Golden Tailpipe Awards: The 2022 Streamliner edition

Yeah, it’s that time ‘O year again,. Yuhs know, Thee Most Wonderful time ‘O Spew! As put a Sock in it already, Andy Williams!

 

Uhm, when I subject Y’all to Ye last of my remaining, witty repartee from thoust Mystical Isle of Nofendersville. With my End of Year Overall Winners selections, Mateys! Which Y'all Clearly look forward to, Man Overboard!

 

As Here goes Nothin', with another Bevy 'O totally Nonsensical, Zany “First Take” Off Ye Cuff selections made over Ye Holidazes’, below.

 

While Y’all can Compare ‘N contrast these choices with last year’s No Fenders selections in the following link.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/12/golden-tailpipe-awards-2021-streamliner_0543638078.html

 

CATEGORIES

1. Racer of Year

Winner: Francesco Bagnaia

This could easily be my Story of The Year. Since I’m not sure where it ranks in Biggest Chokes v Greatest Comebacks of All time? As Factory Ducati rider Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia found Himself in an seemingly insurmountable Championship Points Deficit following the series Halfway point at Germany’s Sachsenring. Where the Italian found Himself a staggering 91 points behind then Championship leader Fabio Quartararo. Nearly a four race Deficit, Aye Karumba!

 

But that didn’t stop Bagnaia from going on a tear beginning at the Dutch Grand Pri,one race later. Winning four races in-a-row, i.e.; Assen-Silverstone-Spielberg-San Marino! Before future Werks’ Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini stopped Bagnaia’s streak at Motorland Aragon…

 

As Francesco ultimately won seven Grands Prix to title rival Quartararo’s four. And went to the season finale at Valencia needing to only finish P14 or better to win the title! And simply mounted the biggest comeback of All time enroute to securing His maiden MotoGP World Championship! With Quartararo finishing an obviously Disappointed Runner Up…

 

Other Choices

Will Power, Enea Bastianini and the other “Usual Suspects”

 

2. Story of Year

Winner: Indy Cars Fading to Black?

Yeah, know some in Ye Bloggosphere are saying things Ain’t as Bad as many of us are feeling regarding the Nonstop Blunders of IndyCar’s Penske Entertainment!

 

First Thar was the El Stupidio decision to incorrectly rebrand Indy Lights to NXT. Which like Racer’s Marshall Pruett worte, is akin to somebody Pooping in The Punchbowl!

 

And then there’s the typical burying of a major setback like in the fourth or fifth paragraph of another repugnant Sunshine, Bunnies and Rainbows IndyCar Press Release about being the most Sustainable Racing Series on The Planet, SPEW!

 

Uhm, oh yeah, we’re gonna need to Ditch or delayed release of the All New 2.4-litre V-6 twin turbo Hybrid motors for 2024 in order to be able to get the Hybrid system to work with the antiquated 2.2-liter twin turbo V-6 motors we’ve been using since 2012! In order to make sure we’ve actually got 33 cars on the Grid for some Oval in Speedway, Indiana…

 

Arse-sume it’s just Mwah, Butt! Why does it feel like Penske Entertainment just keeps trying to put Fires out with it’s El Flambe Press releases!

 

Case in Point is All of the Dribble over it’s vaunted 100 Dazes to Indy six parts Documentary TV Show coming out this spring. So for Humour I spent some time searching my Zap-2-It’s TV Guide for The CW TV Channel, Huh? Like surely everybody’s Heard of that, Righto? Chirp Chirp Bueller?

 

Gee Wally, Err Penske Entertainment’s No. 1 Stuffed Shirt Mark Miles. It Ain’t on my Spectrum Cable TV package! Although I did find Vice Pacific, which hopefully will show the re-broadcasts as “Advertised”. Or is that supposed to be VICE like NXT? And pretty sure that Ain’t Miami vice…

 

Now I understand what they’re trying to do by enticing New, Younger Fans to a Sport Almost Nobody knows about besides it’s Dedicated Hard Core Fanbase. But once again we’re focusing upon Mother Speedway. And like usual, the rest of the regular season simply Doesn’t exist!

