Monster Toyota Celica Beats F1 Cars and Everything Else at Goodwood Recording the Fastest Hill Climb Time

Over the past weeks we’ve been bombarding you with news about exotic cars such as the Aston Martin Zagato V12  that would participate at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event took place this past weekend and the spectators gathered to marvel at every car enthusiasts dream garage.

But they also came to watch more than 200 production, tuned and racing models including recent Formula 1 cars, race against the clock in the famous 1.6 mile hill-climb. However, much to everybody’s surprise, the winner was not an F1 car but a tuned, 800+ horsepower Toyota Celica that recorded a time of just 48.07 seconds.

It was driven and built by former British rally champion, Jonny Milner, who had also tried, but lost, in previous years. So he returned with an extra 100 ponies packed under the hood of the Celica and this time, he won.

Of course, this is not your run-of-the-mill Celica. Based on the 6th generation of Toyota’s coupe, it features a Corolla WRC four cylinder engine fitted with a Garret turbocharger, a Rotrex supercharger and a nitrous oxide injection system. It also sports Corolla WRC suspension and has been lightened to just 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs) while, thanks to a flat floor and a diffuser, generates a degree of ground effect.

Toro Rosso name Daniel Ricciardo & Jean-Eric Vergne as drivers for 2012

Toro Rosso have named Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne as their drivers for the 2012 Formula 1 season.Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari make way as the team name an all-new line-up for the first time since their debut in 2006.Australian Ricciardo, 22, is a Red Bull test and reserve driver and has raced for HRT this year.French driver Vergne, 21, has tested for Red Bull and took part in practice for Toro Rosso three times this year.Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said: One has to remember that when Toro Rosso was established in 2005, it was done so with the intention of providing a first step into Formula 1 for the youngsters in the Red Bull junior driver programme.

It is therefore part of the team's culture to change its driver line-up from time to time in order to achieve this goal.Ricciardo had been linked to Caterham, formerly named Team Lotus, as a possible replacement for Jarno Trulli, despite the Italian having a contract.

He took part in Friday practice at grand prix weekends for Toro Rosso this year before moving to HRT in the second half of the season, where he drove for the final 11 races without scoring a point."This is a really big deal for me," he said. "I have to say that joining Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity."To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. I can't wait to get to work once testing begins."Vergne added: "I must thank Red Bull for all their support so far and for believing I am ready to take on the ultimate challenge of racing in Formula One.
"Having driven for them a few times this year and also testing for Red Bull, I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing.

Fernando Alonso Launches Ferrari’s New F1 Car

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa unvieled Ferrari’s new car for the F1 2011 season, the “F150″ was launched at the Italian team’s headquarters in Maranello ahead of next week’s pre-season testing in Spain.

Alonso narrowly missed out on becoming world champion in 2010 and will hoping the the new car, named to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Italian unification, will see him take his first world title for the team and his third in total.

This year we have to win and we will do our best to win, said Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.New rules for 2011 mean the F150 includes an adjustable rear wing and a KERS regenerative brake system but loses the now banned F-ducts and double diffuser systems that were prevalent during the 2010 season.

Track testing begins in Valencia next week, the results of which will result in additional modifications being made to the vehicle before the first race of the season in Bahrain on March 13th.Rivals Renault, Sauber and Team Lotus will unveil their new cars on Monday, with world champions Red Bull, Mercedes and Toro Rosso following on February 1.

Feeling low???? Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom ASAP

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is considered as one among the four theme parks in Walt Disney World Resorts .May be in the first site or glance this animal kingdom might appear low, or short when compared to the Walt Disney World Park, but it is fully fascinating and a big adventurous park with much entertainment.

The special feature that lacks in Disney –MGM studio, Walt Park, and present in animal kingdom theme park is that it is left open even in the dark. It has a wide inviting area with much focus on animals which are more than 1,700 in number from 250 different species.

Disney Animal Park is not fully a zoo with animals and it’s not fully a park with entertainment, but it holds charge acting as both park as well as the zoo.

FACT:


Disney animal kingdom theme park is stated as the largest themed park for animals in the world.

ADVENTURE:

It’s really a great time for the people who are very adventurous, they are allowed to encounter with many exotic animals such as crocodiles, alligators, hippos etc only if they are dare enough…

Florida is a stunning place to visit with such attractions visit Florida soon booking luxurious Florida villas for your vacations.

Related Links: http://transportationfunding.blogspot.com/2011/11/sweet-and-little-palm-island-resort.html

To make your trip more enjoyable prefer to travel in bus

Most travelers like to reach their destinations in comfort way and in desire time.  Several travelling services provided by government and certain private companies to reach their destinations in convenient and comfort manner. Nowadays every travelling vehicle provides the best facilities for travelling passengers. Travelers most often like to travel in buses to enjoy the adventures and places while in the journey.

The bus services moves faster to the destinations than train, especially like BUS DC TO NY or vice versa.  They are many public and private companies which present the best bus service with many new technologies. Deluxe buses are available with more space, clean restrooms, and LCD panels to enjoy the movies during journey and to make the trip an entertaining one. Traveler enjoys their travelling or their trip in bus at less affordable prices. This service also provides good food and beverages for their passenger.

Button downplays becoming first team-mate to outscore Hamilton over season

Jenson Button says beating McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the points standings over the season would only carry particular significance if it was for the world title, the former champion insisting it’s the level of his own performances, rather than the fact he has outscored his fellow Briton, that has pleased him most this season.  Although Hamilton returned to winning ways at the last race in Abu Dhabi as Button finished third, the former needed there to be a bigger points difference to still have a chance of overhauling his older compatriot in the championship at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Button holding an unassailable 28-point advantage heading into the season finale.

It marks the first time 2008 champion Hamilton has been outscored by a team-mate in his five-season Formula 1 career and although Button has been very publicly complimentary about his compatriot’s speed and general abilities in the past, is playing down the notable achievement.The 31-year-old says it would carry more significance if it settled a head-to-head championship fight and the things he will really take away from 2011 will be his consistently strong level of performance.When you’re working closely with a team-mate, when you’re off the track you’re sharing everything, trying to make the car go quicker and improve your performance compared to the other teams which is the way it should be, he said in Thursday’s FIA press conference at Interlagos.

Vergne stays top in Abu Dhabi

Red Bull's Jean-Eric Vergne set the pace for the second successive day at Formula One's Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi.The Frenchman's quickest lap, one minute 40.188 seconds, was fractionally slower than his best effort on Tuesday. However, the day was not without its problems as Red Bull's RB7 experienced technical problems.

We had quite a disjointed morning due to some sensor issues which interrupted our run programme and this afternoon we lost more track time with a KERS issue,Red Bull head of race engineering Ian Morgan explained.The issues are resolved now and at least we were able to complete some laps which provided useful data, hopefully tomorrow will be more productive.Vergne put in only 43 laps at the Yas Marina Circuit on Wednesday but finished 0.091s clear of Ferrari's Jules Bianchi, who managed 91 in all.Ferrari worked on new components linked to engine management and, like all the runners, evaluated Pirelli's tyres for next season.

It was another good day of testing," Bianchi said. I was able to do a lot of kilometres and so we were able to complete all the planned programme, while I was also able to improve on my lap time from yesterday.It's valuable work for the team, because we have accumulated a lot of data which will be important for the development of the 2012 car.McLaren's Gary Paffett was third quickest with a 1:41.756s, with Valtteri Bottas (Williams) and Johnny Cecotto Jr. (Force India) fourth and fifth fastest respectively - the latter having his first run in an F1 car.

