BOOK REVIEW: RAPID RESPONSE

RAPID RESPONSE

By Stephen Olvey

Published by: HAYNES PUBLISHING

ISBN: 978 1 84425 982 3

Price: $15.00

// Review

In 282 pages of paperback, US-based author, Olvey, who used to be the Medical Director for CART racing in the USA, tells the stories of a career that witnessed him working with innumerable racing legends around the world. While many of the chapters are packed with humorous anecdotes, Olvey often highlights the ecstatic peaks and tragic troughs of a sport that has been robbed of many of its leading lights, through some of the most spectacular of race incidents.

Remarkably frank and revealing about many of the key personnel involved in the racing scene, it is a henuine shame that the number of potentially lucid photographs is very small in number. However, the words more than make-up for the lack of imagery and factor in a long held belief that they can convey emotions better than pictures, some of which might be too explicit for any audience.

A truly captivating read, there is almost a thrill on every single page.

The simple fact that the author was present at so many races and events and that his powers of recall are so vivid is what makes this book such an essential read. As a means to obtaining an insider’s view, it is certainly every bit as good as Professor Syd Watkins’ autobiography and worthy reading for any race fan, whether of the senior formulae or not.

From Russia With Love: SBK

SBK at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah - May, 2012

World Superbike Championship (SBK) follows World Series by Renault (WSR) as the second international racing event to be held at Moscow Raceway. The newest addition to the international motorsports venue collection, Moscow Raceway will play host to numerous national and international events such as German DTM, FIA GT1, WSR, and SBK. 

The new circuit opened in July this year and welcomed WSR as its first event. American driver Alexander Rossi took to the track and finished P11 in Race 1 and P5 in Race 2, a solid position for the first event held on the new circuit.

Today's SBK race is the first two-wheeled event to be held at the circuit and should be exciting. New circuits have a constantly evolving track surface which makes controlling the bikes a more delicate strategy than a seasoned track. You'll want to tune in to SPEED TV and watch Race 1 at 3pm CDT and Race 2 at 4pm CDT to witness it firsthand. Though the event has concluded, there's no spoilers here. I'm avoiding the internet until I can watch this race and see how the bikes do on this new circuit.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the fan attendance at the race as well. Russia is beefing up it's motorsports collection to increase its global appeal. In addition to this new Moscow Raceway, the 2014 Olympics Winter Games' Olympic Park Circuit is under construction, and both are working to appeal to the international crowd. Bernie Ecclestone signed a seven year contract to host Formula 1 in Sochi beginning in 2014, so the F1 world is keeping an eye on Russia to see if they're falling in love with international motorsports.

Fan Feature: 10 Important Numbers in F1

The following is a special feature from Austin F1 fan, Kerri Olsen. In addition to being the Co-Founder of this site, www.TheAustinGrandPrix.com, Kerri is also an F1 Fan. Here, she shares how she has gotten "up to speed."

Ferrari's "Formula 1 Alphabet" is a great resource for new F1 pupils or those who want to brush up on their lingo. We'll share our own version next month. I thought of a quick 10 facts that new F1 fans need to know:

// 1

P1: this is the lead position to start the race from. In race qualifying on the Saturday of a grand prix weekend, the driver that sets the best time is qualified to start in 1st position - or P1 - on race day. 

// 2

2 Winners: Each F1 season, there are actually two World Champions determined: a Constructor (the team) and a Driver. Constructors and Drivers each receive points based on their finishing of each race. There are also two drivers per team, which affect the point accrual based on race finishes.

// 3

3-Day Weekend: Grand Prix weekend typically runs three days, Friday through Sunday, with practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, qualifying also on Saturday, and the Grand Prix race on Sunday. The exception is Monaco, where practice runs on Thursday in lieu of Friday, for a "day of rest."

// 4

4 tyres per car: Tyres is the British spelling and since this sport originated in Europe, I will refer to them as tyres. Tyre strategy is a topic we will examine more in the future.

// 5

5 G's: F1 cars race on track with many turns. In these turns, they can exceed 5 g-forces of "lateral acceleration" (horizontal force) through the corners. By comparison, an astronaut being launched into space experiences about 3 g-forces.

// 6

6 continents: The F1 race series travels to six continents.

// 7

7 time World-Champion Michael Schumacher: It's the most identified racing driver that we have come across when speaking with Americans about Formula 1. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, he will be behind the wheel of a Mercedes AMG Petronas car come November.

// 8

8 cylinders: The cars are powered by V8 engines, similar to a Corvette. Due to the evolving rules, or "Formula" that the sport must adhere to each season, engines have included types from V12 to I-4, and more, over the past 60 years.

// 9

9 months: typical F1 season runs from March through November.

// 10

10 finishers get points: points are awarded to drivers and teams exclusively on where they finish in a race. The winner receives 25 points, the second place finisher 18 points, with 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points for positions 3 through 10.

// Contest Winner

Congratulations to Dale Daugherty! His F1 tip was chosen by Jenny Tynes as the best one last week and he will receive an Alexander Rossi autographed COME AND RACE IT sticker! Dale offers this suggestion for Austin visitors:

Be sure to take advantage of pedicabs in downtown Austin. They are everywhere, and it is a great way to get around the city. Trust me, you are going to appreciate this when you are cruising the late night 6th Street scene!

Click here for Ground Transportation information in Austin.

// Contest Alert

Leave us your helpful F1 tip in the comments of this article in order to be entered into our contest. Dale will choose another winning F1 tip and you will receive a COME AND RACE IT sticker autographed by Alexander Rossi!

Contest closes at 12:00PM (Noon) CDT on Thursday, August 30, 2012. Winner will be announced in the August 31, 2012 edition of "Fan Feature" here on this website.

Message Contest@TheAustinGrandPrix.com if you have questions.

Fan Feature: Interesting Facts About F1

Michael Schumacher makes a pit stop at the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Mercedes AMG Petronas.

The following is another informational piece on Formula 1 for our novice readers, from Austinite Mike Boone. Mike introduced many Austinites to the Mercedees AMG Petronas F1 Team earlier this year.

// Welcoming F1 Back to the States

Although Formula One has graced the presence of our US shores since its inaugural year in 1950, its culture and leading edge technology is a mystery to most US citizens.  Diversity amongst the sport’s fans, technology leaders, race drivers, engineers, automobile and engine manufacturers has resulted in an experience unlike any other in the world.  Regardless of your culture, social standing or hemisphere, the sheer thrill of watching an automobile be managed by a driver from 0 to 100mph and back to 0 again, will leave you wanting to see and learn more about the sport.

These diverse influences have allowed it to evolve in every almost area of society.  The great news for us, in the US, is that we can be educated fans without having to travel overseas to every race.  Just as Formula One has been the worldwide leader in the commercial rights and marketing business, it has also become a leader in the effective use of social media opportunities like Facebook and Twitter.  The great news for us is we in the US can now enjoy the up close and personal experience of the race culture in Austin, Texas.

Below are some fundamental and historical facts about Formula One that will give a new fan just enough information to spark a desire to learn more. 

// Getting Technical

Every driver is assigned a number with the prior year champion donning number one and his or her teammate getting number two.  Driver numbers are then assigned based on the constructor championship rankings.  Although the number thirteen hasn’t been used since 1976.

Amongst those fans that are familiar with both NASCAR and Formula One you will find a common debate to be which series requires the higher level of talent.  Although the NASCAR drivers are not likely to move to Formula One; Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Pablo Montoya, Nelson Piquet Jr and Scott Speed have moved from Formula One to NASCAR.

Formula One race cars are one of the first to promote the use of carbon-fiber composites, which has allowed the constructors to create very light and strong chassis. The car, engine, and driver, weigh as little as only 1411 lbs.

This year, the engines must be 2.4-litre non-turbo V8s.  The gas they run on is a higher grade that what we use in our commuter cars but still very similar in natue

The steering wheel is a work of art and for several thousand dollars, prior versions can be purchased as just that, art work.  Looks aside, the steering wheel has been turned into a central command center for the driver where controls for changing gears, applying the rev. limiter, adjusting fuel/air mix, change brake pressure, and of course speaking to the engineers.  There is an LCD screen that displays the speed, lap times and various other metrics. The wheel hub holds the gear change paddles and a row of lights that change with rpm at each gear.

The various braking systems in F1 cars have led to many advances in our current model production cars.  Today, the brakes and aerodynamics allow an F1 car can decelerate from 62 to 0 mph in 48 ft., compared with production sports cars taking 102 ft.

As great as it is to have the ability to stop quickly when going from 180 mph to 40 mph at a tight turn, accelerating quickly is even more impressive. 

• 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph): 1.7 seconds
• 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph): 3.8 seconds
• 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph): 8.6 seconds

Although the true budget to develop and build the formula one car for any team is very complicated, estimates for Honda, Toyota, McLaren-Mercedes, and Ferrari have been above $200,000,000 in a single year.

// Racing technologies that have transferred to consumer cars

Lotus built a car with an aluminum chassis in 1962, instead of the traditional design. This proved to be the greatest technological breakthrough since the introduction of mid-engine cars. Other technologies we see in the production world today that we can thank Formula One for include:

• Push Button Start versus key
• Left hand key start on Porsche
• Transmissions – Paddle Shifters
• Multi-Link Suspensions
• Tire technologies, both rubber and pattern
• Disc and Ceramic Brakes
• Aerodynamics
• Auto body materials – carbon-fiber, aluminum
• The rearview mirror