Industry News
Week Commencing 17th April 2006
21st April 2006
20th April 2006
19th April 2006
18th April 2006
FIA to take no further action on flexible wings
A meeting of the FIA’s Formula One Technical Working Group ahead of this weekend’s F1 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola has decided that no further action is necessary on the subject of flexible aerodynamic surfaces.
At the Malaysian Grand Prix in March, onboard television cameras showed an element in the front wing of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari moving as the downforce acting on it increased when the car accelerated. Plans by eight teams to protest against Ferrari were averted by intervention by the FIA requesting modifications to the aerodynamics of the Ferrari, and also those of the McLaren and BMW-Sauber, for the subsequent Australian Grand Prix.
The TWG meeting on Wednesday was attended by the technical directors of the 11 Formula One teams and afterwards one of them told the autosport.com website, "I think everyone left Melbourne feeling that the wing situation was in hand and that no further action was needed this year."
Ecclestone clarifies BRDC offer
In an interview with the UK’s Financial Times newspaper Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has clarified his position with regard to the British Racing Drivers Clubs plans for the renovation of the Silverstone race circuit and the promotion of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the venue.
Ecclestone told the FT that he was willing to absorb 50 per cent of any losses sustained by the BRDC in staging the Grand Prix and that he would moderate his demands for the circuit's modernisation but he refuted claims that he was willing to take part in a joint venture to fund the upgrading work.
Greek Formula One circuit conditions finalised
According to a story on the ekathimerini.com website the Greek Tourism Development Ministry has finalised the conditions required for candidate locations for the creation of a Formula One standard racetrack in Greece.
The main candidate locations are Orchomenos (70 kilometers north of Athens), Patras and the island of Crete.
JCB aims for diesel speed record
JCB, the UK based manufacturer of construction machinery and equipment, has revealed ambitious plans for an attempt to break the diesel land speed record later this year.
The current record of 235.756 mph was set at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 1973. For its attempt JCB will run at the same venue with its JCB DieselMax car which is more than 29 feet long, weighs nearly three tons and is powered by two 750 bhp two-stage turbocharged JCB444 diesel engines driving through separate six-speed transmissions. The engines are based on the same 4-cylinder, 4.4 litre (444) diesel engine the company uses in its best-selling backhoe loader. RAF pilot Andy Green who set the first-ever supersonic world land speed record in Thrust SSC in October 1997 will drive the DieselMax.
JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said, "It has always been our company tradition that the way to make progress is to push forward with a sense of urgency and to seek new challenges. The search for the next innovative step is the cornerstone of our business along with a strong sense of adventure."
Dr Tim Leverton, JCB’s group engineering director, said, "We began this project with one basic aim. Our intention is to prove the quality and performance of the JCB444 engine on the world stage. The knowledge we gain as a result of meeting this extreme engineering challenge will be applied to future iterations of the engine directly benefiting our customers."
Initial vehicle testing will take place at RAF Wittering, near Peterborough, UK prior to the first salt testing at the Bonneville Speed Week, which runs from August 12-18 after which the team will make its first attempt to set a new record during the following week.
MIA ‘Embracing Globalisation’ conference
The UK’s Motorsport Industry Association is planning a globalisation conference following a discussion on the subject at its Members Open Forum earlier in April.
Topics to be addressed at the conference include:
· The supply of components to emerging markets such as China and India
· The sourcing of added value products from innovative countries such as Russia, South Africa, South America, Israel
· Engaging with the required technology
· Embracing today’s ‘just in time’ culture
· Exchanging knowledge and experience
The date and venue for the conference to be held later in 2006 have yet to be confirmed. For further details, contact Olivia Harper at olivia.harper@the-mia.com
Strong Entry for Formula Student 2006
The UK’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers (ImechE) Formula Student 2006 collegiate racecar design competition has received 88 entries representing universities in 18 countries including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the USA and Venezuela as well as European entries.
The event, due to take place at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds near Leicester on July 5-8, is now in its ninth year and is supported by a number of commercial sponsors but also receives sponsorship from the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry funded Learning Grid initiative.
Australian motorsport show to go international
The Australian Motorsport Show, Australia’s annual motorsport industry showcase, has been acquired by new owners and renamed the Australasian Motorsport Show to reflect a new international focus.
The exhibition’s new owners, the Gold Coast based Showtime Group, plan to move it to a larger venue at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and add new attractions when it is next held in February 2007.
According to Showtime Event Director Mark Harvey the Australasian Motorsport Show aims to put new emphasis on business-to-business opportunities, including moves to attract overseas trade visitors and exhibitors.