Amazing is the only word to describe today. Everything was just incredible from the moment I left the pits to begin my first lap," Cecotto enthused. These cars are so impressive: the power, the braking performance and the aerodynamic grip you get through the corners - it makes you say 'wow'.And there are so many systems on the car, too, such as the KERS, which really impressed me. It was good to try out some of the 2012 tyres in the afternoon and the team seemed happy with the data and my feedback.

Vacation Rentals- The cheaper option?

There has been this kind of talk going for quite some time now. While we plan for our holidays the kids don’t worry much since they don’t have enough time for their plans to enjoy. The worries are left to the poor heads of the family on how to plan their vacations on shoestring budget.

This world is an amazing place with beautiful locations. There will be a lot of dream trips planned by all of us and some common dream destinations will be France, Italy, Florida, Hawaii, California etc. Once we decide to go on such vacations, it’s necessary that we book a luxurious holiday rental to enjoy our trip even more.

Today the prices are sky rocketing all round the world; we can see the so called local shops raising their rates almost near to the big shots.  Today it’s a better option to pay more and enjoy more as quality is what all of us would like. So this is the similar case for holiday villas/cottages. They provide you with a great amount of amenities be it swimming pool, spa, community golf courses, kitchen etc. So instead of restricting your budget by booking cheap quality hotels and ruining the vacation this is a far better option.

Vacation rentals are actually cheap as with your own kitchen you get to cook your own food and with swimming pool & other recreations you get to save a lot. Also hotel rooms will restrict on average 3-4 persons per room but here you can find vacation villas having ability to accommodate 12-15 people so in the end it’s cheap and as a bonus you are set to stay together with your family.Enjoy world tours booking vacation rentals, holiday cottages and cabin rentals at thebestvillas

F1 : Maldonado happy to keep Barrichello as Williams Formula 1 team-mate

As Williams considers its options, Pastor Maldonado has revealed he is happy to race at the British Formula One team alongside Rubens Barrichello.

With his millions in Venezuelan backing, the 2011 rookie's race seat is considered safe for 2012.

But the same it not true of Brazilian veteran Barrichello, as Williams admits talks with Kimi Raikkonen and reportedly also eyes Force India's experienced and sponsor backed Adrian Sutil.

"The season might not have been great but I believe, at Williams, we have one of the best driver pairings in Formula 1," said Maldonado.

"Unfortunately, the car is not competitive but, to have Rubens as a team-mate, for me, is great because he has helped me with everything," he is quoted by The National.

"He's an incredibly talented driver and is still so incredibly motivated. He's helped me to improve my time and technique out there."

Williams, likely to finish the 2011 championship ahead only of Formula 1's small new in 2010 teams, has had arguably the worst ever season in its decades of history.

It is therefore easy to point the finger at someone like Maldonado, who despite winning last year's GP2 championship is seen by many as a typical 'pay driver'.

Japanese Grand Prix preview: time to make history

One point. That’s all he needs. The man who’s won nine races so far this season, started on pole for 11 of them and finished no lower than fourth since October last year needs to take just a single point from this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix to claim his second consecutive Formula One world championship. He’ll also become the youngest double champ in the sport’s history. Oh, and he also topped the Top Gear leaderboard this year. Not a bad 2011, all told.

Only Jenson Button has the power to stop Sebastian Vettel now (if Jenson wins on Sunday and Seb fails to score, the fight goes to Korea), but even he’s admitted the season ‘is all but over’. We’d say that stranger things have happened – after all, the German did crash in P1 this morning – but they really haven’t.

For starters, there’s no way Seb’ll be willing to settle for 10th place. Not in his special season. He’s won at Suzuka for the last two years in a row – both times from pole – and we reckon it’ll take an impromptu cameo from Godzilla (or, as the case may be, another kamikaze lunge from Lewis Hamilton) to stop him getting his hat-trick.

