Keane For Spurs Is Nonsensical Move...

By Jermain Defoe's own admission, he never wanted to leave Tottenham last January, but starting only three Premier League games in the first half of the season forced his hand. He could not play alongside fellow 'little man' Robbie Keane and manager Juande Ramos clearly favoured the Irishman as a partner for Dimitar Berbatov.

A year on and Defoe is back at Tottenham as first-choice striker alongside Roman Pavulychenko, scoring goals and happy as a pig in muck. So what does Harry Redknapp do? Talk about signing Keane back from Liverpool, of course. It's unlikely to happen, but that the idea was even mooted is ridiculous.

A move for Kenwyne Jones made sense until the figures got silly, bringing as it would much-needed height and a striker who could dovetail equally as well with both first-choice strikers.

A rumoured move for Roque Santa Cruz also seems sensible, bringing as he does aerial power as well as a touch of class. That Spurs will always be outbid by Manchester City makes it an unlikely transfer, but not an unreasonable one.

Redknapp was smart enough in the summer to buy Peter Crouch for Portsmouth as a foil for Defoe, who must have been happy with that gift of a strike partner. We can only assume Defoe is rather less enamoured at his manager's public interest in a player whose presence forced him out of the club a year ago.

Keane is a quality footballer, whatever Rafa Benitez believes, but his attributes are surplus to requirements at Tottenham. Interest in him smacks of an attempt to please fans, of being seen to undo the work of the previous regime, rather than a sensible footballing decision.

He's possibly available, he's a very good Premier League player, the fans loved him - Keane ticks a lot of boxes except that one next to 'Can play with existing strikers'. Can you imagine a front four of Defoe, Keane, Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric - a quartet who would just about make a Crouch if they stood on each other's shoulders.

If we didn't know better, we'd suspect Redknapp was just playing what my mother would call 'silly beggars', because surely even he can see the cul-de-sac of re-creating the same situation that forced out his star striker only a year ago.

Sarah Winterburn

Inter’s Obinna Loaned To Real Betis

It has been well reported in recent times that the La Liga outfit Real Betis are keen to boost their attacking ranks ahead of the second half of the season.

One of their primary targets has been Victor Obinna of Inter Milan, a player that certainly would add a lot of creativity and spark to the Betis attack.

According to Sportsmediaset, both Inter and Betis have reached an agreement for Obinna, with it being decided that he will join the Spanish club for a six month loan period.

The move will see him stay in Spain for the remainder of the season, allowing the Nerazzurri to trim their squad down in the process.

It has also been reported that if both the player and the Spanish club are content at the conclusion of the season, then he can be purchased outright for a fee of €6 million.

Obinna has made eight appearances for the Nerazzurri, since joining the club from Chievo in 2008, where he excelled at from the 2005-06 season.

Adrian Del Monte

Source:
http://www.goal.com

Thai pair to star in Malaysia

Fresh from their Asian Team victory at the Royal Trophy earlier this month, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and his compatriot Prayad Marksaeng will join the line-up at the Maybank Malaysian Open from February 12-15.

Jaidee was undefeated over the three days at the Royal Trophy, and will be confident of collecting a third Malaysian Open title, having triumphed in 2004 and 2005. His maiden victory was a landmark event, in that it was the first time a Thai player had won a co-sanctioned European Tour event.

He said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open is one of my favourite events on Tour. I feel I’m in good physical condition, and would love to claim the trophy for a third time. Both victories for me came at Saujana Golf and Country Club so I’m familiar with the course and surroundings, which always helps me to focus on my game and relax.”

Jaidee was the first man to earn over US$2million on the Asia Tour, and has ten Asian Tour victories to his name. In the 2008 season, he won the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters and the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, finishing in 14th position on the Order of Merit after playing 11 events on the schedule. His most recent appearance, at the Abu Dhabi Championship, saw Jaidee claim a creditable 13th place.

Marksaeng has been a member of the Asian Tour since it began in its current form in 1995. He has six Tour victories to his name, and became one of the first 10 men to reach US$1million in career earnings. His most recent Asian Tour win was at the 2007 Volvo Masters of Asia, and he collected three titles on the Japan Golf Tour last year.

Marksaeng partnered Jaidee to Foursomes and Fourball victories at the Royal Trophy, and also won his singles match against Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal on the final day.

He said: “The victory for Asia at the Royal Trophy was a great start to the season for me. Thongchai and I played well together in the opening two days, and I’m looking forward to teeing off beside him and the other players at next month’s Maybank Malaysian Open. “

Commenting on the progress the game has made in the past few years, Malaysian Golf Association President Datuk Robin Loh said: “The quality of players in Asia has grown tremendously in recent times. It’s great to have so many high profile players from the Asian Tour playing alongside the best of The European Tour at the Maybank Malaysian Open this year.

“Both Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng are popular with the locals, and on the back of their recent victories they will have lots of confidence and support from the fans.”

The Maybank Malaysian Open, which was the first event in Asia to be co-sanctioned back in 1999 by The European and Asian Tours, will offer players vital prize money in The Race to Dubai.

Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour Executive Chairman, said: “The Asian Tour players always perform well at the Maybank Malaysian Open, and consider it one of their favourite events on the schedule. We have had many winners at this co-sanctioned event, and with the form of our Asian Team earlier this month we’re confident the Tour players will give good performances at Saujana Golf and Country Club. It would be great to see another Asian player lift the trophy.”

Source:
http://www.europeantour.com

Colin Montgomerie named European Ryder Cup Captain

Colin Montgomerie has accepted an invitation from the Tournament Committee of The European Tour, ratified by The Ryder Cup Policy Board, to captain The European Team in The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales, from October 1 to 3, 2010.

Montgomerie, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 23, 1963, becomes the 22nd golfer to captain a Ryder Cup Team against the United States and the sixth Scotsman, following in the footsteps of George Duncan (1929), John Fallon (1963), Eric Brown (1969 and 1971), Bernard Gallacher (1991, 1993 and 1995) and Sam Torrance (2002).

Montgomerie made the first of eight Ryder Cup appearances in 1991 and he was on the winning European Team in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006. In all he has played 36 matches with 20 wins and seven halved. He owns the phenomenal record of not having lost any of the eight singles he has played and shares the record for most singles matches won (six) and most singles points gained (seven).

Montgomerie succeeds Nick Faldo with the aim of regaining The Ryder Cup following a successful spell in which Europe defeated the United States on no fewer than seven occasions in 12 matches since 1985.

Europe’s victories were achieved under the captaincies of Tony Jacklin (1985, 1987), Bernard Gallacher (1995), Seve Ballesteros (1997), Sam Torrance (2002), Bernhard Langer (2004) and Ian Woosnam (2006) while Jacklin presided over a halved match in 1989.

Montgomerie said: “This is the proudest moment of my career. I have enjoyed some wonderful times, not least of all playing in eight Ryder Cups and winning eight Harry Vardon trophies, but to be named The European Team Ryder Cup Captain is something to cherish. My wife, Gaynor, and I are absolutely delighted.

“The Ryder Cup has been a huge part of my life and the next 20 months leading up to the 2010 contest will be invigorating. I’ve enjoyed the thrill of playing under six superb Captains – Bernard Gallacher, Seve Ballesteros, Mark James, Sam Torrance, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam – and every one brought something new to the table and contributed so much.

“After playing in eight successive matches it is difficult to explain how much I missed not being part of The Ryder Cup in 2008. Now I have the opportunity to captain a European Team seeking to regain the trophy and I am very pleased to be doing so at The Celtic Manor Resort, a venue with which I have a great affinity.

