The new Strakka Dome LMP2 coupe has been withdrawn from this years 24 Hours of Le Mans for next month after a serious accident during testing at Spa last week.
Team regular Danny Watts crashed the Strakka Dome S103 heavily late last Tuesday (20/5/14), the first of three days of running at the Grand Prix track planned by the team, as the team is unable to repair the car and acquire sufficient spares in time for Le Mans race.
The Strakka Dome was absent from the first two rounds of the World Endurance Championship at Silverstone and Spa after encountering undisclosed problems in pre-season testing.
No word yet when the Strakka Dome S103 will debut, it would be now more than likely in mid-September at Austin for the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas race.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
It was announced on last Friday (23/5/14) that Michelin will be MotoGP's new tyre supplier for the MotoGP class when Bridgestone departs in 2016.
Bridgestone revealed its decision to leave the sport before the race weekend of Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez earlier this month (1/5/14). With Michelin the only tyre manufacturer to submit a formal bid to supply the premier class.
Michelin was last involved in MotoGP back in 2008, during the final year of its tire war with Bridgestone, after which the Japanese manufacturer took the deal to become control supplier in the premier class series.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round Five of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season was the Race of Austria, at Salzburgring, east of Salzburg.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC champion Yvan Muller took the race win in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. Second was ROAL Motorsport driver Tom Coronel in his Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1, he was under four second behind Muller in the end. While third place was Citroën Total WTCC driver José María López in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, he was over four seconds behind Muller in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class (the old s2000 cars such as BMW 320 TC, SEAT León WTCC and so forth), was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Franz Engstler in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in fifteenth place overall and 80 seconds behind Muller in the end.
While in the second race, it was Citroën Total WTCC driver José María López in his Citroën took the race win in his C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Gabriele Tarquini in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was one and a half second behind López in the end. While third place was the second Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Tiago Monteiro in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was two and a half seconds behind López in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class, was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Franz Engstler in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in eleventh place overall and 28 seconds behind López in the end.
Next stop Race of Russia at the Moscow Raceway for Round Six of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
The 2014 Indy 500 Post Review and highlights of the race.
This years Indianapolis 500 winner is none other than Ryan Hunter-Reay. The Andretti Autosport driver took the lead for the final time when he passed Hélio Castroneves on the start of the final lap to win his first Indy 500 race.
Meanwhile second was Team Penske driver Hélio Castroneves and missed out on his forth race win at Indy by 0.0600 of a second! Third place was Andretti Autosport driver Mario Andretti. Fourth place was his Andretti Autosport team-mate Carlos Munoz.
Meanwhile, former Williams F1 driver and 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya finished in fifth place for Team Penske. While former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch finished in sixth place on his debut for the Indy 500 with Andretti Autosport. While former Formula 1 champion and 1995 Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve finished in fourteenth place with Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports. All three drivers finished on the same lap as the leaders.
Highlights of the Indy 500 below via IndyCar series own Youtube channel. Enjoy.
A first for Ryan Hunter-Reay.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Round six of the F1 season, a quick review of the Monaco Grand Prix, which includes thoughts on Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Good points
- Mercedes (Nico Rosberg pole, lights to win finish; Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd)
- Daniel Ricciardo (finished 3rd)
- Fernando Alonso (finished 4th)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 5th)
- Jenson Button (finished 6th)
- Filipe Massa (finished 7th)
- Romain Grosjean (finished 8th)
- Jules Bianchi (finished 9th, first points for Marussia in Formula 1)
- Marcus Ericsson (finished 11th, ahead of team-mate Kamui Kobayashi, Max Chilton, and Kimi Räikkönen)
Bad points
- Sebastian Vettel (DNF, Turbo)
- Kimi Räikkönen (finished 12th, Collision with Max Chilton in mid-race when he was in third place, then Collision with Kevin Magnussen with few laps remaining)
- Valtteri Bottas (DNF, Engine)
- Sauber (Adrian Sutil, DNF, Accident; Esteban Gutiérrez DNF, Accident)
- Toro Rosso (Jean-Éric Vergne, DNF, Engine; Daniil Kvyat, DNF, Engine)
- Sergio Pérez (DNF, Collision with Jenson Button on the first lap)
- Max Chilton (finished 14th, Collision with Kimi Räikkönen in mid-race, three laps down)
- Kamui Kobayashi (finished 13th, could have finished in the points, two laps down)
- Pastor Maldonado (DNS, Fuel Pump)
The race itself was a very good race to watch, very exciting, despite the two safety cars. But, all in all a great race between both Mercedes drivers, to conclude with a second win for Nico Rosberg at the Monaco Grand Prix, to take his second race win of his season in his Mercedes. While team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished in second place for a fifth Mercedes one-two finish in a row.
