Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/144-citroen-c4-picasso-2012-information-mechanics-and-equipment.html
Saturday
Citroen C4 Picasso 2012: Information Mechanics And Equipment
A few days ago saw the first spy shots of Chevrolet Corvette C7, the new generation of sporting excellence of General Motors, which has been allowed to see. Of course, with a camouflage worthy of presentation. Despite the strong camouflage, the C7 Corvette cannot hide part of their news, today we present you on the [...]
2012 Jerez Moto2 And Moto3 Test Day 2 Times: Redding And Kent Lead British Clean Sweep At Jerez
The weather smiled a little less kindly on the second day of testing at Jerez, the day starting late and under overcast skies, with rain sending the teams scuttling back to the pits towards the end of the day. Despite the weather, the names at the top of the testing timesheets are familiar, with the Kalexes crowding the top of the Moto2 timesheets, and the KTMs overrunning Moto3.
In Moto2, it was Scott Redding setting a positively scorching pace on his Marc VDS Racing Kalex, diving half a second under the Moto2 outright lap record set by Stefan Bradl during qualifying last year. Italtrans rider Claudio Corti set the 2nd fastest time, two tenths behind Redding, while Interwetten's Thomas Luthi took the 3rd spot and was fastest Suter rider, three tenths off the pace of Redding. The Kalexes of Takaaki Nakagami and Pol Espargaro followed, with Julian Simon the first FTR rider, eight tenths behind Redding, and Bradley Smith the quickest Tech 3 rider, a second off his compatriot Redding in 8th spot, after a day spent struggling with setup forcing the team to consider reverting to settings used back in November.
Happy Hour: Why isn?t anyone picking Smoke to repeat?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com (note new address) or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
As you read this, I'm prepping for a trip to Daytona for Media Day, which is a big scrum where every single driver comes into a tent set up just outside Turn 4 and sits patiently for photos and questions. The big names have reporters three-deep; the lesser-knowns sit alone like the one drooling guy at a speed-date meetup. It's great fun, and we'll have updates for you all throughout Thursday.
For now, though, let's do battle with our readers.
Jay, you have Tony Stewart ranked 7th. 7TH! Come on, man!
? GG (via chat)
GG is referring to Yahoo!'s preseason predictions, which have been spooling out for a couple weeks now. On Monday, we dropped our Tony Stewart profile, which has Smoke ranked 5th overall. And none of us ranked Stewart higher than 4th. Which tracks pretty well across all publications; most observers are picking Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson or Kevin Harvick as the odds-on favorites.
[ Related: Top 20 countdown: No. 5 Tony Stewart ]
So why's nobody picking Tony Stewart? Didn't the guy just prove he's got what it takes to win a championship? Well ... sort of. Stewart got hot at exactly the right time, which seems to be the trend among champions these days, but that's not exactly the safe-money bet. Yes, Stewart COULD win with a new crew chief, but will he? I say no. Sorry, Smoke Nation. Don't hate me.
____________________
This may be the first of your "why is my driver ranked so low this pre-season?" questions! [Editor's note: Nope.] And here it is.
Yahoo! has Junior at 12th, and Kyle Busch at 6th. And public perception is that the Busch is the better driver. What is it the Brits say? Bollocks!
Over the course of their careers, Junior and Busch have average standings finishes (full seasons only) of 12.33 and 11.14 respectively. To be fair, since Busch became a full-time driver in 2005, Junior's average standing finish is 15th. However, if you look at the first seven seasons of Junior's career (Busch has raced seven full seasons), Junior's average standings finish was 9.57.
Moreover, Junior's average start and finish positions in races is 16.3 and 17.1 respectively. Not impressive? Busch's are 16.4 and 17.6, even less impressive. I believe in this case, perception is not reality. Who is the better driver now? It's hard to say now isn't it? You're only as good as your last race, or season.
Verdict: Junior.
? Jeff "Sarge" Smith
Statesboro, GA
This is some first-rate bravado by a Junior fan, I'll give you that. It's also a pretty cunning enemy-of-my-enemy thing; most Junior Haters would be hard-pressed to admit they liked Kyle Busch more than ol' Junebug.
That said: Sarge, you're insane. The statistics are skewed by Busch's tendency to tap out of races where he's not winning, as well as by Junior's exceptional pre-Car of Tomorrow run. Head to head, all else being equal, Kyle Busch is a better driver than Dale Earnhardt Jr. BUT Busch's tendency to self-destruct gives Junior an opening ... one he needs to seize this year.
____________________
Regarding the Kansas road course, I really like the idea of taking one of the races away from the oval, because once a year around that is quite enough. I also wholeheartedly agree with having a road race in the Chase, but with that being said, Kansas' road course doesn't sound like a prestigious setting for a road race, especially in the chase. Can you picture any driver bragging about winning there? Wouldn't you think Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon would brag a whole lot more about winning at Road America or Laguna Seca? Seriously, how cool do these words sound together: "stock car" and "Corkscrew." I rest my case.
? Derek Jorde
Derek, I hope you're never within three states of Kansas; some of those Midwestern folk might not take kindly to your disparagement of their fine track. However, for the record, I agree with you; a Laguna Seca race would be amazing. Imagine the gang trying to navigate the Corkscrew:
Aside from schedule logistics, is there a real reason why NASCAR hasn't gone to Laguna Seca? Would the Corkscrew just dump everybody out like they'd tried to pass Juan Pablo Montoya? Help me out here.
____________________
Start the season with the top 35 guaranteed spots in the grid at Daytona. At Phoenix, only the top 34 are guaranteed spots. Las Vegas, only the top 33. Continue each race dropping one guaranteed spot [with two mulligans]. By the second race at Richmond, the guaranteed qualifying spots are down to 12...same as in the Chase. Then the following season, it's ALL "go-fast-or-go-home" qualifying...just like it used to be in the "good ol' days" of NASCAR.
Now...here's one MORE twist I'd like to see thrown in: only qualify 42 spots for the Cup regulars. For the 43rd spot, make it an option for the winner of that week's Nationwide Series race to have an automatic berth, or at least the highest-placing Nationwide Series regular. If the specified Nationwide driver declines, then the spot goes to the 43rd fastest qualifier. I realize it'd be tough as hell to implement, but I think it would help the Cup fans begin to relate to the second-tier series' drivers a lot better than they currently do.
? Mark "Buzz" Knight
New Salisbury, IN
I haven't found anyone against making qualifying harder, with the exception of people who, you know, actually invest money in NASCAR. Much as I love the idea above ? or one that Geoffrey Miller suggested on Twitter this week, heat races to determine starting slots ? we're looking at more of the same. Sorry, folks.
____________________
Is Kasey Kahne the first driver to drive for all 4 manufacturers? I can't think of anyone else that has done that. Now he could become the first to win in each of the manufactures.
? Jack Clark
He's actually not; as this article from last fall notes, Bobby and Terry Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader, Joe Nemechek, David Gilliland, Dave Blaney, Robby Gordon and J.J. Yeley have all done the Manufacturer Grand Slam. Interestingly, Bobby Labonte drove for six manufacturers (also Pontiac and Oldsmobile) and Buck Baker drover for 13 back in the day.
Another note: at Hendrick, Kahne joins three guys who likely will end their careers driving for only one manufacturer. Which explains Kasey's new nickname: "Tramp."
And finally, we close out the offseason on a note of grace and tenderness ...
____________________
Go away Jay. People don't give a [flip] about nasty car ... it [censored]s everyone;s [hindquarters]. It'll die soon enough.
? Mr. NASCAR [censored]s my [hindquarters]
Incest, Alabama
Incest, Alabama. Great place to raise a family.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here.� Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
? Video: Kentucky's Anthony Davis has competition for player of the year
? Analyst Ron Jaworski removed from 'Monday Night Football'
? Athletes bare skin in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue | Photos: Cover girl Kate Upton
What Was Your NASCAR Best and Worst from 2011?
