IRL Happenings

Well, I guess we won't being seeing either of you post in an IndyCar thread for sometime since you don't like or follow the sport. Maybe in 2012?

 

Just not an f1 fan. Tried, but can't do it. Problem I have with it is on several levels. First, whoever gets in front at T1 is the winner. They stretch out like a parade and pretty much stay that way for the entire race. Second, Bernie is a *******. The sport would do well to get rid of him. Third, the teams and drivers all have a attitude, they don't care about fans. Sorry, those guys aren't as great as they think they are. e.g. Seabass is sucking tailpipe so far this season. Finally, F1 doesn't care about the US market, so I don't care about them.

I understand folks pulling for the hometown driver. I get it. I would welcome the opportunity to pull for a hometown driver or for a driver that brings in some family history. e.g. Rahal or Andretti. When stock car racing started, it was grass roots good old boys racing each other for fun and bragging rights. Their family and friends were there pulling for them. As it grew, people pulled for their hometown drivers. This atmosphere has continued through until today.

Open wheel racing in the US has not had that same advantage. The Indy 500 has been here for 100 years, but what else has been consistent and well marketed? They are now trying real hard with IndyCar and I believe they are making progress with more to come. For now, we have more international drivers. They drive well and they mix with the fans. I like the atmosphere. So, I'm happy to pull for a foreign driver, several of which currently call Indy home, since they drive well. It is working for me.

 

Having stopped and watched some of the qualifying from BMS, I'm more convinced at how bad the series is off. The cars look and are slow (except at Indy), same two teams dominate and are expanding.

Unfortunately, I did give this guy his first job in racing........
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Looking forward to the race and rooting for a few countrymen, Tagliani and Hinchcliffe

 

I'll never stop posting about it. I always hold out hope it will improve, but this forum gives us the option of expressing our opinion. Otherwise, it wouldn't exist, right?

 

And the Barber race was exciting? Hardly, not even.....

Now Malaysia on the other hand was! The IRL is to F1 as the Grand Bam is to ALMS.

 

Really? I thought the race today at Barber was fantastic. I'm really starting to like those double wide restarts even.

 

That's wishful thinking, as I hold out that it may become what it was in 1996 when the lucky sperm weasel had his hissy fit and killed the damn thing. I still follow and mock the crap we are left with, I just don't go to the races any more. I can nap at home.

Indeed.

 

I'm with you. Barber is a beautiful course, but really lacks passing opportunities. I'm digging the 2-wide restarts. Works better when the drivers show a little more respect for one another. Really helped TK move up the field.

 

Yep. I went to last year's race and it was pretty much zero passing and the race was rather boring. The support events, Grand-Am etc, were much better.

But it was well worth it to see Helio climb the fence; my super crappy cell phone video:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLm9Xf0R9T0[/ame]

I only watched a bit of yesterday's race (caught up in Masters Mania); from what I'm hearing it was better than last year. I hope to make next year's event.

For those that haven't visited Barber, I highly recommend it. A must see for car guys and heaven for motorcycle folks. Pics from my visit in '09: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262196

 

I'm really conflicted about these double file restarts. I think it is a bit gimmicky and the caution periods after caution periods does get to be very boring. That being said, they do add an excitement, I cannot deny that.

The big question is what the team owners think about it. Not a cheap proposition for them.

 

RB told me that the owners wanted the double file restarts and the lucky dog. Luckily for us, they didn't get the lucky dog since the fans didn't want it.

The drivers just need to get the hang of it and all will be good. Its a learning curve. Imagine if you tossed in standing starts for them too!!!

 

I just don't understand why "proffessional" driver's have problems with doublr file restarts when guys on tracks from 1/4 mile to 5/8's whether asphalt or dirt,open and fendered cars do it every saturday night and make it work.It's all about knowing how much space you have available and knowing how to use it to your advantage and survival to the checkered flag.

 

Exactly.... and they have always done rolling, double file starts. They just have to do more of them per race now.

 

Sad to hear that the body kits are likely not going to be used, at least for the first year of the new car. Car owners citing cost issues. So although its a new Dallara next year, its all the same look once again. The fans being po'd over this is a easily take their side. This is not what we signed up for. Randy Bernard is now in a pickle, piss off the fans or the owners.

 

Its my opinion that for 2012, let them "run what they brung". If that means a team wants to stick with only 1 aero kit, fine. If they want 2, fine. But, by 2013, they better be on board with the program and no more stalling.

Additionally, if a team decides to stick only with the one Dallara aero kit and they get dominated by other teams with multi/other options, no whining allowed.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/indycar/2011-05-05-Scott-Speed-to-run-Indy-500_N.htm

 

Every Hoe these days has a Pin in her Tongue.