But qualifying for Mercedes drivers it was a different story. It started at the end of the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying when Nico Rosberg is on provisional pole, but he was on his last run; when he went off at Mirabeau and caused yellow flags in the final moments of the session which in turn costing Hamilton a chance at pole position and possibly the race win.
And afterwards having Lewis Hamilton throwing his toys out of the pram in interviews stating he did on purpose, which I totally disagree with as it looked more accidental what Nico Rosberg did in qualifying compare to Michael Schumacher did in 2006, were he parked his Ferrari at Rascasse corner in qualifying which is more on purpose, and cost Michael Schumacher a chance of winning the race that season. Also, Rosberg was much faster then Lewis through the race as-well.
So with the civil war at Mercedes between Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton starting to explode what could happen?
I think Mercedes needs to calm both drivers down as soon as possible. Because both drivers have got long term deals with Mercedes team till 2016 at least, so long term this won't help. If this rivalry does carry on, it might even cost Mercedes a drivers title or even a constructors championship. As Lewis's old team McLaren can concluded in 2007, when that time Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were team-mates and that rivalry between the pair of them did cost Mclaren both the drivers title and constructors championship that season.
Or we could even see a different driver line-up altogether in 2015 at Mercedes, which driver goes who knows it might be both. It might even let Lewis go back to McLaren in 2015 or even join Ferrari in 2015 or even Nico joining Mclaren in 2015.
Personally, I think this will continue throughout the season for both the Mercedes drivers in my opinion and might cost the team a championship or two. Time will tell.
In other news meanwhile, Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo finished in third place to complete the podium positions for this years' Monaco Grand Prix.
Finally, a big mention to Jules Bianchi and Marussia finished in eighth place in the Monaco Grand Prix. But, he was given a five second time-penalty afterwards dropped him to ninth behind Romain Grosjean, but this still allowed him to score both his and Marussia's 1st ever points in Formula 1. A big day for both Jules Bianchi and Marussia. So well done to the team.
Next stop Montreal in two weeks time for the Canadian Grand Prix.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Kodewa-based Lotus squad's new T129 LMP1-L World Endurance Championship challenger has withdrawn its as-yet-unraced LMP1 prototype from next month's 24 Hours of Le Mans it was confirmed on Tuesday (20/5/14).
The AER-engined Lotus T129, which was absent from the first two events in the World Endurance Championship, has been pulled out of the Le Mans round on June 14/15 because the car is not yet complete due to the delay of the new 2 litre twin-turbo V6 produced by AER (Advanced Engine Research) that forced a substantial redesign of the rear end of the car, including the monocoque.
No word yet when the T129 will debut, more than likely in mid-September at Austin for the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas race.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye
This weekends is the famous Indianapolis 500. Last Sunday (18/5/14) was Pole Day was for this weekends Indianapolis 500. And the big surprise was last years pole sitter Ed Carpenter Racing owner/driver Ed Carpenter will start on pole once again. While, Andretti Autosport driver James Hinchcliffe and Team Penske driver Will Power will start on the front row as-well. YouTube video below from Indycar Series own channel from the top three from qualifying.
Meanwhile, former Williams F1 driver and 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya will start in tenth place for Team Penske, while former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch will start in twelve place on his debut for the Indy 500 with Andretti Autosport. While former Formula 1 champion and 1995 Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve will start in twenty-seventh place with Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports.
So predictions for the Indianapolis 500 this weekend, for the win another I am going to pick Hélio Castroneves in his Penske. Second place for Will Power in his Penske, and third place for Marco Andretti in his Andretti.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
This weekend is the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix on the streets of Monte Carlo.
So predictions for the race itself, Nico Rosberg for the win in his Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton second in his Mercedes, and Sebastian Vettel third in the Red Bull. And don't forget Daniel Ricciardo, Romain Grosjean, Force India drivers, Williams drivers either for a podium place as-well.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Sir Jack Brabham, former three time Formula 1 World Champion, has passed away at the age of 88 on Monday morning (19/5/14). Condolences goes out to the family and friends of Sir Jack Brabham.
