SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

But does anybody besides Hard Core racing Fans pay Attenzione to these Championships?

 

I’ll admit that this new for 2024 SCCA Pro Racing single seater ladder system is largely foreign to Mwah. Especially since I’ve never paid any Attenzione to the United States F4 series run under FIA Formula 4 regulations. And only casually know about FR Americas due to it’s “linkage” to Indy NXT competition…

 

What I found entertaining about these three feeder series is that their Race Director is a former IndyCar driver from Up North Eh! Unfortunately known here on No Fenders as Scott “What Pace Car?” Goodyear!

 

As the Sports Car club of America (SCCA Pro Racing) and the previously unheard of Parella Motorsport Holdings (PMH) organizations are billing these three tiered feeder series  as a lower cost alternative, complete with Scholarship prize funding to it’s other Open wheel Racing series. Including a Ligier chassis, Hankook tyres and a monetary award for advancement up the ladder’s rungs.

 

Which if I’m reading the proverbial tea leaves correctly, is PR Speak for Cheaper ladder system than its USFPro Championships competizione…

 

Ligier JS F4 Series

Guessing that this is the SCCA’s, and Ligier’s answer to Anderson Promotions introduction of it’s USF Juniors program? Which is intended to compete directily vs. the Formula 4 United State Championship

 

Although reportedly Tony Parella,.proprietor of Parella Motorsport Holdings, creator of the series says He saw a need to fill the void between jumping directly from Karting to U.S. F4 single seaters.

 

This marks the newly created single seaters series debut season. With entrants 14 years and up racing “GEN 1” (First Generation) Ligier JS F4 racecars. Arse-sumedly replete with Honda 2.0-litre inline four cylinder normally aspirated lumps’, regulated to a maximum of 160bhp.

 

The six race calendar begins at Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans. (April 11-14) Running under the Speed Tour banner in conjunction with it’s “Big Brother” U.S. Formula 4 Brethren, both serving as support series to FR Americas. Along with the  SVRA  and Trans Am series.

 

Followed by stops at Road America, Mid-Ohio, New Jersey, Trois Riviers and COTA. As the Circuit Of The Americas season finale  is a Fortnight after Austin plays host to it’s yearly United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race weekend.

 

Formula 4 United States championship

For 2024, this series sees the introduction of the new Ligier JS F422 as it’s sole chassis, utilizing the 1.65-litre Ligier Storm’ V-4 engine instead. As Honda seems to have quietly exited supporting SCCA single seater racing this year.

 

The season’s first round slated for Nola Raceway Park this April was cancelled due to delays with the arrival of the new chassis. As the championship will contest the same remaining five rounds as above. Beginning at Road America from May 16-19, and ending at COTA October 31-November 3rd.

 

As I’d like to Arse-sume these Ligier racecars are faster than their previous JS F4 chassis, and ditto for the FR Americas entries…

 

FR Americas (Formula Regional Americas)

This is the only rung of the series I’m casually aware of, due to it’s influx of participants to Indy Lights, and now Indy NXT.

 

As former FR Americas champions Kyle Kirkwood, Linus Lundqvist and Kyffin Simpson have all graduated from Indy Lights and are now competing in Indy Cars. Along with FR Americas runner-up David Malukas.

 

While FR Americas Alumni Benjamin Pedersen also graduated to Indy Lights before a single season racing for A.J. foyt enterprises in IndyCar last year. Making for a total of five Alumni to make it All the way to the Big boyz’ rainks, ergo IndyCar, America’s premiere Open Wheel Racing category.

 

As I’ve come up with a total of 14 former drivers who’ve graduated to Indy NXT. Including reigning 2023 FR Americas Champion Callum Hedge, who won 13 of 18 races last year enroute to the title! And now drives for HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT.

 

The series will contest a total of seven rounds this year, each comprising of three races for a total of 21 races.

 

FR Americas will contest All six rounds above with it’s Junior F4 Brethren. Along with a Non-points Invitational round at Laguna Seca May 2-5. With the Big News being it’s Debutante event at Mother Speedway! When taking part June 13-16 during the SVRA Sprint Series outing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

From the series inception in 2018 thru 2023, FR Americas competitors competed for a scholarship advancement prize to contest the following Super Formula season courtesy of Honda. Which as noted, has quietly ended it’s association with these two SCCA Pro Racing Feeder Series.

 

As the previous Ligier JS F3 sported a 2.0-litre DOHC inline four cylinder turbocharged Honda engine producing 303bhp.

