Räikkönen: NASCAR schedule prevented full-time switch

Kimi Räikkönen has revealed that despite being offered a multi-million dollar deal last year to make a full-time switch to NASCAR racing, he turned it down due to the intensity of a full NASCAR schedule and his reluctance to move to the US to pursue it.

Räikkönen drove two races in NASCAR’s national series last year, where his first race was in NASCAR’s third-tier Camping World Truck Series in a car prepared by Kyle Busch Motorsports. After one Truck race, Raikkonen stepped up a level to compete in a Nationwide Series race with a car prepared by Joe Nemechek. He finished 15th in the Trucks race and 27th at the Nationwide race. It is understood that Räikkönen was keen to try out the top level Sprint Cup Series but decided to return to Europe before he could take part in a Sprint Cup race.

A full Nationwide Series schedule this year consists of 33 races while a full Sprint Cup Series schedule this year consists of 39 races. The Finn was not prepared to move to the US to make a full-time switch to NASCAR, saying in an interview with Autosport: “I had a really good time there. But the biggest thing is that if you want to do it all the time, you have to move to the US. If there were less races, and you could stay in Europe, then I would probably have done it.”

“It’s a completely different way of doing things. The teams are very professional and I enjoyed it. It was something that probably in the future would be nice to do again,” said Raikkonen, leaving the door open for more NASCAR races in the future. The 2007 Formula 1 world champion has also said that he would like to do more rallies in the future, although it remains to be seen whether Lotus will allow him to.

Räikkönen also had many positive things to say regarding his stint of racing around ovals.

“The racing was nice. You don’t really think about the fact that you are just doing ovals because you have so many cars to race against. It looks very simple to drive around and be fast, but it’s the same as in F1; it’s the small details that make a difference. It’s so close time-wise that with one tenth [slower] you are 20 places back, so it’s still hard to be at the front.”

Source: F1Zone

Why would Kimi want to come back?

Kimi Räikkönen could still earn more in F1 than anywhere else. IS brings up 5 reasons why Räikkönen could be interested in a comeback.

1. MONEY

Räikkönen is a wealthy man. He wants to drive but he doesn't want to fund his own driving anymore. Yet that is the situation he has got himself into.

Räikkönen has had to pay largely from his own wallet for this year's WRC-rallies. Red Bull's sponsor support has decreased significantly. If he would drive for Williams then he could still get at least 5-10 million euros salary incomes per year. Williams probably tries to make a deal with Räikkönen where the bonus for points is big.

2. MOTIVATION

Many wonder why Räikkönen would want to return to F1 with a car that most likely can't fight for podium positions. Yet he has during the last couple of years got used to the idea that he can enjoy driving although he isn't driving for victory.

Räikkönen could start next season with Williams-Renault without big expectations and take his time to get used to the new tyres, the DRS and other tehcnical novelties. Williams could be a brilliant stepping stone to get into some top team in season 2013.

Mark Webber for example will most likely leave a vacant seat after next season.

3. TEAM

Williams is no longer a top team but it has great traditions and is one of the most successful teams in F1 of all times. The team is strenghtened by McLaren's former head designer Mike Coughlan who is a familiar man to Räikkönen. Of all midteams Williams surely is much more attractive than Force India for example. In addition to that, Williams is aiming for a wide co-operation with Jaguar. According to rumours Williams and Jaguar is about to start a LeMans -project during the next few years and that would surely also interest Räikkönen.

4. AGE

Räikkönen will be 32 years old in three weeks. Michael Schumacher came back to F1 although he is over 10 years older than Räikkönen is.

If Räikkönen wants he still has many racing seasons left, hence why wouldn't he do what he loves and what he knows best? Still a comeback to F1 is harder the more you have been away from it. After being away for two years a successful comeback is still possible.

5. OTHER GENRES

Räikkönen has now seen what WRC is like. When he left Ferrari he still had a dream of winning the title in WRC also, but not anymore. It would require a lot more training and harder work to get to the top in WRC and it might still not succeed.

Räikkönen has also become familiar with Nascar-circles in two races and he has tested Peugeot's Le Mans -car. He would surely be able to squeeze in a clause to the Williams-contract which would ensure that he could still continue rallying as a hobby.

By Janne Aittoniemi

Source: IS (paper edition)
Courtesy: Nicole

Tomi Tuominen's blog : Rally or track?

The following is based upon completely playful guessing. I don't believe that any person in the world can predict what Kimi Räikkönen will do, since Kimi himself can't predict it either. Räikkönen is a track racer who enjoys life and weaves interesting activity around him based upon his chances. That's what everyone of us would do.

