Road America Rampage

As many drivers were singing “don’t Fence me In!” over the weekend…

 

Nope, the water’s fine at Elkhart Lake! Y’all can go in as No Algae Blooms to worry ‘bout. Or simply Hang out on the shore, have a picnic and take picture of our scenic Lake. As Thars Nothin’ for Barney Fife to arrest anybody over, ‘cept littering…

 

Having gorged Thyself over the Road America weekend, listening to Friday’s IndyCar practice session. Saturday’s first Indy NXT race and IndyCar Qualie’. And lastly Sunday’s second Indy NXT race plus the IndyCar finale. (race)

 

Including my favourite portion of IndyCar Radio’s pre-race, when they talk to an abundance of IndyCar drivers. Obviously I got my fill of Open Wheel Racing!

 

Thus, I’m still not sure which series race’s were more wild, i.e.; Indy NXT or IndyCar?

 

As I loved the comment from Mark Gravelly’ James about Alex Palou having fun over the abundance of Anybody But Palou signage. With Palou going up to one RV Camper and signing their banner!

 

Whilst James also casually noted that Josef Schlick’ Newgarden hadn’t won on a Twisties’ circuit, i.e.; road course or street circuit in four years! His las win being at Long Beach, 2022.

 

Saturday’s Indy NXT race opening laps were quite chaotic. With Enzo Fittipaldi braking too late and slamming into one of the Max’s, think it was Garcia? Or more likely Taylor. Resulting in a broken nose and finishing a lowly P22!

 

But the most bizarre moment of the first eight of ten laps run under caution was Jordan Missing’s incident. When He simply followed whomever He was trying to pass offtrack, careening thru the gravel-trap and slamming hard into the concrete retaining barrier! As Davey Hamilton said it looks like He just followed so ‘n so offtrack!

 

Lochie Hughes who’d had a impressive start, drafted polesitter and leader Alessandro de Tulio down the front straight on a restart and swept past on the outside into Turn-2? Effectively never giving up the lead, giving Andretti Global it’s 100th Indy Lights victory.

 

Josh Pierson, Hughes teammate made a masterful pass at Canada corner on the final lap to take second away from de Tullio, who came home a dejected third. Whilst Hughes definitely needed the win to hopefully get His season pointed the right direction.

 

Yet what’s that ‘Ol ABC Wide World of Sports slogan? Oh yeah, “The Thrill of victory and Agony of Defeat!” As Pierson collided with Hughes at the start of Race 2! With Lochie eventually finishing P20, two laps behind, Youch!

 

But without doubt the star of the show was Tymek Kucharczyk who started a lowly P16, before Steadily working forwards. As the Polish rookie made 20 on-track passes for positions!

 

Tend to recall Kucharczyk battling points leader Nikita Johnson for third. With Johnson playin’ Argey Bargey’ and shoving Kucharczyk wide, dropping down to seventh. Yet Kucharczyk who set fastest lap and had the fastest car in traffic repassed Johnson for third place and made it stick second time around!

 

As de Tullio held off both Matteo Nannini and Kucharczyk for the win at Elkhart Lake on a Green-White “Chequers or Wreckers” one lap shootout finish. With de Tullio winning His second race of the year…

 

Then tuned back in for My favourite portion of IndyCar Radio’s pre-race coverage at start of broadcast, when they talk to various drivers.

 

For example, talking briefly to 13 of the 25 IndyCar drivers before/during Driver introductions is always cool! With

Alex Wolff asking ScottyMac’ if He can channel some of His World Champion NY Knicks Mojo’, with McLaughlin saying I knew you were gonna bring that up, Mate!

 

Although the drivers don’t give anything away, I do enjoy how they all seem to answer the questions straightforward. And it interesting listening to the new guard vs. elder statesmen, i.e.; Rasmussen, Armstrong, Lundgaard, Siegel vs. DJ WillyP”, (Power) and Scotty thee “Iceman 2.0” Dixon. Along with Felix-the-Cat’, (Rosenqvist) “the Surgeon, (Palou) etc.

 

Next during the pre-race build-up, Nicky Salt’ Yeoman broke in with the news that both A. J. Foyt Enterprises Indy NXT cars had been disqualified for inadvertently mounting the two cars qualifying tyres on the wrong racecars. Thus seeing Alessandro de Tullio stripped of His victory! With Matteo Nannini becoming the winner, Tymek Kucharczyk second and Nikita Jhonson third. As don’t think I’ve ever heard of that before.

 

And we all know the outcome of the IndyCar race, when Christian Lundgaard went from last on lap-1 with a cut tyre, to first on the podium. With Marcus Armstrong being robbed of a deserved maiden IndyCar victory after leading 14 laps at races end!

 

As Lundgaard said on His cooldown lap, How did We do that!

 

And when’s the last time Palou forgot to engage the pitlane speed limiter in the pits? Although as Mark James and Davey Hamilton said in mock surprise; a yellow comes out and Palou’s sniffing roses again…

 

As Palou’s bad day at the office turned out to be a fifth place finish, sigh! Although I’m getting a bit tired of the Spaniard’s bowling ball tactics with Nolan Siegel, who seems to be a spare pin in the way of a strike!

