With the just concluded stupendous election... And Kevin Lee’s appropriate comment of how Jeffery “thee Walrus” Belskus’s Alexander Haaig comments about “I’m in Charge” by-gummit! And thinking of ‘TG of yesteryear, when we breathlessly awaited whether there’d be a mergification or not? I suddenly realized how it felt all over once again like four years ago - regarding the sorry state of Indy Cars current leadership crisis... Which made me harken back to being somewhere down a river in a canoe without a paddle...
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Lamenting Motorsports – Part 3
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The No 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/HVM Racing car... (Source: catchfence.com)
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Yeah, I know – you’re probably saying enough with the “Geo-politico” theme Man! Yet, I must simply carry-on, especially since THE ‘DAWG sez REAL Bloggers due multi-part stories... Whale that and the fact that this touchy subject was also stickin’ in my craw, having first spoken out about it way back in;
Now, while I know many will quickly say that it was a freak ‘O nature that caused this unormal occurrence – to which I don’t disagree or dispute. Nevertheless, I cannot help expounding upon it, especially since I’m going to be subjugated to hearing the ‘Tagline Nuclear “Clean Air” Car for the next three Indy Car racing seasons; with the somewhat “Wink-Wink, Nudge-Nudge” emphasis upon CLEAN AIR – which I’m assuming is a subliminal swipe at the nation’s coal industry - targeted to pull upon environmentalist’s heart-strings?
Yet has anybody been paying attention to the recent nuclear power plant Pandemic in Japan
170,000 people were evacuated from a 12-mile zone surrounding the troubled nuclear reactor; a 40yr old GE Mk I Boiling water generator. Civilians were also given iodine to prevent against possible throat cancer; Hmm? That sounds quite similar to what Downwinders in Eastern Washington are fighting over in court...
Yet, I suppose it’s eerily ironic that it would be Japan
In Nuclear Crisis, Crippling Mistrust
Quick Facts
442 nuclear power plants worldwide.
2009 survey: 435NPP’s – 75% PAST halfway of life expectancy.
Typical NPP lifespan = 40yrs.
NPP site remains TOXIC for 800yrs.
40 GE NPP’s similar to Japanese NPP design in US, including Vermont
Merkel puts 3-month delay on decision for Germany
(NPP = Nuclear Power Plant)
And please do not misinterpret me as a proponent of coal power, as I find this to be an absolutely disgusting form of energy, that wreaks havoc upon the environment and mankind in so many toxic ways; as do you really believe there’s such a thing as “Clean coal?”
Yet I also do NOT profess to know the answer to our world’s energy needs, as all forms of creating power seemingly have their downsides. It’s just that the nuclear option seems to be the absolute worst!
As there truly isn’t a CLEAN way to dispose of nuclear radiation, regardless of what we’re led to believe - as the U.S. is now seriously rethinking their decision to attempt converting nuclear waste into MOX as a fuel source for nuclear reactors.
While I happen to live in the state with the world’s worst toxic dump, a place known as Hanford, which I suspect will never truly be clean again, as there’s simply been too much contamination seeping into the ground & water for too many decades now...
Meanwhile the Government fights to establish Hanford
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thee ‘Kimster chills in the Desert...
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The ‘Iceman Kimi Raikkonen celebrates his recent contract extension with another ‘Uber Cool race victory underneath the Desert stars on Yas Isle. (Source: blogs.bettor.com)
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HOLY ICECUBES BATMAN!
2012 Abu Dhabi GP
Whenever I think of the Yas Island circuit in Abu Dhabi, I think fondly of ‘Fredrico Suave (Alonso) giving Vitaly ‘VO5 Petrov the you’re number one salute which enabled Sebastian Vettel to become ‘Weldmeister for the first time in 2010...
Thus, what an absolutely FREAKIN’ UNBELIEVEABLE RACE! As I haven’t laughed myself silly like that so much for so long - that I spent the rest of Sunday basking in jubilation - along with my endorphins completely PEAKED! ‘Cause as we all know; when you PEAK, you win, right Danica? Hya!
