Many were quick to post Andersen’s announcement, and by now I’m sure you’ve read the release that we’ve included below. I wanted to spend some time mulling over the implications of Andersen’s direction for the evolution of the Firestone Indy Lights chassis, a platform that is over a decade old. As I read and reflect on the announcement, there’s a couple of things that strike me: first, there isn’t really any new information that we didn’t have after the Toronto weekend, second, chassis applications have been made once already and…
Read MoreCategory: Featured
All of the latest stories from your favorite series located here!
Inside the Helmet – Matthew Brabham
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe had the great pleasure of speaking with Matthew Brabham, driver of the #83 Pro Mazda machine for Andretti Autosport and destroyer of the 2013 Pro Mazda championship so far. Matthew shares with us his story of how he chose open-wheel racing over sportscars, how he came to race in the Mazda Road to Indy program, what it was like to race at the Circuit of the Americas, and why his favourite MotoGP rider is not his countryman Casey Stoner, but Valentino “The Doctor”…
Read MoreIndyCar – Twin Turbo mandatory for 2014
INDYCAR announced today that all engines supplied to IZOD IndyCar Series teams will utilize only twin turbocharger systems beginning with the 2014 season. The decision, which was confirmed after consultation in an INDYCAR Engine Committee meeting, will further strengthen engine parity. It also dovetails with the manufacturers’ first homologation update cycle for the 2.2-liter, direct-injected V6 engines supplied by Chevrolet and Honda. “In an effort for parity throughout the turbocharger range, mandating only a twin turbo system simplifies our efforts to ensure even closer competition,” said Derrick Walker, president, competition…
Read MoreEpisode 197 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhile Whitesell dukes it out with AT&T, Shaun, Doug, Kevin, and Shaw take a look at the newly released USCR classings, the upcoming Grand-Am/NASCAR weekend at IMS, news and scuttlebutt from IndyCar, and Doug recaps the Pro Mazda weekend at Mosport. In the Formula 1 circus, Bernie lawyers up and Pirelli tells the FIA and the F1 teams to suck it. Shaw and Pechin wrap up the show with previews of New England Forest Rally and Rally Finland. Show Notes for OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Episode…
Read MoreSCCA – RallyCross Event 2: The Dust Up in Paola
On a pretty crowded weekend for the SCCA’s Midwest Division, the second rallycross event of the year for the Kansas City Region still had a good turnout with representation from many of the neighboring regions. The weather early in the morning was brilliant, and we were optimistic for a gorgeous and comfortable day. Those hopes were dashed, however, as the Sun continued to climb. Temperatures soon reached the 90’s while the humidity between 50 and 60%, and the wind struggled to be much more than a slight stirring. It was…
Read MoreInside The Helmet – Danilo Estrela
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadDanilo Estrela, driver of the #11 USF2000 machine for Belardi Auto Racing, joins us all the way from his hometown in Brazil for this edition of Inside the Helmet. We begin our conversation talking about Danilo’s late start in motorsports, not getting into a kart until the age of 14, and immediately breaking all the rules laid down for him. We then turn our attention to his transition into cars and why he chose to pursue open-wheel racing over touring cars. Danilo spent a…
Read MoreProMazda – MattyBrabs Continues His Domination
Just give the man his trophy now and be done with it. Andretti Autosport’s Matthew Brabham sweeps the weekend’s two races. …again! After finishing as low as third in the opening race of the season at the Circuit of the Americas, Matthew “Matty Brabs” Brabham hasn’t lost a race since, and in the last four races he’s been absolutely perfect. As he did at Lucas Oil Raceway on the Night Before the 500 and again at the Milwaukee Mile, Brabham won the pole for both races on the Streets of…
Read MoreFrom the Cockpit – Danilo Estrela at the Analytic Systems USF2000 Grand Prix of Toronto
Editor’s Note: In our continuing From the Cockpit series, Belardi Auto Racing’s Danilo Estrela offers the following recap of his race weekend on the narrow and challenging Streets of Toronto. We thank Belardi Auto Racing and their drivers for their support and the excellent insights their drivers have offered us through this series of articles. At the end of the article, you’ll find links to Belardi Auto Racing’s and Danilo’s social media connections. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. I had never been to Canada before so…
Read MoreEpisode 196 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadShaun and Kevin lead us through the IndyCar 2inTO. Barnhart is back & there’s drama in Race Control. Coincidence? The Mazda Road to Indy is back in full swing, and Doug has a recap of this weekends races and championships. We discuss Andersen’s vision for the future of Indy Lights. Shaw takes us through the world of Global Rallycross as they come back to the states after a long stint overseas, the FIA looks into the mess that is timing and scoring in the…
Read MoreUSF2000 – Two-fer in Toronto
The Mazda Road to Indy was fully represented in Toronto this weekend with the USF2000 National Championship back in action for the first time since the Night Before the 500 in May, and the Pro Mazda Championship racing after it’s last event in Milwaukee. They shared the weekend with the Firestone Indy Lights series and of course the IZOD IndyCar Series with everyone except Lights doing a double-header. After five events, Cape Motorsports driver and championship leader, Scott Hargrove had accumulated three poles, four podiums, three fastest race laps, and…
Read More