Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts

April 30, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Portugal Review

Mads Østberg rounding a bend in 2012 Rally Portugal. Photo via RallyDePortugal.pt.

Round four of the 2012 World Rally Championship Season, a four day gravel event based in Faro, Portugal, was held from March 29 through April 1, 2012. Rally Portugal had more than enough drama to entertain the average fan.

Citroën Total World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) was excluded, after event stewards found a couple of his car’s parts were “not in conformity". The first place result he had earned went to the next driver, Mads Østberg (Norway) of Adapta World Rally Team. Russian M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team member Evgeny Novikov landed second place, while third went to Petter Solberg (Norway) with factory Ford World Rally Team. In the end, with Hirvonen out, the top three spots were held by Ford Fiesta RS WRC drivers.

I've posted a list (in chronological order) of links to some daily review posts from WRC.com, and highlights videos.


Latvala fastest on Qualifying Stage
Posted at WRC.com on March 28, 2012

...Driving a Ford World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRC, the Finn set a time of 3m01.884s on the 4.96-kilometre Vale do Judeau stage. It means he will now be able to select his starting position for Thursday’s opening runs...


Drivers miss out in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 28, 2012

...Brazilian Nobre rolled his WRC Team MINI Portugal during the Qualifying Stage for ... Rally de Portugal, while “contractual” issues have prevented Norwegian Solberg from taking part in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC...


Matton confirms Loeb exit
Posted at WRC.com on March 29, 2012

Citroen team principal Yves Matton has confirmed that Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have retired from ... Rally de Portugal following their crash on the third stage of round four of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Thursday wrap: Latvala leads after dramatic start
Posted at WRC.com on March 29, 2012

Round four of the FIA World Rally Championship ... has got off to a dramatic start with eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb crashing out and five seconds covering the top three after four stages of ... Rally de Portugal...


Friday midday wrap: High drama as Hirvonen leads
Posted at WRC.com on March 30, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen leads ... Rally de Portugal after Friday's opening three stages as fog, mud and rain combined to make driving conditions treacherous and transform the leaderboard on round of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Safety comes first in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 30, 2012

Vodafone Rally de Portugal organisers have explained the reasons behind their decision to cancel Friday's three closing stages...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 1 and 2 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC



Saturday wrap: Hirvonen on course in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 31, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen is six stages and 115.08 competitive kilometres away from his first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship ... for the factory Citroen team after he completed the penultimate day of the event leading by more than one minute...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 3 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC



BREAKING NEWS: Portugal joy for Hirvonen
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen has moved to the top of the FIA World Rally Championship ... after winning the fourth event of the season, ... Rally de Portugal...


Sunday wrap: Hirvonen lands first Citroen win
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen has claimed his first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship ... driving for Citroen following a faultless performance on ... Rally de Portugal, which ended in the Algarve region of the country this afternoon...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 4 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC



Hirvonen exclusion hands Portugal victory to Ostberg
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen have been excluded from the results of ... Rally de Portugal, round four of the FIA World Rally Championship ..., elevating Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson to their maiden WRC wins...

June 6, 2010

2010 WRC Rally Portugal Review

Sébastien Ogier photo from Red Bull / RBI Images

The 2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal, Round 6 of the 2010 World Rally Championship, was run May 27 through May 30, 2010. A pre-rally road show, that was well attended and thoroughly enjoyable, was held a few days before. French rally car driver Sébastien Ogier won the event (standard WRC category), which was based in Faro, Portugal, for the Citroën Junior Team.

Cruise through the following articles and videos to review what led Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia, also from France, to triumph in their Citroën C4 WRC at Portugal.


40,000 spectators thrill to Porto roadshow
Posted at WRC.com on May 24, 2010

Just five days after the Pope visited the Portuguese city of Porto, tens of thousands of faithful rally fans came to see the stars of the World Rally Championship blast through the city streets.

The Vodafone Rally de Portugal, round six of the World Rally Championship, has already got underway four days before the event is due to start, thanks to a spectacular roadshow through the historic streets of Porto...

Rally de Portugal 2010 - Porto Road Show
Posted by frsperandio at YouTube on May 24, 2010




Ogier fastest in Rally Portugal Shakedown
Posted at WRC.com on May 27, 2010

One of the stars of this year's Rally New Zealand, Sebastien Ogier, was the fastest driver at the pre-event shakedown for Vodafone Rally de Portugal earlier today, with former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg his closest rival.

The four hour test - a prelude to this weekend's rally - took place on a 5.03km gravel road at Vale de Judeu, 12km from the main Service Park near Faro. The same piece of road was used for Shakedown in 2009. Weather conditions were dry and sunny throughout, with a temperature peaking at 23 degrees Celsius...

The opening stages of Vodafone Rally de Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 27, 2010

Round six of the 2010 World Rally Championship kicks off this evening with a spectacular head-to-head Superspecial built at the 30,000 capacity Algarve Stadium.

After tonight's 2km teaser, cars will be kept in an overnight Parc Ferme ready for the first full day of gravel rallying. Friday’s action gets underway at 0810hrs (GMT +1) with a 15-minute visit to the Service Park before the first stage - the 22.72km Santa Clara...

SS1: Hirvonen takes the early lead in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 27, 2010

Mikko Hirvonen moved into an early lead of the 2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal after setting the fastest time on Thursday evening’s Algarve Stadium Superspecial.

The Ford Focus RS WRC driver completed the 2km head-to-head test in 2min 9.3sec, winning his heat with Sebastien Loeb and completing the stage one-tenth of a second quicker than Munchi’s team driver Federico Villagra who was his closest rival...

SS2: Sordo sweeps ahead
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Citroen factory team driver Dani Sordo was fastest through Friday's opening stage in Portugal to move three places up the overnight leaderboard into the rally lead.

Headed by Sordo, Citroen C4's locked out the top three times through Santa Clara, with Junior team driver Sebastien Ogier his closest rival and world champion Sebastien Loeb third fastest...

SS3: Sebastien Ogier the pace-setter
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier was the fastest man through Friday's second stage in Portugal, narrowing the gap on rally leader Dani Sordo to 1.3sec...

SS4: Ogier leads at Friday midpoint
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Another fastest time for Sebastien Ogier on SS4 moved the Frenchman into the rally lead at Friday's midpoint.

