Thanks for the replies. I think we'll shoot for the first corner.

Does anyone know if Row A is at the top of the grandstand, or at the bottom?

 

F1 bans traction control for 2008

From 2008, F1 drivers will no longer have the help of traction control
Formula One is to ban the driver-aid traction control from next season.
The sport's governing body the FIA will police the ban on the system that prevents wheelspin by forcing teams to use standard electronic control units.

Traction control was first banned in 1994 to prevent the technology reducing the importance of driver skill.

But it was allowed again in 2001 following fears that the FIA was unable to police the ban and that some teams had found ways to cheat.

The use of standard electronics means the FIA should no longer have any concerns about teams being able to hide such driver-aid systems.

The governing body has banned the system with a new clause added to revised technical regulations that were published on Friday.

It said: "No car may be equipped with a system or device which is capable of preventing the driven wheels from spinning under power or of compensating for excessive throttle demand by the driver.

"Any device or system which notifies the driver of the onset of wheel spin is not permitted."

 

Huh ?

Whatever happened to the ultimate racing series?

 

I like that they are banning TC again. That coupled with a lack of launch control, will be putting a lot more control in the hands of the drivers.

 

Now they just need to go back to a manual shift set-up!!

 

Reason prevails! Bridgestone and the FIA have agreed that starting in Malasia, its softer tires will be marked by painting one of the grooves white.

"Bridgestone has now been given the go-ahead to use the solution that it tested on Takuma Sato’s Super Aguri last Wednesday, whereby the second inside groove is painted white."

From itv.com (http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.a...38822&PO=38822)

Image is copyrighted, but you can see it in the link.

 

I'm all for making it more about the drivers. Maybe a balance of 60/40?

Sounds like they're paying attention to the big poll they took.

Remember when they banned the active suspention that Williams had when Nige was running?

 

F1 introduces clearer tyre marks

"In Australia, it was impossible to tell which tyre a car was using
New tyre markings will be introduced at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix to help spectators follow the race.
A rule change this season means that teams must use both of the two types of tyre supplied during a race.

The two types must be distinguishable but a first attempt failed because a small white spot painted on the tyre could not be seen when the car moved.

Following a re-think, the softer of the two types will now have a white line painted within one of the four grooves.

Bridgestone's head of track engineering operations, Kees van de Grint, said: "This has received a positive response from teams and onlookers.

"It is time consuming to apply to the tyres but is clearly visible on track."

Anything to avoid looking like they copied the idea from CART!

 

I just sent Bridgestone an application to be the "official tire painter"
With their budget that must be a 6 figure and all expense paid job.

I may be looking for an assistant.
must be able to quickly identify the color WHITE and be able to count to 4.

 

F1 boss wants to hold night race

"F1 could follow Nascar's lead and hold races at night Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has floated the idea of holding one of the Asian Grands Prix at night. He said an Asian night race would attract a bigger television audience as it would be shown in Europe during the day rather than in the early hours.

"It would be ideal for Asia, since it would be the right time difference to be broadcast in Europe," said F1's commercial rights holder.

"It would also be very spectacular, it all depends of course on the circuit."

Ecclestone also reiterated his long-held desire to extend the calendar from 17 to 20 Grands Prix.

He said he could "easily imagine" Mexico, India, Russia holding races, with South Korea "another candidate".

Team bosses have traditionally been relucant to have more than 17 races because of the extra expense and work involved.

But he said: "The more we hold races in good countries, the easier it will be for them to find sponsors."

Next year's French Grand Prix is in doubt because of poor access to the Magny-Cours track, weak attendances and insufficient accommodation.

Ecclestone said: "F1 is very international, it's a world championship, not a championship linked to certain countries. When the standards are not respected we have to go elsewhere."

 

A night race could be fun. There was just a mention of that in Autoweek, saying Singapore was being considered for it.

The idea is gimmicky for F1, though - kinda like forcing teams use 2 different tire compounds in the same race.

 

Leave it to Bernie to find a way to make it difficult for the west coast of the US watch. The races on the Pacific Rim are the only ones I don't have to wake up for at 3 or 4 in the morning. Those are prime-time races out here. I guess we're not the viewing audience he cares about.

 

Are you stuck in the 90's? Time to upgrade to TiVo or DVR. Watch what you want when you want. Don't let Bernie dictate your schedule. Nothing like sleeping in on sunday morning then parking it on the couch for hours on end catching up on racing!

 

I think the sadder aspect of this is that it is . . . in fact . . . a gimmick.

Although other forms of road racing have always raced at night . . . (long before major league roundy round NASCAB, I might add) . . . I don't particularly need to see a night race to satisfy a need for "show"

Call me old school if you must, but I just don't get the appeal . . .

 

+1

 

I still use the DVR but I have the odd thing about wanting to watch live sports live. The fast forward is nice but I love to know I'm there. They don't give shout outs to people watching on TIVO you have to prove your love of the sport but making sacrifices; like waking up to early to watch.

 

I use the DVR the cable company gives us. It works great, execpt that I need to remember to NOT read anymore emails from you guys once the events have started.

Last time, during the practice and qualifying sessions (which I don't watch until Satuday morning), somebody posted "Go Kimi!" and I accidently read my email and saw it.

(I subscribe to this thread so I get the resposes via email)

 

Woops, sorry..............might have been me.

 

Row A is lower, there is some obstruction in your view due to the fencing. Row K should be good, I've had row M tix for five years now (Stand J first corner of course)!

 

*** MALAYSIA QUALIFYING SPOILER ***








1. Massa 1:35.043
2. Alonso 1:35.310
3. Raikkonen 1:35.479
4. Hamilton 1:36.045
5. Heidfeld
6. Rosberg
7. Kubica
8. Trulli
9. Schumacher
10. Webber
11. Kovalainen
12. Fisichella
13. Coulthard
14. Sato
15. Button
16. Liuzzi
17. Speed
18. Davidson
19. Barrichello
20. Wurz
21. Albers
22. Sutil

 

Now THAT was a great race!

 

Seriously great drives from all three podium finishers . . .

Congrats to Fernando, who took control of the race
Hamilton put in an especially brave performance
Kimi preserved his car and delivered a critical points finish

Sadly, Felipe kind of took a step back into 2nd tier land and actually hindered Kimi in the opening laps.

 

I remember reading something from an Aussie promoter who thought it was a good idea. He said they didn't have to hold a race in the dark, with massive new costs to safely light the track, etc. He said they could do a night time race in OZ during daylight as long as it was in the middle of their southern hemisphere summer. That way they could move the OZ race to a part of the calendar where it doesn't interfere with any other high profile events (a VERY big deal for the Aussie race promoter), and still meet Bernie's goal of a daytime race for Europe.

 

Massa...not very good when he has to fight for a position. He totally missed his defensive position in turn one at the start.:impatient

 

A great race for McLaren, Renault and Heidfeld. Not so much for Massa. It's one thing to be too aggressive and go off trying to get past Hamilton, it's quite another to spend the rest of the race following Heidfeld around the circuit.