A better video of Alonso lapping Fiorano.

God I love You Tube! Here is a nat sound version of Alonso lapping Fiorano last week.

There has been some stink raised about Ferrari illegally testing because of this clip. In fact there is absolutely nothing illegal going on here as the rules allow for 100 Km of running for so called "promotional use". This can mean filming commercials, infomercials, training videos, pleasing sponsors, whatever a team need for "promotion". If you have Stefano Domenicali's cell, you could call him and ask what they did, but whatever they DID do was in no way illegal. They just ran their current car as every other team is free to do, for 100 km.

Not that Ferrari reads Axis but if you do, shoot me an email, I can suggest a couple of helmet cams with a quality actually worthy of an F1 team....
And how about Nando's neck? That's steadier than the Freep's roll bar mount! :)


(Ferrari)
end of post

Nice garage....

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European GP Executive Summary

if it's slow, let it load...
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Lewis is flying high!

Hamilton is on a roll. Fresh with the knowledge he's at the moment enjoying the full protection of the FIA and the British press core, he continues to miss wonderful opportunities to keep quiet, ribbing Ferrari and Alonso for getting passed by "a Sauber" and thanking the FIA for the wonderful job they are doing this year. We wonder how he might have reacted had he too been forced to pit behind the safety car and emerged behind both Alonso and Massa, remember he had to change his front wing along with the tires. Anyway... as St. Bernie teaches, controversy is good for F1 sales.

Speaking of safety, the FIA made the case that the safety car had to be launched in the middle of the field to protect the medical car dispatched to help with Webber' potential (but thankfully inexistent) injuries. Would it not be the case then that consciously racing past the safety car in order to drive as fast as possible, including past the accident scene, back to the pits shows a blatant disregard for other racer's safety? Should that not have been a black flag offense, or at the very least deserve probationary status moving forward? I seem to remember Renault being banned for a race because they did not screw a lug nut in properly.... I'm just saying.

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Top Gear Moment of Zen: Season 15 Episode 1

Top gear started up again, as all you "torrentialists" are no doubt aware. By the way, nothing can quite match the experience of watching Clarkson dubbed into Italian. They use a voice that is a cross between what would be used to dub a manga cartoon "grown up" and Oliver Hardy....which kind of makes perfect sense doesn't it?


Home

Complaints, Lies and Videotape

As you read various sources and make your mind out about what happened in Valencia, be careful about what "facts" you are presented with. For example, GrandPrix.com is reporting a lengthy explanation as to why it took Charlie Whiting and crew 35 minutes to come up with a suitable penalty for Hamilton's passing of the pace car. Obviously the article is a "his master's voice" piece coming straight from the source, peeved about the worldwide criticism.

You can choose to believe what parts you like, for example that the footage could not be found for half an hour but just know what that footage actually shows when you read those convoluted excuses about transponder location on the different cars.

Keep it in mid too when you read Hamilton's " ...I don't remember very much to be honest, I got to turn 1 and I was already passed the pace car..."



It's certainly true the Safety Car was deployed quickly, just as Webbed tosses his steering wheel and begins to climb out of his car, which was off the racing line, on his own. It's tough to criticize an abundance of caution but this could have been resolved with a local yellow. Even if a Safety Car was needed, why have it dive in the middle of the pack? Why not display yellows and SC boards until the leader could be gathered? Needless panic that ended up ruining a race for all the fans that were waiting for the fight to come between Vettel Hamilton and Alonso.



Predictably, all the UK centric publications are slamming Ferrari for criticizing race control and Alonso for "complaining"... Let's go to the videotape!



How about term limits of race directors? Discuss.
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Postcard from Valencia

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Italian National Anthem

OK, so Italy was eliminated from the World Cup, time to regroup and plan the comeback four years from now. In the meantime let's all stand for the National Anthem....crank it!

Around Fiorano in the F10 "B" with Fernando Alonso

Some of you wondered how was it possible for Ferrari to test its new low exhaust configuration on the Fiorano track last week what with the testing ban and all. Regulations do allow for a small number of kilometers to be run for "promotional" use, making commercials for example.

Not sure if Ferrari did much beyond adding a helmet cam on Fernando, but that's fine with us, we love helmet cams!


(via ItaliaSpeed TV)

Interesting read in this week's Autosprint magazine, exhaust blowing in the diffuser are is actually quite an old idea, Renault first used it in the turbo era. At the time gasses were vented under the car into the diffuser flow. The problem was that the additional flow was throttle dependent and thus quite unpredictable if the driver ever lifted. Scary.

