OT: Racing 2008-2009 (Spoiler Alert)

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:41 pm

That car is so close to looking like a proper racing car. Widen the track to 2 metres again, put the bloody wings in proportion and we're in business.

Maybe it's just me, but with the wings looking like that I can't help but feel the people with the best view of these cars are the drivers. I remember well how I felt at the start of 1998, and I got used to those cars quickly enough, so hopefully the same will apply here.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:32 pm

Wow those front wings are huge. I got a question for the experts. Adam you said widen the track by 2 meters. Was track design back in the 80's much different than it is today and if so is that the reason for the F1 parade since the late 90's?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:21 pm

Sorry, that's my fault: by track, I meant the width of the cars. 2 metres was the width of a pre-1998 Formula One car, and those machines look a lot more like my idea of a racing car than the narrower ones we have today.

As far as track design goes, you could argue that it's a part of the reason but not really the biggest problem. Some tracks are just fundamentally not suited to racing - the Hungaroring, for example, is actually more open and flowing now than when Formula One first went there in 1986, so you can imagine what it was like when it started (if not, download carrera.4's version of the track for rFactor). Valencia isn't and probably never will be a racing circuit, the same can be said of Singapore to a lesser extent, but until 1989 they had a race in Detroit on quite the most horrible street circuit you'll ever see, no relation to the Belle Isle circuit IndyCar went on to use, and they did manage to pass there; John Watson won from 17th in 1982, and from 22nd on the grid at Long Beach the following year.

What's changed, really, is that up until 1994 you had to pass other drivers on the track, and since 1994 if you've been fuelled longer you've had no reason to take the risk. Further to that, when you have had to pass someone on the track, the turbulent air from the bloke ahead means you could never get as close as Il Leone had to be to do this:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=V2g1yrGputA

Think of Sepang this year. Hamilton bottled behind Webber for an entire stint, on a track that should be ideally suited for overtaking. How many times have you seen cars, even with the length of that huge Sepang back straight to work on, not be able to stay close enough out of the preceding turn to have a run into the last corner? If you can't pass somewhere like that, the track isn't the issue.

Edited to add: something else about Sepang, mate, is that it's very, very wide...

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:59 pm

Thanks m8

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:14 pm

New Ferrari F60 at speed, including in-car footage:

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bne4lz5G3n0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:55 pm

I still think the Ferrari is what folk around these parts would call 'a complete minger'. Mind, having said that, I'd like to present for your viewing pleasure the new McLaren, which appears to me to be a stunning piece of kit:

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/pictur ... _PG_5110-2

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/pictur ... ide_view-2

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:02 pm

Adam what's minger m8? And yes the McLaren looks stunning even coming from someone who bleeds Ferrari Red.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:52 pm

Rodster wrote:Adam what's minger m8?

'Minger' is an informal term common in more northern parts of the UK, generally used to refer to a member of the opposite sex who hasn't been blessed with good looks, though it can be applied equally to any being or object that doesn't please the eye. It is, for me, a quick and simple way of saying that the Ferrari fell from the ugly tree, smacking every ugly branch, and then rolled down hill into the nearby settlement of Uglytown where the residents beat it vigourously with ugly sticks.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:54 pm

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:55 pm

Looks like Ron Dennis is moving on and up within his company. I expect Martin to do an exceptional job. He seems like a good bloke.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:15 pm

Rodster wrote:Looks like Ron Dennis is moving on and up within his company. I expect Martin to do an exceptional job. He seems like a good bloke.

Seamless transition. Martin is utterly fluent in "Ronspeak," the language in which you answer media questions with $100 words that sound decisive and important and actually offer zero insight whatsoever.

Hearing Ron Dennis speak is a lot like watching the Top in Show dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show run in circles, chasing its tail.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:29 pm

Now THIS was a motor race. I still get chills when I watch the highlights:

<embed src="http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.co ... Play=false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="480" height="400" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></embed>

It's part of a great Centennial Era series of videos we have running now at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:35 pm

A mate of mine in Indiana rates the 1989 finish higher than that one, and while I can see what he means, I find finishes more impressive when the men involved don't collide with each other. The commentary really adds something to it too, which isn't the case as often as it should be in sports broadcasting.

What's a Centennial Era, though? An American thing? Like a centenary year only longer and less correct when read literally?

