HMD Motorsports has announced the arrival of Hailie Deegan for the 2025 season in Indy NXT, the premier development category within the IndyAutomobile Series.
Deegan, 23, is about to fight all 14 rounds in his team's No. 38. He becomes the fifth driver confirmed by HMD Motorsports and joins next 12 months's lineup which incorporates Caio Collet, Josh Pieson, Tommy Smith and Bryce Aron. Deegan will drive Indy NXT machinery for the primary time on the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test on the Indianapolis road course on October 18.
“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a proven program at HMD Motorsports,” said Deegan.
“I actually have quite a bit to learn, but I'm able to go. The team brings a wealth of information for me to attract from, and I'm looking forward to absorbing as much of it as possible before my race debut next March in St. Petersburg.”
Hailie Deegan, AM Racing, AirBox Ford Mustang
Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
Deegan's transition to open-wheel racing comes after prolonged time in off-road and stock cars. After winning three races in NASCAR's K&N West division in 2018-19, she became the primary woman to win within the series. She spent all of 2020 in ARCA, ending third within the title race. She spent nearly all of her NASCAR profession within the Truck Series, competing full-time from 2021-2023 and ending with a better of sixth place (twice – Talladega 2022, Texas, 2023). Although she began working full-time within the Xfinity Series this 12 months, her tenure ended after 17 races after parting ways with AM Racing.
To help Deegan through the transition, she worked with former HMD Motorsports engineer Nathan Toney, owner of Toney Driver Development. At the top of the month, it’s going to also make its first open-wheel racing debut in the ultimate race of the Formula Regional Americas season on the Circuit of the Americas.
“Hailie, and especially the Deegan name, is huge in motorsports and we welcome them to the HMD Motorsports family,” said Team President Mike Maurini. “Hailie has already been to the workshop and is serious about open-wheel racing. She's looking for a place in the Indianapolis area to immerse herself in the team and is already working with her engineer. We want to make sure she and all the other HMD Motorsports drivers are as ready as possible for every track session.”
Sacha Fenestraz believes that certainly one of the explanations for his Formula E profession ending prematurely is because he didn’t sustain with teammate Oliver Rowland, who he believes is “easily the equal of” Max Verstappen.
The Frenchman and Argentinian endured a difficult second season in Nissan's all-electric championship, scoring just five points from 16 races and ending the campaign in seventeenth place within the Drivers' Championship.
This was in stark contrast to Rowland, the Briton, who took two wins in Misano and London and was a championship contender for much of the season on his return to Nissan.
Speaking exclusively to the Latin American edition of Motorsport.com, Fenestraz said he was unable to indicate the identical speed he saw in his maiden season for several reasons, including against Rowland, whom he in comparison with three-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen.
“I started the season saying to myself, 'I want to be the team leader, I want to beat the team,' but I thought it was unrealistic because we're talking about Rowland, who was in Formula E for the seventh time,” he added. he said.
“For me it was only the second season. It's a championship, for those who take a look at it, all of the drivers on the front are drivers who’ve been in Formula E for years, they’ve loads of experience, also they are much older drivers.
“And me, at 24 years old [at the time]I don't have the identical experience as a driver like him, and besides, Oliver at his best easily matches Verstappen.
“He's a very good friend of Verstappen and this year Verstappen told Oliver it's a pity he's not in Formula 1 because he would overshadow him, so people involved in motorsport know what potential he has.”
Nissan Formula E Team's Oliver Rowland, third, with teammates, including Nissan Formula E Team's Sacha Fenestraz, rejoice at the rostrum ceremony
Photo: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Fenestraz also revealed that Nissan management had assured him that he can be appointed for the 2024/25 season in early August for the ultimate 12 months of his three-year contract.
However, he claimed that lower than a month later he learned via social media that he had been fired and replaced by former teammate Norman Nato, and that he “didn't take it well.”
Fenestraz also rejected one other team's offer to start out in Formula E before being let go by Nissan, but testing for the brand new season starts in lower than a month and only two grid positions have yet to be announced, each in ERT. he needed to deal with other championships.
This features a return to Super Formula, where Fenestraz competed before a two-year stint in Formula E after ending second in 2022, in addition to the World Endurance Championship after being offered a factory ride with an unnamed team.
“Fortunately, I have offers, there are opportunities,” Fenestraz said. “The truth is that we’ve the choice of returning to Japan with Nissan or Toyota.
