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Post by Carl on Mar 8, 2019 4:36:41 GMT
This weekend at St. Petersburg marks the beginning of the season for IndyCar, a series with two main variables, engines and drivers, and more opportunity for those drivers to demonstrate talent.
Sometimes, less is more...
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Post by René on Mar 8, 2019 15:21:52 GMT
Yes, very much looking forward to this race Carl. I think Rossi will be strong and what about Ericsson? And I will support Josef Newgarden who I really like. This is going to be good!   |
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Post by Carl on Mar 8, 2019 16:49:50 GMT
Alexander Rossi and Josef Newgarden are the most dynamic drivers, both with great talent and fiercely competitive. It should be a good year (sorry Firestone)  |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 8, 2019 20:01:27 GMT
oh groan Carl, groan, under the weight of rubber methinks
I didn't know it was the opening round for Indycar as well, sadly for me unless it is on utub I won't get to see it and as MS doesn't have a Gordon Kirby pushing it anymore I don't get to read about it either but in saying that, sounds good
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Post by Jamie on Mar 9, 2019 6:57:10 GMT
This season is shaping up to be a vintage year of competition, some great drivers have joined the series and it'll be interesting to see how Erikkson goes after F1 mediocrity. I'll have an eye on Scott Dixon's progress (probably my favourite) but I'd love to see a really open season with plenty of winners and tight competition.
I do love a racing dynasty so I hope Colton Herta makes waves this year.......and Marco shuffles off the grid at the end of it to be honest.
Its on the Sky F1 channel this year so it'll be interesting to see how much effort they put into it.
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Post by mikael on Mar 10, 2019 1:02:22 GMT
I have never had the possibility to follow IndyCar, although I have always found it interesting.
We have talked a good deal about the physical size (particularly the overall length and wheelbase) of the Formula One cars. When looking at Villeneuve's 1995 Indycar in the banner photo, it appears to be quite a large car. So I wonder, at what period/period were the Indycars at their physically largest?
When comparing a 2019 car with the one in the banner photo, the '19 car appears to be quite "compact".
Alonso testing a 2019 car. |
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Post by Carl on Mar 10, 2019 1:25:35 GMT
This season is shaping up to be a vintage year of competition, some great drivers have joined the series and it'll be interesting to see how Erikkson goes after F1 mediocrity. I'll have an eye on Scott Dixon's progress (probably my favourite) but I'd love to see a really open season with plenty of winners and tight competition. I do love a racing dynasty so I hope Colton Herta makes waves this year.......and Marco shuffles off the grid at the end of it to be honest. Its on the Sky F1 channel this year so it'll be interesting to see how much effort they put into it. Well said, Jamie. While Rossi and Newgarden may be the dynamic young lions, Scott Dixon remains the best. It will be interesting to see how Ericsson does. He has a good teammate, but Schmidt Peterson is not a top team. I like Bryan Herta now more than as a driver, and his son may come into his own. Although he's driving for a newly established team, a strong affiliation with Andretti Motorsport bodes well. While Mario and Michael were both extraordinary talents, Marco proves the old adage that three on a match is one too many. His career path was chosen for him and his heart was never in racing... |
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Post by Carl on Mar 10, 2019 5:13:52 GMT
I have never had the possibility to follow IndyCar, although I have always found it interesting.
We have talked a good deal about the physical size (particularly the overall length and wheelbase) of the Formula One cars. When looking at Villeneuve's 1995 Indycar in the banner photo, it appears to be quite a large car. So I wonder, at what period/period were the Indycars at their physically largest?
When comparing a 2019 car with the one in the banner photo, the '19 car appears to be quite "compact".
Alonso testing a 2019 car. Mikael, That's a great photo of Alonso testing and a very challenging question. Finding exact specifications for Indianapolis cars of the past isn't easy! Part of any change derives from different schools of design coming into favor. New engineering challenges may have brought about the evolution toward more compact designs as road courses came to dominate the series. For me, the most beautiful period was about 1920 to 1940, when sleek and compact roadsters dominated the oval tracks of America thanks to a genius named Harry Miller, whose cars won the Indy 500 15 times in those years. A 1927 Miller 91
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Post by René on Mar 10, 2019 12:03:23 GMT
I have never had the possibility to follow IndyCar, although I have always found it interesting.
We have talked a good deal about the physical size (particularly the overall length and wheelbase) of the Formula One cars. When looking at Villeneuve's 1995 Indycar in the banner photo, it appears to be quite a large car. So I wonder, at what period/period were the Indycars at their physically largest?
When comparing a 2019 car with the one in the banner photo, the '19 car appears to be quite "compact". That's an interesting question Mikael. Indycars used to be a bit bigger and heavier than F1 cars but they are not anymore! F1 cars are still a bit lighter but not smaller. As Carl mentioned, it is not so easy to find all the relevant tech specs of that era and I didn't find all the specs of Villeneuve's car (Reynard-Ford XB 95i) but I did find the specs of one of its most important competitors, the Penske PC-23. This car had a wheelbase of 2921mm and a total length of 4826mm. In comparison, contemporary Indycars have a maximum wheelbase of 3086mm and a total length of 5123mm. A bit longer but not that much so I guess they are at their biggest now, just like F1. F1 cars however are quite a bit longer as already in 2017 the average wheelbase was about 3700mm and total length 5400mm and they are still growing! The Merc W10 has a wheelbase of 3725mm! |
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Post by René on Mar 10, 2019 12:25:19 GMT
That is a beautiful car indeed Carl. Also love the colour scheme, just gorgeous. 1927 is the year my father was born, wow. And he's still going strong! |
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Post by mikael on Mar 10, 2019 12:32:54 GMT
I have never had the possibility to follow IndyCar, although I have always found it interesting.
