Trash Talk – The Hitched and The (Potentially) Unhitched Edition

First off, we’re gonna be moving a little fast here, because it is a classic Circus weekend; the lads are in Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. I’ll return to that in a minute, but there is also the issue of the continued existence of F1. There is a potential divorce in the making. From CNN:

Eight of the sport’s major teams (Formula One Teams Association or FOTA) have potentially thrown the glamorous world of F1 into chaos by making good on their intention to set up a rival championship for 2010.

It follows months of talks and frustrations after they failed to resolve their dispute with motor sport’s governing body over financial constraints. Quite simply, the Formula One Teams’ Association announced they would not compromise on the quality of the series by signing up unconditionally for the 2010 F1 season following the release of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) radical new plans for cost-cutting.

All of this follows FIA president Max Mosley’s insistence on introducing a voluntary $60 million budget cap for teams to curtail what has been called a “financial arms race” in the sport.

The teams in question are championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. With the two remaining outfits, Force India and Williams, staying put as it were.

The sport will go where the manufacturers go, notably Ferrari. The list of breakaways is everybody that matters, even weaker teams like Toro Rosso. To my mind, that means they will sort this out with Ecclestone and Mosely and things will remain where they are. Bernie and Max really have no choice. But that is just my take. Please discuss Circus heads!

As I said earlier, the British GP is this weekend. Here is the track (I miss Brands Hatch). Here is a rundown of practice. Qualifying is at 8:00 am EST Saturday on SpeedTV. The race is at 9:00 am EST on FOX (tape delayed, the suckers). See if Jenson Button can win this one too. Hard to bet against the lad at this point.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Oh no. No way hoser.

Tonight, we are passing a milestone and a gravemarker. R.I.P. Randiego. Yep, Mr. SurfRider is getting married as I hit send on this post. Vaya Con Dios my friend. To be honest, I have met the once and future Mrs. RanDiego, and she is absolutely super; he is getting the best part of that deal by far.

However, it is not just RanDiego we are mourning. Bob Bogle, a legendary guitarist you probably never heard of, has passed. Bob was the lead guitar player for The Ventures. He, and the band, had a one of kind avant guard sound that is the basis for more rock and roll than you can imagine. One SurfRider passes on; one gains a wife and new life. Just like the waves on the beach, time relentlessly moves on.

Raise a toast and tilt a pint. Rip this joint. (Watch all the videos, but the last one is awesome).

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25 replies
  1. Jkat says:

    yeah .. who could go racing with just 60 million a year …eh ?? someone needs to put wheels on ..and knock the wings off of.. a f-18 hornet.. bend a little tin .. and show ‘em how to really go-fast ..

    ohhhhhhh just imagine .. hittin’ the afterburner on the back stretch ..

    • Synoia says:

      Been done.

      The Indy 500 didn’t like Lotus for doing it (and winning), as turbines are suitable for boring oval racing.

      Due to turbine lag, turbines are not suitable for F1.

      • bmaz says:

        Actually Granetelli’s STP turbine (known as “Silent Sam”) didn’t win. Parnelli Jones was running away from the field in it in a major way, and would have won by a huge margin, but a bearing gave way just laps from the end of the race. AJ Foyt ended up winning the race, but the turbine was so dominant while it was running that they then banned it from further competition.

  2. emptywheel says:

    “clink”

    We’re supposed to wish the Red Raiders continue to skunk the Wolverines as a marital wish–is that it??

    Congrats, both of you…

  3. fatster says:

    At first glance, my old eyes saw the title of your article, bmaz, as “The Hitched and the . . . Unhinged Edition.” It’s been that kind of day.

    O/T: Please enlighten us about these appointments:

    http://www.democraticundergrou…..15;8485199

    Many thnx.

