The promoter of the Verizon IndyCar Series season opener scheduled for March 8 in Brasilia, Brazil, has unexpectedly canceled the event.

INDYCAR, the governing body of the Verizon IndyCar Series, issued a statement regarding the cancellation late Thursday afternoon.

“Today’s announcement by BAND (promoter) that the March 8 INDYCAR race in Brasilia was cancelled was both unexpected and disappointing,” the statement read. “INDYCAR had received every indication that the race was already a success: Two-thirds of the seats available for the event had already been sold; a title sponsor for the event (ITAIPAVA) was announced yesterday; hospitality was sold out; and track construction was progressing and scheduled to be complete in time for the event.

“Although we have not received formal confirmation from our partners in Brazil regarding the cancellation, economically INDYCAR is protected and the paddock is protected from such action.”

The event was scheduled to be held at Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet and was set to be a return to Brazil for the Verizon IndyCar Series, which last raced in the South American country in 2013.

Ferrari has officially unveiled its 2015 Formula One World Championship entry, the SF15-T.

The new machine, which will be driven by Ferrari’s all-world champion line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, is noticeably different in appearance to last year’s underwhelming F14 T, which became the first Ferrari since 1993 not to score a Grand Prix victory.

“Last year we had an unacceptably large gap in our performance,” technical director James Allison said. “We’ve tried to make sure that the weaknesses that we felt were particularly noticeable on the ‘14 car were put right for the ‘15 car.”

Like other 2015 cars, the most obvious change from last year is at the front where a long flat nose has been introduced in response to recent rule changes. However, Allison says the rear of the SF15-T received similar attention.

“The back of the car is something that is noticeably different from the 2014 car. We have been successful in pulling the bodywork much tighter to all the stuff underneath the skin. That’s been done from a lot of work, not just in the wind tunnel, but also in the design part of the company to try to find radiator designs that were fundamentally more efficient,” said Allison.

“For every square centimeter of radiator we’re able to extract more cooling this year than last and therefore were able to close the car down at the back as a consequence.”

Another crucial area of development for the Scuderia over the winter was on their power unit, which struggled against the might of Mercedes in 2014.

“We had a number of issues with last year’s power unit,” explained Allison. “Early on in the season the power delivery was not particularly sophisticated so it was tough for the drivers to get the throttle response they wanted. That improved a lot during the season and we’ve taken it a step further for the SF15-T.

“A definite weakness of last year’s car was that the amount of electrical energy we were able to recover from the turbo was not really good enough for producing competitive power levels during the race. That’s an area where we’ve tried to change the architecture of the engine to make it a better compromise between qualifying and racing performance.

“And then plain simple horsepower. Enormous amounts of work has gone into all aspects of our combustion efficiency to try to make sure that in this fuel limited formula where every team is only allowed to burn the same amount of fuel, that every single compression stroke, every single ignition stroke is extracting the maximum amount of horsepower and putting it on the road.”

The SF15-T is expected to make its track debut at the start of pre-season testing in Spain this Sunday.

Must See Racing announced that the Must See Racing Sprints will kick off their 2015 season at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, North Carolina, on April 3–4, featuring two nights of high speed action. The event will be part of the ‘10th annual Easter Bunny 150’ PASS South Super Late Model event.

The series has started each of the last three seasons in Pensacola, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama. The new location allows the series to showcase ‘The World’s Fastest Short Track Cars’ to fans in a different area of the southern states. Track records are certain to fall along the way as the series races in front of the new fans.

The event is shaping up to be a ‘Southern Showdown’ as the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) teams are invited to participate in this event. The TBARA has been in a dormant state since club members decided to temporarily put the series in hiatus several weeks ago. A vote by the club in the coming weeks will determine if the TBARA will accept the invitation.

The MSR sprints will pay $3000 to win with the event televised on a taped delayed basis for MAVTV.

The ‘Easter Bunny 150’ has become one of the more popular early season short track events in the Southern part of the country in recent years. In addition to the Must See Racing Sprints and PASS South Super Late Models, the event will feature PASS Pro Late Models, Legends, and USAC Eastern HPD Midgets.

“The Easter Bunny 150 is the biggest race for the PASS South series,” explained PASS media relations representative Alan Dietz. "It has a real good purse and has become a very prestigious race to win. There aren’t a lot of big Super Late Model races in the spring. The very first event PASS ever held was the Easter Bunny 150 back in 2006 at Hickory. With the addition of the Must See Racing Sprints, this year’s event will offer something for everyone. There is a lot on the card from top to bottom. This will be a high horsepower event with two top divisions. You’ll get your racing fix.”

Jim Hanks of Must See Racing added, “We have been very fortunate to open the season in the deep south over the last several years, however, because of the current state of pavement sprint car racing in Florida and the opportunity to race in a different part of the country we decided to take advantage of the offer to compete at the first class Hickory Speedway in a great event with PASS. A two night event will attract race teams and give the fans plenty of wheel to wheel racing action. The event is closer to our home base, introduces the unparalleled speed of winged pavement sprint cars to new fans, plus, the track length and configuration at Hickory is perfect for the Northern MSR 410’s and the Southern 360’s to compete evenly and fairly without compromising the rule books or very importantly, the engines. We are really looking forward to starting the season at
this new and exciting area, track and event.”

The ‘Southern Showdown’ will pit the top Southern and Northern winged pavement sprint cars head-to-head. This event could prove to be one of the biggest pavement sprint cars events ever held in the South in recent seasons. In addition, the event is expected to draw the top pavement sprint cars drivers from across the nation.

The entire Must See Racing schedule is expected to be released in the coming days. More details on the proposed ‘Southern Showdown’ are expected to be announced as well by visiting www.mustseeracing.com.

Officials of the University of Northwestern Ohio and the United States Speed Association have announced that USSA and its two racing series, The Mel Kenyon Midget Series and the Sprint Car Challenge Series, will award one $2500 Scholarship per year to a student enrolling in the UNOH Automotive/High Performance, Associate of Applied Science Degree program in the UNOH College of Applied Sciences. The Scholarship will be awarded annually through the 2019 racing season.

In order for an individual to qualify for the scholarship he or she must participate in one of USSA’s racing series as a driver, mechanic, crew chief or car owner and be a junior or senior in high school. Any student interested in applying for the UNOH Scholarship may request an application form USSA.

“Education is the foundation for success in any field a person wants to pursue and that is especially true in modern motorsports,” commented Eric Bunn, USSA Vice President. “UNOH has a proven track record of sending their graduates on to careers in racing, and we are excited to be part of their successes.”

“UNOH is extremely proud to be involved with the United States Speed Association,” stated Steve Farmer, UNOH's VP of Corporate Development. “Don Kenyon and his brother Mel are two names synonymous with open-wheel racing in America and our affiliation with USSA helps solidify the commitment to our high performance program with this UNOH Scholarship that supports upcoming USSA motorsports team members and drivers to receive an education and fulfil their lifelong dreams of becoming motorsports professionals."

For further information or to request a UNOH Scholarship Application Form, contact Eric Bunn at ebunnussa@roadrunner.com.

* Transmitting Excellence: During a week-long jaunt to the UK for last month’s annual Autosport International Show, PRI’s Francisque Savinien and I paid a visit to one of the world’s foremost motorsports transmission and drivetrain technology developers, Xtrac. Established in 1984 and headquartered in Thatcham, England, the company just recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary. Through the years, Xtrac has produced more than 1000 different gearbox designs for scores of championship-winning vehicles. And today, some 40 percent of its racing business is in sports cars for names like Audi, Toyota, McLaren and others. But Xtrac also counts customers in Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, and various rally, off-road and touring car series. “We’re really focused on dominating the markets we’re currently involved in,” explained Cliff Hawkins, the company’s development director. In 2014 alone, its transmissions helped capture top podium finishes in Dakar Rally, Sebring 12 Hours, Le Mans 24 Hours (Overall, LMP1H, LMP1L and GTE A), World Rally Championship, and MSA British Touring Car Championship, among many others. Alongside a wildly successful track record, what also stood out was the fact that Xtrac is 100 percent owned by its employees and managers. Meantime, award-winning apprentice and undergraduate programs, which provide a steady flow of skilled machinists, engineers and associates, further bolster the company’s ranks. An inspiring operation, top to bottom, that by all appearances is growing stronger with age.

