Or “How I learned to love Le Mans and hate the ACO.” I have a ritual for watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Of course, I watch as much pre-race as I can (usually through a bootleg internet stream) and through the start. My favorite times are the “golden hours” at sunset and sunrise. Watching sunset isn’t much of a challenge, but I usually fail to see the sunrise, as I invariably fall asleep about an hour before sunrise. None of our readers care about my sleep habits. You…
Read MoreCategory: Le Mans
Articles, updates, and commentary on the European Le Mans Series
LeMans – Who says video games are a waste of time?
Mike and I spoke on the most recent podcast about the drivers from Nissan’s GT Academy and their stellar performance at the 12 Hours of Bathurst last weekend. If you’re unfamiliar with GT Academy, it is a competition backed by Nissan, Polyphony (the developers of the Gran Turismo games for Playstation consoles). Although the competition has been around since 2008, SpikeTV backed a reality show or the 2011 competition. The show lasted only one season, but they continue to film episodes, and all seasons are available on Nissan’s YouTube Channel.…
Read MoreLe Mans – Race to 24 Competition
As I’m perusing racing news, I happened upon a Facebook posting by Jonathon Summerton announcing his participation in Race to 24. This is something that I’d not heard of, so I started investigating as I listen to the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race on Radio LeMans. Twenty-four drivers start a competition to earn a seat in a Team Sard-Morand LMP2. Sard-Morand is a merger of Sard Racing from Japan and Benoit Morand’s team that ran in ELMS. Benoit Morand will be selecting the driver to join the team behind the…
Read MoreEpisode 194 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWithout Kevin’s voice of reason and professional influence, the show devolves into a rantfest by a bunch of drunks! The boys offer mad props to Plowman for his LMP2 victory at Le Mans, we review the IndyCar and Indy Lights races and news from the Iowa Speedway, Mr. Shaw leads us through the WRC news and recaps the Nameless Performance Rally (formally the Olympus Rally) and Shaun and Mike round out the show with commentary on the recent FIA tribunal involving Pirelli and Mercedes.…
Read MoreEpisode 193 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe whole crew is back again! But with less ranting this time, promise. Kevin and Shaun take us through the IndyCar race at Milwaukee, Doug recaps the Pro Mazda and Indy Lights action from Milwaukee, Mike Shaw leads us through the news from the rally world, Whitesell and Pechin look at the silliness surrounding Pirelli and Mercedes GP, and we all enjoy looking forward to the 24 Hours of LeMans. Show Notes for OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Episode 193 Preview IndyCar & MRTI – IndyCarMilwaukee Mile…
Read MoreEpisode 187 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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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!…
Read MoreEpisode 180 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMike Whitesell takes the reins as Kevin is swept off to Oz by the tornados and gives us a review of F1’s season opener in Melbourne and a preview of IndyCar’s opener at St. Pete. Doug reviews the USF2000 season opener at Sebring, and Mr. Shaw points and laughs at us for starting our seasons so darn late as he recaps the week’s news from the world of rally.
Read MoreEpisode 170 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download Mr. Whitesell has the plague, so the show this week was left in the hands of Kevin Neely, Doug Patterson, and Mike Shaw. Without adult supervision, we run amuck and start talking about all kinds of motorsport including Grand Am, ALMS, SCCA, Formula 1, IndyCar, Rally, and the AMA Supercross opener! Hell, we even talk a little NASCAR!! Kevin leads us through the results of the Roar Before the 24, and the new classification for the American Grand Le Mans American Series League…
Read MoreALMSChicks – Sebring: Race Day Wrap-Up
There is just something about watching the sun come up over the track race day at Sebring International Raceway. You have the best technology that Audi, Corvette, Porsche, and Lotus can offer, practicing at speed with bright sun breaking the horizon. It’s breathtaking! We were able to watch the morning warm-up from the Gurney Terrace Pit Box Seats right behind Dyson Racing. If you are planning on attending the morning warm-up, remember to arrive very early. It took us almost 45 minutes to find a parking spot in the infield.…
Read MoreALMS – Friday and Saturday Morning Photos From Sebring
Brie and Heidi, aka the @ALMSChicks, and one of our new staff photographers for 2012, Brian McKay, have sent us the first batch of images from the 60th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Enjoy!
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