Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe “better late than never” UMMM-Cast! It’s May and we’re all agog about our collective trip to Indianapolis! That’s not going to stop John, Tom and Mike from probing the end of Formula 1’s Asian swing and Vettel/Kvyat feud, IndyCar in both Long Beach and Barber (guess which one was exciting…) and Tom’s first-hand account of the WEC opener from Silverstone. Oh yeah. IT’S MAY!
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After my soggy trip to the United States Grand Prix (write-up forthcoming), I’m taking a sick day. It’s legitimate, as I was fighting a sinus infection going into the weekend. Slogging around in cold rain and wind didn’t help, I’m sure. So what happens on my sick day? Verizon IndyCar Series announces their 2016 schedule! About friggin’ time! Although, I think they did it for Robin Miller’s birthday, which happens to be today. (Happy birthday, fellow curmudgeon!) The #INDYCAR2016 schedule is here! 5 ovals, 5 street courses and 5 road…
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For this fourth entry in our photographers’ series of insights into motorsports photography, while watching on television a rainy IndyCar race in Toronto, I thought that I’d offer a late-April photo from wet Barber Motorsports Park, whose IndyCar race had been delayed more than two hours due to raining thunderstorms. This isn’t one of my favorite photos from that rainy day. I share this only to illustrate one of several ideals that I keep in mind when photographing racers in paddocks, pit lane, or on-track — ‘Try for something different.’…
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The Void of the Offseason Now that the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is over and the dust has settled, there’s a bit of a lull. The Winter Olympics has filled that void somewhat. I think it’s interesting and a bit comforting to hear Leigh Diffey calling the sliding events (Luge, Bobsled, Skeleton) on NBCSN. There’s a tight bond between the racing community and bobsledding, at least. Geoff Bodine built bobsleds fr the U.S. Olympic Team. Now, the foundation that helps fund the team is Bobby Rahal, who I’m sure…
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I have a three year old, so the refrain of “I want!” and “Gimmee!” is common ’round these parts. It’s part and parcel for a child of that age, and as a parent I (as well as Mrs. Race Fan) do our best to instill non-materialistic values and quell the desire for instant gratification. Three year olds are extremely resistant to this sort of life lesson. As a middle-aged guy, I have an inner three year old that wants all kinds of things. OK, more like twelve and not three,…
Read MoreThe Firestone Indy Lights series is a dangerous time for young drivers. Many come to the series after having experienced success in the lower formula, be it in Europe, South America, or in the USF2000 and Pro Mazda championships that are part of the Mazda Road to Indy. When they get to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights series, they are so close to their goals of being an IZOD IndyCar Series driver, that bravado and excitement can often take control of their thoughts, pushing rational thinking and all the…
Read MoreHello everyone and welcome to my first blog entry for OpenPaddock.net! My name is Peter Dempsey and I am competing in the Firestone Indy Lights series this season driving for Belardi Auto Racing in the #5 car. I will be writing weekend review blogs after each of my FIL races this season. With a busy start to 2013, this first blog consists of both my St. Petersburg review and my Barber Motorsport review. The Streets of St. Petersburg The first race of the year is always one of the most…
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe review the amazing weekend of open-wheel racing at Barber Motorsports Park, Doug gives a quick recap of the KCRSCCA’s first event of the year, Mike Shaw previews Rally Portugal, and Mike Whitesell previews the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. Open Paddock – Monday, April 8th, 2013 Preview IndyCar – Barber wrap up and all the indycar news MRTI – ? Rally – wrc protugal preview F1 – China preview, mocking Mr. E IndyCar Barber Quali Race Results – Standings Next race – Long…
Read MoreWhile riding the tram around the track at Barber Motorsports Park this past Sunday, I met two young fans wearing matching Dario and Dixon shirts. I struck up a conversation with them to discover these two young female fans were from Birmingham, and one of them has an interest in becoming a writer. I gave them my card and asked them to send me their experiences from the weekend. Well, Annika Reitenga did exactly that. Here’s the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama in her words…. Race Weekend By Annika…
Read MoreExclusive statements from drivers taken post race at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama IndyCar event. Tristan Vautier #55 Schmidt Peterson Racing Honda “It’s a little disappointing to finish tenth when you start third and run second but we showed good pace today. As a decision by the team, we did many changes between qualifying and the race to try and save the tires, but it didn’t work out that well, so it’s a good lesson to remember for next time. I made some mistakes and there was quite…
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