Friday, October 5, 2012

THE fight for pole position at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000

One Lap, One Chance For Glory

Red Hot Shot: Lockwood Racing's Fabian Coulthard will be second last out against the clock in this afternoon's Top 10 Shootout.

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6:00 AM Sat 6 October, 2012 Source: BigPond Sport

THE fight for pole position at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is the central focus for 10 drivers at Mount Panorama today as the 50th year celebration event continues at Bathurst.
The fastest 10 drivers from yesterday’s 40-minute qualifying session will be forced to wait until 4.30pm AEST this afternoon in their bid for Bathurst pole position glory.
They – and indeed the rest of the field – will have a 50-minute practice session at 10.25am this morning before the Mountain plays host to the likes of the Porsche Carrera Cup, V8 Utes, Dunlop Series and Touring Car Masters for the afternoon.
Of the 10 drivers that will run against the clock this afternoon, there are three former Bathurst pole sitters in Mark Winterbottom, Garth Tander and Craig Lowndes that will take part in the Shootout.
Each of these three drivers have snared two pole positions on the Mountain, while one driver – Tim Slade – will make his first-ever appearance in the Top 10 Shootout at Bathurst.
As has been tradition with the Top 10 Shootout, the slowest of the 10 qualifiers – The Bottle-O Racing Team’s David Reynolds will be the first car onto the circuit – while Friday fast man Jamie Whincup will be last in his bid for his first Bathurst pole position.
The Shootout has decided pole position for the Bathurst endurance classic every year since it was first introduced in 1978.
It has determined the grid for the Bathurst race every year since; save for 1988 when the race was run as part of the Asia-Pacific Touring Car Championship and FISA (known as the FIA today) did not permit the Shootout to count for grid positions and only prizemoney.
Keep checking back to the BigPond Sport V8 Supercars website throughout the day for updates from Mount Panorama.
Bathurst Shootout Experience (In Running Order)
1. David Reynolds, 1 Bathurst Shootout (7th in 2011)
2. Steve Owen, 1 Bathurst Shootout (6th in 2011)
3. Garth Tander, 12 Bathurst Shootouts (1st in 2008/2009)
4. Tim Slade, Bathurst Shootout Debut
5. Shane van Gisbergen, 2 Bathurst Shootouts (5th in 2011)
6. Craig Lowndes, 13 Bathurst Shootouts (1st in 1995/2005)
7. Will Davison, 3 Bathurst Shootouts (2nd in 2011)
8. Mark Winterbottom, 5 Bathurst Shootouts, (1st in 2007/2010)
9. Fabian Coulthard, 1 Bathurst Shootout (9th in 2008)
10. Jamie Whincup, 3 Bathurst Shootouts (3rd in 2010)

Thursday, October 4, 2012

V8 Supercars News

Kelly Brothers Chasing Bathurst Speed

Kelly Racing are working hard to find more speed from their four cars ahead of today's practice and qualifying at Mount Panorama

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9:10 AM Fri 5 October, 2012 Source: BigPond Sport

RICK and Todd Kelly remain confident of a strong Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 weekend despite both Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden’s finishing outside of the top 20 on combined practice times yesterday.
In fact, all four Kelly Racing entries failed to trouble the Top 20, with Pepsi Max Crew entry of Greg Murphy and Owen Kelly the pick of the quartet in 22nd place.
Todd Kelly and Tim Blanchard ended Thursday’s three sessions in 24th position with Rick Kelly and David Russell even further back, in 26th.
2003 and 2004 Bathurst winner Rick Kelly said the team was unable to tune their cars at the same rate as their rivals yesterday, but still found some positives from the day.
“The day started well for us and we went out and were in the top couple for a while and eventually got bumped back a little bit towards the end of session one, but I was pretty confident in the car,” The younger Kelly brother said.
“As the track gripped up through the day and everyone else tuned their cars and found more pace; unfortunately we were unable to.
“We will have to search for some changes that will help us for the morning. With lots of practice sessions and different track conditions to adapt to we still have a lot ahead of us.”
Todd Kelly will miss the final four rounds of this year’s V8 Supercars Championship surgery due to an injured shoulder – and is set for surgery next week - but says he is persisting with the problem this weekend.
“To be honest the shoulder is the least of our concerns, as we’ve got a little bit of pace to find. We’ve got some race engines going in the cars tomorrow whilst will hopefully be a bit nicer and we can make a few improvements for (Friday).
“My shoulder is a little bit sore but holding up okay and I’ve got through the first day, so I will see how I wake up in the morning (Friday).”
The fourth practice session (for co-drivers only) commences at 9:25am this morning, with the final (all-drivers) session at 11:00am local time.
Stay tuned to BigPond sport for live updates across each practice session as we count down to Sunday’s great race – the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000!
For more on Kelly Racing; www.kellyracing.com.au

