Monday, December 8, 2008

Formula 1 back to the Past?

Don't know if you've seen the new Formula One aero packages that were tested in Barcelona, but the first thing I thought of when I saw them was that it was a cool return to the look of the 80's.

Big flat wide front wings, actual slick tires, narrow high rear wings. I really like the look.

Of course, we won't see the Honda version ever again, but we'll see if someone buy's their team equipment to run another team. I can't imagine anyone would want it, tho, since you could do better with almost ANYTHING else...

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

Jacques opens mouth, provides insightful comment

Via Autosport:
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes that of Formula One's three current title contenders, Robert Kubica is the most deserving this year.

The BMW driver closed to within 12 points of Lewis Hamilton and seven of Felipe Massa after finishing second in the Japanese Grand Prix, while both his rivals incurred penalties in a race where both made mistakes.

"The one who really deserves it now is Kubica," Villeneuve, who won the title for Williams in 1997, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He has not been in as good a car as either Felipe or Lewis yet he has produced a season without mistakes.

He's also blown the doors off his highly rated teammate and made a minimum of mistakes in his second season. What do you think? Can you spot a World Champion's vapour trail in the chart below?:

Friday, October 10, 2008

Let 'em go

I am mildly dismayed to see the Canadian GP left off the sched., but in light of the deteriorating track conditions and perennial threats and bribes to keep it on the island, I'm happy to see some Asian / Middle East country fork over the subsidies instead. I've always said if the government wants to "help" support the arts, industry, sports, entertainment whatever...cut everybody's taxes and let them direct money to the things they value most. Of course, such widely dispersed voluntary measures wouldn't help desperate politicians in the middle of a tight election race which is why it will never happen.

It is interesting to wonder whether running tobacco sponsorship out of the sport ended up shifting the big money burdens back on governments (and ultimately taxpayers) but in any event, by leaving a big North American sized hole in the tour, there's the possibility that with a fresh sheet of paper, others may take the lead in bringing F1 or even NASCAR to Canada in the future. Could Alberta's Oil Patch become the next generation equivalent of the tobacco giants?

Monday, September 29, 2008

What's New

It's probably a good thing I don't update this blog too often, as it would push my substantially correct predictions down the page and out of view. So where were we? Oh, right I had JJ and co. gearing up for another title while young Rowdy was on the verge of an epic playoff meltdown. Admittedly, I didn't see the Biff coming, and I thought maybe Junior would be slightly less mediocre in the post-season than he has been all year. I think Junior could cash in at 'Dega next week, but beyond that it's all 48 with the Roush guys gouging each other's eyes out to be the first loser.

Across the pond, it was nice to see the perpetual sulk on the top podium step once again. For the most part, it seems everyone is petrified by the thought of actually winning a title over there. The bumbling is painful to watch, although the gazillion candelas used to turn night to day on the streets of Singapore was a treat to the eye. More, please, although it would be nice to schedule the night race so that it comes on a reasonable hour over in North America. It's just too easy to whack the snooze button at 4:30 AM on a Sunday morning.

Monday, September 8, 2008

"Oh, Horse's Arse!"...as my Great Aunt used to say

Leave it to the Formula 1 stewardship to ruin what would otherwise be the most thrilling conclusion to a race in years. The question this now infamous tale of tape raises for me is, how much more ground do you cede to a guy you just jumped a chicane on? Two car lengths? Three car lengths?



This is why we get up at 4:30 in the AM, folks (well, I have to admit I nodded off on the couch after the first few circuits only to be jolted awake moments before the finish by the sounds of James Allen having a bird - how apoplectic would old Muzza have been?)

Gridcrasher has the viddies from the other tight racing over the weekend. Helio and Jimmie edge Dixon and Stewart, respectively. Told ya Jimmie's gonna be money in the playoffs. And are the cracks showing in Number 18 or what?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Chase for the cup: why my money's on number 48

[more general travel and race pics here]

Just got back from the stew of humanity that was Auto Club speedway. For what it's worth, the rumours on some track guides about dysfunctional traffic before and after the event were quite unfounded. Only took a matter of minutes to enter the west gates around 2:00 pm, and while the outbound movement always requires more patience, an hour and half to drain out a good portion of the 32,000 spaces is entirely reasonable (having two humongous freeways nearby certainly helped). LAX and Alaska Airlines, on the other hand could use some tips on passenger queuing and processing.

