Casey Stoner VS Valentino Rossi Best Wallpaper
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/1o-u8AvTv4S/Casey+Stoner+Pictures
Great Clips Toyota Paul Menard Richmond Menards Ford Carlo Abate
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/1o-u8AvTv4S/Casey+Stoner+Pictures
Great Clips Toyota Paul Menard Richmond Menards Ford Carlo Abate
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/53agkCADeYB/WALLPAPERS+DANIEL+PEDROSA+GOLDEN+BOY
Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/oiKc41ShKXg/FIM+Speedway+Grand+Prix+4+SKIDROW
Tom Belso Antonio Cairoli Trey Canard HÂkan Carlquist Ricky†Carmichael Danny Chandler
Sebastian Vettel climbed slowly up on to the nose of his Red Bull and, for the first time this year, raised two of those trademark index fingers in the air. That's two to indicate he is now a double world champion - the youngest in Formula 1 history.
It was appropriate, then, that the first man to congratulate him in person after the race was the driver who previously held that honour - Fernando Alonso, who finished second to McLaren's Jenson Button and ahead of Vettel in a captivating Japanese Grand Prix.
Third place was more than enough for Vettel to seal the crown with four races still to go. And if he seemed less emotional than he did after winning his first title in last year's nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi that is almost certainly because this one has seemed inevitable since as long ago as the first qualifying session of the season in Melbourne's Albert Park seven months ago.
That was when the sheer, breathtaking pace of his Red Bull car - and the German's mastery of it - first became apparent.
What followed has been domination of the like not seen since Michael Schumacher and Ferrari in 2002 and '04 - the last time an extravagantly talented German was in a team whose resources, applied with ruthless efficiency, outstripped their rivals', and whose focus was primarily on their lead driver.
Vettel has won nine of 2011's 15 races so far, and taken 12 pole positions. His career victory total stands at 19. He could very well be on pole for and win every remaining race this season, which would raise his career wins total to 23.
That would leave only Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda, Jim Clark, Alonso, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher ahead of him. Rarefied company indeed.
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Many of his victories this year have followed a simple formula - put the fastest car in the field on pole, use its pace in the early laps to build the gap required to ensure he cannot be passed by a rival at the pit stops, then ease off and maintain that advantage.
It was a strategy demanded by this year's new-look F1, for which new supplier Pirelli were asked to design deliberately delicate tyres to provoke better racing and more pit stops.
The German was praised for understanding very early on how to get the best out of those tyres. Undoubtedly he did, especially compared to team-mate Mark Webber, who also bore the brunt of the Red Bull's early-season reliability struggles with their new Kers power-boost system.
But it's impossible to judge whether Vettel was doing this better than leading drivers in other cars - and the main reason he was able to approach races in the way he generally did was that rivals McLaren and Ferrari produced cars that were not on a comparable level to the Red Bull.
How much better than its rivals was the Red Bull? That no other car has been on pole position pretty much sums it up - not even Schumacher and Ferrari managed that.
It was Vettel's running start to the season that killed his rivals - after six wins and two close second places in the first eight races, a second title already looked inevitable.
The Red Bull's advantage was often less dramatic in races than in qualifying - largely because of the tyres - and it was not always the fastest race car. He had to work for his wins in Spain and Monaco, where luck also played a major part in him beating Alonso and Button.
After that incredible early run, though, a mid-season wobble of sorts did give his rivals hope that the championship battle was not completely over.
Vettel was beaten by a rampant Alonso in Britain, following a one-off ban of a key aerodynamic technology called off-throttle blowing of the diffuser. And he produced comparatively weak performances in Germany and Hungary, although still finished fourth and second.
It was enough for Alonso, Button, Hamilton and Webber to head into the summer break still harbouring hopes of making a fight of it.
These were crushed in merciless style by consecutive victories in Belgium and Italy, perhaps Vettel's best of the season so far. After that, another win in Singapore took him to the brink, and the inevitability duly became reality at Suzuka on Sunday.
The weekend in Italy provided an illustration in microcosm of the foundations of Vettel's championship victory.
His breathtaking single-lap pace was demonstrated by qualifying on pole by a massive margin, and his sky-high confidence - founded on that speed - informed what team insiders admit was a risky decision to run a short seventh gear.
It was made in the pursuit of ultimate pace, but Vettel knew that the straight-line speed deficit it would give him could lead to a very difficult afternoon if he lost the lead from pole position - as indeed happened thanks to an electrifying start by Alonso.
Vettel then demonstrated his confidence in a very different way with a stunning overtaking move - around the outside of one of F1's toughest competitors at 200mph, with two wheels on the grass.
The Monza weekend also underlined how much Red Bull's performance this year has been rooted in a less glamorous, but no less important, requirement for F1 success - hard work.
On pole by half a second, Vettel was still at the track at 11pm the night before the race, poring over the data with his engineers, ensuring no stone was left unturned in their endeavour to win the following day.
While Red Bull had the fastest car, benefiting from chief technical officer Adrian Newey's unrivalled genius for aerodynamic design, their teamwork and work ethic were unsurpassed.
At the same time, there were a number of races - one thinks of Australia, Monaco, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Japan - where McLaren could have made life harder for Vettel only for the team or a driver (usually Hamilton) to make a mistake.
Vettel, though, rode his advantage in style to put together one of the most impressive seasons by a driver for years.
That he did so in a golden age in terms of depth of talent is all the more noteworthy. But while the combination of Vettel and Red Bull has been peerless in 2011, it would be wrong to assume the world champion is without rival as a driver.
While he is clearly out of the top drawer, it remains the case that, until he goes up against another great in an equal car, his absolute potential is hard to judge.
And an unscientific straw poll has revealed that most in F1 still believe Alonso to be the world's best driver, even if Vettel is widely thought of now as next in line.
Despite Button's superb season, Hamilton continues to be regarded as the other member of the 'big three' but his shaky season has meant his stock has fallen, and Vettel's stunning qualifying performances mean many now consider him, not the Englishman, to be the fastest man on the grid over one lap.
Put someone that good in a car as fast and reliable as this year's Red Bull, and have it run by a team as professional and slick as they have been, and the result is inevitable.
For the others, the gauntlet has been well and truly thrown down.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/10/vettel_and_red_bull_redefine_p.html
Eric Geboers Sylvain Geboers Broc Glover Rui Goncalves Josh Grant Billy Grossi
Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, Ford, GM, UAW/Unions
The Future Of The Union Hangs In The BalanceContinue reading UAW seems headed for a catastrophic confrontation
UAW seems headed for a catastrophic confrontation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/uaw-seems-headed-for-a-catastrophic-confrontation/
Sid Jensen Mika Kallio Hideo Kanaya Takazumi Katayama Daijiro Kato Ken Kavanagh
In Yeongam
It has been a while since Formula 1 has seen Lewis Hamilton smile, so it was a surprise that even after taking a significant pole position for McLaren in Korea his trademark, happy grin was still missing.
The 26-year-old stared into the middle distance as he stood alongside Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who has been beaten just four times in qualifying this year, and his own team-mate Jenson Button.
For the record books Hamilton's pole position represented an end to Red Bull's dominance over one lap this season. For the 2008 world champion, it meant a glimmer of redemption.
When asked directly why he wasn't smiling, Hamilton answered: "I don't feel I deserve it.
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"I've had some tough races in the second half of the season but tomorrow and the rest of the races are what count, avoiding penalties and all those different things.
"[The pole] is one of the first positives. I've had some difficult races in the past and we'll try to redeem ourselves tomorrow."
Hamilton also revealed why he did not respond on McLaren's pit-to-car radio when the team congratulated him on his pole position.
"I wasn't on the radio," he said. "I hadn't heard that in a long time so it was good to hear. It was just a comforting feeling. It was satisfying to hear the guys in the background cheering so that makes me happy."
A traumatic season has seen Hamilton mix errors on track, including nearly taking out his team-mate in Canada, with off-track spats, most controversially his criticism of the stewards in Monaco.
The run of bad results have been in contrast to Button, who has soared in the second half of the season, winning two of the last five races to climb to second in the championship.
Hamilton's troubles have been played out under intense scrutiny and there have been suggestions that he lacks support as he deals with a new management company, in place of his Dad Anthony, and the stresses of a long-distance relationship with pop-star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.
There was no escape from further scrutiny in Korea.
When he sat alongside Vettel in the first media conference of the weekend, Hamilton was asked more questions than the man who had become the sport's youngest world champion just four days earlier.
As he spoke to the media, Hamilton admitted that it would take a long time to recover.
A solitary pole may not be enough to complete the process but it could the catalyst for the start of a personal comeback, as well as proving he is back in the groove behind the wheel.
"This is just a very small step but in the right direction," Hamilton reflected. "It was important we got [pole] today and it made a significant difference."
It had been 16 months since Hamilton has been on pole and on race days he has not been on the podium since winning the German Grand Prix in July.
"Hamilton has been flying this weekend," said BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle. "Every time he's sat in the car he's look good.
"He's got the thing alive and we haven't seen that for a while from Lewis Hamilton."
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Hamilton's most immediate challenge is to convert pole into a third victory of the season at Yeongam.
McLaren have had the pace all weekend and Hamilton finished a strong second here in last year's rain-delayed race.
His chances of scoring a pole-to-flag victory could hang on tyre wear and Red Bull have opted for an opposite strategy to rivals McLaren by saving three new sets of the more durable 'soft' tyres for the race.
While Button managed his tyres to win the last race in Japan, Hamilton had to pit early when his tyres degraded badly after just eight laps and he finished a distant fifth.
But he is more optimistic that a change to his car's set-up, which he described as stiff in Suzuka, will help him nurse his tyres through the Korean race.
"The set-up that I have will definitely be easier on the tyres," Hamilton added. "The one I went to in Japan wasn't good for consecutive laps.
"I've come in a different direction which hopefully will be more beneficial in the race."
Whether Hamilton wins or not on Sunday, the embattled 26-year-old has to take this pole position as not only an opportunity to put his rivals behind him, but his troubles too.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/10/post_3.html
Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota
Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Videos, Australia, Motorcycle
Continue reading Australia takes the fear approach to motorcycle safety [w/poll]
Australia takes the fear approach to motorcycle safety [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/australia-takes-the-fear-approach-to-motorcycle-safety-w-poll/
Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown
Jaroslav Falta Claudio Federici Tim Ferry Ashley Fiolek Ernesto Fonseca Lauris Freibergs
Craig Dack Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle
Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber
Pastor Maldonado is the latest driver to choose his five favourite all-time grands prix for BBC Sport's classic Formula 1 series.
The Venzuelan has made quite an impression one way or another in his first season in F1.
On the plus side, he has out-qualified his team-mate, the veteran Rubens Barrichello, an impressive six times in 14 races so far this season.
Not so positively, he has yet to shed a reputation for occasional wildness that followed him from the junior categories, and was on full public display when he drove into Lewis Hamilton's McLaren in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. The incident earned Maldonado a five-place grid penalty.
Maldonado not only came to F1 with the backing of President Hugo Chavez and his country's state oil company, he also came to the sport relatively late in life.
He is 26, relatively old compared to the age many drivers make their debut these days. That almost certainly explains his selections for this blog - which span the last 30 or so years and would be classed as all-time greats in anyone's book.
This race is famous for two reasons: the thrilling duel over second place in the final three laps between Ferrari's Gilles Villeneuve and Renault's Rene Arnoux; and for being the first win for a turbo-charged car.
That second landmark, achieved courtesy of Renault's Jean-Pierre Jabouille, has been rather overshadowed by the first.
"This race was before I was born but I have seen it many times," Maldonado says. "It was so great because they were racing wheel-to-wheel, overtaking each other and switching positions. It was amazing. You don't see action like that very often!"
Another event famous for many reasons: a controversial win by Alain Prost; Nigel Mansell crashing out of the lead; and two stunning drives in the wet by rising stars Ayrton Senna and Stefan Bellof.
Prost led from the start in heavy rain but was passed early on by Mansell, who crashed six laps later, blaming the embarrassing incident on his rear wheel losing grip on one of the white lines on the track.
Senna, whose natural talent more than made up for the deficiencies of his Toleman car, then began catching Prost, with Bellof, driving a Tyrrell and, like Senna, in his first season of F1, making inroads into both.
As the weather worsened, Prost, driving a McLaren, began gesticulating for the race to be stopped, which it was as he completed lap 32, just as Senna caught and passed him on the pit straight.
The decision to stop the race was controversial because the man who made it, clerk of the course and former F1 driver Jacky Ickx, was employed to drive Le Mans cars by Porsche, which made McLaren's TAG-badged engine. Ickx has always denied he was influence in any way.
"It was an amazing race to watch, as Senna came from the very back in just a few laps to catch race leader Prost," says Maldonado. "He was overtaking everyone which was even more impressive being in Monaco where it is difficult to overtake anyway. He was amazing in the rain."
A favourite among many of the grand prix drivers this season, this was the first of two consecutive Japanese races in which a crash between McLaren drivers Prost and Senna decided the world championship. It was, as Maldonado points out, "the end of a difficult two-year rivalry for the team-mates".
Prost led much of the race but was eventually caught by Senna. As the Brazilian tried to pass at the chicane in the closing stages, Prost turned in on him and they collided. Prost climbed out of his car but Senna rejoined the race, pitting for a new nose cone before catching and passing Benetton's Alessandro Nannini.
However, that was not the end of the drama. Senna's win would have kept the title battle going until the final race of the season but he was controversially disqualified for missing the chicane and Prost declared champion.
This race at Donington Park has gone down in history as one of Senna's greatest drives and is another favourite among the current crop of F1 drivers.
"There are so many great races from Senna it is hard to single any one out," Maldonado says. "He was always amazing in difficult situations, with incredible instincts, and this was a perfect example.
"From fourth on the grid, he read the changing conditions perfectly, unlike anyone else on the grid, as the race went from dry to wet and back again. He ended up winning by over a minute by the chequered flag! It is like magic watching him."
Relatively recent it might be but already another all-time classic. McLaren's Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa went into the race, the last in the season, contesting the world championship.
Massa survived a late shower of rain to win the race but, as the Ferrari pit celebrated, Hamilton slipped past the struggling Toyota of Timo Glock at the final corner to take fifth and the title.
"It was so great so see a race go right down to the wire like that and then change at the very last second," Maldonado recalls.
"With so much at stake, it was great as a viewer but not so great for Massa. It was so close I never forget seeing both teams celebrating at the same time not realising what had happened."
As always, we pick one race to highlight in the blog and, ahead of the street race at Singapore this weekend, we have chosen the 1984 Monaco event.
The full grand prix programme of the time is embedded below. Underneath it, to whet your appetites for the action to come this weekend, are short and extended highlights of Fernando Alonso's superb victory for Ferrari in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
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CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
Short highlights from France 1979, Japan 1989, Europe 1993 and Brazil 2008, plus extended highlights from Monaco 1984 and Singapore 2010 will be broadcast on the BBC red button on digital television in the UK.
On satellite and cable, the classic races will be available from 1500 BST on Wednesday 21 September until 1055 BST on Friday 23 September, then from 1235 BST until 1425 BST on Friday 23 September.
On Freeview, they will be shown from 1235 BST until 1425 BST on Friday 23 September.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/09/pastor_maldonado_-_classic_f1.html
Ewald Kluge Bruno Kneub¸hler Randy Krummenacher Hiroaki Kuzuhara Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman
Statistics: Posted by totalmotorcycle ? Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:41 am
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/SU28nmELd_8/News+Lorenzo+Stays+Sharp+Secure+Front+Row
Gert van Doorn John Dowd John Draper Doug Dubach Ryan Dungey Vic Eastwood
The KTM 250 Lites Team of JDR / J-Star has signed Malcolm Stewart to race AMA Supercross and AMA MX in 2012.
Below is the official information
JDR Motorsports, LLC is excited to announce Malcolm Stewart as the newest member of its 2012 JDR/J-Star/KTM-backed Supercross and Motocross Lites racing team.
Stewart, fresh off his first year in professional racing, will join the JDR/J-Star/KTM Racing Team as a member of their 250cc team. The team already includes riders PJ Larsen and Matt Moss. All three riders will compete aboard the 2012 KTM 250 SX-F race machine in the AMA Supercross Lites and AMA Pro 250cc Motocross National Championship Series.
"Malcolm has been on our radar since his first holeshot last year in the AMA East Supercross Lites Series. He is a tough competitor and isn?t scared to hang it out. We are looking forward to helping him progress in the series and hope to see some podium finishes from him in the 2012 season" remarked JDR/J-Star/KTM Team Manager Nathan Ramsey.
Stewart, a multi-time amateur national champion, had his best Supercross finishes at the Indianapolis and Dallas rounds where he missed the podium by just one spot finishing 4th at both races. He secured his best outdoor motocross finish during the second moto of the Budds Creek Motocross National where he finished 6th overall.
"I had some up and down moments in my first season of racing but feel I was able to learn a lot from the mistakes I made and also from the good races I had. I am excited to ride the new KTM's and am excited about the level of support I will receive from JDR Motorsports and their sponsors. I am really looking forward to the upcoming season and aiming for a podium spot" commented Stewart.
Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso Antonio Cairoli Trey Canard HÂkan Carlquist
Remarkably I managed to get through the past week in Singapore while tricking my body that I was still in Europe.
It may seem strange that I was eating muesli at two in the afternoon, feeling ready for lunch at eight in the evening and finishing the day by sharing some grub with Martin Brundle at three in the morning but it felt oddly routine.
For a variety of reasons this has quickly become my favourite race of the season. I think it is largely because the drivers, press officers, production team and everyone else are a little wired - slightly giddy because of the time difference. That creates an atmosphere totally unique to the Singapore GP.
The Singapore Grand Prix portrays a beautiful picture under the beaming floodlights. Photo: Getty
This is my working day, Singapore-style...
11am
Sunlight is coming through the curtains, while Beach Road in downtown Singapore is alive with commuters and passers-by. I try to ignore it and carry on dozing.
2pm
Time to start the day. Mine usually begins with a call to my wife Harriet, or my parents. If there is time, my favourite pastime is Skyping my niece and nephew. On a Saturday we would be gearing up for our qualifying show.
I much prefer writing scripts in the morning, possibly because my brain feels a little more alive at that time. That could be because of 10 years delivering the Eastern Daily Press to the locals of Upper Stoke Holy Cross.
Anyway, I'll start scripting the show and, at this point, I start clock-watching, working out how many hours until I'll be delivering these lines to a few million people. Once I've written a few links and given myself keywords to prompt me during interviews, it's time to get myself sorted.
I go through the running order and think about the guests we should try to get. I have to think what the stories are and the people you guys would like to hear from - plus the locations where we will be for each link. Everything has to be planned because we need permission from the teams to be live in their garages and to tell them the precise time we will be there.
That doesn't mean my ideas are final - the Editor, Mark Wilkin will have his own opinions and might not like my ideas.
Once I've scripted, showered and shaved, it's time to iron my 'show shirt'. I like to do this myself as I hate creases in them. This weekend I even ended up doing fellow presenter Lee McKenzie's ironing - don't ask!
3.30pm
Departure time. In Singapore it was �2 to get a cab to the circuit, which is far more appealing than walking, otherwise you end up looking like you've had a shower with your clothes on due to the humidity.
On Saturday I jumped in a cab with Rebekah, our Production Manager. While we were busy gossiping our poor driver took a wrong turn and we ended up on the other side of Marina Bay, seemingly unable to get back across the water.
On Sunday, I was the fool as I left my shoes in the hotel lobby. To make it worse I was wearing bright white trainers, which isn't very BBC Sport. Production coordinator Louise Elliott went back in a cab for me. I'll say it again - thanks Louise, I am an idiot.
4pm
Myself, senior producer Richard Carr, assistant editor Steve Aldous and film editor Mark Wilkin share our thoughts on the script. Once we've decided which drivers, team bosses and garages we want to get involved with, it's up to Steve to sort things out. With gentle persuasion, the odd reminder of a favour we are owed and some occasional begging, he makes it look easy.
Some people ask why we never speak to certain drivers and if we are biased against them. Often our first-choice driver turns us down, so we have to make a sudden change of plan. Sometimes we ask three or four teams before we get a 'Yes' to one of our requests.
6pm
David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan and Martin Brundle rock up. DC makes tea the most, Martin is the most punctual and Eddie probably misses one in every three meetings for some reason - but we let him off.
We then watch the various video pieces. Sometimes we collectively decide to make a change to one of them but very rarely is a glaring error spotted.
Once I say, "Ted Kravitz reports...", we usually have to sprint three garages down the pit-lane, find our next interviewee and check they are ready to go live. Mark will update the three of us as to whether we are over or under time - or if there is any breaking news while Richard Carr directs the cameras and Louise lets us know how long is left on the video.
The fact we have already seen it means we can reference back to it, or simply keep the chat along the right lines.
7pm
Out to the paddock to do a tech check with the crew. On Saturday, we walked live into McLaren. One of the crew realised he was the wrong side of the camera and had to make a dash to safety. You can watch the moment on iPlayer and see the flash of white as he athletically sprints out of, or rather into, shot.
These guys arrive days before us, set up the office, the communication links with the paddock, plug in the kettle and make sure that, when us creative types come up with a ludicrous idea to push the boundaries, that it can be achieved.
It hasn't gone unnoticed and no other F1 coverage has ever got so close to the action. You won't find better, harder-working pros.
8pm
Live to the nation! The final few seconds before we are on air never fail to be exhilarating, petrifying and surreal in equal measure.
10.30pm
The show is over and, after pre-recording a chat for BBC News and the trail you may often see on the BBC later that night, it's back to the office to think about the following day's race programme. We always discuss what worked, what didn't and what we could have done differently or better.
Midnight
We go through the video packages for the following day. I love the creativity and madness of the people who create these. The music is an important part of the show and can come from anywhere. I was running the track on Thursday and the Black Eyed Peas song Get Ready For The Showdown was on my playlist. We have now done over 50 Grand Prix on the BBC and these guys certainly haven't run out of ideas - or music.
3am
We have decided on the running order for Sunday, drunk enough tea to refresh an army and, despite how strange it feels, it is actually time to leave the track and head out for dinner.
At this point I usually ring my parents as I still like to get their feedback on the show and find out what's happening in Norwich. Missing loved ones and home is the only real negative of this job.
An average Singapore Grand Prix day ends with the team heading somewhere to grab some noodles and a beer. I wouldn't usually admit to drinking at four in the morning before a Grand Prix, but that's the beauty of this race - in reality it's only nine in the evening.
There are many similarities with every Grand Prix but this one is slightly different. It is more exciting and electric than normal.
As we draw near to the end of another season, let me place on record my thanks to all the guys who have worked on the BBC F1 output this year. I can honestly say that, despite all the well-publicised distractions of the past few months, our team have been as hard-working, professional and perhaps even a little more driven and keen for success than ever.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/09/it_worked_remarkably_i_managed.html
Gordon Crockard Craig Dack Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover
Monster Energy Cup track's co-designer, and 15 time motocross and supercross champion, Ricky Carmichael, goes for a ride along with DC's co-founder and rally car driver Ken Block.
Courtesy of DC Shoes, check out Ricky's reaction to see what you think?
Jeff Emig Harry Everts Stefan Everts Jaroslav Falta Claudio Federici Tim Ferry
On October 15th, 2011 many of the world's top Supercross and Motocross riders will race for a shot at the 1 million dollars being offered at the Inaugural Monster Energy Cup. This race will be at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, and the riders will square off in three ten-lap main events. Some of the top riders on hand will be AMA Supercross Series Champion Ryan Villopoto, along with 2011 AMA West Region champion Broc Tickle, East Champion Justin Barcia, two-time World MX champion Marvin Musquin, and many more. In breaking news James Stewart pulls out of Monster Energy Cup.
Stay in touch with Supercross.com - will have more coverage of the Monster Energy Cup this week.
*Confirmed rider list for the event (in alphabetical order):
Ernesto Fonseca Lauris Freibergs Paul Friedrichs Steven Frossard Eric Geboers Sylvain Geboers
Remarkably I managed to get through the past week in Singapore while tricking my body that I was still in Europe.
It may seem strange that I was eating muesli at two in the afternoon, feeling ready for lunch at eight in the evening and finishing the day by sharing some grub with Martin Brundle at three in the morning but it felt oddly routine.
For a variety of reasons this has quickly become my favourite race of the season. I think it is largely because the drivers, press officers, production team and everyone else are a little wired - slightly giddy because of the time difference. That creates an atmosphere totally unique to the Singapore GP.
The Singapore Grand Prix portrays a beautiful picture under the beaming floodlights. Photo: Getty
This is my working day, Singapore-style...
11am
Sunlight is coming through the curtains, while Beach Road in downtown Singapore is alive with commuters and passers-by. I try to ignore it and carry on dozing.
2pm
Time to start the day. Mine usually begins with a call to my wife Harriet, or my parents. If there is time, my favourite pastime is Skyping my niece and nephew. On a Saturday we would be gearing up for our qualifying show.
I much prefer writing scripts in the morning, possibly because my brain feels a little more alive at that time. That could be because of 10 years delivering the Eastern Daily Press to the locals of Upper Stoke Holy Cross.
Anyway, I'll start scripting the show and, at this point, I start clock-watching, working out how many hours until I'll be delivering these lines to a few million people. Once I've written a few links and given myself keywords to prompt me during interviews, it's time to get myself sorted.
I go through the running order and think about the guests we should try to get. I have to think what the stories are and the people you guys would like to hear from - plus the locations where we will be for each link. Everything has to be planned because we need permission from the teams to be live in their garages and to tell them the precise time we will be there.
That doesn't mean my ideas are final - the Editor, Mark Wilkin will have his own opinions and might not like my ideas.
Once I've scripted, showered and shaved, it's time to iron my 'show shirt'. I like to do this myself as I hate creases in them. This weekend I even ended up doing fellow presenter Lee McKenzie's ironing - don't ask!
3.30pm
Departure time. In Singapore it was �2 to get a cab to the circuit, which is far more appealing than walking, otherwise you end up looking like you've had a shower with your clothes on due to the humidity.
On Saturday I jumped in a cab with Rebekah, our Production Manager. While we were busy gossiping our poor driver took a wrong turn and we ended up on the other side of Marina Bay, seemingly unable to get back across the water.
On Sunday, I was the fool as I left my shoes in the hotel lobby. To make it worse I was wearing bright white trainers, which isn't very BBC Sport. Production coordinator Louise Elliott went back in a cab for me. I'll say it again - thanks Louise, I am an idiot.
4pm
Myself, senior producer Richard Carr, assistant editor Steve Aldous and film editor Mark Wilkin share our thoughts on the script. Once we've decided which drivers, team bosses and garages we want to get involved with, it's up to Steve to sort things out. With gentle persuasion, the odd reminder of a favour we are owed and some occasional begging, he makes it look easy.
Some people ask why we never speak to certain drivers and if we are biased against them. Often our first-choice driver turns us down, so we have to make a sudden change of plan. Sometimes we ask three or four teams before we get a 'Yes' to one of our requests.
6pm
David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan and Martin Brundle rock up. DC makes tea the most, Martin is the most punctual and Eddie probably misses one in every three meetings for some reason - but we let him off.
We then watch the various video pieces. Sometimes we collectively decide to make a change to one of them but very rarely is a glaring error spotted.
Once I say, "Ted Kravitz reports...", we usually have to sprint three garages down the pit-lane, find our next interviewee and check they are ready to go live. Mark will update the three of us as to whether we are over or under time - or if there is any breaking news while Richard Carr directs the cameras and Louise lets us know how long is left on the video.
The fact we have already seen it means we can reference back to it, or simply keep the chat along the right lines.
7pm
Out to the paddock to do a tech check with the crew. On Saturday, we walked live into McLaren. One of the crew realised he was the wrong side of the camera and had to make a dash to safety. You can watch the moment on iPlayer and see the flash of white as he athletically sprints out of, or rather into, shot.
These guys arrive days before us, set up the office, the communication links with the paddock, plug in the kettle and make sure that, when us creative types come up with a ludicrous idea to push the boundaries, that it can be achieved.
It hasn't gone unnoticed and no other F1 coverage has ever got so close to the action. You won't find better, harder-working pros.
8pm
Live to the nation! The final few seconds before we are on air never fail to be exhilarating, petrifying and surreal in equal measure.
10.30pm
The show is over and, after pre-recording a chat for BBC News and the trail you may often see on the BBC later that night, it's back to the office to think about the following day's race programme. We always discuss what worked, what didn't and what we could have done differently or better.
Midnight
We go through the video packages for the following day. I love the creativity and madness of the people who create these. The music is an important part of the show and can come from anywhere. I was running the track on Thursday and the Black Eyed Peas song Get Ready For The Showdown was on my playlist. We have now done over 50 Grand Prix on the BBC and these guys certainly haven't run out of ideas - or music.
3am
We have decided on the running order for Sunday, drunk enough tea to refresh an army and, despite how strange it feels, it is actually time to leave the track and head out for dinner.
At this point I usually ring my parents as I still like to get their feedback on the show and find out what's happening in Norwich. Missing loved ones and home is the only real negative of this job.
An average Singapore Grand Prix day ends with the team heading somewhere to grab some noodles and a beer. I wouldn't usually admit to drinking at four in the morning before a Grand Prix, but that's the beauty of this race - in reality it's only nine in the evening.
