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After watching this video of a radio-controlled car driving past a line of wine bottles, playing the theme for Super Mario Brothers in the process, we have a question: was the wine consumed prior to the successful completion of the task at hand? If so, that would make this video even more impressive, though it's pretty much epic as it stands. Released in 1985, the video game predates the Cosworth Escort model used for the stunt, but both take us back to the days of our youth when both Mario Brothers and European hot hatches were the stuff of dreams. And we love it.

[Source: Break.com via Joystiq]

Accomplished race driver, living legend and patriarch of a veritable racing dynasty Mario Andretti is being honored by the Italian government with the title of Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana. The prestigious award will be presented on October 23 by Consul-General Antonio Bandini at the New York Columbus Citizens Foundation.

To say Mario is an accomplished driver is like saying the Pope is Catholic. Andretti has won the Formula 1 driver's world title, the Indy Car championship (four times), the USAC national dirt track championship, the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 and the 12 Hours of Sebring (three times), to name a few. To top that he's been named Driver of the Year spanning three decades, not to mention Driver of the Century.

His son Michael, head of Andretti-Green Racing, and grandson Michael Marco, IRL rookie of the year, will be there for the ceremony as well.

Word has it the Commendatore can't refuse a favor on this, the day of his decoration, so better get in line. Just kidding... felicitazioni, Mario!

[Source: Sports Car Market]