IndyCar Paddock Notes: December 10th edition

Just a very few quick notes, most notably the good news that Star Mazda has been purchased and will continue in 2013...

Star Mazda Championship Purchased

After the shock announcement that after 22yrs Gary Rodriquez was throwing in the towel and Star Mazda wouldn’t be contesting the 2013 season under his leadership comes word that Dan Anderson of Anderson Promotions, the current US F2000 series promoter has purchased Star Mazda and will continue its operation as the Pro Mazda Championship in 2013. Which means I should still be able to attempt stalking the progress of Chris Yano’s rookie season in the Road-to-Indy ladder series...

Anderson Promotions announces Pro Mazda Championship

Texas Fried Sushi?

While I’m guessin Y’all know about Connor Daly’s impending Big Car test with A.J. Foyt shortly, perhaps you’ve also heard the scuttlebutt that ‘Taku-san (Takuma Sato) is rumoured to be the driver most likely to fill ‘Ol ‘Supertex’s empty IndyCar seat for next season. Which if true would make me actually ponder the notion of renting a scanner at Indy next year. I mean C’mon, how many TEX-ARSE Fried Steak jokes are we all gonna come up with, eh? Seriously, Japan meets AJ; Hooah! Why can I see some sorta King Kong jokes here?

Bernard pitchin’ Beef?

Originally spotted this one in ‘Kurty Cavin’s Etc Colum last Thursday; noting that Randy “The CandyMann” Bernard has taken up a job position with a Midwest ‘Agro-biz television channel in Oakie Dokey country.

Bernard has accepted the position of CEO of RFD-TV, an agricultural and country western lifestyle channel, which along with its two ‘Seester networks reaches an estimated 61-million consumers; Hmm? Isn’t that more then what NBC Sports Network reaches? With NO word on whether or not Bernard’s angling for the rights to the 2013 Indy Car Series season ending banquet; Hya!

Bernard becomes CEO of RFD-TV

INDYCAR: Why Don’t you Air your Belated Champions Roast Nationally?

That thought occurred to me upon listening to (reading) Jenna Fryer’s piece written Monday, Dec 3 - about IndyCar gaining some “Chirp Chirp” much needed momentum behind The Captain’s calling out of Tony Stewart to run next year’s Indy 500 during his celebratory NASCAR Sprint Cup trophy presentation.

Penske gives IndyCar some (much needed) buzz with Stewart offer

Thus, although I already knew thee answer - nope, its not three, thy number shall be six, the number after four, as that Monty Python skit has come pummeling towards me like a snowball; Oh Never Mind! Where were thoust before going adrift? Oh yeah, I checked my TV listings guide for humour on the appropriate banquet day; Thurs, Dec 6^th - nearly three whole months after FAST EDDIE won the Fontana finale, (Sept 15) remember that? Along with RHR winning the title; SIGH! And discovered the following programs on the two most appropriate cable television channels...

NBCSN

4-6PM: Boxing

6-7PM: Costas tonight

7-7:30PM: Fight Night 36

7:30-8:30PM: Costas tonight (Replay?)

8:30-9PM: CNBC Sports Biz

9-10PM: NFL Turning Point

SPEED

4-4:30PM: PassTime

4:30-5PM: PassTime

5-6PM: Car Warriors

6-6:30PM: Wrecked

6:30-7PM: Wrecked

7-7:30PM: Pinks

7:30-8PM: Pinks

8-9PM: Car Warriors (Replay)

9-9:30PM: Wrecked (Replay)

9:30-10PM: Wrecked (Replay)

10-10:30PM: Pinks (Replay)

10:30-11PM: Pinks (Replay)

(All Times Pacific for Thurs, 12/06 comca$t cable)

Now I wasn’t expecting the banquet to be on SPEED, since after all the Peacock-lite (NBCSN) is its competition, not to mention thee home of the all powerful 869lb ‘RASSCAR Gorilla... Yet WTF NBC Sports Network, I mean talk about growing a product; Err to borrow from above, chirp-chirp, is this thingy on? Testing 1-2; Oh Never Mind!

