OT: Racing 2010 (Spoiler Alert)

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:54 am

The problem is that this isn't the first time Edwards has shown gross stupidity in and out of a race car. The incident with Kenseth in 2007 at Martinsville, one with Kyle Busch (another moron) a couple of years ago and a run-in with Keselowski (no saint) last year in the Nationwide race at Memphis.

Steroid Carl has a history of 'roid, er, road, rage. If this was a one-time incident, I think probation would be enough. But with his story, Edwards needs to be parked for a race by NASCAR.

But I doubt NASCAR will suspend Edwards. Its new racing mantra this year was, "Boys, have at it," so it would look hypocritical to suspend him.

This is EXACTLY what NASCAR wants. A feud that is water-cooler discussion the morning after the race. The organization's only regret is that the Sprint Cup Series is off this weekend, ruining a chance for this battle to smolder.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:17 pm

Edwards should be parked for multiple races. To admit it so bluntly shows his complete stupidity. Plus, regardless of his issue with Brad, he screwed over Montoya and the fans from most likely seeing an awesome finish instead of the "overtime" crap we got. Nascar needs to implement Saftey Ratings like iRacing has and then have drivers get demoted or parked based on the rating. Make it very staight forward, you are invloved in a wreck, regardless of fault, you get dinged. Your rating drops below a certain mark you either miss races or can no longer compete in Cup until you get the rating back up in a lower series.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:57 pm

Slap on the wrist for Edwards, three race probation.

"NASCAR puts Edwards on probation"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81941

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:52 pm

This is why I love F1 so much, the changing technology and how teams adapt to changing rules.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81998

"McLaren is also believed to be using an innovative concept of flowing air through a vent into the cockpit - where the driver can influence it to help stall the rear wing on the straight.

Although it is not clear how exactly the drivers are doing this, it is believed that they use their legs to help cover a hole in the cockpit tunnel - which changes the air pressure inside as it flows through the car and out the rear - before influencing the rear wing.

If the wing stalls on the straight, it produces less drag - therefore providing the drivers with a straight-line speed advantage.

This vent solution gets around the banning of moveable aerodynamic devices because no part of the car moves – and the driver is not classified as bodywork."

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:33 pm

Damn straight, Rod: The technology of F1 is fascinating. McLaren always seems to be closer to the cutting edge than any other team, too.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:53 pm

Yes its a shame its more intriguing than most of the races, like the braun start last year.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:37 pm

I do think that the technology is fascinating, they come up with some ingenious stuff; but I'd rather they rip all that crap off and just race.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:05 pm

Looks like India will host a Grand Prix in 2011. Now that makes it pretty clear why Karun Chandhok probably got a ride this year although I read he's pretty talented. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 564974.stm

"In a news conference with Todt and his FIA leadership team, Todt added that F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone had told a meeting of the FIA World Council on Thursday that India would make its debut on the F1 calendar in 2011.

The race will be held at a new track being built near the country's capital, Delhi."

Smurfy · Post by **Smurfy** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:15 pm

The absolutely wrong thing to do for a nation with population and pollution problems. It would be fitting if the race was sponsored by Union Carbide.

On a more positive note, I hope:

1. Massa gives Alonso a shock this season.
2. Button puts in a good showing thus motivating Hamilton to an even better performance.
3. Vettel wins a couple of races but maintains his "I'm just glad to be in a fun sport with a good team with a good car" attitude.
4. Schumi makes everyone's life a little bit more difficult on the track.
5. Rubens has something left to surprise us with.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:31 pm

I would like to see Felipe push Alonso real hard because I like Felipe as a person and as a driver. But as all the pundits and experts will admit. Alonso is the best all around driver on the grid when you factor dry/wet/adapting to a changing car etc. He also has a killer instinct and one helluva work ethic much like Michael.

As PK eluded to Ferrari is Alonso's team, period. They want to win and they feel that's their best chance although they won't come out and say it. I expect Massa to do well at and even beat Alonso at certain tracks but at the end of the year Alonso will be ahead of Felipe. That's just my uneducated guess.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:00 am

Rodster wrote:As PK eluded to Ferrari is Alonso's team, period. They want to win and they feel that's their best chance although they won't come out and say it. I expect Massa to do well at and even beat Alonso at certain tracks but at the end of the year Alonso will be ahead of Felipe. That's just my uneducated guess.

I never made that allusion.

I think Massa has a fighter's chance against Alonso because if Alonso has one Achilles' heel, it's his need to constantly feel loved. He's a hard worker and an immense talent, but I think he's much softer mentally and more paranoid OUT of the car than Schumacher.

That's one of the reasons why Alonso left McLaren. Ron loved Lewis, and that favoritism drove Alonso nuts. He throws all the toys out of the pram when he doesn't feel he's receiving No. 1 treatment.

There is deep, deep feeling for Massa at Ferrari. The team came to like him when he matured from his wild man ways at Sauber into a competent test driver with the Scuderia. That sentiment deepened when he and Schumacher became close friends when they were teammates at Ferrari. Anyone loved by Michael is loved by the team.

And Ferrari's bond with Felipe was welded when that spring flew off Barrichello's car and hit Massa last year in Hungary.

