Category: WRC

News and commentary premier rally series in the world, the World Rally Championship.

Episode 183 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe review the amazing weekend of open-wheel racing at Barber Motorsports Park, Doug gives a quick recap of the KCRSCCA’s first event of the year, Mike Shaw previews Rally Portugal, and Mike Whitesell previews the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. Open Paddock – Monday, April 8th, 2013 Preview IndyCar – Barber wrap up and all the indycar news MRTI – ? Rally – wrc protugal preview F1 – China preview, mocking Mr. E IndyCar Barber Quali Race Results – Standings Next race – Long…

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Episode 182 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadOpen Paddock #182 – April 1st, 2013 All is quiet in motorsports we care about… Preview Indycar oval rookie testing & barber preview Loeb helping Kubica with WRC debut and Loeb takes on Pikes Peak Thailand for 2015 F1 date? Miscellaneous other stuff to keep us entertained…. Formula E says “a race in Monaco is going to happen” Michelin to supply Formula E LE MANS: Conway Lands WEC Drive With Delta-ADR GRAND-AM: Series Confirms DTM/ITR Agreement IndyCar Oval Rookies Turn Laps At Texas Daly…

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Sebastien Loeb to Contest Pikes Peak

Mike Shaw

One of the most sought after achievements to add to any racing champion’s resume is to tackle one of its oldest and arguably most dangerous events.  The famed “Race to the Clouds” at Pikes Peak begins at an altitude of 9,390 feet and finishes in the thin air at the 14,110 foot summit.  First competed in 1916 this is the second oldest motor sport race in America and 2013 marks it’s 91st running. Last week we heard exciting news that 9 times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb will be driving a…

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OP-Ed Rallycross: Does it Help or Hurt Stage Rally?

Mike Shaw

This Sunday is the season opener of the FIA European Rallycross Championship (a.k.a. RallycrossRX), which will be followed in just a couple of weeks with the Global Rallycross Championship opener at X-Games Brazil. I began to ponder what other motorsports, and particularly rally fans, thought of the sport of Rallycross. Do you think it helps or hurts stage rally? A quick overview of Rallycross for those not in the know. Rallycross uses what at first appears to be typical 4wd WRC type hot-hatches like the Ford Fiesta and Citroen DS3.…

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Episode 181 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIt’s “We love Canada night” on Open Paddock! Hinch and Hargrove mount Canadian invasion in St. Pete. Kevin and Mike2 talk about the IndyCar season opener, the full gambit of Mazda Road to Indy races at St. Pete as well as the SCCA Pro Pirelli World Challenge. Mr. Whitesell leads us through the chaos that was the F1 Malasian GP, and Mr. Shaw closes out the show with all things rally. Sit back, crack open a ice cold Labatt Blue, and enjoy! Oh, and…

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Episode 179 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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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.…

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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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Episode 177 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Doug Patterson

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadTonight we’re happy to welcome to the show Peter Portante who will be piloting the #41 Intercity Lines/B&S/California Scents racing machine in the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda for Belardi Auto Racing. Peter won the Skip Barber Race Series Championship Shootout and the MAZDASPEED Scholarship to compete for a full-season in USF2000, and chose to join Belardi Auto Racing after heavy recruitment from a number of teams. What is truly unique about Peter’s entry into formula car racing in general, and…

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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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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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