July 31, 2010

Today's Tune: "Sorcerers" By Angel Witch

I once dressed up as Severus Snape for Halloween.
Hey, I had the long hair and the black robe.
Never you mind why I had the robe!

Happy Birthday to J. K. Rowling! The author of the hugely successful 'Harry Potter' fantasy book series turns 45 years old today. Born Joanne Rowling, she started life in the town of Yate, near Bristol, England. When she married, her legal name became Joanne Murray.

There are seven books in the 'Harry Potter' series which, along with the subsequent movie adaptations, has made the charitable minded Rowling a very rich woman.

These books are centered around the make-believe world of wizards, also known as sorcerers. Whilst thinking about the books and their counterpart films, I came up with our 'Today's Tune'. I was especially mulling over the first novel 'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone', which was retitled 'Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone' for us in the States.

Staying with creatures of magical abilities, I've picked the song "Sorcerers" (1980) by British cult metal band Angel Witch.



Angel Witch - "Sorcerers"

July 30, 2010

2010 F1 German Grand Prix Review

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa takes lead at first corner. Photo by Reuters.

On last Sunday - July 25, 2010, the 2010 F1 German Grand Prix race was run at Hockenheimring, in Hockenheim, Germany. Scuderia Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso won, after his race leading Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa slowed and pulled over to let him pass during lap 49. Ferrari, who have been guilty of issuing such "team orders" before, were later fined the equivalent of 100,000 US dollars.

The most interesting and relevant Formula1.com post links, from pre-race qualifying on through to post race reactions, are here for this 2010 F1 German Grand Prix Review. Preview posts are included in the previous regular 'Reading And Viewing List' blog entries.


Qualifying - Vettel snatches home pole in Germany
Posted at Formula1.com on July 24, 2010

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso led Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel in both Q1 and Q2, and again after the first runs in Q3, but on his very last run the German stopped the clocks in 1m 13.791s. And when the dust had settled after the Spaniard had completed his second run he came up just two thousandths of a second short, on 1m 13.793s...

Qualifying - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on July 24, 2010

Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi on his high-speed crash during Q1; Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher on just missing out on taking part in Q3 in front of his home crowd; and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel on clinching pole position. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, review Saturday’s action at Hockenheim...

FIA post-qualifying press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com on July 24, 2010

Drivers: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1m 13.791s; 2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1m 13.793s; 3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari), 1m 14.290s

Q: Sebastian, congratulations. Your third pole in a row. Your first in your home event and by such a small margin as well.
Sebastian Vettel: Yeah, it would be interesting to calculate how much it is, two thousands of a second. It was very, very close. All session Fernando was really strong and in general the Ferraris are very competitive here...

Qualifying analysis - Ferrari throw down gauntlet to Red Bull
Posted at Formula1.com on July 24, 2010

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel once again took the top grid slot during qualifying for Sunday’s German Grand Prix. But with Fernando Alonso a very close second and his Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa in third, Mark Webber found himself down in fourth in the other RB6. Ferrari it seems have made genuine progress here and both they and McLaren will pose a very real threat to the blue cars on Sunday. We take a team-by-team look at how all the runners performed...

Paddock Postcard from Hockenheim
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

Danny ‘Spin to Win’ Sullivan, the former Tyrrell Grand Prix driver and famed 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner is the stewards’ advisor this weekend in Hockenheim, and was joined in the paddock by fellow ChampCar racer Adrian Fernandes who was there along with fellow Mexican drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez.

Former Andrea Moda F1 driver Perry McCarthy also made a brief appearance, while other familiar racing faces included Andrew Kirkcaldy, Kris Nissen (now the head of Volkswagen Motorsport), Australian Grand Prix steward and former Brabham/Surtees racer Tim Schenken, double world champion Mika Hakkinen...

Race - Alonso leads Ferrari one-two in Germany
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

Felipe Massa handed Ferrari team mate Fernando Alonso a controversial victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix as the red team scored their second one-two of the season and the win they were under so much pressure to achieve before the summer break, beating Sebastian Vettel’s pole-winning Red Bull into third place...

[XuastPro] F1 Germany 2010 Highlights
Posted to YouTube by emanuelis8




German Grand Prix - selected team & driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel on his tricky start from pole position; Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari on their first-lap collision; Lotus on their disappointing double DNF; and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa on their first one-two since the season opener in Bahrain. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, report back on Sunday’s race...

Ferrari referred to WMSC over team orders
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

Following their controversial one-two result at the German Grand Prix, Ferrari have been fined US$100,000 by the FIA after race stewards deemed they had breached sporting regulations and the case has been referred to the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC)...

FIA post-race press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

1st Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1h27m38.864s; 2nd Felipe Massa (Ferrari), 1h27m43.060s; 3rd Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1h27m43.985s.

Q: Fernando, as the team told you at the end you have indeed been very quick this weekend. Frustration though for much of the race and you said on the team radio at one stage 'this is ridiculous' but in the end it ended very well for you.
Fernando Alonso: Yeah, I think it was a good weekend overall. We did improve the car a lot and immediately from Friday we felt very competitive. The car behaved very well and all the set-up adjustments worked really well here in Hockenheim...

Sebastian Vettel Q&A: It's good to be out of the spotlight
Posted at Formula1.com on July 25, 2010

Hockenheim is practically in Sebastian Vettel’s back yard - he grew up barely 40 km away - so few were surprised to see him take pole for his home race. More surprising was the way he then got dumped down to P3 at Turn One by the Ferraris. Vettel, however, is looking on the bright side - he outscored his main title rivals and is happy that for once it's a team other than Red Bull courting controversy...

Germany race analysis - Ferrari fast, but under fire
Posted at Formula1.com on July 26, 2010

Hockenheim was a weekend of extremes for Ferrari. They finally found the speed needed to beat Red Bull and rediscover winning-ways, but their much-needed one-two came at a price - $100,000 to be precise. The team insisted Fernando Alonso’s pass on Felipe Massa was not the result of team orders, but the stewards disagreed and now the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council must decide if the matter is taken further. While the result stands, however, it puts Alonso very much back in the hunt for a third drivers’ title...

