Sidepodcast

It is Independence Day today, although Mr C and I also recognise it as the day Will Smith helps save us from aliens. Bruce has got the meteorites covered and Will knows what he’s doing with those UFOs, what could go wrong? Anyway, here are some of the things we’re talking about:

• What’s going on with Alan Donnelly then? The story is that Virgin are moving their sponsorship, which is fair enough. Their relationship with Brawn has been dwindling almost since the first race. So, what does this Donnelly fella have to do with it?
• Over on the F1 Big Pic, we took the challenge of covering the Valencia story. What were the chances of finding a decent pic of that instantly forgettable race? I am mightily disappointed the green building didn’t make the pic, but we should be able to see more of that if there is less seating around.
• Finally, Alianora has written a great post about her daily process of finding out what’s going on in the world of F1, detailing which sites she visits and in which order. Would love to hear other people’s routines as well.

That’ll do it for now. It’s Goodwood Saturday, so we’ll still be keeping an ear and eye out for any pics or tweets cropping up. As always, I’ll see you in the comments.

• Length: 4:32 
• Size: 4.2 MB 
• File: safety3.mp3 
• Transcript: safety3.pdf 
• Torrent: safety3.torrent 

Welcome to F1 Safety – the latest mini series from Sidepodcast, focusing on the elements that make Formula 1 as safe as it can be. We’ve already looked at clothing and the car, now it’s time to concentrate on circuits.

Although FOM, and therefore Bernie, is currently in charge of deciding which circuits should get on the calendar for each year, the FIA have plenty of say about what goes on where. Safety Delegate Charlie Whiting is sent to each circuit before a race to inspect the safety facilities and make sure it is up to scratch. So, what kind of things does a circuit need to provide in terms of safety?

Firstly, the track has a designated direction. Most of the races on the calendar travel clockwise, but a select few run anti-clockwise. This will affect which side the pit lane is in relation to the track, and how the entrance and exit is designed. Cars must only go around the track in the stated direction, even the safety and medical cars have to adhere to this, no matter how far around they have to go. There can be access roads linking sections of track to make life a little easier though.

If a driver can stick to the asphalt, all is well. Otherwise, there are various features to the area surrounding the track that are there to help. The kerbs were originally designed to make going off track safer, with the raised bumps intended to slow a car down. However, these days, drivers try and use the kerbs to make the track just that little bit wider. It might be uncomfortable, but hitting the right line could save a tenth or two each lap.

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It is young Sebastian Vettel’s birthday today, so I suppose he is one year less young now. I wonder if he will ever not be “young” Seb? Anyway, the first person to mention Little Britain gets a lifetime ban from Sidepodcast (this sentence not included, obviously). Here are some of the community things happening:

• Scott’s Puma fan report finally went up on their site, and it’s a really great read with some fabulous photos. There was also a really good video, although that seems to have gone MIA (grrr, Bernie). If you did manage to catch the video, please join me in the call for Scott to replace EJ on the BBC.
• Gavin’s been away on a trip to Norway, and took some ace photos. I do like some good holiday snaps. Also, get used to the sharing of photos, as I’m expecting to link to plenty more from those going to Goodwood. Take lots of pictures on our behalf and we’ll share them with the crowd.
• Finally, this isn’t directly community related, but I wanted to give a quick plug to the DarkUFO LOST Episode Cup. The competitions on this site were our inspiration to run the character and circuit cups on SPC, so props to them. Also, if you like LOST, go vote!

That’s all for now. As it is Friday, let us know what your plans are for the weekend. We’re not going to Goodwood, so we’ll probably be around (as if we wouldn’t have been anyway!). I will see you in the comments.

• Length: 4:35 
• Size: 4.2 MB 
• File: safety2.mp3 
• Transcript: safety2.pdf 
• Torrent: safety2.torrent 

This is Sidepodcast and the second episode of our latest mini series F1 Safety. Yesterday we covered all things helmets and clothing, and today we’re going to take a closer look at the safety of a Formula 1 car.

We talked about carbon fibre briefly in the previous show, as the material is supremely strong but very light weight, ultimately a designers dream. Apparently there is also such a thing as carbon-fibre reinforced plastic but I think that’s taking it too far. The majority of a Formula 1 car is made from the lovely carbon fibre, and in terms of safety, the driver is encased in a strong, reinforced tub. No matter what happens to the car, the tub should remain in tact.

