With the Geneva Motor Show less than a day away, new details are emerging about the mysterious Saab concept.Montag, 28. Februar 2011
Saab mystery concept will preview new styling direction
With the Geneva Motor Show less than a day away, new details are emerging about the mysterious Saab concept.
Testing teams get to grips with new technology
Valencia
At the end of the first Formula 1 pre-season test, three teams emerged as pace-setters for the hotly-anticipated new season.
It was no real surprise to see Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel become the first to lay down a marker before Fernando Alonso went faster for Ferrari the following day.
But there were also intriguing early signs in Valencia this week that Renault have taken a competitive step forward over the winter.
Kubica set fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day in Valencia Pic:Getty
The team had produced a self-proclaimed "brave" design concept over the winter and in Spain they revealed the so-far unique approach of having the exhausts exit at the front of the sidepods either side of the driver.
Robert Kubica went on to show it was not simply style over substance by scorching to the fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day.
The Pole's time was 0.163 seconds quicker than Alonso and 0.625 secs ahead of Vettel's best.
F1 insiders calculate those three leading times were all set on similar levels of fuel, even though Kubica and Alonso set their times on a five-lap run while Vettel's best came over 10 laps.
Those runs were not in qualifying trim and so all three could, in theory, have gone even faster.
Kubica also encouragingly showed good pace over a 25-lap run with most tours in the 1:16s bracket, while Mark Webber exhibited consistent pace for Red Bull on Thursday in a 20-lap run which mainly consisted of 1:15s.
Kubica, Alonso and Vettel may have tantalised the top of the timesheets but in testing headline lap times don't tell the whole story.
Valencia was the first opportunity for teams to trial their technical updates for the 2011 season.
Yet another raft of rule changes - the return of the Kers energy boost system, the introduction of a moveable rear wing to aid overtaking and the removal of the double diffuser and F-duct aerodynamic aid - has meant a major re-think for design departments.
On top of that there is the problem of understanding how to tease performance out of the Italian Pirelli tyres, back in F1 for the first time since 1991 as single supplier in place of Bridgestone.
It is, in fact, the tyres that have leapt to the top of the teams' concerns about what fortunes lie ahead.
"Tyres are more of an unknown," commented Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa, throwing back an espresso in a single gulp.
"It is a very, very big job to develop the car around the tyres because they have a lot of implications on the car consistency and performance."
Even Red Bull's seemingly unflappable design guru Adrian Newey described it as "difficult to design for the Pirellis".
To a man, the drivers agreed that the Pirellis "went off" - reduced significantly in grip - much quicker than they were used to.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton said the new rubber did not have "as much grip as the Bridgestones" and was "harder to control over a longer stint".
Kubica agreed with that assessment, adding: "That is why I think the tyres will play a crucial role. You may have to adapt your car set-up, or make the tyres last longer, or work better - that can make a big difference."
Pirelli has been asked to deliberately design less durable tyres in the hope that this will spice up the racing.
The company's motorsport director Paul Hembery batted away the drivers' disappointments.
"There will be no developments [to tyres] made following this test," he explained. "The teams now have to work out how to get the best out of the tyres."
Eight teams rolled out the first interpretations of their 2011 challengers in the Valencia sunshine, while McLaren, Force India, Virgin and Hispania ran last year's cars.
The main priority for teams with the fledging class of 2011 cars was to find out if the new parts were reliable. Only much later will it become clear how much, if any, performance they have added to the car.
"Looking only to our car, yes we are very happy," Costa said. "It needs to be a very balanced approach to be a fast and winning car.
"About the competitors, it's very difficult to understand where they are because it is difficult to see if they are using Kers or not, the rear wing or not, what kind of tyre they are using, how much fuel..."
The teams fiercely protected their secrets behind towering screens, guarded garage doors and under billowing sheaths. When Felipe Massa dramatically stopped on track on Thursday, crimson-clad Ferrari employees remarkably managed to hang a concealing cover underneath the car.
As always, the teams were keeping their cards close to their chest about the specifics of their programmes.
Most teams testing the 2011 cars had Kers installed for the majority of the running, even if they weren't actually powering it up.
Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull ran smoothly while Mercedes reported their Kers system was behind some of their teething problems, even though Mercedes had the most reliable when it was last deployed in 2009.
"We've got some areas that were getting a little bit too hot," Mercedes boss Ross Brawn said coolly.
