OT: Racing 2007 (Spoiler Alert)

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:18 am

LOL, I better get to a doctor after going to all those NASCAR races in the 70's and 80's.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slu ... &type=lgns

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:14 am

I have Dish Network, and one of the channels on it called HD Theater has a one hour program on the Goodwood revival race that is very cool.

Seeing all the old cars and motorcycles race in HD is fantastic. There are some nice interviews with drivers including a short but interesting one with Sir Jackie Stewart, Murray Walker announcing the motorcycle race, and an awesome battle in 1960's F1 cars between Bobby Rahal and Duncan Dayton. Awesome stuff.

I've seen a couple of vintage races in the States, and they are nothing like this. The drivers at Goodwood are actually racing, not parading around the track. Very cool to see. If any of you guys get HD Theater definitely check it out.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:43 pm

Grant, all of the historic races here are proper racing rather than a parade. The Revival meeting is the only one I can immediately think of that requires all present to don period dress, but every time they hit the track those drivers really go at it. There are some genuine hot shoes in there too - people like Rahal and Derek Bell are regulars at Goodwood, but through the rest of the season there are drivers like Richard Attwood, a talented sportscar racer who damn near won the Monaco Grand Prix once, and ex-BTCC ace Frank Sytner. If you're ever in the UK, stick an historic racing event on your to-do list - really good stuff.

Something else those events do is separate the genuine enthusiasts from the rest of the modern day racers. Michele Alboreto attended the last Goodwood Revival before his fatal accident at Lausitz, done up in his period overalls and saying, "Look at me! Just like Nuvolari!" Can't see Michael Schumacher ever coming out with anything like that, somehow.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:20 pm

And thats too bad. It's so cool to see drivers who are total fans of thier sport, and interested in it's history. Too many drivers today treat it as a business.

The show had a segment on Phil Hill, and they had gotten together a collection of all of the major cars he actually raced in during his career. And there he was elbow deep under the hood (sorry, the bonnet!), checking out the engines.

The amount of public and drivers who wear the period dress was impresssive also. Talk about walking into a time machine! The closest I've ever been to that was my trip to Watkins Glen. With due props to the awesome history of IMS, the track and the town of Watkins Glen had an old school vibe that was something I've never experienced.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:57 am

Gurantsu wrote:And thats too bad. It's so cool to see drivers who are total fans of thier sport, and interested in it's history. Too many drivers today treat it as a business.

I know what you were trying to say but the reason most drivers treat it like a business is because the sport treats them like a business transaction as well.

How many talented drivers aren't racing who love the sport because they don't either bring the polished image or the sponsorship money to land a ride? And this applies to just about every racing series on the planet.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:15 pm

Sadly thats true. And drivers do end up in the upper echelons of racing that really shouldn't be there, yet because of sponsorship they get a seat.

Nature of the beast I suppose. You need money to consistantly go faster than the other guys. Unless a series imposes strict limits on development.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:21 pm

Good move on Ferrari's part in signing Felipe Massa to an extension. He's likable, a team player, a solid driver and dare I say has pretty much outperformed Kimi this year for the most part. If it weren't for the mechanical gremlins he would be chasing Fernando or Lewis instead of Kimi.

All eyes were on Kimi this year and Felipe just did his thing and has been consistent with wins and poles. Now that Kimi has gotten to grips with the F2007 both Kimi and Felipe should be in good shape for next year.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:27 am

Can't believe no one has brought this up yet. How do you all feel about the FIA sending in a special observer to McLarens garage this weekend to make sure they don't try to screw over Alonzo?

Sounds to me like Max Mosley has a lot of spare time on his hands. I wonder what the head of the Spanish racing federation offered him in return for this "help"?

I hope Alonzo comes in for a stop and the crew stays put. Let stinking Max change his tires...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:57 am

Rodster wrote:Good move on Ferrari's part in signing Felipe Massa to an extension. He's likable, a team player, a solid driver and dare I say has pretty much outperformed Kimi this year for the most part. If it weren't for the mechanical gremlins he would be chasing Fernando or Lewis instead of Kimi.

It also didn't hurt Felipe that his manager is one Nicolas Todt. Yeah, the son of Jean Todt.

Massa is a very capable driver, though. He's my pick to win the finale Sunday in Brazil. Home track, dominated there last season, fresh off a new contract -- BINGO!

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:59 am

Gurantsu wrote:Can't believe no one has brought this up yet. How do you all feel about the FIA sending in a special observer to McLarens garage this weekend to make sure they don't try to screw over Alonzo?

