Last Monday (25/11/13) the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) announced the creation of a new prototype category, LMP3, that’s set to launch in 2015.
LMP3 will replace the Formula Le Mans (LMPC) class, a single-make formula which was designed to boost entries in the European and Asian Le Mans Championships'.
Aimed to provide teams with a low-cost, turn-key prototype, the new class, which replaces the spec LMPC category, will be seen in the European and Asian Le Mans Series.
Prototype Challenge (LMPC class) however, will continue in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.
The new LMP3 platform will encourage multiple chassis manufacturers to build, although limits to a spec powertrain, spare parts, and single tire manufacturer to help contain costs. A LMP3 race car must sell for no more than 150,000 Euros (£125,000 estimated).
The new LMP3s rules will be allowed in the Asian LMS for 2014-15, and ELMS for the 2015 season.
A number of manufacturers have recently announced projects around the LMP3 rules which includes ORECA.
This is a good idea, a very good concept. In last years post I written, I did said if they created a LMP3 class it would be a good idea. The difference between my idea and the ACO concept would be included experimented race cars such as the DeltaWing and very fast track day race cars such as the Caterham SP300R.
All in all, 2015 will be interesting in LMP3.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Last year, Bentley unveiled the Continental GT3 race car, which was based on the current Continental GT, which it plans to make its motorsport return in late 2013.
And last December, Bentley announced it has entered into a technical partnership with M-Sport to develop its new Continental GT3 racer.
And with Continental GT3 is still at a testing stage, here's an interesting video on Youtube with the Bentley Continental GT3 testing at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. At its final staging, before its racing debut at the Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on 13th December. Enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.<
World Endurance LMP1 team Strakka has agreed a deal with Japanese Le Mans Contractor Dome, that will be developing a new LMP2 race car known as the Strakka Dome S103 and racing it in the 2014 World Endurance Championship and next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
The British-based team, which was the top LMP1 privateer at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans race, finishing in sixth place with its HPD ARX-03c, will also build and service future customer cars.
Also, Strakka is planning to run two S103s in next year's World Endurance Championship, powered by the Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine, as the team confirmed yesterday (26/11/13). The first S103 should be ready in time for a test debut at the end of February. And two S103 will ready for the first round in mid-April at Silverstone.
The team have confirmed it will step down to LMP2 class from the LMP1 class at the end of this season to focus on the LMP2 project.
Also, it will be Dome's first time returning back to the World Endurance Championship since 2012 when Dome and Pescarolo team up and raced the S102.5 at that year's 24 hours of Le Mans race.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
So last weekend (22-24/11/12) was the annual Monza Rally Show and three main drivers who was at the Rally was current Yamaha MotoGP rider and nine times Motorcyling champion (seven MotoGP/500cc champ, one time 250cc champ, 125cc champ) Valentino Rossi, Le Mans 24 hour winner and Le Mans legend Rinaldo Capello and current Citreon WRC driver Dani Sordo.
So the Rally itself, the final results saw current Citreon WRC driver Dani Sordo won this years Monza Rally Show in his Cirteon DS3 WRC. Second was Valentino Rossi in his Ford Focus RS WRC, he was 10 seconds behind Sordo at the end. Meanwhile, Rinaldo Capello finished in third place in his Cirteon DS3 WRC, he was 15 seconds behind Sordo at the end.
Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
2013 Brazilian Grand Prix Review of round nineteen and the final round of the F1 season at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos on the outskirts of São Paulo, and thoughts on the race as well.
