#3 hours of donington

[viper-motorsports]

Donington Park UK sees Barwell Motorsport start the third round of the 2024 British GT Championship topping qualifying before going on to win in their N°78 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO22.

[f1]

Breaching budget cap an act of cheating Brown | RaceFans Round-up

In the round-up: McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has told the FIA that teams breaching the budget cap “constitutes cheating” as the sport’s governing body considers its response to Red Bull and Aston Martin’s infringements. In brief Breaching budget cap an act of “cheating” – Brown F1 teams breaching the budget cap “constitutes cheating”, Brown told the FIA in a letter to the governing body on the day the breaches were confirmed last week. The letter, reported by the BBC, argued any team that was found to have exceeded the financial restrictions should face a reduced cost cap for the following season and reductions in aerodynamic testing. However Brown pushed for more than just financial sanctions. “We don’t feel a financial penalty alone would be a suitable penalty for an overspend breach or a serious procedural breach,” he said. “There clearly needs to be a sporting penalty in these instances, as determined by the FIA. “We suggest that the overspend should be penalised by way of a reduction to the team’s cost cap in the year following the ruling, and the penalty should be equal to the overspend plus a further fine – i.e. an overspend of $2m in 2021, which is identified in 2022, would result in a $4m deduction in 2023 ($2m to offset the overspend plus $2m fine). “In addition, we believe there should be minor overspend sporting penalties of a 20% reduction in CFD and wind tunnel time. These should be enforced in the following year, to mitigate against the unfair advantage the team has and will continue to benefit from.” Final COTA corner named in honour of Mario Andretti Andretti was first to drive the COTA track The Circuit of the Americas has announced that its final corner will be officially renamed as “The Andretti” in honour of 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti. The left-hander turn 20 completes the circuit, leading onto the pit straight at the end of the lap. As well as his F1 title and 12 grand prix victories, Andretti won the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and four IndyCar championships, as well as winning the 1967 Daytona 500 and taking second place in the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours. Andretti was the first driver to ever run a lap of the completed COTA circuit in 2012. A dedication ceremony will be held at the corner on Thursday ahead of Friday’s opening day of practice for the United States Grand Prix. Browning crowned GB3 champion Hitech driver Luke Browning was crowned GB3 champion after securing second place in the penultimate race of the season at Donington Park. Browning finished behind Tom Lebbon in a damp race at Donington Park to seal the title with one race to spare. He finished the season 46.5 points ahead of Joel Granfors, with Lebbon almost 100 points further back in third. It is Browning’s second junior single-seater title after he won the 2020 British F4 championship. As champion, he has won the opportunity to complete a two day test in an FIA Formula 3 car later this year. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Happy birthday! Happy birthday to Jamiefranklinf1, Alex De Brito and Dan! On this day in motorsport 35 years ago today Nigel Mansell kept his world championship hopes alive by winning the Mexican Grand Prix, which was disrupted by a red flag caused by Derek Warwick’s huge crash via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[pearllemon-classics]

Rev Up Your Engines: Top 10 Classic Car Races in the UK and Europe You Have to Witness

Attention, all lovers of vintage automobiles! Prepare yourselves for an unprecedented thrill of classic car racing as we embark on a journey through the top 10 unmissable races in the UK and Europe. From the legendary tracks of Silverstone to Monaco’s time-honoured streets, these pulse-racing events are sure to keep you gripped with excitement. So, fasten your seatbelts and accompany us as we delve into the electrifying realm of classic car racing and uncover why these races are an absolute treat for every car enthusiast out there!

1. Goodwood Revival (West Sussex, England)

The Goodwood Revival offers a unique opportunity to journey back to the heyday of motorsport. This event, which takes place annually at the historic Goodwood Circuit, is a remarkable fusion of vintage vehicles and period attire, creating an experience that is truly memorable. The event showcases an impressive array of classic cars competing in close proximity, serving as a nostalgic tribute to our rich automotive history.

2. Le Mans Classic (Le Mans, France)

The Le Mans Classic, a biennial event, offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the renowned Circuit de la Sarthe in a unique light. This event honours the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race and features vintage cars that roar around the track both day and night. The spectacle it presents is truly exhilarating and one that should not be overlooked.

3. Monaco Historic Grand Prix (Monaco)

Immerse yourself in the elegance and allure of the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, an event where vintage automobiles grace the streets of Monte Carlo, showcasing a thrilling exhibition of velocity and accuracy. Set against the magnificent scenery of the French Riviera, this occasion is a sensory delight and a significant event on the classic car racing schedule.

4. Silverstone Classic (Northamptonshire, England)

Engage with numerous like-minded individuals at the Silverstone Classic, recognised globally as the largest festival dedicated to classic motor racing. With more than 1,000 vehicles participating in a multitude of races, coupled with live music and family-oriented activities, this event caters to a wide range of interests. It is an essential experience for classic car enthusiasts across all age groups.

5. Spa Six Hours (Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium)

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of motorsport at the Spa Six Hours, a weekend event filled with classic car racing set against the stunning backdrop of the Ardennes forest. From pre-war classics to contemporary supercars, the event offers races that pay tribute to the brilliance of automotive engineering.

6. Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix (Nürburg, Germany)

The Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix offers an opportunity to witness racing on one of the globe’s most renowned circuits. The Nürburgring, with its intricate bends and curves, presents a distinctive and thrilling experience for both drivers and spectators. This makes it an essential event for those passionate about classic car racing.

7. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Classic (Barcelona, Spain)

Experience the allure of traditional motor racing set against the breathtaking scenery of Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Classic. This event showcases a wide array of races, ranging from vintage Formula 1 vehicles to historic touring cars, presenting a varied and thrilling programme that is certain to captivate attendees.

8. Donington Historic Festival (Leicestershire, England)

Honour the legacy of motorsport at the Donington Historic Festival, a three-day spectacle of vintage car racing hosted at the renowned Donington Park Circuit. The event features races across various eras and categories, providing an exhilarating experience for enthusiasts of all age groups.

9. Coppa Intereuropa (Monza, Italy)

The Coppa Intereuropa, an annual event at the renowned Autodromo Nazionale Monza, presents an opportunity to engage in racing on one of the globe’s most emblematic circuits. Characterised by its swift straights and demanding chicanes, Monza provides a genuine examination of driving proficiency while offering a captivating display for those watching.

10. Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or (Dijon, France)

Embark on a nostalgic journey to the illustrious era of motorsport at the annual Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or, hosted at the historic Dijon-Prenois Circuit. This event, set against a scenic backdrop and featuring exhilarating races, offers an evocative trip into history that is bound to captivate classic car aficionados.

As we wrap up our exciting journey through the top 10 classic car races in the UK and Europe, it’s crystal clear that the exhilaration of classic car racing is truly limitless! Whether you’re rooting for your beloved drivers at the Goodwood Revival or soaking up the historic charm of Monaco’s streets, these races promise a memorable experience that will leave an indelible mark. Plus, with fantastic companies like Pearl Lemon Classics crafting bespoke experiential tours for enthusiasts craving immersive explorations into the splendour of classic cars and iconic racing events, there are infinite possibilities! So why wait? Ignite your love for vintage motoring and start plotting your next classic car escapade today!

