The circus has moved onward to the European Grand Prix at Valencia and what a turn round for Renault after the Renaultgate affair in 2008. It is very hot with a track temperature of forty two and air temperature of twenty seven and it will be a hot race for the cars and drivers and it will be interesting to see how the tyres and brakes perform after the last race and the tyre degradation which gave us a great race.
The start will be interesting and hopefully Lewis can mix it up with the Red Bull pair. Most of the teams look as though they are on the softer, Green walled tyres and with two world champions on row two the start will be very interesting around the twenty five turns of the circuit and of course including the swing bridge which is welded up for the race.
As the lights went out Lewis got the drop on Mark and then attacked Sebastian into turn one. they were mighty close and touched twice causing, it would appear damage to the end plate on Lewis's car giving him a front end vibration. This allowed Fernando to attack Lewis and it all got mighty close. Mark dropped down to ninth in all the melee and behind both the William's.
Mark then made an early stop on lap eight to see if they could get him out of the pack. Unfortunately the tyre stop didn't work as it should have as they had a problem getting off the front left wheel. Then came Rosberg on lap nine and after over running his marks they changed all four tyres.
Then on lap ten Mark was coming up to pass Kovalinen at 190 mph and all of a sudden he hit the back of the Lotus which catapulted his Red Bull into the air and over it went and finishing up in the tyre wall. After such an accident it is a testament to the safety in the modern F1 car that Mark got out seemingly unhurt along with Heikki after such a rear impact.
Out came the safety car and a flood of tyre changes, Lewis changed his front spoiler and they all bunched up. Michael lost out as he changed his tyres late and then came in again but Jenson finished fourth.
So in came the safety car and the very mixed up grid launched itself into turn one. Fernando dropped to ninth, Felipe in eighteenth, Michael last but Kamui finished up in third followed by Jenson. So it was now all to play for with most of the race to run.
Both Mercedes are struggling with brakes and Nico had the call the temperature is now critical. This circuit is a brake killer and last year Mark had a disc explode so anything can happen in that department.
Lewis is under investigation during the race for an incident between himself and Fernando who accused him of backing up the pack through the safety car period. Lewis evidently passed the safety car as it came out for Mark's accident and was given a drive through penalty. The instruction went out to Lewis from the pit wall to go for it and close down on Sebastian prior to his stop.
After his stop he still came out in second and immediately started to narrow the fifteen plus seconds gap to Sebastian. With twelve laps remaining it seems all is set to the finish with really none of the cars really in competition. Then it was announced nine cars are under investigation for speeding behind the safety car and the drivers get a Delta time on their steering wheel advising the earliest time they may get to the pits.
Of those nine cars Jenson was also included and any penalties could change the entire finishing positions. Then all of a sudden Lewis through in a 1.37 lap and brought the gap down to Sebastian to only seven seconds.
After a great drive in third place on his original set of tyres Kamui had to pit to change his now worn tyres so he used both tyre compounds. Then with Kamui on his new set of tyres he came out eight behind Fernando and immediately went on the attack as he was so much quicker obviously. He passed Fernando with a great move and immediately up to eighth and then passed Sebastien (B) on the last corner into seventh, great drive.
At the flag Sebastian came across first followed by Lewis and Jenson but we must remember the stewards enquiry and we all await to see if they impose a position penalty in seconds for this race or look at grid slots at Silverstone. So instead of a one, two Mclaren had a two, three which on reflection finished up a great result.
Just a shame Lewis had the ten second penalty or we could have had a great tussle up front. As we leave Valencia and onward to Silverstone the drivers championship tightens at the front with Lewis (127), Jenson (121), Sebastian (115) and the luckless Mark with (103). Then comes Fernando (96), Robert (83), Nico (74), Felipe (67), Michael (34), Adrian (31), Rubens (19). Vitantonio (12), Sebastien B (9), Kamui (7), Vitaly (6), Jaime (3) and finally joined on a single point Nico H & Pedro.
In the constructor's championship Mclaren leave Valencia with 248 points followed by Red Bull (218), Ferrari (163), Mercedes (108), Renault (89), Force India (43), Williams (20), Toro Rosso (12) and finally BMW on eight points.
So we all await Silverstone with a degree of relish with a tight drivers championship on the revised circuit. Bring it on.
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Sunday, 27 June 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
F1 Canada Race
After the events of quali yesterday Mclaren were penalised with a £10,000 fine for requesting Lewis stopped on track and not make it back it to the pits. The question of team orders was again under discussion prior to the race but this time more about Lewis and Jenson.
The message Lewis received from the pit wall during the latter part of the race nearly cost him the win and very nearly lost the race for both the Mclaren's. After the collision between the two Red Bull's we all sat on the edge of our seats as Lewis was advised to save fuel, he asked whether Jenson would pass him and was advised No.
