HYDROS: San Diego Thriller gets waterlogged over elongated Offseason

Like does anybody remember last September?

 

Yeah, it feels like a really, really long time ago when I tuned in for Heat 5 of the Bill Muncey Cup from Bayfair in San Diego via H1 Unlimited’s Hideous Youtube channel Wayback’ on September 14th! As I still don’t understand why I need to jack up the volume an excruciating 46-48 levels! Just in order to be able to hear Brad Luce and Tanner Foust, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!

 

Came into the broadcast when Luce was pontificating over Ray Fageol, grandson of the legendous’ Lou Fageol. And everything Ray had done for Bayfair and San Diego regarding Unlimited Hydroplane racing. And “With a little Help from some Friends”, i.e.; the Fageol Family and Fran Muncey, widow of Mr. Hydroplane Bill Muncey. Ray’s ashes were riding along with Dave Villwock aboard the U-27 Miss Apollo. With Luce saying it wasn’t planned, but there goes Villwock as the whoosh of a turbine filled my speakers, Whoosh!

 

While they were killing time for the apparent winner of Heat 4, Villwock to be confirmed. They ran a piece about how the U-11 Flav-R-Pac out of Cle Elem, WA has the youngest crew in the pits. With five 30-somethings working on the boat. As co-owner Sharon Reiny noted their youngest member was only 21 and had been with them since age 11!

 

As they were busy the entire weekend in Mission Bay. With Luce and Foust making jokes about diving deep in the trailer when pulling out their fourth Lycoming T-55 Chinook Helicopter turbine for the final heat…

 

Yet it wasn’t to be for Villwock, who was handed a one minute penalty for encroachment upon J. Michael Kelly in the U-8 Beacon Z. As Kelly had backed out during the race in order to keep from ingesting Salt water, which apparently does grave damage to the turbines. With Kelly electing to save His equipment for the finals.

 

Tuning in early for the final Heat, the Bill Muncey Cup. Luce eulogized Ron Snyder, who passed away that afternoon at age 86. As Snyder drove for many, including the late Bernie Little aboard the Miss Budweiser.

 

Once again had to jack up the volume, come on guys, this is so Mickey Mouse! And even though only four boats were competing it was indeed a Barn Burner! As Brad Luce called a Whale’ of a boat race, in His usual exuberant style…

 

After the four boats played Hide ‘n Seek during the five minutes milling period to the 1:15 minute score-up. Luce mentioned how He hoped Jamie Nilsen had brought His fishing line with Him since the U-11 was practically dead stop floating at the top of the course. With Foust cracking up over this quip!

 

3-2-1 looks like a clean start! With three boats side-by-side. With J. Michael Kelly in the U-8 Beacon Electric in lane two, and the two Bruce Ratchford (BWR Racing) Hydros of Dave Villwock’s U-27 Miss Apollo in lane three. And Andrew Tate’s U-91 Goodwin Real Estate on the outside in lane four.

 

As the boats accelerated down the backstraight, believe Villwock lifted, albeit later Tanner Foust would claim He’d heard a compressor stall, turning it into a two boat battle royale for the bill Muncey cup.

 

Although Tate, the newly crowned 2025 APBA National High Points champion was having to take the longer outside route, with Kelly having boat speed, the two played leapfrog for the lead over the remaining four laps. With Kelly having a two and-a-half boat lead on lap two. Then Tate flexed the U-91’s muscles and led on lap three.

 

Then Kelly led by a slim one and-a-half boat lengths on lap four. While it appeared Tate was pulling away down the backstretch, with Foust saying both drivers were flying their boats!

 

Then Luce emphatically shouted that Kely had taken the lead at the north’s top end corner and would hold on to beat Tate by a very slim margin. Before an exhausted Luce said He was going to sit down!

 

Claiming that was worth the trip, the whole weekend, the whole season. With Foust saying He’d never witnessed a closer boat race…

 

As have to say it totally reminded me of my All-time favourite race on Lake Washington. Which unfortunately today, some fifty-plus years later, I still haven’t been able to decide which year it was between 1973-1975 when the Miss Budweiser and Pride of Pay n’ Pak went deck-to-deck for all five laps with the dreaded Pak winning by 100 yards…

 

But Hey, that was some friggin’ eight and one half Gory months ago! And how many people remember it or watched the race?

 

BWR Racing: Bruce Ratchford’s bold vision for Hydroplane’s future 

Truncated 2026 Sebring 12 Hours Postscript

Everyone remembers this March’s 12 Hours of Sebring, Righto?

 

Have I mentioned lately how Mucho I’m having a hard time getting my Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to rev-up over motor racing lately Y’all? Or seemingly stuck in second gear? Even if Y’all are quivering with Month ‘O May excitement…

 

Is there something going on in Indiana this month, eh?

 

While at least I don’t have to lament over the fact of the entire 12 Hours of Sebring being shown only behind Peacock’s Paywall, WTF! A la Formula 1 gong behind Apple TV’s curtain, err Paywall, meaning half of my motor racing series have gone “Dark!” Since I no longer have television, but I digress…

 

Tuned in via IMSA Radio somewhere during High Noon, (Pacific) with some seven hours remaining. Although I flitted about during this duration…

 

And its sad when the most poignant part of the entire 12 Hours race was the great story John Hindhaugh waxed poetically upon…

 

Yes, I understand there’s good, bad and mediocre race officials, which obviously applies to all walks of life. But I found the following yarn extraordinary.

 

Hindhaugh recounted about what I believe was the 1999 Petit Le Mans race? And one unnamed pit crew was limbering up for an impending pit stop.

 

The race official was none other than the top overseer of the entire pitlane, and spotting one crew member with His visor still up before the team’s car lumbered to a stop. Went over and slapped the members helmet and whack! The visor slid shut, the team made their pitstop and the car raced off.

 

The chief mechanic having observed what happened, came over and inquired if they were going to receive a penalty? To which the official said, I’m not here to give out penalties, I’m here to make sure you’re being safe! And I bet that won’t happen again!

 

With Hindhaugh saying that the official was Dick Martin and as I listened to this wonderful story, tears began streaming down my face. Due to Martin’s display of humanity. Which we, as a nation are sorely lacking right now. Brandishing our version of the Good, Bad and Ugly!

 

I must also say my mind began wondering about if we’ll have another Arab Oil Embargo, which I was just a Wee lad when that occurred. Due to the starvation of crude oil slipping thru the Straight of Hormuz. And how will the Iran War impact motor racing in general? Since it seems to only be worsening; as somebody pass me the raw, bloody meat…

 

Tend to recall somewhere within five hours remaining. One of the announcers mused over how Renger van der Zande said the Porsche’s were just playing with everybody! Which turned out to be prophetic.

 

Didn’t catch what happened to cause the two leading Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963’s swap positions. With Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 basically pulling over on the straight to allow Keven Estre’s No. 6 by.

 

Yet I marveled over Nasr’s bravado. Telling the team over the in-car radio He’d pull over before asking if they were cleared to race each other? Saying He’d pull over but they’ll lose the race if He stays second!

 

As think it was the No. 31 Whelen Cadd-Oh-lac’ breathin’ down the Penske’s backsides? Before Nasr was given the Ok and swiftly repassed Estre to lead them  home to a 1-2 sweep. On the very same day that El Capitano’, nee roger Penske was serving as the race’s Grand Marshall.

 

Initially Ricky Taylor in the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac v-Series.R claimed the third podium spot. But was DSQ’ed (Disqualified) following a post-race tech inspection violation. Elevating the No. 31 Whelen to third.

 

The win was Porsche’s 20th overall victory at Sebring. With the two Penske Porsches running special red, white and blue Mobil 1 tribute liveries. Commemorating 30 years of Porsche and Mobil 1’s partnership, dating back to the 1996 Porsche GT1 running Mobil 1 livery at Circuit de la Sarthe.

 

Whilst its also Team Penske’s 60th anniversary of racing, and Porsche’s 75th anniversary of Motorsports. Making it ironic that Porsche won’t be competing in Hypercar this June at Le Mans…

 

In LMP2, Zakery Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosport claimed a 1-2 finish, with Nikkel Jensen, Phil Fayer and former IndyCar, Indy Lights and current ECR IndyCar reserve driver Hunter McElrea coming out on top in the No. 2. With the Seester’ No. 22 second, and the No. 8 Tower Motorsports third.

 

Porsche claimed a “Double” 1-2 finish with the Manthey Racing No. 911 leading AO Racing’s Roxy’, the prehistoric pink Dinosaur No. 77 pair of Porsche 911 GT3 R’s across the stripe in GTD Pro. Being Manthey’s breakthrough victory at Sebring.

 

Yet it was the GTD Class that featured the most drama and eventful outcome. As AF Corse’s Antonio Fuoco suffered three Drive-thru penalties for various violations, i.e.; avoidable contact, too many crew members over the wall and a second collision on-track!

 

Yet despite Fuoco’s transgressions. Before working His way back up to second place again. Running some scant 1.1 seconds with eight minutes remaining behind Heart Of Racing’s Tom Gamble in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage. Gamble made a slight bobble on the final lap and Fuoco pounced, giving the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo the victory… 

Will Apple TV take a Bite Out of Formula 1’s Popularity?

And does Liberty Media really Care?

 

By now, unless you’re living underneath a rock. Or hiding in a Hidey Hole to escape premeditated persecution! Then Y’all know that Apple TV has become the exclusive Broadcast rights Holder of Formula 1 in the United States, beginning this year.

 

Apple TV’s acquisition of the U.S. F1 TV rights runs in conjunction with the latest F1 Concorde agreement, i.e.; 2026-2030. With Apple reportedly paying an eye-watering $140-180m, as in millions! For its five seasons contract. Reputedly doubling what ESPN paid for its final three year contract, i.e.; $75-90m between 2023-25.

 

As I have to say the transformation of Formula One’s popularity Stateside has been unbelievable to Mwah! And really, all it took was the Real Housewives of F1 Drive to Survive NefFlix Docu programme?

 

Although surely, and I know that I’ve not only appreciated it, but have come to “expect” it. Airing the races commercial Free was a master stroke!

 

Having lamented Y’all about my Stumblin’, Bumblin’ and most definitely Fumblin’ travails of playing find where the F1 Broadcast is Whack-Ah-Mole’ for more than three decades prior to ESPN re-acquiring the Formula 1 TV rights…

 

Foggy Recollections of Jumping Thru Multiple TV Network Hoops to Watch Motor Racing Stateside Over the Years

 

Making this transformation even more remarkable is how F1 once was virtually unknown Stateside. Unless Yuhs were an Formula 1 Diehard like Mwah…

 

As Chris Rea’s recent death sent me down another Wabbit’ Hole after learning He’d performed twice in New York on Late Night TV.

 

Stumbling into this song, when searching for appearances on Late Night with David Letterman. Presumably sometime mid-summer in 1991. As Letterman & Rea briefly discuss His  attending the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of the video.

 

VIDEO: Looking for the Summer – Live on Letterman

 

As the Canadian GP has typically been held early-mid June. Although there’s been an understandable uproar about moving it to Memorial Day weekend this year! Clashing wit the Indianapolis 500, Seriously?

 

As Liberty media claims this is in effort to reduce its Carbon Footprint of flying back ‘n forth around the globe. Twinning it with the Miami Grand Prix.

 

Only problema with this, is that the Miami Grand Prix is May 3rd, with a three weeks gap until clashing with the Indianapolis 500, Butterfingers! And do you really “reduce” your carbon footprint by flying everybody back ‘n forth? Since I highly doubt the team’s personnel will be staying Stateside for three idle weeks…

 

Rea notes how surprised He was over how easy it was to get into the Canadian Grand Prix that year. To which Letterman quips if you think that was bad, try going to the USGP in Phoenix! Stating how you could simply walk right up, go in and back out in a breeze…

 

As 1991 was the final year of the Iceberg Grand Prix held on Phoenix, Arizona’s Downtown Streets; Year 3 of its slated 5 year contract.

 

For which your Humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso attended, and attendance was pitiful! As I don’t know if even 20,000 attended? Probably more like 10-15,000 Diehards?

 

RETRO: Phoenix’s last Grand Prix - Two-decades ago almost slipped past

 

But back to the present. As Yahoo Sports claims that ESPN barely averaged over 550,000 viewers when reacquiring Formula 1’s TV rights in 2018. And with the advent of Drive to Survive, Commercial Free Broadcasts and Social Media access and content. ESPN recorded a record 1.3 million viewers average last year. With 1.5m tuning into the season finale Abu Dhabi GP on Yas Isle. With the F1 Drivers title being decided…

 

As ESPN averaged over 1m viewers the final four seasons of it long running contract, with Formula 1 now firmly being the second most watched Motorsports Stateside behind NASCAR.

 

In contrast, this year’s NASCAR finale at Phoenix averaged 2.78 million viewers. But with the addition of six races on Amazon Prime, viewership dropped by 14% this season. While NASCAR’s viewership is down overall. Having reported a 4.15 million average for the 2018 Homestead Miami finale, itself being a 32% drop from the 2015 season finale.

 

Reportedly part of Formula 1’s surge in popularity is driven by young women. With females making up 46% of the vaunted 18-29 years old target demographic.

 

Yet how much will F1’s viewership drop this season, and overall? And does Liberty Media really care, having gotten its money out of Apple up front.

 

As surely, the F1 Bubble’s gotta pop sometime, Righto? And what better way to do so, then by forcing your audience to have to pay for Streaming… 

2025 Petit Le Mans Postscript

Although Who to root for? Especially when you like All three podium Contendahs’

 

Yeah, I’m still doing Housecleaning here in thoust Dusty annals of No Fenders forgotten stories. Intending to pump Y’all up for the forthcoming 2026 Rolex 24. Especially since the Roar Before the 24’s just concluded…

 

Turning on Thy Telie’ six minutes early. (Last October) Hey, ever thought about how a Blind person aims the TV remote control correctly? Meaning I have to play the game of trying to “aim” the right direction, having gotten really good at turning the cable box’s power On/Off button, but I digress…

 

Thus ironically, NBC was in the final segment of that week’s Earth Odyessy with host Dylan Dreyer. The ironic part for Mwah was that She was talking about the King cobra snake. Noting how they could grow up to 16 feet long and live for 35 years. And their venomous fangs could immobilize an Elephant!

 

Yet instead, my mind flashed back to a different type of King Cobra, which if I remember correctly, only two examples were built.

 

Being mid-engine two litre Sports Cars built by Shelby American Inc, which I also believe were powered by Coventry Climax engines? While I know that Dave MacDonald drove one of these Sports Cars before His Death; also known as the Shelby Monaco King Cobra between 1963-67.

 

What little I remember now, is that it was good hearing Brian till’s voice again in the Announce Booth. Along with Calvin Fish and Townsend Bell.

 

But the Uber annoying part was that NBC couldn’t get it’s Seester Channel USA Network to forego a few hours of Law and Order reruns. And instead hid the final seven hours of this 10 Hour endurance classic behind it’s Peacock Paywall, Urgh!

 

Naturally, not having scribbled any notes afterwards, it’s quite foggy to Mwah now, which I’ll try stitching together my fleeting thoughts…

 

Recall Thar’ was a massive accident on the opening lap, with Joey Hand being an innocent bystander, with the race running under a 40mins full course caution to clean up debris. Come on Guys! What’s that ‘Ol Rick Mears saying about to finish first, first you must finish, Eh?

 

With NBC’s stupidity of subjugating us to it’s Peacock “Blackout”, I tried listening via IMSA Radio for the remainder of the race. Yet this was quite difficult since I’d just gotten my Confuzer’ back from it’s Windows 11 Assimulation. But it wouldn’t recognize my screen reader due to it’s new Hard drive and would only run in 40mins temporary mode. Before I finally figured out to just set the volume and turn off my Zoomtext Fusion at race’s end, Butterfingers!

 

Since I’d been having to shutdown the Bloody Confuzer and restart twice to resume running in 40 minute mode in order to be able to modulate the ever shifting volume level, but I digress FURTHER…

 

The race came alive for Mwah at the final hour, when the No. 23 Aston Martin THOR Valkyrie gambled on fuel strategy. Topping off with 50mins remaining, with the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R leading and the No. 6 Penske Porsche 963 second. Although at one point, the Riley Motorsports Lamborghini SC63 with Romain Grosjean ran as high as second place with The Heart of Racing’s (THOR) Valkyrie hot on it’s heels! Tearing my emotions between the Aston Martin and Squadra Corse Lambo’. Since it would be a stunning upset victory for either! As Roman de Angelis in the Valkyrie said He didn’t realize He had a shot at victory until 15mins remaining…

 

Try as hard as they might, it was to no avail. As the Lamborghini had to pit with five minutes remaining to replenish it’s dangerously low “virtual energy” fuel tank, dropping to fourth overall. Being the Lamborghini’s best racing finish, in what likely will be it’s last ever race? Whilst the #60 Meyer Shank Racing’s Acura ARX-06 closed out the Top 5 IMSA GTP finishers.

 

Yet it was the #31 Cadd-Oh-lac’ of Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti winning, their second, consecutive season’s win. And the trio’s first Petit le Mans victory.

 

Aston Martin claimed their first ever podium finish, finishing 5.1 seconds behind the Whelen Cadillac. With the No. 6 Penske Porsche 963 third overall, and Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell winning the IMSA GTP Drivers Championship.

 

Having since learned that the #11 TDF Racing won it’s second, consecutive LMP2 W’ at Road Atlanta. On the heels of another back-to-back win at Indianapolis and Road Atlanta. Being the perfect send-off to retiring IMSA driver Steven Thomas…

 

While the #48 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo won the GTD Pro category, and the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 won the GT Daytona (GTD) class.

 

As qualifying for the 64th Rolex 24 commences with qualifying this Thursday afternoon, January 22nd. Followed by the race on January 24-25, to get our 2026 racing season kicking…

 

As good luck figuring out when ‘n where the race will be Aired on your television! 

F1: Show Me the Money!

But definitely Don’t expect any Change back…

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Hublot’s tactic with the Blackey Bernie Ecclestone Watch Ad

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Foust ‘n Quiet!

Where’s Richard Rawlings and those Gas Monkey garage Monkeys when Yuhs need them, eh?

 

The “big” news is that Tanner Foust joins H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes Livestream Broadcast team this year, as co-host alongside Brad Luce. As Foust, a four times Rallycross Champion. Along with two Formula Drift titles, multiple X Games medals and being part of BBC America’s U.S. Top Gear trio. Has been brought in to help Amp up the Livestream Hydroplanes broadcast…

 

Unfortunately I could never hear Tanner or Brad (Luce) the entire Freakin’ weekend at Lake Guntersville. Can You Hear Me Now H1 Unlimited?

 

But first off, let’s review H1 Unlimited’s pathetic reporting upon it’s website. As they may be the fastest boats on water, but you’d be hard pressed to know who All of the Playah’s are?

 

No surprise that Andrew Tate in the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate served notice during Tri-Cities testing in May with a top speed of 163mph plus, with six teams testing. Yet not surprisingly, only four of the day’s six runners are mentioned. With Gunnar O’Farrell’s spectacular Blow-over aboard the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Hydro’. Along with mentioning Cory Peabody behind the tiller of the U-9 Beacon Plumbing and Jamie Nielsen skippering the U-11 Flav-R-Pac. But no mention on the other two mystery Hulls or any of the actual testing speeds…

 

Thus, with this usual lack of information, I purposely skipped Friday’s Hydrofest action. Which it behooves Mwah that H1 Unlimited cannot post a daily report at the end of each day, Say What? As this is a common practice for IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula 1, IMSA, etc.

 

Then on Saturday, I tried a few times to listen to the Livestream both via H1 Unlimited’s website and Youtube directly with zilch, nada, nothing during the morning, Groan!

 

That afternoon I vainly  attempted the same ridiculous rinse, lather, repeat process of trying to get a functioning Livestream, complete with sound. Check-Check, One-Two-testing…

 

Then when the Big Boyz’ should have been racing, after jacking up my sound level a ridiculous 40 levels, What the Flock! I suddenly could hear two announcers calling some sort of “Junior” stock race-boat race, before the announcer began repeatedly calling for a red flag!

 

As one of the boats had blown over! Noting how the driver and throttle-man sat side-by-side, Err shoulder-to-shoulder with helmets, life vests and separate oxygen supply. And with the boat upside down in the drink’, they shouldn’t even get wet when exiting thru the cutout escape hatch on the bottom of the boat; unless the roof, presumably canopy was impacted and damaged…

 

With said red flag deployed and not knowing what support series this was? Or how long until the Big Boyz’, nee Unlimited Hydroplanes would appear, I logged off for the day.

 

Having subsequently learned this was the Offshore Super Stock class, with Team Bermuda S-25 having experienced that Blow-over, with both of the boat’s occupants safely recovered and escaping unharmed before the safety boats arrived…

 

Sunday morning I tried again in vain, since I couldn’t get any sound, i.e.; anybody talking on the “live”Youtube stream, after having jacked up the volume a ridiculous 30 levels, Urgh! During what should have been Heat 3.

 

Didn’t even bother trying again at 11:00AM (Pacific) before trying one final time that afternoon to tune-in to the finals, chirp-Chirp, Bueller?

 

Logged on at 2:20PM and first got a garbled soundtrack before a litany of instrumental rock songs, for which I’d Arse-sumed at least the finals would be on time, beginning at 2:30PM? But the music just kept playing. So I closed the browser and tried logging into the H1 Unlimited Lake Guntersville Sunday “live” feed again. As somewhere between 2:35-39PM the page claimed a whopping 766 people were currently watching. Which then jumped up to 785 after I refreshed and searched again on Youtube for a current live stream feed. But nothing! As I did this again a few more times before noticing at 2:52PM Thar were a staggering 813 people watching, Woo-Hoo! Since by this point I was pretty fed up, and finally gave up in disgust around3:05PM, Sigh!

 

Some three plus hours later, and not sure what I was looking for? I checked the H1 Unlimited website one more time before logging off and Shazam! Sunday evening I finally learned thanks to their pathetic lack of information, Urgh!

 

That basically the weekend had been a Bust, with the majority of the Unlimited action being scrubbed due to inclement weather. But why should we have to wait until Sunday evening to learn that both Saturday and Sunday’s action has been cancelled?

 

Saturday morning’s Heat-1A saw four boat take the green flag, i.e.; Tate, (U-91) Peabody, (U-9) Villwock (U-27) and Nielsen. (U-11) And although Nielsen got the jump upon the field, Villwock lost control and had a major Blow-over, which also damaged Peabody’s Hydroplane from being watered down! Plus being damaged by debris from Villwock’s Hydro, Aye Karumba!

 

Then high winds and an afternoon thunderstorm curtailed any further activity, before high winds all day Sunday cancelled any further competition. Which if H1 Unlimited had their act together, at the very least would have put up a quick note informing us of this, so I wouldn’t have spent two days wasting my time trying to listen to their pathetic Livestream!

 

BWR Racing said that the U-27 Miss Apollo will compete at this weekend’s Madison Regatta, presumably in the backup Hull known as “Sharkey”, the Hull Tate drove in 2023.

 

Whilst the U-6 Miss Madison struggled mightily at Guntersville with engine problems all weekend and never got its rookie skipper Brian Kennedy qualified. But presumably will have better luck this weekend at its home event, the 75th anniversary of the Madison Regatta.

 

For which I’d like to think that H1 Unlimited’s Livestream service will be better this weekend? And it would really be nice if they could also tell me what radio station is broadcasting the event? Meaning I could probably actually Hear what’ going on race-wise, without having to Jack U-P my volume an El Stupidio 40 levels, Oh Never Mind! 

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… 

HYDROS: San Diego’s Gold cup Finale becomes Unlimiteds “Rubber” Match

As who’ll take home the prestigious APBA Gold Cup this Year?

 

This weekend’s Bayfair Cup on the bill Muncey Sand diego Mission Bay’s season finale will decide this year’s Nathonal High Points champion. Along with whom gets bragging rights over the winter’s offseason for winning the prestigious APBA Gold cup. As I’d like to Arse-sume that All eight Unlimited Hulls that participated at Seattle will make the trip south down Interstate Freeway I-5…

 

I say rubber match because I’mthinking that’s what this final race has become between the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate of Andrew Tate vs. the two Strong Racing Hulls; the defending champion J. Michael Kelly in the U-1 Beacon Electric and the U-9 Beacon Plumbing with Cory Peabody at it’s tiller.

 

The season’s two main protagonists have been Tate and Peabody, who seemed destined for an epic showdown on Lake Washington in the winner take All Seafair Apollo Mechanical cup final this August.

 

As I did manage to listen to All seven Heats from Seattle both days via a very sketchy Youtube channel livestream. Even though Saturday saw their pit reporter’s transmissions completely garbled or non-existan. Along with having to Jack up the volume ridiculously in order to barely hear colour commentator John Walters…

 

Saturday’s preliminary Heats saw Tate win Heat 1A, followed by Peabody winning Heat 1B. While the best race of the day for Mwah was Dustin Echols impressive victory in Heat 2A! Being His and the U-40 Flav-R-Pac’s first Heat victory of the season, winning ahead of J. Michael Kelly!

 

Heat 2B pitted Tate against Peabody. As Peabody claimed the inside lane-1 and subsequently “motored” away from Tate, who finished second.

 

Sunday’s Heat 3A saw Tate win convincingly from the inside lane-1. And when asked about it afterwards during the winner’s interview bluntly said: We got Beat! When asked why He’d run inside on lane-1; referring to Heat 2B.

 

As John Walters, whose also an H1 Unlimited Inspector said that He’d noticed that the U-91 was running a different Skid Fin today in order to get better “Bite” off the corners on Seattle’s relatively short, tight 2.0-mile race course.

 

While later in the day, Walters mentioned an interesting factoid. Stating that today’s modern three bladed propellers used are made from castings. And last only 100 minutes! Before becoming doorstops or knickknacks…

 

Then lead announcer Brad Luce chimed in that years ago Nate Brown had proclaimed to Him: “Thin is Fast, but Doesn’t last!” Regarding an Unlimited Hydroplane’s propeller’s lifespan. With Walters noting that every single time the blade hits the water it bends…

 

Heat 3B saw Peabody ultimately victorious, albeit being pushed hard by teammate Kelly in a resurgent U-1 after an overnight engine change. With the Strong Racing duo finishing 1-2…

 

Meanwhile, leave it to John Walters, who won the sport’s very first race with a turbine engine in 1982, driving the Pride of Pay ‘n Pak during the H1 Unlimiteds pathetic Seafair livestream broadcast. Casually mentioning that Jim Lucero, the sport’s winningest Crew chief had died earlier this year. With Walters saying “We lost a Good One”. With Lucero taking the chequord Flag at age 77, just six days after Ron Jones Jr. death.

 

Huh, how come I haven’t read a word about this on H1 Unlimiteds webpage? Oh yeah, that’s the same (lame) site that not only couldn’t post stories during race weekends. But failed to post a race report of Sunday’s Apollo Columbia Cup in Tri-Cities at All!

 

Hmm, why did it take me until Tuesday morning after Seafair to find the race report Hidden on the website’s innocuous results tab! Only after I started huntin’ and peckin’ around their pathetic website! Whilst I still haven’t been able to locate a current National High Points championship points standings tally anywhere on the web, Urgh!

 

Brad (Luce) also asked Walters how driver’s felt after causing their team’s to have to rebuild their boat?  In regards to J. Michael Kelly feeling bad after His narly Blowover at Tri-cities the week prior!

 

Walters mused, Jim (Lucero) would say, “What did you do to it John? It was perfect when it left the dock”.

 

As Lucero won a record 69 races as the Sport’s winningest Crew Chief, including ten APBA Gold cups and eight National High Points championships before retiring in 1998.

 

Luce and Walters salivated over how they expected four boats to be gunning for lane-1 in the finals! And then during the Milling period before the new “Score Up” at 1:15 before the start. Luce said is that the U-1, U-9 and U-91 All together in the south turn? As we’ll keep an eye upon that triumvirate! Before Luce said that Kelly had bailed from the Argie-Bargey before exclaiming that Tate had gone Dead in the water!

 

Kelly got a legal start ahead of the rest of the field before Peabody was battling for the lead on the outside, with the two Beacon Hydros’ going Mano e Mano! With Kelly getting His first W’ of the season and Peabody second, with Tate a dejected fifth! Having never recovered from His dust-up with Peabody before the start…

 

Then the Officials ruled that Peabody had encroached upon Tate during the start and handed Him a one minute time penalty, with Kelly still being the winner. Now followed by Jamie Nilsen in the U-11 Miss Mercurys coffee second. Dave Villwock in the U-27 Miss Apollo third and Tate fourth. With Dustin Echols fifth, the U-35 of Gunnar O’Farrell sixth and Peabody relegated to seventh.

 

Now I’m not suggesting this, but after waiting and waiting, and still Ah-Waitin’ to hear the post race drivers interviews which never happened, Urgh! As I really wanted to hear Tate’s assessment over what happened?

 

My mind sprung to having recently read an old interview with Ron Jones Jr. where He mentions rebuilding the Miss Circus Circus that burned in Hawaii for Steve Woomer as a “Truck” Boat. And whomever was driving it? His sole task was to crash into Mark Evans to prevent Him from winning the National High Points Championship, Youza!

 

And although I’m not implying this happened in Seattle, since I think Peabody was still chasing Tate for the championship at that point; but why do we live in such a conspiracy laden society these days?

 

Especially when one of the Strong Racing Hulls won at Seafair; being J. Michael Kelly’s second win in-a-row. With the Miss Madison Racing website stating that Tate substained damage during said milling period. Which obviously would have been caused by Peabody in the U-9!

 

Yet Andrew Tate and the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate lead the National High Points Championship by 949 points, which represents two first place and nearly fifth place finish in Heat points! With Tate having two wins vs. Peabody and Kelly having one apiece. Making you believe that this triumvirate are the odds-on favourites for winning the Gold Cup this Sunday in San Diego.

 

As I’m firmly rootin’ for my Numero Uno Skipper Andrew Tate to seek His revenge upon Strong Racing at Mission Bay this Sunday. And claiming His second Gold cup victory enroute to His second High Points championship title!

    

IndyCar Flotsam ‘n Jetsom

As How ‘bout that ratings momentum from Up North Eh?

 

Sorry Kiddoes’, no riveting Gateway, Err Wwt Raceway recap here…

 

As I’ve said before, I’ve never been real good at what race teams call Back-timing stories for posting here upon No Fenders Y’all.

