Quote from GreyBull [CHA] :

Is there a pun of some sort involved in this post?

'To get a leg over' someone means to have sex. Hence my joke about Mr. Penske getting a leg over a man.

Quote :

Just imagine. Power and Bourdais teamming-up at Penske. :wow:

A driver who's proven time and again he's not complete enough to win a title, and someone who could only do it driving for the only team with money in a series filled with paydrivers and retired f1 drivers?

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

'To get a leg over' someone means to have sex. Hence my joke about Mr. Penske getting a leg over a man.

I see now.

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

A driver who's proven time and again he's not complete enough to win a title, and someone who could only do it driving for the only team with money in a series filled with paydrivers and retired f1 drivers?

Power still not totally complete overall, okay, but "not complete enough to win a title"? Nah, no way. He might still lack a bit of pace on ovals. But this wasn't the main reason he lost in 2011. 2 races ruined by contacts in pitlane(not his fault), Dario taking him off at Toronto, Helio at Long Beach, then a good result screwed by a caution at Mid-Ohio, etc. It was a uphill battle with all that stuff, but he still -almost- pulled it off. He was virtually leading the champ until Bia took him off, at the last (proper) race at Kentucky. A race he was dominating until that incident - yes, on an oval!

Mind you, he's 9 years younger than Dario(AFAIK), and has all his good years ahead of him. With a 70% road course calendar, and Briscoe and Castroneves slowly fading out at Penske, there's no doubt he's the favorite in 2012.



Bourdais... Yea, he was the n°1 driver in the best team in the business in ChampCar, but... A bit harsh to blame him for the lack of opposition, no? Plus, last time I checked, IndyCar was still pretty much filled with pay drivers and retired F1 drivers, aswell:rolleyes:

After being treated so disgustingly by Red Bull in 2009, he could've just followed the "easy way" with Peugeot in LMS, but instead, he decided (in parallel to the LMS stuff) to start again from zero in the States. While, he arguably had nothing left to prove there. You gotta give him credit for that, true champion-like behaviour, but sadly this has pretty much gone unnoticed from the public.

The guy has done wonders with the Coyne car last year, placing it just behind Ganassi and Penske several times in a row, while it obviously belonged to the back, mid-pack at best.

Give him another chance, really. He deserves it.

if Bourdais goes to Penske it will be vastly better then the Franchitti/Dixon combo they have at Ganassi IMO.

Power is pretty much untouchable on road courses, only Dixon and Sometimes Rahal looked in the same league, i think Bourdais would give power a good run for hes money.

On a side note, i think Rahal might be able to stay with the top guys this year, if you saw how he did in the last half of the season he was always up the front, he had some bad luck though and got caught out by poor strategy quite a few times but if it wasn't for that i think he could of got a few wins, i think he will be someone to watch out for in 2012.

First shakedown for the Lotus test car

Quote from Mustafur :

if Bourdais goes to Penske it will be vastly better then the Franchitti/Dixon combo they have at Ganassi IMO.

Power is pretty much untouchable on road courses, only Dixon and Sometimes Rahal looked in the same league, i think Bourdais would give power a good run for hes money.

Agreed. But only if the schedule stays at a 70/30 road/oval ratio. If we go back to 50/50 I'm sure Dario and Dixie would keep catching back on the ovals.

Now of course, perhaps the Captain could still keep a 3rd car with either Briscoe or Castroneves at the wheel... Just to give Ganassi a run for their money on the ovals.

Quote from Mustafur :

On a side note, i think Rahal might be able to stay with the top guys this year, if you saw how he did in the last half of the season he was always up the front, he had some bad luck though and got caught out by poor strategy quite a few times but if it wasn't for that i think he could of got a few wins, i think he will be someone to watch out for in 2012.

Agreed.

I reckon Franchitti has only like 1 or 2 good years in front of him. We might be looking at his replacement there.

Quote from GreyBull [CHA] :

First shakedown for the Lotus test car

Front wing is massive

Overall, I think I like it though. It's definitely something different, and it will be nice to get some variety back in the series.

Looks pretty nice from this angle

(btw lol at all the gopro cameras)

They clearly don't have enough, can add at least 4 more.

Quote from PMD9409 :

They clearly don't have enough, can add at least 4 more.

8 more, dont forget the wheelnut cameras

Slightly reminiscient of the 90s front wings.....ever so slightly. I'm a sucker for those types of aerodynamics though

EDIT: Oh yeah, Lotus been raiding the old Reynard/Penske parts bin again?