Bathurst Cars Sought For 50 Year Celebration

1:30 PM Tue 12 June, 2012 Source: BigPond Sport

OWNERS of cars with history in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and its forerunners back to 1963 are being sought to help celebrate 50 Years of The Great Race at Bathurst this October.
A major feature of the event on October 4-7 will be a tribute to the cars that played their part in the magical history of the Bathurst endurance race.
Whether it be an original or replica, all cars with history in the race are eligible covering the Series Production, Group C, Group A, Super Touring and V8 Supercar eras of the Mount Panorama classic.
Applications are now open online for owners of cars that played a part in the race’s history, with the selected cars to be put on display in a never-before-seen exhibition at this year’s event.
Applications can be made online and close on July 31.
Click here to fill out the online entry form or download a printable version.
Note: All associated travel and transportation costs will be at the expense of the exhibitor. V8 Supercars will provide each successful entry with two general admission tickets (including paddock pass) and a plaque to each exhibitor in recognition.
For more on the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000: www.bathurst.v8supercars.com.au

V8 Supercar Stars In “Dog Fight”

Elite Pilots And V8 Supercar Stars In “Dog Fight”

Garth Tander prepares to take to the skies with Squadron leader Jason Easthope

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6:05 AM Thu 4 October, 2012 Source: BigPond Sport

V8 SUPERCARS drivers Garth Tander and Shane van Gisbergen have had a once in a lifetime opportunity and joined the select few civilians to fly in a simulated dog fight with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) leading into this weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Tander and van Gisbergen experienced extreme g-forces in an F/A18 with two of Australia’s leading pilots, Squadron Leader Jason ‘Easty’ Easthope and Flight Lieutenant Jason ‘Crossy’ Cross at the Williamtown (30km north of Newcastle) RAAF base.
After six hours including safety and mission briefings the pair flew vertical from 500 to 35,000 feet, breaking the sound barrier and experiencing up to 7.5 g-force.
Tander, a two-time Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Champion, said the lateral 2 g-force that he was used to in his V8 Supercar, was nothing compared to the world’s premier fighter jet.
“After we broke the sound barrier we went vertical,” says Tander, current holder of the Peter Brock Trophy.
“We went from 500 feet vertical to 35,000 feet, and you could see where the edge of the light blue sky became dark blue and it felt like we were going into outer space.
“I lost consciousness three times for a few seconds but came out of it and saw Shane flying alongside of us.
“This is essentially a racetrack in the sky, the lateral g-forces are comparative, but the vertical g-forces are completely out of this world.
“It was by far one of the most amazing experiences - it was a fantastic opportunity and I can now appreciate how fit the pilots need to be.”
Ahead of this weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the drivers were surprised by the similarities between V8 Supercars and an F/A18 both in terms of strategy and the impact on the body.
“I can’t believe these guys do it every day. The impact on your body is unbelievable. At one point my vision was going,” says van Gisbergen.

“We were warned about the impact the g-force has on your body and I really felt it. I have no idea how these guys do it in battle and maintain intense concentration.
“What we do, as hard as it is, is a walk in the park compared to what I just experienced.”
Tander and van Gisbergen even had the opportunity to ‘fly’ the $45 million aircraft.
“I managed to get the aircraft to do a few spins, but I was conscious that at $45 million dollars, it was no test drive,” says van Gisbergen.
Like a V8 Supercar team, getting an aircraft off the ground requires an integral team effort. It takes engineers, mechanics, ground crew, flight control and more for a safe and successful exercise.
“Ultimately these guys (pilots) are flying for preparation in combat and we’re driving for the most elite trophy in Australian motorsport, but you can’t give the personnel who defend our country a trophy, they deserve much more,” he said.
The RAAF will be showcasing their world class fighter jets during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with a flyover on Saturday and Sunday as part of the pre-race entertainment.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Too much sugar 'shrinks your brain'

Study links high-sugar diet to brain shrinkage

New research linking diets high in sugar to brain shrinkage may force doctors to redefine what blood glucose levels are dangerous.

