Some 2,000 journalists to cover 26th SEA Games

Palembang, S.Sumatra - Around 2,000 journalists, domestic and foreign, are registered as planning to cover the 26th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) which will take place in Palembang and Jakarta from November 11 through 22, 2011.

Chairman of the sports section of the Indonesian Journalilsts Association (PWI) Raja Parlindungan Pane made the statement here on Saturday, adding that they would be covering the major events in South Sumatra`s capital city of Palembang and in Jakarta.

He said domestic journalists registered planning to cover the games numbered 1,200 and foreign journalists 800, including TV crews.

During the SEA Games, a total of 542 gold medals will be contested in competitions in 44 sport branches. In Palembang, the games will be held at the Jakabaring sports complex. Competitions in half of the 44 sport branches would be held in Palembang.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Sea Games are scheduled to be held in the Jakabaring sports stadium.

The 44 sport branches the games would consist of are 1.Aquatics, 2. Archery, 3. Athletics, 4. Badminton, 5. Baseball, 6. Basketball, 7. Billiards & Snooker, 8. Bowling, 9. Boxing, 10. Bridge, 11. Canoeing, 12. Chess, 13. Cycling, 14. Equestrian, 15. Fencing, 16. Fin Swimming, 17. Football, 18. Futsal, 19. Golf, 20. Gymnastics, 21. Judo, 22. Karate, 23. Paragliding, 24. Pencak Silat, 25. Petanque, 26. Roller Sports, 27. Rowing, 28. Sailing, 29. Sepaktakraw, 30. Shorinji Kempo, 31. Shooting, 32. Softball, 33. Soft Tennis, 34. Table Tennis, 35. Taekwondo, 36. Tennis, 37. Traditional Boat Race, 38. Volleyball, 39. Vovinam, 40. Wall Climbing ,41. Water Ski, 42. Weightlifting, 43. Wrestling, and 44. Wushu.

The SEA Games will be participated in by e athletes from eleven countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Vietnam and host Indonesia.(*)

Read More

SEA Games torch run around Komodo Island

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara - Marathon runner Ruyati ran the 26th Southeast Asian Games torch around Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday as part of the torch`s journey to Palembang, South Sumatra, where the games will take place.

The torch was flown from Semarang, Central Java, and arrived at Komodo airport in Labuhan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara at 10.15am local time and was immediately taken to Komodo Island.

Accompanying the torch were Sea Games chief executive Rahmad Gobel, Komodo envoy Jusuf Kalla and Komodo Success Committee members.

Before four Komodos the torch was handed over by Rachmad Gobel to East Nusa Tenggara Deputy Governor Esthon L Foenay.

"This is moving. The SEA Games torch was handed over in conjunction with the presentaion of a World Seven Wonders finalist certificete on Komodo Island," Esthon said.

At the Hutan Asam location four Komodos aged around 25 years old witnessed the presence of the SEA Games torch.

Jusuf Kalla received the finalist certificate directly from the New Seven Wonders director, Benard Weber. "Before these komodos I accept the certificate," Kalla said when receiving the certificate.

Jusuf Kalla along with his delegation visited the island as part of the Vote Komodo 9818 campaign to have the island recognized as one of the new World Seven Wonders. (Uu.J004/H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Read More

Thousands mourn at Simoncelli`s funeral

Rome - Thousands of fans, friends and family attended Marco Simoncelli`s funeral in Italy Thursday five days after the MotoGP rider died after losing control of his motorcycle during the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Mourners followed an Italian tradition of bidding farewell to the dead by clapping as the 24-year old`s coffin passed before being taken to its final resting place.

Close friend and seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi was present.

"The evening before your last race you said you wanted to win the Grand Prix because you would have seen everyone better up there on the podium. Now we are pained that we can`t see you, but it gives us great joy and hope to know that we have been framed by you from the highest podium there is," said Francesco Lambiasi, the bishop of Rimini, who gave the homily.

About 1,000 people who couldn`t fit in the small town`s church followed the funeral on large-screens at the nearby Misano racetrack. (T.A045/H-AK)

Read More

Massa wants Buddh kerbs altered

The Ferrari driver, who had several encounters with the kerbs during the proceedings sessions, finally came undone in Q3 when he hit the kerbs at Turn 8.

The impact broke his right front suspension and sent the Brazilian crashing into the barriers at Turn 9.

It also resulted in him losing a place to Jenson Button on the timesheets as the McLaren driver posted his best time seconds after Massa's crash.

"What happened on my last timed lap was a real shame," Massa said.

"Today, we had the potential to secure a good placing, as Fernando demonstrated and as can also be seen from the fact my sixth best time was set with a rather slow third sector.

"I came into Turn 8 and went over the kerb and the front right suspension gave way in the impact with the raised orange part, which in my opinion is too high at this point.

"It's a very fast corner, taken at around 215 km/h and it could be arranged differently. These are details that need improving for next year."

Massa will start Sunday's Indian GP from sixth place on the grid and a lingering concern that making up positions could be difficult due to the dust on the new track.

"I repeat, I am disappointed, because the car has been going well all weekend long. Now I find myself with one less set of Softs and with a broken front wing.

"It was the new one, which we had here for the first time and it delivered a bit extra in terms of performance

"Tomorrow, overtaking will be difficult because of the dirt on track, but I think we will still see a lot."

Read More

Button dedicates result to Dan and Marco

The Brit, who finished second in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, joined his fellow drivers in honouring the duo, both of whom lost their lives earlier this month in racing accidents, with a minute's silence.

"We've had two fatalities and it's very difficult," Button said.

"I knew Dan from a young age - so I think we should dedicate this first Indian race to Dan and to Marco, who was the most amazing man to watch on a bike."

As for his race, Button lamented the fact that his McLaren just didn't have the pace needed to challenge Sebastian Vettel for the victory.

However, on the up side, he made up two positions at the start when overtook first Fernando Alonso and then Mark Webber. And despite the latter's attempts to retake the position, Button was able to hold him at bay.

"The start off the line didn't feel that good but I was able to get Fernando into Turn One.

"I think he went a bit deep and I was in Mark's tow. He covered the inside but I had enough room to go around the outside.

"I had Mark behind me for eight laps pushing me really, really hard - we both almost ran wide - but I was able to pull away as I think he had damaged his tyres a little bit.

"The pace isn't quite there but hopefully in the last races we can take that little step."

Read More

Former world badminton champion to be SEA Games torch bearer

Revered 1983 world badminton champion Icuk Sugiarto will be one of the torch bearers for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), an official said.

Central Java’s Youth and Sports Agency head Budi Santoso told reporters on Friday that Icuk was scheduled to receive the torch at the Mrapen Eternal Flame of Manggamas Village, Gobongan Regency on Sunday Oct.23.

Budi said that a traditional spiritual leader of the Mrapen flame would light the torch and hand it over to Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo before it is passed on to Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng.

The torch will later be extended to Indonesia SEA Games Organizing Committee (Inasoc) chairperson Rita Subowo, who would hand it over to Icuk.

Icuk will pass the torch to a group of five consisting of boxer Ahmad Amri, pencak silat masters Fitroh Ramadhani and Anisa Pangestina, volleyball great Ayu Fajar Rianti and Abdul Kohar, who helped bring international recognition to the sport of sepak takraw.

“The group of five will take turns in relaying the torch during a one-kilometer parade. After that the torch will be taken by car to Borobudur Temple in Magelang Regency and the entourage will spend the night in Yogyakarta,” Budi said Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

The entire torch relay will stop in Semarang, (Central Java), Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara), Jayapura (Papua), Makassar (South Sulawesi), Balikpapan (East Kalimantan), Jakarta and Palembang (South Sumatra).

Read More

Simoncelli dies after accident at Malaysian MotoGP

A Malaysian MotoGP official says Italian rider Marco Simoncelli has died after an accident at the race.

Norlina Ayob, press officer with the Sepang circuit, says Simoncelli, 24, died as a result of his injuries.

Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at turn 11, but his bike regained partial grip and pulled him back across the track, straight into the path of American Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi of Italy.

Simoncelli's helmet was ripped off in the incident and he was motionless on the track after the collision. He had been fourth at the end of lap one.

The other two riders are unhurt.

The race has been called off.

Read More

Pirelli To Supply Diablo Superbike Tyres In 17″ Sizes Starting From The 2013 WSBK

Pirelli announces that starting from 2013, it will begin supplying all the tyres for the World Superbike Championship, which currently are produced in 16.5″, in the 17″ size. This radical option will allow Pirelli to remain even closer to its philosophy, its unique approach towards competition with its continuous transferring of solutions developed in racing into road going products. This is achieved through development from the highest level production series- the World Superbike Championship for which Pirelli is the sole supplier.

Pirelli’s 16.5″ Diablo Superbike tyres are currently used not only in the Superbike World Championship, but also in World Endurance, BSB and CIV which have been the reference events to date. Until 2004 in fact, the unique supplier agreement did not exist in the Superbike World Championship so Pirelli adapted itself to the sizes offered by other suppliers.

In line with the primary goal of WSBK to showcase in the highest level of racing the products also sold on the market, Pirelli will replace the current 16.5″ tyres with 17″ sized tyres which have already been successful in the local Superbike championships in New Zealand, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Canada, Malaysia and many other local championships.

The 17” slick tyre is the optimal response for those seeking top performance without having to modify the chassis: ultra-high performance without mounting a new set of wheels or changing the bike’s settings.

Over the past three years, Pirelli has greatly accelerated its tyre development to meet riders needs and the power delivered by new bikes: in 2009, Pirelli introduced the new 190/60R17 size, in 2010 introduced a new high modulus carcass (Pirelli Patent), continuously improving compounds and finally in 2011 introduced the new 200/60R17 size.

Compared to the 16,5” slick tyre, the 17″ one offers a thicker tread for better handling and consistency, its footprint in mid to full lean is approx 10% wider thanks to a higher profile and a carcass able to endure more side force, all those features will definitely bring great benefits to motorcyclists all over the world.

The Superbike World Championship will be an excellent environment that will allow Pirelli, as sole supplier, to develop the best tyres for 17″, a size that is now more and more demanded by the market, thus remaining faithful to its motto “We sell what we race” and thus continuing to offer riders the highest quality products developed with the help of the great Superbike champions.

Read More

Successful Test For BMW Motorrad Motorsport At Portimão

Only two days after the 2011 season finale Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport already is in full swing preparing for next year’s FIM Superbike World Championship. Today, the team tested the further-developed and, in many areas, optimised 2012 BMW S 1000 RR at Portimão (POR). With sunshine and warm temperatures the conditions were ideal and the factory squad was able to collect important data and information with next year’s RR.

Modifications have been made, for instance, to the frame geometry and the fairing. For example, the fairing at the rear has been shortened and modified according to the new 2012 production RR design in aerodynamics. The front fairing is slightly steeper compared to the 2011 bike in order to optimise the aerodynamics and riders’ ergonomics. A new radiator, adapted to the modified geometry and body parts, has been installed for better thermodynamics. The 2012 RR also features a new engine spec which improves rideability and low end torque. Additional efforts have been made for optimising the weight balance and to improve ergonomics.

“It was a positive test day”, said BMW Motorrad factory rider Leon Haslam. “The new engine spec is a progress; you can feel a difference there. We now need to push more in that same direction. The main thing we were working on today was the chassis set up. The new bike needs to be set up a little bit differently than the 2011 one. I am confident in that area, too. Overall, I am glad to be back testing, looking for next year. We do not have to go out and race but can only focus on improving the bike. That is always good.”

“We were waiting for this day eagerly, as for the first time we went out on the track with both a new rider, Marco Melandri, and a new spec of our RR”, commented BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier. “We put a lot of work into the developing of this bike aiming to improve it in several areas. The feedback of both riders was exactly how we expected it to be. Overall, this was a very positive test and a confirmation of all the hard work of everybody in the team.”

Marco Melandri also was happy with his first test day and reported about many positive impressions. He used the test to get acquainted with the new team and his new working environment.

The collected data will now be analysed at the team’s facilities at Munich and Stephanskirchen for further development steps. The team will also conduct additional tests in the next few weeks. The 2012 season starts officially with the first race on February 26 at Phillip Island (AUS).

Read More

Get My Videos Back 1.3.0.1

Get My Videos Back is a small and simple application specificly designed to help you save video or audio files from scratched CDs or DVDs quickly and easy. This tool has several different options and features to save your media files. Ever had that problem where Windows can´t read a scratched or damnage disk? Yes… well this could be the very tool that saves that disc.

Get My Videos Back (aka GMVB) automatically identifies the source media type, setting itself up for the best result possible. One of the features it includes is “byte mode” where you can read the source file from byte to byte. This might be helpfull if the source media has lots of small scratches. The “byte mode” may use a large amount of your systems resources and the restoring procedure will taking much longer. However it is more likely to recover those discs with the most damage.

With GMVB you can save jobs and continue them later, using the previously restorefeature in this aplication. We cant guarentee it will save your files but it uses the latest technolgy and is your best chance of saving the media. GMVB also has a sector map that can help you to see the full progress of the restore procedure. You can see the count of errors and the skipped data size. The software also has a log file that that lets you know just what type of error could be on the disc.

Download (319.1KB)
Read More

MouseFIGHTER 5.6

Take control of the screen pointer with the keyboard. You will not need a mouse again.

What´s New in version 5.6:

* This version features mousewheel support! Press alt+up/down to scroll just like the mousewheel does.

