|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
11 Mar 2020, 18:46 (Ref:3963117) | #1 | ||
Race Official
20KPINAL
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,762
|
Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, 13-15 March, 2020
Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, 13-15 March, 2020
Coronavirus threatening or not, the waiting and the long off season is almost over, with this Sunday's season opener at St. Pete nearly upon us. However, before the green flag flies, there were a number of major developments in the off season. The most significant was the sale of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NTT IndyCar series and IMS Productions, by long term owners Hulman and Company to the Penske Corporation. There were also major changes regarding some of the teams and drivers. McLaren Racing and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced a partnership, competing as Arrow McLaren Racing SP, which lead to the unexpected dismissal of popular Canadian driver and 6 times race winner, James Hinchcliffe, who had been with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports since 2014. Another surprise was long time AOWR campaigner Dale Coyne, who let go of former 4 time in a row, Champ Car driver's champion, Sebastien Bourdais and announcing a partnership with Super Formula Championship entrant Team Goh, to run Álex Palou for the full season. Meyer Shank Racing announced a full season program with Jack Harvey. Andretti Autosport announced they would field a fifth entry for Colton Herta, in partnership with Mike Harding and George Michael Steinbrenner IV, formerly of Harding Steinbrenner Racing, now under the name Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport. This year's race will be the 16th running on the current course and the 15th as an IndyCar event. The race was first held as part of the SCCA Trans-Am Series, on the downtown waterfront circuit, from 1985-1990 but when local residents and businesses complained about the noise it was cancelled. It returned briefly from 1996-1997 on a new course around Tropicana Field. After a second hiatus, the event returned in 2003 but as a Champ Car race, using a modified layout of the original 1985–90 waterfront circuit. In 2004, the event was cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters but returned in 2005, this time as part of the IRL IndyCar Series, making this the first non-oval event for the Indy Racing League. This year's race will also see the debut of the Aeroscreen cockpit safety device, built by Red Bull Advanced Technologies, that underwent extensive testing during the off season. Some trivia: The driver with most wins: 3, Hélio Castroneves, 2006, 2007, 2012. The team with most wins: 9, Team Penske, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016. Track layout: Length: 1.8 Miles (2.9 Km) Turns: 14 Lap record: Jordan King 1:00.0476, 107.914 Mph (173.670 km/h). Ed Carpenter Racing, Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6. Verizon IndyCar Series. Last year's race: This year I thought I wouldn't write any race reports, as it is quite time consuming. However, I have included a link that will take you to the motorsport.com website, which has the relevant race report if wish to read it. Race report. https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...Bvalue%5D=2243 Pole: Will Power, 1:00.4594, 107.179 Mph, (153.808 Km/h) Team Penske, Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6. Winner: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske, Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6. Laps 110 Distance 198 Miles (318.65 Km) Race Time 2:04:18.258 Average Speed 95.572 Mph, (169.117 Km/h) Fastest lap: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske,lap 52. 61.7350 sec, 104.965 mph (168.924 km/h) Caution periods: 2 Laps 11: 20 - 22, 26 - 33. Race Broadcast: NBCSN. Sunday, March 15. 3:30pm ET. |
||
__________________
"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
12 Mar 2020, 02:44 (Ref:3963240) | #2 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,136
|
Well guess this might be the Indy season for a bit with the new travel restriction from Europe. Can't believe that's not just the start of more rules to come.
|
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 14:02 (Ref:3963452) | #3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 875
|
Thanks again bjohnsonsmith for yet another of your patented excellent race backgrounders.
IndyCar race info page here (with link to spotter guide top right): https://www.indycar.com/Schedule/202.../St-Petersburg 26 entries! |
||
|
12 Mar 2020, 15:30 (Ref:3963462) | #4 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,434
|
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ix/5030728002/
St. Petersburg mayor cancels general admission to IndyCar race due to coronavirus concerns Seems like the race will go on .... but with limited attendance |
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 15:47 (Ref:3963466) | #5 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,434
|
And also https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-pet...celled%2Fpage2
Attendance canceled at Grand Prix of St. Petersburg; race could be canceled altogether |
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 16:06 (Ref:3963474) | #6 | |||
Race Official
20KPINAL
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,762
|
Quote:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163 |
|||
__________________
"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
12 Mar 2020, 16:15 (Ref:3963479) | #7 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,434
|
I hear that because of the cost of setting up the track, the city might run the race for television ..... we shall see.
|
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 16:58 (Ref:3963498) | #8 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,655
|
Florida reports 29 cases of coronavirus, including 9 on March 10 and 3 on March 11.
I don't think it reasonable to cancel it. |
||
__________________
Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
12 Mar 2020, 18:44 (Ref:3963533) | #9 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 875
|
Quote:
In the "silver linings" category - that article also mentions an announcement of a five-year extension for the race. |
|||
|
12 Mar 2020, 19:16 (Ref:3963544) | #10 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,273
|
Quote:
|
||
|
12 Mar 2020, 19:18 (Ref:3963546) | #11 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,136
|
The race will run with limited activity, and not mentioned but I'm guessing lots of isolation and monitoring.
Current plan is no fans, closed track, no Friday activity, condensed Sat practice and qualifying, race on Sunday. Further activity would be subject to the tracks so Austin will likely shut down COTA. I would guess the next activity MIGHT be a delayed Indy 500, but my thoughts are nothing before June at this rate |
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 19:25 (Ref:3963553) | #12 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,232
|
Quote:
There's a bunch of old folks in FLA and they should just shut it down like everyone else. Georgia has "only" 31 cases, but it sounds like we're about to shut everything down for 2 weeks. This race should be canceled. It's a giant shyte sandwich and we're all about to take a bite. |
|||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
12 Mar 2020, 21:12 (Ref:3963596) | #13 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,136
|
I'm torn as they are already there and in place for this event. BUT the support and TV people are still coming. The teams have a bit of time to take care of themselves but the volunteer and safety personal have to be taken in to account here. We all want the racing to distract us but play old races rather than risk the spread. I'm guessing they haven't tested and cleared everyone on site. If they had, then I would 100% say go ahead with the closed event on TV.
|
|
|
12 Mar 2020, 21:38 (Ref:3963603) | #14 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18,727
|
I am finding myself agreeing with those that say that they are here, it will kind of make no difference. Making it behind closed doors is probably the best course of action to make it not get worse
|
|
__________________
He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
12 Mar 2020, 21:50 (Ref:3963612) | #15 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,232
|
I lost track of what day it was. Glories of a staycation spring break. If they're all there, the risk is already there and they might as well roll with it, like PGA is with The Players.
I'm just starting to get really POed that it took this long to start action. Feels like a reaction instead or proaction. |
||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
13 Mar 2020, 02:19 (Ref:3963720) | #16 | ||
Race Official
20KPINAL
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,762
|
|||
__________________
"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
13 Mar 2020, 16:22 (Ref:3963903) | #17 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,925
|
Couldn't be any other way.
Once F1 canned, it would look fairly ill advised to continue (regardless of our own opinions about the virus's hype and severity!) |
||
|
13 Mar 2020, 17:27 (Ref:3963928) | #18 | |
Racer
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 377
|
I thought that the announcement a week ago that the season should be unaffected was ridiculous, though indy’s not of a comparable size to f1 so has managed to duck most criticism. Shame, I was looking forward to the race, but there’s more important things right now.
|
|
|
13 Mar 2020, 17:28 (Ref:3963929) | #19 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,232
|
At this point, canceling this event is the most sensible thing to do. I've got to figure out if we're getting paychecks here for the next two weeks. I know, small potatoes compared to hauling equipment and crews down to FLA, but it would certainly be a bit tacky for them to muscle through it....
|
||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
13 Mar 2020, 18:18 (Ref:3963947) | #20 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,136
|
Plus it's not just the drivers and teams, even without fans there is still safety crew, corner workers, hospitality and more who aren't going to be covered by Indycar after the event.
It's a very weird afternoon here with multiple people not coming in, inspectors just not working and NO guidance other than a barrage of emails about remote working. How is an inspector or permit tech supposed to remote work? No one seems willing to be the leader and pull the trigger, great maybe you don't get re-elected. But maybe you do and you're remembered as the politician who did, aka, the people we actually remember (those who did something) |
|
|
13 Mar 2020, 18:42 (Ref:3963964) | #21 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,232
|
Quote:
And proper leadership in the US has been lacking in the recent years. |
|||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
13 Mar 2020, 18:55 (Ref:3963973) | #22 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,136
|
Quote:
I have a feeling anything we hear today will change by Monday and the great pumpkin is supposed to speak in a bit so there's that to look forward to. |
||
|
13 Mar 2020, 19:06 (Ref:3963977) | #23 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18,727
|
It’s just a shame there are less sporting events to take people’s minds off this situation. Might lead to more worry and panic in a way. Here’s hoping the measures countries make work in time. Seems a long road ahead
|
|
__________________
He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
13 Mar 2020, 19:34 (Ref:3963991) | #24 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,538
|
|||
|
13 Mar 2020, 19:39 (Ref:3963996) | #25 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,232
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
2018 Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, 9-11 March. | bjohnsonsmith | Indycar Series | 47 | 13 Mar 2018 21:02 |
2017 IndyCar season, Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 10-12 | bjohnsonsmith | Indycar Series | 45 | 16 Mar 2017 00:01 |
2016 Season. Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 11-13. | bjohnsonsmith | Indycar Series | 42 | 19 Mar 2016 10:03 |
Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 27 - 29, 2015 | bjohnsonsmith | Indycar Series | 59 | 9 Apr 2015 14:06 |
Round 1: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 28 - 30, 2014 | bjohnsonsmith | Indycar Series | 48 | 31 Mar 2014 17:45 |