All-purpose open-wheel (F1, IRL) racing thread

I saw some great OW races at MIS over the years, in particular the JPM-Mikey Andretti duel in 2000. Just insane. For all the reasons you stated (Belle Isle...WHAT a disaster that dump is), it's probably just a pipe dream.

Not only were the dates bad for Chicagoland, the start times for the races were simply stupid. I'm not a long drive from Joliet, but I'm one time zone over. Gave serious consideration to going over a couple of years ago, until I realized that the race was starting at something like 9:30ish, my time. Dumb.

 

I went to the Chicagoland IRL race in '98 and was blown away. I'd love to see it return. Great venue for open-wheel oval racing.

 

Must be getting your years confused, cuz Chicagoland didn't open until 2001.

But the racing there was amazing, just as good if not better than Texas (IMO).

 

Yes. It was '08.

 

Anyone watch Toronto? Ohlordyjeez what a crazy race.

 

Based on what I've read, sounds like it was a crash-fest ... with plenty of avoidable wrecks from drivers who should know better. There was also controversy about a no-call penalty from Indy officials, which is about as surprising as the sun rising in the east.

Meanwhile, in the British GP, Red Bull proved they were human with a botched Vettel pit stop. My man Alonso swooped, and surprisingly, pulled away.

And I throw this out there to the F1 fans ... has Michael Schumacher's comeback reached embarrassing proportions yet? You can't tarnish the legacy of being a seven-time world champion, but you can look like epic shit on a race-to-race basis in your swan song.

 

I think Schumacher has mildly helped himself at times recently - he damn near got on the podium in Canada. Overall, though, he's been pretty awful and has bent a lot of equipment. His mechanics are well-versed in the quick nose change, because he seems to break at least one a race.

He really ought to hang it up after this season. He hasn't completely shit himself, but he's shown that he's not going to be quicker than Rosberg. Mercedes would be much better off with someone like DiResta or Hulkenberg in that car.

 

When he keeps his car intact, I think Schumacher's actually quicker than Rosberg, who, to me, doesn't get nearly enough criticism for not living up to expectations. Has Rosberg had a race where he finished higher than he qualified without attrition above him in the field? Mercedes has been a major disappointment all year.

The problem is that Schumacher can't keep his car intact. He attempts manuevers that might have worked in 2002 with a super car, and with his rep firmly entrenched, but don't work now.

Part of it is his car, but its sad to see him dicking around with the likes of Jamie Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi on a race-to-race basis. I would think Mercedes would be better served by putting Hulkenberg in the seat. But, of course, they won't shit-can Schumacher because he is the face of that team.

 

Wow - hadn't realized that, but you're right. I looked it up, and this weekend was the first time this season that Rosberg finished in a better position than he qualified. He's Jarno Trulli.

By comparison, Schumacher has finished higher than he qualified five times (though he has it a little easier -- Rosberg always qualifies better than Schumacher).

 

It was amateur hour in Toronto. Drivers plowing into each other left and right, officials missing calls and a TV crew apparently making up a penalty call. In my mind, Briscoe should have been penalized for hitting TK early and Dario should have been penalized for taking out Power. Yes Power could have left more room but Dario seemed to hesitate and Power thought that gave him the green light to cut down. That could well determine the title.
The TV crew, which otherwise did a solid job, then reported Dario would be penalized. A few minutes later, no penalty. Ganassi was asked what he told officials to overturn the penalty, to which Ganassi said there never was a penalty. Dario and official Al Unser Jr. confirmed that as well, as did Curt Cavin this morning.
I understand Power being upset and appreciate his honesty, but he went too far with his comments about Dario and Tags. Dario is aggressive but he seems to be a clean racer, more so than either Helio or Dixon.
Also, shame on the Ganassi team for the late restart mess. Rahal badly needed more caution laps and quasi-teammate Dario was supposed to restart next to him but they didn't line up twice in a row, hence saving Rahal the fuel he needed. That absolutely reeked. I don't often agree with Michael Andretti, but his anger with Ganassi was spot-on in this case.

 

I thought Michael definitely had a case (and I've become a Dario/Ganassi fan over the course of the season). Power came off like a whiny bitch...though we did get to hear "wanker" in an interview. You know who drives dirty, Will? Look at your own team...though, admittedly, it could just be that Helio and Briscoe don't know how to drive a fucking race car.

 

"Ayrton ran out of luck...."

http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/hot-trailer-senna/