Category: Sports Cars

Updates on sports car racing in European Le Mans Series, World Endurance Championship, American Le Mans Series, and United SportsCar Championship

SCCA Pirelli World Challenge Guest Ride-Along

Mike Shaw

SCCA Pro Racing’s Pirelli World Challenge treated some writers and photographers to rides on Saint Petersburg’s temporary race track in two K-Pax Racing Volvo S-60s, driven by Randy Pobst and Alex Figge (above), Cadillac CTS-V.R race cars, and a few street-legal CTS-Vs. I was chauffeured by a SCCA World Challenge series racer for two laps on Saint Petersburg’s downtown streets and a runway of Albert Whitted Airport in a Cadillac CTS-V street car. Its acceleration was impressive (pressed me into the seat), but the braking for Turn 4 really wowed…

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Sports Car Wars Resume

Mike Shaw

. SCCA Pro Racing’s Pirelli World Challenge returns to the streets of downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida for two races, on Saturday and Sunday. Friday practices were followed by a late-afternoon race-qualifying session. . Alex Figge, driving one of K-PAX Racing’s Volvo S60s, set a qualifying-time record of 1 minute, 13.9 seconds, averaging 87.6 mph on downtown Saint Pete’s 14-turn, 1.8-mile course. Figge edged his teammate Randy Pobst, who will start race one alongside him on the front row. . Figge remarked, “On a street course, it’s nice to have the…

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Episode 180 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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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.

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Episode 178.1 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast: SCCA Edition

Doug Patterson

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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…

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Episode 178 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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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,…

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Sports Car – Home field advantage for CJ Wilson Racing

Shaun

CJ Wilson Racing completed a memorable weekend of Grand Am racing at Circuit of the Americas by taking it’s maiden victory in the ultra competitive ST class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Stevan McAleer and Marc Miller took the checkered flag after an intense battle in the final minutes of the two and a half hour race. After a late full course yellow tightened the 36 car field, the race to the flag became a frenetic twenty five minute sprint race. Both CJ Wilson cars…

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Episode 176 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadOn Episode 176 of the OpenPaddock.net Podcast, the OpenPaddock quartet of Kevin, Mike, Doug, and Mike are joined by a surprise guest, Shaun Effin Pechin! We congratulate Danica on her pole, and banter about the latest F1, Grand-Am, and IndyCar rumors. Mike Shaw previews the upcoming Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, and Doug rants about INDYCAR’s decision to postpone the new Indy Lights chassis and engine. Oh, and with Shaun back on the show, there are firings all around!

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Inside the Helmet – Lisa Noble

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIt’s been a while since we’ve had a stand-alone Inside the Helmet feature, but I promise this episode is well worth the wait! We are happy to introduce Lisa Noble, 2013 Chairman of the Board for the Sports Car Club of America, long-time member of the SCCA, and National-caliber race-winning Formula Vee driver. Lisa shares with us her journey in motorsport beginning with her epiphany as a teenager that motor racing was something that she wanted as part of her life, through her time…

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Episode 175 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe whole crew, save for Shaun as we await his safe return from deployment, are on this episode of the OpenPaddock.net Podcast. Mike Shaw recaps the amazing Rally Sweden and the dominance Sebastian Ogier in his new Volkswagen Polo, and one of the best photos ever in the history of the WRC (of course it’s of Petter). Kevin Neely and Mike Whitesell share their opinions on the latest news from IndyCar, including the proposed tax incentive the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is seeking from the…

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