Archive for October, 2004
Yahya Appointed UIM’S Continental, Regional Vice-President
KUALA LUMPUR Oct 25 - Datuk Yahya A. Jalil’s commitment to development of the Formula One Powerboat events in Malaysia paid off when he was appointed the Continental and Regional Vice-President of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).
Yahya, the managing director of H2O Sports, organiser for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, was appointed at the 77th UIM general assembly in Portimao, Portugal, Sunday.
H2O Sports said in a statement here Monday: “Yahya’s appointment is for a four-year term and, as vice-president, he would be answerable to the council of the UIM.”
UIM is the world governing body for all motorized water sports with its headquarters based in Monaco.
The appointment, proposed by UIM president, Ralf Frohling from Germany, was accepted by all 57 representatives of member countries.
In recognizing the importance of Yahya’s appointment, Frohling said: “Yahya’s appointment is testament to the UIM’s acknowledgement of his commitment, dedication, ability and contribution to the world of Formula One Powerboat and Formula Future over the past four years.”
Yahya’s appointment was yet another recognition for Malaysia as no other Asian has given a place high in the UIM hierarchy, traditionally held by Europeans and Americans.
He was previously elected administrator in UIM at its 75th general assembly in Capetown, South Africa, in October 2002.
Yahya’s role, among other things, would be to ensure that all national authorities are active in promoting and marketing all motorized watersports according to UIM rules.
Commenting on his appointment, Yahya said: “As a Malaysian, I am honoured by the appointment and will strive to uphold the trust that has been bestowed upon me by the UIM and to raise the awareness of the sports in this region.”
Utusan Malaysia
Pressure On Ferrari To Sign Testing Agreement
Pressure on Ferrari to sign testing agreement
SAO PAULO (BRAZIL),
OCT. 25.
Formula One teams intent on reducing the costs of testing during the season are pressuring Ferrari to agree to limit practice between races. The move is an attempt to make it easier for smaller teams to compete with the likes of Ferrari — the only team with its own test track.
Between races, Ferrari convenes key personnel at its track while other well-funded teams test at other European tracks. Smaller teams usually can’t afford to test, opting instead to take advantage of an extra day of practice at each race venue before the weekend’s schedule.
Under the proposal, testing would be limited to 10 days during the eight-month season. All teams except Ferrari signed the agreement, but a unanimous decision is necessary to put the test limitation in effect.
The signatory teams said they would try to convince Ferrari in the coming weeks to “move towards achieving the goal of reducing the necessity to spend enormous sums in order to be competitive in Formula One.”
Sauber, which uses rebuilt Ferrari engines, appeared to try to make peace with the Formula One’s top team. “You can imagine how difficult it was for me to sign the cost-savings initiative,” team principal Peter Sauber said.
Wave that flag
Supermodel Giselle Bundchen managed to wave the chequered flag for winner Juan Pablo Montoya, avoiding a repeat of Pele’s finish line fiasco at the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix.
The soccer great was distracted as Michael Schumacher came down the last stretch and won. Pele only got the flag into his hands in time to wave the flag as the back of the back crossed the line.
Race officials were intent on a solid performance this year, so they took precautions. Instead of arriving at the track with five laps to go, Pele style, Bundchen was told to arrive early and landed at Interlagos in a helicopter hours before the start.
She was also given a brief instruction on how to wave the flag, and when. Just to make sure the performance went off without problems, Brazilian Grand Prix race director Carlos Montagner stood right next to Bundchen and held her.
Brazilian booze
Formula One is a thirsty business. Foreigners at the TransAmerica Hotel, almost all associated with Formula One, kept the bartenders busy all week mixing Brazil’s national drink, the caipirinha. On a regular day, the bar usually sells 40 of the drinks — made of fiery cachaca sugarcane liquor, fresh limes and lime juice, sugar and ice.
But consumption skyrocketed to 350 to 360 caipirinhas nightly while the Formula One folks were in town, according to the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper.— AP
Hindu On Net
Barrichello Takes Pole
Barrichello takes pole
SAO PAULO,
OCT 23.
Rubens Barrichello won the pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix for the second straight year on Saturday, beating out Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher who crashed in practice hours earlier and was forced to use a backup car.
Barrichello, who grew up near the 4.309km Interlagos circuit, had the best lap of 1m 10.646s, 0.204 of a second ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and his Williams-BMW.
It was the 13th career pole for Barrichello and his fourth this season.
Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes, one of two non-Ferrari drivers to win this season, came in third in 1:10.892.
Barrichello’s time was more than three seconds better than last year’s pole-winning 1:13.807.
“It’s so amazing,” Barrichello said. “My legs were numb with the immense pressure. But it’s a good pressure.”
He predicted he has a good chance to win on Sunday and said he wasn’t nervous. “The pressure is already gone,” Barrichello said. “I am going to sleep on my own bed, which I love.”
The seven-time world champion Schumacher had the eighth-best time, 1:11.386, but will start 18th because of a 10-place penalty for changing engines after the crash. — AP
Hindu On Net