GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

[heliocastroneves#3]

http://digbza2f4g9qo.cloudfront.net/~/media/IndyCar/Schedules/2012/Race-Logos/GoProGrandPrix-2013.png?mw=210&vs=1&d=20130311T161048

Race 15 of 19

Race - GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Location - Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California

Date - Sunday, August 25th

Time & TV Schedule - Pre-Race Show - 4:00 PM Eastern, Green Flag - Approx. 4:42 PM Eastern - NBC Sports Network

Course Type - 2.3 Mile Road Course

Distance - 85 Laps / 195.5 Miles

Practice- and Test Sessions -

Wednesday, August 21st - 1:00 PM (Test session 1)
Wednesday, August 21st - 5:00 PM (Test session 2)
Friday, August 23rd - 2:00 PM (Free practice 1)
Friday, August 23rd - 5:00 PM (Free practice 2)
Saturday, August 24th - 2:00 PM (Free practice 3)
Sunday, August 25th - 1:05 PM (Warmup)

Qualifications - Saturday, August 24th - 5:30 PM

2012 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Race Winner - #2 Ryan Briscoe
Race Pole Sitter - #12 Will Power - 111.116 mph
Time Of Race - 2 Hours, 7 Minutes and 3 Seconds
Average Speed- 95.740 mph
Cautions - 2 for 11 laps
Margin Of Victory - .4408 seconds
Lead Changes - 6


Sonoma Raceway Track Information

Length -2.30 Miles
Turns -12

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee236/DanicaRules/Indymap-lg.jpg

Entrant list

#1 - Ryan Hunter-Reay - Andretti Autosport
#3 - Helio Castroneves - Penske Racing
#4 - Ryan Briscoe - Panther Racing
#5 - E.J. Viso - Andretti Autosport & HVM Racing
#6 - Sebastian Saavedra - Dragon Racing
#7 - Sebastien Bourdais - Dragon Racing
#9 - Scott Dixon - Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#10 - Dario Franchitti - Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#11 - Tony Kanaan - KV Racing Technology
#12 - Will Power - Penske Racing
#14 - Takuma Sato - A.J. Foyt Enterprises
#15 - Graham Rahal - Rahal Letterman Lanigan
#16 - James Jakes - Rahal Letterman Lanigan
#18 - James Davison (R) - Dale Coyne Racing
#19 - Justin Wilson - Dale Coyne Racing
#20 - Ed Carpenter - Ed Carpenter Racing
#25 - Marco Andretti - Andretti Autosport
#27 - James Hinchcliffe - Andretti Autosport
#55 - Tristan Vautier (R) - Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
#67 - Josef Newgarden - Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
#77 - Simon Pagenaud - Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
#78 - Simona de Silvestro - KV Racing Technology
#83 - Charlie Kimball - Chip Ganassi Racing
#97 - Lucas Luhr (R) - Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing/RW Motorsports
#98 - J.R. Hildebrand - Barracuda Racing

[heliocastroneves#3]

Sorry.. There's a slight mistake in the opening post, of course the driver of the #4 car is Ryan Briscoe this weekend... Anyway, I'm looking forward to this race.. Sonoma is a great race track and let's hope for an awesome race!

[garyshell]

Sorry.. There's a slight mistake in the opening post, of course the driver of the #4 car is Ryan Briscoe this weekend... Anyway, I'm looking forward to this race.. Sonoma is a great race track and let's hope for an awesome race!

Not anymore! I edited it. What is this "Sonoma" track you speak of though? Sorry that place is and will always be Sears Point.

Gary

[garyshell]

Q1 - Group 1 results

Power
Pagenaud
Wilson
Hinchcliffe
Rahal
Castroneves

[garyshell]

Q1 - Group 2 results
Franchitti
Dixon
Kimball
Hunter-Reay
Bourdais
Andretti

[garyshell]

Q2 - Results
Power
Dixon
Franchitti
Kimball
Hunter-Reay
Castroneves

[garyshell]

Q3 - Results
Franchitti
Dixon
Power
Hunter-Reay
Castroneves
Kimball

[heliocastroneves#3]

Hey Gary, good to see you again! Well, the track is officially called Sonoma Raceway.. :D Of course it is and always will be Sears Point hihihi.. What do you think about tomorrows' race? Will Dario be able to get his first win since he won at Indy in 2012?

