Cable TV Mogul, Le Mans winner Dies

But how many know about Him?

 

Its funny what we as individuals pay Attenzione to, or choose to ignore.

 

Case-in-point, naturally the words Le Mans winner will “Peak” my Attenzione. And no, I won’t elabourate on the Danica peaking pun intended. Which Arse-sumedly, most have forgotten by now…

 

The second part of the obituary that intrigued Mwah was the mention of the gritty city of Tacoma, Washington. Although I have to say the sir name of Hindery did nothing for me.

 

Leo Hindery Jr was born in Springfield, Illinois on Halloween of 1947, and died at age 77 in Zurich, Switzerland on September 18, 2025.

 

Leo grew up in Tacoma, where His father was a manager at a Sears Roebuck store. Completing His undergraduate studies at Seattle University, followed by a MBA from Stanford University.

 

After a few jobs, Leo founded InterMedia Partners. A Cable TV company that eventually grew to nearly three million customers. This was then sold to TCI, (Tele-Communications Inc.) the nation’s largest Cable TV company. Co-founded by the ominous John c. Malone. With Hindery ultimately becoming President and CEO of TCI.

 

Yes, that same John Carl Malone, that Al Gore called the Darth Vader of Wall Street Me Thinks! Or simply Darth Vader for His prodigious consumption of media companies. Whose now Chairman of Liberty Media, Liberty Global and the Qurate Retail Group. Whatever the latter is?

 

Although Malone, now 84 years old, has just announced His stepping down as Chairman of Liberty Media and Liberty global at year’s end. And will take up the new role of Chairman Emeritus on January 1st. Although I’m guessing He’ll be treated better than former Liberty Media Chairman Emeritus Uncle Bernaughty!

 

Hindery became smitten with motor racing after being given a gift certificate to the Richard Petty Driving Experience in the early 1990’s.

 

As Hindery’s third wife was Patty Wheeler, daughter of the irrepressible PT Barnum of Stock Car racing, Humpy Wheeler. With the couple marrying in 2005.

 

Hindery would go onto race at Circuit de la Sarthe, finishing second in the GT Class in 2003. Before winning the GT2 category two years later. Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with co-drivers Marc Lieb and Mike Rocky’ Rockenfeller, for Alex Job Racing. Finishing 10th overall, 38-laps behind the winning Audi R8 of Mr. Le Mans, aka Tom Kristensen, JJ Letho and Marco Werner.

 

As I’ve forgotten the exact quote now from His New York Times Obituary. But it was something to the effect of why He liked motor racing so much. Noting that the Chequered Flag doesn’t care who you are, or how many successful Deals you make in the Boardroom…

 

Whilst interestingly, I was unaware that Leo had been Chairman of Port Imperial Racing Associates, promoter of the failed Grand Prix of America in Weehawken, New Jersey.

 

Having been announced in 2011 as the Port Imperial Street Circuit with a length of 3.2-miles, and resembling Monaco’s race. Although its elevation changes thru the Jersey’ Palisades were higher and the lap time was predicted to be quicker.

 

The race was first scheduled for June 16, 2013, before being postponed. With Bernie Ecclestone saying the contract had been annulled due to breech of contract.

 

Yet the race was subsequently scheduled for June 1, 2014, before once again running into financial difficulty. With the race quietly disappearing, and not being listed on the 2015 F1 Calendar.

 

As oddly, what I remember most about this failed attempt is ‘lil syd viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel running demonstration Hot-laps over the proposed circuit in some sort of Nissan Infiniti automobile. When Infiniti was then Red Bull Racing’s title sponsor… 

F1: Show Me the Money!

But definitely Don’t expect any Change back…

 

Although why did Bernie and The Muppets come screaming in my Head initially?

 

As once again, I wasn’t able to “Back-time” this properly, having already poonded’ out a plethora ‘O No Fender stories for your dining consumption…

 

Did somebody say dining? Was that the 12:45 reservation being called aboard my train? As think its past my lunchtime, Hya!

