Posts Tagged ‘ Ferrari ’

Old And New, But Greatness All The Same

Randomly stumbling across brilliant cars is something I never get sick of. Whether it’s a new car, a modified car or a classic, the feeling is always the same; I must grab a photo of that.

While walking through the car park of a high-end dealer something hiding under a drop-sheet didn’t so much catch my eye as kick me in the boy-package and slap me across the face – the always stunning and completely timeless Ferrari F40.

For a car enthusiast, this is the equivalent of a devout Christian shaking the bloody hand of one Jesus Christ himself – a pretty special experience. No, I didn’t get to drive it, get inside it or even take off the sheet but you know what, it didn’t matter – I had been touched by the hand of God.

This is actually the second time I’ve crossed paths with a Ferrari F40 and each time is just as amazing as the first. The presence, the stance, the sparse interior, the pure single-mindedness of it all – it is quite simply magnificent.

On the other side of the proper-car coin is a car that came years after the still-proud Italian supercar, another favourite of mine, the Porsche 997 GT3 3.8-litre.

I was watching this guy finish cleaning his car (giving it the love and attention it deserves) and all I could think was, “This bloke has my car.”

White, clean, simple, pure – a delicious motor vehicle.

Much like the Nissan R34 GTR from a few weeks back, if you happen to see one of these cars out there, stop and stare. Drink it in. Appreciate them for what they are and take snaps like a madman.

Formula One Update

© Sutton Images

Sebastian Vettel has won the final round of the 2010 Formula One season in Abu Dhabi and become the youngest ever World Champion.

The result also nets Red Bull the Championship double after they sealed the Constructor’s Championship at the last round in Brazil.

 

Title contenders Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber both suffered at the hands of poorly timed pit stops, finishing seventh and eighth respectively, in what turned out to be a somewhat anti-climatic race.

McLaren ended their season with a solid second and third place finish for Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

The 2011 season will see new cars, new rules, a new tyre sponsor as Bridgestone make way for Pirelli and the re-introduction of the KERS device. As for the continued domination of Red Bull and Vettel, we will have to wait and see.

The final driver standings are as follows:

1. Sebastian Vettel 256

2. Fernando Alonso 252

3. Mark Webber 242

Formula One Update

© Sutton Images

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has secured his first win on home soil for his new team by winning the Italian Grand Prix in Monza from pole, ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button and Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa.

After dropping a place to the fast starting Button, Alonso settled into a solid rhythm as both he and Massa showed good car speed in the Ferraris.

Then Button pitted on Lap 36 giving the Spaniard the lead which he managed to hold onto after pitting one lap later thanks to a sensational pit stop.

From here the race was his.

 

 

The day proved less positive for the Championship leaders with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton finishing his day on the opening lap following a touch with Massa and Red Bull’s Mark Webber having to work hard to finish seventh after a disappointing start from fourth.

Despite the difficulties, the Australian again regains the Championship lead.

After round fourteen, the driver standings are as follows:

1. Mark Webber 187

2. Lewis Hamilton 182

3. Fernando Alonso 166

Big Money, Bigger Money And Crashes

Before and After

Ferrari 458 Italia recall set to ruin resale value and reputation – Not a good look
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/256678/ferrari_recalls_every_458_italia_built_so_far.html

Ferrari aren’t the only ones in recall strife with Toyota Australia having to recall more than 116,000 HiLux utes
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/toyota-recalls-116000-hilux-utes-20100908-1509y.html?autostart=1

The shape of things to come from Mazda – Meet the Shinari
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/256558/mazda_shows_off_shinari_concept.html

Some think this is what the Subaru variant of the joint Toyota-Subaru FT-86 coupe will look like but if you have a close look at the front end of this car (the lights, guards and bonnet) it doesn’t all fit up. We reckon it will look quite different in its final guise – Take a look
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/256699/subaru_wrx_coup_spied.html

The results of the 2010 RACV used car safety ratings (UCSR) study conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre have been released. The study is based on data from over three million crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1996 and 2008. Interestingly it appears that, according to the study, a 94-02 Nissan 200SX/Silvia is in the same safety bracket as both an 02-07 Holden Commodore VY/VZ and an 02-08 Ford Falcon BA/BF – Check out where your ride sits
http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/78e6bc804da9b86d8818d854a1b45993/2009+UCSR.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=78e6bc804da9b86d8818d854a1b45993

When people at the top are making statements like this and expressing these types of views, it makes the notion of prioritising improved driver education a very distant reality – Group sigh
http://motoring.ninemsn.com.au/cars/news/7956721/national-road-safety-council-p-platers-should-not-drive-old-cars