“Now I actually have also received a proposal for a double program with WEC and IMSA, with an LMDH automotive, on the manufacturer.
“I actually have a gathering with my manager in London and from there we’ll tell what to do and make an announcement. I feel it is going to be announced obviously between November and December, but my decision shall be made soon.”
Formula 3 has confirmed that DAMS will join the grid in Jenzer's place for the following three-year cycle.
The move means the French team will expand its operations beyond focusing solely on one series for the primary time since former Formula 1 driver Charles Pic bought the team in 2022, when it ceased operations in Formula E, leaving Formula E behind. 2 as its only project.
The last time DAMS was present on the third level of motorsport was in 2017, when it withdrew from the GP3 series.
Founded by Jean-Paul Driot and Rene Arnoux in 1989, DAMS operated primarily within the single-seater championship and had been a mainstay in F2 since its previous existence when GP2 began in 2005, winning the team championship in 2019 with Sergio Sette Camara and Nicholas Latifi.
Since its founding from the ashes of the GBDA team, by which Driot and Arnoux also had an interest, the team has won championship titles in Formula 3000 and GP2 with Eric Comas, Olivier Panis, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Romain Grosjean, Davide Valsecchi and Jolyon Palmer.
He also achieved success within the Formula Renault 3.5 championship and the A1 Grand Prix.
Pic bought out Olivier and Gregory Driot, who took control of the team after their father's death in 2019.
He said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen for the Formula 3 team from next season for the following three years.
DAMS previously competed in GP3
Photo: Motorsport Images
“This is a logical step for us as we already compete in F2 and this latest enterprise means we will develop younger drivers from our F3 program into our F2 team, using the systems we now have put in place to support and train drivers on the track side technical.
“The most important goal of this primary campaign is to develop a competitive automotive, similar to we did this yr in F2.
“Starting the championship with a very latest automotive is an excellent moment because we will reuse our methods that we now have developed over time.
“We have assembled a very experienced technical team with proven engineers and good mechanics, so I am confident that we can deliver strong performances in Formula 3 in the coming seasons and be a contender for the top of the grid.”
All nine remaining existing teams will remain on the grid for the upcoming cycle. Championship CEO Bruno Michel added: “We have retained nine of our current teams for the following three-year cycle.
“Their level of professionalism and expertise guarantees one of the best preparation for young drivers who wish to advance to the best level of motor sports.
“To round out the sector, we welcome DAMS to our shortlisted teams. We know them thoroughly from the FIA ​​Formula 2 Championship. Their pedigree and level of performance make them the right addition to the F3 field.
“Finally, I would really like to take this chance to thank Andreas Jenzer and everybody at Jenzer Motorsport for his or her commitment to Formula 3 because the starting of this category.
Jenzer gives up at the tip of a protracted stay within the GP3/F3 championship, winning his first race in 2010
Photo: Motorsport Images
“They have left their mark on the championship and I completely respect their decision to now focus on new challenges.”
Jenzer won the primary round of the GP3 Championship with Pal Varhaug in 2010, ending third within the teams' standings.
This result was achieved in 2017, but results were harder to attain following the merger with European Formula 3 to create the present FIA F3 Championship in 2019.
Taylor Barnard became the Swiss team's latest F3 race winner within the 2023 Spa feature competition.
Nyck de Vries believes the penalty that cost him his first Super Formula points at Fuji is the results of a “country-specific” interpretation of the foundations governing contact.
In his third and final appearance of the season for Team Impul, former Formula 1 driver de Vries finished eighth on target, nine places behind his starting position.
However, a five-second time penalty awarded for contact with Kenta Yamashita exiting Turn 1 while fighting for ninth place on 32 of 41 laps meant de Vries dropped to eleventh in the ultimate results.
This in comparison with his lead to Saturday's opening race, when he lost two tenths of a second to catching Kondo Racing's Yamashita and scored the ultimate point in tenth position.
Although pleased together with his performance, de Vries identified the difference between his version of the events of his battle with Yamashita and that of the stewards, and believes that this move can be considered legal in terms outside Japan.
“I might call [penalty] a really country-specific decision, made by individuals who have a look at the match from 100 meters away from the corner, which is different from my viewpoint,” de Vries said.
