Annual Race of Champions Great Fun

Every year some of the world’s greatest drivers gather together to enjoy a relaxing and entertaining bit of racing – the annual Race of Champions event. The race has been described as being “like racing go-karts in your living room” by Jenson Button (Formula One) and it certainly seems to be an apt description of this enjoyable event.

The Race of Champions was started in 1986 in Paris as a battle of international rally drivers. Now it is one of the best off-season auto racing attractions in the world. There are two parts to the competition – the two-man teams and an individual shootout. The drivers entered into the race start side-by-side in opposite lanes as they get ready to tackle the almost 1-mile lap that will take them back to the starting line. The lap takes the various drivers on separate paths and there are two laps. There is a team event which follows a best-of-three format, while the individual portion of the race works on a win and advance system. Both of the different races involve bracket racing and to keep things interesting, there are five types of cars that are rotated during the four-hour event. The prize for the teams is glory for your country and a great day of stress-free racing. According to seven-time Formula One Champion Michael Schumacher, ‘The World doesn’t go bad if you lose. It just means you get to have a drink earlier.’ Drivers come from both sides of the Atlantic to compete and fun is the main focus of the day. Some of the cars used this year included an Audi-powered KTM X-Bow track machine, a World Rally Championship Ford Focus, an Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, an open-wheel buggy that looks like a sprint car and another open-wheel vehicle resembling something more ungainly – like a praying mantis. Certainly such a selection of vehicles keeps drivers on their toes and helps to even out the playing field.

And that is exactly what they did do. Carl Edwards attended the event in London for the first time this year to see what all the fuss was about. He found himself inspired by a great day of racing and hopes to return soon. He did quite well, managing to reach the semi-finals in the individual driver’s category, even beating Michael Schumacher in a head-to-head race. Understandably, that was the highlight of Edwards’ trip. In the end it was the German team of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel who took the team trophy for the second consecutive year. Sebastian Loeb proved to be the ultimate individual winner yet again, taking home the trophy for the third time. He did, however, get stiff competition from David Coulthard who went home with bruised hands from some intense driving but a big smile on his face.

Michael Schumacher Heads New Motor Sport Safety Development Fund

The Motor Sport Safety Development Fund has been created to manage the distribution of the $60 million awarded to the FIA (Federation Internationale De L’Automobile) as part of the $100 million fine which was imposed on McLaren-Mercedes in 2007. Heading up the new fund as Chairman, is Michael Schumacher, seven times Formula One world champion.

In addition to Michael Schumacher as Chairman, the fund’s management committee includes Max Mosley, FIA President; Jean Todt, Member of the Board of Ferrari; Nic Craw, President of the Automobile Competition Committee for the USA; and Norbert Haug, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

As the name of the fund suggests, it will ensure that the money is used in the interests of motor sport safety. Working hand-in-hand with the FIA Institute, the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund will establish a Young Driver Safety Scholarship Program, a Facility Safety Improvement Consultancy Program and an Officials Skills Safety Training Program.

Expressing his viewpoint with regard to his appointment as Chairman of the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund and the role it will play, Michael Schumacher has been quoted as saying: “I’m proud to be able to help with the further development of safety in motor sport across the world. The FIA has achieved a great deal already in its safety activities but the grants available from this new Fund will make a huge contribution to improving motor sport safety, especially in emerging motor sport markets.”

Jean Todt stated that he was pleased that the unfortunate events of last year had been resolved and that it had resulted in a worthy project. As a long-standing member of Ferrari’s Board of Directors, Todt would have been acutely aware of the ins-and-outs of the so-called “spy scandal” in which McLaren stood accused of, and was found guilty for, cheating by using data obtained from a Ferrari employee to improve its own car. The $100 million fine has gone down in motor sport history as the harshest punishment ever given to a team since the sport began 57 years ago. Additionally, the FIA stripped McLaren of all its constructor’s points for the entire 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

Norbert Haug said that the money entrusted to the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund would be used to ensure that the sport had strong foundations. FIA President, Max Mosley confirmed that the intention had always been to use any money received from the McLaren-Mercedes fine for the benefit of motor sport at grass-roots level. Now that the money has been allocated, it will be invested in a safer future for motor sport.

Schumacher On the Brink of Buying Out Toro Rosso

There has been a lot of speculation and rumors in regard to the intentions Michael Schumacher might have to purchase the Formula One Team Scuderia Toro Rosso. Schumacher’s manager has been hinting at the possibility for months. For Michael Schumacher to have an interest, in a different role, in the sport he loves does not come as a big surprise. After his retirement from Formula One as a driver, the legendary seven-time world champion has been an adviser for his former Ferrari team.