Download 1.74MB
Read More

WinParrot 2.0.1

WinParrot is a free software program that can record and control any application on Windows. This software, certified on Windows XP, Vista and 7 has five usages:

Features:
* Automate your recurring tasks
* Load your data into your applications (Internet Explorer, Oracle Applications, SAP …) using data from an Excel spreadsheet
* Test the robustness of an application by simulating multiple users
* Conduct demonstration or training of an application (by slowing the speed of play)
* Schedule tasks (schedule the execution of macros).

What´s new in version 2.0.1:
* Debug your macros.
* Trace your macros.
* New operators, functions and type real.
* New GUI with zoom.

Download (659.5KB)
Read More

SynWrite Text-Editor 2.5.838

SynWrite is a handy, easy to use text editor designed to edit programs source codes with such features as syntax highlighting, code folding, tree structure, auto-completion and code templates. It also offers support for many encodings.

SynWrite is fully unicode based and supports many file encodings. User interface is available in different languages. Syntax highlighting is managed by a rich library of so called “lexers”. Almost all types of programming languages are included. Lexers are fully customizable in built-in lexer editor. Programmers will like features as Autocompletion and Code Templates. Different languages are supported here.

Other main features of editor are codefolding, organize code in syntax tree, color-based view of changes in document and a feature called “SyncEdit”. SyncEdit allows to do an inplace synchronized edit of all instances of a string. Different selection modes gives possibility to do a very detailed text selection; normal mode, line mode and column-oriented mode. Textmarkers and bookmarks helps to keep track in large documents. It´s possible to use Syn as portable app, so it runs directly from USB sticks. Syn also works as plugin for famous file manager “Total Commander”.

SynWrite is small in size and consumes very low memory, so it runs fast even on older machines. No long installation procedure is required. SynWrite makes text editing much easier. It is not only an editor for programmers. Everyone who works with text files will profit from its features.

Download (1.83MB)
Read More

Ocster Backup Free 1.71

Ocster Backup Free is a great backup software that was designed from the start to work fully automatic. You simply specify what you want backed up and when and then the software takes care of the rest.

The backups can be stored either on an external local hard disk (FREE) or (for a small fee) via the internet on the specially secured and highly reliable Ocster Secure Storage. With Ocster Secure Storage multiple highly encrypted copies of the data are stored in professional data centers. This protects the data from the dangers that can render locally stored backups unusable at any time (hard disk crashes, fire, theft, water damage, …).

Ocster Backup Free is really easy to use and requires no technical knowledge at all. But it still supports all the advanced features one expects from a modern backup software like incremental backups, encryption, compression and backing up open files. Backups can also be interrupted at any time and later resumed at the same point, even after restarting the computer.

System Requirements:

* Windows XP/Vista/7
* 512 MB RAM
* Free space on hard disk: ca. 100 MB

Download (21.03MB)
Read More

System Explorer Portable 3.0.3

SystemExplorer shows detailed infromation about Processes, Startups, Explorer, IE Addons, Uninstallers, Services, Drivers, Connections and Opened Files.

Features:
* Detailed informations about Processes, Startups, Explorer, IE Addons, Uninstallers, Windows, Services, Drivers, Connections and Opened Files
* Action History for monitoring processes activities
* Making of Registry & Files snapshots for easy comparing of system changes. Result of comparation is displayed in tree view and text list. Can be used for analysation of product installers/uninstallers (like Total Uninstall)
* Performance graphs for monitoring usage of system resources in time
* Easy check of suspicious files via VirusTotal
* Easy search details about file/process via online databases
* Easy access to System Utilities

What’s New in version 3.0.3:

* This version contains improved Tray Hint dialog, Process Details dialog, Uninstallers section and many fixes.

Download (2.15MB)
Read More

System Spec 3.00

System Spec is a very simple tool for those that want to gather the most important system specifications for their computer.

With System Spec you can see, save and print a complete spec of your PC. This standalone, system information utility can also perform various windows functions. Additional advanced info includes CPU, drives, applications, display, memory, networking, internet, CD / DVD drives and more.

The program does not require installation.

Download (2.10MB)
Read More

Microsoft Debug Diagnostic Tool 1.2

The Debug Diagnostic Tool (DebugDiag) is designed to assist in troubleshooting issues such as hangs, slow performance, memory leaks or fragmentation, and crashes in any Win32 user-mode process. The tool includes additional debugging scripts focused on Internet Information Services (IIS) applications, web data access components, COM+ and related Microsoft technologies.

DebugDiag was released as part of the IIS Diagnostic toolkit and as a standalone tool. DebugDiag 1.1 is currently available as a standalone tool.

DebugDiag provides an extensible object model in the form of COM objects and provides a script host with a built-in reporting framework.

It is composed of the following 3 components; a debugging service, a debugger host, and the user interface.

The Debugging Service
The debugger service (DbgSvc.exe) performs the following tasks:

* Attach/Detach the host to processes
* Collect performance monitor data
* Implement HTTP ping to detect hangs
* Inject leak monitor in running processes
* Collect debugging session state information
* Shows the state of each rule defined

The Debugger Host
The Debugger Host (DbgHost.exe) hosts the Windows Symbolic Debugger Engine (dbgeng.dll) to attach to processes and generate memory dumps. It also hosts the main analyzer module to analyze memory dumps. Dbghost.exe has no dependency on the service “DbgSvc.exe” and can be used separately.

The User Interface
The user interfaces (DebugDiag.exe and DebugDiagAnalysisOnly.exe) present an interface to analyze memory dumps, automate the creation of control scripts and show the status of running processes, including services.

It is composed of 3 views:

* Rules: Creates control script for the debugger host through a wizard. The script is located under \scripts
* Advanced Analysis: Runs a selected “Analysis Script” against one or more memory dumps.
* Processes: Shows status of running processes/services

Note: DebugDiagAnalysisOnly.exe does not require elevation on operating systems beginning with Vista, so it only contains the Advanced Analysis view.

Download (11.72MB)
Read More

StressMyPC 1.03

How long can your laptop battery hold a charge, or let your PC sweat a little. The StressMyPC application was designed to be a small tool that will test your CPU to 100% usage level.

* StressMyPC: Start / Stop the stress-test
* Paint-Stress: Simple stress for the graphics (GPU)
* Aggressiv CPU-Stress: Aggressiv stress for the CPU(s)
* HD-Stress: Stress for the hard drive

Warning!: Unstable and overclocked systems can be crashed.

What´s New in version 1.03:

* Again, optimizing the exercise test in ProcessKO.

Download (14.8KB)
Read More

HWiNFO64 v3.82.1315 Beta

HWiNFO64 is a professional hardware information and diagnostic tool supporting latest components, industry technologies and standards. This tool is designed to collect and present the maximum amount of information possible about computer´s hardware which makes them suitable for users searching for driver updates, computer manufacturers, system integrators and technical experts as well. Retrieved information is presented in a logical and easily understandable form and can be exported into various types of reports.

Features:
* Comprehensive hardware information
* System health monitoring (Thermal, Voltage, Fan, Power)
* Table, Logfile, Graph, Tray, Gadget, LG LCD reporting
* Full 64-bit Application
* Text, CSV, XML, HTML, MHTML report formats
* Periodical updates
* Windows XP/Vista/Server 2003/2008/Windows 7
* Platform: 64-bit (x64 / AMD64)

What´s New in version 3.82.1315 Beta:
* Fixed fan speed reporting on some NCT6776 boards.
* Added support of Nuvoton NCT7511Y, NCT7802Y and NCT7904D hardware monitors.
* Enhanced sensor monitoring on GIGABYTE A75 series.
* Enhanced sensor monitoring on ASUS F1A75 series.
* Added reporting of CPU Microcode Update Revision for AMD Family 10h and later models.
* Added support of SMSC LPC47B397, SCH5307 and SCH5317 hardware monitoring.
* Enhanced sensor monitoring on ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z.
* Added reporting of Chassis Intrusion for Winbond/Nuvoton, ITE and Fintek sensors.
* Added AMD HEATHROW XT/PRO, CHELSEA XT/PRO.

Download (2.75MB)
Read More

Top Process Monitor 3.2

Top Process Monitor is simple Sidebar gadget shows the top processes on your system – the processes that are consuming the most CPU, Memory (Working Set), IO (Bytes read/written) and others. It does not require any 3rd party applications. Resizable! Save settings to file. (File will be created – Path: %APPDATA% Filename: gadgetname_Settings.ini). Color changeable for all gadget´s elements, include background.

What´s New in version 3.2:

* Fixed bugs.

Download (153.3KB)
Read More

Hopkins forced to withdraw from Malaysian GP

Hopkins was due to make a wild-card appearance for the Rizla Suzuki team this weekend, but the third finger on his right-hand that he broke in the Czech Republic – also as a wild-card entry – has re-broken at the knuckle. The finger is swollen and seized overnight, making it impossible to ride a MotoGP machine competitively or safely.

Hopkins will stay for the remainder of the weekend to give his full support to team-mate Álvaro Bautista and the Rizla Suzuki squad, before he returns to America for further surgery and convalescence to repair the damage to his hand and enable him to make a full recovery in time for next season.

John Hopkins:
“I knew my hand was sore after yesterday afternoon, because it was hurting when I was riding. It is definitely a lot more painful riding a MotoGP bike than it was the British Superbike, mainly due to the immense braking forces on the GSV-R. I woke up just before six this morning and I had quite a bit of pain so I tried to loosen it up and bend it, but that wasn’t an option."

"The screws and the plates in the finger have come apart and there’s just no movement in the knuckle at all, so I cannot bend the finger. If I get any further damage to the injury it could result in amputation and certainly don’t want that! My Doctor is totally confident that he can fix it, but I just haven’t been able to rest it and give it the proper time needed to repair it over the last six weeks. I thought it would be fine to ride this weekend and had every hope of it working, but I didn’t expect the amount of force that goes into riding a GP bike would cause such a problem."

"I am so sorry for the team and Rizla Suzuki, because they have given me such a great opportunity again and now I can’t ride past the Friday - it’s heartbreaking and I can’t express my disappointment. It’s such a shame and I couldn’t be more upset, but the priority now is to get it fixed and get myself ready for the 2012 season.”

Press release courtesy of Rizla Suzuki MotoGP

Read More

Tough qualifying for Spies in Malaysia

The Texan’s injuries sustained in Australia continue to hamper his abilities to ride to the limit. As a result Spies crashed in both the morning practice and afternoon qualifying session, finally taking 16th place on the grid for tomorrow’s race.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga made a step forward today, Jorge’s replacement rider getting more familiar with his bike and team as the weekend progresses. Nakasuga-san wrapped up qualifying 2.6 seconds from pole, over two seconds closer to the fastest rider than yesterday. He will start tomorrow’s race from 17th on the grid, behind his temporary team mate Spies.

Ben Spies:
“It’s been a pretty eventful weekend. The bike is working really well but I’m just not feeling 100% and ready to get it over and done with. Qualifying was tough, we went out there and experienced a crash, I’m not sure why yet but we’ll check the data later. We don’t have a great position on the grid but we’ll do the best we can for points to try and hold on to fifth place for the Championship.”

Katsuyuki Nakasuga:
“This morning’s session was quite positive for me. I had a good feeling and found a rhythm on the track which was very motivating. Tomorrow I will try my best for a good position. The bike set up is working well so I am feeling confident for my first ever MotoGP race.”

Wilco Zeelenberg - Team Manager:
“This is a completely different experience to last year where we won the Championship here. Now we are second last and last on the grid. I think Nakasuga-san did a good job today, his lap time was a lot better than yesterday and he didn’t crash so he did well. He has to learn a lot but we are now approaching it the right way. He’s improving so let’s see how he gets on tomorrow. It’s going to be a long hot race, he looks good in a group so hopefully he can stay up there with some of the pack and fight with them until the end.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Read More

Pedrosa takes pole as Repsol Honda Team dominates front row

Dani Pedrosa took his second pole of the season (third one in MotoGP at the Sepang circuit) with 2011 World Champion Casey Stoner in second, just 0.029 off the Spaniard and Andrea Dovizioso in third.

Pedrosa, who has been the fastest all weekend, continued his dominance in qualifying even after crashing at the beginning of the session. The time of 2'01.462 achieved on his 18th lap, put Dani out of reach from Casey (2'01.491) and Andrea (2'01.666), who fought until the last seconds for pole position.

The Repsol Honda Team have achieved double front row places nine times this season, 8 with Stoner and Pedrosa and 1 with Stoner and Dovizioso, but it is the first time this season that the team has occupied the entire front row for qualifying, a feat not matched since the final race of 1997 at Phillip Island when Mick Doohan was on pole with Alex Crivillé second and Takuma Aoki third. Also in that race, Tadayuki Okada was fourth on the grid making it an all Repsol Honda front row (in 1997 there were four riders on each row of the grid).

All three riders have lapped under the circuit record and have the pace to fight for the victory tomorrow but tyre choice and weather conditions will be key factors to consider.

Dani Pedrosa:
"It was a very difficult session, extremely hot, I couldn't breathe inside the helmet. We had a small crash in the front that I didn't expect, but was able to go back and go faster and take my second pole of the season. I thought I would be able to improve a little more at the end and get closer to the time I did yesterday, but I found some traffic on my final run. Anyway, it's good to be on pole and I hope our race pace can be even better. We have to work on the set up and make a good rear tyre choice because our rivals are also very strong. It's going to be very physically demanding for everybody. To have three Repsol Honda riders on the front row is very good, but we cannot forget the other rivals and we must keep focused to finish the weekend in the best way."

Casey Stoner:
"I tried to steal pole but it wasn't really our day today. We tried a few different things in set up but we haven't really gone the right direction at all this weekend. In qualifying we tried to find another path to go but we just haven't been able to get grip along with turning, we can find one or the other but at best they are both average so we have some improvement to make for tomorrow. Our race pace isn't too bad, we've looked worse than everyone else because we've been running on the harder tyre all weekend but once we put the soft tyres on the bike worked a little better."

Andrea Dovizioso:
“I’m really happy with this front row and even more satisfied with my race pace. We have improved a lot, reducing the gap to two tenths after being 1.4 seconds behind in FP2 and 0.8 behind in FP3. We were consistent and fast both with soft and hard tyre, meaning that it’s possible to race with both of them. This afternoon the conditions were really demanding, it was very hot and there was no grip but we were able to be consistently fast so we go into the race very strong. With such conditions here it’s impossible to push 100% for 20 laps so it will be very important to make a strategy for the race and to manage the tyres. I really like this track and tomorrow it would be fantastic to repeat a Repsol Honda 1, 2, 3 on the Podium, but… in the reverse order!"

Repsol Honda press release.

Read More

Lenovo IdeaPad A1

Specifications
Lenovo IdeaPad A1
Network2G
3G
SizeDimensions
Weight
Display		195 x 125 x 12 mm (7.68 x 4.92 x 0.47 in)
400 gram
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
600 x 1024 pixels, 7.0 inches (~170 ppi pixel density)
MemoryPhonebook
Call records
Internal
Card slot

16 GB, 512 MB RAM
microSD, up to 32 GB
DataGPRS
EDGE
3G
WLAN
Bluetooth
Infrared port
USB


Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
v2.1 with A2DP, EDR

microUSB v2.0
FeaturesOS
CPU
Messaging
Alert
Browser
Radio
GPS
Games
Camera
Video
Colors
Java		Android OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread)
1.0 GHz Cortex-A8
Email, Push Email, IM
Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
HTML, Adobe Flash

Yes
Yes
3.15 MP
Yes
Black, blue, pink, white
via Java MIDP emulator
- Loudspeaker
- Multitouch
- 3.5mm jack
- Geo-tagging
- Accelerometer, compass (sensors)
- MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC player
- MP4/H.264 player
- Document viewer
- Organizer
- Predictive text input
- Clock
- Calendar
- Alarm
Battery
Stand-by
Talk time		Non-removable Li-Ion battery
Up to
Up to 6 h

Image: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_ideapad_a1-pictures-4442.php
Read More

Bridgestone reviews a drama-filled Japanese GP

Starting from fourth on the grid, Pedrosa was one of five riders to use the harder front and rear slicks and once at the front of the field, he didn’t look back and set a new lap record to round-off what has been a very fast weekend. Factory Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo followed him across the finish line in second to cut Casey Stoner’s championship lead, but only by four points to 40 with three rounds remaining.

Throughout the rest of the field though, the action was far more intense. Stoner got away to an early lead until he ran wide at turn eleven on lap five, demoting him to seventh although he fought back strongly to clinch third. The top three all used the harder front and rear slicks as the sun emerged just before the start of the race, warming the tarmac enough for some riders to change their minds about the durability of the softer rear. Every rider chose the hard compound front slicks which have been favoured all weekend because of their extra braking stability.

As the field constantly changed as a result of crashes and ride-through penalties and riders fought to regain positions, some intense battles emerged in the closing stages, especially between Simoncelli and Dovizioso who almost traded paint to finish fourth and fifth respectively. Dovizioso was the highest-placed rider to use the soft compound rear slick.

Yoshiyuki Morimoto – Vice President and Senior Officer, Bridgestone Corporation
“I would like to congratulate the Repsol Honda Team and Dani Pedrosa for their excellent victory here today at the home circuit of HRC. We are honoured to have been able to support this Japanese Grand Prix especially after the earthquake earlier this year and for MotoGP to have shown such solidarity with the Japanese people. MotoGP remains a very important platform for us and Bridgestone will continue to strive to provide tyres of consistently high quality and safety and a fair tyre service to all teams.”

Hirohide Hamashima – Assistant to Director, Motorsport Tyre Development Division
“With the incidents on track that was a very frantic race for all but Dani and Jorge who avoided trouble to stay in front. The sun emerged shortly before the race start which meant the tarmac got hotter and with race tyre choice so dependent on the weather, many riders made their selection last minute. The hard front was always favoured for its extra stability under braking, but rear tyre choice was more mixed. With the top four riders, clearly the harder rear was the faster choice, but I am pleased that even our soft compound allowed Álvaro to run in third for a time, and we could see that until the end Andrea was able to fight hard with Marco, who used the harder rear.”

Bridgestone press release

Read More

Simoncelli gets first taste of RC213V

After agreeing a new contract with San Carlo Honda Gresini and HRC at Motegi, Marco Simoncelli was back on track on Monday following a bittersweet Grand Prix to test the 1000cc bike he will ride next year. It was an important opportunity to discover the potential of the RC213V and give his feedback to HRC, and turned out to be a fun day for Marco who now heads to the Philippines for a short break before the next round of the MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.

Marco Simoncelli
“The big day finally arrived and I was able to test the bike I will be riding in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year. It was a fantastic experience to get out on the RC213V and I would like thank HRC for the opportunity. I completed 50 laps and quickly felt confident with the new bike, setting similar lap times to the RC212V. At the end of the day I gave my feedback and suggestions, which I hope will be important in the development of the bike from here. Now I am taking some days off on the island of Boracay in the Philippines before the next race at Phillip Island.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release

Read More

Hopkins To Race At Sepang MotoGP

John Hopkins will re-join the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team as a wild-card rider in Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday 23rd October.

Hopkins will make a welcome return to the Rizla Suzuki squad for his second wild-card event of the season. His first event was at Brno where he unfortunately crashed and injured his right hand in a practice session. He had shown huge potential during the first day and had finished in 10th place on the time-sheets, but his injury on day two stopped the Anglo-American from showing what he might have achieved after a full weekend on-board the Suzuki GSV-R. Hopkins has already completed a MotoGP race this season, after he deputised for Alvaro Bautista at Jerez and scored a creditable 10th place at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Hopkins is currently leading the British Superbike championship onboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000 with the Samsung Crescent Racing team. The final event of the season will see him compete in a triple-header race weekend at Brands Hatch in England on October 8-9th, as he attempts to secure the Championship during his debut season.

John Hopkins:
“I am really pumped to get this chance to ride in a MotoGP race with the Rizla Suzuki team. I thought after Brno that I wouldn’t get the opportunity again and was really disappointed that I missed out there due to a silly mistake, so to be heading to Sepang is fantastic. It is one of my favourite tracks and I know it well because we used to test there a lot. My main focus is on the British Championship at the moment, but as soon as that is over I will be in MotoGP mode and putting all my efforts into getting a good result at Sepang and showing that I can perform at the highest level. I really want to get back into MotoGP and this is a great chance to show what I can do.

“Again I need to thank everyone at Rizla Suzuki for giving me this opportunity and my Samsung Crescent team – I hope that by the time I get back on the MotoGP bike we will have been celebrating something really big at Brands Hatch!”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“We’d intended to give John at least one outing on the Rizla Suzuki Grand Prix bike this year and we’re delighted that he’ll join us in Malaysia to form a two-man team with Alvaro. Sepang is one of John’s favourite tracks and also one that the GSV-R has performed well at in the past. What happened in Brno – with John’s injury – and the way he has worked so hard to come back from it and challenge for the British Superbike Championship, has only reaffirmed his commitment to success and getting back to the top level. Let’s hope at Sepang we manage to line up at the start of the race with two Rizla Suzukis and that Alvaro and John can show what they and the team are all capable of producing.”

Read More

Marco Melandri Lines Up Alongside Leon Haslam For BMW Motorrad Motorsport In 2012

BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed its second rider for the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship: alongside Britain’s Leon Haslam (28), 29-year-old former MotoGP rider Marco Melandri (ITA) will ride the second BMW S 1000 RR for the team from Munich and Stephanskirchen.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier says: “We are really looking forward to working with Leon and Marco. I am convinced we will have arguably the strongest rider’s line up in the Superbike World Championship field. We are delighted to have two riders who are both hungry and experienced for the coming season. That is the next important step for our team.” Gobmeier adds: “Marco has performed brilliantly this season, even during difficult periods. He impressed us in his first season in the championship, and we are pleased to be able to welcome him into our team.”

Profile: Marco Melandri

Date of birth: 7th August 1982
Place of birth: Ravenna (ITA)
Place of residence: Ravenna (ITA)
Family status: Engaged
Height: 1.66 m
Weight: 60 kg
Hobbies: All kinds of motorsports, cycling, music
Passion: Bikes
First bike: Malaguti Grizzly 50ccm
First race: 1989, Mini-Bikes, Cattolica (ITA)
Career highlight: 250ccm World Champion (2002), 2nd MotoGP (2005)
Superbike World Championship record: 22 races, 12 podium finishes, 3 wins, 5 second and 4 third places, 1 pole position, 3 fastest race laps

Website: www.marcomelandri.it

Read More

Archive