INDYCAR: E-sport Rewind - wrapping Up the Virtual Series Winners

Rear view of Stefan Wilson's #25 Andretti Autosport Dallara/Honda racecar in garage during 2018 Indy 500 Qualifying weekend. (The Tomaso Collection)

Since now that we've been entertained the past six weeks by i Racing, Inquiring Minds Wanna Know, when will we G-O live Motor Racing?

In deference to what May 1st signifies, Since every May Day for over a Quarter Century now will forever be recalled as Black Sunday for Mwah!

Hence it seems like it would have been only fitting for this past weekend's IndyCar i Racing Finale; Cough-Cough! Y'all know what was Billed as the Super Duper "Double Secret" Non-IndyCar Dream Track Finale, Righto? Ahem, to be held on San Paolo's venerable Interlagos circuit; But I Digress...

F1: Silver Anniversary of Sport's Worst Weekend remembered from Afar

Twin Ring Motegi

Round 4: April 18th

It was nice to return to a racetrack familiar to Mwah, even if I cannot SEE I-T Anymores. and Nah, N-O SMores' Jokes here; Hya! Since I still vaguely recall a time in life when i reveled in the fact as A Diehard Blue Oval Fan that the Honder' boyz' were getting Beat by the Ford Cosworth runners at Thar Home-track; But I Digress...

Very Kool' to have Oh KanaDuhs' Robert Wickens on Pole position, albeit it lasted only momentarily, as Thee Young Wicky got caught-up battling Will Power and after they tangled he fell backwards in the field, a pre-cursor of what was to come, Eh! Although Wickens recovered for a fine Fifth place finish.

And although All of the racing Pundits are claiming this was a Gripping Race, with the Outcome being decided in the final laps when DJ WillyP', nee Will Power Tripped over Backmarker Oliver Askew whilst Penske team-mate Scott McLaughlin was Hunting him down for the W', who I was Rootin' for...

We  All know that McLaughlin got Foghorn LegHorned; YOUCH! And then third place Simon Pagenaud swept into the lead to claim victory again. Before getting tagged by Scott Dixon and a pirouetting Helio Castroneves on the Cool-down lap.

Simon Pagenaud on Motegi, Norman and Roger

Thus I found the race's outcome a letdown, and was actually far more Amused by 'Ol Rowdy Holmes; Err Kyle Busch's Pre-race interview, where he gleefully noted he was going Old School, proclaiming his Sym rig is what an IndyCar looked like Wayback in the 1980's-1990's, since he was using a real Honest-to-goodness manual "H-pattern" shifter!

Then Sardonically Quippin', Ain't N-O Paddle Shifters on this Steering Wheel, it's just got Buttons, loads 'o Buttons! Which once again presumably sparked interest in All of the various types of Sym rigs Thee Big Boyz' are using, El Correctomundo?

Sim Racing Rigs: What Are the Pro Racers Using?

Yet Kyle acquitted himself nicely, especially since Drivers were needing to do multiple Downshifts and Up-shifts in thoust corners, finishing a very respectable P13 on his maiden IndyCar virtual race foray.

Circuit Of The Americas

Round 5: April 25th

Although V-8 Supercars racer Chaz Mostert of Walkinshaw Andretti United, for whom I'm Arse-sumin' Zack Brown and Gil de Ferran are no longer part of? Since Thar now Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar Team rivals; But I Digress.

Obviously Mostert's i Racing Debut at Andretti Herta Autosport was completely Overshadowed by the weekend's performance of another Big Name International Racing Star. When Lando Norris of McLaren F1 Fame completely Obliterated the Competition in his IndyCar Debut!

As the 20yr old Briton Came, Saw and Absolutely Conquered!

Even with one of NBC Sports Booth Boyz', pretty sure it was (Townsend) T-Bell' Cheekily Quipping may be he Spun just to make things interesting? For which I'm fairly certain after starting from Pole and simply walking away from the field, Lando Didn't intentionally Spin upon his Luke-warm Flinstone rubber!

