Dope Vid. #192

Video courtesy of Halcyon

What to watch this Independence Day Weekend (June 29th - July 4th)

• Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix; from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Practice 1. Friday @ 4:55am - 7am (ESPN2(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix; from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Practice 2. Friday @ 8:55am - 11am (ESPNU(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix; from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Practice 3. Friday @ 5:55am - 7:30am (ESPN2(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix; from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Qualifying. Saturday @ 8:55am - 10:30am (ESPN2(HD)) live 
• WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. Six hours of the Glen. From Watkins Glen International Raceway in New York. Sunday @ 9:30am - 4pm (FS1(HD)) live
• Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix; from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Race. Sunday @ 9:05am - 11:30am (ESPN2(HD)) live
• Motorweek. Tuesday @ 7:30pm - 8pm (VelocityHD) replay
• Chasing Classic Cars. Tuesday @ 10pm - 10:30pm (VelocityHD) new
• Speed Is The New Black. Min-marathon. Wednesday @ 8pm - 3am (VelocityHD) replays

We have back to back to back races with the second leg being Austria this weekend. Red Bull has decided to go with Honda power in 2019 and 2020 so this will be the last year running Renault. While they're leaving Renault, it's a bet on the future as they won 4 manufacturers and drivers championships with the old N/A 3.0L V8 powerplants. Honda looks to be stronger with the next generation of power unit but time will tell if that actually pans out. Meanwhile Merc looks like it's in much better shape with the upgraded powerplant, Hams taking qualy and the race win in France without much competition, primarily because Valteri keeps having terrible fortune, this past weekend getting tagged and tire punctured by Vettel into turn 2. The French driver contingent had three on offer for the return to Circuit Paul Ricard, but Ocon and Gasley took each other out in the lap 1 melee that caught many folks out with damage. McLaren looked woeful again, but Alonso seemed more comfortable with that Le Mans win on his mantle. Bottas salvaged the day to gain points so they've stretched the Constructors lead ever so slightly. The Red Bull duo put out a great effort, helping the team and their drivers fortify their points. Grosjean missed out on the points in his home GP, rounding out the French driving contingent. Leclerc made Q3 for the first time and was competitive all weekend; apparently teams are taking notice of his skills. With the flag dropped the Drivers Championship standings are as follows: Hamilton, Vettel (-14), Ricciardo (-29), Bottas (-33), Raikkonen (-63), Verstappen (-78). Austria is another power track so we'll see if Merc still has the edge with their most recent upgrade and if Red Bull can finally make a good showing at their home track. Don't forget IMSA sportscar racing at historic Watkins Glen!

Enjoy your motorsport infused Independence Day weekends.

Video courtesy of DougDeMuro.

Current Events: New BMW 8 Series revealed: Can the big GT target the S-Class Coupe AND the 911? (AutoExpress)

The new BMW 8 series, finally in the road going flesh.


Video courtesy of AutoExpress.

Enthusiast Topic: Borrowing My Friends One-Off Ferrari 599 GTO! (CarsWithLuke)

Luke putts around local and mountain roads in a friend's special edition Ferrari 599 GTO.


Video courtesy of CarsWithLuke.

Neo-Vintage Feature: 1959 Porsche 356A: A Phoenix Rises From A Tractor Barn (Petrolicious)

Petrolicious looks at an enthusiast father and son duo who restored a Porsche 356A shell in their shed, over 7yrs, to a running, driving, customized and finished coupe of epic proportions.


Video courtesy of Petrolicious.