 

Case-in-point, I’d been planning on doing an IndyCar points recap from Mid-Ohio thru Toronto to “Drop” upon No fenders prior to what forever will be Gateway for Mwah. Even if it’s now World Wide Technology Raceway. (WWTR) Which presumably will be the first IndyCar race I’ve missed listening to this year.

 

And like Fast Eddie’, aka Ed Carpenter, who rightly was boiling Hot underneath His coolsuit following two brutal days at Iowa! Have to say now a month later, I still Don’t like how IndyCar treats our neighbours Up North Eh!

 

Like Red Headed Stepchildren! Having decided they’re not worthy of getting a Cable TV slot. Since Toronto’s the only race for the past few years shoved onto Peacock streaming exclusively. Even though the powers to be at Comcast and NBC know the ratings are abysmal!

 

Seriously? Like you can’t put Toronto on CNBC? Instead of running countless Shark Tank episodes or other useless Infomercials, Oh Never Mind!

 

And it was really Sad how IndyCar went El Cheapo during their lone trip to the Great White North…

 

As I think IndyCar Radio must have strung a telephone line across the border, Eh? Since when I initially tuned in for Saturday’s Qualie’ session,I couldn’t hear anything at my Confuzer’s normal volume level. Thinking Oh Crap, here we go again Buggers! So like the drivers do ontrack, I rinsed, lathered and repeated. Err logged off and rebooted my computer and tried again…

 

Same annoying result, albeit I could hear the tiniest amount of sound coming out, Eh? As the IndyCar Radio feed via the IndyCar website’s sound level was Horrendous. Having to Jack UP my volume 30+ levels – at 2% increase just in order to be able to barely hear what they were saying; speak up sonny, eh!

 

Won’t belabour the three “Cub” pitlane reporters who sounded like they wouldn’t add up to my advanced age, Hya! Whilst Mattie B’, aka Mathew Brabham did a fine job deputizing for regular driver analyst Davey Hamilton. With Jake “The Riddler” Queiry also being absent Saturday. One of my favourite normal pit reporters Alex Wolf was elevated to Turn-5 duties.

 

As Alex had the best two quips of the weekend. Although the broadcast suddenly suddenly started started repeating repeating everything with two sets of identical words tripping over each other as another technical issue reared it’s ugly head!

 

As Wolf had casually worked in the phrase Trains, Planes and Automobiles when describing unexpecting Theo Pourchaire’s mad scramble “sunny Side Up” adventure of showing up from France an hour before qualifying started to deputize for Alexander Rossi, who’d broken His right thumb during Friday’s practice.

 

Alex also got in another Humdinger when saying cue up the Jaws music as Scott Dixon had gone from 15th place to third and was stalking eventual runner-up Kyle Kirkwood for second place. Even though Kirkwood admitted afterwards that He’d been playing defense and had settled for second with Andretti Global teammate Colton Herta deserving the win…

 

And Sunday’s IndyCar Radio strangled volume level persisted, being even worse as it kept fluctuating the entire race broadcast, Urgh! As I really shouldn’t need to crank up my volume thirty plus levels just in order to hear the broadcast at what’s typically the normal sound level I utilize daily to try not blowing out my eardrums!

 

Thus it was somewhat reassuring to read that I wasn’t the only person affected by this tin cans waxed dental floss technology! Since reportedly there were similar volume issues with the Peacock streaming broadcast. Hmm, I mean talk about your lame duck we Don’t give a Shit philosophy!

 

Meanwhile, I’m really tiring of a fellow IndyCar Blogger’s championing Kevin Lee to become the new “Voice” of IndyCar on FOX TV next year. Since Kevin’s just not a great lead announcer. Especially when He goes into full lather overhyped, painfully manufactured excitement voice. You know when All of today’s announcers think they’ve got to Yell at us to prove something happening is exciting, Spew!

 

Oh yeah, almost forgot, Thar was a race Up North Eh! For those who saw it worldwide, Eh?

 

As I simply Don’t understand why each race somebody’s gotta Punt somebody Offtrack on the first lap!

 

As Toronto saw the first two yellow flags come out during the first six laps. Before things settled down until the end of the race when Pato O’Ward spun all by Himself in Turn-1 leading to a Red flag with six cars Done Torn U-P!

 

Including thee Great Santini, nee Santino Pit Dawg’ Ferrucci going upside down! As two Foyt cars going upside down in a week’s time, Aye Karumba!