Jenson then went past, Lewis then took him into the lead again, again they swapped but it could have been a disaster for them both, so close. Let us hope we don't get a repeat this weekend even though we want the same excitement. We could have enough problems with safety cars today so that could give us a lot of excitement today.
There is a mix of tyres at the start which is unusual with Mclaren on the Green walled tyres and the Red Bull's on the harder compound. The soft tyre will present Lewis with a problem as the soft tyres suggest he will have to change them after as few as eight laps. We await with anticipation the result of this race.
The harder tyre is more difficult to get heat into so the start should be easier on the softer tyres but across the whole race all the teams have to use both compounds so it should equalise across the 70 laps.
Mark has been given a five place grid drop back into seventh which has moved from sixth to second up a place. Red Bull opted to change Mark's gearbox only as a precaution and hence the five place grid drop.
So with the highest track temperature of the year at 38 it is mighty hot which will be even more difficult for the tyres. The 2.7 mile circuit will present a problem balancing speed and high speed braking up as far as 5g. The run down to the first corner is a short blast from the grid and let us hope they all get through.
The first corner caused all sorts of problems as Lewis shot off into the lead followed by Sebastian and Fernando. Behind them there were all sorts of problems as Pedro, Felipe, Vitantonio and all needed new nose cones. Then coming into the last corner Kamui was the first to hit the wall and out he went.
We had an almighty scrap between Jenson and Mark but Jenson lost out and then Lewis seemed to be holding up the front runners forcing both Mclaren's to change tyres. Coming out of the pits Lewis and Fernando were side by side and all so close but Fernando went in front.
So the excitement started from the get go and after only nine laps we had both Red Bull's out front with Fernando and Lewis back to seventh and eighth. We must remember the Red Bull's will have to change to the soft tyres so as I mentioned earlier it could equalise over the race.
Up to lap sixteen it was very difficult to keep up with everything going on and as thought tyres are causing huge problems. Whilst all this was all going on we had changes in positions throughout the field and as it stabilised a bit Lewis was back in front followed by Fernando and Jenson as even the Red Bull's had to change the hard tyres much quicker than the teams thought.
The talk on only lap sixteen was the cars may have to change five times which is unheard of in F1. These walls around the circuit are looking mighty close as the drivers push hard trying to keep the lap times. The circuit seems to be rubbering up on lap twenty one and tyre management is the name of the game.
The five four are trading fastest lap after fastest lap as Lewis keeps Fernando at bay but Jenson, Sebastian and Mark are closing in and all are on the harder tyre excepting Sebastian who is still on the soft tyres. Great racing and anything could happen across this long race.
So on laps twenty nine and thirty we had another round of tyre changes which changed the front order with Mark in front followed by Lewis, Fernando, Jenson and Sebastian all battling for the lead. There is so much going on all the way down the field but the top five are basically equally two seconds apart.
On lap forty Mark was still out in the lead but only 10 seconds ahead and with a sixteen seconds pit stop for his final stop as he has to stop again to go onto the soft tyres. Lewis is closing in on Mark along with all the others in the top 5. On lap forty five Mark hit traffic and the gap was getting ever closer and the top five cars are only covered by ten seconds.
On lap fifty Lewis went ahead, Fernando couldn't go through but Mark then went into the pits for his last stop to go onto the soft, Green walled tyres. The two Force India's and Felipe had been having a great battle for the lower positions.
Both Mclaren's were also speeding and seem happier on the tyres than the others but still times amongst the top four moving all over the place. Jenson closes on Fernando who are closing slightly on Lewis whilst Mark has new tyres we will see whether he can close back on the top four.
Jenson then passed Fernando and we had a one, two for Mclaren again as the Ferrari got tied up ever so slightly by a slower car. Then Jenson and Fernando lapped Michael which must have been a blow for him. Mark in the meantime was hot on the heels of the front four and running quicker than Lewis. Now Jenson has clear air he is catching Lewis as the last ten laps start.
Michael was struggling with pace as his tyres were shot having had them on for some 30 laps. However, he then pushed Felipe off the track coming into the last turn which destroyed Felipe's front spoiler and he had no option to pit for a new one. Naughty Michael, very naughty and will be investigated by the stewards after the race.
Then Vitantonio was pushing Michael in a spirited fight between the two of them as the Force India tried to get to tenth and a point. Up at the front Lewis had it all under control followed by Jenson and a Mclaren one, two again for the second time in two races and they are now at the top of the both championships.
A huge welcome back to Canada and after a terrific F1 spectacle the top ten at the finish were Lewis, Jenson, Fernando, Sebastian, Mark, Nico, Robert, Sebastian (B), Vitantonio and Adrian finally pushing Michael out of the points.
After Canada there has been a change now at the top of the drivers championship as Mclaren lock it out at the top with Lewis (109), Jenson (106), Mark (103), Fernando (94), Sebastian (90), Nico (74), Robert (73), Felipe (67), Michael (34), Adrian (23), Vitantonio (12), Rubens (7), Vitaly (6), Sebastien B (5), Jamie (3) and Nico and Kamui bringing up the rear with 1.
