[VRR][B-SPEC] 2016 Straight Talk IndyCar Series Season

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VRR Newspaper for Tuesday, September 8, 2015:
Honda has come out and announced that 2016 would be a heavy focus on being reliable compared to its rivals Chevrolet and Audi. "Honda has been involved in open wheel racing for decades, and we know that the most important part of the car is a reliable, fast engine. We have that for 2016. We aren't going to be stingy and throw these upgrade parts at the engine that may or may not work when we can take our time, develop a 2017 engine while 2016 is going on, and be the most secure supplier on the grid come Sunday." A Honda race engineer said after the Palm Beach test race. "During the race, the fastest lap came from a Honda. The clutch problem that retired Steven Gnash came from a unsecured bolt that caused the clutch to burn out, which was out of our control. We are happy to have had Aaron van der Linden get a podium in the event, and it shows our IndyCar program is fine."
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA--The government of Queensland has confirmed publicly that the 2016 season opener for the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series has sold out of tickets to a capacity of 120,000. "Open wheel fans have wanted to see the modern IndyCars wrap around out street circuit for years, and we finally get to say a big 'welcome back' to the open wheel bloodline in February to a full capacity crowd of 120,000 people." Gold Coast promoters said Monday evening. "We get V8 Supercars, we get VRR IndyCar, and we'll have GTPlanet Fantasy Series stock cars on display in our city as well." When asked what the organizers themselves were looking forward to, the answer was straight forward. "VRR has a very appealing IndyCar Series on display, with a rich and diverse international field. The cars are phenomenal, the VRR officials have been really kind in negotiations to get us on board, we've been able to promote this as our crown jewel and the racing will be the best we've ever seen. America has something great in the VRR IndyCar Series, and we get to experience the thrill of the series and the honor of being its season opener. It doesn't get better."
MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--Homestead-Miami Speedway announced Tuesday morning that the 2016 Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 will be a transition race. IndyCars last raced on the oval in 2010, and as VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series begins to make it's own history, Homestead-Miami shared their thoughts on the event. "Open wheel racing is the essense of what racing has always been about. Speed, advances in safety, and entertainment from the best drivers in the world. In 2016, history gets made as a field of 28 men and women gladiators go to war for 300 miles for the entertainment of the Miami crowd. We have the distinct honor of being the first American oval on the schedule, and we get to show what we are at our best. Day to night racing, high speeds, higher stakes, intense action from start to finish. Join us for the celebration. Join us for the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300."
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--Stephanie Porter-Kelley, one of 5 women drivers in the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series, has went on record to say that women in racing is "what's best for racing". She owns and manages Polaris Motorsports, driving the #84 Alienware Honda machine, and also will manage the #48 Alienware Honda that will be driven by Lucas Larese at Indianapolis. When asked why she thought that way, she had a thorough response. "Women attract attention. Bottom line. Women attract potential sponsors, potiential viewership, more interest in what's going on in the series. Women bring the spotlight onto the series that a traditionally male only field would not get as much of. More people become willing to invest into drivers or races because they see that women are on a level playing field as the men. There isn't a pay deficit. If a women wins a race, they get as much if it had been a guy instead. The purse is split indiscriminately, The cars are as even as you'll find as well. It all comes down to the engine makers and the drivers on race weekends, and the women are doing okay compared to the guys. We have Kino****a, who is a two time Formula One World Champion. We have Angel Porter, who's driven everything she's ever been offered and won in it. We have Venalainen, who's won in stock cars, a place women don't have a good record in. There's Ngaire-Jardine, who's climbed the ladder the hard way and started from nothing and is now on center stage in the toughest series in the world, which is IndyCar, and I've had the opportunity to race and win in Formula One and Le Mans. The women in this series are the cream of the crop, undeniably some of the best drivers in general. That's never bad for business."
 
