Project CARS 2: Remembering the "French Kiss of Death"

As much as you're enjoying Le Mans right now, here's something worth enjoying at home because thanks to the new Spirit of Le Mans pack on Project CARS 2, players got the chance to relive the rivalry as depicted from the legendary Le Mans film that starred Steve McQueen on it.



Coined as the "French Kiss of Death", the Le Mans film sees Steve McQueen reenacting the legendary rivalry of the Porsche 917 and the Ferrari 512 at Le Mans and many years later, that rivalry is still regarded as a legend in the history of motorsports. With the rivals now at hand, I wonder what is like to be with them?



We are already familiar with the tale of the Porsche 917 but the one that I drove earlier was the shorter K version. This is the LH version and it translates to "long tail" due to its longer rear shape compared to the K. Whereas the K can take on numerous races like Sebring or Monza, it was made specifically for Le Mans and this version generates more downforce than the previous 1969 one. They fitted it with the 4.9L engine but it was proven to be unreliable during endurance races. While it was capable of reaching 240mph at the Mulsanne, it was proven to be quite difficult to drive and it's clear that they prefer the 917K because they're much stable to get through.



Nicknamed the "Coda Lunga", the Ferrari 512S the result of three months of creation penned by Mauro Forghieri. Powering it is an all-alloy V12 engine which produces slightly more than the 917 while it uses the same tubular space frame as the P4 and the 612. Its only shot at fame was winning Sebring and Kyalami at the Manufacturers' World Championship in 1970 and 1971 but because the 917s were proven to be a dominant force to be reckoned with, Ferrari thrown the towel on their 512 S and replaced it with the 312PB in 1972. Although not one of the most dominant Group 5 race cars ever built and not as successful as the 917, it remains a beauty to drive, despite the feeling that that's somewhat twitchy to drive.



Checking through the stats, the Ferrari's got 10 more horsepower than the Porsche but because the Porsche is surprisingly lighter than the Ferrari, that said the 917 LH is faster than the Ferrari 512 S but this is no time for silly talks because while on the subject of the French Kiss of Death, the producers managed to provide drivers a 1970's recreation of Le Mans, just to give them what is like to drive at Le Mans during the 1970's and although the turns were unfamiliar for millennials like me, doing a historical reenactment with these machines are a sure fire way to get to know Le Mans from a different timeline and for historians, this is a welcome treat worth giving a try.

Having my Le Mans vibes on, I decided to take these two for a quick lap round 1970's Le Mans to see if that legend proves any point and here goes...



And here are the results...

1970 Ferrari 512 S - 3:29.144
1971 Porsche 917 LH - 3:23.780



There is a clear saying that when times change, legends never die, and in the case of the rivalry between the Porsche 917 and the Ferrari 512 as reenacted by Steve McQueen in the Le Mans film, it all makes perfect sense why it was regarded to be one of the most iconic moments in both cinema and motorsports alike and it's great to have the 1970's layout of Le Mans provided so drivers can have some historical reenactment using cars like these. Looking back time, you'll know that these cars are worth beauty to behold and by reenacting the past, history goes like smooth clockwork and it really makes them believe at the stuff they love about motor racing.

Enjoy what remains at Le Mans right now, folks. You'll need it.

FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 - June 16, 2018

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

France vs. Australia at Kazan, Argentina vs. Iceland at Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Peru vs. Denmark at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, and Croatia vs. Nigeria at Kaliningrad are the highlights of the third day of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

Starting at Kazan, the Group C match between France and Australia ended in a 2-1, favoring the French thanks to the accidental own goal that gave the Les Bleus the victory they deserved. Meanwhile in Spartak, Moscow, the battle between Argentina and Iceland ended in an honorable draw, each scored one point. On the Mordovia side, Denmark's one point goal is more than enough to destroy Peru, all thanks to Yurary's second-half strike. And on the battle between Croatia and Nigeria at Kaliningrad, the accidental own goal by Oghenekaro Etebo caused the Croatians to defeat the Nigerians by two points.

Next match sees Costa Rica taking on Serbia at Samara while Germany takes on Mexico at Luzhniki Stadium and Brazil takes on Switzerland at the Rostov Arena.

Bubble Gang - June 15, 2018 #BGJailOrNoJail

On the June 15, 2018 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Ligaw kalye gags

- Getting swapped by someone else...



- Jail or No Jail!



