Archive for February 14th, 2010

Formula One 2006 – PS2 – R8 – Silverstone – Part 2 of 3

My Career Mode – Silverstone 20% Race Distance in a Midland

F1 Live Online – 3 Tips To Watch F1 Live Online Anywhere In The World

As a die-hard formula 1 fan for more than 10 years, I have never missed any F1 races. Therefore, I will be telling you 3 tips so that any F1 fan like you can view F1 races live anywhere in the world. The high speed throttling engine sounds of Ferrari makes me go high! I could almost smell the burning tires of those F1 cars.

The 1st tip is the easiest method where you can just go to YouTube and type “F1 2009″ or “F1 races” in the search box and you will see a list of F1 video clips appearing. However, since it is free, you may experience time lag due to many people like you watching. Also, due to copyright laws, it may not be there for long depending on your luck.

The 2nd tip is to visit a local pub that broadcast F1 races live, with a group of F1 fans like you and me cheering on your favourite car driver and team. It should be very exciting although you need to pay some money for the beers. Of course, this will be achievable only if the local cable provider does broadcast F1 races.

Maybe you have to work unconventional hours or need to work on your computer during the time which the F1 races is being broadcast. Fear not because my 3rd tip can help you. The fact is that you can actually watch F1 live online on your computer or laptop by just installing a special software which you will be able to receive crystal clear, high quality live video streaming of all the F1 races all year round. It’s cheap and you don’t pay a bomb for that; and yes, it works on a laptop too. I have been using it to watch 2009 F1 races to my hearts content and you can do it too.

Top 10 sports most outageous commentators call

Sports commentators going crazy. If only it could happen more often…

Enzo Ferrari – His Story

Born in Emilia-Romagna, and raised in Modena, Italy, Enzo Ferrari grew up with little formal education but a strong desire to race cars. During World War I he was a mule-skinner in the Italian Army. His grandfather, Alfredo, died in 1916 as a result of a widespread Italian flu outbreak. Enzo became sick himself and was consequently discharged from Italian service. Upon returning home he found that the family firm had collapsed. Having no other job prospects he sought unsuccessfully to find work at Fiat and eventually settled for a job at a smaller car company called CMN redesigning used truck bodies into small, passenger cars. He took up racing in 1919 on the CMN team, but had little initial success.

He left CMN in 1920 to work at Alfa Romeo and racing their cars in local races he had more success. In 1923, racing in Ravenna, he acquired the Prancing Horse badge which decorated the fuselage of Francesco Baracca’s (Italy’s leading ace of WWI) SPAD fighter, given from his mother, taken from the wreckage of the plane after his mysterious death. This icon would have to wait until 1932 to be plastered on a racing car. In 1924 he won the Coppa Acerbo at Pescara. His successes in local races encouraged Alfa to offer him a chance of much more prestigious competition and he was lauded by Mussolini. Ferrari turned this opportunity down and in something of a funk he did not race again until 1927 and even then his racing career was mostly over. He continued to work directly for Alfa Romeo until 1929 before starting Scuderia Ferrari as the racing team for Alfa.

Ferrari managed the development of the factory Alfa cars, and built up a team of over forty drivers, including Giuseppe Campari and Tazio Nuvolari. Ferrari himself continued racing until the birth of his first son in 1932 (Alfredo Ferrari, known as Dino, who died in 1956).

The support of Alfa Romeo lasted until 1933 when financial constraints made Alfa withdraw. Only at the intervention of Pirelli did Ferrari receive any cars at all. Despite the quality of the Scuderia drivers the company won few victories (1935 in Germany by Nuvolari was a notable exception). Auto Union and Mercedes dominated the era.

In 1937 Alfa took control of its racing efforts again, reducing Ferrari to Director of Sports under Alfa’s engineering director. Ferrari soon left, but a contract clause restricted him from racing or designing for four years.

He set up Auto-Avio Costruzioni, a company supplying parts to other racing teams. But in the Mille Miglia of 1940 the company manufactured two cars to compete, driven by Alberto Ascari and Lotario Rangoni. During World War II his firm was involved in war production and following bombing relocated from Modena to Maranello. It was not until after World War II that Ferrari sought to shed his fascist reputation and make cars bearing his name, founding today’s Ferrari S.p. A. in 1945.

The first open-wheeled race was in Turin in 1948 and the first victory came later in the year in Lago di Garda. Ferrari participated in the Formula 1 World Championship since its introduction in 1950 but the first victory was not until the British Grand Prix of 1951. The first championship came in 1952-53, when the Formula One season was raced with Formula Two cars. The company also sold production sports cars in order to finance the racing endeavours not only in Grand Prix but also in events such as the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. Indeed many of the firm’s greatest victories came at Le Mans (14 victories, including six in a row 1960-65) rather than in Grand Prix, certainly the company was more involved there than in Formula One during the 1950s and 1960s despite the successes of Juan-Manuel Fangio (1956), Mike Hawthorn (1958), Phil Hill (1961) and John Surtees (1964).

In the 1960s the problems of reduced demand and inadequate financing forced Ferrari to allow Fiat to take a stake in the company. Ford had tried to buy the firm in 1963 for US$18 million but had been rejected. The company became joint-stock and Fiat took a small share in 1965 and then in 1969 they increased their holding to 50% of the company. (In 1988 Fiat’s holding was increased to 90%).

Ferrari remained managing director until 1971. Despite stepping down he remained an influence over the firm until his death. The input of Fiat took some time to have effect. It was not until 1975 with Niki Lauda that the firm won any championships – the skill of the driver and the ability of the engine overcoming the deficiencies of the chassis and aerodynamics. But after those successes and the promise of Jody Scheckter title in 1979, the company’s Formula One championship hopes fell into the doldrums. 1982 opened with a strong car, the 126C2, world-class drivers, and promising results in the early races.

However, Gilles Villeneuve was killed in the 126C2 in May, and teammate Didier Pironi had his career cut short in a violent end over end flip on the misty backstraight at Hockenheim in August. Pironi was leading the driver’s championship at the time; he would lose the lead as he sat out the remaining races. The team would not see championship glory again during Ferrari’s lifetime.

Enzo Ferrari died in Modena in 1988 at the age of 90 at the beginning of the dominance of the McLaren Honda combination. The only race which McLaren did not win in 1988 was the Italian Grand Prix – this was held just weeks after Enzo’s death, and, fittingly, the result was a 1-2 finish for Ferrari, with Gerhard Berger leading home Michele Alboreto. After Enzo’s death, thee Scuderia Ferrari team has had further success, notably with Michael Schumacher from 1996-2005.

Made a Cavaliere del Lavoro in 1952, to add to his honours of Cavaliere and Commendatore in the 1920s, Enzo also received a number of honorary degrees, the Hammarskjöld Prize in 1962, the Columbus Prize in 1965, and the De Gasperi Award in 1987. In 1994, he was posthumously inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Enzo famously used purple ink in his fountain pen, although the reason for this remains unclear.

After the death of his son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, Enzo wore sunglasses just about every day to honor his son.

Ferrari Driving Schools

If you are a Ferrari car owner, you know the pleasure that is yours when you slip behind the wheel of this fabulous driving machine. Did you know that you could enhance your enjoyment of these vehicles even more by participating in a Ferrari driving school? This is a fun way to get to understand how your Ferrari works, and what it is capable of on a racetrack.

The Ferrari North America School is located in Mont-Tremblant, northwest of Montreal. The driving takes place on a race track a little over two and a half miles long. Instructors make clear that this is not a school to train racers. This Ferrari Driving Experience school will give you the skills you need to get more out of driving your Ferrari.

The instructors have put in many championship wins on race tracks around the world. They are experienced in sharing their skills in a step-by-step manner; with early instruction providing vital tools upon which more advanced techniques will be built.

The Ferrari Driving Experience lasts for two and a half days, and begins with a champagne reception and dinner the evening before classes begin. Time is spent in both the classroom and on the track, although most of the time is spent behind the wheel. Classes cover such topics as vehicle dynamics and driving line. Track time includes introducing skills like how to handle the car in wet and dry conditions, including controlled skids, braking, and acceleration, and building on lapping techniques, beginning with sectional, and moving up to short track and eventually full track circuits.

Students may not drive their own Ferraris, for insurance reasons, but instead are provided with twelve new Ferrari F430 ‘s for their use during the Experience. The fee for sumptuous room, board and instruction is $8,200 in US dollars. There is a waiting list for these special instructional events, so register early if possible.

If you would like to receive all of the superior instruction of the Experience but be able to participate in your own Ferrari, then you might enjoy Ferrari Driving Clinics. Priced at $1350 US, these clinics are held on Ferrari Challenge race weekends, and you get to drive your car on the track, under the helpful eye of your instructor. There are two skill groups, the Sport group for intermediate to advanced drivers and the Touring group for beginner to intermediate enthusiasts. You will also get to participate in infield driving drills to help you hone your ability in several areas, including braking and autocross. You will learn driving techniques to make your Ferrari car driving experience more satisfying. For everyone’s safety, Ferrari requires each participating vehicle to receive a technical inspection from an authorized Ferrari dealer.

Emotion Tours – The Ultimate Grand Prix Travel Packages Complete With Formula One Tickets!

Emotion Tours provides a traveling venue for those who love the high energy, high octane world of formula one auto racing.  This online travel agency will plan your adventure for you, no matter what city the race is in.  Their goal is to make your trip as hassle free as possible, so all you have to do is pack your bags.

When formula one racing season is in full effect, getting formula one racing tickets can be hard and this in turn can take the fun out of planning a vacation to the host city.  The joy of going to a formula one race can be recovered by letting Emotion Tours handle all of your travel needs from offering first class hotel accommodations and formula one tickets in many different travel packages in a huge assortment of prices.