VRR Newspaper for Wednesday, September 9, 2015:
Over the weekend, a topic of interest was comments made by the management of Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom. Teams, drivers, and VRR itself have come to the fore to shoot back.
Evangeline Porter, Owner/Driver of Coca-Cola Black Rose Racing: "Silverstone for years has been in Formula One's back pocket. You'll never see an F1 season without Silverstone. That's what it is. We are a challenge to Formula One and we will definitely be more interesting."
Steven MacTavish, Team Principal for Ecurie Ecosse: "Being a British team, it's a shame that our biggest venue has decided to throw a series like this under the bus. We hope that they will reconsider their options and eventually allow a race to come their way."
Scott Porter, Vice President of VRR: "Silverstone's comments are surprising and are sure to incite anger and emotion. What we have is a competitive series where if you're in the race, there's a chance you can win. We can't fault them for being used to snooze fests or one sided races. They simply aren't used to it. We'll just showcase our brand elsewhere. We aren't hurting for venue choices."
Sakura Ishiibashi, Team Principal for Cat Devil Racing: "Silverstone's doing what every venue at one point does. They save face with their current interests to keep a secure financial future. As a united community, we just ignore it and move on. We have a season to race."
MEXICO CITY, FEDERAL DISTRICT, MEXICO--Officials are on high alert at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after vandalism has rendered the pit lane nearly inoperable. The vandals stripped the pit lane of technical equipment, damaged the pit wall, and tore up pieces of the pit lane blacktop itself. The venue is already at work to fix the damages, but the concerns of it happening again is high.

New Jersey test will be this weekend.
 
Now we need to hire security?! My bills keep climbing. :P
 
NJ test is next eh? I'll be disappointed if I completely crumble under the pressure.

Also Angel, didn't I send you a comment for the whole Silverstone debacle? It's nothing that's too worrying, I'm just asking.
 
DurWinning
NJ test is next eh? I'll be disappointed if I completely crumble under the pressure.

Also Angel, didn't I send you a comment for the whole Silverstone debacle? It's nothing that's too worrying, I'm just asking.
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I don't know. I have to look.
 
Is it too late to join this series for The Indianapolis 500 only?
 
Kingofweasles
Is it too late to join this series for The Indianapolis 500 only?
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If I'm looking at this correctly, they're should be 2 more spots for an Indy 500 only car. But it would have to be Chevrolet as Audi and Honda are full.
 
DurWinning
If I'm looking at this correctly, they're should be 2 more spots for an Indy 500 only car. But it would have to be Chevrolet as Audi and Honda are full.
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No problem.

Now it's time to cajole, beg and/or grovel for a ride at Perl Speed GP or Legacy Racing, as I do not have the resources or time start up my own team for just one race...
 
Kingofweasles
No problem.

Now it's time to cajole, beg and/or grovel for a ride at Perl Speed GP or Legacy Racing, as I do not have the resources or time start up my own team for just one race...
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My team could also employ you for the #77
 
BRRT_Angel
My team could also employ you for the #77
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If the drive is available, I'll grab it with both hands.

EDIT: Officially registered with [VRR] and waiting for approval.

Driver: Andrew Draco
Nationality: USA
Number: 77
Team: Coca-Cola Black Rose Racing Team
Engine: Chevrolet
Schedule: Indy only
Sponsor: Coca-Cola Zero
 
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David Rossi stepped up to the SRF Conference Room and said that DHL is open to a 2nd for the Indy 500 this year and possibly for next year. "If the driver is right DHL is onboard for a second team right now as our test team would become team number two."
 
Kingofweasles
If the drive is available, I'll grab it with both hands.

EDIT: Officially registered with [VRR] and waiting for approval.

Driver: Kingofweasles
Number: 77
Team: Coca-Cola Black Rose Racing Team
Engine: Chevrolet
Schedule: Indy only
Sponsor: Coca-Cola Zero
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Your driver needs an actual first and last name, doesn't matter if it's real or not. It just can't be based on someone else and it has to be moderately realistic.
 
BRRT_Angel
Your driver needs an actual first and last name, doesn't matter if it's real or not. It just can't be based on someone else and it has to be moderately realistic.
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Made the changes as per your request.
 
I did a thing out of boredom:
coollogo_com-31665796.png
 
New Jersey test has been pushed back to next weekend. Waiting on the other cars before I get going. Also, some news items before the weekend.
VRR officials, observant of the problems going on in Bahrain and the Middle East, has sworn that as long as the conditions continue in the Middle East, the series won't ever set foot in Arabian sand. "Between the crisis with ISIL, the revolting and the fighting in Bahrain, and the sheer instability of the region, the series will not set foot in the Middle East anytime soon." Scott Porter announced Thursday afternoon. "The only place in the Middle East we would feel safe to go is the UAE at either Dubai or Yas Marina. Anywhere else is a no go."
Swift Autosport has made an official announcement stating that Mohammad Ahmed has had a contract extension going until 2017. He will join Matthew Evans on the squad for the 2017 season. Thomas Rogers, who is driving for the team in 2016, is currently unassigned in 2017. The team is one of several making engine changes in 2017, jumping on board with Aston Martin.
CINCINNATI, OHIO, UNITED STATES--The Black Rose Racing Team has secured it's final entry for the 2015 and 2016 Indianapolis 500. Andrew Draco will drive the #77 for those events and the Monster Shootout. Primary sponsor was believed to have been Coca-Cola Zero, but has since moved back to Sonic Drive Thru, with Mello Yello and TAG Heuer as secondary sponsors. Draco will be the 35th entrant for the Indy 500 events.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--VRR officials were on hand at the Daytona International Speedway Thursday morning to announce an event for September 11, 2016. The biggest event to ever be hosted on the oval variant of the speedway is being formed. 42 possible entrants will take to the event to race for 1,000 miles in honor of the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York. "We've gone through and done some serious consideration as to what we believe would be acceptable to honor such a dark event in American and world history. This is our idea. To have 42 drivers spanning from VRR and even some outsiders who have never raced in a VRR sanctioned event before will be able to do this event. The only place that speaks America louder than Indianapolis is Daytona, and with the Pontiac Firebird IROC cars, the racing should be fantastic and very suiting." Scott Porter said at the announcement.
"It isn't often that you get a landmark date like September 11th to fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Next year is an important year for it, and it'll probably be the most important VRR event outside of the Indianapolis 500 itself. I'm proud to be able to be a part of it, and I can't wait for it." Evangeline Porter remarked.
 
BRRT_Angel
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--VRR officials were on hand at the Daytona International Speedway Thursday morning to announce an event for September 11, 2016. The biggest event to ever be hosted on the oval variant of the speedway is being formed. 42 possible entrants will take to the event to race for 1,000 miles in honor of the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York. "We've gone through and done some serious consideration as to what we believe would be acceptable to honor such a dark event in American and world history. This is our idea. To have 42 drivers spanning from VRR and even some outsiders who have never raced in a VRR sanctioned event before will be able to do this event. The only place that speaks America louder than Indianapolis is Daytona, and with the Pontiac Firebird IROC cars, the racing should be fantastic and very suiting." Scott Porter said at the announcement.
"It isn't often that you get a landmark date like September 11th to fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Next year is an important year for it, and it'll probably be the most important VRR event outside of the Indianapolis 500 itself. I'm proud to be able to be a part of it, and I can't wait for it." Evangeline Porter remarked.
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That's a big step for VRR, and something very different from open-wheelers. It's a year away, but I will support the event however I can.
 
MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--Homestead-Miami Speedway has officially announced that the 2017 VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series event will not only be a day to night event, but that the event will be a 500 mile event. The race will join Indianapolis and Auto Club as the Oval Triple Crown events in 2017, while Pocono will be reduced to 300 miles.
Magic Promotions, which handles most of VRR's European events, has announced early Saturday morning that the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series will race at the Circuit Paul Armagnac, Automotodrom Brno, and the EuroSpeedway Lausitzring in a deal lasting from 2016 to 2020. The company has confirmed beginning stage talks of securing a race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps or the Circuit Park Zandvoort beginning in 2017.
Owner/Driver Stephanie Porter-Kelley has leaked that Canada will have more than two races in 2017. She sighted Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal as three venues in advanced talks to bring the Canadian race count to at least 5 barring any double headers. "VRR wants to keep the series North American. That's what it is. An American series with international fanfare and appeal. Expanding the number of Canadian rounds means cutting down on the international races, which improves the fanfare of the fly away races. It's a smart marketing tactic that VRR's been working towards. The 2018 plan I guess is what it's been named. Regardless, teams may want to have a home base in the U.S. or Canada. We'll be here a lot."
DETROIT, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES--General Motors explained briefly on why the engine field had expanded so rapidly for the 2017 VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series. "The engine specifications will make the engines easier to make and cheaper both to make and for the teams to buy without losing horsepower or quality. Engine making is a source of big debate in racing, so when a series innovates enough to make production easier, a lot of companies are willing to jump on board." When asked what the changes looked like, the response was clear; "The engines for 2016 are fine tuned V8 engines, like what you would have seen in 2010 F1 cars. For 2017, VRR's made it clear that the engines be price capped at $100,000, which for racing is cheap. They've told us to make the whole thing from aluminum and to include a capable cooling system for the engines without changing the body work. For us, the design was easy to carry over from our Corvette, with an increase in rev limit and tuned CPU. For each engine, we'll be making $25,000, and there isn't a limit on how many engines a team can have. VRR has worked with the engine makers and the teams to make sure it all is feasible."
 
Exhibition Place, Toronto, Canada - As VRR Straight Talk Indycar Series teams take a rest break ahead of the next test at New Jersey Motorsports Park, VRR Network sat down with Ecurie Ecosse driver Gary Slater to discuss his performance at Palm Beach as well as hear his thoughts on recent developments.

VRR: First of all, your performance during the test at Palm Beach was quite exceptional for being just a startup team in a single car and it's gotten a lot of people talking. What are your thoughts on that?

Gary Slater: Palm Beach showed that our strengths will likely be on the road and street courses this season. We did flounder a bit in the two practice sessions, but we nailed the setup for qualifying. I think even Stephanie and Evangeline was surprised at my sudden speed increase. *chuckles*

VRR: You looked absolutely dominant during the Palm Beach race until the final 12 laps. What happened?

GS: We simply botched our final stop when we had trouble with the right front and that allowed Ryan [Perlstein] to catch up and pass us. We shadowed him right to the end but his defending was top notch. We'll be going to NJ with renewed confidence in the cars ability.

VRR: What are your thoughts in regards to Silverstone calling VRR Indycar an imitation of F1 and rejecting a possible race there?

GS: It's disappointing and we'll just have to carry on the way we're doing now. But with F1 in the current mess that it is, if we do get a UK round, it'll be Silverstone's loss. I think Rockingham would be better suited for a series like this. Steven said he hopes Silverstone will reconsider, but honestly, with that place being in Bernie's back pocket, it's better to let them go.

VRR: Will you be sticking with Johnnie Walker as your main sponsor for 2017?

GS: Yes, we penned a deal for a 3 year contract with Johnnie Walker. We only signed a 2 year deal with Tennent's lager so we will be looking elsewhere in 2018. We will be looking to approach Diageo nearer the time.

VRR: There was a recent leak saying that there could be more races in Canada in 2017. What do you make of it?

GS: I'd say it's a good thing if it turns out to be true. I'd love to get Toronto back on the calendar and would even join the talks to make it happen as the Exhibition Place circuit is a brilliant place for racing.

VRR: There has been a lot of chatter following the announcement of a 1000 mile IROC race to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11 in 2016. Will you be attending?

GS: I think it's a great plan to have drivers in and out of VRR, of all nationalities, genders and ethnicities come together for this memorial event as the devastating 9/11 attacks affected everyone globally. I fully support the idea of this event and will look to compete in it when it happens.

VRR: Any advancements on the special livery you said you would run during the press launch of your car?

GS: I'm cooking up something for the Motegi round and hope to enter talks with a designer soon. I can't say anything but I can reveal it'll be quite Japanese-centric. *laughs*

VRR: Thanks for your time, Mr Slater.

GS: My pleasure, see you in New Jersey.
 
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VRR Newspaper for Monday, September 14, 2015:
Two British racing venues have come out of the work stating that they want to initiate talks with VRR regarding a Straight Talk IndyCar Series race in 2017. Mallory Park, a predominantly oval race track with road course layout used for motorcycles and the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit have stepped forward saying a British VRR IndyCar event would be very welcome. VRR has yet to make any comments on the notion.
The Firestone 600 kilometer race for years has taken place at Texas Motor Speedway, becoming synonymous with the track much like the Indy 500. Firestone has opened up and said that they can move their race to a different oval. They've brought up alternate venues such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Kansas or even a second race at Kentucky. The tire company, who provides tires to the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series, has specified that they want the event to be a night race or a day to night event.

In car related news, I need cars from the following people:
Completed but not received:
@RedDragon
@ScuderiaLucas
@GTracerEHTeam
@AJHG1000
Otherwise not in my possession:
@Gerarghini
@rcb929
@Kingofweasles
 
BRRT_Angel
VRR Newspaper for Monday, September 14, 2015:
Two British racing venues have come out of the work stating that they want to initiate talks with VRR regarding a Straight Talk IndyCar Series race in 2017. Mallory Park, a predominantly oval race track with road course layout used for motorcycles and the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit have stepped forward saying a British VRR IndyCar event would be very welcome. VRR has yet to make any comments on the notion.
The Firestone 600 kilometer race for years has taken place at Texas Motor Speedway, becoming synonymous with the track much like the Indy 500. Firestone has opened up and said that they can move their race to a different oval. They've brought up alternate venues such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Kansas or even a second race at Kentucky. The tire company, who provides tires to the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series, has specified that they want the event to be a night race or a day to night event.

