Motorsports News Feb. 18, 2018
FORMULA ONE NEWS -
F1 RACE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS TEAM RELEGATES THE USE OF "GRID GIRLS"
In Formula One news, the new group that oversees the holding, promotion and
marketing of Formula One has decided to relegate one tradition that has
been part of F1 race weekends for decades now . . . the use of grid girls .
. . Beautiful women carrying umbrellas to shield race car and driver from
the sun or the rain as the grid forms right before the start of races . . .
F1 now believes the practice of using grid girls is no longer relevant to
the times and is at odds with the brand values it espouses . . . In an
online news report, Sean Bratches, managing director of F1 commercial
operations said that over the last year, the group has looked at a number
ofareas which needed updating to be more in tune with its vision for the
motorsports . . . While employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1
Grands Prix for decades, we feel this customs does not resonate with our
brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms . . .We
don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to F1 and its fans,
old in new, across the world . . . Grid girls will also no longer be used
in all support series or races at F1 race weekends . . . The grid girls
will be replaced by Grid Kids . . .a new initiative that will form part of
the pre-race ceremony during race weekends . . . Grid Kids will be chosen
from among youngsters already competing in kart or formula series . . .
Local motorsports clubs, FIA recognized national sporting authorities, and
local grand prix promoters will be tasked to help select the grid kids,
either based on merit or lottery . . . Lucky youngsters will accompany and
stand alongside the 20 F1 drivers on the grid as part of the pre-race
ceremony . . . In explaining the introduction of Grid Kids in F1 weekends,
FIA president Jean Todt said: "Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor sport and
the dream of every young racer competing the junior series that make up the
FIA's single-seater pyramid, from karting all the way to F1. We are
therefore delighted to bring that dream a little closer by giving the
future champions of our sport the opportunity to stand alongside their
heroes on the grid in the build-up to the race start."
WRC NEWS - 2018 WRC SEASON ROUND 2
In World Rally Championship news, the second round of the 2018 WRC season
is being run this weekend on the snow-bound roads in the remote forests of
Sweden and Norway . . . The only truly winter rally starts Thursday night
with the super special stage on the Karlstad trotting track . . . Friday
finds drivers on six challenging stages in Norway and one starting in
Sweden, crossing over the border to Norway before finishing back in Sweden
. . . Saturday's stages in classic Swedish stages near Hagfors, include the
Vargasen featuring the iconic Colin's Crest with drivers vying to record
the longest jump over two passes of the stage . . . The record so far is 45
meters . . . Sunday's deciding leg features two passes of the Likenas test
and ends with the live TV Power Stage at Torsby . . . Perfect weather
conditions should see drivers leaning their cars on snow banks lining the
curves of icy roads . . . Defending champion SebastienOgier of M-Sport Ford
World Rally Team looks to keep his early championship points lead earned
from winning Rally Monte Carlo . . . with former teammate now rival
OttTanak seeking to continue Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT's great start to the
season . . . Ogier leads second-placed Tanak, 26 to 18 . . . With Toyota's
Jari-MattiLatvala in third with 17 points but even on points with Kris
Meeke of Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT, who finished fourth in the last rally
but gain maximum bonus point from the Live TV power stage . . . Meanwhile,
Hyundai Shell Mobil World Rally Team looks to rebound from their drivers'
dismal collective performance in the French Alps, with top driver Thierry
Neuville only finishing fifth . .
MOTOGP NEWS - THREE-DAY OFFICIAL MOTOGP TEST IN THAILAND
In MotoGP news, riders are taking their first taste of the Chang
International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand this weekend . . . The first
ever three-day Official MotoGP test in Thailand runs from February 16,
Friday, to February 18, Sunday . . . Five hours from Bangkok, the
4.6-kilometer circuit will host its first ever MotoGP event, the PTT
Thailand Grand Prix, in October and teams and riders will be keen to learn
all they can about the track with five right- and seven left-hand corners .
. . even as some try out new aerofairings, winglets and other elements, as
well as various engine and ride settings of their 2018 challengers on the
expectedly hot and humid conditions of the circuit . . . Opened in 2014,
the Chang International Circuit was designed by German architect Hermann
Tilke and has hosted the Motul FIM Superbike World Champion since 2015 . .
. The track layout features 12 corners and a 1-kilometer long straight . .
. With MotoGP taking the track for the first time, every fastest lap time
will be a new record for rider and team at the Chang International Circuit
. . . Jorge Lorenzo of Ducati Team arrives in Buriram as the fastest rider
of 2018 following successful testing at Sepang . . .