USF2000 – Cape Motorsports Sweeps the Winter Fest Race 1 Podium
The Cooper Tires Winter Fest, a six-race mini-series that preludes the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, began today with qualifying for Race #1 taking place this morning and the race itself taking place late this afternoon. Cape Motorsports dominated the 20-car field with a podium sweep and Spencer Pigot leading flag to flag. In second was Matthew Brabham, son of the famous sportscar driver, Geoff Brabham,... [Read More...]
USF2000 – Former Supermoto rider Michael Johnson Joins JDC MotorSports
I’ve been slow in posting this driver announcement, and I’m sure that if you follow the Mazda Road to Indy program at all, you’ve heard of Michael Johnson’s signing with JDC MotorSports and that he’s a paraplegic. I was curious about Mr. Johnson’s story and wanted to do some digging and find out more about his story. As many of you know, I’m a big fan not only of auto racing, but also of motorcycle racing.... [Read More...]
The Spike has returned…to Indianapolis!!! Can you smell what The Spike…is cooking???
Well I am back—not that I really left Open Paddock. Yes, I will return for another season of Op-Ed columns for Open Paddock. Where did I go? Well, toward the end of last season I was being paid by another website to write for them. (My name not attached to the articles, but when you get paid that’s fine). I won’t name the site for the moment, it is up in the air if the site will be back. It was funded and created by a company that was... [Read More...]
WEC – Toyota Answers the Call
The new FiA World Endurance Championship (WEC) received a much needed shot in the arm today as Toyota officially announced their “entry” in this year’s maiden championship. The new TS030 HYBRID will still compete with a single entry at Spa and two machines at Le Mans as originally planned with maybe more on the schedule. The news was announced today and now gives the FiA the two manufacturers needed in the LMP1 division. This will... [Read More...]
WRC – MINI Program Set to Implode
In what is turning out to be a rough start to the 2012 season, it looks as though the MINI program is set to implode on itself as soon as tomorrow. The team that has been run and operated by Prodrive indicated that a board meeting was taking place and that a decision would be announced tomorrow on the future of the operation. This coming after a second place finish at the Monte Carlo rally but a couple weeks ago. There are a number of issues that... [Read More...]
IndyLights – Goncalvez and Yacaman On The Podium at Daytona
Last weekend, Firestone Indy Lights journeyman Gustavo Yacaman and rookie Jorge Goncalvez teamed up with stock car veteran Michael McDowell and British Formula Three Champion Felipe Nasr in the #6 Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley Daytona Prototype. McDowell qualified the car in 8th, but the squad quickly advanced and kept the car in the top-5 for much of the 24-hour race. One would expect with racers unaccustomed to multi-class endurance racing,... [Read More...]
Episode 123 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download Join Shaun and Mike as they discuss this past weekends Rolex 24 from Daytona! The racing was furios and the Grand-Am show was great as always! We also go over the Sno* Drift rall yhtat opened the 2012 Rally America season. We talk Rubens, IndyCar, and have a little too much fun with Pirelli’s new tire sidewall press release! Sit back and enjoy the show and as alwasy thank you! Read More →
Rally America – Slippin’ ‘n’ Slidin’ at Sno*Drift
The first of six rounds for the Rally America National Championship is in the books, and wow was it a great rally! The conditions near Atlanta, MI in the upper portion of the lower peninsula were treacherous! There was packed ice below about an inch or two of snow on the road surfaces which made grip difficult to manage. Since studded tires are not legal in every state where the Rally America championship is contested, they are prohibited in the... [Read More...]
F1 Soap Box – Car Launch Edition
Caterham Launch Caterham is the only team so far to unveil their 2012 challenger. They appear to be taking some design cues from Red Bull with their engine cowling, which isn’t too unexpected since RBR were indomitable last year and since Caterham is using RBR’s KERS system and gearbox. What immediately stands out is Caterham’s solution to the FIA’s new regulations on the nose. First, the nose had to be higher this year, also there are regulations... [Read More...]
Episode 122 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download Join the Paddock Crew as they review the biggest rally of the year in Monte Carlo. Sebastien Loeb starts off the 2012 campaign strong but MINI proves despite controversy, they are still a team to be reckoned with. The Rally America championship kicks off this weekend with the Sno*Drift event in Michigan. We also briefly talk Le Mans and the effect that Peugeot pulling out will have on the WEC. We proceed... [Read More...]
