Re: 2011 World Motorsports Discussion

by Professor Voodoo Tue 18 Oct 2011 - 19:09

The British crash.net wesite has an informative step-by-step breakdown article on the incident. Apperantly the force of the impact against the catch fence was sufficient to rip the roll bar off the Dallara chassis.

by Professor Voodoo Mon 24 Oct 2011 - 8:18

More bad news unfortunately.

For the second week in a row the motorsports community has suffered a loss. In yesterday's MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix Italian Marco Simoncelli fell on the second lap. He became entangled on his bike, which remained upright and dragged him into the path of oncoming traffic. Simoncelli was struck by two bikes and never regained consciousness. The race was cancelled so that medical personnel could concentrate on the injured rider but at 1656 local time he was declared dead.

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Simonc10

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Simonc10

Marco was the 2008 250cc World Champion and had just last weekend posted his best ever finish in the top class with a second place at Phillip Island Australia. He was 24.

October 2011 is turning out to be a very difficult month to be a racing fan.

by Professor Voodoo Sun 30 Oct 2011 - 7:52

Grand Prix of India

Spoiler:

by **Kiskaloo** Sun 30 Oct 2011 - 8:37

Spoiler:

by Awinnell Tue 1 Nov 2011 - 19:39

not sure if this is the right place,but,

Lasting just four years, the Group B era of rallying was an adrenalin shot of blistering pace and fierce competition. In this short time, a handful of driver's lives were sadly cut short when some big crashes highlighted how the sheer speed of the cars could be too much. Sure enough, the category was soon abandoned.

These cars will be unleashed once again in a head-to-head clash as part of the Top Gear Live performances in November. The display will involve some of the most iconic Group B cars taking each other on in what promises to be a high octane tribute to when unbridled power was the very essence of rallying.

So what can you expect to see?

Audi Quattro

The 'King' of Group B, the Quattro was a shock to the system as it tore up the tracks with a stonking great turbo and healthy dose of sideways action. The Quattro managed to churn out more than 500bhp and was an instant hit, easily winning the seasons in 1980 and 1981. The potential of four wheel drive was unlocked when Audi shunned the nay-sayers and showed the world that 4WD could be much, much faster than anything RWD. The Quattro S1 is still considered to be the most powerful of the Group B cars and has a massive cult following. Visitors to Top Gear Live can expect the pops and bangs of the recirculating turbo to provide a thrilling aural assault.

Peugeot 205 T-16

After Audi's success, Peugeot were determined not to let their efforts go unnoticed. A beefier 205 Turbo 16 was unveiled, mid-engined and 4WD with over 400bhp. It was a formidable match for the Audi in the final years of Group B, ably matching the Quattro's brawn in a smaller and lighter package. Peugeot took home the Constructor's titles and Driver's titles in both 1985 and 1986 before Group B came to an abrupt end.

Metro 6R4

It was a Metro but not as we knew it. The end result of development by Williams GP Racing, the 6R4 was on steroids with massive arches and swooping spoilers. A mid-mounted 3 litre engine and permanent 4WD were wrapped in the tubular chassis and it looked formidable. Unfortunately, after initial success with third place in the Lombard RAC Rally 1985, it was not to be. The engine suffered a number of gremlins and bad timing resulted in a scarily powerful car that was shuffled into history before it had its heyday.

Lancia 037

Another mid-engined mentalist, the Lancia holds a very special accolade, being the last RWD car to win the WRC. Similar to the Metro, Lancia enjoyed initial success in 1983, winning the Constructors title. However, the almighty Audi was hot on its heels and proved that 4WD was the future. Despite an increase in power, Lancia lost out on the championships in the next two years. The deaths of Attilio Bettega and later Henri Toivenen at the wheels of their 037 and Lancia Delta S4 also signalled the demise of Group B.

Ford RS200

When the RS200 hit the scene, it was like nothing else out there. Common underpinnings were evident, with 4WD, an engine in the middle and a space frame. But it's buggish looks and unique features such as adjustable torque split and dual shocks for each corner could have made it one of the best. It was not to be. The RS200's history is plagued with the memories of two horrific crashes; one in Rally Portugal where Joaquim Santos' Ford ploughed into spectators, killing three and injuring dozens while in 1986, co-driver Michel Wyder was killed instantly when Marc Surer's RS200 hit a tree.

Other legendary rally cars set to battle it out will include the 1964 Mini-Cooper S, 1970s icons the Renault Alpine A110, Fiat 131 Abarth and Ford Escort RS1800 – plus the incredible Ferrari 308 GTB rally special.

As well as the Group B rivalry, a host of stars will hoon around in the reasonably priced car and Sabine Schmitz will be pushing a prototype Bowler to the limit!

Top Gear Live is at Birmingham NEC on 11-12 November and London's Excel on 24-27 November. For more information, or to buy tickets to the show, visit the Top Gear Live website.

by **Kiskaloo** Tue 1 Nov 2011 - 19:47

Sweetness.

by Professor Voodoo Thu 3 Nov 2011 - 21:46

These cars will be unleashed once again in a head-to-head clash as part of the Top Gear Live performances in November

Sounds very cool. Any word on whether the show will be broadcast?

Lancia holds a very special accolade, being the last RWD car to win the WRC.

Not 100% accurate.

While the Lancia 037 Monte Carlo was the last non-4WD Group B car to garner a win there were five 2-wheel drive winners during the first years of Group A. In 1987 a BMW M3 won in Corsica and a VW Golf (front wheel drive) took the Ivory Coast round.

In 1988 a Ford Sierra Cosworth won in Corsica, an Opel Kadett (FWD) got the Rally New Zealand and the real last RWD winner in WRC was Alain Ambrosino in a Nissan 200SX, at the Ivory Coast. It's worth noting that even though they were rounds on the World Championship calender, the main factory teams like Lancia, Ford & Audi did not attend the latter two rallies. If you're only counting rallies where all the top conternders showed up the honor goes to Didier Auriol at Corsica.

by Awinnell Fri 4 Nov 2011 - 7:38

i think its mostly just going to be a live show,but i expect hilights may end up on the tv show

by MP5 Sun 13 Nov 2011 - 20:31

Abu Dhabi GP Results

Watching lap 1...

Triela: What the--No...no, No! Noooooo! What happened, Sebby? Come on, nurse the car to the pit... What?! Retiring? Dammit, nooo!

Kara and Allison: Muh-m-muhahahaha!

by Professor Voodoo Mon 14 Nov 2011 - 4:30

MP5 wrote:Abu Dhabi GP Results

Watching lap 1...

Triela: What the--No...no, No! Noooooo! What happened, Sebby? Come on, nurse the car to the pit... What?! Retiring? Dammit, nooo!

Kara and Allison:

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Abu_dh10

After the race...

Allison: (snapping her fingers in front of Marisa's face) Mari...Mari say something.

Marisa: (blank, dazed expression) I...I don't know how it could happen.

Kara: What happened?

Marisa: Both Williams cars started on the back row...dead last...and they still beat my Toro Rosso's!

A strange end to the World Rally Championship this weekend in Wales...

Spoiler:

by **Kiskaloo** Mon 14 Nov 2011 - 8:33

Professor Voodoo wrote:A strange end to the World Rally Championship this weekend in Wales...

That should make an interesting set of Rally Highlights on Velocity next weekend.

by Professor Voodoo Wed 16 Nov 2011 - 21:57

Kiskaloo wrote:
Professor Voodoo wrote:A strange end to the World Rally Championship this weekend in Wales...

That should make an interesting set of Rally Highlights on Velocity next weekend.

Arrgghh! I spoiler-hid it specifically so I wouldn't blow the outcome for you. Oh well.

In other WRC news; 2009 & 2011 runner-up Mikko Hirvonen will move to the Citroen factory team next year. No word on Sebastien Ogier (who he replaces) but he's linked with both Volkswagen and Hirvonen's vacant Ford seat. Ford has yet to confim their participation for next season.

by **Kiskaloo** Sat 19 Nov 2011 - 18:49

So looks like we're back to one Formula One Grand Prix in the United States - New Jersey 2013.

Austin appears to be dead. The promoters, who had the contract to host the race, were planning on using the money from the State of Texas to pay the $25 million sanctioning fee. However, Texas has stated that the money will only be paid after the race is held, which means the promoters had to come up with the initial fee. They can't, so Bernie cancelled the contract.

The owners of the Circuit of the Americas are willing to pay the fee themselves, but evidently Bernie is demanding tougher terms than he gave the original promoters, who were personal friends of his. Construction on the site, already behind schedule, has stopped, putting the race in doubt even if a deal is reached at the next meeting of the World Motorsports Council on December 7th, which is the last chance to sign a new contract.

by Professor Voodoo Sun 20 Nov 2011 - 7:10

Kiskaloo wrote:So looks like we're back to one Formula One Grand Prix in the United States...Austin appears to be dead.

I doubt the track will even be finished now. A MotoGP commitment and the planned visit by the Australian Touring Car Championship will not be enough to justify the financial backing neccessary to continue construction of International level quality facilities.

Best case scenario; at least the pavement and garages are finished and Austin still gets a pretty nice club level, possible National level track out of the deal.

by **Kiskaloo** Mon 21 Nov 2011 - 10:06

Not a huge fan of Daytona Prototypes, but I have to say the new Corvette DP is probably the second best looking coupe out there after the Le Mans Audi...

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 2012-chevrolet-corvette-daytona-prototype

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 2012-chevrolet-corvette-daytona-prototype

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gallery.php/v/main/news/manufacturers/chevrolet/album_005/

Laine: "Okay, Kara. Haul that sorry-ass 599XX of your(handler')s out and let's see who's the Big Dog!"

by Professor Voodoo Thu 24 Nov 2011 - 18:30

Kiskaloo wrote: I have to say the new Corvette DP is probably the second best looking coupe out there

Kind of a throwback to the IMSA GTP days. Even back in the late 80's Chevrolet insisted on incorporating styling cues from their road car into their GT Prototype.
2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Corvet10

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Corvet10

The Hendrick Racing run Corvette GTP's only shared one part with their street version. The windshield washer pump from the street car was utilized to pump fluid through the driver's cool suit in the race car.

by Professor Voodoo Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 3:02

Brazilian Grand Prix;
2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Brazil10

So ends the 2011 season, and I don't think anyone will be disappointed to see Webber finally score a win in the final round...except perhaps Kara & Allison.

Triela: What will I do for pocket money until the Australian GP in March?

Kara: (reluctantly forking over €10) You'd better hang onto this...you're going to be handing it right back when next season begins!

Allison: (handing over her €10) Yeah! McLaren is coming back twice as strong next season!

Kara: Ferrari will be three times as strong!

Triela: Okay...McLaren won six races this year. Twice that is twelve; same as my Red Bull boys won this season. Ferrari only won one race, so Kara, your team is going to have to be 12X stronger.

Kara: Grrrrrr

Allison: I say we hang her from the flagpole by her underwear.

by Alfisti Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 3:46

Professor Voodoo wrote: So ends the 2011 season, and I don't think anyone will be disappointed to see Webber finally score a win in the final round...except perhaps Kara & Allison.

Yeah, I was pretty stoked when I saw that on the news this morning.

by **Kiskaloo** Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 9:25

It was good to see Webber actually show solid form. Vettel's transmission problems put Mark into the lead, but he drove a solid race and handily gapped Button and Alonso.

And yes, Kara was bummed Webber's win and Button's third place finish gave Webber 3rd in the Driver's Championship by one point over Alonso.

Hopefully Massa will show his old form next year (he effectively has to reproduce 2008 to have any chance of staying with the team), but honestly I expect Vettel and Red Bull to run rampant next year, as well. He's the best driver on the grid in the best car on the grid and that combination pretty much is guaranteed wins the WC.

With F1 and WRC coverage ending yesterday, my season now switches to BTCC, DTM and FIA GT as SPEED starts their broadcasts of those series to carry me over until next season.

by Professor Voodoo Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 10:03

Kiskaloo wrote:Vettel's transmission problems put Mark into the lead, but he drove a solid race and handily gapped Button and Alonso.

Hmm...I hate to be the one to say it but it's the 800lb gorilla in the room that I can't quite ignore: Vettel's transmission woes seem awfully convenient to me. Bad enough to cost him the lead but still good enough to hang onto 2nd?

