Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[A.J. Foyt to replace Donald Trump as Scott Speed and Ho-Pin Tung debut at 100th Indy 500]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/12/a-j-foyt-to-replace-donald-trump-as-scott-speed-and-ho-pin-tung/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/12/a-j-foyt-to-replace-donald-trump-as-scott-speed-and-ho-pin-tung/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/12/a-j-foyt-to-replace-donald-trump-as-scott-speed-and-ho-pin-tung/#commentsFiled under: ,

Donald Trump in the Indy 500 pace car

It'll be a landmark running for the Indianapolis 500 later this month, as the event celebrates its 100th anniversary as the premier open-wheel racing event in America. All of which only gave some fans more reason to be ticked off when Donald Trump was announced as this year's pace car driver.

Annoyed by political implications detracting from the spirit of racing, many fans were up in arms when Trump was announced as the official pace car driver, evidently prompting the celebrity businessman and possible presidential candidate to change his plans. In his place, organizers at the Speedway have invited none other than A.J. Foyt to drive the Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible that will serve as the official pace car. As a four-time Indy 500 winner, Foyt is among the most decorated drivers ever to lap the Brickyard, and his nomination will surely come as more welcome news to the legions of open-wheel devotees.

In related news, two drivers better known for their formula racing activities overseas will make their Indy debuts at the 500 this year. One of them is Scott Speed, the last American to race in Formula One. Speed shifted over the NASCAR after things didn't pan out in F1, until Red Bull dropped his sponsorship last year. Given his experience in open wheels and oval tracks, Speed may find a new home at Indy.

Also making his Indy debut will be Ho-Pin Tung, who will become the first Chinese driver to contest the Indianapolis 500. Tung is a reserve/test driver for Renault F1 this season and has contested such feeder series as GP2, A1GP and Superleague Formula. Both he and Speed will be driving for Jay Penske's Dragon Racing team and will be eligible for the $5 million bonus available to drivers from outside the series should they overcome the insurmountable odds to claim the checkered flag and drink milk in victory lane.

A.J. Foyt to replace Donald Trump as Scott Speed and Ho-Pin Tung debut at 100th Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a.j. foytaj foytdonald trumpdragon racingfoytho-pin tungindianapolis 500indy 500jay penskepace carscott speedspeedtrumptungThu, 12 May 2011 18:42:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19937728/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/12/a-j-foyt-to-replace-donald-trump-as-scott-speed-and-ho-pin-tung/19937728/article-detail.xml 19937728 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/trump-indypace_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/trump-indypace.jpg <![CDATA[Classified Ad Find of the Day: Former A.J. Foyt '84 Ferrari BB 512i]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/17/classified-ad-find-of-the-day-former-a-j-foyt-84-ferrari-512/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/17/classified-ad-find-of-the-day-former-a-j-foyt-84-ferrari-512/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/17/classified-ad-find-of-the-day-former-a-j-foyt-84-ferrari-512/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi
1984 Ferrari 512 BBi formerly owned by A.J. Foyt - Click above for image gallery

For many, it's a dream to own a Ferrari. For some, that alone is not enough. They need to own a specific Ferrari. We understand. We all have our favorites. Our man Jonny, for example, would probably agree to several waterboarding sessions and a you-can-only-listen-to-boy-bands-forever music restriction in exchange for a 288 GTO. (Jonny would agree to the latter because the GTO's engine noise would obviate the need for music ever again.)

Others among us (cough) would likely dip a toe into the kidney black market for one of the Berlinetta Boxers, whether it be a 365 or a 512. From a practical perspective, choosing between the two varieties is somewhat akin to waking up in 1986 and being asked who you'd rather date: Kathy Ireland or Paulina Porizkova. It's pretty much a no-lose situation. As such, we enjoy perusing the classifieds, anticipating a mythical future in which we have bottomless pockets and are on a first-name, Christmas-card-list basis with every Ferrari mechanic on the eastern seaboard. Yeah, yeah - we know. Don't blow the fantasy, okay?

