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! 

Alien Shivers in Lone Star State

But at least like All Ghoulish Ghosts, He didn’t Break any bones!

 

Whale’, my original working title was COTA Ghost Haunts Marquez, or something to that effect. Although when attending multiple U.S. grands Prix at Circuit Of The Americas, I believe that Austin Sherpa Claudio told me that they were Aliens! Although back then I think that The doctor’, aka Valentino Rossi was the lead Alien, ci? With Jorge Lorenzo and Rossi’s arch nemesis Ye Pinball Wizard, aka Marc Marquez making up this trio of Kneedraggers’ who could simply do things out of this world on their Scooters!

 

Although before I attended those COTA rounds over a decade ago, the Aliens were known to be Rossi, Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and apparently even Danni Pedrosa was included…

 

Whilst don’t know about Y’all, but I’m getting really tired of playing TV Network Wackamole for MotoGP! And after first thinking that Tru TV was Dropping the Ball again, since I couldn’t find the Austin round of MotoGP on it’s programming lineup. I was surprised to discover that it was on Fox Sports now instead…

 

Although not sure how effective hosting the premiere Kneedraggers motorcycle racing on the planet on FS1 and FS2 is? Hmm, makes me think of IndyCar and Motorsports, sans NASCAR getting third or fourth preference, but I digress!

 

As others will already be far ahead of Mwah, since it wasn’t until after COTA that I discovered that Fox Sports had inked a multi-year contract to host MotoGP beginning this season. While I have to say that I found last year’s Tru TV and Turner Sports Simulcast of the former Eurosports coverage far superior…

 

Although I didn’t know about it until after Sunday, Ye Pinball Wizard reportedly had His first crash aboard the Werks’ Ducati during Friday practice, which sounds like it was an outlier of things to come, Eh?

 

During Saturday’s Sprint race, Marc Marquez left an ominous, long black rubber streak upon the circuit when He nearly went down during the beginning stages of the Sprint. When being harried by Pecco’ Bagnaia and brother Alex for the lead! Yet Marc managed to inexplicably save His “slide” by simply putting the Hammer down and romping off for what the announcers gushed over being “Five for Five, in 25!”

 

As Marquez had set history to that point, having claimed all three pole positions, all three Sprint races, and both Sunday races to date.

 

But All streaks must come to an end sometime, to which Marquez’s was no exception. Seemingly enroute to another dominating victory on Sunday, leading by a comfortable 2.2-seconds. Marquez planted His front tyre on the white kerbing which still had some Slippery liquids on it. Lost traction and control of His bike and presto-change-O-O-Oh’, Crashed whilst leading!

 

As I have to say I admired Marquez’s spirit and determination to not Quit, which is probably why He’s a multi-times MotoGP World Champion! Even though He’d destroyed His all important fairing, along with ripping off a footpeg. Marquez tried soldiering on in P18 and dropping for five more laps before retiring.

 

As the announcers prattled on about how you simply cannot ride a modern MotoGP bike without a fairing due to the incessant buffeting. Especially when you’re doing routine laps above 300 Clicks’, i.e.; over 186mph, Sheisa! Since I think they were reaching 200mph at COTA?

 

Whilst I haven’t even discussed the pre-race rain shower that reaked havoc upon the grid. As Fabio Quartararo crashed during a “sighting” lap when trying to navigate the wet Ash-fault’ on a “Dry” Scooter’, i.e.; dry, slick tyres. With satellite Yamahopper’ rider  (Jack) Thriller’ Miller stopping to pick up the French rider.

 

Have to say it was during that Saturday’s Sprint race when Marquez almost crashed that I began wondering to myself how long it will be until He crashes again? And how long until He injurs Himself again?

 

Since Sunday’s race saw Werks’ Ducati teammate Bagnaia picking up the pieces after having aggressively broken up the Marquez train, as the two Spanish riders have been glued together, finishing 1-2 in every event until Sunday! As Pecco’ had barged His way into second place before Marquez crashed out!

 

As have to say the rider I’m most impressed by early on is Alex Marquez, the younger and mostly overlooked brother of Marc. Who’s been outstanding on the satellite Gresini squad on it’s year old Desmosedici GP24 Duc’. Leaving Austin with the MotoGP championship points lead, by one marker ahead of His brother. Having finished Vice champion, Err runner-up in all six races…

 

Another rider who’s impressed Mwah is Japanese MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura, riding for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, on the “second” tier Aprilia outfit’s bikes.

 

As believe He netted an impressive fourth place finish in the season opener at Thailand, and was sixth overall prior to Qatar. Where Aprilia’s top Dawg’ and reigning MotoGP Champion Jorge Martin will make His debut for the Italian manufacturer, having been medically cleared by MotoGP on Thursday, prior to Qatar’s Friday practice.

