The ever Shifting Sports Cars landscaped

Although we’ll have to endure one further year of IMSa’s current Spec machinery…

 

Have to say I was caught offguard by Peugeot unveiling it’s 2022 Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) last week, which I noticed when perusing Racer.com’s Sports Car news, especially since testing won’t begin until December.

 

Even more surprising was the radical route they’ve taken with their Design philosophy, eschewing the de riggour rear wing in favour of claiming the necessary downforce from the car’s underbody, in what presumably is a most evocative shape.

 

Other scant details included in the unveiling is that it’ll b propelled by a 2.6-litre twin turbo Hybrid powertrain, incorporates current Peugeot design queues, colours and it’s cockpit was designed with imput from it’s drivers, whom include Kevin Magnussen. As you can read All about it in the Racer article that includes photographs.

 

https://racer.com/2021/07/06/peugeot-reveals-9x8-hypercar/

 

And Thars good news on the continuing ACO/FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship’s Le Mans Daytona Hypercar (LMDH) Convergence, with the two parties having just signed a Rules package to provide the Framework for both separate categories to not only compete at Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023, but also allow All participants to also contest IMSA’s Stateside races beginning with the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona.

 

Thus a potential of nine current manufacturers, excluding Alpine, who’s future plans are currently unknown, since it’s “Grandfathered” rebadged Rebellion LMP1 chassis isn’t eligible for WEC competition in 2022 could lineup for the 2023 Rolex 24.

 

On the IMSA side, Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche are all committed to race Rear Wheel Drive (RHD) Single source Spec 40bhp KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery( Hybrid chassis.

 

Whilst Across thou Puddle, Ferrari, Glickenhaus, Peugeot and Toyota have more leeway, since they’re allowed to compete with either Hybrid or Non-Hybrid powertrains regulated to a maximum of 680bhp. As the Glickenhaus SCG 007 is the only chassis not running what Racer’s Marshall Pruett denotes as an All Wheel Drive (AWD) Hybrid powertrain layout.

 

While Marshall notes that All of these convergent philosophies will be governed by a raft of Balance of Performance (BoP) rules that include all chassis undergoing mandatory Wind Tunnel testing either at the North Carolina’s Windshear facility or Suaber’s Wind Tunnel in Switzerland, as Y’all can read the “fine Print” in Pruett’s Racer article.

 

https://racer.com/2021/07/09/imsa-wec-prototype-convergence-agreement-detailed/

 

Meanwhile, in what seems inevitable for Formula 1, the latest Japanese motor race to be Cancelled is the WEC’s Six Hours of Fuji at Mount Fuji Speedway, following the previous cancellation of the Motegi round of the MotoGP calendar. All due to the travel restrictions regarding the continuing Covid 19 Pandemic occurring in Japan, despite the Olympics needing to go ahead to appease it's massive Sponsorship requirements…

 

As the Japanese WEC round has been replaced with a Double Header event at Bahrain, with a Six Hour race on October 30^th and it’s previous 8 hours race on November 6^th. 

Carlos Reutemann: 1942-2021

As another Scuderia Ferrari driver crosses the finish line…

 

By now, Y’all have probably heard of Carlos Reutemann’s passing at the age of 79 on July 7th. And perhaps I’m wrong, since the Argentinian raced before my Formula 1 Baptism. But I’ve always considered him to be what my late Awnty’ Harriet called a Fat Head! Presumably from reading how he tangled with Niki Lauda and ignored team orders at Williams to gift team-mate Alan Jones a victory.

 

 

Since what did Bloody ‘Ol Churchill say about History being Kind to the victors? Whom after all get to write the History…

 

And I’m not gonna try giving a Blow-by-blow recap of his Formula 1 career, albeit he drove for three of the sport’s most luminous 1970/1980’s teams, i.e.; Ferrari, Lotus and Williams, along with beginning his F1 career driving for some bloke known as Uncle Bernaughty here on No fenders, aka Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham outfit.

 

Reutemann claimed his first four Grands Prix victories driving Gordon Murray’s brilliant Brabham BT44 machinery, which I’ve always considered one of the best looking F1 chassis in it’s sparkling white Martini livery.

 

Then he moved to la Scuderia in 1976 originally as Niki “The Rat” Lauda’s replacement, as the Austrian struggled for his life after his near death experience at the “Green Hella,” nee Nordschleife!

