Truncated 2026 Sebring 12 Hours Postscript

Everyone remembers this March’s 12 Hours of Sebring, Righto?

 

Have I mentioned lately how Mucho I’m having a hard time getting my Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to rev-up over motor racing lately Y’all? Or seemingly stuck in second gear? Even if Y’all are quivering with Month ‘O May excitement…

 

Is there something going on in Indiana this month, eh?

 

While at least I don’t have to lament over the fact of the entire 12 Hours of Sebring being shown only behind Peacock’s Paywall, WTF! A la Formula 1 gong behind Apple TV’s curtain, err Paywall, meaning half of my motor racing series have gone “Dark!” Since I no longer have television, but I digress…

 

Tuned in via IMSA Radio somewhere during High Noon, (Pacific) with some seven hours remaining. Although I flitted about during this duration…

 

And its sad when the most poignant part of the entire 12 Hours race was the great story John Hindhaugh waxed poetically upon…

 

Yes, I understand there’s good, bad and mediocre race officials, which obviously applies to all walks of life. But I found the following yarn extraordinary.

 

Hindhaugh recounted about what I believe was the 1999 Petit Le Mans race? And one unnamed pit crew was limbering up for an impending pit stop.

 

The race official was none other than the top overseer of the entire pitlane, and spotting one crew member with His visor still up before the team’s car lumbered to a stop. Went over and slapped the members helmet and whack! The visor slid shut, the team made their pitstop and the car raced off.

 

The chief mechanic having observed what happened, came over and inquired if they were going to receive a penalty? To which the official said, I’m not here to give out penalties, I’m here to make sure you’re being safe! And I bet that won’t happen again!

 

With Hindhaugh saying that the official was Dick Martin and as I listened to this wonderful story, tears began streaming down my face. Due to Martin’s display of humanity. Which we, as a nation are sorely lacking right now. Brandishing our version of the Good, Bad and Ugly!

 

I must also say my mind began wondering about if we’ll have another Arab Oil Embargo, which I was just a Wee lad when that occurred. Due to the starvation of crude oil slipping thru the Straight of Hormuz. And how will the Iran War impact motor racing in general? Since it seems to only be worsening; as somebody pass me the raw, bloody meat…

 

Tend to recall somewhere within five hours remaining. One of the announcers mused over how Renger van der Zande said the Porsche’s were just playing with everybody! Which turned out to be prophetic.

 

Didn’t catch what happened to cause the two leading Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963’s swap positions. With Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 basically pulling over on the straight to allow Keven Estre’s No. 6 by.

 

Yet I marveled over Nasr’s bravado. Telling the team over the in-car radio He’d pull over before asking if they were cleared to race each other? Saying He’d pull over but they’ll lose the race if He stays second!

 

As think it was the No. 31 Whelen Cadd-Oh-lac’ breathin’ down the Penske’s backsides? Before Nasr was given the Ok and swiftly repassed Estre to lead them  home to a 1-2 sweep. On the very same day that El Capitano’, nee roger Penske was serving as the race’s Grand Marshall.

 

Initially Ricky Taylor in the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac v-Series.R claimed the third podium spot. But was DSQ’ed (Disqualified) following a post-race tech inspection violation. Elevating the No. 31 Whelen to third.

 

The win was Porsche’s 20th overall victory at Sebring. With the two Penske Porsches running special red, white and blue Mobil 1 tribute liveries. Commemorating 30 years of Porsche and Mobil 1’s partnership, dating back to the 1996 Porsche GT1 running Mobil 1 livery at Circuit de la Sarthe.

 

Whilst its also Team Penske’s 60th anniversary of racing, and Porsche’s 75th anniversary of Motorsports. Making it ironic that Porsche won’t be competing in Hypercar this June at Le Mans…

 

In LMP2, Zakery Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosport claimed a 1-2 finish, with Nikkel Jensen, Phil Fayer and former IndyCar, Indy Lights and current ECR IndyCar reserve driver Hunter McElrea coming out on top in the No. 2. With the Seester’ No. 22 second, and the No. 8 Tower Motorsports third.

 

Porsche claimed a “Double” 1-2 finish with the Manthey Racing No. 911 leading AO Racing’s Roxy’, the prehistoric pink Dinosaur No. 77 pair of Porsche 911 GT3 R’s across the stripe in GTD Pro. Being Manthey’s breakthrough victory at Sebring.

 

Yet it was the GTD Class that featured the most drama and eventful outcome. As AF Corse’s Antonio Fuoco suffered three Drive-thru penalties for various violations, i.e.; avoidable contact, too many crew members over the wall and a second collision on-track!

 

Yet despite Fuoco’s transgressions. Before working His way back up to second place again. Running some scant 1.1 seconds with eight minutes remaining behind Heart Of Racing’s Tom Gamble in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage. Gamble made a slight bobble on the final lap and Fuoco pounced, giving the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo the victory… 

Acura celebrates 40th Birthday in style at Long Beach

As move over “Red rocker” this Integra’s playing thru!

 

Nah Race Fans, no riveting Long Beach IndyCar reports here, Hya! Instead perhaps Y’all heard about or spotted that Rad’ Acura Integra No. 40 tribute car over the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend?

 

As Honda bought itself a birthday present, even after declaring its first ever loss in 70 years, to the tune of some $16 Billion! Along with cancelling the planned production of three new EV’s in North America…

 

I don’t know about Y’all, but when I hear the word Comptech, I immediately think of Parker Johnstone! Which for some reason I’ve just learned (again) was born in Redmond, Oregon, say what?

