The Lamborghini Super Trofeo one-make series is heading to America this year for the first time in the series’ four-year history.

Dubbed “the ultimate single-make series,” the Lamborghini Super Trofeo first debuted in Europe in 2009 before it expanded to Asia last year. This year, it’ll run six events throughout North America (including Canada) with the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA) as the sanctioning body. The Italian automaker did also announce that it has a long-term agreement to run the series under the same sanctioning body as the newly-announced United SportsCar Racing in the future.

The series is the only single-make, four-wheel drive series in the world and features the Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo powered by a 570-hp, V10 engine. Winners of the U.S. series will be invited to take part in the world final in Italy alongside series winners from Europe and Asia.

SEE ALSO: Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series Heading to America

The season will kick off on June 15-16 at Mid-Ohio, alongside the Grand-Am event. Next, it’ll team up with ALMS on July 5-6 at Lime Rock before heading back to a Grand-Am event on August 17-18 in Kansas City. The series will then head to Canada at Calabogie with IMSA on September 7-8 before venturing to the east coast at Virginia International Raceway along with the ALMS event taking place on October 5-6. The season will end at Fontana in California with the Indy Car race on October 18-19.

“We’re extremely excited to be bringing the Super Trofeo to the USA,” said Lamborghini America COO Michael Lock. “The Lamborghini marque continues to gain recognition and followers apace in the USA, and motorsport is the perfect way to open the door further on our brand and our technical competence, for both our customers and also our fans.”

When you’re an Olympic gold medalist, there’s no denying your dedication to your country. But apparently Tyler Clary would much rather hop into a stock car and go racing than hang out with the President of the United States.

Clary, who shattered Ryan Lochte’s backstroke record at the recent London Olympic Games, was invited to the White House to hang out with President Obama, but politely declined, instead heading to Fontana, California to test drive some race cars before heading to the MAVTV 500 IndyCar event on September 15th.

The White House is holding a special event for all 2012 Olympic athletes on September 14th, which clearly conflicted with Clary’s schedule and passion for motorsports. The swimmer has made it clear that once his days in the pool are over, he wants to become a professional race car driver. He’s already been courted by IndyCar and NASCAR teams and sponsors. Perhaps we’ll have our first gold medalist turned NASCAR driver.

[Source: TMZ]

The Chinese have something to learn about watching car racing, and maybe beer drinking too in light of the fact that the race was cancelled for a beer festival.

One doesn’t need to be cancelled for the other, you only need to attend one NASCAR event to realize the two events work well together, maybe even better. Nevertheless, it looks like another slot will have to open up somewhere on the Indy schedule to all the races can be run.

New city leadership in Qingdao apparently didn’t want to run the IndyCar race alongside the Qingdao International Beer Festival. We’re guessing Budweiser and Coors aren’t planning to be there with any beer gardens.

Then again, that could be good news because it might mean an additional race at the new Texas Motor Speedway where the idea of cheap beer and loud engines in the same venue is fully realized.

[Source: AutoWeek]

The 2012 Indy 500 race will undoubtedly be an exhilarating one, airing on ABC with the flag dropping at 12:12 pm EST today.

But in case you aren’t sitting near a television when the engines start, we have you covered. ESPN will be out and about, armed with over 80 cameras to capture the historical race, which means plenty of opportunities to watch the race online. ESPN3 will play host with onboard HD cameras on the following driver’s cars: James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball, Tony Kanaan, Will Power, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Rubens Barichello, Dario Franchitti, Graham Rahal, Helio Castroneves, JR Hildebrand, and pole driver Ryan Briscoe.

We’ve compiled a list of live streams for you to watch from the convenience of your computer, laptop, iPad, or any other portable device. So don’t fret if you don’t want to miss a minute of the action – we’ll also update the post as we pick up more streams.

ESPN3 On Board Cameras

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Stream

To capture this year’s 101st Indianapolis 500, ESPN will be introducing several new video technologies, deploying more than 80 cameras to capture the famous IndyCar race.

