Force India on track for March debut

Although their rivals are already tweaking their new cars after testing last week, Force India are yet to unveil their 2009 challenger. But on Friday the team revealed that they are on target to debut the VJM02 during testing in early March, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix later in the month.

As well as adjusting to 2009’s extensive regulation changes, Force India have also switched from an engine supply deal with Ferrari to a new technical partnership with McLaren. And with the engine and gearbox contract only agreed in November, the team have been working flat out ever since to accommodate the late change of plan.

“The deal took quite a while to do and therefore the announcement and the opportunity to start work was late, especially considering the package included such fundamental items such as the gearbox,” technical director James Key told the team’s official website. “It’s obviously very tight, because of what we’ve had to do. But the plan is to hit the last two official team tests before the season.”

Although modifying the car's design to incorporate a new gearbox and engine has been a complicated process, Key has clearly relished the challenge and has been pleased with how smooth the transition has been.

“We had to determine how compatible the existing designs were,” he added. “In some areas it was fairly straightforward. Some areas of the car matched very well with the new packaging requirements we had, while in other areas it was significantly different.

“I think it’s just getting everything together. McLaren have been absolutely excellent, they understand that we’ve had a lot of work to do in a short time. They’ve been extremely supportive, very helpful.”

And if Force India's progress continues at the same rate throughout February, the VJM02 is expected to hit the track for the first time on March 1 at a multi-team test at the Spanish circuit of Jerez.

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Singapore to be fine-tuned to boost overtaking

Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, organisers have announced that the layout of the Marina Bay circuit will be improved further ahead of the 2009 event.

Following consultation with the FIA and the teams, minor changes will be made to Turns One, 13 and 14 to further increase the potential for overtaking, whilst road surface improvements will be undertaken at Turns Five, Six and Seven, and revisions made to the pit-lane entry and exit as well as the Turn 22 runoff area.

“While the circuit and the event exceeded expectations around the world, as with any brand new event, there are always things which we now know we can do better,” explained Singapore’s technical and race operations director, Michael McDonough.

“Minor modifications are proposed on the track, at Turns One, Seven and 14 in order to improve overtaking opportunities whilst the main changes will be to the Pit Entry and Pit Exit to provide added margins of safety for cars entering and leaving the pit lane.”

The changes to Turn One will involve modification to the geometry to reduce corner speed so that it provides potential overtaking opportunities in the braking zone at the approach to the corner. The modifications will involve relocating the corner apex, reducing the corner radius and thereby cutting the estimated cornering speed.

When the cars took to the track last September, some drivers took a far wider line in this corner than expected, turning in from the concrete verge next to the wall. Kerbing will therefore be installed on the entry to prevent this.

Turn 13, the tight left-handed hairpin after the historic Anderson Bridge, will be amended to increase cornering speed, providing additional speed on Esplanade Drive and increasing the opportunity for overtaking in the braking zone at Turn 14. With the revision, the cars are now likely to reach speeds of approximately 275km/h along Esplanade Drive.

In addition, the geometry of Turn 14 will also be modified to improve overtaking opportunities in the braking zone. The changes will involve relocating the corner apex to reduce the corner radius and reducing the estimated cornering speed of the cars.

During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a significant speed differential was observed at the apex of Turn 22 between cars entering the pit lane and those lapping the track. To reduce any risk of interference between them, a dedicated pit-lane entry will be constructed.

The pit exit will also be changed. Last year it entered the circuit into the braking zone for Turn One, immediately after the pit wall. Following suggestions from the FIA, the pit lane will be realigned and lengthened for 2009, exiting on the drivers’ left at Turn Two, away from the racing line and onto a part of the circuit where the cars will all be accelerating.

Finally, the runoff distances at Turn 22 will be reduced, providing better spectator circulation in the area. The 2009 Singapore Grand Prix will take place from September 25-27.

Source:
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Golfer Compton misses cut in Dubai

DUBAI (AFP) - American transplant golfer Erik Compton's brave bid to make the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic ended in failure on Saturday.

Eight months after undergoing a second heart transplant, he received a sponsor's invitation to play in the European Tour event and travelled all the way from his home in Miami to take part.

He gave himself hope of making the cut with an opening one-under 71 on Thursday but a three-over 75 on Saturday wrecked his chances.

