F1

[MountainDon]

Just wondering if there are any F1 fans here?   

So far this year it's been a pretty good season; 4 races = 4 different winners and 4 different constructors with winning cars. 

[MountainDon]

And this year we have a race at a brand spanking new track in Austin, TX.        11/18/2012

[sparks]

  MtnDon,

  I truly appreciate those F1's. Amazing pieces of engineering and design.   

  However, I'm a NASCAR fan...........

  In any racing .....the engines rev high, and the rubber meets the road......and someone is behind the wheel trying to keep from hitting the wall.........or lamp post!!!


  sparks

[AdironDoc]

I don't regularly follow it but do watch now and again. I didn't like prior FIA rule changes banning variable valve timing, limiting displacement, turbocharging, and now, in 2014, "fuel flow restrictions and energy recovery devices in order to make Formula One more environmentally aware and to attract more commercial partners". Ahhh.. commercial partners, of course. It's like pro wrestling without makeup and steroids. Wouldn't want to send the wrong message to viewers. What's your take on that, Don?   

[MountainDon]

Well, rules changes have not bothered me much. Rules will always change as technology changes. Since the 60's when I started following F! some rules have come and gone and come back again. Engine displacement, number of cylinders, turbo, no turbo, valve timing, fuel stops allowed and not allowed and so on all relate to the impossibly high hp per cc. ratio that the engine engineers can pull, which relates to driver safety. To me it's a lot like Nascar restrictor plates. A necessary evil.  Today we have no turbos, fairly small engines, no variable valve timing, a lower rev limit, engines must be made to last as the teams can only use 8 engines in a season or be penalized, etc. And the cars are still incredibly quick. The speed raises the excitement level, but even slower class racing as in SCCA club racing still relies on most of the excitement from the drivers skills. IMO.

As for energy recovery systems we'll see how the 2014 rules work. F! is a business, not a hobby so there does need to be a commercial connection. Again, IMO.


I watch some NASCAR too but I've always liked road courses better than ovals. Too bad NASCAR only does a couple of them.

[AdironDoc]

Vettel and Webber with the RedBull team. Amazing. 2009 ,10, and 11 all banner years with RB5,6, and 7.  2012 too?

[Windpower]

Sir Jackie Stewart on the Nürburgring


[embed=425,349]http://youtu.be/h_ZzyZylyQ0[/embed]

[MountainDon]

It is interesting how over time a certain team will dominate for years and then find themselves laboring to make decent showings.

[AdironDoc]

Like the glory days of the Dallas Cowboys? Or are you talking about the Kennedy's and Bush's? 

[MountainDon]

Talk about rising from the dead....

But first I should insert I don't get up at 5:30 AM Sundays to watch the F1 live. My son records the race on his DV-R and we watch it together Wednesday nights as a rule. So I just finished watching the Spanish race from Mother's Day, last Sunday. Superb race. A different driver winner again and a different constructor. Williams!  First win in 8 years! Great race to watch

(so it would be nice if nobody mentions who just won the last race... I don't peek at the results.

[GearShifter]

No so much into F1.... but familiar with road course racing.....

Here is my current office... which explains user name.  (I'm the truckie... don't get to drive the cars..  )



We may be at Austin also..... have to wait and see..

[sparks]

    A different face/side of F1........the wet side....


http://www.champboat.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=280


   Couldn't resist........



   sparks