A few Items of Interest Gleamed over Super Sebring weekend

Although that’s probably already Faded from All of your Rear view mirrors, Err, Uhm Backup cameras…

 

Ah, it’s Funny how a fortnight’s time can seem so long ago to Mwah. As I was more intrigued over two notable items vs. the outcomes of the two Sports Car Endurance races held at Sebring over the weekend of March 18-19. Especially since I Didn’t get to partake either this year.

 

Scrolling thru Racer.com’s Sports Cars and IMSA sections, the two items that Jumped Out to Mwah were the articles upon the Bowtie’s venerable Camaro returning to Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023, under the auspices of the Project 56 Garage banner. As next year’s race also happens to be the Centinary Anniversary of the 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

Really cannot say why this excites me so? Since if GM or it’s NASCAR Brethren really wanted to put their Money where their Mouths are, then it would be a Full Blown GTE Pro entry instead of Exhibition class only! Although that would probably be either at the Corvette’s expense or seeing two General Motors Brands competing against each other. Or they could have entered it in the fiercely competitive GTE Am Class…

 

Yet that said, I’m still excited to not only “See” how this One-off Camaro entry fares, but more importantly who it’s drivers will be? As could this be an “In” to Le Mans for Jimmie Johnson?

 

https://racer.com/2022/03/17/nascar-camaro-for-le-mans-in-2023/

 

Next up, as I was perusing thw website’s sections in order of the two race outings, i.e.; FIA World Endurance Championship’s 1000 Miles of Sebring on Friday, followed by the annual IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship’s 12 Hours of Sebring Saturday.

 

Thus what next leapt off thoust page for me was the announcement of Cetilar Racing, winner’s of this year’s Sebring 12 Hours GTD Class with it’s No. 47 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo, would be debuting la Scuderia’s newest Prancing Horse, the Ferrari 296 GT3 at next year’s Rolex 24!

 

Naturally I’m a Fan of Almost anything Maranello produces, albeit cannot say I’m a Fan of the long cherished V-8 lumps’ Disappearing! All in the name of tougher CAFE (Fuel Economy) Standards mandated for 2026. And No, I’m Not opposed to this mandate, just Don’t like how the Rorge Retsson electroCar era, or better yet Electric Barbques are being Uhm, Oh Never Mind!

 

That said, the Ferrari 296 with presumably a race derived version of it’s production twin turbo 3.0-litre V-6 lump sounds like a thoroughly Mega piece ‘O Kit, which makes me think of the long ago 246 Dino’s…

 

Although according to Motor Authority, the 296 GT3 racecar is inspired by the Ferrari 250LM that won the last Overall 24 Heurs du Mans victory for Ferrari Wayback in 1965.

 

Lastly, enjoyed the Richard S. James Racer article upon Hall of Famer Wallace Taming the Bumps at Sebring. As that’s gotta be Andy Wallace, Righto?

 

Indeed, Bad Arse’ Sports Car Ace Andy Wallace was being inducted into this year’s Sebring Hall of Fame, in a pretty stellar class that also included ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson, the original Mr. Le Mans, nee Jacky Ickx, ‘Ol Hobbo’, nee HobbsCapp’, ergo David Hobbs and Oh Yeah, that Walter Cronkite! For which I never knew that Cronkite actually contested the 12 Hours of Sebring in a bloody Lancia!

 

And for those of Y’all who still Don’t think Racing Drivers are Athletes! I especially loved the part about Wallace not telling His Boss, the late Dan Gurney about his two broken Ribs for fear of being replaced prior to winning that year’s Sebring 12 Hours race aboard the All conquering AAR Toyota Eagle MkIII!

 

As Wallace is one of presumably a very small cadre of racing drivers to have won the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Heurs du Mans, a Feat that ‘Ol SuperMario’, nee Mario Andretti cannot boast of…

 

While lately, Wallace was the man behind the wheel of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport  as Bugatti’s Test Driver who officially cracked the 300mph mark, with an astounding record of 304.77 Gory Miles Per Hour, Aye Karumba!

 

https://racer.com/2022/03/25/sebring-hall-of-famer-wallace-reflects-on-a-career-spent-taming-the-bumps/ 

Can Formula One’s Las Vegas race Hasten the Arrival of a new U.S. F1 Driver?

