Inside The Helmet – Danilo Estrela

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…

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From 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…

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Episode 196 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

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…

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USF2000 – 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…

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Episode 195 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week, we review the triumphant return of the IZOD IndyCar Series to Pocono and look ahead to Toronto, Doug recaps the Indy Lights race at Pocono, and gives us a rundown of where all three of the Mazda Road to Indy series stand as they all head to Toronto, Mike and Shaun look at the tyre failures at Silverstone and point their fingers squarely at the teams, and they review the German Grand Prix, and Mike Shaw runs through the latest news and…

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IndyCar – Indianapolis Race Weekend in Photos

Wow, what a long an exciting week and a half at the World’s Greatest Race Course! Although we didn’t beat the rain to IMS on Fast Friday, we were there for Pole Day, Bump Day, Community Day, Media Day, Carb Day, the Night Before the 500, and of course Race Day. It was great meeting up with old friends and seeing some twitter folk for the first time. Best of all, I got to show off our new baby girl on Carb Day! 😀 I shared the qualifying weekend photos…

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Episode 190 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMr. Neely lies. This really is Episode 190. Kevin and Doug recap the wonderful race weekend at Indianapolis where we saw three outstanding and exciting races, the Firestone Freedom 100, the USF2000 race at TTFKAIRP (comment below if you get the joke), and of course the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. We briefly review the Monaco Grand Parade, and Mike Shaw previews the WRC Acropolis Rally and the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally as well as sharing some news from Global Rallycross. Show Notes for Wednesday,…

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USF2000 Driver Blog – Portante at the Night Before the 500

The break between St. Pete and the next race at Lucas Oil Raceway has felt like an eternity. However, Lucas Oil was very much worth the wait. I mean we are racing the Night Before the 500! The whole Belardi team looked strong in the official test that took place a couple weeks ago, and we were all looking for a strong result. I was especially excited as our pace was very strong, and I was looking forward to turning my season around and gaining some momentum. Before no time,…

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Episode 189 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe whole gang preview the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race as Doug gets sauced on Fuzzy’s Vodka, Mr. Shaw goes on a rant about the epic failure of Global Rallycross to deal with a bit of rain, Mr. Patterson finally has Mazda Road to Indy news as we look forward to the Firestone Freedom 100 and the Night Before the 500, and Mr. Whitesell and Mr. Neely preview the Monaco Grand Prix. Show Notes for Episode 189 – May 20th, 2013 Preview Indy qualifying, 500…

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Episode 187 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin has the plague this week, so Mike, Doug, and Mike are given free reign of the controls! Whitesell and Patterson debate Sato’s driving and Barfield’s non-call, we recap Indy Lights testing at IMS, BRIEFLY preview F1’s return to Europe, and Shaw brings us all the gory details of the Oregon Trail Rally and Loebs return and dominance at Rally Argentina. Show Notes Preview IndyCar – Sao Paulo has a new Mayor, despite incumbent’s attempts to block his election, and yes Virginia, it’s May!…

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