MotoGP’s Maddening Hunt for it’s New Television Home

And Who the Bloody Hell is TruTV?

 

If you’re a MotoGP Fan, then you’ve already heard about Liberty Media, owners of Formula 1 jut having acquired control of MotoGP. As it must be nice being Flush with Cash! Since reportedly Liberty Media’s paying $4.2b as in billions for an 86% ownership stake in MotoGP. With Dorna Sports, the current owners and promoters of MotoGP retaining 14%.

 

Although the deal is subject to approval by Foreign Countries legal approval, most notably the European Commission’s Anti-Competition laws. Since previous Formula 1 ower CVC Capital had to divest it’s ownership of Dorna sports in 2006 for approval to sell F1 to Liberty media…

 

But this riveting No Fenders yarn is about how much time I wasted trying to discover where MotoGP was airing upon my ridiculously overpriced Spectrum Cable TV.

 

Having learned earlier this year during March Madness that TNT Sports had scooped up MotoGP at the last minute from NBC Sports, I wondered where this new entity I’d never heard of before resided Stateside, and whether or not I even had access to it?

 

Stumblin’ ‘n bumblin’ my way, as where’s ‘Ol chris Berman when Yuhs need Him, eh? I somehow discovered that TNT Sports resided on TruTV, Who? As I think I spent nearly an hour figuring that out…

 

Whilst naturally, the first MotoGP race I could have “watche”, Err listened to went directly Head-to-Head with that stupendous Whose your Daddy $1 million Sweepstakes Challenge at the Thermal Club, which I elected to view instead.

 

Having missed the first two MotoGP races of the season, I was intent to watch the U.S. Grand Prix from Austin, Texas April 14th, since Thar still weren’t no IndyCar racing to partake, Urgh!

 

Thus naturally, I Arse-sumed that the biggest MotoGP race of the year Stateside would be on TruTV, El Correctomundo? For which my repeated searching upon my Zap2It’ TV Guide showed zero Sunday live race coverage, Say What?

 

This led me down a very long Wabbit’ Hole of vainly trying to deduce where if at all TNT Sports was located upon my Cable TV package? For which I felt like I’d spent at least another hours time trying to deduce this, Frick! As who was it that wrote about the U.S. market being a really tough “Nut to Crack”.

 

I tried repeatedly entering my street address and zip code into the Spectrum Channel guide, which kept saying I needed to enter a complete address, which I did you El Stupidio website! Before I broke down and called Spectrum to see if they could tell me if I had TNT Sports?

 

To which the amiable customer representative said He’d never heard of that channel before. Wait a minute it’s a UK and Ireland channel. To which I replied no, that’s TNT International. Before He tried searching for TNT Americas before saying I definitely didn’t have that channel!

 

Now little did I know that TNT Sports is the umpteenth rebranding of what began life as separate sporting entities of Ted Turner’s Turner Broadcasting System’s (TBS) empire Wayback’ in the early 1970’s before officially becoming Turner Sports in 1995. And has since gone thru major ownership changes since then. Most recently under Warner Brothers and Discovery Sport’s control until 2023. Better known as WBTV Discovery Sports, and I think it’s still owned by this faction today, Cornfuzed?

 

Looking up TNT Sports (United States) on the All knowing Intrawoods’, nee internet revealed that of their multitude of current Sports properties, i.e.; NBA, NHL, MLB, etc. As of 2024 MotoGP would air upon TruTV for both Saturday Sprint races and Sunday races. As I felt like I’d just gone past gO, but definitely didn’t get to collect my $200 Aye Karumba!

 

As TruTV’s Sunday April 14th broadcast schedule felt like a bad impersonation of the USA Network. With Wall-to Wall airings of World’s Dumbest and Impractical Jokers, Spew! Interupted at 12:30PM Pacific by Multi-versus Beloved Warner Bros. Discovery characters take center ice in a matchup of two recent Stanley Cup Champions: Colorado Avalanche vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights. (3Hrs)

 

Meaning that the MotoGP race from Austin, Texas was being preempted by Friggin’ Hockey. Like talk about your Major 5mins Penalties JackArses!

 

As I did manage to find the Saturday Sprint Race and “watched”, Err listened to it’s entire 90mins broadcast, just to compare ‘n contrast to CNBC’s former MotoGP TV coverage. For which I was suitably impressed, even if there was way too much fillig of time by the TV Pundits! Since it appears it’s another European Sports production, perhaps Eurosport? Although I don’t know if it still exists?

 

Then adding insult to injury is the fact that I could watch shortened TV Broadcasts of both Saturday & Sunday’s action back-to-back Monday evening from 4-7PM Pacific. But I Don’t want to wait a whole Flippin’ day after to listen to a race replay Buggers!

 

Leading me to shake my Head in Disgust over how Liberty Media will be able to improve MotoGP’s “reach” in the United States if this is the current treatment the Sport receives. Like I mean, if the United States MotoGP race cannot even be shown live on TV, how do they ever expect the Sport to Grow?

 

Since last time I checked, I believe that the Discovery Channel is owned by Liberty Media, although I couldn’t deduce through All of the Shell companies who owns Discovery Sports, which appears to be part owners of TNT Sports with WBD Sports and the BT Group. (Eurosport) Oh Never Mind!

 

Shame On You MotoGP! 

INDYCAR: 100 Racecars on The Wall?

Marco Andretti’s wrecked racecar on truck during the 2012 Indianapolis 500. (The Tomaso Collection)

As what’s that ‘Ol Polka-song ‘bout Take One Down, Pass it round…

 

Being Blind, have I mentioned I’m Blind lately? I rely upon my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service’s Zap-2-It TV Guide to discern if Thars anything worth “watching”, Err listening to on Ye Boob Tube weekly!Since I’ve mainly kept my ridiculously Overpriced Cable TV subscription for tuning into Formula 1 and MotoGP races, albeit I’m really not very interested in F1 right now!

 

AnyHoo’, part of the Zap-2-It TV Guide’s features are the ability to “look” forward 14-days in advance. Hmm, 14’s a pretty good number of who’s racing car, Eh? But I digress…

 

Have enjoyed tuning into 100 Days to Indy since the first episode, even if I found it to be hugely Disjointed. But felt the series got better each week. And with no Promo for the next week’s airing at the end of the broadcast that I can remember? Especially since I forgot to tune-in the previous two Thursday evenings. But was able to catch the re-broadcasts Sunday night.

 

Thus utilizing Zap-2-It, I would jump ahead a week, or sometimes even two weeks to find out what the next two episodes featured. And for over a week’s time it was telling me that the Thursday, June 1st episode was Episode No. 1, Huh? So I just Arse-sumed this was an error on my TV guide.

 

Waiting somewhat eagerly last nigh, Be still My Beating Heart! To find out if what I believed should have been the sixth and final episode. Even hearing the featured drivers Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden mention there’s Only One episode left during the Indianapolis 500 via the IndyCar Radio Network.

 

Naturally I was mightily Cornfuzed when indeed what totally sounded to Mwah like the very first episode of 100 Days to Indy began playing. Since I listened to one of my favourite parts when Helio Castroneves sardonically tells Doug boles. Why am I gonna tell Marcus Ericsson how to win again? I’m still racing, I’m Not gonnaa tell Him, Hya!

 

As I sat thru the part about how Josef met his future wife at Disneyland. And then at the first commercial break, I said Good Night! Switched off Thy Telie’ and left the room laughing gleefully to myself over how IndyCar cannot even get their vaunted 100 Dazes to Indy Aired correctly!

 

Since my Zap-2-It TV Guide claims that this coming Thursday, June 8th is apparently the Big Finale at Mother Speedway? And even funnier yet! When I checked for what this Sunday’s episode is? It’s something about Ganassi which sounded like Episode No. 2 to Mwah. Meaning that they’re not even replaying the same out of sequence episodes…

 

Like How unimpressed are the younger, Hip with-it technology saavy generation IndyCar so desperately covets gonna be over this programming SNAFU? Oh Never Mind

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’! 

Another Crazy, Diverse Weekend ‘O Motor Racing

As Thar were so many series racing, I couldn’t get to them All, and that Don’t even include RASSCAR’, Yeehaw!

 

This weekend’s Cornucopia ‘O Motor Racing was “action Packed!” Although I only could “Watch,” err listen to two different racing series, albeit a total of three races, i.e.; IndyCar’s Double Header at Detroit’s Belle Isle and the inaugural Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) event at Stafford Springs, Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway. Since the Truncated Airing for the FIA’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) 8 Hours of Portugal on Motortrend TV conflicted with Sunday’s IndyCar race.

 

OOPS! I almost forgot the IMSA Sports Car race that felt like an After thought following the Day’s Insane IndyCar race!

 

As it’s kind of enjoyable in a Strange, Surreal way how the IndyCar season has been Split into two separate entities, i.e.; the Twisties’ (Road Courses & Street Circuits) portion being the Mainstay with the Ovals as Supporting Cast.

 

Since I was looking forward to the return of Romain Grosjean to “See” what the Frenchman could do for the Minnowecqe Dale coyne team, whilst I’m certain Jimmie Johnson will continue as Tail gunner Charlie. But will he finish ahead of Dalton Kellett, Survey Says?

 

Not to mention that “The Great Santini” continues his part-time IndyCar campaign running with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in it’s third #45 chassis. Which just makes me hope he doesn’t pull an Allmendinger Thar, Yikes!

 

Although I have to say when I thought of Belle Isle this year, the first thing I thought of was the GM Mucky Muck Vice President who Crashed the Corvette Stingray Pace Car there a few years ago!

 

Then just having listened to another Zany Speed Freaks interview with A.J. Allmendinger following his latest victory at Mid Ohio’s Gup lite’ race, ‘Ol Walldinger’ probably wouldn’t want to be reminded of when he Crashed during the opening laps of each day’s Belle Isle Duelie’ driving for El Capitano’ (Roger Penske) with the Race Sponsor Quicken Loans on the Sidepods of his Team Penske IndyCar, el Correctomundo!

 

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

 

And C’mon, Put them Hands up, how many of Yuhs Tuned in Saturday Nite’ to check out the Mucho Ballyhooed Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Short Track race? Where some IndyCar drivers including What’s His Name? That guy who just won another Indianapolis 500 competed…

 

And I was mainly interested in the Portimao Sports Car race to “See” if Glickenhaus showed up, and more importantly if Ryan Briscoe got to race one of it’s brand new racecars, since there’s just the 6 Hours of Monza on July 18^th before le 24 Heurs du Mans in August, which will include 20% Crowd Attendance.

 

Naturally with this being a Double Header weekend, Qualifying for IndyCar was only available behind the Gilded Peacock Paywall! And then we went thru a Rollercoaster ‘O Emotions. From Nothing But commercials (NBC) every 7-9mins to Felix rosenqvist’s Narly Accident! To NBC going Nonstop Commercials for over an Hour before Hosing Us by having to immediately go to Thar Fucking, Are You Kidding Me? NBC Sports App for the Podium Celebration and Post Race coverage over Debutante IndyCar winner

 

As serves you right NBC! Having read that they had Technical Difficulties with the Bullshit Sports App Streaming portion, which Not everybody either Does, or has Access to, so Shame On You NBC!

 

Then simmerin’ over Not being able to “See” the IndyCar Post Race celebrations, I decided to Tune-in to the IMSA Sports Car race via Zed Internets. And for reasons unknown, either my computer or the broadcast decided to Dump at race’s Start, for the second gory time, as I scrambled to reboot my Confuzer and missed the first 7mins of the Sports Car race a la IndyCar!

 

Then I switched Thy Telie’ back on Justin-time to catch the entire “Made for TV:” Debutante SRX race, for which I have to say I actually enjoyed Alan Bestwick and Danica Patrick’s commentary. And when I told Florentine’ F1 Spotter Jeannie that I actually enjoyed queen Danica’s announcing, she promptly asked me how many Beers have you been Drinking?

 

As it was even better having the local Short Track Ace Doug Coby “School” All of the all-stars, not only winning Heat 2, but the 100 lap Feature race ahead of The Biffster’, aka Greg Biffle and SRX Series Co-founder Smoke’. (Tony Stewart)

 

But Hands Down, the Best race of the entire weekend for Mwah was Belle Isle’s Sunday IndyCar race, where my Numero Uno IndyCar Driver Shellacked the entire Grid! Having rolled off P16, Pato O’Ward methodically worked his way forward. As it was funny hearing his Strategist telling him to Focus forwards but Conserve his Push-to-Pass and presumably Save Fuel!

 

O’Ward made to Monster Passes on Scott Dixon and, Uhm? Before lining up fifth on the final restart on lap 67 and carving up Graham Rahal and Alex Palou as I think he passed both of them in one fell swoop? Then he tracked down Colton Big shot! Herta and Overtook him for second before Hunting Down Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden who’d led the entire race.

 

Newgarden who was the only one on used Red rubber Alternate Firestone tyres luridly slid exiting a corner and Pato swiftly sized him up and said Slingshot ON! Pardon Me, Playing Thru! As they made wheel-to-wheel contact before O’Ward took the lead for good enroute to his second career IndyCar win! As I yeled outloud O’wards and Animal!

 

And I understood Newgarden’s Post race Funk after finishing runner-up when being interviewed and saying it was Sad Sad Sad, after leading the first 67-of-70 laps. But just busted up laughing when he paused when asked about the move Patricio put on him for the win. Pausing mightily before saying Deadpan into the Camera, What are you gonna do? Which I took to mean it’s literally like trying to stop a Bull!

 

As O’Ward not only becomes the first repeat IndyCar winner this year, but with his Pole from Race-1 and two podium finishes at Belle Isle vaults from third in the championship, 37 points behind to One point ahead of previous points leader Alex Palou, who finished third today after starting 15^th. While as Claudio’ said, it was a Colton Who? Day with Herta finishing fourth and Graham Rahal rounding out the Top 5 with an unimpressive 5^th place finish. 

Day of The Scandinavian’s, Cheep’s Double

Although Both of the Swedes’ goth Hosed!

 

Hmm, why did that ‘Ol Robin Trower song Day of the Eagles come to mind following the day’s second, Delayed  race at Belle Isle, Eh?

 

First and foremost, the most important thing is that Felix Rosenqvist is miraculously Ok! As that was a Nasty, Scary Shunt, where you could audibly hear on the In Car Camera replay the throttle going Full Stop up against thou Rev limiter as he Speared the Wall with his racecar’s Nosecone, Shit!

 

As NBC Colour Commentator (Townsend) T-Bell’ commented that Rosenqvist was going between 80-90mph before going to Zero in about five feet when Spearing thru the Six rows of Bundled tyres and Slamming into the Concrete retaining Wall! Hitting it so Hard that he turned over the 7,000lb retaining wall portion, going Skywards before the Catch Fencing Stopped Him!

 

As the Red Flag period would last for nearly 80 minutes, with Pitlane reporter Marty Snyder claiming it lasted 1hr 19mins and then next said it was 1hr 18mins, which most reports claimed the latter before resuming racing.

 

As the new replacement concrete barrier section naturally didn’t want to mesh with the original barrier, no matter how they tried massaging it with a Forklift…

 

And even with the 80mins pause, I felt the entire race from start to finish was frenetic! Whilst I thoroughly expected Big NBC to switch us over to CNBC, since it was apparent the race wouldn’t resume until after the end of the Broadcast’s original scheduled ending of 1PM Pacific as we approached the top of the hour.

 

Thus, I was pleasantly surprised when NBC decided to move the U.s. Olympic (Swimming) Trials coverage to CNBC instead, and even more surprised when the IndyCar race resumed and NBC went an entire 78mins Nonstop without a single Gory Commercial break, Huh?

 

And I’ll admit I was  rootin’ for Marcus ericsson to do the unlikely and find a way around Will Power, even crossing four sets ‘O fingers. But obviously I had No idea it would happen under the most Bizarre circumstances. And I broke out in laughter after DJ WillyP’s Chevrolet engine wouldn’t refire! Which I did feel momentarily Gutted for Power, but reveled in the fact that Ericsson would claim his maiden IndyCar victory!

 

As I’m Not gonna lament the Stupidness of IndyCar going Red Flag for Romain Grosjean’s crash with seven and a half minutes remaining. Other than Knock this Shit Off IndyCar! We Don’t wanna be RASSCAR’, as what’s next? Green-White Checkers? Rucky Dawg Wave-rounds, Oh Never Mind! As sometimes you just have to finish under a Yellow Flag, ‘Nuff Said, Righto?

 

But then Big NBC Screwed the pooch! As Leigh Diffey warned us before the last lap, that we’d have to scramble over to the NBC Sports App, SHIT! To “See” the Podium celebrations and Post Race wrap-up, meaning we Didn’t get to See Ericsson’s Jubilation of winning his maiden IndyCar race, with the Swede’s last win being in Germany in 2013!

 

Nor did NBC reep the results of Will Power’s Fiery Post Race tirade, for which this time I feel he was rightly Justified, but at least he didn’t get caught on camera giving Race Control the Double Bird Salute!

 

As I’d preferred the race being shown on CNBC so we could have All easily seen the Podium interviews and Post Race “fireworks” instead! Although I suppose there was either some sort of contractual obligations for staying on Network TV, or simply going for better ratings?

 

Meanwhile, Felix Rosenqvist was announced to be Ok without any major Injuries but was being transferred to a Downtown Detroit Hospital for further evaluation and Imaging and was kept Overnight for Observation. While Arrow McLaren SP publicly Absolved Felix and Chevy of any involvement in the crash, in what apparently was a One-time Mechanical Failure, while the team drafted in former driver Oliver Askew as Rosenqvist’s replacement for Sunday’s second race.

 

Naturally, the weekend’s Best News was that Rosenqvist was released from Hospital sometime Sunday morning, going back to Indianapolis and seemingly escaped his Mega’ Accident with only Bruising and Swelling, with apparently nothing Broken, which is absolutely Amazing!

 

Askew who’s now racing for Andretti Autosport in IMSA’s LMP3 category was already on hand at Belle Isle, which somebody during Sunday’s very Disjointed Television Broadcast mentioned He was there as a Driving coach for Andretti Autosport’s Indy Lights team. And presumably  AMSP wanted to run it’s second car to keep it firmly in the Leaders Circle Prize payout?

 

As Askew had his Helmet with him, but borrowed Juan Pablo Montoya’s McLaren Driving Suit and a pair of CGR’s Alex Palou’s Boots before jumping back into an IndyCar to race on a track he’d never driven before!

 

 Then I elected to Tune-in to Saturday’s  Sports Car race, which leads us to the final part of this riveting No Fenders tome, choosing to listen via IMSA Radio to the day’s Weathertech SportsCar Championship event following IndyCar. Featuring just the DPi and GT Daytona classes, with the two GT Le Mans Corvette C8.R’s running for “fun,” in what essentially was a marketing exercise.

 

As former Haas F1 driver Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen scored his first Prototype’s Pole for Chip Ganassi Racing, (CGR) leading his entire first stint before handing off the #01 Cadillac to Renger van der Zande.

 

With the Dutchman holding off the second place Whelen Engineering Cadillac, giving GM a 1-2 in Detroit and the Dane’ (Magnussen) claiming his first IMSA  Sports Car victory, along with Ganassi’s first W’ of the season. 

F1: ESPNews Throws Us another Changeup

Holy Curve Balls Batman! And I Didn’t even get to the Batter’s Box…

 

Longtime readers of No Fenders will know that I’ve long since given up getting up at OH DARK 30 to “Watch,” Err listen to live Formula 1 races. Since being Blind, I’ve never bothered with investing in a DVR since I cannot See it’s required miniscule Colour Coded settings, but I digress…

 

Originally I was reluctantly planning on attempting to stay away thru the entire 8:30-11PM Pacific “encore” presentation on le Duesh’, aka ESPN2. But Hunting ‘N Pecking round Sunday morning on my Zap2It’ TV Guide listings, I stumbled into a much more palatable 4-6:30PM Pacific Formula 1 Racing listing for the day’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix instead.

 

And I thought le Duesh’ was really BAD, But! ESPNews sank to an All-time new Low! As I knew something was up with the Broadcast simply by beginning with a very Hurky Jerky immediate “Lights Out” No Pre-race banter or Pre-grid Warm-up lap, instead just G-O! Which always implies the race is gonna be extended…

 

So imagine my Surprise, Shock and ultimately Disgust when following the Red Flag on lap 48 of 51 due to Max Verstappen’s Mega’ left Rear tyre Blowout at 200mph! Whilst most definitely cruising home to his third F1 win of the season with his Wingman Sergio Perez in tow for Red Bull’s first 1-2 finish since 2016!

 

That instead of us getting to See the race’s final two laps, some perky woman named Charlie interrupted us near the top of the hour, as my Talking Keychain Clock said it was only 5:59PM. Meaning there should have been another Half Hour’s coverage, along with the Mothers Shoe Polish lady interrupting us for one more obligatory Commercial Break!

 

 

But instead Charlie said something to the effect of we know you’ve been enjoying some Formula 1, but now let’s go to some Women’s College Baseball instead, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!

 

As this Arkansas vs. Whoever game wasn’t even listed on my TV Guide, which claimed instead that following the 2.5 hours of Formula 1, from 6:30-8PM was supposedly an E60 The Extended version of Project 11, Alex Smith’s Remarkable NFL Comeback from Life Threatening injury programme instead!

 

As it’s Funny Ha-Ha, Not! How the Mainstream Media’s touting the “Fact” that Formula One’s interest is on the rise in good ‘Ol Americre’ due to the popularity of NetFlix F1 series. But Uhm, if you Don’t even get to See the Podium interviews, but more importantly the Wild Final 2-laps of the race, then how can you be building interest? Oh Never Mind!