Started his Formula 1 career at Cooper racing in that seasons' British Grand Prix heald at at Aintree, were he retired after 30 laps with engine troubles. Took his first full season in Formula 1, in 1958, with once again with Cooper taking only three points that season. Then the next season, still driving for Cooper, in the hands of the Cooper T51; took Sir Jack Brabham to two Grand Prix wins at Monaco and Aintree, to his first drivers title and Copper's fisrt Constructors Championship.
Then the next season in 1960, he took five more wins, in the hands of the Cooper T53 and took Sir Jack Brabham to another drivers title and Coppers to another Constructors Championship in 1960.
Then in 1962, started his own team called Brabham Racing Organisation, mainly know as Brabham. Then in 1966, still driving and mangering his own team Brabham, he took the Brabham BT19 to four race wins and his third and final drivers title and Brabham's fisrt Constructors Championship as an Constructor. In 1967, Sir Jack Brabham finished second in the drivers standings with two wins. But, his team-mate Denny Hulme took the drivers title instead and Brabham's took their second and final Constructors Championship as an Constructor.
In 1970, Sir Jack Brabham took his final Grand Prix win at the South African Grand Prix held at Kyalami. And finished his Formula 1 career later that season with three Formula 1 World Drivers' Titles and 14 Grand Prix wins. And sold the team to Bernie Ecclestone in 1971 to end his Formula 1 carrer for good.
Sir Jack Brabham had three sons: Geoff, Gary and David. All three became involved in motorsport, with support from Brabham in their early years. Between them, they have won many sportscar and single-seater races and championships. Geoff was an Indycar and sportscar racer who won five North American sportscar championships as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while David competed in Formula One for the Brabham team and has also won the Le Mans race as well as three Japanese and North American sportscar titles. Gary also drove briefly in Formula One, although his F1 career consisted of two DNPQ's for the Life team.
Sir Jack Brabham has two grandson who are at the beginning of the motorsport ladder, Matthew (son of Geoff) currently drives with Andretti Autosport in the Indy Lights series. Another grandson, Sam Brabham (son of David), currently driving in the British Formula Ford Championship.
Australia's first Formula 1 World Champion gone but not forgotten.
R.I.P. Sir Jack Brabham
Review of the round five of the 2014 MotoGP season at Le Mans Bugatti track in Le Mans, in central France.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider and current MotoGP champion Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V. Second place was the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was one and a half second behind Márquez at the end. While, third was GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider Álvaro Bautista on his Honda RC213V, he was three seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In Open class (Full control ECU system, hardware and software), NGM Forward Racing rider Aleix Espargaró won Open class and finished ninth overall on his FTR-Yamaha YZR-M1, he was 22 seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Marc VDS Racing Team rider of Mika Kallio on the Kalex. Second was NGM Forward Racing rider of Simone Corsi on the Kalex, he was one second behind Kallio at the end of the race. While, third was the other Marc VDS Racing Team ride of Esteve Rabat on the Kalex, he was one and a half second behind Kallio at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Jack Miller on the KTM. Second was Estrella Galicia rider Álex Rins on the Honda, he was only one tenth of a second behind Miller at the end of the race. While, third was Calvo Team rider Isaac Viñales on the KTM, he was only two tenths of a second behind Miller at the end of the race.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round Four of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season was the Race of Slovakia, at Automotodróm Slovakia Ring, on the outskirts of Bratislava.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver Sébastien Loeb took the race win in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC in a reduce race due to heavy rain. Second was Citroën Total WTCC driver José María López in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC for another Citroën one-two finish in the race, he was one second behind Loeb in the end. While third place was Zengõ Motorsport driver Norbert Michelisz in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was two seconds behind Loeb in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class (the old s2000 cars such as BMW 320 TC, SEAT León WTCC and so forth), was won by Campos Racing driver Petr Fulin in his SEAT León WTCC. He finished in sixteenth place overall and 15 seconds behind Loeb in the end.
While in the second race, that was cancelled due to heavy rain meant the medical helicopter was unable to take off and the fading light were contributing factors to this decision.
Next stop Race of Austria at the Salzburgring for Round Five of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Recap of the last round of WRC from this weekends Round 5 of Rally Argentina.
This weekends was the fifth round of the World Rally Championship at the Rally Argentina (8th-11th May) was won by Jari-Matti Latvala in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Meanwhile, team-mate and current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier finished second in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Ogier was over 86 seconds behind Latvala at the end. Meanwhile, Kris Meeke, finished in third place in the works Citroën DS3 WRC. Meeke was nearly 6 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Nasser Al-Attiyah in his own backed Ford Fiesta RRC. Nasser Al-Attiyah finished in tenth place overall, he was over 23 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
2014 Spanish Grand Prix Review of the fifth round of the 2014 F1 season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, on the outskirts of Barcelona, and thoughts on the race as well.
Good Race
- Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton, pole, and race win; Nico Rosberg, finished 2nd)
- Red Bull Racing (Daniel Ricciardo, finished 3rd; Sebastian Vettel, finished 4th)
- Valtteri Bottas (finished 5th)
- Romain Grosjean (finished 8th)
- Jules Bianchi (finished 18th, ahead of team-mate Max Chilton, and Marcus Ericsson)
Bad Race
- McLaren (Jenson Button, finished 11th, lap down; Kevin Magnussen, finished 12th, lap down)
- Filipe Massa (finished 13th, lap down)
- Pastor Maldonado (finished 15th, lap down, could have finished in the points if he didn't crashed in qualifying)
- Kamui Kobayashi (DNF, Brakes)
- Jean-Éric Vergne (DNF, Exhaust)
Overall, I thought it wasn't that a good race to watch for the first half of the race rather boring. But, with 20 laps to go with Lewis Hamilton leading comfortably, then Nico Rosberg reduce the lead with a possibility of winning the race with a few laps to go that change a boring race into a much omre exciting race. However, Lewis Hamilton did protect the lead to the end to win his forth race win of the season. While, team-mate Nico Rosberg finished once again in second place to give Mercedes once again another one-two finish.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull finish on the final step of the podium in third place. The first proper podium for Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1.
Next stop Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grnad Prix in two weeks time.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Review of Round Three of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season was the Race of Hungary, at Hungaroring, on the outskirts of Budapest.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC champion Yvan Muller took the race win in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Citroën Total WTCC driver José María López in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC for another Citroën one-two in the race, he was one second behind Muller in the end. While third place was Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Tiago Monteiro in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was nine seconds behind Muller in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class (the old s2000 cars such as BMW 320 TC, SEAT León WTCC and so forth), was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Pasquale Di Sabatino in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in fifteenth place overall and 83 seconds behind Muller in the end.
While in the second race, it was ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver Gianni Morbidelli took the race win in his Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1. Second was Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Tiago Monteiro in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was under four tenths of a second behind Morbidelli in the end. While third place was Campos Racing driver Hugo Valente in his Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1, he was over one second behind Morbidelli in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class, was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Franz Engstler in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in fifteenth place overall and 55 seconds behind Morbidelli in the end.
Next stop Race of Slovakia at the Automotodróm Slovakia Ring for Round Four of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season in a weeks time.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Review of Round Three of the 2014 British Touring Car Championship season was at Thruxton, in Hampshire.
In the first race, Pirtek Racing driver and 2013 BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan took the race win in his Honda Civic and also took Independents class too. Second was was Honda Yuasa Racing driver Matt Neal in his Honda Civic Tourer, he was one second behind Jordan in the end. While third place was Honda Yuasa Racing driver Gordon Shedden in his Honda Civic Tourer, he was two and a half seconds behind Jordan in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, Honda Yuasa Racing driver Gordon Shedden took the race win in his Honda Civic Tourer. Second was Pirtek Racing driver Andrew Jordan in his Honda Civic and also took Independents class too, he was three tenths of a second behind Shedden in the end. While third place was eBay Motors driver Rob Collard in his BMW 125i M Sport, he was over two seconds behind Shedden in the end.
While in the third race, eBay Motors driver Colin Turkington took the race win in his BMW 125i M Sport and also took Independents class too. Second was Airwaves Racing driver Mat Jackson in his Ford Focus ST Mk.III, he was three seconds behind Turkington in the end. While third place was Airwaves Racing driver Fabrizio Giovanardi in his Ford Focus ST Mk.III, he was five and a half seconds behind Turkington in the end.
Next stop Oulton Park for Round Four of the 2014 British Touring Car Championship season in four weeks time.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Review of Round four of the 2014 United SportsCar Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California. With this round is split into two different races, one race with both the Prototype class and GT Le Mans class only. And the other race with Prototype Challenge class and GT Daytona class only.