 

As things got off to less than a rosy start when Niki miraculously returned quickly to the cockpit at Monza, where Ferrari was obliged to run three cars for it’s two regular season drivers Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, plus Reutemann who’d jump ship from Brabham and it’s unwieldy Alfa Romeo V-12 lumps in ’76 to Deputize for the injured Lauda.

 

And you’d have to say he had a pretty turbulent time at Ferrari, albeit he finished third overall in ’78 with four victories before an ill-timed move to Lotus the following year as Ronnie Peterson’s replacement.

 

Sir Frank then convinced Carlos to move to Team Willy’ between 1980-82 in what was another acrimonious campaign vs. World Champion team-mate Alan Jones, who vowed not to help Reutemann’s title defense at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1981, where the Argentine ironically lost the title by one point to Brabham’s Nelson Piquet.

 

Reutemann abruptly quit Formula 1 after just two races in 1982, partially due to the Falklands War and being an “Outcast” in a staunchly British F1 team!

 

As Carlos capped his Formula 1 career with 12 Grands Prix victories and 6 Poles in 146 races, ironically the very same number of wins to his tally as somebody named SuperMario’, aka Mario Andretti. Not to mention his Bosom Buddy Jones, while Reutemann’s the last Argentine to win a Grand Prix.

 

Yet I was unaware that Reutemann dabbled in the World Rally Championship, (WRC) making two starts, first for FIAT in 1980 and then again in ’85 for Peugeot. And impressively finished third overall in his home rally of Argentina for both manufacturers. He was the only Formula 1 driver to score points in both Formula 1 and the WRC until Kimi Raikkonen finished 8^th in the 2010  Jordan Rally.

 

I also didn’t know that Carlos contested the 24 Heurs du Mans once for Scuderia Ferrari with Tim Scheken as Co-driver.

 

After his racing career, Reutemann went into politics, first becoming the Governor of his native Santa Fe and then later as a Senator.  

 

 But the part that most interests me about Reutemann I suppose is a Wee bitamyte’ maudlin, but I’m intrigued over how the Argentine becomes the fourth Scuderia Ferrari driver to die from la Scuderia’s 1970’s Flat 12 renaissance years. Joining Lauda, Clay regazzoni and Gilles Villeneuve. Along with Gilles Arch Nemesis Didier Pironi, the latter two leading another Ferrari resurgence in the early 1980’s Turbo era. Whilst arguably the greatest Ferrari F1 driver known here as Der Terminator’, aka Michael Schumacher’s still Asleep At the Wheel, wherever he is… 

The Unfourth Fourth: Mid Ohio Meanderings

Cause like that ‘Ol Commercial saying goes: “Sometimes You Feel like A Nut, Sometimes You Don’t!”

 

Although this year’s IndyCar Series season has felt like a virtual Rollercoaster to Mwah, I’ve look forward to each ‘N every race, especially with the Depth of Different winners along with enjoying Team Penske’s struggles. Hence, somehow I thought I’d never say this, but! I’m actually looking forward to a month Off of IndyCar’s, Zoinks! Especially since it Dovetails nicely with All of my Company arriving shortly…

 

As I’ll surmise these feelings are largely due to it being Summertime and once again having to Bug Out of my Humble Bungalow By the Sea in order to Not go FUCKING DEAF during Florence’s El Stupidio BOOM BOOM Stupid Fourth ‘O July Fireworks Display! Being just blocks away from where they’ll be Exploding, Sheisa!

 

Along with getting increasingly Peeved with NBC’s Willy Nilly treatment of IndyCar TV Coverage this year, which surely is a sign of things coming, El Correctomundo? Now that Thar Biggest Race of the year’s Done ‘N Dusted, and it somewhat feels like the same Blasé treatment ABC gave to the series during it’s latter years excluding Mother Speedway.

 

As I try “Supporting” NBC/NBCSN buy “Watching,” Err listening to their Gory TV Broadcasts, but lately, especially now that they’ve gotten their “Magnificent” Indy 500 TV Ratings, Tuh Duh! Uhm, like what would you expect after lifting the Indiana TV Blackout? But I digress…

 

First Thar was waiting All day until Nine Friggin’ PM Pacific to listen to the Junior Varsity team’s Call of Road America Qualifying and then another extremely Disjointed Mid Ohio Qualie’ Broadcast.

 

And even though Leigh Diffey was back in the Booth with the Biggest Brain On Campus Townsend Bell, it’s just Not the same without ‘Ol “Sugar Ray Tracy, nee PT’, The Thrill from The West Hill or Mr. Chrome Horn,” , aka Paul Tracy commenting. And thus I elected once again to listen to the race on WFNI 1075 The Fan via Zed Internet instead.

