Current Formula 1 Constructors who’ve Won at Le Mans

Although when is an F1 Constructor not a winner at Le Mans?

 

Yeah, its another long winded No Fenders story turned into two part harmony. Or is that more groaning I hear?

 

As I’ve already covered the most successful Formula 1 constructor to win Le Mans overall. With the rest of the grid paling in comparison.

 

As I came up with the following trivia question. What do Mercedes and Williams share in common? As here’s what I came up with for winners, beside Ferrari.

 

Aston Martin: 1959

The Aston Martin DBR1 is the only other front engine winner at Le Mans. And yes, I realize that today’s Aston Martin F1 Team began life as Jordan Grand Prix, before Lawrence Stroll cleverly rebranded it as Aston Martin in 2021. Born out of the ashes of Force India and its interim name of Racing Point. Which dovetails nicely with His owning the controlling interest of their road car company.

 

As many will known, the David Brown owned Aston Martin Racing team designed the DBR1 for the 1956 Sports Car Championship season, before the upgraded 3.0-liter straight six cylinder lump’ was introduced in 1957.

 

After three years of frustration, Aston Martin achieved their greatest glory, winning that year’s 24 Heurs du Mans with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori at its controls. While Aston Martin would also win the Sports Car Championship title that year. Only achieved three times that decade. With Ferrari doing likewise in 1954 and 1958.

 

Yet how many remember that Aston Martin during the David Brown Corporation era also entered Formula 1 briefly between 1959-60? Although by the time they got round to introducing the DBR4 it was obsolete. Along with the lighter, replacement DBR5, both being front engine layouts with straight six engines. When Sir Blackjack’, aka Jack Brabham was dominating the sport in His Cooper rear engine racecar…

 

Alpine: 1978

Alpine has a long, tangled relationship with Renault, its parent company. With today’s Alpine F1 Team having been rebranded from the latest iteration of Renault in 2021.

 

Although Alpine had been merged into Renault Sport in 1976. Nevertheless, it assimilation included its Sports Car racing programme.  Which Renault wished to win Le Mans for the prestige of winning on home soil.

 

Interestingly, there were actually four Renault-Alpine’s entered in the 1978 race, one being a customer entry, with different models entered. Including the controversial ‘Bubble” top roof which was only raced upon the winning Alpine A442B.

 

As Patrick Depailler and Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the latest A443, said the acrylic bubble top partial roof made them feel claustrophobic and trapped engine heat in the cockpit. Along with obscuring vision. Even though Depailler set a top speed of 236mph on the Mulsanne Straight! As the acrylic “canopy” gave the car an extra 5mph…

 

Thus it was Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud winning aboard their bubble roof A442B.

 

And with the victory complete, Renault withdrew from endurance racing to focus their energies upon Formula 1. Before returning to endurance racing first with the A480, a rebadged Rebellion R13. Grandfathered into the ACO’sLMP1 Hypercar rules between 2021-22. And then today’s current factory Alpine A424 Hypercar programme. Which includes the likes of Mick Schumacher as one of the team’s six drivers.

 

Sauber: 1989

Peter Sauber began His long motorsports career by racing in Hill climbs in 1970 in a car of His own construction. While Sauber first competed at Le Mans in 1978 with its C5 Sports Car.

 

Sauber’s association with Mercedes Benz began in 1985, supplying engines for the Sauber C8 Group C chassis, with the C9 being introduced in 1987.

 

Sauber officially became the Mercedes Benz Werks Sports Car team the following year, and the C9 not only won at Le Mans in 1989, but also claimed the Constructors and Drivers titles that year.

 

The C9 was the second fastest car ever at Circuit de la Sarthe, recording a terminal velocity of 248mph, the magic 400kp/h on the Mulsanne Straight!

 

The renamed Mercedes Sauber C9 was replaced by the C11 for 1990, which also won the Constructors and Drivers titles again, before ultimately being replaced by the C291.

 

It was these “Silver Arrows” Sauber Sports Cars that I believe first brought my Attenzione to a young German driver named Herr Schumacher. As I tend to recall that Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger drove together as Junior Drivers for Mercedes in Group C, before all three advanced to formula 1.

 

Sauber itself made the leap from Sports Car racing at the end of the Group C era to F1 in 1993 with Mercedes backing, taking over the supply of Leyton House March’s Ilmor V-10 lumps’. Having remained in F1 ever since under various guises. And will become the Werks Audi F1 Team next year.

 

McLaren: 1995

Presume everyone knows of the evocative McLaren F1 GTR winning le 24 Heurs du Mans with Lanzante Motorsports in 1995. With J.J. Letho, Yanick Dalmas and Kokusai Kaihatsu at the controls of the No. 59 LMGT1 entry.

 

As the racecar was developed from the original McLaren Supercar designed by Gordon Murray, with its unique three seat layout, seating the driver’s lone seat in the cabin’s centre.

 

As I’m guessing that McLaren is the only Constructor to have won Frederico Suave, nee Fred Alonso’s mythical “Triple Crown”, i.e.; Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and either the Monaco Grand Prix or the F1 World Championship…

 

Williams: 1999

Yeah, technically Team Willy’s never won Le Mans, which I’m aware of. Yet I included them since Williams Grand Prix engineering designed, built and developed the winning BMW V-12 LMR Prototype that Yanick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini and Joachim Winkelhock drove to victory that year.

