Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/OO8aOZ-t2oI/insuring-high-speed-vehicle.html
Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Mercedes battle to match past glories
Red Bull have raised the bar in Formula 1 over the last two or three years, heaping pressure of one kind or another on all their major rivals.
McLaren's inability to produce a car that can consistently challenge Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel had a clear effect on Lewis Hamilton's equanimity last season, introducing new pressures into that team as the Englishman struggled to cope with his on-track disappointment and difficulties in his private life.
At Ferrari, a technical director has lost his job and his replacement has felt under pressure to take significant risks this year as F1's most famous team seeks to produce a car that can do justice to Fernando Alonso's abundant talents.
But nowhere, arguably, is the need to improve felt more greatly than at Mercedes, the team trying to make F1's "big three" into a quartet.
Mercedes are hoping their new W03 car for 2012 will herald a return to the front of the grid. Picture: Getty
The German giants enter 2012 seeking a huge step forward from a season of conspicuous under-performance. Lodged in no-man's land, some distance behind the top three and some way ahead of the rest, there was not a single podium finish for either Michael Schumacher or Nico Rosberg in 2011.
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes' vice-president of competition, Norbert Haug, describes that as "not good enough". For one of the world's greatest car companies, that is something of an understatement.
Mercedes' latest venture into F1 has only been running for two years - since the company bought the Brawn team at the end of 2009 after spending 17 years as an engine supplier first to Sauber and then to McLaren.
But the current management has a lot to live up to - the company's two previous forays into grand prix racing were considerably more successful.
In the mid-1930s, Mercedes and fellow German giants Auto Union (the forerunners of Audi) dominated with their famous Silver Arrows. And in 1954 and '55 Mercedes produced a level of domination with the great Juan Manuel Fangio that makes Red Bull's performances in recent years pale into insignificance.
Mercedes' relationship with McLaren had produced drivers' titles for Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and '99 and for Lewis Hamilton in 2008, as well as near-misses with Hakkinen in 2000, Kimi Raikkonen in 2003 and 2005 and Hamilton and Alonso in 2007.
But the decision to set up their own team was based as much on the realities of the road-car marketplace as any comparative lack of success on the track.
The poor results McLaren produced in 2009, starting the season with their worst car for 15 years, were an influence. So, too, was the relative lack of recognition for the Mercedes brand in any McLaren success on the track - inevitably the case for an engine supplier, even if it did own 40% of the team.
But when McLaren decided to launch its own supercar into a market Mercedes was also planning to enter with its SLS, such close links were no longer tenable.
In the autumn of 2009, buying the team that had just won the world championship, run by a man who masterminded all of Schumacher's world titles, must have seemed about as good a guarantee of success as you could get. Bringing Schumacher out of retirement, to rejoin the company that set him on the path to stardom and bring his career full circle, was supposed to be the icing on the cake.
Except that's not how it has worked out. The cars have been uncompetitive and Schumacher - consistently out-paced by Rosberg in qualifying over the last two years, although with improving race form in 2011 - is clearly a shadow of his former greatness.
So why have Mercedes not been able to compete at the top? The simple answer is that Brawn's world title with Jenson Button in 2009 rather disguised the reality.
That car was designed with Honda money, before the Japanese giant abruptly pulled out in December 2008. Team boss Ross Brawn had kept the company alive, but had to force through a painful 40% staff cut in 2009 to keep it going in more straitened circumstances.
The car's speed owed much to its controversial "double diffuser" - and by mid-season a lack of development caused by budgetary restrictions had seen first Red Bull and then other teams overtake them.
There is some truth, then, in Haug's consistent claims over the last two years that Mercedes are a small team that, as he put it this week, "need to learn and develop" to compete with Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.
As Mercedes' great rival BMW proved in 2009, major car companies in F1 tend to get itchy feet if they are not winning - it poses too big a risk to their global image if they are consistently seen to be beaten. In BMW's case, a strong season in 2008 was followed by a weak one in 2009 and, with the global economic crisis gripping, the board pulled the plug.
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There is no sign of such a move from Mercedes but the pressure to perform has been plain to see. The team have been on a major recruitment drive over the last year, the biggest indication of which was the hiring of two star designers - Aldo Costa, the technical director sacked by Ferrari, and Geoff Willis, formerly of Williams, Honda and Red Bull.
There are now four men who have been technical directors at other teams all trying to work together to make Mercedes winners - Bob Bell, the man who currently holds that title at the team and who was recruited from Renault, Costa, Willis and Brawn himself.
Brawn is adamant they have defined roles and will work well together. Others remain to be convinced about the wisdom of having so many big beasts in one pride.
What this technical "super-team" does, though, is emphasise just how important winning is to Mercedes - and consequently just how critical it is that the new W03 enables the team to make a marked stepped forward over 2011.
There is no doubting the ambition.
Mercedes are the only top team to have waited until the second pre-season test to run their new car. The idea was to give them more time to find more performance in the car at the design stage, but the move carries risks. If problems occur, there is less time to iron them out before the start of the season.
Haug has been at pains to emphasise that Mercedes' current position is understandable, and that they have the time and ability to improve.
But while the form of the new Mercedes will be watched with interest at Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari, you can be sure there will be some nervous faces in the boardroom in Stuttgart, too.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/02/pressure_mounts_on_mercedes.html
George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader
Alguersuari and di Grassi to test Pirelli tyres | 2012 F1 season
Alguersuari and di Grassi to test Pirelli tyres is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Pirelli have confirmed ex-Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari will be one of their test drivers in 2012, along with Lucas di Grassi.
Alguersuari and di Grassi to test Pirelli tyres is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/ChYg_7R0dKo/
Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams
Team order rule needs a re-think
 Jean Todt arives for Wednesday's hearing |
?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
Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball
French GP rumours
France’s Prime Minister Fran�ois Fillon will be visiting the Paul Ricard circuit shortly but this is not a sign of an announcement regarding a return for the French GP. Fillion says that he has received a draft contract from the Formula One group but negotiations are still taking place, while the Belgian GP (with which [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/french-gp-rumours/
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral
More qualifying frustration for Rosberg
For the second Saturday in a row Nico Rosberg has compromised his grid position with a scrappy lap in qualifying. Despite showing impressive speed at times over the weekend, the Mercedes driver will start only seventh in Malaysia ? and … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/03/24/more-qualifying-frustration-for-rosberg/
Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr
Who remembers the 1988 Australian Grand Prix?
We are not too far away from the 2012 Australian Grand Prix and everyone is rightly excited. You can check out the drivers that need to deliver in 2012 right here. However, we are going to be building up to Melbourne with a series of videos from races gone by. To begin with, do you [...]
Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Aston Martin
Xzibit does Skoda Yeti commercial - Pimp My Ride style [video]
Known for its outlandish "rags to riches" custom car conversions, Xzibit applies the Pimp My Ride approach to this Skoda commercial, capitalizing on all of the show's cliches.
Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati
Fernando Alonso: ?The goal was not to lose many points to the leaders?
Fernando Alonso turned the form book upside down with his brilliant victory in Malaysia ? but the Spaniard insists that it doesn?t change the fact that Ferrari is well off the pace in normal conditions this year. In a car … Continue reading 
Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball
Friday, March 30, 2012
Williams begin ?beginning of a rebuilding process?
If Ferrari fans thought that their team had perhaps not lived up its name last season then they should talk to fans of Williams. The team that dominated in the early 90?s winning multiple World Championships managed to score only five points last season. Five. It?s a sad fall from grace and one, that at [...]
Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem
Fisker Nina plug-in hybrid caught ahead of new York unveiling
The Nina will be smaller than the Karma and will reportedly act as its entry level model. It will use a powertrain that consists of an electric motor that works alongside a range extending BMW-sourced four-cylinder engine. 
Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza Mercedes Benz
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is back in action after short delays in production
 |
Problem solved! Just one week after the production of the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was put on hold, Chevrolet has announced that the hold has been lifted and the problem has been solved.
Initially, the Camaro ZL1 had to be recalled due to some potential issues that were not provided to the public. The company stopped the production and deliveries of the muscle car and even asked the one person who had taken delivery of their ride to bring it back. Chevy’s thought on the matter was that it was better to prevent than to heal, so they decided that all of the vehicle should go back to the production plant to have the problem solved. They were even able to do it under their timeline of a few weeks by only taking one week to resolve the issue. Way to go, Chevrolet!
MotorAuthority says they received an email from Chevrolet that stated that the customers had been informed that "their cars will arrive at dealerships within two to three weeks. For customers whose cars are still being built, production has resumed and estimated delivery times are being developed."
The other customers who had already placed their orders but whose cars had not been sent to production yet will have to wait another two weeks before Chevrolet determines the remaining ZL1 models’ allocation and timing.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is back in action after short delays in production originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 30 March 2012 12:00 EST.
Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick
Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong
Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/button-steps-up-pre-season-training-with-lance-armstrong/
Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Bentley Supersports Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi
WSBK: Smrz Claims Imola Provisional Pole
Jakub Smrz threw down a fast lap late to claim provisional pole by just 0.030 seconds and prevent a Kawasaki 1-2 on Friday at Imola.
Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-smrz-claims-imola-provisional-pole/
Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi
Stories
Dear God, does there have to be a conspiracy theory about everything? I have seen suggestions today that Sauber deliberately DIDN’T win in Malaysia. To my mind, that is absurd. A young driver drove his heart out and made a mistake when he pushed too hard. The team not only wanted to win, but it [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/stories/
Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Lamborghini
SX: The Burning Q - Biggest Surprise?
While a number of Supercross' biggest stars have been sidelined due to injury, another group has stepped forward to fill the void.
Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/sx-the-burning-q-biggest-surprise/
Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Lamborghini Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown
49 Mercury
Whats up guys well this one didn't go as planned. Initially I was never going to lower the back end but thanks to losing some parts and fit issues this was born!!! Hope you guys like it!!!
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/1009592.aspx
Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati
Top Gear Redneck Tour - Cadillac
In this Top Gear, the boys head to Florida to find out if you can buy a car cheaper than renting. They must battle their way across the southern states of the USA, facing rednecks, murderers and finding their own roadkill meals.
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May's Cadillac
This model i built many years ago and i was never happy with it.
It was easy to strip it down, and it took nearly a week in the brake fluid (BF) to remove the paint. it didn't fit in my normal BF container, so i cut the side out of a large plastic bottle to use. Even then it wasn't really clean, but enough to sand off for repainting.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/1009118.aspx
Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza Mercedes Benz John Barber Skip Barber
Adam Parr resigns from Williams
Williams boss Adam Parr has tended his resignation and will leave the company on March 30. The team says that Nick Rose, already a Non-Executive Director of WGPH, has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman. No explanation has been given other than … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/03/26/adam-parr-resigns-from-williams/
Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison
Thursday, March 29, 2012
On Force India
I know that some people who read this blog and do not much care about the world beyond the F1 paddock think that I have it in for Vijay Mallya. This is not the case at all. The problem is that Mallya is the owner of one of the Formula 1 teams and his money [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/on-force-india/
Source Photo Tip and Screenshot Tutorial
I'm sure someone else has discovered this, but I've never seen it mentioned. I only thought of it the other day when I was looking for source photos for my 1981 Camaro Z28 I'm making for my father in law. If you search youtube for the exact make, model, and year you're looking for some great results can be had.
The best videos to look for are the ones people put up to sell their cars. They usually do a full walk around of the exterior and then some video of the interior. Some also show good shots of the engine bay. The plus side with a video is you can wait for them to get the angle you want (or as close as possible) and then pause it.
If you're searching for a popular subject (i.e. a '55 Chevy) then you can narrow the search with words like 'stock', 'hot rod', 'engine bay', and I usually throw in 'for sale' to try and get the walk around videos. Words like 'mint' and 'stock' also help.
If you're looking to save the image to your computer the best way (for me at least) is to take a screen shot of the entire screen. This basically means you take a photo of everything you see on the screen including your task bar and browser window. One of the benefits of this is that you have a photo of the url for the video as well as what point in the video your screenshot is from. Here's an example of one I'm using to change the hood from the '79 to '81 Camaro.
There are two simple ways to take a screenshot. The first is by pressing the 'Prt Sc' button at the top of your keyboard. This will take a screenshot and post it to your clipboard. This is just like using the 'copy' function. This image won't be saved to your computer. In order for that to happen you will need to 'paste' the screenshot somewhere. You could paste is in Paint, Word, or any imaging program like Photoshop or Paint.NET (which is free by the way). Then you can save the file that you pasted the screenshot into in your folder for your project photos.
Unfortunately this can be quite a tedious process, especially if you want a lot of source photos. My preferred method is a program called ScreenHunter Free. This is the free version of a great screen capture program. With this you can assign a key combination to take the screenshot. For instance mine is Ctrl+Shift+J since that combo is not assigned to anything in windows, and my name starts with J 
Here's the link for ScreenHunter Free 6.0:
http://wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm
I'm sure for some of you this is all old hat, but I thought those who are not as computer literate could benefit from the tip. It also took me a few years to think of youtube as a great place for source photos, so someone else must be in the dark as well!
If anyone has any questions about any of this just let me know and I will answer to the best of my ability.
Jeremy
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/1009184.aspx
Bentley Supersports Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot
2013 Chevrolet Traverse facelift revealed
Chevrolet has unveiled the 2013 Traverse, ahead of its debut at the New York Auto Show. It features revised styling and an upgraded interior. 
Peter Arundell Lamborghini Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 ready for action [video]
After logging more than 35,000 miles in prototypes, McLaren has announced their MP4-12C GT3 is ready celebrate its racing debut at the VLN and ADAC GT Masters championships on March 31st. 
Ferrari Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler
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