As the title says BT Sport has secured exclusive rights to broadcast MotoGP races, along with feeder categories Moto2 and Moto 3, from the 2014 season onwards. The initial five-year deal signals the end of the championship's association with the BBC and Eurosport.
Running through to at least the 2018 campaign, all practice sessions, qualifying sessions and races will be shown live by BT. Which means to say there is no MotoGP on terrestrial Television starting from next season onwards.
So here's my rant, for starters I am not going to rant on BBC and Eurosport on this post, because it was the end of their contracts at the end of 2013 for both companies, as it's not in their control.
But, I am going to rant on Dorna Sports, the promoters of MotoGP giving the deal to BT in the first place, it will be free of charge to broadband customers but for the rest of us it will be an extra £15 per month for their channels. No terrestrial deal in place, I think this is a complete bad deal for the viewers who cannot afford BT Sport, I doubt that viewing figures will be even a 1/20th of a fraction of what the BBC or Eurosport has combined for the last few years. I believe that Dorna/MotoGP have alienated your audience for the next five years giving the live and exclusive rights to BT, take the cash and don't really think about making motorcycling racing easily accessible to the general public. If I was Dorna I would get some sort of terrestrial deal to the BBC (similar deal the BBC got with F1), if you haven't burned your bridges with the Beeb yet that is.
Final thoughts are this, BT sport is a luxury product just as the same as Sky, who owns the F1 rights, is a luxury product (paying £50 per month for their Sky sports package) paying £65 per month for those two products don't make sense in a rescission world we live in. And to the likes of Jake Humphrey, and Cal Crutchlow on twitter this afternoon saying it's still Free, Free to whom, who is not a broadband customers of BT perhaps. A bad day for any Motorcycling fan. End of Rant.
MotoGP: RIP 1949-2013.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
2013 F1 Spanish Grand Prix Predictions
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Predictions at Circuit de Catalunya, on the outskirts of Barcelona. I predict that Kimi Räikkönen for the win in his Lotus, Fernando Alonso second in the Ferrari and third place for Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull. Don't forget Mark Webber, Romain Grosjean, the two McLaren drivers, two Mercedes drivers, or the two Force India drivers either for a podium as-well.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
2013 Spain MotoGP Review
Review of the round three of the 2013 MotoGP season at Jerez, in southern Spain.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedorsa, in his works works Honda RC213V. Second was his team-mate and 2012 Moto2 Champion Marc Márquez in his works Honda RC213V, he got second place on the last lap, on the final corner ahead of current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo. Márquez was over 2 and a half seconds behind Pedorsa at the end, to give Honda another one-two race finish. While, third was Yamaha Factory Racing rider and current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo in his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was over 5 seconds behind Pedorsa at the end.
In CRT class (Claiming Rule Teams,street bike engines rather than non prototype engines), the Power Electronics Aspar rider Aleix Espargaró won CRT class and finished 9th overall in his ART (Aprilia), he was under 44 seconds behind Pedorsa at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Tuenti HP 40 rider Esteve Rabat on the Kalex. Second was Marc VDS Racing Team rider of Scott Redding on the Kalex, he was over 4 seconds behind Rabat at the end. While, third was the second Tuenti HP 40 rider Pol Espargaró on the Kalex, he was over 7 seconds behind team-mate Rabat at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Team Calvo rider Maverick Viñales on the KTM. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Luis Salom on the KTM, he was over 2 tenths of a second behind Viñales at the end of the race. While, third was Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 rider Jonas Folger on the Kalex-KTM, he was 4 and a half seconds behind Viñales at the end of the race.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedorsa, in his works works Honda RC213V. Second was his team-mate and 2012 Moto2 Champion Marc Márquez in his works Honda RC213V, he got second place on the last lap, on the final corner ahead of current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo. Márquez was over 2 and a half seconds behind Pedorsa at the end, to give Honda another one-two race finish. While, third was Yamaha Factory Racing rider and current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo in his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was over 5 seconds behind Pedorsa at the end.
In CRT class (Claiming Rule Teams,street bike engines rather than non prototype engines), the Power Electronics Aspar rider Aleix Espargaró won CRT class and finished 9th overall in his ART (Aprilia), he was under 44 seconds behind Pedorsa at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Tuenti HP 40 rider Esteve Rabat on the Kalex. Second was Marc VDS Racing Team rider of Scott Redding on the Kalex, he was over 4 seconds behind Rabat at the end. While, third was the second Tuenti HP 40 rider Pol Espargaró on the Kalex, he was over 7 seconds behind team-mate Rabat at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Team Calvo rider Maverick Viñales on the KTM. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Luis Salom on the KTM, he was over 2 tenths of a second behind Viñales at the end of the race. While, third was Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 rider Jonas Folger on the Kalex-KTM, he was 4 and a half seconds behind Viñales at the end of the race.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
2013 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Review
Review of Round two of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. Audi Sport Team Joest team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyerto in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. While, the second Audi of Allan McNish, Loïc Duval and Tom Kristensen took second place in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Meanwhile, third place was the third Audi of Marc Gené, Oliver Jarvis and Lucas di Grassi in their long wheel spec Audi R18 e-tron quattro to make an Audi R18 one-two-three in the six hour race.
