2012 IICS Baltimore Practice 1 Highlights

Watch highlights from the first practice for the 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore

[hootowl]

Because they're f'n rad, man! Street courses put the Indycars to their ultimate test. They're the one thing that sets the series apart from any other motorsport. In it, you see a machine that touches every form of circuit; oval, road, and street. I love being able to drive around the St.Pete course and then watch Indy cars shred that very same asphalt just days later.

[IndyFFanMarquis]

I agree. This years car is supposed to protect the drivers back better with an adjusted seating position, and more foam underneath the driver. But it is an openwheel car, so there is only so much you can do. Any hard landing like Wilson or Pagenaud's is going to result in some form of pain or injury.

[IndyFFanMarquis]

I thought the same thing! The front lifted up the same way, but luckily the speeds are nowhere near as high as the Mulsanne Straight at that point on the Baltimore track. The aerodynamics of the car probably helped keep Simon on the ground as well. Webber's Mercedes was a flat bottomed prototype. The new indycar has an underwing similar to IndyCar's from the 90's.

[Matertron]

is there a way to watch live coverage for indy practice and qually?

[muulka]

My thoughts exactly. These IndyCars are faster than I thought!!

[Alex_Mac_]

How long into the practice were they before the red flag?

[Nohjjohnthegreat]

Why did they get rid of the chicane at the end?

[Alex_Mac_]

Wilson didn't go air born, he stayed grounded. His was a freak accident, the transition from dirt to pavement for some reason compressed his spine. It was only about a millimeter drop from the dirt to the pavement, but yeah, weird one.

[tuartGuy]

Why have they taken out the chicane on the front straight? That bump is so dangerous, I am shocked they haven't sorted it out since last year!

[lipcovitch]

Please,
bring back Watkins Glen, Portland, Laguna Seca and Elkhart Lake!

[SuperAndreaBr]

No, it's tomorrow..there will be a 3rd practice too

[berkshire]

Does this remind anyone of Seattle Circuit from Gran Turismo? I miss that track even more now...

[armorgeddon]

Still would like to have another version without commentary, though.

[ronrawls]

I remember that, but the shot of Pagenaut(?) leaping made me think he was about to emulate Webber with a backflip... Grind away boys, hope it works out. That is one dangerous situation if in traffic.

[kapiniuzertva]

And we can remember those high jumps are verybad for driver's back, as Wilson had an issue last year at Mid-Ohio, and a month ago in Germany one of GP3 drivers had something broken after a lift off. Thats bad

[Alex_Mac_]

What they should have done, since they knew they would have to deal with this from last year, is bring some kind on concrete slate or something to place on both sides of the track to make the rise up and decent down more gradual.

[eagle]

if you ask me..some parts of the track has to be massively fixed.

[ChiTownJib]

they are not adding a chicane anymore they are grinding down the track instead

[Albert]

It's just incredible how bad it is. I can't believe anyone would risk his life in that track.

[senorsoupe]

Because the drivers asked for it to be removed