FOX in The Hen House

Y’all knew that one was Ah-Comin’, didn’t Yuhs? Now where’s Foghorn Leghorn, I Say, I Say?

 

First ‘n Foremost, suppose I should remind Y’all that I’m apparently a card carrying member of les Miserables, Wee-Wee…

 

As its old news now that the FOX Corporation has acquired one third ownership in Penske Entertainment, i.e.; IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions.

 

And that FOX is excited to bring Innovation to IndyCar’s, Supercharge its potential, Make its Drivers and IndyCar Household names, along with telling us great stories about the Sport All year round…

 

As some of that’s true. And let’s just same some I’ve Embellished upon…

 

Overall, I’m really not sure what to make about this surprising development that “Dropped” on Thursday, July 31st.

 

funniest bit in the press release is the quote from El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske or simply RP’. About the long-standing trust and shared vision for the future in this partnership with FOX is perplexing to Mwah…

 

Hang on uno momento, how do you have long-standing trust with a company; Err Corporation you haven’t even been working with for one year?

 

But now they’re tied at the Hip and FOX will be helping to guarantee energizing IndyCar’s future, Spew! Can Y’all say Rucky Dawgs’ and Checkers or Wreckers, Yeehaw! Or Playoffs and All Star race?

 

Why not incorporate ‘Ol Uncle Bernaughty’s desire for sprinklers on-track at F1 circuits? Or scheduling races during the afternoon’s Monsoons, eh?

 

As FOX started off this new relationship swimmingly Y’all! As I’d had no clue what the “Programming” Delay was during the Portland IndyCar race, when the start was delayed 15mins.

 

Having subsequently learned via David Land that many Folks in TV Land were rightly peeved with FOX! Having bumped IndyCar over to FS1 as the Live Golf match went long, Four!

 

Along with some local FOX Affiliates dropping the race entirely. Most notably Chicago, where David Malukas and Dale Coyne Racing Hail from. In favour of a Chicago Bears NFL Pre-season game instead! Uhm, let that sink in Y’all, BARF!

 

Along with FOX gaining a multi-year broadcasting rights extension, I doubt the season’s calendar will expand anytime soon, i.e.; begin sooner or end later, since FOX has the Day-Toner’ 500 and Football bookending IndyCar’s take it or leave it schedule…

 

Another entertaining part of this acquisition is how the whole FOX airing the entire season on Network TV was supposed to increase viewership; hopefully to one million viewers average outside the Indy 500 race. Yet FOX is actually averaging less than NBC did.

 

As FOX had its sixth consecutive broadcast of less than 800,000 viewers at Laguna Seca, and I couldn’t see how this trend doesn’t continue for the Portland broadcasts. Which it did, dropping from 734k to 708k viewers, whilst no idea how Milwaukee did?

 

Still not sure how FOX is going to “energize” IndyCar going forwards? Or how their metrics claim a 31% increased growth for year over year broadcasting?

 

On the positive side, selling a third of Penske Entertainment perceivably shores up its weakest link, i.e.; marketing and promotion of the series. But the other strange comment from FOX CEO Eric Shanks, which I heard on David Land’s Youtube Channel. Was about the potential for “Storytelling” of IndyCar year round, Say What?

 

How do you do that when your Hyper-energized racing series is Hibernating for Half the Freakin’ year? Having already begun its long winter’s slumber before Labour Day, Chirp-Chirp, Bueller?

 

What little I’ve read and listened via Podcast on FOX becoming a vested partner in IndyCar, tends to make me believe that Roger will never sell IMS. And wishes to keep in the “Family” for generations to come. And with a 66% controlling interest, that sounds feasible to Mwah for the time being. But who knows, Eh?

 

As I “See” this basically as a way for Roger to insert a “Poison Pill” into others trying to buy Penske Entertainment into the future, along with getting somebody to do the marketing work His team is Failing at currently…

 

Since as Marshall Pruett notes, FOX now has a vested interest financially to make the series grow, in order to please its Shareholders, and their bottom lines.

 

My only question is what happens if FOX decides its not going well and wishes to divest itself from IndyCar in the future? Although I’d guess there would be some sort of buyout clauses in their contract?

 

Now I’ve gotta go find my Coastal.com Tristan Turbo’ Vautier Cheap Sunglasses from Mother speedway, cause’ the Futures so Bright! 

RETRO: A Sad Day for French Motorsports

Will le Reggie’ ever return as a Power Unit manufacturer?

 

Strange how the Renault in Motorsport’s website proclaims that Motorsport is written in their History. And that they’ve Always been motivated by the challenge and yearn for something new. Hmm, then how come you’ve given up on producing your own Formula 1 Power Units, especially when the new regulations commence in 2026, merci?

 

Denoting that founder Louis Renault’s first major technological achievement was His direct drive transmission in the Model A voiturette, being the first to climb Montmartre’s Rue Lepic in the fall of 1898.

 

Other early models I’ve never heard of before include the Model K, the first equipped with a Renault engine,  and the 40CV, winner of the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally. Or the modern day Megane RS, which just ended production in 2023.