[sunshinecoastqldnews]

RaceFans Spherical-up: Breaching price range cap an act of dishonest

Within the round-up: McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has informed the FIA that groups breaching the price range cap “constitutes dishonest” as the game’s governing physique considers its response to Crimson Bull and Aston Martin’s infringements. Briefly Breaching price range cap an act of “dishonest” – Brown F1 groups breaching the price range cap “constitutes dishonest”, Brown informed the FIA in a letter to the governing physique on the day the breaches have been confirmed final week. The letter, reported by the BBC, argued any workforce that was discovered to have exceeded the monetary restrictions ought to face a decreased price cap for the next season and reductions in aerodynamic testing. Nevertheless Brown pushed for extra than simply monetary sanctions. “We don’t really feel a monetary penalty alone can be an appropriate penalty for an overspend breach or a severe procedural breach,” he mentioned. “There clearly must be a sporting penalty in these cases, as decided by the FIA. “We advise that the overspend ought to be penalised by means of a discount to the workforce’s price cap within the yr following the ruling, and the penalty ought to be equal to the overspend plus an extra wonderful – i.e. an overspend of $2m in 2021, which is recognized in 2022, would end in a $4m deduction in 2023 ($2m to offset the overspend plus $2m wonderful). “As well as, we imagine there ought to be minor overspend sporting penalties of a 20% discount in CFD and wind tunnel time. These ought to be enforced within the following yr, to mitigate towards the unfair benefit the workforce has and can proceed to profit from.” Last COTA nook named in honour of Mario Andretti Andretti was first to drive the COTA monitor The Circuit of the Americas has introduced that its ultimate nook can be formally renamed as “The Andretti” in honour of 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti. The left-hander flip 20 completes the circuit, main onto the pit straight on the finish of the lap. In addition to his F1 title and 12 grand prix victories, Andretti received the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and 4 IndyCar championships, in addition to profitable the 1967 Daytona 500 and taking second place within the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours. Andretti was the primary driver to ever run a lap of the finished COTA circuit in 2012. A dedication ceremony can be held on the nook on Thursday forward of Friday’s opening day of apply for the US Grand Prix. Browning topped GB3 champion Hitech driver Luke Browning was topped GB3 champion after securing second place within the penultimate race of the season at Donington Park. Browning completed behind Tom Lebbon in a humid race at Donington Park to seal the title with one race to spare. He completed the season 46.5 factors forward of Joel Granfors, with Lebbon virtually 100 factors additional again in third. It’s Browning’s second junior single-seater title after he received the 2020 British F4 championship. As champion, he has received the chance to finish a two day check in an FIA Formulation 3 automobile later this yr. Advert | Turn into a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Joyful birthday! Joyful birthday to Jamiefranklinf1, Alex De Brito and Dan! On this present day in motorsport 35 years in the past immediately Nigel Mansell saved his world championship hopes alive by profitable the Mexican Grand Prix, which was disrupted by a pink flag attributable to Derek Warwick’s big crash Originally published at Sunshine Coast QLD News

[itracing]

Audi Celebrates 20th Anniversary of First Le Mans Win 

Twenty years ago, Audi’s R8 race cars crossed the finish line of the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1-2-3 formation. The Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s sports car racing program ran for 18 years, during which time Audi won the epic endurance race 13 times – a 72 per cent success rate. We hear from Denmark’s Tom Kristensen, who won for Audi in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2013, and celebrate the cars that beat the opposition, and the clock.

Tom Kristensen won Le Mans nine times. Here, he recalls Audi’s first victory in the famous 24-hour race in 2000. 

‘I was invited by Doctor Wolfgang Ullrich, then Audi Head of Motorsport, to a meeting at Ingolstadt in autumn 1999. He introduced me to some of the Audi Sport engineers and mechanics, and showed me a drawing of the R8 race car.  On the spot, I said I would like to be part of the team. We shook hands, and that was the best decision I ever made in racing.’

Victory first time out ‘I tested the car before the 12 Hours of Sebring in the US in March 2000. It was an interim car between the older R8R that Audi had raced in 1999 and the new R8. The front end was still the old car, while the rear was from the R8, but Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and I won Sebring in it, which was very important.’

A strong team and a level playing field ‘At Le Mans 2000 I drove with Biela and Pirro again, and we had two sister cars – one crewed by Laurent Aïello, Allan McNish and Stéphane Ortelli, the other by Christian Abt, Michele Alboreto and Rinaldo Capello. Dr Ullrich showed great commitment and passion, and he made sure that we all worked well together and shared all the feedback. He ensured we all had an equal chance and that there was never any additional support for one crew over another. Dr Ullrich always did his utmost to create a level playing field, and that was very motivating, not only for the drivers but also the mechanics and the engineers.’

Reliability was the number-one priority – and it paid off ‘Some people would say Audi took a conservative approach with the R8, certainly compared with some of the more state-of-the-art and – shall we say – ‘bananas’ race cars that followed. The philosophy was, “If there is any problem, we need to be able to fix it,” and that came all the way from board level down. The number-one priority was reliability. Without reliability, you cannot have 100 per cent trust in your equipment, and you cannot perform. It was the perfect approach for Le Mans.’

Finding one set-up to please three different drivers ‘The R8 was the first LMP1 Le Mans prototype I drove with power steering. I was used to heavy steering that took a real effort to turn into corners, which gave me a lot of confidence. It took me some time to get used to the lightness of the R8’s steering, whereas Frank Biela was very happy with it. He used to say, “It gives you quick hands, and you can control it faster.” But it took a long time to get the set-up right for everyone because the input from the drivers was different. Eventually, it became smoother and more progressive, and in the end we were all happy with it.’

A wild ride at Le Mans ‘We had a bit of an issue with the brakes – we had to change discs and pads. The car was very fast, but in that first year the twin-turbocharged V8 engine had a lot of turbo lag, followed by a very aggressive response. It was like a delayed time bomb – nothing, nothing, and then BOOM! That improved a lot the following year when Audi introduced the FSI system, which injected petrol directly into the combustion chambers. That was very helpful for the drivability of the engine, and it was also a lot more efficient and an excellent development for road cars. The first R8 had a lot of understeer, too. So, you had a car with a wild engine response that was set up to feel settled and more consistent as the tires wore, but as a result  felt quite nervous and twitchy on fresh tires.’

Drop your guard for a split second and you're off ‘In an LMP1 car you are going at the speed of a small aircraft, and you are just trying to keep it nailed to the ground. You always have to be alert. The cars are very aggressive at the limit. If you are alone on the track, it’s fine, you can be calm. But in traffic, or in close fights with your rivals, you always have to look out for aerodynamic upset caused by the slipstream of other cars, which can buffet and bounce your car around. These things aren’t visible, but they can be pretty dramatic, and if you don't expect them, you can be sure you will go off when they arrive.’

It’s not over till the final minute ‘We were holding the lead towards the end of the 2000 race. Frank Biela was cool as ever – as long as you gave him time to have his cigarette. He was fit, he was strong, he was calm. Emanuele was always Italian – always emotional, you know? Ready to celebrate the victory before the end, which was something I hated. Maybe you would say my approach was pessimistic, but I didn’t want anything – no handshakes – before the checkered flag.’

Crossing the line 1-2-3 ‘About 30 minutes before the end, Dr Ullrich froze the race order, and we were able to cross the line 1-2-3. And the colors of the cars were red, yellow and black, as in the colours of the German flag.’

