Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

That's right...She's an Alonso fan first and foremost, correct?

Right- we happened to be in Spain when Fernando clinched his first championship, and the guys in the crowds were pretty surprised by her knowledge.... funny.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

snoozer in Japan. Castroneves wins by like 4 seconds...

I have no idea why some tracks like Chicago and Texas, generally produce amazingly close races, and then similar tracks like Homestead, Japan, Kansas produce such boring races...

I think Franchitti has an excellent chance to win the title honestly. he's just (at this point) that much more consistent on ovals than Power.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I have no idea why some tracks like Chicago and Texas, generally produce amazingly close races, and then similar tracks like Homestead, Japan, Kansas produce such boring races...

Banking. Those tracks are all "aero" tracks. Between spec cars, good engineers, and drivers with big balls, the racing becomes tight and for some people exciting since the drivers are flat out all the time.

I like Texas, but don't care for Kansas or Chicago. Japan is unique because of it's egg shape (much like Darlington) and I am not sure why the race wasn't better.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

snoozer in Japan. Castroneves wins by like 4 seconds...

I have no idea why some tracks like Chicago and Texas, generally produce amazingly close races, and then similar tracks like Homestead, Japan, Kansas produce such boring races...

I think Franchitti has an excellent chance to win the title honestly. he's just (at this point) that much more consistent on ovals than Power.

On those tracks, there's no lifting, so it's all engineering and that levels the playing field a bit, therefore no one is fast enough to break away. Those races are close, but yet boring because there really isn't much passing. If a driver doesn't have to lift, then the cars should not race there or get so much power/less downforce that they have to lift.

I watched the last 1/4 of the Japan race, and I liked it, because the drivers have to lift and that requires more talent and ability. Japan reminded me of Milwaukee's CART races.

I'm going to shock even myself with this next statement (supporting Danica?!?!): Perhaps Danica, and Graham to some extent, did so well in this race because thier teams' crappy engineering wasn't holding them back and thier talent (on ovals) overcame thier teams' technical inferiorness.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I'm going to shock even myself with this next statement (supporting Danica?!?!): Perhaps Danica, and Graham to some extent, did so well in this race because thier teams' crappy engineering wasn't holding them back and thier talent (on ovals) overcame thier teams' technical inferiorness.

I think you are correct with Graham. Talent for him definitely seems to have out done the issues with his crew not being full time.

But with Danica I think it has more to do with her confidence. She *should* have good enough equipment to do well everywhere (See: RHR and TK) but from everything I have read she can't communicate effectively to her engineers to get a good setup at most tracks hence TK doing it for her. Maybe this is the one track that TK doesn't setup her car and it paid off (again).

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

So a interesting race in Singapore last weekend. Far from the best passing action but all of the racing incidents (wrecks) made for a wild race. Of course a another very good race by Ferrari.

A couple of side notes...

Nice to see Rubens with another good drive. He seems like a really good guy and it's nice to see him do well with Williams.

What the heck is up with Hamilton? 3 DNF's in the past 4 races. Not good.

Looks like Heikki could have a career as a fireman if the whole drive thing doesn't work out. I'm mean come on, he has to get a extinguisher and but out the fire on the car himself. Good thing he wasn't injured in that fire or he would have been seriously injured.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

It's amazing how Ferarri have turned it around and how badly Hamilton is peeing down his leg every race now.

So, will Dario or Power win the IRL title? I hate Ganassi, but Dario seems to be just a tad better on ovals than Power. The plus for Power is his teamates have been strong and Dixon has diappeared, so it may be 3 vs 1. I think Power should play the milage game and have Briscoe and Helio be the rabbits. If Dario plays the mileage game, Power will be right with him. If Dario doesn't the other Penske guys can dog him on speed all day and Power can win on mileage. I still think deep inside Dario is going to pull it out.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

It's amazing how Ferarri have turned it around and how badly Hamilton is peeing down his leg every race now.

So, will Dario or Power win the IRL title? I hate Ganassi, but Dario seems to be just a tad better on ovals than Power. The plus for Power is his teamates have been strong and Dixon has diappeared, so it may be 3 vs 1. I think Power should play the milage game and have Briscoe and Helio be the rabbits. If Dario plays the mileage game, Power will be right with him. If Dario doesn't the other Penske guys can dog him on speed all day and Power can win on mileage. I still think deep inside Dario is going to pull it out.

I have a good feeling Dario will take this. Mostly because of his success on vs Power on ovals.

although, Helio has certainly turned up the wick and he could have a hand in determining this outcome for sure

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I like Power. Just a gut feeling.


In F1 news it looks like VW, using the Porsche brand, is seriously considering supplying engines in 2013 when the new rules take effect. Interesting.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

In F1 news it looks like VW, using the Porsche brand, is seriously considering supplying engines in 2013 when the new rules take effect. Interesting.

I think that's a good move for Porsche from a brand perspective. 25 yrs ago when I was a teenager, Porsche was more well known brand of sports car, now they are almost non-existent.

Is that strike 1 against the IRL? If they are going for name brand recognition, is the insane cost of F1 a better value than the low cost IRL? I guess it depends if they are doing a global push or a non-European push.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I like Power. Just a gut feeling.

So much for my gut feeling.

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Another sign that something in wrong in Indy Car racing....

Kanaan needs new sponsor

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I think Kanaan will have no problem finding a sponsor, one with Brazilian connections.

I am sick and tired of Penske playing 2nd fiddle to Ganassi the last few years. Get it done, will ya? All the unforced errors killed them again this year.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I think Kanaan will have no problem finding a sponsor, one with Brazilian connections.

I am sick and tired of Penske playing 2nd fiddle to Ganassi the last few years. Get it done, will ya? All the unforced errors killed them again this year.

you got it. the unforced errors have really killed em. no reason for power to eff up like he did.

but that aside, if Ganassi gets Rahal too they're gonna smoke the field w/3 cars

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I think Kanaan will have no problem finding a sponsor, one with Brazilian connections.

I am sick and tired of Penske playing 2nd fiddle to Ganassi the last few years. Get it done, will ya? All the unforced errors killed them again this year.

I was only a Penske fan when Mark was his driver. Recently, not so much. Especially with some recent revelations between Roger and a former Mayor.

OTOH, it would be nice if someone else would step up. I can't figure what is going on at Andretti- maybe they need to break into smaller teams? They sure don't act much like a Team.

As for the rest- who knows.

Its like Ferrari vs. McLaren. The rest are not much. (was- I know not now...)

 

[MattS]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I am sick and tired of Penske playing 2nd fiddle to Ganassi the last few years. Get it done, will ya? All the unforced errors killed them again this year.

Me too!

OTOH, it would be nice if someone else would step up. I can't figure what is going on at Andretti- maybe they need to break into smaller teams? They sure don't act much like a Team.

As for the rest- who knows.

I think Andretti's problem is too many resources are being put to Danica and Marco trying to make up for the fact that neither can drive and that is taking away from TK and RHR. If Andretti would focus on TK and RHR they would be winning races and competing for the championship.

I think the problem with all of the rest of the teams is not enough $$$$$ to compete (most teams) or terrible drivers.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

I was only a Penske fan when Mark was his driver. Recently, not so much. Especially with some recent revelations between Roger and a former Mayor.

Fill me in on these revelations please.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Fill me in on these revelations please.

He loaned Qwame money. Wonder if this helped get the Gran Prix back ever so temporarily back to Detroit.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

He loaned Qwame money. Wonder if this helped get the Gran Prix back ever so temporarily back to Detroit.

Thanks. I was worried it was some sex in a closet deal.

Red Bull's best in practice so far. Renault is really coming on.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2010...He's baaack...He's gone...

Japan being Japan- weather IS an issue- Saturday's qualifying was actually rained out. They will qualify at 10am local on Sunday. I wonder if they will show it on Speed tonight.