OT: Racing 2011 (Spoiler Alert)

[Rodster]

HYPERBOWL? Does that come after the Super Bowl?

I get where you guys are coming from but I still think Renault is right on this one and the blame should go squarely on Robert and his manager. Robert should have weighed the risks knowing full well he'll make more coin driving an F1 car and especially since he is one of F1's star drivers.

His manager's job IMO is to convince his driver why it wasn't a wise idea to partake in Rally events when he's not fully committed to it.

[pk500]

Good blog entry from veteran F1 journalist on Renault's decision to allow Kubica rally:

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... -settling/

[pk500]

RIP Tom Carnegie. He provided the unforgettable soundtrack of summer and speed for millions.

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.co ... ies-at-91/

[DChaps]

RIP Tom Carnegie. He provided the unforgettable soundtrack of summer and speed for millions.

Wow, just saw this. Fond memories of my childhood come rushing back to me just hearing Tom's voice. I will never forget the day I heard "and Mario is slowing on the backstretch!", or something along those lines. Still gives me chills to hear it. Very nice tribute video. RIP indeed, thanks for the memories Tom.

[Rodster]

A fine tribute to Dale Earnhardt http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/10/earnha ... tml?hpt=C2

"Dale Earnhardt was to NASCAR what Elvis Presley was to rock-and-roll," said Larry McReynolds, Earnhardt's crew chief when he won his only Daytona 500 in 1998, and currently a racing broadcaster with Fox. He died running, as he used to put it, WFO -- Wide (Bleeping) Open. When Elvis passed, rock-and-roll didn't stop, but it was different. After Dale died, racing didn't stop. We trudged on to Rockingham five days later. But it was different. It's still different today.

Over that same period, NASCAR has seen its popularity seemingly peak. Once the hottest growth property on the sporting landscape, it has faced a steady erosion in television ratings and track attendance. In the four years since NASCAR signed a multibillion-dollar media deal, average race viewership has fallen from 7.85 million at its height to 5.99 million last year, according to the Sports Business Journal.

In a time of tight money, there were more gaps apparent in the circuit's grandstands in 2010. No one has pinned the slump on Earnhardt's death. Rather, that tragedy is coincidental to a general loss of connection between the old-school, rank-and-file fan and a sport that had seemed to homogenize both its cars and its drivers.

What died February 18, 2001, was an important bit of racing's soul."

Well written article and i'm glad i'm not the only one who feels the same way. You guys know i've said the sport has been homogenized over the years and it has lost it's edge and soul. I quit watching Nascar years ago for this very same reason. That's why Nascar is floundering today and old school fans are not that stupid they know what Nascar management has done to the sport.

[Rodster]

Congrats to Dale Jr. and Nascar for winning Pole for the Daytona 500 on the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death. Only in Nascar can you produce these types of outcomes

[pk500]

To be fair, Junior always has been strong at Daytona, even when his father was alive.

I'm not sure what to make of the new form of plate racing at Daytona. The top speeds are fun, and the closing speeds are insane. But it's weird to see these little clusters of paired-up cars, broken up by empty stretches of asphalt, instead of the huge packs of 25 cars.

[Rodster]

My cynical self ask is he strong there because of the driver/car or because Nascar wants him to be strong at Daytona? That's Nascar's crowning Jewel and where his father died 10 years ago.

[pk500]

My cynical self ask is he strong there because of the driver/car or because Nascar wants him to be strong at Daytona? That's Nascar's crowning Jewel and where his father died 10 years ago.

Your cynicism is understood. But Hendrick now has been on the pole three of the last four years at Daytona, and Junior always has performed well in plate races. He understands how to stay smooth and unwind a car on the high banks to gain speed as well as any driver.

Now, if Junior runs away to victory this Sunday, I'll set sail with you on the S.S. Skepticism.

[Rodster]

The S.S. Skepticism departs at 5pm that Sunday, hope you can make it.

[DChaps]

If Junior wins on Sunday it won't be because of any Nascar "fix", it will be because of all his hours spent iRacing!

