Time to “Race to the clouds”, Again

As can the Blue Oval win for a second year in-a-row?

 

Arse-sumedly like many, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb probably goes largely unnoticed. Although I’d guess it’s got it’s legions of Hardcore Fans…

 

Must say I know very little about this legendary race, other than it once was the playground of the Unser’s, most notably Uncle bobby, who has the most King of The Mountain titles overall with ten. Having broken His tie with His uncle Louis Usner in 1986 in a Audi Quattro. With Bobby having a total of 13 wins at “Unser’s Peak”, with a further two Stock Car and single Sports Car category victories.

 

While ironically, bobby’s streak of six consecutive wins ended when younger brother Big Al’ (Unser Sr.) won in 1964…

 

The first race was held in 1916; with the years 1917-19 and 1942-45 not being held due to both World Wars.

 

Paving of the dirt road began in 2002, with the final mixed dirt/asphalt event being 2011. During this time, Nobuhiro Tajima won six consecutive events driving for Suzuki, in Escudo, SL7 and SX4 models. Becoming the first driver to break the ten minute mark with a new course record in 2011. Nobuhiro subsequently became the first driver to break the ten minute barrier in an

Electric vehicle in 2013 with a time of 9:46.530.

 

The same year, (2013) Sebastien Loeb shattered the nine minute mark aboard His King of The Mountain overall winning Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak special with a time of 8:13.878.

 

In 2015, Rhys Millen became the first overall winner driving an electric vehicle, winning in9:07.222 aboard an eO PP03, whatever that is? With Tajima second, giving EV’s a 1-2 sweep.

 

And then Romain dumas bettered countryman Loeb’s record by 15 seconds behind the keyboard of His Volkswagen electric racer…

 

This Sunday, June 22nd is the 103rd running of the race, Where defending overall race winner Romain dumas will be aiming for His sixth King of The Mountain (overall) victory.

 

Last year, Dumas won driving a highly modified Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck with a time of eight minutes, 53 seconds and change. As this PickemUp’ truck reportedly produced a massive 2,200bhp generated by its three electric motors and producing some whopping 6,000lbs of downforce.

 

Dumas said the truck simply shut off during His eventual winning run to the clouds. After recycling the electrics and continuing on His way, He won the event.

 

Recall that Thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge made Her Pikes Peak debut last year, driving an Acura Integra Type S DE5 thru Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) in the Time Attack 1 division. But no idea how She fared on the 12.42-mile paved tarmac to the 14,115 foot summit.

     

Whilst another Femme Fatale was busy winning the newly created GT4 Division. As Laura Hayes in a Toyota Supra GT4 raced to the clouds in 10:20.487, winning the category. Becoming the fastest woman on the mountain in a car.

 

As Germany’s Lucy Glockner set an astonishing time of 9:58.878 upon a motorcycle in 2019! Before the motorcycle’s category was discontinued in 2021, following the death of motorcyclist Carlin Dunne during the 2019 event.

 

Also tend to recall that David Donohue, son of the late Mark Donohue was competing in the Hillclimb last year…

 

As Donohue recorded His fifth sub-ten minute run enroute to winning the Time Attack 1 division driving His 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo R entry. Along with winning the bergmeister award with His 9:49.429 run being the fastest Porsche overall.

 

Dumas has won Pikes Peak five times to date, i.e.; 2014, 2016-18 and 2024. Having set the current overall record time in VW’s monster I.D. R electric racer at 7:57.148 in 2018, which He hopes to surpass this year.

 

This year’s vehicle of choice is a Ford Mustang Super Mach E, which sort of resembles the production vehicle, if you don’t stare at it too hard! With Ford being coy upon vehicle specifics, most notably horsepower. Although having divulged it produces a Mega 6,225lb of downforce, Aye Karumba!

 

No idea whom else is competing this year in the Top Dawgs’ Unlimited division. Or who Dumas’s competition for King of The Mountain contest will be? Or if Four-times winner Robin Schute will be competing?

 

Meanwhile, just learned that Katherine Legge finished in the top five of the TA1 division last year with a time of 10:51.359, just three seconds off the current front wheel drive record.

