The end of something special!

Caption: The young Aryton Senna

Sourrce: Formula1.com

The death of Aryton Senna was one of the biggest events to ever occur in Formula 1’s history. The events leading up to the incident: Senna's third and final race of the 1994 season, the San Marino Grand Prix, was held on the "Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari" circuit located in Imola, Italy. Imola had traditionally been considered the beginning of the F1 season proper, on European soil.

During the afternoon qualifying session, Senna's compatriot and protégé Rubens Barrichello was involved in a serious accident when his Jordan became airborne at the Variante Bassa chicane (the last of the circuit) violently slamming into the tyres and fence. In the impact, Barrichello suffered a broken nose and arm; injuries that prevented him from competing in the race. Barrichello indicated that Senna was the first person he saw upon regaining consciousness.

The next day, Saturday, Austrian rookie driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed during qualifying in a devastating accident when the front wing of his Simtek-Ford broke while going flat out at the fast Villeneuve right-hand bend, sending the car into a concrete wall. A distraught Senna requested a track marshall to take him to the site of Ratzenberger's fatal crash. Senna was met by FIA's Medical Chief Professor Sid Watkins, who recalled that Senna was tearful, despite having only just met Ratzenberger the previous day. Professor Watkins suggested to Senna on that occasion to stop racing and go fishing (a hobby they both shared), to which Senna said he could not stop racing.

To obtain information about his injured colleagues that weekend, Senna climbed the fence of the Medical Centre after he inspected the crash site. Senna had commandeered an official's car to visit that site, yet the FIA chose not to take any formal disciplinary actions against Senna. 

Senna spent his final morning making time to meet with fellow drivers to discuss the re-establishment of a drivers' group (i.e. Grand Prix Drivers' Association) in an attempt to increase safety in Formula One, because of that weekend's tragic events. As the most senior driver, Senna offered to take the role of leader, starting from the next race event in Monaco. During the drivers' briefing, complaints were raised about the use of a Porsche 911 lead car (for commercial reasons) for the warm-up lap.

At the start of the Grand Prix race, Senna retained the lead from Schumacher but proceedings soon became interrupted by a huge accident on the start line, caused by JJ Lehto's Benetton-Ford stalling, and an unsighted Pedro Lamy ramming him in his Lotus-Mugen Honda at nearly full speed. A wheel was torn off the car and landed in the main grandstand, injuring eight fans and a police officer. The safety car, a sporty version of the Opel Vectra medium family saloon, was deployed and the drivers followed it for several laps. The Vectra's slow pace was later questioned because of the consequential drop in tyre pressures on the Formula One cars. Under those safety car conditions, video footage shows Senna pulling alongside the Vectra, gesticulating to the Vectra driver,Max Angelelli, to increase his speed. On the restart (lap 6), Senna immediately set a quick pace with the third quickest lap of the race, followed by Schumacher.

Caption: The terrible accident that cause Senna's death.

Source: Formula1.com

As Senna entered the high-speed Tamburello corner on lap 7, the car left the track at around 205 mph (330 km/h), hitting the concrete retaining wall at around 135 mph (217 km/h), after what telemetry showed to be an application of the brakes for around 2 seconds. The red flag was shown as a consequence of the accident. Within two minutes of crashing, Senna was extracted from his race car by Professor Sid Watkins and his medical team. Initial treatment took place by the side of the car, with Senna having a weak heartbeat and significant blood loss (approximately 4.5litres). Because of Senna's poor neurological condition, Professor Watkins performed an onsite tracheotomy and requested the immediate airlifting of Senna to Bologna's Maggiore Hospital, where he was declared dead hours later. Watkins later said that as soon as he saw Senna's fully dilated pupils, he knew that his brainstem was inactive and that he would not survive.

It was later revealed that, as medical staff examined Senna, a furled Austrian flag was found in his car—a flag that he had intended to raise in honour of Ratzenberger after the race.

Upon watching the documentary on Aryton Senna’s life and death, I couldn’t believe how nice the man was, and I definitely felt saddened by the passing of this legend.

Source: Senna (2010) documentary.

A tribute to a legend!

