Motorsports Blog

Motorsports blog and writing by St. Louis based artist Shane Walters

Ferrari Not a Circus Act During COTA Rain Delay Activities

October 28, 2015 by Shane Walters

Ferrari Not a Circus Act in Regards to Pit Road Play During USGP Rain Delay

Ferrari not a circus act this is Formula 1 says Ferrari Boss. Ferrari recently released statements in regards to the COTA pit lane play that teams took part in during the rain delay of the USGP. Cars could not enter the racing surface as Hurricane Patricia brought storms inland and halted the show.

Teams took to creating their own show via custom rowing boats, rain dancing and other forms of horseplay. The spontaneous form of entertainment was to entertain both themselves and the crowd who opted to stay and wait out the rain delay as rain filled their shoes. It was a nice spin to see the high tension sports of F1 suddenly become a free-spirit atmosphere. A new side of the real pit lane personalities that we don’t usually see.

Click here to view other rain delay photos

However, Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene is upset that others are having fun and is here to put them all in timeout. He has critiqued the other F1 teams saying this was not good for fans.

However, myself and the freezing but cheering Circuit of the Americas fans would very much disagree. That quote to me sounds like Ferrari might just being taking themselves a bit too serious. They come across, as usual, as the overly strict parent with a stick up their ass about everything.

Click here to read about the time Ferrari stopped DJ Deadmau5 and his Nyan Cat Ferrari

The following quotes are every bit of why I hate Ferrari, with a passion equal to those who love them. These pompous quotes and others like it are regularly spoken from the mouths of both Scuderia Ferrari and the auto maker themselves. It makes my blood pressure rise when I see Scuderia Ferrari step on the toes of the other teams and ask why are they having fun?

Here’s what Scuderia Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene had to say about rain activities at the USGP.

We are a Formula 1 team, not the Cirque du Soleil,” said Arrivabene. “It’s fine if somebody entertains the public, it’s absolutely fine.

But we signed autographs for all the people that were waiting, and we took some of the children in wheelchairs into our pit box.

We prefer to do these things, rather than simulating fishing and doing funny things for the TV. That is not really doing something for the fans.

– Maurizio Arrivabene

Well Mr. Maurizio as their asses are freezing on the soaked metal grandstands I’m sure it took a lot to convert their pain to laugher and cheers. Fans braved the lighting to watch the show. I sat comfortably from my living room and I’m here to tell you it was the most exciting part of the rain broadcast. I would like to say thank you to Sauber, Red Bull and the majority of the teams for entertaining me and millions of fans and fuck you to Ferrari who now shames people for having fun. I guess they are just upset that for once the cameras were not on their pit stalls and had to share the attention with the peasant teams.

Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari is Not A Circus

Even Kimi Raikkonen hopped in on the pompous dialog. When asked why he did not take part in any of the pit-lane antics, Raikkonen said:

You want an honest answer? I think this is F1 and not the circus.

The people are obviously not happy when we’re not running but we cannot make them happy with whatever we do apart from running [on track] and we couldn’t give it because of the weather.

Sometimes, it’s no wonder when people start thinking about what F1 is, when these kind of things happen.

This was everyone’s choice but, for me, we are here racing and doing our work.

– Kimi Raikkonen

This comes from the same man who got drunk and fell off a boat at the Monaco Grand Prix several years ago. I love how Raikkonen speaks his mind, it’s my favorite part about him, there’s no filter. However, in this case his thoughts are just wrong.

This is exactly why I hate Ferrari as if I needed a new reason. I’ve decided to spend half my morning bashing them for putting all the other teams in timeout. I hope it goes viral and we all get to laugh at Ferrari together.

Written By: Shane Walters

Photos: F1

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver Kevin Ward Jr

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Reportedly Kills Driver ( Crime Scene Tape )

August 10, 2014 by Shane Walters

NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Kevin Ward Jr

Tony Stewart sprint car crash has taken a turn for the worst as Kevin Ward Jr has been pronounced dead. It happened at Canandaigua Motorsports Park and details are somewhat limited. Here’s what we know.

Scroll below to watch the Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash video.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department would not identify the driver but said he was pronounced dead on arrival Saturday night at a hospital in Canandaigua.

Tony Stewart and 20 year old sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr tangled in what looks like a slide job gone wrong. Kevin Ward then ran out of track, slid into the wall, cut a tire and nearly flipped.

Ward then exited his mangled car, helmet still on to show his displeasure with Tony Stewart. Kevin Ward Jr pointed as Stewart drove by under caution laps. However, it was the first caution lap. That’s important because the cars were still falling into line and slowing down. Yes, they were going slower than race pace but the sprint car field in it’s entirety was not at caution speed just yet.

Tony Stewart hit the gas as the driver approached. Fish tailing his sprint car into the standing driver. However, after watching the video below multiple times, in ultra slow motion, I really don’t think it’s that simple. The details of what happened next is very much debatable and it will be a discussion for years to come.

I think Tony Stewart hit the gas to avoid Kevin Ward Jr it was not to scare or provoke him as many have said. When the non-racing fans jump on board the conversation, this will become the frustrating part to explain. Here’s a short note directed directly at those people, your Mustang street car drives nothing like any race car, especially a dirt sprint car. In sprint car racing, if you hit the gas it helps steer the car to the left.

If you watch the video, very close, Kevin Ward Jr was walking far down the track, in an attempt to grab full attention of NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart. Ward walked so far down the track it looks like the blue car, just in front of stewart (name unknown) also almost hit Ward. It appeared to me like the blue car even made a slight movement around Ward as he went past. Ward then took a few more steps, walking further down the track for the next car in line, Tony Stewart.

Kevin Ward Jr was also wearing an all black racing suit on a dimly lit dirt track. Kevin Ward Jr took a jump in front of Stewart just before Stewart got there, almost like he was trying to make him stop. Ward tried to jump back very quickly but there wasn’t enough time. I think Stewart saw him at the last second and did his best to avoid him.

Kevin Ward Jr left it to the reaction time of Tony Stewart to avoid him. Anyone who tells you that Tony Stewart hit Kevin Ward Jr on purpose needs a serious talking to. No racing driver on this planet would ever hit another standing driver purposely.

Either way, Kevin Ward Jr went flying and twirling through the air in a very upsetting sight. You can see the Tony Stewart sprint car crash video below. Warning the video is very graphic.

Kevin Ward Jr lay motionless on the track. Emergency was dispatched immediately and the driver was taken to the hospital. He was then pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital at 11:15 PM.

It’s a terrible tragic incident that could have easily been avoided. The entire motorsports community send thoughts and prayers with the Ward family.

Fans at Canandaigua Motorsports Park were cleared from the speedway grandstands. The police investigation of the Tony Stewart sprint car crash with Kevin Ward Jr went underway immediately.

Sheriff Philip Povero says the 42-year-old Stewart was “fully cooperative” as he was questioned and released. Povero said multiple times the investigation is not criminal. In the press conference he also mentioned that this had happened at that very speedway before.

Roughly three hours after the accident in New York, Donny Schatz, a sprint car driver for Tony Stewart Racing, won the prestigious Knoxville Nationals in Iowa for an eighth time. Stewart had spent much of the earlier part of the week trackside in Iowa watching his drivers compete.

“I was just told there was an incident involving Tony. I don’t know to what extent or what’s happening,” Schatz said.

Today, Tony Stewart is scheduled to race in Watkins Glen, NY. Tony Stewart Racing announced that Tony Stewart will race today. However, he is scheduled to start 13th, the same number on Kevin Wade Jr’s sprint car.

Tony Stewart has announced he will address the media at some point before today’s NASCAR event at Watkins Glen International.

UPDATE: 3 hours later Tony Stewart said he would sit out this week at Watkins Glen.

Click here for additional updates on the Tony Stewart sprint car crash with Kevin Ward Jr. The link contains statements from both NASCAR as well as Tony Stewart.

Author: Shane Walters

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver Kevin Ward Jr Video

Tony Stewart Sprint Car Crash Kills Driver ( Photos )

Video: YouTube

25 Year Rule White House Petition Allow Skyline GT-R

DOT:EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Wallpaper

August 8, 2014 by Shane Walters

25 Year Rule White House Petition In Place

Read about the 25 Year Rule White House Petition here. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 and R33 fans of the United States get excited as petition hits the web.

Most Nissan Skyline GT-R fans have come across the idea of owning one at some point in their life. You quickly find out there is a huge hurdle just getting one across the border. It’s near impossible.

If you’re one of the lucky few who can make it happen, illegally. Everyday after you risk the Skyline GT-R being impounded and crushed, for no good reason.

It’s illegal to bring a Skyline GT-R into the United States if it’s not at least 25 years old. There are very expensive ways around this. Such as shipping the car in as individual parts in different containers from Japan. Then assembling it yourself in America as a kit car. From that point, some have even registered it.

However, showing the true incompetence of the Department of Motor Vehicles, this still doesn’t make it legal. Registering your Skyline GT-R only tells the feds exactly where the Skyline’s are. Likely it will some day be crushed when they get good and ready to come collect a batch of them. Every few years you’ll see headlines about a batch of Skyline’s being crushed.

You could label it as a car for show purposes only and never drive it on public roads. Even then you have hurdles, it’s a mess.

Just this year the 1989 Skyline became legal. The problem is, this is a car with a strong cult like following. The prices on the 1989 Skyline’s went through the roof in Canada. People began buying them instantly and bringing them in from Canada.

Several people purchased them month ahead of January 1st. The cars then sat in storage containers at the shipping yard until it was legal to drive them off the lot.

If the official White House petition hits 100,000 the United States President Barack Obama will have to address the issue. Right now it has nearly 35,000 signatures. 65,000 more are needed in the next month to make it happen.

It’s beyond silly to crush a car for really no good reason. They say you can’t fix stupid but lets give it a try.

Author: Shane Walters

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Info

The Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 ended import of grey-market vehicles to the USA. No evidence was presented that grey-import vehicles’ safety performance differed significantly from that of US models.

* Differences between U.S. vehicle and the rest of the car producing world are shrinking all the time. Most 15-year-old cars coming from Canada, Europe, or Japan will not be significantly different in safety or emissions

* Importers of grey-market vehicles have been targeted by monies taxpayers have intended to be used to secure our country against terrorist activity.

*There’s no reason why rules couldn’t be relaxed with no real detriment to safety or environment.

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition Link

Click here to cast your vote on the DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition.

The DOT/EPA 25 Year Rule White House Petition ( Nissan GT-R Photos )

Lamborghini Police Car

May 24, 2014 by Shane Walters

Lamborghini Police Car Huracn LP 610-4 Polizia Car

Lamborghini Police Car When Things Go Wrong

The Lamborghini Police Car shown below takes all the fun out of owning that new Ferrari FXX, purchased for 1.5 million euros. You thought you were in the clear from the man and any stubborn authority figure. Now, you’re laying face down chewing into the dirt with a knee pressed to your back.

Let’s backup and I’ll set the nightmare scenario for you. You’re an italian wine maker who just hit the lottery courtesy of your new batch of fancy grapes.

Now you can comfortably purchase that shiny new Ferrari. Perhaps a matte Ferrari if you’re up on the latest design trend. You’ve been staring through the window at that Ferrari FXX since you were little. Now, you get to own one of your own.

You walk into the dealership door, decline the cheese and the wine. After all you can’t enjoy your wanker competitor wine makers product. Cheese just doesn’t work without wine. Besides is it really a good idea to drink and drive off in your new supercar? Who’s idea was this anyway?

The cash only purchase puts you driving out of the lot in your Ferrari. Stepping on it is the only option. If you didn’t already wreck.

A complete lack of understanding when it comes to the led lit traction control button can get you in trouble. If all fenders remain then you’re on your way to the highway.

160mph later, those other cars are like a Caterham F1 car in qualifying. Those things are flat in the way. The freeway shoulder is now a passing lane. Cops, what cops? I can’t be caught. Helicopters cant even catch me, vigilantly.

A dot in the rearview is getting bigger. That’s not possible, what’s this?