 

As it was just plain weird not having thee Martinator’ on the MotoGP grid these past three events. Since with a nickname like that, you’d Arse-sume’ He’d fall into thoust “Alien” category, Eh?

 

Although Jorge’s certainly being Haunted by the Ghouls of Christmas Past right now! 

Raging Bulls Showdown in Suzuka

But Don’t forget about Monsieur Hadjar, Wee-Wee!

 

Even though it was Alpine’s Jack Doohan’s Mega’ crash which arguably was thee Talking Point of Friday’s two practice sessions at Suzuka. Much Attenzione was being paid to the intra-squad Scrum of Red Bull’s “Junior” drivers, i.e.; Yuki Tsunoda v Liam Lawson. For which I decided to follow along…

 

Tsunoda wowed the Home crowd straight out of the box during (Free Practice) FP1, finishing an electrifying sixth for Red Bull, with newly demoted Liam Lawson P13 back at Racing Bulls. Yet Lawson flipped the script in FP2, with an impressive fifth, whilst Tsunoda was a lowly P18, the first driver in the 1:30’s.

 

Yet even more impressive was Lawson’s Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar, who finished third in FP2, while the Wunderkind they’re all chasing, i.e.; Max Verstappen was eighth in FP2. With Max fifth and Hadjar eight inFP1.

 

Saturday’s FP3 saw the Red Bull quartet led by Max Blunderhead in fifth. Followed by Tsunoda ninth, Hadjar tenth and Lawson 12th.

 

Qualifying saw the two drivers not on our “Watch list”, i.e.; Verstappen and Hadjar once again outperforming the two Red Bull protagonists. With Hadjar getting much made over His apparent discomfort during Qualie’s Q1 session, when apparently His lap belt(s) were too tight!

 

Sky sports lead “Punter” Kroftie’, aka David Kroft deftly let Theodorre, not Lenny Kravitz due the heavy lifting on this subject. With Kravitz musing over how apparently Hadjar was in immense pain from His belts being too tight upon His lower extremity. Saying He wasn’t sure if His boxers or briefs were balling up underneath His Firesuit. Before saying that guest Pundit Jacques Villeneuve had more experience on the matter, before brief banter about fireproof boxers…

 

Whilst Kravitz prattled on about non-ferrous materials in regards to the F1 chassis titanium skid blocks sending sparks into the overly dry grass and igniting multiple grass fires! For which there inturn caused multiple Red Flags to be thrown in order for workers to dose each fire…

 

Reportedly the rookie Frenchman got the matter straightened out between Qualie’ sessions, feeling much better during Q2 and once again outperforming, by qualifying a fine seventh!

 

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson were in lockstep with each other. Ultimately Lawson qualified one place ahead of a dejected Tsunoda. With Lawson P13 and Tsunoda P14 after Williams Carlos Sainz Jr. was demoted three places for blocking Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton on a “Hot” lap, and would start P15.

 

Verstappen put in what Frederico Suave, nee Fred Alonso called a magical lap, as nobody, including MaxiMillions’ saw Him pulling a Wabbit’ from His Nomex underwear, HaHa!

 

Pipping McLaren’s Lando Norris by one hundredth second for pole on His final “Flyer” qualifying lap! Being Blunderhead’s 41st pole position, for which Verstappen was obviously overjoyed.

 

And then the “Money” round, nee Sunday’s race certainly wasn’t worth staying up until thoust wee hours of the morning! As I opted for the Sunday morning encore presentation Chock-Oh-Block Full of the Mothers Shoe Polish lady Nicole Briscoe cooing in our ears…

 

As I found it to be a very  dull race, dare I say another F1 Snoozefest? As Verstappen led wire-to-wire from pole. With the only time Lando Norris got close to overtaking Max was during the duo’s lone pitstop, where they came out virtually wheel-to-wheel, with Norris going onto the grass in order to kee from hitting Max. Before it was Game over!

 

Isack Hadjar dropped one position to Lewis Hamilton, finish eighth. While Tsunoda trundled home P12. Obviously not what Yuki or His adoring Japanese fans wished for.

 

While Liam Lawson went backwards during the race, finishing two positions behind another under fire driver, Alpine’s Jack Doohan. With Lawson finishing a rather lackluster P17… 

Tornado Hits John force Racing, Brownsburg and Indiana

Aerial view of EF-2 category Twister that left it’s indelible mark upon locals in Indiana.

 

No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets’ alerted me to the news regarding the tornado that struck Brownsburg, Indiana and other nearby areas of Fishers, Carmel, etc.

 

Many homes and businesses were damaged, and some presumably destroyed during the tornado that struck around 9:40PM Wednesday night. With winds reportedly reaching a peak velocity of 120mph!

