By Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS - Crews began applying the first of two layers of new asphalt to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track's first repaving since 1995.
Resurfacing of the 21/2-mile track, the warmup lanes and pit road with about 19,000 tons of asphalt is expected to be completed by mid November.
It took about four weeks to remove the top 21/2 inches of the old asphalt surface and to clean and level the remaining surface.
A new "Yard of Bricks," a 36-inch strip of bricks taken from the track's original surface in 1909, will be placed at the start-finish line in late October. The bricks that previously crossed the track will be cut into smaller pieces and sold to the public.
The new track should last about 15 years and be much more water resistant than the last surface. Crews also have placed about 400 feet of drains along the wall separating the main straightaway and pit lane to help dry the track quicker after rain.
FORMULA ONE: The outcome of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza may hinge on whose tires hold out after punctures in recent weeks caused drivers to crash, Bridgestone Corp. spokesman Adrian Atkinson said.
Michael Schumacher, who sealed a record-extending seventh title on Aug. 29, was not hurt last week when one of his Bridgestone tires blew in testing at the Monza track. Toyota's Olivier Panis had a similar crash there a day later. Juan Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard and Jenson Button lost control of their cars when their Michelin & Cie. tires were punctured at the previous Grand Prix in Belgium.
"Tire degradation at Monza can be critical because the track temperature is relatively high," Atkinson said. "We're confident we've got a good tire ready."
On the day of Schumacher's accident, racing's ruling body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, wrote to teams saying it wants to eliminate car materials that may leave "sharp shards" on the track.
Meantime, Panis announced he will retire after this season. The 11-year veteran has competed in 155 Formula One races, with his only win coming in Monaco in 1996. The 38-year-old Frenchman said his high-speed crash at Monza last week had nothing to do with his decision.
EAST BAY RACEWAY: The track has canceled racing this weekend because of flooded conditions.