Ogier completed the Silves stage 3.1sec quicker than Dani Sordo to pull 1.8sec clear at the head of the standings. Once again Sordo was his closest rival through the stage, which meant the Citroen pair pulled further ahead of the chasing pack...

Midday update: Rising star Ogier on top in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Sebastien Ogier has reached the midday service halt in Faro with a slender lead of 1.8 seconds over fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo.

The Frenchman started Friday’s opening loop of stages of Vodafone Rally de Portugal fourth on the road and made the most of the cleaner stage surface to climb to the top of the leaderboard in his C4 WRC...

SS5: Ogier stretches ahead
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Sebastien Ogier set his third consecutive stage victory on the first of Friday's repeated tests, stretching his rally lead over Dani Sordo to 7.1 seconds.

With the worst of the loose gravel surface now swept from the Santa Clara stage, times were noticeable quicker than on the first pass...

SS6: Petter up to third
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg knocked Mikko Hirvonen from third place on the repeated Ourique test, while usual suspects Ogier and Sordo maintained their grip on the two fastest times...

Block set to return on day two in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Ken Block is set to restart on day two of Rally de Portugal following his roll on the fourth stage of the event this morning.

The Monster World Rally Team driver was in 13th place when he left the road 13.5 kilometres from the start of the 21.36-kilometre Silves stage and retired...

SS7: Ogier extends his advantage as Sordo hits trouble
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Sebastien Ogier more that tripled his Rally de Portugal lead on Friday's final stage courtesy of another stage winning time and a technical problem that slowed his closest rival Dani Sordo.

The Citroen Junior Team driver will take a 26.6sec into the second day of the rally after Sordo - who still holds second - reported a sticking throttle on his C4...

WRC Friday wrap: Ogier holds firm in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

Sebastien Ogier will start day two of Vodafone Rally de Portugal with a lead of 26.6 seconds over Dani Sordo following a hugely impressive performance by the Citroen Junior Team driver.

Ogier, who was fastest on five of Friday’s six stages in his C4 WRC, profited when Sordo suffered a suspected sticking throttle on the last stage of the day, which enabled Ogier to extend his advantage by almost 20 seconds over the Spaniard...

WRC Rally Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 1
Posted by Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 29, 2010




Vodafone Rally de Portugal stage guides - Saturday
Posted at WRC.com on May 28, 2010

The second day of Vodafone Rally de Portugal takes competitors back to a trio of gravel stages in the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of Faro.

After leaving the Service Park from 0810hrs, crews will tackle a loop of three speed tests before returning to Faro for a 30-minute service. In the afternoon crews will tackle the same loop before they return to the town for the final overnight halt at 1700hrs after 135km of competition...

SS8: Loeb makes his move
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Last year's Rally de Portugal winner Sebastien Loeb was the fastest man through Saturday's opening stage to narrow the gap on leader Ogier from 44sec to 36sec.

Loeb was first in the start order on day one, but will start all of Saturday's stages third on the road and benefiting from a racing line swept of loose gravel by Sebastien Ogier and Dani Sordo...

SS9: Loeb up to second
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Another stage win from Sebastien Loeb on SS9 moved the Frenchman ahead of his Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo into second overall.

Loeb also took another chunk out of Sebastien Ogier's rally lead, reducing it from 36sec to 25sec...

SS10: Ogier stays out front at Saturday midpoint
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Rally de Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier emerged from Saturday morning's final stage with his advantage standing at 22.9sec - four seconds less than it was at the start of the day.

Times were tight through the 16km S. Bras de Alpotel stage, with only 5.2 seconds separating the five fastest drivers...

Midday update: Loeb closes on leader Ogier in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Sebastien Ogier continues to lead Vodafone Rally de Portugal following Saturday’s opening loop of three stages. However, Sebastien Loeb, the defending world champion, has stepped up his pursuit of his young countryman by closing to within 22.9 seconds of the lead of the event as the battle for victory heats up on the sun-drenched Algarve roads.

Loeb started day two in third position and almost 45 seconds off the lead but moved to second ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo with the fastest time through the Vascao stage, the second of the morning...

Block 'devastated' by Portugal retirement
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Ken Block was forced to abandon his plan to restart day two of Rally de Portugal after his car failed a scrutineering check.

A pace note error led to the Monster World Rally Team driver rolling out of the event 13km into Friday 's third stage (SS4). At the time, the soft roll into an open field was not thought to have damaged Block's car too badly...

SS11: Another stage win for Ogier
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

With the worst of the loose gravel swept from Almodovar on the earlier pass (SS8) first on the road Sebastien Ogier faced less of a disadvantage on the repeat and was comfortably fastest on SS11, extending his rally lead to 28 seconds.

With the temperature nudging 24 degrees Celsius, tyre preservation was key through the 26km stage - the longest of the rally...

SS12: Sordo drops to fourth
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Dani Sordo slipped from second to fourth place on SS12 after adopting a cautious approach to save his tyres for the final test of the day.

Sordo's tyres were badly worn at the end of the previous test, and faced with more abrasive conditions on the swept Vascao stage the Spaniard was anxious to keep some rubber for the 16km S Bras de Alpotel which follows...

SS13: Ogier rounds off day two with 21 second lead
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Sebastien Ogier wrapped up a successful Saturday in Portugal by setting the second fastest time in the repeated S. Bras de Alpotel section - enough to give him a 21.1sec advantage ahead of Sunday's final day of the rally...

WRC Saturday wrap: Ogier on course for first WRC win in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Vodafone Rally de Portugal is set for a thrilling climax after Sebastien Ogier reached the end of day two 21.1 seconds in front of Citroen team leader Sebastien Loeb.

And with just four gravel stages remaining on Sunday, world champion Loeb fears he might not be able to prevent Ogier from landing his maiden victory in the World Rally Championship...

WRC Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 2
Posted by Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 31, 2010




Latvala fears he’s let Ford down in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Jari-Matti Latvala says failing to score points for the factory Ford team was the most disappointing aspect of his retirement from Vodafone Rally de Portugal earlier today.

Latvala lost control of his Focus RS WRC barely four corners into Saturday’s second stage and careered backwards into a tree some 40 metres from the road. The Finn fears the damage he inflicted to his car will prevent him from restarting under SupeRally regulations on Sunday...

