McLaren F1 Says "HALO" & G'Day To Gandys In Australia

A brilliant first move by a shoe manufacturer in an effort of cross-promotional branding. McLaren, as with all other F1 racing teams, have to field a car with the new cockpit protection superstructure known as a HALO. Image Credit: Gandys

McLaren F1 Says "HALO" & G'Day To Gandys In Australia

McLaren teams up with the adventurous British lifestyle brand for next week's Grand Prix in a brilliant sponsorship deal.

Today’s announcement marks the first brand, Gandys, to take advantage of the unique shape of the new-for-2018 Halo cockpit protection structure, which has frequently been compared to the distinctive upper of a flip-flop. For the Australian Grand Prix, Gandys branding will be a feature on the front part of the HALO on both McLaren cars.

Gandys logo clearly sported on the joining section of the protective HALO superstructure. Image Credit: McLaren

Additionally, Gandys and McLaren will collaborate to create a limited-run ‘Halo-edition’ flip-flop, with 100 per cent of all profits going directly to the Orphans For Orphans foundation. They will be available from gandyslondon.com and all Gandys' London stores, as well as through mclarenstore.com.

Gandys was founded by brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, who were inspired to start the brand after tragically losing both their parents in the Tsunami that affected much of southeast Asia in December 2004.

The Gandys brand began with a single flip-flop design, with its initial success enabling Rob and Paul to achieve their goal and open the first Orphans For Orphans foundation kid’s campus, in Sri Lanka in 2014.

F1 champion driver Felipe Massa had this reaction he posted on his Facebook page which was latter shared with the social media platform Reddit. Great minds think alike but it was McLaren and Gandys that made this promotiona dream come true. Image Credit Felipe Massa via Reddit

Alongside their charitable foundation, the Gandys brothers have continued to grow the brand since its inception in 2012. Gandys introduced full menswear and womenswear collections to the brand in 2016, and continue to support Orphans For Orphans by donating 10 per cent of their profits to the foundation. The second campus was opened last year in Malawi, with plans to open more across the world.

John Allert, McLaren Chief Marketing Officer, said:
“We’re delighted to have Rob, Paul and the team at Gandys join us for the Australian Grand Prix. The placement of the logo, on the MCL33’s Halo, was not only perfect from a branding perspective, but also a great opportunity to underline Gandys’ charitable commitment to providing a safer, more protective environment for those at risk.

“Collaborating with Gandys on a limited-edition co-branded product was also a meaningful step for us. By giving 100 per cent of all profits to the Orphans For Orphans charity, McLaren is also able to help a very deserving good cause.

“Showcasing this partnership in Australia, where we race just a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s beautiful St Kilda beach, just felt like the best possible opportunity for Gandys to showcase its brand and noble cause on the international stage.”

Gandys co-founder Rob Forkan said:
“We were absolutely thrilled when McLaren came to us with this idea. When the brand was created, Paul was living in Melbourne, and I went out to surprise him on his birthday to tell him about the idea for Gandys. After managing to persuade him to return to the UK and start the brand, it’s really exciting to be going back. In fact, it will be the first time we’ve returned to Melbourne, so it’s great to feel we have come full circle!

“By putting Gandys’ branding on the car’s Halo, we can help to strengthen the message behind our Orphans For Orphans initiative; creating a protective and inspiring environment for children at risk. It is a step in the right direction for the safety of the drivers and a great step for Gandys.

“When we started Gandys we started working on a small scale, helping a few children. Now we are helping more and more vulnerable children all around the world. We hope the halo will have a similar impact in Formula 1, as we know that even if it only saves one life to begin with, it will go on to have a wider impact.”

“On a personal note, as huge fans of Formula 1 and McLaren, this was an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. We can’t wait to see Fernando, Stoffel and the whole team in action in Melbourne next weekend.”
(ht: McLaren)

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: McLaren, Gandys, HALO, Flip Flop, Felipe Massa, Formula 1, #F1, Facebook, Reddit, Melbourne, Australia, The EDJE

McLaren/Andretti Autosport Tests With F1 Champion Fernando Alonso At INDY

F1 Champion Fernando Alonso checks his mirrors as he goes out for another session after the lunchtime break. Image Credit VICS (2017)

McLaren/Andretti Autosport Tests With F1 Champion Fernando Alonso At INDY

Marco Andretti, Michael Andretti, and Gil de Ferran are on hand to give the "oval rookie" some pointers after Marco was through with the car set-up laps in the orange liveried No. 29 McLaren Honda Andretti Autosport prepared Dallara DW12.

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso needed about one hour of track time today to pass his rookie orientation test for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

“It was fun,” Alonso said during a break on pit road after his No. 29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti car had completed 51 laps just before noon ET. “At this moment, everything looks good. Now it’s time to start the real thing.”

Alonso made quick work of the three rookie orientation phases with 10 laps at 205-210 mph, 15 laps at 210-215 mph and 15 laps at 215-plus mph.

Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti shook down the car, which is painted in classic Team McLaren papaya orange. McLaren is returning to the Indy 500 on May 28 for the first time in 38 years.

Practice for the Indianapolis 500 begins May 15 with qualifying on May 20-21, so the 35-year-old Spaniard has a lot to learn in a short time. He’s still had to juggle F1 commitments, which has meant an overabundance of travel. Alonso was unable to start Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix due to engine issues and will compete in the Spanish Grand Prix next week.

