Article: Honda's Clarke says engine wasn't the difference

[Danny Noonan]

Unlike several of those here and at other sites, Honda's Robert Clarke understands why Hornish and Panther ran away with the event. "If you look at the in-car cameras, that team has something special with its handling because Sam never moved the wheel," he said. "Everyone else was just fighting the wheel, especially with all those bumps in the track."

Some verbal sparring between Hornish and Dixon also. Hopefully this will add a little spice for the rest of the season. Sounds like Dixon doesn't like Sammy having equal equipment.


Indy Star Article

[indyracefan]

...I liked this part;

>>>Robert Clarke, general manager for Honda Performance Development, said Hornish deserved to win, and not because of his engine's horsepower.

"If you look at the in-car cameras, that team has something special with its handling because Sam never moved the wheel," he said. "Everyone else was just fighting the wheel, especially with all those bumps in the track."

Dixon sharply disagreed.

"There's no way his car was superior in handling," Dixon said. "If you're Toyota or Honda, you'd be pretty p- - - - - right now."

Hornish didn't appreciate Dixon's opinion and similar ones offered from the Toyota and Honda camps. He thinks they're overlooking his team's strong performances earlier this season with Chevy's inferior engine, not to mention the past two IRL titles and the eight other victories.

"I guess the wins they got this year were with a horsepower advantage, too," he said. "Whenever somebody else wins a race it's how great of a driver they are. When I win it's because (the IRL) gave it to me.

"It's not like some no-names went flying by them. If I'm in their head, that's good."




...this is the kinda stuff the IRL needs, nothing like a little 'head-games' between the drivers.

[Danny Noonan]

Yes, Sammy, you are certainly in their heads. Like Tomas said in an earlier race "where is Hornish, where is Hornish." Tomas sounded like a little high-school beeaatch, and Dixon is starting to sound like one as well.

Gawd I love watching Sam and the Panther boys whipping up on the big boys like AGR, Ganassi, and Penske. Sam is becoming the "intimidator" of the IRL.

[SPM]

I was there today and it was very obvious that Sam's advantage was in the turns. I think he would have had a fine finish today even with the GENIII.

[c-dub]

Scott Dixon is the first driver in the long list of IRL drivers that I really can't stand. I hope Hornish beats his arse as long as he's in the IRL.:mad:

[carl s]

Don't forget - part of a successful series is having good guys and bad guys. Just ask the Rev.

carl s
Indio, CA

[SoDak_IndyFan]

Tell it like it is, Sam!!!!



"I guess the wins they got this year were with a horsepower advantage, too," he said. "Whenever somebody else wins a race it's how great of a driver they are. When I win it's because (the IRL) gave it to me.

"It's not like some no-names went flying by them. If I'm in their head, that's good."


...gonna be a fun end-of-season!!! Now, all we need is to have Sarah go flying past Dixon and it's gonna get really fun!! Other than the AGR boys, he's about the only one that didn't experience the 2002 Sarah (a la MI & KY). Even if you're not a Sarah fan, you'd have to like that!!!

[BlueStang]

Originally posted by Danny Noonan
Yes, Sammy, you are certainly in their heads. Like Tomas said in an earlier race "where is Hornish, where is Hornish." Tomas sounded like a little high-school beeaatch, and Dixon is starting to sound like one as well.

HeHeHe. That is almost signature-quote material there!

Maybe those Ganassi boys would like some cheese to go with their whine?

[Brent_the_Lazier_fan]

Originally posted by carl s
Don't forget - part of a successful series is having good guys and bad guys. Just ask the Rev.

carl s
Indio, CA

That's good, because then we don't need a Tracy now--we already one in Dixon.

Hornish is right to be peeved at that guy. Then again, if I was Dixon, I guess I'd be sh*tting bricks too, now that I didn't have a 60hp advantage.

Would love to see him trailing the F1 field in a Minardi next season.

[skypigeon]

Clarke sounds like someone confident the new factory-built Engine Honda's bringing next year will have, ahem, no performance problems...

[JoeBob]

Clarke sounds like a guy trying to convince Sam Hornish to come drive one of his cars.

[Ren Butler]

I usually skip the signature lines, but that was too good:

[Doc Austin]

Originally posted by Brent_the_Lazier_fan


Would love to see him trailing the F1 field in a Minardi next season.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! that is cold!!!

[redmist]

i wouldn't hold your breath waiting for sarah to go flying by dixon, unless it's flying by to the back to take up her spot in front of foyt.

[AlJRFAN]

JoeBob i think your right....