Dope. #200

Image found courtesy of VWHome.

What to watch this Weekend (Oct 31th - Nov 5th)

• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice 1. Friday @ 12:30pm - 2pm (NBCSN(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice 2. Friday @ 3pm - 4:30pm (NBCSN(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Qualifying. Saturday @ 1pm - 3:30pm (NBC(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Race. Sunday @ 3pm - 5:30pm (NBC(HD)) live 
• Top Gear (UK). Mini-marathon of past episodes. Monday @ 4pm - 11pm (BBCAmerica (HD)) great replays 
• Motorweek. Jaguar F-Type Coupe. Tuesday @ 7:30pm - 8pm (VelocityHD)
• Chasing Classic Cars. Size doesn't matter. Tuesday @ 10pm - 11pm (VelocityHD)
• Restoration Garage. Wednesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD)
• Wheeler Dealers. Wednesday @ 10pm - 11pm (VelocityHD)

We have a ton of US Grand Prix coverage this weekend on both NBCSN and NBC affiliates. We get two practice sessions to go along with qualifying and the GP on Sunday. To pick up where we left off, Lewis Hamilton is edging our Nico Rosberg in qualifying, for the past two races, and was also able to pull out the victory in both. This couldn't be more tight coming into this third to last race of the F1 Season, especially with the final race in Abu Dhabi being a double points event. While Ricciardo has been in the chase, he's slowly inching out of range as the RedBull chassis hasn't been as strong on the last two circuits. 

Hearts are still heavy in regards to Jules Bianchi who is still in stable but critical condition in Japan after his freakishly unfortunate accident during the final laps of the Suzuka race. The Marussia team unfortunately is so low on funds that they couldn't afford to bring their race car to the US Grand Prix. However, they plan on continuing defense of their 9th position in the Manufacturers Championship; this position could provide them much needed funding and hopefully keep their team employed.

The Driver's Championship lineup is as follows: Hamilton, Rosberg (-17), Ricciardo (-92), Bottas (-146), Vettel (-148). If you look closely you'll see that Alonso has fallen from the top 5 as he's fallen victim to some poor luck, including a DNF in Japan after his car failed him. In related news, the driver shuffling news has been pretty eyebrow raising -- Vettel is out at Red Bull (rumored heading to Ferrari like Shumi), looking for a new challenge much like Hamilton two years ago. Vettel has gone through 5 power units for the season, so he'll probably be starting from pit lane in Austin. Alonso's contract is up at Ferrari and he's looking for a seat; the rumor mill puts him at anywhere between McLaren and a possible Audi F1 return in 2016. Young Russian Daniil Kvyat replaces Seb, joining Ricciardo in 2015. While the cement is barely dry on the driver line ups, this weekend should be another great bout. Enjoy your weekends.

Video courtesy of EVO.

Vintage Motorsport Pron: Group A BMW E30 M3 1986 (Hesvid)

The folks at Hesvid did us all a favor and got some serious footage of a documented 86' BMW factory Group A E30M3 race car, being put through its paces, at a track event in Norway. I need to get me one of dem' fresh dashes and those cup mirrors.


Video courtesy of Hesvid.

Enthusiast Topic: The Pagani Test Driver (Driven)

The team from Driven interview Pagani Test Driver, Davide Testi.


Video courtesy of Drive.

Neo-Vintage: The Mini Cooper Has Rockstar Status (Petrolicious)

Our friends at Petrolicious bring us a short on the owner of an imported 1971 Morris Mini, Sumner Norman. Much like folks who hot-rodded these, four decades ago, Sumner has modified his in a similar OEM+ manner.

Video courtesy of Petrolicious.