Räikkönen has now his 2nd year in WRC. This year he has less races than in 2010. Other than that his helmet has also been put on American oval tracks and in Peugeot factory team's track tests. I think that the latter of these will bring Räikkönen a job - of course if he wants it himself too. If Räikkönen would go to Peugeot's payroll, then it would remind of incidents that took place 20 years ago. Keke Rosberg was successful with that time's endurance vehicle from Peugeot after his F1-career. That's when our interest for track racing's endurance-races grew remarkably.

Räikkönen has been determined, competitive and a driver who wants to win ever since he sat in his karting car for the first time. The last two years he has been forced to drive in a serie where victory is only a future goal, perhaps only a dream. In LeMans -serie Räikkönen would once again have a chance to fight for victories - there's nothing unclear about that. And when you add Nascar to this it would probably take a couple of years before success would start to become ordinary. In Peugeot's car he wouldn't have to wait even a day for festive success.

The reason why I started guessing in the first place is that I get strangely often questions: "Will Kimi continue in rally, when will he win, will he go to the States, will he go back to F1...?" I can't give any sure answer to these questions but I can guess and of course speculate. That is the traditional frisky hobby in motorsport.

I give my best guesses to two options. Rally and LeMans. If Peugeot offers Räikkönen a deal, then I think that he grabs it. Why wouldn't he? But it doesn't have to mean that he couldn't continue rallying - especially when we are talking about the vehicle of the same concern. This would surely be a hilarious combination. LeMans -serie would give him a chance to drive for victories and be a part of a perfect factory team. Rally again could be his hobby which offers him challenge and where each better position would be a perfect bonus.

A small quiz to the end. How many Finns have been behind Peugeot factory-car's steering wheel during the years? Taking all genres into consideration. Not an easy task.

Source: Blog MTV3
Courtesy: Nicole

Free Mr. Räikkönen is open to all offers

Kimi Räikkönen is known for not living in the past - still the 31-year old racer hasn't yet grabbed his future either.

At the eve of Germany rally Räikkönen managed to walk around every pitfall when interviewed by Turun Sanomat.

Räikkönen says he is satisfied with his development during the second year in WRC. He has five rallies behind him and five positions on WC-points.

– It has been a little more easier than it was before. We have lost a few positions when we had the tyre puncture in Jordan and crashed into a fence in Jyväskylä. The best is that we have progressed in time from last year, Räikkönen estimates.

How will the development proceed if Räikkönen drives WRC-rallies for the third season?

– Time will tell, he says.

Then how open is Räikkönen's next year?

– There are no plans.

Then is there something that you at least have ruled out of your options?

– Useless to ask, Räikkönen grins.

You aren't planning on stopping your driving career, are you?

– I don't know. It's useless for you to ask. Even though you would ask me in a hundred different ways, the reply won't change. When you don't know it yourself, then there aren't many others who know either, Räikkönen insists.

Then what would you still want to do - Le Mans 24 hours or perhaps the Dakar-rally?

– It could be really cool to drive Le Mans. But if you are going to drive it, then you also have to drive a few races as a test and the schedules can become tricky. If I would go for example with Peugeot to Le Mans, then I would have to drive at least three test races.

– I haven't even thought of something like Dakar. It could also be a cool experience but I don't have any urge to go there. I'm sure it would be very different, although I don't know since I haven't been there.

Lets go back to rally.

A year ago in Germany Räikkönen achieved his first rally merit when being the fastest on the last SS. This year that same 4,37 kilometer long Trier's Circus Maximus SS will give power stage points to the three fastest.

Räikkönen has been driving with his own Citroen DN3 WRC -car only a day on tarmac when testing. He doesn't start specifying his expectations.

– There could have been a little more testing. Now we more or less try out things here. We'll see soon how the rally takes off. There is a small bit of real tarmac too, although the surfaces are mostly somekind of beton.

A track driver's experience doesn't help in tarmac rallies.

– There is nothing similar in them. The normal roads are never like a real track, the car is jumping and flying here and there.

It's easy to determine that Räikkönen would take a F1-challenge if he would be given the right offer.

How much do you follow F1-races?

– Everytime when I'm at home.

What do you think about the multiplied overtakings in GP-races?

– Apparently it's easier in some races than in others. It depends upon how they decide about where the back wing can be opened. But it has nothing to do with the actual overtakings anymore. All you have to do is move beside and press a button and the one in front of you can't do a thing.

– I guess they have been trying to take it into the right direction. Maybe it looks more cooler in television but it's not any real racing.

– The tyre department again is a completely different thing. Those races where the tyre consumption have been decisive, they have been the best competitions, Räikkönen thinks.

Doesn't it tingle at all to get there and start overtaking?

– It doesn't change my attitude at all if they overtake there or not. It is always cool when you get to race. That's all it takes.

Räikkönen is not surprised that Sebastian Vettel's superiority has evened out a bit during the season.

– Often the situation always evens out every year if someone has been clearly leading in the beginning. And Vettel probably doesn't even have to win races in order to stay in the lead up until the end.

– That was the best in those Nascar-races. To just drive alone in a circle was boring but especially in the truck-race the feeling was great. It's great to race when you have cars all around you. It's racing all the time. The Nationwide-car didn't turn anywhere. That's why it wasn't as cool as the truck-race was.

Are we going to see Räikkönen in Nascar-races in the future?

– I don't know. Let's see. I could go there if I wanted to but like I said I haven't thought about next year at all.

Räikkönen was expected to go to the States again last weekend for the Watkins Glen's Nascar-race. Actually they tried to lure the him there very much after one Sprint Cup -driver was injured and his car was offered to Räikkönen.

– I just didn't want to go there. Besides the race was postponed by a day and I wouldn't have got here in Germany for recce then, Räikkönen said.

Turun Sanomat, Trier

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi is offered both Nascar-races and cars

Todd Hirschfeld, who takes care of Kimi Räikkönen's matters in Nascar-circles was for the first time in a rally.

Several Sprint Cup -cars and budget for Räikkönen in Nascar races could be arranged, for example to Watkins Glen's race in the middle of August. Kimi alone decides what he will do.

Next week Räikkönen will test his Citroën for two days before the next WRC-rally in Germany. It looks like he wouldn't have Nascar-races planned in the near future.

– I don't know, lets see, Räikkönen replied to questions about Nascar-races.

Turun Sanomat, Jyväskylä

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Ten Questions to Kimi Räikkönen

Kimi Räikkönen, known as 'The Iceman', is famous for giving very little away when it comes to interviews. But in the searing heat of Greece we managed to make him melt. A little, at least...

What is your favourite rally?
“There are still some rallies that I haven’t tried yet, so I don’t know. But it’s always nice to go home to Finland, so I’m looking forward to that rally.”

What was your favourite Formula One race?
“I like Spa as it’s a great track but my personal favourite race was Brazil 2007 when I won the championship. It was a crazy race and I just had to go flat-out.”

How tricky was it coming back into the rally car after missing two events?
“That wasn’t so easy because I still don’t have a lot of experience and the last car I drove was a NASCAR truck, which was quite different!”

How’s the NASCAR going?
“It’s good fun actually. It’s another completely different style of driving, but it went quite well and I’m going to do some more later on this year.”

Is rallying still your main priority?
“Yes, rallying is still definitely the main focus. I’m enjoying myself and I think I’m making progress: now we do most of the rest of the season.”

What have you learned most this year?
“That you need experience in rallying to do well and there is no short cut. And also that you need your pace notes to be exactly right. It’s a bit like Formula One: it’s always the last little bit that makes the difference but that last little bit is always the hardest one to find.”

What do you do to relax at weekends?
“Just relax with friends and go on my boat. The boat is perfect as nobody can bother you.”

Who were your heroes in racing and rallying?
“I don’t really have heroes. But looking back in the past, I always liked the character of James Hunt in Formula One and in rallying Tommi Makinen is a really good guy.”

What are the most important things that you pack to go on a rally?
“My computer and my mobile phone so that I can stay in touch with people and watch some videos.”

What’s your favourite vegetable?
“Potatoes. But I eat most things.”

Source: WRC

Robby Gordon: Räikkönen will drive Sprint Cup!

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon confirmed recently to ESPN that Kimi Räikkönen trashed his number one car during a testing period on May. Gordon was supposed to drive it next weekend at Infineon Raceway, in Sonoma.

Should Räikkönen not have wrecked the car, it would have been likely that he would have raced in the Sonoma Sprint Cup GP himself.

Gordon also said that the car Räikkönen wrecked has been at the shop the last few weeks.

Räikkönen still wants to race in NASCAR, and Gordon presumes that this will happen at Watkins Glen on August 13, at the very latest.

Source: RacingNewsFlash
Courtesy: luieluv

This is how Lewis Hamilton replied to MTV3-readers questions

Readers from MTV3 were offered a chance to send questions to McLaren's F1-driver Lewis Hamilton and the British team's technical department in May

Hamilton replied to two questions from the readers and McLaren's technical manager Indy Lall also replied to two questions.

Do you ever get bored in a F1-car? I don't mean races, I mean for example the 2nd practice session when you test some small changes in setups by driving on a long straight. Have you ever secretly yawned for example at that time?

Lewis Hamilton:
I don't think that one can ever get bored when driving these cars because driving them is so much fun. I have drove tests on long straights, which starts to repeat itself very much but that isn't still boring at all, because we are talking about driving a F1-car (nevermind if it's on a repetitive track). You don't fall asleep behind the wheel but the day can get long. It's never boring to drive during GP-weekends.

