Kaieteur News Sept 1, 2010

Both Jamaica and Barbados managed to reduce Guyana’s lead in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship, but the latter still held on to its advantage after the second leg of the Series ended last Sunday, at Bushy Park in Barbados.   Guyana maintain lead...

 

It would be nice if the Lime posted all the results. In reading the article, it sound like the changing of the guard-from the older to the younger, or maybe it's just the disparity in the performance of the cars.

In his first year at Maclarens, Lewis Hamilton clearly proved that he was destined for greatness. Not the greatness of Schumacher who had the benefit of Ferrari's dominance, but real greatness like when Gilles Villanueve (of Canada) drove a mediocre Ferrari to some feats unknown, and then Aryton Senna with Renault. I believe that Lewis is right there with these 2 folk heroes, but things, seem to be not working out.

There is no way that Jensen Button, who won in Australia, is as good a driver as Lewis Hamilton, but he won.

Lewis's firing of his father is a good step, but remember that this sport has had an exclusivity, much like Golf,before Tiger Woods.

Tiger paid his dues, even marrying before time, as was advised, for Golf did not want to see a 'blond cheer-leading side', which is pervasive in every other sport in America.

Tiger exercised immaturity, as Hamilton is doing now, with no clear understanding of the forces that lie in wait.

But then if the Maclaren car does not equal Ferrari or Red Bull-the point is mute.

In Guyana, is it driving skill or just who has the best car?

Stabroek News March 29, 2010

Reigning Group-4 champion Andrew King and Kevin Jeffrey sizzled yesterday but it was group-3 driver Ryan Rahaman who churned out some of the most admirable performances at the Guyana Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.  read artilce...

 

As a black athlete in a predominantly white sport, Stewart's life to date has been about breaking down barriers

 

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/03/26/tiger-woods-motocross-james-stewart-gets-reality/

Boy can't help it he has speed in the veins....

http://sports.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/racing/story.asp?i=20100326141835400000101&ref=rec&tm=&series=FORM1

The very best of luck to Paul vieira and brother Mark; and our Racing around Scarborough-Canada, many years ago.

Good luck to our guys...........

 

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/sports/03/24/bethune-pleased-with-preparations-for-race-meet/

Most of the top local drivers and bikers have signalled their intentions to participate in the season opening event of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club which will be held on Sunday, March 28, at the South Dakota Circuit.
According to an official from the entity, the country’s top performers in all the different categories will be participating in what is anticipated to be a thrilling day of action to start the season.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2010/03/18/top-drivers-and-riders-getting-ready-for-march-28/

Let's see how he performs after being away from the track for a while

 

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/sports/03/18/don%e2%80%99t-leave-anything-at-home-vieira/

List of teams and Drivers

 

http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/

Guys and Gals the new season is about to begin..........Gentlemen start your engines

01	2010 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX (Sakhir)	12 - 14 Mar
02	2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (Melbourne)	26 - 28 Mar
03	2010 FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX (Kuala Lumpur)	02 - 04 Apr
04	2010 FORMULA 1 CHINESE GRAND PRIX (Shanghai)	16 - 18 Apr
05	FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA TELEFÓNICA 2010 (Catalunya)	07 - 09 May
06	FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2010 (Monte Carlo)	13 - 16 May
07	2010 FORMULA 1 TURKISH GRAND PRIX (Istanbul)	28 - 30 May
08	FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2010 (Montreal)	11 - 13 Jun
09	2010 FORMULA 1 TELEFÓNICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE (Valencia)	25 - 27 Jun
10	2010 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Silverstone)	09 - 11 Jul
11	FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2010 (Hockenheim)	23 - 25 Jul
12	FORMULA 1 MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2010 (Budapest)	30 Jul - 01 Aug
13	2010 FORMULA 1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX (Spa-Francorchamps)	27 - 29 Aug
14	FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO SANTANDER D'ITALIA 2010 (Monza)	10 - 12 Sep
15	2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (Singapore)	24 - 26 Sep
16	2010 FORMULA 1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX (Suzuka)	08 - 10 Oct
17	2010 FORMULA 1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX (Yeongam) *	22 - 24 Oct
18	FORMULA 1 GRANDE PREMIO DO BRASIL 2010 (Sao Paulo)	05 - 07 Nov
19	2010 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX (Yas Marina Circuit)	12 - 14 Nov

a

Feb 2010 10

Elena Myers To M4 Suzuki?5301http://www.gpbound.com/?p=530Elena+Myers+To+M4+Suzuki%3F2010-02-10+18%3A00%3A18Geoff

Posted In Shop Talk, Video

After spending her amateur years being nurtured by Kawasaki, the young female phenom, Elena Myers, may be making the switch to Suzuki machinery. As Elena prepares to make her much anticipated move to the big stage for the 2010 AMA Supersport Championship, inside sources have confirmed that Elena has already penned a deal to ride with John Ulrich’s M4 Suzuki team in the AMA Supersport class. [..]

 

Jamaican Summerbell total of 60 points over the season went on to win his fourth title.

 

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/11/09/summerbell-lifts-fourth-caribbean-driving-title/

It is with some disappointment that I report that we (GT Admin) were told that there would be live streaming of the races on the GMRC website but unfortunately that is not the case.  

 

Thank you Rawle Toney for not noting Stephen Vieira as Valentino Rossi.......THANK YOU.   For those of you wondering....yes the presumptuousness of it drives me crazy.     Okay I got that off my chest.  Now to the Canadian, Kevin Graham.  Why is his career appearing  to take a backward step?   Having won the  AMA Championship and other related north american championships it seems to suggest that one would be propelled to move forward.  Maybe sponsorship is/was a problem.  Then again to each his own and he is a good rider.  Hopefully some lessons are taught today.  

Mayers mashes up South Dakota lap record

By Rawle Toney

Look out David Summerbell, a new ‘King’ of the race tracks has arrived!

The Jamaican Summerbell stood in the paddocks of the South Dakota Circuit yesterday watching his lap record, 34.98 seconds, which he set at last year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC), get shattered by Barbados’ Roger Mayers driving  his Ford Focus who clocked 34.585 seconds.

Since his arrival in Guyana, Mayers, whose vehicle is said to be ‘the’ fastest car in the Caribbean, made clear his hunger for Summerbell’s record.

Yesterday he satisfied that hunger.

As a matter of fact, Mayers drove two laps under 35 seconds, both of them faster than the previous record.

But just when his tires were warming up and the crowd that gathered to see the ‘beast’ in action, Shawn King’s Mazda RX7 spun out on turn one in front forcing race officials to halt  the time trials for the group-4 cars.

The stoppage brought a long face to even the race officials who wanted to see the 28-year-old Bajan driver lower his record.

“It feels good it feels petty good!” Mayers declared to Stabroek Sports yesterday.

“We had a pretty good day; the car wasn’t giving us any trouble at all today (yesterday). I also think the car even had more potential if we had little more time we could have gotten the car even more quicker, so I think the car could go to a lower 34 seconds if we had more time,” Mayers added.

“The good stuff will come tomorrow afternoon (today)…I’m not really too fussy about the Caribbean Championship because it has nothing really in it for me, but I’m the type of person that don’t really study points, I go out there to get wins and tomorrow (today) my aim is to win all three races, but as you know racing cars are very unreliable so once the car isn’t giving us any trouble, well it will be good day,” the new South Dakota lap-record holder said.

Guyana’s Andrew King was also fast in his GT&T and Banks DIH sponsored Tube Frame Mazda RX7 clocking 35.109 seconds to take second on pole.

King said that he was satisfied with his run yesterday adding that he thinks he can be very competitive among the turbo charged four-wheel drive cars.

Asked about the lap record which was set, King said that it could stand for sometime but once all goes well for him, it could be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile,  Summerbell clocked 35.510 seconds for third spot on the pole while his closest rival for the championship Mark Maloney was fourth (36.228 seconds).

His father, the veteran Douglas Maloney will start fifth on the grid.

Summerbell says his focus today will be on Mark Maloney and if he is able to secure the championships by the second race, he can the push a little harder as it relates to getting back his lap record.

“We have put a lot into the CMRC as it relates to us getting here, from country to country. Winning the championships means a lot to me, it takes so much effort on every body, the team, the club, and the sponsors. It goes with lot prestige and it makes you very proud,” Summerbell noted.

But for Mark (Maloney) he says it’s just for fun but if he can take home the title, he would be a bit happier.

Asked what he thinks about the new lap record Maloney said “well, I’m glad for him because he has his sponsors to please just like me so tomorrow (today) it would be a nice friendly rivalry out there.”

Kevin Graham rode to a time of 35.664 seconds  and will start on pole in front of Guyana’s Stephen Vieira (35.969s) and Maurice Menezes (37.112s) while Arthur Cumberbatch (37.151s) from Barbados was fourth followed by Stefan Chin (38.204s) of Jamaica and another Bajan Brook Miller (38.367s) sixth.

Kurt Thompson (39.064s) of Barbados was able to come out the fastest yesterday to start at number one on the grid today in the group 2B class ahead of Ryan Rahaman (39.639s) and Kemal Rahaman (40.580s).

Ryan Rahaman, however, will return to take pole in Group-3 (37.592s) with Seebarran (38.194s) the second quickest on the day. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ravi Sing was third followed by Kemal Rahaman.

Today’s event will get underway at 8:30 am with the lap of honour and then the Guyana Motor Racing and Sport Club (GMR&SC) will get straight into the day’s action where  23 races are slotted.  ,

Well I think it is time for me to gloat about ROSSI, THE NEW 2009 MOTOGP CHAMPION.  I also should say that Stoner is amazing and his time will come but for now it is ROSSI.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to all New Yorkers on the Yankees World Series win.

 

I suppose this is where I turn to football except the Giants, the team I like, don’t look promising but the Saints are certainly playing.  What a great line up.

 

I suppose my partners Bannister and Ashby are hopeful I will say something about the GMRC racing but I am never sure what to say on that subject.   So for now I will hope that Andrew King enjoys a successful weekend; and that my wonderful friends that took off for the races enjoy and return home safely.

 

A pleasant and safe weekend to all.

Racing is about to take Guyana by storm. It is being called one of the biggest championships with Barbados and Jamaica battlling for the big prize.