 

And then there’s the Horrific decision to let it’s iRacing licence lapse, Err be given to a Horrendous Gaming Company enroute to Torching “relations” with that Oh, So Coveted Younger Generation…

 

And I could go On ‘N On, but I’ll save my rant for a separate No Fenders tome, since I need more space…

 

Other Choices

Guess I should at least mention the other obvious candidates, i.e.; Formula One’s Porpose Gate, Red Bull’s Cost Cap Overspend, or Max Verstappen’s multiple four year Old Tantrum throwing tirades!

 

3. Race of Year

Winner: Phillips Island’s MotoGP Australian Grand Prix

This had to be the Best race of the year for Mwha! As I Scirbbled here on No Fenders previously how it was an ‘Ol school Donnybrook of a race!

 

As MotoGP returned Down Under for the first time in three years. And it quickly became a Drafting Duel du Jour! As Thar was a multiple train ‘O riders scrumming for the lead, i.e.; Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, etc.

 

Whilst Suzuki’s Alex Rins went from P10 to the lead! And then in a single lap was shuffled back to fourth! Yet on the final lap Rins went from third to first, with Bagnaia doing the opposite, i.e.; Dropping from the lead to P3! While Ye Pinball wizard Marc Marquez was quietly scoring His 100th MotoGP Podium.

 

As this was simply an electrifying race! For a series which probably gets lost in All fo the Chatter, eh?

 

Other Choices

Indianapolis 500, British Grand Prix, Rolex 24

 

4. Sportsperson of Year

Winner: Erica Enders

Erica Enders won Her fifth NHRA Pro Stock Championship last year in Dominating fashion! Winning an impressive 10 “Wally’s!” As Erica just seemingly goes about Her Business of winning Wally’s and championship yearly with No Fuss, No Muss! And really never gets acknowledged for Her impressive Domination of the Pro Stock category!

 

Other Choices

Britany Force, Simona de Silvestro, Angie Smith

 

5. Flatliner' of year

Winner: Ron Caps

Although I follow NHRA Drag Racing less ‘N less each year. When I did stumble into it on Fox TV. It always seemed like they were showing Ronald C. Capps winning another Nitro Top fuel Floppers’ (Funny Cars) Finals!

 

Even more impressive is that Capps never led the Points standings until the very final race at Pomona, CA. Where He not only won His second consecutive NHRA Funny Cars Championship, but did so as a first year Team Owner! And Beat Robert Height, who with eight season Wally trophies, arguably should have been Champion…

 

Other Choices

Britany force, Robert Height, Erica Enders

 

For the Conclusion of this Golden Tailpipe  Awards Categories 6-9, i.e.; Rider of Year, Sports Car Drivers of Year, Freak of Year and Quip of Year, Please visit the following No Fenders link below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/01/golden-tailpipe-awards-2022-streamliner.html

Picture Credit:

"RADD!" A Modern Day interpretation of the Golden Submarine originally made famous by Barney Oldfield debuted at the 2008 SEMA Show. (Image source: autoblog.com) 

Golden Tailpipe Awards: The 2022 Streamliner edition, Positions 6-9

Otay Kiddoes', it's that time 'O year again, when I cap off another long, meandering year's storytelling from thou Isle of Nofendersville with my Zany End of Year Overall Winners selections…

 

As Y’all know thou Drill here upon Ye Isle ‘O Nofendersville, where the Nights are long and the Days spent type-type-typing Away Way too Mucho on thoust Keyboard! Alas, Once again it’s another long form No Fenders Two part Harmony, Err meandering prose for your consideration

 

As Here goes Nothin', with another Bevy 'O totally Un-Scientific, Zany Random Off Ye Cuff selections made below…

 

CATEGORIES

Rider of The Year, Sports Car Drivers of The Year, Freak of The Year and Quip of The Year

 

6. Rider of Year

Winner: Enea Bastianini

This Uber Bad Arse Kneedragger quickly vaulted His way to becoming my Numero Uno MotoGP Rider this past year! Although I knew about Him as a Rookie in 2021, especially since He’s got a great last name for which I always try slipping in the letter D as in BadArseStini!