Post-Germany Q&A with Williams’ Sam Michael
Posted at Formula1.com on July 26, 2010

It was another promising but ultimately frustrating weekend for Williams in Germany, with both Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg making the Q3 cut in qualifying, only to be stymied in the race by poor starts. Technical director Sam Michael reviews the events of Hockenheim and looks forward to this coming weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix...

July 29, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
July 18 - 24, 2010


Last Update - July 29, 2010 at 10:52 PM EDT

The 'Reading And Viewing List' for July 18 through July 24, 2010 contains links to some interesting web items posted within last week.

The topics covered below include super hero comics movies, music, hockey (Washington Capitals) and racing (Formula One and WRC).

For the automotive sports enthusiasts, I've loaded some 2010 F1 German Grand Prix Preview post links and a few 2010 WRC Rally Finland Preview posts in the mix below.

Some 2010 San Diego Comic-Con coverage, including super hero comics films cast and crew interview videos, also make it into the list.


July 24, 2010

High Voltage: The Rest Of Day One Reviewed
By mdome at Classic Rock

OK, time for the second part of the first day of High Voltage. Time to find out about Bigelf, Zappa Plays Zappa, Cathedral, Saxon, Foreigner, Heaven & Hell, Black Label Society, Asia, Transatlantic and ZZ Top...

The Extra Man Movie Premiere
By Monica Lo (a.k.a. Lobese) at LOBESE

The perks just keep coming!
Since we won "Best in Show" for our Fiesta Movement Short Film, Rolling Stone Magazine rewarded us with tickets to the red carpet movie premiere of The Extra Man...

...The crowd made its way over to Vapiano after the movie for the after-party/dinner. I'm pretty sure I'm still recovering from the glorious open bar. It was a ridiculously fun night filled with celebs, models and Michael Gambon knocked over my champagne (you probably know him as Professor Dumbledore!). What? Dumbledore spilt my shit!...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Watch Monica's Fiesta Movement Short Film 'Double Take'.


Live From San Diego, It's The MTV/MySpace Comic-Con Show:
Day Three!

Posted by Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

It's Day Three of San Diego Comic-Con, and that means our final live show is kicking off!

This time around, it's the "Captain America" and "Thor" teams dropping by for a maximum Marvel blowout! And that's not all we have in store for you. Stay tuned to Splash Page for all the live Comic-Con news!...

'Green Lantern' Panel Report: Comic-Con Welcomes
Ryan Reynolds And The Green Lantern Corp!

Posted by Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Warner Bros. brought the whole "Green Lantern" crew to Comic-Con this year, and a crowded hall got their first look at Ryan Reynolds in action as DC's ring-wielding hero Hal Jordan. Here's a moment-by-moment report of what happened:...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Partial video of the panel here.


Final practice - Red Bull edge out Ferrari
Posted at Formula1.com

Heavy rain five minutes before the start of Saturday morning's final practice session for the German Grand Prix threw things into disarray for a while, but created a gripping final few minutes after the track had dried out.

A series of rapid-fire laps saw fastest time changing hands by the minute, but in the end it was Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel who claimed the top slot with 1m 15.103s ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari on 1m 15.387s. Mark Webber thus lost his top place after...


July 23, 2010

Live From San Diego, It's The MTV/MySpace Comic-Con Show:
Day Two!

Posted by Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

It's Day Two of San Diego Comic-Con, and that means our second live show is kicking off!

This time around, it's the "Tron" team and the "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" crew dropping by, and that's not all we have in store for you! Keep it locked to Splash Page and tune in for all the live Comic-Con fun, you crazy kids...

Friday analysis - Ferrari back in the hunt?
Posted at Formula1.com

Friday morning’s rain at Hockenheim introduced complications, especially as parts of the track remained super-slippery for the rest of the day even though conditions improved towards the end of the opening session. Ferrari looked to be very much back in contention, leaving the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes with plenty to think about overnight. We take a team-by-team look at early progress in Germany...

FIA Friday press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers and team representatives: Norbert Haug (Mercedes), Nico Hulkenberg (Williams), Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber), Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), Adam Parr (Williams), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).

Q: Adam, you have had a new job since the British Grand Prix. How has that changed things for you? How different is it?
Adam Parr: It doesn’t really change anything as it is pretty much reflecting what I have been doing for a little while now. But it is more of a formalization of that...

New 'Red' Trailer Debuts At Comic-Con!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


..."Red" hits theaters October 15.

Along with Bruce Willis and Mary Louise Parker, the film boasts an all-star cast that includes John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, James Remar, Helen Mirren, Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss and Brian Cox...


Countdown to Neste Oil Rally Finland
Posted at WRC.com

In parts of Finland, the sun does not come up for 51 days in the winter. That’s 1,224 hours of darkness. That’s a lot of thinking time. And what are the Finns all thinking about? Next week, that’s what: the Jyvaskyla Grand Prix, the 1,000 Lakes Rally or - as it is now known - Neste Oil Rally Finland.

The moniker might have changed down the years, but the importance of this jewel in the World Rally Championship’s crown has only increased. This is the one all drivers want to win...

Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

The weather played a dominant role during the opening day of the German Grand Prix weekend. In the morning Force India’s Adrian Sutil led the way, whilst McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton ended up in the gravel with a damaged MP4-25. In the afternoon Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was the quickest runner, ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their early progress...

Practice Two - Alonso ahead at Hockenheim
Posted at Formula1.com

A pattern finally began to emerge as the track dried out at Hockenheim on Friday afternoon, though conditions were still greasy and challenging.

Fernando Alonso pushed Ferrari to the fore with a lap of 1m 16.265s, but Sebastian Vettel was right on his tail for Red Bull with 1m 16.294s and their respective team mates Felipe Massa and Mark Webber were in touch with 1m 16.438s and 1m 16.585s. Just for good measure, the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher were also in the zone, with 1m 16.827s and 1m 16.971s apiece...

High Voltage Exclusive: Heep’s Guide To Demons & Wizards
By mdome at Classic Rock

Uriah Heep will be playing their iconic 1972 album Demons And Wizards in its entirety at this weekend’s High Voltage festival.

It’s the first time the band have ever done this, and you can see events unfold on the Prog Stage on July 25 – Heep come on stage at 5pm, with guest Micky Moody on slide guitar.

To get us all in the mood, here’s guitarist Mick Box’s track by track guide to the album...

