Review of Round 4 of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone. Audi Sport Team Joest team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyerto in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Second was the Toyota Racing team of Alexander Wurz, Kazuki Nakajima and Nicolas Lapierre in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid, best result for the car so far. While, the second Audi of Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen took third place in their Audi R18 Ultra.
In LMP2 class, the ADR-Delta team of Tor Graves, John Martin and Jan Charouz in their Oreca 03 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class and 8th 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 21st overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by AF Corse-Waltrip team of Piergiuseppe Perrazini, Matt Griffin and Marco Cioci in their Ferrari 458 GTC and finished 24th overall.
Four minutes highlights package of the race below from Michelin's own Youtube channel. So enjoy.
Next Stop 6 Hours of São Paulo in three weeks time for round 5 of the FIA World Endurance Championship. End of post/blog for now, That is all. Bye.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Sunday, 26 August 2012
McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am edition
Basically the 'McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am edition' is a one-off concept race car from McLaren them-selves had its debut at last weekends Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach in California, USA.
This is the most extreme version yet of the McLaren MP4-12C. The car is based on the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car but, free from any race regulations so therefore you will not see this car in any series around the world, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 develops 630 bhp, 30 more than the road car. The car weight is only 1200 kg, 270 less than the road car. McLaren claims the car also produces 30% more downforce than the GT3 racer.
The 12C Can-Am Edition wears the McLaren Orange colours from the Cam-Am Series (Canadian American Challenge Cup) an Canadian and American Le Mans styles series that compete throughout the 1960s and 1970s were McLaren founder Bruce McLaren, 1967 F1 World Champion Denny Hulme and Peter Revson won the Cam-Am driver championship between them in five concessive years (1967-1971) when the cars had monsterish horsepower in that period compared to Formula 1 cars in that day (McLaren M19A had a Cosworth 3.5 litre V8 engine producing over 400 bhp while the McLaren M20 had an 8.3 litre Chevrolet V8 producing 750 bhp in1972!). Videos and Images below of the McLaren's M6, M8 and M20 below.
Very bonkers cars from that period of those videos above and a bonkers McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am edition race car too. Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
This is the most extreme version yet of the McLaren MP4-12C. The car is based on the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car but, free from any race regulations so therefore you will not see this car in any series around the world, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 develops 630 bhp, 30 more than the road car. The car weight is only 1200 kg, 270 less than the road car. McLaren claims the car also produces 30% more downforce than the GT3 racer.
The 12C Can-Am Edition wears the McLaren Orange colours from the Cam-Am Series (Canadian American Challenge Cup) an Canadian and American Le Mans styles series that compete throughout the 1960s and 1970s were McLaren founder Bruce McLaren, 1967 F1 World Champion Denny Hulme and Peter Revson won the Cam-Am driver championship between them in five concessive years (1967-1971) when the cars had monsterish horsepower in that period compared to Formula 1 cars in that day (McLaren M19A had a Cosworth 3.5 litre V8 engine producing over 400 bhp while the McLaren M20 had an 8.3 litre Chevrolet V8 producing 750 bhp in1972!). Videos and Images below of the McLaren's M6, M8 and M20 below.
Very bonkers cars from that period of those videos above and a bonkers McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am edition race car too. Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
Friday, 24 August 2012
MotoGP Indianapolis Grand Prix thoughts and Andrea Dovizioso going to Ducati next season
Quick thoughts on the race from last Sundays race (19/8/12) at the Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and thoughts on Andrea Dovizioso getting the works Ducati ride for the next two seasons.
The race itself was a good race overall (despite I didn't saw it live itself and watched it later on in the day) and a great win for Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, second race win of the season, a dominating race from start of the race to the checkered flag for the Spaniard. Which gives Pedrosa only 18 points behind Jorge Lorenzo in the standings with seven races to go. While championship leader and former champion Jorge Lorenzo on his Yamaha finished second overall, nearly 11 seconds behind Pedrosa. While, Andrea Dovizioso on his Tech 3 Yamaha was only 17 seconds behind and finished in third place.
While, the current champion Casey Stoner finished in forth place, nearly 20 seconds behind his team-mate, despite crashing in qualifying, tearing ligaments in his ankle, but chose to start. But he will not feature in Brno in Czech Republic due to the ankle injures after his doctors advised him to have surgery on his damaged ankle. Which, made his championship hopes over for the 2007 and 2011 MotoGP world champion.
Speaking of Andrea Dovizioso, it was announced on Wednesday (22/8/12) that Tech 3 Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso will be riding for the works Ducati Team on a two year contract, until the end of the 2014 season. My opinion possibly the only option for Ducati team. Got the experience of developing RC212V with the Repsol Honda team back in 2009 to 2011 seasons and development of this seasons Honda RC213V too. That's possibly the reason why that Nicky Hayden has staying put at Ducati for another season for his race craft and experience of developing the Ducati Desmosedici bikes in recent seasons.
But, early in the season there was very strong possibility of Cal Crutchlow of getting the Ducati. But, somehow that deal was never confirmed and Cal felt Ducati lied to him about the ride. To me this could be the best thing happen to him, what if the Ducati doesn't improve next season and is still an animal to ride next season, despite the investment from Audi. Were would Cal Crutchlow go next season? possibly staying at Tech 3 (if the bridges haven't been burnt that is) next season teaming up with Moto2 rider Bradley Smith (which he is already contracted to Tech 3 for the next two seasons) as his team-mate perhaps. Or even riding on a Gresini Racing RC213V Honda Prototype bike perhaps, perhaps. Time will tell were Cal Crutchlow will be going to ride for 2013.
Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
The race itself was a good race overall (despite I didn't saw it live itself and watched it later on in the day) and a great win for Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, second race win of the season, a dominating race from start of the race to the checkered flag for the Spaniard. Which gives Pedrosa only 18 points behind Jorge Lorenzo in the standings with seven races to go. While championship leader and former champion Jorge Lorenzo on his Yamaha finished second overall, nearly 11 seconds behind Pedrosa. While, Andrea Dovizioso on his Tech 3 Yamaha was only 17 seconds behind and finished in third place.
While, the current champion Casey Stoner finished in forth place, nearly 20 seconds behind his team-mate, despite crashing in qualifying, tearing ligaments in his ankle, but chose to start. But he will not feature in Brno in Czech Republic due to the ankle injures after his doctors advised him to have surgery on his damaged ankle. Which, made his championship hopes over for the 2007 and 2011 MotoGP world champion.
Speaking of Andrea Dovizioso, it was announced on Wednesday (22/8/12) that Tech 3 Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso will be riding for the works Ducati Team on a two year contract, until the end of the 2014 season. My opinion possibly the only option for Ducati team. Got the experience of developing RC212V with the Repsol Honda team back in 2009 to 2011 seasons and development of this seasons Honda RC213V too. That's possibly the reason why that Nicky Hayden has staying put at Ducati for another season for his race craft and experience of developing the Ducati Desmosedici bikes in recent seasons.
But, early in the season there was very strong possibility of Cal Crutchlow of getting the Ducati. But, somehow that deal was never confirmed and Cal felt Ducati lied to him about the ride. To me this could be the best thing happen to him, what if the Ducati doesn't improve next season and is still an animal to ride next season, despite the investment from Audi. Were would Cal Crutchlow go next season? possibly staying at Tech 3 (if the bridges haven't been burnt that is) next season teaming up with Moto2 rider Bradley Smith (which he is already contracted to Tech 3 for the next two seasons) as his team-mate perhaps. Or even riding on a Gresini Racing RC213V Honda Prototype bike perhaps, perhaps. Time will tell were Cal Crutchlow will be going to ride for 2013.
Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Michael Schumacher last season in F1?
First post since last week. This post is all about Michael Schumacher and Mercedes.
After three seasons since this return to Formula One. Michael Schumacher looks likely to quit after the 2012 season, despite this he was on unofficially on pole at Monaco on the front-row at Shanghai and podium at Valencia this season.
The 43-year-old German, who has won seven world titles with Benetton and Ferrari, retired from Formula One back in 2006 before returning with Mercedes at the end of the 2009 season. But, the team have struggled to keep up with Red Bull and McLaren while team-mate Nico Rosberg, has overshadowed the former world champion. Schumacher is in the final year of his contract. Is it going to be Michael Schumacher last season in F1?
Personally, apart of some great qualifying performances which includes Monaco and the race performance at Valencia to finish in third place, the last two and a half seasons is has been unsuccessful return into Formula One in my opinion. Due to he hasn't won a race in the last two and half season so far and for the last two and half seasons Nico Rosberg has beaten the old champion 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 two and half seasons.
So who should replace Michael Schumacher if he does retired? Personally, I would like to see a Paul di Resta, Nico Hülkenberg, Adrian Sutil or a Heikki Kovalainen to drive alongside Nico Rosberg at Mercedes next season.
Also, last week there were rumours from France that Mercedes is considering a partial withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of next year and might field only a “semi-official” team in 2013, changing the team name to AMG something similar of what Jaguar Racing (Red Bull Racing nowadays) did around after 2002, were they wasn't a full works team and they had to paid their own engines if memory served me right before Red Bull bought Jaguar Racing from Ford.
Anyway end of post/blog for now. New post/blog soon. Bye.
After three seasons since this return to Formula One. Michael Schumacher looks likely to quit after the 2012 season, despite this he was on unofficially on pole at Monaco on the front-row at Shanghai and podium at Valencia this season.
The 43-year-old German, who has won seven world titles with Benetton and Ferrari, retired from Formula One back in 2006 before returning with Mercedes at the end of the 2009 season. But, the team have struggled to keep up with Red Bull and McLaren while team-mate Nico Rosberg, has overshadowed the former world champion. Schumacher is in the final year of his contract. Is it going to be Michael Schumacher last season in F1?
Personally, apart of some great qualifying performances which includes Monaco and the race performance at Valencia to finish in third place, the last two and a half seasons is has been unsuccessful return into Formula One in my opinion. Due to he hasn't won a race in the last two and half season so far and for the last two and half seasons Nico Rosberg has beaten the old champion 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 two and half seasons.
So who should replace Michael Schumacher if he does retired? Personally, I would like to see a Paul di Resta, Nico Hülkenberg, Adrian Sutil or a Heikki Kovalainen to drive alongside Nico Rosberg at Mercedes next season.
Also, last week there were rumours from France that Mercedes is considering a partial withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of next year and might field only a “semi-official” team in 2013, changing the team name to AMG something similar of what Jaguar Racing (Red Bull Racing nowadays) did around after 2002, were they wasn't a full works team and they had to paid their own engines if memory served me right before Red Bull bought Jaguar Racing from Ford.
Anyway end of post/blog for now. New post/blog soon. Bye.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
The first guy who won for Citroën in the WRC has past away, Philippe Bugalski 1963 – 2012
Since 1999, Citroën have won 85 Rallies in the WRC and counting. And the first person who won for Citroën was French rally driver and tarmac specialist called Philippe Bugalski (Bug to his fans) in his Citroën Xsara F2 kit car on the Rally Catalunya and then on the Tour de Corse in Corsica a rally later, beating the likes of Didier Auriol, Tommi Mäkinen and Colin McRae on those two weekends. Recently been an official Citroën WRC test driver up until including the development of the Xsara WRC back in 2001 and C4 WRC back in 2007.
But sadly, Philippe Bugalski died on last Friday (August 10th), aged 49, from injuries sustained when he fell out of a tree at his home in Vichy near Paris. Condolences goes out to Philippe Bugalski's family and close friends.
A YouTube video below of Bug (as fans called him) winning his first WRC win on the Rally Catalunya back in 1999 below.
R.I.P. Philippe Bugalski (June 12, 1963 – August 10, 2012)
But sadly, Philippe Bugalski died on last Friday (August 10th), aged 49, from injuries sustained when he fell out of a tree at his home in Vichy near Paris. Condolences goes out to Philippe Bugalski's family and close friends.
A YouTube video below of Bug (as fans called him) winning his first WRC win on the Rally Catalunya back in 1999 below.
R.I.P. Philippe Bugalski (June 12, 1963 – August 10, 2012)
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Dodge pulling out of NASCAR from 2013
I don't usually do any NASCAR post on this site. But, only this time, that on Tuesday (7/8/12) Dodge will pull out of NASCAR at the end of the season. Following. Penske Racing's decision to return to Ford from 2013, which was only top NASCAR team that is using the Dodge Charger in the top series of NASCAR. The decision came due to not finding a top team or big sponsors in the series.
Personally I think this is sad news but not a surprise about the news this week. But, I feel that Dodge could return to NASCAR if a big team could use the Charger as early as 2014 maybe.
But this is not the end for Dodge in motorsport. Dodge Dart is in the Global RallyCross Championship this season driven by former four-time Rally America Champion Travis Pastrana with his own team, which won a round last time out in the championship itself. Also the Dodge Viper has returned to ALMS last weekeend with Dodge's own SRT Motorsports team, were at MId-Ohio the two Vipers finished in 23rd (10th in GT class) and 25th place (12th in GT class) on its race return.
It's not the end for the end of Dodge in motorsport, Still got the Dart and the Viper in Global Rally Cross and ALMS. Just, only the end for NASCAR for now for Dodge. End of post/blog for now. New post/blog soon. Bye.
Personally I think this is sad news but not a surprise about the news this week. But, I feel that Dodge could return to NASCAR if a big team could use the Charger as early as 2014 maybe.
But this is not the end for Dodge in motorsport. Dodge Dart is in the Global RallyCross Championship this season driven by former four-time Rally America Champion Travis Pastrana with his own team, which won a round last time out in the championship itself. Also the Dodge Viper has returned to ALMS last weekeend with Dodge's own SRT Motorsports team, were at MId-Ohio the two Vipers finished in 23rd (10th in GT class) and 25th place (12th in GT class) on its race return.
It's not the end for the end of Dodge in motorsport, Still got the Dart and the Viper in Global Rally Cross and ALMS. Just, only the end for NASCAR for now for Dodge. End of post/blog for now. New post/blog soon. Bye.
Friday, 10 August 2012
It's Official - The Doctor is back at Yamaha for 2013 and 2014 MotoGP seasons
Just as the title says Valentino Rossi will return to Yamaha for 2013 and 2014 seasons after leaving Ducati at the end of the season, that means he will rejoin Yamaha alongside Jorge Lorenzo, who was his team-mate at the team before he decided to leave for Ducati for 2011, Yamaha confirmed on Friday (today). Ducati announced this morning that Rossi was leaving the team following a disappointing two-year spell at Ducati, where the Italian rider struggled to be competitive, managing just two podiums and no victories so far in his Ducati career.
In my opinion, great news for Rossi his rejoining Yamaha. Like I said when he decided go to Ducati back in 2011 I said that:
"Rossi leaving will be a shame in my opinion, I fell that Rossi and Yamaha are a perfect match for the last seven seasons developing the best bike on the grid, possibly making a great brand as well in that period."
To this day Rossi and Yamaha are still a perfect match, despite trying to make the relationship work a Ducati for the last two seasons, which it has failed. Rossi going home to Yamaha will be a good thing for the Doctor. If anyone said Valentino Rossi going back to Yamaha four weeks ago I would say never going to happen in my opinion. But it has, you got a possibility that Valentino Rossi can be the old Doctor again who can still win races and championships. I am also guessing that Rossi will bring back Jeremy Burgess and his crew from Ducati to challenge the likes of Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Marques in 2013.
And so who will replace Rossi at Ducati in 2013? There is a strong possibility it will be Cal Crutchlow being team-mates with Nicky Hayden for 2013, or perhaps his Tech 3 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, or even a three bike Ducati works team. But, would Ducati try and get Casey Stoner who won the MotoGP championship with Ducati back in 2007, who is retiring at the end of this season perhaps? Casey Stoner and Ducati is still a good fit in my opinion and can be a great team if the bike and rider are in the right mind. But here is the thing, Casey Stoner is retiring at the end of this season and Honda did offer Stoner a ride for 2013 and 2014 which he declined and announced his retirement back in May. But, could Ducati change his mind on retiring. Just a thought at the end of the day.
So good Luck to Valentino Rossi for riding at Yamaha next season, will we see the Doctor back in winning ways? who knows. End of post/blog for now, that is all, Bye.
In my opinion, great news for Rossi his rejoining Yamaha. Like I said when he decided go to Ducati back in 2011 I said that:
"Rossi leaving will be a shame in my opinion, I fell that Rossi and Yamaha are a perfect match for the last seven seasons developing the best bike on the grid, possibly making a great brand as well in that period."
To this day Rossi and Yamaha are still a perfect match, despite trying to make the relationship work a Ducati for the last two seasons, which it has failed. Rossi going home to Yamaha will be a good thing for the Doctor. If anyone said Valentino Rossi going back to Yamaha four weeks ago I would say never going to happen in my opinion. But it has, you got a possibility that Valentino Rossi can be the old Doctor again who can still win races and championships. I am also guessing that Rossi will bring back Jeremy Burgess and his crew from Ducati to challenge the likes of Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Marques in 2013.
And so who will replace Rossi at Ducati in 2013? There is a strong possibility it will be Cal Crutchlow being team-mates with Nicky Hayden for 2013, or perhaps his Tech 3 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, or even a three bike Ducati works team. But, would Ducati try and get Casey Stoner who won the MotoGP championship with Ducati back in 2007, who is retiring at the end of this season perhaps? Casey Stoner and Ducati is still a good fit in my opinion and can be a great team if the bike and rider are in the right mind. But here is the thing, Casey Stoner is retiring at the end of this season and Honda did offer Stoner a ride for 2013 and 2014 which he declined and announced his retirement back in May. But, could Ducati change his mind on retiring. Just a thought at the end of the day.
So good Luck to Valentino Rossi for riding at Yamaha next season, will we see the Doctor back in winning ways? who knows. End of post/blog for now, that is all, Bye.
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