Another Quiet weekend in January

Before All Hell broke loose at Daytona International Speedway!

 

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

 

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

 

A Quiet Day in the Rose City

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

A few, Quick F1 thoughts

For which I’m still astounded over…

 

Have “watched”, Err listened to the past two Formula 1 races in Austin and Mexico City from two different locations. For which I must say overall, they both were somewhat “Dull”, i.e.; processional…

 

Recall how the current F1 technical regulations were supposed to make it easier for the trailing car to overtake the leading car?

 

Although think it was Herr Toto Crying Wolff’ who said this year’s championship would become a Qualifying race instead, Eh?

 

What most astounded me, and still did a week later was Sky Sports lead F1 Pundit, Err Presenter’s quip about Circus Maximus’s domination at the Circuit Of The Americas, where Max Verstappen led wire-to-wire from pole.

 

As Kroftie’, ergo David Kroft incredulously said that it looked like Max was out on a Sunday Stroll pushing the Pram, I Kids Yuh Not!

 

Yet if that was what Max Blunderhead’s romp in Austin looked like, then what was Lando Norris’s at the following Mexico City round? As Lando spanked the Competizione by a whopping 32 seconds! And points leader Oscar Piastri continued His Shrinking Violet act. Finishing a distant fifth and losing the points lead to dreaded McLaren teammate Norris by one point, Urgh!

 

Meanwhile the crowd seemed most receptive to Verstappen, who you could hear the crowd roaring for during the closing stages of the race. Along with getting the largest applause during the post race podium interview. As who’d Ah thunk It?

 

As I still find it amusing when thee Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’, ergo James Hinchcliffe conducts these F1 post race podium interviews…

 

Whilst Ollie’, aka Oliver Bearhan deservedly was voted Driver of the Day upon His fine fourth place finish in Mexico. His career best F1 finish, driving for the smallest team on the grid. 

A Simple deed

The type that makes you smile on the inside…

 

Last week I went to the grocery store twice, to split up my oversized load. And both times I got to go thru my favourite Cashier’s line…

 

Dave, whose predominantly a NASCAR and NHRA fan, nonetheless have begun talking motor racing with Mwah while checking my groceries. Which I get to do very little these days. Making it especially refreshing in what is simply known as Ducks country. As in the Oregon Ducks who are our next door neighbour 50-plus miles east…

 

As I was happy to hear Dave say previously He’d watched the Indianapolis 500. Along with telling me His travails of trying to get access to NASCAR’s six race Amazon Prime segment. For which it sounds like it really shouldn’t have been that hard for Him!

 

First telling me that the account was in His widow’s name so they wouldn’t take His credit card. And then having to pay $47 for Amazon’s tech support to just tell Him His TV was too old. Before Dave figured out He could hook His computer via an HDI cable? Into the back of His TV and Walah!

 

So I’d casually asked Dave who’d won the Mexico City NASCAR race while Dave was multi-tasking and He couldn’t come up with the name at the moment, which really didn’t matter to me.

 

Naturally, I was pleasantly surprised when three days later without prompting, Dave told me that The Giz’, aka Shane Van Gisbergen had won at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and that a lot of people were upset about Van Gisbergen now being in the playoffs, thanks to His first win this season.

 

As I’d totally already forgotten about this, and had never bothered finding out who’d won…

 

But what really impressed me about Dave was His elaborating upon Van Gisbergen being in His words a five times Australia Supercars Champion who’s from New Zealand. And when I mentioned there was another Kiwi’ named Scott McLaughlin, Dave immediately said He’s in IndyCar’s! Before I said they’re both Bad Arses from Down Under! With Dave saying they’d come Stateside where All the money is.

 

As Dave’s longtime favourite Roundy-Round RASSCAR’ driver is Kyle Busch, who He claims is the highest paid NASCAR driver, making a ridiculous $35 million, which I have no idea if that’s true?

 

But what made me truly happy was the fact that Dave knew before I’d finished my sentence not only who ScottyMac’, nee Scott McLaughlin was, but that He was an IndyCar driver!

