So last weekend (23-25/11/12) was the annual Monza Rally Show and two main drivers who was at the Rally was current Yamaha MotoGP champion and four time motorcycling champion (two MotoGP champ and two 250cc champ) Jorge Lorenzo and nine times Motorcyling champion (seven MotoGP/500cc champ, one time 250cc champ, 125cc champ ) and returning Yamaha rider The Doctor himself Valentino Rossi. (By the way I do like Valentino Rossi Ford Fiesta RS WRC Monster Engery livery rally car below.)
So the Rally itself, the final results saw The Doctor won this years Monza Rally ahead of former Le Mans 24 hour winner and Le Mans legend Rinaldo Capello by just 2.8 seconds. Jorge Lorenzo meanwhile, finished 10th place in his Rally debut in his Cirteon DS3 WRC, two and a half minutes behind his new/old team-mate.
Among other familiar names in the Rally were former Tech3 and 2013 works Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso finished 5th in a Cirteon DS3 WRC, 90 seconds behind The Doctor at the end of the rally. While, former MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi finished 34th in a Peugeot 207 S2000 car.
Here's a YouTube video below of Valentino Rossi highlights of the rally and winning the rally and doing some donuts from the Former Motorcycling World Champion. Enjoy.
Also, another YouTube video of Valentino Rossi vs Rinaldo Capello on the last stage at the start/finish straight at this years Monza Rally Show. Enjoy.
2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Review of round twenty and last round of the F1 season at Interlagos on the outskirts of São Paulo, and thoughts on the race as well. And Sebastian Vettel winning his third F1 World Drivers Championship in a row.
Good points
Jenson Button (race win)
Ferrari (Fernando Alonso finished 2nd; Felipe Massa finished 3rd and second place in the constructors championship ahead of McLaren)
Mark Webber (finished 4th)
Nico Hülkenberg (finished 5th, despite leading the race and crashing out Lewis Hamilton out of the race)
Sebastian Vettel (finishing 6th, winning his third F1 World Drivers Championship in a row.)
Michael Schumacher (finished 7th, on his last ever race)
Jean-Éric Vergne (finished 8th)
Kamui Kobayashi (finished 9th, final race for Sauber)
Caterham (Vitaly Petrov finished 11th, giving Caterham 10th place in the constructors championship, ahead of Marussia; Heikki Kovalainen finished 14th, last Grand Prix for Caterham possibly)
Charles Pic (finished 12th, last grand prix for Marussia, going to Caterham in 2013)
Bad points
Lotus F1 Team (Kimi Räikkonen finished 10th, a lap down, not a great weekend from the Finn; Romain Grosjean DNF, crashing out on lap 6)
Williams (Pastor Maldonado DNF, crashed out of lap 2; Bruno Senna DNF, collision with Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez)
Paul Di Resta (finished 19th/DNF, crashed out on lap 69)
Nico Rosberg (finished 15th, a lap down)
Lewis Hamilton (DNF, collision with Nico Hülkenberg on lap 55)
Sergio Perez (DNF, collision with Bruno Senna on the first lap)
In my opinion last weekends Brazilian Grand Prix is possibly the best race I've ever seen in Formula 1, if not defiantly in my top 5 of great F1 races to end a great year of Formula 1.
Personally, Lewis Hamilton or Nico Hülkenberg should have won a wet Brazilian Grand Prix. But, due to both of them tangling up with each other on first corner of lap 55, which gives Lewis Hamilton final race at McLaren a DNF with suspension failure and Nico Hülkenberg only finishing in fifth place to give Jenson Button his third race win of the season for McLaren.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa finished second and third in race. While, Sebastian Vettel who got spun by Bruno Senna at the start of the race, which be restarted the race in 21st place to finished in 6th place to give Sebastian Vettel his third F1 World Drivers Championship title in a row and only three points ahead of Fernando Alonso in the standing to retain his title. And only third F1 driver in Formula 1 history to achieve three drivers titles in a row (Juan Manuel Fangio 1954-57 and Michael Schumacher 2000-04). So contractions to Sebastian Vettel for winning his third World Drivers title and contractions to Red Bull as-well for winning the constructors championship for a third time in a row a fortnight ago in Austin.
Now bring on 2013, for another season of Formula 1. Only three and a half months to go for that.
Before I go and jumped into the Williams news this week, 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Review post will be posted later in the day, due to the lateness because I have been busy with work commitments. But, for now Williams news.
It has been confirmed that Williams has signed by both Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers for the 2013 Formula 1 season. Which means, Bruno Senna is out of a drive at Williams for the 2013 season.