That aside, Webber's final round win has to be the best sentimental moment of the F1 year, but for 2011's "feel good story" across all racing disciplines I still nominate Carlos Checa.
Checa is 38 this year, an age at which most motorcycle racers are already retired or close to it. He's always been good...reliable for a few podiums and maybe even a win or two each year but never a World Championship contender...until this year.
2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Carlos10

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 Carlos10

In 2011 it all fell into place. The Spaniard had a dominant season in World Superbikes, taking 15 out of possible 26 wins. Pushing 40 years of age and after 19 years in the sport Carlos Checa is finally World Champion.

Marisa: Did ya mention he's on an Italian bike? He rides a Ducati...just like my handler!

by **Kiskaloo** Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 11:36

Professor Voodoo wrote:Hmm...I hate to be the one to say it but it's the 800lb gorilla in the room that I can't quite ignore: Vettel's transmission woes seem awfully convenient to me. Bad enough to cost him the lead but still good enough to hang onto 2nd?

Just more proof he's the best driver on the grid, IMO. And unlike Senna in 1991, the gears were still there, so Vettel wasn't crippled in the slow- and medium-speed corners. Nor was the McLaren MP4/6 as dominant in 1991 as the RB7 was in 2011, so even hobbled, the car was still better than most everything else on the track yesterday.

by Professor Voodoo Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 13:38

Kiskaloo wrote:
Professor Voodoo wrote:Hmm...I hate to be the one to say it but it's the 800lb gorilla in the room that I can't quite ignore: Vettel's transmission woes seem awfully convenient to me. Bad enough to cost him the lead but still good enough to hang onto 2nd?

Just more proof he's the best driver on the grid, IMO. And unlike Senna in 1991, the gears were still there, so Vettel wasn't crippled in the slow- and medium-speed corners. Nor was the McLaren MP4/6 as dominant in 1991 as the RB7 was in 2011, so even hobbled, the car was still better than most everything else on the track yesterday.

I'm just implying that there may not have been any problem. Vettel may have pulled over to grant Webber a "reward" for all his work this season. It wouldn't be the first time...Hakkinen did it for Coulthard once as I recall. None of that detracts from Mark's win of course.

by **Kiskaloo** Mon 28 Nov 2011 - 15:50

Professor Voodoo wrote:I'm just implying that there may not have been any problem. Vettel may have pulled over to grant Webber a "reward" for all his work this season. It wouldn't be the first time...Hakkinen did it for Coulthard once as I recall. None of that detracts from Mark's win of course.

Possible, but in doing so he gave up the chance to become the only F1 driver to win 12 races in a season (Schumacher holds the record at 13, but at least one other person shares the 11-win record with Vettel). Personally, I don't see him having done so willingly and I can't see the team asking him to (since they consider Vettel their #1 Driver).

Hakinen indeed did it for Coultard (at Melbourne), but they had an agreement that whomever reached the first corner on the opening lap would take the win if they remained 1-2 on the final lap. And Schumacher didn't intend to give it to Barichello at Indianapolis, but misjudged the finish line and subsequently stated he gave it to Rubens as compensation for Rubens having to give Michael the win earlier that year in Austria.

by **Kiskaloo** Tue 29 Nov 2011 - 21:46

Lotus-Renault has signed Kimi Räikkönen to replace Robert Kubica for the 2012 season.

by **Kiskaloo** Fri 9 Dec 2011 - 12:01

Kiskaloo wrote:So looks like we're back to one Formula One Grand Prix in the United States - New Jersey 2013.

Well, COTA cut Bernie his $25 million check so Austin 2012 is now official again and is on the 2012 Formula One calendar released at yesterday's World Motor Sport Council meeting. cheers

Also, lapped cars will be waved around during the Safety Car period so they won't be in the way. cheers

And finally, Lotus Renault must have found a new sponsor (Smirnoff for Kimi? Razz

) because they tossed Petrov's millions for Romain Grosjean. Guh?

by Professor Voodoo Thu 15 Dec 2011 - 12:37

Ford has confirmed a return to the World Rally Championship for 2012 & 2013 (there had been some doubt as M-Sport's sponsorship agreement with the Abu Dhabi tourism board has expired).
2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 201210

2011 World Motorsports Discussion - Page 4 201210

Having lost Mikko Hirvonen to Citroen, Ford has named 2003 World Champion Petter "Hollywood" Solberg to partner Jari-Matti Latvala for next year.

by **Kiskaloo** Thu 15 Dec 2011 - 13:15

I've been a big fan of Petter the past two seasons so that's cool news.

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