2014 Open Wheel Racing Chat

[VictoriaGooner]

That Audi commercial is awesome! Canadian GP this weekend and Le Mans next weekend...two great weekends of racing head (plus a little football competition starting in 6 days )

In Canadian GP news, Alonso topped the time sheets in FP1 ahead of the Mercedes cars. Could this be a challenger for the Silver Arrows this weekend? http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/6/15912.html

In FP2, Hamilton return to his lofty spot on top of the time sheets with a two tenths advantage over Rosberg. Raikkonen finished ahead of his Ferrari teammate.

Teams are in negotiations to scrap Friday morning free practice sessions starting in 2015 as a way to cut costs. This would allow only a Friday afternoon free practice session to lower running costs while also reducing accommodation expenses by allowing team personnel to arrive a day later. This will be decided upon later on this month when the Commission and the FIA World Motorsport Council are meeting.

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/9340547/friday-morning-practice-sessions-could-be-scrapped-in-2015-to-cut-costs

[rvrdgsfn]

Results from Texas:

1. Carpenter

2. Power

3. Montoya

4. Pagenaud

5. Dixon

6. Kanaan

7. Briscoe

8. Kimball

9. Aleshin

10. Castroneves

I know they try to make Texas interesting, but let me ask, was I the only one that thought it was boring? Onto Houston in 3 weeks for another duel.

[rvrdgsfn]

Bumping for Results from Canada:

1. Ricciardo

2. Rosberg

3. Vettel

4. Button

5. Hulkenberg

6. Alonso

7. Bottas

8. Vergne

9. Magnussen

10. Raikkonen

What a crazy crash at the finish, Massa & Perez both had excellent cars, and now Mercedes dominance has been stopped & Lewis had some bad luck as well. Well done Daniel. That was a fantastic race. Next stop, a return to Austria.

[VictoriaGooner]

That Canadian GP was amazing! I have to say it was better than this year's Bahrain GP. With both a powetloss and brake system problems with Silver Arrows, both Williams and Force India cars were running excellent (until the crash) and the constant pressure by Perez and RBR on Rosberg, this gives other teams hope they can definitely compete with Mercedes. Hoping the return to Austria will bring some more amazing action on and off the track.

[rvrdgsfn]

Hmmm.... Interesting....

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-car/2014/06/07/indycar-series-indianapolis-mark-miles-derrick-walker/10182825/

IndyCar is getting closer to securing two international races to start its 2015 schedule.

If a deal comes together with officials in Dubai, the Verizon IndyCar Series will race there in early February and in Brazil in early March.

The U.S. portion of the schedule will begin March 29 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The series also races in Toronto.

Since last year, Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles has targeted international races as a way to increase revenue for the sport. The cash influx will flow to the teams, he said.

A deal with Dubai isn't done, Miles said, but he described talks as "ongoing, positive conversations."

The race in Brasilia, the federal capital of Brazil, will be March 8. A formal announcement is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Well, we kind of knew this...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3371/9342302/Newey-signs-new-Red-Bull-deal

In announcing the new deal, Red Bull revealed that as "part of this new agreement, Adrian will work on new Red Bull Technology projects, as well as advising and mentoring Infiniti Red Bull Racing as it develops its Formula One cars over the next few seasons.

"The details of the new projects will be announced in due course."

[rvrdgsfn]

Bumping because LeMans is this weekend...

Toyota has the pole & this happened during practice

Audi manged to get a new one in less than 24 hours & Duval came out unharmed

[rvrdgsfn]

One more bump for those who want to watch LeMans, it is streaming....

http://www.24h-lemans.com/live/en/

Toyota has been doing a fantastic job dominating the field so far, there was a wreck during the first bit when it rained & involved a Toyota, Audi & Ferrari.

Your spotter guide Ladies & Gentleman...

http://www.spotterguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/LM_14_v4_a3.pdf

[VictoriaGooner]

The streaming and coverage by 24h-lemans.com is quite comprehensive and excellent quality videos. Love the split screen.

[rvrdgsfn]

the 4 rings won for a 13 victory, even I have to admit that is quite impressive. I was pulling for Porsche but they did an excellent job except for the end. I think Porsche will be a threat in the future as will Toyota who finished 3rd on the podium. Ferrari won GTE but with Chevrolet behind them, I always pull for Corvette Racing, oh well maybe next year. LMP2 was won by Zytek & Aston Martin won GTEA. Next year should be interesting with Nissan coming back & the rumor of Ferrari going back into Prototype racing, it should be a fun of season. Even Fernando Alonso wants to give it a try.

[VictoriaGooner]

I would love to see Ferrari going back into LMP1 next season...what a rush the 2015 24 hrs of Le mans will be.

[VictoriaGooner]

Now with the excitement of Le Mans being concluded with the four rings winning another 24hr endurance race, the motor racing world turns their eyes toward Spielburg. Formula One returns to historic and scenic Spielburg and The Formula 1 Grosser Preis von Osterreich 2014. FP1 & 2 kick off Friday. Watch it either on Sky Sports F1, BBC Two (in UK), and TSN2 in Canada. Can't wait to see that track again...it's been overdue for a return to the schedule.