 

As Honda launched its luxury brand Acura on March 27, 1986, and immediately backed then unknown of Comptech Racing to build “Sporty” Integra racecars that dominated IMSA’s International Sedan series between 1987-90. While Comptech had built Honda’s very first North American racecar in 1985, a CRX model.

 

Comptech then graduated to IMSA’s Camel Lights category with similar crushing results. Winning the championship three years on-the-trot, including two Rolex 24 and one 12 Hours of Sebring class victories between 1991-93.

 

Five years ago, I noted here upon No Fenders how Wayne Taylor Racing’s win in the Rolex 24 was a Historic Three-peat for WTR. Joining the likes of rival Chip Ganassi Racing. (CGR) Prior to Porsche Penske Motorsport joining the “Party” this year.

 

Also being Wayne Taylor’s fourth overall W’ in five years; its latest 24 Hours of Daytona victory. Along with being a Watershed moment for Acura, scoring it’s Breakthrough Overall 24 Hours of Daytona victory. Before securing its own Three-peat at Daytona thanks to WTR and Meyer shank Racing’s (MSR) wins between 2021-23.

 

Although then, I was unaware that Comptech Racing had won at Daytona with a Spice SE90CL Prototype chassis, propelled by Acura’s NSX V-6 lump’ in the GTP Lights Class. Ironically 30 years ago, which Marshall Pruett chronicled in his usual Brilliant writing.

 

ROLEX 24 RETRO: Acura’s wild breakthrough Daytona win

 

The Comptech entry was put on it’s Class Pole by some Cat named Parker Johnstone, remember him Y’all? As think He was one of Ye Oldest IndyCar blogger’s Geo. Phillips favourite IndyCar Announcers, Hya!

 

Comptech then joined Rahal/Hogan Racing’s revival of Honda engines in the CART/PPG IndyCar World Series in 1994, making its debut at Portland International Raceway. Competing in IndyCar for three years. With Johnstone scoring Honda’s maiden IndyCar Pole position at Michigan International Speedway in 1995.

 

Having scribbled previously about Honda’s return to IndyCar racing in the following No Fenders yarn.

 

Honda Racing’s 75yrs Trilogy Conclusion

 

If you’re still following along? Then I’ll cut to the chase. As Acura created a Rad’ first generation No. 40 Integra racecar paying homage to those early Comptech racecars. Appropriately sprayed in vivid red, with a “refreshed” 1.6-litre straight four lump’ mated to a five speed manual gearbox.

 

Having originally learned about this throwback tribute vehicle on my Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service’s Car & Driver magazine section.

 

Which I’ll let the story’s author Eric Stafford do the “Heavy” lifting, and give All of the Gory details below…

 

Acura Celebrates Turning 40 by Building this Rad Integra Race Car

 

Although naturally, I stumbled upon another article on Ye All knowing Intrawoods’, claiming that Comptech Racing had actually won both the IMSA International Sedan series Manufacturer and Drivers championships four years in-a-row. Both with Comptech co-founder Doug Peterson and teammate Parker Johnstone.

 

The original Acura Integra completely ruled its IMSA Class

 

As who knows? Perhaps Acura will bring us a third generation NSX model sometime in the future. Perhaps with a GT3 spec racecar? Since it would be cool seeing an Acura NSX Evo LMGT3 poundin’ round Circuit de la Sarthe… 

F1: Godzilla races in Japan!

As Thar goes the Neighbourhood…

 

“With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound
He pulls the spitting high tension wires down

Helpless people on a subway train
Scream for God as He looks in on them

He picks up a bus and he throws it back down
As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town

Oh no, they say, he's got to go
Go go Godzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes Tokyo”

 

Suppose I’m showing my age, Eh? Since upon reading the first time about Godzilla racing in Japan, I immediately thought of Ye Classic Rockers BOC. Better known as Blue Oyster Cult and their Hit song Godzilla…

 

VIDEO: Godzilla – Blue Oyster Cult

 

Tend to recall I’ve got a Summer Jam sticker on a notebook from the early 1980’s that featured Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers, and Blue Oyster Cult amongst others…

 

Arse-sumedly Y’all know about the Haas F1 Team running a special “One-off” Godzilla themed livery racecar at Suzuka this year. As the Haas VF-26 featured Godzilla blasting His Atomic breath on the car’s engine cover.

 

As folklore claims the mutant Godzilla creature spawned from radioactive waters of Tokyo, albeit far prior to Fukushima…

 

the American team, now known as TGR Haas F1 Team. Ran the livery in conjunction with Toho co. Ltd, the Japanese entertainment company responsible for producing the Godzilla Franchise.

 

Reportedly Haas will reveal another Godzilla livery at this fall’s United States Grand Prix. Which just happens to coincide with the release of Godzilla Minus Zero. Celebrating the movie franchise’s 75th anniversary, with 38 films having been made.

 

Had forgotten that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Grand Prix, which is worth celebrating itself. Especially since it was the 1976 F1 World Championship decider, albeit at Fuji in October…

 

50 years since James Hunt won F1 title in Japan

 

Whilst movie tribute F1 livery themes aren’t new, they also are fairly rare. With Red Bull Racing having run a Star Wars theme in 2005. As tend to still recall Storm Troopers storming thee Principality, ergo Monaco.

