Wow, this looks incredible.

Images for Race Driver: Grid (PC) - Voodoo Extreme

Racing games have been taking huge leaps in eye candy of late. RACE'07 looks amazing and thanks to ISI's engine also drives very real.

Now Codemasters is looking to get in on some action. My guess is this won't be sim but more arcade. Still, looks like fun.

Crazy Ass Romanians

Have to love the very spirit and essence of street machines they present here.

!DARE TO CLICK ME!

Beware the Hammermüller

 
Since we have not yet had any A1 GP posts, I thought I might be the first to give it a go. In particular, regarding last weeks thrilling race in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit. Both the sprint and feature races were fun packed, and filled with more exciting battles than I have seen in quite some time. There was one particular series of events, however, that troubled me somewhat.
Let me begin by stating that I believe Michael Ammermüller to be an incredibly talented driver, and in fact has given Germany their best start position of this season. I have to concede however that his drive during the race this weekend was staggeringly brutal. After three mind-numbingly optimistic passing attempts, completed by punting numerous cars off the track, the stewards had no choice but to amend the results of the race with a DQ for Ammermüller in the feature race. It was the right decision in my opinion even though the German team has suffered for it.
I think "Ammer the Hammer" could have a very good racing career ahead of him as his talent suggests, but Michael, please end the lessons from J.P.Montoya. I'm sure you don't want to continue your career driving a large Coors can around in circles.

Man arrested for shooting traffic camera - Yahoo! News

Man arrested for shooting traffic camera - Yahoo! News

I would give this man a hug.

Happy Thanksgiving from BSR!

In the WTF we're they thinking category

So the PS3 supports DIVX now (also xvid). Great. And guess what? As an added bonus you finally get thumbnails of the videos being served from your PC. AWESOME! But here is the best part. Only the DIVX files do that! All the NATIVE MPEG4 clips don't!

 

So all those clips I converted so they could be played not only on my PC but streamed to my PS3...they don't get thumbnails.

 

[sound of fog horn]

The cars were out to get us all today.

So today.....going to work this morning and I see a guy crossing the street right in front of me get "bumped" by a car next to me. As in HIT. He was okay, after some swearing and hand waiving walked on. Of note this was while I was still in my home area of Sherman Oaks.

Tonight while walking to 7/11 (again in Sherman Oaks), as I cross the side street a Mercedes comes flying around the corner looking right at me and if not for my super uber Q reflexes would have nailed me! He screeched to a halt and I proceeded to call him a cock-gobbler. He ignored and drove off.

Later tonight while watching the news. A nanny and a baby in the stroller she was pushing were hit by a car...right here in Sherman Oaks once again.

Holy crap....it happens in threes they always say.

Thank you .. Capitan Obvious!

Massa is quoted saying 'wet races are going to be more dangerous without traction control'. Wow.

Thank god he wasn't hired for his brains.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63971

It's official!!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63994

The McLaren appeal has been overturned. The results of the 2007 Brazilian GP stand and Kimi is the new World Champion!

Now I can exhale and focus on trying to get that damned car around the circuit in a decent time!!

More reasons to buy a PS3.

Ferrari Simulator

Yup, looks to be a pretty sexy looking game. One of the designers is a Ferrari racer himself. Check it out.

New driver aid - Mojitos

Even as the F1 engines are still cooling from this seasons championship, I am feeling the effects of race withdrawal. The Sundays at Joxers a faded and distant memory, replaced only with a chilly 75 degree winter wind, blowing through the pickets of an empty California pub patio. With a huge break in the A1 schedule, and a seemingly unending crunch period at work, cars and racing hardly even exist for me.

In any case, during the last couple of days while perusing my favorite racing site, I saw an old familiar name on the top of the F1 testing time sheets. I wondered who the heck screwed up posting this info, and realised that it was true. Shumi is testing for Ferrari in Barcelona. As he has experience driving without aids (Thank God we are getting back to a real drivers sport), He was asked for input as Ferrari develops next year's strategy. I can't help but have a tingle of hope that this may be a more permanent arrangement, but chances are slim. Either way, it was nice to see that he still has it.