The Scuderia Toro Rosso Team is owned by Gerhard Berger and Dietrich Mateschitz. Together they purchased the outfit from Paul Stoddart in 2005. The outfit raced under the name of Minardi from 1985, but due to budget restraints, Stoddart made the decision to sell the outfit to new owners that would be capable of ensuring a future for the team. And so the Red Bull car launched onto the circuit in 2006.

While the multi-million deal still has most people guessing and wondering, the entire Formula One community has already welcomed the idea with open arms. With such a brilliant reputation and a profound knowledge of the sport, most insiders feel that such a move can only be an asset to the Formula One Industry. As a team owner, Schumacher will still be able to be a part of the world that he took by storm and hopefully carry on doing so.

It has also been said, that not only does Michael Schumacher have his eyes on the Scuderia Toro Rosso outfit, but has also targeted Ross Brawn to assist him. Ross Brawn is known as a technical genius and was also the driving force behind Schumacher’s successful championship titles. Together they will definitely be a team to be reckoned with and breathe new life into the Formula One circuit, from a different point of view.

As the world waits in anticipation, for the truth to be revealed, fans and friends in the Formula One circles, eagerly look forward to welcoming Michael Schumacher back. And to support the loved and respected World Champion in his new seat, as team boss and owner.

From Go-Carts to Race Cars: a Look at F1′s Michael Schumacher

He may be F1‘s most successfull driver, but that doesn’t mean the 2006 Formula One season is any easier for him. Michael Schumacher has come a long way from his first cart race at age five, to his current number 5 position in the 2006 F1 standings. From the time he became German Junior Champion in 1984, anyone associated with racing knew Schumacher had the gifts to really make an impact on the sport.

A slew of impressive kart performances jumpstarted his career: winning the German Junior Championships again in ’85, Second Place in the Junior World Championships in Le Mans, 3rd place in the 1986 German Senior Kart Championships, and finally capping his learning curve by winning both the German and the European Senior Kart Championships in 1987).

In 1988, Schumacher transitioned into the big leagues: embarking on his first season in a Formula racing car, drawing the attention of Willi Weber, who was looking for up-and-coming talents. During a Formula Ford race on the rain-soaked Salzburgring, Michael stormed from 7th to 1st place during just one lap.

In his first Formula 3 season in 1989, Michael Schumacher won two races and ended the championships just one point behind in third place, after Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The champion was Karl Wendlinger. The rest, as they say, is history. But the truth is, in nearly 20 years of continuous driving, you’re only as good as your last performance on the track.

Michael Schumacher is a five-times World Champion F1 driver and tops the list of most Grand Prix wins in the history of Formula One.

Currently 21 points behind series leader Fernando Alonso, and with 11 races still ahead of him, Michael Schumacher faces his most challenging season yet.

Formula One: The Triumphant Return of Michael Schumacher

Heading into the halfway point for the 2006 F1 season, Michael Schumacher held off Fernando Alonso in a tight duel Sunday May 7th to win the San Marino Grand Prix. Schumacher covered 62 laps around the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in 1 hour, 31 minutes, 6.486 seconds, with Alonso 2.0 seconds behind.

A look at the current standings:

1) F. Alonzo	44 Points
2) M. Schumacher	31 Points
3) K. Raikkonen	23 Points
4) G. Fisichella	18 Points
5) F. Massa	15 Points
6) J. Montoya	15 Points
7) J. Button	13 Points
R. Schumacher	7 Points

By winning the European Grand Prix on Sunday, Schumacher has re-established himself as a bonafide championship contender. Defending champion Fernando Alonso might find the German a bit tougher last year’s runner-up Kimi Raikkonen was in 2005. The European Grand Prix saw a masterful performance from Schumacher, who put in quick pit stops and matched Alonso lap for lap setting Schumi up to defeat the championship leader for the second successive race. Felipe Massa finished third. And as the point spread between Alonzo and Schumacher narrows, at this point it’s a safe bet to say “it’s anyone’s race”! The remainder of the season looks like this:

Date	Country	Circuit (click for more)
12 March	Bahrain	Sakhir
19 March	Maylasia	Sepang
2 April	Australia	Melbourne
23 April	San Marino	Imola
7 May	European	Nurburgring
14 May	Spain	Barcelona
28 May	Monaco	Monaco
11 June	Britain	Silverstone
25 June	Canada	Montreal
2 July	United States	Indianapolis
16 July	France	Magny-Cours
30 July	Germany	Hockenheim
6 August	Hungary	Hungaroring
27 August	Turkey	Istanbul
10 September	Italy	Monza
1 October	Japan	Suzuka
8 October	China	Shanghai
22 October	Brazil	Interlagos