 

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/11/04/gmrsc-boss-predicts-spectacular-caribbean-motor-racing-championships/

http://www.formula1.com

12 Oct 2009

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa was back behind the wheel of a Formula One car on Monday for the first time since fracturing his skull at July’s Hungarian Grand Prix. With the in-season test ban ruling out a run in this year’s F60, Massa used a privately-owned 2007-spec car fitted with GP2 tyres at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit in Italy.

“The moment I got into the car it was exactly like before the accident, as if nothing had happened,” the Brazilian explained. ”It was important to demonstrate to the people who work with me, that nothing has changed, that I can be competitive and that I can contribute to what will be the new car and to next year’s fight for the title. I knew that everything was 95 percent alright, but after today I can even cancel the last five percent of doubt, I still might have had.”

Although rain limited his running to a dozen laps in the morning, he went out again after lunch and racked up 100 kilometres on a dry circuit. Massa is hoping to make his competitive Formula One return at March’s Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be the opening race of the 2010 season.

Excitement expected in all categoriesBy Rawle Welch

 

The collective pronouncement throughout the years from many motor racing fans is that it is one of the biggest weekends in sport annually in this country.

With the Caribbean Series interestingly poised for a close finish, the day of racing at the South Dakota Circuit this November promises to be one of excitement for fans that have every reason to be there.

Ever since its re-emergence in 1988, the sport has meant a lot to Guyanese, they will tell you about how well organised the Meetings are, its relevance on the sporting calendar and the thrill and entertainment it provides for not only ardent supporters.

Another major impact the sport has made is that it has become a significant tourism product which has accumulated millions of dollars over the period.

A sport which has always relied on the business community for its sustenance, it suffered a major setback in 1983 when due to the economic adversities that the country was experiencing at the time, it came to an unavoidable standstill.

However, under President Desmond Hoyte, who tranquilised many of the tough strategies of the preceding administration, the sport was able to make a revival that has seen it improve to a level where it could brag about being responsible for a sizeable portion of the sports tourism financial pie.

Thanks to the sterling efforts of a group of businessmen that included Andrew King, Stanley Ming, Jad and Ray Rahaman, Chris, Mike and Keith Correia and George Jardim, whose financial resources were pooled together to restore the track and infrastructure that were in total collapse, the sport has enjoyed a new lease on life.

Motor racing has taken on a new meaning in terms of preparations, the competitors are now more disposed to prepare at their level best to produce good performances on race day and it is because of the respect and appreciation they have for the paying patrons.

They’ve recognised the huge sacrifices that fans make to present themselves up at the Circuit and it is this reverence that has made the sport what it is today.

It is almost unlikely for any competitor not to make improvements to his or her machine between Meets for fear of losing ground to opponents.

The rivalry is intense, it never ends and in order to maintain dominance, modifications and various other upgrading needs to be made frequently.

Meanwhile, the recent news that defending champion Stuart Maloney’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI was totally destroyed has set the stage for a straight fight between his brother Mark, who lies second in the Caribbean Series with 39 points, just nine adrift of Jamaican David Summerbell Jr.

Unfortunately, none of the local drivers are in contention to take the title, but that should does not lessen their intensity since being on home turf must be the biggest reason to do well and salvage some pride.

At the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados, both Andrew King and Kevin Jeffrey performed creditably and with the comfort of being back on a track that they know so well, fans could be in for real treat as the Guyanese look to dominate and take top honours.

The lower categories are also expected to be just as exciting with the Rahaman clan of Jad and Ryan expected to be very competitive as usual, while the CAMS Group out of the USA anticipated being very strong.

Canadian Kevin Graham, who has been a nemesis for local riders, is set to return, but should see a more competitive and confident Stephen Vieira, whose daredevil riding at the Barbados Meet was a revelation.

 

Guyana Chronicle - Tuesday, October 6, 2009

SECRETARY of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Gavin Gayadin, believes there is a slim chance host country Guyana can come out on top at the end of the final race at the South Dakota Circuit on November 8.

“Each country is allowed six cars per race and once we have our full complement of cars ready to go, as well as all the drivers getting amongst the points, then Team Guyana can pull off a come-from-behind victory on November 8,” says Guyadin.

Guyana are out of the equation of the country championships with 31 points, lurking distantly behind Jamaica who have  62 points and Barbados on 82 points, even though they did not attend the first championship in Jamaica, which was dominated by current points leader David Summerbell of Jamaica and defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados.

“Everybody has been preparing for this meet since our return from Barbados and I can safely say that preparations have been ongoing and sound so far. Mark Vieira has applied a triple rotor which would provide him with an extra 150hp for his vehicle.

“This means he would be a threat to anyone on the straights in his tube frame Mazda RX8 whilst he holds an added advantage over his opponents on the turns, while I have added a new gear box, computer system and suspension to my car and once everything purrs on the November 8, we can record the team victory which would be an incentive, as our drivers are out of contention for the driver’s title,” says Gayadin.

Team Guyana comprises veteran race aces Vieira and Andrew King, along with Gayadin, Kevin Jeffrey and Shawn King and they will have their work cut out for them while competing on home turf against the heavyweights from Jamaica and Barbados, including Summerbell and Maloney.

He further told Chronicle Sport that Guyana’s non-participation in the Jamaica race meet was totally out of their hands, as the global financial crisis as well as the just concluded GMR&SC meet prevented same from occurring.

“We held our meet in November while the first meet in the Caribbean championships was held in February. As you are aware, one would have to go through Miami to get to Jamaica and with the financial crisis hitting the world, there was not even a remote possibility of us getting there and having said that, it would be nice if corporate Guyana can come on board with this sport which happens to be one of the most expensive sports in the world.”

PIT REDESIGN
According to Gayadin, the pits at the South Dakota Circuit is not enough for the local drivers and with the influx of foreign drivers for this meet, which would be the largest ever to grace these shores, a redesign of the pits was done by himself and John Chin.

“Make no bones about it. We are looking to make this meet one of the best among the three being hosted. When we checked the pits and realised it was not adequate enough for our drivers at home, the only thing left to do was redesign it so that everybody would be accommodated, even if it is in a small way.”

Sponsorship for the meet has been forthcoming from corporate Guyana, even though the event is sponsored in full by Seaboard Marine, with Sunburst Orange Juice, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Ansa McAl Limited sponsoring the venue meeting.

“Apart from the abovementioned, Princess Buddy’s Hotel will be providing free accommodation for a limited number of guests and with 18 competitors coming from Barbados and Jamaica, with 11 of those coming from the former, such a gesture is greatly appreciated,” said Gayadin.

No doubt, it will be a ‘November to Remember’ in the annals of the GMR&SC after this meet.

Certainly exciting news.  Ben Spies is a good rider and MAY add to the MotoGP mix (not sure why yet but when I think of Ben Spies with MotoGP I am reminded of Biaggi)  but I remain a loyal Rossi fan and I am sure Rossi is looking forward to mixing it up with Ben as he is with team member Lorenzo.

The Estoril qualifying figures looked good for Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Stoner who is well again, thank God, and quite willing to upset the cart......  However, my boy is going to have quite a battle with this lot considering his qualifying figures leaves much to be desired. 

A wonderful weekend to all!

Spies to make wild card appearance at Valencia

Saturday, 03 October 2009

Ben Spies will make a wild card appearance for Yamaha in the final round of 2009 at Valencia ahead of his permanent move into MotoGP next year.

Stabroek News

By Rawle Toney | October 2, 2009 in Sports

Caribbean Motor Racing Championships – Round 3
The third and final leg of the 2009 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships are billed for the South Dakota Circuit and based on the showdown in Jamaica and Barbados, November 8 would certainly be one to remember when the region’s fastest cars and top drivers meet in Guyana.

Team Guyana which comprise veteran race aces Andrew King and Mark Vieira along with Kevin Jeffery, Shawn King and Gavin Gayadin will certainly have their work cut out for them while competing on home turf against the heavyweights from Jamaica and Barbados.

However, Guyana are  out of the equation of the country championships with 31 points, lurking distantly behind Jamaica with  62 points and the Bajans on 82 points.

The local boys did not attend the first round in Jamaica which was dominated by current points leader David Summerbell of Jamaica and defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados.

But things took a turn in the Land of the Flying Fish in round two of the championships and for the first time in the history of the championships, the Bushy Park circuit saw some of the Caribbean’s fastest cars all in one group and the thrills which they brought certainly lived up to all expectations.

The rivalry was between the Mayers brothers (Roger and Barry) and the Maloneys (father Douglas and brothers Stuart and Mark) with their rotary four-wheel drive cars.

Approximately 16,000 spectators saw the Group 4 cars heading round the track, most of the time going neck-to-neck and when the dust settled, many of the vehicles were severely damaged and in some cases like Stuart Maloney were  only able to do one race.

Summerbell leads the current individual points standing with 48 points but in hot pursuit

is Mark Maloney with 39 points and his brother Stuart is on 22.

Guyana’s Andrew King is fourth with 16 points while teammate Kevin Jeffery has 13 and Gayadin has  two points.

All of the competitors and their machines have all confirmed their attendance for South Dakota on November 8 and so the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is preparing for what they are calling a ‘November to remember’ since for the first time the championships are in such a tight race.

But the talk of the races will be the car of Roger Mayers, a Ford Escort called ‘The Beast’ which is said to be the fastest car in the region. Meanwhile also expected to create quite a stir come November are  the ‘Big Bikes’ which are  dominated by Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira and Maurice Menezes. Vieira earned respect at Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados this year, winning two out of his three races but with the Bajans all signalling their intention and the usual arrival of Canadian super bike king Kevin Graham, the local ‘Rossi’ will have to ride for his life. The lower class which features Gayadin and the Rahaman father and son duo of Jad and Ryan and Chet Singh will also be a treat to the large crowd which is expected.

 

Renault's departure would be a blow to a sport that lost Honda after last year's championship and is set to lose BMW at the end of this season.

F1's governing body is investigating "alleged incidents," believed to be a crash by Nelson Piquet Jr. that allowed teammate Alonso to take advantage of an early pit stop and win last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Ecclestone said Renault team principal Flavio Briatore told him he knows of no such conspiracy.

Piquet Jr. crashed on the 13th lap, and Alonso's gamble to run a short 12-lap strategy before pitting paid off as the Spanish driver went on to an unlikely victory.