Which similarities and on the other hand differences are there between F1- cars and NASCAR-cars?

Lewis Hamilton:
I think that it could be a little more easier to overtake with a NASCAR-car. It's really difficult with a F1-car and they always change the regulations to make overtaking easier, but when you are driving it is really difficult to get near another car so you can overtake. In NASCAR again it's a bit easier for the drivers to get closer to each other and get a chance to overtake. I think it would suit me too, I would probably enjoy it very much! I believe that there is a certain way by which you have to drive a F1-car so you can get out all possible grip from the downforce. When driving with a regular car again you look more for the mechanical grip. It was really much fun to drive again with a real transmission and a car that had a clutch. The car had immense powers and also quite good brakes. They belittled it to me by saying "you probably won't like this as much as...", but I was all smiles the whole time.

(Hamilton recently tried out a NASCAR-car in a car-show in US)

Do you think aerodynamics has a too significant role in F1 (compared to NASCAR's approach), although it does enable a superior performance ability?

Indy Lall:
Well, in F1-regulations they allow taking advantage of aerodynamics and you have to operate within those rules. All teams use it and as a matter of fact the smart designers and engineers create revolutionary changes. In NASCAR it's much more restricted. NASCAR is actually an equal playfield for all teams and there is a difference of less than half a second between the pole and the last grid. In F1 the difference is naturally much bigger. This bigger difference is the result of how the best teams can squeeze out everything possible from the regulations.

What kind of technical changes will be needed in F1-cars for season 2013 if the four-cylinder turbo engines will become true?

Indy Lall:
Changing into a smaller engine will immediately affect the car's weight, and I believe the changes will depend upon what the engine's fuel consumption will be. If the engine consumes a lot, naturally there has to be more fuel in the car. It's quite a challenge to fit in a smaller engine so that the solution offers the engineers new possibilities to develop the car aerodynamic. That's why I believe that the most revolutionary changes will take place in aerodynamics and reliability, which again is achieved due to new parts, like the engine.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: Nicole

Red Bull will quit from NASCAR, what happens to Kimi?

The Associated Press tells that Red Bull will quit from the NASCAR series after 2011. Red Bull is owner of NASCAR team, where rumours were taking Kimi Räikkönen for season 2012.

Red Bull is owner and sponsor of the NASCAR team wich has two cars. The team hasn't been so successful, wich is the main reason why Red Bull will quit from NASCAR. In future Red Bull will use more resources to their Formula One teams Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Earlier, there were rumours wich were taking Räikkönen to drive on Red Bull's NASCAR team at 2012.

There are no information about does Red Bull's decision affect on Kimi's future at NASCAR. Red Bull didn't confirm yet will they fully quit their activity on NASCAR also with sponsoring.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

Räikkönen tells about NASCAR plans

Kimi Räikkönen returned to WRC in Greece, finishing seventh in the classic Acropolis rally. On May the Finn made a short foray to North America and NASCAR, where he raced at Charlotte in the Trucks and the prestigeous Nationwide series' GPs. Regarding NASCAR, Räikkönen's option are still open.

- No decision has been made, nor do I know when to make the decision, Räikkönen commented to Sport Content.

On July Räikkönen will be testing his Citroën WRC car in Finland and prior
to that, will take some time off.

Asked what he'll be doing for holidays, Räikkönen was as taciturn as ever.

- Nothing.

His co-driver Kai Lindström said Räikkönen enjoyed the Acropolis rally.

- Sunday was OK. There were a few demanding stages, but we weren't in a hurry since we just tried to secure our position. Power Stage was fun. Even on Saturday driving in the dark was OK, though the dust was a problem, commented Lindström.

- Fortunately we get to Jyväskylä -Rally Finland next. A short break and then
a little testing, he continued.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

Kimi Räikkönen’s NASCAR Trucks debut up close

Jamey Price was at Charlotte Superspeedway last month to watch Räikkönen’s first race in a NASCAR Truck

I have long been a Kimi Räikkönen fan. It’s no secret that the Iceman is notoriously self absorbed, quiet and rarely cracks a smile in anyone’s direction.

Much to my surprise, that Kimi Raikkonen that we all know from his Formula One years seems to have been pushed aside and in his place seems a genuinely humble, smiling and even an engaging character.

I was contracted to cover Räikkönen’s first attempt at NASCAR Truck racing at Charlotte Motorspeedway on May 20th as a photographer.

It was a first for me as well in that despite being born and raised in Charlotte North Carolina, I had never covered a NASCAR race at any level. I’ve been to a few, but never been paid to cover one with credentials.

My job was to cover Räikkönen’s every waking move from morning until night which made my job easier in that my eyes needed to be focused on only one man instead of covering the race as a whole.