In the Constructors Championship the positions haven't changed. Mclaren leave Canada with (215), Red Bull (193), Ferrari (161), Mercedes (108), Renault (79), Force India (35), Williams (8), Toro Rosso (8) and BMW bringing up the rear with just 1 point.
We need more races like these Bernie, great race and full of excitement all the way from flag to flag. Best race of the season.
The message Lewis received from the pit wall during the latter part of the race nearly cost him the win and very nearly lost the race for both the Mclaren's. After the collision between the two Red Bull's we all sat on the edge of our seats as Lewis was advised to save fuel, he asked whether Jenson would pass him and was advised No.
Jenson then went past, Lewis then took him into the lead again, again they swapped but it could have been a disaster for them both, so close. Let us hope we don't get a repeat this weekend even though we want the same excitement. We could have enough problems with safety cars today so that could give us a lot of excitement today.
There is a mix of tyres at the start which is unusual with Mclaren on the Green walled tyres and the Red Bull's on the harder compound. The soft tyre will present Lewis with a problem as the soft tyres suggest he will have to change them after as few as eight laps. We await with anticipation the result of this race.
The harder tyre is more difficult to get heat into so the start should be easier on the softer tyres but across the whole race all the teams have to use both compounds so it should equalise across the 70 laps.
Mark has been given a five place grid drop back into seventh which has moved from sixth to second up a place. Red Bull opted to change Mark's gearbox only as a precaution and hence the five place grid drop.
So with the highest track temperature of the year at 38 it is mighty hot which will be even more difficult for the tyres. The 2.7 mile circuit will present a problem balancing speed and high speed braking up as far as 5g. The run down to the first corner is a short blast from the grid and let us hope they all get through.
The first corner caused all sorts of problems as Lewis shot off into the lead followed by Sebastian and Fernando. Behind them there were all sorts of problems as Pedro, Felipe, Vitantonio and all needed new nose cones. Then coming into the last corner Kamui was the first to hit the wall and out he went.
We had an almighty scrap between Jenson and Mark but Jenson lost out and then Lewis seemed to be holding up the front runners forcing both Mclaren's to change tyres. Coming out of the pits Lewis and Fernando were side by side and all so close but Fernando went in front.
So the excitement started from the get go and after only nine laps we had both Red Bull's out front with Fernando and Lewis back to seventh and eighth. We must remember the Red Bull's will have to change to the soft tyres so as I mentioned earlier it could equalise over the race.
Up to lap sixteen it was very difficult to keep up with everything going on and as thought tyres are causing huge problems. Whilst all this was all going on we had changes in positions throughout the field and as it stabilised a bit Lewis was back in front followed by Fernando and Jenson as even the Red Bull's had to change the hard tyres much quicker than the teams thought.
The talk on only lap sixteen was the cars may have to change five times which is unheard of in F1. These walls around the circuit are looking mighty close as the drivers push hard trying to keep the lap times. The circuit seems to be rubbering up on lap twenty one and tyre management is the name of the game.
The five four are trading fastest lap after fastest lap as Lewis keeps Fernando at bay but Jenson, Sebastian and Mark are closing in and all are on the harder tyre excepting Sebastian who is still on the soft tyres. Great racing and anything could happen across this long race.
So on laps twenty nine and thirty we had another round of tyre changes which changed the front order with Mark in front followed by Lewis, Fernando, Jenson and Sebastian all battling for the lead. There is so much going on all the way down the field but the top five are basically equally two seconds apart.
On lap forty Mark was still out in the lead but only 10 seconds ahead and with a sixteen seconds pit stop for his final stop as he has to stop again to go onto the soft tyres. Lewis is closing in on Mark along with all the others in the top 5. On lap forty five Mark hit traffic and the gap was getting ever closer and the top five cars are only covered by ten seconds.
On lap fifty Lewis went ahead, Fernando couldn't go through but Mark then went into the pits for his last stop to go onto the soft, Green walled tyres. The two Force India's and Felipe had been having a great battle for the lower positions.
Both Mclaren's were also speeding and seem happier on the tyres than the others but still times amongst the top four moving all over the place. Jenson closes on Fernando who are closing slightly on Lewis whilst Mark has new tyres we will see whether he can close back on the top four.
Jenson then passed Fernando and we had a one, two for Mclaren again as the Ferrari got tied up ever so slightly by a slower car. Then Jenson and Fernando lapped Michael which must have been a blow for him. Mark in the meantime was hot on the heels of the front four and running quicker than Lewis. Now Jenson has clear air he is catching Lewis as the last ten laps start.
Michael was struggling with pace as his tyres were shot having had them on for some 30 laps. However, he then pushed Felipe off the track coming into the last turn which destroyed Felipe's front spoiler and he had no option to pit for a new one. Naughty Michael, very naughty and will be investigated by the stewards after the race.
Then Vitantonio was pushing Michael in a spirited fight between the two of them as the Force India tried to get to tenth and a point. Up at the front Lewis had it all under control followed by Jenson and a Mclaren one, two again for the second time in two races and they are now at the top of the both championships.
A huge welcome back to Canada and after a terrific F1 spectacle the top ten at the finish were Lewis, Jenson, Fernando, Sebastian, Mark, Nico, Robert, Sebastian (B), Vitantonio and Adrian finally pushing Michael out of the points.
After Canada there has been a change now at the top of the drivers championship as Mclaren lock it out at the top with Lewis (109), Jenson (106), Mark (103), Fernando (94), Sebastian (90), Nico (74), Robert (73), Felipe (67), Michael (34), Adrian (23), Vitantonio (12), Rubens (7), Vitaly (6), Sebastien B (5), Jamie (3) and Nico and Kamui bringing up the rear with 1.
In the Constructors Championship the positions haven't changed. Mclaren leave Canada with (215), Red Bull (193), Ferrari (161), Mercedes (108), Renault (79), Force India (35), Williams (8), Toro Rosso (8) and BMW bringing up the rear with just 1 point.
We need more races like these Bernie, great race and full of excitement all the way from flag to flag. Best race of the season.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
F1 Canada Quali
The F1 circus moves onward for the first time for a couple of years to Canada and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. I am sure we all remember the horrific accident to Robert Kubica when he hit the corner of the wall before Turn 9. 70 laps around this circuit will a challenge for all and tyre longevity is evidently already an issue before practice.
The question of team orders has been subject to huge discussion since the last grand prix since Sebastian & Mark came together putting Sebastian out and then to make it worse Jenson and Lewis nearly did the same thing. The management of Red Bull were less than impressed to lose a one, two and it almost certain the same thing applies at Mclaren albeit the drivers didn't come together.
Jake had pre-qualifying discussions with Ross Braun (Mercedes), Martin Whitmarsh (Mclaren) & Cristian Horner (Red Bull) they all made it clear there are no team orders and I suppose the issue between Sebastian and Mark personified that. However, we all heard Mclaren issuing a directive to Lewis to slow down to save fuel which then put Jenson on his tail.
This allowed Jenson to subsequently pass Lewis who went back past Jenson and they were very close. Then came the call to Jenson to also save fuel and things calmed down again. The issue of team orders will continue to rear hits ugly head as all the teams try to outwit the other.
With only nine tenths of a second between the top ten in the third practice session this will be a tight session which we will all enjoy. The track is very slick as they can't get the rubber down and as Martin Brundle confirmed they can't get within three seconds of the lap record.
Fernando was the first of the top runners to show his hand as he slotted in a 1.17.684 but then Lewis shot in a 1.16 followed by a high 1.15 and one wonders whether the Mclaren's are matching the Red Bull's at last.
So after Q1 we lost Kamui, Heikki, Jarno, Timo, Bruno, Lucas and Karun which is the expected result really. All cars got through the first twenty minutes without any accidents as the Montreal walls loom ever near.
Into Q2 and the times started tumbling into the mid 1.15's and the top ten are swapping around at the top albeit Lewis is still heading the field.
So we lost Rubens, Nico (H), Michael, Vitaly, Jamie and Pedro in Q2 as the top 10 were left to fight it out. So we were left with Lewis, Sebastian, Robert, Fernando, Nico, Mark, Felipe, Adrian, Jenson & Michael which is nicely mixed up with only two tenths between the top six as they fight for pole.
Losing Michael in Q2 is obviously a big blow for him for the first time this year and with Lewis two tenths ahead of Jenson, Lewis is currently on a role which is great to watch as Mclaren match the Red Bull's which is what we have waited for all season.
All cars have safely gone through Q1 and Q2 which bodes well for all of them for the race tomorrow. Lewis looks very comfortable in the car and it shows as he goes into Q3 but Jenson on the other hand does not look as comfortable and is making mistakes. Lewis was first in to the 1.15's with a 1.15.500 and he looks great out there in front some one second ahead of Jenson.
There is a mix on tyres for the first time this season as the Mclaren's are on the soft tyres whilst Red Bull are on the hard compound. Then Mark slotted into pole but with 7 seconds to go Lewis launched his Mclaren around the circuit and a fantastic drive to take pole position and put Red Bull off pole for once.
Petty he had to stop out on circuit after a call from the pits to stop as they hadn't enough fuel to get back into the pits and they wanted a fuel sample. The crowd then witnessed Lewis then pushing his Mclaren round the circuit which they found amusing.
The grid for tomorrow is interesting now with Lewis on pole followed by Mark, Sebastian, Fernando, Jenson, Vitantonio, Felipe, Robert, Adrian and Nico lower down than usual.
Great quali session and with safety cars and two tyre stops for the race we have interesting prospect for the race tomorrow.
