2011 Indy Car series

[CKS Papa]

No Indy car fans on Prime.?
Just finished watching the first race, Honda GP at St. Pete's.
New rule on 2 abreast starts made it more interesting for spectators but the drivers hate it. Maybe Marco especially since he ended up up-side down on the first turn of the first lap.
Dario dominated but it was fun watching the last laps with Kanan holding off (some say it was blocking) Simona for 3rd place.
Looks like it might be an entertaining season.
Going again this year for the Long Beach GP.

 

[MetalSpikeRacing]

I've been following Indy racing series for a while.
I usually do a pit stop or play the dead man for the Dale Coyne racing team while they're in T.O.
He is a good man, but we need more luck...

Can't wait for Toronto Honda grand prix.

-MSR

 

[Miner]

I watched some of the race, didn't seem too exciting during the middle, but sounds like a good race. Good to see some new faces up front; maybe some more facetime on the TV.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: My first take on the new rules

Here was what I posted on another forum early in the race:

Watching the race now and this is the 4th restart in 13 laps. The double file late late green restart looks to be a predictable source of shemozzles, chaos and expensive bodywork damage.

As a certified curmudgeon, it seems to me that, in the name of fan interest, chaos and chance might well be taking control of racing more than engineers and drivers. Retired drivers being interveiwed during the race now can rant about the rules as much as other drivers.

Too much random phucking change. JMHOWTFDIK?

Would not be surprised if IRL will beat Bernie E. to the punch with sprinklers wetting down the track. Of course it would be at unknown times and unknown locations.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: DCR crew

I usually do a pit stop or play the dead man for the Dale Coyne racing team while they're in T.O.
He is a good man, but we need more luck...

You know Fred Michael? Racing buddy of mine here that used to crew for Dale.

 

[warrenw]

I have my tickets for July 2011! I have only missed one race since cart/indy have been in Edmonton and that was because I was in Europe. I actually was able to watch it live on TV.
Three days of bliss. Can't wait for the new 2011 course of the Edmonton Indy.

 

[MetalSpikeRacing]

Re: DCR crew

You know Fred Michael? Racing buddy of mine here that used to crew for Dale.

Not sure, I am Mostly hanging out with a mechanic named Juan Carlos and David Watson before he retired back to England .

David used to be dominguez's race ingeneer I beleave , awesome guy.

-MSR

 

[92 white 0650]

MSR, send me an EM and I'll send you a couple of pics off Fred's Facebook of him around the paddock. Hellava guy.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Quote of the Week

Did you hear this one from Despain? When the Roger Penske heard that his son Jay would put together a team around Paul Tracy for 6 races, the Captain said:

Oh great, the two guys who have given me the most problems in my life are getting together........

Gotta love his sense of humor.

 

[Liquid]

Agree that the double file restart is a dangerous and unnecessary gimmick. I think it works fine for ovals but it really doesn't work with these cars on a road course. I thought the race was a snoozer but I like the push to pass technology.

One area that I really don't like is how they keep pushing Danica down our throats. At this point, we're 5+ years in so the novelty has worn off and she's not even the best FEMALE racer in IRL, so why are they pushing her so hard on us?

 

[guanacoracing]

One area that I really don't like is how they keep pushing Danica down our throats. At this point, we're 5+ years in so the novelty has worn off and she's not even the best FEMALE racer in IRL, so why are they pushing her so hard on us?

Simona had a great run in St Pete. Myself I think that TK did block once or twice her but there was no call.

Danica does seem to have the most seat time in the series but you're right about how they keep promoting her.

I also wish that K. Legge can find a ride. She also did great a few years agao.

 

[CKS Papa]

W. Power is like the Vettel of Indy Car. 3 straight poles. Was there at Long Beach today and going again tomorrow to see if Power can win.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: The future look of IndyCar

Will anyone be sad to see the old Dallara go? If so, stop reading and go stick your head in the pond.

http://photos.speedtv.com/gallery/I...2012_IndyCar_has_been_unveiled./0bfI5UdgDy8ul

I kind of like the new look........even with a rear bumper. Well........I mean, I think it will (OK, might) grow on me. But then I didn't grouse about the wing changes in F-1 a couple of years ago, so don't listen to me. Truth be told, I think the 12 year olds with a HotWheels collection will go nuts for the new look. And they are the ones that count. :wink:

For the other 2 Indycar followers on this site, what do you think?

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Would you trade places with J.R.?

I don't think Hilldebrand will be remembered for finishing 2nd as a rookie, do you? He will be remembered for a long time as the guy who blew it in the most spectacular fashion. How long? It's up to him and the pressure is on to be remembered for something else. :frown: The good news is that the drivers understand.

I wonder if his spotter tried to tell him what the gap was back to Wheldon and to caution him about the need to pass? If not he should be sharing some of the blame. I guess that screw up isn't as bad as leaving a wheel nut loose.............or is it?

J.R. was a well liked hot shoe competitor and coach at Russell Racing. There's a ton of guys around here who like him a lot and feel his pain.