 

But the former Moto 2 Champion completely electrified Mwah last year during His Breakout season, ultimately scoring four wins on a year old Ducati!

As Enea Broke His Duck at season’s beginning in Qatar and never ooked back!

 

Even more intriguing was His Never Say Die attitude! Especially when mixing it up with future teammate and eventual 2022 MotoGP World Champion Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia! Especially in the latter few rounds when causing both Ducati Team bosses to chew off All of Thar Fingernails, et Al!

 

As Bastianini finished Third Overall and having just turned 25, will now be poised for a maiden title if He can keep from Crashing into Werks’ Ducati Lenovo teammate Bagnaia…

 

Other Choices

Alex Rins, Aleix Espargaro, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin?

 

7. Sports Car Drivers of Year

Winner: Tom Blomqvist and Oliver Jarvis

Seems a really long time ago now, especially with this year’s Rolex 24 almost Here! To remember that Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) Acura DPi won the 2022 Rolex 24. Especially since it’s regular season Drivers surely were overshadowed by that Dancin’ fool Hulio’, nee Helio Castroneves and His MSR IndyCar teammate Simon Pagenaud Moonlighting at Day-toner’.

 

Have known about Oliver Jarvis being Blindingly Quick ever since His Mazda Prototype Days, along with being a winning Driver.

 

But it’s Messser Blomqvist who excites me most! As really cannot say why I’m so Geeked over whom I enjoy calling Tom “The Bomb” Blomqvist! Other than He just seems like a really capable racing Driver!

 

Making it even more impressive that He Held off Wayne Taylor racing’s (Acura)  Championship rivals Filipe Albuquerque over the final race’s final 45mins! And not only win the 10 Hours Petit Le Mans race. But also win the Prototypes championship!

 

Oh Yeah, blomqvist is Fast, and I really Hope that MSR will finally see the light and insert Blomqvist into it’s No. 06 IndyCar entry for 2024, and finally retire Castroneves!

 

Other Choices

Guess I should include Pfaff Motorsports trio that won the GTD Pro category, i.e.; Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbel and Felipe Nasr. As All three have graduated to the Big boyz’ GTP ranks and will drive the Penske Porsche 963’s. Whilst top Jinny’ (Vasser) and Sully’s (James Sullivan) Lexus trio of Jack Bloody’ Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat and Kyle Kirkwood secured the team’s maiden GTD Pro victory at Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans.

 

Oh Yeah, how could I almost forget my Home Boyz’ Heart of Racing team’s Roman De Angelis for winning The GTD (Daytona) Championship! With the help of His co-Drivers Maxine Martin and Ian James…

 

8. Freak of Year

Winner: Ross Chastain

As this should be Obvious! In what I think was being called “The shot Heard round the World!” or more likely The Pass, Oh wait a Mynute’ that was somebldy named Alex Zanardi’s move on the Hapless Bryan High Speed Hurdles’ Herta at Laguna Seca!

 

Yet surely everybody knows about Chastain’s audacious “Overtake” maneuver at Martinsville to clinch the final spot in last year’s NASCAR Playoffs “chase” for whom of the four remaining drivers would vie for the title, Righto?

 

But I’m Sorry, Slammin’ your 3,500lb Taxicab Bomber into the retaining Wall to pass His fellow Competitors simply Ain’t Driving! And I simply Vomit Hearing Mike Joy in my Head regurgitating How Thar the Best Drivers in The World, Ralf!

 

Honourable Mention

Sebastian Vettel

Although I’ve long since tired of ‘lil syd viddle’s antics, mostly ON-track! Nonetheless, I have to say that Seb Vettel’s wearing of His Boxers on the outside of His Firesuit was absolutely Brilliant!

 

As perhaps Y’all recall the Firestorm that erupted around Jewelry Gate and Undie Gate! As the new Sherrif’s, Err Race Directors decided to lay down the law and enforce rules that Had previously been not worried about! As sir Lewis Hamilton was the target of Jewelry Gate, whilst Vettel rightly pointed out the Absurdity of trying to “Police” Drivers over Thar choice of undergarments that may, or may not be approved…

 

9. Quip of Year

Winner: “Luckily I wasn’t Lewis Hamilton at Zandvoort!”

