Indy car 9/1/13 — Hey Motion..

[Zeke]

Motion continually calls the Indy Car series "crapwagons." I decided today he is right.

I grant you the finish was exciting, but everything up to the last 6 laps was the result of the worst planning, worst run auto racing event I have ever wasted my time watching.

Might that had something to do with the fact that Andretti Autosports was the promoter, I don't know. The 'jump' in the straight was the most comical thing I have ever seen. They should have started Ryan Vilepoto in one of the cars. At least he can jump and land going straight.

I won't be able to sit and enter all of the ways that the race was the stupidest thing besides demolition derby and school bus racing.

[Noah930]

I have a college friend who lives next to the track. So you're telling me I should be glad I didn't fly cross-country to Baltimore to catch this race, huh?

[Flieger]

The ALMS guys had an even harder time with the chicane. Every year they have had a huge pile-up on the opening lap. This year was the worst yet, taking out all the GT class Porsches, a prototype, and some other GT cars. All because the Dyson car didn't follow the starter's orders to re-form the grid after the chicane before hitting the go pedal. Jumped start caused the rest of the field to go except the guy at the front of the right lane... carnage ensued and continued to happen after the 45 minute red flag. I think they never had a section of green longer than 10 minutes and the race ended up being about an hour long including cautions.

Worst track ever.

Why is that effing chicane there? I seem to recall the first year of the ALMS being there they took the chicane out for a session but put it back in afterwards. I thought they said it was to stop the cars from going out of control over the railroad tracks but the chicane seems even less safe and certainly causes more costly damage.

Who designs a circuit with train tracks running through it? I hope they don't include it in the United SportsCar Series next year.

[VincentVega]

Why is that effing chicane there?

The light rail/train tracks cross Pratt street, just like the in front of the stadium near pit entrance. I dont understand why they dont cover the tracks there too. The tracks are at street level there though so I'm not sure if it's feasible. So, if they dont have the chicane the track crossing would really be a jump.

I tried watching it on tv too. I'm a local and want the race to succeed but I dont it happening, demo derby. Not good racing.

[regency]

Agree, pretty dump.........stopped caring a long time ago.

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

The light rail/train tracks cross Pratt street, just like the in front of the stadium near pit entrance. I dont understand why they dont cover the tracks there too. The tracks are at street level there though so I'm not sure if it's feasible. So, if they dont have the chicane the track crossing would really be a jump.

I tried watching it on tv too. I'm a local and want the race to succeed but I dont it happening, demo derby. Not good racing.

They bash the cars over the chicane curbs so hard that they get way more air than going over the tracks in a straight line.

I think this could be solved with brick walls replacing the curbs. Or a shoot-on-sight rule for chicane cutters.

[enzo1]

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Flieger

The ALMS guys had an even harder time with the chicane. Every year they have had a huge pile-up on the opening lap. This year was the worst yet, taking out all the GT class Porsches, a prototype, and some other GT cars. All because the Dyson car didn't follow the starter's orders to re-form the grid after the chicane before hitting the go pedal. Jumped start caused the rest of the field to go except the guy at the front of the right lane... carnage ensued and continued to happen after the 45 minute red flag. I think they never had a section of green longer than 10 minutes and the race ended up being about an hour long including cautions.

Worst track ever.

Why is that effing chicane there? I seem to recall the first year of the ALMS being there they took the chicane out for a session but put it back in afterwards. I thought they said it was to stop the cars from going out of control over the railroad tracks but the chicane seems even less safe and certainly causes more costly damage.

Who designs a circuit with train tracks running through it? I hope they don't include it in the United SportsCar Series next year.

This Baltimore course does seem to be strange. I wouldnt be surprised if the team owners just said, "we arent racing there anymore." It seems like an expensive event for the car owners. That chicane/ speed bump thing is weird. And train tracks too.

[motion]

I can't wait to watch this crap.

[Flieger]

The onboard from the prototype is pretty scary.

[Flieger]

Last year (start at 45 seconds):

[Flieger]

2011 (first year)

[Wilhelm]

Fliegers videos remind me of the 405 freeway.
Sig-Alert !

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I have a college friend who lives next to the track. So you're telling me I should be glad I didn't fly cross-country to Baltimore to catch this race, huh?

Noah. A friend who lives next to the track and you didn't go a drink beers and watch the races. I won't say anymore.

[widgeon13]

were those tire barriers in the middle of the track? or are my eyes going crazy on me???

I hate those street races.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

were those tire barriers in the middle of the track? or are my eyes going crazy on me???

I hate those street races.

I saw some hanging street lights painted yellow that from the camera looked to be placed on the track. They weren't, of course.

[widgeon13]

What are these things in the middle of the track?

[Zeke]

That's the stupid chicane. That one was the 3rd of three berms that made the cars go L, R, L and it was too much for any car to handle without jumping them. IOW, if you slowed to make it w/o flying, you would be punted from behind. It was forced chaos.

[greglepore]

That's the chicane - on starts they run to either side of it.

The track isn't really all that bad, with the exception of the tracks/chicane-they need to find a solution to that. The new cars, on the other hand, have seemed to encourage some real asshat driving now that the rear wheels are protected.

And Will Power? That was the absolute most idiotic move I've seen in any series all year.

OTOH, Motogp in the am was outstanding. Chapeau to Marques.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

were those tire barriers in the middle of the track? or are my eyes going crazy on me???

I hate those street races.