First an apology. This has been a busy and rough holiday season, and although I very much enjoy following and writing about motorsports, especially the Mazda Road to Indy, family does and will always come first. So now I’m back and getting caught up with the happenings at Winterfest, the State of the Series, and all the other news and events that have been going on since the beginning of the year. This year, our newest member of the OpenPaddock crew, Kristi (aka IAIndyFan on Twitter) will be taking over…
Read MoreMonth: January 2011
Rally – Ford Fiesta RS Breaks Cover in 2011 Color Scheme
FROM: FORD BIRMINGHAM, 13 January 2011 – Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car was revealed in its 2011-specification today when the company unveiled the color scheme that will adorn the car in the FIA World Rally Championship. Team driver Mikko Hirvonen and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event. Ford’s official WRC squad for 2011 also confirmed its new name and logo – it will compete…
Read MoreRally – Stobart Changes
A number of changes have already occurred in preparations for what experts are calling an amazing 2011 WRC season. More changes have been released today involving the Stobart team this time. The satellite Ford team has made slight changes and added a driver for Sweden to up its chances for a great points haul in the opening round. First, the team that was known as the Stobart M-Sport Ford World Rally Team has changed its name to the M-Sport Stobart Ford Rally Team. Not a huge difference in a name…
Read MoreIndy Hump Day Report, on the bubble: Lapped cars or fuel knobs
The great compromise In American history, the founders spent years working on proposals for what would be the civic structure of the United States. Many ideas were kicked around, and at times the debate became very heated. Well in 1787 what would be known as “The great compromise” or “The Sherman Compromise” would be made. It seems that in the early days, the delegation from Virginia had an idea that would benefit the larger states more than the smaller ones with membership to the lower and upper houses of the…
Read MoreVideo – State of INDYCAR Music Video
Rally – Petter Solberg tests Monte Carlo 207 S2000
Episode 72 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Shaun, Kristi, and Mike as they run down the State of INDYCAR Address from today’s winter meetings. Lots of small announcements for on and off track stuff. Shaun also discusses the craziness that has turned into the WRC offseason. Lots of movement on Monday and the picture has become clear heading into Sweden. So as always, sit back and enjoy your favorite beverage and the show!
Read MoreRally – Citroen Situation Update
The last 24 hours have been full of confusion and questions in regards to exactly what it is Citroen will be doing in the WRC. Heading into yesterday, we already knew that Loeb and Ogier would house the two factory rides. The former Citroen Junior squad was half full. Peter Van Merksteijn had been confirmed for 10 rounds of the championship which was due to start in Sweden for him. Enter Kimi Raikkonen and Petter Solberg. Both were rumored to land a Citroen ride as well but only four cars…
Read MoreRally – FERM World Rally Team
The World Rally Championship got some news this morning as FERM Power Tools World Rally Team has entered the Manufacturer’s Championship for 2011. Dennis Kuipers will be the man behind the wheel of the M-Sport Fiesta for 11 out 13 rounds (Australia and Argentina missing). Kuipers was originally slated to run only 10 rounds of the championship in a Fiesta, however the recent deal with FERM has opened up an 11th round. Kuipers best result last season was an 11th overall at Rally Spain. He was driving under the Stobart…
Read MoreHelp Martin Plowman Raise Money for Military Charities
Martin Plowman has graciously started a project to help raise $10,000 for two charities involving the military. Below are his tweets from earlier: Listen up tweeps! I need you all to pay attention for a moment please!! I am going to try to raise a lot of money for two good causes HELP FOR HEROES and the WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT. As part of the deal, I will be getting a military style CREW CUT whilst on board the USS Enterprise in the Gulf sea. I have set up TWO seperate…
Read More