The recent concept from Lola of using the same tub for both the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights series got me thinking. Why stop there? One of the most often used reasons for why multiple chassis and engine manufacturers are impractical for the IZOD IndyCar Series is that the loss of the economy of scale would drive up the costs too much for participation to be either attractive or profitable. Its a powerful and very well founded argument. If a manufacturer can spread the costs of development…
Read MoreTag: ALMS
Le Mans – Highcroft Amongst Le Mans Entries
An early entry list has been released for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race to be held later this year and on the list is the ALMS defending champions Highcroft in the LMP2 class. Highcroft will be entering the event for the first time ever and have stated the mission objective is victory in the LMP2 category. The team won the LMP1 championship in the ALMS season last year, however the team will be running an LMP2 Acura this year as the technical regulations change here in the states.…
Read MoreEpisode 24 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and i this week as we discuss bull riding, Wilson to Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, recap the Sno* Drift Rally and wrap up Formula 1 testing at Valencia. Stay tuned during the podcast to find out how to win free professional photos of the Pagoda…why? Because free stuff rules! Follow the instructions and post info in this text block after listening…good luck!
Read MoreALMS – Marino Franchitti Joins Highcroft, Bummer for Mazda.
Autoweek Magazine announced today that Marino Franchitti has signed with Highcroft Racing and joins David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud as their third LMP driver for 2010. Marino had been with the Dyson team driving the Mazda powered Lola coupe for the past two seasons, but with Dyson’s 2010 plans still not completed with regards to running a second car and the 12 Hours of Sebring not too far away, Franchitti opted for a part-time ride with Highcroft as a third driver in the longer endurance races on the ALMS calender,…
Read MoreLe Mans – de Ferran ALMS Program Dead?
de Ferran Motorsport may have moved yet another step closer to killing their sportscar program this week when Honda Performance Development stated they will be ending their partnership with the team. The crew here at openpaddock.net have really began to speculate on whether or not a de Ferran entry would be present on the 2010 grid, and this news seems to all but confirm the end for the program. HPD claimed the partnership had to end due to economical problems. HPD had also just recently signed with Patron Highcroft, which…
Read MoreALMS – Pagenaud Signing at Patron Highcroft Raises Questions
Simon Pagenaud has signed a contract with Patron Highcroft for 2010 to replace Scott Sharp who previously left the team to start his own GT2 team. Simon will partner with David Brabham in the newly revised Acura ARX-01c LMP2 car. This will give Patron Highcroft a very impressive driver pairing. David Brabham is one of the most talented and experienced sportscar drivers of this generation. Teaming him with a very quick and capable Pagenaud only spells wins for the team. Especially since Pagenaud is a more reliable and less erratic…
Read MoreEpisode 18 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and I as we discuss Le Mans and the International Cup. We also cover all the big motorsport conventions from this week and the great news that came from them. Britain again has a GP and we discuss it. We also talk rally feeder series and even mention Danica to NASCAR.
Read MoreEpisode 16 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin us this week as we talk about Jenson to McLaren, Mercedes GP as well as a whole host of F1 news topics. Will Power goes full time in the IndyCar series and Ford tells the IRC to get lost. As always we try to solve IndyCar’s problems because they obviously cannot do it themselves. **NOTE: I broke my headset 30 seconds before recording the show, so the sound may not be up to par…thats what happens when you try and act like Kimi.
Read MoreLe Mans – Acura LMP2 and Europe
The Acura ARX-01b LMP2 challenger is set to make its European debut next year in the hands of the JAS Motorsports team. JAS has been a partner with Honda for the last decade and have won both touring car titles as well as rally titles under the Japanese manufacturer’s banner. The team will take the LMP2 machine into the European Le Mans series and have listed the 24 Hours of Le Mans race as an ultimate goal as well. At this time the Milan based squad will field one car…
Read MoreEpisode 13 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week we have Mike, John from Last Ditch and myself to discuss Rally Great Britain and over an hour of rally news. We also hit all of this week’s hot news and announce our first annual something…guess you will have to listen and find out! The show is long and we apologize but we are smooth sailing into the off season and we will work hard to bring you all the motorsport coverage you the fan deserve.
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