Drivers’ Association

The story has been out for awhile now and I’ve had time to think.  After the blogosphere was tipped off that something being afoot among the drivers by Steph (@99forever) at Planet-IRL.com, I was curious.  When I saw what the news was, I was definitely pleased.  A drivers’ association?  Yes!

While the details about what exactly they hope to do or accomplish are important, that was not what stood out to me.  This line is: “Franchitti, Kanaan and Justin Wilson will be the de facto spokesmen.”

Awhile back I wrote about the subject of driver controversy and both Kanaan and Franchitti came up often- as part of my argument for why driver controversies won’t really “stick.”  And with this story, we see them emerge as leaders again.  I couldn’t be happier.  These are two drivers that carry themselves with dignity, have a passion for the sport, and have been around long enough that they command the respect of their colleagues.  Not only that, but they seem to be in the thick of bringing drivers together again as they were in the late 90’s.  This time though, it’s not for social reasons, but to present a unified front.  Knowing what we know about these guys, I look for the drivers to begin to make small tweaks and for their voice to be heard behind those two.

Now, you’re probably thinking that I’ve forgotten Wilson.  Well, I haven’t.  I purposely left him out of my discussion until now because he’s a young gun compared to those guys; he wasn’t around in the late 90’s, etc.  What I do see in him, though, is the same kind of respect for the sport and fellow drivers.  With a few more years and the kind of camaraderie that seems to form in the IICS, I would say that he has the potential to be as respected among his colleagues as TK or Franchitti are now.

So, is this a great thing for Indycar?  I say yes.  The drivers are the ones in the cars; they are the ones who know what needs to happen on the track.  I await the positive effect they can have on the series.

Movies + Indycar = My Slightly Demented World

I’m trying something different here.  Movie clips from youtube + Indycar?  I say yes!

Watch from 1:05- 2:16.  The pillow fight between the dwarves put me in mind of fighting for positions on a narrow track like Mid-Ohio.  The leader has a bit more room and in that way reminds me of Dopey and his one squeaky feather.

Cut to 2:49 and watch until 4:09.  The image of race fans all over attempting to resist the call of a Sunday afternoon nap brought this clip to mind.  It’s a bit of stretch, but I like it.

Now, imagine an old, pissed off Helio Castroneves.  Who lives in Minnesota.  Don’t call a block on Helio when he’s wheel-chair racing in a nursing home someday- he might just crash your ice shanty and threaten to stab you with a frozen fish.

You know, Mulan’s antics at the beginning of this song remind me of the KV cars on the track- they cause carnage and, often, damage to bystanders.  Eventually, though, she becomes a complete badass and keeps pace with the boys.  Shades of Simona?  I think so!

Check out 1:15-1:28.  Have we found an orc that is Foyt?  I think so.  There’s the spit and  never mind the stunned troll (or whatever the hell it is)…

Need I say anything other than, “Oh captain, my captain?”  No?  Good.  While you’re watching this scene, go watch the whole freaking movie… best movie I ever watched during school.