Rally America Round 6 recap and IRC Round 11 Recap

Recaps of last weekends sixth and final round of this years Rally America championship on the Olympus Rally and this weekends IRC recap of round 11 of the Mabanol Rally Sliven.

The sixth and final round of this years Rally America championship on the Olympus Rally (22nd-23rd September) in Olympia, Washington was won by Ken Block in his 2012 Ford Fiesta H.F.H.V, Monster Rally Team. Over four minute ahead of 2011 and 2012 Rally America Champion David Higgins in his 2012 Subaru WRX STI, Subaru Rally Team USA. While, 2010 Champion Antoine L'Estage in his 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X finished third, seven minutes behind Block at the end of the rally.

Meanwhile, this weekend was Round 11 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge at Mabanol Rally Sliven (29-30 September) in the Bulgaria. The majority of the IRC regulars once again another round. The rally was won by Dimitar Iliev in his Škoda Fabia S2000 and his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge win. Dimitar Iliev was 11 seconds ahead of Petar Gyoshev in his Peugeot 207 S2000. While, Krum Donchev finished third in his Peugeot 207 S2000.

Also this week, Eurosport and the FIA announced on Friday (28/9/12) that the IRC will cease running after the 2012 season, as the television firm instead takes on the running of the European Rally Championship for the next ten years till 2022. So therefore, the next two rounds will be its last for this series.

End of post/blog for now, That is all, Bye.

Confirmed: Lewis Hamilton off to Mercedes for 2013, Michael Schumacher out of Mercedes for 2013, Sergio Perez in McLaren for 2013 (long title isn't?)

It has been confirmed following weeks of negotiation, Lewis Hamilton will leave McLaren at the end of this season and move to Mercedes AMG for the 2013 Formula 1 season in a three-year deal worth £15million a season plus bonuses despite McLaren offered Hamilton a three-year deal worth £10million a season plus bonuses.

It was strongly rumoured at Monza that Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of leaving McLaren to drive for Mercedes next season, according to BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan. And now its been confirmed yesterday he will be teaming up with Nico Rosberg next season. Which means Michael Schumacher will leave the team at the end of the season. As-well as that, former Ferrari and McLaren driver and three time F1 world champion Niki Lauda is to take up a management role which has been announced on Friday (28/9/12).

In my opinion, this is great news for Mercedes bringing in Lewis Hamilton from McLaren you got a great talent. As for Lewis Hamilton he move to Mercedes will be a bold choice. And for next season, Lewis Hamilton needs the 2013 race car (Mercedes F1 W04) needs to be a winning car, if not a radical improvement from this season, if not I fear that this will be a move similar to what Jacques Villeneuve moving to BAR in 1999. When he gone from Williams to BAR and he never won a race in F1 again, let a lone another pole position from the 1997 world champion. So this will be a make or brake move from the former world champion.

As for Michael Schumacher, I have even heard a rumour that Michael Schumacher is off to Sauber next season, which is just nonsense for me. The last three seasons has been unsuccessful return into Formula One in my opinion. Due to he hasn't won a race in the last three seasons, Nico Rosberg has beaten Schumacher time and time again. To me, he should retire for good at the end of the season in my opinion. In my opinion is the best driver I have ever seen in Formula 1 despite the last three seasons hasn't worked.

Meanwhile at McLaren, Mclaren have signed Sauber driver Sergio Pérez in a multi-year deal to replace Lewis Hamilton and be Jenson Button team-mate next season. Peréz has been linked to a move to Ferrari for 2013 season, before signing with McLaren.

I thought is would happen that Pérez will go to Mclaren next season. A great move from McLaren to get Pérez to drive for McLaren next season. And a complete shot in the foot from Ferrari not to sign him and be Fernando Alonso team-mate.

But, I do feel sorry for Paul di Resta. Who was strongly rumoured to get one of the drives at McLaren or Mercedes for the 2013 season. Now his more than likely he will stay at Force India next season being team-mates with Nico Hülkenberg once again.

2013 F1 season is hotting up. Even silly season is hotting up too, with this video of BBC Sport's chief F1 analyst Eddie Jordan previews the comings and goings up and down the grid for 2013 on Saturday's qualifying show from Singapore from last week.



Anyway end of post for how, new post soon, bye.

Post 250, Bentley to make motorsport return with GT3-spec Continental GT in 2013

Post 250 of the blog, which is a nice milestone. But, this post is all about Bentley to make motorsport return with the GT3-spec Continental GT and is it a good idea?

This week Bentley has unveiled the Continental GT3 car with which it plans to make its motorsport return in 2013. Based on the current Continental GT and Bentley's first race car since the Speed 8 back in 2003, where it claimed a sixth win at Le Mans.

The luxury car manufacturer says its new GT3 model will be eligible to compete across a range of series and formats, including 24-hour endurance races such as the Nurburgring 24 hours or the Spa 24 hours race for example.



This is not going to be another Lotus rant like the Lotus Lola B12/80 LMP2 car back in March, when I ranted when Lotus wasn't develop their own cars, branded the engine as their own when it is not just like the Lola B12/80 say it was a Lotus LMP2 car when its not a Lotus.

This time with the Continental GT3 its is developed and raced by Bentley themselves. But, my moan is it a good idea? I prefer if the Bentley to back into LMP1 class and go for a seventh win at le Mans.

