In news that likely doesn’t matter much to most of the F1 world, but is monumental here in the States, Tony George is out as head of the Hulman-George companies effective July 1.
Current IMS executives W. Curtis Brighton and Jeffrey G. Belskus take over, George remains on the board.
A statement from Mari Hulman George, IMS chairman of the board, said George was asked to restructure the management staff and “now would be the time for him to concentrate on his team ownership of Vision Racing with his family and other personal business interests he and his family share.”
George had been rumored to be on his way out in the spring, but had emerged with his position intact.
In his role, he was chief negotiator with Bernie Ecclestone for the United States Grand Prix, which dropped off the calendar after the 2007 edition when the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
The IRL support staff remains untouched, with Terry Angstadt president of the commercial division and Brian Barnhart president of the competition division. Joie Chitwood remains president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speedcar shuts down
The Speedcar Series, a NASCAR-ish stock car championship run on road courses primarily in the Middle East, which had supported several Formula 1 events in its two seasons, is no more, according to backer Union Properties.
Crash.net reports.
A1 GP in trouble
The Telegraph reports the British company which runs much of the operations for A1 GP, A1 Grand Prix Operations Limited, went into liquidation last Wednesday, leaving the future of the “world cup of motorsport” in doubt.
Superleague Formula kicks off
“The Beautiful Race” is back, and Liverpool took two of the three races last weekend at Magny-Cours. AC Milan took the third, with the ever hopeful Giorgio Pantano at the wheel.
Talking KERS
Remember this gadget? Nigel Roebuck weighs in on KERS – another costly mistake by Mosley for Motorsport.
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