426 replies to this topic

[Risil]

Now is the month of Maying, when merry lads are playing, fa la la etc. Attention turns Indianapoliswards, as it does every twelve months, for the annual warm-up spectacle that bears so little resemblance to big oval event that they might as well be different sports. Yes! It’s the Indianapolis Road Course! Wing angles, right turns, Marcus Armstrong. Very different to the Indy 500 that’s on its way later. Shockingly they’ll be back here in August. But one thing at a time.

The Indycar circus arrives at Indianapolis with four races already in the books, in standard Indycar fashion won by four different drivers from three different teams. One win’s worth of points separates first in the championship from ninth. Little has conclusively happened except 1) O’Ward is still way better than the other McLaren drivers, 2) Team Rahal are in trouble, 3) Michael Shank Racing are in bigger trouble. Romain Grosjean has been the standout driver but is yet to win, Ganassi aren’t quite on the ball, Team Penske is clearly building up to something.

But! This is all secondary to all the slow-cornering, push-to-pass button pressing, tyre-saving excitement that the Indianapolis Road Course promises. Friday hosts practice (9.30am, 1pm) and qualifying (4pm) and the race is on Saturday (3.30pm). However, the thread starts now so get your predictions about when Canapino and Ilott will collide in good time. Enjoy!

[GlenWatkins]

Here we go again,another year, another month of May at Indy!  I'm very excited to get things started.  Thanks for the OP Risil!

 

Top view of Herta's car last year on the oval:

 

Edited by GlenWatkins, 10 May 2023 - 21:24.

[jonpollak]

Glen:
I sent you a PM.

Jp

[Anja]

Everyone always praises the OPs but Risil's topic titles are small masterpieces by themselves. 

[jonpollak]

Wait, Saturday?
Jp

[GlenWatkins]

Glen:
I sent you a PM.

Jp

No joy.

 

Must be a slow day at the electronic post office.

[FLB]

Wait, Saturday?
Jp

As it was last year, yes? And 2021 (I think)?

[red stick]

Avoiding Mother's Day. Very old school NASCAR.

"Different" sports, as opposed to difficult?

[HerbieMcQueen]

I shall attend, and stand atop the first corner grandstand and stoically salute arr British boys. Any recommendations for a good cigar bar in Indianapolis?

[prommer]

The one Indycar race I will actually get to watch live this month. Sigh. I hear JP's in a similar predicament.

 

Now watch me forget it's on as I have to figure out what time Proms tickets go on sale in Mountain Daylight Time, and all hell might break loose if I don't get the calculations right.  And then there's the Eurovision!  Oy. Life is hard.

 

The race is on CATURDAY.

[Risil]

Avoiding Mother's Day. Very old school NASCAR.

"Different" sports, as opposed to difficult?

Lol, I can't even blame autocorrect for that one.

[B Squared]

Shockingly they’ll be back here in August. 

This race was on the pre-season schedule; nothing shocking about it.

[LolaB0860]

This race was on the pre-season schedule; nothing shocking about it.

It's shocking that it's still on the schedule.

Indy RC once in a season is tolerable, twice is waste of space.

[Risil]

I think once is enough. But I'm not Roger's accountant.

[B Squared]

It's shocking that it's still on the schedule.

Indy RC once in a season is tolerable, twice is waste of space.

Step right up; fund and organize an event that can replace it. 

 

Just adding that I find it humorous that people with zero skin in the game have no problem making demands of series' and their owners. I doubt if most here even set foot on the grounds of a racetrack during the season, let alone an IndyCar circuit.

Edited by B Squared, 11 May 2023 - 10:50.

[Dolph]

Why the hate? It was good enough for F1, but its not good enough for IndyCar?

[ANF]

At least it's better than what it used to be.

[paulb]

Personally, I do not find the track compelling at all.

 

But its an Indycar race, so I hope to enjoy it.

[ezequiel]

Thanks for the informative thread title, I didn't know or remember the race was Saturday!

I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't find the Indy road course despicable.

[LolaB0860]

Step right up; fund and organize an event that can replace it.

Just adding that I find it humorous that people with zero skin in the game have no problem making demands of series' and their owners. I doubt if most here even set foot on the grounds of a racetrack during the season, let alone an IndyCar circuit.

What do we have here, the good old "if you cannot do it yourself you cannot complain" argument?

Edited by LolaB0860, 11 May 2023 - 12:36.

[Risil]

Just adding that I find it humorous that people with zero skin in the game have no problem making demands of series' and their owners. I doubt if most here even set foot on the grounds of a racetrack during the season, let alone an IndyCar circuit.

 

Are you saying I should hold off on changing my name by deed poll to Bring Back Cleveland

[prommer]

At least it's better than what it used to be.
 

<image of 2005 GP layout>

 

This image randomly popped up on my twitts a couple days ago and I have to admit... I don't hate it...

 

[LolaB0860]

This image randomly popped up on my twitts a couple days ago and I have to admit... I don't hate it...

 

Take off that backstretch loop and I'd be fine with this

[F1 Mike]

Step right up; fund and organize an event that can replace it.

