Mysterious Sea Monster, Old Men in Old Cars and other Arizonan leftovers

The 1966 Holman & Moody No. 4 Ford GT40 Mk II with its Arch Nemesis, the N.A.R.T. Ferrari 250LM that won the 1965 24 Heurs du Mans on Display at the IMS Museum, circa 2012. (The Tomaso Collection)

And Y'all thought Arizona was Land Locked, Righto? As this No Fenders yarn will give Yuhs Somme-thun' to Knaw upon over Turkey Lurkey Dinner...

Lounging about over a lazy weekend whilst on Holiday in Thee Valley of The Sun with Artiste Dave, creator of thou Bitchin' No Fenders website logo! He casually inquired how Ye Blog was doing? And what stories I was working upon. To which I mentioned I had two stories in Thy Hopper related to Howard Hughes I was hoping to Roll-out Justin-time' for Ye Turkey Holiday, which I should really be working on right now...

As I'm still reveling in thoust fading Afterglow of my most wonderful Debutante outing to visit the infamous Spruce goose in nearby McMinnville, Oregon.

Mentioning how the H4 Hercules, it's latter official name sported then the world's largest wingspan at  a whopping 320-feet length, longer than an NFL Football field, until the flight of the late Paul Allen's Stratolaunch earlier this year.

Dave looked up the Mega Behemoth Stratolaunch, which sports a ridiculous 385-foot long wing anchored to its twin 747 fuselages!

He ran across an image of what he deemed the Oddest looking Aeroplane, simply known as the Caspian Sea Monster, Huh? As this Russian flying contraption was part plane, part boat and really, really B-I-G!

VIDEO: What Happened to the Ekranoplan - The Caspian Sea Monster

As it was built during the legendous Cold War in the early 1960's by Thee Rooskies' and utilized a total of 10 engines on short, stubby wings as Thee ultimate Ground Effects Flying Brick!

Then as many things go, a further Military application was designed, deemed the Lun, a slightly smaller rendition of the Caspian Sea Monster weighing in at 286 Tons!

As the Caspian Sea Monster's Successor which entered service in 1987 was equipped with 6 Anti Ship missiles and sported only eight of the powerful Kuznetsov NK-87 Turbofan engines; subtracting the extra two on the Sea Monster's tail from this flying oddity that literally Skimmed the water at 20-feet!

VIDEO: Sting' - Russians Song

The 24 Hour War

Then having spent the previous evening clambering on 'N on 'bout the Mega Ford v Ferrari movie being released that same Friday, Dave scanned thru his NetFlix service and turned on a wonderful 2016 Documentary I'd never heard of before simply titled The 24 Hour War.

as this Awesome Documentary produced by Nate Adams and Adam Carolla is Chock 'Oh Block with interviews from the likes of 'Ol Hobbo, nee HobbsCap', aka David Hobbs. The late Dan Gurney, SuperMario', nee Mario Andretti and Bondo', aka bob Bondurant to name just a few.

Along  with lots 'N lots of snippets from 'Ol Shel' himself. The Best 'Ol Texas Snake Oil Salesman, 1959 24 Heurs du Mans winner and legendary Car Builder Carroll Shelby!

As the Documentary features an in-depth view upon the very same subject, the 1966 24 Heurs du Mans and the Ford Motor Company's epic Duel against Ferrari and seems to serve as a template for the actual Ford v Ferrari Film in my view.

As it's totally worth watching if you get the chance, which for Mwah was great since I Don't have NetFlix myself...

VIDEO: The 24 Hour War Movie Trailer

Hypercars'

After watching The 24 Hour War Documentary, No Fenders Artiste Dave next selected another Automotive Documentary Treat for Mwah, also on NetFlix titled Apex: Story of The Hypercar - which I got to watch; err listen to approximately 65% of. Featuring a Quartet of Stunning Super Cars, for which the modern era's technological cutting edge machinery are now known as Hypercars.

Having previously heard of the McLaren P1, the Porsche 918 and Ferrari La Ferrari. And although I know of the Swedish marque Koenigsegg's name, I'd never heard of its then tour de force Mega Watt car, simply known as the 1:1!

as the small, specialty Swedish Car Company routinely runs circles round much larger Automotive Manufacturers has managed to eak out an astounding 1,341 Horsepower in a vehicle weighing 1,341kg! The first to accomplish the always elusive goal of 1-to-1 power to weight ratio!

With the 2016 Documentary chronicling the Design, Development and production of each of these four amazing Hypercars, along with their Quest for the Fastest lap time at the famed Nordschleife, aka Nurburgring!