 

As we all know, the Alpine F1 Team will brazenly become a Mercedes PU customer beginning next season after nearly a half century of racing with Renault engines in the pinnacle of motorsports, nee formula 1. Which I find to simply be blasphemy!

 

Reportedly, Renault has the fourth most Grands Prix victories with 169, with only ford, Mercedes and Ferrari ahead of them. With Ferrari’s next victory being the firm’s momentous 250th Grand Prix win…

 

Ultimately, Renault’s Formula 1 history goes Wayback’ to the 1930’s and Amedee Gordini, who was then tuning engines for Simca, FIAT’s French car assembler. With the Simca-Gordini Type 5 Le Mans contesting the event in 1937, for example. As Gordini would contest Formula 1 with little success between 1950-57, albeit having success in Formula 2.

 

The Simca-Gordini relationship began dissipating in 1951, and by the 1960’s Gordini was tuning engines for Renault, along with entering Renault-Gordini works at Le Mans. Amedee retired in 1968 and sold a majority 70% stake of His company to Renault.

 

Renault-Gordini moved to Viry-Chatillon in 1969, becoming Renault’s Sport division before merging with Alpine in 1976 to become Renault Sport.

 

We know that the first formula 1 turbocharged racecar was the Renault RS01 powered by the Renault Gordini EF1 1.5-litre V-6 engine, but try finding anything substantive upon how we arrived at this point in history?

 

Other than being able to vaguely discern that Alpine was racing in the European Formula 2 Championship for many years, while Gordini was busy building race engines. As the Renault Alpine A442 racecar, propelled by a Renault-Gordini 2.0-litre turbocharged 90 degree V-6 lump’, won the 1978 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

As Alpine had turned its attention towards endurance racing in 1973, and its A441 dominated the 1974 Group 5 European 2.0-liter championship. With the A441 Sports prototype winning seven of seven races and that years manufacturer and driver titles. For which I’d Arse-sume that this was the basis of the future Renault-Gordini EF1 Formula 1 engine…

 

Derisively known as the Yellow Peacock, Renault made its Formula 1 debut at the 1977 British Grand Prix with Jean-Pierre Jabouille as its chauffeur. And like all new technology, suffered many technical issues during its teething period. Before finally scoring its first points at the 1978 USGP at Watkins Glen, finishing fourth.

 

For the 1979 F1 season, Renault added Rene Arnoux as the team’s second driver. As the team began the season with its RS01 chassis, while its Ground Effects RS10 was completed.

 

After Jabouille claimed the first ever pole position for a turbocharged car at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Appropriately, Jabouille claimed the first ever turbocharged victory at the team’s home race at Dijon. As Monsieur “Jelly Belly” started from pole with Arnoux second, with the duo finishing one-three, with Ferrari’s Gilles Villeneuve sandwiched in-between le Reggie’ teammates.

 

Jabouille claimed pole for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, followed by Arnoux scoring His debutante pole the following round at the Osterreichring in Austria. Arnoux claimed pole at Zandvoort and Jabouille took P1 at Monza, seeing Renault score four consecutive pole positions. As Arnoux would finish eighth overall with three podiums vs. Jabouille finishing P13 with two wins.

 

1980 saw Jabouille score two poles; Brazil and South Africa. While Arnoux claimed victory at Brazil and Kyalami. Along with claiming a Hat trick of pole at Austria, Zandvoort and Monza.

 

Jabouille scored His second and final Grand Prix victory that year in Austria, before suffering a nasty crash at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, breaking a leg. As the crash effectively ended His F1 driving career, being replaced by Alain Prost for 1981.

 

The Professor, aka Prost would appropriately win His debutante Grand Prix at Dijon in His sophomore season, eventually scoring more than one fifth of His career wins driving Renault powered racecars. Finished fifth overall with three wins that season.

 

Prost and Arnoux were a front running affair, finishing fourth and sixth overall respectively in 1982. Before Arnoux moved onto “Greener” pastures at la Scuderia, nee Ferrari, partnering countryman Patrick Tambay.

 

Although scoring four wins, Prost missed out on the 1983 F1 World Championship by two points, with rival BMW becoming the first ever turbocharged engine to win a world title with Nelson Piquet. While Prost was fired two days afterwards for supposedly berating Renault over its lack of development upon the RE40, after finishing Vice Champion, Err runner-up.

 

Prost was immediately snapped-up by thee Ronster’, nee Ron Dennis to drive for Mclaren, and the rest was history…

 

For 1984, Renault hired Tambay and Derek Warwick as the team’s two drivers, while Renault provided customer turbo engines for the first time to rival F1 constructors Ligier and Lotus.

 

As le Reggie would go scoreless in the wins column that season. With Lotus’s Elio de Angelis’s pole at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix and Tambay’s pole at the French Grand Prix being Renault’s season’s highlights. As the Mclaren duo of Prost and Niki “The Rat” Lauda ruled the championship with their TAG-Porsch turbos.

 

1985 saw Renault expand to a third customer team, supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell with its engines, in what would be Renaults final season as a F1 Constructor. (During its first foray)

 

This would be Ayrton Senna’s breakout year, having moved to Lotus. Sweeping the season’s second round in Portugal. Claiming His maiden pole, fastest lap and win. As Senna would go on to win again at Spa-Francorchamps and rack up an impressive tally of seven poles. While Italian teammate Elio de Angelis would score victory at Imola, being Renault engine’s only three wins that season.

 

With Renault suffering heavy financial losses, CEO Georges Besse declared they could no longer afford to maintain the commitment to a Formula 1 team. Hmm, sound familiar to just departed Renault CEO Luca de Meo, who consigned the Alpine f1 Team to become a Mercedes PU (Power Unit) customer beginning in 2026, curtailing production of Werks’ PU at Viry-chatillon, Merci!

 

Thus Renault became just an engine supplier one final year in 1986, once again supplying Ligier, Lotus and Tyrrell. With Senna once again being the Renault’s highlight reel. Winning the Spanish and Detroit Grands Prix, and capturing a further eight poles, before le Reggie quit formula 1 for the first time… 

HYDROS: The 2025 Season Spools up in Earnest

Although a fifth’s of Thar season’s already over. And I feel like I need a fifth after a most disjointed weekend of trying to follow along…

 

This coming fourth ‘O July weekend sees the H1 Unlimited series contesting Thar’ second race of the 2025 season at Madison, Indiana

 

The season began nearly one month ago at the Guntersville Hydrofest, June 8th on Lake Guntersville, Alabama. With the remainder of the five events as follows: July 6th Madison Regatta at Madison, Indiana.

 

Then a three race west coast swing, including the traditional Warshington’ back-to-back “Double”, i.e.; July 27th Tri-Cities Water Follies at Kennewick on the Mighty Columbia, nee Columbia River.

 

Followed a week later on Lake Washington  August 3rd at Seattle’s Seafair, presumably replete with the legendous’ Blue Angels, unless somebody’s spent too much upon His 79th birthday’s military parade and had to cut their funding?

 

The season concludes on September 14th at Bayfair’s Mission Bay, with the Bill Muncey Cup in San Diego, CA.

 

This year’s Tri-Cities Water Follies commemorates the 60th anniversary of this event and will host this year’s prestigious APBA Gold Cup race. With the Gold Cup being the oldest American trophy, beginning with it’s 1904 inaugural event

 

Like every offseason, much movement has occurred in the top Dawgs’ Unlimited Hydroplanes fleet. As Dustin Echols has decided to retire from competition, leaving the U-40 devoid of a driver.

 

And with Sharon and Kelly Stockton, longtime owners of Bucket List Racing and the U-40’s main sponsor Flav-R-Pac moving onto the U-11’s flanks as its new primary sponsor, Y’all have to wonder the status of the U-40 Bucket List Racing Unlimited Hydroplane this season.

 

Once again, the H1 Unlimited website has suffered another compressor stall, since I couldn’t find anything on its apathetic website about the seismic shift of the competing teams landscape…

 

According to the Madison Courier, Miss Madison Racing which had gotten itself into hefty financial debt due to it’s 2018 sponsorship agreement with Home Street Bank. With the former Miss Budweiser Tukwila race shop becoming an albatross around its neck due to the hefty mortgage, has led to Miss Madison president Charlie Grooms selling the entire assets of the championship winning team! Having just won their twelfth championship last year…

Seattle’s Bruce Ratchford, the founder and proprietor of Apollo Mechanical, who not only became Seafair’s title sponsor last year. When the Apollo Mechanical Cup joined Seafair for its 75th anniversary.  Also sponsored the U-27 Miss Apollo last season. With the newly created race team stepping up with the acquisition of Miss Madison Racing’s two Unlimited Hydroplane Hulls. Along with adding the U-27 to its fleet.

 

Thus, defending APBA National High Points Drivers Champion Andrew Tate has become teammate this season with Dave Villwock. With Tate in the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate and Dave Villwock in the U-27 Miss Apollo for the new BWR Racing team, forming a new powerhouse race team to challenge Strong Racing…

 

Initially, I Arse-sumed BWR Racing would be run out of the former Miss Madison Tukwila race shop. Although re-reading the Madison Courier story, it notes that the entire Tukwila inventory was sold, making me wonder if the building wasn’t included?

 

As Grooms and four other Board members of Miss Madison Racing Inc have been fired over this travesty, with the immediate future of the team unknown.

 

Yet H1 Unlimited blissfully reported in February, that Miss Madison racing Inc had sold one of it’s Hulls to eric Christensen over the winter. Who’ll compete aboard the U-2 this season, driving for His newly founded Christensen Racing team. Making me wonder just how many Hulls did Miss Madison Racing own?

 

Christensen clamed they’d have the U-2 Fraternal Order of Eagles and Albert lee Appliance Hydroplane ready for May’s Spring training event on the Columbia River, but the race boat, based out of Buckley, WA didn’t appear at Guntersville. Making me wonder if this will just be another west coast partial season Hydroplane?

 

A la the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing Hydroplane, that Gunnar O’Farrell dramatically flipped during testing in Pasco this May! Although the team’s confident they’ll be ready in time for the Water Follies event.

