Ferrari F10 Silences critics Massa ends day P1

Ferrari’s confidence in the F10 grows after Felipe Massa ends day 1 of pre-season testing in P1 Valencia topping the time sheets.

Formula 1 erupted back to life as the first of pre-season tests kicked off in Valencia, Spain. Ferrari were joined by rival teams all working on preparations for the upcoming 2010 Formula 1 season.

After the morning session, Felipe Massa set the benchmark time to beat with a time of 1:13.088s just before lunch completing a total of 32 laps.

As the test went on into the afternoon, times subsequently began to drop. At the end of the day, testing ended with the Brazilian setting the best time of the day with a 1:12.574s with 18minutes still remaining in the session.

The F10s launch in Maranello last weeks was overshadowed by rumors, that the new Ferrari lacked in aerodynamic efficiency and went as far as to suggest that a B-spec version of the car was being redyed in Maranello. With Ferrari having a flawless day in Spain the scuderia may finally begin to lay the rumors to rest.

Massa just after the test: “It went even better than i could expect – says Massa. I found the car very easy to drive, reacts well, we have completed the work program. Clearly there has been a much better start than last year, but nevertheless we know we have a lot of work to be ready at the first race, and especially to be so too in the last races,the ones that will decide the championship. “

1. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:12.574 – 101 laps
2. Pedro De la Rosa Sauber 1:12.784 – 74 laps
3. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 1:12.947 – 39 laps
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 1:13.543 – 39 laps
5. Gary Paffet McLaren 1:13.846 – 77 laps
6. Rubens Barrichello Williams 1:14.449 – 75 laps
7. Sebastian Buemi Toro Rosso 1:14.762 – 18 laps
8. Robert Kubica Renault 1:15.000 – 69 laps

Source: http://ferrarif1forum.com

Read More

Stefano keeping Ferrari testing pace in perspective

After a lackluster 2009 season, it’s easy to get carried away in thinking that Ferrari are back on top. Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso occupied the top of the time sheets at the first pre-season testing event in Valencia, Spain. The scuderia’s cars were the only single seater’s lapping in the 1 minute 11 second range with the rest of the drivers failing to break the 1 minute 12 second barrier.

A great start to the F1 pre-season, but team principal Stefano Domenicali may now face the toughest job while preparing the team for the 2010 championship, and that is keeping the prancing horse’s feet firmly on the ground.

This job will be made that much easier by team driver Fernando Alonso who has already made his stance clear on Ferrai’s recent performance. When asked by Autosport if he shared the sentiments of those attending the even that Ferrairi are the team to beat, the Spaniard replied: “No, I don’t think so. It’s just the first day and as I said now at least for me the priority was getting completely comfortable. There are many things to discover for me, many things to learn.

I think maybe if we topped the times the three days it’s related to fuel load or whatever, or maybe because it’s true we are competitive. But before being competitive we need to make sure we do a lot of laps and that the car is strong and can finish all the grands prix. We are at that period of winter testing. We need to make the car very, very strong and until Barcelona or the last test at Jerez I think we will not look for the performance.

Stefano will inevitably be faced by a team much rejuvenated by the testing performance but he is keeping Ferrari’s sucesses on the track thus far in perspective.

“There are no miracles in Formula 1: if you want to be fast you have to work hard for months and months and then you’ll meet your competitors, who have as much capacities and are as motivated as you,” read the quote on Ferrari’s official website.

“We can’t take anything for granted and we shouldn’t delude ourselves by indications, which could be completely misleading. We can’t work like in football where two good or bad results are enough [for you] to pass from riches to rags or vice versa.”

“We know very well that the tests’ lap times, especially this year, have to be handled with care. Using an Italian expression from football, we’re still in ‘August football.’

“We can’t forget where we were in terms of performance at the last GP last year. There is still a lot of work to do to close the gap and there are still many problems we have to solve. And then we don’t know the petrol loads the other cars had on board, so it’s impossible to get a clear idea of the relative strengths on the track. Maybe someone also wants to play hide and seek, and some still have to present their cars.”

