Friday, February 14, 2025

Ode to DannaCar’

Yep! It's that time of the year once again to honour the Disco Queen of 'RASSCAR! Although I’ve got No idea  think She’s got a Valentine's suitor this year?

 

Having just learned that Danica and Carter Comstock Broke up over a year ago. Hmm? Isn’t “Tommy terrific,” aka Tom Brady available?

 

Nevertheless, here we go, And Ah One and Ah Two!

 

Toe to toe
Dancing very slow
Barely breathing
Almost comatose…

(pressdog!)

Wall to wall
People hypnotized
And they're stepping lightly
Hanging on her every move each night in Rapture

Back to back
Sacrailiac
Spineless movement
And a wild attack

Face to face
Sadly solitude
And it's finger popping

Twenty-four hour shopping

InDannaCar Land!

Flavour Flav HMS Monogram told me everybody's high
DJ's spinning' are saving' my mind
Flash is Fast, Flash is cool
Jacke Vanilla sez fast, Flashe' no do


And you try to stop

(Watching’ MAC Montoya, Sam Hornish & ALL those Open Wheel DEFECTORS!)

SURE SHIT!

Just go out to the parking lot
Get in your car and you drive real far

Away from the track!


After you drive all night, you see a bright flashing light

And it comes right down and lands on the ground
And out pops a Girl in a shiny sequin bathing suit from RASSCAR!

And you try to run but She's got a gun
And She shoots you dead and “She eats your head
And then you're in the Girl from RASSCAR!

You go out at night, eatin' Racecars

 You eat Marches, Reynard’s, Swift’s and Panoz’s too…

And you don't stop, you keep on eatin' Single Seaters
Then, when there's no more Racecars left
You go out at night and eat up Open Wheel Racing series instead

Like Champ Car and the IRL

While ‘Ol timers desperately cling to fantasies of a renaissance…

 

Face to face, dance cheek to cheek

One to one, man to man
Dance toe to toe
Don't move to slow, 'cause the Girl from RASSCAR is cutting thru

(Excuse me HULIO!)

 

But Mrs. Hospenthal is through with the competition

‘cause She's been eatin' a ton ‘O snicker bars
Yeah, wall to wall, door to door, hall to hall
She's gonna eat 'em all
Rapture…

 

Be pure
Take a tour; through the sewer
Don't strain your brain

Just check out that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue instead!

And then say it real fast

Boog-itee- Boog-itee- Boog-itee!

Paint a train, cause you’ll be singing' in the rain

If dare ain’t some ‘Tin Tops on real soon
I say stop throwin those mountain dew cans at Pretty Boy Floyd

Junior Nation!

Just be good ‘ol boyzs and cheer for ‘dannaCar instead!

Well now you see what you want to be

Just like Mike, who’s trying to pump up ‘Dem Spin-Car ratings on TV
'Cause the Girl from RASSCAR won't eat Candy bars when She’s PEAK-ing

In the bright lights…

 

As now She's gone back up to MARS Where She won't have a hassle with the human race ‘cause now its ‘DannaLand!

And you hip-hop, and you don't stop
Just blast off, sure shot
'Cause the Girl from RASSCAR stopped eatin' Racecars
And now She only devours IndyCar

get up, ‘Cause She’s gone HOLLYWOOD!

 

(Original lyrics: Blondie, Rapture)

 

Originally written by Tomaso on Feb 15, 2008

(Last Modified: February 7, 2023)         

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

The 2024 Formula 1 Golden Tailpipe Awards edition

The long, forgotten Caterham CT01. (Image source: Bing.com)

 

As Who’s got the Biggest Balls of All, Max?

 

With Formula 1 actually becoming interesting once again, after the white washing Max Verstappen and Red bull put upon the opposition in 2023. As we’ll never see another season like that! I simply had nothing to say about the Max Verstappen Show.

 

Yet Max Blunderhead’ had to work quite hard this year to secure His fourth F1 World Championship. Not to mention having an amazing seven drivers winning Grands Prix this season, along with McLaren winning the vaunted Constructors title!

 

As Y’all can compare ‘n contrast these Spur of Ye Cuff, Nonsensical selections vs. two years ago in the link below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/12/the-2022-formula-1-golden-tailpipe_0250107140.html

 

WINNERS

2024 F1 World Champion: Max Verstappen

2024 Constructors Champion: McLaren

2024 Monaco Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc

 

CATEGORIES

1. Driver of The Year

Winner: Carlos Sainz Jr.

