Category: Featured

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OpEd – Expressing Your Fandom

John Olsakovsky

A fan of any sport at some point crosses a threshold from casual enjoyment into loyalty and support, sometimes to an unhealthy extreme. Fans show off pride in their favorite team or athlete in different ways, from t-shirts to stickers to flags and memorabilia. Sports merchandising is big business, as we all know. If you’ve been to any major racing event, the teams have merchandise for sale, as well as the venue and/or the event. As a fan, buying a t-shirt or ball cap helps connect you to the event…

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EPISODE 252 – OPENPADDOCK.NET PODCAST

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week in our first half hour Mike and John talk about the F1 race in Sochi with special guest Kevin Paige.  Kevin Paige is an artist that captures the essence of motorsport and showcases it on canvas.  Check out his collections at kevinpaigeart.com or on Facebook and even YouTube.  In our rally coverage Mike, John, and Jace discuss the Rally America Climb to the Clouds TV program that was, well, just okay.  And then we preview Lake Superior Performance Rally and the Mt. Hood Rally.…

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Red Bull GRC at DirtFish – Behind the Scenes Part 3 “The Tires”

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhen we first arrived at DirtFish Rally School for Round 9 of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship, it was wet and sloppy.  This was actually the first wet conditions Red Bull GRC has had since Yokohama became the official tire supplier.  We stopped over at the Yokohama mobile tire shop and chatted with Yokohama Motorsports Specialist Paul Algarin about all things rubber.  Take a listen.  

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Red Bull GRC at DirtFish Rally School – Behind the Scenes Part 2 “The Starters”

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadHave you ever wondered how those timed starts at Red Bull GRC events worked?  Sometimes it seems like the lights go green just a few seconds after the red lights go out, other times it seems like an eternity .  While we were up at DirtFish for Round 9 of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship we spoke to the start control team of “Big P”, Sean, and Jake as they explain how their start system functions, how it has evolved because it used…

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Press Release – Red Bull GRC Las Vegas Tickets Now Available

Mike Shaw

Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at the LINQ 2014 Season Finale Championship Tickets on Sale Now LOS ANGELES, CA (October 7, 2014) – Red Bull Global Rallycross will return to Las Vegas for its season finale for the third consecutive year, hosting Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade on November 4-5. Held in partnership with Caesars Entertainment which is the host venue, presenting sponsor, and partner of the event, the action will take place at the LINQ Hotel & Casino during the annual SEMA Show, the premier…

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EPISODE 251 – OPENPADDOCK.NET PODCAST

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week Mike, John, and Jace kick off the first half hour with Kito Brielmaier a Pacific Northwest SCCA Rallycrosser who competed at nationals in Nebraska.  After we wrap up rally news John and Mike discuss the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and the tragic events that occurred.  We finish up the show with IndyCar’s silly season and James Hinchcliffe’s big move.  

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F1 – Suzuka: The race didn’t matter

John Olsakovsky

Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix was preceded by the threat of typhoon Phanfone, which wound up being a part of the action on Sunday. Then Alonso drops his bombshell that he’ll leave Ferrari after this season. Not to be outdone, Sebastian Vettel announces that he’s leaving Infiniti Red Bull Racing. While not an official proclamation, Christian Horner let an F-bomb slip: Seb is headed to Ferrari. Phanfone didn’t show up until Sunday, with the race starting on wet tires behind the Safety Car. Rain came in and a red flag was…

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Red Bull GRC at DirtFish Rally School – Behind the Scenes Part 1

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadI had the pleasure of getting a behind the scenes view of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship at DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington.  We all hear about the big name drivers that bring in the crowds like Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Travis Pastrana, etc., but there are a lot of amazing people that work behind the scenes to make these events both entertaining and safe. One such group is the Red Bull GRC Safety Team, and we had the chance to chat…

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EPISODE 250 – OPENPADDOCK.NET PODCAST

Mike Shaw

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadPreview UMMMM – Karma strikes Rosberg in Singapore, and John goes to COTA Rally – Red Bull GRC has major success in the Pacific Northwest, VW Team Boss Jost Capito even comes to take a peak, and WRC goes to France IndyCar – Pagenaud & Kimball both tie the knot, but not to each other UMMMMMM F1 – Rosberg’s issues at Singapore Even my wife said “That’s Karma Bit$h!” Contaminated steering column Results – Standings F1 – Bernie is a dick. F1 – Is…

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Red Bull GRC at DirtFish – A Fan’s Perspective

Mike Shaw

One thing we really enjoy here at OpenPaddock is getting the fans perspective.  I ran into a friend of mine who came with his son to the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship at DirtFish Rally School last weekend and he agreed to write up his thoughts.  Without further ado, here’s Aaron’s experience from the weekend. As a big fan of stage rally, one of my guilty pleasures is Rallycross. One of the reasons I like it so much is because it combines my love of cars going sideways with my…

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