To be a top Formula One driver you have to know every track that features on the F1 calendar inside out. Whether it?s the iconic street circuit of Monaco or the sweeping bends of Spa, the top F1 drivers know exactly the line to take, what the ideal speed to enter and exit the corners at is and be at one with their ...
A about two years ago I did a bunch of rebuilds where I took some of my old builds and upgraded them with BMF and repainted engine parts in more accurate colours, etc. I did all of my full size Chevys and all of my full size Fords except my 1960 Ford Starliner. Well to get me back into the building mode I decided to finish that one. It only took a couple of days to complete and I was hoping for some sunny weather for a better photo however the sun around here has been a scarce commodity of late so I took the pic under overcast cloudy skies. I am pleased at the way it turned out. I think I will do more of my old builds this year as well. Have a look and see what you think.
Before
After Upgrade
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/what-next-for-robert-kubica/
well heres a little project ive been working on for a while now. the kit itself is roughly 10 years old. i had started it back when i first got it, never really like the way it was turning out. so it went into hibernation. fast forward to feb 2010. took it out of its deep slumber and started to give it new life.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/928411.aspx
Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/sx-emig-handicaps-the-title-contenders/
 Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel celebrate with Red Bull boss Christian Horner on the podium |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/red_bull_under_the_spotlight.php
Hello everyone,
What a start to the new Formula 1 season it has been! I am filming my first video blogs of the year on Monday. There's a lot to talk about and I'd love to hear your questions.
So if you have anything you'd like to ask me about the Formula 1 season so far, then please post your questions below.
All the best
Murray
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/04/welcome_to_2011.html
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/Fl75eRNiaF4/
There was a point, shortly before half distance, when the Malaysian Grand Prix appeared to be turning into a microcosm of exactly what the 2011 Formula 1 season was expected to be.
The eventual winner Sebastian Vettel was leading in his Red Bull, from Lewis Hamilton's McLaren and Fernando Alonso's Ferrari. Hamilton was closing on Vettel, Alonso was closing on Hamilton and, not far behind them, Jenson Button in the second McLaren was keeping pace.
Four great drivers in the three top teams were all in contention, and it looked for all the world like a continuation of the fights that made last year into an all-time classic.
In the end, that fantastic battle for the lead ebbed away, but the race still went some way towards cooling fears that Red Bull are going to walk away with this championship.
In the end, Vettel may have driven to another relatively comfortable victory, but just like in Australia two weeks ago the Red Bull was not obviously that much faster than a McLaren or, this time, a Ferrari in the race.
And, surprisingly, Vettel had nowhere near the advantage in qualifying that he had in Melbourne. The battle for pole position was genuinely close between him and Hamilton - despite Sepang being exactly the sort of track that should emphasise the Red Bull's aerodynamic excellence, even if the car has a power handicap down Sepang's long straights.
The world champion was hampered during the race by a faltering Kers system. It seems it was not working when he was coming under pressure from his pursuers, and came back again a little later, when he pulled away again, before the team decided to stop using it altogether once the challenge from Hamilton had faded.
It may be that Red Bull have not yet had to show their full hand in a race - or that for reasons related to the new Pirelli tyres they are not able to.
Either way, the McLarens and Ferraris were much closer than many feared heading into this race. After Australia, you could have been forgiven for thinking 2011 was going to develop as a repeat of Michael Schumacher's dominant years in 2002 and 2004. After Malaysia, the prospects for an exciting season look considerably stronger.
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The race ebbed and flowed throughout its duration, providing a fascinating and gripping spectacle.
Vettel's afternoon was made easier than it might have been by Nick Heidfeld's lightning start in the Renault, which catapulted the German veteran into second place ahead of Hamilton.
There was therefore no chance to see a direct comparison between Vettel and Hamilton in the early laps - and that allowed Vettel to quickly build an advantage that meant he was in control mode as early as the first of his three pit stops.
Mid-race, Hamilton was Vettel's main threat, but as he dropped back, losing grip from his Pirelli tyres faster than his rivals, Button came increasingly into the picture.
