Strike the Pose!

Davey Hamilton proudly sporting his No Fenders limited 1^st edition T-shirt at Indianapolis - July, 2007

Davey Hamilton - Postscript (Con’t)

And although I’d originally scribbled previously in Part 1 that it appeared Messer Hamilton wouldn’t make the cut as part of Tony G’s bumbling Vision Racing Squad’s ’08 I500 plans - I was happily corrected, to which I eluded to in; Hamilton’s Vision. (‘Circa 2008)

As we all know now, Davey did indeed continue his Indy 500 renaissance that year by once again competing at the Speedway aboard then IRL CEO Tony George’s No. 22 HP/KR/Vision entry. As Davey started P18 and finished 14^th; while obviously tony’s Step-son ‘FAST EDDIE, aka Ed Carpenter was the highest placed starter of the Vision Racing trio - qualifying his No. 20 Menards/Vision entry tenth, along  with being the highest place finisher - winding up fifth. While the third Hombre of this flotilla of Vision cars was ‘QUATTRO, nee A.J. Foyt IV whose (Lily Diabetes) Eli Lily’s-mobile rolled off from the inside of the final row in P31 and finished 21^st. 

For 2009, Hamilton moved to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and was part of DRR’s growing  Big Top four car armada for the Month of May, Err two weeks of May with the team being unofficially split into two camps, i.e.; The Lady & The ‘Wookie... (Brit-Rookie) and the OLD Salts, Err seasoned veterans; Hya! As these ‘Boyz were that year’s elder Statesmen at the Speedway...

Dreyer & Reinbold Indy 500 Entries

Car #      Driver/Sponsor

No. 23  Milka Duno/CITGO

No. 24  R-Mike Conway/Purex

No. 43  Davey Hamilton/HP

No. 44  John Andretti*/Window World

(* = Richard Petty Motorsports in association w/DRR)

Hamilton was the lone DRR entrant to qualify during the first weekend when he put his Dallara racecar P22 - with the other three cars looking tenuous at best , all being down on speed.

As all I seem to remember is Davey being interviewed ‘bout the team’s woes and  saying he didn’t need to tell John anything - he’s a seasoned Pro who knows how to get around here... As I recall clapping, hooting ‘N hollerin’ when John bumped his way in at 5:52PM on his third and final attempt of “Boomp Day,” with ‘BULLY-Ray (R. Hunter-Reay) barely qualifying the IZOD/Vision Racing entry in the waning moments by bumping out rookie Alex Tagliani just prior to the six O’clock gun being fired!

Rookie Mike Conway qualified on the outside of Row-9 in P27, while ‘Milkalicious decided to withdraw her time and requalify on Sunday - having shocked everyone by finding 3mph in practice before comfortably qualifying 30^th, for her third I500...

Yet Davey was the first ‘N lone car out at Dreyer & Reinbold

Classified P29 with contact on lap-79; while his veteran teammate John Andretti was the final car on the lead lap (L200) and finished 20^th overall.

Milka Duno ‘Wandered-her-way in-between a DRR Ménage à trois sandwich of Andretti and Mike Conway by finishing P19 - in actually what would become her best finish at the Speedway, only 1-lap down. And Conway was the team’s highest finisher - keeping his nose clean in the Purex car the whole day and crossing the stripe 18^th.

In 2010, once again Davey was on the move, this time teaming up with gil De Ferran’s fledgling De Ferran Dragon Racing team, as Y’all recall when it suddenly became Gil’s team with Jay Penske and Steve Luczo moving into the background...

As Davey joined Luczo Dragon De Ferran Racing’s primary driver Raphael Matos, albeit this time announcing a three race deal - beginning with Indianapolis, then Texas - the sight of his monstrous crash and Chicagoland.

Hamilton qualified his HP ‘Calladrocious No. 21 entry 14^th, with ‘RAFA lining up 12^th for the De Ferran Squadra. Yet it was all for naught - as this was the year that Hamilton would publicly call Tomas “Rockem-Sockem” Scheckter an IDIOT! After the duo were involved in a lap-1 incident which Davey claimed was his second ever worst day in racing; and we all know what was number one... Hamilton went on to say that’s Scheckter for you, he does IT every year and gets away with IT! Hmm? NO Christmas Cards for Tomas I guess? Hee-hee-hee...

