RETRO: An Obscure look back upon the International Race Of Champions

Which once, truly featured a host of International Drivers…

 

Ran across an article in Car & Driver Magazine via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service. As try saying that fast five time, Undelay!

 

The article was by CD’s Elana Scherr, and begins with Her querying Pretty boy Floyd’, aka Jeff Gordon, who’d just finished fourth in that year’s Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s IROC class, about who were the best drivers in the world? With Gordon replying “That Argument will never be Solved”. As rightfully, how can one compare thee Pinnacle ‘O Motorsports, nee Formula 1 vs. NASCAR? Whilst IndyCar as typical, is overlooked…

 

Hmm, how come nobody ever mentions how RASSCAR is imitating CART? Going for the diversity of multiple racing venues, i.e.; Short Tracks, Super Speedways, Road Courses and Gasp, Street Circuits, Just Sayin’

 

How IROC tried to find the Best Drivers in the World

 

Since until stumbling upon this August 31st article, I was totally unaware that the just concluded Monterey Motorsports Reunion had featured a staggering 24 car IROC field.

 

The International Race Of Champions (IROC) was created by Les Richter, whom was the longtime manager of Riverside International Raceway. Worked for NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. (ISC) Along with playing in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, wearing the number 48. Plus El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske and Mike Phelps. With the format of drivers from around the world, and different racing disciplines competing aboard identically prepared racecars.

 

The first year’s champion was appropriately Mark Donohue, who’s “Day Job” was driving for Penske. With IROC I commencing on October 27, 1973 in California. Which hosted the first three rounds over the weekend of October 27-28.

 

Donohue led Peter Revson, (F1) Bobby Unser, David Pearson, George Follmer, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi, (F1) Denny Hulme, (F1) Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Gordon Johncock and Roger McCluskey in the standings.

 

“Captain Nice”, (Donohue) won the inaugural title based on prize money won over the four races. Three held at Riverside International Raceway. With the finale held on Valentines Day upon the Daytona International Speedway’s infield road course.

 

Donohue won $54,000 in the only year that IROC was contested solely on road courses. Along with the solitary season that Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s were used. With a total of three drivers representing Formula 1, including two World Champions.

 

Year two, 1974-75 saw for F1 drivers competing, i.e.; Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson, Graham Hill and Jody Scheckter.

 

As a total of seven eventual F1 World Champions would participated over the first seven years thru 1980. With the aforementioned Fittipaldi, Hulme, Hill and Scheckter. Being joined by James Hunt, Mario Andretti and Alan Jones.

 

After a three year hiatus, IROC VIII began its running of a single year format in 1984. Beginning on June 16th at Michigan International Speedway. (MIS) Followed By Burke Lakefront Airport, (July 7th) Talladega Super Speedway. (July 28th) And then returned to MIS (Michigan) for the finale on August 11th.

 

As all four rounds served as “Undercard”, i.e.; support races held on Saturday. Preceding their respective racing series, i.e.; NASCAR and IndyCar. And were televised on CBS, before shifting to ABC/ESPN in 1987 for the remainder of competition.

 

Yet the tide had shifted in 1984. Being the first time the series hosted zero Formula 1 drivers. With Derek Bell and Jacky Ickx both representing World Sports Prototype Championship. Whilst EMMO’ (Fittipaldi) had become a CART/PPG IndyCar World Series driver instead.

 

As the field was comprised of five NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and five CART/IndyCar drivers, plus the two aforementioned Sports Car drivers for that year’s field of twelve participants. With NASCAR’s Cale Yarborough winning the Championship.

 

And although it lacked any Foreign drivers, the 1989 running of IROC XIII was certainly a Who’s Who of drivers! Featuring ‘Ol superTex’, nee A.J. Foyt and The King, aka Richard Petty leading the way. With Petty being joined by fellow Roundy round’ drivers ‘Ol Ironhead, thee Intimidator, (Dale Earnhardt) eventual IROC XIII Champion Terry Labonte, rusty Wallace and “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”. (Elliot)

 

Foyt led the IndyCar ranks, joined by Rick Mears, (  ‘lil al (Unser Jr and ‘Ol Hollywood, aka Danny Sullivan.

