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Wow - it seems lately like everyone is jumping ship. Is it due to the economic downturn - or something else?

From the Formula One website:

Toyota will be absent from the grid next season after the team’s parent company announced its withdrawal from Formula One racing on Wednesday. The team had been competing since 2002.

“Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of the 2009 season,” said a statement released by the Japanese car manufacturer.

“TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports, even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year.

“However, when considering TMC’s motor-sports activities next year and beyond from a comprehensive midterm viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1.”

Read more…

Changes are coming to World Rally Championship racing in 2010… new schedule was just posted on WRC.com last week and rules changes/safety changes will be added in the coming weeks. This PR regarding the new “electronic yellow flag system” was posted this week….

A new electronic version of the yellow flag traditionally waved to warn drivers of hazards ahead will be introduced on World Rally Championship events from 2010.

The new system, developed by Italian automotive company Magneti Marelli, can receive and display information about hazards on the rally stage far more quickly than is possible using the existing method of personnel by the road side waving flags.

The Magneti Marelli Yellow Flag device is mounted inside a car’s cockpit and enables rally organisers to communicate directly with driver and co-driver via a flashing yellow light to warn them of a hazard ahead. The device also sounds a loud alarm to capture the crew’s attention.

By pressing a confirmation button, the co-driver informs the organisers that the danger signal has been received, after which the flashing and the loud noise stop.

The device is also equipped with a wireless connection to a GPS antenna fitted on the car, which transmit the car’s position and allows for further interaction between the crew and the race organisers.

Magneti Marelli boasts a rich tradition in motorsport and has been the Official Automotive Telemetry Sponsor of the World Rally Championship since 2008.

Roberto Dalla, Managing Director of Magneti Marelli Motorsport, said: “The WRC is the ideal scenario in which to improve our products and a market where to present innovative technological solutions. As of today, thanks to the WRC Electronic Yellow Flag System, it also represents a chance to do something extremely useful for the pilots and the fans who watch this exciting sport.

“In 2009 Magneti Marelli feels even more a part of this world and with the awareness that there is still plenty that can be done to improve both fun and safety,” he added.

Find out more about the new warning system from Magneti Marelli in our EXCLUSIVE ‘Electronic yellow flag’ video in the WRC TV section.

Thought this was interesting… nice to see NASCAR really get “tough” on testing policies - it’s about time. It’s not like football or baseball - substance use/abuse in auto racing is just wrong and needs to be monitored and addressed. While I don’t agree with ALL of their decisions this year (some seemed a little overkill, others a little too lenient), I’m glad they are working to get this under control.

NASCAR announced today its 2010 testing policy for its three national and two regional touring series.

The policy will again prohibit testing at tracks which host NASCAR national series events, by teams in the following series: NASCAR Sprint Cup; NASCAR Nationwide; NASCAR Camping World Truck; NASCAR Camping World East; and NASCAR Camping World West.

In 2010, however, testing will be allowed at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks that host a regional touring event but do not host a national series event. Based on this season’s regional tour schedules, the following tracks would be eligible to host tests next year:

Greenville-Pickens Speedway; Tri-County Motor Speedway; South Boston Speedway; Thompson International Speedway; Adirondack International Speedway; Lime Rock Park; Thunder Hill Raceway; All American Speedway; Madera Speedway; Douglas County Speedway; Toyota Speedway at Irwindale; Portland International Raceway; Miller Motorsports Park; Colorado National Speedway.

Penske Racing driver Will Power will not require surgery for back injuries suffered in a practice accident at Infineon Raceway last month.

Power was examined in Indianapolis on Aug. 31 by IndyCar Series orthopedic consultant Dr. Terry Trammell, who determined that Power suffered fractures of his second, third and fourth lumbar vertebrae and a fracture of his fifth thoracic vertebra. Dr. Trammell expects Power to recover with rest and rehabilitation.

Power will continue to wear a back brace during an expected recovery period of at least four months. Power, who also suffered a concussion and a chipped left front tooth in the incident, will begin physical therapy for his back injuries this week and is expected to be ready to compete by the IndyCar Series season-opening race in March 2010.

As the news trickles in there will more than likely be a few fans that are disappointed with the 2010 IRL Schedule. Just as Kansas fans are rejoicing with a special Saturday race date, fans nearby Loudon’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway are extremely disappointed, having just discovered that their track has been left off of the 2010 schedule - completely - again:

The IndyCar series is heading to Brazil and Alabama next year as part of an initiative to explore new markets, and will not be returning to New Hampshire.

The Granite State was left off the IndyCar series schedule for the second straight year, despite strong efforts by Speedway Motorsports Inc.

“For the second year in a row, I’m extremely disappointed for our fans who continue to hope for the return of IndyCar racing to New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Gappens said in a statement released moments after IndyCar officials announced their 2010 schedule.

All you IRL fans in Kansas can start partying and rejoicing…. the 2010 IndyCar Series race will be held on a Saturday - something fans have been requesting for a long time! Kansas Speedway announced its 2010 schedule today and there are a couple of changes that fans will definitely appreciate:

The Kansas Speedway announced its 2010 spring racing schedule on Friday.

Among the changes – the IndyCar Series race will be held on a Saturday, while the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race will be held on Sunday.

The Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 will be held the next day.

“We look forward to hosting both the IndyCar Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010 as we celebrate our 10th year of racing,” said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger.

Scott Dixon won this year’s IndyCar Series race at Kansas Speedway, while Mike Skinner prevailed in a rain-shortened O’Reilly Auto Parts 250.

“Our fans, especially those that travel from other areas to enjoy racing at Kansas Speedway, have asked that both of these races run earlier in the day and by moving our race weekend back a week, we’re able to accommodate this request,” Boerger said.

For more information visit Kansas Speedway’s website or check out details on the IRL, NASCAR and other Kansas Speedway series’ websites!