 

Especially since this conversation was taking place in Bumfiddle’ Florence! Three days later and that Dave had made an effort to remember to tell me the winner’s name. Since I highly doubt a “Huge” portion of our miniscule population follows IndyCar, or even knows what it is… 

F1: Which Max will Show Up under the Strip’s Bright lights?

And will What Happens this weekend stay in Vegas?

 

We’re getting very close to crowning the driver whose list of nicknames keeps growing for Mwah World champion again, Sigh…

 

As His latest moniker that popped into my head when scribbling’ this, was Max Blunderhead following His Bumper-car antics! As I thought I was watchin’ a Grand Prix, not a RASCAR race!

 

Thus, The Beatles Bang Bang Maxwell Silver Hammer has subsequently come Ah-Screamin’ upon my mental Jukebox…

 

Obviously, the Mexican Grand Prix feels like it was so long ago. And I really don’t have a lot to say about it. Other than Max Verstappen was simply driving Deranged vs. His title rival Lando Norris. With the strange bit being they’re good friends off track. Or at least they were up until lately. Since I believe I saw a headline claiming that Ralf Schumacher says they’re no longer friends…

 

The ruthlessness of Max is cranked up to 11 right now against title rival Lando. And it reminds me of my past “Hero” Michael Schumacher’s driving aggression!

 

But I have to agree with former Jordan Grand Prix racecar designer Gary Anderson. That Max is tarnishing His reputation as a driver by continuing to be more ‘n more overly aggressive! And exploiting every loophole or gray area He can conceivably get away with!

 

As Max knew His car wasn’t good enough in Mexico city to win. So He simply went into defense by focusing All of His energy into not letting Norris win or get ahead of Him. And by holding up Lando until serving His rightly deserved two 10 second penalties. Effectively kept Lando from gaining an extra seven points…

 

Whilst 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill’s blunt assessment was the best so far. Saying Max was driving like Dick Dastardly at Mexico City, Ole!

 

 

And that’s my two pesos worth on the Mexico City Grand Prix. Which Max then followed up with an exquisite drive in the rain at Interlagos!

 

Although I missed the first ten-plus laps, since the start was moved forwards while we were busy falling back one hour, Oh Never Mind! Starting an uncharacteristic P17 due to a poor qualifying session and a five place grid penalty for an engine change. Uhm, I guess it was just a component of the Power Unit (PU) and not a complete PU change, but I digress…

 

Verstappen went from 17th to either 12th or 11th by the first lap or two! And proceeded to make clean pass after pass while steadily marching forwards!

 

As we know that Max made the ultimate statement by winning at Sao Paolo in the rain by nearly 20 seconds in what was an amazing display of driving! For which I most took away eventual runner-up Esteban Ocon’s comment.

 

Paraphrasing, Ocon said He’d simply marveled over not comprehending how Max could brake that much later in the rain and not crash off-track when passing Him for the win. With Oscar Piastri also similarly dazzled by Max’s wet weather driving. Saying Verstappen was the only person who could pass drivers…

 

As I was suitably impressed with Verstappen’s win. Before He had to be churlish and turn into Max Blunderhead afterwards. When taking His sniveling swipe at the British media and Damon Hill in particular, when asking where had All of the vaunted British Press gone?

 

Bang Bang Maxwell silver Hammer came Down on His Head. Bang Bang Maxwell Made Sure…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJag19WoAe0

 

Hence, I suppose many will be staying up into the Wee hours to see which Max shows up in Las Vegas. Which hopefully will have secured All of the Manhole covers and their surrounds this year!

 

Partial Song lyrics from The Beatles Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, 1969  Abbey Road album 

Pato Who, Indeed!

If you thought this May’s Kroger promotion in Indianapolis was Big. You should have seen the phalanx ‘O Fans in Mexico City awaiting me Mark! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“What Has Brown Done for You lately” Mark?

 

Even though supposedly Pato Who? And Penske’s Chief “Entertainment” cough-Cough! Officer Mark Miles have “Buried the Hatchet”. I’d like to think that Miles has woke up and Smelled the Fiesta! Even if it was for a “Formula 1” driver, its still Nuts!