 

Yet my heart goes out for Marcus Armstrong who was cruelly denied a maiden IndyCar W’ when reportedly His Honda engine gave up the Ghost with three laps remaining.

 

Now, I’m not saying it was this, or putting my tin hat on that I keep on a peg on the basement’s door but…

 

I turned off the IndyCar Radio broadcast saying I certainly hope for Honda and IndyCar’s sake that wasn’t a Hybrid failure…

 

Notice that Honda HRC U.S. Boss Daid Salter issued a public apology to Armstrong and Meyer Shank Racing. But why hasn’t Honda disclosed what it was?

 

As Chevrolet has ben quick to divulge their valvetrain supplied parts for their numerous engine failures, but Honda’s “Keeping Clam”, Oh Never Mind!

 

As suppose this will all be academic now that we’ve just raced at Mid-Ohio. 

F1: Dawning of the Latest Era begins

Although behind Closed Doors…

 

Testing

Jan 26-30: Private test at Circuit de Barcelona

Feb 11-13: First “Open” Test at Bahrain International Circuit

Feb 18-20: Bahrain Final Test

 

2026 Formula 1 Pre-season testing has begun this week in earnest, with the commencing of a five-day private test for all 11 F1 Teams at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya. With teams permitted to run any three days of the five.

Whilst I don’t know how much information we’ll receive, or how much results will truly resonate with the season kicking off Down Under at Melbourne on March 8th.

 

Thus, following the conclusion of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, I immediately began wondering about the intricacies of the much ballyhooed 2026 F1 regulation changes, before I settled in for my long winter’s nap…

 

Each team was allowed to run one “Mule” chassis with a lead driver at the post Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test, along with the requisite “Youngster” driving the 2025 chassis, held on Tuesday, December 9th.

 

Although several teams split the day between their current two drivers aboard the 2026 Mule chassis.

 

While I knew that the chassis would be smaller, lighter and “nimbler”. With increased electrification and smaller Pirelli tyres.

Erroneously, multiple websites reported that wheels rim sizes would “shrink” from 18-inches down to 16-inch diameter, Say What?

 

As let’s delve into these “Lean, Mean, Fighting Machines”…

 

First off, the wheel rim size will continue to be 18 inches with reduced size, “Skinnier” revised Pirelli compound range rubber, designed to give bigger compound separation.

 

F1 2025 Post Abu Dhabi test: Pirelli’s first major run with 2026 tyres

 

The new Power Units or PU’s will still utilize the existing 1.6-litre single turbocharger configuration introduced in 2014. But the Internal Combustion Engine )ICE) will be “Detuned” from a maximum 850bhp to 540bhp, running on 100% sustainable Fuel.

 

But it’s the electrical energy side that gets “Charged” up! As the Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H) is deleted entirely, while the Motor Generator Unit – kinetic

 (MGU-K) increases significantly. With the MGU-K’s power increasing to 470bhp from 150bhp, tripling power-wise. With a total power output o 1,010bhp on tap.

 

According to Formula1.com, the chassis wheelbase length shrinks by 200mm to 3400mm, the size of your reusable “Drinks” bottle. Width reduces 100mm to 1900mm, the size of a chocolate bar, albeit Arse-sumedly these are European sizes. So don’t know how they differ Stateside?

 

Minimum chassis weight decreases by 30kg to 768kg, along with new moveable front/rear aerodynamics. Most notably the removal of the DRS. (Drag Reduction System)

 

Yet what I found most frustrating was the lack of current information preceding the first official closed door test. Since as of Boxing Day, (Dec 26th) everything I could find was from June, 2024, WTF!

 

Since along with the racecar’s smaller size, the biggest change occurs with the new Active Aerodynamics, which feature moveable front and rear wings. Which I don’t know if we’ll still be using the initial “Z-mode”, or Zed mode )Zulu) cornering high Downforce, wings closed configuration. And “X-mode” (X-Ray) straight-line low Drag wings opened configuration designations during racing this season? As both front and rear wings are dramatically different.

 

Z-mode and X-mode Active Aerodynamics explained

 

While more importantly, the full Ground Effects era is discontinued. With a partial flat floor section returning. With a larger diffuser with larger openings, and a overall higher minimum ride height mandated. Which should hopefully cure the undesired and dreadful porpoising effects we’ve previously encountered.

 

Overall Downforce is reduced by 15%, with lap times expected to be two seconds slower. Although as typical, Engineers will claw back these decreases, which normally occurs over a regulation “life cycle”.

 

 Yet probably the hardest part to get used to will be the use of the new terminology of Overtake, Boost and Recovery modes.

 

Recovery’s the most obvious, meaning the car is “Harvesting” or recharging its electrical system.

 

Boost mode is when the stored electrical energy is deployed for either offensive or defensive “Driving” modes.

 

While Overtake mode is when a driver can “manually” enact the Boost mode provided they’re within one second of the leading car for “Attacking” the driver ahead…

 

As here’s a pretty good “primer” short video covering all of the complex 2026 F1 regulation changes.

 

VIDEO: Everything You need to Know about the F1 2026 Regulations 

The Andretti “Curse” Rolls On?

Who says the Andretti’s have a lock upon victory curses, Eh?

