Pure80schat Messageboard
Off Topic => Today In Sports => Topic started by: Vauxhall Victor on March 05, 2004, 18:27:06 PM
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The Formula 1 season kicks off this weekend in Australia.
Can anyone beat Schumacher's Ferrari this season.
I reckon this could be Kimi Raikkonen's best chance.
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SCHUMACHER AGAIN FOR ME UNFORTUNATELY!!!
WOULD LOVE TO SEE JENSEN BUTTON DO SOMETHING AT BAR..............AND LETS HOPE NOT CRASH!
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melbourne grand prix.....oh no not Schumacher again !
he smashed the fastest time yesterday,and then beat that time again later in the arvo...its not looking good for everyone else...
but...anything can happen,we're expecting light showers tommorrow so we'll see....
he could be brought down by someone else's accident...
i want coulthard to win...now that hakka's not in it.co's he WAS my favourite.
it would be good to see mark webber get up too...but next year he's hopefully driving with
another team...and a better machine!
looking forward to watching celebrity race before the big one too....an absolute pisser sometimes...i just wish they got handed faster cars...even funnier.
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AND HERE'S THIER GRID POSITIONS
Australian Grand Prix grid
07mar04
GRID for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne today after yesterdays qualifying sessions in Melbourne.
1st row:
1. Michael Schumacher (GER) Ferrari 1min 24.408, 2. Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Ferrari 1:24.482
2nd row:
3. Juan Pablo Montoya (COL) Williams-BMW 1:24.998, 4. Jenson Button (GBR) BAR-Honda 1:24.998
3rd row:
5. Fernando Alonso (SPA) Renault 1:25.699, 6. Mark Webber (AUS) Jaguar Racing 1:25.805
4th row:
7. Takuma Sato (JPN) Bar-Honda 1:25.851, 8. Ralf Schumacher (GER) Williams-BMW 1:25.925
5th row:
9. Jarno Trulli (ITA) Renault 1:26.290, 10. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.297
6th row:
11. Felipe Massa (BRA) Sauber Petronas 1:27.065, 12. David Coulthard (GBR) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.294
7th row:
13. Cristiano Da Matta (BRA) Toyota 1:27.823, 14. Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) Sauber-Petronas 1:27.845
8th row:
15. Nick Heidfeld (GER) Sauber-Petronas 1:28.178, 16. Giorgio Pantano (ITA) Jordan Ford 1:30.140
9th row:
17. Zsolt Baumgartner (HUN) Minardi Cosworth 1:30.681, 18. Olivier Panis (FRA) Toyota no time
19. Christian Klein (AUT) Jaguar Racing no time, 20. Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) Minardi Cosworth no time.
more info at http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/infocus/0,9004,32082%5e31905%5e10101%5e31942%5eaustf1gp,00.html (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/infocus/0,9004,32082%5e31905%5e10101%5e31942%5eaustf1gp,00.html)
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Interesting to see Button's BAR and Webber's Jaguar in the top six. Just a few hours to go.
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f**k'n nuts heap jaguar...cant wait till he moves.....surprise surprise mechanical failure ....again !...poor mark webber.
button did well though!
and damn that schumacher ...again
typical melbourne weather ( 4 seasons in one day ) .....they said it would rain.....where ?
beautiful day,bit humid though...
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The idea of paying a small fortune to watch speeding blurs is totally beyond me. Then again, I'm with Julian Cope on the whole Autogeddon trip.......
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TIS ALRIGHT ....I PAID F***K ALL TO WATCH IT...SAT IN MY CHAIR 15 MILE AWAY AND WATCHED IT ON TV ! LOL
I MIGHT GO NEXT YEAR THOUGH....NOT CHEAP !
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You could probably bloody hear it from 15 miles! I used to work with a guy who, with his wife, would follow the F1 tour round Europe in their camper-van. Don't see the attraction of it myself but each to their own. Of course, if that Scottish git Coulthard had actually won then I'd be the biggest F1 fan on the face of the planet!
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POOR COULTHARD....I WAS GOING FOR HIM TOO !
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Why all the hatred for the best driver in the world ? Michael Schumacher.
I admire him that he still has the drive and ambition to race, giving it 100%, Montoya is just a hot head, Kimi needs a humour injection, and Coulthard just makes up the numbers.
Jensen should do well, but those Ferrarri's are flying.
Schumi will win the title again.
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Copuld it be because Schumacher is a humourless, sausage munching Aryan git?
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SCHUMACHERS TITLE AGAIN....
...BUT THERE IS A LONG SEASON AHEAD I FEEL!!
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Probably is his title again. Great driver but utterly no charisma.
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TRUE BUT YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE HIS DRIVING............. AND CAR OF COURSE
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I certainly admire his driving. He's without doubt the 3rd greatest Grand Prix driver ever!
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3RD ??
AFTER WHO?
FANGIO FOR ONE,WHO IS THE OTHER?
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Jim Clark' tis the other. Fangio reckons the 2 of them were a class apart. And if Juan Manuel says so, then that's good enough for me!
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I WOULDN'T AGREE WITH THAT!!
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA SAY MANSELL...........PMSL
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Mansell? You having a giraffe!
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LOL................IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM WIN A TITLE THOUGH!!
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True - but he is slightly MORE charismatic than the sausage-eating German.
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LOL....................COULD YOU IMAGINE BEING SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF SCHUEY,MANSELL AND STEVE DAVIS?
LOL
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Now, Davis is pretty good actually. He's developed the dull but worthy character to a tee. And anyone who is into Magma as much as he is can't be all bad.
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Is Kimi the son of monotonus Mansell?
The Great Jim Clark was the best of his era, as was Fangio and Schumi is the best of todays racing.
