2012 Audi LMP Audi Sport will run a hybrid at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. It will not be a battery-powered system, the standard in passenger cars or the KERS system in Formula 1. It will use a flywheel design similar to that used in the Hope Racing ORECA Le Mans entries. Developed by Flybrid System in England, the flywheel will be connected to the R18H’s single-turbo diesel. Audi chose this technology because Chief Engineer Ulrich Baretzky says battery-powered hybrids are strictly verboten.
The King’s Monster Mustang Petty’s Garage announced it will be building a Signature Series Mustang for anyone with a big tire budget. The supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 will be built by Ford Racing (no doubt with help from Roush Yates Engines) and packs 624 tire-shredding ponies. The driveline will be beefed up and includes a six-speed transmission, Stop Tech brakes and Pedders Suspension. The King himself picked out the interior treatment as well as the Petty Graphics exterior package. You should stomp the gas on this because only 50 will be built. Petty charges $33,500, plus the cost of your 2011-12 Mustang GT. All cars will be built at Petty’s legendary Level Cross, N.C. shops. It’s too bad it couldn’t be called a “King” Cobra Mustang. It would be a hoot to see two “older gentlemen” (Petty and Shelby) wrasslin’ over that.
NASCAR Names Compromised NASCAR announced that the drug testing information held by Aegis Science Corporation has been stolen. The data was on a laptop computer, which contained a 2009 data file with the names and social security of NASCAR drivers, crew and other officials. Medical or other personal information was not on the hard drive. So far, no fraudulent identity theft has been reported—but call the cops if some guy swipes a “Chad Knaus” credit card for a 60-inch big screen at your store.
Speed Secret Revealed NASCAR teams and drivers categorically refuse to release driver salary information. However, court documents obtained in Scott Speed’s lawsuit over his premature dismissal at Red Bull Racing are eye opening. Speed claimed he was owed $6.5 million from 2011-2013, in addition to $500,000 he accepted in January 2010. Speed and Red Bull settled out of court. Mind you, drivers also negotiate for a percentage of prize money won as well as season end award money. Long story short…these guys ain’t sweating rent.