Perky Jerky

After setting up in the media room and getting all the camera gear dialled-in and lenses all cleaned up, I walked toward the garage area where his crew were feverishly cleaning his car before the first practice session.

Räikkönen arrived in the garage after attending the rookie driver meeting and set about preparing himself to get in the car. They cranked up the engine and off he went to run his first laps of practice. It was immediately clear that he was off the pace and reports from the garage were that the car was ‘loose’ – oversteering.

I was standing on pit road shooting looking toward the start/finish line and lap after lap I noticed that cars he had been running with the previous time around were pulling away from him.

He came back to the garage spoke with the crew chief and made some changes to the car and went back out. You could tell he was frustrated with how the car was handling. He finished the first session 30th of 38 drivers with a time of 31.265s.

Second practice was not much better for the world champion. I had relocated to shoot from the outside wall at the exit of turn four where the cars come straight at you at around 300kph (almost 190mph).

Having never photographed NASCAR before, I can tell you it was quite exhilarating sitting inches away from the wall as the trucks roared past. I made some nice images of Kimi pushing the car around the turn and onto the front straight but there was little he could do to make an impression in the time sheets. He finished 30th again with a best time of 31.471s.

30th again

As the drivers readied for qualifying later in the day, I took advantage of the Sprint Cup practice to find some new vantage points to shoot Räikkönen’s qualifying run. I liked the angle from the bottom of turn four shooting up the track.

Not having a radio scanner or any way of knowing where Räikkönen would be in the randomly drawn qualifying order, I was more or less forced to shoot every truck as they qualified waiting to see the black and orange #15 Perky Jerky car that Räikkönen was driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

When he finally appeared, I snapped as many as I could and tried to capture as many different angles and styles as one can shoot with two laps and one lens. Räikkönen’s magic number for the day seemed to be 30th, since again he landed towards the back of the field posting the slowest lap time of his day.

I took advantage of the down-time between qualifying and the race to send some of the images off while waiting for the pre-race activities to begin. Raikkonen and the other truck drivers were introduced in front of the crowd about an hour before the race began.

While wandering around looking for interesting things to shoot, I happened to glance up and see Räikkönen having a light hearted pre-race chat with former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jnr.

The two seemed to be engaged and genuinely happy to see each other. Who knows what they were talking about but it was a short-lived conversation because it was time to introduce the world champion to the crowd.

Raikkonen’s name was called and he walked onto the stage with shades and Red Bull cap on his head, gave a quick wave and walked back toward the car which was sitting on pit road with his crew.

“Who’s that?” “Some Formula 1 champion…”

I am quite certain that NASCAR Truck racing has never had so much media attention. I remember very distinctly standing in the scrum with all the other media trying to get some interesting photos of Räikkönen before the race when I heard another truck driver walk by with a woman beside him.

She asked “what the heck is going on here?” The driver replied “It’s some Formula 1 world champion who’s trying NASCAR out for fun.”

I’m sure Räikkönen is used to the media, but many of the truck drivers live in relative obscurity and apart from their small contingent of fans, would never have a gaggle of photographers, TV crews and journalists all pushing and shoving to capture them before a race. This was a new experience for all involved.

Since I had a spot picked out on the start finish stretch about 300 yards down from the finish line, I had to leave the pit activities early and head toward my spot before they closed the track down and made it harder to get around.

Shooting wide open at f2.8 on a 300mm lens on a Nikon D3s, I shot the start of the race. Räikkönen got shuffled to the back early on. He was clearly uncomfortable with running in such a tight pack but as anyone who saw the race can attest, he quickly picked up his game.

I think I can speak for Räikkönen when I say we will both remember the race not for the racing itself, but for the number of cautions. It was absurd. There seemed to be a new incident every five minutes. It made for very frustrating work and very dull racing.

After shooting the first 50 laps, I walked back toward the pit lane to try and get one of the pit stops. After missing his first stop due to a miscommunication, I wasn’t sure how many chances I would get but I did manage to get one of his stops.

The rest of the race, I photographed his push through the field from the pit wall near his crew. He had definitely picked up the groove and was able to push a bit harder and actually look a bit like a racing driver again. I saw him pull some daring manoeuvres and was genuinely pleased that he finished the race a solid 15th.

Though his practice pace had been slow, he had been able to make the most of his racing ability and had certainly made an impression on the NASCAR community. It appears he will be running in the NASCAR Nationwide race this coming Friday and recently tested a Sprint Cup car in Virginia. Perhaps Räikkönen really is thinking of a permanent move to stock car racing. In any event, I was pleased his race ended well and that he appeared to enjoy the experience. I know I did.

Thanks to Sutton Images, Charlotte Motorspeedway and the photographers on site who made it a very enjoyable day in welcoming myself and Räikkönen to the NASCAR community with open arms.

