I find little use for summer's miserable discomfort unless seated poolside, and I can't remember the last time I could enjoy such hedonistic pleasure on anything remotely resembling frequent basis.
However, with the Rolex Historics, Concorso Italiano, and the relief of 68 degrees Fahrenheit on the Monterey Peninsula, I came a step closer to kissing these dreadful days goodbye.
At this moment I'm seated in a comfortably air conditioned lounge on my way back to the Ardennes . . . to the greatest road racing circuit in the world and the beginning of what I suspect will be a nail biting push to both the 2012 driver's and constructor's titles.
I can't wait to return to Spa . . . Fall is fast approaching and so is the core of my 2012 motor sport experience. Hopefully I'll soon have plenty to share here. Cheers. Go Kimi.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Valencia!
Such is life, but 2012 is flashing by while throwing up challenges of greater complexity and frequency than I'm used to. Therefore, it is somewhat a shame that I'm not free to sit back in further dissect this amazing F1 season.
This season has already produced more uncertain outcomes than the prior five or six seasons combined. If I had more time, I'd do some serious research to back up that assessment.
The European Grand Prix at Valencia was no exception.
Valencia looks a blast to drive . . . especially the practically flat out blind weaving back to the start/finish straight . . . but until yesterday the venue had never offered much in terms of racing. Last year's GP was probably the most boring in recent memory.
Valencia looks a blast to drive . . . especially the practically flat out blind weaving back to the start/finish straight . . . but until yesterday the venue had never offered much in terms of racing. Last year's GP was probably the most boring in recent memory.
Therefore it was very much a surprise on Sunday to be treated to the stuff from which F1 legends are drawn, and Fernando Alonso's sensational drive from 11th to an emotional victory in front of his native Spanish fans will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.
It's hard for me to ignore the potentially symbolic nature of the Valencia podium: Alonso, overcome with emotion, standing between Ferrari's two most recent world champions. This crazy season is a long way from becoming subject to internet trending but if I were a betting man I might put a small fortune on this moment.
Alonso won from midfield on this circuit aforementioned for guaranteeing lackluster racing. He came into 2012 with a dog of a car that would confound most drivers, and has demonstrated remarkable tenacity driving beyond the car's capability and respect for his team in patiently, diligently working for improvement. Sunday Alonso and Ferrari were rewarded.
Alonso won from midfield on this circuit aforementioned for guaranteeing lackluster racing. He came into 2012 with a dog of a car that would confound most drivers, and has demonstrated remarkable tenacity driving beyond the car's capability and respect for his team in patiently, diligently working for improvement. Sunday Alonso and Ferrari were rewarded.
I found Alonso parking his somewhat revitalized F2012 in front of the grandstand and unrolling his newly gifted Spanish flag reminiscent of Senna's celebrations at Interlagos.
What makes this year's European Grand Prix so exceptional, however, is that Alonso's drive was not the only noteworthy performance on display.
Alonso benefitted from a couple of key retirements, most notably Sebastian Vettel, who in typically ho-hum fashion sped away from the front. Whatever I personally feel for the marketing entity he drives for, I have to hand it to Vettel for remaining a driver not to be discounted.
Romain Grosjean was also sensational, and had his Lotus Renault electrical system not packed up he might have ultimately robbed victory from Alonso. Grosjean's path into F1 has been rocky, but his speed and fight are very real. Despite that his 2012 has so far proven a collection of peaks and valleys, he's holding his own against Kimi Raikkonen. If he can continue to mature and avoid some of the mistakes which have cost him, he may very well finish ahead of Kimi in the final tally.
Raikkonen put in another solid drive to 2nd. Kimi capitalized on good fortune when Hamilton's tires went off in the closing stages, but after what happened in China that pendulum was due to swing his way. I still find Kimi perplexing. His flashes of brilliance are often segued by moments where it appears some young lady in the grandstands might have caught his attention. That said, he's an amazing talent, a great benefit to the sport, and I fully expect him to provide quite a show over the remainder of the year.
It was great to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium. Two and one half seasons following his 2010 return? I doubt most of us thought it would take that long. It was fantastic. I'm hoping he finds his way one or two steps up before year's end.
Finally, a word about Hamilton. I really have to feel for the guy. He has been thwarted by his own crew at some point in practically every GP this year. I'm not anti-McLaren, but when it comes to how passionately and fervently many McLaren fans lash out at Ferrari, I can only laugh at their calamitous pit stops.