The R8 went on to become the most successful LMP1 car ever ‘The Audi R8 won four more Le Mans, and I was part of the winning driving team each time. You could win in that car at Mont-Tremblant in Canada, at Mid-Ohio, at Sebring and Laguna Seca in the US, at Donington in the UK, at Jarama in Spain and at Le Mans in France. You could win in the R8 at so many different tracks all over the world.’

Photo L to R: Audi Head of Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Emanuele Pirro, Tom Kristensen and Frank Biela on the podium.

[harrisonstories]

Above and below: George Harrison and Sir Jackie Stewart at the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy meeting in Donington Park, England, Middle: George driving the Lotus 18 at the same event (3 June 1979)

NOTE: This is a rather long but refreshing read about a side of George’s life which doesn’t get talked about much. Here is an interview George and Jackie did at the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy. 

A Beatle’s new mania

George Harrison, former lead guitarist with the legendary Beatles pop music group, talks to Chris Hockley about his passion for Formula 1, fast cars and a private life

IT’S PUZZLING in a way why George Harrison has such a fervent passion for fast cars and motor racing. For since the mind-boggling days of the Swinging ‘Sixties, when as one of The Beatles he was swept towards super-stardom and super-richness on a tidal wave of hysteria, the pace of his life has slowed to a virtual crawl.

Gone are the days when he had to make a run for it through thousands of screaming pop fans. Today, you are more likely to find him in his wellies, gently pushing a wheelbarrow towards carefully-tended flower beds in the vast grounds of his palatial country mansion.

Gone are the days when he lived out of a suitcase and wasn’t sure if he was in London, New York, Tokyo or Cloud Cuckoo Land. Today, he meditates silently for hours in his own temple.

Gone are the days when girls scratched each other’s eyes out as they fought to touch a fragment of his clothing. Today, he is happier to stay at home with his wife Olivia and their 10 month-old son, Dhani.

Yet there is still one public side to the private Mr. Harrison. For as well as being one of the world’s most famous pop stars, he has gradually become the world’s most famous motor racing fan.

“I’m getting too well known at motor races now,” he grins – as he is beseiged by a swarm of autograph hunters who have just rushed past Mario Andretti. “It was my hobby, now it’s getting like work again.”

George’s lean and craggy features are a frequent sight at Grand Prix meetings around the globe. His name is enough to ensure him VIP treatment, but he reckons he repays all the behind-the-scenes privileges he enjoys by attracting publicity for the sport.

Though he is often to be seen in the midst of a cluster of photographers, he does not go out of his way to court glamour. Harrison goes motor racing to see and not be seen.

He has been a genuine enthusiast since the days when he was just another poor kid from the streets of Liverpool, digging deep into his pocket to get into the city’s Aintree circuit during its heydey in the ‘Fifties.

He loves talking about racing. To him it represents a refuge from never-ending questions like: “Are the Beatles ever going to get together again, George?” Or, “Is it true that Paul McCartney once had a bunion on his right foot?”

In his slow, deliberate – and knowledgeable – Scouse drawl, George will tell you about oversteer, understeer, gear ratios and why he hopes Jody Scheckter will be world champion this year.

And he will rave about Fangio with the same 12-year-old’s wide eyes that watched the great Argentinian dominate the 1955 British Grand Prix at Aintree with Mercedes team-mate Stirling Moss.

“I can’t remember why I started going to Aintree – I think I just saw a poster advertising a race,” he says. “Anyway, I used to go there whether it was a big or small meeting, take my butties and sit on the Railway Straight embankment to watch the race. I went to a lot of bike meetings as well – I was a big fan of Geoff Duke!

“I had a box camera and went round taking pictures of all the cars. If I could find an address I wrote away to the car factories, and somewhere at home I’ve got pictures of all the old Vanwalls, Connaughts and BRMS. All that stuff got lost when I went on the road with The Beatles, but I’m sure it’s still in my dad’s attic.”

Such was his enthusiasm that it was a question of whether cars or guitars would dominate his life. He couldn’t afford both…he couldn’t afford either, really. because he had to borrow the £2 10 shillings he needed to buy his first guitar. Luckily for him, he opted for pop.

“By the time I got any money at all I was 17 or 18, getting a couple of quid a week from a few concerts in Liverpool. But I got so involved with rock ‘n’ roll and The Beatles – we were on our way to making records and all that – that to tell you the truth I completely lost touch with motor racing apart from watching the odd bit on TV or reading magazines.”

As the Fab Four became the world’s top pop stars, so they were able to call the tune and ease up on their stamina-sapping schedule. George found himself free to head back to the tracks once more…and in true showbiz style aimed straight for Monaco.

It was there that he met the man who helped him to step backstage of big-time motor racing – Jackie Stewart. George found an instant affinity with Stewart, not least because Jackie wore his hair long and was an outspoken critic of the established order, two keystones of the “rock revolution” of the late ‘Sixties and early ‘Seventies of which Harrison was so much a part.

George said: “Jackie did such a lot for the sport and was criticised for it. People moaned and groaned when he wore fireproof suits and talked about safety – things which are so obvious and practical now but at that time were being put down.

“Another thing was that he always projected the sport beyond just the racing enthusiasts which I think is very important.”

It is Stewart, always a big Beatles fan, who has given George an appreciation of the finer points of the racing art, often driving him around circuits – he scared the pants off Harrison at Interlagos this year – or showing him the best places to watch from “inside” of the track.

“I always enjoy the last session of the qualifying best,” says George. “Jackie taught me how to get the most from it by wandering around the circuit to watch from different places. That way you really get into how cars are handling gear ratios, the whole thing.”

The rapport between the two was vividly illustrated at the recent Gunnar Nilsson Campaign meeting at Donington, where both took part in a demonstration of classic Grand Prix cars. Afterwards, Harrison changed into jeans and sweater, while Stewart stayed in his racing overalls plus the mandatory black corduroy cap. As they walked into the royal enclosure to watch the afternoon’s racing, Stewart turned to Harrison and said: “I don’t know why I am dressed like this.” “Because you’re a twit,” came the reply.

Friends say that of the four ex-Beatles, Harrison is the one who has kept his feet closest to the ground. He seems to have retained the “love and peace” message of the flower power era and has refused to be swayed by the cynicism of the ‘Seventies.

His easy-going manner has made him a popular figure among the Formula One drivers, and he has become friendly with many of them.

“It’s obviously an advantage for me to be sort of independent,” he says. “I’m not like a spy from Ferrari or Lotus or anything like that. It’s a very nice position to be in – I am no threat to anyone so they are friendly towards me.”

His close contact with the drivers has also changed his attitude to them. Like most race fans, he has had his idols – Fangio because he was top dog in his childhood. Graham Hill because he was “a very English gentleman,” Jackie because he was Jackie and so on.

Now, there are no more heroes. “It’s difficult to single anyone out because I’m much closer to them. I mean, there’s people like Jochen Mass who might never be world champion but is such a nice person.

“But I want Jody Scheckter to be world champion this year. It would be good if Grand Prix racing was like the music business, where you can have a No. 1 hit and then get knocked off by your mate for his turn at No. 1. But unfortunately it isn’t like that. There is a point where you are just ‘ready’ to be a world champion, and if it doesn’t happen, it could be all downhill from there.

“Jody is ready – he’s got the car and the team, and mentally he’s right there. To get in the right team at the right time is almost impossible. It happens, like Mario last year – he was very fortunate in having that car.

Take Villeneuve. He’s very good but he’s still a bit young and more prone to making mistakes than Jody. He’s got a lot of years ahead of him, though. That’s why I’d like to see Jody get it now.

“Alan Jones is another one who’s ready. He’s great, he’s mature and he’s ready to win. And now he has got a really good competitive car. Maybe next year Alan Jones will be right at the head of the championship.”

Harrison is no sluggard himself. He drives a Porsche Turbo and what he calls an “old” Ferrari Dino Spyder. There are whispers about 140 mph tyre-squealing burn-ups on a 10-mile “circuit” around his incredible home – Friar Park, near Henley-on-Thames.

Certainly it is not difficult to imagine a glorious road circuit winding through the 33-acre wooded grounds. Nothing would come as a surprise after the mansion itself – a £2 million fairy palace that would do credit to Disneyland – and other amazing features of the grounds like three lakes built on different levels, a series of caves filled with distorting mirrors, model skeletons, glass grapes and hundreds of the proverbial garden gnomes…and an Alpine rock garden including a 100ft high replica of the Matterhorn!

But George though he admits he sometimes has “a spin through the woods,” insists that the burn-up stories are exaggerated: “It’s all very slow speed around the garden – you know tractors and wheelbarrows and things like that…”

He has, however, had a go at the real thing. He took his turn at the wheel of a Porsche 924 in a 24-hour run for the Nilsson campaign at Silverstone, organised by his local sports car specialists, Maltin’s of Henley.

He drove Stirling Moss’s famous Rob Walker Lotus 18 at the Nilsson’s day at Donington, where Jackie Stewart managed to frighten him yet again by blasting his Tyrrell around at full pelt at the same time.

And he has even managed to get his hands on a modern generation Formula One car. It was at Brands Hatch two years ago, the time when former world motorbike champ Barry Sheene, another good friend, was thinking of moving into car racing. Sheene took George with him when he tried out a Surtees TS19 with a view to having a crack at the British Aurora Formula One series.

It was an occasion which George remembers with more than a slight grin…

“Barry persuaded John Surtees to let me have a go. But John said: ‘He’s got no gear.’ So Barry rips off his fireproof vest and says to me ‘Here y’are, you can wear this.’ I just slipped on this sweaty old thing and borrowed John Surtee’s crash helmet. I got in the car and said: ‘I’m not going to go fast because I haven’t even walked around Brands Hatch, let alone driven round.’ So he said: ‘Oh shit, you had better get in my road car.’

“Well, we went bombing off round the track in his Mercedes and he was saying things like: ‘Keep it over to the left here, make sure the tail doesn’t flick out too much here, and so on. I was just hanging on for dear life.

“I got in the F1 car and thought ‘Now, what did he say?’ Then, while I was pulling away in the pit lane, trying not to stall it, I was thinking ‘God, it’s windy in this car.’ I hadn’t even remembered to close my visor!

“Still, it was a great feeling. Although some people have told me it wasn’t a very good Grand Prix car, believe me if you hadn’t driven one before it was fantastic. It was like, wow…those wheels just dig in round the corners.

“I didn’t go very fast. I just signed the chitty saying that if I killed myself it wasn’t John’s fault!”

George, now 36 years old, is unlikely to do a Paul Newman and turn his hand to serious racing. He is honest enough to admit he is apprehensive of the dangers.

Neither is he likely to become involved in large-scale sponsorship, despite a reputation for generosity (it is said that he once gave the landlady of his local pub three rubies for her birthday).

He has dabbled in a small way with bike racing – last year he backed Steve Parrish, who he knew through Barry Sheene, when Steve lost his works Suzuki ride. But this year he has turned down an approach for £185,000 to run a BMW M1 in the Procar series – and has no intention of following in the footsteps of Walter Wolf or Lord Hesketh by setting up his own Grand Prix team.

“What with living in England and the tax I pay, it takes a long time to get some cash anyway, and the last thing you need is just to give it away. You need too much money to do the job properly in Formula One. If I had £3 million to give away, which I haven’t, there’s probably better things to give it to than motor racing. Like the starving, for example.”

The last comment reflects Harrison’s continued commitment to the impoverished parts of countries like Bangladesh and India. All the royalties from one of his albums go into a foundation, and from there the cash is handed out to various charities.

There is a chance that in the years to come, George’s enthusiasm may rub off on his son, and we may yet see a Harrison out there on the track. After the usual parental head-scratching, George concedes that he would not stand in the way if Harrison Junior opted for cars instead of guitars – “though by that time they’ll probably be driving missiles or something.”

But for the time being at least, George will stay on the outside looking in. A weekend at the races will go on being the noisy, urgent, smelly and exciting contrast to the gardening and the meditation.

And a brief glimpse of the one public side to the private Mr. Harrison.

-  MOTOR magazine (28 July 1979)

[hifilounge]

Club Enduro Round 1 Race Report, Donington, Not What We Expected!

Club Enduro Round 1 Race Report, Donington, Not What We Expected!

Hi Everyone,

So here we go again with another season or racing, for the last 4 years I have raced in mostly 20 minute sprint races with the odd longer 45 minute race in both the Radical SR1 Cup and Lotus Elise Trophy and it has always been the longer races I have enjoyed the most and have been the most competitive at so for this year we thought we’d try something different, endurance racing in the Elise in the 750 Motor Club ‘Club Enduro’ championship, which it turn out is the biggest grid in UK motorsport, for our first race at Donington we had 58 cars on track which certainly kept me busy for the 2 hour+ race.

So there are 3 classes we could enter depending on the power to weight, we decided to unleash all of the Elise’s power to be bang on the 300bhp per tonne limit to be in the top class A group, I was going to share the drive with my driver coach Tom and we really thought that we could be competitive and maybe fight for the title, how wrong were we.

We arrived at Donington for Friday practice but we suffered brake issues all morning but once we sorted them we soon realised that the Touring Car type cars, TCR’s for short, are much faster than us even though we all run to the 300bhp per tonne limit, they are basically specially built race cars where our Elise is a road car we turned into a race car.

Anyway come race day I did my mandatory 3 laps for qualifying then Tom went out to see what could be achieved, he is basically one of the quickest guys around and he could only manage 14th on the grid, it was decided I would start the race and Tom would jump in at the fuel stop. I must admit I was a little nervous at the start as I starting higher up than my natural speed would normally put me being Tom qualified and at the start I got eaten alive by all the quicker guys but in the end I fell back to where my pace was competitive and settled into the race, after an hour or so I was summoned into the pits for a fuel stop and driver change, I jumped out the car and refueling started and whilst out the car I decided that I’d like to do the whole race which Tom as happy with as I need the practice and he doesn’t and at the end of the day we weren’t competitive so I may as well get more seat time so in the end I did the full 2 hours and 5 minutes which I must say was brilliant fun, I could have kept on going, but I could see we were getting low on fuel towards the end and as I was going through the Craners towards the end of the race I spluttered and though, bugger, I’m not going to finish the race so I thought I would limp home to the pits but as I came round the alst corner the chequered flag was out so I just made it across the line to finish then stopped.

In the end we finished 25th out of 58, there were quite a few elise’s entered and we finished as the top Elise so I guess that was something to take away from the weekend, but it certainly wasn’t the weekend we were hoping for, at the end of the day though I loved being in the car for 2 hours+.

What to do for the rest of the season? well there are 6 rounds left, I have decided to do the next one at Croft in 2 weeks as never raced there then we are off to Spa in July so will do that as that is a huge tick on the bucket list then I will decided what to do from there, I have an historic racing itch I’d like to scratch btu more on that later.