Either of you other 2 Indy Car fans have any thoughts on one of the most outrageous finishes in Indy history?

 

[RYU]

I'm the 3rd Indy car fan but i'm afraid I missed it this weekend. Does anyone know if this will be re-televised or if I can download it?

It's killing me to see the highlights but not being able to watch the full race coverage

 

[Hrant]

In post race interviews, Hilldebrand and one of the other drivers (might have been Wheldon) noted that they had used that higher groove to pass cars before. But with the tires worn out, and perhaps he did go further out of the grove this last time ..... it was unfortunate but I suspect adrenaline was high!

But this is what makes the Indy 500 so exciting. NASCAR was interesting too with the fuel mile gamble. All and all good weekend for couch car guys :wink:

 

[Miner]

Re: Would you trade places with J.R.?

I don't think Hilldebrand will be remembered for finishing 2nd as a rookie, do you? He will be remembered for a long time as the guy who blew it in the most spectacular fashion. How long? It's up to him and the pressure is on to be remembered for something else. :frown: The good news is that the drivers understand.
Either of you other 2 Indy Car fans have any thoughts on one of the most outrageous finishes in Indy history?

How about Scott Goodyear passing the pace car on the restart ~5 laps from the end? Or Roberto Guerrero stalling in the pits with a huge lead? Or Kevin Kogan being blown past on restart late in the race after running a very smart race?

I just hope Indy Car can carry some of the momentum from the race and get a decent TV deal. I'm with Dish and they don't carry Versus on their mid tier package and have missed the whole season (except Sunday's race).

Miner

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Toronto's once a year zoo-show.

What a circus. Is there one car that did not hit or get hit? I kind of like the goofy predictable chaos on that little course, but geez, I like a little champagne too, and today was like getting waterboarded with champagne.

Well, I'm sure Randy is pleased. :smile: It was a silly reality show today complete with Danica getting out of the car to show off her earrings in an interview when her team is fixing the car and telling her to get the phucque back in. Guess they didn't read the script. But I'm sure it was a big hit with today's IRL hardcore fans. The only thing left is to replace Gene Simmons with some rapper no one over 25 has ever heard of. :wink:

But, guess the joke's on me, I'm the only one that admits to watching it. ROFLMAO :biggrin:

 

[Sulley]

I watch, altho I'm not sure why.

The officials need to take control of this mess. They're supposed to be double file restarts(not arguing good or bad). Rarely has the flagman even given a pretense of enforcing that until this race. Then you find out it's the front runners gaming the system to get extra yellow laps to save fuel. After the first waveoff, word should have gone out that they would be black flagged if they pulled that crap again. These guys are supposed to be good enough to manage a restart.

Sulley

 

[MetalSpikeRacing]

Race was a mess!!! At least I got multiple chances to get my start shots!
At the very last last lap I found my self face to face with Justin Wilson after him and three other cars got into each other.

I don't think he got that I was there to shoot him and not to get him turned around, he keeped waving his hand at me. I guess the huge lens pointed right at him didn't tell him anything...

It was a great racing weekend overall.

-MSR

 

[Miner]

Re: Toronto's once a year zoo-show.

What a circus. Is there one car that did not hit or get hit? I kind of like the goofy predictable chaos on that little course, but geez, I like a little champagne too, and today was like getting waterboarded with champagne.

The only thing left is to replace Gene Simmons with some rapper no one over 25 has ever heard of. :wink:

But, guess the joke's on me, I'm the only one that admits to watching it. ROFLMAO :biggrin:

You may be the only person who has Versus.:biggrin:

I miss watching Indy Car racing.

Miner

 

[DocL]

Indy Car now reminds me of NASCAR and the WWF. The last race in Toronto was terrible.

 

[SFNSXguy]

I tuned into Versus expecting to see a pro race from Edmonton... yikes, just amatuers! What happened to Indy Cars? Used to have good drivers.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Stupid no defensive line rules........

yikes, just amatuers! What happened to Indy Cars? Used to have good drivers.

OK, I haven't been paying much attention but it seems to me that there must be no defensive driving allowed anywhere on track. I have always maintained there is a very clear and easily identifiable division between blocking and defensive driving. "You can zig, but you cannot zag." A sportsman like defensive line is an historic and proper part of road racing.

But it looks to me that there were no defensive lines allowed or taken. That rule created sheer havoc in Toronto as it just leaves the door open and inviting in a way that these guys have not seen before and simply can't resist.

Dive bombing is cool but defense is not? OK, then enjoy your safety car parades.

Miller said race control was heading the right way as they were starting to dish out some penalties, but when there was discussion (Jon Beekis) about Tag not serving a formal penalty (not even a drive thru) because (oh gee) he already had to come in for a front wing change, well, "the show" is outta control.

Hey why stop now, let's go figure 8 racing. :tongue:

 

[sadlerau]

And you thought F1 was becoming a pantomime? :biggrin: