F1: Asal usul Formula 1 :::1950 - 1959:::

1959 - Monaco
Media_httpphotos1blog_opond
1958 - Brabham
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_kghhr
1958 - Ruttman
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_geizy
1958 - Phil Hill
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_gcfhd
1958 - Hawthorn
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_thpoo
1958 - Hawthorn
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_fjnva
1957 - Pescara
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_isntf
1956 - Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_xbntn
1955 - Monaco
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_cvgeh
1955 - Farina
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_ceczu
1955 - Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_bfcit
1955 - Ascari
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_itftm
1954 - Mercedes W196/Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_hftej
1954 - Mercedes W196/Lang
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_spior
1954 - Mercedes W196/Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_befil
1954 - Moss
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_mcjyu
1953 - Nurburgring event
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_jayji
1953 - Italy
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_rhbhm
1953 - France
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_gehfg
Media_httpphotos1blog_gehfg
1953 - Farina
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_cgajh
1953 - Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_gchgd
1953 - Ascari
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_jaxmj
1952 - Moss
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_jkdft
1952 - Farina
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_tbcho
1952 - Ascari
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_gswac
1951 - Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_etbwg
1950 - Fangio
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_esaah

F1 fever burning in Singapore?

Media_httpphotos1blog_imcvp
With less than two weeks before the new F1 season opens and worldwide interest at reaching feverish level, Malaysia’s race promoter Sepang International Circuit (SIC) makes another one of its many trips to Singapore, aiming to build further on huge motorsports interest and potential in the island republic. Described by its General Manager Datuk Ahmad Mustafa as SIC’s as its biggest international market but with huge potential of growing far bigger, the Malaysian F1 chief organiser said that it was always a pleasure to come to Singapore to promote their racing events. “Singapore has always been the strongest supporter of events in Sepang especially Formula One. And, we know that the Singapore market could easily grow further as there was plenty of opportunities and interests,” Ahmad said when launching the 2006 F1 Roadshow at the walkway of Wisma Atria in Singapore today. “I know that Sepang is like a second home to many Singaporeans. There are so many die-hard racing fans in Singapore and Sepang loves them all,” he said, adding that Singaporeans had always contributed the biggest number of foreign spectators for the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.
Media_httpphotos1blog_riang
Outside Formula One and its other international events, Singaporean racing enthusiasts have always been frequent visitors to Sepang for the open track day sessions and various car club gatherings at the circuit. Riders from Singapore also made up a large number of competitors for SIC’s Malaysian Super Series. Entering its eighth edition this year, the 2006 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix has been slotted as Round 2 of the F1 World Championship and will be held at Sepang F1 Circuit from 17th to 19th March. “We expect the same huge number of fans from Singapore for this year’s F1 race. Hopefully, it record the highest number ever,” said Ahmad, adding that the 2005 event last year recorded a total of sale of 10,557 tickets from the Singapore sector. The figures, Ahmad said, did not include purchases directly at the circuit and buys through their Malaysian friends and colleagues that could easily lifted the total number of spectators from Singapore to more than 25,000 people. Ticket sales for Singapore was the highest in 2004 with 14,400 while the preceding two years in 2003 and 2002 recorded impressive sales of 8,562 and 12,864 respectively from a total turnout of 84,010 and 101,485 people for the events. Targeting a total of 120,000 spectators for this year’s event, SIC had gone on an aggressive international campaign with its partners Tourism Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Petronas since November last year to promote the 2006 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Apart from the Formula One race, fans can also catch actions from the 2006 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the 2006 Formula BMW Asia as both series open their new season in Sepang.

F1: Technical Analysis Pre-2006 season : RedBull

Media_httpphotos1blog_kaiba
Red Bull RB2 - rear end detail
The transmission area is a development of last year's design concept, with the bodywork wrapped closely around the mechanical components, so as to reduce aerodynamic disruption and increase the efficiency of the bottom of the car, which is effectively sucked towards the ground as air exits the rear diffuser. The drive shaft and toe-in link are combined in one aerodynamically shaped wishbone, as on the RB1, a feature likely to be seen on other cars this year, possibly even the Ferrari, which adopted a similar solution last year. On its test launch the RB2 sported a rear wing from its predecessor, but this will almost certainly change before the start of the season
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_bycmx
Red Bull RB2 - front suspension and bodywork
From the tip of its nose to its front suspension mountings, the new Red Bull shows clear signs of a Ferrari design philosophy influence. The two small round protuberances (1) on the top of the chassis, housing the suspension rockers and torsion bars, are very similar, while the position of the push rod link, inclined slightly backwards (2), and the assembly of this element, with a very slim metal head (3), are almost exactly the same as on the Italian car. This suggests that the RB2's whole suspension geometry follows a very similar principle to the Ferrari's - perhaps not surprising given that both machines use the same V8 engine.