In the first race, Starworks Motorsport team won the race overall and Prototype Challenge class too (all teams using Oreca FLM09 race car) of Renger van der Zande and Mirco Schultis. Second was 8Star Motorsports team of Sean Rayhall and Luis Díaz, they were twelve seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, thrid was RSR Racing team of Duncan Ende and Bruno Junqueira, they were sixteen seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Daytona class, Turner Motorsport won GT Daytona class and finished in eighth place overall in their BMW Z4 GT3; with the drivers of Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala; they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Meanwhile in the second race, Extreme Speed Motorsports team won the race overall and Prototype class too of Ed Brown and Johannes van Overbeek in their in their HPD ARX-03b, Honda HR28TT 2.8 L Turbo V6. While, Wayne Taylor Racing team finished second place in their Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8, the team of Jordan Taylor, and Ricky Taylor; they were six seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, Chip Ganassi Racing team finished in third place in their Riley DP, Ford Ecoboost 3.5 L V6, the team of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas; they were forty-seven seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Le Mans Class, Corvette Racing won GT Le Mans Class and finished in eighth place overall in their Chevrolet Corvette C7.R; with the drivers of Antonio García and Jan Magnussen; they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Predictions at Circuit de Catalunya, on the outskirts of Barcelona.
And so predictions for the race itself, and I predict that Lewis Hamilton for the win in his Mercedes, second place for Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, and Fernando Alonso third in the Ferrari. Don't forget Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Räikkönen, Nico Rosberg, the two McLaren drivers, two Williams drivers, or the two Force India drivers either for a podium place as-well.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Review of the fouth round of the 2014 MotoGP season at Jerez, in southern Spain. And the news of Bridgestone to quit as MotoGP tyre supplier at the end of the 2015 season.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider and current MotoGP champion Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V. Second place was the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was fourteen-tenths of a second behind Márquez at the end. While, third was the other Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedorsa in his works Honda RC213V, he was fifteen-tenths of a second behind Márquez at the end.
In Open class (Full control ECU system, hardware and software), NGM Forward Racing rider Aleix Espargaró won Open class and finished tenth overall on his FTR-Yamaha YZR-M1, he was under 28 seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Marc VDS Racing Team rider of Mika Kallio on the Kalex. Second was Technomag carXpert rider of Dominique Aegerter on the Suter, he was two and a half seconds behind Kallio at the end of the race. While, third was AGR Team rider of Jonas Folger on the Kalex, he was under four seconds behind Kallio at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Romano Fenati on the KTM. Second was SaxoPrint–RTG rider Efrén Vázquez on the Honda, he was only 0.144 of a second behind Fenati at the end of the race. While, third was Estrella Galicia rider Álex Rins on the Honda, he was only 0.147 a second behind Fenati at the end of the race.
Before the race weekend started (1/5/14), it was announced that Bridgestone will withdrawing supply tyres to the MotoGP top tier at the end of 2015.
Bridgestone will cease to supply tyres to the MotoGP World Championship at the end of 2015 MotoGP season, it has been announced.
Bridgestone first entered MotoGP in 2002 with Proton KR and Kanemoto Racing teams, and since 2009 has been the official tyre supplier for all the teams. However, as the Japanese manufacturer has now achieved all of its objectives, the decision has been taken to exit.
No word yet on who will replace them in 2016, don't be surprise for a return of Michelin or Dunlop to top tier of MotoGP as the official tyre supplier.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
This is post 600 on my blog, that's my little celebration on this blog. Review of Round two of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Toyota Racing team won the race overall and the LMP1-H class too of Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Nicolas Lapierre in their Toyota TS040 Hybrid. While, Audi Sport Team Joest team of Tom Kristensen, Loïc Duval and Lucas Di Grassi took second place in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro, they were 74 seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the second Toyota of Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima in their Toyota TS040 Hybrid, they were 80 seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP1-L class (a new category this season, designed solely for privateers without hybrid systems in their cars), the Rebellion Racing team of Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Mathias Beche in their Rebellion R-One with a Toyota RV8KLM 3.4 L V8 engine won LMP1-L class class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were ten laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the G-Drive Racing team of Roman Rusinov, Olivier Pla and Julien Canal in their Morgan LMP2 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in eighth place overall and they were eleven laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse team of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander won in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were nineteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by AF Corse team of Luís Pérez Companc, Marco Cioci and Mirko Venturi in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. They finish in eighteenth place overall and they were twenty-two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps below, enjoy.