Seriously, though? You couldn’t devote let’s say three hours to an IndyCar banquet - especially since we haven’t seen or heard nary a peep from almost the entire Indy Car Series competitors since the season ended 43-weeks ago; as I’d have enjoyed seeing Willie Buxom (Will Buxton) as Master of Ceremonies provided it didn’t turn into a 4hr infomercial!

Uhm, I almost forgot who won the title, except for the stupendous frothing over having an American as thee Champ after a six year drought... OOH! Did the red, white & blue win ‘Somme-thun other than RASSCAR? Uh, pinch me - as gee Wally, I’m starting to get a headache over this U-S-A crap! I mean other than Indy, why wouldn’t they go to the higher paying confines ‘O Roundy-round, eh? I mean isn’t that what good ‘Ol USA Capitalism is all about?

And it frightens me somewhat? Hya! That apparently thee ‘DAWG or is it ‘Dom of IndyCar bloggers; hey, I know he’s not thy O-L-D-est Indy Car blogger since Geo Phillips has anointed himself that crown; BUTT! Either there’s seriously little IndyCar reporting in mainstream America or shockingly thy pressdog and your humble No Fenders scribe assimilate our Open Wheel Racing news via the same sources, i.e.; good ‘Ol fashion newspapers; YIKES! Although PD beat me as typical to the potential buzz kill story over the middle of the Road to Indy sandwich falling out; umm sprinkles... (As never fear the tenderloin sandwiches are still safe I hear...) With the possible demise of Star Mazda for 2013 having just been announced a scant two-plus days prior to the banquet...

Star Mazda Demise Just In Time to De-buzz IndyCar Celebration

Hmm? May be Chris Yano - who’s slated to make his series debut next spring could entice his sponsor posse SK Energy drinks to take it over short term? I mean Yano’s big bucks sponsor could do like that ‘Ol Remington dude with his Brickyard Marketing concern, Y’all know the guy who used to pitch to us via TV-land that he not only liked the company’s product  so much he bought I-T! Youch, just nicked myself; Hya!

As I for one was seriously looking forward to tracking Yano’s progress next year, albeit I  should leave it to the expert Ryan of Junior Open Wheel Talent instead, eh? As you can check out the aforementioned Christopher Yano’s second visit to Autosport Radio here - so check it out...

Austin’s F1 future is bright

Listened to the Trackside Boyz last Thursday night and got a little bit wound-up over the conjecture towards the COTA circuit’s future... As I’d say that the Circuit Of The Americas future is bright; as this makes me flash back to seeing Timbuk 3’s hit song being performed by The Bodine’s I believe; NO! NOT those ‘RASSCAR Bodine’s... Y’all know that late 1980’s hit song: “The Future’s so Bright, I’ve gotta wear Shades!” Seeing this rendition at a long ago South X Southwest outdoors concert; but I digress...

And even if they’re supposedly “saturating” their marketplace with a bunch ‘O races; Hmm? Isn’t that the purpose of building a state of the art facility? Which perhaps this $400m project will become the model for future venues?

As an aside note to the multiple series to make their mark upon COTA in 2013, i.e.; Moto GP, V8 Supercars, Grand Am and WEC, (World Endurance Championship) the track has wisely built a 15,000-seat outdoor concert amphitheatre with Live Nation having already been tabbed as its exclusive promoter - and I’m also told the venue will be used for the upcoming South X Southwest festival.

Thus as I vainly tried poondin’ out an eccentric email to Kevin Lee - which I gave up upon sending since I was having visual issues in regards to firing off the message; URGH! I’d simply hoped to tell him that the COTA F1 race was “GURR-REAT!!!” and the track’s attendance was comprised of 80% of the attendees being from the International market with the largest segment of these being from Mexico; of which Shane from Down Under beat  me to my next point; DAGG NABBIT YOU AUSSIE; Hya! As Shane tweeted how there was one Mexicali driver to root for.