 

While this year’s Ligier JS F3 chassis sports the Ligier Storm V-4 lump’. For which all I could discern about this 1.65-liter 90-degrees V-4 engine utilized for both the JS F422 and JS F3 single seater chassis. Is that it has only two valves per cylinder, presumably SOHC, whilst I’d like to Arse-sume that the JS F3 version is also turbocharged? And producing relatively the same Horsepower as it’s predecessor.

 

While I’m also guessing that the new scholarship advancement prize award for this year’s FR Americas champion allows it’s recipient to graduate to Indy NXT, the next logical step upon this ladder system… 

The Unknown Formula race Promotions ladder Staircase

Since who’s Heard of FRP lately?

 

Today begins another Ha-Ha Short! Intended three part No Fenders tome covering the current Open Wheel Racing “Staircases” to Indy Cars, North America’s premiere Open Wheel Racing category. But as typical, I keep finding more “Driftwood” on the shores of Nofenderville…

 

Thus, I suppose if I keep Digging for Clams, I’ll learn about more Open wheel Racing single seater Championships I’ve been totally unawares’ of, Righto?

 

Since I was just trying to spell out today’s best known ladder systems for aspiring racers to progress upon once what was known as the Road to Indy. Which was the best, most concise ladder system to date…

 

Thanks to researching two aspiring “Junior” talents, I ran into what is billed as the East coast’s “premiere” Formula Cars Feeder Series – sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing.

 

Having never heard of Formula Race Promotions (FRP) before, visiting their website which only gives the briefest of descriptions. Somehow I “spotted” the logo for Parella Motorsports Holdings, (PMH) for which I couldn’t ascertain if FRP is owned by them or not?

 

Since PMH, which is owned by Tony Parella seems to be a fairly large motorsports entity, primarily owners of SVRA )Sports Car Vintage Racing) and the modern day Trans Am series. Whilst also being involved with another “rival” Junior Open Wheel Racing ladder system. Making it All as clear as Mud on a Rainy Day!

 

FRP’s single seater ladder system comprises of F1600, F2000 and Atlantic Championships, and presumably is “Billed” as a lower cost alternative for aspiring racers. Since what’s that ‘Ol Adage about Cubic Horsepower costs Cubic Dollars! And how many people who start with a large budget end up with a small budget after going racing, or something to that effect…

 

These three categories serve as support series to SVRA and Trans Am events around the nation, with this year’s calendar consisting of seven events.

 

Road Atlanta (March 21-24) served as the season opener. Followed by Mid-Ohio, (April 26-28) Lime Rock*, (May 24-27) Pittsburg International Race Complex, (June 7-9) Road America, (June 28-30) New Jersey Motorsports Park* (July 25-28) and Summit Point Motorsports Park. (August 16-18)

 

The Atlantic Championship will not contest the Lime Rock weekend. While the New Jersey event will also include the U.S. formula 4 and FR Americas series.

 

F1600 Championship

The F1600 Championship Pro category is an almost exclusive Honda engine category, utilizing 1.6-litre normally aspirated four cylinder engines, hence the series name. Although also having spotted a lone ford lump’ noted. With the series being dominated by the Van Diemen chassis, with Piper, Mygale and Swift sprinkled about this “Formula ford” single seater series.

 

I first learned about this series when perusing the career summary of Jace Denmark, who ran three races in 2021. While 2020 F1600 Championship winner Simon sikes is now His Pabst Racing teammate in the USF Pro 2000 Championship.

 

Other series champions include Nicholas D’Orlando, (2021) younger brother of Michael D’Orlando, the 2022 U.S. F2000 National Championship champion. Along with Thomas Schrage, (2022) and the reigning champion Porter Aiken. All having gravitated to the U.S. f2000 National championship and USF Pro 2000 Championship series.

 

F2000 Championship

This is the second rung of the series, in what are known as “Wings & Slicks” single seaters with a larger 2.0-litre four cylinder naturally aspirated motor. As the class dovetails with the re-introduction of the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2010, when the Van Diemen DP08 was selected as the sole spec chassis for this category.

 

Becoming the Elan DP08, the chassis was used for U.S. F2000 National Championship competition until Tatuus won the contract and began supplying the series first carbon fibre USF-17 chassis beginning in 2017.

 

With No Disrespect to today’s competitors, from what I can tell, this is now an “Ameteur” Class utilizing “vintage” single seaters primarily with the Mazda MZR and older spec Zetec Ford powerplants. Since Van Diemen ceased as a company in the early 2000’s when Former American Le Mans Series founder Don Panoz bought the company. With the Van Diemen name being replaced by Elan after full integration.

