The sky is falling…
August 28, 2003
…in Italy and Japan, as the fans and participating partners vent their concern over the foundering Scuderia. As much as I would love to see Montoya win the championship, I still have to believe Ferrari and Michael will pull some magical performances out of the proverbial racing bag of tricks.
Regardless of the series outcome, I cannot remember a recent series with this much on the line so late in the season. Unless you go back to Mika beating Michael by a point.
Autosport.com: Crisis in Italy? Crises in Japan?
Hornish burns to catch Helio?
August 28, 2003
Sounds like some tropical fever death wish, doesn’t it? The only fever Sam has is to steal the title from Castroneves within the last three races left. What better way to thank his old team mates for a great ride, and send Helio the not so subtle message, “I’m the f****n’ boss here next year, bubba!”
CBS Sportsline: Hornish hot for Helio!
Newman/Haas to test IRL car
August 26, 2003
It looks as though another CART to IRL defection could be in the works. At the very least, Newman/Haas is going to try to run in the Indy 500 next year. But isn’t this how they all started? Penske, Rahal, and Ganassi all started with attempts at the 500 and how have full IRL teams. Rahal is the only one of the group that still participates in CART…
DuluthSuperior.com: Newman-Haas may return to Indy…
SpeedTV.com: Newman/Haas Confirms IndyCar Test Plans
Elder Statesmen feeling the heat
August 26, 2003
At least according to Paul Miron at Catchfence.com. He makes many relevant points that I happen to agree with, but omits the big point I have noticed. All of the senior drivers have taken a noticeable step back in their agressiveness since the death of Dale Sr. I call it a mortality check and I really can’t blame any of them. They all still talk a good game, but push come to shove (sometimes literally!) I get the feeling they are just riding out the inevitable.
It’s all about the tires!!!
August 26, 2003
Is anyone out there listening? I’m sure Jean Todt is giving Bridgestone some cover with his defense of their non-competitive tires. Unless the quality of the hot weather rubber improves Michael may just as well leave the car in the shed and watch on T.V. Maybe some divine intervention will bring rain at the last three events. You know the Tifosi are all performing novenas for that purpose!
And what do the folks at Bridgestone have to say? So far, not much!
Autosport.com: Todt defends Bridgestone
Railing street courses
August 26, 2003
In his scathing condemnation of CART’s upcoming Grand Prix of Denver, Denver Post Sports Columnist Woody Paige rails the event as poor entertainment and a severe inconvenience to the people of Denver. While I don’t want to join the list of people slamming CART as a dead dog, I do think Woody’s article brings to light the faults with the whole “MotoRock” theory.
I really don’t understand why you would try to shape a racing series around city street courses, many of which are notoriously uncompetitive and unentertaining. Long Beach is an anomaly, not the standard for city street courses. Additionally, why would you put an even in a major metropolitan area where all it does is incite rage from commuters for closing down half the city and inconveniencing them for a week or more? It’s just plain bad for the brand. NASCAR has already proven that the right marketing will get people out to the country to watch a race.
Jordan to sell out?
August 26, 2003
Ireland On-Line is reporting that Eddie Jordan is considering selling a large portion of his team to a major auto manufacturer. Eddie has been a fierce privateer since he first started his team in 1991, but I think the time has come. Eddie wants to win and has done the best and most he can with what he has. It’s time to get on the podium with some factory power. Do it Eddie…
IOL.ie: Eddie pondering selling part of Jordan
Why Alonso’s win is so big
August 26, 2003
GrandPrix.com today goes into detail on why Alonso’s victory in Hungary is such a big deal for F1 in Spain. First of all this was educational for me in that I thought everyone in Europe watched F1. I though the US was the only country that thinks all cars with “wings” are the same. Secondly, while I am very happy for Bernie’s new F1 market and thrilled for Alonso who seems like a great kid…when do I get my F1 driver to root for? Someone get Danny Sullivan on the phone. Let’s get that Red Bull driver development program moving a little faster please. I’m all fired up and I want a US born champion of my very own!
Who’s your Daddy?
August 26, 2003
“I had a degree in accounting,” Garlits said, “and I was three months into my first job. My stepfather saw that I liked cars. He told me ‘Life is a funny thing. You should do something you enjoy.’”
With his stepfather’s encouragement, and his assurance that he would talk to Garlits’ mother, Big Daddy was on his way to a career in racing.
…and it’s quotes like that my friends that make me wonder what the hell I am doing behind this computer monitor….
SaukValley.com: Who’s your Daddy? Race fans know
Funny Car shakeup
August 26, 2003
Gary Densham is leaving Force to start his own team. Will Force keep his car, and if yes, who takes the seat? Will Scotty Cannon ditch Funny Car to go back to a series where he has had more success? Change is also in the wind at Del Worsham’s CSK Racing team. Silly season is in full swing in the NHRA…at least in the Funny Car category. ESPN’s Bill Stephen’s reports.