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The American entrepreneur returned to the US after placing third in the GT3 category of the Spa 24 Hours (Jul 31-Aug 1) to compete over two consecutive weekends at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Californian track played host to the Monterey Pre-Historics (Aug 7-8) and then the four-day Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Aug 12-15) which saw tens of thousands of spectators attend to view a mouth-watering collection of over 600 historic automobiles racing on the world famous 2.238-mile Laguna circuit just as they did “back in their day.”
Brown raced his ex-John Watson 1979 McLaren MP28 to sixth place after qualifying ninth at the Pre-Historics event. Last weekend Zak qualified 11th and finished ninth in a quality 36-car field at the Reunion meet for 1966-1983 Formula One machines – the highest-placed McLaren Formula One machine.
Meanwhile “Super Swede” Stefan Johansson, who had placed the “sister” United Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3 sports car fourth at Spa, qualified in pole-position, led every lap and won the 1981-1989 FIA Mfg. Championship & IMSA GTP Race in Brown’s 1986 Porsche 962 IMSA GTP car.
This particular car won five races in its heyday and was driven mainly by Price Cobb and Rob Dyson. Brown was joined at Laguna by Historic Motorsports Productions LLC (HMP) partner Bobby Rahal who also raced some of his cars. Brown teamed up with Rahal plus Peter Stoneberg earlier this year to welcome in HMP’s new era of vintage motor racing.
“Coming off the back of our incredible Spa achievement, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my last two weekends at Monterey,” confirmed Brown. “It’s always a privilege to get behind the wheel of the McLaren and to be racing it at Laguna doesn’t get much better. Stefan [Johansson] drove brilliantly to dominate his race event while the entire atmosphere last weekend was just awesome.”
While Johansson was winning in the United Autosports entered Porsche at Laguna, its European operation were chalking up win number one in England. Brothers Rob and Matt Bell joined forces for the first time and duly claimed a class victory in a two-hour, two-driver British GT Championship race at Silverstone (August 15).
The Bells scored a comfortable one-lap G4 category win in the 120mins race which marked not only their respective débuts in the British GT series but also the first time either had raced a G4 class Ginetta G50 entered and prepared by United Autosports. Matt, aged 21, co-drives with Zak Brown in the FIA GT3 European Championship at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS.
Englishman Richard Dean, Brown’s fellow co-owner of United Autosports, remarked: “It’s very pleasing for United Autosports to achieve its first class win in the British GT Championship on only our second outing in the series and our first with the Ginetta. Matt and Rob faced some very experienced Ginetta drivers and we came out on top.”
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Alonso Wins the Controversial 2010 German GP
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
One man’s pole position could lead to another man’s victory. That seemed to be the rule of the German Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. Sebastian Vettel who started first after the qualifying gave up his position almost as soon as the race started leaving both Ferrari drivers to make the most of it.
A rather controversial 1-2 win for Ferrari saw Felipe Massa who lead the race from the start back off to let teammate Alonso pass and win have raised a few questions. Red Bull driver Vettel managed to step on the podium at third place.
The first coupld of seconds of the race saw Vettel trying hard to squeeze Alonso against the pit wall while Massa saw this as an opportunity to push past both.
While Massa and Alonso both set up fastest laps for the race, the turn of events occurred on lap 47 when race engineer Rob Smedley informed Massa that Alonso was faster than the two and moments later Alonso was seen nurturing pole position.
The two McLarens performed farely well once again as Hamilton and Button both secured fourth and fifth place respectively. The driver at some loss was Webber as he has to drop back to take care of his engine and high fuel consumption. Webber finished the race after Button as position six.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS The German Grand Prix Hockenheim, Germany; 67 laps; 306.458km; Weather: Sunny. Classified: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Alonso Ferrari 1h28:38.866 2. Massa Ferrari + 4.196 3. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 5.121 4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 26.896 5. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 29.482 6. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 43.606 7. Kubica Renault + 1 lap 8. Rosberg Mercedes + 1 lap 9. Schumacher Mercedes + 1 lap 10. Petrov Renault + 1 lap 11. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap 12. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap 13. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap 14. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap 15. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap 16. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 2 laps 17. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 2 laps 18. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 3 laps 19. Senna HRT-Cosworth + 4 laps Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:15.824
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Citroën’s ‘Big Air’ Moments
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsThrills, spills, and ‘big air’ are synonymous with World Rallying.
During April’s Rally of Turkey, Citroën’s Sébastien Loeb literally took off on the fast Ballica stage propelling his C4 WRC car an incredible 85 metres into the air.