* Kingdom Of Motorsports: While covering the abovementioned Autosport Show I had the opportunity to chat with Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and—for my money—one of the truly bright young minds in motorsports today. After completing his collegiate studies in the US (National American University in Denver, Colorado), Shaikh Salman returned to Bahrain and took a position with the government’s Civil Service Bureau, followed by a run as marketing manager for the General Organization for Youth and Sports (GOYS). It was here that Shaikh Salman cultivated his passion for racing through a series of ascending posts related to the Kingdom’s burgeoning interest in motorsports. Finally, in 2010 he was named to lead the BIC, which hosts the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in addition to drag races, GT races, the Australian V8 Supercar series and other events. For one, I was interested to learn that drag racing represents the country’s most promising segment of grassroots competition—largely influenced by America, Shaikh Salman said. He went on to explain that a number of US-based technicians, including professional crew chiefs, travel regularly to Bahrain to conduct R&D and share knowledge with their overseas counterparts. “You need those with the expertise to come in and teach you,” he said. “It’s not just a matter of having the right equipment, it’s knowing how to use it, too.” As the discussion turned to marketing, Shaikh Salman cited several high-profile and fan-friendly events at the BIC, including those on the quarter-mile. “Whether you’re talking about match races, showdowns or other one-off types of things, if you simplify it—if you can literally say, ‘that’s cool,’ then I think it will probably work in drag racing. But every track and every country is different, so you really have to know the audience and what they will respond to.” Speaking to his nation’s position within the global motorsports landscape, Shaikh Salman was enthusiastic about both the present and future. He mentioned Bahrain’s free trade agreement with the US, noting that Bell Helmets had recently agreed to relocate its global manufacturing and R&D operations from China to the BIC’s grounds. At the same time, the Kingdom is working to develop industry professionals from within, as Shaikh Salman pointed to prospects from the adjacent University of Bahrain. “The natural link is to involve them in that, whether it’s for R&D or engineering or whatever,” he said. “In 15 years, I believe Bahrain will have the human capital that differentiates it from the rest of the region.”

The reveal of the new McLaren-Honda MP4-30—McLaren’s first Honda-powered car for 23 years—speaks volumes about the progressive nature of both companies. It is a thoroughly refined evolution of last year’s McLaren, it is the only chassis on the grid to be fitted with Honda’s RA615H Hybrid power unit, and it features an evolved color scheme that firmly contextualizes McLaren’s brand in the 21st century.
 
In 2015 McLaren-Honda intends to maintain the momentum it achieved during the second half of 2014, when an intensive technical development program for the MP4-29 allowed the team to establish a solid position within the chasing pack.
 
Relatively stable technical regulations between seasons have permitted engineers to evolve some of the newer philosophies explored on last year’s season-ending car while also adding some exciting new technical DNA into the mix.
 
Moreover, the restructured and strengthened engineering departments have gained the conviction to embark on a number of changes of direction. With that in mind, the MP4-30 has been developed to provide us with the most effective and practical base package. It is a foundation, offering up a number of new exploratory development paths for our engineers, aerodynamicists and drivers to pursue during the season, and on into next year.
 
The car has been aerodynamically developed over the winter, and the result is a pretty, elegant design with a refined nose-box solution, slimmed rear-end packaging—particularly around the gearbox—and the incorporation of an all-new power unit under its tightly contoured bodywork.
 
The team’s preparations for 2015 have drawn upon the considerable resources of ExxonMobil, who have been working with our new colleagues at Honda for two years on developing new technologies and formulations of Mobil 1 engine lubricants for the Honda V6 turbo. In turn, the team’s technology partner, SAP, provides its secure HANA Enterprise Cloud solution which underpins the entire McLaren Group, strengthening and simplifying the way the team runs its data management and modelling.
 
There are significant milestones to commemorate in 2015: this year marks McLaren’s 30th consecutive year of partnership with TAG Heuer, while both Johnnie Walker and Hilton Worldwide are celebrating 10 years with the team. Such long-standing relationships underline McLaren’s ability to support and enhance any blue-chip brand’s global marketing program.
 
