March, 2012

Helio Castroneves wins his 40th Pole Position at Barber

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 31st @12:19PM
in the English Category
Helio Castroneves wins his 40th Pole Position at Barber

Helio Castroneves won the 40th pole of his career in Indycar timed at 1min10s4768 and ensuring the position of honor for the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, the second race of the IZOD IndyCar Series, taking place this Sunday (April 1), the North American city of Birmingham, Alabama. Only driver of Team Penske in the decisive phase, called the Firestone Fast Six, Castroneves’ last pole was in Motegi, Japan in 2010.

Although statistics indicate IndyCar pole now 37, on three occasions the Brazilian also dropped in front by virtue of its position in the league since the cancellation of Qualifying due to rain.

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Helio Castroneves conquista pole position em Barber

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 31st @12:15PM
in the Portugues Category
Helio Castroneves conquista pole position em Barber

A segunda etapa do 2012 IZOD IndyCar será disputada amanhã, domingo, 1º de abril, no Barber Motorsports Park

Helio Castroneves conquistou a 40ª pole position de sua carreira na Indycar ao cravar 1min10s4768 e garantir a posição de honra para o Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, segunda etapa do IZOD IndyCar Series, que acontecerá neste domingo, (01 de abril), na cidade norte-americana de Birmingham, no estado do Alabama. Único piloto do Team Penske na fase decisiva, chamada Firestone Fast Six, Castroneves não marcava a pole desde Motegi, na etapa do Japão de 2010.

Embora a estatística da IndyCar indique agora 37 poles, em três oportunidades o Brasileiro também largou na frente por força de seu posicionamento no campeonato, visto o cancelamento do Qualifying em razão das chuvas.

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Castroneves is 2nd fastest on first practice in Birmingham

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 30th @05:58PM
in the English Category
Castroneves is 2nd fastest on first practice in Birmingham

Helio Castroneves qualified as positive the first day of free practice for the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, the second stage of the IZOD IndyCar Series, taking place on Sunday (April 1), in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Team Penske dominated the first session, with Australian Will Power # 1 (1min11s2886) and immediately after Castroneves with 1min11s5010.

Because of heavy rains that fell in the afternoon, Team Penske decided not to send their cars to the track and the harsh climatic conditions caused the premature closure of Practice 2. Thus, the time of the morning predominated accumulated in the two practices.

For Castroneves, who will run this race with the car predominantly blue and white due to the sponsorship of the AAA Insurance, the day was good, despite the rain. “We’ve found a good basic package for the race Sunday. The rain hurt a little because we would try some details to improve performance, but the way it is already good. Tomorrow we’ll look a little better, because start in front here is very important, “said Castroneves, who seek in qualifying tomorrow (Saturday) his 40th pole position.

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Castroneves fica em 2o no primeiro treino em Birmingham

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 30th @05:54PM
in the Portugues Category
Castroneves fica em 2o no primeiro treino em Birmingham

A segunda etapa do 2012 IZOD IndyCar será disputada no próximo domingo, 01 de abril, no Barber Motorsports Park

Galeria Helio Castroneves 2012

Helio Castroneves classificou como positivo o primeiro dia de treinos livres para o Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, segunda etapa do IZOD IndyCar Series, que acontecerá no domingo, (01 de abril), na cidade norte-americana de Birmingham, no estado do Alabama. O Team Penske dominou a primeira sessão, com o australiano Will Power em 1º (1min11s2886) e Castroneves logo a seguir, com 1min11s5010.

Por causa das fortes chuvas que desabaram no período da tarde, o Team Penske decidiu não enviar seus carros para a pista e as difíceis condições climáticas provocaram o encerramento prematuro da Practice 2. Dessa forma, os tempos da manhã predominaram no acumulado dos dois treinos.

Para Castroneves, que nessa prova correrá com o carro predominantemente azul e branco em razão do patrocínio principal da AAA Insurance, o dia foi bom, apesar da chuva. “Já encontramos um pacote básico muito bom para a prova de domingo. A chuva atrapalhou um pouco porque iríamos experimentar alguns detalhes para melhorar a performance, mas do jeito que está já está bom. Amanhã vamos procurar melhorar um pouco mais, pois largar na frente aqui é muito importante”, disse Castroneves, que buscará no qualifying de amanhã (sábado) a sua 40ª pole position (sendo 36 contra o relógio e três pelo posicionamento no campeonato em face do cancelamento da atividade).

