Thursday, August 21, 2014

What to watch this weekend (Aug 21st - Aug 27th)

  • /Drive on NBC Sports. Ferrari, Ferrari, Ferrari. Thursday @ 11pm - 11:30pm (NBCSN(HD))
  • /Drive on NBC Sports. Questionable road usage. Thursday @ 11pm - 11:30pm (NBCSN(HD))
  • Formula 1 - Grand Prix of Belgium; from circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Practice. Friday @ 8am - 9:30am (NBCSN(HD)) live
  • Formula 1 - Grand Prix of Belgium; from circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Qualifying. Saturday @ 8am - 9:30am (CNBC(HD)) live; 12pm - 2pm (NBCSN(HD)) same-day delay
  • GP2. From circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Saturday @ 2pm - 3:30pm (NBCSN(HD)) same-day delay
  • Formula 1 - Grand Prix of Belgium; from circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Race. Sunday @ 7:30am - 10am (NBCSN(HD)) live
  • IMSA United Sports Car Championship - From VIR in Alton, Virginia. Sunday @ 4pm - 7:30pm (FS1) live
  • Top Gear (UK). Marathon of past episodes. Monday @ 4pm - 11pm (BBCAmerica(HD)) replays
  • Motorweek. BMW328d. Tuesday @ 7:30pm - 8pm (VelocityHD)
  • Wheeler Dealers - Trading Up. Season 2. Wednesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD) new
We have some solid entertainment ahead as the Summer winds down. F1 one is back at the almost mythical Spa circuit after summer break. Speaking of breaks, when last we left off Hamilton was continuing to have some of the worst luck of his career, all in qualifying sessions. Fuel leak here, exploding brake disk there, rear end lock-up spin off here and there; but he's showing that he's one of the all time greats with his ability to work his way through the field and podium despite starting from the back of the field or even pit lane. Yes, he has a good car when it's not in a ball of flames but you still have to be able to take advantage of that car and exploit it. This season is all about those who are maximizing their opportunities -- Rosberg, Hams, Ricciardo and Bottas I believe are the highest in this list through this point of the season. Alonso isn't too far behind this group as he's making his Ferrari do more than it ever could otherwise. Then you have those drivers with the worst of fortunes and we have to think of Massa, Maldonado (he's not great but definitely unlucky), Hulkenberg and Hamilton (again). With the smoke clearing, the current standings are as follows: Rosberg, Hamilton (-11), Ricciardo (-71), Alonso (-87) and Bottas (-107).

This weekend should be exciting; teams are all back with improvements on the car for the very demanding Spa track and there is plenty to fight for, from the Driver's Championship to runners up in the Manufacturers Championship to driver seats for 2015. See you all next week.

Video hosting courtesy of John Cash.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Neo-Vintage: Classic Cobra Strikes Monterey! (MotorTrend)

Arthur St. Antoine, of MotorTrend fame, takes a flawless Factory Five Racing Cobra 427 replica from Tacoma, Washington to Pebble Beach, California.


Video courtesy of MotorTrend.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Motorsport Topic: The Godfather of Formula 1: The Gordon Bennett Story (XCAR)

XCAR bring us another great short film on the origins of what's now called Formula 1 and one Gordon Bennett. Specifically the circuit that Gordon was responsible for, in Ireland, and the organized racing that took place in the very early 1900s. Think about this; ~60mph, open cockpit, no seatbelt (you were better off without one) hail pelting you from the skies, terrible brakes and skinny white tires. Motorsport was hairy from the very start.


Video courtesy of XCAR.

Monday, August 18, 2014

For the love of P: Porsche 959: Posterchild of the Supercar Renaissance (XCAR)

The crew from XCAR bring us a great shortfilm on the history of the legendary Porsche 959. Talk about ahead of its time.


Video courtesy of XCAR.