Please find sme pics below, they are quite funny as they make you realise just how small the Elise is.

Cheers,

Paul.

[brn1029]

Time for today’s Rock Report, brought to you by Meriwether’s bistro! swing by for, breakfast, brunch lunch or dinner at Meriwether’s Bistro inside Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston. You’ll find bottomless soup and bread for only 8 bucks from 11am till closing! And Join Meriwethers Bistro's loyalty program and get a complimentary dessert or appetizer. Every dollar you spend equals one point and get DOUBLE points during happy hour and Sunday brunch.

Are you newly engaged? Give Sarah a call at Hells Canyon Grand Hotel! Sarah and her team can take the stress out of wedding planning. Call 2 0 8 7 4 8 1 0 5 7 to set up a meeting

James Taylor performed Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" for an exclusive YouTube guitar lesson. After James posted the song by Mitchell a few months ago, many fans asked for the "guitar only" version and Taylor did not disappoint. In the video, Taylor recut to share just his hands while inching up the guitar volume to help illustrate. "All I Want" is from Mitchell's 1971 album, Blue, on which James played guitar. The intimate relationship between the two musicians was public by the summer of 1970, with Mitchell visiting Taylor on the set of the movie Two-Lane Blacktop. This guitar lesson is the latest instalment in Taylor's ongoing series of guitar lesson videos.

The James Taylor version of "All I Want" and the other lessons can be viewed at https://www.jamestaylor.com/guitar-lessons/.

KISS have shared a previously unreleased live version of "Do You Love Me" from KISS - Off The Soundboard: Live At Donington 1996. The live version was recorded during the Monsters Of Rock Festival at Donington Park in England on August 17, 1996. "Do You Love Me" featured on the band's 1976 multi-platinum selling album Destroyer. KISS - Off The Soundboard: Live At Donington 1996, which is the latest installment of the band's live bootleg series Off The Soundboard, is set to drop on June 10th. It will be available on a 3 LP standard black vinyl set, a 2 CD set, and a limited edition 3 LP set pressed on 180-gram red vinyl as well. KISS - Off The Soundboard: Live At Donington 1996 was recorded during the final year of the original run of the renowned annual music festival held at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England.

[agzy-carini-blogs-blog]

Top 3 moments in 2017

- January, Blackpool - WWE UKCT 


So for Christmas 2016 I bought my brother and I tickets to go to the WWE’s UK Championship tournament, booked us a nice little hotel too. One of the funniest weekends where it was just me and my little brother. 
After the horrendous 5-6 hour drive to Blackpool we checked into the hotel and then got showered, dressed and went out for a few beers which turned into a messy night in some metal bar, head banging and mashing the night away. The next morning we both were dying and needed food so we went to Nando’s for the hangover curing chicken, it tried to work but didn’t go down to well. 
Still suffering we decided to go up Blackpool tower, do the touristy things… why not ayy? After the gut wrench of all that we went back to the hotel to chill before heading out for night 1 of the tournament, it was an incredible experience to be there and part of WWE history.
(If you are a WWE fan remember the Jesus chants at this event? Well that was started by me and my brother, very proud moment)
Guess what we did after night 1, thats right we went out drinking again… Drinking is our downfall thats the only way I can put it. 
Another horrendous hangover ensued the next morning and we come to an agreement that we would not drink that night at all because we wanted to remember every single moment and we did  we saw Tyler Bate lift the UK championship. 
After that we went to a pub and had a pint… like I said we like to drink. 



- June, Download festival.


This was such a last minute decision for me I think it was 3/4 days before I bought my ticket and managed to get the day off work. Should I have planned ahead, maybe? Why didn’t I? Because I like to make my life hard.
Anyway June 9th I travelled up to Donington on my own because I was going to see the band that got me into everything I listen to today.

Who? System of a Down.

And lucky for me the line up for that day was pretty damn solid if I do say so with Northlane, Astroid Boys, Holding Absence, Issues, Four Years Strong & Loads more. 
I made 3 videos from this day I’ll link them below-



Download 1 
Download 2
 Download 3

System of a down could not have been any better! I loved every moment of the set and was in shock that I was actually watching them.

- October, Travelling alone.

Yup at 25 years old I finally travelled abroad without my parents or any friends to Berlin, Germany. What an experience it was I booked it all myself the Flights, Airbnb, Ubers, everything it was so empowering to do it as well. I was only there for 2 days / 1 night but I made the most of my opportunities and walked from my Airbnb to a Cafe and got myself a stein of German beer. I was living the life in a very urban area of Berlin sat outside a Cafe with a stein & just taking it all in, I will go back to Berlin one day soon and explore more of it.
Surprisingly unlike the stereotype of German people everyone I spoke with were absolutely lovely and couldn’t have done much more to help.

You can see the full video here! on my youtube channel.

Wish you all the best in your 2018 adventures! Love from Agzy Carini

[alexballracing]

MSVR Elise Trophy 2019 - Round 6: Donington Park GP - The Finale

We arrived at lunchtime on Friday at Donington Park for the final round of the championship. The two afternoon test sessions were booked as we hadn't driven the GP loop since 2015.

The first session went without a hitch - other than a brief red flag delay - and the car felt great. It was back to how it used to drive, rather than the disappointingly odd handling from Brands Hatch. The lap times were half decent, and we should have been in the ballpark - I set a 1:47.4 during the session and we always go a bit faster on race day.

We made some adjustments to the setup before the second session, and again, the car felt good. The settings were not necessarily faster, but they had done what we expected - it's great when a car reacts to changes like it's supposed to.

With just 5 minutes remaining in the session as I drove down the Craner Curves, I smelt a sweet smell that I'd experienced before. I glanced down at the dash, and noticed the temp was at 86, then 89, then 93, 96.. and sure enough, smoke started pouring out of the engine bay. The dreaded head gasket failure. I pulled the car over to a safe place, and was later towed back to the garages.

We pulled the car apart, and removed the head and not only found the usual blown gasket, but also a cylinder full of coolant and a cracked liner. I thought this was the end of the weekend before it even started, so we packed up our tools, left the car in pieces and went to the hotel feeling glum. Whilst we'd already sealed the championship, this is not the way I wanted to end the year.

Over dinner I sent a text to Dan (BSCS) explaining the issue, and as he was driving down in the morning to run Mike Rayner's car, he offered to bring a liner. I said it wasn't worth it but bring it anyway, and went to bed.

I woke up at 7-ish, and the sun was out. For some reason, I had woken up in a good mood, and decided that despite the unlikelihood of getting the car working, it was worth a try. I checked my phone, and there was a text from Dan saying that the liner was in his car, along with the extra sealants and tools I'd need and he was already at the track getting set up.

It was on. Nicky and I decided that we'd take our time putting the car back together, and if we could make it out for a race that would be a bonus. Rushing a job like this just means you'll DNF, which is pointless.

We got to the track at around 8, and set to work. We dropped the sump, pulled out the piston and rod, removed the liner, and then Dan fit a replacement liner and popped the piston back in while I went to the drivers briefing (lucky really, as it's a job I've managed to cock up several times before). All our competitors left for Qualifying at the point, and I got a strange hit of adrenaline as I knew I should be out on track.

Nicky and I then cleaned the bits we'd removed, put the head back on with a new gasket and bolts, filled the engine with fluids and re-assembled the car before turning the engine over withoput plugs to see if it spun nicely. It did!

