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The Town of Speedway: HARF Tours Sarah Fisher Racing and Andretti Autosport

Posted on: March 24, 2011 | Comments (0) | Fan Memories | By: Chris Jones

One of the advantages of living in the Town of Speedway is that we are close to a number of the INDYCAR race shops. The race shops are generally closed to the public; however, they do open their doors for certain special events. Earlier this month, two INDYCAR shops hosted members of Hoosier Auto Racing Fans (HARF). More about HARF later…

The first HARF shop tour was at Andretti Autosport on March 12. On the day of our visit, the team was finishing the process of loading their transporters for the Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park. The tour started in the lobby where there is an impressive display of trophies along with the car Michael Andretti drove to his last open-wheel victory. The size and scope of the shop was incredible. The entire shop area was spotless. Each crew member for each car had his own work area. There were also separate work stations for fabricators, painters, engineers, gearbox specialists, etc. Some of the tools and gadgets at their disposal were amazing.

The Andretti Autosport #28 DHL Sun Drop IndyCar

The Andretti Autosport Team Shop

The following weekend, Sarah Fisher Racing hosted members of HARF. As you might guess, since SFR is a one-car team competing in one series, compared to the multi-car and multi-series AA team, the SFR shop was much smaller; however it was no less impressive and it was just as clean. We learned that the crew’s primary focus is to get Ed Carpenter’s number 67 Dollar General car ready for the Indianapolis 500. The Indy 500 will be the team’s first race of the 2011 season since the team is concentrating its limited schedule on the oval races in the IZOD INDYCAR Series.

The Sarah Fisher Racing Team Shop

Checking out plans for the #67 IndyCar for the Indianapolis 500

You can find more images from the tours here. Thanks to both of these teams for taking time out of their busy pre-season schedule to provide behind the scenes visits to the members of HARF.

HARF is one of the oldest racing fan clubs in America. It is dedicated to promoting better understanding of the sport of auto racing and better sportsmanship within the ranks of auto racing. It strives to do everything possible to improve the sport of auto racing. HARF’s biggest event is its Annual Banquet where drivers and others associated with racing are honored. The most prestigious annual award is the HARF Driver of the Year. This year’s winner was open-wheel ace Jon Stanbrough. The 2009 HARF Driver of the Year was Bryan Clausen, winner of the 2010 USAC National Drivers Championship which earned him a scholarship to compete on the 2011 oval schedule in Firestone Indy Lights.

Members of HARF receive discounts at a number of Indiana short-tracks (including Bloomington, Kokomo, Gas City, Lawrenceburg, and even Eldora which is in western Ohio) on certain nights throughout the season. HARF members are eligible to elect members to the HARF Hall-of-Fame. The list of inductees is a who’s who of auto racing including many with ties to the Indy 500 and IMS. A plaque listing the members of the HARF Hall of Fame is on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

If you live in Indiana, attend races in Indiana, and want to support auto racing, consider joining HARF. Find more information at HARF online.

Fan of the Day- Terry Wesnidge

Posted on: May 27, 2010 | Comments (0) | Fan of the Day, Indy 500 | By: Admin

Another hot and humid day at the track. Not a quiet one though! The Indy Lights drivers were out in full force for the Firestone Freedom 100 Practice and Qualifications. With only three days until the Indy 500 the fans were out enjoying the track and watching the practice runs. That was when we found our fan of the day. We first noticed his Indianapolis Motor Speedway cap that was completely covered in Indy 500 commemorative race pins,which dated back to 1984! Meet fan of the day, Terry Wesnidge:

Fan of the Day-Terry Wesnidge

When was your first Indy 500?

Terry’s first Indy 500 took place before he started collecting race pins. He first came to the track in 1972 and remembers it specifically because Mark Donohue won.

Who is your favorite driver and why?

Terry’s favorite driver is A.J. Foyt senior. You could tell he was a true fan, and explained that Foyt has a “tell-it-like-it-is-attitude” that he really admired.

What is your favorite Indy 500 memory?

Terry said he had too many favorite Indy 500 memories, so he couldn’t choose just one. However, his first race was probably his favorite because that was when he became a true fan and realized his love for the sport.

How should the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 next year?

Terry admitted that he had not giving it much thought, because he goes every year, but he thought a party would be nice. He thought the party should include both fans and drivers and of course… hand out commemorative pins!

Do you collect any Indy 500 memorabilia?

The Diaries Of An IMS Intern

Posted on: May 19, 2010 | Comments(2) | Indy 500 | By: Cassie

As my freshman year of college quickly came to an end, it was time to search for a summer job. After trying to come up with a job that would be more exciting than my regular hometown summer employment, I realized it was a hopeless search. A week into summer, however, I was offered a job that sent my summer racing onto a different track. That track may be better known as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or as most may call it, the racing capital of the world. An internship with the New Media department was right up my alley. Recently declaring my journalism major at the spectacular institution of Indiana University, this internship would provide me with great experience. The requirements of the job were explained ahead of time, but the real perks were yet to be found out.