“We want to win the Cup back in Wales. That will be our priority. Nevertheless I know that Corey Pavin and his American team will share with us the desire for this match to be played as has become tradition with fair play and good sportsmanship top of the agenda.

“It is also going to be a very special experience playing The 2010 Ryder Cup on a course which is the first in history to be built to host the match. It is set up to challenge the best and being a course with a whole host of tempting options and punishing hazards there will be drama every step of the way. It is going to be an extraordinary week for everyone especially, of course, Sir Terry Matthews, the visionary behind not only the development and continued success of The Celtic Manor Resort but also the Wales Ryder Cup bid.

“I would like to stress that I am delighted to be taking this role now for 2010. You can wait too long to become captain and lose touch. I did not want that to happen and this opportunity has ensured it will not. I believe I have the stature to do the job and my experience of playing in this great event so often can only help, too.

“I also want to make it clear that I’ve accepted the captaincy with the knowledge that I do not think my days of winning are over. Everyone who knows me will understand that commitment has always been a key word in my vocabulary and I am still focused on winning tournaments. But I’ve also made the commitment to captain The 2010 European Ryder Cup Team and not to play in it. I’ll be focusing on getting everything right for our arrival at The Celtic Manor Resort.”

Source:
http://www.europeantour.com

Nicklaus honored with GWAA's Bartlett Award

HOUSTON -- Legend Jack Niclaus, whose commitment to charitable giving has spanned four decades and is embodied in The Memorial Tournament and the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, has been honored with the Golf Writers Association of America's Charlie Bartlett Award.

The award, named for the first secretary of the GWAA, is given to a professional golfer for his/her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. Nicklaus will be honored at the GWAA Annual Awards Dinner April 8 in Augusta, Ga.

The 69-year-old Hall of Famer, father of five and grandfather of 21, has focused his charitable concerns on children in need. His passion, along with that of wife Barbara, led to the creation of the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which provides pediatric health care services for children in a five-county area of South Florida.

The primary beneficiary of the Honda Classic, the Foundation supports activities that advance and enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood diseases and disorders and supports not-for-profit programs and projects aimed at children's health, safety, and well-being. It provides programs and services to more than 4,000 hospitalized children and their families, free of charge, through the creation of the Child Life Institute in 2007.

The Memorial Tournament, which Nicklaus founded in 1976, supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, as well as many other leading charitable organizations within Central Ohio.

Nicklaus, whose charitable commitments began shortly after launching his professional career in 1962, supports such diverse causes as The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, The Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund, The Everglades Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the Robert T. Jones, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Fund. As a national chair of The First Tee, Nicklaus has twice spoken before Congress on the character-building virtues of golf, and, in conjunction with the PGA of America, he created a program which has provided close to $2 million in grants to support instruction at over 160 First Tee facilities.

Nicklaus was awarded the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor bestowed on any U.S. civilian. In addition to the Bartlett Award, the GWAA has honored him with the William D. Richardson Award (1978) and the ASAPSPORTS/Jim Murray Award (2006).

Former Bartlett winners include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, the Louisiana trio of Hal Sutton, David Toms and Kelly Gibson, Val Skinner, Betsy King, Tom Watson, Payne Stewart, Tom Lehman, Arnold Palmer, Kenny Perry, Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, Patty Berg and Andy North.

The GWAA will also honor Players of Year Padraig Harrington, Lorena Ochoa and Jay Haas, Ben Hogan Award winner Erik Compton, Jim Murray/ASAP Award winner Juli Inkster and Furman Bisher, winner of the William D. Richardson Award, at the dinner.

The 980-member professional organization takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame and facilitates a scholarship/internship program which is currently helping students at 17 major U.S. universities.

Source:
http://www.pgatour.com

Perez sets PGA Tour scoring mark

American Pat Perez set a PGA Tour record of 20-under-par 124 in the second round of the Bob Hope Classic in California on Thursday.

The 32-year-old opened with a round of 11-under 61 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West and followed it up with a nine-under 63.

American Tom Lehman held the previous Tour record of 19-under 125 after 36 holes, at the 2001 Las Vegas Classic.

Four other players have posted two-round totals of 125 on the PGA Tour.

They include Tiger Woods (15 under, 2000 WGC-NEC Invitational, Mark Calcavecchia (17 under, 2001 Phoenix Open), Corey Pavin (15 under, 2006 Milwaukee Championship and Carl Pettersson (15 under, 2008 Wyndham Championship).

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

Ballesteros optimistic on health

Golf legend Seve Ballesteros was optimistic after receiving the test results from his first course of chemotherapy following brain surgery.

The five-time major winner had four operations to remove a cancerous tumour late last year.

"Fortunately, the results were quite good," said the 51-year-old, who begins the second course on Friday.

"Besides, the physiotherapists are doing a great job on me as I feel better day after day."

He added on his website: "I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination.

"For these reasons I am following strictly all the indications that the doctors are giving me. This Friday I shall begin my second chemotherapy course, which I hope and wish will be as effective as the first one."

Ballesteros said he continues to receive hundreds of messages of support from people and added: "I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their support and energy that is coming to me from all over the world and which is proving so good."

The Spaniard, who won the Open three times and the Masters twice, was admitted to hospital in early October after fainting at Madrid Airport.

Since then he has undergone four separate operations, including a 6½-hour procedure on 24 October to remove the tumour.

He also recorded 50 career victories on the European Tour and is widely recognized as having transformed European golf.

After lobbying to have the Ryder Cup expanded to include continental Europe in 1979, Ballesteros helped beat the United States in 1985 to begin two decades of dominance. He also captained Europe to victory in 1997 at Valderrama, Spain.

Ballesteros retired from competitive playing in 2007 because of back trouble and since then has mainly concentrated on designing courses.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

Maradona: Messi Must Be Argentina’s Leader

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Diego Maradona has told Lionel Messi that he expects him to give everything for his country and become the leader of the national team by living up to all the expectations that surround him.

The Albicelestes coach believes that the Barcelona star must show the utmost dedication at international level, citing himself as an example to follow.

Messi is currently rated as one of the world’s best players, but Maradona wants him to ensure that he steps up yet another level when playing for Argentina and leads the side forward.

“I gave everything for my country as I played when I had to have injections or I was injured,” the trainer told reporters.

“I hope to see Leo doing this and a lot more besides for the good of Argentina because we have great expectations of what he can do for the national team.

“It cost me a lot to keep playing. It is a unique opportunity because the players need a leader and I want him to be it. I am proud of the squad that I have.”

Maradona feels that some of the desire to play for Argentina has been lacking and is keen to remind the squad what he feels it means to wear the Albicelestes’ colours.

“I want to bring back the old mystique of the shirt, to instil into the players what wearing it really means,” he added

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

Maradona: ‘I Won’t Resign’

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)—Diego Maradona says he will not resign as the coach of Argentina’s national team if his former teammate Oscar Ruggeri is not accepted as his assistant.

“It cost me a lot to get here, so it’s one-time opportunity,” said Maradona at a press conference in Venezuela’s capital on Tuesday. “I want to have Oscar Ruggeri at my side as a coach, but if that’s not possible, I’m not going to resign.”

Argentine Football Association boss Julio Grondona has said he will not give in to Maradona’s push for Ruggeri as an assistant.

Ruggeri was Maradona’s teammate in Argentina’s triumph at the 1986 World Cup, and they also played together at the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals.

Asked if he thought 21-year-old Lionel Messi is better than he was at the same age, Maradona replied: “Hopefully he can do much more than I did because that way all Argentines win.”

Messi’s strength on the ball, excellent balance and left-footed mastery of defenders have made for obvious parallels with Maradona, who has approved the comparison.

