Helio Castroneves was found not guilty of all charges of tax evasion yesterday. Spiderman will be back in the cockpit this weekend at Long Beach driving the number 3 Penske. Will Power, the fat lady is singing...
Showing posts with label Racing chatter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racing chatter. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Racing Chatter, Take 2: Helio Not Guilty
Helio Castroneves was found not guilty of all charges of tax evasion yesterday. Spiderman will be back in the cockpit this weekend at Long Beach driving the number 3 Penske. Will Power, the fat lady is singing...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Racing Chatter
Latest rumours at Newman Haas Lanigan (NHL) racing...
"...if you pay attention to what Mike Lanigan from Newman/Haas/Lanigan recently said, it certainly sounds like that team is going to go to three cars. It looks like Graham Rahal...this is a guy who's gonna have some company on that team. It looks like Robert Doornbos is probably going to wind up on part of that team, and it looks like Sebastien Bourdais...is probably going to be back in the fold there as well."
This is an interview with Sebastien Bourdais after losing the 2006 Champ car race in Mont-Tremblant. Listen to the crowd in the background boo everything Bourdais has to say. I am proud to say, I am standing just out of camera shot in the stands and that booing started because of me. No word of a lie. I had happened to be at that race with the wife and was standing with a vocal bunch of Robert Doornbos supporters. When Bourdais began whining about being blocked I started booing and everyone else began as well. And every time he tried to say something we just kept booing him. Listen for the Whaaaa when he says we are not supposed to block... Yup that's my big mouth! It will be nice to have Bourdais back in North America. He was a very easy race driver to hate.
The only way this could get any better would be if Paul Tracy was the third driver for this team, which we all know would never happen.
First race of the season is April 5th, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
courtesy of http://www.mynameisirl.com/
Friday, January 16, 2009
Racing Chatter
The start of the 2009 IRL season doesn't begin until April, but the silly season of driver announcements and teams changes have already begun. Check it out...
Penske picks Power as replacement for Castroneves
Penske picks Power as replacement for Castroneves 
Vasser and Tracy trying to team up at KV Racing.
images and stories courtesy of http://auto-racing.speedtv.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Racing Chatter
Helio Charged with Tax EvasionMIAMI (AP) — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and TV "Dancing With The Stars" champion Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he used offshore accounts to evade U.S. taxes on more than $5 million in income.
The 33-year-old race car driver, who appeared in court in handcuffs and leg chains, was ordered released on $10 million bail. His lawyer, Mark Seiden, said Castroneves would depart later in the afternoon for a weekend race in Atlanta.
"We would enter a plea of not guilty," said Seiden, standing alongside a visibly shaken and frowning Castroneves.
courtesy of http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNn9_hsJU5vM5CaJvHSceikb2l2AD93J6QFO2
$10 million for bail and leg chains for tax evasion? Good grief, this is Helio Castroneves, not Charles Manson!
PT Sues ForsythePaul Tracy has filed a lawsuit against former Champ Car team owner Gerald Forsythe, claiming breach of contract.
The lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims Tracy is owed more than $2.3-million as per his contract at the time Forsythe Racing ceased operation in the former Champ Car series.
In the complaint, Tracy's attorney claims the racer's contract called for a $1-million buyout to be paid in the event the team ceased operation in Champ Car. Terms of Tracy's contract also show that he was to have been paid $2.25-million for the 2008 Champ Car season, plus any bonuses. However, Tracy says he's been paid for February, March and April and nothing since.
courtesy of http://www.tsn.ca
Hamilton Involved in Shady Real Estate DealA deal whereby Lewis Hamilton this year invested millions of dollars in Grenada, the home of his paternal grandfather, is under investigation by the Caribbean island's government.
courtesy of http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/grenada-probes-hamilton-investment-deal/
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Racing Chatter...
Apparently I was not alone in thinking that Lewis Hamilton got screwed. Here is a post I stumbled upon while surfing the other day and it pretty much says exactly what I was thinking ... (only someone actually wrote it down and posted it!) Check it out and see if you agree with what this guy has to say.
7 reasons why Hamilton's penalty was bullshit...
7 reasons why Hamilton's penalty was bullshit...1. What was Hamilton supposed to do?
Much of the discussion hinged on what Hamilton should have done to avoid a penalty.
Some criticised him for cutting the chicane. But what was his other option? Given how close he and Raikkonen were, and how sharply Raikkonen turned in on him, I don’t think he would have been able to avoid hitting Raikkonen just by braking. In which case,
If he stayed on track and caused an accident with Raikkonen he would have gotten [Kovalainen's] penalty, instead he went off, spared both cars and gets penalised for having a competitive advantage.