Yet I was truly basking in the afterglow of what I’d have to say was the best Formula 1 race of the year! Having first just busted out in goofiness as “Louise ‘JAGUAR” Hamilton ’s assured victory simply melted away, as Hamilton
As SHEISA! What a scary looking accident that was between ‘Brittany (Nico Rosberg) and the NOT-so Speediest Indian, aka Narain Karthikeyan; as you know it was close if Karthikeyan’s in-car camera mount was ripped off; Aye Karumba! As the Indian driver reported after both drivers thankfully walked away that he’d had a hydraulics failure which locked up his steering...
And the carnage was overly thick as the Who’s “Pinball Wizard” song comes to mind, as I’m not sure who was the deaf, dumb and blind, as Mark Webber seemingly couldn’t stay out of the way of staying off the bumpers! Along with Sergio Perez getting nicked a stop-go penalty for his excessive use of the flippers; Err chrome horn...
Yet I simply was pissing myself silly; take that, Jay Penske! With laughter over thee ‘Kimsters delayed in-car radio transmissions - first with the team telling him Fernando Alonso was P2 five seconds adrift: “Leave me alone! I know what to do” Kimi shot back; then under the safety car the radio crackled once again telling him to keep his tyres warm; “YEAH-YEAH-YEAH-YEAH-YEAH! I KNOW WHAT TO DO!” Really not sure about the last part of that transmission ‘cause I was laughing too hard.
And I still don’t understand what Vettel was doing when he had to swerve violently and careen into the DRS activation foam marker - further braking his wing and forcing an unplanned pit stop, as Vettel would have to race his way back up thru the field a second time... As surely Alonso had to be shaking his head in disbelief to see Vettel finishing third!
As I spent the remainder of the race with four sets ‘O fingers crossed yelling at the Telescreen GO KIMI! And get ‘em ‘Zebb, knowing third place would limit his points lead damage control to an unbelievable three points loss; as Sebastian now leads Fernando by 10-points with two races remaining.
As surely Vettel’s drive today was the stuff of champions - and will play hugely pivotal in securing his third consecutive world title... But as Mary Ellen would be quick to point out - what about the constructors? As let’s look at how the entire Red Bull crew reacted to the team’s weekend of mechanical maladies...
First dealing with some sort of KERS/Battery cooling issue on Webber’s chassis Friday; then Vettel had brake issues before somebody didn’t put enough petrol into the tank for Q3 - which SPEED’s Bob Varsha described as ten thimble-fuls of petrol, since all cars are required not only to drive back to Parc Ferme on their own power but have one liter of fuel for post race scrutineering.
As I’m still quite baffled over why Red Bull threw engine supplier Renault under the bus - claiming it was their fault for not filling the car properly; Hmm? Shouldn’t this be the individual team’s responsibility? Or does this imply that Cosworth, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz and Renault actually fuel the grids fleet of racecars? Or are Red Bull trying to blame le Reggie for missing fuel mileage targets? As I find it karmically wonderful that a different Renault powered racing car took the victory instead!
Yet the Red Bull team repaired both of these chassis before further rebuilding Vettel’s car to enable him to overtake his way to the front of the grid - as Professor Matchett noted how the car was on high jack stands all the way up to the required time to report to Pitlane to begin the race. Thus while I’d say Vettel surely had the drive of the race - in my exuberance over Kimi’s first victory since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, along with it being Lotus-Renault-XP ‘Caladrociouses first win since 2008 at Japan with Alonso, before scraping through some lean years, I’ll give Kimi Raikkonen the nod instead!
Especially since its any team named Lotuses first victory since Ayrton Senna piloted that banana yellow Camel Lotus-Honda into victory lane at Detroit in 1987, a scant 25-years ago - as I know I watched that race; Aye Karumba!
And speaking of F1 Constructors, I find myself most intrigued over whom will take the all important tenth place of the Constructors championship which surely is a battle royale between Marussia and Caterham; as Marussia holds the coveted spot thanks to thee ‘Glockster’s (Timo Glock) 12th place finish at Singapore. As ‘KOVY (Heikke Kovalainen) was close again with his second 13th place finish today; as I have NO idea what the tie-breaker is?