[FormerFF]

I have to think if Dario is in P1 and Scott in P2, somehow Scott will manage to "get by." I hope it doesn't come to that.

[heliocastroneves#3]

I have to think if Dario is in P1 and Scott in P2, somehow Scott will manage to "get by." I hope it doesn't come to that.
Do you mean teamorders? Please don't let this become the second Formula 1... Penske didn't do it with Briscoe either, last year...

[FormerFF]

Do you mean teamorders? Please don't let this become the second Formula 1... Penske didn't do it with Briscoe either, last year...

Yes, yes I do. If the same situation befalls Will and Helio, I wouldn't be surprised if team orders comes into play. It's pretty rare that the situation comes up, so it's unlikely we'll find out. but, we are at that point in the season where this sort of thing can happen.

[gm99]

Are all those full-course cautions really necessary on a road course? Almost an hour after the start of the race, there are barely 30 laps in the books.

[Starter]

Are all those full-course cautions really necessary on a road course? Almost an hour after the start of the race, there are barely 30 laps in the books.
The short answer is no. The long answer is also no. :p

[jimispeed]

That was crap!!! Dixon didn't take a risk, but that tire changer sure did. Sheer stupidity. Pay attention. Not Dixon's fault imo.

[Anubis]

I can sort of see the argument from an "unsafe release" point of view, but that would seem to set a precedent. I can't believe any team would put pit crew in harms way, but...

[Wade91]

either the pit crew guy was intentionally trying to cause Dixon to have to swing wide and maybe lose a couple of seconds, or hes just stupid! either way it wasn't dixon's fault, i think he swung out as wide as he could without without losing the back end of his car and wiping out Power's whole pit crew!

[call_me_andrew]

You know the officials ****** up when they have to explain themselves after a race.

That said, it was still the best IndyCar race at Sonoma yet.


Are all those full-course cautions really necessary on a road course? Almost an hour after the start of the race, there are barely 30 laps in the books.

I'll go with yes for most of them at least. Americans tend to not let race cars at full speed get within 30 feet of safety vehicles.

[Anubis]

You know the officials ****** up when they have to explain themselves after a race.

That said, it was still the best IndyCar race at Sonoma yet.


I'll go with yes for most of them at least. Americans tend to not let race cars at full speed get within 30 feet of safety vehicles.

No yellow for Saavedra's crash at the end though, unless I missed it?

[Starter]

No yellow for Saavedra's crash at the end though, unless I missed it?
Maybe they learned something from MidO when the race ended under yellow for a car WELL off the track?

[Anubis]

Maybe they learned something from MidO when the race ended under yellow for a car WELL off the track?

Possibly, it just seemed odd, given all the other yellows for recovery. Saavedra's car wasn't exactly clear of the track, plus there was a lot of debris on the track. I don't WANT the race to end under yellow, it just seemed inconsistent.

[MarkJones]

www (dot) indycals (dot) net/
images/misc/willspitbox.jpg

(Nuts, can't post a link yet)


Firstly, very glad that no one was seriously injured. That being said, this incident looks fishy to me. First, there is a big gap between the tyre carrier's right foot and Will's rear wing. I would've thought he would be closer to the back of Will's car when he can see Dixon is exiting his pit. Secondly, it's odd that Dixon's front wheel has cleared the guy - so he has "missed" the guy initially only for the contact with the wheel the carrier has on his left hip to still occur - it's as if the carrier guy did not know Dixon's car was there!


Great controversy for indycar, though.

[FIAT1]

No yellow for Saavedra's crash at the end though, unless I missed it?

Why yellow ,he was safe behind tires in run off area. Good thing they didn't f the race even more.

[FIAT1]

Seven yellows ,and the worst race I have ever seen. Most of these guys don't know how to race period.

[anthonyvop]

Beaux made the right call

From the IndyCar rule book

7.10. Pit Penalties
7.10.1. The following matters and any others which may be determined by the Race Director are cause for a Car to be penalized:

7.10.1.4. Car contact with pit equipment outside of standard pit stop procedures;

7.10.1.6. Contact with personnel;

7.10.1.9. Car entering a pit other than the Car’s assigned pit.


and for those who say the Penske guy was in Dixon's Pit box

http://www.indycals.net/images/misc/willspitbox.jpg


We have irrefutable proof that Dixon violated 3 rules. Explain to me how it was a bad call?

[drewdawg727]

Think that red box is a bit overdrawn ... Dixon's front nose was sitting right at the end of those tire marks, no?

[anthonyvop]

Think that red box is a bit overdrawn ... Dixon's front nose was sitting right at the end of those tire marks, no?

even if you move the line closer to Power you will see that Dixon still is entering his Pit Box

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/74/4ez8.png

BTW Anyone else notice how far back the crew and equipment of the Ganassi team is in relation to Dixon's Pit Box? The Penske crew were much more accommodating in relation.

[drewdawg727]

You're not making your case any more firmer. At that trajectory, if the crewman walked just behind the rear wing of Power, then Dixon would have cleared everyone. The cars are going to cut in to each other's pit boxes on tight tracks like this ... I think the RR tire changer on Power's team was just out to lunch.

[Keyser Soze]

Minor league yellow flag festival!!! Ridiculous!

[heliocastroneves#3]

It was the most enjoyable Sonoma race ever in my opinion... Okay 2009 might have been better but 7 yellows is needed to make this race an exciting one because we all know how boring an IndyCar race at Sonoma Raceway can be. At least there happened enough during this years' race.

[Starter]

Why yellow ,he was safe behind tires in run off area. Good thing they didn't f the race even more.
As everyone involved in the sport knows "There is no such thing as a safe place at a race track.".

However, some places are safER than others. I agree it was a good call, as opposed to the last time resulting in a yellow flag finish.

[Anubis]

Why yellow ,he was safe behind tires in run off area. Good thing they didn't f the race even more.

I was thinking more for debris. Not saying I WANTED one!

[call_me_andrew]

Possibly, it just seemed odd, given all the other yellows for recovery. Saavedra's car wasn't exactly clear of the track, plus there was a lot of debris on the track. I don't WANT the race to end under yellow, it just seemed inconsistent.

It's not supposed to be consistent over the course of a race. You don't wait for a yellow to naturally happen so you can recover a car on lap 10 because said car could participate in the next yellow. With 10 to go, it's easier to just maintain a local caution.

[FormerFF]

As a general rule,if you hit a crew member, the offending car will be penalized. If you hit a crewmember while that crewmember is in is own pit box, you're almost certain to get a penalty.

If you watched the entire sequence, if you recall Scott had a clear run to his pit box and was able to get to it quickly. Will was not so fortunate. and had to make a slower approach to his pit box. That was what the situation required.. Now, when Scott left his pit box, he now had an obstructed exit and it was his turn to make a slower than usual exit. Instead, he made the usual Indycar burnout style exit. When your wheels are spinning, if you turn the front wheels one way the rears tend to go the other direction, and that's what I saw happen. IMO this was not the time to exit with wheelspin. That's fine if the pit box in front of you is open, but not in this situation.

[zako85]

I really enjoyed the first leg of the season up to and including Indy 500, both the last and this year, but things started going downhill some time after that. The Sonoma race was very daunting to watch. Seven full course cautions on a road course? Come on. Something needs to be done about this.

[Starter]

I really enjoyed the first leg of the season up to and including Indy 500, both the last and this year, but things started going downhill some time after that. The Sonoma race was very daunting to watch. Seven full course cautions on a road course? Come on. Something needs to be done about this.
More road course full course cautions (I'm not counting ovals or streets) in one race than F1 has had in an entire season.

[FIAT1]

It was the most enjoyable Sonoma race ever in my opinion... Okay 2009 might have been better but 7 yellows is needed to make this race an exciting one because we all know how boring an IndyCar race at Sonoma Raceway can be. At least there happened enough during this years' race.

One could understand your statement when race watching can be controlled by the click of the mouse, but when you spend money and make a trip to see the race which in return is slow yellow parade is not pretty, believe me I have seen a few. Nightmares at the track for the spectators is long yellows and rain.