Cant compare F1 with the bravest racers in motorsport, Motorcycle racers. Now thats exciting, F1 is boring with lets face it 3 or 4 good overtakings in a race. In motorcycle racing there is overtaking at nearly every corner, slipstreaming, tyre sliding and outbraking in each lap. They are true heroes.
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Any sport in which the mullet is the preferred hairstyle is one that must be considered very dodgy indeed.
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In case any of you have missed me, I've just spent the last 24 hours in a freshly-painted room, watching the wet substance set on the walls, and I can only conclude that it WAS as interesting as watching the Australian Grand Prix (which I stayed up half the night to see), AND THIS IS COMING FROM A DEDICATED MOTORSPORT FAN.
It's not that I've got anything against Micheal Schumacher or Ferrari, but you would think that one, just ONE team might have made enough progress over the winter to take the fight to the Scarlet cars.
I smell a 7th.
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SUPERBIKES IS EXACTLY THAT....SUPER..............NEIL HODGSON IS FROM THE SAME AREA AS ME......AND FOGGY LIVE 10 MILES AWAY!!
YOU SHOULD SEE FOGGYS 4X4......REG PLATE................FO GGI
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I'm looking forward to the start of the Touring Car season.
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im looking forward to the end of our touring car racing ! lol
ford vs holden all the time how boring,we need some more variety...bring back
the nissan skyline
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The worst fears of the various Michelin runners came true at the Bahrain International Circuit, as Ferrari romped to a 1-2, with Michael Schumacher collecting his third straight win of the 2004 season.
The German took off at the start of the 57-lap race and was only headed during the three pit-stops that followed. Rubens Barrichello was also second throughout, with the exception of the strategy, and headed Jenson Button to the chequered flag by a comfortable margin.
Button took his second consecutive podium after catching and passing Juan Montoya's Williams, which went sick with brake and engine problems, in the latter stages. The Colombian also dropped behind Jarno Trulli, Takuma Sato, Fernando Alonso before the chequered flag, while Button could not have expected to be any higher, despite losing slight advantages over his rivals at his first two pit-stops.
Sato, Alonso and Schumacher - who took sixth spot - all incorporated unscheduled stops into their race strategy, the BAR and Renault for new front wings and Schumacher for a precautionary suspension check after collecting the Japanese driver during a passing move. All three recovered - Alonso after starting at the very back - to take points finishes.
Mark Webber caught and passed the ailing Montoya at the death to secure a points finish for Jaguar, but there was no representation from McLaren, which posted the only two retirements of the day. Kimi Raikkonen, unbelievably, suffered his fourth engine-related problem in three race weekends.
Full report and results to follow....
Leading finishers - Bahrain GP:
1. Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari
3. Jenson Button BAR
4. Jarno Trulli Renault
5. Takuma Sato BAR
6. Fernando Alonso Renault
7. Ralf Schumacher Williams
8. Mark Webber Jaguar
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Michael Rutter and John Reynolds made impressive starts to the 2004 British Superbike championship after both claimed a win and a third-place in the opening round.
Rutter, who started from pole, led home team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari in the first race to cap a marvellous start for the HM Plant Honda team.
Another Japanese factory followed Honda home with Rizla Suzuki duo of John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama coming third and fourth respectively.
Sean Emmett brought home the first Ducati in fifth, while Marty Nutt - on a Yamaha - came in sixth.
In the second race last season's runner-up John Reynolds broke the Honda dominance with a superb ride to open his account for the campaign.
Kiyonari and Rutter completed an excellent weekend's work for their team by following Reynolds home in that order to leave Kiyonari just one point behind the pair in the standings.
Emmett went on better second time around to take fourth, while Scott Smart - on a Kawasaki - took advantage of Kagayama's early retirement to claim fifth.
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Race One result - Time
1.M Rutter (Ducati) 36:18.615
2.R Kiyonari (Ducati) +2.874 seconds
3.J Reynolds (Suzuki) +21.065
4.Y Kagayama (Suzuki) +33.099
5.S Emmett (Ducati) +45.732
6.M Nutt (Yamaha) +50.747
7.S Smart (Kawasaki) +51.751
8.D Thomas (Ducati) +51.808
9.G Richards (Kawasaki) +53.637
10.C Coxhell (Honda) +1:01.019
Race Two result Time
1.J Reynolds 32.10.864
2.R Kiyonari +0.510
3.M Rutter +1.340
4.S Emmett +12.504
5.S Smart +17.619
6.D Thomas +22.764
7.S Easton (Ducati) +36.684
8.G Mason (Yamaha) +43.615
9.S Plater (Yamaha) +57.525
10.T Hill (Yamaha) +59.826
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REYNOLDS AND EMMETT POWER TO GLORY
MonsterMob Ducati rider Shaun Emmett and Rizla Suzuki rider John Reynolds notched up wins in the second round of the British Superbikes championship at Brands Hatch.
Reynolds won Race One when Emmett was hit by Glenn Richards and both men crashed out. The Safety Car came out and once the pack was bunched up , Reynolds was able to speed away and hold off the challengers for his second win of the season, Micheal Rutter coming in second.
In the next race, Emmett started from pole and held off Rutter. Reynolds started slowly and was in ninth at the end of the first lap, and although he battled back to take third, he never looked likely to get to Emmett.
Emmett moves up to fourth in the series, while Reynolds is now three points clear of Rutter at the top of the standings after his win here and at Silverstone last month.
