Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/07/27/sebastian-vettel-it-looks-to-be-quite-tight/
Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris
Saturday
Sebastian Vettel: ?It looks to be quite tight?
Sebastian Vettel was only 15th and eighth in the two sessions in Hungary today, and like many other drivers he didn?t to sample soft tyres because of the rain. While the true picture isn?t clear Vettel did concede that the … Continue reading
MotoGP Director Of Technology Corrado Cecchinelli Explains The Spec ECU Proposal
Costs in MotoGP have exploded since the introduction of four-stroke engines, with the rise turning almost exponential once the relatively simple 990s were dropped to make way for the 800cc MotoGP machines. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, MotoGP has been looking for ways to cut costs, with much of the effort taking place through changes to the technical regulations. The first step was a return to 1000cc engines, with a bore limit of 81mm to keep revs down. The following steps will be the imposition of a strict rev limit - most probably 15,000 RPM - and the introduction of controls on electronics through the adoption of a spec ECU.
There has been much debate about the proposed rule changes, and especially about the introduction of a single ECU. Electronics have come to play a central role in MotoGP, and have been a massive driver of costs in the sport, with the manufacturers focusing much of their development on developing ever-more sophisticated electronics strategies for maximizing performance from the 21 liters of fuel permitted for the MotoGP bikes. The fans and followers are divided: many would welcome a strict limit on the electronics used on the bikes, claiming that the amount of electronic intervention is ruining the racing and taking control out of the hands of the riders and placing it with the software engineers who write the code for the ECUs. Others deride that argument, saying that imposing a spec ECU is yet another step in the dumbing down of MotoGP, and another move away from the unfettered pursuit of advantage in every area, including technology, that underlies the spirit of Grand Prix racing.
Would a spec ECU lead to the unacceptable dumbing down of racing? Would it really help to control costs? To help clarify the debate, MotoMatters.com spoke to MotoGP's Director of Technology Corrado Cecchinelli, the man who was brought in by Dorna at the beginning of last year to help lay out a stable plan for the series in the future. Cecchinelli explained to us the thinking behind the adoption of a standard ECU, and went into detail about the capabilities which such a component may have. Throughout the interview, Cecchinelli was at pains to point out that a final decision had not yet been made on the adoption of a spec ECU, and that the introduction of a rev limit and spec ECU were the final steps in establishing a stable set of rules which could be used unchanged for several years.
MotoMatters: We've heard so much about the introduction of a spec ECU in MotoGP, that we came to you to clear the issue up. What exactly are the plans for the ECU?
Friday
Chevrolet to debut Camaro in 2013 Nationwide series
Here's a pleasant surprise: Chevrolet will roll out the Camaro for competition in the Nationwide Series, starting in 2013. It makes sense; not only is the Camaro the top-selling sports car in America (per Chevy), it's also a strong competitor to the Ford Mustang in the Nationwide Series.
And now, some corporatespeak: "Chevrolet is proud to bring the Camaro to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013," said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "The Camaro Nationwide race car incorporates many of the distinctive styling elements of the production Camaro, including the unique power-bulge hood and deep recessed grille. In addition, the design incorporates the distinctive halo light rings and dual-port grille appearances, and the gold bowtie." ("Power-bulge" is my new favorite adjective.)
As Chevy PR notes, Chevy leads the Nationwide series in wins, manufacturer standings and driver points standings. And now it's going to look even better in 2013.
Happy Hour: Is Carl Edwards in a bridesmaid swoon?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
Is it hot where you are? At the risk of descending into hack comedian material, SWEET MOTHER OF MERCY IT'S SO HOT I JUST SAW A SQUIRREL BURST INTO FLAME. You know it's hot when you get into the pool and it doesn't feel cool, it just feels like you're sitting in the kiddie pool. (Ew.) Anyway, your favorite NASCAR drivers are ... oh, wait, they're in like 200-degree cars for four hours while we watch in air-conditioned comfort. Never mind.