Yeah, the obvious choice would be Max Verstappen, Righto? But for Mwah, anybody who comes back one race after emergency Appendicitis surgery and wins Down Under in Bloody Melbourne Mates! Is a Shoo-in! Especially if I’m a Fan of His…

 

Yes, others including His Ferrari teammate had more wins. But Charles Leclerc also threw a Hissy-fit over the radio when He didn’t get His way and Carlos finished ahead of Him. Suck it up Chuck!

 

Not to mention having to race the entire season knowing that He was being dropped in favour of Lewis Hamilton. As it would have been easy to just trundle along, but Sainz competed mightily the entire season. Ultimately scoring two Grands Prix victories. The latter being a storming drive from pole at Mexico City!

 

As it’ll be interesting to see how Carlos performs at the underwhelming Williams this season…

 

Other Choices

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, et Al

 

2. Biggest Disappointments of The Year

Without a doubt, the biggest disappointment is Mikey A’ being told He needs to retire, Box-Box-Box on the penultimate lap of Andretti, Err Cadillac Racing finally being granted the 11th F1 Garage on Pitlane for 2026! As I don’t know how to scribble ‘bout Michael Andretti’s ouster any better…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/10/whats-really-going-on-at-andretti-global.html

 

While the return of HMS Monogram, as Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward called Him. Flavio Briatore’s return to Formula 1 is definitely disappointing! Being the mastermind behind le reggie’s Crash Gate!

 

Not to mention it being a sad day for French motorsports with Alpine’s decision to abandon its own PU’s, ergo Power Units in favour of customer Mercedes units!

 

And its also disappointing if Max really did threaten to put George Russell on His F-KING’ Head…

 

3. Race of The Year

Winner: Sao Paolo Grand Prix

This seemed like a no brainer to me. Especially with Max Verstappen’s amazingly sublime drive in the wet! As Max’s marching from P17 to the lead was simply breathtaking, especially since He passed car after car cleanly in the rain!

 

As both eventual runner-up Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri simply marveled over Max’s exquisite car control. Which I scribbled about in the following No Fender tome…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/11/f1-which-max-will-show-up-under-strips.html

 

Whilst I’m guessing some will wonder about my other choices below, particularly the latter. Since even though Lando Norris checked out, it did feature two more superb from back of grid to the podium performances by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton…

 

Other Choices

British, Miami, Hungarian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix

 

4. Most Improved Team of the Year

Winner: MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Initially, it was a shock regarding Herr Guenther’s, nee Guenter Steiner’s dismissal as team principal for the unknown Ayao Kanotsu. Yet Konatsu being an engineer apparently has a steady hand. And doesn’t seek the spotlight like Steiner did…

 

As the team more than quadrupled its overall points tally this season. As I believe they were even as high as sixth in the vaunted F1 Constructors chase before finishing seventh, three positions better than 2023.

 

Along with finishing one place behind Alpine. Which Alpine jumped to solely upon the excellent 2-3 finish at Interlagos…

 

5. Most Disappointing Team of the Year

Winner: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

This was a toss-up between Williams and Sauber for Mwah. As I’d hoped for better from both of these long established F1 Constructors. Although Williams wasn’t alone in the spare chassis saga, the British team was definitely in the worst scenario! Which wasn’t aided at all by the multitude ‘O crashes its three drivers had during the long season.

 

As I understand that somebody’s gotta be last, butSauber only scored an embarrassing total of four points! As I don’t think the drivers were trying any less, or that the team wasn’t working hard. But I’m just left wondering if there was a lack of development or money spent in a lame Duck season before Audi took final, outright control of Sauber? 

Monday, February 10, 2025

The 2024 Formula 1 Golden Tailpipe Awards edition, Positions 6-10

And Max takes it by a Nose. Somebody give me a Cheeseburger!

 

Time for another mesmerizing No Fenders zany Awards story. Especially since I haven’t done one of these in some 24 months. But with All of the Sir Lewis mania sweeping Italy right now…

 

CATEGORIES 6-10

6. Most Impressive Driver of The Year

Winner: Nico Hulkenberg

Suppose what stands out to me about thee Incredible Hulk’, nee Nico Hulkenberg was His ability to wring the neck out of His Haas VF-24 consistently, and always sniffing round the top ten during qualifying and race finishes.

