It has been a week now since DiRT 2 came tearing through the back roads of the world and onto your game console of choice. We here at Open Paddock spoke very highly of the game and gave it as much free advertising as we could. However, it is now time to break the game down and give it our final review. We will do this by looking at car selection, controls, race types, and soundtrack as well as single and multi player modes. Car Selection: To understand the current…
Read MoreTag: 2009
F1 – Symonds Offered Immunity
The showdown between the FIA and Renault over race fixing allegations is set to come to a head in just a few days, the FIA has reached out to Pat Symonds (director of engineering) at Renault F1 and offered him immunity from punishment if he releases further details regarding the events surrounding the 2008 Grand Prix of Singapore. Symonds has been somewhat suspect in dealing with these allegations all together. The director indicated that there were discussions about having Piquet crash, but those ideas were brought forward originally by Piquet…
Read MoreF1 – More Entries for 2010
The FIA has written to the teams to seek their blessing to expand to 14 teams for the 2010 season. This was prompted by BMW finding a buyer for their operation and the addition of Lotus as a new team. Lotus F1 has taken the official 13th entry on the grid for next season with backing from the Malaysian government and several Malaysian firms. The team principal has been announced to be Tony Fernandes, the founder and CEO of Tune Group who owns Air Aisa. Mike Gascoyne has been named…
Read MoreF1 – Having Your Cake and eating it too
We found out this past weekend that Santander will be sponsoring Ferrari for the next five years. However, it now appears the Spanish banking giant will now have the market cornered in terms of top teams as they have also extended a sponsorship deal with McLaren as well. What gives? This decision will see the banking company not only sponsor grand prix, but the two most successful teams in Formula 1 history. According to an article on AUTOSPORT, the deal with McLaren is mainly in line with Lewis Hamilton. Whereas…
Read MoreIndyCar – Stagnant Momentum
Shortly before the beginning of the 2008 IndyCar season the long cold war with CART/CCWS came to an end when the former series declared bankruptcy after making a deal with the IRL. The IRL offered the existing CCWS teams a free 1-year engine lease and a free chassis for 2 years to any team that would run the entire season. On top of that, the IRL’s TEAM program guaranteed all full time participants 1.24 million USD per car that ran the full season, plus additional bonuses for podiums, poles and…
Read MoreF1 – Alonso to Ferrari…Not Yet!
The Formula 1 silly season has really been centered around one individual. That man is double world champion Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard is currently the hottest driver on the market and has been all but put in the seat at the Maranello squad. Sponsors have signed, end of year banquets moved and all in anticipation for Ferrari’s next big signing. Hold the phone, President Luca has thrown a wrench in the plans by indicating that the Spaniard will probably drive one day for the red team, but next year is…
Read MoreOP-Ed – Photo Galleries on Facebook
As promised during Podcast Episode 07, we now have some photo galleries up on our Facebook Page. Search Facebook for “Open Paddock”, find our page, and become a fan. You can also get to our Facebook page from the badge on our sidebar on the right-hand side of this page. So far, we have pictures from the 100 Acre Wood Rally America event that was held in Salem, MO, the IndyCar and IndyLights race at the Kansas Speedway, IndyCar and IndyLights practice, qualification, and raceday pics from the Indianapolis 500,…
Read MoreRally – STI Anatomy 101
Episode 07 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFinally, after 3 hours of fighting the server and getting it loaded, here is the seventh installment of the most politically incorrect motorsport show on the web! Rally Oz review, Palestinians and rocks, and a weekly round up of all the racing news you so desperately crave. Also, I finally give Doug a chance to respond to the verbal thrashings he recieved last episode. Enjoy!!
Read MoreF1 – In Nelson’s Own Words
We are on the eve of one of the more celebrated races on the F1 calendar, but unfortunately dark storm clouds loom on the horizon for Renault. While it is unfortunate that the racing this season has been overshadowed by the FIA’s bunglings and FOTA’s saber rattling, this is clearly a case where the FIA absolutely has to intercede on this matter. Nelson Piquet has alleged that he was directed to crash his car at Valencia last year to give Fernando Alonso a chance to win the race. And now,…
Read More