I lost respect for Hamilton several years ago because he'd spend more time on the radio yelling at his team than driving the car. The irony is that if he were doing that now I'd probably back him up! LOL
Regarding his clash with Maldonado, I laugh at claims that Hamilton was an innocent victim of an overly aggressive overtaking attempt. Hamilton was not t-boned. Much to the contrary, he drove over Maldonado's wheel as result of an ill conceived attempt to squeeze Pastor and protect his position. The accident was a racing incident, nothing more, with both drivers carrying equal blame.
All in all an absolutely fantastic European Grand Prix . . . and we've much to look forward to as the circus now moves to the core of the European season and some of the fastest, most fabled circuits on the calendar.
What makes this year's European Grand Prix so exceptional, however, is that Alonso's drive was not the only noteworthy performance on display.
Alonso benefitted from a couple of key retirements, most notably Sebastian Vettel, who in typically ho-hum fashion sped away from the front. Whatever I personally feel for the marketing entity he drives for, I have to hand it to Vettel for remaining a driver not to be discounted.
Romain Grosjean was also sensational, and had his Lotus Renault electrical system not packed up he might have ultimately robbed victory from Alonso. Grosjean's path into F1 has been rocky, but his speed and fight are very real. Despite that his 2012 has so far proven a collection of peaks and valleys, he's holding his own against Kimi Raikkonen. If he can continue to mature and avoid some of the mistakes which have cost him, he may very well finish ahead of Kimi in the final tally.
Raikkonen put in another solid drive to 2nd. Kimi capitalized on good fortune when Hamilton's tires went off in the closing stages, but after what happened in China that pendulum was due to swing his way. I still find Kimi perplexing. His flashes of brilliance are often segued by moments where it appears some young lady in the grandstands might have caught his attention. That said, he's an amazing talent, a great benefit to the sport, and I fully expect him to provide quite a show over the remainder of the year.
It was great to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium. Two and one half seasons following his 2010 return? I doubt most of us thought it would take that long. It was fantastic. I'm hoping he finds his way one or two steps up before year's end.
Finally, a word about Hamilton. I really have to feel for the guy. He has been thwarted by his own crew at some point in practically every GP this year. I'm not anti-McLaren, but when it comes to how passionately and fervently many McLaren fans lash out at Ferrari, I can only laugh at their calamitous pit stops.
I lost respect for Hamilton several years ago because he'd spend more time on the radio yelling at his team than driving the car. The irony is that if he were doing that now I'd probably back him up! LOL
Regarding his clash with Maldonado, I laugh at claims that Hamilton was an innocent victim of an overly aggressive overtaking attempt. Hamilton was not t-boned. Much to the contrary, he drove over Maldonado's wheel as result of an ill conceived attempt to squeeze Pastor and protect his position. The accident was a racing incident, nothing more, with both drivers carrying equal blame.
All in all an absolutely fantastic European Grand Prix . . . and we've much to look forward to as the circus now moves to the core of the European season and some of the fastest, most fabled circuits on the calendar.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Moving on . . .
With news that the legal dispute between Tavo Hellmund and his former partners with The Circuit of the Americas has been resolved, its time to get back to everything we should be focusing upon with the return of the United States F1 Grand Prix.
Tickets have finally gone on sale, and despite the all of the nonsense associated with the Personal Seat License fiasco, they have arrived fairly consistent with the prices of Grands Prix I've attended in Europe and Montreal. I realize many do not share this assessment, but to be honest I get the suspicion that their orientation on F1 ticket pricing is based solely upon the very unique way things were at Indianapolis.
Austin may not offer Indianapolis' expertise and infrastructure when it comes to getting everyone to and from the circuit. Those of us who chose not to cough up the dough for a PSL will be shuttled. Given the lack of road improvements and parking, this actually makes a lot of sense, but it must be adequately funded and properly executed. I must wonder whether the surrounding roads will be able to handle the shuttle traffic alone, so I can only hope that they've got a solid plan in place to keep those buses moving.
That said, I'm looking forward to a great weekend in Austin. There's plenty of positives to focus upon and that's what I intend to do from this point forward. Looking back over the past eight months The United States Grand Prix has teetered on the brink of disaster. The fact is that we are still here, the race is a certainty, and Hellmund's vision, more than partially intact, is about to become reality.