We then popped the plugs in and tried to fire it up. Amazingly, it fired first time and other than some blue smoke for a few seconds (because we used engine oil instead of assembly lube), it sounded like it had never been apart.

We were on!

In an odd bit of luck, there was a lack of marshalls at Donington, and because of this the organisers had decided to use the shorter National circuit. This meant that we didn't need to actually qualify the car since we had raced on the track earlier this year, and we could just start the race from the back. Also, the excellent scruitineering team managed to check my gear and the car during the rebuild, which saved us a load of time.

We finished the car and got it ready for the first race with about 15 minutes to spare.

11:10am. Qualifying.

(We didn't make qualifying as the car was still in bits.)

14:10pm. Race 1.

As we missed qualifying, I was starting right at the back. I didn't care - racing was why we'd come to the track and I was over the moon that we were able to be on the grid at all. It was sunny, the track looked great, and we were going to race some Lotuses. Awesome.

Both races were rolling starts, and this meant I was able to get a jump on the back row when the lights went out. I passed two cars, but then had to back off as there was some side to side contact in front which I didn't want to be part of.

I then pressed on, and after 2 laps was in 5th overall behind Simon Walsh. I passed Simon after a lap, and was then 3rd in class behind John Atherton and John Lamaster. Jason Mcinulty was leading in his Cup R.

A couple of laps later a yellow flag came out down at the old hairpin, and it bunched the four of us up a bit. I focused on getting a good run out of the yellow zone into the green, and managed to pass both Johns after some good fighting over the next few laps.

Unfortunately, during the fight with John, I managed to touch his car with mine coming out of Mcleans, and obviously apologised afterwards. I simply didn't realise he was still on my outside after I'd gone up the inside - a stupid error which I don't normally make. It bent my rear toe link and made the car "interesting" to drive for the remainder of the race.

I finished the race first in class, 2nd overall. John LaMaster finished second 3 seconds back with Atherton behind him in 3rd.

A hard fought win from the back of the grid with an engine that had been in pieces only hours before. That's club racing.

After the race I gave the car a once over. Other than a bent toe link end, it was spot on. Fluids were good, everything remained tight.

17:10pm. Race 2.

Again, I was starting at the back, but this time I was very close to John and Jason as it was the reverse top ten race and there had been a couple of drop-outs in race 1 meaning a smaller grid for race 2.

The lights went out and we all set off. I tried to follow Jason into turn 1, but he did the most amazing move on the whole pack, and simply drove around the outside of everybody and came out of the first corner in 2nd. Ballsy! I was in about 6th, with John LaMaster a spot or two behind.

The race went on and LaMaster and I managed to get in front of everybody except Jason, and then we continued to lap quickly and just seconds apart until the end. I finished first in class with John second, and Jason won FI/overall.

Two wins. If you'd told me that would be the result on Friday night, I would never have gone to the hotel!

With that we celebrated the championship on the podium, and in all honesty, feel like that single day earnt us the championship.

It's always hard work preparing a car for, and during, a full season of racing, but when things go wrong it gets really stressful. I need to say a HUGE thank you to Nicky, Dan and everyone else that helped or offered support. The paddock really made us feel like it was worth fixing, and I had so many nice comments when we'd managed it - it was a great experience (that I wouldn't wish on anybody!).

The year has been fantastic, the car was brilliant, and Nicky really stepped up and took charge of the setup side of things which allowed me to focus on the driving. The paddock has been great fun, with everyone in a good mood all year, and I'm very happy that MSVR have decided to not only save the series from dying this year, but to continue it and take it to bigger and better things in 2020. These cars are fantastic to drive, are faster than they look, and the series offers excellent fair, close racing.

Also big thanks to Kraftwerk Tools UK, and Applecado - I couldn't go racing without their help.

I'm tired now, but crikey. 2019 MSVR Elise Trophy Champions. What a year!

[sunshinecoastqldnews]

RaceFans Spherical-up: Breaching funds cap an act of dishonest

Within the round-up: McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has informed the FIA that groups breaching the funds cap “constitutes dishonest” as the game’s governing physique considers its response to Purple Bull and Aston Martin’s infringements. Briefly Breaching funds cap an act of “dishonest” – Brown F1 groups breaching the funds cap “constitutes dishonest”, Brown informed the FIA in a letter to the governing physique on the day the breaches had been confirmed final week. The letter, reported by the BBC, argued any workforce that was discovered to have exceeded the monetary restrictions ought to face a lowered price cap for the next season and reductions in aerodynamic testing. Nevertheless Brown pushed for extra than simply monetary sanctions. “We don’t really feel a monetary penalty alone can be an acceptable penalty for an overspend breach or a critical procedural breach,” he stated. “There clearly must be a sporting penalty in these cases, as decided by the FIA. “We propose that the overspend ought to be penalised by the use of a discount to the workforce’s price cap within the 12 months following the ruling, and the penalty ought to be equal to the overspend plus an additional superb – i.e. an overspend of $2m in 2021, which is recognized in 2022, would lead to a $4m deduction in 2023 ($2m to offset the overspend plus $2m superb). “As well as, we imagine there ought to be minor overspend sporting penalties of a 20% discount in CFD and wind tunnel time. These ought to be enforced within the following 12 months, to mitigate towards the unfair benefit the workforce has and can proceed to learn from.” Last COTA nook named in honour of Mario Andretti Andretti was first to drive the COTA monitor The Circuit of the Americas has introduced that its closing nook might be formally renamed as “The Andretti” in honour of 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti. The left-hander flip 20 completes the circuit, main onto the pit straight on the finish of the lap. In addition to his F1 title and 12 grand prix victories, Andretti gained the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and 4 IndyCar championships, in addition to profitable the 1967 Daytona 500 and taking second place within the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours. Andretti was the primary driver to ever run a lap of the finished COTA circuit in 2012. A dedication ceremony might be held on the nook on Thursday forward of Friday’s opening day of observe for america Grand Prix. Browning topped GB3 champion Hitech driver Luke Browning was topped GB3 champion after securing second place within the penultimate race of the season at Donington Park. Browning completed behind Tom Lebbon in a moist race at Donington Park to seal the title with one race to spare. He completed the season 46.5 factors forward of Joel Granfors, with Lebbon virtually 100 factors additional again in third. It’s Browning’s second junior single-seater title after he gained the 2020 British F4 championship. As champion, he has gained the chance to finish a two day take a look at in an FIA Method 3 automotive later this 12 months. Advert | Grow to be a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Pleased birthday! Pleased birthday to Jamiefranklinf1, Alex De Brito and Dan! On this present day in motorsport 35 years in the past at the moment Nigel Mansell saved his world championship hopes alive by profitable the Mexican Grand Prix, which was disrupted by a purple flag attributable to Derek Warwick’s enormous crash Originally published at Sunshine Coast QLD News

[ducatiuk]

Can you improve your riding skills in a day? 

Can a few hours at a riding school really teach you anything? We spent a day with the California Superbike School at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit to find out.

Founded by Twist of the Wrist author Keith Code, the California Superbike School (CSS) has been teaching riders the underlying principles of riding motorcycles for over 3 decades. The riding school has a team of dedicated professionals and “guarantee that our effective drills, and our ability to demonstrate and communicate them, will ensure that you learn and improve”.

CSS offer four different training levels, but all students start at Level 1. This applies for seasoned racers as well as those who’ve just passed their motorcycle test as each lesson builds on from the first in a step-by-step process.

