Saturday, April 30, 2011

tail lights for 70's-80's Dodge fullsize pickup..........

I'm kitbashing a pick up and all I need are tail lights. Can anyone help?

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/955829.aspx

Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell

Sauber C30 launch pictures (31st of January)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/_KoeazpVhdM/sauber-c30-launch-pictures-31st-of.html

Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi

F1 2011 Teams and Drivers

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/JaQO-YdA3P8/f1-2011-teams-and-drivers.html

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis

Lotus F1 row takes new twist

A new twist in the long-running row over the use of the Lotus name in Formula 1 has emerged with the announcement that the owners of Team Lotus have bought niche sportscar manufacturer Caterham.

Tony Fernandes and his partners see Caterham, which makes replicas of the old Lotus Seven two-seater open-top sportscar, as a company with historic links and "synergies" with Team Lotus that allows them to realise their ambition of diversifying into making road cars.

Their original plan was to do that with Group Lotus, the company that markets Lotus sportscars, but as Fernandes puts it: "That obviously didn't turn out very well."

What the Malaysian businessman, and owner of budget airline Air Asia, is referring to is the increasingly bitter dispute between him and Group Lotus that has ended up in the High Court.

When Fernandes and his partners first set up what was then called the Lotus Racing F1 team last year, it was with the blessing of Group Lotus, which licensed them the name. But in the course of 2010 Group Lotus's new chairman Dany Bahar decided he wanted to go his own way in F1.

He terminated Fernandes' licence, and switched instead to a sponsorship deal with the Renault team. Fernandes, seeing this coming, bought the rights to the historic Team Lotus name as a fall-back.

Both issues - the termination of the licence and the ownership of the Team Lotus name - are wrapped up in a court case that was heard last month, with a verdict expected early in May.

Fernandes is widely expected to win the rights to continue to use Team Lotus. He bought it legitimately from its previous owner, David Hunt, brother of the late world champion James, and Group Lotus has always acted in the past as if it knew it did not own the name.

Nevertheless, buying Caterham does provide Fernandes with an interesting fall-back option should the court case go against him. Now he owns his own car company, he could re-name the F1 team after it should he want to.

Lotus F1 cars and the Caterham Seven

Team Lotus owner Tony Fernandes now has Caterham in his business portfolio

For now, though, he says that is not an option. Fernandes told BBC Sport that he is "absolutely not" going to change the name of Team Lotus. Although he does add: "Obviously we have to wait for the verdict to see exactly what has been decided. But we see a very natural link between Team Lotus and Caterham, and they can be synergistic and promote each other, and there is some DNA between the two anyway. It's not like we've bought a brand that has no association with Team Lotus at all. It's just the opposite."

The Caterham name will, though, soon appear on the Team Lotus F1 cars - although exactly when and how has yet to be decided - and the company will eventually contribute to the Lotus budget as a sponsor.

Assuming he retains the rights to Team Lotus, that still leaves Fernandes in the sticky position of providing free promotion to a company with which he is in dispute and has no links.

Unsurprisingly, he did not want to get into that on the day of his big announcement, but he could not resist a little snipe or two at Bahar.

Fernandes says he sees Caterham as very much following the legacy of the late Lotus founder Colin Chapman. "In some ways," he says, "we have reunited the Chapman history. Lotus is all about lightweight, more is less. That is all the terminology we like, and it fits with F1. We feel there is a huge opportunity for Caterham in a market no one is really looking at right now."

By that, he means lightweight, affordable sportscars that are within reach of ordinary people. This was Chapman's approach, and one which, Fernandes says, "certain people have abandoned". That is a reference to Bahar's plans to take Lotus upmarket and challenge Porsche and Ferrari with his mooted five new Lotus models by 2015.

So far, the dispute between the two Lotuses has not reached the race tracks of F1.

Team Lotus started this season with chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne setting ambitious targets of catching Renault by the end of the season, but that looks out of reach for now - Renault have started the season strongly enough to set their own difficult goal, of beating Ferrari to third place in the constructors' championship.

