Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

[PabloTeK]

So what is this qually procedure? Is it a convulted system the FIA plonked in for the F1 where people get knocked out and then there's a shootout where everyone who go through with a limited time to qualify?

[DanicaFan]

The Firestone Fast 6 are..

#3 Helio Castroneves
#10 Dario Franchitti
#77 Alex Tagliani
#12 Will Power
#9 Scott Dixon
#6 Ryan Briscoe

[DanicaFan]

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

So what is this qually procedure? Is it a convulted system the FIA plonked in for the F1 where people get knocked out and then there's a shootout where everyone who go through with a limited time to qualify?

Yes, its a shootout qualifying procedure. It works like this...

The field is divided into 2 groups and those groups are determined by a random draw. Group 1 will go out first for 15 minutes and the fastest 6 will move on to the 2nd round. Group 2 then goes out for 15 minutes and the fast 6 from that group move on to round 2.

Round 2 consists of the 12 drivers left and they have 15 minutes as well. The fastest 6 from that round move on to the final round... The Firestone Fast 6. The last session goes out for 10 minutes and the fastest gets the pole.

Positions 1-12 are determined by speed only. The remaining field falls in by what group they are in and by time. Group 1 drivers will fall in the odd starting positions and Group 2 drivers will fall into the even starting positions based on time.

[DanicaFan]

Congratulations to Will Power for getting the pole.

[PabloTeK]

Wouldn't the good old 1 lap wonder idea be a better bet? Would create disparity where qually setups could be much better than race ones...

[DanicaFan]

Here is the starting grid..

Row 1

#12 Will Power / 108.337
#3 Helio Castroneves / 108.284

Row 2

#10 Dario Franchitti / 107.752
#77 Alex Tagliani / 107.384

Row 3

#6 Ryan Briscoe / 107.379
#9 Scott Dixon / 107.190

Row 4

#22 Justin Wilson / 107.750
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay / 107.489

Row 5

#11 Tony Kanaan / 107.230
#2 Raphael Matos / 107.156

Row 6

#78 Simona De Silvestro / 106.644
#4 Dan Wheldon / 106.527

Row 7

#34 Bertrand Baguette / 106.945
#06 Hideki Mutoh / 106.952

Row 8

#8 EJ Viso / 106.727
#02 Graham Rahal / 106.939

Row 9

#5 Takuma Sato / 106.687
#26 Marco Andretti / 106.810

Row 10

#24 JR Hildebrand / 106.612
#32 Mario Moraes / 106.630

Row 11

#14 Vitor Meira / 106.408
#19 Alex Lloyd / 106.235

Row 12

#7 Danica Patrick / 105.751
#18 Milka Duno / 100.741

Row 13

#36 Francesco Dracone / 102.071

[PabloTeK]

I'll be interested to see whether the left or right is pole at Sonoma being that the first tightish corner is not turn 1 but turn 2.

Nice to see Miss De Silvestro doing well for herself for a rookie, shame the car has the reliability of an old Alfa...

[Jacques Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Rgms320

During the race broadcast, which announcer will be the first to slip and say "The Infineon Grand Prix of Simona?"

Bob Jenkins, for sure. No one is more prone to mistakes than he is, possibly because he must be 108 years old. I mean no disrespect to him; he was a fantastic commentator in his prime, but I don't think he was programmed to commentate properly into the new millennium. Perhaps Jenks was the true cause of the Y2K scare...

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

I'll be interested to see whether the left or right is pole at Sonoma being that the first tightish corner is not turn 1 but turn 2.

Nice to see Miss De Silvestro doing well for herself for a rookie, shame the car has the reliability of an old Alfa...

I don't recall which it is, but I'd think they'd go right. Considering the IRL do sloppy rolling starts anyway and the polesitter usually gets a nice jump, the advantage has to be having the inside in turn two.

As for Simona, yeah, another good run for her! I'm pleased. I like seeing nice people succeed, so I'm enjoying her success relative to her equipment and Power's performance, as well.

[fieldodreams79]

Will Power starting up front at a road race and Milka in the rear...nothing new to see in the IRL.

Looking forward to the last road course race of the year.

[NaBUru38]

Except for the group splitting criteria, I believe that the road/street qualifying system is perfect. Now, in cookie-cutters, drivers should make 3-lap runs, not 4-lap.

[JagtechOhio]

"Perhaps Jenks was the true cause of the Y2K scare..."

[Rgms320]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

...Perhaps Jenks was the true cause of the Y2K scare...

LOL!

Problem is, though, I don't think he can pronounce "Simona."

[DanicaFan]

The warm-up session is now complete. Man, I was hoping Danica would have found more speed. Again in P23. Oh well, means nothing come race time.

Here are the results..

[JagtechOhio]

Wow, that's an interesting looking set of times....look where Lloyd and Baguette are.

I'm hoping tire management is a big factor today, as that should be the intended result of two compound choices and the requirement to run both.

Seemed like yesterday, the reds were good for at least a second and a half. Usually the difference in grip levels is not that great between the two.

If there is enough gap between the choices, maybe some more passing opportunities will result. And different pit sequences, since a softer set of reds should go off a lot sooner.

Simona and at least two of the Penske cars ran most of the warmup on reds...maybe they were getting a good read on how many good miles they can expect during the race.

Or, it will be the same as always, and the two compounds will be similar enough to make no difference.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I'm watching the Indy Lights race and the coverage from indycar.com is excellent, so looking forward to the main event, .

[Mr Pink]

Seems like Milka has made a friend, good for her!

I hope Simona can do something good with that starting position, she's the real deal IMHO.

[JagtechOhio]

Chrissake, nobody there.

Pink, the iron is still in the fire. No news to share yet.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by JagtechOhio

Chrissake, nobody there.

Pink, the iron is still in the fire. No news to share yet.

That's what I was thinking, lots of empty sets; hopefully they'll fill up but I'mnot going to hold my breath.

[JagtechOhio]

OK, breaktime. In case you haven't seen Izod's new campaign:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...-a-closer-look

[JagtechOhio]

Pre-race already streaming

[bjohnsonsmith]

The Indy Lights race coverage was good and a few minutes ago in the pre-race they showed those empty seats; not good.

[JagtechOhio]

Q: This track has seen increased ticket sales. How are you feeling about that?

Randy Bernard: "I think Steve Pate is one of the greatest promoters out there."
______________________________________________________________

I'd sell every one of those tickets for $10, if that's what it takes to make it look to audiences and sponsors that people care.

Sells you 50,000 more hotdogs and beers, at the least.

[PabloTeK]

Wow, what happened there?

[JagtechOhio]

Feed sucks, doesn't it. No idea from what they have shown so far.

[bjohnsonsmith]

That was bizarre. Wheldon out before the race started.