Category — All Shows - SidePods

The Sifter - That’s what I call Turn One at the St. Petersburg Street Circuit.  The Sifter will be the first real test for the dawn of a brand new era in IndyCar competition.

This upcoming race is the most highly anticipated IndyCar Season Opener in modern Open Wheel Racing history.

There are numerous variables that have not been part of IndyCar competition for some time, or ever before.

This race will be a real game changer for both experienced and brand new drivers to IndyCar Racing.

But first they must make it through the Sifter.

Why do I call it the Sifter ? Because in last season’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Turn One, aka the Sifter, gave us a six-car pile-up of very expensive machinery, including Marco Andretti’s car upside down on the very first lap of the race.

I hope you will enjoy my personal perspective as a Race sherpa ™ on the dawn of this new era in IndyCar Competition.

I love that I get to share my passion of Motorsports with others and thanks for listening to what I have to say.

As a Racing Subject Matter Expert, I have the pleasure of taking V.I.P. Guests behind the scenes at Automobile Racing Events and turning them into passionate insiders of the sport that I love so much.

I look forward to seeing you at the track.

 

 The Sifter and a New Racing Season awaits the IndyCar Series [12:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Show Notes:
#TheSifter on Twitter

Follow @RaceRemote on Twitter

Follow @DerekRoss on Twitter

St. Petersburg Grand Prix Track Map
2012 St Petersburg Grand Prix Schedule

Hello I’m Derek Ross and I am a Race sherpa ™

I love that I get to share my passion of Motorsports with others.

As a Racing Subject Matter Expert, I have the pleasure of taking V.I.P. Guests behind the scenes at Automobile Racing Events and turning them into passionate insiders of the sport that I love so much.

I hope you will enjoy my perspective on the recent events of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IndyCar Race.

 

 Race sherpa Race Recap of the Grand Prix of St Petersburg [27:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Show Notes:
St. Petersburg Grand Prix Track Map
2011 St Petersburg IndyCar Race Results

IndyCar’s New CEO Randy Bernard has gone from riding a wild bull to being the lead driver in a race to get Open Wheel Racing back into the Winner’s Circle.

Randy has set himself some performance markers in his journey to regain the hearts and minds of the North American Motorsport fan.

“If I can’t make big changes in two years, they should fire me” says Randy Bernard.

Randy is often shown smiling with IndyCar drivers and one can easily read about his recent posting to the helm of the Izod IndyCar Series in many places.

We have a different goal here on the SidePods Podcast. We wanted to go beyond the typical PR quotes and pull back the curtain to reveal Randy’s passion for life and the challenges ahead of him.

You may already know that Randy Bernard’s past includes being a big part of the PBR. But what is it that really drives him forward ?  And where is it that he and the ship he steers known as the Izod IndyCar Series is really heading to ?

Listen in as Randy and I discuss bulls, broccoli, barley and the big changes that lay ahead for the Izod IndyCar Series.

We hope you enjoy our exclusive one on one interview with Randy Bernard on the SidePods Podcast.

Thank you for joining us.

 

 Randy Bernard IndyCar's Lead Driver [18:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Arie Luyendyk Jr. talks of growing up in and around racing as well as what it was like growing up in a racing family.

Arie gives some good advice for those who are working to move up the ladder in Motorsports.

He talks about driving different kinds of Formula Cars, A1GP Racing Cars, Indy Lights and Endurance Road Racing.

Arie discusses some of the influences in addition to his father as he followed others in Auto Racing such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Alex Zanardi. He also discusses getting advice from his father, a two time Indy 500 winner and Daytona 24 Hours winner as well as Pancho Carter and Rick Mears.

When this interview with Arie Luyendyk Jr. took place he was still working on some racing deals for the 2010 Motorsport season.

It was just recently announced that he has signed with Andersen Racing for the 2010 Firestone Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights at the famous yard of Bricks just prior to the running of this years Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

 

 Arie Luyendyk Jr. and some Quick Questions from the SidePods Podcast [13:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Roger Bailey is the Executive Director for the Firestone Indy Lights Series and someone known to many a young driver who have worked to make their living behind the wheel of a single-seater racing car.

Since we’ve had the pleasure of knowing Roger since the early 1990’s, we figured it was high time we sat Roger Bailey down to find out more about him personally, as well as the recently announced Road to Indy Program.

We were fortunate to sit Roger down, literally on the front tire of a race car at the recent PRI Show in Orlando.

There was a great deal of excitement around the launch of the Road to Indy Program. This upcoming Memorial Day weekend will be especially busy with all four series conducting racing events in Indianapolis during the course of the weekend.

The Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda and Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will be racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park at the Night Before the 500 event while the Firestone Indy Lights (Firestone Freedom 100) and IZOD IndyCar Series (Indianapolis 500) will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

 Roger Bailey and the Road to Indy [9:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dan Wheldon spoke with the SidePods Podcast at the recent PRI Show in Orlando.

Dan, who resides in St. Petersburg, Florida is often best known for his win in 2005 of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.  He not only won the Indy 500 in 2005 but also the IndyCar Series Championship.

We wanted to dig a little deeper and find out what makes Dan Wheldon, Dan Wheldon.