 

While Alpine ran a Dead Pool Wolverine livery in 2024, in conjunction with the movie’s release. As its star Ryan Reynolds and actors Rob McElhenny, Michael B. Jordan and others thru Maximum Efforts Investments, Redbird Capital Partners and Otro Capital currently own a 24% stake, having paid $218 million in 2023.

 

Although now negotiating to sell to the highest bidder, making thoust Pied Piper Chris Horner squirm, with Flavio Briatore admitting that Mercedes itself and not Herr Wolff, Ahem toto! Is also an interested buyer…

 

Yet I’m just hoping that Haas’s race went better than Jaguar’s Wayback’ in Bloody 2004! Since Y’all remember that glitzy Oceans 12 reveal, Eh?

 

Yuhs know when Jaguar ran its R5 with diamond encrusted noses for Mark Webber and Christian Klien. Each chassis carrying a $250,000 diamond on its noseconde!

 

Yet on the opening lap, Klien collided with another racecar, before striking the barriers at Lowes corner twice. Yep, Yuhs guessed it, the diamond was nowhere to be found!

 

As it done “Klien” disappeared, Yikes!

 

Although I’m not claiming that Christian Klien had anything to do with its disappearance on the streets of Monte Carlo.

 

And you’d have to say the publicity both before and after the race were worth the reported $250,000 price for Ford’s flagging Formula 1 Jaguar Racing programme they sold the following year to Red Bull.

 

While that diamond were reputedly lost forever, I still have a hard time believing real diamonds were used for this promotional stunt…

 

 

Oh no, watch out for that Alpine Godzilla!

 

Partial song lyrics from: Blue Oyster Cult’s Godzilla; 1977 Spectre Album. 

Team Penske Celebrates 60th anniversary in Style

Mark Donohue’s No. 6 Trans Am Javelin racecar on display at IMS Museum. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although should we break out  Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back” song for Team Penske’s IndyCar operation yet?

 

Talk about pressure, as the weight of Team Penske sweeping the “Desert Double” at Phoenix Raceway fell solely upon Ryan Blaney’s shoulders. Yet the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion didn’t faulter, even after suffering two Pitstop miscues. Including a penalty for being outside of His Pit Box!

 

 Turned on Thy Telie’ with some twelve laps remaining. Planning to “watch”, Err listen again to the We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt 25 Years later program slated for 4PM Pacific.

 

But due to the race having a record 12 cautions, as typical, it went long! And thus I got to hear the FOX TV Booth Boyz’ prattle on about what Blaney needed to do to win the race, who was the favourite after winning last November at Phoenix.

 

Thus I heard Mike Joy say that Blaney had passed 49 cars enroute to victory! His 18th win, capping a “Clean Sweep” weekend for El Capitano’ at Phoenix during His 60th Anniversary celebration.

 

As Friday, High Noon saw Team Penske debutante David Malukas capture His maiden IndyCar pole. Before Josef Schlick’ Newgarden won the IndyCar race Saturday afternoon, with “Big Dave” (Malukas) finishing third.

 

Joey “Sliced Bread” Lagano claimed the NASCAR pole Saturday, before Blaney dramatically swooped past then leader Ty Gibbs with some nine laps remaining for His and Team Penske’s first win of the season…

 

Knowing that Penske Racing didn’t make its Indianapolis 500 debut until May of 1969, I was slightly Cornfuzed over this being El Capitano’s, nee Roger Penske’s 60th year of racing. Although knowing He had “dabbled” in Trans Am with the late Mark Donohue in those nasty Sunoco Chevrolet Camaro Z/28’s,albeit those weren’t until 1967.

 

Thus I’d either forgotten, or more likely unaware that Penske Racing made its “official” debut as a racing team at the inaugural 24 Hours of Daytona on February 5, 1966.

 

Penske entered Chevrolet’s first L88 big block 427cid V-8 Corvette racecar with drivers Dick Guldstand, Ben Moore and George Wintersteen finishing 11th overall and first in the GT Class. Then followed up by finishing an impressive ninth overall and first in the GT Class at the notorious 12 Hours of Sebring!

 

1966 No. 9 Roger Penske Development L88 Corvette restoration

 

As of the “Desert Double” at Phoenix Raceway, Team Penske has amassed a staggering tally of 660 wins! With multiple drivers titles and an unprecedented 20 Indianapolis 500 victories.

 

Mark Donhue scored Penske Racing’s first USAC Championship Car win at Pocono Raceway in 1971. With Newgarden’s w’ being the team’s 247th victory, Aye Darumba!

 

According to my porous Open wheel Racing records. I’ve got Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing tied with 17 National Championships apiece, i.e.; USAC, CART, IRL, CCWS and IndyCar. But that’s just my unofficial reckoning…

 

On the NASCAR front, I always associate Rusty Wallace in the Miller Beer No. 2 Stock Car with Team Penske…

 

Thus it was funny learning that Penske Racing actually made its NASCAR debut at Riverside in 1972. With Mark Donohue driving a patriotic red, white and blue AMC Matador, “affectionately” known as the Flying Brick due to its over-square shape.

 

The team dabbled off ‘n on before running its first full season effort with Bobby Allison in 1976, finishing third overall.

 

Rusty Wallace made two starts for Penske in 1980, before the team went on hiatus for eleven years.