Diagnosed at age nine with cardiomyopathy, an enlarging of the heart that hinders its ability to pump blood, Compton had his first transplant at 12 years old and he only took up golf as part of his rehabilitation.

He quickly devloped into one of the top junior players in the United States and was a No.1 ranked amateur and a two-time All-American at Georgia before he turned pro in 2001 playing mostly on the secondary Nationwide Tour.

Tragically, he suffered a massive heart attack last year and had to undergo a second transplant in May 2008.

Five months later he was back in competition advancing to the second stage of the PGA Tour's qualifying tournament.

Compton will now head home for the birth of his first child and will take up another sponsor's invitation to the prestigious Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour.

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Stoner shocked by Kawasaki exit

Casey Stoner shocked by Kawasaki's MotoGP exit, Nicky Hayden expects positive response.

Ducati Marlboro riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden have both responded to Kawasaki's exit from MotoGP.

During Ducati's 'Wrooom' press ski meeting at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy on Wednesday, the 2006 and 2007 MotoGP world champions were asked for their reaction to the news that Kawasaki will 'suspend' its factory MotoGP activities due to the global financial crises.

"It's shocking to be honest, I really didn't expect it. We are trying to keep as many bikes on the grid as possible. I miss the days when there were 25-30 bikes on the grid," Reuters reports Stoner as saying. "But Kawasaki leaving isn't a reason for everyone to start panicking. I think they are leaving not just because of financial reasons."

New Ducati signing Hayden, whose former employer Honda has been forced to sell its F1 team, said he was thankful that Ducati has the likes of Marlboro to help bankroll its GP project.

The American also believes that rule changes, such as those limiting testing, will help prevent any of the remaining four factories joining Kawasaki on the sidelines.

"We are the lucky ones and have good sponsors," he said. "MotoGP is strong... and has some good people in charge. They are trying to adjust and this year we'll have new rules to save costs and it'll make MotoGP stronger."

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Hirvonen Secures A Podium Finish For Ford

Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished third on the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Ireland today. The Finns, driving a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, overcame treacherous conditions after more than 48 hours of incessant rain flooded Rally Ireland's speed tests. It was the pair's tenth podium from the last 12 rallies.

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila recovered from a first day accident to finish 14th in their Focus RS WRC, sufficient to claim manufacturer points for Ford, which lies second in the standings. Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr were eighth in the team's third car, as five Focus RS WRCs finished in the top ten. It was the Abu Dhabi's driver first-ever point.

The three-day rally was based in Sligo, in the Republic of Ireland, but the rally snaked its way back and forth across the border into Northern Ireland. The asphalt speed tests covered a mix of flowing mountain roads and bumpy, narrow farm lanes. But perhaps the biggest challenge was the weather as continuous rain during the opening two days left standing water in many places and forced the cancellation of two tests on Friday. Drivers tackled 17 special stages covering 327.28km.

Such was the state of the roads that for much of the rally Hirvonen and Latvala used Pirelli's Sottozero winter tyre to provide better grip. More accustomed to being used in snow and ice, the tyre pattern nevertheless provided excellent traction in the rain-soaked stages. Only when the rain stopped and blue skies appeared for today's final leg did the Ford drivers revert to the standard soft compound tyre.

Hirvonen settled into third on the opening leg and challenged Dani Sordo for second until a power steering problem yesterday morning ended his hopes of moving up. With a comfortable margin over his pursuers, 28-year-old Hirvonen elected to ease his pace and settle for third despite winning four of five today's stages.

"This is the more difficult of the two asphalt events in the calendar and six points is a good start to the year," said Hirvonen. "I'm pleased with that but would have been even happier with more. Conditions were quite extreme with so much water during the opening two days. Today there wasn't so much water, but it was just as slippery because the roads were muddy instead of just wet. It's a shame about our power steering problem because it meant I couldn't fight with Dani to the end."

Latvala powered into the lead on Friday's opening stage but lost control of his Focus RS WRC on the next stage and hit a rock. The impact broke his car's driveshaft and track control arm and he was forced into retirement for the day. He restarted yesterday under SupeRally rules and concentrated on rebuilding his confidence, maintaining a steady pace to climb from 25th to 14th to take vital points.

"I've had an up and down weekend," he admitted. "I felt I let the team down on Friday because I came here to get good points and I only scored a few. But the past is the past, and I hope I have learned from it and don't get so excited when I'm leading in the future. This weekend was a good experience in difficult conditions and two points is better than none. After my accident I concentrated on driving cautiously but it's hard to generate the same kind of feeling in those circumstances."

Al Qassimi hit a tree on the opening day but was overjoyed to score his maiden WRC point. "I've been pushing hard all week and to score my first point in such a difficult rally gives me a lot of confidence. We're trying to put Abu Dhabi on the rally map and being the first United Arab Emirates driver to score a WRC point has always been one of the goals. I'm happy I've been able to keep progressing and justify the faith shown in me. Hopefully I'll win more points before the end of the season," he said.

Team Director Malcolm Wilson said: "Both drivers claimed fastest times on their least favourite surface and both have gained in experience and know-how in very difficult conditions. I'm pleased Jari-Matti fought back from his first day problems and delighted also for Khalid."

Ford of Europe Motorsport Director Mark Deans added: "This rally was all about maximising manufacturer points in an event which was less likely to favour our drivers. As we look ahead to the next round in Norway, I'm confident we can reverse that situation. To have five Focus RS WRCs finishing in the top ten is a testament to its speed, strength and reliability. Of particular note was Khalid's impressive performance, securing his and his country's first WRC point."

Source:
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Loeb cruises to victory in Rally of Ireland

SLIGO, Ireland (AFP) - World champion Sebastien Loeb cruised to victory in his Citroen C4 on Sunday to win the Rally of Ireland, the first leg of this year's World Rally Championship, repeating his 2007 triumph by seeing off teammate Dani Sordo.

Loeb won by 1min 27sec to bag his 48th career title alongside Monegasque co-pilot Daniel Elena.

Finn Mikko Hirvonen was third in his Ford Focus, more than two minutes off the searing pace that five-time champion Loeb had set from the outset despite the atrocious, rainy conditions.

Loeb had set out his stall by dominating the proceedings Friday and Saturday and in the 19th and final special around Donegal Town he successfully kept his rivals at arm's length.

Aussie Chris Atkinson of Citroen failed in his bid to deprive Ford Focus driver Henning Solberg of fourth place after he ran into difficulty in the 18th special but still held onto fifth at the expense of junior world champion Sebastien Ogier.

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Ferrari and McLaren: The best of friends

Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni spent a day at McLaren's Woking factory on Thursday, meeting team boss Ron Dennis and other staff.

"If you had told me a year ago that I would be doing this I would not have believed you," he said at a media dinner co-hosted by the two teams.

McLaren were fined a record $100 million (£70m) in 2007 and stripped of all their constructors' points for their involvement in a spying controversy over leaked Ferrari technical data in their possession.

Champions Ferrari also started legal action against their rivals, with Dennis and other executives questioned by Italian police. The action was later dropped after a McLaren apology.

Since then, the climate has changed with Jean Todt handing over as Ferrari boss to Stefano Domenicali while Dennis is due to step down as McLaren principal on March 1 to make way for Martin Whitmarsh.

The Formula One Teams Association was set up last July to represent the teams in talks with the governing FIA and commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

FOTA is headed by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, with Dennis and Whitmarsh visiting the Italian team's Maranello factor for a meeting last season as the urgent need for cost cutting became apparent.

Montezemolo, who has criticised Ecclestone's running of the sport, described Dennis earlier this month as "a first-class person from a first-class team" and said F1 needed great competition on the track and great unity off it.

While FOTA have agreed significant savings with the FIA for this season and beyond, they want Ecclestone to hand over far more of the sport's revenues to them than the 50 per cent they currently receive.

Dennis said that McLaren and Ferrari were "working extremely closely together" and he would devote more of his time to FOTA activities.

"The result of our cooperation, supported by all the other teams, has already been profound," he said.

"The cost-cutting measures that FOTA put forward were agreed by (FIA president) Max Mosley, when we met him in Monte Carlo on December 10, and were taken further when FOTA met again, this time without Max, in London on January 8.

"As such, FOTA has already achieved great things, and it will achieve even greater things in the weeks, months and years to come.

"We're not complacent; we're not reluctant to embrace radical change; we're not hidebound by on-track rivalries," added Dennis.

"No - working together for the good of the future of Formula One, we'll continue to devise powerful strategies and innovations intended to improve our sport so as to make it more affordable, more environmentally friendly and more appealing to spectators and TV viewers."

Reuters

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