As for our little group and Rfactor..... I was able to get my time down to the high 113's in Toban Reverse with FSone and no helps. It took two Mojitos though. The cars seemed, how shall I put it, somewhat less settled than usual.

I'm sure it will be a slippery season for us ... kick ass.

Steve the Tragically Naive

Well .. Bernie weighed in on the whole "Protesting the Brazilian Race" issue. Glad to see he's on my side.

But, this resurfaces a huge question mark with me. What the hell does Bernie have to do with the sport?! For that matter, how does he fit in with the FIA, FOM, and Max Mosley? Who makes the rules?

Here's what I know:

The FIA is the governing body. What they say, goes. Thus, all the hoopla about who spied on whom and what was the temperature of his fuel vs. theirs goes to them to adjudicate.

Max Mosley is the head of the FOM (Formula One Management). He apparently has some say on policy and procedure. Somehow his opinion matters.

The FOM sounds incredibly official. Management - control of direction and operations. Wait, isn't that what the FIA does?!

Bernie Eccelstone is some stodgy ailing man who has carte blanche access to the races. He walks around with the uber-famous and recognized and spouts off like the Lord Above gave him the right to. He has never dictated policy nor does he seem to be able to. He has some control over the race calendar and season as he has given the green-light to new tracks which have been built. He has either a financial stake or control of finances for the sport.


Can anyone clear this up for me?

Time to start practicing!!

Ok kids .. the time has come for our little league to get with the new rules and start running laps following the new drivers aids restrictions. Den and I have already been talking about it, and we've agreed that the purpose of our rFactor F1 races were not only to enjoy each other's company online (and listen to Q paint Picasso-like mental images of his frustration). We also enjoy getting to know the tracks so that come the fateful sunday, we have a better understanding of the circuit/racing line/drivers challenge while cheering for our favorites.

SO! Don those fire suits and guzzle whatever liquid courage gets you in the cockpit!! We're getting back on the track! Also, take a few minutes to calm yourselves and realize that a new challenge is at hand. From what Dennis has told me, its possible to do .. but a whole new world. Hell, if Christopher Columbus could do it .. so can we!

And .. if you think it's totally impossible, just listen to what Luca Badoer has to say!!

See you on the track .. most likely doing my best impression of poor Robert up there.

Check out Car and Driver this month (Dec)

Car and Driver has nifty write ups on the new 400hp sedans from what seems like every major European manufacture today.

Plus they have a great in detail review of the new Nissan GT-R. That link is not the newest article for that and the 400hp car club you need to buy the December issue. Or subscribe.

Brawn .. Ferrari make some moves

Oh how I was looking forward to Ross Braun being back on the pitwall. To me, he was like that credit card that you keep hidden away. Having it gave you the comfort of knowing that at least, if the shit hit the fan, you could always get yourself out of a nasty situation. It had a pretty little logo on it that told you, it could even be a fairly hefty amount of shit knocking that fan over, and you'd still be ok.

Well, Braun has decided to return. However, he's taken my card away. Braun joins Honda as team principle.

My stalwart companions will be quick to point out that we not only survived last season with out the expertise of RB, but we even thrived! Eventhough I could argue that point, in essence, they are correct. We struggled this year, but we triumphed. Albeit, with a little help.

So, congratulations to the Ferrari team members who've been promoted! Eventhough there wasn't much talk of who you were and what you did last year (a few comments from Matchet or Hobbs as a few of these people were on podium to accept the constructors trophies) I'll take solice in knowing you've been recognized for your achievements and will continue to deliver greatness for next year.

Now, where is that crap I used to keep myself from biting my nails ...

K-Town lock up...

Since this lovely story does revolve around my car, I think it fits the context of this site loosely. So, enjoy!

 

 

Yeah so anyone who think it's fun and games in K-Town (Korea Town) all the time...well...sometimes there comes a price.

 

As we know I am pretty much obsessive about my newer Mustang and I never let anyone else park it down there and I always look for a nice LARGE spot to park in. So I park in this parking garage next the karaoke place we go to. Mike Cliett was also following me and carrying the rest of the gang. So we park.

 

We come stumbling out of the joint at 3am and the garage....well...it's closed. Like doors padlocked shut. (hey too bad I didn't have my CSI lock pick eh?)

 

So I call cabs and have to face the possibility that our cars might not even be IN the garage. They may have been towed out around 1am. See this enrages me as the thought of some tool/fool scratching up my baby to tow it to some yard where it will surely be molested burns me.

 

So to avoid getting towed in the morning or paying an outrageous parking fee I have to get there at 6am. This means waking the family too. Since Lisa needs to drive me down there. I was proud of Chloe, my 7 year old daughter. Not one complaint. Woke right up after Lisa, my wife, said we need to go get daddies car.

 

"Right now?", she said. "Yeah, sorry.", I said. "Let me go to the bathroom first.", she said. What a trooper.

 

So I get there and my car was still there, untouched! The guy was raising the gates and told me I didn't have to pay anything since the attendant doesn't show until 7am or so.

Autoblog's GT5 Gallery - SEXY!

Autoblog

Check out their gallery of GT5 nudies. I cannot say enough how I can no longer wait for this game. I need it now!

More Schumi in the news ..

And the hits .. just keep on coming!! I hesitate at mocking the man for having a little fun. Besides, if he can keep up with the head of the pack, why not take a few trips around the circuit.

But, a motocycle?!?


Schumi on two wheels

Now this is just getting silly ..

Well, I suppose that's why they call it the "Silly Season". This reads more like an April Fool's prank. Or, the rantings of a journalist that get's paid by the letter. Either way, it's as plausable as leprechauns.


Here ... you decide: M. Schumacher to drive for McLaren

Ferrari Theme park?

Where would you put a Ferrari theme park?

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates of course. I guess it is a good fit.. One of the Top motor companies in the world and arguably the richest country/city in the world meet up for some fun vacation thrills.
Anyone interested in a short vacation?
Article: http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071105153635.shtml

Latest Top Gear (S10E04)

This show keeps hitting the highest marks of entertainment. Once again, this show had me laughing so hard, my neighbors were worried. If you haven't seen it yet, make a point of it.

Viva Clarkson! Viva May! Viva Hamster! VIVA STIG!!

HAHAHA!! Now THAT'S what I needed!!

McLaren is in no rush

Interesting article. McLaren knows they're controlling the pace of the driver market right now. Here's the part that made my morning:

According to the newspaper, former Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher was among those expressing interest in driving for McLaren but the German was reportedly informed he is not on the squad's shortlist.


Amazing. Although, as the #3 driver on the grid, it would be the natural move.

We knew this was coming ...

This should come as no surprise, especially if anyone read my earlier rant. But, to be official, McLaren and Alonso have announced that they will be "parting ways" for next year.

Dennis said it much better than I can (especially this early on a monday morning). Alonso walked into McLaren expecting the red carpet. Instead he was handed a scone, a warm cup of tea, and told he had to earn his job. It must have been a real surprise.

Off to France with you then! Put your powder blue (dear god I hope they go back to that) fire suit on, hang your picture of Montoya over your bed, and give it your best shot. The adulation and trappings of a crowned prince may be yours again. But, I don't think you'll see much time on the podium. At least until you start tuning in to Ferrari or McLaren radios.

The posts .. if you're interested:

McLaren announces their good news

Renault announces they're on they're knees

NFS has come full circle...finally!

NFS: Pro Street finally sees a great return to the semi fantasy tracks and racing fun of yore. (think NFS2 and 3) Being able to race like a-bat-out-of-hell around some crazy semi real world locations in real cars and with varying levels of realism makes it fun for either casual gamepad play or full-on steering wheel and pedals carnage.

The damage modeling is pretty intense and the environments and cars look great. It's no GT or rFactor in it's "race sim" mode but it is challenging enough to keep you on your toes. And the fact that it has retained what they learned along the way is some real fun too. So you have your drifting, car mod upgrading, custom paint jobs, and other things we've seen in the past with the franchise.

Overall it's the long tracks and straight racing action that they've put back in from before that make this fun. The entire game feels polished and runs great on my PS3. As I am sure it runs on the XBOX360 or properly pimped PC. I am not sure about multiplay as the demo did not include this. Without it that would lower the score by only half-a-point as it doesn't really take away from the single player experience.

4 out of 5!