2012 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Review

Sebastian Vettel earned first 2012 win at F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP on April 22, 2012.
Photo by Paul Gilham / Getty Images via The Epoch Times.

On April 22, 2012, Formula One race drivers and their crews worked the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, for the 2012 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix. The race-winning and championship points-leading driver rotation that we saw in the first three rounds continued for this, the fourth race of the 2012 Formula One Season.

German driver Sebastian Vettel, of Red Bull Renault, got his first victory of the year. The 2010 and 2011 champion led for most of the race, after having started from pole position. Starting from the middle of the pack (11th), Kimi Räikkönen (Finland) drove his Lotus Renault past all but the race winner, on his way to second place. Räikkönen's teammate Romain Grosjean also landed on the podium for the first time this season, placing third. It was also the first career podium for the Swiss driver, who claims French nationality.

Below are related links from Formula1.com and some video for you to review this race.


Qualifying - resurgent Vettel takes Sakhir pole
Posted at Formula1.com on April 21, 2012

Sebastian Vettel bounced back to take his and Red Bull's first pole position of the season in Sakhir on Saturday afternoon, as former fastest man Lewis Hamilton bumped Vettel's team mate Mark Webber from the front row...


FIA post-qualifying press conference - Bahrain
Posted at Formula1.com on April 21, 2012

Drivers: 1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 2 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 3 - Mark Webber (Red Bull)

Q: Sebastian, four races into the 2012 season and your first pole position of the season? I take it it's good to be back?
Sebastian Vettel: Yeah, it obviously feels great and I think this one I completely owe it to the team, to the guys. It wasn't the easiest start...


Race - Vettel holds off Raikkonen for Sakhir win
Posted at Formula1.com on April 22, 2012

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel leapt back into the limelight - and the lead of the world championship - with victory in Sunday's 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The world champion took the lead from the start and immediately out-paced McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and team mate Mark Webber. But it did not take long for the strength of the Lotus team threat to make itself felt...


FIA post-race press conference - Bahrain
Posted at Formula1.com on April 22, 2012

Drivers: 1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 2 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), 3 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus)

Q: Congratulations Sebastian. As defending champion it's always nice to get your first win of the season, even if it is at the fourth time of asking.
Sebastian Vettel: Yeah, I think it was an incredible race. Extremely tough. Sometimes we had a decent gap but still even from the start we had a very good start, which was crucial. I was unable to pull away immediately...


Bahrain analysis - Vettel makes it four from four
Posted at Formula1.com on April 23, 2012

Can the 2012 season get any more competitive? Four rounds in and we've had four winning drivers and four winning teams. That hasn't happened since 1983! Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull added their names to the list in Bahrain on Sunday, proving that you should never write off the reigning champions. Not only that, Lotus made good on their recent promise, with Kimi Raikkonen pushing Vettel all the way, suggesting their first 2012 victory is only a matter of time...

Sky F1 2012 - Bahrain GP Highlights (HD)
Uploaded to YouTube by FormulaOneExpert1




Kimi Raikkonen Admits He Should Have Won:
Sky Sports F1 2012 - Round 4: Bahrain GP
Uploaded to YouTube by FiveeNilF1




F1: Bahrain GP Results - 2012
Posted at SpeedTV.com

F1: Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett take a look at the results from Bahrain. Sebastian Vettel becomes the fourth winner of the 2012 season.

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival 2012

The Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival for 2012 will be held at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland this weekend. On each day of this non-profit charitable event, the gates will open at 10:30 AM EDT. On Saturday (May 19th), the live music will be performed from 11:00 AM EDT to 9:00 PM EDT, and on Sunday (May 20th) from 11:00 AM EDT to 8:00 PM EDT.

The weather for this weekend is supposed to be absolutely beautiful. So, why not go help out some people that can really use it, while grooving to some awesome music performed live by the Chesapeake Bay. This event is produced by Chesapeake Bay Events (a non-profit corporation), who contribute the money they take in to End Hunger, We Care and Friends, The Johns Hopkins Cleft and Craniofacial Center and Special Love.

For ticket information, directions, a festival grounds map and a list of the event's 15 bands and artists, visit the official website at BayBlues.org.

May 2012 Concerts In Maryland, Virginia And Washington, DC

Here is a current list of some of the music and stand-up-comedy performances scheduled for the rest of May 2012, at venues in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC areas.


