tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84432172986941877932012-02-16T05:01:43.016-05:00Musings from Jeff Pappone<br> Globe and Mail Motorsport CorrespondentJeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.comBlogger861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-65754665159486609302010-08-30T10:42:00.003-04:002010-08-31T20:43:11.086-04:00

He wasn’t first time lucky, he suffered the sophomore jinx, and his third time definitely wasn’t a charm. Now, Marcos Ambrose has a fourth frustration in Montreal to fume over. After taking control of the race early and passing cars at will, a mechanical failure turned another promising performance in Montreal to tears as he retired from the NAPA Auto Parts 200 on Sunday with 24 laps to go due to

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-24452326122949453412010-08-18T14:43:00.001-04:002010-08-18T14:43:02.906-04:00

Peter Windsor resurfaced earlier this month as a new columnist for GPweek magazine after laying low for the better part of a year during the USF1 fiasco.As readers might recall, Windsor was one of the men behind stillborn Formula One team which never made it to a race despite his continued promises left and right that it would be in Bahrain last March.In his first act as a GPweek staffer, Windsor

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-70035029652010611392010-08-08T10:15:00.002-04:002010-08-08T10:18:13.882-04:00

My latest column in the Globe about Formula One racer Mark Webber's help to IndyCar driver Will Power...Formula One driver Mark Webber doesn’t have to win the world title this year to be a champion in Will Power’s eyes. That’s because without getting some financial aid from the Red Bull racer five years ago, Power’s career might have come to a screeching halt. Instead, Webber pitched in to help

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-28159297159556230892010-07-02T11:01:00.006-04:002010-07-02T11:20:16.870-04:00

With loads of back patting and self congratulations happening in the wake of the Formula One Teams Association's fan forum this week in London, I’d like to take a moment to toss some cold water on the proceedings.Maybe I am a complete cynic, but I wouldn’t suggest that F1 fans get their hopes up that it will have much of an effect on the way the sport does business. Only 150 fans were given the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-23557080288403811462010-06-30T19:13:00.003-04:002010-06-30T19:24:04.693-04:00

Ok, everyone has an opinion on the safety car pass by Lewis Hamilton in Valencia on Sunday and whether the fact that he still finished second despite breaking the rules while those who played fair were essentially penalized.It does seem that the British media — unsurprisingly of course — are finding ways to defend their boy Hamilton. Not out of the ordinary, as Lewis is the greatest driver to

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-49967823155729834332010-06-28T12:05:00.002-04:002010-06-28T12:08:20.053-04:00

My latest column for the Globe and Mail:Formula One may be the pinnacle when it comes to auto racing, but its officiating continues to make it look like a bush league sport. Time and time again, F1's governing Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has dropped the ball when it comes to making and applying rules and Sunday's European Grand Prix only exposed further challenges to the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-77666107771535828762010-06-25T10:37:00.001-04:002010-06-25T10:44:20.265-04:00

Let me make myself perfectly clear: I believe that a sport diminishes itself when it allows participants to take credit for others’ accomplishments. Now, if that makes me one of these “purists” who wants to stick with tradition, so be it. That brings me to Lotus Racing.Now some Formula One journalists that I respect have argued that Tony Fernandes has shown the proper respect to be a suitable

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-24777570763093928832010-06-11T10:33:00.002-04:002010-06-11T10:35:01.371-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail...With its venture capital owners and major manufacturer in the background, the Renault Formula One team’s model may be the future of the sport. But F1 is a world where change comes slowly and old habits die hard, so the Luxembourg-based Genii Capital that now controls the Renault outfit seems to be ahead of the rest as the teams prepare for Sunday’s

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-79338596346788773842010-06-07T15:48:00.001-04:002010-06-07T15:59:30.401-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail... Gerard Lopez may be a bit too young to recall Formula One's glory years in the 1970s, but there's little doubt he's a bit of a throwback to the sport's halcyon days. Renault F1's new majority owner would be pleased to see the sport go back to the days when drivers oozed charisma, characters dominated the pitlane, teams simply cared about racing, and fans

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-61343857085316928102010-06-04T12:18:00.002-04:002010-06-04T12:31:01.288-04:00

A quick reminder that Joe Saward will be the host of a Formula 1 insiders' view event designed for fans on Friday, June 11th at the Pub St Paul, 124 St-Paul East in Old Montreal. It begins at 19:00 and includes a buffet dinner and live bands later in the evening. Entry will be by ticket only. The event which aims to give fans the chance to get a unique insight into F1 as Joe begins the evening