 

Since have you ever heard of Fans arriving twelve hours before a racing driver arrives for a promotional event at a Shopping Mall the day before the weekend’s track activities begin?

 

While its priceless that McLaren Boss Zak Brown was wearing a Pato Who? Ballcap during Pato’s one hour (Free Practice) FP-1 session Friday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ole!

 

As Y’all can read All about it in the link below written by the AP’s Jenna Fryer.

 

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/autoracing/2024/10/28/pato-oward-takes-mexico-city-by-storm-proving-the-indycar-driver-can-carry-series-in-home-country 

Hey Mark Miles, Did You See Pato Who in Mexico?

Yuhs know, IndyCar Chief “Excitement” Officer’s favourite Driver…

 

Initially planned to pen my two pesos worth about IndyCar’s Mega’ Charter system’s announcement in a No Fenders post title Charter This! As I’m mildly intrigued over how the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport Anti-trust lawsuit plays out…

 

Although as Racer’s Marshall Pruett has previously noted. IndyCar’s Charter is like a plain Cheese pizza with zero toppings right now!

 

Thus, instead I found myself more inspired to scribble something about my Numero Uno IndyCar driver now affectionately known as Pato Who? As perhaps Y’all have seen the billboard in Indiana on I-465.

 

As Patricio Pato’ O’Ward just made His latest Formula 1 (Free Practice) FP1 outing for McLaren in Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ariva-Ariva-Ariva!

 

As Pato wound-up P13 with a time of 1:19.295 vs. twelfth place teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With the 18yr old recording a lap of 1:19.200 for Mercedes.

 

The next quickest “rookie” was Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich P18. With Robert Shwartzman 19th for Sauber and Oliver Bearman dead last in P20 for Ferrari. While positions 14-17 were filled by Haas’s Kevin Magnussen, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll in the other Aston Martin and Williams Alexander Albon respectively. Although Albon was caught-up in a collision with Ollie’ Bearman.

 

Yet Lando Norris, whose McLaren O’Ward was driving sounds like a total Prick! Saying Pato knows what He’s there for, testing! And He’s not supposed to damage the car. And we could have chosen anywhere for Him to test at, so He should be happy its in Mexico…

 

O’Ward first came upon my collective radar during His 2018 Indy Lights tilt, when I was rootin’ for the Mexican to beat Andretti Autosport teammate Colton Herta for the title, which Pato did!

 

After making His IndyCar debut at the 2018 season finale at Sonoma for Harding Racing. Where Pato qualified an impressive fifth and finished ninth! Following a lack of funding, Pato was released from Harding Steinbrenner Racing and moved to Carlin.

 

Following a very brief, abortive IndyCar beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? Pato joined the Red bull Junior Driver Academy with hopes of joining Formula 1. Yet due to the miniscule (2018) Indy Lights field, Pato’s championship points were cut in half, leaving O’Ward unable to qualify for the necessary FIA Super license.

 

Hired to drive for Arrow McLaren SP in 2020 alongside Oliver Askew. A one Mr. Zakery Brown promised Pato a Formula 1 ride if He won an IndyCar race, which O’Ward promptly did at Texas Motor Speedway, His debutante IndyCar win just two days shy of His 22nd birthday!

 

Pato got His first taste of F1 in a demonstration drive at Laguna Seca in November, 2021 behind the wheel of Mika Hakkinen’s MP4/13. With the Double World Champion on hand to give advice…

 

In December, O’Ward tested the team’s current McLaren MCL35 chassis during the yearly Abu Dhabi season finale Young Guns test, where He finished a very impressive fourth fastest!

 

For Fall, 2022, Pato, along with some IndyCar Hotschue’ named Alex Palou carried out two test sessions for McLaren in Barcelona and Austria. Then Pato made His Free Practice (FP) session debut at Abu Dhabi that December.

 

O’Ward made another Free Practice outing the following year once again at Abu Dhabi, a circuit He must know fairly well now, ci? Before being named as one of McLaren’s reserve drivers this year. Even though O’Ward’s Day Job is firmly cemented in IndyCar’s.

