It was announced yesterday (30/1/15) that Toyota are returning to WRC for the first time since 1999. It was announced at a press conference in Tokyo detailing Toyota future motorsport plans, which will also see it continue in the World Endurance Championship, Toyota will focus on development in 2015 and 2016 before joining in 2017 with the Toyota Yaris when new regulations will be introduced.
The Yaris WRC will be Toyota's first World Rally Car since 1999 with the Toyota Corolla WRC.
Toyota enjoyed a high profile in rallying from the 1970s until it withdrew in 1999 focus on Formula 1. In that period it notched up four Manufactures tiles in 1993, 1994 and 1999; and four drivers' titles in 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1994 with Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol.
In my opinion, this is good news for the WRC. Now you got five manufactures for 2017 which will includes Volkswagen, Citroen, M-Sport (Ford) and Hyundai for the 2017 season and now Toyota. This must be good times for the WRC and I hope some good times for Toyota as-well.
Final thoughts, good times ahead for WRC with five strong manufactures in 2017 and good luck to Toyota in 2017 WRC season too.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
As the title says a Rolex 24 at Daytona Review of the race. Review of Round one of the 2015 United SportsCar Championship at Daytona and the first round of the North American Endurance Championship.
Chip Ganassi Racing team won the race overall and Prototype class too of Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray in their in their Riley DP, Ford Ecoboost 3.5 L V6. While, Action Express Racing team finished in second place in their Coyote Corvette, Chevrolet 5.5L V8; the team of João Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and Sébastien Bourdais; they were over a second behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Wayne Taylor Racing team finished in third place in their Coyote Corvette, Chevrolet 5.5L V8; the team of Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli and Wayne Taylor; they were 77 seconds behind the leaders.
In GT Le Mans Class, Corvette Racing team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in fifth place overall in their Chevrolet Corvette C7.R; with the drivers of Antonio García, Jan Magnussen and Ryan Briscoe; they were 15 laps behind the leaders.
In Prototype Challenge Class (all teams using Oreca FLM09 race car), PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team won Prototype Challenge Class and finished in ninth place overall; with the drivers of Mike Guasch, Andrew Novich, Tom Kimber-Smith and Andrew Palmer; they were 26 laps behind the leaders.
In GT Daytona Class, Riley Motorsports team won GT Daytona Class and finished in thirteenth place overall in their Ferrari 458 Italia; with the drivers of Al Carter, Dominik Farnbacher, Ben Keating, Cameron Lawrence and Kuno Wittmer; they were 36 laps behind the leaders.
Highlights of the Rolex 24 at Daytona below.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Recap of the last round of WRC from this weekends round 1 of Rallye Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo of course.
This weekend was round one of the 2014 World Rally Championship at the Rallye Monte Carlo (22nd-25th January), that was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Meanwhile, team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala finished second in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Latvala was 58 seconds behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Andreas Mikkelsen finished third in the third works Volkswagen Polo R WRC to complete a Volkswagen podium whitewash. Mikkelsen was over 2 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Also, mention to former nine times WRC champion Sébastien Loeb, who return for a one off rally in the works Citroën DS3 WRC, Loeb retired on the second day via suspension damage while battling for the lead of the rally. But, he was re-started under Rally 2 Rules on the third day of the rally and finished in eighth place overall, he was 8 and a half minutes behind Ogier 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 PH Sport rally driver Stéphane Lefebvre in his Citroën DS3 R5. Stéphane Lefebvre finished in twelth place overall, he was 13 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Quentin Gilbert in his Quentin Gilbert backed Citroën DS3 R3T. Quentin Gilbert finished in thirty-second place overall, he was 32 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
With Formula 1 first race of this season in less then six weeks time. This post is the top six 2000's Formula 1 cars of all time, similar posts to the top six 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's Formula 1 cars post from the last 18 months. So starting with number six:
Number 6: 2008 McLaren MP4-23
Story: The McLaren MP4-23 was designed by Neil Oatley, Tim Goss and Paddy Lowe. Underneath the McLaren MP4-23 was powered by the Mercedes 2.4 litre V8 engine. The McLaren MP4-23 took Lewis Hamilton to the 2008 F1 Drivers title, while it took McLaren second in the F1 Constructors' standings. And the McLaren MP4-23 won six races, five for Lewis Hamilton and one for Heikki Kovalainen as-well.
