Thursday, May 23, 2013

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

  • Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Practice1. Thursday @ 8am - 9:30am (NBCSN(HD)) live
  • Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Practice2. Friday @ 1am - 3:30am (NBCSN(HD)) live
  • Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco. Qualifying. Saturday @ 8am - 9:30am (NBCSN(HD)) live
  • Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix. From Circuit de Monaco.  Race. Sunday @ 7:30am - 10am (NBC(HD)) live; re-airing @ 10:30am on NBCSN
  • IndyCar Series - The Indianapolis 500. From Indianapolis Motor Speedway, from Speedway, Indiana. Sunday @ 11am - 3:30pm (ABC/ABCHD) live 
  • FIA World Endurance Championship. Highlights of the May 4th, 2013 6hrs of Spa; run at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium. Saturday @ 12pm - 1pm (SPEED/SPEEDHD)
  • Top Gear (UK). Africa Special. Monday @ 8pm - 10pm (BBCAmerica(HD)) great replay
  • Motorweek. 2013 VW Beetle Convertible. Tuesday @ 8pm - 8:30pm (VelocityHD) new
  • Chasing Classic Cars. Utah Collection. Tuesday @ 10pm - 10:30pm (VelocityHD) new
  • Fifth Gear (UK). Behind Pininfarina. Wednesday @ 10pm - 11pm (VelocityHD) new
There's a nice selection of events to look forward to this weekend. The legendary oval endurance race, going by the name of Indy 500, will be taking place on Sunday @ 11am - airing on ABC. SPEED will be carrying a event review of this years 6hrs of Spa. New Fifth Gear looks at famed design-haus Pininfarina. The crown jewels, however, is F1's return to Monaco. 

When we left off last time in Spain, Alonzo brought home an emotional win in his home country; Massa snagged third and the ever consistent Kimi took second. Petronas Merc's still have tire management issues and Hams tried his damnedest to limp home on a two stop strategy to make up for their inability to keep tires in one piece. Redbull struggled while trying to play Ferrari's game of going 10/10ths the entire race and pitting as needed. Kimi in his Lotus was ready for that game and had no problem keeping up, which the podium clearly showed. Now that the smoke has cleared, the Driver's Championship is as follow's: Vettel, Raikkonen (-4), Alonzo (-17), Hamilton (-39), Massa (-44). The Iceman is steadily chopping down Vettel's tree and Alonzo has grabbed an axe to join him in doing so. 

Monaco is going to bring in some new dynamics to this tire preservation fight. Petronas Mercedes qualify up front at will. Knowing this, will the tight Monaco circuit allow them to hold position, despite tire issues, a la Senna vs. Mansel in 92'? We'll find out Sunday. Be aware that NBCSN is pulling a SPEED/Fox and is airing this race live on NBC at 7:30am, but the pre-race will be on NBCSN at 7am. Not sure what'll happen if it runs long, but they'll be re-airing it on NBCSN @ 10:30am. 

Enjoy your weekends folks!

Video hosting courtesy of Cary Gatewood.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Automotive Workshop: The Future of the Internal Combustion Engine - Inside Koenigsegg (Drive)

In this seventh episode of Drive Networks' 'Inside Koenigsegg' series, Christian Von Koenigsegg and his Engineers talk about the future of engines; free valve technology. Can you imagine a world without camshafts or timing chains? What will happen to engine tuning? Food for thought, but in the meantime listen and take note.

Video courtesy of Drive.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Automotive Workshop: He Drove A $500 Craigslist Car In Rally Mexico (AfterDrive)

The crew at Drive network brought us a great feature. Mike Spinelli, of Road Testament lore, interviews automotive playground legend Bill Caswell. Bill is a self-taught fabrication and racing enthusiast who built a cheap E30 and took it to Rally Mexico with intentions of taking on the WRC's professional and works teams. And he did. Then the Baja 1000. Then Pike's Peak. Let's pick his brain and hear about his still unfolding story, first hand. Oh and grab a snack.

Video courtesy of Drive.