This afternoon, the Indy Racing League announced their plans for the 2012 season of the IZOD IndyCar Series. There’s been a lot of buzz about what the new chassis spec would be for a number of years now. The speculations have run from a completely wide-open, run-whatcha-brung, regulation to a completely spec, single-manufacturer car. For the past year, most of the money was on the spec type of formula, but in recent weeks, comments by the league officials and especially by Randy Bernard have led many to think that perhaps…
Read MoreMonth: July 2010
IndyCar – New Chassis Prognostication
Well, the day has finally arrived. Today at 1100 CDT, we will finally discover the new chassis and strategy for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series. You can watch the event live via IndyCar.com if you were not lucky enough to get an invite and have the ability to act on it. In another gesture that shows that the leadership is beginning to understand the importance of fans, early invitations were given to the Crew Level members of the official fan club Indy Downforce. Good on them for that! Sadly, I…
Read MoreIndyCar – OpenPaddock.net @ Future Car
That is correct folks! Be sure to have your Facebook and Twitter ready today as OpenPaddock.net will be at the Future Car Announcement later at the Indianapolis Art Museum. We will be celebrating the historic day with tweets, Facebook photos, and hopefully some video that will be located on YouTube right after the announcement. Rumor has it that CEOs from Lola and Dallara will be present, but as Randy Bernard said at Watkins Glen, you won’t know for sure until it is announced. Be sure to visit Openpaddock.net all day…
Read MoreRally – Last Ditch Racing Ready for NEFR
For Immediate Release Bangor, Maine USA July 8, 2010 Last Ditch Racing-defending and three time Rally America Eastern Regional Rally Champions, are ready to take to the stages at the 2010 New England Forest Rally. The New England Forest Rally, the fifth and final round of the 2010 Rally America National Championship is headquartered at the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine. More than 65 teams from around the US and Canada are set to take the start. The event has been voted a driver’s favorite many times in the…
Read MoreRally – Bulgaria Thoughts
Rally Bulgaria is now in the books and while a lot of the action was off the stages between Citroen, Ford, and Sebastian Ogier, we had another dominant performance from Sebastian Loeb. The now 58 times winner in rally’s top flight increases his amazing stretch on tarmac while the Ford duo slip back into obscurity. The weekend gave Citroen a 1-2-3-4 finish with Sordo finishing runner up to his teammate and Petter Solberg finishing in the third position. The man making most of the headlines (Ogier) finished in the fourth…
Read MoreRally – Bulgaria Thursday Press Conference
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 are…
Read MoreRally – Ford Getting Ambitious on Ogier
The Works Ford squad have gotten a little ambitious over the last couple days by announcing publicly their pursuit of Citroen ace Sebastian Ogier. The French driver who took his first WRC victory in Portugal by out gunning Citroen works phenom Sebastian Loeb, has announced that he is actually entertaining the idea. The driving slot that would become available would be at the the factory Ford outfit along side Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. Reports indicate that Ford have been in touch with Ogier’s management team and that a formal…
Read MoreEpisode 46 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and I as we rehash the Armco at the Glen, I mean the IZOD IndyCar race at Watkins Glen. We also get into some of the statements made over the weekend by one Randy Bernard. There are close to a million statements. We cover rally and prepare for the WRC round in Bulgaria as well as announce a German manufacturers future in the Dakar Rally. Last but not least we get into some Formula 1. We are slightly nicer to the series…
Read MoreIndyCar – Watkins Glen Photos and an Introduction.
Unfortunately, for reasons of scheduling, work, other commitments, and financial, (mainly financial) neither Shaun, Mike, nor I could make it to Watkins Glen International this past weekend for the Camping World Grand Prix. Fortunately for us, and for you, a fellow Indy Downforce member and brilliant photographer Joe Ferrall was able to attend, and in a moment of irrationality he has agreed to join us here at OpenPaddock expanding our on-site coverage of IZOD IndyCar Series events. Please join us in welcoming Joe to the site and enjoy his photos…
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