538 replies to this topic

[Risil]

Verizon Indycar Series Round 9 (or 10, if you've already counted Texas) of 16: The 26th Grand Prix of Road America

 

Number of laps: 50
Lap length: 4.05 miles

Lap Record: 1:39.866 (Dario Franchitti, Reynard-Honda, 2000)

Yes, that means it's stood for: 16 years

You're excited, right?

 

The fictional character known as American Open-Wheel Racing last visited Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin in 2007, and unless you're one of those people whose interest in sports cars or second-division stock car racing survives their respective early-season departures from Florida, that's probably the last you saw of it.

 

For reasons I do not entirely understand, the nine-year hiyatus has come to an end. As is my right as a freeborn digital nativist, I elect to pass comment by GIF alone:

 

What's happening? When's it happening?
All times, like politics, are local. Add on 6 hours for the UK time.

 

Friday, 24 June

11.00-12.15: Indycar practice 1

14.10-14.40: Indy Lights qualifying

15.00-16.15: Indycar practice 2

 

Saturday, 25 June

08.00-08.40: USF2000 race 1

08.55-09.45: Pro Mazda race 1

11.00-11.45: Indycar practice 3

12.00-12.55: Indy Lights race 1

13.10-13.50: USF2000 race 2

14.05-14.45: Pro Mazda race 2

15.00-16.50: Indycar qualifying

17.45-18.45: Pirelli World Challenge GTS race 1

 

Sunday, 26 June

08.00-08.30: Indycar warm-up

08.45-09.45: Indy Lights race 2

11.30: Start of NBC Sports broadcast featuring Paul Tracy and obstreperousness

12.15: Indycar Grand Prix Racing Time (50 laps)

15.00-16.00: Pirelli World Challenge GTS race 2

What's happened lately?

Technically I think we're midway through the Firestone 600 in Texas. I'm far from a candidate for president of the Harvard Law Review but I think that means commenting on the championship would put me in contempt of court. Nonetheless, the in-many-ways-incredibly-lucky Josef Newgarden is on stand-by should Dr Indycar pass him as fit to race. Otherwise JR Hildebrand will drive Ed Carpenter/Sarah Fisher entry, which is bound to bring cheer to lovers of affected first names and fourth, fifth and sixth chances. Josef Newgarden is, remarkably enough, one of only two frontrunning drivers who hasn't raced an Indy-type car at Road America (the other is James Hinchcliffe, unless you want to throw standards, morality and civilization out the window and include Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz and Mikhail Aleshin as frontrunners).

 

So, with that "statistic" in mind, you'll forgive the bleedingly contemporary nostalgia orgy that follows:

 

A glorious trawl through Youtube

Enthusiasts of nineties-era CART are well aware that a decade or so packed in more incident, personality and drama than the complete histories of many lesser racing spectacles. Some highlights:

Paul Tracy punts Parker Johnstone into the long grass on the final lap; a minute later his teammate retires from the lead of the race

 

Jacques Villeneuve overtakes two Penskes in one corner en route to his first Indycar victory

 

Stewards attempt to start a race with an Interlagos 2003 style river running across the fastest part of the track

 

Michael Andretti runs out of fuel on the last lap, and Danny Sullivan takes desperate avoiding action which in retrospect was a pass for the lead

 

Andre Ribeiro takes out three cars in two separate incidents and is somehow upstaged by Davy Jones flipping his car over during a caution

 

As-yet-unYoutubed is what sounds like an astonishing 1983 edition, in which Josele Garza (early-eighties CART's version of Carlos Munoz) brutalizes his way from last to first in 40 laps, before spinning out with 6 laps remaining. A lap later Bobby Rahal, who has inherited the lead, runs out of fuel, and Mario Andretti wins with a very poorly Lola-Ford. At least, that's what Wikipedia says. I bet B Squared knows whether it happened or not.

