Wednesday 27 March 2019

New Motorsport Week article: The calm before the storm – when 1994 looked like F1’s salvation

Marlon Hammes, cropped/retouched by Morio
[CC BY 2.0 (https://creative
commons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Cite the year 1994 to a Formula 1 fan and you'll likely get a distinct reaction. And almost certainly not a positive one. Few seasons in history have provided even close to its rancour and tragedy. Even now it lingers like a festering sore.

And yet. For all 1994's storm the year in fact started with an incongruous calm. Exactly 25 years ago today the season kicked off with the Brazilian Grand Prix. Believe it or not therein it looked, briefly, like the year would provide the scene of an F1's renaissance.

For Motorsport Week I outlined the tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/22107

What Do Oil Filters Really Do?




For a relatively inexpensive part, oil filters serve an important purpose. Not paying attention to an old or damaged oil filter can easily turn a $50 dollar job into engine work that could cost $1,000 or more. When it comes to vital aftermarket parts, oil filters are among the most crucial components to buy and install.

How Oil Filters Function

The purpose of the oil filter is to help keep your vehicle’s engine clean and properly lubricated. If the vital fluids in your car are dirty or low bad things happen, such as damage to expensive engine parts. Oil filters are simple enough and are made of the following parts:

·       A top sealing gasket that holds the filter flush to the engine
·       The filter media, which can be made of paper or a synthetic alternative
·       A hole to allow oil to pass out of the filter

The best filters remove particles as small as 5-10 microns. Small contaminants in your engine have the ability to wreak havoc on engine parts. Oil filters should be replaced every time the vehicle has an oil change, which is normally every 5,000 to 10,000 miles for most recent-year car models.

Where To Buy Auto Parts

Whether you need to find the right oil filter for your vehicle, or some other part, it’s smart to find a parts dealer you can trust. Look for a company that is helpful, reliable and insightful. If you ask,”What headlight bulb do I need?” the salesperson can point you in the right direction. If you are a DIYer you could probably use some advice now and then. The right dealer will also have a great selection of parts and offer affordable prices.

Get Your Parts Today

 Order that oil filter before it is too late. With the right part in hand, you can keep your engine running smoothly and avoid unnecessary repairs.








Friday 22 March 2019

Paul Tracy's Benetton Test, September 1994 - by Ibrar Malik

Many believe Schumacher ran illegal driver aids during 1994 because one of Benetton's former drivers, Jos Verstappen, once claimed so during an interview in 2011. This along with all the other arguments are analysed extensively in the book however, what is not commonly appreciated is five other drivers stepped inside the B194 that year also. Michael Schumacher, JJ Lehto, Johnny Herbert and Allan McNish all drove the 1994 Benetton and their views on it will become clear either in the book or in upcoming blogs. However it is often forgotten that rising IndyCar star, Paul Tracy, also tested the car. So what were his thoughts?

Paul Tracy in the Penske. Although the cars looked similar, IndyCar drivers have not always adapted to F1. Most notably Michael Andretti in 1993.

Bernie Ecclestone organised the Paul Tracy/Benetton test because IndyCar racing was growing in popularity at the time and becoming a serious rival for F1. Nigel Mansell, Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi all raced in the US series and even Ayrton Senna investigated a move Stateside at the end of 1992. It is believed that Ecclestone wanted to steal IndyCar stars (like Paul Tracy) to weaken the American series but also to widen grand prix racing's appeal. F1's commercial supremo had been instrumental in moving the 1991 and 1995 IndyCar champions (Michael Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve) across the pond during the mid-1990s.

Wednesday 13 March 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Albon - the case for F1's forgotten rookie

Photo: Octane Photography
You'll have seen by now the various George Russell/Lando Norris F1 season preview articles. Often talking of the two as synonymous. And it's little wonder. Rookies will commonly get attention prior to the season start, particularly if they have plenty of promise based on the junior formulae and even more particularly if they're British.

But there's a third rookie who (sort of) meets these criteria. And yet he's got nothing like the focus, instead appears to have an odd man out status. Yet he just might be best of the lot. I'm talking about Alexander Albon, making his bow this season with Toro Rosso.

In my latest for Motorsport Week I state his case. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/21933

Friday 1 March 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why Sebastian Vettel at last has Red Bull at Ferrari

Photo: Octane Photography
Sebastian Vettel is about to embark on another season at Ferrari; his fifth. And his first title there yet eludes him, having won four of the things at Red Bull.

It's all given rise to theorising about what Vettel needs around him to perform, but perhaps on the basis of pre-season testing things are coming together for Vettel at Ferrari at last. As perhaps Vettel now has at Ferrari a lot of what he once had at Red Bull. And not just that his car looks like a very good one.

In my latest feature article for Motorsport Week I outline my thinking. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/21762