Weekly Roundup: The Copper Top Edition

I'd like to think it keeps me sane. Most of my Foreverspin tops are safe at home, but this copper one sits at my office along with one of the diamond-like-carbon stainless-steel spin surfaces offered by the firm. I like to give it a solid spin then cue up a pop song and see whether the top will fall over before the song's over. It doesn't spin as well as it used to because my son let it fall onto a tile floor at his grandfather's house. Ceramic tile will dent copper. Now you know.

Sometimes I feel like that top. A bit dented, a bit tarnished. Just spinning along as long as I can. Or like the man once said: "Hate it or love it, the underdog's on top / And I'm gonna shine homie until my heart stop." Something in that vein, anyway.

This was a big week for brother Bark and a rather contemplative one for me. Let's see what we've got.

Bark's occasionally star-crossed drive to a win in the first-ever SCCA Targa should have made for a great story --- and it does. I'm not sure the old SCCA hands thought much of either Bark or the new NSX at the beginning of the event. Well, I wonder who's crying now.

For TTAC, Bark offered some opinions on replacing an old soldier and the sausage-making new-car-review factory.

At R&T, I warned of an instructor shortage and waxed sentimental about my old Porsche.

As I've done a few times lately, I offered TTAC readers both a Trackday Diaries and a No Fixed Adobe.

Next week, I'll be out of town for the fourth annual Road&Track Performance Car Of The Year testing. Fans of Bark need not worry; he'll be there for the on-track portion as well!