Sziasztok! Hi Fans!

Nincs most semmi infom Juan Pablor�l. Lesz�m�tva azt, hogy ma golfozni fog menni, tegnap meg indy futamot n�zett :)

Hoztam egy cikket a NASCAR-r�l. Ez alapvet�en R�ikk�nen-hez kapcsol�dik, de Montoy�t is megeml�tik benne, �gy gondoltam megosztom Veletek!

Mi�rt a NASCAR-t v�lasztotta Raikk�nen?

B�r m�g maga az �rintett nem er�s�tette meg hivatalosan, a menedzsere �s az amerikai NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kommunik�ci�s Igazgat�ja, Amanda Jones Ellis �ll�tj�k, hogy Raikk�nen ott lesz a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series m�jus 20-�n a Charlotte Motor Speedwayen megrendez�sre ker�l� verseny�n. De mi�rt a NASCAR mellett d�nt�tt a 2007-es finn vil�gbajnok? Sokak szerint a szinte csak ov�lp�ly�kon rendezett bajnoks�g nem valami nagy kih�v�s �s nagyon amerikai, a helyzet azonban az, hogy a NASCAR egy�ltal�n nem rossz, csak teljesen m�s, mint a Formula-1. Most Michelle Fosterrel, a PlanetF1 �js�g�r�j�val felvillantunk n�h�ny �rdekess�get.

El�z�sek. A NASCAR-ban t�bb mint �t el�z�s t�rt�nik egy versenyen. Tulajdonk�ppen t�bb is egy kicsivel �s ezt nem az eg�sz versenyt�vra kell �rteni, hanem k�r�nk�nt t�rt�nik �t el�z�s. P�ld�ul az idei Daytona 500-as futamon 74-szert v�ltozott az �len �ll� pil�ta szem�lye, b�r az igaz, hogy nem mindig el�z�s r�v�n, de a versenyben legal�bb 1 k�r�n kereszt�l vezet� 22 pil�ta sz�ma akkor is eg�szen elk�peszt� a Formula-1-hez k�pest, ahol ez gyakorlatilag majdnem a teljes mez�nyt jelenti. A m�lt heti Fontanai futamon Kyle Busch �t k�rt ment �gy az �len, hogy a l�kh�r�t�j�ra az �tsz�r�s bajnok Jimmy Johnson volt tapadva. Johnson h�rom k�rrel a v�ge el�tt vette �t a vezet�st, a harmadik helyen ekkor Kevin Harvick �llt, a c�lban azonban m�r Harvick, Johnson, Busch volt a sorrend. Harvick k�nnyed�n kapta el Buscht, majd h�rom kanyarral a c�l el�tt Johnsont is megel�zve nyerte meg a versenyt. Az F1-ben mikor l�ttunk olyat, hogy �t k�rrel a c�l el�tt h�rom pil�ta csat�zzon a gy�zelem�rt, �gy hogy akci� is van a p�ly�n?

Drafting. A NASCAR-ben a pil�t�k sz� szerint n�h�ny millim�terr�l k�pesek egym�st k�vetni, ennek az oka pedig az, hogy az aut�kat �gy tervezik, hogy maxim�lisan ki tudj�k haszn�lni az el�tt�k �ll� versenyaut� sz�l�rny�k�t. Ez sebess�g el�nyt ad a sz�mukra, �s �lvezetes a n�z�k sz�m�ra is az egym�s m�g�tt vonatoz� aut�k l�tv�nya. Az F1-ben ez is m�sk�ppen van. A Formula-1-es aut�k rengeteg piszkos leveg�t termelnek, ami nem m�s, mint olyan l�g�rv�ny, amit a m�g�tt�k halad� aut� aerodinamikailag nem igaz�n tud hasznos�tani, �gy a pil�t�knak szinte lehetetlen k�zelr�l k�vetnie az el�tt�k �ll� versenyaut�t az F1-ben, ha a versenyz� m�gis t�l k�zzel pr�b�lja dugni a versenyaut�ja els� sz�rny�t az el�tte halad�hoz, akkor fenn�ll a vesz�lye annak, hogy az bizony ott marad.

B�rki tud nyerni. A NASCAR futamokon rajthoz �ll� t�bb mint 40 pil�ta minden egyes versenyen azzal az �rz�ssel v�rhatja a rajtot, hogy ez az � versenye lehet, �s meg tudja nyerni a futamot. El�g csak a 20 �ves z�ldf�l� Trevor Baynere gondolni, aki id�n megnyerte a legend�s Daytonai 500-as versenyt. A NASCAR-ban csak egy kiv�teles form�ra, vagy egy szerencs�s pillanatra van sz�ks�ged �s m�ris te vagy az, aki megszerezte a gy�zelmet. Ebben term�szetesen az is szerepet j�tszik, hogy az aut�k nagyon egyform�k. Az F1-ben azonban a top csapatok �s a sereghajt�k k�z�tt t�bb sz�zmilli� doll�r a k�l�nbs�g, de a k�z�pmez�nnyel kapcsolatban sem sokkal jobb a helyzet, �gy ez a gyakorlatban azt jelenti, hogy egy nagyon �r�lt es�s verseny sz�ks�geltetik ahhoz, hogy valaki esetleg a k�z�pmez�nyb�l is odaf�rk�zz�n a dobog� legmagasabb fok�ra. Erre legut�bb a 2008-as Monzai Nagyd�jon Sebastian Vettel volt k�pes.

A z�ld, feh�r, kock�s z�szl� finis. A NASCAR-ban akkor is versenyezned kell a gy�zelem�rt, ha a c�l el�tt n�h�ny, vagy ak�r egy k�rrel t�rt�nik valami. A szab�lyok ugyanis kimondj�k, hogy ha s�rga z�szl� alatt telik le a versenyt�v, akkor a „romok” eltakar�t�sa ut�n m�g k�t tov�bbi k�rt kell megtenni�k a versenyz�knek. Az els� k�r a z�ld z�szl�, az utols� k�r a feh�r z�szl�, m�g a kock�s z�szl�val ugye leintik majd a versenyt. Ez megengedi a pil�t�knak, hogy val�ban az utols� pillanatig harcolhassanak a gy�zelem�rt. Az F1-ben azonban nincs ilyen, el�g csak a 2010-es Monac�i Nagyd�jra gondolni, ahol a verseny 70. k�rben �tk�z�tt �ssze Jarno Trulli �s Karun Chandhok, ami miatt a p�ly�ra is l�pet a safety car. Az utols� k�rben elengedett mez�nyben azonban Michael Schumacheren k�v�l mindenki sz�pen c�lba kocsik�zott, a h�tszeres vil�gbajnok man�ver�t azonban a versenyb�r�k szab�lytalannak is tal�lt�k �s meg is b�ntett�k �rte. Lehet, hogy az F1-ben is j�l j�nne k�t extra k�r a v�g�re?

Nincs sz�ks�g es�re. A NASCAR-nak nincs sz�ks�ge arra, hogy Bernie Ecclestonehoz hasonl�an a mesters�ges es�vel csemp�szen n�mi izgalmakat a futamokba. A versenyek ugyanis sz�raz k�r�lm�nyek k�z�tt is izgalmasak, rengeteg el�z�ssel, hatalmas balesetekkel tark�tottak. S�t mi t�bb es�ben nem is versenyeznek a NASCAR-ban. �s mi a helyzet az F1-ben. Csak el�g visszagondolni a 2010-es Bahreini, vagy Eur�pa Nagyd�jra. Semmire sem eml�kszel? Nem csoda, biztosan aludt�l.

Nincs sz�nlel�s. A NASCAR-ban a pil�t�k nemes egyszer�s�ggel kimutatj�k a k�z�ps� �jukat a versenyb�r�knak, ha megb�ntetik �ket, ami�rt term�szetesen majd meg is kapj�k a retorzi�t. Ha valaki megk�rdezi �ket azt mondj�k el, amit l�ttak �s �reztek, nincs sajt�s �s PR sz�veg. Ha az aut� … volt, akkor azt ny�ltan elmondj�k �s kimondj�k �s azt is, hogy bizony nem �rtana egy kicsit kem�nyebben dolgozni a csapatnak. Rajt l�nyok sincsenek, akik a futam el�tt sz�pen mosolyognak, a pil�t�k a feles�g�kkel, a gyerekeikkel, a csal�djukkal sorakoznak fel a rajtr�csra. �s ezzel szemben mi a helyzet az F1-ben. Az utols� pil�ta, aki nem volt hajland� minden esetben be�llni a sz�guld� cirkusz sablon vil�g�ba az Kimi Raikk�nen volt. Ugye eml�ksz�nk m�g a j�gkr�m incidensre? �s mit kapott �rte, mert az F1-ben minden a PR-r�l sz�l.

Juan Pablo Montoya (�s most Kimi Raikk�nen). Montoya m�r a NASCAR-ban van, m�g Kimi most k�sz�l oda menni. Mindketten olyan pil�t�k, akiket csak im�dni, vagy gy�l�lni lehet, de van benn�k valami, ami sokakb�l hi�nyzik. Tal�n agresszivit�s, st�lus, szenved�ly, �s tal�n e miatt �lm�ny n�zni a versenyz�s�ket. Az F1-ben megint m�s a helyzet, ott az agresszi�t b�ntetik, el�g csak Schumacher �s Barrichello Magyar Nagyd�jon t�rt�nt incidens�re gondolni. Pedig a versenyz�s valami hasonl�t jelentene. Vagy nem?

A n�z�k �s jegy�rak. Annak ellen�re, hogy majdnem 40 versenyt rendeznek egy �vben a NASCAR-ban, a lel�t�k mindig t�mve vannak. �s ebben a jegy�raknak is nagy szerep�k van. P�ld�ul a h�tv�gi futam a Martinsville Speedwayen 99 doll�rba (18 000 forint) ker�l, �s ez a teljes k�tnapos programra sz�l. Az F1-el szembeni kontraszt megint hatalmas. Az idei Angol Nagyd�jon csak a vas�rnapi jegy�rak 62 �s 129 font (18 000 �s 40 000 forint) k�z�tt vannak.

Ezek ut�n vajon j�l d�nt�tt Raikk�nen, ha t�nyleg a NASCAR-ban folytatja a p�lyafut�s�t?

(forr�s:formula.hu)

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I haven't got any information about Juan Pablo. He wrote on his twitter, today he going to play golf and yesterday he saw the indy car race.

I found an article about NASCAR and R�ikk�nen, why choose Finnish racer this serie. I found in the article Juan Pablo, and I decide, I put it there.

F1 vs. NASCAR = Eropa vs. Amerika Serikat

Michelle Foster (Planet F1) - Ever since the news broke that Kimi Raikkonen is off to NASCAR, PF1 posters have been having a go at the American series, many saying some rather derogatory statements that, well, we'd never publish.

However, NASCAR isn't that bad. In fact, in some ways it trumps Formula One - and here's why.

- In NASCAR there are more than five overtaking moves a race. In fact, in NASCAR there are more than five a lap. Take the Daytona 500 run at the start of this season. There were 74 lead changes, that's not including all passes, and 22 different drivers led the race - that's the entire F1 field in Melbourne. Another example, last Sunday at Fontana, Kyle Busch was leading with five laps to go with Jimmy Johnson right on his rear wing. Johnson took the lead with three laps to go while Kevin Harvick was closing in fast from third place. He easily took Busch and basically three corners from the end of the race took the victory off Johnson.
When last did F1 have a three-way fight for a race win with five laps to go?

- Drafting. In NASCAR you can sit on the chap in front's back bumper. Actually, the cars are designed to do just that. They close right up on the car in front, tuck under his bumper and give him a push. This allows the two cars to have better slipstreaming, giving them a speed advantage over the rest of the pack. It's impressive to watch.

In F1, the cars create so much 'dirty' air that it's almost impossible to close up on the guy in front. And if you were to and actually put your cars arse-to-nose, chances are you'd lose your front wing.

- Anyone can win a NASCAR race. When the drivers, over 40 of them, line-up on the grid at the start of the race they know that anyone of them can win. Just ask Trevor Bayne. A rookie in the sport, he won the prestigious Daytona 500. Since then, he's sucked. So even those not firing all the time can pull off that one magic moment and that's all you need in NASCAR to win a race. And that's largely because the cars are so similar.

In F1, there is a multi-million dollar difference between the front and the rear of the grid. Hell, there's a multi-million dollar difference between the front and the midfield. That basically means that, barring any crazy rain showers like in Monza 2008, those at the back are never racing for victories, they are barely racing for points most of the time!

- The green-white-checkers finishes. In NASCAR you get to race for the victory even if there's a caution on the final lap. The rules state that when the race ends under a yellow-flag caution, once the track is clear there will be an additional two laps. The first lap is the green-flag lap, i.e. back to racing, while the white-flag lap is the final lap and then of course there's the checkered flag, i.e. the end. This allows the drivers to fight for the race win and giving them two laps in which to do it.

Now think back to last year's Monaco Grand Prix. The race was behind the Safety Car after Jarno Trulli and Karun Chandhok decided on lap 70 to see whose car really was on top in the battle of the newbies. Mark Webber was leading the race and went on to win as it was behind the Safety Car until the very end. However, Michael Schumacher overtook a "sleeping" Fernando Alonso on the final corner for sixth place. But he was later penalised and stripped of his points as the stewards declared he had broken the rules. Now imagine if he had another two laps...

- No need for rain to spice up the action. When Bernie Ecclestone touted the idea of artificially wet F1 races, Williams' technical director Sam Michael told BBC Sport: "I don't think it's a good idea. It's taking a step too far in terms if making it an orchestrated show. There are other ways of improving the racing without going down the NASCAR route. In fact, NASCAR don't even do that, so it's derogatory to them to say that."

Firstly, what Michael should note is the correct English for "NASCAR don't even do that" would be "NASCAR doesn't even do that." Secondly, NASCAR doesn't need to that. The races are exciting. From lead changes to crashes to passing to nudging the barriers. It's all there already. NASCAR doesn't have to create excitement.
F1 does! Let's just think back to the 2010 Bahrain GP or the 2010 European GP. Don't remember them? That's probably because you were sleeping.

- There's no pretence, what you see is what you get. In NASCAR the drivers give officials the finger when they get penalised for speeding through the pits (and later the officials slap back). They tell it as it is, or as they perceive it to be, when someone takes them out. Throw the occasional punch. If their car is crap they will tell you it is and that the team needs to work harder. There are no grid girls, you stand by your car with your wife, your children, your family.

Now let's think about F1. One driver in recent times who wasn't pretentious was Kimi Raikkonen. Remember the ice cream incident? Yip, you all do because it was so different to what any F1 driver in the modern era would do. He wasn't a yes man. He was the Ice Man. And he got slated for it because in F1, it's all about the PR.

- Juan Pablo Montoya (and now Kimi Raikkonen). Montoya is in NASCAR and Kimi is heading that way. Both drivers, love 'em or hate 'em, are great drivers. They have something many others are lacking, they have guts. They drove with aggression, style and passion. It was an experience watching them race.

F1, well, there aren't a lot of drivers like that in F1 because they would be slated for over-aggression. So Michael Schumacher almost put Rubens Barrichello into the wall in Hungary, well good for him. It was racing. And it was great. PS: I still say Rubens should have backed off.

- Crowds and ticket prices. Despite having almost 40 events on the calendar, fans flock to NASCAR. The crowds are huge. That's partly because of the ticket prices. I can go to this weekend's NASCAR event at Martinsville Speedway for $99.00 for a two-day package.

In contrast, I can go to Silverstone for the British GP and pay £129 for general admission - and that's only for the Sunday. That's £62 vs £129.

- The Star Spangled banner. I am not American. I have no patriotism or feelings towards their anthem. But it is a sight to behold when the crowd stands to their feet, removes their caps, puts their hands on their hearts and sings along. The drivers, their families and team personnel all do the same. Those who aren't American don't sing but they stand to attention and stay silent.

At last Sunday's Australian GP, the crowd stood and sang while the F1 teams and drivers chatted. Even F1's only Aussie driver, Mark Webber, was, at least according to the pictures shown on TV, not paying any attention to the anthem.

(source)