 

As Nico finished a very respectable 11th in the Drivers standings, scoring 41 of Haas’s tally of 58 points!

 

Hulkenberg had either nine or ten Top 10 finishes, since I cannot tell if He retired or finished seventh in one round? With a best being a pair of sixth place finishes in the Austrian and British Grands Prix.

 

7. Most Improved Driver of the Year

Winner: Yuki Tsunoda

The Japanese driver scored the bulk of Racing Bulls 46 points. Claiming 30 points enroute to 12th in the overall standings with Tsnoda’s best being a treble of seventh place finishes. And while Yuki easily outperformed RB teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Ultimately He didn’t do enough to keep Liam Lawson from claiming the coveted, second Red Bull Racing Hot-seat alongside F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.

 

8. Most Disappointing Driver of the Year

Winner: Sergio Perez

What can I scribble about either of these drivers, that hasn’t already been said? As I gave the nod to Checo’ simply due to His being in superior machinery, even if the Red Bull RB20 was a diabolical handful to drive this season.

 

As it was just plain outright sad to see Sergio struggling so mightily! With numerous, self inflicted crashes and spins hastening His exidous from Formula 1…

 

Runner-up: Daniel Ricciardo

Conversly, the same argument cood be made for DannyRic’, aka Daniel ricciardo’s demise from Formula 1. As the affable Aussie’ was trying to do enough to promote Himself into Perez’s seat for 2025. Yet like checo’, Ricciardo also struggled Ah-Mighty’ at the team F1 Sherpa Claudio coined as the little bulls, aka Racing Bulls or RB. Since I detest that Visa Cash App nomenclature!

 

Yet DannyRic’ simply failed to live up to His promise. Being dropped in somewhat bizarre circumstances. After setting the Fastest lap at Singapore, before simply being replaced by young turk’ Liam Lawson. Whom ironically gave the man He ultimately replaces the No. 1 salute during Checo’s Home race!

 

9. Personality of Year

Winner: Max Verstappen

As the now Four-times consecutive F1 World Champion garnered another new nickname from Mwah this season. Calling Him Max Blunderhead’, in regards to His fiendish Dick Dastardly driving antics at Mexico City! To the sublime drive in the rain at Sao Paolo. Whilst Maximum Hothead’s never at a loss for words!

 

From threatening to put Bosom Buddy George Russell on His F-KING’, careful Max! Yuhs know how swearing’s not allowed by the FIA, Tisk-Tisk!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/09/f1-max-tells-fia-to-bugger-off.html

 

To the brilliant one-liner about if His Mum had Balls She’d be His Dad…

 

10. Rookie of The Year

Winner: Oliver Bearman

Yeah, I know most would say it should be Williams Franco Colapinto, since the Argentinian driver was also sensational. Yet for Mwah, Oliver Bearman’s performance at Jeddah electrified me! Especially with the then 18yr old’s sudden, unexpected call-up to deputize for Carlos Sainz in the Saudia Arabian Grand Prix.

 

As Sainz needed to have an emergency Appendectomy, with Bearman replacing Him just hours before qualifying. With the British rookie qualifying P11 and finishing a fine seventh place, which was All I cared about during the race! With Bearman becoming Ferrari’s youngest ever driver.

 

Bearman than substituted for Kevin Magnussen at Haas a further two races. The first being at Azerbaijan, after the Dane’ had to serve a one race ban. With Bearman finishing tenth, becoming the first driver in Formula 1 history to score points for two different teams in back-to-back races…

 

Oliver raced again for a sick Magnussen at Sao Paolo, but struggled in the wet conditions. Including ironically, netting a ten second penalty for a collision with Colapinto. Ultimately finishing P12.

 

As Bearman will now make His full season debut for Haas, while Colapinto’s currently Alpine’s test and reserve driver… 

Friday, February 7, 2025

Tower Motorsports Out, Ford In

As what’s that ‘Ol ABC Wide World ‘O Sports saying, Eh?