[heliocastroneves#3]

One could understand your statement when race watching can be controlled by the click of the mouse, but when you spend money and make a trip to see the race which in return is slow yellow parade is not pretty, believe me I have seen a few. Nightmares at the track for the spectators is long yellows and rain.
I completely understand you but the boring races in the past, might be the reason for that terrible crowd in Sonoma anyway... Even Homestead had a better crowd in 2010...

[FIAT1]

As everyone involved in the sport knows "There is no such thing as a safe place at a race track.".

However, some places are safER than others. I agree it was a good call, as opposed to the last time resulting in a yellow flag finish.

Thanks for clarifying that.When discussing racing on the race track one would assume I was referring to race track and that was the safe place to be as any, however I sense disappointment from some that race didn't finish under yellow to keep up perfect score. Feel for you.

[FIAT1]

I completely understand you but the boring races in the past, might be the reason for that terrible crowd in Sonoma anyway... Even Homestead had a better crowd in 2010...

My dear friend ,by now you should know that terrible crowd and Indycar go hand in hand. Nothing to do with boring races ,but more with boring cars.

[heliocastroneves#3]

My dear friend ,by now you should know that terrible crowd and Indycar go hand in hand. Nothing to do with boring races ,but more with boring cars.
And that's what I personally don't get.. Who cares about the cars, as long as the racing is great it's fine... Right? Everyone is so excited about the F1 cars and I enjoyed the Sonoma race enormously and I took a nap during the F1 race at Spa, which is according to so many people, so unbelievably exciting.. Having that said, those IndyCars have at least a great sound, it reminds me of the 80's Formula One and in Super Speedway trim, the car looks awesome in my opinion. I agree that the road/street course-short oval car is quite ugly due to the bumpers..

[FIAT1]

And that's what I personally don't get.. Who cares about the cars, as long as the racing is great it's fine... Right? Everyone is so excited about the F1 cars and I enjoyed the Sonoma race enormously and I took a nap during the F1 race at Spa, which is according to so many people, so unbelievably exciting.. Having that said, those IndyCars have at least a great sound, it reminds me of the 80's Formula One and in Super Speedway trim, the car looks awesome in my opinion. I agree that the road/street course-short oval car is quite ugly due to the bumpers..

Who cares about cars? Great sound? ( yep ,especially when they hit rev limiter) See there is a problem right there. I do see that your passion for this sort of thing exceeds rational judgment that you don't see why people don't care. Indycar is and always was about innovative car, machine of speed and man able to bring it to the edge . I'm sorry to say that present Indycar is not. I was at Indy twice this year. I was in Milwaukee whole weekend, and will tell you that cars are slow, look and sound terrible. Boring spec club period. Some here of .2 group will definitely agree with you and others like me won't. Nothing personal ,just want to see Indycar back to glory days, but everyone knows that current formula wont get us there. Current Indycar has been rejected from the fans and motorsport industry, and whatever happy spin they put on it numbers don't lie . I hope to see you at a track some day so you can see and hear for yourself.

[Starter]

Thanks for clarifying that.When discussing racing on the race track one would assume I was referring to race track and that was the safe place to be as any, however I sense disappointment from some that race didn't finish under yellow to keep up perfect score. Feel for you.
Not reading for content today?

I was noting that all areas of a track, including the runoffs and everywhere else, can be dangerous. Note TK's car flying into the runoff at Baltimore two years ago. Now imagine track safety people attending another car in the runoff when that happened. The track surface is most definitely not the only hazardous place at a track.

I was also noting that the probability of an incident, while still possible, is less likely in the runoff than on or very close to the track. So, IMO, not going full course was the correct call and should have been the call at MidO also.

Those who sit in the stands don't understand the substantial personal risk of the safety truck crews, the corner workers and the pit crews. It's part of the sport and all those people know the risk and accept it as part of doing their jobs.

[FIAT1]

Not reading for content today?

I was noting that all areas of a track, including the runoffs and everywhere else, can be dangerous.

Thanks I didn't know that. My post simply said that his car was in the safe place as any, with four laps to go, and there was no need for full course yellow. Now that further clarification was needed is your choice ,just didn't understand why tag me, that's all.