No doubt. McLaren needs a jack-booted FIA policeman to ensure equality, but the FIA had no problem with Ferrari writing into a contract that Schumacher's teammate always is No. 2?

Any wonder why FIA stands for Ferrari International Aid?

The FIA has set some really dangerous precedents for the sport this season, namely its interference in the McLaren team flap at Hungary and now this.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:24 am

Jackie Stewart recently said Formula One is busy shooting itself in the foot with a semi-automatic rifle in response to the FIA's adjudication of McLaren's fairness and equality through this weekend, and it's not difficult to see what he means. Simple man that I am, I always assumed the FIA's role was to administer, not to interfere.

Massa? Talented driver who is still some way from convincing me that he's out of the top drawer. Raikkonen's performances in the latter part of the season are casting Massa in the role of able deputy, and perhaps that's why Ferrari are holding on to him. I'm yet to be sold on him as a potential champion, though.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:22 pm

GB_Simo wrote:Jackie Stewart recently said Formula One is busy shooting itself in the foot with a semi-automatic rifle in response to the FIA's adjudication of McLaren's fairness and equality through this weekend, and it's not difficult to see what he means. Simple man that I am, I always assumed the FIA's role was to administer, not to interfere.

Massa? Talented driver who is still some way from convincing me that he's out of the top drawer. Raikkonen's performances in the latter part of the season are casting Massa in the role of able deputy, and perhaps that's why Ferrari are holding on to him. I'm yet to be sold on him as a potential champion, though.

Agree on Sir Jackie's remarks regarding the FIA. No question they are in the wrong but they have little choice because of the row between McLaren, Hamilton and Alonzo. Somebody will be pissed if they don't win the WDC on Sunday. It's one of those damn if you do damn if you don't deals.

I like Felipe and I think he is a top driver his performance has shown that this year. If it weren't for reliability issues he might be right behind Lewis in points. For the most part he has been fairly consistent whereas Kimi just took a vacation mentally after Australia. Fortunately he got his game together when it counted. When Kimi is "In the Zone" there isn't a driver on the grid that can match his raw pace and that includes both Lewis and Fernando. The question regarding Kimi is which Kimi shows up to the track on Sunday?

I torn because I would like to see Kimi win the WDC this Sunday only because I like his "I don't give a flip" attitude. Lewis winning the WDC would be good for both Britain and F1. I just hope Lewis stays out of trouble. My prediction is he'll win the Championship on Sunday. Although I have read that according to F1 records that the driver in the lead going into the final weekend of a close Championship battle has never won the title. It would be a first if Lewis can pull it off and I think he will.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:53 pm

Does anyone outside of Spain want Alonso to win this weekend? I can't think of anyone.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:00 pm

pk500 wrote:Does anyone outside of Spain want Alonso to win this weekend? I can't think of anyone.

Take care,
PK

I think he must be one hated man in F1 right now other than the love fest between him and Flavio.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:53 am

Rod, you jinxed Lewis two weeks ago, so be careful

He wouldn't be the first man to lead into the last round of a tight battle and come out victorious - Schumacher beat Hill by 1 point in 1994, for example, and Lauda beat Prost by 0.5 points ten years earlier (Prost earned 4.5 points for winning a rain-shortened Monaco, waving to get the race stopped with Senna and Bellof closing fast. Had the race gone the distance and Prost finished second to Senna, he'd have got 6 points and gone on to be champion. Fine margins). It's a fact, though, that it doesn't happen that often. You only have to go back 8 years for the most recent example of a dramatic last round flub, courtesy of another Brit, Eddie Irvine.

My big issue with Massa isn't his speed, because he's clearly got some. For some reason I'm not totally sold on him as a racer. I know he had that wonderful ding-dong with Kubica in Fuji, but for every one of those there's a race like Silverstone, where he cruised up to the back of the BMW in the fastest car on the track and then just stayed there.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:36 am

Don't worry GB, the lad will come in dead last and Kimi will win the Championship. At the press conference he will mumble something no one can understand but since he's saying it with a smile everyone figures he must be happy to have won the title.

There I just un-jinxed Lewis.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:19 pm

I bet I know what Simo is watching right now.

Major Spoiler Alert**

Bad start for Lewis, he went from 2 to 8th trying to hold off Alonzo as he ran wide. Car troubles and he's now in 18th what a shame. Could it be Alonzo was right he would win the Championship? Stay tuned !

So far it's Massa, Kimi and Fernando as Fernando is having a hard time keeping up with the red cars. I'm sure if it stays in it's current form Massa will have to let Kimi thru. It's exciting folks. I really do feel for Lewis damn.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:58 pm

An almost unimaginably bad start of the race for Lewis. He was way too aggressive with Alonso early and then had the issue with something in the car's driveline.