 

Penske returned fulltime to NASCAR in 1991. When Wallace brought His Miller Beer sponsorship to Penske from the suspended Raymond Beadle Blue Max operation. With Penske fielding Pontiac’s for Wallace…

 

Ryan Newman scored Team Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory in 2008. With Brad Keselowski scoring the team’s first Cup championship in 2012, its final season with Dodge. Having run the “blue Oval” (Ford) since 2013.

 

Joey Lagano has scored all three of His Cup titles driving for El Capitano aboard those iconic yellow Pennzoil/Shell No. 22 racecars. While the team has  won the Daytona 500, the sports crown jewel three times. As Lagano won in 2015, and Austin Cindric, son of then Team Penske president Tim Cindric was a shock winner in 2022.

 

Mike Joy was quick to point out it was Team Penske’s 157th win when Blaney crossed the stripe Sunday afternoon at Phoenix.

 

Yet Rick Hendrick and His eponymous Hendrick Motorsports have triple Team Penske’s Cup titles with 15. Along with double the Cup victories at 320. As I know sometime last year? Hendrick surpassed “The King”, nee Richard Petty and Petty Enterprises for most career wins in NASCAR.

 

While I would have loved being the proverbial “Fly on the Wall” during the Penske celebration held at His Scottsdale facility. Arse-sumedly His Penske Racing Museum where all six current Team Penske drivers gathered for this momentous occasion…

 

Inside the Hidden Gem of Team Penske Racing History

 

Adding icing to the cake. Porsche Penske Motorsport hqas swept the “36 Hours of Florida” this year. Beginning with a Three-peat for the team’s No. 7 Porsche 963 and Felipe Nasr at the Rolex 24.

 

And then the No. 7 won again at the 12 Hours of Sebring, where Roger Penske was serving as the Grand Marshall. Capping the team’s 661st victory… 

Another Quiet weekend in January

Before All Hell broke loose at Daytona International Speedway!

 

Purely by happenstance, I stumbled into the Mexico City ePrix being shown on CBS, Sunday, January 10th at 1:30PM. (Pacific) With my Zap-2-It TV Guide telling me it was 1.5hrs duration. Further learning it was a truncated 90mins “Highlights” package of the day’s outing. Including a pre-race preamble, discussing Andretti’s new arrival Felipe Drugavich – who they interviewed. Then Qualie’ result and the entire race, albeit cut up into numerous, annoying 9mins “chunks” before the next commercial break, Spew!

 

As I hadn’t paid any Attenzione to Formula e at all since last scribbling in “earnest” about Portland’s ePrix Wayback’ in the summer of 2023…

 

A Quiet Day in the Rose City

 

Whilst I’ve got zero clue when the last time I sat and “watched”, Err listened to an ePrix race was? Other than many, many years ago…

 

Being Blind Y’all, have I mentioned that lately? Although my ears pricked up over several items. But I must confess, Formula e’s the most difficult racing series to follow for Mwah, due to its lack of any relevant racecar noise.

 

The first thing that caught my Attenzione was Hey! That voice sounds familiar! As it was indeed IndyCar Pit Reporter and IMSA “colour” Commentator Ryan Marin as the lead Announcer. Whilst I swear that had to be Karun “Cowboy” Chandok reporting from Pitlane and hosting the post-race podium interview, Ole!

 

The other bit that caught my No. 4 wire, was the mention of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez only being 1.6 mile lengths. (1.619m) Or as Professor Steve Matchett would say is 2.606Km in “New Money”. As the Formula E circuit is some 1.5 miles shorter and features 16 turns vs. the Gran Premio cicuito’s 17 turn layout.

 

And without going thru everything, albeit a la Formula 1. This year’s 12th season of Formula E is the longest, with a record 17 races. With Mexico City being Round 2.

 

There’s a total of 10 teams. With Nissan’s Oliver Rowland sporting the No. 1 plate as the series defending Drivers Champion.

 

The other nine teams are: Cutra Kiro, DS Penske, Jaguar, Lola Yamaha, Envision Racing, Mahindra Racing, Citroen Racing, Andretti Formula E, and Porsche Formula E Team.

 

There’s a total of three American “flagged” entries, with Andretti Formula E and  DS Penske being familiar. As the latter is owned by Jay Penske, son of El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske.

 

Yet I’ll admit that this mystery Cutra Kiro name is totally foreign to Mwah, which I’ll scribble about a different day, as this No Fenders yarn is starting to unravel…

 

And although I know very little about Formula E, I must admit I was pulling for Pascal Wehrlein and Edoardo Mortara for different reasons. Mortara having won Formula E’s 50th and 100th races, with Mexico City being the series 150th ePrix. Which obviously would have been a great symmetry.

 

Whilst Wehrlein was for sentimental reasons. Including being a former formula 1 driver who never got His due with a proper F1 team. Having driven for the struggling, Minnowesqe Manor alongside Esteban Ocon Wayback’ in 2016.

 

As both drivers were Mercedes Werks’ Pilotes, both winning DTM titles before being elevated to Formula 1. With Ocon still racing F1 a decade later…

 

Although there was typically no sound emitted from these impressive Gen 3’ Evo racecars, other than the associated whine of mechanical parts and tyre noises. It was interesting hearing Wehrlein breathing heavily when conversing on His In-car radio due to the track’s high elevation. With Mexico City being at some 7,350 feet above Sea level, Aye Karumba!

 

The other bit to get used to and understand was the required usage of two separate maximum Overtake modes, Err Attack Mode. Which we’ll All be learning about in Formula 1 this season.

 

As Formula E’s Attack Mode boosts car performance by 50 KW, to a maximum 350 kW. (Kilowatts) Including All Wheel Drive! (4WD)

 

Which if I understand correctly, Ci? Drivers can choose how to utilize the two Attack mode sessions. Either in a 2+6, 4+4 or 6+2 minutes duration during the race.

 

And whilst both Wehrlein and Mortara took there turns in the lead. It was an uber impressive victory by Nick Cassidy for Citroen Racing, storming from 13th place. As look Ma, No David Cassidy jokes Thar, Hya!

 

Fittingly, although planned ahead of time. Porsche ran a special tribute livery at the Mexico City ePrix. As both Wehrlein and teammate Nico Muller’s Porsche’s were running an all silver throwback livery. Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Porsche’s involvement in Motorsports.

 

Porsche Formula E Team marks 75 years of Porsche Motorsports with Carrera Panamericana tribute livery

 

As the special livery tribute was most Apropos, with legendous’ Porsche driver Hans Herrman having died the day prior at the remarkable age of 97, Ja Volt!

 

Having just learned that Herrmann finished third overall, and first in the under 1.5-litre Class in the grueling Carrera Panamericana in 1954 behind the wheel of an iconic silver Porsche 550 Spyder.

 

Whilst I love the story about Herrmann, a Baker by trade’s racing instincts during the 1954 Mille Miglia.

 

Approaching a railroad crossing’ lowering gate , and deciding it was too late to brake! Hans simply knocked on the back of navigator Herbert Linge’s helmet to make Him duck! As the pair barely made it underneath the lowering gate, And the Porsche 550 Spyder rocketed past the train to the stunned crowd’s approval! With Herrman and Linge winning the race’s 1.5-litre Class.

 

Although I did know from my extensive five part Triple Crown Winners story, that Herrmann was the first of nine drivers who’ve won le 24 Heurs du Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring overall. Which Y’all can read in the following No Fenders link below.

 

LE MANS 100C: Celebrating Drivers who’ve Claimed the Triple Crown of Endurance Races 

F1: A Different Shade of Red at Monza

And Nah, we’re Not talkin’ about 50 Shades of Red…

 

Uncharacteristically, I got up bright ‘n early for the live airing of the Italian Grand Prix from Monza. Musing to myself over how I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d “watched”, Err listened to a Grand Prix? As I think it was the Mighty Spa’, aka Spa-Francorchamps? But does it really matter?

 

Perhaps I’m being cynical here? But I also found it amusing how la Scuderia, nee Ferrari was running another special tribute livery scheme at what’s called the Temple of Speed.

 

Although I thought it was cool that Ferrari was running a “One-off” tribute motif wrap celebrating the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda’s 1975 Formula 1 championship. With this year’s SF-25chassis mimicking the correct shade of  rosso. The Blanco (white) piping and engine cover, and the silver, metallic (aluminum) rear wing that the 312T sported; per-carbon fibre.

 

Along with the car numbers in Old School roundels and the driver’s names in cursive, plus special wheels, albeit I don’t know if this was just another paint change or what? Whilst the drivers will wear retro overalls, with Sir Lewis’s helmet adorning Lauda’s name. Along with the team also wearing retro “Kit” during the weekend…

 

As Rega’, aka Clay Regazoni  won the Italian Grand Prix with Lauda finishing third fifty years ago at Autodromo Nacional Monza.  Clinching both the F1 Constructors and Drivers titles for Scuderia Ferrari for the first time in eleven years, to the ecstasy of the ravenous Tifosi!

 

I say cynical, since Ferrari seems destined to go winless this season, and the pre-season Honeymoon has long since faded over Hamilton joining la Scuderia…

 

Although the weekend started off on the right note with Lewis Hamilton being fastest overall in Friday’s (Free Practice) FP-1 session. With Charles Leclerc qualifying fourth, and Hamilton fifth. Before Hamilton’s five place grid drop penalty for ignoring double waved Yellow flags at Zandvoort.

 

Leclerc made the race’s start interesting by jumping ahead of Oscar Piastri into third briefly. But would ultimately finish where He started, (fourth) and Hamilton would finish sixth. As the Ferrari’s simply didn’t have the pace of the McLaren’s, or the Red Bull on Sunday.

 

Although nobody can keep pace with the McLaren’s over race distance right now…

 

While we all know it was Max Verstappen cantering away from the field after a brief skirmish with Bosom Buddy Lando Norris. Ultimately beating Lando by 19 seconds enroute to setting the All-time fastest ever F1 race, completed in One Hour, 13mins and 24.325 seconds. Beating Michael Schumacher’s previous 2003 mark by one minute, Bravo!

 

While I know I’ve actually seen the original 312T, Nos. 11-12 in action at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Historics over 30 years ago now, Yikes!

 

Meanwhile, we also know about Lewis Hamilton proclaiming during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that He felt Useless and Ferrari should replace Him with another driver, after a dismal qualifying effort.

 

As Hamilton at age 40, has definitely struggled to come to grips with His new surroundings after 12 years at Mercedes. Even if He’s paid a King’s ransom to drive for Maranello…

 

I bring this up since I noticed that Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame noted how Statistician Russ Thompson  noted how only a dozen. Hum, who drove the No. 12 forever in IndyCar, Eh?