"This is not the sort of thing we need at the moment," Ecclestone said in The Times of London on Tuesday. "Them leaving the sport is a danger, obviously. I mean, I hope that it isn't like that, but it's the sort of thing that might happen.

"All I know is that Flavio is insisting that he knows nothing about it. I think the FIA are looking into everything."

Piquet Jr. was fired by Renault last month after a season and a half. The Brazilian driver complained about unequal treatment by Briatore compared to his two-time world champion teammate.

Ecclestone suggested that Piquet Jr.'s F1 career could be over.

"You can safely say that he's sort of in trouble now," Ecclestone said. "You'd have to wonder what next, wouldn't you?"

 

Stabroek News - By Rawle Toney/September 2, 2009 in Sports

Summerbell, Maloney in battle for drivers’ title
After the completion of round two in this year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Champion-ships, Jamaica’s David Summerbell and Barbados’s Mark Maloney are keeping pace for the driver’s championship while Barbados has a commanding lead in the country title.

It was nothing but chaos and drama when the region’s best racers in the ‘Group 4’ category met in Barbados on Sunday at the Bushy Park Circuit for the Sea Board Marine-sponsored championships.

After the dust had settled, Summerbell emerged as the leader and is on course for another Caribbean championship win.

The Jamaican has 48 points while Maloney follows closely on his heels with 39.

Summerbell won the first race of the day in the group 4 category where the drivers went all out to stake their claim to the prestigious title.

Of the eight competitors who started the race only three finished, with Guyana’s Kevin Jeffery and Andrew King closing out the top three.

Defending champion Stuart Maloney has 22 points but so far he has only participated in the first round in Jamaica.

He was sidelined for the rest of the Barbados leg after his car suffered minor damages.

Guyana’s King, who was a no show in the Jamaican leg of the competition earlier in the year, holds the fourth position with 16 points.

King on Sunday failed to pick up a win which would have given him a maximum of 10 points.

Team-mate Jeffrey picked up a well deserved 13 points even though his car, a Mitsubishi Evolution, had given some serious trouble prior to the meet. The other points grabbers in the championships are Barry Mayers (13) and  Stuart Williams (9) both of Barbados, while debutant of the series Guyana’s Gavin Gayadin picked up two crucial points behind Chris Campbell (6), Gary Williams (5) and Peter Thompson (5) all of Jamaica.

The third and final round of the championships will be held in Guyana on November 8 at the South Dakota Circuit and based on the enthusiasm displayed in Barbados racing fans will not want to miss a second of the action.

This round will also be do-or-die time for team Guyana especially with the veteran King looking for his first ever Caribbean championship title.

A heavyweight contingent is expected from Barbados who are in the lead of the team challenge with 82 points followed by Jamaica with 64 and Guyana with 31.

Looks like they are stepping up their game..... proves a good time was had by all...

Barbados government committed to helping motor sports

Published on Tuesday, September 1, 2009

By Sharon Austin

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Government has promised to step up its support to the Barbados Auto Racing League Inc. and to circuit racing.
Minister of Sports, Esther Byer Suckoo, said government had taken note of the popularity of circuit racing, its potential for contributing to national and tourism development and how well the sport is being administered.

Byer Suckoo stressed that she was pleased with the growth and popularity the sport had witnessed and expressed the hope that it would continue.

"Improvements are certainly needed to bring this racing circuit at Bushy Park in line with other international circuits and attract more competitors and spectators.

"The growth of motor sports in Barbados can be a significant process in the development of sports into a major economic pillar, which will be of benefit to our economy. That cannot happen without development of the facilities. I look forward to working with you to make this happen... Without a doubt, this sport is here to stay," she told the spectators.

She pointed out that the yearly circuit meet had become one of the Caribbean's best known motor sporting events, attracting about 150 overseas visitors, including participants. She noted that the event was usually of a very great calibre and could stand up to the high reputation of other regional or international motor sporting events.

Byer Suckoo thanked Williams Industries International for sponsoring the contest, in spite of the economic downturn. She continued: "In the midst of this recession, motor sports participants have been able to display their resilience by upgrading their racing machines and also their driving skills, and as a result, have continued to attract large crowds of enthusiastic spectators.

"Many sponsors have shown their confidence in the sport by offering assistance to participants, where possible. Your commitment to the sport has not gone unnoticed," she said.

The Minister expressed the view that in recessionary times people needed fun events to remind them that the quality of one's life was not just about how much money was earned or what could be afforded, but it was about relaxing and spending time with family and friends.

Stewart, thanks for sharing your pics with our limers.    Looks like fun was had by all.

 

UNedited album posted at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/spadsinc/20090830BushyParkBarbados#

Well the real Rossi could not stay on his bike at Indy so Lorenzo won the race.  A good race nonetheless.

On to local motorbike racing

Can someone tell me what are the top speeds on the straight away of the small circuit in Guyana and similarly the top speed for the straight away in Barbados.   

-but Summerbell leads Caribbean c/ships

By Rawle Toney in Barbados

It was a day filled with some electrifying and exhilarating races at the Bushy Park circuit in Barbados and  approximately 20,000 spectators  were on hand to witness what turned out to be a day of mixed fortunes for Team Guyana at round two of this year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Championships yesterday.

Blessed by perfect weather for racing and a crowd which cheered and blew horns for the drivers to acknowledge their thrilling moves, Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira and Gavin Gayadin proved to be the more successful out of the six Guyanese represented.

The local Super Bike champion after finishing third in his first race, rebounded to win two of the day’s most exciting races where he showed why his alias was that of the world-renowned Italian rider; Valentino Rossi.

He (Vieira) was given a stiff challenge from one of Barbados’ most experienced riders in Arthur Cumberbatch who really pushed him to the limit.
So invigorating were his rides especially the second race where he won his first race on the day, that the huge crowd rose to its feet to give the Guyanese a thunderous applause.

Vieira also set a new lap record for the bushy Park circuit by clocking 55.581 seconds on his 2008 Suzuki GSX 600.
Another Guyanese, Maurice Menezes was also impressive despite not finishing in the top bracket of his three rides.
Gayadin, competing in the Group ‘3B’ category with his BMW 318I was on his debut run in Barbados and certainly turned some heads after his first race where he finished third.

This, according to Gayadin, was due a gear box failure which was soon rectified by his hard-working crew and then he sped to his first win in Barbados.

His third race saw him making a few mistakes and he even spun out but he was skillful enough to come back to the track for a third place finish.
He capped his performance for the day by picking up two crucial points for Guyana in the Caribbean Championships.

“I never knew representing Guyana would have feel like this and as for the crowd support, it was awesome, everyone came to me and said they were impressed so I’m glad I came,  I don’t even get this kind of support back in Guyana so it was good for me I feel great for my first time. So I just want to thank my crew because those guys worked really hard,” said Gayadin who also added that he was pleased with his first-time performance.

Meanwhile, the Group 4 category where the drivers compete for a chance to be crowned Caribbean champion, was one marked by grudges and old grievances.

This was evident from the first race which saw two drivers; defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados and Jamaican David Summerbell, being sent back to the pit for damages on their cars which occurred during their lap behind the pace car.

With the crowd on its feet none of the Caribbean’s top drivers failed to deliver in the first race which saw Mark Maloney of Barbados claiming the chequered flag and the Guyanese pair of Kevin Jeffrey and Andrew King finishing second and third respectively.

The same thing followed in the other races and in one instance, King’s car was literally torn into pieces due to the strain placed upon it by the other cars.

With the defending champion  Maloney already out of the championships,  Summerbell, after coming to the island in the lead on the points table, was able to build on it well with   Mark Maloney gaining as well.

Team Guyana chalked up its first points of the championships after failing to make the first round which was held in Jamaica earlier this year.
However up to press time, the confirmed points standing was not available to the local media and will follow in a subsequent edition

Stabroek News Aug 31, 2009

Message below is from the Barbados Motor Sports racing committee . 

Message

We are having some technical problems, so we are only sending audio at this time Regards,

The BHP Forum Team.

 

Will keep you posted

Folks,

You will be seeing OLD races from previous meets in Bdos and Guyana in between the live coverage of the races at Bushy Park today.. Please be patient and stay tuned.

Thanks,

Mark

Click on Link http://bhpmotorsports.com/ and then click on " CLICK FOR LIVE  BUSHY PARK COVERAGE "  for streaming live video of the races.

Live coverage will begin at approximately 9.30 am

These qualifying times were reported on the GMR&SC FaceBook Page.

Ok Folks,

The races will be covered live on the BHP website, http://bhpmotorsports.com/. Click on “Click for Radio" for streaming video which should start about 9.30 am Sunday..

The time trials today may also be covered tonight, with no specific time frame at this point.. There is some information on starting positions, which didn't look good for the top 3 qualifying drivers, who will now have to start at the back of the pack due to penalties imposed. Andrew qualified 2^nd on the grid……..Summerbell is now 1^ston grid.

Will update again later.

Carol,

Kevin was having some electrical problems last night which they were working on and hopefully got squared away.The BHP website reported that Andrew was quite impressive when he took to the circuit on Thursday evening.  It was reported that he was clocked under the official lap record for 2WDs.

The races will be covered live on the BHP website, http://bhpmotorsports.com/. Click on " Click for Radio" for streaming video which should start about 10 am Sunday..

Will update again later with any news received on the "status" of cars and drivers.

Mark 

 

Mark, I hope Kevin gets his car up to speed otherwise it will be a shame and probably time to fire..........somebody...... 

I also hope we get a response from your source about the weblink before I get older......

Carol,

I am hoping that Andrew gets his "redemption" from the last time he "faced off " against the "Bajan" EVO of Stuart Maloney last year at the International meet in Guyana.  Andrew's cars wasn't working well but that EVO certainly left its "mark" in GT with a new lap record, which I believe still stands...That said, Facebook lite up last night when Andrew ran a blazing 41.80 secs at time trials .. the lap record is 41.74 secs at Bushy Park and he was running by himself..  Mr Maloney's EVO was having a hard time getting close to 42 secs and blew 2 turbos in the process, which I am sure he will have fixed by race day..  

Kevin Jeffrey's EVO was on the track today too for his time trials, which I will update later after I speak with Roger who is there now to help tweak the performance... Good luck Kevin

We are awaiting an update on if the races will be covered live by video weblink which will be posted on this website if or when available..The pictures and results will definitely be posted here.