It was a wild season that began with 20-year-old Trevor Bayne winning the Daytona 500 and ended with a wild race that made series veteran Tony Stewart the first Cup Series Champion not named Jimmie Johnson since 2005. In the mean time: we saw 19 different winners, including five different first time winners; Kyle Busch [...] 
TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/jfWowQPeArw/
Friday
?It?s unbelievable he?s still going?
Former World Champion Damon Hill has heaped the praise on former rival Michael Schumacher. Hill is full of admiration for the German, saying that he deserves incredible credit for still competing at the highest level of Formula 1. He said: “It’s unbelievable he’s still going, whilst I’ve been retired for 12 years.” “He’s an extraordinary [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/xoIez30EvWA/its-unbelievable-hes-still-going
Ban Important Element In The Right Of Every Vehicle Performance
The tires are essential elements in the proper performance of any vehicle for transporting passengers or cargo. Must be in the best condition ever for vehicle steering function properly and be comfortable and safe driving. We have all kinds of tires and Tire Pacific Ltd., available to you and “for all types of vehicles” such [...]
Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud
Create-a-caption: Do not ask to see Michael Waltrip?s phone
What on earth could Michael Waltrip be showing Denny Hamlin on his cell phone at NASCAR Media Day? Take a wild guess. But we bet it's already sponsored.
Thursday
Get your Twitter handle on Brad Keselowski?s truck
Brad Keselowski is racing in the Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytonda on Friday, February 24, and through a promotion with his race sponsors Reese Towpower and Cooper Standard, you can be one of 5,000 people to have your Twitter handle on the decklid of the truck.
There's a catch of course, but hey, you can get your twitter handle on a truck for the price of a few follows and retweets. That's not bad, right?
The details: Retweet this tweet of Keselowski's with your prediction, and follow him, Reese Towpower and Cooper Standard on Twitter. The companies will then draw 5,000 names from the pool of retweets, and those folks will get their Twitter handles on the decklid. And 10 more will get the grand prize, their Twitter names on the side of Keselowski's truck. The 5,000 winners will be drawn February 8th, while the grand prize winners will be drawn February 10th.
So if you want to be NASCAR-famous, get Tweeting. But since we're the ones that told you about this, give us a follow on Twitter at @YahooMarbles, @YahooNASCAR,�@JayBusbee and @NickBromberg too. It's only fair, right?
Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Convertible plays in the snow
 |
We’ve seen a number of vehicles taken out for test drives during these dreary winter conditions, so it’s not in the least bit surprising that Porsche is taking advantage of the mounds of snow at its disposal to test their future 911 Turbo Convertible. The new 911 Droptop was caught playing around in the snow near the Arctic Circle, proving that Porsche takes its testing very seriously.
Just as with the standard models in the new generation 911, the new Turbo version will receive updates on the exterior, as well as in the engine department. Not much of the exterior will be changed, but Porsche has done just enough to make the car sportier and more aerodynamic than ever.
As for the engine, the new 911 Turbo Convertible will be powered by the same 3.8L turbocharged flat six engine, but tricked to deliver more than the current 500 HP for the standard Turbo and 530 HP for the Turbo S.
The new Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe and Convertible are said to be unveiled next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned!
Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Convertible plays in the snow originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:00 EST.
Join us for the latest Yahoo! NASCAR chat, Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET
Time again for another NASCAR chat. With that pesky Super Bowl out of the way, next up is Daytona! Let's get it on, friends ...
Adrian Newey rues loss of diffuser blowing
The Red Bull RB8 ran its first laps in the hands of Mark Webber at Jerez this morning, and after its debut technical director Adrian Newey had some interesting comments to make about the car. He insists that it still … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/02/07/adrian-newey-rues-loss-of-diffuser-blowing/
Wednesday
Big Daytona payout includes bonus for leader at halfway
NASCAR has announced that the Daytona 500 will have a largest-ever payout of $19 million, with the winner getting at least $1.4 million. That's nice and all, even though you and I probably won't see a nickel of it.
However, here's the cool element: there will be a $200,000 bonus for the leader at halfway, Lap 100. The idea is that it'll reward drivers who actually race rather than running in the back of the pack until there are 20 laps remaining. This should add another element of life into the traditional ride-around portion of the race, particularly if NASCAR's efforts to disrupt tandem driving don't work as well as hoped.
