German tuner offers a wide-body version of this super-powered SUV that features an aerodynamic kit with plenty of needed venting.Wednesday, November 30, 2011
G-Power X6 M Typhoon wide-body with 725 HP
German tuner offers a wide-body version of this super-powered SUV that features an aerodynamic kit with plenty of needed venting.
Massa threatened with jail over team orders
 |
?A public raised on a diet of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna were simply appalled and saddened in equal measure by Massa?s apparent lack of ambition.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/massa_threatened_with_jail_ove.php
2012 Design of the Year: Fisker Karma
A dream realized.
So now it's real: series production is underway and the first Fisker Karma sedans -- five as of the Frankfurt show in September -- are in the hands of private individuals, much to the surprise of the naysayers who've insisted it's all scam and vaporware. There is no way to know yet whether Fisker will be a Lamborghini-style success or a De Lorean-style failure. But what we do know, just by looking at it, is that the Karma is a beautiful and highly dramatic automobile, unlike anything else on the road today and yet very much like dozens of the most beloved sports cars of the past.
Photo Gallery: 2012 Design of the Year: Fisker Karma - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: 2012 Design of the Year: Fisker Karma - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1201_2012_design_of_the_year_fisker_karma/index.html
Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon
First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35
Infiniti gets family-friendly with the JX35.
Infiniti already offers a variety of people movers with its two-row EX and FX crossovers and three-row QX56. Now, it is looking to take a bite out of the luxury three-row crossover pie that appeals to so many families with the 2013 Infiniti JX35.
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2011/1111_2013_infiniti_jx35/index.html
2004 and 2008 Volkswagen R32 and 2013 Volkswagen Golf-R
Times, they R a-changin'
Volkswagen is changing its products to appeal to a more mainstream audience -- but thanks to the undying efforts of one in-house enthusiast, a very un-mainstream Golf is coming to America. We watched as the 2013 Golf R made its U.S. debut to a group of its likeliest fans.
Photo Gallery: 2004 and 2008 Volkswagen R32 and 2013 Volkswagen Golf-R - Automobile Magazine
Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli
Driven: Morgan 3 Wheeler
A twenty-first-century interpretation of a twentieth-century idea.
Truth being stranger than fiction, the Morgan Motor Company is officially the largest British-owned carmaker in Britain. Pretty weird stuff for a company that still fashions cars out of ash wood and hand-beaten metal and still operates out of the same set of red brick sheds its founders, an Anglican prebendary and his son, erected in 1918. Even funnier, Morgan has recently reached back into its Edwardian playbook to introduce a new model, the 3 Wheeler, inspired by one of its earliest product lines. It has negligible weather protection, weighs but a tea service or two over 1000 pounds, and is powered by a fuel-injected American motorcycle engine mated to a Mazda Miata gearbox, making it capable of a 4.5-second dash to 60 mph and a top speed of more than 115 mph. Most amusing of all, however, is that this new machine is coming to these heavily regulated shores. How could that be?
Photo Gallery: Driven: Morgan 3 Wheeler - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1112_morgan_3_wheeler_driven/index.html
JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd
Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident
UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION: �http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital. �His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/robert-kubica-hospitalised-following-rally-accident/
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
AUTOS: Bugatti Veyron Lagoon Crash Was Elaborate Fraud, Insurance Company Claims
Federal judge sends case to jury trial in 2009 wreck that was videoed and viewed by millions on YouTube.
First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35
Infiniti gets family-friendly with the JX35.
Infiniti already offers a variety of people movers with its two-row EX and FX crossovers and three-row QX56. Now, it is looking to take a bite out of the luxury three-row crossover pie that appeals to so many families with the 2013 Infiniti JX35.
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2011/1111_2013_infiniti_jx35/index.html
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Spotted! 2013 Nissan Altima Caught Testing
With the midsize sedan market heating up, Nissan is putting the finishing touches on an all-new Altima, which will likely launch as either a 2012 or a 2013 model. Lucky for us, our spy shooter caught this pre-production car testing with minimal camouflage. The 2013 Altima spotted has shed some of its disguise, giving us [...]
Source: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/spotted-2013-nissan-altima-caught-testing-89909.html
HRT F111 unveiled in Barcelona (photos)
After confirming Vitantonio Liuzzi as their second starter for the 2011 campaign, and therefore completing their lineup for the new season, the Spanish team unveiled their F111 challenger in front of reporters on Friday (11th of March), in the penultimate day of testing this off-season.
