OpEd – Blocking in Modern Motorsports

The Blocking Problem Blocking is certainly nothing new in motorsports, or racing in general for that matter. As soon as two people raced each other on foot, I’m sure that the leader blocked the person behind and probably violently. In various types of horse racing, we see blocking and crowding a competitor against the rail, and given that automobile racing is simply an extension of horse racing, its no surprise that we see blocking in modern motorsports. The challenge of the various sanctioning bodies of modern motorsports series is to…

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Mid-Ohio Weekend Review – Openpaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadA day early on this one as we welcome Mike back to the fray. We take a look back at the weekend that was Mid-Ohio. We talk IZOD IndyCar as well as ALMS. We tell the haters to shut up as well. Thankfully there is not much in the realm of F1 to talk about but there is some rally. We talk potential of Saab as well as Sordo splitting with his co-driver. So sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy the show!

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Rally – Saab to Join WRC??

Now that MINI has joined the small list of WRC manufacturers, there is rumor of another team that is not Toyota possibly joining as well. SAAB has expressed a strong interest in the WRC and may be willing to join with one of their vehicles. I will admit that this particular announcement has caught me off guard. If we think back to just a couple months ago, SAAB was in serious trouble and about to go out of existence. Now, it seems that everything is in line for a potential…

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Episode 50 – Openpaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Doug and I as we take a look back at last weekends races. We also discuss the ususal news that has surfaced as a result of the events. We also look ahead to Mid-Ohio as that is where the whole OP crew will be this weekend! Hope to see all of the readers and supporters out there! Sit backa nd enjoy the show and prepare yourself for the siege of information that will be Mid-Ohio.

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Episode 49 – Openpaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Doug and I as we talk all things blocking and team orders. Was the block right or wrong? Find out with this latest installment. We toss around ideas on Ferrari could have done better and not been so obvious as well as what the points look like in both Indy and F1. We make mention to something we have been following with MINI announcing their joint effort with Prodrive in the WRC as well as this weeks XGames. So as always, sit back…

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Episode 48 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Doug and I this week as we hash out the crash filled Toronto IndyCar race. We also break down some more on the chassis decision and discuss driver’s futures. We then turn our focus to rally for NEFR and some Bulgaria talk. We have not talked ALMS for a long time and we check in on the series. So as always, grab your favorite beverage and sit back and enjoy another serving of motorsport mumblings.

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Rally – Loeb and Ogier Extend @ Citroen

Citroen look set to dominate the WRC for at least another three years as they have resigned Sebatian Loeb and phenom Sebastian Ogier. We can only hope that the new cars upset the balance as Citroen now have THE driver lineup that every Ford fan cringes at (including this one). It was thought that a small chance existed that Ford would be able to shanghai the Frenchman Ogier, but it took next to no time for the phenom to make up his mind. Ogier will replace Sordo next season on…

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Rally – 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…

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