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Helio attends 1st Brazilian Foundation Gala in Miami

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 28th @05:23PM
in the English Category
Helio attends 1st Brazilian Foundation Gala in Miami

The I Brazil Foundation Gala Miami raised close to half a million dollars.

In order to raise funds for their charities in Brazil, the Brazil Foundation brought together hundreds of Brazilian and international personalities in the evening of Tuesday, 26th, in Miami Beach, in which Helio Castroneves was the Chair of the event.

The event received donations from several companies and individual contributions, and auction funds raised with items donated by the Penske driver, a fire suit used in the 2011 Indy 500 Race (Shell Pennzoil) and a race weekend package for the race at Barber Motorsports Park on April 1st, which included credentials, caps, shirts and opportunity to ride the track as a passenger in the Pace Car. Helio also donated a helmet used in the 2011 Indy 500 race, in which the Brazilian artist Romero Britto painted with his art, a style that made him famous.

“I am very honored by the invitation to be the Chair of this first edition of the Brazil Foundation Gala in Miami. I know and admire the work done and am very happy to contribute and celebrate the Foundation’s efforts in helping our country that we all love so much,” said Castroneves, who was well congratulated by the guests of the event, including Nelson Piquet, NASCAR Truck racer, for his victory in St. Petersburg.

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Helio preside o I Brazilian Foundation Gala em Miami

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 28th @05:04PM
in the Portugues Category
Helio preside o I Brazilian Foundation Gala em Miami

O I Brazil Foundation Gala Miami arrecadou algo em torno de meio milhão de dólares

Com o objetivo de arrecadar fundos para suas obras assistenciais no Brasil, a Brazil Foundation reuniu centenas de personalidades brasileira e internacionais na noite desta terça-feira, 26, em Miami Beach, para o I Brazil Foundation Gala Miami, do qual o piloto brasileiro Helio Castroneves foi o Chair (presidente) do evento.

O evento contou com doações de diversas empresas e contribuições individuais, além da arrecadação por meio do leilão de peças doadas pelo piloto da Penske, como o macacão da Indy 500 de 2011 (Shell Pennzoil) e um kit para a prova do domingo no Barber Motorsports Park (credenciais, bonés, camisetas e oportunidade de conhecer a pista como passageiro do Pace Car). Fez parte também do lote doado por Castroneves um capacete usado em Indianapolis, sobre o qual o artista plástico Romero Britto aplicou o estilo que o consagrou.

“Eu estou muito honrado pelo convite para ser o Chair desta primeira edição do Brazil Foundation Gala em Miami. Eu conheço e admiro muito o trabalho desenvolvido e fico muito feliz de contribuir e celebrar os esforços da Fundação no sentido de ajudar o nosso Brasil que todos nós amamos”, disse Castroneves, que foi muito cumprimentado pela vitória em St. Petersburg, inclusive por Nelsinho Piquet, piloto da Nascar Truck, também presente ao evento.

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Castroneves wins the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 26th @06:54PM
in the English Category
Castroneves wins the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

After a bad 2011, Helio Castroneves started the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, FL. It marks his 26th victory in the Indycar Series, with a strong strategy of only two pit-stops.

“It’s been a little while, but it never gets old. Certainly it’s good to be back in victory circle, what a great group of guys, I have to thank also my teammates as well, they are incredible. No question, these guys are awesome, Ryan (Briscoe) and Will (Power), and for me it’s a great Chevy-power group, it’s been always consistent. It might not be the quickest, but I did say out loud, ‘If I start in the top six, I’ll win this race.’ And we did it, we are here in Victory Circle.”

(About different strategy): “Well certainly the start of the race I didn’t want to do the same mistakes that we did last year, so I want to make sure we cooled down, we kept cool, we lost probably one position, but everything was fine until the strategy started playing in our hand, and (race strategist) John (Erickson) and (engineer) Ron (Ruzewski) decided let’s do something crazy. I saw my teammates pit, we decided to go in the opposite way and it paid off.”

