Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
IndyCar offseason, what are you doing?
So, the season is over. Awards have been given. NASCAR is still going. What are we all supposed to do?
One thought that has been debated here on IndyCar Garage is whether or not A1GP is a good way to spend the off season of the IndyCar series for an open wheel racing fix. Our own member, Xorpheous, provided an excellent recap of the series (below)
A1GP is a bit of an experiment in motorsports. The formula for the equipment isn't too different; they're using a spec engine/chassis combo, Ferrari for both in their case, and running on a variety of purpose-built road courses. What is different about the series is how the teams are structured. Each team represents a home country so that competition and fan favoritism is played out based on nationalistic preferences rather than individual brand or driver preferences. Because of this similarity to soccer's World Cup, A1GP has taken to using the subtitle, "The World Cup of Motorsports." I must admit that the concept is compelling, but the series has struggled to make much headway worldwide.
This season may change some of that, though. Their new chassis is built by Ferrari and is based on the Ferrari F2005 Formula One chassis. Its a very sexy car, with a very sexy Ferrari engine. One smart thing that A1GP has done is to schedule their season during the off-season of most other major motorsports, excepting of course the Australian V8 Supercar series. This way, it won't conflict with the monstrous F1 machine, or lesser series such as ours, MotoGP, DTM, or NASCAR. Unfortunately, there's no one in the US that covers A1GP live, but you can stream the events live or procure the overseas broadcasts from the racing-underground.com. It really is an interesting series to watch, and a great way to get your open-wheel fix during the off-season.
The series itself is based on an interesting concept - "The World Cup of Motorsport" and is billing itself as an accessible, but glamorous, sport. The teams and drivers compete on a level playing field without financial or technical advantages.
I haven't found any broadcast station here in the US that carries the race (I'm not sure about SpeedTV, seems that they would be the only station that might) but it looks like the series streams the race live on their site. I've also seen a couple other forums where users mention other outlets like TVUPlayer that will stream the races.
The schedule has also seemed to be up in the air to some degree...the latest schedule I can find is below:
A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands
05 October 2008
It's also worth noting that there has been some discussion of AGR joining the A1GP series as Team USA and running with Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick to provide some experience during the IndyCar offseason. Another former AOWR series driver, Robert Doornbos, will also compete in the 2008 season for Team Netherlands.
Feel free to join the discussion on the merits of the A1GP series on IndyCar Garage! While I don't plan to necessarily cover the series in this outlet, I think it's worth noting with all of the open wheel fans around these parts!
One thought that has been debated here on IndyCar Garage is whether or not A1GP is a good way to spend the off season of the IndyCar series for an open wheel racing fix. Our own member, Xorpheous, provided an excellent recap of the series (below)
A1GP is a bit of an experiment in motorsports. The formula for the equipment isn't too different; they're using a spec engine/chassis combo, Ferrari for both in their case, and running on a variety of purpose-built road courses. What is different about the series is how the teams are structured. Each team represents a home country so that competition and fan favoritism is played out based on nationalistic preferences rather than individual brand or driver preferences. Because of this similarity to soccer's World Cup, A1GP has taken to using the subtitle, "The World Cup of Motorsports." I must admit that the concept is compelling, but the series has struggled to make much headway worldwide.
This season may change some of that, though. Their new chassis is built by Ferrari and is based on the Ferrari F2005 Formula One chassis. Its a very sexy car, with a very sexy Ferrari engine. One smart thing that A1GP has done is to schedule their season during the off-season of most other major motorsports, excepting of course the Australian V8 Supercar series. This way, it won't conflict with the monstrous F1 machine, or lesser series such as ours, MotoGP, DTM, or NASCAR. Unfortunately, there's no one in the US that covers A1GP live, but you can stream the events live or procure the overseas broadcasts from the racing-underground.com. It really is an interesting series to watch, and a great way to get your open-wheel fix during the off-season.
The series itself is based on an interesting concept - "The World Cup of Motorsport" and is billing itself as an accessible, but glamorous, sport. The teams and drivers compete on a level playing field without financial or technical advantages.