Here’s our prediction for Sunday’s starting grid:
1. Sebastian Vettel
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Jenson Button
4. Mark Webber
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Nico Rosberg
7. Felipe Massa
8. Michael Schumacher
9. Kamui Kobayashi
10. Paul Di Resta

Sahara Group Turn out to be co-owner of Force India

Leading sports promoter Sahara India Pariwar announced on Wednesday that it is to buy a 42.5 percent stake in Force India, investing approximately $100 million in the team. Following the deal, team principal and managing director Dr Vijay Mallya will retain an equal 42.5 percent share, with the remaining 15 percent equity kept by the Mol family.

India is reaching new heights in all spheres, including sports, said Subrata Roy Sahara, managing worker and chairman of Sahara India Pariwar. Formula One has always remained a bastion of the western world. The advent of India in this exciting sport has remained a matter of pride for all our countrymen.

Sahara’s partnership with Force India is expected to provide an opportunity for the team to further invest in cutting-edge technology to improve their performance. Sahara has many diverse interests including financial services, real estate, media, IT and tourism.

It has indeed been a matter of pride for me to put India on the F1 map with Force India and raise the performance of the team to its current levels, added Mallya. The Sahara Group has played a very important role in the development of sport in the country and is an ideal partner to take the Force India F1 Team to greater success in the Formula One world championship.

The Mallya-Mol consortium became the former Jordan team’s third owner in just three years when they bought it back in 2007. The Midland group had taken over in 2005, before selling out to sports car makers Spyker late in 2006.Force India is currently sixth in the 2011 constructors’ standings with 48 world championship points.

2011 -- Formula One Calendar

2011 Formula One Calendar

Bahrain BIC	March 11-13
Australian Albert Park	March 25-27
Malaysian Sepang	April 8-10
Chinese Shanghai	April 15-17
Turkish Istanbul	May 6-8
Spanish Catalunya	May 20-22
Monaco	May 26-29
Canadian Gilles Villeneuve	June 10-12
European Spain	June 24-26
British Silverstone	July 8-10
German Nürburgring	July 22-24
Hungarian Hungaroring	July 29-31
Belgian Spa	August 26-28
Italian Monza	September 9-11
Singapore	September 23-25
Japanese Suzuka	October 7-9
Korean KIC	October 14-16
Indian Noida	October 28-30
Abu Dhabi Yas Marina	November 11-13
Brazilian Interlagos	November 25-27

Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button reject to engrave off season

The Spaniard took a fighting second place to McLaren's Jenson Button in Japan as Red Bull's Vettel wrapped up the championship with third place. But Alonso said, we yet have a lot of motivation. Why not fight for victory in one of the remaining races? Button's victory in Suzuka his third of the season was not enough to deny Vettel a second successive drivers' title, but it does take him eight points clear of Alonso in the race for second in the championship. 

The win came as a result of a marked upturn in form for McLaren, who were enjoying the benefit of a new rear wing introduced two weeks ago in Singapore, where Button was second to Vettel.

And Alonso, whose fantastic drive to secure second place in Suzuka was almost forgotten among the post-race furore surrounding Vettel, was in defiant mood when asked how he felt about Vettel, aged 24 years and 98 days, supplanting him as the sport's youngest two-time title winner.

First woman of any Formula 1 group

Being addressed as 'Frau Kaltenborn' at company assembly for Dehradun-born Monisha might have been like a space walk. After all as a child, born into relatives running a two-wheeler dealership, she dreamt of becoming an astronaut.

The wheels of destiny, however, took her to the fast-track on the ground - in the 'boys club' of Formula 1 racing. Amidst saga of Indians making it big on a global platform, Monisha Kaltenborn has broken the glass ceiling in an unconventional domain to develop into the first ever woman CEO of any Formula One team. She heads Team Sauber Ferrari.

Yet, Monisha, who abhorrence’s to drive with her eyes on the rear - view mirror - though she was determined to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally someday -, drove with gusto. Honing her "petrolhead" qualities, she could, perhaps, vision across the windscreen, the milestone that lay faraway.