Daily: 14th November 2008
If anyone’s keeping track, I’m feeling much better now but the man has caught some of the germs. Of course, they are much worse, and more man-flu shaped than mine were, so everyone give him lots of sympathy today, if you find him in the comments.
It appears to be a bit of a slow news period at the moment, which would make sense, as we can’t still be talking about Brazil, and we’ve still got a few days left before the next test.
Some topics are still resurfacing though:
- Just what lengths will Canada do to get back on the calendar?
- Is China really giving up on their race so soon? Low ticket sales or just too darn expensive?
- Those drivers who will get a chance in an F1 car next week, including Bruno Senna, Takuma Sato and Giedo van der Garde. Didn’t that guy break all kinds of contracts last time he was around? Why would Renault want that hassle?
- Also noted in F1 Minute yesterday that Barrichello has apparently said it’s either F1 or nothing for him. Are there any other motorsports he could try his hand at if he wanted to?
Of course, this is an evolving list and if there’s anything you want to talk about, please don’t feel limited by what I’ve mentioned here. Sidepodcast Daily is your place to discuss anything on your mind, and we want to hear about it, so get talking!
November 14th, 2008 at 00:04Dom said:
No cupcakes?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:04Steven Roy said:
…..& starts on a new topic.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:12Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
As I said in the previous topic:
Wait a second here - Sunday night after the show, you guys agreed with me to not allow references to Franck, Bourdais and di Grassi because people were just using them willy nilly. Now, what’s with the sudden change of mind?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:18Christine said:
As I said in the previous topic:
I don’t remember agreeing to anything, and I’m in sole charge of the pinger (until I break it and have to relinquish it to be fixed).
November 14th, 2008 at 00:19me said:
that’s not confusing at all.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:21Steven Roy said:
Two things. I don’t think that people should just gratuitously get points for saying their names. There should be a bit of thought behind it. However the bottom line is that it was always the case that Christine would be sole arbiter when it came to awarding points.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:23lou said:
hehe. for the all girls show (if it happens), and if you are in charge on the pinger… can i be on your team?
i like winning 
speaking of the possible all girls show, Em has said she will do it, i now just need to get her round my house one Sunday in the Christmas hols
November 14th, 2008 at 00:23Christine said:
Granted. I was a bit lax in the last show, but I was ill, and needed cheering up, so any mention of Franck was good.
Promise to be a bit more discerning, but I don’t promise not to give points if people are subtle about it.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:25Steven Roy said:
I didn’t mins a bit as you gave me lots of points and we won. But like Lou I am not competitive so that didn’t affect my opinion at all.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:25Steven Roy said:
mins should be mind
November 14th, 2008 at 00:27Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
OK fine whatever, I’ll just ask the questions…
November 14th, 2008 at 00:27lou said:
ahaha.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:28me said:
ace. best go ask me mum too then!
November 14th, 2008 at 00:29me said:
and the jokes?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:31Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
no jokes since i can’t think of any.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:31lou said:
Em has asked that people be nice to her though (she doesn’t follow f1 as closely as most people here, but I’ve said i’ll help her
November 14th, 2008 at 00:33Steven Roy said:
I am sure she will get plenty help form the comments
November 14th, 2008 at 00:34me said:
when was the last time we were mean to anyone?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:36lou said:
mean as in question wise
will tell her tomorrow
November 14th, 2008 at 00:40Christine said:
That’s the spirit!
November 14th, 2008 at 00:42me said:
up and at ‘em.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:42lou said:
Anthony Davidson is driving for Honda…. as part of a team in a 24-hour computer simulation race in aid of Children in Need. Nice to see Honda doing some fun raising
poor Ant though… bit of a step down from this time last year.
source - http://www.hondaracingf1.com/loband/news.php
November 14th, 2008 at 00:46Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
eh? don’t mean to sound annoyed or anything since i don’t intend to, but what does that mean exactly?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:47lou said:
Am loving the new header by the way.
It goes really well with your current colour scheme too 
November 14th, 2008 at 00:47me said:
just trying to be positive.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:47Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Build our hopes up with that first bit and then just crush them. Nice
November 14th, 2008 at 00:49Christine said:
We literally changed it about two minutes ago. You have completely blown his mind.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:50me said:
i see that “Team Autosport Magazine” are competing.
should we go kick their backside in that competition too?
