OT: Racing 2007 (Spoiler Alert)

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun May 27, 2007 10:27 pm

Great win today for Dario! All those yellows on restarts made me think I was watching the DSP 500??? Can't those guys keep off the wall?

Places were shuffling around like crazy after pit stops. All in all, a pretty decent race, but all the yellows and the rain almost ruined things. Not the most memorable Indy 500 ever, but pretty entertaining anyway.

Post by **Jared** » Sun May 27, 2007 11:06 pm

Neck,

First time watching your videos....fun stuff...look forward to more.

And I have a question for you Indy Car folk...why is it that teams can only use (and get ready for me to butcher some terms) the full gas mix or the really light mix, as opposed to having a range of settings in the past?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:15 pm

Jared wrote:Neck,

First time watching your videos....fun stuff...look forward to more.

And I have a question for you Indy Car folk...why is it that teams can only use (and get ready for me to butcher some terms) the full gas mix or the really light mix, as opposed to having a range of settings in the past?

Because Honda caught a team cheating during the first week of Indy, injecting methanol into the ethanol mix to gain more power. As punishment, Honda removed the multiple fuel settings from every car.

I like it. Puts fuel economy back at the mercy of the driver's right foot, where it belongs.

Take care,
PK

Post by **Jared** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:43 pm

Thanks for the info PK. Watched the whole race...it was definitely exciting to watch.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 29, 2007 3:18 pm

From ESPN PR:

For Immediate Release

May 29, 2007

Indianapolis 500 an Instant Classic; ESPN Classic to Re-Air Thursday

ESPN Classic will re-air Sunday’s dramatic Indianapolis 500 as an Instant Classic with a two-hour telecast at 4 p.m. ET Thursday.

The 91st running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” won by the popular Dario Franchitti, ranks as one of the best in the storied history of the event. It featured dramatic moments, including several lead changes throughout the rain-delayed race, which ended under caution 34 laps shy of the scheduled distance.

Among the highlights was Marco Andretti's quest to overcome last year's heartbreaking loss to Sam Hornish Jr. on the last lap. On Sunday, Andretti flipped down the backstretch near the end of the race. Other highlights included Danica Patrick's run, which put her in second place late in the race before she finished eighth, and veteran Michael Andretti telling the ESPN on ABC audience that the race would be his last Indy 500 start.

-30-

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:27 am

Good weekend of racing

SPEED
Sat. June 16
7:30 am Le Mans Test Day
8:00 am Le Mans Pre-Qualifying
8:30 am 24 Hours of Le Mans The Start (LIVE)
11:00 am Formula One Practice & Qualifying United States Grand Prix
5:30 pm 24 Hours of Le Mans (LIVE)
8:00 pm 24 Hours of Le Mans Night Into Day (LIVE)

Sun June,17
12:00 am 24 Hours of Le Mans Day Racing (LIVE)
6:00 am 24 Hours of Le Mans The Finish (LIVE)

FOX
1:00pm Formula One Racing:United States Grand Prix

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:19 pm

DChaps wrote: FOX
1:00pm Formula One Racing:United States Grand Prix

An added bonus, it's being aired in FOX Enhanced Widescreen, or whatever they call it.

Basically 16:9 ratio 480p SD.

Not high def, but much better than what we're used to (4:3 480i SD).

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:49 pm

Definitely appreciated the enhanced broadcast by Fox, a very welcome surprise.

What else is there to say about Lewis Hamilton? What an unbelievable, electric start to his career. I haven't been this excited for F1 races since Montoya's rookie year and Lewis is bringing the goods more than JPM ever did. The kid earned the win today, refusing to give in to Alonso the only time the reigning WC could get close enough to attempt a pass.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:09 pm

Hamilton is simply electrifying. The kid has "it" -- that unquantifiable talent and charisma of a megastar.

The move he put on Alonso today on Lap 39 when Alonso tried to pass on the outside entering Turn 1 was BRILLIANT. Lewis moved to the inside, giving Alonso the outside line, just before the braking point, saying, "Here, champ, if you have the balls and the skill to pass me on the outside, go ahead."

Well, Lewis damn well knew that it's almost geometrically impossible to pass on the outside of Turn 1 from the braking point against a car of similar speed at Indy. He was just teasing and taunting a two-time defending World Champion, making him look silly.