Number 5: 2006 Renault R26
Story: The Renault R26 was designed by Bob Bell. Underneath the Renault R26 had the new Renault 2.4 litre V8 engine. The Renault R26 took Fernando Alonso to the 2006 F1 Drivers title, while it took Renault to the 2006 F1 Constructors' championship. And the Renault R26 won eight races, seven for Fernando Alonso and one for Giancarlo Fisichella as-well.
Number 4: 2000 Ferrari F1-2000
Story: Ferrari F1-2000 was designed by Rory Byrne. The Ferrari F1-2000 was powered by the 3 litre V10 Ferrari engine. The Ferrari F1-2000 won ten grand prix wins, a win for Rubens Barrichello and nine wins for Michael Schumacher, with Michael Schumacher taking the 2000 F1 World Drivers' Championship, Ferrari's first for 21 years. It also won Ferrari the 2000 F1 Constructors' Championship as-well.
Number 3: 2009 Brawn BGP 001
Story: The Brawn BGP 001 was designed by Jörg Zander and Loïc Bigois. The Brawn BGP 001 was powered by the Mercedes 2.4 litre V8. The Brawn BGP 001 took Brawn the 2009 F1 Constructors' Championship and eight wins altogether in 2009, were Rubens Barrichello took two wins that season. While, Jenson Button took six wins and the 2009 F1 Drivers' Championship title as-well, despite the previous owners Honda withdraw from the sport three months before the start of the 2009 season.
Number 2: 2005 Renault R25
Story: The Renault R25 was designed by Bob Bell. Underneath the Renault R26 had a Renault 3 litre V10. The Renault R25 took Fernando Alonso to the 2005 F1 Drivers title, while it took Renault to the 2005 F1 Constructors' championship to give Renault their first Drivers' and Constructors' title as a Constructor in Formula 1. And the Renault R25 won eight races, seven for Fernando Alonso and one for Giancarlo Fisichella as-well.
Number 1: 2004-2005 Ferrari F2004
Story: Ferrari F2004 was designed by Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn. The Ferrari F2004 was powered by the 3 litre V10 Ferrari engine. The Ferrari F2004 won fifteen Grand Prix wins, two wins for Rubens Barrichello and thirteen wins for Michael Schumacher, giving Michael Schumacher his seventh and last F1 Drivers' title and Ferrari the Constructors' championship in 2004.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Lamborghini has unveiled their new GT3 contender that will go on sale to customers in time for later this season. The Lamborghini Huracan GT3, which was launched at Lamborghini HQ on Wednesday (21/1/15), will succeeds the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 for this season.
The Huracan GT3 will have the same 5.2-litre V10 engine as in the Huracan ifself, with a Bosch ECU managing the traction control, gearbox and TFT dashboard display. A six-speed gearbox, three-disc racing clutch, and rear-wheel-drive. No word on Horse power output, but the Huracan GT3 could pump out as much as 611 bhp. And aerodynamics have been developed in conjunction from Dallara so this Lamborghini should be fast.
Lamborghini is planning to build around 26 new cars for this season, will be likely to race in this seasons Blancpain Sprint Series.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
For the last few weeks, there has been not of news of Caterham and Manor will race or not in this season in Formula 1. With recent news that the Caterham administrators are discussing with three potential buyers. And with recent news with Manor are in talks with new investors, despite the original team was folded during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend by their administrators.
With both Caterham and Manor went into administration in late October, and both teams missed both US and Brazilian Grand Prixs' last year, while Caterham attend Abu Dhabi Grand Prix via a Crowdfunding scheme.
