FERRARI WILL MOVE ITS CAR WITH A FLAG IN ITS NEXT RACE

FERRARI WILL MOVE ITS CAR WITH A FLAG IN ITS NEXT RACE

Greater Noida: Unfazed by the controversy, F1 team Ferrari will race at Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix with the Italian Navy flag on its car as India`s motor sports body is convinced that it was not a political move.

Vicky Chandhok, the President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), was asked by the Sports Ministry this morning to verify if Ferrari's motive was political.

"I was asked to see if the flag is painted in military colour. I verified it, it wasn't and replied to the Ministry. It's just a sticker. When we are convinced that it's not a political move why should I ask them to remove it (flag) from there," Chandhok said.

It caused a huge furore when Ferrari put the flag on the car in support of the two murder-accused Italian sailors, who are facing trial in Kerala.

F1 boss Bernie Ecceleston had refused to be drawn into the controversy and had said that it was for the National Sports Association to sort out.

The External Affairs ministry had disapproved Ferrari's decision when official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that using sporting events to promote cause which are not of a sporting nature is "not in keeping with the spirit of sports".

FMSCI also issued a statement saying Ferrari have clarified that their move will not have any "political implications".

"The FMSCI would like to maintain that the FIA code of motorsport is apolitical and non-religious and the FMSCI will not permit motorsports to be politicized in any manner. Stefano Domencialli, Team Principal Scuderia Ferrari, has confirmed that their initiative of carrying their national navy flag does not have and should not be seen as having any political implication," the statement said.

FMSCI also said that it "firmly believes that carrying their national navy flag will not have any effect on the case pending before the Indian Courts. The FMSCI will not permit any attempt to subvert the process of justice by politicizing the event."

Ferrari also issued a statement, saying that, "The Italian Navy's national flag on the Ferrari race cars at the Indian Grand Prix is there as a tribute to one of our country’s outstanding institutions.

"With all the respect due to the Indian Authorities, Ferrari wishes to make it clear that this initiative does not have, nor should it be seen as having, any political implication," the statement said.

Chandhok and Domencialli were also seen shaking hands in a picture issued by FMSCI

 

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New car probably won't be different at Daytona, 'Dega

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• New model has shorter spoiler, different bumpers that may make restrictor pla
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NASCAR's rules and cars have changed through the years, but one constant remains at restrictor-plate tracks such as Talladega Superspeedway: The crashes are spectacular and unlikely to stop.

What fans saw Sunday — a 25-car, last-lap wreck triggered by Tony Stewart that sent his car airborne — could be just as likely at Talladega or Daytona International Speedway in 2013, when NASCAR unveils a new car.

Kasey Kahne was among a handful of drivers who tested the car — which will more resemble the manufacturers' floor models — at Talladega last week and said the car could be a challenge in the restrictor-plate races.

"They move around more. That will make everything interesting," Kahne said. "It was interesting with six cars, let alone 40. It will cause some problems at times, I'd say.

"Pushing was definitely different, the way the car moved around in front of you and also I felt when I was getting pushed. I think that was something with the smaller spoiler and just the front ends of the cars, the shape on the front end; it's not as near as nice a fit on the back of the car."

Racing at those tracks remains a dilemma 25 years after Bobby Allison's car crashed into the catchfence at Talladega, injuring fans and prompting NASCAR to use carburetor restrictor plates to slow the cars. Series officials have traded one issue for another. Instead of cars running laps at more than 210 mph, now they are clustered side-by-side, with drivers unable to avoid calamity when it strikes.

NASCAR has undertaken safety initiatives since Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, including the addition of SAFER walls around tracks, driver compartments that provide more protection and a car model that is safer. But some elements of racing at these tracks cannot be controlled.

"Because this type of racing and the way the aerodynamics are and the power on these cars, that's what happens," Jeff Gordon said. "When you lose that momentum, you lose a ton. You're going backwards in such a hurry and the other guys are coming forward with so much momentum, it's inevitable that those types of things are going to happen.''

