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[Shinobi]

Speed Channel's weekend schedule


Today
12:00 pm Formula One Practice (4 hours!! Woohoo!!)
12:00 am Formula One Canadian Grand Prix (Delay)


Saturday
9:30 am 24 Hours of Le Mans (The Start)
1:00 pm Formula One Practice
2:00 pm Formula One Qualifying
5:30 pm 24 Hours of Le Mans (Night)
7:30 pm 24 Hours of Le Mans (Night
12:00 am 24 Hours of Le Mans (Dawn)


Sunday
6:00 am 24 Hours of Le Mans (The Finish)
10:30 am Formula 1 Preview
1:00 pm Inside Grand Prix
1:30 pm Formula One United States Grand Prix



Also on Sunday
Batman Begins 400 Michigan International Speedway FOX/1:30 p.m.



And even though she's not racing this weekend...

This is one of the best racing weekends of the year...coupled with game 5 of the NBA finals on Sunday, and the final rounds of the US Open, I'm just gonna be a couch potato. Then again, I usually am.

 

[golem]

no need to wait 24 hrs.

 

[truffleshuffle83]

ill be at the batman begins 400

 

[Shig]

The Batman Begins 400? WTF?

It would be awesome if it was a race between all the different Batmobiles.

 

[Shinobi]

no need to wait 24 hrs.

:lol Hard to imagine the Audis will be touched for the overall spot. The real battle is in GT1 between the Vettes (with my boy Ron Fellows), the Prodrive Aston Martins and Ferrari 550 Marenellos. That should be a fun battle.

And here's a couple pics of the Batmobile kicking ass and taking names at the Batman Begins 400 (copy and paste).

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Danica at BAR - Honda, I thought she was going to drive the car from what I read last week. But it seems shes driving a Honda road car instead. :lol

I might as well post the first and second practice sessions while I'm here, so here goes:

1st

1. 10 MONTOYA McLaren Mercedes M 1'12"027 209.521 Km/h
2. 38 ZONTA Toyota M 1'12"085 + 0'00"058
3. 5 ALONSO Renault M 1'12"666 + 0'00"639
4. 8 HEIDFELD Williams BMW M 1'12"804 + 0'00"777
5. 3 BUTTON BAR Honda M 1'12"865 + 0'00"838
6. 35 DE LA ROSA McLaren Mercedes M 1'12"913 + 0'00"886
7. 4 SATO BAR Honda M 1'13"013 + 0'00"986
8. 6 FISICHELLA Renault M 1'13"024 + 0'00"997
9. 7 WEBBER Williams BMW M 1'13"082 + 0'01"055
10. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'13"242 + 0'01"215
11. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'13"245 + 0'01"218
12. 17 R.SCHUMACHER Toyota M 1'13"461 + 0'01"434
13. 16 TRULLI Toyota M 1'13"683 + 0'01"656
14. 14 COULTHARD RedBull Cosworth M 1'13"740 + 0'01"713
15. 37 SPEED RedBull Cosworth M 1'13"846 + 0'01"819
16. 15 KLIEN RedBull Cosworth M 1'14"444 + 0'02"417
17. 12 MASSA Sauber Petronas M 1'14"637 + 0'02"610
18. 11 VILLENEUVE Sauber Petronas M 1'14"696 + 0'02"669
19. 19 KARTHIKEYAN Jordan Toyota B 1'14"803 + 0'02"776
20. 18 MONTEIRO Jordan Toyota B 1'14"978 + 0'02"951
21. 39 DOORNBOS Jordan Toyota B 1'15"791 + 0'03"764
22. 20 FRIESACHER Minardi Cosworth B 1'16"343 + 0'04"316
23. 21 ALBERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'16"357 + 0'04"330

