Going to try and do some regular updates during the race today. Have Mr. No-Fly-List coming to watch the race with me but I am also taking care of our our new foster puppy (Cora, named for Ralf Schumacher's wife who also drives the occasional race car) that we just picked up from Animal Control and that is taking a bit of my attention away from the race.
PRE-RACE UPDATE: It's wet and wetter in Daytona. Rain coming down hard and there are likely to be lots of puddles in the infield. Should make for some exciting opening hours. I think Scott Pruett said it right by stating that they teams need to survive the opening hours if they are to have any chance at a win. Pruett also said that the rain is only supposed to last a few hours and the weather channel backs this up
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Rolex 24 Pre-Race Video Fun
I may have mentioned that the Rolex 24 starts today. I also may have mentioned that I am excited about this. Ride along with Ozz Negri in his Riley-Ford DP car in the video to get ready for today's action. I'll try and post updates during the race today and tomorrow, but that may be slightly impacted by the fact that I have a bunch of work to accomplish this weekend for a Monday presentation. Enjoy!
Or you can just watch an engine do a lap...
Or you can just watch an engine do a lap...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Racing on TV 1/30-2/1
SPEED thankfully will be covering the Rolex 24 Live:
Saturday: 2pm-9pm CST
Sunday: 6am-3pm CST
Also, DTM and BTCC start at 11am CST on Saturday also on SPEED.
For those of you still in college or in the Navy or something, next Monday you can relive the 2009 German GP on SPEED at noon CST.
Saturday: 2pm-9pm CST
Sunday: 6am-3pm CST
Also, DTM and BTCC start at 11am CST on Saturday also on SPEED.
For those of you still in college or in the Navy or something, next Monday you can relive the 2009 German GP on SPEED at noon CST.
Daytona - Live Video and Updates
Well, it's finally here! The first day of the 2010 racing season. Today we have the Continental Sports Car Challenge Fresh from Florida 200 from Daytona International Speedway and thanks to Turner we can watch some live streaming video. Also cruise over to grandam.com to catch the live scoring. The race starts at 12:45CT.
Fall-Line motorsports beat out a stable of Mustangs to take pole in GS for the 200 in their E92 M3 with Andy Pilgrim at the wheel. Talk about a ringer! Andy was apparently going to Brazil for vacation but that fell through and he ended up getting a call from Fall-Line. Turner's E92 M3 will start in 10th. In ST, Bimmerworld managed to put the car 3rd on the grid and look to have a real chance in their Conti debut. Another BMW to watch is the #18 RRT car which is starting 26th.
UPDATE: Turner cars ran 8th and 16th in the morning practice for the FF200. Espenlaub in one of the other Fall Line M3s ran second to the Jack Roush Jr. car that set the pace in the session. Pole-sitter Pilgrim only ran the 24th best time. Race starts at 12:45CT so make sure to tune-in to the Turner feed and check live timing at grandam.com.
UPDATE - Lap 30: The #96 E92 M3 from Turner is out with an engine issue, but Andy Pilgrim and Fall Line were leading before their first pit-stop. Still a few cars left to stop. Have already had 3 yellows. Follow along on twitter at http://twitter.com/CT_Challenge.
UPDATE - Lap 35: Apparently Any Pilgrim in the #46 M3 pulled in to the wrong pit box during the pitstop and has fallen to 11th in ST - Mark Boden now driving. The #48 Fall Line M3 driven by Charles Espenlaub is running second behind the Reagan Mustang. In ST, RRTs 330 has moved up to fourth after running as high as second, although there is some thought they made need another stop for fuel. James Clay is now in the #80 Bimmerworld car and is running 6th.
UPDATE - F**k SPEED: SPEED is showing a NASCAR race replay instead of broadcasting this race live BTW.
SPOILER ALERT: BMWs had a good showing today. And since I dont want to spoil it too much, let's just say that a BMW M3 won GS and there was also a BMW on the podium in ST. Sounds like it was a great race and wish I did not have to wait two weeks to see it (see, F**k SPEED) although I guess at least we get to see it at all (See IndyCar, DirecTV subscribers with no Versus).
