One of the exciting prospects we had heading into this year’s World Rally Championship was the two media circus drivers who would compete. Both Kimi Raikkonen and Ken Block had mega hype surrounding them as they announced their plans to compete at rally’s top flight, but the true question up to this point is who is the biggest of the media juggernauts? Kimi Raikkonen came over to the Citroen Junior Squad after a successful stint in Formula 1. The Finn would capture the 2007 championship during the first year of…
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Episode 35 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week Mike and I jump into the results from Turkey, China, and Long Beach as well as offer our opinion on Formula 1 stewards, the lack of tactics in Turkey as well as the awesomeness that is Ryan Hunter-Reay. We also discuss offer some conspiracy theories on Tony George and Bernie Ecclestone paling around China with…wait for it…investors??? As always, sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy…and in the words of Lewis Hamilton…this was the best episode ever!
Read MoreRally – Olympus Rally Preview
It has seemed like a lifetime since the OP crew came back from the 100 AW Rally in Salem MO, but this weekend the Rally America championship finally restarts with round 3 in Washington. Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard will look to extend their overall championship lead with an overall victory in Washington this weekend. The stages will be tough for Canadian duo as the event will see the cars running up and down the coast for what promises to be a Kodak moment. The stages also house a…
Read MoreRally – Gymkhana 3 Teaser
Rally – Latvala Rolls
Rally – Turkey Final Thoughts
The first mixed surface event is in the books and Sebastian Loeb has won yet again. The Frenchman is now in full control of his WRC title destiny and if this weekend was any indication, the Fords need to find answers sooner rather than later. I thought the first mixed surface event was interesting and applaud the series for putting on a pretty good show. Rain would cancel a number of stages on day 3 but the show would go on. The mixed surface rally would take away the need…
Read MoreRally – Turkey Day 2 Wrap
Day 2 of the grueling Rally Turkey has ended and as we said yesterday, don’t be surprised if Sebastian Loeb charges to the front. That is exactly what the Frenchman has done, but it is still wide open heading into the third day. The day started with Sebastian Ogier holding first position on the road. Usually that means road sweeping and with the large rocks on the road he would surely yield his position quickly right? Wrong…the junior ace was a rocket today as the cars hit the tarmac/gravel stages…
Read MoreRally – Turkey Proving Tough
Rally Turkey would be the first mixed surface rally of the year and many drivers have called the event tough. To further the difficulty, none of the drivers would have pace notes going into the event. The event has also seen the return of Ken Block and his Monster Energy/DC Ford Focus. After a very impressive run in Mexico, the pressure would be on to perform in Turkey as Ken continued to fact find ahead of next year’s championship. The day would come to a very early end however. Sebastian…
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