The 2009 world champion struggled in the early stages after making a mistake on set-up going into the race. But once that was rectified by adding more front downforce at his pit stops, Button edged ever forward, and as Hamilton fell back with tyre problems, the older McLaren man emerged in second place.
In the closing laps, Button made a go of closing on Vettel, only to effectively be told by his engineer to settle for second because the team did not know whether his tyres would last.
Had things worked out differently, Button may have been forced to spend those closing laps watching his mirrors for a challenge by Alonso. As it was, the Spaniard wrecked what was looking like a certain podium when he misjudged a passing attempt on Hamilton with 10 laps to go.
With his moveable rear wing not working, Alonso was forced to look for other places to pass Hamilton than the end of the pit straight. He had a great run on the McLaren out of Turn Three, but he got too close before pulling out to try for the inside into Turn Four and he clipped his front wing against his old rival's right rear tyre.
That meant a stop for a new front wing, and a finish behind team-mate Felipe Massa in sixth place, which he retained despite a 20-second penalty for hitting Hamilton. It was a costly mistake, but if Alonso did not sound too down in his post-race interview, that was almost certainly because Ferrari certainly did not go into the race expecting to be challenging a McLaren for a place on the podium.
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The team were utterly dejected on Friday, when Alonso was 1.5 seconds off the pace, and not much more optimistic after qualifying on Saturday. But in race conditions the Ferrari looked pretty competitive.
With a massive internal inquiry going on at Maranello about these confusing signals, and the promise of significant upgrades to come, one suspects Alonso may well be a major contender again.
The same is undoubtedly true of Hamilton, even if he did not look like he believed it himself after the race. Starting the day expecting to fight for victory, he finished seventh after struggling increasingly with tyre wear as the race developed. And that was before a 20-second penalty for weaving while defending from Alonso cost him another place.
Hamilton's penalty was not for the collision itself - it was for an incident two minutes earlier, which was when he was defending his position from Alonso down the pit straight the previous lap.
If you watch the video closely, Hamilton does slightly change the trajectory of his car a number of times as the two men are heading towards the first corner.
He is heading to his left, towards the outside of the track, then he goes right a touch, then back left again. They are not big moves, but they are moves. And the stewards decided he had crossed the line and broken the rule that forbids drivers from making more than one change of line to defend a position.
It was, it has to be said, a marginal decision but it should be pointed out that Hamilton has been in trouble for this sort of thing before - in last year's Malaysia race, as it happens. Then, he was given a warning flag for unsportsmanlike driving while defending from Renault's Vitaly Petrov - and received heavy criticism from fellow drivers in the aftermath of the race.
This incident was not as dramatic as that, but Hamilton has nevertheless become the first man to be punished under new rules this season that give race stewards broader powers in such situations.
Hamilton was dejected after the race, obviously frustrated, and appearing to blame the team for stopping him too early for tyres throughout the race.
But the late stop with four laps to go that dropped him down from fourth place was his own decision, according to team boss Martin Whitmarsh. The team felt he could have stayed out - although Whitmarsh was quick to add that the driver has to be trusted in such situations.
Before the season, there was talk that Hamilton's more exuberant style compared to Button could lead him into problems with this year's Pirelli tyres, which have been deliberately designed to degrade relatively quickly. Hamilton has been quick to reject such suggestions, but was this an example of that? And, if so, how much of an impact on Hamilton's hopes will it have this season?
That is just one of the questions to which the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend may provide more answers. Among the others, the merits of the moveable rear wing, or DRS as F1 rather unhelpfully officially calls it, will remain under the spotlight.
At times during Sunday's race in Malaysia, it appeared to be working exactly as planned - it was putting drivers in a position to try to pass, but they were still having to work for it. At others, it appeared to be making things a little too easy. It will doubtless continue to provide a talking point throughout the season.
More pressingly, for those pursuing Vettel, there is the urgent need to turn promise into concrete results.
After two races, Vettel's position in the championship already looks comfortable. Two consecutive victories, with different drivers alongside him on the podium, have put Vettel into a commanding 24-point lead in the championship - after two races, he is already nearly a win clear of his closest pursuer, Button.
Unlike last year, Vettel has made the most of the fastest car in the first two races of the season. Like last year, Red Bull have had problems - this time, with the Kers system - but the German has won both races anyway, whereas at this stage in 2010, he had only a fourth place to his name.
Strong as the Red Bull is, it has weaknesses and it appears as if it is beatable, as long as a rival gets everything right. But they need to start doing that soon, or the already large gap Vettel has built up in the championship will begin to look unbridgeable.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/04/there_was_a_point_shortly.html
Mule for next-generation Renault Modus is spotted in Germany testing with wider wheel arches - just like a previous Clio mule.This is my '29 Ford Woody I built last year out of the AMT kit. Comments welcome.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/955494.aspx
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/JiWeygpTBpM/
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/04/18/jenson-button-i-wasnt-quick-enough-today/
George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/JtNj8l_88d4/
I've been trying to find some good quality kits of the old classic cars like the Bugatti's, Duesenbergs, Mercedes, Delahaye,etc. I have the Monogram kit of the Duesenberg and a few of the old Jo-Han 1930's kits (Cadillacs and Mercedes) which I love (because I used to build these when I was a kid!) but after building Tamiya kits I'm spoiled and am looking for better quality kits. I see that Heller has a number of 1/24 kits in this era, the Talbot-lago, Bugatti Type 50, Delahaye, Bentley and even the old Citroen 2CV look great. Has anyone had any experience in these Heller kits? Not sure if there's a difference between the older issue Heller's and the new ones, or even if these kits were ever re-issued? Any advice on these Heller kits, or any other manufacturers of these classics kits would be great.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/955096.aspx
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/goodbye-turkey-f1-is-not-weeping/
Alleged leaked official photos of the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 liter show a road-legal version of the GT3 RSR racer.Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Carlo Abate George Abecassis
 Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/12/journalists_shocked_at_korea_a.php
Man driving his VW Polo on the street with rear wheels locked and burning rubber.Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/-rWuMawP2vQ/
Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa
This is the 71 demon I am rebuilding that will be Sublime Green.Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/908945.aspx
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/marussia-virgin-racing-launch-their-2011-car/
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/track-talk/
In Shanghai
Rookie Paul di Resta has been the subject of high praise in the Formula 1 paddock in Shanghai after scoring a point in each of his first two races.
The Scottish Force India driver was even likened by one journalist to French legend Alain Prost, another rookie who collected points on his debut.
Praise does not come much higher than that - Prost, who first burst on to the F1 scene with McLaren in 1980, went on to win four world championships and 51 grands prix.
But Di Resta is refusing to get caught up in the hype bubbling around him because he views his performances in Australia and Malaysia somewhat differently.
"All I can say is that we expected a bit more but for whatever reason it didn't quite come," Di Resta told BBC Sport.
"It's nice to get [my first points] out the way at the first and second grands prix.
"But that is the job we're out there to do and it has been a realistic target on both occasions."
Talking to Di Resta in Shanghai, I was impressed by his aura of almost palpable steeliness mixed with calm. Here is a man with a definite plan.
If the main priority on his F1 tick-list was collecting his first F1 points, then the second is beating the man in the same machinery.
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Di Resta, who was signed by Force India in January after learning the ropes last season as the team reserve, has already out-qualified team-mate Adrian Sutil twice and finished one place ahead of the German in Malaysia.
He had also been ahead of Sutil in Melbourne but the pair swapped places in the pits because they were running on different strategies and Di Resta crossed the line just behind Sutil in 10th.
"You can gauge yourself against your team-mate," added Di Resta. "And I've got a lot of respect for Adrian.
"I'd like to keep it where it's been and through the races I'm gaining more confidence. I did get the better of him in Malaysia but it's not always going to be like that.
"I wouldn't say he has to be afraid. Adrian is very quick and he's established, all I can say is that our performance has been comparable."
Winning a place in F1 has also given Di Resta, who is the cousin of the three-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, a second chance to test his mettle against his former rivals Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.
