Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
Is any real race fan surprised?
Is any real race fan surprised?
USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
- Thread starter MattS
- Start date
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
no
great race today. hinchliffe screwed up the final re-start and it cost him 4th place. Castroneves...I like him but he was very much blocking Rahal at the end by taking that enigmatic diagonal line trying to look like he wasn't blocking...which he was.
solid race for Barrichello and an exceptional race for Bourdais giving "Lotus" its highest finish. It's a shame to read they don't have enough engines to test at Indy, and also how the parent company is not part of the Indy program at all. I'm not sure Lotus will last more than 1-2 years given that lack of faith/interest from the parent company.
Dixon w/2 2nds to start the year. this could be his year.
Is any real race fan surprised?
no
great race today. hinchliffe screwed up the final re-start and it cost him 4th place. Castroneves...I like him but he was very much blocking Rahal at the end by taking that enigmatic diagonal line trying to look like he wasn't blocking...which he was.
solid race for Barrichello and an exceptional race for Bourdais giving "Lotus" its highest finish. It's a shame to read they don't have enough engines to test at Indy, and also how the parent company is not part of the Indy program at all. I'm not sure Lotus will last more than 1-2 years given that lack of faith/interest from the parent company.
Dixon w/2 2nds to start the year. this could be his year.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I don't know how many people on here get the Velocity channel, but there was a piece last night which will replay a few times called " Grand Prix- the killer years" It's a very good piece about all the changes that occurred and all the deaths in GP racing in the mid 60's and 70's.
I remember very clearly some of those deaths, particularly Jochen Rindt, Jim Clark, and Lorenzo Bandini. But there were so many. The show brought back a lot of the memories, not just about the guys, but about the tracks, the cars, the whole circus, and the total lack of safety. I used to read every word that Rob Walker wrote about things. Some of the film they showed was hard to watch, but the interviews with guys like Chris Amon and Jackie Stewart were great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGq06rfj5dE
I don't know how many people on here get the Velocity channel, but there was a piece last night which will replay a few times called " Grand Prix- the killer years" It's a very good piece about all the changes that occurred and all the deaths in GP racing in the mid 60's and 70's.
I remember very clearly some of those deaths, particularly Jochen Rindt, Jim Clark, and Lorenzo Bandini. But there were so many. The show brought back a lot of the memories, not just about the guys, but about the tracks, the cars, the whole circus, and the total lack of safety. I used to read every word that Rob Walker wrote about things. Some of the film they showed was hard to watch, but the interviews with guys like Chris Amon and Jackie Stewart were great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGq06rfj5dE
Last edited:
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
The race was awesome. As much as I dislike Marco, he was throwing that car around and mixing it up all day. Seabass is clearly the Alonso of Indycars. What an awesome race by his little underpowered team.
I really don't want to hear any drivers crying about blocking in this race, there was only 817 passes for position, and there were some very creative moves. It was great to see all the drivers give each other room as well, a very professional race.
This race is a clear example of why the series doesn't need push to pass. This is also a great example of why street courses need to be banned (from a race only perspective) in comparison to St. Pete's.
The race was awesome. As much as I dislike Marco, he was throwing that car around and mixing it up all day. Seabass is clearly the Alonso of Indycars. What an awesome race by his little underpowered team.
I really don't want to hear any drivers crying about blocking in this race, there was only 817 passes for position, and there were some very creative moves. It was great to see all the drivers give each other room as well, a very professional race.
This race is a clear example of why the series doesn't need push to pass. This is also a great example of why street courses need to be banned (from a race only perspective) in comparison to St. Pete's.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I couldn't agree more. It was an excellent race. Lots of passing. Good stories with SeeBass and even Power coming from 9th to win. Rubens is showing why he was, and still could be, a very good F1 driver.
I agree that no push to pass or any other gimmick in needed right now. Just let the racers race!
My only complaint was the little mishap (maybe it was just the morons on TV?) with the caution of Sato (I think?) when his engine went and he was well off the track on a straight and for a few seconds they threw a full course caution then quickly went full course green. Or at least that was what the TV audience was told.