Apex: Story of The Hypercar

Since like I said above, I've just learned of it five years after its Debut. I find the Koenigsegg 1:1 Hypercar to be a thoroughly impressive Piece 'O Kit' as thou Bloody Brits' would say; Yah, Sure, Yuh Betcha!

Koenigsegg 1:1 revealed

More Snake Oil lore...

Now totally aware of All things Ford v Ferrari, which I've just seen over the weekend, I've also recently learned about another Documentary now available from the same producers of The 24 Hour War. This time chronicling the legendary Band leader Carroll Shelby and his Merry men at Shelby American Inc. during the Glory Years...

Watch Shelby American Documentary that tells real Carroll Shelby Story

Alice's Restaurant

As we're just ah-waitin', Yuhs know, for I-T to come back round. When we'll All sing It in Four-part Harmony. As I'm Not Proud for makin' uze wait to find out what I'm Ah-typin' about; Hya!

Since it used to be a Thanksgiving tradition when some of the local Seattle Radio Stations would play Arlo Guthrie's majestic Alice's Restaurant Massacree' in it's entirety. All 18+ minutes of it at High Noon to Celebrate Turkey-Lurkey Day...

Y'all know, where You can Get Anything You Want, 'cept Alice, at Alice's Restaurant. As Sing It Arlo!

VIDEO: Alice's Restaurant (1967 Original version)

(Photo c/o No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer CARPETS')

Racing Vino'

Although Don't ask Mwah what goes Best with Dark or White, Wee-Wee', but it must be Thee Holidays, since the local radio station I listen to began its 24/7 Christmas Only music this Monday...

Just a very short Blurb to point Y'all towards another of my wacky, zany No Fenders tomes. This one regarding various Motor Racing persons who also Dabble as Wine Makers, which Y'all may wish to give 'em a try these Holidays...

Speedy Vintners' - 2015 Vintage

F1: Yumps' abound at COTA!

As what's that song 'bout Watch Out for those Trees?

Ah, thou life 'O luxury of being Ye Basement Dwelling Blogger! Hey! Turn the Gory lights back On; Hya! Which is why I'm just posting this now...

As I spent Friday loungin' about 'N watching; Err listening to both of Friday's Free Practice sessions from the Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA.

Where not only was it unseasonably cool, with the day's first practice starting with a temperature of 48deg-f before warming up during FP2.

Whilst the topic of the day was the track's ultra bumpiness, for which per Tipicali, Golden Child, nee Lewis Hamilton was heard via his In-car radio proclaiming This is the Bumpiest Track in the World! To which Sky Sports Pundit ANT', nee Anthony Davidson Quipped back before Hamilton's comment ended, No it's Not, Sebring is!

Some Formula 1 Drivers Don't like COTA's Bumps, others think Pretty Cool

Hmm? CoInky-dense' that one of the track's loudest critics over the Bumps being Unacceptable is starting from Pitlane after being penalized for missing the Weigh-bridge.

Since Don't recall 'lil Syd Viddle being as Harshly Penalized when he tore-up the Weigh-bridge's scales when he was having another Hissy Fit in Brazil last year

Next, I thought the 10:55AM Pacific F1 Programme listed on ESPNews was going to be Qualie', but instead I enjoyed the rare treat of watching Formula One's FP3 Saturday Third Practice session instead.

As the three Announcers; Err Sky Sports F1 Presenters 'N Pundits spent several minutes covering Sergio Perez's severe punishment. Noting that not only had the Mexican Driver Not stopped at the Weigh-bridge, apparently missing the lights, and continued to his Pit Stall. But then the Racing Point mechanics fitted some, but not All four Pirelli "P-Zero" tyres to Sergio's racecar, which is a definite No-No!

Therefore for these various rules infringements, the Race Stewards were Forced to impose the Harshest Penalty available per the FIA Rulebook, which both former Formula 1 Drivers ANT' and Paul di Resta dually noted were Overly Harsh. Along with David Kroft concurring, and All three suggesting the rules needed to be tweaked.

As apparently, although Vettel's temper-tantrum Antics seem far more Egregious! Once again getting Off with a simple Slap upon his wrist, Uhm, being Fined. The Application of the Rules seems to continue being very inconsistent...