  4. cbl2 says:

    Mornin’

    late to the party, but so far not a peep about the divorce on Speed Channel’s coverage from Silverstone

    • bmaz says:

      Hi cbl2 – No, not a word I have heard. Kind of a strange morning there, the track is dry and sticky, but there sure are a lot of ominous looking clouds. Jenson Button looks off his usual pace this year – maybe he is holding back and will come on in the third round. Ferrari and BMW are simply awful.

  5. freepatriot says:

    I can unnerstan Randiego’s point of view

    but wtf was Ms Randiego thinkin

    she knows he’s a surfer, right ???

    I’m assuming it’s a “Bring yer own surfboard” affair

    let’s jes hope the surf stays calm till the ceremony is over (an ya might want to have that engagement ring appraised at some point)

    and as to the topic at hand:

    sounds like CART vs IRL redux

    which major event can they fuck up, and can the fuck it up as bad as IRL fucked up the Indy 500 ???

    and after a toke peek at the crystal bong, I wonder when we’re gonna get to see the Segway 500

    congratulations to the Randiego family

    an GOOD LUCK too

    now leave me alone, I’m playin with teh turtles …

  6. Quebecois says:

    Hey bmaz,

    Localy, forlmula one is being discussed a whole lot. After Bernie cancelled this year’s (Canadian) Montreal Grand Prix, seems that the dismal spectatorship in Turkey has him way more willing to discuss his outrageous fees. Differing levels of gov will help out.

    The runaway neocon faction will be back to formula one before they even try to organise a competing championship.

    Damn, That Vettel kid sure can drive.

    • bmaz says:

      Yeah Vettel can drive, nice kid too. Like I said in the post, Bernie can’t live without the bigs like Ferrari and McLaren. This will get smoothed out same as his hasty idea on the points championship did. The teams will win.

      • Gunner says:

        Yep I am with you on this one Bernie can’t be that stupid.Lets hope not.

        congrats to Randeigo

        the last vid was awesome

      • Petrocelli says:

        Starting with the stupid idea about awarding the Championship to whomsoever wins the most races ( a moot point this year, it would seem ) to this latest revolt, it is painfully apparent that Bernie is acting as a Napoleon.

        The Breakaway Teams should reconcile and demand his resignation as Condition # 1 !

        Seeing “RIP Randiego” was a bit shocking … relieved to hear that it was about his pending marriage. Oh wait !

  7. Quebecois says:

    By the way, saw the Ventures last year in Québec City, I believe Bob was playing more bass than lead. I was with my friends from the California Guitar Trio who idolise them, went backstage to shake their hands afterwards. Nice evening.

  8. pdaly says:

    in the hey day of American car manufacturing it was all about tailfins and the accessorizing.
    On that note here’s a Hello Kitty muffler that might save the day.

    On that website also check out the modern toilet and horse shoes/boots.

  9. 4jkb4ia says:

    Also US vs. Egypt in Confederations Cup action tomorrow. Have serious plans to walk over to local soccer headquarters to watch.

  10. randiego says:

    Thanks everyone! The ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this one was really good – the missus attends a beautiful church with a big cool pipe organ, the pastor was very smooth in delivery and clever in the homily he wrote, he played well to the crowd – they loved it. A close family friend of MsDiego is an opera singer, and she did a Gershwin tune – Nice Work If You Can Get It – that we picked out. A show tune at a wedding ceremony! It was a hit – the crowd loved it…

    The reception was at Spanish Village in Balboa Park (a small artist colony), outdoors with a very gorgeous courtyard, with flowering jacaranda trees… an amazing setting. We served fish tacos and lots of tequila.

    It’s been a whirlwind since friday, beach party and various non-stop gatherings with friends and family from out of town, all the way until tonight. We’re not honeymooning until September, in Australia.

    Again, thanks for this bmaz… yeah I got a great deal!

    PS- thanks for the Ventures mention. TBogg covered it earlier in the week.

  11. Quebecois says:

    With a heavier car, Vettel was putting a second a lap on Rubens. This will turn out to be the year of the chassis, not the kinetic energy return system…

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