The moveable rear wings also seemed to be a relatively trouble-free addition. The concept is such an integral part of the design rules that even if the wings played a passive role in testing they were still worth having on the car.
It will be up to the drivers to master the devices and with more buttons to press on the steering wheel that may not be quite so straightforward.
"In terms of all the other things we are operating from the cockpit, last year we had quite a bit to do and that was quite a challenge," Webber said.
"It's no big surprise to us that we might have to learn some new techniques this year but as long as you can still watch the road, that's the most important thing."
In less than a week, round two of testing begins in Jerez, where McLaren will also introduce their new challenger - which is being unveiled on Friday - to the pack.
Teams vying to rein in Red Bull talked with a beguiling mix of mystery and confidence about unspecified new developments in the pipeline.
But the clock is already ticking and there are just 12 days of testing left before the teams face up to reality in Bahrain's opening grand prix.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/02/testing_teams_get_to_grips_wit.html
FIA hand Korea GP best race award
The Korea Grand Prix, which was a new addition to the F1 calendar in 2010, has been named as the best race of the 2010 season at the FIA Prize Gala in Monaco.
The inaugural race proved to be a success despite initial doubts over the building of the Yeongam circuit, which was behind schedule but eventually finished on time.
An FIA statement ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/w3lcJGSd2nc/fia-hand-korea-gp-best-race-award
Massa threatened with jail over team orders
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?A public raised on a diet of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna were simply appalled and saddened in equal measure by Massa?s apparent lack of ambition.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/massa_threatened_with_jail_ove.php
Sonntag, 27. Februar 2011
Massa threatened with jail over team orders
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?A public raised on a diet of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna were simply appalled and saddened in equal measure by Massa?s apparent lack of ambition.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/massa_threatened_with_jail_ove.php
Bernie Ecclestone - No plans to put the brakes on
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The way I feel at the moment, why stop? I do it because I enjoy it. And yesterday is gone. I don't care what happened yesterday. What else would I do? People retire to die. I don't get any individual pleasure because we don't win races or titles in this job. I'm like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you've achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That's it.
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/bernie_ecclestone_no_plans_to.php
Michael Schumacher has no regrets
Michael Schumacher has admitted he "feels good" about his decision to race in Formula One again.
The German driver, who won the world Drivers' Championship seven times, has had a disappointing 2010 season. He had been expected to challenge for the title but ended the season ninth in the standings with 72 points.
He couldn't even beat his team-mate Nico Rosberg, who finished 70 points ahead of him in seventh place.
This ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/XPnEyiQ-Rws/michael-schumacher-has-no-regrets
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/
Samstag, 26. Februar 2011
F1: Sauber: Young line-up not a handicap
Sauber: Young line-up not a handicap By Edd Straw and Matt Beer Saturday, February 26th 2011, 12:02 GMT The lack of Formula 1 experience in Sauber's driver line-up will not be detrimental to the team's development efforts, technical director James Key insists, as he praised Kamui Kobayashi's efforts to step up into a team leader role already. With Kobayashi having only contested 21 grands prix and his new team-mate Sergio Perez fresh from GP2, Sauber is set to have the least experienced driver pairing in the F1 field this year - subject to who Hispania picks to partner Narain Karthikeyan. Last season Kobayashi was able to rely on having veterans Pedro de la Rosa and Nick Heidfeld in the sister car, but he is now Sauber's primary source of technical feedback. Related posts:- F1: Sauber retains Kobayashi for 2011 Sauber retains Kobayashi for 2011 By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, September...
- F1: Canada Friday quotes: Sauber Canada Friday quotes: Sauber Friday, June 11th 2010, 20:43 GMT...
- F1: Q and A: Key on Sauber’s progress Q & A: Key on Sauber's progress By Edd Straw...
Source: http://doxcar.com/f1-sauber-young-line-up-not-a-handicap/
One for the nearly men of F1?
On October 16 this year, the Formula 1 circus will be in Korea for the second Korean GP. That is a shame because there is a great opportunity for someone to have a go at winning $5 million, which will be on offer at the final round of the IndyCar Series, which will be taking [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/one-for-the-nearly-men-of-f1/
2012 MINI Roadster spied again
The MINI Roadster is sticking close to the concept model that previewed it, although MINI may be hiding some small changes to the rear shoulders and trunk beneath those strips of camouflage.Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/o07N9cjt2cU/2012-mini-roadster-spied-again
Audi R8
Hi
I am thinking of buying a Revell Audi R8 - has anyone built the kit, and if so, is it good, are there any problems etc?