It’s a baby blue Lamborghini coming into view via the rearview mirror. You guess the feisty guy wants to race so to high gear you go. Lights come on. You’re being pulled over by the Lamborghini Police Car and now you’re laying aside the highway with a load of dirt in your face.

That Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Polizia really killed your fun. What a terrible day. That Lamborghini Police Car really is a vigilante’s nightmare.

Don’t sweat it though, other than the possibility of your now revoked license you’ll be ok, off with community service.

Author: Shane Walters ( Racing News Network )

Lamborghini Police Car Photos

BLOG: Future Of Racing

The Future of Racing ( Shane Walters Blog )

December 16, 2013 by Shane Walters

Future Of Racing Doesn’t Look So Hot

I’m back from the future, all 1.21 gigawatts powered down on the DeLorean time machine. I’m back to tell you about the future of racing and the death of your favorite sport.

Today, fans fill the stands to watch drivers race side-by-side right on the edge of control at 200 mph. Drivers just a slip of the steering wheel or gas pedal away from smashing down a concrete or steel barrier or advancing a position. A controlled slide in every corner, a visual that is exaggerated on the dirt racing surfaces.

The driver with a combination of greatest car control and the best car setup will likely be the winner. At least this is what the hardcore fans see. To your hardcore fan it doesn’t matter if the cars are going 60mph or 200mph because that’s not what they are there to see, they came to see the racing.

The hardcore fans sitting in the stands tend to be the minority of the actual audience. Racing is a complex and ever evolving sport that realistically takes sitting in an actual racecar to fully understand.

Most of your ticket purchasing race viewers are just your general auto racing fan who have never driven a racecar or they’re there to check out the experience with their friends or family. These people don’t see the same things that the hardcore fans see, they see the speed and the speed alone. What happens when the excitement level of speed is removed or depreciated?

We are fast approaching times where our personal cars will drive themselves. The Google driverless car is already piloting around the streets of California, with not input from the passenger in the ‘drivers’ seat. Nearly every new Mercedes has technology to keep the vehicle between highway lines without the slightest touch of the steering wheel or gas pedal.

Take into account cars are now equipped with the technology to apply the brakes automatically to avoid accidents and even parallel park for you. Cars are becoming safer and one day we will reach a point when zero cars and trucks on public roads are manually driven.

When that happens, it will become safer to reach highway speeds over 130mph, taking out the human accident element. Highways will be like cars of a train, a line of cars all moving in sync with each other much like we saw on iRobot the movie. Likely, the computers in the cars will communicate with the other cars, meaning they will be able to make room for a lane change. When this happens, the speed limits will increase and the drivers will become numb to the speed.

This is great for the last minute wakers who struggle to get to work on time. However, for the sport of racing it won’t be so good. The general fan won’t understand the thrill of watching cars racing in circles at 130mph when they reach those speeds daily on the highways. The won’t be interested in watching something they truly believe they could do themselves. The element of speed and the excitement level it brings to your general race fan is empty and so are the grandstands.

The future of racing will see a dropping television audience as well as speedway seating capacities. The payouts will drop as a result but the costs of running a race team are forever on the increase. Small town tracks will close at an even faster rate. Now, the ground floor of the sport has been destroyed and we no longer have a means of driver development or a way of climbing the racing latter.

Wait a minute Doc, this is of course a worse case senario. Personally, I think we will always have a form of auto racing. The changing elements and technology of the personal cars will of course effect the racing world.

I think the forms of racing where car control is most visual will be the recipient of the biggest racing audience. Ice racing, rain racing, dirt racing both of these provoke interest. I’m not saying NASCAR and F1 will disappear but they will need to make changes to amplify visual elements of car control. The speed of the sport becoming irrelevant, forms of racing that show the balance control of the racecar most will prevail.

A complete twist to this whole article is the new road technology could benefit all forms of the sport. It’s possible people will take a different angle to viewing motorsports. We might read future tweets like, “Great Scott! You mean people can actually drive these cars at these speeds manually?”

I can’t predict the future of racing. I’m no future boy I only wish I was Marty McFly.

Author: Shane Walters Website / Twitter / Faceboook

Future Of Racing Photos