Just adding that I find it humorous that people with zero skin in the game have no problem making demands of series' and their owners. I doubt if most here even set foot on the grounds of a racetrack during the season, let alone an IndyCar circuit.

It's true though, once is enough

[jonpollak]

Easy spotters guide lite.
( no phone breaking code nightmare )

https://www.indycar....e-printable.pdf

Jp

[red stick]

Are you saying I should hold off on changing my name by deed poll to Bring Back Cleveland

Well, you could, but you'd have to live with being the BBC around these parts . . .

[jonpollak]

Hey Ho BBC must never go.

Looks like Rain for practice/qualy tomorrow
Jp

[jonpollak]

Press conference ( Do we have these? )

https://www.youtube....ive/ZQMiyfJwFvE

Jp

[DS27]

Looks like i'm going to have to fight my other half for whether we watch the Eurovision Song Contest or Indycar live

[jonpollak]

Tell her to go to a drag show and take back the TV
€urovision….. pffft.

Jp

[H0R]

I think you can book a single race on Indycarlive if she insists on watchign ESC.

[loki]

It's shocking that it's still on the schedule.

Indy RC once in a season is tolerable, twice is waste of space.

I hear the series gets a good deal on the track rental…

 

The first visit is to soften the impact of the 500 not being most of the month.  The second is to be part of the Brickyard 400 and soften the blow now that it doesn’t draw what it once did.  It’s an inexpensive way for all involved in Indycar to fill a couple of dates.

[loki]

Press conference ( Do we have these? )

https://www.youtube....ive/ZQMiyfJwFvE

Jp

Didn’t know there were pressers and also didn’t know who Dave Furst was.  At 30 mins it’s a bit long but props for doing something new for the series.  At least I think it’s new.

[Henri Greuter]

Avoiding Mother's Day. Very old school NASCAR.

"Different" sports, as opposed to difficult?

 

 

 

Well, in the good old days Mother's Day was no reason to have no 2nd Day of Qualifying or, after a rained out Saturday, Alternative Pole Day if the weather permitted it.

[Peat]

This image randomly popped up on my twitts a couple days ago and I have to admit... I don't hate it...

 

 

 

I think i like it!

[B Squared]

What do we have here, the good old "if you cannot do it yourself you cannot complain" argument?

Nope, complain away, it is part of some peoples DNA.

 

For me, I'd rather offer thanks to all of the people who keep this sport alive for us against many odds. Has anyone here ever sent a note of thanks to Mr. Penske for bankrolling the series (along with the purchase of IMS) during the COVID plandemic? I'm sure that was inexpensive. They ask nothing of us, sure they'd like for us to come to a race or ten, but you don't have to hardly spend a cent to keep up on the series and see the races. You don't have to support the series or teams in any way, not even buy a hat or t-shirt. Just be a critic. I fell in love with Indy Car to the point when 24 years old in 1982, I decided I had to find a way to be involved and I did for nearly 15 years. Possibly some would find that approach rewarding and give oneself a chance to see the sport from different eyes than that of a demanding client that has zero investment.

[Risil]

We all love Indycar racing Brian! Two races at the same venue isn't ideal but we understand the basic economic reality.

 

In any case, given Pagenaud vs Dixon in 2019, Veekay vs Grosjean in 2021 and Herta's wet weather masterclass last year, we've been spoiled by high-quality racing at the road course. One can get onto autopilot rehearsing the same old complaints and cliche but the spring race has brought some cherished racing memories.

 

(Incidentally I'd sort of forgotten that in May 2019 Pags swept Indy road course, pole position and the 500 mile race. There should be an award for that!)

[B Squared]

.... to all the slow-cornering, push-to-pass button pressing, tyre-saving excitement that the Indianapolis Road Course promises. 

 

 

We all love Indycar racing Brian! 

Pure love for sure.

[Risil]

I don't believe in pure love for the things in this world. The grit is essential.

[Magoo]

I think once is enough. But I'm not Roger's accountant.

 

I  was  thinking the  same. As time goes by, it gets more difficult  to doubt his judgement. 

[red stick]

Practice 1 in 35 minutes.  Synchronize.

[red stick]

As an aside, while running errands this morning I stopped and had the All-Star Special (scrambled, hash browns, bacon) at Waffle House.  No one can question my preparation!

[paulb]

As an aside, while running errands this morning I stopped and had the All-Star Special (scrambled, hash browns, bacon) at Waffle House.  No one can question my preparation!

I hope your preparation does not hinder your later viewing efforts.

[red stick]

Live!

[red stick]

I hope your preparation does not hinder your later viewing efforts.

Coffee!

[red stick]

Curious how RLL comes off the truck. Lundgaard has been good here.

[red stick]

Well, in the good old days Mother's Day was no reason to have no 2nd Day of Qualifying or, after a rained out Saturday, Alternative Pole Day if the weather permitted it.

The Month of May is much changed.

[paulb]

Herta car fire. Can’t be helpful.

[red stick]

Not the kind of en fuego he was hoping for.

[Afterburner]

This is the cheesiest tire wear explanation I've ever seen.