Speaking of the TV announcers I think NBC needs to work on replacing some of them. I am not a fan of Jenkins and his continual mixing up names of the drivers. And I just don't like the dynamic of them. But if someone told me before the season started that the TV announcing was going to be my biggest complaint of the second race I would have been one very happy race fan!
Finally it is sad to see the state of the Lotus teams. Those teams are in some serious trouble. I think it will be even more apparent come May. I wouldn't be surprised to see them making the last 5 or 6 spots on the grid and maybe not even that many depending upon how many other cars show up with Chevy or Honda power.
I couldn't agree more. It was an excellent race. Lots of passing. Good stories with SeeBass and even Power coming from 9th to win. Rubens is showing why he was, and still could be, a very good F1 driver.
I agree that no push to pass or any other gimmick in needed right now. Just let the racers race!
My only complaint was the little mishap (maybe it was just the morons on TV?) with the caution of Sato (I think?) when his engine went and he was well off the track on a straight and for a few seconds they threw a full course caution then quickly went full course green. Or at least that was what the TV audience was told.
Speaking of the TV announcers I think NBC needs to work on replacing some of them. I am not a fan of Jenkins and his continual mixing up names of the drivers. And I just don't like the dynamic of them. But if someone told me before the season started that the TV announcing was going to be my biggest complaint of the second race I would have been one very happy race fan!
Finally it is sad to see the state of the Lotus teams. Those teams are in some serious trouble. I think it will be even more apparent come May. I wouldn't be surprised to see them making the last 5 or 6 spots on the grid and maybe not even that many depending upon how many other cars show up with Chevy or Honda power.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
They announced they were going full course yellow, which would have been dumb, but then it seemed like it never happened. Maybe Race Control was debating it over the radio and the producer thought it was a sure thing, but then they changed their mind.
Bob Jenkins screwing up who drives which car is BAD. I really like Paul Page, he had a nice level of enthusiasm, and he calls the race with a sense of urgency at the right times. To me the F1 guys do a great job. I'd model the entire broadcast after those. We more overall lap times, more red vs black lap times, in lap and out lap times. I will give NBC credit. At least they showed manufacturer symbols next to the drivers. ABC did not do that, which just baffled me. You talk about the new engines in the prerace, but then you don't tell us who has what.
They announced they were going full course yellow, which would have been dumb, but then it seemed like it never happened. Maybe Race Control was debating it over the radio and the producer thought it was a sure thing, but then they changed their mind.
Bob Jenkins screwing up who drives which car is BAD. I really like Paul Page, he had a nice level of enthusiasm, and he calls the race with a sense of urgency at the right times. To me the F1 guys do a great job. I'd model the entire broadcast after those. We more overall lap times, more red vs black lap times, in lap and out lap times. I will give NBC credit. At least they showed manufacturer symbols next to the drivers. ABC did not do that, which just baffled me. You talk about the new engines in the prerace, but then you don't tell us who has what.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
That is what I thought happened too. And I like your explanation on the TV part. I will cut NBC some slack here as I am going to guess that at least some of the people producing/directing the telecast are new.
Jenkins is bad. It kind of odd because I use to like him when he did NASCAR. But he continually screwed up the car and drivers associated with them.
I love the F1 guys. They do a great job and especially when you consider they are not even at the track! Great knowledge, good enthusiasm, keeps the races interesting. Can't ask for anything more.
Oh and one thing your post reminded of that needs to happen is there must to be more of a difference between the tires. One of the things I love about modern F1 is the strategy between the tyre compounds. The Firestones just don't seem to have the difference between the reds and blacks so that there is some actual thinking and driver ability differences between when and how to use the reds.
That is what I thought happened too. And I like your explanation on the TV part. I will cut NBC some slack here as I am going to guess that at least some of the people producing/directing the telecast are new.
Jenkins is bad. It kind of odd because I use to like him when he did NASCAR. But he continually screwed up the car and drivers associated with them.
I love the F1 guys. They do a great job and especially when you consider they are not even at the track! Great knowledge, good enthusiasm, keeps the races interesting. Can't ask for anything more.
