Tag: 2011
IndyCar – 2011 Schedule, Boon or Bust?
If you’ve read any of the IndyCar forums around, you’ll have noticed a lot of belly-aching about the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule. Of course, no matter what the schedule was there would have been complaining. It is, after all, the #1 passtime of those of us on the net. I want to take some time and examine this schedule and compare it to previous schedules keeping in mind that the goals of the league, and the preference stated by many fans, are for a balanced oval/twisty schedule with significant…
Read MoreF1 – World Motorsport Council News and Ferrari
So the World Motorsport Council met earlier this morning and have confirmed a few points of business already. There will be no new team on the grid, and the schedule has been proposed with 20 races set for 2011. We still are waiting on the Ferrari stuff to fall out, but it looks as though Ferrari are prepared to lose out on the decision as they have announced a poor performance in Monza will lead the team to begin full development of next year’s car. We here at the paddock…
Read MoreRally – Meeke to MINI
Intercontinental Rally Champion Kris Meeke will once again compete in the WRC. Stories this morning have the star signing with MINI’s WRC efforts and while nothing has come out of the Meeke camp, all things are in motion for this to take place. Kris is the second name mentioned with program as it is heavily rumored P-G Andersson is also in line for a seat. It does not stop there however. Marcus Gronholm is also in the mix as he is set for a Portugal test of the new Countryman.…
Read MoreIndyCar – The Texas Two-Step: Cool, Gimmick, or Both?
Last night, sandwiched between two lengthy NASCAR announcements, Texas Motor Speedway President and promoter extraordinaire Eddie Gossage announced plans for the 2011 IndyCar event at his facility in Dent County, TX. The good news is that Texas will again be the first event after the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race but with a week break between them. This is a much needed break for both the teams and the fans as the Month of May as exciting and enjoyable as it is, is also very exhausting. The questionable aspect of the…
Read MoreFan Guides – OpenPaddock Needs YOU!
Over the coming weeks and months as our various motorsport series wind down and take the winter off, we thought it would be a good time to start getting ready for the 2011 season. Trying to be true to our moto “For the fans, by the fans” we thought we’d put some effort into developing a set of fan guides for the various venues and events that we attend and cover. Certainly, three hacks from the Midwest can’t cover it all, though, so we need your help. If you have…
Read MoreIndyCar – Kansas Gets 2nd Cup Date, IndyCar Certainly Out
Well, its officially official. The Kansas Speedway has been approved for a second NASCAR Sprint Cup race for 2011. In addition to their early October date, the Kansas Speedway will also feature a race the first week of June. Its not official that Kansas is off the 2011 IndyCar schedule, but this announcement really makes it unlikely that open-wheel racing will return to Kansas City any time soon. Kansas Speedway and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) announced today that NASCAR has approved ISC’s request for realignment and beginning in 2011, Kansas…
Read MoreRally – Changes to Rally America Announced
The Rally America Series is set for a new look starting this weekend at the X-Games. As drivers prepare for all-star event of the championship in L.A., the series as a whole has announced a number of changes for the 2011 season. Let’s take a look and try to pick it apart. The series at large is no longer the Rally America Series to start with. Because of the addition of Rally Cross, the sanctioning body will now be known as Rally Car. The website is already reflecting this change…
Read MoreRally – Monte Will Open IRC
The FiA has done the WRC in yet again as it was announced that the Monte Carlo Rally will again open the 2011 IRC championship. There was much speculation that the event would move back to the World Rally Championship for 2011 but the FiA has stood by its rally rotation theory and that has seen the event turn down the invite from Jean Todt and the boys. The event which will be run for the 100th time next season has seen a number of WRC drivers participate. Mikko Hirvonen…
Read MoreIndyCar – It’s the fans, stupid!
Randy Bernard gets what no one else is the sport has for decades. To paraphrase James Carvalhal’s famous 1992 campaign slogan, “Its the fans, stupid!” For so long, the league participants and its leadership have been focused so much on pleasing sponsors and team owners, that fans and the on-track product has suffered. One great thing about having new blood in the leadership of the league is the lack of respect for how things have been done in the past. Seriously, let’s look at where the way things have been…
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