Caption: Aryton Senna lifting the winners trophy at the Australia GP in 1988

Source: Formula 1.com

I personally believe that I need to highlight the life of an absolute legend! Ayrton Senna da Silva (21 March 1960 – 1 May 1994) was a Br racing driver who won three Formula One world championships. Senna began his motorsport career in karting, moving up to open-wheel racing in 1981, and winning the British Formula 3 championship in 1983. He made his Formula One debut with Toleman-Hart in 1984 before moving to Lotus-Renault the following year and winning six GrandPrix’s over the next three seasons. In 1988, he joined Frenchman Alain Prost at McLaren-Honda. Between them, they won all but one of the 16 Grand Prix’s that year and Senna claimed his first World Championship. Prost claimed the championship in 1989, and Senna his second and third championships in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, the Williams-Renault combination began to dominate Formula One. Senna nonetheless managed to finish the 1993 season as runner-up, winning five races and negotiating a move to Williams in 1994.

Caption: Aryton Senna piloting his McLaren around Monaco

Source: Formula 1.com

Senna has been voted the best driver of all time in various motorsport polls. He was recognised for his qualifying speed over one lap and from 1989 until 2006 held the record for most pole positions. He was also acclaimed for his wet weather performances, such as the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, and the 1993 European Grand Prix. He holds a record six victories at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, and is the third most successful driver of all time in terms of race wins. Senna courted controversy throughout his career, particularly during his turbulent rivalry with Alain Prost. Both the 1989 Championship won by Prost and the 1990 Championship won by Senna were decided by collisions between the pair at those years' Japanese Grands Prix.

Gone too soon!

Source: Senna (2010) documentary.

Le Mans 24 Hour...........WHERE?????

Caption: nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk

Source: gotbroken.com

The competiton is held near the height if the European summer in June, leading to very hot weather conditions which can make it very tricky for the racing driver, who sit in a closed roof vehicle cabin which can heat up to uncomfortable temperatures with poor ventalisation.

The race begins in mid-afternoon, in where they race through the night and following morning before finishing at the same time the race started, the following day. According to LeMans guide, (2011), “Over the 24 hour period modern competitors will complete race distances well over 5000 km. The distance record is 5410 km, recorded in the 2010 race.” These distances are covered over 24 hours, which really stretches out the true reliability of the car competing.

Le Mans hosted the 2012 endurance race, which saw Anthony Davidson crashing out in horrific fashion after he turned sharply infront of a Ferrari GT race car. This ten led to the Toyota Denso Hybrid team withdrawing in the end after their car faced a number of technical problems. Audi Quattro E-Tron WON the 2012 season!

Be bold and mighty forces will come to you aid

Caption: Getting stuck on an island with absolutely nothing but a flare. What do you do?

Source:smallreview.blogspot.com

Oh no! We are sinking. Yes, my dear reader, this week we are going in a story direction. Imagine the following, actually happening to you. You have now finished your studies, and think of taking a break by sailing on a ship to your dream destination. You now board the ship and it takes off, and you now think about all the goals and achievements you have just achieved.

Caption: Believe me, if they see the flare they will come!

Source:blogspot.com

It’s now 10 days into the journey, and the ship begins to sink and the closest thing to your eye is an Island, 2 kilometres away. Bad sadly, the ship Captain forgot to turn-on the tracking device for Rescue Services, and this now leads to the Captain firing flares into the sky’s and no response was obtained from this. Without a thought, you jump into the water in order to save yourself.

You and 500 other passengers on the ship are now on this deserted Island, and its day 6 of being stuck on this Island......................

What happens next?

24 Hours of racing.......that’s awesome!

Caption: The 2012 Le Mans winning car.

Source: mirror.co.uk

The Le Mans 24 Hour race (French; 24 Heures du Mans) is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually in the Town of Le Mans. This event is commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have a balance speed against the cars ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining any mechanical damage to the car and manage the cars fuel, tyres and brakes.

The endurance of the drivers is likewise tested as the drivers frequently spend stints of 2/4 hours behind the wheel before stopping in the pits. It has become a rule that there are three drivers, which share each competing vehicle.

Competing teams have a wide a variety of organisations, ranging from road car manufacturers to professional racing teams who represent their commercial companies and brands (sponsors).

Would you be able to race for 24 hours? Or even participate within this competition?

Is it a bird or a plane?.....NO, it’s Truck Racing

Caption: This looks extremely awesome, doesn't it!

Source: tachoblog.com

You might be asking yourself, is he for real. Well, yes ladies and gentlemen, it is yet another week of schooling YOU my reader on motorsport across the globe. Let’s get into truck racing.

Truck racing involves modified versions of heavy duty tractor unites on racing circuits. This sport started in United States of America in the 1980’s. The races were mostly in Southern United States, and also the trucks used were actually real working trucks and used street tires. In England, truck racing has increased, and currently over 30 teams regularly compete.

