The following article is a contribution by Mike Shaw, @oregonwings. Have something you’d like to contribute? Send us an email! After all, our motto is “Motorsports commentary for the fans, BY the fans!” As expected there was drama in the woods this weekend at the Waste Management Susquehannock Performance Trail Rally®. STPR isn’t a long rally, but it is no less exciting. With its wide nicely cambered and sweeping gravel roads, its many drivers’ favorite event. The flowing nature of the stages allows for high speeds and corner cutting, but…
Read MoreRally – Photos from the 2012 STPR
Tom and Brenda survived the severe weather on Friday, although their camp site was quite battered. They were able to recover on Saturday and continue taking some fantastic images of the 2012 Susquehannock Performance Trail Rally. We’ll have a full review of the event soon, but for now congratulations to Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard for overcoming Day 1 cooling issues and taking the overall win. O’Sullivan and Putnam took the Super Production victory, and Duplessis and Kihurani survived the 2WD battle with the Aussies.
Read MoreRally – 2012 STPR Preview
Editor’s Note: Mike Shaw is a regular visitor to OpenPaddock.net and rally fan. His contributions to our rally coverage began with his articles summarizing the rally action and fan experience from this year’s Oregon Trail Rally, and he continues his contributions here with coverage of the Susquehannock Performance Trail Rally. Be sure to check back regularly throughout the weekend for new articles and give him a follow on Twitter, @oregonwings. 2012 Susquehannock Performance Trail Rally Preview – Round 4 of the Rally America National Championship Although the Open class seems…
Read MoreIndycar-Power Rankings After Round 5 of 16
Around 1/3rd of the way through the 2012 IZOD Indycar Series schedule, and we’re still seeing tight competition all the way through the grid. Yes, every race this season has been won by a “Red Car,” Will Power has won three of five races, and Penske/Ganassi cars have dominated Pole Position. It doesn’t feel like the overwhelming dominance by the “Red Cars” this year like it has in the past though. Perhaps it’s masterful drives by guys like James Hinchcliffe, Simon Pagenaud and the post-Lotus Oriol Servia. Maybe it’s the…
Read MoreEpisode 140 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadShaun returns after a two week break to talk all about the 96th Indianapolis 500. Join Shaun and Mike as they talk all about the happenings this past weekend and break down what has been called one of the best Indy 500s ever. The show uses the new format with a primary focus on the IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy. We do briefly cover a couple F1 and rally topics at the end. Given the new format, you may be disappointed…
Read MoreMRTI – Night Before the 500 As Seen From the Grassy Knoll
Yes, I was the lone shooter on the grassy knoll Saturday night at the Lucas Oil Raceway watching the Night Before the 500 races for the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear, and the USAC Mopar Midget National Championship. I did something that I haven’t done in a long while, I sat in a lawn chair, drank some beer, smoked a cigar, and enjoyed simply watching a night of auto racing! Ok, I did bring my camera with me,…
Read MoreIndyCar – Indy Not Franchitti Bites Sato
It was a battle that lasted but one corner. However, it turned out to be THE battle for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500. As Takuma Sato crossed the start/finish line to collect the white flag, all he could think about was getting around Dario Franchitti to be the first car to the checkered flag. It almost worked….almost. Coming off of a balls of steel pass on Scott Dixon the lap before, Takuma dove to the inside of Franchitti into turn one and bobbled. The car made massive impact…
Read MoreIndyLights – 2012 Firestone Freedom 100 Recap
As usual, the Firestone Freedom 100, held on Carburetion “Carb” Day, featured some of the closest and most exciting racing you’re ever going to see! The cars have enough downforce that the drivers can put them nearly anywhere on the 2.5-mile oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that they like. The result is crazy, insane, four-wide racing down the front stretch and two- or even three-wide racing around the turns! …ok, usually the three-wide in the turns stuff doesn’t always work out so well. This year’s race went a little…
Read MoreIndyCar – Carb Day Photos
The final day of practice before the 2012 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, Carburetion Day, was jam packed with action. All the teams and drivers were out trying to shake down their cars and find the right raceday setup. It was also a crazy day for crowds! The heat may have kept some people away, but there was still a great turn out. Here are the photos of the day and of the IZOD IndyCar Series practice. I’ll have photos of the Firestone Freedom 100 posted with some comments later.
Read MoreIndyCar – Simraceway Takes on Indy
I got the unique opportunity yesterday morning to finally meet with the Simraceway folks out at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the 500. If you have been following our site over the last six months, you will know that we have been working with the company as they continue beta testing the Simraceway product. It was also announced a couple of weeks ago that they have been given the license for the next IndyCar game that will feature the new DW12 from Dallara. We were lucky enough to give…
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