Oops! Sebastian Vettel Threatens to Run Over Steward, is Fined for Breaking Scales

Meanwhile, back to Friday's TV coverage, where Pitlane Reporter and Funnyman Ted Kravitz opened his monologue 'bout it perhaps being (Max) Verstappen's Redemption, saying was it Idaho, Ohio? Where Shaw shank Redemption was? Which led into Kroftie', nee David Kroft saying it's in Maine, it's a Steven King Horror thing. To which ANT' chortled back it's scary enough being with Kroftie'; Botta-Boom!

Yet the Horror Show has to be the track's Nasty Bumps, as the tarmac's steadily gotten worse each year, and the F1 Drivers all noted it had gotten way worse from just one year ago, with the worst spots being Turns 9, 12 and 19, along with a nasty bump exiting Pitlane! While Turn 5 was also causing Headaches for the F1 Drivers.

And I say Yumps 'cause David Kroft kept mumbling on 'bout the correct pronunciation for Houston, which immediately reminded Mwah of my past IndyCar Villain Hulio's losing a Series title when crashing hard over a Bump in the Houston Reliant Park's Stadium parking lot.

Otay, think may be Castroneves just toasted his transmission; Err Gearbox as can't really remember, other than Scott Dixon went on to capture his then second IndyCar Series Championship in 2013 thanks to HULIO's Houston retirement.

Not to mention that I believe that's the Germanic vernacular for what it's fame Nordschliefe, nee Nurburgring's full of over its 175+ corners, Ja Volt!

And the frivolity continued with Kravitz doing an in-depth bit upon DannyRic's "One Off" Helmet livery honouring the Aggies', with a nicely done Texas Longhorns themed Helmet.

To which at least Kravitz didn't try pretending to know what the Number 12 on the motif represented. Saying may be it's for Texas being the 12th State? Or 12th Legislative District? As I groaned NO!

Since I find it Funny I know the answer, since I Ain't a Stick 'n Ball Fan, but have lived in the Land of Thee 12s' forever!

So Wrongo David Kroft! It Ain't for the number of College Conference Teams, but as the Seattle Seahawks know. Since pretty sure they had to pay Texas for the rights to continue using the No. 12, which is synonymous with the 12th Man being The Fans! As our Americre' Football has 11 players on the Gridiron...

And speakin' of Americre', our Formula 1 Team Haas certainly didn't have a great day. As once again it was Romain Grosjean into the Barriers Friday! ruining his new Front wing which Sky Sports Pundit Karun Cowboy' Chandhok noted looks eerily similar to Scuderia Ferrari's Front wing from the beginning of the season.

As I totally Fail to understand why the Haas F1 Team chose to keep Romain another year instead of signing Nico Hulkenberg? As what type 'O Kryptonite for Herr Goonter' does the Frenchman keep in his firesuit's pockets? Since Grosjean just seems to have Peaked a longtime ago now, and I just Don't buy this continuity Babble...

Grosjean refuses to Blame Cool COTA Bumps for Crash

And then the wheels started falling off la Scuderia's wagon, becoming worse 'N worse as the weekend wore on. Since first on Friday, a throttle sensor apparently Done Packed Up! On Chuck LuhCluck's (Charles Leclerc) Ferrari due to those Nasty Yumps!

Which apparently wasn't the only issue Ferrari was surrounded by, since Arch Nemesis Red bull sought a technical clarification upon what it felt was a Rules loophole that la Scuderia was exploiting?

A lot of Noise

Then during Saturday's final practice session, Leclerc immediately stopped his chariot after reporting something's wrong with the engine! Forcing the team to scramble to install a new PU, nee Power Unit prior to Qualifying.

But at least the Monegasque didn't have to take a 10-place Grid Penalty, since Ferrari was able to install an Older Spec PU, which afterwards, the Team would claim was the reason for Leclerc's lack of optimum Horsepower during the race.

Since Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Leclerc both took exception to Max Verstappen's public comments 'bout Cheating...

Ferrari rejects Allegations, Charles Leclerc Hits Out at Max Verstappen

Oh Yeah, almost forgot. I spent the majority of the race Yelling at the Telescreen for Valtteri Bottas to Not let his most esteemed team-mate Golden Child win the Bloody race!

For which although the Finn did, nobody will remember this since Lewis Hamilton claimed his sixth F1 Driver World Championship by finishing runner-up, with Red Bull Bad Boy Verstappen rounding out the Austin F1 Podium.

Leclerc trundled home P4, behind his Bosom buddy Max, with the Dutch Lightning Rod's team-mate Alexander Albon rounding out the Top-5 finishers, whilst Vettel retired with a broken rear suspension. Which apparently Ain't Nothin' compared to his contrataumpts at Sao Paolo...