But, I don't think that will happen as Bentley is own by VW. When you have Audi and Porsche who also own by VW. Audi is promoting a LMP1 diesel hybrid race car already with the R18 e-tron and Porsche coming back to LMP1 and le Mans in 2014 with their Petrol hybrid race car. A third VW brand at le Mans or WEC may not be a good idea.

But, is it a good idea to put a Bentley Continental GT3 in GT3 class? If the car wins it will sell more cars, will be a good idea and if doesn't win at big races like Spa and Nurburgring its not a good idea to do this project in the first place, time will tell for Bentley.

And below a YouTube video of Bentley at Goodwood early in the year which includes the 2003 Speed 8 and the 2012 Continental GT road car. Enjoy.



End of blog for how, new blog soon, bye.

Hyundai back in WRC

This week Hyundai announced  that they are returning to WRC for the first time since 2003. At this week's Paris motor show they unveiled the Hyundai i20 WRC, as it intends to use for its return to the World Rally Championship next year. Hyundai i20 WRC will compete in selected rounds in the WRC in 2013 season and then a full programme in 2014.

The European-built WRC i20 is Hyundai's first World Rally Car since 2003, and the first WRC built in-house by Hyundai themselves.

Hyundai have competed in WRC back in the past with the Coupe F2 Rally Car and Accent World Rally Car back in 2000 to 2003. Best results were two forth places for the Accent in the WRC back in 2000 and 2001 with Alister McRae and Kenneth Eriksson.




In my opinion, this is good news for the WRC. Now you got five manufactures for next season which includes Citroen, Ford, Mini (if BMW have some sense to put Prodrive as their full time manufacturer entry instead of WRC Team Mini Portugal),the return of Vw for the 2013 season and now Hyundai. Anymore manufactures to come like a Toyota perhaps, with strong rumours that they are returning to the WRC. This must be good times for the WRC and I hope good times for Hyundai as-well.


But their is also some bad news that Hyundai is withdrawing support from its Formula Drift and Global RallyCross Championship campaigns in North America at the end of the season. Which means Rhys Millen Racing team will lose its main sponsor for both championships and find new sponsorship for the 2013 season for each championship.






Final thoughts, good times ahead for WRC with five manufactures next season in the championship and good luck to Hyundai in 2014 WRC season too. End of blog for how, new blog soon, bye.

2012 GP2 and GP3 champions news

This post is all about the new 2012 GP2 and GP3 champions.

Davide Valsecchi won the GP2 series championship at Marina Bay Street Circuit, with a race to spare ahead of Luiz Razia in the standings. So where going to see Davide Valsecchi next season? He should be a Formula 1 driver next season having won the GP2 chamionship and have experience of doing a young drivers test for HRT in 2010 and being a reserve drive at Team Lotus (Caterham F1 Team renamed for this season) for 2011 season. If he brings 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 and last) he will be in Formula 1 with a Marussia or HRT. If not maybe Indycar Series for 2013 then.

Meanwhile at Monza two weeks back, Mitchell Evans won this years GP3 series championship ahead of Daniel Abt by two points in the standings. We will possibly see Mitchell Evans in a Formula 1 car with Red Bull Racing or/and Scuderia Toro Rosso at Abu Dhabi later in the year in the young drivers test, and more than likely in a top GP2 team or a top Formula Renault 3.5 Series team next season.

So, contractions to the new champions. Bring on 2013. End of blog for how, new blog soon, bye.

The P4/5 Competizione LMP1 race car for 2014

According to reports from last week, P4/5 Competizione race car that is this the brain child of James Glickenhaus, the P4/5 Competizione could be racing in the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours race as a LMP1 contender.

Sketches of the P4/5 Competizione LMP1 race car below to show, the P4/5C M (M is for Modificata) could look like the sketches below, the P4/5C M will also have KERS technology to be a hybrid race car similar to the Toyota TS030 hybrid. Also, James Glickenhaust said the project would need partners and backing to race, if this project does happen.

The orginal Ferrari P4/5 was commission by James Glickenhaust and designed by Pininfarina. The Ferrari P4/5 was a Ferrari Enzo chassis and engine underneath with the styling of Ferrari's protoype sport cars from the 1960s and early 1970s.

And nowadays its evolve into the P4/5 Competizione race car, which is basically the Ferrari F430 Scuderia's chassis and the Ferrari F430 GTC drive-train with includes a Ferrari 4 litre V8 engine producing 500 bhp. The P4/5 Competizione was built to FIA GT2 Standards (GTE nowadays) would be built and raced for the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hours race by Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus team in an Experimental Class at the Nurburgring 24.

And at the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hours race, P4/5 Competizione finished second in its class and finished 39th overall. And for this years Nurburgring 24 Hours race, the P4/5 Competizione was modified and KERS technology was added and finished first in Class and finished 12th overall.

Are we going to see the P4/5C M at Le Mans in 2014? time will tell. Anyway, end of post/blog for now, new one soon, bye.

2012 Singapore Grand Prix Review

2012 Singapore Grand Prix review of round fourteen of the F1 season at Marina Bay Street Circuit, and thoughts on the race as well.

Good points

• Sebastian Vettel (won the race, after Hamilton's gearbox failure)
• Jenson Button (finished 2nd)
• Fernando Alonso (finished 3rd)
• Paul di Resta (finished 4th)
• Nico Rosberg (finished 5th)
• Lotus F1 Team (Kimi Räikkonen finished 6th; Romain Grosjean finished 7th, first race back after his one race ban at Monza)
• Daniel Ricciardo (finished 9th)
• Timo Glock (finished 12th, meaning this result seeing Marussia F1 Team take tenth position in the Constructors' Championship from Caterham with six rounds to go)

Bad points

• Lewis Hamilton (DNF, Gearbox, while leading)
• Jean-Éric Vergne (DNF, Collision with Schumacher)
• Michael Schumacher (DNF, Collision with Vergne and 10 place grid penalty for Suzuka as-well)
• Williams (Pastor Maldonado DNF, hydraulics failure; Bruno Senna DNF, Engine)
• Narain Karthikeyan (DNF, Accident)
• Mark Webber (finished 9th, but got added 20 seconds more after the race was ended to his time, after he cut corner in order to surpass Kamui Kobayashi, to finished in 11th place overall)
• Kamui Kobayashi (collision with Nico Hülkenberg at the end of the race to finished in 13th)
• Nico Hülkenberg (collision with Kamui Kobayashi at the end of the race to finished in 14th)
• Vitaly Petrov (a pit-stop error to finished in 19th)

This race 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 23 when his gearbox failed to give him another DNF this season and possibly any change of a second drivers championship this season. Now only 52 points behind Alonso in the standings. The second part after Hamilton DNF was Sebastian Vettel took the lead to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Vettel his second win of the season since Bahrain. Jenson Button finished in second, while championship leader Fernando Alonso finished third at the end of the race.

Which, gives Fernando Alonso still leading the drivers championship with 29 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen is still third in the standings with 45 points behind and Lewis Hamilton is forth in the standings with 52 points behind Alonso in the drivers championship with six races to go.

While in the constructor's championship, Red Bull still leading the standings with Vettel's race win, while McLaren are still second in the constructors standings, 36 points behind Red Bull. Ferrari are now 52 points behind Red Bull in the standings in third place with six races to go.

End of blog for how, new blog soon, bye.

F1 Singapore Grand Prix Predictions

Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on the night-time street race of Marina Bay Street Circuit. So predictions for the race itself, Fernando Alonso for the win in his Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton second in his McLaren and Jenson Button third in the McLaren. Don't forget the two Red Bull drivers, the two Lotus drivers, the two Mercedes AMG drivers, Felipe Massa, Pastor Maldonado or Sergio Perez either.

End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.

British Formula 4 for 2013

Last Tuesday (11/9/12), MotorSport Vision (MSV) and the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) announced a new Formula 4 championship, to be launched in 2013. This will be a one-make series, will be officially titled BRDC Formula 4.



The chassis will be labelled MSV F4-01, the chassis will be constructed by the RFR cars headed up by Ralph Firman Snr, founder of the Van Diemen operation. Powered by the 2 litre 4 cylinder Ford Duratec engine, developing 175bhp and featuring a Cosworth engine management system. Also, Cosworth will supply the gearbox control system, which will be a six-speed paddle gearbox and finally the cars will run on Yokohama tyres. The cars will cost from £35,000 for a private entrant to £70,000 for a professional team.

The provisional calendar will include eight rounds in the UK including rounds at Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Silverstone for next season.

• 27/28 April - Donington Park
• 18-19 May - Brands Hatch Indy (DTM)
• 8/9 June - Snetterton 300 (F3/GT)
• 29/30 June - TBA
• 27 July - Oulton Park
• 17/18 August - Brands Hatch GP
• 14/15 September - Snetterton 300
• 12/13 October - Silverstone GP

Bring on Formula 4 for 2013. Anyway, end of post/blog for now, new one soon, bye.

2012 6 Hours of São Paulo Review

Review of Round 5 of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship at Interlagos in São Paulo, Brazil. And for the first time this season a non overall Audi win for the series went to Toyota. The Toyota Racing team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of Alexander Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre giving the TS030 Hybrid its first pole and first win and a minute ahead of both Audis as-well, at the end of the 6 hours race. Audi Sport Team Joest team of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyerto finished second place in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. While, the second Audi of Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Lucas di Grassi took third place in their Audi R18 Ultra.

In LMP2 class, the Starworks Motorsport team of Enzo Potolicchio, Ryan Dalziel and Stéphane Sarrazin in their HPD ARX-03b with a Honda 2.8 litre Turbo V6 engine won in LMP2 class and 7th overall. While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse team of Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni won in their Ferrari 458 GTC, finished 16th overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by Larbre Compétition team of Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal and Fernando Rees in their Chevrolet Corvette C6.R and finished 20th overall.

Sadly no race highlights I can not find on Youtube. So enjoy an image instead of the start of the 6 hour race instead.



Next Stop 6 Hours of Bahrain in two weeks time for round 6 of the FIA World Endurance Championship. End of post/blog for now, That is all. Bye.

MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix thoughts and Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone on Pramac Ducati for 2013 and other CRT riders news for 2013

Quick thoughts on the race from last Sundays race (16/9/12) at the San Marino Motorcycle Grand Prix at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli (named after the late Marco Simoncelli) and thoughts on Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone on Pramac Ducati for 2013 and other CRT riders news for 2013.

The race itself was a good race overall and a great win for Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a dominating race from start of the race to the checkered flag for the Spaniard. But, championship contender Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda had a bad Sunday, qualified on pole on Saturday. But, an aborted started by Karel Abraham had to restart the race. Then on the restarted Pedrosa's Honda had a brake/engine problem had to start at the back of the grid. Then on the first lap Pedrosa crashed out by Héctor Barberá. Which gives Jorge Lorenzo 38 points lead ahead of Dani Pedrosa in the standings with five races to go.

Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi on his works Ducati finished second overall, nearly 6 seconds behind Lorenzo. While, Alvaro Bautista on his San Carlo Honda Gresini was only 7 seconds behind and finished in third place ahead of Andrea Dovizioso on his Tech 3 Yamaha, only 0.003 second behind Alvaro Bautista on the last lap. While, Casey Stoner replacement Jonathan Rea finished in eighth place, 43 seconds behind Lorenzo.

If was announced last Wednesday (12/9/12) works Yamaha rider Ben Spies and Moto2 rider Andrea Iannone will be riding for the Pramac Ducati squad on full factory Desmosedici machinery for the 2013 MotoGP season.

Pramac Racing Team will have a direct link to the factory team and they will be supplied with official equipment like factory team. The move is in line with Ducati’s plan to bring its satellite team closer to its factory effort to help with development of the Ducati Desmosedici GP13 bike, similar way that Yamaha operates with Tech 3.

Spies was strongly rumoured that he was off to World Superbikes with BMW in 2013. But, since the race weekend at Brno has been strongly linked to the Honda satellite Gresini squad. But, last week their's a strong rumour that Spies has completing a shock switch to Ducati.

And in my opinion about Ben Spies moving to Parmac Ducati next season was very surprising to here, even more surprising he announced before the Laguna Seca race he was leaving Yamaha at the end of the season. But, this could go two ways next season, one way this could be the worse decision in his career, poor result which would be the end of Ben Spies MotoGP career. Or could have a great season were he outperform both Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso, which could get Ben Spies a works Ducati ride for 2014. I am hoping for the latter Ben Spies is a talented rider in MotoGP, just needs a bit of confidence and luck he needs for 2013.

In other MotoGP news, former works Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards will stay with the Forward Racing team for the 2013 MotoGP season, which the team confirmed last weekend at Misano. But the team hasn't confirmed which CRT bike, as this season they have been using Suter-BMW machine without any great results this season. Also, Forward Racing is leaving the door open to adding a second MotoGP rider alongside Edwards next year.

And Cardion AB Motoracing who has Karel Abraham as their rider for this season will swap over to the CRT-spec ART-Aprilia bike next season ending its association with Ducati. Also Karel Abraham will be staying at the team next season as-well.

Anyway, end of post/blog for now, new one soon, bye.

A what if theory in silly season for the 2013 season

This post will be more what if theories on silly season than rumours which usually happens this part of the season. The last few weeks what has been written on the internet that rumours of Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of leaving McLaren to drive for Mercedes next season. Other rumours that Kimi Raikkonen is off to Ferrari for the 2013. Even a Michael Schumacher rumour that his off to Ferrari for the 2013 season, you know is silly season when that rumour has been written up.

And so here's my theory, the word in this paragraph 'what if' comes up a few times. So here goes, what if Lewis Hamilton does sign for Mercedes in 2013. What if Michael Schumacher retires at the end of the season. What if Felipe Massa stays at Ferrari for the 2013 season or Heikki Kovalainen teams up with Fernando Alonso for the 2013 season.

And all what if does happen above who do you put as team-mate to Jenson Button at McLaren for 2013? Paul di Resta, Nico Hülkenberg or Nico Rosberg perhaps. And so here's my theory, this is not a rumour haven't heard of it. And the second driver for McLaren could be in my opinion Sergio Perez.

And with the news from this week that Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo said Sergio Perez was ruled out of the Ferrari drive for 2013 because his 'too early' to be considered for a drive. Despite some great race races from the Mexican this season including Malaysia, Canada and last weeks Italian Grand Prix were Perez started from 12th place to finished in 2nd place, with only a one stopper as-well, also ahead of both Ferrari drivers' too on Ferrari's home ground.

But I disagree, Sergio Perez is good enough to be Ferrari driver for next season, some of his driving from last and this season is sometimes world class which includes his debut race from Melbourne last season, Sepang this season were he could have won at the end and finally the last race at Monza. I don't think it's too early in his career to drive for Ferrari next season, if they wanted to team up with Alonso. And that's why I would put him in the second McLaren seat, if that seat opens up. Also, I think, Sergio Perez can win a drivers world championship with any top team with few more years more experience.

Remember Eddie Irvine drove for Ferrari after only having two years of Formula One with Jordan team and then got the drive at Ferrari in 1996 teaming with Michael Schumacher. Even a Kimi Räikkönen back in 2002 when only a season at Sauber went over to McLaren to replace Mika Hakkinen. That's why I don't see it surprising if McLaren looking at Perez next season.

But, are Ferrari looking forward to 2014 that's why Perez hasn't been signed. When Mark Webber is available when his Red Bull contract is up, the same for Nico Rosberg when his Mercedes contract is up. Or a surprise return for Robert Kubica back into Formula One maybe.

But, if the 'what ifs' does happen, does Sergio Perez want to go to McLaren for next season? I think he wants the Ferrari drive more than the McLaren drive to be honest, there is loyalty thing with Sergio Perez and Ferrari, because Perez is still a Ferrari Driver Academy. So another season at Sauber then. But, Perez could suit Mclaren with his driving style to be honest and a cheap option than Hamilton.

This post is theory not about rumours, this post has been much more about thinking writing this up. Anyway end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

A new Indycar Series Champion is born

For the last three seasons, Dario Franchitti has been Indycar Series Champion for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. But not this season, Dario Franchitti finished 7th in the standings this season, so who the champion this season than?

The battle for this seasons championship is between Ryan Hunter-Reay and Will Power. At the last round of the IndyCar Series race was held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Will Power was 20 points ahead of the series before the last round began. But, on lap 56 of 250 of the MAVTV 500. Championship leader Will Power spun and crashed out onto the wall to finish his race and his championship hopes this season once again.



Which only means Ryan Hunter-Reay needed to finished in fifth place or higher to be 2012 Indycar Series Champion. Which he did and finished in forth place to be 2012 Indycar Series Champion, by three points ahead of Will Power. Making Ryan Hunter-Reay the first American to win the Indycar Series Champion since Sam Hornish Jr in 2002. Also, Chevrolet winning the Manufacturers' Championship ahead of Honda and the winning engine manufacture for Ryan Hunter-Reay too. Also, first for Andretti Autosport team since 2007 with Dario Franchitti



I think either Ryan Hunter-Reay or Will Power would have been great champion this season, both drivers would have deeply earned the championship. I fell sorry for Will Power for not winning the drivers championship for the third time in a row now being runner up once again. Deserved an Indycar Series championship with his talent, needs to finish off the season on a street track to possibly win an Indycar Series championship in 2013 then. Anyway, contractions to Ryan Hunter-Reay for winning his first Indycar Series championship this season.

End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.

WRC and IRC Round 10 Recaps

Recaps of last round of WRC from this weekends round 10 of Wales Rally GB and this weekends IRC recap of round 10 of the Prime Yalta Rally.

This weekends was round 10 of the World Rally Championship at the Wales Rally GB (14th-16th September) was won by works Ford rally driver Jari-Matti Latvala in his Ford Fiesta RS. Meanwhile, Sébastien Loeb finished second in his Citroen DS3, 28 seconds behind Latvala. While, Petter Solberg in his works Ford Fiesta RS finished third, under a second behind Loeb at the end.

Sébastien Loeb is still leading the WRC drivers championship, which he can win the drivers championship at Rallye de France–Alsace if he wins the rally. While, Citroen are still leading the manufuters championship from Ford, that can be sorted if Citroen finished with either Sébastien Loeb or Mikko Hirvonen wins the Rallye de France–Alsace or Ford are more than 86 points behind Citreon after the rally standings in France. Highlights of Wales Rally GB below, enjoy.



Meanwhile, this weekend as-well was Round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge at Prime Yalta Rally (15-16 September) in the Ukraine. The majority of the IRC regulars skipped the Yalta Rally. The rally was won by Turkish champion Yagiz Avci in his Ford Fiesta S2000 and his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge win. Yagiz Avci was over 3 minutws ahead of Robert Consani in his Renault Mégane RS. While, Laszlo Vizin finished third in his Škoda Fabia S2000.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

Some Group B rally cars

Wales Rally GB is this weekend, and its been 30 years since Group B was introduced by the FIA in 1982. Basically, Group B rally cars were anything go rally cars that produces over 380 bhp at the end of the Group B era. Also the manufactures had to build 200 of these production cars to rally with.

In this video below is the Audi Quattro and Ford RS200 in its street versions.



In street form the Quattro produces 306 bhp. But, In its rally form the Audi Quattro E2 produces 550 bhp in 1986 from a 2.1 litre in-line 5 cylinder turbo.



Meanwhile, the Ford RS200 produces 250 bhp in street form. But, in Group B rally from the Ford RS200 420 bhp with a mid-engine Ford 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder turbo.



MG Metro 6R4 was developed by WilliamsF1 team back in the mid-1980s. The MG Metro 6R4 produces 250 bhp in street form. But, in Group B rally from the MG Metro 6R4 produces over 380 bhp with a mid-engine 3.0 litre V6.



If you want more information, on Youtube there is a good documentry called 'Too fast to race' with other Group B rally cars includes the Peugeot 205/T16, Lancia 037 Rally, Lancia Delta S4 and so forth. Another documentary called 'Madness on Wheels: Rallying's Craziest Years' is on BBC Four once in a while and on the BBC iPlayer too.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

Professor Sid Watkins 1928-2012

Professor Sid Watkins, former Formula 1 Medical Delegate, has passed away at the age of 84 on Wednesday evening (12/9/12). Condolences goes out to the family and friends of Professor Sid Watkins.

A renowned neurosurgeon, Professor Sid Watkins played a vital role in increasing motorsport safety during his 26 years as the FIA's safety and medical delegate in F1 and as head of the sport's on-track medical team, was often first on the scene at some of its worst accidents. and saving numerous drivers’ lives. Such as the serious incidents of recent times for example drivers' like Martin Donnelly in Jerez 1990, Karl Wendlinger in Monaco 1994, Mika Häkkinen in Adelaide 1995 and Rubens Barrichello in Imola 1994.



