Hi guys, it's a new month and you know what that means, a new IPM Girl!
For August, we have Melissa posing with the 2011 Suzuki Gsxr600 Staff Bike. Please check out the behind the scenes video below.
To check out more of Melissa's photo session with us, be sure to click on over to our IPM Girls section or just follow the link HERE.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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BMW finally unveils the i8 i3 and concepts, advances faithful models that will debut in 2013 and 2014 respectively and will be part of the sub brand created for electric cars by the House of Monaco. The two concepts will be presented officially to the public at the next Frankfurt Motor Show (15-25 September) and not only bring the debut of the BMW technology for electric cars, but also that of carbon fiber in order to drastically reduce the weight of vehicles and offset the increase due to the use of lithium ion batteries.
THE CONCEPT i3, BORN FOR THE CITY The i3 4-seater concept is a town long 3,845 mm with door bracing, motor 125 kW and 250 Nm from very inspired, autonomy of 150 km, a luggage compartment of 200 liters and a weight of 1,250 kg with a saving of between 250 and 250 kg compared to similar electric cars, thanks to carbon fiber. It also benefits from the acceleration with a 0-100 km / h in 7.9 seconds and a 0-60 km / h in 3.9 seconds while the passage 80-120 km / h is closed in 6 seconds and top speed is fixed at 150 km / h. Fast, even recharge the battery with fast recharge: 80% is restored within an hour otherwise they are just 6 hours to fully recharge from the electrical outlet. The peculiarity of the architecture LifeDrive i3 is composed of two independent functional modules: one is called “Life”, in charge of the cockpit, the other is the form “Drive” to imprint a structure that integrates the necessary resistance, even crash test, the lithium ion battery liquid-cooled and housed in the bottom and center, and the engine, complete with power electronics, innovative architecture and tail as it manages to have the same power as the installed on the Mini E, but with dimensions less than 40%. Alternatively, the i3 is already designed to fit a range extender, which is a small internal combustion engine only to recharge the battery charge extending the autonomy of the car.
i8, INTERPRETATION AND SPORTS PLUG-IN HYBRID The i8 is a 2 +2 sport long 4,632 mm with plug-in hybrid with an electric motor mounted 96 kW and 250 Nm at the front and a 3-cylinder 1.5 liter petrol engine at the rear of 164 kW and 300 Nm for Total power and torque of 260 kW and 550 Nm, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.6 seconds, a passage 80-120 km / h in 4 seconds, a speed of 250 km / h electronically limited and the chance to march for 35 km with zero emissions. The average consumption in the cycle of 2.7 litres/100 km approval is equal to 66 g / km of CO2. Thanks to the rational arrangement of the electromechanical components, the total mass of 1,480 kg is well distributed on both axles. Here the architecture LifeDrive is interpreted differently. The battery in fact, smaller than the i3, is placed along the center tunnel in practice by making a bridge between the two different engines and setting each one that BMW calls “the keel of energy.” The i8 can therefore travel to front-wheel drive (internal combustion), rear (electric) or whole (hybrid) depending on driving conditions. A full charge from the electrical outlet is completed in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
A PROJECT AT 360 DEGREES OF MOBILITY With the “i” BMW not only introduces two products, but a complete plan for mobility that includes the use of parking spaces, the adoption of intelligent navigation systems for route planning based on autonomy and charging points and Finally made a car-sharing joint venture with Sixt DriveNow in the project which will start from Monaco of Bavaria. To create and manage this and other mobility services was formed a new company, BMW iVentures, for the establishment of joint stock companies in order to share the cost of a bet that involves the redefinition of all the structures dedicated to mobility . Obsessive attention to the environment of the project: 25% of plastic is recycled, for the first time, composite materials are recycled to 10% while the production processes of the plant in Leipzig, where the two will be born, can use the 70% water and 50% less energy and it will be 100% from renewable sources. Aluminum also used and 80% worked with renewable energy. Control of these parameters is also very close on the suppliers. A new era is thus match, even for BMW.