A nice article on racing through the hills at Spielburg and the return to Austria after a 11-year absence.

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/6/15954.html

[rvrdgsfn]

Porsche being gracious. A valiant effort.

F1 is desparate for excitement...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114525

Ferrari and Mercedes are to conduct tests with titanium skid blocks in Austrian Grand Prix Friday practice, with teams now set on bringing back sparking cars to Formula 1.

AUTOSPORT revealed earlier this year that F1 teams were looking at ways to make cars more spectacular, considering ideas including sparking cars, glowing brake discs and vapour trails.

Discussions about the ideas have moved forward, and AUTOSPORT has learned that teams and other representatives on the F1 Commission have given provisional approval for the sparks plan to come into force for 2015.

The current idea is for the sparks to be created by mandating titanium skid blocks within the planks of the cars.

There are also rumblings that Haas may consider a pay driver...

Finally....

Since SRT is no more, Viper has be branded back as Dodge & carried an old paint scheme with it for TUSCC. Man that's gorgeous!

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/104552-imsa-vipers-return-to-dodge-branding-retro-livery

[VictoriaGooner]

I myself is not a fan of the sparking skid plates, vapor trails and glowing disc brakes. F1 is loved all around the world, with it being the highest spectator motor sport series in the world. Why does F1 need to try to make it more flashy? It has history, glamour, famous drivers, great duels over the years, and amazing cars. I myself think they should keep on the current course with smaller powerplants and more power over all. I thought they were trying to save money.

As for Haas having a pay driver...horse !

In Austrian GP free practice today, Rosberg tops Hamilton in FP1 and Hamilton tops Rosberg in FP2. FP3 is at 5am EDT and Qualifying at 8am EDT. Other news, Sergio Perez will still have a five grid penalty for Austria from Canada withstand for blocking Massa in the final lap due to the incident occurring in a braking zone. Perez had no right, as per the laws and rules, to block the entire width of the track causing the collision.

Excellent video by Porsche. As for Le Mans, I am torn between both Audi and Porsche in LMP1. I am German Canadian and have a love for both automobile manufacturers. I think it will take a few years for Porsche to get to the same level as Audi in LMP1 but I think one day Porsche will surpass them.

[VictoriaGooner]

Huge day for Williams and Massa today in the qualifying session at Spielburg. Massa just out paced teammate Bottas to take his first pole since 2008. Rosberg and Ricciardo make up the second row for tomorrow's race. Hamilton and Vettel both had qualifying sessions they would like to forget. Mainly caused by numerous drivers not adhering to track limits at Turns 8 and 9 by having lap times disallowed.

And no surprise Maldonado ended up in the gravel again...atrocious pay driver!

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/6/15979.html

[rvrdgsfn]

We now return to regular scheduled Mercedes domination, already in progress...

Results from Austria:

1. Rosberg

2. Hamilton

3. Bottas

4. Massa

5. Alonso

6. Perez

7. Magnussen

8. Ricciardo

9. Hulkenberg

10. Raikkonen

With the exception of Ricciardo, it was a bad day to be associated with anything Red Bull (oh the irony) both Toro Rosso cars & Das Wunderkid did not finish due to many mishaps. No drive & a broken front wing & then the pit said nope your done. Toro Rosso had brake issues. Next up, one of my other favorite courses, Silverstone.

[rvrdgsfn]

Bumping for V8 Supercar news, especially its future...

http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/06/25/v8-supercars-considers-post-v8-future/

Different engine configurations could be allowed into the V8 Supercars Championship as soon as 2017, category CEO James Warburton has revealed.

The former television executive is now formulating a white paper for a “2017 generation two” V8 Supercars platform, which he will present to the category’s Board. Two-door bodyshapes and different engine configurations are said to be key points of discussion, with the championship keen to appeal to as many manufacturers as possible.

Warburton stressed that reviewing the engine configuration is particularly important to keeping the category road-relevant.

“The ethnicity of the country’s changed,” he added.

“We’ve got a third of the population that weren’t born here and have probably never driven a V8.

“So all I’m saying is we need to look at it from an overall point of view and think about what we’re doing and where we are heading.”

V8 Supercars’ efforts to look beyond V8 engines coincides with that of NASCAR in the United States, which is known to be investigating a V6 turbo future.

Holden has already declared that it will not follow Nissan and Volvo’s lead in racing a bodyshape with a V8 engine if the corresponding road car is not sold in that configuration.

Ford’s Falcon and Holden’s Commodore are both set to be consigned to history alongside the end of local manufacturing for the two firms in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Holden has committed to the category through to the end of 2017, while Ford is yet to confirm its plans beyond the current season.

This could mean the end of V8, which of course we kind of had a feeling would happen & since Holden & Ford are done with Aussie Manufacturing by 2017... Plus the rumor is that all Holden's will be branded as Chevrolet after 2017, I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of worried about the series.

Looks like Penske isn't the only NASCAR owner interested...

http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/championship/childress-wants-v8-supercars-deal

Leading NASCAR team owner Richard Childress has joined motorsport legend and fellow American Roger Penske in shopping for a V8 Supercars team.

