Visit From Griff
The Racing world and the Cosmos collided and I found myself talking once again with my oldest compatriot and if there ever was another mother's brother, it was John Griffin. After a particularly long hiatus, but never long from the mind, we spoke via text and it was just like the old days lol!
Years ago we were office mates in the grime vault, a real estate title storage facility and there never was a dull moment. We are racing junkies, it's stamped onto our dna and we cracked each other up so frequently.
Our hearts were broken when Michael Schumacher suffered his tragic devastating injury while skiing. We loved Michael as a racer of course, but really felt for the man when this happened. He did survive although was never seen or heard from again since at the close control of his family.
Conversely when we saw this photo and heard that Michael's son, Mick Schumacher, also a young racer was accepted into the Ferrari Racing School, our hearts soared. As you can see, veteran F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen had warm feelings for the newest addition to the Ferrari family.
When I ask Griff about this photo, he says, "(when I look at this photo) Love for Michael outweighs all...and I can only look for a few seconds...I'll get misty on the matter"
As Griff put it, and I agree, I have some heros, and a few are race car drivers.
The 2019 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona saw Fernando Alonso compete with another elite team, and earn another win in the world endurance jewels in top level motor racing. Self-Pictured here on the podium with his co-drivers, Kamui Kobayashi, Renger van der Zande and Jordan Taylor, Alonso has now completed two of the three events of the racing triple crown. He has won the 24 hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix as well as the 24 hours of Daytona, and has his sights set on the Indianapolis 500 again this year.
Night time pits at endurance racing is the coolest thing on the planet. There are so many fascinating points and issues, " I could go on and on!", says Griff. During the wee hours, as the cars on track drone on and on, a car will appear for a scheduled service seemingly out of nowhere, and the service will be over as abruptly as it starts. "A spooky ballet" of so many people and efforts. Many times during the race, the car will receive service pitting, but the drivers will change also. Seeing a driver, only awakened from sleep moments before, jump into the seat and buckle in with a wonderous look in his eye. No fear, but a joy and eagerness. Contrast that to the engineers up on the pit box and the exiting driver who are frazzled, tired and locked in concentration.
2019 Le Mans should be interesting. Toyota's hybrid outclassed the field last year, and the team cruised through the final few laps formation style with Kobayashi in the lead car. The odds are certainly on them to repeat.
"I'm onboard!", exclaims Griff, "I'll have a close eye on everything from car development/testing, mapping to driver diet!" As will I when @alo_oficial straps into the McLaren for his 2nd Indy attempt this coming May.
The Triple Crown of Motorsports is considered the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix. Only one man has completed this, Graham Hill completed the sweep in 1972 with a win at Le Mans. Only Juan Pablo Montoya and Alonso have a chance to complete as both have two (both have Monaco wins. Montoya has an Indy 500 win and Alonso has a Le Mans win)
Several drivers are in sight of Fernando as he attempts to climb onto this plateau, the great AJ Foyt won both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500, both the 24 hours of Le Mans and Daytona, along with 7 open wheel championships. Mario Andretti also won Indy and Daytona as well, combined with a WDC in 1978.
The #912 Porsche 911GT at Daytona in the wee hours. Porsche is among the mightiest racing traditions from the genesis of sportscar racing. Their competition is tough; Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, etc. Through the years, no other car platform has dominated as the Porsche 911 has. Porsche is the most prolific producer of wins year in and year out at all levels of organized racing and at the elite level, no other manufacturer comes close to the heights this car maker has achieved.
-katykarter
posted by Katykarter @ 10:23 AM
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