Hamilton himself said: “Kimi ran me wide. To avoid an incident, I had to go up that part of the track.”
If Hamilton had no choice but to cut the corner, what did he need to do to avoid a penalty? He let Raikkonen go entirely past him. Presumably the stewards wanted him to let Raikkonen go further ahead. But how far away did he need to let Raikkonen to be sure he wouldn’t get a penalty? There’s no way of telling by looking at the rules.
Some criticised him for cutting the chicane. But what was his other option? Given how close he and Raikkonen were, and how sharply Raikkonen turned in on him, I don’t think he would have been able to avoid hitting Raikkonen just by braking. In which case,
If he stayed on track and caused an accident with Raikkonen he would have gotten [Kovalainen's] penalty, instead he went off, spared both cars and gets penalised for having a competitive advantage.
Hamilton himself said: “Kimi ran me wide. To avoid an incident, I had to go up that part of the track.”
If Hamilton had no choice but to cut the corner, what did he need to do to avoid a penalty? He let Raikkonen go entirely past him. Presumably the stewards wanted him to let Raikkonen go further ahead. But how far away did he need to let Raikkonen to be sure he wouldn’t get a penalty? There’s no way of telling by looking at the rules.
2. Inconsistency
It almost goes without saying that the stewards’ decision makes no sense in the context of recent decisions. Felipe Massa went off the track and gained an advantage at least once while racing Robert Kubica in last year’s Japanese Grand Prix:
It almost goes without saying that the stewards’ decision makes no sense in the context of recent decisions. Felipe Massa went off the track and gained an advantage at least once while racing Robert Kubica in last year’s Japanese Grand Prix:
Was Massa punished? No.
Adding to the inconsistency, race director Charlie Whiting told McLaren he thought what Hamilton did was legitimate.
3. A great race ruined
Adding to the inconsistency, race director Charlie Whiting told McLaren he thought what Hamilton did was legitimate.
3. A great race ruined
After the race many people on the live blog remarked on how exciting it had been, especially after the dreariness of the European Grand Prix.
If there’s one thing all F1 fans like it’s a proper, wheel-to-wheel battle for the lead. The stewards interfering with that not only spoiled the race, it gives the impression they don’t want drivers overtaking in Formula 1.
If there’s one thing all F1 fans like it’s a proper, wheel-to-wheel battle for the lead. The stewards interfering with that not only spoiled the race, it gives the impression they don’t want drivers overtaking in Formula 1.
4. Punishment out of proportion
Assuming Hamilton did gain a slight advantage by not letting Raikkonen past by enough, the punishment seems grossly disproportionate to the crime.
The stewards could easily have instructed him to let Raikkonen past again - indeed, they’ve done it in the past in F1 and it’s common practice in other motor sports.
Instead, they relegated Hamilton behind two drivers who weren’t even involved in the battle for the lead. Where’s the justice in that?
Assuming Hamilton did gain a slight advantage by not letting Raikkonen past by enough, the punishment seems grossly disproportionate to the crime.
The stewards could easily have instructed him to let Raikkonen past again - indeed, they’ve done it in the past in F1 and it’s common practice in other motor sports.
Instead, they relegated Hamilton behind two drivers who weren’t even involved in the battle for the lead. Where’s the justice in that?
5. Ferrari
The innuendo about the FIA favouring Ferrari has hung around F1 for years. The barge board and Michelin tyre scandals in 1999 and 2003, Fernando Alonso’s dubious penalty at Monza in 2006, and McLaren’s staggering punishment in spy-gate last year are just a few examples of occasions when the FIA has been accused of protecting F1’s most famous team.
Hamilton’s punishment is just one more reason why so many F1 fans think the FIA is biased in favour of Ferrari. And if the game is rigged, no-one will want to watch.
6. Another court room battle
The 2007 season was ruined by a seemingly unending string of controversies that ended up before the FIA Court of Appeal. And here we go again.
Many F1 fans are sick of the politics. They want to see races decided by the racers.
The innuendo about the FIA favouring Ferrari has hung around F1 for years. The barge board and Michelin tyre scandals in 1999 and 2003, Fernando Alonso’s dubious penalty at Monza in 2006, and McLaren’s staggering punishment in spy-gate last year are just a few examples of occasions when the FIA has been accused of protecting F1’s most famous team.
Hamilton’s punishment is just one more reason why so many F1 fans think the FIA is biased in favour of Ferrari. And if the game is rigged, no-one will want to watch.