F1: Technical Analysis Pre-2006 season : BMW

Media_httpphotos1blog_bldgt
BMW Sauber F1.06 - rear winglet detail
The area close to the rear wheels shows a strong resemblance to the previous Sauber C24 in many details, even if the bodywork is narrower close to the transmission. The notably similar elements are (left arrow) the venting gills on top of the sidepods (right in front of the short exhaust pipes), (middle arrow) the big flip-ups in front of the rear wheels, which now feature a vertical lip, and (right arrow) the triangular horizontal fin, whose function is to split the airflow to lessen its impact on the rear suspension elements.
 
Media_httpphotos1blog_xjjjw
BMW Sauber F1.06 - rear-end detail
As on all the 2006 machines, the sidepods are smaller and narrower, particularly as they reach the 'coke-bottle' section at the rear of the car (red arrow), where the bodywork looks like a second skin applied to its internal elements. This minimal design is intended to smooth the airflow to the rear diffuser. Hidden by shields at the car's launch, the F1.06's diffuser looks very similar to that of the previous Sauber C24 in its side sections, sporting a small flip-up right in front of the rear wheels, hiding within it two heat sensors, and sporting a small, vertical fin just inside the wheel.
Media_httpphotos1blog_iagwp
BMW Sauber F1.06 - front-end detail

Viewed from beneath the front of the car, it is apparent how the area (circled) around the front barge boards is aerodynamically 'clean' - the airflow approaching it is not disrupted by any of the suspension elements, despite the fact that for 2006 the bottom of the boards must be 5cm higher than before. This is made possible by adopting a 'no-keel' solution for the front suspension, attaching the lower wishbones directly to the body. Also visible is the way the nose cone drops down noticeably in comparison to last year's car, sporting very low front wing pillars.

Media_httpphotos1blog_hmepj

BMW Sauber F1.06 - double-decker front wing

At the F1.06's post-launch test session in Valencia, BMW Sauber immediately started development of the new car's aero package, trialling different versions of the front wing. The latest used was one sporting a double profile, following the concept introduced last season by Renault and subsequently followed by many other teams. This solution seems able to provide additional downforce, but with a proportionally low increase in drag, and is very likely to be used when the season starts.

Automotive: Lotus APX looks like Gen2

Media_httpphotos1blog_xanpy
Lotus has built a crossover 4x4: this APX (Aluminium Performance Crossover) is the first vehicle to be completely built on their Versatile Vehicle Architecture, which will also form the basis for the forthcoming mid-engined Esprit replacement - scheduled for 2008.The APX seats seven, drives all four wheels, reaches 60mph in five seconds dead and finishes up at 152mph. That’s thanks to a kerbweight of 1570kg and a 300bhp, 265lb ft supercharged 3.0-litre V6, designed by Lotus Engineering. It is part of a prototype family of engines, which includes a normally aspirated 3.0-litre V6 and a 2.2-litre. The APX’s unit weighs just 171kg. Lotus claim combined fuel consumption will be 32mpg and that the engine is a production possibility as the specification was to avoid exotic materials or intricate manufacturing technologies. The car is mainly constructed of aluminium, held together with Lotus’ ‘Riv-Bonding’ joining techniques: adhesive bonding, self-piercing rivets and flow-drill screws. The biggest claim is that this is a prototype, not a concept; it could, according to Lotus, very easily enter production. This is allegedly a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ car: it can cope with occasional offroad use and can also satisfy the sporting driver; for the car enthusiast with kids. Both engine and platform, claim Lotus, point towards the future of low volume niche manufacture. Lotus’ VVA technology offers a way to bridge the gap between the economies of building at medium volumes whilst making the smaller volumes that niche markets demand. Whilst the APX is a showcase for Lotus’ clients, it is also a statement of intent that Lotus can bridge its own gap - between the sophisticated work it carries out for its global clientele and its own limited and ageing car range. The critical element of VVA are the so-called corner nodes - castings which provide the foundation of the structure - which allow the VVA to be switched between front-engine and mid-engine. The APX’s distinctive styling suggests that the concept could have originally been commissioned by Lotus’s owners Proton. However, Proton has found itself in a crisis after a long-proposed tie-up with Volkswagen collapsed, leaving the tiny Malaysian carmaker adrift in an increasingly global market. source: http://autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=218854