 

Meanwhile, following the sale of Miss Madison Racing’s assets to BWR Racing, the series notes that in conjunction with representatives of Marshall County Tourism and Sport, the Madison Regatta and Miss Madison Racing, the team will attempt competing in the season’s first two East coast races, i.e.; Guntersville and Madison.

 

Subsequently, Miss Madison Racing announced that rookie skipper Brandon Kennedy will be at the tiller of it’s U-6 Hydroplane, as the organization regroups and hopefully secures it’s long term future. AS I’d like to think the team can rebound and return to a full season campaign in the near future…

 

Cannot say I’m overly impressed by only six Unlimited Big Boyz’ Boats showing up at Guntersville, but think we’ve had worse. As I tend to recall some of the races having a paltry four Hulls. But with the cloud hanging over the storied Miss Madison operation right now, guess I should see this as a good thing overall.

 

Another interesting side note is that Bruce Ratchford has joined forces with Darrel Strong, owner of Strong Racing, the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane’s other two boat team owner in Hydrotown Racing Inc.

 

As Hydrotown Racing Inc was created in 2023 to promote and market the Unlimited Hydroplanes, while apparently APBA is the sport’s governing body thru its ABRA association.

 

Yet Hydrotown Racing’s got a long way to go towards marketing and promoting the sport properly! Especially if Guntersville is their media template for success…

 

Whilst opining for nine Unlimited Hydroplanes competing in the Gold Cup and Seafair this summer. I think the best will be eight Hulls, since the U-6 Miss Madison is slated to run just the first two races. Meaning it will be Strong Racing vs. BWR Racing this season jousting for the National High Points Championship titles. 

Do “One Off” liveries matter?

The iconic “Yellow submarine” that Scott McLaughlin captured pole aboard last year at Indianapolis. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Golly, that sure is a purdy lookin’ racecar… Whale’ it was before ScottyMac’ wadded it up during Sunday morning’s Fast Twelve Shootout practice session, Youza!

 

Yeah, I know Y’all are saying but what about this past weekend’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying,  Righto? Which certainly didn’t lack for drama!

 

Being Blind, have I reminded Y’all lately? Obviously I cannot “See” what all of the special One-off liveries look like? Or if they’re flattering or not?

 

During the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 fans were up in arms over la Scuderia’s One-off livery interspersing title sponsor HP’s blue and white into the traditional rosso livery, which I know I scribbled ‘bout here on No Fenders a year ago…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/05/ferrari-turns-blue-chasing-red-bull.html

 

As the Ferrari SF-25 sported HP’s blue and white on it’s engine cover, rear wing and wheels in a nod to their one year partnership, which began at Miami last year. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton wearing with and blue overalls as part of the One-off asymmetric livery.

 

As one disgusted Tifosi wrote that it was like putting pineapple on pizza! Another saying it could be the worst livery ever. And another saying that Ferrari was morphing into Williams in front of our very eyes on Social media!

 

Referring to those iconic, and good looking HP sponsored Williams BMW racecars of the early Ought’s…

 

Meanwhile, Racing Bulls ran a One-off bright pink racecar at Miami, promoting it’s Energy drinks owners new summer peach flavour, including the drivers wearing magenta overalls.

 

While Sauber also joined the Miami Party-theme train. Running what was called an “Art Car”. Which apparently saw the teams traditional colours “Shaken, not Stirred” in a blender? Although the press release claims that what appears to be dripping wet neon green and black hues were applied to it’s C45 chassis. Along with the drivers overalls, pit wall and garages, to commemorate Miami’s vivid Art scene…

 

Arse-suming Y’all know about Arrow McLaren’s One-off “Artic” white Indianapolis 500 liveries, part of this year’s Never Stop Racing campaign. As the Nos. 5-7 Arrow McLaren’s will feature a base coat of white with driver specific colours, while Kyle Larson’s NO. 17 will be white with blue accents.

 

As have to say to Mwah, I think their 60th anniversary McLaren Indy 500 racecar liveries of 2023 were far superior! But what do I know, especially since I cannot see any of them, Y’all…

 

Yeah, I understand why we’ve got to wait until after the Indy road course’s tune-up Grand Prix is run before we can start dolling out those One-off Indianapolis 500 liveries. As this makes me think of the Super bowl and everybody Ah-Waitin’ and grading that year’s commercials.

 

As don’t know who’ll have either the best or worst Indy 500 livery? But when I think of worst, I immediately think of Count Dracula’, Err Rinus VeeKay’s black ‘n yellow polka dot thrown in a blender mobile from a few years ago, Hya!

 

Whilst we know that Conor Daly won’t be running any Polka Dot block chain El Speciale livery this year. Although it’ll be funny if He runs a Union 76 theme car when I believe Shell is the official fuel partner of IndyCar, Righto?

 

Having since learned that Daly’s car is running AM/PM sponsorship, along with Circle K, and possibly ARCO? Since I think they’re all owned by Atlantic Richfield Petroleum.

 

Whilst I Arse-sume that at least ScottyMac’, aka Scott Mclaughlin will once again be driving the iconic Pennzoil “Yellow submarine”. With no idea what reigning two-times Indy 500 winner Josef Schlick’ Newgarden will carry? Although presume Will Power will have some El Speciale Verizon “paint” scheme again, Eh?

 

Thus, not knowing half of this year’s Indy 500 liveries. Although I did learn who the obscure primary sponsors of Castroneves and Marco Andretti’s rides. Along with Marcus Ericsson’s Allegra car said to “Pop!” And that beautiful #51 Miller High Life car of Jacob Abel’s unfortunately not celebrating the “High Life” on Sunday.

 

 And thanks to the thoroughly GOOBERED, Cough-Cough, Uhm “New & Improved”, NOT! Racer website, with much difficulty, I learned that Abel’s Dale Coyne Racing teammate Rinus VeeKay’s primary sponsor is askROI. With NO askROI jokes here about where’d the missing three miles per hour go?

 

Busting up in laughter when IndyCar Radio Network’s Turn 3 reporter Jake The Riddler’ Query said VeeKay’s sponsor is askROI, and He’s asking where the speed went right now…

 

Whilst obviously, I cannot see what they look like? And hence, cannot be swayed by their marketing efforts. Or tell Y’all which cars look “Cool” and which don’t. Or how well this marketing exercise works?

 

As Derek Daly had a good point about the lack of “brand” recognition that’s long been IndyCar’s hallmark in the following Racer article.

 

https://racer.com/2025/05/08/a-letter-to-roger-penske-color-confusion-and-the-quest-for-young-indycar-fans

 

But I do think it’s cool that the Prema Racing cars run in an Italian Flag motif of white, green and red. As how ‘bout that Robert Shwartzman!

 

Are, You, Ready, to G-O Racing?         

Rotten Tomatoes, or should that be Tamales?

Y’all say PanaMax, I say Canamax…

 

Previously, the Armani Canamax champ car team was in the midst of a slate of rotating drivers. Most notably Jaque Dudley from Up North Eh! Having been dumped after our new Pretender-in-chief Billy Jo Bradshaw had won election to our nation’s highest office in a big, beautiful landslide…

 

Thus, the teams major Domo, a one Preston Henry Winchester III was hard at work as always to ring a few more ounces of performance out of His racing teams, and ultimately improving it’s owners and shareholders bottom lines.

 

Audrey,  get Dumfries, Duquione and Duncan on the line for me. Yes Mr. Winchester. Mr. W’, Baron Dumfries is currently in the Cotswold’s at His Hunting Chalet, but I’ve got (Junior partner) Gerrard Duncan on the phone…

 

Gerrard, what’s the latest on our lawsuit vs. that Pipsqueak Jonathan Truxbury? What do you mean He won’t pay the $100m (Australian Pounds) I’m requesting!

 

Very well. Look, every Damn time that Fucking ‘lil No Good Truxbury wins a race, I want you to request an extra $2 million in putative damages. And every time He finishes ahead of any of my Armani Champ Cars, tack on an extra one million! As that should make that Bloody Limey squirm!

 

Now look Gerrard, the reason I called was that we’ve got to do something about the illegal usage of the word Panamax All these wanton Burmese ship builders are building lately. As it’s leaving a bad stain upon our racing company…

 

Yeah, I’ll call my buddy Elroid in DC and see if He can get me a meeting with our Fearless leader.

 

Audrey, aske our truck driver Roscoe Snow to come see me immediately. Yes Mr. W. You asked to see me Mr. Winchester.

 

Does your ‘Ol Man still have His 50th Anniversary Peterbilt KP900 tractor that He used to haul Coors from Texarkana? Good, ask Him if He can meet me in Nashville at the Mockingbird Cafe tomorrow afternoon, its important. Yes Mr. Winchester. And tell Himn to leave His dog Butch Home…

 

Audrey, I’m going for a drive in the countryside. Tell Hugo to bring over my Canamax SP500 Special Spyder pronto, even if He’s at the Gym!

 

Hey Elroid, “What’s the Haps?” Yeah, you’re telling me about the price of Eggs! Thar’ one of our signature pancake brand’s main ingredient.  Yes Elroid, I’m calling on an encrypted SpartoCuss’ App. No, I didn’t add any of my family to it, What, Oh Never Nind elroid!

 

Look, I’d really like to meet with El Presidente to find out what He’s gonna do about the Peruvian Canal? Or at the very least tack on some sort of Canal usage fee to All of these PanaMax cargo ships sailing round the world. As they’re infringing upon our brand name…

 

Look, just let Him play with some of your Double Eagle gold pieces and Silver dollars. As He likes shiny things. Oh, I’ve gotta take this call from Achmed pdiumSoulayium. He’s threatening to Fine one of our drivers for saying the word Fart on the podium in Dubai…

 

Hello Mr. Snow, I’m glad you could join me for lunch. Yes, your son Roscoe’s doing a bang-up job for us. Now look Mr. Snow, or can I call you Cletus?

 

Ok Snowman’, here’s the deal. I’ve got to get 45,000 Grade Double A cage free snow downy pampered Eggs off of my books immediately before they All Hatch! No, I really thought we’d be able to move them over the Easter weekend…

 

Your son Roscoe’s loading them in a Gold Peterbilt KP9000C 100th Anniversary Sleeper tractor. All you’ve got to do is drive them up to The Great White North! To our William Joseph & Sons Bakery, where we’ll use them to make Doughnuts. And then return with 500 cases of O’Flaughtery’s Beer.

 

Yeah I know that there’s Triple-rate Dutys to pay now for crossing into our fine northern state, but you leave that to me. As I’m getting Billy Jo Bradshaw to write us a note saying we Don’t have to pay these, and you’ve got special permission to transport whatever you want!

 

Yeah, I’ve already spoken to the Bandit’. And Clint says He and His Old Lady Sally are in also, and will run interference for you like always.

 

Nope, they’re going in separate cars this time, since we know how they like to go Skinny-dipping at Niagara Falls! As Clint will be driving a black Canamax C45 Hypercar. While Sally will be running Caboose in Her black Canamax Rosberg LP675 tribute model.

 

As the three of you really shouldn’t have any problems outrunning those Mounty’, even if they’re on Arabian Horses. Any questions Cletus?

 

You’ll pick up the Brewsi’ at the Marigold Brewery. It’s an ‘Ol converted Labatts brewery that Billy Jo’s eldest son William owns.

 

Nobody knew that Billy Jo has a younger brother named Shane Bradshaw who was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Blue Jays. Whale’ nobody knew until some Rolling Stones reporter listened into Billy Jo’s wife Lisa Maria telling Her Hairdresser via Her private SpartoCuss account. Look, I Dunno why His wife added that Rolling Stones reporter to Her private chat…

 

Yep, the Bradshaw’s are an old Irish family that made their fortunes growing potatoes, before branching into the Distillery business. And they were doing a brisk business with their O’Flaughtery Beer brand Up North Eh! Before All those G-Damn patriotic Kuhnucks’ started drinking Jack Dudley’s signature beer instead. As they’ll drink anything that’s made in their fine, beautiful state.

 

So I promised billy Jo I’d bring some of His brother’s favourite beer if He comes to watch us win this year’s Iron Maiden 5000 at the Speedrome in Brownsburg…

 

Yep, you’re right we’d better throw in another 500 cases just in case we do win. I’m sure Billy Jo will wanna throw a party with All of His Friends!

 

Mr. Snow, if you’ll do this favour for me, I’ll throw in the KP9000C tractor for you to keep. And I’ll buy you and your son anything you want for dinner at Saint Elmos in Carmel. Yeah, the Bandit and His wife can com too. Hell, sure even Butch is included! Do we have a deal?

 

Great, I’ll send you the coordinates for the W.J. Sons Bakery and where to deliver those ice cold O’flattery’s Brewski’s on SpartoCuss…

 

What? You don’t have a SpartoCuss account? Ok, I’ll get Roscoe to let you know via your Ham radio or whatever contraption your ‘Ol KP900 rig has in it. 10-4 Good Buddy!

 

Catch Yuhs at the Speedrome in Brownsburg. As you and Butch are welcome to join me in our luxury Turn-3 suite. Just make sure you leave the front row seats vacant for Billy Jo and His entourage…

 

For the previous Canamax Capers installment. Please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/11/indycars-old-fashioned-radio-programme.html 

Talking Trains, Not Turkeys

As No Lucas lectrics’ Jokes Here!

 

Yeah, bare with me Y’all, or indulge Mwah. Since after all it’s my Blog and I can Jolly well scribble’ whatever I want. Although I’m probably Preaching to The Choir. Or more likely Talking to The Hand! As what’s that ‘Ol Pressdog saying about Don’t Engage the Crazies George?

 

Having regaled Yuhs about my latest train adventure home, I’ve learned more than I’ve ever known about the Amtrak Cascades Express trains.

 

Whilst I can no longer recall when the first time I ever rode an Amtrak train was? Although I do recall riding home from Portland circa 1996. And then believe I started riding them Up North eh! To Vancouver, BC in the early Ought’s’. And then definitely took it once-a-year to Portland for the final three years of Champ Car at Portland International Raceway, (PIR) but I digress…

 

Was surprised that I found an immediate answer to what type locomotive the Cascades Express No. 503 train route uses. Being a Siemens SC-44 Charger. With these Diesel-electric locomotives beginning production in 2016 in Florin, California. And the first SC-44 Charger going into service on the East Coast in 2017.

 

Also learned that the SC Charger model generates it’s own Head-End Power (HEP) in it’s locomotive car. Generating the 60Hz used to create the necessary electrical demands for the passenger cars Heating/Cooling, (HVAC) lighting, WiFi’, etc. Including electrical power to individual business class seats and the Bistro/Dining car.

 

Thanks to Ray, I also learned that one week after my trip home, where the power failed on our train, albeit guessing it was the passenger cars connections. That Amtrak had to suddenly pull all of the Cascade Express railway “Sets” out of service after finding severe corrosion on the passenger cars, Say What?

 

As these Horizon passenger rail cars were built in-between 1988-90, or 1992? By a now defunct division of Bombardier, and had aluminum bodies on steel chassis, which is a recipe for corrosion.