May 18, 2012

Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent at Jiffy Lube Live
in Bristow, VA - Concert Tickets, Premium / VIP Tickets

Brian Regan at Warner Theatre in Washington, DC - Tickets


May 19, 2012

Brian Regan at Warner Theatre in Washington, DC
- 7:00 PM EDT Tickets / 9:30 PM EDT Tickets

National Philharmonic: Martyrdom of St. Sebastian by Debussy
at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD - Tickets


May 24, 2012

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's 9th Symphony
at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD - Tickets


May 25, 2012

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's 9th Symphony
at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD - Tickets


May 26, 2012

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's 9th Symphony
at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD - Sold Out


May 29, 2012

Steve Winwood and Bobby Long at the Filene Center of Wolf Trap
in Vienna, Virginia - Tickets


May 31, 2012

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3
at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD - Tickets

*All details are subject to change!

Today's Tune: "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" By Black Sabbath

This is what I want to see after Game 7 on May 12, 2012!
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images after Game 2 win on April 30, 2012.

There is a song that has played in my head many times since my NHL team, the Washington Capitals, made it into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think it fits the frame of mind that this team has right now, and I feel it too.

It's a Black Sabbath track titled "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987). Clearly, the confidence and persistence that the Capitals have shown throughout the first two rounds, are proof that they are ready to win. They need one more (Game 7) win tonight against the New York Rangers to move on to round three, the Eastern Conference Finals. To have a chance at doing it, all they have to do is keep doing what they've been doing, and work together as a team.

Please enjoy this Hockey Music styled 'Today's Tune'. Dan, Jr., of Junior's Eyes, is anticipating that there are many more to come, yet.

Let's Go, Caps!



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987)



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" Live (1987) Audio

Washington Capitals Review: April 11 - 20, 2012

Capitals and fans celebrate goal in Quarterfinal Game 3 on April 16, 2012.
Photo by Patrick McDermott / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

The Washington Capitals, having finished the regular season in 7th place on April 7, began their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series on April 12, 2012. Last year's Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins (2nd place), were the tough opponents they drew for the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Washington, as usual for them, would have to endure a seven game series. The first four of which took place during this 10 day period.

Also the usual for Capitals players, they were taken advantage of by dirty players, and still came out looking bad and being bad mouthed by their opposition and NBC personnel covering these nationally televised games. Players on both teams were being riled up by their enemies.

After three games, where Caps center Nicklas Backstrom was constantly physically abused in ways that go against the rules, his stick rode up into the face of a Bruin he shoved just after the end of Game 3. Backstrom, recently back from missing 40 games with concussion, came out of every scrum with his helmet removed. Several times, he was yanked around by his head, yet no penalties even called on the abusing Boston Bruins players. Somehow, it was decided that Nick Backstrom was the bad guy, and he received a one game suspension.

Most of the other series occurring around around the league were getting a little too rough. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were absolutely beating the snot out of each other, something I happily knew would happen. After a few games with the intensity prematurely ramped-up, things calmed down a bit in most of those match-ups.

Junior's Eyes supplies a sampling of game reviews, highlights videos and other Capitals related updates below, in reverse chronological order.


April 19, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Bruins 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...With goals from Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin, and a 44-save performance from Braden Holtby in the nets, the Caps eked out a 2-1 win in Game 4 at Verizon Center on Thursday night...


Capitals Lunchbox, Season 2, Episode 20
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

In which Joe Beninati, Kellie Cowan and I talk discuss Games One through Three of Caps/Bruins, the Nicklas Backstrom suspension, who needs to step up, what's going right and wrong for Washington and more...

April 17, 2012

Nicklas Backstrom suspended one game for cross check
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

...In a video explanation on NHL.com, Shanahan explains that he took into consideration that Peverley was not injured on the play and that Backstrom has no prior supplemental disciplinary history. Shanahan detailed that while Peverley does raise his stick toward Backstrom’s face, the center’s aggression in reaction went overboard...


Alan May Tells It Like It Is
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

Friend of the blog Alan May is never shy about sharing his opinions, and he's got a lot of 'em regarding how the Caps' first round series with the Bruins has been officiated so far, specifically with regards to Nicklas Backstrom's treatment by the guys in stripes. Have a look:

And if that's not enough for you, here's a little package CSN Washington has put together documenting the Bruins' borderline (and then some) play:

None of this is to say that the Caps have been angelic, of course - they certainly haven't been. But with all the coverage Backstrom's match penalty has gotten, along with Claude Julien's persistent complaints about the Caps' stick-work, it's good to get both sides' perspectives out there. Good on May and CSN for doing so.


Taking the High Road
By Becca H at Japers' Rink

...Nicklas Backstrom in particular has been a target of the Bruins' physicality, receiving multiple (uncalled) shots to the head from various Boston players in the first game, and it was clear that it bubbled over tonight. The usually disciplined Swede found himself in the penalty box three times for various infractions, and then capped it off with a game-ending match penalty for a crosscheck to the head of Rich Peverley - a move that could cost him a spot in Thursday's pivotal Game 4.