Interesting thoughts from Hildebrand here: http://www.motorauthority.com/ ... -indycar-road-course-test

Just for the lolz. Based on Hyperactive's F1 sheet

1. Who will win drivers' championship:
2. Who will win Indy:
3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?:
4: How many cars will show up at St Pete for round 1?:
5. How do you think Sebastien Bourdais will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):
6. How do you think Katherine Legge will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):
7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):
8. How do you think James Hinchcliffe will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):
9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012:
10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?:
11. Do you think Castroneves will win at least one race in 2012?:
12. How many cautions at Indy?
13: How many DNFs due to contacts for EJ Viso?:
14. Most DNFs in a race?:
15. Will Jean Alesi qualify for Indy? If he does, where will he finish?


My predictions:

1. Who will win drivers' championship: Power
2. Who will win Indy: TK
3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?: Pagenaud if he's eligible. Guerrieri if he isn't.
4: How many cars will show up at St Pete for round 1?: 29
5. How do you think Sebastien Bourdais will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 9
6. How do you think Katherine Legge will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 5
7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 7
8. How do you think James Hinchcliffe will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 7
9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012: Hard to say right now
10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?: Yes. Servia.
11. Do you think Castroneves will win at least one race in 2012?: No.
12. How many cautions at Indy?: 8
13: How many DNFs due to contacts for EJ Viso?: 5
14. Most DNFs in a race?: 11 at Toronto
15. Will Jean Alesi qualify for Indy? If he does, where will he finish? No

1. Who will win drivers' championship: Power
2. Who will win Indy: Dixon
3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?: Pagenaud
4: How many cars will show up at St Pete for round 1?:30
5. How do you think Sebastien Bourdais will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):9
6. How do you think Katherine Legge will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):3
7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):7
8. How do you think James Hinchcliffe will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):7
9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012:someone who isn't currently signed
10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?: Yes, Bourdais
11. Do you think Castroneves will win at least one race in 2012?: Yes
12. How many cautions at Indy? 7
13: How many DNFs due to contacts for EJ Viso?: 8
14. Most DNFs in a race?:15
15. Will Jean Alesi qualify for Indy? If he does, where will he finish? no

1. Who will win drivers' championship: Castroneves
2. Who will win Indy: TK
3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?: Pagenaud
4: How many cars will show up at St Pete for round 1?: 28
5. How do you think Sebastien Bourdais will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 4
6. How do you think Katherine Legge will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):5
7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):3
8. How do you think James Hinchcliffe will do in 2012 (rate 1-10):7
9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012: Whoever Conquest brings to race 1
10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?: Yes, Tagliani
11. Do you think Castroneves will win at least one race in 2012?: Yes
12. How many cautions at Indy? 11
13: How many DNFs due to contacts for EJ Viso?: 7
14. Most DNFs in a race?: 10, Texas
15. Will Jean Alesi qualify for Indy? If he does, where will he finish? Yes, 11th.

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012: Whoever Conquest brings to race 1

Yep good point, but now the question is... Will Conquest show up at all? Still no engine/drivers/sponsors deals so far

I'm following IndyCar for 3 years,but I'm not that hardcore fan to know all,what's going on,but still,I'll try:

1. Who will win drivers' championship: Power (unfortunately,since I somehow don't like him as person)
2. Who will win Indy: Dixon
3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?: Pagenaud
4: How many cars will show up at St Pete for round 1?: 24
5. How do you think Sebastien Bourdais will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 6
6. How do you think Katherine Legge will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 3
7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 6
8. How do you think James Hinchcliffe will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): 8
9. First driver you think will lose his drive during 2012: Helio,if he continues to get worse
10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?: None,I'm affraid then
11. Do you think Castroneves will win at least one race in 2012?: I guess not,but I wish him good luck though.
12. How many cautions at Indy?: few,let's say 4
13: How many DNFs due to contacts for EJ Viso?: 7
14. Most DNFs in a race?: 9 at Toronto
15. Will Jean Alesi qualify for Indy? If he does, where will he finish? Yeah,right,he can just wish...

Quote from Eclipsed :

3. Who will win Rookie of the Year?: No idea,any options?

Simon Pagenaud, Josef Newgarden and Katherine Legge for sure.

Also Esteban Guerrieri, who will probably get the 3rd KV Racing ride(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQft1uUQJHY), but hasn't signed yet.

Maybe Jay Howard or Pippa Mann if they get a drive somewhere, but even then I doubt they'd be serious contenders anyway.

Quote :

7. How do you think Josef Newgarden will do in 2012 (rate 1-10): Who?

2011 IndyLights champion. Signed with Sarah Fisher Raing for a full time 2012 drive. There's currently a decent amount of hype around him since he and JR Hildebrand might just be the 2 new fresh open wheel talents America had been waiting for

Quote :

10. Will Lotus get a win in 2012? And if you think so, who will get it?: Dunno,who's driving for Lotus to answer...

De Silvestro, Tagliani, Bourdais, Legge, Servia are the only drivers they have signed already, hope I'm not missing anyone.

