PL Newman

Paul Newman. I knew the day would come when he would be gone. He was reported to be sick months ago and was looking rather thin now for the last couple of years. I never met him but I saw him from a distance several times. I met his racing partner of many years, Carl Haas in Indianapolis at the US Grand Prix. I should show you that photo sometime.

This morning I was chatting with a list of friends from around the world as we watched the Formula One Grand Prix qualifying live from Singapore. A friend of mine from Canada told me via a chat message that Paul has just died. Bummer.

In the picture above you can see the red, white, and blue Oldsmobile with Paul driving in 1990 at the F1 USGP in Phoenix. His car usually said "PL Newman" He never really liked anyone to know who he really was. He was an awesome driver and from the local talk on this day he had his pal Tom Cruise in tow for the weekend. They were just hanging out for the weekend watching F1. He had a chance to drive in this warm-up race and went for it. And he was good at it. I took this 35mm print with my old Pentax ME Super from my seat that day.

I don't have much to say about Paul that the media hasn't already said. I will say I love the fact he was good at what he did no matter what is was. He lived well and was true to his friends and family. He gave his time and money to the greater good. A true mentor, I never met him in person but I will never forget him.

Red Bull P1 in Monza.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodromo_Nazionale_Monza
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It's been a bit slow on the MINI adventures lately. Sorry I have been VERY busy with all my interests! I never stop. I only slow for corners to hit the proper apex in life.

Ok it is no secret I am a Ferrari Formula One fan. Always have been, always will be. I watch every practice, qualifying, race, you name it...and I have the tape and dvds to prove it..9 USGPs to date attended and here is hoping for a return for F1 to the US in 2010...oh yeah..sorry I have a Nick Heidfeld hat to wear at BMW events as he is my next favorite. If I had not been a Ferrari fan since I flew my red flag in Phoenix in 1989 I would be a BMW fan.

http://www.motorsport-magazin.com/nickheidfeld/en/home.php

Back to the title of this post....I was... naturally visualizing a Ferrari 1/2 finish at the Italian Grand Prix!
What I got was a Ferrari P1 finish alright, except it was the Red Bull chassis with a Ferrari engine! Well. My numero uno sports drink I buy by the case and drink once a day whether I need it or not...they win! Formerly known as the Minardi team they have NEVER won a race. Well it rained, Sebastian Vettel leads from the pole and beat everything on the track! Well I would have bet BIG money against that outcome.

At any rate...I have to say Congratulations to the Red Bull team. You earned it. A historic finish and well done. Cheers Dietrich Mateschitz! (That's him in the middle of the picture)

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/05/08/formulaone.future/index.html#cnnSTCText

A Nice End to a Fine Day...

The parking lot down the street in Elon at the Piedmont Ale House. Great fried pickles and fried green beans! The local micro brews and Euro-offerings were not bad either....this is a great place made even better with your MINI friends there.

And the Cake was Served....

What a nice cake...there was so much great food at this event I would have to fill the page with the descriptions. When MINI owners throw a party they throw a party....

The Burgers and Hot Dogs Were Grilling....

Mark sporting his best burger cookin' style...

The Banner Was Posted...

The Cat makes a Getaway...

I saw several dogs at the event, some with some nice clothes and a really cool Bulldog...but I didn't see any of them actually driving a MINI....

Snoopy Checking Out the MINIs

Snoopy is giving us the once over from the sky! Our cigar smoking canopy was setting up the smoke screen so I am not sure what he saw....

UFO Photo?

Here is another picture of the parking lot at the blast this afternoon. If you click on the picture and enlarge it you can see the small object in the sky behind in our group of MINIs. No it's not a UFO, it is the Met Life blimp!

The Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club August Blast...

The line-up in the parking lot today at Springwood Park in Burlington, North Carolina.
The Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club was having a Club Blast and it was a good one...someone said there were almost 100 cars there. I really lost count in the afternoon...
http://www.tarheelminis.org/

Here is a link to the Newspaper article in the Burlington Times....

http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/cars_16470___article.html/inspire_mini.html

John Force!!

The NHRA legend. John Force. This guy is the nicest person on the block. His team brought the car they had just raced in Bristol and several drivers. They had all barely slept but they signed everything in sight and John kept everyone entertained with his personality. I can't say enough good things about him. He is the man. I am a big fan of his, as a driver and most of all as a real person. You rock dude.

http://www.johnforceracing.com/


From John's web site...

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Now that he's driven in his 500th NHRA race, won his 1,000th round, made his 201st final round appearance and celebrated his 59th birthday, all within the last three weeks, John Force acknowledged Wednesday that he may be ready to take the final step in his recovery from career-threatening injuries suffered last fall in a 320 mile-an-hour crash.

"Every race I'm feeling more comfortable in the car," proclaimed the 14-time series champion. "The car's gotten better. I'm better. I think we're ready to win again."

Racing Girls...

Rock....Ashley Force. Fresh in from Bristol.

http://www.ashleyforce.com/

http://www.johnforceracing.com/index.html

I Ran Into.....

Tony Stewart today at work....fresh off his helicopter which landed right in front of our building from Charlotte.

Oh my MINI was parked about 30 feet from all the action...with the sun shade on the dash and under the shade of a nice tree....

http://www.tonystewart.com/

Miles of MINIs

The MINIs look like they stretch for miles...this was the line-up for the group picture in front of the dam. It was raining for the panaramic five foot photo...but we did it anyway. Nothing like getting wet for a picture of your car.

20 MPH?

In a MINI? Not.

MINI Bee

There was a car show and this car was my favorite.

Mr. Clean

"Mr. Clean" sits adjacent to the car washing station. I must have washed my car five times in four days. Between the rain and the bugs it was tough on the old boy. Should I mention the complimentary products we used to wash our cars? Awesome stuff..my personal favorite is a product called 'Slick." I left with several bottles of these products. They Rock.

http://www.detailersparadise.com/View.asp?Id=6511292005451212-691513519625

Deal Em'

Did I mention there was fun to be had at the Second Annual MINI Monte Carlo Night?
Thanks to all from the PittStop MINI Club....
http://www.pittstopmini.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=896476&item_id=4444

It's Monte Carlo Night!!

Can you tell it's Monte Carlo Night?
http://www.racerchicks.com/auto/miniMC.html

Inside the casino is setup and we are ready for some fun!

To the Rescue...

Here is the culprit. The Fire Department got the situation under control and electricity service was restored many hours later...