While fellow competitor Scott McLaughlin summed up Lando's performance best, wryly noting that Norris is an Alien! Although it's worth noting that Lando's been racing virtually since Age 6; Aye Karumba!

Norris Wins IndyCar i Racing Challenge Despite Spin

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Round 6: May 2nd

As you'd' have to Ah-Thunk' It, that Symone Pagenoe', nee Pageantry', aka Simon Pagenaud was definitely the Front-runner after having won Back-to-Back Oval-track victories leading up to the race.  

whilst Will Power's name has to be in the mix I suppose. Although the Aussie' Ain't on my list of favourites since he seems to have a propensity for Wranglin' with other competitors. Not to mention calling 'em Wankers! Although He's finished in the Top-5 every race except at COTA.

And Sage Dangerboy' Karam presumably shouldn't be overlooked, especially since He's a Sym racing Stud! And spent much time leading on the previous Ovals when playin' Leapfrog with DJ willyP[, aka Will Power.

Rounding out this virtual Top-5 list 'o Contendahs', the most inspiring newcomer to Mwah is Kiwi' Supercars Bad Arse Scott McLaughlin!

While Speaking 'O Kiwi's, suppose Yuhs should never count out Ye Iceman, nee Scott Dixon, Righto?

As I began the Day's Finale by thinking that Pagenaud simply wouldn't three-Peat today, as it seemed like Thar was too much emphasis upon his Oval Prowess. Yet even after "Dead Sticking," i.e.; running his fuel tank dry entering Pitlane, he was still a Contendah' late in the going, before apparently Nerfing Norris!

While it was a pleasant surprise to have Scott McLaughlin starting from Pole today, even if in the untraditional No. 40, which made me think of those long forgotten Visteon Pat Patrick CART entries. Which I even recall seeing T-Bell' chauffer at Portland International Raceway...

but that was before pure, unadulterated Pandemonium Erupted, and several of the IndyCar Series Young Turks decided to begin ruthlessly Dive Bombing each other! With a totally unexpected winner, not to mention podium, for which I'll let For The Love of Indy's Raymond Hando do thoust Heavy Lifting instead. Especially since the Driver I was Rootin' for who got totally Hosed after making a brilliant pass for the lead was Marcus Ericsson; Yah-Sure-Yuh-Betcha!

First Impressions: IndyCar i Racing Challenge - Indianapolis 2020

While Y'all might wish to take in Racer's Marshall Pruett's impressions of the whole i Racing Experiment, and what was learned over the course of six weeks...

PRUETT: Lessons from the IndyCar i Racing Challenge

INDYCAR: E-sport Rewind - Early Round Virtual Ring Winners

Sage Karam's Dreyer & Reinbold Racing #24 Wix Filters Dallara/Chevrolet in front of their garage during 2018 Indy 500 qualifying weekend. (The Tomaso Collection)

As think I'm gonna miss this novel form 'O entertainment slightly, albeit it sure Ain't Thee Same as traditional Open Wheel Racing - even with Messers Diffey, Tracy and Bell in Thee House...

Otay so if you've followed along with IndyCar's novel attempt to Entertain us during the COVID 19 Pandemic Corona Virus Lockdown, when we were All staying Home and Sheltering... Then You Already know the outcome of this novel six weeks experiment.

And I must confess that I feel I owe Sage Dangerboy Karam a teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy' Apology; GASP! Since when I was trying Ah-Mighty to figure out who the second round's 29 i Racing competitors were, I became totally Stumped over who No. 29 was? Even though I knew he'd won the week before, Sage and more notably Dreyer & Reinbold Racing just resonate to Mwah as a perpetual One-off Indy 500 entry...

