Formula 1- A Fan’s Perspective on the USGP

Editor’s Note: John Olsakovsky attended the inaugural USGP at the Circuit of the Americas this past weekend, and he has returned with some good things to say about the event and some places where COTA could improve. Many thought it wouldn’t happen, and despite lawsuits, work stoppages and an extremely tight deadline, Bernie’s circus came to Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas for the return of Formula One to the United States after a seven year absence. Many have said that Austin is an odd locale for a date…

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Podcast – Next Week is Fan Night!

The title says it all! Next week you could record an episode of the podcast with Shaun and Mike. Since the fans are what drive our site and sites like it, we are going to open it up and have YOU on the show to talk motorsport. A small holiday way we can try and give back to those who read and listen to our stuff! The rule is simple…send an email to wfp@openpaddock.net with your name and favorite series that we cover. Also download the free skype program and…

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IndyCar – Indianapolis 500 Memories: Birthdays, Radios, and Radioactive Coolers

As part of our continuing series of short talks recalling favorite memories of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I had a great conversation with Dr. Dana Grove from Johnson County Community College (Go Cavs!) over lunch earlier in the week. Dana is quite literally a life-long fan of the Memorial Day Classic, who’s first birthday, and his upcoming birthday, falls on Race Day. What better way is there to celebrate your birthday than by singing Back Home Again in Indiana with 300,000 of your best…

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IndyCar – Indianapolis 500 Memories: The Right Place at the Right Time

The second installment in our series of fan conversations recalling our favorite memories of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is with a very special guest, my father Derek Patterson, who in 1988 happened to be in just the right place at just the right time to have an experience of a lifetime. Indianapolis 500 Memories: The Right Place at the Right Time

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IndyCar – Indianapolis 500 Memories: Watching the Track Come to Life

In these last days leading up to the race, we will be talking with several people about their favorite moments from the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Our first conversation is with Joe Ferrall, a fellow Indy Downforce member and long time attendee of the Indianapolis 500. He shares his stories of getting to the track and watching it come alive on Race Day morning. Indianapolis 500 Memories: Watching the Track Come to Life

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Op-Ed – Indy Downforce

Back in 2007, I became a card-carrying member of Indy Downforce, the official fan club of the IZOD IndyCar Series. Ever since, I’ve been more involved with the league than I ever thought possible. Downforce originally came about by a group of fans who followed the series from oval to oval and decided to form up a fan club. Eventually, the league took note and now the fan club is official and offers members fantastic access to drivers, officials, gear, and even the occasional race ticket! Indy Downforce has grown…

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