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Tag: IZOD IndyCar Series

  • New IndyCar Chassis Makes Canadian Debut at Canadian Motorsports Expo

    New IndyCar Chassis Makes Canadian Debut at Canadian Motorsports Expo

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    Trevor Knowles, IndyCar Director of Engine Development

    On Friday February 10th, IZOD IndyCar Director of Engine Development Trevor Knowles unveiled the brand new 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar for the first time in Canada as part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo at the International Centre.

    The car includes many safety features to make the IndyCar Series safer after the death of Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas last October. Ironically, Wheldon had been helping series officials throughout 2011 develop this car, so therefore the car was named DW12 after Wheldon.

    Some of the safety features and other changes include…..

    The fenders are wider in the back to therefore prevent wheel-to-wheel locking, which was one of the contributors in Wheldon’s crash.

    The drivers’ cockpit has changed as it’s wider to give the driver’s more room and sits them lower so they have more protection. Knowles also added that there is more padding with the new seats, saying, “As you remember, Justin Wilson hurt his back last year after going over a car. That wouldn’t had happened in this car.”

    The series will run spec cars, which means “the teams have to run the cars as delivered by Dallara”. Knowles says they did this to therefore keep costs down, adding that this chassis is cheaper than the 2011 chassis. He went on to say that the same suspension will be used on road courses and speedways. The gearbox is also supplied to the teams.

    They switched from steel to carbon brakes, which once again reduce the costs because the brakes last longer.

    There is no clutch button in the car as it powered by a lever on the steering wheel now. Knowles added, “Hopefully that will keep the car running and reduced the number of full course yellows during practice or a race.”

    There are three engine manufactures on board – Chevrolet, Lotus and Honda. In past recent seasons, Honda has been the sole supplier of motors. The engines are going to be a 2.2 V6 turbo charged with a spec minimum weight. Knowles says that IndyCar does have control over certain individual specs of the motors, too, and changes may come during the season as they are needed. These motors will be controlled by ECUs, which will be supplied by IndyCar. It controls gear shifts and clutch, along with setting in an RPM limit. Manufactures will be allowed to change calibrations, but nothing beyond that as Knowles says that stops the usage of traction control and other tricks.

    Also, IndyCar will be incharge of how the manufactures supply the engines. Knowles spoke of how sometimes manufactures pick and choose certain people to get certain engines to therefore have some cars stronger. This will not happen as manufactures must send the motors to IndyCar first, and then IndyCar will send them out to the teams.

    Teams will only need up to eight motors a year and IndyCar will be keeping track of this. Approved engine changes will be allowed – such as when a motor reaches its life or has blown up. Unapproved changes are also allowed, but the team will be penalized for that.  Also, once the motor is put in the car, it will be sealed as officials don’t want them making changes once at the shop.

    They’ve also switched the fuel from ethanol to Sonoco’s racing fuel and switched to direct injection, which makes it easier for the manufactures in development.

    The Turbo Chargers are also supplied by one company to the manufactures to keep things even across the board. Manufactures had the choice between a single turbo charge or a twin turbo charger. Honda chose single while both Chevrolet and Lotus chose twin.

    They will also run torque sensors on select cars each week to therefore determine the varying performance levels. If a manufactures performance is significantly lower than that of their rivals, they will be allowed to make changes. Knowles says, “We don’t wanna punish a manufacture for running good, but we wanna keep all manufactures competitive.”

    IndyCar will begin the season without the overtake switch and whether or not it is implemented will depend on how the racing looks. If they

    [media-credit id=4 align=”alignright” width=”356″][/media-credit]choose to implement it, it will have a different set-up than they’ve had before. The old system it would initialize the overtake right away, while the new system would have a slight delay before kicking in.

    Engine recovery system is also not included on this car, but may be included down the road. This is part of trying to save the teams money right now.

    With regards to suspension and handling, teams will have an option to run a combination of the old style with the new style. The new style suspension pushes more weight towards the front of the car. By allowing this, it allows the teams to have some innovation on their side to some weeks some will get it right and other weeks they won’t get it right.

