420 replies to this topic

[DanicaFan]

Race 2 of 16

Race - Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Location - Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

Date - Sunday, April 1st

Time & TV Schedule - Pre-Race Show - 2:00PM , Green Flag -2:45PM - NBC Sports Network

Course Type - 2.38 Mile Road Course

Distance - 90 Laps / 214.2 Miles

Practice Sessions -

Friday, March 30th -1:30-2:00pm Group A & 2:00-2:30pm Group B / 4:30-5:30pm Eastern
Saturday, March 31st - 9:00AM-9:20AM Eastern
Sunday, April 1st - 9:40 -10:10am Eastern- Warm-UP

Qualifications - Saturday, March 31st - 10:40am-11:55am Eastern

2011 Pole Sitter -#12 Will Power - 1:11.4546 / 115.878 MPH

2011 Winner - #12 Will Power

**Note - All times listed in Eastern Time, Alabama is 1 hour behind (CDT) Time.
___________________

[DanicaFan]

[DanicaFan]

Entry List...

[DanicaFan]

Pit Lane Assignments...

[DanicaFan]

Practice Groups for Friday, March 30th. All drivers out of the top 10 in points and rookies are in Group A. They get the extra half hour.

[PayasYouRace]

This is a nice circuit, with a sort of Brands Hatch/Oulton Park vibe to it. I'm looking forward to the race.

UK viewers will want to switch on SS4 at 19:30 on Sunday.

[Andy865]

I thought the first two races were confirmed for SSF1? Bar stewards.

Thank god for Brian.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I like the extra half hour for cars outside the top 10.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I like the extra half hour for cars outside the top 10.

[jonpollak]

so much you said it twice.
Jp

[Ross Stonefeld]

I wanted to see if my avatar would dance out of sync

[DanicaFan]

I like the extra half hour for cars outside the top 10.

I did the previous years but not this year. It's new cars, new engines. I think everyone should get the same time.

[DanardiF1]

I did the previous years but not this year. It's new cars, new engines. I think everyone should get the same time.

I think it's fair in helping Lotus get up to speed, as most of their cars (bar any magic Bourdais conjures up) will be out of the Top 10. Indycar wants all it's engine makers to be as competitive as possible, so giving that extra time to the Lotus guys is better in the long run.

[red stick]

I did the previous years but not this year. It's new cars, new engines. I think everyone should get the same time.

Can't agree. The people in the top ten are there for a reason. The rest could use the extra time, particularly those with Lotus engines and those who haven't seen the track before.

Marshall Pruett's Barber preview:

http://auto-racing.s...arber-preview1/

[Myrvold]

Barrichello not a rookie?

[DanardiF1]

Barrichello not a rookie?

No, they said that due to his overall experience, to classify him a rookie would be unfair on the 'true' rookies... I think he counts as one at IMS though.

[Rob G]

No, they said that due to his overall experience, to classify him a rookie would be unfair on the 'true' rookies... I think he counts as one at IMS though.

IMO the only true rookie in the field is Newgarden.

[MattPete]

Barber needs to be twice as wide (same goes for Mid-Ohio).

[Crazy Canuck]

I've never been a big fan of Barber, doesn't really generate good racing. Beautiful place tho.

CC

Edited by Crazy Canuck, 29 March 2012 - 02:19.

[DanicaFan]

I've never been a big fan of Barber, doesn't really generate good racing. Beautiful place tho.

CC

Completely agree.

[Dispenser89]

Barber needs to be twice as wide (same goes for Mid-Ohio).

And twice as long.

Still a great track in a beautiful setting. Just doesn't produce the best racing though.

[Ross Stonefeld]

The cars don't help. If they were overpowered they'd race better everywhere.

[red stick]

The cars don't help. If they were overpowered they'd race better everywhere.

I assume when they get the reliability of the current engines sorted more power will inevitably follow. Can't imagine the drivers would complain.

Anyone else attending this race this weekend?

[jonpollak]

Josef Newgarden P1 at the half way point in FP1


Jp

[Seanspeed]

Why is Katherine Legge so bad this year? She was somewhat respectable in Champ Car.

[Bloggsworth]

Why is Katherine Legge so bad this year? She was somewhat respectable in Champ Car.

She hasn't sat in a racing car for over a year, hasn't raced for 18 months, give her a little while to get back into the swing of things.

[HaydenFan]

Why is Katherine Legge so bad this year? She was somewhat respectable in Champ Car.

Really? Outside her being in a Lotus powered car, she isn't the best driver out there. Had the one good year in Atlantics and even that year was filled with inconsistencies. And look at her competition that year. Charles Zwolsman? Tonis Kasemets? Not a field with many decent drivers. And the one year in Champ Car she had a truly midpack car (with PKV) she managed only 4 top 10's (average field was 17 cars) in 14 races w/ a best of a crash field race at Milwaukee of 6th. And in the new car era of 2007 with Coyne, she managed only 2 top 10's, and both because of accidents.

[Disgrace]

Although it can be interpreted as such, this is not a bashful question, but why have they signed her up after such a long racing absence? $$$?

[red stick]

Currently in a rain delay at the track--severe lightning is in the area, so they've moved everybody into permanent buildings. Some impressions:

1. Newgarden is seriously fast.
2. Legge is noticeably slow, and pretty much everywhere on the track. You particularly notice it when Seb blows by.
3. Dario and Helio are running mostly blue schemes this weekend, which takes some getting used to.
4. On the straight the relative lack of power of the Lotus is telling.
5. The cars look pretty good. The gold on Seb's is the shade of actual gold--very nice.

