Juan Montoya has the pole for todays race in Pocono Pennsylvania

Although he has been most well known for fireworks off the track in incidents with other drivers, and for a firey crash at Daytona to start the year, Montoya has been pretty quiet so far this year.  Not having won a pole since Richmond in April of 2011, he surprised even himself with the pole in Pocono for the Pennsylvania 400.  With his last win in NASCAR coming at a road course, Watkins Glen in 2008, Montoya has been working to achieve more consistant results, and being patient for that next win, or any win on an oval, to show that he is more than just an aggressive road course driver.

We know were working in the right direction, we know were working hard, we feel the cars are getting a little better, Montoya said, but to go out there and get a pole I just went through the hauler and all the engineers, theyre all happy and laughing. Im used to long faces, a lot of long faces, a lot of stressful faces. We needed something like this as a company. This is big for us.

I think were quite a ways away from as a company where we want to get to, he said. We want to be able to come every weekend knowing you can beat a Hendrick, beat a Gibbs. Thats our goal.

Montoya knows he was as unlikely as any driver to win the pole.

If you told me this morning I was going to be sitting on the pole, Id say, `pfff, he said. I thought we were going to be OK. I thought wed be 12-15. And were sitting on the pole.

I know tomorrow is going to be a reality check, Montoya said. Im really open-minded about tomorrow. But lets enjoy today.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. will Start 8th today and has the points lead for the first time since 2004.

Following on of his most consistent season of his career so far, Dale Earnhardt Jr is atop the leader board this weekend after taking the points lead at the Brickyard.  Running well for the entire race, his points position drastically improved when a late race incident with the 17 of Matt Kenseth ended with a 36 place finish, while Jr. finished in 4th allowing for a 32 point gain and the top of the board.

I think a lot of people downplay it, Earnhardt said of being the points leader. I think it means the same to the other drivers, probably, but they downplay it obviously because the guys that are saying that may find themselves in the points lead or battling for it more often than I have been. Its been a long time since I was in the points lead. Its been forever I cant even recall the last time we were in the conversation for the championship. These things are really validating the effort and the work weve done.

After dealing with the pressure of a long drought, Jr finally got the monkey off his back in the June race in Michigan, and he has been showing even more confidence each week since then.  His relationship with Steve Letarte has been under constant watch by the fans who were unsure that it would bring results, but moving forward, Jr has been more consistent than at any other point in his career.

We worked hard, and we found some speed, he said. Weve been having those type of deals all year long where were working hard, and there are some gains that are made. Ive worked my tail off most of my career for little gains or, at times, no gains. So this year its been awesome to go to the race track on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and work with Steve, and come away really happy with what happened. The points lead is sort of the symbolic piece to all that effort. The points lead recognizes all that hard work, for me.

Knowing that the points lead with shuffle when the chase begins a mere 6 races after this weekend, Jr knows he needs to get at least one more win to take some pressure off his championship hopes for this year.

Were running well, but we need to win more races. We need to show up and be the fastest car more often, he said. Weve been quick, but in my opinion weve been the fastest guy only once or twice this year, and I dont know if thats good enough. Im going to say its not good enough. I know our team would like to win more races, and to be able to contend for the championship, our team needs another 10-15 percent.

A.J. Allmendinger will be without a ride after being released by Penske Racing earlier this week.

Finally, after weeks of drama, A.J. Allmendinger was released from Penske racing earlier in the week.  After failing a random drug test administered by NASCAR, and having his B-test fail as well, Allmendinger has entered the road to recovery program provided by NASCAR in hopes of returning to the track as soon as possible.  After his apology to fans and to his sponsors, Roger Penske released him form his contract and has put Sam Hornish Jr in the number 22 for the forseeable future.

Penske Racing fully supports NASCARs substance abuse policy, and we are disappointed with AJs positive drug test results, Roger Penske said. AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCARs Road to Recovery program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR.

A.J. himself made a statement that echos the sentiment of his former team.

Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as driver of the No. 22 Dodge Charger, Allmendinger said in a statement. I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time. I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this. I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCARs Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.