Anyhow, we think we may have found a winner this week after scanning the "for sale" listings at Octane magazine's website. Offered through Tillack & Co., the '84 BB 512i you see above shows 27,000 miles on the clock, and at $135,000, it's cheaper than your garden-variety F430 (and everyone has those, right?). Plus, it has that classic Pininfarina wedge shape, big NACA ducts, those eternally-cool knock-off hubs, is sufficiently rare (just 1,007 BBi's produced in total), and lets everyone know you laugh at their child-friendly paddles as you work the old-school gated shifter. But these are aspects you'll get with any old BB. What puts this one over the top is its provenance: it was once owned by the legendary A.J. Foyt (with a signed dash and owner's manual to prove it).

Not only does this critical element let you say stuff like, "I have A.J. Foyt's Ferrari" in conversations, breaking any and all ties regarding whose machine at the valet station reigns supreme, it also elevates your Man Status to a point where you can (possibly) impregnate women simply by making eye contact. So if you decide to visit the folks at Tillack and spring for this particular ride, drive it well. And be careful where you look...

[Source: Tillack & Co. via Octane]

Classified Ad Find of the Day: Former A.J. Foyt '84 Ferrari BB 512i originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>512 BBi512Bbia.j. foytA.j.Foytberlinetta boxerBerlinettaBoxerboxerferrariSun, 17 Jan 2010 13:52:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19319951/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/17/classified-ad-find-of-the-day-former-a-j-foyt-84-ferrari-512/19319951/article-detail.xml 19319951 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/ajfoytbbi630a_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/ajfoytbbi630a.jpg <![CDATA[Five more inductees for the Automotive Hall of Fame]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/five-more-inductees-for-the-automotive-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/five-more-inductees-for-the-automotive-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/five-more-inductees-for-the-automotive-hall-of-fame/#commentsFiled under: ,



Although the actual award ceremony and induction won't take place until October, the Automotive Hall of Fame announced its class of 2007. Five legendary names from all facets of the automotive world were revealed during the International Motor Press Association meeting at the New York International Auto Show yesterday. The full release follows the jump, but here are the five inductees in brief:
  • A.J. Foyt - One of the most versatile racers of all time. During his four decades behind the wheel he won in everything from Indy Car, to NASCAR, to Le Mans. Although Indy is where he is perhaps best known, his Le Mans win with co-inductee Dan Gurney in 1967 is one of the seminal moments in motorsports history.
  • Dan Gurney - As a driver, Gurney had a fairly remarkable career, driving and winning in NASCAR, Indy Car, Sports Car, Trans-Am, Can-Am and Formula 1. But after retiring in 1970, Gurney went on to manufacturer his own race cars and street vehicles as well.
  • Charles B. King - With a Mechanical Engineering degree in his pocket, King went to Detroit in 1891 and revolutionized the auto industry. Dozens of automotive patents still bear his name. He even was the first person to drive car on the streets of Detroit, a car he designed himself.
  • Sergio Pininfarina - Descendant of company founder, Pinin Farina, Sergio began running the Carrozzeria in 1960. For more than 50 years he has led Pininfarina, turning it into one of the largest and most successful design firms around. He also oversaw many of the company's most famous projects, especially the Ferraris they are best known for.
  • Shoichiro Toyoda - When Dr. Toyoda became managing director of Toyota in 1961, the automotive world began to change. With his focus on automotive technology, quality control and factory management he revolutionized Toyota, and with it the whole automotive world.
The big event will happen, on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in Dearborn, Michigan.

[Source: Automotive Hall of Fame]

Continue reading Five more inductees for the Automotive Hall of Fame

Five more inductees for the Automotive Hall of Fame originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A.J. FoytA.j.FoytAutomotive Hall of FameAutomotiveHallOfFameCharles B. KingCharlesB.KingDan GurneyDanGurneyInternational Motor Press AssociationInternationalMotorPressAssociationSergio PininfarinaSergioPininfarinaShoichiro ToyodaShoichiroToyodaFri, 06 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/867543/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/04/06/five-more-inductees-for-the-automotive-hall-of-fame/867543/article-detail.xml 867543 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/ahof_building_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/ahof_building.jpg -1 2