 

Scott Pruet represented IMSA Camel GTO. Whilst Hurley Haywood from SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am and Geoff Brabham from IMSA Camel GTP rounded out the Tintops’ ranks.

 

As I’ll confess that I only perused the first 16 running’s of IROC for my compilation of Foreign drivers, most notably curious about Formula 1 participants. Which as of the 1992 IROC XVI, I believe that Martin BillyBob’ Brundle was the last Foreign competitor, also the last Formula 1 driver to contest what once was truly International…

 

I believe that Folklore claims it was ‘Ol Ironhead’, aka thee Intimidator’, ergo Dale Earnhardt whom gave Brundle the moniker of Billybob’ after Brundle won at Burke Lakefront Airport? Although I don’t know the exact christening of His nickname, since perhaps it came upon Brundle’s first IROC Oval experience at Talladega Super Speedway?

 

As Brundle finished third overall in 1990, behind only Earnhardt and Vice Champion ‘lil Al’, aka Al Unser Jr. Whilst I believe that only Brundle and EMMO’, nee Emerson Fittipaldi were the only two Foreign drivers to win a round of IROC. With Fittipaldi winning the second round of IROC II at Riverside on October 26, 1974.

 

Guessing I last watched IROC during the mid to late 1980’s, before it became totally RASSCAR’ Centric! For which the series rightly garnered criticism for, especially the last ten years of competition! With the final IROC championship featuring seven NASCAR drivers…

 

Mark Martin won a series leading five titles, including a Hat trick between 196-98. With Dale Earnhardt winning three times, while Al Unser Jr, and A.J. Foyt won twice. With Unser Jr being the last no NASCAR IROC Champion in 1988.

 

The Unser’s, ergo Big Al and son ‘lil Al appear to be the only Father-Son duo who raced together between 1986-91. Along with being the first of two Father-Son duo’s to win IROC Championships. The other being Bobby and Davey Allison.

 

Whilst Terry and Bobby Labonte appear to be the only brothers to win the Championship, which spans from 1973-74 to 2006.

 

As you could argue that the short lived Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) series between 2021-23 tried to rekindle the majic of IROC. While I suppose its only logical that Ray Evernham heads today’s Historics IROC series, which hopes to race a few times each year… 

Fright Nite' Returns

    

    

Where did All the Goblins ‘n Ghouls go? (The Tomaso Collection)

 

 

Ah, where’s good 'Ol Vincent Price when Yuhs needs him, since after all, It's just A Thriller Ha-Ha-Ha-Hah…

 

“The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller”

 

VIDEO: Thriller

 

As it’s back like a Bad rash, or a Zombie on Elm Street…

 

I was working on the “Confuzer” late Monday night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
From my monitor a scary picture began to show

And suddenly to my surprise

A Zombie-like Kurt Busch apparition Onscreen began to singHe did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash

From my humble apartment’s abode

To the room’s cathode ray glow

And amongst the Nabors dwellings

Where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came out from their alcoves

Chanting “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!”

Hoping to snatch a peak

Of some Roundy-round racin’

Flickering on my TV

(Thru the patio’s window)

 

They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash

And although The “Junior Nation” zombies were in foul Despair

Over 'lil E's Shrewd 'N wise move

To rest his Aching Head

 

Nonetheless, 'lil Ironhead invited the likes 'O

Kenny Wallace, Larry MacReynolds, Mr. Goodbar, Kyle Petty  

And other assorted friends to join in

Upon this little party

 

As the building was rockin', everyone having to put up with the blare
of the next door neighbor’s surround sound TV wailing a pitiful noise

That sounded like Rusty Wallace scratchin’ a chalkboard

While a pair ‘O Beagle’s howled in misery

 

As Dusk turned to Night

And the little Coffin-Bangers were soon to arrive
With their candy bags and dressed up

While BOOGITY-BOOGITY-BOOGITY! ‘Ol DW', Kevin Harvick, Smoke and Rowdy Holmes All Bobbed for Crabapples

 

Thoust Television’s kept blarin' out that Monster RASSCAR Mash

They did The Mash
The RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
As the TV blared the mash
It caught on in a flash
As it played the mash
It continued to play the RASSCAR mash

Out from my room, my voice crackled loudly

As once again I was disgusted

Yelling loudly and shaking my fists
I screamed, How long do we have to listen to this?