It is going to be interesting to see if Allmendinger is able to return to NASCAR.  While everyone likes a comback story, in this sponsor driven world where image is everything, it may be hard for A.J. to find a ride of the caliber of the one he just lost, which was also the best of his career so far.

Related posts:

1. NASCAR Biffle Holds the Points Lead and Takes The Pole Heading Into Bristol
2. NASCAR Edwards Takes Vegas, Stewart Has a Late Race Pit Stumble But Ties For First in Points Lead
3. NASCAR Allmendinger Wins the Pole At Kansas, Engine Trouble for Logano Moves Him to the Back of the Field
4. NASCAR Stewart Makes it 2 For 2 in Championship Chase and Takes the Points Lead in the Standings
5. NASCAR Kyle Busch Wins in Richmond, Earnhardt Jr Takes Second on Track and in Points

Ford is preparing for the future and bring the completely revised 2013 Eco-Sport to Europe. The fuel-efficient mini SUV based on Fiesta combines the practical advantages of a compact car with the versatility, the spaciousness, style and off-road talents of an SUV. So that customers can decide future at Ford in the small car segment between the Ford EcoSport 2013, the B-MAX minivan and agile Fiesta.

The all-rounder is the world’s first model offered by Ford, which was fully developed in South America. Since 2003, when the vehicle concept in Brazil had its world premiere, Ford sat in the region from about 700,000 units. The Ford EcoSport 2013 Ford responds to the growing interest in Europe of compact SUV models. Forecasts indicate that doubling the demand for this vehicle segment in the next five years is expected.

The 4.24-meter-long Ford EcoSport 2013. Convinced by an equally striking as aerodynamic design Among the most striking details include the large-sized trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights. Characteristic are also the specially sculpted side skirts and the powerfully flared wheel arches. Eye also fall short overhangs of the ultra-compact SUV.

The Ford EcoSport 2013 would either offer with front-and all-wheel drive. For propulsion in Europe provides, among other things the award-winning EcoBoost three-cylinder engine with 1.0 liters, which is up to 120 horsepower. More likely to come with 1.5 petrol and 2.0 liter capacity and a 1.5-liter turbo diesel. A Flexifuel variant that can run alongside gasoline with bio-ethanol (E85), should round out the units.

If the current version of the Ford EcoSport 2013 in terms of interior design and furnishings still focused on the emerging markets, Ford will revise the ultra compact SUV completely to meet the highest European standards. For extra comfort on board features such as the multi-media connectivity system “Ford SYNC”. With him, the driver can receive calls on the road, among other by voice and produce in the same way new call connections or use music storage devices that are connected via Bluetooth or USB cable.

The standard specification of “Ford SYNC” is one of the electronic emergency assistant, after an accident alert the local emergency responders. Important information such as the position of the vehicle, the system transmits it in the local language. In addition, include a wide range of advanced safety features such as ABS anti-lock brakes, electronic stability program ESP and Hill Start Assist as standard for the Ford EcoSport 2013.

The sales on the European market for SUVs is expected to increase in the next five years by an estimated 34 percent, according to the forecast from Ford Against this background, Ford transferred his extensive experience as a longtime SUV market leader in North America and other countries around Europe. The automaker is planning to sell in the next six years, over one million SUVs in Europe. This would represent about 10 percent of the European Ford’s total sales.

Of successes in Europe for the Ford EcoSport 2013 as the second generation of compact Kugas is ready, the end of 2012 is still on the market. In addition, Ford plans, the luxurious edge, which is very successful in the U.S. to introduce probably late 2013 or early 2014 in Europe.

Ford EcoSport 2013 News

Firstly, you must know that this Volvo C70 2012 with or without roof meet strong opponents: BMW 3 Series, Audi A5, Infiniti G and Lexus IS. Admit we’ve seen price competition! Volvo but was caul to appear belligerent towards these cars. Anyway, after two turns of the wheel, you will understand why. We will return.

Last year, in order to present a more up to date and comply with the corporate style of Volvo, the Swedish brand, now Chinese (Geely) has redesigned the front so it is more consistent with those of the XC60 crossover and the S60 sedan. We also took the opportunity to improve the quality of some materials.

What does the future hold?….Volvo C70 2012

When we consider the withdrawal of the S40 sedan and its counterpart family, the V50 of our market, and we know that the coupe / convertible C70 from the same platform as these, it is very fortunate to be more access! Volvo is known, was purchased in 2010 by Geely. At first we did not know where went the Chinese brand with Volvo, but it seems she has a serious desire to invade the U.S. market. However, the number of models sold by Volvo in America could fall to better target products that work well here (S60 sedan, XC60 and XC90 crossover, for example). In this context, we meet again one C70 next year?

The Volvo C70 2012 will be understood, is not very athletic. She pers, by far, the long straight roads and boulevards of Los Angeles or Miami, even if it displays a fine balance in curves taken a little faster. Obviously, suspensions per comfort. The chassis of this coupé / cabriolet is rigid when the roof is in place, but it feels when bending down. This is somewhat surprising, given that Volvo vehicles are generally among the strongest in the industry.

Two personalities … but not bipolar!

As is often the case with coupes / convertibles, the Volvo C70 2012 has two personalities, as the cabin roof cap or is stored in the trunk. In the first case, we do not think driving a convertible car. The hardtop isolates ambient noise, and most importantly, it ensures greater rigidity to the chassis. About 30 seconds after pressing a button that triggers a still impressive hydraulic sweeper and the roof is stored in the trunk.

However, the roof is stored or not, nobody can deny that Volvo C70 2012 produces arguably the best seats in the industry. They are comfortable, hold well in the curves, support all parts of our anatomy as if a laser measured, to our knowledge, our body and asked the chair to be adjusted as a surgical glove. Even after a journey of several hours without stops, I never felt the slightest fatigue break.

Since we at Volvo, the safety level is very high. For example, as it was impossible to insert cushions the head of the people sitting in the front, engineers have planned they would be placed in the doors and they would deploy up. Well thought out!

The Volvo C70 2012 is still among us. More bourgeois sport, this car has not, however, flawless reliability and maintenance costs are generally very high.

Volvo C70 2012

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Totally committed to performance and agility, regain your Jaguar to its roots and brings mid-2013 the new Jaguar F-Type on the market. Up to 495 PS strong and 300 km / h, the two-seater roadster will provide pure fun and compete against Porsche & Co.. The first impression is important for every Jaguar – and so it is also possible the Jaguar F-Type with new design approaches recognize immediately as a member of the feline-pack. Equally exciting pricing: Getting started with 340 hp is available from € 73,400, the range-topping 100,000 euros to have – quite a battle in the price segment.

Exterior: Sensual and muscular design in the best tradition

The design of Jaguar has always stood for sensory and muscular simplicity. The New Jaguar F-Type – located at a level between Porsche Boxster and Porsche 911 – makes no exception. The new design language is partly traditional notions in question – like the grille and the newly shaped rear lights of the Concept Car Jaguar CX 16 from the year 2011. As once the legendary Jaguar E-Type, the hood opens with power dome and two air intakes forward and picks up on the side of the fender. The new F-Type is 4.470 meters long, 1.923 meters wide (without mirrors) and only 1.296 meters high.

Model Specific: The subtle differences in conformation Jaguar F-Type

The exhaust pipes allow a good differentiation between the V6 and the V8 models. Jaguar F-Type with six-cylinder power, the British, equipped with a twin-pipe system emerging in the middle, which is a tribute to past Jaguar models. The Jaguar F-Type V8 S with a slightly different shaped rear apron holds with external exhaust ends in the style of the Jaguar XFR and XKR sports stars, however.

While the F-Type factory stands on 18-inch alloy wheels, the F-Type V6 S rolls on 19-inch and the F-Type V8 S on 20-inchers.