The question of team orders has been subject to huge discussion since the last grand prix since Sebastian & Mark came together putting Sebastian out and then to make it worse Jenson and Lewis nearly did the same thing. The management of Red Bull were less than impressed to lose a one, two and it almost certain the same thing applies at Mclaren albeit the drivers didn't come together.
Jake had pre-qualifying discussions with Ross Braun (Mercedes), Martin Whitmarsh (Mclaren) & Cristian Horner (Red Bull) they all made it clear there are no team orders and I suppose the issue between Sebastian and Mark personified that. However, we all heard Mclaren issuing a directive to Lewis to slow down to save fuel which then put Jenson on his tail.
This allowed Jenson to subsequently pass Lewis who went back past Jenson and they were very close. Then came the call to Jenson to also save fuel and things calmed down again. The issue of team orders will continue to rear hits ugly head as all the teams try to outwit the other.
With only nine tenths of a second between the top ten in the third practice session this will be a tight session which we will all enjoy. The track is very slick as they can't get the rubber down and as Martin Brundle confirmed they can't get within three seconds of the lap record.
Fernando was the first of the top runners to show his hand as he slotted in a 1.17.684 but then Lewis shot in a 1.16 followed by a high 1.15 and one wonders whether the Mclaren's are matching the Red Bull's at last.
So after Q1 we lost Kamui, Heikki, Jarno, Timo, Bruno, Lucas and Karun which is the expected result really. All cars got through the first twenty minutes without any accidents as the Montreal walls loom ever near.
Into Q2 and the times started tumbling into the mid 1.15's and the top ten are swapping around at the top albeit Lewis is still heading the field.
So we lost Rubens, Nico (H), Michael, Vitaly, Jamie and Pedro in Q2 as the top 10 were left to fight it out. So we were left with Lewis, Sebastian, Robert, Fernando, Nico, Mark, Felipe, Adrian, Jenson & Michael which is nicely mixed up with only two tenths between the top six as they fight for pole.
Losing Michael in Q2 is obviously a big blow for him for the first time this year and with Lewis two tenths ahead of Jenson, Lewis is currently on a role which is great to watch as Mclaren match the Red Bull's which is what we have waited for all season.
All cars have safely gone through Q1 and Q2 which bodes well for all of them for the race tomorrow. Lewis looks very comfortable in the car and it shows as he goes into Q3 but Jenson on the other hand does not look as comfortable and is making mistakes. Lewis was first in to the 1.15's with a 1.15.500 and he looks great out there in front some one second ahead of Jenson.
There is a mix on tyres for the first time this season as the Mclaren's are on the soft tyres whilst Red Bull are on the hard compound. Then Mark slotted into pole but with 7 seconds to go Lewis launched his Mclaren around the circuit and a fantastic drive to take pole position and put Red Bull off pole for once.
Petty he had to stop out on circuit after a call from the pits to stop as they hadn't enough fuel to get back into the pits and they wanted a fuel sample. The crowd then witnessed Lewis then pushing his Mclaren round the circuit which they found amusing.
The grid for tomorrow is interesting now with Lewis on pole followed by Mark, Sebastian, Fernando, Jenson, Vitantonio, Felipe, Robert, Adrian and Nico lower down than usual.
Great quali session and with safety cars and two tyre stops for the race we have interesting prospect for the race tomorrow.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
An Act 2010 Problem
I have used Symantec Act since 1985 in its various forms. It is my principal piece of software and from it I process bookings, run my electronic diary and export to Outlook (using Companion Link) so I can then sync my contact data with my iPhone. All emails are also sent directly from the program so a complete record is specific to each contact.I was quite happy running Act up to version 6 which was in a .dbf format and hadn't really thought about upgrading. Due to a requirement to upgrade my Microsoft Office program from 2003 to 2007 I was faced with a dilemma. Act 6 didn't work with Office 2007 so I had to upgrade to Act 9 to run the Office program which in a .sql format.
Act 9 was basically a disaster for me as the technical team at Act (Sage) couldn't import my 3,500 contacts so I had to recover my data by syncing my then Blackberry to Act which only gave me part of my contacts.
After the trials and tribulations of Act 9 I was offered the upgrade to Act 2010 (version 12) assuming a lot of the bugs in Act 9 had been resolved. That is simply not the case and maybe version 12 has more problems that Act 9 ever did.
As a lot of my bookings come from regular customers I use the "Duplicate" contact facility a lot as this retains the primary data leaving me to fill in the data against the new booking. When starting with Act 2010 the duplicate facility simply did not work.
I spent hours on the phone with technical support by remote link, ran report after report for them, sent copies of my database to them, created a new database from scratch after long discussions and when technical support replicated my database on their own computer they achieved the same result.
This took 4 to 5 weeks out of my life and the net result was they had to report the issue to the American tech support team which basically meant the issue was buried for ever. During this period I spoke to many engineers as well as sending lenghty emails about the problems with Act 2010. 1 of those emails still remains unanswered.