 

As a mix of “vintage” chassis compete in this class, including Van Diemen, Mygale and Piper for example.

 

A few of the class’s former Alumni include “The Viking”, aka Andres Krohn who won the 2008 championship. While Chris Miller who won the following year’s title also progressed to what then was known as Star Mazda a la Krohn.

 

Krohn and 2010 F2000 Champion victor Carbone would compete against each other in the 2011 Indy Lights Championship with mixed results.

 

Whilst ’08 F2000 Alumni Conor Daly would graduate into Indy Cars. Beginning  in 2013, as a “One-off” Indy 500 entry for A.J. Foyt enterprises. Yet Daly’s IndyCar career arguably could be summed up as an “Journeyman’s” career until being “let go” by Ed Carpenter Racing after the 2023 Indianapolis 500…

 

Atlantic Championship

When I hear the word Atlantic, I immediately think of the former Toyota Atlantic Championship, which later became the Champ Car Atlantic Championship The series continued for two more years, albeit no longer part of the Champ Car World Series, (CCWS) which thankfully finally merged with it’s rival Indy Racing League for 2008.

 

Formula Race Promotions effectively took over the Atlantic championship circa 2012, and has run it ever since. Which now utilizes the Swift 016 chassis for it’s 2016 category. Whilst presumably older chassis for it’s Open category… 

Penske’s latest “Unfair Advantage”

One of Mark Donahue’s Penske Racing Sunoco Trans Am Chevrolet Camaro’s on display at the IMS Hall of Fame museum. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As Roger says the team will take it’s punches. But shouldn’t that really be chances?

 

Naturally, I was surprised to discover the news about Team Penske’s latest “Unfair Advantage”. Upon learning of Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin’s Disqualifications from St Pete. As I cannot remember the last time an IndyCar race win was taken away from an IndyCar driver, if ever? Which is exactly what happened to Newgarden regarding His season opening St Pete victory this March.

 

Surely Y’all have heard Penske President Tim cindric’s response about software “accidentally” not being removed from the engine’s ECU followingprevious Hybrid testing…

 

For which if you’re a Hard Core IndyCarAfficionado like Mwah, you’ll know that Penske is well renown for it’s frequent Cheating under the phrase “Unfair Advantage”, which the team was legendous’ for doing during the 1960’s Trans Am competition! And presumably other racing series…

 

Thus upon reading this startling revelation, I immediately thought of when Team Penske got caught for having “lightweight” rear wing pylons, which were discovered after rear wing failures As I thought it was Milwaukee? Which Helio Castroneves crashed out from a rear win failure while leading the 2007 Milwaukee race. And Penske teammate Sam Hornish Jr. retired from second place with a “flapping” rear wing.

 

But then the more I think about it, I think perhaps it was at Texas? Although I can no longer remember where this happened. But I do recall the team being found to be using unapproved lightweight rear wing pylons…

 

While I did discover that Castroneves was fined $35,000 and docked 15-points following Post-race Tech after the 2013 Texas IndyCar race He’d won, but that was for having the rear underwing “Diffuser” not “set” correctly. And Castroneves and Team Penske kept their victory…

 

Whilst Thars’ countless examples of Team Penske being caught Cheating in NASCAR. With one of the most recent examples being Joey “sliced Bread” Lagano wearing an “Amphibious” webbed glove to win this year’s Pole at the Daytona 500. Using the glove as an aerodynamic device to aid in extra “Downforce”, before Lagano was subsequently penalized at Atlanta. Losing His runner-up finish and being fined $10,000. With el Capitano’, nee Roger Penske being outraged over this “Egregious” behaviour…

 

The interesting part about Penske’s Push-to-Pass “P2P” infraction is that it was only discovered during Long Beach’s Sunday morning Warm-up session due to a technical glitch with the overall system during the sessions first ten minutes. When only Team Penske drivers had use of the inactivated P2P! When the entire grid should have not been able to utilize the system due to the technical difficulty preventing it’s usage.

 

According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, naturally the story runs far deeper. With several anonymous sources saying that the software “excuse” doesn’t wash! And the team found a way to get around the ECU, (Engine Control Unit) the engine’s “Brain” preventing unwarranted P2P usage thru the CLU. (Central Logger Unit) The main Data “collecting” system that Chevrolet was quick to distance itself from! Claiming the CLU is each team’s responsibility…

 

Pruett also notes that one rival team sent IndyCar video clips of Penske drivers using P2P way too much during races last year, implying this “Tom-Foolery” was potentially going on for several months, before Penske self incriminated themselves at Long Beach when they shouldn’t have been able to use P2P during the Sunday warm-up’s first ten minutes…

 

As Y’all may wish to read Racer’s Marshall Pruett’s excellent article titled How Team Penske took Push-to-Pass beyond the Limit.

 

As All three Team Penske cars were able to manipulate the P2P, but only Newgarden and McLaughlin used it illegally at St Pete, with Will Power not doing so, and thus only being docked 10 points. With All three entries being fined $25,000 and forfeiting All prize money.

 

As Newgarden drops to 11th in the championship from leading, and McLauglin drops to a lowly P27, ergo last place!

 

Yes, All teams Cheat, or try to get away with as much as possible without getting caught, which is just part of racing. As case-in-point is Meyer shank Racing’s tyre inflation debacle at the 2023 Rolex 24. Or when Justin Wilson won at Texas Motor speedway for Dale coyne Racing with an unapproved part on it’s chassis…

 

But it’s the amount of cheating that Penske’s been caught for over the years, not to mention other major racing teams that makes it All the more intolerable! Especially when you’re the series owner…

 

As how many times over the years has Roger Penske said it’s Humiliating and adoesn’t meet His exacting standards? Or is it simply one reason that Team Penske’s one of the sport’s most successful teams ever? You make the Call.

 

But Inquiring Minds want to Know will Josef Newgarden refuse to give the St Pete winners trophy to Pato O’Ward or not? 

MotoGP’s Maddening Hunt for it’s New Television Home

And Who the Bloody Hell is TruTV?

 

If you’re a MotoGP Fan, then you’ve already heard about Liberty Media, owners of Formula 1 jut having acquired control of MotoGP. As it must be nice being Flush with Cash! Since reportedly Liberty Media’s paying $4.2b as in billions for an 86% ownership stake in MotoGP. With Dorna Sports, the current owners and promoters of MotoGP retaining 14%.

 

Although the deal is subject to approval by Foreign Countries legal approval, most notably the European Commission’s Anti-Competition laws. Since previous Formula 1 ower CVC Capital had to divest it’s ownership of Dorna sports in 2006 for approval to sell F1 to Liberty media…

 

But this riveting No Fenders yarn is about how much time I wasted trying to discover where MotoGP was airing upon my ridiculously overpriced Spectrum Cable TV.

 

Having learned earlier this year during March Madness that TNT Sports had scooped up MotoGP at the last minute from NBC Sports, I wondered where this new entity I’d never heard of before resided Stateside, and whether or not I even had access to it?

 

Stumblin’ ‘n bumblin’ my way, as where’s ‘Ol chris Berman when Yuhs need Him, eh? I somehow discovered that TNT Sports resided on TruTV, Who? As I think I spent nearly an hour figuring that out…

 

Whilst naturally, the first MotoGP race I could have “watche”, Err listened to went directly Head-to-Head with that stupendous Whose your Daddy $1 million Sweepstakes Challenge at the Thermal Club, which I elected to view instead.

 

Having missed the first two MotoGP races of the season, I was intent to watch the U.S. Grand Prix from Austin, Texas April 14th, since Thar still weren’t no IndyCar racing to partake, Urgh!

 

Thus naturally, I Arse-sumed that the biggest MotoGP race of the year Stateside would be on TruTV, El Correctomundo? For which my repeated searching upon my Zap2It’ TV Guide showed zero Sunday live race coverage, Say What?

 

This led me down a very long Wabbit’ Hole of vainly trying to deduce where if at all TNT Sports was located upon my Cable TV package? For which I felt like I’d spent at least another hours time trying to deduce this, Frick! As who was it that wrote about the U.S. market being a really tough “Nut to Crack”.

 

I tried repeatedly entering my street address and zip code into the Spectrum Channel guide, which kept saying I needed to enter a complete address, which I did you El Stupidio website! Before I broke down and called Spectrum to see if they could tell me if I had TNT Sports?

 

To which the amiable customer representative said He’d never heard of that channel before. Wait a minute it’s a UK and Ireland channel. To which I replied no, that’s TNT International. Before He tried searching for TNT Americas before saying I definitely didn’t have that channel!