Professor Sid Watkins was also well-known for his close relationship with Ayrton Senna, and for suggesting that the Brazilian pack in F1 and go fishing' during the black Imola weekend of 1994, and continued his work with the FIA long after Senna's passing. Watkins announced his full-time retirement in January 2005 and remained as President of the FIA Institute until December 2011, when he elected to step down.

This is one of the guys that made Formula 1 and Motor-racing in general safer so that is why we celebrate his life and legacy in this sport today and remember that.

R.I.P. Professor Sid Watkins

The Return of Robert Kubica

During the Italian Grand Prix was on, Robert Kubica took his first step back into motor-racing since his big accident in February 2011, were he was heavily injured in a crash on the first stage of the Ronde di Andora rally near Genoa in Italy, were Kubica heavily injured his right arm, hand and leg. The former BWM Sauber and Renault driver took victory on his return to competition in an Italian domestic rally on Sunday.



Robert Kubica was driving a 2007 Subaru Impreza World Rally Car with Giuliano Manfredi, Kubica won all four stages of the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana rally to claim victory by nearly a minute over Omar Bergo's WRC Mini Countryman. I know it's only a domestic rally, but nonetheless an amazing achievement from the former BWM Sauber and Renault F1 driver.





And three weeks ago Robert Kubica took part in a "secret test" with the WRC Ford factory team, behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS at the little-known Circuit des Ecuyers test track near the French town of Château-Thierry.

Are we going to see Robert Rubica back in F1? 2013 I highly doubt it. In 2014 maybe, just maybe, time will tell.

2012 Italian Grand Prix Review and thoughts

2012 Italian Grand Prix review of round thirteen of the F1 season at Monza, and thoughts on the race, and the battle for the drivers championship and constructors championship.

Good points

• Lewis Hamilton (pole to finished with a race win)
• Sergio Perez (finished 2nd)
• Ferrari (Fernando Alonso finished 3rd, Felipe Massa finished 4th)
• Paul di Resta (finished 8th)
• Bruno Senna (finished 10th, finished 10th on the last lap, just ahead of team-mate Pastor Maldonado and STR driver Daniel Ricciardo )
• Heikki Kovalainen (finished 14th, 0.1 second ahead team-mate of Vitaly Petrov)
• Charles Pic (finished 16th, ahead of team-mate Timo Glock)

Bad points

• Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel DNF Alternator, Mark Webber DNF Vibrations)
• Jenson Button (DNF, Fuel pressure)
• Nico Hülkenberg (DNF, brakes)
• Jean-Éric Vergne (DNF, Suspension)

A dominating race weekend from Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren Mercedes, pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Lewis his third win of the season. And McLaren a third race win in a row, the first time since 2008.

Also, a mention to both Sergio Perez and championship leader Fernando Alonso, Perez started from 12th place to finished in 2nd place, with only a one stopper as-well, also ahead of both Ferrari drivers' too on Ferrari's home ground. It's a great message to Ferrari to sign him for 2013 as Fernando Alonso team-mate. Meanwhile, Alonso started from 10th place, due to a broken rear anti-roll bar, which could have started from pole if this didn't happen and maybe the race win too. But, Alonso drive was great 10th to 2nd, until a charging Perez at the end gives Fernando Alonso a 3rd place.

While, for the first time since South Korea 2010, both Red Bulls' retired in the race. Sebastian Vettel with an Alternator problem (same problem as in Valencia) retired the current world champion. Meanwhile, Mark Webber retired with Vibrations to the car by spinning violently at the Ascari chicane.

Which, gives Fernando Alonso still leading the drivers championship with 37 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen is now third in the standings with 38 points behind and Sebastian Vettel is forth in the standings with 40 points behind Alonso in the drivers championship with seven races to go.

While in the constructor's championship, Red Bull still leading the standings, while McLaren are second in the constructors standings, 29 points behind Red Bull. Ferrari are now 46 points behind Red Bull in the standings in third place with seven races to go. Both championships are hotting up.

End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

Forza Zanardi, Paralympic Gold

Its been almost 11 years since Alex Zanardi lost both of his legs in a horrible crash, racing in the Champ Car championship race at the Lausitzring in Germany. He returned to racing in over two years after the accident, competing in the World Touring Car Championship for BMW Italy-Spain between 2004 and 2009 winning a few races in that period.



Since retiring from touring cars in 2010. Zanardi change sport to handbiking, with the goal of representing Italy at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics games. Last week at the Paralympics games he won gold medals in the Individual H4 time trial and the Individual H4 road race at Brands Hatch (were he never won a race in his racing career) were the event is held, followed by a silver medal in the Mixed H1-4 Team Relay.



And now, Alex Zanardi may return to the Paralympic games in Rio de Janiero in 2016 after winning two gold medals and a silver medals in this years Paralympic games if he wants to do it. And Zanardi also stated he would be interested in return to racing for the 2013 Indianapolis 500, which has never raced before.

And so contractions from me and many fans around the world too for those medals and inspiration to people that the impossible is possible, "if you love what you do the result is just a logical coincidence" from Zanardi himself from the interview above on Youtube (2:40 in the video).