 

Even if I could have squeezed it in? I wasn’t going to celebrate a one Bernard Charles Ecclestone’s 95th Birthday on October 28th. For whomever will simply be Uncle Bernaughty to Mwah!

 

As what more can I say than Uncle Bernaughty simply cutting a cheque for a cool $100m to the German authorities to wiggle His way out of a Bribery trial! Whilst lest we forget? The miserable Fall-man Sob in the morass, disgraced German Banker Gerhard Gribkowsky sat rotting in jail for 8.5 years while Ecclestone, then a spritely 83 years young, serenely continued doing Business as Usual, Ja Volt!

 

While Formula One’s Teflon Man Slips the Noose, another ties His own Knot

 

Nor should we forget that Messer Bernaughty plead guilty to tax fraud two years ago. Agreeing to pay the British Tax authorities HS Revenues nearly $653m British pounds for failing to properly divulge multiple trusts in 2015.

 

Or accidentally taking a revolver with Him to Sao Paolo when attending the Brazilian Grand Prix with wife Fabiana. With Bernie denying being arrested, yet paying $1,740 in Bail. Before joking that He hadn’t had any publicity lately and thought He needed to drum up some. Along with being mugged for His luxury Hublot watch some 15 years ago…

 

But don’t worry. In typical Bernie fashion, He turned the 2010 mugging into a presumably profitable Advert’. Or at the very least garnered His much sought after public attention He craves!

 

Hublot’s tactic with the Blackey Bernie Ecclestone Watch Ad

 

Not to mention having recently sold His fantastic 69 vintage F1 car collection, reportedly worth $500m to Red Bull Heir Mark Mateschitz. Son of the late Deeter Majestic! Aka Dietrich Mateschitz

 

Along with reportedly just having sold the first of His two private yachts for $17m. With the 176-foot “Petara”, named after daughters Pietra and Tamara. Which the Ecclestone’s only used eight days a year…

 

And how surreal to be 95yrs old and have a five year old son named Abe. Along with His eldest daughter Deborah being 70; some 20-plus years older than His current wife.

 

Yet when reading the London Telegraph’s article honouring His momentous birthday. Interestingly, Eccleston mentioned of His four closest life friends; Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Max Mosely and Flavio Briatore, only one was still alive.

 

Ironically, it just so happens that His pal “HMS Monogram”, Flavour Flav or simply Flavio Briatore is at the heart of Ecclestone’s latest court case. With Felipe Massa persevering over the noxious Crashgate affair that one could say cost Him the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship!

 

As Massa is reportedly suing Ecclestone, Formula One Management (FOM) and the FIA for $64 million Australian pounds for breech of contract and duty. As I love how the London Telegraph always quotes monetary amounts in Australian pounds, and not British…

 

Massa claims that Ecclestone’s public statement in 2023 about how He and Arse-sumedly the deposed Max Mosley knew about Crashgate before the end of the 2008 F1 season and chose to do nothing about it! Would have summarily revised the results of said Singapore Grand Prix, which future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso won. And thus Massa would have been that year’s F1 Driver’s Champion instead of Lewis Hamilton winning His maiden Driver’s crown.

 

As I’m most intrigued over how this turns out. Since one could argue that Massa has a valid point. But is it worth overturning History?

 

As sadly, Fernando will Always be Faster than you Massa, Confirm…

 

Meanwhile, on this side of the Gory Puddle. Its nice knowing that Liberty Media has sold out Formula 1. Awarding the 2026 U.S. TV rights to Apple for a rumoured $140-180m per season for the next five years. As basically Liberty Media has just effectively doubled what ESPN paid for its latest three year contract extension between 2022-25, i.e.; $75-90m. Which was far north of the earlier ESPN F1 rights deal of a paltry $5m per year!

 

Thus nobody Stateside with old fashioned Cable TV will be able to “consume” Formula 1 on their Telie’s next year, Bastardoes!