 

Now little did I know that TNT Sports is the umpteenth rebranding of what began life as separate sporting entities of Ted Turner’s Turner Broadcasting System’s (TBS) empire Wayback’ in the early 1970’s before officially becoming Turner Sports in 1995. And has since gone thru major ownership changes since then. Most recently under Warner Brothers and Discovery Sport’s control until 2023. Better known as WBTV Discovery Sports, and I think it’s still owned by this faction today, Cornfuzed?

 

Looking up TNT Sports (United States) on the All knowing Intrawoods’, nee internet revealed that of their multitude of current Sports properties, i.e.; NBA, NHL, MLB, etc. As of 2024 MotoGP would air upon TruTV for both Saturday Sprint races and Sunday races. As I felt like I’d just gone past gO, but definitely didn’t get to collect my $200 Aye Karumba!

 

As TruTV’s Sunday April 14th broadcast schedule felt like a bad impersonation of the USA Network. With Wall-to Wall airings of World’s Dumbest and Impractical Jokers, Spew! Interupted at 12:30PM Pacific by Multi-versus Beloved Warner Bros. Discovery characters take center ice in a matchup of two recent Stanley Cup Champions: Colorado Avalanche vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights. (3Hrs)

 

Meaning that the MotoGP race from Austin, Texas was being preempted by Friggin’ Hockey. Like talk about your Major 5mins Penalties JackArses!

 

As I did manage to find the Saturday Sprint Race and “watched”, Err listened to it’s entire 90mins broadcast, just to compare ‘n contrast to CNBC’s former MotoGP TV coverage. For which I was suitably impressed, even if there was way too much fillig of time by the TV Pundits! Since it appears it’s another European Sports production, perhaps Eurosport? Although I don’t know if it still exists?

 

Then adding insult to injury is the fact that I could watch shortened TV Broadcasts of both Saturday & Sunday’s action back-to-back Monday evening from 4-7PM Pacific. But I Don’t want to wait a whole Flippin’ day after to listen to a race replay Buggers!

 

Leading me to shake my Head in Disgust over how Liberty Media will be able to improve MotoGP’s “reach” in the United States if this is the current treatment the Sport receives. Like I mean, if the United States MotoGP race cannot even be shown live on TV, how do they ever expect the Sport to Grow?

 

Since last time I checked, I believe that the Discovery Channel is owned by Liberty Media, although I couldn’t deduce through All of the Shell companies who owns Discovery Sports, which appears to be part owners of TNT Sports with WBD Sports and the BT Group. (Eurosport) Oh Never Mind!

 

Shame On You MotoGP! 

Vintage IndyCar’s trundle down The Beach

As I Love the smell ‘O Methanol in the Morning!

 

Y’all may wish to check out this wonderful video taken during Friday’s first practice session for the HMSA Vintage IndyCars grid taken by Marshall Pruett! As Yes, those are real, honest to goodness Bundle ‘O Snakes on the 1966 AAR Eagle!

 

https://racer.com/2024/04/19/vintage-indycars-roll-out-for-first-long-beach-session/ 

The Dakar keeps making History

Especially since the entire race finished three times Faster than IndyCar’s 42 days Hiatus…

 

Yes Ladies ‘n Germs’, it’s another way behind the proverbial eight ball No Fenders story that I’ve been sitting on whilst recuperating…

 

Yet it still seems worthy of noting that Sara Price became the first U.S. Female to win a stage in the grueling Dakar! As the 31yr old Californian just went for broke this year after cobbling together $500,000 in various fund raisers. Saying She didn’t care if it cost every penny of Her savings, She was going!

 

Price is not only a Stunt Driver, but has also won medals at X-Games and won 17 Motocross titles. Along with being an accomplished racer. Having driven previously for Chip Ganassi Racing’s Extreme E team during the 2021-22 season, becoming the very first Female driver hired by Ganassi. Plus contesting Stadium Super Trucks during 2016-17.

 

Yet Price has focused primarily upon rallying and in 2019, became the Baja 1000’s first Ironwoman, finishing runner-up in the Trophy Truck spec class wile driving solo!

 

Sara arrived at this year’s Dakar with just Her Mechanic, Navigator, Best Friends and Boyfriend Ricky Bravic. As perhaps Y’all have heard of Him?

 

As Bravic was the first American to win the Dakar, winning the 2020 Motorcycle class, which He repeated this year.

 

Sara and navigator Jeremy Gray warmed up for this year’s Dakar in last October’s Rally du Morac. Where Price made more history by winning stages and finishing second overall in the Rally of Moraco.