2nd

1. 10 MONTOYA McLaren Mercedes M 1'11"118 212.199 Km/h
2. 9 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'11"228 + 0'00"110
3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'11"746 + 0'00"628
4. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'11"758 + 0'00"640
5. 8 HEIDFELD Williams BMW M 1'11"825 + 0'00"707
6. 14 COULTHARD RedBull Cosworth M 1'12"076 + 0'00"958
7. 35 DE LA ROSA McLaren Mercedes M 1'12"119 + 0'01"001
8. 37 SPEED RedBull Cosworth M 1'12"143 + 0'01"025
9. 5 ALONSO Renault M 1'12"265 + 0'01"147
10. 16 TRULLI Toyota M 1'12"344 + 0'01"226
11. 6 FISICHELLA Renault M 1'12"384 + 0'01"266
12. 12 MASSA Sauber Petronas M 1'12"464 + 0'01"346
13. 7 WEBBER Williams BMW M 1'12"578 + 0'01"460
14. 15 KLIEN RedBull Cosworth M 1'12"664 + 0'01"546
15. 3 BUTTON BAR Honda M 1'12"803 + 0'01"685
16. 4 SATO BAR Honda M 1'13"037 + 0'01"919
17. 11 VILLENEUVE Sauber Petronas M 1'13"079 + 0'01"961
18. 39 DOORNBOS Jordan Toyota B 1'13"361 + 0'02"243
19. 38 ZONTA Toyota M 1'13"567 + 0'02"449
20. 20 FRIESACHER Minardi Cosworth B 1'13"783 + 0'02"665
21. 21 ALBERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'13"963 + 0'02"845
22. 19 KARTHIKEYAN Jordan Toyota B 1'14"008 + 0'02"890
23. 18 MONTEIRO Jordan Toyota B 1'14"336 + 0'03"218

Oh, and a photo of Ralf's car after hitting the wall.

Lots more pictures here > http://www.f1total.com/bilder/cat.php?c=0509usa&d=2&bps=20&sort=1&p=5

 

[Shinobi]

Heh, that accident with Ralf was scary...eeriely similar to his Indy crash last year.

McLaren looking to be the class of the field yet again...Kimi's still gonna need to have Alonso drop out of a race or two to have a shot at the driver's title, but at the moment they're looking pretty damn good for the constructors crown.

BTW, the Le Mans started about 45 minutes ago.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Yeah Ralf is out of the GP and will be replaced by Zonta, he's an unlucky sod that Schumacher. I guess all the luck and talent was blessed upon Michael.

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/050618165824.shtml


3rd practice

1. 10 MONTOYA McLaren Mercedes M 1'10"726 213.376 Km/h
2. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'11"769 + 0'01"043
3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'11"838 + 0'01"112
4. 14 COULTHARD RedBull Cosworth M 1'12"409 + 0'01"683
5. 18 MONTEIRO Jordan Toyota B 1'13"399 + 0'02"673
6. 19 KARTHIKEYAN Jordan Toyota B 1'13"764 + 0'03"038
7. 20 FRIESACHER Minardi Cosworth B 1'14"572 + 0'03"846
8. 21 ALBERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'15"164 + 0'04"438

It was quite an amazing situation this morning at Indianapolis as just eight cars recorded a complete lap time in the third practice session of the weekend. With Ralf Schumacher confirmed as out of action for the remainder of the weekend due to his heavy accident on Friday, just two Michelin runners completed a timed lap this morning at the 4.192 KM circuit.

Juan Pablo Montoya set the pace for McLaren Mercedes once again with the fastest lap time of the weekend to date, but the Colombian and David Coulthard were the only Michelin-shod drivers to record a lap time.

The remaining runners all used the pit lane instead of taking the final banked turn, the scene of Ralf Schumacher accident in Friday practice. Michelin has yet to make a statement on the issue, but it would seem that the French tyre manufacturer has major problems at Indianapolis, despite the searing pace of Montoya.

Michael Schumacher was second fastest in his Bridgestone-shod Ferrari ahead of Ferrari team-mare Rubens Barrichello. David Coulthard was fourth fastest in his Red Bull Cosworth ahead of the Jordan Toyota duo of Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan. Patrick Friesacher and Christijan Albers brought up the bottom of the timesheets for Minardi.

It is quite an amazing situation this morning at the American circuit and it remains to be seen whether the Michelin runners will take part in the fourth and final practice session that begins at 17.15 CET.

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International

 

[Shinobi]

Damn, that's bizarre...that's the last place on the track you want to lose confidence (well, I guess the end of the straight ranks up there :lol). Sure hope Michelin finds a way to address that problem.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Well everybody ran in the fourth and final practice seesion. The BARs look in pretty decent nic, I just hope the Michelins last for the entire race, because this points drought for Honda can't keep going on. GO! HONDA!

