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Rossi is Back!
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsFor all Valentino Rossi fans who were praying for his recovery have been rejoicing after his brilliant performance in the German MotoGP.
Rossi who finished fourth in at Sachsenring admitted surprise at his own performance. “I didn’t expect this! I thought it was maybe possible to make fourth or fifth place but I thought it would be very difficult. In the end I was fourth but I had a great battle with Casey and I was so close to the podium, so this is a fantastic result after missing four races.”
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Highlights of The Sachsenring 2010 – MotoGP
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsSticking to our tradition, we bring you the official video grabs of all the action from the eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland at the eighth race of the 2010 Season of MotoGP
Check out this video for the highlights and overview:
Dani Pedrosa talks to the press after his victory at Germany:
Paddock Girls. Hot as Ever at Sachsenring 2010:
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Dani Pedrosa Wins 2010 German MotoGP
by Aman Chaudhry1 Comment
Dani Pedrosa won the eighth race of the 2010 MotoGP at the eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland on Sunday marking his second victory of the season. Pedrosa beat Lorenzo to victory while Valentino Rossi made quite a comeback by fighting hard for the third position only to lose it to Casey Stoner at the very last corner.
“This victory is even better than the one in Italy because at Mugello I just went away in front and there was no battle with anybody, but here I was battling with Lorenzo in the first and second race, and finally beat him, so this is even more important,” said the 24 year-old.
Yesterday’s race saw a lot of action on the track. And when things got too much to handle, the race had to be red-flagged at lap nine. The reason of the stoppage was a brutal three-bike accident between Randy de Puniet, Aleix Espargaro and Alvaro Bautista crashed at Turn 4. Luckily none of them got seriously injured as Randy will need to nurse a fractured leg, Espargaro looked like he was in pain initially, Bautista walked away unhurt.
Pedrosa had a good start and was battling with Lorenzo for lead before the race was red-flagged. Luckily Pedrosa had the same energy after the re-start as well though he admitted that he was a bit nervous.
“I’m very happy because we are back winning races and it’s a great feeling,” he said. “It wasn’t easy today because when the race is stopped and restarted like that, sometimes you don’t have the same feeling on the machine in the second part. Also you get nervous again on the grid and it’s possible you won’t have the same pace after the restart. But it went very well for us in both races.”
He continued: “We just made one small change with the rear suspension to get a bit more traction for the second race. I made another good start and in the first laps after Lorenzo had passed me I was pushing very hard to try to take him back. I couldn’t do it with my first attempt, but when I got a second chance I just went for it.”
Twenty minutes after the restart after an interesting battle, Pedrosa went ahead of Lorenzo but managed somehow to stick to second position.
While this action went on in front, a little away was the fight for third position between Rossi and Stoner. Rossi rode like he never was on a medical break concerning his broken leg as he pushed hard to grab the podium position but had to be satisfied with fourth.
Pos Rider Team Time/Gap 1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 28m50.476s 2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 3.355s 3. Casey Stoner Ducati + 5.257s 4. Valentino Rossi Yamaha + 5.623s 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 17.158s 6. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda + 17.757s 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 17.935s 8. Ben Spies Tech 3 Yamaha + 20.957s 9. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati + 22.000s 10. Marco Melandri Gresini Honda + 35.217s 11. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 45.042s 12. Alex de Angelis Interwetten Honda + 45.204s Retirements: Mika Kallio Pramac Ducati 0 laps Randy de Puniet LCR Honda did not restart Aleix Espargaro Pramac Ducati did not restart Alvaro Bautista Suzuki did not restart Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha did not restart
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Rhys Millen’s Pikes Peak World Record Attempt
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsWatch this fascinating video showing Rhys Millen attempt to break the Pikes Peak 10 minute barrier record for this year promoted by Red Bull.
The video has been shot beautifully capturing every possible angle of Millen’s Hyundai PM580.
Even though Millen or anyone else managed to break this year’s Race To The Clouds, this video footage is surely worth a watch.
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Renault’s Very Good Trip – Spain Wins Again
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Emulating the success of their national football team on Sunday in South Africa, it was Spain again, this time in the form of Ana and Manuel, who won Renault’s four-week road trip across Europe, “Very Good Trip”. In winning the tough contest, the couple walked away with the keys to both a New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet and a Wind Roadster.
On 10 July, the 16 contestants from the eight European participating countries (Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands and UK) were reunited in Paris to find out who would emerge triumphant at the end of “Very Good Trip”, Renault’s TV reality show shown on the web, which launched on 7 April.