 

The Tape delayed Mid Ohio IndyCar Qualifying started 4mins late by my unofficial Talking Keychain clock. And Seriously? Six

Freakin’ Commercial Breaks during the 1hr programme, WTF? Eating up nearly one third of the Broadcast, as you’re nothing but Greedy Bastardoes Comcast!

 

As they couldn’t even show the paltry 10mins first two Qualifying groups without cutting to commercials in the middle of each 10min session: Start-Stop-Start-Stop, Rinse, lather, Repeat, G-DAMN YOU NBC Sports!

 

Thus we’d endured four commercial breaks in the first 30mins of the Tape Delayed Broadcast! Not to mention Qualie’ being run directly at the same Gory time as Tony Stewart’s SRX race at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis was being shown on a rival Television Network, Oh Never Mind!

 

Ok, if you’re still reading this, you get the picture, Righto? Thus it was better having seven IndyCar Radio Network members calling the action at Mid Ohio vs. NBC’s paltry four, especially since Radio has to actually Describe the Action vs. just Arse-suming the TV Viewer can See what’s happening, which if your Blind, but I digress further…

 

As the IndyCar Drivers decided to make some Fireworks of their own on the race’s first two abortive starts! Bringing out two Full Yellow Cautions for six laps ultimately knocking three competitors out of the race. The first coming when The Mayor ‘O Hinchtown said Pardon Me Playing Thru to Andretti team-Mate Ryan Hunter-Reay, The Dude! With Arrow McLaren SP “Punching Bag” Felix rosenqvist having nowhere to go and BAM!

 

Actually Raymond Hando of For The Love of Indy sez’ that Romain Grosjean “Punted” the Swede! As both Hunter-Reay and Rosenqvist suffered broken Tow links and circulated at the end of the field for the remainder of the race after their respective Pit Crews made repairs.

 

Then following the race’s second start, DJ WillyP’ called Smoke On, or more likely lighted a Smoke Bomb of his own when going Mano e Mano with Scotty “Thee Iceman 2.0” Dixon, who reportedly clipped the Aussie’s front wheel, seeing Will Power do his bestest “Ol Hollywood’ (Danny Sullivan) impersonation with a 360-degrees Ontrack pirouette. Yet Power definitely didn’t “Spin ‘N Win,” as his Smoke Bomb caused a Hapless Ed Jones to not be able to see the stricken Team Penske car and B-A-M! As Power would ultimately be classified 26^th and Dead last at Mid Ohio.

 

And it’s funny how I cannot remember the last time I “Watched,” Err listened to a Mid Ohio IndyCar race, since I know for some reason I missed the  2019 event, and I can’t remember last year’s Double Header, although I know Will Power won Race-1 and Colton Big Shot! Herta Race-2, but presumably I suffered from Covid 19 Race Overload-itus, Eh?

 

Although Josef Newgarden effectively led Wire-to-Wire from Pole, it was a pretty entertaining race with All of the competition for positions from second place backwards, excluding the Dixon Freight train as the Kiwi’ seemed to be holding up much of the field All race long! As I chanted to No Avail for Alexander Rossi to get past Dixon, which never happened.

 

But as chronicled elsewhere on Ye Blogosphere, Romain Grosjean, Pato O’Ward, Santino Ferrucci and Takuma Sato All had impressive days by moving up multiple positions to finish P7-10 respectively.

 

And I was chanting at race’s end for Marcus Ericsson to get past Newgarden for another improvable win, which didn’t happen but the Swede finished just a scant 0.8-seconds adrift in second place while current Points leader Alex Palou came home third, one position ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) Team leader Dixon with Rossi finishing fifth for his season’s first Top 5 finish.

 

Also much has been made out of the fact of it being the 50^th Anniversary of El Capitano’s (Roger Penske) then Penske Racing winning it’s first IndyCar race with Mark Donohue at the Helm at Pocono on July 3, 1971. Whilst I also heard somebody mention it was Penske’s 220^th Win! As in 220 Freakin’ IndyCar victories, Aye Karumba!

 

And the Fireworks kept ah-comin’ since everybody in the Media was in a tizzy over Ye Cheepster’s (Chip Ganassi) decision to sell his two car CGR NASCAR team to Justin Marks and Co-Owner Armando Christian Herez, who’s better known as the Rapper Pitbull, which will become Trackhouse Racing after season’s end.