The issue are various: Company name is in standard rather than bold text irrelevant of how you set the field settings, the program is very unstable when trying to change the main view, the layou in the main view is not acceptable but certain of the functions cannot be changed and the list goes on.
It is typical of a piece of software developed by those who never use it and yet supposedly the prime database of its type in the world.
I rang UK tech support re another issue last week and spoke to maybe the 5th technician who answered my question on that day and whilst on the phone he realised the other duplication issue I had. I would also like to comment that I pay for their support which is not cheap.
The technician I spoke to said he would like to check a couple of things and my immediate answer was they have all been checked by other technicians as I was basically not prepared to spend further time resolving the unresolvable.
The first check was under the Tools menu from the main screen and he asked I check Tools /Manage Users and my name is there as Mr Peter Burton. He then asked me what does "My Record" show which was Peter Burton.
I simply put Mr in front of my name and the duplicate record function has worked perfectly ever since. I can only thank him for his input but it leaves a major question unanswered,
"WHY ON EARTH" did the previous technicians not know that. I asked the question and the reply was, they should have.
After many weeks of hassle, upset, questions, telephone calls, emails and a very disgruntled better half the cure for my problem was simply ensuring the database user name is the same as My Record.
Maybe training is the issue but as normal in these cases if it is not reported or listed as an FAQ then lesser technicians don't think about it. I have requested this be put in the FAQ's for future users. It would appear to me the manage users and my record data is a standard issue and therefore not listed in any of the FAQ's.
So, after using previous versions of Act since1985 with complete satisfaction I am now lumbered with a database that doesn't function correctly in many areas. No-one at Act / Sage has had the courtesy to apologise for their incompetence or in any way offer me compensation for the time I have spent solving my problem.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
F1 Turkey Race
The weather looks good for the start of the race and accepting the cars can go from zero to hundred miles an hour in four seconds turn one could be interesting. It's clear the dirty, right hand side of the grid isn't as fast as the clean, left side which could give Sebastian a punt into the first turn.
It will be interesting to see Fernando forcing his way through from twelfth and the first few laps could be exciting and the view through turn eight pulling 8g should be immense. The Red Bull durability still causes concern and this time with the rear wing which has had mods made to it since arriving in Turkey.
The cars launch from the grid for the warm up lap and the excitement builds. Can the Mclaren's use the abilities of the F duct to get ahead of the Red Bull's. Now the talking is over as the cars come to the line.
From the start as I forecast Sebastian went ahead of Lewis and Michael beat Jenson into turn one. Lewis soon took the place back and Jenson really set about Michael and went ahead fairly quickly which he had to do to keep with the leading three.
Lewis is really on the pace with Mark and his best chance of the season to go ahead and really challenging him on lap three. Great driving between the two of them. The front four are having a very interesting scrap and this is more like it.
It is interesting to watch Mark and Lewis through turn eight and The Red Bull is flat bit Lewis can't match there. However, he is then quicker through nine and ten keeping it close at the front. Watching Lewis into turn twelve on the bumps is unbelievable as the car seems very unstable but Lewis holds on.
We clearly saw Felipe and Robert come together early on and the tyre to tyre contact has put a groove in Felipe's near side front tyre but all seems well as the tyre is retaining its pressure. So after 10 laps it is Red Bull, Mclaren, Red Bull, Mclaren with only 3.8 seconds between first and fourth but only half a second between Mark and Lewis.
It does appear the Mclaren's have made great strides and are definitely matching the Red Bull's apart from turn eight. Fernando was the first to stop in lap twelve whilst Lewis is getting closer and closer to Mark even in the dirty air.
It seems Lewis only needs to sit this close to Mark until the first tyre stop and run an extra lap and he should take the lead. Jenson is also setting hot laps and maybe he can also take Sebastian.
Great driving between the two of them as they are very close as Sebastian comes in for his first stop.
Then surprisingly Mark and Lewis both came into the pits line astern and out they went and Mark was still in P1 followed by Sebastian but he was in front of Lewis due to his earlier stop.
Lewis now has a problem with two Red Bull's and we have to wait and see where Jenson comes out. In he comes on lap fifteen and he stops on the marks and he was gone but only feeds out in fourth and now the race is on and what a scrap we have to enjoy.
Then on lap twenty one they come across the back markers which can mix things up and Lewis is the one that can do it. Now we had rain forecast which comes as a surprise to all concerned and what have we to come. Lewis is really pushing Sebastian and he seems to like these hard tyres.
After twenty two laps the front four were already fifteen seconds ahead of Michael in fifth as the first back marker came and went without hitch for the front four. Who will gamble on intermediate tyres when the rain comes and the clouds look ever darker overhead. The front end of the Mclaren is stunning compared with the Red Bull's.
The track temp is 44 degrees and the rain will burn off quickly but that depends of how much of the wet stuff falls, we wait with baited breath. Wet tyres are being readied in anticipation of in the rain. The talk is of three mm's of rain and intermediate tyres seem a good call.