We have talked a good deal about the physical size (particularly the overall length and wheelbase) of the Formula One cars. When looking at Villeneuve's 1995 Indycar in the banner photo, it appears to be quite a large car. So I wonder, at what period/period were the Indycars at their physically largest?
When comparing a 2019 car with the one in the banner photo, the '19 car appears to be quite "compact". That's an interesting question Mikael. Indycars used to be a bit bigger and heavier than F1 cars but they are not anymore! F1 cars are still a bit lighter but not smaller. As Carl mentioned, it is not so easy to find all the relevant tech specs of that era and I didn't find all the specs of Villeneuve's car (Reynard-Ford XB 95i) but I did find the specs of one of its most important competitors, the Penske PC-23. This car had a wheelbase of 2921mm and a total length of 4826mm. In comparison, contemporary Indycars have a maximum wheelbase of 3086mm and a total length of 5123mm. A bit longer but not that much so I guess they are at their biggest now, just like F1. F1 cars however are quite a bit longer as already in 2017 the average wheelbase was about 3700mm and total length 5400mm and they are still growing! The Merc W10 has a wheelbase of 3725mm!
Thank you René. It's interesting - and surprising - that the early/mid 90's cars are shorter than the present ones. That they look longer may, then, be an "optical illusion", due to the relatively short front compartment (like the F1 cars of that time). Anyway, the dimensions of the present cars - and a wheelbase of around 3m - give a very "harmonic" appearance.
As to the ever-growing F1 cars: we can hope that the new 2021 rules will put an end to it ... |
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Post by mikael on Mar 10, 2019 12:38:21 GMT
I have never had the possibility to follow IndyCar, although I have always found it interesting.
We have talked a good deal about the physical size (particularly the overall length and wheelbase) of the Formula One cars. When looking at Villeneuve's 1995 Indycar in the banner photo, it appears to be quite a large car. So I wonder, at what period/period were the Indycars at their physically largest?
When comparing a 2019 car with the one in the banner photo, the '19 car appears to be quite "compact".
Alonso testing a 2019 car. Mikael, That's a great photo of Alonso testing and a very challenging question. Finding exact specifications for Indianapolis cars of the past isn't easy! Part of any change derives from different schools of design coming into favor. New engineering challenges may have brought about the evolution toward more compact designs as road courses came to dominate the series. For me, the most beautiful period was about 1920 to 1940, when sleek and compact roadsters dominated the oval tracks of America thanks to a genius named Harry Miller, whose cars won the Indy 500 15 times in those years. A 1927 Miller 91
Thank you Carl, It's an amazing history this category has!
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Post by chrisb on Mar 10, 2019 13:28:06 GMT
favourite periods? 1963-1993'sh
Rene/ Mikael, that is fascinating, and puts in into perspective - thanks chaps
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Post by René on Mar 10, 2019 22:53:01 GMT
Whoaah, way to go Josef Newgarden!  That was a good start of the season. Maybe not the most eventful race I have seen but some good racing nonetheless. Felix Rosenqvist was sensational, a stunning debut and I am sure we're going to see a lot more of the young Swede this year. A clever move by Newgarden and team Penske to switch to the softs halfway and well executed. Dixon solid as ever but Rossi not quite on the pace yet. Marco Andretti was like a moving chicane at the end and almost hit Newgarden while being lapped! Not his father's and grandfather's class. And good to see Robert Wickens in the pitlane. How wonderful would it be if he could make it back on the grid. |
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Post by Carl on Mar 11, 2019 0:41:10 GMT
I enjoyed the race and thought it was just the antidote for winter's abstinence, with only Formula E to quench the thirst.
The highlights were passes by both Ganassi drivers of Will Power, first by second qualifier Felix Rosenqvist for the lead after Power's slight bobble approaching the green flag. Scott Dixon's pass was astounding, touching wheels with Power through Turns 1...2 and 3. Good clean racing by both.
I knew Rosenqvist was fast from his time in IndyLights, but the brilliance of his debut in IndyCar was still a revelation. He bounced around in several secondary series until someone told Chip Ganassi to put him in the #10 car. A rookie at 27, he's bound for glory, maybe this year.
I felt so bad for Robert Wickens and doubt I'd have been so gracious... His strength of character is inspirational.
Colton Herta was awesome in qualifying until his fast laps were disallowed for an unintentional block. His dad was a very good driver who is remembered most for losing the race lead at Laguna Seca to Alex Zanardi's stunning pass at the corkscrew turn.
Curiously, Colton looks more like a Zanardi than a Herta, which made me wonder if Alex was successful at other bold passes...
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