Not to contradict you (since I too look back on the good old days of the Speed Channel), but they do have WRC on. The rallies seem to be scheduled for the weeks when there isn't an F1 race, which is nice. They have an hour and a half show starting at 8 (Pacific) on Sundays. Dakar has shown up on OLN (Outdoor Life Network) somewhat recently.

I really miss the British Touring Car series from a couple years ago, but from what I've heard that series has gone downhill due to lack of manufacturer interest. I could be wrong, but maybe it's not that great a loss. I wish Speed would promote its own frickin Speed Touring and GT races so I could actually plan on watching them every time instead of just hoping to fall upon them while flipping channels!

 

Speed does have same weekend WRC coverage at 11 pm on Sundays after Wind Tunnel

They have MotoGP, Speed Touring, and Speed GT during those weekends...just check the schedule on the website for actual times because you are right...NASCAR has priority.

I think the schedule reveals two months worth of shows.

They have various world touring car championships but they are often saved for the off season because of other coverage and to give us something to appease our F1 (& NASCAR) withdrawal.

We may not love NASCAR but it pays the bills and maybe even gives them a lot of profit...plus as Dave Despain says all the time...millions and millions of NASCAR fans are watching Speed now...they just give the audience what they want...I just hope they don't forget us

 

Pleasing the masses, appeasing the public...now back to F1...

Barcelona...Pedro and Kimi shine, Juan Pablo shunts, and Jenson goes shopping.

 

Speed's WRC coverage used to be at 9 pm, now it's 11. I'm old...I go to bed at 11

 

TIVO!

 

Not to be a spoiler, since the race will be broadcast later today, but if you're a Ferrari fan, forego the race and go visit Mom.

 

I'm sorry, were the new rules supposed to make the races more interesting? I am finding that most of the drivers are holding back in an effort to save tires and engines.

"Well, I am 10 seconds behind the leader, may as well just pace myself because I dont want to wear out my car trying to catch him."

Sorry, its not cutting it for me. I am finding this years races to be pretty boring compared to years past. Yeah last weekend was exciting watching MS and Alonso battle it out even though the faster car was forced to follow for 10 laps because the slower car would not let it pass. I thought the new rules were made to get more passing and more excitement?

Monoco is the passless race so basically after the qualifying we will have an pretty good idea who the top 10 will be..... unless their tires fail. Which is very likely on that road course.

So one of 2 things will happen there will be horrific crashes from tire failures or everyone will be driving 75% to conserve their cars.... really exciting.

 

I'm not at all a fan of the new engine and tire rules, either, but it is nice to see several teams (Renault, Toyota, McLaren, and, when the Bridgestones work, Ferrari) capable of winning.

As for the CBS coverage, I certainly was glad Derek Daly used the telestrator to show us where the steering wheel is, again.

Mark

 

I agree with the comments about tire and engine rules, though I think this race wasn't much different from a M Schumacher runaway the past few years when the rules were different.

Ferrari seems to be lacking pace in qualifying, and continues to turn to the old McLaren strategy of running the car heavier in the opening stint to try to catch up as others pit earlier.

Finally, it looks like CBS' magic touch only lasted for one race, and we were back to a parade for Spain. Oh well, we'll always have Imola!

 

Mark, Glad you caught this too. Maybe it like a sore toe but I swear Daly not only circled the steering wheel but referenced it at least two or three more times during the race. The CBS coverage was so lame that my girlfriend who barely pays attention to the races mentioned that it seemed the announcers were dumbing down the commentary. I loved when they explained the lap counter at the top. Duh watch more than one lap of the race and you should be able to figure it out. CBS needs to realize that they are trying to lure NASCAR viewers over not people who have never seen a motorized vehicle. I don't know if I can bare watching/listening to another race with those two clowns (announcers). Sorry if I sound bitter. I just want someone to cater to the fans not the sponsors. I know, I know without the sponsors....blah, blah, blah.

 

Montoya is back!



...at least for Thursday practice.

Montoya, Alonzo, and Klien in the Red Bull...MS in fourth, should be a great weekend!