November 14th, 2008 at 00:51Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Well ok, i have been thinking just now of 1 or 2 but i doubt they’d be that funny.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:51Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
If we’re entering, I call lead driver. Any racing game business is my kind of territory
November 14th, 2008 at 00:52Christine said:
Once we’re in Giggle-mode, everything is funny
November 14th, 2008 at 00:52Christine said:
You are a cheeky, cheeky man!
November 14th, 2008 at 00:53Steven Roy said:
Oi that’s my job
November 14th, 2008 at 00:53me said:
is he back yet?
can’t believe the guy’s not live commenting from his holiday destination. i feel all abandoned.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:53lou said:
lol
wow i must have refreshed the page just after you did it then lol. i like this one much more than the last one, tis really cool.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:54Steven Roy said:
I love the header. Even the rendition my old computer gives looks great.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:55Steven Roy said:
Maybe he has fallen from something higher than his chair. Hope he didn’t fall out of the plane.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:55Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
AND I bet you anything that simulation they’re using is rFactor and the ALMS mod.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:57Dom said:
Wherever he is, I’m sure he’ll be giggling inside.
New header is excellent, btw.
November 14th, 2008 at 00:58Christine said:
I TOLD him we should have started with this one.
November 14th, 2008 at 01:00Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Absolutely, my kind of thing.
November 14th, 2008 at 01:16lou said:
argh! we are possibly gonna have to wait for just before Christmas until we find out who is driving for Honda next year :/ oh i hope they keep Jenson and Rubens…. there is no where else for them to go otherwise…
source - http://www.hondaracingf1.com/loband/news.php
November 14th, 2008 at 01:23me said:
isn’t that the same link as earlier?
November 14th, 2008 at 01:25lou said:
ah sorry, i didn’t realise (am tired and all that) i meant - http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4493844,00.html
November 14th, 2008 at 01:25me said:
ahh, much better
November 14th, 2008 at 02:56Dirty Scarab said:
In answer to your question, I don’t think Rubens should do anything else. Quit with dignity for pity’s sake. On the other hand, you have to admit, Mr. Alesi’s doing rather well in Speedcar.
I think Barrichello is capable of at least another year, unlike DC who has had, lets be honest, a mirrored career with Rubens and is well past his prime. I hope to buggery that he gets the seat though. Senna’s not ready and Button would put him to shame.
November 14th, 2008 at 03:01Journeyer said:
brilliant header! love the composition and everything. i guess you don’t mind giving free plugs to the Beemer sponsors?
I think Senna will run Button very close, possibly even beat him! But yeah, Rubens definitely still has something left in the tank. Silverstone told us that.
November 14th, 2008 at 03:59Jordan Allen (Tactical Recon Mission, here) said:
This is a far better header than the first header, but I reserve judgment until I have seen all three headers. I must admit, the third one has to do a lot of work to beat this current header.
Maybe he just does not have the time to contact people. Not every place is like Nassau that dies at 6:00 at night…..
Falling out of a boat without dive gear would also suck too, Steven.
November 14th, 2008 at 04:49Jordan Allen (It is no dig deal for me to be up at 0400 GMT) said:
I wonder if Sidepodcast has check their E-mail inboxes?
November 14th, 2008 at 05:52Journeyer said:
Why, did you send any email their way?
4 AM GMT is 12 NN my time… lunch!
Although I think it’s almost 6 AM GMT now.
November 14th, 2008 at 08:11RubberGoat (Gavin Brown) said:
On Rubens Barrichello and life post F1:
1) Brazilian Stock Car Racing
2) Become Brazil’s answer to the Stig
3) Run a GP2
4) Run for local Mayor
5) Commentate for Brazil TV
6) Start a Cupcake Business
November 14th, 2008 at 09:03Dank said:
Chinese Grand Prix in trouble?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72111
Low ticket sales and Sinopec’s sponsorship not likely to be renewed for next year… bye bye China!
November 14th, 2008 at 09:05RubberGoat (Gavin Brown) said:
They don’t seem to care so much about F1 in China and Malaysia… so why the heck do we go there and lose awesome events like Canada?