So Forza Zanardi!

Some new spec series cars coming for 2013

Some new series spec cars for this post, which includes the new Auto GP and GP3 2013 race cars.

AutoGP World Series launched the car last week (31/8/12). And essentially, the up-to-date Auto GP race car is basically the old A1GP race car (from 2005 the Lola B05/52, which they had race in Auto GP World Series for the last four seasons, so really an evolution of the Lola B05/52 ) for the 2013 AutoGP World Series season. But, the updated car will have the same Zytek 3.4-litre V8 unit producing around 520-550 bhp and updated side-pods and front and rear aerodynamics. Which, series organisers expect the updated aerodynamics will improved the car lap times by around 1.5 seconds.



Meanwhile, the next-generation GP3 car was launched at Monza on Thursday (6/9/12) for the 2013 GP3 season. The Dallara GP3/13 race car uses the same monocoque as the Dallara GP3/10, which means only a new nose, sidepods and engine cover and engine for next season. As for the engine, the new 2.0 litre normally-aspirated Renault V6 will replace Renault 2.0 litre inline 4 turbo going from 280 bhp to 400 bhp for next season. Which means the car will go at least three seconds faster according to the GP3 Series organisers.



End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

Lewis Hamilton off to Mercedes AMG in 2013?

Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of leaving McLaren to drive for Mercedes next season, according to former Jordan Grand Prix owner and BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan. The former Jordan team boss says Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher, who will retire from Formula 1 for the second time at the end of the season. But, there are strong rumours that Lewis Hamilton management are in strong talks with McLaren to stay at the team for next season.

If Lewis Hamilton does move to Mercedes next season and Michael Schumacher does retire at the end of the season, Hamilton would be a good choice for Mercedes team. Such as the engine development for 2014 that works teams may have an advantage when it comes to developing and managing the new turbocharged, 1.6-litre V6 power-plants instead of McLaren will possibly a customer team or changing engines for 2014. But, I don't thinks its going to happen. I think Lewis Hamilton will stay at McLaren for another season at least in my opinion. Apart from winning in China, this hasn't been a good season for Mercedes anyway, would they be a top team at all in 2013? I really doubt it.

If Hamilton does leave for McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, who do you replace him at McLaren? it will possibly either be Paul di Resta, currently at Force India, or Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen, who has experience of driving for McLaren from 2002-06, almost winning the 2003 drivers championship for McLaren. But, Raikkonen is contracted to Lotus in 2013, which means if McLaren wanted him, they would have to pay Lotus compensation. So more than likely it will be Paul di Resta if it does happen, who is also rumour for Mercedes next season too.

At the end of the day it's plainly silly season at this moment of time, remember last time last season that Kimi Raikkonen was off to Williams this season and was confirmed at Lotus at the end of November. Time will tell were Lewis Hamilton goes, were Michael Schumacher stays or not, were Paul di Resta stay or goes and who will be Ferrari's second driver. Remember we've got eight rounds left in this championship to go before 2013 even starts.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

And so, who is replacing Romain Grosjean at Monza then?

It was likely that Lotus test driver Jerome d’Ambrosio will be driving for Lotus in Monza for this weekends Italian Grand Prix, with the news of Romain Grosjean getting a one-race ban for the first lap collusion at the Belgian Grand Prix from last weekend. On Tuesday (4/9/12) it was confirmed by Lotus that former F1 Marussia-Virgin Racing driver Jerome d'Ambrosio will be replacing Romain Grosjean for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. Despite, there was rumours that former Toro Rosso driver and current Pirelli test driver Jaime Alguersuari might get the one-off drive.

Personally, no surprises with the choice of picking Jerome d'Ambrosio because his the teams test driver, having F1 race experience driving for Marussia-Virgin Racing last season and also tested the Lotus E20 early on the season too. I predicted he could score points this weekend as-well if luck goes his way. So good luck to Jerome d'Ambrosio for this weekend.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

WRC Round 9 Recap and IRC Round 9 Recap

Recaps of last round of WRC from last weekends round 9 of Rallye Deutschland and this weekends IRC recap of round 9 of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

Last last weekends was round 9 of the World Rally Championship at the Rallye Deutschland (24th-26th August) was won by Rallye Deutschland specialist and Eight times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in his Citroen DS3. Loeb won the rally with over two minutes ahead of works Ford rally driver Jari-Matti Latvala in his Ford Fiesta RS. While works Citroen rally driver Mikko Hirvonen finished in third place, half a minute behind former team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala. While, Petter Solberg didn't have a good rally, who hit a rock on day 2 of the rally, which he had to retire. But, re-started under Rally 2 rules to finish in 11th place, 21 minutes behind Loeb.

Sébastien Loeb is still leading the WRC drivers championship, which he can win the drivers championship at Wally Rally GB if he wins and other results goes his way. While, Citroen are still leading the manufuters championship from Ford, that can be sorted if Citroen finished one-two in Wally Rally GB and Ford doesn't have Solberg or Latvala in the points. Highlights of Rallye Deutschland below, enjoy.



