Britain's Only Blaniac
by: jbroomy
A round up of miscellaneous motorsports
May 02, 2008 | 9:37AM | report this

Basically just a lot of little things that don't really have enough to have a blog bit all to themselves.

Last weekend was clearly a weekend for enormous accidents. The well documented Heikki Kovalienen crah at Barcalona grabbed the headlines for the obvious reason that it was watched by several million. However, he has found himself well and truly trumped by an accident earily reminescent of the back flipping Le Mans Mercedes' of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck back in 1999 and Yannick Dalmas similar accident in a Porsche. The place is Monza, the race is a Le Mans Series race. The driver, and eventual passenger, is Stephane Ortelli in a P1 Courage.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0_yfiE9Esfg>

Only injury was a broken ankle.

And before moving on from big crashs, I think Kovalienen's crash is another  illustration of the improvement of safety equipment in motorsport, coming 14 years to the week after the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Now a NASCAR story. It seems Dario's been getting some cheeky advice through bribary. He's managed to get another driver addicted to Dairy Milk chocolate (the company responsible for the Phil-Collins-####-Drum-Advert and an even more fantastic current advert). Being a British brand Dario must have some sort of a monopoly on supply and he's paying another driver for advice in chocolate. There's no word on who the choc-fiend is but I'll put money on Reed Sorenson.

And lastly the newly interesting Indycar Series roars towards the Indy 500. 4 different winners (5 if you include the race at Long Beach) and 39 entries for 33 places in the race. For the first time I can remember I'm actually interested in it beyond seeing the race. If what's already gone on this season is anything to go by it should be a treat. Graham Rahal became the youngest ever winner, Danica finally won something (I don't care less if it was fuel mileage or whether rival were told to let here by), the transition teams aren't doing nearly as badly as they were expected to do on the ovals, signified by Justin Wilson leading a handful of laps and finishing in the top 10 at Kansas. And the month of practice and the qualifying procedure that makes quantum physics look simple, let alone the Daytona Duels, could always throw up suprises and even the playing field.

Of course there'll be no Sam Hornish, if you believe what he says. It's an important move - as he says 'he's a Stock Car driver' - he could have jumped back but he's showing the sort of dedication I've admired in him from day one in NASCAR when it wasn't going very well. He could have gone crying off back to a series where he has the ability to dominate, but he stuck at it.

There are still a number of teams that are TBA, I wonder if anyone has the cash to draft Jacques Villeneuve in for a race. I mean, it's not like he's doing anything.

3 Comments | Add a comment   categories: NASCAR, Indycar, Le Mans
 
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moseby
May 2, 2008
10:59 AM
I think Justin Wilson will do well at the 500.

39 entries is great - Bump Day actually has meaning.

Does Paul Tracy have any offers for a ride at the 500?

YeeMum_
May 2, 2008
11:23 AM
I mean, it's not like he's doing anything.

LOL

Thanks for the tidbits.

Last edited by YeeMum_ on May 2nd at 11:50 AM.

williamwilman
May 2, 2008
4:37 PM
hes looking for sponsors

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ABOUT ME


jbroomy
I always want to write something witty here, but my wit is always confused with something worse -------------
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----NASCAR and Auto Racing in general mostly here, but I get distracted by shiny sporting objects as well and give them an airing too----------
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-----Pastimes
include rooting for the underdog and trying to fathom why Golf is considered a sport--------
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--- Send Lawyers, Guns and Money.
Time stamping is done in Pacific Time.