Episode 201 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe crew returns after a week hiatus (NTS: make checklist for recording podcast) to discuss the glory that was Rally Deutschland, dusty Ojibwe Forest Rally, the demolition derby that IndyCar called a race in Sonoma, and Formula 1’s return to competition at Spa! We also preview the upcoming Italian Grand Prix and the Baltimore Grand Prix. OpenPaddock.net Podcast: Episode #201 – Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 IndyCar Sonoma Quals Power returns to victory amid controversy in Sonoma IndyCar race – Racer.com Results – Standings Day…

Read More

F1 – Shell/Spa Reach Deal for Future

While the troubles of Bahrain have brought into question certain aspects of the “new market” push from Formula 1, we got a dose of good news today for a classic F1 venue. Spa-Francorchamps is the best track in F1 period. I don’t care what critics say about Monaco or even Monza. The one race I have circled every year and the one that resides on my bucket list is the Belgian Grand Prix. It combines ultra high speed with really technical sections and is always a blast to watch on…

Read More

OpEd – Top Five Most Influential Racing Circuits

Previously, I posted a rebuttal to the Fast Lane Daily Top Five Most Influential Drivers, and we had a good discussion about it. That conversation got me thinking, though. Drivers weren’t the only ones to have a significant influence on the motorsports landscape. Many of the circuits upon which those five drivers battled with their fellow competitors have a life and history of their own that make a single driver’s career seem insignificant by comparison. Here’s my top five, and I post these in no particular order of importance, merely…

Read More

F1 – Could Spa Switch to Every Other Year?

To paraphrase the stunned and dismayed youngster who confronted Shoeless Joe Jackson after the infamous 1919 Black Sox incident, “Say it ain’t so, Spa!” The president of the Spa-Franchorchamps circuit, Etienne Davignon, admitted to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that the Belgian Grand Prix would likely become a once-every-other-year event. “We have already been congratulated by F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone. The facilities we have here are perfect. I have said in previous years though we will look at the figures and examine them year-on-year. We have certain overall targets in…

Read More

TV – Weekend Racing Schedule for August 27, 28, and 29th

FORMULA 1 RETURNS! MOTOGP RETURNS! INDYCAR OVAL RACING RETURNS! Its a great weekend to be a racing fan with access to cable TV. At long last, the Formula 1 returns from holiday to compete at one of the most epic racing circuits on the planet: Spa-Francorchamps! Spa is always a good show, especially if the rains come as forecasted. The shorter MotoGP break is also over and the riders return to Indianapolis. Sadly, I will be watching on TV this year, rather than being at the track. I’m gutted about…

Read More

F1 – Defend Spa via Petition

As I have detailed on the podcast, my own personal quad-fecta of F1 tracks is Spa, Suzuka, Melbourne & Montreal. Unfortunately all of them have been under assault from FOM over the last few years with Spa, Suzuka and Montreal all going missing at times. But FOM isn’t at the heart of the noise complaints that temporarily shut down Spa this year after its GP. Spa-Francorchamps lost their operating license due to a decision by the local Council of States decision to suspend it until 2026. This was due to…

Read More