I am currently building Tamiya's Lamborghini Countach LP500S - there is so many problems with it and I do not want to have some little suprises when I open up the box of the R8
.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/944116.aspx
How Williams triumphed in the face of adversity
Sir Frank Williams, who has been given the 2010 Helen Rollason award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, has never seen his disability as an excuse not to succeed at the very highest level.
The owner of the Williams Formula 1 team has been a quadriplegic since breaking his neck in a car crash in March 1986 but he has continued to oversee his company with evangelical zeal and commitment. In fact its biggest successes came after his life-changing accident.
Williams does not so much love Formula 1 as he is consumed by it. He still goes into the factory seven days a week, with Christmas Day his only time off. And his ability to carry on regardless, resolutely refusing to let his disability affect his day-to-day work, continues to humble those who know him.
When Williams suffered his injury, at the age of 43, doctors pointed out to those close to him that, based on the examples of other people with similar problems, he would be lucky to live another 10 years.
Nearly 25 years later, Williams continues to attend most of the races in an increasingly marathon F1 calendar, and remains one of the most widely respected men in the sport.
His attitude to his disability is simple - it's his own fault he ended up that way so he had better just get on with it.
If he ever felt differently, there is no evidence for it.
In her brilliant book about Frank, his wife Ginny gives an eye-opening account of the days after the accident.
Williams was a very active man and a keen runner but even when his life was still in danger immediately afterwards, he never - not even to his wife - betrayed any sense of self-pity, depression or any of the other emotions that might be expected of someone in his situation.
He talks about it very little, and simply says to Ginny that they have had several good years of one kind of life together and now they just have to get used to a different one.
Williams's partner, the team's director of engineering Patrick Head, says: "I'm sure Frank had some terrible moments thinking about the change in his life but he's never been one to sit around and be sorry for himself.
"Frank has always been very pragmatic about 'what is the problem and how can I deal with it' and applied that to himself and his injury.
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"His enthusiasm and positive attitude always overcome any difficulties he has."
This is the approach Williams has applied to his disabilities ever since.
Looking back, he says in his clipped manner: "I've had a wonderful life; wouldn't dream of changing anything, truthfully."
Williams suffered his injuries when he crashed his hire car while racing his driver Nelson Piquet to the airport after a pre-season test in the south of France.
He discusses the accident now with the same detachment he displayed in recovering from it.
"The car banged over a few times and I'm ashamed to say it was either the sixth or seventh rollover accident I'd had in my life," he says.
"I remember the sharp pain in my neck. I thought: 'Wow, rolling over isn't supposed to hurt that much.' The car finished upside down and I tried to reach for the safety belt to get myself out and I couldn't do it.
"I knew I was going to have the big one but I couldn't slow myself down."
The first few months after his accident he spent focusing on getting into a condition that would allow him to get back to attending races.
"He runs himself with military precision," says Head, "and once he'd found out what the things were that would cause him problems, he adapted his lifestyle to give himself the best opportunities. He's very disciplined about that sort of thing - it's remarkable what he has done since then.
"Frank's always been quite private in his own emotions and in control of his interactions with other people. Once we'd got used to the fact that he wasn't the same person he was before, that he was in a wheelchair, things just sort of carried on as normal."
Stopping competing in F1 never occurred to Williams.
"The thought of retiring or selling the team never crossed my mind," Williams says, "and I also suppose recognised subconsciously it would be a great daily antidote for the difficulties I would find myself in. It's a fantastic job, a very exciting business, highly competitive, always something to worry about, which can be quite healthy, actually."
At the time of his accident, his team were about to embark on one of several periods in which they have dominated the sport.
But success was a long time in coming. Getting to the top of F1 was famously a struggle - Williams operated his team out of a phone box at one stage in the early 1970s, so tight had money become. Once he had achieved success, though, he did not let it go for a very long time, regardless of the misfortune that was to befall him.
The turning point was joining forces with Head, whose first car for the team in 1978 established them as serious contenders for the first time.
In 1979, they missed out on the title only through poor reliability and an eccentric scoring system. But they made no mistake in 1980, with Australian Alan Jones romping to the championship.
