OT: Racing 2007 (Spoiler Alert)

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:11 am

I think Toyota is going to make a huge play for Alonso; they have the cash to make a large "transfer fee" proposal for him and are desperate for a real top-line driver instead of simply paying a driver like Ralfie as if he's a top shoe.

NASCAR has now parked drivers twice for Cup races after transgressions in the Busch Series. I think he acted like a spoiled brat by spinning out Ambrose, but Robby Gordon was absolutely f*cked by NASCAR yesterday.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:50 pm

Rodster wrote:I have my suspicions that Ferrari may work out some deal with McLaren to trade Kimi for Alonso. Kimi is too quiet doesn't give a crap about nothing and just wants to race.

Not a chance in the world, mate.

First, relations between Ferrari and McLaren never have been frostier than now due to the "Stepneygate" scandal. Ferrari is considering legal action against McLaren due to the exoneration of McLaren by the FIA.

Second, Ron Dennis does not like Raikkonen or his lazy attitude, and the feeling is mutual. The Ron was more than happy to see Kimi go after last season.

Take care,
PK

CrazyPsycho · Post by **CrazyPsycho** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:25 pm

Crazy IRL race today, with a huge accident marring the race. Dario and Dixon are very lucky dudes. Dario must have been 5-10 feet in the air, and nearly landed right on top of Dixon. It's amazing how far the safety has come along over the years.

There was only seven cars running at the end. I thought it was Danica's time to win, but she got a flat tire with about 10 to go. She had the car to do it too.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:04 pm

CrazyPsycho wrote:Crazy IRL race today, with a huge accident marring the race. Dario and Dixon are very lucky dudes. Dario must have been 5-10 feet in the air, and nearly landed right on top of Dixon. It's amazing how far the safety has come along over the years.

There was only seven cars running at the end. I thought it was Danica's time to win, but she got a flat tire with about 10 to go. She had the car to do it too.

5-10 feet? Try 20. That was NUTS. I think Wheldon is guilty -- he definitely moved up on Dario.

No way Danica would have passed TK on the outside for the win. He would have eaten her alive. He's forgotten more tricks than she knows. He would have held the low line and inched up on her just enough to make her push up the track or lift slightly.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:23 pm

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ ... 0456.shtml

Alonso coy about commitment to McLaren

Fernando Alonso on Sunday refused to commit to honouring the full three year term of his McLaren contract.

Asked by Spanish reporters in Budapest whether he will still be racing for Dennis' outfit in 2008 and 2009, 26-year-old Alonso replied: "I don't know, I don't know. We will see."

One such reporter enquired as to whether it would be a fair comment to surmise that he expected to be treated differently by McLaren this year after arriving as a twice world champion.

"Very fair. That is absolutely true," Alonso said.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:47 am

The Crash (yes, it deserves proper noun treatment) and highlights of the race of the year so far in the IndyCar Series:

<object width="440" height="361"><param name="movie" value="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/pla ... 8"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/pla ... Id=2962488" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" width="440" height="361"/></object>

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:09 pm

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ ... 0214.shtml

"The Italian newspaper Tuttosport claims that Ferrari team principal Jean Todt is keen to woo championship leader, rookie and Ron Dennis-protégé Lewis Hamilton -- with the promise of a (US) $35 million per year contract.

The newspaper said 22-year-old Hamilton could become the "genuine successor" to Michael Schumacher, after "neither Massa nor Raikkonen applied the talent" that the retired seven-time world champion did.

Tuttosport added that Hamilton is "talented, focused, fast, victorious and hungry."

Todt, however, dismissed the rumour as "untrue speculation" before leaving the Hungaroring on Sunday."

I think Hamilton would look great in Ferrari Red.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:16 pm

Marcos Ambrose is going will be behind the wheel of a second Robby Gordon Racing Ford this weekend at Watkins Glen. If he makes the race, it'll be Marcos' Cup debut.

Not a bad payback from last weekend.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:23 am

Dave wrote:Marcos Ambrose is going will be behind the wheel of a second Robby Gordon Racing Ford this weekend at Watkins Glen. If he makes the race, it'll be Marcos' Cup debut.

Not a bad payback from last weekend.

I REALLY like Ambrose and have followed him a bit since he came to America last year.

Ambrose was THE megastar of the Aussie V8 Supercar Series and had won the 2003 and 2004 Supercar titles in a Ford, breaking Holden's long string of domination. He was making very good coin in Australia's very popular version of NASCAR (albeit all on road courses), but he yearned for a new challenge.

So Ambrose asked Ford for help to come to America and run NASCAR. He ran Craftsman Trucks last year and climbed to Busch this year. He has been a steadily improving hand who has gained respect in the garage area for being a clean, hard racer who also, by all accounts I've read, is a very nice guy.