The study suggests long-term exposure to sugary foods and drinks can have an impact on brain health.

NEW research linking a diet high in sugar and processed foods to brain shrinkage has prompted a rethink on safe blood sugar levels.

People with blood sugar levels of 4ml-6.1ml were found to have a greater risk of the brain atrophy that occurs with ageing and dementia, researchers at the Australian National University's College of Medicine found.
These blood sugar levels are not high enough to meet the clinical definition for type 2 diabetes and are at the upper end of the normal range, which has surprised researchers.
The research may force doctors to redefine what blood glucose levels are dangerous.
The study found that the loss of brain volume affected mostly memory and cognitive skills.
Dr Nicolas Cherbuin, who conducted the study, said the research suggested long-term exposure to foods like sugary drinks and white flour were responsible for the problem.
Previous medical research found higher levels of brain shrinkage among the obese and patients with type 2 diabetes.
"These findings suggest that even for people who do not have diabetes, higher blood sugar levels could have an impact on brain health,'' Dr Cherbuin said.
"More research is needed, but these findings may lead us to re-evaluate the concept of normal blood sugar levels and the definition of diabetes,'' he said.
After controlling for age, high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol use and other factors the study found blood sugar accounted for six to ten per cent of the brain shrinkage.
The study involved 249 Canberra residents aged 60-64 who had an MRI scan of the brain and a blood glucose test and were then retested four years later.
The shrinkage of the brain was measured by comparing brain size in the two MRIS.
Dr Cherbuin says he is now undertaking new research to see whether people aged in their 40's and 50's experience the same brain shrinkage.
The best way to avoid brain shrinkage was to eat low- glycaemic foods and avoid sugary soft drinks and highly processed foods that used sugar, white flour and fat, he said. Physical activity also helped lower blood sugar levels.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Message found in bottle after 98 years sets world record

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

Updated 3d 7h ago

CAPTION

Scottish government, AP

A North Sea fisherman has set a world record by scooping up a bottle that has carried a message in the ocean for almost 98 years.

CAPTION

By Scottish Government, AP

The bottle, found east of the Shetland Island off Scotland's northern coast, was among 1,890 released all at one time in a government experiment to map the undercurrents of the seas around Scotland, the BBC reports. Only 315 have been found.Fisherman Andrew Leaper, skipper of the Copious, found the bottle — which was set adrift in 1914 — in his nets in April.

CAPTION

By Scottish Government, AP

Guinness World Records confirmed on Thursday that it is the oldest message in a bottle ever recovered, beating a previous record by five years, the BBC says.Oddly, the old record was set by Leaper's friend, Mark Anderson, who had found his bottle in 2006 while on board the same vessel, the Copious, the BBC reports.
Leaper says Anderson is "very unhappy that I have topped his record."
"He never stopped talking about it -- and now I am the one who is immensely proud to be the finder of the world-record message in a bottle," Leaper says, according to the BBC.
Inside each bottle, a postcard asks the finder to record details of the discovery and promises a reward of a sixpence, the AP reports. Unfortunately for Leaper, the coin no longer exists.
The Scottish government says adrift bottle 646B was released on June 10, 1914, by Capt. C. H. Brown of the Glasgow School of Navigation, as part of a batch of 1,890 scientific research bottles specially designed to sink downward and float close to the seabed.
"By tracking the location of returned bottles, it was possible for the undercurrents of the seas around Scotland to be mapped out for the first time," the government said in a statement.
It says the water-tight glass bottles contained a postcard asking the finder to record the date and location of the discovery and return it to the "Director of the Fishery Board for Scotland" – with a reward of sixpence available. It says Brown's original log is now held by Marine Scotland Science in Aberdeen and is updated each time a discovery is made.