Ampera Europe is expected in showrooms by summer 2012 and received the appreciation of the public with 5,000 pre-signed orders. The new Opel was designed and built for those who want to drive a car environmentally friendly, without sacrificing the convenience of a conventional car. The Ampera was equipped with a 150 horsepower electric motor powered by a battery bank from 16 kWh, which is located under the center console of the car and a gasoline engine by 86 hp 1.4 L when the batteries need to come down below a minimum level of charge.
For the presence of two engines, the scheme adopted on Ampera EREV was called, extended-range electric car. The electric propulsion system provides good performance. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in about 9 seconds and top speed is 161 km / h. Without noise and vibration when traveling in electric mode, the German sedan has a high rate of comfort. Able to get up to 80 km to zero emissions and up to 500 in combined mode, the Ampera declares a combined fuel consumption of less than 1.6 liters per 100 kilometers.
To recharge the car Simply connect the power cord to a 230 V socket and wait 4 hours to fully charge. The body has five doors and cutting-edge design, with a cargo of 310 liters and folding seats, useful for loading bulky objects. The German electric sedan will be sold from a price of 42,900 euros, with a guarantee of 8 years or 160,000 km on batteries.
Hello everyone, this is Paul sharing a neat video about some of the anticipated tricks for the upcoming X-Games 17 July 28 – 31, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
In this video from GrindTV, Erica Hosseini, shows us some highlights of some newer tricks that are being practiced and perfected by X-Games stars like Travis Pastrana, Mark Monea, Robbie Maddison and Kyle Loza. Some tricks are the 720 toilet paper roll, front flip carry-on, no-handed double back flip, body barrel.
After a few wondrous highlights from BMX and skateboarding, Erica shows us a teaser for the first ever Enduro X race over a massive obstacle course. Enjoy.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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Interesting new details emerge on future BMW 6 Series four-door, which comes from the Grand Coupe Concept, which premiered last 2010 Beijing Motor Show.
The final version of the car instead make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2012, in the month of March.
The final details have emerged concerning in particular the size of the new variant of the 6 Series. The platform will be shared with the current 5 Series F10, which will take the step size of 297 cm, 11 cm, ie more than 6 Series Coupe and Cabriolet. The width should be identical to that of the 6 Series two-port, ie 189 cm, as well as the extent of the roadway and the maximum height, equal to 137 cm, 9 less than the 5 Series sedan.
The BMW 6 Series four-door will not have the frames of the crystals as well as the coupe, but there will be the central pillar. The six eight-cylinder engines will be the same as the Series 6 and there must be the same eight-speed automatic transmission.
Came the four-wheel drive, even with the 407 hp V8 engine TwinTurbo.
Finally it was discovered that the doors and the bonnet are made ??of aluminum, the front fenders and trunk lid are made ??of synthetic material.
The BMW 6 Series four-door will go on the market to deal directly with the Mercedes Benz CLS.
Weather seems to always come into play at Spa. However, it decided to cooperate a bit for the first qualifying session for the 24 Hours of Spa. Again, Audi Sport looked to have the pace in damp conditions. Mattias Ekstrom would end up on top with a 2:40.472 in the W Racing Team Audi R8.
Le Mans winner, Marcel Fassler, was just shy of Ekstrom’s time with a 2:41.007. Marcel shares the Team Phoenix Audi R8 LMS with Andrea Piccini and Mike Rockenfeller.
Reiter Lamborghini’s Peter Kox was on some flyers and ended up 4th with a 2:41.478 in the Gallardo.
The Porsche teams were showing some frustrations as the top 911 was back in 20th.