    A lot of people are excited for what the 2012 season has to bring for the IZOD IndyCar Series as it should be exciting with the changes have taken place and what it is to come.

    The 2012 season begins with St. Petersburg on March 25th. For more information on the IZOD IndyCar Series, check out http://www.indycar.com.

  • IndyCar: The Future Looks Bright For the Honda Indy Toronto

    IndyCar: The Future Looks Bright For the Honda Indy Toronto

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    IndyCar Director of Engine Development Trevor Knowles and Honda Indy Toronto VP & GM Charlie Johnstone

    Every year, fans across Canada head to Exhibition Grounds to see the Honda Indy Toronto, which is headlined by the IZOD IndyCar Series.

    With IndyCar debuting a new chassis for 2012, anticipation is high for this year’s event.

    “I think this year’s Honda Indy Toronto is going to be spectacular,” Honda Indy Toronto VP and GM Charlie Johnston says. “It’s the largest sporting event in Ontario. We now have a new chassis that the Indy teams will be running – it will be the first time for the new chassis in Toronto. The new engines manufactures, you’ll see increased competition so I think the future looks really bright for this year and future years for the Honda Indy Toronto.”

    Johnston was at the Canadian Motorsports Expo on Friday February 11th, part of the Canadian unveil of the 2012 Dallara DW12 chassis.

    The car includes many safety features to make the IndyCar Series safer after the death of Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas last October. Ironically, Wheldon had been helping series officials throughout 2011 develop this car, so therefore the car was named DW12 after Wheldon.

    Johnston says the car looks good and addresses safety issues, but also addresses other concerns.

    “I think they’ve really addressed some of the safety issues, speed issues and cost issues so we’ve got a lighter, faster, safer racecar so it’s going to be awesome in the streets of Toronto,” he says.

    Coming into the race, a lot of Ontario fans have kept their eyes as of late on Oakville, Ontario native James Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe recently announced that he would be replacing Danica Patrick at Andretti Autosport, driving the Go Daddy car in 2012.

    “I think it’s great,” Johnstone comments. “James is a great kid to be in the Go Daddy, to be driving for Michael Andretti, who has won this race five times and this will be his hometown race. I think the future is bright for both James and his involvement in the Honda Indy Toronto.”

    Beyond Hinchcliffe, Alex Tagliani is locked to be part of this year’s edition of the race, while Paul Tracy is trying to solidify details to be there.

    “Anytime you can have Canadians involved with the Honda Indy Toronto is great and cheer for the local heroes is fabulous,” Johnstone comments.

    For more information on the Honda Indy Toronto and to get tickets, check out http://www.hondaindytoronto.com.

  • Rahal Letterman Lanigan Signs Takumo Sato for 2012 IZOD IndyCar Season

    Rahal Letterman Lanigan recently announced that they had signed Takumo Sato to drive for them in 2012.

    “I think we all look forward to having him with us because, as I said earlier, he’s shown his pace over the last couple years in IndyCars,” co-owner Bobby Rahal says of the announcement. “As I said in the beginning when we reentered IndyCar racing, it was important for us to do so with someone who was going to be competitive. I had no real interest in just being here. Taku certainly fits that bill.

    “I think we are quite excited for the start of the year. We have testing to do yet. We’ve done a little bit already in December which went I think pretty well. So I think everybody’s just anxious to get going.”

    Rahal adds that he’s excited about working with Sato due to their friendship. The relationship between Rahal and Sato began back in 2001 when Sato was running Formula 3.

    “I had a chance to see Taku not when he first started racing but when he was Europe in England in Formula 3 in 2001 when I was over there with Jaguar Formula One,” Rahal says. “I managed to watch Takuma win a lot of Formula 3 races. I think Formula 3 has always been considered a very good judge of talent.

    “Of course, you know, I kept an eye on him when he was in Formula One. So I’ve known his competitiveness, his speed. I’ve seen that many times over the years.”

    Sato says he made the move as Rahal offered him a good offer and the team has a great history.

    “The numbers in racing is very impressive winning record,” Sato says. “It’s just great success. Okay, the IndyCar Series wasn’t entering full-time in a couple years, but they showing great speed last year every single time they were entering IndyCar. So I was very confident.”