[HaydenFan]

Currently in a rain delay at the track--severe lightning is in the area, so they've moved everybody into permanent buildings. Some impressions:

1. Newgarden is seriously fast.
2. Legge is noticeably slow, and pretty much everywhere on the track. You particularly notice it when Seb blows by.
3. Dario and Helio are running mostly blue schemes this weekend, which takes some getting used to.
4. On the straight the relative lack of power of the Lotus is telling.
5. The cars look pretty good. The gold on Seb's is the shade of actual gold--very nice.

Top 5 in 1st practice. Yes Newgarden is quick.

[Risil]

Top 5 in 1st practice. Yes Newgarden is quick.

Saw him at a cold and wet Castle Combe a few years ago. He was quick then too.

Apparently the Rubens-hype has died down, but fifth in first practice! That's more like it.

[HaydenFan]

If they don't fix their website, I might be done with this series though. The front page doesn't even work for me now. And finding times? Forget about it. Had to navigate through the Indy Lights times to find the IndyCar times. Really making me upset.

[BiH]

this should be good

not the boring street course from last week


I think surprise of weekend will be Rubens

[stewie]

Like the flow of the track from fp1 highlights, reminds me of Brands Hatch.

[Andrew Hope]

Yeah, Barber is a pretty track. I'm a sucker for dem elevation changes.

[DanicaFan]

Practice 1 Results..




Practice 2 was shortened and rain hampered so not all teams went out. Below are the results of session 2..

Edited by DanicaFan, 31 March 2012 - 03:41.

[teejay]

Watching some highlights on youtube - the cars sound really good

[PayasYouRace]

3. Dario and Helio are running mostly blue schemes this weekend, which takes some getting used to.

Not again. Time to break out the spotter guide again.

[davissi]

Currently in a rain delay at the track--severe lightning is in the area, so they've moved everybody into permanent buildings. Some impressions:

1. Newgarden is seriously fast.
2. Legge is noticeably slow, and pretty much everywhere on the track. You particularly notice it when Seb blows by.
3. Dario and Helio are running mostly blue schemes this weekend, which takes some getting used to.
4. On the straight the relative lack of power of the Lotus is telling.
5. The cars look pretty good. The gold on Seb's is the shade of actual gold--very nice.

Its a shame that they've allowed these other engines, now there's another reason to spoil a relatively level playing field. Amazing drivers like Bourdais totally compromised. They need to keep the series as spec as possible then they can really concentrate on the skills of the driver and fight to be the real superstar not one with a hand tied behind his back.

[red stick]

Its a shame that they've allowed these other engines, now there's another reason to spoil a relatively level playing field. Amazing drivers like Bourdais totally compromised. They need to keep the series as spec as possible then they can really concentrate on the skills of the driver and fight to be the real superstar not one with a hand tied behind his back.

I've attended this race and others during the Dallara/Honda spec years. IMHO, this is better.

[PayasYouRace]

Its a shame that they've allowed these other engines, now there's another reason to spoil a relatively level playing field. Amazing drivers like Bourdais totally compromised. They need to keep the series as spec as possible then they can really concentrate on the skills of the driver and fight to be the real superstar not one with a hand tied behind his back.

I think you'll find yourself in a minority there.

[red stick]

8am IndyCar practice. Track fogged in.

[Laster]

KV Racing Technology ‏ @kvracing
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FavoritedFavorite · Close Open Details Practice is on hold due to arrival of medical helicopter which can't land because of the fog.

[pingu666]

Its a shame that they've allowed these other engines, now there's another reason to spoil a relatively level playing field. Amazing drivers like Bourdais totally compromised. They need to keep the series as spec as possible then they can really concentrate on the skills of the driver and fight to be the real superstar not one with a hand tied behind his back.

yeah! thats why we all watch gp2, gp3, a1gp, formula renault, and dont care about F1,nascar, sportscars, tin tops.


spec racing has very little value

[tkulla]

Its a shame that they've allowed these other engines, now there's another reason to spoil a relatively level playing field. Amazing drivers like Bourdais totally compromised. They need to keep the series as spec as possible then they can really concentrate on the skills of the driver and fight to be the real superstar not one with a hand tied behind his back.

I get what you're saying - it is tough to see some good drivers not have much of a chance. But remember that Seb at least has a full-season ride this year. Progress, my friend.

Having multiple manufacturers is good for the drivers. It gives them an affiliation beyond their team. Sato is a Honda driver. Bourdais is a Lotus man. The engine companies will want the better drivers because they can make their engine winners. This means more talent and fewer pay drivers. This will just make the series stronger and more attractive to sponsors. It's the beginning of getting back to a time where top young talent really wanted to be drive Indy (and not NASCAR) because they could make money AND drive incredible cars. It's a long road, but I think the sport is on the right path.

[Ross Stonefeld]

But it is often a requirement to survive.

[red stick]

Turned into a beautiful day with a good sized crowd. Power fastest thus far in Q--Rubens 7th. Got Johnny Rutherford's autograph--if they're not wearing g a driving suit, they're anonymous.

[DanardiF1]

Turned into a beautiful day with a good sized crowd. Power fastest thus far in Q--Rubens 7th. Got Johnny Rutherford's autograph--if they're not wearing g a driving suit, they're anonymous.

[red stick]

Fast 6 is Hello, Hinch, Hildebrand, Conway, TK, and Dixon.

[DanardiF1]

Fast 6 is Hello, Hinch, Hildebrand, Conway, TK, and Dixon.

Where did Rubens end up?