The Fast Lane

The Fast Lane http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane thefastlane 2008-09-13T13:49:16Z June 9: A Historic Date for McLaren http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/6226_june_9_a_historic_date_for_mclaren.html McLaren is a Formula One team based in UK, founded in 1963. It was founded by the New Zealander Bruce McLaren. In 1966, they used the Kiwi as their first entry for the Grand Prix, which was held in Monaco. Bruce himself won a non-championship race using the M7A chassis. History says that June 9, 1968 is the first time that the team tasted glory in a Full World Championship event. Using the Cosworth DFV engine, the McLaren team had continuous success over the years.  Winning the Grand Prix race for the first time marks June 9 as a historic day for the successful team. It also set the subsequent decades as McLaren great years. Its prominence was maintained for four decades to date. Turning back to the team first successful Grand Prix, Bruce McLaren, the second driver who used a car named after him, finished the race and won without him knowing that he did, and then a teammate said, “You’ve won, didn’t you know?” Bruce later recalled: “It was about the nicest thing I’d ever been told!” The McLaren personnel were only counted as few as 30 persons. But now it counts of up to 1115 persons, all concerned of the team’s success. Two of the original team member still work for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes today. These persons are Tyler Alexander and Ray Rowe who works as a system engineer and a gearbox mechanic, respectively. On December 14, 2007, McLaren confirmed that Heikki Kovalainen would drive the McLaren Mercedes for the 2008 Formula One season and continue the great legacy. They also launched the very powerful MP4-23 model last January 7, 2008 which somehow promises to get the championship crown back to their team.   General 2008-06-11T01:09:55Z thefastlane Famous Speed Drivers http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/5927_famous_speed_drivers.html <center><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/KyleBuschAugust2007.jpg" alt="Kyle Thomas Busch" width="262" height="274" align="middle" /></center> Two of the most successful and popular speed racing competition in television is stock car racing and the Formula 1. Stock car racing (race for automobiles that has not been modified from its original factory configuration) is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of stock cars in the United States. The three largest racing series sanctioned by NASCAR are the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR has grown to become the second-most popular professional sport in terms of television ratings inside the U.S., ranking behind only the National Football League. It also is the second to the formula 1 in terms of speed racing. Kyle Thomas Busch is one of the most famous NASCAR drivers. Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open wheeled auto racing. Here are some famous names from the sport: Nelson Piquet won three F1 titles but his racing career petered out and was finally ruined by a horrible accident in Indy Cars; Bruno Senna is surely a top candidate for an F1 drive or test seat; Marco Andretti - their dynasty is one of America’s great motor racing family; and Fernando Alonso, two-time world champion. Most of them not only became famous of their ability but with their looks. I’ve read so many blogs about speed racing and most racers who are featured were the good looking ones.   General 2008-05-29T23:04:38Z thefastlane Kyle Busch Got the success pole for all-star competition http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/5708_kyle_busch_got_the_success_pole_for_all-star_competition.html   <div style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/tom_bowles/04/17/busch/t1_kyle.busch2.jpg" alt="i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/tom_bowles/04/17/busch/t1_kyle.busch2.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors." width="310" height="423" /> </div>   It's a plain mantra that circles true in nearly each aspect of living; first intuitions can be easy to break. If you begin off the career at office by attending up late, probability are you'll have to to work double as tough to shed the belief you'll never be punctual. <div align="justify"> </div> Kyle Busch simply wishes something as easy as punctuality was his trouble. Instead, this young person is struggling a far better fight along with his peers: a feeling of childishness that intimidates to diminish his inspiring activities regarding to the sport. <div align="justify"> </div> Kyle Busch creates and thinks a little idea to win. In an exceptional succeeding format that featured three last laps and a green-flag pit stop, Busch runs to Jeff Gordon by 0.54 seconds to triumph the pole for Saturday nighttime at “NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race held at Lowe's Motor Speedway”. <div align="justify"> </div> Busch's typical pace of 132.835 mph provide him a hard edge more than Gordon's 132.251 