Good points
- Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel, pole on Saturday, lead from start to finish with a race win; Mark Webber, finished 2nd on his final grand Prix)
- Fernando Alonso (finished 3rd)
- McLaren (Jenson Button, finished 4th; Sergio Perez, finished 6th)
- Nico Rosberg (finished 5th)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 8th)
- Daniel Ricciardo (finished 10th)
- Marussia (Jules Bianchi finished 17th; Max Chilton finished 19th, 19/19 finished in his rookie season; Marussia as a team finished 10th in the constructors championship ahead of Caterham)
Bad points
- Lotus (Romain Grosjean DNF, Engine; Heikki Kovalainen, finished 14th)
- Williams (Pastor Maldonado finished 16th: Valtteri Bottas, DNF, Accident with Lewis Hamilton)
- Caterham (Giedo van der Garde finished 18th; Charles Pic DNF, Mechanical; Caterham as a team finished 11th in the constructors championship behind Marussia)
Another dominating race weekend from Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, pole postion on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Sebastian his thirteenth Grand Prix win of the season matching Michael Schumacher's record from the 2004 season, and his ninth race win a row matching Alberto Ascari record of nine race wins in a row from 1952 and 1953.
Meanwhile, Mark Webber finished in second place in his final Grand Prix, in the other Red Bull to concluded a Red Bull one-two finish at Interlagos. While Fernando Alonso finished in third place in the Ferrari.
And this grand prix is also the last race for the 2.4 litre V8 engines, being replaced by the 1.6 litre V6 turbos engines for next season. And the final Grand Prix for engine manufacture Cosworth, as they have not build a new V6 turbo engine. So that is a good bye for Cosworth, V8's and Mark Webber and a big thank you to you all.
Bring on 2014, for another season of Formula 1.
End of blog for now, new post soon, Bye.
In 2014, Hyundai will return to the WRC for the first time in 11 years, and debut the Hyundai i20 WRC in the World Rally Championship next season. The car is based on the Hyundai i20, the Hyundai i20 WRC powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing around 300 bhp.
The Hyundai i20 WRC will debut at the 2014 Monte Carlo Rally where it will be driven by Thierry Neuville. Some YouTube videos below of the Hyundai i20 WRC in testing in Southern Spain.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
From last week (15/11/13) Audi's top DTM team Abt Sportsline will contest the new Formula E Championship from 2014. While Audi will not be involved as a fully-fledged manufacturer entry, it has stressed its support to the project. Abt Sportsline will be the seventh Formula E team announce which include other teams so far the likes of Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dragon Racing, e.DAMS, and Super Aguri Formula E.
The squad will be known as Audi Sport Abt Formula E Team.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Three-time Indy 500 winner and four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti has announced on Thursday (14/11/13) that he will no longer be competing in motor racing, saying that he is retiring on the advice of the doctors treating him for injuries that he sustained at last month's Houston Grand Prix, of a last lap impact with Takuma Sato on the Houston street circuit in Reliant Park. The impact lifted Franchitti's car into the air where it was involved with the catchfence. Some spectators also received minor injuries from flying debris, but Sato was unhurt in the accident.
I Feel sad that the way that Dario Franchitti has retired not the way he wanted to end his career I don't think any driver want to retire because they were force due to injuries. But, a true champion wanted to go out on their own accord.
Looking back at his career, what a career it was, raced with Mercedes AMG in the DTM between 1995 till 1996. Went to Champ Cars Series with Hogan Racing in 1997. Then moved to Team Green (later named as Andretti Green Racing/Andretti Autosport) in 1998, and stayed with the team till 2007. Almost winning the championship in 1999, but lost out to Juan Pablo Montoya on wins. Moved to IndyCar Seires in 2003 with Andretti Green Racing, won his first Indy 500 wins in 2007, which follow with IndyCar Seires Championship later in the season.
Moved to NASCAR with Chip Ganassi Racing, flopped. Return to IndyCar Seires in 2009 with Target Chip Ganassi Racing were he had delivered three-consecutive IndyCar Series titles between 2009-2011, two Indianapolis 500 wins in 2010 and 2012, 13 Indy car wins, 16 pole positions.
