The AP is reporting that Helio Castroneves, his sister and his lawyer have been acquitted on all charges. However, the jury was hung on the count of conspiracy against Helio. The US government may choose to retry him on the conspiracy charge at a later date, but it looks like for now Helio is a free man. Open Paddock will keep you apprised of all developments to this story as it unfolds, but what we are most interested in is how quickly Helio can get to Long Beach. As we…
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IndyCar – Versus Telecast Thoughts
The IndyCar series kicked off their season two weeks ago at St. Petersburg on the Versus network, and while the on air product was vastly superior to anything ESPN/ABC have given IndyCar fans over the last decade, the TV ratings are initially telling a different story. The final Neilsen ratings scored just 235,000 households. Granted, this was Versus first race with the IndyCar series, but the ratings were down significantly from last year despite Versus’ noticeable efforts at advertising the series. The on air talent alone was a vast improvement…
Read MoreIndyCar – Helio’s #12 Hauler Spotted?
Our friends over at trackside online took this image of a Penske #12 hauler painted up with Verizon logos this morning at Long Beach. Two weeks ago during the St. Petersburg weekend Roger Penske and Tim Cindric both made comments to the effect that Helio would have a car waiting for him as soon as his trial was over, and by implication it would be a third car for Penske. So presumably, the hauler contains all the necessary trappings for a third Penske entry. This seems to go against a…
Read MoreIndyCar – Long Beach Preview
A crown jewel of American open wheel racing will be showing its luster and sparkle this weekend as the IndyCar series makes its first full visit to the streets of Long Beach. Unification happened too late last year for there to be any chance of a real combination of the CCWS and IndyCar calendars. The most unfortunate victim of this incident was the Long Beach Grand Prix which was scheduled on the same weekend as Motegi, both of which were understandably unwilling to give up their dates. So Long Beach…
Read More908 Pugeot Successor in the Works
A recent autosport article has indicated that French manufacturer Peugeot are working on a 2011 replacement to their current 24hr of Le Mans challenger. Team manager Serge Saulnier had suggested that Peugeot would remain in sportscar longer than the shelf life of the 908. 2010 will be the final year for the current LMP1 engine formula and with the state of the global economic climate, a 2010 model was quickly scratched. 2011 will introduce fresh and steady regulations that will be better for developing a race car. This news reinforces…
Read MoreIndyCar – Helio Verdicts Trickling In
We here at open paddock have yet to really comment about the ongoing tax evasion trial of Helio Castroneves. Taxes are a boring subject and one that I am loathe to comment on this time of year since I just sent my check in to the government this week. But now that the trial is over and jury deliberations have been taking place since last Friday, it is time for us to break our silence. Jury deliberations are over for the day, but the jury has returned verdicts an several…
Read MoreDennis Quits Formula 1
Ron Dennis has just announced he will be quiting all Formula 1 operations effective immediately. In a press conference outside Woking, the long time McLaren supremo stated he “had no problem with Martin taking over the team.” This press conference came as a result of mounting pressure in regards to the current scandal McLaren find themselves in. This is the second scandal of this size in the last two years which have shaken the foundations of the silver team. Some believe this move also came at the request of Anthony…
Read MoreChinese Grand Prix Preview
The F1 traveling circus has left the WMSC and is now heading to Shanghai, China for the Chinese Grand Prix. This event has been moved from the end of the year and now settles in as the third stop on tour. The race has been struggling as of late and attendance is not what it was before. So much so, that the race has been mentioned as being scrapped if numbers do not improve. Where have I heard that before? Brawn GP and Jenson Button will be the favorites…
Read MoreDiffuser is Ruled Legal
After a day full of testimony and saber rattling, the diffuser row has finally come to an end. The Times Online is reporting that the double diffuser that many teams stated were illegal have been given the thumbs up by the WMSC. While keeping the championship standings the same, we now will see who will have a new diffuser lined up for Shanghai this weekend and if those without can keep pace. I am happy to see that the WMSC made the right decision. However, I am also still very…
Read MoreF1 – WMSC Rulings to Overshadow GP’s
Shanghai is the next stop on the world circus, and yet with only two flyaway races left before the European leg begins, the entire F1 world is overshadowed by imminent decisions from the World Motorsport Council. First up is the diffuser row to be settled by the WMSC tomorrow. Brawn, Toyota and Williams are running a double decker diffuser design which meets the letter of the regulations, but they somewhat defy the intent. While the other teams charge that these diffusers are illegal, Max Mosely rendered his opinion on the…
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