Ok,edited my answers. I'm affraid this will be a season quite dominated by that William (as Helio once called him) guy,we will have to watch his gay jump quite offten...

Quote from GreyBull [CHA] :

Yep good point, but now the question is... Will Conquest show up at all? Still no engine/drivers/sponsors deals so far

There are many drivers still unsigned. I'm sure they will find someone willing to pay for a ride. Maybe Ana, Mattos, Howard or Meira.

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

There are many drivers still unsigned. I'm sure they will find someone willing to pay for a ride. Maybe Ana, Mattos, Howard or Meira.

Yes. Plenty of wealthy pay drivers around, so this shouldn't be an issue. Although I'm not certain if Matos or Meira have any significant backing right now(They certainly would be great additions talent wise, though. Especially Meira).


Now, what's worrying is the lack of engine deal. We probably got several more entries than expected(even an old fox like Robin Miller was betting on an average of 20 cars/race not long ago), can any of the manufacturers produce the few additional blocks needed? What will happen if Conquest(or Sarah Fisher, or Ed Carpenter) finds themselves with no engine at St Pete, simply because no one could provide them one?

Now Sarah Fisher and Ed Carpenter are in the same situation... But we know they'll push hard to get a deal, because the rest of their package is ready to go, and they have no other alternative... It's IndyCar or nothing for them.

What about Conquest? Unlike SFR or Ed, they have no drivers, no sponsors, no announcement made so far, etc. IIRC they were supposed to field an ALMS entry too. Perhaps is this silence on the IndyCar situation a sign that they can't afford a double program, and will switch to sports car full time, à la Newman Haas?

Quote from GreyBull [CHA] :

Yes. Plenty of wealthy pay drivers around, so this shouldn't be an issue. Although I'm not certain if Matos or Meira have any significant backing right now(They certainly would be great additions talent wise, though. Especially Meira).


Now, what's worrying is the lack of engine deal. We probably got several more entries than expected(even an old fox like Robin Miller was betting on an average of 20 cars/race not long ago), can any of the manufacturers produce the few additional blocks needed? What will happen if Conquest(or Sarah Fisher, or Ed Carpenter) finds themselves with no engine at St Pete, simply because no one could provide them one?

Now Sarah Fisher and Ed Carpenter are in the same situation... But we know they'll push hard to get a deal, because the rest of their package is ready to go, and they have no other alternative... It's IndyCar or nothing for them.

What about Conquest? Unlike SFR or Ed, they have no drivers, no sponsors, no announcement made so far, etc. IIRC they were supposed to field an ALMS entry too. Perhaps is this silence on the IndyCar situation a sign that they can't afford a double program, and will switch to sports car full time, à la Newman Haas?

For all I know, Conquest can't afford even one program. They have been on the verge of bankrupcy for six yeats, but they always manage to bring some paydriver (or Nelson Philippe) along for another year.

Engines shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure every company (with the exception of maybe Chevy/Ilmor) will be able to provide for another couple of single car teams. They will have to make extra engines for use during the season, anyway, so the bigger teams might sell their spares for the Conquests of the field.

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

paydriver (or Nelson Philippe)

Pleonasm?

(Nah, shame he disappeared completely from the motorracing world after Inifineon 2009 in fact. I actualy liked the guy)

Quote from GreyBull [CHA] :

Pleonasm?

Not at all. If I recall correctly, he was dropped by HVM for 2007 exactly for lacking resources, despite having a fantastic season.

I believe he has left the racing world and now tours as a DJ by the name David Guetta.

Quote from Yuri Laszlo :

Not at all. If I recall correctly, he was dropped by HVM for 2007 exactly for lacking resources, despite having a fantastic season.

Actually... I asked about him to Robin Miller a few weeks ago(in his weekly Mailbag at speedtv.com). According to Miller, he was a ridebuyer in the 2004, 05 and 06 seasons(racing for Conquest in 2004 and 05, then HVM-CTE in 2006), mostly being backed by his dad. Daddy decided to pull the plug after the 2006 season, thinking that his son could find sponsors by himself, after his (rather lucky) win at Surfers 2006. Unfortunately, the sponsors hunt never turned out to be successful for poor old Nelson, which means he was afterwards stuck in uncompetitive part time entries.

Still according to Miller, his Infineon 2009 crash scared a bit the Philippe family. Hence why Nelson made the decision to quit competitive racing after this.

Quote :

I believe he has left the racing world and now tours as a DJ by the name David Guetta.

Win


EDIT: Update on the engine situation: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com ... nd-demand-still-a-concern