Short column this week since I am about to start finals week, and the overwhelming subject still dominating discussions is Helio. (Will he punt someone yet again?) I would just like to point out that Helio has plenty of eyes on him this week. Not only are the fans in America and the Series officials watching Helio closely—the fans in Brazil are really watching. Should Helio do anything to Tony Kanaan, be ready for a borderline riot in the streets of Brazil. Also should Will Power be “shafted” due to…
Read MoreEpisode 86 – Openpaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis is whats on tap for tonight’s recording! A pretty light schedule as the weekend was rather quiet. So as always, sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy the show! OP #86 – April 26th, 2011 Everybody is on 3 week breaks, so the news is contrived…. IndyCar Vasser seeking to delay body kits til 2012 -Why Jimmy? Is Lotus now saying they aren’t making one? -Why is IndyCar forcing everyone to buy a Dallara body kit? -Wrong message to new partners and…
Read MoreOP-Ed – Pennywise and Pound Foolish: Why delaying the aero kits is a bad idea
There’s been a significant rumbling from the owners, most notably from Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technologies. What they see is the $75k price tag on new aero kits and rate that as a cost they’d rather not pay. Truth is, they DON’T have to pay it. The Dallara chassis that they’ll need to buy in order to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012 come with the Dallara aero kit. If they have a relationship with another engine manufacture such as Chevrolet or Lotus, they’ll of course…
Read MoreOP-Ed – David Uhl’s “In The Beginning”
Artist David Uhl should be a name familiar to attendees of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, or at least his work should be. His piece “Glorious Failure” was selected for the cover of the official 2008 Indianapolis 500 program. This year, he was one of the three artist chosen to create cover art for this year’s 100th Anniversary Edition program. The piece he submitted is called “In The Beginning” and is a tribute to that very first epic Indianapolis 500 Mile Race held back in 1911. “After viewing hundreds of…
Read MoreALMS – Long Beach Recap from Patron
Episode 85 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMike and I go through all the events of the Long Beach Grand Prix. We also discuss Rally Jordan and the IRC in Spain! Formula 1? You bet! We discuss post China news and hail the best F1 race in a long time! Sit back and relax what we hail the greatest show of all time! Channeling our inner Lewis Hamilton!
Read MoreIndy Hump Day Report: Race Control, we make things up as we go
Where are the rules and procedures written?: Ah yes consistency, an act the men of INDYCAR Race Control seem to be lacking of late. One has to wonder if the reason rule books are so hard to find, is they write every seasons rules on an “Etch A Sketch”. Only to find parts missing when ever Helio has committed a violation. What really gets me is the excuses they have been giving today on why Helio did not get the same treatment as Tracy. According to Al Jr.; Helio was…
Read MoreOpenPaddock Joins Forces with the IndyCar Garage
As some of you have pointed out to us, we don’t have a forum any longer. As you further pointed out to us, you want us to have one! Instead of us trying to reinvent the wheel, we’ve joined forces with one of the more innovative IndyCar fan sites on the web, the IndyCar Garage. We have always claimed and have striven to be “Motorsports commentary for the fans, by the fans” and I believe we have succeeded in that, and our new partnership with the IndyCar Garage will only…
Read MoreINDYCAR – Pippa 500 is On!!
A great news story has finally been made official today as Pippa Mann was announced at Conquest Racing for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. Pippa is no stranger to the 2.5 mile oval and claimed pole position for the FIL Freedom 100 race last year. Her run to pole position marked the first time a female has ever held first starting spot at the yard of bricks. She will be driving the #36 car alongside Sebastian Saavedra. “Having the chance to compete in the Indy 500 is something…
Read MoreIndyLights: Long Beach 100 Recap
Last week after the Firestone Indy Lights race at Barber Motorsports Park, I went on a bit of a rant regarding the need for these young aspiring drivers to learn a modicum of control. Apparently, many of their team managers went on similar rants as this week’s race on the Streets of Long Beach was far less chaotic. To be sure there were incidents and accidents, but just your normal racing incident type of things, not the mass carnage and mayhem we saw at Barber. For a circuit that has…
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