What's even more impressive about Hamilton is that he is an exceedingly nice kid who is very grounded. Not by F1 standards, but by everyday human standards.

A few examples. Hamilton raced against Indy Pro Series (the Busch Series of the IRL) points leader Alex Lloyd in England about four years ago. They were friends. Lewis hadn't seen much of Alex since then because their racing paths went different ways.

But when Lloyd came off the podium this morning after finishing second in the Indy Pro Series race at Indy, Hamilton was at the bottom step, waiting for him to congratulate him and catch up. This was just 3 1/2 hours before Lewis' race, and I can't imagine any other F1 driver doing that.

During the F1 podium ceremony, Lewis gave Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chairman Mari Hulman George a warm hug after she presented him with the winner's trophy. I have worked all eight USGP's at Indy, and I never saw prior winners Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello (a nice guy, though) and Mika Hakkinen do more than politely shake Mari's hand after accepting the trophy.

This kid is an exploding supernova right before our eyes. It's simply amazing that the statistically greatest driver of all time, Michael Schumacher, is all but forgotten in the F1 press room and paddock just nine months after his retirement. It's all Lewis, all the time now in F1. He's all anyone talks about in the press room and paddock.

It's almost impossible to dislike this kid. Simply incredible. The polar opposite of Kimi Raikkonen, who might be the biggest dick in racing right now.

Lewis is pure class as a sportsman and a person. And only 22 years old!

Take care,
PK

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:40 pm

It's exciting.

After the race I switch over to the US Open before I had to run out of the house and some of the english players were rooting for Hamilton in a true "british/english" way. That was cool.

Anyway I hope he doesn't turn into a Tiger Woods type of mentality. Dominant in his sport but still very cold and reserved. It's not like he's a bad guy but it's the type of mentality where they know there are the best and lose some of the down to earth attitude.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:00 pm

Hamilton is the guy who could make everyone forget about all the infighting and backstabbing that seems a constant in F1. He is exciting to watch, and doesn't seem intimidated in the least by his teammate. And to be able to do it while still being a clean racer is fantastic.

My favorite thing about him? When asked how he is handling all his new success (and the money that goes along with it), he replied that it will enable to him to take care of his brother, who has cerebral palsy, for the rest of his life. I mean wow... this kid is more mature than I am and he's only 22.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:31 am

He's very level headed man when you hear him on interviews. Well balanced for a twenty two year old guy, and to be on the podium on all the races so far he's raced while being a rookie is outstanding. How much quicker he could be next year when he really knows all the courses and its tendencies?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:53 pm

VERY interesting, detailed story by Peter Windsor about what makes Lewis Hamilton's driving style so special:

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/38234/

Windsor describes Lewis' approach to certain corners at various tracks through the first few races of the season. A really good read.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:52 pm

Thanks for the link, PK, that was a great article that probably did more to further my understanding of the wicked abilities of a modern F1 driver than anything else I've read.

I don't have much of a first-hand (on TV) reference base, but from reading that, Hamilton is in the Prost/Schumacher school of smooth drivers instead of the ridiculously ragged and fast Senna/G. Villeneuve category.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:45 am

Well according to Tony G. and the Indy Star, the USGP is on thin ice and as Tony says "it's a coin flip" whether or not it will be back in 2008 for it's ninth season. Tony also said that under the current contract he would not sign another contract because it doesn't bring no where near the money that the I500 or Brickyard 400 pulls in.

It's been reported that Bernie Eccelstone went to Las Vegas and is trying to get a street race over there like Champ Car did this year. Good luck Bernie and I hope they show you the street with a foot up your @ss.

I may be in the minority but I hope Tony gives Bernie a foot up his @ss too. I dislike that little man saying we were not worthy of a USGP because we didn't do enough.

If F1 offered the racing excitement it gave back in the 70's, 80's and early 90's then I would care. It's a high tech parade for the most part so good riddance F1. Hopefully the US will be the first country to tell Bernie Eccelstone "shove it".

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:26 pm

I'm not a Tony George fan, but there is no doubt that he busted his ass to get F1 over here, and did a fantastic job as well. The weekends I went to the the USGP were some of the best racing weekends I've ever had.