Oh and one thing your post reminded of that needs to happen is there must to be more of a difference between the tires. One of the things I love about modern F1 is the strategy between the tyre compounds. The Firestones just don't seem to have the difference between the reds and blacks so that there is some actual thinking and driver ability differences between when and how to use the reds.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
And it seems the teams sometimes screw up the decision process on what to use when and how soon to go over to rains etc. Didn't someone sit on rains in the australia race way too long? What with all the conflicting words from the organizers or whoever about if it was going to rain, no surprise but interesting as well.
also I notice that Mercedes seems to think this is legal but no one else does.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17588028
And it seems the teams sometimes screw up the decision process on what to use when and how soon to go over to rains etc. Didn't someone sit on rains in the australia race way too long? What with all the conflicting words from the organizers or whoever about if it was going to rain, no surprise but interesting as well.
also I notice that Mercedes seems to think this is legal but no one else does.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17588028
Last edited:
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I think they'll get into the 220's running by themselves, Penske and Ganassi anyway. I will admit I was a bit taken back by the looks of the rear wing. As long as they put on a quality show, the looks won't matter.
The NBC SN did a show like they do for NHL 36 where they follow a hockey player around for 36 hrs, but they did it with Kanaan. NBC could be a real player in getting this series moving forward.
I think they'll get into the 220's running by themselves, Penske and Ganassi anyway. I will admit I was a bit taken back by the looks of the rear wing. As long as they put on a quality show, the looks won't matter.
The NBC SN did a show like they do for NHL 36 where they follow a hockey player around for 36 hrs, but they did it with Kanaan. NBC could be a real player in getting this series moving forward.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I recorded the one with Kaanan and have watched about half of it. So far it's okay but not great. I think Marco was going to be the next one.
I recorded the one with Kaanan and have watched about half of it. So far it's okay but not great. I think Marco was going to be the next one.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
RIP Ferdinand Porche.
RIP Ferdinand Porche.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I emailed Miller about the push to pass and he said most likely it would only be used on street/road courses, which is better than all races I guess.
The 911 never really got me cranked up. I liked the 944 and 928 better. I say liked in the past tense because I have no idea what Porsche builds now and I was reflecting back on the 80's when I was really into sportcars overall. Someday there will be a Mustang back in my driveway. The problem will be which year/model? So many Mustangs and so little money.
I emailed Miller about the push to pass and he said most likely it would only be used on street/road courses, which is better than all races I guess.
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
http://kylelarsonracing.com/
Since the split there has been a ton of whining about the lack of American talent in open wheel...this kid SHOULD BE IN OPEN WHEEL. *** is/was Ganassi thinking? Of all the things Randy Bernard has on his plate I'd like to see him add another and take an aggressive approach to having the league align itself more w/the USAC drivers to stem the flow of the Jeff Gordon/Kyle Larson's from going to those bulky slow taxicabs
Jean Alesi to race Indy w/Newman Haas!
and I must say the side view of the car w/the superspeedway trim makes it look like a friggin batmobile! I love it!
http://kylelarsonracing.com/
Since the split there has been a ton of whining about the lack of American talent in open wheel...this kid SHOULD BE IN OPEN WHEEL. *** is/was Ganassi thinking? Of all the things Randy Bernard has on his plate I'd like to see him add another and take an aggressive approach to having the league align itself more w/the USAC drivers to stem the flow of the Jeff Gordon/Kyle Larson's from going to those bulky slow taxicabs
Jean Alesi to race Indy w/Newman Haas!
and I must say the side view of the car w/the superspeedway trim makes it look like a friggin batmobile! I love it!
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
DTM, Super GT Collaboration Collapses.
Can't think of a real better place to put this but saw this as interesting from a Motorsport point of view. Kind of disappointing to see from a "real car racing" perspective to hear of this. I was kind of hopeful on this working.
DTM, Super GT Collaboration Collapses.
Can't think of a real better place to put this but saw this as interesting from a Motorsport point of view. Kind of disappointing to see from a "real car racing" perspective to hear of this. I was kind of hopeful on this working.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
Close enough place to put it. No word on the GrandAm- DTM collaboration. And RCE had an article about a DP car competing in a race series in Japan.
These cars are very similar, but just not *close* enough.
(for the record, I like the new DP cars in GrandAm- they look good)
Close enough place to put it. No word on the GrandAm- DTM collaboration. And RCE had an article about a DP car competing in a race series in Japan.