 

RETRO: Remembering some of BMW’s Sports Racing Cars

 

The quick answer to my trivia question above is the year 1999. Although it was also when Mark Handlebarz’ Webber and other members of the Mercedes Werks team went airborne and spectacularly barrel-rolled their CLR Prototypes. Which had a nasty habit of somersaulting due to high speed aerodynamic deficiency, Youza! 

The most successful Formula 1 Constructor at Le Mans

The 1965 winning Ferrari 250LM on display at the IMS Hall of Fame museum, a very long time ago. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although this should be Uber’ Obvious!

 

Suppose this is what happens when you’re deep into listening to several hours of le 24 Heurs du Mans on Zed Intrawoods’ via RS1. (Radio Show Ltd, Channel One)

 

Thus I found myself going down another endless Wabbit’ Hole, wondering out loud how many of today’s Formula 1 constructors had also won overall at Le Mans? Which perhaps some of you already know the answer.

 

As it’s a pretty significant 70% “Strike” rate, with only three teams not competing at Circuit de la Sarthe. Although I’m left wondering if one prominent F1 constructor has ever sponsored a winning entry? While arguably, 60% of the current F1 grid has actually won Le Mans.

 

(12) Ferrari: 1949, 1954, 1958, 1960-65, 2023-25

The Prancing Horse’s list of winners reads like a veritable Who’s who? Although not sure that could be said about most of today’s drivers, but who knows, Eh? Since thee Krakow Kid certainly is a “Star”.

 

Luigi Chinetti got the “Ball” rolling, no Hut-Hut Omaha jokes here! For Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari in 1949, some Gory 76 years ago! Driving the iconic “Red Barchetta”, the evocative Ferrari 166MM. With Chinetti driving an unheard of 23 Hours! While co-driver Peter Michell-Thompson, better known as Lord Selsdon, owner of the Ferrari. Drove for only an hour Sunday morning, around 4:25AM. As it was Chinetti’s third and final victory.

 

1954 saw Doce Argentinians winning for la Scuderia, with El Maestro and El Cabezon victorious. As Five-times F1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio needs no introduction! Teamed with Jose Froilan Gonzalez, better known as the Pampas Bull. Who also gave Ferrari its debutante Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1951.

 

F1: The British Grand Prix - Now and Then

 

As the Argentine duo were entered in a Ferrari 375+. With another four years passing by, before we get to la Scuderia’s Golden years.

 

In 1958, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won Le Mans aboard a Ferrari 250 TR58. Which would be the first of Gendebien’s eventual four Le Mans victories, while Hill would claim three wins.

 

Driving the front engine Ferrari 250 TR58, the pair won Le Mans for the first of their eventual combined three wins. As not sure why? But in 1960, Gendebien won behind the wheel of a Ferrari 250 TR59/60 with Paul frere, whom I remember better as a longtime contributor to Road & Track.

 

As I now know the answer to this unasked question. Ironically Hill was paired with Wolfgang von Trips in one of that year’s five Ferrari’s. With both von Trips and Ludovico Scarfiotti running out of fuel on lap-22 on-track. While eventual winner Gendebien also ran out of petrol, but was able to coast into the pits, Momma Mia!

 

Next, Gendebien reunited with Phil Hill for the pair’s second victory at Circuit de la Sarthe in 1961. Behind the keyboard of the aging, or should that be ageless? Ferrari 250 TRI/61.

 

For 1962, Gendebien and Hill won for the third time together, with Gendebien becoming the first ever four times winner. Driving a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spyder, the final front engine winner at Le Mans.

 

While I just learned that the “I” designation in TRI stands for “Indipendente”, for independent rear suspension. As TR stands for Testa Rossa, arguably some of la Scuderia’s most beautiful racecars!

 

This Le Mans specific 330 TRI/LM Spyder began life as a 250 TRI/60 Fantuzzi Spyder. Being rebuilt twice after wrecks in the Targa Florio, along with contesting the 1960-61 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

Then regulations allowed Ferrari to rebuild the car into its final configuration with a larger 4.0-litre normally aspirated V-12 and new bodywork. Which obviously was a different era for racecars…

 

1963 featured the first rear engine winner, the Ferrari 250P piloted by Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti. With Jean Guichet and Mino Baccarella winning behind the wheel of an “enlarged” 3.3-litre v-12 Ferrari 275P the following year.

 

Then for 1965, Ferrari won for the sixth year in-a-row thanks to the largely unexpected triumph of the privateer North American Racing Team’s (N.A.R.T.) Ferrari 250LM. Driven primarily by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt. Along with the unrecognized Ed Hugus.

 

As I won’t even bother trying to explain the controversy surrounding the 250LM and Enzo not getting His way with Homologation! With Scuderia Ferrari racing at Le Mans until 1973, when they quit Sports car racing.

 

Arse-suming Y’all know the story behind Ferrari’s current 499P, which carry’s the Nos. 50-51 in deference to it being a half century since the last factory entry at Le Mans. As the 499P is built to the Le Mans Hypercar regulations, with two Werks’ entries, plus a third “customer” entry contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

While the 499P shares the same 296 GTB 3.0-liter V-6 twin turbos architecture. It is a fully stressed member in the 499P Prototype. And its front axle electric motors generates an additional 268bhp, give the racecar semi-permanent All Wheel Drive.

 

Debuting at Sebring in 2023, the 499P was victorious at that year’s Centenary edition of the 24 Heurs du Mans. With the No. 51 of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado ending Toyota’s five year win streak.

