It's our turn! Cash for your old car! Up to $4500 in rebate!

They've been running this program in the UK recently and now it's here in the USA. You can get up to $4500 off a new car buy or lease when you bring in your old clunker. Know that the trade in WILL be destroyed and recycled.


Still, not bad considering. The incentive for the dealership allows them to give you the full amount in general, no matter the condition. The only real requirements are that the car have been fully insured for one year and registered. It also can't be older than 25 years.

Off topic again, but with so many celebs deaths this week

I really enjoyed both of these guys infomercials, especially Billy's.

Vettel gets a Nurburgring corner..

“After winning at Monza last year, Sebastian Vettel's former school changed its name to honour the young German.
Now, the 21-year-old's arrival at his home Grand Prix at the Nurburgring next month as a three time race winner, most recently in dominant style at Silverstone, will reveal a similar tribute.
According to German reports, the Nurburgring is offering spectators a 'Sebastian Vettel' GP package, including a weekend pass to sit in the newly-renamed Sebastian Vettel grandstand - formerly known simply as T6. “

Qs rules for speeding with or without a detector.

The issue is people think they can just drop a detector in their car and not do anything else. "Speeding" requires many things on your end to be done "properly". There are many ways to protect yourself even without a detector.

1. Awareness. You need to keep your head on a swivel (should be doing this anyway). Always checking sides of the road, behind you for the motorcycle or Crown Vic. And suspect ANY Crown Vic. ChP has been using unmarked white ones and are very hard to spot. Keep an eye out for the kind of cars in your area, know them.

2. Slow down. Take it easy when you can't be sure. Just don't set the cruise for 90mph and fall asleep. If you cannot be sure about vehicles behind you or epsecially when you enter an area that is a known speed trap, slow down! At least go the speed of traffic.

3. Lane choice. Middle lanes are best. People think cops are only looking at the left lane. Actually they look at all lanes but find it easiest to nab people in the left (fast) lane and the far most right lane (next to to where they are sitting). Lots of speeders weave and bob in and out of the right most lane and cops know this. The ones on static patrol will actually be zapping people in the right most lane.




4. Terrain. Be aware of the terrain. Even the best detector is going to have issues with line of sight. You crest a hill and WAM you're hit with instant on or laser. This goes back to step "2". When you can't be sure, slow down. Coming around a blind bend in the road? Slow down, even if your detector is silent. This happens far too often to people.


5. Learn your areas speedtraps. You don't need expensive GPS detectors for this. Just learn where the police sit. They often shift around a couple common spots. Yes this mean you won't be able to go balls-out on your journey. You need to slow down at those common locations, pass them safely, then return to cruising speed. Again, don't just rely on the dectector.

I have not used a radar detector on city streets in years and I am speed freak! I've only ever gotten caught once and that was because I was ignoring all the above rules plus doing other things no one should ever be doing on the highway. And I thank the officer for giving me a huge pass. He knew what I was doing and that it was not just a blatant defile of safety and laws.

The only time I find detectors useful are at night and on long trips. It has saved me many times on trips from LA to Vegas (usually done at night). Mainly from other cars being hit first and the detector alerts me. Or police that run with their radars ON all the time. This is when it helps because at night it is difficult to maintain the above rules.

Drive safe and speed with care. No one should be doing 100mph on the roads ever. Not in a city center especially. Save that for the open stretches of lonely highways.

Pose as the Stig and get free rides

Shelby releases SIX new models but...

Even though they are considered 2010s, the GT/SR is obviously still the older style from 2009. Not sure what's going on there. For $31,000 (plus price of car) you can get this car below which has a supercharger, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, body kit, that's 50 state legal and full warranty. Wow.

(click image for full details at Autoblog(tm)]

You could do it cheaper on your own, but having Shelby do it and with real warranties and knowing it's everything you need. If you have the means, go for it.

• Supercharger standard finish (up to 550 HP finish options available at extra cost)
• 4 wheel Baer 6 piston extreme brake upgrade
• Shelby grille with letters
• Engine cap set
• Stripe designation
• Shelby gauge pod
• Autometer signature series gauges
• Serialized dash and engine bay plaque *
• Specific 18x9 Aluminum Wheels with "Branded" center caps
• BFG "R" compound DOT legal 275/35/18 tires
• Functional Deep Draw hood
• 1" lower front ball joints
• Bump Steer kit
• Caster Camber kit
• Upgraded front lower control arm bushings
• Rear upper and lower control arms and upper control arm bracket
• One piece 3.5" aluminum drive shaft
• Watts link rear suspension
• Shelby Performance cooling package (not available for Paxton SC intercooler only)
• Front brake duct kit
• Shelby GT/SR Floor Mats
• Shelby GT/SC authenticity certificate

YouTube to be USF1’s main sponsor?