Online video chat by Ustream
Unfortunately, the race is not being broadcast on SPEED (aka the NASCAR talk show channel)until Feb. 13 at 6pm CT. Enjoy the broadcast today and make sure to root for Fall-Line, Turner, Bimmerworld and the other BMW teams. At least the Rolex 24 will be broadcast live. Happy Friday and Happy Start of the 2010 Race Season!
Fall-Line motorsports beat out a stable of Mustangs to take pole in GS for the 200 in their E92 M3 with Andy Pilgrim at the wheel. Talk about a ringer! Andy was apparently going to Brazil for vacation but that fell through and he ended up getting a call from Fall-Line. Turner's E92 M3 will start in 10th. In ST, Bimmerworld managed to put the car 3rd on the grid and look to have a real chance in their Conti debut. Another BMW to watch is the #18 RRT car which is starting 26th.
UPDATE: Turner cars ran 8th and 16th in the morning practice for the FF200. Espenlaub in one of the other Fall Line M3s ran second to the Jack Roush Jr. car that set the pace in the session. Pole-sitter Pilgrim only ran the 24th best time. Race starts at 12:45CT so make sure to tune-in to the Turner feed and check live timing at grandam.com.
UPDATE - Lap 30: The #96 E92 M3 from Turner is out with an engine issue, but Andy Pilgrim and Fall Line were leading before their first pit-stop. Still a few cars left to stop. Have already had 3 yellows. Follow along on twitter at http://twitter.com/CT_Challenge.
UPDATE - Lap 35: Apparently Any Pilgrim in the #46 M3 pulled in to the wrong pit box during the pitstop and has fallen to 11th in ST - Mark Boden now driving. The #48 Fall Line M3 driven by Charles Espenlaub is running second behind the Reagan Mustang. In ST, RRTs 330 has moved up to fourth after running as high as second, although there is some thought they made need another stop for fuel. James Clay is now in the #80 Bimmerworld car and is running 6th.
UPDATE - F**k SPEED: SPEED is showing a NASCAR race replay instead of broadcasting this race live BTW.
SPOILER ALERT: BMWs had a good showing today. And since I dont want to spoil it too much, let's just say that a BMW M3 won GS and there was also a BMW on the podium in ST. Sounds like it was a great race and wish I did not have to wait two weeks to see it (see, F**k SPEED) although I guess at least we get to see it at all (See IndyCar, DirecTV subscribers with no Versus).
Online video chat by Ustream
Unfortunately, the race is not being broadcast on SPEED (aka the NASCAR talk show channel)until Feb. 13 at 6pm CT. Enjoy the broadcast today and make sure to root for Fall-Line, Turner, Bimmerworld and the other BMW teams. At least the Rolex 24 will be broadcast live. Happy Friday and Happy Start of the 2010 Race Season!
MP4-25
McLaren has now introduced its 2010 title contender the MP4-25. Anybody know what the over-under for the number of races before Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton start feuding and Button starts whining like a little girl? I put it right around Monaco.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I Spy with my little eye...a 2010 Williams F1 Car
Williams has also (though inadvertently) unveiled its 2010 car. This photo was captured during a shakedown run at Silverstone by Autosport.
It's heeeeere...
Well, the first of the 2010 cars has finally arrived (the Mercedes launch was still the 2009 car). This, boy and girls, is the 2010 Ferrari F10. Kind of a weird designation as last year's car was the F60 and the year before that the car was the F2008. Whatever. I am also struck by the fact that the Italian national team now enjoys backing from a Spanish banking giant and an Abu Dhabi business conglomerate. The car was launched from Ferrari's HQ in Maranello as is its custom. Expectations are high for this machine as the Scuderia started work on it midway through last season...only a few more days til it hits the track for the first time.
Check this out for some great side-by-side comparison photos of the new f10 and the F60.
McLaren is next to drop the cover on their new MP4-25, which is apparently displayed in the above spy shot (source: autoevloution).