Behind the top four were Michael, Nico, Robert, Felipe, Vitaly and Fernando who are all quite close together. Nico is slowing down those behind him and they are all bunching up waiting to pounce. The track temp is tumbling down to below thirty degrees confirming the change in temperature since the start of the race.
Then on lap forty one Sebastian tried to pass Mark but as he got alongside he moved over into Mark. They touched and they both went off. Sebastian was out with a flat drivers side rear tyre. Oh dear, Sebastian got that wrong. Mark was also off but after a quick visit to the pits and with a new nose cone he came back and as he was so far ahead of Michael he rejoined in third, justice was done to some degree.
From the comfort of my armchair I have to say that was a ridiculous move on Sebastian's part and will no doubt affect Sebastian's championship and another one, two for gone. The change then gives Mclaren a one, two and a welcome change for the Woking team.
So through all this excitement Lewis took the lead followed by Jenson followed by Mark. Then an almighty scrap as Jenson took Lewis as they fought hammer and tongue. Great, clean stuff between the two Mclaren's as Jenson went ahead and Lewis then came straight back at him but all so close.
Brilliant driving between the two of them and maybe Mark and Sebastian should have done it like that. One wonders what the call was from the pit wall as the Mclaren pair nearly came together. Lewis was having none of it and immediately went 1.5 seconds ahead and all seemed to calm down. Brilliant from both drivers and obviously I am pleased they came through it without a problem.
The call from the pits we heard to Lewis to save fuel seems to have been ignored by Jenson and then we heard, after the excitement the same call to Jenson, wonder why! We still have rain on the cameras on lap fifty eight but the threat doesn't materialise.
Vitaly and Fernando were also having a spirited dice in the last few laps and eventually Fernando bullied his way through past Vitaly which damaged his front suspension and he went down the points and into the pits eventually. Fernando was going through whatever the Renault did in typical Fernando style.
So the finish eventually was a one, two for Mclaren and after the excitement of Jenson's pass on Lewis they need to both think themselves very lucky. Lewis showed his bottle with abundance and Jenson backed off sensibly so as not to do the same thing as the Red Bull drivers.
Behind them it was Mark (P3), Michael, Nico, Robert, Felipe, Fernando, Adrian and my fighting ace Kamui. Lewis drove a fantastic race and had the Red Bull's in sight from turn one. He waited, waited and waited and it came to him, which shows a maturity from my number one. Mclaren are coming slowly, slowly and it bodes well for us for the rest of the season.
The rain didn't come after all and gave us an excitement from start to finish from the top four. It is great to wonderful driving from the top four on the grid and let us have more of it.
After a very thrilling race the drivers and teams left Istanbul with changes at the top with Mark retaining his place with 93 points but now followed by Jenson (88), Lewis (84), Fernando (79), Sebastian (78), Felipe and Robert (67), Nico (66), Michael (34), Adrian (22), Vitantonio (10), Rubens (7), Vitaly (6), Jamie (3) and the last three Kamui, Nico H and Sebastian B (1).
In the team championship Mclaren take over the lead with 172 points followed by Red Bull (171), Ferrari (146), Mercedes (100), Renault (73), Force India (32), Williams and Toro Rosso (8) and BMW bringing up the rear with still only a single point.
Great race with superb driving from all the top drivers and a shame Sebastian made a horlicks of it. Now the teams move to Canada which comes back to F1 this year and another thrilling race in prospect around the streets of Montreal, 13 June.
It will be interesting to see Fernando forcing his way through from twelfth and the first few laps could be exciting and the view through turn eight pulling 8g should be immense. The Red Bull durability still causes concern and this time with the rear wing which has had mods made to it since arriving in Turkey.
The cars launch from the grid for the warm up lap and the excitement builds. Can the Mclaren's use the abilities of the F duct to get ahead of the Red Bull's. Now the talking is over as the cars come to the line.
From the start as I forecast Sebastian went ahead of Lewis and Michael beat Jenson into turn one. Lewis soon took the place back and Jenson really set about Michael and went ahead fairly quickly which he had to do to keep with the leading three.
Lewis is really on the pace with Mark and his best chance of the season to go ahead and really challenging him on lap three. Great driving between the two of them. The front four are having a very interesting scrap and this is more like it.
It is interesting to watch Mark and Lewis through turn eight and The Red Bull is flat bit Lewis can't match there. However, he is then quicker through nine and ten keeping it close at the front. Watching Lewis into turn twelve on the bumps is unbelievable as the car seems very unstable but Lewis holds on.
We clearly saw Felipe and Robert come together early on and the tyre to tyre contact has put a groove in Felipe's near side front tyre but all seems well as the tyre is retaining its pressure. So after 10 laps it is Red Bull, Mclaren, Red Bull, Mclaren with only 3.8 seconds between first and fourth but only half a second between Mark and Lewis.
