THE LINE

December 9, 2009

(Ford)
Ford's FIA World Rally Championship runners-up, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, will drive the all-new Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car - in what will be its competitive debut - in the Monte Carlo Rally early next year. The Finns will use the five-day rally as a key part of their preparation for the 2010 WRC, which starts in February.  The car has been developed by Ford's rally partner, M-Sport, and made its first appearance as a safety car in November's Rally of Scotland, which, like the Monte Carlo Rally, is not part of the FIA World Rally Championship. The 29-year-old Hirvonen, who missed out in the 2009 WRC drivers' title by just one point, tested the Fiesta S2000 for the first time in the south of France last week. M-Sport managing director and BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson said the Fiesta S2000 was due for homologation in January, so the Monte Carlo Rally provided a perfect opportunity for the car's competition debut. "Ford has a long association with the Monte Carlo Rally, which we won in 2006 with Marcus Grönholm in a Focus RS World Rally Car.  It remains a legendary event and will provide spectators with an exciting chance to see the Fiesta S2000 in competitive action over classic stages such as the Col de Turini.  Competition is the true challenge for any new car, and Mikko's feedback on its performance will prove valuable for our development program," he added. The Monte Carlo Rally will take place from January 19-23, 2010.     

(Ford)

 Road America. America's National Park of Speed is adding new event features to its annual vintage motorcycle weekend. The Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic, June 11-13, 2010, will mark the return of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) with the addition of motocross, cross country and trials on courses built specifically for vintage racing. “Road America is acknowledged as a world-class road racing facility. When we discovered that the property had hundreds of acres of prime off-road terrain, we were pleased to add AHRMA National Off-Road events to the traditional schedule of road racing,” said AHRMA Executive Director David Lamberth. Track president George Bruggenthies is pleased with the expanded event, “The world of vintage motorcycling is a vibrant, diverse family that includes, collectors, restorers and enthusiasts who just love to ride old bikes, as well as racers. Road America is a great place to celebrate that spirit,” he stated. Other race-weekend features are being added through a partnership with longtime motorcycle events producer Will Stoner. Stoner is coordinating a swap meet, club corrals and a moving bike show. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to do a swap meet and bike show in such a fantastic location. The swap meet area is one of the best I’ve seen, the roads are fantastic and Wisconsin hospitality is great,” Stoner said. The swap meet is open to all brands of motorcycles, but is limited to bikes, parts, memorabilia and tools. The on-site bike show will include judging with awards presented in 13 classes and a leisurely 40-mile ride through the scenic Wisconsin countryside. Club Corrals will be open to all vintage motorcycle clubs and organizations wishing to have a corral spot on Club Row. The spaces will be free to any club that registers by June 2, 2010. Clubs will be able to park their bikes, sell memberships and club regalia, as well as have a picnic for club members. Participants only need to purchase an advance event ticket to use the Club Corrals. Participant information for the swap meet, bike show and club corral is available by contacting Will Stoner: 440-591- 5099, willstoner@classicswapmeets.com. Other event details will be posted as they become available at www.roadamerica.com.

Publisher's Note: Bill Scott, who was a superb American open-wheel champion in the late 60s and early 70s - and my first racing instructor - passed away this week. As good as a driver Bill was, he was an even better man, and Mark Tapscott's tribute to him (here) will help you understand who Bill was and why racing people around the world are pausing today to acknowledge his passing. - PMD

John Thawley. Publisher's Note: I'm happy to report that there's a new must-see destination for sports car racing enthusiasts: John Thawley's Sports Car Insider. Featuring John's outstanding photography and the excellent work from contributors such as John Dagys, Rick Dole, Regis Lefebure and others - as well as yours truly - I expect Sports Car Insider to become the go-to place for hard-core road racing enthusiasts. Check it out here. - PMD

Publisher's Note: Along about this time of year - with the racing season starting to wind down - we like to publish The Year in Review by John Thawley. John and I knew each other way back in the 70s when we were both doing something totally different, and we renewed our friendship around racing three decades later. John is now considered one of the best at what he does, and it's a real privilege to be able to share his work with our Autoextremist readers throughout the season. John's year-end gallery allows all of us to step back and savor another excellent season of racing in the American Le Mans Series. Thanks again to John for allowing us to display his work. Click here. - PMD

WE'RE OPENING THE VAULT!

The AE wearables are back - and only in extremely limited quantities and sizes, we might add - and once they're gone, they're gone! We're starting with our most popular items, the classic AE Sweatshirt and AE Hat. Click on a PayPal button below to order yours now! (If you prefer to pay by check, please send us an email with AE STORE in the subject line, and we'll reserve your item.)

AE Sweatshirt - Crewneck, sturdy 80/20 cotton/poly, in black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. Size XL only. 40 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

AE Hat - Black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. 25 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

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