But anyhow, as far as the track action goes, I came away quite confident in predicting a three-peat for the Lowe's team. Partly because we've seen the late charge before, partly because Jimmie drives the season like he drives a race - lay back, wait for the crap to sort out and pick his window to run down the leaders - but mainly because they're the most incredibly meticulous and focussed organization on pit road. I know this from using my Fan Scan to prioritize radio chatter between the 48, 24, 88 and 18 (I also checked in on my boy Carpentier from time to time). I was curious to stick with those four to listen in on how a team typically copes with the dynamic arc of the day-night track conditions. As the results indicate, the latter three were trapped in the high teens through most of the race and much frustrated bellyaching could be heard (particularly from Gordon, man that guy sounds like a prima donna). By contrast, Johnson and Knaus were ice throughout. In addition to continually reviewing lap times, their car was fine-tuned to the nanoscopic level. Every single chord of each horizontal curve was described in terms of how well the car was traversing it. Their reaction to getting down in the pits was no different. After first surrendering the lead, Johnson practically laughed at the desperation of other teams taking on two tires. On the proceeding restart he laid a humiliating stomping on them, reinforcing the confidence of both driver and crew should they get beaten off pit road in the waning moments.

I know I've been one of the first passengers on the Rowdy bandwagon (a.k.a. Rick Hendrick's Biggest Regret), but I have sufficient doubts regarding the championship calibre of that team. It just seems as though Busch has won on pure balls this year, and without him, you've got essentially the same team that bumbled along with J.J. Yeley for the past two seasons. Edwards and Busch should make the playoffs entertaining, but the Lowes machine is just ramping up.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

We're at Sonoma already?

Last year I took one of my favourite road trips of all time down to San Franfreako and back. Well equipped with a track scanner, I was able to follow along in detail as Juan Pablo gambled his way to a first place and the front running Ford Fusions started dropping like flies. NOTE: scanners are already indispensible at sprawling road course where a lot of the race is out of view, but even more so when it comes down to fuel mileage battle - plenty of Apollo 13-like dialogue going on between crew chief and drivers and you can make yourself a pretty popular guy by passing on helpful soundbites to the crowd around you.

The really cool thing about road courses is that you get an entirely novel group of drivers up at the top of the charts for once. Guys like Said, Ambrose, Gord...wait, what's this...Kasey's on the pole? Cripes. Ah, we'll see how he looks in race trim.

My bets are squarely on the California Gordons. Jeff needs a win badly (or is another crew chief shake up in store?) and the scrappy Robby is again looking in fine form, this time in a hopefully more fuel efficient Dodge Charger. Don't count out the Once Mighty 'Stache, though. I enthusiastically followed Ron Fellow's race last year as he swapped paint with Gordon ("does this guy know who I am?!" came the response from 24's radio) and he ran up front in the DLP Chevy until fading back and getting scrambled on pit strategy. This year he's in a (look out!) black DEI offering. Does he know yet that a well groomed lip shrubbery makes an ironic fashion statement these days? Does Jeff Gordon?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Check out that shimmering asphalt, eh?

June is upon us, and Montreal has once again turned into its early summer sauna (with the humidex it "feels like" 38C, 102F). Plenty of surprising names in the just completed Q3, with Lewis Hamilton thwarting a heroic pole effort by Robert Kubica at the last minute. Kimi was strong through 2/3rd of the track, but the Ferraris were sucking wind on the sector three straight.

Expect a particularly punishing race this year. The heat and humidity will flex that pavement for all its worth and outside a sticky groove, there's going to be plenty of gumball wads. CGV is always murder on brakes and tires (and groundhogs), but if the forecast for thundershowers holds up, the mechanical stress levels will be reduced. Webber seems to be mentally prepping himself to do some dancing if the skies open.

Rain or shine, I've got Lewis going back to back for the win, with my outside shots for the podium going to Rosberg, Webber or (gasp) Barrichelo. I think the Green Team at Honda could use a little cheering up.