‘Whale actually it’ll be two Mexican drivers in F1 next year, with Sauber promoting test & reserve driver Esteban Gutiérrez  to its second race seat while Sergio Perez jumps to McLaren to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton’s departure.

Thus with its close proximity to the border, Circuit Of The Americas Formula 1 future will stay bright awhile - at least until the possible Mexican GP in 2014 - which hopefully will become the fourth Norte  Americano’s Amigo instead of Long Beach, as does the US really deserve three Grand Prix’s?

Also, the sanctioning fee equals $25m per year, which was part of Austin resident’s upheaval towards the event, especially with the “Economy” and the onslaught of local teacher firings... As perhaps Rick Perry and Susan Combs will seek a rebate, now that it’s been publicly announced that Nurburgring only pays $13m per bi-yearly event.

And while the tickets were definitely “Spendy,” approx 5-times my Indy 500 seat in Turn-2; they did include free Greyhound style shuttle bus transportation to the circuit all three days, which was very convenient and made going to/from the racetrack extremely easy, not to mention that the cities Fan Fest was ‘Mega! Which I’ve read gives it a feel of the past Adelaide events, which ironically is Austin’s ‘Seester-city...

The next steps for F1 in America

Local UW ‘DAWG Students Shining in ecoCAR2 challenge...

That’s University of Washington Huskies, aka thee ‘DAWGS Y’all, as I know its buried deep inside the NoFendersville Storybox somewherez; as I’ve heard & read previously of the ecoCAR2 challenge, which is pitting multiple University student groups over the Department Of Energy’s challenge to come up with amazing new automobiles in search of higher fuel efficiency standards, most notably the mandate for 55mpg fleet averages by 202x.

Thus, the UW’s concept is fairly unique, utilizing a “Through-the-road” philosophy, which entails the donor vehicle, a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu to utilize two separate engines, with its front and rear wheels being independent of each other while utilizing two different power sources - as I have to admit its an interesting  concept...

UW students turning 2013 Malibu into fuel-saving dual-motor hybrid

Ex-racer’s never Fade away...

So it’s funny how this story grabbed my attention awhile ago - as whatever happened to the good ‘Ol dazes of Trans Am racing, eh? As its funny how I not only became a ferocious “Fierd” (Ford) Fanatic, but a died in the wool Roush Racing disciple of the Blue Oval brigade... And thus my allegiances became so stout that even other FoMoCo Trans Am teams were the “Bad Guys!” Most notably TGR, ergo Tom Gloy Racing...

Yet surely there was something to this rivalry? As I still vividly recall how the two opposing Blue Oval team’s drivers were split-up even during the autograph sessions at Portland International Raceway; (1994) ‘Whale at least that’s what I’ve always thought when getting two 30^th Anniversary Mustang posters autographed by the Gloy Boyz, i.e.; Dorsey Schroder, (who looked disgusted with my getting two posters signed...) John Gooding and Boris Said - as I’d really liked to have gotten thee original ‘TK’s (Tommy Kendall) “John Hancock” too.

And I must confess I’ve really never known much about Messer Gloy other than he’d actually raced as a driver in CART and even contested the Indy 500 in 1984. Whilst further reading reveals that he also was the 1979 Formula Atlantics champion and 1984 Trans Am champion - prior to fielding his own cars.

And I suppose I was simply opposed to his Trans Am team since it was always at the sharp end of the grid, and always being a contender for the illusive Trans Am crown - during the era of my all time favourite TA Mustang body style; those narly, nasty, chiseled looking chassis of the late 1980’s (86-88?) thru 1993 - which I suppose were supposed to mimic the 5.0-liter ‘Stangs, eh?

And its funny, since I recall that Gloy’s BADEST’ Trans Am driver was the ‘KuhNuck Ronnie Fellows before he became a GM boy - or at least that’s what I remember, as I recall feeling that the Factory backed era of Trans Am was every bit as good or better than CART when GM and Ford brawled it out with Dodge interlopers with the Archer brothers, as I recall some of the BAD GUYS being:

Ronnie Fellows - TGR, Chevy Camaro

Jack Baldwin: 1992 Trans Am Champ in Hot Wheels Chevy Camaro.

