The Explorers Club
No. CLXXXIII - The Harriman Alaska Expedition of 1899.









Project MERCATOR
I had lunch with Dr. Hee Haw today at Ypsilanti's fabulous Sidetrack Bar & Grill. Over the past few months, we've lunched at some of southeast Michigan's most distinctive restaurants, the absolute highlight being the Traffic Jam & Snug in the heart of the Motor City. I had no idea Detroit held such a treasure! The good doctor is moving to the State of Florida, to further his medical practice. We met on the staff of the Gargoyle, many moons ago, and we've not been the most constant friends, but I shall miss him and his unique sense of things sorely.

Bon voyage, my friend.

This Week in Motorsport
The finish to Sunday's American Le Mans Series race from Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, was unbelievably close. In a race lasting two hours forty-five minutes, the overall race win (which was also inevitably the Le Mans Prototype [L.M.P.] class win) was decided on the very last turn! The Judd-powered Lola chassis of Drayson Racing had started from the pole, but fallen behind due to a late-race refueling stop that took more time than it should have. Yet, because of that extra fuel, the Drayson was running flat out at the end, while the Honda of Highcroft Racing and Porsche of Team Cytosport were both having to conserve fuel, trying to cruise to the finish line. The Drayson was quickly gaining on the leading Cytosport, but there wasn't enough race left to allow the Drayson to catch up… until the Cytosport ran out of fuel with several turns to go! The white Porsche still managed to roll past the checkered flag in second, but the day belonged to the Lola/Judd, resplendent in British racing green. Almost three hours, and it all came down to the final corner. Astonishing!

The action in G.T. wasn't quite as close as in L.M.P., but the top-finishing Rahal Letterman B.M.W., second place Flying Lizard Porsche, and third & fourth place Team Corvette Chevrolets were all within a few car lengths of each other. The Ferraris of Risi Competizione were an unusual non-factor; for whatever reason, they just couldn't find the pace at Road America. Next up: the Grand Prix of Mosport. Onward to the Great White North!

Here is an interesting chart comparing the specifications between various forms of motorsport, highlighting an L.M.P., a Formula One car, an IndyCar car, and, playing the role of the court jester, a N.A.S.C.A.R. "stock car": Guidelink.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Nigel Godrich, Jason Falkner, & Justin Meldal-Johnsen, "Bass Battle" from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Original Score by Nigel Godrich (T.L.A.M.)