And a win in the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona as-well with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Also, Dario Franchitti tested a Formula One car back in the 2000 season with the Jaguar F1 team (now Red Bull Racing). And possible to end one of the best British driver who has ever raced outside of Formula 1. And who will replace him at Target Chip Ganassi will be a tough one since Alex Zanardi left the team after the 1998 season. My guess it could be unemployed F1 driver from this season, maybe Dario Franchitti cousin Paul di Resta perhaps.
Enjoy retirement Dario Franchitti, a five-star career.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Last weekend was round thirteen and final round of the 2013 World Rally Championship at Wales Rally GB (14th-17th November) was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier to win the rally overall in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. While, Jari-Matti Latvala finished in second place in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Latvala was 20 seconds behind team-mate Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville finished in third place in Qatar World Rally Team, Ford Focus RS WRC. Neuville was 74 seconds behind Ogier at the end.
Meanwhile this seasons WRC-2 champion and former Formula One driver Robert Kubica was in a fully WRC car, in the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team, Citroën DS3 WRC. Robert Kubica crashed twice and retired on the third day of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), was won by Elfyn Evans in Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team, Ford Fiesta R5. Elfyn Evans finished in eighth place overall and four points in the main standings as-well, he was 9 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Jukka Korhonen in ADAC Team Weser-Ems team, Citroën DS3 R3T. Jukka Korhonen finished in thirty place overall, he was under 41 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Both Sebastien Chardonnet, who secured the WRC-3 title in October’s Rallye de France, and fellow regular Quentin Gilbert were entered. However, both had already started their six nominated events and were ineligible for points. Quentin Gilbert did finished in sixteenth place, 24 minutes behind Ogier. While, Sebastien Chardonnet finished in eighteenth place, 27 minutes behind Ogier.
Highlights of the rally below.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
McLaren has confirmed last weekend before the United States Grand Prix weekend (14/11/13) that Kevin Magnussen will make his Formula 1 debut alongside Jenson Button at the team next year replacing Sergio Perez.
It has been since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend whether or not Sergio Perez would be retained for a second year, the team made its call over, week before the last weekends United States Grand Prix that Perez will not be retained.
Kevin Magnussen who is currently a McLaren junior driver, he has won this seasons Formula Renault 3.5 series champion. Also, who is the son of former McLaren and Stewart driver, and current Corvette Le mans driver Jan Magnussen.
In My Opinion, it's going to be an interesting gamble if Kevin Magnussen will be the right choice for McLaren. Did a very good job with DAMS this season in this seasons Formula Renault 3.5 series championship and winning the series ahead of the other McLaren junior driver Stoffel Vandoorne.
I do believe that Kevin Magnussen will need time with the team as his a rookie, and if McLaren produces another bad McLaren next season he should not be counted by his results compared to Sergio Perez from this season.
But, this is not the first time McLaren have stuck a rookie driver in one of their cars. Remember Lewis Hamilton in 2007, finished second in the standings with McLaren. And almost won the drivers title that season, enough said.
Anyway, good luck Kevin Magnussen for next season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
This is post 500 on my blog, that's my little celebration on this blog. So 2013, United States Grand Prix review of round eighteen of the F1 season at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, and predictions for this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix.
Good points
- Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel, pole to a race win; Mark Webber, finished 3rd)
- Romain Grosjean (finished 2nd)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 6th)
- Sergio Perez (finished 7th)
- Valtteri Bottas (finished 8th)
- Jules Bianchi (finished 18th, ahead of team-mate Max Chilton and both Caterham drivers)
Bad points
- Force India (Paul di Resta, finished 16th; Adrian Sutil, DNF, Accident on first lap)
- Felipe Massa (finished 12th)
- Esteban Gutiérrez (finished 13th, qualified tenth, but was given a ten-place grid penalty for the race after blocking Pastor Maldonado during qualifying)
- Heikki Kovalainen (finished 14th)
- Jean-Éric Vergne (finished 16th, was penalised 20 seconds post-race for colliding with Esteban Gutiérrez on the last lap of the race)
- Pastor Maldonado (finished 17th)
- Charles Pic (finished 20th, five-place penalty for the race after a gearbox change, drive through penalty in the race)
- Max Chilton (finished 21st, drive through penalty at the start of the race)
Another dominating race weekend from Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, pole postion on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Sebastian his twelveth Grand Prix win of the season and his eighth race win a row, beating Michael Schumacher's record from 2004, he only needs one more Grand Prix wins to match Alberto Ascari record of nine race wins in a row.
Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean finished in second place in the Lotus. While, Mark Webber finished in third place in the other Red Bull.
And so this weekend is the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos outskirts of São Paulo for the final round of the season. So predictions for the race, Sebastian Vettel for the win in his Red Bull, ahead of team-mate Mark Webber in the other Red Bull. While Romain Grosjean will finished in third in the Ferrari. Don't forget the two McLaren drivers, The two Ferrari drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and two Mercedes drivers for a podium as-well.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Lotus F1 Team has confirmed that Heikki Kovalainen will replace Kimi Raikkonen in the final two races of the 2013 season and decided against using reserve driver and GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi instead.
Raikkonen announced last week he would miss the remaining races in the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix in order to have back surgery ahead of his return to Ferrari next season.
Heikki Kovalainen returns to racing action for the first time since the end of last season, when he lost his seat at Caterham. The former Grand Prix winner has been acting as a third/reverse driver for Caterham this year, with practice outings in Bahrain, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Japan and Abu Dhabi.
Lotus did contacted other drivers, including the former seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and Sauber F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg, but chose Heikki Kovalainen instead after both drivers they declined the offer.
In my view it was the right choice to pick Heikki Kovalainen with his Formula 1 experience. But, I felt that the team should have picked Davide Valsecchi, despite having no Formula 1 racing experience. Also, I felt it was a bizarre choice that they try to contacted Michael Schumacher if he was interested to race with them for the last two races of the season (I doubt that will ever happen, due to we haven't seen Schumacher at a Grand Prix race meeting this season).
I am also guessing that Nico Hulkenberg will be driving with the team next season, after Sauber declining Lotus of letting Nico Hulkenberg out of his contract early.
Anyway, well done for Heikki Kovalainen, for getting the Lotus drive for the last two races of this season. And maybe a return to Caterham full time next season?
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Sergio Pérez has confirmed on Wednesday night (13/11/13), after just one season with McLaren, the team has made its decision on 2014 and that he is no longer part of their plans he announced on his Twitter account.
In my opinion, this is sad news. I do believe he needed another season with McLaren, despite he only managed 35 points so far this season, compared to the 60 points Jenson Button, and he has been unable to replicate the kind of form he had with Sauber in 2012, although admittedly this year’s McLaren has been the worse McLaren in nearly a decade since 2004.
And so what's next for Sergio Pérez? His only options would be getting at drive at Force India or a return to Sauber next season or a surprising drive at Lotus maybe. If not, this could be last season in Formula 1 for a season.
So, who would replace Sergio Pérez at McLaren then for 2014? It has been strongly rumoured since last week that McLaren are set to promoted current McLaren junior driver and Formula Renault 3.5 Series Champion Kevin Magnussen as Jenson Button's team-mate. Is he the right choice for McLaren, time will tell.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas. So predictions for the race itself, Sebastian Vettel for the win in the Red Bull, Mark Webber second in the other Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton third in his Mercedes. Don't forget Romain Grosjean, Nico Rosberg, the two Ferrari drivers, and the two McLaren drivers for a podium place as-well.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Felipe Massa will race for the Williams F1 team next year alongside Valtteri Bottas, the team has confirmed. Which means Pastor Maldonado will leave the team at the end of the season.
Felipe Massa has signed a "multi-year" deal with the team, after he became available for 2014 after Ferrari decided to replace him with Kimi Raikkonen, and the team principal Frank Williams revealed it was Massa's experience was a key factor in the decision to sign him.