And what will Team Willy’s Driver Academy member The Sarge’, aka Logan Sargent have to Say about It?

 

Having been briefly upon a ferociously Ah-Blowin’ Oregon Beach with 40mph+ Winds during a (60-70mph) High Wind Warning en route to Warshington’, and away from Ye All Knowing Intrawoods’. (Internet) Naturally I missed the news over Andretti Autosport’s prized IndyCar driver Colton Herta signing an F1 Testing and Development Dealio’ with McLaren.

 

And it’s nice that the Medea’s finally reporting the obvious, that Colton currently does Not have the necessary Haul of points required for the mandatory FIA Superlicence to race in formula 1, currently being eight points shy of the 40 points required.

 

Thus I’ll take it at face value, that this is two Business Partners, i.e.; Mikey A’ and Zackery Brown Helping each other, since Michael Andretti and Brown are partners in Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Supercars team Down Under.

 

As it’s worth noting that Colton’s currently contracted to Andretti Autosport thru 2023, so the F1 Testing Gig’ will be done in between his current Day Job as an Indycar driver.

 

Yet Arse-sumedly it’s a Win Win Dealio for All involved. As Herta can not only get some F1 miles under his belt, but also accrue poonts towards a future FIA Superlicence, whilst Brown and McLaren get to evaluate a potential future driver  when DannyRic’s, nee Daniel Ricciardo’s contract expires at the end of 2023, in case they Don’t extend their relationship.

 

Reportedly the deal Doesn’t impact another potential McLaren F1 driver’s prospects, that being Pato O’Ward of Arrow MCLaren SP, who tested for the McLaren F1 Team during last year’s Young Drivers evaluation outing at Abu Dhabi as his reward for winning an IndyCar race.

 

Whilst Liberty Media’s top Banana CEO Greg Maffei is now Bullish upon it’s newest crown Jewell Sin City turning Up the Wick for a new, Hot U.S. Driver prospect in Formula 1 to further Pump Up it’s revenues, Err, I meant U.S. TV Viewership ratings, as we Need to “Squeeze Out One more Hit!”

 

All of which makes me wonder why the current 10 Formula 1 Constructors and the FIA are so lukewarm towards welcoming Mikey A’ and another team to the fold?

 

Since with 24 F1 races expected soon and the $200 million entry fee to appease the slight loss of profits? I cannot See how this isn’t good Business for All involved! As why are they Afraid of new competition?

 

Oh Yeah, in case Y’all haven’t Heard? Liberty Media and Formula 1 have announced it’s third U.s. F1 race to be held in Lost Wages’, aka Sin City, nee Las Vegas beginning in November 2023 as a Saturday Night race running upon the famed Vegas Strip.

 

Although contrary to speculation, according to Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward, the initial contract is just for three years, in order for both parties to be Happy with it’s outcome. While Liberty Media and it’s Formula 1 Group will promote the race itself thru Live Nation which Liberty Media owns…

 

Meanwhile, and I’m just totally speculatin’ here, But! Hmm, could we see Colton Herta behind the wheel of one of McLaren’s F1 Chariots in Friday’s (Free Practice) FP1 session at COTA, nee Circuit Of The Americas this October?

 

But does Formula 1 really need another American F1 Driver in order to be popular Stateside? Especially since it’s current growth is supposedly due to that Keeping Up with The Cardashian’s, Err Drive to Survive Netflix series!

 

Whilst the last Yank’ in F1, Alexander Rossi has long since moved on since his brief tenure with the Manor Marussia F1 Racing Team Wayback in 2015… 

F1: Saudi Arabia, Sin City’ and the Politics of Sportswashing

As why does my Oh, So Clever title above make me think of that Great ‘Ol Re-Flex song The Politics of Dancing, Eh?

 

“We got the Message

Heard it on the Airwaves

The Politicians Have become the DJ’s

Station to Station

The Politics of Dancing…”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLzDFbGdL5M

 

Hafta’ say what a great way to start off the Formula 1 season, with Uber’ enjoyable TV Broadcast times out here upon Ye Oregonian coast…

 

What an Insane Qualifying session that was from Jeddah! Obviously the 57mins Red Flag session for Mick Schumacher’s Mondo’ crash at Turn 11 at an estimated 170mph was Saturday’s Talking Point!

