Rally – Prodrive MINI Preparing to Test
Just when you thought all hope was lost of seeing a Prodrive MINI next year, Rallybuzz.com has now posted a story that is the first sign of life we have had from the project in a couple months time. The silence then began to drive rumors that funding had been cut and that Prodrive was looking at teaming with Toyota for a WRC bid. That being the dumbest rumor I have ever heard has now brought us a proof of life that the MINI project is on track. Reports... [Read More...]
Rally – Why Toyota/Prodrive is Rumor Only
There seems to be some confusion on what exactly Prodrive are doing in terms of their rally program as of late. Is it MINI or is it Toyota or is it even Formula 1??? I can assure you as will Prodrive that they are not entering Formula 1. However, the rally program has been thrown into question with rumor that the British firm may be working with Toyota in a return to the WRC. Guess what? Not gonna happen. There are a number of things that make this... [Read More...]
Dakar – Day 9 Highlights
F1 – Qadbak Out; Sauber In
BMW announced earlier this year that they would not be returning to Formula 1 next year. Shortly after that, the team was purchased by Swiss firm Qadbak who had been considered suspect. That deal has failed and will now be purchased by the man who started it all, Peter Sauber. Originally the team had been sold to Qabak who had some suspect issues come up. In recent days it would appear as though the deal was going to fall through. Now with the Swiss... [Read More...]
F1 – More Entries for 2010
The FIA has written to the teams to seek their blessing to expand to 14 teams for the 2010 season. This was prompted by BMW finding a buyer for their operation and the addition of Lotus as a new team. Lotus F1 has taken the official 13th entry on the grid for next season with backing from the Malaysian government and several Malaysian firms. The team principal has been announced to be Tony Fernandes, the founder and CEO of Tune Group who owns Air... [Read More...]
ALMS – Mid-Ohio Recap and RA Preview
Round 6 of the American Le Mans Series was contested last weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH, and I was there representing Openpaddock.net and taking in all the action. Sadly, there’s not much competition in the ALMS this year with the absence of Audi LMP1 cars and the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 cars. Now, the Acura LMP1 and LMP2 factory efforts are running away from what privateers remain. Gil De Ferran and Simon Pagenaud... [Read More...]
F1 – Sauber F1 Once More?
Following this weeks news that BMW will no longer participate in the Formula 1 World Championship, previous team owner Peter Sauber has been reportedly working a Brawn like deal to rescue the Swiss based team. The purposed deal is also being worked by Dr. Mario Theissen in an attempt to keep the car on the grid for the 2010 season. Sauber made it clear that he would do all that he could to save the employees of the team and keep the project going.... [Read More...]
BMW Ditch KERS for Two More Rounds
BMW has released a press conference this week indicating their highly researched and tested KERS will not be on the car for both Spain and Monaco. Further frustrating Dr. Mario Theissen and drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica. Yet more devastating information to a team that put so much into the 2009 season and their KERS. It has been obvious that BMW have not achieved any of the objectives set forth for this year. The very epicenter of this years... [Read More...]
Kubica is Mad…Again
After this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Robert Kubica is mad yet again at the team and their current development path. BMW finished worse of all the teams and finished last on track with Nakajima’s Williams behind them only due to mechanical failure. As we take a trip down memory lane we remember that last year Bobby K was spouting the same kind of rhetoric at his current employer. BMW stopped a potential title winning car and driver... [Read More...]
