Category: News

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News

I’m back, what next?

Adenauer Forst, Nurburgring

I’m back from my overseas holiday. It was an awesome month away which saw me visit the homes of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in Stuttgart, Audi in Ingolstadt, BMW in Munich and Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. And, of course, there was that sub-8 minute lap of the Nürburgring, plus the extra 10 laps I drove myself.

You don’t need me to tell you, it was an amazing experience, but it was! It was also a welcome rest from daily AUSmotive duties.

I often find myself in a quandary with the site; not knowing if it’s still providing value to the readers out there; not knowing if it should be bigger with more contributors; not knowing if I should just close it down and make better use of the extra time; not knowing if I should change the site’s focus—should it just be motorsport, should it just be reviews, should it just be news, should it just be something else?

One thing I’ve always wanted to see here is more comments from the readership. It’s a balance, of course, as a sole contributor I don’t want so many comments that it becomes tiresome to manage, but I would love to see more interaction on here as it gives a much better boost to my motivation than numbers on stats page.

Anyway, in the short term I guess I’ll slowly get back into the routine of things. And I will write updates about my travels. But here’s your chance to tell me what you like about AUSmotive, what you don’t like and what you might like to see in the future. Or perhaps you just don’t care. Either way, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below this post or by email.

Cheers
Liam

Categories
News Top Gear

BBC sacks Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson to be sacked by BBC

According to media reports the BBC is ready to sack leading Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. Two weeks after Clarkson was suspended and subject to an internal investigation the BBC has been able to confirm claims the outgoing host did assault a colleague.

It is believed the BBC investigation found that Clarkson verbally abused long-term Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon for 20 minutes before the “fracas” ended with a short 30 second physical assault from Clarkson.

The dispute reportedly began after a day of filming in North Yorkshire when Clarkson was unable to be given the hot meal he wanted—steak and chips—because the hotel they were staying in had stopped cooking for the night.

Around 12 months ago Clarkson was issued a “final warning” by the BBC after he was found to have used the racially offensive term “nigger” on camera. The footage was never broadcast by the BBC, but was discovered and published by British newspaper The Mirror.

Clarkson’s departure won’t officially mean the end for Top Gear with the BBC set to search for a replacement to join Richard Hammond and James May. Assuming, of course, Hammond and May choose to remain with the program.

Please god, don’t let it be British radio icon Chris Evans. He’s a bigger dickhead than Clarkson could ever be!

Lord Hall, Director General of the BBC, is expected to make an official announcement on Clarkson’s future later today.

There’s interesting times ahead for Top Gear and its fans. We’ll be watching the ongoing developments with keen interest.

[Source: The Telegraph]

UPDATE: It’s official, the BBC has sacked Jeremy Clarkson [read more].

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Motorsports News

Adriana ponders Pirelli buyout

Because Adriana Lima

Adriana Lima woke in a sweat this morning with news that Chinese company ChemChina is about to launch a €7.1b deal which will give it a controlling stake in the Italian tyre giant Pirelli.

The deal, agreed to by Pirelli shareholders on the weekend, involves a complicated series of moves that will see ChemChina buyout current investors in order to gain the majority control it seeks. ChemChina’s ultimate goal is to make Pirelli, the world’s fifth-largest tyre maker, a privately owned company.

Pirelli has said there will be no impact on jobs. Although, current chairman and CEO Tronchetti Provera will relinquish his chairman’s position but will stay on as chief executive. ChemChina is expected select a new chairperson.

And what does Adriana Lima really think about seeing the 143-year-old Italian icon slip into foreign ownership?

Oh, we lost you after, “Adriana Lima woke in a sweat…” Yeah, that’s fair enough.

[Source: Reuters | Pic: Pirelli]

Categories
Formula 1 News

No hope for 2015 German Grand Prix

2014 German Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg’s hopes of defending his German Grand Prix title in 2015 appear dashed after the Hockenheim boss ruled out his venue for hosting duties.

Under the usual alternating agreement with the Nürburgring the German Grand Prix was due to be held there in 2015. However, the Ring’s financial woes meant it was not able to host the race and a new deal was expected so that Hockenheim could step in.

However, Georg Seiler, Hockenheim boss says there’s no time left to finalise a deal for the race due to be held on 19 July.

“We have no more hope that the Formula 1 takes place here. We have done everything in the last few years everything to make the fans happy,” Seiler was told German newspaper Bild.

“The time has expired, to organise a race here. Otherwise, the quality of the event would have suffered. We had said we were willing host the race of the Nürburgring—something we had no contractual obligation to do.

“There were discussions with third parties on an assumption of risk, but those were not successful.”

Bernie Ecclestone spoke about the matter before the Australian Grand Prix and told The Independent: “The German Grand Prix is dead at the moment. It won’t get replaced if it doesn’t happen. As with any race, if it is cancelled it is cancelled. There’s not much we can do.”

There is a lot to like about Formula 1, but at the moment, the failure of the German race is another in a long list of things not to like about the world’s premier motorsport category.

Oh well, on the positive side, that’s one less race that Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso have to get through with their three remaining power units for the year.

[Source: Sky Sports F1]

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Formula 1 News

“We have to be strong, like Jules”

Jules Bianchi

Philippe Bianchi, father of Jules, has recently spoken to Italian media about his son’s condition. Unfortunately, and usurprisingly, it’s not terribly encouraging news.

“Jules is still in a coma. As long as he does not wake up, the only thing we can do is wait,” Philippe Bianchi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It takes patience, a lot of patience, but it is difficult to know that at any moment a terrible call could be coming from the hospital.

“We have to be strong, like Jules and for Jules.

“As long as he is in this state, the doctors cannot say anything. He might wake up or he might not.

“I think he will, as he has not fought with us this long for nothing.”

[Source: motorsport.com]

Categories
Formula 1 News

OFFICIAL: Formula 1 on Foxtel from 2015

2014 Australian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s title defence will start in Australia in mid-March and Australian viewers will be able to see it all live in high definition on Fox Sports.

In news announced today Fox Sports has signed a five-year agreement which will see it broadcast live every practice session, every qualifying session and every race, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on 12 March.

Understandably the top brass at Fox Sports are very pleased with themselves with and have confirmed Australia will take on the Sky Sports feed.

“We have reached an extraordinary affiliate agreement with Sky to deliver through Fox Sports the same incredible Formula 1 coverage which is provided by Sky Sports in the UK,” confirmed Patrick Delany, Fox Sports CEO.

Meanwhile, Delany’s boss, Foxtel CEO, Richard Freudenstein, has gone into overdrive promoting his new product.

“Not only will fans see all the races live but we will add unrivalled behind the scenes experiences and the most expert commentary available,” Freudenstein said. “Fans of motor racing will be thrilled with what they can see if they subscribe to Foxtel’s sports package.”

That means Formula 1 will be included in the regular sports package which is a $25 per month add on over the compulsory $25 basic package. A high definition Foxtel receiver is a further $10 per month, bringing the total outlay to $60 per month.

Viewers unable or unwilling to sign up to pay television can still watch F1 on free-to-air on the Ten Network. Similar to the BBC/Sky deal in the UK, Ten will broadcast 10 of the races live (simulcast with Fox Sports) with delayed highlights packages for the remaining races.

You can see a calendar below listing the races the Ten Network will show live.

[Source: Fox Sports | Thanks to Tom for the tip]

Continue reading “OFFICIAL: Formula 1 on Foxtel from 2015”
Categories
Formula 1 News

Formula 1 to Foxtel in 2016?

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T

Australian Formula 1 fans could soon be switching to pay television if they want to follow a full season of live coverage. According to media reports Foxtel and Channel 10 will be mirroring the UK television deal which sees pay TV network Sky Sports covering the full season, while the BBC picks up the scraps on free-to-air.

There is a small chance that such a deal could be in place for the forthcoming 2015 season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March. However, a more likely scenario would see the new regime commence in 2016.

It’s expected half of the F1 races each year would be shown live on Channel 10 with the remaining events shown in a delayed highlights package. A similar deal has just started this year with V8 Supercars moving to a split rights agreement with Foxtel and Channel 10.

Foxtel would cover the entire season in full and would presumably take on the Sky Sports feed, including high-definition broadcasts for all practice sessions, qualifying and races. Sky Sports also has more in-depth analysis than Channel 10 does.

In terms of pure sporting coverage it’s reasonable to expect Foxtel would do a far superior job than Channel 10 or previous rights holders Channel 9 ever have. At the time of writing it costs $50 per month to get Foxtel with the relevant sports channels, plus an extra $10 per month for high-definition.

Clearly a situation where fans feel forced into getting pay TV will cause a lot of angst. Will it cause any more angst than Channel 10’s current inferior coverage? That’s a question for each individual to answer.

It’s being reported that the Fox/10 deal is currently with Formula One Management awaiting sign-off.

[Source: Speedcafe]

Categories
News VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – 2014

FCAI banner

For just the third time in Australia’s history we bought over 1.1 million new vehicles in a calendar year. Despite this, all states—expect New South Wales—sold fewer vehicles compared with 2013 and total sales across the country dropped 2.0% to 1,111,224; down from last year’s record high sales mark of 1,136,227.

The irrepressible march of the SUV continues with almost half of all sales now being represented by the SUV/light commercial sector (550,303 sales). Deliveries of new passenger cars dropped to 531,596; down 34,808 sales compared with 2013. Heavy commercial vehicles remained consistent at 31,325 sales; a slight drop of 371 sales compared with the previous year.

Two small passenger cars did fight it out for the best selling model of the year, with the Toyota Corolla (43,735) hanging on to its number one status from 2013, narrowly edging out the Mazda3 (43,313).

Light commercials include models such as the Toyota HiLux (38,126), Ford Ranger (26,619) and the Mitsubishi Triton (24,256). All three were in the top 10 selling models of 2014. The best selling SUV was the Mazda CX-5 (21,571).

Reinforcing the demand for SUVs were models just outside the top 10, including the Toyota RAV4 (18,160 sales, +6.9%), the Jeep Grand Cherokee (16,582, +28.2%) and the Toyota Prado (16,112, +10.6%).

Meanwhile the Holden Cruze (18,554, -24.0%) and Nissan Navara (16,080, -33.3%) could not repeat their strong performances of 2013, dropping out of the top 10 in 2014. They were replaced by the Mazda CX-5 (+7.2%) and the Volkswagen Golf (19,178, +10.6%).

When looking at the top 10 selling brands for the year almost all registered a decline in sales compared with 2013; only Hyundai (+3.2%) and Subaru (+0.8%) managed minor increases.

Toyota (203,501, -5.2%) easily retained its best selling position in 2014, ahead of Holden (106,092, -5.3%) and Mazda (103,144, -2.4%).

Marques outside the top 10 performing well against their 2013 sales include Isuzu Ute (16,674, +63.3%), Fiat (5,758, +49.4%), Renault (10,014 +42.7%), and They-bought-a-Jeep (30,408 +37.2%).

German prestige brands also had a good time of it last year, increasing sales across the board. Porsche (2,812 +47.6%) saw the largest increase in percentage terms, followed by Audi (19,227, +20.1%), Mercedes (31,895, +15.8%) and BMW (22,722, +10.7%).

Business sales dropped 6.6% in 2014, while government (+3.4%) and rental (+2.3%) purchases increased. Private sales remained largely stagnant, registering a small increase of 0.5%.

Continue reading “New vehicle sales report – 2014”
Categories
Formula 1 News

Update on Jules Bianchi

Jules Bianchi, Marussia F1 Team

In a recent update the family of Jules Bianchi confirmed he remains unconscious but continues to fight. He has been moved from intensive care and has commenced a program of rehabilition therapy.

