Indy 500: Rob and Bob's blog - part 3 

For the 2008 Indianapolis 500 we will be bringing you all the latest news and thoughts from our dynamic pair of journeymen in the field Robert Rakete and Bob McMurray.

We are with them as they travel from New Zealand across to Indianapolis to make the ONE Sport Indianapolis 500 Preview show for screening on May 25 from 4:30pm within Powerbuilt Tools Motorsport on TV ONE.

From May 16 there will be daily reports.

May 16: Rob's not quite there yet but Bob reports in from practice day at Gasoline Alley and hits a culinary highlight

Bob says:

I saw a lot of people yesterday. Talked a lot. Stood around a lot. Drank a lot of coffee.

And caught up with a lot of people I hadn't seen since last year.

In fact it seemed that the whole paddock was doing the same.

A quiet day

The entire population of Gasoline Alley spent most of the day standing, talking, getting bored and speculating on just when the track would open for practice.

Bad weather plagues Indianapolis at the moment with cool winds and rain and a sky seemingly devoid of any sun.

There were occasions during the day when the cars were pushed into line to get onto the pit lane when the track had been dry for an hour or so but then they were quickly covered up and ushered back into the garage area and put back to restful slumber with the garage doors pulled down to wait for the next rumour to sweep the paddock of impending track opening.

That didn't finally happen until 5pm when the track was opened for just fifty minutes until it rained again.

Only some thirty minutes of green flag running, the rest under yellow.

Even then it was enough for Scott Dixon to turn in laps exceeding 222 mph on a full tank long run and be fastest of the day.

Man he looks quick this year!

Safety vehicles provide a distraction

During the day, when the rain abates for a while, lots of safety vehicles take to the track and circulate trying to dry the surface.

They also have the jet blowers, making a heck of a noise, acting like giant hair dryers trying to manicure the wet patches into dry.

In fact, useless fact coming up!

There were fifteen safety vehicles circulating during the day and they combined to drive 6750 miles (all miles here remember) which equals a round trip from San Diego to Quebec return.

Fuel crises, what fuel crises?

Incidentally the freeways and main routes are much freer than usual here with all the gas guzzlers staying at home because the gas price is nearing US$4 a gallon.

A major shock here.

The Indianapolis council met last night and decided that if the gas price continues to rise then they will immediately start work on an underground transit system.

Did you hear that Mr Banks!?

We also met with Jack Arute who is one of the major IRL / ESPN TV broadcasters in the States and whose voice is known around the world in his capacity as a pitlane reporter in US racing.

He said he is looking forward to coming down to New Zealand and trying some speedway racing himself.

Don't know if it will happen but he is excited about it.

"Eat like a pig"

The day turned much better in the evening when we went to "Famous Dave's".

Reputedly the best ribs and carnivorous gluttony palace of praise around.

The burger I had was, without doubt, the best one I have had in my life!

A great place to eat if you are in the northern part of Indianapolis.

The motto on the wall is "Eat like a Pig".

Not very subtle but oh so true.

So that ended Wednesday here and we look forward to seeing some cars on track on Thursday.

Only the early part of the day I think because it is going to rain again!

This is turning out to be one of the wettest months of May ever and only 11 cars have so far qualified to race.

So I guess I had better brush up my skills on name / face recognition to enjoy yet more paddock gossip and idle banter because it looks as if there is going to be plenty of time for it in the next few days.

Like the blog? Want to see the video?

Remember the show from Indianapolis screens Sunday May 25th within PowerBuilt Tools Motorsport from 4:30pm on TV ONE