 

As I’m 86% certain that Marks Co-Drove with SuperMario’, aka Mario Farnbacher for Mike, Uhm Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 86 IMSA Weathertech SportsCar GT Daytona Class Championship winning Acura NSX GT3 Evo effort.

 

Which Justin indeed did  in 2019, when closing out his Sports Car career that season as an Endurance Specialist in what’s now known as the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds of Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta. 

Thinking of Robin Miller

As others in Ye Blogosphere have written previously, whether you love Him or Hate him, ‘Ol R’, Ye Curmudgeon of IndyCar’s, aka Robin Miller has been a constant voice, be it on Television, in thou Ether’, either in Interviews with such Folks as “The (Speed) Freaks,” Radio with such luminaries as JMV’ (John Michael Vincent) or via his weekly contributions on Racer.com. Robin Always knows what’s the latest going on in IndyCar and usually Breaks many News stories first, and is typically right when he throws something at us we’re not thinking of…

 

Cannot say when I truly became a Fan of his, albeit at the very latest when I had the pleasure of being introduced to him in the IMS Media Center Wayback in 2009. Although I knew of him previously, having followed him weekly since at least ’06 when I began this No Fenders Blog, which he even granted me an Interview for.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2009/01/miller-time-interview-with-robin-miller.html

 

Having always enjoyed Miller during his SPEED TV Days , and looking forward to his participation on Ye ‘Ol Windbag’ Dave Despain’s Wind Tunnel TV Show, or The Speed report with Bob Varsha. While I can still recall him hosting the Reunification Press Conference on Speed when Champ Car and the Indy Racing League announced their Mergification in February, 2008.

 

And I’ll confess that I’m not a regular reader of his weekly Racer Mailbag column, specifically since my Putrid Zoomtext Fusion 2021 Screen Reader’s so Persnickety and I could almost never get it to go to the next page, albeit I’ve finally figured out a Work around solution to that problem, but I digress…

 

And although I enjoy writing about the constant Salt spray ‘O Synchronicity misting over me here on thoust Isle of Nofendersville, I did find it funny that I’d just posted two wacky, Zany non racing related Posts here on No Fenders about my Longs Donutz’ Holes Baker’s dozen-plus Musak’ selections. With the title being a nod to Robin Miller who once regaled  Mwah about taking Juan Pablo Montoya a dozen of these famous Doughnuts at Mother speedway’, Arse-sumedly Miller’s favourite Haunt prior to perusing Racer.com Wednesday afternoon.

 

Thus if you checked in to read Miller’s latest Mailbag edition this week, you know you were greeted by a message to Robin Miller’s Readers informing us that Robin’s currently fighting a serious Illness and they’ve got No idea if or when the Mailbag will return…

 

Obviously this implies that Robin’s fighting some serious Health issues, and I’d like to believe I can speak for All of my loyal, remaining No Fenders readers that we wish Robin a Speedy Recovery!

 

Get Well Soon, Robin!  

Tomaso 

Top 10: A Veritable Baker's Dozen's Plus 'O Car Songs, Take 2!

Yeah, I never was real good at Ah-Countin', Y'all! Since two Baker’s Dozen would equal 26 Me Thinks, and that’s the Car Number I currently like least in IndyCar’s! So we’ll see if you can figure out what Driver’s number I chose instead…

 

Yeah, like much of Ye Nation, and Globe, guess what happens when you've got Cabin Fever-itus' occurring? Yep, Yuhs come up with another riveting Top 10 list, which 'Ol David Letterman immortalized with his now somewhat forgotten nightly Late Show Top 10 lists many years ago…

 

Full disclosure, when I originally watched, err listened to the latter portion of Bullitt now over a Gory year ago, I began thinking 'bout many things Car related during thou COVID 19 Lockdown last March, which Shot me down this Wabbithole', but was further weigh laid whilst ceaselessly trying to resolve my winDOUGHS 10 Zoomtext 2020/Zoomtext Fusion 2021 Screen Reader issues, along with the Bastardized Blooger’ redesign, BARF! Before getting lost when Poondin’ Out other riveting No Fenders stories here upon Ye Isle 'O Nofendersville for your Dining pleasures.

 

And like All of my Zany top 10 list categories, this one's just what Sprung to mind initially, with No Heavy Deliberations and was my First Take, enjoy!