He joked about Grondona’s comment that Messi is better.

“When he’s with me, he tells me I’m better than Messi. And when he’s with Messi, he tells him he’s the best,” said Maradona, drawing laughter from journalists and adoring fans.

Maradona said he hopes to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during his visit to the country.

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

David Beckham considering staying with AC Milan

MILAN, Italy (AP)—David Beckham is enjoying his stay with AC Milan so much that he is considering remaining in Italy after his two-month loan expires.

“Playing here is the dream of every footballer,” Beckham said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Wednesday. “But deciding isn’t easy. It’s a question that takes time.”

Beckham’s loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy expires March 8, after which he is due to return to Major League Soccer.

“I’m under contract and I have a lot of respect for the Galaxy. But the chance to play for Milan is something special,” Beckham said in the interview, which was published in Italian. “I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. But in terms of character, I’m a very respectful person.”

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said Tuesday the seven-time European champions were prepared to pay a fee to keep Beckham, and would meet with his representatives in the next few days.

“I find (Milan) very similar to Manchester United. It has that tradition that only the great clubs have,” Beckham said. “At Milan, like at United, it’s a very particular atmosphere wherever you go, from the training pitch to the stadium.”

The former United and Real Madrid player scored his first goal for Milan in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Bologna.

His second came on Wednesday from a free kick 33 minutes into a match against Genoa, with England coach Fabio Capello looking on. The sharp-angled shot taken from the left of Genoa’s area put Milan ahead 1-0.

Beckham started in Milan’s three previous matches, and the Rossoneri did not lose, drawing with AS Roma and beating Fiorentina and Bologna.

Beckham hopes to be called up by Capello for a friendly against Spain on Feb. 11 and equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 England appearances for an outfield player.

His ultimate goal is to make England’s team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and moving back to Los Angeles may hinder that bid. Capello was the one who suggested that Milan sign Beckham.

“The Americans are doing everything they can to improve the level and reputation of their game. It’s a young league and I think it needs another 10 years to become successful,” said Beckham, whose contract with the Galaxy lasts through 2012.

“I have to admit that, having played in Europe, sometimes it was frustrating playing in certain games. But every now and then, moving from one state to another, I also enjoyed myself.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com

Burkart confident after Suzuki switch

German Aaron Burkart believes a switch from Citroen to Suzuki will give him the best chance of winning the J-WRC title he narrowly missed out on in 2008.

Last year Burkart lost out to series winner, and fellow Citroen driver, Sebastien Ogier by eight points, but is hoping a switch from the C2 to a Swift Super1600 constructed and supported by Suzuki Sport Europe will give him the edge in 2009.

Burkart, 26, decided to go with the Japanese team after being impressed during a three day gravel and asphalt test at the end of last season.

"I have a good feeling and I am already looking forward to our first event," said Burkart. "Up to now we had just a little time in the Swift but I liked it from the first metre"

With the new J-WRC season beginning this month on Rally Ireland, Burkart is relying on his new team to help him quickly get up to speed.

“It is a lot of work until a new car is completely adjusted to your personal driving style but I am confident,” said Burkart. “The Swift's performance on tarmac and on gravel is remarkable, as well as the level of professionalism and the passion on which the team's work is based. I think that it will be a successful and enjoyable year.”

Aaron will be supported throughout the season by experienced driver manager Lorenza Bellini.

“Aaron is a really talented driver, who already showed his competitiveness in 2008,” said Bellini. “With the assistance of Suzuki Sport Europe we have established a basis for 2009 that may be a perfect precondition for winning the J-WRC-title. We are all extraordinarily motivated and will do our best to achieve this common goal.”

Mr. Ishii, the team manager of Suzuki Sport Europe said, "We are proud that we can collaborate with such a promising driver like Aaron. The test was few days and not a long distance but even though in a short time, he showed us his high potential and I could see his talent as a rally driver. Not only tarmac, but also on gravel, he can control his car very well. As he got J-WRC runner-up title, his improvement is accelerating. I am sure the combination of Aaron and the Swift will make good chemistry."

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

Wilson eyes both WRC titles in 2009

The man in charge of Ford’s WRC programme says his team is aiming to wrestle the FIA titles for both drivers and manufacturers from Citroen this year.

Speaking exclusively to wrc.com, BP Ford Abu Dhabi team principal Malcolm Wilson said the combination of his team’s scoring record last season, a shorter 12-round season in 2009 and a reduced number of asphalt rallies should benefit his drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

“We really feel that our drivers are ready to go for both championships,” confirmed Wilson. “For sure Mikko is in a stronger position; he has a lot more experience and set that incredible record last year when he became the first driver ever to score points on every round.

“If you look at this season, with fewer events then I think it’s going to be even more important not to retire. As a team we’ve got to make sure we keep up the reliability of the Ford Focus. Then of course we have Jari, who has proved he has the speed to win rallies. I think the combination of these factors puts us in a strong position for both championships,” he added.

Wilson revealed that Hirvonen and Latvala would visit the team’s UK base for a two day strategy summit before Rally Ireland. “That’s where we’ll be discussing what we hope to achieve and our tactics for individual rallies,” said Wilson. “We already know that, for instance, Sebastien is going to be very difficult to beat in Ireland - especially if it’s clean and smooth. But on the other hand, if it’s snowy then anything can happen.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

Petter Solberg confirms Citroen comeback

Petter Solberg will drive a privately owned 2006 specification Citroen Xsara WRC on Rally Norway and is planning on tackling the complete 2009 WRC season from then on.

The 2003 World Champion was left without a drive this year after his previous team, Subaru, pulled out of the series at the end of last year. And with no vacancies at the Ford or Citroen factory teams it looked like Petter might face at least one season on the sidelines before another manufacturer deal could be done.

However this afternoon, speaking to exclusively to wrc.com, Solberg said he intends to run his own team for up to 11 rounds this year, to keep up his rally knowledge and buy more time to negotiate a paid drive for 2010.

“I’ll be in the Xsara for Rally Norway and the plan is to do the whole championship from then - although not necessarily with the same car,” said Petter. “Everything I’m doing is being done with 2010 in mind. We’ll start with Norway, with my own team, but I haven’t got the entire 2009 season together yet. I’ve put this deal together in twenty days, and I expect things will change through the season. Nobody knows what the future will bring but I’m happy with what we’ve got for the short term.

“Okay, I know many people think I’m crazy for doing what I’m doing. Would Marcus Gronholm, Tommi Makinen or Colin McRae have done what I’m doing now? - I don’t think so,” he added.

Solberg has tested the Xsara just once, on snow, and descried the experience as ‘good fun’. He wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons with the Subaru Impreza - saying he’d have to wait until Norway to see how competitive the car would be.

Rumours earlier this month suggested Solberg might drive for a new Proton WRC team in 2010, and might make a few appearances this year in the Malaysian company’s Super 2000 specification Satira.

Petter refused to discuss specifics today but said the future was looking bright: “I have had a lot of talks with many manufacturers and things are looking very good for 2010 - but let’s deal with that as it comes. For now I’m free to do whatever I want - and that’s the main thing here. As soon as I get something for the future of course I will give it 110 per cent.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

New Stobart Ford line-up to make its debut in Ireland

The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team will be represented by a brand new line-up when the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship season gets underway on Rally Ireland.

It will be the first time that the WRC has started outside Monte Carlo since 1996, but the Cumbrian-based team says this could be beneficial, as previous successes on the Irish event give it a good chance of a strong result.

Stobart achieved its first-ever asphalt podium in Ireland when Jari-Matti Latvala secured third place on the inaugural running of the WRC event in 2007. Matthew Wilson is also a previous Ireland winner - winning it in 2005 when it was a national championship rally.