Joining us for 2015 are international news broadcaster CNN and professional services company KPMG, which have both formed important strategic alliances with the McLaren Technology Group. McLaren-Honda is also pleased to welcome back the global coffee brand Segafredo Zanetti, which first partnered the team during the original McLaren-Honda era.

INDYCAR announced that vice president of Competition Brian Barnhart has been named race director and will lead the Verizon IndyCar Series' three-steward Race Control system for the 2015 season that starts March 8 with the Brasilia Indy 300 in the capital city of Brazil.

Barnhart was a key member of the INDYCAR Race Control system implemented in 2014 that stipulates all in-race penalties are decided by a two-thirds vote amongst the respective stewards officiating each event.

"We believe that based on his extensive experience in Race Control, combined with the three-steward system, Brian Barnhart is a good fit as INDYCAR race director," said Derrick Walker, INDYCAR president of Competition and Operations. "The process allows the race director to focus on running the race without the double-duty of reviewing multiple replays and simultaneously trying to make a call. In terms of determining penalties, our process defines that a majority vote amongst the three stewards is required, which ensures a jury-like process. Last year we found that this was a fair system when making difficult judgment calls."

Barnhart was a Race Control steward throughout the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season and was previously INDYCAR race director from 1997-2011.

"This is a position and a role that I've done for a number of years and I take a great deal of pride in being race director of the Verizon IndyCar Series," Barnhart said. "One of the things that excites me the most is the steward system we implemented last year. That was a great advancement in how we review and make discretionary decisions, and having that assistance in making calls is a big improvement to the way we officiate INDYCAR events."

As vice president of Competition, Barnhart oversees the Race Control staff, the sporting regulations of the rulebook, the Holmatro Safety Team and medical personnel, security and INDYCAR Timing and Scoring. He has been a part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR since 1994.

"The technological improvements we've made in Race Control have expanded the amount of information available to us," Barnhart said. "The additional cameras, the replay system and assistance from other stewards provide us with additional tools to do our job better. I'm excited about this opportunity and look forward to doing it again."

INDYCAR's Race Control system allows any of the three stewards to call for a review of on-track incidents. Upon review, the stewards will deliberate by using all available resources—which includes video replays, timing and scoring data and rulebook references—in rendering their decision. Following the review, each race steward votes for, or against, the issuance of a penalty and the majority vote then decides if a penalty is issued. Once that determination is made, the senior steward, as determined by Walker before each race, dictates the severity of each penalty.

MAVTV is expanding its household count and viewing base across the United States. In 2014, the network added a total of 58 new affiliates including; Armstrong, Google Fiber and Mid-Rivers Communications, plus 55 new National Cable Television Coop members. Already in 2015, MAVTV has added Northeast Rural Services and VOIPTV.
 
"Motorsports fans are requesting their local TV providers to add us to their programming line-up in ever greater numbers," said Bob Patison, President of MAVTV. "We deliver 'live' motorsports extravaganzas such as the world famous Chili Bowl, in-depth interview series such the Dave Despain Show, exclusive automotive reality series and a broad spectrum of race programming. No other cable network delivers that depth and variety of motorsports."  
 
With programming such as the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl, Drag Boat racing,  Oil Off Road racing, Late Model Dirt,  Modified, Oil Pro Motocross, the FIA World Rally Championship and Pirelli World Challenge, MAVTV has become 'the' destination for motorsports fans. MAVTV is currently available on Dish Network, DirecTV, FIOS, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Charter and many others.
 
Owned and operated by Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV is a television network with its roots deep in the automotive world. With an unparalleled line-up of motorsports shows, MAVTV is the answer for motor-heads from all walks of life.

The San Antonio Nationals originally scheduled for March 13–14, 2015, in San Antonio, Texas, has been postponed. Replacing that date on the 2015 Nitro Jam Schedule will be the return of the Mardi Gras Nationals at State Capitol Raceway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which will be held on the same March 13-14 weekend as San Antonio was originally scheduled for.

“Time was simply running out for a resolution that the track could reopen in time to host the San Antonio Nationals in March,” said IHRA President Scott Gardner. “Our parent company, IRG Sports + Entertainment, have been in negotiations to purchase the facility for the past six months and are still pursuing the purchase of this facility.  The only thing IRG was not able to confirm for us was a final timetable for the transaction, which is why we had to make this change in the schedule.  We are optimistic we will return to San Antonio this fall once the ownership and direction of the facility becomes clear.”

