As polar ice continues to break from ice shelfs in the Arctic and dry conditions fuel fires in California, is it time for the motorsport industry to take green racing seriously? We are seeing pockets of leagues adding this into regulations, but with events drawing crowds in the tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) and an incalculable environmental footprint, is this enough?

People are beginning to demand that each motorsport series become accountable for their actions and environmental initiatives. For example, in the September 2008 issue of Racer Magazine, Margot Thomas of Chandler AZ vents about IndyCar’s use 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol fuels versus cellulosic ethanol fuel.

Is IndyCar a leader by being the first motorsports league to sanction a renewable fuel or are they simply acting on social pressures and a good car sponsor / series marketing initiative? Note that the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is a sponsor for the number 17 Ryan Hunter-Reay / Rahal Letterman Racing car. Either way this is a minor win for the environment in motorsports.

The Gold Coast Indy 300 has secured a title sponsorship from camera maker Nikon. With Nikon on board the 2008 Gold Coast Indy 300 will officially become the 2008 Nikon Indy 300.

Photo Credit: TravellingRed

Australian Sport Minister Judy Spence, Indy 300 Chairman Terry Mackenroth and General Manager Greg Hooton were all in attendance to announce Nikon as the naming rights sponsor of the Gold Coast motorsport event. The deal is for a one year partnership with Nikon having an option for a further two years.

James Murray, General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Nikon Australia was noted as saying, “Motor Sport is always a major occasion for photography, and the Nikon Indy 300 will be a sensational spectacle guaranteed to offer many magical moments”.

All of the excitement has also included a public invitation from Gold Coast Bulletin editor Dean Gould to Tony George (IndyCar Owner) to experience the popular racing event first hand before deciding its fate. The Australian event is looking to confirm a regular spot on the IndyCar schedule and the invitation will certainly serve to help George see first hand that Surfers Paradise is one of the greatest temporary street courses on the circuit. Maybe the Gold Coast Bulletin will extend all expenses paid invitations to Bloggers that love the Australian event. ;)

With half the season over, Formula 1 is clearing out the closets. The F1 Store is clearing out much of its 2008 inventory at prices over 50% off. So far we’ve picked up a couple of hats and classic polo shirt. Get your F1 Merchandise while quantities last!

Credit: F1 Store

This week the Indy Racing League released their 2009 schedule and there are a number of changes to note. The 2009 season kicks off with the Streets of St. Petersburg and then finishes at Homestead. Leaving Florida as the bookend state landing these unique slots.

Credit: Indycar.com

Similar to the 2008 year, 2009’s schedule is listing 18 races. There are some new faces, some deletions and some big changes.

New in 2009 is a Toronto race (Streets of Toronto) adding the second race for Canada. Although Toronto is new to Indy, it’s definitely well known to the people of Toronto and team owner Michael Andretti. Andretti has won Toronto seven times since its 1986 inauguration. Also new to 2009 is the Long Beach event (Streets of Long Beach). Adding this race will continue 33 years of racing tradition and put another great road course in the mix.

Home to Danica’s first victory, the Twin Ring Motegi will be moving nearer to the end of the pack with a scheduled date of September 19 (vs the April 19 date in 2008).

The Gold Coast Indy (Australia) is not yet on the schedule, but the buzz is that they are trying to formalize a date change. With Australia likely coming back the only casualty appears to be the event in Nashville (this year’s Firestone Indy 200).

As with any schedule always check for updates on this site’s Motorsport Race Schedule page or on the IndyCar website.

After a frustrating Mid-Ohio practice session Danica heads to the Citigo / Dreyer & Reinbold pit for a “practice postmortem”. As Danica says… what the hell?

The Hungarian Grand Prix includes 70 laps over a 4.381 km (2.722 mile) circuit for a total race distance of 306.458 km (190.552 miles). The fast lap record holder is Michael Schumacher in 2004 with a time of 1:19.071.

Budapest’s Hungaroring is in a natural valley, surrounded by 50 hectares of rolling hillside. With this exceptional natural advantage, almost 80 percent of the racetrack is visible from any point earning it the name “The Shallow Plate”.

Past top three finishes at the Hungarian Grand Prix include: Hamilton, Raikkonen, Heidfeld (2007); Button, de la Rosa, Heidfeld (2006); Raikkonen, M. Schumacher, R. Schumacher (2005); M. Schumacher, Barichello, Alonso (2004); and Alonso, Raikkonen, Montoya (2003).

Check out Sidepodcast’s preview of the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix. Because of the limited areas for overtaking and the slow track I’m going with Raikkonen, Hamilton, and Kubica as this years top three. Who are your picks for round 11? Comments are open below.