November 14th, 2008 at 09:23Journeyer said:
Hey, don’t say that about Malaysia! If you’re in Asia (like me), it’s the cheapest place to watch an F1 race. I’m watching there next year, and I got my start-finish-line-facing seats for around GBP 50.00 less than my marina seats in Singapore! That’s dirt-cheap!
But yeah, Malaysia should probably go soon, considering there’s already a race in Singapore. But I’ll take advantage of it while it lasts!
November 14th, 2008 at 09:30Scott in Italy said:
Great new header thingy
> what lengths will Canada do to get back on the calendar?
Pass new privacy laws so Max can move there and not get photographed - and that would be nice for all of us.
> Why would Renault want that hassle of taking van der Garde -
Because he has massive potential, even if his name is not beginning with Seb…. I’m really hoping to see Sato back on the scene. He always had a fair bit of money behind him despite never doing that well. I guess that’s the tradeoff. Better driver with less money vs more money with Sato. Maybe - I’ve got no idea who financially supports any driver any more.
>Barrichello has apparently said it’s either F1 or nothing for him. Are there any other motorsports he could try his hand at if he wanted to?
Local go-karting coach. He can hang around at the track and talk about what was and just how he was close enough to Michael…
Other careers for the guy - tag team with Brundle for some pre show banter about the paddock. I think he could be interesting. Maybe he can be the Ferrari lollipop guy?
November 14th, 2008 at 10:40RubberGoat (Gavin Brown) said:
I actually had you in mind when I mentioned Malaysia - I considered going to that over Australia when I lived down in NZ because the venue is so impressive. That’s kinda why I asked you before the podpanel if you got live coverage in the Philippines - because every year you see all the empty seats in the Asian races and I wondered if it translated to lack of interest in the TV Coverage.
My question is - why do people stay away from F1 (especially with the cheap ticket prices) in China and Malaysia, yet Japan always sells out and some years they have waiting lists?
How could Bernie & Co. have misjudged the appeal so badly? It must be because they are making money from the TV coverage and from the circuits paying to have the race. If it was all down to popularity and venue appeal, Canada would still be on the calendar and China, Malaysia would have been dropped already. I even think the low turnouts could happen at Singapore once the appeal wears off.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:51Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
If anyone’s interested - Autosport’s Macau GP Preview
http://www.autosport.com/journal/article.php/id/1877
November 14th, 2008 at 11:02RubberGoat (Gavin Brown) said:
Oh you tease… You should have mentioned that you need to have a subscription
November 14th, 2008 at 11:15me said:
“Ecclestone is rumoured to be busy negotiating with better venues in China with his desire being to have a street race at night, as in Singapore. He believes that this will get the Chinese excited about F1. There are nearly 30 cities in China with the kind of population needed to support an F1 race.”
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20974.html
if i were feeling super-cynical, i’d suggest the track tilke built on marshland is sinking significantly, and no-one fancies owning up to the mistake.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:54Scott in Italy said:
“Water on corner 7″ would have a really different meaning there in a few years. I say Bernie puts the race there in a few years time - F1 cars with some sort of hovercraft type setup. I’m sure the new Williams wing system would be interesting.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:16Alianora La Canta said:
China was simply too much of a white elephant project to work properly. It simply doesn’t make sense to spend $400m on a venue to attract a loss-making event.
Which makes the whole marsh problem even sillier than it already is.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:24Dank said:
Too. Many. Street. Circuits.
The less of them, the more unique they are, the better. Monaco has it’s place. Singapore has it’s place as a night race. Valencia has it’s place as a horrible industrial estate.
Why is China that important? I can see in some respects that China is a market with nearly half the world’s population, but are they genuinely interested in F1? Probably not. Will they ever be? Probably not. I’d sooner see India replace it as at least they have some involvement in F1 with McForce India on the grid.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:44Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
off-topic, i just got confirmation I won’t be going to see Lee Evans in Manchester tonight. Apparently some fiasco that our electronic tickets, which you can print off, have already been accessed and therefore we can’t use them. Nothing we can do about it, but it’s a shame since that was going to be part of my 18th birthday present.
