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F1 changes for 2011: 107 per cent qualifying rule is back, driver-adjustable bodywork permitted

June 24, 2010 at 4:44 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

A host of decisions were made at the recent FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Geneva. Aside from Pirelli being named F1’s next tyre supplier, new regulations have been put in place for better safety and to clear up grey areas.

With immediate effect, there will be no overtaking even when the safety car pulls in on the last lap of a race (remember Michael Schumacher in Monaco?). Also, when a fuel sample needs to be taken after a session, a car must enter the pits with its own power (Lewis Hamilton, take note).

Rules that come into effect in 2011 include the reintroduction of the 107 per cent qualification rule, which was in force between 1996 and 2002. This states that any driver whose time exceeds 107 per cent of the best time in Q1 will not be allowed to take part in the race.

Another interesting rule is that “driver-adjustable bodywork” will be allowed. Activation will only be available after two laps and only if the driver is within one second behind another car, at pre-determined positions around each circuit. It will auto deactivate once the brakes are touched. Will this promote overtaking and make F1 more exciting?

Controversy surrounding F-ducts have now been set straight as they have been banned. They have been deemed too dangerous due to the driver having to cover certain holes with their knees or move his hands away from the steering wheel to activate the component.

In Formula 1, it is always interesting to see how the teams rise above restrictions and regulations by finding loopholes and introducing new technology. Let’s see what the engineers come up with for 2011. Full verbatim statement from the FIA after the jump.
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Green monster: Switzer’s 900 hp biofuel drinking GT-R!

June 24, 2010 at 3:53 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Nissan, when releasing the R35 GT-R, stated that it would be both “perfect” and “untunable.” Many see it as the perfect performance tool, but the untunable bit has been disproved by a number of tuning firms, one of them being Ohio-based Switzer Performance which produced 800 hp from the standard GT-R.

However, in tunerworld, no one is ever satisfied with their accomplishments. So Switzer’s P800 GT-R went to the gym for some bulking up, with 900 hp as result! But there is a twist this time, and it comes in the form of its fuel source: ethanol E85.

Yes, this 900 hp monster feeds on biofuel, which produces much less greenhouse gas than gasoline. “With most high-horsepower cars, you can barely breathe after just a few dyno runs. With the E85, we were able to run pull after pull to dial in the tune without feeling any effects of the usual emissions. It’s hardly scientific, but there was a noticeable improvement in the air quality in the shop compared to race gas,” Tym Switzer said.

Switzer modified the fuel system to handle E85 and significantly increased the size of the injectors. 900 hp was deemed too much for the standard gearbox, so a specially developed transmission was crafted by Dodson Motorsports of New Zealand with “more clutch area.”

No price and performance figures were given, except for acceleration from 96 km/h to 209 km/h, which is ridiculously fast at under 6 seconds!

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OFFICIAL: Pirelli wins Formula 1 tyre supply contract

June 24, 2010 at 2:46 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

The battle to be the next sole F1 tyre supplier after Bridgestone pulls out at the end of this season has concluded. It has been officially confirmed that Pirelli will provide tyres to the FIA Formula One World Championship for a period of three years, starting from the 2011 season.

Pirelli has 44 F1 wins and was last on the grid in 1991. “The current economic climate has lead to a pragmatic approach and collaboration with all the teams, ensuring that the logistical and production costs will be shared equally,” it said.

The Italian tyre maker was competing with the likes of Avon and Michelin for the contract. The latter, which is preferred by some teams, decided to withdraw itself from the reckoning, opposing the sole supplier rule.

“We made proposals to improve the spectacle. Being able to maintain a positive impact on the environment while all the while controlling the costs, and of course in the context of a multi-manufacturer competition. Competition means comparing yourself with others. It’s that which allows us to work on technological ideas. We can then test innovations in competition that will end up in the tyres of tomorrow’s championship,” Michelin director Nick Shorrock told AFP.

“But the rule hasn’t changed. So we decided not to respond to the invitation to tender. Regarding 2010, nothing’s changed and there’s nothing that facilitates the return of Michelin to F1,” he added.

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Toyota chief test driver Hiromu Naruse dies in LFA crash

June 24, 2010 at 10:08 am By Danny Tan Filed Under International News, Toyota

Toyota has confirmed reports that its chief test driver, 67-year-old Hiromu Naruse, has has been killed in a head-on collision near the Nurburgring. Naruse was driving the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition when he collided head on with a BMW. The German car’s test driver and his passenger were seriously injured.

Reports from Germany say that the prototype Lexus (said to cost 1.5 million euros) veered into oncoming traffic. Police are investigating the crash and have yet to determine its cause.

