Tommy Chang

Ferrari California exposed!

2008-05-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

Ferrari's new California (internal codename F149) has been exposed. It will be powered by a front-mounted 4.3L V8 producing 460HP connected to 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Price is still unknown however there have been several rumors in the past months that either this will be slotted above the F430 or below it serving as Ferrari's entry level model. And of course, many thought that this will be the new Dino.

The design cues are reminiscent of the classic 1960's Ferrari 250 GTO, pictured below.

PRESS RELEASE:
New Ferrari California revealed: a hugely versatile, innovation-packed GT

Maranello, May 13th 2008 - The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.

The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.

The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque's history in the mid-front position.

In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.

As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car's performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

In addition to sporting the marque's classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari's own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Paris International Car Show. However, over the coming weeks, new photographs and further details about it will also be published.

Source: Ferrari

3-Peat for Massa at Turkey

2008-05-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

Felipe Massa has won it again at Turkey, making it three victories in four Turkish GP's. It looks like Turkey is Massa's track.

Rubens Barrichello's 257th F1 Grand Prix Start

2008-05-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Rubens Barrichello's 257th F1 Grand Prix start, a new record, Honda will be using this special livery for Barrichello's car in Turkey and possibly the next few races.

Best Moment from Sato and Super Aguri

2008-05-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is arguably one of the best racing moments during last year's championship campaign... Fernando Alonso in his McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 versus Takuma Sato in his Super Aguri SA07. This exemplifies the spirit and desire of the smallest team on the grid but with one of the biggest motivational drives. Too bad we will never see what Super Aguri could have really achieved with more resources.

RIP Super Aguri. Thanks for the memories!

Super Aguri officially withdraws from F1

2008-05-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

The end has come for Super Aguri as they officially withdrew from the current F1 championship today. Forced into financial trouble by lack of payment from last year's title sponsor, SS United Group Oil & Gas Company, Aguri was in desperate need of money. A deal was put together with the Magna Group when it just fell apart at the last minute. A new deal was sought and one was found with the German-based Weigl Group however, it is apparent now that Honda rejected it. Super Aguri had no other choice but to withdraw. This unfortunate turn of events also leaves Takuma Sato, Japan's native son and hero, and Anthony Davidson, who gave Honda his best years as a tester then as a race driver for Aguri, out in the cold. For them, they may have raced their final Formula One race.

Through it all, Super Aguri proved that it was the little engine that could and will be missed. With the increasing costs of F1 and the ban on customer cars, it may be increasingly difficult for private teams to enter the sport in the future. And now there are 10.

Rest in peace, Super Aguri.

BMW M1 Prototype?

2008-05-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

Is BMW bringing back the M1? Is this the prototype or just a damn good photoshop? Either way, where do I sign?

Awesome Tribute to Niki Lauda

2008-05-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here's an awesome tribute to one of F1's greatest and definitely bravest drivers - Niki Lauda.

Super Aguri F1 Team: 2005 - 2008?

2008-05-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

For weeks and even months now, Super Aguri F1 Team aka "Super Best Friends" have been struggling to simply survive and keep racing, even if they are backmarkers in every sense of the word and act more as mobile chicanes than competitive F1 race cars. The fact that they even raced in Spain last week was amazing and a testament to their resolve and "the little engine that could" concept.

Sad news is emerging from Istanbul today, site of next weekend's Turkish Grand Prix. Super Aguri's trucks and motorhome are now denied access to the track/paddock at Istanbul. Nick Fry, Honda Racing F1 CEO, has supposedly informed Formula One Management that Super Aguri will not race at Turkey. Honda is still holding Super Aguri's race cars at their headquarters at Brackley until this financial situation is resolved.

Aguri is rumored to own Honda $100 million. Honda wasn't prepare to run and finance two full time F1 teams and time has run out for Aguri. Honda had hoped that Aguri would have found independent backers by now. The Magna Group buyout proposal looked promising but fell apart in the 11th hour when they backed out. Last week, the Weigl Group buyout proposal came to light and has some promise but Fry remained skeptical that the Weigl offer would be approved by Mother Honda.

I was never a big fan of Super Aguri however you can't help but to cheer for the little engine that could. Super Aguri is the ultimate underdog and F1 needs underdogs, as much as top tier teams like Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes and BMW Sauber. I'm surprised by the recent hard line that Honda is taking against Super Aguri. While 2006 seemed like a love feast between the two sister teams, now Honda seems like it wants nothing to do with Aguri and wants to be free of them as soon as possible. Perhaps this is a knee jerk reaction to being shown up last season when Super Aguri outperformed and in the eyes of some, embarrassed, Honda Racing F1?

Nevertheless, this may be the beginning of the end for Super Aguri. I hope Aguri will find a way to save his team.

MicroHoo! not meant to be, for now

2008-05-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

I've being watching this potential takeover of Yahoo! by Microsoft with some interest for the past few months since this megadeal would be possibly reshaped the entire internet as we know it today and a gamechanger in my profession.

Well, those of you who were against the deal... Rejoice!

MicroHoo! is a no go, at least for the foreseeable future. Microsoft has officially withdrew its bid and abandon hopes of taking on Yahoo! to fight Google. I couldn't imagine an internet with a Microsoft owned and operated Yahoo! or (gulp!) an internet without Yahoo! (redirected to MSN). Hopefully Jerry Yang and company can put this behind them and turn the corner in the next few months. If not, look for another bid from Microsoft towards the end of the year.

Iron Man

2008-05-04T07:49:00.003-07:00

Iron Man, originally uploaded by mav.16.