P. No Driver Team - Engine Tyres Times Ave/Gaps
1. 9 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'10"643 213.626 Km/h
2. 3 BUTTON BAR Honda M 1'10"844 + 0'00"201
3. 5 ALONSO Renault M 1'10"920 + 0'00"277
4. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'11"203 + 0'00"560
5. 4 SATO BAR Honda M 1'11"324 + 0'00"681
6. 6 FISICHELLA Renault M 1'11"375 + 0'00"732
7. 16 TRULLI Toyota M 1'11"457 + 0'00"814
8. 10 MONTOYA McLaren Mercedes M 1'11"574 + 0'00"931
9. 38 ZONTA Toyota M 1'11"760 + 0'01"117
10. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'11"794 + 0'01"151
11. 15 KLIEN RedBull Cosworth M 1'11"806 + 0'01"163
12. 11 VILLENEUVE Sauber Petronas M 1'11"875 + 0'01"232
13. 12 MASSA Sauber Petronas M 1'11"915 + 0'01"272
14. 7 WEBBER Williams BMW M 1'12"080 + 0'01"437
15. 8 HEIDFELD Williams BMW M 1'12"186 + 0'01"543
16. 14 COULTHARD RedBull Cosworth M 1'12"814 + 0'02"171
17. 21 ALBERS Minardi Cosworth B 1'13"024 + 0'02"381
18. 18 MONTEIRO Jordan Toyota B 1'13"051 + 0'02"408
19. 19 KARTHIKEYAN Jordan Toyota B 1'13"161 + 0'02"518
20. 20 FRIESACHER Minardi Cosworth B 1'13"501 + 0'02"858

 

[Shinobi]

Ah, Kimi continuing to look strong...good to see.

 

[Cronos]

I just hope the Michelins last for the entire race

Yeah, seems to be a problem now. Just heard Renault just threatened to withdraw from the race if Michelin are not allowed to fly new tyres in.

 

[Project Midway]

Qualifying just started, both Renaults at the top at the moment. Montoya almost 0.4s behind. Well I think Kimi has a good chance to get the pole.

 

[sly]

Trulli in pole position, Kimi second and Jenson Button third. Can't wait for the race tomorrow!

 

[Pimpwerx]

Trolley puts a Toyota on pole! Amazing. He was very fast (speed trap) in S1 and S3. Zonta is 2nd-fastest. So Toyota seems to have the most power. It sucks what happened to Ralf too, b/c both times it wasn't his fault. Indy just isn't his track.

Michael looked happy enough given a 5th spot with Alonso, Rubens and Taku breathing down his neck. Hopefully he did that time running heavy. Kimi looks fast, and I'm assuming he's running heavy too. At least, it wouldn't suprise me. Should be a good race with some overtaking tomorrow. I'll give Indy that. It's a Mickey Mouse track, but it at least has an overtaking spot. PEACE.

 

[jett]

I want a vid of the Tumbler in the BB400, STAT.

 

[sly]

2005 United States Grand Prix Sunday Quals

No Driver Team Time/Retired

16 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:10.625
9 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:10.694
3 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1:11.277
6 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:11.290
1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:11.369
5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:11.380
2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:11.431
4 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 1:11.497
7 Mark Webber Williams-BMW 1:11.527
12 Felipe Massa Sauber-Petronas 1:11.555
10 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:11.681
11 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-Petronas 1:11.691
17 Ricardo Zonta Toyota 1:11.754
15 Christian Klien Red Bull Racing 1:12.132
8 Nick Heidfeld Williams-BMW 1:12.430
14 David Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:12.682
18 Tiago Monteiro Jordan-Toyota 1:13.462
21 Christijan Albers Minardi-Cosworth 1:13.632
19 Narain Karthikeyan Jordan-Toyota 1:13.776
20 Patrick Friesacher Minardi-Cosworth 1:14.494

 

[mrklaw]

lets hope they sort out the tyres.

The 3rd sector seems a good straight indicator of fuel load, as its pretty much flat out all the way. Trulli gained half a second over the others, who usually dropped a few tenths in that sector. So he is probably very light. BAR actually seem to have put fuel in the car this time, so fingers crossed for button.

 

[Shinobi]

Man, this race is going to be bizarre...here's the latest twist in the saga.

Michelin teams demand chicane - or no race!

The seven Michelin teams have agreed that they will only race in the US Grand Prix if a chicane is fitted before the banked turn 13 overnight.

Following a post-qualifying meeting, the teams have written a letter to the FIA explaining their position and requesting the construction of a chicane. However that is extremely unlikely to happen, which means that we could see a race take place with just the six Bridgestone cars in it - provided the Michelin teams stick to their agreement.