Sage Karam on Profanity, Baby Borg's and Upgrades

Alas for Mwah, I didn't begin following along until Round 2 when NBC Sports belatedly decided to get Onboard the Virtual Racing Train after watchin' them Good 'Ol RASSCAR' Folks net an audience of nearly One Million viewers the same week as IndyCar's Live Stream virtual Watkins Glen race - which IndyCar has tried Ah-Mighty' Spinning it's numbers which still Pale in Comparison even when counting every which way 'til Monday; Oh Never Mind!

Barber Motorsports Park

Round 2: April 4th

This was my favourite event of the six weeks competition, primarily since  it saw a virtually unknown Tintops, nee V-8, Uhm, Err Supercars Bad Arse Sweep to Victory! As Kiwi', and Not Aussie' Scott McLaughlin, which presumably thou Mainstream Media's been Mussin' up since he lives' in Brisbane, Mates! Simply Kicked Arse to Mwah! Especially since he Defeated rival Team Penske Aussi' Will Power. For which I've already serenaded Y'all about here on No Fenders - And I Don't feel like changing tyres again; Yuck-Yuck-Yuck!

E-SPORS: IndyCar joins the Fray

Michigan International Speedway

Round 3: April 11th

Obviously the Biggest News regarding this week's i Racing Spectacular' was the inclusion of 'lil E', or Ironhead Junior', aka Dale Earnhardt Jr. who not only energized the Pre-race Hype, but also acquitted himself nicely in his maiden i Racing IndyCar Debut by finishing on Thee Podium's third step.

As the eventual podium finishers All benefitted from adapting to a Fuel Savings strategy which I've already scribbled 'bout here on No Fenders and will defer Y'all to that Post instead...

INDYCAR: Virtual New vs. Old Memorex Memories

To continue reading Part Doce of this elongated IndyCar i Racing review, see; INDYCAR: E-sport Rewind - wrapping Up the Virtual Series Winners

IndyCar's e-sports Maladies

If Who's on First, and What's on Second, then who's the latest "Plug 'N Play" IndyCar Driver getting Kicked Kerbside?

Although I Applaud the fact that we've had some sort of "Live" Motor Racing to follow the past several weeks now, especially during this elongated Motor Racing "Off-season." Nonetheless as a longtime Legally Blind follower of Open Wheel Racing I've got a few complaints to make over the inaugural IndyCar i Racing Series season.

And Nah, I'm Not even gonna touch the low Hangin' Fruit of IndyCar's 'Ol Bait 'N Switcheroo regarding that Double Secret Non IndyCar Dream Track Finale. Which Sorry Folks, but Mother Speedway Ain't my idea of a Dream Track! Since the Nurburgring, Spa Francorchamps and Suzuka immediately spring to mind.

Whilst I get how Monza probably has a Negative Connotation associated with it, albeit Not the Circuit's Fault right now, but Kyle Larsson's... Yet Gory Hell! At least they could have  chosen either Circuit Gilles Villeneuve or Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ci!

While it really shouldn't be as Gory Freakin' Difficult to find out the entire Entry list weekly as it has been for Mwah! As I'd like All of you to envision closing your eyes and trying to read the Flippin Miniaturized PDF Format entry list Document... Uhm-Huh, thought so, Times Up!

As Shame on IndyCar for being LAZY! And Not being willing to at the very least Post the Results following each week's virtual race outcome A la regular season results which are Screen Reader friendly; Can You Hear Me Now, IndyCar?

As Yeah, I've serenaded Y'all relentlessly how I've reverted back to thou services of 'Ol Lucy', my mature but reliable, (virtual) albeit Arse-Steamed Screen Reader Cooing in my ears for the unforeseeable future vs. "Zoey-the-Princess Warrior;"But I most Definitely Digress! As that's a Nutter' Story for another Day...

