Dope Vid. #239

Video courtesy of Sourkrauts.

What to watch this Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd - May 29th)

• Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Practice 1. Thursday @ 4:55am - 7am (ESPN2(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Practice 2. Thursday @ 8:55am - 11am (ESPN2(HD)) live
• The Grand Tour. Season 3. Episodes on demand. Friday (Amazon Prime)
• Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Practice 3. Saturday @ 5:55am - 7:30am (ESPN2(HD)) live 
• Formula E - Berlin. Race. Saturday @ 6:30am - 8am (FS1(HD)) 
• Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Qualifying. Saturday @ 8:55am - 10:30am (ESPN2(HD)) live; replay @ 2:30p on ABC(HD)
• Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Race. Sunday @ 9:05am - 11:30am (ESPN(HD)) live; same-day replay @ 3:30pm (ABC(HD))
• IndyCar Series - The Indianapolis 500. From Indianapolis Motor Speedway, from Speedway, Indiana. Sunday @ 12am - 3:30pm (NBC(HD)) live
• Chasing Classic Cars. Tuesday @ 7pm - 7:30pm (MotorTrendHD) replay
• Motorweek. Tuesday @ 7:30pm - 8pm (MotorTrendHD) replay
• Bitchin Rides. Tuesday @ 8pm - 9pm (MotorTrendHD) replay
• Wheeler Dealers. Wednesday @ 8pm - 9pm (MotorTrendHD) replay

What can we say about Spain? Bottas was faster than Hams in qualy, which is more of the new page in this team dynamic, but Hamilton got the jump in the race and never gave it back, taking the win and the fastest lap (making a point to counter Bottas' race domination of Australia) -- which is something we've seen before. Red Bull out paced the Ferrari with Verstappen at the wheel on a track where Ferrari looked the strongest in pre-season running; Maranello is still looking for answers to why they can't take their power to the front, still working to figure out how to turn on their tires at will aaaand how to best work team race strategy. Haas looks like they figured out their tire warm-up problems (Ferrari engineers were looking at their car at various points of the weekend) and are competitive with their latest package; bur was it the upgrades or the track or both? Merc's new package has proven another step on, which is making things interesting all around. Mclaren still looks strong and are chipping away at the results every week, but Norris got pulled a short straw with contact and a DNF leaving only Sainz bringing in points. Renault is making it to the end of races, but are still no better than some of the teams they're supplying engines to. It's going to be a long season for them. Kvyat put together another decent race, taking a couple points, Albon in the partner Toro Rosso finishing in 11th behind Grosjean. Mercedes 1-2, for a fifth race in a row, with Spain being a send off present to retiring Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. It looks like the Manufacturers Championship is a wrap at this point, but there are a ton of races left. With the checkered flag dropped the Driver's Championship standings are as follows: Hamilton, Bottas (-7), Verstappen (-46), Vettel (-48), Leclerc (-55), Gasley (-91). If Red Bull keeps progressing they'll be fighting for second in the constructors -- hopefully some appearance of parity will show up by summer to make this more interesting.

This weekend in picturesque Monaco, the low speed corner heavy street circuit awaits. Merc looks strong on every different type of track thus far. Let's see if they can perhaps be knocked off one of the top two podium steps this weekend. Oh and don't forget the Indy 500 later in the day (although Alonso didn't qualify due to a myriad of struggles with McLaren's IndyCar entry).

In sadder news, in case you missed the news on Tuesday, F1 legend Niki Lauda passed away on Monday. I was just thinking how it was odd that I hadn't seen him in the Merc pits for some time now, but I didn't realize he was dealing with an number of ailments going back to a lung transplant last Summer. He was involved with a number of incredible events in the history of the sport, he was a three time F1 world champion, a successful entrepreneur and team Chairman and more importantly he was a respected man and racing driver with a rcers resolve that is second to none. He'll be missed.

Enjoy your motorsports weekends.

Videos courtesy of Autosport.

For the love of P: 50 years of Porsche 917. (Porsche)

Porsche looks back 50years to the first 917 to compete for the overall victory at Le Mans.


Video courtesy of Porsche.

Current Events: What made 'unfiltered' Niki Lauda so special in F1 (Autosport)

RIP Niki.


Video courtesy of Autosport.

Automotive Workshop: Making the E92 M3 sound like a CSL with the Eventuri Carbon Fiber Plenum (EvolveAutomotive)

Imran hangs out with one of his customer's and good friends, Ryan, who owns a E92M3 with Evolves Carbon Fiber Plenums for the S65 motor. Sounds fantastic.


Video courtesy of EvolveAutomotive.

Neo-Vintage Enthusiast Topic: My Obsession: The man behind the Beast of Turin | Trailer (GoodwoodRoad&Racing)

This trailer is of a documentary called, My Obsession,  covering Duncan Pittaway -- restorer and enthusiast owner of the fire breathing Beast of Turin (among many other classic cars). For reference I've added a bonus vid on the Beast.



Video courtesy of GoodwoodRoad&Racing.

Dope Vid. #238

Video courtesy of ILBTV.