Vodafone Rally de Portugal stage guides - Sunday
Posted at WRC.com on May 29, 2010

Sunday's final day of Vodafone Rally de Portugal is the shortest of the event, with the action again centred in the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of Faro.

After an early start from the Service Park at 0550hrs, drivers will tackle a loop of two gravel stages, split by a return to the Algarve Stadium service park. After a short final service, the rally concludes with a repeat of the asphalt super special stage inside the stadium...

SS14: Sebastien vs Sebastien: it's game on!
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Sebastien Loeb took more than six seconds from Sebastien Ogier's lead of Rally de Portugal on Sunday's opener as the defending world champion began a final push for victory.

Loeb, the winner of the rally in 2007 and 2009, reduced the gap on his Citroen stable-mate from 21.1sec to 14.9sec over the 21 kilometre Felizes test...

SS15: Ogier clings on at Sunday's midpoint
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Sebastien Ogier rounded off Sunday morning's loop of stages with his Rally de Portugal lead slimmed but intact. With only two more gravel stages and the Super special to go, Ogier has a 10.1sec over the hard charging Sebastien Loeb.

Loeb was the fastest driver through SS15, completing the stage 4.8sec quicker than Ogier and admitting to pushing to the maximum. Ogier, however, claimed he still had something in reserve...

Midday update: Ogier edges closer to maiden WRC victory
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Sebastien Ogier has edged closer to his maiden victory in the World Rally Championship by completing Sunday’s opening brace of stages 10.1 seconds in front of Citroen team leader, the six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb.

Loeb was faster than Ogier on both stages this morning but conceded he is driving on the limit in order to erode his young team-mate’s advantage with two gravel stages remaining before the event-closing superspecial stage, and fears he doesn’t have any more pace in reserve...

SS16: Flat out Sebastiens neck and neck
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Rally Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier overcame a near-stall on the start line of SS16 to defend his position from Sebastien Loeb once again. And after claiming he had more speed in reserve on the morning pass, the Citroen Junior team driver admitted he was pushing himself and his tyres to the limit on the repeat.

The swept Felizes stage was more abrasive than it had been earlier and this, combined with a higher ambient temperature, made tyre wear a crucial consideration. Loeb was the stage winner, finishing six-tenths ahead of Ogier, but felt he had worn his Pirellis more than his rival...

SS17: Ogier leads with just the Super Special to go...
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Having fought off Sebastien Loeb's challenge through the final gravel stage of Rally de Portugal, just 2km of tarmac stands between Sebastien Ogier and his maiden WRC victory.

Loeb was fastest through SS17 but was only 1.8sec quicker than his Junior team rival, giving Ogier a 7.7sec advantage for the head-to-head Algarve Super Special...

SS18: Ogier does it!
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier sealed victory on Rally de Portugal at the Algarve Stadium super special, collecting his maiden rally win at World Championship level and underlining his position as one of the sport's hottest properties.

The 26-year-old Citroen Junior Team driver held his own in a thrilling final day scrap with six-time World Champion - and fellow C4 WRC driver - Sebastien Loeb, which concluded on the all-tarmac head-to-head stage...

WRC wrap: Ogier beats Loeb to win Vodafone Rally de Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Sebastien Ogier has claimed his first world championship victory by narrowly defeating Sebastien Loeb on Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

The Citroen Junior Team driver started the third and final day with a lead of 21.1 seconds and showed a level of maturity that belied his 26 years to hold firm as Loeb tried in vain to get ahead of his countryman...

WRC Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 3
Posted by Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 31, 2010




Q&A with Sebastien Ogier
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

In 2008, Sebastien Ogier clinched the Junior World Rally Championship title at the wheel of a Citroen C2. This weekend in Portugal, on only his 19th start in a World Rally Car, the 26-year-old beat the best in the world to secure the first WRC victory of his career.

Still soaked in champagne from his podium celebrations, Ogier reflected on his winning weekend:...

Ford plans WRC fight back in Bulgaria
Posted at WRC.com on May 30, 2010

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson says an extensive testing programme on asphalt will help the Blue Oval reignite its manufacturers’ championship ambitions when the WRC resumes on Rally Bulgaria in July.

Wilson was speaking after lead driver Mikko Hirvonen finished a distant fourth on Rally de Portugal, while number two pilot Jari-Matti Latvala crashed out of the event for a second year in a row on the second day of the rally. The outcome means Ford trails Citroen by 26 points in the race for the makes’ title...

Ogier ‘faster than anybody else in the Championship’, says Loeb
Posted at WRC.com on May 31, 2010

Sebastien Loeb has paid tribute to Rally de Portugal winner Sebastien Ogier and acknowledged that his Citroen stable-mate was the fastest man at the weekend.

Loeb mounted an all-out attack on Sunday’s five stages in a bid to overturn Ogier’s overnight 21sec lead, but despite a more advantageous road position on the two morning stages he fell 7.9sec short...

Maiden win earns Ogier Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award
Posted at WRC.com on June 1, 2010

A virtuoso display of speed, courage and determination earned Sebastian Ogier double honours at Rally de Portugal.

The Citroen driver’s maiden World Rally Championship victory on the Algarve after just two years in the top tier of rallying was followed up with the Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award to complete a remarkable weekend for the Frenchman...

The wrc.com rally review: Vodafone Rally de Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on June 1, 2010

The King is dead - long live the King! This was the traditional proclamation when a new King of France was crowned, and it seems now that in the World Rally Championship a minor French revolution is occurring.

The established order appears to be crumbling, as rallying's traditional aristocracy - Sebastien Loeb - is usurped by the young pretender to the throne: Sebastien Ogier. For now, anyway. But while the talking point is quite rightly Sebastien Ogier's first World Championship victory, this is actually the second rally in a row where Loeb has been beaten by Ogier. In New Zealand Loeb was third to Ogier's second, although either Frenchman would have deserved to win...

June 4, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
May 27 - 31, 2010


Last Update - June 4, 2010 at 11:40 PM EDT

This 'Reading And Viewing List' includes links (Reverse chronological order) to some of the places on the internet that I visited from May 25 through May 31, 2010.

If you're interested in hockey (Washington Capitals), racing (Formula One, World Rally Championship), or music, you may want to visit these too.