I haven't found any broadcast station here in the US that carries the race (I'm not sure about SpeedTV, seems that they would be the only station that might) but it looks like the series streams the race live on their site. I've also seen a couple other forums where users mention other outlets like TVUPlayer that will stream the races.
The schedule has also seemed to be up in the air to some degree...the latest schedule I can find is below:
A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands
05 October 2008
09 November 2008
23 November 2008
25 January 2009
A1GP Jakarta, Indonesia
08 February 2009
A1GP Gauteng, South Africa
08 February 2009
A1GP Gauteng, South Africa
22 February 2009
It's also worth noting that there has been some discussion of AGR joining the A1GP series as Team USA and running with Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick to provide some experience during the IndyCar offseason. Another former AOWR series driver, Robert Doornbos, will also compete in the 2008 season for Team Netherlands.
Feel free to join the discussion on the merits of the A1GP series on IndyCar Garage! While I don't plan to necessarily cover the series in this outlet, I think it's worth noting with all of the open wheel fans around these parts!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
10 Questions with Milka Duno
IndyCar Garage’s Tyler Carmichael recently chatted with Dryer and Reinbold’s driver Milka Duno on a variety of topics. Read below to hear what she had to say.
Tell us about yourself, what do you enjoy outside of racing?
I really don’t have a lot of free time available outside of my racing responsibilities, but when I do, I love to visit the beach. I like to give back by visiting schools, Children’s hospitals; I often serve as a guest speaker and talk to young people.
What has been the biggest adjustment on and off the track you've had to make this season?
This year has been a challenge with adjusting to my new team. Everything was new and we are still a very small team. The year has gotten better as I have started to learn from Dryer & Reinbold racing. The condition of my team has continued to get better as the season went on.
What track on the IndyCar Series schedule do you enjoy racing the most?
Indianapolis is always a fun place to visit and my personal favorite. I have enjoyed making a lot of memories at Indy.
This has been a year of first's for you with your debut at The Glen and Kentucky Speedway. How was your first road course experience in an IndyCar at the Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen, then followed by Mid-Ohio? Do you prefer ovals to road courses, or vice versa?
The road courses have been a challenge because I am still adjusting to the track and we didn’t have a strong car. Practice was hard because I was still adjusting to the track. When you don’t know the track very well, it’s hard to adjust.
You have made 11 of 11 scheduled starts this year and have proven to be faster on the track. What has your success been attributed to and what does the future hold for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing next season?
My team has continued to work very hard throughout the year. Our idea is to continue racing Indy Cars and build on our team each year. Robbie Buhl has been a big help as a driver coach and friend. Our engineers work hard week in and week out. It’s great to have so much support.
You are the highest finishing female driver at the 24 hours of Daytona, what does it mean to you to hold a record like this at such a prestigious track?
It’s nice to have a record, but I want to win more races. I want to win a championship. I want to be a part of history.
Obviously, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Indianapolis 500 are two completely different races. You have competed in both, can you describe your experience racing at Daytona and how it compares to running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Daytona is so much different because you have to take care of the car for long period of time. Each driver drives the car differently so adjusting to the car after someone drives it is very tough.
Tell us about your first roll in a major motion picture as Kellie "Gearbox" in the Warner Bros. Speed Racer. Any chance for more acting in the off season?
It was great to be a part of something like Speed Racer. The opportunity presented itself and it was a great honor to be in a movie. I am open to all possibilities.
If you could spend a day at any track with any driver (past or present), what track and what driver would you choose?
Robbie Buhl has been working with me as a driver coach and any time that I am around him I learn something different. I would love to spend another day at Indianapolis with Robbie continue to learn more about the track and how special it is.
We had the pleasure of speaking with you briefly after the Kentucky race. It was apparent you were more than happy to visit with your fans and showed that by staying long after the race was over. We appreciated your time then and now by completing this interview. Do you have any last comments for the dedicated fans of Indycargarage.com?