UPDATE: Everyone but Lewis peeved about the track conditions. Consider yourselves lucky, lads - that's probably the best maintained stretch of roadway in the entire pitiful province. During the spring thaw, I used to drive around potholes capable of swallowing a light truck.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Quick Picks for the big weekend

I've had these rattling around in my head for the past week, getting more and more confident as Sunday approached:

Monaco GP: Hopefully we'll get our first wet race of the year and Lewis Hamilton will remind the world of his capabilities. Outside chance: Mark Webber. Mark and Red Bull are typically in fine form at Monaco and a damp track should clear out enough spots up front to make his quali position less of an issue.

Indianapolis 500: All the signs are eerily pointing to The Danica, but I've been dazzled by Marco Andretti's performances so far at Indy. He's been too quiet this year.

Coca-Cola 600: Gotta go with JJ here. No team is more patient with changing track conditions and has that ability to just lay back in the weeds. Once the front runners chew up their equipment or lose the handle, the 48 will again be headed for victory lane at their home track. Outside chance: Kasey Kane whooped the all-stars here last weekend and he's dominated the 600 before, so don't count him out.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We Have Ourselves A Villain


All those pre-race invocations are certainly paying off for NASCAR. They've managed to get the sport's most insanely popular driver in championship contention with some top notch equipment. Now, barely a quarter of the way into the season, a worthy antagonist has entered stage right.

He's relishing the role, too. From last week's victory lane interview:
"I'm here to race. I'm here to win. If I win it must make them more upset and crying on their way back home."

Busch paused and then added, "By the way. Did somebody throw a beer can at me? Next time make sure it's full so I can enjoy it out there."

Could you possibly script it any better? Oh right, make sure this "villain" has an entirely legitimate axe to grind on account of being booted out of his seat to make way for NASCAR Jesus. Also ensure a well groomed press corps takes the opportunity to compare him to Jesus' daddy - that shouldn't get the base too fired up or anything.

Of course, if you really wanted to pour some gas on the blaze, you might even consider bringing up that awful looking goose egg in the win column as often as possible.

Sorry, did I imply that Earnhardt Junior is a tad overrated? Well he is:


The past few years have been great for us Jimmie Johnson fans. True, that outfit is chillingly competent and that's what we like about them - but JJ can come off as just too damn nice sometimes. I've always tended to cheer for the bad guys in movies and with the way this season is shaping up, it looks like I'm going to finally enjoy some guilt-free cheering for the bad guy on the track.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Looking forward to Edmonton


Still no official official confirmation, but everyone's best guess is that the Edmonton Grand Prix will retain its date in the new consolidated Champ Car / IRL calendar. Edmonton has carried the torch from the defunct Vancouver Indy by offering a runway course rather than public street circuit and now represents the lone Canadian race.

We here at B-F are also waiting to see Paul Tracy's plans for the season. He's on the outs for now, but by the time July rolls around there could be a few driver sackings opening up an opportunity to race at home. Consider how his traditional physical disadvantage - his weight - is going to be evened out in the new regime:
Added to the cars is a paddle shifting mechanism that allows a driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel. The IRL also has instituted a minimum weight rule that prevents lighter drivers from gaining a competitive advantage, particularly on road courses and street circuits.

Drivers will be put in three groups by weight. Drivers in the lightest group will have weight added to their cars. Series officials will not announce when weigh-ins will be held -- or how much drivers weigh -- to prevent crash dieting.

No other Canucks on the tour this year, although the Edmonton race weekend also features the NASCAR Canadian Tire series, where the absolutely sick ex-Champ Car driver Andrew Ranger will attempt to defend his rookie title. If I had to put money on a Canadian to finally break through in NASCAR, the sky's the limit for Ranger.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lights almost out for Formula 1 2008

As always, TSN has the most concise summation of this year's rule changes and team prospects. Australian GP qualifying goes Friday at 8:00 PM Pacific and the race is Saturday at 9:00 PM Pacific.

