Category: Featured

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Rally America 2013 Schedule Released

Mike Shaw

Rally America has released their schedule for the 2013 season.  Of note are the return of two mid-west rallies to the schedule and the removal of the Olympus Rally.  This increases the total number events from six to seven.  The new season will kick off in just eight weeks time at the always exciting Sno*Drift Rally in northern Michigan. Although the absence of the Olympus Rally from the Rally America series is a bit upsetting to Pacific Northwest rally fans such as myself, the event will still run.  The Olympus…

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Episode 166 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week on the OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Kevin, Mike, and Mike close out the 2012 racing season with a review of the final Formula 1 grand prix of the year, the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. The trio also lead us through the crazy silly season happening in the WRC, a bit of IndyCar news about Detroit and Conquest’s potential return, and a couple items on the MRTI silly season. Mr. Shaw also reminds us that while the 2012 racing season is finally over, Rallye…

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F1 – Williams Confirm 2013 Drivers

Shaun

The Formula 1 season has been over for just a couple of days now, but that is just long enough for Sir Frank Williams to announce his 2013 driver lineup. The Williams team had a mixed season in 2012 as consistency was an issue. Even with those issues, it was one of the best that Sir Frank has had in the last half decade as the team returned to the top of the podium with a stunning drive by Pastor Maldonado during the Spanish Grand Prix. The car had shades…

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M-Sport Officially Partners with Qatar for 2013

Mike Shaw

As was speculated a few weeks ago, M-Sport has now officially partnered with Qatar and Nasser Al-Attiyah to create the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team.  We could know by the end of the day who will be the drivers of this new team, in addition to Nasser Al-Attiyah.       From M-Sport Press Release: M-Sport are pleased to announce a new partnership with Qatar for the 2013 edition of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) which will see the Cumbria firm run three Qatari liveried Ford Fiesta RS WRCs under…

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Final Round of the 2013 Canadian Rally Championship

Mike Shaw

November 23rd and 24th will bring the noise of turbo charged four wheel drive madness to the forests northeast of Toronto for the Rally of the Tall Pines.  This two day event consists of large jumps and high speeds that many compare to the famous stages in Finland.  The Tall Pines Rally is the final round of the Canadian Rally Championship and the last event in the North American Cup. Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Natalie Richard already clinched the Canadian Rally Championship title at the previous Pacific Forest Rally when…

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Global Rallycross Championship Gets New Investors and CEO

Mike Shaw

      This week the Global Rallycross Championship closed a deal with a new investor to help take the series to the next level in 2013 and beyond. LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Colin Dyne and Europlay Capital Advisors, LLC, a structured investment group, have become majority shareholders of the Global RallyCross (GRC) Series. Colin Dyne, who will take over as GRC’s Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, brings significant experience and business acumen from the licensing, branding and racing arenas. Responsible for driving the development of the William Rast brand, Dyne also…

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Formula 1- A Fan’s Perspective on the USGP

Doug Patterson

Editor’s Note: John Olsakovsky attended the inaugural USGP at the Circuit of the Americas this past weekend, and he has returned with some good things to say about the event and some places where COTA could improve. Many thought it wouldn’t happen, and despite lawsuits, work stoppages and an extremely tight deadline, Bernie’s circus came to Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas for the return of Formula One to the United States after a seven year absence. Many have said that Austin is an odd locale for a date…

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OpenPaddock Podcast – Episode 165

Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week on the OpenPaddock Podcast, we have a packed show and a full house! Mike, Doug, and Kevin are joined by our new Rally reporter Mike Shaw and friend of the show John Olsakovsky. We begin with analysis from Mike Shaw on Petter Solberg’s future in rally and the sad sorry state of M-Sport. Whitesell and Patterson get excited about the addition of GT3 cars in the SCCA Pirelli World Challenge, for our money, some of the absolute best sports car racing to…

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What happened to Petter Solberg and where will he go now?

Mike Shaw

The 2012 season opened with high hopes for Petter Solberg.  After three seasons running a private team when Subaru dropped out of the WRC, Petter vowed last year to never run a private team again.  Petter was finding it difficult as a private owner to have the time required to work with sponsors, manage the team, and still test setups and study the stages to remain at the top level of the WRC.  Additionally, he had frustrations with his Citroen developed car not getting equal treatment as a paying customer as…

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Indycar-Breaking News: Belskus named CEO; Miles takes Hulman & Co

John Olsakovsky

Several reliable sources are now reporting that interim Indycar CEO Jeff Belskus is now the CEO of Indycar, and has been replaced by Mark Miles as CEO of Hulman & Company. This anticipated move allows Belskus to devote his time to getting the Indycar Series back on its feet without having to divide his time. This marks Belskus’ second stint as CEO of the series. He last took charge of the series after Tony George’s ouster as leader, serving as the interim CEO before Randy Bernard was hired. He has…

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