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-88619945837420906782010-05-31T11:47:00.002-04:002010-05-31T11:49:58.972-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail:Their ads say that Red Bull gives you wings, but having its Formula One drivers flying into each other probably wasn’t the planned result. With 17 laps left in Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were cruising to a Red Bull 1-2 when disaster struck. The pair tangled as Vettel tried to overtake his teammate going into Turn 12,

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-53258936908756433732010-05-17T14:07:00.001-04:002010-05-17T14:07:38.494-04:00

My latest column in The Globe and Mail:When Robert Kubica signed with Renault for 2010 after his BMW-Sauber team announced it would withdraw from Formula 1at the end of last season, things looked bleak for the talented Polish driver.Only three years after winning consecutive world championships, Renault had limped through 2009 and finished eighth out of 10 teams with a dismal 26 points. And if it

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-4555868607088716782010-05-06T14:50:00.001-04:002010-05-06T14:51:49.534-04:00

OK, it may not be the old Colin Chapman Lotus Team, but the stuff is still really cool. The newly revived Lotus Racing has unveiled team clothes and accessories available for purchase. The selection is sparse, with only 13 items for sale and nothing for women or kids until June, but the British racing green stuff is rather classy and neat.The shop is open now with more items to come later in the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-30624699658125343022010-05-06T08:51:00.001-04:002010-05-06T08:53:14.095-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail...With the NASCAR season almost one-third over, almost half of the Chase for the Cup qualifiers from last year need to get it in gear. Five of the 12 drivers who battled in the 10-race playoff last year are on the outside looking in going into Darlington this weekend, the 11th of the season’s 36 races. And while it may be too early to panic, the five drivers

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-5999313906225830952010-05-04T09:33:00.003-04:002010-05-04T09:40:30.689-04:00

The newly Porsche Cayman Interseries ran its second race of its inaugural season at Road Atlanta in Braselton Georgia and the car maker used the occasion to produce a video about the new series. Also included are interviews with the founders of the series as well as on-track footage of the heritage livery themed 2010 Porsche Caymans.Enjoy. The Cayman Interseries: HSR, Road Atlanta from

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-22262525731943663422010-04-22T20:44:00.002-04:002010-04-22T20:48:09.297-04:00

Jeff Gordon's prospects go up with spoiler, James Hinchcliffe wins, and Lewis Hilton's unpunished antics get ink in my latest column in the Globe and Mail:Watch out for Jeff Gordon for the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. After not having much luck with the Car of Tomorrow's wing, the four-time champion will be looking to regain old form as the Sprint Cup gets back to racing on faster tracks

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-49363071350543844662010-04-20T16:05:00.001-04:002010-04-20T16:08:01.232-04:00

F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone and former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Fortier, now at the law firm Ogilvy Renault will co-chair a pre-Canadian Grand Prix charity event on June 10, 2010 called “The Grand Evening.” The exclusive soirée will benefit the Sainte Justine University Hospital Center UHC Foundation and the Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Foundation.How exclusive, or should I

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-66791918039080319802010-04-15T09:58:00.001-04:002010-04-15T09:59:47.778-04:00

My latest column for the Globe and Mail...Arguably Canada's best shot at having another driver in Formula One, Robert Wickens will be racing this year thanks to a countryman with long roots in motor racing.He's Vancouver businessman Teddy Yip Jr., majority owner of the Status Grand Prix team that signed Wickens to race in the GP3 series late last month. Although relatively new to the racing

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-12099429108548115732010-02-18T09:58:00.002-05:002010-02-19T10:17:49.204-05:00

Former F1 driver Takuma Sato has signed with KV Racing Technology to race in the IZOD IndyCar Series. No terms of the deal were announced, but it is thought drivers need to bring about $3 million to the table for an Indy Car ride. “This is a very exciting time for me and all my supporters,” Sato said in a release.“I have really missed racing last year and can’t wait to get started in this new

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-63533413658845299722010-02-16T10:22:00.002-05:002010-02-17T12:12:03.656-05:00

It looks like things aren't going well at USF1. First, the race shop in North Carolina was put on the market, signaling that something is amiss.Now, reports emerged that YouTube founder and CEO Chad Hurley is about to jump ship to fellow F1 newcomer Campos Meta. All evidence points to USF1 folding even before they start and obviously not running in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship.Nothing

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-52069658446730060332010-02-10T19:23:00.003-05:002010-02-10T19:32:08.434-05:00

Apparently, the idea that teams can miss three races of the Formula One season are not sitting well with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).F1's governing body released a clarification following remarks by its president Jean Todt that appeared in the Italian Gazzetta dello Sport. The statement puts the quash on the idea teams can join the championship after missing a few races,

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-84817725593349710672010-02-10T19:14:00.003-05:002010-02-10T19:22:59.537-05:00

I spoke to former Toro Rosso F1 driver Scott Speed a while ago about the rumours that NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was in the plans of the USF1 team. At the time, Speed, now with the Red Bull NASCAR outfit, laughed when it was suggested Busch might leave NASCAR to race in F1. Not because he thought Busch didn't have the right stuff for F1, but because Speed had doubts whether the USF1 team would

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-30432745787172013472010-02-09T11:59:00.001-05:002010-02-09T11:59:00.492-05:00

Upon hearing that a newspaper had written his obituary, Mark Twain quipped that the reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated. That may also be true of new F1 teams USF1 and Campos Meta 1, but it's difficult not to think something is going on. Rumours of problems at the two teams continue to swirl, with many F1 insiders wondering if either will make the grid in Bahrain at the first race

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-21905826751745449362010-02-09T11:33:00.001-05:002010-02-09T12:00:11.405-05:00

Vitaly Petrov seemingly not having the €15 million in financial backing he promised to fund his Renault seat for 2010 may have thrown an Formula One lifeline to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.Chinese GP2 racer Ho-Pin Tung and former Jaguar and Red Bull F1 driver Christian Klien are also in the frame.

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-29357757617481081902010-02-08T10:12:00.001-05:002010-02-08T10:14:17.452-05:00

My latest story from Red Bull on Scott Speed's Daytona qualifying effort:Scott Speed left us in no doubt that he’s ready to go in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup after locking up a spot in the Daytona 500 field with a superb performance in qualifying on Saturday.The No 82 Red Bull Toyota driver arrived in Florida without a guaranteed starting spot in Sunday's Great American Race, but he quickly ended

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-34527544246109424042010-02-04T16:41:00.004-05:002010-02-05T12:28:27.468-05:00

The Formula One Commission agreed this week to change the points system for the sport. The commission asserted in its release that the new system would "further encourage the race to win," but a closer examination shows that the change is more cosmetic than revolutionary. The new system will award points to first through 10th place by the following scale: 251815121086421It seems like a big change

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-3670079389659231712010-02-04T15:05:00.001-05:002010-02-04T15:07:26.911-05:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail on Tony George's time leading the IRL:Love him or hate him, Tony George certainly made things interesting.A controversial and divisive figure who will probably be remembered as the man who destroyed open-wheel racing, George closed his Vision Racing outfit last week, effectively severing his final link to the IndyCar Series.It was the last chapter in

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-73268489838797064572010-02-03T12:25:00.003-05:002010-02-04T09:06:42.446-05:00

The first pre-season test is in the books and New Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso came out on top. the two-time world champion topped the time sheets for the three-day test with an effort of 1 minute 11.470 seconds, just under three-tenths quicker than teammate Felipe Massa. The pair of Ferrari drivers were the only two drivers to dip below the 1 minute 12 second mark.Whether this is the scarlet

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-70135404029632526522010-02-01T12:20:00.010-05:002010-02-01T13:29:08.774-05:00

Ferrari's Felipe Massa showed little after effects of the frightening accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix that almost ended his career last season by putting up the best time on Formula One's first day of pre-season testing at Valencia in Spain.Massa was struck in the helmet by a spring that fell off Rubens Barrichello's Brawn in qualifying and narrowly missed being killed. He needed the rest of

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-60581589122550239462010-01-27T14:07:00.010-05:002010-01-27T17:04:37.583-05:00

Formula One continues to talk about doing things to make the sport more accessible. There's also no doubt that it is desperate to gain traction in the lucrative North American market. And the Formula One Teams Association is trying, but it's more than apparent that they have lots of work to do.While F1 is the thing to see in Europe, apart from a small circle of die hard fans, grand prix racing

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-69191422009984812152010-01-27T11:33:00.004-05:002010-01-27T11:35:30.028-05:00

My latest effort for Red Bull International:It was supposed to be a simple tire test and an opportunity to try out some new ideas. Instead, the No 83 Red Bull Racing NASCAR team got a sneak preview of the new spoiler that will likely replace the rear wing on the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) this season.Announced a few days before Brian Vickers and his No 83 crew headed to the Texas Motor Speedway for a

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-39499457448906583912010-01-25T09:20:00.002-05:002010-01-25T09:27:00.009-05:00

Toyota has put together a package for its fans which includes an eight-minute video retrospective featuring footage of key moments in its F1 adventure.The company left F1 after eight seasons of never really getting it together. Toyota was thought to have spent upwards of $3 billion on its F1 program but never got to the top step of the podium for all its efforts and expense. That reality plus

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-78839767800115716942010-01-22T11:35:00.001-05:002010-01-22T11:36:43.141-05:00