He said, “Australian motorsport in all its forms is experiencing tremendous growth and the success of V8 Supercars has brought worldwide attention, but there is also a similar level of activity happening throughout the region and none of it is currently being served by any sort of showcasing event.”
“We plan to follow the examples of Autosport International in Birmingham and the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, Florida, by expanding the business opportunities at the show for both exhibitors and visitors. Overseas companies will be able to use the show to develop new business in
Australia and the region, while international buyers, mainly from Asia, will give Australian exhibitors the chance to export their products. It will be a regional marketplace for suppliers and customers in motorsport. As part of this, the show will continue to run over three days, but one of these will be an exclusive industry day. The two remaining days will be open to the public as well.”
Diesel Jaguar XJ proves 1,000-mile range and 53.5 mpg capability
A diesel Jaguar XJ saloon has travelled the length of the UK on one tank of fuel – and then went on to top 1,000 miles in total. Jaguar reports that the XJ TDVi completed the trip from John O'Groat’s to Land’s End – 840 miles – with average fuel consumption of 53.5mpg*. Having reached Land’s End, the driver headed back to Jaguar's Coventry HQ without refuelling and reached a total of 1000.2 miles before the tank ran dry.
The aluminium-built XJ TDVi was standard and complete with satellite navigation, CD auto-changer, Premium Sound and rear DVD screens options.
The XJ TDVi Diesel boasts an advertised average fuel consumption figure of 35mpg (8.1l/100km) combined cycle, 26.0mpg (10.8l/100km) Urban and 43.7mpg (6.5l/100km) Extra Urban and produces 214g/km CO2, which equals 29% in the Benefit In Kind tax category entailing that the XJ 2.7 TDVi incurs the lowest company car tax in the luxury segment.
Germany Challenges Tobacco Advertising Ban
According to a report in the UK’s Guardian newspaper the German ministry for consumer protection has stated that the German government had disputed the European Union's right to impose a ban on tobacco advertising and was taking legal action against the commission.
The German government’s move was in response to a threat by EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou to take legal action against Germany and a number of other EU states for their "stubborn" refusal to implement an EU ban on tobacco advertising. New legislation came into force on Monday August 1 2005 banning all print advertising, radio advertising and event sponsorship by tobacco companies that effectively ended 37 years of tobacco sponsorship in Formula One and other motorsport categories in participating countries.
MidlandF1 Reacts To Speculation
The Silverstone, UK based MidlandF1 Formula One team has issued a statement rebutting recent speculation about its future.
The statement reads, “Over the past week, there have been a number of speculative rumours published in the media, none of which has any basis in fact. MF1's general policy is not to respond to such unfounded rumours, but rather to concentrate on the job at hand. However, in this case we would like to make an exception, in order to re-assure the stakeholders in our team and to clarify the situation for the media. Beyond this, we have no further comment to make on this matter.
“MF1 has adequate budget to take an active and competitive part in the championship this season and we are working hard to close the gap between ourselves and our competitors.
”Midland Group, our parent organisation, has confirmed that the team is not for sale and there are no proposals that this should change. As expected, various approaches have been made, especially in view of the large number of entries for the 2008 championship. Without exception, these have been rejected.
”Midland Group has also approved significant further investment in team infrastructure. We are therefore also pleased to announce that the project to upgrade our wind tunnel facility will begin very shortly. This will entail an increase in scale to 50%.
”The staff at the tunnel has been producing amazing results in recent weeks and the progress they have made has contributed greatly to our ability to push ahead. Everyone at MF1 is passionate about racing and we all want our cars to be faster and more stable at speed. We believe that the key to this - both today and in the future - is aerodynamics, and hence the priority given to the wind tunnel upgrade. When the modifications are complete, our Brackley facility will be "state of the art".
”The personnel changes of the past week reflect the faith and appreciation we have in the skill and dedication of our remaining people. We do not know the source(s) of the current spate of negative rumours, but unfortunately it is often the case that false speculation appears in the media around the time that such changes are made. We wish it to be known that these changes occurred precisely because of the team's faith in the capabilities and loyalty of our people, throughout the team and at our facilities. Since the acquisition of Jordan, some 15 months ago, the new owners have been impressed by the racing tradition embodied by the staff.
”Colin Kolles, Managing Director: "Personally, I would like to thank our staff, sponsors, partners and suppliers for their patience and understanding in recent weeks. In light of these positive developments, I am more determined than ever to drive us forward, toward the sharp end of the grid. To my detractors and those speculating about my 'imminent departure', I regret to say that I have been, and remain, too busy focusing on the interests of the team to consider any alternatives to my current position."
Silverstone Saga Continues
Doubts have arisen over plans by British Racing Drivers Club life members Harry Stiller and Tom Barnard to involve Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone in the redevelopment of the Silverstone race circuit as the saga of its future continues.
According to a report by the UK’s Press Association news agency Ecclestone has privately denied agreeing to a proposal was for an equal partnership to share the cost of rebuilding Silverstone, which the BRDC own, and promoting the British Grand Prix.
It has also emerged that Stiller has moved to postpone the vote of no confidence in the BRDC board, which he initiated and that is due to take place at an extraordinary general meeting of the Club April 28.
Deadline Looms for Champ Car/IRL Merger
One of the participants in talks on a proposed merger of the US based Champ Car World Series and Indy Racing League single seater racing championships has said that an agreement would need to be reached by August 2006 for a unified championship to take place in 2007.
In an interview in the UK’s Autosport magazine Champ Car series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven said, "The very worst thing that could happen for the sport is to merge the two series and have it not work. So if we can get it done in time for next year that would be great. If it takes a little longer that's OK too.”
The Champ Car World Series is due to adopt a new one chassis formula starting in 2007.
New Title Sponsor For UK F3 Series
The organisers of the British Formula Three championship have confirmed that Lloyds TSB Insurance will be the title sponsor for the 2006 competition.
Lloyds TSB senior marketing manager, Gary Hurry said, “This is a very exciting tie-up for Lloyds TSB Insurance. We’ve already secured the main sponsorship rights to the 2006 British International Motor Show, and with the prestigious F3 International series now also in our portfolio, we’re delighted to have a further opportunity to strengthen our association with the motor market.”
The British F3 series has traditionally been one of the most competitive and strongly support championships for the junior single seater racing class. British series graduates include Formula One World Champions Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Jody Scheckter, Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart.
Second US Green Grand Prix Planned
The organisers of the second annual Green Grand Prix rally in America are seeking entries for the event which is due to be held on June 2.
The Green Grand Prix will feature a road rally for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles that will be held on an 84-mile course following the perimeter of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The event, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America will take place one the same weekend as the Indy Grand Prix IRL race on the nearby Watkins Glen race circuit in effort to raise public awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles.
At the end the rally and there will be a public panel discussion on hybrid cars and AFV’s at the Watkins Glen Motor Racing Research Center followed by a parade of the competing rally cars to the Watkins Glen State Park parking lot where trophies will be presented and the cars will be on display along with information and educational displays.
European car industry is ‘failing on climate pledge’ – T&E
Car manufacturers are defaulting on their pledge to tackle climate change, according to analysis by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (‘T&E’) of vehicle sales data produced by automotive industry data analyst R.L. Polk Marketing Systems GmbH and analysed by the Institute for European Environmental Policy. Last year, says T&E, car industry efforts to improve fuel efficiency achieved a third of the rate needed to meet a commitment the ACEA made to the EU in 1998.
European manufacturers sold cars that produce on average 160 grams of CO2 per kilometre in 2005, down 1% on 2004.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) promised the European Commission in 1998 to reach average emissions of 140 grams of CO2 per kilometre for new cars sold in the then 15 EU Member States by 2008. Average ACEA member fleet emissions were 186 g/km in 1995. Manufacturers now need an unprecedented improvement rate of 4.3 per cent per year for the next three years to meet their commitment. To date, the best performance was 2.9 per cent, recorded in 2000.
“(EC) President Barroso, himself the owner of a gas-guzzling Volkswagen Touareg, must recognise that a voluntary commitment from an industry that is responsible for 15% of CO2 emissions in the EU is not enough and is failing miserably. Legislation is urgently needed if real progress is to be achieved,” said T&E president Jos Dings.
Further improvements in efficiency are not expensive, according to T&E, and ‘can be made with widely-available existing technology’. The organisation says a report prepared for the European Commission last year showed that the cost of meeting the EU’s own target for new cars of 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre would be on average € 577 per car.
Meeting the EU target would result according to T&E in 25% lower fuel bills, equal at today’s prices to a €1,000 saving for the average car over three years.
BorgWarner and EPA announce US diesel technology development partnership
BorgWarner and the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) are today announcing a technology development partnership to “clean the air, save Americans gas money, and reduce dependence on foreign oil”.
BorgWarner says “Broad industry interest in EPA's Clean Diesel Combustion has accelerated the need for more advanced air-boosting systems than are available for today's diesel. BorgWarner and EPA have formed a technology partnership to address the greater performance requirements of advanced turbocharging and boosting systems.”
(Source: BorgWarner, Inc.)