Drive: Three variants from 340 to 495 hp

Jaguar F-Type V8 S (from € 99,900): The Jaguar F-Type is ideal for use with the latest generation of supercharged petrol engines from Jaguar. At the top of the available from 99,900 euros Jaguar F-Type V8 S is available with a new version of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 495 hp with a maximum torque of 625 Nm between 2500 and 5,500 rpm. That’s enough for a sprint from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km / h In return, the Jaguar F-Type V8 S is content with an average of 11.1 liters per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 259 g / km.

Jaguar F-Type News

Mark Martin has the pole for tonights race in Richmond

Mark Martin is the oldest kid in the NASCAR sandbox, and yesterday he proved that he can still be the fastest.  Turning the second fastest lap on his first run around the track there was nowhere to go but up.  On his second time around the 3/4 mile D shaped oval he topped the speed set by Carl Edwards just minutes earlier to take the pole for tonights Capitol City 400 presented by Virginia is For Lovers.  Setting the pace at 128.327 mph was enough for the 53 year old to take the coveted pole position.  So how does the oldest kid on the block feel about taking his 5th pole in Richmond?

As far as Im concerned, this is just as big a deal, he said.

After running his laps Martin showed his trademark humility about how his talent and experience kept him out front.

I was very close to skinning the car up, especially off of four [on] the second lap, Martin said. Im driving it as hard as I can go, and at the very limits of my talent.

I did not ask Rodney [Childers] what he put under the car, said Martin. We made some improvements to the car in happy Hour [final practice] in race setup right at the end.

If it would have been me, I probably would have incorporated those changes into the qualifying setup, and I didnt want to ask Rodney if he did or not, or what he did to the car. All I want to do is roll out on the race track with no preconceived notion and drive it as fast as itd go and rely on him and his judgment.

I was really hoping that he [Childers] would call me [on the radio] on the first lap and tell me to shut it down I told him to tell me to shut it down if we happened to get the pole on the first lap. When he didnt, I was afraid, Oh, no, were 15th-fastest. That wasnt near fast enough, and Ive really got to get up on the wheel.

I was very close to skinning the car up, especially off of [Turn] 4 on the second lap, and that was my concern. That was my concern in practice, as well. Both the qualifying runs I made in practice, I almost skinned it up, too. So I was driving as hard as I can go at the very limit of my talent, for sure and if I keep pushing the limits, Im going to run out of talent here, one of these days.

Carl Edwards will sit on the outside of row 1 beside Mark Martin.

Carl Edwards will be sitting on the outside of row 1 beside Martin when the green flag drops tonight.  Edwards top lap at 128.290 had hung on through 17 drivers, but when Martin moved to second on the scoring tower with his first lap, Edwards paid much closer attention.

I thought we had him, and then he shot up to the top of the scoreboard, he said.

Edwards was asked how he feels his 2012 season is playing out and what he feels about the fans concerns about the log green flags in the previous races causing a drop in the ratings from fans looking for more excitement in the form of wrecks and/or tempers flaring on and off the track.

We are [11th] in points and dont have a win, Edwards said of his status. It is not like we are tied for first right now. We have to be very cautious with our points. Lets say we know some things. Lets assume some things that are true. Right now we dont have the fastest car on the race track every week so we can say, Alright for the next 16 or 18 races we might still not have the fastest car.

Under the old points system we would say, Damn, we are already ninth and not running that great, lets just go for it here. Lets do some crazy stuff and get a win or two and have some fun. But we cant do that now because we say that we have to make it into the top 10. We cannot give up any points.

What we are banking on, what we hope comes is that we hope in those last 10 races that we are good enough then to go shoot for the championship.

If you were in my position you would never be able to forgive yourself if you were ninth in points here in Richmond and they drop the green flag on the last restart and you have a great race car and you go for some banzai run and wreck the thing and dont make the Chase.

Lets say those last 10 races we have a hell of a run and would have won the thing if we would have made it. I would be a moron to give it up right here at Richmond. I dont know if that is right or wrong but that is why it ends up this way because guys start to think, OK, just gather all your troops here, focus, work everything out, make the Chase and then go get em. That wasnt intended by NASCAR I am sure but that is the way we feel.

