Episode 293 UMMM-Cast – OpenPaddock.net

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJohn, Doug and Tom wander the deserts of the world seeking exciting open-wheel racing. Was there any to be found in the oil-rich sands of Bahrain where the sheiks and the Eccelstones play? Perhaps thrills were afoot amidst the rocky crags around Phoenix International Raceway where IndyCar returned after over a decade! Come along on our nomadic journey of all things UMMM…. Don’t forget your canteen!

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F1 – It’s Come To This

I’m not one to rant on Twitter. But it needed to be said.   Come on @F1. The joke is over. You know the new qualifying format sucks. Put the idea out of its misery. Sincerely, F1 Fans. #F1 #BahrainGP — John The Race Fan (@JohnTheRaceFan) April 2, 2016 /micdrop OK, maybe not. But I’m one of many who has similar things to say about the effect of Formula One Strategy Group’s decision to retain the elimination-style qualifying system for Bahrain.  The Twisttersphere is awash with enough hate to make…

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Episode 185 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIndyCar leaves the Streets of Long Beach littered with bent metal and shards of carbon fiber from both the big cars and the Lights cars! Kevin and Mike Whitesell review the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Doug goes on his yearly rant about unrestrained aggression and reviews the Indy Lights race, Mike and Mike review the Formula 1 Bahrain GP, and Mr. Shaw wraps up the show with a review of the Global Rallycross event at the Brazil X-Games. Show notes and outline OP…

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F1 Soap Box – Car Launch Edition

Caterham Launch Caterham is the only team so far to unveil their 2012 challenger. They appear to be taking some design cues from Red Bull with their engine cowling, which isn’t too unexpected since RBR were indomitable last year and since Caterham is using RBR’s KERS system and gearbox. What immediately stands out is Caterham’s solution to the FIA’s new regulations on the nose. First, the nose had to be higher this year, also there are regulations calling for different heights for the top surface of the nose and the…

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F1 Soap Box – 2012 Venues Under Threat

Bahrain The May 1 deadline imposed by the FIA for Bahrain to reapply for a 2011 race date is upon us. But don’t look for a grand reshuffling of the season finale races to take place to allow Bahrain to slot in around Abu Dhabi. The situation continues to worsen in the tiny kingdom as Saudi troops have been blowing up Shia mosques and similar such things. While it is in Formula One Management’s (FOM) best interests to get this race rescheduled, the FIA is likely to spurn any attempt…

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F1 – Season Opening Bahrain GP CANCELED!

There’s been a lot of talk about this being a strong possibility throughout the interwebs in recent weeks, and we should give a loud shoutout to Formula1Blog.com for really leading the discussion and analysis of the potential implications. Today, the official word came down from Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, that the season opening grand prix at the Bahrain International Circuit has been canceled due to the explosion of civil unrest. There had always been protests in Bahrain as the Shi’a felt that their rights and…

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F1 – Bahrain Review and Some Thoughts

The first race of the 2010 world championship has come and gone and everybody can be happy that the natural order has been restored. However the most anticipated season in F1 history continued to display the same gremlins that the FiA just can’t shake. Fernando Alonso would eventually take victory after Sebastian Vettel hit engine trouble (spark plug) in the closing stages. Fernando is the second straight full time Ferrari driver to win on his debut. The Maranello based squad put on an impressive debut with a 1-2 finish as…

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F1 – Bahrain Quali Results

While yesterday marked the first day in which cars took to the track for the 2010 FiA Formula 1 World Championship, today was the first day where we actually got to see who had what in terms of outright performance. Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix was some of the most exciting action I had seen in terms of grid position in some time. Sebastian Vettel would claim his sixth career pole position in a most spectaculor fashion by beating second place Felipe Massa by a tenth of a second.…

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F1 – Bahrain Wrap Up

The Bahrain Grand Prix has ended and with it we have a season first. Jenson Button has finally won under race pace. Many folks said the wanted to see Vettel win a race in the dry. I said forget that, I want Button to win at over 50 mph. That is exactly what happened. Brawn GP took victory with Jenson Button and took a further lead in both title races. Sebastian Vettel put on a stellar show and Jarno Trulli sat in the press room looking as though he could…

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