Honda, Accord, Safety Car, Robert Clarke, Honda Performance Development, HPD, Jeff Olson
FANS HAVE CHANCE TO
TRICK OUT SAFETY CARS
IndyCar Series fans have long been able to paint their own race
cars on indycar.com; now they have the chance to trick out the paint
and graphics on the new Honda Accord Safety Cars to be used during
the 2008 IndyCar Series season.
In a contest lasting through Jan. 1 on the indycar.com Web site,
fans will be able to register, download a template of the all-new,
268hp Honda Accord Coupe, and then create their own unique paint
schemes and decals for the vehicles that will pace 14 of the 15
domestic IndyCar Series events during the 2008 season.
The contest winner will receive a pair of tickets to the seasonopening
IndyCar Series race at Miami-Homestead Speedway on
March 29, 2008, along with pit/garage passes and travel
accommodations for both the winner and a guest.
“Everyone at Honda is enthusiastic about the new Accord and its
role as the new Safety Car for the IndyCar Series,” says Robert
Clarke, president of Honda Performance Development. “This is the
highest-performing, best-looking Accord yet. We eagerly anticipate
seeing the paint and graphic schemes developed by fans. It’s a great
opportunity for our
supporters to become
even more involved in
the IndyCar Series.” www.indycar.com
CLICK TO WIN @
COMING IN MARCH!
The 2008 IndyCar Series Season Preview
Tracking the changes from the off-season, the
latest developments in testing and the full
rundown of what to expect in what is set to be
an outrageously exciting year. Don’t miss it!
Shawn Payne/IMS Photo
DOPPLER EFFECT
I…NO, YOU
RESOLVE…
In the spirit of the holiday season, I‘d
like to take this moment to offer some
resolutions for 2008. Not for myself – I‘ll
be working diligently on my plans to drop
20 pounds while attaining world peace –
but these resolutions are for others.
Resolutions for Racers by Way of the
Press Room.
So, without further ado or
another version of Auld Lang
Syne, here’s what I’d like to see
in 2008:
(1) I want Vitor Meira to win
a race. I’m not asking much.
He’s obviously capable and close
to doing it already – he’s finished
second seven times – but Vitor
needs a win and a hug. The day
of his victory will be a day of
unequaled joy in the paddock. I
want to witness it.
(2) Same goes for Danica.
She’s shown us she’s for real.
The first victory will be her just
reward for the effort she’s put
into it and the skill she
possesses. Someday it won’t
matter whether a driver is male
or female. Her first win will be
the first step in that direction.
(3) I’d also like to see Helio milk the
dancing thing for as much as it’s worth.
Normally I’d never make such a request,
seeing as how reality TV is a sign of the
apocalypse, but Castroneves’ victory on
Dancing with the Stars is just plain, silly
fun. What else can I say? Helio is
likable. His schtick doesn’t get old. It
just gets infectious.
(4) The budding rivalry between Tony
Kanaan and Scott Dixon needs to
develop into something fierce. Let’s be
straight: These are the two best drivers in
the series and two of the best of their
time. There is no filter on either one;
they’ll tell you the truth, even if it’s
Dan Streck/LAT
Inside Line
Jeff Olson, Senior Writer
www.indycar.com
politically incorrect. Both are thoroughly
entertaining in and out of the car, and their
duel has the potential to be the A.J./Mario of
its time. Doesn’t have to be mean or even
heated, just ferocious and intense.
(5) Is it wrong to hope Sam and Dario do
well in NASCAR? It isn’t about Us vs. Them. It’s
about wanting to see two good racers – and
Two of the top drivers in the series, are Tony Kanaan
and Scott Dixon set for a battle royale?
good people – succeed in something new.
Hornish is the best natural talent to hit oval
racing since his mentor, Rick Mears. Franchitti is
the most complete racer of his time. We should
be fully supporting them.
(6) Finally, we would all benefit to see Sam
Schmidt Motorsports move to the IndyCar
Series full time. Sam is an inspiration as a
person and as a businessman. His team is the
most successful in the short history of the Indy
Pro Series, having won three of the last four
championships. His teams are organized,
efficient and staffed by some of the best
minds in the business.
That’s all I ask. Now it’s back to weight loss
and world peace.
IndyCarSeries 2007 winterspecial 13
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