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Dale Jr talks about his newly returned confidence and the firestorm he caused by saying he is"the best driver" in the Hendrick stable.

Last week some comments by Dale Earnhardt Jr caused a bit of a firestorm in the garage when he stated that he felt he was the best driver at Hendrick Motorsports, maybe even the best in the entire garage.   In Fridays interview session at Richmond International Raceway he reconfirmed his opinion and then in final practice for Saturdays Capital City 400, put an exclamation point on it by outrunning 44 other drivers.

That is a healthy debate, that is healthy among race fans as far as who is the best driver, Earnhardt said. All the drivers in the garage feel like they are the best, individually, and they should. That is kind of the way you have to approach it.

I figured that was definitely debatable and the race fans are going to voice their opinion and thats good. I certainly dont like to rock any boats, but you have to answer the question honestly.

Jr lays a lot of his confidence at the feet of Steve Letarte for giving him the best equipment he can, and for being the best cheerleader in the business.  Keeping his mind in the game when frustration might normally take over, and keeping him focused on the race are just a few of the things Jr credits his crew chief for.

Hes definitely made me more accountable, would be a way to explain it for the words I choose to use and how I choose to describe the car to him, Earnhardt said of Letarte. Hes not going to put up with me verbally abusing him or the equipment. I wouldnt expect anything less than him being a professional, as well.

I think we have a good in-race relationship. He does a really good job of providing me with information and calming me that we are going to fix any issues we have. I feel confident that he has fixed enough issues and improved the car during enough races that I dont really get as worried about it when something isnt quite right. I know that the chances of it getting improved and fixed are really good.

Ive got great confidence in him and his abilities to orchestrate the weekend as good as I would expect. We get along really good because of that confidence between each other. I think there is good trust there, too.

That confident attitude send waves through his team and pit crew as well.

I learned a long time ago that if you dont have confidence in your car that can be problematic for you, Earnhardt said. If you dont have confidence in your crew chief then that can be problematic for you and if you dont have the same confidence in yourself its not conducive to being successful.

You have to feel like youre here and youre the best and that is the way you should feel. In any profession, you have to have that kind of confidence.

So off we go to Richmond tonight, under the lights, for what some drivers call a race on the ultimate short track.  Get those helmet straps and set belts tightened folks, its looking like a good race tonight.

Related posts:

1. NASCAR Hendricks Leads the Field as Gordon Takes the Pole, Drivers Comment on The 2 Car Push
2. NASCAR Mark Martin Takes the Pole for Talladega Proving You Are Never Too Old to Go Fast
3. NASCAR Mark Martin Edges Out Trevor Bayne for the Pole at Daytona
4. NASCAR Mark Martin Takes The Pole For Phoenix Hendricks Teams Look For Big Rebound
5. NASCAR The Field is Set, The Fans Are Ready, The Drivers Are Looking to Win! 2012 Here We Go.

More dynamic, more noble and more extensively equipped and cheaper to maintain the Toyota Toyota Auris 2013 sets on scratch, to shake up the highly competitive compact class and stand up to the European top dogs VW Golf, Opel Astra and Co.. The prices for the Japanese Golf opponent who comes to the market in January 2013 start, even at 15,950 euros, the economical hybrid version with an average fuel consumption of just 3.8 l/100 km with 22,950 euros even cheaper than the diesel . And this is just the beginning of a major product offensive by Toyota.

New dynamics with optimum space utilization

Toyota Auris 2013 designed the exterior is brand new. This is particularly evident confident and dynamic appearance of the new generation based on the modified front end. The new Toyota brand face with headlights in the “Keen” look and LED daytime running lights and a trapezoidal lower cooling air intake gives the Toyota Auris 2013 a determined expression and a powerful presence.

The slim upper grille runs as completion of the flat hood to the full width between the now larger branding and the newly drawn headlamps. A chrome clasp extends into the headlight unit to emphasize the width. The standard in all trim levels and integrated into the bi-xenon or halogen projection headlamps LED daytime running lights give the Toyota Auris 2013 is independent appearance.