But Team Lotus have also started the season well. The car has had reliability problems, but it also has underlying pace, and in the last race in China they beat established teams for the first time since entering F1 at the beginning of last year, with Heikki Kovalainen finishing ahead of a Sauber and a Williams.

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Kovalainen's performance is a clear indicator that Lotus's more realistic target, of scoring points and mixing it with the established teams, is achievable.

Fernandes himself has his feet firmly on the ground. "You build things properly and with the right structure and things will fall into place," he says. "My target this year was to maintain 10th, and hopefully sneak a few points along the way. That is still my target.

"It is beginning to feel more realistic now, but one can't build a challenging F1 team in two years. We are competing against guys who have been there for 30 years but obviously the team smell big steps of improvement. They smell points.

"I never want to kill confidence, I encourage it, but I am also a realist and we are competing against nine guys who have been doing it for years and are very good at it.

"But if you'd asked me do I think at Turkey (the next race on 8 May) you'd be where you are, I wouldn't have believed it.

"We've got a good package and good people, we have put all the infrastructure in place.

"We're working on a new wind tunnel; that's the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and I think if you put all the pieces of the puzzle together then the results will come in good time."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/04/lotus_f1_row_takes_new_twist.html

Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari

Brilliant Hamilton brings season alive

Lewis Hamilton was fighting back the tears as he prepared to go out on to the podium after winning the Chinese Grand Prix. It had, he said, felt like "an eternity" since his last victory, in the Belgian Grand Prix last August. After he has come down to earth, he might well think it was worth the wait. This was - Martin Brundle and David Coulthard agreed - one of the greatest performances of Hamilton's career.

A thrilling race, in which it was impossible to pick a winner until very close to the end, put an end to Sebastian Vettel's domination of the 2011 season. From looking like his Red Bull had the pace to win every race, the world champion now knows he faces a fight.

From the very beginning of the season, it has looked like Hamilton would be the man giving the Red Bulls their closest challenge, but events had transpired in the previous two races to prevent him taking the fight to Vettel.

In China, though, Hamilton finally got the chance he had been waiting for and the result was one of the most exciting Formula 1 races for a very long time.

It ebbed and flowed, the advantage swaying one way and then the other between four teams and five different drivers, all coming together in a thrilling final few laps as the various strategies chosen by the different teams merged.

In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.


What allowed it all to happen was both Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button beating Vettel, who started from pole position, away from the grid. That demoted the German to third place on the first lap and prevented him from unleashing the full pace of the Red Bull and building an advantage he could then defend for the rest of the race.

Instead, Vettel spent the first part of the race bottled up behind the McLarens and from that position Red Bull made what eventually turned out to be a critical error - to do only two pit stops compared to the three of McLaren.

For a long time, it looked like it would work - starting from when Button made the astonishing error of stopping at the Red Bull pit instead of his McLaren one as he and Vettel came in for the first time.

That put Vettel ahead of both McLarens, into clear air and seemingly on course to cruise to victory. But it soon became clear it would not be as simple as that. He did not close on the leading Mercedes of the impressive Nico Rosberg as quickly as might have been expected, and neither was he pulling away from Felipe Massa's Ferrari behind him.

As the race developed, it soon became clear that it was turning into a classic F1 strategy battle - two stops versus three.

Had this been last year, with more durable tyres, the two-stoppers - Vettel and Massa - would have won out, as they were in front by the time all the leading runners had completed the stops.

But the deliberately rapid degradation of the new Pirelli tyres means that races are no longer about track position going into the final stages. Because the tyres can lose their edge so quickly, they are about who has the most grip in the closing laps. It is no good being in front if you do not have the grip to defend your position.

That created a brilliant spectacle - as was the idea when Pirelli were asked to design tyres in this way. Once everyone had completed their pit stops, Hamilton was in fourth place, and on tyres with much more grip than Vettel, Massa and Rosberg in the first three positions.

Hamilton's passing moves on those three got better and better - peaking with a superbly audacious dive down the inside of Vettel into the 150mph Turn Seven to take the lead. It was, as even Vettel had to admit, "a good move".

But arguably the best of all was the overtake that made the victory possible - taking what at the time was second place from Button into Turn One on lap 35, with 21 laps to go.

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It is not the easiest of places to pass - there is no sharp braking into that corner; the cars dive in and slow progressively as it gets tighter and tighter through nearly a complete circle. Hamilton seemed to catch Button unawares and there was a nervy moment when the older man suddenly realised his team-mate was there.

Button had a little wobble as he made room for Hamilton, and up on the pit wall team principal Martin Whitmarsh had his heart in his mouth. But it worked out and Hamilton had three laps to make up some time before his final stop.

"It felt absolutely incredible and was probably one of the best races I've ever competed in," Hamilton told BBC Sport's F1 Forum after the race. "It was one of the best grand prix wins I can remember."

It was indeed a quite superb drive, probably his best in the dry, and one that certainly ranks up there with his wet-weather wins at Japan 2007, Silverstone 2008 and Spa last year.

It was also a timely reminder that for all Vettel's impressive run of wins and pole positions at the end of last year and the beginning of this, there are a few other drivers out there who are at least a match for him if they are provided with the right equipment and circumstances.

Among them, Hamilton is right up at the top - and this win has closed the gap to Vettel in the championship to 21 points. Suddenly, a season that had looked poised to be a Red Bull walkover has come alive.

The key themes of the narrative are still not absolutely clear.

One, it seems, will be Red Bull's struggles with Kers. These again proved an Achilles heel for the team - Webber struggled with the system through the weekend, and it malfunctioned on Vettel's car in the race, just as it did in Malaysia a week ago.

Another will clearly be the impact of the tyres and the controversial moveable rear wing, or DRS as it is known in F1 jargon. For ultra-purists, there is an argument that the racing, while exciting, feels a little artificial at times.

As Webber, whose fabulous recovery drive ironically made him one of the biggest beneficiaries of the massive grip differences between old and new tyres, put it: "I'm still not a huge fan of how it is; sometimes the overtakes are not all that genuine because the guys don't have anything to fight back with."

But after a race as good as this, how much does that matter?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/04/brilliant_hamilton_brings_seas.html

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison

What next for Robert Kubica?

Robert Kubica has been in hospital in Italy for the last 10 weeks, following his rallying accident at the end of February. He says that he is now beginning to feel better and his strength is beginning to return. He will leave the Santa Corona hospitalin Pietra Ligure soon and will then spend a little [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/what-next-for-robert-kubica/

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger

VIDEO: MotoGP - Estoril Friday Highlights

Check out the highlights from Friday's MotoGP free practice sessions at Estoril...

Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/video-motogp-estoril-friday-highlights/

Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey

Fighting Schumacher continues to dream

This blog entry is being penned as I fly over Quanzhou on my way to Shanghai at 3,9101ft, travelling at 616mph.

I've just watched possibly the greatest boxing movie ever made, in my humble opinion. The Fighter is a gritty, emotive film about human endeavour, sporting brilliance, and defying the odds. Christian Bale is a master of his craft, isn't he?

It got me thinking of some of the greatest sporting tales ever told. I grew up with my Dad regaling me with tales of watching George Best's electrifying feat at the 1968 European Cup final. We all know about the sheer bravery and mastery that Sir Steve Redgrave displayed in winning Olympic gold number five or Red Rum's historic third Grand National win in 1977.

Now, imagine seeing Michael Schumacher crossing the line to bag win 92 of his career. In his 40s, having had three years in retirement, his return initially fails to deliver... and then, finally, it happens. Where would that rank, do you think?

I know opinion is divided on Michael and it's a shame some of his incredible drives fight for space in our memories with the controversial battle with Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997 or his demotion to the back of the grid during qualifying at Monaco in 2006. However, don't underestimate what a win would really mean and tell us about him.