Nothing’s really going right for me at the moment, is it?
November 14th, 2008 at 12:44Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Well I say nothing but we’re asking for a refund anyhow.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:47Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
And they say we’ve accessed them when actually we haven’t. :S
November 14th, 2008 at 12:52RubberGoat (Gavin Brown) said:
Cheer up Scott - everything will sort itself out soon enough
November 14th, 2008 at 12:59Scott in Italy said:
Sorry to hear that Scott.
With your name, success will come
November 14th, 2008 at 15:19Scott said:
Let’s hope so.
The Shanghai International Circuit symbolises much of what’s wrong with modern F1. There was an incredible amount of money spent on the venue, yet the facilities are rubbish for all bar the mega-rich. Things are no better for the drivers out on circuit, either. The track’s boring, and it started breaking up during its first year of usage. And to make matters worse, there aren’t any Formula One fans in China. The authorities have to bus people in from nearby villages.
So the only purpose this race serves is to provide the Chinese government with good publicity and line Bernie’s pockets. Can’t say I’m massively in favour of either of those outcomes.
November 14th, 2008 at 15:23Journeyer said:
Do you see the way Japan adores F1? The F1 community worked hard for that. Honda led the way, followed by the many Japanese drivers that tried their luck in the 1970s and 1980s. But oddly (or not so oddly, depending on how you look at it), it was Ayrton Senna’s success and appeal that made Japan F1-crazy. Senna gave Honda unprecedented success, and Japan loved both of them for it.
China and Malaysia, on the other hand, have no auto companies that can truly participate in F1 at a competitive level the same way Honda and Toyota (who followed later) are now doing. Without local F1 drivers or teams to support (except for that brief career of Alex Yoong), there’s nothing to keep Malaysians coming back after watching it live the first 1 or 2 years. After that, they’d rather just watch it on TV than spend money to go on track.
November 14th, 2008 at 16:02Scott in Italy said:
Because Japan has SATO!
November 14th, 2008 at 16:05jolly said:
China can’t sell tickets whilst Silverstone reports record ticket sales > Bernie will love that
November 14th, 2008 at 16:20R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
Can I just say I absolutly love that banner. Asides from the BMW car and Heidfeld (makes it even better), the colours go well and it looks brilliant.
On the Chinese GP - surely with the fact that the credit crunch making tracks go, I’m sure France won’t be the first one, and if they don’t get good sales in 09, I think it will be gone in 2010. Along with one of the Spanish tracks, my opinion.
November 14th, 2008 at 16:44jolly said:
FIA have appointed former Malta president Guido de Marco as a judge for the International Court of Appeal (ICA).
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72127
But Mosley said in August he was scrapping the ICA!
November 14th, 2008 at 16:48Journeyer said:
Max: “Did I say I was scrapping it? Oops, my mistake.”
November 14th, 2008 at 17:09R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
btw, so I know what I’m missing when I’m a Celebrity starts on Sunday, are ye be doing Debrief?
November 14th, 2008 at 18:24Steven Roy said:
Bernie gets nothing from ticket sales. That income goes to the circui owners. So as long as they are prepared to write blank cheques Bernie couldn’t care less whether they make any money.
November 14th, 2008 at 18:39jolly said:
But that’s the whole issue of today’s story > China are saying they are no longer willing to write blank cheques to Bernie because they are not getting the ticket sales (and sponsorship) income.
November 14th, 2008 at 18:48Steven Roy said:
Sorry I only scanned through the comments to catch up.
The last thing we need is another street circuit or another night race.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:09jolly said:
So if you were Bernie for a day what would you do about the Chinese Grand Prix?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:22me said:
we can’t figure out how to fit debrief and the panel show in, now that clarkson has returned.
if we do both, it gets late. if we do them earlier, we’re constrained by the start of that car program.
so… all ideas are very much welcome, but we may have to alternate them.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:28Steven Roy said:
If I were to be Bernie for a day i would hope it would be for a day a few years ago before he sold the rights to CVC or their predecessors. Then I could actually sort the whole mess out and put a structure in place to guarantee the future of the sport.
What he should do is insist that no country gets a GP unless it put in place a serious junior motorsport structure to produce drivers, engineers and to hook fans on a regular basis and not once a year.
