[Coldrsx]

This weekend i worked CHAMP as i have for the past 2 years as a track marshall. I worked turn #6, yellowing CHAMP and blueing atlantic. As much as it is a long long weekend, 645am-6pm everyday, it is amazing to be apart of it. Not to mention i am literally 5' from the edge of the track and the sound/speed/fear is unbelievable.

enjoy!

paddock while getting credentials
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01305.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01306.jpg

my corner
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01308.jpg

looking at turn 5
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01309.jpg

looking thru turn 6 into 7 and 8
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01310.jpg

skyline
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01313.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01324.jpg

our bunker...i stand beside those silver fire extinguishers for perspective
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01314.jpg

F1X2 - the 2 seater Minardi f1 car which took VIPs for laps
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01315.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01317.jpg

zoom
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01316.jpg

INDECK paddock
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01318.jpg

paddock
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01319.jpg

One of the NASCC (northern alberta sports car club) racers from the gt race
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01320.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01325.jpg
close up of my "spot"
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01321.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01322.jpg

A special suprise...Mario Andretti took the F1x2 out
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01325.jpg

more GT cars...love this gt3 porsche
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01326.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01327.jpg

The F1X2
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01328.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01329.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01330.jpg

Pits
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01331.jpg

Mario Domingez has an engine fire and pulls out
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01332.jpg

Mario and Miss Legge out and being wrapped up
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/DSC01333.jpg



Just an amazing weekend with over 167,000 people taking it in!:tup:

[CMD UW]

I'll post mine taken from the Servus Credit Union Suites later this eve.

[chuber]

I didn't take any pictures, but I was there all weekend like the past two years and had a blast. Can't wait for next year. People that have never been have no idea what they are missing!

I was dissapointed that Ford wasn't a sponsor this year though. They had tons of really nice displays on the grounds and this year it seemed a little empty in a few places.

[Coldrsx]

^i found that they had more things to do for families and more beer areas...but not having ford was kind a sad.

[ExcaliburKid]

^Yeah, one of the highlights for me, I think it was the first year, was the all chrome Ford GT. I have a pic of it somewhere on my computer, just have to find it first...

[chuber]

Yeah, Ford had some nice tents with lots more show cars then we get with them at the new car show in March which is cool.

Plus because I have an in with Ford, the last two years I was able to drive a couple of Ford vehicles around the track for fun. But nothing this year.

It just seems really odd to have an auto event with no big auto sponsor.


*edit - yeah that chrome painted one was there last year, I have a pic somewhere too.

[CorporateWhore]

It just seems really odd to have an auto event with no big auto sponsor.


Should tell you something about the state of CHAMP these days.

[chuber]

True, but I hope that changes

[Coldrsx]

Should tell you something about the state of CHAMP these days.

actually no...it was political...CHAMP is much much stronger than 2-3 yrs ago.

[Kevin_foster]

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2007/By800/20070722P_0016.jpg
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2007/By800/20070722P_0015.jpg
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2007/By800/20070722P_0017.jpg
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2007/By800/20070722P_0049.jpg
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2007/By800/20070722P_0089.jpg
from Champcarworldseries.com

[CorporateWhore]

CHAMP is much much stronger than 2-3 yrs ago.

stronger compared to what though? Utter dissolution?

I know things have improved marginally, but until the two open-wheel series unite again, both of them will continue to suffer and linger in mediocrity. Too bad though, looks like fans in places like Edmonton come out in droves to support it. Wish they would have something decent (and stable) to watch though...

[CMD UW]

/\ Nice!

[Edmonchuck]

CHAMP vs IRL will get solved once Tony and KK get over themselves. Mario is slapping them upside the head daily, and events like Edmonton enforce that they do have a good rpoduct to sell.

They face a simple problem IMO...a lack of a constructor battle. NASCAR gets a large following from Chev vs Dodge vs Ford. F1 = Ferarri vs Mercedes/Williams vs McLearn vs.... People love that. CHAMP and IRL offer one engine, one chassis, one this, one that...so it is just driver vs driver and pretty one dimensional.

It would be really cool to have a Toyota vs Honda vs a couple NA makes vs a couple Eurpoeans in this mix. Keep horsepower and torque similar in an absolute overall average, maybe # of cylinders, naturally aspirated vs turbo etc....

[Reesonov]

I truly don't understand auto-racing.

[Coldrsx]

champ versus IRL....in the same series:>

[Coldrsx]

I truly don't understand auto-racing.

why?

[Edmonchuck]

champ versus IRL....in the same series:>

Open wheel interleague play?

[Coldrsx]

^bingo...

[Atlguy33]

Awesome pics! I wish I could have been there to see that!