All of the GM Factory team drivers running for Pratt & Miller including title winners Scott Sharp and Scott Pruett

Thus, with the demise of the REAL Trans Am series, circa 1999 - ‘Ought’s, or whenever Paul “Goofy” Gentilozzi took it over? I lost interest in the series sometime around when the De Tomaso based :QuaVallie” (Qualve Tommy Bahama’s Mangusta appeared - since I never knew that Boris Said won the title in ’02, not to mention Brian Simo in said Mangusta winning the Y2k (2000) crown... Thus losing touch upon what Gloy was up too?

Although I recall standing around and gawking at the Rocketsports Jaguars in the Portland paddock circa ’05; along with knowing that ‘Scooter, nee Scott Pruett had won a fourth TA title in ’03 aboard an XJR, think it was a Budweiser liveried ‘Cat - during the Jaguar “Spec” era - Messer Gloy simply faded away to Mwah.

Thus it was entertaining to read that Gloy had gotten swept up in Hot Rod fever - along with the help of another elder driver named Hurley Haywood and subsequently built his award winning ’32 Ford which just took top show honours in Indianapolis; thus once again demonstrating that you can take a racecar driver out of his seat; BUTT! Old Racers never fade away...

’32 roadster wins top honours...

Who the Hell is Eddie Jones?

Sorry ‘bout that Mr. Jones, but that’s what I blurted out when purusing thee Blogosphere late this morning... Almost having an “Eddie Who?” Flashback - what my local grocery checker asked me ‘Wayback in 1998 when telling him Eddie Cheever had won the Indy 500...

Thus, I guess the power of tantalizing headlines worked, as Curt Cavin’s Ask The Expert Blog  proclaimed Rahal secures Eddie Jones for second car, to which I thought who in thee HELL is this unheralded driver I’ve never heard of, eh? Thus my apologies to Messer Eddie; NOT Tom or that Eddie, but race winning engineer Edward Jones - as I certainly hope this is in advance of inking Ryan Briscoe to a multi-year contract at RLLR...

Bobby Rahal’s team lands Eddie Jones for second car

A Stroll down TV-lane...

Ah, so many stories, so little time... As forgive me if I’ve somehow previously published this? As I know it’s been kicking around my overflowing storybox, but; don’t think I’ve ever actually stop ‘N ‘poonded I-T out, eh?

Thus, after getting quite torqued off trying to find when the final installment of F1 Debrief would actually be aired, since it’s usual Friday evening slot was completely GOOBERED by the F%%KING ‘RASSCAR 4hr Awards Slobberfest; YUK! It initially appeared that it wouldn’t be aired this past weekend - before I finally discovered its Saturday evening time-slot appropriately after the delayed V8 Supercarz show from wherever; URGH!

Cannot find it anywhere upon Zed Internetz; CRIKEYS!

thus a three hour gorging ‘O non ‘RASSCAR viewing was taken by Mwah, as I’ll miss F1 Debrief!

As these memory bubbles came floating back upon the final words of Sam Posey’s farewell “eulogy” at the end of a bittersweet final episode of what had become a staple in my yearly Formula 1 viewing, as I find it funny that SPEED claims to have had the US TV rights to F1 the past 17-years; not that I’m disputing that, just find it a bit funny; as let me explain...

Ok, I know I originally watched Formula 1 first via ESPN with Messer’s Varsha & Hobbs actually calling the races live from around the globe - before they got bumped over to thee “Dueshe,” aka ESPN2 which had a nasty habit of airing them in the middle of the night before I moved northwards - while I also recall that horrifically, ABC had the rights to the Monaco Grand Prix which usually featured Keith “Whoa Nellie!” Jackson and thee ‘Wee Scot, nee Jackie Stewart as its commentators, which ‘Ol Keith was totally out of his element there, when ABC actually decided to air the race, as I tend to remember this not being an yearly occurrence!

Yet Speedvision wasn’t launched until New Year’s Day 1996, according to its WICKEDpedia page - whilst if my math is correct? 2012 minus 17 = 1995, which wouldn’t theoretically be possible, right?

And when I moved into my current abode, I had the great privilege of being subjugated to their horrendous cable company named Castle Cable out of Santa Clarita, CA I believe - which naturally didn’t have either Fox Sports Net or Speedvision available upon it. Yet after hounding them monthly forever, I did manage to obtain Fox Sports Net which I know hosted F1 briefly, as all I can remember is that Derrick Bell  was the colour commentator.

Then I think I suffered a year or more? Of not having access to Speedvision/Speed Channel, as I recall that Roberto would tape me races while I fruitlessly hounded my STUPID cable provider to NO avail, before finally taking heed to Mary Ellen’s words; why don’t you get a satellite dish?

Thus I tend to remember that I finally did so and took the plunge with the DISH Network after much wrangling with my Apt manager over the allowance of having my dish mounted specially upon a boom to point it the correct direction celestially...

As I said, I tend to think I took this step  a mere decade ago, as I’ll never get over the feeling of being tickled pink to be able to receive & watch the CART ‘Qualie sessions live, ironically with Bob Varsha as the lead announcer. As I’ll stick with 2002 as the year of my splendour, since I recall it being Kenny Brack in the then unusual sight of Target red instead of Shell yellow & white, when he’d moved over to the ‘Cheepster’s squad from Meesh’s favourite team owner Bobby Rahal.

Yet I’ve done the satellite thingy; been there - done that, including having my properties tree blossom twice 18mos apiece and block the dishes signal - before my Apt managers magically changed there minds, giving me a 72hr notice to remove my dish/boom which now suddenly was “dangerous” after they’d previously approved I-T! Yet fortunately? I’d already switched over to the evil comca$t service finally installed in our tiny metropolis, or is that metropolis? And even made my manager dispose of the unsightly satellite dish...

Then, apart from my faltering vision, which makes it less ‘N less possible to actually see the cars onscreen, it seems like its been smooth sailing the last six-plus years, and thus FOX’s loss of F1 to NBC seems a little too coincidental with the impending ‘RASSCARFICATION ‘O SPEED, reputedly this coming August?

As I feel like I’ve lost a little piece of myself, knowing I’ve been a loyal terrestrial viewer of Formula 1 via the various SPEED platforms the majority of its 17-year run, of which my only disappointment with their farewell show was not letting thee “House ‘O Windsor” speak - as NO offense to the wee “Willie Buxom;” (Will Buxton) BUTT! You’re NO Peter Windsor dude! Although I suppose Peter cooked his own goose with the farcical failure of his vaunted USF1 team, eh?

Thus, hopefully F1 will be in good hands upon NBC Sports Network & NBC, although I don’t like the impetus of some broadcast scheduling dilemmas with IndyCar interfering with F1; WTF? As hopefully NBC WON’T pull an ABC/ESPN Dizney Shoppin’ Networks FOOPAH and bump IndyCar/Formula 1 onto some unobtainium television channel a la ABC’s pathetic moving of the Indy Car Series over to ESPN News/Deports? Huh? Where in the Frickin’ HELL did it go? Oh Never Mind!

As I’m NOT looking forward to trying to obtain Fuel TV which gee Wally, isn’t currently available in Seattle on comca$t; but fortunately their “own” channel is, and alas I’ll theoretically have NO issues with the switchover next March, since I’ve already got NBCSN.

And although I’d prefer Bob Varsha was making the move along with his cohorts-in-crime... Nevertheless, I’ll definitely enjoy Leigh Diffey as the head “signal caller” - while hopefully Jon Beekhuis will return to Indy Cars next year... As perhaps they’ll get Brian Till to fill in for Diffey as pinch hitter whenever needed?