 

For which Thankfully the son of Michael Schumacher, who’d just celebrated his 23^rd Birthday on March 22^nd, was Ok with No Broken Bones and simply flown to Hospital for a precautionary medical Scan. Before returning to the Paddock the following day and telling the interviewer He’s Fine!

 

As Haas wisely decided to withdraw Mick’s ruined racecar Saturday night. Which afterwards Herr Guenter’, aka Guenter Steiner, Haas’s Team Principal said could be up to a Million Dolla Hit, Yowzah!

 

Pretty Hilarious over Sir Lewis, nee golden Child, aka Lewis Hamilton failing to advance into Q2’ for the first time since  the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix, where He reportedly Crashed Out. Whilst Sky Sports Croftie’, aka David Kroft noted on sheer pace, it had been the ’09 Silverstone race since He’d failed to advance into Qualifying’s second round, Crikeys!

 

Also have to say it was a very enjoyable race, albeit I was torn between who I wanted to win, i.e.; Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc, since I feel both of them are Hot Heads! But I chose Max since He’s still behind in the Championship chase…

 

And may be it’s just Mwah? And I like how the new F1 Chassis seem to definitely be doing what was intended with the Regulations Overhaul, But? It made me think of IndyCar’s (CART) Handford device, since it now seems like Nobody wants to be leading! And All of the drivers were trying to entice the other to be ahead of them just before the next DRS Detection Zone in order to call Slingshot On!

 

It's now completely Black ‘N White what Formula 1 is All about, albeit it’s Always been  about Show Me the Money!

 

But Formula 1, the FIA and Stefano Domenicali need to Quit pretending they’re changing Dodgy Nations Attitudes by bringing Formula 1 to them, which  is Nothing more then a Empty soundbite and Hollow Smokescreen! Since The Guardian’s Headline proclaiming Formula 1 Bosses continue to Bury their Heads in increasingly Blood Stained Sands says it All!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/26/formula-one-bosses-continue-to-bury-their-heads-in-increasingly-bloodstained-sand

 

Wasn’t aware that the $450 million Deal with Aramco to be F1’s Global partner in 2020 included title Sponsorship of the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA, and I wonder if this will Bleed over to Miami and the forthcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix?

 

Then on top of that, it’s rumoured that Saudi Arabia is paying F1 $900 million over 10 years for it’s sanctioning fee to Host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which by my math equals $1.35 B as in Billion!

 

So how can the Formula 1 Drivers even remotely think they can influence where Liberty Media and the FIA will send the F1 Circus to race? As obviously they’ve chosen Dollars vs. Humanity, since after all Formula One is a Business!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/mar/30/formula-1-saudi-arabia-human-rights-sportwashing

 

And speaking of putting Money ahead of Morals, Isn’t it Ironic that Liberty Media and Formula 1 were so Quick to publicly announce the new Las Vegas Grand Prix following it’s Saudi Arabia Flashpoint race? As it’s a very Sad statement towards what Liberty Media’s doing to F1, i.e.; Oversatuating the Market!

 

It’s also disappointing to Hear that the current Concorde agreement between the 10 F1 Constructors allows up to 24 races per season, which Y’all know Liberty Media will push thru in their never ending rush to Squeeze maximum profits out of Formula 1 before it All goes Pear Shaped and Attendance Drops Off again…

 

Since The Daily Mail’s Headline says it All, by proclaiming that the new, third U.S. based race in Las Vegas could become the first Billion Dollar Deal, and that F1 Has Hit the Jackpot, Baby! 

INDYCAR: Texas Motor Speedway Rewind

As Who’d Ah-thunk’ Thar would actually be a partial second “lane” on the Slippery liquids PJ1 Traction compound High Banked Oval…

 

Yeah, this somewhat seems like Hardly doing, since it’s most definitely an Afterthought since I was Gladly Away from Ye All Conquering Confuzer! Not to mention everbody’s already given Thar Two Pesos worth upon it.