Naruse joined Toyota in 1963 in the Vehicle Evaluation and Engineering Division, and had been involved with Toyota Motorsports since 1970. He was heavily involved with the Lexus LFA project, the classic Toyota 2000GT from the 1960s and all sporty Toyotas in between. His death will be a big loss to Toyota, including chairman Akio Toyoda, who had Naruse-san as his personal on-track driver.

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Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic recalls the glory days

June 24, 2010 at 9:36 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News, Motorsports

Ecurie Ford France has released a collection of just five Focus RS cars in unique liveries, each paying tribute to Ford cars that made history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The car in black with silver stripes is in reference to the Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966, the year that Ford overcame Ferrari and the 200km/h average speed barrier was broken for the first time at Le Mans. The one in red with white stripes “is the” Mk IV of 1967 that swiped away Ferrari’s revenge plot.

The white car with a thin navy blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border echoes the Ford Mk IIB, driven by Jo Schlesser in 1967. He was killed during the 1968 French Grand Prix. The two-tone white and blue Focus represents the Capri RS 2600 from 1972. The most famous of the five has got to be the blue and orange Gulf livery, made famous by the GT40.

Each RS will have a customised interior with leather Recaros and diamond-quilted alcantara. Making every car unique, each of the five will carry a personalised numbered plaque on the dashboard confirming its exclusivity. Customers will also be given a special edition automatic chronograph Le Mans Classic watch, of which only 600 are to be produced.

The cars will be driven for a few laps by Ford guests and VIPs around the full track during the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be put on sale after the event. More pics after the jump.
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F10 BMW 5-Series M-Sports Sedan Rendered!

June 24, 2010 at 12:12 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

F10 M-Sport
Click for enlarged image

The supposedly leaked brochure photos of the M-Sports package for the F11 5-Series Touring that we saw earlier this week looked pretty convincing so we can just assume that the 5-Series Sedan M-Sports package would look pretty much the same.

F10 M-Sport
Click for enlarged image

Theophilus Chin whipped up these photos of an F10 5-Series M-Sports based on the F11 M-Sports brochure leaks. If BMW’s latest design trends continue with the new F10, I’m expecting the F10 M5 to sport a completely different bumper – the bumper center air intake of the M5 will likely be an upside down “frowning” version of this M-Sports bumper which is more of a “smiley”. The E92 Coupe was pretty much the same – the M Sports was a smiley while the M3 was a frowney.

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Volkswagen Scirocco Cup China – racecar driving experience at Sepang International Circuit

June 23, 2010 at 7:33 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Local News, Motorsports, Test Drive Reviews, Videos, Volkswagen

Last weekend was a rather exciting one for the local motorsport scene. The Super GT made a stop at Sepang, the one and only race outside the land of the rising Sun. As always, it brought along the much anticipated GT race queens and some interesting support races as well. As mentioned earlier, the Volkswagen Scirocco Cup China made its debut right here in Malaysia and even had local hero Hammond Lai crowned as winner of race 1 on Saturday.

As the top eight grid positions were reversed for race 2, spectators were entertained with an uphill battle as quicker drivers were fighting their way up the field and who can forget the ‘delicious’ on-track squabble between the top two drivers. Overall it was definitely a successful stop over for the series.

Us journalists who were covering the progress of the series at Sepang were delighted to find out what Volkswagen Malaysia and Scirocco Cup China had in store for us, after Sunday’s race! Yes, as the title suggests, we were given the opportunity to try out an actual Scirocco Cup China race car on track. The event took place on Monday while the Super GT guys were packing their bags en route to Japan.

Furthermore these were the actual race cars, the cars that were raced a day before with some still carrying minor damage as result of on-track collisions. So when I was told that I will be part of this, I said bring it on! Continue reading to check out my driving experience.
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Ferrari signs ex-McLaren chief engineer Pat Fry

June 23, 2010 at 6:32 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Ferrari, Formula 1, Motorsports

Ferrari has confirmed the appointment of former McLaren chief engineer Pat Fry as the Scuderia’s assistant technical director. The 46-year old Briton will work under technical director Aldo Costa starting from July. It’s likely that Fry will jump into the development of next year’s car.

Fry left McLaren last month after 17 years with the Woking team. He started his career with Benetton in 1987 and worked there as a race engineer and test team engineer till 1992 before moving to McLaren in 1993.

At McLaren, he was made chief engineer alongside Tim Goss in 2002 and both men alternate as lead designers – Goss is in charge of this year’s car, while Fry was working on the 2011 MP4-26 before leaving McLaren. Would he bring valuable information to his new team?

“Within our team, then, I think we’ve got quite a bit of a talent and depth, so in these situations it’s a great opportunity for someone younger, maybe hungrier, to come along and replace all of us,” McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said of Fry’s departure last month.

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276hp Lotus Evora debuts in Malaysia – starts from RM 443,480 up to nearly RM 500,000!

June 23, 2010 at 4:28 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Local News, Lotus, Videos

Lotus has officially launched the much anticipated Evora for the Malaysian market earlier today. It took a while for the Evora to reach our shores considering it was unveiled in 2008 during the British International Motor Show. The 2+2 mid-engined Lotus is slightly larger than the Europa which is rumored to be shelved later this year.

The Evora is considered by many as a Lotus that is more livable, although it can still prove to be quite difficult for a large-sized individual to comfortably fit in the cockpit. There rear cabin is just enough for kids as well. It is also only available with a good old manual transmission, for now at least. It weighs just 1,350 kilograms and power to the rear wheels come from a 3.5 litre VVT-i V6 that is able to produce 276hp at 6,400 RPM and 342Nm of torque available at 4,700 RPM. The Toyota-sourced engine which features a Lotus T6e ECU is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Apparently the ratios of the transmission are tuned to offer a smoother drive, not as hard-hitting as some performance-oriented transmissions. With all that power and a light weight chassis the Evora is able to hit the century mark in 5.1 seconds and goes on till it reaches 261km/h. It’s average fuel economy is figured at 8.7 litres per 100 kilometers while producing 199 grams of emissions per kilometer.

The Evora is offered with four trim levels in Malaysia with features like Bi-Xenon headlights, power-fold door mirrors, BOSCH Electronic Differential Lock, ABS with EBD offered as standard. The most basic trim level is the Sport Spec Edition which has a switchable sports mode, titanium sports exhaust tailpipe, engine oil cooler, cross-drilled brake discs with black calipers and a sports diffuser.

Next up is the Tech Spec Edition that comprises of an upgraded audio (2x50W), DVD player, 7-inch WVGA touch screen, portable navigation unit, cruise control, rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring system as well as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivities. There is also an Alpine reverse camera.

Further up the scale is the Sport & Tech Spec Edition which combines the equipment list available with the models above. The range-topping spot is taken up by the Launch Spec Edition. It has all of the above plus accent lighting, an Evora logo on the dash, premium floor mats, more leather upholstery and a choice of four seat colours including Oyster, Charcoal, Chestnut or Paprika.

On top of the above trim levels, buyers can also optionally add a close-ratio sports gearbox, premium paint or choose between two wheel options such as Y-type 5-spoke cast alloys finished in Stealth Grey or 10-spoke forged alloys in either Hi-Power Silver or Gloss Anthracite. The base Sport Spec will set you back RM443,480.00 while the Tech Spec and Sport & Tech Spec versions are priced at RM463,650.00 and RM472,110.00 respectively. The top-of-the-line Launch Spec can be yours for RM490,210.00.

As always, an image gallery can be found after the jump. There is also a special compilation video of the Evora released by Lotus.
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AD: World Cup 2010 – Celcom Broadband Collect A Bear!

June 23, 2010 at 4:27 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Advertorial

Football fans, how have you enjoyed the World Cup so far? For us, apart from the annoying vuvuzelas that makes the home sound like a hornet’s nest every night, the action has been decent, and it’s always good to see the underdogs rise to the occasion.

Who could have imagined Switzerland beating tournament favourites Spain, or England facing a possible early flight home after two successive draws? At least the Three Lions won’t be alone should they go out; the French team will make good company at the airport lounge :)

For those always on the move (like us), it can be hard to keep up to date with the latest score, updates, team news and World Cup happenings. Celcom Broadband has a variety of packages and plans to cater to your needs. 5GB data volume for only RM20 for non-stop World Cup action sounds like a pretty decent deal.

The telco is running the “Collect A Bear” campaign in conjunction with the World Cup, where new subscribers and existing ones who purchase additional 5GB worth of data take home a cute blue bear. Those who have the bear are in the running to take home RM10,000 daily.

First, sign up or log in to Online Customer Service (OCS), where you will get a unique serial number and the draw date in which you are eligible for. If you’ve been shortlisted for the day, Celcom will ring you with one simple question to win. Take your serial number at any Celcom Blue Cube or branch to redeem your Blue Bear. So far, six bears wearing different football jerseys, have been released, with two more designs to go. This campaign runs till 11 July 2010.

Also, to get fully infected with the World Cup fever, log on to www.celcom.com.my/vs for fun football related activities and gear up with football online memorabilia such as desktop wallpapers, ringtones and online games desktop applications.

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