772 replies to this topic

[PayasYouRace]

Welcome race fans to Detroit. To get you in the mood, scheivlak has kindly provided a sountrack.

 

 

So what does Indycar do to make Detroit remotely interesting?

 

The races are held at Belle Isle, which being an island in a river makes the Detroit Indycar round very much the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve of the Indy season. Except Detroit is only like Montreal if Montreal was the setting for a Fallout game.

 

(Pictured: Detroit on a good day)

 

You read right though. Races. Plural. This is the first of this year's Indycar double headers. The format proved popular last year and it's back, and allows Indycar to claim an 18 race season at only 14 circuits. Am I being cynical? You bet. But it does provide for on track drama and excitement, which is something F1 fans have missed for too long and are finding themselves drawn to this craziest of series.

 

The Belle Isle circuit was one of the CART regulars, and as we all know CART was the Best Series Ever^TM until the thing we'd rather not talk about happened. It was the scene of this amazing finish in 1997:

 

With Spanish commentary for your (dubious pleasure).

 

It also saw this controversial crash in the IRL days, when Scott Dixon coolly reversed (allegedly) into Dario Franchitti after a collision. As if deliberate crashes only happen at Monaco.

Sorry I really can't be bothered to find the English commentary. You get the idea though.

 

What's the schedule?

 

If you say "skejule", then tune into ABC at these times:

 

RACE 1 BROADCAST: Saturday 5/31 3:30PM ET

RACE 2 BROADCAST: Sunday 6/1 3:30PM ET

 

However if you say "shedule", then ESPN is where you need to go:

 

Saturday 31st May / Sunday 1st June 
         Channel - ESPN UK (Both Days)
         Time - 20:30 (Both Days)

 

The full weekend schedule is as follows: (Download pdf)

 

Friday:

Indycar Practice: 11:20 - 12:05

Indycar Practice: 15:20 - 16:05

 

Saturday:

Indycar Qualy 1: 8:35 - 9:35

Indycar Race 1: 15:50

 

Sunday:

Indycar Qualy 2: 10:00 - 10:30

Indycar Race 2: 15:50

 

Anything Else?

 

Pagenaud has decided that he's too stealthy, so this weekend his car will sport a high-viz livery.

 

 

I'm sure Ross will be along soon with any other paint updates.

 

I've kept you guys waiting long enough though. Let's go!

[Andrew Hope]

[HaydenFan]

Forgot this one too. 

 

 

Might need to replace my avatar too. Been a year since Saavedra decided to give Marco the double one finger salute in Race 1. And if not for weekend work, I'd be probably be on the road to D-Town. 

[Dolph]

Two races in one weekend. That's the way to do it!

[HaydenFan]

Two races in one weekend. That's the way to do it!

 

I'm not a fan of it, mostly because it's a way for the series to avoid finding new venues to run at. But two races is better than one, and outside the political aspect, I love it. 

Edited by HaydenFan, 29 May 2014 - 19:56.

[JHSingo]

Looking forward to it. I enjoyed the 500 a lot, but IndyCar back on a road course should mean it is back to its zany best.

 

Was it here last year that Power threw his gloves at Bourdais? And, I could be wrong, but didn't the track break up the year before?

[Vitesse2]

There seems to be some uncertainty on the ESPN UK 'shedule' for Sunday. But in a good way. BT Sport's website says the broadcast starts at 2000 - although Sky's EPG says 2030.

[paulb]

Oh absolutely the White Stripes should reunite and perform the National Anthem.

[Prost1997T]

Looking forward to it. I enjoyed the 500 a lot, but IndyCar back on a road course should mean it is back to its zany best.

 

 

It's a street circuit. So expect Mike Conway to make an appearance up front

[paulb]

Continuing the musical theme, The Big Three Killed My Baby.

 

[whitewaterMkII]

This is the track where I became a hardcore JPM fan.

1999 and el juancho on a completely whack qually lap.

I could only find it in espanol.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=pJhBIkpdFjw

 

Yikes

[Peat]

There seems to be some uncertainty on the ESPN UK 'shedule' for Sunday. But in a good way. BT Sport's website says the broadcast starts at 2000 - although Sky's EPG says 2030.

 

Yay! That might mean an extra half an hour of inane studio drivvle!

 

"So, how does an IndyCar compare to an F1 car again?"

[jonpollak]

¡Hola a todos!
Ahora que estoy de vuelta en Inglaterra que va a ser el bar y un montón de cerveza en la noche.
 
De todas maneras...
Aquí es mi canción favorita de la depresión que es Detroit


 
Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 30 May 2014 - 14:35.

[SR388]

Got my dvr set. Looking forward to a good race on Saturday, and a miserable crash fest on Sunday.

[jonpollak]

Practice 1 results

\

Jp

[Prost1997T]

Strange to see JPM so far off the pace...

[Andrew Hope]

Continuing the musical theme, The Big Three Killed My Baby.

 

 

Well I've said it now, nothing's changed,
people are burning for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy,
and the big three killed my baby.

[sblick]

Just in time for the race they had a water line break that took out 80 ft of track on Monday or Tuesday to keep Penske on his toes to get it fixed correctly. Between turns 13 and 14. Why do all my friends ruin my weekends in this fine city with weddings and fixing cars that I can't enjoy Belle Isle on a fabulous weekend of racing.
Looking for a Bourdais breakout this weekend

[Prost1997T]

Looking for a Bourdais breakout this weekend

 

1. Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:18.8595

..

20. Sebastien Bourdais 1:20.4368

 

Hmm....

[Disgrace]

TK fifth is promising. Hopefully we'll actually see some of him this weekend.

[eronrules]

what's going on with Will power??? has he lost his mojo all of a sudden??? or RHR has stolen it from him??? he's supposed to be the 'road course specialist' or something

 

stealth pagenaud is still there i see, same with conway

[Sheepmachine]

This should be good! 2 indycar races in a weekend, makes up a bit for missing the last one. Just hope the hospital Internet doesn't block it.

[Andrew Hope]

what's going on with Will power??? has he lost his mojo all of a sudden??? or RHR has stolen it from him??? he's supposed to be the 'road course specialist' or something

 

stealth pagenaud is still there i see, same with conway

 

"Road course specialist" was just something you said about Will Power because it was nicer than "Oval track ****up".

[jonpollak]

This should be good! 2 indycar races in a weekend, makes up a bit for missing the last one. Just hope the hospital Internet doesn't block it.

STILL layed up my brother..?

Jp

[HaydenFan]

what's going on with Will power??? has he lost his mojo all of a sudden??? or RHR has stolen it from him??? he's supposed to be the 'road course specialist' or something

 

stealth pagenaud is still there i see, same with conway

 

I think everyone has caught Power. Plus, RHR is a rocket!

[Sheepmachine]

STILL layed up my brother..?

Jp

Sadly yes. You know it's bad when doctors describe you as a 'Rather interesting case'.

[Prost1997T]

what's going on with Will power??? has he lost his mojo all of a sudden??? or RHR has stolen it from him??? he's supposed to be the 'road course specialist' or something

 

stealth pagenaud is still there i see, same with conway

 

Well, it is just first practice. On the other hand, Power's not been that good at Detroit (whether that be the old or new configuration).

[paulb]

Sadly yes. You know it's bad when doctors describe you as a 'Rather interesting case'.

Sorry to hear that dude.  At least you're tuned into the right place here because laughter is the best medicine.

[PayasYouRace]

Sadly yes. You know it's bad when doctors describe you as a 'Rather interesting case'.

 

Right behind you mate.

[biercemountain]

Woohoo, twice the sarcasm in one convenient race weekend. 

[Prost1997T]

Just as I predicted, Conway is fast. Though RHR and Helio are right with him in today's practice sessions.

[Sheepmachine]

Sorry to hear that dude.  At least you're tuned into the right place here because laughter is the best medicine.

Right behind you mate.

Thanks. This place helps keeps me sane. So now I'm going to read the entire Indy 500 thread.

[pingu666]

sst race on now, they havent anihalated some curiously placed  cones

guess thats the water main

[jonpollak]

Practice 2

 

 

Jp

[Prost1997T]

[swintex]

De todas maneras...
Aquí es mi canción favorita de la depresión que es Detroit

Jp

¡hola JP…

 

Richard

[Jim Thurman]

Someone asked what E.J. Viso was up to?...

 

http://www.nationals...off-road-glory/

[PayasYouRace]

Nice to see the visorcam back. I guess they're only doing it on street circuits.

[jonpollak]

Marco been in the Waaambulance all week

 

and..

Jeez Louise

Will Power for goodness sake DO NOT give up your day job !!!

 

 

We race 1 qualy now..

 

http://racecontrol.indycar.com/

 

PS..Hello Richard

 

Jp

[teejay]

will accept any nigerian links for quali

[Prost1997T]

Top 3 in the championship didn't make it out of Q1...interesting.

[jonpollak]

will accept any nigerian links for quali

Sorry...Nigerians are at lunch till race time.

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 31 May 2014 - 13:16.

[Muppetmad]

Sounds like Pagenaud got screwed over with his penalty. Disappointing, he'd have surely been competing for pole otherwise.

[HaydenFan]

will accept any nigerian links for quali

 

Us in America would have liked some coverage of it as well. Seems like a bit of a cut in broadcasting this year. Going to be even worse when NBCSN gets it's hands on more NASCAR stuff next year. 

[PayasYouRace]

Autosport qualy report:

 

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/114219

 

Pos Driver Team/Engine Time Gap
1. Helio Castroneves Penske/Chevy 1m17.5362s
2. James Hinchcliffe Andretti/Honda 1m17.9788s +0.4426s
3. Jack Hawksworth Herta/Honda 1m18.0731s +0.5369s
4. Mike Conway Carpenter/Chevy 1m18.3015s +0.7653s
5. Ryan Briscoe Ganassi/Chevy 1m18.8098s +1.2736s
6. Juan Pablo Montoya Penske/Chevy 1m19.7296s +2.1934s
7. Sebastien Bourdais KV/Chevy 1m17.9806s Round 2
8. Tony Kanaan Ganassi/Chevy 1m18.0200s Round 2
9. Graham Rahal Rahal/Honda 1m18.0355s Round 2
10. Scott Dixon Ganassi/Chevy 1m18.0630s Round 2
11. Carlos Munoz Andretti/Honda 1m18.1450s Round 2
12. Carlos Huertas Coyne/Honda 1m18.4772s Round 2
13. Sebastian Saavedra KV/Chevy 1m18.3622s Group 1
14. Josef Newgarden Fisher/Honda 1m18.5309s Group 2
15. Takuma Sato Foyt/Honda 1m18.3689s Group 1
16. Will Power Penske/Chevy 1m18.6807s Group 2
17. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt/Honda 1m18.4709s Group 1
18. Marco Andretti Andretti/Honda 1m18.8743s Group 2
19. Justin Wilson Coyne/Honda 1m18.5181s Group 1
20. Charlie Kimball Ganassi/Chevy 1m19.1176s Group 2
21. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti/Honda 1m19.8292s Group 1
22. Mikhail Aleshin Schmidt/Honda 1m19.6300s Group 2

[Prost1997T]

Us in America would have liked some coverage of it as well. Seems like a bit of a cut in broadcasting this year. Going to be even worse when NBCSN gets it's hands on more NASCAR stuff next year. 

 

On the contrary, I don't recall ABC broadcasting qualifying for Detroit since it came back to the calendar. NBCSN have shown qualifying for every race they've broadcasted so far this year.

[Andrew Hope]

Do we get a standing start this week or was it this track last year that it proved impossible (and would've been hilarious)?

[Ross Stonefeld]

ABC doesn't showing qualifying, NBC usually tape delays it.

[jonpollak]

Do we get a standing start this week or was it this track last year that it proved impossible (and would've been hilarious)?

No..I think Motor Shitty is a Lolling Start.

Jp

[Dmitriy_Guller]

Us in America would have liked some coverage of it as well. Seems like a bit of a cut in broadcasting this year. Going to be even worse when NBCSN gets it's hands on more NASCAR stuff next year. 

NBCSN is the best thing that happened to auto racing broadcasting, especially to sport where the only alternative was ABC/ESPN.  At one point ABC/ESPN was the best network for broadcasting auto racing, when it was the only one in the game, but it's been left behind by a long way ever since, and judging by the quality of its coverage it's perfectly happy to stay comfortably behind.