Archive für 6.2.2009
Jens Höing secures place in the 2009 F2 line-up
6.2.2009 von Wolfgang.
German driver Jens Höing will compete in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009.
The 21-year-old moves to F2 after competing in the German Formula 3 Cup last season, where he scored a season’s best eighth position at the Nürburgring. Höing also tested for Team Olympiacos in the Superleague Formula at Vallelunga in August 2008, setting the sixth quickest time overall.
Prior to F3, Höing spent three seasons racing in Germany’s national Formula BMW Championship. He also competed in the 2006 Formula BMW World Final against fellow F2 drivers Rob Wickens and Tobias Hegewald at the Circuit de Valencia – the venue which will host the opening rounds of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.
Jens Höing said: "I am glad to be joining F2 as the second German driver to be confirmed. The concept, presentation and history of F2 are right for my career. With the cars being equal for every driver, unlike my situation in Formula 3, people can see your talent through your results in Formula Two. This is my best chance to reach the top of professional motorsport in the next two years and my aim is to score podiums this year before challenging for the title next season. I want to win the F2 championship in 2010 and with it, the Williams F1 test drive. I still know many of the fabulous Williams F1 Team from my time as a BMW junior and it is my aspiration to drive for them in Formula One. I am extremely grateful to my sponsor and my new management team who have made this drive in F2 possible."
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “It is great to add another young German talent to the F2 line-up. As we all know, Germany has a rich history in motorsport and I am sure Jens will be hoping to add his name to a long list of successful drivers from his homeland. Although Jens does not have the reputation of some of F2’s drivers I am in no doubt that F2 is going to throw up some surprises to the form book and Jens could be one of them”
www.formulatwo.com
WTCC SWITCHES TO 2G BIO-FUEL
6.2.2009 von Wolfgang.
In 2009, the WTCC gives a further contribution to make motor sport more eco-friendly by starting the season in Brazil with the whole field powered by second generation bio-fuel.
During the winter tests, teams began using the new bio-fuel supplied by PANTA that, following an invitation to tender, was appointed by the FIA as the championship’s official fuel supplier for 2009 and 2010. "We are pleased, because they did not encounter technical problems," said Luca Perani of PANTA Racing.
PANTA supply both petrol and diesel fuels; the petrol is composed by 10 per cent of second generation bio-ethanol and 90 per cent of unleaded fuel, while the diesel has a 10 per cent of vegetable bio-diesel produced from rape oil.
"The E10 choice was dictated by the need to find a compromise between the aims of reducing the emissions and preserving the existing cars. Bio-fuels are far more aggressive with tanks, pipes and injectors, that need to be changed when their percentage is increased; with the E10 the current cars don‘t need any changes," Perani explained.
PANTA’s second generation bio-ethanol is made from industrial wastes of sugar processing, while the first generation bio-ethanol is made from food crops: sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats. The use of second generation bio-ethanol reduces the use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, without interfering with the production of foods.
"Ethanol contains oxygen, which helps regular petrol to burn more cleanly and completely. The use of E10 bio-fuel reduces petroleum use by 6.3 per cent and also reduces harmful emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, exhaust volatile organic compounds and ozone-forming pollutants," concluded Perani.
Fuel consumption during one WTCC racing season totals to 60/70,000 litres.
Among motor sport’s international series, the FIA WTCC is one of the championships taking the lead in promoting eco-friendly initiatives and technologies, and proposes itself as the ideal platform to raise public awareness of bio-fuel worldwide. The Super 2000 cars that take part in the WTCC are closely derived by the production models on sale to the general public, and furthermore the championship’s technical and sporting regulations have been carefully studied to limit the environmental impact in terms of air and noise pollution.
PANTA supply bio-fuel to the FIA World Touring Car Championship
PRIVATE TESTS IN VALENCIA
SEAT, Chevrolet and BMW were all testing at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit during this week.
SEAT Sport tested on Monday and Tuesday. Four of the team’s five drivers - Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini, Jordi Gené and Rickard Rydell - took stints at the wheel of two SEAT León TDI cars; 2008 machines updated to 2009 specifications.
Jaime Puig, SEAT Sport director, explained: "We have worked on the general set up, with the aim of adapting our cars to the new regulations adopted for the 2009 season. Currently one of our main objectives is to ensure the car’s maximum reliability."
SEAT Sport will test again on February 11th and 12th at Barcelona’s Catalunya Circuit.
Chevrolet tested from Wednesday to Thursday. In changeable weather conditions Alain Menu and Nicola Larini drove two Cruze cars that sported the new racing livery.
"We are progressing in knowing better the Cruze, however with a new car, testing time is never enough, even more so if weather conditions do not help!" Menu commented.
Eric Nève, Chevrolet Motorsport director said: "We hope that everything is under control, although we know we are only at the beginning of the development. This last test was also useful to check a number of non-technical things, like how the new design and color scheme work on a racing track. This too is important."