Felipe Massa will be the sixth Brazilian to race for the team after Ayrton and Bruno Senna, Nelson Piquet, Rubens Barrichello and Antonio Pizzonia.
In my opinion, this was no surprise this deal will happen, after this been rumoured since the Japanese Grand Prix. As for Felipe Massa moving to Williams, good luck to his new challenge at Williams, I think he will suit the team quite well with his good attitude, compared to former Williams drivers of past.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round seven of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship at Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai. Audi Sport Team Joest team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyerto in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. While, Toyota Racing team of Alexander Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre came in second place in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid. Meanwhile, third place was the second Audi of Allan McNish, Loïc Duval and Tom Kristensen in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
In LMP2 class, the G-Drive Racing team of Roman Rusinov, Mike Conway and John Martin in their Oreca 03 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class and 5th place overall. While in GTE Pro class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Darren Turner and Stefan Mücke won in their Aston Martin Vantage GTE, finished 12th overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by 8 Star Motorsports team of Enzo Potolicchio, Rui Águas and Davide Rigon in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 and finished 18th overall.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Bahrain in three weeks time for round eight and final round of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Last two years I did posts on Gymkhana Four, and Gymkhana Five. And today, Need for Speed and Ken Block bring out the new Gymkhana video onto YouTube called: "Ken Block present: Gymkhana SIX: The Ultimate Gymkhana Grid Course" (video below).
It was shot on an airfield, with a gymkhana course on top with a tricky course which includes maneuvering around a moving wrecking ball, sliding through narrow opening cut into the sides of shipping containers, multiple jumps, drifts around Lamborghini Aventadors whilke Ken Block driving a 650 bhp 2013 Ford Fiesta ST RX43. Enjoy the video below.
Need for Speed and Ken Block present: Gymkhana SIX: The Ultimate Gymkhana Grid Course
What I think about it. I didn't like it, not on the camera angle sides. But, more on the Gymkhana course, I thought it was a bit too silly. I felt last years Gymkhana Five hooning around San Francisco was much better video instead on a airfield with a course for this years gymkhana. Despite all that, I thought it was still edited well. It's a touch challenge to create a much better gymkhana video from the pervious one. I felt that this one did not match the pervious gymkhana film expiration. Gymkhana Seven will have something to prove next year.
End of Blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Review of round eighteen and the final round of the 2013 MotoGP season at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia for the Valencia GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Yamaha Factory Racing rider and former double MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo in his works Yamaha YZR-M1. Second place was Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedorsa in his works works Honda RC213V, he was four seconds behind Lorenzo at the end.
Meanwhile third was the other Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Márquez, in his works Honda RC213V, he was seven seconds behind Lorenzo at the end, to give Marc Márquez the MotoGP title becoming the youngest ever MotoGP World Champion in history beating Freddie Spencer's record from 1983. As well as this, Marc Márquez became the first rookie since Kenny Roberts in 1978 to win the championship in their début season, and only the fourth rider to win world championships in three different categories after Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Valentino Rossi. Marc Márquez was 4 points ahead of Jorge Lorenzo in the standings. Contracts to Marc Márquez for winning the MotoGP championship.
In CRT class (Claiming Rule Teams, street bike engines rather than non prototype engines), the Power Electronics Aspar rider Aleix Espargaró won CRT class and finished 11th overall in his ART (Aprilia), he was 64 seconds behind Lorenzo at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 rider Nicolás Terol on the Suter for his third race win of the season. Second was the other Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 rider Jordi Torres on the Suter, he was four seconds behind Terol at the end of the race. While, third place was Came IodaRacing Project rider Johann Zarco on the Suter, he was under six seconds behind Terol at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Team Calvo rider Maverick Viñales on the KTM, for his third race win of the season and to give Maverick Viñales 2013 Moto3 title, Maverick Viñales was 12 points ahead of Álex Rins in the standings. Contracts to Maverick Viñales for winning the Moto3 championship, next stop Moto2 next season on a Pons Racing Kalex.
