January 2017

• The Formula 5000 Drivers Association has announced its 2017 schedule of events with the season kickiing off on the weekend of June 8-11 as part of the SVRA’s Open Wheel World Challenge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and follows up with a July 20-13 appearance at Road America’s WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by Hawk. The third round takes place over the weekend of September 29-October 1 as part of CSRG’s annual Charity Challenge at Sonoma Raceway, while the season wraps up once again as part of SVRA’s U.S. Vintage National Championships weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on November 1-5. For complete information please visit www.F5000Registry.com

• Masters Historic Racing has released the schedule of events for its 2017 European racing season, beginning in Barcelona at the Montjuic Park circuit on the weekend of April 8-9, and concluding with the Estoril Classic Festival in Portugal on the weekend of October 21-22. In between, the Masters Historic racers will travel to Brands Hatch on May 27-28, Magny Cours on June 30-July 2, Silverstone on July 28-30, the Nürburgring, August 11-13, Zandvoort on September 1-3 and Spa, September 15-17. For complete information please visit www.mastershistoricracing.com

• The International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York, has recently been gifted further items from the estate of the late John Fitch, an American automotive icon. Presented to the IMRRC by Fitch’s sons, John, Christopher and Stephen, with the assistance of Fitch motorsport historian Larry Berman, the items significantly enlarge the John Fitch Collection that was created at the Center in 1999, when papers were donated relating to his career as a safety designer and consultant, with particular emphasis on the Fitch Inertial Barrier and the displaceable guardrail.

• Notice has been received that the Coronado Speed Festival at North Island Naval Base in San Diego cannot take place in 2017. The Executive Officer of Naval Base Coronado noted that due to ongoing runway/taxiway repairs and associated construction projects, the Naval Base Coronado would not be able to support the event. Responding to the cancellation, SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella said, “We are hopeful and optimistic that we may continue the Coronado Speed Festival’s great racing traditions in 2018.”