 

Although there was one train set that wasn’t comprised of Horizon rail cars that remained in service. As this lone Cascades Express train apparently used the old Talgo rail cars? And ironically I believe it was the very same 503 route from Seattle to Eugene…

 

Full Cascades Express service was restored eleven days later, albeit with reduced rail cars comprising each train set. As rail cars were diverted from the east coast and other Amtrak routes. While the Washington State Department Of Transportation (DOT) has reportedly, already ordered eight replacement train sets from Siemens. Along with a further two SC-44 Charger locomotives.

 

These Venture rail cars are slated to be acquired this year, but not go into service until 2026. Whilst I still don’t comprehend the difference between Talgo and Horizon passenger rail cars? Other than I tend to recall that the initial Cascades Express routes began with the Talgo rail cars.

 

Now having learned that indeed the initial Amtrak Cascades Express service that began in 1998 utilized Talgo Series VI train sets, with two Series 8 sets joining in 2013. With the older Series VI sets being retired in 2020 and replaced with those corroding Horizon sets, which will inturn be replaced by the Siemens Venture “Rolling Stock” coming online shortly.

 

Whilst I just learned that Talgo is a Spanish company, and not French as I’ve always Arse-sumed, especially after riding a high-speed Talgo TGV train from Colone, Germany to Paris, France Wee-Wee! With the late-Canadian lass Clare nearly two decades ago, but I digress further…

 

Prior to my latest train excursion, I “read”, Err listened to an article on the Boseman Daily Chronicle titled Are Passenger Trains entering the Golden age, or End of the line?

 

As the article points out how the “Double Decker” passenger rail cars utilized on on the Empire Builder and Coast Starlight are Amtrak’s most used passenger cars. Racking up enough miles to circumnavigate the world seven times a year!

 

Yet these same rail cars were built during the 1970’s and 1980’s and are just one major collision away from wiping out the fleet! Although a tender was put out for new passenger rail car construction last year, as part of the Infrastructure Investments and Job Act of 2021. These cars won’t be put into circulation until the 2030’s, provided you-know-who doesn’t torpedo those plans…

 

As Amtrak was created in 1971 and has basically suffered fifty years of neglect regarding it’s rolling stock, primarily it’s passenger rail cars, due to a constant lack of investment, penny-pinching and outright slashing of funds over the decades.

 

Last year, Amtrak recorded an increase to nearly three million riders, while the Cascades Express services from Vancouver, BC to Oregon carried a stout one million riders. Which I don’t know about Y’all, but that’s a lot of cars off of the roads, freeing up the Interstate for other travelers!

 

Not to mention that everyone cannot drive a motor vehicle, like your Blind No Fenders scribe Tomaso. As have I reminded Y’all lately I’m blind?

 

Reportedly, in fiscal 2017, the Cascades Express routes, which travel 467 miles from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, BC, was Amtrak’s eighth busiest route.

 

Amtrak, like many Government agencies is working quite good right now, as I’d say a large portion of it’s daily delays are caused by sharing the BNSF railways and that Freight trains get priority. And privatization would only benefit whomever got the contract. Not to mention the scores of employees who’d lose their current jobs!

 

As here’s a novel idea. Instead of some Emperor wearing new clothes, whose easily distracted by shiny things. And publicly lambasting our nation’s current rail system. How about stepping up and increasing spending on this vital network of transportation that millions depend upon?

 

Hey, I know, how ‘bout we go back to steam powered locomotives, as I hear that coal’s making a comeback. As who cares about that mercury or arsenic in the air, All Aboard!

 

Yeah-Yeah, I know. The future’s so bright, Uhm where’s my Gory sun glasses, OH Never Mind! 

Tornado Hits John force Racing, Brownsburg and Indiana

Aerial view of EF-2 category Twister that left it’s indelible mark upon locals in Indiana.

 

No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets’ alerted me to the news regarding the tornado that struck Brownsburg, Indiana and other nearby areas of Fishers, Carmel, etc.

 

Many homes and businesses were damaged, and some presumably destroyed during the tornado that struck around 9:40PM Wednesday night. With winds reportedly reaching a peak velocity of 120mph!

 

An Industrial Park along I-74 in Brownsburg was in the path of the tornado, knocking down a Sur La Table warehouse, along with damaging a nearby O’Reilly’s warehouse. Including tossing semi-truck trailers around like rag dolls at the O’Reillys Distribution Center!

 

Brownsburg is home to many NHRA teams, where unfortunately John force Racing’s (JHR) facility wasn’t spared in the destructive wake of the tornado. For which the following image supposedly shows damage to their shop’s roof.

 

Ironically, when awaiting for the United States Grand Prix MotoGP race from Austin, Texas to finally be shown on FS1 last Sunday evening. I had Thy Telie’ turned on and happened to catch “Fast Jack” Beckman win the NHRA Winter Nationals at Pomona, CA. Before hearing Beckman triumphantly noting how He was part of nine drivers who’d won 143 times and the “boss” John force had won 157 times to give JFR it’s 300th Funny Car win, Staggering!