Twenty-two of the 43 starters in the May race at Talladega were listed by NASCAR as being in a crash. Sunday, it was 30 of 43.

For car owners who watch their vehicles damaged or destroyed, they likely won't feel any different next year than they did before Sunday's race.

Jack Roush, who watched driver Matt Kenseth pull away for the win as the field behind him wrecked, admits he's conflicted about restrictor-plate racing.

"I really just figure those cars as a write-off whenever I load it up in the truck to bring it to one of these restrictor-plate races," Roush said.

To those concerned about the racing at Talladega and what future races hold, Kevin Harvick tweeted Monday: "All this talk about Dega this morning cracks me up... This race has been this way since restrictor plates were put on. #oldnews.''

As he took questions from fans, he added: "Here's the deal people gripe about tandems, packs, & they will gripe about the plates off..Its Daytona & Talladega no matter the rules.''

Maybe the 2013 car can solve some of those issues.

Although they had yet to test the new car, Gordon and Kyle Busch were asked how much it would impact racing.

"It's going to be awesome,'' Gordon said Sunday, tongue-in-cheek. "Start buying your Talladega tickets now."

"(And) Daytona 500 tickets,'' Busch said.

THREE BEST SPORTSCARS IN INDIa

Nissan 370Z Sportscar

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• Two-door coupé sportscars that match practicality and performance

There are sportscars and then they are supercars. While supercars deliver more performance, for more dough of course, it come with oodles more of snob value too. Practicality is something that isn't a given with a supercar, at least if you're referring to the Ferraris and Lamborghinis set. So how do you revel in high engine performance, sporty handling and sharp looks each day of the year, when you drive down to work or even just run errands around town? Enter the sportscar. Here are three two-door sportscars coupés that aren't just affordable, but also extremely practical as everyday cars.

Audi TT sports coupé (Rs 48.36 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
This is one of the most affordable sportscars in the Indian market. Audi India has launched the 2012 version of the two-seater Audi TT sports coupé in the Indian car market a few days ago and the new model brings a bevy of changes to the table. Audi has done plenty with the 2012 TT to keep the car current and retain its characteristic appeal of being a compact, high-performance sportscar. Audi has gone in for an all-new front and rear end, replete with new headlamps, grilles, front bumpers, rear bumpers and tail lamps. Power to the four wheels of the car comes through a 2-liter TFSI turbo petrol engine that uses turbocharging and direct injection to pump out a peak power of 211bhp and a peak torque of 350Nm. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that also comes with a manual gear shifting feature called Tiptronic in Audispeak. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through the Audi Quattro all wheel drive system. They have also managed to keep the weight to a minimum by using plenty of aluminum in the 2012 TT's construction. A top speed of 250kph and a nought to hundred sprint in 5.6 seconds is the result.

Nissan 370Z (Rs 53.5 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
An entry-level Audi sportscar not your thing? If you crave for a sportier package, say hello to the Nissan 370Z, which while not being much faster than the Audi TT, is much closer to true sportscar performance due to its track-honed handling. Like the Audi TT though, the Nissan 370Z has a characteristic design that is instantly recognizable with a low-sloping coupé roof line. The 370Z comes with a V6 petrol engine that puts out 336 galloping horses and 363Nm of torque. That means it can hit 100kph in a quick six seconds, going all the way up to 250kph. The car is available in both six-manual gearbox and seven-speed automatic gearbox versions.

Mitsubishi Evolution-X (Rs 49.85 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
A sportscar with legendary rallying heritage and room for four – that's the Mitsubishi Evolution-X  sportscar for you. The Evolution-X is an extremely focused high-performance car that packs in enough electronic gadgetry to make a NASA spaceship proud, and ensures you have loads of grip even in the most testing conditions on a track or even on a gravel mud road. It scores over the 370Z and the Audi TT in that it can be hustled even over rough terrain, an area where the TTs and 370Zs wouldn't dare attempt having a go. It is this rallying pedigree that makes the Evo-X a heart buy more than a mind buy. For a price tag just shy of Rs 50-lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, you get a 2-liter turbocharged engine delivering 291bhp and 373Nm, to make for a 250kph top speed and an acceleration from standstill to hundred in just over six seconds.