Finland: tried and tested
Posted at WRC.com

This week has been the traditional warm-up period for the leading competitors in next week’s Rally Finland - with Citroen Junior Team drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Dani Sordo first out of the box on Tuesday.

Testing is crucial for any event, but in Finland it’s probably more important than ever. In recent years, Finland has kick-started the second half of the season - which means drivers will have had some time out of the car...

High Voltage: Heep And Martin Turner’s Ash In Rehearsal
By Dave Ling at Classic Rock

...The prospect of a spot at High Voltage was enough to cause Mick Box, Heep’s ever-smiling guitarist, to interrupt a family holiday. The show’s concept, a festival for older-but-wiser-rock fans, is something that’s close to his heart.

“Only two words need to be said: ‘At last!’” he beams. “This is something that we’ve needed for a long, long time – the fact that thousands of fans have bought tickets is vindication of that.”

“Bands playing real music, without sequencers or tapes… imagine that,” says singer Bernie Shaw with mock astonishment...

Practice One - Sutil tops damp German session
Posted at Formula1.com

The only really conclusive thing about Friday morning’s opening practice session for the German Grand Prix was how heavily Lewis Hamilton trashed his McLaren after getting caught out in the slippery conditions at Turn Four and banging it hard enough into the tyre wall to rip off the front wing and damage the left-rear suspension.

Heavy rain from the start made for a tough morning’s work for everyone, though the track was getting better towards the end of the hour and a half as the rain eased...

Pre-Germany analysis - Vettel & Schumacher out for home glory
By David Tremayne at Formula1.com

Nobody ever tries to pretend other than that their home race is something they would love to win.

Michael Schumacher, of course, has done it four times. Sebastian Vettel has not yet managed it once. Of the two, however, the statistics say that he has the better chance of correcting that this weekend at Hockenheim, where he is the bookies’ favourite to win for Red Bull...


July 22, 2010

Comic-Con: Joss Whedon Talks 'Avengers' At EW Visionaries Panel
By Ryan J. Downey at MTV's Splash Page

It was a meeting of two of the most beloved minds in geekery Thursday as J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon sat down for a Comic-Con chat about, well... everything that came to mind...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: See video (of monitor) of the panel here.


'Red' Comic-Con Panel Report: Bruce Willis, Warren Ellis,
Helen Mirren, More!

By Ryan J. Downey at MTV's Splash Page

...- IGN Movies EIC introduces Warren Ellis, Cully Hamner, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Karl Urban, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Mirren (whose "R.I.P. Harvey Pekar" shirt gets a huge cheer) and Bruce Willis.

- "Every day was fun. It was a really ambitious project and the work that the actors did became easier each week," Willis said. "Because each week we got another big movie star that we were all excited about... It was like recess." Helen adds: "They had the Queen and then they had God."...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: nudiatv posted video of the panel to YouTube:




Live From San Diego Comic-Con, It's The MTV/MySpace Livestream!
Posted by Adam Rosenberg at MTV's Splash Page

The first of three one-hour-long MTV/MySpace livestreams from 2010 San Diego Comic-Con in San Diego is about to get underway and you can check it out right here!...

FIA Thursday press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Timo Glock (Virgin), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Mark Webber (Red Bull).

Q: For four of you it’s your home race. Just a quick word on what it means to you. Your hopes and expectations. How much you enjoy it or maybe you don’t enjoy it. Timo, your comments.
Timo Glock: Good to be back at Hockenheim again and I had a lot of good races here at Hockenheim, so really looking forward to it...

Loeb runs risk-free strategy in Finland
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Loeb says he will not risk everything in pursuit of a second Rally Finland win in three years on next week’s eighth round of the World Rally Championship.

Loeb led the 2008 event from start to finish, eventually beating Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen by nine seconds, but last season honours were reversed as Jyvaskyla’s favourite, Hirvonen came through to beat the Frenchman and his Citroen C4 WRC by 25 seconds...

Two Janis Joplin Movies Planned
By mdome at Classic Rock

There are two movies being planned on the life of Janis Joplin.

One, due to go into production next year, stars Amy Adams as the great singer and is to be titled Janis Joplin – Get It While You Can.

The other has been in development for a decade, and is to be called The Gospel According To Janis. Although no-one has yet been cast in the main role, the advantage the latter is that producer Peter Newman, together with his business partners, owns the rights to most of Joplin’s music.

Germany Preview - all to play for at Hockenheim?
Posted at Formula1.com

As the FIA Formula One World Championship returns to Hockenheim for the first time in two years, the battle for the drivers’ and constructors’ titles could not be more finely balanced. With nine races left, the four leading drivers are separated by only 24 points, while in the team chase McLaren lead Red Bull by 278 points to 249...


July 21, 2010

Ovechkin will prepare for the season with Kovalchuk
Posted at Alex Ovetjkin

On July 21 [2010] the Russia's national team and Washington's forward Alexander Ovechkin, who recently became an advisor to the President of unified Dynamo team, arrived to Novogorsk to take part in the evening friendly training game between the club members and the veterans of the MVD. Before the training started Alexander talked to the press service of the club...

Ovechkin: We must look forward
By Emily at Alex Ovetjkin

Alexander Ovechkin went out on the ice for the first time after that unfortunate for him last season. He appeared at his alumni training facility in Novogorsk in a new capacity as an adviser to the president of Dynamo United Mikhail Tyurkin. Ovechkin had a team Russia red helmet a new white jersey with the classic emblem of his alumni club, a letter "D" and number 10. This is what Dynamo United will be wearing in the upcoming season in KHL...

Be Part Of Dio Tribute Poster
By mdome at Classic Rock

Metal Hammer, Classic Rock’s sister title, is putting together a very special Ronnie James Dio tribute poster.

To be made available later in the year, the poster will feature loads of images of fans and friends...

Can You Identify Unknown Sandy Denny Recording?
By mdome at Classic Rock

The late Sandy Denny is to have a 19-CD box set released by Universal Music Catalogue in October – and in the process of putting this together, a never-before-heard home recording has been found...

Henning relishes asphalt challenge
Posted at WRC.com

Stobart driver Henning Solberg said his recent top-10 finish on Rally Bulgaria has vindicated his decision to step out of a Ford Focus RS WRC for the remaining asphalt rounds of this year’s World Rally Championship.

