All posts by Mitchell Weitzman

Information

Why I love Endurance Racing

This past June was the 48 Hours of the Le Mansburgring. Okay, that’s a rather lame combination of names, but this was a rather special occurrence. In a normal year, the Nurburging 24 Hours on the famed Nordschleife takes place a full month prior to the Le Mans 24 Hours. This year, however, was a little different: The Nurburging marathon was the weekend directly after Le Mans. I can’t remember the last time that happened. Maybe a reader can shed some knowledge on this. Regardless, this was endurance racing heaven two weekends in a row.

So why’s this important? Think about it: many of the top sports car drivers in the world compete in both events. That’s one mega race weekend followed immediately by another. It’s not just the 24 hours of racing (shared with 2 other drivers), but all the practice time and preparation involved as well. Finish Le Mans, and two days later you’re in the Eifel Forest. 8.5 mile track, then over 13 miles. That just sounds overwhelming! Respect is much deserved and due to the drivers and crew members who contested both annual racing extravaganzas.

Now let’s get on to the real reason for writing this, why I love endurance racing. It’s just the best, isn’t it? This is real racing, on the limit, go hard or go home (as Nicki Thiim says) driving for 24 hours straight. Gone are the days of preservation to ensure a car finishes, or sending out the ‘hare’ to entice others to push hard and consequently break down in sacrifice. GT cars have really never been better, either, between variety and durability (they just pound those kerbs). Say what you will about Balance of Performance, but the close racing it has produced cannot be denied. Okay, so BMW didn’t exactly do that well at either event this year, in fact they did rather dismal, but that happens; that’s racing. Some years things just don’t work out.

The Setting

Le Mans and the Nurburgring are two of my favorite tracks in the entire world. There’s this level of mysticism and wonder about them that is nearly unmatched (Spa is just behind, though). It’s almost a wonder that both tracks are allowed to exist even in 2019 still. Each’s legacy is undying, and it’s the passion of motorsport and past triumphs and battles that has guaranteed this. Favorite corner on the Nordschleife? They’re all pretty good actually…many drivers call it the greatest track on the planet for a reason. Playing simulators my whole life, it’s my most often driven track virtually, even. And then there’s Le Mans, with the Mulsanne straight and daunting Porsche Curves that LMP1 can crush at over 150MPH. The long straights make for incredible side by side racing between all classes. Literally dozens and dozens of times this year were there instances of at least 3 GTE cars nose-to-tail and door-to-door blasting down the French motorway at 180MPH. Seeing who had the guts to stay out of the brakes the longest into a 70 MPH chicane never gets old.

This is where an endurance race differs from a shorter sprint race: it just keeps going. And going. And going, yet the racing doesn’t let up. The drivers are pushing, but never forcing 11/10ths, battling as hard in the 3rd hour as they would the last lap. The teams who run into trouble, it’s impossible to not feel empathy for them, even for a rival team to those whose shirt you’re sporting. Oh, the traffic, too. Traffic? I mean the faster car classes somehow maneuvering around the slower cars. That’s why the guys in LMP1 at Le Mans and the full-fat SP9 GT3 class at the ‘Ring are so freaking talented. Coming across cars with half the power and downforce in corners would be scary, right? Actually, it probably is, but the way guys like Alonso, or Buemi, or Vanthoor and Rast just negotiate around them like they’re not even present is bewildering to watch from inside the cockpit.

The Pass

What pass? Kevin Estre on Dirk Mueller for the lead on the Döttinger Höhe Straight. At probably 170 MPH(?) Estre made his move for the lead and dropped 50% of his car into the grass. At over 170. LEGEND. And this was only 5 hours into a 24 hour race, reiterating the point of flat-out all-out for 24 hours. Absolutely fantastic racing.

I’ll miss the big BMW M8 from Le Mans next year. Unless the US-based Rahal IMSA BMW team comes to Le Mans next year, this was the end of BMW at Le Mans for the foreseeable future. Hopefully the Americans come out to play, as it’s a real shame for the WEC series to lose both the factory BMW and Ford teams in GTE. Luckily, IMSA still has a full-force GTE field still. The GT3 racing might be best though when it comes to variety at the ‘Ring and the Blancpain Endurance Series: Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, McLaren, Bentley, Nissan, Glickenhaus, am I missing someone? Astounding number of manufacturers, all going for it at the Green Hell.