 

An Industrial Park along I-74 in Brownsburg was in the path of the tornado, knocking down a Sur La Table warehouse, along with damaging a nearby O’Reilly’s warehouse. Including tossing semi-truck trailers around like rag dolls at the O’Reillys Distribution Center!

 

Brownsburg is home to many NHRA teams, where unfortunately John force Racing’s (JHR) facility wasn’t spared in the destructive wake of the tornado. For which the following image supposedly shows damage to their shop’s roof.

 

Ironically, when awaiting for the United States Grand Prix MotoGP race from Austin, Texas to finally be shown on FS1 last Sunday evening. I had Thy Telie’ turned on and happened to catch “Fast Jack” Beckman win the NHRA Winter Nationals at Pomona, CA. Before hearing Beckman triumphantly noting how He was part of nine drivers who’d won 143 times and the “boss” John force had won 157 times to give JFR it’s 300th Funny Car win, Staggering!

 

As it sounds like it will take a long time for Brownsburg and the rest of those impacted in Indiana to rebuild and restore their premises…

 

Image C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

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? 

Rolex 24 Postscript

As the 63rd Rolex 24 once again, was another Barn Burner!

 

First off, very cool for Jamie Chadwick to be the race’s Grand Marshall! Although part of me feels like this is some sort of consolation prize for Her. As hope Chadwick’s Sports Car career blossoms like Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken’s has…

 

Tuned into IMSA Radio’s “Countdown to The Green”, and was super happy to hear the voice of my Numero Uno IndyCar Radio pit reporter Ryan Marin. Along with the return of Jamie Howe. With my apologies to Peter Mackay, as initially I thought that ‘Ol EO Speedwagon’ Dario Franchitti was in the announce Booth…

 

Even better yet, Marin got copious amounts of time in the announce Booth,  most notably alongside lead Announcer John Hindhaugh…

 

Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3’s swept the front row of GTD Pro, with Rocky’, aka Mike Rockenfeller on pole in the #64, followed by it’s #65 stablemate. Being Rocy’s first pole position since March, 2006 at Homestead, Miami, Youza!

 

BMW Team RLL, ergo Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing bookended the GTP grid. With Dries Vanthoor taking Pole in the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V-8. While the #25 started last, P12 due to hybrid electrical issues.

 

Meyer Shank Racing two Acura ARX-06’s were quick off the bat. With comment made about the No. 93 being a nod to Honda’s history in IMSA Sports Car racing. Although Nick Yelloly reported a vibration, and then slid off at the west Horseshoe, dripping to seventh…

 

Pfaff Motorsport, fondly known as the “Plaid” Lamborghini had a miserable first pitstop, unable to remove the front left wheel. Needing a chisel to take the wheel off, then suffering a speeding penalty. Before being involved in a six car pile-up in Hour Eight!

 

As Louie’ Deletraz spun out of control on a race restart in the No. 10 Waynte Taylor Racing Cadd-Oh-lac’ V-Series.R GTP machine, before ricocheting back onto track and ultimately causing six cars, including the No. 9 Pfaff Lamborghini to retire from the race!

 

Much noise was made over the weather conditions, most notable the thirteen hours and sixteen minutes duration of darkness. Along with expected very cold overnight temperatures. As Sunset set at 5:58PM and Sunrise was at 7:15AM. (Eastern) Leaving me wondering if we’d once again have reports of frozen Iguanas falling out of the Palm trees. Or was it Geckos?

 

The race ultimately was one of attrition, with somebody in the announce Booth mentioning that eventually 21 of the 61 starters failed to finish! Which I won’t even try attempting to recap these, or the entire race…

 

Other than taking note early of the #11 TDS Racing LMP2 entry, with Hunter McElrea at it’s keyboard when initially having trouble on-track. Having been in it’s garage for two hours with a gearbox issue, but hadn’t retired as of 3PM Pacific.

 

(2:50PM Pacific) The first of the IMSA GTP Contendahs’ suffered Heartbreak. As Alex Palou in the  #93 suffered a left rear suspension failure and had to return to the garage via Flatbed.

 

The race’s restart saw K-Squared Harem Scarem’ vs. Colin Brown! As John Hindhaugh says I want to have whatever Kamui Kobayashi had for dinner! As He pulls out 8.5 second lead vs. Brown!

 

Listened to the majority of the first ten hours via IMSA Radio before getting sleepy, but failed to record who was leading at that point? Although it didn’t really matter, since the race has a history of totally changing complexion overnight…

 

Then listened to Hour number 13? Tuning in as the Eighth full course yellow for Charlie Eastwood’s No. 36 DXDT Corvette catching on fire was thrown! Pulling into an orange fire zone expertly at Speedway Turn-2! Just past the halfway point of the race; listening for another hour before calling it quits for the night…

 

Awaking before the alarm clock went off, I listened to the final three and one-half hours, which I’d say had more drama then the race’s first 3.5 hours! Beginning with nobody apparently wishing to claim LMP2 class honours. As first the leading No. 88 AF Corse entry ground to a halt on-track with mechanical woes.

 

Then Spike-the-Dragon’, the #99 AO Racing entry which had inherited the lead, failed to restart following one of it’s final pitstops! As its battery had run out of charge and refused to refire the Gibson V-8 lump!

 

With just a half hour remaining? The leading #18 Era Motorsport got drilled in the Keister’ by the trailing #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports entry! Both coming to the pits, with the #52 receiving a Drive-thru penalty. All the while seeing le Hamburgular’, nee Sebastien Bourdais who’d been watching the scrum ahead of Him steal another victory aboard the No. 8 Tower Motorsports entry…

 

The GTD Pro battle was even more chaotic! As the #4 Corvette of Tommy Milner was leading with the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 Evo hot on His tails when they came upon the second #48 Paul Miller Racing entry, being several laps down in 12th place. Yet the #48’s Agusto Farfas decided to play Blocking Back for the Seester’ No. 1 a little too aggressively! Slowing in the corners and essentially blocking the Vette’s progress. Before the No. 1 hit the left corner of the Vette’ when trying to overtake for the lead.

 

As a disgusted Milner said after climbing out of the damaged Corvette that it was just plain dirty pool and they should be embarrassed! Having given Farfas the you’re Number One salute who received a Drive-thru for His antics…

 

Thus I clapped estatically when in the closing minutes of the race, the No. 1 BMW M4 suddenly found itself the meat in a Pratt Miller Corvette sandwich! As the team’s #3 entry was hounding Dennis Olsen leading in the No. 65 Ford Mustang, who I had two sets ‘O fingers crossed for! As all of a sudden, WHAM! The #4 Vette’ tagged the BMW! Also receiving another Drive-thru. Yet All of this Argie-Bardgie allowed Olsen relief with a sudden 2.7-seconds lead, before taking the cheqered flag for Ford!

 

Being the Mustang’s maiden GT3victory, not to mention Sebastian Priaulx coming home third in the Seester’ No. 64, which gave Ford it’s first GTDPro pole position earlier…

 

The GT Daytona class was just as exciting, with the lucky No. 13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3.R with Matt Bell at the wheel taking the win by 1.4 seconds. As Bell had also played the bump ‘n run game with one of the Aston’s, albeit the Aston Martin Vantage doing the bumping…

 

With 22mins remaining, Felipe Nasr said “Playing Thru” as He and Matt Campbell in the Seester No. 6 Porsche touched! Whilst the announcers had spent hours repeating how Porsched hadn’t finished 1-2 at Daytona since 1987. Which Tom “The Bomb” Blomqvist ensured didn’t happen again. As the MSR HotSchue’ passed Campbell with five minutes remaining to finish Vice Champion, Err runner-up…

 

Thus Nasr scored back-to-back wins aboard the No. 7 entry, the same Porsche 963 He’d won the year before aboard with Campbell, Dane Cameron and Josef Schlick’ Newgarden.

 

And there’s more I wanted to scribble about. But I’ll save it for another meandering No Fenders post… 

Welcome to the New Year 2025

As Y’all know that well worn cliché about time Zoom-Zooming by!

 

Or as ‘Ol Pink Floyd says something ‘bout another year older, tired and liking to warm my bones besides the fire…

 

Nah, no “Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year” Jokes here! Since apparently the Jokes upon Mwha! And I’m not talking about the weather. Which has done nothing but pummeled us with rain upon Ye Gory Oregonian coast since New Years Day. Not to mention being perpetually cold, but I digress…

 

No, the joke is that Microsoft decided to update/modify some coding upon its All knowing Edge internet browser. Since believe they got tired of it being referred to as Internet Exploder! And broke the Intrawoods’ for All of us whom use Zoomtext Fusion Screen Reading software to interface with the Digital world, Buggers!

 

As I first began not being able to “surf the Web” on New Years Eve. But didn’t learn of this issue until contacting Zoomtext Tech Support on Friday, January 3rd. With the workaround solution being to use Firefox Moohzillah’, after the kindly tech support Boffin’ updated my out-of-date Moohzillah’ browser.

 

As this Ain’t exactly a good sign for the New Year ahead, Eh! Although I Don’t have a lot to say. Since it also seems fruitless of Mwah to say I’ll take it easy scribblin’ stories here upon No Fenders for your consumption.

 

As once again, I found myself getting wound-up trying to Hammer away at year’s end, before ‘Ol Santa Claus’s arrival Ho-Ho-Ho!

