Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Its Schuey Day at No Fenders (Edition No. 4)




Long ago photograph of a jubilant Michael Schumacher during the Ferrari glory days. (The Tomaso Collection)
Ho Hum, another year, and Michael's still Sleeping. As what a Horrific way to celebrate your 49th birthday; SHEISA!


What's that 'Ol Song by the departed B.B. King 'bout "The Thrill is gone." Which is exactly how I feel regarding scribbling 'bout Herr Schumacher, whilst a Willie Nelson remake 'bout Checking On My Condition, Just to See What Condition I was In, or Somme-thun to that effect comes to mind...


As won't bother trying to recap any of the last few years bluster over Michael's getting Better from such luminaries as  Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, etc.


As it's sad to think that Michael's still Sleepwalkin' his life away, or more succinctly, as Mary ELLEN would say: He's still Asleep at the Wheel... Which always makes me think of the Band we saw with the same name perform a long time ago... 


Whilst all of my racing "related" Space Travel talk found me recallin' that 'Ol Schue and his Bosom Buddy Rubino' had both purchased flights into Space aboard Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Wayback when., along with Niki Lauda.

As Thars' NO word on whether or not 'Ol Niki-the-Rat was gonna sit in-between Michael and his ex-Scuderia Ferrari sparrin' pardner' Rubens Barrichello?


I Saw Miles 'N Miles of Texas
I Saw Stars Up in the Sky'

Michael Schumacher
World Championships: 7
(1994-95, 2000-04)
Starts: 306
Wins: 91
Poles: 68
Podiums: 155
Fastest laps: 77
Teams: Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes
Years: 1991-2006, 2010-2012

So another year's slipped away, and nothing new to report upon 'DER TERMINATOR's condition. As I totally understand the Family's wish towards respectable privacy, what baffles me is the almost virtual "white Noise" coming from the total lack of any News at all upon Michael's current health situation.

Instead, the latest Schumacher "Camp" news is all about his 20yr old daughter Gina Maria's horse riding exploits and her boyfriend, who Oh My Gawd! Kissed her on the forehead & lips in public; Ooh la-lah Mon Cherie!

And then there's his 18yr old son Mick's blossoming single seater racing career. As Mick Jnr's just completed his first season of the vaunted FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Prima Powerteam in 2017, and presumably is planning on another season's Euro F3 campaign in 2018, albeit he's not currently listed on Prima's entries denoted next year.

Not to mention that Mick drove his father's ex-Benetton B194 racecar at last year's Belgian Grand Prix to honour the 25th Anniversary of Poppa's maiden Grands Prix victory, appropriately being scored on the Driver's-Driver's track, the Mighty Spa Francorchamps!


And speaking 'O Spa, how can Y'all forget 'bout Mika "the Finn" Hakkinen  jousting with his arch nemesis Michael Thar...


Whilst I believe I've scribbled previously here on No Fenders, how is I-T just Mwah? Or is the irony of Lewis Hamilton finally breaking one of Michael's records, occurred of all places at Monza, Italy. Y'all know la Scuderia's Home track where Hamilton, aboard his Silver Arrows, nee Mercedes scored his 69th career Pole position! thus eclipsing Michael's leading tally of 68.


As Lewis closed out the 2017 Formula 1 season with a total of 72 career Poles to his name, and counting.

Along with his Mega' haul of 62 first place trophies and four World Championships. The 32yr old Brit' is definitely in range of eclipsing another of Schuey's records, i.e.; 91 Grands Prix victories, albeit I'd like to think that numbers untouchable, Eh?

(Schuey paraphernalia from The Tomaso Collection)

Monday, January 1, 2018

Star-walkers: When the Planets of Racing and Space Collide...




Astronaut Scott Kelly with his 2016 Corvette Stingray in Houston. Photo by Annie Leibovitz. (Image source: vanityfair.com)
Whale', sorta, metaphorically anyways...

Bobbing about the Isle of Nofendersville per tipicali, late one evening, I listened via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service to two very interesting articles upon revered NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly, especially engrossed by the exert from his book Endurance, from the Smithsonian Magazine's September 2017 issue.


Whilst ironically? Or more likely since the Book's Press release was then making the rounds? Thar was also a good article in Vanity Fair upon where Messer Kelly's inspiration to reach for the Stars came from...


While Kelly claims that part of his volunteering to become the longest man in space, along with studying the physiological aspects upon the human body in zero gravity, is to help pave the way for manned space flights to Mars one day.


And while naturally, it was an Indianapolis Star's article photo caption which reminded me of thou Astronaut article links floating in Thy No Fenders vacuum.

As "My Gal" Lucy', my ARSE-Steamed Screen Reader, who's Double Dipping by reading me both the Newsline News along with my rambling No Fenders BLOB' Space Junk; but I digress...

As Lucy' read 'bout SuperMario being presented with a toy replica of his Brawner Hawk presumably, having gone to Uhm, Infineon Raceway; Err to the Space Station 'N Back before being presented to him, naturally the Online story's photo identifying text is garbled! As it was a story 'bout Mario Andretti and his Christmas tree...

And when I try gOOgling' the All knowing Internetz', I'm absolutely stymied to find any related results upon Mario's gift, which think is now on his Christmas tree? But I did find an entertaining Yarn' comparing the worlds of Racing Drivers v Astronauts via Porsche's Newsroom; Ja Volt!


Whilst a current Formel Ein Pilote' reaching for the Starz', with his Poppa beaming a smile as wide as the Moon! Or more likely Cheshire Cat? Hya! Proclaiming to anyone who'll listen: That's My Boy Kickin' everyone's Arse!

Is none other than Niederlander sensation Max Dutchboy' Verstappen, as I previously scribbled my tripping over who's "The Boss," and who's the Smilin' "Baby Face Assassin!" Which both of Peacock-lite's Leigh Diffey and thou 'Wee Willie Buxom (Will Buxton) like to call him!


And rambling 'bout those "Lost Boys" and it's Dutch founder, Michael Mol, who's journey into Formula 1 began by sponsoring Max's father Jos "THE BOSS" Verstappen in the late 1990's.

Naturally I mused to Thyself how whilst bobbing like a proverbial cork in thou Seas 'O Synchronicity near Thar Cape 'O Nofendersville... I ran across a more definitive expose upon Mol's floundering Space Travel venture.


And lastly, although Thar Ain't NO Italianos' on the F1 Grid, nor Virgin Racing. Or word on whether or not anybody having bought a ride upon Sir Richard Branson's Space plane will ever get to use their ticket? At least apparently one Italian will venture into earth's low atmosphere in the near future...


While remember Y'all; All Yuhs Need, is what Buzz? Sing I-T Buzz, All You Need!