 

Yeah, I know I’m not the desired target audience. And perhaps more people stream these days vs. traditional TV? Especially when your Cable company just adds on an extra $10 per month willy nilly. Not Willie Vanilla; since Thars’ a whole lot of lip synching going on over no better service, Oh Never Mind!

 

But I’m left wondering how is a legally blind motorsports fan supposed to stream? And is this the end of my four decades of faithfully watching Formula 1 on Ye Boob Tube?

 

As why should we be left scrambling once again to support a sport that wasn’t even in the mainstream’s consciousness or lexicon when I began following it religiously in 1986, Eh?

 

Thus, a large part of me hopes this move backfires for Liberty Media, Err Formula 1. Since sometime the F1 bubble’s gonna burst Stateside, and this seems the perfect catalyst!

 

But then again what do I know? Simply being a cellar dwelling Blogger who still lives in the 20th Century… 

Alien Shivers in Lone Star State

But at least like All Ghoulish Ghosts, He didn’t Break any bones!

 

Whale’, my original working title was COTA Ghost Haunts Marquez, or something to that effect. Although when attending multiple U.S. grands Prix at Circuit Of The Americas, I believe that Austin Sherpa Claudio told me that they were Aliens! Although back then I think that The doctor’, aka Valentino Rossi was the lead Alien, ci? With Jorge Lorenzo and Rossi’s arch nemesis Ye Pinball Wizard, aka Marc Marquez making up this trio of Kneedraggers’ who could simply do things out of this world on their Scooters!

 

Although before I attended those COTA rounds over a decade ago, the Aliens were known to be Rossi, Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and apparently even Danni Pedrosa was included…

 

Whilst don’t know about Y’all, but I’m getting really tired of playing TV Network Wackamole for MotoGP! And after first thinking that Tru TV was Dropping the Ball again, since I couldn’t find the Austin round of MotoGP on it’s programming lineup. I was surprised to discover that it was on Fox Sports now instead…

 

Although not sure how effective hosting the premiere Kneedraggers motorcycle racing on the planet on FS1 and FS2 is? Hmm, makes me think of IndyCar and Motorsports, sans NASCAR getting third or fourth preference, but I digress!

 

As others will already be far ahead of Mwah, since it wasn’t until after COTA that I discovered that Fox Sports had inked a multi-year contract to host MotoGP beginning this season. While I have to say that I found last year’s Tru TV and Turner Sports Simulcast of the former Eurosports coverage far superior…

 

Although I didn’t know about it until after Sunday, Ye Pinball Wizard reportedly had His first crash aboard the Werks’ Ducati during Friday practice, which sounds like it was an outlier of things to come, Eh?

 

During Saturday’s Sprint race, Marc Marquez left an ominous, long black rubber streak upon the circuit when He nearly went down during the beginning stages of the Sprint. When being harried by Pecco’ Bagnaia and brother Alex for the lead! Yet Marc managed to inexplicably save His “slide” by simply putting the Hammer down and romping off for what the announcers gushed over being “Five for Five, in 25!”

 

As Marquez had set history to that point, having claimed all three pole positions, all three Sprint races, and both Sunday races to date.

 

But All streaks must come to an end sometime, to which Marquez’s was no exception. Seemingly enroute to another dominating victory on Sunday, leading by a comfortable 2.2-seconds. Marquez planted His front tyre on the white kerbing which still had some Slippery liquids on it. Lost traction and control of His bike and presto-change-O-O-Oh’, Crashed whilst leading!

 

As I have to say I admired Marquez’s spirit and determination to not Quit, which is probably why He’s a multi-times MotoGP World Champion! Even though He’d destroyed His all important fairing, along with ripping off a footpeg. Marquez tried soldiering on in P18 and dropping for five more laps before retiring.

 

As the announcers prattled on about how you simply cannot ride a modern MotoGP bike without a fairing due to the incessant buffeting. Especially when you’re doing routine laps above 300 Clicks’, i.e.; over 186mph, Sheisa! Since I think they were reaching 200mph at COTA?