Pos – Car – Class – Drivers – Car – Time 1 – 33 – PRO – Matthias Ekström / Greg Franchi / Timo Scheider – Audi R8 LMS – 02:40.472 2 – 98 – PRO – Marcel Fässler / Andrea Piccini / Mike Rockenfeller – Audi R8 LMS – 02:41.007 3 – 54 – PAM – Olivier Panis / Nicolas Lapierre / Gregoire Demoustier / Eric Debard – Mercedes SLS AMG – 02:41.206 4 – 24 – PAM – Marc A. Hayek / Peter Kox / Jos Menten – Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 – 02:41.478 5 – 40 – PRO – Maxime Martin / Bas Leinders / Marc Hennerici – BMW Z4 – 02:41.502 6 – 55 – PAM – Mike Parisy / Gilles Vannelet / Philippe Haezebrouck / Massimo Vignall – Mercedes SLS AMG – 02:41.536 7 – 26 – PAM – Damien Coens / Frederic Bouvy / Jean Luc Blachemain / Christian Kelders – Covette Z06 GT3 – 02:41.979 8 – 4 – PRO – Frederic Makowiecki / Henri Moser / Stef Dusseldorp – Aston Martin DBRS 9 – 02:42.130 9 – 32 – PRO – Filipe Albuquerqe / Bert Longin / Stephane Ortelli – Audi R8 LMS – 02:42.443 10 – 41 – PRO – Jonathan Hirschi / Markus Palttala / Antoine Leclerc – Ford GT – 02:42.698
An American Viewpoint poll taken on behalf of Sen. Richard Lugar shows him with a 14-point lead over Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. The poll results, as reported by a pro-Lugar blog, Capital & Washington, show Lugar leading Mourdock among likely 2012 Republican primary voters 45% to 31% with 23% undecided. The poll contrasts with a poll taken by Basswood Research on behalf of Club for Growth days earlier that showed Mourdock leading Lugar 34% to 32%, with 34% undecided.
Lugar supporters contend the Basswood poll numbers turned out as well as they did for Mourdock because the pollster used push poll questioning. The American Viewpoint numbers are not all good news for Lugar because he comes in below 50% as a six-term incumbent among members of his own party. That is a big shift in the poll numbers cited by Lugar's campaign only months ago when Mourdock first launched his campaign to unseat him. The American Viewpoint poll results indicate that 55% of GOP voters have a favorable impression of him and 53% approve of his performance, with 34% of GOP voters disapproving of him.
Basswood's poll was taken after Club for Growth began running a negative attack ad criticizing Lugar's votes in favor of government bailouts during his long tenure in the Senate. The Lugar campaign quickly responded to the ads with their own TV spot and blanketed Republican voters with at least two direct mail pieces that included negative attacks against Mourdock. Given that the American Viewpoint poll was taken after Lugar's TV and direct mail response, it would appear the negative view of Lugar is winning out.
Interestingly, Lugar's campaign is spinning the American Viewpoint numbers as an indication his message is resonating with voters even though his poll numbers have dropped markedly over those cited by his campaign just months ago. Before Mourdock launched his campaign, Lugar's campaign released poll numbers indicating that Lugar was more popular than virtually any Indiana politician, including Gov. Mitch Daniels, with 66% of all voters viewing him favorably and only 19% viewing him unfavorably.
Hey guys, Graham here, and last week, we’re at Triumph’s demo day in lovely Concord, California to test ride the all-new for 2011 Triumph Tiger 800.
I was riding the extra tall XC version, which sits a few inches higher than the standard Tiger, but is mechanically identical. I can’t emphasize enough how thankful tall guys like me are that Triumph takes the time to make the taller model. Check it out.
The Tiger 800 is built around a fuel injected 799 cubic centimeter three cylinder engine, which Triumph says has been designed with a long stroke for improved low end torque to suit the demands of the 473 pound motorcycle both on and off the road.
The all-aluminum motor puts out 95 horsepower and 58 pound feet of torque.
But more important than the specs is how the engine feels on the road, and it’s simply suburb. Unlike torquey, single cylinder dual sport bikes that rocket out of the hole only to fall flat at higher RPMs, the Tiger pulls smoothly from a start and just keeps going, it all feels very progressive and predictable, which suits the sort of big mileage riding that the bike is designed for.
I do, however, have one gripe about the engine: It sounds like a vacuum cleaner, which was confirmed by the gentleman behind me after the ride.
Needless to say, the tall and upright bike was easy and comforting to ride through town traffic, but it got even better when we hit the twisties. While it’s tall stance means the Tiger will never corner as hard or change direction as fast as it’s sportier stablemates, but it will get down into a corner when you ask it to. But the Tiger really shines when the road conditions deteriorate. While the guys on the Speed Triples and Supersports had to straighten out and stand the bikes up going over the rough stuff, the firm but long-travel suspension of the Tiger soaks bumps and cracks up like they’re not even there.