Meanwhile Davey’s younger teammate Raphael was busy dashing Hamilton’s next race plans, as first the crew forgot to attach all four wheels during a Pitstop and then Matos smacked the wall on lap-73, as I believe the damage was sufficient enough to cause DFR to use Hamilton’s car at Texas the week following...

Hamilton did compete for DFR at Chicagoland though, albeit qualifying on the very last row in 28^th alongside last place’s Jay Howard *P29) in the sister Sarah Fisher Racing entry... And according to the ‘DAWG’s (pressdog) in-duh-house race report - Hamilton was a NON-factor all night, being inhaled by Sarah Fisher twice before finishing a quiet 18^th.

For 2011; Yep, you guessed it! Davey was on the run again, as De Ferran Dragon Racing ultimately cratered - although being brought back from the ashes in the reincarnated guise of Dragon Racing - hence Hamilton pitched his wares once again with buddies Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl - as part of the Dryer & Reinbold Racing team, in another 3-race ‘Dealio; this time Indy, Texas and Los Vegas.

Hamilton qualified his No. 11 HP-mobile a respectable 15^th, and then soldiered home to a 24^th place finish, albeit 7-laps behind the winner. As I don’t know ‘nuttin ‘bout the TEXARSE Jokem Twinner’s - as I was off somewheres??? And didn’t feel inclined to record the night’s silly-arse marketing fiesta... Although it’s symbiotic that Davey finally returned to the track that nearly took his feet a decade earlier!

Meanwhile, in February of 2010 - Davey’s growing portfolio of properties increased  when he and his Indy Racing Experience co-horts: Scott Jasek, Joe Kennedy and Jeff Sinden purchased the Indianapolis-based Menard Engine Group (MEG) from founder John Menard - which I have NO idea if Menard Competition Technology (MCT) is part of this acquisition? As MCT is/was responsible for the manufacture of the One-make Superleague Formula’s 4.2-liter normally aspirated 750bhp V-12 ‘lumps...

And Hamilton is still actively involved in the Terre Haute  Action Track; of which he’s a co-owner of - along with his Davey Hamilton Racing operations, which includes Winged Sprint cars and a Firestone Indy Lights team - which primary driver Brandon Wagner won the last year’s season finale at Homestead, where DHR fielded a second entry to promising Dirt Car rookie Henry Clarke - in what appears to be a “One-off” effort. As I’d personally like to see the ex-Motorcross rookie back in the cockpit, albeit I’m sure it’s a funding issue... While I have NO idea if Davey will race at Indy next year or not? As I guess it’d be a good way to celebrate his big 5-Oh B-Day, eh? Which will occur on June 13, 2012!

And feel free to check out the Davey Hamilton Racing website at: daveyhamiltonracing.com

A Twisted Holiday - Veteran’s Day...

I realize it was just??? The nature of the Beast - as I rooted silently against Dan Wheldon for two-seasons as a National Guard sponsored driver for Panther Racing, as I for ‘Juan have NEVER ever been in favour of our Military being allowed to sponsor racing cars, racing series or drivers participating in the sport... And hence although I like JR Hildebrand, I had mixed emotions over his potential victory at the Speedway this year, which ironically Dan Wheldon in a NON-military liveried car snatched away from the rookie driver Hildebrand - who contrary to mainstream media reports did NOT choke, but simply made a rookie mistake... One which I’m quite certain he’ll never repeat, eh?

Yet what is WRONG with this country? As can’t Y’all see the Hypocrisy of the mighty US Military machine so perversely hocking its different branches of Military upon any and all Motorsports series from ‘RASSCAR, IndyCar, Nationwide, AMA Superbikes  and now even Unlimited Hydroplanes...

As I’ve personally QUIT following my cherished ‘BigBoatz (Unlimited Hydroplanes) upon learning this year that it’s now the Air National Guard H1 series; Hmm? Isn’t that the branch ‘O service that reputedly ‘RASIN BRAIN, nee George W Bush allegedly served in and cost veteran and longtime CBS Nightly News Anchor Dan Rather his job after reporting that Bush had been AWOL multiple times when he was supposed to be serving our nation during the Vietnam war... Not to mention Darth Vader, a.k.a. Dick Cheney who received five Deferments during the same war; Oh Never Mind!