 

As it sounds like it will take a long time for Brownsburg and the rest of those impacted in Indiana to rebuild and restore their premises…

 

Image C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

Andretti to Back new Racing venture

This just received from IndyCar…

 

CONCORD, NC

For Immediate Release

 

Michael Andretti, former owner of Andretti Global, in conjunction with Jay Frye, former NTT IndyCar Series President and Gavin Ward, former Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Principal, will partner to race fulltime in the 2026 NASCAR Cup series

 

The team to be known as Phoenix Racing, will also run a limited schedule this summer, beginning with the inaugural Mexico City NASCAR race. Followed by Chicago’s Street race, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Watkins glen and Daytona.

 

Andretti will serve as Chairman of Phoenix Racing, which has received permission from James Finch to use it’s namesake, who previously operated Phoenix Racing between 1990 and 2013 with multiple drivers such as2004 NASCAR Cup champion Curt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Scott Pruett, Ron Fellows, A.J. Allmendinger, Jacques Villeneuve, Mike Wallace, Geoffry Bodine and others.

 

As the team wished to run with Finch’s traditional No. 51, but that number is currently utilized by Cody Ware of Rick Ware Racing. And thus the team’s single car entry will sport the No. 44, also synonymous with Phoenix Racing, which Brad Keselowski won the team’s lone NASCAR race at Talladega’s Super Speedway’s 2009 Aaron’s 499 Sprint cup event.

 

The team will include all of Phoenix Racing’s past Sprint Cup history as part of it’s newly created heritage.

 

Jay Frye, well known in IndyCar circles, has a wealth of former NASCAR and World of Outlaws experience. Dating back to the early 1990’s as then Valvoline’s motorsports sponsorship director , working with Roush Racing and driver Mark Martin. Along with establishing Valvoline’s relationship with NASCAR’s preeminent team Hendrick Motorsports.

 

Frye was instrumental in setting up the MB2 Motorsports NASCAR Cup team in 1997 when the Mars Corporation was seeking to start a new NASCAR race team with Rick Hendrick. As MB2 saw Ernie Irvan score three pole positions the following season, including that year’s Brickyard 400.

 

MB2 Motorsports expanded to a two car operation in 2000, with driver Johnny Benson Jr. winning the team’s first NASCAR race at Rockingham in 2002. MB2 Motorsports sold the majority of it’s ownership to Bobby Ginn in 2006, with Frye retaining an 20% ownership stake. Renamed as Ginn Racing, the team then merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007.

 

Frye then went to work for Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR operation, helping drivers A.J. Allmendinger and Bryan Vickers improve dramatically. As Frye was named Executive of the Year by both ESPN and the Kansas city Star in 2008 after Vickers finished 19th overall.

 

Vickers would score the team’s first of two wins at Michigan International Speedway the following year, while Kasey Kahne would claim the second and final Red bull Racing NASCAR victory at Phoenix International Raceway in 2011, before Red Bull shuttered it’s NASCAR operation. For 2012, Frye joined Hendrick Motorsports as an Executive for Business development.

 

In November, 2013, Frye became the Chief revenue Officer of Hulman Motorsports, overseeing both it’s IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway operations. Frye then next served as President of IndyCar Competition before being named the President of the NTT IndyCar Series in 2018, before leaving the organization after ten years in February, 2025.

 

We felt that Jay Frye with His wealth of NASCAR expertise and vast network of both IndyCar and NASCAR participants, along with seeing the introduction of technical innovations such as the Aeroscreen and hybrid Energy Recovery System, (ERS) make Him the perfect fit to serve as team principal.

 

Gavin Ward, new to NASCAR, will serve as the team’s Technical Director, reporting directly to Frye. As Ward who studied Automotive Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, held various roles with Red bull Racing in formula 1.

 

Ward worked with the likes of David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo during His Red Bull tenure as a Race Engineer and Aerodynamicist before moving onto Indy Cars.

 

In 2018, Ward joined Team Penske as Josef Newgarden’s race engineer, amassing 13 wins along with winning the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Championship before moving to Arrow McLaren where He served as the team’s Director of Trackside Engineering initially in 2022.

 

Ward then rose to become Arrow McLaren’s Team Principal before departing at the end of 2024, and is known for His “People first” mentality and plans to build another strong racing organization with Phoenix Racing.

 

Andretti is planning to run former Spire Motorsports driver Cory Lajoe at the team’s two Oval races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway later this summer. As Lajoe has a wealth of experience on Super Speedways. And will make His racing debut for Phoenix Racing at the Brickyard 400.

 

Andretti claims the team is looking at a possible Open Exemption Provisional )OEP entry for World Class International drivers for next year’s Daytona 500, with the driver to be named later. Although Andretti did mention the possibility of the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, or even Helio Castroneves whom Andretti knows well from His IndyCar days.

 

Phoenix Racing will campaign a single Ford Mustang out of the former Money Team premises in Mooresville, North Carolina, in a technical alliance with Gene Haas’s Haas Factory Team entry, utilizing former Stewart Haas Racing Ford Mustang chassis.

 

Andretti plans to become a two car operation next season. As Andretti is confident that at least one NASCAR Charter can be acquired for the 2026 season, but wouldn’t comment further. Saying more information would be provided later this year.

 

While also noting that the team had a further two exciting drivers in the pipeline for its 2025 road courses and street circuit NASCAR events, who would also be named shortly, along with their various sponsors. Noting how fans would be very excited over their Mexico City driver.