 

Those were the Wickedly Sharp witted words of Kevin “Bacon” Magnussen following His Post Race Ordeal with DannyRic’, aka Daniel Ricciardo on lap-1 of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

 

As the Dane’ ended up spending the entire race trackside after being unable to communicate with the Safety Car Drivers, who just left Him watching Kerbside!

 

Although Kevin didn’t speak Portuguese, He wasn’t concerned until after the race had finished. And then Nobody was coming to Help Him get back to the Pits while the crowd was starting to Grow! Before some astute Corner Workers Cut a Hole in a Fence and Helped Magnussen to Safety!

 

https://www.grandprix.com/news/magnussen-reveals-strange-adventure-in-brazil.html

 

As that's a Wrap for last Year’s Scribblins’ Here on Nofendersville, as it's been Ah, Uhm? Oh Yeah, Ah blast! As we’ll return to our Normal Broadcasting Shortly…

 

Arrivederci

Tomaso 

IndyCar to begin Thawing Out?

Although Thars been No Snow on Ye Isle ‘O Nofendersvilles lately Mateys! As Hell, even the Sun’s trying to come out. Following our Ice, Sleet, Snow, Rain, High Surf Warning, Sneaker Waves and Coastal Flooding,

Yada Yada Yada…

 

As what’s that ‘Ol Beatles song about some Red Hot Orb in thousth Sky? Sing it George!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_O1QKQCsGs

 

Shortly No Fenders will be Wall to Wall with what’s traditionally the first race of the year for Mwah. And Yeah, I know that the Dakar Rally is proceeding in Saudi Arabia right now. (Dec 31-Jan 15, 2023)

 

But since it Ain’t on Any Terrestrial Cable TV Channel, Chirp Chirp, Bueller? Nobody Stateside will see the potential Audi RS Q e-tron score Dakar’s first Hybrid Overall “Cars” Class victory…

 

Thus, this is just intended to be playing Ketsup’ with a quick look at the few IndyCar News items I’m aware of right now from our Winter’s Break…

 

Prior to the Christmas Holidazes’, Felix Rosenqvist was announced of one of the upcoming Race Of Champion (ROC) contestants for this year’s January 28-29 event.

 

Naturally Rosenqvist who’s making His first ROC appearance will be super “Pumped” to be competing on Home Soil in the North of Sweden in the Baltic on Snow and Ice. Arse-sumedly at last’s year’s Pite Havsbad course in Pitea, Sweden. Yah Sure Yuh Betcha!

 

While No idea if Huski Chocolate will be an official Race Of Champions sponsor or not to ward off the cold?

 

As Rosenqvist will be paired with Johan Kristoffersson in the Nations Cup against such team’s as Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and Mika Hakkinen. Norway’s Pedar and Oliver Solberg. And the United Kingdom will feature Indy NXT Rookie Jamie Chadwick and David Coulthard again.

 

With Germany being comprised of ‘lil syd Viddle, Aka Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher. While we’re still Ah-Waitin’ on who’ll partner Mr. Le Mans, aka Tom Kristensen for Denmark. Along with Who Felipe Drugovich, the reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion and Aston Martin F1 Test and Reserve Driver’s partner for Latin America will be?

 

And apparently Belgium was unconfirmed prior to Santa arriving. Whilst following New Years, Team USA’s entry of Tanner Foust and Travis Pastrana was announced. Which seems very Apropos following Travis’s “good Buddy” Ken Block’s unfortunate Demise snowmobiling…

 

Meanwhile IndyCar, Err Penske Entertainment continues it’s Glacial We’re Not telling You Anything Important News Dribble by finally announcing that Mahle indeed is the series Partner providing the Hybrid Energy Recovery system, (ERS)  some ten months after Racer’s Marshall Pruett reported this, Drip Drip Drip!

 

Yuhs know, like IndyCar putting out another glowing Press release stating how Mahle’s surpassed a Bevy ‘O Milestones the past two years. Uhm Crickets! As we’re Not telling you what Any of those Milestones were…

 

On the Driver Front, we’re still Ah-Waiting’ who the final, potential three 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Drivers will be? As obviously the most coveted is the Ovals Only position for Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) No. 11. For which I’ve already guessed will be filled by Takuma Sato.

