Dope Vid. #156

Video courtesy of GearsAndGasoline.

What to watch this Weekend (Oct 20th - Oct 25th)

• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice 1. Friday @ 11am - 12:30pm (NBCSN(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice 2. Friday @ 3pm - 4:30pm (NBCSports.com) streaming live; replay on NBCSN at 11pm
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Practice 3. Saturday @ 4pm - 5pm (NBCSN(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Qualifying. Saturday @ 5pm - 7pm (NBCSN(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - US Grand Prix; from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Race. Sunday @ 2:30pm - 6pm (NBC(HD)) live; replay at 9pm on NBCSN
• Chasing Classic Cars. Tuesday @ 7pm - 7:30pm (VelocityHD) replay
• Motorweek. Tuesday @ 7:30pm - 8pm (VelocityHD) replay
• Bitchin Rides. Tuesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD) new
• Wheeler Dealers. Wednesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD) new
• Garage Squad. Wednesday @ 10pm - 10:30pm (VelocityHD) new

The last two F1 races were pretty significant in terms of 2017 Drivers and Manufacturers Championships and not necessarily in a good way. Ferrari has imploded in some way or another, Vettel suffering another DNF in Japan and a PU failure in Malaysia qualy, the week prior, requiring him to come from the back of the field to take 4th. Raikkonen's car hasn't been much better off, then there are the incidents that have occurred with other cars. Fiat boss has been pressing his thumb on Arrivabene's (and the F1 teams') neck and I don't think it has helped things. Meanwhile a young GP2 and super formula wiz named Gasley has been driving the Torro Rosso in Kvyat's stead, Sainz is leaving for Palmer's seat at Renault, McLaren is going faster with the Honda engine, but not fast enough and they'll be taking on a Renault power next season. Vandoorne has been out performing Alonso in these last couple races, which has helped his confidence, and McLaren is trying to resign Alonso for 2018, but he hasn't committed yet. The Force India guys continue to do well and skirmish since they always seem to end up on the same part of the track at the same time, but they haven't hit each other lately, which has gotten them pretty far up the Constructor's standing. In these last couple races it looks like Max Verstappen's bad luck has waned for the time being; he won the Malaysian GP on his 20th bday and was nipping at Hamiltons hells as he took the Japanese GP, complaining about PU vibrations (keep an eye on that). Bottas looked stronger in Suzuka, Mercedes look better over all in terms of pace, but Red Bull is legitimately quick these days. Max and Daniel have both made the podium with Hamilton for two races in a row and they're about to take 2nd spot in the manufacturers Championship. Hamilton has the luck of F1 smiling on him so far, in this second half of the season, and he's making his opportunities count. He's quietly won his 71st pole position in Suzuka after not being at the top of the times at the start of the weekend. Massa is still doing solid work, but Williams is looking at younger drivers instead of asking him to come back in 2018, which has perturbed Massa, but can you blame Williams? Back to my first topic, however, Ferrari has had one snafu after another and now Hamilton has the ability to win the championship this weekend in Austin Texas (only 4 races left).

The current Driver's Championship standings are as follows: Hamilton, Vettel (-59), Bottas (-72), Ricciardo (-114), Raikkonen (-158), Verstappen (-195). We're in Austin Texas this weekend and the coverage is immense as usual; all free practices can be watches along with additional coverage before and after most of the weekend's race activities. If Vettel finishes 6th or lower and Hams wins, it's game over. Hopefully Maranello can push and take this to Brazil or Abu Dhabi; and hopefully their leadership doesn't do something rash like clear house before the season is over.

Enjoy your weekends.

Video courtesy of Koenigsegg.

Automotive Workshop: Project Binky - Episode 5 - Austin Mini GT-Four - Turbo Charged 4WD Mini (BadObsessionMotorsport)

The Project Binky story continues with part 5.


Video courtesy of BadObsessionMotorsport.

Current Events: Hyundai i30 N first drive: Mégane RS beware the new kid on the block | evo REVIEW (EVO)

EVO looks at the (ex-BMW M technical lead developed) Hyundai i30N. Looks fun.


Video courtesy of EVO.

For the Love of McLaren: The story behind the McLaren F1 and its record-breaking 240.1mph top speed (McLarenAutomotiveTV)

Andy Wallace recounts the story of setting the 240.1mph top speed record in a McLaren F1.


Video courtesy of McLarenAutomotive.