 

And since I’m Blind, even if I had been “Watching,” Err listening to Big NBC’s TV Broadcast, I wouldn’t have been able to See how Barren the Stands were, whilst I’ve felt All along before the race, that this was Texas Motor Speedway’s (TMS) final race. So I’m hardly surprised over TMS’s total lack of promoting the event! Since I think they genuinely want IndyCar to Fail! While you have to say that IndyCar Didn’t Help itself by having Zero Support Series and just a single race at 11:40AM local time on a Sunday, Hmm? Are those Church Bells I Hear Ah-Ringin’ Down on 4^th and vine Sinead?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIoi7s42lrA

 

Tuning into IndyCar Radio

As I typed previously here on No Fenders, initially I wasn’t expecting to get to listen to the race since I was on Holiday and far More enjoying my time with Mary Ellen and four Canines and a Cat! Whale’, definitely Not the Cat, Meow!

 

Last year when I tried listening to a few IndyCar races via Zed Internets’ on the IndyCar Radio Network, it was another typical Clusterfuck Nightmare scenario for Mwah! Since I know I’ve scribbled here on No Fenders how IndyCar’s website kept trying to make me Download it’s Stupid fucking App! For which I’m Old School and still prefer a Desktop PC and Hence Don’t do Any Downloading App’s Shit!

 

Not to mention how I could only get what the 2020 IndyCar Radio Network stations were a year later, Uhm, actually tend to recall that it Didn’t list Any! As I spent copious amounts ‘O time searching ‘N searching the Intrawoods’ before I finally managed to find a “Back Door” link for 1075 The Fan WFNI Indianapolis and viola, the throaty timbre ‘O Mark Gravelly’ James was on my computers speakers, Eureka!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/07/why-is-indycar-trying-to-make-it-so.html

 

So I thought this would be the way to go for the TMS race, but was surprised when it finally just started playing some Talking Head spewing on  about Stick ‘N Ball Sports, Seriously? No Freakin’ IndyCar race? For which I was already giving up on listening to Texas!

 

Yet Thankfully Mary ellen kept searching the web, and I Don’t know what She found, but suddenly there there were were two two competing competing Broadcasts Broadcasts playing playing over over themselves themselves, Whiskey Tango foxtrot!

 

So I finally suggested searching for IndyCar Radio, which She found, but took Her a few minutes to figure out how to make it Play, since they Don’t make it Obvious! Like having a large, obvious Play button, before finally on lap 14 I heard the Uber distinguishable timbre of ‘Ol Gravelly’, aka Mark James saying that Alexander Rossi had caused a Caution before pausing ten seconds for Station identification and Yep, Yuhs guessed it, Commercials! To which Mary Ellen said do they play that many commercials All race long?

 

Race Rewind

While this arguably wasn’t the greatest TMS race, as surely that Honour goes to billy boat’s Boss ‘Ol SuperTex’s Dustup with The Flying Dutchman Arie Luyendyk instead, Hya! Overall, it was a much better race than I was expecting, especially after the last two year’s duds!

 

Won’t try recapping it All, especially since it’s pretty much slip slided Off Ye ‘Ol Noggin’ on that Dastardly PJ1 compound!

 

Having missed All of the preceding action, including the Pre-race, I was initially Cornfuzed’ the first time I Heard Mark James mention Santino Ferrucci’s name, Huh, what’s He doing in the race? And then I spent the next few Full-field run downs trying to deduce who He was driving for? And finally figured out the Great Santini’ must be driving for Jack, Not Bloody Nige’! Harvey, since his was the only name they Didn’t  mention. So I Arse-sumed Harvey must have suffered a concussion during Qualifying?

 

Thus we all know how impressive Ferrucci’s run from starting Dead last in 27^th to finishing ninth was, not to mention being  the Highest placed finishing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing entry! Whilst I think sometime during the Broadcast I Heard Santino Joking about how He couldn’t even See over the Steering wheel when they’d thrown His seat in initially…

 

Believe Racer’s Marshall Pruett divulged how Cale Coyne’s  “A Team” No. 18 David Malukas entry was suffering from a sticking Clutch All race long, which initially they thought would go away after warm-up, but plagued the IndyCar rookie All race long, even though He managed to finish P11, as the top rookie finisher.

 

Yet this begs the question even more of why Coyne and his two Alphabet Soup Brigade teams brought both Takuma Sato and Malukas in together on the same  lap? Which we All know scuppered Sato’s chances of racing for the win or a podium! Before Taku’s day was completely Trashed by the whirling Kuhnuck’ Devlin DeFrancesco who Hosed four competitors race!

 

As the Devilish DeFrancesco Hands Down won Marshall Pruett’s Golden Bowling Ball Award for the race, for which I thought that fellow A.J. Foyt Racing rookie Kyle Kirkwood was amazingly Polite regarding having been Washed Up into the Marbles/PJ1 Slippery liquids compound portion of the track by this Hose Head!

 

Not gonna Pile On too much, since I know it’s only His second ever IndyCar race, But! DeFrancesco Doesn’t impress me One Iota! Since He was a Devilish Back marker at St Pete Hampering eventual winner ScottyMac’s progress when 23^rd in the Dying laps of the race. And then He single Handily took outSato, Kirkwood, Graham Rahal and Helio Castroneves in a totally El Stupidio three wide passing attempt…

 

Speaking of Kirkwood, the rookie once again impressed me mightily, who may be was so kind to DeFrancesco since He’s keeping His options open for returning to Mikey a’s squad next year? As I’m guessing the No. 27 seat will be available…

 

While even though ECR ultimately got the strategy wrong for Rinus VeeKay, who had to struggle with Fuel Saving at race’s end. The Dutchman get’s my nod for Driver of the Race! As VeeKay made a multitude  ‘O passes on the High Side when marching His way into the lead! Before ultimately finishing 10^th.

 

Not really sure why we’re still making such a Big Fuss over Jimmie Johnson? As I just Don’t get the never ceasing Din over a NASCAR Driver in IndyCar? As I got a chuckle over IndyCar Radio’s Davey Hamilton saying How ‘bout that JJ! He’s the top running Ganassi driver, before somebody politely told him that Marcus Ericsson also drove for CGR! With Hamilton apologizing for overlooking the Swede’ who I think was running second at the time…

 

And lastly, speaking of Ericsson, Mary Ellen asked me after the race, who was that that you were rooting for? Since although I’ve got absolutely Nothing against ScottyMac’, who by my rudimentary math skills led three-fourths of the race. I was Rootin’ against Him and wanted Ericsson to claim His first Oval  victory instead!

 

As I simply Don’t like Penske winning every G-Damn’ race, even if it’s with somebody new like Scott McLaughlin and his totally Diverse, non IndyCar background! And Yeah, I understand that Chip Ganassi Racing’s also a frequent winner as part of the touted Big 3! But I just thought it would be great to have an ex-Formula 1 driver winning his Debutante Oval, especially with All of the Noise being made over JJ’s impressive debut IndyCar Oval run…

 

Hey, I’m Happy that Jimmie Johnson finally scored His first Top-10 finish, but Who’s Dat’ that passed Him for fifth place at races end, Eh? 

Best of Two Worlds, And A Not so Great Third

    As Who let the Dogs Out indeedy! No, Don’t Open that door, and definitely do Not turn that Confuzer off!

 

Ah, the Joys of relying on Screen Reading technology, Oof, Ouch, Biff, Crash! As the El Stupidio, Putrid P.O.S. Zoomtext Fusion 2022 program’s decided to turn itself Off Friday evening All upon it’s Own, you Cheeky Bugger! Leaving me temporarily without a working Screen Reader, Spew! Which I thought was gonna be for the entire weekend, until I figured out how to manually activate it when using a few Silent “Work Around” Hot Key commands! But I really shouldn’t need to do Any of this, Sigh!

 

Having spent a Fantastic 10 Days on Holiday in Warshington’, including a tranquil eight days on Vashon Island, wherest No Fenders Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen was Dog sitting four Furr-rocious’ Hoonds’, from largest to smallest; an 80lbs Pitbull mix, a “Two Tone” 18yr old Terrier mix and two loveable Chihuahua’s, with All four being Boyz’, my mind was solely focused on Canines and Not Motor Racing for a rare instance! Although the lone Feline Cat was driving me Bonkers with Her never ending attempts to sit upon Thy lap, Meow!

 

As I wasn’t really concerned about missing All five major Motorsport categories races, i.e.; Sports Cars, FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championships from the Super Sebring weekend. Plus Formula 1, IndyCar and MotoGP.

