AUTO MANIA: by Dr. Iain Corness [email protected]

Korean GP this weekend

Alonso and Ferrari.

The third annual Korean Grand Prix is on this weekend. Following a very successful first and second Grands Prix, there is quite an air of optimism this year. There was much conjecture in 2010 as to whether the Grand Prix would go ahead, as the circuit fell behind in its completion date. Many reasons were touted, including the weather and public holidays, but 2011 was relatively trouble free.
The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, the man who has sketched many of the most boring circuits in the history of motor racing; however, Korea has been much better than anticipated.
On paper, the favorite for the front row has to be Hamilton who has been on pole for the majority of the last four Grands Prix this year. However, it is Alonso who could take the World Driver’s Championship this year, with nobody able to challenge the reliability of the Ferrari and himself.
The other usual front runners will be snapping at his heels - Vettel and Mark Webber in the Red Bulls, McLaren (Button and Hamilton) and Maldonado the wild card in the Williams.
I will be watching from my usual perch at Jameson’s Irish Pub, Soi AR, next to Nova Park for the Grand Prix. Now, important - with the time differential between here and Korea, the race on Sunday starts at 1 p.m. Thai time. Qualifying on the Saturday is 12 noon. Join us for lunch and a couple of jars before the red lights go out.

Driver honesty

My car was parked near my house the other night, and the next morning I was greeted with a smashed tail light cluster and some bumper damage. Was there a note to say sorry? No there was not.
New figures from a trusted source in the UK, reveal that only 3 percent of motorists whose vehicles were damaged while parked had been left any contact details from the other party.
Perhaps not surprisingly, car door dents were the most common damage to parked cars with nearly two-thirds of motorists reporting this type of damage. Paintwork scratches or key lines accounted for 61 percent of damage, while 32 percent of motorists surveyed returned to their vehicle to find wing mirror damage. Other damages included deflated tyres - 3.6 percent, and graffiti - 1.4 percent.
But it’s not just damage while the car is parked that’s worrying drivers. According to a poll of nearly 1,000 motorists, the state of UK roads and the effect on vehicle condition is also a cause for concern.
Over two thirds blame potholes for noticeable or significant damage to their car. And more than half think speed humps are responsible for noticeable or significant damage.
“Cars are bound to pick up some damage day-to-day, whether this means parking dents and scratches, speed humps and pothole damage or stone chips,” said Tim Naylor, Editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report. “But it is important to get any damage repaired as soon as possible before it deteriorates, particularly if you are thinking of selling your car. Cars in good all-around condition generally sell quicker and for more money, so protect your investment by having repairs done in good time.”
So there you are. It is not just in Thailand that we drive on pot-holed roads and get parking damage.

The Thai GP?

A Bangkok GP?

Much excitement in the popular press about the possibility of Thailand having one round of the Formula 1 circus. Thailand is aiming to join the Formula One calendar in 2014, according to Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Kanokphand met with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend where, the Bangkok Post reports, a deal was agreed in principle.
According to Bernie, “It will be a city race like that in Singapore and Monaco. It will be a night race like the Singapore Grand Prix.”
But don’t get excited yet and look for pre-purchased tickets, Kanokphand added that the two parties had yet to agree upon a fee. And fees to just hold the race are exceptionally high. So high that many countries are talking about not renewing their agreement.
How high? Well, you are looking at $40 million staging costs! Then fees of $60 million and up to $150 million.
However, if that is decided and agreed upon, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa has stated that the Thai government would shoulder 60 percent of the total cost and the rest would be paid by private companies such as Red Bull and Singha.

Toyota - the world’s most valuable auto brand?

Toyota on top.