 

Not to mention originally scribblin’ this riveting post in the wrong text font, but I further digress…

 

Arse-suming everybody knows that Juncos Hollinger Racing announced Conor Daly as the new chauffeur of its No. 77 entry one week before Christmas. Meaning Romain Grosjean will now just focus upon His Sports Car career, unless He can land one of Coyne’s two seats?

 

Although hopefully nobody’s holding Thar’ breath over Dale Coyne announcing His two IndyCar drivers anytime soon. Like I mean we’ve still got 55 days until St Pete, Hya! Although I’m really hoping His lineup will be Rinus VeeKay and Toby Sowery. Or Grosjean and Sowery would be fine also…

 

Formula 1 capped off the year with a flurry of expected announcements from Red Bull. With Checo’ (Sergio Perez) told not to come back! And Liam Lawson filling His seat for 2025. Along with the relatively unheard of Isack Hadjar graduating to F1 filling Lawson’s Racing bulls seat.

 

The F1 grid will have a massive quarter of its seats filled by rookies. Led by reigning Formula 2 Champion Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber/Audi. F2 runner-up Hadjar at RB. Oliver Bearman at Haas. Jack Doohan at Alpine and Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes.

 

The annual Dakar Rally, once again being contested in Saudia Arabia, began on Friday, January 3rd, and ends on January 17th. Although I’ve got zero clue who’s competing this year? Whilst Arse-sumedly with mediocre TV coverage behind the nebulous Peacock Paywall…

 

Then on Christmas day, I read that the Lamborghini SC63 IMSA GTP program will be run by Bill Riley and His Riley Motorsports concern this season, with a single entry in the five Michelin Endurance cup rounds.

 

Meanwhile, it’s a mad scramble to poond’ out another batch o’ riveting No Fenders blog stories for this year’s fast approaching Rolex 24. With 61 entries set to take the green flag at Daytona International speedway on Saturday, January 25th; just 19-days from now, Yikes!

 

Preceded by the three day Roar before The Rolex 24 taking place between Jan 17-19. Which sees the return of Qualifying moving back to  Thursday afternoon, January 23rd.

 

As Race Fans, Start your Engines! But first, a ‘lil Equine adventure, Giddy Up Y’all…

MOTO GP: The Season Finale’s Championship Showdown Commences at Barcelona

As Hopefully the race can bring some Joy to the devastated region of Spain…

 

With the horrible flooding in Spain, particularly in the Valencia region. And 211 people having been reported as Deceased as of November 2nd. While the number continues to increase. DORNA, the MotoGP rights holder cancelled the MotoGP season finale scheduled for November 17th at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit.

 

Thus, we waited over the penultimate MotoGP weekend’s outing in Malaysia a Fortnight ago to learn when and where the season’s final race would occur? Although reportedly DORNA made its ambitions known Sunday morning in Sepang, planning to race at Barcelona the same weekend.

 

Saturday’s Sprint race in Sepang seemed to live up once again to Moto Matters Zara Daniela’s apt assessment of anointing Jorge Martin as “The Sprint King”, but I’m getting ahead of myself as usual here upon No Fenders…

 

Back in October, roughly one month ago, MotoGP headed Down Under to Phillip Island, Australia Mates! Where Martin dually continued His dominance of winning on Saturday. Taking His fifth Sprint race of the season ahead of Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini on the podium. With title rival Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia finishing fourth.

 

As this pumped up Martin’s lead in the title fight to 16 “markers” ahead of Bagnaia. Then Sunday was vintage Marc Marquez. As Ye Pinball Wizard reportedly had a horrible launch due to His rear tyre spinning on an errant tear-off! Seeing the Spaniard drop to P13, before rebounding to fifth on lap-1!

 

Marquez ran down the two title protagonists who were running 1-2. Before Marquez claimed the lead towards race’s end. With Martin settling for second and Bagnaia some nine seconds adrift in third. Thus Martin increased His championship lead to 20 points with three rounds remaining.

 

Seven days later the MotoGP Circus arrived in Buriram, at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. Where Saturday’s Sprint race result saw another twist…

 

“The Beast!” Aka Enea Bastianini took full advantage of the title rivals and the rider He’s scrapping for third place overall with, promptly vaulted into the lead. Which He would never relinquish, and simply motored away from the field!

 

Jorge Martin eventually got around Pecco’ Bagnaia for second, with Bagnaia’s future teammate Marc Marquez a quiet fourth. This allowed Martin to stretch His points lead to 22 markers.

 

Yet Sunday’s main race saw Bagnaia ultimately turn the tide against thee Martinator’. Although Martin got the Hole-shot on the wet track and aggressively attempted stretching His advantage in the tricky conditions.

 

As  Martin who made many mistakes overall, went wide and allowed both Bagnaia and Marquez to pass Him on lap-5. With Jorge just watching the two Ducati Axmen taking swings at each other for the lead, before Marquez slid wide and tumbled down to P16.

