Episode 191 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin, Mike, Mike, and Doug review IndyCar’s double-header at Detroit and admit surprise that it didn’t suck. We also offer opinion on the technical plan Walker has for IndyCar, and we discuss the news from Formula 1. Mike Shaw recaps the STPR Rally and the Acropolis Rally, and we collectively fire Shaun for being back in the States and not joining us on the show. A reminder from last week’s show that the Kansas City Region SCCA will be hosting it’s Solo School this…

Read More

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

World’s First? – Gravel Spec GT86 to Compete in Nameless Performance Rally

The rally world has been moving towards compact and fuel efficient 2wd cars in the last few years. This makes the sport more affordable for teams and are more relevant to what the manufacturers are selling. A good example would be the Ford Fiesta ST. As good as these cars are, many fans have said that this new era has taken away some of the “ spectacle” of rally racing and long for the days in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s when the rear wheel drive Ford Escort Mark II…

Read More

Rally America’s Verena Mei Surprises With New Co-Driver for STPR

As the days to STPR (Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally) rapidly approach, rally driver Verena Mei suddenly learned that her regular co-driver Leanne Junnila would not be available for the event. Leanne has been working hard at school and won a scholarship which gave her a rare opportunity to present at an International Design conference. As it would happen this conference that is only held once a year is the same weekend as the next round of the Rally America Championship. That didn’t leave Verena much time to get acquainted with someone…

Read More

Global Rallycross Championship Round 2 – Epic Fail!

Well this quickly became the GRC event that wasn’t.  After spending a bit of time this morning writing up a somewhat lengthy intro for the GRC X-Games Barcelona event, I sat down in front of the TV to watch the action unfold.  What greeted me wasn’t roaring 600HP rally cars, but instead a rain delay. Excuse me?  Did they really just say that?  Rally cars were sidelined because of rain?  Okay, even a rally stage can be cancelled because rain can be so heavy that emergency crews wouldn’t be as…

Read More

2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 3

I’m finally getting around to finishing this up. Taking the time off for a rally means having to make it up when you get back.  Still very much worth it though! Day 3 of the Oregon Trail Rally is all about speed. Those teams that survived to make it to the final day of the rally would be treated to the open rolling hills east of the Mt. Hood forest. Here the roads are smooth, fast, and flowing with hardly a tree in sight. Drivers should be able to hit…

Read More

Episode 188 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast With Justin Wilson

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe boys are proud to welcome Justin Wilson, driver of the #19 Boy Scouts of America car for Dale Coyne Racing, to this week’s show! Mr. Neely shares his observations from the opening weekend of practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mr. Whitesell reviews the Spanish Grand Prix which surprisingly didn’t suck, and Mr. Shaw takes a look at the proposed revamping of the power stage and contemplates the future of stage rally. Show Notes for Episode 188 Preview IndyCar – Justin Wilson on…

Read More

2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 2

Day 2 of the Oregon Trail Rally is where the real test of vehicle strength and driver endurance would occur.  Just outside of the picturesque town of Hood River, the forest roads here are some of the most technical and the most dangerous on the Rally America calendar.  The surface is rough with large stones that can be pulled out.  A wrong pacenote here can be a very dangerous thing with giant trees and large drop offs around every corner. Ken Block was eager to gain back the time lost…

Read More

2013 Oregon Trail Rally – Day 1

Wow, what an event! It is hard to even know where to start with all that went on this weekend. Once again the Oregon Trail Rally featured drama, danger, and hard fought victories.   The weekend activities actually started Thursday morning with a fan appreciation show at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. This show and tell of the cars and drivers in the heart of the city draws in spectators that might not know that the Oregon Trail Rally is in town and entices them to come out to…

Read More