They remained more or less at the top of F1 from then until Williams's accident, just missing out on the drivers' title in 1986 but winning it in 1987. But when at the end of that year they lost their supply deal with Honda, producer of the best F1 engines, people wondered whether, with the boss in a wheelchair, they would cope.
That was counting without the incredible commitment and desire of this remarkable man.
Williams and Head have formed a formidable partnership for the last 30 years
Before long, Williams had replaced Honda with Renault, and the team went on to its greatest successes - particularly the 1992 and 1993 seasons, when a car bristling with technology such as active suspension brushed the opposition aside with Nigel Mansell and then Alain Prost at the wheel.
The team have variously dominated F1 in the early 1980s, the mid-'80s, and the early to mid-'90s, winning drivers' titles with many famous names - Jones, Keke Rosberg, Piquet, Mansell, Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, along with nine constructors' championships.
They have also provided the platform for some of the sport's most brilliant engineers to make their names - among them Adrian Newey, now in charge of design at world champions Red Bull, and Ross Brawn, who ran Ferrari's technical department in their dominant period with Michael Schumacher and now boss of the Mercedes team.
But there have been dark times, too - particularly the death of Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix only three races into his Williams career.
It remains one of William's greatest regrets: "I felt that we had been given a great responsibility providing him with a car, and we let him down."
The last few years have seen Williams slip from competitiveness. They have not won a world title since Villeneuve's in 1997 and not taken the chequered flag since the final race of the 2004 season.
And for the first time there have recently been signs that the 68-year-old Williams is slowing down a little.
In November 2009, he and Head sold 10% of the company to Austrian businessman Toto Wolff, with the two men's own shareholdings reducing proportionately from 65% (Williams) and 35% (Head).
And last summer, Williams handed his role as chairman responsible for the day-to-day running of the team to Adam Parr, with Williams remaining as team principal and Head still in charge of the technical side.
When he made the announcement, Williams emphasised that while he was planning for succession, he was certainly not retiring.
As Williams's current lead F1 driver, the veteran Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, says: "I've never met anyone with so much passion for motor racing - it's truly amazing."
So much passion, indeed, that when he had to make a decision a few years ago between building a wind tunnel that would help make the cars go faster and keeping the private plane that allowed him to attend the farthest-flung races, he chose the wind tunnel.
Williams's voice is quieter now - talking is uncomfortable for him, as a result of his disability - and his eyes a little more watery. But a few minutes in his company leaves you in no doubt that his team's current lack of success pains him greatly, and that he is as committed as ever to getting them back to the top of F1.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2010/12/frank_williams_honoured_for_ac.html
No GP as Bahrain has other priorities says Crown Prince
The Bahrain GP is now officially off, although it remains to be seen if and when it will be rescheduled. The Crown Prince said this afternoon: “We felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/02/21/no-gp-as-bahrain-has-other-priorities-says-crown-prince/
Freitag, 25. Februar 2011
Alclad Chrome finish
I want to use some Alclad chrome to paint resin aftermarket wheels, my question is what should I use as a basecoat first? I've never used the Alclad paints so I want to do it right the first time. thanks.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/943062.aspx
2011 F1 testing diary part three: Barcelona | 2011 F1 testing
F1 Fanatic's Barcelona test correspondent gives a behind the scenes look at the test.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/0Jm9taaJVY8/
Early Ford/Mercury wide bolt pattern wheels
Have wheels like this
ever been offered in a kit?
I have these
from a Fujimi Porsche 356 and will modify - but if something is already available....
Thanks!
Erik
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/943841.aspx
Vettel set for titles aplenty
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?Here, after all, is a young man, already dubbed ?Baby Schumi? by Germany?s tabloid press, winning the first of what will presumably be multiple world championships, and all at the tender age of 23. Plenty of time yet to match Schumacher's incredible haul of seven world titles. And yet, their phenomenal ability to drive racing cars apart, there is little similarity between the two men. ?There are still lingering doubts over his racing ability but with such blistering qualifying pace he is nearly always leading from the front anyway. Vettel is set for multiple world championships. Just don?t call him Baby Schumi.?The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says it was difficult to begrudge Vettel his moment of glory after he won the first of what will be many world titles. He also looks back at some of the season?s highlights.
