Episode 30 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and myself this week as we recap Bahrain and the IndyCar season opener from Sao Paulo Brazil. Interesting topics will also include Virgin F1’s CFD claim, Ferrari’s impressive display, and why the media is all over Schumacher after Nico Rosberg outpaced him for one race. Mario Moraes riding shotgun with Marco Andretti through the first corner, Ryan Hunter Reay’s awesome performance as well as Fantasy IndyCar results for the Openpaddock.net team. Sit back with a leftover pint of your Irish favorite and…

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IndyCar – Sao Paulo Wrap Up

The IZOD IndyCar Series opened their season this weekend on the brand spanking new Sao Paulo street circuit. Despite the short amount of time that Tony Cottman and his team had to bring this track from napkin sketch to sold out event, the race weekend looked to be a very successful coup in the heart of Brazilian racing madness. Granted though, there were a few hitches in this weekend’s giddyup. The first major problem of the event occurred during practice sessions when the IndyCar drivers discovered that the Brazilian National…

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Episode 29 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and myself this week as I call in from Washington DC and we discuss the Carl Edwards drama (make fun of it is a better description) and recap Rally Mexico. We also touch on the IRC and another victory for Kris Meeke. We also talk Rahal to Fisher for a short stint as well as offer our insight into Brazil and Bahrain for the grand kickoff of open wheel racing.

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IndyCar – São Paulo Preview

Introduction: This year, the IZOD IndyCar Series does something that many fans thought was a no-brainer for several seasons. They’re going to Brazil! This year, more than ever, it makes total sense for IndyCar to venture down to South America. There are a number of drivers from South America and especially Brazil, and a major sponsor and partner of the league APEX Brazil, so there will is strong support for the series which will hopefully translate to a strong attendance. The race will be held in the streets of Sao…

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IndyCar – The BAT Project

Bruce Ashmore, Alan Mertens and Tim Wardrop, all with serious design and engineering credentials in IndyCar racing, have put together a concept for the 2012 IndyCar Chassis. Calling themselves BAT Engineering, BAT for Bruce, Alan, and Tim, the trio have created a concept that started not with a discussion amongst aerodynamicists, but with Dr. Trammell and and other Indy Racing League safety officials. The first goal of the chassis was to be safe, which leads the concept to have very wide sidepods and closely protected wheels. The second objective was…

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IndyCar – Milka Signs On Full-Time at Dale Coyne Racing

As we mentioned in this week’s podcast, Milka Duno will be driving for Dale Coyne Racing. The surprise, at least to me, is that she’s slated for a full-season effort. Although Milka has been in the series for three years now, she has never been a full-time driver. This could be a real boon for Milka. Not to make excuses, but it is difficult to find consistency when you’re not consistently on the track. Here’s Milka’s thoughts from the Dale Coyne Racing’s official press release, “I look forward to competing…

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IndyCar – Simona De Silvestro To Run Big Cars With HVM

In a bit of a surprise to us here at Openpaddock.net, Simona De Silvestro secured a full-season ride in the IZOD IndyCar Series with HVM Racing. In a collaborative effort with HVM Racing, Team Stargate Worlds will enter the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series with driver Simona De Silvestro. Known as Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing, the team will carry primary sponsorship from Stargate Resistance and associate sponsorship from Bernard Richards Manufacture (BRM), FireSky, Cheyenne Mountain Games, and Cardinal Technologies. De Silvestro and the # 78 entry will also lead the Do…

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IndyCar – More Drivers Confirmed for 2010

Today, we got confirmation that Viso and Mutoh were confirmed full-time drivers in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the 2010 season. E.J. Viso was announced today as the second full-time driver at KV Racing Technologies joining their other full-time driver, Takuma Sato, and part-time driver, Paul Tracy. Hideki Mutoh was announced as Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing sole full-time entry for 2010. We had been expecting Mutoh’s confirmation for some time, but Viso’s confirmation is good news for a series that has really struggled for good news lately. KVRT Announces EJ Viso As…

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IndyCar – Simona on the Sidelines as Stargate Worlds Goes Bankrupt

In an article by IGN.com, we find out that the game development company, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy in Arizona’s Maricopa County Court. While the company is still up and running for now, they’re certainly not in a position to fork out the $3M+ that it would take to sponsor Simona di Silvestro in an IZOD IndyCar Series ride, or even the lesser level of sponsorship that it would take to place her in the Firestone Indy Lights series. Tough break for HVM since Simona had a fantastic test…

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IndyCar – Takuma Sato Signs With KVRT

As we reported in an article from Feb 6th, former F1 BAR Honda and Super Aguri driver has signed with KV Racing Technologies for a full-time ride in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series. “We are very excited to have been able to put this deal together with Takuma and his group,” said KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “I can’t wait to see what I know will be a extremely fast pace by Taku on the road courses and look forward to working with him and getting him up to speed on…

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