And with Marussia (Manor) team owing creditors £31.4 million, with Ferrari owed £16.6 million, and McLaren owed £7 million, and HMRC are owed £1 million for outstanding tax and national insurance payments to name a few creditors they own money. While Caterham team has debts of around £15-16 million mark from their previous owners.
Will we see Caterham and Manor race in Formula 1 in 2015? my guess is this Caterham will have the better chance compare to Manor, due to less debt (Caterham £16 million in debt) compare to Manor (£31.4 million). Also, lets just say Manor does wipe-out that amount of debt and uses an updated version of its 2014 race car for this season (as the same with Caterham in that same scenario). But, there is one problem with Manor team, unlike Caterham who have still has a factory, Manor has no factory as Haas F1 team have bought and will use their former factory in Banbury, Oxfordshire in the UK as its European base for its Grand Prix entry in 2016. And so where will the team will prepare the race cars in such short notice.
But according to Bernie Ecclestone, he believes that Manor could be more than likely on the grid next season compared to Caterham, due to the team finish ninth the constructors last season and the money that comes out of the Concorde Agreement.
My final thoughts is this, whoever buy Caterham and Manor still have limit amount of time to buy the team and be on the grid for the start of the season in six weeks time getting the car, drivers and the team ready, that will be tough challenge to conquer. And with history shows back in 2001, Minardi team (now Toro Rosso) were looking more than likely that weren't going to be on the grid for 2001 after Gabriele Rumi who owned the majority of the team, had cancer and died later in mid 2001; he sold his shares in the Minardi team to Paul Stoddart. Six weeks before the start of the 2001 F1 season despite the team had no engine deal or no drivers in place. And after those six weeks Stoddart got an engine deal in place and got two drivers into the team, which includes a young Fernando Alonso. So both teams still got time to get their-selves ready if new owners will be there.
Time will tell if we see Caterham and Manor teams in Formula 1 this season or not.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It was confirmed yesterday (20/1/15) that GP2 series champion Jolyon Palmer has joined the Lotus Formula 1 team as reserve driver for the 2015 season.
The son of former F1 driver Jonathan Parmer, became the first British driver to win GP2 title since Lewis Hamilton back in 2006.
Lotus say Palmer will take part in some Formula 1 free practice sessions and will attend all races and tests throughout the season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Last weekend was the tenth annual Dubai 24 hour race at the Dubai Autodrome in Dubai (9-10th January). Black Falcon team was victories at the Dubai 24 in their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3; with team of Yelmer Buurmann, Oliver Webb, Hubert Haupt and Saudi Abdulaziz Al Faisalast came out on top to win this years Dubai 24 hour race in 604 laps in total.
While the RAM Racing team came in second place in their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3; with team of Tom Onslow-Cole, Adam Christodoulou, Thomas Jager and Cheerag Arya as drivers. They were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hour race.
While the Dragon Racing team came in third place in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT3; with Mohammed Jawa, Jordan Grogor, Matt Griffin and Rob Barff as drivers, they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hours race.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round Four of the 2014-15 Formula E season held at the Puerto Madero Street Circuit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The race was won by Amlin Aguri driver António Félix da Costa. Second was e.dams Renault driver Nicolas Prost, he was five seconds behind da Costa in the end. Meanwhile, third was China Racing driver Nelson Piquet, Jr., he was eight seconds behind da Costa in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Five of the 2014-15 Formula E season in Miami, U.S.A. for the Miami ePrix in nine weeks time.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Today, BBC has revealed its coverage plans for all F1 races in 2015. Ten races will be shown live on BBC One, includes these races:
- 29 March: Malaysia
- 19 April: Bahrain
- 7 June: Canada
- 5 July: Britain
- 26 July: Hungary
- 23 August: Belgium
- 27 September: Japan
- 11 October: Russia
- 15 November: Brazil
- 29 November: Abu Dhabi
While the other ten races, there will be extended highlights programmes on BBC One, of either 90-minute or two-hour duration depending on race location.