Solberg won the Group N category of the Borovets-based event by more than three minutes, beating the similar machine of Denis Kuipers and Solberg’s countryman Eyvind Brynildsen, who was driving a Skoda Fabia S2000...


July 20, 2010

Maryland Hard Rockers Clutch Reissue Deluxe Two Disc Version Of 'From Beale Street To Oblivion'
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock


Maryland hard rockers Clutch have released a deluxe two disc version of their 2007 album 'From Beale Street To Oblivion, out July 20 via the band's own Weathermaker label.

The 22-song, double-CD Beale Street set features new artwork, various versions of Electric Worry, live jams from Australia and five additional songs...


Ozzy And Iommi Issue Statement About Sabbath Trademark
By mdome at Classic Rock

...“Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi of the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath have amicably resolved their problems over the ownership of the Black Sabbath name and court proceedings in New York have been discontinued. Both parties are glad to put this behind them and to cooperate together for the future and would like it to be known that the issue was never personal, it was always business.”

Whether this public smoothing-over of the problem is a prelude to a much-rumoured reunion of the original Black Sabbath line-up remains to be seen. Right now, nobody concerned is ruling it out...

What’s a Development Camp All About Anyway?
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

...Here’s how I view Development Camp: an exercise in identifying, perhaps just partially, what skills a player has in his toolbox. At a camp you can tell whether or not a player has an NHL shot, whether or not he can stickhandle in the proverbial phone booth. So three summers back, for instance, I was certain that Mathieu Perreault possessed NHL playmaker tools and hockey sense, but that he also needed a few seasons in professional development (the ‘A’) before we could plausibly posit whether or not he’d one day wear a Caps’ sweater. Some then who watched him at development camp merely looked at his small stature and wrote him off. George McPhee and Doug Yingst certainly didn’t...

Solberg can win this season, says team chief Rees
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg’s team boss Ken Rees believes the 2003 world champion can be a winner again before the end of the season.

Solberg hasn’t climbed the top step of the podium since winning Rally GB in September 2005. But after claiming his fourth podium finish of the year in Bulgaria earlier this month, Rees believes it’s only a matter of time before the Norwegian lands his 14th WRC career victory...


July 19, 2010

Finland draws record number of rally entries
Posted at WRC.com

The number of entries for the forthcoming Neste Oil Rally Finland has set a 2010 season record - with 102 cars, including 15 World Rally Cars, on the seeded entry list.

The Jyvaskyla based rally, which gets underway on 29 July, also boasts a record-breaking number of 4-wheel-drive cars. This year’s figure of 78 is the highest number in the event’s 60-year history...

New 'Thor' Image: Loki's Horns, Asgard's Throne, And First Looks At Frigga, Hogun, And Fandral!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...The image debuted in The L.A. Times this week, and along with giving us the first look at several more gods from Thor's universe, it also provides us with the first shot of Loki with his iconic horned helmet!

For those who aren't up on their "Thor" characters, here's who we see for the first time in the image:...

Home Of Metal Website Celebrates Midlands Legends
By mdome at Classic Rock

The Home Of Metal, which celebrates the West Midlands contribution to the world of rock and metal, is to launch its digital archive later this month.

The website aims to showcase the importance of bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. They’re after fan contributions to the site – ‘everything from concert tickets to photographs, badges...

Martin cruises to victory on rally return
Posted at WRC.com

Markko Martin took part in his first rally for almost two years - and promptly claimed victory at the wheel of the car he describes as his favourite.

The 34-year-old, a winner of five world championship rallies, was competing on last weekend’s Mad-Croc Rally Estonia in a 2003-specification Ford Focus RS WRC...

The story so far - Mercedes GP’s mid-season report
Posted at Formula1.com

On paper it was a dream team - the clout of Mercedes backing, the technical and managerial genius of Ross Brawn, the young driving talent of Nico Rosberg and the living legend that is Michael Schumacher. With such expectation, anything less than perfection would have been disappointing, and the reality of Mercedes GP’s first season has been far from perfect. While fourth in the championship standings isn’t bad going for a ‘newcomer’, and there are still positives aplenty, they have less than half the points of leading team McLaren and have little hope of retaining their Brawn-won titles of 2009. Ouch! Here’s the story of their campaign so far...


July 18, 2010

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.12, 'The Pandorica Opens'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

An ominous message for The Doctor winds its way through time and space courtesy of River Song and various other allies of the Time Lord, warning of a terrible disaster that occurs when a fabled prison cell is opened. As companions, unexpected friends, and sworn enemies of The Doctor converge on the mysterious prison, The Doctor is faced with questions he just can't answer, and a threat beyond his understanding.

What will happen when The Pandorica opens?...

Down the road a piece
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Going into the 2010-2011 season, the Capitals are likely (absent any further personnel moves) to have some serious issues at center. Nicklas Backstrom might be among the top five centers in the game today, but after that, it becomes something of a roll of the dice for the Caps. No serious option for second line center...

July 26, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
July 11 - 17, 2010


Last Update - July 26, 2010 at 5:02 AM EDT

The 'Reading And Viewing List' for July 11 through July 17, 2010 contains links to some interesting web items posted within that week.

The topics covered below include super hero comics movies, music, hockey (Washington Capitals) and racing (Formula One and WRC).

To view some videos from the Capitals' 2010 Developement Camp, visit Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com.


July 17, 2010

High Voltage Scoop: Foreigner’s Mick Jones Talks About Dio
By Xavier Russell at Classic Rock

Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, guitarist and founder-member Mick Jones says:"We really are looking forward to playing England again. We toured Germany last year, but sadly never made it over to the U.K. Playing High Voltage is gonna be great for us. It’s an excellent way to reach a lot of people."

"I’m really happy with the new-look Foreigner, there’s absolutely no egos and we all get along great, and this comes across in our live show. We will basically play a greatest hits set at High Voltage, and a longer set at The Roundhouse the following night (at the iTunes Festival)...


July 16, 2010

The Secret Life of Adrian Sutil
Posted at Formula1.com

You will definitely know he is a Force India driver. You should know he’s German. You probably know he’s clinched 35 of his team’s 47 points this season. And if you’re a big fan you may even know he could have become a professional pianist. But we bet there’s still plenty you don’t know about Adrian Sutil, including his fear of spiders, his obsession with perfection and his penchant for pens. Sutil reveals all in the latest instalment of our Secret Life series...