Conspiracy-defusing note: If Lap 100 is under caution, the bonus will be deferred until the race goes green, and it'll then go to the driver who's leading the fifth lap after the race goes green.
The "Daytona 500 Mid-Race Leader Award" doesn't yet have a sponsor, but you can bet it will by race day. That would be February 26, for those of you keeping score.
Michael Waltrip to attempt Daytona 500 for Hillman Racing
Michael Waltrip has a ride for the Daytona 500.
Waltrip will drive the No. 40 for Hillman Racing, a single-car team attempting the 500 for the first time. Sponsorship will come from Aaron's, a longtime sponsor of Waltrip.
Aaron's is also sponsoring the No. 55 that Waltrip and Mark Martin (and a third driver) will share in 2012. While Waltrip, a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, is running the No. 55 in the Bud Shootout on Saturday, Martin will be in the No. 55 for the 500.
The start will be Waltrip's 75th at Daytona in NASCAR's top three series, the most events of any driver at Daytona in NASCAR. Waltrip won last year's season-opening race at Daytona in the Camping World Truck Series.
"Aaron's really does make your dreams come true," Waltrip said in a release. "When I was a kid thinking about racing in Daytona I never dreamed I would start more NASCAR races there than anyone. That's amazing."
Hillman Racing is running full-time in the Camping World Truck Series and is run by Mike Hillman, Sr., who was formerly involved with Germain Racing. Hillman�purchased the assets of the truck team a the end of the season. (Germain Racing is still in the Cup Series with Casey Mears.)
If he wasn't to drive for his own team, Waltrip needed to drive for a single-car team in the 500 because of NASCAR's four-car limit. Since Waltrip owns MWR, a three-car team, driving for a two- or three-car team would have put him over the allowable limit. (For example, had Waltrip driven a second car for JTG Daugherty, a team that has a technical relationship with MWR, the two JTG and three MWR cars wouldn't have been allowed.)
Waltrip will need to qualify on time for the 500, but Martin will not. The points from the No. 32 of FAS Lane Racing have been "transferred" to Martin and the No. 55.
Troubles over the Lauda movie
There is legal action afoot over the upcoming movie about Niki Lauda, with a European consortium claiming that they had agreed a deal with the Austrian to make a film called “33 Days – To Hell and Back”. Lauda wrote a book back in 1986 called “Meine Story” in German, but this was named “To [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/troubles-over-the-lauda-movie/
Tuesday
Why Vettel is ?stronger than ever?
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has revealed that Sebastian Vettel will be ‘stronger than ever’ in 2012. The two-time World Champion is expected to be challenged a great deal in the 2012 Formula 1 season, but Mateschitz believes the German will prove himself as the best once again. He said: “Sebastian has improved and is [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/nXomzXGDwy0/why-vettel-is-stronger-than-ever
Monday
2012 Valencia Moto2 And Moto3 Test Day 3 Press Releases From Suter And Marc VDS Racing
Two more press releases after the Valencia Moto2 test, this time from the Marc VDS Racing team of Scott Redding and Mika Kallio, and from chassis manufacturer Suter:
Year:
2012
Marquez Pulls Out Of Valencia Test To Extend Recuperation Period
Marc Marquez has been forced to pull out of next week's Moto2 test at Valencia with continuing vision problems. The vision problems were a result of his crash during practice at Sepang, caused when marshalls failed to display a flag while there was water on the track. The Spaniard underwent an operation to correct a partial paralysis of the superior oblique muscle in his right eye on January 16th, and had originally planned to return to the track at Valencia, for the Moto2 test scheduled for February 8th-10th.
But Marquez' recovery is not going as fast as the Spaniard and his team had hoped, and the decision to skip the test was made by Marquez' manager Emilio Alzamora, in consultation with Dr Sanchez Dalmau, the surgeon who carried out the operation on Marquez. They felt it was better to wait for Marquez' vision to return to 100% before risking riding a racing motorcycle.
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