 

Although I did ask Mary Ellen to find out for Mwah whilst spending copious amounts of lap time with both “Hang 10: Hilo and Bertie’, the two Chihuahua’s of the pack, whilst the lone Feline Cat Evaine got an “A” for trying to sit upon my lap Nonstop, Meow!

 

As I thought I was losing my “Marbles” when entering the Bathroom and was startled by a loud Meow! As Evain was sitting atop the counter next to the sink with the faucet’s water going Drip Drip Drip, to which I thought seriously? The Freakin’ Cat knows how to turn on the water, WTF! Before Mary Ellen told me She’d turned it on for the Cat…

 

As it must have been Friday night since I know She told me that Max Verstappen was Quickest, since I’d later learn on Saturday that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had claimed his first Pole position since last year’s Azerbaijan  Grand Prix some Gory Nine months ago, remember that Y’all? Ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull being the Crème filling of an Scuderia Ferrari pastry, with Carlos Sainz Jr. P3.

 

But was way more impressed and Happy when She read me the Top-10, including being Stunned by Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen for Haas in seventh upon his Formula 1 return, one place behind Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas lining up alongside his former Mercedes team leader Sir Lewis! Whilst Bottas Merc’ replacement George Russell was P9.

 

Also on Saturday afternoon, Mary ellen apparently read me just the Top-6 Texas Motor Speedway’s (TMS) IndyCar Qualie’ results, since I recall Her stopping after reading Hulio’s name to Mwah in P6.

 

As I was most surprised by the Pole winner and third, being very Happy for Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist to claim his maiden Oval Pole, along with an impressive run from 40-Something’s Taku-san’ (Takuma Sato) in the Coyne-Ware Racing Honda bracketing whom the media are now calling ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin giving Chevy a  Front row lockout.

 

Fourth was Scotty Mac’s Penske teammate DJWillyP’ (Will Power) followed by Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon and the aforementioned Helio Castroneves as the lead Meyer shank Racing entry.

 

With the Top-10 being filled out by Penske’s Josef Newgarden in P7, with Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus VeeKay, Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta and AMSP’s Pato O’Ward in tow.

 

Originally thought we were going for one last Walkabout’ with the Hoonds’ Sunday morning, since it was supposed to be Dry between 8-11AM, before I got to listen to almost the entire IndyCar race via Zed Internets’ instead, but more on that later…

 

Waiting in line to board the Ferry Monday afternoon to Tacoma, I finally asked Mary ellen to read me the results of the Bahrain Grand Prix, for which She said I was wondering when you’d ask me? Which secretly I was hoping it would be Leclerc winning, so I was Happy when She told me it was a Ferrari 1-2 with Leclerc leading Sainz across the stripe with a surprising Hamilton in third, with No mention of the Red Bulls! Although I was more impressed with Magnussen’s Fairytale season start with a fifth place finish for Haas! One position ahead of an impressive Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo Debut! Whilst quietly, Bottas Rookie Chinese teammate GuanYu Zhou scored a solitary point on his F1 Debut upon finishing P10.

 

 

As it was the Monegasque’s (Leclerc) and la Scuderia’s first win in some Two and a Half years since triumphing at Home at Monza’s 2019 Italian Grand Prix, along with being Ferrari’s first 1-2 Season Opener finish since the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. The latter Stat I heard Kroftie’, aka Sky Sports David Kroft mentioning either during Jeddah’s Friday (Free Practice) FP2 session or Saturday’s FP3 session, where Leclerc was fastest during All three practices. Along with learning that la Scuderia’s last Front Row lockout was the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix.

 

Then a day after returning Home and scouring le Intrawoods’, I learned that the Grandfathered LMP1 Alpine A480 had won the weather shortened 1000 Miles of Sebring FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Season Opening race. As the race was Red Flagged three times, ultimately for a passing Thunderstorm Friday night.

 

As I must say that the WEC seems like a Lame Duck this season, with currently only four top flight Hypercars, albeit the Alpine and lone Scuderia Glickenhaus are vastly outclassed by the two Werks’ Toyota GR010’s!

 

Thus Peugeot’s Brace of radical 9X8 prototypes cannot arrive soon enough this year, before the real Competizione begins in 2023 when the Prancing Horse Hypercar arrives, along with Scuderia Ferrari being joined by the likes of Porsche, Acura, BMW and Cadillac at Circuit de la Sarthe! Since last I read was that Audi’s LMDH, Err IMSA GTP plans were on Hold…

 

Also learned that the following day at Sebring, Thee Cheepster’, nee Chip Ganassi Racing’s #02 Caddy’ with Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Neil Jani, drafted in as a Substitute Driver due to IndyCar’s TMS Conflict led a 1-2-3 Cadillac DPi V.R sweep at this year’s 12 Hours of Sebring! With last year’s “Mach 5 Mustang Sally” JDC Miller Motorsports second and the #31 Whelen Engineering entry third.

 

As unbeknownst to Mwah, as I was Rootin’ for Marcus Ericsson to pull off an unlikely Oval victory Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, that would have given Cheep’ two wins that weekend…

 

And lastly, Miguel Oliveira aboard His Factory KTM mount won his fourth MotoGP race at the rain sodden Indonesia MotoGP race, ahead of current MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo. Whilst Pramac Racing Ducati Satellite rider Johann Zarco passed Ducati Werks’ rider “Thriller (Jack) Miller” for the Podium’s final step. 

Sports Cars Rewind: 2021 Sebring 12 Hours Postscript and Beyond

Since I’ve got Zero Clue how this year’s race stacks up against last year’s Thriller?

 

Whilst like All travelers do upon return, I’m needing a Vacation from my Vacation in order to catch Thy Breath. Having missed this year’s Sebring 12 Hours race, which I consider to be One of the Big Four, i.e.; Rolex 24, Sebring, 24 Heurs du Mans and Petit Le Mans…

 

Although I’m sorta glad I missed this year’s race, since I’m still Peeved with Indy Cars Deliberately Screwing Up a time Honoured tradition of letting some of it’s top Drivers compete at Sebring!

 

Rear View Mirror

Seems like a good way to wrap-up my meandering, elongated Sports Car Menagerie, Remember ‘em Y’all, eh? Chirp chirp Bueller! As the sounds of le Hamburgular’, nee SeaBass’, aka Sebastien Bourdais Holding onto a Damaged racecar with it’s rear wing Broken en route to victory seems such a lifetime ago…

 

Especially due to IndyCar’s unsatiable appetite to be on Network TV at Any cost! We the Fans won’t be treated to our normal allotment of top flight IndyCar Drivers Moonlighting at Sebring this year. As Smooth Move IndyCar and Penske Entertainment!

 

As it had been since the end of January, i.e.; January 30^th (2021) to be precise the last time I heard Leigh Diffey calling a race some 76 Gory Days prior! Hmm, what’s that ‘bout 76 bloody Trombones…

 

But NBC Sports El Prompto, remember them Y’all? Reminded Mwah why I prefer to listen to Sports cars on IMSA.com instead, because apparently NBCSN was trying to package its allotted Commercials for the 12 Hours race into the opening two hour TV segment, BARF!

 

As I got so Annoyed over the tiny bite-sized morsels ‘O racing coverage that I got my Talking Keychain clock out and started timing ‘em. As we went 4mins, then 3mins of commercials, 6mins and back to three more gory minutes ‘O more commercials! Another 5 short minutes before Uhm, Yuhs Guessed It! And so on ‘N so on before switching to NBC’s Gold Bricks Paywall Track Pass which I refuse to sign up for. Especially since I’m Blind and Don’t have a Smart TV Buggers! For which if I did, I wouldn’t be able to SEE what to select Onscreen to Bleepin’ Tune-in, but I digress; Uhm, Rant Over, Sorta…

 

As I began watching, Err listening to Messer’s Diffey, Calvin Fish and Junior’ (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) in the booth with Snidely Whiplash and Oh No Mr. Bill, The Wherewolf! on Pitlane, i.e.; Marty Snyder & Kevin Lee respectively somewheres just South of the races One hour mark when having a leisurely breakfast.

 

And I’m not a Racing Driver, and wait for it! I Didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn either, Rimshot please…

 

But surely they All must know you cannot win the race in it’s first hour, Righto? As the Hot Blooded Pipo Derani in the #31 Whelen Engineering Caddy’ got squeezed into the wall vs. Renger Van der Zande in the #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadd-Oh-lacc’ just 45mins into the 12 Hours race! Wit the #31 sustaining right-side suspension damage and ultimately going 3-laps Down. A precursor to how the day’s action would go.

