Testing begins in earnest today, with all the teams we've seen already in action returning, and hopefully some new ones! We had so much information coming out of the last test that we know as much as it is possible to know, with the usual caveat of fuel loads applying. More of the same today, please!
- Talking of new things, Red Bull are due to launch today. We're expecting big things from Adrian Newey, but I have a sneaky feeling that it's going to be very similar to last year's car, just like the Force India did yesterday.
- King of the Twitpic during the last test was Craig Scarborough, as we discussed in this week's F1 Debrief. Now, Scarbs F1 has set up his own blog, and you need to head on over and subscribe right now. It all goes over my head, obviously, but I recommend it to all!
- I mentioned in yesterday's F1 Minute that Jean Todt has been talking about all things F1, and whilst he drew short of making any plans, he had some interesting things to say. He's disappointed KERS was scrapped, is in favour of cost cutting but not budget caps, and won't stay forever like a certain Mr Mosley tried to.
That should do for now. We'll have threads for testing and the launch today, so I will see you in the comments.
Oooh more testing. Happy times.
How did it get to be a new day already?
Good evening, how are we all?
I'm good! I've had a lot too much jelly for one day.... :D
Hello.
I don't believe such a concept is possible unless it contains vodka, of course
hi
It was at a 9 year old's birthday party. I really hope it didn't
Ping: http://toomuchracing.com/2010/02/10/the-importance-of-social-media-2/
slightly later and longer than planned
A fairly safe bet then
Yeah I'm not sure you've met them so they've probably escaped....
:)
But erm yeah. I've decided lime jelly is quite sickly!
They also had easter eggs which is shocking to me before pancake day even......
Heathens
I could've told you that
I think it's the only bad one though
I don't think I have ever had lime jelly. Why is it any different to any other jelly?
I find Lime doesn't work for a lot of things under the 'treat' category
Lime jelly babies, fruit pastilles...
Craziness
Yeah.... When I was at school my best friend and I once found easter eggs on sale in on our first day back after Christmas. Obviously we had to buy some....
That's possibly why they sell them now :)
People will be sick of them come Easter, whenever that is this year. It seems retailers are willing to take that risk to sell more stuff.. then they wonder why the last minute sales are down..
Easter Sunday is April 4th
I like pancakes better than eggs. Bring on Tuesday :D
Depressingly I think this is the first year I've lived by myself on pancake day. I don't even think I know how to make pancakes...
It's my first rest day next week, I'll buy plenty of eggs and some ready-made pancake mix for breakfast that day
Get Mr C to send you a recipe
:lol:
Neither do I, haven't had them for ages
http://www.auntbessies.co.uk/products/products_tp.php
ta :)
Eurgh that doesn't look like a pancake to me!!
I'm determined to make them properly. Mess is obligatory!
You need to get hold of LPG then. She is bound to be able to make pancakes
Or Delia
Ooooh Delia! I've watched many a time. That's the way it should be. Watching, not flipping!
morning all. My teeth hurt, i think I was grinding them in my sleep :(
Hi Amy
Was this because of a repairman?
Hmmm. That's not good. :(
Morning, folks.
Hey Journeyer
Morning
Saw the new Notus livery. I like it a lot! :D
So far, Notus seem to be respecting the Lotus tradition. But the ultimate show of respect is producing a decent car...
Oh dear. Angry much?
for the last 3 nights i have been very tired but i just toss and turn and keep waking up throughout the night. I wish I knew what was on my mind.
Fear of Simple Minds?
Too true
Lack of Finns in F1?
I am annoyed that boy won't come and make me pancakes :( I want pancakes :(
Who is the boss? Him or you?
Is it because you call him 'boy'?
ooh those are both possible reasons!
Hehehe I don't think so. I've probably had a lucky escape though. He could well poison me....
Especially if he stores his eggs on the window sill
Hmmmm I don't know. I would say me but I'm incapable of simple decision making.
:D Hahaha!
Most bosses I have had were incapable of making good decisions. If you are the boss tell him to get on a plane and make you pancakes.
#confidential
Fear of Simple Minds? Really? ;)
Lack of Finns in F1 makes perfect sense, tho. :D
That'd keep me awake
To be fair, I don't think I've done it before :(
I'm not sure that would work. It'd be fine right up until the point where I had to decide what I liked on top.....
That's easy. You are a woman so you can use a phrase guaranteed to terrify men and boys. Surprise me.
Start with Honey & Lemon and see what you fancy after that
:D
I think I became vegetarian to reduce choice on menus to a manageable level :P
What were the vegetarian options like in Dubai?
Then you need to become a Vegan like Mr Spock and have less choice then don't eat anything that is green, orange or yellow and your choices become a lot easier.