6. Another court room battle
The 2007 season was ruined by a seemingly unending string of controversies that ended up before the FIA Court of Appeal. And here we go again.
Many F1 fans are sick of the politics. They want to see races decided by the racers.
7. F1 brought into disrepute
We may grumble and groan about its idiosyncrasies, but F1 fans at heart are passionate about motor racing and see Formula 1 as one of the top forms of motor sport.
Decisions like this which seem unjust, out of all proportion, and designed to favour one team over the others, are hugely damaging to F1’s public image.
No-one wants to admit to liking a sport if the rest of the public see it as being corrupt. The FIA stewards brought Formula 1 into disrepute yesterday.
We may grumble and groan about its idiosyncrasies, but F1 fans at heart are passionate about motor racing and see Formula 1 as one of the top forms of motor sport.
Decisions like this which seem unjust, out of all proportion, and designed to favour one team over the others, are hugely damaging to F1’s public image.
No-one wants to admit to liking a sport if the rest of the public see it as being corrupt. The FIA stewards brought Formula 1 into disrepute yesterday.
courtesy of http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/09/08/seven-reasons-why-so-many-f1-fans-are-furious-about-hamiltons-penalty/
More on the IRL Did He or Didn't He?
Installation error ?
Target Chip Ganassi Racing is as talented a bunch of folks as you'll find. They dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of hours to researching innovative methods for getting their IndyCars to go as fast any others on any type of track, working tirelessly so that every part is properly assembled and optimally configured.Well, almost.
Upon review of its Timing and Scoring process following the conclusion of Sunday's race, IndyCar Series officials have confirmed that the transponder on Scott Dixon's No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car had been improperly installed, resulting in Dixon being shown in the top spot on the Indy Racing League's T and S system rather than race winner Helio Castroneves."
Target Chip Ganassi Racing is as talented a bunch of folks as you'll find. They dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of hours to researching innovative methods for getting their IndyCars to go as fast any others on any type of track, working tirelessly so that every part is properly assembled and optimally configured.Well, almost.
Upon review of its Timing and Scoring process following the conclusion of Sunday's race, IndyCar Series officials have confirmed that the transponder on Scott Dixon's No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car had been improperly installed, resulting in Dixon being shown in the top spot on the Indy Racing League's T and S system rather than race winner Helio Castroneves."
The improperly installed transponder clearly affected the data we were receiving from Dixon's car," said Jon Koskey, the Indy Racing League's director of timing and scoring. "
With the signal going the wrong direction, it could have bounced off of any number of things and made it difficult for the antenna to pick up an accurate signal. Because there's always the possibility of electronic equipment failing and the possibility of human error, we have multiple systems in place to insure the accuracy of the data."
This will not result in Scott Dixon having to forfeit any points or the 2008 title he won.
courtesy of http://www.mynameisirl.com/
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Racing Chatter
Didn't get to watch Champ Cars last hurrah on the streets of Long Beach Sunday until Monday night due to the reno.
PVRed TSN's delayed coverage. What a waste of time. Why bother airing it if your not going to do it right. Their cut down coverage was confusing and left me wondering what the hell happened more often the not .... but at least I got to see it.
Congratulations to Will Power for winning the last Champ Car race ... the IRL series is that much stronger now because of him and the drivers that came over from Champ Car.
To Champ Car ... Thanks for the memories. Unification had to happen to make the sport of open wheel racing stronger in North America. Now all we have to do is find a seat for PT, who once again this weekend showed why the IRL needs a name like him around.
Congratulations to Danica Patrick who won her first race this weekend in Japan. It took her long enough ...now go put your clothes back on! 
...nuff said!
To Champ Car ... Thanks for the memories. Unification had to happen to make the sport of open wheel racing stronger in North America. Now all we have to do is find a seat for PT, who once again this weekend showed why the IRL needs a name like him around.Congratulations to Danica Patrick who won her first race this weekend in Japan. It took her long enough ...now go put your clothes back on! ...nuff said!Danica picture courtesy of The New United IRL (facebook), the rest courtesy of me!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Racing chatter
More Unification talk between Champ Car and the IRL; http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/open-wheel-peace-at-hand/ NOTICE only Canadian race mentioned is Edmonton. 
Paul Tracy was 11th fastest of 14 drivers who took to the track in Sebring last weekend when the Champ Car World Series held its first test of the season. Franck Perera?! of France was quickest. First race of the season is the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18th.
TSN has announced its 2008 auto racing schedule – the network's largest ever with a total of 121 races (up from 105 races in 2007) from five different series. TSN's schedule features full-season coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Formula One and the Indy Racing League. Champ Car still does not have a Canadian carrier.
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