Just when I thought things had calmed down on the NASCAR front, I was made to eat my words. Danica Patrick announced today that she is going NASCAR while still focusing on IndyCar. The news should be no surprise considering ESPN has reported the living crap out of this story. In fact, ESPN rumored this so much that it actually became ridiculous and annoying. Yet here we sit weeks later and the news has finally been released. If all goes according to plan, Patrick will debut for the ARCA series…
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F1 – Rosberg Would Welcome Schumi
As speculation about a Schumacher return picks up steam, the man forgotten in all of this finally speaks. Nico Rosberg left Williams F1 in pursuit of a winning team and a championship. That was of course until the greatest F1 pilot in history started stirring the pot. Not all is bitter in the Mercedes garage however. Rosberg has been recently quoted as saying he would welcome Michael Schumacher to the german marquee’s team and would gladly share a seat with the seven times champion. Rosberg was quoted as saying to…
Read MoreIndyCar – Viso to Test DRR
E.J. Viso will be testing with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing on December 9th at the famous Sebring Circuit in a one day event. Hugo must really be tossing a lot of money in support of his Venezuelan talent, and DRR is taking all of it. With Venezuelan Milka Dunno already racing (or pretending) under the DRR flag, a much more talented Viso will be brought in to test new data systems and equipment. Viso, whom currently is without a drive will be looking for employment before season prep really takes…
Read MoreRally – Welcome IRC!
While it is no secret that we here at Openpaddock.net love the WRC and Rally America, we can no longer turn away from the headlines being made in the IRC as well. That is why we will now carry IRC news and opinion for the 2010 series and beyond. There are good drivers and a lot of cars and we would be doing an injustice to the rally community if we contine to shrug it off. So we will begin coverage with Monte Carlo and also keep track of all…
Read MoreRally – Mikko Conducts Clinic
Rally – Subaru to IRC
After a year removed from rally, arguably one of the greatest manufacturers in the sport makes its return to competition. This week it was announced that Subaru would return to competition in the IRC as a Group N participant. It is unclear as to what capacity the Japanese marquee will operate, however they will provide customers with Group N specifications to anyone interested. We will have to wait and see if an actual Subaru works team is stood up because to this point, the press release is very vague and…
Read MoreEpisode 17 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Shaun, Mike, Doug, and Andy (aka Frantic) as we talk the IZOD IndyCar series and Danica Patrick. We also talk about RHR to Andretti Autosport. We offer our thoughts on Kimi to Citroen if the deal goes through and we also try and hammer the Formula 1 news out including a stupid entry list and Andy offers his opinion on Bernie and the British GP.
Read MoreOP-Ed – My Moral Dilemma
Anybody who has ever known me inside the realm of F1 has known two things. First, Ferrari is my life blood hands down. Secondly, Michael Schumacher is not only a hero to me but is an idol who has nearly reached godly status. So here we sit in the middle of the Formula 1 silly season and I have reached an impasse of sorts as things unfold. Speculation is always something that exists inside the paddock for the F1 circus, but when you bring arguably the greatest racing driver of…
Read MoreF1 – Schumacher Contract Free?
We here at openpaddock.net have been trying our best to keep up with the Michael Schumacher to Mercedes circus and an interesting development has been posted at motorsport.com that may make things a little easier for the now German outfit. In September it was though that Michael Schumacher had signed a contract extending his stay at Ferrari as a consultant/test driver. According to some suspect media statements by Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni, the German may have actually not signed the agreement. Colajanni indicated he was not aware of a physical…
Read MoreF1 – Canada is Back!
A deal to secure the Canadian GP has been made official after the Canadian Government stepped in to secure the race for another five years. The race which was absent for the first time ever in 2009, has been given a new life and will be back on the calendar for 2010. We heard a lot of the chatter all season as the promoters of the event worked to restore it to the calendar. The plan is for 8.5 million pounds annually for the five year deal. This is only…
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