I can't wait...

Mark 

 

Picture below is from Race meet at South Dakota where Maloney broke the lap record

 

 

GTLime for Andrew King and I know he will be awesome....we have reason to believe his car is performing....

 

On another note: Lorenzo stays with Yamaha....good decision.   Now I pray he stays on the bike and learn the skills required for racing with Rossi. 

Certainly looking forward to this weekend lots of fun activities.  A truly safe and wonderful Friday to all.

 

Nation News - Friday, August 28, 2009

Guyana’s local motor racing champion Andrew King will spearhead a strong contingent to Barbados to participate in the second leg of the Caribbean Series which takes place at Bushy Park on Sunday.

King, who pilots a Mazda RX 7 and who recently dominated the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club Meeting at the South Dakota Circuit, will be accompanied by Kevin Jeffrey in a Mitsubishi Evolution VIII, Gavin Gayadin, who drives a BMW E318I and Gavin Gouveia in a turbocharged Toyota Starlet.

The Guyanese champ and Jeffrey will campaign in the Group 4 category and will have to be at their level best to topple current leader David Summerbell of Jamaica, who heads the points standing with 30 followed by defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados on 22 and his brother Mark on 14.

From reports, Summerbell in a Mitsubishi Evolution VIII has looked invincible, but with the Maloneys’ enjoying home advantage and King and Jeffrey eager to score points ahead of the final Meeting set for Guyana, he will be hard pressed to maintain his supremacy.

Meanwhile, two riders including local champion Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira and Maurice Menezes will throw down the gauntlet in the Super Bikes Series against the Bajans and Jamaicans in what could be a very interesting affair.

Vieira, who rides a Yamaha R6, had told Kaieteur Sport at the last local Meeting that he was just using the event to warm-up for the Barbados challenge should feature in the races, judging from his performance recently.

A large contingent of Guyanese fans along with the media will be present at the Barbados event which is expected to boost its sports tourism programme

The words from Lorenzo re: the Czech race:

"I got a bad start and had to get by some people, and then I just didn’t have the same pace that I’d had all weekend. I was slower than in the practices and it really wasn’t what I was expecting. Unfortunately for me Valentino was just as strong as he’d been all weekend and I had to push very, very hard to stay with him. Towards the end I began to close the gap and after I passed him I was doing everything to stay in front, but then I made a mistake and crashed.  He modestly added,  There’s nothing more I can say except that I’m so sorry to the team and to Yamaha and I will do everything I can to make it up in America."

The man capable of getting neurons going in others is Rossi, no one does it better. I hope for Lorenzo's sake the neurons don't get together and cause havoc at the Indy Race. After all a decision between Yamaha and Ducati must be a tough one. Look out Casey Stoner!

Hopefully we have another good race at Indy.

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, August 19, President Obama will welcome current and former NASCAR champions to the White House to honor the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson. Also appearing at this event will be former NASCAR champions, other drivers from the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup, as well as Jimmie Johnson’s #48 Chevy. This event was originally scheduled for August 3.

 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 4:30 PM

South Portico
Open Press (Pre-set 3:30 PM – Final Gather 4:00 PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

Media Coverage: Media wishing to cover this event must contact media_affairs@who.eop.gov before 10 am Wednesday, August 19. The event is open press, but space is limited and not all credentialing requests can be honored. Press that do not have a White House hard pass must also submit their full name, date of birth and Social Security number with their RSVP.

By Rawle Toney | August 19, 2009 in Sports

- driver aims “to be very competitive”

Kevin Jeffery’s Mitsubishi Evolution was the last car from team Guyana to leave for Barbados where they will take on the rest of the Caribbean in round two of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship at the Bushy Park Circuit on Sunday, August 30.

Speaking with Stabroek Sport yesterday while shipping his machine off at the John Fernandes wharf, Jeffery said that they came from the South Dakota Circuit straight to the shipping docks because they were doing their final run locally to make sure that the car was in good racing order.

Since the last meet which was the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Race of Champions, they had many sleepless nights rectifying some problems in time for the Barbados run.

“I think we are like 85% there right now because as you would know, we didn’t do so well at the last meet so we went back to the drawing board and did a lot of work on the car. Before we came here we were at the track doing our final run and I think we have some more work to do,” Jeffery said.

Despite all these setbacks, Jeffery said that he is going to be very competitive but was reluctant to make any predictions. However, he did say that it will be an exciting meet in the land of the flying fish.

“Even though we are at about 85%, I don’t want to say what I would do or anything because I’m going out there to do my best. Myself along with my crew which is headed by Brian Ten-Pow will arrive in Barbados next week Wednesday and they will continue the work on the car there but I’m looking forward for a good run over there,” the racer noted. Jeffery would be racing in the group four category where he will take on fellow Guyanese Andrew King, Jamaica’s David Summerbell and reigning Caribbean champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados for a shot at the prestigious title even though he did not take part in the first round which was held in the land of wood and water earlier in the year

By Rawle Toney | August 18, 2009 in Sports

- concerned over non-participation of region’s stars

The Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) race director Kurt Seabra believes that the second round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship which will be held on Sunday, August 30, would be the biggest event ever on the island.

Speaking with Stabroek Sport via telephone yesterday, Seabra said some 96 competitors both locally and internationally have registered for the event and the BARL was forced to prematurely close entries because of the overwhelming interest.

But he noted the BARL is a bit disturbed over the  non-participation of some of the Caribbean’s top drivers including former champions Dug Gore of Jamaica and Guyana’s Mark Vieira.

“We were here in Barbados and I know that the public here as well was looking forward to seeing those two drivers on show here because of the excitement they bring. Dug was down to come but he suffered an injury on the track while Mark is battling with some car problems because I know he has a new car and we know how it is to get things in shape sometimes,” Seabra said

“Mark I know for sure is well liked here in Barbados and I think he attracts a large following anywhere he goes in the Caribbean but sometimes things like this happen in the sport and knowing him he would want to make sure he has his car running well if he is going to come here but nevertheless I think that we would have a great meet,” the BARL race director noted.

However, Guyana’s national champion Andrew King and Jamaica’s David Summerbell well be headlining the feature Group Four race which according to Seabra will be just as exciting.

“You know even though we didn’t get all the top drivers we would have hoped for, I think that having Andrew King here who is the national champion in Guyana and we all know how great of a competitor he is and also Summerbell whose  name speaks for himself – it is going to be great because people here come out to see these guys battle the locals,” added Seabra.

Apart from the big showdown which is expected among the cars, it is said that the Bushy Park Circuit is gearing up to see some good races in the super bikes category as well and this also is already drawing a lot of attention.

“I think this would be our largest amount of riders in the super bikes – we have like eight local riders and three from overseas but I know that Guyana will be sending two of their best, so this is also a must-see race here which also adds more interest.”

It was stated that the cars of Andrew King and the bike of Stephen Vieira have departed Guyana already and are expected shortly in Barbados while the cars of Gavin Gayadin and Kevin Jeffrey will be shipped today.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Aaron Bethune said  that over 100 persons will be making the trip  to Barbados to give support to the local drivers and riders and he too believes that this would be one of the biggest meets ever held on the island.

Barbados’ Stuart Maloney is the defending Caribbean champion and reports emanating out of the island is that his 2173cc Turbocharged Mitsubishi Evo 6 seems to be in perfect working order and a tight showdown with King and Summerbell is expected.
The third and final round of the series will be hosted in Guyana in November.

Team Guyana reads: Andrew King, Kevin Jeffery, Gavin Gayadin, Gavin Gouveia, Maurice Menezes and Stephen Vieira

Formula1.com - 18 Aug 2009

Renault have announced that third driver Romain Grosjean will race for the team at this weekend’s European Grand Prix, and for the rest of the 2009 season. Grosjean will drive alongside Fernando Alonso and replaces Nelson Piquet, who revealed he had parted company with the squad earlier this month.

"I am very proud that Renault have given me the chance to become a race driver,” said Grosjean. “I'm looking forward to driving the R29 and helping the team get the best results possible. It's also an honour to be Fernando's team mate and to make my Formula One debut alongside a double world champion is especially motivating."

The 23 year-old Frenchman joined Renault’s driver development programme in 2006, after winning the French Formula Renault title. In 2007 he was Formula Three Euro Series champion and in 2008 he won the GP2 Asia Series. This season, Grosjean has been racing in GP2 and had scored two victories before being called on to make his Formula One debut.

"We are happy to give Romain the chance to start racing with the team,” said the Renault team’s managing director, Flavio Briatore. “He is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills driving alongside Fernando as we take an aggressive approach to the second half of the season. 

"We would also like to thank Nelson for his contribution during the time he has been with us and wish him all the best for the future."

Piquet, who began his competitive Formula One career with Renault in 2008, had endured a tough 2009 campaign, failing to score points at any of the opening ten races. Following Grosjean’s promotion to the race seat, GP2 frontrunner Lucas Di Grassi will assume third driver duties for the French team in Valencia.
 

 

Motorsport's governing body suspended Renault from the European GP in Valencia after the team allowed Alonso to leave pit lane with a loose wheel during last month's Hungarian GP.

The case, lodged by the French Motorsport Federation, is being heard by the FIA's International Court of Appeal at its Paris headquarters, with a decision expected Tuesday afternoon.

None of the F1 racers were present at Monday's hearing. Representing Renault were engineering director Pat Symonds and technical director Bob Bell, while F1 race director Charlie Whiting was representing the FIA.

The FIA reprimanded Renault for allowing Alonso to leave pit lane with his wheel not securely fastened to his car during the Hungarian GP on July 26. The wheel dislodged from Alonso's car as he rounded turn No. 9 after 13 laps of racing, and bounced wildly down the track.

The incident came the day after Brazilian driver Felipe Massa was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being struck by an object dislodged from another car during qualifying. Massa had surgery on his skull and is recovering.

FIA stewards said Renault knowingly released Alonso's car from the pit stop position "without one of the retaining devices for the wheel-nuts being securely in position," adding that Renault failed to inform Alonso of the problem.

The decision to suspend Renault was made after the FIA reviewed film and radio recordings from the race.

The incident prompted further concerns over the safety of the sport.

The previous week, F2 driver Henry Surtees - the son of former F1 champion John Surtees- was killed after losing consciousness and crashing into the barrier after a stray tire hit him.

