Formula One 2025 - It's RACE WEEK FINALLY - Join my Racing Fantasy League

 First off, yes, I WildWill the Budget Collector have succumbed to that demon that is Formula One.

It all started with the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the inaugural running.  I managed to catch a good portion of the race and just fell in love right then and there.  

Max won that race, and I liked his style, so he became my favorite guy.  Plus I just love the Red Bull Racing teams.  They rock in Sailing too.  My other favorite high end niche sport love.

I watched at least part of, if not all of every race last season, which was a damn fine season of racing.  Max Verstappen won his 4th straight Driver's Championship, and McLaren won the Constructor's for the first time in a long time.  I enjoyed each and every race, and I followed along in between the action.

And of course, I bought some merch.

Let's get the cat out of the bag first, racing merchandise is not cheap and it's not all that easy to find at retail.  Fortunately we do have the internet though.  Still clothing and replica cars, not inexpensive.  Although, if you know where to look....

For example, Bburago is the main die-cast licensor for F1, and they make a huge line of fine replicas in many different scales.  One of the more popular scale lines is 1:43, which is the old British O Train Scale.  They have a number of different releases throughout the year from the standard livery to special one-offs.  Some have additional accessories or figurines and cases.  They tend to start at about $15 for a no frills release and can go to the hundreds for limited editions.

Then there's a line you can get at Target for $6.99.

My current fleet of Bburago 1:43

Currently I have 2023 Team sets of Red Bull, McLaren and Aston-Martin.  With Charles LeClerc from Ferrari and Pierre Gasly from Alpine.  When the 2024s start I'll probably keep buying them.  I love them and want to have a whole starting grid.

I understand that from time to time they get multi-packs over at Costco or Sams too.  Great bargains for he price there.

Four Lego Speed Champions and a Not-lego

The Lego company had dabbled a bit with F1 licensing in years past, and had provided a couple of mini-figure scale Speed Champions which I managed to snag and build.  For 2025 though Lego and F1 went all out and are doing a massive push, which includes all 10 teams in Speed Champions and a couple of even larger builds, not to mention a bunch of kick-ass kid themed city sets.  There will also be mini-racer blind bags out later this year to collect.  It's a lot.  

I already have two of the 10 Speed Champions but haven't built them yet.  Waiting for closer to Race time.  I will then retire the bigger Not-lego RB19 in favor of the new Lego RB20 on my starting grid.  Which also I will have a rudimentary starting grid soon because I ordered some pieces from Lego to make one.  

I'm also collecting Topps F1 cards, starting the with 2024 Paddock Pass set.  I'm trying to put together a full set with the 20 image variations (for 100 cards), but it's not easy.  All I have found are Fat-Packs and overpriced Blasters.  

Oh yeah, if you want to join me in doing a Fantasy Race league for free - hit the link

https://fantasy.formula1.com/en/leagues/join/C2FR0GWEP10

Digital Dabblings and TOPPS WWE SLAM are BACK BABY!

 Something that I never thought would actually happen has happened.  Topps brought back one of their dead Digital Trading Card Apps, and it wasn't Walking Dead, UFC or even NFL Football.  Nope it's my #1 app, WWE SLAM!  I was there on Day one in 2016 and I was there on Day whatever +1 on January 21, 2025.

And I revived my 4 year dormant regular column on the Pro Wrestling Torch website.

https://www.pwtorch.com/site/category/opnionandanalysis/specialists/digital-dabblings/

So now, follow along the journey there.  

And also join us on Reddit/R/ToppsWWE and in the Facebook "Slam Syndicate" Group.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Toppswwe/

The hunt is once again on....and now I have not one but TWO Legendary Bret Hart cards to obtain - I went from needing only 3 to complete my Master Set, to, well, now I need like a DOZEN new cards.  That's not a bad thing.

UCLA Legend Bill Walton Passes at Age 71

 I am a lifelong UCLA Bruin.  Westwood is my home away from home.  Whenever I'm lucky enough to be on campus I'm a happy guy.  

You see, my Mother worked on Campus from 1972 to 1980.  My father went to UCLA from 1972 to 1974 graduating with a degree in English.  I was in the second class ever of the UCLA Childcare Center.  To this day I am still in touch with my favorite counselor from that era.  

I only ever wanted to go to UCLA for college, and when I couldn't get in as a Freshman after HS, I waited.  I went to SDSU, then Mesa and SMC (community colleges) until I had enough credits to transfer in as a Junior in 2004. I graduated in '06 with a degree in English.  And my grades were better than my Dads were.

So I grew up in a Bruin household.  I would hear the stories of the 88 game winning streak, the 10 championships (until '95) and I grew to revere the legends of the hardwood.  ESPECIALLY the big men.  

Kareem is my all time favorite Bruin.  He is my all time favorite living athelete.  He is the only celebrity I've met that actually made me star struck (and I've met and worked with plenty of celebs).  But number two was always Big Red, Bill Walton.