As the drone of ‘lil Trick ‘N Treaters knocked on the door

As the next door TV still blared the mash
Except It's now more commonly known

As the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash

 

But it's almost over

That Monster Y’all know

As Duh Chase, Get Up!

 

VIDEO: The Monster Mash

 

Or if Y’all are in the mood to check out some original, unique Ghoulish music, visit the link below…

 

Dave Allen’s Halloween Album

 

Original lyrics

Thriller Single, 1984

Title track From the album Thriller (Nov, 1982

Performed by: Michael Jackson - featuring Vincent Price

(Written by: Rod Temperton)

 

Monster Mash, 1962

Performed by: Boris Picket and the Crypt Kickers'

(Written by Bobby (Boris) Picket and Lenny Capizzi)

Two legendous’ Hollywood Pranksters

Who shared more than just their Good looks Onscreen…

 

The recent passing of Robert Redford at age 89 on September 16th. For reasons unknown, made me Flashback to a passage in Shawn Levy’s Paul Newman: A Life Biography, that I extensively chronicled here upon No Fenders in Gory 2022.

 

The portion I fondly recalled, involved a certain Sports Car being mischievously given as a gift to one of our two Hollywood Hunks. Although I searched the All knowing Intrawoods’ to “See” if I’d remembered correctly?

 

Since after all, everything on Al gore’s wonderous invention is true, Righto?

 

Yeah, Redford indeed pulled a massive prank upon ‘Ol Blue Eyes, ergo Paul Newman for His 50th Birthday in 1975! As Newman was born January 25, 1925, and Redford born August 18, 1936.

 

As I’d never before been curious of their respective age difference, with Newman being some 11.5-plus years older, with Redford still being 38yrs old when pranking Newman…

 

Both Redford and Newman were huge Porscheaphiles’, as I didn’t know until Redford’s death. That He’d once owned an ultra rare 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, which He purchased in 1966, and owned for some ten years.

 

Thus Redford owned this ultra rare racecar some three years before His breakthrough to Stardom in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, which debuted on September 23, 1969. Following Paul Newman starring in Winning, which was initially released on May 17th. With both films being produced by Newman Foreman Company.

 

Redford became annoyed with how much Newman incessantly talked about racing and cars. And thus, for Newman’s 50th Birthday, Redford had a wrecked, totally scrapped Porsch delivered to Newman’s home!

 

Reportedly, Redford says they were both living in Connecticut then, and He called a local towing service. Asking if they had any crushed cars, specifically Porsche’s on hand?

 

Funny you should ask that. We just so happen to have a Porsche that was totally crushed by a car falling upon it sitting here. To which Redford said hold it. I want to wrap it in paper and put a bow on it. Then He asked if they could deliver it to Paul Newman’s house and put it on His back porch!

 

Next, Newman retaliated. As a few weeks later, a large wooden crate was surreptitiously delivered to Redford’s rented Connecticut House. Which when Redford opened the crate, contained a wrecked Porsche automobile that had been crushed into a cube!

 

Yet undaunted, Redford had the last laugh of this prank. Having a sculptor friend turn the Porsche cube into a piece of Garden Art which you guessed it. Was immediately placed in Newman’s garden…

 

As the best thing about this, and presumably other countless ensuing pranks. Is that neither man ever mentioned one iota about them to each other.