 

As Legge will contest this year’s event once again driving for Honda. This time aboard the No. 93 Acura Integra Type S DE5, seeking to eclipse the record mark of 10:48.094 set in 2018. With Legge being one of six females competing this year.         

Clearing the Air

And I’m not talking about the overwhelming amounts of particulates in the environment these days…

 

First off, I am not an Engineer, nor an Aerodynamicist. Or pretend to know the intricacies of either profession. That said, I have become disappointed over how much the term “clean” and “Dirty” Air’s being thrown round in current Formula 1 Grands Prix.

 

I would Arse-sume that cheating the air has existed in the design of modern racing cars since they began being created. Not to mention this aspect of aerodynamics has been applied to production automobiles forever, with modern cars lowering of their “CD” number, i.e.; Coefficient of Drag being pursued vigorously. While I’m not certain if locomotive trains from the 1930’s benefitted from this practice?

 

The first modern Grand Prix racecar that popped up upon thoust radar’s internal Jukebox was the 1937 Auto Union Streamliner, known as the Type C Stromlinie. Having competed at the world’s fastest race course AVUS in Germany  in 1937 vs. Mercedes Benz All conquering Stromlinienwagen. A series of three Mercedes Benz, Err Daimler AG Grand Prix racecars fitted with streamlined bodywork. With both the W125 and W25 chassis utilized.

 

Herman Lang won the “One-off” high speed event at AVUS, replete with it’s “Wall of Death” turn, a banked curve of some 42-45 degrees banking constructed from brick. Hmm, that bricks idea sounds familiar to Mwah…

 

Lang won the event aboard a W25 Grand Prix racecar with said streamliner bodywork. Where the long straightaways allowed for top speeds nearing 400kph, or a remarkable 248.50mph, Sheisa!

 

Whilst fast forwarding to today. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Mercedes W196 Streamliner driven by Juan Manuel Fangio just sold at auction for a whopping $53 million, the second most expensive racecar ever!

 

Scary to think I’ve been following Formula 1 for nearly four decades now, meaning it’s really hard to remember everything that’s happened over that time span, Ja volt! But I tend to believe that aerodynamics became the rage in F1 in the early 1960’s, when the first wings sprouted on Grand Prix machinery. With this push for these Aero’ gains culminating with the failures of high mounted rear wings. For which a certain Pete Lovely’s late 1960’s Lotus racecar comes to mind. Which I think was a Lotus 49?

 

As the win “pylons” were simply failing due to being overstressed by the aerodynamic downforce loads being exerted upon them!

 

Then I’ve just been reminded about the foray into the sliding skirt era by Racer’s Marshall Pruett. As this early 1980’s F1 era saw designers trying to create a vacuum of low pressure? Underneath said racecar to “glue” it to the circuit with the aid of ground effects and the car’s wings, which were basically inverted airfoils to push the chassis down to increase cornering speeds. If I understand the concept correctly?

 

As it was the late colin Chapman and His legendary Team Lotus that pioneered this concept with the Lotus 78 that Mario Andretti claimed the F1 Drivers World Championship with.

 

Aerodynamics have always been at the forefront of Formula 1 chassis design as long as I can remember. Although it seems like we enjoyed great on-track skirmishes over the decades, or at least from the 1980’s to the early 2000’s. Which may have been due to the cars massive amounts of horsepower? Although today’s racecars are no slouches!

 

Whilst the last, great scrum I recall seems to be Nico Rosberg v Lewis Hamilton in equally prepared Mercedes in 2016. Along with the superb “Dust-up” between Hamilton and Max Verstappen over the 2021 season…

 

Making me wonder if today’s Formula 1 chassis have simply become too Aero-efficient? As I don’t know what year the Drag Reduction System (DRS) came into effect? But I do know that the current chassis were hailed as the biggest overhaul in quite awhile for their 2022 technical rule changes. Specifically designed to encourage closer following of a leading car, and promote overtaking. Which we’re now seeing a total lack of, regarding who’s leading the Grand Prix.

