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 MoreAuthor: Doug Patterson
Motorsports enthusiast since ...well... always. Grew up watching Mario and AJ, took my first lap around IMS in the tour bus in 1977, fell in love with anything that went fast.
Currently, I work as a professor of astronomy and physics at a college in the suburbs of Kansas City, http://staff.jccc.edu/dpatter/, and own a photography business, Patterson Prints, with my wife. http://www.pattersonprints.com/
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 – 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…
Read MoreIndyCar – It’s the fans, stupid!
Randy Bernard gets what no one else is the sport has for decades. To paraphrase James Carvalhal’s famous 1992 campaign slogan, “Its the fans, stupid!” For so long, the league participants and its leadership have been focused so much on pleasing sponsors and team owners, that fans and the on-track product has suffered. One great thing about having new blood in the leadership of the league is the lack of respect for how things have been done in the past. Seriously, let’s look at where the way things have been…
Read MoreIndyCar – Saturday Wrap-up from Iowa
Saturday was a busy day at the Iowa Speedway. The qualifying session and races for the US F2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires powered by Mazda, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, and the Firestone Indy Lights were all held on Saturday, which made for a packed schedule of on-track activity. I would report on the qualifying sessions for the US F2000 and the Star Mazda, but I didn’t see them. I COULDN’T see them! The track didn’t open its gates until 1:00pm, and since I was tardy…
Read MoreStar Mazda – Iowa Preview: Return of the Daly Show
This weekend, the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear contests the fifth round, the second on an oval, of their season at the Iowa Speedway. They will be there along with every other part of the Road2Indy program and the IZOD IndyCar Series. It should make for a fantastic weekend of open-wheel racing. The last race for Star Mazda was at the O’Reilly Raceway Park where they shared the Night Before the 500 with the US F2000 National Championship and the USAC Midgets. Like with US F2000, car count is…
Read MoreUSF2000 – Iowa Preview: Round 4 and the 2nd Oval of the Season
This weekend, the US F2000 National Championship Presented by Cooper Tires contests the fourth round of their season at the Iowa Speedway. They will be there along with every other part of the Road2Indy program and the IZOD IndyCar Series. It should make for a fantastic weekend of open-wheel racing. The last round for the US F2000 competitors was at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on Saturday night prior to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Although the car count for US F2000 in this rebirth season is not as…
Read MoreLeMans – Listen to Quals for the 24 Hrs Live
Its almost time for the greatest sportscar race in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans! If you’re not already familiar with RadioLemans.com, head over there right now! They broadcast each LeMans and ALMS race live including commentary, interviews, …the whole nine yards, really. Qualification for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place today, this afternoon in France and mid morning for us. Be sure to tune in and listen to all the action. We’ll have our thoughts on today’s qualification results and who our picks…
Read MoreRally – Ogier and Sordo Swap Seats
We already knew that Sebastian Ogier was going to step up to the factory Citroen team for 2011, but in a move that comes as a bit of a surprise, Ogier is getting the nod THIS season! For the rest of the gravel rallies this season, Ogier will drive as Loeb’s teammate on the Citroen Total World Rally Team while Dani Sordo will be demoted to the Citroen Junior Team. This is a huge blow to Sordo’s confidence and career. Sordo’s performance these past two seasons have been less than…
Read MoreIndyCar – 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 may remember, the league made mid-season changes to the oval aero rules, allowing the teams to use some devices…
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