Comments on: Random Thoughts On St. Petersburg

By: JimBob

JimBob — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:12:26 +0000

It was a typical “tough to stay awake while watching” street race.

Way too many of those on the IC schedule.

And judging by the continued puny (and getting smaller) TV ratings, America is not catching on.

First real Indy Car race is in May at Indianapolis. They can actually race there.

By: James

James — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:47:41 +0000

I understand that IRL wanted slightly bigger fuel cells but that there was a large variation in the size that went out to the teams. IRL had to go for the smallest size, and mandated teams with bigger cells to use filler balls to equalise the volume. Hopefully teams with the smaller fuel cells can get bigger ones to allow the tire wear dominate tactics rather than fuel economy.

By: Randy Holbrook

Randy Holbrook — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:35:06 +0000

I’m just glad racing is back and thankful I didn’t have to hear “boogity, boogity, boogity”. I can’t wait to get to Barber for 6 races in 3 days!

By: Brian McKay

Brian McKay — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:44:30 +0000

Yes, ugly Hot Wheels toys and too-small fuel bladders. As George said, side view is not horrid if rear crash attenuators are dark & unnoticeable. But front views are fugly

By: The Lapper

The Lapper — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:34:26 +0000

All in all, I thought that the St Pete race was good enough to kick off the season. I am glad that we now have it out of the way and that it came with decent results.

By: redcar

redcar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:35 +0000

I do dislike fuel-saving (in Indy and Nascar) races and wish they could do something to forever end that “strategy.”

But the cars are cool and there’s a list of interesting, great drivers. I think the year will get racier and more interesting as we go. I mean it was the very first race with new chassis and new engines and new race control. It’s good now and it’s going to get better. (Had to throw something out there to counteract the negativity.)

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:02:46 +0000

I think I saw maybe 8 or 10 passes on TV. I hope that there were many more than that with 26 cars and a 100 laps. I still don’t understand why the fuel cells are so small. It makes the racing one dimensional. Why not allow the teams to gamble more with big fuel loads? All in all I was not impressed. The cars look like something made by “Hot Wheels”.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:22:32 +0000

I enjoyed the pre-race programs and I enjoyed seeing the race even though there wasn’t a lot of “laying it on the line” moments. Surprised at Ganassi, but glad to see RHR and Hinchcliff do so well.

By: Oilpressure

Oilpressure — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:11:18 +0000

You’re right – Ralph Sheheen is great on TV and radio. But calling a stint on the IMS PA system is certainly not his forte. Not that I’m trying to compare him to Tom Carnegie; but he talks way too much, tries a little too much humor and that high-pitched voice of his doesn’t sound good resonating through the stands. Give me Dave Calabro anytime on the PA. Bob Varsha could make a tractor pull sound eloquent. – GP

By: Steve C

Steve C — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:59:37 +0000

Absolutely get rid of Marty Reid. Paul Page called a race with enthusiasm, whereas Mousy Marty is better suited to golf (or something MORE boring). Scott Goodyear is okay with a good play-by-play announcer, but I would prefer a more recognised and credible driver like Danny Sullivan, or someone more recent (but still credible) like de Ferran or Cheever. It’s important that the driver analyst on ABC is an Indy champion. I’d swap the incompetent/annoying Vince Welch for Gary Gerould.

Other Steve, F1 on SPEED is INCREDIBLE! They know how to make a race with few passes exciting, let alone an exciting finish like Belgium 2008. I found the ITV call of that finish and it left much to be desired. Bob Varsha can call any form of racing, as can Ralph Sheheen and Leigh Diffey.