Ambrose also is the highest-ranked non-NEXTEL Cup driver in the Busch Series points this season, quite an accomplishment.

I'm cheering for Ambrose to do well. I have no problem with the growing international look of NASCAR. I don't care where hot shoes come from if they can drive, and Ambrose can drive.

Plus you've got to love a guy whose quote about the situation includes this:

"Well, they say that America is the land of opportunity and I guess this is proof of that,” said Ambrose.

“A bit of old outback Australian culture involved playing a game of Australian football, having a fight and then heading to the pub together for a beer – I guess this is a bit like that."

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:24 pm

Breaking news - McLaren disqualified Team excluded from F1 seasons 2007, 2008

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ ... 0240.shtml

"McLaren Mercedes has been disqualified from the 2007 and 2008 world championships, according to the first reports from the now concluded World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris.

Few details are currently available.

More details to follow..."

All I can say is whoa if this is true. I wonder what impact it will have on the Sport, Sponsors and Alonzo who will probably leave McLaren. There was also rumors that Halimton could lose his super license for not cooperating with the FIA.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:32 pm

The verdict isn't out yet - various news sites have reported in error and are backtracking even as I type. Might well turn out that way, mind, and it's been the outcome many have forecast for a while.

However - not even the FIA are dumb enough to take away the Super Licence of one of their star attractions. Surely. Surely?

Edit: Something a little more concrete from a more reliable source:

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40651

Disqualified from the '07 constructors, fined $100 mil, but no sanctions for either driver, according to that.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:51 pm

Man, Ron Dennis has really gone gray this season. Not surprising, considering all the stress and aggro he has encountered.

I think a ban from the Constructors' championship and a fine is a fair penalty. The drivers shouldn't be penalized due to the sins of the back room staff.

Plus the only race the public gives a sh*t about is the Drivers Championship. So at least the FIA is putting the fan first, for a change.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:21 pm

pk500 wrote:Man, Ron Dennis has really gone gray this season. Not surprising, considering all the stress and aggro he has encountered.

Dead right. It's not often that something gives me cause to feel extremely sorry for Ron Dennis, but from what's been revealed about this entire case so far, not to mention the other controversies he's had to take the brunt of, I find it very difficult to feel anything but sympathy for the poor bugger.

Unrelatedly, if anyone could point me to a video of the last few laps at Chicagoland on Sunday. that'd be ace.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:40 pm

GB_Simo wrote:Dead right. It's not often that something gives me cause to feel extremely sorry for Ron Dennis, but from what's been revealed about this entire case so far, not to mention the other controversies he's had to take the brunt of, I find it very difficult to feel anything but sympathy for the poor bugger.

Well said. Agree wholeheartedly.

GB_Simo wrote:Unrelatedly, if anyone could point me to a video of the last few laps at Chicagoland on Sunday. that'd be ace.

Right here, dude:

http://www.indycar.com/multimedia/videos/

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:34 pm

If the rumors swirling this weekend are true, Fernando Alonso is the biggest b*tch in the paddock.

His move on Hamilton at the start of the race today was quite unsporting as well. Unfortunately Alonso is showing his true colors as he comes under pressure from a teammate for the first time, I have no respect at all for him at this point.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:40 pm

Yup i've gotten to really dislike Alonzo with what he's done this season. I read that he threatened Ron Dennis that if he was not the number 1 driver he was going to snitch to the FIA about Ferrari emails he received from Pedro De La Rosa. Dennis told him go ahead if you want.

So Ron called the FIA to beat Fernando to the punch and that's supposedly how McLaren found it's way back in front of the WMSC.

I don't see how Fernando can be part of McLaren next year.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:59 pm

I agree, how do you bring that little b*tch back to your team? And as Matchett et al said on Speed this weekend, how do the mechanics feel about preparing and pitting his car?

Bad news for you, Alonso--you should research the history of teams you are planning on joining. If McLaren refused to grant Alain Prost or Ayrton Senna a true #1 driver standing, they probably won't do it for you, either. Fernando has been the fastest driver over the past month or so, but his precious little psyche has been damaged greatly by Hamilton taking it to him to start the season.

The more I read about this case, the worse I feel for McLaren's team outside of the offending employee, de la Rosa, and Alonso. The FIA, IMO, is striking back at Ron Dennis for his part in the proposed breakaway series from a few years ago.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:58 pm

Alonzo is a spoiled brat. I thought I read that it was down to him and Kimi at Ferrari and they both had a verbal agreement for Alonzo to come over to Ferrari and all of a sudden they get word he signed with McLaren which pissed off the Ferrari brass big time. So they ended up with Kimi.

Where I don't blame Alonzo is for seeking an exit from Renault. There were rumors there was going to be a big shake up and they might have left F1 altogether. So that's what made Alonzo a little nervous and made him look for another seat.