As for circuits that get F1 races there would be massive changes which I have mentioned on numerous occasions on many websites. The best tracks are Spa and Suzuka and what they have in common is that they are longer than the average circuit and they don’t have 6 corners per mile. So if you want a race you have to produce a track that is between 4 and 5 miles long rather than the curent minimum 2.5 miles. The FIA are trying to reduce the minimum size which is insane. So a 5 mile track with no more than 18 corners instead of the Valencia nonsense of 20 odd in less than 3 miles.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:29Steven Roy said:
So we need to do them both on a Sunday. Someone suggested doing sidepodpanel on a Friday.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:31R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
If you can do it at 3 or something, even I could do it. I mean 3 is pretty far away from 8, but is that too early?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:38me said:
that could well work, but i does make friday a long day. i sorta used all my friday’s off on free practice
will have a word with the good lady.
that might work too. i think this weekend we’ll stick to an evening show, just cause it’s scott’s b’day at midnight. anyone have any objections to a sunday afternoon show in the future?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:44R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
Plus I’m a celebrity starts this Sunday at 9, so I am not missing that, so 3 would suit me fine.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:46me said:
who and a what and a where?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:49R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
I’m a celebrity Get Me Out of here starts this sunday at 9 for 3 weeks, so I will not make it to lc then, but anytime that does not start at 9 is pretty bad for me.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:54me said:
the “has been” show?
any f1 people on it this year? irvine must be a prime candidate for sure
this week we’re certainly going live straight after top gear, but happy to canvas opinion for next week.
November 14th, 2008 at 19:55Steven Roy said:
Are you suggesting we should live comment I’m a celebrity?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:57me said:
haha. will it be on justin.tv?
November 14th, 2008 at 19:57Steven Roy said:
Bernie and his wife have split up. This could cause problems.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23586950-details/article.do?ito=newsnow
November 14th, 2008 at 19:57Steven Roy said:
I have been moderated for saying Bernie and his wife have split.
November 14th, 2008 at 20:00me said:
that’s gonna cause HUGE problems.
November 14th, 2008 at 20:00lou said:
Why not try Saturday evening too? that way people would be able to stay up later because (i assume anyway) that most people won’t have to get up on the Sunday for work…
nope i’ve got no problems with a sunday afternoon show.. are you planning on doing both in the afternoon or one before top gear and one after?
November 14th, 2008 at 20:02Steven Roy said:
I guess we may just have had the story that could fuel the off season. Since the divorce will be heard in a court that Max doesn’t control who knows what will come out?
November 14th, 2008 at 20:14R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
Maybe something shocking, the right result?
November 14th, 2008 at 20:17me said:
i’m sure bernie has a plan though right?
November 14th, 2008 at 20:22Steven Roy said:
He will get Max to defend him. Max is a qualified barrister after all.
November 14th, 2008 at 20:28jolly said:
Now your talking Steven
Like how you pulled up about junior series.
But if we had a time machine better to go back to before 2001 when Max and Bernie did their cosy 100 year rights deal in the first place. (Slec was Bernies original company the deal was done through)
Have you noticed how Max has gone very quite about renegotiating the 100 year deal after he scare mongered the FIA about it in June to keep his position? Lehman brothers collapse should only have strengthened the FIA’s (re)negotiating position. But all we’re getting from Max is statements that the sport is unsustainable and the teams must reduce their costs.
November 14th, 2008 at 20:30Le BOL said:
I have my own magazine now… http://blog.myspace.com/toborre
November 14th, 2008 at 20:35me said:
hmm. any idea how much of f1 the lady actually owns?
cvc must’ve made sure there’s a backup plan. it won’t come to court will it?
November 14th, 2008 at 20:37me said:
mental… love it
November 14th, 2008 at 20:38me said:
that may also work. we may have to run a poll for preferable times.
November 14th, 2008 at 20:48jolly said:
Slavica’s shares in Delta Topco are around 8%
November 14th, 2008 at 20:55Rich said:
Agreed, much beter than previous - it looks absoultely great - perfectly balances the rest of the colours (I would stick with this!)