To some extent the frustration and the accompanying retaliation is understandable; everyone has a breaking point, and perhaps last night was just that collective point for the Caps. And it certainly doesn't help when the officials play into the Bruins' hands, giving Boston the benefit of the doubt on several plays - including one that sent Brooks Laich to the box for what I can only assume was the audacity to fall down, assisted by After-the-Whistle All-Star Milan Lucic...


April 16, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins 4, Capitals 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Boston’s improved net-front presence – and Washington’s mistakes – were a factor as the Bruins skated off with a 4-3 win to take a 2-1 series lead on Monday night at Verizon Center...


April 15, 2012

Dale Hunter on Braden Holtby: ‘Holtsy’s our goalie’
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

Michal Neuvirth continues to progress in his recovery from a leg injury and it’s possible he may be available for one of the three games this week, but regardless of when the 24-year-old Czech is ready, there will be no goaltending controversy.

On Sunday, Coach Dale Hunter squashed any second guessing that might arise in the coming days and put his support behind 22-year-old Braden Holtby, who has shined in Games 1 and 2 against the Bruins, stopping 72 of the 74 shots he’s faced...


April 14, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Bruins 1, 2OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...The Caps pulled even in the best-of-seven set with a 2-1 win in double overtime in Saturday’s Game 2 at Boston’s TD Garden, courtesy of a Nicklas Backstrom goal at 2:56 of the second extra session...


April 12, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins 1, Capitals 0, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Missed It By That Much – As the No. 7 seed opening on the road, the Caps’ goal is to win one of the first two games in Boston and relieve the Bruins of home ice advantage in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the two teams...


April 11, 2012

Capitals-Bruins: five storylines to watch
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

There’s no lack of subplots in the Capitals’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins, which kicks off with Game 1 Thursday at TD Garden. With only one more day of practice before the puck drops on this Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup, here are some of the biggest storylines to watch...

Today's Tune: "Gonna Raise Hell" And Bonus Track "The House Is Rockin' ", By Cheap Trick

Brooks Laich and Alexander Semin celebrate game winning goal May 5, 2012.
Photo by Greg Fiume / Getty Images

Junior's Eyes offers up two songs this time. Both are originally from the Cheap Trick album, 'Dream Police' (1979).

In Washington, DC tonight, the Washington Capitals face the New York Rangers in a "must win" Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 6. My Hockey Music pick for the 'Today's Tune' is "Gonna Raise Hell". Maybe this one could be blasted away through the arena's loudspeakers just before the game, to pump up the fans and the players.

I added a bonus track, "The House Is Rockin' ", to celebrate the 62nd birthday of American rock band Cheap Trick's bass player and the song co-writer, Tom_Petersson. Happy Birthday to Tommy! It would be another good one to play at the playoff game, tonight.

Cheap Trick - "Gonna Raise Hell" from the 'Silver' DVD (2001)



Cheap Trick - "The House Is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems)"
June 15, 2011 Olympia Theatre - Dublin, Ireland Bootleg

Today's Tune: "Rock Out" By Motörhead

This is one of those dual purpose 'Today's Tune' installments. It's yet another Hockey Music post, as well as celebrating a rock 'n roller's birthday.

Back in New York for an Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 5 tonight, the Washington Capitals are looking to move ahead of the New York Rangers. They return after having alternated victories, first in New York and then in Washington, DC, putting them in a 2 - 2 tie in the playoff series.

Hopefully, we'll be celebrating a Caps win tonight. In the meantime, happy birthday to Welsh guitarist Phil Campbell! Campbell has been playing lead guitar in the iconic group Motörhead since 1984.

To set the right mood, Junior's Eyes happily presents the song "Rock Out", from the 2008 album - Motörizer.

Motörhead - "Rock Out" (2008)

2012 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Review

Nico Rosberg feeling the joy of winning after 2012 Formula 1 UBS Chinese GP.
April 15, 2012 photo by AP Photo via The Telegraph.

The 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, round three of the 2012 Formula One Season, took place at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China on April 15, 2012.

German driver Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-Benz) dominated in this race, gaining his first win in Formula One racing. He did it after having also earned his very first pole position, a fairly rare combination.

Engine manufacturer Mercedes-Benz must have been very pleased on this day as McLaren Mercedes, the other F1 Merc team, took the other two podium spots. Jenson Button came in second, and Lewis Hamilton was third, both being from England.

Here are some related links from Formula1.com and a couple videos for you as a review of this event.


Qualifying - rampaging Rosberg takes maiden F1 pole
Posted at Formula1.com on April 14, 2012

Mercedes' innovative front wing helped Nico Rosberg to the first pole position of his Formula One career on Saturday afternoon in Shanghai, when a mighty lap of 1m 35.121s left him well clear of Lewis Hamilton's McLaren and Michael Schumacher's sister car, with respective laps of 1m 35.626s and 1m 35.691s. But Hamilton's five-place grid penalty makes it the first all-Mercedes front row since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza...


