We
haven’t even reached Opening Day for the Indianapolis 500 festivities and
already there has been a lot going on at IMS and around the city. This is a
rundown of the events that have happened so far and a look at what to expect
this weekend.
May
9th: ESPN crews filmed part of a commercial
they will air to promote the Indy 500 and I was there. Along with about 50
other diehard IndyCar fans, we spent about five hours working pretty hard.
After meeting at the Pagoda at 8:00 a.m., we all headed to the frontstretch to
Box 14. We were then given instructions on what we were going to be doing.
Simply put, our group would be filmed, several times, entering a row of seats
and then sitting down. We had to shoot three different times in Box 14, 15, and
16. Then we shot three times in the section behind Box 14, 15, and 16. Finally,
a final shot was taken of all of us on the front row of seats on the awning
over those Box seats. Those numerous shots will be put together to create a
time lapse shot. I have no idea it will turn out, but I can guarantee you’ll be
able to see me when it airs.
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| Filming in Box 14 |
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| Two "show cars" being pushed around the track at 30 MPH to film part of a commercial |
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| Filming a close up shot |
It is required that all rookies complete
the three phases of the Orientation Program. The program allows one day for
drivers to get used to the high speeds experienced on the 2.5 mile oval. Six
drivers completed the program on Thursday, they are: Newgarden, Clauson,
Jakes, Barrichello, and Jourdain Jr. Alesi and Cunningham completed two of the
three phases and will attempt to finish the third phase Friday afternoon.
According to the IndyCar timing sheet, Legge nor Bourdais recorded any laps.
Update: According to the Indianapolis
Star, Legge and Bourdais’ team, Dragon Racing, does not have an engine
available. That is because they are currently under contract with Lotus but
they want to destroy that contract because Lotus is not providing adequate
engines that are on par with Chevy or Honda. Dragon is not the first team that
wants to leave Lotus, as Dreyer & Reinbold has already left and signed
with Chevy.
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| Rubens Barrichello |
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| Jean Alesi? |
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| Simon Pagenaud |
May 11th: IMS will host the Green Flag Celebration from 10-1:30 on Monument Circle in Downtown Indy. Several race cars will be on display, as will be some of the antique cars participating in the Celebration of Automobiles at the Speedway on Saturday. The event is being hosted by two IMS legends; Arie Luyendyk and Johnny Rutherford. The two have a combined five Indy 500 victories.
As for on-track activity, the day will be
an open test for Indy Lights teams. As I said above, there will also be a
continuation of the Rookie Orientation Program at 4:30 p.m.
May 12th: Opening Day! This is the official beginning to the two weeks of preparation for the Indianapolis 500 on May 27th. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and IndyCar practice begins at Noon. There is also the second annual “Celebration of Automobiles”. This is a car show unlike anything you’ve ever seen. These aren’t the cars your uncle collects, these are cars millionaires collect. Every car is from 1920-1970 and includes manufactures like Alfa-Romeo, Maserati, Jaguar, Stutz, and Bugatti.
The first day of practice will be
interesting to watch. Honda has struggled to match the output of power made by
the Chevrolet engines on road courses, apparently that’s because their engines
were built to perform on the long straightaways at Indianapolis. It would be a
significant statement if a Honda driver finished the day atop the leaderboard.
May
13th: Mother’s Day practice will begin at Noon
again and will conclude at 6:00 p.m.
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