GP2 ASIA SERIES

KAMUI KOBAYASHI TAKES POLE IN DUBAI

The Japanese ace got his revenge: seeking pole position in Shanghai and failing, he brilliantly managed to be the quickest man of the day, securing the top spot of the grid for tomorrow’s feature race of the second round of the GP2 Asia Series. He delivered his best performance with only two minutes left on the clock.

In a trouble-free session and a cleaner track than during Free Practice, Kobayashi signed the fastest laptime ahead of countryman Sakon Yamamoto at the wheel of his ART car. Vitaly Petrov completed the top 3 – an all Asian driver top finishers, but the Russian from Campos was quite disappointed coming out of his car as he was really aiming for pole. However, traffic and a clash with van Der Drift in his final lap meant that Petrov never had the opportunity to show the true potential of his machine.

The championship leader, Roldan Rodriguez at Piquet GP secured the second row, clocking the fourth quickest laptime, ahead of Shanghai sprint race winner Davide Valsecchi at Durango. Yelmer Buurman brought another great result to newcomers Ocean Racing Technology, finishing 6th, ahead of rookie van der Garde at GFH Team iSport.

Earlier in the session, Diego Nunes looked like a real poleman contender, but he eventually placed his Piquet GP car in eighth place ahead of another rookie, Sergio Perez, on the second Campos car. Dams’ d’Ambrosio completed the Top 10. The first twelve cars finished in the same second.

	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1.	Kamui Kobayashi	Dams	1:41.091	13
2.	Sakon Yamamoto	ART Grand Prix	1:41.275	12
3.	Vitaly Petrov	Barwa Int. Campos Team	1:41.341	13
4.	Roldan Rodriguez	Piquet GP	1:41.376	15
5.	Davide Valsecchi	Durango	1:41.472	15
6.	Yelmer Buurman	Ocean Racing Technology	1:41.550	14
7.	Giedo Van der Garde	GFH Team iSport	1:41.557	15
8.	Diego Nunes	Piquet GP	1:41.593	15
9.	Sergio Perez	Barwa Int. Campos Team	1:41.768	15
10.	Jérôme d’Ambrosio	Dams	1:41.777	14
11.	Andreas Zuber	Fisichella Motor Sport Int.	1:41.798	14
12.	Pastor Maldonado	ART Grand Prix	1:41.838	13
13.	Renger van der Zande	Trust Team Arden	1:42.054	15
14.	Javier Villa	Super Nova Racing	1:42.062	13
15.	James Jakes	Super Nova Racing	1:42.066	15
16.	Earl Bamber	MY Qi-Meritus.Mahara	1:42.068	15
17.	Luiz Razia	Trust Team Arden	1:42.204	14
18.	Giacomo Ricci	DPR	1:42.351	14
19.	Hamad Al Fardan	GFH Teal iSport	1:42.367	15
20	Alberto Valerio	Trident Racing	1:42.541	15
21.	Alex Yoong	MY Qi-Meritus.Mahara	1:43.026	14
22.	Michael Herck	DPR	1:43.102	14
23.	Fabrizio Crestani	Ocean Racing Technology	1:43.316	14
24.	Chris van Der Drift	Trident Racing	1:43.393	15
25	Michael Dalle Stelle	Durango	1:45.603	15
26	Kevin Nai Chia Chen	Fisichella Motor Sport Int.	1:48.411	16

1.8L HONDA CITY

The Honda City has been unveiled in China by Guangzhou Honda at the 2008 Guangzhou Motor Show, but it will only make a showroom debut with official prices on the 12th of December 2008.

What’s most interesting is in the Chinese market, the City will come with two engine options. One is the new 1.5 liter i-VTEC that we’re also going to get, but the other engine option is the R-series 1.8 liter SOHC i-VTEC from the Civic 1.8.

A lightweight Honda City equipped with a 140 horsepower 1.8 liter engine could be loads of fun. China always gets special deals such as this, for example the current generation Toyota Vios sold in China is equipped with a 1.6 liter Dual VVT-i engine while the rest of the world have to make do with the 1.5 liter 1NZ-FE family engine.

I’m not sure if this is what Guangzhou Honda meant by developing a Civic competitor (the Civic is sold by another Honda-linked company in China).