 

On the very same morning, I awoke to the news via the Daytona Beach News Journal that “We’ve” got a new Rolex 24 winner! As the winning No. 8 Tower Motorsports LMP2 Class winner that saw le Hamburgular’, nee Sealmeister B’, aka Sebastien Bourdais taking the chequered flag 40-plus seconds ahead of the second place finisher has been DSQ’ed! (Disqualified)

 

The team’s Oreaca 07 chassis was found in a late post race technical inspection to have worn one of it’s skid blocks below the maximum wear allowance of five millimeters and thus, was stripped of it’s victory and demoted to last place in class. (12th)

 

The team’s subsequent protest was denied and the final results now see the No. 22 United Autosport entry of Paul di Resta, Rasmus Lind, Daniel Goldburg and James Allen declared as the Rolex 24 LMP2 winner.

 

Meanwhile the Detroit News had an article detailing Ford’s announcement to go Sports Car racing in 2027 with a LMDH-spec “Hypercar” entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

As the story touted this news as Ford V Ferrari 2.0, with no word on whether or not the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDH) entry would cross thoust Bloody Puddle and also race in IMSA GTP or not?

 

Although Racer’s Marshall Pruett notes that Ford plans to join IMSA either a year or two after the “Weckity Wec” debut, a la Hyundai’s Genesis Sports Car prototype project… 

Rolex 24 Postscript

As the 63rd Rolex 24 once again, was another Barn Burner!

 

First off, very cool for Jamie Chadwick to be the race’s Grand Marshall! Although part of me feels like this is some sort of consolation prize for Her. As hope Chadwick’s Sports Car career blossoms like Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken’s has…

 

Tuned into IMSA Radio’s “Countdown to The Green”, and was super happy to hear the voice of my Numero Uno IndyCar Radio pit reporter Ryan Marin. Along with the return of Jamie Howe. With my apologies to Peter Mackay, as initially I thought that ‘Ol EO Speedwagon’ Dario Franchitti was in the announce Booth…

 

Even better yet, Marin got copious amounts of time in the announce Booth,  most notably alongside lead Announcer John Hindhaugh…

 

Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3’s swept the front row of GTD Pro, with Rocky’, aka Mike Rockenfeller on pole in the #64, followed by it’s #65 stablemate. Being Rocy’s first pole position since March, 2006 at Homestead, Miami, Youza!

 

BMW Team RLL, ergo Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing bookended the GTP grid. With Dries Vanthoor taking Pole in the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V-8. While the #25 started last, P12 due to hybrid electrical issues.

 

Meyer Shank Racing two Acura ARX-06’s were quick off the bat. With comment made about the No. 93 being a nod to Honda’s history in IMSA Sports Car racing. Although Nick Yelloly reported a vibration, and then slid off at the west Horseshoe, dripping to seventh…

 

Pfaff Motorsport, fondly known as the “Plaid” Lamborghini had a miserable first pitstop, unable to remove the front left wheel. Needing a chisel to take the wheel off, then suffering a speeding penalty. Before being involved in a six car pile-up in Hour Eight!

 

As Louie’ Deletraz spun out of control on a race restart in the No. 10 Waynte Taylor Racing Cadd-Oh-lac’ V-Series.R GTP machine, before ricocheting back onto track and ultimately causing six cars, including the No. 9 Pfaff Lamborghini to retire from the race!

 

Much noise was made over the weather conditions, most notable the thirteen hours and sixteen minutes duration of darkness. Along with expected very cold overnight temperatures. As Sunset set at 5:58PM and Sunrise was at 7:15AM. (Eastern) Leaving me wondering if we’d once again have reports of frozen Iguanas falling out of the Palm trees. Or was it Geckos?

 

The race ultimately was one of attrition, with somebody in the announce Booth mentioning that eventually 21 of the 61 starters failed to finish! Which I won’t even try attempting to recap these, or the entire race…

 

Other than taking note early of the #11 TDS Racing LMP2 entry, with Hunter McElrea at it’s keyboard when initially having trouble on-track. Having been in it’s garage for two hours with a gearbox issue, but hadn’t retired as of 3PM Pacific.

 

(2:50PM Pacific) The first of the IMSA GTP Contendahs’ suffered Heartbreak. As Alex Palou in the  #93 suffered a left rear suspension failure and had to return to the garage via Flatbed.