    Sato says he has high expectations for this year and excited about the new operation. The addition of Sato to the team isn’t the only change as Rahal moved the team to Brownsburg, Indiana over the off-season.

    “It’s really become the center of IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis area,” Rahal says of the move. “You look at the resource that exists here within the area, both the human resource, but the subcontractors, what have you, that can provide services for an IndyCar team.

    “It just seemed to me that we needed to be in sort of the epicenter of IndyCar racing now that we were going to come back into it on a full-time basis. So we managed to lease the space that Gil de Ferran used to be in from my friend Don Prudhomme. It’s a nice shop up here in Brownsburg. This is a start for us. But the IndyCar team will certainly be headquartered here for many years to come because we think this is the place to be both for now and in the future.”

    Rahal added earlier this week that the team is looking into options of adding a second car to make the team better for 2012. Though if another team is not put together, it is okay.

    “While a single-car team may not be ideal, I think your ability to be competitive is just as good there as anywhere else,” he says. “You’re able to focus all your efforts on one driver, one car, a small group of people tightly knit. That can do a lot of good things.

    “In the end, if we have our options, we want to be a two-car team. We’re working hard for that. I think we will be. So that’s how we’re going forward at this stage.”

     

  • IndyCar Star James Hinchcliffe To Appear at Canadian Motorsports Expo

    IndyCar Star James Hinchcliffe To Appear at Canadian Motorsports Expo

    [media-credit name=”Canadian Motorsports Expo” align=”alignleft” width=”284″][/media-credit]The Mayor of Hinchtown is making an appearance at this year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo.

    Canadian Motorsports Expo staff announced that IZOD IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe will be at this year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo on Sunday February 12th. The 25-year-old from Oakville, Ontario won the Rookie of the Year award last season driving for Newman/Haas Racing.

    In January, Andretti Autosport made the announcement that Hinchcliffe would drive the GoDaddy.com IndyCar, replacing Danica Patrick.

    “I’m looking forward to coming back to the Canadian Motorsport Expo,” Hinchcliffe said. “It’s been a couple of years since my last visit and I know it’s grown in stature since then, which is fantastic to see. Canadian fans are truly passionate about their motorsports and it’s always a great experience to hang out with them. It’s been both an exciting and busy winter for me and the new season’s fast approaching. I think everyone’s raring to go and the CME’s a great way to kick-start Canada’s racing calendar.”

    Hinchcliffe has continiuly been moving up through the ranks as he’s raced Formula BMW, Star Mazda, ChampCar Atlanta, A1GP, Firestone Indy Lights and is headed into his second year of IndyCar racing. Lots of fans like Hinchcliffe as a result of his personality and how he engages his fans through social media and his website.

    “Through our work at Inside Track Motorsport News, we’ve followed James’ career since his karting days,” CME’s Rob Morton said. “So it’s very exciting for all of us to see how far he’s come and how far he can go. We’re happy to welcome him back to the CME to connect with his Canadian racing fans and sign a bunch of autographs.”

    Hinchcliffe will be on the Mazda Stage for a Q&A session on Sunday February 12th from 12:45 till 1:30pm. After, he will sign autographs at the Inside Track Motorsports News booth.

    The Canadian Motorsports Expo runs February 10th to the 12th at the International Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The event schedule for the three days is full of star apperances including Ron Fellows, Carl Edwards, Randy LaJoie, Robert Yates and more. For more information, check out http://www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.

  • Formula One Veteran Rubens Barrichello Tests IZOD IndyCar Series Car with KV Racing

    Formula One Veteran Rubens Barrichello Tests IZOD IndyCar Series Car with KV Racing

    Two weeks ago, Tony Kanaan hinted towards Rubens Barrichello that he should come try the IZOD IndyCar Series out. That small hint has now turned into a deal into the making as the Formula One veteran tested a car for KV Racing.

    “We’ll see,” Barrichello said after the first day of testing at Sebring on January 30th. “I don’t have anything else (competitive driving), so we’ll see.”