My latest story for Red Bull:What’s that old expression about going to the mountain if it won’t come to you? That’s exactly what Sébastien Buemi needed to do last week when Canada’s winter failed to deliver the goods.Buemi and his Toro Rosso crew brought a Red Bull grand prix car to Montreal for a planned January 16 Frozen One ice run on the old Olympic basin that lies next to the paddock at the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-38729329594475744922010-01-21T12:25:00.002-05:002010-01-21T12:27:19.954-05:00

My latest column for the Globe and Mail: While she may be attracting lots of attention with a part-time move to the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year, not everyone in the stock-car world is throwing open their arms to welcome Danica Patrick.The media darling already created a fuss with her late-December Automobile Racing Club of America test at the Daytona International Speedway, which brought

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-48590507099453517702010-01-19T10:28:00.008-05:002010-01-19T16:23:03.488-05:00

Stefano Domenicali has come out in support of more testing days for Formula One teams. The Ferrari boss believes that the reduction of testing to 15 days this winter simply does not give the teams enough track time. The change was instituted as a cost reduction measure. The loss of testing in season limits the teams' ability to try out new ideas to improve their cars, which could make them more

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-37473697145449328722010-01-11T11:42:00.003-05:002010-01-12T16:56:43.810-05:00

OK, so we have a new president at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Remember that Jean Todt's election rallying cry was about bringing new ideas, a new spirit of cooperation with the teams and new ways of doing things all designed to improve the sport from inside out?So, why then would Todt allow an appeal the French Court's decision last week to overturn the World Motor Sport

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-91618700446455733222010-01-11T10:14:00.008-05:002010-01-11T10:41:15.897-05:00

It looks like USF1 will have two pay drivers in its cockpits this season, Argentine driver José María López and British racer James Rossiter, something it's boss Peter Windsor promised would not happen. Although the team’s co-founder Windsor vowed go on talent alone as well as push hard to get a U.S. driver into a race seat, it seems that will be put on hold for 2010. While Rossiter’s finances

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-42578761278967682962010-01-10T08:13:00.001-05:002010-01-10T08:15:38.581-05:00

My latest story for Red Bull...After the Red Bull crew finally enjoyed some downtime and relaxation over the holidays following a long NASCAR season, things are humming again at the team’s Mooresville, North Carolina, headquarters.Although last season ended only a few short weeks ago at the mid-November Miami-Homestead finale, the Red Bull team has just over a month left to prepare for the 2010

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-75494099465431070232010-01-08T16:44:00.001-05:002010-01-08T16:45:53.083-05:00

My latest Globe and Mail column...With the 2010 season-opening 24 Hours of Daytona only weeks away, there are many interesting stories already developing in the racing world.There will always be dramatic events that no one could have predicted, such as the Crashgate scandal that rocked Formula One in 2009 and David Donohue winning last January's 24 Hours of Daytona on the 40th anniversary of his

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-59159555944986298612010-01-06T11:21:00.001-05:002010-01-06T13:21:33.970-05:00

Jean Todt’s first test as newly elected president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is not to be taken lightly.In a hugely embarrassing decision this week, a French court overturned Flavio Briatore’s lifetime ban from international Motorsport handed down by the World Motor Sport Council last year in the Crashgate affair. It was revealed last summer that Renault team bosses

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-80239854691328434762010-01-05T09:43:00.002-05:002010-01-05T09:46:15.437-05:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail looks back on the big things that happened in racing last year:The 2009 racing season saw several interesting episodes, new and repeat champions, scandals, classy moves and great performances.But some things stood out a bit more than others. Here's a short list of the best and worst of 2009 to start the conversation about who and what made it a memorable

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-28911616273083816932009-12-24T10:30:00.000-05:002009-12-24T10:31:47.852-05:00

After barely getting a chance to catch their breath for the past 10 months, you’d think a NASCAR crew would savour the opportunity to relax in the shop without worrying about the next trip.But, when normal is go-go-go every weekend, kicking your feet up doesn’t come easy, even at the end of a gruelling 36-race season.“It’s hard to get used to and you get kind of anxious,” says Brian Vickers’ No.

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-51119000443881539412009-12-23T07:22:00.000-05:002009-12-23T07:23:10.764-05:00

It's official, seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher will make his racing return in 2010 with Mercedes team.Schumacher has 248 Grand Prix starts, 91 victories, 154 podium finishes and 68 pole positions, the 40-year old German needs no introduction following an illustrious and record-breaking Formula One career from 1991 to 2006 at the Jordan, Benetton and Ferrari teams.The

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-53118519375560319062009-12-16T14:07:00.000-05:002009-12-16T14:08:06.354-05:00

2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth will be coming to Toronto’s International Centre on Saturday, January 23, 2010 to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Canadian Motorsports Expo. A winner in 18 Sprint Cup races, Kenseth is the defending champion of the Daytona 500 which he won last February. It was the first win for the Roush Fenway team. Kenseth drives the No. 17 Crown Royal

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-58678287794081149932009-12-15T15:29:00.006-05:002009-12-15T15:36:10.612-05:00

It seems that the 2010 Formula One grid is almost locked up. Only a few spots remain open and some of those already look filled. One seat that's been in the spotlight of late is the second cockpit at the former Brawn outfit, now Mercedes, where it is thought that seven time world champion Michael Schumacher may land in un-retirement.Renault is also set to announce its future plans in F1 on

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-8957279945424440002009-12-13T00:57:00.001-05:002009-12-13T00:59:12.719-05:00

My latest story for Red Bull about its NASCAR team: With a gruelling 36-race season running from February to November, downtime is not something in abundance for anyone competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.Once you get past the more than 10,000 miles of racing at 24 different tracks, hundreds of pitstops, and thousands of hours of travel and preparation time, there’s little time left for

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-42722768750707420152009-12-11T15:02:00.001-05:002009-12-11T15:04:41.867-05:00

F1 StewardsA smaller permanent group of F1 Stewards will sit with experienced former F1 drivers to provide a permanent panel of three FIA stewards, together with one steward representing the National Sporting Authority, to deal with F1 at each Grand Prix.There will no longer be a non-voting Chairman and each group of stewards will elect their own Chairman amongst themselves for each race.

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-61862823915143630792009-12-11T10:52:00.007-05:002009-12-11T16:36:22.161-05:00

The World Motor Sport Council approved the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. The Canadian Grand Priox is officially back on June 13. 14/3   Bahrain28/3   Australia4/4     Malaysia18/4   China9/5     Spain16/5   Monaco30/5   Turkey13/6   Canada27/6   Europe (Valencia)11/7   Great Britain25/7   Germany 1/8      Hungary29/8    Belgium12/9    Italy26/9    Singapore10/10  Japan24/10  

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-19292898454190952232009-12-10T11:05:00.001-05:002009-12-10T11:07:19.525-05:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail:The IndyCar Series may be about to lose its most marketable quantity, Danica Patrick, to NASCAR.JR Motorsports announced Tuesday that the 27-year-old will race in NASCAR's season-opening weekend, participating in the Automobile Racing Club of America event at Daytona in February. She will also drive in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series, although no

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-51805022289386736022009-11-28T12:14:00.002-05:002009-12-10T13:30:02.137-05:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail: Jimmie Johnson's fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup title celebration barely got started before the talk began of a run to match the record seven championships held by the late Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty.Johnson wrapped up the NASCAR title in last weekend's Ford 400 at Miami-Homestead Speedway, dominating another Chase for the Cup after shifting into

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-28098461299750359372009-11-27T15:00:00.002-05:002009-11-27T15:08:01.830-05:00

As already noted here, the governments of Canada and Québec, Montréal and Tourisme Montréal have made the official announcement of the return of the Canadian Grand Prix to Montreal. The cost is $75 million over five years, with the Government of Canada and Tourisme Montréal will each contribute $5 million of this amount. The Government of Québec will provide $4 million and the city of Montréal

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-79624263940254199332009-11-26T11:58:00.001-05:002009-11-26T11:58:11.988-05:00

One of the worst kept secrets is out: The IndyCar Series will start its 2010 season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that is already home to Formula One's Brazilian Grand Prix. The IndyCar's first venture into the South American country happens with a street race on Mar. 14. The race will mark the first time the series has begun its season outside the U.S. The 2010 IndyCar schedule has 17 races. The deal

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-42040799292931773582009-11-25T10:59:00.001-05:002009-11-25T10:59:25.453-05:00

It seems the Ts have been crossed and the Is dotted on the contract to remove the asterisk beside Canada's Formula One date on the 2010 grand prix calendar.Sources close to the new promoter, Francois Dumontier of the Octane group, has agreed to a deal with F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone take control of the Canadian Grand Prix for the next five years beginning in 2010. Dumontier's organization

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-20355613331053067422009-11-24T11:46:00.001-05:002009-11-24T11:46:20.739-05:00

Further to post yesterday about flexible principles at US F1, just wondering if anyone is asking Peter Windsor why Indy Lights champion and up-and-coming U.S. driver J. R. Hildebrand gets a test with Force India and not with the North Carolina-based team. The 21-year-old from California will drive the Force India 2009 car in Jerez, Spain, for two days beginning Dec. 1. Hildebrand dominated

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-64354228008271078672009-11-23T14:21:00.001-05:002009-11-23T14:23:12.633-05:00

My latest effort for Red Bull on Brian Vickers and his first Chase for the Cup experience:It’s said that, in sports, you’ve got to learn how to lose a championship before you can win one. If that’s the case, Brian Vickers and his No. 83 Red Bull Toyota should clean up in NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup next season.The 26-year-old driver’s first appearance in the 10-race championship-deciding play-off

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-68717512431262467632009-11-23T12:12:00.007-05:002009-11-23T14:36:25.400-05:00

A couple of months ago, Us F1 co-founder Peter Windsor criticized Formula One for not taking the time to nurture great young U.S. drivers and to give them more opportunity.It seems that Windsor only took a few weeks to change gears and become part of the F1 establishment he so quickly admonished in August in the pages of Sports Illustrated magazine.It's funny how $8-million can make those

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-86773054783499921992009-11-18T14:27:00.001-05:002009-11-18T14:27:14.754-05:00

Considering that Ross Brawn paid £1 for the old Honda Formula One team earlier this year and received operating money from the manufacturer to get through 2009, the sale of the team to Mercedes et al has got to be a record for return on investment. My calculations put it at $1.096 million US for every penny invested less expenses incurred through the season not covered by the Honda money.

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-64357031002820399562009-11-18T01:25:00.004-05:002009-11-18T01:29:21.947-05:00

If the rumours are to be believed, 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button will sign with McLaren this week and be partnered with 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton next season. Frankly, there probably can’t be a worse thing for Button to do. Let’s see the positives. Can’t think of anything, except that he’ll be given equal equipment as per the McLaren tradition. Apart from that, there’s really no

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-76968529407461006512009-11-16T11:17:00.001-05:002009-11-16T11:19:26.488-05:00

My latest effort for Red Bull on Brian Vickers: Sunday marked the sixth anniversary of Brian Vickers becoming NASCAR’s youngest ever champion.Funny, he didn’t feel much like celebrating.Maybe that’s because the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway offered only more Chase for the Cup frustration for the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota driver.Vickers got caught up in a 10-car

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-27754957530194028192009-11-16T10:01:00.002-05:002009-11-16T10:31:04.563-05:00

McLaren and Mercedes made a bunch of announcements this morning about their long-term relationship in Formula One. The “realigned long-term strategic alliance” essentially paved the way for a takeover of the Brawn outfit by Mercedes, which needed to dump its 40 per cent stake in McLaren for the deal to go through. Mercedes also announced it has bought a 75.1 per cent stake in Brawn and will

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-64892733287069743842009-11-13T06:42:00.003-05:002009-11-13T10:08:28.928-05:00

Here is my latest story in the Globe and Mail about Robert Wickens, Canada's most talented young driver who now may be without a backer: By finishing second over all in the revived Formula Two Series, Toronto's Robert Wickens has punched his ticket to Formula One.The performance netted Wickens the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) super-licence he needs to fulfill his dream of

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-16689002167074043922009-11-12T15:23:00.001-05:002009-11-12T15:25:12.380-05:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail:Jimmie Johnson's crash four laps into last Sunday's Dickies 500 may be the best thing that's happened so far in the 2009 Chase for the Cup.Ok, maybe it's not great that many of the fans packing the Texas Motor Speedway cheered the No. 48 driver's misfortune, but having Johnson knocked out of contention early breathed some life into a boring Chase for the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-72657778999186385732009-11-11T23:42:00.000-05:002009-11-11T23:43:23.329-05:00

Italian teenager Mirko Bortolotti gets a test with Formula One’s Toro Rosso team next month after finishing fourth in this year's Formula Two Championship.Meanwhile, Canadian Robert Wickens who was second overall in F2 gets nothing. Remember that the Canadian holds a Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) superlicence due to his top finish in F2. Bortolotti does not. Like Bortolotti,

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-21686134221390454302009-11-09T10:54:00.002-05:002009-11-09T10:56:47.540-05:00

Latest effort for the Red Bull International on Brain Vickers' Chase for the Cup experience in NASCAR.After slipping out of contention early on for the Chase title, Brian Vickers and the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota team decided to use the championship play-off as a learning experience. Unfortunately, the team seems to be enrolled in the NASCAR school of hard knocks.With its first Chase appearance

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-3234507950585680932009-11-06T09:46:00.003-05:002009-11-06T09:49:47.451-05:00

My latest story for Red Bull on Brian Vickers last gasp to not set a record: With three races left his inaugural Chase for the Cup appearance, Brian Vickers starts the final stretch at a track where he holds the qualifying record.That was three years ago but, unfortunately, the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota driver hasn’t been able to crack the top-10 on the grid or in a race at the Texas Motor Speedway

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-55659624524137490822009-11-05T13:39:00.001-05:002009-11-05T13:45:51.766-05:00

Lost in the discussion of Toyota's exit from Formula One announced this week has been the impact it may have on the sports plans to get back into the U.S. market. The announcement of Toyota's withdrawal from the sport came Wednesday. Make no mistake, the departure of Toyota from Formula One threatens to derail any plans the teams had to force the sport to hold a race in the U.S. At the least, it

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-43903667207512690282009-11-04T23:34:00.000-05:002009-11-04T23:35:22.445-05:00

As Toyota stole the headlines with its decision to leave Formula One, motorcycle racing in Canada got some bad news of its own. Yamaha Motor Canada has announced its withdrawal from the Parts Canada Superbike Championship yesterday a meeting of the series manufacturers in Toronto.The manufacturer is a key player in two-wheeled racing around the world, as evidenced by this year’s second

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-75956792030800119822009-11-04T13:31:00.001-05:002009-11-04T13:34:00.739-05:00

Ferrari believes that the pullouts from F1 by Honda, Toyota and Bridgestone are a result of the sport's governing body and not the downturn. The Scuderia's statement is below: It seems like a parody of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians", published in England for the first time in the year 1939, but reality is much more serious. Formula 1 continues loosing important parts: over the last 12

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-19662812199848094222009-11-04T12:53:00.002-05:002009-11-04T13:01:41.409-05:00

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile statement on this week's departures of Toyota and Bridgestone from F1:The announcements this week by Toyota and Bridgestone of their withdrawal from Formula One are of concern to the FIA.Bridgestone has given almost 18 months’ notice of its intentions, thereby allowing the necessary arrangements to be made for the future supply of tyres to the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-4989223880563356252009-11-04T11:29:00.002-05:002009-11-04T11:31:15.740-05:00

Here is the Formula One Teams Association's statement on Toyota's decision to leave F1 with immediate effect:The Formula One Teams Association today expressed sadness at the unexpected decision by Toyota to withdraw from Formula One and be absent from the 2010 World Championship. Toyota has made a significant contribution to the success of Formula One for the past eight seasons, having recorded a

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-677545202256225982009-11-04T10:10:00.003-05:002009-11-04T13:42:14.865-05:00

While not a huge surprise, Toyota has announced today that it was pulling out of Formula One with immediate effect. The Japanese manufacture is the third to jump ship after Honda left before the 2009 season and BMW announced in July it would withdraw at the end of this year. The move leaves Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault as the only manufacturers in the sport. "Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC)

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-1199838205385394262009-11-02T00:32:00.001-05:002009-11-02T00:32:56.293-05:00

It was known since July that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be the last race for BMW in Formula One. Hours after the chequered flag flew in Abu Dhabi, Bridgestone Motorsport announced it too would be leaving F1. “It is with deep regret that Bridgestone Motorsport confirms that at 10 a.m. (Japan standard time) today, the Bridgestone Corp. announced its decision to not enter into a new tire supply

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-87448797578867946732009-10-31T07:45:00.004-04:002009-10-31T07:51:38.917-04:00

As hard as it is to believe, it’s been 10 years since Greg Moore died 10 laps into the 1999 CART finale at the California Speedway. He was only 24. Yes, its sounds like a cliche, but Moore died just as his star was beginning to rise. Widely thought to be one of the most talented drivers to hit the series in years, Moore won five times and scored 17 podiums in 72 starts. His fatal crash came in

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-45416277835609535302009-10-31T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-31T07:01:38.362-04:00

While Bernie Ecclestone seems to have a take it or leave it attitude towards a Formula One race in England, the sport’s teams seem to understand history a bit better.Asked in the regular press conference prior to the Abu Dhabi race to comment on Ecclestone’s suggestion that the sport does not need the British Grand Prix, the team bosses present disagreed. Formula One is what it is because of the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-27632057263315031892009-10-30T14:49:00.002-04:002009-10-30T14:54:02.944-04:00

What the drivers are saying about the new Abu Dhabi circuit where McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton was quickest in the first practice while teammate Heikki Kovalainen topped the timesheets in the second practice.Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren: The circuit is cool – it's very smooth with good grip and the kerbs are nice. Turns Two and Three are not easy-flat, but, with the good balance of the car,

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-38357475451471653252009-10-30T09:45:00.001-04:002009-10-30T09:45:23.272-04:00

My latest effort for Red Bull: The key to winning at the Talladega Superspeedway is simple – stay out front to avoid the 'Big One' and have enough left to fight off challengers at the finish. But the three, four and sometimes even five-wide, flat-out racing at the 2.66-mile Alabama tri-oval doesn't make it easy. Add 33-degree banked turns and restrictor plate-enabled packs and NASCAR's biggest

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-22951804034661567352009-10-29T12:25:00.007-04:002009-10-29T12:32:20.617-04:00

So, one can't help but wonder what A.J. Allmendinger was thinking last night/early this morning when he got behind the wheel and then failed a sobriety test after being pulled over by police in Mooresville, N.C. He was arrested for drunk driving. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08.The incident came less than 24 hours after news that the NASCAR driver would move to the famed No. 43 at

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-36108599277238515422009-10-29T09:51:00.001-04:002009-10-29T09:51:51.098-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail:When the Canadian Motorsports Heritage Museum (CMHM) opens its doors next year, racing fans will have two additional historic cars to drool over.The CMHM is expected to announce today that it will add the late Greg Moore's Formula Ford 1600 from the early days of his open-wheel career and the original Chaparral 1 driven by Jim Hall, who also designed the

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-21346407879932761432009-10-27T15:02:00.002-04:002009-10-29T00:28:51.651-04:00

In one corner, Jenson Button who clinched the F1 world championship in the season’s penultimate race in Brazil a week ago. In the other, Valentino Rossi, who clinched the MotoGP title in Sunday's penultimate round in Malaysia.Button qualified 14th for his race to the title, albeit in changing conditions. Button’s effort was aided immensely by a pair of first lap incidents that eliminated four

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-53888169186995991722009-10-27T00:57:00.002-04:002009-10-27T08:52:02.933-04:00

Alleged ties to organized crime, companies conspiring to fix the tendering process, and syndicates artificially inflating bids has added interest to the mayoral race in Montreal.See: http://bit.ly/16W4xCBut while fun to watch and an fascinating study in corruption, a question remains: Will the growing controversy put Montreal's return to the Formula One calendar in jeopardy? With public money

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-56768385756857934032009-10-26T16:24:00.001-04:002009-10-26T16:24:06.059-04:00

My latest story on Brian Vickers for http://www.redbull.com: After five frustrating races where anything that could go wrong did, Brian Vickers' Twitter feed said it all: "Not bad. Was in the top five for a bit. Much better than the past few weeks. We will take it…" Maybe it was having his 26th birthday on the eve of the Martinsville race. Perhaps it was the simple fact that a guy just can't

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-7271689355800675642009-10-26T10:21:00.003-04:002009-10-26T10:35:22.880-04:00

Anyone having any doubts that Formula One is no longer about racing might want to pay attention.In an interview with the Daily Express, Bernie Ecclestone says F1 does not need a British Grand Prix. Who is he kidding?The comments were made after Donington Park filed to raise the cash it needed to host the race beginning next year. Despite the fact that Britain is a key market for the sport and a

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-22297980254526188752009-10-23T12:22:00.003-04:002009-10-23T12:23:15.715-04:00

My latest story on Brian Vickers for http://www.redbull.com:Long shot doesn't even begin to describe Brian Vickers' chances of coming out on top of NASCAR's Chase for the Cup. Even if he were to win the last five Chase races, and led the most laps along the way, points leader Jimmie Johnson would have to finish 22nd or worse every time out for the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota driver to catch up.And,

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-59434732178919943862009-10-23T10:17:00.000-04:002009-10-23T10:16:44.994-04:00

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile went for the status quo today electing former Ferrari Formula One boss Jean Todt as its president. The chosen successor of retiring FIA president Max Mosley, Todt was seen by many as the continuity candidate. He gets a four-year term. Before the vote, Todt said his team would look for consensus not confrontation. "We want to further develop F1 so

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-32869748434609888742009-10-22T10:54:00.000-04:002009-10-22T10:53:30.013-04:00

My latest column in the Globe and Mail explores tomorrow's election and the infighting that seems to be dividing the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile as it head to a vote to replace the outgoing Max Mosley. A snippet: The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) general assembly votes tomorrow to elect a new president after 16 years under Max Mosley's direction. It promises to

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443217298694187793.post-47819884815895124072009-10-21T11:57:00.002-04:002009-10-21T11:59:23.760-04:00

My latest story for Red Bull on Brian Vickers' Chase troubles.After an incredible 10-race run to make Chase for the Cup, the Team Red Bull and Brian Vickers stumbled through the first five races of NASCAR's championship playoff. With Vickers mired in 12th and last place in the Chase standings, 485 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, it might seem that all the team's hard work went for naught.

Jeff Papponehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059428467358784205noreply@blogger.com0