 

But this just feels like a “Stop Gap” measure to Mwah. Especially since Taku-san’s now 46yrs Old. And surely a switch to an Acura Sports Car team is on the Horizon for Sato? Which rules out CGR since Thar a Cadillac partner in Sports Cars…

 

As I don’t know if Cheep’s just Ah-Waitin’ to see if IndyCar Rookie Marcus Armstrong, who’ll run the Twisties’ portion in the #11 this year, will  “Make the Grade” and come up with the Funding for a Full season Drive in 2024?

 

But if His Driving is anywhere near this super impressive introductory interview with Marshall Pruett, then watch out IndyCar! As I only wish He was running the entire season so He could be Rookie Of the Year…

 

https://marshallpruett.podbean.com/e/mp-1355-catching-up-with-marcus-armstrong/

 

Also, CGR will test current Ferrari Academy Member, and former FIA Formula 2 Driver Robert ShwartZman this month as part of the team’s evaluating who’ll fill the departing Alex Palou’s seat in 2024…

 

No word as of New Years Day upon either of Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s plans on who’ll fill it’s No. 51 seat? And Ditto at Juncos Hollinger Racing for it’s expected No. 78 second entry. Although Marshall has noted that should JHR run a second car just because they said the would? Especially if they cannot find a talented Driver with the requisite Budget to fill it?

 

While 48 Hours following Christmas, Marshall Pruett worte that now 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Champion and 2022 Indy Lights Runner-up Sting Ray Robb was drawing a Bead upon landing one of these two remaining IndyCar Seats. As interestingly, the Idaho native’s receiving managerial “advice” from Alexander Rossi’s father Peter, Stay tuned! As my bet is Robb lands the No. 51 seat…

 

As the Clock’s winding down. Since we’re now only 24 days Away until Spring Training. Uhm, did somebody say Spring? Yuhs know when IndyCar Holds it’s first Preseason test at California’s Thermal Club over February 2-3. Although Zero idea if All of the expected 27 Car Grid shows up for this or not? 

Andretti Joins IMSA’s GTP Party, Next F1?

Although we won’t See any “tangible” Changes until 2024…

 

Why did that ‘Ol Leonard Cohen song First We Take Manhattan, then Berlin song come to mind when beginning to scribble this? Yuhs know; like Andrettie Global, First We Take GTP, then the World? Oh Never Mind…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTTC_fD598A

 

Otay, so it’s old news now that Mikey A’ and His eponymous Andretti Global Empire, Err Andretti Autosport bought an Ownership Stake in Wayne Taylor Racing in order to join the IMSA GTP category. With the new outfit being named Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport.

 

Geez! Like did Mikey and Wayne just try stealing from Dale Coyne’s Vanna I wanna Buy A Vowel Alphabet Soup naming brigade? As I’ll try calling it Double A with WTR for Short. Since Marshall Pruett says AA is some other organization…

 

As nothing changes for 2023, with WTR remaining at it’s current Brownsburg, Indiana Shop and running it’s No. 10 Acura ARX-06 GTP Prototype and No. 93 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 GTD programs virtually unchanged this year.

 

But where things get interesting is obviously next year. Since everybody and their Puppy Dawgs’ just cannot see how Double A with WTR, or perhaps better instead, WTR-Andretti Doesn’t Morph into a two car Acura GTP operation. Not to mention surely a trip to Circuit de la Sarthe will be on the calendar for 2024.

 

Thus the only racing series currently left off of Michael Andretti’s Bucket list is le Crème de la Crème. A la Formula 1.

 

Which leads me to my bit of pure 100% Speculation. Especially since the Head of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has just announced He wants the FIA to explore creating the process for Expressions of Interest for New Teams wishing to enter Formula 1. Which notably includes Andretti Global’s wishes to become Formula One’s 11^th F1 Constructor El Pronto!

 

If this process is opened in time for the 2024 F1 Season? Then I’d Arse-sume that Andretti Global would be utilizing a le Reggie’, Err Renault Power Unit. (PU) But with Andretti’s new Mega 575,000 Square Foot compound in Fishers, Indiana not coming “Online” until 2025, is that the earliest Andretti could go racing in Formula 1?