Right now my guess is all this McLaren "everything is fine with Alonzo" talk is just PR speak. When the season is over my guess is they will let him leave to Renault for a price and fill his seat with another driver. Just a hunch based on no facts.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:21 pm

I watched the ITV race and you can tell by Alonzo's opening move on Hamilton it's every man for himself. The race commentator also mentioned that he thinks Alonzo is no longer sharing information with Hamilton. Which might be why Alonzo is closing the gap to Hamilton as well as Lewis not showing the pace he had at the beginning of the season.

The last thing they mentioned during the race is they think it's a foregone conclusion that Alonzo is going back to Renault and Rosberg might go to McLaren.

Kimi was on it during the whole race. Lets see if Kimi and Ferrari can close the gap even further in the next two races where the longer wheelbase Ferrari is better suited for those two tracks.

Smurfy · Post by **Smurfy** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:22 pm

I'm in the minority here. I think Alonso deserves this year's title more than Hamilton does. Personally, I think Kimi is the fastest of them all and either one of them would be a deserving champ.

As far as Alonso's move at the start of the race goes, it's a few races from the end of the season and the championship is on the line. Hamilton is his main rival and neither Mclaren driver should be expected to take any prisoners at this point. I wouldn't have expected any different from Senna, Mansell, or Schumacher. Heck, look at how much Hamilton has weaved in the middle of the track this season - If his name were Schumacher, the British press would be all over him for it.

Hamilton benefitted earlier in the season from Alonso's help and now that Hamilton wants to compete in full with Alonso it's time to cut the cord. So I don't think it's wrong for Alonso to share less data now. If anything, this is the kind of experience that could turn Hamilton into a complete driver (and he's close to being one already).

That being said, I think Hamilton is a fantastic talent. I'm sure he'll be a deserving champion in the future. Actually, I find Hamilton to be the closest thing to another Schumacher than either Kimi or Fernando.

Besides, how many lovable Formula One champions do you know of?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:19 am

Smurfy wrote:Besides, how many lovable Formula One champions do you know of?

Jim Clark. The most humble gentleman ever to win the World Championship, by most accounts.

And how could you dislike James Hunt? Smoked like an exhaust header, drank like the village drunk and shagged endless birds yet still won the 1976 world title. Hero! Those were the days ...

Recently, Damon Hill was a likable guy when he was winning titles. He became a baby during his last year with Jordan, but he was likable in 1996. Hakkinen wasn't colorful, but I don't know anyone who disliked him. He was ethical on track.

But I see your point, Smurf: There wasn't much to like with Schumacher, Senna, J. Villeneuve, Mansell, Prost or Piquet. Respect? Yes. Like? No.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:44 am

I guess the reason i'm so soured on Alonzo and I wouldn't trust anything the SOB says or does is because he threatened to throw his Boss under the bus if he wasn't made the primary driver.

Sure most F1 champions are ruthless and cut throat but Alonzo's email shows he wanted an edge on Ferrari and wanted as much info on the Red Cars for this years title defense. It was only when he had a falling out within the team did he threaten Ron Dennis. So Ron decided to inform the FIA of what was going on.

Ron certainly isn't blameless in all of this since he's the teams principal but Alonzo takes the cake in his willingness to fire the first shot into the ships hull. Amazing stuff and good riddance to him if he goes to Renault next year which is looking more likely everyday now.

I'm a Ferrari fan and would love to see Kimi pul it off followed by Lewis. At this point anybody but Fernando.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:59 am

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ ... 4702.shtml

Alonso 'talks' to wait until season end - Haug
Driver market halted and awaiting Alonso

"Norbert Haug has hinted that McLaren-Mercedes may be prepared to let Fernando Alonso leave the team at the end of the season.

Amid claims of blackmail and threats, the Spaniard's already troubled relationship with the Woking-based team hit a new low at the height of the espionage scandal.

Following the recent Belgian Grand Prix, it was reported by the German newspaper Bild that lawyers for the team had now started work on ending 26-year-old Alonso's contract early.

Team boss Ron Dennis gave the first hint about McLaren's willingness to negotiate with Alonso in a press conference following the espionage verdict in Paris.

Referring to the team's agreements with its current drivers, he said last week: "If there is any variation to those contracts, it will be by mutual agreements."

Mercedes' Competition Director Haug also commented on the story to Bild.

The German said: "If a driver does not want to stay, we have to sit down and talk about it. But it is perhaps the wrong moment in the middle of the championship fight."

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:31 pm

Junior's new rides for 2008:

Ugly, ugly race cars. That's the problem with rides sharing primary sponsors.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:53 pm

Those are some butt ugly cars. Hopefully when Junior starts to win the paint schemes won't matter.