Alright. I got food everyday without too much stress. I ate quite a lot of fajitas....
I like non vegan things though. Like special K. And cheese. PANCAKES!!
Special K is non-vegan?
[checks cupboard]
new blanket is doing a lovely job in my office and no one has noticed its actually a pet blanket. But pet blanket was $12 and person blanket was $20 and I am on a budget!
I'm really sure there's milk powder in them.
Can't you just tweak the air con knob when no-one is looking?
I've transferred them into the cereal holder thingy
[and mixed with Special K Red Berries]
My sister had dairy allergies when she was younger. I have a pretty thorough mental list of vegan friendly products.
Yahoo Answers agrees
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090304125213AA9lE0d
there is no aircon knob. Its hidden somewhere magical to prevent employee comfort
Opem a window then
hey all
Heya
hows it going over there tonight? lunchtime here in Australia, and im already excited about the RB Launch
the windows dont open in this building. If they did id be scared of falling out.
Somehow I think I will be asleep when the launch happens but I am looking forward to see what Newey has come up with
Pretty good
Hoping the Red Bull will show us something fresh in F1 design
yeah, im expecting the same. Everyone else seems to be using the RB from last year as a starting point, so lets hope its new and innovative! bring on Bahrain i say!
alrighty, lunch over, later guys and gals! :)
You get 10 minutes for lunch? Luxury!
Time for bed. Good night all.
Night Steven
I'm jealous!
You can go to bed too!
:(
Night Steven.
Reading Joe's thoughts on Jean. Very interesting.
And his portrait photo is epic. It gives him an air of authority. Good job by whoever took it.
no remote?
It's a lot better than the old one
I was referring to Todt's portrait. ;) Joe's is pretty cool too.
Aha! I didn't scroll down far enough ;-)
:D
ooh i just realised i will be in switzerland during the us open. I wonder where the swiss go to watch roger :D
I think Joe's earlier post about the lack of noise from the new president is what prompted the interview that Todt gave Gazetta.
That, or Joe knew the Todt was going to speak out soon and cleverly timed his previous blog post on the subject :-)
to wherever he is playing? :p
Go to Basel! :D
you are worried about your BBQ being stolen. I suggest cooking pancakes on it for dinner tonight
i am going to basel on one of the days, i shall try and work it out. Doesnt help if he gets a night match it will be 1am in switzerland though :D
WooHoo! Thunder storm
That was a let down. How can the sky be so black without any exciting lightning?!
Something to chew on this morning from redbullf1spy:
Most interesting...
Note: launchES.
Going by my own memories of lotus in F1, a plucky backmarker would seem more appropriate... ;)
'that boy' ? !!!
My cooking doesnt poison anyone! Its the takeaways which made me sick!
She must have meant lunches. there is nothing worse than having seems in your lunch
Ahahahaha! :D
You've got the love, that's for sure. ;) :D
Oh, you remember the declining Lotus, not the proper-glory-BRG Lotus.
:D
hmm i finish work at 6.45, i wonder if this gives me time to get to albert park and then home by 8.30 in time for lost :D
Red Bulls site is down, testing starts in less than an hour so i guess the lunches must be soon?
Article about YAS and the lack of people at the track for the GP2.
Some interesting other stuff about getting an Emirati into F1 in 10 years, and someone only went and compared Yas to Spa.... :)
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100210/NATIONAL/702099833
oops!
ah yes, i can tell them apart by colour!
oh. Mobile doohickey thread fail
right. Off to albert park to try find more f1 mojo. Its rather dark outside as we have been having electrical storms all day but I must persist in my journey!
its just started raining. I regret my decision.
What's on at Albert Park? Can you look for my tickets?
i am going to check on construction. Just to see how much free advertising ing is getting as last years sponsor. Sadly i doubt ill find your tickets.
ooh its not raining at the park. They have done a lot since i was last here!
Is it too dark for pictures?
are you running about making car noises by any chance or is that just something i would do?
My panda correspondent (Katherine) tells me that there was a news story about pandas on radio 2 a few minutes ago.
That we are getting some in this country?
i took some pictures. Now on my way home so i dont miss lost. I also didnt make car noises
tennis flags have all been replaced with f1 flags with a giant mark webber. Now that he has actually won something he must be worthy of the AGPC
I had a dream about Franck last night. He worked in a supermarket and whichever customer bought the most stuff that day would win a kiss from him.
Found myself doing the crazy trolley dash thing like at the end of Supermarket Sweep. The till people took so long adding things up, though, that I woke up and don't know if I won.
I am properly mad at supermarkets now.
Haha, i remember somone being in a strop with me for a day because he had dreamt that i was hitting on his girlfriend!
that is an amazing dream!
