 |
|
Justin Wilson. (Image source: assets.nydailynews.com)
|
For my Saturday Nite Nightcap 'Wayback in
August, on a Hot Summer's night, remember those, eh? I tuned in for what was
only my second helping of GP2 this season, having only caught the televised
Hungary Feature race prior to this year's GP2 Feature Race during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
As the lead announcer's name makes me wonder?
As Alex Jakes, who definitely sounds like a Bloody (British) Bloke to Mwah;
Hya! Makes me wonder if there's any relations to current British IndyCar driver
James Jakes, eh?
While it seems a shame that reigning GP2
champion Jolyon Palmer, who's probably ruing his "Simulator Jockey"
status at the forlorn Lotus F1 outfit - strangely is tasked as the series
current Driver Analyst, nee Colour Commentator, a la Davey Hamilton's role for
Indy Cars.
But back to what 'Ol 'Awntie Harriet used to
call the B-I-G' BOYZ! Nee the Talking Heads of Formula 1 and IndyCar. As the
crew's all set on the F1 side, it's just over here Stateside that we get a
continuous revolving door cast 'O characters. With the likes of Leigh Diffey having
Brian Till and Kevin Lee stand-in for him. Whilst various Driver Analyst's from
'Hobbo, aka David Hobbs to Steve Matchett, Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy all
take turns in the booth.
Hence, with these continuous changes, it's
really tough for Mwah to choose between "Professor Matchett" or
Townsend Bell for third, or is I-T second fiddle; Err Chair; Hya! Because 'Ol
'PT, nee thee Thrill from the West Hill, aka Paul Tracy has quickly ascended to
my number two voice on "Peacock-lite's" IndyCar broadcasts. Although actually
No. 1, but I'll leave our Mate Diffey in the B-I-G' Chair; Hooah!
Therefore being torn between Bell &
Matchett for NBCSN IndyCar Booth Co-commentator - since I enjoy both of their
personalities and what they bring to the broadcast. As guess I should be happy
with either, right!
While my only nitpick with Matchett is the
SCREAMING OOHS, AHS, as I do NOT need any contrived SCREAMING to further Amp me
up! Although may be this is designed to offset whom I've tagged as "Sleepy
Dave!" When David Hobbs piddles 'bout the IndyCar broadcasts. (As I
truly enjoy 'Hobbo on the F1 broadcasts, but he seems to be ill-prepared; Err
simply Sleep Walking thru the IndyCar side's broadcasts ...)
Meanwhile, I can NEVER get enough of "Professor
B," aka Jon Beekhuis, or simply 'JB, which
I've already noted previously. As Jon's silky smooth explanations of whatever
he's diagramming for us just comes across so effortless, yet totally understandable
and never belittling, while always straight to the point.
As I'm very happy
to hear he's SMART enough to not even consider taking any of Indy Cars
Officiating or Technical positions currently on offer!
Alas, really enjoyed the whole Pocono race
broadcast until Y'all know when! Since usually I prefer to skip the Pre-amble,
but just gorged thyself on A-L-L 4hrs until ALL HELL broke loose near the end!
On was it Lap-179 or 180? When Sage "Dangerboy" Karam struck the
wall! (As pretty karmic that Tracy named him that during the Pocono broadcast
prior to Wilson's accident, Eh!)
Like I said before, all I could shout at thy
Telie' was SHIT-SHIT-SHIT!
When 'PT said it looks like the nosecone hit Wilson on the head; FUCK!
As I knew it was bad once again from Tracy's somber tone, which eerily reminded
Mwah of knowing Dan Wheldon was Toast when Tracy bluntly said "ITS
BAD!" When a microphone was shoved in his face when he was racing in the
"LOST WAGES" Super Doooper $5m "Foot-long" World Finale
back in 2011. (As Tracy was driving the No. 8 Dragon Racing car
for Jay PISSENBOOTZ' Penske that day...)
While Matchett's somber tone just reinforced
my initial thoughts, although Kudos to the entire crew for being sensitive and
reserved during the whole matter - as everybody was extremely professional over
what ultimately turned out to be the death of another beloved racing driver!
Alas, originally my intent was to compare all
of the voices I listen to as a visually impaired 'Vurd Bothcerer, or as Ralph Sheehan
so complimentary coined us: "Keyboard Warriors!"
Yet as I've already scribbled prior to
finishing this, along with deciding to "Pull" my riveting two part
Harmony on the Top-5 drivers contesting this year's IndyCar championship,
pre-finale. Although I did turn my television back on at 5PM Pacific, which due
to the length of the Pocono catastrophe - was delayed by 18mins; as we Don't
wanna interrupt our brand new TV Series
Mob Steel!
Nevertheless, although watching; Err
listening to the Pre-race and start of
the Formula 1 race, my Head, mostly Heart
just wasn't into I-T! Just dreading Wilson's situation as I ran back 'N
forth to thy Confuzer, checking for any news on Justin's prognosis...
Thus I tuned out of the F1 race, since Lewis
Hamilton was waxing the competition again; YAWN! And listened to Speed Freaks
instead. Then learned the dreadful news via Curt Cavin's report in the
Indianapolis Star Monday night.
Then eating a late supper I somehow managed
to tune into ESPN's Sports Center, where some Dude name Ryan? Did a very
touching piece upon the 'Uber Affable Brit, before they interviewed Eddie
Cheever, who gave a very good account of Justin Wilson, the person and what
makes them, as drivers decide to put on the helmet and strap themselves in...
As it must have been Monday morning when
guess what? NBCSN was re-airing the 'RASSCAR race; Ho-Hum; Yawn! Which made me
realize just how marginalized Indy Cars become. Since if it had been a
"Taxi Cab" driver, it would have been splashed A-L-L over TV Land! As
IndyCar doesn't even have one single outlet, let alone their own Talk Show,
a la 'RASSCAR AMERICRE!
Although Kudos to
NBC Sports and Leigh Diffey for recognizing Justin on their daily NASCAR program.
And Kudos to Kevin Lee & Curt Cavin for playing I-T on their very moving
and enjoyable Trackside show Tuesday evening...
Meanwhile, returning to current racing action
at hand, obviously as a blind 'Vurd Botcherer', naturally I depend upon the
traditional ways of news gathering, i.e.; TV, Newspapers, email and Internetz; GULP!
While the majority of the world is Hip with the ever ceasing shrinking 'O
information, i.e.; World Digitalization of making everything tinier 'N tinier
to fit upon today's requisite Smart devices, as surely there's an App for that,
right?
As I was feeling quite conciliatory when I began
scribblin' this, but that went away pretty F-A-S-T! Since if only Indycar.com
could add a FREAKIN' Screen-reader compatible "Play" button!
Or just something as simple as Trackside with Cavin
& Kevin's website page actually listing when the next FREAKIN' Broadcast
will be; URGH! As NOT everybody in the world wishes to live vicariously thru
TWIT-ER!
Alas, as mentioned above, having felt pretty
deflated over what would be Justin Wilson's deathnoll, I really didn't care one
iota 'bout that day's re-airing of the Belgian Grand Prix and originally wasn't
planning on watching the Sonoma IndyCar race. Which ironically, Mother Nature
decided for Mwah in what seemed emblematic of this year's season.
As wouldn't Yuhs know I-T? Seattle was rocked
by an early Winter's windstorm Saturday afternoon before Sonoma's Qualie'
session took place, as suppose it was a good thingy I decided to watch; Err
listen to the bonus final practice session airing on Peacock-lite Saturday
morning when the whole Band was back together, even going so far as bringing in
'RASSCAR Pit Reporter Ringer Marty Snider. Which of course I wasn't privy to,
having lost my power for 36+ hours...
So riddle me this
Mr. Queiry; Hooah! Just what does a Blind person do when the power goes out?
Hey, I dunno, I'll go read a book! Oh, wait, that's right, I'm FREAKIN' Blind;
Thank You, Thank You Very Much; Cymbal Crash please!
Yet thanks to my NFB Newsline for The Blind
telephone service and its local servers not being wiped out - until my
telephone went dead around 7:30PM Sunday evening! I was able to keep abreast of
the Qualie' outcome, initial review of Power v Montoya incident, etc, albeit
somewhat delayed.
Awoke Sunday morning wunderin' if thy power
would come back "Just-in Time" for the race, which around 1PM Pacific
I resigned myself to missing the finale, and was all set to listen to some
Football; Err what us Yanks' calls Soccer. As the Seattle Sounders FC were
taking on arch rival Portland Timbers.
Yet for some unknown reason, guessing 'cause
I had some time to Kill! I scrolled over to my 'lil AM1380 Fox Sports radio
station out of Everett, WA and was completely blown over to hear "The
Voice," albeit very scratchy thru my headphones of my 'Ol School portable
radio; EUREKA!
Since I cannot recall lately being so excited
over getting to listen to something on the radio! And the whole Gang was there,
with my Buddy's Mark Graveley' James & Jake "The Riddler" Queiry
as Paul Page's trusty Wingmen.
Whilst my favourite IMS Radio Network Pit
Reporter Nicky Salt' Yeoman was back, along with Dave First and Mike
"Yippee Aye Eh!" King's reincarnate Michael Young's rendition of: "ARE
YOU READY RACE FANS!" In the building; Err Sonoma grounds; Hya!
As I could hear "Mr. Excitement's!"(Michael Young)
Words as long as I positioned the radio just right upon the table next to the
window facing northwards - as long as I didn't turn my head too far, making the
headphones turn, which moved the radio & headphone chord acting as a
pseudo-antenna LOSE the signal; Hooah!
And with NO Disrespect to Davey Hamilton, who
was back in the booth at Sonoma, the only person's voice missing was Zachery
Veach, who I know would much more rather be behind a steering wheel! Yet I
really enjoyed his time alongside Paul Page earlier this season.
As I've also already previously mentioned, I
only made 'Juan 'lil mistake during the entire +35mins Pre-amble & entire
race broadcast. Placing one short telephone call upon my own accord during what
was a commercial break when I originally thought DJ WillyP' had looped I-T Solo
once again - totally missing the original call upon Penske team-mate Juan Pablo
Montoya's LUV' Tap; Aye Karumba!
As its majorly disappointing - whilst the
media's all Uh Glitter over their improved ratings that we'll have to wait
another seven FREAKIN' months before another race broadcast! I mean talk 'bout
your momentum killer!
So Great Job to A-L-L the aforementioned
personalities, as I can count at least 17 On Air talents between NBC Sports
television & IMS Radio Network Broadcasters - of which only one is female!
Whom for Mwah, bring the world of Open Wheel Racing to life visually, and keep
me interested in this captivating world of motorsports on a yearly basis. As
it's only too BAD we'll have to wait some FREAKIN' Half year's plus to hear
many 'O these voices once again...
Did I mention
already how it'll be another seven long, hard, cold months before we go racin'
again; Hya!
