o2 Racing Technology

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Jun. 23, 2011, 10:08 pm

O2 Racing Withdraws from Milwaukee

Due to recently discovered integrity issues (outside of our control) with the 2011 Indy Lights series championship, O2 Racing Technology’s sponsors and investors have decided to temporarily take a step back and to reconsider their participation. Unfortunately, this also impacts the teams’ ability to participate.

After a series of discussions with the other team owners, drivers, and INDYCAR, we have been generally assured that INDYCAR is aware of the issues with the tech inspection reporting and penalty procedures and will be addressing them at some point in the future.

We’re heartbroken over the knock-on affects that this situation has on our team members’ families and on the careers of our drivers, but we’re hopeful that confidence will be restored in the integrity of the Indy Lights championship in a timely manner and that our partners will be encouraged to resume their participation.

For more information contact Mark Olson (317) 441 1924.

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:18 pm

Peter Dempsey takes the O2 Racing Technology #36 for three laps around the Milwaukee Mile, June 2011

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:15 pm

Mikael Grenier takes a couple of fast laps around the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:12 pm

A couple of hot laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at the Firestone Indy Lights rookie test.

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:10 pm

Peter Dempsey at the Long Beach Grand Prix, April 2011

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:07 pm

Mik Grenier takes a lap at Barber Motorsports Park, March 2011

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:05 pm

Mik Grenier take a hot lap at the Streets of St. Petersburg, March 2011

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:01 pm

Ride along with Peter Dempsey at the Streets of St. Petersburg, March 2011

Jun. 13, 2011, 10:26 pm

Firestone Freedom 100 Next for O2 Racing

It's May and that means one thing...Indy!

The O2 Racing Technology team has been getting ready for Friday, May 27th's Firestone Freedom 100 at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There has been a lot of work done to get ready for this event, the first and arguably the most important oval race of the year.

The team tested at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 20th, shortly after the Long Beach event. Both O2 drivers, Peter Dempsey and Mik Grenier got their first taste of oval racing in an Firestone Indy Lights car, on the 1.5 Mile oval. Both drivers did very well with nearly all Firestone Indy Lights teams participating. With aero setting limited by IndyCar rules, the cars had an abundance of down-force and the field was really close on times. The purpose of the test was really to gat all the rookie drivers (first time on ovals for approximately 12 of the 14 drviers in attendance) some big oval experience prior to their rookie tests.

On Friday, May 13th, Grenier, Dempsey and the O2 team participated in an IndyCar test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the first 3 and a half hours, Peter Dempsey sat on top of the pole with speeds over 189 mph. Later in the day the rest of the field caught up with him. Peter ended the day seventh fastest. Both drivers worked through the setup plans and had the opportunity to experience the track both in traffic and by themselves. See an early lap around the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Mik's perspective. Read recent interviews with Peter Dempsey and Mik Grenier.

Also, Peter has received an opportunity to share his FIL experiences on the on-line magazine, Junior Open Wheel Talent. Peter's stories are available now.

As mentioned previously, the next event is the Firestone Freedom 100 on Carb Day (Friday, May 27) of the Indy 500 race weekend. The Firestone Indy Lights garage area is open to the public, in the F1 garages under the infield grandstands just south of the Pagoda. Please stop by and say 'hi'. If you do plan to drop in, the most garage area activity will likely be before qualifying on Thursday and before the race on Friday. One last tip: traffic is usually worse on Carb Day than it is for the Indy 500; please plan to come extra early.

The schedule of Firestone Indy Lights events are as follows:
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 11:00 am Indy Lights Drivers Autograph session
Thursday, May 26, 2011 - 9:00-9:45am Indy Lights Practice
Thursday, May 26, 2011 - 11:45-12:30pm Indy Lights Practice
Thursday, May 26, 2011 - 3:00-4:00pm Indy Lights Qualifying
Friday, May 27, 2011 - Miller Lite Carb Day - 12:30pm Firestone Freedom 100 Race
Sunday, May 29, 2011 - 12:00 Indianapolis 500 - Live ABC

Check out O2 Racing's new on-line store with shirts, caps, sweatshirts and other items.

Follow O2 Racing for live updates from pit road on Twitter or on Facebook.

Special thanks to our sponsors Pulse ™ and CellSafety ®.

Be sure to follow Pulse on Facebook and Twitter. CellSafety can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

May. 19, 2011, 11:01 pm

Got Mik?

I recently had a chance to chat with Mikael “Mik” Grenier, driver of the #63 CellSafety car for the O2 Racing Technology Team. This is his rookie year with the Firestone Indy Lights series, but Mik is not new to racing. The 19 year-old Canadian started racing when he was just five years old! He had so much fun that when he was in his early teens his parents recognized Mik’s passion and talent and got him a coach.

Practice, coaching, and the drive (no pun intended) to learn and grow paid off for Mik! Last year he won a feature race at Autobahn Chicago. He finished second at the 2010 O'Reilly Raceway Park Night and completed six races in the 2009 Star Mazda championship (with two 3rd place finishes at both rounds of the New Jersey Motorsports double-header). Additionally, he finished 4^th in championship points in 2008 in the Formula BMW Americas, 2^nd in rookie points, and finished the season series with seven podium finishes.

This season Mik is consistently racing strong and is in seventh place in championship points (the points from 3^rd-7^th place are very tight). He’s got a very positive attitude, and talking with him really gets you excited to follow him through the season!

I asked Mik what it’s like to be a racecar driver driving along the road with the rest of us non-racing types. He’s seen many bad traffic accidents, so when he’s driving he remembers to stay calm, not exceed the speed limits, and remember that he gets to race at another time (which most of us don’t get a chance to do). When I asked if his family stressed any driving safety rules he said that driving while texting, and drinking and driving were ones that are stressed at home.

“Among the tracks I’ve raced, I’ve enjoyed racing at the Streets of Long Beach most because it was a good track and so many people that showed up to watch the event.” He said, “I’m looking forward to the Streets of Trois Rivieres now. It’s a big event, a nice organization, and close to home.”

When we talked about how the season is going so far he said they’re at a really good pace, and even though they had a hard weekend in Long Beach, the championship points are still tight. If they keep being consistent, bringing the car home, and keep putting everything together, the results will come.

Mik enjoys being a role model to the kids who come and watch the events. “I remember going to a race with my dad and being in their place,” he said. “If I can do anything to help kids out, I will.”

Mik and the O2 team have an exciting season ahead of them! Mik is thankful for the chance to be racing in the Firestone Indy Lights series and knows that O2 and its sponsors are the reason he’s there. He’s quite positive that the desired results will come, and I’m positive that Mik’s own talent, ability to grow, and his positive outlook will also have a direct influence for a strong season.

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