We've much to be thankful for. The race could have remained attached to Montreal's June date thus requiring all of us to sweat it out under an oppressive Texas summer sun. Cooler heads prevailed, and the November date comes with the added potential that the title could be decided on US soil. (Speaking of Montreal, Sunday's Grand Prix du Canada convinced me that the world championship will be wide open when the lights go out in front of all of those PSL premium seats, but I digress . . . )
Having cleared all of these hurdles, I fully expect that the buzz surrounding the USGP in Austin will finally begin to pick up momentum.
Growing up in Atlanta, I'd always hoped that the USGP might one day come to Road Atlanta. I remember a good friend and Porsche race car mechanic musing that the F1 cars would shave ten seconds off the lap times set by the GT Prototypes of the era. Ten seconds was probably fantasy, but I could only imagine what it would have been like to see Senna, Piquet, Prost attacking that wonderful undulating circuit in the mid to late 1980s!
I have no idea whether the people of Austin realize this, but my belief is that this is the beginning of something for which they'll be very proud of in years to come.
Tickets have finally gone on sale, and despite the all of the nonsense associated with the Personal Seat License fiasco, they have arrived fairly consistent with the prices of Grands Prix I've attended in Europe and Montreal. I realize many do not share this assessment, but to be honest I get the suspicion that their orientation on F1 ticket pricing is based solely upon the very unique way things were at Indianapolis.
Austin may not offer Indianapolis' expertise and infrastructure when it comes to getting everyone to and from the circuit. Those of us who chose not to cough up the dough for a PSL will be shuttled. Given the lack of road improvements and parking, this actually makes a lot of sense, but it must be adequately funded and properly executed. I must wonder whether the surrounding roads will be able to handle the shuttle traffic alone, so I can only hope that they've got a solid plan in place to keep those buses moving.
That said, I'm looking forward to a great weekend in Austin. There's plenty of positives to focus upon and that's what I intend to do from this point forward. Looking back over the past eight months The United States Grand Prix has teetered on the brink of disaster. The fact is that we are still here, the race is a certainty, and Hellmund's vision, more than partially intact, is about to become reality.
We've much to be thankful for. The race could have remained attached to Montreal's June date thus requiring all of us to sweat it out under an oppressive Texas summer sun. Cooler heads prevailed, and the November date comes with the added potential that the title could be decided on US soil. (Speaking of Montreal, Sunday's Grand Prix du Canada convinced me that the world championship will be wide open when the lights go out in front of all of those PSL premium seats, but I digress . . . )
Having cleared all of these hurdles, I fully expect that the buzz surrounding the USGP in Austin will finally begin to pick up momentum.
Growing up in Atlanta, I'd always hoped that the USGP might one day come to Road Atlanta. I remember a good friend and Porsche race car mechanic musing that the F1 cars would shave ten seconds off the lap times set by the GT Prototypes of the era. Ten seconds was probably fantasy, but I could only imagine what it would have been like to see Senna, Piquet, Prost attacking that wonderful undulating circuit in the mid to late 1980s!
I have no idea whether the people of Austin realize this, but my belief is that this is the beginning of something for which they'll be very proud of in years to come.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A Proper World Championship
Five races. Three continents. Five winners, four nationalities. Five constructors . . . three engine manufacturers of three separate countries . . . a virtually elusive grid featuring drivers of three other nationalities and teams from another two who almost certain will also taste victory . . . and we are only one quarter of the way into the season.
This is F1 circa 2012 and it's one helluva show. We may be witnessing the most chimerical example of the world championship F1 has offered yet. I also doubt very seriously that either title will be decided by the time the teams reach Austin in November, which bodes well for the USGP.
This sport which I so obviously adore only seems to get better and better. Each era in the sport's history has provided unique memories for the ages, but despite the ever shifting technological front, heavier rule books, and over populated steward's quarters in economically challenging times, 2012 may prove that at the heart of the matter that spirit has not been lost.
No driver or team has established anything close to resembling dominance. Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel currently reside at the top of the points table despite the fact that both men are struggling with lessor machinery, a testament to their skill and race craft. Kimi Räikkönen has impressed and arguably returned to the form he initially brought to Ferrari. We have two very deserved first time winners, Rosberg and Maldonado, and my feeling is that Monaco will deliver the season's sixth different victor.
Although evident from the outset in Melbourne, Spain clearly reinforced Pirelli's ante in determining who can go not only quickest but smoothest. I find it fascinating that Maldonado, Alonso, and Raikkonen, each at different stages of the Grand Prix, set the Catalunya pace.
It's going to be a very tough road forward to predict.
This is F1 circa 2012 and it's one helluva show. We may be witnessing the most chimerical example of the world championship F1 has offered yet. I also doubt very seriously that either title will be decided by the time the teams reach Austin in November, which bodes well for the USGP.