 

This saw Bagnaia hold a three second lead across the stripe ahead of Martin, clawing back five points and whittling Martin’s title lead to a slim 17 points.

 

Then it was on to steamy Sepang a week later, MotoGP’s penultimate round. Where once again the tables were turned upside down. As the rain began falling just prior to Saturday’s Sprint race commencing…

 

Although Bagnaia had snatched Pole away from Martin, with both riders setting new lap records. Martin got another Hole-shot over Pecco’ and effectively romped away to His sixth Sprint race win of the season.

 

Couple that with a crucial mistake by Bagnaia on lap-3 in Turn 9, reportedly a notoriously tricky corner according to the Pundits. Saw the Italian apparently touch the wet, white corner paint and inexplicably go down! For which I thought I heard a screaming “Captain Stubing”, Err lead Pundit Gavin Emmett proclaiming that the championship was over! For which I was left pondering how that could be true?

 

And after Emmett calmed down a Wee bit’, I noticed He and His Booth Mate Neil Hodgson were claiming that Martin now had one hand on the title…

 

Since Martin’s win netted Him twelve points, increasing His championship lead to 29 points, prior to Sunday’s main race.

 

Naturally Bagnaia didn’t roll over, and after a horrible first lap incident. Where Jack Thriller’ Miller was lucky to escape without harm to His legs after Joan Mir had run over them in the melee!

 

Bagnaia who’d kept Martin at bay on the first start, did even better on the restart, and led wire-to-wire for His tenth victory of the season. Although the first four laps were simply scintillating! As Martin did everything possible to pass Bagnaia! Making several lunges with the pair of Ducati riders running side-by-side down the front straight!

 

Yet Bagnaia wasn’t to be denied, and Martin wisely settled for runner-up aftert trying to push late in the race and almost making another costly mistake!

 

Thus, the points table sees Martin lead Bagnaia by 24 points (485-461) prior to the Saturday Sprint race at Barcelona. With a maximum of 37 points still on offer. And I won’t try figuring any of the points permutations. Other than Jorge Martin is the 2024 MotoGP Champion provided He has a 26 point lead on Sunday.

 

Whilst interestingly, fighting over third place in the championship is Marc Marquez vs. Enea Bastianini. With Marquez replacing the Italian at the Factory Ducati team next year.

 

As Marquez leads by one single point: 369-368! And you know The Beast relishes defeating Marquez before moving to KTM’s Satellite Squad… 

No IndyCar racing, No Problem!

As IMSA, MotoGP and Formula 1 aren’t Afraid to race when Football’s being played…

 

Who needs IndyCar during it’s El Stupidio 289 days Winter Slumber, Eh? When there’s a triumvirate of other motorsports series to pay Attenzione too! And that doesn’t even include the RASSCAR’ Playoffs, Gulp!

 

So much for the IndyCar Offseason, Eh? Which started off ominously for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, when the FBI paid a visit to their Zionsville race shop to investigate an alleged Intellectual Property (IP) rights dispute with a former Andretti Global employee on September 18th.

 

Having tune-in late to the day’s first race being the MotoGP Emilia Romagna GP, where I caught just the last three-plus laps. I was busy type-type-typing away on thoust keyboard when I said Oh shit!

 

Uhm, good thing we’re not monitored by the FIA here upon thoust Isle ‘O Nofendersville, Righto Max?

 

AnyHoo, I realized that I was missing the IMSA Battle On the Bricks race that was currently underway…

 

Tuning into IMSA Radio around 10:30AM Pacific, le Hamburgular’, aka Sealmeister B’, nee Sebastien Bourdais was leading the race in the #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac. Although the field was running behind the safety car. As apparently there had been a long caution period for inclement weather, including a heavy downpour that left standing water on-track.

 

As I’d timed it perfectly, with the safety car’s lights being turned off, indicating going green next time round.

 

And although I listened to the majority of the final four hours, other than flitting about my Bungalow by the Sea. Along with taking a break for lunch, there simply was way too mucho nonstop action to try rehashing it all. Like three Ferrari 296 GT3’s Hitting each other!

 

As several cars took turns leading, with the #01 cycling back to the lead.

 

Yet as the weather changed and the sun came out, it became obvious that it would now become a chess match regarding when to switch over to slick tyres would be tantamount.

 

While I’ve also never heard of a whole gaggle of cars, being the top eight LMP2 runners All being penalized a drive-thru penalty for not restarting the race properly, Say What?

 

Or the bizarre dead-stick reboot on the front straight by the championship points leading No. 7 Penske Porsche 963. When apparently Felipe Nasr was instructed to pull over and recycle the Porsche’s electronics to try correcting a power steering issue. With Nasr’s sudden stop almost seeing Louie Deletraz in the WTR Andretti Acura ARC-06 crash into the unexpected, stranded Porsche! Which Deletraz missed, but I wondered what His Heart rate must have jumped too?