Iron Man's Audi R8

2008-05-04T07:48:00.001-07:00

Iron Man's Audi R8, originally uploaded by mav.16.

The Incredible Hulk

2008-05-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Incredible Hulk & me, originally uploaded by mav.16.

Grand Theft Auto IV Release

2008-04-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Ah, another release of a Grand Theft Auto game brings out all of the self-righteous goody-goodies, like Jack Thompson, demanding a ban of GTA and the retailers selling it. More recently, the infamous lawyer turned anti-video game attack dog has compared Grand Theft Auto IV to polio, when he said...

Grand Theft Auto IV is the gravest assault upon children in this country since polio. We now have vaccines for that virus... The 'vaccine' that must be administered by the United States government to deal with this virtual virus of violence and sexual depravity is criminal prosecutions of those who have conspired to do this. If you doubt me, look at the aforementioned streaming audio/video. It will make you sick.

Polio?!?!

Here's a better idea. How about banning irresponsible people from making babies? Then you won't have irresponsible parents in this world blindly buying whatever their kid ask for. GTA IV is rated M for Mature. Mature means adult only. Violence. Prostitution. Drug smuggling. Gun-running. Political corruption. Racial tension. And of course, grand theft auto. Mature doesn't mean kid friendly and as soon as irresponsible parents understand this basic concept, this world will be a better place to live in... and polio free.

Kimi Raikkonen wins the Grand Prix de Espana

2008-04-27T10:47:00.001-07:00

Starting from pole, Kimi Raikkonen storms to his second victory of the season at Barcelona, with Felipe Massa in second, making it another Ferrari one-two. As a result, Raikkonen is leading the driver's championship with 29 points, Hamilton in second with 20 points and Scuderia Ferrari retakes the constructor's championship from BMW Sauber with 47 points.

Heikki Kovalainen's Crash at Spain

2008-04-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

As scary as this looks, even scarier is the fact that Heikki Kovalainen was still in the car at the time that this photo was taken.

Ouch! Thankfully Kovalainen is OK and this is a true testament on how the safety of F1 cars has evolved and improved during recent years. A decade ago, Kovalainen would have been seriously hurt or possibly worse.

Helmet Livery for 2008 AutoX Season

2008-04-27T09:08:00.001-07:00

Helmet Livery, originally uploaded by Tommy.Chang.

Is Alonso and Renault back?

2008-04-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

In a stunner, Fernando Alonso qualified second in the Grand Prix of Spain, in front of his home crowd. Is Alonso and Renault really back or this is some fluke? I think Renault has made some huge performance grains in the past three weeks but I suspect Alonso is running light, maybe extremely light. Look for Alonso is pit early tomorrow. This is going to be interesting if Alonso and Renault can keep this going. Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes, BMW Sauber and now Renault will all be fighting for the championship. To be continued...

10,000 Miles on Shoei

2008-04-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

10,000 Miles on Shoei, originally uploaded by Tommy.Chang.

2008 FHM 100 Sexist - Megan Fox

2008-04-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Megan Fox is the sexiest woman in the world, according to FHM magazine. The Transformers star tops FHM's annual 100 Sexiest Women in a poll of FHM readers.

Now onto the pictures...

Ferrari: We don't want Alonso

2008-04-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo stated today...

To line up a Raikkonen-Alonso double act would mean wanting to damage yourself. I want two equal drivers that work together.

Ouch. We witnessed Fernando "Crybaby Eyebrows" Alonso bitching and moaning about Lewis Hamilton last year. Imagine how Alonso would deal with Kimi Raikkonen. Here's how a team meeting would probably be like at the Scuderia...

Alonso: "I'm number one because I'm the better driver."

Raikkonen: "I don't care."

Alonso: "I want to be number one."

Raikkonen: "I don't care."

Alonso: "I wanna be numero uno!"

Raikkonen: "I don't care."

Alonso: "Numero uno!"

Raikkonen: "Man, shut the fuck up already. I have to go take a shit!"

Of course, this doesn't mean that Alonso won't ever be wearing red. It just means he won't as long as Raikkonen is still there.

My Best Stig Impression

2008-04-22T20:58:00.001-07:00

My Best Stig Impression, originally uploaded by Tommy.Chang.

Sparco SPY 05 Helmet

2008-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I just received my new Sparco SPY 05 Helmet. It's a great helmet, fairly lightweight, coming in at around 3.5 lbs., Snell SA2005 and FIA 8858 certified and HANS Clips installed. UPR.com has a good deal on them right now so get it while you can.

Belen Alumni Get Together at Loyola

2008-04-20T14:58:00.001-07:00

Belen Alumni Get Together at Loyola, originally uploaded by Tommy.Chang.

2008 BMW E92 M3 - Gorgeous!!!

2008-04-19T17:29:00.001-07:00

2008 BMW E92 M3 - Gorgeous!!!, originally uploaded by Tommy.Chang.

Innovative (and Funny) F1 Car Designs

2008-04-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Every F1 season, some teams try out some innovative and funny designs and added wings. Some actually make it to race day, some are tried and dumped. For example, who can forget the tusk design on the BMW Williams FW27 in 2004.

This year, we have BMW Sauber running a set of extra wings on its nosecone for their F1.08.

Today, in Barcelona, Spain, Honda is testing a new set of wings up front, similar to BMW Sauber's but inverted. This isn't the first time Honda has tested the "elephant ear" design, but it has yet made it to raceday.

While, Renault is testing out a new and pretty good looking engine cover.