Toyota was named the world’s most valuable automotive brand for the ninth year running in the recently published Best Global Brands report 2012, compiled by Interbrand. This year’s report sees Toyota’s brand valuation improve by 9 percent to over $30 billion. The brand secured 10th position across all industries (not just the auto industry), an improvement of one place over 2011.
According to Interbrand, Toyota’s success is due largely to excellent customer service, an impressive line-up of environmentally friendly products such as the Toyota Prius, and a strengthening appeal with younger customers.
In June this year, Toyota also emerged on top for the second year running as the Best Global Green Brand. Interbrand highlighted Toyota’s continued determination to maintain environmental sustainability as a top management priority as a key part to the company’s success story.
(When compiling the Best Global Brands report, Interbrand use a methodology that takes into account a multitude of factors that affect how a brand connects with the consumer and adds value to the organization.)

What did we learn from the Japan GP?

Well, we learned (yet again) that some of the FIA rules and regulations are just stupid. Take Hamilton and Button in the McLarens. Both had their gearboxes changed, but only Button got the five grid place penalty. Reason? Hamilton’s failed during the race, so no penalty. Button finished the race with his, but it was changed as it was showing early signs of failure, so penalized. Hulkenberg (Force India) wiped his gearbox off in a crash in the practice sessions, so got a grid penalty as well.
For many spectators, the interest in the Japanese Grand Prix ended on the first corner with Alonso (Ferrari) out with a puncture after being nailed by Raikkonen (“Lotus”), Webber (Red Bull) run into by Grosjean (“Lotus”) whom he described as “the first-lap nutcase again” and ending up at the tail of the field and Rosberg (Mercedes) run into by Senna (Williams) and retiring on the spot.
Quite frankly, I thought it was a boring race. The Finger (Vettel, Red Bull) streaked away and was never likely to be challenged by anyone other than Webber, who was driving at the wrong end of the field. With Alonso out, Ferrari’s fortunes were in the hands of Felipe Massa who lucked his way through the first lap carnage and settled into second place which he held till the end, giving the little chap his first podium in two years. If he keeps that form going he might (just might) get a reprieve and another contract for the next 12 months. And did you notice that it had been so long for Massa that he forgot when he was supposed to spray the champagne.
The ‘star’ of the race was undoubtedly Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), his third place being only the third time a Japanese driver has ended up on the podium. He claimed third after the first round of pit stops and did not have to fight for the position until the last two laps when he was being harried by Button (McLaren).
Button had a lonely race, looking at the tail of Kobayashi, and if he did pass anything out there it was probably wind and went unnoticed by the TV cameras. He did (again) finish in front of his Mercedes-bound team mate whose race was far from memorable, though he did re-pass Perez (Sauber) after falling asleep and leaving the door open a few laps earlier.
After tagging Alonso at the first corner, Raikkonen was another lonely racer who showed a reasonable turn of speed, but definitely no ‘fire’ from the ‘ice man’.
Those who are likely to become high jumpers at the end of 2012 remain Senna, Karthikeyan, Petrov and Vergne, with scrutiny being placed on Massa and Grosjean, Webber’s favorite nut case!
Finally, great day for Japan, but not for most of the F1 circus. Highlights were Schumacher’s push to 11th after starting 23rd and Webber’s fight back to 9th from the very tail of the field. Not much else, I am afraid, and no passing in the shortened DRS zone. 53 passing maneuvers last year and probably half a dozen if we were lucky this year. Somebody got the DRS equation wrong. Let us hope that Korea will be better.

Autotrivia quiz

Quiz car.

Last week, I asked you to look at the photo and asked what country made these? It was the so-called AirCar from India.
So to this week. I came across an interesting list of the supposed 10 best looking cars of all time. It came out of America, so they can be excused for the inclusion of a couple of Yankee cars. The list was
1. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
2. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California
3. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
4. 1964 Aston Martin DB5
5. 1965 Jaguar E-Type
6. 1966 Ford GT40
7. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
8. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
9. 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV
10. 1973 Porsche Carrera RS
For me, the most notable omission is the Shelby Cobra, which I would rate far above the Chevrolet Corvette or Dodge Challenger. However, for this week’s cerebral challenge, which one of the marques in the list used the hexagram?
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected]