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HOUSTON – Risi Competizione has announced Brazilian Pipo Derani as a team driver for the 87th annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, set for June 15-16.
This will be the 25-year-old’s fifth appearance at Le Mans, having competed every year since 2015, including a fifth-place finish last year in a GTE-Pro Ferrari 488 and a podium in 2017 in a GTE-Pro Ford.
Additionally, in 2015 and 2016 Derani ran in the LMP2 class. This will be his first appearance with the Texas-based Risi Competizione Ferrari team.
“We are very pleased to have Pipo join the team for Le Mans this year,” said team principal Giuseppe Risi. “He’s a well-versed racing driver, including in the Ferrari 488, and is mature beyond his young age. His enthusiasm is infectious and we’re looking forward to having him as part of the Risi Competizione family. Le Mans is a classic race and this team is always prepared for it, or any race, and after having finished second and third in recent years, we are more than ready to be back on the top step.”
“I’m extremely excited to return to Le Mans in GTE Pro, which is the most exciting and difficult category at Le Mans and WEC,” added Derani, who recently won the 12 Hours of Sebring for Cadillac. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be back, driving a Ferrari, since I was racing for Ferrari last year. I’m really happy to be leading the way and driving for Risi, a great team whose been showing the potential for Ferrari in America, but also at Le Mans. Hopefully we can do one place better than they did back in 2016 with their second-place finish, and hopefully with my experience at Le Mans I can help lead the way for a great result. I’m really happy to be joining the Risi team and to be back at Le Mans in a Ferrari. ”
Risi Competizione was one of three GTE-Pro Ferrari 488 GTE Evo entries accepted from a total of 17 in the class for the 60-car entrants this year.
Ten more reserve entrants were accepted out of 75 total entries submitted to the ACO.
Risi Competizione has fielded 14 cars over nine previous years at the legendary 24-hour race in Le Mans, France, including three victories (1998 in Ferrari 333SP, 2008 and 2009 in Ferrari 430GT), and five additional podium finishes, including last year’s third-place finish.
The post Derani Tackling Le Mans With Risi Competizione appeared first on SPEED SPORT.
ATTICA, Ohio – With rains falling throughout the day Thursday and more forecasted over night and throughout the morning Friday, Attica Raceway Park has moved the season opening race to Saturday, April 6.
Gates will open at 3 p.m. Saturday with racing underway at 6 p.m. on Construction Equipment & Supply/Murphy Tractor & Equipment/UBS Financial Services/Advanced Drainage Systems Night.
The Callie’s Performance Products 410 Sprints, Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Models and Fremont Fence 305 sprints will be in action.
“It rained off and on all morning Thursday and there was a good chance of rain throughout the evening and into the morning Friday. It’s suppose to clear up a little Friday afternoon so moving to Saturday will give us more drying time. It’s suppose to be in the mid 60s temperature wise Saturday as well,” said Rex LeJeune, Director of Operations at Attica Raceway Park.
The post Attica Raceway Park Rained Out Again appeared first on SPEED SPORT.
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. – NASCAR has issued a series of penalties stemming from a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series incident at South Boston Speedway last weekend, including barring Philip Morris’ crew chief from competition for the balance of the season.
Forrest Reynolds, the crew chief for the five-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion, has been prohibited from participating in any NASCAR-sanctioned events without a current NASCAR license.
Due to his conduct during last Saturday’s race and for participating in a NASCAR-sanctioned event without a NASCAR license, Reynolds is ineligible to apply for a license until 2020.
Reynolds was sanctioned after coming onto the racing surface during red flag conditions and climbing into Lee Pulliam’s car during the second of two Twin 75s at the Virginia short track. His reaction came after contact between Morris and Pulliam led to Morris crashing out of the race.
During the red flag, Reynolds ran over to Pulliam’s car, threw his radio at Pulliam’s windshield and then leaned into the passenger side of the car.
At that point, Pulliam hit the throttle and accelerated forward, with Reynolds being pitched to the asphalt as a result.
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For his role in the incident, Pulliam has been fined $1,500 and suspended from NASCAR competition until April 17. If the fine is not paid, the suspension will continue further.
Notably, South Boston’s season does not resume until April 20, so Pulliam will not lose any track time there as long as he pays the fine before the stated end date of his suspension.
Meanwhile, Morris has been fined $1,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition until his fine has been paid.
Both drivers have also been placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.
Pulliam and Morris were both penalized under section 12-1 of the NASCAR rule book, pertaining to actions detrimental to stock-car racing.
Pulliam was also penalized under section 12-6.1, behavioral and member conduct, while Morris was sanctioned under section 9-4, where drivers assume responsibility for the actions of their crew members.
Because Reynolds did not have a NASCAR license, he was not subject to any concrete penalties by the NASCAR rule book.
