The 2009 Indycar schedule got released earlier this month (I think...it could have been late July I suppose) and includes ten ovals and eight road courses (three permanent and five temporary/street courses).

- Sunday April 5: Streets of St. Petersburg - 1.8-mile street course
- Sunday April 19: Streets of Long Beach - 1.9-mile street course
- Sunday April 28: Kansas Speedway - 1.5-mile oval
- Sunday May 24: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (The Indy 500) - 2.5-mile oval
- Sunday May 31: The Milwaukee Mile - 1-mile oval
- Saturday June 6: Texas Motor Speedway - 1.5-mile oval
- Sunday June 21: Iowa Speedway - 0.875-mile oval
- Saturday June 27: Richmond International Raceway - 0.75-mile oval
- Sunday July 5: Watkins Glen International - 3.4-mile road course
- Sunday July 12: Streets of Toronto - 1.721-mile street course
- Sunday July 26: Edmonton City Centre Airport - 1.973-mile airport course
- Saturday August 1: Kentucky Speedway - 1.5-mile oval
- Sunday August 9: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - 2.258-mile road course
- Saturday August 23 Infineon Raceway - 2.245-mile road course
- Saturday August 29: Chicagoland Speedway - 1.5-mile oval
- Sunday September 6: The Raceway at Belle Isle Park - 2.096-mile street course
- Saturday September 19: Twin Ring Motegi - 1.5-mile oval
- Sunday October 11: Homestead-Miami Speedway - 1.5-mile oval

Now, those familiar with the CCWS and/or the IRL series will notice that the season ending race isn't where it usually is and there are a few glaring omissions in the schedule (no Road America or Vegas for example). Some people are disappointed with the increase in road course proportion while I am disappointed that the Gold Coast has lost its spot on the schedule.

Yes, Australia is a long way to come for a single weekend out of a season. Yes, for the past decade that race has always been late October and so doesn't fit the new schedule's timing...and it seems that I'm not alone in being disappointed.

The V8 Supercars host a round of their series on the streets of Surfers Paradise the same weekend as the Indycars. I speak from experience that while watching the V8's are wonderful, the reason everyone goes to the race is the watch the Indycars since that's the only time any of the races have a good timezone for that part of the world.

This was the race track that effectively launched Marcos Ambrose's stock car career. You may have heard of him? I think he did an OK job at Watkins Glen over the weekend. Anyway, he raced an exhibition race in 2000 and won...not bad for his first time in a race car that had a roof over him.

I found an open letter that the boss of the V8 Supercars, Tony Cochrane, put on the V8 website;


"Dear Sir,

I have read with interest the many comments and considerable garbage written concerning the proposed date problem associated with the Gold Coast Indy Event for 2009 and beyond.  Much of this angst is aimed at the Queensland Government and the GCMEC Board. In my opinion unfairly. Both the Government and the GCMEC have bent over backwards in trying to accommodate the new IRL's interests in working out a suitable date for 2008/2009.  Following are some facts regarding the matter which may help correct the record:-

* The Government and the GCMEC have supported Indy/Champ Cars now for many years, including some very ordinary periods in their somewhat chequered history.  In any business relationship you would hope that this counts for something?

* Despite the Event being held in late October for nearly ten years suddenly the IRL, incredulously, offer two dates well outside this traditional period?

* The Event gets its TV production and Telecast partner (the 7 Network) from V8 Supercars Australia (our Championship goes to 110 countries, many of them live).  Like all sporting events the telecast partner is paramount to the financial success of the Event, so their scheduling is critical.

* The IRL offer two dates - one in March which clashes with a major Australian Motorsport event which involves both V8 Supercars and the 7 Network, and another which not only clashes with the AFL and NRL final series but would be in the middle of the September school holidays!

* Are Gold Coast tourism operators suggesting that moving Indy to a time when they are already fully booked due to the school holidays is a smart move to preserve the IRL?  Additionally, we would have no telecast partner for the Event.

* Late October was originally picked because it coincides with a natural downturn and quiet period for Gold Coast tourism. (i.e. the $60m injection comes in handy).

* V8 Supercars recognizes the Event requires both V8's and an International Series to make this unique Event work.  If the IRL cannot see fit to honour a long standing agreement on the date then there are many other world class International Series of Motorsports that would readily fit the bill.

