Champ Car Grand Prix of San Jose: Paul Tracy & Alex Tagliani FIGHT!

[VNAF Ace]

This is what happened after Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani crashed out.

 

[L8 Apex]

Off-track driver fisticuffs on an off-weekend for Nextel Cup...who'da thunk it?

Seriously though, that was a pretty boneheaded move on PT's part, driving back across the track onto the racing line; he could have easily injured Tag, himself or both of them. I'll be curious to see if any penalties get handed out.

 

[RACECAR]

Off-track driver fisticuffs on an off-weekend for Nextel Cup...who'da thunk it?

Ironically, a Fight similar to this happened Earlier this year in the Grand Am Mexico City race that was on an off-weekend of Nextel Cup. no need to ask them "how bad have you got it?" because they look like they've got it pretty bad.

I agree with you on Tracy pulling out that fast. even Derek Daly said that was a stupid move. If I'm not mistaken, aren't you supposed to wait till traffic clears then go on?


BTW, this is my 900th Post

 

[VNAF Ace]

LIVE UNCENSORED boardcast. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1aPSOznNe0
Helicopter shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNOyDe4ugrw
Highlights from CBS5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTT_ujmIDDQ

 

[Caio]

Paul Tracy is wearing blue, doesn't he? He needs to loose about 100 pounds. Damn, he is fat. For a rece driver, off course.

 

[PLmatt91]

LOL That dude's a sucker

 

[JohnBM01]

I didn't see all of the race becaues I was watching the Rolex Sportscar Series race at lovely Barber Motorsports Park and hoping to see the IndyCar race at Michigan. You know I'm not the one to get cheap thrills or all of a sudden remember a race for a stupid incident. I don't know if I've said this, but Paul Tracy is one of my favorite controversial characters. He's not always the b:censored: and complain kind of guy. He'll let you know in your face if you're doing something he doesn't like. He's not a pure thug on the track like "Smoke" (you know who I'm talking about). The politically-correct version of this is that Paul Tracy tried to thread the needle in trying to get back on the track until Tagliani (no pun intended) tagged Tracy. I sort of think that Paul Tracy could have let traffic pass by before rejoining the field. I know the racers are professionals, but even he probably should have known when to rejoin the field instead of rejoining the race with the threat of taking out another car and/or himself. I don't know who initiated the fist fight, but I think more of the blame is on Paul Tracy. He should have known when to go out there rather than risk the chance of taking another car out. This isn't saloon car racing here. We're talking about open-wheel race cars. MUCH more critical to maintain on a track than a closed-wheel car. Break one of those tie rods = game over.

I think some idiots were talking about how Tagliani should have known Tracy was coming. I think Paul Tracy (Champ Car champion a few years ago) probably could have used better judgment on the track. If he turned around to see cars clear the corner, he should have known to find his spot to enter the race without taking out another car. Think about it on the road. Do you come out of a driveway and onto the main street when cars are going by? Not at all. Because what happens if you don't look both ways is that your car gets T-boned by another car from an almost avoidable incident. Tracy is a good racer. He should have known better than to chance it in that corner. You're already off the track. Just regain the positions as best as possible after a goof-up.

And as for the fight after, glad they went back to the race because even though this was obviously a serious incident, the race still must go on. It isn't like there's some ho-hum race and the race is stopped just to show a silly fight. People still want to see the race even if it isn't an exciting race. The dramatics off-track weren't exciting or convincing at all. Most of my views on this fight are inspired by the comments I made in "Sound Off! Do People Care About RACING? Has Times Changed?" It is highway robbery if these two drivers don't get fines or probation. They'd be worse than NASCAR if serious penalties weren't handed down.

 

[Blake]

Tracy is a driver I liked. I had a lot of respect for Tracy before this weekend. To be honest, I hope he doesn’t drive a racing car for a while, now.

That move was so dangerous, I mean I can’t even express how idiotic it was. HE DROVE INTO AN OPEN-WHEEL RACE CAR THAT WAS TAKING A CORNER AT OVER 100KPH! Are you ****ing kidding me? Get out! We don’t want dangerous idiots on the track! Come back when you have some ****ing sense.

On the other side of the coin I feel really sorry for Alex. I think that was the 2nd last Lola chassis they had, and the tub was damaged. I’m not sure whether they’ll pony up the cash, or whether he’ll have to race in a Reynard for the rest of the season. Either way, it’s not ideal for a team without as much funding as some top teams. Especially when there is going to be a new chassis next year.

I don’t really care about the fight, that was almost always going to happen. I just think Tracy should get out for a while and think about what he’s really doing in the CCWS.

 

[JFM92_GTRacer]

All of it pretty much gained some attention for Champ car racing . I mean it got a spot in Sportscenter!!! But yeah i saw the clip today and it was a preetty bad, stupid move by Tracy.

 

[JohnBM01]

So what do you think we'll be looking at in terms of monetary fines, affected points, probations, suspensions, or whatever? And I mean for both drivers and the teams they represent.

 

[VNAF Ace]

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES ANNOUNCES PENALTIES FROM SAN JOSE EVENT

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

The Champ Car World Series today announces penalties stemming from both on- and off-track events that took place during this past weekend's Canary Foundation Grand Prix of San Jose Presented by Taylor Woodrow.

Paul Tracy (#3 Indeck Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) will be placed on probation for the next three races and will forfeit seven (7) championship points for violation of Champ Car Rule 6.29 concerning unjustifiable risk. Tracy will also be fined an undisclosed amount for violation of Champ Car Rule 2.6 regarding conduct, specifically 'Participants engaged in any event....must refrain from intentional physical contact with any participant, inappropriate or profane language...and unsportsmanlike behavior.'

Alex Tagliani (#15 Aussie Vineyards Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) will be fined an undisclosed amount for violation of Champ Car Rule 2.6 regarding conduct, specifically 'Participants engaged in any event....must refrain from intentional physical contact with any participant, inappropriate or profane language...and unsportsmanlike behavior.'

Katherine Legge (#20 Gulfstream/Bell Micro Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone) will be placed on probation for the next three races for on-track misconduct.

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=10689

Glad to see that no one was suspended.

 

[m.piedgros]

Almost angered that no one was suspended. That was a shameful display on both their parts and a bone-head move by ol' PT to start the whole deal. I suppose Champ Car can't really afford to suspend anyone because they only have 17 cars. *Sigh* I wish they'd just unify the series' already!

m.piedgros

 

[Blake]

Almost angered that no one was suspended.

I am.

 

[JohnBM01]

What would you like to have seen been done, Blake?

 

[DLRgian]

BUDDY. Tracy is lucky that Tagliani didnt head butt him in the head with his helmet.

 

[m.piedgros]

It was all just stupid and a horrible display of sportsmanship. This is, of course, in a series that is already floundering to stay alive. I think that this makes Champ Car look a little ridiculous by comparison, this Paul Tracy cat who is pretty well known as one of the better Champ Car drivers does something that stupid (pull out into traffic) and then fights about it?! Unbelievable.

m.piedgros

 

[DLRgian]

Ya after it was his own FAULT.

 

[VNAF Ace]

Even though Tracy made an incredibly stupid mistake on the track, Tracy immediately apologized and took responsibility for the crash, but Tagliani came back and kept grabbing and shoving the Tracy (even after Tracy specifically told Tracy "don't touch me"). Tagliani was the one who started the fight.

 

[m.piedgros]

Come on dude... Tracy could have easily defused the situation by staying calm and walking away but he reacted to Tags which was the match that lit the fuse.

m.piedgros