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Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

Russell Jaslow said:
It's more of a branding exercise than anything else. When Honda pulled out, RBR took over the engine program, but the infrastructure was already there. Then, they put a bunch of money into it to get ready for the 2026 engine design and hired a bunch of Mercedes engine engineers. At that point, Ford stepped in to "help" with technical expertise. But how much are they really going to contribute? That's the key question. But they do get their name on the engine.

In summary, how much is the new RBR engine merely an evolution of the Honda engine vs. how much the new RBR engine is really a Ford engine is a mystery. But it definitely is not a "brand new" Ford engine.
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Even so... for RBR to develop the current Honda blueprints to the next level- do they have the skills to do that or not? We will see- but just having the ability to make the engine is not even half the battle anymore.

As for Ford, as far as I know, they are only doing the hybrid part, not the engine. And it really sounds like they are planning some technical input. Seeing how the company has evolved since I retired, I really think this will hamper RBR a lot more than it will help. Someone at Ford is going to want to be involved, meaning managers will want to be involved.... Historically, Ford had almost nothing to do with the Cosworth engine, other than some kind of support. The engine that Ford had real input on with Cosworth was the turbo V6 (I had an old boss that worked on it), and it almost was good. Then the disaster with Jaguar. Seems that this was a cash input so that Horner/Marko could sell the team. Or at least Red Bull can sell the team- their corporate interest has calmed with the death of the founder.
 
Russell Jaslow said:
Mercedes has a LOT or explaining to do.

But that doesn't take away from an extremely entertaining race and a brilliant drive by Russell. What makes the later even more impressive is Russell was the first to pit amongst the front runners. So, to change the strategy midstream, he had to do that on tires that were a 1,000 years old. Amazing.
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Just watched the Mercedes public debrief of the race. The two cars started the race at the same weight. George's car had more wear- tires, plank and even George. Pretty obvious that they had no real plans for a one stop race.
 
MichVandal said:
Just watched the Mercedes public debrief of the race. The two cars started the race at the same weight. George's car had more wear- tires, plank and even George. Pretty obvious that they had no real plans for a one stop race.
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It makes me wonder whether Toto Wolff knew they were in trouble. His reaction, to a freaking 1-2 no less, was so subdued. Think how he acted when Russell inherited that win (he almost caused Russell to crash) or when Hamilton took Silverstone. Then, he doesn't even appear at the podium ceremonies, I don't think.

Did some smart engineer, maybe back at the control center in England, radio him, letting him know, "We may in trouble"? Then factor in the story coming out that Mercedes tried to get away with leaving a gallon of fuel in the car until the scrutineers made them ensure all the fuel was drained, as if Mercedes knew they needed just a few more pounds.
 
Anyone who is going to this weekend’s vintage event at Watkins Glen, I’ll be driving the pace/safety car again. (The date moved from September, but it should move back next year.)

This time, it’s an unbelievable car — a Ginetta G56 GTA. It’s essentially a race car, with just the gearbox swapped out and A/C added. I’ve never driven anything like it, and that includes my race car.
 
Russell Jaslow said:
Anyone who is going to this weekend’s vintage event at Watkins Glen, I’ll be driving the pace/safety car again. (The date moved from September, but it should move back next year.)

This time, it’s an unbelievable car — a Ginetta G56 GTA. It’s essentially a race car, with just the gearbox swapped out and A/C added. I’ve never driven anything like it, and that includes my race car.
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Dang, Man!! I have to (unfortunately) miss this year. Got a ‘destination wedding’ to attend for the weekend about 3hrs to our West.

Next year, Russell. I’ll bring the beer (and wine!) ;0)
 
Ooof! INDYCAR racing in Milwaukee is dead. I just can’t believe how far off the radar they’ve fallen.

i was able to buy 3 tickets today center of the grandstand 300 level above the flagstand. Ticket sales must be anemic. And HyVee has been Absent here.

it’s a sad commentary. They started racing here in the early 1900’s (pre-dating INDY) and from about 1950 until the split in 1996 you couldn’t get a ticket to save your life.

Something needs to change drastically here.
 
Sorry to say, solo, it sure seems to me that Indycar is dead. Haven’t managed to see a single race all season, and don’t really feel the need to catch up. When I have seen replays, well…. Wish it was different, but after decades of following, I totally lost interest. And Penske hasn’t done all that well to promote the races on tv- the only race I knew when it was run was the 500.
 
solovsfett said:
Ooof! INDYCAR racing in Milwaukee is dead. I just can’t believe how far off the radar they’ve fallen.

i was able to buy 3 tickets today center of the grandstand 300 level above the flagstand. Ticket sales must be anemic. And HyVee has been Absent here.

it’s a sad commentary. They started racing here in the early 1900’s (pre-dating INDY) and from about 1950 until the split in 1996 you couldn’t get a ticket to save your life.

Something needs to change drastically here.
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Fans keep SCREAMING at the top of their lungs (and all over social media) to bring back Milwaukee. And every time they do, none of these fans show up.
 
MichVandal said:
Sorry to say, solo, it sure seems to me that Indycar is dead. Haven’t managed to see a single race all season, and don’t really feel the need to catch up. When I have seen replays, well…. Wish it was different, but after decades of following, I totally lost interest. And Penske hasn’t done all that well to promote the races on tv- the only race I knew when it was run was the 500.
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TBF, American racing in general is dying because NASCAR ain’t doing that well either.
 
Jimjamesak said:
TBF, American racing in general is dying because NASCAR ain’t doing that well either.
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That is true. It would be nice if they could figure out a way to have competitive car building with a realistic budget, but the glory days are long gone. At least they could update the cars faster. Or have more than a two team race given the spec car.
 
MichVandal said:
That is true. It would be nice if they could figure out a way to have competitive car building with a realistic budget, but the glory days are long gone. At least they could update the cars faster. Or have more than a two team race given the spec car.
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Or, you know, not having clowns like Penske or the France family running the show.
 
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