My only concern once again there is no Monaco Grand Prix live on the BBC, due to its the Monaco Grand Prix and the history behind it. But apart form that, all and all, good choices from the BBC for next season.
End of post for now, new post soon, Bye.
During the Christmas period, a little YouTube video appeared of a Nurburgring Driving Academy instructor drives a Nurburgring Formula racing car (possibly a Formula Renault 1.6) around the Nordschleife track at the Nürburgring in minus 16 degrees Celsius on an ice and snow, 13 miles on the green hell track.
The lap time was under 14 minutes long, however that doesn't matter as watching video shows how did that driver raced that car around that track in those conditions is quite amazing, even he was drifting in those conditions around specific corners like the Karussell is really amazing.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
During the Christmas period, Mazda and the creators of Gran Turismo teamed up to make the Mazda LM55 concept, which is another car in the Vision Gran Tursimo series.
The LM55 is inspired by the 787B racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1991.
No word on how much horsepower and engine that the LM55 got, but the concept does wear Mazda's “Skyactiv” badging, so my guess maybe a 2 litre 4 cylinder turbo engine underneath, so maybe LMP1 spec or unless a Group C race Car maybe.
No idea its just only a computer concept from Mazda and Gran Tursmo or a little hint that Mazda may return to Le Mans in the years to come. Anyway here's the video of the LM55 in action in GT6.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Happy new year to all, with the first post of 2015. And just like last year, this post is five predictions for 2015, if this happen or not this more of a fun post on what might happen.
Number 1, Citroen to win at least one rally in WRC this season.
With Volkswagen winning 12 rallies out of 13 last year. And with Hyundai with a much developed car this season. And last season with Citroen winning everything in the WTCC and not winning anything in the WRC last season. And with the return of Sébastien Loeb doing only the Monte Carlo Rally coming up this month. And the full time Citroen rally drivers Kris Meeke and Mads Østberg can steps up, Citroen could at least win one rally in WRC this season.
Number 2, Daniil Kvyat to win a Grand Prix by this seasons British Grand Prix.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. With Daniil Kvyat promoted to the Red Bull team this season, and if Red Bull and Renault produce a race winning race car. And with Kvyat impressive in some of the races from his debut season last year, Kvyat got the opportunity to win a Grand Prix or two this season. And why I said by this seasons British Grand Prix? because he take the youngest driver in history to win a Formula One Grand Prix. As the stands with former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel winning the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at the aged 21 years and 74 days; and if he wins by this seasons British Grand Prix he will take the record at 21 years and 70 days, so don't count that prediction out.
Number 3, Suzuki to take a podium or two in MotoGP this season.
Yet again this might not sound stupid as it seems. With Suzuki returning to MotoGP after a three year hiatus with their new bike called GSX-RR. Suzuki have signed talented Spanish duo Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales as their riders for 2015. And if Suzuki develop their bike to the likes of Ducati, Honda and Yamaha and a bit of luck too, Suzuki can take a podium or two in MotoGP this season.
Number 4, Porsche to win 2015 Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles in 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season
With last year was a development year for Porsche, and with Porsche winning the last round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Brazil, and their first driver's finishing in third in the Drivers' standings and Porsche themselves finishing a not too far away third place in the Manufacturers' standings from the likes of the dominating Audi and Toyota. 2015 could be the year for Porsche to triumph in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Number 5, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari will win a race each in 2015.
And my last prediction could be the most shocker of them all, with last season neither Williams, McLaren nor Ferrari have won a Grand Prix in a season as a unit for the first time in Formula 1 history. So with a ever improving Williams race car next season and McLaren using Honda power units and a re-hiring Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari hiring Sebastian Vettel and also reshuffling the team for 2015. I predict that Williams, McLaren and Ferrari will win a race each in 2015.
As I said at the start of the post, this is a fun post on what might happen, would any prediction might happen? maybe one or two, I have to wait till late November to find out.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