In my opinion, no surprises that Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas will be driving for Williams next season. This news was rumoured a few months back that was confirmed yesterday (28/11/12).
As for Bruno Senna, I still believe that Bruno Senna is a talented driver. I think he will drive either the remanding Force India driver or the remanding Caterham drive next season, if he brings in the same sponsorship money next season. If not, this will possibly Bruno Sennas' last season in Formula 1.
Despite Penske team didn't won the Indy Car Series with Will Power early in the season. But, in NASCAR last Sunday (18/11/12), Brad Keselowski became the first Penske driver ever to clinch a NASCAR Sprint Cup title with 15th at Homestead, as Jimmie Johnson retired with a transmission problem with 24 laps still remaining to give Brad Keselowski his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
Meanwhile Jeff Gordon took the final NASCAR race win of 2012 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway at the Ford EcoBoost 400. While, Jeff Gordon's best friend Clint Bowyer, finished the race second place behind Gordon and his result, added to Johnson's DNF/36th place, meant he finished the Chase as championship in runner-up place.
So therefore, contractions to Brad Keselowski winning his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title. Also, contractions to Penske for winning their first NASCAR Sprint owners' Championship. And finally to Dodge the winners teams car, first for the Dodge brand since 1975 and their last for a long while as-well. But contracts to the champions below.
Michael Schumacher is retiring after this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix. And to celebrate this his top six F1 races of all time. There were so many races to choose from, if there any races I have missed this is only my opinion folks. So here is my top six starting with:
Number 6:2000 Japanese Grand Prix Story: Throughtout the race a great battle between Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen throughout the race. Häkkinen took the lead at the start throughout the race until lap 40, when Michael Schumcher took the lead after the second set of pit-stops and top the race win and his third F1 world drivers title and his first for driving with Ferrari and Ferrari's first drivers title since 1979.
Number 5:1992 Belgium Grand Prix Story: First ever Formula 1 race win from Michael Schumacher. A wet/dry race, were Michael Schumacher in his Benetton B192 done the right tactics at the right time when the weather change for wet tyres to take his first race win ahead of both Williams drivers. (video highlights of the race below)
Number 4:2006 Brazilian Grand Prix Story: Final Grand Prix in his Ferrari career and Michael Schumacher going into his first retirement. Had a puncture on his sixth lap while battling with Giancarlo Fisichella, which means Schumacher came from 20th place to 4th place. He gone into his first retirement to remembered him how great driver he really was. (video highlights of the race below)
Number 3:1996 Spanish Grand Prix Story: This race, Michael Schumacher's first Ferrari victory, possibly his best wet race in his career. In the torrential rain in a unreliable Ferrari F310, he produced a stunning drive, and is a prime example of why he earned the nickname "Rainmaster". This race showed how great a talent Michael Schumacher really is for Ferrari needsfor the next ten years. (video highlights of the race below)
Number 2:1999 Malaysian Grand Prix Story: Michael Schumacher returned to Formula One having recovered from his broken leg from a first lap crash at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone three months before. Schumacher took pole position by nearly a second ahead of team-mate Eddie Irvine, and on lap four of the race slowed and allowed his team-mate Eddie Irvine to pass him. Later on, after all pit stops had been completed, Schumacher allowed Irvine to pass again, which meant that Irvine went on to win the race and Schumacher finished in second place to give Irvine an opportunity to win the 1999 F1 world drivers title, which he never won. But, yet again a brilliant achievement from a returning Schumacher. (video highlights of the race below)
Number 1:1998 Hungarian Grand Prix Story: Started behind both McLarens' on the grid and the first half of the race if it would give Mika Häkkinen victory. But, Ferrari technical director and now Mercedes team manager Ross Brawn changed Schumacher strategy from a 2-stop strategy to a 3-stop strategy, which was seen as a masterstroke by doing 17 qualifying style laps in the middle of the race to win the race overall. Meanwhile, Häkkinen fell to 6th after gearbox problems in the closing stages of the race. (video highlights of the race below)
This is post 300 on my blog, that's my little celebration on this blog. So 2012, United States Grand Prix review of round nineteen of the F1 season at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, and predictions for this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix.
