World’s First? – Gravel Spec GT86 to Compete in Nameless Performance Rally
The rally world has been moving towards compact and fuel efficient 2wd cars in the last few years. This makes the sport more affordable for teams and are more relevant to what the manufacturers are selling. A good example would be the Ford Fiesta ST. As good as these cars are, many fans have said that this new era has taken away some of the “ spectacle” of rally racing and long for the days in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s when the rear... [Read More...]
Rally America’s Verena Mei Surprises With New Co-Driver for STPR
As the days to STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) rapidly approach, rally driver Verena Mei suddenly learned that her regular co-driver Leanne Junnila would not be available for the event. Leanne has been working hard at school and won a scholarship which gave her a rare opportunity to present at an International Design conference. As it would happen this conference that is only held once a year is the same weekend as the next round of... [Read More...]
Global Rallycross Championship Round 2 – Epic Fail!
Well this quickly became the GRC event that wasn’t. After spending a bit of time this morning writing up a somewhat lengthy intro for the GRC X-Games Barcelona event, I sat down in front of the TV to watch the action unfold. What greeted me wasn’t roaring 600HP rally cars, but instead a rain delay. Excuse me? Did they really just say that? Rally cars were sidelined because of rain? Okay, even a rally stage can be cancelled because... [Read More...]
2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 3
I’m finally getting around to finishing this up. Taking the time off for a rally means having to make it up when you get back. Still very much worth it though! Day 3 of the Oregon Trail Rally is all about speed. Those teams that survived to make it to the final day of the rally would be treated to the open rolling hills east of the Mt. Hood forest. Here the roads are smooth, fast, and flowing with hardly a tree in sight. Drivers should be... [Read More...]
IndyCar-The Month of May; Getting Up to Speed
Here’s some quick notes about IndyCar Indianapolis 500 practice so far…. Day 1 A.J. Allmendinger, Carlos Munoz and Tristan Vautier all completed Rookie Orientation in roughly 90 minutes. Temperatures were low, so many teams elected to stay off track. Ed Carpenter ended Day 1 at the top of the speed charts at 220.970 mph. 298 laps were completed by 13 drivers in 16 entries. Day 2 No need for ROP today, since Conor Daly didn’t arrive... [Read More...]
Episode 188 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast With Justin Wilson
The boys are proud to welcome Justin Wilson, driver of the #19 Boy Scouts of America car for Dale Coyne Racing, to this week’s show! Mr. Neely shares his observations from the opening weekend of practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mr. Whitesell reviews the Spanish Grand Prix which surprisingly didn’t suck, and Mr. Shaw takes a look at the proposed revamping of the power stage and contemplates the future of stage rally. Podcast:... [Read More...]
2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 2
Day 2 of the Oregon Trail Rally is where the real test of vehicle strength and driver endurance would occur. Just outside of the picturesque town of Hood River, the forest roads here are some of the most technical and the most dangerous on the Rally America calendar. The surface is rough with large stones that can be pulled out. A wrong pacenote here can be a very dangerous thing with giant trees and large drop offs around every corner. Ken... [Read More...]
2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 1
Wow, what an event! It is hard to even know where to start with all that went on this weekend. Once again the Oregon Trail Rally featured drama, danger, and hard fought victories. The weekend activities actually started Thursday morning with a fan appreciation show at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. This show and tell of the cars and drivers in the heart of the city draws in spectators that might not know that the Oregon Trail... [Read More...]
IndyCar-Highlights from Kurt Busch Press Conference
Here are some of the more pertinent quotes from today’s press conference with Kurt Busch, who tested an IndyCar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today and completed all three phases of the Rookie Orientation Program. Quotes courtesy Indycar PR/Amy Konrath. MODERATOR: Kurt, first impressions? You spent two days here last week in a Cup car and today was a completely different feel. What are your thoughts? KURT BUSCH: Just an incredible feeling... [Read More...]
Episode 187 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Kevin has the plague this week, so Mike, Doug, and Mike are given free reign of the controls! Whitesell and Patterson debate Sato’s driving and Barfield’s non-call, we recap Indy Lights testing at IMS, BRIEFLY preview F1′s return to Europe, and Shaw brings us all the gory details of the Oregon Trail Rally and Loebs return and dominance at Rally Argentina. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Show Notes Preview IndyCar –... [Read More...]
