acardemic

Too many choices

2010-06-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

My remote is getting a workout this afternoon as I flip among Indy, NASCAR, and the international air race in Manhattan. I have never watched an air race. Me like. It looks something like an agility course. The shots are spectacular.

Formula 1 coming to Austin!

2010-05-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

All I can say is I am thrilled. I live near Austin and enjoy Formula 1. I have been known to stay up well past midnight or set the alarm for the middle of the night to watch F1 races live from exotic cities all over the world. This is huge for my city.
Local news article here.

Two more motorsport seasons begin

2010-03-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

NASCAR has been running several weeks already. Now the other two "major" series I watch about to get underway, Formula 1 and Indy. The first F1 race is tomorrow at (yawn) 5:30 a.m. with Indy a few hours later.

News roundup

2010-02-11T00:21:00.001-08:00

Danica, Danica, Danica

Danica was good on CSI:NY Wednesday. She actually had some lines. At first I thought she would just be in a few establishment shots and then the story would go elsewhere, but no. They showed her character in a pinup girl photo shoot but also talking with the detectives and even being a suspect.

Danica was also the focus of attention in the ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 last weekend. It was interesting to watch the “learning the ropes” process for new NASCAR drivers. I had not watched much ARCA action before but enjoyed it so intend to watch more. She will race in the Nationwide series on Saturday.

But enough about Danica….

It is Speed Week in Daytona, with lots of racing in the next few days, beginning with the Gatorade Duels this afternoon and culminating in the Daytona 500 Sunday afternoon. There may be a change to the green-white-checkered rule, based at least partially on fan complaints following last weekend’s Shootout ending under caution. Here is an article about that.

Formula 1

The Formula 1 season is still a month away. It starts March 12 in Bahrain. However, check out formula1.com for details about recent debuts and launches for 2010 teams, including several days of test racing in Valencia last week.

On to Indy…

Here is a link to an article (with photos, of course) of the proposed new Indy chassis, called the Delta Wing concept car. My first impression: It looks like a Stealth bomber had intimate relations with the Batmobile.

first checkered flag yellow

2010-02-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

The Bud Shootout for 2010 is over. Wins under caution - not my favorite. Oh well.
Here is an article about Danica Patrick's first NASCAR race experience. She came in sixth. Not bad for a first finish.
Here is a link for techies interested in scanner chatter. This may come in handy as the season progresses.

CBS going car-crazy

2010-02-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed the car theme in CBS' prime-time lineup this week? The CSI episode from tonight was all about stock cars and drag racing and The Mentalist takes place this week in a high-end car dealership. The big one is next Wednesday on CSI: New York with guest star Danica Patrick!

NASCAR on Twitter

2010-01-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

I guess it makes sense that NASCAR makes good use of Twitter. Short track racing = pithy communications??
Anyway, right now I am watching/reading a Twitterized presentation of an interview with Dale Jr.
Twitter address: NASCARSays
Consider becoming a "follower" for announcements, quotes, etc.
What are some other good Twitter streams for race fans to follow?

Pre-season events, festivities

2010-01-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

Hello race fans. The season for major race league events is still weeks away. However, some of the lesser-known series are starting up, such as the Lucas Oil Dirt series are kicking off. I saw some of a Lucas late model dirt series event last weekend. The touring division schedule kicks off Feb. 1 in Gibsonton, Florida. Here is the schedule.

Meanwhile, the NASCAR folks are busy with pre-season meet and greet events, such as Thunder Fan Fest, now going on in Daytona. Speed TV is going to broadcast part of the events later this evening. This looks like a fun event for fans, with plenty of chances to mingle with the drivers. I may try to attend next year.

I do not see any Indy pre-season events. Drop me a line if you know of any and I will be happy to post them.

Book about fans

2010-01-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

I just saw an interesting article over at NASCAR.com. A NASCAR communications/PR guy named Andrew Giangola has written a book entitled The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans. It sounds like a good read. Here is the article link.
I have not made to an actual race yet (April - Texas Motor Speedway, look out!) but I look forward to meeting some of the types of people Giangola describes.
Meanwhile, I am counting the days until racing season begins.

Looking forward to new season

2010-01-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Greetings fellow race fans!
I am looking forward to the upcoming race season. I have really missed motor sports over the past few months.
Here are a few key upcoming dates important for us motorsports fans - with related links:
Jan. 25 - "Top Gear" season begins on BBC America. This is one of the funniest shows on TV and is quite informative about all things automotive.
Feb. 6 - NASCAR's Daytona Shootout NASCAR Sprint Cup 2010 schedule
March 14 - Izod Indy Car Series' first big race of the season in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Season printable calendar: Indy 2010 schedule
Also March 14 - Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. Formula 1 2010 schedule