Thinking about it, I should have gone to the self-service bit.
I think there was something about a panda getting stuck and then the handlers threw bananas for it to eat which it liked. And they kept throwing the bananas shorter and shorter distances which led the panda back off the high bit. Or something.
absolutely! Self service for the win!
I didn't know pandas ate bananas. They certainly have more nutrition than bamboo!
I have to say I am having some trouble switching threads with the large posts for the launches... Lots of scrolling going on... Anyone have any handy hints?
Press Home on the keyboard to go straight to the top, scrolling back down though not sure...
i have x2 tabs.
good plan
Don't forget to choose your Fantasy Rally team. Cut-off is tonight midnight.
I am home in time for Lost! Problem is its on a digital channel so I have to watch it in my room as we don't have digital downstairs. I'm soooo hungry. Note to self: buy a digital set top box for the TV I can see from the kitchen before next Wednesday.
Or a mini fridge.
Thanks for reminding! I've chosen mine - going for quantity over quality and hoping for the best.
I am having steak for tea though. I could bring the George Foreman up to my room? :D
Oh Kimi! He crashed already *shakes head*
He crashed during recce?!
He went the wrong way somewhere , made a u-turn and a car drove into him.
oh dear. but the rally proper doesn't start until tomorrow, right? maybe he's getting his mistakes out of the way...
that said... maybe i shouldn't include him in my fantasy lineup just yet...
Yeah, the car has a small dent, but he could finish taking
enginenotes.Loeb went off too :)
he's not in my lineup. ;)
:)
:D
:D
:D
Just applied for media access on the Lotus Racing site. :P
#nothere
Boo! Rally is changing their point system to 25 18 15 12 ... too
for amy: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/calling-race-fans-in-melbourne/
(we won't be recording this one!)
To keep you amused whilst testing is slooooow: http://tenstepstories.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/life-in-the-fast-lane-part-2/
Will She be sent as a SidepodTechnician to record it?
bummer, I will boarding plane back at that time :-(
Yay!
ace.
oooh. plan.
a bit late, but here's a snap of one of our carboard ipads:
http://twitpic.com/12dg3x
One! are you starting a production line?
I have voted! Interesting scenario :)
It looks nice and shiny :P
first one wasn't glossy, second one was laminated but didn't look very good, third one was printed on glossy cardboard. however, we may need more.
OOOOH.
Practice makes perfect!
ticket has been purchased :D
ooh invite has my name and everything. I love Joe.
here are some pictures from my journey:
half an overpass
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/dsc07424-medium-jpg
ING getting some free advertising until they paint the barriers
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/dsc07426-medium-jpg
Half a grandstand
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/dsc07427-medium-jpg
Scary Webber flags.
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/dsc07428-medium-jpg
I hope noone walks up that or they're in for a surprise...
Oooh, brilliant!
guest post, guest post, guest post...
:D
Good luck with that!!
I shall go back when I have more than 20 minutes to kill and get more material first. :D
what kindle post? *cough*
:D
That.was.AWESOME.
:D Duly commented and voted.
Well that's just an absolute shame. Again my mum has left a note downstairs saying she needs me to go and pay rent over the post office... the same post office next to Greggs.
Gosh how do these things happen? It really is unfortunate. ;)
Overpass to nowhere? ;)
You poor unfortunate soul. ;)
I didn't know pandas ate bananas. They certainly have more nutrition than bamboo! {Comment #135}
Pandas eat practically anything - they're nearly as omniverous as humans - but bamboo to them is like sweets, chocolate and crisps (delete/augment with appropriate cravings) are to humans. Pandas find bamboo addictive and won't eat other things if they think there's a bamboo supply round the corner.
Oh Kimi! He crashed already *shakes head* {Comment #145}
Kimi may be enjoying himself in rallying, but his bad luck in F1 appears to have followed him :(
At least it looks like he's interested again. :)
At least it looks like he's interested again. :) {Comment #189}
That's true :)
Look they've made a jacket that you can fit an iPad in :)
http://www.scottevest.com/
Hi everyone. Just wanted to say Hello!!! Way too busy in my new life here in Boston but I'm hoping to be able to follow the sport this year, even if there is no team from this country ;)
Oh dear oh dear...
Feature with Sam Michael
http://www.autosport.com/features/article.php/id/2619
The most interesting thing seems to be that Cosworth's engine will be homologated on 1 March.
You seem to have no faith in USF1. ;)
For the Brawn fans out there - win a signed Brawn pic!
http://twitter.com/HenriLloyd63/status/8900932429
One step ahead of ya ;)
Good luck! :)
Fingers crossed! Don't know how well you will do until you enter! Will inform another Brawn fan I know and I think you might too ;)
I know this other fan? I wonder who it could be... ;)
WRC to copy F1 points system:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/news/story?id=4902132
In all honesty... they don't need to! Why did they do it??
