Formula 1 is the
pentacle of motor sport... and the US Grand Prix (2000 - 2007)
was held at one of the most historic race tracks in the world.. the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
For five of those eight races, my friends and I made the trek to Indy
for a three day weekend of pure racing nirvana.
(I had to miss the '06 USGP because of a race at Hallett
that weekend.)
Unfortunely, the BMW boys never won (Willams-BMW or BMW Sauber) and
the first year I went (2002)
Jaun Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schmacher actually
took each other out in turn 1 of lap 1.
...but what a spectacle it was!
September 29, 2002
September 28, 2003
June 20, 2004
1st - Rubens Barrichello
2nd - Michael Schumacher
3rd - David Coulthard
1st - Michael Schumacher
2nd - Kimi Räikkönen
3rd - Heinz-Harald Frentzen
1st - Michael Schumacher
2nd - Rubens Barrichello
3rd - Takuma Sato
June 19, 2005
July 2, 2006
June 17, 2007
1st - Michael Schumacher
2nd - Rubens Barrichello
3rd - Tiago Monteiro
1st - Michael Schumacher
2nd - Felipe Massa
3rd - Giancarlo Fisichella
1st - Lewis Hamilton
2nd - Fernando Alonso
3rd - Felipe Massa
The most recognized building
at Indy. The Pagoda.
An empty front straight.
There are always cool cars parked
in and around the track.
Like I said..
Ooooo, an F40!
This car costs more than all
of my possessions combined!
A 478 bhp motor lies under that
lexan rear window.
After 15 years the design is
still gorgeous.
David Coultard breaks his McLaren
on the back straight.
And has to wait until the qualifying
session is over to be rescued.
Even broken, this machine is
a work of art.
I love this shot!
Another of DC and his Mercedes
McLaren.
A Jaguar heading down the back
straight.
Team flags are a big deal at
these races.
The Pagoda from the right side.
This is the 2003 Williams car
(FW23).
And another.
One more of the BMW Z8.
Yeah, they look suspicious to me too..
There are a bunch of support
races. This one is the Porsche Super Cup.
And of course lots of Grid Girls!
Ahhh, I love auto racing.
Lucky suckers!
Mike took this shot of us.
To some people, flags are REALLY
important.
The start of the practice session.
Wesley, Jeff, Nadeem and I.
I lost my good sunglasses and
had to make due with whatever the gas station had.
The parade lap for the BAR Honda
team..
Renault..
and Williams BMW.
The start of the warm-up lap..
and another.
BAR Honda car.
and the Ferrari.
Here's Ralph Schumacher's Williams
BMW.
That's the "Walrus Tusk"
nose. Unfortunately it only lasted 1/2 of the season.
We moved to where they come out
on to the oval.
These cars are so fast, it's
hard to get them in frame.
The digital camera was horrible
about focusing on the fence instead of what was beyond it.
And another of the BAR Honda.
Rubins Barichello.
That's the "Anteater"
nose on the McLaren.
Wes took these shots with an
old-school film camera.
I think these are from the warm-up
lap.
And here they come for the first
lap .
and there they go.
Mike looks like he just discovered
a new world.
Bathroom break.
Here's a shot of the crowd on
the hill where we were.
Jeff doesn't sport the "Fro"
anymore.
Wesley and his stupid Ferrari hat.
Man, Nadeem is getting gray!
Mike again.
Here I am again with those cheap sunglasses.. Nice!
Hey, I can dream can't I?
There was a huge car show down town...
With some surprises!
Inside the track is a huge museum
for the history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
There were way too many cool cars to get shots of them all, but here are
some of the best!