 

And now cementing themselves to another Honda programme, albeit Acura branded Sports Cars. Along with Honda having recently announced a possible interest to returning to Formula 1 when the new 2026 Engine Formulae begins. Could Mikey A’s Andretti Global become the new Honda “Flagship” in Formula 1?

 

Obviously, only time will tell, and I’m just making some very large, Uhm, I cannot See where I’m Holding my Paint Roller at, Splat!

 

Update

Naturally, a day after I’d Uploaded this story, Mikey A’ Dropped His latest bombshell with the announcement of partnering with General Motors (GM) and it’s Cadillac Brand for a proposed Formula 1 entry. With the announcement being made shortly after Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s tweeted His desire for the FIA to come up with a process for Expressions of Interest for future F1 entrants.

 

As Michael Andretti confidently said He believes this is the last Box to Tick, bringing a major Automobile Manufacturer to Formula 1 in order to push His desired Andretti Global’s 11th F1 Constructor Bid over the Finish line. Although it won’t happen next year, and seems likely to be aimed towards the 2026 F1 Season, when new Power Units are introduced…

 

https://www.grandprix.com/news/andretti-announces-plans-to-enter-f1-partnering-with-gm.html

Marshall Pruett interviews Richard Noble

“Hashtag” WTHTSLTPT!

 

During the past Turkey Lurkey Day Holidaze’. (And Arse-sumedly during the Christms-New Years Holidazes…) Like many, I was looking for some “Fresh” Moto Racing content. Dark or light, Bon Appetit!

 

Thus I was pleasantly surprised to run across Marshall Pruett’s “Canned” interview with Richard Noble, which I believe Marshall said was recorded sometime in 2021.

 

As it’s Uber Funny hearing Marshall bemoan His “Hashtag” WTHTSLTPT! Stood for What The Hell Took So Long To Post This! For which All I can say is I’ve got a story revolving around land Speed record pursuers waiting to be “Penned” from over four years ago now, Yikes!

 

As it’s a wonderful interview that weighs in at some One Hour Me thinks. And is worth listening alone to for Messer Noble’s description of making a run over 600mph aboard Thrust 2 at Black Rock Desert, Nevada! And the “Tricks” one uses to pilot a rocket powered Beast straight and true in the Desert’s featureless “moonscape!”

 

As Richard Noble actually held the world’s Land Speed Record of 633.468mph from 1983 until 1997. When His Thrust SSC piloted by RAF Squadron Commander Andy Green went Supersonic on land at 763.065mph!

 

https://marshallpruettpodcast.com/podcast/mp-1344-richard-noble-my-racing-life-career/

 

As why did listening to Richard Noble’s “Pedestrian” description of Manhandling a Jet rocket Car to some Bloody 600mph make me think of Coldplay’s wonderful Speed of sond song?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k_1kvDh2UA 

A Brief Glimpse at the storied Segrave trophy

And some of it’s Amazing Winners…

 

The Segrave Trophy was created in Honour of Sir Henry Segrave, following His Death in 1930. When His widow Lady Doris, (Stocker) a British Actress He married in October, 1917 had the trophy commissioned to Honour Her Husband’s legacy.

 

The trophy is Awarded for “Outstanding Skill, Courage and Initiative on Land, Sea or In the Air: The Spirit of Adventure.” And is presented by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) of Great Britain.

 

As the winner’s list of the Segrave trophy beginning in 1930 reads like a veritable Who’s Who of Great Britain Motorsports and Aviation Acilites. With Major Sir Malcolm Campbell becoming the first Double recipient in 1933 and 1939. Then for five years there was No award due to World War II! Whilst the trophy is not necessarily awarded yearly, if the RAC feels nobody has done enough for recognition…

 

A partial list of other British luminaries to win the Segrave trophy include: John cobb in 1947. And Sir Malcolm’s son Donald Campbell is the only Four times winner, i.e.; 1955, 1958, 1964 and then posthumously in 1966.

 

Another of the four Posthumous winners was Bruce McLaren in 1969.

