Episode 93 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download Join Shaun and Mike this week as they talk all things Texas duels. WE talk with our good friend Tyler from IndyCar Garage and ask him for his race experience. We also look ahead to Milwaukee and the picks get a little crazy. We also do a little recap of the Le Mans 24 hour race. We also look to bounce back from last week’s screw up and actual report correct on Formula 1 and discuss Lewis Hamilton’s... [Read More...]
INDYCAR – Texas Leaves Many Conflicted
So here it is Monday morning and I am still conflicted as many other members of the INDYCAR Nation are with what exactly happened on Saturday night. I tried to sleep on it…then let all the other races finish before writing and I am still as conflicted over it as I was before. The idea was simple and yet has caused much debate about the future formatting of the event. The first round was typical Texas to a point. The cars ran qualifying... [Read More...]
INDYCAR – Texas Practice Highlights
F1 – Thoughts on the Austin Track Map
One more step has been taken toward having a Formula 1 grand prix race in Austin, Texas. The proposed Tilke-designed track map including elevations has been released. My first thought is that this can’t be a Tilke track. There’s no chicane in front of the hairpins. (tongue firmly planted in cheek) 3.6 miles in 20 turns with 133 feet of elevation change, hairpins, high-speed sweepers, medium-speed technical sections, the circuit really... [Read More...]
IndyCar – The Texas Two-Step: Cool, Gimmick, or Both?
Last night, sandwiched between two lengthy NASCAR announcements, Texas Motor Speedway President and promoter extraordinaire Eddie Gossage announced plans for the 2011 IndyCar event at his facility in Dent County, TX. The good news is that Texas will again be the first event after the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race but with a week break between them. This is a much needed break for both the teams and the fans as the Month of May as exciting... [Read More...]
F1 – How Can Austin Succeed Where Indy Failed
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh recently made his feelings known about the return of the USGP to Austin, Texas in a phone interview with Autosport. His most poignant statement was “I think Formula 1 is used to being poured into markets that want us badly there…. North America frankly doesn’t need Formula 1, so I think it’s for us to go and prove to North America that this is an interesting sport and spectacle and... [Read More...]
Video – IndyCar Flaming Safety Failure at Texas
IndyCar – Flaming Texas Failure and the Decline of Safety in the IndyCar Series
Silvestro on Fire in Texas Simona de Silvestro’s effort at Texas came to an inglorious end on Saturday night. After an accident that left her stranded on track with the right sidepod spouting flames, it took the IndyCar travelling safety crew 40 seconds to extract her from the car. Apparently, the fire hose that they have attached to the safety truck failed and the fire bottles that they brought to bear on the blaze proved insufficient for... [Read More...]
IndyCar – Texas! Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!
Everything is bigger in Texas, even the racing! The IZOD IndyCar Series race at the Texas Motor Speedway has historically been an exciting event with close side-by-side, wheel-to-wheel racing. Last year was a disappointment as we saw a procession with exception of Briscoe who darn near lapped the entire field until a caution for “debris” obliterated the huge lead he’d built. This year, however, the close racing was back! As you... [Read More...]
F1 – USGP Returns in 2012
The United States Grand Prix is set for yet another return as the traveling circus trades in their glitz in glamour for cowboy hats. The event was announced to day by Formula 1 and will be held in Austin Texas from 2012 to 2021. The race is slated to be held on a new fixed circuit that will be purpose built for the event. This is the first time since 1980 that the race will be held on a purpose built, fixed road course and the first time ever a site... [Read More...]
