The FIA WTCC and the Nitto Tires USTCC to Race at Infineon 2012
Napa, CA — In September 2012, the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will make history by having its first race ever in the United States at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Racing alongside their bigger brother will be the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC). The American touring car teams and drivers will be the opening act for the international teams and drivers when they take the stage on September 21-23,... [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...]
WRC – MINI Fails to Register for 2012
The more things change, the more they stay the same for some people. During Subaru’s dying days in the WRC, Prodrive was the subject of much criticism in how they performed and worked with the Japanese marque. While the prospect of Prodrive leading the BMW backed MINI was almost too good to be true, a major mistake has occurred and MINI are not in the 2012 championship fight at the moment. 19 Dec 2011 was the final day for teams to register.... [Read More...]
Rally – MINI WRC Team – Rally Germany Preview
FROM: MINI World Rally Team Munich, 12th August, 2011. With two FIA World Championship Rallies behind it, the MINI WRC Team is now ready for its next test and that will be on the asphalt stages in next week’s ADAC Rally Germany. This will be the first WRC event of the year on this surface for not only Dani Sordo (ES) and Carlos del Barrio (ES) in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC number 37, and Kris Meeke (GB) and Paul Nagle (IR) in the number 52 car,... [Read More...]
INDYCAR – $5Million Contenders…So Far
It looks like Randy Bernard has achieved a portion of what he has set out to do with the Las Vegas $5 Million challenge this fall. The aim was to bring in some big names from outside of INDYCAR to compete against the sport’s best for a shot at a big payoff. Travis Pastrana has thrown his name in the hat as has BMW Le Mans ace Joey Hand. So we have a Rally/NASCAR/action sports icon and an ALMS star that has been untouchable thus far in 2011.... [Read More...]
ALMS – Long Beach Preview
Dakar – El Matador Showing Perfection
Carlos Sainz has been perfect after two stages of the Dakar in his VW. The Spaniard has began his title defense by winning the two opening stages of the rally and has done so in convincing fashion. The rally is now underway and Sainz VW is now in a battle with X-Raid BMW’s Stephane Peterhansel. A one sided battle really as Sainz has taken comfortable margins in both stages. VW teammate Nasser al-Attiyah is third overall after finishing P2 in... [Read More...]
Rally – Meeke to MINI
Intercontinental Rally Champion Kris Meeke will once again compete in the WRC. Stories this morning have the star signing with MINI’s WRC efforts and while nothing has come out of the Meeke camp, all things are in motion for this to take place. Kris is the second name mentioned with program as it is heavily rumored P-G Andersson is also in line for a seat. It does not stop there however. Marcus Gronholm is also in the mix as he is set for a... [Read More...]
Mid-Ohio Weekend Review – Openpaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download A day early on this one as we welcome Mike back to the fray. We take a look back at the weekend that was Mid-Ohio. We talk IZOD IndyCar as well as ALMS. We tell the haters to shut up as well. Thankfully there is not much in the realm of F1 to talk about but there is some rally. We talk potential of Saab as well as Sordo splitting with his co-driver. So sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy the show! Read More →
Rally – Prodrive MINI Preparing to Test
Just when you thought all hope was lost of seeing a Prodrive MINI next year, Rallybuzz.com has now posted a story that is the first sign of life we have had from the project in a couple months time. The silence then began to drive rumors that funding had been cut and that Prodrive was looking at teaming with Toyota for a WRC bid. That being the dumbest rumor I have ever heard has now brought us a proof of life that the MINI project is on track. Reports... [Read More...]
