Thursday

Fun and games in Brazil

Felipe Massa’s Desafio Internacional das Estrelas, took place at the Beto Carrero World kart track over the weekend with qualifying, and two races. The grid for the first race was decided by a top 10 run-off of qualifiers and the grid for the second featured the top eight finishers of the first race in reverse [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/fun-and-games-in-brazil/

David Brabham Gary Brabham Jack Brabham† Bill Brack

Wednesday

Smooth Button masters F1's greatest test

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/smooth_button_masters_f1_great.html

George Connor George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard

2013 World Superbike Calendar Updated Again

The FIM today issued a press release confirming the news that the Indian round of World Superbikes has been moved to November 17th, as we reported earlier today. Below is the official press release:


FIM Superbike, Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock 1000cc Cup

2013 Provisional calendar, updated 15 January (Change in bold)

The World Superbike race in India has been moved from the 10 March to the 17 November due to an insufficient period of time to properly finalise the training of the marshals and medical staff around the racetrack. FIM representatives will be at the Indian track on 19, 20 and 21 this January, in order to carry out the final racetrack homologation and provide the relevant seminars about the different aspects involved in the sporting organisation of the event.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/xlrEXkMZSJg/2013_world_superbike_calendar_updated_ag.html

Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi

Max Chilton confirmed at Marussia for 2013

Marussia has confirmed the not unexpected news that Max Chilton will partner Timo Glock in 2013. Chilton, who impressed in GP2 this season, drove for the team in FP1 in Abu Dhabi, and was its official reserve for the last … Continue reading

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/18/max-chilton-confirmed-at-marussia-for-2013/

Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem Martin Donnelly

Indy Cars Winter beginning to Thaw?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/hrOJLLfz7z4/indy-cars-winter-beginning-to-thaw.html

Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral Frank Armi

BREAKING: Kenseth Out At Roush; To Gibbs

Sources are telling TNI, Roush Fenway executives announced to the organization today that Matt Kenseth would be leaving the team at the end of the season. Despite earlier rumors that Penske would be Kenseth’s destination, all signs indicate Joe Gibbs Racing as the driver’s future home. What that means for the Gibbs teams is not [...]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/Vkga0Chqd_E/

Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris

Tuesday

RETRO: Celebrating ?Il Lione?s triumph - Twenty years later

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/FY2vR8cM_qI/retro-celebrating-il-liones-triumph.html

Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain

Infiniti Q50


In 2009, Infiniti replaced the G35 with the more powerful G37 Now another switch is set to take place in 2014. This time around, however, the model is not changing just the engine, but it will adopt a new nomenclature and design too.

The new Q50 has received a smooth yet dynamic design language, with LED-infused headlights, a "double arch" grille and a crescent-shaped C-pillar. For the interior, Infiniti has placed higher-quality materials and user-focused advanced technology.

In the U.S. market, the Q50 will be offered with a standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine, but customers interested in environment can opt for a new-to-the-model hybrid version that will combine a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and an electric motor.

The new Infiniti Q50 made its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and will be put on sale in the summer 2013 in both standard and hybrid versions.

UPDATE 01/15/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Infiniti Q50.

Infiniti Q50 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 January 2013 15:15 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/infiniti/2014-infiniti-q50-ar127410.html

Giulio Cabianca Phil Cade Alex Caffi John CampbellJones

World Superbike Calendar Facing Shake Up: India To Be Moved To November, Brno Gone Until 2015

The confusion surrounding the Indian round of World Superbikes looks close to being resolved. According to reports on the ever well-informed GPOne.com, the race at the Buddh International Circuit is to be rescheduled from 10th of March to the 17th of November, moving it from being the second race of the season to being the season finale.

The race had been facing a number of problems, including logistical and customs issues, casting doubt over whether the race could go ahead as scheduled in March. The customs issues - both the 15-day inspection period for technical equipment, and the temporary import duty charged - are not so much of a problem, according to GPOne. The real issue, the site reports, is that the race organizers are not yet ready to put on the event. They do not have the organization in place to manage an event of this magnitude, and need a number of months to get everything arranged. The problem lies not with Buddh International Circuit itself, located not far from New Delhi, as the circuit has successfully organized two Formula One races already.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/kouueMAIBhQ/world_superbike_calendar_facing_shake_up.html

Clemar Bucci Ronnie Bucknum Ivor Bueb Sebastien Buemi

BMW 3 Series Prepared By AC Schnitzer

We have before us the last work of AC Schnitzer, a renowned German trainer. It has taken its hero the BMW 3 Series and introduced a package composed of both aesthetic and mechanical changes. Come on, a house brand preparation Schnitzer fledged. Aesthetically, this preparation certainly stands by new front and rear spoilers which the [...]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/351-bmw-3-series-prepared-by-ac-schnitzer.html

Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever

Monday

Kimball Fractures Hand In Mid-Ohio

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2012/07/kimball-fractures-hand-in-mid-ohio.html

Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick

Some Advice For Christmas

There was an article in the Charlotte Observer last week�about a woman named Christmas Abbott who is attempting to become a tire changer. She’s being supported in her effort by Turner Motorsports and is being coached by veteran jackman and coach Shaun Peet and the guys at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR and Turner have a [...]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/527IvTHlEAI/

Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini

The better part of valor: Conway recuses himself from INDYCAR finale

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2012/9/13/3328582/the-better-part-of-valor-conway-recuses-himself-from-indycar-finale

Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Mercedes Confident 2014 Engine Will Give Hamilton Advantage

Mercedes engine managing director Andy Cowell believes that the team?s 2014 developments will give its drivers the advantage. Regulation changes will see engine capacity reduced and turbochargers introduced as the sport looks to evolve. Cowell feels that the new powerplant Mercedes are working on could be key and will hand Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/YGCVYaojWjI/mercedes-confident-2014-engine-will-give-hamilton-advantage

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari

IndyCar Paddock Notes: December 10th edition

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/ErFaxsurI48/indycar-paddock-notes-december-10th.html

Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson

Sunday

HRC Press Release: Shuhei Nakamoto Looks Back At 2012, And Forward To 2013

With the kickoff to the 2013 season growing ever closer, those involved in motorcycle racing are starting to look back at 2012 and look ahead to 2013. After yesterday's review from Bridgestone, Honda are the next organization to issue a press release interview with a senior management figure. The press release interview with HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto makes for fascinating reading, providing an insight into the 2012 season and expectations of 2013.

The interview covers the preparations for the switch to 1000cc, and the confidence with which HRC went into the new era. However, Honda soon ran into trouble, with the increase in the minimum weight added in December 2011, and the revised construction of Bridgestone tires supplied for the 2012 season, both the softer rear tire and the revised front tire (for additional detail into why the weight increase was announced so late, see the editor's note below the interview). Nakamoto provides some interesting details on how HRC dealt with the extra weight and the revised tires, revealing that it cost them half a season to solve the problems they had created. The HRC boss also explains why he believes that having multiple tire manufacturers is a better solution for all involved, creating more competition and allowing multiple solutions for different bikes. Nakamoto states that he believes this is one of the reasons why MotoGP racing has become so predictable.

Nakamoto also has very high praise for both Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez, the man brought in to replace him. His compliments on Marquez approach and talent are telling, Nakamoto revealing that at the HRC test in Sepang, Marquez was already lapping at the same pace that Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner were running. Nakamoto also provides insight into why he will miss Casey Stoner, and exactly how important the Australian was to Honda's racing program. Nakamoto rates Stoner above any other rider in the MotoGP paddock.

Year: 
2013

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/vfeo9TN7xNw/hrc_press_release_shuhei_nakamoto_looks_.html

Piero Carini Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto

Clint Bowyer is sick of talking about Jeff Gordon

At some point in our lives, we've all gotten sick of talking about a significant moment, only for the topic to be brought up again and again. And it's safe to say that Clint Bowyer has reached that point when talking about Jeff Gordon.

As you've seen over and over again (and replayed to chariots of fire music and turned into a meme), Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer at Phoenix, the next-to-last race of 2012 after contact between the two had sent Gordon into the wall laps earlier. The intentional crash destroyed Bowyer's championship hopes (and his car) and after pulling to pit road, Bowyer made a full sprint to the garage area to find Gordon while the two drivers' teams ended up in a big scrum.

Bowyer hasn't forgiven Gordon for that moment, or if he has in private, he's certainly not showing it.

"Who cares? Really, who cares?" Bowyer said on Thursday when he was asked if he talked to Gordon between the banquet and Daytona testing. "Apparently you guys do way more than we do. I can promise you that. I missed that deer that I was talking about in Texas though, if that makes you feel any better. That was more important on my off-season list than figuring out where I was going to vacation and who I was going to vacation with. My neighbor shot it, it sucked. Yes. He was really happy -- I was not."

The subject was broached because Gordon and Bowyer spent New Year's in the same location -- on P. Diddy's yacht. And also because there has been no apparent resolution to the feud. In an era of NASCAR where drivers have been branded as "too vanilla," that's pretty rare. So yes, there were questions that needed to be asked.

"I was on the damndest boat you've ever seen in your life," Bowyer said. "I'm from Kansas. We don't have big boats in Kansas. We don't have very big bodies of water so I think (Gordon) was on that same boat, but there was a lot of other people on there and it was a big time being had. Yes, he was on there and I think it was on the same island. I'm pretty sure he was on there. It was pretty late. Put it that way."

"I had a great New Year's. I enjoyed myself very much," Gordon said.

So no, they didn't toast the arrival of 2013 together. Or did they?

"Yeah we held hands and walked on the boat, discussed the past year and enjoyed ourselves throughout the whole vacation," Bowyer said (sarcastically). "That was the one person I wanted to -- that I definitely wanted to vacation with."

"I could not wait to get there for that very reason."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/clint-bowyer-sick-talking-jeff-gordon-014239207--nascar.html

Joie Chitwood Bob Christie Johnny Claes David Clapham

Max Chilton confirmed at Marussia for 2013

Marussia has confirmed the not unexpected news that Max Chilton will partner Timo Glock in 2013. Chilton, who impressed in GP2 this season, drove for the team in FP1 in Abu Dhabi, and was its official reserve for the last … Continue reading

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/18/max-chilton-confirmed-at-marussia-for-2013/

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

Guido Forti 1940 ? 2013

Guido Forti was a racer in the 1960s and early 1970s but then decided to join forces with engineer Paolo Guerci joined forces to run a young Teo Fabi to the Italian Formula Ford 2000. The team was successful and moved up to Formula 3 the following year with Fabi in the Italian and European [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/guido-forti-1940-2013/

Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd

Hamilton looks for long-term success at Mercedes

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamilton_looks_for_long-term_s.html

Ian Burgess Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button