Brands Hatch Race 1 Result:
1 John Reynolds (Suzuki) 24.28.876
2 Micheal Rutter (Honda) 24.30.728
3 Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 24.32.110
4 Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 24.33.297
5 Gary Mason (Yamaha) 24.47.201
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 24.51.263
7 Sam Corke (Suzuki) 24.53.613
8 John Kirkham (Suzuki) 24.56.500
9 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 24.58.598
10 Kieran Clarke (Yamaha) 24.58.673
Brands Hatch Race 2 Result:
1 Sean Emmett (Ducati) 23:26.496
2 Michael Rutter (Honda) 23:26.655
3 John Reynolds (Suzuki) 23:33.565
4 Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 23:37.708
5 Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 23:38.914
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 23:39.285
7 Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 23:43.693
8 Dean Thomas (Ducati) 23:51.565
9 Gary Mason (Yamaha) 23:53.698
10 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 23:57.629
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Rossi wins South African GP on new Yamaha machine
World champion Valentino Rossi celebrated his first race for Yamaha by winning the South African motorcycle Grand Prix here, the first of the 16-race season, starting his quest for a fourth world championship.
The former Honda star became the first rider to win back to back races on different bikes as he took the chequered flag at the high altitude 4.242 kilometre (2.636 mile) Phakisa Freeway track in a time of 43min 50.218sec in mild and sunny conditions.
Arch-rival Max Biaggi on a Honda was second, followed by last year's winner Sete Gibernau of Spain also on a Honda at the end of the 28-lap race.
"This weekend, this race must be one of the best of my career," Rossi said shortly afterwards.
The "Doctor" complimented his adversary, saying it "was a great show, a great race and a great battle with Max."
The flamboyant London-based Rossi got off to a flying start, followed by Gibernau, but came under intense pressure from Biaggi, who passed the Spaniard and stuck to Rossi for the duration of the race.
A dogfight ensued, with both riders changing front position several times, neither of the two riders wanting to give the other the advantage of an open track.
The fight continued and Rossi pushed Biaggi out on a right-hander with two laps to go, both riders almost touching wheels, and held on to take the chequered flag giving Yamaha its first win since the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2002 when Biaggi won there.
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ROSSI THE BEST GP RIDER BY FAR, what a win, he is just supreme. :clapper: Honda must be very worried, as last year the Yamaha M1 was only on the podium once, now with Rossi's skills Yamaha have a new lease of life.
Rossi's move to Yamaha is like Michael Schumacher moving to Sauber, he was tired of winning on the Honda and wanted a new challange, this is only the first race but what a start to the season.
If You want excitement watch Moto GP, can't wait till the next race.. :)
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Great start for Button
British pilot Jenson Button made a perfect start from the front of the grid at the San Marino Grand Prix building up a quick lead over world champion Michael Schumacher.
Button starting from the front of the grid for the first time ever in his BAR-Honda leapt out of the blocks leaving Schumacher in his Ferrari and Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia in his Williams to duel for second.
David Coulthard slid off at the first bend and was forced to enter the pits.
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RUTTER BAGS SNETTERTON POLE POSITION
Michael Rutter powered to pole position at record-breaking speed for the third round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Snetterton as he continued his bid to regain the advantage in the chase for the crown.
The HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider went into this event looking for victories in both races as he bids to get back on top of the points standings.
Rutter put in two fast laps in the final 10 minutes of the qualifying session to take pole position for the second time this season.
"I'm feeling good, having put in a lot of consistent laps on race tyres, and I could have gone faster in qualifying," admitted Rutter.
His best lap of the 1.952 mile circuit came in a time of one minute 5.713 seconds, sufficient to hold off the late challenge to his superiority from Australian Dean Thomas, riding the Sendo Ducati, who closed to within 0.053secs.
Sean Emmett, riding with a broken finger on his left hand, secured a front row start on his MonsterMob Ducati, though his time was matched by series leader John Reynolds, aboard the Rizla Suzuki.
Reynolds goes into the race with a single point advantage over Rutter and is expecting a real battle.
"The action is tighter than ever, but the harder the races, the harder I will be riding," said Reynolds. "I want to win here," he added.
Ryuichi Kiyonari, aboard the second Honda, heads the second row, ahead of Scott Smart on a Hawk Kawasaki.
Kiyonari commented: "I like the characteristics of Snetterton more than the last round at Brands Hatch, but I'm having to work hard through the last section.
"We've made some good progress over the past two days and I've managed to improve after every session.
"As always, I'm working very hard with the HM Plant Honda Racing team to find the best set-up for tomorrow's races."
Grid positions
1.M Rutter (Honda) 1:05.713
2.D Thomas (Ducati) 1:05.766
3.S Emmett (Suzuki) 1:05.909
4.J Reynolds (Ducati) 1:05.909
5.R Kiyonari (Honda) 1:06.098
6.S Smart (Kawasaki) 1:06.150
7.S Plater (Yamaha) 1:06.407
8.Y Kagayama (Suzuki) 1:06.449
9.G Richards (Kawasaki) 1:06.492
10.J Haydon (Ducati) 1:06.947
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SCHUMACHER BEATS BUTTON IN IMOLA
Jensen Button's dream of a Grand Prix win was put on ice on Sunday as Michael Schumacher made it a perfect four out four in the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
Button, starting on pole position for the first time in his career, drove a very good race in his BAR but the masterful Schumacher drove the perfect race in his world beating Ferrari.
The Briton shared the podium with world champion Schumacher for the third time in a row after third places in Malaysia and Bahrain, but moved one place closer to the German to finish second.
Third place at Imola eventually went to Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya after a fantastic late battle with Fernando Alonso.
Colombian Montoya managed to hold of the Spaniard's Renault to finish on the podium behind Button.
Similarly the battle for the fifth and sixth was equally engaging with Jarno Trulli edging out Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello by less than half a second.
Button on pole position for the first time made the perfect start to the race, pulling away from Michael Schumacher's Ferrari, leaving the German to fight off the Williams of Montoya and his brother Ralf.
The Englishman created some space between himself and the field while Michael banged wheels with Montoya who ten forced teammate Ralf Schumacher from the track.