And as a thank you Bernie the living Troll Doll insults US fans, insults US drivers, and helps stage the biggest most embarrasing mess in the history of F1 (which only happened because the US doesn't matter in F1's eyes).

There's too much good racing out there to waste all the time and energy on F1. Tony should get A1GP to come to Indy, those races are actually competitive, and a lot of fun to watch. Plus MotoGP is going there too.

I hope Bernie has a good time in Vegas, loses all his cash playing Black Jack, and has to spend the rest of his life selling turkey legs to NASCAR fans.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:00 pm

Well said and i'm not the biggest TG fan either but i've learned to bury the hatchet a long time ago. TG did bust his butt and did a damn fine job hosting the USGP.

The F1 fiasco a few couple ago still stinks IMO. Bernie should be grateful Tony was willing to put up with his troll @ss for so long. His MO might work in Europe but here in the US we basically don't give a f*** whether F1 stays or goes. I seriously doubt Las Vegas will tear up their streets like they did for Champ Car just so he can bring his parade every year.

I would love to see A1GP or MotoGP here as the product is much more exciting than F1. The problem with MotoGP if i'm not mistaken is that Bernie and the F1 has something to say where it shows up.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:29 pm

I saw somewhere that MotoGP is a done deal, they are supposed to be there starting next year. Wish I could remember where I read it, may have been on the Speed TV site.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:27 pm

Yeah the last I heard they were trying to get the MotoGP at Indy. If what you heard is true then that's truly awesome news as the best and most exciting racing for me is in the MotoGP.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:42 am

Gurantsu wrote:I saw somewhere that MotoGP is a done deal, they are supposed to be there starting next year. Wish I could remember where I read it, may have been on the Speed TV site.

MotoGP at Indy? Blah. The turn 1 banking would be just too weird on a MotoGP bike. They're just fine where they are at, Laguna Seca rocks as a MotoGP track (btw, they race there in 3 weeks for those not paying attention).

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:07 am

Rodster wrote:His MO might work in Europe but here in the US we basically don't give a f*** whether F1 stays or goes. I seriously doubt Las Vegas will tear up their streets like they did for Champ Car just so he can bring his parade every year.

I would love to see A1GP or MotoGP here as the product is much more exciting than F1. The problem with MotoGP if i'm not mistaken is that Bernie and the F1 has something to say where it shows up.

I think Bernie has some kind of contract or involvement with Dorna, the Moto GP promoters, though I've long since forgotten the details of it and don't know that it still holds. As far as the Grand Prix, if the good folk of the USA don't give a whatever whether F1 stays or goes, and just about every manufacturer who could gain something from racing in the USA has a presence in IRL or NASCAR or wherever that's of more benefit to them, then I wonder how concerned the teams themselves would be if the race was lost? Thinking out loud and no more, and they do after all go where Bernie tells them when Bernie tells them to. I don't know about a race in Vegas either, but more for reasons of apathy than anything - granted that it was 25 years ago, F1 has already raced in Vegas twice without generating any great amount of interest.

Grant, I read the Indy Moto GP story too and can't recall where either - if memory serves, the article I saw stated that they were laying some new tarmac in the infield allowing the bikes to avoid the banked oval turns, and the F1 teams were to use that track too were they to return.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:15 am

Oh, and since I've mentioned IndyCar, where has Dario's upturn in fortunes came from? He hasn't looked in this kind of form for years - the specialist media here are already marking him out as champion-elect, which seems very premature to me, but he's in with a real shot and that's not something I'd have tipped in pre-season.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:01 pm

My lips are sealed regarding MGP at Indy.

As for Dario, no one on AGR sets up an Indy car better than Dario now that Bryan Herta has gone to ALMS. I think Dario is reaping the benefits of that engineering-driven approach, especially in this age of spec chassis and engines for the series.

Dario also is driving exceedingly well, taking what the car gives him. He also seems to be missing a lot of the wrecks and mechanical problems that plagued him in the past.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:28 pm

pk500 wrote:My lips are sealed regarding MGP at Indy.

Take care,
PK

Let us know when you can say something about either the USGP or MGP.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:44 pm

Rodster wrote:
pk500 wrote:My lips are sealed regarding MGP at Indy.

Take care,
PK
Let us know when you can say something about either the USGP or MGP.

You'll read or hear about it the same time I can say anything. I like my job, I really do ...

Take care,
PK