The all new Mclaren MP4-12C GT3 race car has been competing at a high standard in the development year for the car. Making a great showing for itself in the Spa 24hr and appearances in the British GT championship, ready for it's 2012 appearance in the Blancpain Endurance Series with customer teams.
However I think Mclaren are missing a trick. Why don't they run a full works program, their knowledge of racing and technical ability within the Mclaren group are unrelieved. Even if this was just a one-off for the Le Mans 24hr. Surely they could use more of there resources to, seeing as the 24hr race and the F1 calendar do not clash in 2012 an appearance by Lewis,Jenson, Paffet or De La Rosa would really add weight. This will create huge interest for the Woking based squad and would be covered closely worldwide.
I don't want to take anything away from the customer squads who will be running the car from 2012 but I just can't help but feel a works entrance would be amazing, further adding to the spectacle of the 24hrs of Le Mans.
If I ever manage to come across Ron Dennis at any point I would love to but this to him.
Sunday 25 September 2011
Monday 19 September 2011
My Day at Mallory Park
Today I am writing a different kind of blog, more of a diary entry.
A couple of weekends ago, I got to go to the "friendly Circuit" Mallory park. This was the first race track I ever went to with my dad many years ago and I will always love it.
I was attending for Legends Racing UK and Motors TV and would compile their website reports, I also had the privilege of meeting James Holman the driver of Legends #83 (@legendnumber83 for twitter users)who had very kindly put my blog web address on the back of his car! I can now die happy with a life box ticked. Cheers James.
My day started with a cup of coffee with the Holman family and a quick look at my logo. I then went of in-search of a place to park myself complete with laptop for the day and lucky me got to sit at the top of the tower just next to the circuit commentator. A great view of the whole track which is a novelty, I wasn't going to miss anything, I normally have to rely on the circuit CCTV to catch incidents. On the race schedule today were 3x Legends races, 3x UK Pickup Championship and a classic clubmans race. While I was waiting for my area to be unlocked, I was asked by the circuit steward if I fancied a ride in the safety car to help with final checks to the track, well it would of been rude to say no. So that was two life boxes ticked on the same day. I can also report the hairpin is very banked and Devils elbow is tighter than I thought. What a track!
All of the days races were highly entertaining both the legends and the pickups provided extremely close racing keeping me glued to the track. I also had the pleasure of sharing the control tower with the great guys spotting for the pickups, this provided a great insight. I also had the company of Ian Snowman from Autosport and Motorsport news another great guy.
I managed a great walk around the paddock chatting to Drivers and teams about all sorts. However this was the same day as the Italian GP and I find it impossible to avoid the race and watch it at home. This is proving great practice for when sky have the F1 rights, I can say it's going to be a nightmare! Just stay in bed all day a lot easier.
A great day my reports are below.
Motors TV Legends Report
Legends UK Race Report
Finally reports and things on the way.....
Bathurst race reports (can't wait)
www.v8times.co.uk articles probably 2
Britcar 24hr race report with Gary Marshall (@marshallgp)
Plus my blogs to keep a look out
Cheers Guys
A couple of weekends ago, I got to go to the "friendly Circuit" Mallory park. This was the first race track I ever went to with my dad many years ago and I will always love it.
I was attending for Legends Racing UK and Motors TV and would compile their website reports, I also had the privilege of meeting James Holman the driver of Legends #83 (@legendnumber83 for twitter users)who had very kindly put my blog web address on the back of his car! I can now die happy with a life box ticked. Cheers James.
My day started with a cup of coffee with the Holman family and a quick look at my logo. I then went of in-search of a place to park myself complete with laptop for the day and lucky me got to sit at the top of the tower just next to the circuit commentator. A great view of the whole track which is a novelty, I wasn't going to miss anything, I normally have to rely on the circuit CCTV to catch incidents. On the race schedule today were 3x Legends races, 3x UK Pickup Championship and a classic clubmans race. While I was waiting for my area to be unlocked, I was asked by the circuit steward if I fancied a ride in the safety car to help with final checks to the track, well it would of been rude to say no. So that was two life boxes ticked on the same day. I can also report the hairpin is very banked and Devils elbow is tighter than I thought. What a track!
All of the days races were highly entertaining both the legends and the pickups provided extremely close racing keeping me glued to the track. I also had the pleasure of sharing the control tower with the great guys spotting for the pickups, this provided a great insight. I also had the company of Ian Snowman from Autosport and Motorsport news another great guy.