There are many similarities with every Grand Prix but this one is slightly different. It is more exciting and electric than normal.
As we draw near to the end of another season, let me place on record my thanks to all the guys who have worked on the BBC F1 output this year. I can honestly say that, despite all the well-publicised distractions of the past few months, our team have been as hard-working, professional and perhaps even a little more driven and keen for success than ever.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/09/it_worked_remarkably_i_managed.html
Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso
Check out legendary motocross champion Ricky Carmichael, epic snowboarder Devun Walsh, and innovative BMX rider Allan Cooke, as they experience rally driving school, Ken Block style. Filmed at the Team O'Neil Rally School in New Hampshire, this video takes you through a few of their lessons, including Ken's insane teaching skills. Take a look at how each of these guys hold up with Ken in the driving seat.
Check out the video courtesy of DC Shoes:
Source: http://www.supercross.com/features/ken-block-takes-ricky-carmichael-and-dc-team-to-rally-school
Santiago Herrero Tom Herron Wilfred Herron Manfred Herweh Sanadori Hikita Ernst Hiller
Saturday's Qualifying at the 2011 MX of Nations in France. The Motocross of Nations at St. Jean d'Angely, France is the most prestigious MX race of the year. In today's Qualifying Races it was the Americans: Ryan Dungey (MX1 class), Blake Bagget (MX2 class), and Ryan Villopoto (Open class) all led every lap of their respective motos. USA dominated in an almost unbelievable fashion, thus scoring 2 points for the day.
The Italian team surprised everyone with a second best overall for the day and scoring 4 points. Italy's Antonio Cairoli gave Ryan Dungey everything he could handle in the MX1 qualifier, finishing 2nd on the day behind Team USA's captain. The host country's Team France, finished third overall for the day, with Chrisophe Pourcel finishing 3rd in MX1, Marvin Musquin 2nd in MX2 and Gautier Paulin 3rd in the Open class. They received 6 points on the day. France is one of the favorites to end USA's reign as MXoN Champions.
Each member of Team USA gets the Lovemytime Holeshot Award for winning their respective motos
Roger De Coster said, "We have two riders with experience, and we expected to be on top. I was impressed with Antonio Cairoli, he put some pressure on Dungey, and rode great in some sections of the track. What this guy (Blake) did is amazing. It's difficult to come race the first time in Europe. The French team rode good today, and the Italians were even better than I expected. Of course Cairoli will do well, but I was very impressed with the other Italian riders. Remember though, today is only Qualifying. Tomorrow is what counts. We should not be over-confident"
Watch the Motocross of Nations, here thru Supercross.com, either live or VOD. It is thru Youthstream's video system, at http://www.supercross.com/mx-gp-vod. On Saturday, Septebmer 17, there are five and half hours of video programming available. Noon to 5:30pm local time. That is 6am Eastern Time start, 3am Pacific Time start. On Sunday, video programming starts at 1pm local time, which is 7am Eastern Time, and 4am Pacific Time.
Source: http://www.supercross.com/features/motocross-of-nations-2011-saturdays-mx-action-and-qualifying
Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis
Carlos Checa has won the 2011 World Superbike Championship and secured Ducati its 17th manufacturer title.
The Althea Ducati rider secured the title with a win in Race One of the Oct. 2 Magny-Cours round in France, and then captured the manufacturer title with another win in Race Two.
Checa now has 467 points on the season with an unsurpassible 107-point lead over Yamaha factory rider Marco Melandri who finished second in both races at Magny-Cours to secure the runner-up spot in the 2011 championship.
With the season-ending Portimao round in Portugal still to run, Checa has 14 wins on the season including five doubles. Checa also has six third-place finishes and was held off the podium in just four races all season.
For Ducati, the manufacturer title comes despite the end of the Italian brand?s factory program in 2010. The Althea team competed this season with some former Ducati factory engineers
[Source: WSBK, Althea Ducati]
Category: Ducati Racing
Tags: 1098R, 2011, althea ducati, althea racing, carlos checa, Champion, Ducati, World Superbike, wsbk
Source: Motorcycle.com
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/N9EHL38U7kZ/2011+World+Superbike+Champion+Carlos+Checa
Richard Haidegger Mike Hailwood Mike Hale Ross Hannan Osmo Hansen Gregg Hansford