“Vettel Victorious at Magnificent Monza”
MONZA
PRE RACE
It is a glorious day at Monza: late summer sun warms the track as the fans pour in and take their seats in the numerous grandstands. The air temperature is in the late twenties, whilst the track temperature is in the early forties. The atmosphere is festive. This is the last European F1 race of the current season, and the fans have come to give the teams a great send off and witness what is sure to be an enthralling race.
BUDAPEST
Budapest is a beautiful old city that is split by the River Danube: the west-bank of the city is known as Buda, whilst the east-bank of the city is known as Pest. Budapest has stunning old buildings, with some of the most magnificent architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. It also has a rich cultural heritage. These two factors combined make it a favourite tourist destination.
The Hungaroring Formula 1 Circuit is located in Mogyorod, which is near Budapest. It was completed in 1985, and the first F1 race was held there in 1986. It was the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held behind the “Iron Curtain”; that is in a country that formally constituted part of the former U. S. S. R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). The views of the circuit are brilliant from almost anywhere at the track, as it was built in a natural valley.
London – South Africa could return to the Formula 1 calendar “within two years” as Bernie Ecclestone hints that a Cape Town GP is “weeks away” from getting the green light… at least from him.
Wheels24 reported earlier in 2011 that Formula 1 boss Ecclestone hinted at a South African Grand Prix and that a proposed Cape Town circuit was outlined.
“MAJESTIC MONACO DELIVERS THE MAGIC – VETTEL HOLDS ON TO SECURE A FAMOUS VICTORY”
MONACO
PRE-RACE
In the pit-lane, a gentle breeze stirs the red-and-white flags. The sun has just crested the surrounding enclave of mountains. In the harbour, super yachts ride the gentle swell, and ease against their mooring lines. The streets are quiet, not much activity. This tranquil scene will soon be changed: for today is a very special day – it is race day! The highlight of a week’s preparation for the Formula 1 teams, for the race organisers – a fair amount more preparation. In a few hours time these streets will come alive, in a few hours time adoring fans will line every possible vantage point, in a few hours time 24 drivers will battle it out on the streets of the Principality to see who will be crowned King of Monaco for the day. Today, F1 owns the streets of Monaco!
Let’s spare the suspense. You have already seen our verdict on BMW’s fastest ever 1-Series. The new M Coupé gets a full five stars.
And with that out of the way, we can find out why this is one of the best driver’s machines available – but is it really worthy of its £40,020 price tag, or its oh-so special M badge?
Eddie Irvine has outpaced Formula 1′s current British stars on the Sunday Times’ sporting rich list for 2011.
The former Ferrari and Jaguar driver and 1999 championship runner-up has made a fortune equivalent to R898-million in property development since retiring from F1 in 2002.
The action is about to begin
Karts, classics, slot cars and soapboxes get the Knysna Speed Festival under way this weekend
The first events of the inaugural Knysna Speed Festival take place this coming weekend. Friday 13th May sees preparations for the first Knysna Kart Grand Prix, an innovative and spectacular race to be held the following day, 14th May, on the town’s historic Thesen Island, which will provide a unique karting street circuit atmosphere. Counting for both the Western Province club and Eastern Province regional karting championships, practice for the GP starts on the Friday at 14h00 and ends at 19h00. On the Saturday there will be a warm-up from 14h00 to 15h00 followed immediately by qualifying and racing, which ends under lights at 21h30.
Its Sunday morning, the sun has just risen and as I wait to be picked up outside my home, I start to feel that familiar feeling of excitement mixed with a slight touch of anxiety and that pre-adrenaline rush that’s waiting like a raging bull behind the coliseum gates, waiting to be released. It’s a feeling that’s difficult to explain, but you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Status Luxury Vehicles have invited the Road and Race team down to Killarney Race Track for an open track day, but more specifically and the reason I’m feeling so excited, is ‘coz we are going to get to play with a couple of SLV’s new toys – a Lotus 7 and a slightly modified JCW Mini Cooper S. So armed with our cameras and a cooler box full of non-alcoholic refreshments, we set off…
Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May and featuring cars like Maserati’s MC 12, Lamborghini’s Gallardo Superleggera, Ferrari’s 458 Italia, a Red Bull Racing F1 Car and a Rocket Fuelled dragster you would be silly not to head down to Kyalami Race Track between the 17th and 20th of March 2011 for the Top Gear Festival, powered by BP Ultimate.
David Coulthard, The Stig, Sabine Schmitz as well as a host of other driving talent will also be doing laps, drifting cars and generally showing off their skills to the South African public.
The Bertone Jaguar B99 is one of the stars of the 2011 Geneva motor show. Designed as a concept for a compact Jag (at 4.5m long it’s comparable with a BMW 3-series), it boasts a pretty muscular body, one which combines the looks of a classic XJ saloon with more futuristic influences, such as the lights which echo front and rear (dark red car, right).
The body is constructed with handmade aluminium panels, while the powertrain is hybrid, developed by the firm’s renewable energy research arm, Bertone Energy. There’s an engine for range extension purposes while two electric motors drive the rear wheels. Each one boasts 201bhp, while the car’s maximum output with the engine factored in is a stonking 570bhp, over 60bhp more than Jaguar’s much bigger, supercharged V8-powered XJ Supersports.
Connect with Us!