Indy Car at Toronto: Helio versus Paul

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Anyone catch this race? What did everyone think of the Helio / Paul smash-up? While it looks like Helio deliberately crashed Paul into the wall (after Paul pulled his usual dumb dive-bomb attack), I imagine Paul's car hopping-up on Helio's right-rear forced the issue and took it out of Helio's hands. I've never liked Paul Tracy, as accidents tend to follow him wherever he goes. Fun race. I was happy for Will Power, since he only has a 5-race season this year and placed very well.

Sorry to see that, but both drivers handled the interviews well afterwards. When their front wheels touched, there wasn't much Helio could do at that point...

IMO your view of Paul Tracy colors your view of what occurred: at the end of the braking zone he had his wheel up by HC's cockpit. At that point he has a right to the inside line of the corner. Helio tried to slam the door on him and they both paid for it.
FWIW I don't think Helio put him into the wall deliberately, though. Just a racing incident.

This was a Helio-created moment.  Paul's a magnet for issues, but is more a catlyst than a cause.

When I first saw the incident it appeared that Helio deliberately put him in the wall...
But after an extensive DVR slow motion HD review from both the front and ariel view, it appears it was just a racing incident.   The wheels touching caused the push to the right.   Or it is also possible, (although unlikely) that helio said quot;F it, we've alreaday hit anywayquot; and pushed him into the wall as/after his wheels touched.
From the front angle it appeared Helio steered to the right to put him in the wall, but you can't see his hands.
From the top angle you can see his hands jerk the right after the wheels touch.  you can also see that his gradual move to the right was following the curve of the corner (wall juts into the track on his left)and not a quot;swervequot; as it appears to be from the front view.  helio could have given him another foot or so, but that is post race hind sight.

...but Paul Tracy is STILL a bull in a China shop!
(Doesn't anybody remember that long thread from 10 years ago??)

PT creates interest in the IRL.  
You may not want to be the owner of the car he's driving but he not the generic quot;MacDonaldfiedquot; driver that seem to be interchangeable within the IRL these days.  He creates fan interest - you either love him or hate him.
Looks like more posts about an IRL race than usual because of PT.
Now if they could just do something those quot;crapwagonsquot;!

I like PT; I've always liked his agressive driving style.  I'd rather watch him try to better his position and take some risks than continuosly do parade laps behind a slower car.  I'm not convinced that Helio didn't turn into him, but PT wasn't irrate during his interview so maybe it was just a racing incident.  The race was interesting up to the point of the crash and then pretty lame...

It's hard to say who is to blame, probbably a quot;racing incidentquot;.  However, it's pretty clear to me from watching the last few road races that most of the top IRL drivers expect the ex-Champ Car drivers to let them by and not contest positions that hard.  Looks like Helio understands PT a little better now.

Oh come on guys, how can you take this guy seriously?

Interesting pictures.  I'm surprised to see the INDECK logo across the bottom of the helmet.  Thought he and Jerry Forsthye parted ways (Jerry owns INDECK).
Helio basically apoligized after the race and said once they touched for the second time he lost control of the car and he was along for the ride when he hit PT.  After looking at the replay, I'm inclined to believe him.  His car was squirming and he doesn't have a history of retaliation.
Nice job by Paul Tracy and Tony Kahnan showing that there is passing with open wheels on a street course.  Both of them moved up at least 10 spots at one point during the race.

Prior to Paul's return, I was quite content to ignore IRL.  With him in it, you at least know that there will be a race...and I watched the Toronto race.  I'm looking forward to the race here in Edmonton in two weeks.  Might have to watch it too.

[QUOTE=jay dub;3963761]Interesting pictures.  I'm surprised to see the INDECK logo across the bottom of the helmet.  Thought he and Jerry Forsthye parted ways (Jerry owns INDECK).
That picture was taken in Portland in 2006 before Champ Car was absorbed. I was just trying to inject a little humor.
site. Good insight,right from the horse's mouth.2009/07/paul-tr...-still-got-it/