As the race settled down Schumacher's Ferrari began to eat into Button's lead, and after Button went into the pit lanes to change tyres and fill up on fuel, Schumacher took a lead he wouldn't relinquish.
Schumacher opened up a comfortable lead and wasn't threatened by Button, and with both on a three-track strategy, his fourth win in the reliable Ferrari wasn't in danger.
Late on, when Button's teammate Sato was forced off with an engine problem, the Englishman took his foot of the throttle to coast home in second.
Schumacher took the chequered flag in first gear to a sea of adoring and flag-waving Tifosi, whilst the battle for points continued behind him.
David Coulthard's race couldn't have started worse as he lost his front wing in a collision at the start and ended up in the gravel on the first bend.
By the time he had the part replaced in the pit lane, he emerged at the back of the field and lasted the course to come home in a credible 12th place.
But Sunday's Briton was Button, who takes another step closer to following in the footsteps of the genius German, who is in a class of his own in Formula One.
The race in San Marino marked the ten year anniversary of Ayrton Senna - one of the greatest ever Formula One drivers - who died in a crash at Imola in 1994.
San Marino Grand Prix result Pts
1.M Schumacher (Ferrari) 10
2.J Button (BAR) 8
3.J P Montoya (Williams) 6
4.F Alonso (Renault) 5
5.J Trulli (Renault) 4
6.R Barrichello (Ferrari) 3
7.R Schumacher (Williams) 2
8.K Raikkonen (McLaren) 1
9.G Fisichella (Sauber) -
10.C Da Matta (Toyota)F Massa (Sauber) -
11.O Panis (Toyota) -
12.D Coulthard (McLaren) -
13.M Webber (Jaguar) -
14.C Klein (Jaguar) -
15.Z Baumgartner (Minardi) -
Non-finishers -
N Heidfeld (Jordan)
G Pantano (Jordan) -
G Bruni (Minardi) -
T Sato (BAR)
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A great result for the Somerset sensation Jenson Button there. ;D
Second podium finish and first time as runner-up.
I don't think anyone could beat Michael Schumacher though - you have to wait for his car to break down!
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HE SEEMS TO BE GETTING THE BAR JUST RIGHT!!
A WIN WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR HIM.............SURELY IT CANT BE LONG NOW B4 HE GETS ONE.
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BUTTON: FERRARI PACE AWESOME
BAR driver Jenson Button admitted his team needs to find extra pace in their car after the Briton finished second to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the San Marino Grand Prix.
Button started the race from pole position but once Schumacher took the lead there was little chance that the 24-year-old would put in a challenge for victory.
A stunned Button said: "It was fantastic seeing the red car going backwards after the start, which was my aim, and because it's difficult to overtake here, I wasn't worried Michael was behind me.
"Then came the pit stops and he ended up with a big gap, which I was actually quite shocked about.
"But I think we all know the pace of the Ferrari is untouchable in a race. They are a long way in front of everybody.
"Michael was 27 seconds in front of me before he started slowing down, so that's a huge gap considering I was leading for the first nine laps of the race.
"If I knew the reasons why they're so fast then we would work on it. It's very difficult to understand why we are so far away from them."
Button remains optimistic for the remainder of the season, however, in trailing the 35-year-old German by 16 points in the drivers' championship, it is unlikely he will be vying for anything other than the runners-up spot.
"It was another fantastic race and I'm very happy with second place which is another step closer to our ultimate ambition - a first win for me and the team," added Button.
"It looks like we have an exciting season ahead of us and I can go to Barcelona [in a fortnight] very happy with my year so far.
"It should be a good race for us, but looking at Ferrari's pace they seem to be very good in race trim. We might be closer, but to beat them is a big step for us."
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Yesterday I was at Brands Hatch for the British Touring Car Championship. There is probably more action at one BTCC meeting than in a whole season of F1. Don't get me wrong, I love Formula 1, and Jenson Button's second place at Imola was a fantastic achievement, but you have to be so careful in an open-wheeled single seater. One jostle for position can break the suspension or take the front wing off. Saloon car racing is all about close racing, and leaning on the opposition. Matt Neal won the first race in his Team Dynamics Honda Civic, Luke Hines in the works Vauxhall Astra coupe won race two, and his team mate James Thompson took race three honours. Surprise Thruxton winner Jason Plato didn't figure today - his SEAT was shunted off at the start of race one, missed race two, and retired from race three.
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Saw a lot of it on the TV.
There was a lot of good racing.
I'd have to say that the Brands short circuit is probably a little too tight - even for touring cars.
Best overtake of the day was Chiltern in race 1 on the last lap.
How much was the ticket VV - what do you think of the new (mixed up) format?
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It was 25 quid to get in, and £5 for a programme. There was a whole package of support races as well including two Porsche Carrera Cup races, a Renault Clio race, two SEAT Leon scholarship races, and two Formula BMW and Renault races each. Oh, and the Cheeky Girls were there somewhere!
I think the new BTCC format works very well, and provides an interesting twist to the second race, with the first ten finishing positions reversed. It is slightly unfair though, in that a winner of the first race is going to be down in tenth at the start of race 2 mixing it with the midfield cars, and increasing their chances of being taken out of the race by a potential coming together on the opening lap. For the spectators though, it's a good thing, and ultimately the best drivers are going to prove their worth by soaring back up through the pack anyway. If you get the chance to go to a BTCC event Shytot, I'd definately go. I've been going to them since 1992 and I don't intend stopping!
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Sounds like good value.
I'd go for Oulton Park or Donnington - I've driven both in real cars and on the PC ;D
It's not that I don't want to go - it's fitting it in @ the weekend.
but you never know ...