A previous report said a 1.8 liter engine was going to be plonked into the City to create a C-segment competitor, but an engineer quoted in the report also mentioned that the new 1.8 liter City-based car would have Civic proportions and a new name and shape.

SOURCE

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This is a good news! For Chinesse in China to be exact. China gettings a lot of special offer due to the non heavy duty tax for car policy. This is good for them. They bring more various kind of cars, they bring in technology, they made profits, and people are happy. But it's a no no in Malaysia. Perhaps this 1.8L City will be in our shore but maybe, the price tag willl be the issues. But can you imagine 1.8L engine in a Honda City. That's huge. Power vs Weight Ratio can brings a lot of different. We still waiting for this new Honda City to be launched and I think we will be the last country to receive them. At the moment, let's save some money if you think you're interested with the City's. Rumours said the price tag will be up to 90k. Hemmmm...Better buy second hand Civic if the rumours are true. Well, in Malaysia 90% of rumours can be facts. LOL.

HONDA GENUINE PRODUCTS

Premium engine oil special offer by Honda Malaysia. They give 20% off for every purchase of 4 and 5 liters synthetic lubricant. Promotions are valid from 5th Nov until 15th Dec 2008. And also you'll receive a free windscreen washer.

For other genuine Honda products, log on to Honda Malaysia for more info.

ALONSO THREATENS TO QUIT F1

Fernando Alonso has said he will consider leaving formula one if the sport enforces standard engines from 2010.

The FIA proposal has been highly controversial, particularly among F1's car manufacturers, who have hinted the move might be reason enough to withdraw from the grid.

Former double world champion Alonso, who drives for Renault, agrees with their logic.

"If they approve a single engine, that would be the last straw. It would be time to start thinking about retirement," the 27-year-old said at a team sponsor event in Spain.

Alonso said standardising parts like engines would be another "backwards step" for formula one.

He said the last V10 engines with nearly 1000 horse power, before the sport reverted to the current V8s, were "exciting for the drivers -- auto racing at its limit.

"We've gone from a glimpse of the future to cars without electronic aids and no grip (and) which are a visual image of the past."

SOURCE

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I'm not sure the relevancy of FIA proposal. For me, the FIA just playing stupid. What's the point of downgrading the car? They should improve. If the safety are their concern, propose something that suiting the issue. They can ask for better aerodynamics, better cockpit or what ever that may provide safety for pilots. But not downgrading the engine. Remember F1 turbo car or the mighty V12? That should be the proper engine for F1. Not V8. It's just rubbish. Better watch A1 if things gone like this for every season. A proper race that doesn't concern profits. A pure race. That's what the fans want. Hopefully, no more stupid proposal and bias decision by the FIA.

SEPANG TRACK DAY DISEMBER 2008 EDISI RAYA

nadi0 @ flickr

Siapa yang terasa nak berhari raya di track? Hari Isnin depan, 8hb Disember 2008 akan diadakan track day di SIC. Jadi lepas sembahyang sunat Aidil Adha, boleh la beramai-ramai ke SIC. bermula pada pukul 2 petang hingga 5 petang dan bayaran seperti biasa, RM 200 sepanjang sesi. Bagi yang rasa nak test power motorsikal masing-masing pulak, 13 - 14hb disember ni juga di SIC. 13hb untuk motorsikal bawah 400cc dan 14hb akan ada dua sesi untuk atas 400cc. Untuk tahun ni, ini track day yang terakhir sebelum SIC buka buku tiga lima diorang untuk tahun depan pula. Jadi sape2 yang nak berminat, boleh log on ke SIC Track Day.

CGAtlan @ flickr

MITSUBISHI EVO X FQ-400

A whooping 400hp Evo X are now available. But the sad news is, its only for UK market. Remember those problematic race clutch and twin clutch SST transmision? Well it has been solve now. Only by using standard clutch. Hopefully that 400hp monster didn't screw up those clutch.

So the owner of Evo X in Malaysia will now have the opportunity to tune their car and hopefully, someone will bring in parts from UK. Or maybe somebody with lots of AP, can bring in the car and we'll have the opportunity to see it in action. LIVE! LOL.