mph. Busch is looking for his first success in the annual non-points occasion, which will be challenged in four divisions of 25 laps each one, Gordon trusts himself to get the victory in the competition for a record fourth time. <div align="justify"> </div> In additional reports, Jimmie Johnson's succeeding lope for the all-star race was excluded, for the reason that the team locked the fifth lug nut (which had been not there) to the front left wheel at what time the No. 48 Chevy was outside the pit box. He'll begin 21st. A five-second punishment for a “loose lug” nut invalids an otherwise outstanding run by Kevin Harvick. Two further top cars will begin near the back of the racing track, counting the Ford of Carl Edwards No. 99, punished for going onto the pit road too fast, and the No. 11 Toyota of Denny Hamlin. Dale Jarrett fits the 18th after experiencing a five-second punishment. General 2008-05-19T12:23:20Z thefastlane Speed Racing - One of my favorite car racing online game. http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/5368_speed_racing-one_of_my_favorite_car_racing_online_game.html Have you tried playing online games? I bet most of you do… As for me, I haven’t tried any of these, until yesterday. My friend Aaron thought me to play this one game that he actually down loaded from the net. I tried playing the “speed racing” and the “street racer” downloaded from the <a href="http://gamesfreak.net/">gamesfreak.net</a> which was categorized under “most played racing games”. I was having a really difficult time starting the game but when I learned how to do it; it was really addicting and fun. “Games Freak” is just one of the too many online racing games. They have a great selection of free online racing games that includes car games, bike games, parking games, sports games and a lot of those great arcades games. Playing these online games is really quite addicting and really fun. It seems that you’re driving your own car, manipulating your every move just to win the race. Choosing your own racing car is fun too. With those beautifully designed racing cars! I know these online games are really fun and all especially to the younger generation who always love adventure, now is the time for you to try this really cool games. I have now actually experienced these online gaming, feel how it feels like battling your way just to win a race. Feeling like you’re in the shoes of Hideki Mutoh (who finally made his move to <a href="http://mvn.com/irl/2007/10/30/hideki-mutoh-joins-andretti-green-for-2008/">Andretti Green Racing</a>), the urge of winning the race and the feeling of winning the race for me, is really something you can be proud of. It feels like excelling in the real car racing competition. Really gives a different feeling. <div style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://www.indycar.com/multimedia/build_photo.php?photo_id=63642&size=med&time=3.65963728452091" alt="http://www.indycar.com/multimedia/build_photo.php?photo_id=63642&size=med&time=3.65963728452091" width="257" height="386" /> </div> I haven’t won a race in real life and in online games, though. And it is also my dream to join and to win one. General 2008-05-09T21:53:53Z thefastlane Can Nelsinho Emulate His Father? http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3884_can_nelsinho_emulate_his_father.html <div align="justify"><div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://formula1sport.net/wp-content/uploads/formula12007/piquetjr.jpg" border="0" width="300" height="300" /></div> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">When Fernando Alonso signed with Renault for this coming Formula One season, the team decided to drop Kovalainen and sign Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr.  If you have been a fan of the sport for decades I am sure that you would immediately recognize the name.  After all, Nelson Piquet Sr. was a three-time world champion.  That means Nelsinho has a very daunting prospect, and that is to match up with his father in terms of success in the sport. Nelson Jr. though has shown a lot of talent.  His credentials include two Formula Three championships, one in South America and the other one in the United Kingdom.  Also, Nelsinho finished second to Lewis Hamilton in GP2 series when the latter was dominating the sport.  His transition to Formula One though is not as abrupt as Hamilton as he spent last year as a test driver and has already covered more than 8,000 kilometers in a Formula One car. Pat Symonds, Renault's executive director of engineering said that they expect Nelsinho to commit rookie mistakes but they are doing the best they can in providing the Brazilian with a car that will suit him.  "Nelson has a challenge in front of him," said Symonds.  "Just like with Heikki last year, we need to give him time to develop, to make the inevitable rookie mistakes - and we must help him learn from those mistakes. It is important to give him a car he can trust, and I hope this is where it turns out differently to 2007. We have to be sure that the R28 is not just a race-winning car, but one that inspires confidence from the drivers." Now, can Nelsinho achieve the same success as his father?  I don't know just yet but we will see soon enough.  But if Renault can come up with a good car, I don't think Nelsinho will be given a chance to win the championship as Alonso is the number one driver and the Spaniard wants preferential treatment of course. </div> General 2008-02-12T00:55:28Z thefastlane Corvette Racing Goes Green http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3672_corvette_racing_goes_green.html  <div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://ebay.windingroad.com/newsuploads/2006/06/1PRI9140thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="http://ebay.windingroad.com/newsuploads/2006/06/1PRI9140thumb.jpg" /></div> Guess who’ve just decided to go under the ‘Green’ shade? Oh yeah, I can’t believe it myself until I read the news from <a href="http://www.corvetteracing.com">Corvette Racing</a>. For the upcoming 2008 American Le Mans Series, the Corvette Racing team will be power-driven by E85 ethanol - the innovative high-octane, renewable alternative fuel! According to the <a href="http://corvetteracing.com/history/2008releases/general/racing1.shtml">headlines</a>, Corvette Racing, the most triumphant team in ALMS history, will utilize a combined 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline in the challenging ring of resilience road racing as a fraction of the event’s "green racing" program."Since its inception, Corvette has always been a platform for Chevrolet and GM to introduce and develop new technology. Like the Corvette Z06 E85 concept car that will pace the 2008 Indianapolis 500, the use of E85 ethanol fuel by America's premier production sports car racing team in a high-profile, high-tech racing series like the ALMS shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example,” says Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper during a press conference at the North American International <a href="http://www.naias.com">Auto Show</a> in Detroit.Corvette Racing's radical twin Compuware C6.R race cars will build the conversion to E85 for the upcoming 2008 American Le Mans Series after capturing its seventh straight GT1 manufacturers and team championships last year."By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the benefits of a renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on petroleum, helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to create greater diversity in energy supplies," Peper said. "Of course, performance is what counts in racing, so E85 ethanol's higher octane rating than gasoline wasn't overlooked by the Corvette Racing engineers." "GM Racing has had an interest in 'green racing' initiatives worldwide for some time," Wesoloski said. "In 2007, Corvette Racing won the Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the most efficient use of fuel during the race. We've participated in discussions with SAE International, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy on programs to increase environmental awareness through racing. When it became apparent that the ALMS was going in this direction as well, the decision to use Chevrolet's factory Corvette Racing team to demonstrate both the alternative fuel technology that's available within GM and the capabilities of E85 ethanol was a logical step."  General 2008-01-25T23:15:51Z thefastlane Make Way For The Biggest Classic Motor Auction http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3385_make_way_for_the_biggest_classic_motor_auction.html  <div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://www.princesslimos.com/dusyweb-framed-650-271-25.jpg" border="0" width="474" height="271" /></div>Behold the finest classic cars. Traveling far and wide just to witness the most remarkable classic cars on earth? Well, the solution is to know the biggest classic motor auction. …And it’s in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the <a href="http://www.barrett-jackson.com/">Barrett Jackson Auction</a>, the world's largest annual sale of classic cars, 1,000 vehicles will be going under the hammer. Auto buffs and classic aficionados will descend on the territory to witness an auction that offers vehicles from distinct 20th century vintage to breathtaking 2009 models which are not offered to the market yet. The 6-day auction dubbed "The Greatest Car Show on Earth" will start on Tuesday and should raise tens of millions of dollars if recent auctions are any guide. To note, the 2007 show netted 112 million dollars, according to <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQ9cpvPk9Ir8ulqNZICUts2PshRA">AFP</a>. Among the wide array of vehicles to be auctioned are Ford Thunderbird featured in Oscar-winning 1991 film "Thelma and Louise,” a vintage 1928 Duesenberg, a customized 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II, a 1969 Mustang GT500 convertible, a stretch Hummer featured in 2006 film "Miami Vice," a 1969 Dodge Charger known to viewers of 1980s television series "The Dukes of Hazzard" as The General Lee, and more. Experts said that despite