“If you watch the footage, it's clear that at the highest I'm almost half a automobile length ahead of us [Yamashita]. I'm driving on a standard line, so I speed up on the optimal moment, so I actually have no probability of retreating because I actually have to make use of your complete track.
Nyck de Vries, ITOCHU ENEX IMPULSE TEAM
Photo: Masahide Kamio
“He accelerates to attempt to regain lost ground, but he tries to achieve a bonus that he doesn't have. I actually have maximum lock and he comes from the skin and hits me.
I just feel sorry for the team because that they had a tricky season and so they deserved it.
De Vries added that he hopes that in the longer term Super Formula will take a more international approach to the foundations governing wheel-to-wheel combat.
“People have asked me what I think about Super Formula and how it can become even more relevant to Formula 2 and Formula 1, and I praise the series because the cars are great and the racing is great,” he said.
“But these kinds of rules, which have nothing to do with international racing, don't make sense to me.”
De Vries' return to the points was made all of the more remarkable by the incident on lap two involving Iori Kimura and Atsushi Miyake at Turn 10.
This forced the Dutch driver to pit to have his front wing replaced, although because of the presence of the protection automobile he was in a position to restart behind the grid.
Nyck de Vries, ITOCHU ENEX IMPULSE TEAM
Photo: Masahide Kamio
Another safety automobile break was called when Yuji Kunimoto sent Kazuya Oshima right into a spin at turn one, then allowed de Vries to pit under caution and take further positions.
“Our pace was very good in the first run,” said de Vries. “[After the contact] We were overtaking a automobile almost every lap, so we were still gaining the advantage, after which we got the second safety automobile.
“I used to be actually ahead of him on the primary lap [Ayumu] Iwasa. I lost a lot of the ground when changing the front wing, I made up for it before the second pit stop because I left behind Kamui [Kobayashi] and Iwasa was right in front of him.
Toyota junior Hibiki Taira will take over the No. 19 Impul automobile, driven earlier this yr by Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire and Lexus IMSA regular Ben Barnicoat, on the season finale at Suzuka next month.
Taira scored his only points thus far this season during Super Formula's previous visit to Fuji in July, when he finished ninth.
The WRC2 title fight could take a distinct turn after it was confirmed that a previously rejected protest by Oliver Solberg's Toksport Skoda team can be heard by Rally Chile stewards.
A petition led by FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley has led to a review of the case regarding the allocation of a hypothetical time to Solberg's title rival and WRC2 Chile Rally winner Yohan Rossel.
The Solberg-based Toksport Skoda team lodged a protest, asking the stewards to reassess the fictional time awarded to Rossel, who helped the Citroen driver to victory. Rossel jumped from third place to the lead within the WRC2 class when stewards ruled that Solberg had obstructed the Frenchman on stage 11 and subsequently lost 40 seconds of his stage time.
Solberg was leading the category within the test when he suffered a puncture that cost the Swede 1.30 seconds to alter a wheel. Solberg returned to the stage ahead of Rossel, who felt he was stopped by a Skoda driver while passing through the stage shrouded in thick fog.
The incident is more likely to play a job in deciding the end result of the WRC2 title race, as Solberg could have secured the championship with victory in Chile.
The stewards initially deemed the protest inadmissible “because under the FIA ​​International Sporting Code it is unacceptable for stewards to review/reconsider their decisions by way of protest.”
However, a subsequent stewards' report published on Friday said it was a “significant and significant new element that was unavailable to parties requesting a review at the time the relevant decision was made.”
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The case shall be reopened and heard at a date yet to be announced.
“The stewards reviewed video evidence and GPS tracking data provided by the FIA, which information was not within the possession of the Race Director or Stewards on the time the choice was made. Stewards consider this to be recent information,” the stewards' report reads.
“The FIA ​​explained the importance of the videos and GPS tracking data and indicated that if this information had been available at the time of receiving the request from the competitor of car No. 21 for a new time, then the performance would have been different. submitted to the Stewards in connection with the Competitor's request for SS11 (Flight 2). The stewards consider the FIA ​​entry to be significant and relevant.
“After careful consideration of the matter, the Stewards determine to reconsider their decision in accordance with Article 14.1.1 of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code and need to listen to the views of the parties concerned, namely the Competitor of Car No. 21 and the representative of the FIA, at a time and place to be later determined “
Solberg currently leads the WRC2 championship standings by 12 points over Rossel, but will now need to depend on results elsewhere to maintain his title hopes alive after completing seven points-scoring races.