I managed a great walk around the paddock chatting to Drivers and teams about all sorts. However this was the same day as the Italian GP and I find it impossible to avoid the race and watch it at home. This is proving great practice for when sky have the F1 rights, I can say it's going to be a nightmare! Just stay in bed all day a lot easier.
A great day my reports are below.
Motors TV Legends Report
Legends UK Race Report
Finally reports and things on the way.....
Bathurst race reports (can't wait)
www.v8times.co.uk articles probably 2
Britcar 24hr race report with Gary Marshall (@marshallgp)
Plus my blogs to keep a look out
Cheers Guys
Sunday 28 August 2011
Just Leave it alone! For once.
I have just heard the news/rumours of 2 DRS zones for the Italian GP at Monza and on this occasion can the FIA please leave the drivers to get on with it and stop interfering.
Generally I have been a fan of the DRS system, on occasion it has seemed to work well, as seen at Barcelona for example and saving us from another lack lustre race. Pirelli have played there part too however.
Monza over the years has never been shy of over-taking due the low-down force needed to be competitive on a such a massively fast track. If the 2 DRS zones are used this will allow the teams to run more down-force which will be offset by the DRS zones. The problem with following a car with a greater down-force set-up is the so called "dirty air" created by the the manipulation of the wings. This in-turn stops F1 cars from following each other out of the corners and we end up back where we were a couple of years ago.
The characteristics of Monza allows the teams to strip their cars of all the fancy, complex wings and go back to basics. Over the years this has created some great racing with cars being able to follow closely and actually being able to overtake. This is where the drivers make all the calls and the fans get to see what they want, a true fight for the win.
So I'm begging the FIA to leave Monza alone, it was never broke, so stop trying to fix it.
Generally I have been a fan of the DRS system, on occasion it has seemed to work well, as seen at Barcelona for example and saving us from another lack lustre race. Pirelli have played there part too however.
Monza over the years has never been shy of over-taking due the low-down force needed to be competitive on a such a massively fast track. If the 2 DRS zones are used this will allow the teams to run more down-force which will be offset by the DRS zones. The problem with following a car with a greater down-force set-up is the so called "dirty air" created by the the manipulation of the wings. This in-turn stops F1 cars from following each other out of the corners and we end up back where we were a couple of years ago.
The characteristics of Monza allows the teams to strip their cars of all the fancy, complex wings and go back to basics. Over the years this has created some great racing with cars being able to follow closely and actually being able to overtake. This is where the drivers make all the calls and the fans get to see what they want, a true fight for the win.
So I'm begging the FIA to leave Monza alone, it was never broke, so stop trying to fix it.
Friday 26 August 2011
Most Iconic Livery, The Final.
Ok people sorry for the delay but the it's final time to pick your most iconic livery of all time.
Below are the 5 finalist as voted for in the 5 rounds leading up to the final.
Previous rounds
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Round 4 Anything Goes
Round 5 F1
Just remember one thing, your are voting for the most iconic and NOT the most successful.
Thanks for voting. Also it's not as easy as you might think.
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
The overall winner of Most Iconic Livery Ever is....
Malboro Mclaren. Which received 52% of the votes.
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who nominated at the beginning, voted in the rounds and re tweeted all my links and finally to everyone single one of you for looking and taking your time to help.
Below are the 5 finalist as voted for in the 5 rounds leading up to the final.
Previous rounds
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Round 4 Anything Goes
Round 5 F1
Just remember one thing, your are voting for the most iconic and NOT the most successful.
Thanks for voting. Also it's not as easy as you might think.
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
The overall winner of Most Iconic Livery Ever is....
Malboro Mclaren. Which received 52% of the votes.
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who nominated at the beginning, voted in the rounds and re tweeted all my links and finally to everyone single one of you for looking and taking your time to help.
Thursday 11 August 2011
Round 5, which F1 livery is the most iconic?
This is the round you have all been waiting for, which F1 car has the most iconic livery?
Please make your vote wisely as only one of these great looking machines will make the final.
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Round 4 Anything Goes
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote. Please note that you are voting for the livery not how successfully each car was. That is why the JPS Lotus is only entered once.
1992 Larousse
Malboro Mclaren
Williams-Renault FW14 1992
Tyrrell P34 ELF
1991 Jordan -7up
JPS Lotus
Team Lotus Renault T-128
Leyton House March
Brawn GP
Vanwall F1
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
The final will be on up and running by the 28th August 2011, so please check back and vote for your most iconic livery ever.
Current Finalist
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
Please make your vote wisely as only one of these great looking machines will make the final.
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Round 4 Anything Goes
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote. Please note that you are voting for the livery not how successfully each car was. That is why the JPS Lotus is only entered once.