Our Championship employs nearly 800 people in S.E Queensland so this “home event” for us is an important part of our landscape, and for our part, we will work with the Government and GCMEC in any reasonable way.  At the end of the day, I hope common sense prevails and the Event continues as a joint round of V8 Supercars and the IRL.  However, I don't subscribe to the Event being held ransom to a date that will bankrupt GCMEC, and neither should the Gold Coast community, especially when we have viable alternatives! Our American friends owe both the community and the Event more than that, given the support the Event has given them.

Yours Sincerely,
Tony Cochrane
Chairman
V8 Supercars Australia"


'So what?', you may say. As I said earlier, the current dates don't coincide with the new schedule and Australia is a long way from Miami...but consider this; Nigel Mansell, the 1993 Indycar Champion, said on his first visit to the track in 1993 that the Gold Coast did such a great job with the track and it was easily the best setup he'd seen for a temporary street track. The same Nigel Mansell who in 1992 won the F1 title and had therefore raced on the hallowed tarmac of Monte Carlo as well as the streets of Las Vegas (or was it Phoenix? I can't remember now, but I do know there was a street race in the USA in the late 80's early 90's) and that if anyone wanted to setup a new street track, they would be wise to use the Gold Coast as a template.

Will 2008 be the last time anyone sees this sight on the streets of Surfers Paradise?

The drivers love coming downunder since it allows them to escape the spotlight they usually get in the States and the relaxed atmosphere is exactly what some teams need as the season draws to a close...and now they can it? Maybe I am blinded by nationalistic pride and all that but it seems silly to cut a race that everyone enjoys. In fact, many motorsport fans rate the Gold Coast race as one of the top ten motorsport events around the world.

Now, before the switch to October, the race was held in March (like the letter says is an option)...which doesn't fit the schedule either since I'd doubt it would be accepted to start the season anywhere else but the USA. I believe the reason that got switched was it was too close to the Australian Grand Prix (after it moved from Adelaide in November to Melbourne in March in 1996) and, as we all know, having two major international sporting events held back-to-back decreases the overall profit making ability so it made sense to move the Gold Coast race.

What about that other date the letter suggested...the one that clashes with this 'AFL' and 'NRL' finals, surely they can't be as big as Tony says and the fact that it's school holidays would mean that families would be able to go to the race anyway.

Wrong.

While Australia does embrace any international sporting event, when given the choice, we much prefer to stick to our own sports. Remember that we don't want to have a Saturday night F1 race as that clashes with the grand final of the AFL's preseason Cup...the PRESEASON Cup, not even the 'real' thing!

Even suggesting hosting the race when the finals are on would be akin to going "hey, let's host the Indy 500 in early February!" It's the same thing here; September has always been, and will always be, 'finals footy' time in Australia. The only way I can see where the Gold Coast would fit in the schedule wold be to start the season earlier and put our race after Long Beach (allowing a week off either side for travel and preparation) but that will only happen if they are serious about keeping Surfers Paradise as a venue. However, I get the impression that the honeymoon, which lasted since 1991 (and only has one repeat winner in its history), is over.

And, like Tony says, if they don't want us, there are plenty of other series that would jump at the opportunity...your loss, Indycar *shrugs*

Well this won't take very long...New Zealanders in motorsport...I can really only think of three.

Less than half a lap is what seperated Scott Dixon from winning his second IRL title. He was running in first with Dario Franchitti in second (the only two drivers on the lead lap) when the yellow flag was put away for the final time. Both were driving on fumes but I imagine that since Dario was getting the slipstream, that meant he eeked out a tiny bit more fuel than Scott and was able to blast past him when Scott's engine spluttered coming into turn three. However, 2008 sees no Franchitti and no Sam Hornish Jr so Dixon should be favourite...so why Tony Kanaan is being talked up to win it is beyond me. I'm backing Scott and nothing short of having the #1 on his car next year will be a success. As for the Indy 500....well he has a good shot but I think one of the Andretti Green cars will win the thing.

Scott once again leads the 'Kiwis on display' for motorsport in 2008. 