Thank you for all your support and dedication. It’s very motivating to see all the fans and their support.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Chicago Preview
History:
The Chicagoland Speedway was created by a very diverse group of entrepreneurs and motorsports businessmen including Tony George, Bill France, and Dale Coyne called the Motorsports Alliance. After plans to build the track outside of Plano, Ill fell afoul of Illinois' annexation laws, Dale Coyne, who owns the Route 66 Raceway, suggested that the group take a look at a site nearby his dirt track and drag strip facility. The location near Joliet, just southwest of Chicago, was perfect for the new speedway and operations began in 2001. That first IndyCar race in 2001 was won by Jacques Lazier, but it was the 2002 race that really caught everyone's attention. Sam Hornish, Jr. won by the closest margin ever in the IndyCar Series, finishing ahead of Al Unser, Jr. by only 0.0024 s. When watching the below video of the final laps, note Helio's huge block of Cheever on the backstretch. The more things change...
This racetrack not only produced numerous close finished for the IndyCar Series, but also for the Indy Lights series. Last year, Alex Lloyd lost to his teammate Logan Gomez by the closest margin ever in any motorsports event, 0.0005 s, that's half of a millisecond!
Last Year:
Coming into the Chicagoland race last year, Dario Franchitti led Scott Dixon in the series championship by a mere three points. The championship title fought for all year long by Scott and Dario came down to a single race. Whichever driver finished ahead of the other would be the champion. All race long, the two swapped the lead with Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves, with Sam leading more often than not. In the final laps, though, it was all Scott and Dario with 3rd place Sam Hornish a full lap down. Dario tried repeatedly to find a way to get around Dixon, but to no avail. Then in Turn 4 on the final lap, Dixon's car sputters and loses power. Dario, stunned and amazed, passes the equally stunned and amazed Dixon to claim not only the race win, but the series championship! I don't think I've ever seen as dramatic of a season finale than the 2007. Here's a view from the stands.
Was there other moments of exciting racing during last year's event? Sure there was, but it was all lost in the commotion of that final lap. As it turns out, Scott Dixon's car was about one "beer can's worth of gas" short, as Scott himself put it.
What to Watch:
This year, the championship again depends upon the result of the Chicago race. The margin isn't as close this year as it was last year, with Helio trailing Scott by 30 points. If Dixon finishes 8th or better, the title is his regardless of what Helio does. 8th place should not be any problem at all for Dixon who has absolutely demolished the competition on the 1.5-mile ovals this year. However, this year there will be 28 cars, not 22 cars on the track and two of those cars will be VERY hungry for a win.
This past Tuesday, Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced that in 2009 it was going to replace Dan Wheldon with Dixon's former rival Dario Franchitti. Wheldon will be moving to Panther Racing next year to drive the #4 car, which puts Vitor Meira out in the cold looking for a ride. Both Wheldon and Meira will really take the whip to their cars as they will be racing for a win and nothing else. Wheldon won't try to impede Dixon in any way, but I wouldn't look for him to go out of his way to help, either. Vitor, already an aggressive driver as he showed at Indy this year, will push his car even more this race. Whatever happens, its bound to be interesting.
As has become tradition, there will be a couple of new drivers to get a ride for the final race of the year. Driving the #41 of AJ Foyt Racing will be Frank Perera, winner of the Firestone Indy Lights race in Sonoma, and former driver of the #34 IndyCar Series car for Conquest Racing before being replaced by Jaime Camara because of sponsorship issues. The #36 car of Conquest Racing will feature Alex Tagliani with Enrique Bernoldi still on the sidelines with an injured thumb.
Returning to the racetrack this Sunday are the two part-time operations of Luzco Dragon Racing with Tomas Scheckter in the #12 Symantec car, and Sarah Fisher as owner/driver of the #67 Dollar General car for Sarah Fisher Racing. Both teams are hopeful of at least expanding their operations for next year if not running a full season. This is the last opportunity for them to make a positive impression at the track for their potential sponsors. A lot of people will be really hanging it out there on Sunday, so expect a very action packed race!
