Comments for Open Paddock

Comment on IndyCar-Highlights from Kurt Busch Press Conference by Doug Patterson

Doug Patterson — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:17:11 +0000

This year’s Indianapolis 500 Mile Race doesn’t sound likely, but I would not be surprised to see him at Iowa or Fontana. Pocono might be too tricky of a track to debut.

Comment on IndyCar – Sato: Blocking or Fair Play? by The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:35:19 +0000

To me, the whole issue of blocking is as simple as this: who moved first? If the leading car moved a certain direction first, that’s “defending”. If the trailing car moved that direction first, followed by a move that direction by the leading car, that’s “blocking”. In that video above, and in all of the instances before it that I can remember, Taku was not the first car to move. Not only that, but on the last lap, Hinch had his front wing almost alongside Taku’s rear wheel when Taku made his move. There wasn’t a grassy field to Hinch’s right, there was a concrete wall. Had Hinch reacted by jinking back to the left even 0.1 second later than he did, we’d have had two cars tangling with each other and the wall (and possibly the fence) at 160+ MPH in the middle of the backstraight. Not cool. When you’re doing battle at those speeds on this type of track, if you’re going to make sudden moves in front of another car in close proximity to the wall, you better be damn sure that the following driver isn’t already alongside. The last lap proves that he had no such safety issue in mind.

Justice wound up being served in that Taku didn’t wind up winning (I am not a Taku hater, mind you…I was thrilled he won at Long Beach, and I’d be just as happy if he wins 2-3 more this year), but that doesn’t justify the fact that he got away with what he did. Beaux and his guys need to sort this out right quick and tighten up their enforcement going forward.

Comment on IndyCar – Sato: Blocking or Fair Play? by Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:40:31 +0000

I have to watch the moves a few more times before I decide how I feel about them. I agree the point in the race during which they occurred should not be the determining factor in whether a penalty is assessed. Thanks for your analysis of the moves on the track. Great to read a discussion focused on the actual racing!

Comment on Indy Lights – Unfettered Aggression and the Failures It Causes by Bob Z.

Bob Z. — Thu, 02 May 2013 02:27:08 +0000

I think it deserves mentioning that this article seems to imply that this is the nature of the series rather than the slowness of growth and maturity in a few drivers this season, which is more likely the case. This series has produced excellent racing and graduated drivers to the top level consistently. I don’t think it’s fair to imply that the series has always been subject to what’s been happening the past couple of races this year, because it’s typically not true. And I think it’s also fair to point out that they are only 3 races in, and as the author mentions, Barber wasn’t much of an issue. Let’s wait things out before we characterize the entire series.

Comment on IndyCar – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to Suspend Operations by Brian McKay in Florida

Brian McKay in Florida — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:57:24 +0000

AUGH!
Oh … my … gosh!
I got e-mail in the car on the way home tonight, and I felt gutted.
I intended to write the news and write of what a shame it is that a shrewd, calculating, intelligent, aggressive mechanical engineer/racer has lost his seat AGAIN!
I hope that Oriol wins the Indianapolis 500 and thus keeps the team afloat or enhances his ability to gain a seat in another team (IndyCar or sports car).
I know that the team surrounding Oriol is also facing unemployment, and I feel for them also. Working in IndyCar in Indianapolis or Speedway shouldn’t be such a tenuous proposition. Crying shame …
I had thought that DRR had several (satisfied?) sponsors, with custom-liveried cars (see above photo) at various races.
Again, it’s a shame that a one-car (lean-running?) team can’t stay afloat, in partnership of some sort with Panther Racing …

Comment on Indycar-Barber From A Fan’s Perspective by The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:01:20 +0000

Just catching up on some blog posts I missed. Great stuff here. Hope to see all of you (Kevin, Brian, Annkia and Molly) at Barber next year.

Comment on SCCA – KCR Solo School #1 and Event #2 by Doug Patterson

Doug Patterson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:54:26 +0000

Yup! Got a CG lock courtesy of Mr. McKay and it’s brilliant! It has really helped keep me firmly in the seat. By the way, for those new to the sport, or coming back from a hiatus, I *HIGHLY* recommend the Solo School! The best money you can spend improving your car is that which you spend improving the driver! It’s an upgrade legal in all classes, and it moves with you from car to car.

Comment on SCCA – KCR Solo School #1 and Event #2 by Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:17:52 +0000

Look out Doug! You are really up on the wheel with the belt pulled tight i’m sure!

Comment on IndyCar – Neely’s Nine: Field Rankings after Toyota GP Long Beach by Brian McKay in Florida

Brian McKay in Florida — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:18:59 +0000

Justin Wilson, despite his weight disadvantage, is ‘screaming fast.’
As you wrote, at Barber MP, Wilson raced from the rear toward the front twice.
He was racing in fifth, came to a pit stop in sixth, and … Dale Coyne Racing let him reenter the race in nineteenth place !!!

Dale Coyne Racing did not learn to satisfy scrutineers in technical inspection at Texas Motor Speedway last year, and … disqualified Justin at Long Beach!
Wilson raced to third-place, though! Honda power + racecraft …

Tristan Vautier is ‘scary fast,’ as is Pagenaud. Pagenaud can ‘tutor’ his teammate and fellow Frenchman about racecraft, and each Schmidt racer can take wins in this and subsequent seasons.

Although Doug has said during a podcast that luck isn’t a real thing and that precision preparation and excellent execution are important, I can’t resist saying that Dixon is perpetually snakebit in Long Beach.

I don’t remember what happened to fastest-qualifier Franchitti or to previous GPLB winners Hunter-Reay and Conway …

Comment on IndyCar-Turning Laps With Ease: Sato Takes Long Beach by IndyCar fan

IndyCar fan — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:47:45 +0000

Graham Rahal raced from eleventh to second yet continues to blame others for misfortune.
Justin Wilson, also in a Honda-powered DW12, raced from twenty-fourth to third (with attrition ahead), but he didn’t complain about others. ~ fast and gracious, as usual ~
~ kudos to Takuma Sato and Justin Wilson ~