Our test bike did without the optional anti lock brakes, but even with ABS, the Tiger sells for about 12,000 dollars, which undercuts it’s chief rival, the BMW F 800 GS by nearly 1000 dollars.
We haven’t had the chance to ride one of those yet, though, so far now, the Tiger 800 XC has set the bar pretty high.
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It was always Tim Durham's goal to make the cover of every major business magazine in America. This featured story in the latest edition of Bloomberg's Businessweek by Annie Lowery is not exactly the kind of attention he fancied for himself though. A byline for the story describes Durham "in an epic midlife crisis may have crafted a Ponzi scheme even more complicated than [Bernie] Madoff's." Lowery's story has a great opening:
In the summer of 2007, Timothy S. Durham decided to throw himself a party for his 45th birthday. The CEO of a leveraged buyout shop in Indianapolis, Durham claimed to have made millions. He had also developed a penchant for the young, fun, and nubile, partying in Los Angeles and Miami and on his yacht in the Caribbean. In L.A., he owned National Lampoon, or what was left of it, and had been going to parties at the Playboy Mansion.
At the time, Durham told Daniel S. Comiskey, an Indianapolis Monthly reporter, he just wanted to bring “a little of that ‘magic’ to Indianapolis.” That magic meant 30 glamour models, flown in from Los Angeles, picked up at the airport in exotic cars from Durham’s collection, put up in a hotel, and paid standard modeling day rates, according to model Megan Hauserman. “He said it was a Playboy-themed party, so we should wear what we would typically wear to the mansion,” she says. The standard uniform there is lingerie and heels.
More than 1,000 people showed up at his 30,000-square-foot mansion in Fortville, an exurb of Indianapolis. Members of the Indianapolis Colts arrived, as did Kato Kaelin. Durham dressed like Hugh Hefner, in a plush robe. When he went to blow out the candles, his cake was frosted with his likeness in the center of a million-dollar bill.
Later, as reported in the Indianapolis Star, Durham posted photographs of the party to his Myspace page, including one of him getting a lap dance and two of the models kissing, nude. He dubbed it his “Fantasy Pajama and Lingerie Party.”
Durham had long attracted attention in Indianapolis, and not just for his parties. He was also one of the state’s biggest backers of Republican politicians. “Tim Durham was somebody who came out of nowhere in the late ’90s and kind of declared himself a very rich guy,” says Greg Andrews, managing editor of the Indianapolis Business Journal, who has covered Durham extensively. “He established himself as a player by being a tremendously large donor to candidates.” Those included Governor Mitch Daniels. Durham gave $105,000 to his 2004 campaign, making Durham the governor’s second-biggest individual donor that cycle. Over the years, he made some $800,000 in political donations, according to public records. The perceived gap between Durham’s private behavior and his support for conservative candidates led Matthew Tully, a columnist for the Indianapolis Star, to chastise Durham for his conspicuously libertine lifestyle. The column went viral, likely because of its link to those Myspace photos.
Durham was unfazed by the public admonishment. He kept throwing huge parties—though he set his Myspace page to private—and giving generously to the Indiana GOP. “That article ran about my R-rated Myspace page, and somehow I still get a lot of politicians wanting my money,” he told Indianapolis Monthly. “Apparently they didn’t see it. I’m going to give it to them as they come through the door now. ‘Didn’t you see this? I’m not someone you want to be associated with! I’m not a good influence!’ ” And he repeatedly boasted that Obsidian Enterprises, his leveraged buyout firm, had upped its profits massively in the last few years.
The party ended at 2 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2009. Uniformed FBI agents raided the offices of Obsidian, which were in the penthouse of the tallest building in Indianapolis, and the offices of its subsidiary, Fair Finance, in Akron. Agents hauled boxes of records and computer hard drives to idling trucks.
Peugeot has launched an interactive on your Youtube channel: the Peugeot 107 Experience (see link at the source). The French manufacturer has commissioned four companies in the Continental Video Productions, which was first published. Two versions will be made ??to represent the views of a man and a woman. The funny thing is that these movies can be customized by users through Facebook. A social experiment to generate interest and publicity surrounding the city car Peugeot 107.