 

Ferrari repeated at Le Mans the following year, this time with the Seester Factory entry #50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nickolas Nielsen. While AF Corse introduced the third “customer” 499P with Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye. With the No. 83 winning the Lone Star Le Mans race at Circuit Of The Americas. (COTA)

 

This June, Ferrari completed a Hat trick of Le Mans victories, this time with the customer No. 83 entry of Kubica, Ye and Phil Hanson. Bringing the Prancing Horse’s Le Mans win tally to twelve, one behind Audi. (13) As Audi ranks second overall, while Porsche leads the way with an astounding 19 Le Mans victories!

Some Eye Candy outside the Penske Racing Museum

Hmm, that sure is a strange lookin’ Ferrari Vern! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As why is Supertramp’s Dreamer, You know You’re A Dreamer song playing in my Head right now. You’re Nothing but A Dreamer, Tomaso!

 

Trying to “Stitch” together the languishing thoughts of another great visit to the Penske Racing Museum this past March. Which naturally is fading away, since time simply marches on, Hut One-Two-four!

 

Traipsing thru the Penske Racing Museum, Again

 

As here’s what I initially scribbled upon my return home, which I’ve tried adding more context to, along with my usual corrections…

 

A lone Lamborghini Huracan Evo sat parked alongside a stable of Prancing Horses. Next to a Ferrari F8 Tributo, followed by a Ferrari Roma. Then a pair of SF90 Stradale’s followed by quattro 296GTB’s; ranging in cost from $320k to $400k, Aye Karumba! Although I believe that the F8 Tributo was above $500,000, Sheisa!

 

Pretty sure I had another of my “Strike the Pose” pictures snapped standing between a pair of Ferrari 488’s. Initially thinking that one was  a coupe and the other being a Spyder model. Although later, Blogmeister’ Miguel informed me they both appeared to be Coupes.

 

Have to say my only minor disappointment was the fact that there were no 296 GTS models for sale, albeit these were the previously owned models holding court outside in the Penske Auto Group’s voluminous parking lot…

 

As how can one be disappointed with being able to freely saunter around such a stunning collection of previously owned Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s! While having Blinders for all of the other luxury brands, i.e.; Aston Martin, Bentley, etc. Including the Joey “Sliced Bread” Lagano Ford Mustang GT Taxicab Bomber, Zoink!

 

Ironically, Lagano just broke “The King”, aka Richard Petty’s record for being the youngest driver to reach 600 starts at Dover, being some six month younger than Petty…

 

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But being Blind, have I mentioned that lately, Y’all? Naturally I was nervous posing around such expensive automobile finery with my white cane. Which contrary to many, is not a walking or hiking stick, seriously people?

 

Blogmeister Miguel made sure I didn’t get too close to any of these beautiful Ferrari’s. Or whack ‘em with my cane!

 

Naturally I have zero clue what looks better? The Huracan, F8 Tributo or Roma? Although I know which of these three I would choose to own…

 

Thought that the F8 Tributo was the final Ferrari built with its traditional V-8 engine, to which Miguel immediately told me that the Roma had a V-8, so what do I know, Ci?

 

As both the F8 Tributo and Roma utilize Ferrari’s Tipo 154 CV 3.9-litre twin turbocharged V-8 engine, that first debuted in the 2013 488 GTB. Which contrary to my rudimentary knowledge of Ferrari’s model naming conventions, for which there appears little, Ci? The 488 denotes the actual per “Cilindri” cubic volume (CC) of its v-8 engine. Hmm, I just learned something new, Magnifico!

 

As the Tipo 154 V-8 engine was the first turbocharged motor developed by Ferrari since the F40’s Tipo 120A Wayback’ in 1987.

 

Both the F8 Tributo and Roma utilize seven speed sequential dry sump automatic transmissions. Arse-sumedly with Ferrari’s de riggour steering wheel paddle shifters.

 

The F8 Tributo is a two door mid-engine layout, whilst the Roma is a front engine 2+2 model. Both presumably with plenty “O Horsepower to Giddie Up!

 

As the F8 Tributo has 710bhp on “tap” to claimed 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. 0-124mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 211mph,Magnifico!

 

Whilst Road & Track reportedly flogged their U.S. spec model thru the Quarter mile in 10.3 seconds at 132.8mph. Making Ferrari’s 0-100kp/h (62mph) and 0-200kp/h (124mph) claims slower then stated, but its still no slouch!

 

The SF90 Stradale, a la F8 Tributo also debuted in 2019. While the soon to be out of production Roma debuted in 2020. And is la Scuderia’s first plug-in hybrid automobile It uses a slightly enlarged 4.0-litre version of the Tipo 154 V-8 twin-turbo engine, which as been produced in four various capacities.

 

Fitted with an eight speed dual clutch automatic dry sump transmission. The car utilizes three electric motors, one on the transmission, and one on each front wheel. Developing a staggering 986bhp total output!

 

Ferrari claims the SF90 can reach 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, 0-124mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed also of 211mph. Which I’d say is very impressive since I’d Arse-sume the electric motors and battery add significant weight to the car.

 

The SF90 Stradale comes in two body configurations, i.e.; Berlinetta or Spyder. The latter being an electronically driven retractable hardtop.

 

While the 296 GTB’s seem almost not worth discussing, especially with four various “garden” variety 296 GTB’s parked together.

 

But its hard to scoff at any Ferrari, and the 296 GTB is a serious piece of Kit as those Bloody Brits would say. Even if it utilizes a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V-6 in place of la Scuderia’s traditional V-8 engines…

 

Joey Lagano’s No. 22 Ford Mustang GT racecar photo inside Penske Racing Museum c/o Blogmeister Miguel. 