Some more 2010 F1 Turkish Grand Prix Preview and 2010 WRC Rally Portugal Preview articles are in this list.


May 31, 2010

The following articles were posted at WJZ.com:

Marylanders Head Home After Holiday Weekend

1 Dead, Toddler Injured After Motorcycle Crash

Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing

Memorial Day Ceremony Held At Md. Cemetery

Stocking Up Your Fridge Could Save Energy

Gelfman's 'Ride Across Md.' Prepares For 10 Years

Fans Enjoy NCAA Lacrosse Finals In Baltimore

O'Malley Honoring War Dead At Western Md. Cemetery


May 30, 2010

The following articles were posted at WJZ.com:

Searchers Look For Missing Aircraft In Harford Co.

Family Remembers Md. Teen Who Died Due To Bullying

Maryland Beats Northwestern 13-11 To Win Title

Favorite Ocean City Treat Turns 100

Former Baltimore Principal Denies Test Tampering

3 Found Dead At Md. Home; Generator Found Running

Former Gov. Ehrlich Pledges Sales Tax Cut

D.C.'s Union Station Reopens After Evacuation

Bear Killed After Being Hit By Car In Balt. Co.

Man Says He Was Shot While Riding On Md. Highway


May 29, 2010

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.07, 'Amy's Choice'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


Episode Title: "Amy's Choice"

Written By: Simon Nye

Story: The Doctor, Rory and Amy find themselves bouncing back and forth between two different worlds, uncertain of which is reality and which is a dream, only knowing that they must discover the truth before disaster occurs in both worlds...


Experience Required
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In recent years, it has become common for NHL teams to pattern themselves after recent Cup-winning clubs in the hope of fashioning a team that can challenge for the chalice.

The 2006 Carolina Hurricanes showed that speed kills, and teams began seeking speedsters in the wake of that Triangle triumph. The 2007 Anaheim Ducks were a forceful, physical bunch, and teams around the NHL began to put more of a premium on size immediately after the Ducks drank from the Cup...

Mark Webber Q&A: Nobody’s unbeatable, but I’ll do my best
to stay ahead

Posted at Formula1.com

Fresh from two successive wins in Spain and Monaco, and after notching up his third consecutive pole position at Istanbul Park on Saturday, Red Bull’s Mark Webber is looking cool, calm and collected ahead of Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix. Webber, however, is determined not to underestimate the other drivers on the grid, especially team mate Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who will start from P2...

New Danzig Single Streamed Online
By mdome at Classic Rock

The radio edit of the new Danzig single is being officially streamed.

It’s called On A Wicked Night, and comes from the album Deth Red Sabaoth, which is due out at the end of June.

Right if you wana hear this, just click.

Steven Tyler Autobiography Due In November
By mdome at Classic Rock

Steven Tyler is to have his eagerly anticipated autobiography published by Ecco in November.

To be titled Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?, Ecco (an imprint of HarpeCollins) reportedly paid the Aerosmith frontman $2 million for the rights...

Final Practice - Vettel and Rosberg at the last minute
Posted at Formula1.com

Things really hotted up in Istanbul Park in Saturday morning practice, even though the track and ambient temperatures were cooler than yesterday.

A flurry of late activity saw many of the leading runners having serious problems with the notorious Turn Eight, with the spin of the day award going to Lewis Hamilton who did what Felipe Massa did yesterday only a lot faster. The outer kerb bit him between the second and third apexes, but the greater momentum of the McLaren carried it backwards into the gravel...


May 28, 2010

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Alex Ovechkin
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: Ovechkin led the League in points- and goals-per-game and goals created (despite missing ten games; stat explained here), had the best plus-minus rating among NHL forwards and led the Caps to the best record in the NHL.

Interesting Stat: Ovechkin took 30.3% fewer shots in 2009-10 than he did in 2008-09, but only scored 10.7% fewer goals.

The Good: With his second-consecutive 50/50 campaign, Ovechkin joined Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy as the only players in NHL history to top 250 goals and 250 assists in their first five years in the League...

Hirvonen to use Serbia Rally as asphalt test
Posted at WRC.com


BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will enter next month's Serbia Rally (18 - 20 June) in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car.

The Finns will use the two-day asphalt event, which takes place during the summer break in the FIA World Rally Championship, as a test session before the WRC season restarts in Bulgaria in July...


FIA Friday press conference - Turkey
Posted at Formula1.com

Team principals: Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari), Adam Parr (Williams), Franz Tost (Toro Rosso).

Q: A question to you all. It has been announced that we are going back to America. What sort of effect is that going to have plus the fact that we are going to another major economy in India next year? Do you see that having a reflection with the sponsorship that you are able to get? Is that going to have a major effect on the finances of Formula One?
Adam Parr: We are very, very excited about it. Two of our sponsors – one of them is based in Texas, AT&T, and Thomson Reuters have a couple of thousands employees there, so it is great for our partners in particular...

Friday analysis - McLaren lead, as Red Bull bide time?
Posted at Formula1.com

The teams spent opening day at Istanbul Park doing their usual evaluation of the prime and option Bridgestone tyres (the medium and soft compounds here in Turkey), and the cars’ behaviour on low and high fuel loads. Bridgestone will carefully analyse individual car/tyre performance during Friday evening, and make set-up recommendations for Saturday...

'Flash' Sprints Towards A Green Light, 'Wonder Woman'
& 'Aquaman' Movies Planned

By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Comic book fans, stretch those muscles and get ready for the race — "The Flash" is close to ready for his first big screen marathon.

Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Barry Meyer told shareholders during a presentation that "The Flash," based on the DC Comics character dubbed as "the fastest man alive," is close to receiving a green light from the film studio...

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

McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes GP were the leading teams at Istanbul Park on Friday, with Lewis Hamilton taking the top spot in the morning. After lunch, Hamilton’s team mate Jenson Button was the quickest runner. All the drivers and senior team personnel reflect on their early progress in Turkey...

Practice Two - Button on top in Turkey
Posted at Formula1.com

Jenson Button turned the tables on McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton on Friday afternoon when, despite a bobble in Turn Eight on his best lap, he set the fastest time with 1m 28.280s. This time, however, the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel separated the silver cars...