FIA post-qualifying press conference - China
Posted at Formula1.com on April 14, 2012

Drivers: 1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 2 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren); 3 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes)

Q: Nico, sensational lap how do you feel about your first F1 pole?
Nico Rosberg: Fantastic, yeah, thank you. It went really well, it's a very special feeling definitely. Now obviously looking forward to starting first tomorrow...


Race - Rosberg an F1 winner after Shanghai thriller
Posted at Formula1.com on April 15, 2012

How ironic was it that in a race that depended on tyre wear and strategy, it should all come right for Mercedes and Nico Rosberg as the young German scored his maiden Grand Prix victory by 20.6s as a fantastic war raged a long way behind him?...


FIA post-race press conference - China
Posted at Formula1.com on April 15, 2012

Drivers: 1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), 2 - Jenson Button (McLaren), 3 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

Q: Nico, well done. You join an exclusive club of drivers who've turned their maiden pole into their maiden win. How do you feel?...


China analysis - Mercedes make the breakthrough
Posted at Formula1.com on April 16, 2012

When Mercedes took over Brawn - then reigning champions - ahead of the 2010 season, they probably didn't expect to have to wait quite so long for a win. The waiting at last paid off on Sunday, as Nico Rosberg finally scored the victory everyone knew he was capable of. More encouraging still for Ross Brawn's squad, the nature of his triumph suggested that in their innovative W03 car, they may now have a genuine title contender...

Official F1 2012 Chinese GP Race Edit
Uploaded to YouTube by FormulaOneExpert1




F1: Chinese GP Results - 2012
Posted at SpeedTV.com

F1: Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett take a look at the results from China. Nico Rosberg wins his first career Grand Prix from pole in China.

Washington Capitals Review: April 1 - 10, 2012

Capitals celebrate win against Rangers at MSG April 7, 2012, in New York City. Photo by Scott Levy / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

The Washington Capitals took two out of three games, to end the 2011-2012 NHL regular season . For their efforts, they landed at the seventh playoff spot out of eight, in the Eastern Conference. The standings remained so close, that they didn't know where they'd end up or who they would face in the playoffs until it was over on the last day.

In the interest of catching up within the available time, and my overall health, this will be a lean list of post links. We have the game reviews from Mike Vogel at the team's website, which include highlights videos. To cap it off, the last week of the season is summarized by The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator.

None of the between-game Capitals feature stories that might have normally been in the list are to appear here. This way, we will soon become a little more timely with the playoffs action that is now well under way. We get along now, in reverse chronological order, as usual.


April 8, 2012

That Was The Week That Was -- Week 26 (April 1-7)
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...The Caps finished the regular season with seven consecutive weeks avoiding a losing week – four winning weeks and three .500 weeks (by standings points). Week 26 was a winning week, but it sure did not start as if that seemed likely...


April 7, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Rangers 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

One Season Over, Another Just Beginning – Both the Capitals and the New York Rangers had something to play for in Saturday night’s regular season finale for both teams. Washington needed a win to keep hope alive for its dim divisional title hopes, and the Rangers were seeking a win that would have secured the Presidents’ Trophy – awarded annually to the league’s top regular season club – for them...


April 5, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Panthers 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Coffee Is For Closers – The Washington Capitals have recently endured some woes related to protecting leads in games, but they got over that hump in fine fashion on Thursday night at Verizon Center. The Caps jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then bent but never broke on their way to a playoff berth-clinching 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers in the 2011-12 regular season home ice finale...


April 2, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Lightning 4, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Too Much, Too Late – On Monday morning, the Capitals spoke about the need to know where Lightning sniper Steven Stamkos is at all times on the ice and the need to limit his time and space. For the better part of 59 minutes, the Caps did that well enough at limiting Stamkos that they had a chance to take at least a point home with them from their Monday night visit to Tampa Bay...

Today's Tune: "I'm The Show" By Max Havoc

The Washington Capitals are at home tonight for Game 3, after having split the first two games of their semifinal playoff series (NHL) with the New York Rangers in New York, New York.

As they continue their run in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs this evening, they are the show to watch, for me and many other fans. Junior's Eyes had this in mind when choosing the Hockey Music track for this 'Today's Tune'.

This time, it comes from 1980s Los Angeles, California metal band, Max Havoc. "I'm The Show" (with it's overly simplistic, yet fun lyrics) is on their only album, also called 'Max Havoc' (1983). I'm still happy to have this vinyl gem in my personal collection.

You can thank Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward for getting the band their start. Then, you can thank bad timing for their early finish. Here's hoping the Capitals have a long run in this year's post season.

Max Havoc - "I'm The Show" (1983)