 

As everyone in Ye blogosphere is currently lamenting the retirement of Marco Andretti ending the family’s legacy at Mother speedway, my mind was elsewhere…

 

Nope, I didn’t “watch” the whole G-Damn race, But! I did tune-in at the start and pitter-pattered about until some 30-plus laps to go in Stage 2. Up until A.J. Allmendinger smacked the Wall! Reportedly His second hard crash of the weekend.

 

As its still weird to Mwah hearing Leigh Diffey’s voice calling NASCAR races. Tuning into the Playoffs finale, where I could only stomach so much of Jeff Burton’s nasually, ear splitting reed tonal voice! Switching over to “watching”, Err listening to The Sting on Turner Classic Movies instead…

 

As I’d say the irony of The Sting wasn’t lost on Mwah some 24 hours later!

 

Whilst I suppose due to my deteriorating eyesight, having “seen” the movie many times before. I instantly recognized Spicoli’s favourite High School teacher Mr. Hand’s voice. With Ray Walston playing J.J. Singleton, which I’d never noticed before, but I digress…

 

When I left the broadcast, Denny Hamlin was still out front by some three seconds and had led an astounding 157-laps!

 

Thus you could imagine my surprise to learn Monday morning that Hamlin, who led a race leading 208-laps and was leading by three seconds with three laps remaining, came up short! Err was visited by the Ghost of the Andretti’s…

 

As Kyle Larson finished third and Hamlin P6 on the Rucky Dawgs’ Checkers or Wreckers race restart. Courtesy of Larson’s Hendrick’s teammate, and fellow Championship Contendah’ William Byron, who blew one of Goodyear’s new, softer tyres, CoInky-dense?

 

Hamlin won six races this year vs. Larson’s three. With Larson having been winless since May, albeit notching some 18 Top-5’s and 22 Top-10’s, but still, not winning since May, say what?

 

As Hamlin said if you can’t win this one, He doesn’t know how you’re gonna win one, i.e.; Championship that is. As Hamlin, age 44 was trying to win His first title in 20yrs, not to mention reportedly His father is dying…

 

But seriously? Why did NASCAR let Goodyear bring brand new softer rubber to the Championship deciding race in The Valley of the Sun?

 

As I’m pretty sure that Hamlin takes little solace over having won His 60th NASCAR Cup race this season. Tying Him for 10th overall with Kevin Harvick. And just three wins behind Rowdy Holmes’, err Kyle Busch. Whilst the late Intimidator’, Err ‘Ol Ironhead’,

 

nee Dale Earnhardt ranked 8th overall, has 76 wins… 

Singing in the Rain at Silverstone

Which obviously they’re doing now daily in Jolly ‘Ol England…

 

Perusing Daily Sports Car prior to this year’s Battle on The Bricks. I ran across the article noting how 110,000 raving mad for motor racing spectators attended this year’s Four Hours of Silverstone European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race, Aye Karumba!

 

Can Y’all imagine that many spectators showing up for IMSA’s six hours Battle on The Bricks race? Not to mention that ELMS doesn’t even feature the Crème de la Crème FIA Hypercar category.

 

The field was comprised of some 44 entries. With 13 LMP2, 8 LMP2 Pro-Am, 10 LMP3 and 13 LMGT3 participants.

 

As it was great to read that the No. 18 IDEC Sport, the Genesis Magma Racing co-entry of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert  and Daniel Juncadella won the race. Being their third win of the season. Having claimed W’s at Barcelona and Paul Ricard previously.

 

The race was held in somewhat wretched conditions, first being delayed an hour due to inclement weather. And then a further 48 minutes due to two Red Flag periods for incidents.

 

Juncadella held off Tom Dillmann in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry during the final pitstop exchange. After Nick Yelloly who’d led much of the race, had a spin when staying on dry rubber too long! While IDEC Sport made the switch to wet weather tyres correctly…

 

As the rain intensified, Pietro Fittipaldi brought the No. 10 Vector Sport home third. While the Seester’ #28 IDEC Sport was fourth, and Theo Pourchaire brought His #25 Algarve Pro entry home in fifth.

 

The Wet ‘n Wooly track conditions played havoc with many competitors, including the LMP2 pole sitter No. 48 VDS Panis Racing entry, who were forced to serve a costly Stop ‘n Go penalty for entering a closed pit. This caused them to ultimately finish eighth and see their points lead shrink from 21 markers to just six ahead of the No. 18 IDEC Sport entry. With the #43 just one further point behind, with just the season finale at Portugal remaining.

 

For which I’ll miss the Four Hours of Portimao’s outcome, having occurred this past Saturday, October 18th, but am rootin’ for the No. 18 to pull off an upset…

 

The LMP2 Pro-Am class had its lead shuffled too. When the leading AO by TF No. 99 entry of Louie’ Deletraz was handed a five second time penalty. Seeing them drop to second place behind the No. 20 Algarve Pro Racing entry.

 

Yes, that’s the same No. 99 Spike the Dragon IMSA LMP2 entry featuring Dane Cameron, Louis Deletraz and team owner P.J. Hyett, who’s the Amateur driver…

 

The LMGT3 Tintops outcome was also chaotic. When apparently the No. 86 GR Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 had snatched the lead from the#50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3. Yet the #86 had trotted by when the third and final Red Flag was thrown with seven minutes remaining. As the Race Director decided the rain was too treacherous to continue.