Wade Cunningham...a name that will probably have many of you scratching your heads wondering who he is. His career shot into the spotlight when he won the 2003 World Karting Championship. After a year in the States in the Formula Ford Zetecs, he jumped up to the Infiniti Pro Series for 2005. Despite only winning one race, he won that title in his rookie year. 2006 saw him finish third, not too bad if you take into account the fat that he missed two races due to illness while last year he wound up third again. But at the end of the year he was rewared with his first test drive of an IRL car at Sebring, driving the car that Danica Patrick usually has. So could we see two Kiwis in the IRL in 2009? Highly probable I reckon. I wouldn't mind if someone put him in the Craftsman Truck series though...he knows how to drive on ovals and he's only 23 years old.

Wade on his way to winning at Watkins Glen.

And now we come to the last person I know; Josh Coppins. After a gazillion years of the MX1 series being dominated by Stefan Everts (who retired at the end of 2006), Josh looked to have the 2007 title wrapped up until an injury forced him to miss the last handful of races. He came back for the final round but the pain from his arm was too much and he couldn't do anything except watch the title slip away. If he stays fit this year, he should be able to win the championship...but that's a big if in the MX classes.

Josh on his trusty Yamaha MX1 bike.

That's pretty much it really...I'm writing this since it's Waitangi Day which means I have the day off work. I could get used to a holiday in the middle of the week *laugh*

The Haka...with a twist.

Ok, so this is the big one, the one we've all been...uh, never mind, I've just checked my inbox and apparantly if I continue that thought a J.K. Rowling is threatening to sue me.

Anyway, this isn't just restricted to a single series, this will (hopefully) incorporate everything.

Rookie of the Year - not a hard choice when you boil it down. To win 4 races (granted, you should if you are driving the best car but a win's a win all the same) and come within a single point of winning the title, it can only be Lewis Hamilton...anything less than having the #1 on his car in 2009 will be a failure however (no pressure Lewis...just don't change your name to Tim Henman over the offseason, mate).

Best Race of the Year - again, not a hard choice. You want a race to have everything; variable weather, crashes, overtaking, wheel-####ing, a charge through the field, right? Well, there was only one race that brought us all that and that was the European (or was it German this year?) Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. The skies opened on lap 1 causing a red flag as 5 cars went off about a lap later (all at the same corner...one car even brushed the rescue tractor/crane as it was retrieving the other cars from the gravel trap), Alonso and Massa provided the climatic finish while Hamilton finished an agonising second behind 2 points after a stonking drive from the back.

Qualifier of the Year - now, this is a tough one. There have been several quality drivers to consider for this one; Jeff Gordon, Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne just to mention a few. However, I'm going a bit more controversial for this one...Nico Hulkenberg. He's the new Williams F1 test driver and thumped everyone in the A1GP series this year. Not bad for a 20 year old that no one had heard of before 12 months ago.

Team of the Year - Hendrick Motorsports...do I really need to explain why? No, I didn't think so either.

Pit Crew of the Year - I'm going with the Toll HSV boys from the V8 Supercars. When the pressure was on, they delivered in the final round, getting Garth Tander from 5th to 1st and were the main reason he won the title.

Driver of the Year - another toughie. Kimi Raikonnen, Jimmie Johnson, Garth Tander, Dario Franchitti, Nico Hulkenberg all won their respective series, though only Nico won by a massive margin. However, I'm going with the man who set a few records but didn't win the title...Jeff Gordon.

Ok, so that's the official stuff out of the way so let's have a little bit of fun.

Personality of the Year - Rusty Wallace for providing us with his insightful comments and magnificent commentary...hopefully someone gives him a drive next year instead.

Crash of the Year - I think we can all agree that there were many candidates for this one. But, at the end of the day, I've given it to dragster driver, Phil Lamattina...which I think HotfootLori posted about in September.

Surprise of the Year - Clint Bowyer would, under any other circumstances, be odds on here...but I have to give this to the fact that the name 'Earnhardt' won't be in the winners list for NASCAR this year...in any category. If the number of engine failures matched his car number, he might have picked up the next award too, but it was not to be.

Miracle of the Year - Jeff Gordon not winning his 5th title? Lewis Hamilton doing the impossible by screwing up the final 2 GP's of the year to lose the championship? Phil Lamattina for surviving that crash? No...this award can only go to one thing; McLaren Mercedes F1 team. The miracle being they weren't punished more in the 'spygate' saga.

