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  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Toyota Lets You Buy an F1 Car - Or a Piece of One

    Just $7,000 for this conversation piece:

    image

    Auto art is cool - I paid $10 for this '49 Jeep truck grill that hangs over my garage door:

    image
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Time ago it was published that an eccentric millionaire had bought one of the firstly-released Ferrari F40 (a total of 1315 items at US$ 400,000 each were produced along 1987-1992)… to left it as a sculpture master piece laying in their Manhattan apartment. :sick:

    Regards,
    Jose
  • turntenturnten Member Posts: 21
    Saw that the other day. They have other parts for cheap(er). Temping to get a real F1 magnesium wheel for $280 US.
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Swords are high between FIA (Max Mosley) and FOTA (teams), with FOM (Bernie Ecclestone) as an interested witness.

    Only two teams have conditionally signed to participate in next year F1 FIA championship. The remaining teams are talking to each other in order to organize their own segregated championship. A number of circuits (Monaco, Indianapolis, Silverstone, Mugello, Magny Cours) and pilots (inclusive of Massa and Alonso) have declared they will be in FOTA championship if it is eventually organized. Teams say they want to be out of the so called "British (Bernie Ecclestone but specially Max Mosley) dictatorship".

    Recent news: Pilots have had a meeting this morning and the conclusion in Marc Gené (Ferrari 3rd. pilot) words was "we wish an agreement between FIA and FOTA, but if there is not such, we will look forward for the FOTA championship; we support teams in this crossroad." Next week may be the end of the culebrón.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    24 Hours du Mans finished this year with a Peugeot instead of an Audi winner:

    #9 Peugeot 908 Hdi / Marc Gené

    Marc Gené (Spain) is currently 3rd. pilot of F1 Ferrari racing team. #9 two other pilots were D. Brabham (GB) and A Wurz (Austria).

    Corvette Racing (USA; J. O'Connell (USA); J. Magnussen (DNK); A. García (SPA)) was first in LMGT1 class (15th altogether).

    Corvette team
    Official timing-general

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Everyone knows it as Le Mans here.

    Nice photo of the Corvette in the Straightline story:

    image
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Unfortunately, the FOTA representatives announced that they had no mandate to discuss the FIA's 2010 financial regulations. Indeed, they were not prepared to discuss regulation at all," today's statement read.

    The FIA condemned FOTA's financial proposals, stating: "It became clear that these would not be capable of limiting the expenditure of a team which had the resources to outspend its competitors."

    FIA Standing Its Ground in Spending-Cap Fight (Inside Line)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    IMO, FIA-Ian Moxley is throwing the ball out of the field.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • turntenturnten Member Posts: 21
    That is a great shot. Good for Peugeot, they deserved it. Like Audi, but they have worked very hard for this and did through quite a few cars at it. Great race by team Risi Ferrari as well.
  • turntenturnten Member Posts: 21
    Hopefully this doesn't lead to two mirrored series like CART and Indy. Would really ruin it. They better get their act together and come toe a compromise.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    According to BBC Sports the FOTA Teams are going to secede and run their own series.

    If the major teams stick together there isn't much Ecclestone and Moseley can do about it, there's no substitutes for Ferrari, Renault, Brawn , McLaren, BMW-Sauber, Toyota and Red Bull/Toro Rosso.

    BBC says the FIA had set a 19 June deadline for five teams - Brawn, BMW-Sauber, McLaren, Renault and Toyota - to convert their provisional entries into unconditional ones or risk being excluded..

    I just saw Bernie Ecclestone on BBC News (via BBC America and he said "Talk to Max." If that's really his attitude there will be a split and that's probably a good thing. They say you should be careful what you wish for but the present regime has killed popular races at Indy, Spa, Montreal and even Silverstone (F1's birthplace) in favor of poorly attended races in places like Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and Istanbul.

    IMO they don't know what they are doing. It's absurd to have no F1 races in North America, still the biggest auto market in the world.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Max Moxley may have pulled the rope too much this time. He is about to throw not only the ball but the players out of the field. And this time even the magic referee (Ecclestone) could be not able to balance the row. Lately, Ecclestone himself has envisaged F1 more as showbussines rather than sport. Looking more for 'new' money and exotic places, as you mentioned.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    And this time even the magic referee (Ecclestone) could be not able to balance the row.

    I was really taken aback by Bernie's remark to the BBC Reporter this AM. Instead of just saying "no comment". He said "Ask Max". Bernie's greed mechanism must be atrophying with age. If the makers and all the top flight drivers walk he loses control of the sport and a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

    Am I the only one who thinks Ecclestone is a ringer for Mongomery Burns of The Simpsons?

    Bernie>image

    Burns>image

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    LOL!

    I cannot help but posting this:

    I fully appreciate that this is a Formula One blog but it is also about motorsport and this footage from the Circuit de Catalunya last weekend is some of the best motorsport I've ever seen. Ed Gorman, London Times.

    MotoGP World Championship; Barcelona Racing; Valentino Rossi (ITA) vs. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA)

    Enjoy the Italian atmosphere. And, you may look as well at Jorge Lorenzo putting the Barça Flag on his back at the end of the race. ;)

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Formula One Teams Association Announces New Series of Its Own

    image
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Specialized journalists commenting on Saturday practice of Silverstone Grand Prix said that rumor in the padlock is FOTA strongly awaits Max Moxley will be forced to give up his FIA leader position in a top FIA meeting which will be held next Thursday. Ecclestone should also share F1 management power with FOTA to prevent FOTA launching of its own Racing Series.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Mosley didn't help his case any by referring to FOTA's leaders as "loonies."

    The brinkmanship continues:

    Schism Is Real, Says Formula 1 Teams Association, Affirming Plan to Start New Series
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    I have to believe that ultimately Ecclestone will cave and help the FOTA guys get rid of Mad Max.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Mosley (69 year-old) is said to be very stubborn indeed but now is ropedancing. Ecclestone (79 y-o) is trying to save his incredible income :sick: . Half of the benefits Eccs gets from track owners and other sponsors of F1 as a group is for himself; the other half for FOTA. I believe FOTA is eventually fighting the big battle to get full control of their business.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Follow the money. :)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    FOTA and FIA have reached an agreement.

    FOTA won't push forward any alternative championship. Max Mosley won't be next FIA president. 2010 F1 Championship will be run under the same rules than current 2009 Championship, though there will be some sort of cup for teams costs next year.

    Regards,
    Jose :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Rats, I'm sort of sad to see this soap opera end. Guess I'll have to go back to the culebrones of General Hospital.

    Edmunds calls it a win for FOTA.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Edmunds calls it a win for FOTA

    Gee, ya think? :P

    Don't worry Steve, it's always a soap opera in F1. The next battle will be over venues since the makers don't like having to go to peripheral markets like Dubai and Turkey while F1 gives the short end to North America and Britain.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    it's always a soap opera in F1.

    Yeah, I believe it has become as intrinsic to F1 as high-rev. engine noise and petrol/rubber scent are. ;) I believe too that FOTA will push Eccs back to visit again North America.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Speaking of Ecclestone, you have to wonder if the makers, now realizing their clout as a unified whole, aren't thinking about how to show Bernie the exit. They have to be as sick of his capricious decisions about venues etc. as we are.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    In agreement to my :blush: honest, pure, monetarily uninterested opinion, the makers, now realizing their clout as a unified whole, should think about how to show Bernie the exit. ;)

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Tony George will no longer serve as president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his family's biz. This follows last month's report that George had been ousted from his position at an annual meeting, which his family wholeheartedly denied."

    Tony George Ousted From IMS CEO (Straightline)

    It doesn't overshadow this story though:

    NASCAR Confirms Jeremy Mayfield Tested Positive for Meth
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Jordi Gené (WTCC driver and brother of the current 24 Hours of le Mans winner Marc Gené) taking his grand ma for a ride

    jordi-gene-espabila-a-su-abuela

    and Ricardo Patrese (ex F1 driver with six GP won between 1982 and 1992) doing the same to his wife

    Ricardo Patrese and wife in Jerez Circuit

    Regards,
    Jose
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    FOTA walks out on FIA..

    This could go on for quite a while.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Heh, that didn't last long - two weeks of a seemingly copacetic relationship.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "General Motors filed papers last Tuesday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan canceling 30 of its sports sponsorship contracts, which include four team agreements it has with the National Hot Rod Association.

    In addition to ending its NHRA involvement, GM also terminated sponsorship agreements with the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Newman Motorsports, the Oakland Raiders and five-time British Open champion Tom Watson."

    GM Scuttles NHRA Contracts (Inside Line)

    image
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Shades of the infamous GM Racing Ban of the 1950s and 60s out of which somehow emerged Corvette Gran Sports, Chapparal Chevys and the mighty McLaren M8-Chevy

    Some Ban!

    image

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Mayfield refuted his stepmother's claims with this response: "She's basically a whore. She shot and killed my dad. For her to come out and do this is pretty ballsy. Everybody that's ever known me knows I never, ever have been around her for more than 10 hours of my life." Mayfield's father reportedly died in 2007 due to a self-inflicted gun wound, and Jeremy is currently looking to serve his stepmother with a wrongful death suit."