The magic of Rally Finland
Posted at WRC.com

For a motorsport journalist, writing about Rally Finland is a bit like getting William Wordsworth on Daffodils. Or John le Carre on espionage. Or Ian Rankin on Edinburgh. It's a passion and an enormous pleasure.

Rally Finland is a seasonal pilgrimage for fans from around the world - and Jyvaskyla is their Mecca. The place just oozes rally history. Legends like Markku Alen and Ari Vatanen stroll through the service park with plenty of time for a tale or two of their own daring-do on this most famous of world rally rounds...


July 15, 2010

Sordo will be allowed to fight for WRC wins
Posted at WRC.com

Dani Sordo’s frustration at failing to beat Citroen team leader Sebastien Loeb won’t last forever.

That’s according to Citroen Racing director Olivier Quesnel, who says the Spaniard will be allowed to take the fight to Loeb just as soon as the dominant French driver has claimed his seventh world crown and Citroen its sixth manufacturers’ prize...

'X-Men: First Class' Casting Update: Mystique, Kevin Bacon,
And Aaron Johnson (Again)

By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

...Heat Vision reports that "Winter's Bone" actress Jennifer Lawrence has booked the role of Mystique in "First Class," starring opposite James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Magneto. The 19-year-old actress joins an increasingly youthful lineup of actors including Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Alice Eve as Emma Frost and Caleb Landry Jones as Sean Cassidy...

High Voltage: Glenn Hughes On Ronnie Dio
By mdome at Classic Rock


Glenn Hughes has paid a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, as he prepares to play a set in honour of the late vocalist at High Voltage.

"When I walk on to the stage at High Voltage with my mates in Heaven And Hell, it will be to celebrate the life of our brother Ronnie James Dio. I can’t think of any other artist who has given so much with his generosity and charitable contribution...


Webber: We’ve moved on from Silverstone controversy
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull’s Mark Webber has drawn a line under the front-wing controversy which flared up during last weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Webber was left frustrated when his team opted to remove the upgraded front wing from his RB6 and hand it over to his team mate Sebastian Vettel ahead of qualifying at Silverstone. Vettel’s own version of the new wing had been damaged during final practice. But after a mid-week debrief at the team’s Milton Keynes factory, the Australian is confident they have now cleared the air...

Jenson Button Q&A: Our rivals won’t stand still,
and neither will we

Posted at Formula1.com

Jenson Button’s British Grand Prix was a thrilling exercise in damage limitation. He may have started 14th on the grid, but a great start, improved race pace, and issues for his rivals saw him eventually cross the line in fourth. Although concerned about the success of upgrades introduced by other teams and disappointed the MP4-25 didn’t take to its new blown diffuser at the British round, Button is certain McLaren can keep up with their competitors, as he explained to his official website...


July 14, 2010

Caps Dev Camp First Scrimmage Slideshow
By The OFB Team at On Frozen Blog

High Voltage: Get Your ‘Instant Live Music’ CDs
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Concert Live, the instant music specialists, are to produce souvenir live CDs of seven of the acts performing at this month’s High Voltage festival. Each limited-edition CD set will be available for fans to collect within minutes of the bands’ last notes being played. Come inside to find out the names involved.

High Voltage takes place in London’s Victoria Park on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of July 2010.

During the course of the festival Concert Live will produce a limited number of ‘instant souvenir CD sets’ from Emerson Lake And Palmer, Marillion, Uriah Heep, Asia, Argent, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and Focus...

The Secret Life of Sebastien Buemi
Posted at Formula1.com

He races for Toro Rosso, he hails from Switzerland, his best finish was seventh at the 2009 Australian Grand Prix and he has scored 13 points from 27 starts. These are just a few things we do know about Sebastien Buemi. A driver, however, is more than his statistics, his team or his country of birth. We delve a little deeper to find out about Buemi’s past as a school chatterbox, his youthful interest in Californian punk music and his hatred of Brussels sprouts...

Top Guitarists On Dweezil Zappa Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

Guitarists from AC/DC, Van Halen, Queen and Ratt guest on the new album from Dweezil Zappa.

The record’s called What The Hell Was I Thinking, and features Angus and Malcolm Young, Eddie Van Halen, Brian May and Warren De Martini...

Chris Patterson scoops WRC award
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg's new co-driver, Chris Patterson, has been presented with the 'Abu Dhabi Sprit of the Rally' award for Rally Bulgaria after an outstanding team debut which netted him his best finish yet in the WRC.

The Northern Irishman was chosen to be Phil Mills' replacement just two weeks before the rally and had only two days of pre-event testing with Petter to prepare for his competitive debut with the team...


July 13, 2010

'Iron Man 2' DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced
By Brian Jacks at MTV's Splash Page

Ladies and gentlemen, cue up your arc reactors. Paramount has announced a street date and details for the DVD and Blu-ray release of one of the year's highest-grossing blockbusters, "Iron Man 2." The film, which took in over $300 million at the box office, is coming to store shelves on September 28, armed with a bounty of special features...

First 'Red' Poster Arrives Online
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Ellis himself alerted the online world to the new poster, which prominently features star Bruce Willis and includes the tagline "He's Got Time To Kill". The celebrated writer posted the image on his personal website, in an entry titled "Here We Go Here We Go Here We Go".

"Red" hits theaters October 15, and follows former black ops agent Frank Moses (Willis) as an attempted assassination forces him to end his quiet retirement and assemble his old team. The film features an all-star cast that includes Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Mary Louise-Parker.

And just in case you missed the "Red" trailer:




Iron Maiden Post New Video
By mdome at Classic Rock

Iron Maiden have just posted up the Director’s Cut video for the title track of new album The Final Frontier.

The full title of the song is Satellite 15…The Final Frontier, and the video was produced by Darkside Animation. Some of the filming was done in the Rendlesham Forest in the south of England, renowned because of a series of reported incidents of unexplained lights and even the landing of an alleged UFO. Spooky!...

It’s Live Aid’s 25th! Here’s News Of A Freddie Fundraiser
By mdome at Classic Rock

The first annual Freddie For A Day fundraising event will happen on Friday, September 3. (It’s apt that we’re making this announcement today, July 13, which marks the 25th anniversary of Live Aid – where Queen stole the show.)