(Ctrl+Click on the images for enlarged view)
Images(C) MotionCompany, toilef1.com
2007 Nissan Maxima
It's time for a mid-cycle face-lift for Nissan's flagship sedan, but you'll have to look closely at the face of the 2007 Maxima, because Nissan's stylists were awfully stingy with the Botox. The freshened front end has had its nose stretched slightly, and new, sleeker headlamps are surrounded by more wedge-shaped sheetmetal. A bigger rear spoiler for the SE model, more aggressive side sills, and a reshaped rear bumper round out the exterior modifications.
It's time for a mid-cycle face-lift for Nissan's flagship sedan, but you'll have to look closely at the face of the 2007 Maxima, because Nissan's stylists were awfully stingy with the Botox. The freshened front end has had its nose stretched slightly, and new, sleeker headlamps are surrounded by more wedge-shaped sheetmetal. A bigger rear spoiler for the SE model, more aggressive side sills, and a reshaped rear bumper round out the exterior modifications.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Nissan Maxima - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_2007_nissan_maxima/index.html
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Heikki Kovalainen - Classic F1
Heikki Kovalainen is the driver picking his five favourite all-time grands prix for the penultimate edition of BBC Sport's 2011 classic Formula 1 series.
The Finn has re-established his reputation with Team Lotus in 2010-11 after two years at McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton that were, by Kovalainen's own admission, "disappointing in terms of results".
So it is appropriate he has chosen five of his own races, as they remind us that he is a race winner in his own right and not simply one of F1's top drivers.
Kovalainen is trying to re-establish his F1 career at Lotus. Photo: Getty
In chronological order, the 30-year-old talks through his choices, starting with the race that stopped him getting the sack after a shaky start to his debut season with Renault:
"A very difficult weekend. One of the low points of my F1 career. I think Flavio [Briatore, the Renault team boss] was very close to getting rid of me. His patience was running out.�I crashed the car on Friday and it didn't look good in the first part of qualifying.�I honestly think he would have sacked me after that race if I hadn't come through the field and finished fourth, fighting actually for a podium with [Williams driver] Alex Wurz.�
"After that, I finished a strong fifth in Indy, beating Kimi [Raikkonen of Ferrari]. From then on, things started to work in the right direction.�I probably didn't realise at the time that it was that much on the line. I just thought: 'It's not working, let's try again tomorrow.'�But looking back now I think my career was at stake. Some other people have told me that. Luckily, he [Briatore] gave me some more races and things started to go well.�
"In Canada, Robert Kubica had a big accident. I was just exiting the hairpin and I saw the accident to my side and thought: 'That's going to be a safety car.'�I was just coming up to a pit stop and I decided to go into the pits myself. I called the team and said: 'There's going to be a safety car.' And they were like: 'No, no, no.' I said: 'Yeah. I'm sure there will be.' And as soon as I left the pits I saw the safety car, so I jumped a lot of people. If I had stayed out I probably wouldn't have been able to finish fourth."
"It was my first podium in F1 and with Renault. It was raining a lot, quite difficult conditions. We started behind the safety car, then [I was] coming through [the field] all the way through the race. I found I was in second place and fighting with Kimi on the last lap. He passed me, I passed him back, and I was able to keep him behind me.�
"Of course, it mattered that it was Kimi and a Ferrari. Kimi was at that time one of the big names, one of the guys fighting for the championship. To be able to beat him as a rookie, in a car that wasn't as good as his car, was a great moment.�
"Obviously, the circumstances worked out very well for us. The strategy was good and the rain maybe it evened out a bit.�It was a tricky race and Kimi was also coming through the field. Maybe a few more laps and he would have got me."
"My first race at McLaren and I came very close to winning it.�[Team-mate] Lewis [Hamilton] had done his second pit stop, I was coming up to mine. I had just done the fastest lap of the race and I was catching him.�
"He was on full fuel and I had a few extra laps before the end of my stint, so I was actually gaining a couple of seconds a lap on him. The team thought about stopping, but we decided to go to the planned end of my stint. Then the safety car came out.�
"I remember being behind the safety car at the head of the queue. Most of the guys behind me had stopped, so I dropped to 10th and eventually fought back to fifth. I overtook Kimi and Fernando [Alonso's Renault]. It was good. But imagine starting your McLaren career with a victory; it would have been quite cool.
"At the time I was annoyed, but what can you do? It was the right choice to stay out to fight for a win. If we had taken the conservative approach and stopped earlier, I would have been second, but we had good pace and going quicker and quicker. It was just unfortunate the safety car came out."
