F1 – It’s Come To This

I’m not one to rant on Twitter. But it needed to be said.   Come on @F1. The joke is over. You know the new qualifying format sucks. Put the idea out of its misery. Sincerely, F1 Fans. #F1 #BahrainGP — John The Race Fan (@JohnTheRaceFan) April 2, 2016 /micdrop OK, maybe not. But I’m one of many who has similar things to say about the effect of Formula One Strategy Group’s decision to retain the elimination-style qualifying system for Bahrain.  The Twisttersphere is awash with enough hate to make…

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OP-Ed – Rumors Rumors Everywhere!

…but where’s the actual announcements? As that cranky old lady from the Wendy’s commercials asked, “Where’s the beef?” For the past month, we’ve been bombarded with various rumors of things that might be happening in the IndyCar Series, but so far there’s been nothing of substance released on any front. Here are some of the outstanding issues: Danica – Andretti contract? NASCAR tests? Penske – Third car for Power? KVRT – Resign Moraes? 2nd Car? deFerran – Will he answer the bell? FAZZT – Hinch for some races? Tracy –…

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IndyCar – Rules and the Law of Unintended Consequences

Since the last weekend in April, the IndyCar series has been oval racing but the excitement of high-speed side-by-side racing has certainly been lacking. At the end of the Kansas Race, I wrote a short editorial, What Happened to Competitive Racing, where I went on a little rant about the new wheelbase rules further limiting the freedom of the engineers and reducing the drivability and competitiveness of the cars. It was pointed out at the time that the extreme weather might have been the primary factor for the lack-luster racing…

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IndyCar – What Happened to Competitive Racing?

In year’s past, the IRL Kansas race has been outstandingly exciting. Don’t believe me? Check out this video of the final laps in 2005. Fast forward to 2008. Although TCGR dominated the race up front, there was still a lot of exciting racing behind Dixon and Wheldon. The quality of the racing was still diminished as a result of the aero changes to the rear wing mandated by the league to produce more separation between the cars. This year, it was worse. The 2009 race, as you may have seen…

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