Alonso will have the upper hand this year at Ferrari, but it won't come without some acrimony due to his perceived neglect by the team and because Felipe Massa was mere seconds away from becoming 2008 World Champion. The guy is a hell of a driver, lest you forget.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:50 am

My bad then, maybe it was Michael at Mercedes you had made that comment about.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:18 pm

Does Karun Chandhok have a fan club? After today's effort both on and off the racetrack, I'd quite like to sign up.

Smurfy wrote:4. Schumi makes everyone's life a little bit more difficult on the track.
5. Rubens has something left to surprise us with.

BBC had a quick interview with Rubens after qualifying, in which they asked how he felt about having Schumacher 4 places ahead. His response? "Ha, and I've got new tyres..." It was suggested during the same broadcast that he might pop up on the podium tomorrow, though surely an awful lot of things would have to happen to the field ahead of him.

There seems to be widespread surprise at Schumi being slightly off the back of Rosberg, which seems to ignore the fact that he's not done this for some time and that he was less and less of the back of Nico with every passing session. There also seems to be an expectation that the order will reverse in the race itself, and I'm not sure I agree with that. It'll reverse through the season, yes, but not necessarily tomorrow.

I'll leave everyone else to pick the race winner, because I'm sure I can't.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:34 pm

I have no idea myself who is going to win tomorrow. Vettel is looking every bit as good as last year. I would have thought Alonso would have pipped Felipe and McLaren would have been closer to the pace which actually surprised me most about this qualifying session.

Although Hammy showed why he and McLaren are both tied to the hip and deservedly so. Strong and impressive drive by Lewis.

As far as Schumi goes I agree with you 110%. For a guy who's been away from the Sport for 3 years and is getting accustomed to the car with the new regulations is impressive even at 7th position. I fully expect Michael to work his magic tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the podium.

Props to Seb for his sportsman words for Felipe. Keep in mind that this is one of Felipe's favorite tracks and he's won it what, twice? I think Ferrari is in good shape for tomorrow. Alonso also mentioned that the team strategy will be dynamic and not fixed. Is that his idea? We'll see how it works out.

For me the perfect Bahrain GP would be to see Michael take the top spot followed by both red cars.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:41 pm

So i'm watching the opening BBC coverage of the Qualy round and I just kept looking at EJ's hair and I said to myself that sh*t looks to perfect for a guy his age.

So I Googled "does eddie jordan where a wig?" and holy smokes it appears he does and they also mention Bernie "the little general" wears one too.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:16 pm

I have high hopes for F1 this year. I am already bored to tears of Neckcar. I'll catch Bristol and Martinsville, but there are just too many boring cookie cutter tracks on the schedule for me. They need more tracks with character like Pocono or Dover.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:05 pm

Rodster wrote:So i'm watching the opening BBC coverage of the Qualy round and I just kept looking at EJ's hair and I said to myself that sh*t looks to perfect for a guy his age.

So I Googled "does eddie jordan where a wig?" and holy smokes it appears he does and they also mention Bernie "the little general" wears one too.

EJ has 3 or 4, I believe, but Bernie? Surely he can afford to use a better wigmaker than that?

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:16 pm

I read that EJ is referred to as Wiggy Jordan?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:41 pm

Rodster wrote:Alonso also mentioned that the team strategy will be dynamic and not fixed. Is that his idea? We'll see how it works out.

Won't be his idea. They'll all be doing it. Now there's no scope to mess around with fuel loads and stint lengths, the main strategic element is going to be reacting to how the tyres are behaving. That's not something that can be set in stone far in advance, because to set a tyre stop in stone you'd be relying on completely consistent track conditions and driver behaviour, which you'd never get.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:51 pm

It was reported that 9 of the top 10 teams that made it to Q3 are all on supersofts. Curious to see how long they last. Correct me if i'm wrong anyone, was the tire of choice last year supersofts as well?

edit: meant to say 9 out of the 10 drivers that made it into Q3, not teams.

Smurfy · Post by **Smurfy** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:07 pm

I'm not sure about the supersoft tires, but with the larger grid and tight first turn I expect lots of tissues to be in use before the first lap is over

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:15 pm

Supersofts were very much the tyre to have in Bahrain last year. Spending too long on the mediums was how Toyota managed to lose the race for Trulli. Don't know if this year's supersoft is the same as last year's, though, or how much impact a much, much heavier racing car will have on their durability.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:23 pm

The most intriguing aspect of tomorrows race is how Alonso who has the reputation of dealing and adapting to changes in the handling of the car will put that to good use for the race as he starts from third.

Also will Schumacher beat his teammate who so far has had the edge over him. Vettel still looks tough to beat.

Smurfy · Post by **Smurfy** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:08 pm

Yeah, it's all about the long runs, preserving tires, adapting to the car's changing handling and reacting to the other teams' strategies.

My hopes are with Massa or Vettel, but I wouldn't bet against Alonso or even Rosberg. Hopefully Hamilton's car will improve throughout the race though he's starting from a good spot.

Oh, and what was wrong with the old circuit layout? The first sector was usually good for action.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:25 pm

Smurfy wrote:Yeah, it's all about the long runs, preserving tires, adapting to the car's changing handling and reacting to the other teams' strategies.

That's where Alonso excels at so i'm interested to see how he makes all of this work to his favor or turns it into his advantage.