Each stop on the formula one racing tour has wonderful hotels to stay at such as the Estanplaza Paulista (Brazil).  Planning your trip with Emotion Tours can get you a hotel deal that you wouldn’t be able to get on your own.  It will definitely help you in getting the formula one tickets that you want making your vacation just what this company wants it to be: emotional.

Formula one racing is hosted in some of the world’s most wonderful and beautiful countries: Canada, Spain, Turkey, Hungary, and Germany.  Emotion Tours can not only get travelers the formula one tickets that they dream of, but combine that with a comfortable stay at a luxurious hotel, and this is what is referred to as a dream vacation. Emotion tours can make your dreams come true.  Purchase one of their travel packages and just relax and go.

Emotion Tours has several discounts, sales, and specials on formula one travel packages.  During this economy, a vacation with formula one tickets and hotel accommodations would be considered a luxury.  But since the prices are dropped so low, even the most frugal person will consider taking a trip to see a formula one race.  There are also last minute deals and low rates that gives no excuse to not get some formula one tickets and enjoy the race.

If you want to plan your formula one racing trip yourself, Emotion Tours has a user-friendly website that allows for choosing accommodations that are pleasing to you and within your budget.  Plan a formula one racing trip and see a city in a country that you have always dreamed about, but never been to.  Let Emotion Tours get you the formula one tickets and just relax and enjoy your exciting getaway.  Formula one tickets are for races in some of the most exciting international cities and you will meet people from different cultures who you can make a connection with.

When planning your formula one racing trip and questions should arise, either contact Emotion Tours by phone or email.

For more information, visit their website at Emotion-Tours.

Understanding Formula One: Steering Wheel.

Formula One is truly a high-tech sport. Members of the BMW Sauber F1 Team explain some basic terms and let you into some of the technical secrets: Nick Heidfeld speaks about his steering wheel.

Tudor Becomes the Timing Partner of Porsche Motorsport

This year Tudor watches has officially become â??Timing Partnerâ? of Porsche Motorsport with engagements in the Porsche international one-make cups.

Over the last 25 years, TUDOR and Porsche alike have worked persistently on design, technology and reliability, resulting in bold innovations and avant-garde solutions. In this constant quest for functional beauty, TUDOR leads us into the vibrant world of GT racing. The launch of a new range of sport chic design watches under the exciting name of Grantour and TUDORâ??s Porsche Motorsport partnership officially bring the two brands together. Both branded with a shield, they share the same values and respect of tradition. TUDOR does not simply produce watches, nor Porsche merely cars. TUDOR and Porsche are both much more.

CLOSELY LINKED DESTINIES
The 1950s were marked by the TUDOR Oyster Prince and Princess, waterproof watches with a self-winding movement. Porsche brought out the highly responsive, powerful Spyder. In the early 1960s came the launch of the TUDOR Prince Submariner and the Porsche 911, successful models for both companies. From then on, TUDOR became a watch of choice for Porsche drivers racing at Nürburgring, Daytona, Monza, Le Mans and other classic venues. The TUDOR Oyster Date chronograph launched in 1971 was even dubbed the
â??Porsche Chronoâ? by collectors and racing aficionados. The TUDOR â??Monte-Carloâ? Chronograph, as it was called by watch lovers, symbolized the 1970s, and Porsche won the World Sportscar Championship and the Manufacturers World Championship in 1976 with the Porsche 935 and 936. The Porsche 936 went on to win the 24 Heures du Mans in 1981, coinciding with the firmâ??s 50th anniversary.
This powerful partnership between TUDOR and Porsche Motorsport strengthens the bonds between two brands with an outstanding track record. A perfect synergy that paves the way for exhilarating racing moments.

A LITTLE HISTORY
TUDOR and Porsche are companies with shared values inspired by two extraordinary men. One from Bavaria, one from Bohemia. Two pioneers. Hans Wilsdorf and Ferdinand Porsche each founded a company that would come to enjoy worldwide renown. In Switzerland, the cradle of watchmaking, Hans Wilsdorf, who had developed Rolex watches, registered the TUDOR brand in 1926.
That same year in Stuttgart, the cradle of the German automobile industry, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Co merged to form Daimler-Benz. Its technical director was none other than the ingenious Ferdinand Porsche. His honorary degree, Doktor Ingenieur honoris causa from the University of Technology of Vienna, is the origin of the â??Dr. Ing. h.c.â? that appears in the firmâ??s name. At the same time as the first TUDOR models were appearing in the early 1930s, Ferdinand
Porsche started his own independent consulting firm for engine and car design in Stuttgart. He enlisted some of his talented ex-colleagues including his son Ferry Porsche, who was to be the driving force behind the launch in 1939 of the first Porsche car, the Type 64.
Montres TUDOR SA was established in Geneva in 1946 at the time Ferry Porsche was designing the first four-wheel-drive race car, the Type 360 Cisitalia. TUDOR launched its Oyster collection in 1947, and the Porsche 356, the first Porsche race car, rolled out in 1948.