Tomaso

 

Surfs Up'

Was gonna G-O with Wax On, Wax Off', but thought it may cause some Gutter Thoughts by the Fringe Elements of my readership, Eh? As you'd have to say that the 1960's California Cool and Surfing Scene was Highly Instrumental in the Car Culture's Musical Genre.

 

No. 21 Fun, Fun, Fun

Artist: The Beach Boys (1964)

Yeah, you're All gonna wanna take my Keyboard away, Righto? As here's another of this most instrumental Band's five songs making Thy No Fender Charts, the most by any Artist, Naturally…

 

20. No Sugar Tonight

Artist: The Guess Who (1970)

Had to include a Guess who song in my Zany Car songs lineup, specifically since I always mistakenly think they’re the Band who sung Radar Love for reasons unknown. And you’re probably gonna need a Coffee to keep reading my whole tally of songs! Then again, you might be thinking of Golden Earring’s other “Hit” song Twilight Zone after reading this, Hya!

 

 

19. I Get Around

Artist: The Beach Boys (1964)

Yeah, for obvious reasons, The Beach Boys feature prominently in this two part Harmony, Uhm my meandering Top-10ish Car Song melody, err tome. Since after all The Beach Boys can arguably be claimed as Thee Band that pushed Surf Rock to the Top of it's Wave, Hang 10!

 

18. Mennonite Surf Party

Artist: The Rev Billy C. Wirtz

Continuing on this humorous theme of Surf Rock and Good Driving music, I had little trouble coming up with the presumably 'lil known Reverend Billy C Wirtz, who's one of my favourite Off-beat Artist's upon first hearing his most famous song Roberta a long time ago on a long Defunct Seattle Radio Station called KXRX.

 

As I first learned of this song years ago via Zed Internets showing a live performance somewheres' in presumably a non descript Hotel lounge when On the Road. And I chose this song over his more Down-tempo Grandma's Behind the Wheel since it's Surfing related, which always ties in with Hot Rods, Righto?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-YXmchNwfQ

 

17. Surfin’ U.S.A.

Artist: The Beach Boys (1963)

Yeah, another Beach boys song. Hey, after all they’re the impetus for this Wacky Top 10X2 No Fenders list. As I needed one more song to get to my final number, and how can you go wrong with Surfin’ U.S.A? Especially since it was considered the No. 1 Song of 1963 for awhile…

 

16. Legs

Artist: ZZ Top (1984)

How could I not include this amazing 'lil 'Ol Texas Crunch Trio and one of Thar Hit Songs from their Mega Hit Album Eliminator, which features that iconic ZZ Top Billy gibbons Hot Rod on it's cover. Since Y’all know how Billy likes sayin’ They got A  lot of Nice girls Out Thar, How How How!

 

15. Running Down A Dream

Artist: Tom Petty (1989)

This  is the only After-thought on the entire list, as it’s got a great “Driving vibe,” since I was trying to put the Pedal Down to Make Some time Indeedy! Since this “Overflow Parking” portion of my meandering Top 10-ish tome was definitely a ‘lil runaway Yeah Yeah Messer Petty…

 

14. Walk, Don't Run

Artist: The Ventures (1960)

As this list was constantly Growing 'N Growing inside My Internal Jukebox', I suddenly began hearing the melody to this song, which interestingly is the lone Instrumental song on my list, which made it somewhat hard to learn who the Artist was?

 

Originally Dean and The Surfers sprang to mind, which when I Googled that it responded with Jan and Dean. Nope, that Ain't It Kiddoes', and Yeah, I know I left out Wipeout intentionally. Which Y'all might be Ah-Thinkin' Whuh-Whuh-Whuh Wipeout when Yuhs read this Indeedy!

 

thus by various queries, I learned it was actually The Ventures who made this Hit the most famous version of the song, since reportedly it peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 Billboard ranking, Denied of the No. 1 Slot by Elvis Presley's It's Now or Never.

 

Whilst I had Zero Clue that The Ventures originated from my ex-Backyard in Tacoma, Warshington' Wayback in 1958, formed by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. Hmm, Strange Days Indeed…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW21rcHiVU0

 

And Yeah, I chose Longs Doughnuts since it's one of IndyCar's Curmudgeon 'Ol r', aka Robin Miller's favourite foods, albeit we should All be Hankerin’ for a Milk shake ore even better yet. As ‘Ol Kimi Raikkonen would say, an Ice Cream!

As ‘ol Casey Kasem would say, the Countdown Rolls On…

 

To find out what Clocks in for selections 13 to No. 1. Please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/07/the-overflowing-longs-doughnutz-holes.html        

The Overflowing Longs DoughNutz' Holes Top 10 Car songs rendition

Can Y'all say Mmm-Mmm Sprinkles?

