BMW to Exit Formula One - Official BMW Video

The only word that captures the feeling around Bmw's departure from F1 is "Disappointment". There is disappointment that comes from BMW/Sauber giving up a shot at the championship in 2008 to get a head start on KERS (later abandoned) for the 2009 season. There is disappointment that comes from a one-two finish in Montreal, followed by a string of miscues and lack-luster results.

Unfortunately though the biggest disappoint in BMW/Sauber's announcement comes from the statement that the shift of dollars from racing will go to "sustainability" -- hypocrisy for a company that makes the X5M and the X6M. What part of sustainability do those cars fall into?

It's becoming more and more apparent that BMW has stopped paying lip service to the idea that they build performance cars and instead is just focusing on cars that are as profitable as possible. If you disagree, point to one car in BMW's current line-up that hasn't grown into a bloated luxo-barge over the years, with more horsepower and less driving enjoyment.

Farewell BMW/Sauber. Your departure is definitely disappointing.

(Via BMWwebTV)

It's Official - BMW to leave F1 at the end of 2009 Season

(via ESPN) MUNICH -- BMW is pulling out of Formula One at the end of this season, the second car maker to leave the series within a year.

The German company announced the decision at a news conference Wednesday, saying it wanted to use its significant F1 budget in other areas. It will remain involved in auto racing.

Since entering F1 as a team by taking over the Sauber team ahead of the 2006 season -- it had previously acted as an engine supplier -- BMW had posted just one race win, at last year's Canadian Grand Prix.

Touted as a championship contender for the 2009 season, BMW lagged well behind the pace of the leading teams.

"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said at the news conference.

He said the Munich-based car maker would use the resources previously spent on the F1 team to advance "sustainability and environmental compatibility."

Klaus Draeger, the board member responsible for development, said the team was "unable to meet expectations in the current season."

BMW's withdrawal followed that of Japanese car maker Honda ahead of the 2009 season, illustrating the growing pressure upon car makers to cut costs amid a global economic downturn that had hit new car sales.

Their withdrawal also lent credence to efforts by the FIA to significantly reduce F1 costs in order to retain existing teams and attract new entrants.

FIA, motor racing's world governing body, said it hoped BMW was the last manufacturer to leave the series.

"The FIA regrets the announcement of BMW's intended withdrawal from Formula One, but is not surprised by it," it said in a statement.

"It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis. Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer. This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically."

BMW's decision to end its involvement on Formula One only came Tuesday and the company was still considering what to do with the staff involved with the team, Draeger said.

"Of course ... would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said.

"But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective. We will now focus sharply on the remaining races and demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing."

Mercedes, the other major German car maker involved in Formula One, said it regretted BMW's pullout, "but it will have no influence on our F1 engagement."

The decision by BMW comes at a time when auto makers worldwide are reporting lower sales amid the global economic slowdown. Consumers are reluctant to open their wallets for big-ticket items and companies are trimming costs.

Georg Stuerzer, an automotive analyst with UniCredit in Munich who follows BMW, told AP that he estimated that the company was spending approximately $280 million a year on its Formula One involvement.

Draeger said it was not yet clear if the decision would result in job losses in Munich and Hinwil, Switzerland. The operation counts some 700 workers.

"Since we only made this decision yesterday, we cannot provide any more precise information," he said. "We will develop and assess various scenarios and do our best to find a solution for the employees in Hinwil and the staff members involved in the Formula One project in Munich."

The withdrawal will prompt speculation about the future of drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. Kubica will be in strong demand for next season and will likely remain involved in F1.

The future for Heidfeld is less certain, though his long stint in the sport could make him an attractive option for the new entrant teams next season, who will be looking for an experienced driver.

In its debut season in 2006, BMW Sauber wound up fifth in the constructors' championship. In 2007, the German-Swiss team came in second after McLaren-Mercedes' exclusion from the points standings.

In 2008, the team was in the hunt for the world championship until the end of the season, winding up third. Kubica had the only GP victory in Canada.

So far, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has taken one pole position (Kubica in Bahrain in 2008) and 16 podium finishes. It is eighth in the constructors' standings in the current season.

Ferrari 458 Italia Interior

Although it looks a little Honda-y, I have to say that the view from the cockpit looks like a compelling enough reason to consider the newest Ferrari. Aside from the power, torque and aerodynamics. Enjoy!

Car Porn Deluxe - "Zed meets Zed edition" - BMW Z4 vs. Nissan 370Z

"Its not mid-engined and It doesn't run on brimstone and baby owls", Clarkson

The winner of this comparison was surpising based on what the trade mags have said about the two cars. All in all, Top Gear and Clarkson at their best. Enjoy!

Ferrari's Newest Child - Welcome to the 458 Italia

While there is not yet a price set or a firm release date for Ferrari 458 Italia, the often rumored replacement for the Ferrari 430, the pictures and specifications for the car make me want to sell the house and dog, clean out my 401K, and put down a deposit.

The 4.5 liter motor is food for 570 european horsepower and 398 ft/lbs (torques to Clarkson). All in a package that weights a hair over 3000 lbs with race seats and forges wheels.

You can usually expect that the car will beat the factory estimate of 0-100kph in 3.3 by a half second, but that might come close to defying the laws of physics.

Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications

Dimensions

Length 4527 mm (178.2 in.)

Width 1937 mm (76.3 in.)

Height 1213 mm (47.8 in.)

Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in.)

Dry weight 1380 kg (3042 lbs)*

Weight/power ratio 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)

Weight distribution fr/r 42%/58%

Engine

Type V8 – 90°

Displacement 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)

Maximum power 570 CV (425 kW)** @ 9000 rpm

Maximum torque 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm

Specific power output 127 CV/l

Compression ratio 12.5:1

Tyres

Front 235/35 ZR20 8.5"

Rear 295/35 ZR20 10.5"

Performance

Maximum speed >325 km/h (>202 mph)

0-100 km/h - 3.3 sec

Fuel consumption + emissions

Fuel consumption*** 13.7 l/100 km

Emissions*** 320 g CO2/km

Gearbox

Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1

Electronics

E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS

* With forged wheels and Racing seats

** Including 5 CV of ram effect

*** Combined cycle (ECE+EUDC)

Insult to (potential) Injury - Renault suspended from European Gran Prix

According to GP Update.net Renault has been suspended from the European Gran Prix in Valencia due to a breach in the sporting regulations related to Fernando Alonso's loss of a wheel at the Hungarian Gran Prix this weekend. It's unclear if there was an additional infraction beyond the loss of the wheel, but this is likely a reaction to the death of Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa's injury. Too bad for Renault..it appears as though they are getting the maximum penalty as a result of other team's bad fortunes.

Get well soon Felipe Massa!

With Felipe in the hospital recovering from brain surgery let's remember brighter days. Get well soon Felipe!

Kohler International Challenge at Road America

One of the great things about the Kohler International Challenge hosted by Brian Redman, (aside from the opportunity to see Can-Am, Formula One, IMSA and SCCA cars running at speed as god intended) is that on Friday evening after the practice sessions, many of the race cars are led onto the streets of Elkhart Wisconsin for a parade downtown and a concours (hosted by Road and Track) in front of the Siebkins Bar/Hotel/Condos.

Once the cars are in place spectators are invited to view and browse the cars. Local bands play in the courtyard and beer and wine is served from vendors on the sidewalk. On a hot July night, nothing can be better.

This street forms part of the original road course that existed in Elkhart Lake, and the final left turn in the video was a turn on the course known as "the Hard Left" an off camber 90 degree corner intended to provide maximum excitement for the summer tourists.

I will admit that these aren't the fastest video I've ever posted, but take a look at the cars lined up for the parade at the start and end of the video. See how many you can identify. (BTW- I count at least 2 BMW 3.0 CSL's a scarab and a group c car )Enjoy.

Turn Up the volumefor this one.