This sport moves at such pace that, within a season or two, reining in these cars is like going into a cage with a totally new species of wild animal. They react differently; the cars evolve during the race to such an extent a completely new driving style is suddenly required.

Michael Schumacher (centre)

Fans of Michael Schumacher would love to see him do something special again (AFP)

The demands on a driver's time are greater than ever and unlike in his first career, Michael's perfomances are immediately live on the internet, being discussed on message boards and the subject of 140-character reviews courtesy of the Twitter revolution.

Not only is Michael compared to contemporaries in his 20s, but perhaps even more unforgiving is that he's compared to himself in his 20s.

We arrive at a circuit and immediately mention Michael 'has won here more than anyone else', 'took pole here by over a second in 2002' or said it is 'where Michael secured his seventh title'. Sometimes, living up to your own legacy must be that hardest act of all.

One thing is for sure, just like the film, Michael is a fighter and will battle on. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn will be aware every time he looks at 'Schumi' that if he can produce the car, Michael can produce the drive.

Mind you, he'll have to go some way to beat the current drivers' championship leader. The last time a driver won the first two races and failed to take the title we were watching Back To The Future and listening to Bros, so history is on Sebastian Vettel's side, but I get the impression that the sport isn't.

What I mean by that is that these days the rate of development and evolution is so unrelenting and punishing that I'd be surprised if the lights at Brackley, Woking, Milton Keynes, Grove or Maranello are ever turned off.

The same incredible process of change also applies to each grand prix itself. Pirelli deserves a huge round of applause for giving us tyres that are delivering precisely what the sport wanted - drivers flying on one lap and driving like my Grandpa Bernard used to in his white Maxi on the next. The 24 gladiators may hate having a chariot that performs so differently during the space of 50-something laps but it makes it great for you at home.

I know with DRS, KERS, tyre degradation, Plan A and B along with all the other elements of a Grand Prix, at times it must seem like a Higher Maths A-Level lesson but I must say Martin Brundle and David Coulthard do a great job at making sense of the madness.

Lewis Hamilton

Some bad luck and his old adversary Fernando Alonso cost Hamilton in Malaysia (Getty)

Ooh, we've just been told 30 minutes to landing, as the season-long treadmill really gets into its stride. We'll be at the track before we know it and I think this is a good weekend to keep your eyes on the men straining every siney, making every move on and off track, and not resting for a moment in an attempt to ramp up the pressure on Seb.

Lewis Hamilton. I saw him after the last GP, a race where strategy, bad luck and his old pal Fernando created the perfect storm to wreck his race. He said 'that's racing' but he knows the facts tell us he was as quick in race-pace as Seb, and he'll take heart from that.

How about Mark Webber? If something is going wrong with one of the Red Bull RB7s it seems to go wrong for his. Two difficult GPs, a dodgy KERS system and four stops compared to just two made by Kamui Kobayashi in Malaysia. However, 12 months ago Seb had no luck and hardly any points. Mark, by contrast, has had two strong finishes - and points mean prizes.

And what of Fernando Alonso? I spent a week at the same holiday resort as him after the Australian race and we were laughing together as he went out day after day to play golf in the driving rain whilst I used the weather as an excuse to do a LOT of sleeping. A bit of rain? No problem for Fernando and that sums up his single-minded determination to achieve what he wants and it won't change this year. A car noticeably slower than McLaren and still managing to race Lewis on the track.

Two races in and I think that the competition at the front seems more aggressive and competitive than I've seen since I started this job. Another great reason to leap out of bed early on Friday morning, hey?

And finally, on that note, thanks to the millions who sacrificed a Sunday morning snooze for last weekend's race. The Malaysian GP enjoyed the highest viewing figures on record and the whole production team were delighted when we discussed it the morning after the race over a breakfast of roti bread and vegetable dhal. Great motivation for all!

Looking forward to sharing this Sunday morning with you too.

Jake

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/04/this_blog_entry_is_being.html

Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco

Bernie Ecclestone - No plans to put the brakes on


© Getty Images
In an exclusive interview with the Guardian as his 80th birthday approaches, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone speak out about a variety of subjects, from the future of the sport to Margaret Thatcher, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, democracy, football and what continues to drive him.
The way I feel at the moment, why stop? I do it because I enjoy it. And yesterday is gone. I don't care what happened yesterday. What else would I do? People retire to die. I don't get any individual pleasure because we don't win races or titles in this job. I'm like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you've achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That's it.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/bernie_ecclestone_no_plans_to.php

Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi

Pirelli to have their say once more in Turkey

With the Easter break now out of the way, the Formula 1 world will slowly lurch back into life with the on the horizon.

And what a dramatic note to take a three week break on. The , for ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/FDYNDqtXlAY/pirelli-to-have-their-say-once-more-in-turkey

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella

IT?S ALMOST TIME...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/cSb41mkFSos/its-almost-time.html

Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi

Maybach Exelero sold for $8 million - report

Sure, you can buy a Maybach 57S Cruiserio Coupe for a million dollars (€675,000) but why bother when you can have the real thing for just $7 million (€4,721,200) more?

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/rXKFK4hFD_k/maybach-exelero-sold-for-8-million---report

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Friday, April 29, 2011

Mercedes W212 E63 AMG


In standard Mercedes fashion, after the departure of the W211 E-class, the base version of the W212 came onto the scene. Soon after that, announcements were made for the coupe and convertible versions as well as the estate wagon. Different engine lines were introduced including the BlueTec Diesels and the standard line of V6s and V8s. The final piece of the puzzle was to add the AMG model. The W212 was to carry to same moniker as the outgoing model, but the new E63 AMG would be an entirely different car.

Mercedes first chose to use the 6.2-liter V8 in the previous generation E-class, but that car was truly made to house the 5.5-liter compressor unit of the E55. This new E63 had plans of being more civilized and more capable in every aspect. Competition in this segment gets stiffer every year and the other German brands all vie for supremacy. These cars are the ultimate sleepers, the ultimate executive sedan, and the ultimate autobahn sled.

People who drive the Mercedes E-class are among the most loyal in the automotive industry; they tend to buy the new generation as soon as possible. Many AMG owners are the same way and for that reason, Mercedes was also careful to make changes that would not rattle the cage too much. Everything has changed for the E63 AMG, but somehow it all feels so familiar?and awesome.

Hit the jump for more details on the Mercedes E63 AMG

Mercedes W212 E63 AMG originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 April 2011 12:00 EST.

read more




Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2009-2012-mercedes-w212-e63-amg-ar108830.html

Gino Bianco Hans Binder Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson

What next for Robert Kubica?

Robert Kubica has been in hospital in Italy for the last 10 weeks, following his rallying accident at the end of February. He says that he is now beginning to feel better and his strength is beginning to return. He will leave the Santa Corona hospitalin Pietra Ligure soon and will then spend a little [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/what-next-for-robert-kubica/

Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen

Consequences?

Let us assume for a moment that the German publications reporting that Bernie Ecclestone has alleged that BayernLB’s Gerhard Gribkowsky blackmailed him during the sale of the Formula One group to CVC Capital Partners back in 2005 are correct. It is a safe bet because they seem to have exceptionally good links to the judiciary [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/consequences/

Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra

Vettel wins the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/FUAjwPrWw8E/vettel-wins-2011-malaysian-grand-prix.html

Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise

Perez eager to score first points on familiar track | 2011 Turkish Grand Prix

Sergio Perez welcomes a return to circuits he's familiar with in next week's Turkish Grand Prix.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/RGSvvMfkzcs/

Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco

BMW Z2 roadster could debut in 2014 - report

German car magazine Auto Bild says BMW is working on the model and offers up a few choice details.

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/_5wsZCiI19g/bmw-z2-roadster-could-debut-in-2014---report

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

48 ford convertible

ok, so i thought i'd clean my 48 ford convertible (built to resemble biffs 46 ford in back to the future). should have left it dirty, but with manure, not saw dust! anyway, my question is, where can i get a convertible boot to replace the one that went down the drain? anyone got a spare one lying about? can trade/paypal/pay it forward/whatever. thanks for looking, off for a beer or 2 now(it's 10pm in the uk and royal wedding fever is driving me to drink!!!) CoolBeer

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/955495.aspx

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg

Top Five Conclusions ? Chinese Grand Prix

Now the dust has settled on a manic yet�thrilling�, Formula1 Fancast is here to bring you the last word on a race that saw described it as his best ever,

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/jz6TF6_v4JU/top-five-conclusions-chinese-grand-prix

Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

George at The Barber?s

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/t1UzDsAUSP8/george-at-barbers.html

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison

Fighting Schumacher continues to dream

This blog entry is being penned as I fly over Quanzhou on my way to Shanghai at 3,9101ft, travelling at 616mph.

I've just watched possibly the greatest boxing movie ever made, in my humble opinion. The Fighter is a gritty, emotive film about human endeavour, sporting brilliance, and defying the odds. Christian Bale is a master of his craft, isn't he?

It got me thinking of some of the greatest sporting tales ever told. I grew up with my Dad regaling me with tales of watching George Best's electrifying feat at the 1968 European Cup final. We all know about the sheer bravery and mastery that Sir Steve Redgrave displayed in winning Olympic gold number five or Red Rum's historic third Grand National win in 1977.

Now, imagine seeing Michael Schumacher crossing the line to bag win 92 of his career. In his 40s, having had three years in retirement, his return initially fails to deliver... and then, finally, it happens. Where would that rank, do you think?

I know opinion is divided on Michael and it's a shame some of his incredible drives fight for space in our memories with the controversial battle with Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997 or his demotion to the back of the grid during qualifying at Monaco in 2006. However, don't underestimate what a win would really mean and tell us about him.

This sport moves at such pace that, within a season or two, reining in these cars is like going into a cage with a totally new species of wild animal. They react differently; the cars evolve during the race to such an extent a completely new driving style is suddenly required.

Michael Schumacher (centre)

Fans of Michael Schumacher would love to see him do something special again (AFP)

The demands on a driver's time are greater than ever and unlike in his first career, Michael's perfomances are immediately live on the internet, being discussed on message boards and the subject of 140-character reviews courtesy of the Twitter revolution.

Not only is Michael compared to contemporaries in his 20s, but perhaps even more unforgiving is that he's compared to himself in his 20s.

We arrive at a circuit and immediately mention Michael 'has won here more than anyone else', 'took pole here by over a second in 2002' or said it is 'where Michael secured his seventh title'. Sometimes, living up to your own legacy must be that hardest act of all.

One thing is for sure, just like the film, Michael is a fighter and will battle on. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn will be aware every time he looks at 'Schumi' that if he can produce the car, Michael can produce the drive.

Mind you, he'll have to go some way to beat the current drivers' championship leader. The last time a driver won the first two races and failed to take the title we were watching Back To The Future and listening to Bros, so history is on Sebastian Vettel's side, but I get the impression that the sport isn't.

What I mean by that is that these days the rate of development and evolution is so unrelenting and punishing that I'd be surprised if the lights at Brackley, Woking, Milton Keynes, Grove or Maranello are ever turned off.

The same incredible process of change also applies to each grand prix itself. Pirelli deserves a huge round of applause for giving us tyres that are delivering precisely what the sport wanted - drivers flying on one lap and driving like my Grandpa Bernard used to in his white Maxi on the next. The 24 gladiators may hate having a chariot that performs so differently during the space of 50-something laps but it makes it great for you at home.

I know with DRS, KERS, tyre degradation, Plan A and B along with all the other elements of a Grand Prix, at times it must seem like a Higher Maths A-Level lesson but I must say Martin Brundle and David Coulthard do a great job at making sense of the madness.

Lewis Hamilton

Some bad luck and his old adversary Fernando Alonso cost Hamilton in Malaysia (Getty)

Ooh, we've just been told 30 minutes to landing, as the season-long treadmill really gets into its stride. We'll be at the track before we know it and I think this is a good weekend to keep your eyes on the men straining every siney, making every move on and off track, and not resting for a moment in an attempt to ramp up the pressure on Seb.

Lewis Hamilton. I saw him after the last GP, a race where strategy, bad luck and his old pal Fernando created the perfect storm to wreck his race. He said 'that's racing' but he knows the facts tell us he was as quick in race-pace as Seb, and he'll take heart from that.

How about Mark Webber? If something is going wrong with one of the Red Bull RB7s it seems to go wrong for his. Two difficult GPs, a dodgy KERS system and four stops compared to just two made by Kamui Kobayashi in Malaysia. However, 12 months ago Seb had no luck and hardly any points. Mark, by contrast, has had two strong finishes - and points mean prizes.

And what of Fernando Alonso? I spent a week at the same holiday resort as him after the Australian race and we were laughing together as he went out day after day to play golf in the driving rain whilst I used the weather as an excuse to do a LOT of sleeping. A bit of rain? No problem for Fernando and that sums up his single-minded determination to achieve what he wants and it won't change this year. A car noticeably slower than McLaren and still managing to race Lewis on the track.

Two races in and I think that the competition at the front seems more aggressive and competitive than I've seen since I started this job. Another great reason to leap out of bed early on Friday morning, hey?

And finally, on that note, thanks to the millions who sacrificed a Sunday morning snooze for last weekend's race. The Malaysian GP enjoyed the highest viewing figures on record and the whole production team were delighted when we discussed it the morning after the race over a breakfast of roti bread and vegetable dhal. Great motivation for all!

Looking forward to sharing this Sunday morning with you too.

Jake

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/04/this_blog_entry_is_being.html

Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer

Thursday, April 28, 2011

1970 Dodge Challenger T/A - Revell's Streetburner

Hi fellow modelers!

This will be my first W.I.P here. I'm already working in this model for a few weeks, but only now I decided to take some pictures of it.

I'm talking about the Revell's 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. According to the kit's manual it has a 340 cu. in. small block V8 engine with three 2-barrel carbs.

After some google images research, I decided to paint it yellow, most preciselly the Model Master Yellow PY3, a spray lacquer. The can's instructions recommend that this paint "may be clear coated in 2 hours" after the paint application. But I have some questions:

1. Can I use the Testors Glosscoat # 1261 over this paint? This is the only one I have now.

2. Should I polish the paint before I apply the clearcoat? It seems that I have some orange peel on the paint, I don't know if you can notice on the pictures below.

3. And about the decals, when should I apply them? Before or after the clearcoat?

Thanks in advance,

Starr

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/948324.aspx

Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi

Formula One Goes High Definition

This week FOM, the Formula One Management company run by Bernie Ecclestone, has announced it will be providing native High Definition Formula One coverage for the very first time. �This heralds the entrance of the sport into the super clear broadcast territory. High Definition television has been available for some time now in the United [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/formula-one-goes-high-definition/

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg

More on the Team Lotus Caterham deal

The decision of the High Court in London on the question of the use of the name Team Lotus in Formula 1 is coming shortly, but Tony Fernandes and his business partner Kamarudin Meranun are not really bothered about the result. They seem to be fairly confident that they will be given the right to [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/more-on-the-team-lotus-caterham-deal/

Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello

Journalists shocked at Korea award


Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit © Getty Images
Two leading Formula One journalists have expressed their surprise at Korea being named the best grand prix promoter of the season at the FIA?s annual prize gala in Monaco last Friday. The Korean Grand Prix received the Race Promoters' Trophy despite the event taking place at an incomplete facility with few race fans in attendance and team members and media staying at disparagingly dubbed 'love hotels'. "Korea. Korea? KOREA??!! I must have been somewhere else," said Times correspondent Kevin Eason on Twitter. Daily Mirror journalist Byron Young added, "The Korean GP, complete with event and flight chaos, shoddy hotels and things I won't mention, won the race promotors? trophy. Why?"