Accept: Then And Now
Xavier Russell article posted at Classic Rock

...Accept went on stage at 8:45pm and played for an intense and staggering two hours and 10 minutes. This was a new-look Accept. The aformentioned Tornillo now on vocals, Stefan Schwarzman (formerly with Helloween) on drums, and the rest of the band were as before at the Hammy Odeon in 1984. Opening up with Metal Heart, Tornillo easily filled the shoes of Udo Dirkschneider, in fact he reminded me of Brian ‘Beano’ Johnson with his gruff delivery. It really was a trip down memory lane as the devotedly partisan crowd lapped up all the old favourites such as Midnight Mover, Living For Tonight, Restless And Wild, Son Of A Bitch, Losers And Winners and London Leatherboys...

Dio Memorial Gigs To Be Staged In London and LA
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Classic Rock understands that two major concerts are being planned to celebrate the life of the late Ronnie James Dio.

Details are sketchy at present, but what is for sure is that the gigs are going to be dubbed Ronnie James Dio ‘Stand Up And Shout’ Memorial Concerts...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Goaltenders: Semyon Varlamov

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


...Semyon Varlamov gives teasing glimpses of what he can be. In 51 NHL games (regular season and playoffs), he is 29-13-7, 2.51, .913, with four shutouts. Not bad for a goaltender who just turned 22. This year, Varlamov finished the regular season 15-4-6, 2.55, .909, and two shutouts, a performance that would appear to position him to permanently take over the number one goaltending job for the Capitals next season.

That’s the good news. But look at the ten-game splits a little more closely, and you can start to see the blemishes...


Practice One - McLaren lead early Istanbul running
Posted at Formula1.com

Lewis Hamilton drew first blood in the opening practice session for the Turkish Grand Prix on Friday, when he lapped a second faster than McLaren team mate Jenson Button. The 2008 champion circulated in 1m 29.672s to set the pace initially before Button responded with 1m 29.623s. The 2009 champion later trimmed that to 1m 29.615s, but Hamilton’s 1m 28.653s was the decider...

Pre-Turkey analysis - Ferrari's big weekend
By David Tremayne at Formula1.com

This is an important weekend for Ferrari, not just because of the tough fight for the world championship with Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes but because the Turkish race marks the Scuderia’s milestone 800th Grand Prix.

Ferrari are the only team to have competed in every season at the highest level of the sport and hold all the records: 15 drivers’ world championships; 16 constructors’, 211 victories; 223 second places; 198 thirds; 203 pole positions; and 220 fastest laps...


May 27, 2010

Ozzy Osbourne ‘Scream’ Album Making Of Video
Posted by jamesgill at Metal Hammer

Metal Hammer brings you an exclusive Making Of ‘Scream’ video from Ozzy Osbourne in the studio working on the new album.

Watch the Ozzy Osbourne ‘Scream’ making of video here.

Oh, and here’s a great little video of Ozzy Osbourne at Madame Tussaud’s scaring people!...

New Name Of Bonamassa, Hughes, Bonham,
Sherinian "Supergroup" Revealed

Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

After much legal wrangling with a lesser known group of musicians over the name of the long awaited "Supergroup", it was revealed today that hard rocking blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, the Voice Of Rock", vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian(Dream Theater, KISS, Alice Cooper) - will be henceforth known as Black Country Communion...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Michal Neuvirth
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Neuvirth's .914 NHL save percentage was higher than Jose Theodore's (.911) and Semyon Varlamov's (.909).

Interesting Stat: On January 12th and 13th Neuvirth was pulled in back-to-back starts, both times for allowing four goals on 15 shots.

The Good: Given the opportunity to play significantly more NHL minutes than did in 2008-09, Neuvirth proved himself up to the challenge, recording a .914 save percentage and 2.75 goals against average to go along with a 9-4-0 record, while arguably looking "quieter" and more in control than either Theodore or Varlamov...

Solberg to push for Portugal victory
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg insists he has no regrets about the crash that cost him a possible win on Rally New Zealand earlier this month and will once again go all-out to claim victory on Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which gets underway with a superspecial stage in Estadio Algarve this evening (Thursday).

Solberg crashed into an electricity pylon on the final stage in New Zealand while travelling in sixth gear. Miraculously his Citroen C4 suffered only superficial damage and has been repaired...

Hayley Atwell Confirms Tommy Lee Jones To Co-Star
In 'Captain America'

Posted at MTV's Splash Page


Earlier this year, Hayley Atwell joined the cast of director Joe Johnston's "The First Avenger: Captain America" as Peggy Carter, a resistance fighter and Cap's first love.

While the majority of the film's cast has already been locked down, Atwell inadvertently confirmed that veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones will also play a part within the movie during a recent event...


FIA Thursday press conference - Turkey
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Karun Chandhok (HRT), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP), Jarno Trulli (Lotus) and Mark Webber (Red Bull).

Q: A question to you all about your Monaco experiences. Varying experiences for different people. Jarno, would you like to start?
Jarno Trulli: My Monaco experience has not been very successful this year, probably the worst ever. I had a very bad weekend and I couldn’t turn it around at all. Then in the race also I was very unlucky as I had a bad pit stop where the team was unlucky because one gun didn’t work, so I found myself last after the pit stop...

Ferrari to celebrate their 800th Grand Prix in Turkey
Posted at Formula1.com

This weekend’s Turkish race will be a very special one for Ferrari, as it will be the Italian team’s 800th Grand Prix. And to celebrate reaching such a momentous milestone, a special commemorative logo will be placed on the engine covers of both F10s for the duration of the Istanbul Park event...

Jagger: Stones Will Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Mick Jagger expects the Rolling Stones to tour again.

In a radio documentary to be aired this weekend, the iconic singer says...

Former Rainbow Bassists Remember Ronnie James Dio
By mdome at Classic Rock

The new instalment of the Shockwaves Skull Sessions podcast pays tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio.

Hosted by Bob Nalbandian, it features former Rainbow bassists Craig Gruber (who was also in Elf) and Bob Daisley remembering Dio and also telling stories relating to the great singer.

You can find this podcast here.

The Faces To Tour – Without Rod Stewart
By mdome at Classic Rock

The Faces are planning to tour – but without Rod Stewart...