The Tomaso files: More McMurtry musings

As no more cowboy Jokes here…

 

Yeah, Y’all may be saying why am I scribblin’ about Larry McMurtry on No Fenders, Eh? But He does have a slight connection to automobiles, in the sense He loved road trips for much of His life. Not to mention renting the latest Lincoln or Cadillac for these Coast-to-coast jaunts…

 

As Larry would routinely ask His uncle or somebody where does Highway 271 go to? Apparently the only major road passing His Grandfather’s ranch in Archer City. To which whomever He asked? Would always grunt derisively and say nowhere…

 

Following High School graduation, Larry entered Rice University in Houston, when admission was free to white students. Although Rice had warned Him that His math skills were deficient. And following His first year, He transferred to University of North Texas. Being closer to home, where He also had a High School Buddy attending. Graduating with a BA in 1958, before returning to Rice for His MA in 1960.

 

Larry also was a Wally Stegner Fellow between 1960-61, where His classmates included Ken Kesey, Wendell Berry, Peter S. Beagle and Gurney Norman in Stanford’s Creative Writing Center. Honing His Fiction writing skills, and presumably working upon what would become His first published novel Horseman, pass By, also in 1961.

 

McMurtry notes that Ken Kesey entered the classroom and made a Beeline to the front of the room, letting the rest know He intended to be the class’s Alpha male, albeit Kesey and McMurtry would be friends for many years.

 

Returning to Houston in 1963, taking teaching roles at Texas Christian University (TCU) and Rice. Larry would be visited by Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in Kesey’s psychedelic painted converted school bus enroute to New York city for the 1964 World’s Fair. As this adventure would later be chronicled in Tom Wolfe’s 1968 novel The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, about the 1960’s Counter Culture revolution.

 

McMurtry called the decade between Terms of Endearment and Lonesome dove His most fallow period of writing, publishing just three novel. Which if I have them correctly? Are Somebody’s Darling, (1978) Cadillac Jack (1982) and The Desert Rose. (1983) With some critics denoting these three books as the Trash Trilogy, Youch!

 

As Larry Himself notes that He started and stopped on the writing of Lonesome dove three times. And at some 900-1,200 pages was taking seriously long to develop, especially since the Cattle drive had another 1,000 miles to go…

 

McMurtry was a raconteur of food and enjoyed going out to dinner for a good meal with beautiful women. As He was good friends with both Cybill Sheppard and Diane Keaton to name just a few.

 

Larry wore large polo shirts to hide his increasing girth and when in Archer City, had a cheeseburger for lunch everyday at the local DQ’. (Dairy Queen)

 

Sometime in Fall of 1991, after a typical day’s activities of writing five to ten pages and moving books from His ranch house to His Archer City bookstore. Larry hit a cow on a gravel road, which He claimed was normal in rural Texas…

 

The next day He stopped at His Internist to get some medicine for a cough that wouldn’t go away, thinking it was from lugging around dusty books. The Doctor said He didn’t look so good and ordered an EKG, before saying OMG, you’re having a heart attack!

 

Yet the room He was in was so small they couldn’t get the stretcher into it, but wouldn’t allow Him to walk out of the room. So the stretcher had to be disassembled, before the starstruck ambulance driver drove off a high curb after learning it was the author of Lonesome dove He was transporting! Causing the IV bags to jostle and the needles pull upon Larry strapped on a gurney…

 

Next, an Angiogram was performed, with Larry watching on a four inch screen the insides of His heart, learning He had at least three major arteries blocked and needed immediate bypass surgery! But McMurtry needed to finish the book He was writing first, The Evening Star an immediate sounded like six months to Him. Which sounds like a typical writer to Mwah…

 

On December 2, 1991 after much convincing by His Doctors, telling Larry He’d feel fine right up until the day He keeled over! McMurtry underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery, where He was put on a heart lung machine; to continue blood and oxygen while the heart is stopped. And then His heart was removed from His chest cavity and put into a cooler at 28 degrees Celsius while doctors rerouted His veins past the major blockages, grafting veins from His feet or legs.

 

four hours later, they simply reinstalled His heart and with everything re-attached, shocked His heart back into beating and “buttoned” Him up!

 

As I must say that this analogy comes from watching myriads of TV car builder shows made me instantly think of when they go to fire the new engine for the first time. And that I had to re-read this section a second time for clarity…

 

Since the first time I heard the part about removing His heart when listening to the book in the evening, I kind of got the creeps wondering to myself is this how they performed my open heart surgery? Although I’m 98% certain that my heart wasn’t removed from my body, but it’s a very chilling thought afterwards…

 

 Even stranger yet is how McMurtry simply rested for ten days at His Georgetown dwelling before resuming life as normal, i.e.; driving to Texas for Christmas, albeit avoiding His mother as much as possible! And then just going back to His normal working life of running a rare book store, writing, etc. As this seems very odd to me, especially since I couldn’t do anything initially, besides sleep! Along with zero strenuous activity for the first eight weeks…

 

Thus, He lived nearly another thirty years after having quadruple heart bypass surgery at the end of 1991. And suffered from great depression following His surgery before writing Streets of Laredo with writing partner Diana Ossana.

 

As Diana was instrumental in bringing Him out of His “funk”, with McMurtry recovering at Her house in Tucson. And would transcribe Larry’s written draft written in Her kitchen onto the computer.

 

As Larry initially would write five pages a day on an old typewriter, and during His initial recovery period would write 90mins each morning.

 

Interestingly, Larry McMurtry married Norma Fay Kesey, the widow of Ken Kesey in 2011, in His hometown of Archer City. Larry was 74 and Faye was 76.

 

Ken Kesey was the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which ironically just celebrated the movie’s 50th anniversary on July 13th &16th. When the re-released movie was shown on limited theatres in Washington and Oregon. Although supposedly this was occurring nationwide.

 

Wasn’t aware that Michael Douglass was the producer of the film, which stars Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito.

 

As the movie was nominated for nine Oscar awards, although Douglass said He had to work very hard to get Nicholson to attend the awards ceremony. As Nicholson had been nominated five times and failed to win five times previously.

 

Striking out on the first four nominations, Nicholson began lambasting Douglass, who said Hang in there Jack. Before the movie swept the five “biggies”, i.e.; Best Picture, Director, Actor,, Actress and Screenplay.

 

Which had only occurred once before in 1934 for It Happened One Night. And only once since for Silence of the Lambs. (1991)

 

Kesey grew up in Springfield, Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon, and was a longtime resident of Eugene. Before dying at age 66 in November, 2001.

 

While McMurtry was a prolific writer, with some 40 novels alone written. Not to mention His massive screenplay writing career for both film and television.

 

As McMurtry’s novels adapted for film garnered 34 Oscar nominations, and won 13. Including McMurtry and Diana Ossana co-winning for Best Adaptive Screenplay for Brokeback Mountain in 2005.

 

As Larry made His portion of His acceptance speech wearing jeans and cowboy boots underneath His tuxedo jacket. Thanking His typewriter and urging everyone to support books, for which without, there would be no stories.

 

And this doesn’t even include all of the Emmy nominations and awards His Lonesome Dove mini-series and television work received… 

The Tomaso files: A Famous Writer’s Biography

Get Along liddle’ Doggy, Rah, Rah!

 

Recently, I “read”, Err listened to Tracy Daugherty’s Larry McMurtry: A Life Biography, which weighs in at 560 pages, and was 16 discs long.

 

As I hadn’t planned on scribblin’ a story about this initially, thus not taking copious notes when listening to the book, albeit noting some portions that caught my Attenzione. For which I’ll now try to “Stitch” together, as this expression of what McMurtry did with His prolific prose is my new favourite expression…

 

For which all I can say is that He must have been one Helluva typer! Initially cranking out five pages per day of narratives, which ultimately became ten pages a day! For which I can hardly get to three full pages in an entire day’s “work”, and only when a story’s freely flowing thru my head! As reportedly McMurtry did this seven days a week without taking any time off for Holidays, Aye Karumba!

 

As His grandson Curtis says He can remember hearing Him typing at 7AM in the morning…

 

The only reason I stumbled onto this fairly interesting Biography was due to my local librarian Kevin, and His excellent memory. As I’d tried checking out Lonesome Dove on Audiobook, for which sadly, my library’s system doesn’t have, Sigh! Which seems odd, since after all McMurtry won a Pulitzer prize for it in 1985.

 

And the first time Kevin went to retrieve this book from the shelve, it wasn’t there. Before Kevin said we’ve got your biography a few months later after I’d totally forgotten about it…

 

Larry McMurtry was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on June 3, 1936. The nearest hospital to His parent’s ranch in Archer City, upon what was called Idiot’s Hill. And died in Tucson, Arizona on March 25, 2021 at age 84. Just a skosh’ over two months before His 85th birthday.

 

Larry’s son James McMurtry was born on March 18, 1962 in forth Worth, Texas. His mother being Jo Scott, who Larry supported thru Her college degree. As She would go onto become an English Professor and author five books of Her own. As I believe they divorced in 1966?

 

James attended U of A (University of Arizona) for four years, but not sure if He graduated? Since He was more interested in music vs. school. Although He did take a few Creative writing classes. With His father giving him His first guitar at age seven.

 

Both James and His son Curtis, Larry’s grandson are Singer/Songwriters who play guitar, both frequenting Austin. James is currently age 63, and Curtis 35.

 

Johnny Cougar Mellencamp and Larry McMurtry worked on a screenplay over ten years, eventually known as Falling from Grace. As Mellencamp kept in touch the whole time.

 

James gave His Dad a four track demo tape to pass along to Mellencamp, who initially frowned over the prospect of listening to it for three months before trying it. Then immediately called Larry after listening to less than half of it, saying the Kid can play. Asking James if He could have enough material for an album by February? And the rest is history.

 

Cougar’ produced Too Long  in the Wasteland in 1989 for Columbia Records, which peaked at #125 of the Billboard 200 Albums. Painted by Numbers was the first single.

 

VIDEO: Painted by Numbers

 

McMurtry’s first published novel was Horseman, Pass By, published in 1961. Followed by Leaving Cheyenne. (1962) Then The Last Picture Show in 1966, which became a 1971 movie with the same title. Directed by Peter Dogdanovich and filmed in Archer city, it stars a 20yr old named Cybill Sheppard, Her debut film, along with Jeff Bridges.

 

Apparently He had a knack for writing long books, with His fourth novel titled Moving On, (1970) weighing in at a hefty 794 pages! With the main character being Patsy Carpenter, in the first of three novels about “Urbanites”.

 

Moving On was followed by All My Friends Are going to BE Strangers. (1972) Where the character Danny wades into river with manuscript saying He’d rather see the water than black ink blobs on pages as He drowns the manuscript one page at a time!