After having to wait for the FUCKING leaf blowers to go away for 20mins; SHEISA! I could finally hear ‘Lucy, my ‘ESS-STEAMED! Screen-reader read me those most disparaging words that thee ‘Iceman & Master ‘Zebb said on the podium to the world... Really, you had to kill the sound & apologize for the words SHIT and FUCK IT UP; WTF? Which thankfully the ENTIRE vocabulary was printed in the Post-race conference, which Y’all can read below; as all I can say is Yee Haw! As Austin is going to be absolutely bonkers, as its almost time for me to gedie-up ‘N mosey on down to the Airport, although I AIn’T takin’ NO cowboy hat ‘Zebb; Hya!
Stats
Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet closes...
The historic Jacarepagua race circuit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
The track was originally constructed in the 1960’s on reclaimed marshlands before being totally renovated in order to host the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix, before becoming a regular fixture on the F1 calendar from 1981-89.
In the 1984 season opener, the countries greatest Gran Primo Piloto made his Formula 1 debut; some cat by the name of Ayrton Senna, bursting onto the F1 stage with the minnowesqu Toleman Motorsports team behind the wheel of a TG183B-Hart chassis.
The venue went on to host CART races upon the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway’s “Roval” (Oval) from 1996-2000 - as appropriately “EMMO’s” son Christian holds the track record set in 1999 with Newman Haas Racing,.
Moto GP frequented the Autodromo from 1995-2004, as the circuit will now become part of the Olympic park, although its claimed a new venue will be built in the future...
John Fitch passes away
Ran across the news last Thursday in the New York Times that John Cooper Fitch had died at the remarkable age of 95 on October 29th, as Fitch who led a most remarkable life - who always felt the need; the need for speed, was not only a Gran Primo Piloto, Sports Car Ace, but also a WWII fighter pilot who flew a North American P-51 Mustang before becoming a POW for three months... And then after the war was instrumental in the construction of Lime Rock Raceway...
Yet Fitch is seemingly best remembered for his huge contribution to driver and public safety, most notably inventor and patent holder of the Fitch inertia barrier; those yellow energy absorbing barrels filled with sand dotting exit ramps across the country - designed to save drivers life’s!
And with the passing of Fitch who contested two European Grand Prix’s in the early 1950’s, I’m sure that Tacoma resident Pete Lovely isn’t thrilled to now inherit the oldest living American F1 driver mantle at the age of 86, which I’m guessing ‘Ol Rufus Parnelli Jones feels similarly likewise on the Open wheel Racing side of the ladder.
OH CRAP! How did I miss the news of Messer Lovely’s death last May? (May 15, 2011) As somehow I heard nary a peep about this occurring here in my own backyard; having seen the ex-Lotus F1 privateer campaigning his Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at Seattle International Raceway.
And now by my very unofficial records - the oldest living F1 Americano baton is passed onto Tony Settember, also age 86...
Friday, November 2, 2012
Let’s All Shed a Tear for Belskus...
Originally for my Trick or Treat post I was gonna scribble something clever ‘bout how Randy “The CandyMann” Bernard got a nasty treat while A-L-L of the IndyCar Fans definitely got TRICKED! As you can figure out pretty quickly via le Blogosphere how many of us feel about the Buffoonery of Randy’s firing; Err, decision to step down; yeah, that’s the ticket!
Yet is it just me or; WTF? Did I really read that Jeffery “the Walrus” Belskus had the audacity to say when asked by the AP’s Jenna Fryer the following;
Asked if there was anything that could have been done differently over the last week, Belskus simply said: “I wish I could have gotten more sleep. It’s been a busy time.”
BOO HOO HOO! Mr. Belskus; let’s ALL shed a HUGE Crocodile tear for Hulman & Co’s self anointed “Platipuss” speaker ‘O eloquence, or should that be Elephants? As why do I feel like we’re regressing into the age of the IMSes SHUT UP & TAKE IT era...