And why so late? They approve it today, and it's effective tomorrow!
Is it because to make the system the same across all the major FIA events?
But why is there a need to do it? They're different series with different characteristics.
Not according to Castrol.
Eek!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81370
I wonder how annoyed Red Bull are for not having the Mercedes engine.
I know. I mean, who else can leave? There's only 3 manufacturers left - with one having been there from the start, and the other having just bought their own team!
Afternoon everyone... How's it going?
Hey Alex. All is good.
Part 2 of Life in the Fast Lane is out. :D
Ooh, I like people plugging on my behalf!
That's how good your work is. ;)
ooooh...
If anyone is bored NASA are launching the Solar Dynamics Observatory in 13 minutes-ish. No people on board but at least it is at a sensible time of day.
#sidepodspace
you call this sensible? It's 2am! On that note, I'm going to bed.
Night Amy
Night Amy. :)
Good night. Don't grind your teeth
Night Amy.
:D
This is going to come as a shock to Christine. NASA has a delay.
Going off to bed - I need to get back some lost sleep this morning.
Night, folks!
G'night
Night Journeyer
Night sir.
Looks like the FIA are clarifying the whole 3 races predicament:
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/f1-teams-cannot-miss-races/
from my understanding, they need to be at Bahrain no matter what, but if not, they will face the consequences?
I hate NASA. They had a one hour launch window and ended up going to the last nano-second of it due to wind. The count was held at T-4 minutes. At the last possible second they started the count. It got to T-3min 59 second before they called no go and aborted the launch. I sat for an hour to watch one second of a countdown and the problem that shut it down at the end was wind speed.
I am so glad I didn't try to convince Amy to sit up and watch this. Still it would have given her a good excuse to grind her teeth
They must have spotted the wind speed beforehand.
They held for an hour because of it. They had a one hour launch window and were due to go at the start of it but kept delaying due to winds. I can't believe they keep trying to launch from somewhere with so many weather problems. They may as well be launching from Rockall
I still remember the day I watched six hours of buildup to see it scrubbed in the final 10 seconds. aaagh memories of having that much time in front of the computer for non work related activities :)
I wouldn't mind but this is the second time in a week thay have done this to me. They made me fet up early on Sunday morning for a shuttle launch despite me having to stay up late that night to watch the superbowl. I decided not to watch on Monday morning because I was shattered and they launch the sodding thing. Then they go and dock with the ISS at 5am. I am being victimised.
I totally agree with you Steven. It's why I can't book a holiday to go watch a launch - because it's so unreliable, but don't get me wrong - I get why they have to do this. But I never tried for the shuttle - it was way too early for me (i think pre 5am) for the launch and so i just decided to sit this one out. and yes - there was the superbowl ;)
We live commented the superbowl with people like Lukeh who had never watched a match before so that was intesteing and it was a really good game.
I seem to remember one time when they decided they had to force a launch that it didn't end so well!
it was an exceptional game. I only saw the second half. I've been too busy since I arrived to really get into football here. I saw a few games on the telly in bars including seeing the New Orleans smash the local team (New England patriots) and just have too many things on here - mostly work related. Once I get a tv I might pay attention. if we''ve live commented eurovision song contests, well why wouldn't we live commentate the superbowl? any plans for bobsled live commenting?
That was because they had the shuttle at the pad for a prolonged period at low temperatures though.
I had no idea what was going on but I enjoyed what I saw!
I know Amy has been looking forward to the winter Olympics so no doubt some of it will be live caommented. The Americas Cup yacht race was going to be live commented this week but it was ababdoned due to lack of wind.
As long as you enjoyed it. I am not sure whether it is a good thing or a bad thing that you saw such a high quality game for your first match.
I want to watch some but I think I'm going to be mostly sleeping.
you mean the race or the commenting ;)
I'm glad you liked the football Lukeh - it was a great game to watch as the first time. Some of them are much more boring ;)
We watch Formula 1 which has spectacles like Valencia and Singapore - it comes with the package :P
Ah well, time to go stick my head in cold cabinets and count stock for 4 hours. See you all later.
Are they on at stupid o'clock? Where are they this time?
Have fun
Vancouver.
I think the BBC start coverage at 7pm and continue through the night. I believe there is going to be a highlights show around midday though.
So more suitable for night owls and Australians than people who like to be in bed early
Too much wind today! The swell was over 1m
Ironicly if they had had it here as was planned, the weather is perfect, we would be 2 races in and could even have a winner by now
Does anyone remember Fernando the duck?
HE'S BACK!
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/13245299
I am currently trying to persuade Nick from SofaF1 to join Sidepodcast. I tried to convince him last night... But he hasn't done it yet... Hmmm...
well said :) but the F1 sport is over in two hours, even if the decisions go on for months after.
Time for me to head off too. I managed about 30 minutes of being here today. 30 minutes more than most days. bye!
Didn't know there was supposed to be a race today
What is his excuse for not being here? You should be able to come up with a suitable plug for sidepodcast to convince him
Bye Scott
I have mentioned the doohicky on twitter now... lets see if he arrives.
Hello All,
This is my first comment, encouraged by Alex. I'd been having a look at the feed but couldn't think of anything to say, testing has been pretty quiet today except for that weird looking device on the McLaren! http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/13245229
Hurrah!
By the way Nick to quote somebody when you comment you can click on the paragraph you want to quote...
Hi Nick. Glad to see you made it.
Like this?
Or you can click the author's name and quote the whole comment
I think it's a boom microphone and they are actually recording an album, "the sounds of Formula 1"
Like that
erm... no...
click reply... click the text from the comment you're replying to... then write anything else you want to add... and press post comment...
Or you can press preview to... preview :)
Oh great, another Nick! The one we already have is enough! ;)
j/k. Welcome!
Perhpas I'm using the wrong browser? (chrome) Clicking on names or paragraphs doesn't seem to do anything. Thanks for the welcome, Steven!
this one has a surname!
Chome should work.
The device above the roll hoop is a pitot tube to record air speed just like the one on the nose.
The array on the side pod looks like something from page 22 of a well known magazine and is also recording aero data.
The browser shouldn't matter. Just click reply to open the comment box then click on whatever you want to quote
I thought the other Nick also had a surname, or is 'in Dubai' not it?.....
Helllo Nick Ollivere, welcome to the mad house.
Ok, like this? I was reading too literally and trying to click on the paragraph before pressing reply!
aha! Cracked it...
I had the same problem recently. :)
That seemed to work. Mr C is a code genius but even he hasn't managed to skip the reply stage. Yet
The problem is that if you could just comment with your thoughts you might fall asleep at your machine and live comment your dreams.
Many thanks for welcomes all. Alex did warn me there was a Nick already...
Actually that makes me think of Christine's comment on one of my recent posts: http://gamboling.co.uk/2010/02/09/what-will-the-third-generation-be-amazed-at/
The headping is bad enough withought thought mining
As I have known Nick since I was 12 I think he would, frankly, be surprised if it wasn't a madhouse.
So is the weather supposed to be better tomorrow?
I mean at the test not here...
Hello! :)
Don't think so... Schumacher is back though. Good opportunities for the teams to see how the heavy fuel loads work in the wet.
Hello... Did you see the tweet from Lukeh earlier?
about the competition? have just seen it yeah :)
Hi Lou
I guess we get to find out if Schumacher can walk on water then
how is everyone? anyone got snow again like us?
Hey lou. We got snow, but we also just got a massive sheet of ice.
Let's see. We got 27" of snow over the weekend. We've gotten a few more inches since last night, and I think it's still snowing.
So I think a better question is do YOU have snow like ME? ;)
This is the second coming after all...
ahhh.. we've had snow on and off all day, one moment blizzard, the next blue skies. such an odd day.
erm... no...
Before it started to get dark, lovely clear, but cold, day really.
It's snowing in Kent again? I don't have any on the frozen north
:D
Sounds just like a Scottish summer
The kids are loving it at least, but they don't have to shovel it.
If it does rain tomorrow in the comments we'll turn water into whine.
yes! again! soooo annoying! just as it comes up to my half term :( + when my textiles group are meant to be going to the tate modern tomorrow :( hopefully it will be gone soon.
really? the weather is so confused atm.
While it has snowed here it's not settled.
pfft, racecar drivers do that all the time, water or no water!
With little on track again, I think we'll be treading water...
or drowning under a flood of tweets
awesome! :) no settling is good news :) i just have to hope the amount of snow that is expected does not fall this evening so the trains will be running. I haven't been up to london since before christmas which makes me sad :(
Alex!! I need your help! Please explain to Nick what crocodile tears are... He doesn't believe me.
He has never heard of crocodile tears? Crocodile tears are fake tears designed to get a response.
Just realised I am not Alex. Sorry for pretending to be. ;)
I'm going to cry now because of that.
right.. i have to brave the cold and go back to school now :( silly concerts!..bye all! xx
!!!
seconded :)
Wrap up warm. Bye
Many thanks!
Hello all. Had to come by and share this. The design concepts for IndyCar are getting crazy.
Wow... just wow...
WHAT THE !!!!!
Evening all.
at least it looks like a delta wing.
sort of.
You have to wonder what an F1 car would have ended up looking like if they had let the designers start from a blank sheet of paper like this...
Typical Ben Bowlby design. He comes up with outlandish ideas every so often and none of them ever happen. There is no way anyone is going to put that into production. Imagine cornering with the front wheels so close together. Isn't ever going to work.
Take the wings off this and add wheels
looks like this
He talks heavily about ground effects as the major down for component and aero efficiency to gain fuel efficency ... that might work on the ovals where there is a lot of constants. But on road courses... that would be suicide.
or this
It looks more like a land speed record car than anything else and they don't corner well
I think you might get away with it on large ovals but on the 1 mile ovals it would be a bit iffy. You can't generate any mechanical grip with the wheels so close together so road courses would be out.
PHWOOOAAR!!!
I think this might be a clue that IndyCar wants to return to an all-oval series...
It's very Speed Racer innit?
I know, but between this and the other concept reported yesterday, at least the IRL is starting to look for ways to get back. I mean, there really hasn't been a lot to cheer about the series the last.. of say ever.
This is him as a student visiting Frank Dernie at Lotus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPkR_hDUtg
pressdog has a good take: http://pressdog.typepad.com/dogblog/2010/02/delta-wing-unveiling-today-1230-pm-central-time.html
Oh god no!
I think the IRL shouldn't choose one homologated chassis. I think they need to bring on the Swift, Dallera, and Lola chassis on board. Making the series spec hasn't worked. We need to open up the chassis and engine choices.
i'd agree with that. who cares about a honda engine powering everyone. we know from experience they suck. lets see who can better it.
So we want multiple chassis, multiple engines and a mix of circuits. Sounds to me like CART before Tony George screwed it up.
Exactly!
I agree too. Spec series are not as interesting and should not be used as a premier class...
:)
I got into Indycar because of Mansell, and stayed because in 95/96 it was an awesome series. Watched on and off after that, but it aint the same anymore :(
George screwed it in this respect. In a way to make sure that no one team would dominate (i.e. Penske, Newman-Hass, Genassi) the series he tried to limit their options. The problem is, he also limited the options of everyone coming into the sport as well to make up ground on the established teams who could dial in their cars faster.
There is a reason why I follow F1 now. I grew up watching the CART races in Portland every year. I remember walking with my dad through the paddock and seeing Mansell, all the Andretti's, Fittipaldi, Al Uncer sr & jr, Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Paul Newman, A.J. Foyt, and on and on. The racing was great to watch, it was popular, and is what turned me into a petrol-head.
Tony George ruined that because he wanted to be the big shot. It is something that I will never, ever forgive him for. He ruined open wheel racing in the states and basically gave the country to NASCAR.
Grrrrrrrrrr.....
Sorry.
#SoreSubject
I think he wanted to do the right thing and went about it the wrong way. The irony is that the sport is in the same situation as it was when he split, but a whole lot worse off...
I watched it a few years before Mansell got there and it was a great championship that F1 was getting really worried about. The TJ decided he was going to have an all oval championship full of you American drivers. Since then he has spent 9 figures and has a championship that is nowhere near as good as the one he destroyed and the top drivers are from Scotland, New Zealand, Brazil etc.
Oh the irony indeed.
The thing is, the things that he was going after were easily fixable. George wanted to fix the commercial side and become "the Bernie" of Indycar. The problem is that the teams laughed at him and everything turned personal between the two sides.
For example George complained about too many foreign drivers in CART. I didn't have a problem with hit. However I could see the point. All they needed to do is state that on teams with two or more cars, at least one driver has to be from North America.
You are not alone in that feeling
I remember it at the time (I was 15 when the split happened) everyone was saying, "You idiots, you're ruining a great thing." I think I even read a article by Robin Miller back in the day how it was all the beginning of the end and this would be the gift that kept on giving to NASCAR who at that same moment were starting to put everything together.
Evening
That's underwhelming. It is certainly radical but this is ridiculous. Do they expect that to race at Long Beach? 'Cos it won't make the hairpin..
I like that they are trying new ideas, but we aren't designing a Bonneville land speed car...
They've plonked a couple of cars into rFactor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rah0RSIEVC8
I think they'd have much more understeer - where's the front grip?
They sound like crap too!
Do I get a bonus point for comparing it to this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGULcLUr0I4
No, because that kind of racing looked enjoyable ;)
I think this Reliant Robin looks more like it ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuBPX4BtLoA&feature=related
That's the most ridiculous looking race car I've ever seen. And it's supposed to have the backing of teams such as Penske and Ganassi? Insane.
Here is the interview with the designer:
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-inside-the-delta-wing-project/
What the pics don't show are that he plans to have a 2-litre engine producing 300hp but he says it will out-accelerate a current car and match the top speeds. This is all about efficiency. I agree with that concept but I don't like this implementation.