Your letters:
Carl Edwards can say what he wants, but he simply isn't over the 2011 season. The telling quote was toward the end of his interview [after Kentucky] ? he first says he's "not tore up" over losing to Tony Stewart last year on a tiebreaker, but then later states, "We got beat on a crazy call by Darian Grubb" ... so basically, yeah, he's still tore up over last year, and anyone who knows Carl or has been around the garage ? journalists included ?�know that it's true.
He absolutely cannot let it go (not saying that I blame him, just saying that it's a fact). You didn't get beat on a "crazy call", Carl - you got beat in 10 races, 5 of which Stewart won. The Chase isn't won or lost by one call by one crew chief on one occasion. Your choices are: 1) Get over it or 2) Miss the Chase. I'm betting on #2.
Nathan Bitner
Asheville, N.C.
There certainly seems to be something to this second-place curse, and I can't even imagine how tough it must be for Carl Edwards to lose the closest championship run in all sports history. Seriously, even an extra-inning World Series Game 7 has to finish with one team winning. The 2011 Chase finished with both drivers dead freaking even.
What Edwards should have taken from his defeat, though, is that nobody is ever, ever out of it when the Chase begins ... and, hell, even five or six races into the Chase. Therefore, the rule is simple: Get. In. The. Chase. Can he do it? I think so, but unless something changes in a hurry, I don't see him making any noise even if he does. That team is still shell-shocked, whether they're willing to publicly admit it or not.
____________________
Re: Dinger. [Potentially libelous jumping-to-conclusions deleted] I believe it will end his career because this is a sponsor driven sport and nobody will stake their name on even a suspected drug user. It will not make a real difference if his B sample comes back clean because he will already be labeled.
Dale
(AKA Gator)
Allmendinger's situation is so ever-changing right now that I'm hesitant to even comment on it because you might read this article after he's been found innocent of all charges, and then won't I look stupid calling for his head? Anyway, perception is reality in NASCAR, and you're right, he's dug himself a huge hole here. Best-case scenario, short of a "B" sample exoneration, is that he puts this behind him and doesn't get into an ugly he-said/NASCAR-said fight. We know how that will turn out. But again, let's hold off on making him into a NASCAR drug kingpin until we know more.
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NASCAR seriously needs to re-think what they're doing at Daytona and Talladega. What they're offering us at these two tracks is boring to watch, unless you like to see torn-up race cars.There's no racing, no passing, everyone just rides around waiting for the crash. They've just messed around with things to the point where these plate races are a waste of time to watch. Brian France should fire himself!
Bruce Collier
Richmond, Va.
(Throws up hands in absolute defeat on the plate-race issue)
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I'm very disappointed in a lot of the Nationwide drivers from Friday's race. [Danica Patrick] had a very powerful and stout car that could almost run by itself and didn't need someone pushing her. I think had she not been wrecked the big story of the weekend would have been her first win. But the reason I'm so disappointed is the blatant and obvious attitude of the other drivers toward the 7 car. The only two drivers that would work with her were the 22 and the 88. Everyone else seemed to avoid working with her like she had cooties. I have to feel like this was a very bad black eye for the drivers and makes me embarrassed to think to how they may treat others who are different in the future just because they have a perceived notion that "someone" doesn't belong with them on the race track.
Cliff Francis
Ashland, Kent.
____________________
Jay: I would really like to see how NASCAR fans feel about Austin Dillon keep bring up that he would like to drive the #3 in cup series. I hear this all the time and in my opinion, he has been groomed by grampa [Richard Choldress] for awhile now and gets the best everything money can buy, and he keeps asking for more and more and now he wants to drive #3 in cup series. It looks as if he is begging for it and putting grampa on the spot in front of the media hoping he will jump up and say "Yes." It's kind of pathetic for someone to want something to special when he has not earned it, and personally I think it should be retired.
"MidMichigan Online Auctions"
Interesting name there, friend. Anyway, I'm in the "retire the number" camp for the 3, the 43 and certain others, though many do disagree with me. I understand the appeal of having a number out there every week, but to me it does diminish the value of the number itself. And yes, many drivers have jumped numbers throughout their career, but certain numbers are iconic and should stay that way.
____________________
It seems that perhaps Brad Keselowski is the only Cup Series driver who "gets it;" that once you're in the top 10 in points as the season winds down to the Chase, WINS MATTER. Seems like everyone else in the Cup series (other than perhaps Kasey Kahne, who's desperately trying to get into the Chase) is just on cruise control, as if 3rd is as good as a win, which is as good as 5th place. Have the other drivers truly forgotten about the Chase bonus for wins, or is the fear of losing a spot or two when actually racing for a win that large of a fear?
Where else in sports do we see that attitude, where "almost" winning is good enough?
Mark D. Knight
New Salisbury, Ind.
Wrigley Field.
And yes, losing a spot or 20 is a huge fear, particularly when you've got so many drivers bunched around 10th place and so many fighting for a wild card spot. We're going to have several drivers with one win on the outside looking in. The solutions? Either let everyone who wins a race into the Chase, or amp up the point value for high finishes. Make a top-10 finish worth more than one point better than an 11th-place. Or, hell, do away with the Chase altogether and don't worry if the season is already settled by September.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Toyota Hybrid Vehicle Range
After more than a decade demonstrating the great virtues of the hybrid system Hybrid Synergy Drive which pioneered the Spanish market back in 2000 with the offering for sale of the Prius and the coming to market in 2010 the Auris HSD, this year 2012 is now selling Toyota in Spain Full hybrid system combined [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/261-toyota-hybrid-vehicle-range.html
Join us for the latest Yahoo! Sports NASCAR Chat, Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET
Time again for the latest Yahoo! Sports NASCAR chat, and as long as we don't go in for four tires instead of two, we should all be just fine. Join us here at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday!
Thursday
Abarth Punto Scorpione In Limited Edition Of 199 Units
The Abarth Punto Abarth is basically Scorpione is Hot with some special equipment details, aesthetics and chassis and brake modifications The Punto Abarth Scorpione is a limited edition of 199 units at a price of 25,300 ?. In principle it is a high price, but must take into account the characteristics of the car. Abarth [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/269-abarth-punto-scorpione-in-limited-edition-of-199-units.html
Danica Patrick says chances of running 2013 Indianapolis 500 are ?50-50?
Could Danica Patrick attempt the Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 double?
In a Q&A with the Indianapolis Star's Curt Cavin, Patrick placed even odds on her participation in next year's Indianapolis 500. "Fair chance. I'll say 50-50. We're working on it," Patrick said.
Patrick, who made the move full-time to NASCAR from the Izod IndyCar Series before the 2012 season, is slated to run a full Sprint Cup Series schedule in 2013 for Stewart-Haas Racing. The Cup Series' Coca-Cola 600 starts a few hours after the Indianapolis 500 typically ends.
In 2003, Robby Gordon was the last driver to run both races. Her car owner, Tony Stewart, is the only driver to have completed all 1,100 miles of the double, but he last tried the feat in 2001. Needless to say, Patrick has a pretty good confidant if she has any questions about how to make the double work.
Patrick hasn't ever ruled out a return to open-wheel racing and Indianapolis, and she'll be in the midst of her first full season in the Sprint Cup Series. Logistics are in Patrick's favor -- she could make running both races work. However, given her lack of Cup experience, is attempting the double in 2013 ideal?
Qualifying for the 500 next year is slated to be the same weekend as the Sprint Cup Series All-Star race and Patrick will likely be in the qualifying race to get into the All-Star race that Saturday night. And there's also a chance that she could win the fan vote to get into the All-Star race, especially now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a guaranteed All-Star starting spot. Indy 500 qualifying is during the day on Saturday and Sunday, so a back-and-forth weekend is doable. However, practice time would likely need to be sacrificed somewhere.
And that track time in the Cup Series cars is what Patrick needs most. She and Stewart have stressed the need for that over and over when discussing her 10-race 2012 schedule. Earlier in the year at Charlotte she finished 30th, five laps down. On the surface, that's hardly an indicator that practice time can afford to be missed.
Related NASCAR video from Yahoo! Sports:
Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris
2012 Brno World Superbike And World Supersport Sunday Post-Race Press Releases
Press releases from the World Superbike and World Supersport teams, as well as Infront, after Sunday's races at Brno:
Round Number:
9 Year:
2012
WSBK News: Sylvain Guintoli On Pata Ducati For Silverstone
Sylvain Guintoli announced today on Twitter that he will be riding a Ducati courtesy of Team Pata at the Silverstone World Superbike meeting. Earlier today, he also posted a photo of the back of his new helmet to Instagram with the title "the view from the yellow bikes."
Wednesday
Should He Stay Or Should He Go?
Having burst onto the Formula One scene in 2007, and then securing a dream move to McLaren, Heikki Kovalainen?s racing career has taken a hiatus in terms of challenging for World Championship points since the end of 2009. The 30-year-old Caterham driver is in his sixth Formula One season, but has yet to commit to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/MuD0JujXDi0/should-he-stay-or-should-he-go
2012 Laguna Seca MotoGP Press Release Previews
Press releases issued ahead of this weekend's Laguna Seca round of MotoGP. Includes the Yamaha MotoGP press release, which gives no hint of Ben Spies' announcement he will be leaving the factory at the end of the year, as well as details of updates to be used by both Honda and Ducati:
Round Number:
10 Year:
2012
Join us for the latest Yahoo! Sports NASCAR live chat, Thursday at 1 p.m. ET
Time again for another Yahoo! Sports NASCAR live chat. This week, we'll be a bit later than usual, running on Thursday rather than Tuesday. Mark your calendars, we'll still be here! Make sure you are, too. Or else.
Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder
Tuesday
Christian Horner: ?There?s going to be a lot of good racing?
Christian Horner remains optimistic about Red Bull?s chances of catching Fernando Alonso, despite the Spaniard?s continued high scoring rate. ?The second half of the year is going to be again full on,? said Horner after the German GP. ?I think … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/07/23/christian-horner-theres-going-to-be-a-lot-of-good-racing/
Raikkonen Targets Hungarian Victory
Kimi Raikkonen is targeting maximum points in next weekend?s Hungarian Grand Prix. The Finn believes that hot conditions at the Hungaroring will play into the hands of Lotus, who have demonstrated great pace when track temperatures rise so far this season. Raikkonen secured his fourth podium of the campaign in Germany, but is still searching [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/xKcklTZ1lUs/raikkonen-targets-hungarian-victory
Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa
Happy Hour: Is Brad Keselowski getting the respect he deserves?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
It's Independence Day, which in America means celebrating our freedom by blowing stuff up. (In other countries, it, uh, doesn't really mean much.) What's your best Fourth fireworks debacle? We once nearly set a forest of 40-foot-tall pine trees on fire by not checking the tree cover when we fired off some extra-strength Roman candles. Still, at the moment I have all 10 of my fingers, and considering I've blown up enough explosives in my day to take over Canada, that's an achievement in itself.
Anyway, your letters:
As I read through the headlines of Brad Keselowski's run at Kentucky, I get the sense that it's still a surprise when he wins, almost as if it's a some abnormal event (like Sam Hornish Jr. not running into Danica).
From my quick research, Jetski has won more races over the last four years than Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and a whole host of others that seem to be expected to win. Is he getting the respect he deserves from the NASCAR community?
? Doug
Troy, Ohio
Keselowski has a couple things working against him. For instance, he's relatively new to a sport that's slooow to embrace turnover. (Don't believe me? Check this list of race winners from 2004. Only four winners from that era aren't relevant right now, and two, Elliott Sadler and Joe Nemecheck, continue to run occasionally in Cup.) He's also racing for Dodge and Penske, two organizations that haven't held a hammerlock on the public imagination in quite some time. Still, he's as legit as they come right now, and anyone, driver or fan, who takes him for granted could be in for a surprise. And as that link above shows, he's likely to be a force in NASCAR for a long time to come.