Rally Ireland will be the 50th WRC start for Wilson, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Thursday - the same day as shakedown. “This is obviously a special event for me having won it in the past and now it’s my 50th WRC start so hopefully it will be kind to me,” said Wilson. “As the first event of the year, it would be good to start off with a decent result and our pre-event test on Monday will certainly help with that. It will be a good boost to my confidence to get some miles in the test rather than going straight into the shakedown on Thursday morning.”

The first of the team’s points nominated drivers, Henning Solberg, is hoping this year’s event will go more smoothly than his last attempt in 2007. On that occasion he had to use a stand-in co-driver (Goran Bergsten) when regular navigator Cato Menkerud stayed at home during the birth of his second child.

“I don’t have a lot of experience on asphalt but when I competed on this rally in 2007 I was running in the top six on the first day, which was very good,” said Solberg. “It’s not a true tarmac rally because there is so much gravel and mud dragged across the road and I cope with these conditions better. The most difficult things about the stages are the high-speed sections and the unpredictable bumps, and it’s hard to get a good feeling with the car. We found a good setting on some tarmac events last year and with a test planned for Monday I’m sure we’ll start the rally with more confidence than before. I’d really like to start the year off well, and a finish inside the top six would be a good boost ahead of my home event in Norway two weeks later.”

The team’s second points nominated driver, Urmo Aava, will be making his Stobart Ford team debut in Ireland. The Estonian and co-pilot Kuldar Sikk completed the recce in 2007 but haven’t driven the event competitively before.

“When I did the recce in 2007 I found the most difficult part of the stage to understand was the grip,” he explained. “For sure this will be a very difficult rally, maybe even more so than Monte Carlo, and in some places it’s like Finland but only on tarmac - with very high speed sections over crests. The plan is to find a good rhythm but it’s most important to get the car to the finish. This is not a rally we want to attack in. This year is an extremely good chance for me in the Stobart team. We have seen some difficult times lately with teams pulling out, so I know how lucky I am to be with a strong team and will definitely make the most of this opportunity.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

Citroen team bosses outline their objectives for 2009

The men in charge of the two Citroen teams contesting this year’s world rally championship for manufacturers outline their aims for the season ahead...

Questions to Olivier Quesnel - Citroen Total team director:

What objectives have you set your team for 2009?
"After winning both titles last year, there is no way we could be targeting anything less than the same result, so we will be looking to win the two crowns again in 2009. Sebastien and Daniel will obviously be out to claim their sixth consecutive world title, and it would be nice to see Dani take his first World Championship win.

“The creation of the Citroen Junior Team will also enable us to bring on other talented drivers, beginning with Sebastien Ogier. I hope this team will be a valuable ally for the Citroen Total World Rally Team."

Do you think that this year's WRC will be as exciting as it has been in recent years?
"I think it will be even closer! As has been the case in previous years, Citroen and Ford will be battling for individual event wins and the two titles, and both teams are even stronger today. It will be interesting to see a driver like Chris Atkinson in a C4 WRC. We know the quality of the cars we supply to our customers and I am convinced they will soon emerge as potential winners."

You were appointed director of Citroen Sport exactly a year ago. How do you envisage your second year in the job?
"Citroen Sport mirrors Citroen's renewal on both the creativity and technology fronts. We are consequently a showcase for the brand, in perfect keeping with its range and philosophy. We will be active on numerous fronts in 2009. In addition to our WRC programmes, we will be looking to the future, too, notably through the reinforcement of our customer-competition operations. This will include the launch of several national and international trophies, as well as increased involvement from our international subsidiaries. We will also start looking at the introduction of new products to round off our range which begins with the C2-R2 MAX."

Questions to Benoit Nogier - Citroen Junior Team manager:

What is the thinking behind the Citroen Junior Team?
“It’s a natural continuation of the programme that we put in place last year. Our aim was to enter a genuine manufacturer team. This project led to the birth of the Citroen Junior Team. It’s an opportunity to maximise our growing profile, even though we are very aware that we have different objectives to the factory team. The Citroen Junior Team is a programme with which to develop drivers. Thanks to this structure, we hope to find some future drivers for Citroen.”

How will the team operate throughout the course of the season?
“The exact programmes are still being finalised. We have entered the Citroen Junior Team onto all 12 rounds of the 2009 calendar with a minimum of two cars per event, which allows us to score points towards the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers on each round. Conrad Rautenbach will be present on all 12 rallies. Evgeny Novikov will start his eight-round programme on the Rally Norway.

“Sebastien Ogier will take part in the first six rallies, but he has a real opportunity to bulk out his programme as the season goes on. As for Chris Atkinson, he will drive one of our Citroen C4 WRCs in Ireland. As we already made clear when we signed the deal there are no plans currently in place beyond then, even though there’s a strong will to do so from both sides.”

What is the team’s goal on its World Championship debut?
We would like to prove that we can be competitive compared to the opposition. The average age of our four drivers - Chris Atkinson, Conrad Rautenbach, Sebastien Ogier and Evgeny Novikov - is just 22. They will all certainly want to demonstrate their outright speed, but the team’s objective is for them to acquire as much World Rally Championship experience as possible and get to the finish of each event. That’s our priority.”

Source:
http://www.wrc.com

`King of Swing´ Roberts pushed by Rainey for celebrity golf debut

Rekindling the competitive fires for his debut in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament, MotoGP Legend Kenny Roberts has been spurred on in his training by fellow former MotoGP World Champion Wayne Rainey.

Preparing to compete for a $6.1 million purse at the American event, which takes place from February 9th until February 15th, Roberts´ dedication to his shot at golfing glory has left Rainey highly impressed.

`Kenny hit a hole-in-one during training for this tournament on hole #11 at Poppy Hill in Pebble Beach. He is on his way to becoming a legend out on the golf course too!´ says Rainey on his friend´s training form.

`Half of my life I have trained to race motorcycles and the other half was as a team owner. Now I am training to be a golfer,´ said Roberts. Normally I would just go out and play golf, but I am out on the golf course trying to do this better which is something I have not done in a long time,´ adds Roberts.

`I would have never imagined it would be like this and it is great to train and focus on making myself more consistent on the golf course. The roles are reversed now as I am at Wayne´s house in Monterey for the winter and he is pushing me to go out and practice. In the past, Wayne would be at my house for the winter and I would push him to train.´

Source:
http://www.motogp.com

Bridgestone looks forward to Official Tyre Supplier Status from 2009

Bridgestone is pleased to confirm that it has signed the final contract with Dorna to be the Official Tyre Supplier for the MotoGP class in the FIM MotoGP World Championship for a three-year period commencing with the 2009 season. This follows a tender process which took place in 2008.

The agreement covers the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons where all MotoGP competitors will exclusively use Bridgestone tyres. Riders using Bridgestone tyres have won the past two MotoGP seasons. In 2007 Ducati rider Casey Stoner was the first competitor to win the title using Bridgestone tyres, whilst Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi won last season’s title.

The opening round of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship will take place at the Losail circuit in Doha, Qatar on the evening of April 12th.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive Officer of Dorna, said:
“We’re delighted to have secured Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier for all teams in the MotoGP class of the FIM World Championship for the next three years. Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make anoutstanding contribution to motorsport. We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.”

Hiroshi Yasukawa - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, said:
“Becoming the ‘Official Tyre Supplier to the MotoGP World Championship’ is a prestigious honour for Bridgestone and we await the start of the 2009 season with great anticipation. “In these turbulent times of economic crisis, Bridgestone is delighted to be working positively with Dorna to make an exciting contribution to MotoGP. We are dedicated to our support of MotoGP and being chosen as the official tyre supplier shows the high regard in which we are held by the sport in which we have been involved since 2002. Our participation in MotoGP is an important element of our position as the foremost tyre supplier in motorsport.

“In supplying all MotoGP competitors we will treat manufacturers, teams and riders with fairness and to do this we can draw on our experience of supplying all of the teams in Formula One with our tyres for the past two seasons. We hope that having all riders using our tyres will mean exciting races in MotoGP for the next three seasons.”

Source:
http://www.bridgestonemotorsport.com

Capirossi has confidence in more aerodynamic GSV-R

Loris Capirossi is ready and raring for another season in the MotoGP World Championship, one that will see him riding a heavily redesigned Suzuki GSV-R for his second year with the Japanese factory. The Italian continues his preparations for the upcoming year alongside an almost complete lineup of premier class rivals next week at Sepang, and is eager to get back into action.

`I can´t wait to ride again!´ says Capirossi, whose last test was a private run at Phillip Island at the end of 2008. `Over the winter break I have been getting motivated, and physically I am in great shape.´

On the subject of shape, that of the GSV-R will be a different one to that of the bike that finished the most recent MotoGP season. Capirossi and teammate Chris Vermeulen have both taken part in wind tunnel testing in Japan in order to redefine the optimal form for the 2009 prototype, with the results used by engineers during the testing embargo.

`The aerodynamics, engine and chassis are all-new, and I am expecting a lot from them because of the hard work that has been going on in Japan. I´ve got high hopes because of this!´ says the veteran.

`In Sepang we will be focusing on the setup; we don´t care about the times at the moment. The goal is to be ready for the first race of the year, and to have the best season possible.´

Capirossi´s twentieth season in Grand Prix racing will begin on April 12th, at the opening round of the 2009 campaign in Qatar.

Source:
http://www.motogp.com

Alonso pays tribute to Dennis

By Edd Straw and Matt Beer

Fernando Alonso has paid tribute to his former team boss Ron Dennis, after the Briton announced his intention to step down as McLaren team principal last week.

Although Alonso had a fractious relationship with Dennis during his season at McLaren in 2007, the double world champion said that didn't prevent him from respecting Dennis's achievements during his 28 years at the helm of the team.

"I think we are not best friends, but I think there is respect from each other," said Alonso at the launch of Renault's new R29.

"We didn't have a perfect end to our relationship but we know how much he has done for Formula One. When I was young I remember McLaren and I had great respect for him.

"There are not many people like Ron in Formula One anymore. Ron did it like in the old days: one guy developing and growing up with the team, making a Formula One team successful and winning championships."

Alonso had joined McLaren on a multi-year deal in 2007, but the two parties agreed to end the contract after just one season due to the poor relationship between them, allowing the Spaniard to return to Renault.

Dennis to step down as team principal

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde

McLaren boss Ron Dennis will step down from his role of team principal before the start of the 2009 season, the Briton announced on Friday.

The 61-year-old, however, made it clear that he is not retiring, but will instead focus on other commitments related to the McLaren Group.

Dennis said he would still attend some races, but intends to pass on his team principal responsibilities to Martin Whitmarsh as of March 1 this year.

"First thing I am going to do is work harder, that is the first target," said Dennis during the launch of the new McLaren.

"I intend to raise my own game because I think everybody in our organisation at every level realises this is a tough period in which we are going to work and of course we are a very diverse organisation now.

"We have a clear intention for our production car programme which is really a challenge. Any product we bring to the market will certainly fall the other side of this financial period.

"I stress nothing to get too excited about but it is absolutely time for Martin to take over as team principal. As from March 1 he will adopt that responsibility. I will still go to races, not all of them, because I am passionate.

"I intend to work harder and will take on greater responsibility in the group. I will be full executive chairman. It is time and I have to say it is absolutely 100 percent my decision. It is what I want to do, but I do intend to work much harder.

"Don't see it as some sort of retirement, I want to work harder in other areas and having to plan those tasks around the GP calendar is disruptive to the process. It is a job that Martin will embrace and enjoy.

"It is a job over the years we have shared anyway, but it will be his decision to influence things at a grand prix circuit."

Heidfeld wraps up BMW test

With strong winds persisting at the Valencia circuit in southern Spain, BMW Sauber F1 driver Nick Heidfeld brought the first test for the team's 2009 car to a close.

Heidfeld spent the morning going through system checks and the afternoon doing mechanical set-up testing.

"Although the test had to be interrupted once when the wind blew some debris on the track, I managed to do some long runs in the afternoon," Heidfeld said. "I finished the day with some race simulation starts on different tyre compounds."

This week the new BMW has covered 1,887km of testing. The team returns to testing on 10 February in Bahrain.

Source:
http://f1.gpupdate.net

Raikkonen completes first rally

Kimi Raikkonen enjoyed a very respectable result on his rallying debut in sub-zero conditions.

Raikkonen was in action in the Arctic Lapland Rally which lasts three days in the north of Finland. It saw Raikkonen pitch up against other famous names including Mika Hakkinen.

Raikkonen finished the rally thirteenth overall, ahead of Hakkinen and just six and a half minutes off the eventual winner.

Source:
http://f1.gpupdate.net

LG KF240

Specifications
LG KF240
Network2G
3G
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
SizeDimensions
Weight
Display
94 x 47 x 16 mm (3.70 x 1.85 x 0.63 in)
91 gram
TFT, 256K colors
176 x 220 pixels, 2.0 inches (~141 ppi pixel density)
MemoryPhonebook
Call records
Internal
Card slot
Yes
40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
20 MB
microSD, up to 2 GB
DataGPRS
EDGE
3G
WLAN
Bluetooth
Infrared port
USB
Class 10



v2.0 with A2DP

2.0
FeaturesOS
CPU
Messaging
Alert
Browser
Radio
GPS
Games
Camera
Video
Colors
Java


SMS, MMS, Email
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
WAP 2.0/xHTML
FM radio

Yes
2 MP
Yes
Black
MIDP 2.0
- Loudspeaker
- Mini-SIM
- Downloadable wallpapers
- MP3 player
- MP4 player
- Organizer
- Voice memo
- Predictive text input
- Clock
- Calendar
- Alarm
Battery
Stand-by
Talk time
Standard battery, Li-Ion 800 mAh
Up to 200 h
Up to 3 h

Image: http://www.welectronics.com/gsm/lg

Williams yet to decide on KERS debut

By Edd Straw and Simon Strang

Williams technical director Sam Michael has hinted that the team may opt not to begin the 2009 Formula One season with its flywheel-based Kinetic Energy Recovery System, and instead focus on ensuring that their new FW31 is reliable.

Williams are the only team not to have gone with a battery KERS device, but Michael says that while the new technology will be of benefit to them, optimising the new-for-'09 aerodynamic package is more important in the short term.

"It's very difficult to sign off KERS in time for Melbourne with all the other things we are trying to do," he said at the launch of the car in Portugal.

"We are trying to make sure that the cooling and gearbox and everything else on the car is working first, and we are also concentrating on making sure our mechanical and aerodynamic package is optimised before we try and get KERS on the car.

"Because if you get something wrong on the aerodynamics or you get something wrong mechanical, you can lose seconds.

"Whereas KERS, even when you have everything 100% reliable is worth two and a half or three tenths.

"It's important," he added, "and that two and a half or three tenths will be important during the season, but to start with it will be swamped by the aero and getting the setup of the car right around the slicks and making sure all the mechanicals don't break."

With a ban on in-season testing now implemented as the teams focus on reducing costs in Formula One, Michael has admitted that developing new components will be more difficult, but believes it will still be possible to evolve KERS effectively during the year.

"Reduced testing makes introducing any new component during the season difficult, but not impossible," he said. "We can use Fridays for this and obviously you have dynos and rigs in the factory to sign things off as well.

"Introducing KERS during the season, if you don't start with it won't be easy, but it's not impossible."

The new Ferrari F60

Scuderia Ferrari unveiled this morning its 2009 challenger: the Ferrari F60 single seater. The all new Ferrari F60 has been modified radically if compared to last season’s F2008, mainly given the new aerodynamic regulations based on which the single seaters will have to feature a larger front wing and a significantly narrower rear.

The F60 is the fifty fifth single seater built by Scuderia Ferrari specifically to compete in the F1 World Championship. The name of the car was chosen to celebrate Ferrari’s participation in all 60 editions of the Formula One World Championship since 1950 to date. The project, which goes by the internal codename of 660, represents Ferrari’s interpretation of the regulations that come into force this year, which include many new elements.

As far as the aerodynamics are concerned, these modifications are the result of the work carried out by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) set up by the FIA in collaboration with the teams to produce a set of rules aimed at encouraging more overtaking on track: the front wing, which has a neutral central profile, common to all, is developed mainly on its side elements and is much wider than in the past. The bodywork can no longer carry the slotted apertures that had characterised the Scuderia’s cars over the past few years. Other aerodynamic devices are also significantly reduced; the rear wing is higher and narrower than in the past; the diffuser has been moved rearward.

The combination of changes naturally led the initial design phase down radically different routes when it came to the side pods and protection components: the apertures have been reduced in size and moved rearward, while the upper and rear elements are larger to aid the exit of air.

The new rules regarding aerodynamics have also led to modifications of the suspension, as these elements can no longer be enclosed to the same extent. The suspension system and the whole layout of the car have been redesigned in the light of the new rules in order to achieve the correct weight distribution.

The design also takes into account two other significant changes in the 2009 regulations: the possibility of using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and the reintroduction of slick type tyres.

The KERS on the F60 was designed by Ferrari in collaboration with Magneti Marelli and is centrally mounted on the engine under the rear part of the chassis; its management has involved all departments of the Gestione Sportiva.

The return to slick tyres is another element which is down to the work of the OWG, as is the introduction of a flap on the front wing that can be adjusted by the driver when the car is moving. The software for managing this tool, as well as for the KERS, was designed in Maranello.

The transmission has been redesigned to optimise the aerodynamic efficiency of the car. The gearbox casing is again made in carbon and is positioned longitudinally. The gearbox is fitted with a speed shifter. There’s also a new braking system, with calipers designed by Brembo.

As far as the engine is concerned, which retains its longitudinal mounting in the F60 and continues as a load bearing structure, the new rules state that a total of eight (8) engines my be used over the 17 Grand Prix race weekends on the 2009 calendar. Accordingly, the maximum permitted engine speed has been reduced to 18.000 rpm and the distance target for each unit is now around 2.500 kilometres. Furthermore, modifications have been made to the inlet trumpets, the position of the injectors and the configuration of the exhausts.

Scuderia Ferrari F60 single-seater Technical Specifications:

  • Chassis:
    • Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
    • Ferrari longitudinal gearbox Limited-slip differential
    • Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox - quick shift
    • Number of gears 7 + Reverse
    • Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
    • Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
    • Weight (with water, lubricant and driver) 605 kg
    • BS Wheels (front and rear) 13″
    • Kinetic Energy Recovery System by Ferrari in cooperation with Magneti Marelli
  • Engine:
    • Type 056
    • Number of cylinders: 8
    • Cylinder block in cast aluminium V 90
    • Number of valves: 32
    • Pneumatic distribution
    • Total displacement: 2398 cm3
    • Piston bore: 98mm
    • Weight > 95kg
    • Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection
    • Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition
    • Fuel: Shell V-Power ULG-66L/2
    • Lubricant: Shell
Source:
http://www.formula1news.net

Williams unveil new FW31 at Portimao

The Williams F1 team unveiled this morning at the Portimao circuit their new car, the Fw31. Just like Ferrari’s, Toyota’s and McLaren’s new cars unveiled last week, the Williams FW31 features a narrow rear wing and a larger front one. The new FW31 will have today its track debut at the Portuguese circuit and will run in its winter test livery, as the full racing colors will not be unveiled until prior to the 2009 Australian Grand Prix.

Williams FW31 Technical Specifications:

  • Chassis: Monocoque construction fabricated from carbon aramid epoxy and honeycomb composite structure, surpassing FIA impact and strength requirements
  • Front suspension: Carbon bre double wishbone arrangement, with composite toelink and pushrod activated springs and anti-roll bar
  • Rear suspension: Double wishbone and pushrod activated springs and anti-roll bar
  • Transmission: Williams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear in a aluminium maincase, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
  • Clutch: AP Carbon plate
  • Dampers: Williams F1
  • Wheels: RAYS forged magnesium
  • Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza, F 350mm wide, R 375mm wide
  • Brake system: 6 piston AP calipers all round, Carbon Industrie carbon discs and pads
  • Steering: Williams F1 power assisted rack and pinion
  • Fuel system: ATL Kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder
  • Electronic systems: MES
  • KERS: Williams Hybrid Power’s patented Magnetic Loaded Composite flywheel system
  • Cooling system: Marston oil, water, and gearbox radiators
  • Cockpit: Driver six point safety harness with 75mm shoulder straps & HANS system, removable anatomically formed carbon fibre seat covered in Alcantara. Safety Devices extinguisher systems
  • Weight: 605 kg with driver, camera and ballast
  • Wheelbase: 3100 mm
  • Length: 4800 mm
  • Height: 950 mm
  • Width: 1800 mm

Engine:

  • Designation: Toyota 2.4L V8, 90° V angle, pneumatic valve train.
  • Fuel management and ignition systems: Toyota
  • Spark plugs: ND
  • Engine materials: include block and pistons in aluminium, crankshaft in steel billet, connecting rods in titanium

Piquet Jr expecting an 'easier' season

Nelson Piquet Jr is confident that his second season in Formula One will be "easier" after a trying debut campaign.

MHatched against double World Champion Fernando Alonso in his first season in F1, Piquet Jr struggled to keep up with the Spaniard, often finding himself well behind his team-mate. This sparked rumours that Renault were ready to sack Piquet Jr after less than half a season.

However, three points-scoring finishes in the four mid-season races, which included a podium finish at the German GP, went a long way towards securing the Brazilian's future.

Now gearing up for his second season in Formula One, the Renault driver is hoping that he learnt all the hard lessons last year.

"I know this season will be easier for me as I'm feeling much more comfortable in the team, I know the circuits and how to approach a grand prix weekend," he told Renault's website.

"I'm sure it's going to be much easier for me to handle everything. I'm going to start 2009 where I left off in 2008 and determined to improve race by race."

As for his goal for 2009, Piquet Jr is keen to match what his team-mate Alonso did this past year, which was claim fifth place in the Drivers' standings for Renault.

"I would love to be in the top five in the Drivers' Championship," he said. "That would be excellent, but obviously it's going to depend on what the car is like.

Source:
http://www.planetf1.com

Heidfeld happy despite wind hampered test

Heavy winds forced BMW Sauber to adjust their program for the final day of private testing in Valencia, but despite the setback, Nick Heidfeld was satisfied with proceedings.

Gusty conditions at the circuit meant that Heidfeld spent the majority of the day gathering mechanical dataand focusing on systems checks.

The German was able to get 91 laps under his belt despite the winds of up to 70km/h, and was content with the results of the test.

"Although the test had to be interrupted once when the wind blew some debris over the track, I managed to do some long runs in the afternoon," Heidfeld told the teams official website.

"I finished the day with some race start simulations on different tyre compounds."

Whilst the wind was less than ideal, the BMW crew were happy to have a try track, something that was hard to come by in Portugal earlier in the week where a number of teams were testing.

"We managed to collect a great deal of data and have already made initial progress," said managing director Walter Riedl.

"Although the strong winds made testing difficult during the last two days, we benefited from the fact that the track was dry throughout and outdoor temperatures were higher than during our tests in December, which meant we were able to glean some valuable insights concerning the tyres as well.

"We have already used the 2009 version of the V8 engine with its rev limit of 18,000 rpm, as well as employing KERS.

"Overall we are very happy with the testing, particularly with regard to the high reliability of the new car.

"Now we are naturally very keen to see where we stand in terms of the competition, but we will have to wait for the next test to gain a first impression."

The team resume testing in February, with two stints planned for Bahrain.

Source:
http://www.planetf1.com

Jonathan Rea Wins Irish Motorcyclist Of The Year Award

Jonathan Rea was awarded the trophy for the Motorcyclist Of The Year for the second time at the Irish Racer Awards on Friday at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.

Rea said after the presentation,

“Just like last year I have got to thank the public for their votes, I’m simply flabbergasted.

To retain this trophy which depicts Joey Dunlop’s famous yellow helmet means a lot to me. He was my boyhood hero.

This award will again have pride of place among my other trophies back home.”

Rea signed a three-year deal with the Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team back in September and will ride alongside BSB rider Ryuichi Kiyonari and Spain’s Carlos Checa in the 2009 season.

The 21-year-old Irish man, signed the contract on the Saturday night and on the Sunday took second place in the World Supersport Championship.

Source:
http://www.worldsuperbikenews.co.uk

Jacque fastest Kawasaki at Phillip Island

The Kawasaki Racing Team were met with perfect conditions as they arrived at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today, to start the first of three days of development testing ahead of the annual test ban, which comes into force on 1st December. This is an important test for Kawasaki, as all the data collected during these three days in the southern hemisphere will be fed directly in the development programme for the 2009 Ninja ZX-RR, which is due to make its track debut at Sepang in February.

To increase the amount of data collected, Kawasaki's regular MotoGP pilots were joined in Australia by test and development rider, Olivier Jacque, with the three of them clocking up more than 1000 kilometres around the Phillip Island circuit on the opening day. Following on from the Valencia test, which was curtailed by rain on the second day, Marco Melandri used the first day of testing in Australia to continue his familiarisation with Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR. The 26-year-old Italian completed 93 laps of the 4.445km circuit, posting a best lap time of 1'32.5s. Melandri continued to make changes to the Ninja ZX-RR, to tailor the machine to his riding style, but was hampered today by a lack of feeling from the front end of the bike.

Melandri will work with his crew and Kawasaki's suspension engineers overnight to improve front end feel, and is confident that if they can make steps forward in this area then lap times in the low 1'31s bracket are achievable tomorrow.

For Hopkins the first day of testing at Phillip Island was a painful one. The 25-year-old Anglo-American suffered with a painful left knee and ankle injury, sustained during a high-speed practice crash at Assen back in June. The fractured ankle was fixed with a plate after the crash, but the tendons rubbing on the metal plate every time he changed gear left Hopkins' left leg swollen and sore after 76 laps of the Phillip Island circuit today.

Ignoring the pain, Hopkins worked closely with new crew chief, Naoya Kaneko, to make improvements to his Ninja ZX-RR throughout the day, and the Kawasaki pilot is confident of improving his lap times tomorrow.

Jacque's main focus during the first day of testing was on evaluating a revised chassis and new electronics package on the Ninja ZX-RR. The 35-year-old former world champion tested the new chassis, which features revised geometry, for the first time during the morning session, but was quickly able to match the lap times achieved on the machine that his two teammates were testing.

Jacque is confident that the new chassis offers many advantages over the old; a point he is keen to prove by reducing his lap times around the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit tomorrow, once he's had more time to refine the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR to suit the characteristics of the new chassis.

John Hopkins - 76 Laps - 1:33.3:
We ride a lot more during testing than we do on a race weekend, and that has caused me some problems today. The left knee and ankle I damaged in the crash at Assen has been really painful. Every time I change gear the tendons in my ankle rub across the metal plate that was inserted to fix the bones, and this causes the ankle to swell up a lot. My knee also kept locking out, especially on the left-hand corners, so I'm not in great physical shape. Having said that, it's been good working with my new crew chief, Naoya. We communicate together very well and we've definitely made some improvements to the bike. Naoya is very methodical in his approach, but he also has a fresh way of looking at the problems and, as a result, we've made some big steps forward already. Now I just need more time on track, injuries permitting. Phillip Island has always been a difficult circuit for me, and I've never had a good result here, so the more time I can get on track over the final two days of testing the better.

Olivier Jacque - 85 Laps - 1:32.4:
Today we've focussed on evaluating a new chassis on the Ninja ZX-RR, with positive results. This morning I was able to match my lap times on the older bike very quickly, but I think that at this point we are only using around 80% of the potential of the new chassis. With more set-up time tomorrow I hope we can get closer to using 100% of this potential and reduce our lap times as a result. We're also working with a revised electronics package on the bike, which gives us more options for fine-tuning the power delivery characteristics, and again the initial results have been positive. We will continue to work on refining the system over the next two days, and collecting the data necessary for further development back in Japan.

Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
We came to Phillip Island to test because we've had some problems at this circuit in the past. So far it looks like it was a good decision, as the conditions have been perfect for testing most of the day, with only the wind causing some issues this afternoon. Marco has continued his familiarisation with the Ninja ZX-RR, and already he's working with his crew and making improvements. He had some issues with the front end of the bike today, but we think we have a solution for this that will improve things for tomorrow. John was not in the best of condition today; he was short on sleep as a result of jet lag and his Assen injuries were obviously causing him some pain on the bike. Hopefully, after a good night's sleep tonight, he'll be firing on all cylinders again tomorrow. Olivier was the fastest of our three riders today, which is very positive given that he's testing the chassis that may well form the basis of our 2009 Ninja ZX-RR. Hopefully he can continue to improve tomorrow with more time on the bike, as the data from this test is critical to our ongoing development programme in Japan. Overall it's been a positive first day of testing.

Source:
http://www.highrevs.net

Ducati Marlboro team makes official debut at Madonna di Campiglio

The Wrooom - MotoGP Press Ski Meeting 2009 got underway in the best manner possible on Monday 12th January with a welcome cocktail party for the world’s media at the Hotel Spinale, before the focus turned to both work and play in the opening Wrooom press conference at Madonna di Campiglio this morning. Both Casey Stoner and his new team-mate Nicky Hayden, making his official debut in Ducati Marlboro Team colours, were under the spotlight before spending a relaxing afternoon on the stunning slopes of the Italian Dolomites.

There were plenty of talking points for the media, who have flocked from all corners of the globe, not least in seeing an American rider in the Italian factory’s Grand Prix uniform for the very first time.

Nicky Hayden:
On Sunday I tried on my Ducati leathers for the first time in an official photo session and I felt very proud. I know what a huge opportunity I’ve been given and I’m very grateful to Ducati, Marlboro and everybody who has shown faith in me in this new chapter of my career. I was immediately struck by the dedication and passion that the team is famous for and by how hard everybody is trying to make me feel comfortable in these new surroundings, as they have done helping me adapt to the bike and get the most out of it. So far everything has gone really well. Obviously I need to get faster in order to be truly competitive but I already love the bike. I can’t say it’s easy to ride, it gets pretty loose on corner exit sometimes but the engine is powerful and that is important, especially in a race situation. The chassis is nice and stiff so you get plenty of feedback and I like the feeling with the front, which is really stable in the fast corners. So far we have only had two test sessions at Valencia and Jerez, which are tight and twisty tracks, and I think that at places like Malaysia and Qatar it will be even better. I’m happy to be working with Casey – we’ve known each other for a few years now, you could say we’ve got similar backgrounds having not come up through European competition and having started out racing in dirt-track. We’re both competitive and we’re going to want to beat one another but we’ll also work together to make a strong team. As far as my expectations for the season are concerned, I still have a lot of faith in myself and in what I’m capable of. The first objective is to get back to the same level I was at in 2006, challenging consistently for the podium and trying to start winning races again.

Answering about the recovery of his left wrist, which was operated on late last year, Casey Stoner responded:
I’m reasonably happy. I would like to have a little more movement but the check-up went well yesterday, the bone graft has healed well and that is very positive. It means I can start to work my hand and arm a little harder now and start to recover some muscle mass and get in the best possible shape for the next test. So far I’ve only ridden the GP9 twice, at Barcelona during the season and for a day at Valencia in November. It wasn’t much but it was enough to understand that we’re not a long way off and that the new chassis is an improvement. We need to work on improving the set-up and refining a couple of areas on the bike. Last year we were perhaps a little too confident and overlooked some of the work we needed to do, leading to a few highs and lows at the start of the season that end up costing us dear. In any case, despite a breakdown and two crashes we still won six races and finished second in the championship, which means we can look forward to next year really positively. I’m really happy with the addition of Nicky to the team. He has always been kind to me, even when I was racing in the smaller classes, and I think we can work well together. The communication between us is great and I think we can work together on fixing certain situations and getting the most out of the GP9 so that we can both be competitive. From my side I also plan to be a little more aggressive this season and maybe be a bit more decisive in races where nobody seems to want to take the initiative.

The event programme continues tomorrow with a press conference with Claudio Domenicali and the official unveiling of the new Desmosedici GP9.

Source:
http://www.highrevs.net

Jacque gets positive impression from 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

Following the recent two-day test at the Australian former Grand Prix venue of Eastern Creek Kawasaki´s French test rider Olivier Jacque was optimistic about the evolution of the Japanese manufacturer´s Ninja ZX-RR race machine.

The former 250cc World Champion, alongside Japanese test rider Tamaki Serizawa, worked with a Kawasaki test team at the Australian venue on Friday and Saturday to assess the improvements which have been made to the bike.

Commenting on the test Jacque stated, `Well it is the first shakedown so everything is brand new. We have a new engine and a new chassis. It takes time to set up all these things correctly but the first impression is quite positive.´

He continued, `The new chassis gives more feedback on the front end which was a problem last season. We have been looking closely at that this winter and we now have lot more stability on the front which helps with turning. Of course there is still work to do though.´

`Last year we had problems with the front end and I was complaining. We tried a few things but it was not going in the right way,´ added the man who retired from MotoGP competition in 2007. `The few laps we have done with the new bike seem like a big step though, so I am quite confident. This was just a test but the engineers have been working very hard this winter to find a solution to the problem. We are testing to see what the improvement is like and it is quite efficient.´

Asked about the responsiveness of the new bike on the rear end Jacque replied, `We still have to make adjustments in terms of the rear shock and with swing arm stiffness. Also, the last time I came to Eastern Creek was 14 or 15 years ago and that was in 250cc so it is hard to make comparisons.´

The experienced rider also confirmed that the next step of testing would take place elsewhere on Australian soil in the coming days, where he expected to see further progress made. He concluded, `It takes more than two days to set up the bike properly so that is why we will go to Phillip Island, where we will know what gear ratio to use and which set-up configuration to use. It will be easier there. But first of all here we just needed to clean up the bike and polish the first set-up.´

Although Kawasaki´s factory team have withdrawn from MotoGP the Ninja ZX-RR development continues rapidly, with the bike available for use by a private team in 2009.

Source:
http://www.motogp.com

Gibernau continues comeback preparations with Pyrenees training visit

motogp.com recently visited experienced Spanish rider Sete Gibernau during a week-long stay at the Northern Spanish ski resort of Baqueira-Beret, as the man returning to the MotoGP World Championship in 2009 worked on his physical condition before the long, hard season ahead.

Having been away from Grand Prix competition since his 2007 retirement due to collarbone and hand injuries, but having tested the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 last year, the 36 year-old is fully aware that his fitness must be up to scratch before pre-season testing begins again in February.

`Well we are trying to start the engines again!´ Gibernau joked with regard to his mountain visit. `It has been two years since I stopped and I haven´t been training so hard. Of course I have been doing little things, cycling and so on, but I have not been riding motorcycles or doing specific training. Right now we are trying to get ready because it is going to be a long season.´

Recovering from surgery before Christmas to remove the metalwork which had been supporting his collarbone, building up the strength in his upper body was the main motivation for his trip to the Pyrenees to undertake some long cross-country skiing sessions. Gibernau commented, `I had a plate taken out of my collarbone two months ago so I am still doing rehab, working on that area. With the surgery and injuries I have had in the past, in particular on my shoulders, we have to focus on that area, the shoulders, the arms, doing sessions here of up to an hour and a half.´

Revealing his philosophy on the physical side of riding the former Honda and Suzuki man continued, `Fitness is crucial. If your physical condition drops down during a race or for some period during the year then for sure the results will not come. There are 18 races and you need to be ready. You have very demanding circuits and difficult conditions like in Sepang where it is very hot. You don´t have to get too fit, just have a good base so that you are not thinking about your condition, that is the best way.´

Regarding the stiff competition he faces on his return to the premier class, Gibernau pointed to the younger generation of riders who have come through to present a huge threat in MotoGP in recent seasons.

He noted, `The new generation of riders are very young, all of them, but they already have a lot of experience. Jorge Lorenzo is a World Champion with a lot of experience, Dani Pedrosa, also Casey (Stoner), Nicky (Hayden) and Andrea Dovizioso.´

`There are a whole bunch of them out there that are young but they have a lot of talent. I think also the fact that the bikes are 800cc and have electronics makes them quite close to a 250cc machine which makes it easier for them to adapt to the bike. That doesn´t mean they have it easy in general though, it is just different and the championship is very competitive so it is going to be a tough year for sure.´

Source:
http://www.motogp.com

Pedrosa: `Pressure comes completely from me´

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has long been regarded as a title aspirant over the course of his three-year premier class career, and has justified expectations with two overall top 3 finishes in the last two seasons.

Speaking at the Bread&Butter show in Barcelona -which he attended alongside Repsol Honda team sponsor GAS with Claudio Grotto, CEO of Grotto SpA- on Thursday, the Spaniard acknowledged the onus on him to take the World Championship in 2009, but added that the obligation was entirely self-imposed.

`The pressure is completely mine. I try very hard and feel that I have to push myself,´ said the former 125cc and 250cc titlist. `I also have many people behind me, pushing for me to do well, and I am happy to have that.´

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Pedrosa does not expect the competition to be any less difficult than in the past.

`It´s going to be tough; all of my rivals will be trying harder than last year, and the races will be tougher and with more fight. Valentino (Rossi) was the best last year, and he will be the reference point for us right from the start. My new teammate (Andrea Dovizioso) is likely to improve after a good rookie season, and he will become more powerful with experience.

`I´ve had a good break, rested a little, and healed my injuries. Now I feel good and excited about testing.´

Source:
http://www.motogp.com

Archive