This sport which I so obviously adore only seems to get better and better. Each era in the sport's history has provided unique memories for the ages, but despite the ever shifting technological front, heavier rule books, and over populated steward's quarters in economically challenging times, 2012 may prove that at the heart of the matter that spirit has not been lost.
No driver or team has established anything close to resembling dominance. Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel currently reside at the top of the points table despite the fact that both men are struggling with lessor machinery, a testament to their skill and race craft. Kimi Räikkönen has impressed and arguably returned to the form he initially brought to Ferrari. We have two very deserved first time winners, Rosberg and Maldonado, and my feeling is that Monaco will deliver the season's sixth different victor.
Although evident from the outset in Melbourne, Spain clearly reinforced Pirelli's ante in determining who can go not only quickest but smoothest. I find it fascinating that Maldonado, Alonso, and Raikkonen, each at different stages of the Grand Prix, set the Catalunya pace.
It's going to be a very tough road forward to predict.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Dog Star
It's hard to imagine that I'll ever tire of the atmosphere at Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. I've been fortunate to take in over a half dozen race weekends since seeing the circuit for the first time just a few years ago.
Between the micro climates that roll across the peninsula, the sunshine combines with pleasant, cool marine air to create an energy that I'm certain I'm not alone in drawing upon.
On one of my first visits, I left Monterey with an indelible memento of that energy which I carry with me to every race circuit I've been since. During one lull between sessions, I could not help but notice the circuit piping Perry Farrell's "Wish Upon a Dog Star" over the tinny sound system.
There is an energy in that piece of pop music (love the bass line LOL) that is in my mind synonymous with throwing a car into a corner on full opposite lock! Whether I'm at Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, or Monza, I'll listen to that track in the morning on my way to the circuit . . . perhaps to further stimulate my focus on capturing something unique on camera.
Anyway, I'm still learning . . . and with news that I've acquired media credentials for this weekend's "Ferrari Racing Days" Challenge event, I'm hoping to channel Laguna Seca's energy beyond merely wishing to creating work that celebrates everything that is amazing about motor sport.
The laughable thing, however, is that I don't know whether I'm better at air guitar thumpin' that bass, or air double de-clutch downshifting . . .
CLICK HERE for American Le Mans/Monterey Slide Show
Cheers
Between the micro climates that roll across the peninsula, the sunshine combines with pleasant, cool marine air to create an energy that I'm certain I'm not alone in drawing upon.
On one of my first visits, I left Monterey with an indelible memento of that energy which I carry with me to every race circuit I've been since. During one lull between sessions, I could not help but notice the circuit piping Perry Farrell's "Wish Upon a Dog Star" over the tinny sound system.
There is an energy in that piece of pop music (love the bass line LOL) that is in my mind synonymous with throwing a car into a corner on full opposite lock! Whether I'm at Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, or Monza, I'll listen to that track in the morning on my way to the circuit . . . perhaps to further stimulate my focus on capturing something unique on camera.
Anyway, I'm still learning . . . and with news that I've acquired media credentials for this weekend's "Ferrari Racing Days" Challenge event, I'm hoping to channel Laguna Seca's energy beyond merely wishing to creating work that celebrates everything that is amazing about motor sport.
The laughable thing, however, is that I don't know whether I'm better at air guitar thumpin' that bass, or air double de-clutch downshifting . . .
CLICK HERE for American Le Mans/Monterey Slide Show
Cheers
Monday, April 23, 2012
What it's all about . . .
Grind
I came across the following article on the "Friends of F1 Austin Texas" Facebook page.
The Austin F1 page has proven a great resource for keeping abreast of the Austin F1 endeavor, and is one place where honest discussion of the challenges with that effort occurs with any objective intelligence.
Regarding the article, I do not know the writer. I wanted to post a comment on his blogspot page, but it appears he has disabled the comment feature. I don't know, maybe I'm an idiot and simply missed it, but I kind of get the impression that he's not encouraging anyone to chime in.
Therefore I'm relying on the power of the internet to do that here. Here goes.
I'll admit straight away that I found Mr. Knight's article extremely annoying.
Comments such as:
" . . . Americans are reawakened to Formula One. . . . . So far, I can't say I've seen much interest."
" . . . America's ticket buying public knows as much about the drivers as they do rugby stars, and that the U.S. media has precious little access . . . to build name recognition here"
appear designed simply to reinforce a myth that there is no market for F1 in the US.
Contrary to this assertion, there is no shortage of interest in the return of the United States Grand Prix. Specific to F1, Americans do not need "reawakening." Hiring "ambassadors" will not address the real challenges facing the effort in Austin. If ticket sales are falling short, it's not due to a lack of interest . . . it's due to missteps on behalf of CoTA management.
How do I know? If hotel accommodations are any measure, almost every hotel room in Austin is booked . . . by US F1 fans. I can testify that if one did not get a reservation in place within first days of the original race date announcement, they did not get a room.
It is only because the race date graciously shifted to November that allowed many to later find accommodations in the shuffle. When one considers that many visitors from abroad may have not even tried to book because of CoTA's back assward approach to ticket sales . . . you get my point.
If Mr. Knight's objective is to take issue with CoTA, I've no complaint. I've already voiced my concerns here and at times participate in the discussion on the "Friends of Austin F1" Facebook page.
If Mr. Knight's objective is to further the false belief that F1 can not work in the US, then I've got a major beef.
Over the years, I've grown weary of repetitive suggestion in the media that the problems with F1 in the US have anything at all to do with the ticket buying public. I even wonder at times if certain pundits in the US motor sport media are somehow afraid of F1 being successful here?
The truth is that the American F1 fan has long needed a venue worthy of the sport. Given the run of wretched street circuits followed by the failed mickey mouse effort at Indianapolis, there has not been a F1 race in the US which provided anyone a chance to witness these incredible cars and drivers perform at their normal, absolute limit.
Tavo Hellmund's vision for a purpose built circuit outside of one of America's more pleasant and fun places to visit had the potential to right that wrong. It was never going to be easy, but certain aspects of CoTA's approach since Hellmund's departure have merited question if not outright concern and criticism.
Austin's fortunes hinge not on PR ambassadors nearly as much as they do CoTA's ability to serve their customer base . . . thousands of US F1 fans. Perhaps it is time that those in the motor sport media did the same.
The Austin F1 page has proven a great resource for keeping abreast of the Austin F1 endeavor, and is one place where honest discussion of the challenges with that effort occurs with any objective intelligence.
Regarding the article, I do not know the writer. I wanted to post a comment on his blogspot page, but it appears he has disabled the comment feature. I don't know, maybe I'm an idiot and simply missed it, but I kind of get the impression that he's not encouraging anyone to chime in.
Therefore I'm relying on the power of the internet to do that here. Here goes.
I'll admit straight away that I found Mr. Knight's article extremely annoying.
Comments such as:
" . . . Americans are reawakened to Formula One. . . . . So far, I can't say I've seen much interest."
" . . . America's ticket buying public knows as much about the drivers as they do rugby stars, and that the U.S. media has precious little access . . . to build name recognition here"
appear designed simply to reinforce a myth that there is no market for F1 in the US.
Contrary to this assertion, there is no shortage of interest in the return of the United States Grand Prix. Specific to F1, Americans do not need "reawakening." Hiring "ambassadors" will not address the real challenges facing the effort in Austin. If ticket sales are falling short, it's not due to a lack of interest . . . it's due to missteps on behalf of CoTA management.
How do I know? If hotel accommodations are any measure, almost every hotel room in Austin is booked . . . by US F1 fans. I can testify that if one did not get a reservation in place within first days of the original race date announcement, they did not get a room.
It is only because the race date graciously shifted to November that allowed many to later find accommodations in the shuffle. When one considers that many visitors from abroad may have not even tried to book because of CoTA's back assward approach to ticket sales . . . you get my point.
If Mr. Knight's objective is to take issue with CoTA, I've no complaint. I've already voiced my concerns here and at times participate in the discussion on the "Friends of Austin F1" Facebook page.
If Mr. Knight's objective is to further the false belief that F1 can not work in the US, then I've got a major beef.
Over the years, I've grown weary of repetitive suggestion in the media that the problems with F1 in the US have anything at all to do with the ticket buying public. I even wonder at times if certain pundits in the US motor sport media are somehow afraid of F1 being successful here?
Tavo Hellmund's vision for a purpose built circuit outside of one of America's more pleasant and fun places to visit had the potential to right that wrong. It was never going to be easy, but certain aspects of CoTA's approach since Hellmund's departure have merited question if not outright concern and criticism.
Austin's fortunes hinge not on PR ambassadors nearly as much as they do CoTA's ability to serve their customer base . . . thousands of US F1 fans. Perhaps it is time that those in the motor sport media did the same.
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