Worst Looking Car Livery of the Year - Team Vodafone in the V8 Supercars. They took the old saying "if you can't beam 'em, join 'em" a touch too far when they launched their 2007 challenger. I guess no one told them that HRT use more or less the exact same colours in more or less the exact same locations...made it hell to watch on TV.

And lastly, my favourite award...

Bone-headed Overtaking Attempt of the Year - well, Juan Montoya didn't take long to make his mark...just 3 races in fact and the mark was on Scott Pruett's right rear panel. Garth Tander nearly cost himself the V8 title by divebombing inside Steve Richards but wobbled away with a broken suspension instead. Dario Franchitti took Marco Andretti off...along with a section of his front wing which ultimately cost him a win. Quite a few to choose from I think you'd agree, but the winner has to be Kyle Busch for passing (well, trying to anyway) his brother at the All-Star race.

I thought I might as well try to give you lot a bit of a laugh heading into 2008...hope you don't mind. If anyone has a problem with who got what, you are more than welcome to argue your point/s...just be prepared for me to not care about it *laugh*

Apologies for missing out a few awards...a 'part deux' might be required to cover for that ;)

Now obviously I can't speak for everyone on here so I'll just have to go with letting you know why I watch the racing series I do...well a short version of why anyway. 

Formula 1 - the one series that a lot of people can't get into since "the only overtaking happens in pitlane". I admit, F1 does throw up some rather dull races...but it makes the exciting ones (like last weeks one in Germany) simply brilliant. I don't care what anyone tries telling me, but when there's a race like that, you then know why F1 is the best series on the planet...end of story.

NASCAR - another series that doesn't appeal to everyone as "they just turn left". Again, some races I wish I hadn't bothered taping as watching the grass grow in winter is more exciting, but it is the closeness of the racing that I like. It doesn't really matter where you qualify (unlike in F1) since the cars are that evenly matched and it's the driver/crew combination that makes the difference.

V8 Supercars - well that's a rather easy one to explain; I'm an Aussie. Lately though, the series has suffered a little bit since the cars are evenly matched that it's virtually impossible to pass on the track...unless the weather plays a part which we've had a couple times this year.

IRL - it's kind of like the best of both worlds really; F1 style cars racing on NASCAR tracks. I'll freely admit that my interest will probably only last as long as Scott Dixon races in it since that will be when the coverage of it stops here.

A1GP - a mini F1 series really, these guys tend to produce more exciting racing than F1 since they have that funky little 'power-boost' which gives you eight shots of extra revs to use during the race. Again, like IRL, this series is only popular here in NZ due to the TV coverage showing the racing on free-to-air instead of pay TV. It also helps when Team NZ goes well and we have a race here I guess.

So there we go, five series that I like to see. The main point I think is that no matter what series you watch, there will always be races that put you to sleep. You can argue over which is better (like Dave and ccr are currently doing...which is real interesting as both are passionate about 'their' series yet don't mind the other anyway) but at the end of that day, it all boils down to personal taste.

I will always rate F1 as the best since I hang out for those rare times it produces an absolute pearler of a race like last week. Oh, and also for the sheer speed, acceleration and under braking (which is more impressive actually), those things can go...there's just nothing else like it in my opinion.

up, up and away!

The old CART series (now Champ Car World Series) no longer holds the appeal for me. It was the series responsible for getting me into oval racing so I have to give it a mention on here, but my interest in it died right after a handful of laps of the final race in the 1999 season.

You're a multi-millionaire.

You've got your headquarters in a prime location.

You've hired the best Engineers, Designers and have a killer pitcrew.

You've got sponsors lined up down the road, all wanting to be a part of your new team...but now comes the hard part; who are you going to pay the big bucks to deliver the result on the track?

To figure that out, you'll have to see who's been hot lately and who hasn't. Not as easy a choice as you may think since you're trying to headhunt the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the one guy who you would want driving the car if your life depended on it right now.