Rossel and Sami Pajari (15 points behind Solberg) are still fighting for the title, with each set to finish their final rounds within the Rally Central and Eastern Europe and Rally Japan respectively.
In 2018, Robert Wickens faced considered one of the few worst-case scenarios in racing. While competing at Pocono, his No. 6 Lucas Oil Arrow IndyCar hit one other automobile (Ryan Hunter-Reay), causing a brutal crash that resulted within the race being red flagged. Wickens surprisingly survived the incident, but his injuries left him paralyzed. There was probability he would not have the ability to walk or race.
Technology has made significant advancements through the years for disabled athletes. This was enough for paraplegic drivers to make use of experimental, hand-controlled systems, normally built specifically for a particular racing vehicle, allowing them to return to what they loved: racing. Michael Johnson was one such driver and in 2021, after Wickens' long road to recovery and rehabilitation, he offered the previous driver the prospect to return to the track using a specially modified Hyundai Veloster TCR equipped with a operated by hand system. The offer led to Wickens signing a season-long deal to drive with Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA), taking victory within the 2023 championship, and in addition enabled further development of the hand controls to make them more realistic and accessible to other paraplegic drivers who also they need to have a shot on the championship – or simply have the ability to drive their automobile skillfully on the track again.
How it began
The earlier hand control system that Wickens used (shown within the video below) during his first seasons at BHA operated via a brake ring mounted behind the handlebar. When Wickens tightened this brake ring, a series of connections applied pressure to the brake master cylinder, which then sent hydraulic pressure to the anti-lock brake controller and ultimately to the calipers at each corner to enable braking.
Although the system did provide some assistance in applying pressure to the brakes, it operated as compressed air to help Wickens in moving the linkages and was normally delayed. There was little or no feedback as all these movements were going down and there have been many mechanical moving parts that made it difficult to perform precise movements equivalent to trail braking, which requires feeling the automobile's response as you brake steadily, which is important in competitive racing.
All these connections also made it difficult to have a smooth handover of the automobile between Wickens and his co-drivers. In the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, drivers typically share cars, taking turns during enduro races. Wickens raced with Mark Wilkins and Harry Gottsacker, who would jump into the automobile after Wickens' runs and flip a switch to make use of the usual foot controls. Although the mechanical transition between able-bodied and disabled drivers was easy, the early system's mechanical linkages took up crucial space in the driving force's cockpit and required drivers to maneuver their feet to work around things. It also made it difficult for Wickens to get out and in of the automobile.
This control system can be continually developed by the BHA engineering team over the following several years, and ultimately little remained of the unique system supplied by Johnson. However, in late 2023, the engineering team realized that they may have the ability to make use of the recently developed LMDh technology to make the system even higher. They contacted the gurus at Bosch Motorsport.
Designing a neater future for racing for disabled drivers
Senior Motorsport Engineer Jordan Krell and the remainder of the engineering team at Bosch Motorsport immediately took up the challenge and took as their place to begin the electronic braking system (EBS) developed for LMDh hybrid race cars. Originally implemented at IMSA to regulate the braking functions of the brake-by-wire braking system used on LMDh prototypes, the EBS system uses electrical signals to attach friction brakes and regenerative braking provided by hybrid components installed within the cars.
Bosch engineers wanted to fulfill the needs of the manual control system and discover a solution to eliminate all these cumbersome connections within the automobile. They built a reproduction of the system Wickens utilized in his lab and started replacing components and designing a brand new system layout.
Photo: Bozi Tatarevic
Each adjustment ultimately left a system connecting the brake ring on the handlebar to 2 small master cylinders under the steering column. These cylinders were then hydraulically routed to the master cylinder via the brake pedal, and from there the lines were connected to the EBS. The circuit was accomplished by connecting the EBS to the ABS module, which is a regular element of the Veloster N TCR.
The next step was to tune the EBS and Bosch once more went to the LMDh platform to accumulate a pedal feel simulator. The simulator allowed them to get accurate braking feedback once they applied the brakes. This pedal feel simulator is an optional feature on LMDh cars that may be connected to the EBS hydraulic circuit to supply feedback when it applies the brakes.
Photo: Bosch Motorsport
This recent system not only removed most of the mechanical components under the steering wheel and across the pedals, but in addition integrated seamlessly with existing Bosch components and allowed Wickens and his co-drivers to simply swap out the automobile with the press of a switch that changes control from hand to foot.
One of the largest improvements to the brand new EBS-based system is the incontrovertible fact that the boost provided by the column-mounted master cylinders isn’t only more precise, but in addition more powerful, so Wickens can now operate the drag ring with one hand while making full use of it with the opposite hand a feature equivalent to gear shifting that can allow it to take braking to the following level.
This recent system not only directly advantages Wickens within the cockpit of the Hyundai Veloster N TCR, but opens up racing opportunities in other cars because the system uses Bosch components compatible with the ABS modules present in GT cars and prototypes. Wickens could now take his systems technology with him to the following level of competition and drive a GTD or GTP automobile within the IMSA WeatherTech Championship.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Wickens got to essentially put the brand new system to the test through the IMSA race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he and teammate Harry Gottsacker finished on the rostrum after starting the Michelin Pilot Challenge from deep within the TCR field. They enter the upcoming race, which can happen next weekend at Michelin Raceway at Road Atlanta, with a second place finish within the championship and a probability to say one other championship win. With changes made in only a couple of years and the newest partnership with Bosch, whatever the consequence of this weekend, it should be a victory for Wickens and one other victory for disabled individuals who hope to get the prospect to compete in motorsport again.
Supercars has revealed a brand new season format for next 12 months, with finals completing the campaign to find out the champion for 2025.
The Australian series will move to a three-stage split season, with the initial eight rounds counting towards the Sprint Cup and two endurance races to find out the Enduro Cup champion, before the finals format begins.
There can even be a points reset, with all 10 drivers going to their first final race at Gold Coast level, earning 3,000 points after which 4,000 for the subsequent race at Sandown.
Any driver who wins on the Gold Coast and Sandown circuits will likely be routinely seeded in the ultimate 4 to stay in contention for the Adelaide title, together with the subsequent two highest points scorers.
Will this be a hit for the series? Our authors present their views.
Bold change, but with harmful potential – Phil Branagan
The idea of ​​changing the strategy of choosing the champion is a positive one and I commend Supercars for its courage on this matter. But as Jim Hacker taught us in Yes, Prime Minister, courage can have consequences.
Under the brand new system, certain scenarios may evolve from a micro-problem to a macro-nightmare. As an example, I'll go along with current points leader and 2024 title favorite Will Brown. If the Triple Eight Chevrolet driver produces a solid end in the Bathurst 1000 this weekend, he may lead in championship points heading into the subsequent round on the Gold Coast – and if a few of his rivals don't dazzle Brown's Bathurst lead, it could take your entire points round (300) or more .
Will Brown, Triple Eight Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race engineer
Photo: Edge Photographics
Imagine Brown dominating qualifying on the Gold Coast, but in the highest 10 shootout, a locked wheel throws him off the chicane and he starts the primary race from tenth position on the grid. The Gold Coast street circuit is notorious for punishing mistakes; if from there Brown gets caught up in a melee on the primary lap, he could possibly be out all day. Zero points.
If he manages to make up for the loss on Sunday, it won't be an enormous failure. With a podium or victory, he could/should even maintain his points lead heading into the ultimate race of the season in Adelaide.
Let's extend the identical scenario to 2025. Brown could even win Sunday's race on the Gold Coast, but imagine for a moment that a “finalist” Ford driver further down the grid could finish eighth, ninth or tenth among the many weekend's title contenders, thus saving Brown. Will other Ford drivers, loyal to the blue oval and never competing for the title themselves, drive with a level of cooperation they won’t otherwise achieve to make sure their teammate finishes in the highest seven and Brown is one in every of the three eliminated drivers? -Gold Coast Far-fetched? Could this occur? Maybe.
The finals concept is bound to generate loads of stories. This is nice for supercars (and great for somebody like me). But not all of those stories will likely be positive…
Cynical change at an opportune time – Sam Hall
My initial response to Supercars switching to a finals format was simply: why? It's true that a championship fight that goes all of the technique to the ultimate is something every series strives for, which can add intrigue and viewership stats, but sometimes you could have to simply accept that one team or driver will dominate and praise the achievement.
While these are undoubtedly positives and will capture the general public's imagination, there is no such thing as a changing the purist in me who believes that motorsport ought to be a meritocracy and shouldn’t be artificially reduced to a missed pitstop or reliability issues – even driver error – for a single event.