 

Thus by my unofficial reckoning, Pato’s FP-1 outing at Mexico City marks the first time two Mexicans have been on a Formula 1 circuit simultaneously since fellow countrymen Checo’, nee Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez raced in the 2016 season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ole!

 

Ironically Gutierrez, remember Him Y’all? Also hails from Monterey Mexico, a la O’ward. With the former Sauber and Haas F1 driver Gutierrez having raced for Glickenhaus Racing in the FIA World Enduance Championship. (WEC) Along with CrowdStrike Racing by APR in IMSA’s LMP2 category during 2023. Whilst I’ve got zero clue what Gutierrez is up to this season?

 

As Pato says its been a dream of His to race on Home soil for quite awhile now, and I can only surmise that He received a warm reception in Mexico city, even if everybody showed up to root for Sergio Perez. As who knows? Pato will probably drive an F1 car again for McLaren, since He’s got nothing on His calendar until next March…

 

As that was before I read the news that O’Ward will now run His Arrow Mclaren IndyCar in a demonstration run during next January’s Formula E Mexico City E-Prix event. Along with also sampling one of McLaren’s Formula E racecars also in a demonstration run. Did you hear that Mark Miles, Ole!

 

Whilst Pato desperately wishes to participate in next year’s inaugural Mexico City NASCAR Cup event, for which I haven’t checked if it clashes with His Day Job? Along with oddly, His Boss Zak Brown mentioning O’Ward contesting the Day-Toner’ 500 some day… 

Still just One Seat remaining in Formula 1?

As whose got the Biggest Wallet of All?

 

Leading up to the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA weekend. Scuttlebutt suggested that current Sauber F1 driver Valtteri Bottas was on Pole to retain His seat another year at Sauber. Being the lone, unconfirmed seat for the 2025 F1 season. With the seat remaining open after Carlos Sainz, Jr. rejected Audi’s offer, and went to Williams instead for 2025.

 

Although some had said not so fast Valtteri! With the likes of the promising Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto being mentioned. Along with current Williams F1 rookie sensation Franco Colapinto. With Mick Schumacher being a perceived longshot.

 

Next, an even more distant long shot was added to the “Spin cycle”. With current Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen’s name being mentioned…

 

Interestingly all three of these Young Turk’ drivers are “tied” to other Formula 1 outfits. With Bortoleto being a McLaren Development Driver member, and Colapinto a Williams F1 Academy driver. Whilst Mick is the current Mercedes GP test and reserve driver. Along with being a current Alpine Sports Car Pilote’ in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Yet initial scuttlebutt claimed that Bortoleto and Colapinto weren’t available, even though Williams F1 Boss James Vowels has said He’s open to loaning out Colapinto next year; naturally for the right price!

 

While former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner has told Schumacher to go to IndyCar if “Plan A” doesn’t work out! And Hans-Joachim Stuck advises Mick against joining the Sauber/Audi project.

 

As it’ll be somewhat interesting to “See” how this pans out. Or will it just be anti-climatic with the obligatory press release telling us how excited Bottas is to get to work at Sauber next season? For which we all hold our breaths, as Mattia Binotto says He’d like to confirm the second driver by mid-November…

 

Meanwhile in other Audi ownership news regarding Sauber. Surely you’ve all read or heard that management shook up the pecking order during this summer. With the dismissals of Audi’s Sauber project manager (CEO) Andreas Seidl and Sauber Chairman of the Board Oliver Hossman.

 

Installing former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new team leader. As Binotto, who shortly turns 55 becomes it’s Chief Operation and Chief Technical Officer. While Gernot dollner replaces Hossman as Chairman of all Sauber companies.

 

Longtime Red Bull Racing F1 member, and the team’s current Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, whose been at the team forever! Will become Sauber’s new Team Principal next year. As the staff exodus from Red Bull continues. Hmm, like Rats leaving a Sinking Ship?

 

Whilst two more key team additions have been announced. With former Ferrari F1 Sporting director and strategist  Inaki Rueda, who previously worked with Binotto. As Rueda will become the team’s new Sporting Director, punting Beat Zehnder to a role with the legacy side of Sauber.