A month ago, the guy at the top of your list was Lewis Hamilton. The rookie F1 driver had won the Canadian and US races and was sitting pretty with the Championship lead. Six weeks ago, it was Martin Truex Jr...that guy won his first Cup race at Dover and has since been a factor in pretty much every race. Two months ago, another name; Dario Franchitti. He'd just won the Indianapolis 500 and leapt to the top in the IRL standings. Prior to that it was Jeff Gordon...see how hard this choice has become?

Well, you can cross all those names off since I'm going to tell you who the hottest driver going around is...hands down. He's been riding a huge crest this past month and I have to wonder what this guy has to do to get the recognition he deserves.

Give up? Have no idea who could possibly blow those guys out of the water with his performances?

I'll give you a hint; he's from New Zealand.

Yep, that's right...the best driver in the world right now is none other than Scott Dixon.

Scott piloting his #9 Ganassi Honda IRL beast

You disagree with that? Let me give you some statistics then.

Scott just won his third straight race in the IRL series and has closed the gap to Franchitti from 60 points to 24 in that time. He finished second in the Indy 500 (behind Dario) and probably would have won the race had it not been cut short due to the weather. He won the IRL title in 2003 (in his first season I might add) and is the youngest winner of an internationally recognised 'top level' motorsport event (cars anyway...no idea about bikes) after he won his third ever CART (now Champ Car World Series) race at Nazareth when he was just 20 years old.

You want more proof? He's won the last three IRL races at Watkins Glen...big deal you might say. After all, he's from a country where road courses are the norm. That's all well and good but he won the 2005 race with Toyota power. So what? Toyota had the least powerful engine (by as much as 50 horsepower) yet Scott still whipped everyone...mighty impressive I think you'd agree.

Scott has nine wins in his IRL career...his last 3 have come in the last 3 races

I can see that you're slowly starting to believe me so let me give even more information. He also finished runnerup to Sam Hornish Jr in last years IRL Championship, outscoring his more highly fancied teammate, Dan Wheldon. And his record doesn't stop at open-wheelers either. Last year, Scott teamed up with Wheldon and Casey Mears to win the Daytona 24 hour race.

And he's no slouch with a roof over his head either

He may not have the high profile that a lot of drivers have...but he also doesn't have the baggage those guys carry either. He'll give it 100% every time he steps behind the wheel and anything less than first will see him work that little bit harder next time...that's the kind of driver I want. Oh yeah, and he's only just turned 27...so plenty of years left in his career.

Ok, I can see that you're nodding your head now so my work here is done...Scott Dixon is now at the top of that list.

Mind you, you'll have a fight on your hands to nick him off Chip...but Scott will more than pay you back.

Ok, now I can't find any blog on this particular topic so I figured I'd get the ball rolling (if I'm wrong, please give me a link since I only skimmed over the 'NASCAR' and 'Other' categories).

We've had a couple days to digest the lap 14 collision between Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin in the Pepsi 400. Most have said it was just a racing incident and that it was just "one of those things". I think the problem most people have is what Tony said afterwards, about it all being Denny's fault and that Denny needs to figure out the meaning of the word 'team'.

But has he lost his crown for the silliest thing to say after crashing out? The very next day saw the IRL race at Watkins Glen. The first part of the race was a close fought affair with Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti running within a couple seconds of each other for the first 15 laps. All three of them pitted at the end of that lap and that's when things started to get a little interesting.

Franchitti lost a bit of ground during the stop and Dixon decided it was time to really pile on the pressure on Castroneves for the lead. Lap 17 saw him get a great slipstream and Castroneves dived right to protect the inside line leaving Dixon the outside (and racing) line which he couldn't pull off.

Lap 18, on the same corner, Dixon managed to get the inside line this time but thought better of it and backed out.

Lap 19, again on the same part of the track, Dixon faked a move up the inside in an attempt to distract Castroneves...and it worked. A few corners later, Castroneves got a bit sideways and smacked the outside wall, destroying the left front of his car while Dixon snuck through before he spun back across the track.

A classic case of being put under pressure...or was it?

Helio saw it differently and had this to say; "I hold my line. It's ridiculous, I mean, I'm trying to hold my line. But, I mean, you want (me) to give the pass to him, fine I'll give it to him. It's ridiculous, all of a sudden I'm pushing, pushing and it led to a mistake."

The commentators replied with; "If you listen to what Helio said, I mean, he apparently was unhappy that he was being pressured. But that's what Scott Dixon is supposed to do; pressure him into making a mistake."