Apparently co-founder of YouTube Chad Hurley was was Silverstone finalizing the terms with the US F1 leaders.

 

You might also notice that Peter Windsor has stepped down from the role of interviewing on the Paddock and post race podium drivers. The US F1 team is full steam ahead in building their car for 2010. And now it seems they have some good financial backing.

 

Does anyone think this could probably bring a deal to market and air the races over the internets? If so it’d be genius!

Mosley at it again…

In one more of his antics Max Mosley retracts his promise to no longer seek re-election as FIA president.

 

Click here for Full STORY

 

All I can say to this is…

 

 

FUCK YOU MAX!

In other news....

I'm going to hell for this one...for sure.

WANT.

FOTA to stay in F1

The teams get what they wanted, which is Max out of the chair and a single tier playing field. The FIA gets FOTA to call off it’s “break away” series and sign a Concorde Agreement until 2012. The reduction of cost will be done systematically within the next two years to bring the costs of F1 teams down to the level of the early 90’s.

 

So the full entry list goes like this:

TEAM                        CONSTRUCTOR
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO   FERRARI                
VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES   McLAREN MERCEDES       
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM          BMW SAUBER             
RENAULT F1 TEAM             RENAULT                
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING     TOYOTA                 
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO         STR TBA                
RED BULL RACING             RBR TBA                
AT&T WILLIAMS               WILLIAMS TOYOTA        
FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM         FORCE INDIA MERCEDES   
BRAWN GP FORMULA ONE TEAM   BRAWN TBA              
CAMPOS META TEAM            CAMPOS COSWORTH        
MANOR GRAND PRIX            MANOR COSWORTH         
TEAM US F1                  TEAM US F1 COSWORTH  

So here we go everyone! No more shenanigans this season and we get our very own to compete with the best next season.

FOTA projected venues..

In a very BOLD move FOTA has gone out and published it’s expected venues for the 2010 FOTA Championship season…and we get a US circuit back on the schedule! (Though I wish it would’ve been a different course)..We also get new tracks, Portugal is an amazing one that we A1GP guys already know about plus the return of Adelaide, Montreal! gah imma stop blabbing you look at it for yourselves.

 

Proposed FOTA 2010 schedule:
March 3 - Buenos Aires, Argentina*
March21 - Mexico City, Mexico*
April 11 - Jerez, Spain*
April 25 - Portimao, Portugal*
May 2 - Imola, San Marino
May23 - Monte Carlo, Monaco
June 6 - Montreal, Canada*
June 13 - Indianapolis, United States*
July 1 - Silverstone, United Kingdom
July 25 - Magny-Cours, France
August 15 - Laustizring, Germany
August 29 - Helsinki, Finland*
September 12 - Monza, Italy
September 26 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
October 10 - Marina Bay, Singapore
October 24 - Suzuka, Japan
November 8 - Adelaide or Surfers' Paradise, Australia*

 

 

* Denotes new venues that the FIA have failed to bring us for the last several years.

Top Gear's premiere last night was EPIC.

Old news by now as I am sure the interwebs have spread the news faster than Lindsy Lohan drops her panties for the cameras, but Shummy was unveiled as THE STIG. (well, at least for that particular ep)

This after a simply STUNNING run around the test track in a black as coal Ferrari FXX. The run is worth repeated viewings for sure. Then when the reveal happened the energy in the studio was just insane. It was a great moment.

Other highlights were Clarksons test of the new Elise GT car. Looks like Elise nailed the daily-driver and track beast formula finally. Clarksons little romp in the grassy fields around the test track were just hilarious. Him shoveling coal in to an old steam locomotive was rather entertaining as well. I still am amazed at what the cast puts themselves through. I honestly don't know if you could get an American personality to do the things they do. Maybe Mike Rowe?

No means no!

When FOTA said no we knew that F1 was in dire straits. Without premier teams and sponsors what kind of series would this be? Well at least they would still be racing on the World's premier circuits, that's more than most open wheel series' can say.