 

I wouldn't usually say this, and saying this will inevitably bring forth some inconceivable cosmic jinx, but even if you're not a regular Indycar schmoe you would be doing yourself and society a favour giving this race a go. Imagine Spa-Francorchamps, but warmer, less angsty and with a corner named after Canada. Or a straightened-out, midwestern Mugello. Or the idea of the Good as outlined in Plato's Republic, but smelling slightly of grilled bratwurst.

 

Let's go! Before they change their minds and re-run the Texas race instead!

[Prost1997T]

You forgot to discuss the hefty support card: PWC (three different classes with two races each), and the full MRTI (six races in total).   Almost non-stop track action from Thursday-Sunday.

Edited by Prost1997T, 22 June 2016 - 22:38.

[Risil]

I hope the yellow flag wavers have spare arms.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I got a video for ya. 

 

1997. Some idiot in his first race weekend.

 

[Prost1997T]

I hope the yellow flag wavers have spare arms.

 

Hmm, can't say I expect many, especially with how open turn 1 is. It feels like a breath of fresh air watching a Lights or USF2000 race compared to the tedious crash-SC-crash-SC-crash in GP2 or F4. Sure, there are 6 or 7 more cars in the latter, but I feel like taking cover with the amount of carbon fibre flying around.  

[teejay]

Funnily I watched the 1998 race last night. 

 

Herta getting dry humped, Zanardi drilling Unser early and Andretti continued his "unluckiest season in history" trend - do love how they swap to his incar just as he is buried in the tyres and screams out "the f******* tyre!"

 

It is a classic, and great track.

[loki]

I got a video for ya. 

 

1997. Some idiot in his first race weekend.

 

Looks like them is Skippy cars.

 

Love the hand gesture at the end, pretty much says it all.

[prommer]

While we're on the videos, how about Paul Tracy ending up next to someone's camper:

 

 

I'll let someone else introduce Katherine Legge into the thread...

[RA2]

What is the track layout?

 

Is there a chicane at Carousel?

[Muppetmad]

I'm SO looking forward to this! This will be the first live Road America race I'll watch, but I already know what an incredible circuit it is. Here's to a stunning weekend of racing!

[Risil]

What is the track layout?

Is there a chicane at Carousel?

Check the track map. No chicane, same layout as usual.

[teejay]

While we're on the videos, how about Paul Tracy ending up next to someone's camper:

 

 

I'll let someone else introduce Katherine Legge into the thread...

 

Before my time* but damn!

 

*I was like 9

[TecnoRacing]

What is the track layout?

 

Is there a chicane at Carousel?

 

 

Check the track map. No chicane, same layout as usual.

 

 

Yup...and looking great as always...

 

[B Squared]

I bet B Squared knows whether it happened or not.

[Jimisgod]

The fact that this hasn't ever been the US GP track proves there is no God.   

[babbel]

This one was pretty brutal:

 

[messy]

I remember watching a grainy CART race on Channel 5 late at night circa about 1999 or 2000. I remember looking at the track and thinking 'wow, this is amazing' - the long blasts through the forests, the steep climb up the start finish straight (which for once the camera really captured), everything about it. I played the track on Newman-Haas Racing and was disappointed that the track on that was flat. Always loved Elkhart Lake, looking forward to this weekend. 

[Ross Stonefeld]

It proves that there is one and that he loves us an is benevolent. If F1 tried to race there there'd be so much pavement it'd look like a Wal-Mart parking lot. 

Edited by Ross Stonefeld, 23 June 2016 - 11:22.

[PayasYouRace]

Don't forget Bryan Herta getting mounted by Alex Barron. Scary!

 

[EightGear]

This one was pretty brutal:

 

 

I remember this very well. My dad and I saw it happen on TV and both looked at each other knowing surely she'd not survived that. Of course she did, thankfully.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Sloppy memories around here
 

 

Edited by Ross Stonefeld, 23 June 2016 - 11:59.

[noriaki]

 

You're excited, right?

 

This track map just gave me chills, as I was mentally going around it and started to approach Canada Corner. 

[Prost1997T]

PWC stream is here: http://world-challen...om/streamvideo/

 

Touring Car classes will be on track in about 20 minutes.