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/12/journalists_shocked_at_korea_a.php

Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari

The races

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/03/the-races.html

Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Monte Carlo

PLZ HELP!!!!! i wanna build a monte carlo pro street but what drag car chassis will it fit on. i can scratch build the  road cage,but i need a chassis pan if anybody kknows which drag car chassis fits on that body plz let me know

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/955364.aspx

Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder Carlo Abate

BMW M5 Concept behind the scenes in Shanghai [video]

Special presentation ahead of the M5 Concept's Shanghai debut featured a few lucky invitees.

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/WIhMonOOMpw/bmw-m5-concept-behind-the-scenes-in-shanghai-video

Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari

Team order rule needs a re-think


Jean Todt arives for Wednesday's hearing © Getty Images
Formula One should look at abolishing the controversial ban on team orders after Ferrari escaped further punishment for their manipulation of the German Grand Prix result. That is the view of the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary, who is of the opinion that the team orders rule now needs to be seriously looked at because of its obvious shortcomings.
?Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari?s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule."
Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari?s slim chances in an enthralling championship.
?The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.?
The Daily Mail's Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.
"Although the race stewards fined them �65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport's rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders 'should be reviewed'."

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/team_order_rule_needs_a_rethin_1.php

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Seat will get its own Q3-based crossover

New Seat crossover/SUV, which was previewed by the IBX concept in Geneva, will be built at Seat plant in Spain alongside Audi Q3

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/Tsk0X4HHzb4/seat-will-get-its-own-q3-based-crossover

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Sauber C30 launch pictures (31st of January)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/F1InsightAFormula1Blog/~3/_KoeazpVhdM/sauber-c30-launch-pictures-31st-of.html

Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia

Best Babes in Formula One (F1) Grand Prix: Pictures, Photos

Women have always been one of the major attractions of Formula 1. The glamour that women bring to this motor sport is wilder than most of the things that you can imagine.

credit: jiazi
When you go to watch any In. These sexy women make the sport popular and far more interesting than any other sport that [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/JtNj8l_88d4/

Georges Berger

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cadillac planning a Rolls-Royce competitor?

Citing unnamed sources, Car and Driver is reporting the long-rumored Cadillac flagship will be launched in 2014.

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/h0GldgebpA8/cadillac-planning-a-rolls-royce-competitor

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso

Vettel?s title defence off to a successful start | 2011 F1 season

Sebastian Vettel could not have asked for much more from his championship title defence so far.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/pGMa7vZiVxQ/

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Franchitti looking to improve on solid start

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/27/1158927/franchitti-looking-to-improve.html

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

1967 chevelle pro stock

Here is my chevelle i built about 3 years back. its painted in hok cinnamon pearl. i posted it when i was finished with but thought i would repost it. great kit box stock except for the shabo tire decals and i used a stock bumper from another kit. all comments welcome..slusher

 


 

 


Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/954929.aspx

Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks

Opel Astra GTC


It was onlt a year ago that we saw the Opel GTC Paris Concept car, but the company is ready with the production version, the Astra GTC. This model will be offered in both 3- and 5-door versions and will make its world debut in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The funny part about a debut in September is that full details, including pricing, technology, equipment, and powertrains for the vehicle, will be revealed on June 7th, around the same time Opel will begin taking orders for the car.

As of right now, the only details we have are that the production GTC will feature a 3-door body with dramatic proportions, yet will be capable of carrying five adults. It will feature the very best of Opel’s latest technology, as well as unique chassis features. No details have been revealed about the engine, but the concept featured a 2.0 liter Turbo with direct injection fitted with Start/Stop technology and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Opel Astra GTC originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:30 EST.

read more



Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/opel/2012-opel-astra-gtc-ar108728.html

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

1971 Plymouth HEMI Cuda

Here's my 1971 HEMI Cuda. Painted Plum Crazy. This one is one of my early build. I've learned so much since then that I'm planning to build another and build it better then this one.

 

Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/954864.aspx

Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder Carlo Abate George Abecassis