These new versions blow on top of the diffuser between the "decks" of the double decker thus eliminating the worst aspect of the old solution. Apparently Ferrari had identified a problem with the F10's design right after the first tests (and probably after having a look at the RedBull who only used the low exhaust at the last test session and even then went as far as placing stickers to simulate a high exhaust position) but reconfiguring the internal packaging, with the original headers pointing forward and up to accommodate the low exhaust, took this long.
Chasing after the Mclaren F-duct was probably a distraction for Maranello as well. On a track like Valencia, I can't imagine this new system will help Ferrari much, maybe somewhere with fast corners like Silverstone.
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Short Wheelbase.

I always liked them better than the more famous 917's: the 908/3 was a short wheelbase barchetta special Porsche created to attack the Targa Florio and the Nürburgring.
Surely devilish to drive, 360HP for 1200 lbs (544 kg) with nothing much around the driver for safety, it had a shape that just lent itself to some of the coolest paint jobs of the era (attention Cayman Interseries!).

We saw a 908/3 and spoke to briefly to Brian Redman at the opening ceremony for the Monticello Motor Club a while back, what an honor to shake hands with a legend of motorsport.



In this clip Redman drives a 908/3 at last year's Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca and tells a bit of the story of this fantastic, mad machine . How cool are those clicky rev counters?


(Checkered Flag Films)

Catch a couple of period film clips of the 908/3 in action after the jump.

Tin Top Attack.

Just because I've been on vacation it does not mean the rest of the Axis has been sleeping: check out the Freep's heroic climb from 17th on the grid to 5th place at the 2010 NASA Hyperfest SpecE30 races a held at Summit Point in West Virginia last week. Check out the near misses, notice how "the Freep don't lift" and don't miss the Felipe Massa style opportunistic pass towards the end of the clip!

Thirty seven minutes into the 40 minute, the Freep was attacking fourth place but a fuel pickup problem forced him to pull back and maintain 5th place. NIce driving.

UPDATE: added rear view cam after the jump...

Pirelli and other Formula 1 tidbits.

As we had anticipated, Pirelli will be the F1 tire supplier for the next three seasons. Some last minute strong arming about the contract details likely tied to on track signage but all the teams were clamoring for closure so the could get on with the business of designing next year's cars so the deal is finally done.

It will be interesting to see if the additional test days requested by FOTA will be granted. There is a rumor Pirelli purchased the famous "unused" 2010 Toyota F1 car for testing but it would seem like a reasonable request by the teams given the importance of tires in aerodynamics and suspension setup.
For Pirelli this will be more of a branding exercise because it is not clear they will be free to build the best tire their technology would allow, but will have to come up with tires that conform with the "entertainment" wishes of the governing body. Still, a coup the historically media savvy Milanese company will no doubt capitalize upon. Expect a Formula 1 themed Pirelli Calendar next year?

Incidentally Pirelli also produces a small lines of high end sports wear and, to be ready for next year, I purchased a couple of pairs of Pirelli kicks/driving shoes. Now, Pirelli, about those P-Zero Trofeo track tires being available in the US and not just in 18"plus sizes....can we talk?



Couple of other F1 tidbits. As expected, the FIA clamped down after Mclaren's "clever" move during qualifying in Montreal. The team purposely sent Hamilton out without enough fuel to make it back to the pits with a legal car and asked that Lewis strand the Mclaren on the circuit after his pole lap.

Movable rear wings have been confirmed but with incredibly complicated systems and conditions: Onboard computers will allow the wing to move, not at all in the first two laps and later only if the overtaking driver is within one second of the guy in front and then only on designated parts of the track! Lame. Lame. Lame.

Finally the return of the 107% rule, which will be surely bent in favour of commercial contracts stating the minimum amount of cars to take the start.

Low Blow for Ferrari

In preparation for the Valencia Grand Prix, Ferrari tested a new version of the F10 with a heavily revised rear section on its Fiorano test track yesterday.

As you can see from this picture, the visibly slick F10"b" has had its exhaust moved below the belt line like the Red Bull RB6. The exhaust blowing into the diffuser area adds to volume of air processed increasing downforce without a drag penalty.



(Picture thanks to Motorsportblog.it)
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Grand National on the Grand Canal

I confess it's been a bit of challenge finding (or even thinking about) automotive content while vacationing in what has the be the most non car city in the world, Venice. I did however find this...



In case you are wondering it's art: "Covering Hannah, 1987 Buick Grand National" by Richard Prince. It's meant to be a comment on American trash culture. OK...
(couple of more after the jump)

Home

Camping by [ JR ] home

So you want to be a Formula 1 reporter?

This is limited to our UK readers but logs tell me there are quite a few of you so I'll pass it on.

RedBull is running a writing contest with top prize an in at the British Grand Prix in early July. To win, you need to write a mid season review up to Valencia to submit to RedBull. If you are chosen you get the one magical thing separating the amateur from the professional writer, access. Go for it.

Full details after the jump



Red Bull Reporter is a nationwide search to find the best young music, culture and sports writers, filmmakers, presenters and photographers to send them off to report from behind the scenes at events and interview Red Bull athletes all over the UK and beyond.

For the latest assignment, the search is on for an aspiring writer and Formula 1 fanatic to cover the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, which stops in Silverstone from 9th – 11th July. The selected writer will report on the event, participate in various media activities and also report on fan culture at the campsite.
To apply you need to write a mid-season review after the Grand Prix of Valencia on 27th June and submit this article on the Red Bull Reporter website at www.redbullreporter.com.

The chosen reporter will get their mid-season review published in a special edition of the Red Bull Racing newsletter published and distributed at Silverstone, and their report from the British Grand Prix will be showcased on the Red Bull Reporter website following the event.
So if you’re keen to bag this opportunity head over to Red Bull Reporter to find out more and be in with a chance of getting close to the roaring machines and thousands of fans at the F1 Grand Prix!

Graining.

You've heard a lot about it. If you track, you certainly have experienced it but do you really know what it is and why it happens? This video by Dunlop will help.



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Hamilton rules Canada but should Mclaren have been disqualified?

Without a doubt, the best car and best driver won in Montreal. Hamilton was faultless and, for once, on top of his tire consumption the key strategic issue of the race.

On Saturday, Red Bull gambled that conceding pole on Saturday in exchange for starting on the preferred hard compound when heavy on fuel would pay off in the race. As it turned out, Webber would have gotten pole on those prime tires save for a last second heroic lap by Lewis Hamilton which put him a colossal 2/10th ahead.

Talent aside, where did that 2/10th come from? Mclaren deliberately sent Hamilton out with a car that did not have enough fuel to make it back to the pits with the mandated one liter of fuel required to pass technical inspection. This is why they asked Lewis to shut the engine down on his in lap and strand the car.

Comically, Mclaren'ss party line was that the lack of fuel was a "misunderstanding" but obviously Woking employs a team of sporting regulation lawyers in full time radio contact because, in the 1:15 sec it took Hamilton to do his lap, they had already figured out there was no stated "rule" for the car to return to the pits under it's own power and that they would only incur a fine for not making it back in the required 1:30 seconds as stated by an FIA "memo". This is precisely what happened. After the race Martin Whitmarsh warned other teams should not try this in the future as the FIA is sure to crack down on running cars effectively under weight and stranding them by the side of the track... Some calculated Mclaren saved 2.3kg of fuel with this trick and that 2.3 kg in Montreal equals, you guessed it, 2/10th.

Regardless of the controversy, Hamilton deserved the win with a Mclaren ideally suited to the track with no fast corners, long straights, hard braking and requiring mechanical grip coming out of the chicanes. Button played it cool and towards the end he might have pressured Hamilton save for the usual "it's not team orders" call from the pits. Mclaren also benefitted from the old "unsafe release" rule having fallen out of favor and the stewards allowing side by side racing in pit lane again.

Montreal is also a good track for the downforce challenged Ferrari and Alonso put up a good fight. It might have been his race but for run ins with traffic. Buemi, the team should have told him was due to come in. The Lotus blocking his in lap was a big one which allowed Hamilton to come out of the second pit stop round ahead. Finally, Alonso made that inexplicable move to the dirty side of the track after misjudging Chandock's lack of speed and allowing Button to cruise by for second. Third is a good result after the Turkish disaster but there are once again many regrets.

Red Bull were the big losers and once more, it was mechanical reliability which clipped their wings. Webber had to give up the front row because of a gearbox change and Vettel first could not capitalize on their tire choice at the start and later had to nurse the car home to fourth. The team's tire strategy for Webber, I'll be frank, seemed more designed to make sure he finished behind Vettel than anything else.

All and all, a great race to watch with three world champions on the podium. Very cool. Bon retour au Quebec!

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2010 Le Mans 24 live stream: Good Morning Le Sarthe!

LIVE TIMING

With just over six hours to go let's see who's left standing. Big trouble for Peugeot who now lost half of its cars. Audi's are currently 1-2 with a Pug running third 2 laps down and 5th 4 laps down.

In GT2 our underdog pick, the Hankook Ferrari F430 of Keen-Farnbacher-Simonsen is running SECOND! Huge Corvette fail, they were leading with a 1-2 then a crash and just now, a dead car. Colossal fail at BMW who miscalculated the fuel load in the #79 M3 Art Car which sputtered to a stop on the opposite side of the track from pit lane. The second M3 is running 10 laps behind the leader.

Bad Night also for the American Ferraris of Risi Competizioni who lost both cars. The Flying Lizards did not survive, Jaguar was out early.

So as I write, it's the Felbmayr Proton Porsche is leading the class with the AF Ferrari of Fisichella-Alesi having just crashed with a stuck throttle and the Hankook 430 inheriting P2!

More clips after the jump.

First Ferrari 599 GTO delivery

This stunner, in matte Silverstone gray with matte Daytona black roof and mirrors and red alcantara interior details, was delivered to an an Italian enthusiast this past week end. It is the first one.

Congratulations to the owner, rip in good health!


More after the jump

Hamilton positively Senna-esque in Canada

Those of you who were around and witnessed it remember how it was Ayrton Senna's specialty to go out at the last minute and just put the hammer down to completely demolish his opposition. Today in Canada Lewis Hamilton delivered a lap deserving of the yellow helmet he wears. It was a spectacular effort to earn the first pole of the season for a car other than a RedBull.

There is one asterisk, the two RedBulls ran q3 and hence will start the race on the preferred hard tire. If there is no early safety car that might prove the winning move for super best friends Vettel and Webber.

I apologize for the text only post, I'm travelling and in a locale with limited
online access at the moment. Better on Sunday I hope. Enjoy the race.

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Movable Rear wing from 2011!

No F-Duct next season but effectively more of the same.

Drivers can now change the angle of the front wing, that should be banned next year in favor of a rear wing that can move some 50 mm, a huge amount in modern aero.

The suggestion was made by the FIA technical working group at a meeting in Montreal.
(Autosprint)end of post

Team just getting nickeled and dimed or is it the slow squeeze?

Formula 1 size nickles and dimes, of course.

Two interesting off track F1 tidbits. Autosprint reports teams are now being billed for the previously free (and I assume compulsory) use of the Meteo France weather forecasting service and for the GPS display of car position on track. Maybe they should just get iPhone apps now.

Adam Cooper's blog has a bit relating to advertising in the team's pits. Formula 1 management gave signage rights to a subsidiary company called Allsport Management which now claims to own every single square inch of the track including inside team's pits. What makes it interesting is the suggestion that this is related to the choice of Pirelli for 2011 and on. You will remember we discussed how Pirelli's bid was said to hinge of advertising deals. . Ecclestone's suggestion he has nothing to do with it is high comedy. home

Canadian GP Friday Practice

Not much to report

Pos  Driver         Team                   Time              Laps
 1.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault       1:16.877            32
 2.  Alonso         Ferrari                1:16.963  + 0.086   35
 3.  Rosberg        Mercedes               1:17.151  + 0.274   34
 4.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault       1:17.273  + 0.396   33
 5.  Massa          Ferrari                1:17.401  + 0.524   33
 6.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes   1:17.415  + 0.538   28
 7.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes       1:17.522  + 0.645   29
 8.  Kubica         Renault                1:17.529  + 0.652   36
 9.  Schumacher     Mercedes               1:17.688  + 0.811   34
10.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes   1:17.903  + 1.026   35
11.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes       1:17.961  + 1.084   33
12.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth      1:18.385  + 1.508   27
13.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth      1:18.447  + 1.570   41
14.  Petrov         Renault                1:18.582  + 1.705   40
15.  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari         1:18.658  + 1.781   34
16.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari         1:19.142  + 2.265   38
17.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:19.168  + 2.291   32
18.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:19.274  + 2.397   41
19.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth         1:19.969  + 3.092   35
20.  Chandhok       HRT-Cosworth           1:20.879  + 4.002   29
21.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth           1:21.097  + 4.220   31
22.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth         1:21.346  + 4.469   11
23.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth        1:21.488  + 4.611   25
24.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth        1:21.577  + 4.700   30

All Timing Unofficial

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Big rule changes at Le Mans from 2011

(photo: Grant Sager)

Hybrids, "low cost", GT1 canned in favor of an expanded GT2 class, less tire wear, less noise. The 2011 regulations for Le Mans were released today by the ACO.
Details afteer the jump

The 2011 Le Mans 24 Hour regulations have been drawn up in the context of sustainable development and respect for the environment. The ACO and the motor industry have concentrated on two aspects that are crucially important from their point of view:


* An endurance race like the Le Mans 24 Hours must enable entrants to test new technologies.
* The focus of the Le Mans 24 Hours must be aimed even more strongly towards both the
reduction of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

HYBRID SYSTEMS

The ACO wishes to give manufacturers the widest possible scope to use and develop such systems by putting a certain number of controls in place. Energy recovery systems will be allowed provided that they respect the following rules :


* Recovery and release of the energy on two wheels (front or rear axle) to be choice free.
* Maximum quantity of energy released between two braking phases: 500 kJ.
* Energy storing: electrical or mechanical systems
* System actuated by the accelerator pedal only (push to pass buttons forbidden).
* Hybrid safety specification drawn up by the ACO.
* Other means of energy recovery will be allowed: exhaust, engine heat, dampers etc. provided that they respect the specifications drawn up by the ACO (safety, driver aids banned, evaluation of the increases provided by the system, the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions).
* Energy recovery systems using brakes must not be active in curves (driver aids banned).
* Fuel tank capacity reduction: 2 litres less for both petrol and diesel-engined cars.
* Pit lane test obligatory for the cars in the hybrid category according to Article 1 / Definitions, Section 1.12 of the ACO LM P1 & LM P2 technical regulations, which stipulate that a car in this category must be able to cover the distance of the pit lane (400 m.) at a speed of 60 km/h using only the power generated by its hybrid system.

LM P1 & LM P2 PROTOTYPES

The new regulations follow the current evolution of the car in relation to the environment: namely, reduction in the power and overall performance of the engines.

2010 LM P1's eligible in 2011 provided that as announced two years ago, the cubic capacity of the LM P1 prototypes will be reduced. The 2011 regulations for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the ILMC, ALMS, LMS and the Asian Le Mans series have been revised to take into account the current economic situation and ensure a transition period. It gives the 2010 LM P1 prototypes an extra year with their performance adjusted in relation to the new 2011 cars. The development of the current chassis will be frozen as at 31/12/2010.

* LM P2 " A Low Cost Formula" powered exclusively by production series engines with engine regulations close to those in LM GT2.
* Capped costs : that of an engine must not exceed 75,000 €, the sales price of a complete chassis with options without the engine will be 325,000 € maximum - 400,000 € for a complete car.
* Minimum engine life: The life of an engine between two revisions will be 30 hours in 2011, 40 hours in 2012 and 50 hours in 2013.

The current LM P2s can still race in 2011 on 3 conditions :

* 1. Installation of a new engine derived from a production series.
* 2. Chassis development frozen as at 31/12/2010.
* 3. Performance adjusted in relation to the new 2011 models.

CREATION OF THE GT ENDURANCE CATEGORY

In 2011, there will be no LM GT1 category for the following three major reasons:


* Numerous date clashes on the event calendars.
* Very small fields outside the Le Mans 24 Hours.
* The current category is entirely sprint based.

This is why in agreement with the GT manufacturers the ACO has decided to create a GT Endurance category with a single set of regulations valid between 2011 and 2013. These regulations are based on the current GT2 cars complying with the 2009 ACO rules with the following modifications:

* Steering wheel mounted paddle gearshifts allowed.
* Only 1 evolution per year allowed.
* 2 evolutions per year will be allowed for new cars.
* Measures will be taken to reduce top speeds without reducing overall power.

The GT Endurance category will be for one type of car but divided into two classes from 2011:

* GT Endurance PRO: a professional category, cars and drivers free.
* GT Endurance AM: cars over one year old and with a minimum of two drivers classified in the bronze or silver categories (defined under LM P2 LMS 2010 regulations).
* The Michelin Green X Challenge will continue in the PROTOTYPES and GT classes.
* Reduction in tyre consumption (as defined in 2009 and 2010 ACO Regulations)
* Reduction in noise level decibels (From 112DB in 2010 to 110DB in 2011)

Le Mans.org.

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Tiff turns Jason Plato into Patrese's wife

She's still way better looking though.


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Wall of Champions

Formula 1 should never have left Montreal.


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2010 Le Mans 24 Hour Qualifying live stream

Live Timing

First Qualifying is over. Tomorrow, session two, is expected to be wet so everyone guesses these times will stand.

LMP1

1. Peugeot Sport Total 908 HDi Sebastian Bourdais 3:19.711
2. Team Peugeot Total 908 HDi Alexander Wurz 3:20.317
3. Team Peugeot Total 908 Hdi Stephane Sarrazin 3:20.325

LMP2

1. Strakka Racing HDP ARX.01 Jonny Kane 3:36.168
2. Highcroft Racing HPD ARX.01 David Brabham 3:37.202
3. Quifel-ASM Team Ginetta-Zytec 09s Olivier Pla 3:41.968

LM GT1

1. Young Driver AMR Aston Martin DB9 Tomas Enge 3:55.026
2. Matech Competition Ford GT Matech Thomas Mutsch 3:57.296
3. Luc Alphand Adventures Corvette C6.R Julien Jousse 3:58.810

LM GT2

1. Risi Competizioni Ferrari F430GT Gianmaria Bruni 3:59.233
2. Corvette Racing Corvette C6 ZR1 Antonio Garcia 4:00.097
3. Corvette Racing Corvette C6 ZR1 Emmanuel Collard 4:01.012




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Ferrari searching for the next Lewis?

Or is it the next Gilles? Maybe there is more to it than that.

Ferrari, on the same day it announced a two year contract extension for Felipe Massa, announced an "option" on 11 year old Canadian Lance Stroll. Lance has done very well for himself in karting and will be entering Ferrari's new driver development program, the "Ferrari Academy".

Stroll is the son of Lawrence Stroll, the Montreal fashion industry mogul behind Tommy Hilfiger, collector of rare Ferraris including a 250GTO, a 330 P4 and an FXX, gentleman racer, owner of the Circuit Mont Tremblant and friend of Michael Schumacher, who has advised on young Lance's career path. Tommy Hilfiger was a Ferrari sponsor from 1998 to 2001.

Finding talent at a young age is key, finding fully funded and connected talent, genius!

(Ferrari.com, vroom.it)

Race in 24

Another huge racing week end coming up with the Grand Prix of Canada and of course the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans is the only race where the prototype class is even remotely interesting these days with a full field of Peugeots vs Audi vs Lolas but I, like many of you, will be watching the LM GT2 class.

In GT2 it's Ferrari vs Porsche vs BMW vs General Motors. It's Dunlop vs Michelin. It's American teams vs European teams. In other words, it should be a hell of a race.

We will cheer for an underdog, the Hankook Ferrari if anything because, not so long ago, Leh Keen was just another club racer who enthusiastically posted videos on YouTube and internet forums.... come to think of it, he still posts on Rennlist like a regular guy! Keep is fast Leh!

After the jump, a basic category primmer, entry list and spotters guides.




LMP1

Minimum weight: 900kg for petrol-fuelled cars and 930 kg for diesels
Wing length: 1m60
Maximum engine capacity: 6,000cc for petrol atmospheric engines, 4,000cc for turbo engines and 5,500cc for diesel engines
Maximum disc diameter: 38cm
Tank capacity: 90 litres (81 litres for diesel engines)
Headlamp beam: White
Race numbers: 1-24
LMP1 Category sticker: red

Peugeot (Peugeot 908): Wurz-Gené-Davidson
Peugeot (Peugeot 908): Minassian-Sarrazin-Montagny
Peugeot (Peugeot 908): Bourdais-Lamy-Pagenaud
Oreca (Peugeot 908): Panis-Lapierre-Duval
Beechdean (Ginetta-Zytek): Mansell-Mansell-Mansell
Oreca (Oreca-AIM) - Ayari-Andre-Meyrick
Audi Joest (Audi R15) - Kristensen-Capello-McNish
Audi Joest (Audi R15) - Lotterer-Fassler-Treluyer
Audi North America (Audi R15) - Rockenfeller-Bernhard-Dumas
Drayson (Lola-Judd Coupé) - Drayson-Cocker-Pirro
Rebellion (Lola-Judd Coupé) - Prost-Jani-Andretti
Rebellion (Lola-Judd Coupé) - Belicchi-Boullion-Smith
Kolles (Audi R10) - Albers-Tucker-Rodrigues
Kolles (Audi R10) - Bakkerud-Jarvis-Bouchut
Autocon (Lola-AER) - Lewis-Willmann-Burgess
Aston Martin (Lola Aston Martin) - Primat-Mucke-Fernandez
Aston Martin (Lola Aston Martin) - Turner-Barazi-Hancock
Signature (Lola Aston Martin) - Ragues-Ickx-Mailleux

LMP2

Minimum weight: 825kg
Wing length: 1m60
Maximum engine capacity: 3,400ccs and a maximum of 8 cylinders for atmospheric engines or 2,000ccs with a single turbo and a maximum of 6 cylinders for turbo engines
Maximum disc diameter: 38cm
Tank capacity: 80 litres
Headlamp beam: White
Race numbers: 25-49
LMP2 category sticker: blue

OAK (Pescarolo-Judd) - Nicolet-Hein-Yvon
OAK (Pescarolo-Judd) - Lahaye-Moreau-Charouz
RML (Lola-HPD Coupé) - Newton-Erdos-Wallace
Highcroft (Acura-HPD) - Brabham-M.Franchitti-Werner
Racing Box (Lola-Judd Coupé) - Pirri-Cioci-Perazzini
Welter (WR-Zytek) - Salini-Salini-Gommendy
Pegasus (Norma-Judd) - Schell-Da Rocha-Zollinger
KSM (Lola-Judd) - De Pourtales-Noda-Kennard
ASM (Ginetta-Zytek) - Amaral-Pla-Hughes
Bruichladdich (Ginetta-Zytek) - Ojjeh-Greaves-Chalandon
Strakka (Acura-HPD) - Leventis-Watts-Kane

LM GT1

Minimum weight: 560 bhp with a minimum weight of 1,200kg or 600 bhp with a minimum weight of 1,250kg
Maximum width: 210cm
Maximum engine capacity: 8,000ccs for atmospheric engines, 4,000cc for turbocharged engines
Carbon brakes authorised
Tank capacity: 90 litres
Maximum 6 speed gearbox
Headlamp beam: Yellow
Race numbers: 50-74
LM GT1 category sticker: green

Larbre (Saleen S7R) - Berville-Canal-Gardel
Young Driver AMR (Aston Martin DBR9) - Nygaard-Enge-Kox
Matech (Ford GT) - Mutsch-Grosjean-Hirschi
Matech (Ford GT) - Gachnang-Frey-Allemann
Jloc (Lambo Murcielago) - Yogo-Yamanishi-Iiri
VDS (Ford GT) - De Doncker-Leinders-Palttala
Alphand (Corvette C6R) - Gregoire-Policand-Hart
Alphand (Corvette C6R) - Jousse-Maassen-Goueslard

LM GT2

Minimum weight: 1,145kg
Maximum width: 200cm
Maximum engine capacity identical to the LM GT1 category
Carbon brakes forbidden (exclusively iron based)
Tank capacity: 90 litres
Maximum 6 speed gearbox
Headlight beam: Yellow
Race numbers: 75-99
LM GT2 category stickers: Orange

Corvette (Corvette C6 ZR1) - Magnussen-O’Connell-A.Garcia
Corvette (Corvette C6 ZR1) - Gavin-Beretta-Collard
Prospeed (Porsche 997) - Van Splunteren-Hommerson-Machiels
Imsa (Porsche 997) - Narac-Pilet-Long
Felbermayr (Porsche 997) - Lieb-Lietz-Henzler
Felbermayr (Porsche 997) - Felbermayr-Felbermayr-Konopka
BMW (BMW M3) - J.Muller-Farfus-Alzen
BMW (BMW M3) - Priaulx-D.Muller-D.Werner
Flying Lizard (Porsche 997) - Neiman-Law-Bergmeister
Jaguar (Jaguar XKRS) - Gentilozzi-Dalziel-Goossens
Risi (Ferrari 430) - Melo-Bruni-Kaffer
Risi (Ferrari 430) - Krohn-Jonsson-Van de Poele
Spyker (Spyker C8) - Coronel-Dumbreck-Bleekemolen
Farnbacher (Ferrari 430) - Farnbacher-Simonsen-Keen
JMW (Aston Martin Vantage) - Bell-Sugden-Miller
AF Corse (Ferrari 430) - Fisichella-Alesi-Vilander
AF Corse (Ferrari 430) - Companc-Russo-Salo
Scuderia Italia (Porsche 997) - Holzer-Westbrook-Scheider




More LE MANS on Axis

Stoned Coupe

Our fellow M-Coupist and world traveller Eric Brum was walking along Beijing's art district when, from far away, he spotted a BMW Z4 Coupe sporting what he thought was an unusual wrap. What a weird idea, wrapping a car to make it look like the concrete buildings around it, sort of an automotive Liu Bolin he must have thought.

As he got closer however, Eric found the truth even stranger: the BMW was entirely made out of stone and mortar, complete with interior and windows! File under "what tha'...???"
Complete gallery AFTER THE JUMP.


(photos by Eric Brum)

TT's in 3D!

At ease fellas, the 2010 TT going on this week, is being filmed in 3D for what will be an awesome theatrical and DVD release, what were you thinking?

Plenty more more goodies for this year's edition, all onboard cameras are now HD and those glorious ultra slow motion shots will be back. A works BMW bike is also running, the first official manufacturer present at the TT for ages.

The Isle of Man TT makes WRC drivers look like accountants. With the top riders lapping at an average...average, speeds of 130 mph(210km/h), the TT is clearly something even beyond even that famous quotation about motor racing, bullfighting and mountain climbing.

As good an excuse as any to watch the clip we put together last year, when Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini paid a visit to the TT, again don't you think?




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Valentino Rossi severely injured in Mugello crash.

Valentino Rossi's season is compromised after a bad fall in practice at Mugello today. Valentino was already riding with an injury to his shoulder but had managed to set the fastest time yesterday, ahead of championship leader and FIAT-Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo. Towards the end of today's second practice, a nasty highside resulted in a compound, displaced fracture of his right tibia and fibula. Airlifted to Florence, he will be operated tonight, the prognosis is three months minimum.

Gazzetta Dello Sport reports Rossi was on his fist lap on hard tires and had slowed to let another rider pass, as he got on back on it, he lost the rear and was thrown. A rare mistake from Valentino who is under pressure from Lorenzo and a nasty end to a week end which had started with police arresting a deranged Ducati fan for making death threats towards Rossi. I guess even his new mohawk could not protect him. Get well soon Doctor, WLF!
UPDATE
UPDATE: Out of the operating room after a two hour procedure Dr. Costa called the operation "a complete success" and free of complications. He was not willing to give a timeframe for recovery however. "I have seen a lot of injuries and I probably could give you a prognosis but for the first time in my career, I would rather not. All I care about is that he will be treated correctly" Interesting comment.



More at MotoGP.com
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Definition

Stefano D'Aste, BMW 320i WTCC, Proteam Motorsport

curb |kərb| kerb
noun
1 a stone or concrete edging to a street or path.
2 a check or restraint on something
3 a concrete construction used to help rotate your car
4 a tempting shortcut


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Who knew, Mercedes has a sense of humor.

Black humor at that. Brilliant!


(M-B)

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Formula 1 Kumbaya

(Getty)

Love broke out all over Formula 1 yesterday! It broke out in the Red Bull camp where the PR made the two drivers pose for a totally sincere looking picture and proclaimed the Turkish affair over.
Meanwhile, Mclaren made sure everyone knew Jenson loves Lewis and Lewis really really loves Mclaren. Touching, no? Never mind Hamilton was obviously unhappy about something after the race he won in Turkey...it could not have had anything to do with paranoid thoughts about the team not keeping Button behind him, could it? Naaah.

And the RedBull boys, all behind them? " A line drawn" as dutifully reported by all outlets privy to the official press release?
Fuji 2007...now what were the names of the two drivers involved in messing up that RedBull double podium? Oh yeah, move along, nothing to see here, it's all fixed, love is in the air!


HOME

Cars are meant to be used... Episode 7

There are no garage queens in Axis garages.


(Axis Adil, Memorial day week end 2010)

More cars being used...HERE and of course, HERE
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Communication Breakdown

By now, everyone must have made their mind up about what happened in Turkey between the Red Bull drivers, no need to show all that again right?

I found this little clip from the second free practice interesting. Let's see if you can figure out what Mark Webber is trying to communicate before it ends....



Couple of points this brings up:

Hey, that new mandatory mirror placement on F1 cars really works, Webber does a splendid job backing into that narrow lane!

Seriously, fire guys at a Formula 1 event keep the pin in the fire extinguisher during a live practice and take 20 seconds to fumble it out?

Did you notice Webber's left glove has neoprene on it, like the Ferrari drivers had last month to control their first version of the F-duct?

Now to wider points lost in translation:

Who forgot to tell Webber you can't ask your teammate to please slow down?
Who forgot to tell Vettel that Webber has the widest car in F1?
Who forgot to tell Red Bull that Webber is leading the championship?

and while I'm at it:

Who forgot to tell Martin Brundle that calling Alonso a miserable son of a bitch to interview, live on the BBC broadcast just makes Brundle sound like a bitter, non two time world champion, old fart?

Who forgot to tell the press to stop complaining about F1 drivers being "primadonnas"? Show me a driver who's not a "primadonna" and I'll show you someone who will never be world champion. Senna, Schumacher, Prost, PIquet, Hamilton, Button, Alonso, you name them, they all want to get every possible advantage and stopped at nothing to get it. Look at Hamilton, he was all pissy after winning this past week end because he thought the team was behind Jenson....sound familiar?

So why this effort against Alonso, who really has done no major complaining about Ferrari's lack of pace,to paint him as the only "primadonna"? I can understand the UK press having it in for Schumacher or even Vettel, after all WW II has only been over for 70 odd years or so but this war with the Spanish? You have to let go at some point.



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BMW Art Car.

I thought it reminded me of something...

Anyway, you can read all about Jeff Coon's M3 art car, ready for Le Mans, over at Bimmerfile. Videos and lots of pictures.

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Great Week End for Team Axis!

4 wins (5 if you count Time Trials) and 6 podiums for Team Axis this Memorial Day week end.

On Saturday, at New Jersey Motorsport Park with NASA, Pete took first place and set an new track record in Spec E30 with the Freep coming in third. On Sunday places were reversed with the Freep taking a commanding victory with a car severely damaged by shrapnel from a competitors exploding motor. Peter was right behind for and Axis 1-2. IN GTS3 on Saturday Stee avoided on track trouble to come in fourth. I held up the flag at the TimeTrial TTB class.

Start of Sunday's Spec E 30 race from Pete's car. Pete started 5th and climbed up to 2nd place. The trick with Spec E30 is to keeping momentum so brakes, well, they don't see much use.





The big annual Porsche Club were at Watkins Glen and CG, as I predicted, laid waste to the competition winning Saturday in H-Stock configuration and taking the overall win in the Enduro on Sunday with a big wing I-Prepared.

A blistering 2:08 lap in the I-Prepared Cayman



Next big event will be Hyperfest at Summit Point, see you there!

MORE PICTURES AND VIDEOS AFTER THE JUMP




CG in the H-Stock Sprint race, dicing with Baron Jacobs in the Green 911.


Time Trial laps at NJMP Lightning



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