...There will be three original members of the band – guitarist Ronnie Wood, drummer Kenney Jones and keyboard player Ian McLagan. Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock is also in the line-up. As for the singer, it’s... Mick Hucknall of Simply Red...

Turkey Preview - who can beat the bull?
Posted at Formula1.com

The undulating 5.338-kilometre Istanbul Park circuit is unusual in that it is one of only four on the calendar that runs anti-clockwise, the other three being Singapore, Brazil’s Interlagos and Abu Dhabi. Its unique selling point is the formidable Turn Eight, the everlasting left-hander which has three apexes and is taken around 250 km/h at arguably the highest G-forces the drivers experience during the season. Elsewhere, speeds reach 320 km/h and track temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius are to be expected. It’s a tough place...

June 1, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
May 21 - 26, 2010


Last Update - June 1, 2010 at 9:50 PM EDT

Links to some of the places on the web that I visited from May 21 through May 26, 2010 are included the following 'Reading And Viewing List'.

If you're interested in hockey (Washington Capitals, Hershey Bears), racing (Formula One, World Rally Championship), music or television, you might want to check these out.

2010 F1 Turkish Grand Prix Preview and 2010 WRC Rally Portugal Preview articles make it into this list.


May 26, 2010

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Shaone Morrisonn
Posted by Stephen Pepper at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Increased his Hits/G from 1.54 in 2008-09 to 2.4 last season.

Interesting Stat: Morrisonn's goal totals for each regular season since the lockout, in order: one; three; one; three; and one. Looks like ShaMo's good for three goals next season.

The Good: While Morrisonn used to be seen as the perfect foil for the more freewheeling Mike Green, he spent time paired with a number of other D during last season, including Brian Pothier, Tom Poti, and John Carlson. Finally, he settled in with Joe Corvo after the trade deadline...

Watch Ozzy In The Studio
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Here’s another Classic Rock video scoop for you – Ozzy Osbourne in the studio, talking about the making of his new album Scream.

Ozzy made the record at his Los Angeles home studio, dubbed The Bunker, over a period of 18 months with producer Kevin Churko...

Kankkunen renews old acquaintances
Posted at WRC.com

Juha Kankkunen will be re-united with two sounds synonymous with the early and mid-part of his hugely successful rallying career in Portugal this week.

The first will be the glorious noise of the two-litre Ford engine powering him along the Saturday and Sunday stages of this week’s sixth round of the World Rally Championship. And the second will be the voice keeping him on the right road, as Kankkunen is joined for his return to the sport by Welshman Nicky Grist, who co-drove for him between 1993 and 1996...

Team manager backs Ogier for Portuguese podium
Posted at WRC.com

The manager of the Citroen Junior team has tipped Sebastien Ogier for a podium in Rally de Portugal this week, after acknowledging the Frenchman has surpassed the team’s expectations.

Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia finished second on Rally New Zealand three weeks ago - equalling the previous best WRC result they secured on the 2009 Acropolis Rally...

T127 to star at Classic Team Lotus Festival
Posted at Formula1.com

Lotus Racing have confirmed that their 2010 challenger, the T127, will be running at June’s Classic Team Lotus Festival at Snetterton in June. Lotus drivers Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and tester Fairuz Fauzy will all appear at the UK event, adding to an already packed bill that will see an example of every single car Lotus raced in Formula One competition from 1957-94 on track together...

Rush Announce New Album Title
By mdome at Classic Rock

Rush have revealed the title of their new album – but it won’t be released until next year.

The record is to be titled Clockwork Angels and has been produced by Nick Raskulinecz. But a single, Caravan, is to be made available in digital form only from June 1, packed with another new song, BU2B...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Goaltenders: Jose Theodore

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


...Jose Theodore had a year that by any standard was as heart-wrenching as one could ever imagine. Having to embark on a year engaged in his profession – a very public one at that – after having endured a private tragedy that would have many retreating away from a public life had to be in a realm of difficulty that most could only dimly imagine.

That Theodore could perform at such a high level for long stretches this season speaks highly of his fortitude and resolve – 30-7-7, 2.81, .911, one shutout, a club record season winning percentage (.761), a club record for longest winning streak by a goaltender (ten games), club record for career winning percentage (.694)...


How Hershey Wins and Wins, and How Word of Its Winning
Is Spreading Fast

By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Radio, most particularly of the minor pro sports variety, isn’t supposed to be a money maker, let alone a cash cow. Try telling that to members of the Hershey Bears Radio Network this week, maestro-ed by John Walton. Late yesterday the Bears’ radio voice sent out word that his network had come to an agreement with an umbrella of new radio stations for 2010-11 that will have Bears’ game audio fairly blanketing the Keystone state...


May 25, 2010

Move to McNeill Pays Off For Bears
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Hershey Bears defenseman Patrick McNeill was second among the team’s rearguards in regular season scoring. Playing in his third AHL season, the 23-year-old Strathroy, Ontario native totaled eight goals and 35 points despite missing 18 games. That point total was good for 25th among all AHL blueliners.

McNeill got his first taste of Calder Cup playoff hockey at the conclusion of his first pro season in 2007-08 when he got into two games with the Bears after having played five postseason contests with the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays that spring...

Formula One returns to the United States
Posted at Formula1.com

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Brendan Morrison
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Morrison had 23 points in his first 29 games as a Cap, but just 20 points (and a measly three goals) in his next 50.

Interesting Stat: Morrison had a plus-23 rating on the road and an even rating at home in 2009-10.

The Good: Morrison's season started out well (as noted above), and helped propel him towards his highest point total since 2006-07 (when he had 20 goals and 51 points for the Canucks). His plus-23 rating was a career best...

Rush Documentary To Be Released On DVD
By mdome at Classic Rock

Rush are to release their acclaimed Documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 28.

Before that, the doc is being released across Europe for one night only on June 7. Go here to see where you can catch the film in the UK...

Video Scoop! Joe Elliott Talks About High Voltage
Posted by gbarton at Classic Rock

Come inside to watch an exclusive video of Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott talking about his appearance with the Down ‘N’ Outz at Classic Rock’s High Voltage festival.

Joe also chats about his decision to allow Classic Rock to give away the new Down ‘N’ Outz CD as a free gift with the mag’s summer 2010 edition (on sale June 23)...