Hungary 2008
"My first win. I was in a good position all the way through the weekend. After Lewis had a puncture, I was running second all the way through the race. Then at the end I was catching Felipe Massa's Ferrari by two seconds a lap.�
"I knew he was in trouble. We were running out of laps. Then I saw his engine go. There are no style points in F1. It was a great moment.�I knew now was a good chance to win the race. I had a good cushion behind me to Timo [Glock's Toyota]. I didn't have to push. I was able to ease off a little bit and finish the job.�It was nice to win a race.
"It was a good part of the season [for me]. I was on pole at Silverstone and I didn't finish off that race. Hockenheim was a little bit unfortunate - I was in a position to be on the podium and then it didn't work out for me with the safety car. Then to get the victory just before the summer break was great."
"Looking at the performance of the [Lotus] car, I think I got everything out of it. I remember fighting with [Renault's Vitaly] Petrov and some other guys in better cars for quite a long time, knocking on the [door of the] top 10.�But then the power steering broke five laps before the end and I had to stop. It was a good race - I was able to build a big gap to the other new teams and join the back of the [midfield] queue."
Kovalainen has chosen Hungary 2008 as his favourite race. The highlights are embedded below, with short and extended highlights of last year's title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix underneath to whet your appetites for the weekend's action.�
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
CLICK HERE TO WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
The classic races will also be available on digital television in the UK. On Freeview, they will be broadcast between the two free practice sessions on Friday 11 November, from 1035 and 1255 GMT. On satellite and cable, they will be available from 1500 GMT on Wednesday 9 November to 1000 on Thursday 10 November, from 1030-1430 and 1830-2000 on Thursday, and from 1035 -1255 on Friday.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/heikki_kovalainen_-_classic_f1.html
First Look: 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS
A Panamera Turbo, albeit with no turbochargers.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Porsche's Panamera Turbo should be blushing a bright shade of Ruby Red Metallic. After all, the new 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS, which debuted at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show, is essentially a Panamera Turbo, albeit without any turbochargers.
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2011/1111_2013_porsche_panamera_gts/index.html
Tonio Liuzzi shows his chalky helmet
After sitting out FP1 Tonio Liuzzi will take to the track in FP2 today wearing a unique ‘home made’ design on his helmet. The Italian has had a helmet specially painted with a matt black material that serves as a … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/11/25/tonio-liuzzi-shows-his-chalky-helmet/
Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold
AMT/Ertl '55 and '57 PU cab body tooling difference?
Hi, is there a difference between the AMT/Ertl '55 and '57 PU cab body tooling?
these two kits:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/gr/amt/amt31940.jpg
http://images33.fotki.com/v1120/photos/1/1206098/5835000/DSC00372-vi.jpg
It looks like the only differences are the grille and badging?
I don't have both kits to compare them side-by-side.
Thanks for looking
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/988483.aspx
Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi
Massa threatened with jail over team orders
| |
?A public raised on a diet of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna were simply appalled and saddened in equal measure by Massa?s apparent lack of ambition.?
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/massa_threatened_with_jail_ove.php
Bring On The Engines: Ford Expanding Powertrain, EcoBoost Options in China
Given that that the Chinese auto market is one of the largest in the world (and it?s still growing), it should be no surprise that Ford is gearing up to improve its product base there. But increasing sales isn?t Ford?s only goal: mirroring its efforts in other global markets, the American automaker says it is [...]
2011 Tokyo Auto Show Preview
The Japanese Capital's Coming Attractions
The Japanese Capital's Coming Attractions
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/coverage/2011_tokyo/index.html
Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz
2007 Lexus LF-A Sports Car Concept
Lexus isn't done dipping its toes into the deep end of the sports car market. Is this second LF-A concept the real thing?
The first hints that Lexus might sell an exotic sports car came exactly two years ago here at the Detroit auto show with the unveiling of the first LF-A concept. That car's primary goal was to introduce the "L-finesse" design direction to the world, but public excitement pushed the brand to take their toy to the track. But now, just as Nissan did with the GT-R and as Mitsubishi is also doing here with the Prototype X, Lexus is showing a second concept of the same car. Is it just another tease? "The first LF-A was pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," says Lexus general manager Bob Carter. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest." In other words yes, it is still a tease. And because it might see production, this swoopier LF-A might be an even bigger tease. Thanks a lot, Lexus.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Lexus LF-A Sports Car Concept - Latest News, Auto Show Coverage, and Future Cars - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: 2007 Lexus LF-A Sports Car Concept - Latest News, Auto Show Coverage, and Future Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/0701_2007_lexus_lfa_concept/index.html
Friday, November 25, 2011
Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan
 |
After being rumored for quite some time, Cadillac has finally officially confirmed a new entry in the compact luxury segment. The vehicle is codenamed ATS and as of right now, the automaker has only revealed the first sketch of the car.