(About stopping in Turn 10): “You can never question God’s mysteries, and today for me, I ended up stopping [my car] on Turn 10, and honestly I did not plan it, it was just the way it happened, and there was the sign Dan Wheldon Way. So for me, and for all of us, the drivers and the fans, not having him here certainly we’ll miss. But we’ve got to remember him as he lived, the way he lived, and continue to pray for his family”, said Castroneves.

RESULTS FROM ST.PETERSBURG
1 Helio Castroneves
2 Scott Dixon
3 Ryan Hunter-Reay
4 James Hinchcliffe
5 Ryan Briscoe
6 Simon Pagenaud
7 Will Power
8 EJ Viso
9 Charlie Kimball
10 Justin Wilson
11 Josef Newgarden
12 Graham Rahal
13 Dario Franchitti
14 Marco Andretti
15 Alex Tagliani
16 Oriol Servia
17 Rubens Barrichello
18 Ed Carpenter
19 JR Hildebrand
20 Mike Conway
21 Sebastien Bourdais
22 Takuma Sato
23 Katherine Legge
24 Simona de Silvestro
25 Tony Kanaan
26 James Jakes

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Helio Castroneves vence o Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 26th @06:45PM
in the Portugues Category
Helio Castroneves vence o Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Depois de um 2011 dos mais difíceis, Helio Castroneves começou a temporada 2012 da Fórmula Indy com vitória no Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, prova que abriu o campeonato da IndyCar na Flórida, Estados Unidos. Foi a 26ª vitória de Helio Castroneves na categoria e resultado de uma estratégia ousada de duas paradas.

“Estou muito feliz porque o ano começou muito bom para o nosso Shell V-Power Pennzoil #3. Quando eu disse, durante a semana, que se largasse entre os seis primeiros eu poderia vencer, estava falando sério. Fomos capazes de mudar a estratégia durante a prova e os meu pessoal da Penske foi demais”, disse, Castroneves, que realizou uma ultrapassagem sobre Scott Dixon, de forma muito determinada na 75ª volta, liderando com sobras até a bandeirada de chegada na volta 100.

RESULTADO FINAL DA ETAPA DE ST.PETERSBURG
1º – Helio Castroneves (BRA) Penske – 100 voltas
2º – Scott Dixon (NZL) Ganassi – a 5s5292
3º – Ryan Hunter-Reay (EUA) Andretti Autosport – a 7s5824
4º – James Hinchcliffe (EUA) Andretti Autosport – a 10s6526
5º – Ryan Briscoe (AUS) Penske – a 11s7854
6º – Simon Pagenaud (FRA) Schmidt Hamilton – a 31s2623
7º – Will Power (AUS) Penske – a 34s6582
8º – EJ Viso (VEN) KV Racing – a 35s5943
9º – Charlie Kimball (CAN) Ganassi – a 43s1425
10º – Justin Wilson (GBR) Dale Coyne – a 44s3141
11º – Josef Newgarden (EUA) Sarah Fisher – a 44s8275
12º – Graham Rahal (EUA) Ganassi – a 45s1080
13º – Dario Franchitti (GBR) Ganassi – a 45.8468
14º – Marco Andretti (EUA) Andretti Autosport – a uma volta
15º – Alex Tagliani (CAN) Team Barracuda – a uma volta
16º – Oriol Servia (ESP) Lotus Dreyer & Reinbold – a uma volta
17º – Rubens Barrichello (BRA) KV Racing – a duas voltas
18º – Ed Carpenter (EUA) Ed Carpenter – a duas voltas
19º – JR Hildebrand (EUA) Panther – a quatro voltas

ABANDONOS

Mike Conway (GBR) Foyt – a 25 voltas (mecânico)
Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) Lotus Dreyer & Reinbold – a 27 voltas (escapada)
Takuma Sato (JAP) Rahal Letterman Lanigan – a 27 voltas (elétrico)
Katherine Legge (GBR) Lotus Dragon – a 41 voltas (escapada)
Simona de Silvestro (SUI) HVM – a 78 voltas (mecânico)
Tony Kanaan (BRA) KV Racing – a 79 voltas (elétrico)
James Jakes (GBR) Dale Coyne – a 81 voltas (contato)

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GET READY! 2012 Indycar Season Starts NOW!

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 23rd @05:53PM
in the English Category
GET READY! 2012 Indycar Season Starts NOW!