Monday, January 25, 2010
F1 Launches and News
Big week! Not only does the racing season begin down in Florida, but we will also see many of the 2010 cars for the first time this week including the new Ferrari. Mercedes F1 (formerly Brawn GP) unveiled its livery for 2010 on one of last year's cars already. Mercedes also announced that they signed Nick Heidfeld to be their test/reserve driver.
Ferrari has also (though not officially) unveiled its 2010 livery. The Ferrari is...wait for it...yep, that's right, it is RED. The new Santander livery is not too garish though.
The 2010 Ferrari will be unveiled on Thursday (Jan. 28), the McLaren on Friday (Jan. 29) and both Sauber and Renault will launch their 2010 cars on Sunday (Jan. 31). Williams, Torro Rosso and Mercedes will all launch their cars next Monday (Feb. 1). The first day of official testing is also next Monday in Valencia.
Current launch line-up at a glance (from f1.com):
January 28 - Ferrari, Maranello, Italy
January 29 - McLaren, Newbury, UK
January 31 - BMW Sauber/Renault, Valencia, Spain
February 1 - Mercedes GP/Williams/Toro Rosso, Valencia, Spain
February 10 - Red Bull/Force India, Jerez, Spain
Early February - US, Barber Motorsport Park, Alabama, USA
February 12 - Lotus
USF1 is scheduled to hold a press conference today to announce the signing of its first driver, Argentine Jose Maria Lopez. It apparently is only going to cost JMP a cool $8 million to drive the first USF1 toaster.
In other f1 news, the teams have agreed to a further tweaking of the F1 points system. The old points system scored the top 8 finishers at: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1, respectively. A new system was to be implemented this year would have awarded the top 10 finishers the following points 25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1. However, a revision to that system has been made that will provide a larger reward for victories 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
Friday, January 22, 2010
BMW Billboards FTW
BMW may have lost its way a bit with some of its recent product decisions, but thier Ad guys certainly are good...
A Very Expensive Tent Problem
There have been very bad storms moving through Arizona the last few days (headed for the great Midwest eventually) and unfortunately, both Russo and Steele and Barret-Jackson are holding large collector car auctions in Scottsdale this weekend. The became a significant problem for Russo & Steele last night....ouch!
Rolex 24 and Conti Sports Car Series
As those of you (all 3 of you at last tally) that follow this blog know I have a bit of a thing for sportscar racing. We are only a week away from the start of the racing season when the Continental (formerly Koni) Sports Car Series kicks-off at Daytona followed by the Grand Am Series Rolex 24 at Daytona (Jan. 30-31).
There is plenty to be excited about this year if you are a BMW fan in both series.
GRAND AM: In the Grand Am Series, Dinan-BMW engines will power several new Daytona Prototype (DP) teams including multiple-time series and Daytona 24 champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Ganassi will sport an impressive driver lineup that includes 3 Indy 500 champions (Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and JP Montoya) all in the same car! There is also a BMW presence in the GT category as Turner racing will be running a Riley developed tube-frame M6 (see video below). The action starts next Saturday at 2pm CT live on SPEED but you can catch a special behind the scenes show "GRAND-AM: 24 Hours at Dayton" tonight at 11pm CT (that's midnight for you Hardflip so set the DVR).
There is plenty to be excited about this year if you are a BMW fan in both series.
GRAND AM: In the Grand Am Series, Dinan-BMW engines will power several new Daytona Prototype (DP) teams including multiple-time series and Daytona 24 champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Ganassi will sport an impressive driver lineup that includes 3 Indy 500 champions (Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and JP Montoya) all in the same car! There is also a BMW presence in the GT category as Turner racing will be running a Riley developed tube-frame M6 (see video below). The action starts next Saturday at 2pm CT live on SPEED but you can catch a special behind the scenes show "GRAND-AM: 24 Hours at Dayton" tonight at 11pm CT (that's midnight for you Hardflip so set the DVR).
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Chump Car Update
I promised that I would update the status of the Chump Car if I got home before 8. I got home at 7 tonight and am a man of my word. The team got together last Saturday for the first day of work on the car and set to the task of stripping the interior to prep it for the installation of the roll cage. The car the team has acquired is a 1984 318i. It screams speed doesn't it. The 318 is from Arizona and is thus free of rust although it is severely sunbaked. It also has a curious Dept. Of Defense sticker on the windshield.
Unfortunately the day did not get off to a good start as the car's owner and team organizer may have mailed the key to the 318 to New Hampshire where his 2002 is being restored. Once we cleared the snow of the car we then had to maneuver it to go into the garage and push it up the icy hill. Once we got the car in the garage I decided it was about time for a beer and a donut. Thus I am not pictured here. We then set to the task of removing the seats
Removing the seats was a little trickier than expected as there was all sorts of interesting detritus that had gathered around the seats in its 25 years of service. Found some interesting things between those seats...Eventually we got them out and then began removing the rear seats and the other interior bits. We also had to remove the awesome 80s CD changer that even had a wired, yes wired, remote.
The team worked amazingly well considering that you can only fit so many people in an E30 BMW. One set was stripping the doors, another pulled seats, another pulled stuff from the trunk, and another would be organizing the stuff so we could keep track of everything. We eventually got all the seats and trim out of the main cabin and then removed the carpeting. Big props to Colin for his work getting the carpet out.
Once the carpet was out we discovered that there was very little sound deadening under the carpet. In fact, the only insulation was under where the rear seat was and a little bit on the rear parcel shelf. The insulation under the rear seat was like concrete so I had some fun with a chisel getting it off. Was making progress before we had to wrap things up and head out for to tackle project #2.
Here is what the interior looked like at the end of phase 1. We had to put the driver seat back in so that it can be driven once we get/locate the key. We were then off to complete project #2. Project #2 was pulling the engine out of a 1991 318is for a fellow BMW club member(sorry no pics as my hands were both busy and filthy). We hope to grab a few spares off of the 318is to use on the race car.
Well, that's all for now. Stay tuned for the next update which I think will include more quality time with the chisel removing the sound deadening and hopefully the installation of the rollcage. Also, Go VIKES!
Opposite Lock Mascot!
The operators (ok just me) of the Opposite Lock (OL) blog are pleased to announce that they have formally signed a mascot for the 2010 racing season with an option to renew for the 2011 season and beyond. The OL Mascot is truly a racing and BMW fanatic as can be seen in the image below where he is wearing his Sparco racing harness while riding in an E36 M3.
Backstory: When the headliner in the M3 (aka Amber, aka Kay's Dirty Sister) started drooping, there was only one solution - rip it down and spend Spring Break 2009 reupholsterering it in my backyard in Indiana. This required the front seats and most of the other interior bits to be removed. As I was finishing the install of the various trim pieces, the front seats were still removed and it was at this point that the OL Mascot decided that he wanted to lounge on the beautiful German leather.
Backstory: When the headliner in the M3 (aka Amber, aka Kay's Dirty Sister) started drooping, there was only one solution - rip it down and spend Spring Break 2009 reupholsterering it in my backyard in Indiana. This required the front seats and most of the other interior bits to be removed. As I was finishing the install of the various trim pieces, the front seats were still removed and it was at this point that the OL Mascot decided that he wanted to lounge on the beautiful German leather.
BTCC is Awesome!
Some of you may have noticed that SPEED is broadcasting the ITV highlights from the 2009 British Touring Car Championship (and the DTM) on Saturday afternoons. This is some of the best racing you will see anywhere. So here is some classic BTCC racing to tide you over until Saturday.
Tardiness on Chump Car Update
At least one of you, yes you Hardflip, has been demanding updates on the recent work on the BMW 318 for the Chump Car races. As soon as I get home from work before 8pm, I promise to post an update - so you may get one by Sunday. Until then, please enjoy these videos.
