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

Canadian GP this weekend

Canadian GP.

The Grand Prix circus returns to Canada, a ‘real’ circuit for ‘real’ drivers, with none of the imitation glitz of the Monaco processions. The Canadian raceway is the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, constructed on a man-made island which had been used originally in the 1967 Expo. Previously called the Ile Notre Dame circuit, it was renamed in Villeneuve’s memory after his death in 1982. The location is one of the loveliest in Formula One since the track threads its way through lakes and parkland. It is a narrow, medium-fast, 4.4 km circuit with 13 corners. Some corners were eased for 1979, a new corner before the pits was added in 1991 and a chicane was added in 1994. And, it is possible to pass, as opposed to Monaco! With a well placed DRS, it will make passing even more probable. However it does have a couple of corners with some very unforgiving walls at the edge of the bitumen, which a few champions have tried out for size, now christened the “Champions Wall”.
It will be interesting to see if the soft option tyres can last more than 10 laps. Pirelli assure us they will - but I will reserve my judgment.
We will be watching in front of the big screen at Jameson’s Irish Pub, Soi AR, next to Nova Park, come what may. Qualifying is at midnight on the Saturday (groan), but why don’t you join me on the Sunday at around midnight for the 1 a.m. start with a couple of drinks first. The real enthusiasts do enjoy this late night race, as we get the pub to ourselves. I promised Landlord Kim Fletcher we would make sure the fridge doors are closed and will turn off the lights and lock the front door on our way out!

If you believe in cubic inches - this engine is for you

Wartsila.

The Wärtsilä RT-flex96C is a two-stroke turbocharged low-speed diesel engine designed by the Finnish manufacturer Wärtsilä. It is currently considered the largest reciprocating engine in the world, designed for large container ships, running on heavy fuel oil. It stands 13.5 meters high, is 26.59 m long, and weighs over 2300 tonnes in its largest 14-cylinder version - producing 80080 kW.
The 14-cylinder version was put into service in September 2006 aboard the Emma Mærsk. The design is based on the older RTA96C engine but revolutionary common rail technology has done away with the traditional camshaft, chain gear, fuel pumps and hydraulic actuators. The result is better performance at low revolutions per minute, lower fuel consumption, and lower harmful emissions.
The engine has crosshead bearings so that the always vertical piston rod allows a tight seal under the piston. As a consequence of this design the lubrication of the engine is split, with different lubricants for the cylinders and the crankcase, with each being specialized and dedicated to their role. The cylinders are lubricated by continual, timed injection of consumable lubricant which is formulated to protect the cylinders from wear and neutralize the acids formed during combustion of the high-sulfur fuels commonly used. The crosshead design reduces sideways forces on the piston, keeping cylinder liner wear in the order of only about 0.03 mm per 1000 hours.
Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs per hp per hour (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/hp/hour. At maximum economy the engine exceeds 50 percent thermal efficiency. That is, more than 50 percent of the energy in the fuel is converted to motion.
(Thank you Bill Ponter for bringing this amazing engine to my attention.)

Want to win at Nurburg? Easy, invent a new class for yourself!

Unique Hybrid Hydrogen technology was proved at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race. An Aston Martin Rapide S race car, featuring a Hybrid Hydrogen system developed by Alset Global became the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in, and to undertake zero CO2 emissions laps of, an international motor race. The historic event took place at one of the world’s most challenging motor races, the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24-Hour race in Germany in extreme weather conditions.
Leading the Aston Martin Rapide S driver line-up was Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, who said, “We have exceeded our already very ambitious target of completing a full lap of the Nürburgring on hydrogen.” Aston Martin partnered with Alset Global on the project to showcase its commitment to engineering innovation in its centenary year.
The no. 100 Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S was the sole entry within a special E1-XP2 classification (so it wasn’t too difficult to win the class). The Hybrid Hydrogen system, comprising a hydrogen fuel supply system, tank and proprietary engine management system, ran faultlessly throughout, demonstrating the reliability and durability of the technology which could be on a series production vehicle within a couple of years. In the race, the car reached top speeds of around 255 kph on pure hydrogen.
“This is a historic day for two reasons: besides being the first hydrogen-powered race car to compete and undertake zero CO2 emissions laps, it has showcased the most practical technology available to fundamentally, and within a very short period of time, address the challenge of global emissions, without disrupting the automotive industry,” said Jose Ignacio Galindo, CEO and founder of Austria-based Alset Global.
The hydrogen was supplied by Alset Global’s partner, Linde, via its TrailH2-gas mobile refuelling truck. Hydrogen was stored at 350 bar and a full refill was reduced to just 30 seconds per pit stop by the end of the race.
Hydrogen has been used as an alternative fuel for some time, especially by BMW, but there is no infrastructure to provide a reticulation system to supply hydrogen on a mass user basis.

