The 2012 IndyCar Series thread

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 16 Sep 2012, 09:58

I don't get it, why do you not like Hunter-Reay?

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 16 Sep 2012, 12:49

Will Power has nobody else to blame but himself. Though his pitcrew deserves some credit - had Hunter-Reay placed 6th or crashed out trying to finish 5th then that would have certainly been the most miraculous repair in IndyCar history!

Also, Barfield blew it again by changing the rules on the red flag. Seriously??? :evil:

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 16 Sep 2012, 15:56

JeremyMcClean wrote:Also, Barfield blew it again by changing the rules on the red flag. Seriously???

The teams were aware that could happen long before. Better to have the red flag then to run out of laps under yellow.

I'm happy Hunter-Reay won it, but honestly I would have been happy if it went to Power... and RHR opted to stay with Andretti, which is nice as well.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 16 Sep 2012, 16:44

It's good for IndyCar to have an American champion again. I was rooting for Power, but I can't really begrudge Hunter-Reay, he drove a great season.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 16 Sep 2012, 19:49

Cynon wrote:
JeremyMcClean wrote:Also, Barfield blew it again by changing the rules on the red flag. Seriously???

The teams were aware that could happen long before. Better to have the red flag then to run out of laps under yellow.

Yeah, but Kanaan wasn't hurt (thankfully), and it was probably no worse than Power's collision (unless there was something else I don't know of), so what, besides setting up a shootout, would cause a red flag? It didn't affect the championship (in fact, I think it padded Hunter-Reay's lead thanks to Sato) so I'm not very pissed...

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 16 Sep 2012, 22:57

i remember reading about Hunter-Reay in Autosport while he was in ChampCars and thought it seemed he had a bit of potential. Glad to see he's made it. Although I would have liked to have see somebody with a name like Will Power win a title. Always reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer changes his name to Max Power...

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 17 Sep 2012, 13:28

Pocono has been removed from the 2013 season article on the Wiki. According to the wiki, the 2013 has only 13 fixed races. I fail to see where and how Randy wants to get his desired 19 races. Things are not really looking better for IndyCar, to say the least.

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 17 Sep 2012, 15:53

Ferrarist wrote:Pocono has been removed from the 2013 season article on the Wiki. According to the wiki, the 2013 has only 13 fixed races. I fail to see where and how Randy wants to get his desired 19 races. Things are not really looking better for IndyCar, to say the least.

IndyCar needs to get it's head out of it's arse, and fast. Pocono and Road America should be on the schedule, there's two races already. I'd love a race on the Daytona road course, perhaps the weekend after the Daytona 24hours?

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 17 Sep 2012, 16:50

pasta_maldonado wrote:
Ferrarist wrote:Pocono has been removed from the 2013 season article on the Wiki. According to the wiki, the 2013 has only 13 fixed races. I fail to see where and how Randy wants to get his desired 19 races. Things are not really looking better for IndyCar, to say the least.

IndyCar needs to get it's head out of it's arse, and fast. Pocono and Road America should be on the schedule, there's two races already. I'd love a race on the Daytona road course, perhaps the weekend after the Daytona 24hours?

That'll never happen. ISC has put a pretty tight grip on who's allowed to race on their tracks. I actually wondered why they let IndyCar back into Fontana. Perhaps to show off how much of a sparse crowd IndyCar draws nowadays, to justify locking out IndyCar out of tracks like Homestead or Michigan.
But Pocono isn't ISC-owned, so they should really put some effort into negotiations. Road America is a bit in doubt, due to an ominous non-compete clause with Milwaukee. Apperantly, Milwaukee wants to be the only IndyCar race in Wisconsin. Still, Road America should be on the IndyCar schedule.
But there are other suitable tracks in the United States as well. Like Portland International Raceway. Maybe they also ask the Burke Lakefront Airport at Cleveland, if they are willing to shut down the airport for IndyCar again (Probably not, but one can ask). The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez can also put on a good race, if it's safe enough to race there. Or how about Montreal? That would make three races in Canada, but why not? It's catch-23, if domestic markets are weak, try milking international markets. So why not go back to the European ovals? Add a road course between Rockingham (UK) and Lausitzring, like Spa-Francourchamps. Spa would be kick-ass with IndyCars.
IndyCar could also race at Suzuka. After all, it's owned by Honda. Bernie may complain, but he should just shut up, or else Japan might stop paying his ginourmous sanction fees. Last but not least, IndyCar should reconcile with the organizers at Surfers Paradise (Tony G. foolishly pulled out of Australia, a traditional IndyCar venue up to that point), and try to get that race back.

But the folks at IndyCar should finally do SOMETHING. On the other hand, maybe Randy will be gone by the end of the year, and has already given up on his job.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 17 Sep 2012, 17:03

Ferrarist wrote:Pocono has been removed from the 2013 season article on the Wiki. According to the wiki, the 2013 has only 13 fixed races. I fail to see where and how Randy wants to get his desired 19 races. Things are not really looking better for IndyCar, to say the least.

There's a lot of things that the Wikipedia page doesn't have, so I wouldn't even assume it's 10% accurate... :roll:

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 17 Sep 2012, 17:31

Ferrarist wrote:
pasta_maldonado wrote:
Ferrarist wrote:Pocono has been removed from the 2013 season article on the Wiki. According to the wiki, the 2013 has only 13 fixed races. I fail to see where and how Randy wants to get his desired 19 races. Things are not really looking better for IndyCar, to say the least.

IndyCar needs to get it's head out of it's arse, and fast. Pocono and Road America should be on the schedule, there's two races already. I'd love a race on the Daytona road course, perhaps the weekend after the Daytona 24hours?

That'll never happen. ISC has put a pretty tight grip on who's allowed to race on their tracks. I actually wondered why they let IndyCar back into Fontana. Perhaps to show off how much of a sparse crowd IndyCar draws nowadays, to justify locking out IndyCar out of tracks like Homestead or Michigan.
But Pocono isn't ISC-owned, so they should really put some effort into negotiations. Road America is a bit in doubt, due to an ominous non-compete clause with Milwaukee. Apperantly, Milwaukee wants to be the only IndyCar race in Wisconsin. Still, Road America should be on the IndyCar schedule.
But there are other suitable tracks in the United States as well. Like Portland International Raceway. Maybe they also ask the Burke Lakefront Airport at Cleveland, if they are willing to shut down the airport for IndyCar again (Probably not, but one can ask). The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez can also put on a good race, if it's safe enough to race there. Or how about Montreal? That would make three races in Canada, but why not? It's catch-23, if domestic markets are weak, try milking international markets. So why not go back to the European ovals? Add a road course between Rockingham (UK) and Lausitzring, like Spa-Francourchamps. Spa would be kick-ass with IndyCars.
IndyCar could also race at Suzuka. After all, it's owned by Honda. Bernie may complain, but he should just shut up, or else Japan might stop paying his ginourmous sanction fees. Last but not least, IndyCar should reconcile with the organizers at Surfers Paradise (Tony G. foolishly pulled out of Australia, a traditional IndyCar venue up to that point), and try to get that race back.

But the folks at IndyCar should finally do SOMETHING. On the other hand, maybe Randy will be gone by the end of the year, and has already given up on his job.

Good points Ferrarist

I agree, all of the tracks you listed should be on the calendar, then we can get rid of the shite that is Sonoma and the Sau Paulo street circuit.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 20 Sep 2012, 15:33

It seems AJ Allmendinger might finally be coming to his senses...

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 20 Sep 2012, 18:35

So, the season is over, lets talk about ROTY.

My ROTY:

Bronze:Marco Andretti: One of your teamates was the champion and the other was in the top 10 and Marco finished in a distant 16th. The dead beat team mate of the year by far.

Silver: A.J Foyt Enterprises: Probably the worst team of Indy with a decent Engine. Conway had a very poor season, even in Road courses. It's no surprise if the team shut down in next year.

Gold: Lotus: Unbeatable ROTY since Milka Duno. There's nothing much to say: Unreliable and Underpowered (specially in ovals. Thanks to hurted Alesi's run in Indy 500) are words to describe Lotus Engines. They made Toyota Engines in the late 90s of Cart looks good.

Special Mentions:

KV Racing: The "Toyota" of Izod IndyCar Series. They have one of the best drivers of the grid (Tony Kannan), the most experience driver of F-1 with talent, despite your age (Rubes Barrichello), they have the cash driver (Viso) and the best engine of the season (chevy), but this isn't enough to make the team shines. Always in the shadow of Penske and Andretti and in sometimes, in the shadow of lower teams. Tony made some good races and was very close to win the Oval Championship, but this is the only good side of the season. Barrichello mixed good and bad results, but are hurted by unreliability of the car and bad strategies. Viso are worsening season by season.

Ed Carpenter: One of the best drivers of Ovals, but one of the worst in Roads. Its better to him only race in Ovals and let some driver like Sebastian Bourdais racing in the Roads.

Katherine Legge: If RRH didnt become champion, probably she was in the ROTY podium. Despite your runs with Lotus engines, your season was rubbish. At least, she did a good job in Fontana.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 23 Sep 2012, 09:34

Dj_bereta wrote:Silver: A.J Foyt Enterprises: Probably the worst team of Indy with a decent Engine. Conway had a very poor season, even in Road courses. It's no surprise if the team shut down in next year.

Foyt's team isn't going anywhere. They might be total reject fodder and had a wuss as their driver this year, but they will be back. Kinda like Dale Coyne, they are fueled by determination.

