Check out the RX-8 action from the Houston Grand Prix over in the Gulf Forum:

https://www.rx8club.com/gulf-rx-8-forum-32/grand-prix-houston-tickets-114000/

 

For anyone interested, here's more from this weekend at the Astrodome...



She was the pace car driver for Atlantics:


Leading the Standing Start:


...on to Champ Cars...

Hey lady, you're in my way.


Now there's a clear view:


Blocked again.


...about to start:

 

These chicks are blocking everything...


Ok, now some serious racing's about to begin. Rookie Graham Rahal preparing for his 3rd ever start:


AND THEY'RE OFF!


Oh, wait. That's my car.

Congrats Graham for setting the record for the youngest to ever podium in the series. He finishes second behind his mentor Bourdais:

 

Some more, just for fun...

 

And my 8 with the Pace Car...








All in all, another outstanding weekend just like last year.

 

Tributes to Virginia Tech were on lots of the cars...



...but I found it strange that there was no mention of NASA JSC or the Blue Angels.

 

This was particularly strange because the race was in Houston (JSC) and the flybys were done with Navy F-18s (TOPGUN):

 

Here's a photo from before the StarMazda race:




And the RX-8 pacing under Yellow:




After the ChampCar race, the MissGrandPrix chicks got their ceremonial dousing with champagne. Here they are drying out:




Back on the podium with #1 and #2 (who also drive the #1 and #2 car):




Graham took his champagne bottle and sprayed down this woman standing right next to me, holding an expensive camera and all. I said, "You must know him pretty well." She said, "I'm his mom."

Graham actually skipped out on his high school prom this weekend to do this race. No foolin.

After the press conference, I brought this tire up to him and he was nice enough to sign it...



Bourdais signed too.

 

The flyby's were with 2 F-18's and 2 F16's which I thought was pretty cool. They were painted in the khaki desert colors.

 

yea, this was my frist grand prix. Me and my friends are planning on making it a tradition to go every year now!! had a blast!!!

ill post some pics after i upload them

 

I'm astounded by how young some of the kids are. One of my favorite stories this year is how John Edwards got his drivers license just last month!









This page has the video of him getting his license:
http://www.todaysthv.com/sports/stor...?storyid=44639


(Click on the "THVideo" link.)

 

MSR Houston was well represented at the Grand Prix...



Frankie "Malcolm In The Middle" Muniz had a tough day racing, as did Katherine Legge:



All three of the drivers in that pic got to tear up MSR Houston at our Open Test earlier this year.


A beautiful LeMans car:

 

There is a bizarre story from that Friday with a MSRH and RX-8 Club connection, if anyone is interested in hearing it.

 

wow, nice pics.

 

****, I would have loved to go. When is the next one?

 

Excellent shots, now I'm going to kick myself for not going.

I remember when Graham Rahal was a snot nosed kid racing an 80Jr a few years ago in SKUSA.

 

The ChampCar circuit is going all around the globe this year and won't be back in Texas until next year. But you can catch some IRL action next month if you're willing to road trip up to Fort Worth:

http://www.indycar.com/schedule/?event_id=19

 

Here's another plug for anyone wanting to catch the Grand Prix when it comes your way...

Obviously the racing. And the racing ceremonies can be moving:


...but as though there weren't enough hot chicks, they bring the pro volleyball women who appear to be selected for their looks as well as their skills:



I actually got to play AGAINST these chicks. A definite highlight that I wasn't expecting.

...and as though the turbo'd DP01s weren't enough music to your ears, they brought in Paul Rodgers who played all his classic Bad Company jams:



He cranks an energetic show as though he was in his 20's. Covered some Hendrix. No Queen (who can fill Freddie's shoes anyway?) They closed on a high note with an encore of All Right Now.

All around another amazing weekend.