[pk500]

If Junior wins on Sunday it won't be because of any Nascar "fix", it will be because of all his hours spent iRacing!

I need to check with my iRacing contacts to see if they plan to re-scan Daytona this year. We're racing on the bumpy, old version in iRacing!

[Rodster]

There are now doubts about the Bahrain GP taking place because of political unrest. If it's not the season opener maybe they can reschedule it.

[pk500]

There are now doubts about the Bahrain GP taking place because of political unrest. If it's not the season opener maybe they can reschedule it.

There must be a banana republic somewhere with zero motorsports infrastructure and history and a royal family willing to pay Bernie $50 million. A perfect match for modern F1.

[toonarmy]

There are now doubts about the Bahrain GP taking place because of political unrest. If it's not the season opener maybe they can reschedule it.

I'm sure the fat cats that brought the GP in will put down unrest if necessary to make sure the race happens.

[Rodster]

Yeah I want to see the fat cats try and persuade this group.

[Lancer]

Haven't gone thru this thread but I see there is a new nascar game coming out not by EA. What's the word about this? Any changes from EA's titles?

[pk500]

Haven't gone thru this thread but I see there is a new nascar game coming out not by EA. What's the word about this? Any changes from EA's titles?

It's not an EA game. It's a Eutechnyx game. Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDs809zb ... r_embedded

I didn't embed the video because there is a separate thread to discuss racing games:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12163&start=1875

This thread is for discussion of real-world racing. Thanks!

[Dave]

Typical NASCAR over-management on display at Daytona.

Since Saturday's Shoot-Out, they've reduced the restrictor plate openings, reduced the front grill opening, and mandated a lower radiator pressure.

Think any of the engine builders want to punch out the powers that be?

[Rodster]

Typical NASCAR over-management on display at Daytona.

Since Saturday's Shoot-Out, they've reduced the restrictor plate openings, reduced the front grill opening, and mandated a lower radiator pressure.

Think any of the engine builders want to punch out the powers that be?

As i've said many times Nascar sold it's soul to NBC/FOX etc for the huge TV contract. That's why Nascar is in dissarray and there IS no Dale Sr. to kick Nascar in the ass and tell them, quit it.

[GB_Simo]

Late to the party, I know, but there will be a Bahrain Grand Prix. The event itself is under no more threat than the Melbourne race used to be from the environmental lobby on an annual basis. What I wouldn't really fancy is getting to and from the track after I'd finished work for the day, but they manage it among the crazy traffic in Shanghai and the armed robberies of Sao Paulo so I should imagine a violent, potentially bloody protest won't faze the assembled team personnel that much.

Haven't gone thru this thread but I see there is a new nascar game coming out not by EA. What's the word about this? Any changes from EA's titles?

I'll have a bash at answering that in the Racing Sim Thread PK linked to a few posts back, mate.

[Lancer]

Haven't gone thru this thread but I see there is a new nascar game coming out not by EA. What's the word about this? Any changes from EA's titles?

It's not an EA game. It's a Eutechnyx game. Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDs809zb ... r_embedded

I didn't embed the video because there is a separate thread to discuss racing games:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12163&start=1875

This thread is for discussion of real-world racing. Thanks!

^

[Rodster]

Bahrain GP2 Asia race cancelled http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89525

FIA is monitoring events as preseason testing takes place there March 3-6.

[GB_Simo]

Lancer, I've answered you as promised in the Racing Sim Thread. Used a lot of words to say a fairly small amount, I fear. Not everyone in here is a big sim racer, odd though it may seem, and at least one of our number doesn't play console racers at all, so you've got a better chance of getting additional answers in the other thread.

Rod, I'm sticking to my 'Bahrain will go ahead' theory but with somewhat less confidence than I had two posts ago. How impressed are you going to be when Junior miraculously wins the 500 coming from 43rd after that practice crash?

[Rodster]

Yeah lets keep this thread on racing only. We'll be happy to discuss racing games in the racing sims thread Adam linked. Thanks !

How impressed are you going to be when Junior miraculously wins the 500 coming from 43rd after that practice crash?