 

Thus the race’s results reverted to the final full lap before the Red flag and hence, the two Prancing Horses swapped positions, and the No. 50 AF Corse won instead…

 

I find it interesting that many of the drivers are able to compete in multiple series. As the names Yelloly, Deletraz, Dillmann, Cameron, Fittipaldi, et al. Are all regulars this side of thoust Gory Puddle in IMSA Competizione.

 

While I tend to recall that last year’s Battle on The Bricks race saw 18 of the 20 IMSA GTP drivers also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Meanwhile, following Silverstone, Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) promoted both Juncadella and Jaubert onto its GMR001 Hypercar squad for next year’s inaugural WEC campaign. Which was the reason for competing in this year’s ELMS, as a tune-up campaign for aspiring racers and team personnel to potentially move forwards.

 

The only disappointment is the news of Jamie Chadwick being left on the sidelines. With GMR claiming Her 2026 plans will be announced at a later date. Making me wonder if She’ll just be an Endurance “Specialist?” As I’d really like to see Jamie get a fulltime ride in a Hypercar entry.

 

Hmm, perhaps Chadwick can spend another year honing Her craft before becoming a regular series competitor in IMSA when GMR supposedly enters competition in 2027? 

Clearing the Air

And I’m not talking about the overwhelming amounts of particulates in the environment these days…

 

First off, I am not an Engineer, nor an Aerodynamicist. Or pretend to know the intricacies of either profession. That said, I have become disappointed over how much the term “clean” and “Dirty” Air’s being thrown round in current Formula 1 Grands Prix.

 

I would Arse-sume that cheating the air has existed in the design of modern racing cars since they began being created. Not to mention this aspect of aerodynamics has been applied to production automobiles forever, with modern cars lowering of their “CD” number, i.e.; Coefficient of Drag being pursued vigorously. While I’m not certain if locomotive trains from the 1930’s benefitted from this practice?

 

The first modern Grand Prix racecar that popped up upon thoust radar’s internal Jukebox was the 1937 Auto Union Streamliner, known as the Type C Stromlinie. Having competed at the world’s fastest race course AVUS in Germany  in 1937 vs. Mercedes Benz All conquering Stromlinienwagen. A series of three Mercedes Benz, Err Daimler AG Grand Prix racecars fitted with streamlined bodywork. With both the W125 and W25 chassis utilized.

 

Herman Lang won the “One-off” high speed event at AVUS, replete with it’s “Wall of Death” turn, a banked curve of some 42-45 degrees banking constructed from brick. Hmm, that bricks idea sounds familiar to Mwah…

 

Lang won the event aboard a W25 Grand Prix racecar with said streamliner bodywork. Where the long straightaways allowed for top speeds nearing 400kph, or a remarkable 248.50mph, Sheisa!

 

Whilst fast forwarding to today. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Mercedes W196 Streamliner driven by Juan Manuel Fangio just sold at auction for a whopping $53 million, the second most expensive racecar ever!

 

Scary to think I’ve been following Formula 1 for nearly four decades now, meaning it’s really hard to remember everything that’s happened over that time span, Ja volt! But I tend to believe that aerodynamics became the rage in F1 in the early 1960’s, when the first wings sprouted on Grand Prix machinery. With this push for these Aero’ gains culminating with the failures of high mounted rear wings. For which a certain Pete Lovely’s late 1960’s Lotus racecar comes to mind. Which I think was a Lotus 49?

 

As the win “pylons” were simply failing due to being overstressed by the aerodynamic downforce loads being exerted upon them!

 

Then I’ve just been reminded about the foray into the sliding skirt era by Racer’s Marshall Pruett. As this early 1980’s F1 era saw designers trying to create a vacuum of low pressure? Underneath said racecar to “glue” it to the circuit with the aid of ground effects and the car’s wings, which were basically inverted airfoils to push the chassis down to increase cornering speeds. If I understand the concept correctly?

 

As it was the late colin Chapman and His legendary Team Lotus that pioneered this concept with the Lotus 78 that Mario Andretti claimed the F1 Drivers World Championship with.

 

Aerodynamics have always been at the forefront of Formula 1 chassis design as long as I can remember. Although it seems like we enjoyed great on-track skirmishes over the decades, or at least from the 1980’s to the early 2000’s. Which may have been due to the cars massive amounts of horsepower? Although today’s racecars are no slouches!

 

Whilst the last, great scrum I recall seems to be Nico Rosberg v Lewis Hamilton in equally prepared Mercedes in 2016. Along with the superb “Dust-up” between Hamilton and Max Verstappen over the 2021 season…

 

Making me wonder if today’s Formula 1 chassis have simply become too Aero-efficient? As I don’t know what year the Drag Reduction System (DRS) came into effect? But I do know that the current chassis were hailed as the biggest overhaul in quite awhile for their 2022 technical rule changes. Specifically designed to encourage closer following of a leading car, and promote overtaking. Which we’re now seeing a total lack of, regarding who’s leading the Grand Prix.

 

DRS was implemented in Formula 1 in 2011, and ceases at the end of 2025, when the new Aerodynamic Aids come into effect…

 

The current Grand Prix races have seen nothing more than the pole sitter either lead start to finish, or the car that get’s out front, i.e.; Oscar Piastri at the first corner in Jeddah going on to win. As the cars simply run best in “clean” Air and I suppose due to the convergence of design. Now struggle to run faster in what the Pundits call “Dirty” Air, which seemingly is the wake or vortex created behind the leading racecar…

 

As I don’t know if my example’s correct? But this is somewhat akin to being buffedted by the “Dirty” Air coming off a semi-truck from a far distance behind it. As we won’t digress into the realm of draftin…

 

IndyCar doesn’t seem totally adverse to this situation either, as it seems that I’ve heard drivers saying you don’t want to be too far in the pack at Mother Speedway. Although the cars do seem to “suck-up” better, where you don’t necessarily wish to be the leading car at the end of the Indianapolis 500. As just ask both Marcus Ericsson and Pato O’Ward about that!

 

Sadly, I feel that la Scuderia boss Frederic Vausser’s words are poetic? Err, Uhm prescient. With the Scuderia Ferrari team principal noting at Suzuka that this year’s F1 Championship will most likely be won during qualifying, Sigh! Since apparently the design staffs have clawed back the lost performance, which they always do. And now the F1 cars are simply too similar in performance, leading to lack of overtaking at the front of the grid, leading to rather dull races.

 

And yeah, I know that both Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris  managed to overtake George Russell for positions on-track with the aid of their DRS at Jeddah. Yet it was only third and fourth place. With Oscar Piastri controlling the race ahead of Max Verstappen.

 

Yet recall that even when Piastri got within DRS range of Verstappen, He was unable to pass Him. While Williams Carlos Sainz Jr. brilliantly led, and allowed teammate Alex Albon to follow in DRS range andeffectively create a DRS “train” which Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar couldn’t overcome. With the trio finishing P8-9-10 respectively…

 

Next year, Formula 1 is set to implement it’s biggest raft of technical rule changes with the advent of both new chassis and Power Units. (PU) As the chassis are said to be “smaller”, more nimbler and weigh less, and feature moving aerodynamic “devices”, i.e.; front and rear wings. With just two fixed positions available, i.e.; fuel efficiency or “High” downforce modes.

 

While the PU’s will feature a 50/50 split between Electric and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power output. With a third item of consideration being the redesigned, narrower 18-inch Pirelli tyres for said racecars…

 

And so it goes, as will 2025 be the season that diminishes Formula One’s current wave of popularism? And how will the 2026 F1 season pan out? 

Another lost weekend of Shouting

As Are, You, Excited Now? Speak up you frothing Announcers…

 

Hmm, why did that title make me immediately think of an ‘Ol Rush song titled Between the Wheels, and the words Another Wasteland, Eh? Although it’s actually “another War, Another Wasteland and Another Lost Generation”, Righto Geddy…

 

“To live between the Wars in our time

Living in real time

Living in Good times

Holding on to Yesterdays,

 

You know how that Rabbit feels

Going under your speeding wheels

Wheels can cut you down

But the Wheels of time

Just pass you by”

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj1eUnNOvpY

 

Spent the entire weekend of April 11-13 consuming four separate motor racing series, i.e.; IndyCar, IMSA, formula 1 and MotoGP, Gulp! With my primary focus upon Indy Cars at The Beach’, ergo Long Beach. Along with the IMSA Sprint race which featured the return of Robert Wickens; beginning with Friday’s first IndyCar practice session.

 

Catching half of Saturday morning’s second IndyCar practice on (Fox Sports) FS1, as FS2 pulled Ye ‘Ol Switcheroo. Bumping the MotoGP Sprint race to that afternoon in favour of showing us more Bassmasters, Fish On!

 

Then IndyCar’s Qualie’ session capped off by the 140mins IMSA Sports Car “Sprint” race.

 

Next I “watched”, Err listened to the Bahrain Grand Prix Sunday morning, followed by the Long Beach Grand Prix and the nightcap being MotoGP’s delayed airing of the Qatar Grand Prix.

 

Now perhaps it’s just Mwah, but All of these races seemingly blurred into one long set of Boring motor races! Especially both F1 and MotoGP, the latter definitely not worth waiting until 9PM Pacific to watch, Urgh! As what did Raymond Hando say about late race start times ruining your day?

 

So, I didn’t catch the Australian Grand Prix, other than listening to the Highlights package. Being the most exciting of the season’s first four races, largely due to inclement weather, i.e.; passing rain shower…

 

Yet Formula 1 has largely been processional, even though I’m happy that Oscar Piastri has won twice from pole. Other than I hope He won’t get too swell-headed over thinking He can win the championship. As He’d be smart to ask His manager Mark Handlebarz’ Webber how that worked out Yas Isle 15 years ago!

 

Cannot say that IndyCar has been Uber exciting either, albeit at least there’s been passes for the win, even if Alex Palou won the first two races, followed by second place at Long Beach, where effectively Kyle Kirkwood led wire-to-wire from pole.

 

As it’s funny how at least the DW12 seems more capable of following other racecars and allowing for passing, but is this a biproduct of Firestone’s different rubber coumpounds?

 

Whilst Pirelli makes a range of different compound tyres for Formula 1, the choice of five various compounds in this range seems to be too small for meaningful tyre performance drop-off. As just consider how many drivers ran a one stop race at Shanghai…

 

As it’s even more funny how the current F1 chassis regulations introduced in 2022 were specifically designed to allow for the trailing car to run closer behind and encourage passing! Yet the ten F1 Constructors designs has seemingly converged to the point that this is no longer applicable.

 

Making a Farce of Formula 1 further, is the FIA instituting a mandatory second tyre stop at Monaco this year, to artificially induce some passing upon the narrow streets of Ye Principality, where overtaking is nye impossible…

 

Meanwhile, Team Penske and it’s factory Porsche 963’s have been untouchable. With the team’s No. 7 entry having won the first three races, Yawn! As don’t know if Long Beach was their second 1-2 finish?

 

Whilst Ye Pinball Wizard’, aka Marc Marquez returned to His domineering, winning ways in Qatar. Claiming His fourth, consecutive pole, along with four consecutive Sprint races on the trot. Plus His third Grand Prix win in Doha, Yawn!

 

Oops, what about the Shouting you might be saying? As I just don’t understand why the various TV Announcers think they need to Shout at us to get excited?

 

Although I did tune-in to my very first dosage of the new FOX TV announce lineup. For which I must say, Will Buxton seemed completely, totally out of place!

 

While Jack Harvey didn’t seem “Stiff” to Mwah, just think it’s His dry, British accent coming across…

 

As my favourite Announce Duo of the weekend was IMSA Radio’s John Heindhaugh and Ryan Marin during the Long Beach Sprint race. As Marin manages to interject enthusiasm without shouting or screaming. And Heindhaugh’s always entertaining.

 

Whilst the King of Screamers Kroftie’, aka Sky sports f1 lead Pundit David Kroft was doing His usual bit to keep me awake thru another boring F1 race!

 

And I don’t wanna say that the Long Beach IndyCar race was boring, But! Even Mark Gravelly’ James didn’t bother shouting euphorically over Kirk Kirwood winning, which speaks volumes to Mwah.

 

Yeah, it’s gonna be a Gory long, Hard season of motor racing, if this it what will typically transpire the rest of the year, outside that ‘lil ‘Ol Oval track at 16th and Georgetown. Provided we Don’t have more multiple faux Red Flag stoppages, or some Golf game on Thy Telie!

 

Then again, I suppose a boring race weekend is better than NO racing at all, Eh?

 

Partial song lyrics from: Between the Wheels by Rush. From their 1984 Album Grace Under Pressure. 

IndyCar 2025 season Changes

but will they Spice up the Show?

 

Yeah, this is old news, especially if you’ve been following IndyCar since the March 2nd St Pete kickoff. But once again, your Humble, but Haggard Head Scribe Tomaso simply cannot adequately Back-time’ everything to scribble about here upon No Fenders. Nor keep up with thoust Wurld de Motorsporten, Ja Volt!

 

Hey, Y’all try managing keeping track ‘O multiple racing series single handily on your ancient Selectric typewriter. Not to mention IndyCar tweaking it’s tyre allocation rules following St Pete for the Thermal Club’s cheese grader event! Due to the track’s super abrasive surface.

 

As here’s the major rule and regulation changes for this season.

 

Long Beach is the first of six races having their race distances altered. As this weekend’s event at The Beach adds five laps for a new total of 90-laps. With Mid-Ohio adding ten laps for a total of also 90-laps. While both of Iowa’s races add 25-laps for a total of 275. Toronto increases five laps for 90 total. And Nashville adds 19 for a total of 226-laps, in an effort to increase full “rich” race running. Taking away Scott Dixon’s fuel saving strategy He employed to win at Long Beach last year.

 

Firestone has changed it’s tyre allocation for Twisties’ race weekends, now seeing five sets of “Hard” primary and “Soft” alternates for road course and street circuits. With the exception of the previously mentioned Thermal club event, along with the Indianapolis road course event. Both reverting to last year’s allocation of six primary and four alternates.

 

Drivers will be allowed to run one set of alternates during Friday’s first practice, along with continuing the addition of one extra set of primary tyres for rookies. While Firestone was asked to provide a wider performance separation gap between the primary and alternate rubber compounds.

 

The 45mins “All Skate” session followed by the field split into two groups for 10min apiece sessions will continue this year at all road course and street circuit events.

 

A new, spec fuel meter has been mandated for this year’s competition, at the behest of engine manufacturers. As the mandatory fuel flow meter is produced by Sentronics, and is Slowsonic fuel flow meters are used in Formula 1, IMSA and World Endurance Championship competition.

 

In addition to the electronic LED race corner panels and safety workers local waving yellow flag. The in-cockpit yellow caution flag warning light will now be activated for these local caution flags to immediately warn drivers of an on-track yellow flag. Hoping to eliminate nasty (and costly) pile-ups like last year’s multi-car incident at Toronto’s Turn-1, caused by Pato O’Ward.

 

In the advent of a crash of 65G’s or higher, drivers custom molded seats and seat belts will be confiscated by IndyCar. As seat belts can stretch in such accidents, which the series already confiscated and destroyed these belts previously. While the driver seat confiscation adds a higher safety measure. The foam cockpit head-rest surround will also be inspected in such accidents, and then either deemed returnable or needing replacement.

 

Meanwhile, the Drivers Eye miniature helmet camera system will now only be utilized at four races this season. Possibly being tested at Long Beach during practice? In preparation for four drivers carrying the system in future races, i.e.; Barbers or Indy’s road course prior to the Indianapolis 500.

 

Yet with All of the on-screen graphics problems and Thermal Clubs Brownout, perhaps FOX will further delay this new wrinkle to its IndyCar TV coverage? 

Disappointment abounds over Airwaves, at Racetrack

Can you Hear me now Fox and IndyCar Radio? As I just remembered that ‘Ol Internet  Error code 404…

 

Jumping ahead of myself here. But as David Land recently used the word “Optics” in His discussion regarding the Thermal Club IndyCar race. I’d have to say that MotoGP has a Ginormous optics issue Stateside!

 

As seriously, the lone United States Grand Prix isn’t even aired live, WTF! And dually treated like the proverbial Red Headed Step Seester’ by being aired at 6:30PM Pacific on FS1. Although that’s only if the NASCAR race at Martinsville doesn’t run long, or the NHRA experience any problems…

 

As how many people will either know about where the MotoGP race is being broadcasted or care about tuning in?

 

“It’s A Shame, such A Shame

No one was able to ease the pain

A Red-Headed Wild Flower

Growing in the wrong garden”

 

Sing it Little River Band…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAe7ARwDYzU

 

Yet this No Fenders post is supposed to be about the Thermal Club IndyCar race, along with the Chinese Grand Prix Formula 1 held in Shanghai, which for Mwah, were both fairly processional races. Whilst I’ll leave the debate over whether or not IndyCar should return to the Thermal Club for others to pontificate over.

 

Surely Y’all have read, heard or witnessed FOX’s “Brownout” during the Thermal Club IndyCar race. Which according to the IndyStar’s Nathan Browne lasted for 20 mins from approximately lap 28 to 42, when a circuit breaker “tripped” itself in one of the two IMS Productions Broadcast Trucks. As the root cause seems to have been the Heat, with the Fahrenheit nudging up against 90 degrees ambient.

 

Yet one must say it’s a sad state of affairs when your default is to switch to the NASCAR race in progress whilst trying to fix this failure…

 

Being ensconced once again on the tranquil Vashon Island for the St Pete IndyCar season opener. I grew very annoyed with the multiple Dumping's the IndyCar Radio Broadcast had during the race. Even totally losing the broadcast twice, for which I just had to wonder if it was our internet service on Ye Island? Although as far as I know, no Washington Sate ferry’s have “accidently” cut any telecommunications cables from the Mainland, but I digress…

 

Yet the Thermal Club’s IndyCar Radio broadcast mimicked St Pete’s, Urgh! As perhaps the new IMS Production trucks have a new Bark ‘O Meter installed? Since it seems that whenever Mark Gravelly’ James goes into full-stop manufactured frothing, Screaming excitement, the Intrawoods’ drops the broadcast! Thus again, the programme went “Dark” on the opening lap of the race, as I frantically refreshed the page to try finding out what I’d missed? When apparently Sparky’, aka Devlin DeFrancesco tried His Bestest Paul Tracy Chrome Horn treatment on ScottyMac’, ergo Scott McLaughlin. With Sparky’ chirping at McLaughlin after the race…

 

Then again, the Internets’ feed Dumped when James went into a lather over Alex Palou chasing down the race’s leader Pato O’Ward, WTF! Actually it was All of the excitement over Palou going wheel-to-wheel with Christian Lundgaard which I had to frantically refresh. And then again at the finish of the race!

 

Hmm, perhaps the new, waxed string used for IndyCar Radio events melted in the Coachella Valley Heat, Eh?

 

And this doesn’t include when the broadcast was dropped momentarily before resuming broadcasting. With James noting how they’d lost timing and scoring during the race, presumably when FOX had gone Dark for those twenty minutes.

 

Although there was less dropping of the broadcast for this second race of the season. Nonetheless, when Dumping at the race’s crucial points, it just makes the whole event feel overly disjointed and somewhat hard to enjoy! Since after all I’d Arse-sume that most of us loyal, diehard racing Aficionados tune-in for entertainments sake, Eh? And I’d guess that the touted Youth Generation Demographic IndyCar is so desperately chasing doesn’t put up with such continuing nonsense!

 

Meanwhile,you’d have to say that the Chinese Grand Prix was even duller than the IndyCar race, for which I was happy with the outcome of Oscar Piastri, my Numero doce F1 driver leading wire-to-wire. As the only real excitement during the Sunday morning’s 9AM Pacific replay,Err Encore presentation with copious amounts of the Mothers shoe Polish lady Nicole Briscoe’s insessant interuptions was the Ferrari Boyz’ playing Argie-Bargie. As what front wing endplate Ma? As Leclerc is Faster than you Louis, please confirm…

 

Nope, the real Shanghai fireworks occurred some three hours after the race, when both Suderiea cars were DQ’ed, the first time in Ferrari’s 75yr history to have both racecars disqualified from an event! Although Pierre Gasly’s Alpine was also disqualified.

 

Both Gasly and Leclerc’s cars were disqualified due to being underneath the minimum weight, presumably due to running ultra-long stints on the Hard Pirelli tyre compound, having both been one kilo underweight, i.e.; 2.2lbs.

 

As recall that George Russell was stripped of His victory at Spa-Francorchamps last year when suffering a similar fate, having run an extra-long stint on the hard rubber compound, albeit several other drivers at Shanghai also ran long stints to no detriment. Meaning that Ferrari and Alpine simply cut the margins too close.

 

Hamilton’s Ferrari SF25 was disqualified for excessive plank wear, with the minimum allowance being 9mm after race’s end. WithLouis’s Ferrari measuring 8.6mm on both the RHS and Centerline, and 8.5mm on the LHS, or visa-versa, since I don’t remember now. Other than the “Jabarock” glass infused “plank” to prevent teams from running their chassis too low was worn below the minimum ground clearance, and so it goes…

 

And that’s before we even get to Red Bull’s latest round of Driver Whackamole! Whilst hopefully IndyCar can sort out it’s media transmissions issues before Long Beach, which presumably will be another Hot race? 

MotoGP’s 2025 Season gets off to Rough Start

Even though The Boyz’ are Back on the Championship Trail now…

 

Yeah, it’s old news over the spate ‘O crashes during the Sepang Pre-season test prior to going racing at Thailand on March 2nd. As MotoGP seems to be the hardest of the major racing categories for me to follow, other than “Watching”, Err listening via TruTV, even if my Gory Freakin’ Cable TV bill just increased again, seriously Spectrum? Right, I keep forgetting Spectrum’s motto, We Care, chuh-Ching!

 

Thus we know that thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin crashed heavily and broke His hand and fractured a foot during testing, reportedly also shattering His helmet’s visor upon landing violently! Requiring surgery to His right hand to place a screw in a metacarpal. While supposedly His left foot wasn’t operated on.

 

As I’d have to say that Moto Matter’s David Emmett gave the most “clear” observation of what really happened at Sepang during Martin’s “High-side” crash on Day-1 of testing. Noting how Aprilia Boss Massimo Rivola’s “Job” is to shield His star rider from media  criticism. Blaming Michelin for Jorge’s crash, while the tyre supplier’s infra-red tyre casing sensor noted Martin’s inside tyre temperature being lower than prescribed.

 

Thus I’d agree that Martin simply pushed to hard too soon on a “cold” Michelin tyre and paid the price for His normal aggressiveness just an hour into testing…

 

Meanwhile Aprilia satellite Trackhouse Racing rider Raul Fernandez also crashed at Sepang on Day-1, breaking a meta carpel in His hand a la Martin; with no word if both Aprilia crashes were tyre related?

 

Whilst sadly, one of my many favourite MotoGP riders, Fabio di Giannantonio broke His collarbone at Sepang when doing a “Wheelie” that went wrong, Butterfingers!

 

All three riders underwent immediate surgery in Europe. With both Martin and di Giannantonio skipping the final Pre-season test on February 10-12 at the Chang International Circuit in order to be fit for the season opener. While Trackhouse confirmed that Fernandez would attempt to take part in the final test at Buriran, in order to get more valuable “Saddle”, Err Seat-time.

 

Whilst I’ve no idea how long di Giannantonio’s injury recovery time will be? Although Arse-sume He’ll be racing with a titanium plate or hardware attached to His damaged collarbone in order to resume racing…

 

Then on the Monday preceding the season opener Thailand MotoGP race, Martin injured Himself again in a training accident. This time suffering multiple fractures to His left hand, including the thumb carpal!

 

Thus Jorge needed further surgery to repair His broken wrist. And was set to miss at least the Thailand race with test rider Lorenzo Savadori replacing Him. Although I don’t see how Martin will be suitably recovered for the Argentina round a Fortnight later.

 

Having been away on Holiday once again, Groan! During both the Thai and Argentine Grands Prix, obviously I don’t know the current health status of these three riders, albeit Martin seems the most doubtful to have raced yet?

 

Whilst naturally, I Arse-sume that di Giannantonio and Fernandez have been competing, and that Ducati as typical has won the first two rounds at Thailand and Argentina. Presumably an intra-team scrum between Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. For which are Emmett’s choice for who’ll win this year’s MotoGP title. As talk about going out on a limb with that prediction…

 

And will this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) see Ye Pinball Wizard’, nee Marc Marquez return to His throne as King of COTA, now that He’s once again on a fully competitive Scooter’, having crushed the competition so far!

 

Whilst in my absence, Jorge Martin divulged the Thursday prior to the Argentine GP that His recovery was taking longer then expected. And that not only would He not compete in Argentina, but would also definitely miss the COTA round. Along with prossibly the following Qatar Grand Prix. Which I’m guessing He’ll miss. Meaning theMartinator’ will presumably miss at least the first four rounds of this year’s MotoGP Championship, scuttling His title defense…