More pics in the link below: http://paultan.org/archives/2006/02/25/lotus-apx-aluminium-performance-crossover/

Misteri alam

Oleh Hafizah Iszahanid dan Nasron Sira Rahim
PENEMUAN pelbagai spesies flora dan fauna di Indonesia, California dan Lautan Caspian membuktikan kebesaran kuasa Allah yang tidak diketahui oleh manusia sebelum ini.
Media_httpphotos1blog_xbpne

Penemuan 15,000 spesies ikan, 214,000 spesies haiwan dan tumbuhan lautan membuktikan rahsia bumi yang belum diterokai oleh saintis sebelum ini

DI SEBALIK arus kemodenan dan kecanggihan teknologi di seluruh dunia, masih ada beberapa kawasan terpencil di muka bumi dan dasar laut yang menjadi tempat tinggal makhluk dan hidupan asing sejak sekian lama tapi di luar jangkauan kemampuan manusia untuk menjejakinya.
Baik di perut bumi, dasar laut mahu pun di atas gunung, kepandaian manusia terbatas untuk mencari dan membongkar rahsia alam. Kejayaan penemuan untuk tatapan manusia hanya disiarkan menerusi saluran National Geographic, Animal Planet dan Discovery Channel. Keadaan ini sekali gus membenarkan firman Allah SWT mengenai kemampuan manusia seperti tertera dalam Surah Luqman, ayat 27, bermaksud: "Dan seandainya pohon di bumi menjadi pena dan laut (menjadi tinta), ditambahkan kepadanya tujuh laut (lagi) sesudah (kering)nya, nescaya tidak akan ada habisnya (dituliskan) kalimat (ilmu dan hikmah) Allah.” Selepas hilang untuk satu tempoh lama, dunia asing kembali ditemui apabila saintis dan penyelidik biodiversiti mencatat satu demi satu rekod penemuan spesies flora dan fauna baru. Penemuan unik, aneh dari lokasi tersembunyi mengesahkan satu perkara – kecerdikan dan teknologi manusia belum mampu membongkar rahsia alam secara total.
Media_httpphotos1blog_rviwt

KATAK mikro banyak terdapat di hutan tropika.

Ketika ramai daripada kita masih tertanya-tanya mengenai fisiologi dan sosiologi makhluk asing yang dikatakan berasal dari planet lain; rupa-rupanya banyak lagi spesies hidupan bumi - sama ada di lautan atau daratan - yang belum diketahui.

Bagaimanapun, kesedaran untuk membongkar kewujudan spesies hidupan yang baru semakin berkembang sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini dan sedikit demi sedikit, penerokaan menjejaki dunia yang hilang mengesahkan teori adanya hidupan asing itu. Antara usaha yang kini giat dilakukan adalah projek ‘Bancian Hidupan Laut (CoML)’ yang dimulakan pada 2000 dan disertai kira-kira 1,700 saintis daripada 73 negara bagi merekod dan menjejaki spesies baru bagi hidupan laut. Projek berkenaan akan dijalankan selama 10 tahun dan diusahakan secara bersama oleh kira-kira 250 organisasi seluruh dunia. Menjelang 2010, saintis menjangkakan akan menjumpai lebih dua juta hidupan laut yang berlainan spesies. Sehingga 2003, kajian berkenaan merekodkan kira-kira 15,000 spesies ikan dan antara 194,000 hingga 214,000 spesies haiwan dan tumbuhan lautan dengan anggaran antara 150 hingga 200 spesies baru ikan dan kira-kira 1,700 haiwan dan tumbuhan lautan ditemui setiap tahun.
Media_httpphotos1blog_akcjp

BUNGA hutan dikenali Giant White Rhododendron.