Edmonton is officially dead, not a surprise because of how poorly ran the event was... sad to hear, really.

Pocono (YES!!!!) and Houston will be added to the calendar. Houston will probably kill the Fort Worth event though.

Montreal will never be an option as long as NASCAR runs there. Period.

Rhode Island and New Orleans (good god) might be getting races next year. Heard something about Belle Isle using the 1999-2002 layout (YES!!!) but can't confirm that.

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 23 Sep 2012, 11:39

Cynon wrote:Pocono (YES!!!!) and Houston will be added to the calendar. Houston will probably kill the Fort Worth event though.

I thought TMS was confirmed for 2013. Unless IndyCar really wants to run at Austin. But then it would be a dumb decision to drop your second most important race on your calender.

Montreal will never be an option as long as NASCAR runs there. Period.

There are rumours that the DTM might run a race at Montreal in the next years. Perhaps IndyCar could join them on their weekend?

But whatever IndyCar does with regards to their schedule, they should at least DO SOMETHING!

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 23 Sep 2012, 20:20

Ferrarist wrote:
Cynon wrote:Pocono (YES!!!!) and Houston will be added to the calendar. Houston will probably kill the Fort Worth event though.

I thought TMS was confirmed for 2013. Unless IndyCar really wants to run at Austin. But then it would be a dumb decision to drop your second most important race on your calender.

Should have clarified. I meant in the long-term, Houston could kill the race at TMS.

Montreal will never be an option as long as NASCAR runs there. Period.

There are rumours that the DTM might run a race at Montreal in the next years. Perhaps IndyCar could join them on their weekend?

But whatever IndyCar does with regards to their schedule, they should at least DO SOMETHING![/quote]

I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard that Montreal will only run two race weekends a year, and one of them is the F1 Grand Prix, and the other is the NASCAR weekend.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 23 Sep 2012, 20:24

Cynon wrote:

Rhode Island and New Orleans (good god) might be getting races next year. Heard something about Belle Isle using the 1999-2002 layout (YES!!!) but can't confirm that.

YES!! They need that layout. there's no excuse for them not using it!\
also: moar ovls plz

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 23 Sep 2012, 20:39

Cynon wrote:I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard that Montreal will only run two race weekends a year, and one of them is the F1 Grand Prix, and the other is the NASCAR weekend.

I read about it in the German Speedweek magazine, who are fairly well informed about DTM. However, DTM wants to do an own weekend, and it remains to be seen if Montreal really allows a third weekend to go forward. But what might speak for DTM is that one of their front drivers comes from Montreal (Bruno Spengler). Plus, Canada's biggest motorsport talent (Robert Wickens) also drives there. I don't know, how known they are in Canada, though.

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:07

Ferrarist wrote:
Cynon wrote:I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard that Montreal will only run two race weekends a year, and one of them is the F1 Grand Prix, and the other is the NASCAR weekend.

I read about it in the German Speedweek magazine, who are fairly well informed about DTM. However, DTM wants to do an own weekend, and it remains to be seen if Montreal really allows a third weekend to go forward. But what might speak for DTM is that one of their front drivers comes from Montreal (Bruno Spengler). Plus, Canada's biggest motorsport talent (Robert Wickens) also drives there. I don't know, how known they are in Canada, though.

The answer is, they aren't really known. Most Canadians think of Villenuve, Tags, and Hinch-town when they think of racing drivers. Although I do think of Wickens, Spengler, Valiante and Darryl O'Young as major Canadian racers too.

Therefore, I am the 1%.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:16

>Darryl O'Young
>Canadian

What are you smoking :lol:

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:18

eurobrun wrote:>Darryl O'Young
>Canadian

What are you smoking

His wikipedia page says he was born in Vancouver, where all the superior drugs are made.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:20

RealRacingRoots wrote:
eurobrun wrote:>Darryl O'Young
>Canadian

What are you smoking

His wikipedia page says he was born in Vancouver, where all the superior drugs are made.

Crap, didn't know that

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:23

eurobrun wrote:
RealRacingRoots wrote:
eurobrun wrote:>Darryl O'Young
>Canadian

What are you smoking

His wikipedia page says he was born in Vancouver, where all the superior drugs are made.

Crap, didn't know that

The fact that he was born in Vancouver, or the fact that all the best drugs come from Vancouver? :lol:

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:25

RealRacingRoots wrote:
eurobrun wrote:
RealRacingRoots wrote:
His wikipedia page says he was born in Vancouver, where all the superior drugs are made.

Crap, didn't know that

The fact that he was born in Vancouver, or the fact that all the best drugs come from Vancouver?

Do you know the latter from experience? :lol:

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:28

Wizzie wrote:
RealRacingRoots wrote:
The fact that he was born in Vancouver, or the fact that all the best drugs come from Vancouver?