Yes, there are other sports which have this format, NASCAR being essentially the most famous example, but on a private level it just doesn't sit well with me.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr, JTG Daugherty Racing, Kroger Health/Palmolive Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
However, the timing of this alteration ought to be rigorously checked out. The broadcast deal expires at the top of 2025, and the introduction of Gen3 cars didn't make for essentially the most entertaining racing.
It is due to this fact vital that Supercars delivers a greater product and, fairly than answering the query of why these seemingly equal machines seem uneven on target and what the elemental problems the series has, are a fast fix to the finals system – something that brings with it additional sponsorship opportunities and marketing.
Despite all my negative attitude towards this issue, it ought to be added that I actually hope this works and in 12 months I will likely be forced to eat my words. Supercars need something to reignite excitement within the category, and even when it's to not my taste and seems more like a marketing exercise than a sporting decision, if it really works, I'll be as completely satisfied as anyone.
Surprised the change didn't occur sooner – Tom Howard
Having previously lived in Australia and worked in Supercars, I'm really surprised this alteration hasn't happened sooner. Australian sport is especially obsessive about the Finals Series format. This happens within the AFL, NRL and A-League. It was actually difficult for the Briton to persuade himself of this. Imagine if the English Premier League champions were decided in a one-off final fairly than 38 games. This is unusual but is the case in most sporting codes in Australia.
I agree it's not a change that may appeal to purists, and Supercars fans have actually proven to be proof against change up to now. I remember when Triple Eight dared to develop a V6 engine to interchange the V8, causing complete confusion and ultimately the V8 engine won and it still exists today.
However, the motorsport landscape is changing, and positively the way in which fans interact with the championship. Sometimes it might work to make an enormous change when changing the format. Supercars has tried tweaking formats before, with some working and others failing. However, sitting still is not any longer an option, considering how quickly the sports landscape is changing and the way people watch sports today.
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing within the MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport
Photo: JEP
Last weekend I attended the ultimate round of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch, which once more provided the perfect seat entertainment and crowned the champion.
It's true that its format doesn't reflect the extent of radical change supercars will see in 2025, but a 3rd reverse-grid race and the dimensions of hybrid use determined by driver success replacing the ballast of success normally means the championship will go ahead in nine out of 10 cases. will likely be decided in the ultimate round. I have to admit it's an incredible watch. Last weekend, eventual champion Jake Hill and rival Tom Ingram entered the ultimate race with a degree difference. Format changes could be for the higher, but they may have the alternative effect.
PLUS: How the BTCC showdown ended with a brand new king of the hill emerging
The World Rally Championship is an ideal example of this. There's a brand new scoring system this 12 months, which is complicated for fans, nevertheless it makes Sundays way more interesting. Format changes will at all times require compromises.
I feel Supercars is brave to make this alteration. It will likely be a bit like Marmite or Vegemite (the primary one is best), some will likely be delighted, others will hate it. What is definite is that the Adelaide Grand Final will likely be the place to observe motorsport.
Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trials: Double Cross 18
New Gran Turismo 7 An online time trial is now available, bringing high-speed motion to global hot-lap competitions.
After several “short routes” in a row, we set off on one in all the longer routes in the sport in the shape of the fictional Circuit de Sainte-Croix. This track, which itself has three layouts (and their inverse variations), isn’t seen in any Sport mode events and has been designed to resemble a classic French street circuit within the south of the country.
The motion takes place on target “A”, and in the event you confuse the Sainte-Croix layout, it’s a medium-length track (9.89 km) – and the just one where you switch left onto the characteristic suspension bridge and straight on To.
It's quite a protracted lap, so luckily we’ve got a really fast automobile. This is the racing version of the Genesis Vision Gran Turismo Gr.1 automobile, “X Gran Racer”. With added racing flourishes like a shark fin, giant rear wing and wheel arch scoops, this version of the Genesis could function inspiration for an actual shot at the highest end of endurance racing – with an LMDh automobile within the works.
While the X Gran Racer is sort of a concerning vehicle in its native form, it’s subject to the Gr.1 balance of performance (BOP) settings for the event. This brings its power right down to a more reasonable level, around 600 hp, and that too on grippy Racing Soft tires.
The long lap means loads can go unsuitable, and there's time to shoot almost in every single place, so we expect lap times to drop soon. We can already see the highest ten players breaking 2:40, with the perfect now achieving 2:38, setting a gold mark of two:43.3.
