OT: Racing 2009 (Spoiler Alert)

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:46 am

Ferrari unveils the worst-kept secret in F1: Alonso signs a three-year contract with the Scuderia, starting in 2010.

I'm sure everyone is bowled over with shock.

Ferrari announced its 2010 lineup of Alonso and Massa as race drivers and Fisichella as reserve driver.

The announcement of Raikkonen back to McLaren should be imminent.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:50 am

Am I the only one who is beyond tired of reading about Jacques Villeneuve complaining about "boring" current F1 drivers and proclaiming that he has various deals in the works for next season?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79058

What has this guy done in racing since 1997? NOTHING. Zero. Nada. Granted, he wasn't in great equipment after '97, but I've rarely seen a guy keep the microphone and spotlight for so long after doing so little. Craig Pollock and tobacco money kept this guy in the upper echelon into this decade, not the flashes of talent he showed for just two seasons in the best car on the grid.

And what F1 team is going to put this delusional clown and his almost-certain inflated salary demands into a seat in 2010 unless it's one of the new teams seeking a big publicity gimmick?

The media loves this guy because of his last name and because of memories of his father, who was 10 times the driver his son ever was or will be.

Maybe JV and Dale Earnhardt Jr. should spend some time together. They have a lot in common.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:45 am

pk500 wrote:Ferrari unveils the worst-kept secret in F1: Alonso signs a three-year contract with the Scuderia, starting in 2010.

I'm sure everyone is bowled over with shock.

Ferrari announced its 2010 lineup of Alonso and Massa as race drivers and Fisichella as reserve driver.

The announcement of Raikkonen back to McLaren should be imminent.

Take care,
PK

What Alonso signs with Ferrari? I'm shocked.

As for Mr. Jacques, he's a has been who couldn't cut it at BMW Sauber and now thinks he's good enough for another drive? Pa-leeeeeze.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:53 pm

In fairness to Jacques, some of his performances through 1998 and 1999 were pretty good, and he wasn't so far behind Nick Heidfeld at BMW Sauber. However, "I was pretty quick a decade ago and was only slightly slower than Nick Heidfeld three years ago" isn't that much of a sales pitch.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:57 pm

GB_Simo wrote:In fairness to Jacques

I'll admit, that's a concept I can't quite muster.

Villeneuve has gone out of his way in the last decade or so to trash the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series as second-rate.

Without his victory in the 1995 Indianapolis 500, Villeneuve would have just been a famous racing last name. That victory firmly placed him on the international motorsports map, yet he treats it with about the same respect as a Formula Vee win at Mosport.

That's why I have no love lost for that guy.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:49 pm

PK, I recall reading before that you're not overly fond of him for that reason. As a far-distant observer with no connection to the series or the Speedway, I kind of understand what he means, but I can't see any connection between the weakened ICS and Indy 500 just after he left US open-wheel racing and the all-CART, all-singing all-dancing 1995 event he won.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:01 pm

GB_Simo wrote:PK, I recall reading before that you're not overly fond of him for that reason. As a far-distant observer with no connection to the series or the Speedway, I kind of understand what he means, but I can't see any connection between the weakened ICS and Indy 500 just after he left US open-wheel racing and the all-CART, all-singing all-dancing 1995 event he won.

He continued his criticism even after Ganassi, Penske and AGR (nee Team Green) left CART for the IRL in 2003.

Hell, I bet I could find a few quotes from him bagging on the race and the series last year, even after reunification.

Sure, while it's obvious the 500 didn't have the depth of field or the marquee names in the years immediately after his victory, JV certainly shows little respect for the race that catapulted him to international stardom. Senor Montoya displayed many of the same qualities right after his victory, too, but he has been pretty effusive in his praise of the 500 since he returned to America to run NASCAR.

Take care,
PK

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:01 pm

Does anyone out there truly care what JV has to say any more? Any time I see an interview with him his remarks can be summed up as, "I'm great. Blah, blah, blah, blah..."

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:36 am

toonarmy wrote:Does anyone out there truly care what JV has to say any more? Any time I see an interview with him his remarks can be summed up as, "I'm great. Blah, blah, blah, blah..."

Perfectly said, dude!

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:57 am

pk500 wrote:
toonarmy wrote:Does anyone out there truly care what JV has to say any more? Any time I see an interview with him his remarks can be summed up as, "I'm great. Blah, blah, blah, blah..."
Perfectly said, dude!

Take care,
PK

Gilles was totally the opposite, an example, a model, died too young.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:20 am

It's official: Team Texas in MotoGP in 2010, as Ben Spies will join Colin Edwards at Yamaha Tech 3!

Take care,
PK

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:10 pm

Awesome news about Tech 3.

In other news, Autosport caught Kimi in an unusually talkative mood. No surprises here -- he might or might not throw in the towel on F1 after this season, and he might or might not be in the WRC next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79082

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:13 pm

Double Post

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:14 pm

toonarmy wrote:Awesome news about Tech 3.

