Hungarian GP this weekend
Hungaroring
As a racing venue, Hungary has a long
history, with its first GP run in 1906, and regular events
in Budapest since 1926. Built with state backing, and laid
out in a natural amphitheatre, the Hungaroring opened in
1986 and attracted an estimated 200,000 spectators. Though
the event was well organized, and the hosts very
appreciative, it was felt that the 4 km Hungaroring had been
laid out more in the style of a twisty street circuit rather
than a bespoke road track. There were few opportunities for
overtaking, though things were eased from 1989 when a tight
corner was by-passed and the lap distance became slightly
less than 4 km. However, it remains a circuit that is not
high on any of the drivers’ lists, unless you are after a
piece of quick action behind the pits, as the Hungarian
government actually erected (nice word in the sex scene)
some mobile brothels a couple of years ago (sponsored by
Viagra?). I think they are still in use today!
After the German GP, will we get the same
sort of racing? Find out this weekend. I will be watching
from my favorite roost at Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR
(next to Nova Park) and the racing begins at 7 p.m. We get
there early and have something to eat and wet the whistle
before the racing begins. Why don’t you join me at around 6
p.m. for a natter and some food (the carvery is great value)
and then sit down for the Grand Prix.
So what
did we learn from the German Grand Prix?
Well we learned that Alonso is definitely
Number 1 at Ferrari. The Sulky Spaniard’s whinge on the
radio that “this is ridiculous” worked, and Massa was told
to cede position. Now, “team orders” are forbidden by the
FIA, so Ferrari has been fined $100,000 and will be told not
to do it again. Another 40 slaps on the wrist with a wet
tram ticket. All the Ferrari haters are now up in arms,
bringing up the time that Barichello was forced to yield to
Michael Schumacher in Austria in 2002. The only real
difference was the fact that Schumacher acknowledged the
fact and put Barichello on the top step of the podium as the
moral victor. Schumacher was also then fined for doing that.
The Sulky Spaniard has still not acknowledged the method by
which he “won” the German GP. Nor will he ever, I doubt.
However, is the ‘No Team Orders’
legislation sensible? Or is the law an ass? Team orders have
always been part of motor sport. In my opinion, the greatest
F1 driver of all time is Juan Manuel Fangio, but some of his
world titles came through team orders. Orders where his team
mate did not only have to cede position, but hand his car
over as well. Drivers are no longer competing as individuals
- they are merely part of a “team”, and the “team” decides
tactics and strategies, not the drivers. Trying to legislate
against these is pointless.
What else did we learn? Well we saw that
young Vettel is probably the most dangerous driver at the
start that I have ever seen. His lunges across the track at
the other drivers to attempt to block are just too much.
However, he will get his comeuppance one day. Incidentally,
with Vettel and Webber now equal in points, what will Red
Bull do now? Give them half a wing each, perhaps?
With the Seth Effrikkan channel no longer
being beamed into Thailand, we are forced to watch Star
Sports, and the comparison is odious. If anyone who reads
this has any influence on Star Sports please let them know
that breaking away from the action for a block of ads every
seven minutes is just not on. I understand that adverts are
needed, but the South Africans place the advert around a
minimized real-time telecast picture, so you do not miss any
action. Star Sports could easily do the same and get some
converts to their coverage.
What else? Honestly, it was boring. The
leaders were quicker than McLaren, who were quicker than
Kubica in the Lada, who was quicker than the Mercedes, and
so on down the line. Passing was prohibited, I think, unless
sanctioned by Ferrari.
Finally, it certainly takes some
mind-numbing boredom to end up deciding that the Petronas
advert was more exciting than the Total Oil advert, which in
turn was more exciting than the motor racing from Germany. I
just pray that Hungary will be better.
Autotrivia
Quiz
Last week I showed a photo of a British
kit car and they made 400 of them in 1958. I asked what it
was? It was the Tornado Typhoon Sports Brake, and Peter
Eades was first in and best dressed.
So to this week, and since we have
featured Citroen, how do you know if a ‘Traction Avant’
Citroen built between 1938-1940 and post-war 1948-1955 was
built in the UK and not in France (and it isn’t the
placement of the steering wheel)?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be
the first correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Who’s for
a fat-assed Porsche?
Until today, all I ever saw of a Porsche
Panamera were photographs. I remained less than impressed.
Today I was able to see a four door Porsche Panamera in the
sheet metal, at a promo being held in the Royal Garden
Plaza, and let me tell you, the Panamera is just downright
pig-faced ugly. And what is more - we have seen similar 40
years ago.
One phat ass Porsche
Remember the Jensen C-V8? Round about
1963, bulbous bonnet, tear-drop headlight shape - and there
you have today’s Panamera front clip. Remember the Bugatti
EB 112? The four door from Bugatti which was released in
1995, and there you have the silhouette and the rear. Mr.
Porsche, you cribbed the design! That’s just not on.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing
against Porsche, I am a Porsche man. I raced Porsches, I had
a 911 as a drive car, nothing ever went wrong with any of my
Porsches. The best cars I have ever owned.
Panamera
But there was a
certain purity of design in the 911 series, which continued
through the later years. Even the new GT3 RS has styling
hints which mimic the 911’s of 30 years ago. It could only
be a Porsche. And what’s more looks the part.
Now we have had the Panamera foisted upon
us, a four door, four place sports sedan, and one has to say
“Why?” Apparently it goes like the horses of hell, but since
they have the Porsche Cayenne series which will cart around
a small family at blistering speed, where does this Panamera
thing fit in? Beyond me, I’m afraid.
Fortunately, I can’t afford one, so I’m not looking and
wondering.
Jensen C-V8
Citroen gets the ‘Big Air’!
Brief note from our friends at Citroen
regarding their prowess in the rally scene. Or perhaps that
should be S้bastien Loeb’s prowess. The Citro๋n Total World
Rally Team have been competing in the FIA World Rally
Championship since 2001 during which they have won five
manufacturers titles and powered S้bastien Loeb to all six
of his World Drivers’ Championship crowns to make him the
most successful rally driver in history.
“Yumping” Citroen
The drivers call it - somewhat modestly -
getting some “big air” and it’s that gravity defying moment
that separates rallying from all other motorsports that aim
to keep their cars glued to ground and which sees rally cars
propelled towards the sky.
Yes, other motorsports occasionally see
cars in the air (such as Mark Webber a couple of weeks ago),
but it’s usually the prequel to a rather large accident, but
in rallying it is, quite simply, the quickest method of
getting from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’.
Like so many other lists of rallying’s
records, the unofficial record for the biggest ‘yump’ is
held by S้bastien Loeb. During April’s Rally of Turkey, S้bastien
Loeb literally took off on the fast Ballica stage propelling
his C4 WRC car an incredible 85 meters through the air. And
landed safely.
Commenting on his amazing Turkish jump,
Loeb said, “It was an incredible sensation as we were up in
the air for several seconds. Not for a moment did we imagine
that we would jump so far.”
At the time of writing this, the
Frenchman heads into round eight of the 2010 championship in
Finland with a 51 point lead over his closest rival and
firmly in the hunt for a record seventh drivers’ crown. The
Citro๋n Total World Rally Team also holds a 47 point lead in
the Manufacturers’ standings.
3K local
meeting this weekend too
The Nitto 3K series races are on at the
Bira circuit. These meetings are not trying to be
professional, but are more like we would call “Club” race
meetings. A mixed bag of categories, including the ‘Retro’
series (which I hope to be competing in soon - contact me
regarding sponsorships). 50 baht entrance fee to the 3K
meeting last time out, so it isn’t promoted by Bernie
Ecclestone. The hairpin at the end of the straight is a good
vantage point. Come in the back entrance to the circuit off
Highway 36 and through the tunnel and then turn immediately
right. Bit of shade under the tree, but bring a hat. There
is an excellent cheap “Bira Caf้” in the pits for food and
cold drinks too.
