From: dwv@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (Dave Vollman)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
Subject: Re: IndyCar: Long Beach Comments (spoilers)
Summary: warning - contains Andretti bashing
Date: 13 Apr 92 18:34:01 GMT
Organization: HASA "S" Division

In article <kujdkrINNido@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>, skod@trenco.Eng.Sun.COM (Scott Griffith, Sun Lumpyware) writes:
> In article <1992Apr13.135432.8065@cbnewsc.cb.att.com>, dwv@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (Dave Vollman) writes:
> > 
> > Hit n now if you don't want to see this

> > 	Middle of first lap, the Andretti whinefest is about to begin.
> > 	Mario, for some unexplained reason, decides that Cheever's car looks
> > 	like a safety truck and hits it (1/2 :-)). Cheever had an on
> > 	board camera mounted under his roll bar, and it looked like 
> > 	the senior Andretti never saw him. Mario sustains serious damage, and
> > 	Cheever is out for the day. Driver interviews tell two different
> > 	stories. Mario swears that cheever swerved into him. I watched
> > 	it several times and Cheever stayed right on line. Another
> > 	typical Andretti can do no wrong additude from Mario. 
> 
> We watched that from the in-car, and my wife and I both agreed that
> even Mario wouldn't be able to explain that one away as Cheever's
> fault. We were wondering if he would complain about brake failure, or
> maybe dust and dirt on the track offline. When he did his interview,
> we were both practically standing and screaming at the tube! I am
> utterly unable to believe the he has the gall to try and explain that
> one away as "Cheever swerving into his line". Even for Mario, that's a
> stretch. 

When I first saw the replay, I really thought His brakes failed. There was no
attempt to stop at all. Just bang! 

> It is the responsibility of the overtaking driver to make the pass
> cleanly and safely, and Mario completely ignored this. Sure, his tires
> and brakes weren't up to full racing temperatures yet- but it is his
> responsibility to drive within the limits of the machinery at all
> times, and not merely use his opponent's car as a berm,
> motocross-style, at the 6th corner of the race. This was a Bad Move,
> this pass was _never_ on- WHAT could he have been thinking?

I will say that Cheever showed a lot of class in his interview. He made
no accusations and did no finger pointing. I think He thought Mario had
some sort of mechanical problem. He seemed more concerned that Andretti
was OK than about being punted out of the race. Then to see Mario
accuse Cheever of chopping off his front wheel. I've lost what little
respect I had for Mario at this point. 

> Sorry, Mario, but in this one you were _clearly_ in the wrong. Grow up
> and admit it- the line was never yours, not even _close_. Bitching
> about this one just won't wash.
> 

Agreed. Mario better learn you cannot play Dale Earnhardt in open wheeled
cars. If you want to bump and intimidate, get in something with
fenders. 

I would have loved to hear what Mario said when he exited the car.

-- 
"No one's life, liberty or	| Dave Vollman (HASA "S" Division)
 property is safe while		| AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL
 Congress is in session"	| Email: dwv@ihlpm.att.com
            - Mark Twain	| AT&T would never let ME speak for THEM!
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport