writing since the nineties and moved into motorsports reporting in 2005, covering series such as ALMS, British GT, FIA GT, Le Mans and 2CV racing for Full Throttle magazine, Motorsport.com, The-Paddock.net, GTGateway.com, L' Endurance and, of course, inRacingNews. During 2008 and 2009, he worked with the RSS Performance Porsche Carrera Cup Team (and former British GT(C) champions) as a data engineer for a variety of drivers and models of 997s.
  • Jameson Spies
    Contributing Writer
    19 years old, Jameson Spies lives in Quartz Hill, California. He grew-up surrounded by racing. His mother raced late models throughout Southern California while his father built and setup the car. Not surprisingly, Jameson began racing go-karts at the age of 13, and is now racing Spec Trucks at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. He has a passion about all forms of racing and hopes to make a career out of it.
  • Jason Lofing
    iRacing.com Series Writer
    Jason is 21 years old and was born and raised in Elk Grove. California. A big time NASCAR fan, he hasn’t missed a race on Sunday in years. Lofing is also a huge San Fransisco Giants fan and tries to take in at least a couple games a year. Other than sim racing, his biggest (and far more expensive!) hobby is photography. Although he is rather new to sim racing, Lofing has already accomplished some pretty impressive results, qualifying for the 2011 iRacing Oval Pro Series in Season 1, 2011, winning the inaugural Landon Cassill Qualifying Challenge and finishing runner-up in the second one.
  • Ray Bryden
    Technical contributor
    Ray grew up in Nova Scotia, which means he’s a hockey nut, but in Nova Scotia’s two non-winter months he had to find other diversions, which meant watching F1 racing on weekends with his dad and brothers. Without the resources to get started in racing, he gravitated to computer versions of racing – first Atari games like Pole Position, followed by PC racing games like Indianapolis 500: The Simulation. Dozens of others came and went, until Grand Prix Legends came along and he decided sim-racing was his official hobby. Years were spent enjoying this both offline and online until a few years of fatherhood took priority. When free-time reappeared he heard about iRacing and signed up in 2008 and became so involved in the service that he wrote one of the first books on the subject of sim-racing, iRacing Paddock. When not writing for inRacingNews.com, his main occupation is as a research associate with Saint-Gobain working on advanced ceramic materials.
  • Patrick Atherton
    Contributing Writer
    Patrick Atherton, originally from Adelaide in the state of South Australia, currently resides just outside of Melbourne, Victoria with wife of 17 years and 3 kids. A business manager by profession, but also dabbles with blogging, cartooning and fine art, having been published both as a writer in a short-lived South Australian motorsport yearbook and later as a cartoonist in a niche trade magazine. At the age of 19 he competed in club circuit events in an Austin Healey Sprite, later indulging in sprint karts between 1994 and 2000. Following the move to the State of Victoria he raced Road Race Karts (“Superkarts” as they are known in Australia) in the popular Rotax class, competing at Phillip Island, Oran Park, Mallala, Wakefield Park, Eastern Creek, Calder Park, Sandown and Winton. It was during this time he met former Australian F2 champion and inventor of Australia’s first, and most prolific race simulator rig, Jon Crooke. This culminated in an introduction to Papyrus’ legendary NR2003 simulation, and the subsequent sim racing addiction which brought him to iRacing.
  • Tim Terry
    Contributing Writer
    Tim Terry, aka the voice of Maritime stock car racing, fell in love with sim racing in 2004 after he joined the Sim Racing Network crew as a pit reporter. From October 2004 to SRNtv’s closure in June 2007, he’s covered prestigious races and leagues such as the Online 500, FLM Fall 400, Real Racing Online and the DMP Racing League – each as the lead broadcaster for the company. At the same time the wheels started to turn in another direction as he began announcing stock car racing locally. Terry became the assistant announcer at Scotia Speedworld in May 2007 and took over full duties in May 2009 when long-time voice Mike Kaplan retired from the track. Terry also became the series voice of the Parts For Trucks Pro Stock Tour in ’09 and continues to hold down both posts in 2011. He has also announced races for the Pro All Stars Series, Atlantic Open Wheel and Maritime League of Legends tours and has called races at six different Atlantic Canadian tracks. Terry can be heard online at WebRacingNetwork.com, RLMtv.com and OLRtv.com covering sim races. He also makes occasional appearances on PSRtv.com. In addition to inRacingNews, his articles and columns can be read on ScotiaSpeedworld.ca, MaritimeProStockTour.com and his own website at timterryonline.com.
  • David Allen
    Contributing Writer
    North Carolina born and raised with over 15 years of computer/IT experience, I combine two of my biggest hobbies -- racing and technology -- here at inRacingNews. In my spare time I run a Nascar fan site and cure my own need for speed riding atvs. If it involves technology or racing I'll be there, but combine the two and I'll be looking a front row seat. Stop by and say hello anytime!
  • Allen Krier
    Contributing Writer
    Allen was born in West Palm Beach, Florida but grew up in Atlanta and attended Georgia College and State University where he received a BS in Information Systems. Currently a resident of Albany, GA, he started sim racing in 2008 while in college when iRacing was first released to the public. Since then, Krier has been a two time iRacing Pro Series driver (2009 and 2010), picking up one Pro Series win at Daytona in ‘09. Besides sim racing, Allen’s other hobbies include RC Car racing as well as “attending and watching any sporting event that I can including going to the local dirt track.

