German marque Audi has released its 2011 challenger the R18. While 2010 was a bittersweet year for the squad and its R15 challenger, the team has vowed to impress not only the fans but its French rivals as well. I will preface the article by saying I am in no way a car designer or engineer but did want to comment on this car. I waited and waited Friday as I followed my tweet stream of the press conference provided by @dsceditor. The coverage was excellent and it was a…
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Rally – Sunday Service Park 12/12/10
This week has prove to be most fantastic, and we had some key stories hit as we continue to shape 2011. The drivers market in the WRC has taken an interesting turn and the IRC looks to have finally released their schedule for 2011 Peter Van Merksteijn Secures Citroen Ride Who? That is probably what you are asking yourself after this weeks announcement that Merksteijn has secured a factory supported Citroen DS3. Peter does have WRC experience and has piloted a Ford Focus RS in previous rounds of the championship.…
Read MoreRoad to Indy – Weekly Wrapup: 12/6-12/10
Once again, we had a jam packed week of mostly cool news for the now Mazda Road to Indy program. Yes, I said MAZDA. They’re now the official title sponsor of the program, and they bring some other benefits as well. However, I say mostly cool news because there was one downer for the week. Dan Andersen’s racing operations via Andersen Racing will cease in 2011. Andersen Racing had fielded entries in both the Star Mazda Championship and the Firestone Indy Lights series. Andersen will still run the US F2000…
Read MoreRoad to Indy – Mazda Sponsors the Road to Indy Program
Yes, you read the title right! The Road to Indy program now has a title sponsor, Mazda. Late last off-season, INDYCAR put the final pieces together for a four-tier development system which clearly marked out a path for young open-wheel drivers to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The US F2000 National Championship presented by Cooper Tires and powered by Mazda was the last element to come into place. Dan Andersen of Andersen Racing revived the old F2000-based series with sanction from INDYCAR. Drivers would then graduate to the Star Mazda…
Read MoreRoad to Indy – Veach Returns to USF2000 for Andretti
While I can’t say that it comes as a surprise, it is good to hear the official confirmation. Zach Veach, the young Ohioan who joined the team at the last minute last year after the Atlantics Championship dissolved, has resigned with Andretti Autosport for 2011 to run in the US F2000 National Championship with sponsorship from Zakosi Data Backup. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with this great team and be a part of the ‘Road To Indy’ program again next year. I can’t describe what an…
Read MoreINDY Hump Day Report, On the bubble: American seats
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: Well, we entered another week with sponsorship announcements. Again the Penske Empire seems to just keep gaining financially on the competition this off season. Should anyone be shocked Penske just keeps upping the ante this off season? They (Penske) have now lost the INDYCAR Championship two seasons in a row at the last race. Penske is an operation that wants to travel the galaxy meet interesting and exotic tracks, drivers and teams, and conquer them. Darth Penske hates losing especially to his biggest rival of an…
Read MoreF1 – Will the Real Lotus Please Stand Up
Well, its now official. The rumors had been out there for a while, and we even tried to make some sort of sense of them back a few weeks ago on our podcast. Group Lotus has purchased, with the assistance of Genii Capital, a share in the Renault F1 team. During the 2011 season, the team will be known as Lotus Renault GP and will sport the black and gold livery that Mr. Fernandez’s Lotus F1 Racing had previously announced that its team would be using. The partnership between Lotus…
Read MorePodcast – Next Week is Fan Night!
The title says it all! Next week you could record an episode of the podcast with Shaun and Mike. Since the fans are what drive our site and sites like it, we are going to open it up and have YOU on the show to talk motorsport. A small holiday way we can try and give back to those who read and listen to our stuff! The rule is simple…send an email to wfp@openpaddock.net with your name and favorite series that we cover. Also download the free skype program and…
Read MoreEpisode 67 – Openpaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin the Paddock boys this week as we talk Toyota and Le Mans, Solberg in Mote Carlo, and wrap up Penske’s sponsorship shopping spree. We stay clear of 151c violations for the most part but Paris Hilton nearly ruins that. Sit back as always and enjoy the show!
Read MoreIndyCar – Panther Secures an American Driver
I don’t have much in the way of details here, but I was so excited that I couldn’t wait. Al Unser, Jr., announced the good news via twitter this evening that the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion, J.R. Hildebrand, will be piloting the #4 National Guard car for Panther Racing. Hi Everyone! JR Hildebrand is in the car for Panther. He tested all day and did a GREAT JOB! He is going to be one too watch in 2011!!! — Al Unser, Jr. via Twitter. This is fantastic! Ever since…
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