tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78573545081665661922024-03-12T22:05:16.456-05:00Crossdrilledhome of the loud stuffMichael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-72907530820138331622011-10-18T10:26:00.000-05:002011-10-18T10:31:36.819-05:00What is Dover? part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jamaican motorsports, this thing has always intrigued me.... There's a story m father told me, The Dover Race Track in Brown's Town, St. Ann was opened in the Easter of 1989, I was born the May of that year and by August I visited my first race.<br />
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Since then trips to Dover have been irregular, my interest peaked right after turning 16, I was regularly following up on all of Jamaica's car events and Dover was just one of those things I really couldn't get to even if I wanted to. There were 4 events per year: Easter Monday, Labor Day [May 23], Independence Day/Emancipation Day [August 1 & 6] and Heroes' Day [3rd Monday in October]. School essentially blocks me from going to them all with the exception to the Independence Day meet which either I participate in the Classic Car Club's Independence Day partakings or my father complains of being tired. Since getting my licence I've found myself driving there on my own and this year same thing happened only exception I managed to sneak in some time to get to go to the Heroes' Day meet.<br />
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The following blog highlights on my journey to both the 2011 Independence Day meet as well as the 2011 Heroes Day meet.<br />
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The Independence Day meet was the first meet I can say I paid for fully, from gas, to tickets, to food [as well as for my cousin]... all out of my pockets [still hurts now]. All the pre race chatter focused around the continuous rivalry between David Summerbell Jr. and Doug Gore. The rivalry between them has been back and forth and up until this year Summerbell dominated the track with his AMS prepared Evolution 8 [aka TA1] Gore's Evolution 6 was modified to the point where it couldn't go any further and reveled a bit in a slightly tuned Evolution 10 but still couldn't match the record breaking performance of the TA1. This year however a new sponsor with the name of ATL Autohaus [A new Audi dealership] took up Gore and handed him a DTM Spec Audi TT tuned and ballasted to compete in the almost unrestricted class of Thundersport<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jamaicamotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/dover08a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://jamaicamotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/dover08a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gore [silver Evolution] and Summerbell [yellow Evolution] in the early days.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gore and Summerbell part 2, this time Summerbell gets new paint and a new sponsor while Gore takes it easy in a new car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110809/sports/images/doug-gore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110809/sports/images/doug-gore.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gore and Summerbell today, rivalry still hot as ever</td></tr>
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The first 2 races of the season the Audi TT lacked the pace of the TA1 as the team blamed a lack of tuning to be the problem. I myself stated that the naturally aspirated 2 wheel drive machine would not catch on to the 4WD turbocharged beast that is TA1.<br />
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But I was worng<br />
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The practice and qualifying sessions showed that the DTM TT caught up to the pace of TA1 and indeed had the pace to break the record, something I was looking forward to witness on race day.<br />
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By the time I reached Dover I had already missed one thundersport race, Gore and Summerbell were neck and neck until they crashed before the end of the lap <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8xNeL_Zd0Y&">[a really bad quality video of that race is here]</a> Upon hearing this I was told that I had no need to worry as both cars were repaired in time for the rest of the races. Because of an international quality pit facility, Dover accommodates for 3 series of sprint races each lasting 5-7 laps depending on class. Most classes are bracket racers with B37 [1:37] and B45 [1:45] each split into naturally aspirated and turbocharged classes. These races are essentially road cars prepped by everyday civilians just to have fun. The other classes, MP [modified production] are as the name suggests, cars built for racing only each with their own rules which I won't get into the detail of. The final class is Thundersport which is almost unrestricted, in most events the MP class as well as Thundersport are on the track at the same time where as B37 and B45 are run at separate times. The following pictures show a lot of the cars in and out of the pits during my time there.<br />
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Onwards to Thundersport race #2. Both cars were prepared and the race was off. Both cars were literally nose to tail [this was a reverse grid btw] and quickly bopped and weaved their way throughout the pack and continued their two horse race. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufBDIt9-Ilc&feature=related">[another low quality vid of the race is here]</a> Essentially Gore's much lighter DTM car had the corners on lock while the 4WD and turbocharged motivation made Summerbell a real threat on the exit of corners. After a while it just became evident that Gore was driving defensively for the whole race and managed to keep off Summerbell till the end.<br />
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Thundersport Race #3, the final race of the day. What started out as a one lap battle for the lead eventually turned into Doug Gore giving the race track a good piece of rape lapping everyone in sight. From memory before the race was over, Gore pulled out a 6 second gap ahead of Summerbell and looked like he was on a Sunday cruise. Unknown to me at the time, Gore broke Summerbell's track record of 1:18.4 [set in 2009] with an impressive 1:18.114 set in the 3rd lap of the race. With that, Dover was done and on to the next meet......</div>M. McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576692465588225006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-91751229736915198702011-09-09T19:58:00.002-05:002011-09-10T23:51:37.488-05:00Destroy your city, build a racetrackTime to revive this old girl I call my blog.<br />
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Today [well actually Friday to be precise], I was on my way to school to pick up my brother and low and behold there was traffic. Despite going in the general opposite direction of most of Jamaica at that time the rain gods said let there be traffic and so said so done. I never understood as to why rain always made traffic that much more intense. Is the reduced visibility causing drivers to slow down for safety reasons? Are they slowing down because they don't want to slide and crash? Or is it that the drivers do not wish to encounter any newly developed potholes? To me it seems to be none of the above because it really wasn't raining today, in fact it was at the point where F1 drivers would consider switching from inters to drys. So I came to the conclusion that it had to be one of thing, no one knows how to drive. I really can't stand these bastards driving at 10km/h just to tiptoe across the water as if slowing down is going to make you seem responsible. NO YOU ARE AN ANNOYANCE PULL OVER NOW SO I CAN GO AROUND YOU AND DRIVE AT A LESS ANNOYING 40KM/H. I think anyone who drives below a certain speed should either be ticketed, nuked or sold into slavery depending on the government in power.<br />
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So anyways the trauma of being stuck behind a 10km/h RunX gave me the wonderful idea of just throwing away all road systems and starting a new. But first, just so I don't sound like a douche, we really need to upgrade the public transportation system. The better the public transport [whether trains, buses or boats I don't care just do it] the less cars on the road. What is more economic than a hybrid? Public transportation that's what. So all ya'll hippies with ya'll Priussies, go to the back of the bus. A world with less hybrids means that the government can stop wasting money on subsidizing them and pedestrians are less likely to get hit by ghost machines that just 'snuck up on me.' So we got greenpeace off our roads who next? The Douchebags. The thing is, not much needs to be done to get rid of them. After awhile they will realize that all the hot girls are being eco friendly (all eco mentalist women are hot btw) and not taking public transport looks as douchey as wearing a shirt that makes reference to ones penis size. Of course if there are douchebags that are too douchey to be phased by this, evolution will take of you guys as your suv's roll down a hill while you pray to your based gods.<br />
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With this new found emptiness, imagine the road being littered with the sounds of blow-off valves, waste gates and a high pitched wailing ferrari reverberating off the city walls instead of horns (real race cars don't use horns) and shouting. At last, people who love to drive own the roads. Traffic lights would be changed to stage trees and just watch as traffic launches off the line as soon as the light goes green. Anyone caught with slow reaction times must get a ticket. And as for all seeing eyes maintaining these rules, hire track marshalls to maintain the streets [they're all volunteers looking for a real job anyways] and stewards to decide insurance issues [because drive thru penalties are cheaper than insurance premiums, but just as effective in terms of lessons learnt] Roads would be cleared in a matter of minutes after accidents and justice would follow almost immediately after. Putting a pace car in front should ensure traffic moves smoothly instead of grinding to a halt around accident sites. So what about pedestrians? Let them all be rally fans. Imagine scores of drunk British people cheering you on as you commute to work, with that kind of joy suicide rates would drop. Rally fans are also the most helpful fans, they will always notify you when an accident is up ahead and will help you roll back over your car when you do crash. Speaking of crashes, I'm sure making everyone a racing driver wouldn't be safe? Fuck that, give everyone a fucking rollcage, a 6 point harness and a fire extinguishing system and not only will traffic related deaths drop but drivers will be made more aware of how dangerous racing is. Also, speed limits, revise them, as a matter of fact, get rid of them all together. Want to keep people driving safely and happily at the same time? Give them average speeds like what they do in those classic rallies, drivers will always make an extra effort to ensure that they travel at the rate at which they should. It may not sound safer but trust me it's always better to be speeding and be aware of your speed than to be driving casually and not care about speed unless you see a traffic cop. And what about roads not fit for normal driving speeds? Fuck repaving them and turn them into a dirt stage, I'm sure the money saved would be enough to do more important stuff like sorting out education and paying nurses. With less paved roads means less water run off, more trees and more happy polar bears. As for the roads we don't use, pedestrianize it. Tourists love that shit, just look at times square. Look at how packed Monaco gets when they have F1 there and those rich niggas be paying millions to get front row seats on the harbour. Suppose we could establish a Panama Canal style lock system into our gully systems and have boat races through the city. Gymkhana competitions in parking lots, soft roading competitions on golf courses, Blue Mountain hill climbs etc. The possibilities are endless and I'm sure it will be cheaper and more exciting than Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. With this I end my rant and campaign for minister of transportation under LA Lewis' government. Good night Jamaica</div>
Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-7241863832741201142011-05-22T13:22:00.015-05:002011-05-29T22:05:59.357-05:00A long drawn out history of some important Japanese classic cars<div style="text-align: center;">So as a part of my father's challenge in creating articles for the Auto section of the Gleaner, here is the first attempt [a topic he forced me to write on] expect more soon [hopefully at a faster rate than this long assed one]</div><div><br /></div>There has been a long debate whether anything from the Japanese car industry can be considered a classic. This has been received with mostly negative comments as the Japanese are fairly new to making cars and have been primarily focused on building economy cars especially within their own market. The few performance cars that do exist however have beenWhile these facts have made it difficult to identify a Japanese classic, the fact is that they do exist. What I plan to do in this article is to highlight a select few Japanese cars that could be considered classic at present as well as those that may be collectible in the future with a heavy emphasis being placed on vehicles already present in Jamaica<div><br /></div><div>Nissan</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbeQYY2m3vS0sOTsjHOr0JEsWkuJ_UJCJJTwP17D5vUaDRavdnzBYp2NoSiYWpz4IpzQB5ETQulS9m8_-1fVFeqoH1p0o_VOxOiSdzHglA0afI9B7F04aErOJHuzYndr0nDdyRbuqEtwO/s1600/Nissan-240z--263821.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbeQYY2m3vS0sOTsjHOr0JEsWkuJ_UJCJJTwP17D5vUaDRavdnzBYp2NoSiYWpz4IpzQB5ETQulS9m8_-1fVFeqoH1p0o_VOxOiSdzHglA0afI9B7F04aErOJHuzYndr0nDdyRbuqEtwO/s400/Nissan-240z--263821.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612333259646412226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Z series</div><div><br /></div><div>Nissan formed the Z series as the Japanese answer to Europe's best sports cars at the time especially those coming from Porsche and BMW. The first model, the 240Z, was favored for its styling, affordability, handling and reliability. The 260Z and 280Z built on the 240Z's already good role with bigger engines. Its popularity amongst the international crowd helped to build the image of the Datsun brand. The Z31 chassis 300ZX replaced the S30 chassis Z's and brought turbocharging into the Japanese sports car era with its race car derived V6. Just like the Z's before it entered sports car racing and had its success but the newer model was focused on being more luxurious, so a bit of its handling was sacrificed for more luxury options. The Z32 300ZX was even more luxurious than its previous incarnation which led it to win many awards for its styling and performance. So admired is its design that Lamborghini decided to use 300ZX headlights in it's redesign of the Diablo. Today the Z series is continued by the 350Z and 370Z which goes back to the 240Z style of being performance oriented. It can be easily claimed that the 240Z up to the Z31 300ZX are classics while the newer Z32 300ZX up to the 370Z are classics in the making.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The GTR series</div><div><br /></div><div>Designed to be more upscale than the Z series, the first GTR badges appeared on racing homologations of the Nissan Skyline sports car. In 1989, Nissan brought back the GTR badge on to the Skyline range with 4WD and turbocharging giving it an advantage over European sports cars at the time. Despite being limited to the mandatory 276hp for Japanese engines at the time, Nissan built an engine capable of handling twice as much horsepower with little modifications (in fact most GTRs left the factory with more horsepower than advertised.) This left the GTR as the king amongst the growing tuner craze. Despite its potential for tuning, in stock trim it is a very potent car besting models from Porsche and Ferrari in head to head race battles as well as being crowned as the King of the Nurburgring (a very long and difficult German track whose times have become a measuring stick to determine the all around performance of a car. Today, while few stock GTRs exist, they are highly coveted and can be considered future classics while the first generation 70's models are even more coveted and placed as instant classics. In 2007, Nissan split the Skyline and the GTR badge making them separate models, the present day iteration continues to shame Porsche and Ferrari in all aspects.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Honda NSX</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AhF7-5-n_rWsX8Nom9oPI6Sihff7LD1J31vrM3Is4SxByPCQALj1hwk_eqIV18abvn-rP9MfYhf_UY9AU1a2YYSzchOazODYtYn2X1NDEhCt0ZfdnvYgwd14ZhbgjdtNVxazADQk7kF0/s1600/080ry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AhF7-5-n_rWsX8Nom9oPI6Sihff7LD1J31vrM3Is4SxByPCQALj1hwk_eqIV18abvn-rP9MfYhf_UY9AU1a2YYSzchOazODYtYn2X1NDEhCt0ZfdnvYgwd14ZhbgjdtNVxazADQk7kF0/s400/080ry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612337500593699522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Highly regarded as Japan's first supercar, this Ferrari competitor was designed from the ground up to be the best all around supercar available. Although Honda had the experience of building strong and reliable cars, they had to hire Ayrton Senna (three time F1 champion and driver for the McLaren-Honda team) to help with the sports aspect of it. The end result gave the NSX highly positive reviews for its all around performance despite its supercar styling and fairly modest 276hp V6. A lot of this was attributed to its all aluminium chassis (the first for any car) which made it lightweight but still strong. Through its 15 year life, it received only minor updates while it's competition gained larger engines and became more advanced. Plans to replace the NSX have been on and off with a lot of pressure coming from a push to build greener automobiles. As a result, despite being fairly new, the NSX can easily be interpreted as a modern day classic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Toyota AE86 Corolla</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_vGNfdthb2kE0Fi3sjxQQj2_siGdTFksqw9XqJ29qpT4La5v5aBktCylAhr5L-k1PzV-n-f5HookH1LCPt8ixWToEkr-aMrzG2xyuB6ZhdgS5g1sRWXAB7HZZS2TeJ7Wl_AF-3_aZyaw/s1600/white-ae86-trueno.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_vGNfdthb2kE0Fi3sjxQQj2_siGdTFksqw9XqJ29qpT4La5v5aBktCylAhr5L-k1PzV-n-f5HookH1LCPt8ixWToEkr-aMrzG2xyuB6ZhdgS5g1sRWXAB7HZZS2TeJ7Wl_AF-3_aZyaw/s400/white-ae86-trueno.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612337502043525506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The AE86 became famous for being the last rear wheel drive Corolla and ultimately the best. Unlike previous Corolla's the AE86 featured independent rear suspension and a limited slip differential to improve handling and a twin camshaft 16 valve 4 cylinder to increase power. While its straight line performance is mediocre, its handling had created a cult following as it became one of the few affordable rear wheel drive cars. It being featured in the Japanese series Intial D as well as being a favorite car for Keiichi Tsuchiya (Japan's most popular racing driver) has elevated it to collector car status. Because of Tsuchiya's and Intial D's background, the AE86 became the "official" car for drifting. The AE86 is to drifting as what Ferrari is to F1. Lightly modified models have become the most collectable with models going for as high as $1 million on today's Jamaican market.</div><div><br /></div><div>Toyota MR2</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lEUi_fJB4l4I2vhKwnauG5N5mBpZI2uw1J4vXE76VKd7pDwhE3VTboKZNSegh-BNx12NPUZEuGj9O37ij9VY5-AfRWAFk4FUeU1Tds4JloHYyFwNPSD7-v045ukmwhlHNt3ErQ82XCUq/s1600/aw11zz2006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lEUi_fJB4l4I2vhKwnauG5N5mBpZI2uw1J4vXE76VKd7pDwhE3VTboKZNSegh-BNx12NPUZEuGj9O37ij9VY5-AfRWAFk4FUeU1Tds4JloHYyFwNPSD7-v045ukmwhlHNt3ErQ82XCUq/s400/aw11zz2006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612337506153756914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What started out as a failed Lotus project was taken up by Toyota and finished to become the MR-2. Based on the principles of producing a lightweight sport car that returned good fuel economy and was reliable enough to drive daily, the MR2 went straight for the Miata but used a mid mounted engine to help aid in handling. The mid mounted and it's low price made it popular among enthusiasts as it was significantly cheaper than any other mid engined car available at the time. Each incarnation of the MR2 targeted a different audience with the first and second generations being light weight and nimble, the second generation was a lot more race oriented with its turbocharged option. With production ending, the MR2 has become a collectable piece of Japanese sports car history.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mazda RX series</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib65ZD64uL8HxeKV6g5ZzICmOzvOsTp2VoV9kTZXpcGt8d1rXTzn8WRQxFuSaN-pnMlVotU6zs9oLet3IEMb6D-8Rp-W_1jzw_pLCKci8GQCz2LWLlKamaKIYnjOtjgYh0gkJBLupbh1Gd/s1600/SAM_1954.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib65ZD64uL8HxeKV6g5ZzICmOzvOsTp2VoV9kTZXpcGt8d1rXTzn8WRQxFuSaN-pnMlVotU6zs9oLet3IEMb6D-8Rp-W_1jzw_pLCKci8GQCz2LWLlKamaKIYnjOtjgYh0gkJBLupbh1Gd/s400/SAM_1954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612337511652298898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After it's first Rotary car, the Cosmo, Mazda quickly went on to create a series of cars to further develop the compact and potent engine. Thus the Rotary Experiment series was born. The RX2 was nothing more than an engine option for Mazda's midsize car while the RX3 was a sportier version of the RX-2 that went racing. The RX-4 became a luxurious rotary engined model and the Cosmo continued under the RX-5 name, by this time even pick up trucks featured rotary engines. This mass spread of the rotary engine calmed down after the fuel crisis nearly killed sales altogether forcing Mazda to focus primarily on the RX-7, the sportier replacement to the RX-3. The RX7 became a spring board for Mazda's sports car racing success until most racing series banned rotary engines all together. Even on the road the mix up of light weight and high output engine has but the RX7 at the top of the Japanese sports car race for a long time. Today, the RX-8, a more usable sports car than the RX-7, continues on in using the RX principles to create a unique sports car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mazda Miata</div><div><br /></div><div>With the unfortunate death of the British sports car industry, a huge gap was left in the sports car market that needed to be filled. Mazda used basic British sports car styling and principles to create a small lightweight and nimble sports car to be used on the track. The simplicity and nimbleness of the Miata has made it the best selling convertible sports car ever. It is also one of the most popular track day cars ever elevating it to cult like status especially amongst amateur American racers. The Miata is still built today under the MX-5 name and even with numerous safety requirements pushing up the weight, Mazda has still managed to making the Miata one of the lowest weighed car today.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>[yes i know certain cars missin so don't loud me up]</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-33361710487092568882011-05-15T20:30:00.005-05:002011-05-16T10:31:31.611-05:00Top 10 Cars for Jamaican Douchebags<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div>Have you ever sat in traffic and see someone running HID lights at midday? How about the one who drives like he is Zeus himself while all other vehicles are mere mortals? Loud obnoxious music playing? Checking out 15 year olds at high school bar-be-ques? Bragging about why their car is special when it's just meh?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have seen someone matching these descriptions, chances are you have met a douchebag. Of course the reason I am writing this is because a doucebag pissed me off today and I am now convinced that they are the biggest cocks in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here is a list of what douchebags drive and why you should not assosciate yourself with one.</div><div><br /></div>10) n00b evo/impreza owners<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are the dudes who buy evos/imprezas not because of the performance or it fits their needs, nope they just following the hype. Of course it becomes easier to spot them the newer the model is and the fact that modifications are made first to the body and then the engine. They pretty much brag about cutting everything under the sun yet never appear at a vernam/jamwest meet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: always in oakley sunglasses and seated way back in their bucket seats as if they are constantly feeling boost whiplash</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>9)Altezza owners</div><div><br /></div><div>At first Altezza's were cool because they were compact little RWD sedans that had high potential engines, but then the douchebags saw them for their style. To this day, the words Altezza lights leaves a bad taste in tuner's mouths as douchebags quickly wanted that style copied on to their civics. Now that these douchebags can actually afford Altezza's now, they are taking it to their girlfriend's high school prom with their HID lights spoiling the image for the non-douchebag Altezza owners out there. To make it even worse, it's now in high demand and douchebags are senselessly buying them for ridiculous prices essentially cock blocking the enthusiasts out of the market.</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: "It's a Lexus not a Toyota dude."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>8) Cadillac Escalade/Chevrolet Avalanche</div><div><br /></div><div>Essentially the same car just one has more leather than the other. The Escalade became the douche car when I was growing up and to this day still has some douche value to it. Of course these douche's have progressed on to other cars but the image is forever damaged thanks to numerous rap songs of the time associating them with 20" rims that weren't quite stationary [it was so bad in fact that Cadillac actually started making them with 20" chrome rims from factory] But alas, even douchebags think spinning rims look douchey and as a result has moved on to spread the disease far and wide making it harder to spot douches easily.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: usually blazing a hip hop tune behind heavily tinted windows</div><div><br /></div><div>7) Daddy's car</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing says douche more than driving your father's car and posing on it like you jus bought it upfront with cash. To me, driving my father's car means hiding it so that no random nigga scrapes it and I die, while the random douche hides the car, but lets it be seen by all. Almost always a Prado, Pajero, BMW, Audi or a Benz [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW3PFC86UNI">or if u live in the states a Porsche is fine too</a>]</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: Always checking out the window/blasting stock radio to ensure he is seen before quickly accelerating into the distance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>6) Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved these cars not only for their styling but also for their V8s and RWD ness, but of course one douchebag had to mess it up for the rest of us. Despite there being only a few of each of these in the island, they have all been douchified, complete with rims and ghey trims. Now I can't help but feeling like a douche for owning a 1:24 scale model of them -_-</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: fake DUB badges</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5) Civic Coupe/Accord Coupe/Scion tC/Inifinity G35</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know what these 3 all have in common, apart from mostly being LHD? They all are sporty looking cars with little or no sport actually attached to it. These douches always roll in packs and always on the prowl for 18 year olds instead of the traditional 16 year olds [cause they fancy like that] Although the G35 is the sportiest, you can almost guarantee that they drive the slowest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: They are always black and LHD and have their windows wound down fully to see their pretty boy haircut.