Friday, August 29
Betting service to sponsor Manning
Associated Press
DENVER -- Sportsbook.com, a London-based on-line gaming company, has signed on as a primary sponsor for rookie Darren Manning's No. 15 car, team owner Derrick Walker said Friday.
Sportsbook.com also will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Miami CART race on Sept. 28.
Sportsbook.com is the first company in the on-line sports betting industry to pursue a motorsports sponsorship.
"Our clients are looking for excitement," said Gary Hoyle, the company's director of marketing. "We believe that CART racing is the kind of excitement that they're all looking for.
"We're entering into a sponsorship with Walker Racing because we believe that the excitement factor of a rookie driver in combination with a very professional, well-run race team is something in which we can maximize our exposure."
Both Walker and Hoyle would like to extend the contract beyond the remainder of this season, depending on financially troubled CART's status.
Walker said CART is in a state of transition.
Hoyle said companies such as his have encountered restrictions when it comes to advertising, but said the climate is changing.
"For the whole on-line gaming industry, we're seeing that doors that were closed to us in the past are opening up," he said. "Part of it is the economic climate. Part of it is the attitudinal changes that are taking place."
Smoothing out the bumps
The surface of the downtown Denver track has been smoothed since last year's inaugural race, when drivers complained of poor grip and numerous bumps.
It's not perfect but it is an improvement, most drivers said Friday.
"Every car is fighting for grip," Adrian Fernandez said. "But it's a lot better than last year. The grip in Turns 5, 6 and 7 is a lot better, and the bumps are a lot better. Still, it's a slippery track."
Bruno Junqueira said there is little grip "but it's not because of the race track. It's because of the altitude. You lose a lot of downforce with less air pressure.
"I think the organization did a very good job on the bumps, especially in turns three and four. They've improved it a lot. My engineers did tests, and they say it's 29 percent smoother."
New face
One-time Formula One driver Mika Salo is making his debut this weekend in CART.
The 36-year-old Finn is a veteran of 110 starts on the F1 circuit.
He has joined PK Racing as a replacement for Max Papis, who parted ways with the team after finishing ninth in Sunday's race in Montreal.
"Street racing is my favorite, so I'm looking forward to the upcoming events in Denver and Miami," Salo said.
He is the fourth driver to race on PK Racing's one-car team this season.
http://espn.go.com/rpm/cart/2003/0829/1605897.html
Betting service to sponsor Manning
Associated Press
DENVER -- Sportsbook.com, a London-based on-line gaming company, has signed on as a primary sponsor for rookie Darren Manning's No. 15 car, team owner Derrick Walker said Friday.
Sportsbook.com also will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Miami CART race on Sept. 28.
Sportsbook.com is the first company in the on-line sports betting industry to pursue a motorsports sponsorship.
"Our clients are looking for excitement," said Gary Hoyle, the company's director of marketing. "We believe that CART racing is the kind of excitement that they're all looking for.
"We're entering into a sponsorship with Walker Racing because we believe that the excitement factor of a rookie driver in combination with a very professional, well-run race team is something in which we can maximize our exposure."
Both Walker and Hoyle would like to extend the contract beyond the remainder of this season, depending on financially troubled CART's status.
Walker said CART is in a state of transition.
Hoyle said companies such as his have encountered restrictions when it comes to advertising, but said the climate is changing.
"For the whole on-line gaming industry, we're seeing that doors that were closed to us in the past are opening up," he said. "Part of it is the economic climate. Part of it is the attitudinal changes that are taking place."
Smoothing out the bumps
The surface of the downtown Denver track has been smoothed since last year's inaugural race, when drivers complained of poor grip and numerous bumps.
It's not perfect but it is an improvement, most drivers said Friday.
"Every car is fighting for grip," Adrian Fernandez said. "But it's a lot better than last year. The grip in Turns 5, 6 and 7 is a lot better, and the bumps are a lot better. Still, it's a slippery track."
Bruno Junqueira said there is little grip "but it's not because of the race track. It's because of the altitude. You lose a lot of downforce with less air pressure.
"I think the organization did a very good job on the bumps, especially in turns three and four. They've improved it a lot. My engineers did tests, and they say it's 29 percent smoother."
New face
One-time Formula One driver Mika Salo is making his debut this weekend in CART.
The 36-year-old Finn is a veteran of 110 starts on the F1 circuit.
He has joined PK Racing as a replacement for Max Papis, who parted ways with the team after finishing ninth in Sunday's race in Montreal.
"Street racing is my favorite, so I'm looking forward to the upcoming events in Denver and Miami," Salo said.
He is the fourth driver to race on PK Racing's one-car team this season.
http://espn.go.com/rpm/cart/2003/0829/1605897.html