 

Fairly certain this is the novel with Skyckcrapper typo throughout, i.e.; Skyscraper should have been the word. Which was mis-edited by the book’s third editor, after the first two refused the novel due to its salty Texas language.

 

Never knew that He’d written Terms of Endearment, (1975) which was the third novel of His Urbanite trilogy. Although I’ve heard about it over the year, but only in reference to the award winning movie.

 

Funny part about the making of the movie, as apparently Debra Winger didn’t get on with Shirley MacLaine. And during one scene tried telling MacLaine where Her marks were. To which Shirley shot back I know my Marks! To which reportedly Debra in a mini skirt and combat boots said oh yeah? Lifted Her skirt, turned Her head and proceeded to fart in MacLaine’s face, saying how’s that for a mark!

 

As this tension apparently is part of what makes their Mother-Daughter roles so good on screen.

 

The 1983 movie was the second highest grossing movie that year at $165 million, exceeded only by Return of the Jedi. And would be nominated for eleven Oscars and win five. Including Shirley MacLaine winning Best Actress, with Jack Nicholson winning Best supporting Actor. Along with Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adaptive Screenplay.

 

Also didn’t know that He’d written what would become Hud, with the 1963 movie starring ‘Ol blue Eyes, aka Paul Newman. For which I’ve forgotten what small town America the film crew was staying at?

 

But One policeman mused it was amazing how many women were cruising the Hotel, hoping to catch a peak of Newman on the pool’s diving board, or poolside. Saying He’d grown up in that town, and couldn’t ever remember there being that many women. And we’re not talking teenagers!

 

Having scribbled profusely my massive four parts, or was it five? Trilogy about Newman in the following No Fenders tome…

 

Paul Newman’s A Life Book review

 

As Hud was the movie adaptation of His debut novel Horseman, pass By. And was produced by director Martin Ritt and Paul Newman’s newly formed movie company Salem Productions.

 

Another funny moment is when Larry attends a State Dinner at the White House in November, 1985, with the onoured guests being the Prince and Princess of Wales. As Larry reckons His father would have been much disappointed with the Sad, ‘Ol Cowboy in the Whitehouse, who was a faux John Wayne! As His father was a real Cowboy who worked the family’s farm His entire life before dying at age 77, all broke up physically…

 

Larry notes that President Regan was apparently 80% “On”, which seemed appropriate for the evening. Although in one momentous gaff, Regan made a celebratory toast to Princess David, cymbal crash please!

 

As McMurtry felt totally out of place with the likes of Clint Eastwood and John Travolta, fresh off of Saturday Night Fever in attendance. With Travolta garnering the most dance time with Princess Diana. While McMurtry noted Her eyes were the deepest, “electric” blue, reminding Him of Paul Newman’s. 

Alex Palou’s “Magical” season

As we All know Alex’s favourite word Amazing, Righto?

 

Although must say I was tempted to go with Magic Carpet Ride, Magical Mystery Tour or Magic Bus for my title to this riveting No Fenders prose.

 

Every week Palou, and 26 other drivers get in the Queue. “Too much Magic Bus”. Thank you Cheep’ for getting me Here. “Too much Magic Bus”. Your being Watched by the other Team Owners Have No Fear. “too much magic Bus” No! You cannot buy it Zak Brown!

 

Thanks to Racer’s website redesign which isn’t conducive to screen readers! If Y’all haven’t noticed, I’ve sort of tuned-out from IndyCar, Sports Cars and Der Weurld de Motorsporten lately, Ja-Ja!

 

As I hadn’t even listened to any of Marshall Pruett’s podcasts in over a month’s time, i.e.; sometime before this year’s 24 Heurs du Mans. As its just plain wrong that its been over two months now without being able to read Racer’s website, but I digress. And yes, I have contacted them about this matter…

 

Returning to the “Fold”, I tuned into Pruett’s The Week in IndyCar July 15th podcast, and was entertained as always with Marshall’s insight. Not to mention enjoying His enthusiasm for the sport. Since after all He should be quite the Jaded Motorsports reporter by now.

 

According to Marshall there were only four drivers ever in the history of IndyCar to win seven or more races in a season, for which I beg to differ after briefly reading a Sportskeeda article.

 

Although I fell Afoul to trying to read the article too quickly, and mistakingly gave Mikey A’ an extra W’ and podium that year, initially…

 

As Marshall just enthused over how “Amazing” Palou’s season is this year, having claimed then seven of the season’s first twelve races prior to Toronto. As Marshall just laughed in giddy, astonishing are you Freakin’ kiddin’ me uproarious laughter!

 

Whilst a rare “Strategery” mistake saw Palou miss out upon possible victory Up North eh!

 

Leaving me wanting to know who the other three drivers were? As Marshall only divulged what I thought was the latest driver to do so, for which I saw win one of His eight races Wayback in 1994 at Portland International Raceway. As ’94 was the year that ‘lil Al and Team Penske decimated CART! As Al Unser Jr. won eight times including that year’s Indianapolis 500 with the “Unfair Advantage” of the “Stock Block” Mercedes. And Penske drivers finishing 1-2-3 overall, with a total of 12 wins out of 16 races! With Emmerson Fittipaldi winning once and Paul Tracy three times; finishing second and third respectively.