Do you know the latter from experience?

I got friends who do. Me? I'm too smart to do drugs, considering I hang out here.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 24 Sep 2012, 00:32

RealRacingRoots wrote:
eurobrun wrote:
RealRacingRoots wrote:
His wikipedia page says he was born in Vancouver, where all the superior drugs are made.

Crap, didn't know that

The fact that he was born in Vancouver, or the fact that all the best drugs come from Vancouver?

The drugs would have to be better than Adelaide, everything is made in a shed and paid for with Centrelink money :lol:

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 24 Sep 2012, 01:14

ROTY:

Bronze: EJ Viso: Though he's improved by not crashing as much, and if he did they were probably not his fault, his pace does not reckon he belongs in Indycar yet he likely won't go anywhere.

Silver: Mike Conway: After his DNQ at Indy last year Mike Conway has never fully recovered. And his results apart from a lucky 3rd at Toronto have shown he's struggled with a decent engine. AJ Foyt Enterprises's fault? Maybe. But he could have garnered more top 10's with a Honda engine.

Gold: Lotus: So much promise based on the name withered just as quickly as is was "planted" and it ruined Simona's season, to put it nicely. Well HVM finally shown Lotus the boot at the end of the season...

Honorable mention: The luck of Dario Franchitti: The driver is his usual talented self, however the luck he had this year shows his results should have been top 5's, podiums, and more wins.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 01 Oct 2012, 01:35

THE TRIPLE CROWN IS BAAACKCKKKKK
RENAME THIS THREAD THE 2013 SEASON DO IT PLEEEAASSEE
this is easily the first smart thing Bernard has done since bringing back Detroit and Fontana.
MULTIPLE AERO-KITS AND A TRIPLE CROWN THERE IS A GOD. all we need now is Ford and Toyota to get off their asses and join in.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 01 Oct 2012, 01:36

You could do what I did there

Also, explain by "The Triple Crown is Back"

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 01 Oct 2012, 01:39

Indy500, Pocono500, and Fontana500 season finale. $1 million USD for the driver who can win all three.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 01 Oct 2012, 13:36

nome66 wrote:Indy500, Pocono500, and Fontana500 season finale. $1 million USD for the driver who can win all three.

Or $250,000 for winning two of the three.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 01 Oct 2012, 13:55

http://www.indycar.com/en/Schedule

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 01 Oct 2012, 22:44

Why why why are there THREE doubleheaders??? No IndyCar, making three double-headers does not count towards the '16 race' total.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 02 Oct 2012, 20:21

http://www.indycar.com/News/2012/10-Oct ... s-race-two
Their excuse is to test out the Anti-lag Turbos with standing starts. TBH, Detroit's Belle Isle and Toronto's Exhibition Place weren't designed with standing starts in mind. the front straights are too curvy and too short. Houston on the other hand seems slightly promising on those terms.
Ovals shorter than 2 miles are really the only things where a double header would benefit. Iowa is begging for one.
and what's this..... Pocono.... 400? nope. that won't do.
it appears Bernard was a moron this whole time.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 05 Oct 2012, 02:23

Narain Karthikeyan is interested in IndyCar;

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... switch/P2/

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 05 Oct 2012, 13:47

Cynon wrote:Narain Karthikeyan is interested in IndyCar;

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... switch/P2/

He should. No matter how you regard it, it will surely be a move up, and he can't be worse than Milka Duno, can he? :lol:

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 05 Oct 2012, 18:10

Phoenix wrote:
Cynon wrote:Narain Karthikeyan is interested in IndyCar;

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... switch/P2/

He should. No matter how you regard it, it will surely be a move up, and he can't be worse than Milka Duno, can he?

Sure you want him to take that challenge up? :lol:

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 10 Oct 2012, 15:51

oh, joy! Misinformation!...or rather, misinformed
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/10- ... ce-passing
"new" passing zone. and apparently Fittipaldi drove around the empty roads of Belle Isle in 1989 and won...somehow
clearly they need a new historian. The IndyCar/CART grand prix of Detroit was on the old F1 Street circuit until 1991.
the Belle Isle circuit wasn't run until '92. The "new" passing zone was first used in 1998 until 2002. in 2007 they went back to the old layout and modified a corner for passing (that didn't need it)

Ferrarist · Post by **Ferrarist** » 10 Oct 2012, 18:47

Does anyone know something about the rumours of a potential Mugello race in 2013? http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/22101/ ... onato-2013

A race in Italy would only make sense if they have a top-line Italian driver, or an Italian manufacturer involved with IndyCar. IndyCar has neither in the moment...

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 10 Oct 2012, 20:39

FORZA ZANARDI FIAT(pllleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeee)

knowing Bernard's previous behavior, this italian race probably won't happen, now that the schedule has been published.