    Kanaan pulled out all the stops for his friend as he welcomed him with a dinner that included fellow IndyCar drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Oriol Servia on January 29th.

    “Over the winter we talked about it, but it became serious when I was testing (at Sebring) and they announced that he wouldn’t be with Williams, and I tweeted a picture of my car saying ‘It’s ready for you,’” Kanaan said. “Then I called him up and said, ‘Hey, you want to come test at the end of the month?’ And he said yes, so I called Jimmy (Vasser).

    “It’s great to have a guy I can call a brother with us. (His future) is in his hands. Right now, it’s just an invitation for him to help us out as far as his feedback. Nineteen years in Formula One, the guy has so much knowledge we need to take advantage of . What goes beyond that, it’s up to him.

    “Knowing Rubens, his timeline will be pretty short. By the time he gets out of the car (Jan. 31), he’ll have a pretty good idea what he wants to do. Right now, we don’t have anyone signed for the other two cars. You can tell by his face he’s having a lot of fun.”

    IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard was also on-hand and would like to have Barrichello in the IndyCar Series.

    “If Rubens joins the IZOD IndyCar Series, it continues to strengthen the caliber of drivers that we’re attracting,” Bernard said. “His record alone is the type of excitement that we want to build within the series and give our fanbase. When you look at the history of Indy car and the greats such as Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi, it only helps the stature of Indy car. If there is a transition, I want him to know that we’re here to help him.”

    Barrichello has had notable success in F1 as he has 11 wins, 68 podiums and 14 pole positions, though was replaced by Bruno Seena at Williams F1 at the end of the season.

    Kanaan and Barrichello are close as Kanaan is the godfather of one of Barrichello’s sons.

  • New IndyCar Series ‘DW12’ Chassis To Make First Appearance in Canada

    Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track staff announced that as part of the three day show, they will be featuring a special show car – the 2012 IndyCar Series D12 Dallara Chassis.

    This will mark the first time that the completed version of the 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar will make its appearance in Canada. A preview of the final version was on display at the Honda Indy Toronto last year, but there have since been significant changes. Dallara named the the chassis “DW12″ in honor of the late Dan Wheldon, who helped develop the car and and is a two-time winner of the Indy 500. The car is being put on display on behalf of the Honda Indy Toronto staff.

    “Canadian Motorsports Expo visitors are going to be the first in Canada to get a firsthand look at the new road course version of the Dallara DW12 IZOD IndyCar Series car, identical to the ones that will be in action on the streets of Toronto in July,” CME’s David Weber said. “The Honda Indy Toronto is one of Canada’s biggest sports and entertainment events and we’re excited to be working the organizers to promote both the event and Canadian motorsports at the CME.”

    The Honda Indy Toronto brings the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and other major racing series to Toronto to race along the streets of the Exhibition Grounds. The event weekend is schedule to take place July 6th through the 8th for 2012. Representatives from the event will on-hand to talk about the 2012 event and the new IndyCar Series chassis.

    “The Honda Indy Toronto is the highlight of the year for many motorsports fans and car aficionados,” Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. “Motorsports has much more to offer than one single weekend of spectacular racing and excitement. IndyCar and other racing series can offer great entertainment all year long, which is something we will also offer at the CME.

    “At the CME, we can speak directly to the motorsport enthusiast who will definitely appreciate seeing the new car up-close and in-person six months before it hits the track,” continued Johnstone.”

    The Canadian Motorsports Expo will be taking place at the International Centre from February 10th to February 12th. The three-day event is meant to highlight the best of Canadian motorsports and let the fans get up-and-close with the race cars, while giving the fans a chance to meet racing superstars.

    Canadian racing talent has been building in the IZOD IndyCar Series as 2011 IndyCar Rookie of the Year James Hinchcliffe and 2011 Indy 500 pole-winner Alex Tagliani have both signed deals for full-time rides. Hinchcliffe, who was born in Ontario, recently signed with Andretti Autosport while Tagliani, who was born in Quebec, recently signed with Bryan Herta Autosport. Both drivers are also nominated for an Inside Track Readers’ Choice Award.

