Episode 163 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadShaun makes his last appearence on OpenPaddock Live before being shipped out to Qatar to pound sand and watch MotoGP racing. Joining Shaun are Mike (as always), Doug, and the new Shaun, Kevin Neely. On the docket this week: Rally WRC – the future of M-Sport. Will Nasser Al-Attiyah’s Qatar money be the team’s saving grace? WRC – Sistemas Integrales de Telecomunicacion (SIT) slated to take over timing duties for 2013. Kubica will drive the WRC Citroen C4 in two rallies this month. Back…

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Rally – Could M-Sport be saved by Qatar?

You might remember rumors back in August that Qatari native Nasser Al-Attiyah was planning to buy the 8 times manufacturer championship title holder Citroen World Rally Team. Nasser has already competing this season in a Citroen prepared DS3 under the Qatar World Rally Team banner which gave some weight to the rumor. However Citroen Team Principal, Yves Matton politely laughed such an idea. As with many rumors though, there is often a grain of truth. Maybe Nasser wasn’t going to buy Citroen, but maybe he was putting out feelers with…

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Episode 162 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadKevin Neely joins Shaun and Doug for the first time as they discuss the sad sick world of IndyCar politics and the soap opera that has unfolded over the past few weeks. The boys also welcome 2012 SCCA Rallycross National Champion Brianne Corn to discuss her beginnings in motorsport, her transition from photographer to racer, and her exploits in rally, rallycross, and racing motorcycles up Pikes Peak. Talk about sketchy!! Shaun and Doug also review the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix and preview this…

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Rally – Rally America Returns to Lake Superior in 2013

Henry and Cynthia Krolikowski take a high speed jump at LSPR Rally.

Well, it looks like I might actually make it to a couple of rallies next year! Every year, I make it to the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood that takes place in Salem, MO in late February, but the rest of the Rally America National Championship events all happen either near the East or West coasts. Ok, yes, there’s the Sno*Drift Rally in northern Michigan, but in addition to the fact that I’m a total wimp when it comes to cold weather, Sno*Drift also takes place right as the…

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Episode 161 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week on the OpenPaddock.net Podcast, Shaun and Doug welcome special guest Sage Karam, driver of the #88 Comfort Revolution Star Mazda car for Andretti Autosport this past season. He speaks to us about how he became connected with the Andretti’s, how his 2012 season went, and his recent testing of a Firestone Indy Lights car. Sage also talks about how important it is for him to lead a normal teenage life in a public school in spite of his full-time racing career. Doug…

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Rally – Regional Rallies Are Just as Fun

For the truly devoted rally fan, it isn’t always about the Rally America National Championship. Sure the Rally America rounds are exciting and always draw a crowd, but they only come by once a year. Regional rallies on the other hand are the bedrock of the sport. This is where teams get a chance to test new setups or parts on their cars. Where both drivers and co-drivers can hone their skills without the pressures of being on the national stage. Regional events are especially important for inexperienced crews to…

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Episode 160 — OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIf you missed it last night on ETV Live!, we had the honor of speaking with the newly signed pilot of the #9 Firestone Indy Lights racing machine for Belardi Auto Racing, Mr. Peter Dempsey. Peter shared with us his experiences struggling to find a stable ride through the end of 2011 with Andretti Autosport, racing and coaching in 2012 at Indianapolis and Detroit this past season with Younessi Racing, and ending the 2012 season with Belardi. We also asked him to do some…

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Rally – WRC Musical Chairs

By Mike Shaw, Rally Reporter: As the WRC season nears its end, drivers and teams start the process of playing musical chairs in hopes of landing the next championship. The stakes are especially high for 2013 as it has the potential to be a huge turning point for the sport. At least it had the potential, as suddenly the number of available seats has been drastically reduced for 2013. Late last week we heard the official, although long rumored, exit of BMW / Mini as an official works manufacturer. The…

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SCCA – Kansas City Region’s First Rallycross

First of all, let me say, HOLY CRAP WAS THAT A TON OF FUN!!! This past weekend the Kansas City Region of the Sports Car Club of America held its very first rallycross event. It was a new experience for everyone as only five out of the thirty participants had ever rallycrossed before. Most of the competitors were very experienced autocrossers, and there were a few like me who have only scant experience at autocross and none at rallycross. Fortunately, we did have the help of a few knowledgeable and…

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