Hmm, wonder if Massa's going to have an unfortunate bad stop or some sort of tire issue that causes him to slow just enough for Kimi to get by?

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:03 pm

Dave wrote:An almost unimaginably bad start of the race for Lewis. He was way too aggressive with Alonso early and then had the issue with something in the car's driveline.

Hmm, wonder if Massa's going to have an unfortunate bad stop or some sort of tire issue that causes him to slow just enough for Kimi to get by?

I believe "Team Orders" are allowed when there is a Championship at stake like there is now. And Felipe has already stated that he will let Kimi take the lead if it means he wins the Championship. As it stands now in it's current order Alonzo will be Champion, but I think it changes that picture if Kimi wins the race.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:17 pm

Massa did pit which gave Kimi sometime to build his lead and he stayed in first so as it stands right now at Lap 57 it's Raikkonen, Massa, Kubica, Alonzo. This is getting interesting. Lewis is in 8th but still fighting hard.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:35 pm

Wow what a race, what a Formula One season. Kimi Raikkonen Is the 2007 Champion. Congratulations to Kimi for his first title ever. Sad day for Lewis although he definitely will be crowned a Champion one day. A great season for him and his career. McLaren should be kicking themselves for blowing his title hopes in China.

The best part of the day is Alonzo walks away with no title...yeah !

Smurfy · Post by **Smurfy** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:26 pm

I'm very pleased with the results this weekend.

I think Raikkonen was the most deserving individual and McLaren didn't show the team strength to deserve either championship.

For sure Hamilton will be a strong contender in the future. His qualifying lap yesterday was fantastic. But he proved today that his time isn't quite right now.

That being said, I still missed not having Montoya at the Brazilian Grand Prix. His pit entry alone made it worth watching in the past. Too bad he's such an idiot most of the rest of the time

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:31 pm

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 1201.shtml
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63547

Hold on for a second could the title be taken away from Raikonnen and handed to Lewis or Alonzo?

"BMW and Williams under investigation"
New drama unfolding at the Brazilian Grand Prix

AFP France are reporting this evening that both William Toyota and BMW Sauber are under investigation by the FIA following the Brazilian Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg finished a superb fourth today at Interlagos, chased across the line by Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

Details are not clear at the moment, but it seems there is a question mark over the fuel used in the 71-lap season finale and that has massive ramifications in terms of the outcome of the 2007 drivers' championship.

All we know at this early stage is that representatives have been called to face the Stewards from both Williams and BMW.

Raikkonen took the chequered flag this afternoon with rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton third and seventh respectively.
The result was that Raikkonen won the title by one point from the McLaren Mercedes duo.

Should there be any significant penalty applied to Rosberg, Kubica or 2Haiedfeld, Hamilton could be promoted from seventh position. A fifth place in the classification would give him the championship in what would be a very cruel and controversial manner.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:40 pm

Rod, if that did indeed happen and significant sanctions were to result, then it'd be Hamilton's title - Alonso finished ahead of all the cars apparently affected. I'd note, though, that under normal circumstances F1-Live should be trusted about as far as you can throw them, and that I don't think that's being reported anywhere else yet.

Edit: Yes it is, now I've got Autosport working properly. Let's hope nothing comes of it, then - that's altogether the wrong way to decide a title, especially after the season we've had.

Beyond braking too late on the first lap and nearly nerfing his team mate, I didn't see Lewis do all that much wrong, and his move on Barrichello was pretty special, but it was always too much of an ask. Kimi's race was faultless, as were his previous few races, and it's hard to begrudge him his title, even if there were occasions earlier this season when he appeared to just go missing. After all the rotten luck he endured in a McLaren, to have a bit of good luck come the end of the season must feel like payback, and I bet it isn't lost on him that the same broken McLaren he put up with for so long provided the final twist that won him this year's title.

You could tell he was happy too - he spoke. Well done, Kimi.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:49 pm

Yeah Simo I agree on both points. Lewis is entitled to the title if penalties are handed out to both BMW and Williams, fair enough. And yes I agree the drivers title should not be decided on a controversy like this. We've had enough this year with McLaren's ridiculous fine that still in my mind was not justified.

Also I think the FIA was right in not penalizing Lewis and one of the other teams who broke the tyre rule during qualifying. That was the right call because it would have put the Championship into a tail spin before the lights went out.

If both parties are proven guilty then take away constructor's points or levy a monetary fine.