 

You can read my Paul Newman book review in the following No Fenders link…

 

Paul Newman’s A Life Book review

 

Or pass “GO”, without collecting $200, and skip directly to my Paul Newman racing career tome instead…

 

Diving into Paul Newman’s Racing career

 

(Info source: rennlist.com) 

A few, Quick F1 thoughts

For which I’m still astounded over…

 

Have “watched”, Err listened to the past two Formula 1 races in Austin and Mexico City from two different locations. For which I must say overall, they both were somewhat “Dull”, i.e.; processional…

 

Recall how the current F1 technical regulations were supposed to make it easier for the trailing car to overtake the leading car?

 

Although think it was Herr Toto Crying Wolff’ who said this year’s championship would become a Qualifying race instead, Eh?

 

What most astounded me, and still did a week later was Sky Sports lead F1 Pundit, Err Presenter’s quip about Circus Maximus’s domination at the Circuit Of The Americas, where Max Verstappen led wire-to-wire from pole.

 

As Kroftie’, ergo David Kroft incredulously said that it looked like Max was out on a Sunday Stroll pushing the Pram, I Kids Yuh Not!

 

Yet if that was what Max Blunderhead’s romp in Austin looked like, then what was Lando Norris’s at the following Mexico City round? As Lando spanked the Competizione by a whopping 32 seconds! And points leader Oscar Piastri continued His Shrinking Violet act. Finishing a distant fifth and losing the points lead to dreaded McLaren teammate Norris by one point, Urgh!

 

Meanwhile the crowd seemed most receptive to Verstappen, who you could hear the crowd roaring for during the closing stages of the race. Along with getting the largest applause during the post race podium interview. As who’d Ah thunk It?

 

As I still find it amusing when thee Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’, ergo James Hinchcliffe conducts these F1 post race podium interviews…

 

Whilst Ollie’, aka Oliver Bearhan deservedly was voted Driver of the Day upon His fine fourth place finish in Mexico. His career best F1 finish, driving for the smallest team on the grid. 

Singing in the Rain at Silverstone

Which obviously they’re doing now daily in Jolly ‘Ol England…

 

Perusing Daily Sports Car prior to this year’s Battle on The Bricks. I ran across the article noting how 110,000 raving mad for motor racing spectators attended this year’s Four Hours of Silverstone European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race, Aye Karumba!

 

Can Y’all imagine that many spectators showing up for IMSA’s six hours Battle on The Bricks race? Not to mention that ELMS doesn’t even feature the Crème de la Crème FIA Hypercar category.

 

The field was comprised of some 44 entries. With 13 LMP2, 8 LMP2 Pro-Am, 10 LMP3 and 13 LMGT3 participants.

 

As it was great to read that the No. 18 IDEC Sport, the Genesis Magma Racing co-entry of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert  and Daniel Juncadella won the race. Being their third win of the season. Having claimed W’s at Barcelona and Paul Ricard previously.

 

The race was held in somewhat wretched conditions, first being delayed an hour due to inclement weather. And then a further 48 minutes due to two Red Flag periods for incidents.

 

Juncadella held off Tom Dillmann in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry during the final pitstop exchange. After Nick Yelloly who’d led much of the race, had a spin when staying on dry rubber too long! While IDEC Sport made the switch to wet weather tyres correctly…

 

As the rain intensified, Pietro Fittipaldi brought the No. 10 Vector Sport home third. While the Seester’ #28 IDEC Sport was fourth, and Theo Pourchaire brought His #25 Algarve Pro entry home in fifth.

 

The Wet ‘n Wooly track conditions played havoc with many competitors, including the LMP2 pole sitter No. 48 VDS Panis Racing entry, who were forced to serve a costly Stop ‘n Go penalty for entering a closed pit. This caused them to ultimately finish eighth and see their points lead shrink from 21 markers to just six ahead of the No. 18 IDEC Sport entry. With the #43 just one further point behind, with just the season finale at Portugal remaining.