To celebrate over six years at the top of the sport, Citroën has picked ten of its most spectacular gravity defying jumps ahead of next weekend’s Rally Finland.
These stunning photos were captured on events including New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Norway and arguably the spiritual home of ‘big air’ moments – Finland.
Commenting on his incredible Turkish jump, Loeb said: “It was an incredible sensation as we were up in the air for several seconds. Not for a moment did we imagine that we would jump so far.”
The Citroën Total World Rally Team have been competing in the FIA World Rally Championship since 2001 during which they have won five manufacturers titles and powered Sébastien Loeb to all six of his World Drivers’ Championship crowns to make him the most successful rally driver in history.
The Frenchman heads into round eight of the 2010 championship in Finland with a 51 point lead over his closest rival and firmly in the hunt for a record seventh drivers’ crown. The Citroën Total World Rally Team also holds a 47 point lead in the Manufacturers’ standings.
Press data & images: Citroën -
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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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
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Lorenzo secures his First Pole for 2010
by Aman Chaudhry1 Comment
Jorge Lorenzo secured his first pole position for this MotoGP at Silverstone in Great Britan say the Qualifying results.
The Fiat Yamaha rider will be starting the Air Asia British GP from pole position.
A very eventful Qualifying session saw Randy de Puniet stun the rest of the field with his brilliant riding skills as he almost gave Lorenzo a threat of Pole but the star independent rider will start second Dani Pedrosa,. will start third after an impressive display. Randy and Dani both experienced falls, but claimed fit to ride in the final.
Pos Rider Team Time Gap 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m03.308s 2. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda 2m03.434s + 0.126s 3. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m03.586s + 0.278s 4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 2m03.995s + 0.687s 5. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m04.334s + 1.026s 6. Casey Stoner Ducati 2m04.394s + 1.086s 7. Ben Spies Tech 3 Yamaha 2m04.477s + 1.169s 8. Marco Melandri Gresini Honda 2m04.555s + 1.247s 9. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda 2m04.868s + 1.560s 10. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 2m05.035s + 1.727s 11. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 2m05.354s + 2.046s 12. Hiroshi Aoyama Interwetten Honda 2m05.712s + 2.404s 13. Aleix Espargaro Pramac Ducati 2m05.748s + 2.440s 14. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 2m05.821s + 2.513s 15. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 2m06.607s + 3.299s 16. Mika Kallio Pramac Ducati 2m06.980s + 3.672s
Watch out for the final race results and updates right here on AutoGeared!
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Hamilton Wins 2010 Canadian Grand Prix
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
They don’t call them Race Weekends for nothing!
An absolutely delightful weekend for all motorsport fans out there. Back to back excitement is what we call fantastic racing.
As The 2010 24-Hour Le Mans commenced in France showing a brilliant performance by Audi, the 2010 Montreal Grand Prix in Canda took off after a gap of few hours where team McLaren once again proved its worth.
World Champion Lewis Hamilton marked his consecutive second win of the season and teammate Jenson Button sealed the deal by making it yet another one-two win for the duo. Fernando Alonso drove his Ferrari to the bag the third podium position.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada saw an action-packed race where high wear and tear of tyres was the critical key point for all drivers.
Red Bull driver Mark Webber would know best how important it was to play safe with tyres in today’s GP as his strategy of not switching to super soft until much later, probably cost him championship points as he finished fifth. Whereas, a frustrated Vettel finished fourth as he faced a car problem and had to make sure that he did finish the race.
One thing the drivers didn’t expect was the traffic they’d have to dodge on this track. Quite a bit of tyre to tyre pushing and shoving took place today making it all together a brilliant race.
Force India drivers Liuzzi and Sutil showed some impressive driving skills today as they tackled veteran Schumacher for a long time fighting for 11th and 12th positions finally both of them overtook Schumi as seconds ticked towards the chequered flag bagging ninth and tenth position and the first one-two championship points for them together leaving Schumacher to finish eleventh.
The Canadian Grand Prix
Classified: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h33:53.456 2. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 2.254 3. Alonso Ferrari + 9.214 4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 37.817 5. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 39.291 6. Rosberg Mercedes + 56.084 7. Kubica Renault + 57.300 8. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap 9. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap 10. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap 11. Schumacher Mercedes + 1 lap 12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap 13. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap 14. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap 15. Massa Ferrari + 1 lap 16. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps 17. Petrov Renault + 2 laps 18. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth + 4 laps 19. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth + 5 laps Fastest lap: Kubica, 1:16.972 Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap Glock Virgin-Cosworth 50 Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 43 De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 31 Senna HRT-Cosworth 14 Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2