 

If I were still living in Thee Jet City, also known as thou Emerald City, ergo Seattle, then in another lifetime I’d just have spent another Fourth ‘O July weekend at Pacific Raceways enjoying my favourite “low-key” SOVREN Historics’ Vintage Car  races.

 

As summer predictably makes me think of Crusin' and Car Shows, although Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen just pointed out to Mwah how Nobody Cares 'bout Cars anymore, Righto? And Yuhs certainly Don't Hear Anybody writin' Automobile Songs No More, Does Yuh?

 

As it is Sad to think that's so, and the ear of Automobile songs truly came way before the current EV push, as automobiles probably reached Thar Zenith in the 1960's, Eh? During the Muscle Car era. Which in some small part I suppose is why I'm currently so enamoured with Motortrend TV's Graveyard Carz television show right now, whenever I can find it on TV…

 

And like I've scribbled before 'bout All of my Zany top 10 list categories, this one's just what came to mind initially, with No Heavy Deliberations and was my First Take, enjoy!

Tomaso

 

My Long's Doughnuts' Baker's Dozen Selections,…

Yessiree Bob', Bob's Your Uncle, Oh Never Mind! But the Longs Doughnuts analogy always makes me think of IndyCar's Curmudgeon 'Ol R', aka Robin Miller, who once regaled Mwah 'bout bringing a Dozen of those famous Long Doughnuts to Mother Speedway for 'Ol Mac Montoya, Monty', JPM or as Miller's pal 'Ol SuperTex', nee A.J. Foyt refers to as that Montoyer Feller, Hya! Ergo Juan Pablo Montoya!

 

Hmm, Me Thinks Thars some IndyCar race being held  at Mid Ohio this weekend…

 

Song No. 13 "Little" GTO

Artist: Ronnie & The Daytonas (1964)

I first learned of this song by sheer CoInky-dense', when one day Querying 1960's Surf Songs via Youtube. As the song's about the Bad Arse Pontiac GTO, which raced it's way up to No. 4 on the Billboard Charts and sold a million copies, Not Bad for Thar Debut Single! And that's before the Nasty Pontiac GTO Judge arrived on the scene.

 

12. Living In the USA

Artist: The Steve Miller Band (1968)

"Where Are You going To? What Are Yuh gonna Do? Do You Think It'll be Easy? Do You think it'll be Pleasin'"

 

What's more Americana than Cheeseburgers 'N Fast Cars, Eh? And "He Takes the Checkered Flag!" As Stevie Gee-Tar' Miller's the only other Band besides The Beach Boys with more than one song on my eclectic No Fenders Top 10ish Car Songs list.

 

11. Little Red Corvette

Artist: Prince (1983)

Yeah, how could I pass up this Prince song, even if it's Not about the Quintessential American Sports Car.

 

10. Drive My Car

Artist: The Beatles (1965)

As one of the World's most Influential Bands, I had to come up with something for them, Righto? As the song's title is pretty self explanatory. Since even if  I Ain't got No Car, at least I've found A Driver, Right Mary Ellen? And that's A Start, Beep-Beep!

 

9 Little Deuce Coupe

Artist: The Beach Boys (1963)

Another Oldie but Goodie from those Amazing Beach Boys who pioneered this genre 'O Hot Rod Rock 'N Roll music, singing 'bout Pomona, Surfin' Girls 'N Fast Cars.

 

8. No Particular Place to Go

Artist: chuck Berry (1964)

Delving into Ye Wayback' Machine, although think his song My Dingaling' is my favourite Chuck Berry song, But I Digress… Hence, I couldn't pass up this song by the legendous Messer Berry. Since it does revolve somewhat round Driving a Car, albeit that G-Damn Safety Belt just wouldn't Un-Fasten, Blimey! So he just Drove Back Home with his Sweetheart with a Groan and once again the Automobile won the race!

 

7. LA Woman

Artist: The Doors (1971)

 

 

"Driving Down your Freeway, Midnight Alley Roam. Cops 'N Cars, Topless Bars Never Saw A Woman So Alone…"

 

How can I not include a song with The Lizard King in it? Especially since The City of Angels was once where everybody Drove a Car, and presumably still does. And I've always felt that this Doors classic has a great Driving Beat to it.

