Archive for the ‘People & Places’ Category

Time to Remember that it’s all about Fun.

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

It’s almost spring, and Murphy’s ventured out of his cave early in a particularly foul mood. It’s been hard to be otherwise with the mess these human creatures have created, and its impact on this great sport. Lately the usually-happy Bear has been anything but.

It’s a good time to recall that this sport is all about fun – especially Sebring. So here’s a look back to Murphy’s Somewhat Silly Sebring Stories. Nobody the Bear’s ever met failed to have a boatload of fun at Sebing. Whether there are ten cars or one hundred, Sebring is always a real hoot.

105. The Best of Times – Murphy Reflects on 2008

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” –Charles Dickens–

Murphy’s 2008 was a landmark year, perhaps – he hopes not – a year in which he saw a high water mark in his favorite sport. (more…)

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Well, the Bear’s already finished his read, and The Art of Racing in the Rain goes right to the top of his favorite books list!

He loved this book. Let’s face it, racing fiction, unless of the recent genre of NASCAR-romance-pulp fiction variety, or out-and-out humor/parody, doesn’t sell well, and can be pretty dry stuff. Lovable mutt Enzo, however, has given life and delight to Denny, Eve, and Zoë.

Garth Stein (who got the author’s credit, probably because Enzo, like Murphy, lacks the digit definition and opposable thumbs needed to write) has found a voice in Enzo that’s unique in its ability to deliver a detached view of the human condition. (more…)

Murphy’s Best North American Road Racing Events

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

A while back, an important person wrote a piece for Last Turn Clubhouse under the nom de plume Katrina Flood, “Rating North American Sports Car Racing Events.”  Murphy highly recommends – in fact, it’s a course requirement – that you read it. If you haven’t already, that means now.

OK, class, that’s Kat’s view, and Murphy’s sure you’ve got your own “best.” But first, there’s one more item in our “Events 101” course syllabus, the Bear’s very own “Best North American Road Racing Events,” below. (more…)

Go with God, Jeannie

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Murphy’s lost his adoptive mother and best friend Jean Marie, who died the evening of November 29, 2007. Murphy was on her bed.

She found Murphy, a small Gund bear, alone and naked, in a Sonoma bed and breakfast in 2004, and immediately adopted him. His first race was just a week later at Laguna Seca, though he didn’t write his first column until July 2005. (Jeannie’s contributions to race coverage over many years is described here, at Last Turn Clubhouse.)

Murphy’s not sure what will become of him now, but he’s certain nothing ever again will be quite the same.

Farewell, Jeannie.