Category: Motorsports

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Formula 1 News

BBC TV announces 2009 F1 commentary team

BBC TV 2009 F1 commentary team

The BBC’s five-year deal to broadcast F1—which includes rights to TV, radio, internet and mobile (2009-2013 inclusive)—starts with next year’s Australian Grand Prix. Heading the broadcast team will be Jake Humphrey (pictured above left). Race commentary will come from Jonathan Legard, with Martin Brundle continuing his expert comments role. Joining Humphrey to chew the fat before and after each race will be David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan.

Pit lane commentary will be provided by Ted Kravitz (former ITV) and Lee McKenzie.

Murray Walker is back too, although in a special internet only role. He will provide regular observations on BBC’s website

Looks like a good lineup, made all the better by the simple fact that there is no f**king James Allen! F1 fans the world over will be delighted with that news. However, AUSmotive insiders inform us that Eddie Jordan could be just as excitable about the exploits of young Lewis. Let’s hope not.

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MINI Challenge

2008 MINI Challenge – Round 7 Preview

Australian MINI Challenge - Jason Akermanis & Stuart Appleby

Round 7 of the inaugural Australian MINI CHALLENGE series takes place in Tasmania this weekend at Symmons Plains, south of Launceston. The UBER-STAR CARS will be filled by Western Bulldogs AFL star, and 2001 Brownlow Medallist, Jason Akermanis and eight time PGA Tour event winner Stuart Appleby.

Akermanis will be making his motor racing debut and knows he faces a huge challenge, “I’m excited about the opportunity, for sure,” he said. “In many respects, lining up on the grid is totally different to being on the MCG in front of 90,000 screaming fans, but there are similarities between racing and AFL, too.

“Both sports are about passion and dedication. I don’t think anyone has ever questioned the passion that I bring to anything that I’ve done in the past and I’m approaching this exactly the same.”

Stuart Appleby, however, has embraced his need for speed through competing in Targa Tasmania the last few years and building an enviable garage full of exotica (including the world’s only BMW M5 ute), but climbing aboard the MINI Challenge UBER-STAR CAR is an altogether different proposition. “I have fond memories of competing in Tasmania through the Targa event, so to return with MINI Challenge is going to be an absolute thrill!” Appleby enthused.

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Honda Motorsports News

Honda wants to try Schu on the other foot

Michael SchumacherHonda have reportedly offered seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher a factory backed seat in the 2009 World Superbike Championship. Schumacher has been riding a Honda in the German IDM Superbike series and, according to comments by Honda Racing’s Carlo Fiorani, if Schu wants the SBK gig, it is his for the taking. Quoted in Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorani said, “For the moment he has not asked us to race in the 2009 world championship. But if he wants to, there is a way for him (to do it). All he has to do is ask us.”

Currently, John Surtees is the only man to win both a Formula 1 and motorcycle world championship.

Source: autosport via autoblog

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Motorsports

Ireland’s North West 200

Anyone who knows what the North West 200 is will know the event was held in mid-May this year, however, I just caught a few minutes of highlights on FoxSports 2 here in Australia. I don’t know a hell of a lot about the race, but I recall seeing some highlights last year as well, and I recall how spectacular this event is. For those that don’t know about the North West 200, it is, essentially, madness on two wheels.

Think balls of steel, handlebar to handlebar action, on closed public roads. The North West 200 was first held in 1929. The current course is 9 miles in length and is run on a triangle shaped course linking the villages of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.

Enjoy the clip above, which is a full lap of the circuit, filmed from an on-board camera. If you enjoy that, check out the BBC Northern Island’s NW200 website, it has some excellent information and lots of video footage to be amazed by.

Of course, racing of this nature has inherent dangers and the 2008 event will be remembered for the death of Robert Dunlop. From all accounts, he was a great bloke, and a bloody good rider, who had achieved plenty of success in the NW 200.

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Motorsports Toyota

Neal Bates and Coral Taylor end 13 year drought

Neal Bates & Coral Taylor - 2008 Australian Rally Champions

Australian rally stalwarts Neal Bates and Coral Taylor won their fourth national title by claiming the 2008 Australian Rally Championship over the weekend. Confirmation of their title came after some cautious driving in difficult conditions during the Coffs Coast Rally. Bates and Taylor guided their Team TRD Corolla to eighth position in Saturday’s Heat 1 , and in doing so secured enough points to win the title with a day to spare.

The win ends a 13 year drought for the long time rally partnership. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Bates said. “It has been 13 years between championships and overall it was a very tense day as we were listening out for every noise and squeak, but the S2000 Corolla has been faultless all year and it was again today.

“Probably 80 per cent of the work in rallying is done before you get to an event so it is a big thanks to our incredibly smart bunch of guys in Canberra that have made this championship happen.”

Coral Taylor was both relieved and satisfied with their fourth Australian Rally Championship. “It is pretty amazing,” Taylor said. “I am not really sure where the last 13 years has gone since our last title but it is wonderful to win it again.”

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz News

Lewis Hamilton wins dramatic title decider

Lewis Hamilton - 2008 F1 World Champion

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ll have heard that Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula 1 World Champion yesterday in the most dramatic of circumstances. Needing to finish the race in the top five to fend off the points challenge from a dominant weekend by race winner, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, Hamilton watched his title lead slip by when Sebastien Vettel relegated the Briton to sixth place with an overtaking move on the second last lap. This moment of high drama was only to be eclipsed by Timo Glock’s struggles in his Toyota on the last lap, which enabled both Vettel and Hamilton to pass and, crucially, slip Hamilton back into fifth position with just two corners remaining. And with that Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 World Championship by the narrow margin of 5.4 seconds, the gap between himself and Glock back in sixth.

At the age of 23 years, 10 months and 26 days, Hamilton is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. He is McLaren’s 12th drivers’ world title, the first since Mika Häkkinen’s back to back titles in 1998 and 1999.

Speaking after the race Hamilton was quick to acknowledge those who have assisted him throughout his career, “The most dramatic race of my whole life. It’s pretty much impossible to put this into words: I’m still speechless. It’s been such a long journey, but I’ve always had the support of my family, the team, our partners and the fans. We did a fantastic job throughout the whole year and, with all the sacrifices we made, I’m so thrilled to be able to win this for everyone.”

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Formula 1

Who will be 2008 F1 world champion?

This weekend marks the last race in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar. Can Lewis Hamilton (94pts) maintain his seven point lead and claim his first World Championship? Or will Felipe Massa (87pts), in front of his home crowd in Brazil, snatch glory for Ferrari again, just as Raikonnen did in 2007? A win for Massa will take his season points tally to 97. So, can Hamilton finish in fifth place or better and earn the four points he needs to secure the title? Will McLaren play it safe and try to guide Lewis to a reliable points finish. Or will Hamilton, a racer at heart, chase the ultimate success, victory in the last race to claim the championship? So many questions, but only one answer will matter. It’s a shame that we have to wait until 4am Monday (AEDST) to find out!

David Coulthard will start his 246th and final Grand Prix on Sunday, so it is fitting that he talks us through a lap of the Interlagos circuit (graphic sourced from Telegraph.co.uk).

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Holden Motorsports News

Mark Skaife announces retirement

Mark Skaife

Mark Skaife took centre stage today as he announced his retirement from full time V8 Supercar racing. His decision will take effect at the completion of the 2008 season, with the Oran Park round (4-7 December) being his last. Skaife claimed he no longer has the passion required for full-time racing, due in part to the demands of his ownership/management role with the Holden Racing Team.

At his press conference today Skaife said he regretted not being able to make it to Formula 1, but once it was clear that pathway would not be possible, he promised himself to make the most of the opportunities presented to him in Australia. With five Bathurst wins and five Australian Touring Car Championships, it is fair to say that Skaife made good on his promise.

General Motors’ statement on Skaife’s retirement can be read below. Other coverage can also be found at the V8 Supercars website here and here.

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MINI Challenge News

MINI CHALLENGE update on Darren Berry

MINI Challenge logo
Media statement – October 12, 2008

UPDATE ON DARREN BERRY’S CONDITION

MINI CHALLENGE driver, Darren Berry, underwent surgery on his broken ankle at Orange Base Hospital this afternoon.

Following on from yesterday’s incident coming down the Mount Panorama course, Berry has spent the night in Orange Hospital.

He is expected to return to his home in Brisbane later this week to continue his recuperation.

Aside from the broken ankle and some stiffness associated with the accident, Berry has shown no other effects of the crash and is in good spirits.

National Manager, MINI – Justin Hocevar – has paid tribute to the safety of the MINI CHALLENGE racecar.

“It’s fantastic news that Darren is progressing so well,” he said. “It was a huge incident, however the fact that Darren has not suffered any more serious injury is testament to the safety built into these MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racecars.

“It also goes to show the implementation of safety precautions such as the Head and Neck Support (HANS) Device by MINI CHALLENGE goes a long way towards keeping our drivers safe in such an incident.

“Everyone involved with MINI CHALLENGE hopes to see Darren back at the racetrack very soon.”

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MINI Challenge

2008 MINI CHALLENGE – Round 6 wrap up

MINI CHALLENGE crash at Bathurst

Hard to go past the most spectacular imagery from this round, Ryan McLeod and Darren Berry’s accident. The incident has been covered here (including a MINI CHALLENGE press statement on Darren’s condition). The good news is, despite the horrific looking wreckage above, Darren Berry’s injuries will not be long term.

Back to the racing and it was the familiar story of Jason Bargwanna at the head of the field. His domination since joining the field full time seems to know no boundaries, even dual British Touring Car champion Matt Neal couldn’t match Bargs—who started from pole, scorching around the Mount Panorama circuit in 2:31.1762, some 1.25 seconds faster than Neal. The Brit grabbed his second place in the dying seconds of qualifying snatching a front row position from the other Team Bargwanna entry of Scott Bargwanna.

Jason Bargwanna felt his V8 Supercar experience at the track gave him an edge, “I came down the mountain at the end of the session and saw the 97 and 79 one and two on the scoring board, which was a very exciting thing to see! Although Matt pipped Scotty, it’s still a great result for us. Personally, the extra 50kg (success ballast) that I’m carrying definitely makes a difference under acceleration. I think the miles I’ve done around this place may have contributed to the result!”

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MINI Challenge

MINI CHALLENGE race cut short at Bathurst

The Australian MINI CHALLENGE had a great position in the television broadcast today. Race 3, the final race for Round 6, was to be beamed live into Australia’s lounge rooms as the last event before the Top 10 Shootout for the V8 Supercars. The first two races, both won by Jason Bargwanna, were tight and exciting, and after a few ups and downs for the series management this year the MINI CHALLENGE would really benefit from a full grid and a national live telecast.

All was going well until a brutal accident on the first lap involving Darren Berry and Ryan McLeod. The crash happened towards the back of the field, on the downhill run, between the Dipper and Forest Elbow. McLeod’s MINI tagged the back of Berry’s Clipper Motor Yachts MINI and forced him head on into the wall. McLeod also slammed into the concrete, before parking on the in field just after Forest Elbow. The Safety Car was sent out, but race organisers stopped the race and declared it a no result. No points will be awarded.

The impact of Berry’s MINI into the wall was shocking. A statement from MINI CHALLENGE (shown below) reveals that Berry suffered a broken ankle and was complaining of back pain. He has been transferred to Orange Hospital where we hope he makes a quick start to a full recovery.

Berry’s accident comes on the back of Grant Denyer’s absence from the series after his incident at the NSW Monster Truck Championships last month.

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Formula 1

2009 Formula 1 calendar – Canada cruelly cut

2009 Formula 1 calendar

The FIA have confirmed their calendar for the 2009 season, with a few notable revisions from the provisional list revealed in June. The biggest shock is the loss of the Canadian Grand Prix. Not only was the news unexpected, the organisers themselves were not informed prior to the FIA’s announcement and only found out their fate through regular media channels. Montreal has hosted a Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve every year since 1987. In 2006 Canadian GP organisers announced they had secured the race’s future until 2011. Expect to hear a bit more about this one.

Other changes see the swapping of dates for the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix. The Turkish GP moves to 7 June, filling the gap left by Canada’s demise. There is now a four week summer break between rounds 10 and 11.

Source: Formula1.com and F1-Live