 

Of course I could only guess one other drivers name, being the first ever to accomplish this feat, which Y’all may be able to guess? But I’m getting ahead of myself since we’re going in reverse order, due to total number of wins in a single IndyCar season, i.e.; lowest to highest, according to Sportskeeda’s Five IndyCar Drivers with Most Wins in A Season.

 

I also saw the second most recent driver to accomplish this feat, ditto at Portland. Where I have to say that Mikey A’ was the scourge ‘O Portland since I was then a ‘lil Al fan…

 

Michael Andretti tied His father’s feat of winning eight races during His lone championship winning 1991 season. Claiming a total of 11 podiums and eight poles during the 17 race season.

 

As that tally doesn’t include His winning the Marlboro Challenge event at Laguna Seca from pole. Seeing Michael win a total of nine IndyCar races that season.

 

As I actually saw a quarter of both Al Unser Jr’s and Michael’s wins those two championship seasons. Having also attended the Molson Indy Vancouver races Up North Eh!

 

SuperMario’, nee Mario Andretti won nine races in 1969. Arguably His best IndyCar season due to winning that year’s Indianapolis 500 for Andy Granatelli in the legendary Brawer Hawk.

 

And then the top two of this very exclusive category are also tied with an unbelievable 10 wins in a single season. For which I’d Arse-sume Y’all would guess ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. Righto? But can you name the other driver?

 

Yep, Big Al’ tied Foyt’s record in 1970 aboard arguably one of the most beautiful liveries of All-time. Driving the Johnny Lightning Special PJ Colt of Vels Parnelli Jones Racing. Which included the first of Al Unser Snr’s eventual four Indianapolis 500 victories. Along with back-to-back Indy 500 wins in 1970-71.

 

While A.J. Foyt needs no introduction, arguably thee GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) IndyCar drivers who naturally set the record first, and the bar ultra high! Winning ten times in 1964, including that year’s Indianapolis 500. Foyt won 10 of 13 races that season, with only three DNF’s due to mechanical failures.

 

Ah, I love Zed Intrawoods’, since when I Googled most IndyCar wins in a season a second time, naturally I got a completely different answer. With Autoweek proclaiming there’s actually nine drivers to have won seven IndyCar races in a season. As why wouldn’t we expect both Foyt and Mario Andretti to have accomplished this more than once in their stellar IndyCar careers, Eh?

 

As Foyt also claimed seven wins in 1975, while Mario captured eight wins back-to-back, between 1966-67.

 

And then Thars’ a proverbial logjam at drivers with eight wins in a season, for which we already know about ‘lil Al and Mikey A’. But how could I overlook le Hamburgular’, aka Sealmeister B’, aka SeaBass’ or simply Sebastien Bourdais? As the master of Champ car won eight times in the series final season of 2007. Which naturally I can say, once again I saw Him win at Portland that year much to my chagrin. Being a loyal Justin Big Unit’ Wilson fan!

 

And how could Marshall forget His Buddy “French Fry?” As I do miss those Pruett and Bourdais wacky weekend race videos…

 

Then naturally who would know that Tony Bettenhausen also claimed eight wins during the 1951 season? Giving us four drivers in this rarefied domain. Before Palou joined this club with another crushing victory at Laguna Seca. Leading 84 of 95 laps enroute to His third win in four years at Monterey!

 

While we have to go all the way back to over a decade ago to Gory 1922, when Jimmy Murphy won seven races that season, including that year’s Indianapolis 500 Mile International Sweepstakes race.

 

While I’d have to say that Murphy’s accomplishment is probably the most impressive, since some of these wins came upon the diabolical Board tracks of the Day!

 

As my foggy memory said that the long defunct Tacoma Speedway Board track was part of that year’s AAA National Championship. Which indeed, Murphy began the fourth ‘O July Montemarathon 250 from pole, with arch nemesis Tommy Milton winning the race.

 

Yet I love Pruett’s enthusiasm for what Alex Palou has done this season. Making me want to “See” Alex get to at least eight wins this year, Mission Accomplished! Which puts Him into very “Heady company. Although like Marshall says, I don’t feel Palou is one of the sport’s “Great” IndyCar Drivers yet! And certainly not in Scott Dixon territory, whom with the second most IndyCar titles and wins, doesn’t even make this list of nine drivers, Crikeys!

 

Nine IndyCar Legends with the Most Wins in a Single Season

 

Can Palou win His ninth race of the season at Portland, where He’s won twice before? As you’ve gotta love Alex’s attitude when interviewed in victory lane about going for more wins? For Sure He bluntly stated!

 

My witty Magic Carpet Ride lyrical “Ditty” was inspired by The Who’s 1968 Magic Bus song. Which No, you still cannot buy it Zak! 

RETRO: Renault’s Glory Years

Suppose that’s a sad takeoff upon an ‘Ol Bruce, the Boss’s song, Eh?

 

Formula 1 mandated the use of naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engines for the 1989 F1 season, with seven engine manufacturers supplying their wares in various guises.

 

As Ferrari and Lamborghini were the only V-12 producers, while the majority of the field relied upon the Ford Cosworth DFR V-8 unit. Although Benetton who had Ford Cosworth Werks’ status, received the “clean sheet” design HB unit at Circuit Paul Ricard. Judd provided its V-8 lumps in both CV and EV guise. Whilst Zakspeed had a Yamaha v-8, and Honda and Renault opted for the V-10 solution.