 

Yet it was all to no avail, as the reboot didn’t cure the Porsche’s power steering issues, with the #7 ultimately finishing ninth.

 

Oh yeah, totally forgot to mention how fun it was listening to Romain Grosjean dragging His Lamborghini SP63 by the scruff of its neck from P5. All the way into the lead, after giving Mathieu Jaminet a “Love-tap” when passing for the lead! As it was the very first time ever that Lamborghini had led an IMSA Sports Car race, which Romain conceded was partially due to the wet weather conditions.

 

As it was funny hearing a joyful Grosjean being interviewed by Shea Adam in pitlane, unaware that one of His teammates, Matteo Cairoli had just been given a Drive-thru penalty. Which according to David Land was for Lamborghini having too many people over the wall during their pitstop.

 

Whilst later on, the Lambo’ wouldn’t fare so well, when tangling with the Proton Competition’s “Double Nickel” No. 55 ford Mustang GT3. As Andrea Caldarelli broke the right rear suspension during the collision, and the No. 63’s day was over. While sadly, late in the race, the bright blue #55 Mustang trundled to it’s garage, retiring due to the damage inflicted by Caldarelli…

 

But it was Philipp Eng in the #24 BMW M8 Hybrid who made the pass of the day in Turn 13 with 47mins remaining, which is not known for being a passing area on Mother Speedway’s 2.439 mile 14-turn permanent road course. For which both Lead Announcer John Hindhaugh and Jeremey Shaw were totally amazed by! Which would be the race’s winning pass.

 

As Hindhaugh mentioned at races end how it had been a stellar week for BMW. First finishing runner-up in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) Six Hours of Fuji race. And then triumph at Mother Speedway.

 

As the win was the BMW M8 Hybrid’s first on-track victory, after they’d been given the 2023 Watkins Glen six hours W’ after Porsche Penske Motorsports was Disqualified in Post-race Tech for having worn down it’s skid plate beyond minimum limits.

 

According to Shea Adam in pitlane at race’s end. Not only was the No. 24 victorious, but it was the first time that the No. 24 had seen the chequered flag or won a race! After interview Jesse Krohn, winning co-driver, who said He’d now won in every BMW racecar He’d driven during His eleven years partnership.

 

With David Land also noting that the No. 24 hadn’t won in any IMSA competition since 2021…

 

Even sweeter for BMW M Team RLL was that the No. 24 led it’s Seester’ No. 25 home in a 1-2 sweep! With Jaminet in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 third. Prior to it’s Post-race tech violation…

 

And that was before the day’s racing nightcap, being the encore presentation of the Singapore Grand Prix. Which I have to say was totally anti-climatic.

 

As Lando Norris put a total beatdown on the field leading wire-to-wire, and at one point holding a 24 second lead over runner-up Max Verstappen! While Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri was a distant third.

 

Although I found it funny how before the race I actually kind of wanted Verstappen to win, just so He could tell the FIA it was still Number One!

 

Although Sky sports lead Pundit Kroftie’ (David Kroft) apologized  for some Salty language from Lando Norris in the “Green” Cooldown room prior to the podium celebrations… 

MOTO GP: The Championship Warbles On

But which of our two main title rivals will prevail?

 

Perhaps I should stop “watching”, err listening to MotoGP races, Eh?

 

Since the previous two times – prior to the Emilia Romagna GP, when I’ve sat down to “watch”, Err listen to thy Telie, my current Numero Uno rider thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin has crashed out! Although He didn’t crash at the first San Marino GP. His botched Scooter’ gamble effectively rained upon His championship aspirations!

 

As it had been a previous two months since I’d caught the few, crucial moments when Martin crashed out whilst leading at Der Sachenring, Sheisa! And hadn’t watched any MotoGP action until the San Marino Grand Prix on September 8th. Where all of the pre Sprint race blather was about Ye Pinball Wizard, ergo Marc Marquez having won His first race in 1,043 days at the preceding round at Aragon!

 

Not having won a Grand Prix since the 2021 Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin Wayback’ on October 3, 2021, prior to Marquez breaking His right arm!

 

Then ironically, seven days later at Misano, Italy. Marquez scores His first back-to-back victories since having last won at the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) on October 3, 2021, Aye Karumba!

 

Or as the natty (British) Presenter, whom I believe is Gavin Emmett noted; 1,050 days since His last “double”. When winning at San Marino on September 19th and then COTA on October 3, 2021, but I’m getting ahead of myself…

 

Saturday’s San Marino Sprint race saw Martin jump ahead of arch rival (Francesco) Pecco’ Bagnaia, taking the win at the Italian’s home track. But it was Sunday’s main race where the championship took another dramatic twist.