However, NASCAR has mandated that any attempt by Reynolds to participate in a NASCAR event as a member of Morris’ team will result in further penalties levied against Morris.
In a Tuesday interview with Race22.com, Reynolds apologized for his actions.
“I lost my temper and I should have never gone over the track, but I did,” Reynolds said. “I threw my radio and went over there to pull the ignition wires like I saw Peyton (Sellers) do a couple of years ago. He took off and I rolled down the hill.”
South Boston Speedway officials noted their disappointment in the NASCAR penalty on Wednesday and added that neither driver will be sanctioned by the track for the incident.
“We disagree with the penalty handed down to Lee Pulliam,” said Cathy Rice, general manager of South Boston Speedway. “We are disappointed with the penalty and there will not be a track penalty for Pulliam or Morris.”
The post Penalties Handed Down For South Boston Incident appeared first on SPEED SPORT.
MONTEREY, Calif. – For every car enthusiast the name Ferrari instantly evokes passion and child-like grins like few other luxury automotive brands.
Come May 10-12 at Monterey County’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the wonderment will be fulfilled with the sounds of Ferrari Formula One and track-only XX cars revving to the limit as part of the Ferrari Racing Days and Corse Clienti programs.
These track-only Ferrari thoroughbreds will complement a full field of more than 50 Ferrari 488 Challenge cars that comprise the most famous one-make championship series in the world. The paddock will be filled with Ferrari race cars and street models that will immerse enthusiasts into the world of Ferrari.
The Formula 1 Corse Clienti single-seaters return to Monterey much to the delight of racing fans. The Ferrari F1 Clienti program takes the Formula One cars of the world’s most successful team and makes them available to an exclusive number of owners. These F-1 thoroughbreds from the recent past carry the famous names such as Schumacher, Barrichello and others who once piloted these incredible racing machines at the highest level of motorsport competition. It is uncommon to see these cars, let alone see and hear them at speed on the race course.
The XX Program brings to the track very limited-edition cars developed exclusively for the track by tester customers and backed by the experience of professional technicians and drivers for an unparalleled driving experience. The FXX-K Evos will be on track, ready to exploit the 1,000-plus horsepower produced by the 6-litre V12 and the Hy-Kers hybrid system. They will be accompanied by FXX-Ks, which unlike the Evos don’t sport the aerodynamic kit. There will also be 599XXs and 5999XX Evos that have contributed to the success of the program.
The Ferrari Challenge provides both true race fans and casual race enthusiasts and families with the opportunity to see and hear these rare cars, get up close and talk to the drivers, and in many cases, children are invited to jump inside the cockpit for photos.
Advance VIP Hospitality packages, general admission tickets, preferred parking and camping are currently available online at www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca ticket office at 831-242-8200.
The post Ferrari Bringing Big Horsepower To Monterey appeared first on SPEED SPORT.
Andy Murray has returned to a tennis court just two months after hip surgery - albeit somewhat tentatively.
The two-time Wimbledon champion has posted a video on Instagram of him hitting against a wall alongside the caption: "It's a start."
Murray, 31, underwent a hip resurfacing procedure in January, which he said meant it was possible he would not be able to play professionally again.
But it was his only option if he wanted to return to competitive action.
In March, the three-time Grand Slam champion said he is "pain-free" following the surgery, but his chances of playing singles at Wimbledon this year are "less than 50%".
He added he was under "no pressure" to resume a career which has also seen him win two Olympic gold medals among 45 singles titles.
Liam Broady: Briton considered quitting after mental health struggles
Britain's Liam Broady says he considered quitting the "dog-eat-dog world" of tennis last year as he struggled with his mental health.
Broady, 25, is currently ranked 335th in the world after reaching a career-high 154 last April.
A nine-match losing streak last summer affected his well-being and led to him seeking the help of a life coach.
"I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to do any more because I didn't feel happy as a person," he said.
Broady approached his older sister, and WTA player, Naomi for help and then began working with life coach Phil Quirk.
"I don't really like to complain about stuff and I only started to realise how much I was going through the motions towards the end of the year," he said.
"I fell out of touch with a lot of people who care about me, which I think is probably a very guy thing to do.
"On tour it's kind of a dog-eat-dog world, you don't want to show weakness to anyone else, you don't want to say you're struggling because they're trying to take food off your plate and you're trying to take food off theirs."
Broady said turning to his older sister felt "weird" but spoke to the 29-year-old because he did not know who else to talk to about his feelings.
"There's so much talk in this country at the moment surrounding men's mental health, and I think it's really important with the [suicide] statistics we have, so I was really glad he did reach out," she said.
Broady's best performance in a Grand Slam came when he reached the Wimbledon second round in 2015 after coming from two sets down to beat Australia's Marinko Matosevic.
The Olympic men's singles final has been reduced to best of three sets, meaning only Grand Slam matches will be played over five sets in the future.
