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After the disappointing opening round of the 2010 GP season opener from Bahrain, what can we expect this weekend from Melbourne, more of the same or an improvement?
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So, the 2010 season has begun. And it was one of
the most ballyhooed pre-seasons in my recent memory. With a new rules
package, new teams, new tracks, four world drivers champions on the
grid including the return of the seven time champion Michael
Schumacher, it was justifiably predicted to be a landmark year in the
sport.
What I didn’t count on was the landmark could be as the most boring season in decades. As Schumi himself characterized the race:
“It’s the start and then after it is just sort of go your pace and not do mistakes,” Schumacher told the BBC.
“Overtaking is basically impossible, other than if somebody makes a
mistake - Lewis had a little one so Nico was able to pass him, but got
back past at the pitstop. That’s about it.
“That’s the action we are going to have with unfortunately this kind of environment of race strategy.
“But, anyway, it was good fun. Especially the beginning and now we
are going to work forward in order to catch up what is in front of us.”
Whodathunk that the first race could be so boring as to actually
cause me to leave the screen to tend to some morning chores. And upon
my return what did I miss? Nada. Nothing. Niente.
There will be some who will be quick to blame the Sakhir course as
another non passable Tilke designed monstrosity. Nonsense say I. It’s
still the same old story of fast cars, aero reduced passing chances and
no engine differentials worth mentioning, all in conjunction with a
Tilke designed crap track.
Let’s hope the next stop in Melbourne presents more competitive on
track action. If not I fear for my interest in the balance of the
season.
Autosport.com: Schumacher regrets lack of action
Angelle Sampey, the winningest female in professional motorsports history, is hanging up her helmet and leathers and announced her retirement from professional drag racing today. Sampey, who totaled 41 victories during a 13-year NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle career, is planning to pursue other career opportunities while looking to start a family with her fiance, Seth Drago.
“I’m ready for a new challenge, including opening Coral Fever, a store specializing in fish, coral and aquariums,” said the 39-year-old Sampey. “I made the ultimate sacrifice to postpone starting a family when I began racing. Now, I’m going to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop racing to get married (in June) and then try and start a family.”
While racing, Sampey also went by the names Angelle Seeling and Angelle Savoie but changed her name back to her maiden name of Sampey. The Louisiana native made her NHRA debut in 1996 at Bandimere Speedway outside of Denver. There she immediately raised eyebrows by advancing to the semifinals. She recorded her first win in her first final round later that season at Reading, Pa. in the fourth event of her career.
“I will take away so many great memories from racing,” she said. “I’m certainly going to miss being around my fellow racers and, of course, the fans. I really enjoyed meeting the fans at every race. They were always there for me through the good times and the bad times.”
Sampey’s most prolific string of wins came in the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons when she won three world championships and collected 18 wins.
“Obviously, that was an extraordinarily exciting time period,” Sampey said. “I never imagined I could have that kind of success. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of talented people including George Bryce (her crew chief during each championship season).”
It was in 2001 when Sampey became the winningest female in NHRA history, moving past Shirley Muldowney on the list. Coincidentally, Sampey’s record breaking win came at bandimere Speedway, the same race track where she made her professional debut. She went on to record seven wins that season which remains the most wins ever recorded in a single season by a female competitor in NHRA history.
“To be honest, it was tough to comprehend what I had done after I surpassed Shirley’s win total (18),” Sampey said. “After all, Shirley is one of the sport’s legends. I look up to her.”
Among Sampey’s final stats will be 364 round wins out of 506 total rounds of competition. Sampey notched a winning percentage of roughly 72 percent while competing in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“Again, I want to emphasize that I had a bunch of people help me along the way,” Sampey said. “I could spend a day or more thanking each and every one. I’ll never forget any of them.”
Perhaps, the one mark Sampey wishes she could have broken before exiting the sport was the most wins in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. That mark of 45 wins was established by the late Dave Schultz.
“That’s probably true,” Sampey said. “I clearly could’ve hung around just to try and break that record. But, as I stated, it’s time for a change.”