[Risil]

Sloppy memories around here

I was trying not to make the whole OP into "Look at all the places you can possibly die at Road America", although there is that.

[Prost1997T]

I was trying not to make the whole OP into "Look out all the places you can possibly die at Road America", although there is that.

 

...and to think people told me Texas was dangerous cause ovals. Anyway RA has been changed significantly since the CART era (also we don't have the Ribeiros of the world in this field).

[HeadFirst]

...and to think people told me Texas was dangerous cause ovals. Anyway RA has been changed significantly since the CART era (also we don't have the Ribeiros of the world in this field).

 

But we do have Taku!!!!!

[Prost1997T]

But we do have Taku!!!!!

 

Apart from tagging the wall at Indy, I can't remember anything stereotypical from him this year.

[Risil]

The fact that this hasn't ever been the US GP track proves there is no God.

There was very nearly a MotoGP round at Road America in 1995. They got as far as designing the poster before the whole thing was called off.

It would be a great addition to the WEC calendar.

[Dr. Austin]

We have needed this race for a long time. With the Glen on the schedule too, all we need is to add Laguna Seca and a couple more ovals.

[dierome87]

We have needed this race for a long time. With the Glen on the schedule too, all we need is to add Laguna Seca and a couple more ovals.

 

Laguna Seca and Sonoma are too similar in my book (I prefer Laguna Seca though).

 

Add Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport to that list.

[HeadFirst]

Apart from tagging the wall at Indy, I can't remember anything stereotypical from him this year.

 

This year. Actually I fear his brand of mayhem less on a track like this. More room to get out of the way.

[ANF]

Courier New Times.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23
                              Elkhart Lake       London        Berlin        Athens        Moscow          Mumbai         Tokyo        Sydney
                                 CDT (0)        BST (+6)      CEST (+7)     EEST (+8)     MSK (+8)       IST (+10:30)   JST (+14)    AEST (+15)

            USF2000 Practice   11:30–12:00     17:30–18:00   18:30–19:00   19:30–20:00   19:30–20:00     22:00–22:30   01:30–02:00   02:30–03:00   USF2000 Practice

          Pro Mazda Practice   12:15–12:45     18:15–18:45   19:15–19:45   20:15–20:45   20:15–20:45     22:45–23:15   02:15–02:45   03:15–03:45   Pro Mazda Practice

            USF2000 Practice   15:15–15:45     21:15–21:45   22:15–22:45   23:15–23:45   23:15–23:45     01:45–02:15   05:15–05:45   06:15–06:45   USF2000 Practice


FRIDAY, JUNE 24
                              Elkhart Lake       London        Berlin        Athens        Moscow          Mumbai         Tokyo        Sydney
                                 CDT (0)        BST (+6)      CEST (+7)     EEST (+8)     MSK (+8)       IST (+10:30)   JST (+14)    AEST (+15)

          Pro Mazda Practice   08:00–08:45     14:00–14:45   15:00–15:45   16:00–16:45   16:00–16:45     18:30–19:15   22:00–22:45   23:00–23:45   Pro Mazda Practice

        Indy Lights Practice   09:00–10:00     15:00–16:00   16:00–17:00   17:00–18:00   17:00–18:00     19:30–20:30   23:00–00:00   00:00–01:00   Indy Lights Practice

      USF2000 Qualifications   10:15–10:45     16:15–16:45   17:15–17:45   18:15–18:45   18:15–18:45     20:45–21:15   00:15–00:45   01:15–01:45   USF2000 Qualifications

        NBC Broadcast Window   11:00–12:30     17:00–18:30   18:00–19:30   19:00–20:30   19:00–20:30     21:30–23:00   01:00–02:30   02:00–03:30   NBC Broadcast Window

            IndyCar Practice   11:00–12:15     17:00–18:15   18:00–19:15   19:00–20:15   19:00–20:15     21:30–22:45   01:00–02:15   02:00–03:15   IndyCar Practice