Source: F1Fanatic

Deal falls through for Kimi Räikkönen to drive for Robby Gordon at Infineon Raceway

Robby Gordon won’t have open-wheel star Kimi Räikkönen driving one of his cars next week at Infineon Raceway, just another twist in what has been a strange season for his race team.

Gordon will race this weekend at Michigan and again next week at Infineon but might not be back behind the wheel of his own Sprint Cup car until the Brickyard 400 in late July.

The driver/owner had hoped to field two cars at the road course at Infineon – one for him and another for Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula One champion. Raikkonen wrecked Gordon’s main road-course car at a test last month.

Gordon just finished getting that car repaired and he and Räikkönen couldn’t work out a deal for the Finnish driver to make his Cup debut for Robby Gordon Motorsports.

Räikkönen had driven in truck and Nationwide races for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Charlotte and left the door open to come back to America to compete at Infineon. Todd Hirschfield of the agency HMS Worldwide, which has brokered Räikkönen’s NASCAR deals, said Raikkonen has no plans to race next week at Infineon.

“I wish, but no,” Gordon said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. “Kimi is a hell of a race-car driver. I am a fan of his at the same time. … He’s talented. These cars are just a lot different than a Formula One car.”

Gordon tested a road-course car in the last couple of weeks while the car Räikkönen wrecked was rebuilt.

“That was my primary car that finished second last year at Infineon,” Gordon said. “That crash was a big deal for us. It will be done by the weekend. It’s a good car. It’s back to what it was.”

Gordon, who has had to start and park his car at times this year due to lack of sponsorship, will attempt to run the entire race at Michigan and Infineon. His next race likely will be Indianapolis in late July. He also has planned to run the Nationwide race at Montreal in August.

He said he might run two cars in some weeks for additional testing.

Gordon is now buying engines and using his own shop to rebuild and maintain them. He was leasing engines from Penske Motorsports.

“I have no beefs at all with Penske, it’s just a fact of cash,” Gordon said. “It’s a big difference.”

Gordon has driven in only one of the last four races while he has put Scott Wimmer and Johnny Sauter in his car for races where the team has not run the full events.

By putting someone else in the car when he doesn’t have enough funding, Gordon can work on selling his Speed energy drink. The sales of the drink are funding his team. He has a partnership with Walgreens this weekend for product placement, which will allow him to race.

“My sponsorship is different than everybody else,” Gordon said. “It’s all about those relationships and partners with good retailers, and obviously brand awareness.

If I don’t have product in those marketplaces, then I don’t need to build brand awareness in those marketplaces. … I’d love to race more.”

Gordon said sales are going well and the company will soon be able to compete with other energy drinks.

“We’re selling product,” Gordon said. “We have 1,000 more stores this month than last month. … I am in GNC, the only energy drink in GNC because I’m a vitamin energy drink.”

Source: SceneDaily.com
Courtesy: _TaniaS_

Räikkönen commits to WRC

By Anthony Peacock

Despite a troubled start to the Acropolis Rally, which included a handling problem and a puncture, former Grand Prix World Champion Kimi Räikkönen is convinced that he is making solid progress in the sport – and his immediate future is committed to the World Rally Championship. As well as driving in the World Rally Championship, Raikkonen is trying out selected NASCAR outings this year.

But the Finn insists that the World Rally Championship remains his priority, and he is looking forward to the full programme that he is set to tackle between now and the end of the year. “I still enjoy rally a lot; this is what I am focussing on,” he said. “Of course it’s not so easy when you have difficult days but you have to expect this sometimes. If it was easy, it would not be the same challenge.” Räikkönen is currently 10th on the Acropolis Rally: less than 10 seconds behind Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala, who encountered a front differential problem on the final stage of the day.

Thanks to the rotation rules, Acropolis is one of the many events that Räikkönen has not yet tackled. Next the 2007 F1 Champion will compete on his native Rally Finland, following the WRC’s summer break. “Finland should be good for us,” he said. “It will be nice for us to get back to a rally we know a bit.”

Source: MaxRally
Courtesy: luieluv

Special interview with Kimi Räikkönen

Kimi Räikkönen returned to the wheel of WRC car at Greece, when the rally started at Friday. Earlier, Kimi had time to give interview for RacingNewsFlash.com

Kimi admits that visit at Nascar-series refreshed because after long time the F1 world champion was able to fight against others on the track. Räikkönen didn't know yet how his career at Nascar will continue. Next race after rally Greece will be rally Finland at the end of July.

Visiting at Nascar-series is now behind. How did it feel to be back in to the rally car?

- Pretty normal. We already had some test at France. Nothing special. There didn't happen anything special on the test. I was only doing some driving and getting used to drive rally again. We did only a bit of set-up there but nothing special as I said. Normal test.

What are you expecting about the rally of this weekend, Greece?

