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Tag: Pippa Mann

  • IndyCar: Red Hot Indianapolis 500 Rookie Pippa Mann

    IndyCar: Red Hot Indianapolis 500 Rookie Pippa Mann

    Pippa Mann may not be a household name as of yet.  However, this British IZOD Indycar Series racer will be the latest woman to attempt qualifying for the prestigious Indianapolis 500 centennial race.

    This year’s rookie hopes to compete with fellow female drivers Danica Patrick, Simona de Silvestro and Ana Beatriz on the starting grid.  If Mann makes the grid, she will make history as the first British woman to race in the Indy 500.

    Mann has teamed up with Conquest Racing as driver of the #36 car for this year’s Indy 500.  She completed the Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by  turning consistent laps at four speed phases: 200-205 mph (five laps) and 10 laps each at 205-210 mph, 210-215 and 215 or more, driving a total of 35 laps on the 2.5 mile oval, with a fastest average speed of 219.116 mph.

    Weather has limited track time for drivers so far this week.  This has allowed Mann to make it out on the track for two of the five practice days.  Mann is hoping to make the most of the two practice days left before Pole Day.

    Mann is the first and only woman to win a pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2010 Freedom 100 race.  During her successful 2010 Firestone Indy Light Series season, Mann secured three poles, a win and finished fifth among the series drivers.

    @BimbolenaSports

  • Indianapolis 500: Rain Cancels Wednesday Practice Session

    For the third time this week, rain has canceled a practice sesson as the Wednesday practice was a no-go due to the steady rain fall.

    The rain has spoiled the plans of practicing for many drivers, including rookie Scott Speed.

    “As a rookie, having less track time is definitely not the best thing in the world,” Speed said. “It definitely makes things a little more difficult. We’ll do our best to take it in stride. I think we’ll be OK with it. We have a lot of resources here. There’s nothing extra you can really do to prepare for the race, but I feel good right now. I think we’re making good moves and going about everything intelligently. I can’t ask for anything more right now. At this point, it’s all about track time. I mean, we’re just waiting.”

    Fellow rookie Pippa Mann says that its just going to make things interesting.

    “We only wanted to get out there and do a couple of runs today, to see if we finally had a handle on this small niggle we’ve got going on, but unfortunately the weather is just not playing ball,” Mann said. “It’s going to make the next few days pretty insane, not just for us but for everyone. the track is going to be extremely busy, and it’s going to be fairly intense. But, to use an American phrase, it is what it is!”

    She says that today she got further than days before as they were almost ready to go.

    “Actually, today wasn’t quite Groundhog day because we did get as far as pit lane, and I actually got as far as being strapped into my car before it started to rain again,” she said. “One minute to green – I’m sitting there, and suddenly the rain started coming down all around me, so we headed back to the garage area.”

    Veteran Townsend Bell is not worried, though.

    “I’m used to it now,” he said. “As long as I’ve driven a little bit this month, I feel fine at least in terms of knowing what I’ve got and knowing that we’re strong. So, the anxiety is much less, especially having done this for a few years. You learn rain is always going to be an issue.”