    More Drama: Last Mayfield Employee Resigns (Straightline)

    It all makes you believe that NASCAR really does stands for "Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks."
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Gosh, in my ignorance I thought F1 was the prime time soap opera around the world :surprise: Admittedly I am too European-centered :blush: :P

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    "Hyundai Steals The Show - Rhys Millen, competing in the 2WD Time Attack Class in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, wasn't exactly a dark horse but he definitely surpassed expectations.

    Tajima Quickest But The Hill Still Won - A purpose-built car with a Suzuki sticker on the side doesn't have much relevance to the real world of cars, but that's what makes Pike Peak so unique

    After 2010, the whole road will be paved, and a chapter of Pikes Peak will be closed forever. Expect to see many more formula-style cars and guys in Ferraris once the gravel is gone. The 10s will fall, and the asterisks will rise."

    Hyundai Shines, Ford Falters And The Hill Is Still King--Pikes Peak Reflections (Straightline)

    Fiesta "crash" video here - Ford Fiesta Rallycross Crash at Pikes Peak

    image

    (Don't overlook the guy behind the hay bale).
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    link

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Belgian GP's Spa-Francorchamps Circuit License Suspended Until 2026 (Straightline)

    image
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Oh carp, they can't shut down Spa until I've been to see the Belgian GP!

    Oh well at least Silverstone and Montreal will be around for a while.

    Bring the USGP back to The Glen, where it belongs!

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Belgian GP's Spa-Francorchamps Circuit License Suspended Until 2026

    Too bad. Spa-Francorchamps Circuit is one, if not the, most funny circuits to watch a race. And, according to many pilots, to drive on. It is plenty of quick corners and step hills like those that can be appreciated in the picture! A real up-down, right-left track, not a plain one like most are.

    Spa claims it has worked with residents to manage noise from the track since the 2007 complaint and is expected to challenge the ruling. For its part, the residents' group says it never wanted the racetrack to close down -- just a reduction in noise levels.

    Hopefully Spa-Francorchamps Circuit may come back to racing in the next future.

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Ok, here's the fix.

    Electric motors and tire tech that doesn't hum on the tarmac.

    The high "silent" frequencies of the tires would set every dog within 25 miles to howling though. :shades:
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    And then street vendors could do busy business selling cans of largely missed freshly polluted air and 16,000-rev-sound horns. Never ending technology would have get not only human but also dog over excitement!!!

    Regards,
    Jose
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, you aren't far off.

    Check out my post about the "sound racer" gizmo from the other day:

    steve_, "Auto Parts Bargains and Coupons" #341, 19 Sep 2009 11:25 pm

    Formula One comes to you now. :)
  • slippinapexslippinapex Member Posts: 1
    The time has come. Currently I have a 94 miata almost fully spec'ed out. I don't run in the SM series but do autocross and track days. Less now due to life changes (read on). The miata is also my commute car once or twice a week, just to keep it running, and when the wife is using the V40. So, now we have a new baby, and daycare schaeuffering needs may require a change. So do I, with costs in mind, keep the miata for motorsports/driving events, and buy a used small car like an aveo, then try fitting all three cars in the garage? Or do I sell the miata, and try to find a reasonable baby seat capable car that will also meet my needs for a sporty car? Please don't ask me to buy a camry. It will send me to paternal postpartum depression.

    Suggestions?
    Much appreciated.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Keep the Miata as a spare toy.

    You can store it at my house if you run out of room with all the Big Wheels and bassinets stashed in your garage. :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Grandson of NASCAR Founder Arrested for DUI, Cocaine Possession (Straightline)

    Anyone got any racing stories that aren't about doom and gloom or infighting?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    A Video Tour of the World's Greatest Racetracks (Straightline)

    image
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    But a cool pic.

    Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi Nearing Completion

    image (Straightline)
  • jlbljlbl Member Posts: 1,333
    Have you seen Toyota President Mr. Akio Toyoda crying while announcing Toyota's quitting F1 because of Toyota bad economy results this year?

    Sad

    Regards,
    Jose

    Edit: And, Suzuki and Subaru quit the World Rally Championship.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I didn't see the tears, but I saw 7 years, no wins.

    steve_, "Formula 1" #3, 3 Nov 2009 10:04 pm
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    He's probably crying because they pissed away a few billion for nought. Toyota's departure means not one Asian maker left in Grand Pric racing yet a significant portion of races are held in Asia.

    Something wrong with that picture? I for one think F1 needs to focus more on Europe, North and South America, less on marginal markets in Asia

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

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