 

Whilst I haven’t even discussed the pre-race rain shower that reaked havoc upon the grid. As Fabio Quartararo crashed during a “sighting” lap when trying to navigate the wet Ash-fault’ on a “Dry” Scooter’, i.e.; dry, slick tyres. With satellite Yamahopper’ rider  (Jack) Thriller’ Miller stopping to pick up the French rider.

 

Have to say it was during that Saturday’s Sprint race when Marquez almost crashed that I began wondering to myself how long it will be until He crashes again? And how long until He injurs Himself again?

 

Since Sunday’s race saw Werks’ Ducati teammate Bagnaia picking up the pieces after having aggressively broken up the Marquez train, as the two Spanish riders have been glued together, finishing 1-2 in every event until Sunday! As Pecco’ had barged His way into second place before Marquez crashed out!

 

As have to say the rider I’m most impressed by early on is Alex Marquez, the younger and mostly overlooked brother of Marc. Who’s been outstanding on the satellite Gresini squad on it’s year old Desmosedici GP24 Duc’. Leaving Austin with the MotoGP championship points lead, by one marker ahead of His brother. Having finished Vice champion, Err runner-up in all six races…

 

Another rider who’s impressed Mwah is Japanese MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura, riding for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, on the “second” tier Aprilia outfit’s bikes.

 

As believe He netted an impressive fourth place finish in the season opener at Thailand, and was sixth overall prior to Qatar. Where Aprilia’s top Dawg’ and reigning MotoGP Champion Jorge Martin will make His debut for the Italian manufacturer, having been medically cleared by MotoGP on Thursday, prior to Qatar’s Friday practice.

 

As it was just plain weird not having thee Martinator’ on the MotoGP grid these past three events. Since with a nickname like that, you’d Arse-sume’ He’d fall into thoust “Alien” category, Eh?

 

Although Jorge’s certainly being Haunted by the Ghouls of Christmas Past right now! 

MotoGP’s 2025 Season gets off to Rough Start

Even though The Boyz’ are Back on the Championship Trail now…

 

Yeah, it’s old news over the spate ‘O crashes during the Sepang Pre-season test prior to going racing at Thailand on March 2nd. As MotoGP seems to be the hardest of the major racing categories for me to follow, other than “Watching”, Err listening via TruTV, even if my Gory Freakin’ Cable TV bill just increased again, seriously Spectrum? Right, I keep forgetting Spectrum’s motto, We Care, chuh-Ching!

 

Thus we know that thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin crashed heavily and broke His hand and fractured a foot during testing, reportedly also shattering His helmet’s visor upon landing violently! Requiring surgery to His right hand to place a screw in a metacarpal. While supposedly His left foot wasn’t operated on.

 

As I’d have to say that Moto Matter’s David Emmett gave the most “clear” observation of what really happened at Sepang during Martin’s “High-side” crash on Day-1 of testing. Noting how Aprilia Boss Massimo Rivola’s “Job” is to shield His star rider from media  criticism. Blaming Michelin for Jorge’s crash, while the tyre supplier’s infra-red tyre casing sensor noted Martin’s inside tyre temperature being lower than prescribed.

 

Thus I’d agree that Martin simply pushed to hard too soon on a “cold” Michelin tyre and paid the price for His normal aggressiveness just an hour into testing…

 

Meanwhile Aprilia satellite Trackhouse Racing rider Raul Fernandez also crashed at Sepang on Day-1, breaking a meta carpel in His hand a la Martin; with no word if both Aprilia crashes were tyre related?

 

Whilst sadly, one of my many favourite MotoGP riders, Fabio di Giannantonio broke His collarbone at Sepang when doing a “Wheelie” that went wrong, Butterfingers!

 

All three riders underwent immediate surgery in Europe. With both Martin and di Giannantonio skipping the final Pre-season test on February 10-12 at the Chang International Circuit in order to be fit for the season opener. While Trackhouse confirmed that Fernandez would attempt to take part in the final test at Buriran, in order to get more valuable “Saddle”, Err Seat-time.