 

The race began with Bagnaia leading Martin as the rain intensified, with the Spaniard coming into the pits at the end of lap-7 to switch onto a “Wet” (rain tyres) bike. Yet by lap-9 Martin was forced again to pit to return back upon a “Dry” (slicks) bike, the only leader to do so. Crucially miscalculating the weather. Dually being lapped by both Marc Marquez and Bagnaia! With Martin ultimately finishing P15, battling to hold off Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales, Yikes! Seeing His championship points lead shrink from 21 to 7.

 

But the star of the San Marino GP was Marc Marquez, who stormed from ninth on the grid to score His second consecutive victory ahead of His future Ducati Corse teammate Bagnaia. While the rider Marquez’s replacing, Enea Bastianini claimed the podium’s final step.

 

MotoGP returned to Misano a Fortnight later for the Emilia Romagna GP, due to the Kazakhstan race having been cancelled.

 

Having watched the Sprint race Saturday at it’s normal time slot. Which Bagnaia won ahead of Martin, reducing the points gap to a razor thin four markers.

 

I Arse-sumed Sunday’s main race would also air at the typical time of 7:30AM Pacific, Butterfingers!

 

Having set my alarm for 7:30AM in order to listen to the preamble during breakfast. I was super Cornfuzed to hear that there were only three and-a-half laps to go when I switched on, Huh? And even more startled to learn that Bagnaia had apparently crashed out, Say What! I sat riveted to Thy Telie’ over the final two laps with my two favourite riders going Mano e Mano for Ducati’s 100th Grands Prix victory.

 

As you could just sense that Enea Bastianini was riding better than Jorge Martin, who was blocking ah-Mighty’ whilst narrowly leading! And after several lunges. On the final lap at Turn 4, Bastianini muscled His way inside of Martin and took the lead, with the two Booth Announcers going into a tizzy!

 

As Colour Commentator Neil Hodgson, who I just learned was the 2003 World SuperbikeChampion said. It’s the last lap and it was a Valentino )Rossi) move. With lead Presenter Gavin Emmett saying a Marc Marquez move! And you know that Martin would have done the same thing…

 

Thus Martin increased His lead back to 24-points prior to Indonesia. The Second leg of MotoGP’s penultimate triple header…

 

So I sat down just minutes before the start of Mandalika’s Saturday Indonesian Sprint race and was truly disturbed to hear Gavin Emmett going ballistic over Jorge Martin crashing from the lead on lap one! Dropping to the rear of the grid and gifting Pecco Bagnaia 12-points, being the unlikely winner of the race, Sheisa!

 

As there was more drama over the eventual runner-up being teammate Bastianini, who muscled His way bast eventual third place finisher Marc Marquez. As Yuhs know “The Beast” (Bastianini) will do everything possible to finish ahead of Marquez until season’s end. Having been dropped by Ducati to make way for Ye Pinball Wizard! (Marquez)

 

Thus Bagnaia chopped Martin’s championship lead in half from 24-points to only 12-points before Sunday’s main race, Crikeys!

 

Fortunately, Martin wasn’t to be denied, or lamenting over the day prior’s mistake. With the Spaniard rider leading wire-to-wire from Pole Sunday! With His biggest threat being second place satellite GasGas KTM rookie phenom Pedro Acosta, whom Martin kept at arm’s reach the entire race…

 

While the rider whom seemed most destined to rain upon Martin’s parade being Bastianini, who was going for broke. With only victories in the remaining races being His only championship hope.

 

Yet it was all for naught, as The Beast threw away His chance, crashing out on lap-19 of 27! While thee Pinball Wizard saw His faint title aspirations go up in flames, when His Duc’ caught fire on lap-12!

 

Meanwhile, Bagnaia once again struggled mightily off the line, dropping down to sixth at one point before steadily marching forward. Yet Bagnaia was only able to salvage third place on the podium, seeing the championship points lead swing in Martin’s favour once again. As Jorge increased His lead back to 21-points.

 

Whilst fortunately, Acosta, whose runner-up finish came under scrutiny for tyre pressure violation, was cleared of this infringement. With race Stewards deeming His low tyre pressure was due to a slow rim leak. Therefore keeping second place and more importantly, the extra four points from Bagnaia!

 

As it seemed odd hearing the announcers state that it was Martin’s first main (Sunday) race victory since Le Mans in May! With Motegi this weekend, with five rounds remaining, and 185-points still on offer.

 

As Martin claimed the “double” in Japan last year at a track He supposedly likes. But surely there’s more championship twists to go? Although I’m totally rootin’ for Martin. Especially since it’s His last crack on the predominant Ducati Desmosedici GP24 before moving to Aprilia…