- This is again a one new rally for me. We just try to drive the stages well and as fast as we can. It will not be as easy than in earlier rallies, because I don't know anything about the stages.

How are things after Greece, will you go back to Nascar?

- I am not sure yet. Maybe I will do something yet but I haven't made any decisions yet. Finnish rally will be the next event for me.

How did Nascar feel?

- It was very different. I was not expecting for anything special because I didn't know what kind of it will be. It was nice to race with people on track after couple years. It was funny and very different than rally. There was very easy-going and it was everything about a show. So, it was funny and very good experience.

Is Nascar something wich you would like to do more?

- Most amazing on it was that you can fight against other drivers. There are so many cars on the track. On WRC, you drive against the clock, so it was nice to drive and fight against others on track. It was cool and the system is very different compared to rally. Let's see.

Now there are two races behind Nascarm at Camping World Truck and Nationwide. Will you also try the highest stage, Sprint Car Cup?

- I don't know, let's see what will happen there. It's about many things. But it would be nice to try Sprint Car Cup too.

In Helsinki there will be rally show by Citroën. What do you think, there will be lots of people out of there for sure?

- There was a similar show at Portugal last year. For the crew specially it was fun. I don't know what kind of road there will be at Helsinki.But for sure it will be great. I heard about this only some time ago. I don't know yet how long will it be.

Source: RacingnNewsFlash.com
Courtesy: luieluv

Lewis Hamilton swaps seats with Tony Stewart

Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR driver Tony Stewart tried driving each others' cars at former F1 venue of Watkins Glen in New York on Tuesday











Source: Formula1Arab

USA's elite motorsport cherishes traditions and makes money

Turun Sanomat made a pioneer trip to Nascar-races during Charlotte All Star -weekend. There we also saw Kimi Räikkönen for the first time in Camping World Truck -class.

The reporter and photographer arrived early on Friday morning in order to avoid traffic. The castle-like Motor Speedway -complex is a mighty entity surrounded by camping-areas. Yet the traffic was almost non-existing in the morning and the audiences were all empty although the practice sessions were about to begin.

Where is the audience when you expect over 100.000 spectators for the weekend?

– It's Friday, people are still at work. The race is in the evening, that's when the local people's freetime begins and the audiences are filled. Don’t worry, ESPN -channel's longtime motorsport reporter Lewis Franck told the Finns.

Each oval is different

We got to experience what it's like to drive on this 1,5 mile oval first hand when we got a ride with the pace car. It really has nothing to do with an European track race. On top of that each oval is different although they look similar. Their lenghts wary from half a mile to 2,5 mile.

Charlotte track's inclinations are 24 degrees in the corners and 5 degrees on the straight.

– The track has only one ideal driving line which is faster than the others. Since everybody can't take it they have to take the 2nd fastest line and those behind again the next best driving line. It takes time to learn how to manage on an oval when several cars go flatout side by side, the pace car driver explained to us.

Then the practice begins. There are more people than usual in the media center and every interesting driver is interviewed by the media one by one. The atmosphere is very open all the time like when old buddies meet each other. Even Räikkönen who trembled in practice talks on and on and he is remarkably laidback.

After Jim Clark, Mario Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve, Räikkönen brings breath of fresh air from F1-champion -level. It is revealed that he isn't even the serie's first Iceman.

When Räikkönen started karting as a little boy, a driver called Terry Labonte who had an exceptionally cool attitude was driving on Nascar-tracks, he was the one and only Nascar-Iceman.

The evening comes. Drivers are presented to the audience one by one on an estrade built in front of the main stand. A male choir sings USA's anthem, which the locals listen to holding their right hand on their heart.

Easy to supervise easy rules

Nascar is a package that functions well. There has been no need to change rules every year like in F1.

– The more simple rules, the easier it is to supervise them. That's why the rules haven't much been changed since the beginning. And because the pits and cars are so out in the open everyone sees immediately if the neighbor is trying to cheat in some way, reporter colleague Franck emphasizes.

When a Finnish world champion competes somewhere around the world, you usually see automatically supporters waving Finland's flag.

In Nascar you had to search and search in order to find Finland's flag. There were two of them. The duo from Hyvinkää carried their flag on the track-area and the other one was in the stand.

Columbian reporter Diego Mejia reminds that you don't really see Columbia's flags either.

– When Juan Pablo Montoya drove in the Indy-serie hundreds of Columbian fans with flags travelled to the spot. When Juan drove in F1 you could see Columbia's flags all over the world. Then when he came to Nascar in 2006 you didn't see the flags anymore. They have started to come back slowly, Meija tells.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Where will Kimi Räikkönen race next?

