Francois Picard Ernie Pieterse Paul Pietsch Andre Pilette Teddy Pilette
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
NASCAR: Patrick finishes 17th at Phoenix
Patrick finishes 17th at Phoenix By Diego Mejia Sunday, February 27th 2011, 07:21 GMT Danica Patrick improved on her previous form at Phoenix International Raceway by finishing 17th in Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series event. After an eventful first race at the one-mile Arizona oval last November, Patrick had a smoother run this time around as she continues to build on her stock car experience, while pondering still a possible full-time move from IndyCar. Although Patrick managed to finished the race two positions shy of her top-15 target, she eventually finished three laps down on winner Kyle Busch as the 200 laps saw little incidents and long green-flag periods that did not allow her to recover ground and be in contention further up. Related posts:- NASCAR: Patrick finishes 27th at Michigan Patrick finishes 27th at Michigan By Diego Mejia Sunday, August...
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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-patrick-finishes-17th-at-phoenix/
Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti
Hamilton's tough decision
Since BBC Sport chief analyst Eddie Jordan reported on this website last week that Lewis Hamilton was on the verge of switching to Mercedes from McLaren next year, Formula 1 has been awash with speculation about the 2008 world champion's future.
McLaren did their best at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix to dismiss the story - team boss Martin Whitmarsh even joked: "Any sentence that begins, 'Eddie Jordan understands' is immediately questionable, isn't it?"
But it was noticeable that not only did McLaren not deny the story was true, they said very little to suggest Hamilton was staying with them.
From Whitmarsh, it was: "Lewis and his management have made their position clear to us", "my understanding is we're talking to him" and "I'm pretty convinced we will have a very good, competitive driving line-up next year."
None of which translates as "Hamilton is staying".
Hamilton was triumphant at Monza, but how many more races will he win with McLaren? Photo: Getty
As for the doubts cast on the veracity of the story, the source is strong and credible, and the core information - that Hamilton has agreed terms on a contract with Mercedes for next year - is based in fact.
That does not necessarily mean Hamilton will move but it does mean he is thinking about it seriously. And you can make what you will of his downbeat behaviour throughout the Monza weekend - even after he won the race.
In the paddock, the general view was that a move would be a mistake - but it is a much more complicated decision than that.
Firstly, McLaren have undoubtedly been more competitive than Mercedes in the last three years. Between them, Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button have won 16 races since the start of 2010; Mercedes only one, with Nico Rosberg in China this season.
Over an extended period, McLaren have a winning pedigree beyond that of any other team. Only Ferrari have won more grands prix, and they have been in F1 for 16 years longer.
Hamilton, who has been nurtured by the team since he was 13, says: "I want to win." On pure performance, there's only one choice, right?
In F1, things are rarely that simple.
Yes, McLaren usually have a good car, but until this year it had been a long time since they had unquestionably the best.
It was close with Ferrari in 2007-8, although hindsight would suggest now that the McLaren was probably not quite as good then. In which case, you probably have to go back to 2005 to find the last time McLaren had conclusively the fastest car in F1.
This is known to have irked Hamilton in 2010-11, and played some part in the cocktail of issues that led to his difficult season last year, when his frustration at the car's inability to compete for the title and problems with his family and his girlfriend led to what he admitted was his worst season in the sport.
That all changed this season. The McLaren is again setting the pace. But a series of operational problems in the opening races badly affected Hamilton, costing him 40 points. Add those points to his current total and he would be leading Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, not trailing him by a win and a fourth place.
Hamilton has done well to disguise his disappointment publicly, but it was around this time that his management started approaching McLaren's rivals about job opportunities.
On top of that, McLaren are entering an uncertain period. For the first time next year, they will have to pay for their Mercedes engines - that's in the region of eight million euros they cannot spend on the performance of the car unless they find it from other sources.
Tied in with this is the question of salary. McLaren have made it clear they cannot afford Hamilton at any price. The word is they have offered him a cut in money for next season, on the basis that they cannot afford anything more. This might be offset by other compromises, such as over PR appearances, flights and so on.
Already on about half of what Alonso earns at Ferrari, one can imagine how that has gone down with Hamilton - especially as McLaren's portfolio of sponsors makes it very difficult for a driver to do personal deals elsewhere to top up his earnings. That's because almost anywhere he looks there's a clash with a company that has links with McLaren.
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Meanwhile, Mercedes are by definition a "works" team with factory engines, have the might of an automotive giant behind them. They can pay Hamilton a lot more than his current salary - believed to be about �13m - if they want to. And at Mercedes there is also a lot more freedom for a driver to do personal sponsorship deals.
The funding for Mercedes' F1 team comes entirely from external sponsors - and the budget is reputedly significantly less than enjoyed by Red Bull and Ferrari. But it is underwritten by the parent company so even if there is a sponsorship shortfall it doesn't affect the team.