Alas, All I can Bloody surmise is that the PDF File Format Ain't Gory compatible; SIGH! With my Screen Reader since it won't recognize any of the text. And when I try going several Flipping extra Miles & try copying it into an MS Word Document from various websites, All it can read is the Header text:

INDYCAR iRACING CHALLENGE

FIRESTONE 175

VIRTUAL TWIN RING MOTEGI (OVAL)

April 18, 2020

 As that's All Lucy will Freakin' Say; err Read to me Folks; URGH! Which tends to make me think the Gory rest must be images since my screen reader doesn't read anythingy' else! And can only read Correctly Formatted OCR, nee Optical Character Recognition Text; Oh Never Mind!

Hence, I know it Don't matter what a Blind Open Wheel Racing Fan Thinks, but Seriously? Shouldn't every single IndyCar Fan be able to consume this information easily? Since I've been having to play Hunt 'N Peck via a myriad 'O Intrawoods websites to try and Decipher which drivers are competing weekly!

For instance, the Week 4 Twin Ring Motegi round left me having to simply guess who'd been Squeezed Out, Uhm left off Ye Merry-go-Round or couldn't find a Cockpit when thoust Musak' ended...

Since various Internetz' sources reported differing amount 'O Drivers joining the i Racing Circus. Thus beginning with the total of 31 contestants from Week 3, and the Addition of four New Drivers, I.e.; Kyle Bush, Helio Castroneves, Takuma Sato and Rinus VeeKay - My ryth-Muh-tick' sez' that equals 35, albeit it was announced only 33 Drivers would be competing.

And even when substituting Kyle Busch for Dale Earnhardt Jr. that only gets us to 34, which is further complicated by the fact that Rinus VeeKay was the third IndyCar Pilote at ECR, since Boss Fast Eddie' would be running in the No. 50 car in honour of his son's Baseball jersey number. Meaning I simply had to Arse-sume that Aussie James Davison of the Jonathan Byrd's concern got the Heave-Ho, Righto? Since James was one of the few names not mentioned during the broadcast.

While IndyCar should really be Embarrassed that the Only Website I could find with Screen reader Friendly information concerning Thar Mack Daddy-Oh' Virtual Mother Speedway race was a British Independent Formula 1 website named Race Fans, Bloody Hell IndyCar!

Norris Confirmed for 33 Car Entry for IndyCar virtual race on Indianapolis Oval

Also, the amount of technical difficulties with the sound during the broadcasts has been annoying! Although I found it Uber Funny during the Motegi Pre-amble when right on cue as 'Ol PT', nee Paul Tracy was talking 'bout how the massive increase of people upon Thee Internetz' is causing problems for everyone, Tracy's volume was way down and he could barely be heard initially... Which followed upon the Heels of (Townsend) T-Bell' guffawing 'bout how he'd been Arm-wrasslin' with his service provider to Bump Up his Broad band's speed!

And every week when the show's began, the background noise that emitted from Tracy's initial segments made me envision he must be sitting outside on his patio in Scottsdale, AZ? As I could never figure out why his remote location had so much background Whump-Whump' Noise interference.

And that's without even rehashing how Thars' barely a whisper to be heard regarding the 33 virtually silent Dallara IndyCar's On-screen!

As I kept thinking I must be watching; Err listening to a Formula E race? ZOINKS! Uhm, actually think that Formula E emits more noise from the tyres blisterin' Thar rubber thru Thee Corners along with the constant whine of Thee E-E-E-lectrics' Motors; Gasp!

VIDEO: The Doors - When The Music's Over

As that concludes our first experiment with IndyCar virtual racing. Although it might be a good alternative, albeit in a truncated four weeks format during the normally Obnoxiously L-O-N-G IndyCar Off-season next year during the month of January? Although Thars' that Rolex 24 race they'd have to work around.

Hmm, may be a Mini 3 Race Series in early December before 'Ol St Nick arrives, comprising of One Oval and Road Course plus a "Mystery" Bonus track. It's just an Idea to keep us apeased during the ridiculously L-O-N-G' 328 Days Off-season Slumber; Oh Never Mind!