"Sure it is. He absolutely pressured him into making a mistake. He said it was slick and he was trying to hang on to it. But that's because Scott Dixon was putting a lot of pressure on him."

"That's racing, pal, that's racing."

So, let me get this right. If you're the guy in front, you're expected to be absolutely millimeter perfect for the entire race so as to not buckle under pressure from behind. If you're the guy behind you can't pressure the guy in front as it can cause them to crash.

All the drivers are out there to do their best to come home with a result. Denny seemingly had a good car but it was going away a little and Tony just got in the back of him at the wrong time. As for Helio, he too had a good car but Scott's was a little bit better and was clearly pushing hard...it was too much for Helio to handle.

Should Tony have backed off? Should Helio have given Scott the position? No, of course they shouldn't.

Should both guys have bitten their tongues instead of lashing out at the other guy for just driving their cars? You better believe they should've.

I'm sorry, but this was pathetic and both guys were out of line. This is racing and these people are supposed to be some of the best drivers in the world...not some of the best whingers.

For what it's worth, I think Helio's comment was worse...it was his own fault he lost the back end of his car, not Scott's.

Is there any better time of the year than the last Sunday in May?

Some would argue that holidays are....but we're talking racing nuts here and I'm struggling to find a better day. Tradition demands for that weekend to host both the Indy 500 and Coke 600, while across the Atlantic you've got one of the most prestigious races of them all; the Monaco GP.

Of the three, I (along with 100% of others most likely) are expecting the 600 to have the most lead changes with the GP to be a good candidate for "yawn-fest of the year", but let's have a look at all three anyway.

We'll start with Monaco as it'll be the first to kick off; another Ferrari v McLaren battle royale is shaping up....but it's the "wrong" drivers who go into the weekend on the high. Massa has won the last two races while Hamilton is leading the championship, and both are outshining their more illustrious teammates (Raikkonen and Alonso respectively). All four will go into the weekend as favourites so we'll have a look at the battle for the minor placings instead. Coulthard scored the Red Bull team's first podium at this race last year, and Webber doesn't go too shabby here either (his only career podium came here in 2005). Likewise, the two Italians, Fisichella and Trulli love the streets of Monte Carlo and I can't see anyone else tearing up the formbooks and be the surprise. The smart money will be on Raikkonen and Alonso, with the Red Bull boys the darkhorses....but whatever you do, don't put your house on that.

Indianapolis....a race steeped in history and oozing with legends of motorsport who've raced there. Hornish Jr managed to squeeze past Andretti (the Marco variety) on the run to the flag last year, but can he repeat? Castroneves has pole, and we know he's no slouch around this track, while the Ganassi team are running 1-2 in the title race. Both Wheldon and Dixon have been fast and consistant....but this race isn't always won by the fastest car; it can be won by the guy (or girl....don't discount Danica this time around) and team who wants it the most. So is there anyone out there who can challenge Penske and Ganassi on speed alone? Probably not, but as we saw last year don't disregard those Andretti cars; Kanaan, Franchitti, Andretti (both since Michael is running in this one too) and Patrick. If I had to pick a winner, I'd probably go for the Kiwi, Dixon. Why? He's run well there in the past but hasn't had anything other than bad luck....and that's got to change at some point.

So now we arrive, bleary-eyed for those of us who will try to watch all three, at Charlotte and the Coca-Cola 600; the longest race of the NASCAR season. On current form, Johnson should win with some bloke called Daylight in second. Yes, I think the whole #48 team will be hurting after last year with Kahne managing to wrestle their mantle of "cookie-cutter kings" away....which won't happen this time around unless they fit an afterburner to the #9. The guys who should run well there would be....well, anyone with a Chevy really. I expect the other three Hendrick cars to be strong, along with RCR, DEI and Gibbs. I also think that the Penske boys could create a few headaches as they attempt to score Dodge's first win for '07, while Kenseth and Edwards should be the ones to fly the flag for Ford. So, since the race appears to be for second place behind Jimmie, I'd probably stick it on Hamlin. Patience, young Denny, race wins will come for you.....just not here.

And that's it; three traditional races all scheduled for the same day....it doesn't get any better than that, my racing friends.