After choosing one’s own universe of interest between VIP, Share, Glam and Fun, the experience begins. The custom video can then be shared on Facebook, Twitter or email. In addition, it can also be customized with data to send to a friend as a surprise. An interesting little game that promises to occupy a few hours of many users of social networks by circulating the name of the Peugeot 107.
The CEO of German carmaker Porsche, Matthias Mueller, confirmed officially, in an interview, the debut of a new spyder very small, less expensive Porsche Boxster (the new generation is currently under development and will be marketed from next year is another story) has long been talk of the arrival of an entry-level model, which allows one hand, the maturation of Boxster and sizes and prices in the other ‘ Porsche landing in the great family of new customers. Only now, however, the Chief Executive Officer has released some details (a few, actually) to this sport, which should be packaged according to rumors in collaboration with Volkswagen and Audi (these two brands in turn will produce a sports car for each) .
According to the manager, now Porsche engineers are developing a virtual descendant and heir of the Porsche 550: produced between 1953 and 1957, the Spyder 550 is best known in connection with the actor James Dean, on board a copy of the sports Cavallina in Stuttgart, he died on the road (from then on that unit of Porsche 550 was renamed the Little Bastard: some of his shares after the incident of Dean, were sold, but every car that used brought calamity to the owners or pilots or anyone else. Today it belongs to a mysterious buyer, possibly Saudi Arabia). In the hope that the sad reputation of the Porsche 550 Spyder is not transferred to the new brand has the intention to bring into the world, Matthias Mueller has already announced the start of work on the development of this sport more affordable Boxster.
The new roadster in Zuffenhausen automaker will have a mid-rear engined 1.6-liter petrol engine with supercharging system, capable of delivering approximately 200 horsepower and comes on the market in the summer of 2014. According to reports, its pricing will start at around 39 thousand euros.
The German carmaker Opel has announced that the C-segment hatchback Astra Sports Tourer, presented during the past year and available on the market for even a year (the market in Europe began in September of 2010), has reached a successful that exceed the expectations of the same management: model, with the rest of the Astra family (including the new GTC three-door variant which will be exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011) and the most recent of the Opel (and Insignia Meriva, Zafira, but also – that we will see during the same festival in Frankfurt -), now form a strong foundation for growth (although, as we said a few minutes ago, according to rumors, General Motors wants to sell the home of the Lightning, as this represents cause of loss: it is another story, perhaps not even true).
The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer, assembled in Britain in the plant at Ellesmere Port, has already been produced in over 100 thousand copies in less than a year after its debut on the market: the hatchback model is a leader in its segment in many countries of the Old Continent. More precisely, the best market here in Europe, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer is Germany, where they were sold over 40 thousand units of the station wagon segment C, followed by Italy and England. Preferred engines, ie those most requested by customers, are the 1.4-liter turbo engine (140 hp) 1.7-liter CDTI diesel engine and the (available in two versions: 110 horsepower and 125 horsepower). The car, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, however, is also available with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine normally aspirated 101 horsepower, 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a naturally aspirated 116-horsepower, 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a supercharged 179 horsepower, with an engine 1.3-liter CDTI diesel engine 95 hp and a 2.0-liter CDTI diesel with 160 horsepower. There are three trim levels (elective, Cosmo and Cosmo S) and as many transmissions: five-speed manual (1.4 petrol 101 hp, 1.6 petrol and 1.3 CDTi 116 hp), six-speed manual (all others) and automatic sequential six-speed transmission (optional, to 1,500 euros, 1.4 Turbo, 1.6 and 2.0 CDTI Turbo Diesel).
The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer in Italy, is offered with prices ranging from 18,400 euros (1.4 101 hp petrol elective) and 25,650 euros (2.0 CDTI Cosmo S).
Peugeot offers new list prices with Euro 5 engines for the truck that delivers Boxer 2.2 HDi 110 to 150 hp. Also now available is the 3.0 engine alternator with the last model is valid for all engines. With 50 euro more you can also buy a kit to susceptibility Navigator, while the air conditioning is automatic. A van in the diesel version costs 25420 euros from the combined consumption 7.9 l / per 100 km with emissions of 208 g / km. However, there are two other versions of the Peugeot Expert from 24350 Euro, Tepee from 26410 euros.
An explosive speed of 370 Km / H with over 1000 hp is the new kit offered on the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe with its V-8 cylinder engine The interesting fact is also sprint from 0 to 100 km / h happens in just 3.7 seconds. All this is determined by an aerodynamic kit made out of carbon fiber, which are useful to avoid the heat emitted on the bonnet and the underbody air diffuser. The exhibition also includes some changes to the interior, Brembo brakes are signed with 1,286 Nm of torque, intercooler and electronic renewed. The package V1000 Hennessey has not yet priced, but we know only that it will be reserved for 12 units.
The Star's Maureen Groppe says all of Indiana's GOP congressional members plan to vote for Boehner's zero spending reduction plan to increase the national debt ceiling a few trillion more dollars, except for U.S. Rep. Dan Burton:
The state's six Republicans were expected to vote for it, with the exception of Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indianapolis, who did not say how he would vote. Burton had pledged to vote only for a conservative "cut, cap and balance" plan that passed the House but was rejected by the Senate.
Rep. Mike Pence, a leading conservative voice, urged colleagues Thursday to back House Speaker John Boehner's bill.
I believe Congress is doing everything in its power to change the way we spend the people's money," the Columbus Republican said.
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indianapolis, who has said most of his constituents oppose raising the legal borrowing limit under any circumstances, called Boehner's bill a tactical move and a "solid step in what is the continuation of a longer fight."
Rep. Marlin Stutzman, one of the House GOP freshmen with strong tea party ties, defended the movement against criticism that it is keeping lawmakers from reaching an agreement.
"No matter how many times you try to put them down or call them names, the tea party movement and many others that share their views have had a monumental impact on the debt ceiling debate," the Howe Republican said on the House floor. "Know this: If left to its own devices, Washington would have completed just another 'perfunctory' raising of the debt ceiling or worse -- more taxes and more spending."
They're all spineless, total frauds masquerading as fiscal conservatives. This plan does absolutely nothing to reduce federal spending. Not one dime. Stutzman totally insults his tea party supporters by pretending to support them by claiming they "have had a monumental impact on the debt ceiling debate." So monumental, it has produced a vote on a measure that produces zero reduction in federal spending. They're all phonies. We're sick and tired of these people pretending to be serious about fiscal restraint and then they vote for more of the same continued reckless spending like drunken sailors.
UPDATE: The Redstate blog in a post labeled "Suckers" aptly describes what is about to play out as we near the deadline for raising the national debt ceiling:
As I called it. John Boehner now has the votes to pass his plan.
Harry Reid just declared that the only compromise that will pass will be his plan. “The only compromise there is — is mine,” he said.
Harry Reid will take John Boehner’s plan, insert all the Democrats’ demands, and send it back to the House daring the GOP to kill “the Boehner Plan.”
The Democrats will line up to vote for it.
It will pass.
I do believe someone predicted this would happen.
Congrats, House Conservatives.
UPDATE II: The House passed Boehner's pathetic plan to raise the debt ceiling by a 218-210 vote. All of Indiana's GOP congressmen voted for it. Only 22 Republicans stood up against the failed House Republican leadership in voting against the plan, including U.S. Rep. Michele Bachman and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
Indianapolis' weekly alternative newspaper, Nuvo, gives a big thumbs down to the refusal of the Republican-controlled Metropolitan Development Committee to allow public testimony on the nomination of Richard Kraft, an employee of an engineering firm that has government contract work, to the Board of Zoning Appeals. I first wrote about this matter here. Here's the weekly's take on this sad episode:
Why bother being neighborly? The Metropolitan Development Committee this week rejected citizen efforts to ask questions during the process for making an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals and failed to provide a resume listing an appointee's credentials, a divergence from past procedure, long-time commission watchdogs say. "We've been doing this for years," says Norm Pace, land use chair for the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations. "Why all of a sudden is [the process] closed to public input? Why can't we see his resume? We're not there to cause problems, we're there to ask questions." When encountering citizens requests for input, the committee [Chairman Janice McHenry] responded as follows: "The rules are this is not a public meeting when we nominate people to committees for the city. It is at the chair's will if they want to entertain that . . . You are out of order and you will not be recognized."
