Bob Barnard Track Engineering

I spent an entertaining evening yesterday with Dick Hahne, late of Daytona International Speedway and now with MUSCO Lighting. Phoenix International Raceway has been given a facelift with a revised configuration and new paving, and Dick was there to check out the lighting on the revised layout. Derek Muldowney and his team have done a great job of improving the track without losing its unique character. It will make for some interesting race lines when NASCAR comes later this month.

In other news Kevin Magnussen continues to impress by topping the time sheets on the first day of the FR3.5 test. Vergne is to get a run in FP1 for Toro Rosso for the remaining races so looks set to take a seat from one of the regulars next year. Robert Wickens is tipped for Virgin next year, but is looking for Canada's corporate world to get behind him.

VJ Mallya has finally owned up and confirmed he has sold part of Force India despite his vehement denials of recent rumors. The Indian Sahara Group, go figure, has bought 42.5% and now we have another team who wants to change its name to Sahara Force India. Watch this space for the rest of the sale.

Other than that it is pretty quiet with F1 stooging around Asia prior to the Korean race this weekend, and the MotoGP boys on their way to Phillip Island. 13 degrees and windy is the forecast so the riders will probably complain again. Let's see Casey wrap up the title at his home race.