Pirelli promises more excitement

January 25th, 2012

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Pirelli promises more excitement

Pirelli has promised Formula 1 fans that it will deliver even more exciting racing in 2012 thanks to a more aggressive approach with its tyre compounds. At a season launch media event in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Pirelli revealed that it was closing up the gap between compounds for the season ahead to ensure that drivers and teams faced a challenging time at race weekends.

Petrov in frame for Pirelli test role

January 25th, 2012

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Petrov in frame for Pirelli test role

Vitaly Petrov is in the frame to land a test driving role with Pirelli for 2012 if he fails to land a race seat for the season ahead. The Russian, who has most recently been linked with a drive at Caterham following his dismissal from Renault at the end of last season, made a surprise appearance on Wednesday at a Pirelli press event in Abu Dhabi

Raikkonen ‘very positive’ after test

January 24th, 2012

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Raikkonen ‘very positive’ after test

Kimi Raikkonen said he was feeling ‘very positive’ after concluding a two-day test at the Valencia circuit on Tuesday. The 2007 world champion returned to the cockpit of an F1 car for the first time in over two years yesterday, as he began his preparations to race in 2012 with the Lotus team.

Marussia team revises testing plans

January 24th, 2012

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Marussia team revises testing plans

The Marussia F1 team has revised its pre-season plans and will not attend the first test at Jerez in order to concentrate on the development of the new car.

De la Rosa calm over new HRT car

January 24th, 2012

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De la Rosa calm over new HRT car

Pedro de la Rosa insists HRT’s production of its new car is going to plan and is still hopeful he will be able to drive it during the second pre-season test at Barcelona. The Spanish squad is working flat out to have its new single-seater ready in time for testing and, despite suggestions that there are delays with it, de la Rosa says he is staying calm. HRT is set to test its 2011 car in the opening session at Jerez, but de la Rosa is still hopeful the team will be able to run with the 2012 machine in the second test at Barcelona on February 21

D’Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver

January 24th, 2012

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D’Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver

Jerome D’Ambrosio will be the Lotus team’s third driver during the 2012 season, the outfit announced on Tuesday. The Belgian, who made his grand prix debut with the Virgin Racing team last year, was left without a racing seat after the squad signed Charles Pic to partner Timo Glock in 2012. D’Ambrosio will attend all races this year, working with race drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.

Raikkonen to ramp up test on day two

January 23rd, 2012

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Raikkonen to ramp up test on day two

Kimi Raikkonen is set for more intense running on the second day of his comeback Formula 1 test with Lotus on Tuesday. The Finn completed just over 300km in a 2010-specification Renault R30 at Valencia on Monday using three sets of Pirelli’s very durable demonstration tyres. He has four sets of Pirellis available for Tuesday’s running and is scheduled to complete more laps than on the first day as the team is hoping to give him more long runs as part of a wider-ranging programme.

Lotus: Raikkonen showed his class

January 23rd, 2012

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Lotus: Raikkonen showed his class

Lotus’s trackside operations director Alan Permane said Kimi Raikkonen proved on his first day back in a Formula 1 cockpit that his return to grand prix racing can be a success. Raikkonen is spending two days testing a 2010 Renault at Valencia this week as he settles back into F1 after two seasons in the World Rally Championship. No times were released from today’s test, and Raikkonen’s pace would not be representative as he is using demonstration tyres and an older car, but Permane said his quality had shown through

FIA: Reactive ride offered aero benefit

January 23rd, 2012

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FIA: Reactive ride offered aero benefit

Reactive suspension systems were banned from Formula 1 once it became clear to the FIA that their principle benefit was aerodynamic, AUTOSPORT has learned. The governing body wrote to teams on Friday informing them that, in its view, the mechanical concepts pioneered by Lotus and Ferrari and being looked at by other teams would be in contravention of the rules if they were used to help the aerodynamics of the cars. This came despite the initial idea for the hydraulic devices, activated by brake torque, being given the green light as long ago as January last year

Raikkonen: I’ll need time to settle in

January 23rd, 2012

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Raikkonen: I’ll need time to settle in

Kimi Raikkonen thinks it will still take him some time to fully return to his best in Formula 1, despite quickly settling back into the cockpit of a grand prix car at Valencia on Monday. The former world champion has begun a two-day test in a 2010-spec Renault R30 in a bid to reacclimatise himself with F1 machinery prior to his first run in the team’s 2012 machine at Jerez next month.

Webber to conduct first 2012 RBR test

January 23rd, 2012

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Webber to conduct first 2012 RBR test

Mark Webber will get the first run in the new Red Bull RB8 when the champion team begins testing at Jerez on February 7. Reigning drivers’ champion Sebastian Vettel will wait until 9 February before he tries the 2012 machine for the first time, as Webber has been granted the first two days of the four-day test in Spain

Ecclestone still confident over Bahrain

January 23rd, 2012

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Ecclestone still confident over Bahrain

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says there are no doubts in his head that the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place this year – despite ongoing question marks about its future. With reports of continued political trouble still appearing in the media, there has been speculation that the event could face a repeat of the scenario 12 months ago when it had to be cancelled. But Ecclestone is adamant that the race, which is scheduled to take place on April 22, will go ahead because he does not see any issue with events going on in the Gulf state

New Lotus passes final crash tests

January 23rd, 2012

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New Lotus passes final crash tests

Kimi Raikkonen will definitely have his new Lotus ready for the first Formula 1 pre-season test after his outfit passed the last of its mandatory crash tests on Monday morning, AUTOSPORT can reveal. As the former world champion began a private test at Valencia in Spain in a 2010-spec R30, exclusive pictures of which can be seen here , sources have confirmed his Enstone-based team was completing the last of its crash tests. For the first time this year, F1 teams must pass the stringent FIA crash tests before they are allowed to run their cars on track – as opposed to only being required to do so for the first race of the campaign

Spy shot: Raikkonen tests old Renault

January 23rd, 2012

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Spy shot: Raikkonen tests old Renault

Kimi Raikkonen has returned to the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since the end of 2009, driving a two-year-old Renault R30 at Valencia as he reacclimatises himself to the sport with Lotus. Raikkonen arrived at the track at 0830 CET and took to the wheel of a two-year-old Renault R30 car – painted in Lotus’s contemporary black and gold livery and using Pirelli’s demonstration-spec rubber – for an installation lap just after 0900. The Finn is taking part in a two-day session designed to help him reacclimatise himself with grand prix machinery

Symonds: 2011 Virgin had potential

January 22nd, 2012

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Symonds: 2011 Virgin had potential

Marussia Racing consultant Pat Symonds believes that the team’s 2011 car had very good potential in some areas but was badly hamstrung by poor aerodynamics. After relying solely on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for its first two designs, the ex-Virgin team is embracing windtunnel technology as part of its design restructuring, which has also seen the exit of former partner Wirth Research and the announcement of a new collaboration with McLaren

Austin track begins ticketing process

January 22nd, 2012

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Austin track begins ticketing process

The Circuit of the Americas has begun the process of offering tickets for the Austin venue’s inaugural Formula 1 grand prix in November this year, launching a ‘Select Seating Wait List’ for its opening events. The venue has also released further artist’s impressions of the track, construction of which is expected to be completed in August . From Monday, fans will be able to register for ‘personal seat licences’ via the track website , giving them first call on premium grandstand seating and suites for events at the new venue.

Horner excited to see STR duo’s fight

January 21st, 2012

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Horner excited to see STR duo’s fight

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner says Toro Rosso’s new pairing Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are among the most exciting rising talents on the Formula 1 scene, and is intrigued to see how their battle to earn future RBR chances pans out. Ricciardo and Vergne were announced as Toro Rosso’s 2012 line-up last month, with Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari dropped to make way for the two Red Bull proteges.

Reactive ride height banned for 2012

January 21st, 2012

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Reactive ride height banned for 2012

Formula 1 teams have been told that the reactive suspension system pioneered by Lotus has been banned for the 2012 season.

Lotus to reveal ’12 car on website

January 20th, 2012

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Lotus to reveal ’12 car on website

Kimi Raikkonen will get his first taste of the new Lotus Formula 1 car when it runs for the first time at Jerez on February 7, two days after the car is revealed on the team’s new website. The team has announced that it will reveal its 2012 contender, which carries the comeback hopes of the 2007 Formula 1 world champion after two years away from the sport, live on its new website – www.lotusf1team.com – at 1700 CET on Sunday February 5

Marussia targets second test for new car

January 20th, 2012

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Marussia targets second test for new car

Marussia is planning to run its 2012 car at the second pre-season test at Barcelona, with technical consultant Pat Symonds revealing it will be virtually an all-new design from last year’s chassis. With Symonds having taken over the technical direction of the outfit following the departure of Nick Wirth, the team has been making the most of a tie-up with McLaren to produce a car that will deliver a good step forward