The Bank Holiday’s absence of F1 action gave me a chance to catch up on some Touring Car action for the first time this year and to be honest it was depressing viewing. Whilst televised tin-top racing has long been flattered by clever editing and trick regulations, the big three series (BTCC, WTCC and DTM) … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – Troubled touring cars
Month: May 2007 articles archive
F1 in the blogs 27 – Sepang not up to scratch
Posted onOne Malaysian blogger has taken it upon himself to find out if the Sepang circuit really is in as bad a condition as Bernie Ecclestone says. Also this week Michael Schumacher returns, Christian Klien eyes a race seat and the FIA eyes a reduction in downforce.
F1 in the news 34: Beemer’s got a brand new wing
Posted onBMW are the third team to bring a new front wing to the Spanish Grand Prix and the revised configuration will be used today. Also Singapore and Silverstone look under threat for the future, and Super Aguri unleash poultry power.
Have you been to the Spanish Grand Prix?
Posted onWe’re looking for Grand Prix fans who’ve been to the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya to tell us about their experiences. Related links Share your experiences of visiting the Circuit de Catalunya Share your experiences of visiting other F1 circuits Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / … Continue reading Have you been to the Spanish Grand Prix?
Valencia to be second F1 street track in 2008
Posted onSpain’s second Grand Prix has been confirmed for 2008 with the announcement that the European Grand Prix will be held on the streets of Valencia. The Hermann-Tilke designed track will chart a course around the city’s Americas Cup port. The city announced a seven-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone today. It will be the first time … Continue reading Valencia to be second F1 street track in 2008
Banned! Four wheel drive
Posted onSeveral teams dabbled with four wheel drive cars before the technology was outlawed but all struggled to get enough of an advantage from the technology to justify the sacrifices made on other parts of the car. Often it was only when four-wheel drive power transmission was paired with other technologies that would be banned – … Continue reading Banned! Four wheel drive
Debate: Should Ecclestone buy Silverstone?
Posted onNigel Mansell made a return to racing action at Silverstone last weekend at the wheel of a Ferrari F430 in the FIA GT championship. He and Silverstone were synonymous in the Mansell-mania years of 1987-92. In that time he scored some of the most memorable home victories the circuit ever saw, and the crowd mobbed … Continue reading Debate: Should Ecclestone buy Silverstone?
Spanish Grand Prix 2007 preview
Posted onIf Bernie Ecclestone thought no-one would notice that he left a San Marino-sized hole in the 2007 calendar, he was wrong. The championship may have got off to a sparkling start with three different winners, three different championship leaders, and the magnificent debut performances of Lewis Hamilton, but all that momentum has dissipated in the … Continue reading Spanish Grand Prix 2007 preview
GP2: Aleshin subs for Ammermuller
Posted onMichael Ammermuller’s injured wrist rules him out of GP2 action at Spain this weekend. Fellow Red Bull driver development pilot Mikhail Aleshin will take Ammermuller’s place in the ART team at the Circuit de Catalunya. Russian Aleshin currently lies fourth in the World Series by Renault championship, in his second year in the series. He … Continue reading GP2: Aleshin subs for Ammermuller
Gilles Villeneuve: His victories remembered
Posted onToday marks 25 years since the death of Gilles Villeneuve. Enough has been written about the sad circumstances of his death at Zolder in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. Much has also been written about the spectacular moments for which he is so fondly remembered. Villeneuve drove every race to win. It was not … Continue reading Gilles Villeneuve: His victories remembered
Debate: What other motor racing do you watch?
Posted onIt’s been a long four week gap ahead of the next F1 race this weekend. Have you been watching any motor racing in the meantime? Have you been to any races? I watch various touring car races this weekend and went to the BTCC round at Rockingham two weeks ago. Last weekend I was at … Continue reading Debate: What other motor racing do you watch?
Trackside: Jason Plato’s rocket launcher
Posted onMore from the behind the scenes weekend with the Seat BTCC team: Trackside – Fifth Gear star rockets to the top
BTCC Thruxton 3: Plato strikes back
Posted onDave Pinkney made the most of being promoted to pole position to streak away from the pack on the first lap of the race. Both BMWs again made good starts and Colin Turkington took second ahead of Jason Plato – but Plato passed him at the end of the first lap and set after Pinkey. … Continue reading BTCC Thruxton 3: Plato strikes back
BTCC Thruxton 2: Giovanardi does the double
Posted onFabrizio Giovanardi made it two in a row at Thruxton – but he was helped by a drive-through penalty for championship rival Jason Plato. The race was punctuated by a violent crash between Darren Turner and Matt Allison, but both drivers were uninjured.
BTCC Thruxton 1: Jordan loses out as Giovanardi wins
Posted onFabrizio Giovanardi’s championship campaigned gathered momentum with a win in the first round at Thruxton – though championship leader Jason Plato took second after a race-long battle. Giovanardi made a fine start in his Vauxhall but he was instantly under pressure from Colin Turkington who made a phenomenal getaway in his rear-wheel drive BMW. Turkington … Continue reading BTCC Thruxton 1: Jordan loses out as Giovanardi wins
WTCC Zandvoort 2: Tarquini’s nudge-and-grab
Posted onGabriele Tarquini won the second race at Zandvoort after contact with early leader Andy Priaulx. Reigning champion Priaulx had started from pole position ahead of Tarquini. Behind them, Roberto Colciago’s Seat Leon and Augusto Farfus in another BMW. The teams were given the option of putting on wet tyres before the start of the race … Continue reading WTCC Zandvoort 2: Tarquini’s nudge-and-grab
DTM Oschersleben: Paffett wins in old car
Posted onGary Paffett took a magnificent win at Oschersleben in last year’s Mercedes C-Class.
WTCC Zandvoort 1: Chevrolet one-two
Posted onChevrolet drivers Alain Menu and Nicola Larini gave the team their first ever one-two in the World Touring Car Championship. The pair led all the way in the third race of the year at Zandvoort. At the start the Chevrolets easily maintained their advantage over Luca Rangoni who moved up to third. A tense, five … Continue reading WTCC Zandvoort 1: Chevrolet one-two
“Life in the Fast Lane – An Autobiography” (Alain Prost, 1988)
Posted onAlain Prost’s position as one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time is too often overlooked. He won 51 Grands Prix – more than any other driver bar Michael Schumacher – and four world championship – fewer only than Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio. Against that terrific record you have to ask, where … Continue reading “Life in the Fast Lane – An Autobiography” (Alain Prost, 1988)
This weekend’s F1 alternative: BTCC Thruxton
Posted onThere’s no F1 race this weekend but there’s a whole world of F1 alternative to choose from. It’s a massive weekend for touring car racing with rounds of the World, German and British championships. Plus rallying in Argentina and the second round of the FIA GT series. But which to watch?