Each team had travelled almost 5,000 km and crossed four countries during the road trip, carrying out around 20 challenges, some physically demanding, some funny and all offbeat. At the end of the adventure, the clear winners were the Spanish team, Ana and Manuel, aged 25 and 26, both from Madrid, who managed to capture web users’ imagination and attract their votes.
Close to a million web users followed their adventure!
“Very Good Trip” was a huge success, proving the efficiency of Renault’s fresh, new concept of a TV reality adventure broadcast on the web. Overall, almost 13 hours of programming showing the participants’ exploits was broadcast on the dedicated web page.
Each pair of participants built up a whole community of fans through social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flick’r). In total, close to one million web users followed the candidates’ adventure on the site www.verygoodtrip.renault.com. The Facebook fan page attracted a highly active community of 8,000 fans.
A lucky year for Spain
Following the example of their national football team, World Cup champions in South Africa, the winners Ana and Manuel showed courage, fighting spirit and ingenious creativity to complete the challenges and win the adventure.
In order to win Very Good Trip, they not only needed the support and votes of internet users, but they also had to carry out weird and wonderful tasks. Ana and Manuel won 20 of the challenges, including making a 14-metre long scarf in the colours of their country – which gave them 5,000 extra points. Spain eventually finished ahead of Switzerland and France, who took second and third places on the podium.
New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet and Wind Roadster: fantastic prizes for a unique adventure
In winning the contest, the Spanish team walked away with the keys to the two latest additions to the Renault range (plus the financial equivalent of a year’s fuel and insurance): New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet and Wind Roadster, two vehicles synonymous with travel, enjoyment and freedom.
Press data and images: Renault -
Citroën Survolt Makes its Track Debut at The Le Mans Classic
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Citroën’s stunning all-electric racing car concept, Survolt, will come to life on 10th July when it makes its first ever on-track appearance at the Le Mans Classic – piloted by experienced female racing driver Vanina Ickx.
Extremely rare in the world of racing, Survolt’s full electric drivetrain allows the model to combine dynamic, sporting performance with environmental consideration. Specially developed with compact dimensions (3.85m long, 1.87m wide, 1.2m high), Survolt features a tubular chassis, a flat underside with an extractor and full carbon bodywork, which all combines to make it a genuine electric racing car.
Propelled by two electric motors with a combined power of 300bhp from 0 to 5,000rpm, Survolt’s lightweight frame (1.15 tonnes) is capable of exceptional performance, with a top speed of 260kph (162mph) and a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of under five seconds.
Survolt’s twin 140kg lithium-ion batteries each boast a 31kw capacity and can cover 200km (124 miles). Survolt can be re-charged in just two hours with a specific power supply, or in 10 hours on the standard 220 volt network.
Citroën is inviting all automotive enthusiasts to visit the Le Mans circuit on Saturday 10th July, at 1.30pm, to watch Survolt’s track debut.
For more information about the Le Mans Classic, go to www.lemansclassic.com
Click here to view a short video:
https://easyshare.oodrive.com/easyshare/fwd/link=Np6HlnQL02gbCR8RUp6GGA
Password: SURVOLT
Press data and images: Citroën -
Renault DeZir Concept
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Renault’s design team seems to be very busy these days. Renault is working hard on a new style for a concept car – The DeZir. The DeZir will be the first major project to be undertaken by the new design vice president Laurens van den Acker at Renault.
According to Renault, The DeZir will be a vision of simplicity, sensuousness and warmth. This brand new concept isn’t exactly based on a very modern concept technology because the power does not come from electrons. A 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery back will power the DeZir, which is similar to the Nissan Leaf. The driving range will also be similar i.e. under 100 miles per hour although the battery pack for the DeZir is configured for Quick Drop exchanges not found the Leaf.
The driving force is provided by a 110-kilowatt electric motor to this new concept, which spins the rear wheels, and helps the DeZir cover the 60 mph distance in 5 seconds.
On the outside there are Kevlar body panels along with reverse-hinged butterfly doors, which are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbone. Though Renault has not revealed any further details on the production plans of The DeZir, we have a hunch it would be ready for public at the Paris Motor Show in Fall this year.
