Two years ago, one of the great pleasures of Fundidora park was going jogging on the track during the evening. Oh sure, we weren’t supposed too, but one quick flash of the old hardcard and a slight language barrier later and I was off and running. You really appreciate why the drivers take so much time when they do their track walkthrough on Thursday, because being on the track at eye level makes all the difference in the world. Unfortunately, I don’t think I was able to complete the entire track and since it was evening, the Champ Car Safety team were nowhere to be found. Even if they were though, somehow I doubt they would have rushed to my help. I think it would have been more like “get off the track you jackass”. But I digress.

Now where we’re we…

For those who have been reading this blog and know I am a big Ronnie Bremer fan. The reason is simple, the guy drives the hell out of the car given to him. He proved it last year in Atlantics and proved it in Long Beach, when, despite it being his first ever champ car race, he was disappointed with his very respectable result. HVM obviously still has a strong presence in Mexico and there will be additional pressure on him and Weirdheim and Bremer strives on pressure. HVM is still the same basic outfit as last year where they proved to be very strong. This year, they have two ‘rookies’ who have a wealth of driving experience. This is a gutsy team too, they take chances, they gamble on strategies. They are fun to watch, plain and simple. They know that budget-wise, they aren’t in the same league as Newman/Haas, so they take different approaches. I liken them to the Minnesota Twins, who don’t have the Yankees budget, but are successful thanks to playing ‘small ball’. In Long Beach they were able to go 2 or 3 laps more then the other guys with their fuel load, so they may have found something there that nobody else found. Can they repeat that in Monterrey? A natural road course, a still predominantly Mexican team and a hungry Ronnie Bremer? That is a recipe for success.

The difference between Andrew Ranger and Ronnie Bremer, in my opinion is age. Both have tremendous talents, both can do things in automobiles that few others can. But, Andrew is so young that his mindset is naturally not as developed as Bremer I’m not calling him immature or anything like that. Its just a fact. An 18 year old mind thinks quite differently than a 26 year old. That will play in his favor in some instances and will play against him in others. Sometimes a bonsai move that only a kid can make works. Other times it doesn’t. An older driver might think twice about a certain move on the track, where a younger driver won’t. On a track like Monterrey, that could play in Ranger’s favour. On a tight city track with no room for error, then he’s more susceptible. But on a course like Fundidora park, I’d keep my eye on him.

I still haven’t figured out Nelson Philippe. He can drive. He’s showed maturity beyond his years on the track. He’s got dynamite hair! But he’s still an enigma in terms of his driving style. I think I need to pay more attention to him and get to know him better before I can formulate an opinion. Regardless though, he competes on the track and knows the rules, which is the most important thing we can ask of young drivers.

Is this new anti-blocking rule that severe in Champ Car? When Tracy said he let Bourdais pass him in Long Beach because he was playing by these new strict rules, I can’t help but wonder if a) Tracy is merely using an excuse b) is this rule that punishable?
Even Bourdais was surprised how easily he passed Tracy. I hope, for the sake of the series, that they don’t immediately punish a driver if he’s blocking. I’m not talking about lapped cars here, naturally. But blocking is part of the game. When a driver is leading, he should be able to do anything he can (within reason) to stay ahead. If it means a little blocking, then so be it. Its part of the sport. Its part of the strategy. Its also a skill to a certain extent. Its not like a driver doesn’t have enough to worry about in front of him when going at 200mph, but if he’s constantly worried about what’s behind him and makes the appropriate move to accommodate both what’s ahead and behind him, then the driver deserves some props! And if the driver chasing the guy in front is THAT much faster, then blocking will only go so far. Eventually the driver will find the right time to get in front of him. Let’s not threaten the drivers with fines and penalties for blocking EVERY time. Its part of the sport.

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for life!