Good points
McLaren (Lewis Hamilton wins; Jenson Button finished 5th)
Red Bull (Sebastian Vettel finished 2nd, which means Red Bull are F1 constructors champions for the third time in a row)
Ferrari (Fernando Alonso finished 3rd; Felipe Massa finished 4th, despite starting from 11th from a five grid penalty due to gearbox change to help Fernando Alonso up the grid more)
Lotus F1 Team (Kimi Räikkonen finished 6th; Romain Grosjean finished 7th)
Nico Hülkenberg (finished 8th)
Williams (Pastor Maldonado finished 9th; Bruno Senna finished 10th)
Vitaly Petrov (finished 17th, ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, the two Marussias' the two HRTs')
Bad points
Sergio Perez (finished 11th, outside of the points on his nearly home grand prix)
Mercedes AMG (Nico Rosberg finished 13th; Michael Schumacher finished 16th)
Paul di Resta (finished 15th)
Jean-Éric Vergne (DNF, suspension damage)
Mark Webber (DNF, alternator)
This race was a race of cat and mouse, cat being Lewis Hamilton and the mouse being Sebastian Vettel. Vettel leading the race for 41 laps. Until lap 42 were Hamilton took the lead from Vettel. And took Lewis Hamilton to his forth race win of the season and possibly his last race win for McLaren. With next season Lewis Hamilton moving over to Mercedes to race.
Sebastian Vettel finished in second place and Fernando Alonso finished third at the end of the race, ahead of Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa. Which, extends Vettel the lead of the F1 driver championship by 13 points ahead of Fernando Alonso with only a race to go. Sebastian Vettel will only need a top four result if Fernando Alonso wins the race to be world champion for a third time in a row. Fernando Alonso needs at least a top three result if Sebastian Vettel doesn't finish in the top 10 to be world champion for a third time in his career.
While in the constructor's championship, Red Bull won the F1 constructors champions for the third time in a row at Austin with a race to spare. So Congratulations to Red Bull for winning the constructors championship for a third time in a row.
And so this weekend is the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos outskirts of São Paulo for the final round of the season. This race will decide the winner of the 2012 F1 world drivers championship. And before I start I got the predictions right for once again last time out for the top three.
So predictions for the race: Sebastian Vettel for the win and for the F1 world drivers championship as-well in the Red Bull, ahead of team-mate Mark Webber in the other Red Bull. while Fernando Alonso will finished in third in the Ferrari. Don't forget the two McLaren drivers, Felipe Massa, the two Lotus drivers and Pastor Maldonado either for a podium as-well.
A great race and a great return of Formula 1 back in the USA.
Long story short the KTM X-Bow came out in 2008. The X-Bow weight just under 800kg uses a turbocharged four-cylinder 2 litre Audi engine producing 237 bhp and a top speed of 135 mph.
Then in 2011, KTM bought out the evolution of the car called the KTM X-Bow R with the turbo Audi engine tuned to round 300 hp.
Now, KTM have came out another evolution of the car called the KTM X-BOW RR.
The new KTM X-BOW RR now has a 360 bhp turbocharged four-cylinder 2 litre Audi weighing in at just 820kg gives a top speed of 149 mph. So the question from the title above, around the 13 miles Nurburgring Nordschleife, does the KTM X-BOW RR faster than a Ferrari Enzo? Well close, 7:25.72, just only 0.02 seconds slower than a Ferrari Enzo. Not bad achievement from a brand that usually builds motorcycles in my opinion. Youtube video below of the lap to enjoy.
Its been 30 years since Group C was introduced by the FIA in 1982. Basically, Group C sports cars were anything go sports cars that produces over 900 bhp at the end of the Group C era. But, instead of the more usual limits on engine capacity in Group C back then, it placed limits on fuel consumption. The FIA applied the same concept in its Group C rules. It limited cars to a minimum weight of 800 kg and a maximum fuel capacity of 100 litres. With competitors restricted to five refueling stops within a 1000 kilometer distance (620 miles), the cars were effectively allowed 600 litres per 1000 kilometers.
And one example of a Group C race car is the 1987 Porsche 962. The 962 had a Porsche 3 litre turbo flat-6 and ground effects underneath to give the 962 producing around over 900 bhp. In 1987, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Derek Bell and Al Holbert won that years 24 Hours of Le Mans race with the Porsche 962.
In this video below, the Porsche 962 is driven by Chris Harris at Porsche's test track in Germany. Enjoy the video below.
This year M-division of BMW celebrates its 40th birthday. A great birthday present, after a 20-year absence from DTM, BMW and Bruno Spengler returned this year and won the drivers, teams and manufacture championship with the slightly stoned-looking matte black M3 to win at Hockenheim last month. Now that's what I call a 40th birthday present.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas and for first time in five year Formula 1 returns to the United States of America.
So predictions for the race itself, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the McLaren, Sebastian Vettel second in his Red Bull, Fernando Alonso third in his Ferrari. Don't forget Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, the two Lotus drivers, the two Mercedes AMG drivers, Pastor Maldonado, or Sergio Perez either.
And finally an on-board flying lap video below of the new track driven by none other than 1978 Formula One World Champion Mario Andretti in his 1978 Lotus 79, from three weeks ago.