When the green flag is given at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, next Sunday, March 25th, we have not only the beginning of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Season, but also a new important moment in Helio Castroneves’ career. The Brazilian idol of Team Penske will begin his 15th season as driver of the IndyCar Series and, in Team Penske, will be his 13th season.

“We had a very good pre-season, with practices and much work to develop the Shell V-Power Dallara Chevrolet #3. Team Penske is very competitive and our partnership with Chevrolet is great. I look forward to be back to victory line this year”, said Castroneves.

The race will be live on ABC, at 12:30pm (EST)

Watch the video below to GET READY for 2012!

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Prepare-se! Campeonato 2012 começa AGORA!

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 23rd @05:48PM
in the Portugues Category
Prepare-se! Campeonato 2012 começa AGORA!

Quando for dada a largada para o Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, não estaremos apenas vivenciando a nova fase da IndyCar Series, que estreia novo equipamento nesta temporada e volta a ser uma categoria multi marca entre motores após seis anos. É também o ponto de partida para a 15ª temporada de Helio Castroneves na competição e 13ª no Team Penske.

“Tivemos uma pré-temporada muito boa, como há muito não tínhamos. Às vezes ficávamos meses entre o final de uma e o início de outra, mas agora pudemos testar bastante e confesso que estou muito animado. O Team Penske está bastante forte e a parceria com a Chevrolet já mostrou ser muito positiva. Estou muito confiante para voltar às vitórias”, disse Castroneves.

A prova de abertura do IZOD IndyCar Series será realizada no domingo, 25 de março, com transmissão ao vivo para o Brasil pela Rede Bandeirantes de Televisão. A largada está prevista para 1:00 pm (14h00 no Brasil).

Veja abaixo video de lançamento da temporada 2012!

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Helio is fastest on a good day for Penske

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 7th @10:33AM
in the English Category
Helio is fastest on a good day for Penske

Helio Castroneves finished the first part of the IndyCar Open Tests at Sebring International Raceway, as the fastest driver on both days of testing. On Tuesday, February 6, the Team Penske driver had the best time at 52s1413, followed by his teammates Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, a great proof of competitiveness for Roger Penske’s team.

“Overall, it was a great day for the Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet. Chevrolet did an amazing job. We are still developing the car, even making small adjustments here and there, but after these two days of Open Test, I think that Chevrolet is in great shape. Team Penske has also shown to be in great shape and we will continue working to achieve what we seek in the first race, “Castroneves said.

Final Results of the first group:

Position (No. #) Driver – Motor – Team – Fastest Lap

1 (# 3) Helio Castroneves – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s1413
2 (# 12) Will Power – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 53s2059
3 (# 2) Ryan Briscoe – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s2072
4 (# 28) Ryan Hunter-Reay – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s3466
5 (# 77) Simon Pagenaud – Honda – Sam Schmidt Motorsports – 52s4698
6 (# 18) Justin Wilson – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 52s6537
7 (# 19) James Jakes – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 52s5288
8 (# 27) James Hinchcliffe – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9125
9 (# 26) Marco Andretti – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9577
10 (# 78) of Simona Silvestro – Lotus – HVM Racing – 53s2312

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Helio é o mais rápido em dia de domínio da Penske

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 7th @10:21AM
in the Portugues Category
Helio é o mais rápido em dia de domínio da Penske

Helio Castroneves concluiu a primeira parte do Open Test da IndyCar, no Sebring International Raceway, como o piloto mais rápido dos dois primeiros dias de testes. Na terça-feira, 6, o piloto do Team Penske cravou a melhor marca do período, em 52s1413, seguido por seus companheiros de equipe Will Power e Ryan Briscoe, numa comprovação de competitividade do time de Roger Penske.

“No geral, foi um ótimo dia para o Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet. A Chevrolet fez um trabalho incrível. Nós ainda estamos desenvolvendo o carro, ainda fazendo pequenos ajustes aqui e ali, mas, nesses dois dias de Open Test, eu penso que os Chevrolet estão em ótima forma. O Team Penske também mostrou estar em ótima forma e vamos continuar trabalhando para conseguir o que buscamos na primeira corrida”, disse Castroneves.