Triumph: We Will Play UK Again
By mdome at Classic Rock

Triumph are currently looking at their touring options for 2011 – and the band may decide to play at least one UK date.

“Next year is the 30th anniversary of our last show over there,” bassist Mike Levine told Classic Rock...

Hirvonen goes back to basics
Posted at WRC.com

Ford team leader Mikko Hirvonen will adopt a different style of driving on the forthcoming Rally de Portugal in an effort to get his bid for the FIA drivers' championship title back on track.

After starting the season with a win in Sweden, the Finn has made the podium only once on the following four rallies and ended the most recent round in New Zealand frustrated by his lack of competitiveness...


May 24, 2010

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Classic 'Couldn't Stand
The Weather' To Get Deluxe Reissue

Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

MusicRadar is reporting that to help mark the 20th anniversary of Stevie Ray Vaughan's death (27 August 1990), Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble's 1984 breakthrough album Couldn't Stand The Weather will be reissued on 26 July as a remastered, deluxe two-CD set, featuring 11 studio outtakes from the original recording, three of them previously unreleased.

The second CD in the set premieres a previously unreleased, late-night concert from August 1984 at The Spectrum in Montreal, Canada...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Quintin Laing
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: At 30-years-old, Laing spent the entirety of the 2009-10 campaign in the NHL (with the exception of a brief conditioning stint), the first time he has done so in his career.
Interesting Stat: Both of Laing's goals came in the third period of tied games.

The Good: Laing doubled his single-season career high in goals in 2009-10 and he was well-disciplined (taking only one minor penalty in 36 games other than the instigator and unsportsmanlike conduct he received in St. Louis - more on that in a bit), but the real "good" for Quintin Laing starts and ends with his willingness to sacrifice his body for the team...

Caps' Jose Theodore nominated for King Clancy
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

Capitals goalie Jose Theodore has been nominated by his teammates for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."...

Bears to Final, Czechs Win World
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Congratulations to the Hershey Bears, who advanced to the Calder Cup final for the fourth time in five years with their thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday at Giant Center.

Boyd Kane’s goal at 7:06 of overtime enabled the Bears to oust the Monarchs in six games and move on to the final. Hershey now awaits the winner of the Texas-Hamilton series in the Western Conference...

Alice Cooper Works With Producer Ezrin Again
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Alice Cooper has been reunited with producer Bob Ezrin, the man responsible for so much of his success in the 1970s.

According to Blabbermouth, Ezrin is to produce Alice’s new album after a deal was agreed between the latter and the Bigger Picture Group, of which Ezrin is a director...

Debatable debuts? How 2010’s new drivers are faring
Posted at Formula1.com

First you fight your way up the ranks, using any means necessary to make it into Formula One racing and then you have to start all over again and prove your worth against the best drivers in the world. Life’s far from easy for F1 rookies. We assess how 2010’s crop of youngsters have performed over the opening six races, as Petrov, Hulkenberg, Chandhok, Di Grassi and Senna all vie to become the next big thing...

Consistency the key for Villagra
Posted at WRC.com


Argentinean Rally Champion Federico Villagra is hoping the consistent form he has shown so far this season will enable him to challenge Ford rival Henning Solberg at the forthcoming Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

The Munchi’s Ford World Rally team driver has finished in the points on each of the four rallies he has tackled so far this year...


Foreigner: New Drummer Confirmed
By mdome at Classic Rock

Foreigner have a new drummer, a replacement for Brian Tichy. He’s Jason Sutter, who’s spent the last three years touring with Chris Cornell...

Gary Moore Announces New Touring Band
By mdome at Classic Rock

Gary Moore has announced the line-up of his band for the High Voltage Festival.

This includes the return of keyboard player/rhythm guitarist Neil Carter, after a 20-year absence. Primal Scream’s Darrin Moody will be on drums, with the four-piece completed by bassist John Noyce...

Loeb out for a hat trick in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com

Thanks to victories in 2007 and 2009, Sebastien Loeb and his Citroen C4 WRC are unbeaten in Rally Portugal and this week the Frenchman is determined to make it three wins in a row.

Victory on Sunday would be the fifty-eighth of Loeb's record breaking career and would extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship standings - a position he still holds despite finishing third on the most recent round in New Zealand...

Manhole cover behind Barrichello Monaco shunt
Posted at Formula1.com

A loose manhole cover was the cause of Rubens Barrichello’s spectacular crash during the recent Monaco Grand Prix, the Williams team have confirmed. Barrichello went out of the race on lap 31 while running in tenth place...


May 23, 2010

Rolling Stones Score First UK #1 In 16 Years With 'Exile' Reissue
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

According to the NME, The Rolling Stones have topped the UK album chart for the first time since 1994, scoring with the expanded, remastered double disc version of their 1972 classic 'Exile On Main Street'.

The chart placing marks the second time the album has hit #1 on the charts, the first time with the original release way back in 1972...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: John Erskine

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Head over to the “real time stats,” and you’ll see where the value of a player such as Erskine lies. He finished fifth on the team in hits (third in hits per game), fifth in blocked shots. And on a team that lacked a true bruiser to keep the peace, Erskine was part of enforcement-by-committee, finishing second on the club in fighting major penalties. And he hardly took on any shrinking violets in his four bouts. The opponents he faced – Chris Thorburn, David Koci, Georges Laraque, and Shawn Thornton – combined for 45 fights among them.

Erskine’s was a tough role to play, one that does not necessarily show up in his 10-game segments...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: Tyler Sloan

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


...Sloan is probably not a 70-game, 15 minute a night defenseman. He is, however, useful as a player who can plug a hole for a week or so at a time in the event of injury. Although he skated only two games in Hershey this season, the role he plays is somewhat typical of how the Caps have used the Bears. There are a lot of guys up the road who have come down the road to fill a role in a pinch. For example, last night’s Hershey lineup in their AHL Eastern Conference-clinching win over Manchester featured 12 players (of 20 who dressed) who played in DC over the past two seasons...


Hershey, Going Ugly, Earns a Beautiful Finals Date
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

For the fourth time in the past five years the Hershey Bears advanced to the Calder Cup finals, defeating the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 in game 6 Saturday night at Giant Center. They did so with what has become convention for this Hershey club this postseason: working overtime...