- Sundot Balita

- Today's Balitang Ina topic is....Tintang Ina

- Try and hashtag our wedding!

- The masseur

- Basa-basa pik!

SKE48's Jurina won World Senbatsu Election 2018

Last Saturday, at the Nagoya Dome, fans of the 48 Group worldwide have been gathered to witness the 10th AKB48 World Senbatsu Election. Those who bought the recent AKB48 single, their 53rd, have been given a chance to vote for their Oshi from almost all of the 48 groups just like every single Senbatsu election they're familiar with. Since this is the World Senbatsu Elections, even foreign sister groups such as Thailand's BNK48 and Indonesia's JKT48 are joining in the mix as well.

And now, here are the results of last night's World Senbatsu Election event at the Nagoya Dome in case you may have missed it, focusing on the Top 16 rankers.

16th - Hinata Homma (NGT48 Team NIII)
15th - Nao Furuhata (SKE48 Team KII)
14th - Akari Yoshida (NMB48 Team M)
13th - Mion Mukaichi (AKB48 Team A)
12th - Juri Takahashi (AKB48 Team B)
11th - Sarina Soda (SKE48 Team KII)
10th - Miku Tanaka (HKT48 Team H)
9th - Nako Yabuki (HKT48 Team H)
8th - Mina Oba (SKE48 Team KII)
7th - Tomu Mutou (AKB48 Team K)
6th - Yui Yokoyama (AKB48 Team A)
5th - Nana Okada (AKB48 Team 4)
4th - Yuka Ogino (NGT48 Team NIII)
3rd - Sakura Miyawaki (HKT48 Team KIV)
2nd - Akari Suda (SKE48 Team E)

WINNER - Jurina Matsui (SKE48 Team S)



FULL RESULT: https://www.akb48.co.jp/sousenkyo53rd/

That really is one of the most emotional World Senbatsu Elections ever witnessed round the world and upon witnessing Jurina Matsuri's win at this year's World Senbatsu Elections, third placer Sakura Miyawaki of HKT48 turned emotional and Jurina managed to congratulate her for being a decent rival to her.

Anyway, congratulations to SKE48 Team E's Jurina Matsui and all those who made it to the top spot at this year's World Senbatsu Elections.

Let's Do The News! (June 16, 2018)

- Country Time Lemonade, a lemonade mix company, created a way to help kids from getting busted by authorities for selling lemonade.

- The ICE has arrested 162 immigrants in Los Angeles, including two Filipinos.

- The all-new BMW 8-Series Coupe has finally unveiled, featuring a new design language, new equipment, new engines, available xDrive, and the range topping M850i xDrive coupe with a new 530PS V8 engine.

2019 BMW 8-Series

- Actor Ewan McGregor is set to play the lead character in the upcoming sequel of Stephen King's The Shining, titled Doctor Sleep.

- Your first look to the live-action rebirth of Disney's Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton and hitting theaters this March 29, 2019.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 7 - A tribute to the 919 Hybrid

Back in 2014, Porsche returned to LMP1 endurance racing with their 919 Hybrid and although it didn't fare well in its first run, which led to its 3rd place finish at the constructor's championship at the 2014 WEC season, it came back with a much fighting chance and because of such will power, it managed to win not just Le Mans but also three WEC seasons on the trot from 2015 to 2017. Although Porsche has left the LMP1 racing program after their three-win streak with the 919, its dominant status won't be forgotten as I brought in the first and the last 919s to win Le Mans at this venue in preparation for today's Le Mans.





In this fitting tribute to the Porsche 919 Hybrid, I summoned the first and the last 919 Hybrids to win at this holy grail of high-speed endurance racing just to give the taste of how much the 919 has evolved from its first victory in 2015 to its last victory of 2017.




Looking back four years in the making, the 919 has evolved from an underdog to the king of endurance racers, and by pitting these two machines together, I'm starting to remember how much the 919 ruled endurance racing with an iron fist in the same way its predecessors did all the way back to the legendary 917.

For starters, the 919 features a 2.0L fuel-injected V4 engine with a li-ion battery for energy recovery in a mid-mounted longitudinal configuration. The hybrid powerplant is capable of producing 900HP of power output and 1,100lb-ft of torque, while mated with a 7-speed hydraulically-activated sequential gearbox with rear-lock differential. Throughout its three-year tenure, Porsche spent numerous resources improving its aerodynamics, chassis, and suspension, resulting in the very machine you're seeing it now and as the machine that swallowed Audi through its mouth and made Toyota cry by the last minute, the 919 really is the endurance racing tyrant that gave Porsche the absolute power to reign down the motorsport kingdom just how Zeus reign down the gods in ancient times.

