Featured – Page 66 – OpenPaddock.net

Episode 179 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

March 13, 2013 Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWith rednecks revving their engines outside Mr. Neely’s hotel room and the soft, but ominous, purring of what sounds like a velociraptor every now and then in the background, we present Episode 179 of the OpenPaddock.net Podcast! Kevin Neely and our photographer Brian McKay report from Day 1 of the IndyCar pre-season open test at a very wet and soggy Barber Motorsports Park. Mike Shaw gives us a recap of this weekend’s WRC Rally Mexico in which Ken Block put in a surprising performance.…

IndyCar-Preseason Test Day 1: Driver Talk

March 12, 2013March 13, 2013 John Olsakovsky

Interviews recorded on the first day of IZOD IndyCar Series testing at Barber Motorsports Park Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet OpenPaddock: You were fastest in the morning session today. What have you gathered from the track today? Will Power: I’ve got unbelievable grip right now. These cars are so…. I’ve never felt so much grip in my life. It’s phenominal! I hope they (the photographers) get some good outside shots because I’m sure these things look so fast in the corners. OP: What are you looking for in…

IndyCar-IZOD IndyCar Series Preseason Test: Day 1-The Morning

March 12, 2013 John Olsakovsky

When I woke up this morning and headed to my car, there was a thin layer of frost on the good ol’ PT Cruiser. This is Alabama! It’s supposed to be close to spring. There shouldn’t be frost anywhere. Oh well, just crank up the heater and head to the track. Making the right turn off Rex Lake Road onto the drive leading to the track was a bit surreal. There was a very thin haze blanketing the ground as frost clung to the blades of grass on the side of…

IndyCar-Media Day….Fun in 1000 Words Or Less

March 11, 2013March 11, 2013 John Olsakovsky

I’m feeling quite inadequate today. I’m sitting here in the media room at Barber Motorsports Park amongst the cream of the crop of IndyCar media. (By the way, Brian….Are you happy I capitalized the C in IndyCar?) As I sit here at my station looking across to see Curt Cavin typing away, Kevin Lee and Jon Beekhus going over notes for NBC and Amy Konrath pulling everything together, I am reminded that I should probably have a yellow stripe on my laptop in here. Behind me is Jenna Fryer from…

Episode 178.1 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast: SCCA Edition

March 9, 2013 Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadOur SCCA Reporter, Jeremy Salenius, is headed down to Georgia to compete in the first SCCA Solo Match Tour event of the year. He gives us an overview of what the unique Match Tour format is and how it’s different from a regular Solo event. Be sure to also check out Jeremy’s article, 2013 SCCA Solo Season is Almost Here. Jeremy will be reporting on all things SCCA Solo for us in addition to competing at both the local and national levels. Over the…

Indy Lights – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Signs Sage Karam for 2013

March 8, 2013 Doug Patterson

As if the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports stable wasn’t already stacked with talent, the juggernaut team in Firestone Indy Lights announced the signing of a third supremely talented driver, Sage Karam. To be honest, I and many others just took it as a given that Sage would be with Zach Veach at the Andretti Autosport team, the team he’s been with ever since joining the Mazda Road to Indy in the USF2000 Championship back in 2010. As we saw Andretti sign Zach and Munoz, I thought perhaps they would expand to…

Formula 1 – Another Beautiful Letdown?

March 7, 2013March 7, 2013 Shaun

Mercedes-Benz AMG is riding the wave of momentum into Australia for the Formula 1 opener. After topping the time sheets over the final two days of testing last week, expectations for the team are beginning to change. Mercedes were originally set to just survive the 2013 season with Lewis Hamilton making the switch over from McLaren. The interesting thing about it is the top teams now believe Mercedes could be the favorite as we are just a week out from Australia. The question is will 2013 be beautiful letdown sequel…

Episode 178 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

March 7, 2013 Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadA little delayed this week, but Episode 178 of the OpenPaddock.net Podcast is now available for your aural pleasure. Dr. Patterson and Mr. Whitesell cover the sobriety spectrum as Doug is stuck recording the show late night at the shop drinking potentially decaffeinated black tea while Mike enjoys a growler full of a fine local IPA. Mr. Neely is recovering from the plague and Mr. Shaw wonders why the hell he ever joined this sorry band of misfit motorsports fans! On this week’s show,…

Formula 1 – Preseason Driver Power Rankings

March 6, 2013 Shaun

After showing you how I feel the teams stack up for the start of 2013, I now give you all 22 drivers in the preseason driver power rankings. Please note that during the season we will only give the top 10 ranked drivers as it is frankly a pain the ass to do this for 22 drivers. Especially when we will forget half of them exist in about two weeks’ time! I will give a full update during the three week summer break and will have a full roundup at…

Rally – VW Ready for Mexico Altitude

March 6, 2013 Shaun

The World Rally Championship visits Mexico this weekend with many teams taking part in recce today. Mexico proves a tricky challenge not only for the drivers, but the engineers as well. For those who are new to the WRC, Rally Mexico pushes the teams to altitudes they do not experience anywhere else on the schedule. This has a major impact on the engine and how it performs. The official WRC page put up a great story here that detail how Volkswagen prepared for the tricky altitude conditions. “On the one…