In other news, Autosport caught Kimi in an unusually talkative mood. No surprises here -- he might or might not throw in the towel on F1 after this season, and he might or might not be in the WRC next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79082

Isn't Fiat in the WRC? Pardon my ignorance as I haven't kept up with it in the last few years. If so it would be in Ferrari's or Fiat's best interest to put Kimi in the WRC. I think he would do very well.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:17 pm

Rodster wrote:
toonarmy wrote:Awesome news about Tech 3.

In other news, Autosport caught Kimi in an unusually talkative mood. No surprises here -- he might or might not throw in the towel on F1 after this season, and he might or might not be in the WRC next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79082
Isn't Fiat in the WRC? Pardon my ignorance as I haven't kept up with it in the last few years. If so it would be in Ferrari's or Fiat's best interest to put Kimi in the WRC. I think he would do very well.

No, Fiat is not in the WRC. But it's rumored to be starting a WRC program.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:23 pm

Thanks, they should start their program and put Kimi in a car.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:31 pm

Rodster wrote:
toonarmy wrote:Awesome news about Tech 3.

In other news, Autosport caught Kimi in an unusually talkative mood. No surprises here -- he might or might not throw in the towel on F1 after this season, and he might or might not be in the WRC next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79082
Isn't Fiat in the WRC? Pardon my ignorance as I haven't kept up with it in the last few years. If so it would be in Ferrari's or Fiat's best interest to put Kimi in the WRC. I think he would do very well.

I agree that Kimi would do well in the WRC. He would give the WRC a much-needed shot in the arm as well. I sure hope he stays in F1, though. It would be a very interesting pairing if he goes to McLaren with Lewis. My gut tells me he will be back in F1 next season.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:38 pm

toonarmy wrote: I agree that Kimi would do well in the WRC. He would give the WRC a much-needed shot in the arm as well. I sure hope he stays in F1, though. It would be a very interesting pairing if he goes to McLaren with Lewis. My gut tells me he will be back in F1 next season.

With Kimi you never know. Stupid on Ferrari's part to sign him to a 45million euro contract extension last year. I have no doubt that Santander was the key in this deal to pay for Kimi's exit one year early and Ferrari will be better for it with Alonso.

The reason I say I don't know if Kimi will stick around is if McLaren decides to go with another driver although clearly as of right now it looks like Kimi is going to be Lewis' teammate. If he isn't he'll probably bail feeling he was dissed by Ferrari.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 5:12 pm

Ron Dennis is gone from McLaren, too, and Kimi's relationship with the incredibly rigid Ron always was the main source of friction during Kimi's time at McLaren.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:47 am

This Vettel character is going to win an awful lot of championships, starting one day very soon. Two more races like this and his reign will start in a month's time, in fact - how he must wish the RBR Renault had stayed in one piece more often. Wonderful display of driving.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:52 am

I agree Adam, Vettel won his first race unexpectedly last year with Toro Rosso. When he joined RBR they were expecting more and he's delivered twice. Yesterday he drove very Schumacherish.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:22 am

I was flipping through the channels last night during an intermission of the Pens' game and it was pretty cool to see Williams Grove Speedway in nearby Mechanicsburg, PA in HD on the Speed Channel. I've been to another local track, but never there. I plan on catching the World of Outlaws sometime when my boys are a little older. I'd go now, but I've been told that it is not "kid friendly" due to all the alcohol consumption

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:26 am

Vettel was an absolute machine on one of the great courses in the world. He is living up to the hype. Honorable mention has to go to Kimi at Japan. He drove a very strong race. I'm sure potential salary implications for next year had nothing to do with it

.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:46 pm

toonarmy wrote:Vettel was an absolute machine on one of the great courses in the world. He is living up to the hype. Honorable mention has to go to Kimi at Japan. He drove a very strong race. I'm sure potential salary implications for next year had nothing to do with it .

I don't think Kimi will be losing any sleep over money Toon especially when it's being rumored that Santander paid for his release which is probably close to what he was going to make in 2010.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:24 pm

If it's right that Ferrari really haven't been developing the F60 for some time, and if it's as difficult to drive as Badoer and Fisichella have made it look, then Kimi's in fine form at the minute. I'm more than ready to see him in a competitive car next year, wherever it might be.

Last night, having got up at 5 to watch qualifying, spent the day at work and the evening watching football with a friend, I was so tired that the last paragraph of my blog's qualifying write-up was beyond comprehension, even to me reviewing it just now. It also ended , instead of . so I clearly wasn't altogether with it. After rising at the same time today and sitting through the race, which was a snoozer by any normal measure, I'm not really sure it was worth it. For the second race in a row, the live timing online made for interesting viewing, and I can appreciate that, but I wouldn't mind something exciting happening on the track every so often to go with it.

The BTCC finale at Brands Hatch this afternoon, though, was a thriller, and well worth seeking out through whichever methods you have at your disposal.