Well what happens when your most prestigious event holder of the year says no?.........you're fucked. The organizers of the Monaco GP have said no to Max Mosley and F1 in their bid to fuck it up:

The organizers of the Monaco Grand Prix — the premier event of the season — reportedly won’t stage a race next year if Ferrari isn’t on the grid.

FOTA just got another bargaining chip.

Full article here.

When F1 racing was actually RACING.

V8 Supercars demo is out!

This game looked rather gorgeous and promises some accurate physics. While I hope they are good, even if not up to GTR/rFactor standards, it still looks gorgeous and should make for some immersive play.

Click here for video!

Click here for demo!

Max Mosley doubts breakaway series..

In what I would consider a “Diss” to the FOTA teams, Mr. Mosley in a very arrogant way has come out and openly said he doesn’t think the FOTA teams would be able to “AFFORD” to create a competing F1 series.  Predicting that FOTA and FIA will come to agreements just before the 2010 start date and that FOTA will eventually flop on their stance and accept the FIA rules for 2010.

 

"Always with these things there is a compromise because they cannot afford not to run in the F1 world championship, and we would be very reluctant to have a Formula 1 world championship without them, and I am talking about the eight teams there.”

 

"So I think we will lose one or two or maybe three manufacturer teams, so we will need new teams to make up the space. But the great traditional teams, and I would include Ferrari in that, they need to be there and they will be there for sure. It will get sorted out."

 

Mr. Mosley may I remind you that it is yourself and your FIA buttbuddies that don’t have anything to lose because YOU DON’T PUT ANY MONEY IN! Just collect on the deals that you and your buddy Bernie broker and  wipe your asses with. Please remember that these 8 teams are willing to spend all the money they can to win and you fuckers are the ones trying to fine them so you can pocket 10% of those fines when they spend more than you want them to. Where’s the competition in that?

 

To think that the major teams don’t have the power to yank their major sponsors from the series is naive, and to think that you will have a real F1 series without Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault you must have lost some serious brain cells during your dominatrix sessions. At best you’ll be left with a single engine field running Cosworth engines and your precious F1 series has just turned into F2, F3, A1GP at best. You’d be lucky to have Silverstone wanting you back at their circuit!

 

Oh yeah and you’re back up teams??  They want nothing to do with 2010!

 

I’m sorry about the rant guys but this arrogance and bullshit from Mosley and Ecclestone is driving me insane.

FOTA ANNOUNCES BREAKAWAY SERIES!

It's official: F1 is broken. At least, with the FOTA's announcement it will create a rival championship, it appears that F1 as we have known it is all but broken. Max Mosley and the FIA have gone back and forth with the FOTA for months, with neither side able to agree on a compromise and both sides claiming the other party is being intransigent.
After meeting at Renault's Enstone, England headquarters the eight "rebel" teams (Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault, BMW, Brawn, Red Bull, Toro Rosso) decided there was no way to proceed with the FIA, so it would proceed without the FIA. The crucial bits of their follow-up press release state:

"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.
"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."

The release goes on to address issues the FOTA has with the "commercial rights holder," by which they mean Bernie Ecclestone. If they mean what they've written, a more stable and less expensive F1 would be a victory for teams and fans. Track owners would probably also profit, since they pay Ecclestone more than ten million pounds simply for the right to hold an F1 race -- and that's part of the money the teams want a bigger share of.
Many observers have said the teams won't set up another championship because they're too focused on selling cars. But the FOTA has already spoken to Carmelo Ezpeleta, whose Dorna Sports company is in charge of Moto GP, and who has experience in taking control of the series from the FIM. If he can provide a turn-key solution, the teams can stick to doing what they do best.
We suspect the FOTA is correct and that brands, sponsors and promoters will follow the breakaway series rather than hang back with Williams, Force India and eight other teams in the F1 reset series. The question is: if those eight teams follow through, and assuming they take their contracted drivers, which series will get your attention next year?
For now, though, bring on the lawyers. Thanks to all who tipped in.
[Source: Autosport, Autoblog]

Schumacher the “Stig” !?

“Our exclusive report claiming Michael Schumacher is The Stig has generated quite the controversy this morning. So much in fact that we decided to call up our contacts at the BBC for a comment. So, is it true?