These cars are very similar, but just not *close* enough.
(for the record, I like the new DP cars in GrandAm- they look good)
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
AFAIK Grand Am is running a US DTM series starting next year. Supposedly to get BMW on board DTM had to expand its reach (or "we're not spending this money for six *ing cars").
Now supposedly Grand Am err Rolex Sports Cars, DTM, and Super GT we're going to merge specs for the DTM, Super GT's GT500 class (that would be the that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan run in), and the RSC GT class. Never heard anything more on the RSC thing and obviously the others.
The Daytona Prototype in Super GT is in the GT300 class, which is the craziest, and probably most entertaining racing class on its lineup alone. It has slightly modified GT3 cars like the M3 and 911 and Aston Martin, the DP car, custom built cars like the ASL Gariya, lower end Japanese cars like the IS 350 and RX-7, and cars you wouldn't think of like a Toyota Prius, a Honda CR-Z, or the brand new Subaru BRZ.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
If you haven't read it, " The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Snow is really good and worth a read. NY times best seller.
If you haven't read it, " The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Snow is really good and worth a read. NY times best seller.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
Schumi fastest in P2. The bigger issue is how can Mercedes keep the speed up in the race since they can't use their neat drs device whenever they please in the race.
Indy...all Chevy teams are getting an engine change and will get the 10 spot penalty. They must have found something really bad in that engine after the test or they must have such a great improvement in the new engine it's worth the penalty. Rules are rules, though I think if they could prove to the series they had a catestrophic flaw, they should be able to get a pass. But the fact that they won the first 2 races would make it hard to prove this point. Long Beach willl be a very interesting race for sure. We'll probably see some interesting strategies in coping with this.
Gearhead comment....My wife sent me a link to an article that discussed power is up on sportscars and engine size is down, with a 950 HP street legal Mustang (Shelby 10000 I think it was called) in the article. 950 HP street legal Stang!!!! Do you think a family of 5 can live inside this thing? I'm willing to try. :O
Schumi fastest in P2. The bigger issue is how can Mercedes keep the speed up in the race since they can't use their neat drs device whenever they please in the race.
Indy...all Chevy teams are getting an engine change and will get the 10 spot penalty. They must have found something really bad in that engine after the test or they must have such a great improvement in the new engine it's worth the penalty. Rules are rules, though I think if they could prove to the series they had a catestrophic flaw, they should be able to get a pass. But the fact that they won the first 2 races would make it hard to prove this point. Long Beach willl be a very interesting race for sure. We'll probably see some interesting strategies in coping with this.
Gearhead comment....My wife sent me a link to an article that discussed power is up on sportscars and engine size is down, with a 950 HP street legal Mustang (Shelby 10000 I think it was called) in the article. 950 HP street legal Stang!!!! Do you think a family of 5 can live inside this thing? I'm willing to try. :O
Last edited:
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2012: The year of the ugly cars!
I thought the beginning of the book was good but about half way or so (spoiler: the whole situation with his wife and in-laws) it got pretty bad.
I would love to see Mercedes keep that pace up in the race but I would be surprised if they can. Maybe rain will be the "equalizer" again this weekend?
I have no problem with the 10 spot penalty for the Chevy and now Dragon race teams. Everyone (drivers, teams, manufacturers) knew about the rules so they need to live with the consequences.
A 950 hp production car? Even if it's limited production that is impressive. I would love have that to drive a couple of times. The only car I have heard of that is production and has more HP is the Bugatti Veyron with a touch over 1000 hp. Of course the Bugatti cost about $1.5M.
I thought the beginning of the book was good but about half way or so (spoiler: the whole situation with his wife and in-laws) it got pretty bad.
I would love to see Mercedes keep that pace up in the race but I would be surprised if they can. Maybe rain will be the "equalizer" again this weekend?
I have no problem with the 10 spot penalty for the Chevy and now Dragon race teams. Everyone (drivers, teams, manufacturers) knew about the rules so they need to live with the consequences.
A 950 hp production car? Even if it's limited production that is impressive. I would love have that to drive a couple of times. The only car I have heard of that is production and has more HP is the Bugatti Veyron with a touch over 1000 hp. Of course the Bugatti cost about $1.5M.