In LMP2 class, the PeCom Racing team of Luís Pérez Companc, Pierre Kaffer and Nicolas Minassian 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 Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella won in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2, finished 15th overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by 8 Star Motorsports team of Enzo Potolicchio, Rui Águas and Matteo Malucelli in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 and finished 21st overall.
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.
In LMP2 class, the PeCom Racing team of Luís Pérez Companc, Pierre Kaffer and Nicolas Minassian 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 Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella won in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2, finished 15th overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by 8 Star Motorsports team of Enzo Potolicchio, Rui Águas and Matteo Malucelli in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 and finished 21st overall.
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.
Monday, 6 May 2013
WRC Round 5 recap
Last weekend was round five of the World Rally Championship at the Rally Argentina (1st-4th May) was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Loeb in the works Citroën DS3 WRC, to win the rally overall. While, WRC championship leader Sébastien Ogier finished in second place in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Ogier was under a minute behind Loeb at the end. Meanwhile, Jari-Matti Latvala, finished in third place in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Latvala was two minutes behind Loeb 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 Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari in his Seashore Qatar Rally Team backed Ford Fiesta RRC. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari finished in thirteenth place overall, he was only 32 and half minutes behind Loeb at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari in his Seashore Qatar Rally Team backed Ford Fiesta RRC. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari finished in thirteenth place overall, he was only 32 and half minutes behind Loeb at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Friday, 3 May 2013
Top Six Cosworth F1 cars
With the strong possibility that it is Cosworth last season in Formula 1. As it is more than curtin that they are not producing a Cosworth 1.6 litre V6 turbo for the new rules in 2014. This post will be Top six Cosworth F1 race cars that have been in Formula 1.
Starting with Number 6:
Number 6: 1994 Benetton B194
Story: Benetton B194 was designed by Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn. Instead of the famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath, the Benetton B194 had the 3.5 litre Ford Zetec-RV8 engine (produced by Cosworth but badged as a Ford). The Benetton B194 won eight grand prix wins, eight wins for Michael Schumacher and took Michael Schumacher to the 1994 F1 World Drivers' Championship and Michael Schumacher first of seven F1 World Drivers' Championships. Also, it took Benetton to second in the F1 constructors standings.
Number 5: 1978-79 Lotus 79
Story: The Lotus 79 was the first F1 car to take full advantage of ground effects aerodynamics, pioneered in its immediate predecessor, the Lotus 78 which started the ground effect movement. Had the famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath the Lotus 79. The Lotus 79 took six grand prix wins, It took a race win for Ronnie Peterson and five wins for Mario Andretti. To give Mario Andretti the 1978 F1 drivers championship and the F1 constructors championship for Team Lotus, Colin Chapman's and Team Lotus's last divers and constructors championships.
Number 4: 1979-82 Williams FW07
Story: Williams FW07 was designed by Patrick Head and Neil Oatley, the Williams FW07 had the 3 litre Cosworth DFV engine to give Williams two F1 Constructors titles in 1980 and 1981. Also took Alan Jones to the 1980 F1 World Drivers' Championship which is Williams team's first divers and constructors championships as a team. Williams FW07 took 15 race wins overall, eleven wins for Alan Jones, a race win for Clay Regazzoni, and three race wins for Carlos Reutemann in those three and a bit seasons in Formula 1.
Number 3: 1973-77 McLaren M23
Story: The McLaren M23 took McLaren to their first Drivers' and Constructors' tiles in Formula 1. Designed by Gordon Coppuck, with input from John Barnard, the McLaren M23 had the 3 litre Cosworth DFV engine to give McLaren the F1 Constructors championship in 1974. Also, Emerson Fittipaldi to his second F1 drivers title in 1974. While, McLaren M23 took James Hunt to his 1976 Drivers championship as-well. McLaren M23 took 16 race wins overall, two for Denny Hulme, two for Peter Revson, one for Jochen Mass, five for Emerson Fittipaldi and six for James Hunt in those four and half years in Formula 1.
Number 2: 1970-75 Lotus 72
Story: The Lotus 72 was yet another innovative design by Colin Chapman featuring inboard brakes, side mounted radiators in sidepods, as opposed to the nose mounted radiators which had been commonplace since the 1950s and an overhead air intake. The Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath the Lotus 72. Which took the Lotus 72 to 20 wins, four for wins Jochen Rindt, seven wins for Ronnie Peterson and nine wins for Emerson Fittipaldi. Which also, gives Jochen Rindt the 1970 F1 drivers title, Emerson Fittipaldi the 1972 F1 drivers title and Team Lotus the 1970, 1972 and 1973 F1 constructors titles. The Lotus 72 continue winning races until 1974 and kept on racing till 1975.
Number 1: 1967-70 Lotus 49
Story: The Lotus 49 was the first F1 car to be powered by the now-famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 engine after Chapman convinced Ford to build an F1 powerplant with the help from Cosworth. The Lotus 49 was designed around the Cosworth DFV engine and was the first successful Formula One car to feature the engine as a structural member of the chassis. Jim Clark won on the car's debut in 1967, and it would also provide him with the last win of his career in 1968. Graham Hill went on to win the 1968 F1 drivers title and the constructors championship as-well for Team Lotus that year. The Lotus 49 continued winning races until 1970 were it took 12 wins in that period, five wins for Jim Clark, four wins for Graham Hill, a race win for Jo Siffert, and two wins for Jochen Rindt. To give the best F1 Cosworth powered race car in this list.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Starting with Number 6:
Number 6: 1994 Benetton B194
Story: Benetton B194 was designed by Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn. Instead of the famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath, the Benetton B194 had the 3.5 litre Ford Zetec-RV8 engine (produced by Cosworth but badged as a Ford). The Benetton B194 won eight grand prix wins, eight wins for Michael Schumacher and took Michael Schumacher to the 1994 F1 World Drivers' Championship and Michael Schumacher first of seven F1 World Drivers' Championships. Also, it took Benetton to second in the F1 constructors standings.
Number 5: 1978-79 Lotus 79
Story: The Lotus 79 was the first F1 car to take full advantage of ground effects aerodynamics, pioneered in its immediate predecessor, the Lotus 78 which started the ground effect movement. Had the famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath the Lotus 79. The Lotus 79 took six grand prix wins, It took a race win for Ronnie Peterson and five wins for Mario Andretti. To give Mario Andretti the 1978 F1 drivers championship and the F1 constructors championship for Team Lotus, Colin Chapman's and Team Lotus's last divers and constructors championships.
Number 4: 1979-82 Williams FW07
Story: Williams FW07 was designed by Patrick Head and Neil Oatley, the Williams FW07 had the 3 litre Cosworth DFV engine to give Williams two F1 Constructors titles in 1980 and 1981. Also took Alan Jones to the 1980 F1 World Drivers' Championship which is Williams team's first divers and constructors championships as a team. Williams FW07 took 15 race wins overall, eleven wins for Alan Jones, a race win for Clay Regazzoni, and three race wins for Carlos Reutemann in those three and a bit seasons in Formula 1.
Number 3: 1973-77 McLaren M23
Story: The McLaren M23 took McLaren to their first Drivers' and Constructors' tiles in Formula 1. Designed by Gordon Coppuck, with input from John Barnard, the McLaren M23 had the 3 litre Cosworth DFV engine to give McLaren the F1 Constructors championship in 1974. Also, Emerson Fittipaldi to his second F1 drivers title in 1974. While, McLaren M23 took James Hunt to his 1976 Drivers championship as-well. McLaren M23 took 16 race wins overall, two for Denny Hulme, two for Peter Revson, one for Jochen Mass, five for Emerson Fittipaldi and six for James Hunt in those four and half years in Formula 1.
Number 2: 1970-75 Lotus 72
Story: The Lotus 72 was yet another innovative design by Colin Chapman featuring inboard brakes, side mounted radiators in sidepods, as opposed to the nose mounted radiators which had been commonplace since the 1950s and an overhead air intake. The Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 underneath the Lotus 72. Which took the Lotus 72 to 20 wins, four for wins Jochen Rindt, seven wins for Ronnie Peterson and nine wins for Emerson Fittipaldi. Which also, gives Jochen Rindt the 1970 F1 drivers title, Emerson Fittipaldi the 1972 F1 drivers title and Team Lotus the 1970, 1972 and 1973 F1 constructors titles. The Lotus 72 continue winning races until 1974 and kept on racing till 1975.
Number 1: 1967-70 Lotus 49
Story: The Lotus 49 was the first F1 car to be powered by the now-famous Cosworth DFV 3 litre V8 engine after Chapman convinced Ford to build an F1 powerplant with the help from Cosworth. The Lotus 49 was designed around the Cosworth DFV engine and was the first successful Formula One car to feature the engine as a structural member of the chassis. Jim Clark won on the car's debut in 1967, and it would also provide him with the last win of his career in 1968. Graham Hill went on to win the 1968 F1 drivers title and the constructors championship as-well for Team Lotus that year. The Lotus 49 continued winning races until 1970 were it took 12 wins in that period, five wins for Jim Clark, four wins for Graham Hill, a race win for Jo Siffert, and two wins for Jochen Rindt. To give the best F1 Cosworth powered race car in this list.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Senna greatest race: Spain 1986, winning it by 0.010 of a second!
Its has been 19 years today, that Ayrton Senna has past away from us (read previous post). So we've got to celebrate Senna life, never forget Ayrton's achievements in Formula 1.
Two years back, I did a post on one of Senna best race's at Monaco in 1984, were he finished second place in an under-powered Toleman. Last year, I wrote about his race win at Phoenix in USA back in 1990 in his McLaren. This year another Great Ayrton Senna race win 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.
End of Post now, new Post soon. Bye.
Two years back, I did a post on one of Senna best race's at Monaco in 1984, were he finished second place in an under-powered Toleman. Last year, I wrote about his race win at Phoenix in USA back in 1990 in his McLaren. This year another Great Ayrton Senna race win 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.
End of Post now, new Post soon. Bye.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)