Second was Twas Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 rider Jonas Folger on the Kalex KTM, he was only eighteen-hundredths of a second behind Viñales at the end of the race. While third place, was Estrella Galicia rider Álex Rins on the KTM, he was only nineteen-hundredths of a second behind Viñales at the end of the race.
In news, it has been confirm last weekend that CRT class champion Aleix Espargaro has completed a deal to move from Aspar to Forward Racing on an FTR-Yamaha bike next season along side former double World Superbike champion and former Yamaha rider Colin Edwards. The deal will include Yamaha engines, frame and swing-arm from Yamaha that Jorge Lorenzo, Valenino Rossi, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró will be using, with FTR supplying the remaining components.
Meanwhile,in most recent news that former 2009 250cc Champion Hiroshi Aoyama that will be riding for the Aspar Racing Team on the Honda RCV1000R production bike next season, along side former 2006 MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden.
Contractions to the champions this season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Kimi Raikkonen will not race in the final two Grand Prix's of the 2013 Formula 1 season, after electing to undergo back surgery next week.
The former world champion had been at the centre of a pay dispute with his Lotus bosses in Abu Dhabi last weekend. However, it has been sorted so he could compete in the final two Grand Prix's of the 2013 Formula 1 season,
However, in a new twist, the back issues that nearly forced Raikkonen out of the Singapore Grand Prix earlier in the seson flared up enough for him to choose to take early surgery, which will not recovered in time for the last two Grand Prix's of the season.
No word yet on who will replace Raikkonen for the final two races. It's more than likely Lotus will promote reserve driver and Former GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi to the race seat or other Lotus test driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio, who did replace the other Lotus driver Romain Grosjean at last seasons Italian Grand Prix, while Grosjean took a one race ban. In my opinion I would go for Davide Valsecchi rather than Jérôme d'Ambrosio to replace Kimi Raikkonen for the last two races of the season.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Yesterday (7/11/13), just before the start of the Valencia MotoGP weekend, Honda officially unveiled their new bike that will be offered to privateer MotoGP teams as an alternative to their Prototype RC213V from next year called the Honda RCV1000R.
The RCV1000R prototype will compete in the 'Open' class category. Based on the current RC213V, the RCV1000R uses the standard Magneti Marelli ECU hardware and software compared to RC213V uses Honda's own hardware and software, uses 24-litre fuel tanks and 12 engines per season, compared to the RC213V, which uses 20-litres and 5 engines per season. The bike will be sold, not leased, to the teams compare to RC213V. Also, the other differences that the RCV1000R will use featuring steel valves rather than pneumatic valves and a conventional rather than seamless-shift gearbox compare to the RC213V. The RCV1000R is powered by V4 engine producing over 230 bhp at 16,000rpm. Also, the RCV1000R has been developed in testing by former two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner, who's help its development in recent weeks.
Three teams already be using the RCV1000R next season, teams includes Aspar, Gresini and Cardion. And more teams rumoured as-well.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It has been confirmed this afternoon that Valentino Rossi he will split with legendary crew chief Jerry Burgess for 2014. Burgess was informed of Rossi’s decision to replace him in a meeting this morning, ending their long and successful relationship together. Burgess has worked with Rossi throughout his entire MotoGP career from when he joined Honda in 2000 and he was the technical mastermind behind the Italian’s seven premier class world titles and 80 wins and went with Rossi to Yamaha in 2004, went with Rossi to Ducati in 2011 and returned to Yamaha this season.
Valentino Rossi decided that change is needed for 2014, and a change crew chief was needed, because he wanted to change, try and find some new motivation and try to boost to improve his level and speed. No word yet thst who is Valentino Rossi's new crew chief is. But, it will be more than likely annocence sooner then later.