 

DRS was implemented in Formula 1 in 2011, and ceases at the end of 2025, when the new Aerodynamic Aids come into effect…

 

The current Grand Prix races have seen nothing more than the pole sitter either lead start to finish, or the car that get’s out front, i.e.; Oscar Piastri at the first corner in Jeddah going on to win. As the cars simply run best in “clean” Air and I suppose due to the convergence of design. Now struggle to run faster in what the Pundits call “Dirty” Air, which seemingly is the wake or vortex created behind the leading racecar…

 

As I don’t know if my example’s correct? But this is somewhat akin to being buffedted by the “Dirty” Air coming off a semi-truck from a far distance behind it. As we won’t digress into the realm of draftin…

 

IndyCar doesn’t seem totally adverse to this situation either, as it seems that I’ve heard drivers saying you don’t want to be too far in the pack at Mother Speedway. Although the cars do seem to “suck-up” better, where you don’t necessarily wish to be the leading car at the end of the Indianapolis 500. As just ask both Marcus Ericsson and Pato O’Ward about that!

 

Sadly, I feel that la Scuderia boss Frederic Vausser’s words are poetic? Err, Uhm prescient. With the Scuderia Ferrari team principal noting at Suzuka that this year’s F1 Championship will most likely be won during qualifying, Sigh! Since apparently the design staffs have clawed back the lost performance, which they always do. And now the F1 cars are simply too similar in performance, leading to lack of overtaking at the front of the grid, leading to rather dull races.

 

And yeah, I know that both Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris  managed to overtake George Russell for positions on-track with the aid of their DRS at Jeddah. Yet it was only third and fourth place. With Oscar Piastri controlling the race ahead of Max Verstappen.

 

Yet recall that even when Piastri got within DRS range of Verstappen, He was unable to pass Him. While Williams Carlos Sainz Jr. brilliantly led, and allowed teammate Alex Albon to follow in DRS range andeffectively create a DRS “train” which Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar couldn’t overcome. With the trio finishing P8-9-10 respectively…

 

Next year, Formula 1 is set to implement it’s biggest raft of technical rule changes with the advent of both new chassis and Power Units. (PU) As the chassis are said to be “smaller”, more nimbler and weigh less, and feature moving aerodynamic “devices”, i.e.; front and rear wings. With just two fixed positions available, i.e.; fuel efficiency or “High” downforce modes.

 

While the PU’s will feature a 50/50 split between Electric and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power output. With a third item of consideration being the redesigned, narrower 18-inch Pirelli tyres for said racecars…

 

And so it goes, as will 2025 be the season that diminishes Formula One’s current wave of popularism? And how will the 2026 F1 season pan out? 

The Dakar keeps making History

Especially since the entire race finished three times Faster than IndyCar’s 42 days Hiatus…

 

Yes Ladies ‘n Germs’, it’s another way behind the proverbial eight ball No Fenders story that I’ve been sitting on whilst recuperating…

 

Yet it still seems worthy of noting that Sara Price became the first U.S. Female to win a stage in the grueling Dakar! As the 31yr old Californian just went for broke this year after cobbling together $500,000 in various fund raisers. Saying She didn’t care if it cost every penny of Her savings, She was going!

 

Price is not only a Stunt Driver, but has also won medals at X-Games and won 17 Motocross titles. Along with being an accomplished racer. Having driven previously for Chip Ganassi Racing’s Extreme E team during the 2021-22 season, becoming the very first Female driver hired by Ganassi. Plus contesting Stadium Super Trucks during 2016-17.

 

Yet Price has focused primarily upon rallying and in 2019, became the Baja 1000’s first Ironwoman, finishing runner-up in the Trophy Truck spec class wile driving solo!

 

Sara arrived at this year’s Dakar with just Her Mechanic, Navigator, Best Friends and Boyfriend Ricky Bravic. As perhaps Y’all have heard of Him?

 

As Bravic was the first American to win the Dakar, winning the 2020 Motorcycle class, which He repeated this year.

 

Sara and navigator Jeremy Gray warmed up for this year’s Dakar in last October’s Rally du Morac. Where Price made more history by winning stages and finishing second overall in the Rally of Moraco.

 

Price made Her Dakar history when winning the third to final stage in the Can Am (Side-by-Side) class. With the Californian becoming only Dakar’s third female to ever win a stage. Joining Jutta Kleinschmidt and Christina Gutierrez.