    Pro Mazda Qualifications   13:25–13:55     19:25–19:55   20:25–20:55   21:25–21:55   21:25–21:55     23:55–00:25   03:25–03:55   04:25–04:55   Pro Mazda Qualifications

  Indy Lights Qualifications   14:10–14:40     20:10–20:40   21:10–21:40   22:10–22:40   22:10–22:40     00:40–01:10   04:10–04:40   05:10–05:40   Indy Lights Qualifications

            IndyCar Practice   15:00–16:15     21:00–22:15   22:00–23:15   23:00–00:15   23:00–00:15     01:30–02:45   05:00–06:15   06:00–07:15   IndyCar Practice


SATURDAY, JUNE 25
                              Elkhart Lake       London        Berlin        Athens        Moscow          Mumbai         Tokyo        Sydney
                                 CDT (0)        BST (+6)      CEST (+7)     EEST (+8)     MSK (+8)       IST (+10:30)   JST (+14)    AEST (+15)

              USF2000 Race 1   08:00–08:40     14:00–14:40   15:00–15:40   16:00–16:40   16:00–16:40     18:30–19:10   22:00–22:40   23:00–23:40   USF2000 Race 1

            Pro Mazda Race 1   08:55–09:45     14:55–15:45   15:55–16:45   16:55–17:45   16:55–17:45     19:25–20:15   22:55–23:45   23:55–00:45   Pro Mazda Race 1

            IndyCar Practice   11:00–11:45     17:00–17:45   18:00–18:45   19:00–19:45   19:00–19:45     21:30–22:15   01:00–01:45   02:00–02:45   IndyCar Practice

          Indy Lights Race 1   12:00–12:55     18:00–18:55   19:00–19:55   20:00–20:55   20:00–20:55     22:30–23:25   02:00–02:55   03:00–03:55   Indy Lights Race 1

              USF2000 Race 2   13:10–13:50     19:10–19:50   20:10–20:50   21:10–21:50   21:10–21:50     23:40–00:20   03:10–03:50   04:10–04:50   USF2000 Race 2

            Pro Mazda Race 2   14:05–14:45     20:05–20:45   21:05–21:45   22:05–22:45   22:05–22:45     00:35–01:15   04:05–04:45   05:05–05:45   Pro Mazda Race 2

      IndyCar Qualifications   15:00–16:15     21:00–22:15   22:00–23:15   23:00–00:15   23:00–00:15     01:30–02:45   05:00–06:15   06:00–07:15   IndyCar Qualifications

NBC Broadcast Window (Delay)   16:30–18:00     22:30–00:00   23:30–01:00   00:30–02:00   00:30–02:00     03:00–04:30   06:30–08:00   07:30–09:00   NBC Broadcast Window (Delay)


SUNDAY, JUNE 26
                              Elkhart Lake       London        Berlin        Athens        Moscow          Mumbai         Tokyo        Sydney
                                 CDT (0)        BST (+6)      CEST (+7)     EEST (+8)     MSK (+8)       IST (+10:30)   JST (+14)    AEST (+15)

             IndyCar Warm Up   08:00–08:30     14:00–14:30   15:00–15:30   16:00–16:30   16:00–16:30     18:30–19:00   22:00–22:30   23:00–23:30   IndyCar Warm Up

          Indy Lights Race 2   08:45–09:45     14:45–15:45   15:45–16:45   16:45–17:45   16:45–17:45     19:15–20:15   22:45–23:45   23:45–00:45   Indy Lights Race 2

        NBC Broadcast Window   11:30–14:30     17:30–20:30   18:30–21:30   19:30–22:30   19:30–22:30     22:00–01:00   01:30–04:30   02:30–05:30   NBC Broadcast Window

                Indycar Race   12:15–14:15     18:15–20:15   19:15–21:15   20:15–22:15   20:15–22:15     22:45–00:45   02:15–04:15   03:15–05:15   Indycar Race

[sadler21]

So looking forward to this. The fact that they have now added golf cart paths down the inside to Canada Corner and the outside of the straight running to Turn 5 will be an unbelievable view, some areas won't even be recognizable away from the track surface compared to 2007.