Professional classes at the Mardi Gras Nationals will include Amsoil Funny Car, Nitro Harley, U.S. Bounty Hunters Pro-Stock, Jet Dragster and exhibition runs of the Fire Force Jet Fire Truck. The sportsman program will be E.T. bracket classes.

“We made a decision not to include the Pro-Am classes at this event namely due to a lack of notice for the Division 4 Summit Pro-Am competitors” continued Peaco. “We have handled a lot of calls from Texas racers regarding the San Antonio date and I really didn’t want to throw a venue change at the Division 4 competitors this late in the planning process. I know with the uncertainty of San Antonio’s reopening date many racers may have made other plans for that weekend. We will open the Division 4 Summit Pro-Am season at Pine Valley March 27-29 as scheduled. When we return to San Antonio in the fall we will put the event back together and we can give all the competitors plenty of notice on the new national event date.”

State Capitol Raceway, located in southern Louisiana returns to the IHRA Nitro Jam schedule after a 2 year hiatus. The quarter-mile dragstrip features 660’ concrete launch pads, concrete barrier walls, Compulink timing, LED scoreboards and seating for 9,000 fans.

“I’m very thankful that Track Manager Gary Carter called us to offer up a replacement date at the facility. Track owners Lanny and Val Lewis are some of the best people in the IHRA family and they always have the welcome mat out for IHRA. I know the professional racers love the track as it provides a great opportunity to set records with an elevation of a mere 18 feet above sea level,” said IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco.

The IHRA 2015 Nitro Jam season will open February 6-7 at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Arizona.

For more information on the 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule and lineup, please visit www.IHRA.com for complete details.

Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart has agreed to terms with Guy Webb, owner of the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series, to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour.
 
The All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series is one of the oldest traveling sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing. The transaction between Webb and Stewart will proceed immediately.
 
“I’ve put my heart and soul into the All Star Circuit of Champions for many years, and it gives me great peace of mind to hand over the reins of this series to Tony Stewart,” Webb said. “Tony is dirt track racing’s biggest advocate, and he’s always working in the best interest of sprint car racing. His leadership will ensure the success of this series for many years to come.”
 
“My passion for sprint car racing is well known, and the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series has been a pillar of the sport for a long time,” Stewart said. “Racing is my business, and I look forward to building on the All Star Series’ already impressive legacy by taking it to a new level of success and sustainability.”
 
Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion whose portfolio of dirt-track racing businesses include Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio and Tony Stewart Racing, which fields entries for six-time and reigning World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz and 20-time World of Outlaws champion King of the Outlaws, Steve Kinser.
 
Augmenting the purchase of the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series are the terms Stewart reached separately with Rob Hunter and Shane Helms, principals of the Renegade Sprint Series. The agreement will bring drivers from both series’ together under the All Star Circuit of Champions banner in 2015.
 
The 2015 UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions schedule boasts 50 race dates and has been assembled through a collaborative effort between sanctioning bodies, existing speedways and promoters new to the series. Highlights include:
 
• A national point fund totaling more than $100,000.
 
• Season-opening events at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida, Feb. 5-7 and at Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida, Feb. 11-12.  The transition in ownership will see these events designated as non-point races.
 
• The first point race toward the national point fund will be March 28 at Atomic Speedway near Chillicothe, Ohio.
 
• Ohio Sprint Speedweek kicks off at Attica Raceway Park followed by traditional stops at Eldora Speedway, Waynesfield Raceway Park, Wayne County Speedway, Sharon Speedway, Atomic Speedway, Fremont Speedway, Limaland Motorsports Park and the $10,000-to-win finale at Fremont.
 
• Pennsylvania’s Williams Grove Speedway, Lincoln Speedway and Port Royal Speedway will again play host to the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series as part of several tours through the Keystone State.
 
• The season championship will conclude at the UNOH Sprintacular Oct. 10 at Eldora Speedway.
 
The full season schedule and new management team will be announced soon, and news updates will be posted as available on www.AllStarSprint.com.