There was a mixture of ages, abilities and experience about to start their first day at school. But one common factor shared by all was a willingness to learn to ride a motorcycle better.

After signing on and getting riding kit checked on a sunny morning at Brands, it was soon time for everyone to get an introduction to the CSS team in the classroom. This was followed by a safety briefing that covered flags, passing other riders safely on track and any other questions riders had.

Although the school makes use of circuits, riders are not there to chase lap times or race each other. For many riders, a Level 1 course may be the first time they’ve ever ridden on a track – initially a daunting prospect for some. But the circuit simply allows a safe environment for students to practice various drills, using a variety of corners in the process.

The Level 1 class featured 5 different lessons with classroom sessions on the day given by coach Gary Adshead. Gary would introduce each subject before getting students to think about how a bike would behave in a particular situation and the reasons why. After going over the principles he would then go on to explain about how riders should use that information to improve their riding and setting students a common goal to try on track. After each classroom session riders would head out on track to practise drills relating to their new-found knowledge.

The first lesson of the day focused on throttle control and required the use of riding around the Indy circuit in 4th gear only. A big surprise for many was that we that they were told to ride around the track in just 4th gear and without using any brakes. Without the use of these controls, riders had just one way to adjust their speed on track and subsequently one thing to think about - throttle control.

This opening exercise ensured everyone had to change their riding style and think about what they were doing from the get go, with subsequent lessons on turn points, quick turning, rider input and two-step turning building on from on each other as the day went on.

Whilst on track, CSS coaches would observe and follow riders, communicating via hand signals. At the end of the track sessions, riders would debrief with their coaches in the pit garages, discussing what corners on the circuit the newly learned techniques worked well and where they felt they needed improvement. Coaches would then give riders individual targets for their next on-track session. After chatting to their coaches, riders were soon discussing the lesson with each other and the gains they had discovered to their own riding.

Whilst some riders used their own bikes on track (including one rider on a Multistrada 1200 Enduro) many opted to use one of the schools hire bikes - a fleet of Ducati including the new SuperSport as well as 959 Panigale and 1299 Panigale motorcycles. For those who have not yet ridden a Ducati on track, what better way is there to explore the performance of these motorcycles in a safe environment with trained professionals, have fun and learn at the same time?

Everyone we spoke to came away with a new-found confidence in their cornering and riding ability, buoyed by the knowledge of what was happening to their bikes under them as it braked, turned and accelerated.

Once an understanding is achieved of what a motorcycle can and should do for you from the Level 1 drills, CSS then move on step-by-step to sharpen the visual skills. But that marks the start of Level 2 and another day on track…

One of the best things about a CSS course is that unlike purchasing go-faster bolt-ons that may fit a specific motorcycle only, is the fact that when you upgrade your own riding you can transfer that knowledge and the techniques learnt to every bike you ride then on - be it on the track or the road.

Students at the end of the day seemed to be unanimous in agreement that If you’re willing to learn - and want to improve your riding and confidence on road or track - then a day with CSS can definitely help you become a better rider. School has never been so much fun.

CSS provide their unique training courses across the UK and Ireland at race circuits including Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Silverstone Stowe and Mondello Park. For those wishing to learn in more exotic climates they also offer schools in Europe and as far away as Dubai and Bahrain. Courses start from £350.

Find out more about the Level 1 course via the California Superbike School website.

[mackdaddyofthecravate]

Guns N Roses were FUCKING AMAZING! Axl 12 hats and his magical veneers, they played for like 3 hours, there was zero Axl bullshit, the set was mint, they played Slither and Black Hole Sun it was totes emosh. Id think is could get a better first GnR gig tbh!

(my mates saw them at Donington a few years back and said it was disappointing and a load of dicking about per usual, but this was awesome AND they came on early)

Slash could still get it. Duff is forever effortlessly cool. That is all.

[newsexplored]

Billy Monger already learning how to drive again just DAYS after double amputation

New Post has been published on https://newsexplored.co.uk/billy-monger-already-learning-how-to-drive-again-just-days-after-double-amputation/

Billy Monger already learning how to drive again just DAYS after double amputation

Monger's JHR Developments Formula 4 car smashed into the back of Patrik Pasma after his stricken car had stopped on Donington Park track.

The 17-year-old was unsighted by another car and careered into his fellow racing driver at 120mph sending both machines flying.

Ground crews and an air ambulance rushed to the scene where they found Monger conscious but trapped in his car.

LewisReporting/Youtube

Billy Monger is a talented young British driver but suffered a massive smash at Donington Park

The teenager could not be extracted from the wreck for more than an hour before being taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham by helicopter.

Monger was left in a critical condition and was put in a medically induced coma while he underwent life-saving surgery to remove both his legs.

A Just Giving page was started to allow the public to donate to his cause and pay for recovery treatments and therapies.

F1 2017 Constructors' World Championship standings Sun, April 16, 2017

Express Sport runs through the current F1 Constructors' World Championship standings

Play slideshow

Getty Images 1 of 11

Who is leading the F1 2017 Constructors' World Championship after Round 3?

And after attracting donations from F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Max Verstappen, the appeal, which was targeting £260,000, has now raised more than £630,000.

Monger will have to learn a whole new way of life but according to his JHR team manager Steven Hunter, the youngster is already working out how he can continue his racing career.

GETTY

Billy Monger was driving for JHR Developments team when the crash happened

"He has always been a remarkable young man and he's proving yet again his strength and his resilience," Hunter said.

"I've never had a driver that puts so much effort and time into ensuring he produces the best he possibly can.

GETTY

Billy Monger (left) has received the backing Lewis Hamilton has donated to the appeal

"Billy's already had his hands up pretending to use a steering wheel and seeing if he can use a hand clutch in his own imagination.

"You'll never take the racing driver out of the racing driver, so I wouldn't put it past him."

Original Article

[somar78]

Delahaye 135 Drophead Coupé - 1948 by Perico001 Coachwork by Pennock Chassis n° 800843 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais Bonhams Estimated : € 160.000 - 190.000 Sold for € 172.500 Parijs - Paris Frankrijk - France February 2018 - One of the all-time great French sports cars - Bespoke coachwork - Little used since full restoration Based initially at Tours and from 1906 in Paris, Delahaye built its first automobile in 1894 and soon diversified into commercial vehicle manufacture. Its early products tended to be rather lacklustre, but then in 1935 came the first of a new generation that would change the marque's image: the T135 Coupe Des Alpes. A fine sporting car, the T135 was powered by a 3.2-litre, six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine producing 110bhp on triple Solex carburettors, while the chassis featured transverse-leaf independent front suspension, four-speed synchromesh or Cotal gearboxes, centre-lock wire wheels and Bendix brakes. Delahaye improved on the formula the following year with the 3½-litre, 120/130bhp T135MS, and the sports version was soon making a name for itself in competitions, taking 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places in the run-to-sportscar-regulations 1936 French Grand Prix and winning the Monte Carlo Rally and Le Mans 24-Hour Race outright in 1937 and 1938 respectively. Prince Bira won the 1938 Donington 12-Hour Sports Car Race in Prince Chula's example and went on to take victory in Brooklands' 'fastest road car in England' race against some formidable opposition. The model reappeared post-WW2 as the 135M with the 3½-litre engine and lasted in production until 1951. Delahaye had no in-house coachworks, so all its chassis were bodied by inde¬pendents who created some of their most attractive designs on the Type 135. It was a most fortuitous partnership, which resulted in memorable automotive sculpture from the likes of Figoni et Falaschi, Saoutchik, Chapron, Franay, Graber, and Pennock. Following WW2, the concours-winning firm of Pennock, located in The Hague, Holland acquired several chassis from Delahaye, on one of which they cre¬ated the spectacular three-position drophead coupé offered here. Right-hand drive, like most French cars of quality at that time, this car previously formed part of a prominent private collection, undergoing an extensive and fastidious restoration, since when it has seen little use. It is finished in deep maroon paintwork throughout, while the immaculate 'as new' interior is trimmed in biscuit hide with contrasting maroon carpets. The hood is of beige mohair. The vendor is undertaking a full re-commissioning and service, and can attest that the car sounds simply wonderful with the fully rebuilt 3½-litre straight-six engine emitting a strong bark and providing spirited performance. The engine bay is detailed to show standards and electrics have been completely rewired. We are advised that the body was removed during the restoration, and literally everything that could be done to the car was done. Particularly elegant, the coachwork boasts pontoon-style front wings and no running boards, while the versatile hood can be used fully closed, half open in sedanca mode, or fully open giving the car a rakish and streamlined appearance. https://flic.kr/p/23g1ysF