The Chicagoland Speedway was created by a very diverse group of entrepreneurs and motorsports businessmen including Tony George, Bill France, and Dale Coyne called the Motorsports Alliance. After plans to build the track outside of Plano, Ill fell afoul of Illinois' annexation laws, Dale Coyne, who owns the Route 66 Raceway, suggested that the group take a look at a site nearby his dirt track and drag strip facility. The location near Joliet, just southwest of Chicago, was perfect for the new speedway and operations began in 2001. That first IndyCar race in 2001 was won by Jacques Lazier, but it was the 2002 race that really caught everyone's attention. Sam Hornish, Jr. won by the closest margin ever in the IndyCar Series, finishing ahead of Al Unser, Jr. by only 0.0024 s. When watching the below video of the final laps, note Helio's huge block of Cheever on the backstretch. The more things change...
This racetrack not only produced numerous close finished for the IndyCar Series, but also for the Indy Lights series. Last year, Alex Lloyd lost to his teammate Logan Gomez by the closest margin ever in any motorsports event, 0.0005 s, that's half of a millisecond!
Last Year:
Coming into the Chicagoland race last year, Dario Franchitti led Scott Dixon in the series championship by a mere three points. The championship title fought for all year long by Scott and Dario came down to a single race. Whichever driver finished ahead of the other would be the champion. All race long, the two swapped the lead with Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves, with Sam leading more often than not. In the final laps, though, it was all Scott and Dario with 3rd place Sam Hornish a full lap down. Dario tried repeatedly to find a way to get around Dixon, but to no avail. Then in Turn 4 on the final lap, Dixon's car sputters and loses power. Dario, stunned and amazed, passes the equally stunned and amazed Dixon to claim not only the race win, but the series championship! I don't think I've ever seen as dramatic of a season finale than the 2007. Here's a view from the stands.
Was there other moments of exciting racing during last year's event? Sure there was, but it was all lost in the commotion of that final lap. As it turns out, Scott Dixon's car was about one "beer can's worth of gas" short, as Scott himself put it.
What to Watch:
This year, the championship again depends upon the result of the Chicago race. The margin isn't as close this year as it was last year, with Helio trailing Scott by 30 points. If Dixon finishes 8th or better, the title is his regardless of what Helio does. 8th place should not be any problem at all for Dixon who has absolutely demolished the competition on the 1.5-mile ovals this year. However, this year there will be 28 cars, not 22 cars on the track and two of those cars will be VERY hungry for a win.
This past Tuesday, Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced that in 2009 it was going to replace Dan Wheldon with Dixon's former rival Dario Franchitti. Wheldon will be moving to Panther Racing next year to drive the #4 car, which puts Vitor Meira out in the cold looking for a ride. Both Wheldon and Meira will really take the whip to their cars as they will be racing for a win and nothing else. Wheldon won't try to impede Dixon in any way, but I wouldn't look for him to go out of his way to help, either. Vitor, already an aggressive driver as he showed at Indy this year, will push his car even more this race. Whatever happens, its bound to be interesting.
As has become tradition, there will be a couple of new drivers to get a ride for the final race of the year. Driving the #41 of AJ Foyt Racing will be Frank Perera, winner of the Firestone Indy Lights race in Sonoma, and former driver of the #34 IndyCar Series car for Conquest Racing before being replaced by Jaime Camara because of sponsorship issues. The #36 car of Conquest Racing will feature Alex Tagliani with Enrique Bernoldi still on the sidelines with an injured thumb.
Returning to the racetrack this Sunday are the two part-time operations of Luzco Dragon Racing with Tomas Scheckter in the #12 Symantec car, and Sarah Fisher as owner/driver of the #67 Dollar General car for Sarah Fisher Racing. Both teams are hopeful of at least expanding their operations for next year if not running a full season. This is the last opportunity for them to make a positive impression at the track for their potential sponsors. A lot of people will be really hanging it out there on Sunday, so expect a very action packed race!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
alt="Subscribe to IndyCar Garage on your mobile phone" title="Subscribe to IndyCar Garage on your mobile phone">