Thailand Super Series commences

B-Quik Super Series Porsche.

Thai motor racing takes a step forwards. And it wasn’t just a little step; it was a big step. Thailand Super Series is the realization of the dream of Minister Sonthaya Kunplome; who has already turned the Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival into an event that not only attracts attention far beyond Thailand, but also can be now counted as one of the country’s major annual domestic leisure events. Now there is his second dream of raising the standard of Thailand motorsport with the introduction of Thailand Super Series.
The Thailand Super Series (TSS) has an eight round championship which began two weeks ago on the Grand Prix circuit in Sepang, Malaysia.
Spectators who have been accustomed to sparse fields from the Super Cars in Thailand previously were certainly not disappointed at Sepang with 72 race cars shipped in to compete in rounds 1 and 2.
The Super Car grid included Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin, with some of these cars brand new ex-factory. There were also new makes such as the V8 Holden from Australia and the British Ginetta G55. Make no mistake, this was a class field, the like of which, Thailand has never seen before.
Round 1 saw Vuttikorn in the Porsche first to greet the checkered flag in front of Pasin (Ferrari) and Chonsawat third in the first of the Gallardos. However, the Thailand Super Series lived up to all the promise and the battle for the minor places was ferocious as four Lamborghinis and one Ferrari went head-on, the order changing by the lap. Pasin showed lots of skill as he recovered from his tardy start, the youngster fighting his way through the Lamborghini ranks, no mean feat at all, and clearing them by the time the flag fell - just - as he claimed a well deserved second place, but only 1.821 seconds ahead of Chonsawat.

Brand new factory Aston Martin.

International motoring writer Edd Ellison was on hand in Sepang and commented that the 1-hour Malaysian Super Series (MSS) headline race immediately preceded the Thai Super Car and it gave onlookers the chance to make back-to-back comparisons. Those comparisons were hugely favorable too, the sheer strength and depth of the TSS drivers and cars, the professionalism, the skills and the presentation, was visually head-and-shoulders above MSS, a clear demonstration of just how far Thai racing has come on over the close season and how the series can now lay claim to be one of the leaders in the region.
This Round 2 saw Vuttikorn’s Porsche again a clear leader, with Chonsawat in the Lamborghini second and Boy in another Lamborghini third and the Ferrari of Pasin fourth.
In the Division 2 group it was Nattavude Charoensukhawatana who came away from Sepang with two wins making him a clear favorite in his works Toyota 86.
Rounds 3 and 4 will be held at the Bira circuit 13-14 July.
Rounds 5 and 6 at Bira 5-6 October.
Rounds 7 and 8 at Bangsaen, around the houses on 14-15 December.
Make no mistake about this - the new Thailand Super Series is world class, and undoubtedly will also assist Thailand’s bid for a round of the F1 world championship. I know that it will take serious money for the Bangkok race to happen, but there is already serious money being put into motor sport by the well-heeled Thai community.

Natter Nosh and Noggin

The car club meets at Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR next to Nova Park. The next meeting is on Monday June 10 at Jameson’s at 7 p.m. A totally informal meeting of like-minded souls to discuss their pet motoring (and motorcycling) loves and hates (plus lies and outright exaggerations). Come along and meet the guys who have a common interest in cars and bikes, and enjoy the Jameson’s specials, washed down with a few beers. A couple of the members are scrutineers at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so they may have some scuttlebutt about the F1 scene, with one having just been over to the US to watch the Indy 500. Always a fun night. Be prepared to laugh a lot at some of the antics of the members (when they were younger)! The Car Club nights are always on the second Monday of the month (not every second Monday)!

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week, I asked which famous rally driver rallied four different “works” cars that were available to him at the same time? It was Hannu Mikkola in 1968. He had a works Datsun on the Monte Carlo, a Lancia for the Austrian Alpine, Volvo in Finland other than the 1000 Lakes Rally where he drove for Ford. Mikkola incidentally won the World Cup Rally for Ford in 1970, and won the 1000 Lakes seven times.
So to this week. On the 19th of August 1959 a felony was committed by a motorist. He was fined GBP 3. What had he done and how was he apprehended?
For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected].