Haas brings F1 car launch forward to 2/21, 9am ET - MotorSportsTalk

The Haas Formula 1 Team has brought the launch of its first car forward to Sunday 21 February at 9am ET.

NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas has established F1’s first American team in over 30 years ahead of the 2016 season, having spent much of the past two years planning its arrival on the grid.

The new car had been due to be presented to the world for the first time on Monday morning ahead of the first pre-season test in Barcelona, with a photo call set for 7:50am in Spain.

However, the car will now be revealed a day earlier than planned, with a new launch time set of Sunday at 9am ET.

Your patience has paid off. #HaasF1 team’s first car is scheduled for an early arrival. #F1 pic.twitter.com/3aWrcexgUo

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 20, 2016

The team has already set up shop in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya paddock, featuring motorhomes similar to that of technical partner Ferrari.

We have arrived. #HaasF1 setup @Circuitcat_eng. #F1 pic.twitter.com/3ACjFyphIH

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 15, 2016

Lots of activity around the paddock @Circuitcat_eng today. Team Manager Dave O'Neill speaks with @F1onNBCSports. pic.twitter.com/rVM0oP1Pxf

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 19, 2016

The new car will be debuted by Romain Grosjean on-track in Barcelona on Monday, with testing due to begin at 9am local time (3am ET).

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross