MotorCup des Nations Final Group Play Wrap-up

As Thars simply too many Nations to cover in one story!

 

Yes, I promise this is the last of the riveting MotorCup Group play, Honest Folks!

 

Poland

Robert Kubica, (WEC) roman Bilinski, (F2) Tymek Kucharczyk, (NXT) Jakub Smiechowski, (SC) Maciej Gladysz. (F3)

 

Poland was the third strongest Group E Contendah’. After rising Indy NXT Star Tymek Kucharczyk scored three goals against Scotland. Poland was soundly drubbed by the Republic of Ireland, failing to advance.

 

Portugal

Antonio Felix da costa, (FE/SC) Filipe Albuquerque, (IMSA) Manuel Espirito, (IMSA) Miguel Oliveira, (WSBK)

 

Although Portugal did defeat conference rival South Africa fairly easily. They were thoroughly routed by Spain 8-2 in Knockout play!

 

Palestine

Yasser Shahin, (WEC) Sam Shahin. (SC)

 

Learned of Yasser’s involvement in Sports Cars when perusing this year’s 24 Heurs du Mans lineups. Although racing under an Australian license, Yasser and His brother have dual Nationality’s of Australia and Palestine.

 

Faced with the prospect of sitting on Australia’s bench or not getting any playing time at all. Yasser and Sam, who apparently made a name for Himself in the Porsche Carrera Cup and Michelin  Sprint Challenge Down Under’, Mates!

 

The two brothers opted to emulate The Speed Sisters and play for Palestine instead. Although The Speed sisters Documentary aired Wayback’ in 2015. And pretty sure there Ain’t any racing going on in Palestine now. Hell! Who knows if they’re even still alive?

 

Meet the World’s first All Female racing-cars driving team from Occupied Palestine

 

The duo subsequently lost out to Türkiye in Group N play.

 

Turkey

Toprak Razgatlioglu, (MGP) Ayhancan Guven, (SC) Salih Yoluc. (IMSA)

 

Only learned of Bad Arse multi-World superbike champion Razgatlioglu Who’s contesting His rookie MotoGP campaign. And Yoluc, who raced for Team turkey this year at Circuit de la Sarthe.

 

Yet after defeating Palestine, they were knocked out of tournament play by eventual Group J winner’s Qatar.

 

Qatar

Nasser Al-Attiyah (WRR) Abdulla Al-Khalaifi, (ELMS) Ibrahim Al-Abdulghani, (GTWC) Ghanim Al-Maadheed,.(GTWC)

 

55-year old Nasser Al-Attiyah is Qatar’s most famous racing driver. Having won the prestigious DAKAR Rally six times overall in the “Cars” category, including this year’s rally. Whilst Abdulla Al-Khalaifi made His debut in this year’s 24 Heurs du Mans for Team Qatar by Iron Lynx.

 

Having twice as many players vs. rival Group J’s United Arab Emirates, Qatar won it’s first MotorCup match before eventually being knocked out by Circus Maximus’s Orange Army!

 

United Arab Emirates

Keanu Al Azhari, (E3) Adam Al Azhari. (UAE4)

 

Otay, I’ll admit this one’s a stretch, as I wasn’t expecting to find anyone here, since Ed Jones has long since departed IndyCar. Just discovered the Al Azhar brothers being “coached” by Pops’ Karim, a multi-times Karting champion.

 

Also just learned that older brother Keanu became an Alpine Academy member in 2025.

 

Whilst Mohammed Ben Sulayen was heard telling FIFA Boss Gianni Van token He was the most important person in Dubai…

 

South Africa

Sheldon van der Linde, (SC) Kelvin van der Linde, (DTM) Brad Binder, (MGP) Darryn Binder. (MASS)

 

With the Binder brothers bickering over who should get the ball most. The Van der Linde Bros’ whinging over having to play defense. And Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira knowing the Binder’s tendencies from His MotoGP days. They were easy pickings for Portugal, who stopped them advancing out of Group N.

 

Thailand

Alex Albon, (F1) Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, (F2) Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, (F3) Carl Bennett. (IMSA)

 

Thailand may have the stairway to F1 covered, and routed Indonesia in early Group play. But New Zealand’s Scotty the “Iceman 2.0” Dixon and Co. were simply too strong for Albon and His Mates!

 

South Korea

Jack Aitken, (SC) Michael Shin. (F3)

 

Yeah, well aware that Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken races under a United Kingdom license. But racer’s want to race. And being relegated to riding England’s bench, Jack decided to honour His Mum’ by playing for South Korea instead.

 

Although Jack and the totally unheard of Michael Shin got onto the pitch, they were totally outgunned by Japan in Group K play…

 

For a list of all Racing Series abbreviations, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

MotorCup syllabus 

MotorCup des Nations Final Group Rounds

As in for a Penny, in for a Pound, Eh?

 

Yeah, we’re finally into our final Group matches, before we can start knocking off my mythical Sweet 16 Contendahs’…

 

Sweden

Starting lineup

LFW: Rasmus Lindh, (IMSA) RFW: Dino Deganovic, (F2) LMF: Alexander West, (WEC CMF:  Felix Rosenqvist, (ICS) RMF: Oliver Solberg, (WRC LFB: Joel Eriksson, (FE) CBK: Marcus Ericsson, (ICS) RFB: Henrik Hedman, (IMSA) GLK: Stefan Johansson.

 

Coach: Kenny Brack

Captain: Felix Rosenqvist

 

Chatter

Coach Brack hopes to use the news that Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) was leaving the squad after this year’s MotorCup tournament as motivation to win. While Marcus Ericsson also doesn’t know if He’ll return for another go or not?

 

Being one man down to Switzerland. Original Goalkeeper Bjorn Wirdheim suddenly contracted Chicken Pox and couldn’t travel to Seattle.

 

Yet fortunately ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson was in the Emerald City selling some of His custom watches to Nordstroms and agreed to help out His ‘Ol IndyCar Sparin’ pardner Brack…

 

Switzerland

Starting lineup

LFW: Louis Deletraz, (IMSA) RFW: Gregorre Saucy, (IMSA)

LMF: Thomas Flohr, (WEC) CMF: Sebastien Buemi, (WEC/FE) RMF: Ricardo Feller, (IMSA)

LFB: Edoardo Mortara, (FE) CBK: Nico Muller, (FE) RFB: Mathias Beche, (IMSA) GLK: Philip Ellis. (IMSA)

 

Coach: Pedar Solberg

Captain: Sebastien Buemi

 

Chatter

Looking for a coach for their shorthanded team, Oliver convinced His Pops’ to help them out.

 

Match report

The Rainbow Cup game was held at Seattle’s Loomin’ large Field, with Brown & Haley’s Confectionary Ambassador, and beloved Emerald City Seahawks Marshan Lynch as the ceremonial coin tosser. Lync was heard telling the Captains this Ain’t football! As we wore pads and a helmet during my playing days! Before rowdy Seattle Fans showered the field with Skittles…

 

Sweden’s Dino Deganovic passed to Rasmus Lindh and the game started. Lindh tapped back to Felix-the-Cat’ and the trio trotted down field before Dino drilled a shot into the right upper corner over Switzerland’s Phillip Ellis.

 

Halftime saw the game One-Nil in Sweden’s favour, before Louie Deletraz equalized the score with a shot curling past Stefan Johansson. Then late in the match, an exhausted Marcus Ericsson elbowed Gregorre Saucy outside the 18 yard line, resulting in a free kick. Which Deletraz stepped-up and rifled a arching kick past Sweden’s wall and a flat-footed Johansson for the game winner.

 

Although Switzerland prevailed over Sweden, they were promptly defeated by Germany in Knockout elimination.

 

Argentina

Franco Colapinto, (F1) Nico Varrone, (F2) Alessandro de Tullio, (NXT) Mattia Colnaghi, (F3) Jose Maria Lopez, (WEC)

 

Argentina was knocked out of Group B, losing to Brazil. Alessandro de Tullio with His seven goals led the Golden Boot trophy prior to their elimination.

 

Finland

Valtteri Bottas, (F1) Tuukka Taponen, (F3) Esapekka Lappi, (WRC) Enni Malkonen, (WRC) Sami Pajari, (WRC) Marko Salminen, (WRC)

 

Even though their players are used to racing on tarmac, their core group of Ralliers’ were used to the cold climes of Home. And along with their Captain Valtteri Bottas being long in-the-tooth. They were simply overwhelmed by Denmark in Group G play, being eliminated.

 

Norway

Dennis Hauger, (ICS) Dennis Olsen, (IMSA)

 

The “tiny” nation of Norway didn’t even make it onto the pitch! As they could only muster two drivers and were thoroughly shellacked in a “Friendly” tune-up with Finland!

 

Positions Key

LFW: Lef Forward, RFW: Right Forward, LMF: Left Midfielder, CMF: Center Midfielder, RMF: Right Midfielder, LFB: Left Fullback, CBK: Center Back, RFB: Right Fullback, GLK: Goalkeeper.

 

For a list of all Racing Series abbreviations, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

MotorCup syllabus 

MotorCup des Nations – Missing Groups

As it’s All Rock ‘n Roll to me…

 

For those of you still following along? Yesseree Uncle Albert, Err bob, Oh Never Mind! I’m getting closer to the chase, Uhm, my riveting Knockout Follies.

 

Although some of you Hardcore “Stick ‘n Ball” Fans will have noticed I only had 40 teams from my 52 Nations, and this year’s World Cup has swelled to 48 Countries playing in the tournament.

 

So here’s my two missing brackets, which I’ve internally tabbed as the M&M Divisions. Since “Sometimes You Feel like a Nut. Sometimes You don’t”, Hya!

 

Lost Brackets

 

Group M              Group N

Alpine Conference  Mediterranean Conference

Bulgaria                      Angola

Liechtenstein              Portugal

Sweden                       South Africa

Switzerland                 Sri Lanka

 

While I’ll confess, I just wanted a reason to reference Liechtenstein, Hya! With no disrespect to Mattias Kaiser. (ALMS)

 

Bulgari’s Nikola  Tsolov (F2) won the con toss vs. Romania’s Razvan Umbrarescu. (WEC)

 

As the Red Bull Junior Driver is apparently being linked to graduating to Formula 1 at Racing Bulls next year at Liam Lawson’s expense…

 

Angola’s Rui Andrade (WEC)  and Sri Lanka’s Yevan David (F3) played to a Nil-Nil draw.

 

Failed to Qualify (DNQ)

Along with Liechtenstein and Romania, Hong Kong’s Antares Au (WEC)  Also failed to qualify. Whilst Estonia’s Tonis Kasenets, (IMSA) Juri vips, (IMSA) Ralf Aron, (IMSA) Paul Aron (F1 also failed to advance.

 

As Kasenets had planned to show up for the selection tourney in Daytona, but couldn’t get His Visa worked out and had to pull the plug on their entry. As the Aron brothers looked on in amused indifference, while Juri Vips was left High ‘N Dry again! As Estonia didn’t even make it off the “Cutting Room’s” floor…

 

And with that, I should have successfully cobbled together 48 of the 52 Nations with current racing drivers participating in motorsports to begin the tourney’.

 

For a list of all Racing Series abbreviations, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

MotorCup syllabus 

No fenders MotorCup des Nations

Although it’s a different type of racing…

 

Initially, I wasn’t planning on paying any Attenzione to this year’s World Cup, especially with the FIFA and it’s president Gianni Van token pandering to the West. Allowing my Host Nation to subjugate one Foreign country to what was colloquially known as Sundown law. Having to “High-tail” back across the border nightly! Where Mexico has graciously set up facilities in Tijuana to host said Nation.

 

Iran and Egypt will see Rainbow Flags at World Cup Match

 

Yet after being asked a third time if I was watching any World cup Football, and having heard Marshall Pruett briefly discuss his participation in a World Cup liveries story on His The Week in IndyCar podcasts. The flame was lit, sparking me down this long, deep and dark Wabbit’ Hole for my own Motorcup des Nations.

 

And like many stories here upon Nofendersville, it kept growing and growing. Initially searching for Open Wheel Racing drivers competing in the top major categories, i.e.; Formula 1 and IndyCar. Before reviewing FIA Formula 2, Indy NXT and Formula 3, plus Formula E.

 

Casting my net further, I then ended up reviewing both the IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship. And if that wasn’t enough, I also considered MotoGP and the World Rally Championship. Along with knowing a few European Le Mans Series drivers before finally briefly perusing the Asian Le Mans Series, Aye Karumba!

 

Whilst I also knew about one prominent “World Rally Raid” multi-times DAKAR Champion before briefly examining the unknown UAE single seater landscape…

 

Naturally this extensive search led me to coming up with 52 nations before calling Quits! All with driver currently competing in various motorsports categories, Crikeys!

 

Having intended to only include 32 Nations, but as you’ll “See” below, I’m not a very good counter, Hya! And got carried away as always…

 

Whilst like many Yanks’, your humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso is Geographically Challenged, in case some of the following brackets don’t make sense. Since after all this is just my zany attempt at some Hippopotamus Err Hypothetical Football matches to join in the World Cup fever sweeping the globe.

 

Bracketology’

 

Group A                        Group B                                 Group C

Americanas Conference                 Latin America Conference  Islands Conference

Canada                                   Argentina                                           Barbados

Mexico                                    Brazil                                       Cayman Islands

Paraguay                                 Chile                                        Costa Rica

United States                          Columbia                                Greece

 

Group D                        Group E

Bavarian Conference          Luxemburg Conference

Andorra                                  Belgium

Austria                                    Poland

Netherlands                            Republic of Ireland

Spain                                       Scotland

 

Group F                        Group G              Group H

Europa Conference             Nordic Conference  Oceania Conference

England                                  Denmark                     Australia

France                                     Finland                        Indonesia

Germany                                 Sweden                       New Zealand

Italy                                         Switzerland                 Thailand

 

Group J                         Group K

Middle East Conference     Asian Conference

Palestine                                 China

Qatar                                       Japan

Turkey                                     Singapore

United Arab Emirates             South Korea

 

My “wacky” concept was to “See” how many of these 52 countries I could build 11 Man roster, after finding at least one driver racing currently somewhere around the globe.

 

Yet obviously not all nations have enough established “Name” drivers or racers in general to participate. So sit back and let’s find out who makes it to the MotorCup Final, and who stumbles along the way.

 

Or as ‘Ol Derek Daly would say, “Hang onto Your Hollyhocks!” 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up – Americana’s

With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to New York, and in-between…

 

Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.

 

Michel Jourdain Jr.

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results

Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps

Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a teenager.

 

Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL)  debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel contested as a 19 year old rookie.

 

Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.

 

Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.

 

In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten finishers, and tenth overall.

 

2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year, claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.

 

Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment, finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.

 

For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.

 

Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia being His best result.

 

Joe Gosek

Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps

Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York, racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with Liberty Racing in 1998.

 

Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe” for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.

 

Racin Gardner

Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps

According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?

 

Born in Buellton, California, where His father owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson…

 

The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed 500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!

 

Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.

 

Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph! Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.

 

Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.

 

Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL races, before running into funding issues.

 

St. James would then race for Zunne Group Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.

 

Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.

 

Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the “Sunshine State”.

 

VIDEO: All IndyCar’s Racin Gardner Bio 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up

As where did thirty years go?

 

Yeah, your Humble, yet Haggard No Fenders scribe Tomaso has gone down another deep, dark Wabbit’ Hole. Ostensibly due to it being the Month ‘O May and traipsing down memory lane thirty years after that Oh, so controversial 1996 Indianapolis 500.

 

As I thought I’d take a “Deeper Dive” into the drivers who comprised Team scandia’s record seven Indy 500 entries that year.

 

Ten years later, Uhm what’s that ‘Ol Pink Floyd song Time about, Eh?

 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon

 

Eliseo Salazar

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results)

Car No. 8, Start: 3rd, Finish: 6th; Accident, 197-laps

Eliseo Salazar raced in formula 1 between 1981-83, for March, Ensign, ATF and RAM Racing. He scored a total of three points, with sixth in the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix. And a career best fifth in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.

 

Yet Salazar’s moment of fame came in the 1982 German Grand Prix after having collided with the overtaking leader Nelson Piquet, with Piquet punching and kicking Him afterwards!

 

Salazar joined Dick Simon Racing for the 1995 CART PPG IndyCar World Series and finished fourth as a rookie in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Salazar remained with Simon as they transitioned to the Indy Racing League, (IRL) driving for the new Team scandia for two years. With Eliseo scoring the team’s only IRL victory at the Loas Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.

 

Salazar would remain in the IRL through the 2002 season, with a career best third place finish for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2000 Indy 500. Before a serious accident testing at IMS caused Eliseo to decide to retire from IndyCar racing.

 

Alessandro Zampedri

Car No. 8, Start: 7th, Finish: 4th; Accident, 199-laps

Alessandro Zampedri made His IndyCar debut for Euromotorsports at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1994, after having raced in the International Formula 3000 championship; pre-cursor to today’s Formula 2 series.

 

For 1995, He drove for Payton/Coyne Racing, before joining Team Scandia in 1996 for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Alessandro was involved in a major accident at the race’s end, being caught-up  in a wreck involving Roberto Moreno and Team Scandia teammate Eliseo Salazar.

 

Zampedri’s car went airbourne and struck the catch fencing! With Zampedri needing to have part of His left foot and three toes amputated.

 

Zampedri returned for the 1997 Indy 500 with Team Scandia. But an oil leak led to engine failure on the formation lap, with the Italian classified 35th and last with 0 laps.

 

Zampedri made one further IRL start for Team Scandia at the following Texas Motor Speedway round, before returning to Europe. Eventually becoming the 2005 Porsche Supercup champion, the first Italian to win the championship.

 

Michele Alboreto

Car No. 33, Start: 12th, Finish: 30th; Gearbox, 43-laps

The most decorated of Team Scandia’s seven man band. Michele Alboreto rose thru the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsports, entering Formula 1 in 1981.

 

The Italian began His F1 career driving for Tyrrell for 1981-83, before moving to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari between 1984-88. Followed by stint at Larrousse, Arrows, footwork, Scuderia Italia and Minardi. Amassing a total of 185 F1 starts between 1981-94; with five wins, two poles, 23 podiums and five fastest laps to His credit.

 

He scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the oft, maligned and forgotten Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1982.

 

Alboreto holds the distinction of winning the last Ford Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated DFV derived victories. Winning then Cosworth’s 156th victory at Detroit with a short stroke DFY development lump’. Being the sport’s final normally aspirated victory until their return in 1989.

 

Having won twice for “Uncle chopper”, (Ken Tyrrell) Michele’s crowing achievement in Formula 1 was driving for Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari for five seasons and 80 Grands Prix. Netting a further three wins and contesting the 1985 F1 title, before finishing runner-up to Alain Prost. With the Frenchman replacing Him for the 1989 season.

 

Michele made His return to Open Wheel Racing when contesting the entire 1996 IRL season driving for Team Scandia,  finishing fourth upon debut at Walt Disney Speedway.

 

Also competing aboard Scandia Engineering’s Ferrari 333 SP in that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Alboreto claimed His sole podium finish in the IRL for Team scandia at Loudon, New Hampshire Speedway’s fall ’96 race. Finishing third, then capped His Team Scandia career with a fifth place finish at Las Vegas’s 1996-97 Round 2.

 

Michele dabbled in DTM and Touring cars, along with multiple stints in Sports Cars pre and post Formula 1. With the Italian returning to Circuit de la Sarthe between 1996-2000.

 

Alboreto won the 1997 24 Heurs du Mans in the Joest Porsche WSC95 Spyder, alongside ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson and Mr. Le Mans, ergo tom Kristensen.

 

Sadly, Alboreto lost His life in a testing accident at the diabolical Lausitzring, driving an Audi R8. Having somehow forgotten that Alboreto died on April 25, 2001 at the same track that almost cost Alex Zanardi His life nearly five months later…

 

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 Ace, Le Mans winner and a Good Man

 

 

 

 

 

Fermin Velez

Car No. 34, Start: 28th, Finish: 21^st; Engine Fire, 107-laps

Fermin Velez is another driver I know very little about, or how the Spaniard rose to be a premiere Sports Car racer. Other than knowing of His two wins for Team Scandia at the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring. Having a  framed 1995 Randy Owens serigraph with Velez’s, Eric van de Poele and Andy Evan “John Hancock’s” upon thoust Bungalow’s wall.

 

Velez was also a two-times World Sports Car Group C2 champion, and made six starts in the 24 Heurs du Mans between 1986 and 1998. Claiming two class wins, first in 1987 in Group C2 for Spice Engineering. And then in 1998 in LMP1. Driving for Doyle-Risi Racing alongside Wayne Taylor and Eric van d Poele in a Ferrari 333 SP.

 

Having spent one season in the International Formula 3000 series, with less than promising results in 1988, I can only Arse-sume this led to Fermin focusing upon a Sports Car career…

 

Fermin made His Indy Racing League debut at Phoenix International Raceway during the inaugural IRL season, finishing 19th for Team Scandia, presumably a “tune-up” for the impending Indianapolis 500.

