Bourdais to race for Peugeot at Le Mans and Sebring

Recently-reconfirmed Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais is to combine his 2009 Formula One commitments with two sportscar appearances for Peugeot, including the epic Le Mans 24-hour race in June.

Bourdais was announced by Peugeot on Tuesday as part of a nine driver line-up, which also includes Ferrari Formula One tester Marc Gene and BMW Sauber counterpart Christian Klien.

Frenchman Bourdais finished second at Le Mans with Peugeot in 2007. As part of his preparations for this year’s event he will also compete in the Sebring 12-hour race in the USA on March 21, the weekend prior to the first round of the 2009 Formula One season, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Source:
http://www.formula1.com

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LG KP501 Cookie

Specifications
LG KP501 Cookie

Network	2G 3G	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Size	Dimensions Weight Display	106.5 x 55.4 x 11.9 mm (4.19 x 2.18 x 0.47 in) 89 gram TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches (~155 ppi pixel density)
Memory	Phonebook Call records Internal Card slot	1000 entries, Photocall 40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls 48 MB microSD, up to 16 GB
Data	GPRS EDGE 3G WLAN Bluetooth Infrared port USB	Class 10 Class 10 v2.1 with A2DP v2.0
Features	OS CPU Messaging Alert Browser Radio GPS Games Camera Video Colors Java	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, composer WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML Stereo FM radio, RDS Yes 3.15 MP 320p@12fps Anodizing Silver, Capri Green, Pink, Black MIDP 2.0 - Loudspeaker - Mini-SIM - Flash UI - Handwriting recognition - Accelerometer (sensor) - MP3/WMA/AAC player - MP4 player - Organizer - Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) - Voice memo - Predictive text input - Clock - Calendar - Alarm
Battery	Stand-by Talk time	Standard battery, Li-Ion 900 mAh Up to 350 h Up to 3 h 30 min

Image: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_kp501_cookie-pictures-2660.php

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Aprilia Pegaso 650

Specifications

• Engine: Single-cylinder four-stroke with light alloy cylinder. Liquid cooling with three way pressurised circuit. Single overhead cam with chain timing drive; four valves. Anti-vibration balancer shaft.

• Fuel: Unleaded fuel.

• Bore x Stroke: 100 x 84 mm

• Total displacement: 660 cc

• Compression ratio: 10:1

• Maximum power at the crank: 48 HP (35 kW) at 6,000 rpm.

• Maximum torque at the crank: 6.01 kgm ( 59 Nm) at 5,000 rpm.

• Fuel system: Integrated electronic engine management system. Electronic fuel injection. 44 mm throttle body.

• Ignition: Electronic.

• Starting: Electric starter.

• Generator: 290 W

• Lubrification: Dry sump with oil pump.

• Gear box: 5 speed. Transmission ratios: 1st 12/30 2nd 16/26 3rd 20/23 4th 22/20 5th 26/20

• Clutch: Multi-plate in oil bath. Cable operated.

• Primary drive: Spur gears. Transmission ratio: 36/75.

• Final drive: Chain. Transmission ratio: 15/44.

• Frame: Steel, open cradle, single spar frame.

• Front suspension: 45 mm fork. Wheel travel 140 mm.

• Rear suspension: High strength steel swingarm. Aprilia Progressive System (APS) rising rate linkages. Sachs hydraulic monoshock with adjustable rebound and preload. Wheel travel 130 mm.

• Brakes: Front: stainless steel floating disc, Æ 320 mm, four piston caliper. Rear: stainless steel disc, Æ 240 mm, two piston caliper.

• Wheels: Alloy wheels with twinned spokes. Front: 3.50 x 17". Rear: 4.50 x 17".

• Tyres: Front: 110/70-17. Rear: 160/60-17.

• Dimensions: Overall length: 2,173 mm Overall width: 810 mm Ground clearance: 250 mm Seat height: 780 mm Wheelbase: 1,479 mm

• Fuel tank capacity: 16 litres (3.5 litre reserve).

Source:
http://www.aprilia.com

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F1 cost cuts saved Bourdais' STR seat

If it wasn't for the dramatic cost-cutting measures introduced by the FIA at the end of the 2008 season, then Sebastien Bourdais may well have missed out on securing a race seat this year.

Bourdais initially looked like he was on his way out of F1 after Toro Rosso made it clear that they are looking for a driver with personal sponsorship. However, the team later changed their mind after motorsport's governing body announced major cost-cutting measures.

Frenchman Bourdais, who was competing with Takuma Sato for the final seat at STR, admits things didn't look very rosy in the beginning as he struggled to find financial backers.

"The choice of driver was firstly linked to the need to find sponsors, and then it wasn't, and then it was again," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"Originally it was effectively essential, and then when all the cost-saving measures were taken into account, it was clear that Red Bull would save $100 million on its two teams.

"All of a sudden it became much less of a worry and I was back at the head of the queue compared to their initial preferences.

"Previously (manager) Nicolas Todt had looked everywhere for backers but it didn't go as he would've liked because of the difficult economic climate."

The 29-year-old says although the situation "unbearable", he didn't take it personally.

"I've tried not to take it personally," he added.

"I fully understood that it was linked to the economic context - which was complicated for both the team and the wider economy.

"There was a moment when it was truly hard. The situation was just unbearable. It's taken time, quite simply.

"From a competitive standpoint I saw that the team had a real wish for continuity and to do a second season with me - there was a certain investment made last year.

"As far as I'm concerned, we didn't really have success and therefore it would've been a shame to end it there.

"It was the wish of (team boss) Franz Tost, the engineers and the mechanics to ensure that there was a sequel to the story because we saw it had potential last year."

Source:
http://www.planetf1.com

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Aprilia Mana 850

Specifications

Model Type	Standard
BASE MSRP(US)	$9,899.00
Engine:
Engine Type	V Twin
Cylinders	2
Engine Stroke	4-Stroke
Cooling	Liquid
Valves	8
Valves Per Cylinder	4
Valve Configuration	SOHC
Compression Ratio	10:1
Starter	Electric
Fuel Type	Gas
Transmission:
Transmission Type	Continuously Variable (CVT)
Number Of Speeds	7
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel)	Chain
Wheels & Tires:
Front Tire (Full Spec)	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire (Full Spec)	180/55 ZR17
Brakes:
Front Brake Type	Dual Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type	Hydraulic Disc
Technical Specifications:
Wheelbase (in/mm)	57.6 / 1463
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)	4.4 / 16.7

Source:
http://www.motorcycle.com

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Max: More likely than not Honda will survive

Max Mosley reckons it's "more likely than not" that Honda will find a buyer for their F1 team and make this year's starting grid.

Honda put their F1 team up for sale at the end of last year due to financial reasons. The team, though, has yet to be sold and with less than two months to go before the start of the new season time is fast running out.

Mosley, though, believes there's still a good chance that Honda will make the starting grid in Melbourne.

"I have no inside knowledge but my feeling from all the circumstances is that it is more likely than not," the FIA President told Reuters.

"Talking to the people around the team, they seem optimistic. But they always are until the moment comes.

"They (team principal Brawn and chief executive Nick Fry) may succeed. They are both very competent people."

But should Honda fail to find a buyer, the 68-year-old has downplayed the impact it will have on Formula One.

"It wouldn't actually be damaging, I think it would make everyone realise finally that there really is a problem," he said. "There are one or two people who still don't understand.

"I don't think it would matter provided we could lay out a plan for 2010 that makes it possible for a small team to run competitively and do so without losing money.

"I think the days of the billionaires who piss money away are gone."

Source:
http://www.planetf1.com

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Webber aids recovery with cryogenic chamber therapy

After breaking his leg in a road accident in November, Red Bull’s Mark Webber has been keeping busy recuperating ahead of the 2009 season. And alongside gym and pool work, Webber has recently sampled the unconventional treatment of cryogenic chamber therapy in an effort to keep up his fitness levels.

“I’ve been doing it for three weeks now,” the Australian told Red Bull’s official website. “You go from a normal, ambient room temperature into a chamber of -50 degrees Celsius for about 30 seconds and then for another three minutes into -130 degrees Celsius.

"It’s very good for your general well-being, your immune system and apparently it’s good for cellulite. Not much of a worry for me… but it’s very good for the whole body.”

The therapy’s cold temperatures help to boost blood supply, which is especially important in helping to heal fractures like Webber’s. And the 32 year-old, who recently spent time karting at the Austrian Hahnenkamm Rennen event, believes it has helped his recovery as he looks ahead to returning to his Red Bull cockpit.

“The results over the last few weeks have been incredible,” he explained. “We had a really good week last week, so we’re really positive… dare I say it, we’re probably a little bit ahead of schedule.”

Webber hopes to be fit enough to sample the RB5, alongside new team mate Sebastian Vettel, when the team launch their 2009 car next week at the Spanish circuit of Jerez on February 9.

Source:
http://www.formula1.com

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