There's not much likelihood this can proceed, but it surely's hard to estimate how far it’d fall by the point the event ends in two weeks. We saw laps in 2:37, so we'll really must fight for gold in 2:41.
Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trials: Double Cross 19
There's one week left until last week's published time trial of the brand new Nissan GT-R T-Spec on the Nurburgring GP track. The times at the moment are towards the lower end of our estimate, with the record at 1:31.895, putting the gold at 1:34.651. Therefore, 1:34.5 should still be sufficient, but you could need a little bit margin to be secure.
To access online time trials, you will need to unlock Sports Mode by completing Menu Book 9 (“Championships: Tokyo Highway Parade”) within the GT Cafe single-player hub. Since you're up against the clock and never a direct, head-to-head multiplayer event, PlayStation Plus isn't required.
Typically, at the tip of the event, you'll have to be inside 3% of your world best time to earn gold status and a bonus of two million credits. There are smaller prizes of a million for being within the 5% bracket and 250,000 kr for bronze with a ten% discount.
Events are updated every Thursday, with each individual challenge typically remaining available for 2 weeks, and the oldest of the 2 events being replaced weekly. You can sit up for the following recent time trial coming at 07:00 UTC on Thursday, October 17.
Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trials: Double Cross 20
7 Lap Gran Turismo Timed Challenge October 10 – Circuit de Sainte-Croix
Path: Circuit Sainte-Croix A
Car: Genesis X Gran Racer Vision GT – Garage/Car Rental
Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
Tires: Soft racing
Settings: He fixed it
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Trial Challenge October 3 – Nurburgring Sprint
The FIA ​​continues to plan to carry its annual awards gala in Rwanda in December, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) advising against travel to the country as a result of the Marburg virus outbreak.
On December 13, the motor racing governing body will hold its annual ceremonial event in Kigali to present this yr's FIA awards and in addition have fun its a hundred and twentieth anniversary.
During the event, FIA championship winners officially present their trophies, and track attendance is mandatory for Formula 1 winners every year.
Lewis Hamilton has been fined for missing the 2021 event following the season finale controversy in Abu Dhabi.
Article 6.9 of the F1 Sporting Regulations states: “A representative of the competitor who finished first in the Constructors' Championship and the drivers who finished first, second and third in the Drivers' Championship must be present at the annual FIA awards ceremony.”
FIA flag
Photo: Eric Gilbert
However, the FIA's hosting of this yr's Awards Gala, which attracts delegates and guests from world wide, may face some logistical challenges as Rwanda is currently at the middle of the virus outbreak.
Late last month, Rwanda's Ministry of Health announced the country's first confirmed case of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
The latest data released on October 8 by the Rwandan Ministry of Health shows that there at the moment are 58 confirmed cases within the country, including 13 deaths. This is one in all the biggest confirmed outbreaks of this disease in history.
The government of Rwanda is working with WHO to coordinate the response.
A WHO statement last updated on September 30 said: “WHO assesses the risk of this outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the outbreak and the risk assessment will be updated as more information is received.”
While measures are being put in place in Rwanda to limit the spread of the disease, she added: “Based on the current risk assessment, WHO advises against any restrictions on travel and trade with Rwanda.”
However, the WHO has not imposed a complete travel ban, and currently advice from the UK Foreign Office simply urges travelers to avoid close contact with individuals with symptoms of the disease. Rwanda's predominant tourist attractions are operating as normal.
The FIA ​​can also be currently involved with government agencies to observe developments, but says plans for the Gala should not affected right now.
An FIA spokesman said: “We are closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with the Rwandan Ministry of Health. We are currently proceeding as planned.”
Max Verstappen, FIA Formula 1 World Champion, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA
Photo: FIA
Marburg virus, clinically much like Ebola virus, could cause fatal hemorrhagic fever, with a mortality rate as high as 88%. There is currently no treatment available, but healthcare employees are receiving a trial vaccine.
People initially change into infected after contact with Rousettus bats, however the virus spreads from individual to individual through direct contact – including the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected people, in addition to contaminated surfaces and materials resembling bedding and clothing.
To prevent the disease from spreading internationally, passengers departing Rwanda were asked to finish a screening questionnaire to report any symptoms. Anyone who has been involved with a confirmed case must quarantine for a minimum of 21 days and until symptoms subside.
Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe can be on fire this weekend as they go below the cut line, and Chase Elliott can be within the playoffs as NASCAR returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for an additional Round 12 elimination race in his field goalkeepers. And if the playoff heat isn't enough of a challenge, the series has added one other driver challenge – a rather different look than ROVAL.
At first, the layout looks kind of the identical. Drivers will follow the identical course for the primary a part of the lap, however the situation will change after Turn 5. Instead of turning right, the straight has been prolonged towards the brand new Turn 6. There are some changes in altitude during this section, which is able to mean drivers will lose the flexibility to see some cars ahead them until they reach the highest of the hill.
Drivers might want to decelerate before Turn 6, but not enough to make overtaking an actual possibility. However, this changes dramatically if you enter the incredibly tight left-hander Turn 7. It's essentially a 180-degree turn as drivers completely change direction onto the banked oval. When desperation flares up late within the race after a restart, it could turn into a disaster corner with aggressive power bombs aimed inwards. We saw something similar within the tight first corner at COTA, which isn't even a playoff. The final chicane has also modified noticeably, making a sharper apex for drivers to navigate through Turn 16.
Charlotte Motor Speedway road course layout
Photo: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Suarez is considered one of the drivers starting this race within the red and has spent numerous time within the simulator preparing for the changes. “This race at Roval will definitely be different,” he said in the course of the team's weekly introductory meeting. “I feel the changes to the track will create passing zones. Currently, our work takes place within the virtual world. We do it on a simulator. No one ran laps in real life. So we'll discover what the changes mean on Saturday.”
His teammate Ross Chastain, who took the pole within the last road course race at Watkins Glen, expressed some concerns concerning the impact of changes in altitude on visibility. “From the photos I've seen, it's definitely changed,” he said. “There is some elevation change and he is blind. I think you can see the car, but the track drops so steeply that you can't really see it. It worries me a bit because I can't see the car” The road ahead I'll wait to see what it is going to appear to be in real life, but I'm mentally preparing myself for not having the ability to see the track in front of me.
Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Rheem – Chasing a Cure Ford Mustang, Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Huk Performance Fishing Chevrolet Camaro, Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Discount Tire Ford Mustang, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally Chevrolet Camaro, Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Discount Tire Ford Mustang, Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Interstate Batteries All Battery Center Toyota Camry
Photo: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
Commenting on the front stretch chicane, Noah Gragson adds that it is going to change the way in which drivers approach the ultimate corner. “We'll have to find different braking markers there and see if we can push it more or less. I assume you'll have to slow down more when they come around that corner.”
Carson Hocevar achieved his career-best result at Watkins Glen, ending third. He sees the changes as a profit for drivers like himself who don't have as much experience on the track. “The reconfiguration and change of layout relieved some of the workload on the players who have experience there,” explained the leading Cup debutant. “This allows us to approach it with an open mind and without preconceived notions of what the track should look like. On the other hand, the guys who have already run there have a few main areas of the track where they need to change their approach. I hope it will take them some time to forget the old and come up with new ones while I catch up in other areas track!”
Ryan Blaney is in a reasonably comfortable position, 25 points above the cut line. He also won the inaugural race on the Charlotte ROVAL after the leaders collided with one another just before the finish. The reigning Cup champion sees many more opportunities to advance into Turn 7 and the ultimate chicane. “I think you opened up the passing zone in the seventh,” Blaney said. “It will certainly be form of a dive bomb due to its shape, so it is going to be interesting to see the way it races.
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Discount Ford Mustang Tire
Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
“You're going to must take this corner completely otherwise if you’ve got the pressure behind you or not, and to be honest I feel the chicane stretched on the front can be a slower corner, so I feel like you possibly can have just a little bit more out- I feel it's good they modified it . If you add overtaking zones it is going to be good for any race. It can be different for everybody.
His Penske teammate Austin Cindric is in a troublesome spot after losing the lead at Talladega. He will likely must fight for victory on the Roval. As for the front chicane, he says the changes will “take away your ability to bounce and your ability to make a mistake, or perhaps just cut the curb. I feel curb hits can be far more aggressive with a automobile, consider it or not. They are already quite aggressive, but I don't think how useful the curb can be. I feel it is going to be removed because you’re principally making the curb much more perpendicular to the track than it already is, it is going to be completely different.”