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>4) Toyota Tundra</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing says "hey look at my small penis behind this big 5.7L V8 badge" more than a Tundra. To me gasoline V8s in pickups are a waste [unless u live in the US and you have no choice] so obviously persons who buy this want a big car just for owning something for big's sake. I swear the Tundra has no purpose other than being big, and the few utility it has left in it is used for carrying more douches.</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: slight exhaust work to evoke the V8 sound some more</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>3) Honda Ridgline</div><div><br /></div><div>Like the Tundra but crappier and cheaper hence more douches can buy it. Even when you look at it from an engineering point of view, the structure of it does not say pick-up. It's boxy shape is bound to attract douches like all boxy cars do [think Hummer, 300C etc]. Its rare that you see these dirty, mainly because douches want you to know the car is black but also because it does not leave the city.</div><div><br /></div><div>Telltale signs: They're all black with even blacker tint.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>2) BMW X6</div><div><br /></div><div>The X6 is a waste of a vehicle that costs more to be less practical. It holds 4 but a 335i holds more and is faster/cheaper. It's own brother, the x5 is better than it in EVERY WAY. So why would one buy an X6? Because it's a perfect mixture of all things douche: HID headlights, sports car shape, SUV bigness, space for massive rims and wild 14 year olds, throw in an extra dash of nonsense and you have the perfect douche mobile. But alas not everyone can afford an X6 so what do normal douche's do?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1) Public passenger vehicles</div><div><br /></div><div>Coasters, taxis and Hiaces just look at my initial list and see how these fassies have perfectly matched it. No care for road users, no care for passengers and no care for police. There is nothing more douche than a coaste blaring loud music, blowing you to move, overtaking you then stopping in the middle of the road to pick up a passenger. Although then again thats just being a fassy and in my rage I may have mixed up the two, o well. SCREW THEM ALL!</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-92006216739430116662011-05-14T14:20:00.002-05:002011-05-14T15:25:58.153-05:00A Racing Series I Only Just Discovered: Superleague Formula<div style="text-align: center;">Like racing and football and wished there was a mix? Well you can:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">a) watch Schumacher play for his football team FC Echichens</li><li style="text-align: left;">b) wait for the annual F1 driver's charity football match</li><li style="text-align: left;">c) watch Superleague Formula</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://autosport.aeiou.pt/users/28/2865/22724cbb.jpeg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 879px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Superleague Formula is a new open wheeled single spec-ed racing series aimed at giving racing a World Cup feel. The last event to try that was the A1GP and that has had mixed results. The difference with Superleague is the big names supporting it. Essentially all the teams are owned by various football clubs from all over the world with top teams such as Corinthians, AC Milan and Liverpool mixing it with some no name Chinese teams. Unlike A1GP, this isn't so much World Cup but more Champions League as you can have Dutch drivers participating in Italian teams etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>How It Works</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok like most racing series there is qualifying on Saturday and race on Sunday, there after it just gets football like. Now of course because it is so complex I'm jus gonna cut and paste the process from Superleague's website.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Qualification process</h4><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); ">Phase 1</strong><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">:</em> First up is a draw to establish two groups of 8/9 cars for separate, individual 15 minute Qualifying sessions. Drivers will select a letter which will determine whether they are in Group A or Group B: Group A will qualify first followed by Group B (both for 15 minutes duration). Groups A & B Qualifying will normally be separated by five minutes. The four fastest cars of each session (A and B) qualify to the next stage.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); ">Quarter finals</strong><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">:</em> These eight finalists compete in a head-to-head format. They will queue in the pit lane and the first two cars will be sent off as a pair. A pre-determined gap will be maintained on the warm-up lap - close enough to entertain the crowds, far away enough so the following car is not impacted by aerodynamic factor. First car will be released one behind the other and they must maintain that formation/position until they pass the start finish line for a single flying/timed lap.</p>The cars will complete a single flying lap, the fastest of the pair going on to the semi-final. This is repeated three more times with four cars qualifying for the semis. <p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); ">Semi finals</strong><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">:</em> Two semi-final shoot-outs then take place using the same head-to-head system to decide the final two cars, which will then do battle for pole position.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); ">Final</strong><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">:</em> The two semi-final winners then go head-to-head with the fastest claiming pole position for the first of Sunday's two races.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">No refueling or tyre changing can take place during the session.</p></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "></p></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Got It? Cause I didn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>Racing is a bit more simple. There are 3 races. The first race uses the qualifying positions to form the grid. This race lasts 45 mins [sounds familiar] and allows one pitstop. Everyone gets points with the winner getting 50 points. The second race reverses the grid while everything stays the same. The final race which is only 5 laps, takes the top 6 drivers in terms of points and pit them against each for a max of 6 points. Theoretically a perfect score is 106 points. Another feature in racing is a 50hp overboost button [which is similar to A1GP's] which can be activated for overtaking at a maximum of 8 times per race.</div><div><br /></div><div>Result</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm gonna keep tracks, probably follow a team [dunno which one cause I don't follow football and Robert Doornbos is the only driver I know] I feel with the inclusion of live internet feeds this should be an interesting watch to pass some time and with 8 races this season, it should be a sufficient filler series.</div><div><br /></div><div>Teams that participate [and have participated] in the series</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>AC Milan</div><div>AS Roma</div><div>Atletico Madrid</div><div>Beijing Guoan</div><div>CR Flamengo</div><div>FC Basel 1893</div><div>FC Porto</div><div>Galatasaray S.K.</div><div>GD Bordeaux</div><div>Liverpool FC</div><div>Olympiacos CFP</div><div>Olympique Lyonnais</div><div>PSV Eindhoven</div><div>RSC Anderlecht</div><div>SC Corinthians</div><div>Sevilla FC</div><div>Sporting CP</div><div>Tottenham Hotspur</div><div><br /></div><div>no longer participating</div><div><br /></div><div>Al Ain</div><div>Borussia Dortmund</div><div>FC Midtjylland</div><div>Rangers FC</div><div>Team China</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "></p></span></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-55383796147750333932011-05-06T19:52:00.007-05:002011-05-07T09:27:46.811-05:00Hot Sauce Committee Part 2: THE REVIEW<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqC_Wd5ssj_imMHpWn6EfYqGaJUtAQAkaEe5yOHst-x_bJpiD-IjMLhjbzhmBrVDWT7XWQkrmZK5uj-TR1Sig4jtoflXbUFiML4BLMLilOUjfJt1_vMBfD1q2wDjLNXH4Tckv_8J34sqa/s1600/bsbhscpt2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqC_Wd5ssj_imMHpWn6EfYqGaJUtAQAkaEe5yOHst-x_bJpiD-IjMLhjbzhmBrVDWT7XWQkrmZK5uj-TR1Sig4jtoflXbUFiML4BLMLilOUjfJt1_vMBfD1q2wDjLNXH4Tckv_8J34sqa/s400/bsbhscpt2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603969452896038386" /></a><br /><div>intro</div><div>There are times when I feel like I'm the biggest Beastie Boys fan on the island and this fact is confirmed every time they launch a new album. Now of course because I wasn't even born when their 2nd album was launched [Paul's Boutique] I can only remember the launch of two of their albums, To The 5 Boroughs and The Mix-Up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now despite seeing these I have never, ever, ever seen an album launched in such a manner. As you may have noticed there is no Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 [at least not yet] The album was shelved as one of their members, MCA, had to undergo cancer treatment. Fast forward 3 year later, MCA is better and the Beastie Boys have the album almost done but the tracks are kinda stale. They hire some French dude to spice it up and add some pizazz, the result is such a reshaped album that the Beastie Boys decided to name it Hot Sauce Committee Part 2. Upon launching the album the Beastie Boys underwent various launch methods, first they previewed every track, then they released one song, then they released a short film based on the first song, then they played the entire album on a boombox in the middle of Madison Square Garden and streamed it, then they made the whole album available to listen on their website <a href="http://blog.beastieboys.com/">[which u can listen to hear]</a> So without further ado, the album.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) make some noise</div><div><br /></div><div>The first song of the album and by far my favorite. The track is unique to any other Beastie Boy song I've heard before, the closest I could think of was a cleaner, more updated version of Super Disco Breaking. The opening synthesizers just wow you and the only word to describe it is dope. The rapping is typical Beastie Boys with each member taking about 4 bars and then swapping with another member, this method ensures the rhymes are not story like but more entertaining almost like a freestyle. The best part of the whole song however is the 8 second cowbell solo. Confused,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdgLMslbDuY"> here's the video:</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2) nonstop disco powerpack</div><div><br /></div><div>This song is even more freestyling than make some noise. The track makes it sound as if the Beastie Boys were in an alley just spitting some rhymes. It really is a cool song that reminds me a lot of 3 MC's and 1 DJ in terms of rawness. Even down to the instruments being played by the Beasties on the track shows how organic this is. Really lovely rap record.</div><div><br /></div><div>3) ok</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the only [wait for it] ok track on the whole album. The beat is kinda catchy but not as addictive as other tracks. I really don't have much else to say about it other than it's listenable. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) too many rappers [new reactionaries version] ft nas</div><div><br /></div><div>This was the first track to be released from the album unofficially and pretty much started the hype surrounding the first hot sauce committee. When part 2 came along this was one of the few songs that were remixed and re-released. The remixing on the track gives it some more bass and a slight dubstep background to the track to accompany the blaring drum background. This track is evidence as to how fine tuning and extra time has helped this album for the better. Nas' position on the track blends him in easily with the other Beasties almost making you have to stop and wondering if that really is him on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) say it</div><div><br /></div><div>"to the heart of the matter, the mic i shatter, so cold on the mic i make your teeth chatter" these lines throw deep rooted dope rap lines in a sort of punk rock styled beat. This track seems to be one of the fan favorites primarily because I feel it attracts the fans who like the "Sabotage" style of things. The outro is dope btw</div><div><br /></div><div>6) the bill harper collection</div><div><br /></div><div>its a filler track</div><div><br /></div><div>7) dont play no game that i cant win ft santigold</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite possibly the track I anticipated the most, I was kinda disappointed though [i guess cause i was expecting something along the lines of "My Drive Thru" but instead this track [a very indie sound with a dub/reggae like start] actually should be titled as santigold ft the beastie boys not only due to her voice covering most of the album but also due to the fact that it would fit better on her albums. However I really do love the dub references.</div><div><br /></div><div>8) long burn the fire</div><div><br /></div><div>Similar in sound to say it but a bit lesser on the finesse side. The rhymes are however more entertaining and less serious. The beat is quite dope but spoiled heavily the intro. It has potential to be a better track but it is a good attempt so for.</div><div><br /></div><div>9) funky donkey </div><div><br /></div><div>As the name suggests, this is one of their more goofier tracks. "go shave a sheep and itch yourself a sweater" you cant help but laugh at rhymes like that. The purpose of this track is to raise spirits and give the Beastie's space to goof off.</div><div><br /></div><div>10) the larry routine</div><div><br /></div><div>Coninuing aalong the lines of funky donkey, the larry routine would be best suited as its outro to help match it funkiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>11) taldock's glasses</div><div><br /></div><div>The name used is actually the original title of the album but was changed later. The song features a very opium den type feel that would feel right at home on their To the 5 Boroughs album</div><div><br /></div><div>12) lee major's come again</div><div><br /></div><div>Another punk rock track that has quickly overtaken Sabotage as my favorite rock style song from the Beasties. The high pace is matched with well timed lyrics as a opposed to shouting. When Run DMC had to rap on an Aerosmith to walk this way they complained of how difficult it was, I'm sure the task the Beastie's set upon themselves for this track was even harder and could have possibly been a big flop. But it worked well.</div><div><br /></div><div>13) multilateral nuclear disarmament</div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty much a funk/jazz instrumental track typically found on most Beastie Boys albums. I think an accurate term for this is lounge music. Loved it, brought back memories of The Mix-Up and would be a perfect candidate if there was a re-issue of The In Sound of Way Out</div><div><br /></div><div>14) here's a little something for ya'</div><div><br /></div><div>I first heard this track as a remix used in the DJ Hero video game. I must admit, DJ Shadow's remix of it [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-e2c9bF4EA">which you can hear here</a>]. There is a beat break in the middle with a very funky beat that I feel would have fit the rest of the track better. It in essence is a track that feels lacking but swap at least there's a remix which fixes it.</div><div><br /></div><div>15) crazy ass shit</div><div><br /></div><div>A short little vibing hit with a cool head bobbing beat. The mixing of the song brings back memories of Paul's Boutique in terms of the random samples which occur every now and then [especially in the hook] I would have loved to hear a longer version</div><div><br /></div><div>16) the lisa lisa / full force routine</div><div><br /></div><div>THIS SONG SHOULD BE LONGER IT IS SO DOPE. Just like Flute Loop , the Beasties have created a song which I love to be longer. I MEAN IT IS SO COOL. In fact the name is longer than the whole song -_-</div><div><br /></div><div>bonus tracks</div><div><br /></div><div>17) pop your balloon</div><div><br /></div><div>Another song I heard with the early release group, never too fancied it from the beginning, still don't like it now. Its not that its bad or anything is just that whole Indian feel to it, I don't feel it. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pz4b_ZYKiY">[you can listen to this one here]</a></div><div><br /></div><div>18) b-boys in the cut</div><div><br /></div><div>Another one of those pre album tracks that I only recently found out made it [wait for it] in the cut. This track is up there as one of my favorites on the album. Between the lyrics, the beat and addition 0f the Larry Routine as an outro makes this just plain awesome. By far the best set of lyrics on the entire album with every bar filled with cool stories. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ2yjqXKFnc">[you can listen to this one here]</a></div><div><br /></div><div>the video</div><div><br /></div><div>x) fight for your right-revisited</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA-R9OS-Vo">[watch it here]</a> and make your own comments, really lovely. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk">[you might want to watch the original fight for your right here]</a></div><div><br /></div><div>assuming you've watched it already, the references are awesome with an insanely packed star studded cast playing the beastie boys and just everyday average citizens all set to the instrumentals of Make Some Noise. Around the 6:19 mark you'll see a random dude get out of the back of a cab, that random dude is a reference to a random dude seen in the Ch-Check It Out video. Around the 8:00 mark it gets all star studded and crazy when they enter a restaurant run by Ted Danson [a reference is made in the song about him and Mike D opening a restaurant] a random dude outside this restaurant at one point accompanied the other random dude mentioned earlier in the video in the same Ch-Check It Out video. Afterwards around the 10:40 mark a long cowbell loop is played in the back of the limo while Ad -Rock gets stabbed. A minute later, Will Ferrel plays the most epic cowbell solo EVAR.</div><div>The song continues with the beasties high as hell and eventually ending up having a break dancing contest with the beaties from the future and in the end they get arrested by the real Beastie Boys. In these closing parts, clips from Too Many Rappers and Say It can be heard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Result: pure lols</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Conclusion</div><div><br /></div><div>Without saying anymore, it is already my second favorite Beastie album right behind Paul's Boutique. I've already said all that has to be said about this album track by track and I really can't wait for the release of part 1</div><div><br /></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-76923443933765183852011-03-09T20:23:00.012-06:002011-03-10T17:35:56.156-06:00A company lost in the pages of history: Lancia<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HL0zg25VEVd-jJLParlJjWXfXmSBVj-rx7U9fu72qEwpnU4UpGHCbOaghkzKOKhOAbtFoCidbfbgWtA_Rui2EWGVJ77RsOdMzf56AuLVzk0B0c91irUZRmeYQ6WnAPvtUwHsBbjxkylT/s1600/2094848596_a19d9c8c2f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HL0zg25VEVd-jJLParlJjWXfXmSBVj-rx7U9fu72qEwpnU4UpGHCbOaghkzKOKhOAbtFoCidbfbgWtA_Rui2EWGVJ77RsOdMzf56AuLVzk0B0c91irUZRmeYQ6WnAPvtUwHsBbjxkylT/s400/2094848596_a19d9c8c2f.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582289600373349906" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2 Seasons ago on Top Gear, they asked the question "What's the coolest car company ever?" Most people [as well as myself] answered Ford especially since they were the first company to bring power to the people, but Top Gear being Top Gear disagreed and stated that Lancia was the coolest of all time. Now Top Gear has some interesting logic as to why it's the coolest [of which I disagree] but I must admit that Lancia is the greatest car company that barely anyone will remember.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk16LTD5dQwG7qMRjC-ALmoBUlfPo_vUpZR2QeXLTWMpaH0VCZ7tPELhiri2ArRxV88TsVQaRxFYEEOmDA4UOOy-TtIgsV1iXGBs7Vq6bgqd5-3-dy0MH7KdbmB_r9i8o4xp2OJLkUrvB/s1600/fulviarally.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk16LTD5dQwG7qMRjC-ALmoBUlfPo_vUpZR2QeXLTWMpaH0VCZ7tPELhiri2ArRxV88TsVQaRxFYEEOmDA4UOOy-TtIgsV1iXGBs7Vq6bgqd5-3-dy0MH7KdbmB_r9i8o4xp2OJLkUrvB/s400/fulviarally.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582599076030889650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lancia is one of the oldest car companies [unfortunately it was too broke to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2006 properly like <a href="http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-shows/geneva/alfa-romeo-pandion-concept/gallery">how Alfa does</a>] They specialized in making quirky, yet advanced cars. The first monocoque, 5 speed manual, V6 and V4 can be attributed to Lancia. In racing, Lancia had 2 victories in the early days of F1 as a full manufacturer but went bust soon after. Lancia attempted to go into sports car racing in later years but just sucked at it. However after making an attempt into rallying its Fulvia and winning the championship in '72, Lancia got addicted and went full force into getting more wins.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>The riptide all began with the little car that could, the Stratos......</div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h8k9kSq7t-ikc0k4ao3okmyMsnFsX7QG6iNmvA_L-qQ7f76BvFroXiVFiyozPY_wDrxCKuxGpJJDDBIKAWdi17nh1Oh3t0h6AknwKLaUhLNkQJ5_0NluZ7isPR8KBOUavV1rOOOjF1hyphenhyphen/s1600/4723623373_a5d0cf72f1_b.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h8k9kSq7t-ikc0k4ao3okmyMsnFsX7QG6iNmvA_L-qQ7f76BvFroXiVFiyozPY_wDrxCKuxGpJJDDBIKAWdi17nh1Oh3t0h6AknwKLaUhLNkQJ5_0NluZ7isPR8KBOUavV1rOOOjF1hyphenhyphen/s400/4723623373_a5d0cf72f1_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582280054319492434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">image from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=lancia&w=50608484%40N03">C. Le Tellier</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> In the late 60's to early 70's car companies were just getting into the groove of building race cars that would could be declared legal [barely] In order to take advantage of this, the company would build a race car then build a small amount for the road. By the time the 1972 racing seasons came around, this practice was prevalent in all forms of racing except for rallying. The reason being that in order to enter a rally, you had to sell at least 500 examples of that car in order to qualify. Lancia, being the brave souls they are [and would continue to be] <a href="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/348/a/b/challenge_accepted__by_bluedragonflyy420-d34ursk.jpg">took up the challenge.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU70K6c6Dj7POcY0dpQEFrfbWBV65cej63rXZ5XKk_CZjVyeWMljbO4uEmxd_9GxVr64b1p8qgxRO61-YHa1BzR6t9Gs1dPkZzeDrjDoqNd-iQOoo4xuJBAROVMBMC1XOL_o9-k4h_k3n/s1600/4755260711_f8f84d5835_o.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU70K6c6Dj7POcY0dpQEFrfbWBV65cej63rXZ5XKk_CZjVyeWMljbO4uEmxd_9GxVr64b1p8qgxRO61-YHa1BzR6t9Gs1dPkZzeDrjDoqNd-iQOoo4xuJBAROVMBMC1XOL_o9-k4h_k3n/s400/4755260711_f8f84d5835_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582280064517011522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">image from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=lancia&w=50608484%40N03">C. Le Tellier</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Stratos was a short wheelbase car, a really short wheelbase car. <blockquote>Note:short wheelbase improves cornering dynamics, which is good for rallying as it encourages powerslides but it does have a tendency to get wobbly at high speeds</blockquote></div><div>Also unusual was a mid-engined layout [something that would aggravate the tail happiness of the little car even more] It was chosen because it needed weight over the rear tyres in order to maximize traction, and boy did it need traction because packed within that tiny wheelbase was a Ferrari V6. 192hp may sound like a little but its light weight gave it performance figures that would put Ferrari's 20 years ahead of it to shame. The little car that could was reluctantly declared legal to go rallying and it achieved what Lancia wanted, domination of the World Rally Championship, which it did 3 times. The car was so far ahead that 9 years after its introduction it still managed to win a race.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijja2O_3lwEclulJmPOBVx__2fWwwFMD4NM3TpRV0C3_RainjgIWUswsI9OWS7do-VYz1VOACZDqK-cgzhz8wILRgL1SrSO61_BQCeZUG4Pw9NYLdOcdUIGBolMLSCyQnFh8SA9dBX3r/s1600/tumblr_l85zkmqCRQ1qa9ygko1_500.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijja2O_3lwEclulJmPOBVx__2fWwwFMD4NM3TpRV0C3_RainjgIWUswsI9OWS7do-VYz1VOACZDqK-cgzhz8wILRgL1SrSO61_BQCeZUG4Pw9NYLdOcdUIGBolMLSCyQnFh8SA9dBX3r/s400/tumblr_l85zkmqCRQ1qa9ygko1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582280057519691986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://spiriteddrive.tumblr.com/post/1057719472/lancia-stratos-hf-rally-car">image from spiriteddrive</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the Stratos most people think "hmmmm a yes the Delta" and that's it,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <blockquote>but before the Delta there was another snippet of rallying legend, its name was Montecarlo......</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRaIehdr-4dQNaqI-AjaAVY2y3TEQPteClp_SJt8chfNEY43xx8QBIP4a1k3w92iHu5FV_rQCPtjwmqED0pdHoz8QEFQsZidDRjk_iI7dp1jM6CPSrxVbUqBv2a5LDmrarN0Cri7-euTb/s1600/Lancia_Montecarlo_79-81_30.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRaIehdr-4dQNaqI-AjaAVY2y3TEQPteClp_SJt8chfNEY43xx8QBIP4a1k3w92iHu5FV_rQCPtjwmqED0pdHoz8QEFQsZidDRjk_iI7dp1jM6CPSrxVbUqBv2a5LDmrarN0Cri7-euTb/s400/Lancia_Montecarlo_79-81_30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582289608437777122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lancia Montecarlo wasn't really intended to be a replacement for the Stratos but most people saw it as that especially since they both had that quirky mid ship engine. But thats where the similarities ended, instead of the Ferrari V6 it now used a Fiat based 4 cylinder and unlike the Stratos, it was built as a road car first, in fact it didn't choose to race, racing chose it. Because of the Stratos' domination run, the FIA [the ppl in charge of most racing series] decided to make a special group for specail cars like the Stratos, this was dubbed Group B. Now between Group B and the Stratos, Audi entered the ring with their Quattro, the first 4WD Rally Car, it took over the dominating role the Stratos had and pushed Lancia to develop their Group B monster, the 037.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EBcUsa9OZcNBqT6iuAkEc7vwN8SkgpoacOCuXqLCaJtSjjJGsWgho9_qiU6TKVtN0rU6PrDOKhIe2oJQv4TEWl3LHPqL9lTpPJ_wVQUzEg-beBy0yO0j3FliCmgvA1YTxGqxGFL0Z1O6/s1600/wallpaper-730708.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EBcUsa9OZcNBqT6iuAkEc7vwN8SkgpoacOCuXqLCaJtSjjJGsWgho9_qiU6TKVtN0rU6PrDOKhIe2oJQv4TEWl3LHPqL9lTpPJ_wVQUzEg-beBy0yO0j3FliCmgvA1YTxGqxGFL0Z1O6/s400/wallpaper-730708.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582289611112772146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 037 was based on the Montecarlo [ever so slightly] among the modifications made to upgrade it to a rally car, Lancia slapped on a fat supercharger to get back on the power ball and get ready to kick some Audi arse. The 1982 season was used as practice runs and reliability test, all signs showed it had promise, and by 1983, the 037 dominated the WRC. Being the first Group B car, Lancia was essentially in a class by themselves as no manufacturer dared step foot in the ring off such a new and dangerous class, but after the 037 win, everyone entered. Despite not being able to fulfill another win for the team, the 037 can proudly bearing the badge of being a) the last 2WD car to win the WRC and the only 2WD car to beat the Audi Quattro.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF3S_2LPlOLV3HxFJnThC8Fzh9huDBznewpowxo-1dWGyNIz6JqnQAWs_QoYlPrsi_reAW8dscYGriv52pYUoBK560cyMd62o4v-ZloATFlTyZtiHfJmqTwjlJ5II7dRKgFbrMCr9KJWo/s1600/195156_10150102441020168_7613480167_6805986_2818595_o.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF3S_2LPlOLV3HxFJnThC8Fzh9huDBznewpowxo-1dWGyNIz6JqnQAWs_QoYlPrsi_reAW8dscYGriv52pYUoBK560cyMd62o4v-ZloATFlTyZtiHfJmqTwjlJ5II7dRKgFbrMCr9KJWo/s400/195156_10150102441020168_7613480167_6805986_2818595_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582289595603616706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In order to stay competitive, Lancia had to follow the Quattros and go 4WD, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>however, that wasn't the only trick Lancia brought with the Delta S4........</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66B66QnAeFCB7IAT_o2NJnaXiBcviekwqEYmdtHb1psb47qdBfb2RL7eKSoSYOioaFtmzHcc7KvcF1HcSW66nB6ogkwHvMpk5SNs4TQ61BY8cO5r1ffrrkVuJ6q64zxoJWsTg1ncXwLhO/s1600/2508835034_10ca4b213b.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66B66QnAeFCB7IAT_o2NJnaXiBcviekwqEYmdtHb1psb47qdBfb2RL7eKSoSYOioaFtmzHcc7KvcF1HcSW66nB6ogkwHvMpk5SNs4TQ61BY8cO5r1ffrrkVuJ6q64zxoJWsTg1ncXwLhO/s400/2508835034_10ca4b213b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582296885234615090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Delta was a small family hatchback built by Lancia, the Delta S4 however, had little in common with that hatchback [apart from the silhouette, nothing really]. Continuing with their mid ship layout, the Delta S4 was Lancia's first attempt into the world of 4WD as well as turbocharging. But one turbocharger was not enough for Lancia, hence why they added a supercharger as well. This ended up being the first car to be supercharged and turbocharged. As before the technology was so far ahead that it took another 20 years later for the world to see a mass produced twin-charged engine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmE2H2yyikh2Hr6OapAMRbgZp2750jhfkdeuridieuun6Wbmr_u5iHVNOeCkRp5dfKy8anRf9M-DG5hQMOCHb8e3qwtj9OhAWlzar0BqJIid92Fg0KLygaiboYUABYaf05pQ2OO7aiorl/s1600/wallpaper-213655.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmE2H2yyikh2Hr6OapAMRbgZp2750jhfkdeuridieuun6Wbmr_u5iHVNOeCkRp5dfKy8anRf9M-DG5hQMOCHb8e3qwtj9OhAWlzar0BqJIid92Fg0KLygaiboYUABYaf05pQ2OO7aiorl/s400/wallpaper-213655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582296897438636082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It took on the entire Group B field, this time flooded with Peugeots, Renaults, Fords and Audis running up top. In the 1985 season in what was intended to be a test, Lancia replaced the aging 037 with the Delta S4 at the last race of the season, the Delta S4 came first and second. The 1986 season seemed even brighter. At the end of the '86 season Lancia had won it bringing their tally up to 5 championship wins, but at the last minute, the FIA decided to cancel the results for the Sanremo rally nullifying all points gained in that race, this brought down Lancia and gave Peugeot the title.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KaIOiKtExUODOHyj_mllA5EyuuRVSwq-5jlqyFckRdKzMBVWxsw_tVZ_y8w5e1DvwTJ1ID0OcisJODhHm4cRVhyI0d5bsVoUn22ghkNdeqEVEy7vODMim7T2rAlMKJmgFmR7g9tEcy7K/s1600/lancia_delta_s4_san_remo.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KaIOiKtExUODOHyj_mllA5EyuuRVSwq-5jlqyFckRdKzMBVWxsw_tVZ_y8w5e1DvwTJ1ID0OcisJODhHm4cRVhyI0d5bsVoUn22ghkNdeqEVEy7vODMim7T2rAlMKJmgFmR7g9tEcy7K/s400/lancia_delta_s4_san_remo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582296893992222738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 342px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>Even darker than their loss was the loss that lead up to the death of a legend.</blockquote><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the 1986 Tour de Corse rally in France, Lancia driver Henri Toivonnen was blasting through the hills dominating time slots one by one, however when he did not show up for one time slot, everyone got worried. It was later discovered that Henri's car crashed and burned trapping him and his co-driver in a ball of flames, only the car's tube frame survived the ordeal. </div><div style="text-align: left;">As a result of this crash, Group B was declared over as the cars were deemed too fast to race. Ironically, the company that was responsible for the start of Group B was also behind its demise.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeP23OZzQgkZmbOLTfybLektcV_t2oZpcHoAOiXSbqgWvZIeW1yc7r0f8zgXNK4GqijB4GUmyyqYe53pna70HYGr7dYJBoocyDqFpIu42-qaPxnwb0MmxSB_qG8U9y9qP5Fkkpb-p9QQb/s1600/Lancia_Delta_S4_006.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeP23OZzQgkZmbOLTfybLektcV_t2oZpcHoAOiXSbqgWvZIeW1yc7r0f8zgXNK4GqijB4GUmyyqYe53pna70HYGr7dYJBoocyDqFpIu42-qaPxnwb0MmxSB_qG8U9y9qP5Fkkpb-p9QQb/s400/Lancia_Delta_S4_006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582296888826011362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 196px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>But from the ashes shun brighter days for Lancia, the Delta HF</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRE2TK07au7yzDvHaxzZJ801a5tjQJWVamiSBZiwufcMUGBXZtIaEinvOiqM-YEvi4fTkkpDv3eptfeppXQ7ILCS4Pt1GnNy2O9aRvxKGNM0-YlfBAiRNomzrbd4qu9U3svoLh33XVpfC/s1600/wallpaper-392721.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRE2TK07au7yzDvHaxzZJ801a5tjQJWVamiSBZiwufcMUGBXZtIaEinvOiqM-YEvi4fTkkpDv3eptfeppXQ7ILCS4Pt1GnNy2O9aRvxKGNM0-YlfBAiRNomzrbd4qu9U3svoLh33XVpfC/s400/wallpaper-392721.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582301955198745874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the end of Group B, Lancia had to halt the S4's replacement and come up quick with a competitor for the next season, the result was a modified version of the road going Delta dubbed the HF Integrale. This was Lancia building an average car up to race-worthiness and long story short the HF Integrale continued in the Lancia tradition of winning right off the bat winning in 1987 straight up until 1992 when Lancia decided to give up on rallying. In total it won 6 straight titles, more than any other car before or after it as well as racking up the total to 10 overall wins for Lancia, more than any other car company before and after it. As a result it became natural for the Delta HF to become an instant classic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_3tDHLLhpdL-2PyDWZt71F3dusswOX54c582tuUUHLeE0SYN02jgmRkiR4ri9c_YuTmcKU7nv91WVC1VUMbL2WJGhvWnnyhNPCh1_YL6_glQHm9_PNlYBAr8SEDMpDvJR8IoM5qjX0xj/s1600/wallpaper-226211.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_3tDHLLhpdL-2PyDWZt71F3dusswOX54c582tuUUHLeE0SYN02jgmRkiR4ri9c_YuTmcKU7nv91WVC1VUMbL2WJGhvWnnyhNPCh1_YL6_glQHm9_PNlYBAr8SEDMpDvJR8IoM5qjX0xj/s400/wallpaper-226211.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582301947287576466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>But with all stories there is an end, Lancia today.....</blockquote><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now sometime in the 80s Lancia lost its reputation after it had problems with cars rusting constantly, this almost lead them bankrupt and forced them to go low key, but after a recent merger of the Fiat and Chrysler nameplates, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/14/lancia-brings-rebadged-chrysler-models-to-join-facelifted-delta/">Lancia is back.... sorta.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucshv44nuXul1zrlHUgK27R-AN654ut8bqStXaQiN-nBzrEL-0YMcAIIbeQyIYoGhQRo_df5vVIrAvuB1FiwXJ8RC8PK0dGGAYI2WQnL58qOL1I3av1A_Gz4BULD78r7A51f30f_YTsWm/s1600/Lancia-Delta_HPE_Concept_2006_1600x1200_wallpaper_01.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucshv44nuXul1zrlHUgK27R-AN654ut8bqStXaQiN-nBzrEL-0YMcAIIbeQyIYoGhQRo_df5vVIrAvuB1FiwXJ8RC8PK0dGGAYI2WQnL58qOL1I3av1A_Gz4BULD78r7A51f30f_YTsWm/s400/Lancia-Delta_HPE_Concept_2006_1600x1200_wallpaper_01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582302946258077570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first car brought back was the Delta name, which is nothing like the epic ones mentioned before. Instead of the hardcore hot hatchback the Delta is now a big family sedan [a good looking one] but not as sporty as the original will ever be. To add insult to injury, Lancia's aren't even making cars, most of them are now degraded to rebadged <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/video-lancia-thema-ad-embraces-chrysler-partnership-history/">Chrysler's</a> [which is nothing near what Lancia deserves]. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YDEd7xjPAvs3iW9NHEBq9E-Eh-5lrbLBLpUM7cQkUhB5krExa9eWxnpJSfFRI3JLhMjrTtL9PvonDVnWv-wJdJ1i7vtTA2pGkC41nfQZjfhM0nIOP52qnlMqFqamZaz4kwLBdgOEkEjh/s1600/2011-Lancia-Stratos-2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YDEd7xjPAvs3iW9NHEBq9E-Eh-5lrbLBLpUM7cQkUhB5krExa9eWxnpJSfFRI3JLhMjrTtL9PvonDVnWv-wJdJ1i7vtTA2pGkC41nfQZjfhM0nIOP52qnlMqFqamZaz4kwLBdgOEkEjh/s400/2011-Lancia-Stratos-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582302956842008658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But in a hill far away, a rich man is bringing back the first proper Lancia legend in a proper manner, the Stratos is back. Just like the last one, its low, short, wedgey, powered by Ferrari [this time a V8] and unfortunately, produced in tiny numbers. It was decided to be built by an independent investor who pretty much just chopped 8 inches out of a Ferrari F430 and put on a better looking body. The resurrection of the Stratos name is what is needed for the company, as Ford would say, to be a pace car, even it is for a bag of Lancia badged American cars.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLgu-NqQJS9EH3dTMsh7DbjqBvBKfw_uiEhcHx5Z7ltY4jnlHR9MsgiRE_wC4laIxE3O4KBZ8zlGMJUO7InesyxIgJ2ZlyHc5b7sTYUSqTN4f15naTwezguNvwHhjEc4h2uzGMAwtHZhH/s1600/2011-Lancia-Stratos-13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLgu-NqQJS9EH3dTMsh7DbjqBvBKfw_uiEhcHx5Z7ltY4jnlHR9MsgiRE_wC4laIxE3O4KBZ8zlGMJUO7InesyxIgJ2ZlyHc5b7sTYUSqTN4f15naTwezguNvwHhjEc4h2uzGMAwtHZhH/s400/2011-Lancia-Stratos-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582302952725902530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So will Lancia be remembered for its past or its bland present [sans the Stratos] only time will tell as the most successful rallying constructor steps into new clothes and a new persona hopefully to make enough profit to stand on its own 4 wheels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrh1mp9hE96boCbkf-FQZHxIiGuTIXDz03upZL9-uY_CIqlhFnd6FKFKF_d89Snk6JRwe0kfnCax_-luJ2ZLVXkyZrozaQkplRREonhjK3H4WeS74w4YYscD0zhrhtqGF7U4ltyRKLteO/s1600/wallpaper-706157.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrh1mp9hE96boCbkf-FQZHxIiGuTIXDz03upZL9-uY_CIqlhFnd6FKFKF_d89Snk6JRwe0kfnCax_-luJ2ZLVXkyZrozaQkplRREonhjK3H4WeS74w4YYscD0zhrhtqGF7U4ltyRKLteO/s400/wallpaper-706157.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582301955066251282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-18827207127648617392011-02-25T21:32:00.009-06:002011-02-26T11:39:24.663-06:00How the 2011 F1 season works<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; ">So a part of my original blog plan for the year was to release a blog post per weekend in anticipation of the start of the 2011 season but that hasn't been going as planned. Anyways there are those who do not know how F1 works and probably is planning on keeping track this season, so to help them here is a summarized understanding of how it works broken down into chapters depending on what interests you.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Important names of people that aren't drivers</b>:</div><div>First off an introduction to the people working behind the scenes.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EFsIBiKMJdomiBZHupBZySLbTBExskrXoK1qrN6azemyQZwB88rOP2l-rEDbxmbsd-KhR97752UfstB4sMJ6uGIiAv3nPGrpCGEAyHOEZ51SdrhRjZGMX86-c-DLGJ739lZn7SXfpb6u/s1600/tumblr_lav9aeLOJv1qckglko1_500.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EFsIBiKMJdomiBZHupBZySLbTBExskrXoK1qrN6azemyQZwB88rOP2l-rEDbxmbsd-KhR97752UfstB4sMJ6uGIiAv3nPGrpCGEAyHOEZ51SdrhRjZGMX86-c-DLGJ739lZn7SXfpb6u/s400/tumblr_lav9aeLOJv1qckglko1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577858420001234210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div>Bernie Ecclestone- head of the Formula 1 group of companies [if you want to call it that] basically he sets the rules in the sport. Super rich, think of him as the British Donald Trump except with a Beatles hair cut. <a href="http://www.batangastoday.com/f1-boss-bernie-ecclestone-turns-his-robbery-into-a-hublot-watch-ad-campaign-photo/7249/">Quite possibly the only person that can be robbed and still make money.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVvwa4HM6FqspEDO-udZ36lQTzYQsqwd9t-aSFRurCxYEs4OdXRFSrRiMBKKxvhhbkXWDwg0rfSf4QKnEm8pn5Bpz01gG_pUjcJenvHyHTbyjILPfZnChx4I4GzqDFkACCr0f11Wa4JvE/s1600/ferrari-biographies-9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVvwa4HM6FqspEDO-udZ36lQTzYQsqwd9t-aSFRurCxYEs4OdXRFSrRiMBKKxvhhbkXWDwg0rfSf4QKnEm8pn5Bpz01gG_pUjcJenvHyHTbyjILPfZnChx4I4GzqDFkACCr0f11Wa4JvE/s400/ferrari-biographies-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577858419008928130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px; " /></a></div><div>Jean Todt- head of the FIA, the organisation that is in charge of F1. Former head of the Ferrari team back when they dominated almost every race</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZbXwppuyLF_K3jWOfqug19OhFh8D7ahz6GPB8hNbAEZasK4M4d6fNGZvD-pe53DhHP4F5LXOTxkOQ3Tz7RPnwlrQfhAxaTT2aFxxADi02BHQnB6ONvb9HQynGCfaGAvwAMeSieVMLXE_/s1600/59a_04_mosley_415x275.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZbXwppuyLF_K3jWOfqug19OhFh8D7ahz6GPB8hNbAEZasK4M4d6fNGZvD-pe53DhHP4F5LXOTxkOQ3Tz7RPnwlrQfhAxaTT2aFxxADi02BHQnB6ONvb9HQynGCfaGAvwAMeSieVMLXE_/s400/59a_04_mosley_415x275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577858427438438434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " /></a></div><div>Max Mosley- immediate past head of the FIA, made famous for his Nazi themed sex tape.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L7zQOtM8T2K5rD5YQIuFxLhkdHVvqqKWCeMvi-jaqoRD515fyTJ1AxDLK3kxErkUI4Sx6A51wzjnayasIuSFAJsB7vP1P0OMsFSlNboHLxu2pMizw80Pr7Cpz4-T3SAp2paY33kj2Jcm/s1600/PicImg_Flavio_Briatore_outside_774b.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L7zQOtM8T2K5rD5YQIuFxLhkdHVvqqKWCeMvi-jaqoRD515fyTJ1AxDLK3kxErkUI4Sx6A51wzjnayasIuSFAJsB7vP1P0OMsFSlNboHLxu2pMizw80Pr7Cpz4-T3SAp2paY33kj2Jcm/s400/PicImg_Flavio_Briatore_outside_774b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577858421421708050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Flavio Briatore- former head of the Renault F1 team, currently in exile due to the great crashgate scandal on 2008. Not really interested in F1 at all, just in it to make money. Milestones: giving Schumacher and Alonso 2 driver's championships each, impregnating Heidi Klum and marrying <a href="http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/946489/img/Babes/20080729-Flavio-Briatore-Elisabetta-Gregoraci-Biki.jpg">her</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd84dv0oC2NQAPloDS9ThaMR0lkl07OkVfC_88gOCPia3B7scVtVK3DGKzJvg-xMzRvVYNUHiro1AiDBv-iyXFB4pP0aSJXjpg8wh8NG0oVAcfzkHguzkTmbEqfSp-1gyaxCFn98WZ7TwA/s1600/Jackie_Stewart_speaking.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd84dv0oC2NQAPloDS9ThaMR0lkl07OkVfC_88gOCPia3B7scVtVK3DGKzJvg-xMzRvVYNUHiro1AiDBv-iyXFB4pP0aSJXjpg8wh8NG0oVAcfzkHguzkTmbEqfSp-1gyaxCFn98WZ7TwA/s400/Jackie_Stewart_speaking.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577858425748460674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Sir Jackie Stewart- the typical annoying Scotsman mandatory in all sporting disciplines. His role is to ensure that driver's don't die. F1 has been death free since 1994, apparently he is doing job quite well. Also 3 time driver's champ.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Before the season starts......</b></div><div>A Formula 1 season, like most sporting seasons, take place annually with a break between the end and beginning to help rest the athletes [in most cases its time for them to get drunk]. Like other racing disciplines, F1 usually takes it's break in the winter season [usually 3-4 months] and a short 3 week one in the summer. In the winter break teams reshuffle: dropping drivers that sucked, buying drivers that suck even more, developing cars to new rules that change yearly and preparing themselves to better their performance over last year [Williams doesn't believe in this last one]. 3 weekends are reserved for cars to be tested, to ensure an equal amount of research among teams. All other tests are done via use of computers or scale models. Despite this, the really smart teams take their cars for "publicity runs" to add on practice hours [remember that time Red Bull Racing came to Jamaica, yeahish].</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The race......</b></div><div>Each F1 race takes place on a different track on an average of an every other week basis. Races usually take around 90 minutes to complete but in the case of rain or accidents, if a race passes the 2 hour mark, one more lap is allowed to be completed and then the race ends. If a certain percentage of the race isn't complete, half points are alloted. There are 19 races this season, the list of which can be seen <a href="http://www.formula1.com/races/calendar.html">here.</a> My personal favorites have to be the Monaco GP and the Singapore GP.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The drivers.....</b></div><div>Each driver needs to have an S class racing licence, only the best of the best racers can get one. F1 is so strict in fact that even the driver of the pace car needs an S licence as well. Drivers collect points through the season, the driver with the most points wins the season, if there is the case of a tie, it is decided by who has the most 1st place finishes, if that is a tie as well it's decided by who has the most 2nd place finishes etc etc. The are 24 drivers on the field and points are only alloted to those that finish in the top 10. The points are given as 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 from 1st to tenth. The drivers are listed <a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/">here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The teams......</b></div><div>Each team wishing to participate in F1 must meet stringent requirements before they are even allowed into the sport. At present, 12 teams participate in the sport and even though there is space for 1 more team on the grid, Bernie hasn't seen anyone else as being fit for racing. In addition to the 12 teams there are 4 engine manufacturers and teams are required to either bring their own engine [way too expensive] or use one that's already available. Teams are allowed 2 drivers as well as a set of test drivers that can be used for back up as well as in pre race practice sessions. The team listing can be seen <a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/">here</a>. Teams receive points based on the sum of the amount of points their drivers get, for example if a team has their driver finish 1st and 2nd the teams gets 25+18 = 43 points.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The cars.....</b></div><div>Each team is allowed to race 2 cars at a time, the teams must construct these cars themselves. F1 cars are specialized machines, the only thing they share in common with traditional cars is that they have 4 wheels. In the 2011 season it is mandatory for all cars to run KERS, a sorta racing/hybrid system that uses an electric motor [or a flywheel] to give an extra boost of power. To put things in perspective here is a random 2011 F1 car vs a fellow hybrid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Name: <span class="Apple-style-span">Toyota Prius</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">/</span><span class="Apple-style-span">Red Bull-Renault Racing RB7</span></div><div>Engine: <span class="Apple-style-span">1.8L 4 cylinder with electric motor assist</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> / </span><span class="Apple-style-span">2.4L V-8 with a KERS flywheel</span></div><div>Horsepower: <span class="Apple-style-span">134hp [inclusive of electric motor] </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">/</span><span class="Apple-style-span">730hp engine alone, 160hp KERS alone</span></div><div>Weight: <span class="Apple-style-span">1379kg</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>/</span><span class="Apple-style-span">640kg</span></div><div>Gears:<span class="Apple-style-span"> 1 planetary gear</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> /</span><span class="Apple-style-span">7 speed sequential</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">0-60: 9.8s</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>/</span><span class="Apple-style-span">0-100-0: 5s</span></div><div>MPG: <span class="Apple-style-span">50</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> / </span><span class="Apple-style-span">3</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Most of the things mentioned are figures similar to all F1 cars as they are very constrained in design but yet very different in speed.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Race Weekend......</b></div><div>Race weekends start on a Wednesday where all teams have to reach the stated venue. On Friday, 2 practice sessions are held to give a preview of who is doing well on the track [Monaco is the only track that has its practice sessions on Thursday] On Saturday, another practice session is held followed by qualifying. Qualifying determines the order in which the cars start [and on a typical boring race weekend, will determine the winner] Qualifying is split into 3 stages, at the first 2 stages the slowest 7 are knocked out giving the rest another chance to qualify. The first two stages are 20 minutes long while the final stage is 10 minutes. The driver's position is dependent on the fastest time they post in the final session they partake in. For example if a driver gets the 10th fastest time in Q1 but only manages to get the 12th fastest time in Q2, they are placed 12th. On Sunday the race begins,the drivers go around the track at top speed, they can't refuel and they have to change their tyres, here is Red Bull doing some pitstop practice. </div><div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4fjd0_Ckgw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></div><div>The end result is the person who completes the given amount of laps in the shortest amount of time wins, there are other rules some are higlighted in this<a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/02/racing-flags-and-their-meanings.html"> post on racing flags just in case.</a></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-53154936240411114532011-02-24T20:24:00.006-06:002011-04-19T12:07:43.446-05:002011 list of F1 teams and which ones to follow [update]<div style="text-align: center;">The 2011 F1 season <s>is a month away</s> IS HERE and already there has been a big <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQLqr5Q7FRE">Huayra</a> over it. With the <a href="http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11768.html">Bahrain riots</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKBzRzxB8A">Robert Kubica's crash</a>, the season isn't starting off smoothly. Anyways on to the top 5 contenders.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/182/">Red Bull Racing - Renault</a></b></div><div>Car name: RB7</div><div>Position last year: 1st</div><div>Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] : </div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/822/">Sebastian Vettel/Germany/1/1 </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/21/">Mark Webber/Australia/2/3</a></li></ul><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWNjzHMLxCRuhkahVegjy_1bwQxh9bLLmvnc88xPCtt0VDDU4uSPdVtCgSunKXW0xFx4n8lhyphenhyphen0tatEakLvg9b9qE40JXd96naiR6kioVaCgwckuadI2z854qcKASsCG8myzyHOgIJ36Yt/s1600/redb_rb7_2011.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWNjzHMLxCRuhkahVegjy_1bwQxh9bLLmvnc88xPCtt0VDDU4uSPdVtCgSunKXW0xFx4n8lhyphenhyphen0tatEakLvg9b9qE40JXd96naiR6kioVaCgwckuadI2z854qcKASsCG8myzyHOgIJ36Yt/s400/redb_rb7_2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577470692436671602" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: The greatest aerodynamic engineer EVER [Adrian Newey], The fastest driver on the field [Vettel], fastest of the experienced drivers [Webber] strong on tracks with a lot of twisty bits</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Weaknesses: plagued last year with reliability issues, Vettel can be a bit wreckless, poor performance on faster tracks, no fully functioning KERS system as yet [but they've been disregarding it nonetheless and still acquiring wins] </div><div><br /></div><div>Summary: The team that rose from nothing to the top has now become the prey with now 5 teams entering the top rankings. Suggested team for those who like underdogs [not really underdogs now but u get the point] and teams named after energy drinks</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/5/">McLaren-Mercedes</a></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Car name: MP4-26</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Position last year: 2nd</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] :</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/828/">Lewis Hamilton/England/3/4</a></li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/6/">Jenson Button/England/4/5</a></li></ul><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LQ7TkQMOtb9TFfN0Zv9jIRxVQk3q3hV4gVc0sBwFdkdRSeox4kOA3EAqe_hbYLA8bS6jBgOSt26oK2aovTwNKzjSl0Y7Slff16d2Vn0MPJhEkbsE-vSHNA0WeEJqqvle3YAbhlRsAgkT/s1600/mcl26_3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LQ7TkQMOtb9TFfN0Zv9jIRxVQk3q3hV4gVc0sBwFdkdRSeox4kOA3EAqe_hbYLA8bS6jBgOSt26oK2aovTwNKzjSl0Y7Slff16d2Vn0MPJhEkbsE-vSHNA0WeEJqqvle3YAbhlRsAgkT/s400/mcl26_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577470689573259650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: The only team with 2 former driver's champs, fairly reliable car, fastest on the straights last season, radically designed sidepods and exhausts [they're back to boring exhausts now] A very aggressive overtaker [Hamilton] and a man that can drive a fragile car fast [Button]</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Weaknesses: They haven't won a constructor's title since 1998, slower than the Red Bulls around corners. Button has a tendency <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvdN42lP04M">to fall asleep at the wheel</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Summary: One of the Top Four teams struggling to claw its way back up to the top step, after having to recover from a poor season in 2009, 2010 showed how quickly they can turn around a car</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/3/">Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro</a></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Car name: F150th Italia</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Position last year: 3rd</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] :</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/30/">Fernando Alonso/Spain/5/2</a></li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/18/">Felipe Massa/Brazil/6/6</a></li></ul><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbeknFXcQC70sW4Wz1CMOSCbo7gxeHbfmx_8zfhsZ8DXwG_S_gJ9uXvHjMbto1meo4-2S9nEbxlfPSEW5UMsGde-x-XutdSqQDOS0h5u3cQH8_AIsCXYyHmuQnQ53BQLtA5hjGoRUY_ol/s1600/2011-Ferrari-F150-Formula-One-Image-05-800.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbeknFXcQC70sW4Wz1CMOSCbo7gxeHbfmx_8zfhsZ8DXwG_S_gJ9uXvHjMbto1meo4-2S9nEbxlfPSEW5UMsGde-x-XutdSqQDOS0h5u3cQH8_AIsCXYyHmuQnQ53BQLtA5hjGoRUY_ol/s400/2011-Ferrari-F150-Formula-One-Image-05-800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577470671274886786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: The most consistently fast team EVAR, most constructors wins EVAR, oldest team in F1, Alonso is a damn good driver and Massa can be an excellent pawn especially with team orders being introduced this season.</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Weaknesses: They tend to have a lot of slow spells and due to the constant pawning of Massa, although Alonso may well and be world champ, there's a low possibility that they will win the constructors title.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Summary: One of the Top Four teams that has long been the favorite among many, recommended team for band waggonists or ppl that like Marlboro cigarettes</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/190/">Mercedes GP Petronas</a></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Car name: MGP W02</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Position last year: 4th</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] :</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/7/">Michael Schumacher/Germany/7/9</a></li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/809/">Nico Rosberg/Germany/8/7</a></li></ul><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj33dKmirGRNqhXIwxrOm3RT42F5m8PpnviBWrib1v1bkQRBRXn47ARukkPlq4Mwl60G5av4sAjzcjal2LWeriYnOxd6ALviYV1ni7SfQMHn2cnaTlLO3yOZg7JhdHAtqVic2vFGNMCpVI/s1600/JLE0294.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj33dKmirGRNqhXIwxrOm3RT42F5m8PpnviBWrib1v1bkQRBRXn47ARukkPlq4Mwl60G5av4sAjzcjal2LWeriYnOxd6ALviYV1ni7SfQMHn2cnaTlLO3yOZg7JhdHAtqVic2vFGNMCpVI/s400/JLE0294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577470684491186850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: A good mix of experience [Schumacher] and young talent [Rosberg], the legendary team principal that is Ross Brawn, lots of development work went into this car from the middle of last season</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Weaknesses: Still a big 'if' surrounding Schumacher's place in the sport</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Summary: One of the teams that should be winning but isn't, for ppl that believe in teams like Liverpool and the Chicago Cubs</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/6/">Lotus - Renault GP</a> [not to be confused with <a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/194/">Team Lotus</a>]</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Car name: R31</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Position last year: 5th</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] :</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/16/">Nick Heidfeld/Germany/9/18</a> [replacing Robert Kubica]</li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/864/">Vitaly Petrov/Russia/10/13</a></li></ul><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUlD_x6G0eJyN-XdgbzWTQmRQha-ImrRjdrXI1xrikFJMNrr8nDyb6FMMxGrRjE8yfh4cDsvkWqUdtR5V-J-kqEsXMJb8Y7sGa5267sMpqBOVpyz8Zs5i_R618WzW183g8V3Z3BtmFd3i/s1600/62007-lotus-renault-gp-team-drivers-petrov-and-kubica-pose-on-the-.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUlD_x6G0eJyN-XdgbzWTQmRQha-ImrRjdrXI1xrikFJMNrr8nDyb6FMMxGrRjE8yfh4cDsvkWqUdtR5V-J-kqEsXMJb8Y7sGa5267sMpqBOVpyz8Zs5i_R618WzW183g8V3Z3BtmFd3i/s400/62007-lotus-renault-gp-team-drivers-petrov-and-kubica-pose-on-the-.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577470669862519266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: The most radically designed car and for awhile the fastest car in pre season practice, lots of development time last season, so far they've got 2 3rd place spots and have been mixing it with the top tier</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Weaknesses: No Kubica, may never win a race</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Summary: A team that has a car that quite possibly outclasses it drivers. [which is the first this has happened ironically] For people that like black and yellow and Soviet Russians</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/7/">SauberF1 Team-Ferrari</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Car name: C30</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Position last year: 8th</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Drivers [Driver name/country/Car #/position last season] :</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><ul><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/837/">Kamui Kobayashi/Japan/16/12</a></li><li><a href="http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/drivers/867/">Sergio Perez/Mexican/17/new</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YL6da__L9EAgJywPa6LLSUtlwQg0r9FAT8rVhCDci5dSz3r-lL9qnsA6GCTLY0WrrewNIFLasQ15mqvsDaEDKHYgGWZJG3vVr8ErNB7AvjkO-PJ7NGWTlCSp8TsyZQPo_7U2takxnsb/s1600/Sauber_C30.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YL6da__L9EAgJywPa6LLSUtlwQg0r9FAT8rVhCDci5dSz3r-lL9qnsA6GCTLY0WrrewNIFLasQ15mqvsDaEDKHYgGWZJG3vVr8ErNB7AvjkO-PJ7NGWTlCSp8TsyZQPo_7U2takxnsb/s400/Sauber_C30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597340751566999698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 167px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Strengths: Two men that do not know the meaning of brake points.</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div>Weaknesses: Don't expect a win from them, not exactly the prettiest car</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Summary: By far the most entertaining team, usually spends their time buzzing around the Mercedes team. For people that love vigilant overtaking and Claro</div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></span></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-65194608108568235112011-02-07T22:27:00.003-06:002011-02-07T22:50:18.230-06:005 Random facts about Robert 'Bob' Kubica<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div>In 2007, while everyone was following the hype of Hamilton I chose to follow a young Polish lad called Robert. Kubica was a constant up setter in races with a handful of bad luck spells preventing him from winning. The fact he could drive meh cars and reach the podium was commendable. After rumors of making a switch to Ferrari, his future looked even brighter however, Massa retained his contract leaving Kubica stuck at Renault. Nevertheless this season seemed promising as his R30 Renault was a top runner in pre season testing and looked to cause a stir in the chase for the constructors championship. Recently however a major accident has sidelined him for the 2011 season and maybe forever. Along with a broken leg and arm, the major injury came from a partial amputation of his hand. Here are just some snippets of info about Kubica that I thought I'd share.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://flashnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/kubica.jpg"><img src="http://flashnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/kubica.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 305px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>1) He's the first Polish F1 driver<div>2) He's the 99th person to win an F1 race [Kovalainen is #100]</div><div>3) His only win @ the 08 Canadian GP is the only win on record for BMW Sauber</div><div>4) At the 07 Canadian GP he was involved in one of<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTQBVDV1E7s"> the worst crashes ever</a> in modern F1 history [his absence due to injuries lead to Vettel getting a race seat]</div><div>5) His height and weight has been a constant disadvantage in racing and has lead to F1 cars having higher minimum weights in order to level the playing field for tall drivers like Kubica [and his teammate Petrov</div><div><br /></div><div>Get well soon man.</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-76331261414607316042011-01-15T19:10:00.018-06:002011-10-28T14:40:03.229-05:00My Racetrack Wishlist for F1<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYYyHsM13URj656AfkM0OWYYXgyCf4f7XW_bbyHyb8uczEnM1P2imJ-Zq4W5TPxNBLZomD4acx6sY8IF8EVrwGaTrrBmn1zV0ZX8HZcQ844Br5X1sPYHfee_8vANHBTeUVEBvlTc7Ff1i/s1600/7191_dbf5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047955377861458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYYyHsM13URj656AfkM0OWYYXgyCf4f7XW_bbyHyb8uczEnM1P2imJ-Zq4W5TPxNBLZomD4acx6sY8IF8EVrwGaTrrBmn1zV0ZX8HZcQ844Br5X1sPYHfee_8vANHBTeUVEBvlTc7Ff1i/s400/7191_dbf5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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10 Tracks that I would like to see make a return to F1</div>
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10) Brands Hatch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJNuZ7hOdhX8Xyu5gCOjYPAkmTcR7IP6355QPjNRHfABfQwbvq3xvJIM4ejbmKmLyldKptqwF54yFYWGF2j7X9mc3ddQKy7xPPNjMzNf57Xevepiwwwb91WldPO6MBkMKN5YoKr0m2zIw/s1600/brands_hatch_map.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564046614952091490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJNuZ7hOdhX8Xyu5gCOjYPAkmTcR7IP6355QPjNRHfABfQwbvq3xvJIM4ejbmKmLyldKptqwF54yFYWGF2j7X9mc3ddQKy7xPPNjMzNf57Xevepiwwwb91WldPO6MBkMKN5YoKr0m2zIw/s400/brands_hatch_map.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 265px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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A long but simple track with a funny name, Brands Hatch is one of Britain's most famous and busiest tracks. The British Grand Prix has been hosted here a couple time but unfortunately the much larger [capacity wise] Silverstone has been on the top podium for selection of the British Grand Prix for most of the 90s up until now. The highlight of this track to me is the fast downhill right hander that takes place right after the start/finish straight, expect a lot of crashes in a more exciting manner than other GPs</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEvC2b4tK18">One Lap of Brands Hatch</a></div>
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9) Detroit Street Circuit</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf38kja_tewEt-HkjkIMT-I1IUS51rIhPUMkj1PSiGyYyntniYGvQtseOyooXCtudCRWN-GG8avqWjeQp7cE7P2Y7qilY7QFLTdCRZj9KiMfU-tiILsAGJ0cyEX9Kim0xvMRt0MFLz24Q/s1600/DetroitStreetCircuit-Downtown1983FormulaOneCircuit.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564046621092538242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf38kja_tewEt-HkjkIMT-I1IUS51rIhPUMkj1PSiGyYyntniYGvQtseOyooXCtudCRWN-GG8avqWjeQp7cE7P2Y7qilY7QFLTdCRZj9KiMfU-tiILsAGJ0cyEX9Kim0xvMRt0MFLz24Q/s400/DetroitStreetCircuit-Downtown1983FormulaOneCircuit.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 292px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Who doesn't love a street circuit? [except for Valencia] Street Circuits are the ultimate test of driver precision and consistency, one bump off the line and your gone. For this reason alone the Detroit Street Circuit [which hosted the American GP] would be one of the most challenging street circuits. Apart from its sheer difficulty, Detroit is America's motor haven and nothing is more special than hosting a race in the middle of the "Motor City." To add emphasis to this, the circuit passes by GM's HQ [Renaissance Centre] and the home of the Detroit Auto Show, the COBO Arena.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtw1hDiDumA">The start of the '87 race</a></div>
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8) AVUS</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPTq9sNllbt1u8E6lMb4eHFoTKgnt8vaBzIh2vFsnYyS-LTyVSCT9agEX9STW1dISE5X8u7Y3zKxMHBF18Gfmaal4LLQhbRMmJS1kH-aHX55l0TH2GlsOyHisaXNzKFJC77MqwS0QCwM_/s1600/avus3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564046614312735666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPTq9sNllbt1u8E6lMb4eHFoTKgnt8vaBzIh2vFsnYyS-LTyVSCT9agEX9STW1dISE5X8u7Y3zKxMHBF18Gfmaal4LLQhbRMmJS1kH-aHX55l0TH2GlsOyHisaXNzKFJC77MqwS0QCwM_/s400/avus3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 268px;" /></a></div>
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If you've heard of Auto Union chances are you've seen a picture of a V16 type C going around some crazy concrete banking. In most cases, most of these pics may have been taken at AVUS, a high speed test track that is now a section of the Autobahn. It played host primarily to Germans trying to go fast and when they weren't fighting a war, it held a grand prix or two. The absolute craziness that took place on this track should be continued [even if it's not F1 doing it] on the replacement Lausitzring. With todays safety standards, chances are that if race cars were to race there they will probably still be doing the speeds that Auto Unions reached in the 30s [200mph] only in safety cells and not magnesium coffins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogr8TNxlPiCcMW043-IMhLOUK1BjwjyKcWnekfK6aLQD8uJ1z5RlO4qV77o64JRiiNE07mzjeGw1rBJLHdJEVbWqCua2sO_13JtRLy6Qy4ra6m3JiZGn729dqrBOV-6JmAYz_17SV56bT/s1600/Bundesarchiv_B_145_Bild-P016402%252C_Berlin%252C_Rennen_auf_der_Avus.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564046617722106754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogr8TNxlPiCcMW043-IMhLOUK1BjwjyKcWnekfK6aLQD8uJ1z5RlO4qV77o64JRiiNE07mzjeGw1rBJLHdJEVbWqCua2sO_13JtRLy6Qy4ra6m3JiZGn729dqrBOV-6JmAYz_17SV56bT/s400/Bundesarchiv_B_145_Bild-P016402%252C_Berlin%252C_Rennen_auf_der_Avus.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 285px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3pXXIIzvI8">AVUS GP in 1937</a></div>
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7) Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours<br />
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<a href="http://www.formula2.net/MagnyFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.formula2.net/MagnyFB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Magny-Cours was just an amazing piece of flowing fast chicanes that was sadly just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Even though overtaking was minimum there just admiring the cars take corners flat out was enough entertainment for me.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjfvBjcAJ4&feature=related">2008 French Grand Prix</a></div>
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6) Indianapolis Motor Speedway</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIQR66Vbf0BvYkxtIePVqqg8sVbHJZVuIOms8z16QWVuKv3e54D3z8fT77QQvsWL8BpxfY4meTvThqVWgqK8o3q56w9X6cGXh7khtPLjhjP-6Kgq15wTSDoIGoJEbrrgOxzRKTeb5l_d7/s1600/the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047718541738418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIQR66Vbf0BvYkxtIePVqqg8sVbHJZVuIOms8z16QWVuKv3e54D3z8fT77QQvsWL8BpxfY4meTvThqVWgqK8o3q56w9X6cGXh7khtPLjhjP-6Kgq15wTSDoIGoJEbrrgOxzRKTeb5l_d7/s400/the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Indy has had a bittersweet relationship with F1, it became the home of F1 in America by making the Indy 500 an F1 event, after the 500 was dropped from F1, it returned using the infield circuit which became known for the end of F1 in America. After coming off of the final corner, the high cornering forces caused tyre failure on Rolf Schumacher's car in 05. As a result Michelin called all cars to have a mandatory tyre recall leaving cars that didn't have Michelins [Ferrari and some of the crap teams] to lead the race. In the end only 6 cars finished and American F1 fans everywhere had a sad. The result of this was a reintroduction to tyre changes in pitstops [which was banned that season] and the switch to a sole tyre supplier [which eventually became Bridgestone] I hope that in the future, Indy and Bernie settle there differences and we'll see a return to one of America's greatest circuits to F1.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epkpdfCENrQ">2000 US GP</a></div>
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5) Circuit Paul Ricard</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bu6e0riD0-LgNXX8TYq0v99LJ8KLxWxaVc4sf31tEOlBH-wLfMuj_R1F5lkh9V-ETu5zT-RBBFHp0NJEbglXVTIeLCvpSfa8mzpMuTVGw7fLKVm-tGy3b8jERyFZ1iyQGHA6ZXty7iy1/s1600/Paul20Ricard.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047708304078098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bu6e0riD0-LgNXX8TYq0v99LJ8KLxWxaVc4sf31tEOlBH-wLfMuj_R1F5lkh9V-ETu5zT-RBBFHp0NJEbglXVTIeLCvpSfa8mzpMuTVGw7fLKVm-tGy3b8jERyFZ1iyQGHA6ZXty7iy1/s400/Paul20Ricard.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 218px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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The Paul Ricard Circuit was built to be the most technologically superior race track in the world. Instead of gravel traps, it had abrasive run off strips [those red and blue stripes] and it ditched tyre walls in favor of Tecpro Barriers. Despite this, big crashes took place here and the long 'Mistral' straight didn't help a bit. For a quite a while it served as the home as the French Grand Prix but instead it is now one of the most popular test circuits. I myself just find those red and blue stripes a thing of beauty and would easily serve as one of the best looking circuits on the calendar. I propose that this becomes one of the official test tracks for the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnF-JVcRU-tVkMvhzGvXrWqolhCcDmc2xEwAwf7wwEZ3adPUCvcZHuV02u3xF1E92NSBsX1E_snYus4-xEWHzxAqPVPrmRFeoN8F5lvRM1cvjIMWRi-v7YSoB8LQEfcQ4uKHu99IDTRht/s1600/httt.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047215687310210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnF-JVcRU-tVkMvhzGvXrWqolhCcDmc2xEwAwf7wwEZ3adPUCvcZHuV02u3xF1E92NSBsX1E_snYus4-xEWHzxAqPVPrmRFeoN8F5lvRM1cvjIMWRi-v7YSoB8LQEfcQ4uKHu99IDTRht/s400/httt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 243px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KEPjP2pydA">A lap of Paul Ricard [b4 they put on the cool colors]</a></div>
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4) Watkins Glen International</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h6cBojz5uMihRIgNdHQ4ItemmrKgTY8wGB4aFNmiR4YiyazIAPvaVFjULjqhRCl2dphmxPoqPH8b1Icblx0lGDxQqIPf0y190W9IRDVUtqRV9liX2u6w05ncA8kuTzsdgrqngFunBm6I/s1600/Watkins+Glen+International.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047720978407026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h6cBojz5uMihRIgNdHQ4ItemmrKgTY8wGB4aFNmiR4YiyazIAPvaVFjULjqhRCl2dphmxPoqPH8b1Icblx0lGDxQqIPf0y190W9IRDVUtqRV9liX2u6w05ncA8kuTzsdgrqngFunBm6I/s400/Watkins+Glen+International.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 263px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Said to be the adopted home of F1 racing in America after the 500 was dropped, the New York based track, known simply as 'The Glen' has been home not only to F1s US Grand Prix, but almost ever form of top tier road racing available. Just watching NASCAR races, the track just screams old school. Although the cambers are too steep, the surface too uneven and the elevation too tricky, I feel The Glen in nothing more than a scaled down Nurburgring. The simply layout might bore most people but I feel the challenges on the track construction itself would be where all the entertainment is at. Sadly if this were to be included in the present day F1 calendar, a full track overhaul would be needed.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG26yFWH1jM">1970 US GP</a></div>
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3) Imola</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9x1QwYSodEVtSDwO3qRE8TeUmlgFje8wS9Fmg7ghiOPQrjqb1NjZGo1terXR-tclC2D1rZ-OHUQROh0TtNQ6U95kT8n2KraoboA-wLZP5zqEJLSGeoEX48D-No44XhK0aGT0_ADOL6L-/s1600/ImolaFB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047205724843618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9x1QwYSodEVtSDwO3qRE8TeUmlgFje8wS9Fmg7ghiOPQrjqb1NjZGo1terXR-tclC2D1rZ-OHUQROh0TtNQ6U95kT8n2KraoboA-wLZP5zqEJLSGeoEX48D-No44XhK0aGT0_ADOL6L-/s400/ImolaFB.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 306px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari [if you want to get anal] will forever be known as the place where Roland Ratzenburger and Ayrton Senna lost their lives. The ever dangerous high speed track has constantly over the year been neutered in one way or another in the name of safety. The high speed corners had a bad habit of sling-shooting cars off the track [which is what happened to Senna] Apart from the impending death looming around each corner, just judging from the name, Imola is the home of the Tifosi. The Tifosi is a group of die hard Ferrari fans that will kill and maim if a Ferrari does not win [the lap record is still held by a Ferrari btw] The mix of passion, danger and history have all made Imola an important track but unfortunately, with all the neutering in the world, the F1 gurus still cannot claim it as legal just yet.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok3FvxzTXDY">One Lap of Imola</a></div>
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2) The Bugatti Circuit</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndUUUQT1BXuJiGw5nA0OUkLpmkRKrzWNrIAHB83ss4lwj1MzJTKyznVG7ODz6YZrBUH5ilhpS7XMe_rRHidcw2i76ywYHY7E9erOwjwZmB7gpFNtFyg0LvgNpwg8Xj0p20EsVYZbvhUX/s1600/lemans.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047209602057634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndUUUQT1BXuJiGw5nA0OUkLpmkRKrzWNrIAHB83ss4lwj1MzJTKyznVG7ODz6YZrBUH5ilhpS7XMe_rRHidcw2i76ywYHY7E9erOwjwZmB7gpFNtFyg0LvgNpwg8Xj0p20EsVYZbvhUX/s400/lemans.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 287px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Most people don't know this track, but most, if not all, know the track its attached to, Circuit de la Sarthe. The Sarthe, for most of the year, is a highway and as such cannot be raced on 24/7 so The Bugatti Circuit served as a permanent race fixture to keep the residents busy. The only part this track shares with the monstrous 8 mile course is the section from the Ford Chicane up to the S's. The shortened track has been used for F1 briefly as it forms a more reasonable solution than using the full 'Sarthe' layout. Despite being a baby Sarthe, the twisty bits do get interesting and you sort of have to be respectful that you are in fact racing on history, a track older than F1 itself. Because there is no French Grand Prix, why not just use this?</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_zQTvRPDw">Some laps of the Bugatti Circuit</a></div>
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1) The Nurburgring Nordschleife</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaEJSFxe_nCtCfQcE19NdMxldgnN887i2VOJIyD7e3ArAWA2gKKC2py8HeaonLyRucus4XHe1Lr2m17VhlM7rXhVWC9-hD7ICpGIv8UJhyphenhyphentaC9tcsm1S92Pu4KlH4k9UxHGbD3qOE8XiK/s1600/nordschleife_gross.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047707885616386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaEJSFxe_nCtCfQcE19NdMxldgnN887i2VOJIyD7e3ArAWA2gKKC2py8HeaonLyRucus4XHe1Lr2m17VhlM7rXhVWC9-hD7ICpGIv8UJhyphenhyphentaC9tcsm1S92Pu4KlH4k9UxHGbD3qOE8XiK/s400/nordschleife_gross.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 380px;" /></a></div>
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Was there any doubt that this wouldn't be #1? 13 miles of death and ruin twisting around the scenic German hills as well as 3-4 villages. The 'Ring' is a legend in its own right and is widely accepted as the only F1 track NEVER to return to host an F1 event. To ensure a link is made, the much shorter Nurburgring track, built specifically for F1 use, shares only the start finish straight with the old Norschleife [granted you're goin in the opposite direction] Because of the lame Valencia Circuit, the Nurburgring has been demoted from European GP to German GP, a title it has to rotate with Hockenheimring. The good news is the Nurburgring returns this season.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2_vu4Y1oek">One Lap Around the Ring</a></div>
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5 tracks I wish would make an appearance in F1</div>
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5) Infineon Raceway</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O4MMz53ULnDwZjWUUjq0nkrR4spO6Kg9zj2P2emm5omsZJs2DRGV8rBK58s-UnsSNyHxnzEmALqxJLLxCNuVg3l0HBdPNb9IE-5q-N7e3jLtrvqDfZqvuomhyphenhyphenYiCwNFREg5TZaNLCho1/s1600/Sonoma+Infineon+Raceway.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047714522157634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O4MMz53ULnDwZjWUUjq0nkrR4spO6Kg9zj2P2emm5omsZJs2DRGV8rBK58s-UnsSNyHxnzEmALqxJLLxCNuVg3l0HBdPNb9IE-5q-N7e3jLtrvqDfZqvuomhyphenhyphenYiCwNFREg5TZaNLCho1/s400/Sonoma+Infineon+Raceway.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 263px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Quite possibly one of the few tracks with such a high elevation change, a drop from one end to the other might certainly guarantee death. Infineon is one of America's few none oval tracks and its also home to a stage of NASCAR. The track is known specifically for placing all of its corners either goin uphill, downhill or both with special attention given to putting apexes at the peak of the hills making corners blind. Its a great track with favorable run off and NASCAR spec seating capacity so it should be good enough for F1. </div>
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Suggested name: They turn right in America too GP</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlH27zcaLMc">One Lap of Infineon</a></div>
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4) Tsukuba Circuit</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzDBni02h3dYeCRhZ2z2J9aN68PrDzmyQro3OKF-s34cXO9WhkYECTV-UzxTc3huLRzaVuS9ECTehdD3-m8d7oCbqtY5A9OrLggiGLQGPG8xFwhBO93Xx4azI0t5ypkC5_mgSKNx398nC/s1600/maps-Tsukuba_Circuit_01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047228071170498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzDBni02h3dYeCRhZ2z2J9aN68PrDzmyQro3OKF-s34cXO9WhkYECTV-UzxTc3huLRzaVuS9ECTehdD3-m8d7oCbqtY5A9OrLggiGLQGPG8xFwhBO93Xx4azI0t5ypkC5_mgSKNx398nC/s400/maps-Tsukuba_Circuit_01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 345px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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This is famous for being completely opposite in size to the Nordschleife. At 1.2 miles, its smaller than some F1 straights. The track may pose a difficulty in holding the full field of F1 cars, but that action should be continuous. The main purpose of having an F1 event here would just to see how it would work.</div>
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Suggested name: Japanese GP mini</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMooeaKd4Y">The Drift King himself [not drifting] around Tsukuba</a></div>
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3) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OFgSGCQjv8U8ekxV3edO6tLrJzA_W_grb0CA1wj2HnZMRTUY-KaoVKflv57cs5tAS9N-YHQ6VmHCPlhPhL-bcX-Fnogidab1EiQHJWp_5dY3_kilx_HGvIT0DBpAnnlyscRoPrE-581Z/s1600/maps-Laguna_Seca_01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564047214024959362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OFgSGCQjv8U8ekxV3edO6tLrJzA_W_grb0CA1wj2HnZMRTUY-KaoVKflv57cs5tAS9N-YHQ6VmHCPlhPhL-bcX-Fnogidab1EiQHJWp_5dY3_kilx_HGvIT0DBpAnnlyscRoPrE-581Z/s400/maps-Laguna_Seca_01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 345px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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By far America's greatest racing track. The corkscrew alone would cause drivers to wet themselves without even mentioning the blind corners and drastic elevation changes. The track is nothing short of amazing and has made several attempts to make it on the F1 calendar. The problem however lies now only with the danger of its signature curve, but it also lacks the seating capacity that the F1 guys want. [Keep in mind most people who watch a race at Laguna Seca camp out there]</div>