This teaser sketch shows off a design language inspired by the CTS sedan, but with different headlamps and a more sporty feel. The small Cadillac will begin production next summer at Lansing Grand River, the same Michigan assembly plant that builds the award-winning midsize Cadillac CTS sedan, coupe, and wagon.
"The car we codenamed ATS is being developed to be a driver’s car on an all-new Cadillac-specific RWD-AWD architecture," General Motors North America President Mark Reuss said. ?We have extensively and exhaustively studied the competitive segment, and we have benchmarked the best. And when this car comes out, that will be readily apparent."
The Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan will be launched in 2012. So far, there has been no mention of the ATS-V version expected sometime in 2013.
UPDATE 09/12/2011: The now long-awaited ATS, Cadillac’s response to the BMW 3-Series, has been caught testing with a clear resemblance to its bigger brother, the CTS. And while our spy photographers were busy chasing it, Cadillac has unveiled a teaser video for the car. Hit the jump to watch it!
UPDATE 10/25/2011: Cadillac has taken the upcoming ATS sedan for another round of testing. This time, the car was tested at the "The Green Hell" - a stunning testing ground known for attracting?and tormenting?the best drivers and performance vehicles in the world.
UPDATE 11/25/2011: Cadillac continues to reveal details on their upcoming ATS luxury sedan using a series of teaser video. The one revealed today presents the engineers working on the all-new Cadillac ATS, which begins production in 2012. Most of them have also developed Cadillac?s CTS and V-Series high-performance models, and have the highest level of training as test drivers.
Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 25 November 2011 17:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/cadillac/2012-cadillac-ats-compact-luxury-sedan-ar113533.html
Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto
2007 Mazda CX-7
The attractive CX-7 is set to hit the US soon. See it first in our New Cars section.
More stylish and refined than the all-but-forgotten Tribute SUV, the CX-7 crossover will be an attractive choice for small families (it seats only five) thanks to available all-wheel drive, six standard air bags, and standard stability control. But with no U.S.-market replacement for the MPV minivan in the works and limited passenger capacity in the CX-7 and Tribute SUVs, the most capacious people hauler in the company's lineup will be the economically and ecologically friendly Mazda 5 minivan, which has six seats. Market analysts might call this strategy crazy, but we say Mazda deserves kudos for resisting the urge to offer a vehicle in every market niche.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Mazda CX-7 - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_2007_mazda_cx7/index.html
2008 Dodge Avenger
As concept cars go, the Dodge Avenger may not be the most exciting thing on four wheels, but it at least looks promising. And although Chrysler's famously ordinary mid-size Sebring sedan fails to make us wet ourselves with glee, the Avenger concept--which was reported to have been built on the 2007 Sebring's platform--at least exudes some excitement.
As concept cars go, the Dodge Avenger may not be the most exciting thing on four wheels, but it at least looks promising. And although Chrysler's famously ordinary mid-size Sebring sedan fails to make us wet ourselves with glee, the Avenger concept--which was reportedly been built on the 2007 Sebring's platform--at least exudes some excitement. Dodge claims that the Avenger "hints at the next-generation global D-segment vehicle from Dodge," but we're fairly sure it does more than "hint." Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four; that engine will likely be offered outside North America shortly after the production car's launch.
Photo Gallery: 2008 Dodge Avenger - New and Future Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/2007/0609_2008_dodge_avenger/index.html
Formula One Goes High Definition
This week FOM, the Formula One Management company run by Bernie Ecclestone, has announced it will be providing native High Definition Formula One coverage for the very first time. �This heralds the entrance of the sport into the super clear broadcast territory. High Definition television has been available for some time now in the United [...]
Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/formula-one-goes-high-definition/
India ready to spice up Formula 1
The glamorous globetrotters of Formula 1 will stop in South Asia for the first time this week as India makes its debut on the grand prix calendar.
There is a real sense of anticipation within the sport that the race outside the capital city of Delhi will add some spice to the season now both championships have been settled - as well as introducing a new global powerbroker into F1.
"It's a historic and symbolic moment," enthused Narain Karthikeyan, India's first F1 driver, who returns to a seat at the HRT team this weekend.
"Never did I think there would be Indian race in Formula 1 and never did I think I'd be in it. It's going to be the biggest day of my career."
Despite spreading east and west, it has taken F1 more than 60 years to make its way to the world's second most populous nation.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
The sport's first appearance in India was back in 1982, when the Force India team's co-owner Vijay Mallya, then a young businessman with a fascination for fast cars, drove Nelson Piquet's 1978 Ensign in a series of events around India.