 

Only 12 drivers who’ve turned age 45 since 1956 have won an IndyCar race; and only one in the 21st century. Meaning the odds are definitely stacked against Will Power.

 

But then again, statistics noted that no Formula 1 driver with 300 starts or more had ever won a Grand Prix. Which naturally Hamilton went onto break this stat by winning twice in 2024; winning the British Grand Prix on His 344th start! Before belatedly winning the Belgian Grand Prix after teammate George Russell’sdisqualification, Youch! Netting Hamilton a staggering 105 Grands Prix total, Momma Mia!

 

As Lewis is only the second F1 driver to make more than 350 Grands Prix starts, and will join Fernando Alonso in the 400 Grands Prix starts club at the end of next season.

 

Hamilton is nearly five years younger than Power, so who knows? Whilst F1’s elder Statesman Frederico Suave (Alonso) is still competing fiercely at age 44.

 

Then again, 19yr old Italian Wunderkind’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes this season. Was given a five second time penalty for driving erratically during His Home race. Having pushed Alexander Albon onto the grass at High speed! Leading to the teenager incurring another penalty point to His FIA Super Licence, for a total of five.

 

Whilst 20yr old Oliver Bearman not only was given a ten second penalty at Monza. But also notched a further two penalty points to His license for His contretemps with Carlos Sainz. Having amassed ten, jus two shy of the threshold for an automatic one race ban. With Bearman needing to keep His “nose” clean until November’s Brazilian GP. As the maximum of 12 points is for one year, before points are dismissed… 

Wood Brothers Honour Jimmy Clark

As almost makes me wanna “Tune-in” to this NASCAR race…

 

Ran across the following article when scurrying thru Racer.com to “See” what has happened in Ye Wurld de Motorsporten whilst away from Thy Gory keyboard…

 

Very cool to read that the Wood Brothers of NASCAR fame are honouring Jimmy Clark’s 1965 Indianapolis 500 victory with a Throwback theme Ford Mustang at Darlington over April 5-6.

 

The No. 21 Wood Brothers entry of Josh Berry will be resplendent in the iconic Lotus colours of Colin Chapman’s British racing green and yellow. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Clark’s Indianapolis 500 victory. The first for Ford and the first for a rear engine racecar.

 

While this year also commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the legendous’ Wood Brothers racing team. With Glen, Leonard, Delano and Ray Lee Wood amongst Clark’s Pit crew at Mother Speedway that May sixty years ago. Having been brought aboard the Lotus Indianapolis effort to speed up the team’s pit stops, which saw Clark lead 190 of 200 laps that day!

 

The Wood Brothers tribute car was presented at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn with Clark’s Lotus alongside. And the Wood Brothers received the full blessing of Clive Chapman, son of Colin for the Throwback livery… 

Today marks 25 years since Greg Moore’s Death

As can it really, already be that long ago?

 

As stated above, today marks a quarter century since the loss of the prolific IndyCar racer Greg Moore, that fateful day at Fontana. Then known as California Speedway. For which I happened to be watching the race live, and can still recall His tumbling car and thinking that Ain’t good!

 

As here’s the wonderful 36mins video that Marshall Pruett cut with Moore’s compatriots Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy, Max Papis, and the still unknown to Mwah Mark Zivvo five years ago. Which I highly recommend watching.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arl_VOXJeAk

 

While Y’all may be interested in reading my previous nod to Moore five years ago in the No Fenders post below. As it’s hard to believe it’s now fifteen years ago when I visited the Greg Moore Gallery. For which I don’t even know if it still exists?

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/10/indycar-greg-moore-20-years-on.html

 

And as always, when I think of Greg Moore’s passing. I think of the totally overlooked and overshadowed Gonzalo Rodriguez. Who lost His life at Laguna Seca driving for Team Penske on September 11, 1999 at age 28. 

RETRO: Portland celebrates 40th Anniversary of it’s Debutante IndyCar race

As what’s that ‘Ol Grateful Dead song ‘bout How it’s been A long Strange trip indeed…

 

Yesterday’s Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland, try saying that fast five times! At Portland International Raceway (PIR) marked forty years since ‘lil Al, aka Al Unser Jr. won His maiden IndyCar race in the Rose City in that year’s inaugural Stroh’s/G.I. Joes 200. Winning Aboard His Galles Racing’s March 84C Cosworth.

 

As the venue has had a litany of title sponsors over the past four decades, most notably for Mwah being the Budweiser/G.I. Joes 200 during my yearly treks to Portland over Fathers Day weekend…

 

And Instead of trying to rehash the past which I’ve done previously. As can it already be 15 years since I scribbled about Portland’s Centennial here upon No Fenders, Yikes! And thus I won’t try remounting any “Flintstone” tyres here, Hya!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2009/06/portlands-centennial.html

 

Having attended 19 of those initial 24 events, beginning in 1987 thru 2007. Prior to IndyCar returning after a Gory ten year’s absence in 2018! Obviously I saw a Heckabunch ‘O racing Thar, including the likes of El Zorro’, aka Alex Zanardi, Mark Blundell, Max Papis and A.J. Allmendinger All win their debutante IndyCar races there! Where Also Al Unser Jr. did so with that ’84 Portland victory.