Os tempos finais do primeiro grupo foram esses:

Posição (Nº #) Piloto – Motor – Equipe – Volta mais rápida

1 (#3) Helio Castroneves – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s1413
2 (#12) Will Power – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 53s2059
3 (#2) Ryan Briscoe – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s2072
4 (#28) Ryan Hunter-Reay – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s3466
5 (#77) Simon Pagenaud – Honda – Sam Schmidt Motorsports – 52s4698
6 (#18) Justin Wilson – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 52s6537
7 (#19) James Jakes – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 52s5288
8 (#27) James Hinchcliffe – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9125
9 (#26) Marco Andretti – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9577
10 (#78) Simona de Silvestro – Lotus – HVM Racing – 53s2312

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Helio has a positive day testing in Sebring

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 6th @11:35AM
in the English Category
Helio has a positive day testing in Sebring

After running the fastest laps in the morning, Helio Castroneves finished second on this first day of the IZOD IndyCar Series Open Tests. The best time was done by Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport (52s5826), followed by Castroneves (52.7092).

“Even though we do not race in Sebring, it’s good for Team Penske to gain more understanding of what to do in the car, what changes we need to make. The set up we developed here can also be used for other road courses. Today we found several things and my lap was not ideal. Let’s hope for better results for the second day of testing, “said Castroneves, who returns to the circuit of Sebring on Tuesday.

Practice Results
Position (Car#) Driver – Motor – Team – Fastest Lap

1 (# 28) Ryan Hunter-Reay – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s5826
2 (# 3) Helio Castroneves – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s7092
3 (# 77) Simon Pagenaud – Honda – Sam Schmidt Motorsports – 52s7311
4 (# 27) James Hinchcliffe – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9125
5 (# 2) Ryan Briscoe – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s9275
6 (# 12) Will Power – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 53s0512
7 (# 18) Justin Wilson – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 53s1770
8 (# 26) Marco Andretti – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 53s2814
9 (# 19) James Jakes – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 53s9260
10 (# 78) of Silvestro Simona – Lotus – HVM Racing – 54s5640

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Helio tem dia positivo de testes em Sebring

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 6th @11:27AM
in the Portugues Category
Helio tem dia positivo de testes em Sebring

Depois de ser o mais rápido na parte da manhã, Helio Castroneves foi o segundo mais rápido no primeiro dia do IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test. O melhor tempo foi de Ryan Hunter-Reay, da Andretti Autosport (52s5826), seguido por Castroneves (52.7092).

“Mesmo não correndo em Sebring, é bom para o Team Penske para ter um entendimento sobre o que fazer no carro, quais mudanças nós precisamos fazer. O set up que nós desenvolvemos aqui serve também para outras circuitos mistos. Hoje aprendemos várias coisas e minha volta não foi ideal. Vamos esperar melhores resultados no segundo dia de teste”, disse Castroneves, que retorna ao circuito de Sebring nesta terça-feira, segundo e último dia do grupo do qual faz parte o Team Penske.

Resultado dos Testes
Posição (Nº #) Piloto – Motor – Equipe – Volta mais rápida

1 (#28) Ryan Hunter-Reay – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s5826
2 (#3) Helio Castroneves – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s7092
3 (#77) Simon Pagenaud – Honda – Sam Schmidt Motorsports – 52s7311
4 (#27) James Hinchcliffe – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 52s9125
5 (#2) Ryan Briscoe – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 52s9275
6 (#12) Will Power – Chevrolet – Team Penske – 53s0512
7 (#18) Justin Wilson – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 53s1770
8 (#26) Marco Andretti – Chevrolet – Andretti Autosport – 53s2814
9 (#19) James Jakes – Honda – Dale Coyne Racing – 53s9260
10 (#78) Simona de Silvestro – Lotus – HVM Racing – 54s5640

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Helio ran almost 500 miles practicing in Homestead

Posted By Castroneves Racing PR on March 5th @10:31AM
in the English Category
Helio ran almost 500 miles practicing in Homestead

Helio Castroneves concluded on Friday March 2nd, a series of two days of testing at Miami Homestead Speedway. He ran almost 500 miles on the road circuit of the track in preparation for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

“I ran a lot in the past two days and I confess that I am even more excited. The Shell V-Power Dallara DW12 Chevrolet engine was pushed to it’s full capacity, and we got to simulate different situations and the behavior of the car was always efficient. We still have much work ahead of us, but it’s really good to feel that we are on the right track,” concluded the driver.

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