 

While Giampaolo Dall’Ara will become the team’s new Race Engineering boss at the Hinwil factory. Not to be cornfuzed with the legednous’ Giampaolo Dallara, the 87yr old proprietor of Dallara Automobili.

 

As Dall’Ara is a former Sauber employee who’s been running His own consulting company since 2016, according to Racer’s Chris Medland.

 

Now the only question remaining, is can Sauber pull itself up from last upon the F1 Grid?

 

But that was before reading more scuttlebutt regarding Liam Lawson’s arrival at Racing Bulls as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement. Suggesting it could trigger a contest between the Kiwi’ and RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda, to potentially become Max Verstappen’s teammate next year. As the rumours persist that Checo’, aka Sergio Perez is still on shaky ground regarding His new two year contract extension. With Red Bull’s Pied Piper Chris Horner sending mixed signals about will He, won’t He return next year?

 

While there was quite the kerfuffle upon social media over what appeared to be Lawson giving Perez the middle finger at 300 clicks’. (186mph) With the Kiwi’ youngster telling Checo He’s Number One in Mexico City, Ole! As the two protagonists fought over P17 on the grid…

 

Thus, if one of the two Racing Bulls drivers were promoted, this would leave a seat open for current FIA F2 and Red Bull Junior driver Isack Hajar. So may be there’s still two seats not confirmed for 2025 yet? You make the call.

 

While the latest rumour over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was that McLaren has agreed to release Gabriel Bortoledo from His contract in order to go to Audi on a long term deal. As Sauber made official what had been reported on Wednesday, November 6th, selecting Bordoleto as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate beginning in 2025.

 

Meaning that “serve” has moved to Red Bull to decide over who’ll partner Max next year? With Horner having dropped by the Williams Hospitality “Villa” over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend to chat with Team Principal James Vowles over Franco Colapinto’s availability… 

Honda turns 75 years Old

As I miss those Quirky Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’s (James Hinchcliffe) Honda IndyCar Commercials…

 

Yeah, I chose today’s date on purpose for obvious reasons. Andnah, No Day ‘O Infamy jokes here. Especially since we’re still reigning Bombs down upon other nations…

 

Having read recently the Smithsonian’s article upon Operation Linebacker II. Y’all know when somebody named Richard Milhous Nixon decided to Carpet Bomb Vietnam into submission during Christmas, with eleven straight days of bombing between December 18-29, 1972. Focusing upon Hanoi, with some 20,000 Tons of munitions dropped Killing 1,624 Civilians, sound familiar?

 

Like one of it other storied Automobile rivals named Porsche, the Honda Motor Company that was incorporated on September 24, 1948 has just celebrated it’s 75th anniversary of officially being in business…

 

Yet like Porsche, the company’s roots naturally began far before it’s official incorporation date.

 

As I’ll confess, I’ve really never known much about Honda’s founder Soichiro Honda, who was born on November 17, 1906, and His father was a Blacksmith who ran a Bicycle repair shop. While reportedly, Soichiro’s witnessing of American Aviator Art Smith flying an airplane early in life cemented His fascination with machinery.

 

Soichiro left home at age 15 and went to Tokyo where He found work as an Automobile Mechanic Apprentice, staying for six years before returning home to establish His own Automobile Garage at age 22.

 

Ironically, Soichiro established a company making piston rings for Automobile manufacturer Toyota in the late 1930’s. Although initially losing the contract with Toyota due to poor manufacturing  quality.

 

By 1941, Honda was producing piston rings for Toyota that met their rigorous quality demands, utilizing automated manufacturing processes. Then in 1944, an American B-29 Bomber destroyed Honda’s factory, which subsequently collapsed in a January 1945 Earthquake. With Soichiro selling the remaining assets to Toyota and creating the Honda Technical Research Institute in 1946.

 

Then Honda Motor company LTD was incorporated in September, 1948, producing motorized Bicycles using surplus 50cc radio generator motors. Before producing the A-Type with it’s own copy of the motors for it’s motorized Bicycle known as the “Bata Bata’s” for the sound the engines made

 

Honda built it’s first full frame and engine motorcycle, the B-type in 1949 and a decade later entered motorcycle racing at the legendous’ Isle of Man’s TT. (Tourist Trophy) As Soichiro wished to compete in the TT since it was the most gruelling motorcycle race the, and naturally would garner attention for Honda worldwide.

 

Honda scored their first World Championship motorcycle victories in the 125cc and 250cc categories in 1961. Along with Mike “the bike” Hailwood winning the 1961 Isle of Man TT 125cc category, before Honda withdrew from motorcycle racing at the end of the 1967 season.

 

Yet Soichiro pushed for Honda to return to Motorcycle racing, and in 1979, Honda made it’s debut in the GP500 Championship with it’s revolutionary NR500. With Freddie Spencer winning Honda’s first GP500 title in 1983 riding the more conventional NS500. Not to mention also winning that year’s 250cc Championship, the only rider to do so in modern history!

 

Honda would go onto dominate GP500 and MotoGP racing the next few decades with the likes of Spencer, Wayne Gardner, “Steady Eddie” (Eddie Lawson) and Mick Doohan who scored five consecutive titles aboard the All conquering NSR500! And then there was “the doctor”, aka Valentino Rossi, the “Kentucky Kid”, nee Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner and lastly, thee Pinball Wizard’, aka Marc Marquez…

 

Meanwhile, it’s funny learning now nearly a half century later, that my introduction to Honda automobiles was in a first generation Civic, which I’ve always remembered as just being a CVCC. Sitting in the back seat of the two door Hatchback as a teenager, I can still recall how small that car was!

 

Yet when I think of Honda, naturally I immediately think of their success as an engine supplier in Formula 1 during 1983-92, when withdrawing from Formula 1 for the second time.

 

Although I do know that Honda first raced in F1 in the 1964 season as a F1 Constructor with it’s revolutionary RA271 chassis. Being the only manufacturer to compete with a 1.5-litre normally aspirated V-12 engine.

 

unheralded American Richie Ginther won Honda’s maiden Formula 1 race at the season ending 1965 Mexican Grand Prix aboard it’s RA272 racecar. Also being the end of the 1.5-litre formula.

 

For 1966, the FIA introduced the 3.0-litre engine formula, with Honda continuing with an enlarged V-12 lump’ mated to it’s RA273 chassis. Then in 1967 upon it’s debut, John Surtees won the Italian Grand Prix aboard the RA300, leading just the race’s final lap!

 

Yet Surtees refused to drive it’s successor, the RA302, proclaiming it a Death Trap! To which Honda ignored and hired Frenchman Jo Schlesser to race it in the 1968 French Grand Prix. Where Schlesser slid wide hitting a bank on the Rouen circuit and perishing when becoming engulfed in a Fireball when the magnesium chassis caught fire!

 

Schlesser’s death, along with Surtees further refusing to drive the RA302 led to Honda’s withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of the 1968 season. Whilst ironically, Schlesser’s nephew Jean-Louis would make His own bit of unwanted History twenty years later, during the 1988 F1 season, Honda and McLaren’s Dream season. When race leader Ayrton Senna tripped over the hapless back-marker at the Italian Grand Prix!

 

As Jean-Louis Schlesser was deputizing for Il Lione’, aka Nigel Mansell at Williams, and thought Senna would quickly lap Him again, before jinking into Senna’s path! Leaving the Tifosi in ecstasy over a Ferrari 1-2 at Monza with Gerhard Berger ahead of Michele Alboreto.

 

As this would be the lone victory not claimed by the All conquering McLaren MP4/4 Honda in 1988. With Senna and teammate Alain Prost winning 15 of 16 Grands Prix that season. A record that stood for 35 years before being broken by Red Bull this year. With Red Bull’s RB19 Honda RBPT crushing the competition by winning a staggering 21 of 22 races! With thee Dutch Tsunami’, aka Maximilian Verstappen an astounding 19 races. A single season record that surely will be nye impossible to beat!

To continue reading, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

75 Years of Honda Racing Continues