 

As Spaniard Gutierrez won this year’s ATV class, becoming only the second woman to ever win the Dakar. Joining Germany’s Kleinschmidt, who previously won in 2001.

 

As Kleinschmidt was a true trailblazer. Claiming a Hat trick of first in the Dakar. Winning the first Stage by a woman at Dakar Wayback’ in 1997. Then becoming the first female pairing with co-driver Tina thorner to stand atop the podium in 1999, when they finished third overall.

 

And then for la piece di la resistance, Kleinschmidt won the 2001 Paris Dakar with co-driver Andreas Schulz in a Factory Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution  With All of Her “firsts” coming in the Cars category.

 

Meanwhile El Matador, aka Carlos Sainz won His fourth Dakar at age 61, breaking His previous record for oldest winner. While Sainz’s win aboard Audi’s technological marvel, the RS Q e-tron, becomes the first ever electric vehicle to win the Dakar.

 

As reportedly, Mr. Dakar, the legednous’ Stephan Pederhansel claimed that the RS Q e-tron was a super physical car to drive. And that it’s brutality was akin to being in a Boxing match while driving it! 

EXCLUSIVE: IndyCar “Secretly” Testing NXT GEN Dallara DW12 Replacement Chassis

“Open the Pod Bay doors HAL!”

 

Although this is Old News, we simply Didn’t know what the Fine Folks at Starship IndyCar’, nee Penske Entertainment were up to now over a year ago, when hosting the inaugural round of it’s Indy Autonomous Challenge.

 

Yet uncharacteristically, and perhaps because of All of the wonderful, generous Overflowing praise the IndyCar Administration has garnered over the past Offseason. Penske Entertainment’s No. 1 Puffed Shirt Marcus Miles, No relation to IndyCar drivers Marcus Ericsson or Armstrong, Hya! Has let the proverbial “Cat out amongst the Pigeons.”

 

According to Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles, IndyCar, in conjunction with it’s exclusive IndyCar Chassis supplier Dallara. Have been secretly testing various iterations of it’s forthcoming Dallara iNX-27 IndyCar chassis, which will finally replace the aging, current 2012 Spec Dallara DW12 in the near future.

 

As the final round of the Indy Autonomous Challenge will naturally be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime later this year. Presumably following some ‘lil ‘OL 500-miler Oval race…

 

As IMS CEO Doug Bowles thinks it would be a great way to cap off the fabled Brickyard’s extensive 2023 season, running sometime shortly after the upcoming Battle of the Bricks, with the first weekend of October being ideal.

 

While Miles says that the winning entry will receive a Cash prize equivalent to last year’s INDY Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist prize award of $500,000 being Donated to the winning University, since Lundqvist’s prize went unclaimed. With a royalty checque being paid for the duration of the Dallara iNX-27’s racing life.

 

Dallara iNX-27 Project Manager Paolo Bandini said there’s No current plans to replace IndyCar Drivers with a plethora of electronic Control Systems. (ECS) And instead, will simply scale up the winning Universities Autonomous Open Wheel Racing Chassis to proper dimensions for the inclusion of a Human Driver replete with the now di riggour Areoscreen, and a second generation Energy Recovery system. (ERS)

 

Yet Bandini stopped short of saying whether He knew anything about IndyCar opening up current Engine regulations, or whether or not a third, new OEM would be coming online in time for the iNX-27’s season debut tentatively slated for St Pete, 2027.

 

While Bandini also would not be drawn on commenting whether or not the iNX-27 chassis would ride on 18-inch tyres like it’s contemporary Single Seater brethren Formula 1 currently utilize…

 

With Bandini also saying that the internal code name for the new Next Generation IndyCar chassis was the JW-27 in Honour of the late Justin Wilson. But He didn’t know if that would stick, since Justin was best known for driving the No. 25 And the decision would be made by others at Dallara Automobili in the future.

 

As here’s the previous Autoweek story recounting the first two rounds of the Indy Autonomous Challenge…

 

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a38705407/how-indy-autonomous-racing-got-real/ 

The Succulent Sounds of IndyCar

Although Don’t get too Excited about Indy Cars just Yet…

 

    It’s pretty Amazing how a brief step away from Zed Confuzer and “Discussing’ Blogging with Good Friends can Change your perspective, or should that be Perspective lens, Eh?

 

As Randal, Thy No Fenders Moniker King and his wife Ginnette came All the way down to Bumfiddle Florence, Oregon for a Fantastic Dinner at one of our well established restaurants, the Zebra Bar on Bay Street. As I could have used my Whale’ vernacular in deference to our legendous’ Exploding Whale History, but I digress…

 

Being asked over Dinner if I was still Blogging and how it was going? And if I was still sharing my Opinions and if they were positive or negative? Yep, I’m still doing this Blogging Gig nearly 16 years later and am probably getting more Cynical, which is may be why I’ve only got 3 readers, Righto, Hya!

 

Thus originally my Post’s title was going to be A Not so Good look for Indy Cars, since I still think there’s way too much Positive Camber, Err Spin being applied to what we All know now for certain.

 

That Paretta Motorsport has “elected’ to run a three race stint with Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) following IndyCar’s most prestigious race of the year, the Indianapolis 500! With Beth Paretta Banging On about how it’s the right way to build a team for the future, which I’m trying to take at “Face” value…

 

Since surely the cachet of running Road America, Mid Ohio and Nashville vastly out does that Month ‘O May’s ‘lil Oval race at Mother speedway, El Correctomundo?

 

No, instead for Mwah, what troubles me most about this, is what happened to El Capitano’ and Penske Entertainment’s “Push” for Diversity? Since I find it Appalling how Quickly this has been Thrown Underneath the Rug! As first Myles Roe was given the Heave Ho, like Luke warm Bathwater! And now Symona-Symona’, aka Simona de Silvestro’s been Kicked Derbside because, Uhm? We cannot find enough “Veteran” Crewmembers to Go Over the Wall, Balderdash!

 

On a positive note, I will acknowledge how pleasantly surprised I am for the moment regarding how easily I can now actually access the IndyCar Radio Network and how “Slick” it is to actually have a Screen Reader Friendly Click Here to listen link! As I’ve been able to Tune In to Mark Gravelly’ James and Davey Hamilton calling a Rain Delayed Indy 500 Open Test on Day-1, since I’d Arse-sumed incorrectly that the second Day’s practice was over at it’s originally scheduled time of 4PM ET, ergo 1PM Pacific…

 

And I also recall saying Out loud to Thyself how Comcast/NBC and IndyCar had Pulled Their collective Heads outta Thar Tailpipes! When discovering that we’d actually be getting our traditional 30mins Postrace Terrestrial TV coverage back beginning at Long Beach!

 

Yet apparently I’m getting Ahead of Thyself! Since I just checked the Broadcast time for the Grand Prix of Alabama and noticed that NBC Badly took Ye Barber’s Sheers to It! Since Thars just a straight 2 hours TV Broadcast with No 30mins Pre/Post-race Vignettes, since they immediately go to the IMSA Sports Car race at Laguna Seca which is a 3 Hours Broadcast. So I’ll go with IndyCar Radio instead!

 

As I try “supporting” IndyCar buy “Watching,” Err listening to the races via NBC, even if It’s definitely Nothing But commercials! As what’s that prase about the Cable Bill going Up and Up?

 

As I know it’s “Early Days” yet, since I’ve only listened to The Mayor of Hinchtown, aka James Hinchcliffe in the “Booth” twice, But!

 

I’m not sure how much longer I can endure the Pete-Repeat routine between (Townsend) T-Bell’ and Hinch’, which immediately makes me think of those two Cartoon Chipmunks Chip and Dale. No No, I insist, you first…

 

Whilst lastly, have to say I’m somewhat Bemused by All of the conjecture stirred up by one Old Man on Ye Blogosphere Shouting At the Clouds Get Off My lawn! Over IMS deciding to “Pause” indefinitely the releasing of Thousands of Helium filled Balloons just moments before the start of the Indianapolis 500 this year.

 

Yes, it was a time Honoured Tradition dating back to 1947 or whenever? Along with Riding Mechanics, Front engine Roadsters, etc. But with Roger Penske’s IMS trumpeting it’s move towards becoming the first major Eco Friendly Sporting venue in North America, Whatever that Means? Along with it’s Sustainability Push, plus the massive increase in Helium prices, I simply “See” this as a Business Model Case decision, a la like Indy Cars move to Hybrid engines.