November 14th, 2008 at 20:57Christine said:
Surely it depends what he owns rather than hers? Half of 8% is barely anything, but half what Bernie owns is worth having
November 14th, 2008 at 21:03Steven Roy said:
Don’t forget the circuits he owns and the races he promotes
November 14th, 2008 at 21:09Dan Brunell said:
I would aim between the eyes, put a hand over my eyes, pull the trigger and put this race along with Mayalsia, Valencia, and Hungary out of their collective misery and bring back the Canadian, US, French Grands Prix, rotate the European Grand Prix around Europe each year; and revive the Pacific Grand Prix that North America and Japan can share.
I would personally like to keep this on the weekend so the people that are on the other side of planet can get involved without locking the door at work or calling in sick from school.
November 14th, 2008 at 21:16Alianora La Canta said:
There’s also the point that SLEC, which is one of the companies that owns F1, is short for SLavica ECclestone. I suppose she could claim 100% of the profits from that as it was supposed to be hers. That in itself would cost Bernie a lot of money, as SLEC was calculated as being worth $4bn at its peak in 2000, which was about when 75% of it was originally sold to EM.TV (a view reinforced by the 25% purchase option for $1bn…
That would be worth claiming and would be an awful lot more than the 50% most divorcees get from their husbands in common law…
November 14th, 2008 at 21:16jolly said:
Sorry Christine,
I should be precise on these matters. It is the Ecclestone Family Trust who own around 8% of Delta Topco (The company which ultimately owns the commercial rights.) This is the only bit of the Ecclestone fortune which really effects F1.
The rest of Bernies billions have been signed across to Slavica years ago for tax reasons with the setting up of the Bambino trust fund for their daughters.
November 14th, 2008 at 21:18Steven Roy said:
What is it with female astronauts that they have to have stupid names? The lead space walker on flight launching tonight is Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. Doing the the Martin Brundle commentary role is Dottie Metcalfe-Limberger.
November 14th, 2008 at 21:25Dan Brunell said:
I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to be mean, but the last header looked like something from a Monty Python movie.
Uh oh. Hell has no wrath like a women’s scorn.
With the way things are going, the two daughters and a some physical-trainer boy-toy are going to get controlling interest of Formula One in less then a decade. Dear god…
November 14th, 2008 at 21:37jolly said:
The point I keep trying to make is its only the 8% of Delta that the Ecclestone family trust still owns that really matters where F1 is concerned.
The rest of the Ecclestone’s billions don’t really matter now as far as F1 is concerned.
Bernie only has a controlling influence in F1 these days because he is employed by CVC as their Chief Executive for F1 management.
November 14th, 2008 at 21:39Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Evening everybody
Well, to make up for missing Lee Evans, I went out with Mum and saw Burn After Reading and Ghost Town at the cinema and had steak for dinner. Very nice
November 14th, 2008 at 21:41R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
You missed Lee Evans? What went wrong?
November 14th, 2008 at 21:43Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Have a look in the earlier posts, that will explain
November 14th, 2008 at 21:43Dan Brunell said:
Sorry, not a controlling interest.
The thing that makes me really, really nervous is that no-one knows what will happen next. CVC really hasn’t stated that there is a plan after Bernie. With so much depending on his personal relationship with people, it makes me nervous for the future of the sport.
November 14th, 2008 at 21:51Alianora La Canta said:
They’ll probably recruit some random number-cruncher with a CV mentioning three international companies, a major government contract and no detectable previous interest in motorsport.
No, I’m not exactly thrilled by the prospect either…
November 14th, 2008 at 21:53Alianora La Canta said:
Of course, this all assumes that the rumours of the Ecclestones splitting are true. Otherwise we’ll all feel a bit silly when they announce they’re staying together after all.
But if it is true, then between the Dennises splitting up at the start of the year, Max’s scandal and this, it will have been a pretty bad year for F1 romance. Thankfully Sidepodcast decided to buck the trend
November 14th, 2008 at 21:57Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
By chance has anyone seen this?
http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/72117
What are his chances of pulling off a Surtees?
November 14th, 2008 at 22:06Christine said:
Not really. It’s always worth knowing where we stand on matters like these
November 14th, 2008 at 22:06Steven Roy said:
None. Even if he won the superbikes championship within two seasons he still has to step up to Moto GP. The Honda team is built round Dani Pedrosa and they are not going to give Schumacher preference over him. Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha team has FIAT sponsorship and neither FIAT or Yamaha are going to drop Rossi for a 40 year old Schumacher. The only other option is Ducati but he is not going to beat Stoner on that bike.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:07Christine said:
All I’ve heard is that he keeps crashing!! Has a great time doing so, though.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:21Alianora La Canta said:
What are his chances of pulling off a Surtees? {Scott Woodwiss - 4 comments ago}
Nice gesture from Honda, but I don’t think Schumacher plans on becoming a professional biker anyway. He’s doing it for fun.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:42Dan Brunell said:
No offense to his amazing talents, but I don’t see it. He is too old to compete at the highest levels of the sport. The demands of MotoGP on the body are even more so than Formula One. I don’t know how he could keep light enough or in good enough fitness for MotoGP. Plus, I think his driving/riding style might be a little bit too aggressive in a sport that values smoothness and reaction time.
If anything it is a nice gesture/PR move by Honda. However, I think he would be wise to keep it as a passion instead of a profession.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:48Steven Roy said:
I want to take over Nasa TV. It is populated by incompetents. I have to be able to produce better programs.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:50R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
Have I missed something? Is Nasa TV the only thing you can watch right now?
November 14th, 2008 at 22:54Steven Roy said:
During the build up to a launch it is pretty much the only thing I watch. 1 hour until they fly.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:54Scott Woodwiss (hosting the next sidepodpanel :P) said:
Anyone just see Hammond on Children in Need?
November 14th, 2008 at 22:56lou said:
I’m watching it too well swapping between that and Children in Need. … They are useless, although i’m loving the fact NASA tv even exists. I noticed you posted about it on identi.ca and just had to check it out!
November 14th, 2008 at 22:56R.G (Welcome to R.G answer phone) said:
Aye, thought they were actually gonna show the stig
Oh, I see.
November 14th, 2008 at 22:59lou said:
yep, i did.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:00Steven Roy said:
I love that it exists too. Some of the stuff they do is really good but tonight’s presenters are useless.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:02R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise) said:
How useless is useless, useless in the sense you know they have no idea what’s about to happen?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:02Steven Roy said:
Forgot about the planned hold in the countdown. 2 hours to launch
November 14th, 2008 at 23:04lou said:
2 hours? lol (you can tell i’m not following it closely can’t you) it said 1hr 15mins on a digital thing when i last looked…
November 14th, 2008 at 23:05Steven Roy said:
The woman who was on earlier sounded like she was bing fed every line. She would say a sentence then pause for five or ten seconds before the next one. The guy who is on now has a former member of the close out crew with him who clearly has no media experience so you have to ask him questions to get anything out of him but this clown will say a sentence then just turn and look at him. The other guy just looks back at him.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:06Steven Roy said:
That’s what caught me out. They have planned holds in the countdown where it stops for a fixed period.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:06Steven Roy said:
I think we need a sidepodspace channel. I will tak the blame for this one.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:09lou said:
ooooh right, erm… why?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:09Steven Roy said:
There is a countdown clock that shows time to launch rather than the official countdown
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
November 14th, 2008 at 23:10R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
Live commenting enters the universe, only on sidepodcast live commenting at 1
November 14th, 2008 at 23:10Steven Roy said:
I think it is to allow for problems but it seems like an odd system
November 14th, 2008 at 23:12R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
This could explain the two clocks
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/clocks_explainer.html
November 14th, 2008 at 23:13Steven Roy said:
This shows both countdowns and if you click on countdown 101 it explains how the countdown happens and what the holds are.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/clocks_explainer.html
November 14th, 2008 at 23:13lou said:
ah that makes sense
November 14th, 2008 at 23:13Dom said:
How did I know we would end up live commenting the shuttle launch?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:17Steven Roy said:
We live commented making cupcakes. Nothing escapes live commenting
November 14th, 2008 at 23:18Dom said:
We’ve found some rubbish TV coverage you need to fix, guys! Once your done narrating The Factory, NASA TV needs you.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:23Dom said:
Sidepodcast subtitle!