He came from San Diego, where I lived from 1980 to 1998.  He was a so-cal legend.  A Dead fan, and the hippest cat from Westwood.  He had such enthusasm for the Bruins, and I loved it when he called their games as the color guy.  

I really wanted to meet him.  Alas, I never will.  Didn't even know he was ill.

RIP Bill Walton, 1952 - 2024

WRESTLEMANIA XL - Night Two Predictions

So I'm a little late, the first match is going on right now.


First Last night - 

My predictions were pretty close to be 100% accurate.  I chose DIY instead of A-Town Down Under for one set of the Tag Belts.  I picked every other prediction accurately.  I only had Seth eating the pin rather than Cody.

TONIGHT 

World Heavy Weight Championship

Seth "Freakin" Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre 

This is the opener, and McIntyre is a heavy favorite.  I think he does win here tonight, but I predict his reign will be very short as I think Damien Priest will cash in his Money in the Bank contract.

Philadelphia Street Fight:
The Pride (Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford) (with B-Fab) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar) (with Scarlett and Paul Ellering)

Don't really care, but thinking the Pride goes over.

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles

LA Knight is getting the rub here.  AJ hasn't been AJ at Mania for a while now.  Tonight is for Knight.

Triple Threat for the US Heavyweight Championship
Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens

I'd love to see KO or RKO win, but Logan is going to retain somehow.  

WWE Women's Championship
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley

Bayley finishes her heel to face turn with a feel good victory.

Bloodline Rules for the Undisputed Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

It's Cody's night.  Has been for a long time.  Somehow the Rock will cost Roman the title setting up the inevitable Rock vs. Roman match for down the road. Has to be.

EDIT:
Sadly - Seth Rollin's historic first reign as World Heavyweight Champion is over.  But look at that outfit.  It had foliage on the back.

And as predicted Damien Priest cashed in on Drew and is your NEW World Heavyweight Champion.  3 Champions, one night....only WWE.

WRESTLEMANIA XL Night One Predictions

It's finally here, Wrestlemania XL (aka 40) taking place in Philadelphia starts tonight.  We're having my amazing girlfriend Paula and maybe another friend coming over to watch.  

We're of course very excited to see The Rock back in action after....oooh lemme check....His last official announced match was at Wrestlemania 29 where he was pinned by John Cena to cap his last comeback which was all of 3 matches long.  Sure he had a match at Mania 32 but it was an impromptu challenge against Erick Rowan, then of the Wyatt Family, and it took 30 seconds.  

Prior to the 2013 comeback, he had wrestled twice since 2003.  Yeah, The Rock hasn't been an active wrestler since 2003.  He's had 7 matches in 21 years.  That's even less than The Undertaker.

I'm really glad that they didn't go with the Rock vs. Roman storyline right away.  That needs to be built up.  This weekend is going to be the start, because I totally see Rock and Roman winning tonight and then Rock having something to do with Roman losing tomorrow, which then creates a big SummerSlam event.

Anyway, here's the rest of my predictions, based on my gut and the actual current betting odds.

Roman Reigns back in 2016 at
Staples Center House Show
before Money In the Bank

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane)

  Sadly Asuka’s winless streak at the showcase of the Immortals will continue in this most meaningless of all the matches tonight.

Andrade & Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar & Dominik Mysterio

  In the second most meaningless match tonight, originally we all thought that Dragon Lee and Rey would give it up to Santos and Dom, but now that Andrade is back int he mix, he’s pinning Santos for the victory.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship -- The Judgment Day [Finn Balor & Damien Priest] (c) vs. #DIY [Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa] vs. The Awesome Truth [R-Truth and The Miz] vs. The New Day [Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods] vs. A-Town Down Under [Austin Theory & Grayson Waller] vs. New Catch Republic [Pete Dunno & Tyler Bate] (Six Pack Ladder Match)
  No way Finn & Damien come out of this with both sets of straps.  Yes, BOTH sets are on the line and I guarantee they’ll be split up.  I’m going with Awesome Truth getting one set and DIY getting the other.  

Intercontinental Championship -- Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn

  Gunther has been champion for 666 days as of today, and is the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history.  To put that in context - Gunter is the 182nd Intercontinental champion.  The previous record holder was the Honkey Tonk Man, who reigned for 454 days back between 1986 and 1988.  He was the 12th champion.  I love Sami Zayn.  He’s a great worker, a charismatic talker and one of the all around good guys in Wrestling today.  He has his own foundations for the causes he supports and isn’t unwilling to speak out.  I’d love to see him win here.  But I just don’t think he will.  Betting odds have been wavering all week, but as of this writing Sami is a -120 to win.  This is a tough pick, but and unless the odds change again before showtime, I'll go with Sami.  

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso

 A battle of Brothers.  No way Jimmy gets over on the resurgent Prime Time Jey. I'm really not invested here. 

Women's World Championship -- Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch 
  Rhea will most likely retain here.  I’d love to see another belt on Becky, and they could do it since she has a book out, but the current odds are on Rhea.

 The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

  The stipulation here is that if The Rock and Roman win then it’s “Bloodline Rules” for Cody’s challenge of Roman tomorrow.  No way that doesn’t happen.  Rock and Roman going over.  Wouldn’t be surprised if the newly beltless Damien Priest cashes in or tries to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on Seth after he eats the pin.

I'll be back tomorrow morning with results from today and my predictions for tomorrow's Night 2.

America's Cup 37 - The Road to Barcelona has Begun!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUCeg_MgpKg

Yeah Will is posting about the America's Cup again. Yeah the next AC won't be happening until NEXT OCTOBER, there's so much going on right now.

Quick update: Even though Emirates Team New Zealand won the cup last time in New Zealand, the team was so tapped financially that they put up the hosting country duties for auction. So without an team in the fight, Spain is the host country for the 37th America's Cup.

Right now they're in the preliminary regatta phase, using the more or less half-size AC 40 Class mono hull yachts for design and training. These boats are super fast, 12 meters and have kick arse foils that they get up on and go super fast, speeds up to 45 knots.

Last week was the 2nd prelim regatta in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I watched almost the whole thing on YouTube. It was awesome. In the actual Americas Cup regatta it's all match racing, which is great, but this prelim is fleet racing, meaning all six teams (5 challengers and the defender Team NZL) are racing at the same time, and that is an amazing thing to watch.

So anyway here's a cool new Youtube series intended to bring in newer viewers. I'll say this as well, having watched America's Cup racing now for over 30 years, the coverage today is the best it's ever been. As niche as a sport as there is, in the past we might have gotten highlights and live racing occasionally. The on water coverage now is AMAZING, and that's most of the reason why I like it, watching those boats just fly across the water is so much damn fun.

Model Kits from Special Armored Battalion Dorvack

 These kits are still works in progress.

I finally have THREE of the Dorvack Power Armor kits from 1983 classic mecha anime "Special Armored Battalion Dorvack". I have finally seen the show, and I was less than thrilled to find out these are basically all grunt suits and get blowed up real easily. So I'm not making them anime accurate at all.

You see a LONG time ago in a galaxy far far away I used to buy a lot of Japanese model kits that were being imported by the metric ton back in the 80s. You could get them at Toys R Us or Karls Toys or even Kay Bee some times. Testors just brought them over with no english translations. At least Revell made "Robotech". It was a great time. I built kits from dozens of shows I've still never seen, just because they look cool.

That's what happened with my first Dorvack kit - the PA36HD Nove Laser power armor. It just looked bad-ass, and when it was finished it was virtually the same scale as a 3 3/4" GI Joe, Star Wars or Micronauts, which is still what I was into at the time (who am I kidding still am). So I built him up, didn't bother to paint him, and he became a staple of my GI Joe Forces, he often fought my SNAKE Armor....which I'll come back to.


Anyway, poor old Nove Laser got lost to the sands of time or moves, and I've always wanted to replace him and get more Dorvack kits. So for the past decade I've had a search alert on Ebay for when Dorvack kits go on sale. There's still a TON of them out there, but they're getting more and more expensive, which is kind of sad. They're not great kits, but I love them.

PAC-48G Doldian (Kit #25)

The first one I managed to find was the PAC-48G Doldian.  This is a monster of a suit, larger than the other two.  And it has that big old triple barrel cannon for an arm.  I like him.  I got him in the early 2010s from ebay for under $20.  Brand new with all the paperwork.

More recently I found a PA-58N Halk, which is one of the more basic suits.  Also picked up from eBay for less than $20.  Kit was brand new with all the paperwork and the dried up thing of glue.  I built him up and started to paint pen him today.  He's so cute.

PA-58N - HALK

A couple of months ago we attended the monthly MINT ON CARD Stand Up Comedy Show in Burbank and I won the grand giveaway prize (it was their 7th Anniversary! I attended their FIRST) of a $25 gift certificate for the store.  I decided on this beat up PA-58N Halk-Sovat kit, which when I got home I discovered a) had already been semi-built and b) also contained a partially built Space Runaway Ideon alien mech kit.  

Oh and there was a bunch of extra parts in the box too, looks like some pieces from a car model kit, and some pieces from an old Return of the Jedi Speeder Bike kit.  The person who previously owned this kit had modified it to have a rear engine and a cover, which is kind of cool.  Anyway, I finished him up today and started to fix up the deco.  I need some new paint pens.  

PA-58N - HALK SOVAT

It also had a partial sprue of the GI Joe SNAKE Weapons, including the Gun hand, the missile hand and the Stand.  I mean I really do want to get a replacement SNAKE armor.  At least I have some of the harder to find parts now.  


So if you see any of these kits on your journeys and they're under $20, hit me up!  

I love the wire frame box art, not as much a fan of the other art, but it's OK.

Special Bonus - Both sides of the catalog insert