[Prost1997T]

So...Felix Rosenqvist is going to miss the next 3 Indy Lights races to sit on the Mercedes DTM pitwall.   I thought he was at the Paul Ricard 1000km initially, but nope...

[prommer]

If the UK Brexits, does that affect the UK or Central European start times at all? Please advise.

 

I don't know how things work.

[BalanceUT]

Before my time* but damn!

 

*I was like 9

So was the kid next to the camper... 

[racinggeek]

Sloppy memories around here
 

 

 

I remember this distinctly -- was in the press room when it happened, and there was no word on Gidley for about 10 minutes. He hit right under the spectator.traffic bridge that used to cross the track, and that's a fairly quick corner. It's also almost the same place where Trans-Am driver Jerry Titus lost his life in a 1970 race, kinda similar accident. Stepped outside after a few minutes, and it was deathly, eerily quiet. None of the usual crowd murmur or moving around during the yellow -- I can't recall feeling that kind of stillness at a track before or since. When they announced Memo was OK, it was as if a pressure relief valve was opened over the whole track. 

Edited by racinggeek, 23 June 2016 - 22:57.

[Spillage]

This sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.

[racinggeek]

Those who are going, have a brat. Or two or three. Ask Hinch.

 

And, no, no one 'round these parts calls 'em "bratwursts."

[PayasYouRace]

Something that's always bugged me: Why is there no Turn 2?

[Ross Stonefeld]

There's no turn 4 either. Technically they are flagging stations. Our Lord and Saviour Bob Varsha would occasionally refer to turn 5 as 'station 5'.

 

It effectively has 12 turns, and that's using the oval-math of counting the carousel as two. 

[Vitesse2]

If the UK Brexits, does that affect the UK or Central European start times at all? Please advise.

 

I don't know how things work.

Yes, we go back 43 years and AJ and Hobbo will be driving.

[Risil]

Those who are going, have a brat. Or two or three. Ask Hinch.

 

And, no, no one 'round these parts calls 'em "bratwursts."

 

I tried asking for a "brat" at Indy and it was probably my English accent but they didn't have a clue what I was asking for. So I'm sticking with bratwursts.

[racinggeek]

I tried asking for a "brat" at Indy and it was probably my English accent but they didn't have a clue what I was asking for. So I'm sticking with bratwursts.

 

Well, the English accent would probably explain that. You have to ask in your best, flat, slightly nasal Midwest US accent -- "braaahht." Like you're channeling a "Da Bears" skit from SNL.

Edited by racinggeek, 23 June 2016 - 23:02.

[racinggeek]

Don't forget Bryan Herta getting mounted by Alex Barron. Scary!

 

 

And, for a serious case of deja vu, here's Herta three years later. That 2001 race was a weird one.

[jonpollak]

I tried asking for a "brat" at Indy and it was probably my English accent but they didn't have a clue what I was asking for. So I'm sticking with bratwursts.

 

I was there..... Nothing to do with the accent, all to do with the soft spoken nature of our OP !!

[HaydenFan]

I got a video for ya. 

 

1997. Some idiot in his first race weekend.

 

 

`Did the old Skippy cars have the same NASCAR like drafting on the long straights? Or was that more a product of the newer car having wings?

 

Laguna Seca is the best technical circuit, but Road America is America's best race track. 

[StraightEdge]

Jacques Villeneuve won his only race in 1985.

[Ross Stonefeld]

`Did the old Skippy cars have the same NASCAR like drafting on the long straights? Or was that more a product of the newer car having wings?

 

Laguna Seca is the best technical circuit, but Road America is America's best race track. 

 

The mid- to late-00s cars with that kinda Handford wingy thing? And that may have only been on the National cars. I don't remember the wings doing much of anything. I preferred the cars when they went to slicks('00) though, I just seemed to do a lot better. I'm not sure the times changed that much. 

[Jimisgod]

Jacques Villeneuve won his only race in 1985.

 

When he was 14?