    Canadian racing veteran Paul Tracy could also have a full-time ride for 2012 as he in talks with teams, but nothing has yet to be confirmed.

    “We have some solid Canadian talents participating this year and driving at the highest level,” Johnstone said. “Having Canadian IndyCar drivers is very important for us and for our fans. We always want to see local heroes on-track and to have them succeed. We can’t wait to see how they perform in Toronto this July and what the season holds for our Canadian drivers.”

  • Oriol Servia Joins Dreyer and Reinbold Racing For 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Season

    After finishing fourth last season in the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship standings, Oriol Servia has partnered with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing.

    “I couldn’t be more excited, for many reasons,” the 37-year-old said. “DRR is a team that I raced against since 2008 and they’ve always shown to be very professional at the racetrack. Although I knew the owners, I didn’t know them very well, to be honest. Before signing with the team, like everybody else, I did my research and I couldn’t find one individual that didn’t speak highly of Dennis or Robbie (Buhl), which gave me a lot of confidence.

    “I went to the team’s sponsor summit last week (in Florida) and met all of their partners that they have been involved with for many, many years, which was another clear sign that they are good people.”

    The driver from Catalonia, Spain, posted 11 top-10 finishes with a high of second at New Hampshire and Baltimore for Newman/Haas Racing. He also led all drivers in laps completed with 2,103 of 2,111 and was the only driver to finish in the top 10 in the first five races of the season.

    “With a new engine, new chassis and a revamped engineering department, we believe it is crucial to have a highly talented veteran driver to be able to develop these new components,” Dreyer & Reinbold co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. “Oriol has always been a smart driver and has always put himself and his team in a position to win races. We are going to have to be well-prepared to take advantage of his abilities and we look forward to the challenge.”

    Servia got his start with Newman-Haas back in 2005 and the following season, he was able to finish second in points. From there, they tried to put a deal together, even running four races in 2009, though the deal didn’t come together till this year. He caught the eye of Newman-Haas after success in the Firestone Indy Lights, including a championship in 1999.

    “That’s a moment in my life where I was trying to become a professional racer, but I wasn’t yet,” he told me back in July of last year. “That meant that I had to win the championship if I wanted any chance and the day I won the championship, I only lost control of all of my emotions and it was a great feeling.”

    Dreyer and Reinbold Racing had already announced that they will be partnering with Lotus for 2012. Servia is eager to begin testing as the season-opening race is on March 25th with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

    “I’m at the best point in my career and it was very important to partner with the right team,” he said. “When I visited the DRR facility in Indianapolis, I couldn’t have been more impressed. We are starting with a new engine and chassis, and I have confidence in Lotus and our ability to develop a quality product in 2012. When you have everyone pulling in the same direction like we are now is when we can accomplish our goals.”

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing continues to work toward a second full-time entry for the 2012 season.

  • Alex Tagliani To Drive For Bryan Herta Autosport

    It seems like the perfect combination on paper. The team that won the Indianapolis 500 last year has hired last year’s Indianapolis 500 pole winner to be their driver.

    Bryan Herta Autosport announced that Alex Tagliani will drive for them in 2012.

    With six top-10 finishes last year and two pole starts, BHA co-owners Bryan Herta and Steve Newey wanted to hire Tagliani due to his experience.

    “We are very proud to have Alex Tagliani join our team for our first full season of IndyCar competition,” Herta said in a press release. “He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the program, and is the perfect fit for us and our sponsor partners. Together with Todd Malloy and Brian Page in engineering, and the Don Lambert-led crew, Alex has the full support of a very talented group of professionals behind him.”

    Tagliani will be behind a Lotus next year, as BHA previously announced it’s factory partner. On January 12th, BHA is expected to reveal the team’s primary sponsor.

    “I’m really happy to drive for BHA,” Tagliani said. “Having known Bryan for a long time, I recognize that he’s a nice guy with genuine integrity. I believe that he and Steve Newey deserve to own a great IndyCar team, and I’m honored to be part of the building of BHA’s 2012 program.