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i wish we'd have some more variety in our touring car racing....not that bigger fan,but
im sure we use to have more variety years ago...with ford..holden..chrysler..nissan....and what ever else !
now it seems like just Holden and Ford are in it....pretty boring, same nuts week in week out......the fan clubs of these two makes are so cocky...as if there the only 2 cars to buy.. given a choice !
FORD - FALCON
HOLDEN - COMMODORE
we need some new kick arse machines in there to shut them up once and for all !
these are Australia's most common ,locally made, family aimed cars...and have been trying to out do each other for years !
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Baaaaaathurst is always a bit of fun though?
one of the better exports you guys do ;D
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gee's thanks shytot....lol
and i end up thinking its a bad thing ::)
you're very well informed are'nt you ;D
are you sure you dont live over here lol
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I've been around a while :(
Must just take in things by OZ mosis ;D ;D
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::)
you dont get commodores over there do you ? ???
we do import some what, even to the U.S.OF A...but typically us,we have to agree
some what on re-naming them to suit the Americans by naming it by an known American brand ??? .....
if we asked for the same idea over too here, we'd be told to get f..ked !
and then we'd probably do it ::) heres a qoute from some site...
“The export Monaro will be re-badged for the US market and revives the name of another legendary model, the General Motors Pontiac GTO,”
“The Aussie-made Pontiac GTO with its 5.7 litre Gen III V8 engine will re-join the ranks of General Motors’ high performance vehicles or muscle cars as they’re known in the States.
“Holden expect to export 18,000 GTO’s per year to the US market commencing late 2003 early 2004. This deal is expected add a further $500 million per annum to Australia’s auto export earnings.”
::) pride for business ... ::) i dont know... ha !
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We still use Vauxhall in the UK - rest of EU uses Opel.
We used to get Commodores and Carltons.
Now it is Corsa, Astra, Vectra, Omega mainly.
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I caught some "Aussie rules" racing on he telly last night - V8 superbrutes it was called !
Does everybody drive like that in Oz?
They were crashing their V8 "utes" into walls and each other - better than the dodgems !
all the drivers had middle names too like Bad Boy or The Killer what a laugh! ;D;D
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i've seen racing utes before..ages ago..but did'nt know them as superbrutes.
dont really hear that much about em' i guess considering we're holding the event lol.
no we dont all drive like that lol
im quite sure we dont ? :-\
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The British Grand Prix looks as though it's being dropped for 2005.
Bernie Ecclestone is a greedy, money grabbing little (CENSORED), and just wants too much cash from the BRDC (Silverstone Owners) to host it.
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YES I AGREE.
That little dwarf has been a lucky bugger, he has a VAST fortune but his greed holds no bounds.
He has never liked Silverstone, so he says, I wish his syrup would blow away live on camera.
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Looks like it still might get a reprieve ..
BTW - Congratulations to James Toseland who has just won the World Superbike Championship, beating a Frenchman in the final race in France ;D
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Another win for Michael Schumacher!
Did you know that Schumacher earns about £1.5 million a race!
I'm lucky if I earn that in a year!!!
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Well, so far this season's F1 is shaping up rather differently to last's! ::)
I think Jenson Button is right to be angry at BAR. Fitting engines that blow up after 3 laps! :o
He must be spitting blood to think he could've had a podium finish in a Williams.....
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What a class act Valentino Rossi is. Sheer brilliance...It just goes to show that all out top speed counts for nothing...
He is unstoppable this season...If Rossi was not around then we would be saying the same about Sete Gibernau.
I think Rossi is the best rider now and until he retires, whenever that will be... :)
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Now Scumacher knows how to retain his world title. Just sabotage the michelin tyres before every race! ;D
Seriously, it's typical Ferrari bloodymindedness not to agree to scrap the race nut instead to serve up some utter farcical tosh to US fans. They are such bastards. >:(
Story here for those who missed it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4109556.stm
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A new Formula 1 world champion - Fernando Alonso.
Schumacher's dominance of the sport has finally been broken this season, due to Ferrari's 'average' car. Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against Schuey, he is one of the greatest F1 drivers in the history of the sport, but it was getting boring, seeing him taking the title year after year. Alonso drove well and deserves it. Pity he's not British.
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Pity about the monobrow too.
He did well though. :)
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Did anyone watch the inaugural A1 grand prix this weekend?
I was surprised at how professional it was for a startup outfit and there was some decent racing - and a great in-camera view of the Lebanese driver Beschir rolling through the air!
I like the idea of all the cars being equal so it's all down to driver skill and I like the idea of pitching nation against nation so I think that F1 may actually have a credible competitor in the making!
They'll have to change the quali and pit stops though - a sprint race? Why?
The A1 races are only on Sky Sports but you can watch the world feed live (or stream a repeat) for free from this link...
http://www.a1gp.com/media/
Enjoy!
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The A1 was OK - couldn't stand the Sky team's coverage of it though, too many "experts" and dodgy trackside interviewers.
A bit like 20 20 cricket coverage - talking the whole thing up as if it is exactly what everyone needs ...
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I've heard quite a few people saying the same thing Shy. I recently dropped the sports from my package because I very rarely watch any TV these days. Whats the point of paying for movies and sports when I never watch them?
I get to see everything I want to see...gotta love the internet!
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Well I know the Grand Prix is over for another season :( but I just thought I'd mention that I don't think Alonso deserved to win (nothing to do with the fact I'm a Schummy fan....(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/Patricia119/WHISTL11.gif)) I do think Alonso is a good driver but I think the race was handed to him and he didn't really have to fight for it....maybe something to do with the fact that Schummy's car was cr*p this year or maybe because Iceman always seemed to be at the back of the grid with engine problems.... It was a bit obvious from the beginning that Schummy wasn't gonna get the title but although I'm not really a Raikkonen fan I think that he deserved to win it...in my opinion Alonso only won cause his car was reliable........well there's always next year!!!
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I hear what your saying (and see that you're a "Schummy" fan) Patricia, but I think that the best combination won in the end. the McLaren was the fastest car for qualifying and over short distances, however, it was unreliable. I also agree that Raikkonen was unlucky and the new rules about engine changes totally ruined his season and the spectators'.
Overall F1 is becoming boring, a new (young) face will help, especially in Spain, but I think that DTM, BTCC, Moto GP and World Superbikes all offer a much better package for the average viewer. Mainly because they have all left the rules pretty simple and let people get on with racing.
I'm also interested to see how the WRC carries on, this year there were no major British drivers involved, I wonder what the viewing figures were like ....
I reckon Schumacher will be back next year with a better car - but I think that he won't win the championship again.
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Yeh I agree with most of what you're saying....Schummy will be back next year without a doubt, but whether he'll have a competitve car we'll just have to wait and see. You're right about it becoming boring but I think that a good part of that has to do with all the rule changes....it was far better when they were allowed to change their tyres when they pitted instead of just being able to re-fuel, and I also preferred the old way of qualifying when they came out on a Saturday morning and were able to drive round the circuit a few times and pick their best time....and as for losing 10 places on the grid for an engine change....what's all that about!!! that only penalises the top 10....if you're 22nd on the grid what penalty are ya gonna get for changing your engine? maybe they should just leave things the way they were, if you need new tyres then change them, and if you want a new engine, have one, I think they were trying to even things up with the smaller teams because of the expense involved, but in my opinion they've taken the edge off it....if you can't keep up with the "big boys" tough sh*t....don't change the rules to suit the slower teams.....let them get better and keep up!!!! I liked it back in the days when Mika Hakkinen and Coulthard were good contenders for Schummy, I like to see some good racing and overtaking along with good strategy getting in and out of the pits, watching Alonso drive 50 laps around a race circuit all by himself just put me to sleep....lol
I hate to say it but I think you're right, I don't think Schummy will win the Championship again, although I hope I'm wrong, but while everyone is patting Alonso on the back for winning with his "reliable" car, they're forgetting that Iceman came 2nd even for all the setbacks he had, and Schummy in his cr*p Ferrari managed to come 3rd.....so what does that say for all the other teams?
I suppose at the end of the day I don't know all the in's and out's of what goes on behind the scenes with these big teams, I'm just making my observations from a viewer's point, and it's not as good as it used to be....sooooooooo put it back the way it was....lol
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A slightly less publicised death on Friday was that of Richard Burns :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4472642.stm
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Well worth pointing that out, Shy.
Went far too young.
Him, Bestie and Mr Miyagi out of the Karate Kid all on the same day. What a black day, indeed.
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Three races in to the F1 season, and it would be surprising if Alonso isn't dominant again. Great Grand Prix in Australia though.
The British Touring Car season kicked off last Sunday, with three wins for SEAT. Two for James Thompson, and one for Jason Plato. They seem to have the edge at the moment.
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Button wins his first Grand Prix after starting from 14th on the grid! What a race!! :) O0
I'm over-the-moon. :D
A good Somerset boy too. I know some folk who went to school with him and say he is a good bloke.
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Bloody stupid name though! :2funny:
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Well at least it looks like the F1 cheifs just need to flood every race track to make a spectacle almost worth watching ::)
then maybe ITV could get someone slightly less talkative and slightly more useful than James (I can't stop talking sh1te) Allen. >:(
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So, Michael Schumacher has announced his retirement from driving in Formula 1 at the end of this season.
With just two points seperating him from Alonso in the championship, he's got to be odds on to finish his career with an 8th title.
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Ferrari have sorted out there early season wobbles and are on a charge. I think you could be right, Vic.
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Schumacher did not finish today's race 'cos the Ferrari engine blew. :o
Oh, *&^%$, sob.... :'( :'(
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Only 1 race left before the long off season.
Dreading it but atleast 2007 will be different.
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End of an era today in F1 as Micheal Schumacher qualifies for the last time.
GO GET POLE SHUMI O0
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Nice exciting finish today!
Well done Fernando; well done Massa and well done Jenson for another podium. O0
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Goodbye Michael.
2007 looks set to be an amazing year with all the new drivers and all the new rules.
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It was only today that I learned that as well as his motor racing genius and the fact he's an international class skiier, Scumacher also plays footie for a Swiss third division side.
What a sportsman.
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Can't see the attraction of Formula One (or any motor sport for that matter), like watching paint dry, would rather read the yellow pages ;D
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You're joking! Motorsport is just the best. Catch some Touring Car action on the telly and you'll see.
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Motorsport is great and is far superior to that crap known as football which is played using thugs.
F1 and BTCC have been great and the races have been just unmissable.
Each to his/her own i suppose though.
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Britains next champ (Move over Jense)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b8D0g0SmB0
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Now is Fernando Alonso ( 2 Times Consecutives) O0
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Motorsport is great and is far superior to that crap known as football which is played using thugs.
F1 and BTCC have been great and the races have been just unmissable.
Each to his/her own i suppose though.
Using thugs for what? ???
Actually, I like both F1 and football, so there you go. :P
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Motorsport is great and is far superior to that crap known as football which is played using thugs.
F1 and BTCC have been great and the races have been just unmissable.
Each to his/her own i suppose though.
Your last sentiment I agree with, but isn't motor racing just down to how good the cars engine is, like horse racing is down to how good the horse is, obviously it helps if you have a good jockey/driver, but I would have thought that 70% is down to horse/car.