F1 Predictions for the US Grand Prix will be tomorrow. But this post, there is no way you will not going to see this at this weekends United States Formula 1 Grand Prix.
In last weeks NASCAR Round 37 race at Phoenix International Raceway for the AdvoCare 500, were Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon crashed each other in the middle of the race to finish any chance of Clint Bowyer winning this seasons NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Where in the pit lane, both Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon pit crews has a big fight in the pit lane, even the drivers gone into the fight as-well! Youtube video below shows the drama in the pits.
Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski takes the lead of the Drivers' Championship ahead of Jimmie Johnson with a round to go at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Ford EcoBoost 400 this Sunday night.
A Quick review on the race from last Sundays race (11/11/12) at the Valencia Motorcycle Grand Prix in the Circuit Ricardo Tormo outside of Valencia for the last round of this years MotoGP season.
A great win and a great race for Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda, despite staring from the pit lane for changing his bike for dry tyres on a drying track. Pedrosa passed everyone on the grid until the front battling Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha for the lead, until mid-way through the race, when Lorenzo tried to lapped James Ellison, then the 2012 MotoGP champion crashed out in style, giving him his retirement of the season. Which gives Dani Pedrosa his seven race win of the season.
Meanwhile, Katsuyuki Nakasuga who is subtitling for an injured Ben Spies for the last round of the season finished second with 37 seconds behind race winner Pedrosa. While, 2007 and 2011 MotoGP champion Casey Stoner on his Repsol Honda finished third on his last MotoGP race as his now retired from motorcycling. Meanwhile his replacement for 2013, current Moto2 champion Marc Márquez started last in his final Moto2 race to finish with a win. So watch him 2013 in MotoGP.
Recaps of last rounds of the season for both WRC and IRC series. Recaps of last round of the WRC in round twelve at Rally de España and IRC round twelve at Rally of Cyprus.
This weekends was round thirteen and last round of the season of the World Rally Championship at the Rally de España (9-11th November) was won by Sébastien Loeb in his Citroen DS3, who won the rally by 7 seconds ahead of Ford rally driver Jari-Matti Latvala in his Ford Fiesta RS who finished in second place. While, Loeb's Citreon team-mate Mikko Hirvonen finished third in his Citroen DS3.
Sébastien Loeb also took Michelin 250th in the WRC as well.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Meanwhile last weekend, was round thirteen and final ever round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge was held at the Rally of Cyprus in Limassol (2nd-4th November) was won by WRC regular Nasser Al-Attiyah in his Ford Fiesta RRC and his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge victory of 2012, 3 minutes and 35 seconds ahead of 2011 and 2012 IRC champion Andreas Mikkelsen in his Škoda Fabia S2000 who finished in second place in the rally and had a few punters in the rally. Andreas Mikkelsen won this years IRC championship on the first stage after Works Škoda drivers Jan Kopecky and Juho Hanninen did not entered the rally. So therefore, contractions to Andreas Mikkelsen winning his second IRC title.
Meanwhile, Toshi Arai finished third in his Group N spec Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Highlights of the final stage of the rally below, enjoy.
Formula 1 drivers have been told not to swear during media interviews from now on. Governing body the FIA have issued the demand after both Kimi "Johnny Rotten" Räikkönen and Sebastian "Steve Jones" Vettel swore, live on air, while on the podium after last Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. As this video below shows.
I did miss this due to I just left to gone out with my friends to the pub.
But, Kimi Räikkönen does have some previous experience with rude four letter words, during on Martin Brundle's grid walk at Brazil 2006, asking why he missed Michael Schumacher/Pele presentation? he should have said "Yeah, I gone to the toilet." but instead he said "Yeah, I was having a shit.".
But, some of his radio messages during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend were just so genius to listen.
Classic Kimi
End of post/blog for now, new one soon, bye
Oh by the way, here is The Sex Pistols reference from the title above.
Four times 250cc world champion and two times WSB champion Max Biaggi has announced that he will retire from racing. The 41 year old Italian addressed a packed press conference in Vallelunga in his native city of Rome this week (7/11/12) where he revealed his decision to stop racing.
Biaggi has enjoyed a great career that spanned over 20 years competing in 250cc, 500cc, MotoGP and WSB championships. His first world title came way back in 1994 with his most recent success coming this year when he won the WSB title for the second time for Aprilia. But, his most rememberable moment in his career came in 2001 and 2002 with his rivalry with Valentino Rossi for the 500cc and MotoGP championships.
So ciao Max Biaggi you had a great motor-racing career.
The brand new Nissan Altima V8 Supercar has taken to the track for the first time, just days after it was first revealed with its new livery in Melbourne.
The Altima did its first laps at Calder Park Raceway, a race track on the outside of Melbourne and with most of the Kelly Racing team (which will be renamed Nissan Motorsport next season) are in Abu Dhabi for last weekend’s V8 Supercar round. The driving duties were left to team co-owner and driver Todd Kelly.
But come the Clipsal 500 season opening race in Adelaide in February 2013, the return of Nissan in V8 Supercars will really start.
2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix review of round eighteen of the F1 season at Yas Marina Circuit outside of Abu Dhabi, and thoughts on the race as well. And the return of winning ways from Kimi Räikkonen and Lotus (well sort of for Lotus).
Good points
Kimi Räikkonen (won the race, first race win for Räikkonen since Spa 2009)
Fernando Alonso (finished 2nd)
Sebastian Vettel (finishing 3rd, despite stating from the pit lane from having no fuel left at the end of qualifying, (similar to Hamilton at Spainish Grand Prix) )
Williams (Pastor Maldonado finished 5th; Bruno Senna finished 8th)
Kamui Kobayashi (finished 6th)
Paul Di Resta (finished 9th)
Daniel Ricciardo (finished 10th)
Heikki Kovalainen (finished 13th, 48 seconds behind the leaders at the end)
Timo Glock (finished 14th, under a minute behind the leaders at the end)
Bad points
Mercedes AMG (Nico Rosberg DNF, collision with Narian Karthikeyan on the lap 8; Michael Schumacher finished 11th, puncture late in the race that cost him points)
Narian Karthikeyan (DNF, collision with Nico Rosberg on the lap 8)
Lewis Hamilton (DNF, fuel pressure)
Nico Hülkenberg (DNF, collision with Bruno Senna at the start of the race)
Sergio Perez (finished 15th, collision with Mark Webber and Romain Grosjean on lap 38)
Mark Webber (DNF, collision with Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean on lap 38)
Romain Grosjean (DNF, collision with Mark Webber and Sergio Perez on lap 38)
Charles Pic (DNF, Engine)
Possibly the same as the Singapore Grand Prix early on the season this was a race of two parts, the first part was a dominating race from Lewis Hamilton from starting in pole position to leading the race, until the start of lap 19 when his fuel pressure in his McLaren give him another DNF this season and possibly any change of a final win at McLaren. The second part after Hamilton DNF was Kimi Räikkonen took the lead to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Räikkonen his first win of the season and his first since Spa 2009 in his Ferrari days.
A great win from Räikkonen, done a soild drive to win in my opinion, when there was chaos behind him he kept his head down and win. Also, a Lotus F1 win in name for the first time (if you want to classify this as a Lotus win, last time this team won a F1 race was with Fernando Alonso at Fuji 2008 as Renault) since Ayrton Senna at Detroit in 1987.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso finished in second place in his Ferrari, while championship leader Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull finished third at the end of the race, despite stating from the pit lane from having no fuel left at the end of qualifying, he would have started from third place on the grid and would have won the race again if that didn't happen. Which, only gives Vettel a slim lead of the F1 driver championship from 13 points to 10 points ahead of Fernando Alonso with only two races to go.
While in the constructor's championship, Red Bull are still leading the standings from 91 points to 82 points ahead of Ferrari, who are still second in the constructors standings. Which means, Red Bull can win the F1 constructor's championship at Circuit of the Americas at the new place for the United States Grand Prix in two weeks time if Red Bull are 43 points ahead of second place in the standings with only two races to go.
Quick review on the race from last Sundays race (28/10/12) at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Philip Island and thoughts on Jorge Lorenzo on winning the 2012 MotoGP drivers world championship.
The race itself was a good race overall and a great win for Casey Stoner on his final home race on his Repsol Honda. While, Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha finished second, nine seconds behind Stoner. While, Cal Crutchlow finished in third place on his Tech 3 Yamaha, forteen seconds behind Stoner at the end.
Meanwhile, championship contender Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda had a very bad Sunday, qualified on the front row on Saturday. But on the second lap, Pedrosa crashed out while leading the race on cold tyres. Which, gives Jorge Lorenzo his second MotoGP world championship with a race to spare in the championship.
Contractions to Jorge Lorenzo winning his second MotoGP title. Jorge Lorenzo was a well earned title. But, what if Dani Pedrosa didn't crashed out in Misano and Philip Island and what if Casey Stoner didn't got injured at Indianapolis at early in the season I think the title would have gone to the wire at Valencia. But, nonetheless Jorge Lorenzo deceived the title for his winning his races and constancy this season. So contractions to Jorge Lorenzo.