[happymetalgeek]

Legendary English rock ‘n’ rollers The Quireboys have been announced as this year’s headline band for the hugely successful Bapper’s Gig on The Hill of The O’Neill, Dungannon on Saturday 3rd August 2019.

Early bird tickets have already sold out with remaining tickets on sale now.   

Also joining this years line-up is Qween – It’s A Kinda Queen, The Reapermen, The Third Wheel Band, The Davy K Project, Midnight Station along with the previously announced NI rock and blues heavyweights in Mid-Ulster’s Blackwater Conspiracy, Derrylin’s Pat McManus Band and from Moira, Trucker Diablo.

Today, 31st January, marks the first anniversary of the sudden death of Gary ‘Bapper’ Morris’, a much loved Dungannon Leisure Centre Swimming Instructor, in 2018 but his close friend David White founded Bapper’s Gig with the help of local promoters SD Entertainment. Together they delivered last years hugely successful and sold out rock gig with proceeds of over three thousand pound for charity. Proceeds from this years gig will benefit of Crus Bereavement NI by request of Bapper’s family.

Bappers Gig will remain an all ages event, suitable for all the family with even more food choices and flavours plus child friendly entertainment including face painting, video game stations and free giveaways. Due to public demand and feedback, fellow rockers will be able to get their hands on a limited edition 2019 Bapper’s Gig T-Shirt with an online store launching soon to facilitate pre-orders.

Ciaran from SD Entertainment spoke about this years event “We got the go ahead not less than 24 hours after last years gig that we could do this again. Myself and Dave have been working away ever since to ensure we deliver the best experience and event possible. We’re upgrading our technical production this year to give our audiences an even slicker show and the band’s the best possible live experience on stage. Let’s hope the weather stays dry.”

Following the The Quireboys inception in London, UK in 1984 – originally as The Choirboys, then The Queerboys, before settling on the less controversial name of The Quireboys – there followed 6 years of hard graft before the inevitable happened – a UK number 2 album. Despite supporting Guns N’ Roses at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon in London it was 1990’s A Bit of What You Fancy that brought the band to the attention of the public at large, and featured founder member Spike on vocals and new recruit Guy Griffin on guitar. The record showcased no fewer than 5 hit singles – including “Hey You”.

Spike and Guy have been the backbone of THE quintessential British rock’n’roll band ever since – a journey that has seen them play to 72,000 at 1990’s Monsters of Rock at Donington with the likes of Whitesnake, Aerosmith and Poison – supporting The Rolling Stones that same year, and joining Guns N’ Roses again a couple of years later on their “Use Your Illusion” tour

In 2018 The Quireboys performed at The Monsters of Rock Cruise, Hard Rock Hell AOR VI, Sweden Rock and Stonedeaf festivals. 2019 will see a brand new studio album – their 12th – as part of a pledge campaign… so be a part of the never ending Quireboys party – as there’s no sign of Spike, Guy, Keith and Paul slowing down any time soon!

Tickets for Bapper’s Gig 2019 are on sale now, priced at £20.00 for Adults and £10.00 for Under 16. Ticket can be bought online from www.Dungannon.info. Box Office number is 028 87 728 600 or In person from Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon.

Further details including recommended camping sites, hotels and local B&B’s will be posted on all social media feeds. @BappersGig. Talk to us using the hashtag #BappersGig.

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About The Quireboys

Following the band’s inception in London, UK in 1984 – originally as The Choirboys, then The Queerboys, before settling on the less controversial name of The Quireboys – there followed 6 years of hard graft and personnel changes before the inevitable happened – a UK number 2 album.

Despite supporting a certain Guns N’ Roses at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon in London it was 1990’s A Bit of What You Fancy that brought the band to the attention of the public at large, and featured founder member Spike on vocals and new recruit Guy Griffin on guitar. The record showcased no fewer than 5 hit singles – including “Hey You” which peaked at number 5 in the US Billboard Rock Chart and number 14 in the UK Singles chart.

Spike and Guy have been the backbone of THE quintessential British rock’n’roll band ever since – a journey that has seen them play to 72,000 at 1990’s Monsters of Rock at Donington with the likes of Whitesnake, Aerosmith and Poison – supporting The Rolling Stones that same year, and joining Guns N’ Roses again a couple of years later on their “Use Your Illusion” tour.

Following their second studio album, 1993’s Bitter Sweet & Twisted, the band found the new mainstream rock landscape a difficult one – and it wasn’t until 2001 and the release of This is Rock’n’Roll that they found a new lease of life. The public’s appetite for The Quireboys had returned and hasn’t waned since – 3 further studio releases (Well Oiled, Homewreckers & Heartbreakers, Halfpenny Dancer) were released on various labels from 2004 to 2009 before the band found their new – and permanent – home on Off Yer Rocka – the label of the renowned festival brand Hard Rock Hell.

The first 4 albums on Off Yer Rocka – Beautiful Curse (2013), Black Eyed Sons (2014), St Cecilia and the Gypsy Soul (2015), and Twisted Love (2016) – have not only grown the legacy of The Quireboys but have brought new fans to the fold. 2017’s White Trash Blues saw the band take a bold move – recording a collection of iconic blues numbers but with the signature Quireboys approach – a move that paid off with glowing reviews. Covering legends such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Freddie King and John Lee Hooker the album is a triumph of substance over style. The album produced a stunning single release – “Leaving Trunk” – a track written by Sleepy John Estes and made famous by the legendary Taj Mahal.

The Quireboys are certainly enjoying a revival – selling out venues around the world – with 2018 also taking in The Monsters of Rock Cruise, HRH AOR VI, Sweden Rock and Stonedeaf festivals. 2019 will see a brand new studio album – their 12th – as part of a pledge campaign… so be a part of the never ending Quireboys party – as there’s no sign of Spike, Guy, Keith and Paul slowing down any time soon!

NEWS: @TheQuireboys Celebrate 35 Years Together at @BappersGig Dungannon 03 August 2019 @dungannonarts @qweenbandire @truckerdiablo @BlackwaterConsp @PatMcManusBand @TyroneCourier1 Legendary English rock 'n' rollers The Quireboys have been announced as this year's headline band for the hugely successful