I can't help but notice on the skyline views, just how nicely Icon will appear from that vantage point.

To Reesonov: The object is to get to the finish line before any other car does. ;)

[Reesonov]

To Reesonov: The object is to get to the finish line before any other car does. ;)

:haha: Yes, I suppose I should have wrote that I don't understand the appeal. I just don't enjoy watching cars drive, whether its semi-trailer trucks on Deerfoot Trail or million dollar race cars going in a circle. At least when you watch a marathon, or even horse racing or dog racing, you can appreciate the strength, passion, and beauty of the racers. I just can't appreciate the glory of winning the Indy 500 because your tires were slightly lighter than the other drivers'. :shrug:

[feepa]

:haha: Yes, I suppose I should have wrote that I don't understand the appeal. I just don't enjoy watching cars drive, whether its semi-trailer trucks on Deerfoot Trail or million dollar race cars going in a circle. At least when you watch a marathon, or even horse racing or dog racing, you can appreciate the strength, passion, and beauty of the racers. I just can't appreciate the glory of winning the Indy 500 because your tires were slightly lighter than the other drivers'. :shrug:

I guess your missing that it involves skill. Especially in the champ series...and its more then just driving in a circle (you're thinking nascar ...)

did you know that the champ car has no power steering? takes a little strength to make that corner @ xxx mph

I'm sure others will edumacate you further, as I have not much of a different opinion then yours... Though, its changing... (going to the grand prix helped that)

[CMD UW]

At least when you watch a marathon, or even horse racing or dog racing, you can appreciate the strength, passion, and beauty of the racers. I just can't appreciate the glory of winning the Indy 500 because your tires were slightly lighter than the other drivers'. :shrug:
Actually, it takes a certain individual to race cars. It's alot more than just getting and driving. The sheer power that these vehicles produce is mindboggling. Drivers must be able to think critically and make split second decisions. All this while sitting in a cockpit slightly larger than a babys tub flying at over 100mph.

Here is a quote from Simon Pagenaud.

Simon Pagenaud #15 Aussie Vineyards Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone (Qualified 7th, Finished 4th)

“Canada is a great country. I really love coming here. They have great racetracks, especially Edmonton. Again, we had a very good attendance. It was really crowded. It's very enjoyable for us driver. I want to thanks all the fans for that. The Triple Crown is a great thing because it involve a little bit more the Canadian fan, and I think that's a great move from Champ Car. I've been thinking about it's such a good championship and I'm also glad to be able to win this championship with Will. We have been so far the strongest combination since the beginning of the year, and it's great. You know, we are working together. I just want to say thanks to Craig Gore and Derrick Walker. The Aussie Vineyards team has been so, so strong since a couple of races.”

[trueviking]

those are great photos....i came into this section hoping to find something about it....it is such a shame that a great event like this (and toronto) are basically for the people in the stands and thats it...there is zero publicity beyond that for CHAMP car these days....was this even on TV?....does speed carry CHAMP now?...im a racing fan and i have no idea when or where to find CHAMP anymore.

i wish they would get their act together and kill off IRL...the cars are ugly, the races are lame....indy cars used to be awesome and the canadian stops the highlight of the season.

[CMD UW]

those are great photos....i came into this section hoping to find something about it....it is such a shame that a great event like this (and toronto) are basically for the people in the stands and thats it...there is zero publicity beyond that for CHAMP car these days....was this even on TV?....does speed carry CHAMP now?...im a racing fan and i have no idea when or where to find CHAMP anymore.

i wish they would get their act together and kill off IRL...the cars are ugly, the races are lame....indy cars used to be awesome and the canadian stops the highlight of the season.
ABC Sports and ESPN televise CHAMP. ESPN televised the race on Sunday.

[Coldrsx]

global in canada

[Kevin_foster]

Watch the europeans race indy cars - some of their tracks are insane.

Also - Reesonov - perhaps your thinking about "Nascar" - this is definately not NASCAR. It's Champcar.

It's not about beer, bitches and fame ala nascar.

[Coldrsx]

"It's not about beer, bitches and fame ala nascar."

thats for damn sure...it is about just bitches and beer

[Jay in Cowtown]

Good job Edmonton, looks like you had another successful year of the CHAMP... now where the hell do you have that race, I assumed it was at Budweiser Park, obviously not?

[Coldrsx]

^municipal airport downtown...

[Reesonov]

I didn't really mean to imply that drivers aren't athletic or don't have skill. Certainly they are the best in the world at something that is very difficult to do. But I just don't find it aesthetically interesting in the same way that watching a person run fast, or lift something heavy, or throw something far.

[Coldrsx]

^fair enough...but what i think you should do is take a track lesson at racecity...then tell me if what you think.