Round 6 of the American Le Mans Series was contested last weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH, and I was there representing Openpaddock.net and taking in all the action. Sadly, there’s not much competition in the ALMS this year with the absence of Audi LMP1 cars and the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 cars. Now, the Acura LMP1 and LMP2 factory efforts are running away from what privateers remain. Gil De Ferran and Simon Pagenaud easily took the overall victory, …again, and trail the Patrón Highcroft Racing…
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Episode 01 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadHere is the very first episode of the Open Paddock Podcast. We talk Rally America, a lot of Formula 1 and even touch on some IndyCar in Edmonton. Full recap of the weeks news and full previews for this weeks events.
Read MoreLe Mans – 2010 Class Shift?
As we now approach the ALMS race at Lime Rock, the discussion has finally started on revamping the current class system to just two classes. Since the departure of the Le Mans big shots Audi this season and the death of Porsche in the LMP2 class, the racing has been junk. We have witnessed one car dominate each of the classes except GT2. Acura has a firm grip on the LMP1 and LMP2 series because they are the only car really taking part. The kicker to that point is Acura…
Read MoreLe Mans – Qualification Results
Today saw the qualifications for the 77th 24 Hour of Le Mans race to be held this weekend and the results were a little suprising to say the least. Today’s sessions were run while off track action between Peugeot and Audi came to a close for now. During the day, the Peugeot piloted by Frank Montagny sat on the top spot until the very last lap of the session. Alan McNish had bee working on what appeared to be a race setup as he ran long stints throughout the most…
Read MoreLe Mans – Peugeot Quali Spin
Le Mans – Door is Open to F1
The current situation between the the FIA and FOTA has already been a powder keg this year, and the ACO has struck a match and lit the fuse. The situation in Formula 1 has been monitored by us fans all this year. Even to an extent to where the racing has been sub par and often over shadowed by the politics on going. The ACO whom is the front line regulating authority to the 24 Hours of Le Mans has told Formula 1 manufacturers that they are all welcome to…
Read MoreLe Mans – EuroSport Preview
Le Mans – Audi Make Practice Statement
Day 1 of practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is in the books and rain covered the race course for most of the day. Audi’s #1 car piloted by Capello/Kristensen/McNish took top honors with a time of 3:30.07. The North American Audi team put their R15 a mere 0.054 off the top spot. Following Audi was Peugeot and their 908 HDi Coupe. The French team put the cars 3/5/9th on the time sheet. The Pescarolo team ran 4th in their Peugeot as well. The day seen a number…
Read MoreLe Mans – The FIA Trend Continues
Formula 1 has now apparently been only the first of the FIA series to create issues. We have seen WTCC, F1, and issues in the WRC in terms of scheduling. With that being said, it should be no surprise to anyone that the greatest endurance race in the world has been brought into the controversy. Peugeot has filed an official complaint to the FIA over body work on the Audi R15. Above is a front end picture of the piece in question on the TDI, it is a front flap…
Read MoreLe Mans – Aston Fields a Third Car
Aston Martin has announced the final driver lineup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A third car has been entered and Anthony Davidson, Jos Verstappen, and Stuart Hill have joined the team. There is currently no specific lineups for the three cars have been decided. Aston Martin has been running two cars already this year in the Le Mans series races. They achieved victory in the season opener and look to win the Le Mans 24 on the 50thanniversary of their maiden win in Le Mans. Anthony Davidson has…
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