Stefano did let a bit of enthusiasm slip when talking about the success Ferrari has thus far seen in terms of reliability.

“If there is one thing we’re really satisfied with then it’s the reliability the car has shown,”

“More than 1,400 kilometres driven is a very good start and we need to ensure that the intense work at the test stand, and in terms of simulations over the weeks before the debut on the track, will bear fruit.

“In Valencia we also started to get to know the new Bridgestone tyres’ behaviour, also related to the petrol load. But the data is still absolutely relative: this track is not particularly demanding on the tyres and the temperatures weren’t the ones we’ll have for example during the season’s first three races.”

Stefano added that both Ferrairi drivers also shared his sentiments on the reliability of the F10 which had a flawless three days in Valencia letting Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso complete their testing program. Domenicali added that the ability to finish the program has already paid dividends in terms of feedback from the drivers on how to address the car’s further development.

“They were both very happy with how things went. Especially regarding the car’s reliability. They are both extremely motivated and have a great desire to drive: it would have been frustrating if we hadn’t started on the right track here. Both Felipe and Fernando know that we have to work a lot and they already gave many indications where we have to improve the car.”

The team will now head to Jerez for the next series of tests on the 10 – 13 of February.

Source: http://ferrarif1forum.com

Read More

Stobart Cyprus Rally update after SS9: Matthew Wilson up to fifth

Written by Scott Coursey

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Matthew Wilson had a storming start to day two of the Cyprus Rally moving up from eighth to fifth after three stages as he thrived on the challenging gravel stages in the Troodos mountains.

The hard work of the team overnight to get the cars switched to a full gravel set up paid off as both Wilson and Henning Solberg performed well in the slippery conditions caused by heavy overnight rain in Cyprus.

Wilson held his nerve in the mud on SS8 while other drivers faltered on the muddy roads finishing fifth on the 28.1 kilometre Pano Panagia stage. The result moved him up to sixth in the overall rankings and put him within striking distance of Evgeny Novikov just ahead. And on the final stage of the morning Wilson reeled in Novikov’s 0.6 second lead to take fifth place overall.

Henning Solberg/Cato Menkerud put yesterday’s crash behind them as their rally finally got underway and they immediately started their charge to earn manufacturer points finishing sixth on SS8 23.6 seconds behind team mate Wilson. Despite collecting a puncture a couple of kilometres from the end of SS9 Solberg posted another good time just 7.9 seconds behind Wilson.

With no repeated stages today the drivers face two long stages of 30.9 kilometres and 26.2 kilometres on the twisting mountain roads where Wilson will look to keep up the pace he set in the morning and stretch his lead over Novikov.

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Matthew Wilson said:
“It is great to have moved up three places in three stages. It felt good this morning and we’ve found a good rhythm. We lost a bit too much time on the tarmac but today has been a big improvement on yesterday. We really didn’t make any mistakes this morning which is great because it is quite easy to with all the mud this morning. The middle stage was quite difficult and it was tough keeping the car on the road even at low speed. There’s a lot of mud out there and it’s horrible stuff; we’ve just had the car weighed and we’re carrying about 100kg of mud.”

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Henning Solberg said:
“I feel like I am playing catch-up today as this morning was my first stage when everyone else has had a full day out there. The stages are very muddy in places and in the sections with the mud it is very difficult to keep the car on the road. The mud is making the car feel very sluggish. We picked up a puncture on the last stage but it happened a couple of kilometres from the end and didn’t really slow us down. We’ll keep concentrating on what we’re doing this afternoon; the stages are more twisty with lots of corners and lots of pacenotes to listen to"

Source: http://www.rallybuzz.com

Read More

Gronholm tests Mikkelsen’s Rally Sweden Fiesta S2000

Written by Scott Coursey

Marcus Gronholm is testing the Ford Fiesta S2000 today that Andreas Mikkelsen will use on next weekend's Rally Sweden, according to the Norwegian's website.

The double world champion (who is Mikkelsen's mentor) was testing the Fiesta, in Kall, northern Sweden, alongside the Ford Focus WRC 08 that he will drive under the Stobart banner in Sweden. Mikkelsen will begin his test with the super 2000 Fiesta on Monday.

When asked by autosport.com if he can win the Swedish Rally this year, Gronholm replied: "I would say it's quite difficult. I haven't driven for so long now and to be competitive straight away is tough. I will be disappointed if I'm not in the right kind of speed with the other drivers, though. I think it's fully possible to make the podium."

Source: http://www.rallybuzz.com

Read More

Kawasaki Edge

Technical Specifications

Engine Engine type Bore x Stroke Displacement Compression ratio Max power Max torque Transmission Clutch Final drive Starting system Fuel system Lubrication system Ignition system Battery Gear Ratios	Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, single cylinder 53,0 x 50,6 mm 112 cc 9.5:1 8.30 ps @ 8000 rpm 8,13 Nm @ 6.500 rpm 4-speed rotary Wet multi-disc Chain Electric & Kick Start Keihin PB 18 (Mark P064) Forced Lubrication DC CDI - 1st 3000 (36/12) 2nd 1.938 (31/16) 3rd 1.350 (27/20) 4th 1.087 (25/23)
Dimensions Frame type Rake Overall length Overall width Overall height Seat height Wheelbase Ground Clearance Dry weight Fuel capacity Color Suspension (front) Suspension (rear) Tyre (front) Tyre (rear) Brake (front) Brake (rear)	Underbone, Turbular 31° / 148 mm (5.8 inches) 1895 mm 700 mm 1045 mm 750 mm 1230 mm 140 mm (5.5 inches) 104 kg 4.4 litres Metallic Black, Red Teleskopic Fork Swing Arm 2,50” – 17” 2,75”-17” Disc Brake Drum Brake

Image: http://www.kawasaki-motor.co.id

Read More

BMW R1150RT (2004)

Technical Specifications

Engine Engine type Bore x Stroke Displacement Compression ratio Valves Max power Max torque Transmission Clutch Final drive Starting system Fuel system Ignition	Oil-cooled, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder horizontally 101 x 70.5 mm 1130 cc 11.3:1 4 valves per cylinder 95 hp @ 7250 rpm 72.3 ft.lbs. @ 5500 rpm 6-speed Single-plate, dry, hydraulic actuation Shaft drive Electric starter - -
Dimensions Frame type Overall length Overall width Overall height Seat height Wheelbase Ground Clearance Dry weight Fuel capacity Suspension (front) Suspension (rear) Tyre (front) Tyre (rear) Brake (front) Brake (rear)	- - - - - - - 279 kg 6.6 gallons Gas shock absorber Gas shock absorber with adjustable damping 120/70R17 tubeless steel-belted radial 170/60R17 tubeless steel-belted radial Disc 4-piston EVO calipers with floating 320 mm Disc 2-piston caliper with 276 mm

Image: http://www.flickr.com

Read More

BMW R25/3 (1954)

Technical Specifications

Engine Engine type Bore x Stroke Displacement Compression ratio Max power Max torque Transmission Clutch Final drive Starting system Fuel system Ignition	Air-cooled, 4-stroke, Single cylinderfour-stroke vertical 68 x 68 mm 247 cc 7.0:1 13 hp @ 5800 rpm 52.30 Nm @ 4500 rpm 4-speed Single-plate, dry - Kick starter Carburettor, 1 x Bing type 1/24/41 or SAWE type K 24 F -
Dimensions Frame type Overall length Overall width Overall height Seat height Wheelbase Ground Clearance Dry weight Fuel capacity Suspension (front) Suspension (rear) Tyre (front) Tyre (rear) Brake (front) Brake (rear)	Closed steel twin-loop frame, welded 2,065 mm 760 mm 730 mm - 1365 mm 92 mm 150 kg 12 litres Telescopic fork Telescopic suspension 3.25 x 18 3.25 x 18 Drum, 160 mm Drum, 160 mm

Image: http://www.cycleconnections.com

Read More