Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Michel Cruz of Rimontgó

Hispania Racing Team, who made their Formula One debut last year, will be joining other teams such as Toro Rosso in pre-season testing at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Though still dependent on a big-name Spanish sponsor to secure their place on the 2011 grid, HRT insist they will be present at the pre-season test rounds that are so vital in preparing a competitive package. Chances are the team will be using the 2010 chassis and have yet to confirm the driver line-up for the coming season, but Hispania have already gained a reputation for defying the odds to come out fighting, and if it’s down to team owner José Ramon Carabante they will not only be lining up at Bahrain in March, but looking to rise up the rankings.

It’s the kind of ambition that has seen other one-time write-offs like Brawn, Jordan, Wolff and Sauber defy the critics to come through and mix up the established order. In fact, Formula One has somewhat of a tradition of producing David-versus-Goliath success stories from time to time, so there is no reason to write off the ambitious Carabante and his first-ever Spanish F1 team.

Having said that, Hispania will have plenty of challenges to overcome just to present a new car in 2011, let alone one that can consistently compete for points, but according to a team spokesman they are close to announcing a major Spanish blue chip sponsor that will not just ensure their immediate future in Formula One racing but also provide the resources to become increasingly competitive.

While most Spanish racing fans will be pinning their hopes on Ferrari star Fernando Alonso once more, thousands will be turning up in Valencia to catch a glimpse of their very own HRT team.

By Camille Richardson of Beth Wolff GMAC Real Estate

In our GMAC real estate family, Houston’s Beth Wolff GMAC Real Estate principals, Beth Wolff and Ed Wolff, were sponsors for the It’s My Heart Walk.

Tenley, Ed Wolff’s daughter and Beth Wolff’s granddaughter, and her twin brother Jake were born early at 31 weeks gestation. Jake was fine but Tenley went into congestive heart failure. She was operated on at Texas Children’s Hospital by Dr. Charles Fraser and then spent the first five months of her life in the cardiovascular unit. Thanks to the dedicated team of doctors and nurses at Texas Children’s Hospital, today Tenley is an active child enjoying life as a four year old and participating in It’s My Heart events to help raise awareness for others with similar challenges.

It’s My Heart’s mission is to provide support, spread awareness, educate and advocate for those affected by Acquired and Congenital Heart Defects by creating alliances with fellow families, hospitals, support groups and the community.