I've done a blug appeal to Jean to make his mind up regarding whether teams can skip races or not.
It's a very short post!
Am reading a book about marketing and thought I'd share this with you...
"Browsers:...This is software that we use to access the Internet, for example, Netscape or Internet Explorer"
It also talks about Internet data transfering at 56.6kb/s
Love it.
#nothere
That's definitely not MFC
Have you heard of this 'wheel' that's been invented?
wh-ee-l?
wow, it stole half my comment :(
meenies
hehehehehe
Wife saw an ad for the upcoming CSI: NY with Danica Patrick in it. Wife asks me "Is she an adult film star or something? Who is she?"
Danica acts now?
I can't wait for Danica and Jacques' album duet
I seem to remember John McEnroe being on one episode.
Just been and voted at http://tenstepstories.wordpress.com/
Haven't you seen her wonderful Go Daddy commercials!?
I have, hence the question :)
The word beaver comes up. All that needs to be said, really.
I think she tends to get overshadowed by... errr... other things in those commercials.
"Nice Beaver!"
"Why, thank you, I just had it stuffed"
that may have been in appropriate, but it is from a movie! :)
Hmmmm. An evening with Joe will mean another evening in Melbourne.
Perhaps Amy will take me to dinner!
'Ello!
Hi Adie
Apparently teams can't miss any races now. I am confused.
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/f1-teams-cannot-miss-races/
HI Steven
Me too - I don't know what to believe now. Stefan GP are no doubt just as keen for clarification.
I just feel sorry for Bruno Senna
i survived! :) hi everyone! :)
evening :)
Looks like he jumped too early but it is easy to see that in hindsight
Well done
I'm paid up for Joe in Melbourne!
Any can't hide now.
hehehehehe
poor head ping skills sorry about that!
Hey lou and Adie. Good fun?
ehehehe i love that you say well done for staying alive :D hehe although i do feel awful atm, i think Em gave me her 'death cold' :)
Is anyone up for setting Thursday Thoughts tomorrow? We have no lead blogger as yet. It might be our turn but if anyone wants to, they are welcome to grab the opportunity.
Hmmm....I could. Let me have a think...
Anyone up for buying what would be a ludicrously expensive album?
Gloucester's show beguiles him as the mournful crocodile with sorrow, snares relenting passengers
That's Shakespeare that is ;) So it's been around for a while.
Due to some physiological reason that we don't really understand crocodiles actually cry while eating. It's something to do with the noise that they make to keep other crocodiles away from their food.
People saw them crying while they ate and thought originally that they were showing remorse for what they were eating. However it was very quickly realised that these tears were fake and not meant. So crocodile tears essentially means fake tears generally to get you to do something. (eg. in the crocodile's instance to make you feel sorry enough to approach so it can eat you).
oooohh, mr lukeh. can you do me a quick favour, take an equilateral triangle and put bernies head at the top, dw if you're busy
OK, I've got one.
What could F1 offer at circuits to make enhance the fan's experience of the event? Does the 'exclusivity' of the sport add to the mystique of F1 in general, or has F1 set itself too far apart from your Average Joe?
:D
Was hoping Queen's 'Who Wants To Live Forever?' would feature. But hey, wasn't one of his best.
Doughnuts.
Actually, having "Average Joe" talking the night after the GP works well too :D
Are you okay to blog it?
That wasn't very nice of her.
Yeah, I will do - I'll do something now for you...
:-)
How'd you like this done - write you something for SPC or link to F1TP?
Linking is perfect :)
I like that Rubens wrote the disclaimer ;)
gimme 20 mins then!
http://i46.tinypic.com/wss8hw.jpg
?
less KKK ;)
dont worry :D
Oh wait... bernies head at the top... not on top of bernie's head...
?!!!
I don't even want to ask...
i know. i may have to get bassano to make more cheeky vimto for her as punishment :P
A fabulous picture from Red Bull: http://www.f1minute.com/2010/02/10/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/
Survived?
Turbo-charged company who had a triangular logo with one K on top of two mre Ks
klan...
i had to do some prefecty things for a school concert but the roads are awful due to snow.. grr.
Ah I see. We had a quick flurry earlier (horizontal in heavy wind) but it disappeared quickly. Kent seems to be getting hit a lot this year..
The KKK logo is the one on top of Bosch on the side of the nose
http://www.virginmedia.com/images/Porsche-956-431x300.jpg
:D
I think he is referring to the American organisation that likes to wear a white trianglar hat.
or even a cone :)
This is more what I meant.....