 

The race’s restart saw K-Squared Harem Scarem’ vs. Colin Brown! As John Hindhaugh says I want to have whatever Kamui Kobayashi had for dinner! As He pulls out 8.5 second lead vs. Brown!

 

Listened to the majority of the first ten hours via IMSA Radio before getting sleepy, but failed to record who was leading at that point? Although it didn’t really matter, since the race has a history of totally changing complexion overnight…

 

Then listened to Hour number 13? Tuning in as the Eighth full course yellow for Charlie Eastwood’s No. 36 DXDT Corvette catching on fire was thrown! Pulling into an orange fire zone expertly at Speedway Turn-2! Just past the halfway point of the race; listening for another hour before calling it quits for the night…

 

Awaking before the alarm clock went off, I listened to the final three and one-half hours, which I’d say had more drama then the race’s first 3.5 hours! Beginning with nobody apparently wishing to claim LMP2 class honours. As first the leading No. 88 AF Corse entry ground to a halt on-track with mechanical woes.

 

Then Spike-the-Dragon’, the #99 AO Racing entry which had inherited the lead, failed to restart following one of it’s final pitstops! As its battery had run out of charge and refused to refire the Gibson V-8 lump!

 

With just a half hour remaining? The leading #18 Era Motorsport got drilled in the Keister’ by the trailing #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports entry! Both coming to the pits, with the #52 receiving a Drive-thru penalty. All the while seeing le Hamburgular’, nee Sebastien Bourdais who’d been watching the scrum ahead of Him steal another victory aboard the No. 8 Tower Motorsports entry…

 

The GTD Pro battle was even more chaotic! As the #4 Corvette of Tommy Milner was leading with the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 Evo hot on His tails when they came upon the second #48 Paul Miller Racing entry, being several laps down in 12th place. Yet the #48’s Agusto Farfas decided to play Blocking Back for the Seester’ No. 1 a little too aggressively! Slowing in the corners and essentially blocking the Vette’s progress. Before the No. 1 hit the left corner of the Vette’ when trying to overtake for the lead.

 

As a disgusted Milner said after climbing out of the damaged Corvette that it was just plain dirty pool and they should be embarrassed! Having given Farfas the you’re Number One salute who received a Drive-thru for His antics…

 

Thus I clapped estatically when in the closing minutes of the race, the No. 1 BMW M4 suddenly found itself the meat in a Pratt Miller Corvette sandwich! As the team’s #3 entry was hounding Dennis Olsen leading in the No. 65 Ford Mustang, who I had two sets ‘O fingers crossed for! As all of a sudden, WHAM! The #4 Vette’ tagged the BMW! Also receiving another Drive-thru. Yet All of this Argie-Bardgie allowed Olsen relief with a sudden 2.7-seconds lead, before taking the cheqered flag for Ford!

 

Being the Mustang’s maiden GT3victory, not to mention Sebastian Priaulx coming home third in the Seester’ No. 64, which gave Ford it’s first GTDPro pole position earlier…

 

The GT Daytona class was just as exciting, with the lucky No. 13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3.R with Matt Bell at the wheel taking the win by 1.4 seconds. As Bell had also played the bump ‘n run game with one of the Aston’s, albeit the Aston Martin Vantage doing the bumping…

 

With 22mins remaining, Felipe Nasr said “Playing Thru” as He and Matt Campbell in the Seester No. 6 Porsche touched! Whilst the announcers had spent hours repeating how Porsched hadn’t finished 1-2 at Daytona since 1987. Which Tom “The Bomb” Blomqvist ensured didn’t happen again. As the MSR HotSchue’ passed Campbell with five minutes remaining to finish Vice Champion, Err runner-up…

 

Thus Nasr scored back-to-back wins aboard the No. 7 entry, the same Porsche 963 He’d won the year before aboard with Campbell, Dane Cameron and Josef Schlick’ Newgarden.

 

And there’s more I wanted to scribble about. But I’ll save it for another meandering No Fenders post… 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The Original Blind tom’

And No! Its got Nothing to do wit your Humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso! Other than being Blind…

 

“Say that Boy’s a wonderment

No! The kid’s a Freak

His Black hands resting on the keys

Popping like a big old Frog

And hissing like a train

 

Faint hearts with their fans out

Starched collars and cigars

He weren’t no use for Slaving

I wouldn’t want Him in my yard”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS2-gOY-bK0

 

Once again, thoust Seas ‘O Synchronicity were splish-splashing ah-Mighty’ over Mwah Here in Nofendersville…

 

Being in the midst of “reading”, Err listening to Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides, an amazing book! Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen told me She’d just heard about something to do with me on the radio.

