[rF] Porsche Nordschleife

[rf] MMG Red Bull

Is NASCAR Safe Enough?

Car racing is perhaps one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Given such a nature, race car competition organizers should do what they can to make sure that their talented drivers are assured of a safe drive. Millions of dollars go to equipping cars with various mechanisms to improve race speed while huge, astronomical sums go to the paycheck of Nascar drivers. Every major league race car competition seems to almost always mean millions and millions of dollars. Given the huge budget allocated to race car competitions, safety should be one of the attributes in a race that must be given priority to.

NASCAR, one of America�s major league races, has various safety mechanisms employed for the competition. The safety features found in the interior of a race car are the roll cage (designed to absorb energy upon collisions), the seat (which is shaped in such a way that it wraps around the driver�s rib cage and also contains the seat belts which are meant to absorb some energy from a sudden crash and keep the driver from hitting anything hard in the event of a collision), the window nets (made out of nylon webbing to make sure that the drivers arms do not get out of the window upon collision).

In outside of the car are roof flaps that are designed to slow down momentum of the car, prevent it from spinning out of control or doing a turn turtle during high speeds. The car windshields are made up of three flat layers of a polycarbonate called Lexan. This is the material of choice for race cars because it bends upon contact with elements from the outside (dust, dirt, sand, bugs). The polycarbonate won�t shatter upon contact with nature�s elements, even at very high speeds. The fuel tanks are fuel cells which have foam (reduces any chance of explosion by reducing the amount of air in the cell) and check valves (shuts off fuel in the event that the engine is separated from the car).

The driver�s uniform is made up of fire � retardant Proban or Nomex. The suits are tested and given a rating to check how safe they are for wear. The driver�s helmet is made out of Kevlar which is designed to absorb impact during collisions. The helmets are also tested for safety by an independent safety testing commission. Even NASCAR�s race tracks themselves are equipped with a safety feature called track banking. This means that the race tracks are built to a certain steepness to prevent accidents. NASCAR tracks are built with a 36 degree steepness in the corners and a slight steepness in its straighter areas. This is to ensure that race car drivers will slow down when turning around corners. The track also has a retaining fence used to contain a car that may spin out of control. The retaining fence has been subject to scrutiny as it has become the cause of accidents during the past years. Suggestions have been made as to making the retaining fences with more flexible material that better absorbs energy upon collision.

That being said, NASCAR still has a lot to go in terms of improving their safety standards. The race car competition has yet to form a safety standards committee and appoint a medical and safety director.

Source: howstuffworks.com

Jimmie Johnson Vacations in Mexico

Jimmie Johnson successfully takes the Chase lead at the 2007 Dickies 500 held at the Texas Motor Speedway. This is Johnson�s third win. He raced past teammate Jeff Gordon with a 30 point lead. Only two races remain before the next NASCAR champion is named. Will Jimmie Johnson again becoming the reigning champion? We shall find out soon in the upcoming Phoenix and Homestead races.

While waiting for the next two races, Johnson has found time to take a short vacation to Mexico. Upon the encouragement of Johnson�s wife, he and his family packed their bags and headed to Mexico for a much deserved r&r. Johnson is thankful to his wife as he is quoted saying that �My wife is really amazing about planning this stuff and encouraging me to get out and do things. It's how I took up golf because last year she really started pushing me to take my mind off the racing once in a while.�

After that trip to Mexico, Johnson will return back to the race track to compete for the NASCAR championship. Johnson knows that he needs to still work hard for the last two racing events. He speculates that, �Thirty points is good, and if I can maintain it or stretch it, it would be a lot better. I just know that I won at Texas, he finished seventh, and it was like a 40-point swing. So if I finish eighth at Phoenix and he wins, he's back in the lead.� But Johnson is quick to add that, �Once we get into the track, it will be all business. But I imagine I'll be pretty relaxed when I get there.�

Sources: FOX Sports on MSN , About.com: NASCAR Racing ,

997 Nordschleife

[Highlights] PSX Porsche Supercup Magny-Cours

Enjoy the Highlights of our Supercup Race in France!




Download Video in Full Res!
http://hosted.filefront.com/6e66o/
http://www.tnc-gmbh.de/rfactor/videos/psx_magny_cours.wmv

Racing is in my blood by Senna

His most applauded quote was "Racing is in my blood" this truly signifies a man commited only to racing. That's it no other choice of profession can match his desire to race, to compete and win it. No other Drivers are truly committed enough as he was, he was almost possessed when it comes to perfection. A class of his own, is a title befitting to a man who made such an impact in Formula 1. In 1989 the duel between the two great drivers was in penultimate race which was in Suzuka. Prost had been fed up with opening the door on Senna, this time Prost made his move on Senna by shutting the door at the chicane. This move made both the drivers stop dead in their tracks. Although Senna got the push from the marshalls, he still had to catch up to the race leader. With the superb pit crew getting everything done in a hasty matter Senna got out to go for broke. Senna did win but with complications with the FIA. Then the FIA told Senna that he made an illegal overtaking maneuver on Prost, thus punishing him and giving Prost even more points to clinched his 3rd World Drivers Champion. After Senna was castigated by the big honcho, Balestre president of the FIA. Senna gave an outstanding remark about his punishment, that led other teams boss, managers, drivers themselves to symphatized with him. Senna wasn't just a great driver, he was also strong in mind. Other drivers would have succumb to the intense politics in Formula 1, but Senna showed that no matter what happens he would still race because that was all there is for him.