Well, I'm not in a market for this kind of cars but it's always good to see one on Malaysian road. Maybe PERTS president, or other members who got money for such car, will buy it, and bring it in here. LOL. Imagine FQ-400 roaming at Rompin. So, I put the pics of the car here but for more info, log on to World Car Fans. Cheers...

p.s - FQ was said to stand for F**king Quick 400.LOL....

THAILAND INTERNATIONAL MOTOR EXPO 2008

Finally, the best and the hottest car are now in Thailand. Again, Thailand impress me. A lot of brand new and breath taking car are there. I'm sooooo jealous to Thais because although they have a huge political issues there right now, the auto industries still kick on. And the motor expo prove it. (Waiting for Malaysia International Motor Show that never came. Sigh!)

Held from 29th Nov until 10th Dis, the motor expo get into the light by introducing a good concept, 'STOP GLOBAL WARMING'. The best concept so far regarding serious crisis of world this day. This is interesting because we can see that they have introduce a lot of 'GREEN' race car and I think this is good for motorsport future. Imagine cleaner and more exciting race. Hemmmmmm. Looking foward for that. So check out the pics. I took some of the pic but if you want to see more of it, log on to Thailand Motor Expo. TQ.

Vios with full TRD bodykit(Available in Malaysia)


Ford Ranger MAX(Walaweiiii)



Volvo FlexiFuel E85


Proton are also there(Yayyy)

SEPANG 500KM RACE

Sepang 500km Race Regulations Ready in December – MOKHZANI

Beginning 2009, Malaysian drivers will have a choice between endurance and sprint races with the introduction of the new Sepang 500km Race by racing promoter Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to compliment the challenge provided by the 12-hour Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MMER). SIC Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir said that regulations for the new Sepang 500km race, which would be held on August 1, 2009, were currently being worked out and that it would be ready by the end of the month (December). Created to strengthen the organization and running of the MMER, Mokhzani, who is a regular competitor in the 12-hour endurance race, said the introduction of the shorter Sepang 500km was also in the interest of safety for the competitors and to ensure more motor racing fans getting the opportunity to enjoy racing at Sepang Circuit. “Now that we are having the Sepang 500km Race, racing drivers will now have a choice whether they want to do the endurance or the sprint races; or even both races if they like,” said Mokhzani, adding that they would also have a choice of going a full series at the Malaysian Super Series. Mokhzani said that SIC would look thoroughly on all aspects of the race especially on the classes and car categories that would be allowed to compete in the Sepang 500km as well as changes necessary for the MMER in enhancing safety for the competitors as well as strategies to pull down costs for competitors. With three drivers to a team and running up to 12 hours, the leading cars would be covering up to 280 laps while the Sepang 500km Race around the 5.543-km Sepang Circuit should be over in less than five hours. Mokhzani made the announcement on the new Sepang 500km Race at SIC Awards Ceremony 2008 at Bandar Sunway on Friday night and it drew immediate praises from the local racing fraternity, who generally agreed that changes was needed for MMER which would be hosting its 10th edition next year. Introduced at the turn of the millennium in 2000, the MMER has been hugely popular among the Malaysian drivers and international racing teams and that effectively exposed the event’s biggest shortcoming which is the maximum number of starters allowed for the 12-hour endurance race. While the total number of teams that registered for the race exceeding 100 cars, the circuit license issued by the world motor sports governing body, FIA for Sepang International Circuit allowed only a maximum of 77 cars for a rolling start like the MMER. Competitors would then need to go through the qualifying session and the slower cars would be omitted according to their classes. Until this year, the MMER allows any production car to participate with the lowest category – Class C - grouping all cars with engine capacity below 1600cc and virtually made any car eligible for the race. That effectively increases the possibility of accidents on the track when the faster supercars – which included a fleet of modified Porsche GT3 RSR and BMW Coupe Z4 mean machines - making the overtaking moves on the slower race cars. Apart from Class C, the other classes run at the MMER are classes B and A for production cars between 1601cc and 1900cc; and above 1900cc respectively. The final class is the open class or Class O, which is opened to modified sports and production cars of any engine capacity. Organised as part of Malaysia’s National Day celebrations, the 10th edition of the MMER would be held on August 8, 2009. Qualifying would be held on the preceding day on August 7 and the official free practice would be on August 6. Mokhzani said that changes for the MMER was timely in view of progress that the event had made over the years and the Sepang 500km was an initiative by the race promoters to add further excitement for the competitors including giving them a choice of between endurance racing and sprint racing. Prior to the introduction of the MMER, Malaysia has the Proton 300km International Merdeka Race, which was held for the first time at the Batu Tiga Circuit in Shah Alam in 1997 before shifting to Sepang Circuit in 1998 and 1999 before the series stopped abruptly. Mokhzani also said that the changes would look into provisions to end what he described as ‘cheque-book racing’ where winners are being decided by the power of money and the team with the biggest budget winning the races. Instead, he said, winners for these races should be decided by the individual skills of the drivers, the commitment and teamwork of the team crew; and the creativity and innovativeness of the engineering team in preparing the perfect racing car. This, in turn, would provide a more level playing field and more close-racing among the competitors; bringing about more enjoyment for the spectators and making the MMER more exciting, he said. According to Mokhzani, the need to cap and bring down the cost of competing in the MMER was also in wake of the current global financial crisis that is expected to have a significant impact on the local motorsports scene. Winner of the MMER last year and second overall in 2008 with Kencana Hong Leong Racing Team, Mokhzani also announced that changes would also be made for the MSS under the same guiding principles of instilling greater interest and enjoyment among the competitors and fans and to bring down the costs of competing to woo in more competitors. Launched in 2002 as part of SIC’s effort to develop motorsports in Malaysia, the MSS is Malaysia’s national championship for track racing for both cars and bike and is also competed by top international racers in the region. Like the MMER, Mokhzani said that regulations for the MSS were also currently being revised and the new race regulations are expected to be ready before the end of the month. For details, contact the Press Officer Azhar Ghazali at 019 383 7865.

