110 horsepower may not seem like a lot today, but how that horsepower is produced makes all the difference in the world.

Steam engines began showing up on tractors with various HP outputs during the late 1800s, and at the time were a revolutionary new way of replacing horse drawn plows and equipment trailers.  They remained in production until the diesel engine began to take over and unfortunately most were scrapped for the World War 1 effort.  A few survive, such as this example.  This is a great example of the seemingly endless amounts of torque that steam engines, combined with gearing, can produce.  

This is the definition of a 'Full Pull', and all the while putting on a fireworks show for the crowd.

CASE produced thousands of these steam powered tractors, and often were demonstrated to potential buyers by having them pull loads that at the time weren't possible by other means.

First video is a straight side shot, the second video is a mash up of 3 other angles and drone footage.

Third video is a more in depth walk through (on a different tractor) of how these steam traction engines operated

I'm sold.

​

Causing a ruckus in the streets because your like minded idiot friends are too?  Better watch out.  A well placed tear gas canister to the soft bits will make you re-think your decisions.  Good shot Phoenix PD.  

1947.  The war is over, and the beaches are open.  Cape Hatteras, NC has long been famous for it's unique Light House and surf fishing.  Driving or walking out on the beach and casting a rod out into the tumbling waters has been a draw to the coast of NC for many decades now.  Here we have a short instructional video showing some methods for catching channel bass, or stripped bass, a treasure to catch and enjoy fried or on the grill.  Notice the war surplus Dodge WC Command Car, and the size of the bass being brought in.  Both of these aren't seen much anymore.  Snowball knows the deal.

A few years later, and it's obvious that the beaches are becoming a bit more popular.  4wd trucks and jeeps (Willys wagons, CJ5s, and even a Model T (or A) is drug out there)  are abundant, and allow greater access to the remote points and secret fishing holes.  many go out to catch dinner, but there are quite a few that just head out to enjoy the scenery and fellowship, and the occasional beverage.  Many of these places don't exist anymore, and the beach itself is ever changing.  Quick time capsule of what some of the Outer Banks used to look like,

Note, at the 3 minute mark, there is footage from Ocracoke Island and the Ocracoke lighthouse.  It mostly looks the same to this day.

​

One of the fastest and awesome locations on the WRC circuit is threatened, due to over reaching organizers.  The WRC organization claims that the rally spectators are getting too close to the action and a serious incident is going to happen.    I say let them get as close as they want, and if the fans jump barriers, then they take their life into their own hands.  It seems all to common these days to allow a few bad apples to suck the fun out of everything.  You want to reach out and touch a car as it flies (literally) past you?  Go ahead.  The fans are the reason any sport exists.  What do you think?

Anyway, for the time being, enjoy these bonkers drivers (and fans) while you witness the most insane stop on the WRC circuit.

#flashbackfriday

​Let's take a trip back in time to the glory (sounding) days of Formula 1.

1990 Lotus Lamborghini being warned up for a parade lap.  And that awesome, we will never see it again, livery.

Ferruccio Lamborghini didn't intend for his cars to go racing, but after he passed, his gift from the Gods V12 was shoehorned into an F1 car, and well, let your ears be the ultimate judge.  

Close your eyes, and just imagine an entire grid of these machines warming up before a race, and the shrieking, wailing, thunderous sound they made when the green flag was dropped.

Well you should have by now.  He's been on the Austin TX music scene for roughly seven years now, and even in the saturated music scene that is Texas, he and his band are standouts.  If you're a fan of Sturgill Simpson's style, you'll feel right at home with Mr. Lucius.  This is our favorite, and happens to be when the band was just making the rounds and playing in front of small crowds fat the 2010 SXSW festival in Austin..  Hope you agree.  If not, there is quite a catalog now, something for everyone.

​

Wheel to wheel.  Door to door.  Don't let up until the checkered flag waves.  If you see a gap, you take it (thank you Mr. Senna)

This is what we want to see.  Thundering engines, no ovals, street car styling (hey, 'win on Sunday sell on Monday' still is relevant today)

Outside of the US, this type of racing that we want to see exists, and has for quite a while.  Who remembers this photo (made famous by it's appearance in the Seinfeld episode 'The Dealership')  Who doesn't want to see a BTCC Volvo 850 Estate being beat to within an inch of its life?  I know I do.

BTCC.  DTM.  V8 Supercars.  These cars are road cars with a few crucial upgrades and roll cages.  And lets not forget the drivers that go 11/10ths.  No traction control.  No abs.  No nanny anything.  An engine, a manual transmission, and a seat.   Pedal to the floor.   The car control is stuff of dreams.

If you want to see some real racing, watch these videos and then take the rest of the day off to follow the wormhole into the depths of Youtube.

Here we have the DTM series (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) in its Glory Days  (late 80's early 90s).
Competitors include: Mercedes 190.  BMW E30 M3.  Opel Omega 3000 Evo 500, Audi V8 quattro.  Set to fine German music.  Very fitting.

​Next, we have Australian V8 Supercars.  While not all use V8s these days to make the horsepower, these two competitors did, and left not one millimeter of the track untouched as they battled for second place.  That's right, not first place for all the glory and women, but SECOND PLACE.  These guys spend more time on two wheels than 4. 

Let's take it back to 1991.  Holden V8 Supercar in a time attack challenge.  Overfueled (notice the black smoke) and dancing around 'Better than Fred Astaire' .  This is beyond "10/10ths"
The crowd loves it, and so do we, 25 years later.  This is the first video you should watch if you think you have car control mastered.
​

Finally,  Lets take a look at the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship)
Tiff Needle takes you behind the scenes in an up and coming competitor (Nissan) while battling the seasoned veterans.  Even the privateer teams get access to the same tires as the factory backed teams, to ensure a close race and tight battles.  The reason people watch racing.  Racing improves the breed, and is 'Good fun'  
​
​

The 2017 24 Hours of LeMans will be here soon enough, June 17 and 18.  This test of man and machine has had it all.....from tragedy, triumph, defeat, death, documentaries and movies, and still creates legends.  

 1955
 1955 saw the worst motor racing tragedy off all time.  The LeMans start is the most charged event in motor racing.  Spectators are crammed into the stands and hold their bodies over the fences to get a better look.  To this day, there isn't a clear number of dead spectators.  Just like today, Jaguar, Mercedes, Ferrari were competing for the top spot at this world class event.  This documentary shows some great behind the scenes footage and interviews with drivers from that race, describing what happened.  Brutal.
​

1971
Some call it the greatest racing movie ever made.  I can't argue too much with that.  Filmed at LeMans in 1971, Steve McQueen stars in the epic film that tested the boundaries of cinematography of the day.  Yes, it is great, and yes there is some great footage of some iconic racing machines, and it has been enhanced for the 21st century.
​

"Some kid named Jason, in a Honda...Station"--Biggie.  

Not much needs to be said,  All the big names are covered.  When they are over you'll be searching for more.  Hopefully there will be.  We need it.

2017 has been won.

This isn't the complete catalog, and they are still being released.  Let us (and RapMusicHD) how you like it.

To use an old phrase....Turn it up to 11.

By the way kids, if you didn't already notice...there is no Drake, no Wiz, no Future, no Migos.  This is real rap.  Enjoy.

And a 40 minute mix to pleasure your ears

This guy...this guy sharing his soul with you...you know him as the Grammy winning (for "Run Around") front man for Blues Traveler, the rock and roll/grunge/jam band of the early and mid nineties....John Popper. He gives it all with his trademark singing style and world class harmonica playing (playing is too soft of a word, he straight gets after it)

Well he and his band are still touring and filling shows over 20 years since the band got together in New Jersey garage.  Blues Traveler recently released some new material in 2015 to decent reviews, but here we want to dig deep and remember the classics.

Early on, Blues Traveler appeared on the TV show "Roseanne" , and well, they rocked.  Even John Goodman gets in on the act:

The real treat comes at the end of the show (after the last commercial break) and we are treated to some early, raw, unfiltered Rock and Roll:

Thanks to Roseanne, Goodman, and all the people involved with making this happen.  Good stuff.