"Try some of these before or after your statements if you are not presenting them as facts. Things like - "In my opinion", or "I think that", JHMO, IMHO, IMO, JMO... Your opinions are not (necessarily) fact. That would clear things up some." - Seadog 03/25/2010 11:40am So the above is JMO.
I remember plenty of posts mentioning that Rubens might be coming to IndyCar and speculation as to whether his presence would add to international coverage of the series and I also remember references to how excited Tony Kanaan was that Rubens was considering trying IndyCar, but I don't recall any large number of threads devoted to how well Rubens might do in the series and I definitely don't recall any large number of posters claiming that Rubens would dominate if he joined.
It appears that there have been more threads and posts focusing on Rubens' difficulty in living up to some specific standard than there ever were posts defining that benchmark.
I can't understand the tendency of posters to crow about what they see as their personal victories or to sneer at what they see as other people's defeats when there had never been a conflict to justify the battles they think they are fighting.
At least Don Quixote was idealistic, sincere, and ernest in his imaginary battles, a contrast to the unwarranted chest-beating which occurs around here.
I guess people see what they want to see around here. I make a prediction based on one hundred years of AOWR and I'm criticized for it even though its right on the money so far. One of the great things about AOWR is its history, which makes it even more amazing to me when people ignore it. And if it offends you so much for me to take a bow when I'm right, you should be equally offended when people chastise me for just trying to come up with new ideas for the Series and rake me over the coals for it. But I guess you haven't had the time to write that one yet. Ernest
Nothing wrong with a bow, in place of a bullhorn and braggadocio. I've always liked the quote attributed to a number of football coaches " When you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before ".
Still haven't seen where there were many threads or posters claiming that Rubens would dominate the series but that may simply be my faulty memory. I know that Tony Kanaan was very high on Rubens but I suppose that is acceptable from him since he was talking about his buddy. After all, one man's hyperbole is another man's inaccuracy ; depends on whether one is attacking or defending.
I'm not a fan of facts. You see, facts can change, but my opinion will never change, no matter what the facts are. : Stephen Colbert
Especially the part where you claimed that Tony would double Ruben's poiints. What strange currency would that be in?
Rubens Barrichello79
Tony Kanaan 71
Oh, goodie. Another history lesson.One of the great things about AOWR is its history, which makes it even more amazing to me when people ignore it.
Here's a classic: Nicki Lauda.
"Is that my *** that I smell burning?" ... Helmet Stogie from "Death spasms of the Mabuchi"
Its time to set the record straight for you. When I started this thread, I said my piece and left it alone. Gonzo is the one who brings this thread up again after each Penske victory, not me. Just another example of my detractors saying I am beating my own drum when nothing could be farther from the truth. Maybe your time would be better spent chasing down all the people who were wrong about Rubens instead of criticizing me for being right. Ernest
As mentioned, I don't seem to be able to recollect all the people who were wrong about Rubens, other than Tony Kanaan , though I am sure that there were many, since otherwise you would never have made that claim. I do however recall your stating that Tony Kanaan would have twice the points of Rubens so I am not sure how that jibes with your " being right ". As to your having said your piece and left it alone, I'm afraid that your posts record within this thread contradicts that claim.
Be that as it may, I can fully understand and totally accept that it is Gonzo's fault that you are being misunderstood.![]()
Hello everyone. I have been a discrete watcher of this forum for about 2 years, the last one with more intensity. I think it's not inappropiate to admit that I am a Rubens fan...since 1995. I was following Indycar before he even considered it joining, of course, and to my surprise he signed a contract in a series that I thought it is quite competitive. I was very excited to see how he performs in a different style of racing and I never expected to be a top 3 contender from the starting point of the season. The testing in Sebring was quite encouraging, but, as always, these are not the most objective expressions of the performance order that would develop into the season. From what my memory recollects, he wasn't in the top of that test, but he felt that a 0.5 seconds gap between the top 10 or 15 drivers would give him a probability of having good results if he drives at his maximum potential.
The 4 races in which he performed so far were average in terms of statistics/results and that's a not a bad sign.
St. Petersburg - He run out of fuel in the last lap and lost about 5 positions to what he could achieved. Just the first race. No crashes, not wrecking people, not being overagressive, using first stint to feel the car. Personally, I don't like the "learning the track" argument. Car in one piece at the end.
Alabama - very strong race...I watched the times on live timing...he was gaining on the guys in front, while being on black tires too, huge portions of time...8th place at the end...no wrecks, no attrition, passing 3 cars or so on the last restart on the outside...good job...high points.
Long Beach - discrete running at the start...strong progress especially deep in the race...should have been 6th place, ahead of Ryan Hunter Reay (penalized) and Sato, who crashed permanently too...no surprise, I just knew Helio Castro Neves would do something in the hairpin...Rubens gets turned around and classified as 9th...still an OK result...again no wrecks that he caused.
Sao Paolo - running behind Dixon and ahead of Franchitti...in same pit sequence as Dixon...just that Dixon short fuels because he knew he needed another stop...Rubens and Dixon both drop down the order, while the others still need to pit...full course yellow, Dixon first...and here is my problem with Beaux Barfield, or Garfield??? Why didn't he let pits open for the leader to come in and others in the same sequence, while in the previous races he did? It looked to me that the leader didn't had the same opportunity to pit as in the previous races. I noticed this very bad practice of closing pits last year too and the most blatant injustice happened to Will Power last year in Toronto if my memory is right. I cannot understand why the guy that stays more on track is penalized by a stupid yellow that it's not even caused by him? Well, i guess the concept of "wright" or "justice" has not penetrated the minds of race control so far, in order to fix this problem. Anyway, Rubens keeps his nose clean and finishes 10th. He had the potential of a top 5 for this race...but that's racing.
To conclude this post, i have reasons to believe that his individual performance was more that competitive. I would loved to see him do better in qualifying, in order to have easier races, but taking top 10's regularly is quite OK for the moment. The strategy in Indycar plays such an important role and I woudered how Dixon couldn't move up from 17th after the last restart, after rejoining that massive pile-up. A top 10 at the end of the season would be more than reasonable for a first year for Rubens. And the first standard to compare with are the teammates, which are both behind, at least in terms of points. The experience he has though shows it's importance: rookie Newgarden delivering very impressing qualifying results, but terrible success during the race. Just as a comparisson of palpable results. Thank you if you guys had the patience to read this.
I read it all. Great post. And it is pretty much what 99% of us saw and understand.
Welcome to the ring.
While not everyone will agree with your stated interpretation of Rubens' season to date, it seems to be reasoned and thoughtful : good for you.
I agree that Rubens has performed as well as should be expected though I would be surprised and disappointed if his results don't improve by the end of the season. It will be very interesting to see how he performs on his first ovals ; fortunately for him, he will have some time to prepare for the 500, though sometimes a lifetime of preparation for that race is not enough.
If anyone esle wants a vacation 'til TMS, I'm in a giving mood.
"The series may be hesitant to say it, but the day is here for everybody that loves IndyCar racing to link arms and help each other out. Anybody who doesn’t want to do that needs to find something else to do with their time.”
-- Eddie Gossage, President, Texas Motor Speedway, ICONIC Advisory Committee & TrackForum member
I never said that at all. I'm going on history with past F1 drivers coming to AOWR. A very small percentage hit it big, especially at the tail end of their careers. Mansell came over as reigning champion and won. Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Emerson were all still at the top of their games. Ernest
I am utterly amazed and astounded that a Ganassi car just won the 500. Aren't you Ernest?
I don't know about Ernest but I am highly disappointed. So sick of it always being a Ganassi or Penske. I guess that's what made Dan's win extra special last year. Now...back to the same old same old. Dario didn't even seem excited to win. Oh gee I won this three times now. Wow. I am so excited. Oh look milk...
So let me get this straight Ernest.......
Dixon wins today after leading wire to wire. Dario finishes second, and Power fourth.
A Ganassi or Penske driver has won every pole this year.
A Ganassi or Penske driver has won every race this year.
Of the 18 podium positions available through the first 6 events, Penske and Ganassi have taken half of those positions.
The top four positions of the championship are occupied by Penske and Ganassi drivers.
What exactly did you mean when you started this thread?
A, oh, hold on......don't say it......that's right, we are only 6 races in. Sorry everybody, I forgot, there is still lots of racing left....
Its a shame. I can se them winning the championship. Lets see some other drivers win some races.
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