Although the 919's reign as the king of endurance racing is well and truly over following Porsche's decision to wind down their 919 racing program, they paid tribute to the machine by making an especially unplugged, unscripted, no-holds-barred machine that smashes every single best lap around the world, showing how much Porsche is capable of.

Anyway, no time for being sentimental right now because it's time to see how much the 919 has evolved from the first 919 to win Le Mans to the final 919 to win it in this venue. Cue the tape.



And now, the results...

#19 919 - 3:43.117
#2 919 - 3:39.161

By my observation, it took almost four seconds to evolve from this to that, meaning they really did improve the 919 to become the ultimate endurance racing champion that demands respect from its loyalists and opposition alike.



Since its advent in 2014, the 919 has always penned stories at the hands of drivers who lived to tell the tale, and even in its last breath, it managed to leave champions a smile on their faces by fighting its way to the very end of its lifespan and even if its reign ends, the story never ends for Porsche's motorsport pedigree.

Thank you, 919 Hybrid.

Second-generation BMW X4 (G02)

BMW introduced the X4 four years ago which is nothing more of a jacked-up version of the BMW 3-Series saloon or 3 Series Gran Turismo or 4-Series Gran Coupe or whatever and the conclusion is like its X6 big brother, it's just another one of BMW's wrongs that cannot be rewritten right. So, with the second-generation X4 now in the open, has the Sports Activity Coupe that serves as the baby brother of the X6 got it right? Let's investigate.

2019 BMW X4

2019 BMW X4

The jacked-up version of BMW's entry-level saloon is now on its second generation and upon your first encounter with the original X4, has the new model ever changed? Starting from the design view, the exterior's heavily redesigned while retaining the side view of the original. Sure, the front view looks auspiciously familiar by BMW standards, but the rear view is somewhat worth noticing because you may notice that the model name badges are now below rather than above the rear lamps, and as far as the eye can see, this new layout could set a new BMW standard for future models where the model name emblems are now positioned below the rear lamps a la MB coupes of today. It all seems suspicious over this new move but behind the new look, it's still an X4.

2019 BMW X4 interior

The interior looks a bit the same as the original but while the uniform interior is a buzzkill for luxury car standards, toying around the car's gizmos is a great way to get to know each other such as BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW Connected, Amazon Alexa compatibility (giving you the ability to tell the Alexa from your Amazon Echo to open the car for you and do things), Apple CarPlay connectivity, and so much more. Having fun with the gadgets, the comforts are still above average by luxury car standards, especially with its sloping roofline and it's starting to feel like you're riding with your auntie's luxury crossover. Space-wise, the boot capacity of 525 liters as well as its fastback styling really means that it's big enough to fit some stuff you shopped for rummage sales or for some boring birthday parties. If you're feeling adventurous, you can fold the rear seats to fit some more stuff like your BMX or some gym equipment you've ordered from the sports store. Practical, I dare say.

2019 BMW X4

Now, the performance is something worth noticing on the new X4, and by launch, the 2.0L engines can be either petrol and diesel while the M Performance variant carries three liters while on the subject of not focusing on diesel engines because this is a German car, focus shifts on the petrol variants with the most economical being the xDrive20i bearing less than 7.1L/100km of fuel efficiency with the most powerful being the M40i, producing 360PS of power and 500Nm of torque, capable of going to 100kph in 4.8 seconds. All models are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.

Like the previous model, the new X4 retains the standard xDrive all-wheel drive system, making it capable on various types of road conditions, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow, although the consequences as felt from its big brother couldn't be far behind on this new model. BMW says that they had improved the dynamics to make it more refined than the previous model but the end result is still between a rock and a hard place. Apart from that, BMW jammed the new X4 with numerous safety features such as Cruise Control with braking function as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation, among many others. Slap it with the Driving Assistant Plus safety package and the result is a driving experience worth surrendering your driving license forever. Weird, isn't it?

2019 BMW X4

Should you buy it? The new X4 starts at 49,700 Euros with taxes and fees included and while it sounds like a much to burden with its pricing, it is still worth a start to buy in case you can't afford the big and heavy X6. So, has the new X4 improved from the previous model? Sort of, if you may, and while the addition of the M40i is a welcome feat to introduce drivers to the new X4, the rights, and wrongs are still in place in the new model, and being unrivaled, it remains a niche car that makes it less noticeable than the next car. In other words, this new car has a tough act to follow.

Photo: BMW AG

Disney-Pixar's The Incredibles 2

14 years ago, the world of Disney and Pixar introduced us to THE INCREDIBLES, the story of a family of superheroes band together to stop a fan-turned-supervillain from wrecking havoc in the metropolis. Years changed and this film became one of the all-time Disney greats and at long last, the sequel has arrived to see how much THE INCREDIBLES have changed since the beginning.

The Incredibles 2

After 14 years since the original film, the long-awaited sequel brings back The Incredibles in their newest adventure that goes beyond their superpowers. Following the events from the first film, things have changed for the family as Elastagirl gets a new job from an agency who wants to bring back superheroes back to existence. With Mrs. Incredible now back as a full-time superhero, the family are now adjusting to their new lease in life and while she's on her full-time job saving the day, the family are figuring out baby Jack-Jack's newest powers. Things changed but their ways of being Incredible are far from over.

Considered to be the perfect Father's Day treat, The Incredibles 2 really is a dream come true for all the Disney aficionados waiting for 14 years to see them back together for another stint and it's starting to take form that this film's becoming more connected as a family-oriented film rather than the first film, although there are some loopholes that hadn't been fixed from the start. 

Call it above average if you may but no matter the result, it's been worth the wait for those itching to see The Incredibles back for more and in the spirit of Disney and Pixar collaboration, it's picking up to become a superhero flick that promises to be more family-oriented than the original.

My rating: 3.9 out of 5

FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 - June 15, 2018

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

The second day of the FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 sees Egypt taking on Uruguay at at the Ekaterinburg Arena, Morocco vs. Iran at St. Petersburg, and Portugal vs. Spain at Sochi's Fisht Stadium.

Beginning at the Ekaterinburg side, for the Group A, Uruguay has left Egypt pointless after scoring just one goal, courtesy of Jose Gimenez's last-minute attempt. At the St. Petersburg side, the accidental own goal mistake by Aziz Bouhaddouz cost the Moroccans a point, leaving the Iranians win the match. At the Sochi side, the Spaniards and the Portuguese battle ended in a 3-3 draw following Cristiano Ronaldo's charge to the goal twice as well as a penalty kick.

Four matches will happen this Saturday; France vs. Australia at Kazan, Argentina vs. Iceland at Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Peru vs. Denmark at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, and Croatia vs. Nigeria at Kaliningrad.

Forza Motorsport 7: Group C champs you can drive

It's officially Le Mans weekend and yet, here I am, playing Forza Motorsport 7 to get to know about the Le Mans greats while everybody's preparing for the best race weekends of their lives, ditching big soccer plans for this one. Anyway, while you folks are prepared to see some epic endurance races at Le Mans, I did a little digging with our guests for the day.





Joining me now are our old Group C friends from the late '80s; the Mercedes C9 and the Porsche 962. I know what you're thinking but the main reason why I called these two is plain simple because while these Group C greats are proven so legendary, a handful managed to make road-legal replicas of those. A South African man made a C9 replica while a man from Japan managed to keep a 962 in his garage and made it road legal. Pretty sweet, huh? But let's get to know about these cars first.





We are already familiar with the stories behind these machines ever since you and I set off in these Group C greats you can drive. The C9 won the 1989 Le Mans race with Jochen Mass, Manual Reuter, and Stanley Dickens behind the wheel and during its qualifying run with its 5.0L V8 Turbo engine armed, it went straight through the Mulsanne in 400kph. It scored a pole position in the first round of the 1988 World Sports Car Championship and went on to win five out of 12 races that year. It racked 21 races participated, 13 races won, 7 pole positions, and 5 fastest lap times.

The 962 is basically a rebuilt version of the 956 due to complicating restrictions both the IMSA GTP of America and European Group C had but ever since its 1984 Daytona debut, the 962 scored 21 constructors' championships, making it one of the most dominant cars in motorsport in the spirit of its prize-winning predecessors and it became popular among private teams.

Upon driving these two for some sighting laps, the Sauber-Mercedes C9 feels so nice to drive even at intimidating speeds and this is the kind of early prototype racer you wouldn't really let go until you are satisfied with its almost generous dynamics you can't get enough of. The 962, meanwhile, because of its aerodynamics, was proven to be quite a tricky car to drive and downright menacing but in the interest of getting to know Porsche's Group C Le Mans hero, I stuck with it and I had a blast with it.

With my impressions over, it's time to pit these two Group C champs you can drive for a lap around modern-day Le Mans track. Ready, set, go!



And now, the results...

#63 C9 - 3:42.632
#17 962C - 3:36.250

It's a shocking result. Although the 962 is short on power, its uncanny aerodynamics managed to beat the C9 by a huge margin, meaning Porsche really is a dominant carmaker in the world of Le Mans...well, sort of.



These Group C champs you can drive like the C9 and the 962, it's amazing seeing these two machines come to life on the road after their legendary statuses propelled them to become all-time greats and as times change, rest assured that these Group C heroes' efforts will never go in vain in the history of motorsport. They really are that phenomenal, don't you agree?

Although, it may had lead me to some lumpy throats, but this is no time for tears because with Le Mans is now here, it's time for them to make history, just as their spiritual predecessors did in their time.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Former spy chiefs jailed for bribing Park Geun-hye

Three former South Korean spy chiefs were jailed for bribing disgraced ex-president Park Geun-hye with millions of dollars from the country’s intelligence agency.

The trio were convicted of funneling a total of 3.5 billion won ($3.2 million) to Park while they each served as head of the National Intelligence Service under the then-president between 2013 and 2016.

“Special activities funds of the NIS should be spent on collecting intelligence”, the Seoul Central District Court said in a statement.

Of the three ex-NIS heads, Lee Byung-kee and Lee Byung-ho were thrown behind bars for three and a half years each.

The third, Nam Jae-Joon, was sentenced to three years in jail. Nam is already in prison after being given 42 months in May for obstructing prosecutors investigating meddling by the NIS into the 2012 presidential election.

Prosecutors on Thursday also demanded 12 more years in prison for Park for accepting the NIS funds as bribes.

She is currently serving 24 years in jail and has been fined millions of dollars for bribery and abuse of power in a massive corruption case which led to her downfall.

Source: AFP

Let's Do The News! (June 15, 2018)

- The remains of the slain Nueva Ecija priest, Rev. Fr. Richmond Nilo is now being laid to rest at the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Cathedral. Meanwhile the primary suspect in the killing of of Rev. Fr. Nilo earlier this week has finally been arrested, and he is known to be a drug surrenderer and alleged member of a gun-for-hire syndicate, according to the PNP.'

- President Rodrigo Duterte allowed rallies to happen in the middle of his annual SONA, scheduled this July, as long as they are peaceful.

- The International Monetary Fund warned that the Trump administration's fiscal and trade polices could create risks to the global economy.

- A message from the late Stephen Hawking will be beamed towards the nearest black hole as his remains are laid to rest in London’s Westminster Abbey on Friday. As the ashes of the British theoretical physicist are interred, a specially-written composition featuring his famous synthesized voice will be beamed into space by the European Space Agency.

- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Friday touted a three-day cease-fire with the Taliban in an address to the nation heralding the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

- The Ford Mustang GT350 gets upgraded for 2019 model year with chassis and aerodynamics improvements.

2019 Ford Mustang GT350

- RemetzCar had transformed a Tesla Model S into a bespoke shooting brake.

RemetzCar's Telsa Model S Shooting Brake

- A group of students from the Skoda Secondary Vocational School in Mlada Boleslav have created a Sunroq Concept car.

Skoda Sunroq Concept

- Frederator announced a second season of Bee and Puppycat, sub-titled Lazy in Space, which will be coming next year and be co-animated by Japan's OLM.\

- A crew actor who worked for tokusatsu shows such as the Kamen Rider shows and last year's Kyuuranger was killed after a jumping incident from the hotel's fifth floor onto air mattress.

- The Wake Up, Girls! bids farewell as they announced that they will be disbanded in March 2019.

- 2018 marks 5 years of Yo-Kai Watch and Level 5 will announce a new game later this month. In addition, this year's Yo-Kai Watch movie was announced and it will be titled Forever Friends. The new film is set in the 1960's (set years after the events from the first film) and it's about an orphaned boy and a Yo-Kai friend.

TTFN!!!