Source: http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-kyle-busch-kevin-harvick-nascar-handshake-or-not/
Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi
giovedì 30 giugno 2011
CUP: Kyle Busch, Harvick ? Handshake Or Not?
A week after Sonoma, some still wonder about the meaning behind the handshake shared between Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick?
Bits and bobs from the F1 world
There were some interesting rumours kicking about the paddock in Valencia, one of which was that the Carabante Family wants to take control of the HRT team and is planning to promote Geoff Willis to be team principal and Gary Savage to be technical director. Well, that is the story in the Spanish press. The [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/bits-and-bobs-from-the-f1-world/
Circuits weigh into engine row
UPDATED AT 1925 BST
After months of drawn-out and occasionally bitter wrangling, Formula 1's switch to 1.6-litre turbo engines for 2014 was rubber-stamped on Wednesday by the FIA world council, the sport's legislature. In theory, that should be the end of the matter.
But it may not be that simple. It has emerged in the last few days that many of F1's circuits share F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone's concerns about the new engines.
He believes the ear-splitting screech of the current 2.4-litre V8s is a critical part of the spectacle of F1 and that the introduction of the new engines, which will have a different and probably more muted sound, will reduce the sport's appeal.
Those with long memories in F1 have raised an eyebrow about Ecclestone's new concern for trackside spectators. This is a man who, until this latest political battle, appeared to some observers to have an eye only for the TV audience, from where much of the sport's income comes.
The circuits, though, are a different matter. Because of their contracts with Ecclestone's companies, the only way they can raise revenue out of F1 is through paying spectators. Costs are high and margins are tight. So if numbers will fall, they have a problem.
The circuits had already expressed their concerns privately to the F1 teams and the FIA but their worries became public courtesy of an article in a Sunday newspaper.
It claimed all the tracks apart from China and Korea had signed a letter to the FIA saying they would consider dropping F1 in favour of IndyCars if the new engines were adopted.
The story appeared in a newspaper to which Ecclestone often speaks, was written by a journalist who has close links with him and featured quotes from Ron Walker, chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, who, you guessed it, is close to Ecclestone.
Neil England - the non-executive chairman of Silverstone, who deals with Ecclestone regarding the British Grand Prix - described the report as "a slight misrepresentation of the situation". Silverstone had not, he said, been signatories of any letter but they had made clear their discomfort about the new engine rules.
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England does, he says, see the "media value" of the new engine - Ecclestone himself has described it to me as "PR" - but says he would prefer to focus on the "things that make a difference".
He agrees that the noise is a large part of F1's spectacle and, while Silverstone support attempts to reduce F1's carbon footprint, they feel a bigger impact could be made in other ways, such as producing co-ordinated travel plans for spectators and teams.
England denies he has been lobbied or manipulated by Ecclestone. "He's concerned and has an awareness that it's a potential issue," England says. "I don't feel manipulated and I don't think that's what happened."
Someone on the other side of the argument had a succinct response to that. "Of course they've been pressured by Bernie!" he said. "They've read all his nonsense about engine noise for weeks and weeks and weeks!"
As I said, the argument has got a bit heated.
The new engines were the brainchild of the F1 teams and they have been enthusiastically embraced by FIA president Jean Todt - with whom, incidentally, Ecclestone does not see eye to eye.
The idea behind them was two-fold:
- to popularise and make 'sexy' a direction road-car manufacturers were already heading with their engines
- and to insulate F1, in a world of diminishing fossil fuels and climate change, from charges that it was wasteful by playing a role in the increased development and sales of more efficient road cars.
The idea is that, by using these engines in F1, the public will increasingly understand that an exciting car can have an efficient, small capacity engine and regenerate as much energy as possible. In addition, it will speed up the development of the technology by exposing it to the white-heat of F1 competition.
Those in favour of the engines, then, say that to dismiss the new rules as having only "media value" somewhat misses the point.
It may be true that persuading spectators to get more buses and trains to a grand prix rather than driving their private cars would reduce carbon emissions more effectively than changing the engines in the F1 cars themselves. But it could also be said that if a significant proportion of the world's car users switched to more efficient vehicles, the effect of that would be exponentially larger again.
Those backing the new engines counter the arguments about noise as follows:
- F1 previously used turbo engines of almost exactly the same size as those being introduced in 2014 back in the 1980s (1.5-litre turbos as opposed to 1.6-litre turbos). No-one complained about the noise then. In fact, that time is remembered as a golden era.
- Audi and Peugeot use turbo-diesel engines at the Le Mans 24 Hours sports car race and have done for several years. These sound infinitely less dramatic than the new F1 engines will do - they are diesel, for a start, and they rev much lower - but spectator numbers at Le Mans haven't reduced. The event still attracts around 250,000 people.
- Many of the 'rebels' are old romantics who hark back to the glory years of the 1970s and the sounds of some of the engines used then. But they forget that the supposedly evocative Matra V12 and Ferrari flat 12 revved to no more than 12,000rpm, exactly what had been the initial limit imposed on the new turbos.
- No one knows whether spectators will object to the sound of the new engines because no one knows what they will sound like. That's because they haven't been in a car yet.
Following the intervention of the circuits, the rev limit of the new engines has been raised from 12,000rpm to 15,000rpm.
According to someone intimately involved with the negotiations over the new engines from the very beginning, this was done in response to the concerns about the noise, "even though we were quite confident that the sound was not going to be anything like as bad as most people feared".
It remains to be seen whether this will assuage the concerns of both the circuits and Ecclestone, although the fact England called for a "period of consultation" suggests not.
But there are many in F1 who believe Ecclestone is devoting his energies and concerns in the wrong direction.
As Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn put it: "There are many considerations we have to make when we are changing the power-plant in F1. Obviously the technology in the automotive field is changing and the big question is how relevant do we need to be and how relevant do we want to be?
"The technology we're working on with these new engines is the technology that is going to become commonplace in road car engines in the future: small capacity, turbocharged engine, direct injection, special Kers systems.
"We don't want to end up as a dinosaur in five or 10 years."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/06/circuits_weigh_into_engine_row.html
FIA confirms turbo V6 for 2014
The FIA has now formally ratified the decisions taken at the Formula One Commission prior to the European GP. That means a V6 turbo formula will come into force in 2014. Although the FIA has given no details, the V6 … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/06/29/fia-confirms-turbo-v6-for-2014/
Rolls-Royce 102EX undergoes testing for world tour
The Rolls-Royce 102EX isn't winning over too many fans, but the company is pushing ahead with development.Customer service
One of the best things about Formula 1 is that there is always a certain amount of thinking time when one travels too and from the races, as one cannot work at quite the same tempo while on the move, despite the best efforts of the geek world to produce machines that enable us to [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/customer-service/
2012 Mercedes B-Class spied wearing less camouflage
The strip tease continues as our spies have caught the 2012 Mercedes B-Class wearing less camouflage than ever before.Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral
Tweeting Around The Circuit: Webber helps girl quit smoking, Hamilton makes a mess at Wimbledon and much more?.
And so another formula 1 Grand Prix has come and gone and yet the result remained pretty much the same. Sebastian Vettel?s stranglehold on the world championship remains as tight as ever after a dominant victory at the European Grand Prix, leaving the likes of McLaren and Ferrari scratching theirs about what to do next. [...]
Hybrid rally car banned for being too fast
It's a common assumption that hybrids are slow but the Oaktec racing team begs to disagree as their modified Honda Insight has been banned from the Formula 1000 rally championship for being too fast.mercoledì 29 giugno 2011
Why Michael Schumacher Could Win The 2011 World Championship
Michael Schumacher?s 2010 comeback was somewhat abortive.� The results, the driving standard and the overtakes were well below par for the former champion.� He even let his team mate beat him for the first time in his career.� So why can Schumacher, the fallen Ferrari hero, win the world championship for an 8th time? It?s [...]
'40 Ford Speedster : channeled, sectioned ENGINE 6/23
Rainy afternoon, and I'm too lacking in self-discipline to work on actually finishing anything, so....here's a restyle mockup inspired by the '37 Auburn boat-tail, and based on a '40 Ford Tudor.sedan gluebomb. Fenders are channeled over frame, then body is channeled between fenders. Body and hood also sectioned at character line. Wheel arches are moved up relative to fenders to allow the tops of the whitewalls to show completely.
The front of the sedan roof becomes the top of the speedster cowl, while the rear of the sedan roof becomes the turtle-deck and trunk lid.
Most of the '40's distinctive character remains. Rear of door-tops will be filled with styrene, cockpit opening finalized and cleaned up. DuVall style windshield should be a challenge.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/915015.aspx
Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers
Fernando Alonso eyes home win at the Spanish Grand Prix 2010
Spanish Grand Prix will kick start on Sunday bring enough joy to the home crowd. The 2010 Spanish Grand Prix will feature three local drivers – Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) and Pedro de la Rosa (Sauber). There is obviously much to cheers about these three lads especially Fernando Alonso if he can [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/F75cOQhYomI/
Furthermore?
The idea that Formula 1 racing circuits will switch to IndyCar racing if the current engines are not retained is obviously an idle threat, when one considers the IndyCar rules. They are as follows: “turbocharged engines (to allow for flexibility in power) with up to six cylinders and 2.4 liters of displacement, tuned to produce [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/furthermore/
Journalists shocked at Korea award
 Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/12/journalists_shocked_at_korea_a.php
The Valencia weekend
The European Grand Prix in Valencia was a very dull event and a clear indication, once again, that the circuit must be changed. The track allows no overtaking even with KERS, DRS and the new generation Pirelli tyres. There is no point in trying to pretend that the race was good and rather look for [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/the-valencia-weekend/
Send me your questions about F1 2011
Hello all,
I am filming the next entries for this video blog on Monday and that means I need your help.
As you know, we answer a selection of your questions as well as reviewing the last few races and looking forward to the next stage of the year.
So if you have any questions about F1 2011, please do post them below. We will pick a selection of the best and I will answer them here next week.
Thanks
Murray
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/06/send_me_your_questions_about_f.html
Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
White Road Boss wrecker
Here's the latest wrecker to the collection. I used the Matchbox/AMT kit of the Road Boss. I stretched the frame 1-1/2" and added resin rear two hole rims. I used Tamiya brilliant blue, Testors white and red for the colors. I made a lot of the decals for it. The wrecker body and all related Holmes equipment was built from scratch from Evergreen and Plastruc sheet and shapes. It was built in several sub assemblies and then assembled. I used model ship line for the rigging.
Cheers:
Bill
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/938444.aspx
INDYCAR: Iowa Targeted For Doubleheader In 2012
?This could be a way we maintain our balance of oval and road races,? said Randy Bernard. ?I think it?s certainly worth taking a look at ? especially Iowa.?
Source: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-iowa-targeted-for-double-header-in-2012/
martedì 28 giugno 2011
Large Saab sale brings in much needed cash
Swedish brand Saab, still mired in financial distress, secures an all-cash deal for over $18 million in cars. How long will the cash last? The story inside.Greenpeace protests Volkswagen with parody ad [video]
To protest Volkswagen's decision to oppose CO2 reductions, Greenpeace has launched a campaign which parodies the automaker's critically-acclaimed Super Bowl ad for the 2012 Passat (US-spec).Whiting defends blown diffuser clampdown
FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting has defended the decision to clamp down on the use of engine mapping in conjunction with blown diffusers, insisting that what the teams have been doing is illegal. Regarding the inevitable suggestions that the changes … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/06/24/whiting-defends-blown-diffuser-clamp-down/
Bahrain F1: Live Race Results and Positions after 1st Lap
Sebastian Vettel has started from the Pole Position at the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix but its the Ferrari of Filepe Massa which has taken the lead.
Here are the standings after the 1st lap at Bahrain F1 Grand Prix:
1 VETTEL ? Red Bull
2 ALONSO ? Ferrari
3 MASSA ? Ferrari
4 ROSBERG ? Mercedes
5 HAMILTON ? McLaren
6 [...]
Here are the standings after the 1st lap at Bahrain F1 Grand Prix:
1 VETTEL ? Red Bull
2 ALONSO ? Ferrari
3 MASSA ? Ferrari
4 ROSBERG ? Mercedes
5 HAMILTON ? McLaren
6 [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/RBJWIX-d9BU/
Vettel asserts dominance to grab pole for Euro GP
Sebastian Vettel showed Red Bull?s speed advantage remained despite recent rule changes as he led a one-two with team-mate Mark Webber in qualifying for the European Grand Prix. Vettel set a new lap record of 1:36.975 on the Valencia street circuit as he beat Webber to pick up his 7th pole position in eight races [...]
kenworth w900 motorhome
This is going to pull an 38' foot tri axle trailer.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/965137.aspx
Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti
Mopar guys, I need your help please!
I am building a '69 Charger R/T and I have heard and seen conflicting reports on how the factory finished out the undercarriage of them. Some say they were painted the body color with undercoating added down the line, some say that they were undercoated (grey or black) and when they were painted the overspray could be found all along the outside perimeter of the undercarriage, etc. Which is correct? Thanks in advance for your help!
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/965526.aspx
Audis and BMWs take a beating at Nürburgring 24 hour race [videos]
German opponents Audi and BMW sustain some terrific crashes during the Nürburgring 24 hour raceChristijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
Williams appoints new technical staff for 2012 car | 2012 F1 season
Williams hire Jason Somerville and Mark Gillan to join Mike Coughlan in developing their 2012 car.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/W0mK_4AeL2Q/
F1 2011 Calendar Qualifying and Practice Session Timings
We have covered the race timings of the F1 2011 Grand Prix World Championship. However, we know that there are a lot of people who are as crazy about Formula One as we are. So, this post is for all you Formula One nuts out there who also want to know the details and timings [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/lSsJYyJ-1Iw/
Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
The Valencia weekend
The European Grand Prix in Valencia was a very dull event and a clear indication, once again, that the circuit must be changed. The track allows no overtaking even with KERS, DRS and the new generation Pirelli tyres. There is no point in trying to pretend that the race was good and rather look for [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/the-valencia-weekend/
lunedì 27 giugno 2011
2012 BMW M5 (F10) Nürburgring Nordschleife time - unofficial
As the most treacherous and demanding racing circuit in the world, the Nürburgring Nordschleife is used as the benchmark for any self respecting performance orientated production car.JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger
Ferrari Launch Their 2011 Car The F150
Ferrari have become the first team to launch their 2011 Formula One car – named the F150. Thw F150 name comes from the fact it is 150 years since Italian unification, the flag bearer for the nation decided it was important to increase exposure of the major event in the country’s long history. �The cars [...]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/ferrari-launch-their-2011-car-the-f150/
Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi
PROFILES
Hi Jenny,
Are the profiles ever coming back. I used to like to read them to get to know the members a little better. What gives?
Barry Fadden
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/960514.aspx
Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot
Vettel cruises to the front
Sebastian Vettel had a quiet day in Valencia on Friday and then on Saturday morning moved up a gear and set the fastest time of the morning session, four-tenths of a second ahead of the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. Mark Webber was fifth quickest, ahead of Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/vettel-cruises-to-the-front/
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