There are a few rules to be followed when designing the cockpit. Firstly, no oil, fuel or water lines are allowed to pass through the area where the driver sits. The cockpit sides have very specific dimensions – specified to be even higher in 2008 after we saw cars flying over each other in ’07.

Drivers are strapped into their custom made seat, moulded to them both for comfort and to stop them sliding around every lap. They have six point harnesses, which can be unclasped with one hand. A driver has to be able to get out of a car within five seconds, and replace the steering wheel in another five. If, in an accident situation, he is unable to get out of the car, marshals and rescue crews are able to pull both the driver and the seat from a car together.

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It’s Thursday already, and whilst this is not a revered day amongst the Sidepodcommunity, we are hurtling towards the Goodwood weekend. A few people are heading to the Festival of Speed, and I bet the excitement is building. Don’t forget to leave us a voicemail from the grounds, if you are going: 0121 28 87225. Meanwhile, here’s what we’re talking about:

• Timo Glock has revealed his optimistic side by suggesting that it isn’t out of the realms of possibility that Toyota could win a race this year. That’s actually as far as he goes though, admitting that he’s careful when it comes to talking about the team’s first win. I guess he doesn’t want to jinx it?
• On the subject of wins, Nick Fry has come out in support of Barrichello saying that he is overdue a win. I’ve just realised that we see a lot less of Mr Fry since he had to stop wearing those green trousers. It’s much better that he is behind the scenes, wouldn’t you say?
• My new mini series started yesterday, so if you haven’t heard it yet, please check out F1 Safety – Helmets and Clothing. There will be six more short shows over the next few nights, so we’ll be covering all sorts of safety aspects of the sport.

That’s it for now. As ever, feel free to discuss what’s on your mind, and don’t feel constrained by what I’ve mentioned above. I’ll see you in the comments.

• Length: 4:25 
• Size: 4.1 MB 
• File: safety1.mp3 
• Transcript: safety1.pdf 
• Torrent: safety1.torrent 

Hello and welcome to Sidepodcast, this is a new mini series called F1 Safety. We’ll be taking a closer look at all the things that minimise the risks of driving at 300km/h. We’ll be covering various topics over the next seven shows, and today our attention turns to helmets and clothing.

Every Formula 1 ticket across the globe heralds the warning: “Motorsport is dangerous.” And it is. No one could argue that driving at enormous speed around a narrow circuit would be anything but. However, F1 has taken great strides forward in safety since its early days, and now even the smallest details are covered with precise requirements.

The driver’s helmet is a perfect example. For a driver, his head, neck, and arms are the most exposed areas during a race. The rest of his body is tucked away behind sheets of carbon fibre, but his head takes the full brunt of any oncoming forces. Putting aside what could happen in an accident, every single corner taken by a driver can be a strain on the head.

It is no surprise, therefore, that every driver wears a helmet. They can weigh anywhere between 1250 grams and 1800 grams, and not only are they designed for safety, but also try to blend well with a car’s aerodynamic profile. Made out of layers and layers of carbon fibre for strength, the helmet is lightweight, virtually indestructible, with fireproof materials forming the cushioning on the inside.

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It is essentially the halfway point of the year today, with 182 days gone, and 183 still to go. On the one hand, this year is absolutely flying and it’s ridiculous that it is July already. On the other, I feel like June went really slowly and Le Mans seems like eons ago. Anyway, here are some things we’re discussing:

• Abu Dhabi seems to be flavour of the moment, with a Yas Marina circuit being released to allow fans closer to the track. I couldn’t get it to work, so have no idea what the under grandstand bit is like. However, the track gets a mention in F1 Minute and the Big Pic today, so their marketing is clearly working!
• Kimi Raikkonen will be officially rallying in a World Rally Championship event in Finland at the end of July. With Le Seb doing Le Mans, and Kimi rallying his heart out, which other drivers could take part in other series?
• Bridgestone have announced the tyre allocations for a further four races, with Hungary and Valencia taking the two softer compounds, whilst Belgium and Italy stick with the medium and soft variety. Does this actually mean anything though? For a viewer, the only thing that matters is soft versus hard, rather than one of four individual compounds. Another Bridgestone fail?

That should keep us going for now. There should be some more excellent tennis on later, which is one bonus for us hitting the last week in June and first week in July already. I’ll see you in the comments.

The last day of June has rolled around (already!?) and it is Ralf Schumacher’s birthday today. Yes, him, the other Schumacher. I wonder what he will be doing to celebrate his 34th birthday. Anyway, here are some of the things we’ve been talking about:

• Mario Theissen has become the next team boss to admit that the overtaking rules need some work. We can all see it, obviously, but it means a little bit more coming from the people who help to shape the rules in the first place. He does add that the fact the field has closed up so much is unexpected and has made things a lot more excited. Qualifying, yes, Mario. The race, not so much.
• Following on from Heikki’s triumphant attempt at the Ask the Expert quiz on F1.com, Adrian Sutil steps up to have a go. He’s not so hot on getting the correct answers, as Heikki managed to top the field of drivers asked so far, whilst Sutil falls way down the bottom of the order. Sounds familiar, no?
• I was thinking, you know those games where you take the best parts of various people to make an über-person? Who would make up your ideal driver? We’re talking qualifying skill, overtaking ability, temperament, helmet colours, anything that makes up a driver. What do you reckon? I’m giving it some thought, let me know what you come up with.

That’ll do it for now, I reckon. Feel free to discuss how quickly June has gone for you, I know it has absolutely flown for me. As ever, I will see you in the comments.

You may have heard we visited the Shell lab and Ferrari garages during Friday Free Practice at Silverstone. We might have mentioned it once or twice.

After talking to the very nice and incredibly smart people at Shell, they convinced us that V-Power is worth a second look. Mr C has tried superior fuels before and was already aware of the potential benefits – a cleaner engine, and better performance. I was not, and disappointed everyone by suggesting my local supermarket fuel was just as good.

With this in mind, we thought it a great opportunity to officially debut Sidepodscience with the Shell V-Power Challenge.

The Aim

• To establish whether V-Power makes such a difference it can be felt by someone not scientific like me.
• To compare V-Power with BP Ultimate – a rival fuel of similar description.

The Challenge

I have run my car down of supermarket fuel and will fill up with V-Power. After two weeks I will report back on whether any difference could be felt.

Mr C will be moving from BP Regular to BP Ultimate to see if there is any difference. He will then switch to V-Power to determine any difference between the two (supposedly) equal fuel types.

Finally

It is worth noting that V-Power (and Ultimate) costs a couple of pence more per litre than regular fuel does, which would work out as a few pounds extra for a full tank.

We have it on good authority from multiple sources that the more expensive fuel is better for your engine. Even if the difference couldn’t be felt, that doesn’t mean it isn’t keeping the insides clean and saving you a couple of hundred quid at the garage.

I think that sums up what we’re going to be doing and why. We’ll report back here in two weeks with our findings. Meanwhile, let us know if you have any experience of fuels and the difference between them, or if you have any more scientific notes to add.

It is Monday once more and we are thrown headlong into another week. With the extended break before Germany, though, we are not counting down to a race weekend, but rather another ‘off’ weekend. Still, as it is only Monday, that would be looking quite far ahead, wouldn’t it? Here are some things going on at the moment:

• Ferrari have admitted that they could very well be shifting their attention to the 2010 season, which isn’t exactly a surprise given how poor they are doing at the moment. The only problem is, no one really knows what 2010 is going to be, so it’s a bit early to be puting all your eggs in that basket, isn’t it?
• Apparently the continued building works at Donington are set to resume in August, which seems like an awful long time away. Now that they have all the necessary paperwork in place, and Gillett keeps saying financing shouldn’t be a problem, why can’t they get started now?
• We recorded a fun Debrief yesterday with lots of feedback and Fantasy Racers stats, plus all our findings from the Shell visit at Silverstone. The live show can be replayed here, or you can tune into the podcast version here.

That’ll do it for now. I’ll be tuned in to the tennis all day, so if anyone else is watching, please join me in a spot of live commenting the Wimbledon action. Feel free to ignore the tennis-shaped talk if you like, though, and discuss anything that comes to mind. I’ll see you in the comments.