 

Rossi strikes again at Brno as Lorenzo cracks under pressure

Sunday, 16 August 2009

Valentino Rossi opened up a 50 point advantage in the MotoGP World Championship as Jorge Lorenzo crashed out in Brno when battling for the race lead with the Italian star.

Brno 2009 - MotoGP Race Highlights

Well the pressure appears to be on for my boy Rossi and for those of you who like to jump from limb to limb   well you may have the race you have been waiting for.  The spaniards are also on pole. 

Rossi on pole in Czech Republic despite crash

Saturday, 15 August 2009

A rare qualifying crash for the MotoGP World Champion at Brno did not prevent him from securing pole position for Sunday’s eleventh race of the 2009 season.

Valentino Rossi crash during QP in Brno

 

Sunday, looks very promising for Rossi.    Like him, I hope Casey comes back soon...nothing like some competition but Rossi will have his hands full with his team mate.  If you are wondering Lorenzo's top speed was 294.6 or 166.823 km/h

Good form for Fiat Yamaha on Friday at Brno

Friday, 14 August 2009

Team-mates Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi were the top performers on the first day of the Cardion ab Czech Republic Grand Prix.

 

Formula 1.com - 11 Aug 2009

Following the news that Michael Schumacher has had to call off his planned return to Formula One racing, Ferrari have announced that test driver Luca Badoer has been drafted in to race at the European Grand Prix later this month.

Schumacher had hoped to stand in for the injured Felipe Massa in Valenica, but neck pain caused by a motorcycle accident earlier this year, has forced him to abandon his comeback plans.

"I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing," explained Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo. “In the past few days, I have appreciated his great efforts and the extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world. No doubt his return would have been good for Formula One and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again.

“In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances. In agreement with (team principal) Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver."

Badoer has tested for the Italian team since 1998 and last raced back in 1999 for Minardi. Although he has started 48 Grands Prix, the 38 year-old is yet to score a world championship point.

Formula 1.com - 11 Aug 2009

Michael Schumacher has revealed he won’t return to Formula One racing at the European Grand Prix later this month. Schumacher had planned to replace the injured Felipe Massa for Ferrari at the Valencia race, but has been forced to cancel his comeback due to pain in his neck, which was caused by a motorcycle accident earlier this year.

“Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe...

F1 returns to CANADA

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) yesterday announced that  a four man team will represent Guyana in round two of the Caribbean Race of Champion Series which will held at the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados on August 30.

Former champion driver in the series Andrew King will lead Kevin Jeffery, Gavin Gayadin and Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira on a bid to improve Guyana’s performance at the championships after a miserable showing last year.

Barbados’ Stuart Maloney is the defending champion. The exhorbitant  cost of air fare and shipping for the team’s trip to Barbados has caused the GMR&SC to put together a family fun day and go-kart racing which is set for this Saturday at their clubhouse, Albert Street,  Thomas Lands.

The day according to the GMR&SC will be set around having families come out and enjoy some go-kart racing and a chance to win prizes compliments of GT&T Cellink Plus.

Andrew King’s Tube Frame MazdaRX7, Gavin Gayadin’s BMW E36, Kevin Jeffery’s Mitsubishi Evolution and Stephen Vieira’s 2008 Suzuki GSX600 will also be on show for public viewing.

The club says that since they are looking for maximum support, they will be charging just $200 for entrance to the venue where barbequed meats will also be on sale. Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados on August 30.

 

By Stabroek staff | August 4, 2009 in Sports

Ferrari have announced that they plan to draft in Michael Schumacher to replace the injured Felipe Massa at forthcoming Grands Prix, until the Brazilian is able to race again.

The seven-times world champion, who retired from Formula One racing at the end of 2006, will undergo a special training programme over the next few days to confirm he is fit enough to compete in next month’s European Grand Prix...

The Official Formula 1 Website - July 30, 2009

The Official Formula 1 Website - July 28, 2009

With news from Hungary about Felipe Massa’s recovery looking increasingly positive, the Brazilian’s doctor has revealed to reporters that he could be well enough to walk out of hospital within the next ten days.

Massa suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a spring from another car during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. He underwent emergency surgery and was taken out of an artificially-induced coma on Monday. He has since been awake, chatting to close friends and family members, who have gathered at his bedside.

"My expectation is that he would walk out of the hospital on his own,” Peter Bazso, the medical director of Budapest’s AEK Hospital told Hungarian television channel M1. “If his recovery continues at this pace, I would not rule out that he could leave within ten days. He's spending more and more time awake, talking to family and friends."

Despite the Brazilian’s encouraging progress, Bazso has urged caution, revealing that Massa would continue to be monitored closely in intensive care. "I would like to point out that although he's recovering, this is not the end of the story, he is still in a life-threatening condition," he added. "Of course, the danger is decreasing by the day."

Massa’s wife, his parents, his brother and his friend and manager Nicolas Todt all spent Monday night at the hospital, and Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is expected to make a visit during the course of Tuesday.

He rode a good race after Spies was taken out in the first leg.

 Biaggi won that and finished a close second to Spies in the second leg, great racing.

I did not even read that just got stuck at the mention of Rossi....       By the way I notice that Biaggi made the podium yesterday. 

 

And to think he only won 2 out of the three RACES, with only local riders! It is a start, it is also good to dream.

 

GOOD GOING FOR ANDREW

Stephen "Valentino Rossi" Vieira????????????????????  This seems a little like mixing apples and oranges but one must admire a dreamer.   Considering my love for Rossi I await the connection....lol. 

Nonetheless, my boy Rossi had a hell of a race yesterday but managed to maintain his points lead.

King rules!

 

Veteran ace driver Andrew King sporting his tube frame Mazda RX7, ruled supreme in the ‘Group 4’ category claiming all four of the races he contested  as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club, national Race of Champions came to a climax yesterday at the South Dakota circuit.

Also returning to his winning ways was Ryan Rahaman who dominated the Group 2B class, while his father Jad did the same in group 2A

Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira was also outstanding on his Suzuki 2008 GSXR600 speeding to two wins out of three races in the super bikes.

A detail report of the complete results will be released

By Stabroek staff | July 27, 2009 in Sports

Injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa’s condition is said to be improving, according to a Hungarian government official. Massa remains stable in a Budapest hospital following his high-speed crash at the Hungaroring on Saturday, in which his helmet was struck by a loose spring from the car of fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.

Massa underwent emergency surgery for a fractured skull on Saturday evening before being placed in an artificially induced coma to aid his recovery. He was awoken briefly for a CT scan on Sunday morning, the signs of which were positive, before resting peacefully again overnight.

On Monday a Hungarian Defence Ministry spokesman reported that Massa is now able to communicate ‘actively’ and can move his hands and legs, suggesting that he has not suffered significant brain damage.

"He's woken up (from sedation) more and more often now and he's able to communicate actively, that is, he reacts when he's talked to,” Istvan Bocskai told Hungarian television. “We are optimistic - in our hope a slow recovery is beginning."

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is due visit Massa in the AEK Hospital on Monday, after dedicating the team’s second-place finish in Sunday’s Hungarian race to his absent driver.

"I hope I will have good news," Montezemolo told Ferrari’s website. "Today's result, the best in this difficult season so far, is for Felipe!”

In addition to members of his family, who flew into Budapest on Sunday, Massa has also had visits from Barrichello, Bernie Ecclestone and several members of the Ferrari team, including team principal Stefano Domenicali.

 

Peter Bazso, the AEK hospital medical director, told reporters that Massa would be kept sedated until Monday, but will be woken up periodically during that time.

When asked whether Massa's life remained in danger, Bazso answered: "Yes, of course."

Bazso said doctors were able to "remove the broken bones and stabilize the area," procedures required to treat Massa's "an open skull fracture and a contusion."

He did not speculate how long it would take Massa to recover, or whether there would be any long-term effects of the injury.

"At the moment, we have to overcome this life-threatening condition," Bazso said, adding that a CT scan revealed "expected results after an operation of this type."

Massa's parents and wife arrived at the hospital Sunday after flying in from Brazil, and doctors woke Massa temporarily to check on his condition and so that he could see his family.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali and several Ferrari staff were also on hand to support Massa's family, which included pregnant wife Anna Rafaela.

The spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car bounced into Massa's helmet as the 28-year-old driver reached speeds of about 120 mph. The impact concussed Massa, who plowed into the protective tire barrier.

Massa, who finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in the F1 championship last year, underwent surgery around 4:20 p.m. local time Saturday, about an hour after being airlifted to the hospital. He was conscious at the time.

The impact of the rear suspension part, believed to be made of steel, damaged the left side of Massa's helmet, ripping out the visor and leaving a long gash in its side. Blood was seen on Massa's left brow.

The crash came less than a week after Henry Surtees, the son of former F1 champion John Surtees, died in similar circumstances an F2 race last Sunday. Surtees was struck in the head by a tire from another car, causing him to lose consciousness and drive into a barrier.

Governing body FIA was expected to launch an investigation into the crash after several drivers and team principals called for safety measures to be re-examined.

No F1 driver has died on the track since three-time champion and fellow Brazilian Ayrton Senna's crash at Imola 15 years ago.

Fox Sports Updated: July 26, 2009, 10:16 AM EDT

By Stabroek staff | July 14, 2008 in Sports

The South Dakota Circuit is expected to come alive on July 27 when round three action of the 2008 Motor Racing Championship takes place.

The meet is being sponsored by Skyline Mortgage, GT&T Cellink Plus, Carib Beer and Sunburst Orange Juice and some 25 events including the Handicap race have been planned for the eight-group event.

As expected, all eyes will be on group four where South Dakota’s newest lap record holder Andrew King (who picked up an additional fifty horsepower after dyno-testing his Mazda recently in Jamaica) will defend his lead in the 2008 motor racing championship against the hard charging Mark Vieira.

According to reports, Vieira recently bought a new dry sump Guru engine for his Mazda RX7 and will be hoping that the new hardware will give him the winning edge.

At the May race meet this year, Kevin Jeffery crashed the King, Vieira two-person party when he stunned his fellow group four drivers by pulling off an unexpected victory with his AWD turbo-charged 550 BHP Mitsubishi Evolution 8 machine.

With much developmental work done to his car over the last few months, Jeffery is now considered to be the biggest threat to the reign of King.

Throw in Andrew Morgan and Shawn King and the already hot Group four division just got hotter.

Morgan will add much excitement to the group four battle in his tube-frame Rotary-powered Mazda RX7 machine.

Already, after just a few laps of seat time in his completely new chassis, Morgan has recorded 36 seconds lap times which is just a stone’s throw away from the all-time South Dakota lap-record of 35.07 seconds.

The Canada-based King will also be aboard a tube-frame Mazda vehicle to which he has fitted a new Dave Diedrick-built 13B rotary engine that promises to increase his power output by at least 35 percent.

With a new Cosworth high tech engine fitted to his Subaru Impreza, Vishok Persaud will no doubt be hoping to overcome the mechanical gremlins that kept him on the sideline for the last three race meetings.

Persaud’s Sunburst-sponsored Impreza is one of the fastest cars on the South Dakota Circuit.

To get it reliable, however, will be the biggest hurdle Persaud has to overcome.

To add even more excitement to the group four fray, Ravi Singh of Trinidad and Tobago will make a guest appearance with his Turbo-charged third generation Mazda RX7 while speed ace Ryan Rahaman is expected to debut his spanking new turbo-charged Ford Sierra which he will use to compete in both group three and group four classes.

Rahaman at present leads the 2008 points standings for group three drivers. His decision to test his skills against the top group four drivers of Guyana could see him becoming a member of Team Guyana in the remaining rounds of the 2008 Caribbean championship if he is successful.

Guyana’s group four drivers are using this July 27 race meeting as a warm-up event for the upcoming second round of the 2008 Caribbean Championship scheduled for August 31 in Barbados at the Bushy Park Raceway.

Jamaican David Summerbell leads that points standing after round one with 20 points followed closely by Guyana’s King on 19 points

Rossi: Lorenzo battle “fun but tough”

Sunday, 19 July 2009

“It is always more difficult to fight with Jorge,” says Sachsenring racewinner.

Rossi pleased with great win

For those of you watching MotoGP you have to admit it does not get any better than this.  Yes, and my favorite, the greatest and none other than Valentino Rossi, is in the mix with the young guns.

 

 

MOTORCYCLE ROAD RACERS REUNION AT THE PARTS CANADA SUPERBIKE CHAMPION DOUBLEHEADER WEEKEND AT MOSPORT
July 17 - 19

Scheduled for the Saturday (July 18), the Reunion will feature eleven prominent racers and one Legendary Sidecar Racing Team from over the years as the "Masters of Mosport" and they will participate in a parade lap and an autograph session during the lunch break that day. A special commemorative poster featuring the "Masters of Mosport" is being produced and will include Lang Hindle, Rueben McMurter, Michel Mercier, Dan Sorenson, Frank Mrazek, Clive Ng-A-Kien, Gerry Marshall, Paul MacMillan, and the sidecar pair of Greg Cox and Bill Davidson.

The brainchild of longtime motorsport announcer, Pat Gonsalves,

"I’ve thought about having a Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion for many years now and had suggested to a number of people that it would be a great addition to Canada’s biggest motorcycle road race, held every year at Mosport," said Gonsalves who also hosts the TSN television broadcast of the Parts Canada Superbike Series.

"My visit to the Daytona 200 Monument back in March was the inspiration for doing the Reunion.  I hope that the Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion grows into an annual event where all racers, their families, friends and race fans can gather to celebrate with all riders. This event will also have a fundraising component, with a portion of the special VIP Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion ticket going to the new Canadian Rider Safety Fund and the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame"

All former and current motorcycle road racers (both pro and amateur) are invited to be part of the festivities by purchasing a special Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion Saturday Ticket which gets the racer and a guest admission to Mosport, access to the VIP Motorcycle Road Racers Area in Turn 1 with Grandstand seating, and lunch on Saturday.

The Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion will also include a special display of classic racing motorcycles from the Bar Hodgson collection, sponsored by the International Motorcycle Super Show, and a silent auction with proceeds being donated to the Canadian Rider Safety Fund and the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion tickets are $50 each and must be purchased in advance. For more information about Mosport ticket packages and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET) or visit online at www.mosport.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.

For More Information Contact:

Pat Gonsalves, Q107 Radio
(416) 646-8578
pgonsalves@q107.com

 

Lee Bailie, Mosport

(905) 995-8313 (cell.)

lee@mosport.com

 

Mosley will immediately take a back-seat role until his 16-year reign ends in October — a move that will help to end the acrimonious atmosphere that has blighted F1 in recent months.

The Formula One Teams Association had feared teams that signed up for the voluntary $65 million budget cap would have greater technical freedom than those who refused, creating a two-tier championship next season.

Instead, a watered-down cost-cutting deal was accepted by the FOTA members — Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP.

"There will be no split. There will be one F1 championship in 2010," Mosley said at FIA's Paris headquarters. "We have reached agreement to a reduction of costs — we have had significant help from the FOTA teams and the objective is to get back to the spending levels of the early '90s within two years."

Mosley said the deal still maintains the "financial viability" of teams that he had been targeting with the initial cap amid the global economic crisis.

"Obviously we're very happy that common sense has prevailed as I always believed it would because the alternative was not good at all," said Bernie Ecclestone, F1's commercial rights holder. "Everything is in good shape."

As part of the agreement, existing teams must help new outfits — three are debuting next season — with their engines, chassis and further technical assistance. The FIA also expects the teams to sign up to a revised version of the 1998 Concorde Agreement, the confidential commercial document governing the sport.

"Everyone got what they wanted," World Motorsport Council member Lars Osterlind told The Associated Press. "Everybody recognized the need for a compromise that everyone knew had to happen. Ultimately FOTA remembered that there needs to be an independent body that oversees motorsport. The best solution was not to break away."

Last weekend's British Grand Prix had been overshadowed by the split between the FIA and FOTA members, some of whom were branded "loonies" by Mosley after their decision to form a rival series.

Mosley said Friday that legal proceedings would be issued against FOTA, but backed down 48 hours later when he insisted that a deal was "very, very close."

Now the FOTA members hope to move on from the crisis that threatened to rip F1 apart.

"There have been problems in the last few months, but as Max — or Mr. Mosley — has said, it's important to solve these problems," said Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president and FOTA chairman.

What will help heal the rifts is the departure of the often divisive Mosley, who has been the president of the FIA, the international automobile federation that governs Formula One, since 1993.

His leadership style has been criticized as too autocratic, and many of the teams blamed him for precipitating the split between FOTA and the FIA. Still, Mosley announced over the weekend that he was seriously considering running for a fifth term.

But he said Wednesday: "I will not be up for re-election now we have peace. It is a great relief and that is going to enable me to take a step back for the summer.

"I will be able to look at Formula One knowing it's peaceful and stable, and I will be able to stop — as was always my intention — in October of this year. So I won't present myself for re-election."

 

"This for me is an enormous relief," Mosley added, referring to "personal difficulties" he has faced.

His son, Alexander Mosley, was found dead at his luxury apartment May 5 after an accidental drug overdose.

The 69-year-old FIA president, the son of former British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, was at the center of a media frenzy last year when a tabloid newspaper reported he took part in a sadomasochistic orgy with five prostitutes in London. A video of the incident was widely circulated on the Internet.

Mosley successfully sued the News of the World for invasion of privacy.

The episode brought calls for Mosley's ouster as FIA president, but he won an overwhelming vote of confidence to stay on.

While some of you suspect I am posting this article because of the Rossi pic...you could be correct...lol but I am posting for all those nay sayers with respect to the bridgestone tires.  Well MotoGP is still strong, the youngsters they are trying and Rossi, in my eyes, is still the best.  Not to take anything away from Stoner and Lorenzo and Pedrosa.  Did I miss anyone????

Enjoy your day!

Bridgestone: “Faster race time shows 2009 consistency”

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

Tyre manufacturer pleased with Rossi winning race pace.

 

Max Mosley, whose son was found dead Tuesday, has been president of the FIA since 1993. (Valery Hache / Getty Images)

The body of 39-year-old Alexander Mosley was found in his west London apartment Tuesday afternoon.

He died of a suspected drug overdose, a London police official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the force was not authorized to disclose details.

Max Mosley has been the president of the FIA, the international automobile federation which governs Formula One racing, since 1993.

"The FIA extends sincere condolences to the Mosley family on the sad news of the death of Alexander Mosley," the Paris-based federation said. "Our thoughts are with Alexander's family and friends, and we would request that the media respect the Mosley family's privacy at this difficult time."

Former Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan described Alexander Mosley as a "hugely clever and talented computer expert."

"It's totally tragic, he was such a bright boy," Jordan said. "I'm devastated for them."

Max Mosley and his wife, Jean, have another son, 38-year-old Patrick.

Max Mosley, the son of former British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, was at the center of a media frenzy last year when a tabloid newspaper reported he took part in a Nazi-themed sadomasochistic orgy with five prostitutes in London. A video of the incident was circulated on the Internet.

 

The episode brought calls for Mosley's ouster as FIA president, but he won an overwhelming vote of confidence to stay on.

Mosley told the court last year that the story had devastated his family.

"I don't think there is anything worse for a son than to see in a newspaper, particularly one like the News of the World, pictures of the kind they printed," he said last year. "I can think of nothing more undignified or humiliating than that. If I put myself in their position - to see my father in that position, I would find it devastating.

"My family can do nothing except suffer the consequences for something they have no responsibility for."

 

This link is posted by Brian Max at the GMRC site.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=78060147959

This link can only viewed by Facebook members..
 

King betters personal best  to take pole in Group ‘4’

It seems as though Andrew King meant business when he told this newspaper on Thursday that he was aiming to take back his lap record which was broken by Jamaican David Summerbell.

As the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) opens its 2009 season today with the national Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit, King bettered his personal best to secure the pole position in Group 4.

King had held the lap record after racing to 35.98s last year, but at last November’s Caribbean race of Champions, Summerbell set a new benchmark of 34.98s

However, at yesterday’s time trials ahead of the big day, King in his Tube Frame Mazda RX7 drove 35.964s. His rival and nemesis Mark Vieira who is flashing his brand new Mazda RX8 raced to a 36.519s to take second on pole while Shawn King clocked 37.3s.

Also enjoying a good run on the eve of the Championships was Ryan Rahaman who has taken pole position in two separate categories.