    “It’s also a great honor for me to represent the Lotus brand as a factory partner. Lotus has so much history in the world of motorsports. As a team, we have a lot of work in front of us and while challenging, it will be fun to be at the core of both engine and team development. BHA has a great group of people and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

    Veteran race engineer Todd Malloy has already been re-signed by the team to lead the engineering efforts for the team.

    Tagliani’s first task will be to lend his experience to the Lotus engine testing program, followed by team testing scheduled to begin in early February. The IZOD IndyCar Series kicks off the 2012 season March 25 on the streets of St. Petersburg.

  • Simon Pagenaud To Drive For Sam Schmidt Motorsports in 2012

    On December 8th, Sam Schmidt announced that Simon Pagenaud would drive the Honda-powered Dallara for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in 2012.

    “I am delighted to be joining the IZOD Indy Car Series full time with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Honda,” Pagenaud said. “The series represents the most competitive racing in the world right now, and I am really looking forward to the challenge of racing in a single-seater again. I have to thank Sam Schmidt Motorsports for giving me the opportunity and to continue with the Honda engineers at HPD. It is the best situation I could wish for.”

    The 27-year-old frenchman has driven a variety of cars throughout his career. In 2011, he finished second in both the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans. He also raced V8 Supercars, Rally cars and made three IndyCar starts in 2011, filling in for injured drivers.

    “We are very fortunate to land a driver of Simon’s caliber for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season,” Schmidt said. “As all the teams work to develop the new cars and engines, his diverse experience will be invaluable to us. Simon has a strong relationship with Honda and its engineers, which is also a huge asset. This is a big day for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.”

    Pagenaud got his start racing go-karts and began moving his way up through the ranks throughout Europe from 1994 and 2005. In 2006, he made the move to Indianapolis and has since driven a variety of cars.

    “America has been a lucky charm to me, really,” Pagenaud said. “The start of it was 2006, when I won the Champ Car Atlantic Championship with Walker Racing, which allowed me to enter the Champ Car Series in 2007.”

    In his rookie season in 2007, he finished eighth in the standings.

    In 2008 and 2009, Pagenaud won five American Le Mans Series LMP1 races, seven poles and several podium finishes. In 2010, he won the American Le Mans Series LMP1 championship with four wins and three poles.

    Pagenaud’s car number and sponsorship package will be announced at a later date. The focus right now is on getting ready for 2012 with the new chassis that IndyCar is debuting.

    “I know 2012 will be a big challenge with the new Dallara chassis and being on a new team but, quite frankly, that is what is so interesting,” Pagenaud said. “To fulfill a lifelong dream to race an Indy car and to compete in the Indianapolis 500 is a special time in my life. I can’t wait for the start of the season in St Petersburg. I also want to especially thank Sam Schmidt for giving me the opportunity to drive for his team and for my friends at HPD.”

  • Dan Wheldon Dies At 33

    Dan Wheldon Dies At 33

    Sunday afternoon, two time Indianapolis 500 champ Dan Wheldon died in a horrific mult-icar crash in Las Vegas.

    [media-credit name=”indycar.com” align=”alignright” width=”223″][/media-credit]Weldon, 33, was in the running for the $5 million if he won the race. The officials stopped the race and had a meeting with the other drivers and were informed of Wheldon’s passing. When the race resumed, pit crews lined pit road weeping and trying comfort each other.

    “I could see within five laps people were starting to do crazy stuff. I love hard racing but that to me is not really what it’s about. One small mistake from somebody. Right now I’m numb and speechless,” he said.

    “One minute you’re joking around in driver intros and the next he’s gone. He was 6 years old when I first met him. I told his son Thursday night at the parade on The Strip that I’ve known his dad since he was your age. And then I talked to a friend of mine, Jesse Spence, that I used to race go-karts with that we’ve known him since he was this little kid. His mouth worked plenty good, but he was just this little kid and the next thing you know he was my teammate in INDYCAR. We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn’t matter.” Franchitti said about the death of his long time friend.

    Wheldon leaves behind his wife Susie Behm, 2 year old son Sebastian, 16 month old son Oliver his parents and three siblings.