 

No, it wasn’t about me on the radio, but the local KING FM Classical radio station telling Her about a Black piano virtuoso simply known as Blind tom during the 1800’s.

 

As I’d just read the portion of The Prince of Tides where none other than Anne Frank is brilliantly used to point out the persecution African Americans were subjected to. Not to mention the Horrors they submitted to following 1954’s Brown v Board of Education ruling.

 

But back to our unknown Black piano virtuoso simply known as blind tom. As Thomas “blind tom” Greene Wiggins was born into Slavery on a Georgia Plantation in1849. Beginning to play the piano at age four, and reportedly composing His first song at age five titled the Rain Storm, after listening to a heavy downpour upon a tin roof.

 

Suppose you could say that wiggins had an idetic memory, since Tom’s claimed to have memorized 7,000 recorded songs. And could play back anything after hearing it performed just once! Whilst most amazingly playing one song with His left hand. A second song with His right. And singing a third, different song All at once! For which as Sir Elton sings, may be He’s a Savant!

 

And even though Slavery was outlawed by the end of the Civil War,and is now celebrated on June Teenth. Blind Tom remained in the servitude of the Family that Had bought Him and His parents in 1850 for the remainder of His life.

 

As the white Family He lived with is claimed to have eventually made $750,000 off of “loaning” out Blind tom for performances. Beginning at age eight, Tom’s hiring for up to four performances a day, netted General James Neil Bethune and His family an estimated $100,000 yearly.

 

At age 16 Bethune took Him to Europe for His first international exposure. With Blind Tom being the first African American to perform for a U.S. President in the White House. For which noted author Mark Twain was present for many of Wiggins performances over the years…

 

Yet Blind tom wasn’t without His criticism, mainly regarding His most famous song, The Battle of Manassa. Which reputedly the Confedrecy profited from His work, especially as the song is about their victory in 1861. With many Black newspapers failing to recognize Black Tom due to this perceived connection…

 

There were also nasty legal custody fights over whom Wiggins lived with during His life, all the while continuously traveling the United States playing the piano. With audiences playing Stump Blind tom to no avail, when challenging the musician to play two unheard, new compositions back to them after a single hearing.

 

Wiggins was present during the 1889 Johnstown Flood, and afterwards for years, people doubted He was the real Blind tom!

 

In 1903, Wiggins began performing on the Vaudeville circuit, until in December the following year, suffered an apparent stroke. This ended His public performance, albeit He could still be heard playing the piano at home for countless hours days and nights. Before He suffered His life ending stroke at age 59 in 1908.

 

 Reading His biography, I learned that several books have been written about Him. Along with various musicians recording His songs, or writing songs about Him.

 

As pianist John Davis recorded the album John Davis plays Blind tom in 1999. While Sir Elton John recorded The Ballad of Blind Tom on His 2013 album The Diving board. For which I really like its haunting piano melody.

 

Ironically, Elton John is currently suffering eyesight issues. Reportedly being totally blind in His right eye, and having only partial sight from His left. With John saying He’s gained great empathy for All of those with low vision or being blind from His eyesight issues…

 

Meanwhile, on January 8th, the youngest member of the original Freedom riders Bus Charles Person Died at Age 82. As Person was just 18 in 1961, a College Freshman at MoreHouse College, when He volunteered to ride a Bus to New Orleans to challenge the Interstate Commerce Commission’s (ICC) failure of upholding the integration of Interstate Bus terminals and Bus Desegregation. Which the Supreme court’s rulings in both 1946 and 1960 had found to be unconstitutional.

 

 As six pairs of white and black Freedom Riders were paired together, including future Congressman John Lewis. Riding a Trailways bus departing Washington D.C. on May 4, 1961. Before encountering fierce opposition from white Klansmen who boarded the bus in Atlanta. Saying just wait until we get to Alabama!

 

Arriving in Anniston, Alabama, where another Greyhound Freedom Riders Bus had been “torched” hours earlier. The white Klansmen attacked the black Freedom Riders before dragging the bloodied men to the rear of the bus. And stacking them like pancakes!