Saintis marin percaya bahawa lautan yang meliputi 70 peratus bentuk muka bumi mengandung 20,000 spesies ikan dan hampir dua bilion spesies haiwan dan tumbuhan. Kebanyakan spesies terdiri daripada hidupan kecil seperti cacing dan obor-obor. Sehingga kini, saintis sudah meneroka ke dasar laut sehingga melebihi kedalaman 4,000 meter bagi mencungkil rahsia hidupan dan spesies baru.
Selain usaha menjejaki spesies hidupan lautan dalam, saintis juga turut menumpukan usaha meneroka dunia yang hilang di lokasi terpencil di daratan antaranya penemuan 20 spesies baru katak, kanggaru (enam), pohon palma (lima) dan rama-rama (empat) dalam satu ekspedisi hutan tropika Gunung Foja, Papua New Guinea, timur Indonesia Disember lalu. Ekspedisi 11 penyelidik diketuai Bruce Beehler itu dianjurkan bersama Institut Sains Indonesia dan Pertubuhan Hutan Simpan Antarabangsa yang berpusat di Amerika Syarikat. Mungkin kemuncak pada pembongkaran misteri kewujudan spesies baru adalah penemuan tengkorak dan tulang temulang yang kemudiannya dikenal pasti sebagai spesies manusia kerdil pada 2004. Dirujuk sebagai “Hobit” oleh kumpulan penyelidik, ia ditemui tertanam di hutan tebal di Indonesia pada kedalaman 5.9 meter. Saintis percaya kumpulan manusia kerdil ini tinggal di Pulau Flores sejak 12,000 tahun lalu. Spesismen pertama yang ditemui dipercayai berusia 18,000 dikenali sebagai Liang Bua 1 atau LB 1 dikenal pasti sebagai spesies baru dinamakan Homo Floresiensis. Satu lagi spesies manusia kerdil dikenali ‘Homo erectus’ ditemui di sekitar Pulau Jawa. Jika berpandu pada peta biodiversiti dunia, kebanyakan spesies baru daratan tertumpu di kawasan kecil meliputi 25 wilayah. Begitupun secara total jumlah itu hanya meliputi 1.4 peratus dari keseluruhan muka bumi. Lokasi itu meliputi Wilayah California, Amerika Tengah, Caucasus (kawasan seluas 500,00 kilometer persegi antara Laut Caspian dan Laut Hitam termasuk sebahagian Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Rusia, Iran dan Turki); Polinesia dan Mikronesia (1,000 pulau antara 21.6 juta kilometer persegi di selatan Lautan Pasifik), Hutan Atlantik Brazil (Hutan Amazon yang meliputi 10 peratus dari bumi Brazil). Sesuatu yang menarik di Hutan Amazon adalah kebanyakan spesies ditemui sangat unik termasuk 72 dari 620 spesies burung yang bersifat endemik di Afrika Timur (meliputi timur Gunung Arc dan bahagian hutan berpantai di Tanzania dan Kenya), Madagascar, Barat Ghats di India, Indonesia dan barat daya Australia.

F1: Toyota TF106 Bahrain aero

Panasonic Toyota Racing has unveiled a new aerodynamic package for its TF106 race car ahead of the season-opening grand prix in Bahrain. The new package has been introduced in time for the final two pre-season tests in Vallelunga and Barcelona and will make its debut at the Italian track on Tuesday 14 February. This feature outlines the major differences between the TF106 that has been testing since the end of November 2005 and the version that will race in Bahrain. 
Media_httpphotos1blog_gjede
Top view The new nose is based on the strong spoon shape form. 1) The new flaps are more twisted compared to the similar ones introduced at Monaco in 2005 2) There are additional little horizontal fins 3) There is a new outside fin 4) A double profile is attached to the nose cone 5) New more aerodynamic wishbone shape 6) different turning vanes 7) new fins in front of the side pods with vertical splitter 8 ) New smaller winglet attached to the top of the side pods 9) More sculptured side pods 10) New position of the exhausts with small side gills for the exit of hot air (12) 11) New winglet integrated with chimneys 13) Different position of mini wing 14) New engine cover with better shape to cover the gearbox 15) Mini plane attached to the deformable structure
Media_httpphotos1blog_pmwht
Side View Comparison The TF106 that tests at Vallelunga from 14 February includes an all-new aero package for the first races. 1) New front wing with different end plate and external side fin 2) An additional pair of fins located beside the nose cone that makes 4 fins in total 3) Modified guide vanes 4) New aero spec in front of the side pods with little vertical turning vanes 5) Side pods more sculpted in the low section to increase airflow to the back of the car
Media_httpphotos1blog_qeslb
6) New position of the side pods winglet 7) Four winglets in the airbox area instead of two 8 ) New position of the exhausts and small outlet gills for removal of hot air 9) New winglet integrated with the chimneys 10) The bodywork in front of the rear tyres has been modified 11) Only one vertical fin in the lower section towards the rear of the car 12) New diffuser 13) New deformable structure to cope with a more severe crash test
Side pods The major differences between the car used in winter testing and the one used at the Vallelunga test are concentrated in the side pods 1) New turning vanes with little vertical splitter and a second little gurney flap (2) attached to the horizontal fin with a modified shape 3) The side pods are much narrower in the low part to match the reduced cooling needs and to improve the airflow to the rear of the car 4) Winglets are new and smaller than the previous ones 5) New chimneys are mounted with an increased angle towards the oustside and are integrated with new winglet of the side pods Front Wing
Media_httpphotos1blog_imsbu
The new aero package starts with a new front wing, based on the 2005 Monaco front wing that already had a second small wing (2). The new version also includes a small fin on the inside (1) and also on outside (3). At the side of the nose cone there are 2 additional fins (4). The first two fins (on top) were introduced already at the start of the 2005 season.