But despite Mallya's early foray, the sport's commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, waited until the mid-nineties before pursuing plans to add India to the calendar. An agreement to stage the race in Greater Noida, a new city outside Delhi, was finally reached four years ago.
Unusually for a new entrant on the F1 calendar, government is not committing any funds to the grand prix. Instead it is a private venture funded by construction specialists the Jaypee Group, which has spent £205m on the new track alone.
Organising the grand prix is the firm's first foray into sport but, despite F1's notoriously high price tag, Jaypee views the project as a strong investment.
The Buddh International Circuit - designed by Ecclestone's favoured architect, Hermann Tilke - has been devised as the centre piece of an ambitious 'Sports City', which will include hockey and tennis stadiums - pitches have already been dug in for a state-of-the-art cricket stadium.
Building cricket stadiums for the sport's devoted Indian audience can be viewed as a pretty safe bet but India's appetite for F1 is more of an unknown quantity.
"You cannot compare F1 with cricket in India because cricket is like a religion," explained president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India Vicky Chandhok, who described himself as Ecclestone's "eyes" in India.
"But F1 is a vibrant sport, it oozes glamour, it oozes sex and we have the perfect audience - the youngest population in the world are in India."
Karthikeyan, who first saw F1 when a friend bought him a 1989 season review video, agrees the sport should not try to compete for the cricket audience.
"F1 is definitely not watched by the same demographic as cricket," he said. "The urban areas are where F1 is most popular, among people who like technology.
"They have other things on their mind in the predominantly rural areas; where there are farmers, I don't the connection with F1 is that big, whereas cricket is accessible to everyone."
Who F1 will appeal to is one thing but the other big question is how many?
The Indian potential audience is huge, with a population of 1.18 billion. However, a large population and a growing economy does not necessarily make for a receptive audience - as has been proved by the lacklustre response to the Chinese Grand Prix, which has been running for eight years but still struggles to attract a crowd.
Before the Indian GP, it is estimated that 27m Indians tune in to watch F1.
ESPN Star Sports is the sport's sole broadcaster in India - although eight national news channels have also been accredited for the race - and F1 is included in part of a satellite subscription package which Karthikeyan says costs less than a pound a month.
Television audiences for the first Indian GP are expected to rise above 30m, with an estimated 200,000 expected to watch from the grandstands over three days.
The novelty of the first race is bound to lure in a new audience but sustaining both interest and growth in F1 when the circus leaves town is a different challenge.
Thousands of fans turned out in Bangalore to meet McLaren star Lewis Hamilton
On the plus side, motorsport has some established some roots, with national karting and rallying championships already in place as well as a three-tiered single-seater series powered by engine manufacturer Suzuki, whose subsidiary Maruti Suzuki is India's biggest car manufacturer.
Chandhok, whose son Karun is the Team Lotus reserve and only the second F1 driver from India, is confident the GP will spark new interest.
"I honestly think there is going to be a huge boom in motorsport," he said. "People like Karun really struggled to make it because of the [lack of] financial backing but the next generation will find it easier."
Karthikeyan is more cautious: "It could go two ways; one like the Korean Grand Prix where it happens, there is some attention and then nothing happens in any form of motorsport for the rest of the year.
"Or it could be like Malaysia where, after F1 arrived, there is a huge interest in the lower formulae and a lot of motorsport is going on there in a big way.
"There are lot of kids who will see the race in India and want to emulate the drivers."
Force India, who regard the grand prix as an "emotional" home race, have launched their own academy to help ensure the Indian GP is not the only outlet for Indian talent.
"There are three sectors," explained deputy team principal Robert Fearnley. "The first is the one-in-a-billion search for an Indian driver, the second is the idea to help bright young Indian aerodynamicists and mechanical engineers through university and the third is a vocational plan to bring in technicians and mechanics."
There is also confidence that F1 and India will go on to forge mutually beneficial commercial partnerships.
Sauber's Indian-born chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn says: "It was always a bit of a mystery why we couldn't attract Indian companies.
"Because the Indian market is so big, most products and brands didn't necessarily see beyond their boundaries, but now they can use F1 as a platform and we offer our partners something additional if India is a big market for them. It's a win-win situation."
There are, then, a lot of expectations weighing on the first Indian GP, whether it is winning the hearts and minds of a nation, acting as a catalyst for grassroots motorsport or building new global business partnerships.
But there is also a warm confidence that F1 and India are only at the beginning of a fulfilling, new relationship - and there should be some fun to be had too.
"I think you'll enjoy it," smiled Karthikeyan. "You'll be in good hands."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/10/the_glamorous_globetrotters_of.html
Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)