The Iceman Spaketh

The blogosphere cried out for a few, measured words from Scott Dixon (left), who responded by talking about Honda power, Kiwi beer and his stoic demeanor. Mega props to Ganassi PR Czarina Pat for getting these 100%, swear-to-God real answers from the freakishly fast New Zealander who won the 2003 Indy Racing League points championship.

pressdog: You seem eerily calm before, during and after the race. What's up with that? Do you go back to the trailer and scream and yell and fist pump when nobody is looking or is the calm guy just the Real Scott Dixon?

Dixon: That's just me. I don't take life too seriously... we don't get out of it alive.

pressdog: Are you aware that your nickname among the blog freaks is "the Iceman?" How do you feel about the name?

Iceman: Cool.

pressdog: After winning the title, how tough was it to be on the Toyota Slow Train in 2005? How great was it to be back up to speed in 2006?

Dixon: Funny story. My first test with a Honda engine was at Phoenix. I hit the throttle coming out of the pits and my first impression about the engine was "This is like cheating!" They asked Dan Wheldon his impressions. (pressdog note: Dan won in 2005 with a super-tweaked, factory team Honda so he was use to mega power. But the 2006 Honda was distributed to all teams and therefore had toned down power compared to Wheldon's ultra-tuned 2005 engine. So when Wheldon tested the 2006 version of the Honda) ... he was like "There must be something wrong with the engine. This is no where near the power I had last year." The fact that I thought the 2006 Honda was almost illegally fast and Dan thought it was slow gives you an idea of how different the 2005 Toyota and 2005 Honda engines were.

pressdog: What do you think of the IRL schedule for 2007? The perception out here is that you prefer road races over ovals. True or false?

Dixon: True. LOVE street courses. I find them a great challenge over keeping your foot flat around an oval. That can get old.

pressdog: Speaking as a bit of an introvert myself, is it challenging to be teammates with Super Extrovert Dan Wheldon?

Dixon: He’s out there all right. I just sit back and watch him go. At the very least, it is entertaining.

pressdog: Do you read the blogs? Is it true that pressdog is your fav blog?

Dixon: Doesn’t everyone?

pressdog: What's the race scene like in New Zealand ? Dirt tracks? Ovals? Mostly street/road races? Give us a flavah.

Dixon: Pretty cool really. My parents were both dirt trackers. Road tracks mostly. That’s how I got my start. There are even photos out there of me winning my first karting race with a few pillows tied to my arse because I couldn’t reach the pedals! Always a good time.

pressdog: What' the most popular beer in New Zealand?

Dixon: Steinlager probably. Then Speights Gold Medal Ale, Tui, New Zealand Lager, Kiwi Draught. The first beer brewed in New Zealand was made by the order of English explorer Captain Cook in the 18th Century, who believed the nutritional values of beer would help fight scurvy, a disease common to sailors of the time. But then again… do we really need an excuse for beer? (pressdog says: Amen, my Kiwi brother.)

pressdog: I've pounded beers (ok, one beer) with Ganassi IRL PR queen Pat Caporali. She seems cool. What's the real scoop on Pat?

Dixon: Pat drinks beer? Really?!

pressdog: What would be the first thing you would do with your first free moment after winning the Indy 500? (After the milk and the winner circle stuff and the photos.)

Dixon: Probably take a piss. I don’t pee in my firesuit like some others. (pressdog says: Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.)

pressdog: How do you feel abut F1? Dig it? Want a shot at it? Take it or leave it?

Dixon: Had a chance to test a Williams BMW a few times. I’d take it but not just to go in circles. I’d want to be competitive.

pressdog: Unifying the IRL and Champ Car. Good idea? Bad idea? What's your view?

Dixon: Has to happen. The sooner the better for everyone concerned.

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