Monday 4 June 2007

NASCAR Pioneer Bill France Jr. Passes Away


NASCAR Vice Chairman William C. France, whose leadership helped turn a family-owned company into a national phenomenon, died today at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. at the age of 74.

France served as NASCAR’s president from 1972-2000, taking over from his father, NASCAR founder William H. G. “Big Bill” France.

In 2000, France – known as “Bill Jr. ” – became NASCAR’s CEO and the chairman of the newly created NASCAR Board of Directors.

In October 2003, the torch was again passed, with France’s son Brian France taking over as Chairman and CEO. France became Vice Chairman at that time, whereupon his influence and input remained considerable – and valuable.

“He had a remarkable career and an even-more remarkable life, ” said Brian France. “Words cannot express how much he’ll be missed by myself and the rest of our family and by the NASCAR industry overall. ”

Mike Helton became NASCAR’s president in 2000. He was the third president in the sport’s history and the first not named France.

“Coming in, I had two big pairs of shoes to fill, ” Helton said, talking about Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. “I was more familiar with Bill Jr. ’s way of doing business but that didn’t make it any easier. He blazed so many trails for our sport. He was determined to follow the vision of his father while also expanding on that vision. Over nearly four decades, he did a masterful job. ”

France is survived by his wife Betty Jane France, NASCAR’s assistant secretary; his son Brian; daughter Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR’s vice president and assistant treasurer; his brother James C. France, NASCAR’s vice chairman and executive vice president; and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

One answer, many questions

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton
Formula One’s Monacco Grand Prix on May 27 gave one expected answer and asked a lot of unexpected questions.

As many predicted, McLaren Mercedes scored a double win in Fernando Alonso’s first place and Lewis Hamilton’s second.

After the finish, the time for questions came.

Is there a number one driver in McLaren’s team?

Did Ferrari concede the defeat in Monte Carlo even before the start of the race?

Is Ferrari’s top driver Kimi Raikkonen still a contender for the title?

Renault run thrills spectators in Warsaw

Renault run thrills spectators in Warsaw
Renault kicked off their 2007 roadshow programme in style on Sunday, as race driver Heikki Kovalainen took to the streets of downtown Warsaw in a R26. Kovalainen’s demonstration run, the first of its kind to be held in Poland, attracted a crowd of 80,000.

“I am really pleased to have been able to come to Warsaw for this roadshow,” enthused the young Finn. “At Renault, we are always trying to get people to see Formula One in a new way and to get them behind the scenes, and the roadshow is a brilliant way of doing it! I really enjoyed myself today, and people were very friendly, and I hope they had as much fun watching the show as I did behind the wheel!”

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Hamilton looks ahead to Canada

Hamilton looks ahead to Canada
Lewis Hamilton has declared his second-placed finish in Monaco a "dream result", but has now turned his focus to the Canadian Grand Prix.

The young Briton finished behind team-mate Fernando Alonso in Monte Carlo and admits he was satisfied with the race, despite his initial disappointment.

And he is now looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix next weekend as he bids for his maiden race win.