 

As it’s worth noting that Penske Truck Leasing has just ordered 750 Electric E Transit Cargo Vans from the Ford Motor Company, with initial units being available for rental in Southern California shortly. Whilst I won’t belabour the point that Penske runs Ford Mustangs in NASCAR, CoInky-dense?

 

Nah, the only issue I’ve got with said Blogger’s rant over the Balloons going away at Mother Speedway is that He immediately Attacks Environmentalist! Since if Mankind wasn’t so Hell Bent on Destroying the Planet, as Can Y’all Say Microplastics? Along with the Global Derth of Plastic pollution that indeed does Kill Animals, then the need for such Organizations probably wouldn’t be needed! 

AUTOS: Maranello Cruiser' goes Silent, Stuttgart Classic follows..

When a pair of 40 year old Classics gets 21st Century Makeovers, You've gotta wonder is this what the Future Holds for Us?

Ironically, this past weekend of June 13-14 was exactly 50 years to the running of the 38th 24 Hours of Le Mans, when two of Automotives most legendous' Marques fought Hammer 'N Tongs for that year's outright victory of what arguably was then the largest Sporting event, or certainly Motorsports marquee event.

As may be you've heard that the Rebellion-Williams E-Sports team won this past weekend's virtual Le Mans 24H race, which featured such luminaries as Fredrico Suave' and Rubino', nee Fred Alonso and Rubens Barrichello as one team. Along with current Formula 1 Pilotes Chuck Luh-cluck', aka Charles Leclerc, plus Max Verstappen and Lando Norris teaming up for the event...

Alas, as I've been tirelessly Serenading Y'all 'bout lately, what do you do when you're "rationing" your limited amount of CD Audiobooks which have Dried Up due to the local Library being Closed now for 3-plus months due to the COVID 19 Pandemic?

Whale', in my case, I've gravitated towards actually watching; Err, Uhm, Oh Yeah that's right Mary Ellen, I'm Blind! Meaning I'm mostly; SHUSH! Be Berry-Berry Quiet, we're Hunting Wabbits... OOPSADAISY, Wrong Soundtrack; Hya!

Uhm, I meant mostly listening to Thy Telie', primarily the Motor Trend TV Channel. Hey, are you really surprised that I'd gravitate towards this totally Automotive related TV Channel, Eh?

VIDEO: Vintage Voltage's EV Man Cave'

Funny how Time has kept Zoom-Zooming by even though we've been in Lockdown mode here in Oregon since March 13th, albeit many Counties, including Lane have now just graduated to Stage-2 implementation of "Re-Opening" on June 5th, whatever that means Hmm, why does that make me think of an 'Ol Boston Album I bought on vinyl during its initial release - largely Panned by Critics called Stage III; Err, Uhm I meant Third Stage; But I Certainly Digress...

As I've included Thee "launch sequence" track, which I've always enjoyed, but let it at least play thru to Ye beginning of the Cool The Engines track, which is one of the singles from this album...

VIDEO: Boston - The Launch/Cool the Engines

Over a month ago now, somewheres round May 7th, when I first jotted notes for this riveting; Err, Uhm Electrifying No Fenders story, Z-A-P! I sat down and watched my first ever Gory Electric Vehicles (EV) TV Show.

A fairly entertaining episode of Vintage Voltage, which takes classic automobiles and converts them into fully Electrified Rides. With the episode's vehicle in Questione being a "Clapped-out" Ferrari 308, for which I found what seems to be the final portion of this build?

VIDEO: Vintage Voltage - Ferrari 308 Phase 3

And then two more episodes I viewed revolved around Volkswagen and Porsche Classics, whose two companies are tightly intertwined. As I enjoyed the modest makeover the Karman Ghia received.

But I was far more interested in the show about the Porsche 914, which sadly wasn't finished due to the Client's constantly changing his Build requests bumping up against the interruption of the COVID 19 Pandemic...