May 22, 2010

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: Shaone Morrisonn

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Morrisonn did perform well overall against those teams that made the playoffs this spring. In 31 games against the other 15 teams that made the playoffs, he finished 0-5-5, plus-7. However, it is worth noting that he was plus-5 against the Flyers and “even” against the other playoff teams from the Eastern Conference.

Morrison has been consistent over the years, but has he improved?...

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.06, 'The Vampires Of Venice'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Episode Title: "The Vampires Of Venice"

Written By: Toby Whithouse

Story: The Doctor and Amy Pond are joined by Amy's fiance, Rory, on what's intended to be a romantic trip to Venice in the year 1580. As with any adventure with The Doctor, all is not as it seems, and the trio soon find themselves investigating a series of murders in which the victims' bodies are drained of fluids...

A New Era in DC Sports Deserves a Proper Name
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

...Friday afternoon Leonsis answered a thorny question with deft heft, managing to acknowledge the sizable and long-standing discomfort many natives have had with the queer name of our basketball team while simultaneously reminding that the renaming involved no small amount of personal discomfort for the Pollin family. He staked out, and achieved, a higher ground for the populist discussion.

And yet, reading between the lines in a manner frankly Leonsis invited us to, the name ‘Wizards’ and its colors don’t seem long much more for Washington. Were he merely indifferent to the name he could have replied to my question with, ‘We have a perfectly fine name for our basketball team, so why change it?’...

Bruce Dickinson Announces Final 6 Music Show
By mdome at Classic Rock

Bruce Dickinson will broadcast his final show on BBC 6 Music on Friday, May 28. Dubbed The Friday Rock Show, this will go out from 9pm to midnight, and the Iron Maiden frontman will use this to pay his own tribute to Ronnie James Dio.


May 21, 2010

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Brooks Laich
Posted by Becca H at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Laich's twelve power play goals trailed only Alex Ovechkin's thirteen for the team lead, and was good enough for 18th in the NHL.

Interesting Stat: This season marked the first campaign of his career in which Laich finished with a positive plus-minus rating.

The Good: Laich continued his steady development into a consistent point producer, posting his third straight 20+ goal season and the fifth highest point total on the team...

Joss Whedon, Morgan Spurlock And Stan Lee Team Up
For 'Comic-Con' Documentary

By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

Back in February, word began to spread that "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon and Morgan Spurlock were joining forces to create a documentary about the San Diego Comic-Con International. And apparently, they won't be alone.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Whedon and Spurlock will produce "Comic-Con Episode Four: A Fan's Hope" along with legendary comic book creator Stan Lee and...

Leonsis Says NHL In Better Financial Shape Than NBA
AP article posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

..."There is a hard cap in the NHL. In the NBA, you can spend a lot of money and every dollar you're over this luxury tax you get fined. And there's a lot of basketball teams who are losing a lot of money."

The NBA is expected to push for changes in its flexible salary cap structure when its collective bargaining agreement expires after next season, and a lockout is possible if the players' union doesn't agree...

'Doctor Who' Q&A: Why The Tenth Doctor's 'Final Sacrifice'
Won't Be A 'Regeneration Prequel'

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


..."Final Sacrifice" kicks off with issue #13 of IDW's popular "Doctor Who" comics, and promises to bring an end to both Tennant's time as The Doctor and the current series. While there's still some uncertainty about the form IDW's "Doctor Who" comics will take after this final adventure, it's been confirmed that the time- and space-traveling British hero will return in the likeness of new lead actor Matt Smith when things get rolling again in 2011.

I spoke to series writer Tony Lee to get some insight into "Final Sacrifice" and how it relates to Tennant's final episodes in the television series, as well as his thoughts on bidding adieu to The Tenth Doctor...


Bears Take Series Lead; Russia Clocks Canada
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

In Thursday night’s pivotal Game 5 at Verizon Wireless Arena, the Manchester Monarchs were less than a minute from taking a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series against the juggernaut Hershey Bears. But Chris Bourque’s last-minute tally tied it for the Bears, and Francois Bouchard supplied the winner in overtime to send the Bears back to Pennsylvania with a 3-2 win and a 3-2 lead in the series...

First Ever Solo Release From Legendary Thin Lizzy Guitarist
Brian Robertson Due Out Soon

Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

The Palace Of Rock website is reporting that Former Thin Lizzy/Motörhead/Wild Horses guitarist Brian Robertson has finished his long awaited studio album with the working title "Diamonds and Dirt"...

The Secret Life of Lewis Hamilton
Posted at Formula1.com

Ever wanted to know your favourite Formula One driver better? Ever wanted a glimpse inside their lives outside the cockpit and see what really makes them tick - away from the race track? You can with the help of our series, The Secret Life. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is our latest target, as he reveals a fondness for eating sweets over a race weekend, a flair for Tex-Mex cuisine and a fear of our eight-legged friends...

Countdown to Vodafone Rally of Portugal
Posted at WRC.com

When the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team arrives in Faro for the Vodafone Rally of Portugal they will usher in a new era in the sport. For the first time ever, Ford arrives as the most successful manufacturer in the history of the sport.

When Jari-Matti Latvala crossed the finish line of the final stage in Rally New Zealand earlier this month, the delight was etched across his face...

Bible-Bashing Fanatics To Picket Dio’s Memorial Service
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Religious extremists are threatening to disrupt Ronnie James Dio’s memorial service to protest against the late singer’s alleged links with Satan.

As previously reported, there will be a public memorial service for Dio on Sunday, May 30 at The Hall Of Liberty in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles...

Turkey preview quotes - Lotus, Virgin, Force India, HRT & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Monte Carlo is a tough act to follow, but Istanbul Park, which will host the Turkish Grand Prix, is more than up to the task. A state-of-the-art facility, which features one of the most challenging corners on the calendar, the already legendary Turn Eight, an unusual anti-clockwise layout and plenty of gradients, it’s a real challenge. And it’s no wonder the drivers - and team personnel - can’t wait to get started on the 5.378 kilometre track...

Bret Michaels ‘Has Hole In His Heart’
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Poison frontman Bret Michaels is back in hospital after suffering what is termed a Transient Ischemic Attack – which basically means he’s had a warning stroke.

This is what the singer’s official website says:...

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