 

Price made Her Dakar history when winning the third to final stage in the Can Am (Side-by-Side) class. With the Californian becoming only Dakar’s third female to ever win a stage. Joining Jutta Kleinschmidt and Christina Gutierrez.

 

As Spaniard Gutierrez won this year’s ATV class, becoming only the second woman to ever win the Dakar. Joining Germany’s Kleinschmidt, who previously won in 2001.

 

As Kleinschmidt was a true trailblazer. Claiming a Hat trick of first in the Dakar. Winning the first Stage by a woman at Dakar Wayback’ in 1997. Then becoming the first female pairing with co-driver Tina thorner to stand atop the podium in 1999, when they finished third overall.

 

And then for la piece di la resistance, Kleinschmidt won the 2001 Paris Dakar with co-driver Andreas Schulz in a Factory Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution  With All of Her “firsts” coming in the Cars category.

 

Meanwhile El Matador, aka Carlos Sainz won His fourth Dakar at age 61, breaking His previous record for oldest winner. While Sainz’s win aboard Audi’s technological marvel, the RS Q e-tron, becomes the first ever electric vehicle to win the Dakar.

 

As reportedly, Mr. Dakar, the legednous’ Stephan Pederhansel claimed that the RS Q e-tron was a super physical car to drive. And that it’s brutality was akin to being in a Boxing match while driving it! 

Vintage IndyCar’s Invade the Beach!

Mark Donahue’s winning 1972 Penske Sunoco #66 McLaren on display at IMS Hall of Fame museum. (The Tomaso Collection)

As I just wish I could Hear this amazing cacophony’s soundtrack of vintage Indy Cars live!

 

Ran across Marshall Pruett’s Racer article titled Great Cars from IndyCar’s past prepare to take to the Streets of Long Beach recently, and wondered what’s that all about, Eh?

 

The article details the this weekend’s Historic Motor Sports association (HMSA) running of 17 vintage Indy Cars from the past’s Glory Years…

 

As Marshall notes that the oldest is a 1966 AAR Eagle built by Dan Gurney’s All American Racers of nearby Santa Ana, California.

 

The car is owned by Rob Dyson of Dyson racing fame, and will be piloted by ‘lil Stevie Johnson’, aka Stefan Johansson.

 

Pruett also notes the variety of IndyCar chassis taking part include one of ‘Ol superTex’s’, nee A.J. foyt’s 1977 Coyote’s, having just finished it’s restoration. An ex-Sebastien Bourdais ’05 Lola and Mario Andretti’s former March 85C to mention just a few.

 

With the “newest” vintage IndyCar being an ex-Oriel “suitcase” Servia 2007 Panoz DP01 chassis.

 

But I have to say I’m most intrigued by the mount former IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan’s piloting this weekend, being from the McLaren Heritage Collection.

 

As TK’ will be behind the keyboard of Lone Star JR’s 1974 Indianapolis 500 winner. An McLaren M16 powered by the ubiquitous Offy’ lump’. With Pruett noting how these turbocharged inline four cylinder engines were routinely producing 1,000 Horsepower “Back in-the-Day!”

 

Which it’s hard to believe I scribbled the following two part No Fenders tome about McLaren at Indy Wayback’ in Gory Ought Eight!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2008/07/mclaren-at-indy.html

 

Whilst Y’all can listen to another entertaining TK’ interview, with Kanaan discussing this adventure with Pruett on the following Podcast…

 

https://marshallpruett.podbean.com/e/mp-1509-the-week-in-indycar-with-tony-kanaan/

 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a current HMSA entry list for the weekend’s event, with their website still having last year’s Formula 1 cars listed instead…

 

As I’d hope that Bryan “High Speed Hurdles” Herta would be running His 1998 Laguna Seca winning Reynard 98i Ford/Cosworth chassis, that son Colton gave Him as a birthday present last year. Before the duo ran it prior to Laguna Seca’s IndyCar season finale last September.

 

As the HMSA grid will run 20 minute race sessions on both Saturday and Sunday, which should be worth the price of admission alone!

Update

During Friday’s first IndyCar practice session. IndyCar Radio Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton mentioned that the 1977 Coyote was actually a backup chassis that was never built originally! Whilst cannot remember if He said the restorer had the help of A.J. foyt enterprises or not? And that the restoration took four years to completely build the car from scratch.

 

Meanwhile, Y’all may enjoy Marshall Pruett’s brief Paddock video showing off a few of the vintage racecars below.

 

https://racer.com/2024/04/19/vintage-indycar-long-beach-paddock-tour/