inpitlane.com | Archive

DTM-SUPERGT REGS MERGER FRAUGHT WITH RISKS

20. August 2010

Two of the world's top GT and Touring Car series look set to join under common rules for 2012. And the US based Grand-Am series may join them. Regulations for the popular Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and the Japanese based Super GT series are set to merge opening up the possibility of an exchange of cars and drivers for the future. The new regulations were announced earlier this year and feature: - Common carbon monocoque with roll cage - A standard wheelbase of 2850 mm - Common front and rear overhang - Common front spoiler and rear diffuser - V8 engine of yet to be announced size - Limited number of engines during season - Introduction of "design line" where on one side all cars are common The main aim of the new regulations is a 51% cost reduction in costs, but it's the last item on the list that is concerning the purists most.

YOUTH, EXPERIENCE AND THE UNMENTIONABLES

17. July 2010

It’s a great thing to see a F1 team manager finally recognising that youth is not the simple answer or solution to hiring an F1 driver. The announcement of former Super Aguri & Spyker driver Sakon Yamamoto being given a second chance to race this year in the German Grand Prix for HRT comes after his drive the British GP a fortnight ago. Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of the popular Karun Chandhok being cast aside. This age long debate of balancing youth or experience in professional employment continues to be a raging argument in motor racing. As the current F1 season has turned out, Michael Schumacher’s return to full time racing has not produced results and the seven time World Champion is lagging well behind his much younger team mate Nico Rosberg. (A situation not helped by yet another Brackley dud). On the other hand, an experienced drivers such as Sakon has been recognised and rewarded for his persistence, qualities and experience directly related to the job at hand.

WHY MARCOS? ‘CAUSE HE’S AN AUSSIE, THAT’S WHY

22. June 2010

It's been described as one of the worst mistakes in NASCAR history, In Australia it has prompted comparisons with Greg Norman's finest choking efforts. What Roy & HG will make of it I can't wait to find out. Yes our DNF Maestro Mark Webber has nothing on this one. Just as he looked set for his long awaited NASCAR Sprint Cup maiden victory, Marcos Ambrose blew the biggest win of his career by stalling his car during a safety car period. Called on to save fuel Ambrose coasted down hill with the engine off, but when he couldn't get the Toyota to restart, it was back to eighth place on the restart and a win for Jimmie Johnson. (As if he needs any more)

F1: PINNACLE OR RIDICULE ?

25. March 2010

The Formula 1 circus has once again returned to Melbourne for the annual Australian Grand. Amidst the controversy of the processional previous race of Bahrain as well as the poor organization and lack of performance of the new teams, I’m thankful that I am no longer a fan to what is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing. Unlike previous years when I was living and breathing Formula 1, where I would be literally stalking drivers and know first hand when and where they will make appearances. I no longer have any feelings for any of this; and given how poorly Formula 1 at large continues to treat its fans, I would not at all be surprised if a queue of dissatisfied former Formula 1 fans forms behind me from all over the world. I am at a loss to understand a sport which requires a “working group” to encourage and manufacture an on track action called “overtaking”. It is beyond ridiculous that such a basic action of the sport has to be encouraged or manufactured by a committee for it to actually happen in the arena. Matters are not helped either by today’s Formula 1 drivers.

THE SUN SETS ON JAPAN

5. November 2009

With the unsurprising announcement of the withdrawal of Toyota from Formula 1 effective immediately, along with the confirmation of Bridgestone of their withdrawal from 2010 onwards, it seems the bleak picture I painted towards the end 2008 of a mass withdrawal of Japanese interest in worldwide top flight motor sports has been finally realized. Japanese motor racing fans currently have very little to cheer about on an international scale. Toyota has now followed Honda’s lead in withdrawing from Formula 1, Subaru and Suzuki no longer grace the World Rally Championship, and Kawasaki took its own hibernation from Moto GP also, save for providing a bike for Marco Melandri. Kazuki Nakajima and Kamui Kobayashi have now joined the jobless Japanese Formula 1 driver’s queue, which already has claimed the popular Sakon Yamamoto and Japan’s most successful F1 driver Takuma Sato.

THE FORMULA THAT CAN NOT BE CURED

20. September 2009

With the latest scandal in Formula 1 involving race fixing claims splattered in all manners of media, I certainly was glad I’m no longer a Formula 1 fan. I very definitely do not want to be associated with those scammers, liars, cheats, nor any of the like-minded ego-maniacs that populate this field. However, I find it very disturbing the sort of level Formula 1 as a brand image and its integrity has sunk towards with scandal after scandal within and beyond the last ten years of its existence. If you’re still interested in this sport or entertainment, or whatever you’d like to call it. I’m sure you’d be asking when any of this will ever stop, so you can get to enjoy your Formula 1 racing again. Having watched and studied the field for almost 20 years, I really don’t like the prospects of any of these huge egos with limitless pockets being put in their place and coming to terms that honesty, sportsmanship and values are not just merely words in press releases and sponsorship proposals.