In honour of the late Freddie Mercury, whose birth was on September 5, 1946, people will be encouraged to dress like the late, great Queen frontman in order to raise money...

Exclusive Q&A with Red Bull’s Christian Horner
Posted at Formula1.com

It’s easy to forget that just a few years ago the Red Bull team was but a twinkle in an Austrian billionaire’s eyes. In 2009 they established themselves as frontrunners, whilst this season they are unquestionably the team to beat - having scored nine pole positions and five victories. Although there’s been a fair few hiccups along the way, for team principal Christian Horner, challenging the ‘establishment’ is a source of immense pride. He talks 2010, upgrades, Pirelli and drivers


July 12, 2010

Silverstone debrief with Williams’ Sam Michael
Posted at Formula1.com

Following Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Sam Michael, Williams’ technical director, discusses how the weekend unfolded for team mates Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg, the FW32’s recent upgrade, and his hopes for the forthcoming German event...

High Voltage Scoop: Geezer Butler On Dio Tribute
By mdome at Classic Rock

Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, the bassist said:

“It’s gonna be very emotional doing this set with different singers [Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande], and it will very strange being on stage without Ronnie. But Wendy Dio told us that, if he could, then Ronnie would certainly have given this his blessing.”...


July 11, 2010

Tony Iommi On The Future Of Heaven & Hell, Black Sabbath : "We’d Like To Do Something, And Carry On Playing"
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Black Sabbath guitar legend Tony Iommi spoke to Paul Cole from Sundaymercury.net about a number of topics including the Heaven & Hell one-off show - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio, which will be held at the High Voltage Festival on Saturday, July 24th and will feature the vocals of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) and Jorn Lande (Masterplan)...

Ford vows to fight on despite Bulgarian defeat
Posted at WRC.com

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson insists his squad will continue to fight for the manufacturers’ title despite being outpaced by rivals Citroen on Rally Bulgaria.

Works Focus drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala languished in fifth and sixth places respectively at the finish in Borovets...

July 21, 2010

2010 F1 British Grand Prix Review

Australian F1 driver Mark Webber holds first place trophy. Picture from AP Photo.

The 2010 F1 British Grand Prix race was run at Silverstone Circuit, near Silverstone, England, on Sunday - July 11, 2010. It was won by Red Bull driver Mark Webber, his third victory of the 2010 season.

The most interesting and relevant Formula1.com posts, from final practice to qualifying and on through to post race reactions, are in the list below. Preview posts are included in the previous regular 'Reading And Viewing List' blog entries.


Final practice - Red Bull remain in charge
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

Red Bull continued their domination of practice for the British Grand Prix in Saturday morning’s final session when Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber ended up at the top of the times separated by only 0.034s. But their morning was not without drama. Vettel had lapped in 1m 30.958s and had just set the fastest time in sector one when, going into Abbey, the nose of his RB6 worked loose, allowing the front wing to scrape on the track...

Qualifying - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

HRT’s Sakon Yamamoto on taking part in his first qualifying session for three years; McLaren’s Jenson Button on failing to make it through to Q3 at his home event; and Sebastian Vettel on taking his fifth - and Red Bull’s ninth - pole position of the season. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, review Saturday’s action at Silverstone...

Qualifying - Red Bull sweep to British pole
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

Sebastian Vettel will start the British Grand Prix from pole position for Red Bull after narrowly beating team mate Mark Webber. The two of them were inseparable in all three sessions, but Vettel just edged out the Australian with a lap of 1m 29.615s compared to 1m 29.758s.

It then transpired that there were only two of the latest RB6 front wings available and that Vettel got the second as a replacement after his original broke in final practice this morning. A tight-lipped Webber simply said: “The team is happy with the result today”...

FIA post-qualifying press conference - Great Britain
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

Drivers: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1m 29.615s; 2. Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1m 29.758s; 3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1m 30.426s

Q: Sebastian, congratulations. What is it with you and this track?
Sebastian Vettel: I don’t know what it is here. On Friday morning we do the first couple of laps and it’s unbelievable, the corner combinations. I can only say it again and again, it is so much fun, especially in qualifying...

Mark Webber Q&A: Red Bull have a good margin
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

Red Bull seemed to be in a league of their own on Saturday afternoon at Silverstone, with only Fernando Alonso coming close enough to look at their exhausts. Mark Webber was forced to grin and bear it as team mate Sebastian Vettel clocked pole position, but given where his other title rivals are on the grid, P2 is not a bad place to be - especially when you believe you car advantage should carry over to the race...

Qualifying analysis - race now Red Bull's to lose?
Posted at Formula1.com on July 10, 2010

Everyone says the RB6 is the fastest car on the grid over a single lap and at Silverstone on Saturday Red Bull hammered the point home, once more locking out the front row. With or without its latest front-wing update, it seems the rest of the pack will have their work cut out to stay in touch on Sunday. We take a team-by-team look at where things stand after qualifying for the British Grand Prix...

Paddock Postcard from Silverstone
Posted at Formula1.com on July 11, 2010

The social side of the British Grand Prix began as early as last Monday with the F1™ Party in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, at London’s Natural History Museum, featuring a private gig from the Sugababes.

Santander supported the party for a fourth year to raise funds for the hospital’s new heart and lung Centre. Bernie Ecclestone was host and his daughter Tamara was the creative director and helped to plan and oversee the event...

Race - Webber untouchable at Silverstone
Posted at Formula1.com on July 11, 2010

Mark Webber offered the greatest response to all of Red Bull’s qualifying hoopla by dominating Sunday's British Grand Prix from the start, and rebuilding his lead after a safety-car period that allowed team mate Sebastian Vettel to get back in the game after a disastrous first corner had seen the German go off track after a light brush with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. The puncture that he sustained dropped him to the tail of the field.

Hamilton challenged Webber mightily on that first lap, but it was soon clear that only a major drama could take a richly deserved success away from the Australian. He was in a class of his own, as was the indefatigable Hamilton who maintained his world championship lead with a gutsy run to second...

Formula 1 2010 SANTANDER British Grand Prix Highlights
Race Edit

Posted at formula1hd YouTube channel on July 16, 2010


*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: British comedians and actors attending this race - Rowan Atkinson, Patrick Stewart, etc.
**Updated: Original video was taken down.