In Page view, it is remarkable how the flat salaried windshield passes smoothly into a flat and aerodynamic roofline. Even in the long-drawn side glass surface that integrates three separate discs, demonstrates the dynamic design direction of the Toyota Auris 2013. The B-pillar kept the Japanese in a glossy piano black finish, is the elegant accents.

With a length of 4.275 meters, the Toyota Auris 2013 is three inches longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase remained unchanged at 2.600 meters, instead, the front and rear overhangs grew by 1.5 centimeters. Thus, the 1.760 meter wide Toyota Auris 2013 is still one of the most compact in its class offerings. The sleek look of the Auris has lowered by about 5.5 centimeters to 1.460 meters. In their entirety, these changes cause aerodynamic benefits that contribute to a decrease in consumption on the one hand, the other hand, the Toyota Auris 2013 but bring a noticeable increase in driving dynamics.

Drive: frugality in symbiosis with fun ….Toyota Auris 2013

When the Toyota Auris 2013 customers have the choice between an advanced full hybrid drive and two petrol and two diesel engines, which should be distinguished by powerful driving performance with extremely low consumption. Toyota believes that the hybrid models account for about a third of total sales expected.

Toyota Auris 2013 1.33 Dual VVT-i (99 HP): The 1.33-liter petrol engine with start-stop system comes up with a power of 99 hp and maximum torque of 128 Nm at 3800 r / min. In combination with a 6-speed manual transmission is the top speed of 175 km / h. The sprint from 0 to 100 is expected to take 12.6 seconds. This compares to an average consumption of just 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers (CO2 emissions: 125 g / km). That is 0.5 liters less than the already frugal predecessor.

Variable valve timing VVT-i helps to improve performance across the entire speed range by the input and exhaust timing continuously adapts to the current driving situation. Dual VVT-i provides an increased torque at low and medium revs, reduce pollutant emissions and fuel consumption.

Toyota Auris 2013 1.6 VVT (132 hp): The “Multidrive S automatic” either with a manual six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission available 1.6-liter VVT petrol engine has 132 hp and a maximum torque of 160 Nm at only 4,400 U / min. That’s enough for a top speed of 200 km / h (automatic 190 km / h) and a sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 10.0 seconds (automatic 11.1 seconds).

Toyota Auris 2013 News

The 1981 Formula One season continued with the on-going dispute between the FIA, the sports governing body and FOCA, the Formula One Constructors Association. At the first race it came to a head and only at the insistence of the principal sponsors of the teams would any kind of reconciliation take place and the season got underway at Long Beach.

At Ferrari there was a new kid on the block. Jody had retired having achieved his goal of the World Championship in 1979. He stuck around for 1980 with the T5 disaster falling down around him. Some drivers would have just thrown up their hands and called it a day, but Jody showed his class by sticking to Ferrari so they could capitalize on his achievement. The new kid was Didier Pironi who had moved over from Tyyrell.

When I joined Ferrari the whole team was devoted to Gilles. I mean he was not just the top driver, he was much more than that, recalled Pironi. He had a small family therehe made me fit right in. I felt at home right away. Gilles made no distinctions. I was expecting to be put in my place. I was not number one. I was number two yet he treated an equal all the way.

During the off-season Gilles had toiled away at what he loved besta faster and better car. As it stood, anything would have been an improvement on the T5. Everyone in Formula One was playing catch-up in an attempt to gain on the power advantage the turbo Renaults had over the normally aspirated engines.

The 126 had made its debut in 1980 at Monza during Saturdays practice, but was not raced due to lack of development. When it turned up at Long Beach there was something missingthe beautiful sound of the flat 12 engine. The new engine was a fully turbo-charged V-6 that developed 560 bhp at 11,500 rpm. The sliding skirts had been banned for many reasons, one being safety. The car would not be totally on rails as it had been for the last number of years; the driver would again be in control. This delighted Gilles. Now dubbed the 126C, the red rocket hit the streets of Long Beach flying.

Gilles managed to put the car into fifth place on the grid right out of the box. Pironi was back in eleventh in his first drive for Ferrari. Ricardo Patrese sat on the pole in an Arrows to everyones surprise. Alongside him was the new World Champion Alan Jones in a Williams. Third was Carlos Reutemann in the second Williams with Nelson Piquet in fourth.

At the start Gilles took advantage of the incredible power of the Ferrari and attempted to take the lead on the outside. The attempt was very nearly successful, but Gilles slid wide going into the Queens Hairpin. He attempted several other late-braking manoeuvres, but continued his backward slide. He eventually coasted to a stop with a broken drive-shaft. Pironi would also retire with fuel pick-up problems. Jones would claim the first victory of the season.

The only other event I remember that weekend was while standing with Dr. Hugh Scully of the Canadian Medical team that oversees much of Canadian racing including the Canadian Grand Prix. Hugh was accompanied by his young wife. Crowds tend to have some sound at a Grand Prix even during practice, but I noted that the spectators at the turn we were standing at were silent. I also noticed they were not looking at the cars at all. Most were looking in our direction. I could not figure out what their interest was until I saw Hughs wife doing a stretching exercise by putting her foot up on the cement guard rail next to the track near a marshalls station. I looked at her then pointed at her new fans. She promptly took the foot from the cement wall in both her hands and raised it until it was straight up! Her toe was perfectly pointed into the heavens! The crowd went nuts! Hughs wife is Vanessa Harwood, at the time a principal ballerina with the National Ballet Company of Canada! Did I get a shot of it? Dont ask. It embarrasses me that I did not.

Gilles DNFed in both of the South American races after starting 7th in each. The turbo let go in Brazil and another drive shaft went in Argentina.

The Italian Grand Prix had been relocated in 1980 and held for the first time at Imola, a small principality just south east of Ferraris home of Marenello. It was so successful that a new race was created as organizers were able to skirt the rules governing the number of Grand Prix per country and the distances between circuits. Imola and Monza were certainly close by most standards, which should have had to be dealt with according to the rules, but Monza, the traditional Italian Grand Prix remained on the calendar for September.

Friday saw many of the teams threatening to boycott the race over various ground-effects infractions. Colin Chapman had withdrawn his Lotus 88 when it was declared illegal during scrutineering. Eventually things settled down with all moveable or flexible skirts on the underside of the cars being removed. A ground clearance check was made on every car as it returned to the pits after a run. A number of teams found ingenious ways to have the car lower itself while on the circuit. This post run inspection created chaos and line-ups in the pits.

For the first time in Italy a Ferrari would carry the number 27. Pironi would campaign 28. Gilles promptly put 27 on its first pole ahead of Reutemann in the normally aspirated Williams-Ford. Pironi was back in sixth. It was the first pole for Gilles since Long Beach in 1979. He fully admitted it had been a long dry spell.

At the start, in the wet, Gilles took the lead with Pironi slicing through the pack to take second. The two Ferraris drove the fans nuts until Gilles dove into the pits to change to slicks as the track began to dry. Luck being what it is, the rain began again as he drove out onto the track. Two laps later he was back in to change his rubber again. In effect, his race was run as he was the better part of a lap down in fourteenth.

Gilles charged on with his usual gusto and set the fastest lap over and over, but still found himself in seventh at the end. Pironi scored the first points for the 126C with a fifth.

Gilles and Didier had become good friends by this time. Both shared any information they had about their cars and encouraged each other. Later, when Didiers wife gave birth to twins, they named one of them Gilles.

next: Terror at Zolder!

Read the rest of the Shutter Speed series here.

Related posts:

1. Shutter Speed: Down; but not out!
2. Shutter Speed: The first book and the first nine!
3. Shutter Speed: 1976 A Big Year!
4. Shutter Speed: More World Cup and the disastrous T5
5. Shutter Speed: The continuing brush with greatness