The race will air on ABC, with the green flag set to drop at 12:12 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 27. Ryan Briscoe will lead the pole at the start of the race, his 11th pole of his career. But Briscoe will have a tough task ahead of him if he intends to finish at the top of the podium at this year’s Indy 500. Marco Andretti, Will Power, and Helio Castrovenes won’t be far behind in the second row once the race starts.

Joining Briscoe in the front row will be stiff competition as well, with Ryan Hunter-Reay with three top-six finishes this season, and James Hinchcliffe who has had four top-six finishes this season. This race also marks the return of Chevy to the series and so far, so good with Briscoe at pole.

ESPN will have four onboard HD cameras in at least nine of the 33 competing race cars and will use dual-path technology for the first time in an IndyCar Series telecast. We’ll also be able to see a different look to the race with the use of ultra high-motion cameras that shoot at an astounding 1000 fps. They will be located at the short chutes at each end of the track in addition to the fourth turn and exit.

And with all those cameras out and about, we’ll also have a choice to see live streaming video from the onboard cameras on ESPN3, allowing us to choose which driver’s onboard cameras we want to watch.

“On the new DW12 chassis, we’ve been able to work with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IZOD IndyCar Series and the chassis developers to install four cameras on every car,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports production.  ”If we achieve our goal of 12 cars, that would be 48 onboard cameras, which is a first in terms of volume for us. Additionally, for the first time, all the cars that have systems will offer our viewers driver shots which we’ve not been able to do in many, many years.”

Guy Fieri of Food Network fame, among many other things, will officially be the pace car driver piloting the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car at the upcoming Indy 500.

“There are races and then there are races,” Fieri said. “And without a doubt, the Indy 500 is the race that I’ve always wanted to attend. And now, to be driving the Corvette Pace Car … this is going to be unbelievable.”

Fieri is probably most readily known for the show he hosts: Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, the seven restaurants he co-owns and operates in Northern California, or the books he’s authored on food.

Sandwiches aside, he’s also a certified car fanatic. With a collection including his recently recovered Lamborghini Gallardo and a host of classic Chevorlets including his 1968 Camaro SS, which appears on his show.

“We look forward to welcoming Guy Fieri to the Indianapolis 500,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief executive officer. “He’s full of energy and is a longtime ‘car guy’ – a perfect match for ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ I’m sure he’ll remember forever the moment he fires up the incredible 2013 Corvette ZR1 and paces the field to the green flag.”

And incredible it is. With a 638-hp 6.2-liter LS9 engine, this will be the fastest car to ever pace the race, which will run on May 27.

Just announced as the pace car for the 96th Indy 500, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will be the most powerful to fulfill the role in history. 

While there really isn’t anything new about the ZR1 itself, there’s little doubt that Chevrolet’s supercar featuring a 6.2-liter LS9 V8 will dazzle the crowd. To date, Chevrolet has provided the race with a pace car 23 times, 11 of which were Corvettes.

You’ll be able to see the 638 hp ZR1 which can run from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds on May 27 when the race starts at noon, Eastern Standard Time, but until then there’s a video fo it below.

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It might be hard to believe, but the 96th Indianapolis 500 already has a new record set before the race has even begun. With 638 hp, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will be the most powerful production car to ever pace the famous race.

This will be the 11th time a Corvette has served as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500′s storied history, and Chevrolet’s 23rd time overall – both marking event records. It will also mark the last time we’ll see this generation Corvette, as the 2013 model year will be the final year of production as Chevy also celebrates the Corvette’s 60th anniversary.

“This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.  ”I can’t think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500.”

As a quick refresher, the Corvette ZR1 packs a 6.2-liter LS9 under the hood with 638 hp and can run from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Thanks to plenty of carbon fiber, the ZR1 weighs in at just 3,353 pounds and has a top speed of 205 mph. The particular car (shown above) for the Indianapolis 500 will have an Arctic White exterior with Pearl Silver Blue accents similar to the 60th Anniversary Package.

Catch the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 when it starts at noon Eastern Standard Time.

Hot Wheels will introduce a limited-run tribute Dan Wheldon commemorative edition car to simultaneously mark the beginning of a new IndyCar season and to celebrate the life of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon.

Wheldon suffered fatal injuries after a 15-car crash during last year’s IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Available in toy stores in a matter of weeks, the Hot Wheel known as “DW-1″ will be the first Hot Wheel in decades to sport rear rubber tires and its proceeds will help support the Dan Wheldon Family Trust.

Last October, IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon tragically passed away in a 15 car accident at the Las Vegas 300. The British-born driver had adopted St. Petersburg, Florida as his hometown, and the city has named a street Dan Wheldon Way in honor of him.

The street is found on the St. Petersburg race course and the street sign was unveiled by city mayor Bill Foster and Wheldon’s wife, Susie. Dan Wheldon Way also has significance to Wheldon’s career, found on Turn 10 of the course where Wheldon overtook Ryan Briscoe to win a race back in 2005. The ceremony took place during IndyCar’s annual media day where the vast majority of active drivers were in attendance.

“I just want to take the opportunity to thank my St. Petersburg family for all the love and support over the last several months,” Susie Wheldon said during the ceremony. “What a beautiful gift to be part of his legacy, and it’s something we can all share for years to come. Sebastian and Oliver will be so proud to know the impact their father had on this community and the world of motorsports.”

Many of Wheldon’s family and friends shared memories at the event while emotions still run high since the accident took place at the final race of the 2011 IndyCar season. There is no doubt that many will race with a heavy heart when the 2012 IndyCar season kicks off on March 25th at the Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg. Susie Wheldon has not yet decided whether she’ll stay in town for the race.

The 2012 season will also mark the debut of IndyCar’s new model, named the Dallara DW12 after the fact that Wheldon helped develop it last year before his tragic accident. Many have said that the new race car is much safer thanks to better technology.

[Source: ESPN]

Formula 1 racing veteran Rubens Barrichello will officially be joining KV Racing Technology to make the move from F1 to IndyCar racing.

“We are kind of pinching ourselves, it’s a dream to be bringing Rubens to our team,” KV Racing co-owner Jimmy Vasser said.

“I had always promised to my wife, Silvana, that I wouldn’t race on ovals,” Barrichello said. “But we talked a lot and in the end she said that she wouldn’t interfere if this was really what I wanted to do. I think my two sons were actually the ones who helped convince her.”

Initially, he said the plan wasn’t to run in all 16 races on the IndyCar circuit, but instead to solely run in the Indy 500. It seems that Barrichello changed his mind after deciding it would be too hard to sit at home and watch someone else in his car.

“This wasn’t expected at all at first,” he said. “But it kind of evolved after the first test and now I’m really happy to be starting this new phase in my life,” he said.

KV Racing isn’t the only party excited to have the racing legend changing veins. IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard also acknowledged the draw Barrichello is likely to command in the coming season.

“There’s not a person in the world who knows racing that wouldn’t tell you that Rubens Barrichello is one of the greatest drivers of all time,” he said in a statement. “That will create great competition and expands our international platform. There will be millions of fans that will want to see what Barrichello can do.”

[Source: USA Today]

We know that he can win when he gets behind the wheel of an IndyCar, but does he have what it takes to be a successful business man and impress Donald Trump?

We will find out this season on NBC’s reality show Celebrity Apprentice where Michael Andretti will be one of the contestants. This season of the show looks particularly good, with a good mix of celebs joining Andretti in the competition. The list includes American Idol star Clay Aiken, comedian Arsenio Hall, American Choppers tough guy Paul Tuetul Sr., original Star Trek cast member George Takei, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, Miss Universe 2008 winner Dayana Mendoza and others.

Look for the show to premiere on February the 12th at 9pm.