British Grand Prix - selected team & driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on July 11, 2010

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel on his frustrating start from pole; McLaren’s Jenson Button on his triumphant drive from 14th to fourth; Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso on his controversial pass on Renault’s Robert Kubica; and Red Bull’s Mark Webber on clinching his third win of the season. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, report back on Sunday’s race...

FIA post-race press conference - Great Britain
Posted at Formula1.com on July 11, 2010

1st Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1h24m38.200s; 2nd Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), 1h24m39.560s; 3rd Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), 1h24m59.507s.

Q: Mark, you were very angry yesterday after the team switched the front wings. After the race today you said on the radio race ‘not bad for a number two driver'. Was today all about poetic justice?
Mark Webber: Maybe there is a bloke upstairs every now and again. I just did the best job I could do today and it worked out okay. Enjoyed the grand prix to be honest. It was a good fight with Lewis...

Lewis Hamilton Q&A: McLaren have moved forward
Posted at Formula1.com on July 11, 2010

Slower than the competition, yet still able to maintain the championship lead - that is either good luck or an amazing ability to pull rabbits - or positions - out of the hat. At Silverstone on Sunday McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton proved he has that ability, as he finished second to Red Bull’s Mark Webber. It’s making the best of things, even when times seem hard, that could decide this year’s title and Hamilton is more than ready to grasp any opportunity...

Great Britain analysis - Webber fights back with flair
Posted at Formula1.com on July 12, 2010

Red Bull’s Mark Webber turned the frustration following his team’s decision to hand over the upgraded wing from his RB6 to team mate Sebastian Vettel into sheer unadulterated pace at Sunday’s British Grand Prix. Beating pole-sitter Vettel into the first corner was just the start of Webber’s all-conquering performance, as he led McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg to the Silverstone finish line. We take a team-by-team look at events...

July 20, 2010

2010 WRC Rally Bulgaria Review

Petter Solberg was strong in Bulgaria, but ultimately placed third.
Picture is from Associated Press Photo.

The 2010 WRC Rally Bulgaria, based in Borovets, Bulgaria (near Sofia), took place on the weekend of Thursday - July 8 through Sunday - July 11, 2010. French Citroën driver Sébastien Loeb earned yet another win at the rally.

The following title links, along with a small portion of each post, are from WRC.com. Skimming over the items below should serve as a fairly good review of the main WRC category of the event. Click on each of the links to read the full entries, and get all the interesting details.


Petter fastest in Rally Bulgaria Shakedown
Posted at WRC.com on July 8, 2010

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg got his partnership with new co-driver Chris Patterson off to a perfect start earlier today by setting the fastest time at the pre-event shakedown for Rally Bulgaria.

The four hour test - a prelude to this weekend's rally - took place on a 2.65km asphalt road from Momin Prohod to Gorna Vassiitsa Village, 9km from the main Service Park in Dolna Banya...

Patterson could guide me to the podium, says Solberg
Posted at WRC.com on July 8, 2010

Petter Solberg is targeting a podium finish on this week’s Rally Bulgaria - despite admitting his new co-driver Chris Patterson couldn’t have had a more difficult event to make his debut.

Solberg reported a positive two-day test ahead of the seventh round of this year’s World Rally Championship, which starts in Borovets on Friday, and then set the fastest time at this morning’s shakedown stage. Patterson replaces Phil Mills, Solberg’s former co-driver...

Rally Bulgaria stage guides - Friday
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

After Thursday evening's ceremonial start in Samokov, the opening days' competition is based south-east of the Dolna Banya Service Park, around the Batak and Belmeken Lakes.

After leaving the Service Park from 0900hrs, crews will tackle a loop of just two stages before returning to Dolna Banya for a 30-minute service...

SS1: Loeb leads after the opening stage in Bulgaria
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb moved into an early lead of Rally Bulgaria this morning after setting the fastest time on the opening stage.

The Citroen C4 WRC driver declared himself happy with his car and his driving after completing the 31.77km Batak Lake SS1 - the longest stage of the rally...

SS2: Loeb quickest again, Ogier up to second
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb was the fastest man through stage two in Bulgaria, extending his rally lead to 16 seconds after the opening 59 kilometres of the rally...

Midday wrap: Loeb on top on Rally Bulgaria
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Sebastien Loeb has made the perfect start to Rally Bulgaria by going fastest on the opening two stages of the World Rally Championship event...

SS3: Junction overshoot costs Ogier second place
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier dropped from second to seventh place on the third stage of Rally Bulgaria after missing a junction and getting his C4 WRC stuck for one minute...

SS4: Kimi Raikkonen crashes out
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Citroen Junior Team driver Kimi Raikkonen made a dramatic exit from the opening day of Rally Bulgaria, crashing his C4 World Rally Car out of fourth place on Friday's final stage...

WRC Friday wrap: Loeb enjoys the perfect day
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010


Sebastien Loeb and his Citroen C4 WRC didn’t miss a beat through the first four stages of the inaugural World Rally Championship round in Bulgaria.

The Frenchman, who has won the last 15 pure asphalt rounds of the WRC, was peerless for every one of the opening day’s 118 competitive kilometres...


Team manager Q&A
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

1 - Questions to Olivier Quesnel, team director, Citroen Total World Rally Team:

It's been a great day for Citroen out there. You must be pleased?
"I'm really pleased but on tarmac Seb has never been beaten since 2005...

WRC Rally Bulgaria 2010 - End Of Day One Podcast - Friday
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

Listen to the latest news from Rally Bulgaria.

Rally Bulgaria stage guides - Saturday
Posted at WRC.com on July 9, 2010

The second day of competition on Rally Bulgaria is the longest of the event and is based in the same region as day one; around the Batak and Belmeken Lakes south-east of the Dolna Banya Service Park.

After leaving the Service Park from 0700hrs, crews will tackle a loop of three asphalt stages before returning to Dolna Banya for a 30-minute midday service...

SS5: Citroens shine in the wet
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

After a fine and dry opening day on Rally Bulgaria, day two got underway with an unpredictable mix of localised rain, dense fog and cool temperatures in the Rila Mountains where today's stages are based...