On the flip side, Marshall Pruett’s two part expose definitely shed’s a better public light on what the Indy Car Series should at least be able to tell us in a shiny, happy, *Bunnies ‘N Rainbow* type of way.
What’s that Mr. Belskus; Ooh, do you need to take a nap? Is it nappy-time for you? You can’t find your “Big Boy” pants? Are you all knackered out? Whadah Uze means Move Along there’s NOTHING to look at here, eh? You’re in charge? Oh Never Mind!
As I sure as HELL hope they get somebody way more adept at Public Speaking than Mr. Belskus pronto... As he sure AIN’T doing himself or Hulman & Co any favours in the Public Relations department!
Lamenting Motorsports – Part 2
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Glenn Burke played for the
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So, after all it is the Twenty-first Century right?
Hence after laying dormant for two months originally in thee all consuming NoFenderz Wormhole Vortex galaxy, the bright white Aurora
DATELINE: Seattle
Upon watching a documentary on August 17th (the encore presentation) upon an ex-MLB player named Glen Burke who was basically ‘Outed (Ostracized) from playing this professional sport for openly displaying his Gayness...
Thus, I felt compelled to finish scribbling what I’d begun as the fourth part of my Lamenting Motorsports Trilogy, now having decided to move it into the number two batting slot - as I’m overly dismayed at the thoughts of four states: Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington ALL having 2012 ballot initiatives to repeal Gay Rights, most audaciously the premise to allow Gay Marriages; Oh My Freakin’ Gawd!!! We DON’T want that do we? BE AFRAID! BE VERY VERY AFRAID!
Upon this naivety over what’s still a Taboo subject today, right? As at least two current NFL players have the ‘Kuhunas to not only talk about the subject but SUPPORT Gay Rights!
And thus, in a different lifetime, when I was still a fastidious reader & longtime subscriber to Sports Car International, (which was a BRILLIANT Magazine back in the day! Along with my subscriptions to F1 Racing and Racecar Engineering...) I recall reading a story about a potential Formula One Gay racecar driver – whom I’ve forgotten the name of, upon having given the magazine to my friend Marco, who’d asked me if there were any Gay drivers in F1? To which I really wish I could remember who F1 Racing or Sports Car International; as HELL! I cannot even recall which of these two wonderful magazines it was? (Although I’m leaning towards SCI...)
Yet ‘Juan of them wrote about this dashing figure, who I think was from the 1960’s, as I even recall the article saying he was married ‘Way-back in the early ‘90’s when I read the article - as trying to ‘Goggle this proved virtually Fruitless, albeit I did pull up an interesting link described as the Ricky Bobby treatment...
Yet, since refining my search keywords I ran across the following answer for a lone openly gay F1 driver – reputedly being a one Mr. Mike Beuttler who died from AIDS related complications in 1988. While I won’t mention a past champagne drinking Gran Primo Piloto whose named “popped-up!” Or some silly gossip about another applying suntan lotion to one of his male buddies...
And my thoughts upon the subject were further flamed whilst reading the New York Times Saturday profile upon Russia’s openly Homophobic bashing, explicitly one lone voice in the Siberian wilderness named Nikolai Alekseyev being openly crusaded...
But back to the aforementioned Messer Burke who I’d never ever heard of before, who at a somewhat slightish six foot-plus (6’ 0-2”) inches and 200lbs frame could dunk a basketball when standing flatfooted double handed underneath the rim of said hoop! And was expected to eventually make his way into the NBA, yet chose to play in the B-I-G leagues, nee Major League Baseball instead. Having first been signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers before being traded to the cross-town rivals, the Oakland
Thus, I can only ask; why is the United States
Masked Men Attack Crowd at a Gay Bar in Moscow
Thus, in the immortal words of Rodney King;
“Can’t We ALL Get Along?”
Or in the words of U2 Front man...
‘Bono:
Am I buggin’ You Man?
I DON’T mean to bug you man
Ok Edge; Play the Blues!
(U2: Silver & Gold; Rattle and Hum, 1988)
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