In car related news, I need cars from the following people:
Completed but not received:
@RedDragon
@ScuderiaLucas
@GTracerEHTeam
@AJHG1000
Otherwise not in my possession:
@Gerarghini
@rcb929
@Kingofweasles
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Sorry, thought I had already sent those. Sending them now.
 
BRRT_Angel
VRR Newspaper for Monday, September 14, 2015:
Two British racing venues have come out of the work stating that they want to initiate talks with VRR regarding a Straight Talk IndyCar Series race in 2017. Mallory Park, a predominantly oval race track with road course layout used for motorcycles and the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit have stepped forward saying a British VRR IndyCar event would be very welcome. VRR has yet to make any comments on the notion.
The Firestone 600 kilometer race for years has taken place at Texas Motor Speedway, becoming synonymous with the track much like the Indy 500. Firestone has opened up and said that they can move their race to a different oval. They've brought up alternate venues such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Kansas or even a second race at Kentucky. The tire company, who provides tires to the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series, has specified that they want the event to be a night race or a day to night event.

In car related news, I need cars from the following people:
Completed but not received:
@RedDragon
@ScuderiaLucas
@GTracerEHTeam
@AJHG1000
Otherwise not in my possession:
@Gerarghini
@rcb929
@Kingofweasles
Click to expand...

Did the sponsorship deals with Sonic and Coke Zero fall through? Because if they did, it's news to me... (Translation: I need to ask somebody to come up with a livery because I do not have the capability to do so.)
 
Kingofweasles
Did the sponsorship deals with Sonic and Coke Zero fall through? Because if they did, it's news to me... (Translation: I need to ask somebody to come up with a livery because I do not have the capability to do so.)
Click to expand...


Relax, I'm on it ;)
 
I would definitely support a round at Brands Hatch.
 
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After gathering some more schemes, the New Jersey test is set to have 31 drivers in it this weekend. With all of the math done, there is one single entry possible to reach the full number of 36 for the Indianapolis 500.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES--Phoenix International Raceway is one of the highest acclaimed one mile ovals in North America, and Tuesday night, they dropped the bombshell that they would not be bidding for a VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series event until after 2018 at best. "The way the market is right now, one of the biggest niches in the series is one mile ovals. Dover wants in, Pikes Peak is in, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, and there isn't a lot of space for it. We want to have VRR here, but we don't think we can do it at the moment with the amount of races not only on the west side of the United States, but without mimicking another one mile oval. We'll wait to see how the calendar shrinks down in 2018 and make a decision after that." When asked if the Firestone 600 bid landing on their door step would change it, the track was certain it would. "The 600 is about as famous as the Indy 500 itself. If it landed in our hands, it would be hard not to take it. That is the only circumstance that would make us bid before 2019."
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES--The factory team for Audi Sport in the VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series is exercising it's factory team privilege by renting out the Charlotte Motor Speedway following the NASCAR Sprint Cup event there later this year. Audi Sport will be on hand to test new parts in the cars and Cherokee Motorsports owner/driver Clayton Hardy has extended an invitation for the other Audi teams to come to Charlotte to watch and learn what the German racing giant is working on before the Monster Shootout in November.
JUPITER, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES--Stephanie Porter-Kelley has begun a motion to purchase the Palm Beach International Raceway, which hosted the first VRR road course test. Porter-Kelley, a native of Orlando, says that having the track would help with development of the team as well as give incentive for a VRR race in the future at the venue.
 
BREAKING NEWS...
MEXICO CITY, FEDERAL DISTRICT, MEXICO--Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez officials have announced that only two VRR Straight Talk IndyCar Series races will take place on the most prestigious track in the country. Following the 2017 event, the promoter for the event and the primary sponsor, Telcel, will be dropping the track from its list of clientele. "We feel that the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will not be a great representative for our company or for the series that will be visiting here. We will follow through with our contract and host until 2017. But after that we will turn our focus to a different venue." Telcel announced. "The Autodromo has the blessing to host an IndyCar race once again, and with the falling out between us and Telcel, these two events will be very special."
 
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