[heliocastroneves#3]

Who cares about cars? Great sound? ( yep ,especially when they hit rev limiter) See there is a problem right there. I do see that your passion for this sort of thing exceeds rational judgment that you don't see why people don't care. Indycar is and always was about innovative car, machine of speed and man able to bring it to the edge . I'm sorry to say that present Indycar is not. I was at Indy twice this year. I was in Milwaukee whole weekend, and will tell you that cars are slow, look and sound terrible. Boring spec club period. Some here of .2 group will definitely agree with you and others like me won't. Nothing personal ,just want to see Indycar back to glory days, but everyone knows that current formula wont get us there. Current Indycar has been rejected from the fans and motorsport industry, and whatever happy spin they put on it numbers don't lie . I hope to see you at a track some day so you can see and hear for yourself.
I have been to IndyCar races before and I like it. I agree with you that the cars should be much quicker and that they shouldn't have bumpers. You know what it is FIAT1, I completely understand you but the point is that I know that complaining doesn't make the sport any better... Not even a small thing.. So I just accept what we have at the moment... What I personally want is more American drivers, more ovals, more horse power and no bumpers. Also I find that "F1 tyre rule" on road courses where they have to run both compounds at least once just a complete nonsense.

I simply want a 20 race schedule with 10 road/streets and 10 ovals (well 8 ovals and 12 road/streets is still fine with me too just to take another example), start the season at the beginning of March and end mid October. Also dump the current road course qualifying format, just 1-hour of driving as much laps as you want and who's the quickest after 60 minutes has the pole. One bonus point for pole position, one for the most laps led and ZERO for the drivers who led any lap. I see why people don't care but I just have another vision of IndyCar racing, probably because I followed two series from 1996 until 2001 and left the original IndyCar World Series (CART) after 2001, so I have a different vision since I've enjoyed the racing very much when it comes to AOWR; Before the split, during the split and now after the split. That's where I differ from the rest, probably because I'm Dutch... Because I can tell you that the IndyCar Series back in '05 and '06 was very popular in this country and that was when ovals dominated the schedule which was basically the old IRL with 3 road courses being on the schedule too. NASCAR is very popular over here as well (I don't like it very much), so that may explain why the IRL was popular here too. I want to see some great racing and I get that now. If that schedule changes and gets more balance between road/street courses and ovals and if they remove that bumper, I'm already a happy fan to be honest.

[FIAT1]

I have been to IndyCar races before and I like it. I agree with you that the cars should be much quicker and that they shouldn't have bumpers. You know what it is FIAT1, I completely understand you but the point is that I know that complaining doesn't make the sport any better... Not even a small thing.. So I just accept what we have at the moment... What I personally want is more American drivers, more ovals, more horse power and no bumpers. I'm already a happy fan to be honest.

Open development, no gimmicks ,man and a machine ,speed and more speed , it's all that's needed. Nothing to do what I want, but more about what would work! Those who accept status quo are not interested in building a formula for success.

[heliocastroneves#3]

Open development, no gimmicks ,man and a machine ,speed and more speed , it's all that's needed. Nothing to do what I want, but more about what would work! Those who accept status quo are not interested in building a formula for success.

The whole point is; I can come up with ideas like I did at the post above you, it ain't gonna happen... What Mark Miles' wants is going to happen... I have to say I fully agree with your post for the rest. :)

[Civic]

Some pics from Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway this past weekend. I was there on Friday and it was dead. I bet less than 200 people total in the stands.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09068_zpsfcf1b3a2.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09273_zps4bfcfb50.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09184_zps4f00631c.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09294_zpsde99d412.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09351_zps9c26fed4.jpg

[Civic]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09358_zpseeac0300.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09571_zpsa120658e.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09540_zpsae04dbcf.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09479_zps736f2587.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/HybridsRacing/DSC09277_zps5401de65.jpg

[call_me_andrew]

More road course full course cautions (I'm not counting ovals or streets) in one race than F1 has had in an entire season.

Well F1 has those damn cranes.

[heliocastroneves#3]

More road course full course cautions (I'm not counting ovals or streets) in one race than F1 has had in an entire season.
Yes but this is IndyCar and it doesn't matter what F1 does when crashes/incidents happen..

[FIAT1]

Yes but this is IndyCar and it doesn't matter what F1 does when crashes/incidents happen..

To understand this better , you are against cranes to remove damaged cars faster, big fan of yellow color or you just like to post F1 trash post correct ?