Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Formula One: Alonso to BMW Sauber?

Its a possibility. Rumors were confirmed to the Spanish media that BMW Sauber and 2 time Formula 1 World Champion, Fernando Alonso of Renault have talked about the chance of having a ride with BMW for 2009. This year has been a bit of a disappointment, since he has suffered from 3 DNF's, and no podiums or wins, but nothing probably compared to the nightmare of his time spent in the McLarren stable (a.k.a. "Mclarri" for how silly that season went down) When asked about future commitments in formula one, he said he will not announce anything after the Singapore GP. So in other words, we'll have to wait & see. oh, and a bit of a tip to know? He's been highly praised by Honda Team Engineer Ross Brawn as a driver. Who's the last driver Brawn Praised? Miachel Schumacher, when he and Braun himself worked for Benneton & Ferrari, earning 7 world championships.

Monday, September 15, 2008

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: The Chase Is On!



The Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway marked the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series's Chase for the Cup. current points leader, Kyle Busch - despite having a great season, has not had a great start to the chase due to an Ill handling car, and a accident which sent him straight to the back of the field, finishing 36th.

Greg Biffle, however cant complain - considering he won the race and the "darkhorse" of the chasers as he's been called, is off to a great start. the next round of the chase is scheduled to be head at the Dover International Speedway next Sunday



Photos Courtesy: Speed Channel / NASCAR

Sebastien Who?...




No, it's not Sebastien Bourdais, but his teammate - Sebastien Vettel, of Team Torro Rosso, won Sunday's Italian Grand Prix - the last European stop on the Formula One World Championship calendar before heading off to Singapore for their inaugural & historic night race.

Vettel, therefore became the youngest winner ever in formula one, at 21 years - the previous record holder being Renault's Fernando Alonso (22 years). He lead entirely outright from pole position, earning the top spot in bad weather conditions during Saturday's qualifying session, and has never relinquished the lead from the start, leaving second place Heikki Kovalainen's Mercedes McLarren 12 seconds back. His teammate Sebastien Bourdais, almost claimed a podium, but was passed near the end by BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeild.

Points leader & Kovalaninen's teammate, Lewis Hamilton, continues to struggle going into Singapore, as his lead has been reduced to a single point. Its obvious that the penalty he received at the last round in Belgium took a huge chunk of his lead away.


Photo Courtesy: Speed Channel / Formula One Management

Newly Crowned Indy Car Champion Dixon Looking Forward To Surfers Paradise

As the Indy Car Series nearly draws to a close, it has so far been an amazing season, from Danica Patrick's first win (finally!) , to the long awaited unification between IRL & Champ Car, to the closest finish in series a few weeks ago at Chicagoland Speedway.



Scott Dixon, of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, was elated to win the series title, beating out Team Penske's Helio Castroneves. Castroneves was elated to just win a race this season, and I cant blame him, as he said "give me my hat!" to Scott Dixon in victory lane after finding out he was the winner, referring to the Firestone Tires winner's hat. The Chicagoland race came down to .001 seconds between he and Dixon, with the latter winning the championship. Now as the series title chase is over, the season still remains with 1 race to go as the teams and drivers head to Australia for the non points Nikon Indy 300 this coming October at Surfers Paradise.



Video Courtesy: Speed Channel/Brightcove, Photo Courtesy: Indy Racing League

Motorcycles At Indianapolis

Sunday's Moto Grand Prix race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was certainly amazing to see. My Reasons for watching?:

  • Its the first time since 1909 the year the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened that motorcycles had raced there
  • Nicky Hayden - a local, from Owensboro, Kentucky finished second, and it was a great finish for him, and his first podium for 2008.
  • Racing in the rain - Indy isn't well known for racing in the rain, mostly because of constant rained out Indy 500's & Brickyard 400's, and the fact that GP raced there, flying down the straightaway close to 200 miles per hour amazed me, and all in the rain- unbelieveable!

Valentino Rossi Came away with the win, with the race being red flagged with 8 laps remaining due to heavy wind & rain - remnants from Hurricane Ike.


Video Courtesy: Speed Channel, Brightcove