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Ferrari “Steal the Show” At Goodwood Festival
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Ferrari California, 458 Italia and 599 GTO “steal the show” in the Sunday Times Supercar Run at Goodwood Festival of SpeedThe “red cars with the Prancing Horses stole the show” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, declared Auto Express, after seeing the Ferrari California, 458 Italia and 599 GTO wow the crowds in the Sunday Times Supercar Run throughout the weekend. The 458 Italia and 599 GTO were making their public debuts at the UK’s premiere automotive event, while crowds were drawn to the very unique Ferrari California with an extensive range of personalisation options including a two-tone paint scheme of Argento Nurburgring (silver) with a black roof, reminiscent of classic Ferrari berlinettas of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Although the Sunday Times Supercar Runs are not officially timed, the Ferraris reached the finish line in less than 1 minute, with the 458 Italia completing the 1.16 mile course in an astonishing 54 seconds, nearly 3 seconds quicker than most F1 cars from the 1970s, and the California accomplished an equally impressive time of 57 seconds.
Ferrari driver Marc Gene also demonstrated the Ferrari F60 single-seater from the 2009 F1 Championship, with a display of wonderful and committed driving, reaching speeds of over 150mph as he approached the famous flint wall after the tricky Molecomb corner, followed by a lengthy series of autograph sessions in the fan’s favourite upper paddock.
Also representing the most successful F1 team of all time, with 16 Constructor’s World Championship and 16 Driver’s World Championships, were a number of classic and exotic single-seaters and sport prototypes from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, such as the iconic 312BB “Spazzaneve” from 1972, a beautiful 250TR from 1959 and a 375MM that competed in the Carrera Panamerica in 1953.
Press data & images: Ferrari
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Highlights, Interviews and More
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsFor those who missed the big race, Here are the highlights of the MotoGP in Barcelona
Best of the Action from Catalunya GP:
Check out what the winner had to say after the race
Lorenzo interview after the Catalunya GP:
No, we haven’t forgotten the Stunning Paddock girls either.
MotoGP Paddock Girls in Catalunya 2010:
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Lorenzo Delighted After Catalunya Win
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Jorge Lorenzo is on a roll. He bagged his fifth victory of the MotoGP for 2010 at the Catalunya Circuit on Sunday.
Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo once again started and finished at pole position securing his MotoGP World Championship position with a lead of 52 points. This was Lorenzo’s third consecutive win from pole position as he continues to ride spectacularly towards victory.
Last season at the same circuit Lorenzo has lost the title to his teammate Valentino Rossi after finishing second after a thrilling battle but he was delighted with this victory at Montmeló.
“This is very special,” said the 23 year-old. “After losing so closely last year I was happy but not completely so and today I can say I am completely happy, winning here at my home race.”
After a brilliant start to the race, Andrea Dovizioso threatened Lorenzo till the first half of the race. Dovizioso looked in very good form and even managed to get to the first position although very briefly because the Spaniard quickly took it back. The battle for first position came to an abrupt end with Dovizioso’s crash on lap 14, which in turn was a complete give away to the rest of the race.
“It was very difficult today because it was so hot and the front tyre was sliding a lot. I thought I was going to have a big battle with Dovizioso because he was pushing very hard but then he crashed and I was alone; it was lucky for me because then I was able to take it more gently to the finish,” said Lorenzo, who went on to explain that he was also very pleased with how controlled his ride was.
“I think I rode a clever race today. I am so grateful to my team and to everyone at Yamaha and Bridgestone because they are working so hard to make our bike competitive at every track. I also want to say thank you to all the fans that came to watch today, it is a great feeling for me to win here in front of them all,” he concluded.
The excitement then shifted to Dani pedrosa and Casey Stoner who furiously battled for the 2nd position title. The Honda and Ducati were inseparable for most of the race and even barely touched one another towards the end when things got all heated up.
Dani Pedrosa finished second with Stoner very close behind him, letting Randy de Puniet ride in at fourth place.
Pos Rider Team Time/Gap 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 43m22.805s 2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 4.754s 3. Casey Stoner Ducati + 4.956s 4. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda + 18.057s 5. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki + 21.361s 6. Ben Spies Tech 3 Yamaha + 21.503s 7. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 24.181s 8. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 27.941s 9. Marco Melandri Gresini Honda + 28.046s 10. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati + 32.439s 11. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 38.406s 12. Mika Kallio Pramac Ducati + 58.257s 13. Kousuke Akiyoshi Interwetten Honda + 1m09.348s 14. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 1m32.402s 15. Wataru Yoshikawa Yamaha + 1m35.237s Retirements: Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda 13 laps Aleix Espargaro Pramac Ducati 5 laps