Although he ranks sixth on F1’s all-time win list with 32 victories and celebrated world championships in 2005 and 2006, Alonso hasn’t won a race since 2013 and his interest in enhancing his racing resume will require him to drive faster than ever before at 230 mph down the front straightaway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

A day after preparing in a racing simulator, Alonso said his confidence grew with each passing lap. When the test concluded, shortly after 3 p.m. ET, he had completed 110 laps with a top speed of 222.548 mph.

“I think it’s a good way to start, to build speed,” he said. “It was difficult at (the) beginning to reach the minimum speed. The next stages felt good, not because of the speed but because of the laps. You’re able to fine-tune the lines; upshift, downshift, which gears to use in the corner.

“The simulator is quite realistic. You have the first impression of how it’s going to be. But the real car is a unique feeling. When you have to go flat out in the corner, it’s not the same in the simulator as in the real car.”

Andretti Autosport CEO Michael Andretti, who will field six cars in the race including defending champion Alexander Rossi, liked what he saw from Alonso’s initial experience.

“That was great,” Andretti said. “He did everything he was supposed to do. Now it's time to go play a bit. So far, everything is really perfect. We had one trim we started with, so we have a reference of where we need to go.

“He gets it. He's one of the best in the world and you can see why. He had a little bit of understeer in that run and he adjusted his line because of the understeer. He's the real deal. I think he's going to be really strong this month.”

Three generations of Andretti racers – Mario, Michael and Marco – as well as Rossi and 2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran were among those giving Alonso advice. Mario won the 1969 Indy 500, Michael has celebrated four Indy 500 victories as an owner in addition to leading the most laps (431) without winning as a driver and Marco was a rookie runner-up in 2006 and is in his 12th season as a Verizon IndyCar Series regular.

“The team has been amazingly helpful,” Alonso said. “Running alone is quite OK. We'll see in the next weeks. So far a good experience. Now is the real deal.”

Marco Andretti said cooler track conditions, with ambient temperatures in the low 50s, combined with Alonso the only driver on track provided an ideal setting for the initiation. Alonso kept churning out laps amid a threat of afternoon showers as darker clouds drifted over the speedway.

“With this level of downforce, this is like race downforce, when there’s no traffic and you’re by yourself, it’s just stuck,” Marco Andretti said. “The front and rear are stuck right now, which is what you want for the first run.”

And what of sorting out the input from so many voices?

“He’ll have to learn by fire from a lot of it,” Marco said. “But he’s asking the right questions.

“He’ll be fine. He’s a race car driver. He’ll leave today pretty confident.”
[ht: IndyCar]

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: #INDYCAR, #INDY500, #AlonsoRunsIndy, @IndyCar, @McLarenIndy, #Alonso, #F1, #McLarenHonda, #AndrettiAutosport, @MarcoAndretti, The EDJE

GODSPEED JUSTIN WILSON - Video - August 24, 2015

 GODSPEED JUSTIN WILSON - Video Tribute

With deep sadness, the parents of Justin Wilson, Keith and Lynne, his wife Julia, and his brother Stefan share the news that Justin passed away Monday, August 24, 2015 after succumbing to injuries suffered during the Verizon IndyCar event at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, August 23.

Justin was a loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers.

Race car driver Justin Wilson, who enjoyed success in multiple motorsports series (F1, ChampCar, Indycar, IMSA) during a two-decade professional career, died from a head injury sustained in the Verizon IndyCar Series ABC Supply 500 race Aug. 23 at Pocono Raceway. He was 37.

Statement on the passing of Justin Wilson - Art St. Cyr, president, Honda Performance Development

“To say that we are heartbroken over the loss of Justin Wilson would create the false impression that our pain is localized.

At a time earlier in the season, when we were in a continuing struggle to remain competitive in the Verizon IndyCar Series, Justin was the guy who WANTED to be with Honda, and he demonstrated that time and again. That allows you to take the measure of the man, and we will be forever grateful for his loyalty, and the gracious and gentlemanly way he represented our company, on and off the race track.

He was our friend, and our comrade.

All of our thoughts and prayers are for his wife, Julia, daughters Jane and Jessica; his parents Keith and Lynne; his brother Stefan; and his many friends around the world.”

Statement from race team Andretti Autosport - He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport. While Justin was only part of the Andretti lineup for a short time, it only took a second for him to forever become part of the Andretti family. His life and racing career is a story of class and passion surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson family and fans worldwide.

Motorsports Journal - So brutally sad to hear about the passing of race car driver, engineer, and great friend to most all he met ... Justin Wilson. May peace surround the fans, friends, & family Justin leaves behind.

In lieu of flowers and other remembrance, please consider a donation to:

Wilson Children’s Fund
c/o INDYCAR
4551 W. 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222

Video from still photography from two races run in 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and the MAVTv500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

The main qualifying sequence was captured as Justin Wilson was set to make his qualifications run under the direction of IndyCar Race Control Director, Beaux Barfield. Asset Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

... notes From The EDJE


TAGS: @justin_wilson #GodSpeed #JustinWilson, #indycar, #RIPJustinWilson, #imsa, #ChampCar, #FormulaE, #RestInPeace, #F1, #BadAssWilson, The EDJE