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If it was just down to how good the cars' engines were, drivers of the same car would take the chequered flag in tandem. ::)
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If it was just down to how good the cars' engines were, drivers of the same car would take the chequered flag in tandem. ::)
but tandem is a bike ... not a car .... O0
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There are so many factors in Motor Racing - Circuit (and they're all different, even the U.S. ovals), weather conditions, how the cars are set up, driver skill / experience / bravery, development, team, car, tyres, tactics, rivalry, etc.
And then there are so many strands of motorsport - Formula 1, Touring Cars, Sports Cars, Classics, Single Seat smaller formulas, One Make saloons, Rallycross, Rallying, Motorbikes, Sidecars, Trucks, Bangers, Dragsters, to name a few.
I don't think I've ever watched a truly boring British Touring Car Championship race. If you go and watch them at the circuit (as I sometimes do), there's so much to see and do there.
But it's a case of each to their own. I'm not going to critisize football though, as I like that as well. But Motor Racing will always be my main sporting interest.
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No its not all down to the engine.
A1GP cars are all the same and all teams work under one roof to keep it cheat free.
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No its not all down to the engine.
A1GP cars are all the same and all teams work under one roof to keep it cheat free.
To be fair to motor sports I go on Formula One which is the only motor sport I've ever watched, so other motor sports may be different, but Formula One bored me speechless and in that sport it is the guys with the best cars that win. Mind you on Sunday night it was still better than Coronation Street and Emmerdale Farm, LOL ;D
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Some races have been incredibly boring but its down to the circuit on some occasions.
2007 has a ton of new rules that should make racing better and give more passing moves.
British driver Lewis Hamilton should be driving with McLaren next year and seriously he is an up coming legend who should not be missed.
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Now that Schmachers gone, it might open out the sport.
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If the 'guys in the best car always win' then the World Champoionship would have finished 1: Alonso 2: Fisichella 3: Schumacher 4: Massa 5: Raikonnen 6: Montoya 7: Button 8: Barichello.
The fact it didn't shows that driver skill plays as much a part in the races as mechanics does. You need both to win.
That said, if you're driving for the Toro Rosso team you have about as much chance of winning the GP than if you entrered driving your Mondeo! ;D
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I didn't say it was 100% the machine, if it was we'd all be world champions, LOL, I just meant that the machine is an enormous help.
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Still find it funny that Super Aguri beat both Spykers,Red Bull and Toro Rosso on the last race.
Amazing O0
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I know it's not techniquely motort sport, but went to see some banger racing at the weekend, and I have to say what a good day out it was.
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Banger racing is very much a branch of Motor Sport. Glad you liked it.
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Iceman...not that i want to sound patronising and i hope i don't (just ignorance probably), i am just curious...why does an individual support a certain motor racing team? ie. The football team i support is my home town / place of birth...please enlighten me ???
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I'll answer for myself, not Iceman.
I've followed Jenson Button's career since he had his first F1 test drives (can't say I follow karting etc that he raced in before)
This is because he's a klocal lad to me; our best British hope and he has some natural charisma. I also know siome guys who kknow him from his school days and although he lives in Montecarlo and shags models now, he still is in touch with his old mates and - when the season is over - he pops back to frome for a pint in the Blue Boar.
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I'll answer for myself, not Iceman.
I've followed Jenson Button's career since he had his first F1 test drives (can't say I follow karting etc that he raced in before)
This is because he's a klocal lad to me; our best British hope and he has some natural charisma. I also know siome guys who kknow him from his school days and although he lives in Montecarlo and shags models now, he still is in touch with his old mates and - when the season is over - he pops back to frome for a pint in the Blue Boar.
so do you follow his team (which i don;t understand) or him as a local boy done good (which i do understand)?
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Local boy made good. I followed JB from BAR to Honda, as it were.
Doesn't make me want to buy a Honda though. :)
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Didn't Jenson Button win his first race in F1 this year, remember hearing something about it.
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Yes. The Hungarian GP. An ace race it was too. O0
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Do you think he'll get a better constructor, so that he can really show what he can do, with Renault isn't he?
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Iceman and others will disagree with me, but I think Jens is the best natural racer in F1. He's with Honda at the moment.
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Iceman and others will disagree with me, but I think Jens is the best natural racer in F1. He's with Honda at the moment.
We'll just have to see, but even with MS gone, their are still a lot of good drivers there.
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Nigel Mansell talking about motor sports drains any enthuasm I ever had, he's so monoitone, boring and without any charisma.
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Typical Brummie! ;) ;D
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Typical Brummie! ;) ;D
LOL, the funny thing is he's from Worcester, so he's not a Brummie. Most people from Worcester hate Brummies, LOL ;D
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Iceman and others will disagree with me, but I think Jens is the best natural racer in F1. He's with Honda at the moment.
I agree that Jenson is a great racer but he is not the best in F1.
He has had 1 win where Kimi has 8 and Alonso 14 (i think).
He does however have the best advantage over all the others as he is staying with Honda and Kimi and Fernando are moving to different teams.
Lewis Hamilton is Britains next best thing though and firmly believe he will win championship before Jenson.
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Another thing about Formula One, is if you have two team mates in 1st and 2nd place and the one clearly in the lead lets his team mate win, so he can win the title, etc, doesn't seem very sporting, should each driver just try to win the race, regardless of teams.
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Another thing about Formula One, is if you have two team mates in 1st and 2nd place and the one clearly in the lead lets his team mate win, so he can win the title, etc, doesn't seem very sporting, should each driver just try to win the race, regardless of teams.
Since the infamous Barrichello/Schumacher incident two seasons back that's been banned by the sport.
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Another thing about Formula One, is if you have two team mates in 1st and 2nd place and the one clearly in the lead lets his team mate win, so he can win the title, etc, doesn't seem very sporting, should each driver just try to win the race, regardless of teams.
Since the infamous Barrichello/Schumacher incident two seasons back that's been banned by the sport.
