US GRAND PRIX preview

TEAMCAR - It was only six cars competed in last year US Grand Prix because of the defect of official tyre supplier-MICHELIN. But Michelin has just grab their 100 win in Formula 1 last weekend in Canadian GP and they will not repeat the same mistake again.

Will Alonso win the US Grqnd Prix or Schumacher retain the US GP crown which he won last year. Let's not forget about Kimi Raikonen who has a very fast car although they admited that they have given up on the title race.

Schumi Not Giving Up Yet!

TEAMCAR - There was some argument between Ferrari and Bridgestone since Schumacher was not been able to take the first place and 10 points from the Canadian Grand Prix.

Schumacher quoted before America GP:" The car is very fast and has no problem, it is now depend on the tyre conditions and performances,"

There are 9 races left and Schumacher is 25 points behind Alonso of Renault, Schumacher said he still has a very good chance of winning the Driver's Championship.

Alonso said that Kimi Raikonen is out of the race for driver's championship and he is now more focusing on Michael Schumacher on the title race.

SEPANG DRAG BATTLE DELAY

TEAMCAR - The 3rd round of Sepang Drag Battle will be reschedule from 1st July 2006 to 15th July 2006 due to some unavoidable reason.

The 4th and 5th round of Sepang Drag Battle will remain as the same date of 5th August 2006 and 28th October 2006.

MONTOYA Quits Formula 1?

TEAMCAR - Is Montoya going to quits Formual 1 next season?

Montoya feels uncertain about his future since Mclaren might not want to sign a new contract with him? He said that he did not even think about his future before the end of this season Grand Prix but he admited that he might quit.

He will probably rejoins United States Champ Series and his previous Champ Series boss Chip Ganassi welcome him back to the team.

The 30 years old Columbian driver cannot perform well in his McLaren recently and the team start to find a new partner for Alonso next season since Raikonen will quit McLaren next year.

He was a very promising young driver when he joined Williams and McLaren signed him. McLaren was then hoped that he and Raikonen will retain the title that captured by Mika Hakkinen.

No. 6 for Fernando Alonso

TEAMCAR - Fenando Alonso of Renault Formula 1 Team win his first ever Canadian Grand prix and made his seoson title tally to six numbers.

Michael Schumacher once again finished second to Alonso due to the mistake of Kimi Raikonen. Kimi Raikonen seems like does not care about the second place or the third place and he told reporter that it is not much different since he is not in the title race anymore. Kimi Raikonen still refuse to make ay comment about his future in McLaren.

Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix Results. (Top 8)

1. Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
3. Kimi Raikonen (McLaren)
4. G. Fisichella (Renault)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari)
6. J. Trulli (Toyota)
7. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
8. D. Coulthard

Malaysia's JGTC Round 4 Results

TEAMCAR

RACE RESULTS GT500:
1. Daisuke Ito-Ralph Firman (Honda NSX) 1'51:41.405,
2. Michael Krumm-Richard Lyons (Nissan Fairlady Z) 1'51:47.068,
3. Benoit Treluyer-Kazuki Hoshino (Nissan Fairlady Z) 1'52:06.525,
4.Sebastian Philippe-Shinya Hosokawa (Honda NSX) 1'52:25.566,
5. Satoshi Motoyama-Tsugio Matsuda (Nissan Fairlady Z) 1'52:33.042,
6. Ryo Michigami-Takashin Kogure (Honda NSX) 1'53:01.859,
7. Naoki Yokomizo-Jose Paulo Oliveira (Nissan Fairlady Z) 1'53:10.272,
8. Erik Comas-MasatakaYanagida (Nissan Fairlady Z) 1'53:12.243.

GT300:
1. Tetsuya Yamano-Hiroyuki Iiri (Mazda RX-7) 1'52:26.697, (picture above)
2. Shogo Mitsuyama-Nobuteru Taniguchi (Vemac 320R) 1'52:30.907,
3. Koji Matsuda-Shigekazu Wakisaka (Toyota Celica ZZ) 1'52:31.232,
4. KazuhoTakahashi-Hiroki Katoh (Shiden MC) 1'52:44.084,
5. Hidetoshi Mitsusada-Daisuke Ikeda (Ford GT) 1'53:09.347.

RENAULT Takes Front Row

TEAMCAR - Renault's duo perform extremely well to take the race starting front row of Canadian Grand Prix.

Kimi Raikonen of McLaren finished third and Ferrari's Schumacher can only finished the 5th fastest.

Schumi Needs Massa Help

TEAMCAR - Schumi said that Ferrari still need the help from Felipe Massa to win this year Driver and Constructor Championship.

Schumi :"This is not just a fight between me and Alonso, I hope Massa will perform well in the Grand Prix left and help us to win the Constructor Championship." And Schumi also said that they have not push the 248F1 to the limit yet in Barcelona and Silverstone.

Canadian Grand Prix

TEAMCAR - The Formula 1 Grand Prix moves to Montreal, Canada of North America.

BMW sets the fastest pace for today free pratice and Michael Shumacher of Ferrari sets the fastest time for regular driver. McLaren duo haven't came out for the free pratice.

The Villeneuve Circuit proved to be the lucky place for M.Schumacher where he has won in the same circuit for seven time. Fernando Alonso is looking forward to beat Michael once again to extend his lead.

Fernando Alonso has won 17 podium finished in the last 18 Grand Prix and he is the hottest favourite to win this year driver championship before moving to Mclaren next year.

JAPAN GT EXPECTS ANOTHER LEGENDARY RACE IN SEPANG THIS SUNDAY

TEAMCAR - Anticipating another showcase of top class motor racing, Japan GT Association Chairman Kunimitsu Takahashi expects another close battle in Sepang at the Japan GT Championship Malaysia this Sunday (June 25).

"We are going to have another legendary race again this year under the hot and tough temperatures of Malaysia," the former GT driver said in his message in the souvenir programme for the event.

"I can assure you all, that on this coming June 25, we shall, once again, have the chance of enjoying another fantastic race," he said, adding that the Super GT teams and drivers had always look forward for their battle in Sepang.

After three rounds, seasoned campaigners Ryo Michigami and Takashi Togure, boosted by their win at Okayama in Round 2, are currently leading the GT500 category with 38 points with the partnership of Juichi Wakisaka and Germany's Andre Lotterer in second place with 28 points.

RICHARD LYONS NAMES HIMSELF AND NISMO AS FAVOURITES FOR SEPANG

TEAMCAR - For the 2006 season, three rounds of competition – beginning with the opening round in Suzuka, Okayama and Fuji Speedway – had produced three different winners for both the premier GT500 class for the 500bhp machines and the GT300 class for the 300bhp machines.

Carrying an additional 70kgs of weight handicap, a mountainous task awaits championship leaders Ryo Michigami and Takashi Kogure of Team Honda Racing at Sepang Circuit as the fourth round of the Super GT Series gets underway this weekend.

With 70 kilos, I would say they would lose some 1.5 seconds per lap around the Sepang track and that is no small problem for the drivers,” says 2005 winner Richard Lyons in giving his thoughts on the upcoming Battle of Sepang.

“Me! I will put myself as favourites for the Sepang race,” said Lyons, who left the series at the end of the season after finishing third overall to pursue his dreams of competing in the United States in the Champcar Series.

F1's Biggest Spender - McLaren

TEAMCAR - 'Business F1' magazine contends that the Woking-based outfit, spending a reputed $400 million (US) a year, pips the Japanese carmaker - at $393 million - to the dubious post.

Third and fourth are Honda ($382m) and BMW Sauber ($378m), leaving Ferrari just fifth in the ranking with an estimated annual spend of $329m.

Reigning drivers' and constructors champion (and 2006 title leader) Renault ranked a distant sixth by spending around $300m, followed perhaps surprisingly by Red Bull ($201m).

Williams ($134m) leads the remaining privateers, but Super Aguri ($95m) outpace both MF1 ($76m) and - bringing up the rear - Red Bull's junior team Scuderia Toro Rosso, at $66m. Interestingly, though, Phillip Morris' sponsorship of Ferrari - at $97m a year - amounts to more than the annual budget of any of the final three teams.

Altogether, it's a mind-boggling collective spend of more than 2.5 billion dollars.

Renault's Engine For Sales

TEAMCAR - Renault is 'keen' to supply a team with custom V8 engines as early as next year, F1 chief Flavio Briatore admits.

With Red Bull, Williams, Super Aguri, MF1 and Toro Rosso all needing to buy V8s because they are not allied to works partners, Briatore put the French squad's championship-leading 2.4 litre power plant on the market for a 'very reasonable price'.

The cost of having customer outfit engine supplies by Renault is to believe in the range of USD10 million.

BATTLE OF THE RACE QUEENS AT THE JAPAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP MALAYSIA

TEAMCAR - While the teams and drivers compete for the coveted title as conqueror of Sepang F1 track, the Japan GT Championship Malaysia 2006 will witness an equally fiery battle off the track for the title for the best GT Queen.

The competing GT teams would be bringing with them some 60 official team GT Queens along with a quartet of queens - Aya Kiguchi, Sayaka Marui, Sachi Enami and Asami Kikuchi famously named as 4Tunes, who are official appointees of the series promoter, Japan GT Association.

Not to be outshined by their GT colleagues, teams competing in the support races would also be bringing their brigade of race queens, who like the Japan GT Queens, at times, capture bigger audience than the competing drivers.

To be held from 23rd to 25th June, the Japan GT Championship Malaysia would feature Round 4 of a nine-round Super GT Series as well as support races from the JPM Honda Integra Cup, Formula V6 Asia, Asia Formula Renault Challenge, the Hong Kong Gates Classic Car Championship and the supercars, supersaloon, supersixteen and supercompact championships from the Malaysian Super Series.

GET YOUR TICKET HERE from as low as RM30 - www.malaysiangp.com.my

Alex Yoong Prepare For LE MANS

TEAMCAR - Alex Yoong, A1 Team Malaysia driver, will be the first Malaysian to take part in the world famous Le Mans 24 hour race on June 18 -- 19.

Last week Alex was given his first taste of the Le Mans circuit at the pre-event testing and gained an insight into the world's greatest sports car race. Since 1923 the allure of the Le Mans circuit and the challenge of a round-the-clock race has compelled the best teams and drivers to make the annual pilgrimage.

Alex says of Le Mans, "For a driver, this is the toughest test in sports car racing. It's a physically demanding car, with a long, challenging lap, which needs total concentration and stamina.

SEPANG WINNER RICHARD LYONS RETURNS TO SUPER GT

TEAMCAR - Winner of the Super GT race in Sepang last year, Richard Lyons has returned to compete in the series; taking over from Sakon Yamamoto, who had left the team to enter the Formula One World Championship with the Super Aguri Team.

Lyons, who won the Malaysian round with Satoshi Sotoyama in convincing style last year, will be partnering Michael Krumm in the MOTUL AUTECH Z race machine for Nismo Racing Team and would be determined to repeat the feat to put the team championship challenge back on track.

Tickets can be purchased at the circuit or by calling TICKET HOTLINE at 603-8778 2255 or via internet at www.malaysiangp.com.my.

Alonso Wins Silverstones GP

TEAMCAR - Renault's Alonso leads from the start of the race till the end to win the Silverstone Grand Prix. Ferrari once again show that they are still capable in pitting strategies by lets Schumacher take over Kimi Raikonen with a pit stop.

Renault's Alonso seems to good to Schumacher and Raikonen and he ins the Grand Prix easily. This is also the 5th title this season for Alonso and he already takes 74 points out of 80 points for in this season 8 Grand Prix.

4th place to 8th place drivers are Fisichella, Massa, Montoya, Heidfeld and Villeneuve.

Ferrari And Schumi Can Take It

TEAMCAR - Although Renault and Alonso are leading in the driver's and constructor's championship, but CEO of Ferrari Luca di Montezemolo believe that the door of both championship are still wide open.

Renault leads Ferrari by 28 points in the constructor championship and 21 points in driver championship after 7 round of GP. Alonso finished four 1st place and three 2nd place while Schumacher manage to takes two 1st place.

Alonso can retain the championship again if he can continue his current performance. However, there is no doubt that Ferrari has the fastest machine for the moment.

Silverstone GP has been reschedule due to World Cup 2006.

A1 Grand Prix Lost USD200 Million

TEAMCAR - A1 Grand Prix lost USD 200 million in its first year, the assistant chairman Tony Teixeira of A1 GP told Blomberg TV yesterday. They expect they will lose less than USD 100 million before the race start.

A1 GP will need to loan another USD 120 million from Nomura Holdings for the second season of the races.

The lack of sponsorship, broadcasting and audience is the main reason of A1 GP lose. But Tony Teixeira said they expect they will reach their target audience of 16 million (TV viewers) in the second season while they have average of 9 million tv viewer for a single race.

The Formula 1 Grand Prix reach 350 million tv viewers for a single GP.

Williams F1 Going For Toyota Engine

Teamcar - Williams Formula 1 team will swith from Cosworth To Toyota Engine start from next season. Williams has signed a three year contract with Toyota.

Williams is not satisfied with the perfomance of Cosworth engine and team pricipal Williams Frank did not deny that they are looking for a better engine even since the opening Grand prix in Bahrain.

Midland F1 team will need to find other engine supplier and Cosworth will probably supply Midland F1 next season. (if Midland F1 team can Survive)

However, Toyota F1 Team Principal John Howett is worrying about Toyota co-operation with williams and he stated that it will affect the Toyota F1 Team results.

NISMO-LOOKED PROTON WIRA IS THE BEST GT CAR LOOK-A-LIKE

TEAMCAR - A 1500cc Proton Wira looking like a mean Nismo GT racing machine has been named as the best GT Car Look-a-Like; earning the owner Lee Jun Hui a unique opportunity of showcasing his prized possession at the upcoming Japan GT Championship Malaysia at Sepang Circuit.

Prepared with friends from Penang's B1 Bodykit Club, a jubilant Jun Hui said it was a well-earned prize and worth more than the RM10,000 that he had spent in giving the car a complete make-over to beat 26 other participants.

Ended yesterday, the four-day carnival also featured various motoring and motorsports-related activities especially those linked to the elements of Japan GT excitement such as the search for Malaysia's GT Queen.

A larger scale Japan GT carnival would be held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur from 16th to 18th June where another round of GT Car Look-a-Like competition would be organised for the Klang Valley car owners.

AFOS Beijing

TEAMCAR - Teams and drivers from three AFOS Championships are ready to scorch theGoldenport circuit in front of the expected 30,000 spectators in an excitingweekend packed with action and thrills. Spectators will get a chance towitness the Asian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), Porsche Carrera Cup Asia(PCCA) and Formula BMW Asia (FBMW).

There will be more than 300 drivers, teams, mechanics and officials, 30packed containers and more than 40 race ready machines arriving throughoutthe week for the AFOS event from all over the world.

The Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) is recognised as Asia’s premiermotorsport event comprising the FIA-sanctioned Asian Touring CarChampionship, Formula V6 Asia by Renault, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia andFormula BMW Asia.

Button expects Honda to deliver

TEAMCAR - Jenson Button insists Honda are the right team to fulfil his ambitions of winning a first Grand Prix and becoming a real world championship contender.

A lack of pace and technical problems have restricted Button to just one podium spot this season in Malaysia but the Briton expects his team to improve.

Button is 11th in the driver standings, 48 points behind leader Fernando Alonso.
The 26-year-old concedes the gap has widened between Honda and front-runners Renault, Ferrari and McLaren, especially as his challenge has been weakened by a lack of consistency and pace.

However, Button played down his hopes of success in next weekend's British Grand Prix.