We learned of his huge passion for karting as well as a few surprises.  We also learned that Dan Wheldon has an appreciation for historic racing.  Maybe not the way you might think.  It seems the Indy 500 is not the only historically famous race that Dan would like to win.

Believe it or not the Pikes Peak Hillclimb just may have a new competitor.

Listen in as we chat with Dan, we think you will enjoy it.

 

 Dan Wheldon and some Quick Questions [11:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jeff Andretti tells us about himself - and growing up in arguably the most famous name in Auto Racing and some of his experiences.

Jeff also talks of his new venture - the Jeff Andretti Coaching Group and their partnership with the New Jersey Motorsports Park

As well Jeff talk to us of races around the world including the Indy 500 - Le Mans 24 Hour Race - Daytona 24 Hours Races and the knowledge of Canadian Racing Fans.

Listen in as we chat with Jeff Andretti.

 

 Jeff Andretti and some Quick Questions [13:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day Weekend is
almost here.

With the third day of qualifying for the Indy 500 Saturday and bump
day this coming Sunday - before you know it there will be 33 Racing
Drivers all wanting to drink milk in Victory Lane.

No matter what type of Motorsport is your favorite - there is
nothing like the Indianapolis 500 !

This is our way way of saying “Thanks” for following what we do here:

We thought we would share with you a number of ways to get a little bit closer to all the action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - [ That not everyone knows about ]

 

 Indy 500 Insider Guide [9:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Be warned ! - Get Ready - Lots of “Insider Information Below”

Pre-Race:

1] Social Media Online:

If you use Twitter - We have produced a Video over at
www.RaceDriveTV.com on the IndyCar Teams and Drivers that you can
follow on Twitter.

Direct Links to all the Twitter Accounts
can be found here: http://racedrive.com/dir/indytwitter.php

If you don’t know what Twitter is: No Problem - We also have an
intro Video on Twitter there as well.

2] The Indy Star - the local Paper in Indianapolis does some great
coverage of the Race:

Not only that - they have a really easy to manage/navigate Online
Chat Application - Called RaceTracker:

Their RaceTracker is live whenever the cars are on track.

We will be there a good portion of today [Friday and part of
Saturday ] - so come on over and join us.

3] Traditional TV Broadcast:
If you have access to the Versus TV Network: - They are again
showing six and half hours of coverage both days this weekend.

Unfortunately those of you in Canada and elsewhere - as far as I
know - you will have to wait until Race Day and ABC will then do their
broadcast.

4] The always entertaining Mike King and the IMS Radio Network
Broadcasts:  They will have pre-race and full race coverage as well.

5 ] Online Coverage - Updates and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Press Conferences Live: at: www.IndyCar.com “Watch Live Button” as
well as at www.Indy500.com

The “Watch Live Buttons” only appear when cars are on track
- then you have your choice of Camera 1 - or Camera 2

Check both to see which works best for you …

6 ] Realtime Timing and Scoring are also available at
www.IndyCar.com and www.Indy500.com

RaceDay:

7 ] Online: More Options:

There is a new feature called “Race Control” over at www.IndyCar.com
- you do need to sign up for it - but does not cost anything.

It includes in-car cameras and a customizable viewer - and side by
side comparisons.

It still is a “bit buggy” - but definitely worth a look at. It only
becomes live during actual races.

I have been fortunate to sit down with the “man in charge” of it -
and it is more than a novelty.

8 ] Go to the Indianapolis 500 Race in person - What a concept !
The ticket prices for the Indy 500 are ridiculously low - even with just a general admission ticket there are acres to explore.

[ Nine Holes of the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course are inside the track don't forget !]

I’ll be there - So give a wave if you go

I should be easy to spot - I will be the guy on the top deck - by
the big A/C Unit - Above the Hulman-George Suite inside of the
track just at the entry to turn #1

I’ll be wearing a headset/microphone and attempting [?] to keep all
my papers from flying away.

Hope this helps - have a great weekend - and we will see you at
track.

Derek Ross

Other References:

Here is a link to the official schedule for this year’s Indianapolis
500:

The first 22 Starting Positions have already been set:

Here is Saturday’s Qualifying Order for the determining the remaining
spots 23 - 33.

All IndyCar Racing “Teams” Websites on RaceDrive.com

All “IndyCar Racing Online” Websites on RaceDrive.com

Don’t forget we are always open to feedback: email us - or call us
at our Feedback line at (206) 888-4301

Townsend Bell has just announced that he will participate in the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 . Townsend will be piloting an IndyCar entered by KV Racing Technology.

We had a chance to stop the ever speedy - Townsend Bell for a few moments - to learn more about what makes him tick as a person and as a RaceCar Driver.

 

 Townsend Bell and some Quick Questions [3:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jay Howard like many race car drivers, is never at a loss for words.

In 2008, Jay with numerous past championships including - Indy Pro Series - U.S. Formula Ford 2000 and Formula Renault 2000 - competed in IndyCar competition.

We were glad that Jay was able to spend some time with the SidePods Podcast - prior to the running of the PRI All-Stars Karting Classic that is run in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando each December.

 

 PRI All-Stars Karting Classic [10:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download