I love endurance racing. I remember my first Le Mans in 2005, I tried to stay up the whole race, but kid metabolism defeated me. Each year I’ve done my best to watch as much as possible, missing maybe 30 minutes at most. If you’ve never watched either, I highly encourage you to give both races a watch next year. Make an event out of it, drink beers and barbecue with your mates while watching it. The unbridled enthusiasm in the teams and fans at each race is something else and absolutely bleeds through the tv screen. I hope to be among those same passionate fans one day trackside myself. I’m already ready for the next N24 and LM24. 11 months is too long…

Information

There’s a New 1-Series, And It’s Front-Wheel-Drive

Tell Me About it

So if you haven’t heard, BMW has just released details on the all-new 1-series. Enthusiasts, prepare to be disappointed, because it’s mostly front-wheel drive. Shocked? You shouldn’t be. There has been talk of the next 1-series being FWD for several years, and now it’s finally here. But honestly, front-wheel drive? Who cares.

What’s That You Say?!?

You heard me. Who cares if it’s front-wheel drive. It’s not the first BMW that drives the front wheels. The 2016 X1 debuted on a modified Mini platform that was primarily front-wheel drive with AWD optional. And you know what? The car drove great, still does, in fact. The X1 has topped Car and Driver comparison tests even. The X1 spawned the sportier X2, which might be a confused style statement (it does look rather good in the right spec, but lacks any practicality associated with an SUV), but nonetheless is a surprisingly good car to drive with proper BMW DNA inside.

Furthermore, front-wheel drive can be fun. The Ford Fiesta ST is a fabulous driver’s car and it’s “wrong-way-drive.” The Golf GTi remains a perennial favorite, as well. So given that BMW has made a front-wheel drive SUV decent to steer, I’m sure they are more than capable of infusing some pizzazz into a small hatchback.

And also, the 1-series will be cheaper for it, making it more attainable to those who have not been able to afford to get into a Roundel-badged car. before.

It’s Also AWD

Like the X1 and X2, which are FWD to start with, there will be an all-wheel drive option. So yes, if you really don’t want FWD and a dose of torque steer, there is a car for you. However, unlike the Focus RS, I doubt there will be a ‘drift mode.’ See below though for the real B-road hunter though…

An M135i?

Yes. AWD, and over 300 horsepower. Sounds fun, no? I will miss the outgoing M140i and it’s prior, the M135i. Rear-wheel drive, turbocharged six-cylinders (the new 1-series will be 3 and 4-cylinder engines only), and a standard manual transmission. All that, but in a highly practical, attractive hatchback shape. Okay, it was slightly awkward in some angles, just as the Z3 coupe was, but a seriously cool car to those in the know. Seeing an Estoril Blue example in Scotland once warranted a well-deserved 5 minute walk around to indulge in this crazy curiosity from across the pond. The USA only got the coupe version, the 2-series. Why more Americans don’t like hatchbacks and estate cars is beyond me. They’re cool! And Practical!

It’s Not Even Coming Here

Yes, for us in the United States, currently plans do not appear for the new 2020 1-series to be sold in the United States. Why could that be? BMW has hired enough researchers to determine the demand would be too little, surely. America has never embraced the hatchback quite like Europe. Though, why are Golfs, Focuses, and Fiestas so dang popular?

Information

The Quail, A Gathering of Extravagance. And then Some

Pictures by Mitchell Weitzman and Daniel Blodgett

Last year I was lucky enough to attend the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at the lavish Quail Lodge fairways in Carmel Valley. It was my first time back at The Quail Lodge for over fifteen years when they last hosted il Concorso Italiano, now at the Bayonet. I’ve always wanted to go back since I first heard they formed their own signature event, but the honest truth is Monterey Car Week is so packed with things to do, it’s tough to fit everything in. Not last year. Last year, I finally made the efforts to attend the Quail and ohh my was it the biggest mistake in Car Week history.

Now when I saw mistake, I don’t mean the event. The mistake was me not attending The Quail for the prior fifteen years, and that’s because it was incredible. Stupendous, in fact. How have I been missing this for the past decade and a half? I thought to myself. No, not again. I must go every year now. And so it has cemented itself as tradition in my own personal Monterey Car Week lore. With that in mind, yes the 2018 edition was one I couldn’t miss.

What makes the Quail special? Everything. No, honestly, and literally. The cars are amazing, but they’re only part of the show. The food is delectable. And there’s a lot of it. A pass into the Quail nets an all-you-can-eat buffet with an outstanding variety that’s influenced from each corner of the world. Let’s see, I at different times of the day indulged in salmon, chicken, oysters, caviar, salads, cake, and Thai food (still not cultured enough to tell you the name of what it was). And it was all mouth-wateringly good. Don’t forget the drinks. From Bulliet Rye Manhattans and Whisky Sours my friends enjoyed to Margaritas and to wine (not your bottom shelf Andre, either), it was all there.

I’ve never been somewhere that makes me feel like an A-Lister until coming here. Speaking of A-Listers, I was looking over a selection of Rufs when I noticed the man in front of me peering into the side window looked slightly familiar. Then I heard him speak and immediately recognized the Aussie accent from down under. It was none other than known car guy Eric Bana (if his lap on Top Gear was dry and not a monsoon, he likely would have set the fastest time years ago). In amazement I told him how upset I get when he dies by Brad Pitt’s sword every time I watch Troy. His replay was, “Well unfortunately, we couldn’t change history.” Great guy. His film Love The Beast, about his love for cars and racing, is a must see. 

Nick Mason was also present, with his son-in-law and racing driver Marino Franchitti. And yes, Dario was there as well making the rounds. Nick Mason, for those that ask, “Nick Who?” was the drummer and founding member of Pink Floyd. His collection of cars includes just about everything, with his Ferrari 250 GTO being his most publicized and valuable ride. Though, to my surprise, I asked him what his most enjoyable car to drive is, and his answer was not the GTO, but his vintage, pre-war Aston Martin Ulster.

Also, had the pleasure to bump into Doug Demuro, who aggressively dresses exactly like he does in his videos even at super fancy car events. Respect. My friends and I chatted with him and his friend for probably a solid ten minutes. A wonderful, and I repeat, wonderful guy to talk to. He knows his cars as good as anyone I’ve ever met and truly loves the excitement and emotion that cars can bring in the driving experience. Hopefully I run into him again next year. Top bloke that Doug Demuro. 

So now to the cars. Every modern hypercar was in attendance, meaning a Zonda, a baker’s dozen of Huayras, Bugatti Chiron and the new Divo, Koenigsegg Agera, 918, McLaren’s Senna and P1 LM, Singer 911 DLS, and lots bearing the prancing horse. The all-new Z4 was on display as well, in M40i guise. The parking lot is a wonder as well, with, I kid you not, a car show of its own. Attendees leave a filled out slip on their dash in the parking areas, and judges select a best-of the parking lot. A 300SL Gullwing was the winner.

Add all these components together and this becomes something surreal. It feels like a dream, like it can’t be real. Maybe it’s a David Lynch-like dreamscape, but it’s real and genuinely authentic. Most importantly, two years in, I enjoyed it just the same if not more this time around. The novelty of it all has not worn off one bit.  And I really could go for some oysters right now. 

The Quail has become a crown jewel of Monterey Car Week, possibly even upstaging the finale that is Pebble Beach Concours. It’s a gigantic party centered around cars that I didn’t want to end. And I could look at the cars and people endlessly, but unfortunately we had to be ushered out at some point when the show was deemed finito.

I can only hope I’ll be back on the Quail’s fairways next year once again. In just two years, Quail has officially become a pastime and staple event; a highlight of my annual calendar. It’s that good. If you have the means, go. You won’t be disappointed. Only eleven months to go…