LE MANS: THE GREATEST RACE

12. June 2009

It's all happening, the countdown has begun for the greatest spectacle in International motorsport, forget F1, ignore the Indy 500, don't even consider the Bathurst 1000, the greatest race in all motorsport is without a shadow of a doubt Le Mans. For the first time since 1984 Australian television audiences will have the chance to see the race live, well some of it anyway. TEN's new ONE HD sports channel will bring Aussie viewers the race live from 10.30 p.m. Saturday night with live coverage going through until 2.00AM when the network crosses to NASCAR Qualifying. The coverage continues from 6.30AM till 10.00AM with the final few hours also covered live from 8.30PM till 11.10PM when coverage of the MotoGP begins. For most Australians Le Mans is an abstract concept, not since the early eighties has there been any real mainstream media coverage of the greatest race. Even that proud purveyor of obscure sports everywhere cable TV confined their coverage to a scant hour of highlights often weeks after the race. Of course we on In Pit Lane tried our best to keep the spirit of Le Mans alive. In 2004 I attended my first Le Mans, it was everything I had expected and way, way more. The efficiency and friendliness of the ACO officials is a long way from the indifference and arrogance of the average Aussie racetrack. As I've said on the show before, it was easier to get into Le Mans and do our job than it is to get through the tunnel at Phillip Island for a round of the Victorian State Series. The media centre is remarkable, every table with its own monitor, a lockable cage for your laptop and a steady stream of information all delivered with a smile from a crew who are not only professional but knowledgeable and quite rightly proud of their event. It makes a big difference from some media centres at a typical V8 Supercar event when any request for information on a support event is met with a mixture of confusion and utter contempt. The track itself is suburb, sadly not all of it is accessible to the average spectator but there's plenty of good places to view from. The esses down from the famous Dunlop bridge is a favourite, especially on Saturday night when you can stand on the hill and watch the cars on one side and them flip around to the bands at the annual rock concert. Of course any trip to France must include food and wine and Le Mans is no disappointment there either.

WHY I WONT BE AT THIS YEARS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

21. March 2009

Every year since 1996 when the Australian Grand Prix first came to Melbourne, I’ve always looked forward to it as the highlight of the year. The opportunity to watch my favorite sport live in person without exuberant travel expenses is always a good opportunity. To live that “chasing the dream” lifestyle if only for one week of the year. However, 2009 will set another precedent for me as I chose to shun the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park and Formula 1 as a whole. To my friends that I have made over the years at Albert Park especially wonderful fellow fans and former members of the Super Aguri F1 team who have found employment elsewhere and are traveling to Melbourne, I apologize for not being able to see you at the AGP this year. For those of you who know me well, your first reaction to my statement above would be: “Is it only because Takuma Sato lost his ride?” That is partially correct. Amongst other arguments, for a sport to encourage and changing rules to suit overtaking then deny a competitor who doesn’t need rule changes to be able to overtake on track is well beyond me. However, that is not the entire story. I estimated I’ve spent over AUD$10,000 over the last 13 AGPs I’ve attended, and that is not including the souvenirs that I have purchased. However, I’ve found other than making friends at autograph alley and being given some very special privileges by Takuma Sato and his management as well as my friends at SAF1; my memories of the AGP are almost always of working like a slave for meager student wages to save up to fund my one big splurge each year at the AGP. However, for where the money has gone, I’ve learnt the hard way that trackside F1 fans are still very much being given a raw deal by F1, the FIA, race organizers and certain local businesses.

FOTA’S F1 FUTURE, CRYSTAL BALL OR 8 BALL ?

18. March 2009

The long awaited FOTA statement was finally released on 5th of March detailing technical, commercial and regulations that have been agreed and will be implemented into future seasons of Formula 1 racing. While it is encouraging to see all team principals participating and agreeing to cement their vision of the future of the sport, the current economic situation and the unsustainable use of resources provided have now forced their hands on the teams to agree to many technical regulation changes. Most of which involve homologating and producing long life or single make components; thus reducing the fascination of and image of technical advancement of Formula 1 racing. This however does indeed take Formula 1 back to its roots before regulations of major components being required to self manufactured became applicable. However, it does not go as far back as off the shelf chassis as was the controversies over the last few years with the so-called customer cars. This does indeed cut down costs associated with the running of the cars however I don’t believe the cost cutting measures have gone far enough.

WHO IS EMMA BEARPARK & WHY DOES SHE HAVE A FAN CLUB ?

17. December 2008

For Super Aguri F1 team, Melbourne 2007 was the beginning of the maturity of the team. Anthony Davidson joining Taku as his team mate, the Arrows A23s finally pensioned off and replaced by Honda RA106s, and in Melbourne, Yusze and I were joined by our friend Mark Talbot from the UK, also known as the webmaster of www.saf1.org. For the most part, the weekend was a good time for us all. We joined Emma and Ant at Melbourne zoo on Wednesday morning while they played with koalas, emus and kangaroos... And believe it or not Em introduced me to Ant and his wife Carrie as "our (SAF1's) biggest fan in Australia"... that's something special indeed... it's official... Even more comical is the moment when Miss Emma Bearpark faced her fan club banner for the first time on Saturday morning. When we saw her walking towards the paddock when we’re in autograph alley we just yelled out "EMMA EMMA!!!" to get her attention and flipped out our "EMMA BEARPARK FAN CLUB" banner!!! We absolutely adored her facial expression as soon as she saw it!! She went WIIIIIIIIDE eyed and dropped almost to her knees and started bolting towards the media centre with her hand over her face and hid behind Matsumoto-san (Taku’s personal photographer) we were all ROARING with laughter as she did all of the above!!! Eventually she came out of hiding straight to us and gave me a bearhug and I gave her a kiss and greeted her. “