Easy(er) pick up front: I think Hamilton takes the title, ironing out the limited, but critical mistakes that cost him last year. The only risk I see is in he and Kovalainen possibly losing their way during seasonal rough patches without a veteran driver or past champ on board. Ridding their paddock of Alonso will, however, allow the team uncompromised focus on avenging last year's on-and-off track debacle. Note that I say easier not because I've written off the defending champions or anything, just that it looks to be a 50/50 McLaren/Ferrari battle shaping up again (or maybe 45/45 with Red Bull/Renault/BMW/Williams fighting over the last crumby 10 per cent).

Speaking of the surly Spaniard, I really think he can squeeze at least one win out of the Renault package. He's without the launch and traction control he had in the R25 and R26 models, but other than that it's a championship team reunited again under Briatore/Symonds/Bell. He's got the nerve required to hold a racing car on the edge lap after lap and his temperament helps to force his way up the classification order at least as many times as it results in an off.

I would also like to once again call for Mark Webber to get his first victory this season. Trust me this time! He was dynamite in the wet at the European and Japanese GP's and the bugs in Adrian Newey's baby are going to finally work themselves out. I don't think anyone questions his pace, it's just his miserable racing luck that's holding him back.

Should be another great season going down to the bitter end. Really looking forward to the night race in Singapore which will be an electrical and lighting engineer's dream (or worst nightmare) and could lead to more flexibility in the scheduling of races. If it comes through well enough on TV, Euro night races would be starting in the afternoon in North and South America (not that Bernie gives a shite about attracting the eyeballs of NASCAR fans).

For those on the Book of Face, be sure to check out the nifty Formula 1 Picks application.

Let's Get Rowdy


Dunno if you recall some wiseacre recommended Kyle Busch as the sleeper pick of the season.

Toyota's certainly busted out of the gate this year, but how many people would've honestly taken him over the likes of Hamlin in their pool? We'll see how he can sustain the pressure over the course of the season, but I do think he'll at least outdo Dale Junior by about three wins and five chase positions. Win number two should be coming up this weekend in Bristol.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Forced Merge

TSN has the initial details, but I was first alerted of the "union" through this clever Infineon Raceway promotional email:


Well, we know someone's keeping their race date! As for the Canadian Champ Car races, it sounds like there will be some short term cancellations at due to conflicts, but I expect the remaining race(s) will benefit from the much richer talent and sponsor pool. Full details are to come at a joint press conference next week.

Ironically, I don't think it was necessarily the case that one or the other open wheel series won out, although Champ Car's impending (second) bankruptcy put some sudden urgency to the amalgamation. Rather, both of the weakened series have been left reeling thanks to the NASCAR juggernaut.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

2008 NASCAR season ready to roll

With a win in the Bud Shootout and the 125 Quali, Earnhardt Junior has to be a favourite to win both the Daytona 500 and the Sprint Cup, but I thought I'd base my preview on a couple of guys who are likely to fly under most people's radar going into 2008.

1. Kyle Busch - Yes, it's hard to believe, but the once again ex-coach Joe Gibbs now has three championship-quality teams in his garage. The two front-runners, Hamlin and Stewart have had more than their share of cooperation issues in the past, while Kyle is used to being the black sheep of the Hendrick family. He's one of the most exciting drivers in the field to watch and can really drive the wheels off a stock car at a variety of tracks. Look for him to bring the 18 back into chase contention.

2. Brian Vickers - With Toyota already looking significantly stronger this season, and the resources of the Red Bull brand at his disposal, I think Vickers can lead this team into the next segment of the learning curve. All that fighting and scrapping for tenths and hundredths of a second down the time charts and the focusing effect of "go or go-home" on his raw speed can only serve to benefit a still young career.

3. Juan Pablo Montoya - Perhaps his solitary win at Sonoma could be considered a disappointment given both the tremendous hype that accompanied him into his first season and the expectation that he would be a dominant road course ringer at the very least. But it was hard to remind yourself that he was still only a rookie in the latter half of 2007. He finished 10th at Dover, 8th at Martinville and 15th at Talledega, a grab bag of pure stock car tracks. He also outscored his more experienced Ganassi teammates in winning the rookie title. Look for him to continue to distance himself from his open wheel peers in 2008.

Enjoy the season, and if you're interested in joining a racing pool, drop me a line. I've got an entry up on the Yahoo Fantasy League.