The change will come into effect for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Another change sees men's and women's doubles matches decided by a match tie-break to 10 points in the third set.
"These amendments reduce concerns of overplay for players who reach the latter stages of all three events," the International Tennis Federation said.
The men's final being played over three sets brings it in line with the other singles matches at the Games, while the men's and women's doubles will follow the same format as the mixed.
Britain's Andy Murray won what proved to be the last best of five sets Olympics final by beating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at Rio 2016.
Francis extends Exeter deal, but still eligible for Wales
Wales prop Tomas Francis will still be eligible to play for his country despite extending his deal at Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.
Exeter have exercised a clause in the 26-year-old's existing contract to keep him at Sandy Park until at least 2021.
Any player with fewer than 60 caps has to return to Wales when their contracts expire to remain eligible for Wales.
As 40-cap Francis has had a clause enacted in his current deal rather than a new deal, the rule does not apply.
"When he initially signed his last contract there was a clause within that contract which stated his contract could be extended with us as long as various things were met. That's what's been the case," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Sport.
"Tom's not come off contract, it's just been a very easy extension because both he wanted to stay and we wanted to keep him and we both fulfilled obligations that lengthened the extent of his contract."
British and Irish Lions players Rhys Webb and Alex Cuthbert have been ineligible to play for Wales since summer moves to Toulon and Exeter respectively as they had failed to meet the 60-cap quota, which came into force in November 2017.
Francis, who moved to Exeter from London Scottish in 2014, signed his current deal in July 2016.
"We probably had some hints that there was going to be a potential issue arising with Wales," Baxter added.
"Because of that we put various things in the contract that meant he's not put in that awkward position where he's turning down a contract in Wales, because effectively his contract's just taken on the extension period.
"He's enjoying being here, he's playing some good rugby, he's played in some huge games for us and has also had a huge Six Nations for Wales which is fantastic for him."
Scarlets post increased loss of £643,035 for year ending June 2018
Scarlets recorded a loss of £643,035 for the year ending 30 June 2018, up from £603,817 the previous year.
According to chairman Nigel Short's report, Scarlets increased business revenue by 30%, all of which he said was "reinvested into rugby".
Short and his fellow benefactors Huw Evans, Glan Wise, Philip Davies and Tim Griffiths wrote off more than £8m of debt for the region.
Scarlets owe £2.6m to Carmarthenshire County Council.
"We are pleased with the results, which are as planned," said Scarlets chief operating officer Philip Morgan.
"We have invested heavily in the playing squad, have posted record attendances and record sponsorship, while hospitality has sold out for most of the season.
"We are very happy with where we are."
Nations Championship deadline set for extension to allow further talks
World Rugby's deadline for the Nations Championship is likely to run into next week as talks continue over whether the new concept will get off the ground.
The governing body had set a deadline of Friday for formal expressions of interest from the unions.
However, it is understood this will not be enforced so more discussions can take place before any due diligence.
Sources say there has been "real engagement" as parties try to work through the various obstacles.
- World Rugby calls on Six Nations unions to consider good of global game
- Six Nations bosses have 'open mind' on new world league
- World Rugby plans criticised by Owen Farrell & Johnny Sexton
- World Rugby seeks to allay RFU fears over 'catastrophic' relegation
Scheduled to launch in 2022, the Nations Championship would see a top division of 12 teams from both hemispheres play each other once in a calendar year, either through traditional competitions like the Six Nations or an enlarged Rugby Championship, or in summer or autumn Test windows.
The top two teams would then meet in an end-of-year showpiece final.
Backed by a £5bn offer from sports marketing giants Infront, the Nations Championship would include relegation and promotion between divisions after an initial moratorium.
However, the prospect of dropping out of the Six Nations has alarmed leading northern hemisphere unions, with interim RFU boss Nigel Melville stating relegation could be "catastrophic".
World Rugby insists the second division will be both lucrative and competitive, and has spent much of the past few weeks trying to convince the concerned Six Nations unions.
It is believed the southern hemisphere superpowers who make up Sanzaar - New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina - are fully in support of the Nations Championship as they battle financial difficulties and a player drain to Europe.
Of the leading northern unions, France have expressed their support for the world league, while the Welsh and English unions are thought to be amenable to the concept in theory.
The Irish and Scottish unions remain the most opposed, especially given the interest in the Six Nations from private equity giants CVC as well as other offers as part of 'Project Light', a scheme whereby the Six Nations unions pool their commercial rights.
Six Nations Limited - represented by chief executive Ben Morel - is also believed to be lukewarm about the World Rugby proposals.
However, while unanimity is needed in order for the Nations Championship to get the go-ahead, there remains optimism the concept is still alive.
"We are seeing more positivity from the staunch detractors," one source told the BBC, with another adding "this has a way to run".
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