?An amazing Formula One season produced its final twist here on Sunday when Sebastian Vettel, who had never led the title race, won his first world championship. It is difficult to begrudge him his glory, for he had more poles (10) than any other driver and shared the most wins (five) with Fernando Alonso. There will be red faces as well as red cars and overalls at Ferrari, though, for deciding to bring their man in when they did, only to see him re-emerge into heavy traffic. ?Among the highlights, and every race felt like a highlight after the bore-start in Bahrain, there was that wonderful beginning to his McLaren career by Jenson Button, who won two of his first four races, even though he couldn't keep up the pace, especially in qualifying. ?Hamilton once again drove his heart out, and outperformed a car that looked a little too ordinary at times. He was superb in Montreal. Then there was Webber, the Anglophile Aussie who was the favourite among most neutrals to win the title. There was that spectacular crash when he ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen and the most famous of his four wins, at Silverstone, when he said to his team at the end of the race: 'Not bad for a No2 driver.' ?But in the end there was only one German who mattered. It was the remarkable Vettel. This will be the first of a clutch of championships for him.?The Independent?s David Tremayne focuses on the plight of the other title contenders, writing it is easier to feel more sorry for one than the other.
?It was impossible not to feel for both Webber and Alonso. Yet while a frustrated Alonso gestured at Petrov after the race, the Australian, predictably, refused to complain about his pitstop timing. ?A world championship seemed an inevitable part of Sebastian Vettel's future, but it came a little sooner than most expected, after his recent tribulations. You wouldn't bet against several more, and if that record-breaking streak continues, perhaps even Schumacher's achievements will be overshadowed.?And the Mirror?s Byron Young elaborates further on the petulant behaviour of Fernando Alonso on his slowing down lap after his title dreams ended behind the Renault of Vitaly Petrov.
?Fernando Alonso was hurled into more controversy last night for a wild gesture at the former Lada racer who cost him the title. But the Spaniard brushed off accusations he gave Russian Vitaly Petrov the finger for ruining his title hopes by blocking him for 40 laps as they duelled over sixth place. "The Ferrari ace was caught on television cruising alongside the Renault driver on the slowing down lap and gesticulating from the cockpit. Petrov was unrepentant: "What was I supposed to do? Just get out of his way, pull to the side? I don't think that is how we race. It was important for the team for me to get points."
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/vettel_set_for_titles_aplenty_1.php
Donnerstag, 24. Februar 2011
Testing teams get to grips with new technology
Valencia
At the end of the first Formula 1 pre-season test, three teams emerged as pace-setters for the hotly-anticipated new season.
It was no real surprise to see Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel become the first to lay down a marker before Fernando Alonso went faster for Ferrari the following day.
But there were also intriguing early signs in Valencia this week that Renault have taken a competitive step forward over the winter.
Kubica set fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day in Valencia Pic:Getty
The team had produced a self-proclaimed "brave" design concept over the winter and in Spain they revealed the so-far unique approach of having the exhausts exit at the front of the sidepods either side of the driver.
Robert Kubica went on to show it was not simply style over substance by scorching to the fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day.
The Pole's time was 0.163 seconds quicker than Alonso and 0.625 secs ahead of Vettel's best.
F1 insiders calculate those three leading times were all set on similar levels of fuel, even though Kubica and Alonso set their times on a five-lap run while Vettel's best came over 10 laps.
Those runs were not in qualifying trim and so all three could, in theory, have gone even faster.
Kubica also encouragingly showed good pace over a 25-lap run with most tours in the 1:16s bracket, while Mark Webber exhibited consistent pace for Red Bull on Thursday in a 20-lap run which mainly consisted of 1:15s.
Kubica, Alonso and Vettel may have tantalised the top of the timesheets but in testing headline lap times don't tell the whole story.
Valencia was the first opportunity for teams to trial their technical updates for the 2011 season.
Yet another raft of rule changes - the return of the Kers energy boost system, the introduction of a moveable rear wing to aid overtaking and the removal of the double diffuser and F-duct aerodynamic aid - has meant a major re-think for design departments.
On top of that there is the problem of understanding how to tease performance out of the Italian Pirelli tyres, back in F1 for the first time since 1991 as single supplier in place of Bridgestone.
It is, in fact, the tyres that have leapt to the top of the teams' concerns about what fortunes lie ahead.
"Tyres are more of an unknown," commented Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa, throwing back an espresso in a single gulp.
"It is a very, very big job to develop the car around the tyres because they have a lot of implications on the car consistency and performance."
Even Red Bull's seemingly unflappable design guru Adrian Newey described it as "difficult to design for the Pirellis".
To a man, the drivers agreed that the Pirellis "went off" - reduced significantly in grip - much quicker than they were used to.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton said the new rubber did not have "as much grip as the Bridgestones" and was "harder to control over a longer stint".
Kubica agreed with that assessment, adding: "That is why I think the tyres will play a crucial role. You may have to adapt your car set-up, or make the tyres last longer, or work better - that can make a big difference."
Pirelli has been asked to deliberately design less durable tyres in the hope that this will spice up the racing.
The company's motorsport director Paul Hembery batted away the drivers' disappointments.
"There will be no developments [to tyres] made following this test," he explained. "The teams now have to work out how to get the best out of the tyres."
Eight teams rolled out the first interpretations of their 2011 challengers in the Valencia sunshine, while McLaren, Force India, Virgin and Hispania ran last year's cars.
The main priority for teams with the fledging class of 2011 cars was to find out if the new parts were reliable. Only much later will it become clear how much, if any, performance they have added to the car.
"Looking only to our car, yes we are very happy," Costa said. "It needs to be a very balanced approach to be a fast and winning car.
"About the competitors, it's very difficult to understand where they are because it is difficult to see if they are using Kers or not, the rear wing or not, what kind of tyre they are using, how much fuel..."
The teams fiercely protected their secrets behind towering screens, guarded garage doors and under billowing sheaths. When Felipe Massa dramatically stopped on track on Thursday, crimson-clad Ferrari employees remarkably managed to hang a concealing cover underneath the car.
As always, the teams were keeping their cards close to their chest about the specifics of their programmes.
Most teams testing the 2011 cars had Kers installed for the majority of the running, even if they weren't actually powering it up.
Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull ran smoothly while Mercedes reported their Kers system was behind some of their teething problems, even though Mercedes had the most reliable when it was last deployed in 2009.
"We've got some areas that were getting a little bit too hot," Mercedes boss Ross Brawn said coolly.
The moveable rear wings also seemed to be a relatively trouble-free addition. The concept is such an integral part of the design rules that even if the wings played a passive role in testing they were still worth having on the car.
It will be up to the drivers to master the devices and with more buttons to press on the steering wheel that may not be quite so straightforward.
"In terms of all the other things we are operating from the cockpit, last year we had quite a bit to do and that was quite a challenge," Webber said.
"It's no big surprise to us that we might have to learn some new techniques this year but as long as you can still watch the road, that's the most important thing."
In less than a week, round two of testing begins in Jerez, where McLaren will also introduce their new challenger - which is being unveiled on Friday - to the pack.
Teams vying to rein in Red Bull talked with a beguiling mix of mystery and confidence about unspecified new developments in the pipeline.
But the clock is already ticking and there are just 12 days of testing left before the teams face up to reality in Bahrain's opening grand prix.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/02/testing_teams_get_to_grips_wit.html
Massa threatened with jail over team orders
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?A public raised on a diet of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna were simply appalled and saddened in equal measure by Massa?s apparent lack of ambition.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/massa_threatened_with_jail_ove.php
Aston Martin introduces the Virage ahead of Geneva
New Gran Turismo model will sit between the DB9 and DBS models in the Aston Martin lineup.Massa hopes F1 can return to Bahrain in 2011 | 2011 F1 testing
Felipe Massa says he hopes F1 is able to race at Bahrain at some time in 2011.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/IucJh5Fiq8s/
Mittwoch, 23. Februar 2011
2013 Chevy Cruze to offer a diesel in U.S. - report
According to a recent report, the 2013 Chevy Cruze will offer a 2.0-liter diesel engine in North America.?No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone? reviewed | Book review
Review of Tom Bower's new book on Bernie Ecclestone.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/bbPuJ8EyzIY/
Jaguar XKR-S announced for Geneva debut
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the E-Type, Jaguar has announced plans to introduce the XKR-S at the Geneva Motor Show.Alonso the new favourite
 Fernando Alonso is the new favourite for the title |
?He is the man with the momentum and, on the same basis that I backed Mark Webber to win the title before Korea, is now my favourite to claim the world title in Abu Dhabi on Nov 14. ?When the cars are so evenly-matched you have to back the man in possession. Especially when that man is a two-time world champion and arguably the finest driver of his generation.?The Mirror?s Byron Young drew comparisons between Alonso and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher as the Spaniard bids to become the sport?s youngest ever triple world champion.