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Suggested name: The Corkscrew GP</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brNtbaMadX4">The Greatest Race Finish EVAR</a></div>
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2) Circuit de la Sarthe</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBP7ZjGCknps4ub4cCv-lIO_SJDV40UPeCRzLc5CKhZRwN2oNj38jkwN4rPPV1yjsgrVfro1ZsPi6pIaispDZk6EgkNo7h8axvZP38WTvfDPorCh3diIWWCmjSQusS6rAzcKwDupU_eLrZ/s1600/20081116164337%2521Circuit_De_La_Sarthe_map.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564046609946095490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBP7ZjGCknps4ub4cCv-lIO_SJDV40UPeCRzLc5CKhZRwN2oNj38jkwN4rPPV1yjsgrVfro1ZsPi6pIaispDZk6EgkNo7h8axvZP38WTvfDPorCh3diIWWCmjSQusS6rAzcKwDupU_eLrZ/s400/20081116164337%2521Circuit_De_La_Sarthe_map.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Circuit de la Sarthe is pretty much the longer version of The Bugatti circuit taking up an astonishing 8 miles, nearly 4 miles of it is the ridiculously long Mulsanne straight. This high speed track has been the home of the 24 hours of Le Mans for almost 90 years. The world's longest race on one of the longest tracks always spews out some drama, seeing F1 cars on the track would have been a perfect test for durability especially since the FIA is pushing towards more reliable cars that last longer</div>
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Suggested name: 24 Laps of Le Mans</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCnR3MjZT28&feature=related">The start of the '07 race</a></div>
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1) Bathurst [Mount Panorama Circuit]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5oeVu6qyMqInpo7bDTfUYR5p5AaIb8oGjUfUm_WL69bSs79hqZ4vDP1SuO6GFhBQ0CwnNKGtxfcMxqsi95QU1bEhGAWBFyl-q9njLFpTyVlTxLN2q5QPSbdkmxkY5YT0ZAIon6zWdPtB/s1600/map_v8bathurst1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424822241233826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5oeVu6qyMqInpo7bDTfUYR5p5AaIb8oGjUfUm_WL69bSs79hqZ4vDP1SuO6GFhBQ0CwnNKGtxfcMxqsi95QU1bEhGAWBFyl-q9njLFpTyVlTxLN2q5QPSbdkmxkY5YT0ZAIon6zWdPtB/s400/map_v8bathurst1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Quite possibly the closest track in comparison to the Nurburgring. The 3.8 mile circuit is Australia's automotive mecca where the two big names of Ford and Holden duke it out along the twisty streets of Mount Panorama. The challenge of the narrow roads, elevations changes, no run off and fast downhill back straight ensure drama and excitement [and no FIA certification] How many tracks have the authority to name their first corner Hell?</div>
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Suggested name: Bathurst GP</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MaNiV7Kwe4">One lap of the circuit</a></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-10391180192060791422011-01-12T20:28:00.011-06:002011-10-09T07:43:49.034-05:0010 Reasons why the Audi RS2 is cool<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRWWpcviciadFh7sygqEomvAeMrah8Op1RHGXDjPXrFEMLdVexPJ8M_9g3ORJnzTUwSrtCsePU4pW_uju0iDB1BlVTYnhC2zx7lxFiK2rJIKqUjZClSUOv9yTkdNEI9qzaQu-j31IG925/s1600/eurp_1001_01_o%252B1995_audi_rs2_avant%252Bside.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561917396877948018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRWWpcviciadFh7sygqEomvAeMrah8Op1RHGXDjPXrFEMLdVexPJ8M_9g3ORJnzTUwSrtCsePU4pW_uju0iDB1BlVTYnhC2zx7lxFiK2rJIKqUjZClSUOv9yTkdNEI9qzaQu-j31IG925/s400/eurp_1001_01_o%252B1995_audi_rs2_avant%252Bside.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 301px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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The station wagon is a dying breed quickly being replaced by SUVs and cross overs. Its no surprise then that petrol heads around the world rejoice at the sound of a company releasing a new station wagon [especially a fast one] But before the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, BMW M5 Estate and Mercedes E63 AMG Estate, there was the Audi RS2 Avant, the first real sports car worrying station wagon from Europe.</div>
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<b>10) It had a 6 speed manual</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cPxHv4omhz3UM8bXJi2eP76JLbrY7zf0t-SfZq33vRk_6lKfGz5nR_nL6WWWcLrgwIsrRuqicEjI7LuohyG0cosm3xaZmt5MLpl3VBzEO3psS0a8rmTlAUPx134net6p29RG8SbOYwa4/s1600/10951111.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561917390595654898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cPxHv4omhz3UM8bXJi2eP76JLbrY7zf0t-SfZq33vRk_6lKfGz5nR_nL6WWWcLrgwIsrRuqicEjI7LuohyG0cosm3xaZmt5MLpl3VBzEO3psS0a8rmTlAUPx134net6p29RG8SbOYwa4/s400/10951111.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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During the time it was being built, 5 speed manuals were still the top of the line transmissions with only a few elite hypercars running 6 speeds. To proove this wagon was no fluke, Audi dropped in their 6 gears and watched the fans drool. Even now 6 speed manuals are rare [for all the wrong reasons] and traditional cars are going all sissy with their automatic only options [evil eye at Mercedes and Ferrari] But because you are a man, you'll want a 6 speed.</div>
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<b>9) It had quattro</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzblt2V0sXL8ok1x14YrQP4VQpuPXgqUaZZhtGJ4QFtDRVsbnFzjihsNTxH-7BqCAg90xDGN6ZZ4PKjJXWQcyAuOWDH4uUgz3dfMVfnMHtPm2KhVGD0a3lGBdMxa44EWhgcf4-PJkWCGJZ/s1600/audi_rs2_cut-away.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561917390004222770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzblt2V0sXL8ok1x14YrQP4VQpuPXgqUaZZhtGJ4QFtDRVsbnFzjihsNTxH-7BqCAg90xDGN6ZZ4PKjJXWQcyAuOWDH4uUgz3dfMVfnMHtPm2KhVGD0a3lGBdMxa44EWhgcf4-PJkWCGJZ/s400/audi_rs2_cut-away.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 289px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Audi's proven 4WD "quattro" system was taken straight out of the rally ready Quattro sports car and plopped in this car for maximum fun. 4WD turns this heavy wagon into a fling-able grip machine. Expect the children in the backseat to magically get thinner due to constant nausea.</div>
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<b>8) It had a 5 banger Turbo</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvevcwEj4EQwvpekUsEZ_JCgDnTUWX6CTM-eksLJnvCkNe6OhhUNRkCEI0iKYbDFgPNCiZICB7c6seYiPXPQGMxk51_z2_xneFQRViIOlC66NCCbahUZxuoOR-JOjh3yFiC5m0DJKoQss/s1600/0408_05z%252B1990_audi_coupe_quattro_rs2%252Bengine_bay_view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561917398035264178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvevcwEj4EQwvpekUsEZ_JCgDnTUWX6CTM-eksLJnvCkNe6OhhUNRkCEI0iKYbDFgPNCiZICB7c6seYiPXPQGMxk51_z2_xneFQRViIOlC66NCCbahUZxuoOR-JOjh3yFiC5m0DJKoQss/s400/0408_05z%252B1990_audi_coupe_quattro_rs2%252Bengine_bay_view.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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And not just any 5 banger but a tuned version of the engine from the Audi Quattro sport car. Because of the engines Group B background tech, the engine was sturdy and able to digest power figures as high as 800hp. But from a 2.2L, 315hp stock isn't bad either.</div>
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<b>7) 162MPH [limited] top speed</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHmwzZvEcpCg-A0-EPcr1E8iOyjxizUiUbTW-43WzoxNjTdE_UVkAk_I_Oz5ld7HXWHOmeGEa99VrL5-GSbo1UnxQfQWA61MF_2-UMLT8hNFKO_Qe6FZBJbqlFAWu5flf4r3NLGJFkqwQ/s1600/speed_auto_205_2046_audi_top10_lightbox.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561916683393495698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHmwzZvEcpCg-A0-EPcr1E8iOyjxizUiUbTW-43WzoxNjTdE_UVkAk_I_Oz5ld7HXWHOmeGEa99VrL5-GSbo1UnxQfQWA61MF_2-UMLT8hNFKO_Qe6FZBJbqlFAWu5flf4r3NLGJFkqwQ/s400/speed_auto_205_2046_audi_top10_lightbox.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Already you're faster than most BMWs, Benzes and a couple of Porsches. Imagine if you were to remove that limiter [NOOOeeeeeessssssss]. The acceleration was epic, 0-60 in 4.8s</div>
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Compared to sports cars of its time [94-95]</div>
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Ferrari F355: 4.6s</div>
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Porsche Carrera RS: 4.7s</div>
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Aston Martin DB7: 4.9s</div>
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The most amazing thing however was its 0-30 time: 1.5s [that's F1 territory]</div>
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<b>6) It's GERMAN</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfzmd2fKu-_3WhRa06VnCQaaQBP5ZkTQQ0MqzI4asKNq1ilFg2c8X2yToHrTtI3gSlgXs0NXsUKSY2_6_ARQ-Tp0fHZmF_xEQxtrAmgTDUBgGiCNzTpYIJsH0z9_f0mKPT8zj0UHWjv6c/s1600/Germany-Flag.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562250617405544162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfzmd2fKu-_3WhRa06VnCQaaQBP5ZkTQQ0MqzI4asKNq1ilFg2c8X2yToHrTtI3gSlgXs0NXsUKSY2_6_ARQ-Tp0fHZmF_xEQxtrAmgTDUBgGiCNzTpYIJsH0z9_f0mKPT8zj0UHWjv6c/s400/Germany-Flag.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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No, it will not invade Poland [but it would be helpful] Germans make good cars, as in they really make good cars. You can feel safe knowing that the springs are made from materials that springs are supposed to be from [which is handy knowing especially with a car this age] Unfortunately being German means that when things go wrong, expect to earn a doctorate in mechanics before you can attempt fixing something [which can work for you if you like a challenge]</div>
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<b>5)It was the first Audi with an RS badge</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWcvgNYGJlFUd8H3PPGYj0zS69NRDT3Hfyy3-KDbXvat-X08Q8Puix3xXCb2bQfe-Qn0tVibWsKBn9fe2vaZC_g48hg0oGPGsen3A1cqt1dcHwcBV_6Fb_feoB8rqu4tnCKgFEN6YheVu/s1600/L10304671..jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561916690310588258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWcvgNYGJlFUd8H3PPGYj0zS69NRDT3Hfyy3-KDbXvat-X08Q8Puix3xXCb2bQfe-Qn0tVibWsKBn9fe2vaZC_g48hg0oGPGsen3A1cqt1dcHwcBV_6Fb_feoB8rqu4tnCKgFEN6YheVu/s400/L10304671..jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 225px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Audi's RS range is a prestigious range, its Audi's answer to the AMG's, V's, F's and M's flying around the place, of course to launch the brand new badge they had to do it with a bang. Only the Audi Quattro would have been more appropriate.</div>
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<b>4) It's a WAGON</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyqLLF-Gcg-zzcKRIwUuDmQO9-oRFY89b70-CvPXmk-jfI-BFqQlSmKIljS29Nz6W3RrlNiHGLu4VkOMxqDb5HasDUNpUgrnXukELlfpQ-uivSd1I0MQR8wqkmbYXu90y_Z365YaptyMF/s1600/eurp_1001_08_o%252B1995_audi_rs2_avant%252Bside_night.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561916681421762386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyqLLF-Gcg-zzcKRIwUuDmQO9-oRFY89b70-CvPXmk-jfI-BFqQlSmKIljS29Nz6W3RrlNiHGLu4VkOMxqDb5HasDUNpUgrnXukELlfpQ-uivSd1I0MQR8wqkmbYXu90y_Z365YaptyMF/s400/eurp_1001_08_o%252B1995_audi_rs2_avant%252Bside_night.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Wagons are the coolest forms of transportation EVER, no argument necessary. As Clarkson said when describing the M5 Estate "This is one of the most exciting cars made to date, but because its also an estate, your dog can come too." Nothing warms the heart of an auto enthusiast of knowing that they can have a fun car + a car to take the family out in + a ton of space all in one package.</div>
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<b>3) It's a Sleeper</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TXkR7O1kRFM0u-HcAooeZ8VfslCbcKgwbVaMdghfHYpKXBHfLVFKGcg8uQQWEwOPFDZEPBauBe3R0Nu_d0mzjW3j85Wwd4t_OjR1X5qrDg2PnGNTf2vjTZGlwRlA8HbWY4QOc-p5NMsU/s1600/Audi-RS2-Blue.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561916687816646882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TXkR7O1kRFM0u-HcAooeZ8VfslCbcKgwbVaMdghfHYpKXBHfLVFKGcg8uQQWEwOPFDZEPBauBe3R0Nu_d0mzjW3j85Wwd4t_OjR1X5qrDg2PnGNTf2vjTZGlwRlA8HbWY4QOc-p5NMsU/s400/Audi-RS2-Blue.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Because its a wagon, no one would expect you to blow their doors off, even though you easily could. Expect to give other cars that flaunt their speed problems [Evolutions and Imprezas are made to look obviously fast due to their spoilers and scoops and such, which is the opposite of sleeper mentality.]</div>
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<b>2) It Was Built By Porsche</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingGZ6pfBjgJWvcif5aSqkjQ_UMefN5cpLS7h60w6zfE6EIOBGMtuhjKjFfe2O5vG0Bg0wHQmst-WXQRWqBjRPezTZuSHiRt1s4_dZFJC0eZ0FPFuaNF_XnxBA2wBgzFmx261sQAg7yoGu/s1600/rs2-red-backgrnd.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561916683404682738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingGZ6pfBjgJWvcif5aSqkjQ_UMefN5cpLS7h60w6zfE6EIOBGMtuhjKjFfe2O5vG0Bg0wHQmst-WXQRWqBjRPezTZuSHiRt1s4_dZFJC0eZ0FPFuaNF_XnxBA2wBgzFmx261sQAg7yoGu/s400/rs2-red-backgrnd.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 259px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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When I saw built by Porsche I mean it, the brakes, the suspension, the wheels and even the rear view mirrors are all by Porsche. Engine tuning was also done by them. To date, Porsche has not helped to build another car alongside other manufacturers [Before this they did the Benz 500E and the VW 914] Of course if you want to keep it a sleeper, just hold on to this piece of information.</div>
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<b>1) It's Cheap [Relatively]</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjEXRnYqbIletW0_q5v6zHNWYYR3b3Fm2H2ejE_o1mkmkpprkH4f-qGCisEKaM6_NSP49SARuifxHelT2AOmzrsJesUxVVqCD8aAyRb1wFowcU5m1d6Pmr_vmNu-IPQa65EPFHMiXlx5e/s1600/10665544.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561917393750649618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjEXRnYqbIletW0_q5v6zHNWYYR3b3Fm2H2ejE_o1mkmkpprkH4f-qGCisEKaM6_NSP49SARuifxHelT2AOmzrsJesUxVVqCD8aAyRb1wFowcU5m1d6Pmr_vmNu-IPQa65EPFHMiXlx5e/s400/10665544.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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I've seen RS2 prices vary from 10,000 pounds all the way up to 38k and the fact is present owners don't want to let go. But face it, you are getting a car more powerful, faster, more practical and rarer than the Audi Quattro for [roughly] the same price. <a href="http://eng.auto24.ee/used/472350">[This one's for sale]</a></div>
Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-88456788288449470552011-01-06T21:03:00.006-06:002011-01-14T18:45:19.698-06:00Twin Engined Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">After my last blog about twin engined vehicles, quite a handful of persons made some more suggestions to add to the list. Here it goes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pikes Peak edition twin engined Cultus</b></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS_ibKwW0C7p34-x9kOkQqNq2N1ywPoiaSkcxa_vpMWlNG92of3bEUQtQAzUlQs9db45quXM8dTjG681a96S9B1lZzfdAadtXrt6KIPRm5gnRqf9SDc5Ikaft4j8zy9CjS8yEihK4-sca/s1600/96212ea2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS_ibKwW0C7p34-x9kOkQqNq2N1ywPoiaSkcxa_vpMWlNG92of3bEUQtQAzUlQs9db45quXM8dTjG681a96S9B1lZzfdAadtXrt6KIPRm5gnRqf9SDc5Ikaft4j8zy9CjS8yEihK4-sca/s400/96212ea2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559274591833008690" /></a><br />Long before Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima rocketed his Escudos and XL7s up Pikes Peak, he started out with a twin engined Suzuki Cultus powered by two heavily modified and turbocharged G16s each pushing out 400hp leading to an 800hp 4WD <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5h441C7Kv8&feature=related">monster</a> in an 873kg package. After his run was over with this car he went on to running with twin engined Escudos and then on to his usual lot of single engined Escudos and XL7s. Now VW also did a couple twin engined experiments for the same hill climb using Sciroccos and Golfs, but of course VW exited the sport after lacking success, unlike Suzuki who continuously tried up to the point where it's a one horse race now.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mini Moke Twin</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.4wdonline.com/ClassicCars/PiCs37/Moke2FQ.jpg"><img src="http://www.4wdonline.com/ClassicCars/PiCs37/Moke2FQ.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Mini Moke was to be Britain's answer to the successful Jeep CJ's they had running around in the war. Of course unlike the CJ [which was originally designed to go offroad] the Moke was built using parts from the Mini, which was a city car, which wasn't built to go offroad. Unfortunately no military wanted a Moke [as golf carts were cheaper and safer] so they sold them to the public and they were relatively successful [which is weird] Anyways, while they experimented with the Moke they tried out 4WD which was, in these days, still in the witchcraft stage of development. The biggest problem they faced immediately with putting 4WD on this was the ground clearance, because this was essentially an offroad Mini, ground clearance was limited and putting on 4WD equipment under the car would make things worse. The solution, instead of linking the front wheels and back wheels to one engine and transmission, they gave the back wheels its own engine and transmission. So you're here thinking, "a Mini, with twice the engine, thats ridiculous!" and in fact it was too good to be true. Because the Moke used the 800cc and smtn engines [dunno why] instead of the top of the line 1275cc engines, power really was non existent. And of course because, the heaviest part of any car will always be the engine followed by the transmission, and this had two of each, it was bloated. The idea was scrapped and they figured the little benefit from 4WD is negligible compared to loss incurred by the extra weight. But look at it offroad <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jToGygB1VE">[this is a FF one though]</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Citroen Sahara</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.difflock.com/diffmag/issue19/2cvsahara/sahara.jpg"><img src="http://www.difflock.com/diffmag/issue19/2cvsahara/sahara.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 148px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Citroen 2CV, one of the only cars in the world that was as slow as it was cool. Of course I may be the only person who think's they are cool but never mind that. In the original design brief for the 2CV they said "it must be able to carry peasants across the rough countryside" The solution to that, give it suspension as soft as teddy bears. Of course because it was so slow, they could have made it even softer seeing that it wouldn't reach the high speeds associated with body roll. After the success of the 2CV soldiered on, someone thought it was a great idea to give those peasants 4WD so they could rally them. Surely enough the french decided it was time for them to make a 4WD car but unfortunately they didn't know how [especially since the French created Front wheel drive] So they did it the Mini Moke way. Take another asthmatic flat 2 cylinder engine from another 2CV and put it around the back. Now with 2 flat 2 cylinders you might think it would be 2/3 as fast as 911, but it was just as slow as before, only with a new name, "The Sahara" and a big noisy hot box where the trunk used to be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-31465552447744152372011-01-02T18:54:00.007-06:002011-01-06T20:54:32.102-06:00Exit Through the Gift Shop: The Review<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4378843295_64733d6df8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4378843295_64733d6df8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><br /><div>Ok, so by now all 3 of my die hard followers [who maybe the same person] may have read my summary of the movie <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2011/01/exit-through-gift-shop-summary.html">'Exit Through the Gift Shop'</a>, so now the easy part, the review/critique. Ok, who am I kidding there are no negative critiques so far about the movie and it is nothing short of brilliantly accurate without a spot of boredom [well I just like documentaries naturally so that last phrase may be biased].</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/files/original/banksy-hilton-06.jpg"><img src="http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/files/original/banksy-hilton-06.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 338px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> As mentioned in the summary the movie surrounds the life of Thierry Guetta who becomes an overnight celebrity in the art world, of course Guetta's purpose in the film is to show just how ridiculously low the standards of art has fallen. To highlight the point even further, aspects of Guetta's life are selectively chosen specifically his clumsy behavior. Apart from tripping and falling over frequently, during the entire duration of the film he is described as being crazy, insane or dumb, yet very determined in performing what he had to do. As a result this gives Guetta a double edged reputation, some see him as an over hyped sensation made famous only by the fact that he was mindlessly endorsed by the rich and famous while others see him as an example of how far hard work, determination and hope can carry you. Unfortunately the movie focuses on the former and is not the first time Banksy places focus on this theme. In 2006 Banksy manages to swap out the cover art and CDs of Paris Hilton's album [titled Paris] and replace it with content questioning the acclaim to her fame [an example is the picture posted above]. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5310416.stm">The full story can be read here.</a> Like Paris, the film shows how Guetta's lack of any defining talent or originality is simply substituted by heavy endorsements. This mockery of how the public perceives art peaks when Thierry gust applies a light film of spray paint over his prints to create "special editions". His work pretty much follows this theme, a slight alteration on popular icons to create "art".</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Homage to the past</div><div><a href="http://theextincthitchhiker.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/30cover-11.jpg"><img src="http://theextincthitchhiker.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/30cover-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 546px; height: 676px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Before the days of Banksy and Fairey, 2 artists paved the way for what is now known as street art, Andy Warhol and Blek Le Rat. Warhol was more of a traditional mainstream artist who partook in the introduction of pop art, a system of emphasizing the icons of contemporary culture. Apart from a short snippet of Shepard dressed as Warhol, Banksy clearly shows this when he states that Guetta followed Warhol by the use of repeating cultural icons with the exception that Guetta repeated these themes until they made no sense.</div><div>After watching the movie for a third or 4th time I came to notice that the title of Guetta's first show "Life is Beautiful" is sort of a hommage to Blek's show which translated to English pretty much says "The Sky is blue and Life is Beautiful." This can be taken as Banksy's tribute to Blek [who many consider to be the source of inspiration for most of his works] </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As short as this review is, the fact is, after going through this and other graffiti documentaries and books, I possibly could not in one blog post possibly attempt to summarize the graffiti world as a) its so diverse and complex and b) its still an active art movement. My conclusion, watch the movie, watch Bomb It as well and read some interviews with Banksy and Blek as well. toodles pplz</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-32089309424093301732011-01-01T18:45:00.008-06:002011-01-02T13:43:29.597-06:00Exit Through the Gift Shop: The Summary<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRVSv2FXDw3FD0-iBt_sN2IYNmZTMpyjLEjS8RdkwOduKfuhktQBUn_mm28SWRRCJLoJzEwRQH2f1ST0-6ZZZBCPDefqvc4CN70hXvD-h30LoniWlqzT-vX8p3ec3n3-Q2VwuvyqdNeQ/s1600/exit-through-the-gift-shop-review-sundance-28-1-10-kc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 570px; height: 428px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRVSv2FXDw3FD0-iBt_sN2IYNmZTMpyjLEjS8RdkwOduKfuhktQBUn_mm28SWRRCJLoJzEwRQH2f1ST0-6ZZZBCPDefqvc4CN70hXvD-h30LoniWlqzT-vX8p3ec3n3-Q2VwuvyqdNeQ/s1600/exit-through-the-gift-shop-review-sundance-28-1-10-kc.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><br /><div>Exit Through The Gift Shop is a documentary film directed by the famous, yet anonymous, street artist only known as Banksy. The film focuses around the efforts of Thierry Guetta and his attempt to create a documentary about the Street Art movement [aka Graffiti, as its known to most persons] The film later turns the cameras on him as he moves on to create a career in the world of street art in an attempt to please his peers. It is exposed later on in the film that both attempts go on different paths than which was originally intended yet at the same time turn out to be a success [in a sort of ironic way as we shall soon see].</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.neublack.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mr-brainwash-la-show-45_v1.jpg"><img src="http://www.neublack.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mr-brainwash-la-show-45_v1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thierry Guetta [MBW]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The story starts off with the introduction of Thierry Guetta, an L.A. based clothes retailer who migrated there from France. Guetta lived a successful and steady life making huge profits from overpriced goods in addition, he is shown to be a family man living with his wife and 3 children. In what seems so far to be a normal man living the "American Dream" turns out to be a man with a chronic addiction to document his entire life on film. Later on in the film it is discovered that this addiction to documentation originated from the events surrounding the loss of his mother at a young age, because he missed this critical period of his life, he felt that all of his memories should be able to be recorded and watched at a later date [he later on revealed that although he has kept all of his tapes in storage, he has not yet watched a single tape].</div></div><div><br /></div><div>After his addiction is accepted by his family and close companions, a family trip to France puts his video taping addiction to use, primarily from being in the right place at the right time. He discovers that his cousin, 'Invader' is a member of the ever expanding street art movement taking place around the world. 'Invader' introduces his cousin to other artists such as Monsieur Andre, Samo and Zeus. Guetta's introduction to the movement lead to him becoming an unofficial, offical videographer to the graffiti artists. After heading back to L.A. with Invader he met with one of America's most famous street artist, Shepard Fairey.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.supertouchart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/shepsmithh1.jpg"><img src="http://www.supertouchart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/shepsmithh1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 503px; height: 702px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shepard Fairey [as most ppl know him]</div><div><br /></div><div>His journey with Fairey brought Guetta into the global arena of Street Art. Guetta tagged alongside Fairey as an assistant to him for years meeting other artists along the way such as Buffmonster, Neckface, Swoon, Borf, Sweet Toof & Cyclops. This journey assisting other artists exposed the darker side of street art such as run ins with the police and injuries from scaling walls. The experience overall pushed Guetta to continue filming the artists until he felt he filmed all the major artists, except Banksy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Guetta felt as if Banksy would be the final piece in his collection of film and was persistent to get him on film. As fate would have it, he finally encountered Banksy by chance and eventually tagged alongside him wherever he went. After showing the inner workings of Banksy, Guetta was encouraged to finally stop filming and compile his documentary [which of course Guetta was not prepared for] on what Street Art really was. From seeing a preliminary showing of the 'documentary', Banksy realized that Guetta had no experience in making a documentary. As a result, Banksy took over Guetta's collection of tapes while Banksy told him to stop videoing. With so much excess free time, Guetta started his own graffiti campaign until it exploded into a large scale art exhibition under which he undertook the name of Mr. Brainwash [MBW]. The story ends with MBW hosting his own art exhibition which transforms him into a successful name in the art industry.</div><div><br /></div><div>To conclude: Invader, Fairey and Banksy all feel responsible for creating MBW all of whom had mixed feelings about his rapid progress as an artist. A full conclusion will be posted tmrw when I'm awake but for those who can't see the vid, hopefully this summary will give some insight and a clearer view into the concept of the film.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/arts/photos/2010/05/06/arts-exit-gift-shop-584.jpg"><img src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/arts/photos/2010/05/06/arts-exit-gift-shop-584.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 584px; height: 329px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Banksy, as shown in the film</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-58311629281357490192010-12-29T13:57:00.006-06:002010-12-30T20:11:10.965-06:00The BEEeeeeeaaaaasssstiiiieeeeee BOOOOoooooyyyzzzz<div style="text-align: center;">^You're supposed to sound like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGgnxwzZfIo">this</a> when you read the title</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepostermafia.com/images/bboys_logo.jpg"><img src="http://www.thepostermafia.com/images/bboys_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 115px; " /></a></div>I think somewhere around the time of 2004 right around the release of their 6th album, To The 5 Boroughs, I remember there being countless Beastie Boys marathons on MTV2. These marathons were aimed at promoting them as well as giving people insight as to where they are coming from, this marathon opened up my ears to a new sound, "The Sounds of Science."<div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/big_node_view/files/images/Beastie_Boys.jpg"><img src="http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/big_node_view/files/images/Beastie_Boys.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 499px; height: 329px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">L-R Mike D, King Ad-Rock, MCA</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Like most people the first song that hit me was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qORYO0atB6g">"Intergalactic"</a> [which is still my favorite]. The song featured something I never knew I liked before, sampling. Despite being a hip hop track, Intergalactic used samples from jazz and classical music to produce a very complex beat that just seemed to flow on forever. The song Intergalactic won them a grammy while the video won them a VMA, apparently, I had good taste in music. Even though by now Intergalactic was old, the impact stuck and I found myself searching for more Beastie Boys music.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.dynamictic.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/beastie-boys.jpg"><img src="http://www.dynamictic.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/beastie-boys.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>As mentioned before, this was during the release of the album To The 5 Boroughs and it seemed only natural to look for songs from this album. "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wddY7qCn-ig">Ch-Check it Out</a>" was the most popular track off that album and the video for it played regularly. This song was a bit less interesting than Intergalactic but the video was pure lolwut and I couldn't stop watching. The next video to debut was "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_zI6jADB4w">Triple Trouble</a>" which sampled the Sugar Hill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight'. Yet again this video was pure lolwut but this in particular put more focus on the fourth member of the group Mix Master Mike. Mix Master Mike was the newest member of the group who came on right before the release of the 'Hello Nasty' album, of course looking for more stuff from him lead me to this song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMC8XYX5Ot0">"3 MCs and 1 DJ"</a> OMG that was the most epic piece of DJing I have ever seen in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://media.2news.tv/images/101207_beastie_boys.jpg"><img src="http://media.2news.tv/images/101207_beastie_boys.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 304px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">L-R MCA, Mix Master Mike, Ad-Rock and Mike D</div><a href="http://www.musictimes.com.au/images/beastie-boys-live11.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After discovering Mix Master Mike, I went off on a tangent looking for other DJs which is where I discovered people like Fatboy Slim, DJ Qbert and DJ Shadow. He also released some albums for himself most recently the two available for download on him website 'Napalm Rockets' and 'Live Beatdown Vol 1' opened my ears into world of dubstep, which brought me into discovering grime, house and other electronic based genres that now populate most of my music. Anyways to read up more on Mix Master Mike <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/07/serial-wax-killer-mix-master-mike.html">click here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.musictimes.com.au/images/beastie-boys-live11.jpg"><img src="http://www.musictimes.com.au/images/beastie-boys-live11.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Back to the Beastie Boys, another song that pulled up was their track, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk">"Fight for Your Right To Party"</a> I didn't fancy that song but the rest of the album, Licensed To Ill [their 1st album btw] was soooo awesome. That album was produced by Rick Rubin [he also produced both Run-DMC's and LL Cool J's first album] the beats were simple and in some cases only had a simple drum beat. By far my favorite song on that album was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJv8A-IYU5o">"Paul Revere"</a> followed by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB0NM6reiRE">"Hold It Now Hit It"</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/50685680.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A146983647750ACF53CD1A693D2FD680805A4D7CA07C2CED87CB01E70F2B3269972"><img src="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/50685680.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A146983647750ACF53CD1A693D2FD680805A4D7CA07C2CED87CB01E70F2B3269972" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 594px; height: 398px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The Beastie Boys and Run-DMC</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If you were paying attention to the video's you would have noticed the huge gap between how they looked then and now. Licensed To Ill was released in 1986 and between then and Hello Nasty they had 3 other albums 'Paul's Boutique', 'Check Your Head' and 'Ill Communication'. These 3 albums grew on me slowly as there was such a large genre gap between these 3 albums and the previous 3 albums I was listening to.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://imagecache.blastro.com/images/feat/Lastfm_BeastieBoys.jpg"><img src="http://imagecache.blastro.com/images/feat/Lastfm_BeastieBoys.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 417px; " /></a></div><div>'Check Your Head' was their 3rd album and featured songs composed entirely by them with their own instruments. I like the numerous instrumental tracks on this album but failed to really grasp the other songs until I listened to them one at a time slowly taking in more and more songs. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdJ5e70Q8mw">"Gratitude" </a>was my favorite song for a while and eventually songs like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3gH27Fn6E">"So What'cha Want"</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4d-YYfNZc4">"Skills to Pay the Bills"</a> [dope beat btw] followed.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Ill Communication' was just as hard to like but featured two of my all time favorite songs [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE">Sabotage</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feERXmxIk04">Flute Loop</a>] as well as some more instrumentals [who doesn't like instrumentals]</div><div><br /></div><div>'Paul's Boutique' is by far my favorite Beastie album. It featured samples from almost every single song and for me describe its awesomeness will not do it justice, so I suggest you listen to the entire album yourself [with an open mind] and take note of how complex the beats are. I leave you with, what I think is the greatest music video ever, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVfHmjKOrM">Shadrach</a>".</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.fishbucket.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bboys_toomany.jpg"><img src="http://www.fishbucket.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bboys_toomany.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a></div><div>After 'To The 5 Boroughs' I was delighted to hear that the Beastie Boys were still making albums, 'The Mix-Up' [they won a grammy for that as well] and 'The Hot Sauce Committee Parts 1&2'. The Mix-Up is purely instrumental and it takes another departure from their typical hip hop genre by venturing into the world of jazz. The song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URdjYjQDy7I&feature=related">"Off the Grid"</a> is just a sample of what to expect from the album. As for the 'Hot Sauce Committee' both parts 1&2 have been put on hold primarily due to the recent illness of MCA. This album however looks promising and is definately worth the wait. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ2yjqXKFnc">"B-Boys in the Cut"</a>,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqYNFiAOAtE&feature=related"> "Too Many Rappers"</a> ft Nas and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcxvR2gqxLw">"Lee Majors Come Again"</a> have all met my Beastie Boys approval standards. Definately looking forward to hearing both albums in full, but until then, get better soon MCA.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fishbucket.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bboys_toomany.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepostermafia.com/images/bboys_logo.jpg"><br /></a></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-6693656943993253962010-12-28T19:26:00.005-06:002010-12-29T12:45:15.406-06:002010 awards [for the other racing series]<div style="text-align: center;">Apart from F1 I occasionally catch snipets of racing from LMS, Moto GP, DTM and NASCAR [in order of frequency] So here is a collection of my favorite moments [from the races I've watched] outside of F1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Best Overtake: Anthony Davidson @ 24 Hours of Le Mans [LMP1 Class]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/101926192.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F576A0C3E7538D04CC4C46EA730A82C698BB33A4535FAD295EF06BF04B24B4128C"><img src="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/101926192.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F576A0C3E7538D04CC4C46EA730A82C698BB33A4535FAD295EF06BF04B24B4128C" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 594px; height: 401px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The typical story of Le Mans for the past 3 races was the Peugeots were fast but the Audi more reliable. Around this point, Anthony Davidson [former F1 driver and quite a fast person] was driving the last Peugeot 908 HDi FAP [as the rest of them spontaneously combusted] his job was to push the car as hard as possible to pass the Audis and bring back the Le Mans crown to the French constructor, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v37hRB6Jq4">this is just one of his many daring maneuvers to take back the crown.</a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crash of the Year: Luke Hines @ Mosport [ALMS GTC Class]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4940032005_5d4161d2d8.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4940032005_5d4161d2d8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 346px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The impact into the gaurdrail from this crash completely destroyed it leading the race to be red flagged due to safety concerns. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1MCjAARTLc">Just watch it for yourself</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden Cock: Anthony Davidson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.brdc.co.uk/newsImages/Anthony_Davidson.jpg"><img src="http://www.brdc.co.uk/newsImages/Anthony_Davidson.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As mentioned before, Anthony Davidson was on a charge to chase down the Audis, his commitment to the race line <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwCLnXOQ5n0">lead to the loss of Corvette's hope for winning their debut in the GT2 class.</a> The accident was bad enough but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU70l_cQ2do">the interview made it worse.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rivalry of the year: The entire GT2 field</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.corvetteracing.com/history/2009releases/mosport/images/mosport3.gif"><img src="http://www.corvetteracing.com/history/2009releases/mosport/images/mosport3.gif" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">ALMS is a wonderful little racing series packed with excitement stemming from 4 main classes, like with all endurance racing, the typical end result is a winner some lap or 2 ahead of 2nd place, not in the GT2 class. With competition coming from the Flying Lizard Porsche, the Risi Competizione Ferrari F430, the Rahal Letterman M3 and the Pratt & Miller Corvette. What was once a toss up between which Porsche shall win, is now a 4 way dog fight at each track. Although the BMWs took the constructor title by one point from the Lizards, Flying Lizard took the driver's title and each of the 4 won at least one race of the season. I just can't wait till the 2011 24hrs of Le Mans. So unfortunately although the racing was close, I don't have any footage of some of the close racing [including some footage of all four of them trailing each other at Mosport] but I do have clips from what makes GT2 so awesome from previous seasons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brNtbaMadX4">Porsche vs Corvette @ Laguna Seca</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjWo8VdMb8I&feature=related">Porsche vs Ferrari @ Sebring</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Catastropic Failure: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP @ Le Mans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/uk.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/phototheque2010spa001pe.jpg"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/uk.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/phototheque2010spa001pe.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As mentioned before the Peugeots at Le Mans just exploded one by one, the last Peugeot [a 2009 spec car] was the last hope for Peugeot to gain some glory, but with just 1 hour and 15 mins to go<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl1ELZ-plVc&feature=related"> the inevitable happened.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moment of the Year: Top Gear Season 15 Episode 5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://autocarsnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/cc02f4163fron630.jpg-590x324.jpg"><img src="http://autocarsnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/cc02f4163fron630.jpg-590x324.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 590px; height: 324px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The greatest episode of Top Gear aired this year featuring their biggest stars ever [Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz], the most beautiful race they ever had [some swedish youths vs a VW Touareg], the fastest car ever [the Bugatti Veyron SS] and a tribute to the greatest F1 driver ever [Ayrton Senna]. <a href="http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-series-15-episode-5_2096022.htm">Watch here.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lolz Moment: Potholes @ Daytona 500</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/images/2010/02/19/pothole021910.jpg"><img src="http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/images/2010/02/19/pothole021910.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 393px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I watched my first ever NASCAR race this year only to watch it get delayed because of potholes on the track. As the great Dale Jr said <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnFtH9aTHqQ">"Just put a cone on it and lets go back to racing"</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Race of the Year: 24 Hrs of Le Mans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/le_mans_2010_follow_bmw_live_at_circuit_de_la_sarthe.jpg"><img src="http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/le_mans_2010_follow_bmw_live_at_circuit_de_la_sarthe.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 280px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Epic race was epic, the only way to watch it is to watch it next year. There are no reruns or highlights of this race [in English at least], if you want a torrent, good luck.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rookie of the Year: Kimi Raikkonen</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mibz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Kimi-Raikkonen-Citroen-WRC.jpg"><img src="http://www.mibz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Kimi-Raikkonen-Citroen-WRC.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 306px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The man with absolutely nothing to say made his full season debut in the WRC for the Citroen Junior team. Despite a couple crashes and only one stage win, Raikkonnen managed to win the non WRC Rallye Vosgien which lead to some promise for next season. I still want to see if he is able knock Loeb off of his crown in a works Citroen. Will that happen however? The world may never know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Driver of the Year: Valentino Rossi</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/Mugello_Rossi_helmet.jpg"><img src="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/Mugello_Rossi_helmet.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The biggest news for Rossi this year was a switch to Ducati for 2011, this alone is good news for Rossi, but the fact he was able to pull off a third place in the driver's championship season is the highlight for me. Despite missing out 3 races from an injury attained in practice, Rossi showed his dominance by managing to hold on and a couple more races before the season was over.</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-87290197087500320812010-12-27T18:06:00.005-06:002010-12-27T20:15:43.255-06:00Music Highlight: what's left of it<div style="text-align: center;">So, its the holidays and the racing season is over, so I shall talk about my second love, music. Because I'm still in an electro-house phase I might as well dish out the rest of my favorite artists from that genre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Swedish House Mafia</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMrRsV2w5L4FaQ1W0LadU12-5dHGnbH87criT9CTQDwWDIu3Aalt8UzHq-ATiK6jXdBSTrruH-JUaW0E6brhzDI2UQtn2vfhXhh58Lh4qqD6jZ_xh3BX-13iG2T1JI5WmgRjDDSj8qf-l/s1600/a31.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMrRsV2w5L4FaQ1W0LadU12-5dHGnbH87criT9CTQDwWDIu3Aalt8UzHq-ATiK6jXdBSTrruH-JUaW0E6brhzDI2UQtn2vfhXhh58Lh4qqD6jZ_xh3BX-13iG2T1JI5WmgRjDDSj8qf-l/s400/a31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555541379325197826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Swedes are cool, they gave us Ikea, Saab, Koenigsegg and Stig Blomqvist, so why haven't I heard of their music? I dunno but anyways, the Swedish House Mafia [cool name I must add] have pretty much defined what I think Swedish music should sound like; cool, steady, good typography and interesting in a weird way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkQ5rEJaTmk&feature=related">One feat. Pharrell</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCH1AsUydSc">Miami 2 Ibiza feat Tinie Tempah</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">MSTRKRFT</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRifgLo9sSvM4txu-bPQh9VaI1w4xEAaRd3zTuUI2vA5-mrdSc5ZH7NAifTm9hj4i1CHYX-6Elq9Bfn0aj52KQyeWn2UD7vUA5qaLLpPVR-2Fv1kLnVkHfitd0pJ914KBzcFRie317fgMi/s1600/img-wallpapers-mstrkrft-disturbet-17858.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRifgLo9sSvM4txu-bPQh9VaI1w4xEAaRd3zTuUI2vA5-mrdSc5ZH7NAifTm9hj4i1CHYX-6Elq9Bfn0aj52KQyeWn2UD7vUA5qaLLpPVR-2Fv1kLnVkHfitd0pJ914KBzcFRie317fgMi/s400/img-wallpapers-mstrkrft-disturbet-17858.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555541385870742258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've mentioned in my previous post that deadmau5 was my favorite Canadian musician, so here's #2 MSTRKRFT [pronounced master craft] They sound alot like Justice primarily because they both have a similar deformed bastardized set of strings that I can never identify but if you listen, you may be able to hear what I'm talking about.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcjNucPmLjo">Bounce ft Nore & Isis</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36GoJluHXlY">D.A.N.C.E. [MSTRKRFT rmx] - Justice </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foUSFsugs6g&feature=related">Vuvuvu [i promise vuvuzelas are not involved]</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swUNmjfS8Rw">Neon Knights</a> [personal favorite]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnsBsc-r9Qk">Street Justice</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdJfFnEf0E">Paris</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark Ronson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.papertastebuds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mark-ronson-business.jpg"><img src="http://www.papertastebuds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mark-ronson-business.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 310px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back when Amy Winehouse was not in rehab and she had talent I paid attention to her songs and found her cover for Valerie, it was amazing but I couldn't help noticing the producer, Mark Ronson. Eventually I forgot about him until my official music advisor reminded me of him. The advisor notified me of his new album, Record Collection. His music is all clean and happy and stuff, but listen to him for yourself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68FqiPtkA3w">Valerie ft Amy Winehouse</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM6TCGltfHM">Bang Bang Bang ft MNDR & Q-Tip</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpayJn3Ch5M">Ooh Wee ft Ghost Face Killah & Nate Dogg</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnDo6mR6fp8">Oh My God ft Lily Allen</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgOcV0O7k48">Lose It ft Ghostface Killah & Alex Greenwald</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lycantropii</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lycantropii.com/images/lycantropii_what.jpg"><img src="http://lycantropii.com/images/lycantropii_what.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 620px; height: 620px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lycantropii is a group [with no information] that specialize in mash-ups. It is the greatest collection of mash-ups that I have ever heard. <a href="http://lycantropii.com/">You can get the entire album here.</a> The music is a mix of mellow grooves and hard beats hit against some popular tracks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tiesto</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://intrance.in/images/tiesto3.jpg"><img src="http://intrance.in/images/tiesto3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 449px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Dutch, the most interesting group of people in the world; Spyker, Rembrandt, Piet Mondrian, Gerrit Rietveld and Van Gogh are perfect examples. So now music! Tiesto is one of the greatest DJs in the world but I'm now tired so here are the videos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE7CXZ1Lyu4">Elements of Life</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txwd7XFrwvQ">Speed Rail</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOxjQC8PMI">Bad Behaviour ft Dizzee Rascal</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyL804VIm6w">Bright Morningstar</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6stxZunCNo">Carpe Noctum</a></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-85256224085110930892010-12-25T13:50:00.003-06:002010-12-25T17:52:30.053-06:00Music Highlight: deadmau5<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://data.liveguide.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/newsandreviews/deadmau5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 260px;" src="http://data.liveguide.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/newsandreviews/deadmau5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>Joel Zimmerman [aka deadmau5] is quite possibly now my favorite Canadian musician [tied between him and MSTRKRFT but i'll give deadmau5 the advantage due to the cool mask/helmet]<div><br /></div><div>Like most people, the first song I heard was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ArUgxtlJs">Ghosts N' Stuff</a> and up to this day, was the only song I really enjoyed from his first two albums [For Lack of a Better Name & Random Album Title] there are other albums but I really haven't gotten around to listening, primarily because I'm hung up on his most recent one 4x4=12</div><div><br /></div><div>no better way to describe an artist than for you to listen to him yourself</div><div>personal favorites from the album 4x4=12</div><div><a href="http://vis-soft.com/uploads/posts/2010-12/1291899345731deadmau.jpeg"><img src="http://vis-soft.com/uploads/posts/2010-12/1291899345731deadmau.jpeg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 450px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKYyEZ_rphQ">Some Chords</a></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgK5ZQRwvJs">Bad Selection</a></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNXuQJo94pc">Animal Rights</a> [this song is good but the good part starts really late]</div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoPI1qvN2Ew&feature=related">Cthulhu Sleeps</a> [btw his live performances are kinda awesome]</div><div><br /></div><div>despite this listing I suggest you look up for more songs [especially from the other 2 albums cause they're still good]</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-67372136699990490512010-12-25T13:25:00.004-06:002010-12-25T20:13:27.531-06:002010 F1 awards w00t! by crossdrilled<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7zmKM37M0">First a summary of the 2010 season</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Best Overtake: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfEDK3pCfGg&feature=related">Kamui Kobayashi @ Suzuka Circuit's Hairpin [Japanese Grand Prix]</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media2.blackfalconmedia.com/2010/10/11/medium/1106523846786098844.jpg"><img src="http://media2.blackfalconmedia.com/2010/10/11/medium/1106523846786098844.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rumor has it that in effect for the 2011 season Kamui Kobayashi is limited to <a href="http://sniffpetrol.com/2010/12/13/those-rejected-f1-rule-changes-in-full/">four ambitious overtaking moves per season</a>. This race [as well as others] is the primary reason for this "suggested" rule change. In this race Kamui performed 5 overtakes in one corner. Overall Kamui jumped from 14th to 7th which is amazing considering how horrible his car is. Also add in the mix that he did all of this in front of his Japanese home crowd adds to the wonder of these overtakes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crash of the year: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAG8DvUc9c">Mark Webber @ Valencia [European Grand Prix]</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rookief1.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/webber_valencia.jpg"><img src="http://rookief1.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/webber_valencia.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 589px; height: 331px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How could any other crash beat this head over heels rear end collision between Mark Webber's Red Bull and Heikki Kovalainnen's Lotus. Keep in mind, Webber walked away from the wreckage with no injuries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden Cock: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmD050RhOEY&feature=related">Michael Schumacher @ Hungaroring [Hungarian GP]</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://bilder.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/more-sport/2010/08/02/micheal-schumacher-shame/fg/hungary-grand-prix-schumi-barrichello-1-17181718-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,height=349.jpg"><img src="http://bilder.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/more-sport/2010/08/02/micheal-schumacher-shame/fg/hungary-grand-prix-schumi-barrichello-1-17181718-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,height=349.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 465px; height: 349px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The biggest news of this season was the return of 7 time F1 champ Michael Schumacher and as expected Schumacher went back to his days of treating his former teammate, Rubens Barichello, like a bitch. In this video it shows just how close [and how fast] Schumacher was to squeezing the life out of Rubens. [I should probably rename this the Michael Schumacher prize]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rivalry of the Year: Vettel vs Webber</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDEM4VtBE5TTTQ0YfyPCUdedOqXW87QL4kw8hMaYF2-ytxTmfrkBLFK_K-5817Qlqt4j6lBofeK2BXxigaacDYBoMzlP44et7C7PFzrwgRIeIiwB5G-OOwn8XN-XwF_J-YS3ClMR229g/s1600/vettel_and_mark_launch_rb5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDEM4VtBE5TTTQ0YfyPCUdedOqXW87QL4kw8hMaYF2-ytxTmfrkBLFK_K-5817Qlqt4j6lBofeK2BXxigaacDYBoMzlP44et7C7PFzrwgRIeIiwB5G-OOwn8XN-XwF_J-YS3ClMR229g/s1600/vettel_and_mark_launch_rb5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 288px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When teams are performing well and have drivers performing just as well, it should be no surprise that both drivers would want to duke it out for the top spot. Just like Prost vs Senna and Alonso vs Hamilton when they were all at McLaren, the top tier team at the time, tension between them for the title called for some risky moves, this year was no different. The first hint of tension was after the Turkish Gran Prix were<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDHnxDs6eFE&feature=related"> Vettel's overtake on Webber</a> for first nearly knocked both out of the race. Webber dropped down to 3rd given McLaren a 1-2 finish while Vettel stalled his car and couldn't go any further. Everything seemed calm again until the British GP where after Webber's crash at Valencia, Webber was given the spare car while Vettel continued with his original car... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-nkNJxJoLU">the story continues in this video here.</a> [pay attention to Webber's expressions] after this though it calmed as Webber won the race and went on to lead for most of the season. It wasn't until Abu Dhabi at the end of the season was their relationship discussed again, this time to benefit Webber. After dominating the last set of races for the season as well as Abu Dhabi qualifying, it looked as if Vettel was in a prime spot to win the race. Of course him winning the championship was unlikely as Alonso needed to place 5th but he qualified 3rd. Eventually team orders were not needed [and Red Bull already said they weren't gonna use them] as pitstop strategy mixed with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5QmoYRMVwg">a pesky little Russian in a Renault</a> prevented Alonso from passing 7th giving Vettel the win and the world championship.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Catastrophic Failures: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBVuvIPe0tc">Sebastian Beumi @ Chinese GP Practice</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/4/16/1271403025233/Sebastien-Buemis-Toro-Ros-001.jpg"><img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/4/16/1271403025233/Sebastien-Buemis-Toro-Ros-001.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 276px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought it was epic when Raikonnen's entire spoiler separated from his car, but for your two front wheels to detach simultaneously under braking, that is truly epic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moment of the Year: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDuXzwuuGFU">Heikki Kovalainnen @ Singapore GP [last lap]</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/uk.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/screen-shot-2010-09-27-at-11.46.25.png"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/uk.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/screen-shot-2010-09-27-at-11.46.25.png" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 479px; height: 346px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Normally when a driver is involved in an accident, they get out of the car, check if their in one piece, then leave the track marshall's to take care of the rest. Heikki [aka the iceman, seeing that Kimi is no longer in F1] pretty much extinguishes the fire of his own car as it spontaneously combusts on the last lap. His efforts in keeping the fire out of the pitlane [where all the fuel pumps are] should also be applauded as he stayed in the car until he was in a safe spot, despite the raging flames going on behind him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lolz moment: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7zmKM37M0">Pharell vs the Lotus T127's engine @ Brazilian GP</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5156490628_e0896420f5.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5156490628_e0896420f5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 334px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before performing for F1 Rocks in Brazil, Pharrell decided to visit some of the teams during the practice sessions. Most of his time was spent around the Lotus pits who showed him around [seeing that they are one of the more open teams on the grid] <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7zmKM37M0">the result can be seen here</a> [fast forward to 5:03]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Race of the Year: Korean Grand Prix [aka the mud race aka the race of the safety car]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1287912432/996/4268996.jpg"><img src="http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1287912432/996/4268996.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 433px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Korean GP was the newest race on the calendar, so new in fact that the pavement was still fresh. This freshness made the track super slippery and few cars could manage to find enough grip to stay on the track much less race on it. By the time race day came along, rain prevented the race from beginning under normal conditions as the track was like ice. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqW_fONRD_U">This video pretty much sums up the entire race </a>[btw this is the first time I stayed up late to watch an Asian race, never again] The result of both Red Bull's crashing put Fernando Alonso at a HUGE advantage towards the driver's championship and with 3 races to go, it looked like he would eventually take it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rookie of the Year: Kamui Kobayashi</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/47404000/jpg/_47404576_kobayashi466.jpg"><img src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/47404000/jpg/_47404576_kobayashi466.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 466px; height: 282px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kamui Kobayashi, evidently one of the most talented drivers on the grid especially seeing how good he can be with a bad car. Of the 19 races of the season, the car failed Kamui 8 times and for the other 11 times where the car was working, he finished in the top ten 9 times. This display ensured he finished the highest among the rookies [although he entered F1 in 2009 for 2 races, 2010 is his first complete season.] In terms of rookies that started completely new for 2010, my choice would be Nico Hulkenberg especially after scoring his maiden pole position.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Driver of the Year: Fernando Alonso</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagenes.publico.es/resources/archivos/2009/7/9/1247139964048alonsodn.jpg"><img src="http://imagenes.publico.es/resources/archivos/2009/7/9/1247139964048alonsodn.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Call him whatever you want, a cheater, a sly devil or a con artist despite his tainted record, it is no denying that his previous two championships were not a fluke. He is nearly impossible to overtake yet he doesn't block too much, he is plainly fast and has attributed his success to keeping calm and carrying on which has caused him to benefit greatly during the failures of Red Bull. Despite winning the first race of the season, no one expected him to lead frog so far and so fast especially so near to the end of the season. As much as I am a Vettel fan, Alonso is worthy of winning the award of driver of the year, however, I'm not jumping on his bandwagon again [yes I was an Alonso fan during 05-06 but that was it] <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQzQXgwAcRo&feature=related">especially after this.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's it, I ensured to ignore the come back of the year [which was performed by Vettel] as I've spoken quite a bit too much about him already.</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-63372950437885949712010-12-11T06:41:00.006-06:002010-12-26T18:04:12.396-06:00Top 10 greatest female racing drivers [IMHO]<div style="text-align: left;">Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher, Lyn St. James, Susie Stoddart and the 5 females of F1 all could have qualified for my list but these 10 were chosen for not making women look like snails on the race track and at the same time humiliating some males.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div>10) Natacha Gachnang [Swiss]</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://autoracingworld.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/natasha-gachnang.jpg?w=450"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://autoracingworld.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/natasha-gachnang.jpg?w=450" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gt1world.com/resizer/index/496/329/news/Matech_61_at_Le_Mans.jpg"><img src="http://gt1world.com/resizer/index/496/329/news/Matech_61_at_Le_Mans.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 494px; height: 329px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://gt1world.com/resizer/index/496/329/news/Matech_61_at_Le_Mans.jpg"></a><div><div>The first I heard of her, she was racing one of the sexy new Matech Ford GTs that were racing in the GT1 series, unfortunately none of the Ford GTs that qualified for the race finished. Despite her entire team being female, she was chosen as she was the first [and still only] female to be entered into Formula 2. She is also cousin of F1 Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Beumi.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>9) Vanina Ickx [Belgian]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/174923/vanina_ickx.jpg"><img src="http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/174923/vanina_ickx.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 450px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2856893206_970a815439.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2856893206_970a815439.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 335px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone knows her as being the daughter of 6 times Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx as well as her bleh 9 year on and off attempt at Le Mans herself. But little do people realize that being invited to the 24 hours of Le Mans itself is a title and the fact she has been involved in Le Mans more than any other female says something.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>8) Katherine Legge [British]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.leblogauto.com/images/legge_1_1.jpg"><img src="http://www.leblogauto.com/images/legge_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 687px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://rolfsracingexperiences.com/images/dtm_legge_2009.jpg"><img src="http://rolfsracingexperiences.com/images/dtm_legge_2009.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 226px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Vanina Ickx at one point in her career raced in DTM but after two seasons, Audi sacked her and replaced her for Katherine Legge. Legge has also raced in the Champ Car Series where her spoiler flew off and suffered a huge crash, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h2iqmliVMk&feature=related">she walked it off like a boss</a>. She has also made a few testing appearances for the Minardi F1 team as well as the British A1 GP team.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>7) Vicki Butler-Henderson (British)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/cd/020727r1314_sn/girls/vbh2.jpg"><img src="http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/cd/020727r1314_sn/girls/vbh2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 616px; " /></a></div><div>It is no secret that the only thing 5th Gear has over Top Gear is Vicki. Although she has not raced in ages, Vicki is a constant reminder to the world that females can drive well. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LATNz71h5k&feature=related">Vicki doing what she does best.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>6) Danica Patrick [American]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://southeastsportsdaily.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/danica_patrick_trophy.jpg"><img src="http://southeastsportsdaily.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/danica_patrick_trophy.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 490px; height: 653px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Duplicate+IndyCar+Nikon+Indy+300+Practice+7PNhUfSMARsl.jpg"><img src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Duplicate+IndyCar+Nikon+Indy+300+Practice+7PNhUfSMARsl.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 594px; height: 379px; " /></a></div><div>I remember back when I just started watching Speed and Spike on Saturday mornings Danica was the host for one of those shows. Before all the sex symbol status and part time placement in NASCAR, Danica raced in the Toyota Atlantic Series [where a lot of the females on this list started out] After success she was promoted to IRL in 2005 and has constantly maintained a top ten overall finish except for her debut season where she finished 12th. She is also the only female to win a race in the IRL [2007 Twin Rings Motegi] and the only female to score a podium at the Indy 500. Despite all the hype, she really is a good driver underneath.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Jutta Kleinschmidt [German]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.yukonrivercruises.com/images/owners1.jpg"><img src="http://www.yukonrivercruises.com/images/owners1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 166px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://static.rp-online.de/layout/showbilder/18569-kleinschmidt_wolfsburg16004165082.jpg"><img src="http://static.rp-online.de/layout/showbilder/18569-kleinschmidt_wolfsburg16004165082.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>By far, the Dakar Rally is the most dangerous race ever, with on average at least one death per event. In the 2008 event, four tourists were killed by terrorist which prompted them to cancel and move the Dakar to South America [and sure enough the deaths continued]. Despite all the gloom Jutta's milestone run in 2001 lead her to become the only female to win the Dakar. It should be noted that most of these deaths occur in the motorcycle class, while Jutta experienced most of her success in the car class, she entered her first event in the motorcycle class.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>4) Pat Moss [British]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://formulatotal.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/pat-moss.jpg"><img src="http://formulatotal.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/pat-moss.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 363px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sir Stirling Moss is constantly known as the greatest driver never to have won the F1 WDC, his sister Pat however, was making noise in the forests of Europe. Pat Moss is known to be one of the greatest female rally drivers ever. Despite not entering the WRC, Pat won the Female Rally Championship 5 times. The fact she was one of the first females to really stand out in the worl of rallying puts her on the list, mainly because she more than likely inspired #1</div><div><br /></div><div>3) Ashley Force-Hood [American]</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Driving-Force/images/ashley-force-5.jpg"><img src="http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Driving-Force/images/ashley-force-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 398px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/media/images/contacts/9699/image/ashley16.jpg"><img src="http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/media/images/contacts/9699/image/ashley16.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 315px; " /></a>Being daughter of NHRA legend John Force, its no surprise that she and her sister would follow suit. Now I fear drag racing and I personally think anyone who has the balls to race in this series is either really brave or crazy. The fact that she has been in it for 3 full season, beating her father on 2 occasions, says she is rather brave. It's an ongoing joke that the biggest difference between Ashley Force and Danica Patrick is that she actually wins race [and she looks better]<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>2) Sabine Schmitz [German]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://agungbrahma.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Sabine-Schmitz.jpg"><img src="http://agungbrahma.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Sabine-Schmitz.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 427px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://treadly.net/assets/top-gear-nuerburgring-van.jpg"><img src="http://treadly.net/assets/top-gear-nuerburgring-van.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 265px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The queen of the ring. Sabine is not only the greatest female to have graced the famed Nurburgring, but she would easily be considered entry into the class of ring masters. As a result of numerous successful stints at the ring Sabine is one of the Nurburgring's elite "taxi" drivers, you pay a fee and Sabine takes you around the track at high speed. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tG3Tx1e704&feature=player_embedded">This video says it all.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>1) <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/05/queen-bee-of-rallying-michele-mouton.html">Michele Mouton</a> [French]</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2007/stats/nemecko/obr2.jpg"><img src="http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2007/stats/nemecko/obr2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 468px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/05/queen-bee-of-rallying-michele-mouton.html">Just because she was.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/3543341231_16c3463d86.jpg"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/3543341231_16c3463d86.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 351px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-37991972244563780782010-12-08T13:58:00.005-06:002011-01-10T20:14:23.427-06:00A Tale of 2 [or 3] Lotuses [or Lotii]<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/images/lotus49m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 816px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/images/lotus49m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">R-L: Graham Hill [62 & 68 champ], Jim Clark [63 & 65 champ], Colin Chapman [genius] and an Unkown Guy circle the Lotus Cosworth 49 [68 constructor champ]</div><div><br /></div><div><br />The story starts with a man called Colin Chapman who founded Lotus Cars in 1952. In 1954 he formed Team Lotus, a separate [yet closely related] entity to Lotus Cars. Team Lotus' focus was set solely on the development of race cars. Over time the two companies featured both defeat and success in their respective fields with Team Lotus having won the F1 Constructors Championship 7 times [4th overall in total wins]. Unfortunately after Colin's death in 1982 both Lotuses [or Lotii] faced economic woes which lead to Lotus cars being sold and bought by nearly every company on the planet while Team Lotus suffered a slow yet sudden death in 1994 after years of uncompetitive action. <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ritzsite.demon.nl/F1_70s/BIN/Lotus_72_1973.JPG"><img src="http://www.ritzsite.demon.nl/F1_70s/BIN/Lotus_72_1973.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 450px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lotus 72 [2 driver's champs and 3 constructor's champs]</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://grandprixinsider.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jim-clark-lotus49.jpg"><img src="http://grandprixinsider.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jim-clark-lotus49.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 270px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lotus 49 [68 driver's and constructor's champ]</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to 2009</div><div>Lotus the car company is just getting back on its feet thanks to Malaysian money and pocket money from helping out Toyota. Along with Lotus' plans of pushing out more cars than it has ever done before, it was also considering re-entering motorsports, first on the list was the series that made it famous in the first place, Formula 1. The team that would step up to the plate would be Litespeed which registered to race under the name Lotus Racing on behalf of them [after being unable to get clearance from using the original Team Lotus name] </div><div><br /></div><div>Now take a break and notice that there is Lotus Cars, Lotus Racing and Team Lotus, all coming from the same roots yet currently independent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to Lotus Racing..... seeing that Lotus Cars is owned by Malaysians, the biggest sponsor to Lotus Racing is of course the Malaysians [as in it actually has 1Malaysia as a registered sponsor]. As a matter of fact Lotus Racing races under the Malaysian flag with a Malaysian team principal and test driver. Because of this cultural gap, there is a discontinuation between Lotus Racing and Lotus cars [evident in the fact that the Malaysians cannot use the official Lotus logo] Despite this they named the car T127, as a continuation in the number scheme Team Lotus and Lotus cars use and even stated that if they won, it would add to Lotus' overall records. To blur the line even more, Lotus Racing has chosen to choose the British Racing Green and yellow outline used by the Lotus 49 as well as using Cosworth engines which were used by both the 72 and 49. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f2dCclIT9q8/S3ZfUtNBMrI/AAAAAAAAExQ/MNHqkAk2s60/s1600/The%2Bnew%2BLotus%2BT127%2Bis%2Bseen%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bstage%2Bduring%2Bthe%2BLotus%2BF1%2Blaunch.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f2dCclIT9q8/S3ZfUtNBMrI/AAAAAAAAExQ/MNHqkAk2s60/s1600/The%2Bnew%2BLotus%2BT127%2Bis%2Bseen%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bstage%2Bduring%2Bthe%2BLotus%2BF1%2Blaunch.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 610px; height: 391px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lotus T127 [tied for last place in 2010 but voted as best of the new teams]</div><div><br /></div><div>To continue its quest for official status, Lotus Racing announced that as of 2011 they will be called Team Lotus after acquiring the name legally [aka a lot of money] from David Hunt <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/09/sex-breakfast-of-champions-hopeful.html">[James Hunt's brother]</a> As to why he had the rights to the Team Lotus name and not Lotus cars, I dunno. In addition to switching to the Team Lotus name for 2011 they also announced a switch to Renault engines after they suffered problems with the transmissions attached to the Cosworth engines. To distance themselves even further from the Lotus Racing moniker they also announced a return to the Black and Gold livery first used on the Lotus 72 which would be designed by the fans. Of course all these changes seem fine and dandy until another company decides they want a slice of the Lotus pie.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-lotus-renaultgp.jpg"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-lotus-renaultgp.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 630px; height: 445px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First rendering of the Renault derived Lotus R31</div><div><br /></div><div>After rumors and speculation Group Lotus [aka the Lotus that makes the road cars] decided that they would enter F1 officially by buying out the current Renault team [which is officially the most successful dead broke company on the grid] Of course this just seems to be more coincidence than deliberate. After losing big money sponsor ING, Renault has been in big money problems and this sellout to Group Lotus is no surprise, what is a surprise is the timing. Group Lotus has decided to enter the 2011 season as Lotus Renault GP [remember that Lotus Racing is also using Renault engines so their names should be Team Lotus Renault]. </div><div><br /></div><div>Confused yet???? But wait there's more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because Lotus Racing runs their F1 factory in England near to the Lotus Cars factory and has used the T127 naming scheme as well as bought the Team Lotus name, Group Lotus, being the real Lotus F1 team, now cannot be 100% the Lotus it wants but instead more Renault than Lotus. As a result the chassis will be called the R31 [continuing Renault's naming scheme] Fortunately, Renault was based in England anyways. To make their own unique link to the past [as well as not to differ too much from the Renault car] Group Lotus has decided to choose the same black and gold livery used by the old Lotus 72s [and the 2011 Team Lotus team]. So not only will we F1 fans be stuck with 2 Lotus teams going by the same name, but they will also be using the same color scheme. One can think, "o but didn't Red Bull do something similar with Torro Rosso?" yes and no. Yes in that they are two separate teams with similar paint schemes and names and no in the sense that they are actually in a dispute rather than one being a step up to the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>So in other words, what will happen next season? Will one rename? Will one change color scheme? Will both be forced to do both? From what I'm seeing, both are stand strong on their decision with Lotus Racing [aka Team Lotus] debating that they were here first and Group Lotus debating that they're the real deal. Only God knows what will happen but all I hope is that Hulkenberg gets that empty seat at Lotus Renault GP beside Kubica.</div><div><br /></div><div>Update: Team Lotus [the Malaysian one] will stick to their old green and yellow paint scheme while Lotus Renault will have Petrov alongside Kubica and Team Lotus will have the same old Trulli, Kovalainnen line up.</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-29688909032665827752010-12-04T21:01:00.004-06:002010-12-06T21:21:31.859-06:00Why I follow Vettel [the update]<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7goePI-PJmoSd8k390OQtXRmBJ2U3SYM5emZBYMQLGXUh64gq5YTBnQkXWhM4qzCVkI2YxZEtG3JfNJ66fuCU0n9zaYPVfeunhi8VeKcEkphvYf3OeIEPJSgHfQLjgpuhStNPkwngYtB/s1600/_49627542_vettel_garage766.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7goePI-PJmoSd8k390OQtXRmBJ2U3SYM5emZBYMQLGXUh64gq5YTBnQkXWhM4qzCVkI2YxZEtG3JfNJ66fuCU0n9zaYPVfeunhi8VeKcEkphvYf3OeIEPJSgHfQLjgpuhStNPkwngYtB/s400/_49627542_vettel_garage766.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547775247420778098" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well lets get the spoilers out first, Vettel is now the 2010 Formula 1 champion, in a move that not even I expected. This season has been pretty much up and down but first let me start off where I left off.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my last post <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-i-follow-vettel.html">"Why I follow Vettel"</a> I made mention of his record breaking success in his previous seasons. There are some details I had forgot to mention however:</div><div><ul><li>He is also the youngest WDC runner-up</li><li>He has been in F1 before Hamilton, primarily because he by-passed having to go through GP2 [if F1 is a doctorate think of GP2 as a masters]</li><li>His leading of a lap at Fuji in 07 was made sour by a collision with now teammate Mark Webber</li><li>He overtook Hamilton in Brazil 08 on the last lap nearly allowing Massa to win the WDC [no wonder Hamilton supporters don't like him]</li><li>He is also the youngest winner of the DHL Fast Lap award [most fastest lap in an F1 season] 3 in 2009</li><li>He won the 2010 Nations Cup at the Race of Champions along with Michael Schumacher for the 4th time in a row</li></ul><div>Ok, enough showcasing, back to the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned before in <a href="http://crossdrilled.blogspot.com/2010/06/f1-not-so-boring-summary.html">"F1: whose bandwagon to jump on and why"</a> there were 8 drivers who could have realistically taken the WDC..... after a while that list trickled down to 5 then 4 [the first time where the WDC could have went any of 4 ways in the final race] and then 1. </div><div><br /></div><div>In my last Vettel / F1 update I left off at the end of the Spanish GP where the order in the WDC chase was Button, Alonso, Vettel, Webber and Rosberg. The next race was Monaco. But before that a quick recap</div><div><br /></div><div>Bahrain: Vettel starts in the top spot, Vettel falls down to 4th due to spark plug issues. Alonso wins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Australia: same as before except Vettel crashes due to brake problems. Button wins</div><div><br /></div><div>Malaysia: Vettel fianlly wins</div><div><br /></div><div>China: Vettel starts on pole, everyone overtakes him, ends up 6th</div><div><br /></div><div>Spain: more brake problems push Vettel down from 2nd to 4th</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways back to the show.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Monaco GP</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pmon10/sun/start1-lg.jpg"><img src="http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pmon10/sun/start1-lg.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 426px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty much RBR lead from start to finish with Mark Webber taking top honors here and Vettel 2nd. Both jumped to the top of the leaderboard tied for 1st place [statistically Vettel was in 2nd spot due to Webber having more wins] RBR also moved to the top of the constructors tables and gave the entire team a motivational head start going into Turkey.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Turkish GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01647/sebastian-vettel_1647050c.jpg"><img src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01647/sebastian-vettel_1647050c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 287px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After a perfect weekend at Monaco and a Red Bull P1 and P2, all was looking well for RBR until. Vettel made a move that would change how people viewed him forever. While they were both leading comfortably ahead of the McLarens, Vettel decided to overtake Webber. In normal F1 teams either a) Vettel would have been told to calm down or b) Webber would have been told to move aside and let him through. Neither of these happened and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JOw5Z0PQv0&feature=related">the results show the rest</a>. Vettel's collision with Webber sent him out of the race permanently while Webber was forced to finished 3rd behind the two McLaren's and from here on, Vettel was considered a hampering to Webber's success.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2010/RBR-Turkish-GP-crash.jpg"><img src="http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2010/RBR-Turkish-GP-crash.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 530px; height: 295px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canadian GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/608/fbd043ec9ad54fe280c59f9d8964ad47.jpg"><img src="http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/608/fbd043ec9ad54fe280c59f9d8964ad47.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 330px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Red Bull ass whopping continued as the high downforce RBRs could not keep up with the Ferraris or McLarens on the long straights of Canada, it was like all of a sudden, there was a chink in Red Bull's armor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>European GP [at Valencia]</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Vettel-640x250.jpg"><img src="http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Vettel-640x250.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 250px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bit bitter sweet for RedBull. Despite getting a P1 and P2, only one driver finished the race [Vettel finishing first] Webber's race was cut short after <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-OpBbdBg0I&feature=related">a collision with Kovalainen's Lotus</a>. Which I find quite similar to a crash he had <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TSzQoCGmDY">11 years ago </a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2010/European-GP-Webber-flips-05.jpg"><img src="http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2010/European-GP-Webber-flips-05.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 530px; height: 295px; " /></a></div><div>The win promoted Vettel from 5th to 3rd while Webber was demoted from 3rd to 4th, it still looked like a long way to go before they overtook those McLarens especially since they reached the midpoint of the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Midpoint Recap: Brake failures, collisions and undesirable racing set up have made Red Bull and Vettel slip behind McLaren who looked to be 2010 champions, but as I kept on saying, the season isn't over yet.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>British GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After Webber's crash at Valencia, Red Bull was short one car and Vettel really wasn't liking the set up on his. This left Red Bull to make a controversial move and make Webber and Vettel switch cars. On the outside, Webber seemed to not have minded the change especially since he went on to win the race, but inside there was a rift between the team and Webber continued to prove RBR that he indeed was their #1 driver [even though Vettel really was their #1 driver due to last years points finish]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>German GP</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What started out as a pole for Vettel ended as a 1-2 for Ferrari with Massa leading most of the race [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQzQXgwAcRo&feature=related">up until this happened</a>]. Getting a podium helped to tie Vettel and Webber again in the points this time for 3rd. Massa was looked down upon and thought to have no hope to reach the top of the WDC board again</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hungarian GP</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet again there was a Red Bull 1-2 for the start but due to a delay in moving off from the safety car, Vettel was penalized with a Drive thru penalty, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uz3dn31vEM">as you can expect he wasn't pleased</a>. Webber went on to win the race with Vettel finishing 3rd. This pushed Webber back to the top of the leader board with Hamilton between him and Vettel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Belgian GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uP68QpBTx7d_2omBJdbMEix5xfOp9AuE8ZywH_jMqsnpYrCBTqN7qwl-pRpKptBDTyY2eHdh0zzU60SC1Sycbi59gxWxeX6Wj3rZCOiCncI2kgsEa1f1X03mrsESZoiwlN6TgpF_veEg/s1600/F1+Button+Vettel+Crash+Belgium.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uP68QpBTx7d_2omBJdbMEix5xfOp9AuE8ZywH_jMqsnpYrCBTqN7qwl-pRpKptBDTyY2eHdh0zzU60SC1Sycbi59gxWxeX6Wj3rZCOiCncI2kgsEa1f1X03mrsESZoiwlN6TgpF_veEg/s1600/F1+Button+Vettel+Crash+Belgium.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 636px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another high speed track spelled woe for RBR. Despite getting a pole, Webber was beaten at the start [due to a near stall] and held off by Lewis Hamilton for the entire race. He went on to take over the top spot on the WDC board from him as well. The always wet conditions at Spa troubled Vettel who collided <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yai12CvDzRw&feature=related">with Button</a>, then Liuzzi. These collisions not only slowed him down but the pitstop to repair the wing after the first collision, a drive thru penalty and a one lap limp on a punctured tire ensured he stayed far away from the points. At this point most people questioned whether Vettel was in fact too young and immature to be in F1, but he continued onwards.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Italian GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2010/10/22/Korea_F1_GP_Auto_Racing.sff_s640x380.jpg?45a3c8cf861b25dfcc14b4a47c6e03bf9866e814"><img src="http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2010/10/22/Korea_F1_GP_Auto_Racing.sff_s640x380.jpg?45a3c8cf861b25dfcc14b4a47c6e03bf9866e814" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 304px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another high speed track, in fact, the fastest track in F1. No one expected the RBRs to do well here and their absence from anywhere near pole proved everyone right. Most people were wondering would Vettel repeat the miracle he performed here in 2008 or will it be a Red Bull flop out like 2009. The race started out with a bang as Lewis was out in the 3rd corner and the Ferraris took the lead. Nothing much changed during the race except for the fact that Vettel withheld his pitstop until the last lap. Fortunately for him, the quick hands of his mechanics ensured he held on to the third spot, easily elevating him back up the WDC board. At this point, it was official that only 5 were left in the title chase with only 5 races left to go. BTW Vettel makes a good <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtEWx42qZEE">mock up</a> of Ferrari's team order to ensure Webber gets a better position, even though Vettel beat Webber in the end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Singapore GP</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH2MtMFwcTxFYvMoOpaJv6k1VRDCBTsFFDWsi-xmMg_As6Y34IU21V7gv2-EgcBo3hhWp-BGYtffR0xmKsfNo3pN0-d3AmQy4W_Y9CjRhb3lp8O9d0VQcAUhr2N3VJysb5SwoiIWrBzc/s400/singapore_grand_prix.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH2MtMFwcTxFYvMoOpaJv6k1VRDCBTsFFDWsi-xmMg_As6Y34IU21V7gv2-EgcBo3hhWp-BGYtffR0xmKsfNo3pN0-d3AmQy4W_Y9CjRhb3lp8O9d0VQcAUhr2N3VJysb5SwoiIWrBzc/s400/singapore_grand_prix.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The return to a high downforce layout soothed RBR and gave them confidence especially since they knew they had an upper hand over McLaren, unfortunately they weren't paying attention to Ferrari. Alonso took the pole away from Vettel and held him off for the entire race despite endless laps of tail to wing racing, Vettel held on to second, a move that gave him slight hope for the WDC. BTW Kovalainen provided the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qsmre3yAZE">fireworks</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Japanese GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Long story short, Vettel dominated from start to finish. The victory secured his relevance in the WDC making it a 4 horse race.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Korean GP</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/10/24/1287925609983/Vettel-engine-002.jpg"><img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/10/24/1287925609983/Vettel-engine-002.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 276px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The newest track on the calendar with a roadway as slippery as a greased spoon. Not much cars found a groove on this track, not much cars except for Red Bull who easily grasped P1 and P2 with Vettel up front. The race itself was chaos, slippery track plus rain = safety car. For people like me that stayed awake until 2am just to watch 45 mins of safety car, this race was a disappointment, up until it started. After a couple of laps, cars went left right and centre. Cars pitted for new tires, tried them and then pitted again for moar tires. The track was a mess. This showed when Webber eventually spun off and shunted his car taking him out of the race and the points. Nearer to the end of the race, Vettel was seen as a shoe-in for the winner, up until it all went boom. After making it pass the 46th lap, Vettel's engine went pop and he had to go all <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_sz1G7ePxk">Kovalainen on that fire.</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Brazilian GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.loxlee-loves-engines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-brazilian-grand-prix-red-bull-winners-500x331.png"><img src="http://www.loxlee-loves-engines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-brazilian-grand-prix-red-bull-winners-500x331.png" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the mayhem of Korea, both Red Bulls needed a strong finish to keep their hopes alive, and did they deliver. Despite starting P2 and P3 [due to an unexpected pole from Hulkenberg] The Red Bulls finished 1-2 with the only thing slowing them down being lapped traffic. The 1-2 easily set them on top to win the constructors title. Of course, that was the easy part, the hard part resided in the season finisher at Abu Dhabi.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.redbull.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/270/715/photo610x343a/team%20reaction.jpg"><img src="http://www.redbull.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/270/715/photo610x343a/team%20reaction.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 610px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Abu Dhabi GP</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/11/14/automobiles/wheels-Sebastian-Vettel-F1/wheels-Sebastian-Vettel-F1-blogSpan.jpg"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/11/14/automobiles/wheels-Sebastian-Vettel-F1/wheels-Sebastian-Vettel-F1-blogSpan.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ahhhh, the final race of the season. Four drivers were up to get the WDC, Hamilton [who needed to win as well as watch every one else crash and burn. Vettel [who needed to win or come second once Alonso scored less than 5th or smtn and some other technical stuff. Fact is, Vettel needed to win and go hard in order to get WDC. However, on a more realistic approach, Webber's points position meant that he had a better chance at WDC, unfortunately for Vettel, this meant that is push come to shove, Vettel may need to move to one side in order for Webber to win WDC. It was bitter sweet, Vettel looked the most likely to win the race yet the least likely to win the WDC.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After qualifying, Vettel was on pole with Alonso in a very comfy 3rd while Webber was in 5th, at this point, Alonso was looking to be the champ. The race started and went on as such up until pitstops, the slower traffic ended up holding both Alonso and Webber behind the 6th place Petrov. This move prevented either from advancing up the tables handing Vettel the WDC as well as the win. 2009 and 2008 Champions finished 2nd and 3rd to him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.f1wolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Sebastian-Vettel-Abu-Dhabi-champagne.jpg"><img src="http://www.f1wolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Sebastian-Vettel-Abu-Dhabi-champagne.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 301px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the 14th of November 2010, Sebastian Vettel became the youngset World Driver's Champion at the age of 23 years and 134 days, 166 days younger than previous record holder Lewis Hamilton. He also became the second German to win the WDC after the legend himself Schumacher. Fact is Vettel's hard edged speed, stiff determination and outright ignoring of critics helped to push him to this task and complete his collection of world's youngest titles. The only thing left is for him to get the youngest double champ [or triple or quadruple], but who knows, he still has at least 10 more years in the business.</div></div><div><br /></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-18660664316676877102010-11-09T21:58:00.004-06:002010-11-09T23:12:28.558-06:00Know yur definishunz: Hybrid<div style="text-align: left;">The term hybrid by itself means a mix or combination of two elements, in the automotive world it generally is reserved for vehicles with a gasoline-electric engine hybrid. Gasoline-electric hybrid engines come in different configurations, some more efficient than others. As a result the hybrid label has been slapped on a wide range of cars which have essentially lead to a big mix up that most people aren't even aware of exist. So let me go through them one by one to clarify whats up with hybrids.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mild Hybrid</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFDzPFv4lWL9IAph70OC94ABOj_oLzt_FTKbPdOjFQMdPhqOlbMiTjZmVzVL1qmFpfn3GitnXGKSZBqWPYRvLdJeqE_u7Komw_yIZPTOGNaHdd4Abo1TvYEXgJnk3XoBSgJvZbhOO-p02/s1600/porsche-panamera-turbo.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFDzPFv4lWL9IAph70OC94ABOj_oLzt_FTKbPdOjFQMdPhqOlbMiTjZmVzVL1qmFpfn3GitnXGKSZBqWPYRvLdJeqE_u7Komw_yIZPTOGNaHdd4Abo1TvYEXgJnk3XoBSgJvZbhOO-p02/s400/porsche-panamera-turbo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537783663884858482" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A very simple set-up which shuts the engine off while it is idling in order to conserve on fuel. The system also can serve to recover kinetic energy through braking in order to power the electrical supplies. A part from a larger alternator/improved starter motor there are not a lot of physical changes between it and a conventional engine set up</div><div><br /></div><div>Vehicles that use it: All vehicles that have a start-stop option e.g. BMW 1 series, Porsche Panamera [pictured]</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Parallel Hybrid</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh7WglpyIKACBZv8J6VN1RzsIkC9Ju_IgHlXe6c59B1tS8_OjsdpDeZK4sNhdLYu6K4KPxTuyWKfMvx6RPNAfyET6ZsfnvzsdYVoIvdHxUvrKZ0VDbHDhn9a9GAkJ1sn3BxmquxocBUha/s1600/porsche-cayenne-s-hybrid2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh7WglpyIKACBZv8J6VN1RzsIkC9Ju_IgHlXe6c59B1tS8_OjsdpDeZK4sNhdLYu6K4KPxTuyWKfMvx6RPNAfyET6ZsfnvzsdYVoIvdHxUvrKZ0VDbHDhn9a9GAkJ1sn3BxmquxocBUha/s400/porsche-cayenne-s-hybrid2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537783657153826018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This is the most common hybrid set up. It consists of the electric and gasoline engine working together and at the same time sharing the transmission.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vehicles that use it: Most Honda Hybrids, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid [pictured]</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Series Hybrid</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L4zS1oGkH6pwTXoWnL6dXoxoUR-AVYTWHEKwpp2XzSDXTpCSmVchMo4KyAbYznajh9EqWWVwKDMmIDhdzMzIdvpFwA242h1wffLVmmF60CKVubYaNNCwqLeigr-Rpirat1Gu-SDLAyK3/s1600/Lohner_Porsche.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L4zS1oGkH6pwTXoWnL6dXoxoUR-AVYTWHEKwpp2XzSDXTpCSmVchMo4KyAbYznajh9EqWWVwKDMmIDhdzMzIdvpFwA242h1wffLVmmF60CKVubYaNNCwqLeigr-Rpirat1Gu-SDLAyK3/s400/Lohner_Porsche.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537783663227167986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This is essentially an electric car with a gasoline generator. This set up is ironically the first hybrid set up ever used. [which even more ironically was a Porsche]</div><div><br /></div><div>Vehicles that use it: none in production, Lotus 414E, Hammerhead Eagle iThrust [aka Geoff], Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid [pictured]</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Two Mode Hybrid</b></div><div>A mix between series and parallel hybrids, its too complexed and too detailed for me to get but all I know is that this is the system the Prius uses.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>KERS</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1Yf2J9xhBzgij-4-RLlixPvWhvEFOSowpxB-9Ph2btKzlI-Eepy0FDuH4mw-lTXaRR_cZMYsDxqgYU7RXYsBrt8QZqsykyz0TQPEuk5i0mIKdkR-XG8FTfuTna3035FcgfwNjxxJP6m0/s1600/05-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1Yf2J9xhBzgij-4-RLlixPvWhvEFOSowpxB-9Ph2btKzlI-Eepy0FDuH4mw-lTXaRR_cZMYsDxqgYU7RXYsBrt8QZqsykyz0TQPEuk5i0mIKdkR-XG8FTfuTna3035FcgfwNjxxJP6m0/s400/05-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537783658015612034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>KERS is one of those systems that originate from hybrids but don't deserve the hybrid name. It uses regenerative braking [rotation captured from the wheel while it is decelerating] to capture energy and use it at another time. Although it is common for these systems to use batteries to store the energy, most race applications use flywheels to store the momentum which can then be released at the push of a button</div><div><br /></div><div>Vehicles that use it: Porsche GT3 R Hybrid [pictured], all 2011 Formula 1 cars, Ferrari 599 HY-KERS</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PHEV</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqP95lL2fqGB4OSY4TXNyVR6uk4vKobDDn9-QyHx1ui0Ia9zuzWspEEpk2aYiwirF4wzV5tUopAf92W49cDsrkq6z0tBb8LsA2tKZwpKgpizz6EWD2YxntldqcdEjqpYEUjI0uWZxUhB7/s1600/2010-Porsche-918-Spyder-Concept-Rear-And-Side-1920x1440.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqP95lL2fqGB4OSY4TXNyVR6uk4vKobDDn9-QyHx1ui0Ia9zuzWspEEpk2aYiwirF4wzV5tUopAf92W49cDsrkq6z0tBb8LsA2tKZwpKgpizz6EWD2YxntldqcdEjqpYEUjI0uWZxUhB7/s400/2010-Porsche-918-Spyder-Concept-Rear-And-Side-1920x1440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537783672149321954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>PHEV [Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle] acts a lot like an electric car where the batteries are charged at home and the gasoline motor is only used when the battery supply is depleted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vehicles that use it: Chevrolet Volt, Porsche 918 [pictured]</div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857354508166566192.post-4019845131832552192010-10-24T11:38:00.004-05:002010-10-24T12:43:32.954-05:00Auto meme of the day: "Can you confirm you understood that message?"<div>weirdly enough, most F1 drivers have their own meme attached to them, today is a look on 2008 runner up and Ferrari #2 driver, Felipe Massa</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>"Can you confirm you understood that message"<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/7/26/1280154340623/Felipe-Massa-left-and-Fer-006.jpg"><img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/7/26/1280154340623/Felipe-Massa-left-and-Fer-006.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 276px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>History: </div><div>In Formula 1, a team order is a strategy in which one teammate is ordered to slow down to allow another to pass. Up until the 2000s it was legal but now that teams have taken it to such a level that <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/breaking-renault-f1-reportedly-placed-on-suspended-ban-for-two/">teammates will crash to benefit the other driver</a>, it was banned. But as time goes by, teams have gotten creative in hiding team orders, instead referring to them as team suggestions, but not all teams aren't exactly good at masking these orders. In the case of the 2010 German Grand Prix, while Felipe Massa was leading the race he received a radio message from his team stating <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQzQXgwAcRo">this</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://oi51.tinypic.com/rlxt2u.jpg"><img src="http://oi51.tinypic.com/rlxt2u.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 234px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Massa's picture taken after the race</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">Ever since then, the combination of Ferrari's team order history, Fernando Alonso's dislike of teammates and Felipe Massa's perception of being a bitch, has made the term a staple for comments regarding someone to give up in order to make someone else look better. Rubens Barichello and Nelson Piquet Jr. have both been in Massa's shoes and can be used as alternatives [wait i just noticed they're all Brazilians]</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">Doing it right:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "> "Massa, Alonso's car just broke down and he needs a new one, confirm you understood that message"</span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">"Massa, my homework is not done, confirm you understood that message"</span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">"Massa, my taxes need to be done, confirm you understood that message"</span></i></li></ul></div>Michael McFarlanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04059732152645593592noreply@blogger.com0