Childress, whose portfolio includes three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams, an advanced engine development centre and a list of corporate alliances that includes Dow, Chevrolet and Lucas Oils, confirmed his interest in V8 Supercars exclusively to motoring.com.au yesterday at Sonoma Raceway in California.

“Rumours, damn rumours,” he said when asked about his interest in V8 Supercars, “I’ll add some truth to those rumours.”

Childress and Richard Gilmore, COO at Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines, then confirmed they have been looking to buy a team or at least establish a technical partnership with an Australian V8 Supercar team.

At least he's honest...

Finally...

http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/championship/three-racing-entitlement-contracts-on-offer

V8 Supercars has commenced a market tender of three surrendered Racing Entitlements Contracts (RECs) ahead of the 2015 Championship season.

As arguably one of the most revered and professional motorsport categories in the world, V8 Supercars has already had interest from numerous parties in Australia and overseas.

Registrations of interest to participate in the tender, being managed by independent auditing firm Ernst & Young, must be submitted to V8 Supercars by no later than 5.00pm (AEST) on 8 July 2014.

Get to work Penske!

[rvrdgsfn]

Bump for Race 1 for the Indy Car race in Houston...

1. Huertas

2. Montoya

3. Munoz

4. Rahal (after bumping Kanaan)

5. Bourdias

6. Briscoe

7. Hinchcliffe

8. Hawksworth

9. Hunter-Reay

10. Andretti

This was a fantastic race. I was impressed with the driving skills of the driver in this race. A lot of contenders were out of it though like Sato & Power. I imagine Tony may do something tomorrow in Duel 2, but who knows. Duel 2 on Sunday.

[rvrdgsfn]

Bumping for Race 2

1. Pagenaud

2. Aleshin

3. Hawksworth

4. Kimball

5. Bourdais

6. Hunter-Reay

7. Montoya

8. Briscoe

9. Andretti

10. Kanaan

There was some incredible racing between Hawksworth & JPM during the final couple of laps & near the end, there was a fantastic finish for the top 10. I also wanted to say that the race at Watkins Glen for TUSSC was incredible as well. I was very impressed with the race there as well. Never a dull moment at the Glen.

Some news & notes... It could look like Caterham could be done...

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9363832/Fernandes-F1-hasn-t-worked

Speculation has been rife in recent months that the Malaysian businessman is ready to offload the team and he added fuel to the fire on Friday by tweeting: "F1 hasn't worked, but love Caterham Cars."

His Twitter account was shut down not long after that.

Last but not least....

Ferrari's rumored LMP1 entry may look like this...

[VictoriaGooner]

That's a Shane about Caterham might be dissolving within the next months. Here's hoping they can find a buyer to take on the team for the remainder of the 2014 season. Even Marussia was beating Caterham cars both in qualifying and in races. Consistently faster lap times. But it's always sad to see a team leave the best And most watched racing series in the world. But there will be others, from the ashes the Phoenix will rise.

[rvrdgsfn]

Once again boys & girls it's time for....

UNCLE BERNIE'S OFF HIS ROCKER!!!!

First off, make the Italian's mad....

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9367917/Bernie-Bye-bye-Monza-after-2016

"I don't think we'll do another contract, the old one was a disaster for us from a commercial point of view. After 2016, bye bye..." he told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport.

Then some more Bernie wisdom....

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9368626/Bernie-Wants-Eight-Teams-Three-Cars

The future of the struggling Caterham team has made headlines in recent weeks and Ecclestone admitted recently that he would be "happy" if they closed down.

The F1 commercial rights holder has now gone a step further by saying he would prefer it if the backmarkers disappear from the grid and are replaced by third cars from some of the sport's bigger teams.

"They should stop," he told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. "If they do not have the money, they should close. I am ready for a Formula One with eight teams and three cars each.

Caterham still lives though... For how long? Who knows...

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9369260/Caterham-Secure-F1-Future

Caterham have struggled since their debut back in 2010, however, the team will continue to compete after it was sold to the consortium, advised by ex-HRT team principal Colin Kolles.

Yes cause Colin Kolles is such a great guy to have on your team, look what wonders he did with HRT. I guess this also means Forza Rossa won't get in.

Finally some possible news for IndyCar...

http://www.motorsport.com/#!/indycar/news/indycar-derrick-walker-confirms-serious-talks-with-two-more-engine-manufacturers/

t’s no secret that both manufacturers would like at least one additional engine manufacturer to join the series, and they have since the financially-strapped Lotus pulled out. And IndyCar President of Operations and Competition Derrick Walker (pictured) told Motorsport.com that he is in serious talks with two more engine suppliers.

There’s a caveat: “Even if we were to announce another manufacturer today,” he said, “it would be two years before we saw them on the grid.” This is, in part, to give Honda and Chevrolet an opportunity to prepare for, if needed, the added competition.

Walker said that both Chevrolet and Honda have made it known that they are willing to listen if new manufacturers propose an engine that advances the sport – such as one powered by diesel. “I’m not saying IndyCar will ever run cars on diesel,” Walker said, “but that’s the sort of technology that’s conceivable.”