As appalling as McHenry's actions were, which were vocally backed by Republican Councilors Jeff Cardwell and Virginia Caine, it was equally appalling that the Democratic council members just sat there and said nothing. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, though, since that is the way they conducted committee meetings under the leadership of former CCC President Monroe Gray. Not surprisingly, the Star's reporters and editors have had no comment on this public spectacle. While the Star was very vocal in its distaste for the way Gray ran the council and his ethical transgressions, the Star's editors have turned a blind eye to Dennis Ryerson's golden boy, Ryan Vaughn, who auctioned off his seat on the council for a job as a lobbyist with Barnes & Thornburg and then proceeded to sponsor and push city ordinances that directly benefit his law firm and its clients. Gray's transgressions were peanuts compared to Vaughn's flagrant self-dealing. It's all just another reason why you should have absolutely no confidence in anything this council does. Unless you're an insider making money off the government, you may as well get lost. Your voices will not be heard.
Our favorite console game is about to go mobile. The Need For Speed crew just announced that SHIFT 2 will be out in August on iPhone, iPad Touch and iPad. Yes 40 events and 40 cars a nice but multiplayer over WiFi or Bluetooth has us ready to download. However, it is lacking the HDMI out featured on Real Racing 2. Seven languages will be available.
The most immersive, action packed simulation racer hits the app store this August! SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED for mobile features a deep career that has over 40 events, 40 cars including the Pagani Huayra, local multiplayer over WiFi or Bluetooth and the all-new Helmet camera view.
This past weekend at Formula Drift – Throwdown, we were lucky enough to get hooked up with a couple iPads that had the game on it. After we finished setting up the Team Need for Speed Electro Lounge I took some time to check it out and had so much fun with it. The game is awesome! It looks great and is super easy to just drop in and start playing. The controls are so finely tuned that I had no problem putting in a competitive race the first time I tried it. I enjoyed it so much that I was reluctant to put it down for other people to play. If you’re a fan of racing on your mobile than this is the game for you.
In addition to all the great features listed above, SHIFT 2 for mobile also features full vehicle customization, online leaderboards, tons of tracks & locations all with multiple track configurations, and best of all, when you register for Origin to unlock the leaderboards you’ll also be hooked up with bonus in-game cash and all-new exclusive cup events!
SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED for mobile will be available in August on iPhone, iPad Touch and iPad. It’s also available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. For more information about SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED for mobile click here.
With the parade complete, it’s now down to business at Spa-Francorchamps. We’ve had a small break after two incredible 24 hour races back in June. The 24 Hours of Spa is now an important part of the new Blancpain Endurance Series.
The Audi Sport Team of Marc Basseng, Christopher Haase and Frank Stippler hit the ground running and showed a bit of their speed cards in the first practice. The no99 Phoenix Audi R8 sat atop of the charts with a 2:23.917.
Marc Goosens put the no75 ProSpeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R in to second with a 2:24.910. ProSpeed have 3 cars running this weekend.
62 cars took place in this session.