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/bernietriangle-jpg
Today we had a talk from the guy who runs the Castle Combe Racing Club and he said something to me that has stuck with me today and i'd never thought of it like this but it's true....Imagine Motorsport as a triangle...and bernies at the top....
In terms of circuit racing atleast, he has control over all of it, maybe not directly, but indirectly all of it
American mechanics wear cone hats? Is this only when they work on turbo chargers?
How does Bernie influence Castle Combe or Oulton Park or Knockhill? I can't see his point.
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/berniecone-png
:D
So you are....Castle Combe and you're organising your events....but all motorsport (circuit based atleast) revolves around the Grand Prix right? so no-one could settle dates for events in the summer until they'd sorted the Grand Prix, ergo, Bernie controls Motorsport. its a tedious link i'll give ya, but still is a good point
He may affect dates but that hardly gives him control. Many tracks like Knockhill ignore F1 and put way too many race meetings on F1 dates. Given how many log term F1 contracts are out there it should be possible for Bernie to issue the 2012 calendar now.
Not total control, but it often all revolves around him in some way. The club events dont matter too much, its hte big ones they dont want to put on BGP date
Christine.... http://f1tailpipe.com/2010/02/thursday-thoughts
It's not published yet, but here's the link for when it is...
The FIA neds to get him under control
Not sure how it works in the UK, but this would be equally true here of any other big sporting event.
To a large extent I agree. Whenever the F1 calendar is altered in November/December as it often is, you can watch the trickle effect as other series modify their dates. Notably DTM and WRC, but others too. BTCC for the large part although not so much now ITV doesn't have F1 (and I'm slightly annoyed my local round at Thruxton clashes with F1).
I should add this only really applies to European series.
Which round of F1 does it clash?
I can't remember.
James Allen giving away his address... almost..
#f1 just leaving the motor sport Hall of Fame evening at Roundhouse. Wish more events were held here - I live 200 metres away!
Malaysia.
Go to Thruxton. So much better
We'll see.
He will soon learn not to do that
Can I ask something about Wordpress? How accurate is the visitor counter in the Dashboard?
Right Christine - it's up! Very rushed so apologies in advance for typos / paragraphs that don't flow or make sense...
http://bit.ly/cFzY83
I'm annoyed because the Silverstone round of the World Series by Renault clashes with the Goodwood Revival, and we were planning to buy tickets for it as a present for my grandad, as he's always wanted to go there. Decisions, decisions.
Really? Last year it clashed with the Festival.
btw whichever Goodwood it is, go to that. I've never been to World Series but it'll blow the socks off it.
See the main thing I factor into it is, while Goodwood's awesome and all that, the World Series tickets are free. :P
took the words right out my mouth ;)
Don't let the cost factor put you off though if you're seriously considering it. Goodwood is more than worth it.
Goodwood general admission is worth it. I'm not so sure about a grandstand, having never tried it (they are quite pricey).
Oh, yeah, that's what I meant. :)
No of course, I hope that we can sort something for the FoS.
I just still quite like the idea of getting a full day's racing plus 2 F1 demos and access to the grandstands, paddock and a pit walk all for nothing. :P
It's understandable ;)
True enough :) I may do it this year just because I did Goodwood last year and I'll be in 'saving for Spa' mode by then.
To be honest you should consider which one your grandad wants to go to. I wanted to take mine to an event somwhere but he's too old now.
Right, night all.
Speak to you tomorrow
Night Adie, I'm going too. Night.
Night. Will have a think about your question..
that's understandable, sounds great fun. but you've been to the world series by Renault before right? honestly, Goodwood is really worth it. It's like another world. I love every single moment of it, from seeing all sorts of cars in action on the hill climb, to seeing the drivers wondering around and all the amazingness of a fantastic few days out. I'm lucky enough to have some very lovely parents who are paying for Spa as a birthday present so all is good regarding that. I'm sure you will absolutely love Goodwood.
night.
night Lukeh
byee
i'm off to bed now too.everyone pray that the snow disapears/ doesn't settle in london so that i can go to the tate modern tomorrow! i reeeeeallllllyyyy want to go to london :) thanks ;)
nighty night! xx
night lou
Good night and have fun in London. i am sure the weather will be fine
Night. Have a good day.
Hi all, bye Lou
Only a very light sprinkling in town. [dusted windshields] I've just driven through it
Looks like a Dunce cap. Rather appropriate considering the group that willingly wears them.
I've no doubts about the Festival of Speed, I do want to go this year. But I'm talking about the Revival when I'm comparing Goodwood to WSR as they're both on the same weekend this year. ;)
It's a very short post! {Comment #362}
How short? It should be a few paragraphs. If it's displaying nothing at all, then I've either done the link wrong or the wiki has eaten the entry (both have happened before).