 

Having attended my latest IndyCar event in 2022, when ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin was untouchable – leading 104 of 110 laps! When it was blistering Hot and I understand the reason why. But still I was a little bit sad knowing that my yearly West End Grandstand had been long removed and turned into RV Camping instead…

 

Thus I’ll try reminiscing about Portland’s 40 years in a different tack. As it seems tedious to recall every winner to date. Not to mention what traditionally was the Kershaw knives Pole winner’s award…

 

Looking back to the final Chump Carz’, Err Champ Car World Series (CCWS) event held on June 10, 2007. Thars’ a total of three drivers from that race still on today’s IndyCar grid.

 

The most “famous” of this trio would be none other than William Steven Power. Whom presumably hasn’t given ScottyMac’ any more love taps since Toronto, Eh?

 

DJ Willy P’ (Age 43)  was in His sophomore Champ Car season with Derrick Walker’s Team Australia that year, driving the team’s No. 5 Aussie Vineyards entry, finishing fourth. Paired with another future Indianapolis 500 winner known here upon No Fenders as Symone’ or Pagentry’, aka Simon Pagenaud.

 

While Power finished a lowly P19 in His Rose City debut the year before, also for Team Australia, classified as being 13 laps down.

 

Although only one of Power’s 43 IndyCar wins has come at Portland in 2019, where He’s scored more than one of His All-time career leading 70 Poles.

 

Graham Rahal, now age 35, was an 18 year old teenager when making His first start at Portland in 2007. Driving for Newman Haas Racing, the rookie IndyCar driver finished ninth on debut at Portland.

 

Katherine Legge who celebrated Her 44th birthday in the Mid-Ohio paddock on Friday’s first practice, complete with birthday cake! Was making Her second start for Dale Coyne Racing. Finishing dead last – P17 due to a mechanical failure.

 

Whilst Thy Leggy Juan’ finished P13 at Portland for PKV Racing during Her rookie season in Champ Car in 2006.

 

One other current IndyCar driver participated in two Portland CART events prior to the ’07 Finale, can Y’all guess who that was?

 

Scott Dixon who turned 44 this July, made His IndyCar debut in 2001 for the local PacWest Racing team. Finishing fourth as a rookie in Portland. Then the following year driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) finished seventh, before CGR migrated to the Dark Side, ergo Indy Racing League for ’03.

 

Also from my initial perusal of the 2007 Mazda Cham Car Grand Prix of Portland, where a total of 17 drivers lined up in spec Panoz DP01 2.65-litre turbocharged Cosworth XFE’s for Champ Car’s first and only standing start. I reckon there’s a further four Alumni still racing today…

 

Obviously the most prominent of these would be none other than le Hamburgular’, SealmeisterB’ or SeaBass, ergo Four-times Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais, having won a total of 37 IndyCar victories. Now age 45, Bourdais competes fulltime for Chip Ganassi Racing’s IMSA GTP factory Cadillac operation.

 

As Bourdais is responsible for winning half of Newman Haas Racing’s eight Championship titles. And ironically His win at the ’07 Portland Champ Car race was Newman Haas Racing’s 100th victory.

 

Neel Jani, age 40 driving for PKV Racing and finishing 12th at Portland has moved onto a long, successful European Sports Car career. Having won the 2016 24 Huers du Mans for Porsche. And currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche Penske Motorsport as a Werks’ driver.

 

Jan Heylen, better known here upon No Fenders as Jan Van Hagar Heylen, (Age 44) contested the 2006 Grand Prix of Portland for Dale Coyne Racing and finished P15. The following year He drove for Conquest Racing and finished 15th again. And now races for Wright Motorsports in IMSA’s GT Daytona (GTD) category. Having raced for the team for the past ten years. Having won the 2020 12 Hours of Sebring GTD Class and the prestigious Porsche Cup.

 

Ryan “Razzle Dazzle” Dalziel whose now 42yrs young, drove for the short lived Pacific Coast Motorsports team and finished P14. Dalziel has gone onto a long successful Sports Car career and currently competes for ERA Motorsports in IMSA’s LMP2 category.

 

Meanwhile, reigning IndyCar Champion Alex Palou has a good chance at tying Mikey a’ and ‘lil Al for most wins at Portland at three apiece. As Michael Andretti claimed a Hat trick of W’s between 1990-92 for Newman Haas Racing. Who have the most wins for teams currently.

 

Al Unser Jr. won in 1984 and then 1994-95, the latter two for Team Penske, including Penske sweeping the podium in ’94 with EMMO’, aka Emerson Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy joining Unser on the podium. When Marlboro Team Penske won a staggering 12 of 16 races that season! Unser taking eight enroute to the Championship, Tracy three and Fittipaldi one.

 

Naturally Team Penske, most notably in it’s Bad Habits’ (Marlboro) red & white colours, Chip Ganassi Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, A.J. foyt enterprises, whom I also saw ‘Ol superTex’ running at the tail end in His Copenhagen racecar. Not to mention Rocket rick Mears in the original Yellow Submarine. And lastly Bobby Rahal, whose team then was simply known as Team Rahal were All present at Portland over the years prior to Portland being unceremoniously dropped from IndyCar’s calendar for ten years…

 

Whilst who knows how many teams came ‘n went during Portland’s heydays between 1984-2007? Like Bobby Rahal winning for Truesports, Kraco Racing, Doug shierson Racing, etc.

 

While surprisingly, Portland is one of the very few tracks that Scott Dixon has never previously     won at.