The end of the Rossi and Burgess era.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It has been confirmed on Tuesday (5/11/13)at the International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, that Aprilia will return to MotoGP as a full factory entry, from 2016 and onwards.
Aprilia last ran an official MotoGP team in 2004, when Shane Byrne and Jeremy McWilliams raced the three-cylinder RS Cube which failed. And the first factory team to withdraw from the four-stroke MotoGP era due to financial reasons.
Aprilia unofficially return to the premier-class in 2012 under the new Claiming Rule Team regulations, offering a modified version of its WSBK-winning RSV4 superbike for privateers dubbed the 'ART', has won the CRT MotoGP class for the past two seasons with Aspar's Aleix Espargaro.
But, with leading ART team Aspar using the all new Honda Production bike. And most recently the news of the departure of Aprilia racing boss Gigi Dall'Igna to Ducati. Perhaps is a good time for Aprilia to return to as a fully manufacturer alongside present manufacturers Honda, Yamaha, Ducati in having an official factory MotoGP team, with Suzuki also returning to the premier class in 2015.
In my opinion, this is good news for the sport, that having a fifth manufacture in the premier class. I believe that don't want to be a manufacture team in the midfield of the grid. But to win, as we did in World Superbikes with Max Biaggi n the past five seasons. Anyway, good luck for Aprilia for their new challenge ahead in returning to the Premier Class of MotoGP in 2016.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Last year, I did two posts on top six Formula 1 cars designed by Adrian Newey and Colin Chapman. So this post is all about former McLaren and Brabham race car Designer Gordon Murray, as this post is the top six Gordon Murray race cars, starting with number six:
Number 6: 1978 Brabham BT46B – aka the "fan car"
Story: Brabham BT46B was powered by 3 litre Alfa Romeo Flat-12 engine that that produces 500 bhp. And the story goes that once Lotus had introduced the concept of ground effect to the Formula One with the Lotus 79 in 1978. Gordon Murray who designed the Brabham BT46 could not put ground effect technique onto the car due to Alfa Romeo flat-12 engine used by Brabham that season was too wide to permit the venturi tunnels needed for really significant ground effect. So, the Brabham BT46B was inspired by the Chaparral 2J sticking a fan at the rear of the Brabham BT46B to dubbed the car to many as the "fan car". It only managed to do one Grand Prix and winning its only Grand Prix, the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix with Niki Lauda. Afterwards the Brabham BT46B 'fan car' never raced again. It is popularly thought that it was banned, but it was actually voluntarily withdrawn by Brabham themselves. All in all a legendary car none the less.
Number 5: 1974-75 Brabham BT44
Story: The Brabham BT44 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT44 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 430 bhp. Brabham BT44 took five victories between 1974 and 1975, four for Carlos Reutemann and one for Carlos Pace. Although the Brabham BT44 never took a drivers' championship in those two seasons. It did took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship in the 1975 season behind Ferrari in the standings.
Number 4: 1983 Brabham BT52
Story: Brabham BT52 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT52 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine which in 1983 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT52 took four wins in 1983, three for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BMW BT52 took the drivers championship in 1983 and winning his second of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to third place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 3: 1979-82 Brabham BT49
Story: Brabham BT49 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT49 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 490 bhp. Brabham BT49 took seven wins in two and a half years, six for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BT49 took the drivers championship in 1981 and winning his first of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 2: 1995 McLaren F1 GTR
Story: Basically the McLaren F1 GTR developed from the McLaren F1 road car. Designed by Gordon Murray, the McLaren F1 GTR had 600 bhp from a BMW 6.1 litre V12. The McLaren F1 GTR was a grand touring race winning machine, winning races in series such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. But, It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team of Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto, won the race overall ahead of faster purpose-built prototypes. Also in that race, four McLaren F1 GTR finished inside the top five after 24 hours as-well(1st-3rd-4th-5th place).
Number 1: 1988 McLaren MP4/4
Story: The McLaren MP4/4 use powered by the famous Honda 1.5 litre V6 turbo engine underneath the McLaren MP4/4, the last of the turbos in Formula 1 (until next season that is) which produce over 1000 bhp in qualifying and around 790 bhp in race pace. Which, McLaren took fifteen victories from sixteen races in 1988, eight for Ayrton Senna and seven for Alain Prost, including ten 1-2 finishes, fifteen Poles which Senna took thirteen poles that season. Finally gives McLaren the Constructors Championship in 1998 and Ayrton Senna to the Drivers Championship in 1988 as-well. As this is the best Gordon Murray race car he has ever designed.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
From last week (1/11/13) former Formula 1 team and current Super GT team Super Aguri is set to make a surprise return to international motorsport in the new Formula E Championship from 2014. Former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki's team, which ran in Formula 1 from 2006-8, was announced as one of the ten Formula E entrants in Tokyo on Friday morning. There will be the sixth Formula E team announce which include other teams so far the likes of Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dragon Racing, and e.DAMS.
The squad will be known as Super Aguri Formula E, or SAFE.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
During last weekends Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and weekends before that at the Indian Grand Prix, four times world champion Sebastian Vettel did some donuts celebrations after the Grand Prix wins.
To top that, former F1 driver David Coulthard and Red Bull top it with some championship winning donuts ontop of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on top of their helipad which is 210 meters above ground to do some masterclass donuts. This celebration was for winning their fourth consecutive Constructors' and Driver's Championships in a row. Enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
This post is all about the new 2013 GP2 and GP3 champions.
Fabio Leimer won the GP2 series championship at Yas Marina Circuit from last weekend, with a race to spare ahead of Sam Bird in the standings. So where going to see Fabio Leimer next season? Unless he brings in high amount sponsorship like previous champions have done for example Romain Grosjean 2011 GP2 champion (bringing Total sponsorship to Lotus this season) and Pastor Maldonado 2010 GP2 champion (bringing PSDVA/Venezuelan sponsorship to Williams this season), then he will be in Formula 1 with a Grand Prix team. If not maybe Indycar Series for 2014 which is more than likely option.
Meanwhile in the GP3 series, next seasons Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat won this years GP3 series championship this weekend at Yas Marina Circuit, with a race to spare ahead of both Facu Regalia and Conor Daly.
So, contractions to the new champions. Bring on 2014.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix review of round seventeen of the F1 season at Yas Marina Circuit, and thoughts on the race as well.
Good points
- Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel, front row start, lead from start to finish with a race win; Mark Webber, finished 2nd)
- Nico Rosberg (finished 3rd)
- Romain Grosjean (finished 4th)
- Force India (Paul di Resta, finished 6th; Adrian Sutil, finished 10th)
- Sergio Perez (finished 9th)
- Giedo van der Garde (finished 18th, ahead of team-mate Charles Pic and both Marussia drivers)
Bad points
- Kimi Räikkonen (DNF, should have qualified fifth, but was disqualified from qualifying when his car failed a floor deflection test, but adespite having back pains throughout the weekend, DNF the first lap by a collusion with Giedo van der Garde)
- Jenson Button (finished 12th, front nose change on the first lap)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 14th, drive through penalty and got lap by Vettel)
Another dominating race weekend from Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, front row start on Saturday to conclude with an impressive race win on Sunday winning the race by over half a minute to give Sebastian his eleventh Grand Prix win of the season and his seventh race win a row matching Michael Schumacher's record from 2004, he only needs two more Grand Prix wins to match Alberto Ascari record of nine race wins in a row.
Meanwhile, Mark Webber finished in second place in the other Red Bull to concluded a Red Bull one-two finish at Yas Marina Circuit. While Nico Rosberg finished in third place in the Mercedes.
Next stop the United States Grand Prix in two weeks time.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