SOURCE

MITSUBISHI TRITON FACELIFT

Current model

This one just came in. A minor facelift of Mitsubishi Triton debut at Thailand Motor Expo 2008. Just take a look at it..Cheers...

Facelift model

SOURCE

NISSAN GT-R V-Spec

Nissan’s GT-R was one of the most anticipated new cars of 2007 (not to mention the 5 years leading up to 2007) and what an enormous success it was. In 2008 all the talk has been about Nissan’s next GT-R model, the Nissan GT-R Spec-V.

The Spec-V has been spied and rumored and talked up on blogs and forums but not much in the way of confirmed data has been delivered yet. Today we have been tipped off on the list of confirmed changes in the Nissan GT-R Spec-V versus the standard Nissan GT-R.

The Spec-V Nissan GT-R will be released on the 8th of January 2009

Nissan GT-R Spec-V - The Changes

The Spec-V builds on the already solid base of the standard series II Nissan GT-R with the following subtle changes which set it apart.

Engine/Drivetrain:

• Engine output increased to 485 ps
• Transmission mode selection button has been removed
• Overboost button for increased midrange boost during overtaking
• Carbon brakes

Interior:

• Carbon fibre MFD surround
• Carbon fibre mirror switch surround
• Black interior only
• Silver painted panels are now chrome
• Carbon fibre front seats
• Carbon fibre rear shelf replaces seats

Exterior:

• Carbon fibre grille painted matte clear
• Carbon fibre rear wing painted matte clear
• Carbon fibre ducts in front lip spoiler
• New colour available: Ultimate Black Pearl, this is said to be a purplish black
• Available colours: Ultimate Black Pearl, Brilliant White (new for MY09), Red, Dark Metal Gray, Black

Wheels and Suspension:

• Rays 20″ Forged Aluminum Wheels
• Bilstein Damptronic suspension upgraded, superiour in performance to the Nismo ClubSport package suspension

Optional Extras:

• Dunlop Tires (no cost option)
• Thatcham alarm system
• BOSE Sound System and ETC (Electronic Toll Card system)
• Ultimate Black Pearl Paint - a 577,500 yen option

The Bottom Line

• Base Price: 15,750,000 yen excluding tax
• Fully Optioned: 16,978,500 yen excluding tax

For all that, how does it perform? Well by all means it is faster than a standard GT-R on road and at the track. At Sendai Highland Raceway, where the Nismo and Spec-V GT-Rs get tested the Spec-V was 2 seconds faster than the standard series II GT-R.

How about a Nurburgring time? Unfortunately we may never know what Nissan managed at the ‘ring. All signs point to them not publishing the Nurburgring times going forward.

SOURCE