Indy Car Lover: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Your questions answered - Japanese Grand Prix

Does Lewis Hamilton have the composure and ability to get his title challenge back on track? Who do I think have been the best new team? Who would I like to win the world championship and who do I think will? Is there a chance this season's title fight could go down to a last-race climax as exciting as 1986?

Watch my answers below.

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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2010/10/your_questions_answered_-_japa.html

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Bird watching at Mercedes GP Petronas

Mercedes GP Petronas has confirmed that it will be giving GP2 driver Sam Bird a run during the upcoming F1 Young Driver test days at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 16 and 17. The 23-year-old has raced this year for the ART team and is currently fifth in the standings, with [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/bird-watching-at-mercedes-gp-petronas/

Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich

Turkish Grand Prix 2010 Race gallery

Lewis Hamilton won the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix with a bit of a luck from the collision of the Red Bull mates, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton's first win of the season. His team mate Jenson Button finished second and Mark Webber who was leading the race before the incident, finished third

Credit : Daylife, F1Fanatic

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/rpr_vaitc98/turkish-grand-prix-2010-race-gallery.html

Hans Herrmann Francois Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Red '32 Roadster W.I.P.

Hi Guys,

I'm off work this week ( Smile ) so I'm trying to get this project finished. The goal is to get the build done for Scale Model World which is being held the second weekend in November (the IPMS Nationals here in England).

I know its yet another red '32 Ford roadster - but I am planning to build a series of '32s and I want a few of them to be typical examples of the classic hot rod subject.

I've nicked the flathead out of the sedan kit and have added one or two extra details:

The interior has been sprayed to match the body (achieved by using semi-gloss clear over the Zero base paint) - just needs the column and steering wheel to finish:

The body has been given a stock firewall kindly provided by Rickard and has been sprayed Corvette Rally Red (mixed by Zero) finished with 2-pack, polishing kit, Novus 2, Zero wax and Novus 1:

Thats it for now - hope to show some more pictures tomorrow and the finished article on Friday. Any comments or suggestions always welcome!

Cheers,

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/scacs/forums/thread/919899.aspx

Oscar Larrauri Gerard Larrousse Jud Larson Niki Lauda† Roger Laurent

Decision time for Red Bull

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2010/10/decision-time-for-red-bull.html

Archie Scott Brown Piero Scotti Wolfgang Seidel Gunther Seiffert Ayrton Senna†

2012 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG will debut in LA - report

According to a recent report, the 2012 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/pSQpzLyEs_s/2012-mercedes-cls-63-amg-will-debut-in-la---report

Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hulkenberg Denny Hulme

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Jeff Gordon?s ?Drive To End Hunger? sponsorship for 3 years

Driving For More Thanks to a new sponsor for 2011, Jeff Gordon is now driving for more than just wins. What to expect from the Drive To End Hunger? Something unique in NASCAR Related posts:

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Source: http://doxcar.com/jeff-gordons-drive-to-end-hunger-sponsorship-for-3-years/

Masami Kuwashima Robert La Caze Jacques Laffite Franck Lagorce Jan Lammers

Sam Bird gets F1 chance with Mercedes

Talented British GP2 driver Sam Bird will get his F1 chance with Mercedes at the young drivers? test after the Abu Dhabi GP. The 23-year-old is driving for the ART team this year, and won the feature race at Monza. He is fifth in the championship with just Abu Dhabi to come. His Mercedes connections [...]

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/10/29/sam-bird-gets-f1-chance-with-mercedes/

Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley

New Pit Building Inaugurated in Singapore

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blogvasion/FormulaOne/~3/agc61FSS7Uc/new-pit-building-inaugurated-in.html

Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston

1969 Camaro

I built this 69 Camaro for a friend that has the 1:1;

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/scacs/forums/thread/919881.aspx

Bill Vukovich Syd van der Vyver Fred Wacker David Walker Peter Walker

Ferrari World coming on song

Ferrari World, the vast 40-acre theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, was due to open on Thursday, but the death of Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi, the ruler of the Ras al Khaimah, one of the smaller states in the UAE, has caused this to be delayed because of a period of official mourning. [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/4542/

Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber Paolo Barilla

Subaru will bring six customized WRX STIs to SEMA

Subaru has announced its posse for the 2010 SEMA Show with the guest of honor being the "Fastest STI Ever," the record breaking Nurburgring Subaru WRX STI driven by Tommi Makinen. This STI lapped the Nurburgring in 7:55:00. Altogether, Subaru will be bringing six customized versions of the Impreza WRX STI, each with its own flair for design.

Trailing behind the limelight centered on the fastest STI will be Travis Pastrana’s World Record Setting WRX STI, Get More G’s Subaru Performance Tuning WRX STI 2010, Kicker Audio WRX STI, K&N Performance WRX STI, and Subiefest Best of Show Winner ? Jamarri Whiteside ? 2006 WRX STI.

The vehicles won’t be the only ones in attendance as SRT USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra will be on hand on November 2nd and November 3rd from 1pm-2pm to sign autographs. Four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen will also be making an appearance.

"SEMA is the pinnacle of the aftermarket tuning world and the perfect place to show our new line of SPT parts," said Charlie Fishman, national accessory manager, Subaru of America, Inc. "With the launch of the new 2011 Impreza WRX and WRX STI, Subaru is having a record year for Subaru Genuine Parts and SPT accessory sales. The launch of the 4-door WRX STI has rekindled interest for the 2011 SEMA Show."

Press release after the jump.

Subaru will bring six customized WRX STIs to SEMA originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 October 2010 19:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/subaru-will-bring-six-customized-wrx-stis-to-sema-ar99136.html

Andre Testut Mike Thackwell Alfonso Thiele Eric Thompson Johnny Thomson

Friday, October 29, 2010

Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge has just given us some images and details on the new 2011 Grand Caravan. For some time, the Grand Caravan has been less than grand, but Dodge hopes that this newest version will change that and put them in front of Honda and Toyota in the minivan game.

The van will pack Dodge?s new Pentastar V6, as well as a revised suspension that Dodge hopes will make the van more pleasing to drive. We haven?t been told what was changed, but the press release says that ?virtually everything? was updated.

The motor is the 3.6-liter V6 and that will be connected to a six-speed automatic. That motor will replace all three of the previous motors. The V6 puts out 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the same numbers as the new Avenger.

While we aren?t sure if a V6 only van will sell well, we are sure that buyers will love the new interior with top-notch materials, better seats, and redesigned gauges. The outside of the Grand Caravan will get some LED taillights and a new front fascia.

We’ll have to wait and see how the van compares with the new offerings from Honda and Toyota, which have been stellar.

Hit the jump to see the press release.

Dodge Grand Caravan originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 October 2010 23:30 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/dodge/2011-dodge-grand-caravan-ar99065.html

Olivier Panis Giorgio Pantano Massimiliano Papis Mike Parkes Reg Parnell

'28 Ratrod WIP

This is new for me, a completly scratch built chassis and a lot of mixed kit parts. I guess this is a real rat built from stuff laying around the garage. I tried to use other chassis's but I just couldnt get it to feel right, so I went to my hobby shop and got some Evergreen strips and just did it myself. I cheated and ordered a Flinstone body from Evil Bay 15 bucks with shipping.

The chassis is no where near finished. It is just roughed out to fit more pieces in it. I broke it apart many times addding more here an there till I think is about right. Chassis to ground clearance is .100 which would be 2.5 inches in real scale .1 x25=2.5 inches. I used .1 dia styrene rod to establish height.

More to come

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/scacs/forums/thread/920110.aspx

Jochen Rindt John RiseleyPrichard Giovanni de Riu Richard Robarts Pedro Rodríguez

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Performance

While everyone expected great things from Lamborghini at the recent Paris Auto Show, the Italian company only brought the Sesto Elemento Concept leaving all of us a little disappointed in the Italian automaker. That disappointment, however, may be short lived as Lamborghini is rumored to be bringing out a Performance version of the Gallardo LP570-4 in March 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show. If you remember the LP570-4 Superleggera Spyder that was caught testing at Nurburgring, then you’ve already caught a glimpse of the future vehicle.

The LP570-4 Performance will be distinguished by two black stripes covering the entire body, with the Performance name on the side. There will also be a glass-made engine hood borrowed from the Concept S and wheels from the LP570-4 Gallardo Superleggera.

Regarding its numbers, this performance version will be 67 lbs lighter than the LP560-4 Spyder and it will deliver 570 HP with a top speed of 201 mph. Prices will start at ? 182.900.

We don’t really know if we should buy into this rumor, though. Lamborghini is said to be debuting the "Jota", or whatever it’s name is going to be, at the same Geneva show and two huge cars at one show might be overkill in Lamborghini’s dollar sign eyes. What do you guys think? Hit us up in the comments section below.

UPDATE 10/29/2010: Well, turns out we might have been right about the Superleggera Spyder not debuting at the Geneva Motor Show. New rumors suggest that the Gallardo LP570-4 Performance will be making its grand appearance at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Good news? We think so.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Performance originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 October 2010 12:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/lamborghini/2011-lamborghini-gallardo-lp570-4-performance-ar98466.html

Stephane Sarrazin Takuma Sato Carl Scarborough Ludovico Scarfiotti Giorgio Scarlatti

MOTOGP: Melandri says he needs a miracle

Melandri says he needs a miracle By Matt Beer Wednesday, October 27th 2010, 17:29 GMT Marco Melandri thinks he needs a 'miracle' to have any chance of ending his MotoGP career on a high. The Italian will move to the World Superbike championship with Yamaha next season after a tough MotoGP campaign with Gresini Honda. Related posts:

MOTOGP: Melandri quits MotoGP for Superbikes Melandri quits MotoGP for Superbikes By Matt Beer Sunday,...
MOTOGP: Melandri switches to Showa dampers Melandri switches to Showa dampers By Toby Moody and...
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Source: http://doxcar.com/motogp-melandri-says-he-needs-a-miracle/

Nico Hulkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison

Video: Button and Hamilton construct their own single-seater

What would be of the Formula One drivers without their mechanics?

Credit : f1aldia

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/eBUZdNTEdLI/video-button-and-hamilton-construct.html

Johnnie Parsons Riccardo Patrese Al Pease Roger Penske Cesare Perdisa

Here comes the Germans

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/s9bdy6Pp5cU/here-comes-germans.html

Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Formula One and Bulgaria

There have been stories for some time of plans for F1 races in former Eastern Bloc countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. None of these plans have ever sounded very serious, mainly because of the costs involved. However, the promoters of these projects continue to try to land government support to make the races [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/formula-one-and-bulgaria/

Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk

Your classic grand prix - race 17

It is a first for classic Formula 1 this week - a father and son victory double bill featuring Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve.

In a break from the normal tradition, we have decided to broadcast extended highlights of two of last week's five choices - the 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix and the 1979 South African Grand Prix.

The Portuguese race - the last one at the Estoril circuit, one of the more enjoyable stops on the F1 calendar in the 1990s - was won by Jacques Villeneuve as he sought to beat Williams team-mate Damon Hill to the world championship.

Villeneuve failed in that quest as Hill was crowned champion at the subsequent race in Japan, but Villeneuve's superb win in Portugal kept the title race alive to that final grand prix of the season.

This race was the most popular choice among respondents on this blog last week - and with good reason. Villeneuve drove probably the greatest race of his F1 career to make up the ground lost by a poor start and a delay behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the early laps and overhaul Hill.

The win was made possible by a brilliant overtaking move - one of the best of the 1990s, and possibly ever - on Schumacher around the outside of Estoril's banked, 150mph final corner.