I didn't realise that, but it's good that they've banned that kind of thing.
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2 races into the season and our new boy Lewis has had a 3rd and a 2nd place.
Shame about Jenson he hasn't come really anywhere.
Hopefully Lewis will get a win next week :)
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Local boy made good. I followed JB from BAR to Honda, as it were.
Doesn't make me want to buy a Honda though. :)
You might if you drove my 3.5 litre Honda ;)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/851897/NC2A.JPG)
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Another thing about Formula One, is if you have two team mates in 1st and 2nd place and the one clearly in the lead lets his team mate win, so he can win the title, etc, doesn't seem very sporting, should each driver just try to win the race, regardless of teams.
Since the infamous Barrichello/Schumacher incident two seasons back that's been banned by the sport.
I didn't realise that, but it's good that they've banned that kind of thing.
OK ::) it's been banned ;) a little bit harder to do yes
Oooops engine problems ??
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Talking of Honda, Matt Neal managed a win in race 3 of the opening British Touring Car rounds at Brands Hatch at the start of April in the relatively-unproven Honda Civic. Jason Plato won the first races in the Seat Leon, and the RAC-backed BMWs were well up in the running, so it could be a close run season this year.
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Isn't Brands Hatch up Northampton way?
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Isn't Brands Hatch up Northampton way?
Nah - it's not too far away from me - saw the signs for it when were driving to Hever Castle on Monday
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Isn't Brands Hatch up Northampton way?
Nah - it's not too far away from me - saw the signs for it when were driving to Hever Castle on Monday
Never been to Beaver Castle :2funny: must be that other one then, Silverstone
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Isn't Brands Hatch up Northampton way?
No, Kent.
Silverstone's up Northampton way.
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This new kid seems to have got off to a flying start, wonder if he can keep the pace going.
Jenson Button needs a decent machine to show what he can do.
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This new kid seems to have got off to a flying start, wonder if he can keep the pace going.
Jenson Button needs a decent machine to show what he can do.
JB must be well hacked-off watching Hamilton doing so well.
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It doesn't help that Button may as well be driving a Ford Escort out there. He made the wrong career move going to Honda, that's for sure.
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This new kid seems to have got off to a flying start, wonder if he can keep the pace going.
Jenson Button needs a decent machine to show what he can do.
JB must be well hacked-off watching Hamilton doing so well.
Yep, but he has only himself to blame.
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Sorry to hear of the death of former World Rally champion Colin McRae in a helicopter crash.
I got into rallying at the start of the 1990's, and remember watching him on TV competing in a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, which he crashed a lot ('Crasher' became a nickname), before he got a works deal with Subaru, starting with a Legacy and moving on to an Imprezza. He won the WRC in 1995.
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...and his little boy :'(
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bizarre thing is his former manager (i think :-\) was involved in a totally separate helicopter crash today but survived spooky! :-\
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Sorry to hear of the death of former World Rally champion Colin McRae in a helicopter crash.
I got into rallying at the start of the 1990's, and remember watching him on TV competing in a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, which he crashed a lot ('Crasher' became a nickname), before he got a works deal with Subaru, starting with a Legacy and moving on to an Imprezza. He won the WRC in 1995.
I only just heard about it today, poor bloke and his son, I feel for his wife losing a husband and a child.
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Gained a lot of respect for Lewis Hamilton today, after reading he doesn't want the World Championship on a technicality, big up to him.
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Saw this on Top Gear Last night ... it's great (I think) O0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGEqlNU30Tg
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A new British world champion in Formula 1!
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Yes, well done Hammy! O0
My work colleague says her bf turned the race off 30 seconds from the end, disgusted that Hamilton was 'going to miss out again' :2funny:
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Yes, well done Hammy! O0
My work colleague says her bf turned the race off 30 seconds from the end, disgusted that Hamilton was 'going to miss out again' :2funny:
I see the swiss resident with the scottish sounding name is World Champion. Strange Viscount how you critised both David Bowie and Phil Collins for moving to Switzerland once they'd got a few quid, when Hamilton has done the same, you're strangely silent on the matter.
Gordon Brown's at it again, first with the Olympians, bathing in their reflected glory, now he's doing it with Hamilton, god help us if England ever win the World Cup, I don't think I could take the sight of a jock celebrating that.
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Gordon Brown's at it again, first with the Olympians, bathing in their reflected glory, now he's doing it with Hamilton, god help us if England ever win the World Cup, I don't think I could take the sight of a jock celebrating that.
Agreed - but he needs to attach himself to all the available good news there is.
I doubt there's much to worry about concerning the last point because, either (a) it's highly unlikely that England will win the World Cup again or (b) old GB will no longer be PM (but may be doing the gravy trail) by the time an England team gets its act together and look slike a possible contender O0
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Whatever are you on about, LV ::)
I've never criticised David Bowie for living in Switzerland and I've criticized Phlid Collins because he's an MOR tedious Tory git, not because he's a tax evader.
LOL @ his "Scottish name". Anthony Hamilton looks soooo Scottish doesn't he? :uglystupid2:
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LOL @ his "Scottish name". Anthony Hamilton looks soooo Scottish doesn't he? :uglystupid2:
Well, the Black Watch is a Scottish regiment .... ;D
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Whatever are you on about, LV ::)
I've never criticised David Bowie for living in Switzerland and I've criticized Phlid Collins because he's an MOR tedious Tory git, not because he's a tax evader.
LOL @ his "Scottish name". Anthony Hamilton looks soooo Scottish doesn't he? :uglystupid2:
He might, they do have black guys in Scotland, you know ::)
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His dad is from Antigua. The Hamilton was either an invented surname or the name of some slave owner in the distant past.
Lewis was born and brought up in Stevenage. You dolt.
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Ooff!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8108488.stm