And although I couldn't find anything related to this specific Vintage Voltage's Porsche 914 EV Conversion, Thar seems to be plenty 'O 914's that have made Ye Switch to Electric. As this Porsche was the Highlight of an EV Show in Colorado, albeit I have to say I was more impressed with the EV Skateboard; CRIKEYS!

VIDEO: EV Converted 1972 Porsche 914

Nonetheless, I did unearth an article 'bout whether or not Porsche should bring back the 914 as a 21st Century EV.

Will the Beloved Porsche 914 be Reborn as an EV?

But if you're A Died in Thee Wool Gearhead like Mwah, albeit a Revhead' Devotee. Which makes discovering a totally new website appropriately titled Petrolicious so very Karmic or Apropos. And especially when you're Blind, then ambulatory noise takes on even more significance regarding your passion for Automobiles...

Although I applaud the remaking of these motoring Classics, and think it's totally Cool to give  them a second lease on life. Thars still nothing better than the sounds of a true Blue' Err Momma Mia! Rosso or Teutonic Silver Internal Combustion engine vehicle!

VIDEO: 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS Carburetor "Soundtrack"

AUTOS: Return of the Supercars?

Although how many of these will be seen upon thou Mulsanne Straight?

For Mwah, Mid-August always signifies what I'll forever cherish as the Monterey Historis

, typically held on California's coast over the third week of August. Having experienced this for the first time in thou Flesh a quarter of a century ago; Aye Karumba! Albeit it's now officially known as the Monterey Motorsports Reunion instead.

RETRO: Monterey Historics1994 - 20yrs later...

And with that Oh, so Clever Segway, how many of Yuhs have noticed the re-emergence of a few Hallowed Racing Car marques? For which at least one hopes to reappear at Circuit de la Sarthe sometime in the near future.

As Y'all presumably know about the FIA/ACO's new for the 2020-21 World Endurance Championship season's Hypercars Formula? for which as far as I know, only Toyota and Aston Martin have confirmed entries to date.

Although the current proprietor of Brabham Cars, Thee youngest son of the late Black Jack', aka Sir Jack Brabham, and brother of the lesser known Gary, and Four-time IMSA GTP Champion and Multi-times Indianapolis 500 competitor Geoff, hopes to soon return to Le Mans with his company's Brabham BT62 Supercar.

David Brabham: What I'd do Differently

Whilst previously, F1 Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward has mused over thou return of Lotus Cars with the unveiling of its latest Evija model. Pondering when Lotus will inevitably return to Formula 1? Since the marketing lure's simply too great to pass up.

Although perhaps the Anglo-Chinese marque will take the smaller first steps to utilizing racing as it's PR Platform by running it's evocative Evija upon the Mulsanne Straight in 2020/2021 instead?

The return of Lotus

Although subsequently having learned that this is Lotus's first All electric model, along with a curb weight of under the FIA Hypercar's 1,100 Kilos minimum, which would appear to give the Evija at least two Strikes in regards to running at Le Mans, El Correctomundo?

And lastly, although the creation of it's very first own Automobile is new, the name Pininfarina is certainly well known in super Car circles, primarily as the past long-time coach builder of Scuderia Ferrari's. With the Italian Automotive Design company, now oddly being owned by none other than Mahindra Group of India, with a controlling 76% interest.

Thus I suppose it makes sense that it's Debutante model is aptly named the Battista, honouring it's founder, the late Battista Pininfarina. Although I would ARSE-Sume' that EV Only powered chassis are Not eligible for inclusion in the newly created Hypercar format, especially due to their "Range Anxiety!"

Pininfarina Battista: 1900 Horsepower EV Hypercar Debuts in Geneva

Holy Lithium nickel magnesium Batteries, Batman!

OOPSADAISY! Think I'm getting those EV Supercars Cornfuzed' with some other all electric racing series called Formula E. Hence, we're All left Ah-waitin' for the Lame Duck 2019-20 WEC season to end. to see who'll join the party alongside Toyota & Aston Martin.

But Scuttlebutt suggest we're more likely to possibly see some form of Koenigsegg's latest supercar, boasting to be capable of an unthinkable 300mph; Gory Hell! Along with the likes of the McLaren Senna at Le Mans instead...

The Koenigsegg Jesko has 1600 Horsepower and promises A Top speed of 300mph!