Inspired by this, Villeneuve then made up 15 seconds on Hill, partly with the help of traffic, partly by simply being faster on the day, and passed him at the third and final pit stops for a brilliant victory.

The 'Grand Prix' programme broadcast on BBC Two on the evening of this race is embedded below, with the shorter highlights edits of all the races linked underneath.

WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1979 SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND PRIX
WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1982 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX
WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1985 DUTCH GRAND PRIX
WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1991 FRENCH GRAND PRIX
WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1996 PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX

The classic races will be shown on the red button on interactive television in the UK from 1800 Wednesday 20 October to 1300 on Friday 22, although they will not be broadcast between 1600 and 1900 on Thursday. They will not be broadcast on Freeview.

There is no question that Portugal 1996 was an exciting race, and a stirring drive by Villeneuve but, in my opinion, it was eclipsed by his father Gilles's victory in South Africa 17 years previously.

This was the second most popular race among respondents on this blog and we feel the strongest contender, so we have decided to broadcast the full 'Grand Prix' programme from that race, too. It is embedded below.

I went into the details of this race last week; suffice it to say here that a stop to change tyres dropped Villeneuve Sr 30 seconds behind his Ferrari team-mate Jody Scheckter. The Canadian made up the deficit in just 33 laps, then forced the South African into a mistake and went on to take a brilliant win.

It was the first of many stunning drives by Villeneuve in 1979, a season which he started as the junior partner to Scheckter at Ferrari.

Thanks to consistency, the judicious application of team orders in the decisive race, and some critical errors by the still-inexperienced Villeneuve, Scheckter ended the year as world champion, as had been his and Ferrari's aim when they signed him.

By then, though, Villeneuve ended it established as not only the fastest driver at Ferrari, but in the world - a position he maintained until his death three years later.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2010/10/your_classic_grand_prix_-_race_4.html

Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan

Korean GP 2010: Alonso Takes Victory At Inaugural Event

Fernando Alonso took victory at the first ever Korean Grand Prix today, and he took full advantage of a double Red Bull retirement to take the lead in the world championship. Lewis Hamilton was 2nd for McLaren, while under fire Ferrari driver Felipe Massa hung on to third place. Race Review The race was delayed [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/korean-gp-2010-alonso-takes-victory-at-inaugural-event/

Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa

Off to Arizona in the Ultimate ride...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/9ItZUgMYj4c/off-to-arizona-in-ultimate-ride.html

Heinz Schiller Bill Schindler JeanLouis Schlesser Jo Schlesser Bernd Schneider

A possible twist in the Renault F1 story

There was a real beat-up of a story in the Evening Standard suggesting that Renault F1 could end up being owned by a Lithuania bank called AB Snoras if it does not repay loans that have been taken out by the team. It is true that Renault F1 has been struggling for money of late, [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/a-possible-twist-in-the-renault-f1-story/

Yves GiraudCabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia

BTCC: Ingram to test for Eurotech

Ingram to test for Eurotech By Jamie O'Leary Tuesday, October 26th 2010, 08:56 GMT Teenager Tom Ingram will make his British Touring Car Championship test debut at Silverstone next week with the Eurotech Vauxhall squad. Ingram's test comes as part of his prize for winning the Ginetta Junior Championship earlier this month, and he is looking forward to his outing. "I can't wait," Ingram, 17, said. Related posts:

BTCC: Lloyd to test Triple 8’s Vectra Lloyd to test Triple 8's Vectra By Jamie O'Leary Monday,...
BTCC: MacDowall wants BTCC seat after test MacDowall wants BTCC seat after test By Jamie O'Leary Wednesday,...
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Source: http://doxcar.com/btcc-ingram-to-test-for-eurotech/

David Murray Luigi Musso Kazuki Nakajima Satoru Nakajima Shinji Nakano

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fiat Mio FCC III Concept unveiled at Sao Paulo Motor Show

Created with the assistance of thousands of online contributors, the Mio FCC III Concept features a distinctive face, a panoramic glass roof, and wheel covers for improved aerodynamics.