Ford team boss rues 'disastrous' tyre decision
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson says the decision to send his drivers out on hard compound tyres this morning has ruined any chance they had of catching the leaders on Rally Bulgaria...

SS6: Sordo pips Loeb to stage win
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Dani Sordo ended Sebastien's perfect stage winning record in Bulgaria on SS6, completing the 18km Peshtera test 3.5 seconds faster than his Citroen team-mate - who now holds an overall lead of 30 seconds...

SS7 cancelled on safety grounds
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

...The last of Saturday morning's loop of stages - the 24km Lyubnitsa SS7 - has been cancelled on safety grounds because of large numbers of spectators trying to gain late access to the end of the stage...

Midday wrap: Loeb extends lead
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Sebastien Loeb turned in another perfect performance through Saturday morning’s stages - although the Rally Bulgaria leader was beaten for the first time since the start of the event as his Citroen Total team-mate Dani Sordo collected fastest time in SS6...

SS8: Petter makes a dash for second
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Petter Solberg was the fastest driver through SS8 - the repeated 27km Sestrimo - to slash the time difference between himself and second placed Dani Sordo from 26.8sec to 13.1sec.

The Norwegian said he was 'back in the fight' after finding something wrong with his Citroen at the midday service...

SS9: Solberg edges closer
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg continued his stage winning form on SS9, narrowing the gap on Dani Sordo's second place to less than 10 seconds.

With no sign yet this afternoon of the forecast rain, Solberg's choice of hard compound tyres proved once again to be the best option for the bone dry asphalt...

SS10: Solberg fastest on Saturday's final stage
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010


Petter Solberg sealed a successful afternoon in Bulgaria on SS10 with a third consecutive stage victory and the promise of an exciting battle with Dani Sordo for second place on Sunday...

WRC Saturday wrap: Loeb leads, but Solberg fastest
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Sebastien Loeb continues to lead Rally Bulgaria at the end of the second day, but all eyes were on another Citroen C4 WRC this afternoon as Norwegian Petter Solberg dominated the timesheets to win each of the three stages.

The Citroen Total World Rally Team had been warned of potential storms on the stages this afternoon and rather than risk being caught out on an unsuitable hard compound Pirelli tyre, the French squad elected to send Loeb out on soft rubber. In the end, the rain didn’t arrive...

WRC Rally Bulgaria 2010 - End Of Day Two Podcast - Saturday
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Listen to the podcast from day two of Rally Bulgaria.

Rally Bulgaria stage guides - Sunday
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Sunday is the shortest day of the rally and features just 94km of stages in the Rila Mountains north-east of the service park at Dolna Banya.

After leaving the overnight Parc Ferme from 0800hrs, crews will tackle a loop of two asphalt stages before a 30-minute midday service...

It’s game-on in the fight for second, says Petter's team boss
Posted at WRC.com on July 10, 2010

Petter Solberg's team manager Ken Rees has predicted an all-out attack from his driver on Sunday's opening two stages as he makes a final effort to wrestle second place from Dani Sordo...

SS11: Solberg fastest on Sunday's opener
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg was the fastest driver through Sunday's opening test in Rally Bulgaria, narrowing the gap on second-placed Dani Sordo to just 3.8 seconds with three stages of the rally to go.

Sordo was Solberg's closest rival through the 29.53km Muhovo test, with another Citroen C4 WRC driver, Sebastien Ogier, rounding off the top three times...

SS12: Stage win gives Sordo the upper hand
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

The fight for second place in Bulgaria swung back in Dani Sordo's favour on SS12, when a stage win for the Spaniard meant he extended his lead over Petter Solberg to more than six seconds...

Sordo holds firm in battle for second place
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Dani Sordo might be keeping Petter Solberg at bay in their battle for second place on Rally Bulgaria but the Spaniard concedes he doesn’t know how he’ll ever manage to beat world champion Sebastien Loeb on asphalt.

Loeb, the rally leader after 12 stages to the tune of 33.4 seconds, hasn’t lost a pure Tarmac rally at his last 16 attempts and has shown no sign of letting that sequence come to an end with two stages of the Borovets-based event left to run...

SS13: Leaders clear the penultimate hurdle
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

There were no upsets for the leading drivers on the penultimate stage of Rally Bulgaria, with overall leader Loeb taking a 29.4 second cushion into the final stage and the battle for second still raging between Dani Sordo and Petter Solberg...

BREAKING NEWS: Sebastien Loeb wins Rally Bulgaria!
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Citroen C4 WRC driver Sebastien Loeb sealed victory on Rally Bulgaria today, round seven of the 2010 World Rally Championship, to extend his lead in the FIA Drivers' standings and head a record breaking formation finish for the French manufacturer.

Loeb, the defending and six-time World Champion, led the rally from beginning to end and finished 29.5sec ahead of his team-mate Dani Sordo who was second in another C4 WRC...

Loeb and Citroen stretch the gap in Bulgaria
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Sebastien Loeb’s championship lead is now up to 51 points over Sebastien Ogier, after the six-time World Champion cruised to victory with what he called “a Sunday drive” on the final day of Rally Bulgaria.

Citroen now has a 47-point lead over Ford in the manufacturers’ standings with six rounds remaining...

Rally Bulgaria podium winners Q&A
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Questions to Sebastien Loeb:

It’s the first asphalt rally of the season and you have led from start to finish - a great start to the second half of the season!
"Yes, it was nearly a perfect rally for me. We made a great start on the first day and we were able to make a difference...

WRC Rally Bulgaria 2010 - End Of Day Three Podcast - Sunday
Posted at WRC.com on July 11, 2010

Listen to the round-up of day three from Bulgaria.

07 Rally Bulgaria 2010
Highlights posted at WRCNorthAmerica YouTube channel July 12, 2010




The wrc.com rally review: Rally Bulgaria
Posted at WRC.com on July 13, 2010

The World Rally Championship’s first trip to Bulgaria was a memorable one - for both good and bad reasons according to your perspective.

A ski resort in July is never going to be the most buzzing place, especially on a Sunday night when many of the bars are closed. So those expecting wild parties or a giant screen to watch the World Cup final would have come home disappointed...

Ford WRC 2010 Rally Bulgaria Post Event
Highlights posted at FordWRC YouTube channel on July 13, 2010



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