In his junior career, Di Resta raced against the future F1 world champions, notably beating his then team-mate Vettel to the Formula Three Euroseries crown in 2006 when the German was already dipping his toe into F1 as a tester for BMW Sauber.
Now he has returned to competition with his teenage rivals, does Di Resta think they have grown beyond him in terms of talents?
"They've got good equipment and they're good drivers but at the same time I don't think that anybody's special," he added.
"It's been good [to be competing against them] but at the same time they are a little bit up the end of the grid.
"I'd like to be racing against them. One day I'm sure we will be but I'm not going to compare myself against Sebastian when I'm not in the same car."
Di Resta has out-qualified his experienced team-mate in both races so far. Photo: Getty
And what if Di Resta was alongside Vettel in the second Red Bull?
"I'd be hopeful I'd be as competitive as Sebastian," he added.
"How much he has developed and how much I've developed from 2006 no-one will ever now until we are in the same position again."
Di Resta is refreshingly clear and open about where he finds himself in his fledging F1 career and where he wants to go.
But there are two points on which the Scot would not be drawn; what his ultimate aim is for 2011 and what difficulties he is contending with.
"I've tried not to think about personal targets at the moment," added Di Resta, whose preparations for the Chinese Grand Prix were hampered by a fuel-pressure problem that kept him consigned to the pits for second practice on Friday. "It's too early to do that.
"I'll take it week by week but what I've achieve I want more now of - and you keep wanting more until you've got it.
"I'm not going to speculate on what [I find difficult] as there are people who will pick up on it and I believe that on the outside you need to show you're strong.
"That is the whole idea of competitive nature, you pick someone's weak bits and you bounce on top of it."
There is one wish, however, that Di Resta is happy to talk about and that is the treat he would like for his 25th birthday, which he celebrates this weekend.
"I'd like some more points," he says instinctively. "I'd like some nice cars but there is plenty of time later in life for that, so I'll take some more points."
POST-QUALIFYING UPDATE, 1100 BST, SATURDAY 16 APRIL:
Di Resta's quest to end his birthday weekend on a high with more points to add to his tally was given a nice boost by a career-best qualifying performance in Shanghai.
The 25-year-old had not done any qualifying simulations during his limited running on Friday but he battled his way into the top-10 shoot-out for the first time and claimed eighth on the grid.
Di Resta, who passed Nico Rosberg of Mercedes in Malaysia and almost got the better of Michael Schumacher's Silver Arrow in a battle for ninth place, is now feeling confident he can move forwards during the race.
"Our race pace doesn't seem to be too bad," said Di Resta. "So fingers crossed we can pick up some points again."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/04/di_resta_takes_praise_in_his_s.html
Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo Birabongse Bhanubandh
Promotional film shows the Aventador outrunning a force destroying the earth beneath its wheels.
Italian supercar-maker looking to expand sales in China, India and Latin America.Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/marussia-virgin-racing-launch-their-2011-car/
Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/team-lotus-launch-their-2011-machine-the-t128/
Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/1SCZm6mHoJs/
Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain
Hello everyone,
What a start to the new Formula 1 season it has been! I am filming my first video blogs of the year on Monday. There's a lot to talk about and I'd love to hear your questions.
So if you have anything you'd like to ask me about the Formula 1 season so far, then please post your questions below.
All the best
Murray
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/04/welcome_to_2011.html
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/04/18/fernando-alonso-its-impossible-to-race/
Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler
Along with Roscoe's new Sheriff's car there has to be something for his "Little fat buddy" to ride in. Since there are no new large body Caddy's Boss Hogg would have moved himself into the luxury of an Escalade!
Alan
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/953775.aspx
Just retired after 23 years with the Forest Service, wildland fire fire engine operator. So I've got some free time, well maybe. So I'm getting back into model building, have around 30 to start with. Starting with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, custom & show rods, drag raceing and a few classic such as '55-'56-'57 nomads.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/954374.aspx
Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/RBJWIX-d9BU/
SLS AMG Roadster spied in black with a contrasting light-brown soft-top folding roof.
What do you get when you mix a Mexican racing chicken with a Nissan 370Z? A pretty darn good video.