There’s no higher place to be than the race observe throughout a significant motorsport sequence occasion. Nothing else comes near the sound, odor, and expertise of placing your boots on and strolling across the circuit, mere yards from a number of the greatest drivers on the planet exhibiting what they’re able to. This weekend at Mid Ohio I used to be reminded precisely why I cherished vehicles and racing. I’d argue that there isn’t one other pastime which infiltrates you all the way down to your pores fairly like racing, and that’s why I like it.
I wasn’t actually all that concerned with vehicles rising up, however as soon as I fell into the world of motorsport, I used to be hooked. I lived in Spain at the peak of Fernando Alonso’s Renault supremacy, and that nation’s fervor for its F1 champ cemented in me how essential racing may really be. I went to my first open-wheel race in 2007, the Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I haven’t been the identical since. There’s one thing about attending a racing occasion that simply grabs me; the historical past, the noise, the joy, the gravitas, the pomp and circumstance. It’s all only a magnificent show of velocity and bravado, and it all the time has been.
This weekend I took a sojourn all the way down to the famed Mid Ohio circuit to observe the IndyCar sequence make its hybrid racing debut. A part of me hoped it will be a noteworthy race to put in writing about, because the sequence pushed a easy superconductor-based system right into a automobile that wasn’t designed for it. Because it occurs, this was probably the least thrilling race of the 2024 IndyCar season to this point, and the one main failure of the race was Scott Dixon’s automobile shedding all electrical energy on the warm-up lap and coasting to a cease.
Other than that small incident, the race went on precisely like another IndyCar race has for over a decade. It was a clear race with none crashes or cautions. Out entrance it was a battle of inches with Indy 500 near-miss Pato O’Ward preventing two-time (quickly to be three-time?) champ and defending Mid Ohio winner Alex Palou. It was a straight-forward race with Palou dominating the early proceedings, however O’Ward discovering tempo within the second half and leapfrogging the Spaniard to the lead with an undercut on the remaining spherical of pit stops. An excellent race, however not a terrific one. It was good to see Pato lastly get an on-track win after two years of poor type, unhealthy luck, and almost theres. I used to be at Indy for his heartbreak, and whereas a Mid Ohio win isn’t going to clean over that troublesome race loss, it’ll assist.
Yeah, it’s nice to see a pair dozen hybrid open wheel racing vehicles rip round a circuit that continues to be largely unchanged because it opened in 1962 (and the services replicate that) however what’s actually nice are the tales, the followers, the frequent appreciation of these ridiculous women and men who simply wish to go actually quick for some time. Hundreds of us got here collectively to observe this race in individual, an objectively worse race-viewing expertise than watching it on tv. It’s that shared ardour that makes me so excited.
I took the 911 all the way down to the observe, it’s about two hours south from the Cleveland lakeshore. I finished for brunch to seize some Sheetz (the spicy hen wrap is unbeatable street journey meals) on the way in which, and loaded up on hydration. I’m inching nearer to 40, and the three-pronged assault of sunscreen, large straw hat, and Gatorade is now a prerequisite for an extended day on the race observe.
The road to get in was longer than I feel I’ve ever seen it, and this has to have been the biggest crowd I’ve witnessed at Mid Ohio earlier than. I’ve been to this observe for NASCAR, IMSA, Grand Am, classic races, bikes, and IndyCar previously, and this crowd beat all of them, as close to as I can keep in mind. Attendance figures haven’t been launched but, however I’d be stunned if it weren’t a latest file.
Earlier than the race I strolled via the paddock to see what fascinating hybrid-related issues I may catch. Because it seems, not a lot. However I did spot Group Penske’s crew of Honda EZ90 pit bikes. It’s fascinating that these nonetheless look mainly model new, regardless of having been discontinued in 1996 (and Penske being a Chevrolet staff since 2012). A lot of the different groups have moved on to newer small-bore bikes and e-bikes to get across the paddock, however Penske sticks to the tried and true.
Talking of tried and true, Honda nonetheless makes use of S2000s for the motive force introduction parade across the circuit. It’s time for Honda to introduce a brand new convertible, if solely only for this objective. Perhaps they might reduce the roof off a couple of of these Preludes to make new driver intro vehicles for the 2025 Honda Indy 200 Offered By The Civic Hybrid.
I sat within the stands on the outdoors of flip 4 for the beginning, however I had my Hokas on for a cause, and about 5 laps in I began climbing. The course is comparatively brief for a everlasting circuit at simply 2.25 miles, however there’s a ton of elevation change, and I needed to get round to see each nook throughout my time on the observe. There’s simply a lot to see at Mid Ohio, because the course incorporates hills, valleys, lengthy drag-race straights, flowing curves, and tight 180-degree corners. They only don’t make race tracks like this anymore.
Honda introduced out a couple of of its present vehicles to point out off within the paddock, together with a Hasport-operated Perception observe automobile, a Rebelle Rally entry, and this NSX Kind S with matching trailer from the latest One Lap Of America. Acura typically lets the stateside car engineers spearhead skunkworks racing tasks like this one, and the assorted Pikes Peak tasks. It’s a cool facet of the corporate that makes me respect them just a bit bit extra.
It’s been some time since I had an excellent day on the races like this one. If you happen to haven’t been, I can’t suggest it sufficient.
Pato was even sort sufficient to wave at me when he drove by after the end. What a pleasant man.
Right here’s a trivia query for you. Why are the roofs of all the buildings at Mid Ohio painted purple? If you happen to suppose you already know, drop it within the feedback.
Days like this one simply really feel good. For one factor I simply love an excellent stroll within the park, and to get in some vitamin D whereas watching some nice racing is only a bonus. After a couple of hours on the observe I really feel a more in-depth connection to the group of racing lovers all gathered in a single spot, I really feel extra in tune with the interior combustion engine, having bathed in its fumes for hours. I’m re-energized and prepared for the following one! Who’s coming with me?