 

Short reign at the top for Montoya, but still ahead of Raikkonen...session deux complete:

1) Alonzo
2) Wurz
3) Coulthard
4) Fisichella
5) Montoya
6) Raikkonen
7) Liuzzi
8) Massa
9) R.Schumacher
10) Zonta
11) M.Schumacher

 

I think its unfortunate (or can you say ROTTEN luck) that montoya had to have that injury. If we added De la Rosa's and Wurz's points and gave them to Montoya, I think he would be near the top of the championschip.

 

Great news out of Monaco...

Formula One team bosses met at Monte Carlo yesterday and have all finally agreed to end the current Formula One qualifying system according to reports from the French AFP agency. In its place from the European Grand prix onwards will be a rather simpler system with just one single Saturday qualifying session to determine the grid order. The order of qualifying will be determined by the previous race result.

Thank goodness they came to their senses and realized that Sunday morning qualifying was an inconvenience to participants as well as the spectators...now I can plan on sleeping in on Sunday morning and enjoying a leisurely breakfast in Montreal next month.

 

 

Nice -

Don't know that I've seen any other type of qualifying than the single lap, so this will be interesting for me. Can't wait to see how this works. Apparently Coulthard will like this better

 

It is still single lap qualifying and the winner of the last race goes last. It should be the traditional best lap quali with multiple fastest lap attempts, or at the very least the winner should go first in quali to shake up the grid like the FIA desires so much. At least it may be low fuel quali.

 

I really hope it is low fuel qualifying. Race trim/fuel qualifying is boring to watch; it's great to see the drivers and cars at their peak for one lap!

At least they are doing away with Sunday quali. It was a really stupid idea from the start and it amazes me that it was even implemented. Now we will know the grid on Saturday, as it should be.

Aaron

 

That would mean that qualifying would be over after the first seven cars, depending on the weather...are you gonna stick around to see if Patrick Friesacher snatches pole in the Minardi?

 

I just watched first quali on Speed. If anyone can digitize the opening sequence from the show (The Star Wars opening), I would love a copy. What a cool start to the show!

Can't wait to see how Monaco shapes up tomorrow...

Aaron

 

Kimi wavws bye by again.

Renault gambles and loses bigtime. Poor Fisichella.

 

McLaren looks strong and it's great to see two Williams drivers on the podium too.

New rules...ya gotta admit we have variety this season. Renault, now McLaren...Toyota and Honda not far behind...roll on Nurburgring!

 

I bow before Kimi and McLaren

They totally anihilated the field again!!!!

Heidfeld outperformed the highly touted Weber again

Ferrari...well..uh...

 

McLaren looks like its on its game, but good. Judge not from Kimi's pole to victory run, but from JPM's penalty/end of the field start to fifth place.

Williams looked great too, only the timing of the pit stop put Heidfeld ahead of Webber, as ole Mark lost more time following the Renault with rotten rubber 'round the streets of Monaco than did Nick in his stop and fuel dash.

Stupid mistake having both drivers pit together during the safety car debacle and a poor gamble on those soft treaded Michelins by Alonso and Fisi. If I were Flavio, I would have at least hedged my bets and gone with one driver on the hard compound; as it was Alonso is lucky to have placed in the points at all, given a few more laps and the gang of four (JPM, Ralf, and both Ferraris) would have certainly caught and dispatched him like the Williams twins did.

McLaren, Williams, Toyota, Renault, BAR, Ferrari, Sauber, and Red Bull ....on any given Sunday.

 

What a fun race to watch. I wish we could have seen more of JPM's move through the field. Although, being on board with him when he ran into that little jam was pretty sweet. Too bad for the Saubers - d'oh!

So now the schedule gets fun - isn't it something like 8 races in 10 weeks?! Nice. Also, it was good to have the race back on Speed.

Does anyone know if the Williams cars have some little aero parts on the steering mechanisms? It looked like when we were onboard with them I could see some aero parts turning with the front end?? Hadn't noticed those before and was curious.