F1: McLaren moving in the right direction

The MP4-21 is constantly improving
Media_httpphotos1blog_niwnw
Raikkonen at the wheel of the MP4-21 Team McLaren Mercedes have completed a four day session at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo today.Kimi Raikkonen and Pedro de la Rosa today continued the week's programme of set-up work and component evaluation, which covered overall car development and specific work for the first three races. Kimi, who set the fastest time of the day and week with a 1m09.987, completed over 320km, whilst Pedro racked up 450km over 113 laps. The Spaniard set the fifth quickest time of the day. Today's running took the total for MP4-21 to approx 5100km since its first shakedown on Monday 23rd January. The test began on Tuesday with Juan Pablo Montoya and Pedro shaking down the second and third MP4-21 chassis, which arrived in Valencia from the McLaren Technology Centre over the weekend. The two MP4-21s were debuting the new Team McLaren Mercedes chrome livery on track. The shakedown saw Juan Pablo and Pedro complete the required systems checks for the new cars, and then during the course of the afternoon both drivers began to complete longer runs. By the end of the day Juan Pablo and Pedro had covered around 600km in total. Wednesday saw Kimi arrive in Spain to join Juan Pablo. The Colombian's focus for the day was completing a race distance, which included pit stop practice with the new cars. Kimi's programme saw him work on set-up programmes for the opening races over shorter runs, and the Finn set the second fastest time of the day. Juan Pablo and Kimi continued testing together on Thursday, and they covered a total of 485km. The test programme will switch to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona next week for a three day session with Kimi and Juan Pablo again driving two MP4-21s. Kimi Raikkonen "It has been an encouraging week at the test; I have covered good mileage in the MP4-21 in dry track conditions and worked through a number of development programmes with the team. Next week I will be in Barcelona for my final test before going to Bahrain, I have three days in the car there and I am looking forward to carrying on with the work from this week." Juan Pablo Montoya "We have made some progress with our testing programme in Valencia. I have now reached a total of nearly 750km in the MP4-21 there this week, which included a race simulation on Wednesday. The car is constantly developing, but there is still a lot of work to do. Everyone in the team is working really hard at the moment and I feel we are moving in the right direction." Pedro de la Rosa "I would say that the MP4-21 is definitely improving at the moment, we made a step forward this week and are looking to carry this momentum forward into the next test in Barcelona. I had two days in the car, including the shakedown on Tuesday, and covered over 860km." Press release McLaren Mercedes

F1: McLaren contracts Red Bull designer

Media_httpphotos1blog_irzvw
The McLaren Mercedes Team added a member to their technical staff by signing the Chief Designer for the Red Bull Racing Team, Rob Taylor. Earlier this year, McLaren lost both Adrian Newey (Red Bull) and Nicholas Tombazis (Ferrari). A spokesman told Autosport: "We can confirm that McLaren have further strengthened their technical team by employing Rob Taylor as senior design team leader. Rob will report to chief designer Mike Coughlan."