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:39 pm

I can't see why Marco's near win at Indy isn't mentioned as one of those shining moments at Indy.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:18 pm

Rodster wrote:I can't see why Marco's near win at Indy isn't mentioned as one of those shining moments at Indy.

Patience, my boy: The video series runs Monday-Friday until Feb. 27. We have 30 segments remaining.

And give credit where it's due. That wasn't Marco's near win; that was Sammy's incredible victory! (Sorry, can't hide my loyalties. Hornish is a hell of a nice guy.)

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:23 pm

GB_Simo wrote:A mate of mine in Indiana rates the 1989 finish higher than that one, and while I can see what he means, I find finishes more impressive when the men involved don't collide with each other. The commentary really adds something to it too, which isn't the case as often as it should be in sports broadcasting.

What's a Centennial Era, though? An American thing? Like a centenary year only longer and less correct when read literally?

You're right, Simo: 1982 was amazing for what DIDN'T happen -- no wreck between Gordy and the Rocket. Plus the last caution that year ended on Lap 158, with Gordy taking the lead for good on Lap 160.

After both made pit stops with about 16 to 18 laps to go, Rick closed on Gordy at nearly a second per lap before he caught him, helped by a horrible understeer condition in Johncock's car. Gordy was up by 11 seconds with 16 laps to go, and Mears still reeled him in!

1982 always will be special to me because it was two legends going balls out over the last 40 laps, with no yellows to artificially close the gap. Pure magic.

The late, great Jim McKay, and Sam Posey did a great job on the commentary, indeed.

We're in our Centennial Era because IMS opened in 1909 and because the first Indy 500 was in 1911. Three years of celebration -- and a lot of extra work!

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:25 pm

I was only two at the time so I don't remember that race, but I f*cking HATED Johncock as a kid because he beat my guy Mears to win the 82 500. The highlights still give me goosebumps.

In the 30 remaining features, I bet there's room for the 1991 classic with Michael Andretti and Mears exchanging passes on the outside of one.

F*ck, I could go on and on about going to IMS and watching Mears during practice and qualifying. Doubt I'll ever like a driver more than I liked the Rocket.

Thanks for posting, PK.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:26 am

Still the best finish at Indy ever in my book. I remember as a kid listening to it on the radio, as at that time the race wasn't shown live, but rather as a cut down version later at night. My brother and I were both shouting and jumping up and down, as Mears was my favorite driver (my bro was an Al Unser fan). And after all that, to hear Mears say he had no regrets at all about the finish shows what an awesome sportsman he is.

And THATS why we watch racing, not for the wrecks as some would believe.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:30 am

Dave wrote:In the 30 remaining features, I bet there's room for the 1991 classic with Michael Andretti and Mears exchanging passes on the outside of one.

Already live:

<embed src="http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.co ... Play=false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="480" height="400" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></embed>

Damn it, you f*ckers, watch the entire series:

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.co ... Moments/p1

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:25 am

Very interesting new designs for 2009 for Renault and Williams:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72866

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72865

Renault's aero near the front axle is pretty cool, and those bulbuous rear sidepods are pretty rad. I like the profile of Williams' front wing, too. Also funky how Williams' exhaust is routed out of the top trailing edge of the sidepod.

I only wish Renault ditched the engine cover fin. Lord, those were ugly in 2008 and remain just as hideous this year.

The new aero regs are shaking up the look of the cars quite nicely this season. Not nearly as homogenized of a look as created by the relatively stable rules of recent seasons.

Plenty more detail at this excellent site:

http://www.f1technical.net/

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:01 am

What's the reason behind the extra wide front wings? They seem to extend beyond the front wheels.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:50 am

Rodster wrote:What's the reason behind the extra wide front wings? They seem to extend beyond the front wheels.

Mandated by the new regulations for 2009.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:21 pm

Sorry my bad. What's the purpose of the large wide front wing on the front of the car?

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:05 pm

Rodster wrote:Sorry my bad. What's the purpose of the large wide front wing on the front of the car?

It should increase downforce at the front of the car. Also, having the wing lower to the ground should have a positive effect on the way cars behave when following another vehicle, which should encourage closer racing and therefore more overtaking. Should, should, should.

I hope Williams have finally got around to making their cars as fast as they look. If the Renault is as fast as it looks they're in the mire already, but it's certainly distinctive and there are some lovely detail touches on it. I was sent a leaked image of that colourscheme last week and assumed it was a testing livery...

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:13 pm

Thanks mate and your right the Ferrari does look like a minger.