Next Stop 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid June for round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship. End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Nigel Stepney the former Lotus and Ferrari mechanic has died in a road traffic accident at the age of 56.
Stepney was killed in Kent the early hours of Friday morning (2/5/14). The news was confirmed by JRM Team, which Stepney having been the team's racing team manager and technical director since 2010.
He left Formula 1 in 2007 after being involved in the 'Spygate' scandal between Ferrari and McLaren, having move to Maranello in the 1990s along with Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne winning five drivers titles and six constructors championships in that period.
Condolences goes out to the family and friends of Nigel Stepney.
R.I.P. Nigel Stepney
It's has been twenty years today of the passing of Ayrton Senna, from an accident at the San Marino Grand Prix were Senna crashed his Williams at Tumbrello on lap seven of the race. He would have been 54, if he was still around today. So this post is the Top six Ayrton Senna have driven 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: 1990 US Grand Prix
Story: The start of the 1990 season at Phoenix in USA, were Senna was in a dominating McLaren MP4/5B with a Honda 3.5l V10 underneath his car with Goodyear tyres.
But, Senna had to come from behind after Jean Alesi in his under-funded Tyrrell 018 with his under-powered Cosworth 3.5l V8 with Pirelli tyres. Almost stole the race away from the Brazilian, what would have been a major upset win for Alesi. But, somehow Senna pass Alesi to take the lead and the win. Senna took an eight-second win over Alesi at the end, who scored his first podium finish in Formula 1. And for Tyrrell team a great result likewise.
Number 5: 1986 Spanish Grand Prix
Story: From the 1986 season, round two at Jerez in Spain, were Senna in his Lotus Renault 98T (the most powerful Lotus ever) won the race ahead of Nigel Mansell's Williams by just 0.010 of a second! (Below, video of the race) Possibly some of Senna's best defence driving to keep hold of that win at the end of the race.
Number 4: 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix
Story: From the 1991 season, round two at Interlagos on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Senna pleased his home fans by taking pole ahead of the two Williams cars of Riccardo Patrese and Nigel Mansell. At the start, Senna took off ahead of Mansell and Patrese. With 20 laps to go, Senna who was experiencing gearbox troubles, and 10 laps to go Senna only had 6th gear in wet conditions with Patrese closing down after Mansell retired with gearbox troubles. But, Senna continue on and won his home race at Sao Paulo by a mere 2.9 seconds from Patrese. And if the race continue for another lap, be may not have won it.
Number 3: 1988 Japanese Grand Prix
Story: The penultimate round in the 1988 F1 season. Senna started on pole at Suzuka. However, Senna stalled his MP4/4. But a sloping grid at Suzuka, helped him to restart his car and place at fourteenth place. Senna knew he had nothing to lose and everything to gain in this race, and knew he could seal the championship here. By the end of the first lap he was eighth place, and by the fourth lap he was sitting in fourth position. Then on lap 27 Senna passed Alain Prost for the lead, and took the lead for the rest of the race to win. With victory in the race, Senna clinched his first World Driver's title.
Number 2: 1984 Monaco Grand Prix
Story: So one of Ayrton Senna best race, possibly the first time at Monaco 1984, were the race was very wet race that year. Have to remember that the car Senna that year Toleman Hart turbo (later to become Benetton and Renault after that) wasn't the best car in the field (that would be McLaren Porsche Tag Turbo in that era). He finished 2nd right behind Alain Prost that day, still showed his talents that day.
Number 1: 1993 European Grand Prix
Story: Ayrton Senna's first lap at a damp/wet/dry Donnington Park. Started from forth place on the grid behind Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher. Then on the first lap, blocked by Michael Schumacher, which Karl Wendlinger overtake for forth place. After that Magic!, passing Karl Wendlinger, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Alain Prost on the first lap right before the Melbourne loop, on a wet Donnington track to give Senna one of the best opening laps in history!
Despite he was in an underpowered McLaren MP4/8 (had a non-works Ford V8, which had 100 bhp less than the Williams FW15C Renault V10 engine at that period) won the European Grand Prix, at Donnington Park, in wet/damp/dry conditions. And Senna was over a minute ahead of Damon Hill and lapping the rest of the field as-well. That was a great of a driver Senna is.
End of Post now, new Post soon. Bye.