 

Whilst I’ve no idea how long di Giannantonio’s injury recovery time will be? Although Arse-sume He’ll be racing with a titanium plate or hardware attached to His damaged collarbone in order to resume racing…

 

Then on the Monday preceding the season opener Thailand MotoGP race, Martin injured Himself again in a training accident. This time suffering multiple fractures to His left hand, including the thumb carpal!

 

Thus Jorge needed further surgery to repair His broken wrist. And was set to miss at least the Thailand race with test rider Lorenzo Savadori replacing Him. Although I don’t see how Martin will be suitably recovered for the Argentina round a Fortnight later.

 

Having been away on Holiday once again, Groan! During both the Thai and Argentine Grands Prix, obviously I don’t know the current health status of these three riders, albeit Martin seems the most doubtful to have raced yet?

 

Whilst naturally, I Arse-sume that di Giannantonio and Fernandez have been competing, and that Ducati as typical has won the first two rounds at Thailand and Argentina. Presumably an intra-team scrum between Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. For which are Emmett’s choice for who’ll win this year’s MotoGP title. As talk about going out on a limb with that prediction…

 

And will this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) see Ye Pinball Wizard’, nee Marc Marquez return to His throne as King of COTA, now that He’s once again on a fully competitive Scooter’, having crushed the competition so far!

 

Whilst in my absence, Jorge Martin divulged the Thursday prior to the Argentine GP that His recovery was taking longer then expected. And that not only would He not compete in Argentina, but would also definitely miss the COTA round. Along with prossibly the following Qatar Grand Prix. Which I’m guessing He’ll miss. Meaning theMartinator’ will presumably miss at least the first four rounds of this year’s MotoGP Championship, scuttling His title defense… 

Rookie Kerfuffle lingers while IndyCar Says Goodbye to Belle Isle

As I’m gonna Miss racing on that Rock…

 

For Thyself, as A Blind Word Butcher’, I now totally prefer listening to the IndyCar Radio Network’s “Call” of the races vs. Nothing But Commercials, err NBC! Thus I found this past weekend’s Internets Broadcast far More enjoyable than the Indy 500 TV Broadcast, which I really feel like I Don’t need to “Watch,” Err listen to anymore, which really makes me wonder why I’m still willing to pay such an exorbitant amount ‘O Dinero monthly for Cable TV, But I Digress…

 

Thus it was a perfect weekend as I got to listen to Qualifying live Saturday morning via IndyCar Radio where I took great delight in Nicky Salt’ Yeoman’s Uber Astute comment regarding IndyCar Rookie David Malukas Driving like Somebody Had Stolen a Trophy from Him! In regards to the laughable Ha ha, Not! Ludicrous awarding of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Of the Year (ROY) to Jimmie Johnson.

 

As it would be extremely easy to Pile On to the overwhelming sentiments of Ye Blogosphere, and perhaps General feelings regarding this pathetic choice of Johnson over Malukas at Mother Speedway. Which just simply seems to be one more Nauseating Nod to that Taxicab bombers series…

As I really Don’t understand why IndyCar is doing Nothing to promote All of It’s Stars, as there’s so many story lines they could be using to promote All of the Great IndyCar Drivers!

 

Like I’ve said before, I admire Jimmie for what He’s doing, and He seems to be totally Humble and just trying to perfect his Open wheel Racecraft. But the Hype over Johnson just Didn’t warrant His winning the Indy 500 ROY, especially after putting Himself into the Wall Solo! Since at the very least, if my memory’s correct? Johnson and Malukas should have been Co-Rookies Of the Year a la Larry Rice and somebody named Rick Mears…

 

Thus it was even funnier when IndyCar Radio Network Pitlane Reporter Ryan Marin, who’s quickly vaulted to my Numero Uno favourite Pitlane Reporter, who far exceeds either NBC’s Snidely Whiplash or The Wherewolf’, aka Marty Snider  or Kevin Lee! (respectively) Repeated Nick Yeoman’s comment of Driving like Somebody Had Stolen His Trophy after Malukas had made His first ever Fast Six Shootout appearance, for which the 20yr Old Chicago Driver seemed very deferential in His response, before Marin finished the interview by saying that Malukas, who Qualified 6^th vs. another tepid Johnson 20-something result was Definitely the People’s Choice!

 

Alas, it’s very funny how much it took me by surprise hearing Mark Gravelly’ James pronounce this being the 30^th running of the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle. For which I really shouldn’t have been so surprised, since I still vaguely recall watching that Uber Bad Arse Black ‘N gold John Player Special Lotus 98T of Ayrton Senna poundin’ round those Mean, err lumpy Streets of Downtown Detroit Wayback’ in Gory 1986! Not to mention when Scott Scooter’ Pruett was kicking Arse’ in those Narly Jack Roush Ford Mustang Trans Am “Pony Cars!”

 

 

But I suppose it’s just part of getting Old-ER’ that made me forget we’ve been going to Belle Isle for three decades. Although I did remember that I’d scribbled about the Beautiful Island some six years ago…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2016/06/belle-isle-recollections.html

 

As it’s amazing how far the racetrack at Belle Isle’s progressed over the years, or is it that just the racing’s gotten that much better?

 

Since I can still recall sitting thru an overly long Red Flag period with such luminaries as ‘Ol r’, Ye Curmudgeon ‘O IndyCar’s robin Miller entertaining us as impromptu repairs were being made to the track’s surface. After James Hinchcliffe’s IndyCar’s front suspension had been wrecked after running over a Tar Ball Chunk ‘O Ashfault that had been torn out of the decaying track surface! With some Quick Dry Cement being applied, Aye Karumba!

 

Or how about when that Big GM, nee Chevy Mucky Muck promptly Stuffed the Corvette ZR1 Pace Car into the track’s Jersey Barrier, Whump!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2018/06/yo-pace-car-driver-better-check-your.html

 

But I’d have to say that it’s mostly down to the brilliant Firestone alternate rubber compound’s rapid, intentional degrading that made Sunday’s race so enjoyable.

 

While I think it was Ryan Marin again interviewing David Malukas Sunday, asking Him if He’d been getting any advice from Coyne Ware Racing teammate Takuma Sato who qualified second how to drive Belle Isle? To which Malukas replied Yes, Taku’ said you’ve got to drive it like a Grandma!

 

Not to mention Michael Young’s comment of How He just couldn’t wrap His Head round how Windsor, Ontario Canada was to the South of Him from His Turn 7 vantage point…

 

Have to say I was totally rootin’ for Alexander rossi, who seemed to be on the perfect strategy for once to finally win a race after nearly three years of futility! Making it even funnier how I was rooting against one of my past favourite drivers DJWillyP’, aka Will Power, who surely His Alternate Red compound Firestones wouldn’t be able to go the distance of the final 20 laps vs. Rossi’s preferred Black primary compound Slicks. Yet it was pretty insane how Power had built up a monster 35 second lead before His final Pit Stop.

 

Thus Power won by a lone second from an unexpecting 16^th starting spot, with Rossi coming home second from 11^th, and Scott Dixon third after starting P9. Whilst that Malukas fellah finished 11th and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson Ho Hum, was P22.

 

Although another rookie I really felt for was Kyle Kirkwood, who I really appreciate His gritting out His injured Hand/Wrist after His Shunt during Saturday morning’s second Warm Up session. Which afterwards, He went off and won the IMSA GTD category for Vasser Sullivan Racing’s Lexus race team, and ran in the Top 5 of the IndyCar race for a long time before making a rookie mistake, which He quickly Blamed upon Himself and Not due to His injury, which I’m Not buying since He spent considerable time with an ice pack on His injured wrist! Not to mention the lack of power steering.

 

Whilst cannot remember which Blogger sagely noted how Fun it would be seeing The Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci driving the No. 14 for ‘Ol SuperTex’, aka A.J. foyt next year as Kirkwood’s replacement.

 

As I guess we’ll have to wait with Baited Breath to “See” how the return to Detroit’s Downtown Streets plays out next year…