Jaguar returns to Le Mans
JaguarRSR XKR GT2 confirmed for 24 hours of Le Mans in 2010 – the 75th year of Jaguar
The year 2010 marks 75 years of the Jaguar name on both road and race cars. As a continuation of this great heritage, Jaguar will return to the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car endurance race. With seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British make in the French race’s history. Jaguar will return to Le Mans this year lining up on the starting grid on June 12th, 2010 with an XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR.
Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner, JaguarRSR commented, “We are delighted the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has granted us entry in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. This race is held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world and for Jaguar to be racing at Le Mans again is something special.”
“We are fortunate to bring an international line-up of the world’s finest driving talent including Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens for this race.”
Gentilozzi, who will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) added, “Spirits will be high around Jaguar’s return to Le Mans but we must remember the incredibly high level of competition; a podium finish will not fall into our hands. That said, I can guarantee 100 percent commitment from JaguarRSR and urge fans of Jaguar and Britain’s racing heritage to support the team whole heartedly.”
C.J. O’Donnell, Global Marketing Director of Jaguar Cars said, “Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the company was developed. It was twenty years ago that Jaguar last won Le Mans with a TWR Jaguar Sport entry driven by John Nielsen, Price Cobb and Martin Brundle. Returning to Le Mans will reignite excitement for the marque across the globe, all the more poignant in our 75th year.
“With the introduction of the new XK, XF and XJ, the Jaguar brand has advanced cutting-edge technology, stunning design, plus our ‘R’ performance driving experience. We now return to motorsport to demonstrate this achievement and the prowess of the Jaguar XKR sports car.”
In 1951, the C-type won Le Mans in its first attempt, with a further victory in 1953. The D-type took Le Mans wins in 1955, 1956 and 1957. This racing success was followed in 1988 with the Jaguar XJR-9LM, a V12-powered Group C car. Another outright victory would follow in 1990 with the Jaguar XJR-12.
Source: Jaguar
California State Assembly Bill aims to protect youth athletes
The California Athletic Trainers’ Association Seeks to Decrease Catastrophic Injuries
With approximately 7.5 million high school students participating in sports today, the dangers of kids getting seriously hurt and not receiving appropriate care isn’t just a possibility – it’s a reality – and the consequences can be deadly.
On Wednesday, January 27, Assemblymembers Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward and Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, with the California Athletic Trainers’ Association, presented AB 1647, a California State Capital bill calling for increased safety precautions for young athletes.
The bill is co-authored by Senator Tony Strickland, R-California; and state Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco; Joan Buchanan, D-Almo; Mike Davis, D-Los Angeles and Lori Saldana, D-San Diego.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure we provide our kids a safe environment to participate in athletics,” says Hayashi. “That means making sure there’s proper safety equipment and qualified staff available to react to any and all emergencies.”
Studies show a significant increase in catastrophic injuries resulting in death or permanent disability. In the last academic year, 40 secondary school athletes suffered life-altering injuries and over 125 youth athletes died, including 18 in California.
AB 1647 requires:
– Department of Education to adopt a heat-acclimatization program established by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) or another similarly recognized organization
– A written emergency action plan
– On-site availability of a regularly maintained and tested AED
– Any athlete suspected to have sustained a concussion must immediately be removed from activity; evaluated by a licensed physician/athletic trainer under the direction of a licensed physician; and, receive written clearance from a health care provider before returning to play
– Title protection for athletic trainers requiring them to:
– Graduate from an accredited college/university athletic training program
– Pass an examination approved by the Board of Certification
– Meet the continuing education requirements defined by the Board of Certification
“Having an athletic trainer on-site can mean the difference between life or death,” says Beth Mallon, founder, Advocates for Injured Athletes, whose son fractured his neck during a school lacrosse game. “We were fortunate to have a staff athletic trainer who realized the severity of Tommy’s injury – otherwise Tommy would not be with us now.”
Brain injury, heat illness and sudden cardiac arrest are just a few of the serious conditions suffered by young athletes on the playing field, and athletic trainers are educated to manage such catastrophic injuries. More than stereotypical ankle tapers, athletic trainers’ are physical medicine specialists who provide prevention, recognition, clinical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of such injuries and illnesses that are sustained during activity.
Nationwide, only 42% of high schools have athletic training services. California is one of only three states that does not regulate the athletic training profession.
“This is just the first step in state protection of youth athletes and recognition of the athletic training profession,” says Mike West, President of the CATA. “Our ultimate goal is to have an athletic trainer in every school, at every game and at every practice.”
Earlier this month, both the NATA and CATA spearheaded the Alliance to Address the Youth Sports Safety Crisis in America with the support of 29 leading health care and sports organizations. Visit http://www.youthsportssafetyalliance.org/ for more information.
For more information about the CATA, visit http://www.ca-at.org/.
HDNet announces multi-year partnership with Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage
Network to Feature Internationally Recognized MMA Organization and Emmy Award Winning Producer
HDNet announces a multi-year partnership with “Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage,” in which, under terms of the agreement, the network will feature LIVE “King of the Cage” events every month.
The first event will air on HDNet on Friday, February 12 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
“King of the Cage and Mark Burnett are pioneers in their respective fields, and we are excited to feature ‘Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage’ on HDNet as part of our commitment to being the home of MMA,” said Mark Cuban, Chairman and Co-founder of HDNet. “The award-winning story telling of Mark Burnett will bring the personalities of MMA to life in a way that has never been seen before.”
“MMA fighters are some of the most fascinating personalities I have ever encountered, and I am excited about the opportunity to help KOTC to bring those characters to life on HDNet,” said Mark Burnett. “I am impressed with the quality of King of the Cage, and we look forward to bringing their brand to the next level in conjunction with Mark Cuban, who is one of the truly great entrepreneurs of media and sports.”
“King of the Cage is committed to delivering great fights while developing the stars of tomorrow in MMA,” said Terry Trebilcock, President of King of the Cage. “Working with Mark Burnett and HDNet provides us with the perfect platform to do just that.”
Founded in 1998, “King of the Cage” has become the most prolific MMA promoter in the United States, and has grown into an internationally recognized brand, with events in Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. It has launched the careers of many MMA superstars including Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson, and Urijah Faber.
Mark Burnett is a leading executive producer for primetime television, cable and the Internet, and has produced over 1,100 hours of television programming which regularly air in over 70 countries around the world. Burnett has revolutionized television with continuing hits such as “Survivor” (CBS), “The Apprentice” (NBC), the now syndicated “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (FOX), which is currently being produced in 55 countries, the daytime syndicated hit “Martha,” and the hit series “Shark Tank” (ABC); giving Mark a different series on each of the four major networks.
Burnett also produces the MTV Movie Awards and Bully Beatdown (MTV). Burnett started off 2010 with a bang, producing the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards (CBS).