As I merely bring this up since they’re two of the people most responsible for sinking this nation into two completely UNNECESSARY OCCUPAITONS!!! Err, WARS... Of which how many countless men and women have been sent to their deaths - both civilians and enlisted...

And now that we’re coming home? There’s reportedly one MILLION Veterans currently UN-employed! NOT to mention how many thousands are Homeless or not receiving the proper medical care???

Yet meanwhile, in the Jet City, aka Seattle - where Senator Patty Murray hails from, who’s part of the O’Bama Super SLASH ‘N BURN Budget Committee tasked with STEALING a further Trillion dollars from the US Taxpayers... Our Governor Christine Gregoire is CHOPING multiple necessary services to the people who need them most, i.e.; Disabled, Elderly and Homeless/Impoverished...

Not to mention for example, what many may consider a non-essential service... But I’ve just learned via ‘Snowbyrd MJ who’s volunteered for years as a reader - largely due to my visual disorder... That the Evergreen Radio Services are being eliminated; SHEISA!

And if you’re wondering what the Evergreen Radio Service is, it’s a wonderful service that enables blind and visually impaired persons to listen to selected programming 24/7 - including “REAL” people reading a variety of Newspapers via “Special” radio receivers... Hence, for those who count upon this great benefit towards the quality of their life’s, where will they turn to now in order to see the world outside??? But NO! We’re gonna keep dropping Bombs and firing missiles from Predator Drones on Defenseless Civilians instead BY GUMMIT!!!

Veteran’s Day - 2009

WSR Drivers set to make Debutant F1 Practise starts

This weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will see the debut of two rising World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) stars participating in Friday morning’s Free Practice (FP1) session.

Thee Young ‘Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ‘KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio’s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.

As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year’s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...

Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning’s for the final two GP’s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ‘Zebb (Vettel) instead...

Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea

Davey Hamilton - Postscript

This No Fenders Feature Story  was originally posted on February 19, 2008 as a companion post to Terre Haute Trio; Prior to Blogger.com deciding to irrevocably SHATTER the Original NoFenders.net (V1.0) Blogsite - Hence leaving your Humble Scribe with 1,500+ Posts potentially with BROKEN images; SHEISA! Which unfortunately this story was one of the countless and strangely when I uploaded the corresponding Davey ‘STUD Hamilton Strike-the-Pose! Pic late Friday evening (Sept 9) for reasons unknown... Blogger moved it FORWARD 3+ years & to the FRONT of the Queue; CRIKEYS!

But it’s somewhat Karmic since Messer Hamilton endured a HORRIFIC SHUNT a la ‘Zorro, aka Alex Zanardi - ten years ago himself; and hence I decided to update the story to 2011-spec’s; in two-part Harmony...

INTERVIEW: Terre Haute Trio

So, where do I begin? As this has to be one of the “Coolest Cats” (Drivers) I’ve had the pleasure of personally meeting. (Which I did during the summer of ’07) As little did I know just how much interaction I’d have with him, as he was overly gracious with me that most memorable day in July, having flown back to Indiana to take my ride aboard the Sinden 2X single seater at the Speedway…

First Danny introduced us, as Davey was nonchalantly sitting behind the check-in desk. Then we surprised him with a limited first edition No Fenders T-Shirt, of which Davey proclaimed he’d wear while at the office that afternoon; Yeah, right!

Thent we got to spend an amazing amount of time talking to him; 15-25 minutes approximately before Davey told us he needed to go get changed. And I just sat there awestruck with a silly (GOOFY!) grin across my face as everybody inside the Formula 1 garage was watching Messer Hamilton strut toward the hot pits in his driver suit, a la sleeves tied around the waist and sporting the No Fenders T-Shirt… SHEISA!

But, my 15 minutes ‘O fame wasn’t over yet, as next thing I knew I was being shepherded to the pit lane to stand in front of the Sinden land shark to pose once again with Davey while everybody else stood around listening to instructions being barked out prior to us waiting to take the E-Ticket ride of our lifetimes!

Brickyard Flyer

What I’d totally forgotten about Davey was the horrific crash and injuries he’d suffered at Texas Motor Speedway in 2001, as this high-speed oval seems to have a nasty habit of destroying driver’s lower extremities. Recall that this is the track that was too fast for CART to tame, as they’d had to cancel the race after having fears about drivers blacking out due to the excessive G Forces they’d be enduring.

And then, there’s been the multiple blow-over’s, which have cost Kenny Brack, and Davey Hamilton life threatening injuries, as the close quarters of racing wheel to wheel on this high speed oval seems to be a recipe for carnage. (Along with Ganassi Racing’s Pablo Perez and Ryan Briscoe’s terrible accidents at Homestead and Chicagoland respectively)

On that terrible day in 2001, Davey Hamilton was trying to get around back marker Jeret Schroeder; whose engine expired, causing Hamilton to spin in the offending slippery liquids deposited on track before cart-wheeling  into the infield.

Trying to extricate himself from the wreckage of his racecar, Hamilton was unaware that his feet were barely hanging on by just a few pieces of flesh and bone. After the Doctors back in Indianapolis pieced his broken feet back together with 15 pins in one and 13 pins plus a rod in the other, Hamilton would endure a total of 21 surgeries over a period of four years along with spending a year in a wheel chair on his road to recovery.

Yet, Hamilton ultimately decided that he wanted to attempt a comeback if he could put together the right opportunity for a ride in competitive Machinery, which took several years to accomplish.

Davey spent time reacclimatizing himself to the cockpit of a single seater as a chauffeur for the Sinden 2X Indycar Experience program, along with doing colour commentary work on WIBC Radio as well as being a spotter for Cheever Racing.

It was thru the Indy Racing Experience that Hamilton chauffeured an executive of Hewlett Packard which would ultimately lead to the most amazing return to the Speedway in 2007 after a six year absence, as Hamilton would make up one fourth of Tony George’s Vision Racing armada. And while Hamilton may not have been the quickest gun in George’s stable, Hamilton led the Vision Racing brigade home with a top finish of ninth place…

While chit-chatting with Davey on that wonderful day in July, I was reminded that he’s a Boise, Idaho native who’d cut his racing teeth in Sprint Cars as he reeled off about 8-9 short tracks in the Pacific Northwest that I’d never heard of. And while listening to the Terre Haute Trio interview, I learned that Davey along with his father have been managing Meridian Speedway for the past 20 years, along with having a son who’s now competing in racing. (JD Hamilton)

Thus, while I believe that Davey would like another shot at the upcoming year’s (2008) Indy 500, it seems unlikely as I’ve read that he’ll be back in the booth as the Indycar Radio Network’s colour commentator instead. Also, Tony George seems to be close to shutting down his team in order to free up chassis for the impending arrival of Champ Car teams, having given Tomas Scheckter and AJ Foyt IV their walking papers.

Hopefully Davey will continue chauffeuring those of us privileged enough to ride behind him at 180mph! While it sounds like he’s planning for his future as a race track promoter, whenever he decides its time to step away from the cockpit, along with watching his son try to become a professional racecar driver. At least his daughter doesn’t seem to have been bitten by the racing bug to date.

Thanks Davey and Good Luck!

Hamilton’s Vision

For the conclusion of this story, please visit the following No Fenders link below.

 

Davey Hamilton Postscript (Con't)

To continue reading, see: Davey Hamilton - Postscript (Con’t)

Zanardi wins NY Marathon

Heard it first on SpeedCentre - when Leigh Diffey busted out the news in the waning moments that ‘Zorro had done the unthinkable... And WON the Handbike division of this year’s New York Marathon; Aye Karumba!

Way to GO Alex!

Zanardi wins class at New York marathon

American Young gun to shine during Abu Dhabi weekend...

20yr old American rising star Alexander Rossi, who finished third in this year’s World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) series - and a Team Lotus Reserve Driver via its Driver Academy is set to partake in not only the Abu Dhabi GP2 ‘AllStarz season finale during the Grand Prix weekend as a support race to the Formula 1 ‘BigBoyz event... But will also take part in the forthcoming F1 Young Drivers test - taking part immediately after the Formula 1 weekend’s Grand Prix with Team Lotus; who’ll become Caterham F1 Team for 2012...

Alexander Rossi to test for Team Lotus in Abu Dhabi