First, running in the group ‘2B’ Ryan in his customary Ford Escort did 39.00s while Ched Singh was 40.1s and Gavin Gouveia 41.1s. He returned in the powerful Group ‘3’ class and showed his high level of competitiveness by clocking 37.3s to take the pole ahead of Ravi Singh (38.1s) and Gavin Gouveia (38.6s).

In the Group ‘2A’ category, Chet Singh racing his Honda Civic will be starting in front of veteran champion driver Jad Rahaman and his Ford Escort, after clocking 42.00s at yesterday’s time trial as compared to Jad’s 41.5s while Pierre Singh’s Toyota Levin 4AGE earned him third on pole with 42.3s.

Kristian Jeffery ran 44.7s to start at number one today in 125cc Shifter Karts category while Alexander Fiedtkou (45.4s) barely had a better time than Stanley Ming (45.6s) to take second.

But ardent race fans will know that even though you are number one on pole, it doesn’t mean that you will win. However from the superb timings driven by the competitors yesterday, there’s no doubt that today will certainly be one of the best starts ever for the GMR&SC season.

Twenty-five (25) events are carded for the day with the first starting at 9 am, stretched across eight groups – Rookies, Group 2A&B, Group 3&4, Open Class Motorcycles, Lightweight Motorcycles and Shifter 125cc Go-karts.

The event is co-sponsored by GT&T Cellink Plus, CARIB Beer and Sunburst Orange Juice.

Brawn GP's Jenson Button won the Bahrain GP on Sunday, giving the Briton his third win in four F1 races this year. Full Story ...

For Vettel, who beat Australian teammate Mark Webber by 10.9 seconds, it was his second career victory. The German completed 56 laps on the slick, 3.387-mile Shanghai International Circuit in 1:57:43, averaging 96.61 mph.

Points leader Jenson Button of Brawn was third, extending his lead after three races to six points. The Briton won the first two races - at Australia and a rain-shortened event in Malaysia.

Button's Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello was fourth, holding off the McLaren duo of Heikki Kovalainen and defending series champion Lewis Hamilton, who had just one pit stop along with seventh-placed Timo Glock of Toyota.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi got the last point-paying position in eighth, recovering after crashing into the back of Vettel while traveling behind the safety car on lap 20.

Red Bull's 1-2 finish was a credit to the team's crew, who had to fix a drive shaft problem that hampered the cars in Saturday practice, restricting their running in qualifying.

"I am extremely happy," said Vettel, whose only previous win also came in the rain at Italy last year.

"The car was fantastic. The team did a really, really good job in preparing the car. We found the problem. That speaks for the quality of the team."

It was the third straight race this season in which the pole sitter took the victory.

Ferrari again finished out of the points, with Felipe Massa's car breaking down and Kimi Raikkonen wallowing in the middle of the pack throughout before finishing 10th.

It was the first time since 1981 that Ferrari had gone three races into the season without a point.

Force India's Adrian Sutil spun out while running in sixth with only five laps remaining, costing his team a chance of getting its first ever F1 points.

Webber, who had his best finish ever, described Red Bull's finish in difficult driving conditions as "extremely rewarding."

"Its the best result of my career and I'm hoping to go one step better in the future," Webber said. "It's an incredible result for Red Bull."

Webber and Button had a good duel for second, passing each other repeatedly just past the halfway mark.

"We couldn't challenge these two guys today, who were immensely quick," Button said of the Red Bulls. "But it's good to get six points on the board and keep the consistency."

The race started behind the safety car because of standing water on the track, with the drivers traveling in formation for seven laps. The safety car re-emerged after BMW's Robert Kubica crashed into the back of Toyota's Jarno Trulli on the 19th lap.

Vettel set a best time of 1 minute, 36.184 seconds at the Shanghai International Circuit to start Sunday from the front of the for Sunday's race.

Renault's Fernando Alonso will start second on the grid, ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Brawn's Rubens Barrichello.

It was a remarkable performance by the Red Bull team, which experienced a driveshaft failure on both cars in Saturday morning's pre-qualifying practice before rebounding to emerge as clearly the quickest team in both the second and third qualifying sessions.

The car problem meant Vettel had only one flying lap in each of the three sessions, leaving no margin for error.

"You don't need more, but it was not easy," Vettel said. "We had a problem with the car, we tried to run as little as possible.

"I hope the boys can fix it. I hope both our cars are up to it tomorrow."

Alonso split the Red Bull pair, after the Renault team fitted a new diffuser on his car in an all-night session by team mechanics. Renault had also abandoned the problematic KERS power-boost system for this race.

"We didn't know how the car would respond and we are extremely happy with the result," Alonso said.

"The guys only slept one or two hours. After this enormous job you have to deliver in the car."

Championship leader Jenson Button of Brawn was fifth fastest -a step down from the poles he had in the opening two races of the season.

"It's a little bit of a surprise," Button said of Red Bull. "In Melbourne they were also very quick. We had the legs on them but I don't know about here.

"We're still up there. It's going to be very tough tomorrow to come away with a victory. It makes it interesting, but it's a lot more difficult."

Toyota's Jarno Trulli was sixth in qualifying ahead of Williams' Nico Rosberg and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, while reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was ninth in his McLaren.

Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa again failed to make it into the final session of qualifying and will start from 13th.

Toyota's Timo Glock was forced to change his gearbox after a failure in morning practice, incurring a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's race that will drop him down to 19th place

Rossi nominated for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award

Friday, 17 April 2009

Fiat Yamaha’s World Champion on shortlist of six for prestigious prize.

 

fstl:edgeinclude source="/name/public/Topstories"/>

The world motor sports governing body Wednesday approved the use of a rear diffuser design that helped Button win the season's first two races in Australia and Malaysia.

The decision by the FIA's International Court of Appeals ends efforts by Ferrari, Renault, BMW Sauber and Red Bull Racing to protest the diffusers. Had they won their appeal, Button could have had his victories annulled.

"We are pleased with the decision," Brawn GP team chief Ross Brawn said. "The decision of the International Court of Appeal brings this matter to its conclusion and we look forward to continuing on the track the challenge of what has been a very exciting start to the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship."

Button leads the drivers' standings with 15 points, five more than teammate Rubens Barrichello. Toyota drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, who also use the diffuser, are next.

The FIA rejected the appeal by the four teams against the technology which channels the flow of air from the front to rear and helps create greater downforce through corners.

"Based on the arguments heard and evidence before it, the Court has concluded that the stewards were correct to find that the cars in question comply with the applicable regulations," FIA said in a brief statement.

The decision was a victory for diffuser users Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams and could force their rivals to quickly add the devices to catch up.

It's also a victory for new rule changes in the sport designed to encourage more passing. Brawn, Toyota and Williams have upended the established hierarchies of F1, breaking the Ferrari-McLaren dominance of the sport.

The next test will be this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The dispute stemmed from rule changes passed last year, with the protesting teams claiming that the design of the diffusers in question violated new aerodynamics regulations. Brawn, Williams and Toyota, meanwhile, maintained that they were simply using a loophole in the new rules that the other teams had missed by designing their rear bodywork to effectively act as part of the diffuser, increasing its size.

Brawn GP, the former Honda team which was saved by a last-minute buyout by Ross Brawn, is the first new outfit to win its opening two races since Alfa Romeo in the inaugural F1 season in 1950.

"We respect the right of our competitors to query any design or concept used on our cars through the channels available to them," Ross Brawn said in a statement.

Ferrari led the arguments against the diffusers during contentious, eight-hour hearings at the FIA Paris headquarters Tuesday.

"We are waiting to hear the reasons the ICA rejected the appeal," said Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari's team principal. "Unfortunately this decision forces us to intervene on fundamental areas of the car's design in order to be able to compete on an equal footing."

"That will take time and money," he said. "We will now double our efforts to get the team back to the highest level of competitivity."

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said the team would accept the decision but didn't consider it fully legitimate.

Theissen said the ruling "doesn't achieve the reduction in downforce and cornering speed intended ... when the new regulations were drawn up."

The decision also means "seven teams will have to invest heavily in carrying out the necessary modifications to their cars," he said.

Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said, "Obviously, we're disappointed with today's announcement but we'll accept it. This means we will now have to develop our own double-diffuser solution."

Williams chief executive Adam Parr predicted the rival teams would install rear diffusers "within days."

Toyota welcomed the ruling. Toyota chairman and team principal Tadashi Yamashina said, "This has been a challenging period for Formula One and I am pleased this issue is now in the past and we can focus on an exciting season on the track."

Video can be viewed here.    1hr.17:33mins. duration

http://www.jrdc.org/category/videos/jrdc-videos

 

The sport's power teams are in crisis, one of the races finished prematurely due to contentious scheduling, and there is still no decision on whether results from the races in Australia and Malaysia will stand.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was cut short just past the halfway point on Sunday, when a tropical storm hit the Sepang circuit, making conditions undriveable.

It was predictable that starting the race at 5 p.m. local time - to suit European television audiences - would increase the likelihood of it being hit by a torrential downpour, which generally arrive in the late afternoon or early evening in Malaysia.

The late start also meant that once the storm had largely passed after almost an hour's wait, encroaching darkness made a restart unfeasible.

Malaysian's new prime minister said immediately after the race that he would look at moving the event back to its regular afternoon start. Whether that happens remains to be seen. Generally, races that suggest changes that run counter to the wishes of F1 authorities don't tend to stay on the schedule for long.

Still, political pressure may yet work where driver demands have failed. Even before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Malaysian GP were switched to twilight starts, drivers had voiced their concern at being forced to drive in deteriorating light and tropical rain to suit European TV viewers.

Brawn GP's Jenson Button won both races, making Brawn the first new team to win its opening two GPs since Alfa Romeo won the sport's first two races in 1950.

However, Button, Brawn and other top finishers only received half the usual points for Malaysia, as stipulated under F1 rules, because the race went less than three quarters of the scheduled distance.

And that is if those points count at all.

The results from Australia and Malaysia remain provisional pending a ruling of the FIA's International Court of Appeal in Paris on Tuesday.

Ferrari, BMW, Renault and Red Bull have lodged appeals against stewards' decisions in Australia and Malaysia to allow Brawn, Toyota and Williams to race with what the four teams claim are rear diffuser designs that breach new aerodynamic regulations.

The three teams have dominated the time sheets in the opening two races because the diffusers, an undercar device that channels the flow of air from the front to rear, help create greater downforce in the corners.

Brawn GP and Toyota have capitalized on their speed advantage to break away at the top of the points standings, while Williams has been largely unable to convert its speed in practice sessions into performance on race day.

At the other end of the standings are the power teams: McLaren, with a single point, and Ferrari, which has gone through the opening two races of the season without earning a point for the first time since 1992.

McLaren's struggles on the track have translated into turmoil off it. Sporting director Dave Ryan, a team employee for 35 years, was fired on Tuesday for deliberately misleading race stewards at a postrace hearing in Australia.

Ryan and world champion Lewis Hamilton told stewards that the English driver had received no instruction from his team to move over late in the race and let Toyota's Jarno Trulli through to the third spot.

The stewards' hearing was reopened in Malaysia and heard audio evidence of pit-to-car communication in which McLaren did indeed tell Hamilton to allow Trulli through, having wrongly thought the world champion's earlier passing maneuver on the Italian was illegal because it was done behind the safety car.

McLaren was officially excluded from the results, negating what would have been a third-place finish, and Ryan was made the immediate fall guy. But McLaren was mistaken if it thought Ryan's ouster, and an emotional apology from Hamilton, would prevent more fallout.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh has said he is considering his future, and the team's shareholders have the power to dismiss him. Engine supplier Mercedes, whose reputation in the sport rides largely on McLaren's performance, said it would consider the issue.

The FIA may also refer McLaren's deceptive behavior to the World Motor Sports Council, which has the power to ban Hamilton and McLaren from a number of races, or even from the 2009 championship altogether.

The only bright spot for McLaren is that the situation at archrival Ferrari is similarly dire. Both teams have paid the price for pouring all their development dollars into the 2007 and 2008 cars as they battled out those championships, while rivals turned far earlier to designing cars for the very different specifications required for 2009.

Long gone is the absolute Ferrari dominance under the triumvirate of peerless driver Michael Schumacher and now departed team bosses Jean Todt and Ross Brawn. While Schumacher remains a brooding and frustrated figure in the pits as a team adviser, Brawn is at the other end of pit lane with his new team - which he took over when Honda withdrew from the sport - and getting race wins on a fraction of the budget.

Although only two races have been run, it already seems Ferrari and McLaren's best hope of getting back into the championship picture is if the FIA wipes out the results of the three teams using the diffuser. In which case the title race will take on a very different hue when it resumes in China on April 19

 

The World Champion was nearly in tears during a very public apology after admitting to misleading race stewards at last weekend's Grand Prix under the order of McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan.

And reports have now indicated that Hamilton Snr is deciding whether the Woking-based outfit is the best place for his son to build his career at.

Hamilton still has three years left on his £75 million deal with McLaren, but the Brit has a number of get-out clauses in his contract, making a departure from the team pricy, but not impossible.

Former racing legend turned pundit Martin Brundle meanwhile has considered the possibility the actual scandal itself may prove Hamilton's best exit strategy.

'McLaren could also now be perceived to be in breach of Lewis's contract for bringing him into disrepute especially as a senior team member has taken the whole rap,' Brundle wrote. 'This would make Lewis a free agent if he wanted to move teams.

Jenson Button won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, giving Brawn GP a victory in its first F1 race. Full Story ...

Jenson Button secured pole position for Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Brawn GP's debut race. Full Story ...

Peter, what a let's cover my tail response....just in case.....lol.   Stay well.

Yes it was a long winter break.  But it's much to early to tell if any one team will dominate because the cars are so different this year.  My team, McLaren, is currently struggling with a lack of downforce and grip.  And now that testing between races is banned, it's a hard task for them to claw back.  By May/June it should settle down and we should be able to make some predictions.  If the diffuser situation passes the appeal I believe we are in for a season that will not be dominated by 1 or 2 teams as recently was the case.  That would be great for the sport.  Start your engines.......

 

Come on guys and gals lets start the engines.............who do you think will win the title this year?

Date	Race	Track / Location	Weather	Time (ET)	Previous Winner
3/29	Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Melbourne, Victoria		2:00 am	Lewis Hamilton
4/5	Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit Kuala Lumpur,		5:00 am	Kimi Raikkonen
4/19	Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit Shanghai,		3:00 am	Lewis Hamilton
4/26	Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit Sakhir,		8:00 am	Felipe Massa
5/10	Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona,		8:00 am	Kimi Raikkonen
5/24	Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco Monte Carlo,		8:00 am	Lewis Hamilton
6/7	Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park Istanbul,		8:00 am	Felipe Massa
6/21	British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit Silverstone,		8:00 am	Lewis Hamilton
7/12	German Grand Prix	Nurburgring Nurburg,		8:00 am	Lewis Hamilton
7/26	Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring Budapest,		8:00 am	Heikki Kovalainen
8/23	European Grand Prix	Valencia Street Circuit Valencia,		8:00 am	Felipe Massa
8/30	Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps,		8:00 am	Felipe Massa
9/13	Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza Monza,		8:00 am	Sebastian Vettel
9/27	Singapore Grand Prix	Marina Bay Circuit Singapore,		8:00 am	Fernando Alonso
10/4	Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course Suzuka,		1:00 am	Fernando Alonso
10/18	Brazilian Grand Prix	Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Interlagos) Sao Paulo,		12:00 pm	Felipe Massa
11/1	Abu Dhabi Grand Prix	Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi,		6:00 am

 

Ferrari, BMW, Renault and Red Bull lodged protests Thursday after race stewards approved the design of the rear diffuser and attached bodywork on the cars of Williams, Toyota and race favorites Brawn.

The protest was to be heard by race stewards later Thursday.

New F1 regulations limit the size of the diffuser, and the protesters say Williams, Toyota and Brawn have bent the rules to increase its size.

This message was deleted on 05:43PM - Wednesday March 25, 2009

FIA willing to defer new points system

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has said it is willing to postpone the planned introduction of a new points system until 2010 if the teams are unhappy with making the change for the 2009 season.

The new system, which would see the driver with the most wins (rather than points) crowned champion, was announced on Tuesday by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, after it rejected an alternative proposal for a revised points structure from the teams.

The teams have since expressed their belief that the rules could not be changed so soon prior to the start of the season without their unanimous agreement and on Friday the FIA offered to defer the plan.

The full statement from the FIA:
“On 17 March, the FIA World Motor Sport Council unanimously rejected FOTA’s proposed amendment to the points system for the Formula One Drivers’ Championship. The ‘winner takes all’ proposal made by the commercial rights holder (who had been told that the teams were in favour) was then approved.

“If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010.”

 

Governing body FIA decided Tuesday that the current points system will remain in effect to determine the driver's title in the case of a tie, with points also determining the order of the drivers who finish the season behind the overall champion.

Under the new system, Ferrari's Felipe Massa would have won the 2008 championship instead of Lewis Hamilton of McLaren. The Brazilian driver won six grand prix races to Hamilton's five.

The 10 F1 teams had been looking to change the points to a 12-9-7 scoring system for first through third place, from its current 10-9-8 allocation. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had initially preferred a medals tally, but FIA approved Ecclestone's revised proposal, which will not affect the constructors' championship.

FIA's World Motor Sports Council also approved further regulation changes to decrease costs in the face of the worldwide economic crisis.

"All teams will have the option to compete with cars built and operated within a stringent cost cap," the council said.

A proposed cap of $42 million would cover expenditures of "any kind" and to give such cars greater technical freedom. That would entail "a more aerodynamically efficient upper body, movable wings and an engine which is not subject to a rev limit or a development freeze."

Car weights will be published following Saturday's qualifying session and would rename tire grades for better clarity to spectators. Drivers must also be available for further autograph sessions and better media availability.

F1 teams will also be limited to eight one-day aerodynamic tests during the course of the season instead of a total ban on in-season testing, and allowed three one-day "young driver" tests featuring pilots who have not raced more than two GPs in the preceding 24 months.

The council, meeting before the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29, also rubber-stamped Brawn GP's purchase of Honda while waiving the new entry fee that usually accompanies a new team on the starting grid.

 

A fun couple of laps- awesome

 

http://www.supercarchallenge.nl/video/Assen-bmwSTW.wmv

More photos and coverage of races in GT

 

http://www.wheelsjamaicahost.com/wheels_forum/index.php?topic=101248.msg1433619#msg1433619

Click link for GMR&SC website to photos from races and presentation ceremony at South Dakota last weekend

http://www.gmrscgy.com/nov2-2008-b.htm

Peter M, I have opened the F1 discussion for you so please make hay while the sun shines because the pros on the subject are all on and I am truly not included in that lot.  No interest in F1.  But still curious to hear why you dislike Ferrari.

Peter H and Karl, I concur.

A good day to all.

 

 

Markey Mark,dem EVOS are bad.That Maloney dude almost lap the whole field,cant really figure out what happened to dem guyanese boys.

Gotta agree with Karl,Lewis won the championship Glock didnt give him anything.On a wet track with dry weather tires you could lose 5,6 seconds a lap to a car on intermediate or full wet  tires.I think the tv coverage should have given us  an idea as to how far ahead Glock was with 3 or 4 laps to go and as a result alot of you guys wouldnt come to the conclusion that Glock pulled over so LH could pass him.Anyway what reasons would Glock or  the Toyota team have for doing that.Congrats to Lewis Hamilton,the dude is an awesome driver.

Peter, then I also should take my criticsm of Lewis back because in my opinion Glock did move over, almost as if he was instructed to do so.  So tell me: did Glock not have the option to change tyres?  When a driver opt to not change tyres is it not safe to assume there is a great level of comfort with the handling of the car or is it that I have also been away from F1 so long that I have missed out on the new rules etc etc.  Anyway it seems safe to conclude that the tyre argument is a soft one because up until that lap he was pressing very hard and was willing to take the risk.  Having said that it appears Lewis Hamilton is a very good driver and apparently so is Glock.  

But on another note I don't get the feeling you are particularly a Hamilton fan but instead someone who appears to dislike Ferrari very much and will back anyone who beats them.  If I have misread you then I stand corrected.  Otherwise please tell your beef with Ferrari?

GMRC Racing - I have a few questions but a young man whose name I am not allowed to call cautioned me against my questions by suggesting I have been away from Guyana too long and have forgotten how club racing is done.   So on that note I will conclude that the races are probably more fun to watch in person....