“It was a significant and very comforting step for us to be able to bring Jules home to France last month, to continue his rehabilitation surrounded by his family and friends. This is very important for Jules and also for us,” Bianchi’s family said in a prepared statement.

“Jules’ neurological status remains unchanged; he is unconscious but able to breathe unaided. Whilst there is no significant information to report, we take a great deal of comfort from the fact that Jules continues to fight, as we knew he would.”

Bianchi was originally relocated from Japan to the Intensive Care Unit of Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU) in November last year and is now receicing treatment at CHU’s rehabilitation centre.

[Source: Reuters]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Happy birthday Michael

Michael Schumacher's F1 records

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher turns 46 today. We wish him well.

It’s now over a year since his near-fatal accident on the ski slopes of Meribel in France. According to an interview with Reuters given by his manager, Sabine Kehm, late last year Michael still has “long fight” for recovery.

“We need a long time. It’s going to be a long time and a hard fight,” Kehm added. “He is making progress appropriate to the severity of the situation.”

So let’s take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary numbers Michael achieved during his F1 career, as presented on his personal website, while wishing him well in his ongoing recuperation.

Categories
Formula 1 Motorsports News

Albert Park F1 history under the hammer this weekend

380 Montague Street, Albert Park

A slice of motorsport history is up for sale this weekend when 380 Montague Street, Albert Park is offered for auction.

The 120-year-old property is owned by the colourful Paul Vellacot who has been on the Melbourne car club scene for years. The property consists of two parcels, a three bedroom cottage and the old stables (pictured above), once part of the Morris Dairy.

After Vellacot bought both properties in 1974 he used the stables to house classic cars, mostly old Lancias. Five-time Formula 1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio was one of the first to sign the stable walls after visiting the property in 1978.

Since then a number of big names in motorsport, including Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Sir Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss also left their mark on the historic walls.

The list of documented names includes: Brabham, Fangio, Jones, Moss, Stewart as well as Paul Frere, Tony Gaze (Australia’s first F1 driver), Sandro Munari, Piero Taruffi and Luigi Villoresi.

The stables are protected by heritage order, so they can’t be knocked down. However, the inside walls are not protected and the signatures could be lost as part of any future renovations.

In some small way the history of this F1 curiosity will be preserved online, let’s hope those famous autographs remain on those walls for a few more years yet.

Up for auction this Saturday, 380 Montague Street is expected to fetch around $3 million.

[Source: Port Phillip Leader | Pics: Janine Eastgate & Greg Hocking]

UPDATE 6 Dec: Sold for $3,475,000 to an Australian buyer who lives in the US.

Continue reading “Albert Park F1 history under the hammer this weekend”
Categories
Motorsports News

Ghosts on the wall at 380 Montague Street

380 Montague Street, Albert Park

Jack Brabham, Juan Manuel Fangio and Paul Frere. They’re some pretty ace names to have signed on your garage wall, don’t you think! And there’s more too:

Not only is this double fronted Victorian one of Albert Park’s last opportunities to capture a residence of such pure potential, this remarkable property is made even more memorable by its accompanying c1891 stables – formerly part of the Morris Dairy, since 1974 a motoring enthusiast’s dream retreat. Winners of twelve Formula One world championships, including Fangio, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart and Alan Jones have visited and signed the walls of this evocative structure. Also adorning the walls are nineteen signatures of famous motoring identities including Tony Gaze, the first Australian Grand Prix driver, Stirling Moss, Gigi Villoresi, Piero Taruffi and Sandro Munari.

Yes, the stables/garage form part of a property currently for sale in Albert Park, Melbourne. There’s a very real chance, too, that this motorsport history will be lost forever and knocked over in the name of progress.

On the very remote chance you know any more about this building, please drop us a comment or two below.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip]

Continue reading “Ghosts on the wall at 380 Montague Street”