 

Yet that said, why did another song just pop in my head titled Walking in LA by Missing Persons? Which refrains the lyrics Nobody Walks in LA!

 

6. Radar Love

Artist: Golden Earring (1973)

"Last Car to Pass, Here I Go,

and the line of Cars Goes Down Real slow"

 

 

What more need I say then the above lyrics, Eh? As this one's for IndyCar Bad Arse Rinus VeeKay! With it's great Driving Rhythm by a Bunch 'O “Dutchie” Rockers, Vroom-Vroom!

 

5. 409

Artist: the Beach Boys (1962)

Are you really surprised that the Beach boys would feature prominently in my overall selections? Or that this Beach Boys song, Thar Gory second Top 10 selection would be near Ye Top of Thee Pops', Err Charts, as ‘Ol Casey Kasem would say. And it's probably their best Car Song, El Correctomundo? Not to mention it's credited with starting the whole Hot Rod rock 'N Roll genre.

 

4. Mercury Blues

Artist: the Steve Miller Band (1976)

Pretty sure I first learned of this song when visiting Claudio in Japan nearly two Decades ago, as he had a great Steve Miller Greatest Hits CD we listened to on the way to Suzuka! Or as Leigh Diffey would say, Bloody 'Ol Suzuker, Hya!

 

As it was also Claudio who informed me that Stevie GeeTar' Miller's version was a cover version of the original 1948 song recorded by the K.C. Douglas Trio and released in '49, paying Homage to the Mercury brand Over a Half Century before Lincoln Mercury was Decommissioned in 2011.

 

Reportedly Steve Miller first performed his rendition at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival before including it on his Mega "Space Cowboy" 1976 Fly Like an Eagle album, as he's just Crazy 'bout Mercurys!

 

3. Hot Rod Lincoln

Artist: commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1972)

"My Pappy said Son, You're gonna Drive Me to Drinking If You Don't Stop Driving that Hot, Rod, Lincoln!"

 

By now, if you’re still readin’ this riveting No Fenders Top 10 tome, then Y’all are probably ready to start Ah-Drinkin’, Righto? As those telephone poles look like picket fences, Yeehaw!

 

As this is the only version of this great song I’ve ever heard, so I wasn’t aware that Charlie Ryan originally wrote it in 1955 with other versions of it being performed before Commander cody rightfully got his hands on it! Or that Lincoln produced a V-12 engine, which Charlie uses in his original song, presumably from the long forgotten Lincoln Zephr’s?

 

2. Red Barchetta

Artist: Rush (1981)

“Well Oiled Leather, Hot Metal and Oil; At the One lane Bridge I leave the Giants Stranded at the Riverside, Race back to the Farm to Dream with my Uncle at the Fireside…”

 

Although many Rushaphiles’ and presumably the majority of the public familiar with the Great Rock Band Rush would immediately say that Tom Sawyer is their Best Song. For Mwah, as Y’all know how Tomasa enjoys Marchin’ to a different tune. This has always been my Numero Uno Rush song! Hmm, wonder why, Eh? As Holy shit! Can it really be 40 years ago?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

 

#1. Mustang Sally

Artist: Wilson Pickett (1966)

This just seemed like a No Brainer to Mwah, even without my bleeding Ford Blue', it's just gotta be the most quintessential Car Song, Righto? As Yuhs better Slow that Mustang Down, Sally! 

LE MANS: Toyota wins Third Straight in 2020 Parade of Pathetic 5 Car LMP1 Monty'

As can anybody Beat the Only Factory racing programme at Circuit de la Sarthe? And will the Hypercar formulae next year be any better?

 

Author’s Note

This is the second part of last year’s 24 Heurs du Mans tome that never got “Published” due to the aforementioned Hijinx of Blogger’com’s Bastardized redesign…

 

Yessiree Bob’, Bob's Your Uncle Mates, Oh Never Mind! Ho-Hum, cannot say this year's 88th running of le 24 Heurs du Mans was anymore riveting than last year's event, El Correctomundo?

 

For which if Y’all are interested? You can read No Fenders LE Mans: 2019 Post Mortem in the following link below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/10/le-mans-2019-post-mortem.html

 

Yet as dually predicted, Toyota Thrashed it's Meager LMP1 competition once again at Le Mans, winning it's third consecutive 24 Heurs du Mans by five laps ahead of the leading Rebellion R13 Privateer entry, which will become Alpine next year, Yawn! But more 'bout that at a later date - whenever I'm able to Post riveting No Fenders Blog stories Solo once again, But I Digress…

 

And if you're a Sports Car Geek like Mwah, then you'll already know that the No. 8 Toyota with Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley at it's controls won this year's 88th running of the 24 Heurs du Mans for it's and Toyota's third year in-a-row. Netting Nakajima and Buemi a Hat-trick 'O victories for themselves, with Hartly claiming his second Le Mans 24H win.

