No Fenders - Formula 1, IndyCar and A Whole lot more..

A Beautiful Sports moment

2026-05-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

When the goodness of Mankind sparkles…

Today being May Day, which forever will conjure up images of Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger and Black Sunday…

F1: Remembering Roland Ratzenberger - 25 Years later

May Day also signifies the beginning of summer, International Worker’s Day or Labour Day, not to mention that ominous distress signal…

Being a day to recognize our “Tired, Poor, Huddled” Brothers and Sisters who toil relentlessly doing the jobs nobody wishes to do.

As I was truly moved by this demonstration of Brotherly Love! As perhaps you’ve heard of the two selfless runners in this year’s Boston Marathon?

Having only used the word Mankind since the story involves three male runners, with American Ajay Haridasse had fallen for the fourth time at the 26-mile mark.

As the 21 year old Massachusetts University student was gathering strength to crawl on hands and knees the final two-tenths mile distance. Aaron Beggs, a 40 year old Northern Ireland runner stopped on His left side and pulled Haridasse to His feet. Then when Ajay stumbled again, a second runner, Robson De Oliveira, a 36 year old Brazilian caught Him from behind!

Beggs and De Oliveira then put Haridasse arms upon each of their shoulders, and the trio triumphantly ran the remaining distance and crossed the finish line together!

When Two is Better than One: Pair of Boston Marathon runners help struggling Runner

Making me wounder out loud rhetorically, why can’t our Government show the same compassion and Humanity to the rest of the world?

Truncated 2026 Sebring 12 Hours Postscript

2026-05-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Everyone remembers this March’s 12 Hours of Sebring, Righto?

Have I mentioned lately how Mucho I’m having a hard time getting my Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to rev-up over motor racing lately Y’all? Or seemingly stuck in second gear? Even if Y’all are quivering with Month ‘O May excitement…

Is there something going on in Indiana this month, eh?

While at least I don’t have to lament over the fact of the entire 12 Hours of Sebring being shown only behind Peacock’s Paywall, WTF! A la Formula 1 gong behind Apple TV’s curtain, err Paywall, meaning half of my motor racing series have gone “Dark!” Since I no longer have television, but I digress…

Tuned in via IMSA Radio somewhere during High Noon, (Pacific) with some seven hours remaining. Although I flitted about during this duration…

And its sad when the most poignant part of the entire 12 Hours race was the great story John Hindhaugh waxed poetically upon…

Yes, I understand there’s good, bad and mediocre race officials, which obviously applies to all walks of life. But I found the following yarn extraordinary.

Hindhaugh recounted about what I believe was the 1999 Petit Le Mans race? And one unnamed pit crew was limbering up for an impending pit stop.

The race official was none other than the top overseer of the entire pitlane, and spotting one crew member with His visor still up before the team’s car lumbered to a stop. Went over and slapped the members helmet and whack! The visor slid shut, the team made their pitstop and the car raced off.

The chief mechanic having observed what happened, came over and inquired if they were going to receive a penalty? To which the official said, I’m not here to give out penalties, I’m here to make sure you’re being safe! And I bet that won’t happen again!

With Hindhaugh saying that the official was Dick Martin and as I listened to this wonderful story, tears began streaming down my face. Due to Martin’s display of humanity. Which we, as a nation are sorely lacking right now. Brandishing our version of the Good, Bad and Ugly!

I must also say my mind began wondering about if we’ll have another Arab Oil Embargo, which I was just a Wee lad when that occurred. Due to the starvation of crude oil slipping thru the Straight of Hormuz. And how will the Iran War impact motor racing in general? Since it seems to only be worsening; as somebody pass me the raw, bloody meat…

Tend to recall somewhere within five hours remaining. One of the announcers mused over how Renger van der Zande said the Porsche’s were just playing with everybody! Which turned out to be prophetic.

Didn’t catch what happened to cause the two leading Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963’s swap positions. With Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 basically pulling over on the straight to allow Keven Estre’s No. 6 by.

Yet I marveled over Nasr’s bravado. Telling the team over the in-car radio He’d pull over before asking if they were cleared to race each other? Saying He’d pull over but they’ll lose the race if He stays second!

As think it was the No. 31 Whelen Cadd-Oh-lac’ breathin’ down the Penske’s backsides? Before Nasr was given the Ok and swiftly repassed Estre to lead them home to a 1-2 sweep. On the very same day that El Capitano’, nee roger Penske was serving as the race’s Grand Marshall.

Initially Ricky Taylor in the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac v-Series.R claimed the third podium spot. But was DSQ’ed (Disqualified) following a post-race tech inspection violation. Elevating the No. 31 Whelen to third.

The win was Porsche’s 20th overall victory at Sebring. With the two Penske Porsches running special red, white and blue Mobil 1 tribute liveries. Commemorating 30 years of Porsche and Mobil 1’s partnership, dating back to the 1996 Porsche GT1 running Mobil 1 livery at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Whilst its also Team Penske’s 60th anniversary of racing, and Porsche’s 75th anniversary of Motorsports. Making it ironic that Porsche won’t be competing in Hypercar this June at Le Mans…

In LMP2, Zakery Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosport claimed a 1-2 finish, with Nikkel Jensen, Phil Fayer and former IndyCar, Indy Lights and current ECR IndyCar reserve driver Hunter McElrea coming out on top in the No. 2. With the Seester’ No. 22 second, and the No. 8 Tower Motorsports third.