Performance-wise, the team that is now Mercedes actually won the world title more recently than McLaren, when they were Brawn in 2009. Ironically, the man who won it was Button. His success - and what he interpreted as the team's ambivalence about him staying - led to him moving to McLaren.
Admittedly, Brawn's success in 2009 was tainted by the row over double-diffusers that clouded that season. Once everyone had them, the car was no longer as competitive as it had been.
Mercedes have certainly been under-performing since then, but that can at least partly be explained by the fact that Brawn, facing serious financial problems, slashed their staff by 40% in 2009. As Mercedes, they have been slowly building levels up again.
The pressure on the team to up their game is massive - hence the huge investment in terms of staffing and resources in the last 18 months or so.
And while they are a long way behind McLaren this season, they are on an upward trend, even if it is significantly slower than either the team or the Mercedes board would like.
Equally, few in F1 would disagree that Hamilton is one of the three best drivers in the world, alongside Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Mercedes don't have any of them.
It's impossible to know how much faster the car would go in their hands than it has done so far in those of Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. Some might argue not at all. But, that's not how Hamilton, who raced and beat Rosberg in their formative years, will look at it.
Add all that up, and the decision doesn't seem so easy after all.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamiltons_tough_decision.html
Toto Wolff: ?We have to stay with both feet on the ground??
Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff insists that the team has to keep its feet on the ground despite its flying start to the season. Wolff pointed to the fact that Nico Rosberg had to work hard to get up to … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/04/21/toto-wolff-we-have-to-stay-with-both-feet-on-the-ground/
Onofre Marimón Helmut Marko Tarso Marques Leslie Marr Tony Marsh
Marco Mattiacci on leading Ferrari: ?I come with a lot of humility??
New Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci says the opportunity to take over as head of the F1 team came out of the blue in a phone call from Luca di Montezemolo last week ? some 72 hours before the news of … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/04/18/marco-mattiacci-on-leading-ferrari-i-come-with-a-lot-of-humility/
Pedro de la Rosa Keke Rosberg† Nico Rosberg Mauri Rose Louis Rosier
Aston Martin?s new architecture to debut in 2016 DB9 - report
British media is reporting Aston Martin's all-new architecture will be implemented for the first time in the next-gen DB9.Kurt Kuhnke Masami Kuwashima Robert La Caze Jacques Laffite Franck Lagorce
Holden Commodore & Ute Storm editions unveiled
Holden has introduced the Commodore and Ute Storm editions in Australia.Mike Magill Umberto Maglioli Jan Magnussen Guy Mairesse Willy Mairesse
Today in 1994: Barrichello survives horror crash as F1?s darkest weekend begins | 1994 San Marino Grand Prix flashback: Friday
Rubens Barrichello survived an appalling crash at the beginning of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix weekend, one of the most traumatic chapters in F1 history. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/9xLgElU6CaQ/
Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem
Honda: No plans to extend supply beyond McLaren
Honda F1 boss Yasuhisa Arai was non-committal today when asked about plans to extend future power unit supply beyond McLaren. McLaren will initially have exclusive use of the new V6 when the Japanese manufacturer rejoins the sport next season. ?For … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/04/18/honda-no-plans-to-extend-supply-beyond-mclaren/
Nico Hulkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison
Spring Training 2011: Michael Waltrip, NASCAR team visit Chicago White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Two days before the green flag drops on the Cactus League schedule, NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip brought his racing team into the Chicago White Sox clubhouse.The former Daytona 500 winner, in town this weekend for Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races, found there was plenty of NASCAR love emanating from the room. ESPNChicago.com White Sox blog The latest news and notes on the White Sox. Related posts:- VAR team hit with $25,000 fine after Michael Waltrip win CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR has penalized the Truck Series team...
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Source: http://doxcar.com/spring-training-2011-michael-waltrip-nascar-team-visit-chicago-white-sox/
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
A 2014 Porsche Cayman S and the Blue Ridge Parkway Equal Perfection
Few companies cater to the petrol-head quite like Porsche. Sure Ferrari provides excitement, and Lamborghini is the maestro of theater, but Porsche has cornered the market on feel and precision.
Beyond that, Porsche also seems to demonstrate a peculiar, un-German ability to create cars that are very pretty. Not the sensual beauty the Italians have mastered, but still pretty.
Late last year the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh decided that Porsche had done so much in the field of design, that it deserved to be recognized. They then began the laborious task of collecting an eclectic assortment of metal from the brand?s storied history; from the Type 64 of 1938 up to the 911 GTS R Hybrid race car.
As a man with a slight fetish for German autos, the exhibit intrigued me. The NCMA is only a six-hour drive from my house, through some of the most beautiful roads and scenery in the U.S., and I had just been granted the keys to a 2014 Porsche Cayman S.