 

As I really Don't know how to look at or chronicle Toy-Yoters' Sports Car achievement, especially since they've basically had Le Mans All to themselves the past three years  with token opposition from under-powered normally aspirated Non-Hybrid Privateer efforts.

 

Although I suppose to Toyota's credit, they did stick around when the other manufacturers left under the Smoke Clouds 'O “Diesel Gate,” Cough Cough Porsche and Audi! Since how many would have "Tuned In" if this was solely a Privateer's Gong Show? And presumably the ACO was Desperate to have at least one Bonafied Auto Manufacture in its race…

 

Although I certainly didn't break my record viewing Duration for this year's event, i did begin a leisurely, enjoyable Day's outing of listening to the race in thou morning.

 

Taking Thy Green Flag, Err Viva la France Tri-colour Saturday (9/19) at 9AM Pacific with Thy Telie switched onto Motortrend TV as Background noise while eating Breakfast. And Nah, No Breakfast 'O Champions Jokes Here Mates, Hya!

 

Before I switched over to Radio Le Mans via Zed Internets' after nearly 3hr television viewing, and kept it on until round a Quarter to Eight PM Pacific when I finally grew tired of the inconsistent microphone volume levels, particularly lead Announcer Der Heindenmeier's, aka John Hindhaugh, who's my Numero Uno Racing Announcer.  

 

Yet I'd say this year's race will largely be remembered for the Ultra Narly accident TG' endured! Nope, Not that TG', aka Tony George, Psyche!

 

But French racing driver Tristan Gommendy, who unfortunately will forever be remembered by Mwah as 'Ol "Christian Comedy," an unflattering nickname bestowed upon the then Chump Carz' Driver by 'IndyCar's Curmudgeon 'Ol R', aka robin Miller.

 

Naturally I've got Zero Clue what inspired Robin's cruel choice 'O nicknames? As this moniker was anointed when Gommendy was a Champ Car World Series (CCWS) Rookie Pilote for the long Defunct PKV Racing concern Wayback in the series final year, 2007 alongside team-mate Neil Jani, who would later win the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours race for Porsche.

 

Tristan surely Ain't No Slouch behind the wheel, having won the prestigious '02 Macau Grand Prix along with that year's French F3 title.

 

He also took his solitary Pole position at Circuit Mount Tremblant during his partial Champ Car season. Along with a best Champ Car finish of P4 in his final outing at Circuit TT Assen, before being replaced by Oriol "Suitcase" Servia for Chump Carz' final two races that year.

 

apparently Gommendy holds the current Circuit Mont Tremblant Road Course lap record at 1:16.776. While ironically the fabulous Quebec racing circuit is owned by Racing Point F1, soon to be Aston Martin Racing F1 Team Magnate Lawrence Stroll.

 

But back to this year's 24 Heurs du Mans, where Monseir Comedy' spun backwards violently into the barriers at high speed, part of a three car incident preceded by the byKolles LMP1 machine losing it's rear wing and also pirouetting Off-track!

 

As Gommendy's spectacular crash caused major repairs to be made to the barrier, seeing a team of welders merrily lighting up the night sky with their torches, which implies to Mwah  that Armco steel barriers were Damaged, meaning the Shunt was on part of the public roads…

 

Presumably "so it Goes," since in the race's eighth hour, another Safety Car period would be required to remove/install the new barrier section! Following an extended "Slow Zone" to this portion of Ash-fault. As I'll let Racer do the Heavy lifting and explain the Hour 7 Melee in Detail instead, noting how Hour 7 went Into the Dark.

 

https://racer.com/2020/09/19/lm24-hour-7-into-darkness/

 

As the LMP2 Class would be a battle of reliability, with many competitors enduring incidents or mechanical maladies, with another current F1 Individual's outfit winning Class Honours.

 

As McLaren CEO Zak Brown's United Autosports, which he Co-Owns with Richard Dean's No. 22 Oreca/Gibson V-8 with former Formula 1 Driver and current Sky Sports F1 Pundit Paul di Resta alongside Co-Drivers Phil Hansen and Filipe Albuquerque finished P1 in the LMP2 category…