BMW remained three days, from Wednesday to Friday, with all drivers - Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller, Andy Priaulx, Alessandro Zanardi and Sergio Hernández - and five 320si cars in 2009 specifications.
Hernández was impressively quick and consistent. "I’m pleased with his approach. He is very professional in spite of his young age and the fact that he was not used to such long test sessions. He has a great potential and I’m sure he will be able to show it from the start," BMW Team Italy-Spain’s principal Roberto Ravaglia said.
Chevrolet tested in Valencia together with BMW and SEAT
TOM BOARDMAN JOINS SUNRED
Tom Boardman will compete in the 2009 FIA WTCC in a petrol-engined SEAT León run by the SUNRED team.
During the past season Boardman competed in both the Spanish SEAT León Supercópa and the SEAT León Eurocup, claiming eight race wins altogether and clinching the Supercópa title.
His Eurocup victory in Pau gave him the opportunity to make his maiden WTCC appearance at Estoril, where he finished 3rd in the Independents’ class at the wheel of a SUNRED car.
"It all feels like a bit of a dream at the moment - I feel like the luckiest man alive. I’ve watched the WTCC on television for several years and always dreamt of competing in it. Now I have this great opportunity, I’m going to give it one hundred percent," said Boardman.
His team-mate at SUNRED will be Tom Coronel. "He did really well in the last year. I think together we’ll make a very strong team and be able to challenge for the Independents’ titles."
COMPENSATION WEIGHT - HOW IT WORKS
In 2009 a new system of Compensation Weight (art. 79 of the Sporting Regulations) determines the running weight of the WTCC cars on the basis of lap time calculation.
The best lap times of the two fastest cars of each model in qualifying and the two best lap times of the two fastest cars of each model in both races are averaged. The calculation is based on a three event rolling average, except it is applied for the first time after the first two events.
For example, the results of Events 2, 3 and 4 determines the compensation weight for Event 5.
All the cars run in the first two events of the season on the minimum weight fixed by the Technical Regulations.
The maximum compensation weight is 60 kg and is applied between a maximum of +40 kg to a minimum of -20 kg.
When a model’s average is within the 0.3-second threshold in relation to the fastest model, no action is taken.
If a model is slower than the fastest model by more than 0.3s, 10 kg are deducted from the maximum compensation weight for every complete 0.1s more than the +0.3s threshold, up to a maximum of 60 kg.
When a model with less than 60 kg of compensation weight is within 0.3s of the fastest (reference) model, 10 kg are added to the current compensation weight per complete 0.1s within the 0.3s threshold.
The fastest (reference) model always has the maximum compensation weight on board.
www.fiawtcc.com
CURITIBA BOSSES PROMISE STUNNING RALLY … AND ALL THE OTHER LATEST NEWS FROM THE IRC
6.2.2009 von Wolfgang.
CURITIBA BOSSES PROMISE STUNNING RALLY
Crews contesting the Curitiba International Rally next month are being told to expect plenty of high-speed action. The event marks Brazil’s first appearance on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge calendar and will form the second round of the series from March 5-7.
Run as the Graciosa Rally for the last 29 years, the event has adopted a new title this season to reflect its rise in status after it was included on the IRC schedule for 2009.
"The drivers coming to Brazil will experience a very traditional rally but with different characteristics," said Marcos Marcola, the promoter of the Curitiba-based rally. "The stages will be very fast and will demand a lot from the drivers."
Marcola visited the IRC-opening Monte Carlo Rally last month. He said the trip was extremely worthwhile. "The organisation was impeccable," Marcola said. "It was a good experience and I am sure we will have a rally worthy of the worldwide status the IRC demands. The cars in the IRC are spectacular and our public will see some very impressive performances."
The event will include a ceremonial start in the centre of Curitiba on Thursday March 5 and will consist of a total competitive distance of 234.65 kilometres.
IRC IS GREAT FOR THE FANS, SAYS ACE GARDEMEISTER
Toni Gardemeister believes fans attending rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season will be treated to an ‘exciting’ spectacle. Gardemeister made his debut in the series on the Monte Carlo Rally last month, the tenth time he had tackled the legendary event.
Although he retired from second place due to an electrical failure, the former World Rally Championship regular was full of praise for the format of the IRC.
"It is very interesting for the people on the stages because all the times are close and the positions are changing all of the time," he said. "You have to drive the Super 2000 cars on the limit to get the most out of them and that means it is easier to make small mistakes. There are very chances for drivers in the WRC but in the IRC it is cheaper and there seems to be more opportunities."
The 33-year-old from Finland is hoping to return to the IRC this year and has confirmed he is in discussions with the Italian Astra Racing team about driving its Abarth Grande Punto on selected events, including the next round in Brazil in March.
