2012 Indianapolis 500
- This topic has 49 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 11 months ago by SouthAussie94.
- AuthorPosts
- 4th May 2012, 14:26 at 2:26 pm #131351Keith CollantineKeymaster
It’s the month of May so it’s time to start getting exciting about the biggest IndyCar race of the year – and always one of my favourite race weekends – the Indianapolis 500.
Of course this year’s event will be tinged with sadness as Dan Wheldon, who won the centenary race last year in such thrilling fashion, is no longer with us. The race organisers will no doubt make an effort to commemorate him – the tickets for this year’s race bear his image.
The changes in IndyCar this year mean we are likely to see a smaller entry than usual, though probably enough to reach the usual 33 starters. It’s going to be tough for the teams with the underpowered Lotus engines, though.
Sam Schmidt Motorsport have just annoucned Townsend Bell will be driving for them:
http://www.samschmidtmotorsports.com/townsend-bell-to-drive-no-99-braunabilityssm-car-in-indy-500/
Unfortunately it looks like Jean Alesi’s deal to drive a Lotus-powered car entered by Newman-Haas has fallen through.
4th May 2012, 17:15 at 5:15 pm #200670DonParticipantSounds like Alesi may have another option. http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-lotus-alesi-indy-500-deal-done/
Look for Newman Haas to be back in IndyCar 2013. http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-newman-haas-working-on-two-car-return-in-2013/4th May 2012, 17:21 at 5:21 pm #200671SlrParticipantI do hope Alesi can quickly get back into the race, it would be great to see how he could go.
I’ve missed the last few Indy 500s. I will definitely try to watch it this year however.
4th May 2012, 20:58 at 8:58 pm #200672Keith CollantineKeymaster@don123 Would be great to see Newman/Haas make a return next year.
4th May 2012, 21:29 at 9:29 pm #200673S.J.MParticipantAlways worth a watch, and falling in with the Monaco GP means we get a double header of motor sport with 2 of the most famous races.
Is Sky broadcasting it? I certainly hope so!!
4th May 2012, 23:08 at 11:08 pm #200674DonParticipantThe 2011 finish, Wheldon wins, Hildebrand crashes out on the last corner of the last lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZc_u2lfOeo
The 2010 finish, Mike Conway huge airborne crash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZy-tPkZ3W4
Great stuff! RIP Dan.
5th May 2012, 18:56 at 6:56 pm #200675Mikemat5150ParticipantLatest reports I’ve heard are that Lotus was offering $500,000 to $750,000 to run Alesi and HVM didn’t take the offer. It’s looking very doubtful that he’s going to be entered.
http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2012/05/03/may-4-a-new-indycar-pairing/
Also, DRR and Panther will have a technical alliance for the 500 as DRR is rumored to be switching to Chevy power. BHA is rumored to be going to Honda after both dumped Lotus.
Should be a great race this year with he new chassis and an aero package that no one has much experience with.
6th May 2012, 3:56 at 3:56 am #200676Mikemat5150ParticipantWell, looks like nobody saw this coming. Alesi is driving for Fan Force United. Haven’t heard of em? Neither have I….
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-alesi-unites-with-fan-force-united-for-indy/
6th May 2012, 8:19 at 8:19 am #200677Joel HollandParticipantAlesi is going to be scrapping with Katherine Legge for 32nd on the grid then. Can’t see him having more than Bourdais and Simona in the other B class cars.
Or, if Jay Howard gets a deal in a Honda/Chevy powered car, Jean will just be hoping to qualify. With a career like his it seems a bit of a waste of time, as much as I’m looking forward to seeing him compete at the Speedway.
6th May 2012, 13:44 at 1:44 pm #200678Joey-PoeyParticipantAlesi is going to be scrapping with Katherine Legge for 32nd on the grid
I have to admit I lol’d at that.
6th May 2012, 15:23 at 3:23 pm #200679DonParticipantI can’t understand why he’d do this with a tiny team with no IndyCar experience, only Indy Lights?
Never having run on an oval, he may have to change his shorts after qualifying. Entering corners at over 220 mph and trimmed out with as little down force as he can dare run will be a frightening experience for him.
This has epic fail written all over it. I hope he’s still in one piece when it’s over.
9th May 2012, 10:07 at 10:07 am #200680Keith CollantineKeymasterAlesi’s deal with Fan Force United has been confirmed:
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/5-8-Lotus-confirm-Alesi-for-Indy
It’s hard to imagine him being any kind of force (no pun intended) but still great to see him entering. He should be driving the car tomorrow. Presumably Lotus have quite a few spare engines now so at least there’s that…
9th May 2012, 10:13 at 10:13 am #200681Joel HollandParticipantI’m a little worried about it. 47, not driven a single-seater in a decade, down-on-power Lotus engine, first time at Indy… frankly I think it’s a stupid idea from all sides. I’d be very happy to be proven wrong, but Lotus are incredibly good at PR own goals. Alesi being considered unsafe to race or leaving the circuit in an ambulance would follow that theme.
Not that I think Alesi is rubbish. It’s the combination of factors that makes me think he’ll have a tough time.
9th May 2012, 15:56 at 3:56 pm #200682DonParticipantIt will be very interesting to see how things go for him. Good luck.
Rookie Orientation takes place May 10th. Included are; “Jean Alesi, Rubens Barrichello, Bryan Clauson, Wade Cunningham, Katherine Legge, James Jakes, Michel Jourdain Jr., Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud. Sebastien Bourdais will participate in an Indianapolis 500 refresher program on May 10”.
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/5-9-ROP-is-quality-over-quantityLets get it on!
9th May 2012, 17:20 at 5:20 pm #200683BasCBParticipantWell, Good Luck Jean, I would say. Not that I expect anything spectacular from him (at least not in driving fast), but its still nice to see him giving it a go. Indy is just really special
- AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.