Lamenting Motorsports – Part 4

In my third and final (Hurrah!) No Fenders four part symphonic expose upon the unintended(?) consequences of emerging trends in Motorsports, I’d like to examine the unrelenting tidal surge towards the “George Retson” AstroCar era...

Fall, 2012

‘Whale a whole lot has changed since I first began scribbling this ‘Wayback in February of Twenty-eleven, yet I still feel basically the same towards the future of E ‘lectrified motorcars...

Battery-electric cars will struggle after normal buyers replace early adopters

As this topic sprang to mind once again as we sat at the Eugene, Oregon train station awaiting our passenger right next to some building called The Electric Station - which made  me ponder if it was thee electric station I’d read about awhile ago that provides free recharging for electric vehicles. Nah, I’m pretty sure that ‘Juan’s in Portland instead, as this electric station was apparently the original Eugene train station that’s been converted into a restaurant now.

And I’m not against the technologies of hybrids or plug-in vehicles; HELL! I even found the ‘Chebbie Volt to be a whole lot better looking then I’d mentally painted it inside my cranium; BUTT! I’m just simply run down and extremely tired over what I now believe is nothing more than “Greenwashing!”

As I suppose if I try hard enough I can find some sort of environmental problems towards any of today’s technology, its just that I’m really torqued off that one of the main aspects of automotive Ee-lectrification is NEVER mentioned or discussed... Which is how is Lithium obtained and what are the side effects of mining for it?

As how come NOBODY ever discusses how the process of obtaining Lithium from faraway nations has a diverse effect upon their cultures & civilization, not to mention irrevocably ruining their natural resources...

In search of Lithium: The battle for the 3rd element

As currently there’s a court case going on to decide if a Canadian mining company should indeed be responsible for poisoning the Columbia River for a Century by dumping its tailings, etc from their side of the border.

Judge to rule on B.C. mining firm's dumping into Columbia River

Whilst another mining company has finally agreed to a momentous settlement of its lawsuit in regards to reeking environmental havoc upon Idaho.

Mining co. to pay $263M to settle superfund suit

Thus, with the announcement of the FIA’s brand new E-racing series; Formula E, you have to wonder just exactly what is the real purpose of said series? Is it simply to push the Green agenda further forward in hopes of selling us new cars? As how come nobody is talking about the inherent danger of Formula One’s current vaunted KERS system, which is supposedly going to become even more robust in 2014 with the switch to 1.6-liter turbo engines  and more emphasis upon energy recovery systems...

I mean, gosh, gee Wally? There’s even talk about the cars going into hush mode in the Pitlane, which I personally find to be something dangerous for blind and visually impaired persons in general... As we totally rely upon NOISE in order to avoid being struck by vehicles!

But back to KERS, does everybody remember the Iceman’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System failure at Korea this year? When thee ‘Kimster was forced to jump out of the Lotus chassis in one fell swoop without touching the car  before landing on the ground because they didn’t know if the car was safe or not? As Professor Matchett noted how they’re currently producing between 400-600 volts; YIKES! As ‘Hobbo noted your house is only running on 110V,  while I think heavy duty usage runs at 240-volts, while our cars currently utilize a 12V battery.

And that’s not to mention Bruno Senna’s back receiving burns in his Williams when the KERS allegedly caused wiring to melt and mold itself to the backside of the gas tank/bulkhead - causing the burns; CRIKEYS! Not to mention the various instances of “Hot Bods” (bottoms) over the years from the extreme packaging confines of today’s modern F1 chassis.

As I notice there’s NO word on how the Grand Prix teams dispose of said batteries and their associated liquids which were apparently oozing out when the cameras zoomed in on the mechanics walking around with thick rubber gloves upon there hands in order to protect themselves from potentially ‘Mega voltage shockwaves when working upon Raikkonen’s stricken Lotus...

And speaking of disposal, this subject never seems to be brought up either... As yeah, I’ve heard all the  “Greeniness” or is that Greediness? Of disposing properly and recycling, yet how much of this really is happening? As it appears many top consumer businesses - most notably WallMart, that All American company; YUK! Simply ship their batteries to Mexico in order to let them deal with the toxic disposal of lead and whatever else corrosive, hazardous chemicals are included...

Lead From Old U.S. Batteries Sent to Mexico Raises Risks

And that’s before we even get to how is the electricity for charging such vaunted vehicles such as the Tessla Roadster being produced? Is it Nuclear, Coal, Natural Gas, a combination of all of the above or Hydroelectric instead, which dams have their own set of inherent environmental setbacks to deal with...

And that’s not even considering the current major drawback of what is a very real emotion called range anxiety!

So, while I applaud the pursuit of alternative technology and a “Greener” environment, let’s just QUIT the BULLSHIT over how GURR-REAT!!! These George Retson  AstroCars are! And do NOT even get me started upon Autonomous cars, which I’ll save for a discussion in the future...

“The RICH stay Healthy; the sick stay POOR,

I, I, believe in love...”

(U2: God II; Rattle and Hum, 1988)

Is IndyCar better off Now than it was four years ago?

With the just concluded stupendous election... And Kevin Lee’s appropriate comment of how Jeffery “thee Walrus” Belskus’s Alexander Haaig comments about “I’m in Charge” by-gummit! And thinking of ‘TG of yesteryear, when we breathlessly awaited whether there’d be a mergification or not? I suddenly realized how it felt all over once again like four years ago - regarding the sorry state of Indy Cars current leadership crisis... Which made me harken back to being somewhere down a river in a canoe without a paddle...

Somewhere Down that Crazy River

Lamenting Motorsports – Part 3

The No 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/HVM Racing car... (Source: catchfence.com)

Yeah, I know – you’re probably saying enough with the “Geo-politico” theme Man! Yet, I must simply carry-on, especially since THE ‘DAWG sez REAL Bloggers due multi-part stories... Whale that and the fact that this touchy subject was also stickin’ in my craw, having first spoken out about it way back in;

HVM to run Glow-in-the Dark colours for Next 3yrs

Now, while I know many will quickly say that it was a freak ‘O nature that caused this unormal occurrence – to which I don’t disagree or dispute. Nevertheless, I cannot help expounding upon it, especially since I’m going to be subjugated to hearing the ‘Tagline Nuclear “Clean Air” Car for the next three Indy Car racing seasons; with the somewhat “Wink-Wink, Nudge-Nudge” emphasis upon  CLEAN AIR – which I’m assuming is a subliminal swipe at the nation’s coal industry - targeted to pull upon environmentalist’s heart-strings?

Yet has anybody been paying attention to the recent nuclear power plant Pandemic in Japan – after suffering its worst earthquake in recent history, a magnitude 8.9 on the Richter scale... Not to mention the 7+ aftershock or the 80 aftershocks incurred afterwards, not to mention the resulting tsunami that also wreaked havoc upon the area...

In Japan plant, frantic efforts to avoid meltdown

170,000 people were evacuated from a 12-mile zone surrounding the troubled nuclear reactor; a 40yr old GE Mk I Boiling water generator. Civilians were also given iodine to prevent against possible throat cancer; Hmm? That sounds quite similar to what Downwinders in Eastern Washington are fighting over in court...

Yet, I suppose it’s eerily ironic that it would be Japan once again facing possible nuclear maladies, having unfortunately been the recipients of two atomic bombs during the final stages of World War II...

In Nuclear Crisis, Crippling Mistrust

Quick Facts

442 nuclear power plants worldwide.

2009 survey: 435NPP’s – 75% PAST halfway of life expectancy.

Typical NPP lifespan = 40yrs.

NPP site remains TOXIC for 800yrs.

40 GE NPP’s similar to Japanese NPP design in US, including Vermont’s Yankee Clipper that Entergy Nuclear is pleading to have its license extended.

Merkel puts 3-month delay on decision for Germany’s 17 NPP’s lifespans being extended.

(NPP = Nuclear Power Plant)

And please do not misinterpret me as a proponent of coal power, as I find this to be an absolutely disgusting form of energy, that wreaks havoc upon the environment and mankind in so many toxic ways; as do you really believe there’s such a thing as “Clean coal?”

 Yet I also do NOT profess to know the answer to our world’s energy needs, as all forms of creating power seemingly have their downsides. It’s just that the nuclear option seems to be the absolute worst!

As there truly isn’t a CLEAN way to dispose of nuclear radiation, regardless of what we’re led to believe - as the U.S. is now seriously rethinking their decision to attempt converting nuclear waste into MOX as a fuel source for nuclear reactors.

New Doubts about Turning Plutonium into a Fuel

While I happen to live in the state with the world’s worst toxic dump, a place known as Hanford, which I suspect will never truly be clean again, as there’s simply been too much contamination seeping into the ground & water for too many decades now...

Bosses imperil cleanup at Hanford, agency says

Meanwhile the Government fights to establish Hanford’s “B” Reactor as a National Monument; YUK! Do we really wish to glorify the use of two Atomic bombs to MURDER thousands of Japanese civilians?

Enterprise reactors to be buried at Hanford

To continue reading, see; Lamenting Motorsports – Part 4

Thee ‘Kimster chills in the Desert...

The ‘Iceman Kimi Raikkonen celebrates his recent contract extension with another ‘Uber Cool race victory underneath the Desert stars on Yas Isle. (Source: blogs.bettor.com)

HOLY ICECUBES BATMAN!

2012 Abu Dhabi GP

Whenever I think of the Yas Island circuit in Abu Dhabi, I think fondly of ‘Fredrico Suave (Alonso) giving Vitaly ‘VO5 Petrov the you’re number one salute which enabled Sebastian Vettel to become ‘Weldmeister for the first time in 2010...

Thus, what an absolutely FREAKIN’ UNBELIEVEABLE RACE! As I haven’t laughed myself silly like that so much for so long - that I spent the rest of Sunday basking in jubilation - along with my endorphins completely PEAKED! ‘Cause as we all know; when you PEAK, you win, right Danica? Hya!

Yet I was truly basking in the afterglow of what I’d have to say was the best Formula 1 race of the year! Having first just busted out in goofiness as “Louise ‘JAGUAR” Hamilton’s assured victory simply melted away, as Hamilton had the race win by the throat! As I’ve scribbled somewhere previously; Hmm? Me thinks perhaps his move to Mercedes might not be as bad as we think, since the Silver Arrows seem to be more reliable at the moment... Provided they’re not hurtling skywards over stricken HRT’s.

As SHEISA! What a scary looking accident that was between ‘Brittany (Nico Rosberg) and the NOT-so Speediest Indian, aka Narain Karthikeyan; as you know it was close if Karthikeyan’s in-car camera mount was ripped off; Aye Karumba! As the Indian driver reported after both drivers thankfully walked away that he’d had a hydraulics failure which locked up his steering...

And the carnage was overly thick as the Who’s “Pinball Wizard” song comes to mind, as I’m not sure who was the deaf, dumb and blind, as Mark Webber seemingly couldn’t stay out of the way of staying off the bumpers! Along with Sergio Perez getting nicked a stop-go penalty for his excessive use of the flippers; Err chrome horn...

Yet I simply was pissing myself silly; take that, Jay Penske! With laughter over thee ‘Kimsters delayed in-car radio transmissions - first with the team telling him Fernando Alonso was P2 five seconds adrift: “Leave me alone! I know what to do” Kimi shot back; then under the safety car the radio crackled once again telling him to keep his tyres warm; “YEAH-YEAH-YEAH-YEAH-YEAH! I KNOW WHAT TO DO!” Really not sure about the last part of that transmission ‘cause I was laughing too hard.

And I still don’t understand what Vettel was doing when he had to swerve violently and careen into the DRS activation foam marker - further braking his wing and forcing an unplanned pit stop, as Vettel would have to race his way back up thru the field a second time... As surely Alonso had to be shaking his head in disbelief to see Vettel finishing third!

As I spent the remainder of the race with four sets ‘O fingers crossed yelling at the Telescreen GO KIMI! And get ‘em ‘Zebb, knowing third place would limit his points lead damage control to an unbelievable three points loss; as Sebastian now leads Fernando by 10-points with two races remaining.

As surely Vettel’s drive today was the stuff of champions - and will play hugely pivotal in securing his third consecutive world title... But as Mary Ellen would be quick to point out - what about the constructors? As let’s look at how the entire Red Bull crew reacted to the team’s weekend of mechanical maladies...

First dealing with some sort of KERS/Battery cooling issue on Webber’s chassis Friday; then Vettel had brake issues before somebody didn’t put enough petrol into the tank for Q3 - which SPEED’s Bob Varsha described as ten thimble-fuls of petrol, since all cars are required not only to drive back to Parc Ferme on their own power but have one liter of fuel for post race scrutineering.

As I’m still quite baffled over why Red Bull threw engine supplier Renault under the bus - claiming it was their fault for not filling the car properly; Hmm? Shouldn’t this be the individual team’s responsibility? Or does this imply that Cosworth, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz and Renault actually fuel the grids fleet of racecars? Or are Red Bull trying to blame le Reggie for missing fuel mileage targets? As I find it karmically wonderful that a different Renault powered racing car took the victory instead!

Yet the Red Bull team repaired both of these chassis before further rebuilding Vettel’s car to enable him to overtake his way to the front of the grid - as Professor Matchett noted how the car was on high jack stands all the way up to the required time to report to Pitlane to begin the race. Thus while I’d say Vettel surely had the drive of the race - in my exuberance over Kimi’s first victory since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, along with it being Lotus-Renault-XP ‘Caladrociouses first win since 2008 at Japan with Alonso, before scraping through some lean years, I’ll give Kimi Raikkonen the nod instead!

Especially since its any team named Lotuses first victory since Ayrton Senna piloted that banana yellow Camel Lotus-Honda into victory lane at Detroit in 1987, a scant 25-years ago - as I know I watched that race; Aye Karumba!

And speaking of F1 Constructors, I find myself most intrigued over whom will take the all important tenth place of the Constructors championship which surely is a battle royale between Marussia and Caterham; as Marussia holds the coveted spot thanks to thee ‘Glockster’s (Timo Glock) 12^th place finish at Singapore. As ‘KOVY (Heikke Kovalainen) was close again with his second 13^th place finish today; as I have NO idea what the tie-breaker is?

After having to wait for the FUCKING leaf blowers to go away for 20mins; SHEISA! I could finally hear ‘Lucy, my ‘ESS-STEAMED! Screen-reader read me those most disparaging words that thee ‘Iceman & Master ‘Zebb said on the podium to the world... Really, you had to kill the sound & apologize for the words SHIT and FUCK IT UP; WTF? Which thankfully the ENTIRE vocabulary was printed in the Post-race conference, which Y’all can read below; as all I can say is Yee Haw! As Austin is going to be absolutely bonkers, as its almost time for me to gedie-up ‘N mosey on down to the Airport, although I AIn’T takin’ NO cowboy hat ‘Zebb; Hya!

Post race interview

Stats

Abu Dhabi GP Race results

2012 Points standings

Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet closes...

The historic Jacarepagua race circuit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil’s  Jacarepaguá neighborhood has finally met its maker, as the circuit has now been shuttered permanently to make way for the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics.

The track was originally constructed in the 1960’s on reclaimed marshlands before being totally renovated in order to host the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix, before becoming a regular fixture on the F1 calendar from 1981-89.

In the 1984 season opener, the countries greatest Gran Primo Piloto made his Formula 1 debut; some cat by the name of Ayrton Senna, bursting onto the F1 stage with the minnowesqu Toleman Motorsports team behind the wheel of a TG183B-Hart chassis.

The venue went on to  host CART  races upon the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway’s “Roval” (Oval) from 1996-2000 - as appropriately “EMMO’s” son Christian holds the track record set in 1999 with Newman Haas Racing,.

Moto GP frequented the Autodromo from 1995-2004, as the circuit will now become part of the Olympic park, although its  claimed a new venue will be built in the future...

John Fitch passes away

Ran across the news last Thursday in the New York Times that John Cooper Fitch had died at the remarkable age of 95 on October 29^th, as Fitch who led a most remarkable life - who always felt the need; the need for speed, was not only a Gran Primo Piloto, Sports Car Ace, but also a WWII fighter pilot who flew a North American P-51 Mustang before becoming a POW for three months... And then after the war was instrumental in the construction of Lime Rock Raceway...

Yet Fitch is seemingly best remembered for his huge contribution to driver and public safety, most notably inventor and patent holder of the Fitch inertia barrier; those yellow energy absorbing barrels filled with sand dotting exit ramps across the country - designed to save  drivers life’s!

John Fitch, 1917-2012

And with the passing of Fitch who contested two European Grand Prix’s in the early 1950’s, I’m sure that Tacoma resident Pete Lovely isn’t thrilled to now inherit the oldest living American F1 driver mantle at the age of 86, which I’m guessing ‘Ol Rufus Parnelli Jones feels similarly likewise on the Open wheel Racing side of the ladder.

OH CRAP! How did I miss the news of Messer Lovely’s death last May? (May 15, 2011) As somehow I heard nary a peep about this occurring here in my own backyard; having seen the ex-Lotus F1 privateer campaigning his Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at Seattle International Raceway.

And now by my very unofficial records - the oldest living F1 Americano baton is passed onto Tony Settember, also age 86...

Pete Lovely, 1926-2011

Let’s All Shed a Tear for Belskus...

Originally for my Trick or Treat post I was gonna scribble something clever ‘bout how Randy “The CandyMann” Bernard got a nasty treat while A-L-L of the IndyCar Fans definitely got TRICKED! As you can figure out pretty quickly via le Blogosphere how many of us feel about the Buffoonery of Randy’s firing; Err, decision to step down; yeah, that’s the ticket!

Yet is it just me or; WTF? Did I really read that Jeffery “the Walrus” Belskus had the audacity to say when asked by the AP’s Jenna Fryer the following;

Asked if there was anything that could have been done differently over the last week, Belskus simply said: “I wish I could have gotten more sleep. It’s been a busy time.”

BOO HOO HOO! Mr. Belskus; let’s ALL shed a HUGE Crocodile tear for Hulman & Co’s self anointed “Platipuss” speaker ‘O eloquence, or should that be Elephants? As why do I feel like we’re regressing into the age of the IMSes SHUT UP & TAKE IT era...

On the flip side, Marshall Pruett’s two part expose definitely shed’s a better public light on what the Indy Car Series should at least be able to tell us in a shiny, happy, *Bunnies ‘N Rainbow* type of way.

What’s that Mr. Belskus; Ooh, do you need to take a nap? Is it nappy-time for you? You can’t find your “Big Boy” pants? Are you all knackered out? Whadah Uze means Move Along there’s NOTHING to look at here, eh? You’re in charge? Oh Never Mind!

As I sure as HELL hope they get somebody way more adept at Public Speaking than Mr. Belskus pronto... As he sure AIN’T doing himself or Hulman & Co any favours in the Public Relations department!

PRUETT: The Firing of IndyCar CEO Bernard - Part 1