 

For which I’ll miss the Four Hours of Portimao’s outcome, having occurred this past Saturday, October 18th, but am rootin’ for the No. 18 to pull off an upset…

 

The LMP2 Pro-Am class had its lead shuffled too. When the leading AO by TF No. 99 entry of Louie’ Deletraz was handed a five second time penalty. Seeing them drop to second place behind the No. 20 Algarve Pro Racing entry.

 

Yes, that’s the same No. 99 Spike the Dragon IMSA LMP2 entry featuring Dane Cameron, Louis Deletraz and team owner P.J. Hyett, who’s the Amateur driver…

 

The LMGT3 Tintops outcome was also chaotic. When apparently the No. 86 GR Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 had snatched the lead from the#50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3. Yet the #86 had trotted by when the third and final Red Flag was thrown with seven minutes remaining. As the Race Director decided the rain was too treacherous to continue.

 

Thus the race’s results reverted to the final full lap before the Red flag and hence, the two Prancing Horses swapped positions, and the No. 50 AF Corse won instead…

 

I find it interesting that many of the drivers are able to compete in multiple series. As the names Yelloly, Deletraz, Dillmann, Cameron, Fittipaldi, et al. Are all regulars this side of thoust Gory Puddle in IMSA Competizione.

 

While I tend to recall that last year’s Battle on The Bricks race saw 18 of the 20 IMSA GTP drivers also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Meanwhile, following Silverstone, Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) promoted both Juncadella and Jaubert onto its GMR001 Hypercar squad for next year’s inaugural WEC campaign. Which was the reason for competing in this year’s ELMS, as a tune-up campaign for aspiring racers and team personnel to potentially move forwards.

 

The only disappointment is the news of Jamie Chadwick being left on the sidelines. With GMR claiming Her 2026 plans will be announced at a later date. Making me wonder if She’ll just be an Endurance “Specialist?” As I’d really like to see Jamie get a fulltime ride in a Hypercar entry.

 

Hmm, perhaps Chadwick can spend another year honing Her craft before becoming a regular series competitor in IMSA when GMR supposedly enters competition in 2027? 

Some Belated Driver News

As Racing Never Sleeps…

 

Happy to “read” about Theo Pourchaire being elevated as a fulltime Peugeot Factory Sports car driver for 2026. With the 2023 Formula 2 Champion and ex-McLaren IndyCar driver making His fulltime debut at Bahrain’s season finale.

 

With Pourchaire taking over for the outgoing Stoffel Vandoorne, who’s Peugeot contract expired after this year’s Fuji FIA World Endurance Championship round.

 

As Pourchaire will join Nick, Not David Cassidy as new Peugeot 9X8 Prototype Pilotes. Whilst scuttlebutt suggest that Vandoorne may become one of Hyundai’s Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar drivers…

 

Meanwhile, I enjoyed the article about Conor Daly’s efforts to remain with Juncos Hollinger Racing’s (JHR) IndyCar programme for 2026.

 

As Daly said He’s busy as always trying to procure the necessary sponsorship to remain in the seat. But the part that intrigued me most. Was Conor noting that He knows All of the other Playahs’ (drivers) trying to take His seat at JHR. Which is why He’s busy talking to everyone left with a potential IndyCar seat for next year.

 

With the number of available seats shrinking quickly. Since Sting Ray Robb’s manager Peter Rossi. Yes, that’s Alexander’s father, says that Robb is confirmed returning to JHR next year.

 

Meaning that just Dale Coyne’s two seats and one each at JHR, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Prema Racing are unconfirmed. Or at least they were when I hastily scribbled this Wayback’ in September…

 

As the worst kept secret was finally made official on Thursday, September 18th. That being David Malukas taking over the No. 12 Team Penske drive formerly occupied by will Power.

 

Whilst the rumoured appointment of Rinus VeeKay as Malukas’s replacement at A.J. Foyt enterprises was apparently “Fake News!” With Rinus no longer expected landing there.