We spoke with both PR and production contacts at the BBC, and neither were willing to confirm or deny our report. However, what our production contact was willing to say was if you get the Beeb, you'll want to tune in to the June 21st show to find out. So while we stand by our initial report, we won't know if it's true or not until we get a chance to download hear reports out of the UK as soon as the show airs. But we're more interested in what you think. Is Schumi our beloved Stiggie?”

 

Source : Jalopnik

2011 Shelby GT500 to have an aluminum block!!

FINALLY. Out with the heavy iron block that has been a hassle for road warrior enthusiasts. IN with the lovely light weight aluminum block like the normal GT already has.

Ford has announced nothing official but all the part catalogs for the 2011 GT500 are showing parts for the 5.4l aluminum block. So it's pretty much a done deal at this point. 19x.9.5 and 20x10 (f/r) wheels as an option are listed as well.


Also confirmed for 2011 is the return of the 5.0 motor for the normal GT model. As promised turning out around 400hp. They confirmed the car will be badged with the old school logo! Now if they just redesign that unsightly ass on the car, we're golden!

How would you like to race some of the best REAL racers out there?

All this from the comfort of your home. I am not kidding folks, something amazing has been unleashed among the racing faithful. Video game racers rejoice, our version of "World of Warcraft" is here!


iRacing in short is a video game racing simulation produced to such standards that it is used as an actual training tool for professional racers. In fact there are online teams and leagues much like in the real world. This is where you will find professional racers focusing their skills and where YOU can race against them. Full sanctioned car classes are available!

iRacing is so accurate and supported that it is apparently starting an entire new sport. That's right, gaming based events with real driver points, awards and accountability. Virtual sanctioned racing finally available for all!

Here is a great introduction video by Leigh Diffey



How accurate are the tracks? Well check out this video of Watkins Glen, a side-by-side....



Here are also dozens of interviews from real racers and more footage on YouTube(tm)

In closing I hope to see the staff of BSR signing up for this ASAP. Lets get TEAM BSR to whip some ass on some "professional" teams shall we?

New NFS SHIFT ScreenShots!

3 new NFS Screens here for you all…

Soon we’ll be able to expect screen shots of all the cars in the game.

 

I have to say the cars look amazing and games just keep getting more and more real.

 

RE: NFS Shift..

I know most visitors usually don’t fish through the comments and see what the replies on certain topics are. Hence I’m making a repost of my comment just so that everyone could get a chance to give their input if they like.

 

On thing I’d like to add is that I was caught up in the moment and forgot for a second that this was  BETA.. so please take that into account.

 

 

Need for Speed: SHIFT 

 

“Yeah I was at E3 today and got a go at the game a few times. It took a while to get used to being able to smash into a wall doing 100 mph and then hitting select to put you back on the road.
The game itself will appeal to the hardcore NFS fans as it has the arcade style points and objectives to the racing/game. They just have to learn how to control a real car.
The one thing that REALLY IRKED me was that the AI played dirty too. I would be keeping a clean line going into or out of a turn and the AI would never fail to bump me off when they had the chance. An what really sucks about that is since the game has very realistic physics it would really take you out of your race and flow. Affects your steering and you have a B&W/Blurry screen for a few seconds that really could be good or suck depending on the player.
Second thing that came to my attention while playing is that the platform on which you play it on, might or might not play a factor (if you have a racing wheel) when the game is released. The Xbox 360 controller felt smoother and better to control than the PS3 controller and the PS3 version would freeze up. Happened on a number of occasions while trying it the PS3.
Other than that, I'd have to say the game is solid as far as being fun to play, I'd just have to give it a go with a wheel before I buy it.”

Mosley offers a deal to the FOTA teams…

Apparently the FIA is budging on some of the rules they’ve been trying to impose for the 2010 season, and here’s the rundown of what they’re willing to let go..

• Removal of Appendix 5 (teams feared it would give FIA power to impose whatever rules they wanted)
• Movable wing rule remains for 2010
• 4wd not allowed
• Tyre (tire) warmers will continues to be allowed
• Engine rules remain the same for 2010 (Cosworth gets a pass and runs unrestricted)
• Gearbox rules remain the same
• Spending limit cap would be raise to 100 million Euros on the condition that the cap for 2011 would drop to 45 million
• Budget cap rule breaches would NOT result in on-track sanctions but would cost the teams financially (via fines)

FOTA now has a 24 hour timeline in which they would have to come to terms with these rules and keep the 2010 season in tact.

If anyone feels the need to give me $15,000.

I'll gladly take it and put it to good use.

F1 musings of the week...

Driver's think another series might be better

Lauda blames egos for current sad state of F1

KERs is a no-go for even more teams

All 8 FOTA teams make entry list, but...

FINALLY, a way to use your racing wheel on your sofa!

As promised, here is BSRs review of the nifty Xlerator Wheel Stand!

I'm a rather large fellow as some of you may know. This has always presented a problem in most of the racing hardware out there. Whether real world or for gaming. So I was pleased to hear from Marlon fresh off his E3 trip about this new mount that had a version for us big folk.

The company promised to send us a Big Boy model, which they offer at their site along with a standard model, for review. It arrived yesterday and we took it on some laps.

First up, as you can see the packaging is enough and the product came out unscathed from shipping. At first it looks a little daunting but we managed to have it together in about twenty minutes. Instructions are provided for the assembly as well as special instructions that are wheel specific.

The mount should accommodate nearly every wheel out there. It even goes out of its way to have options to fit the gift-of-the-gods Logitech G25 wheel as well as the XB360 wheel. In our testing we fitted the XB360 wheel. From images on their website and from test fits we did with our own G25, the stand looks like it would handle the G25 perfectly, including the shifter.

After everything was secured we sat down in our Lazy Boy chair, fired up Race Pro on the XB360 and set off on some hot laps of Monza in a BMW. One neat trick of the stand; we liked instantly; is that it flips away from you and rests on it's feet. This allows you to shove it in the corner without having to detach the wheel and pedals. Makes for nice quick storage and retrieval. It also makes you look like a racing bad ass when people see it hiding away...hard core for sure.

My first laps quickly showed the stand does exactly as advertised. It keeps the wheel firmly planted and the pedals locked in place. I was tearing at the wheel and attacking corners with no slip or play. All while sitting in my Lazy Boy! One thing I learned though, and at no fault of the stand, don't play on a rocker. My Lazy Boy is a rocker model and whenever I'd get aggressive on the throttle it would push me back. Consider though how well the stand managed even that; I was still able to race comfortably.


My only complaint is even with the Big Boy model I found the desire for more lateral space between the "legs". (image at left)The ingenious design of the stand allows you to firmly mount your wheel and pedals without sticking a pole between your legs. This means you can chose between left foot braking or heal toe or what ever you want. But with my chubby legs and the narrow gap at my thighs I was pretty much forced to left foot brake.

You must remember though I am large man and at the extreme design limits of this stand, even the Big Boy model. I am a worst-case-scenario. Marlon (image at right) had plenty of space and was freely able to move his legs and feet. All I am suggesting is with a Big Boy model offered, why not maybe add adjustable sliders to the lateral poles as well? Just a couple more inches and I would have been able to move.

So over all we were very impressed. The only thing to decide really in your purchase is how many gaming accessories do you really think you can fit in your living room? I know I'm reaching the limit.

Reaction: Ferrari blames rules for poor form

WHAT?!? WHAT WHAT?@?

Wow .. I just finished watching the Lakers take back a WC after years of struggle and attempt. There were new strategies, new players .. and finally, they came together and triumphed. Years of struggle and attempts .. paid off.

And after watching the culmination of that struggle, and enjoying the victory jocularity that ensued, I see *THIS*!!

Ferrari have come out and blamed the rule changes on their piss-poor performance this year. What's more insulting, they've grouped in McLaren and Renault with them. Luca is quoted saying "This happened because unfortunately we have been in front of very grey rules in which the interpretation of the rules was, how can I say, unpredictable. It's quite amazing that the teams that have won the last three world championship titles in Formula 1 - Ferrari, McLaren and Renault - has done the same interpretation of the rules"

Amazing!? What about the fact that all three CHAMPIONSHIP teams interpreting the rules with mediocre engineers the same way is "amazing"?! How DARE you Luca!! I can imagine how sore your ass must be for not keeping Ross Brawn. After all, it must have been nice to be on top of the world for as long as you were. And, its pretty easy to say it was because Michael was the greatest driver the sport has ever seen .. and therefore totally ignore the efforts of the engineering staff went through to give him a car to get him to where he went.

I guess its really hard to admit, that a single man, with a genius mind and a dream to achieve, can take the world by storm with a simple interpretation of the rules. I guess I expected more from the team that believed in that man - and his driver - so long ago. Maybe you just bought into that team after two championships with Renault. Maybe you believe with enough money, you can buy anything.


Maybe you needed this wake-up call ... ERRR .. kick in the ass. Welcome the pain, Luca. Its for your own good.

So who are our new F1 Teams?

Up First US F1

Company Name: Team US F1
Team Name: Team US F1
Country: US
Team Principal: Ken Anderson

 

Probably the most anticipated and well know by now are the USF1 teams lead by Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. Both men have been involved in the sport for many years bring over 65 years of combined motorsport experience to the table. Ken Anderson might also be well known for the creation of the famous Windshear Wind Tunnel.  Peter we all know from reporting straight from the grid on Speed TV for us folk here in the US, but also on Peter’s CV is being the team manager on the championship Williams-Renault team, and manager at Ferarri’s F1 chasis and suspension departments.

 

With all this experience I feel more than confident they will bring a strong car and team to the 2010 grid and hope to see our fellow American’s on the podium come next season. Not to mention they’re the reason Cosworth is making a comeback to the F1 scene and supplying to at least 3 teams for the upcoming championship.

 

 

Up next is Campos Racing.

Company Name: Campos Meta
Team Name: Campos Grand Prix
Country: Spain
Team Principal: Adrian Campos Suñer

The team lead by former F1 Driver Adrian Campos came to life in 1998,  competing in GP2 and Euro F3 series’. Claiming the GP2 championship in 2008 Campos started expressing his interest in entering the Formula 1 championship. Based out of Valencia, Spain  their facility currently hosts development of Campos F3, Mexico A1GP, and Barwa Int. GP3 teams.

 

Along with the USF1 team they will be sporting the Cosworth engine.

 

 

To round up the list is Manor Grand Prix.

Company Name: Manor Grand Prix Racing
Team Name: Manor F1 Team
Country: United Kingdom
Team Principal: John Alfred Booth

 

Led by John Alfred this team also bring a great deal of competition history from the Formula Renault and F3 Series with 19 championships and 171 race wins. Their whole chasis development come from award winning Wirth Research (Nick Wirth) which develops by simulaiton and it’s a proven system with their American LeMans cars and IRL championship chasis. Wirth who will be leading their Technical team started his career with March F1 founded and led Simtek F1 in the 90’ and later the designer for the Benetton F1 team in the late 90’s.

 

If there’s any team of the new three that are lacking development skills this one sure is not at the bottom. While this team is said to be based out of the UK expect to see at least part of the their development come from the US side. Which could possibly mean we would have multiple US based teams for the next season.

2010 F1 entry list announced! But….

Five teams have been given a deadline of June 19th to lift their conditional entries or face being removed from the grid.

 

Among the teams w/o the “*” that have also submitted conditional entries are Scuderia Ferrari and both Red Bull teams. Who all have singed an exclusive contract with the FIA, and in the FIA’s eyes this is enough to make sure those said teams are on the grid until those contracts are up. I’d like to see the shit storm this creates if the FIA doesn’t come up with something they could all agree on.

 

What’s also great about this new is that that once more we have Cosworth! yes Cosworth! back on the grid supplying engines to at least 3 teams for the time being. Mainly our coveted and new teams that we SHOULD all be rooting for next season here at BSR, the USF1 Team. There’s also the chance that some teams may also jump onto the Cosworth supply line since Renault has stated it’s discontent with next seasons budget and their ability to produce safe and competitive cars under the proposed FIA budget of £40m.

 

Among the teams that did not make the cut(at least temporarily) are Lola, Prodrive, Litespeed, Epsilon Euskadi, Formtech, SuperFund and N.Technology. In my honest opinion only teams I’d like to see are Lola and Prodrive if any others are brought onto the grid.

 

Team                         Constructor
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro    Ferrari
Scuderia Toro Rosso          STR TBA
Red Bull Racing              Red Bull Racing TTBA
At&T Williams                Williams Toyota
Force India F1 Team          Force India Mercedes
Campos Grand Prix            Campos Cosworth
Manor Grand Prix             Manor Cosworth
Team US F1                   Team US F1 Cosworth
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes*   McLaren Mercedes
BMW Sauber F1 Team*          BMW Sauber
Renault F1 Team*             Renault
Panasonic Toyota Racing*     Toyota
Brawn GP Formula One Team*   Brawn TBA

*-Have submitted condition entries and must lift the conditions in order to be fully admitted into the 2010 championship.

LeMans extends invite to F1 manufacturers…

With FOTA and the FIA still in last minute negotiations, LeMans officials take the time to offer an invitation to F1 manufacturers.

 

FOTA and the FIA are in last minute negations on the terms for 2010 in light of tomorrows official team announcements. Several teams have already been linked or mentioned to be in talks with different sporting series if the follow through on their threats to exit the Formula 1 championship.

 

-“Piero Ferrari, son of marque founder Enzo, has mentioned Le Mans as a potential avenue for the team, and Toyota is also believed to be interested in a return to the 24 Hours 10 years after its last appearance at the event with its GT-One car.”

-"There is no ideal figure [number of manufacturers competing], the more the better. They [the Formula 1 teams] are welcome here. If they want to make proposals, we will listen."

 

President of Ferrari and 2-time world champion Fernando Alonso will be present this weekend for the lengendary 24 hours of LeMans, Alonso has also expressed his interest in competing in the event in the future.

New GM show runner knows nothing about cars?

Well this is a great way to start things off.

I see a future where GM makes small city cars and fleet vehicles for the feds. Where what was once the Corvette is now a privately owned and developed company in some small warehouse in Indiana or Southern California.

Our childeren will tell their childeren of times past. And eventually the name "GM" drifts off in to the abyss much like Packard and Oldsmobile.

Rich Corinthian Leather

If You Don't Know What That Means, You Might Be In The Wrong Place



I have friend that is a journalist major in Canada. He loves cars and therefore writes about them on his blog Rich Corinthian Leather as well as writing articles for vlane.com

We've added a link to his blog in our links section and he's added BSR to his. This kids got talent and I think everyone will be entertained and educated by his blog so please check it out.

2010 F1 "budget cap" car revealed!

Chrome M3!! Insane!

 

 

Gotta give it to em..They did an insane job on that.. looks awesome.

FOTA to take driver’s away from F1?

We all know the ongoing negotiations between FOTA and the Ecclestone/Mosley camp as far what's going to happen with the 2010 rules and regulations. The latest new is that the top teams in the FOTA are ready to walk away from the series and take their drivers with them. The question I’m asking is FOTA taking them away or is F1 pushing them away?

Multiple drivers have been outspoken about their loyalty to their teams, including the major/veteran series drivers.

-Fernando Alonso- "prefer to race in any other category before the new F1"

-Lewis Hamilton- "I am under contract at my team and will go wherever they go. That's the way it is. That applies for all drivers,"

-Felipe Massa- “ "If F1 is not possible because it is not F1 any more, then we will go to another championship."

This all seems like the drivers want to be with their teams and while accepting that there needs to be changes there’s no reason to turn the season upside down with no real reason.

So what are your thoughts? Could we possibly see a new World Championship series evolve in 2010? Any possibility of seeing our favorite drivers in the A1 series driving for their countries? Adding an American venue to this series? And what would this mean to our current favorite series?

EDIT:

To answer your questions Q...

"...the teams which currently make up FOTA - Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, Brawn, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and BMW - have no wish to unconditionally sign up for the 2010 season..."

Judges say no to Fiat.

Now this could get interesting...

Team Snow takes the GT3 race in Utah!

That's pretty cool when and husband and wife team both win their respective classes and at

their home track. The "Snows" took Platinum and Gold classes at the Miller Motorsports GT3 race. Lots of trains and tows in that race as the cars are so evenly matched.

Takes a lot of racing at your limit to stay up front and even one small mistake will cost you victory.

This weekend is a busy race weekend. We have the Six Hours of the Glen (Watkins Glen), GT3, and of course the Turkey GP airing live on FOX. Should be fun!

For the second time...

Hamilton fails to get out of Q1. No, that's not right. For the second time Hamilton's CAR fails to let him out of Q1.

He tried, you could see that obviously, fighting the car at every turn. What are we to do?

SMS's new Saleen, er, SMS Mustang.

Okay not sure how I feel about this. I know the top and rear-end look pretty hot. I love those tail-lights. (this keeps coming up a lot around here lately)

The big fog horn though is that hood scoop that appears to have LEDS in it! Like some twisted take on K.IT.T or something. It just makes me say NO!

Any way I am sure it's going to cost too much like most Saleens, er, SMS cars. But it's good to see evolution of Mustang designs. With the muscle car era once again in peril we could be seeing the end of yet another generation of gas sucking big V8 sound and power.

