auto racing series

Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez has reportedly signed to race with the USF1 team in 2010. The 26-year-old former GP2 driver, who has recently been racing in his country's touring car championship, must complete a $8 million sponsorship package but has signed documentation at the team's Charlotte base, the Corsa publication said. "The agreement with the American team is done," said Carlos Garcia Remohi, an official with the Argentine club.  

JAMIE Whincup's third V8 Supercar win in a row and first at the Barbagallo Raceway here has stretched his championship lead to 161 points over Will Davison as the series nears its climax. The TeamVodafone driver and defending champion made the most of softer sprint tyres around the 2.42-kilometre Wanneroo circuit yesterday, edging out Todd Kelly in second and Mark Winterbottom in third spot. Winterbottom dominated last year's three-race format at the circuit, but Whincup's 11th win this year has stren  

Jose Maria Lopez has revealed that he will race for US F1 next season if he can secure the rest of his sponsorship package. The Argentine driver visited US F1's Charlotte headquarters this week to conclude a conditional deal with team founders Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. In a statement on his personal website, Lopez indicated that he was close to finding the rest of the funding required to become the team's first confirmed driver.  

When I heard from an old racing pal that Michael Schumacher would be racing go-karts on the parking lot at the Rio this weekend, I told him I wasn't interested, because I was covering Tiger Woods' putt-putt match against Phil Mickelson. Then it was over to the Laughing Jackalope where U2 was playing a benefit for a school chum who had lost it all by hitting a hard 16. And after that, Pele said he'd give me a chance to get even on the foosball table.  

Documentation will get under way at the Whitesands Hotel north of Mombasa this week and continue until Saturday, November 21st with scrutineering commencing on Friday, November 20th and finishing at midday on the Saturday. That evening, there will be a welcome party for all the crews and officials while the ceremonial start is scheduled for the Sunday afternoon at 13:00 . An innovation this year is that a short twenty kilometre competitive section will follow the ceremonial start.  

The chances for an Indian to get behind the wheel of a Force India F1 car are fast receding. The Vijay Mallya-owned team may not have a driver from India on board for the third year in succession. Vitantonio Liuzzi of Italy has reportedly secured his contract for the 2010 season while the talented Adrian Sutil may move away if his final round of negotiations fail with the Silverstone-based team.

Mallya has sent out positive signals about the 2010 season. I hope to drive for Force India at the rookie test in Jerez to show what I can do in a Formula 1 car. I have spoken to Mallya about the test but nothing is confirmed yet.   -Neel Jani

 

BMW's Augusto Farfus, who grabbed third place on the grid. Italy's Tarquini and Frenchman Muller were rushed to hospital for assessments after a series of misfortunes in a drama-filled second qualifying session. First reports said both were safe and had suffered no serious injuries.  

Seven-time Formula One racing champion Michael Schumacher at the 13th Superkarts USA SuperNationals at The Rio. Photo: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the king of Formula 1 racing, is competing at the 13th Superkarts USA SuperNationals at The Rio through Sunday, culminating in six hours of races on the final day.

I am not sure if you realize how special these photographs are. Hardly any photographers ever are granted the access I had today   -Tom Donoghue

 

Williams F1 has sold a minority shareholding to an Austrian group led by investor Christian "Toto" Wolff. The Williams team has been owned 70/30 by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head since it was started in 1977. They have resisted overtures from potential partners, including BMW.  

Former Ferrari F1 driver Nicola Larini has announced he will be retiring from the World Touring Car Championship series following the completion of the final round of the season this weekend in Macau. He got his only podium at the fateful 1994 San Marino Grand Prix where F1 lost Roland Ratzenberger and the great Ayrton Senna. Outside of F1 he also drove in DTM and ETCC.