 

After a three year hiatus, Renault returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier to Sir Frank’s Team Willy’, aka Williams Grand Prix Engineering. And once again pioneered another first in motor racing. As the Williams FW12C would use the Renault RS1 V-10 that introduced today’s de riggour pneumatic valve spring technology. Which allows valve springs being pushed by compressed air or nitrogen to operate at higher RPM’s without the dreaded valve “float” of traditional wire, coil valve springs past 12,000RPM’s; if I understand this technology somewhat correctly?

 

Although I just heard Bobby Rahal claiming that Toyota were running their IndyCar engines at 18,000-19,000RPM during the latter stage of CART with normal coil valve springs on Unchained with Paul Tracy…

 

Williams had struggled mightily the year prior with the underperforming and “sluggish” FW12 powered by the Judd 3.5-litre CV V-8 normally aspirated lump’. As reportedly, the Judd engine produced 400bhp less than the all conquering Honda 1.5-litre V-6 turbo, that McLaren almost completed a Clean sweep season with in 1988. Ironically, with the exception of Jean-Louis Schlesser tangling with race leader Ayrton Senna at Monza, gifting Ferrari an unexpected 1-2 finish just a month after Enzo Ferrari’s death! With Schlesser deputizing for Nigel Mansell at Williams; as the Brit was suffering from chicken Pox…

 

The FW12C was designed to accommodate the narrower angle, longer Renault V-10, which Riccardo Patrese would qualify second at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix. The Italian driver’s 176th Grand Prix start, tying the record jointly held by Graham Hill and Jacques Laffite. As Patrese would go onto set the Ironman mark at 256 Grands Prix, before being bested by Rubino’, nee rubens Barrichello. For which Honda decided that the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix was Rubino’s 257th start, with Barrichello the first to surpass 300. And so it goes, now that Fernando Alonso has surpassed 400 Grands Prix starts, Aye Karumba!

 

Now It’s a Record!

 

Theirry Boutsen would give Williams Renault its maiden victory at the rain swept Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that summer, the team’s only win of 1989.

 

Initially announcing His retirement at the end of 1990, Sir Frank wooed Nigel Mansell to return to Williams for the 1991 Formula 1 season, after giving Him clear number one status in writing. While Adrian Newy joined Williams from Leyton House March, designing what would become the technological tour de force, the FW14B of 1992. As the B spec model featured active suspension, semi-automatic gearshift, traction control and anti-lock braking.

 

Mansell would dominate the 1992 season with a crushing nine victories and 14 pole positions enroute to that year’s F1 Drivers title! With Williams claiming the first of four F1 constructors Championships with Renault engines; its fifth of nine eventual titles. While le Reggie’s V-10 engines took six Constructors titles on the trot, i.e.; 1992-97.

 

With thee Professor Alain Prost joining Williams for 1993, Mansell made His shock move to IndyCar with Newman Haas Racing, while Prost secured His fourth and final Drivers Crown with Williams Renault that season.

 

We all know that Michael Schumacher effectively turfed off Williams driver Damon Hill for the 1994 title at Adelaide, and then repeated as F1 World champion in ’95, when Benetton had switched to Renault V-10 engines. Before Hill was victorious in 1996, followed by Jacques Villeneuve in ’97, becoming the seventh and final Williams driver to win the championship.

 

Following the ’97 F1 season, Renault quit Formula 1 again, and instead supplied Williams with Mecachrome 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lumps’. Being followed by Supertec V-10 units being supplied to Williams, Arrows and BAR. While Benetton ran the customer badged Playlife V-10 engine for three season; All being based off of the championship winning Renault RS V-10 engine.

 

Renault then bought the Benetton team, which became the Werks’ Renault F1 team between 2001 and 2010. Although running the ’01 season as Benetton…

 

The team’s zenith was Fernando Alonso winning back-to-back F1 Drivers titles in 2005-06. Along with Renault winning both years Constructors championship, led by the imperious HMS Monogram’, aka Flavour Flav’, nee Flavio Briatore. Hmm, why is that name familiar, eh?

 

Although it was also under Briatore’s reign that Renault had its darkest day, simply known as Crashgate! When Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to enable Alonso to win the 2008 Singapore grand Prix!

 

Renault pulled the plug as a Constructor once again, at season’s end of 2010. Seeing dueling Lotus-Lotus F1 Teams on the grid for 2011, i.e.; Team Lotus v Lotus GP. For which the most memorable portion of the Lotus era was thee Kimster’, nee Iceman, aka Kimi Raikkonen famously telling the team to “Just leave Me Alone, I Know What to do!” Over the In-car radio enroute to winning the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

Renault once again returned to Formula 1 as a Werks’ outfit under the Renault Sport banner in 2015. Then being rebranded as Alpine in 2021, and now once again under the tutelage of Briatore…

 

Renault also supplied its 2.4-liter normally aspirated V-8 engines to Scuderia Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. With Red Bull scoring a quadruple “double” between 2010-13.

 

With ‘lil syd Viddle’, aka Sebastian Vettel setting many F1 records during this period. Including then setting the record for most wins in a season with 13, which included the record of nine consecutive wins in 2013; both since eclipsed by Max Verstappen’s 2023 season.

 

As Vettel still holds the record for most poles in a season at 15. Along with winning the Drivers title and Red Bull the Constructors title four consecutive years. Before le Reggie’s engine dominance waned, having scored just one single victory during the Power Unit (PU) era. When Esteban Ocon scored a surprise victory for Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.

 

Yet its sad to “See” Renault, who’ve wone twelve F1 constructors and eleven Drivers World Championships with the fourth most wins as an engine manufacturer leave the sport, again…