 

With the bus continuing to Birmingham, where the Freedom Ride came to its Ugly conclusion! Where riders noticed about twenty whites outside with lead pipes, before all Hell broke loose when the Freedom Riders exited the bus to attempt testing Alabama’s segregationist policies…

 

As Person and James Peck, were designated the first pair to attempt entering the station and using a white’s only lunch counter . With Person later recanting He was attacked by a man with a lead pipe.

 

While Peck, a white Harvard Alumni was brutally beaten, recalling being unconscious in seconds, before both men escaped to Fred Shuttleworth’s home…

 

On May 29, 1961, after the Kennedy’s had asked for a “cooling down” period, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy sent a petition to the ICC requesting them toenforce their rules regarding integration. Before the ICC finally invoked a new integration policy on November, 1, 1961.

 

While its hard to think that the murder of George Floyd occurred only some four-plus years ago on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020.

 

As how will our current President choose to act regarding Diversity during His second term?

 

So much for that pipe dream, as what Diversity and Inclusion? Welcome to White Man Central 2.0!

 

Partial song lyrics from Elton John’s the ballad of Blind tom. From the 2013 album The Diving Board.

 

(Steinway and Sons concert grand Piano model D-274 image source: commons.wikimedia.org) 

Monday, February 3, 2025

F1 goes testing, TPC Style

But Don’t expect to see them in Action, until at least Bahrain…

 

In all of the hype surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, and His total immersion to Scueria Ferrari culture. Read a good article by Racer’s Chris Medland on Formula One’s  Testing Previous Cars (TPC) programme. Hey if the Bloody Brits’ can Chuck round vernacular such as Vice champion and Box-box-box George! Then I can Bloody scribble programme, but I digress…

 

As TPC is designed to allow Formula 1 teams the ability to go testing in F1 chassis being two years old, with the previous three seasons machinery allowed. Making 2021-23 F1 chassis eligible for TPC duty this season.

 

And thanks to Haas’s new technical alliance with Toyota, the smallest F1 team on the grid will run its maiden TPC outing with Toyota’s assistance. Having tested a Haas VF-23 at Jerez recently. Where race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman ran one day apiece, with Ritomo Miyata getting “seat-time” at the end of each day.

 

As Mercedes joined Haas in Jerez, running one of its earlier F1 chassis. Presumably the F1 W14 for Kimi Antonelli, with no word about George Russell.

 

Reportedly Mercedes has been running the young Italian whose full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a multitude of older spec Mercedes machinery in its attempt to get Him properly prepared for His forthcoming F1 rookie campaign.

 

Naturally there was much Buzz over Sir Lewis’s debutante outing in scarlet, when Golden Child’ and Charles Leclerc ran around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Ferrari SF23 and F1 75 racecars. While another outing for the duo was planned for Barcelona a week later.

 

While the media reported that Lewis looked like a Mafia Don on His first day in Maranello. Wearing either a double breasted dark blue or black suit with gray trench, err overcoat over His shoulders. Uhm, strike the pose Lewis, Meow!

 

Hmm, why did visions of Michael Jackson looking like a “Dandy” in the epic video Billie Jean come flashing into my Head, eh?

 

I believe that I read that F1 teams are now allowed  only 1000km (Kilometers) or a paltry 621 miles in “Old Money” as Professor’ Steve Matchett would say. Leading me to wonder how this exact mileage is monitored?

 

As teams are required to notify the FIA a minimum of 72 Hours prior to commencing TPC activities. And provide the chassis designation, drivers, venue etc. for the FIA Delagate and other competing Formula 1 teams knowledge of such activities. While I’m guessing this also allows rival teams to share a race track and “Pool” circuit expenses, if desired…

 

Although it sounds like not all ten F1 Constructors carry out extensive TPC programmes, or are required to? As I’m guessing its just the FIA mandate of running at least two rookies per season the teams are bound by.

 

As I understand the mileage, Err kilometers limit is presumably a cost saving measure. But it seems like a bit more mileage could be allowed, which in turn gives more opportunity for F1 cars to be raced around the world. Or even better yet, give Fans a second opportunity to witness testing during the second half of the season?

 

Yeah, I know, the season’s already too Gory long! But these TPC tests give the media something more to write about, and give F1 media exposure…