Caption: One of the most nicest looking racing trucks.

Source: truckracing.de

The sporting regulations came under control by the International Motor racing Governing body (FIA) which ensured that the vehicles conform to the layout and original style of the truck, in where the safety standards were established. 

These trucks are restricted to 160km/h for safety reasons, and according to the FIA regulations the truck should weigh nothing less than 5500kg. On the day of a race, trucks are allowed to have a rolling start, in where the race commonly lasts from 8-12 laps.

Would you ever participate and this form of motorsport? (I would love to!)

If not now, then when?

Caption: It may seem hard, but think of the long run returns.

Source: thetechstorm.com

Save, Save and Save! What do I mean by this you might ask? Well this blog is about saving your money because ‘if not now, then when?’  What are you waiting for? Think about your future. Do you want to drive that (R Million) Ferrari or even own a Mansion?

You have to take responsibility for your life? If not, now then never. I suggest that you stop making excuses and start now to go for what you want in the future. The key word is: SAVE!!!!  Sadly, so in this day and age, there are so much temptations out there and influences, such as:

1. Peer Pressure,
2. Influence of being better than others,
3. Advertising,
4. Marketing.

These elements not only distract us from our ‘Saving Frenzy’, but makes us think! Why not spend a few (RAND) on that, it won’t cost a lot. In the end, you will be a multi-billionaire! Just believe in your will power and you can succeed!

Do it, do it Now!

The racing scene!

Caption: The construction of a world class truck>

Source: mkr-technology.com

We now take a look at the technical side of Truck Racing, because you might be asking. What do these trucks look like and what gets done differently from those we regularly see around use.

I will now dissect all the technical elements required for one to participate within this form of Motorsport. Trucks involved in this form of motorsport, needs to fit in line with the FIA requirements, and with this said, some trucks are built from ground up, with very stringent specifications.

The trucks are placed in a number of categories from A-F, with different regulations and specification, and to look closer at these trucks they pack a modified engine, which is able to accelerate faster, together with a better steering and braking system. There are also special tyres used and these vehicles are lightened for faster movements and speeds.

The safety elements:

• A cage (bull bar) on the rear of the truck.
• A roll cage inside the cabin.
• A racing seat.
• Racing seatbelts.
• And, ofcourse a racing helmet and driver wearing a racing suit.

I really hope you enjoyed the technical side of Truck racing!

Drag racing in South Africa.

Caption: Louis Lima launching his machine in 2002 with a time of 8.6 seconds.
Source: limapiping.co.za

In South Africa, Drag racing is an established sport, with a number of strips around the country including: Tarlton International Raceway, ODI Raceway and Killarney Racetrack to name a few. Drag racing is controlled by Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and all drivers are required to hold a valid Motorsport South Africa license. Drivers can compete in a number of categories including Top Eliminator, Senior Eliminator, Super Competition Eliminator, Competition Eliminator, Pro Street Bikes, Superbike Eliminator, Supersport Shootout (motorcycle), Street Modified, and Factory Stock. These events are hosted on a regular basis and a schedule can be found on their website: www.wpmc.co.za

Caption: The fastest BMW of its kind on this planet!
Source bimmerboost.com

The sad thing is that in South Africa, we do not have a set drag racing series for Top-fuel drag racing cars or funny cars, but at many national events, you would be able to see these machines, and impressive enough some of South African drag racers have world records, namely: Butler Motorsport with a record time of 7.69 seconds and the machine of choice is a BMW E20, which is South Africa’s first 7-second turbo car, followed by Louis Lima with 8.6-seconds in 2002, which has now been broken but his choice of weaponry was a Nissan Champ 1400 bakkie, which did some crazy wheelies when launching off this line.

If you like what you reading, grab a copy of Speed and Sound Magazine at any stockist and you can obtain the schedules of South African events and even get up to gate on currently events and upcoming monster machines. Grab it while its hot!

Watch this space.

Caption: Need I say more!
Source: blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk

Yes, I’m telling you my reader to watch this space..... because great things are set to happen, not only on this blog, but with the content. My passion for motorsport and writing has grown tremendously over this ‘schooling’ process, and YES from now on in my blogs will be improving on a content basis as well as on a motorsport update level.

A writer aims to please their readers, but in this instance, I’m trying to convert you into the fun side of life (motorsport). And, NO guy’s motorsport isn’t just about going around in circles; there is more that meets the eye, if you actually follow these sports. Therefore, I really hope that you will enjoy the content!