The bombshell decision came after a meeting of the team principals and Michelin bosses after all 20 cars had completed their qualifying laps. The French company could not guarantee the safety of its tyres, and the fact that this race is in the USA, where litigation is common, made things even more awkward.

The option of using the Barcelona tyres imported from Clermont-Ferrand has, in effect, been abandoned. Teams decided that they had no real information about whether they would last, and also there was no firm knowledge about what penalties might ensue if they were used, although it is understood that the FIA had informally suggested that something like a ten-second stop-and-go rather than exclusion. Thus the chicane option was considered the only viable choice.

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed that it makes sense, and he is duty bound to provide a full field of cars for the race for promoter Tony George. However, the practicalities are insurmountable in terms of designing a chicane, building it, and ensuring that it is safe. All those jobs are the responsibility of Charlie Whiting, who has been spotted in deep conversation with Ecclestone during the weekend.

As of 8pm Saturday night, nothing had been done to put the process into motion, and we understand that, while Bernie wants it to happen, there are too many hurdles to be overcome in terms of safety. The cars do, of course, have the downforce configuration and gear ratios for the track as it was designed, and they won't be allowed to change.

The only realistic alternative is that the teams opt to run ?slowly' through the problematic turn 13. That is what Ferrari sources suggest they do, anyway?

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=113231

Someone on the Speed broadcast yesterday made a very interesting point. The Indy surface had been repaved several weeks before the Indy 500, and the corners were found to have had excessive bumps. The first practice held for the IRL cars for the 500 saw tires getting heavily abused there, and the practice was eventually canceled. So they brought in a machine to try and smooth those out. It didn't quite work as well as they'd hoped, and I don't think they had time to really repave it. There was a NASCAR practice for the Brickyard 400 that was also scheduled not long ago, and it too was canceled due to the excessive abuse the tires received.

The interesting part of this story? The IRL cars all run Firestone tires. Firestone as we all know is Bridgestone's twin sister. As of yet there have been no issues with the three Bridgestone runners in this weekend's race. It's quite conceivable that the Firestone guys tipped Bridgestone off about the surface problems, giving them enough time to analyze Firestone's data and prepare accordingly. Michelin on the other hand were completely left in the dark, with (I assume) no teams of any consequence running their tread at this track since the repaving took place. So Bridgestone might well have put a heavy one over Michelin this week. :lol

How they remedy this situation is beyond me...but they've got four hours to figure something out.

BTW, the Le Mans race has just entered it's last hour...Champion Audi leads the way, with Tom Kristenson (sp) looking to get his 7th win, a number that would break the record for most individual overall wins by a single driver. It would also be the first overall win for an American outfit at this race since 1962, or something silly like that.

 

[mrklaw]

I don' tknow how they sort out this mess. If they put a chicane in, F1 gets laughed at in the one country it needs support but has little - "huh, those guys can't even do 60 laps around *one* fast corner? Cart is way better. Hi five!"

It seems a lot is down to tyre pressures - running v.low pressures for traction infield is fucking them up on the banked corner.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Following a post-qualifying meeting, the teams have written a letter to the FIA explaining their position and requesting the construction of a chicane. However that is extremely unlikely to happen, which means that we could see a race take place with just the six Bridgestone cars in it - provided the Michelin teams stick to their agreement.

Minardi 1, 2 anybody? :lol

I can't see them running six cars, that would be just stupid, not only that, it would piss the fans at the circuit well off. We could see the first mass riot at an F1 event.

 

[celestial body]

So finally Michelin have been caught out with their ultra-flexing sidewall that put out a few people from last years' Belgian GP amongst others. They've got away with it for too long.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

WOW! It looks like a 6 car race then. :lol

 

[Shinobi]

:lol FIA rejected the idea of adding a chicane...so Michelin's telling their teams to fuck it.

Michelin won't allow teams to race at Indy

Michelin will not allow its seven Formula One teams race in the US Grand Prix today. This was announced by Michelin today in response of the FIA statement. The FIA refused to allow Michelin to use different tyres or to create a chicane in the final corner.

It means that Renault, McLaren, Williams, Toyota, Sauber, Red Bull and BAR will not be racing in the F1's ninth round. It is still unclear what will happen and if the race will get underway with only six cars (Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi).

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=90148

That single tire rule sure is saving the sport a lot of money isn't it. :lol

 

[Pimpwerx]

Hehe, Michelin screwed up, this is the first time Ferrari might get a win this season. Fuck the haters, Ferrari/Bridgestone don't have to do shit to help Michelin. They are outnumbered and outclassed on the tire front. Any little bit helps. Jordan and Minardi would compete b/c they'd like the easy points, which mean easy money. A Jordan on the podium would have been exciting, though for all the wrong reasons. PEACE.

 

[Shinobi]

:lol Well if you wanna see four or five Aryton Sennas @ Imola today, it looks like you'll get your wish. :lol All the cars are now on the grid, though there's still no word about a chicane being added. This just foolishness...if a Michelin runner dies, the litigation is going to fuck Bernie right up the ass. Particularly since the race is in the land of litigation. :lol

Of course if the tire guys were allowed to bring as many compounds as they wanted as they were before, or if they were allowed to change during pitting, it wouldn't be an issue. Any justification for the single tire rule has now been completely and utterly obliterated...not unlike Ralf's car on Friday. :lol

 

[Cronos]

Just saw a short interview with Mc Laren's Norbert Haug. He said they'll run for 10 laps, just like the others, and then return to the pitbox!

 

[Fowler]

This is retarded. Whoever's fault (Michelin's, apparently) this entire mess is, when it comes to safety you can't screw around. Do what you have to do to make it safe, even if it means screwing the tire rules. Deal with the ramifications and penalties later -- whatever it is it can't compare to the current situation. Best case scenario is a farcical race of 2-6 cars. Worst... well, it's been mentioned by Shinobi already.

 

[PS2 KID]

Looks like it's a 6 car race.. oops.. make that a 5 car race.. :lol

Edit: still 6 cars. commentary said one of the Jordan's was smoking. my bad.

 

[Dezcom]

This is truly sad.

 

[Shinobi]

:lol :lol :lol This is simply embarassing...

 

[Spectral Glider]

:lol :lol :lol :lol

And people wonder why this crap doesn't catch on in the US?

 

[user237]

Go Minardi!

 

[Fowler]

Why the hell is Alonso on the radio to his engineers? He's sitting in the pits

 

[Falch]

Go Go Albers!

Now we'll have atleast one Jordan or Minardi on the podium. :lol

I feel for all the people who bought a ticket though.

 

[PS2 KID]

I wonder if team orders are still in store for Ferrari. Let Rubens race!

 

[Fowler]

God help the poor bastard who crashes or retires in this race. It'd be the ultimate insult.

 

[Cronos]

This is so weird, looking at 6 cars in the race...

 

[PS2 KID]

Are people leaving yet? Waiting for the Ferraris to lap the field.

 

[Shinobi]

Go Minardi!

:lol :lol :lol

I hope Max Mosley's neck is swinging on a gallow's pole after this. And they can forget about returning to Indy ever again, after the second farce there in three years.

 

[Forsete]

Stupid spectators, stop throwing shit on the race track.

 

[Shinobi]

This is so weird, looking at 6 cars in the race...

In the Gran Turismo series, this is a packed field!!

Stupid spectators, stop throwing shit on the race track.

If they don't get a refund for this bullshit, I honestly don't blame them for throwing shit on the track. This is the second time in three years that Indy F1 race fans have gotten FUCKED, and how else are you gonna let them know? Shouting over to Bernie over those cars isn't gonna do anything.

Doesn't mean it isn't stupid, sick or wrong to throw shit on the track mind you...but sadly doing such things is the only way to let people know you ain't taking shit anymore.

BTW, let me say it again...FUCK Max Mosley, fuck the FIA too (as if I didn't hate them enough already).

 

[Dezcom]

In the Gran Turismo series, this is a packed field!!

OMFG :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Koshiro]

:lol :lol :lol

Quick, lets get on the track and run, we'll score points!!!

 

[PS2 KID]

In the Gran Turismo series, this is a packed field!!

Right about now a Gran Turismo REPLAY would be more exciting! :lol

Question: If you crashed or retired, would you still be rewarded points?

 

[ElyrionX]

Damn, I can't believe I'm watching a 6-car race. WTF!

 

[Falch]

Question: If you crashed or retired, would you still be rewarded points?

Yup. And Trulli and Raikonen will be 7nd and 8th.

 

[CelticFC#1]

And are they not trying to sell F1 to the American audience with this race?

:lol

Well.Done.Everyone.

 

[ElyrionX]

Yup. And Trulli and Raikonen will be 7nd and 8th.

WTF? Really?

 

[bjork]

Man, I'm always at work when the good stuff happens. I wonder if someone will torrent this?