Author: Doug Patterson
IndyCar – Calendar Benefiting Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Racing for Kids Now Available
Its that time of year again! The 2011 IZOD IndyCar calendar is ready! When you purchase your new 2011 calender full of IndyCar goodness, you are also helping out two great charities, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Racing for Kids. To order, click on the image below, or go directly to http://www.umponline.com/calendar/. Be sure to put OpenPaddock.net in the “Instructions” box. THE 2011 IZOD INDYCAR OFFICIAL WALL CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE The Calendar That Excites Race Fans Every Day of the Year On behalf of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation…
Read MoreGarage 36 – Ep 1: Jason Penix
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download Welcome to our newest segment here at OpenPaddock.net: Garage 36. In this segment, we will bring you the news, happenings, and inside scoop from Indy Downforce, the official fan club of the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Firestone Indy Lights, and the Road to Indy. You’ve heard us talk about Indy Downforce on the podcast, but now you’ll get a much closer look at the club and how being a member can greatly enhance your experience on race weekends and beyond. Our first guest…
Read MoreIndyCar – No Joy in Edmonton
Last night, it was announced that the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races at the Edmonton City Centre Airport will not happen for 2011 in spite of its being on the confirmed schedule and an agreement between INDYCAR, Octane Racing, and the City of Edmonton. In an article from the Edmonton Sun, it was revealed that negotiations between Octane and the city had reached a terminal end. What caused the breakdown was the City of Edmonton’s late and unilateral move to alter the deal agreed to by all…
Read MoreOpEd – Indy Downforce Banquet Exceeds Expectations
Every year in October, after the end of the IZOD IndyCar Series season, the official fan club of the league, Indy Downforce, has their year-end banquet and celebration. Every year that I’ve been a member of the club, I’ve read the comments by others about how much they’ve enjoyed the banquet, but unfortunately I was never able to attend. Well, this year I made it a priority to go, and wow did I ever pick the right year. This year’s event was much more than just an evening banquet. INDYCAR…
Read MoreVideo – Randy Bernard Discusses the USAC Scholarship to FIL
IndyCar – USAC Champ Gets Oval Ride in Firestone Indy Lights
I don’t normally do this, but it so interesting that I’m going to post the press release from IndyCar in its entirety. I’ll have some commentary regarding this scholarship for the USAC Champion to race the ovals in Firestone Indy Lights afterward. FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP ADDED TO USAC NATIONAL DRIVERS CHAMPION’S PRIZE Wednesday Oct 20, 2010 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, will award the winner of USAC’s inaugural National Drivers Championship with a scholarship to…
Read MoreALMS – Wiggins to Field an ALMS Prototype Entry for 2011
Racer Magazine released an article today announcing that Kieth Wiggins through his HVM Racing team intends to field a prototype entry in the American LeMans Series in 2011. Already having a relationship with Lola that started back in 1997, the team plans on running a Lola chassis with an engine manufacturer that is yet to be announced. Apparently, they are currently in negotiations with an engine producer and are not yet ready to make an announcement regarding their potential partnerships until all the contracts are signed. Good thinking, if you…
Read MoreRally – Rally America 2011 National Championship Schedule
This morning, RallyCar announced their schedule for the six-round 2011 Rally America National Championship. While there are no surprises, it is nice to have the confirmed dates for those needing to make travel plans. We really missed not being with the Last Ditch Racing crew at the New England Forest Rally last year, and we plan on remedying that problem for 2011. Event Date Location Sno*Drift Rally January 28-29, 2011 Atlanta & Lewiston, MI 100 Acre Wood Rally February 25-26, 2011 Salem, MO Olympus Rally April 30-May 1, 2011 Ocean…
Read MoreOpEd – Top Five Most Influential Race Cars
In keeping with the Top-Five series of posts, we now turn our attention to the cars. What do you think were the top five most influential race cars throughout motorsports history? We’ve taken a stab as some we think were true game-changers in their time. Lotus 38 Being a life-long fan of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, I might be a bit prejudice, but the Lotus 38 that Jimmy Clark drove to victory in 1965 changed how Americans viewed race cars. Prior to the Lotus 38, the cars that ran…
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