What a magnificent array of clues! (A bit disappointing that it was a sausage fest though.) Especially nice touches: mathprof’s neatly done-up package @8, paul’s “with fire in the blood” @10, kt’s “slam dunkin’” lingo @12,buddy’s Azed reference @13, fiery’s “hot and bothered” @14, jono’s excellent “extreme letters” @17 and burning loaf @24, tyke’s “alight” misdirection @19, peterm’s dashing gesture @20, ginge’s rehitched bra @21 (so cool), bigbad’s reglazing @31, paulh’s baroque wordplay and inspired use of “lit” @42, faiton’s nifty “Relax, it’s not out” @44…
I’m giving the edge to dorrien @16, with his
Passionate and willing without a little sleep? (6)
I at first took issue with the use of “willing”, but in checking out synonyms for “able” and “willing” saw that “ready” was common to them. It’s intriguing that “without” works two ways: ablaze becomes able without (minus) AZ; able becomes ablaze without (outside of) it. I love the wordplay.
The prize is one of the more pleasant riots of the season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1uDW-xe0-o
Thanks so much, guys. An honor.