 

Sir Stirling Moss won twice. First in 1957 and later in 2005, the latter for lifetime achievement.

  While the Wee Scot Sir Jackie’, aka JYS or simply Jackie Stewart also won twice. First in 1973 when becoming the then most successful Grands Prix winner, and later in 1999, also for lifetime achievement.

 

Scooters’ legend Barry Sheene won in 1977 and then a second time in ’84. Mike “The Bike” Hailwood won in 1979. Steve Webster was awarded the trophy in 1991 and Carl Fogarty claimed it in ’94.  Whilst John surtees won in 2012, being the only person to ever win a World Championship on both two wheels and four!

 

Richard Noble, who inspired this story. Won the trophy in 1983 for setting the then Land Speed record aboard Thrust 2 at an amazing 633.468mph! And then Noble’s protge Andy Green won the trophy when piloting Thrust SSC to the current Land Speed Record of 763.065mph. When becoming the first ever to Break the Speed of Sound on land!

 

Whilst Richard Franson was awarded the Seagrave trophy in ’86 for His Virgin Atlanticchallenger Sailing “Slooo” that He’d hoped to break the Atlantic crossing record with.  

 

And Martin BillyBob’ Brundle won in 1988, the year that He won the World sports Car championship driving for Tom Walkinshaw’s Werks’ Silk Cut Jaguar concern. Also having won that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona.

 

Brundle would go onto later win le 24 Heurs du Mans also for TWR Jaguar in ’90. The same year He earned His nickname of BillyBob’ when winning the Cleveland Burke Lakefront round of the International Race Of Champions, (IROC) where He finished third Overall…

 

Bloody Nige’, aka Red 5 or Il Lione’, ergo Nigel Mansell was the first recipient to win the Segrave trophy Back-to Back. Naturally in 1992-93, the same two years He became the only Driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship and PPG CART/IndyCar World series consecutively!

 

Although Nige shared His ’92 trophy with former Boss Sir Frank Williams.

 

The late Colin McRae netted the trophy in ’95 followed by Damon Hill a year later. With Lewis Hamilton taking the Honour during His F1 Rookie season in ’07. With Ye Scottish Terrier Allan McNish winning for the first time in 2008. Followed by a second trophy in 2013.

 

Adrian Newey won the trophy in 2010 for  being the only F1 Designer winning the Formula 1 Drivers and Constructors World Championships with three separate teams, i.e.; Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

 

Billy Monger at Age 20, the youngest Segrave trophy recipient, was rightly awarded the Honour in 2018. As you may know that Monger’s a Double Amputee and won the Award for showing Great Determination and Courage in returning to High level of Motorsports.

 

While our second consecutive winner is the unknown to Mwah James Ketchell in 2019-20.

 

And that’s with No Disrespect at All even remotely intended by All of the amazing Aviators to be awarded this prestigious trophy! With Charles Kingsford-Smith being the inaugural winner. Whilst it’s Sad that only five women have ever won the trophy in it’s 93 years existence. Beginning rightly with English Aviatrix Amy Johnson in 1932 for Her record breaking flight from London to Cape Town… 

RETRO: Time Capsule of an Early Land Speed Record Holder

As move over Tom Sneva! This Gasman was way Ahead of You!

 

Although I’m guessing I’ve heard the name before, cannot say I’ve ever been curious about Sir Henry Segrave. For which the Segrave trophy is named in Honour of this Speed records pioneer.

 

Interestingly, Henry was born in Baltimore, Maryland in September, 1896 to an American Mother and Irish Father. And attended schooling in Ireland before attending College in England.

 

Enjoy the brief respite of His travails of Military service during World War I. Having been rushed thru Officer Training School. Henry was apparently known as the “Lion’s Cub” for His determined Trench fighting. Having thrown an Ammunition Belt at a German Soldier after His gun had become clogged in Mud, causing the enemy’s shot High and Hitting Him in the shoulder!

 

Recovering from this, Sir Henry next joined the RoyalFlying corps in 1915 and became a Fighter Pilot in 1916. Even shooting down a German two seater Aviatik on May 1st.