Pos – Car – Class – Drivers – Car – Time 1 – 99 – Pro – Marc Basseng / Christopher Haase / Frank Stippler – Audi R8 LMS – 02:23.917 2 – 75 – Pro – Marc Goossens / Jan Heylen / Maxime Soulet – Porsche 997 GT3 R – 02:24.910 3 – 20 – PAM – Ludovic Badey / Franck Morel / Guliaume Moreau / Jean-Luc Beaubelique – Ferrari 458 Italia – 02:25.330 4 – 59 – Pro – Andrew Kirkaldy / Alvaro Parente / Oliver Turvey – McLaren GT – 02:25.475 – 5 – 1 – Pro – Eric van de Poele / Nico Verdonck / Jean-Karl Vernay – Ferrari 458 Italia – 02:25.486 – 6 – 50 – PAM – Jack Gerber / Matt Griffin / Nicola Cadei / Marco Cioci – Ferrari 458 Italia – 02:25.598 – 7 – 32 – Pro – Filipe Albuquerqe / Bert Longin / Stephane Ortelli – Audi R8 LMS – 02:25.817 – 8 – 33 – Pro – Matthias Ekström / Greg Franchi / Timo Scheider – Audi R8 LMS – 02:25.931 – 9 – 9 – Pro – Gianluca Roda / Raffaele Giammaria / Paolo Ruberti – Porsche 997 GT3 R – 02:25.947 10 – 888 – PAM – Richard Westbrook / Christian Menzel / Mike Stursberg / Hans Guido Riegel – Porsche 997 GT3 R – 02:26.601
This year the 24 Hours of Spa is undoubtedly one of the greatest endurance races for GT cars. With a battle between all the most prestigious makes which we come across in the GT racing world, this 24 hours race at Spa, on 30th and 31st July promises to take its place in the annals of motorsport. It goes without saying that this race is highlighted in red in the agenda of the most successful Belgian GT team of the moment, namely ProSpeed Competition.
Rudi Penders, the first question speaks for itself: what are ProSpeed Competition’s ambitions in Spa?
“Quite naturally the ambition of every top team at Spa, to clinch victory. This season it’s a simple given fact, the GT3s are the royal class and they are going all out for victory at Spa. We at ProSpeed Competition are convinced that the Porsche 911 GT3-R is the best weapon with which to do battle for victory. The Porsche is fast, reliable and economical and we have a highly homogenous team of drivers, in both cars, in their individual classes of Pro and Pro/Am. If you then add our experience of Spa as also the knowledge and the team’s passion you reach the conclusion that you just have to go for victory. Ultimately this is also in the Porsche’s genes, the make we represent and which has won no less than six times at Spa.”
What are those Porsche values in motorsport?
“The on-going aim is to be at the topmost echelon in the sport; taking in the entire sport environment, in a nutshell “Intelligent Performance”. Both on the track as also on the technological front, taking in the team’s work and the spirit in which the victories are achieved, and always striving to achieve the utmost. Reliability, economy and speed, put briefly, efficiency: ProSpeed Competition propagates these values in each competition, both at a national and international level. These values count in our team, as also in the Porsche dealership and which are both literally and figuratively linked to the team.”
We know ProSpeed Competition from the national and international competitions: does the team actually have other activities?
“Yes definitely. Amongst others our participation in international championships such as the Le Mans Series or the FIA GT3 is a major part of our activities, as also the national championship, namely the Belcar Endurance Championship. Because keeping an alliance with the national motorsport is something which we, Luc Goris and I, hold close to our hearts. Sport on home ground is the basis of our activities which means that it is highly important, also with a view to our relations with many of our partners and clients of the concession. In addition there is also the technical support – such as for a tailor-made set-up – a rebuild for clients in Porsche Club Sport or other competitions, are all part and parcel of our activities, as are also the refurbishing of individual components. We have also recently developed components for the rally version of the Porsche GT3.”
But ProSpeed Competition also works on behalf of Porsche Motorsport?
“We do indeed work for Porsche, with for example carrying out development assignments. However please note that this is not the development of cars per se, but rather involves the research of components in the competition field, with for example the cooling of the brakes or Porsche’s representation in the FIA GT3 Balance of Performance. Obviously this work emphasizes the direct link between our team and the parent company.”
What would Rudi Penders still wish to achieve with ProSpeed Competition?
“In a top sport you must never dwell too long on successes. We became champions in FIA GT2 and FIA GT3; however the Le Mans Series or the upcoming 24 Hours of Spa are still missing from our record of achievements. Last year we also just missed out on the title on home ground and so this year we would only be too pleased to bring that back to our workshops. Top sport is never ending, you always need to continue to give the best of yourself and strive after new goals!” Elected Best Technical Team at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans and Team of the Year 2010 by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, ProSpeed Competition faces a heavy 2011 program: the Le Mans Series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European FIA GT3 Championship, the 24 Hours of Spa and the Belcar Endurance Championship.
