Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Question: why does A.J. Foyt constantly **** talk Mario Andretti? He can't even talk about Gurney without taking a shot at Mario.

He sounds like a redneck fool. He's lucky Mario spent several years pursuing F1 or he'd be looking up the all-time wins list at M. Andretti.

They have always feuded. Go find A.J.'s autobiography which was written a few decades ago. He trashes Mario all over the place there.

It has to do with A.J.'s perception of Mario being from the "wine and cheese" side of racing. Never mind Mario cut his teeth on the dirt tracks of PA and NY.

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

They have always feuded. Go find A.J.'s autobiography which was written a few decades ago. He trashes Mario all over the place there.

It has to do with A.J.'s perception of Mario being from the "wine and cheese" side of racing. Never mind Mario cut his teeth on the dirt tracks of PA and NY.

I love them both. I just love Mario a bit more.

[joecct]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

If you grew up around NYC, you heard the commercials. Now Raceway Park in Englishtown is ending NHRA races.

http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf...cing_ends.html

Hey! It's open wheel. They just don't turn.

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/146967-...r-f1-now-brown

I agree, Newgarden and Dixon given Hamilton's equipment would b competitive right away.

I also love Brown's comments on racers attempting other series.

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/146967-...r-f1-now-brown

I agree, Newgarden and Dixon given Hamilton's equipment would b competitive right away.

I also love Brown's comments on racers attempting other series.

[solovsfett]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Pietro Fittipaldi tested with Coyne's team. How good is this kid?

Looks like he got a later start in racing?

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Pietro Fittipaldi tested with Coyne's team. How good is this kid?

Looks like he got a later start in racing?

It's tough to say.

He dominated the World Series V8, but that was a nothing of a series last year. So much so, it went defunct as soon as the season was over. The competition was greatly lacking.

However, I listen to a F1 podcast regularly, and one of the hosts is a big time driver instructor/coach who has worked for various programs designed to find young talent, and he raves about Pietro.

So, until he starts competing in a respected series, we won't know.

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

An interesting piece in the BBC.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/42862496

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Looks like F1 will be more competitive and more fun to watch this year than it has been for a while.

I am also getting back into single seat racing. I'll post some pictures as time goes by, but i'm getting ready to restore a 1972 Titan Mk6 to use in vintage racing. Right now it's a total basket case.... and it's a slider. So might take a while to get going again.

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Looks like F1 will be more competitive and more fun to watch this year than it has been for a while.

I am also getting back into single seat racing. I'll post some pictures as time goes by, but i'm getting ready to restore a 1972 Titan Mk6 to use in vintage racing. Right now it's a total basket case.... and it's a slider. So might take a while to get going again.

So much for you buying my Alfa GTV racer to go vintage racing in... (I wish I knew- I would have suggested it years ago).

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Looks like F1 will be more competitive and more fun to watch this year than it has been for a while.

Once it stops snowing in Europe... LOL

I am also getting back into single seat racing. I'll post some pictures as time goes by, but i'm getting ready to restore a 1972 Titan Mk6 to use in vintage racing. Right now it's a total basket case.... and it's a slider. So might take a while to get going again.

Which groups do you plan on running with?

[manurespreader]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

Once it stops snowing in Europe... LOL



Which groups do you plan on running with?

well that's a good question. FF or CF. This car is one that's pretty unique. it's not quite a one off, but somewhat close only 3 cars ever made though one won the pacific coast championship with Bob Lobenberg in 1980 or 81. So the tentative plan is to rebuild it, which will take a year, get a good motor in it, and a gearbox, and get it set up. The fly in the ointment is the resale value. The market for a car like that, fast or not, has to be pretty slim. After that an '81 swift is a good possibility as they are very reasonable. The other thing is, I'm not getting any younger. I want to get a car, race it for four or five years and stop.

otherwise the Mosport Historics , the Vintage races at Mid Ohio and maybe something at IRP or lucas oil or whatever it is now. Plus I like Blackhawk so there.
First order of business though is get the paint off this frame and check all the welds and I've got to decide if this car has any marketability. I don't want to spend a bunch of money and have nothing at the end.

[alfablue]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

well that's a good question. FF or CF. This car is one that's pretty unique. it's not quite a one off, but somewhat close only 3 cars ever made though one won the pacific coast championship with Bob Lobenberg in 1980 or 81. So the tentative plan is to rebuild it, which will take a year, get a good motor in it, and a gearbox, and get it set up. The fly in the ointment is the resale value. The market for a car like that, fast or not, has to be pretty slim. After that an '81 swift is a good possibility as they are very reasonable. The other thing is, I'm not getting any younger. I want to get a car, race it for four or five years and stop.

otherwise the Mosport Historics , the Vintage races at Mid Ohio and maybe something at IRP or lucas oil or whatever it is now. Plus I like Blackhawk so there.
First order of business though is get the paint off this frame and check all the welds and I've got to decide if this car has any marketability. I don't want to spend a bunch of money and have nothing at the end.

Classic Motorsports seems to do a lot of oddball cars, which have not so much value, except in the context of history. Unique cars are interesting- even if they are very successful, because so few laid their eyes on them, they are rarely popular to be a great "investment". But you get to drive a cool piece of history.

BTW, as you age, remember how nice a roof over your head is...

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

well that's a good question. FF or CF. This car is one that's pretty unique. it's not quite a one off, but somewhat close only 3 cars ever made though one won the pacific coast championship with Bob Lobenberg in 1980 or 81. So the tentative plan is to rebuild it, which will take a year, get a good motor in it, and a gearbox, and get it set up. The fly in the ointment is the resale value. The market for a car like that, fast or not, has to be pretty slim. After that an '81 swift is a good possibility as they are very reasonable. The other thing is, I'm not getting any younger. I want to get a car, race it for four or five years and stop.

otherwise the Mosport Historics , the Vintage races at Mid Ohio and maybe something at IRP or lucas oil or whatever it is now. Plus I like Blackhawk so there.
First order of business though is get the paint off this frame and check all the welds and I've got to decide if this car has any marketability. I don't want to spend a bunch of money and have nothing at the end.

Hopefully the others don't mind me saying this but.. keep us up to date on this stuff. I find it interesting even though I have no clue.

Hey guys, St Pete starts the Indycar season next weekend! Should be interesting to see the new IR18 car in action. Going to just assume Penske will win this one.

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Open Wheel Racing 2017, more wings and tires

well that's a good question. FF or CF. This car is one that's pretty unique. it's not quite a one off, but somewhat close only 3 cars ever made though one won the pacific coast championship with Bob Lobenberg in 1980 or 81. So the tentative plan is to rebuild it, which will take a year, get a good motor in it, and a gearbox, and get it set up. The fly in the ointment is the resale value. The market for a car like that, fast or not, has to be pretty slim. After that an '81 swift is a good possibility as they are very reasonable. The other thing is, I'm not getting any younger. I want to get a car, race it for four or five years and stop.

Bob Lobenberg. Now, there's a blast from the past... Darn good driver.

I started out racing a Crossle 35F, back when that was the chassis to have. Built like a tank (by FF standards), very predictable, great handling, easy adjustments, easy to repair. One of the best user friendly FFs ever designed. And fast ... until the Swifts came around. But then, the Swifts essentially obsoleted every other chassis out there.

Anyway, if you decide not to stick with your current chassis, consider the Crossle 35F (or 32F, but if you had a choice, go with the 35F). Won't cost you a ton. Good car to learn how to race in and enjoy yourself at the same time. And they will maintain a decent resale value. Heck, they are still competitive in the right hands in SCCA club racing as a CF.

The Swift is a good choice, too. But don't discount the Crossle 35F. Swifts may be a bit more expensive.

My racing partner (after FF, he and I bought a Sports Renault -- which eventually was called Spec Racer and then Spec Racer Ford -- and campaigned it together) ran a Royale FP41 (I think that's the proper model). That car was designed by Rory Byrne in his early days. It was fast and handled wonderfully, he told me. Best car he ever drove (and he also drove a Crossle 32F and 35F). However, I think they are more difficult to find and probably more expensive.

EDIT: After checking with my friend, he corrected me. It was a Royale RP24 he drove. Which makes sense since after researching Royale, I found out the RP41 was a designation used for a Can-Am chassis that was never built (D'uh!). There were a lot of RP24 Formula Fords built...

Also, while doing that research, I didn't realize that after Bryne left, Pat Symonds took over the design work for Royale.

EDIT2: Do NOT buy a Lola FF. There's a reason why people who have driven them sometimes have the "Lola limp." The foot box is not at all very strong.