Meanwhile, last weekend was Round 9 at Barum Czech Rally Zlín (31 August–2 September) in the Czech Republic. Was won by former IRC Champion and current works Škoda driver of Juho Hanninen in his Škoda Fabia S2000, was over 100 seconds ahead of Roman Kresta in his Škoda Fabia S2000. While, Tomas Kostka finished third in his Škoda Fabia S2000, Jaromir Tarabus finished forth place, Robert Barrable finished fifth place and Karl Kruuda finihsed in sixth place to make a Škoda 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the rally itself on their home rally. Meanwhile, current IRC Champion Andreas Mikkelsen had a double puncture on the day's first stage to finished in eighth place. But, would have finished in second if the double puncture didn't happen.

However, Rally Zlin was stopped prior to the final stage when a spectator was killed. Organisers said it is understood the deceased was standing in a non-spectator zone when the Subaru Impreza of Czech driver Vaclav Kopacek rolled several times on the last but one stage of the rally. Thoughts go out to friends and family of the spectator who got killed in the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

2012 Belgian Grand Prix Review and thoughts, Grosjean Banned for Monza and Italian Grand Prix predictions

2012 Belgian Grand Prix review of round twelve of the F1 season at Spa-Francorchamps, and thoughts on the race, opionon on Romain Grosjean having a one-race ban at this weeks Italian Grand Prix and predictions for this weekends Italian Grand Prix.


Good points

• Jenson Button (pole to finished with a race win)
• Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel finished 2nd, Mark Webber finished 6th)
• Kimi Räikkonen (finished 3rd)
• Nico Hülkenberg (finished 4th)
• Felipe Massa (finished 5th)
• Scuderia Toro Rosso (Jean-Éric Vergne finished 8th, Daniel Ricciardo finished 9th)
• Vitaly Petrov (finished 14th, ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, Pedro De la Rosa and the Marussia drivers)

Bad points

• Romain Grosjean (DNF, first lap Collision and a one-race ban for this weekends Italian Grand Prix)
• Fernando Alonso (DNF, first lap Collision)
• Lewis Hamilton (DNF, first lap Collision)
• Sauber (Kamui Kobayashi finished 13th, with first lap Collision; Sergio Perez DNF, first lap Collision)
• Pastor Maldonado (DNF, Collision damage, given two five-place grid penalties for Monza for a jumped start and causing a collision with Timo Glock as-well)
• Narain Karthikeyan (DNF, spun off)

A dominating race weekend from Jenson Button in the McLaren Mercedes, which usually is not a good luck track for the former world champion. But, this weekend is year quite different from pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Jenson his second win of the season.

Behind Button it was a cluster of a race, when at the beginning of the race were Romain Grosjean made a better start than Lewis Hamilton alongside him and cut sharply across the track, squeezing the McLaren driver up against the white line. Contact was inevitable, and as Hamilton lost control of his car the McLaren pushed the Lotus into the cars ahead which were slowing for the first corner. The Lotus scythed across the front of Fernando Alonso’s car, passing terrifyingly close to his helmet. Hamilton’s car reared into the side of Sergio Perez’s, and the other Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi was knocked into Pastor Maldonado. Only Maldonado and Kobayashi emerged from the crash, but their weekends are ruined. Which, gives Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel starting from 10th to finish in second place, ahead of Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen at the end of the race to finish in third. Which, gives Vettel now only 24 points behind Alonso in the driver standings, Mark Webber only 32 points behind Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen now only 33 points behind Alonso in the drivers championship with eight races to go.



So for the first time that a Formula 1 driver had a race ban since 1994, with Mika Häkkinen banned for one race for the Hungarian Grand Prix, for causing a first lap pile-up in the German Grand Prix and was replaced by Philippe Alliot for that race.

My opinion about the first lap collision, which gives Romain Grosjean an one race-ban for Monza. There's no doubt that Romain Grosjean was at the centre of the accident that plunged the start of the 2012 F1 Grand Prix of Belgium on Sunday. But, overall I felt that it's a racing incident, no one was to blame for that first lap collision. But I heard and read that people are saying other opinions that should have been a two-race ban, some say a one-race ban is about right, some say too harsh! Just have a grid penalty at Monza and even some people say It's not his fault - it was Lewis Hamilton's fault. All about opinion at the end of the day and what the stewards think its right or wrong.

Overall, I don't think that Romain Grosjean isn't a dangerous driver, I personally fell that there are three or four F1 drivers that are more dangerous than Grosjean (two are former world champions, one is a back marker who brings in sponsorship and other is a race winner from this season without naming them). But, this race is clear daylight of what Formula 1 drivers can and can not do and race bans do exists in the modern day of Formula 1 which you can learn.

At the end of the day it's a miracle that Fernando Alonso isn't dead or heavily injured with this accident and Motorsport is still a dangerous sport. No matter if its Go-Karting, motorbikes, Formula 1, Indy Car, any kind of Motorsport is dangerous, but motorsport can be safer between tracks, fans, specators, tracks marshells, people in pits, cars and drivers too. But, I'm hoping that Formula 1 doesn't go into a nanny state were Formula 1 cars in a few years time doesn't look like a modern day version of the Red Bull X2010 race car in my opinion.







And so this weekend is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, home race for both Ferrari and Toro Rosso. Predictions for the race: Fernando Alonso for the win in the Ferrari, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren and Jenson Button third in the Mclaren as-well. Don't forget the two Red Bull drivers, Kimi Raikkonen or the two Mercedes AMG drivers as-well for a podium place too.

End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.