95 Days and Counting.

The countdown seems to be really kicking off in style now with just under 95 days to the running of the 100th Indy 500 Mile race. It is certainly looking like we will not be short of any news in the countdown period thats for sure.

This week Firestone Racing unveiled a special tire sidewall design for that honors the drivers who contributed to the brand's 66 victories at the world's most renowned race. Every winning driver on the side of the tire very cool I say.

Firestone has carried more drivers to Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway than all other tire manufacturers combined - starting with Ray Harroun in the first race in 1911 and continuing through Juan Pablo Montoya's victory last year.

"The Firestone brand solidified its place in motorsports history at the first running of the Indianapolis 500 with driver Ray Harroun," said Lisa Boggs, director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. "More than a century later, we are honored to celebrate all of the legendary drivers who have taken Firestone to victory circle at the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing,'

"From the beginning, Harvey Firestone believed in the power of motorsports and the Indianapolis 500 as a showcase for our company's performance, innovation and technology. That legacy is at the core of everything we do and we are proud to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event."

The special sidewalls shown here in this photo that Firestone released this week show how it will feature the names of every driver who won the Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. Also displayed on the sidewall is the 100th running logo and customary Firestone brand markings, including red and white Firestone "F shield" logos unique to the Indianapolis 500 tire because they identify the right- and left-side race tires, respectively.

The tires for the Indy 500 this year will feature an updated right-front construction designed to improve driver confidence in the corners, a softer left-rear construction to add overall grip and a more heat resistant left-side compound. Firestone will produce more than 5,000 tires to be used in May for practice, qualifying and the historic race.

It is all starting to really become exciting and look out for my latest book to learn more on the history of this great race it will be out in just a few weeks and I hope you all enjoy it so keep a look out for it.

David

Mystique of the Indy 500

Just why do hundreds of thousands of people flock each May on Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. to a place they call The Brickyard? Just where is the Brickyard and what is it exactly? What is the appeal of this place and why do people get hooked on this one race?
In my new feature The Mystique of Indy I will attempt to explain how the Indy 500 race captured my attention and emotion.



I have never ever been to a sports venue where there has quite been this feeling that has impacted on me. Yes, many great sporting venues around the world have touched me but this one gets you and that’s the big difference - it gets you.

In my professional life as a television sport producer and director I have been lucky enough to attend many F1 Grand Prix, every Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996 and other major sports events including the Americas Cup sailing series both in Spain and San Francisco but this place, Indy, well it has some magic that’s for sure.

The warmth of the people and the passion of the locals is all a part of the giant puzzle that is Indy. Then add this magic phase “It's about tradition.”

Yes the speedway hosts other races across the season such as NASCAR events in July and until recently for two wheeled fans the Moto GP but the place is firmly known for the one race each May the 500, it is Indy and Indy is the 500.


Release of 500 balloons
For me the speedway and the Indy 500 strike so many emotions - emotions I never thought I would have about a sporting event. It even makes me go watery eyed as the countdown to the race begins.
Just entering the venue makes me tingle and feel its power. Every single day I go there, no matter when in the year, I respect and enjoy the speedway.

Travelling to the Indy 500 this year? Check out my travel guide

100 Days until the running of the 2016 Indy 500 100th race.

News today for you all.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing have revealed the 2016 paint scheme for the defending Indy Car Series Champion New Zealander Scott Dixon. It features the retro lightning bolt scheme seen in the early 2000's on the teams race cars.

February 19th also marks the 100 days until the running of the 2016 Indy 500 the 100th running of the Great Race.

"I cant wait to celebrate the 100th Indy 500 with our fans for the next 100 days." said IMS President Doug Boles. "It will be an exciting and memorable countdown that will be talked about for years to come. The 100th running of the Indy 500 will be an unrivaled event that showcases our iconic history and sets the stage for an extremely bright future."

I'm thrilled to be going myself  - David

The new paint design.

Check out my guide to the Indy 500 for fans and new travellers.

Indy 500 100th race travel tips

The 100th running of the Indy 500 race will take place at the end of May 2016 and to celebrate the occasion I have written a guide to getting to the Indy 500 for those who have yet to go to Indiana for the Speedway event.
Indy500Bound buy here
Here's the cover and a sample of the document for your enjoyment.


Sample from Indy 500 Bound:
"I have attended the Indy 500 annually for the past thirteen years. Over those years I have stayed in a variety of places and gotten to Indy in a wide range of ways. I thought I’d share with you some of the tips I have learned along the way and maybe help you out with any plans you may have for contemplating a trip to the 500.
So the lure of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race on May 29 2016 has got your attention and you are attending the event first hand this coming spring?

Good call I say.
If you want to witness one of the world’s greatest motor races and really experience an event and this year be present at the 100th running of this huge famous race, then it is time to book your tickets, hit the skies, the road or both.


We are lucky today as travel really is easy and yet equally travel can be quite daunting. The thought of long flights, a new country and it’s customs and nature can all lead to making anyone nervous to travel. Sometimes it’s the massive driving distances and the thought of travelling so far and then thinking about what else to do or where is best to stay. Where to park on race day, where to eat, which is the best travel route? These are all questions that pass through your mind as you plan the Indy vacation.
I was lucky at an early age to travel with my late father with his job and I can only encourage you to travel. No matter where you go it opens one’s eyes to this beautiful world we live in.
In my book you can find out how to book the best airline tickets, hotels, rental cars and much more. Where to find information for visitors to the USA, what are the best things to see at the Indy 500 Speedway, what to take to race day, what to leave behind."Check the guide out

More About Me:

Award winning TV Sports director and producer David Turner has a lifetime of travel in his job as Television Producer and director for TVNZ and now his own production company.  Adding ‘Author’ to his many talents in this series  he shares with  you his experiences from attending the Indy 500 a dozen times; 20 years of attending  the Olympics and Commonwealth Games; The Americas Cup, V8Supercars and so much more.

Some of the awards David has collected over the years:

v  2001 Qantas Media Awards: winner best sports coverage, executive producer V8 Supercars NZ.

v  2002 Academy Film and Television Arts: winner, director America's Cup campaign 2001-02.

v  2004 Qantas Media Award: winner, executive producer V8 Supercars best live sports production.

v  2004 NZ TV Guide: winner, producer best sports show on television.

v  2005 Qantas Television Awards: winner, executive producer V8 Supercars NZ production best sports.

v  2007 Qantas Television Awards: winner, director live coverage 32nd America's Cup Valencia.

v  2007 NZ TV Guide Winner: Peoples Choice Awards, producer best sports show on television.

All photographs and text copyright David Turner 2016