 

Velez would make another four starts for Team Scandia during the IRL’s second 1996-97 season, including His best result at the Brickyard, finishing tenth. And then capping His IRL career at the following Texas Motor Speedway round in 25th .

 

Sadly, Fermin died from cancer at the age of 43, just shy of His 44th birthday. 

INDY 500: Will there ever be another Team Scandia entry?

The quick answer is No! But then you cannot collect your $200 for passing go…

 

“Don't believe in the 60's
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up”

 

“I, I, believe in love”

 

VIDEO: God Part II

 

Not sure why I’ve become so fixated upon the year 1996 this May. Other than I suppose, because Alex Palou once again slicing His way to another IndyCar championship, and the future’s drying up…

 

Thirty years ago, Andy Evans entered the most IndyCar’s in the Post-war era with a whopping seven drivers! Having bought Dick Simon Racing over the winter of 1995.

 

And I found it Uber ironic that I just learned this May, that Dick Simon was born in Seattle, WA, my former Hometown.

 

Being the first year of The Split and Tony George’s Indy Racing League. (IRL) Allowing for old CART “rolling stock” to be utilized, due to the new “lower” cost IRL normally aspirated machinery not ready. I’d Arse-sume this left plenty of “cheap” racecars available that year…

 

Team Scandia (7)

Tyres: Goodyear

 

Chassis: Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#7) Eliseo Salazar, Chile

#8) Alessandro Zampedri, Italy

#22) R-Michele Jourdain, Jr, Mexico

#34) R-Fermin Velez, Spain

 

Chassis: Reynard 95i/Ford-Cosworth XB

#33) R-Michele Alboreto, Italy

 

Chassis: Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#43) R-Joe Gosek, USA

#90) R-Raccin Gardner, USA

 

As what’s that overused cliché about the perfect storm, Eh? Having first scribbled labourisly about this topic on No Fenders Wayback in gory 2015, albeit having first asked Mike Yippee-Aye-eh! King in 2009, Aye Karumba!

 

INDY 500: Multiple entries in Vogue

 

The following year, (1997) Team Scandia “slimmed” down to a five car effort. Which would be the last team to enter five cars in the Indianapolis 500 for nearly the next decade.

 

With Mikey A’ coming out of retirement in order to race with His son Marco, Andretti Green Racing (AGR) enter five Dallara IR-05 Honda powered chassis for the 2006 Indianapolis 500. With Marco finishing a disappointed runner-up to Sam Hornish Jr, with the consolation of being named Rookie Of the Year.

 

Michael Andretti made His final Indy 500 start in 2007, seeing AGR remain at five entries, with the big news being the arrival of Danica Patrick as Brian Herta’s replacement.

 

AGR reverted to four entries the following two years, with Micheal Andretti taking sole control of the team over the winter of 2009 and renaming it Andretti Autosport.

 

For 2010, Andretti Autosport added a fifth Dallara/Honda entry for Gentleman John Andretti driving the famed No. 43 in collabouration with The King, Richard Petty.

 

Five cars would be the norm for Andretti between 2010-2016 in various guises, before bulking up to six entries with the arrival of some smarmy Spaniard in 2017.

 

INDY 500: Andretti Six Pack

 

Andretti continued its six car armada’s thru 2021, with the exception of running only five cars in 2019.

 

Then for 2022, Andretti reverted to only having five cars at Mother Speedway, yet was joined by Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) also having five entries. Thus seeing these two powerhouse teams comprise nearly one third of the grid!

 

2023 saw Andretti as the sole five car entry, with CGR reverting to four. Before 2024 saw the two teams playing role reversals. With Andretti slimming down to its current day four car entry. Whilst Ganassi reverted to five cars. Before IndyCar enacted its nebulous Charter system, enroute to becoming a closed shop for 2027.

 

Thus I’m guessing the days of playing five card Monty at Mother Speedway’s over, and we’ll now only see four car “Super-teams” in the future.

 

Whilst now pondering if Andretti Global simply wouldn’t give up its fourth Honda engine this May for fear of not getting it back next year? Although I think everyone would have preferred having Bumping, even if just for one entry.

 

Partial song lyrics from: U2’s God Part II, 1988 Rattle and Hum Album.