November 14th, 2008 at 23:34Steven Roy said:
This launch is going to be spectacular because it is so dark in Florida. We are really going to see the flames tonight.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:36R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
Yeah, looks quite lovely in the dark with all the lights, very much like Singapore.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:40me said:
we can’t fix international broadcasting.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:42Steven Roy said:
Of course you can
November 14th, 2008 at 23:43Steven Roy said:
Maybe intead of KERS F1 should give each car 6 solid rocket boosters.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:46me said:
oh, all right then
can i nominate a test driver?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:46R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
F1 would literally fly off the blocks.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:48lou said:
hahaha
November 14th, 2008 at 23:50me (this bracket intentionally left blank) said:
do we get any commission?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:50Steven Roy said:
November 14th, 2008 at 23:51Dan Brunell said:
I KNOW HER!!! She is one of my brother-in-laws good friends. She was a teacher at the high school where he is a vice principle at in Vancouver, WA. She got selected by the teacher in space program a few years back and has been living in Houston. I believe she just finished her primary training and is now on the list waiting for a mission.
Very nice person. When I was in Houston a few years back, she took me and my brother’s family through mission control and their facilities. Absolutely amazing place.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:52R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
No, but
thats copying
November 14th, 2008 at 23:53me (this bracket intentionally left blank) said:
not profiteering though
November 14th, 2008 at 23:53Steven Roy said:
This is just like the build up to a race except that there is no parade lap and no cupcakes
November 14th, 2008 at 23:54me (this bracket not to be confused with r.g's bracket) said:
can we get a shout out?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:54Steven Roy said:
She was in the astronaut candidate class of 2004 along ith one of the guys who is on the pad just now.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:55Steven Roy said:
That beats 5 live or radio lemans
November 14th, 2008 at 23:56Dom said:
What? No cupcakes? Those guys have some catching up to do…
November 14th, 2008 at 23:56me (this bracket not to be confused with r.g's bracket) said:
any requests?
November 14th, 2008 at 23:57Dom said:
November 14th, 2008 at 23:57R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG, sidepodcast not allowed) said:
No, no.
November 14th, 2008 at 23:58Steven Roy said:
Chocolate cupcakes for me
November 14th, 2008 at 23:59R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
As the old proverb states
‘The length of the bracket has nothing to do with the quality’
November 14th, 2008 at 23:59me (this bracket not to be confused with r.g's bracket) said:
i can only do one at a time.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:01Dan Brunell said:
I think she is rather busy.
When she first said she was going to apply for the teacher-astronault program, my brother in law laughed. She has never let him down for that.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:03Dom said:
Seeing as we’re all counting down.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:04Steven Roy said:
She hasn’t been on screen for about an hour. How busy can she be?
November 15th, 2008 at 00:05me (this bracket not to be confused with r.g's bracket) said:
or this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjeMDvCdrtc
November 15th, 2008 at 00:06Steven Roy said:
I thought it was going to be Europe with the final countdown
November 15th, 2008 at 00:09R.G (This bracket is empty, if you wish to advertise please contact RG) said:
It’s the final countdown, de la lu la, de la le la le, the final countdown
November 15th, 2008 at 00:16Dan Brunell said:
For the sake of my brother-in-laws sanity, when was Dottie on and what did she talk about?
November 15th, 2008 at 00:17Dom said:
I do hope NASA play that cover before the launch.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:20Steven Roy said:
She was doing the Martin Brundle type commentary while the crew were getting suited. You should be able to get the time form my original comment.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:20Steven Roy said:
Can we all switch to the new thread so that we don’t have to follow two separate threads?
November 15th, 2008 at 00:25Dan Brunell said:
Thanks Steve.
November 15th, 2008 at 00:47Journeyer said:
I moved my post to the new thread.
November 15th, 2008 at 01:05Steven Roy said:
You can track the progress of the shuttle to the ISS @ http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/index.html
November 15th, 2008 at 01:07Steven Roy said:
The graphic hasn’t been updated since STS124. If you point your mouse at the shuttle it gives you that mission number and crew. So professional
November 15th, 2008 at 01:08Steven Roy said:
I guess that is all we are going to see tonight