Astra Racing team boss Luca Pregliasco commented: "We’ve still got some hurdles to overcome, but we’re racing against time to get Toni out to the next round in Brazil. He did a great job for us again, as we expected, in Monte Carlo. He’s simply one of the world’s top drivers."
WITTMANN JR CONFIDENT OF STRONG IRC CAMPAIGN
Franz Wittmann Jr believes his performances in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge can only improve this season following his debut on the Monte Carlo Rally last month.
Despite being forced to retire when his Mitsubishi Lancer E9 developed an engine fault on the final leg, the Austrian was satisfied with his efforts after running in ninth overall before he stopped.
"We didn’t have the luck this time," Wittmann Jr said. "Nevertheless we learned a lot during this rally, gained international recognition and can be confident that we can keep up with our rivals on the next rallies with a similar performance."
Wittmann Jr is contesting six further IRC rounds this season in his Interwetten Racing Lancer, which is being run by Manfred Stohl’s eponymous team. His next event is the IRC’s inaugural visit to the Portuguese Azores islands for the gravel-based Sata Rally Acores from May 7-9.
Stohl, a former podium finisher in the World Rally Championship, praised his driver’s showing on the Monte Carlo Rally.
"In my opinion Franz has already graduated to the international stage with this performance," said Stohl. "Monte Carlo was a very difficult rally with a lot of snow and extremely difficult conditions. He did very well."
HANNINEN EXCITED BY PROSPECT OF DRIVING SKODA ON GRAVEL
Factory Skoda pilot Juho Hanninen has revealed he is relishing the prospect of driving his Fabia Super 2000 on gravel. But he’ll have to wait for a couple of months after team officials confirmed it was highly unlikely that the Czech Republic-based team would enter round two of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Brazil next month.
Skoda is contesting a selected programme of rallies this season and the Sata Rally Acores, which runs from May 7-9, is likely to be the next event on the manufacturer’s schedule. It came close to winning last month’s Monte Carlo Rally, the first event for the new Fabia challenger.
"I feel a bit more confident on gravel, so I was very surprised at how quick we could be in Monte," said Hanninen. "To be honest I really wasn’t expecting that. So I’m very excited to go onto gravel now to see what we can do. If we have a good feeling straight away, then I think we are in a strong position.
"The car is already very good, but I’ve seen already how tricky it will be this year on the IRC. There are a lot of good drivers and the competition is very close. As a driver that is a lot of fun, but of course it makes it very hard. But the level of preparation of the Skoda is extremely impressive and the team works well."
Mitsubishi driver Franz Wittman Jr (pictured) was encouraged by a strong performance on the Monte Carlo Rally
www.rally-irc.com
Motors TV Broadcast TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009
6.2.2009 von Wolfgang.
Broadcast TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009 Motors TV
This Saturday, 7th of February 2009, the 4th edition of the TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009 will be broadcasted for one hour at 21.55 hours on MOTORS TV in cooperation with Marlin Media.
Run in early January and now in its fourth year, the event has become a kind of season curtain raiser for the motorsport world. The Middle-East’s first round the clock enduro attracts a smorgasbord of machinery, from the obligatory Porsche 911 to the truly exotic BMW 120d. In total 21 different car brands were on the startgrid. The international 24h race attracted 80 teams, over 300 drivers coming from 33 different countries. This year the race was extremely exciting till the end of the race. The final 60 minutes saw no less than three lead changes as a succession. For the first time in history a German team won the TOYO TIRES 24 hours of Dubai. Land Motorsport with strong drivers line up, Carsten Tilke, Gabriël Abergel, Andrzej Dzikevic and Niclas Kentenich driving a Porsche 911 GT3 cup car, finished first overall. In this thrilling race, Al Faisal Racing Team’s with a BMW Z4 M Coupé, from the United Arab Emirates achieved a second podium place. While Besaplast Racing Team from Germany completed the podium with the 3th place.
Interested in a DVD with the broadcast of the TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009, please follow this link and order your DVD now: DVD 24H Dubai 2009
Broadcast SBS 6
The TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009 will be also broadcasted on the Dutch television station SBS6. It will be broadcasted in the first programme of the SBS Autosport in March and will last one hour. Date and time will follow as soon as it is available.
Broadcast Topspeed TV
Top Speed is broadcasted on different commercial regional television stations, National television station "Car Channel" through the digital network, different websites on the internet and through I-Tunes. For more information about Top Speed and to watch the first episode (introduction) of the TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009, please follow this link www.topspeedtv.nl. The second episode will follow soon.
Broadcasting schedule TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009 on Motors TV:
Saturday Sunday
07-02-2009 08-02-2009
21:55 17:35
Tuesday
10-02-2009
07:00
Wednesday
11-02-2009
05:00
Wednesday
11-02-2009
18:05
For more information,
please check www.motorstv.com
www.24hdubai.com | www.24hseries.com