 

Segrave was later Hit by Anti-Aircraft artillery and crashed Heavily that July! And severely breaking His Ankle effectively ended His flying career.

 

 

 

But the funniest part is Henry bemoaning His being a terrible pilot and how the landings were the worst, which He was constantly “Mucking” Up! With Henry taking up Administrative roles until resigning His Royal Air force Commision in 1919.

 

Next Henry took up the emerging Boom of Motorsports, making His way onto Britain’s Sunbeam Works team. Racing in the 1922 French Grand Prix, where He was forced to retire.

 

Segrave triumphantly won the 1923 French Grand Prix in a Sunbeam! Along with winning the 1924 San Sebastian Grand Prix before retiring from the Sport in order to focus upon the exhilarating pursuit of Speed records.

 

As I believe these triumphs were set aboard a Grand Prix Sunbeam 1921 racecar? For which the name Sunbeam always makes me think of it’s latter years, when it was part of the Roots Group before Chrysler purchased it.

 

When some ‘Ol Codger’ named Carroll Shelby was commissioned to see if He could get a Ford “Hi-Po” 289cid Small block v-8 Shoehorned into what became known eventually as the Sunbeam tiger!

 

Having just learned that these 1964-67 Sunbeam tigers were so named in Honour of Henry Segrave’s record setting Tiger! With the Series I Tiger usiing a production Ford 260cid Small Block V-8. And the much rarer Mark II Tigers having standard 289cid V-8 lumps’ as Thar motivation.

 

Segrave set a total of three land Speed records, His first coming on March 16, 1926. Utilizing a 4-litre Sunbeam tiger named Ladybird, He set a record of 152.33mph at Ainsdale Beach on southport, England. With the record standing for just a month before another prominent land Speed record Chaser, J.G. Parry-Thomas broke it.

 

Then just over one year later, on March 29, 1927, Henry became the first person to record a speed over 200mph! Using a custom 1,000 Horsepower Sunbeam known affectionately as “the Slug.” (Or Mystery) Recorded a speed of 203.79mph on Daytona Beach’s Road Course.

 

As Daytona Beach’s sandy Beach Road course was the site of multiple land Speed records during the 1900, way before someplace “big bill” (France) had built inland in 1953. Perhaps Y’all have Heard of it? Someplace called Daytona International Speedway…

 

As the first recorded land Speed record set at Daytona Beach was in 1906 with Steam power! With Fred Marriott aboard His Stanley Rocket claiming a speed of 127.66mph.

 

 With the Beach being the “Place” for land Speed records exclusively between 1927-1935 before Bonneville Salt flats took over the LSR scene. While NASCAR’s final race on the Beach was held in 1958.

 

Seagrave’s third and final land Speed record was set aboard His Golden Aero, which He used to up the record to 231.45mph, also at Daytona Beach Road course on March 11, 1929.

 

As Segrave Quit pursuit of any further land Speed records following witnessing the High Speed Death of Lee bible at Ornond Beach,  Florida two days later.

 

Henry turned His attenzione next to water Speed records, having had the Miss England I built in 1928 to recapture the Harmsworth trophy from the legendous’ Gar Wood and His Miss America’s.

 

As the boat used a single Napier Lion “Aero” (Aircraft) engine for propulsion. As Segrave believed the speed could be found in the Hull’s advanced Planing design instead of just raw, outright Horsepower.

 

As I love the fact that Woods “Sportingly” offered Segrave assistance in propeller and rudder design. And then Henry traveled to Miami and Defeated Wood for the first time in nine years at their Speedboat races!

 

Upon His return to Jolly ‘Ol England, Henry Segrave was Knighted for His Speed record achievements. Yet shortly after, on July 13, 1930, Segrave’s luck finally ran out!

 

Upon setting a new water Speed record on Windermere of 98.76mph in two recorded runs. Miss England II capsized on Her third run, instantly Killing it’s Chief Engineer. Whilst it’s Mechanic survived with just a broken Arm. Segrave would Die from massive lung Hemorrhaging at the Age of 33yrs Old that Fateful day…

 

As Sir Henry Segrave was the first person to simultaneously Hold the land and water Speed records, along with the first to go 200mph on land.