October 21, 2024
Here is a look at some great old days of Indy Car racing when Champ Car AND the IRL both existed. It was called "The Split" and friend Paul Zimmermann has written a good book on the whole mess. It was a mess that almost killed Indy Car. Thank you Tony George for almost destroying Indy Car racing.
The Time Warner Cable Road Runner 225 was the Champ Car race at the Milwaukee Mile on June 4, 2006 with Sebastien Bourdais in the pole position and winning the race. The late Justin Wilson took second and Nelson Philippe third.
Got to be friends with French driver Nelson Philippe who had a very sore neck during practice. I had some Bio Freeze in my truck that I use and I gave it to him to help calm his neck pain down a bit. It did, and he gave me his helmet visor for being nice!
Alexander Tagliani destroyed his car in practice right in front of me in turn 4 and was very lucky that he didn't get hurt at all. Alex was Will Power's teammate that year for Derrick Walker and Aussie Vineyards racing.
The Champ Car was a beautiful looking car and the Aussie Vineyards and McDonalds liveries are beautiful. Really a lot better looking than the IRL race car and faster I believe.
Justin Wilson led 61 laps, Katherine Legge 12 laps and A.J. Allmendinger led 7 laps.
Enjoy a look at some pretty cars and a mangled wreck of Alex Tagliani's car.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
April 4, 2022
In 2007 the Indy Car racing world was very divided. We had the Indy Racing League (IRL), formed by Tony George in 2003 with his Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the helm. We also had the Champ Car World Series.
From 2003 through 2007 we had the IRL and Champ Car as two separate series. It was a mess and mistake by Tony George that Indy Car is just now recovering from. In 2008 it became one series again called Indy Car as it still is today.
I was photographing the IRL at the Milwaukee Mile and the Champ Cars at Road America each year for four years.
On August 12, 2007, the Generac Champ Car Grand Prix at Road America was held. Race driver Sebastien Bourdais won the race and end up winning his fourth straight championship at the end of the year. Seabass, as we call him, was fast everywhere then and still is now.
Dan Clarke finished second and a very young Graham Rahal finished third.
All of the Champ Car race cars were beautiful and fast looking with great paint jobs.
Enjoy a look at the guys and a young Katherine Legge racing around beautiful Road America.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
The Champ Car and IMSA series at Road America in 2007.
Here in Wisconsin, snow is on the ground and it's going to be 6F tomorrow with a crazy windchill!! We should be seeing daffodils and rabbits outside instead of snow, ice and cold.
On February 28th, two of my favorite race car drivers celebrated their birthdays. Mario Andretti turned 79 and still drives the two seat Indy Car. I still want a ride in that car Mario! Sebastien Bourdais turned 40 on the same day!
On March 10th, the Indy Cars have the first race of the season in St. Petersburg, Florida. Sebastien Bourdais has lived in St. Petersburg for a few years and won that race twice I believe.
To get ready for the season let's take a look back at the birthday boys and some of the Indy Cars.
Last year Scott Dixon won the championship and I think he could do it again! Good luck Scott!
Stay warm and get ready to hear the awesome sounds of Indy Car again!
See how many drivers you can recognize here.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
January 8, 2018
Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a very nice holiday season.
I had a pretty nice year of photographing Indy Cars and IMSA racing at Road America in Elkhart Lake.
Had an even better year with photographing some great musicians we haven't seen in a long time!! John McLaughin, Kenny Loggins and Steve Miller being the most notable. Jeff Beck or John is a hard choice as to which is the best guitar player!
Happy birthday to Kenny Loggins who turned 70 on January 7th! You would never know he is 70 the way he sounded this past summer.
Our Marty party last year with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives was the first time we saw him do an acoustic show! Great seeing my friend Marty who is sounding better every time. His new album Way Out West is the best one yet.
So, here are a few favorite photos of the past year. See how many folks you can identify.
We have;
Steve Miller
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
John McLaughlin
Jimmy Herring
John Oates
Hall and Oates
Roger Waters
Roger McGuinn
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins
Daya
Helio Castro Neves
Marco Andretti
Katherine Legge
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