the woes gripping the US economy, the Barrett-Jackson sales should still do brisk business amongst bidders who are typically wealthy enthusiasts with money to burn. "Every time the economy takes a downturn, the value of tangibles goes up," said Leslie Kendall, the curator at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. "Vehicles are tangibles that you can use and enjoy, theoretically, if you buy them for the right reasons, a lot of people treat them as investments, there's a lot of speculators out there that help the prices go up. You'll see a whole lot of people in their 50s and 60s. A lot of people who are as wealthy as they ever will be, right now, and they just want to reward themselves for having done well in life." "There are lots of vehicles from our youth, and we recapture a bit of our youth, we get a bit of that old feeling back," added Kendall. "The cars are a great way to do it. The market for any quality old vehicle is going up."  General 2008-01-14T05:32:08Z thefastlane Toyota Drivers To Step Up Game http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3351_toyota_drivers_to_step_up_game.html <div align="justify">Last season was dismal to say the least for Toyota Formula One.  The team reportedly has the biggest budget of all Formula One teams but the best they can get last year was a sixth place finish from both drivers. Of the said two drivers, only one remains and that is Italian Jarno Trulli.  Ralf Schumacher left the team after the Brazilian GP. This year, Timo Glock will be driving for Toyota replacing his compatriot.  And the team's test driver would be Kamui Kobayashi.  All of them are eager to have a good year for Toyota. Toyota Formula One chairman Tadashi Yamashina said:  "Our target is improvement. We were not happy with last year.  We expect to have a competitive car so our drivers should aim to finish in the points and challenge for the podium."  Last year, they weren't even close to finishing in the top three. Trulli meanwhile had this to say:  "My hopes are always high because normally I am very positive.  The team has got the potential, the resources, the people and everything necessary to bounce back to the position where we belong. I believe we can produce a good car for next year." "We work strongly as a team and we are pulling together to help move forward after the problems we had in 2007.  Obviously, it was a difficult season in terms of results and performance but we are all committed to making a significant improvement," he added. Glock, former test driver for BMW-Sauber, have been signed by Toyota to a contract and will be racing for the Japanese outfit this year. The German driver had this to say:  "Even though I have not raced in F1 since 2004, I have tested quite regularly so I expect it will take very little time for me to get back in the groove.  I have been lucky enough to race and succeed in several different championships in my career but my goal has always been to become a full-time F1 driver." </div> General 2008-01-11T20:34:43Z thefastlane Patrick Long Returns To ALMS With Penske Racing http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3247_patrick_long_returns_to_alms_with_penske_racing.html <img src="http://www.americanlemans.com/drivers_and_teams/Images/DRIVER87242006153338390_Thumb.png" border="0" width="179" height="270" align="left" />Patrick Long, currently a Porsche factory driver, will be returning to the <a href="http://americanlemans.com">American Le Mans Series</a> this time with Penske Racing. Previously, Long have driven for Alex Job Racing and Rolex Sports Car Series. Long is preparing for the most challenging season of his racing life. When this ALMS season starts, he will be piloting one of Penske Racing's Porsche RS Spyders.In a recent interview, no holds barred, Long answered the questions. Here’s an excerpt:<blockquote>What was your first exposure to Porsche, and do you remember your first contact?The first person I met was Uwe Brettel (now Porsche's Head of Worldwide Customer Racing Services) at the 2002 USGP. He was managing and running the Porsche Supercup race there, and we were introduced through Danny Sullivan based on their past relationship and Danny racing in Porsches. All of that was during the first Red Bull F1 driver search. There were 16 of us there to meet the press and were in the running. It was something that generated a lot of interest and publicity. Red Bull had hired the right people to find the right American, so Porsche thought why not keep an eye on it? From there, I was invited to test in their selection for the UPS Porsche Junior Team.When first joined the Porsche Junior Team, was an opportunity like the one you have now with Penske the goal?The goal when joining Porsche was not to become a DTM or Champ Car driver. It was a decision to make a future with Porsche in motorsport at the top level. Even though they didn't have a prototype at the time, The goal when joining Porsche was not to become a DTM or Champ Car driver. It was a decision to make a future with Porsche in motorsport at the top level. Even though they didn't have a prototype at the time, I knew it was just a matter of time before the tide turned and they returned. My goal was to become a professional racing driver and I knew that involving myself with a manufacturer like Porsche was the best way to do it. Porsche is so supportive of their drivers, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. You're employed by the factory and are exposed to so many teams, series and other countries. You never really know where you're going to go.My goal was to become a professional racing driver and I knew that involving myself with a manufacturer like Porsche was the best way to do it.You have often spoken about Danny Sullivan, Bobby Rahal, Kenny Brack and many others being career influences. Where do you think Roger Penske fits in?Naturally, he's a huge hero of mine. Any young racing driver from the US knows who Roger Penske is. I've started to realize what he's about, and that's winning. There is so much going on in motorsport these days, but racers like Roger are the ones who are passionate. It's a thrill to be working inside his effort. I really look forward to learning from his success. He's on the radio with us and he's even there coaching us during driver changes. He knows everyone's name from the tire carrier to the engineer. It's one of those things that we're all wanting to do one thing, and that's win.</blockquote>Preparations for the 2008 ALMS begin January 28-30 with the annual Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway. This season opens with the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 15. [credit: <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/01/07/074564.html">The Auto Channel</a>]  General 2008-01-08T01:33:19Z thefastlane Nelsinho Will Hit F1 With A Bang http://thefastlane.nowblogging.net/88_the_fast_lane/archive/3154_nelsinho_will_hit_f1_with_a_bang.html <img src="http://www.infobae.com/adjuntos/imagenes/48/0184828B.jpg" border="0" width="276" height="225" /><img src="http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pspa05/sat/alonso3-lg.jpg" border="0" width="274" height="220" /> A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One">Formula One</a> newbie may be just as adorable as World Champs Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Raikkonen. And who’s the most controversial among F1 newbies? I think it’s Nelsinho.Emerson Fittipaldi, the triple World Champion reportedly told Gazzetta dello Sport, has warned Alonso that Nelson Piquet Jr. will challenge him on the track - but he still believes that the double World Champ will be in the mix for the title. Fittipaldi believes that Nelsinho has the pace to worry the Spaniard, and this, coupled with his knowledge of the Renault car, will present a difficult prospect, report said."Nelsinho will be worse than Lewis Hamilton for Fernando Alonso," Fittipaldi said. "Nelsinho drives excellently, he is very quick, and last year he did over 15,000km in testing with Renault. For all these reasons I think he will give Alonso more trouble than he got from the McLaren driver." Despite the threat Nelsinho poses, Fittipaldi is confident that Alonso will challenge the Ferraris and McLarens for the Championship. Fittipaldi suggests that Alonso's prior relationship with Renault and the team principal will work in his favor, reported <a href="http://planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3006682,00.html">Planet-F1</a>."Thanks to Fernando, Briatore in the past had the possibility of optimizing the team's performance. If he manages to do that again, the Spaniard will be able to fight for the title." Nelsinho claims he secured a seat with Renault, where he will be teaming up with Alonso, on merit and not because of his father’s clout. To note, his father, Nelson Piquet, won 3 World titles in the 1980s. "Ever since I started racing, I have felt the pressure of being Nelson Piquet's son. My father is a legend in the sport, and that makes me very proud, just like it does for his many fans around the world. If I am here today, it is because I have the talent and have worked hard, with the right motivation, to become an F1 driver," Nelsinho told <a href="http://planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2994394,00.html">Planet-F1</a>."Renault F1 Team is a top team, they won two World Championships and are determined to get back on top. After one year with the team as a third driver, I know everybody and feel very comfortable in the team, I know the way they work and it's probably the best way for me to start racing in F1," he noted."Throughout my career, I have been very focused on achieving the best possible results - and that's how I intend to approach Formula One as well,” he concluded. "I am confident that I can reward the faith Renault has placed in me by being clear-headed about the car's potential at each race, and working hard. I go to every race aiming for the best possible result, but with my feet firmly on the ground." It’s clear – the arrival of Nelsinho is something to look forward to. I, for one, will trail his F1 prints. General 2008-01-02T01:37:48Z thefastlane