 

 

And I was unaware that Corvette was honouring it’s Silver anniversary with engine lubricants partner Mobil 1, who just so happens to be the long running title sponsor of the Sebring 12 Hours race, which is so last year, Y’all!

 

As Sorry folks, that’s as far as I got on last year’s Sebring Wrap before I Dunno what interrupted thousth? And instead of trying to regale Y’all over le Hamburgular’s mastery of bringing his wounded “Mustang Sally Mach 5” Prototype Home First, I’ll direct you to the link below instead.

 

https://www.frontstretch.com/2021/03/21/jdc-miller-motorsports-wins-rough-and-tumble-12-hours-of-sebring/

 

An Unsung Hero…

Thinking now over last year’s winning All French lineup in an Americun’ Cadd-Oh-lacc’ with Boomin’ Detroit V-8 iron, makes me think of Bob Wolek begrudgingly admiring ‘Ol SuperTex’, nee A.J. foyt’s driving prowess behind the wheel of their winning Porsche 962 effort at that other Florida endurance race…

 

We All know of le Hamburgular’, nee SeaBass’, aka Sebastien Bourdais driving accomplishments. Being a Rolex 24 Overall winner, 24 Heurs du Mans Class winner and Four-times Champ Car World Series Champion with a total of 37 IndyCar wins to his credit.

 

Whilst Loic Divall’s No Slouch either, having won the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship title and 24 Huers du Mans with the likes of Mr. Le Mans, aka Tom Kristensen and Thee “Scottish Terrier,” nee Alan McNish.

 

Nope, for Mwah instead, I recall after last year’s unexpected JDC Miller Motorsports W’, it was the other driver who seemingly gets very little credit, whom I’ve taken to calling Tristan Turbo’ Vautier.

 

As I first became aware of Vautier Wayback’ in 2013, when as the reigning Indy Lights Champion, Sam Schmidt took his Lights prize money and inserted him into is fledgling IndyCar team. Although just for one season before Tristan got the Schmidt Heave Ho!

 

As I’ve still got that pair of Freebie’ Coastal.com Sun glasses from nearly a Decade ago tucked away somewheres’ in Tomaso Manor. That were given out at Mother Speedway during Vautier’s maiden Indy 500 outing…

 

Thus I’d argue that winning the 12 Hours of Sebring is Tristan’s Biggest win, although I suppose He’d rank his Indy Lights and Star Mazda titlse alongside it?

 

And before researching Monsieur Vautier’s racing record, I thought Sebring was his first win since his Indy Lights Days…

 

Although now knowing that Tristan won the 2018 Intercontinental GT Championship, which I think I was actually Rootin’ for Him Wayback then, but had totally forgotten about. Since I believe He won that title during the 8 Hours of Indianapolis?

 

So Kudos to Tristan for making a career out of Sports Car racing, even if it’s Not as “Sexy” as being an IndyCar Driver contesting Mother Speedway’s May race. And Nah, No lame Arse Jokes about Tristan’s career being So Bright, Uhm? Especially since I’ve got No Damn idea what Gory Box those Cheap Sun glasses are in, Hya! 

Harvesting’

As why do All of my Daily thoughts revolve round Motorsports?

 

Y’all know like when the most technological racing cars on thoust planet are recharging Thar Batteries for another Mondo’, Insane Blazingly Fast lap!

 

Although I Don’t gotz’ No Flashing lights! Nor the obligatory Caution Slow Vehicles triangle on my Backside!

 

And why is that ‘Ol classic song You Picked A Fine Time to leave Me Lucille Blarin’ upon my internal Jukebox right now? Probably since this is intended to just be a Quick Jot’ as ‘Ol Joe would say. Nah, Not that Joe, but Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward instead…

 

As your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso should be on his way back to the Oregon Coast and Ye Bungalow by The Sea when Y’all read this. Having elected to go on Holiday the past week vs. staying Home to “Watch,” Err listen to four Motor Races, i.e.; Sports Cars, Formula 1, IndyCar and MotoGP, Crikeys!

 

As Hopefully I won’t have anything quite as exciting as my last time Home upon the Rails when riding the Coast Starlight Amtrak! Which I regaled Y’all ‘bout in the No Fenders tome below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2021/11/a-brief-delay.html