 

Meaning you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to discern He’ll either land at Juncos Hollinger racing, (JHR) or Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. (RLLR) With scuttlebutt suggesting it won’t be in the No. 30 Rahal entry…

 

So thars’ potentially still five seats in play, providing JHR does something “wild ‘n Crazy” and doesn’t take Sting Ray Robb’s suitcases of Greenbacks’. While perhaps Coyne has surprised us all by already naming one of His drivers? 

Staring into the Abyss

    

        

No Fenders Head Scribe Tomaso contemplating “Creation” whilst staring out at the endless Pacific Ocean. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although why did that title and corresponding caption make me think of the following long forgotten Rush song lyrics, Eh?

 

“When the ebbing tide retreats, Along the rocky Shoreline, It leaves a trail of Tidal pools, In a short lived Galaxy, Each Microcosmic Planet, A complete Society”.

 

“A simple kind Mirror, To reflect upon our own, All the busy little Creatures, Chasing out their Destinies, Living in the Pools, They soon forget about the Sea”…

 

VIDEO: Natural Science

 

For those who don’t know, today is Doomsday for Microsoft supporting its Windows 10 operating system, which I prefer calling Windoughz’. Since even though without it, and its Accessibility functions I wouldn’t be able to scribble this No Fenders blog or anything electronically.

 

Yet that said, Windouhz’ definitely has its Quirks like everything in the Universe…

 

“This is the Movie about the Screenplay

Of the book about the Girl who meets a Junkie

She plays Guitar in the Bathroom

While the Police dust Her Mother’s Plastic flowers

 

Hey, let’s party

Let’s turn the radio on

This is a Meltdown

 

Get out the Camera

Take a picture

The Drag Queens and Freaks

Are All out on the Town

 

There goes the Neighbourhood!”

 

VIDEO: There goes the Neighborhood

 

Look, I get it. If the Boffins at Microsoft, Google and whomever weren’t continuously modifying code and changing things. Then there wouldn’t be the need for so many IT Employees…

 

Yet as Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame. Ye Oldest IndyCar Blogger Vice Champion, and yes, that one’s just for you George, Hya! Uhm, what’s George’s mantra? Oh yeah, Change is Bad!

 

Living in the world of Faux-netics’ and how “Zoey, the Princess Warrior!” My esteemed screen reader, but not by choice! Naturally I’m continuously subjugated to the myriad of these countless Boffins coding changes! And that’s before we even get to the euphoria of having to learn a new operating system and its inherit Quirks, Shite!

 

As I could prattle on about All of these annoying changes, Hey, Wake Up, let’s Party!

 

But instead I’ll just leave you with two of the latest pitfalls, which may or may not have finally been rectified?

 

First, the most egregious is RACER failing to make their website accessible for the Blind and Visually Impaired by not following the latest WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, enabling my screen reader to read their page!

 

Next, Google’s Blogger platform I use for scribbling this dearth of riveting No Fenders content. Decided to inexplicably turn various names and places upon my posts into unasked for Hyperlinks, WTF! Having first experienced this upon thoust No Fenders Birthday shoutout, 19 Gory years later since I first began blogging, say what? As knock this Shite Off you Bastardoes!

 

For which I’ve got zero clue if Blogger’s still doing this? Leaving me a bit skitterish about posting anything new. Since I didn’t Gory ask for this change, Capiche!

 

As not only is Change Bad! But “Drugs are Bad, Ok?” Yuhs Hear! And if you keep making these unwanted FUBAR’s. Then like ‘Ol Commander Cody croons. “You’re gona drive me to Drinkin’, If you Don’t stop Drivin’ that Hot Rod Lincoln!”

 

All of which is a typical, eloquently long winded way of Tomaso saying No Fenders Blog posting will be scattered intermittingly, whilst learning the pitfalls of Windoughz’ 11 after Ye Confuzer’ gets upgraded and the Arse-simulation can begin, Sheisa! And remember Y’all,

 

DRUGS ARE BAD, OK?

 

Partial song lyrics from: Rush’s Natural Science; Permanent Waves Album, 1980. And Sherl Crow’s There goes the Neighborhood; The Globe Sessions Album, 1998.