Kyle Busch dispelled the notion that a lack of funding played a role in Kimi Räikkönen's brief stint with the NASCAR star's racing team, but Busch couldn't clarify the former Formula One champion's future in NASCAR or with Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Busch said Friday before practice at Kansas Speedway, site of Sunday's Sprint Cup race, that money wasn't an issue with the Finn, who signed a deal with Kyle Busch Motorsports in April to run three to five Trucks Series races.

Räikkönen ran one Trucks races, then decided to run the Nationwide event last week in Charlotte, finishing four laps down in 27th.

"They paid for the Truck races, but then he said, 'OK, let's do a Nationwide race.' So, we took those funds from the end of the year and put them to that Nationwide race. So, they are paid in full for the races they've run," Busch said.

Busch said he hasn't discussed future NASCAR plans with Räikkönen, though he's open to talking with him about running more Trucks or Nationwide races, mentioning venues such as Atlanta, Martinsville and Homestead.

"I like Kimi. I liked working with him and talking with him and developing a little bit of a relationship there," Busch said. "I feel like he had a good time while here and working with us."

Räikkönen spent nine years in Formula One, driving for Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari. He had 18 wins and won the 2007 championship, and his decision to give NASCAR a go created buzz around the circuit.

He is currently racing for the World Rally Car Championship with his own team, ICE 1 Racing, but is not scheduled to compete in that series again until later this month in Greece.

"He's got Rally and other stuff that he's worried about. We're not mad whatsoever. We knew things would change so that's why contracts are always kind of weirded out anyway," Busch said.

Source: ESPN - The Associated Press

Räikkönen refused entry to Briatore club in Monaco

Flavio Briatore addressed the media, proudly strolled the paddock and grid and appeared for the popular British motoring show 'Top Gear' as F1's most prestigious grand prix took place last weekend in Monaco.

But also in the Principality, another former member of the F1 circus was making a much lower profile visit.

Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 world champion and now rally and NASCAR driver, rushed from a Nationwide race in the US late on Saturday to be harbourside in his yacht in time for Sunday's Monaco grand prix.

In his entourage were 'The Dudesons', a ramshackle group of friends known on Finnish television for their highly popular and extreme Jackass-style show.

Räikkönen, 31, was seen with the group as they relaxed in his yacht's open spa, and they also ventured to Briatore's 'Billionaire' nightclub -- but were refused entry.

The bouncers, apparently, failed to recognise the winner of 18 grands prix, and - enjoying his anonymity - Räikkönen failed to rebuke them and the party moved elsewhere.

"Maybe it was just time to sleep," Spanish AS newspaper reporter Rafa Paya speculated.

Source: F1Zone

TRUCKS: Räikkönen Has Paid In Full For Races He’s Run Says Ren

Kyle Busch Motorsports general manager Rick Ren insists Kimi Räikkönen doesn't owe the team money...

Kimi Räikkönen has paid for the races he has run for Kyle Busch Motorsports and does not owe the team money, KBM general manager Rick Ren said Saturday.

The question over whether Räikkönen had paid for his races was raised Thursday after team owner Kyle Busch said that the original plan of doing three to five Camping World Truck Series events with Raikkonen had changed because Raikkonen had not yet paid for future events.

"What's changed is the payment schedule,” Busch said Thursday. “The contract states that we're supposed to receive so much and we have not. We've only received enough for these two races.

“It's either up to Kimi or up to the financial people that run Kimi's business side of things and decide that they need to find the sponsorship funds in order to carry the experience for him further."

Those comments were interpreted that the former Formula One champion might still owe Busch money. Ren said prior to Räikkönen’s Nationwide Series debut Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway that that is not the case.

“Reports circulating that Kimi has not paid for the races he is running at KBM are untrue,” Ren said. “As Kyle Indicated Thursday, we have received payments from Kimi for both last week’s truck race and today’s Nationwide Series race.

“When Kyle stated that the payment schedule has changed, he was referring to plans for future truck races for Kimi at KBM.”

Ren reiterated there is no disagreement between KBM and Räikkönen’s management over payments.

“Since the original announcement, the plan changed and all parties agreed to take the funding for future truck races and put it towards running today’s Nationwide Series race,” Ren said. “After today’s race, if Kimi is interested in running more NASCAR events this year, we’ll be happy to discuss that with him.”

Source: Nascar.SpeedTV

Räikkönen at wild party at Monaco GP 2011

Kimi Räikkönen made his NASCAR Nationwide debut on Saturday, but showed up already the next day at the Monaco Grand Prix. He hosted there a wild party for the "Finnish Jackass" The Dudesons.

So we can almost say that Kimi was with his performance even faster than Monaco GP winner Sebastian Vettel...

Räikkönen did not miss any speed and dangerous moments when hosting his guests. Jukka from The Dudesons made everybody laugh by dressing in Kimi's NASCAR-overall:



Source: RacingNewsFlash