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Well that was a boring race in Texas, huh? No passing, no strange results, no Thrilla.
Seriously, Scott Dixon was right: the cars are
way too equal to allow passing. It made me think of the CART race that
never happened back there in 2001: Kenny Brack and me were the only guys
that wanted to do it! Some of the guys were squealing about the g-forces,
but I tell you, at least there would have been some overtaking. We were
running, what, 235, 240? Great times. The fans got a pretty bad deal there,
having it canned at the last minute.
Well, since the Texas race, it's like the excitement
waited until this week: Ryan Hunter-Reay going to Foyt, and Danica going
to Ganassi. Probably. Possibly. Whatever. It makes sense to me and I think
it's logical from her point of view. She's doing a good job at Andretti
Green; she's the highest in the points out of her illustrious teammates,
she's finishing consistently top-five or top-six, which is not easy in
that series. And if the next step for her is to be in with a regular chance
of winning races - and that's what she claims she wants to do - I think
she does have to get to Penske or Ganassi to make that happen. I think
AGR, in the hands of Tony Kanaan, can still win occasionally, but for
her to get to the winner's circle, it's going to take a move to the top
two teams. |
Photo: Paul Tracy |
Reckon he needs a new speedo for that boat?
Our buses were parked next to each other at Indy, so Danica and me chatted a bit, but we didn't talk about racing at all, so it's not like I have any inside scoop on what her plans were or are. But by the end of this season, she'll have done three years at AGR, fulfilled her end of the contract, and she has every right to go to bigger, better opportunities.
Photo: Paul Tracy |
I'd consider replacing her at AGR if there was
an opportunity. To be totally honest, I'd jump all over it if there was
a chance to help the team. I don't know how many guys could combine running
well on-track and also generating the type of media interest that would
keep Motorola or whoever they have on that car happy. They could put Franck
Montagny in there, but I don't see how that could raise any enthusiasm
or interest for the spectators. I mean, he's a good driver, but I don't
think sponsors would be tripping over themselves to get their name on
his racesuit.
Since I last wrote for you, I've been having a
pretty relaxing time. Last weekend I had a nice little vacation with Patty
and her daught00er up at the lake. I got my boat a little more dialed
in. Got Whipple Superchargers on it - they're one of my personal sponsors
- and it's now got 1075hp, they reckon. So looking at the speedo - which
only goes up to 140mph, I reckon it runs more than 160 now. I've attached
some pictures so hopefully RACER can load 'em up. The weather
was good and we had a nice time. |
Whipple Superchargers have boosted
the boat to 1075hp. Hence the speedo issue… Photo: Paul Tracy
Since we got back this week, I've been working on
stuff around the house. I'm not very good at down time - especially since I got
the juices flowing again at Indy and Milwaukee - so I can't sit still for more
than 10 minutes these days. There's been a lot of time spent on little projects
too, like the rat rod. I took it down to the dyno, and we've got it running pretty
sweet. It's only putting out 245hp, but we've boosted torque by about 65lbft.
We took power off the top of the rev-range, and pushed it down to the bottom-end
so we can spin the wheels and do burnouts and stuff. The power-to-weight ratio
is freakin' awesome: it probably only weighs 1900lbs - it's nothing but a frame,
transmission and engine.
Last night, me and Jimmy Vasser took the Lincoln out, too. It’s rolling
on 20-inch, 100-spoke wheels now. We went for dinner at the Hard Rock Café and
talked about our next races. I've got a press conference up in Toronto in a
week's time where we're going to announce our sponsorship package for the Canadian
races.
While I was writing this, I've had a few calls - you'll
have seen the news story on RACER.com - and it looks like we're 95 percent
of the way to sealing a deal to do the Watkins Glen IndyCar race at the start
of July, which will be a great warm-up for the Canadian races. Apparently the
KV Racing car is quick round there - they tested there earlier this week - so
it will be good to get back in the saddle and keep myself sharp on a road course.
So it's just as well I've been keeping up my training; long bike rides, lots
of time at the gym. I guess it'll be karma if I get my first ever race at The
Glen. It would be my first time there, so I better get a simulator and learn
it. The key to us was getting some seat time before Toronto; I was wondering
if we could get a test or something like that, because although I was proud
of what we achieved in Edmonton last year, I don't want to arrive in front of
my home fans, getting promoted left, right and center as King Ding-a-Ling, The
Thrilla from West Hilla and then qualify mid-pack just because I'm testing while
trying to qualify. It's a hell of a lot harder to pass at Toronto than at Edmonton,
so being near the front of the grid is important.
 Dyno soar - well, the torque has been raised. Photo:
One of Paul's buddies, obviously.
Once everything's confirmed, I'll get back to you. But just in case, keep your
fingers crossed for me…
P.T.
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