Danica Patrick just became the first woman to win a race at this level in motorsport!

I'll do a front page story in the morning (my time).



Please visit: Race Fan With a Camera



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:20:04:06:05 by IndyAndy.

Great race, great strategy, hope she'll get more.

What a relief for open-wheel in the States, merger, Rahal winning, Danica winning.

Nascar has to worry a bit.

I know her critics will put this win down to fuel strategy and dismiss her part in it, but it was really impressive to see how much harder she could run at the end than Helio when they had both pitted on the same lap. That has to come down to her ability to drive in fuel conservation mode.

There may have been another bit of history in that race. I think it might be the first time outside of the Martinsville grandfather clocks that the trophy was heavier than the winning driver.

"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you."-Jeremy Clarkson

Quote:

Stef
What a relief for open-wheel in the States, merger, Rahal winning, Danica winning.

Nascar has to worry a bit.

Probably not yet; but, hey, it's a start!



Please visit: Race Fan With a Camera



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:20:16:58:46 by IndyAndy.

Check out the size difference between Danica's 1st place & Helio's 2nd place trophy!

Helio can't believe it!



Scott Dixon must need a MICROSCOPE to see his 3rd place award!



Please visit: Race Fan With a Camera

very good photo IndyAndy.
the winner takes it all.

Good for Danica. It's been too long in the making.
The pressure she was under may have not allowed her to relax and get the most out of the car.
Sorry for the late comment, I didn't realize our F1 board was hooked with Indy car.
Hello Indy Andy, and others. Looks like you are the honcho over here. A couple days ago I saw a race coverage program on Speed TV interviewing Danica. She said she would love to at least get the opportunity to drive an F1, maybe @ Honda.
I hope so too. Heck, you never know, she could become the first woman to grace F1. It would most likely bring fans and money into the F1 bank (Bernie).
Bring her in and pull MS out of retirement for a season and you could increase TV viewing considerably.
Well, now I know you guys are on board, I'll try to join in with the north American fun. Sure hope open wheel benefits from the joining of ranks. I'd like to see them in a little better car. They could adapt some of the rules F1 follows to bridge open wheel racing around the world, no ?

Sessions

Welcome, sessions - tell all of your friends about this place.

I do believe that there have been female drivers in F1 before - as least I seem to recall that being the case.

New chassis - and hopefully more engine choices - should be comming in '10 or '11 per the IRL's master plan as of the moment.

Having IndyCar & F1 in similar equip would be interesting, but I doubt that 4/5 of the IndyCar squads could find the funding to operate under the current F1 system &, besides, none of the U.S. auto companies are in a good enough financial position to undertake such an endevour.



Please visit: Race Fan With a Camera



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:05:06:17:38:36 by IndyAndy.

I'll see if any others are interested in open wheel racing on this side of the pond. Thanks for the welcome !
You are absolutely correct, the money issue would not allow U.S. involvement in a serious endeavour.
When I reread my statement, I should have said the format and not rules. Standing starts, podiums, point structures could mimic F1, they seem to work. I know the cars will change in the near future, which is a step in a positive direction.
I use to tour CART races in 95,96,97 and 98 @ Detroit, Cleveland, Mid Ohio, and The Michigan 500 in Brooklyn when it was there, by motorcycle. It was great fun, and the racing was top notch.
I hope to see the following improve and once again establish "The Indy 500" back to the glory it use to represent.
Looking forward to the next race and future posting.

Sessions

On the issue of female F1 drivers, there have been 5 women entered in at least one GP, although only two have actually started a race. Desire Wilson actually won a race in an F1 car in a British series which ran used F1 machines.

As far as format changes for the IRL goes, I would like to see standing starts on road courses and option tyres. I don't think push to pass really makes that much difference since drivers are just as likely to use it defensively, but if it sells the idea of more passing opportunites, I can go along with it. I actually like the points system the IRL has, as it puts a lot of emphasis on winning. The 10 point gap between 1st ands 2nd is the same as the gap from 2nd to 5th, 5th to 10th, and 10th to 20th.

What they really need more than anything is better TV coverage, to include both more pre and post race coverage and more useful info to people who want to follow the sport. For example, I only know how the IRL points work because I used to play in ESPN's IRL fantasy leagues. It's never been explained during the actual race. Instead it seems that they are forever speaking to the audience as if they are new to the sport. It doesn't help that with the exception of de Ferran, the ex-drivers doing the analyst work haven't been good in years. How does Rusty Wallace discuss Indy car racing without ever actually racing an Indy Car?

On the plus side, I've found that between autograph sessions and good access to the pits and paddock, the IRL does a pretty good job with the product presented to the fans at the track. At least that's been my experience at Richmond, Watkins Glen, and the Nazareth Speedway.

"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... That's what gets you."-Jeremy Clarkson

gtuner,
Thanks for the GP info concerning women. Totally agree with the TV coverage. Maybe now with the unification we'll see a better presentation.
The sponsor mentioning by all North American race drivers is way overdone. "First I want to thank Uncle Bob's Chicken and so on and so on" The F1 format and announcers bring a nice touch of professionalism to things. The interview after the race with the top three also gives the fan an inside view from the drivers perspective.
Well, one step at a time. I'm very happy to see them back together chasing a new future for open wheel racing.

Sessions



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:05:07:15:01:06 by sessions.