?Like Schumacher, Alonso accepts no opposition within his team. Ultimately he fell out with McLaren over their refusal in 2007 to bring Lewis Hamilton to heel. ?He returned to Renault on condition he was No.1, only to be at the centre of the Singapore cheat scandal - engineered to hand him victory. ?The Spaniard has always denied involvement but at the German GP in July he was brazen enough to radio Ferrari to rein in team-mate Felipe Massa so he could start the winning streak that has taken him to the brink of history.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/alonso_the_new_favourite_1.php
paint websites
I'm not sure if I'm in the correct category for this post. I'm looking for a website/websites that are very thorough for all the car enamel spray and bottle colors offered by Testors including Model Master and Boyd colors as well. I've not been able to find a very comprehensive site. Thank you kindly for your help!
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/943451.aspx
Robin MontgomerieCharrington Juan Pablo Montoya Gianni Morbidelli
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/
Ferrari pile on the miles as McLaren focus on simulation | 2011 F1 testing
Ferrari have done twice as much testing as McLaren.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/L7kg1kp3OzA/
Dienstag, 22. Februar 2011
BREAKING: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 image leaked
The lead time required for print magazines has once again given way to the early release of embargoed material.Melbourne faces fresh calls to drop its Grand Prix | F1 Fanatic round-up
In today's round-up: another politician urges Melbourne to stop hosting its F1 race.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/sNZOLJgjSEk/
Altered Wheelbase Mopar.
Here are some photos of a fictional match racer circa 1966-67. I started out to build a resin kit but there were too many problems with the body so I decided to make my own!
I cut the 1/4 panels from the resin car and grafted them on to Lindberg '64 Plymouth.
After some cuttin' and cussin': 
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/943139.aspx
NASCAR to lengthen offseason by week in 2012
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The 2012 Daytona 500 will be held a week later than normal, eliminating the early off date and shortening the Sprint Cup season.The "Great American Race'' will be held next year on Feb. Related posts:- NASCAR: Changes to Cup schedule announced Changes to Cup schedule announced By Diego Mejia Thursday, August...
- NASCAR opts for current restrictor plate at Daytona’s Budweiser Shootout despite speeds DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR officials will continue the have-at-it-boys...
- Martinsville joins 2011 NASCAR schedule shuffle MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Martinsville Speedway says both of its Sprint...
Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-to-lengthen-offseason-by-week-in-2012/
Montag, 21. Februar 2011
BMW Project i Coupe
BMW’s supercar, the M1, was sold between 1978 to 1981 as the only mid-engined BMW to be mass produced. But you’d expect more from a maker like BMW, right? And with all the competition on the market, BMW had to do something about it, so they decided to put the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show into production.
It’s not the first time we hear about the possibility of the Vision Efficient Dynamics going into production, but today we have more details about the production version rumored to be called the Project i Coupe. And while the concept is powered by a three cylinder turbo diesel power plant combined with two electric motors, the Project i Coupe will be offered in both electric and hybrid versions.
Rumors suggest that the Project i Coupe won’t be flying solo as BMW may be panning on an M version for this future model and it will most likely be called the M1.
UPDATE 12/28/2010: Last week, BMW trademarked a number of "i" nameplates and the i8 was on the top of the list, leading us to believe that the production version of the Vision Efficient Dynamics would get christened by this name. This makes the Vision Efficient Dynamics not only the hottest hybrid BMW will launch, but also the most expensive one with a price tag set at somewhere around $200,000.
UPDATE 02/21/2011: BMW has officially announced the new i sub-brand, with the i3 and the i8 being the first models to be launched carrying the i name. The i8 will be based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study, a plug-in hybrid drive that blends the sporting ability of a high-performance machine with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car. The i8 will be built on an aluminum chassis which houses the powertrain and the passenger cell. This cell consists of high-strength, but extremely lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The i8 will be built at BMW?s Leipzig plant starting 2013.
BMW Project i Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 February 2011 14:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2013-bmw-project-i-coupe-ar99499.html
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