Teams agree to scrap Kers system

The Formula One Teams' Association has agreed to abandon the energy storage and recovery system (Kers) for the 2010 season, BBC Sport understands.

The optional Kinetic Energy Recovery System can give cars a power boost, but only Ferrari and McLaren are now still using it seven races into the season.

Fota will drop it because of its poor uptake - and pressure from motorsport's governing body, the FIA, to cut costs.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said it was a "logical decision".

When asked by BBC Sport F1 pundit Eddie Jordan ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday if Fota teams had agreed and signed by democratic decision to abandon Kers next season in an earlier meeting, Domenicali confirmed that was the case.

"That is our position jointly," he said. "Of course we are the ones that are using it now with McLaren.

"We have invested a lot of money in it and it's difficult for the public to understand how there are cars with Kers and cars with no Kers.

"I think in the view of helping new teams to get into F1, and in order to save money, that is a logical decision - even if we have invested a lot of money in that project."

Under the rules at the start of this season, Kers - which provides drivers with an extra boost of power for 6.7 seconds per lap - would also be in place at the start of 2010.

The power - 80bhp - was also due to be increased next year, meaning all teams would have had to have had it in order to remain competitive.

But that will no longer be the case.

BBC Sport understands that Ferrari are desperate to drop their system because it has been so unreliable for them, while McLaren's package developed by Mercedes has proved more successful.

Though McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh is a fan of Kers, for a variety of reasons, he accepts that dropping it may be the only way forward.

"F1 has to demonstrate it has some green credentials," he told BBC Sport. "But, at the same time, in this economic climate everybody is looking to save costs.

"It has been a huge effort talking about new entrants and making sure these smaller teams stay in F1.

"McLaren's position is we would like to see Kers retained - but we also accept that we have to be responsible members of the F1 community and if the majority don't want to have Kers, or can't afford Kers at the moment, then we have to be realistic."

BMW Sauber and Renault both ran with Kers, which adds extra weight to the car, at the start of the season but both teams stopped experimenting with it after little success.

Championship pacesetters Brawn GP have no plans to introduce Kers to their cars.

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

Suzuki Access 125

Specifications
Dimensions And Dry Mass
Overall length : 1780 mm
Overall width : 650 mm
Overall height : 1125 mm
Wheelbase : 1250 mm
Ground clearance : 160 mm
Seat height : 780 mm
Dry mass : 109 kgs
Engine
Type : Four-stroke, Air-cooled,OHC
Number of cylinders : 1
Displacement : 124 cm3 (cc)
Max Power : 6.4 Kw@7000rpm (8.58hp@7000rpm)
Max Torque : 9.8Nm@5000rpm (1.0kg-m@5500rpm)
Air cleaner : Non-woven fabric element
Transmission : CVT
Starter system : Self & Kick
Suspension
Front : Telescopic
Rear : Swing-arm
Brake :
Front : Drum brake (130 mm)
Rear : Drum brake (130 mm)
Tyre Size :
Front : 90/100-10
Rear : 90/100-10
Electrical :
Spark plug : CHAMPION P-RZ9HC
Battery : 12V, 5Ah
Headlamp : 12V 35/35W
Fuel Tank :
Tank capacity : 6.4 L
Underseat space : 20 L

Source:
http://bikezgallery.blogspot.com

Le Mans ready to accept F1 refugees

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which runs the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Le Mans Series and provides regulations for the American Le Mans Series, says that it would welcome manufacturers from Formula 1 if they no longer want to take part in Grand Prix racing.

General Manager Remy Brouard refused to say who he has talked to up to this point but told European media that "there is no ideal number. The more, the merrier. They are welcome here. If they make suggestions, we will listen".

Sport car racing was big news in the 1960s and 1970s when Ferrari, Ford, Porsche, Lotus, Alfa Romeo and Matra competed at Le Mans. The era was the highpoint of interest in sports car racing, with the technology and performance of the cars comfortably in excess of what was seen in Formula 1 at the time. In 1972, however, the FIA changed the rules in an effort to cut costs and sport car racing went into decline. CanAm, which was similarly unlimited, was reined back after the oil crisis of 1973.

All of the F1 manufacturers have competed at Le Mans, often as a warm-up for an entry into F1.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo will be the official starter of this year's race tomorrow afternoon and there is talk that Fernando Alonso will attend the race as well.

Source: http://www.grandprix.com

Lewis flummoxed by change of fortune

Lewis Hamilton admits even he does not entirely understand his dramatic change in fortune over the past twelve months, but the McLaren driver insists he has not fallen out of love with Silverstone as he prepares to return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs next weekend.

Hamilton got his tilt for the Formula One title back on track last season with a glorious victory that moved him back to the top of the drivers championship he would go on to win.

A year down the line, in the last British Grand Prix to held at the track before it is moved to Donnington Park, Hamilton would have been hoping for a repeat performance to bolster the defence of his crown.

Instead, his title has already been all but relinquished in a season where he has had to be content with scraps as fellow Briton Jenson Button takes the glory and the publicity.

Button will be looking to continue his relentless march to the 2009 championship with a seventh Grand Prix win of the season in his Brawn GP next Sunday, while Hamilton - in a vastly inferior McLaren - will simply be happy to get in the points places at all.

The turnaround has left many bewildered, not least Hamilton himself, but the 24-year-old is determined to enjoy the Silverstone send-off and retains the hope that he will be a contender again next season.

"I don't feel this year I've had more pressure than I've had before but it's definitely been a different situation," Hamilton said.

"If I had the opportunity to defend, I would be defending but clearly I haven't had the car to be able to do that.

"I think this year I have to just keep learning and enjoying the year, but hopefully next year we can go back for another win.

"I don't think people necessarily always understand what's going on in the sport, they don't understand why these things happen.

"I don't understand how we've come to where we are now but they (the media) have got a job to do, and you have to respect that, everyone has their own opinions.

"I love the Silverstone Grand Prix and its going to be a very special one because its the last Silverstone Grand Prix that we are going to have for some time.

"Being in my home country, being around my people, having the support - last year especially was incredible - and bringing the world championship back to the UK, it makes me very proud.

"It doesn't matter how young you are or how old you are, they're all there supporting and waving the British flag for myself and Jenson so I really hope they enjoy it and I'm looking forward to it too."

Source: http://www.planetf1.com

Cagiva Mito 525 SP (2007)

Technical Specifications
Engine
Engine type
Bore x Stroke
Displacement
Max power
Max torque
Fuel system
Ignition
Gearbox
Final drive

liquid cooled, single cylinder, 2-stroke
56 mm x 50.6 mm
124.63 cm3 (cc)
37 hp (27.6 kW)
88 Nm (64.9 ft. lbs) @ 7000 rpm
dia 28mm
Electronic CDI ignition
6-Speed
Chain
Dimensions
Seat height
Wheelbase
Ground clearance
Dry weight
Fuel capacity
Tyre (front)
Tyre (rear)
Suspension (front)
Suspension (rear)
Brake (front)
Brake (rear)

760 mm (29.9 inches)
1375 mm (54.1 inches)
150 mm (5.9 inches)
109 kg (240.3 pounds)
14 l (3.7 gallon US)
110/70-17
150/60-17
Upside-down telescopic
Progressive with hydraulic single
single 320 mm disc with 4-piston calipers
single 230 mm disc with 1-piston calipers

Image:
http://www.motorbikes.be

Source:
http://www.fixya.com

Kawasaki klx150s

Technical Specifications
Engine
Engine type
Bore x Stroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Max Power
Max Torque
Carburetor
Lubrication system
Transmission
Clutch
Ignition type
Starting system
Air cleaner
Battery

SOHC, 4-stroke, air cooled
-
-
9.5:1
8.60 Kw / 8000 rpm
12 Nm / 6500 rpm
KEIHIN NCV24
-
5-speed return
-
-
Kick & Electric Starter
-
-
Dimensions
Frame type
Overall length
Overall width
Overall height
Seat height
Wheelbase
Ground clearance
Dry mass
Fuel capacity
Suspension (front)
Suspension (rear)
Tyre (front)
Tyre (rear)
Brake (front)
Brake (rear)

Perimeter, Box Section, High Stainless Steel
-
-
-
-
-
250mm
-
-
33mm, Telescopic
Uni-TRAK, Swing Arm Monoshock
70 / 100 – 19
90 / 100 – 16
Hidrolic, Single Disc
Hidrolic, Single Disc

Image: http://www.tokohelm.com

Source: http://hanyablog.com

Corporate Lines Account Executive (Qatar-Doha)

A well established international insurance broker is currently seeking an experienced Commercial Lines and General Insurance Senior Account Executive to come and join the team based in Qatar.
  • The candidate should have at least 5-10 years experience in General Insurance / Corporate Lines products
  • The role will require him top handle the major accounts of the region.
  • Experience with large premiums and key accounts is essential.

This person should be from outside the Sub Continent, ideally from the UK, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand.
This role also has the potential, for the right individual, to develop into a General Managers Position.

Main Duties:
  • Get to know the client – Particularly the decision makers and option formers. Build a relationship with client personnel at all appropriate levels.
  • Maintaining of and development of existing accounts, help design and implement effective risk management programs. Also administer multiple client files.
  • Understand the clients’ business and risk profile, its products, development, structure, financial position, market position and aspirations.
  • Be part of the team to review the clients risk management needs.
  • Help formulate an effective and efficient risk management programme for the client.
  • Maintain high standard of day to day service. Give prompt attention to client requests. Ensure that all client documentation is well presented. Beware of all major claims experience of the client.
  • Assist in obtaining new business leads.
  • Handle day to day correspondence and enquiries.
  • Assistance with credit control of the client and underwriters accounts to ensure prompt premium payment.
  • Keep up to date with market and technical developments in your sector.
  • Preparation of presentation of material, slips and wordings for the existing and potential clients after liaising with the Account Director, other brokers and the technical support team.
Qualifications:
  • Graduate Education
  • Good Structure to education
  • Completed or studying ACII

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