It was a recipe that sounded like a Porsche enthusiast?s perfect weekend.
Read on to find out more about my journey, the Cayman S and the NCMA exhibit.
A 2014 Porsche Cayman S and the Blue Ridge Parkway Equal Perfection originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 29 April 2014 13:00 EST.
Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Clemar Bucci Ronnie Bucknum
Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong
Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives […]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/button-steps-up-pre-season-training-with-lance-armstrong/
Philippe Streiff Hans Stuck Hans Joachim Stuck Otto Stuppacher Danny Sullivan
Fisker Could Restart Production in 2015 Under a New Name
Fisker Automotive had a pretty bad 2013 and saying that feels like a massive understatement. But from the ashes of bankruptcy, the company has been brought back to life by the deep pockets of Chinese auto-parts company Wanxiang. Things are definitely looking much better now for Fisker, or whatever it’s new name is going to be if, as is being reported, the new bosses at the company decide to completely build under a new company name.
Speaking to the OC Register, newly appointed Fisker interim president Roger Brown, a managing partner at Nashville-based Summit Strategic Investments who has worked with Wanxiang for years, has been coy on whether the company will be rebranded under a different name. Brown points out that whatever name it goes by moving forward, the cars have been and will always be the "rock stars."
On that end, Brown expressed confidence that the Karma luxury hybrid will be relaunched in 2015 without the multitude of problems that plagued its previous incarnation and ultimately led to the company’s bankruptcy. In addition to the Karma, Wanxiang is also looking at jump-starting the development of two other cars - the Surf wagon and the entry-level Atlantic - in the future with an eye towards launching the former in 2016 and the latter in 2017.
All this is tremendous news for people who actually had some good things to say about the Karma. That includes us. It’s just unfortunate the old regime didn’t have the right financial structure to address all the problems that came with developing its cars. None of us knew it at that time, but Fisker was a sinking ship and it was already too late to call for help.
But now that the brand is under new management and is owned by a Chinese company that apparently paid cash to buy Fisker, things are finally looking up for the once proud Fisker brand. It’s also comforting to know that, according to Brown, Wanxiang brought Fisker because it wants "to build a great car company."
But the biggest difference, and the most important one, is that Wanxiang has money. Lots of it. And from the looks of it, the company is not afraid to spend to realize its vision of turning Fisker into that great car company.
Click past the jump to read more about the Fisker Karma.
Fisker Could Restart Production in 2015 Under a New Name originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 29 April 2014 12:00 EST.
Johnny McDowell Jack McGrath Brian McGuire Bruce McLaren Allan McNish
Alonso Magny-Cours 2004 (Video)
Magny-Cours was linked with a shock return to the F1 calendar for the 2013 season, after the scheduled Grand Prix in New Jersey was axed. It looks likely now that no circuit will be drafted in to make up 20 races, ending hope of watching Formula One cars hurtle around the French venue. In its [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/__ER1UQtP7I/alonso-magny-cours-2004-video-3
Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin JeanPierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson
Subaru BRZ gets 2,500 GBP price cut in UK
Subaru UK has announced a significant 2,500 GBP price cut for the BRZ which now starts at 23,995 GBP OTR.Cecil Green Keith Greene Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard
Magnussen facing normal rookie struggles, says Boullier
McLaren racing director Eric Boullier says that Kevin Magnussen’s recent struggles are par for the course for a rookie driver ? especially one with an underperforming car. ?Obviously it’s a completely normal process for a young rookie driver who is … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/04/23/magnussen-facing-normal-rookie-struggles-says-boullier/
Nico Hulkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison
1: Life on the Limit Blu-Ray and DVD reviewed | Review
The third F1 cinema release in four years was also the least satisfying so far. Does the Blu-Ray and DVD issue of 1: Life on the Limit make up for its shortcomings? 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/abWXeJV9erU/
Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler
The Top Dog At Red Bull?
When Mark Webber said he was leaving Red Bull at the end of last season, it may have been thought that Sebastian Vettel would be the top man. But Webber?s compatriot Daniel Ricciardo has out performed the German so far this season. We all know Vettel certainly does not like to be upstaged least of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/vkZXLuzp_yI/the-top-dog-at-red-bull
Monday, April 28, 2014
WCF reader films Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 towed after getting stuck on a Kuwait beach
A WCF reader has sent us footage with a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 while being towed on a beach somewhere in Kuwait.Brand new Donkervoort D8 GTO wrecked after just one day
The owner of a Donkervoort D8 GTO crashed his Audi-powered track toy in Switzerland just one day after purchasing it.Luis PerezSala Larry Perkins Henri Pescarolo Alessandro PesentiRossi Josef Peters
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