1992 Larousse
Malboro Mclaren
Williams-Renault FW14 1992
Tyrrell P34 ELF
1991 Jordan -7up
JPS Lotus
Team Lotus Renault T-128
Leyton House March
Brawn GP
Vanwall F1
Winner of the final round securing the last place in the finial, with 40% of the votes is...
Malboro Mclaren
The final will be on up and running by the 28th August 2011, so please check back and vote for your most iconic livery ever.
Current Finalist
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
Sunday 7 August 2011
Round 4, Most Iconic livery. The Random Round.
Hi all, we are working our way towards the end of the rounds and approaching the Final. Round 4 consists of Liveies I cannot catergries, there are bits of everything here a few bikes, NASCAR, Trucks to choose from so place your vote.
Next round will be the F1 round before the final.
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote.
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
Texaco Heron Suzuki
JPS Norton
Melandri’s M1 Yamaha- Spiderman
Caterpilla Euro Racing Truck
Richard Petty Nascar #43
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
Current Finalist
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
Next round will be the F1 round before the final.
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Round 3 Le Mans
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote.
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
Texaco Heron Suzuki
JPS Norton
Melandri’s M1 Yamaha- Spiderman
Caterpilla Euro Racing Truck
Richard Petty Nascar #43
The winner of round 4 with 36% of the vote is.....
Goodwrench NASCAR #3
Current Finalist
The WINNER of the WRC Round:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
Your winner of the touring car with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
Thursday 4 August 2011
Round 3, GT/ Le mans, which Livery is the most Iconic?
It's time for round 3 of most iconic livery in motorsport. The search has covered WRC and touring cars already now it's the turn of the GT/Le Mans cars.
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote.
With 2 rounds left (F1 and everything else) the competition is gathering pace nicely so make your your favourite is in the final for the overall title.
Silk Cut Jaguar
Gulf Ford GT40
Rothmans Porsche 962 GC
GT Pennzoil Skyline GTR
2001 Toyota GT-one
BASF BMW M1
Bugatti T57
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
To see the full search and previous posts check this link.
Orignal Post
Round 1 WRC
Round 2 Touring Cars
Below you will see a full list of the nominations in this category and below that a place to make your vote.
With 2 rounds left (F1 and everything else) the competition is gathering pace nicely so make your your favourite is in the final for the overall title.
Silk Cut Jaguar
Gulf Ford GT40
Rothmans Porsche 962 GC
GT Pennzoil Skyline GTR
2001 Toyota GT-one
BASF BMW M1
Bugatti T57
Gulf Ford GT40 Winner of the Le Mans/GT Round
Sunday 31 July 2011
Round 2, Touring cars
Ok now it's time to choose your most iconic livery in the Touring Car category. I have added the DTM into this category too.
Cliff Calibre DTM
Texaco RS500 Sierra Cosworth
Peugeot 406 BTCC 1998
1997 Williams Renault Laguna BTCC
Alfa Romeo 155 1994
Volvo 850 Estate 1994
BMW M3 1988
The touring car round is now at an end! Thank you to all that voted a total of 132! so thank you.
Your winner with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Cliff Calibre DTM
Texaco RS500 Sierra Cosworth
Peugeot 406 BTCC 1998
1997 Williams Renault Laguna BTCC
Alfa Romeo 155 1994
Volvo 850 Estate 1994
BMW M3 1988
The touring car round is now at an end! Thank you to all that voted a total of 132! so thank you.
Your winner with 63 votes (48%) is.....
BMW M3 1988
Thursday 28 July 2011
Round 1, Which WRC Livery is the most iconic?
Ok People, it is time to start voting.
The first semi final will be for the WRC. In this round I will just list the nominations with a picture of each, show your support for your favourite via the poll below.
1. Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
3. Atlitalia Lancia Stratos
4. Ken Block- Ford Fiesta WRC Monster
5. Citroen DS3 Red Bull WRC
Let the voting begin, I will leave the poll to run for a number of days so we can get this completed and a champion. Vote wisely.
(p.s I did not nominate these were done by my readers)
The WINNER of this round is:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
The first semi final will be for the WRC. In this round I will just list the nominations with a picture of each, show your support for your favourite via the poll below.
1. Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
3. Atlitalia Lancia Stratos
4. Ken Block- Ford Fiesta WRC Monster
5. Citroen DS3 Red Bull WRC
Let the voting begin, I will leave the poll to run for a number of days so we can get this completed and a champion. Vote wisely.
(p.s I did not nominate these were done by my readers)
The WINNER of this round is:
Lancia Delta- Martini Livery
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