at Houston GP Marred by Controversy
Daniel Herrington turned in another stellar performance this weekend during the second round of the Star Mazda Championship in Houston. Herrington, one of the quickest drivers all weekend, started third on the grid but quickly moved into the lead after a mid-race restart. During a subsequent full course caution he was passed by ultimate first place finisher Ryan Justice. The pass was disputed during the race, but officials elected to defer to post-race review of on-board cameras which confirmed the illegal pass resulting in a loss of position for Justice. Unfortunately for Herrington, during post-race inspection a fastener was deemed to be a non-compliant part and he was disqualified from the race. The decision is currently under appeal with IMSA.
Herrington put in a good performance off the track as well, with a visit to Texas Children’s Hospital with Racing for Kids, a radio spot on the largest country music station in Houston and a successful autograph session attended by hundreds of racing fans excited to meet the Bluetooth-sponsored Herrington and many of the other Star Mazda competitors.
The rookie driver is now focused on the third race of the season at the historic Mid-Ohio Raceway next weekend. He will continue to use his Bluetooth-enabled helmet to provide clear communications with his AIM Autosport crew members while in pursuit of another Star Mazda podium finish.
About the Star Mazda SeriesThe Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear has become the most competitive open-wheel development series in North America, averaging 38 cars per race throughout 2005. Featuring the Pro Formula Mazda, which features a carbon-fiber chassis, six-speed sequential gearbox, and a 240-horsepower Mazda rotary powerplant, the series has helped propel the careers of drivers such as 2004 Champion Michael McDowell, now driving in ChampCar and a race-winner in the GrandAm Series; 2002 Champion Guy Cosmo, who along with fellow Star Mazda graduate Jamie Bach was named 2005 Rookie-of-the-Year in the American LeMans Series, and 2002 race winner Scott Speed, the first American in a decade to compete in Formula One.
About Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyBluetooth wireless technology is the global short-range wireless standard for personal connectivity of a broad range of electronic devices. The technology is now available in its fourth version of the core specification and continues to develop, building on its inherent strengths – small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad hoc networking abilities. Three new Bluetooth enabled products are qualified every day and 9.5 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. The installed base of Bluetooth devices was over 500 million products at the end of 2005 and is projected to surpass one billion by the end of 2006, making it the only proven choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.
About the Bluetooth SIGThe Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is driving development of Bluetooth wireless technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter group companies Agere, Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, along with over 4500 Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com.The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
About Racing For KidsFounded in 1989 at Children's Hospital of Michigan, Racing For Kids® is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to bring public attention and funding to the health care needs of children. The hospital visits form the heart of the program. Each Racing For Kids® driver and rider visits children in Children's Hospitals where they race. They spend time with each sick youngster answering questions about their sport, handing out the distinctive Racing For Kids®/Aventis hats and signing autographs.
Racing For Kids® representatives have visited with more than 12,000 young patients in over 180 hospitals in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In addition, over $2.5 million has been raised through donations and specific fund raising events for children's hospitals across the country.