I know we should want to do better for the environment and the reliance on oil, but dammit, I like my V8! I like the sound, the smell! I don't care if some electro-mobile rips my eyes off with torque and speed. Not if while doing it, it sounds like a milkshake blender on overdrive. Or worse yet, makes NO SOUND. Meh!

I know our generation will have the hardest time getting over it. How can history get by people like us? Maybe it can't. We'll (I'll) pay the premium to continue driving the roar and stench of the mighty V8 long in to my wheel chair years. Or die while trying with one big happy smile on my face.

The 2007, 1967, GT500...um...just look.

These guys took a 2007 GT500 and made it a 1967 Gt500 best they could. I say it looks pretty cool and my balls would definitely be a tad larger driving around in this.

The only thing I don't like is the rear-end tail-lights. They look kind of ghetto. But overall, it's damn sexy.

Saturn to be sold to PENSKE???

"According to The New York Times, General Motors has come to terms with a consortium led by industry icon Roger Penske to sell its ailing Saturn brand. The agreement, which is expected to be announced later today, will apparently see Penske add Saturn brand and its stand-alone showroom network to his existing portfolio of 310 global dealers.

Penske, as you may recall, already has sole distribution rights to the Smart microcar lineup in the States, and he will apparently continue to sell GM-produced Saturn vehicles initially, after which he is expected to begin importing foreign autos from companies like Renault's Samsung Motors subsidiary in Korea."

[Source: The New York Times]

Xlerator Wheel Stands..Marvelous!

In case some of you didn't get the memo from Q, I was at E3 today and found some guys towards the back of the room but they had a great product that I couldn't shut up about all day.

It's called the Xlerator Wheel Stand and for most of us BSR junkies it would work marvelously for our sim sessions. After being over at Q's the other day and messing around with different seats and places to put the G25 Wheel and the shift knob, once I saw the Xlerator I thought to myself our prayers to the sim gods have been answered.

I took a seat on one of there lazy boys and popped it down in front of me and it just felt natural. The height was adjustable for different seats and heights of course but I needed no adjusting as I kicked off my Gran Turismo lap on the Logitech GT wheel. Did my 5 laps around the track and after I took my P1 prize of a shiny trophy shining on the screen, I headed over and spoke with Micheal Thorsen (Owner/Inventor).

I talked to him about how we at BSR are crazy about our cars and Sim racing and the fact that Q rushed to the site to get one, how there weren't any available at the moment and lit up my phone asking how soon could we get one. The response was as of the moment he doesn't have any listed as he was going to be away at E3 for a week and didn't want to disappoint any customers by not being able to ship any out. At which point I we spoke about getting one ASAP and doing a full in depth review here on BSR.

So sit tight, keep the sessions going and we'll keep you guys posted and let you know when you can get your own.

NFS: SHIFT footage of interest.

New Need for Speed: SHIFT footage from E3.

What I like about this are the effects they apply to the driver as you race. If you hit a wall hard enough your vision gets grayed out and blurry. Also when you hit a certain speed, around 180mph, you get a tunnel vision effect. Everything gets blurry in your peripherals.

Overall reports are saying the game has sim-like handling but placed in a more arcade style world. Not sure how that is going to work, but it is something new.

Codemasters GRID tried to do this but the Ai was the death-nail of that game. Made it nearly impossible to play the career. DiRt did a much better job though.

What the hell are these?

Lexus LeMans Series cars?

Inevitable and really not even a comparable.

S-Tune 370z....GRUNT

Having owned a 350z with about $4000 in mods...I can tell you...it is hard this ping pong game of Mustang to Z. Dammit though the 370z looks BAD ASS as is. It's spec'd out to kill at the track. Now the S-Tune. Life is a hard bitch.

Want your own piece of an actual F1 car?

Thanks to Toyota you can..

Buy 2008 Toyota F1 parts

"Q" if you keep your Xbox...

This is what you have to look forward to...


Granted there's a badass moment @ about 1:10 into the video but doesn't come close to GT5

The $10,000 wheel. How much of a bad ass are you?

No more cars in Times Square, it's finally happened.

The future is now!

(source: Autoblog)

Well I bought an XB360 to play Rockband, I guess a PS3 for GT5?

But I could also play Rockband on the PS3...and my Blurays....here we go again.

Old Vs. New

Old '68 Camaro vs the new 2010 Camaro..