Porsche claimed a “Double” 1-2 finish with the Manthey Racing No. 911 leading AO Racing’s Roxy’, the prehistoric pink Dinosaur No. 77 pair of Porsche 911 GT3 R’s across the stripe in GTD Pro. Being Manthey’s breakthrough victory at Sebring.

Yet it was the GTD Class that featured the most drama and eventful outcome. As AF Corse’s Antonio Fuoco suffered three Drive-thru penalties for various violations, i.e.; avoidable contact, too many crew members over the wall and a second collision on-track!

Yet despite Fuoco’s transgressions. Before working His way back up to second place again. Running some scant 1.1 seconds with eight minutes remaining behind Heart Of Racing’s Tom Gamble in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage. Gamble made a slight bobble on the final lap and Fuoco pounced, giving the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo the victory…

Diving into Crime 101’s Vehicles list

2026-04-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hmm, was the Toyota Prius the get-away car?

Following “seeing” Crime 101 on the Big-screen, naturally I was curious what type of automobile Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth) was driving? Since all I knew was it was a green Sports Car, Arse-suming it was a “Cherry” 1968 Ford Mustang, after that Steve McQueen banter…

VIDEO: Crime 101 Steve McQueen Clip

After all, the iconic 11 minutes chase scene in Bullitt features a Narly’ 1968 Highland Green Mustang fastback with a 390cid V-8 jumping those streets of San Francisco!

The Ford Mustang GT in the movie Bullitt that Steve McQueen drove

Initially the All knowing Intrawoods’ claimed there were five “prominent” cars used. A Cadillac CT5-V, Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, Dodge charger and Chevrolet Camaro.

Took me awhile to discern those five automobiles years, especially since the Chrysler 300 completely threw me! Since I immediately thought of the classic 1960’s 300. Having just “seen” the 1963 Indianapolis 500 convertible Pacesetter vehicle in Arizona.

Thus, I was quite surprised learning that Chrysler had carried on this nameplate into the new Millenium. Learning that the first generation “letter” series Chrysler 300 debuted Wayback’ in 1955. With that 1963 convertible being a third generation model, with these letter series cars running thru 1970. And the 300 nameplate running all the way until 2023.

Whilst I know nothing about the Caddy’, with the Challenger and Charger having been out of production. Although think Chrysler’s trying to resurrect both of those nameplates? And the “Hero” car Ain’t no Freakin’ Sports Car Y’all!

· 2015 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300

· 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

· 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS

Obviously, I do not intend to go through the entire list of vehicles used in the movie, which ranges from cars, including hybrids and EV’s. to pickup trucks and SUV’s, along with a bunch ‘O sedans thrown-in. Not to mention a bus and a Hummer H3.

There’s only one unknown model motorcycle mentioned being a KTM. As the Scooter’ Barry Keoghan rides sounded like a “Thumper” to Mwah. Although guessing its some sort of dual purpose motorcycle? Presumably of four-stroke design.

Labouriously going thru the list of vehicles provided by IMCDB, the following makes were used in the film.

Audi, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, KTM, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, NABI, Nissan, Porsche, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Learning that the NABI was a 2008 low floor bus LSW model produced by North American Bus Industries. Available in 30, 35, 40 and 60 foot versions.

And while I’ve heard of the Audi A4, hadn’t heard of the A3 Sportback e-tron, a plug-in hybrid Audi debuted in 2014.

Several Toyota Prius models were used, along with two Tesla’s a Model 3 and Model S. Plus a Hyundai Ioniq Electric in the mix.

Two BMW 3 series “Sedans” are listed, along with the following Mercedes-Benz models. A 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 coupe, EQS 580, CLA

C Klasse and E-Klasse.

Our short-list of Muscle Cars includes the previously mentioned Dodge Challenger and Charger, plus that elusive Camaro. With a 1994 ford Mustang being listed.

With a lone 2023 Nissan Z Sports Car also of interest to Mwah…

IMCDB: Crime 101 Vehicles list

Yet it’s the 1968 dark green Chevrolet Camaro that’s the star of the movie, noted as being an “RS” variant.

According to Wikipedia, for 1968, there were 159,087 base models produced. 40,977 RS, 27,884 SS and 7,199 Z/28’s built. For a total production volume of 235,147 units.

As the first generation Camaro’s of 1967-69 are my favourite, with the Z/28 being the “Holy Grail” of Camaro’s! With a 1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 V-8 convertible being that year’s Indianapolis 500 Pace car, with 100 replicas also produced.

Being a FoMoCo’ (Ford Motor Company) devotee, naturally the Camaro is the “Enemy!” And thus, I didn’t know that these RS (Rally Sport) variants featured hidden headlight bucket that retracted behind the front grille. Along with other distinguishing features, i.e.; trim, rear tail lights, etc.

Reportedly four V-8 engines were available for the 1968 RS; 327 and 350 small blocks. And 396 and 427 big blocks, albeit the 427cid V-8 was an aluminum engine, so I’m wondering if it was really available for the “Mid-level” RS?

While a Chevrolet 307cid V-8 wasn’t available until 1969. And the 302cid V-8 was only available in the Z/28. Being produced for Homolgation to compete in the SCCA Trans Am Championship. Where Mark Donohue and Roger Penske made those Nasty Sunoco blue Zed-28’s World Beaters!

Suppose its worth noting you could combine the RS and SS (Super Sport) packages together to create an RS/SS model. Which the RS badging was predominant upon…

Yet without any definitive information easily available on this specific 1968 dark green Camaro RS, which presumably had a four-speed manual transmission? Its hard knowing the exact configuration of this “Anti-McQueen” Muscle Car…