Probably my favorite BMW The Hire films. It has Don Cheadle, Clive Owen, F. Murray Abraham and a guest appearance by Ray Liotta (is that Dennis Haysbert too? Yes, we are in Good Hands!)not to mention a Z4 and a plot twist. Epic stuff!
E39 M5 FTMFW! Madonna, not so much.
C
Probably my favorite BMW The Hire films. It has Don Cheadle, Clive Owen, F. Murray Abraham and a guest appearance by Ray Liotta (is that Dennis Haysbert too? Yes, we are in Good Hands!)not to mention a Z4 and a plot twist. Epic stuff!
E39 M5 FTMFW! Madonna, not so much.
C
There may be hope for BMW yet.
More Bimmer leakage: 2011 BMW 335is images outted
Video of future BMW M1 and a possible leaked photo
I have to say that the recent work of the nice folks at BMW and BMW Motorsport GmbH has left me a little bit disappointed (see, X6, X6M and X5M). But there may be hope yet. The announcement of the new 335is and the an M version of the 1 series has me feeling a bit giddy. Maybe I will eventually find one of the newer BMW products that is every bit as enjoyable and exciting as the E36 and E30 M3 are. Or at least I will have a reason to swing by the BMW dealer and BS my way into a test drive...
C
Friday, January 15, 2010
Proposed 2010 Racing/Driving Schedule
As it is very cold, salty and nasty outside right now the only thing I can do is dream about hitting the track again come spring. These are the events that I am considering right now for 2010, some are more certain than others:
May
15-16: North Star BMW CCA HPDE at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR - Donybrooke Course)
22-23: NASA HPDE/TT at BIR (Competition Course)
June
4-6: ChumpCar Races at BIR (2x 7 hour enduros on the Competition Course)
26-27: ChumpCar 24 Hour Race at Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA
July
17-18 NASA HPDE/TT at Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
August
23-29 BMWCCA Oktoberfest HPDE at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
September
TBD
October
1-2 OktoberFAST with Badger Bimmers at Road America
TBA North Star BMWCCA at BIR
Here is a taste of some old action:
1st ever HPDE at Putnam Park
BIR in May 2009 (sorry for conversion errors)
May
15-16: North Star BMW CCA HPDE at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR - Donybrooke Course)
22-23: NASA HPDE/TT at BIR (Competition Course)
June
4-6: ChumpCar Races at BIR (2x 7 hour enduros on the Competition Course)
26-27: ChumpCar 24 Hour Race at Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA
July
17-18 NASA HPDE/TT at Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
August
23-29 BMWCCA Oktoberfest HPDE at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
September
TBD
October
1-2 OktoberFAST with Badger Bimmers at Road America
TBA North Star BMWCCA at BIR
Here is a taste of some old action:
1st ever HPDE at Putnam Park
Putnam Park Finale from HaraM3 on Vimeo.
BIR in May 2009 (sorry for conversion errors)
How not to late brake
As you likely noticed this blog WAS called L8 Braking (late braking) and was a reference to the classic overtaking maneuver. Michael Schumacher is arguable the greatest driver of all time, but back in 1999 he had a late braking maneuver on then teammate Eddie Irvine go very wrong...
Welcome!
Not sure WTF I am doing exactly, but thought I would see if I could figure out how to post. This is my first attempt at this, so bear with me. I hope to use this blog as a venue to share my various car-related adventures (and misadventures) as well as autosport-related items that I just think are cool and that you should think are cool too.
On that note, please check out the BMWCCA ChumpCar Racing Team* webpage. I am quite pleased to be a member of this team and will keep you posted on our progress and whether we have any idea what we have gotten ourselves into.
Cheers,
C
* Team not actually affiliated with BMWCCA, just a bunch of BMWCCA members without the sense to know better.
On that note, please check out the BMWCCA ChumpCar Racing Team* webpage. I am quite pleased to be a member of this team and will keep you posted on our progress and whether we have any idea what we have gotten ourselves into.
Cheers,
C
* Team not actually affiliated with BMWCCA, just a bunch of BMWCCA members without the sense to know better.
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