Jay is the editor of indiancarsbikes.in, a motorcycle and cars blog.

Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover introduces new sports car F-Type

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PARIS: Its predecessor is widely agreed to be among the most beautiful sports cars ever made - and on Wednesday Jaguar showed it was trying to go one better than the glory days of the 1960s with the new F-Type.

Tata Motors bought Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion in 2008, betting big that it could revive two venerable British brands that had lost a bit of luster over the decades. The new F-Type, the first Jaguar two-seater in a half-century, is the first major Jaguar design shepherded through by the new owners.

According to zighwheels.com, The Jaguar F-Type will be on offer with a choice of two petrol engines and three power output options. The 3.0-litre supercharged Jaguar V6 engine will be offered in two states of tune, 340PS of power and 380PS of power.

All three engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that will send power to the rear wheels of the car.

Tata has been a hands-off owner for Jaguar, largely letting its British team to make the major decisions on the car. At Wednesday's unveiling, Tata executives were in the crowd, but it was the Jaguar design director, Ian Callum, who took center stage.

And the designers looked to the past - and the famed E-Type, beloved by aficionados everywhere - to inspire what they clearly hope will be the automaker's future.

``It's just a tremendous challenge today to produce a beautiful car that meets all the world regulations,'' said Philip Porter, a Jaguar historian who has written a book about the E-Type. He hasn't driven the F-Type yet, but likes what he's seen so far. ``It's a combination like the great Jaguars of the past of sculptural styling, great engineering and superb performance.''

And, he added, ``it sounds like a sports car, which is essential.''

Jaguar Land Rover has been a huge part of Tata's recent success. Sales for the second quarter of 2012 rose 30 percent, largely based on growth in the Chinese market. The car goes on sale in spring 2013.

Open day for sportscar fans

Holdcroft Subaru is staging a launch weekend for its new BRZ sports coupe, above, with admission by invitation only today and tomorrow but an open day on Sunday where anyone can visit the showroom in Leek Road and see the pair of demonstration models on display.

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The BRZ has been developed with Toyota and has won universal acclaim for its agile handling and responsiveness.

In addition Holdcroft Subaru will have special offers on an Impreza STi that has been given metallic paint and reduced from its normal list price of £32,995 to £26,995 and will have Subaru's full range of Pro-R accessories that transform owners' cars with a variety of tuning, performance and styling upgrades.

Mike Shotbolt, manager of Holdcroft Subaru, said: "We are having an invitation-only introduction to the BRZ on Friday and Saturday and have contacted Subaru, Mitsubishi Evo and Mazda RX-8 customers, but on Sunday we are opening the doors to everyone."

Jaguar's First Real Sports Car In 38 Years Is A Beast

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Jaguar

There's plenty of doom and gloom at this year's Paris Motor Show, as Europe faces a shrinking auto market. Among the many new conventional cars, meant to assuage customers by offering fuel economy and comfort, there are a few standouts.

Chief among them is the F-Type: Jaguar's long anticipated successor to the iconic E-Type.

The British luxury auto maker formally unveiled the new ride on Wednesday night. Singer Lana Del Rey, tapped as the celebrity face of the F-Type for her sexy but classy image, was on hand to perform the number she wrote for the occasion.

The new F-Type is a big deal for Jaguar, which says it is the first true sports car it has produced since 1974, when the long-hooded E-Type was discontinued, the New York Times reported.

The standard F-Type starts at $69,000; the V8 S at $92,000.

source: http://www.businessinsider.com/jaguars-newly-revealed-f-type-2012-9?op=1#ixzz27mPL7NPi