____________________
NASCAR is the only sport where ALL of the teams are on the field at the same time. Imagine if the MLB schedule said, "Yankees/Cubs/Cardinals/Rays et al are playing the Red Sox...at the same time." Every week we have the joy of seeing the biggest rivalries going on at 200 mph. I have watched since 1965 and with all of the terrible broadcasts, cookie cutter tracks, dial-tone personalities and made up drama there is still nothing like it. There are times I love to hate it/hate to love it but after almost 50 years I still watch it.
? Michael Raby
North Port, Fla.
What a lovely email. True, too. We sometimes take for granted our embarrassment of riches here in NASCAR; your favorite driver is out there and on TV every single week. (Unless your favorite driver is Brian Vickers. Then, sorry.) Hey, the rest of you: quitcher bitchin' and write in something you love about NASCAR. Anything. We'll do a roundup.
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Can you talk about any dirt races? We here in Texas enjoy our dirt racing and go to them and enjoy the competition and passing. Try it. Some may like it. Do it in the dirt!
? Bill L.
There's so much racing out there that we generally don't even try to cover the smaller events, but by all means, if you see something cool at your dirt track (video is always nice!) hit us up at the address above or below. You're right, dirt racing is something to behold, and the world is a better place for it.
____________________
So Danica Patrick finishes 12th and actually moves up to 9th in the Nationwide standings. The strategy seems to be working. Watch the DNFs, drive like an old lady ? well, not like many old ladies but certainly in comparison with the real racers ? and pile up laps and points. Only one top 10 and she is firmly seated in the top 10. It's just not right.
But, if fellow drivers have kind hearts and want to help her develop, here's what they need to do: pit her. Early and often. Do it gently and don't hurt her but DNF her several times and force a new strategy. As she falls in the standings, she's going to have to start racing. I don't know that she has it in her, but we (and she) will never know unless trying for some top 5s is the only way to recover her season.
So, try not to wrap up too many others, but send her to the garage early and often. Then we'll learn if she deserves to be called a race car driver.
? Paul Stewart
By taking her out? That seems a little ... unsporting. We've said it before, many times: Patrick isn't a great driver yet. But she could be. She could also be a flameout. We just don't know. She doesn't have the credibility of other drivers, but then she's not a complete embarrassment either. Her ceiling is likely much lower than most champion-worthy drivers, but soon enough there'll be a woman who won't have that ceiling. And she'll have Danica and other women of racing to thank for paving the way.
____________________
What do you think of Erin Andrews leaving ESPN? With Fox courting her, any chance she ends up on race coverage during the college football off-season? She'd be a nice counter-balance (read: distraction) to DW. Please?
? Jeff "The Real Slim Sarge" Smith
I have been at events where Ms. Andrews has been assigned coverage, and let me tell you: watching college boys watch Erin Andrews is like watching a dog on a leash with a glistening steak just out of reach. I shudder to think what would happen if you brought that poor woman to a NASCAR track. You'd have to airlift her in and out. That said, she would give instant cachet to, say, the Daytona 500 just by her presence. And there's always the chance of a Danica-Erin catfight that would crack the Internet in half. We can hope, can't we?
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Aerodynamics Case Study: Engine Covers at the Indy 500
Even though we are living in a spec world during 2012, there are still many things that teams can do to make a car perform better at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and beyond. The majority of these tweaks and tricks … Continue reading 
Monday
2012 Brno World Supersport FP2 Results: Sofuoglu And Foret Put Kawasaki On Top
Kenan Sofuoglu lead Fabien Foret ahead of four Hondas. The Kawasaki riders were the only riders able to lap under 2'04 today, ending Friday's Honda dominance of the top spots. With Jules Cluzel and Sam Lowes unable to go faster than they did yesterday, qualifying could be split across the two manufacturers.
Results:
Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
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