HYDROS: The “Jet city” celebrates seafair’s 75th Anniversary

Although as Y’all know? Boeing’s taking a mighty shellacking right now! And I’m sure Seattle would have preferred me using it’s other moniker, the “Emerald city” instead…

 

Until perusing H1 Unlimited’s fairly annoying website earlier this summer in order to find out it’s limited schedule. I first learned that this year’s Seafair regatta, with it’s ever changing name was celebrating its 75th Anniversary.

 

Naturally this made me flash back to my childhood, growing up on the somewhat sleepy streets of Seattle. That even today, every August I still harbour fleeting memories of the thrill of Seafair as a Wee lad’. And the tradition of young boys towing cutout wooden planks, usually plywood fashioned in the shape of a front engine Hydroplane by string behind their bicycles through their neighborhoods.

 

Although for Mwah, this was always entertaining since we lived on one of Seattle’s rare, remaining cobblestone streets!

 

Having previously scribbled about these plywood “planks”, and the surrounding Hydroplane mania here upon No Fenders in the link below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2018/08/hydro-mania-turf-thundreboats.html

 

Having grown up in the era of the pre-turbine’s, today’s Hydro’s just don’t have the same lustrous sound or notoriety to me name wise or in spirit, as the turbine whoosh has long since replaced those glorious open cockpit, front engine and subsequent Cabover rear engine World War II surplus V-12 Allison and Rolls Royce Merlin powered monstrosities known as the “Blue Blaster” and the “Beer Wagon,” dueling for supremacy opposite of the finger piers of the Stan Sayre’s pits, where Miss Budweiser, Atlas Van Lines and the Pride of Pay ‘N Pak all left their indelible mark  as Seafair victor’s, Gold Cup winners and National High Points Champions.

 

As luminary drivers like Bill Muncey and Dean Chenoweth immediately come to mind, not to mention Mickey Remund, Jim Kropfield, Tom D’Eath and local hero Chip Hanauer to name a few.

 

While everybody fought to beat the sport’s Kingpin owner Bernie Little and His dominant Miss Bud! During a time When yearly contestants named the Squire Shop, Miss Rock (KISW 99.9FM), Oh Boy Oberto and Miss Madison were local Fan favourites…

 

And thus, although I no longer live in the Jet city. Seafair always signals to Mwah the zenith of summer in the Pacific Northwest.

 

As the annual Seafair Hydroplane Regatta on Lake Washington, for which I enjoy remembering as the Fat Albert Cup in deference to a past title sponsor – when it was the Albert Lee Appliance Cup. Caps a month long’s celebration of events including the landing of the Seafair Pirates on alki Beach. The Torchlight Parade and the piece de la resistance, the fabulous Blue Angels. For which I first witnessed Wayback’ when they flew the Douglas A-4 Skyhawks before upgrading to the McDonald Douglas F/A-18 Hornets at the end of 1986, their 40th Anniversary season.

 

Boeing was then awarded a $12 million contract to upgrade the “blues” to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, which they began performing in in 2020.

 

Presumably still flying out of Boeing Field in Seattle, which triggers another memory of when yearly, I and my co-workers got to witness them up close and personal from behind the flight lines chain link fence!

 

Not to mention their transport plane that carries support personnel and spare parts is aptly nicknamed Fat Albert…

 

Whilst in its heyday, I fondly recall the Goodyear Blimp making its yearly trek to Seattle during the 1970’s and being stationed at the Sand Point Naval Air Base. Which I witnessed in earnest two summers while practicing as a member of Seattle’s All-city Marching Band.

 

Seafair ’77, which apparently was then simply known as the Seafair Trophy race stands out for several reasons now some 47 years later. Most notably for the death of the Squire Shop’s Jerry Bangs during Heat 1A. As Bangs death would pave the way for Chip Hanauer to truly make His mark as one of the sport’s All-time greatest Unlimited Hydroplane drivers.

 

As I’ve just rediscovered the fantastic Hydroplane History website, and watched my first video from it’s cavernous archives, which Y’all can watch below. But beware, the video clocks in at 24mins…

 

https://hydroplanehistory.com/races/1977_seafair_trophy_video_1977_seafair_trophy.html

 

As it’s hard to believe that its taken me nearly some fifty odd years to learn which of two years Seafair races is so idyllically burned into Thy memory banks. When that dastardly Pride of Pay ‘n Pak beat the Miss Budweiser by mere feet during the 1973 UIM World Final Seafair Trophy race. Being perhaps a boat length or less distance, Aye Karumba!

 

As I tend to recall that The Seattle times headline the following day proclaimed that the Miss Budweiser would have won if the race had been a further 100 yard, Yikes!

 

Yet instead, I lost to my pops tomas Senor who was a Pay ‘n Pak fan. Whilst I was rooting  for the Miss Budweiser, with the legendary Dean Chenoweth at it’s tiller. And losing the bet, had to wash the family car, Urgh!

 

Fast forwarding  some four plus decades, into the 21st century. I must confess I further lost my admiration for the sport of Unlimited Hydroplanes and Seafair upon the local CBS affiliate KIRO7 pulling the plug upon its yearly tradition of day long live Hydroplane coverage in 2017! Which little did I know, would be the final Seafair event I “watched” live from the Emerald City. Which I scribbled about here upon No Fenders seven years ago. Hmm, what’s that ‘Ol saying about Seven year Itch, Eh?

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2017/08/hydros-hot-air-hazy-skies-blanket.html