It does appear the Mclaren's have made great strides and are definitely matching the Red Bull's apart from turn eight. Fernando was the first to stop in lap twelve whilst Lewis is getting closer and closer to Mark even in the dirty air.
It seems Lewis only needs to sit this close to Mark until the first tyre stop and run an extra lap and he should take the lead. Jenson is also setting hot laps and maybe he can also take Sebastian.
Great driving between the two of them as they are very close as Sebastian comes in for his first stop.
Then surprisingly Mark and Lewis both came into the pits line astern and out they went and Mark was still in P1 followed by Sebastian but he was in front of Lewis due to his earlier stop.
Lewis now has a problem with two Red Bull's and we have to wait and see where Jenson comes out. In he comes on lap fifteen and he stops on the marks and he was gone but only feeds out in fourth and now the race is on and what a scrap we have to enjoy.
Then on lap twenty one they come across the back markers which can mix things up and Lewis is the one that can do it. Now we had rain forecast which comes as a surprise to all concerned and what have we to come. Lewis is really pushing Sebastian and he seems to like these hard tyres.
After twenty two laps the front four were already fifteen seconds ahead of Michael in fifth as the first back marker came and went without hitch for the front four. Who will gamble on intermediate tyres when the rain comes and the clouds look ever darker overhead. The front end of the Mclaren is stunning compared with the Red Bull's.
The track temp is 44 degrees and the rain will burn off quickly but that depends of how much of the wet stuff falls, we wait with baited breath. Wet tyres are being readied in anticipation of in the rain. The talk is of three mm's of rain and intermediate tyres seem a good call.
Behind the top four were Michael, Nico, Robert, Felipe, Vitaly and Fernando who are all quite close together. Nico is slowing down those behind him and they are all bunching up waiting to pounce. The track temp is tumbling down to below thirty degrees confirming the change in temperature since the start of the race.
Then on lap forty one Sebastian tried to pass Mark but as he got alongside he moved over into Mark. They touched and they both went off. Sebastian was out with a flat drivers side rear tyre. Oh dear, Sebastian got that wrong. Mark was also off but after a quick visit to the pits and with a new nose cone he came back and as he was so far ahead of Michael he rejoined in third, justice was done to some degree.
From the comfort of my armchair I have to say that was a ridiculous move on Sebastian's part and will no doubt affect Sebastian's championship and another one, two for gone. The change then gives Mclaren a one, two and a welcome change for the Woking team.
So through all this excitement Lewis took the lead followed by Jenson followed by Mark. Then an almighty scrap as Jenson took Lewis as they fought hammer and tongue. Great, clean stuff between the two Mclaren's as Jenson went ahead and Lewis then came straight back at him but all so close.
Brilliant driving between the two of them and maybe Mark and Sebastian should have done it like that. One wonders what the call was from the pit wall as the Mclaren pair nearly came together. Lewis was having none of it and immediately went 1.5 seconds ahead and all seemed to calm down. Brilliant from both drivers and obviously I am pleased they came through it without a problem.
The call from the pits we heard to Lewis to save fuel seems to have been ignored by Jenson and then we heard, after the excitement the same call to Jenson, wonder why! We still have rain on the cameras on lap fifty eight but the threat doesn't materialise.
Vitaly and Fernando were also having a spirited dice in the last few laps and eventually Fernando bullied his way through past Vitaly which damaged his front suspension and he went down the points and into the pits eventually. Fernando was going through whatever the Renault did in typical Fernando style.
So the finish eventually was a one, two for Mclaren and after the excitement of Jenson's pass on Lewis they need to both think themselves very lucky. Lewis showed his bottle with abundance and Jenson backed off sensibly so as not to do the same thing as the Red Bull drivers.
Behind them it was Mark (P3), Michael, Nico, Robert, Felipe, Fernando, Adrian and my fighting ace Kamui. Lewis drove a fantastic race and had the Red Bull's in sight from turn one. He waited, waited and waited and it came to him, which shows a maturity from my number one. Mclaren are coming slowly, slowly and it bodes well for us for the rest of the season.
The rain didn't come after all and gave us an excitement from start to finish from the top four. It is great to wonderful driving from the top four on the grid and let us have more of it.
After a very thrilling race the drivers and teams left Istanbul with changes at the top with Mark retaining his place with 93 points but now followed by Jenson (88), Lewis (84), Fernando (79), Sebastian (78), Felipe and Robert (67), Nico (66), Michael (34), Adrian (22), Vitantonio (10), Rubens (7), Vitaly (6), Jamie (3) and the last three Kamui, Nico H and Sebastian B (1).
In the team championship Mclaren take over the lead with 172 points followed by Red Bull (171), Ferrari (146), Mercedes (100), Renault (73), Force India (32), Williams and Toro Rosso (8) and BMW bringing up the rear with still only a single point.
Great race with superb driving from all the top drivers and a shame Sebastian made a horlicks of it. Now the teams move to Canada which comes back to F1 this year and another thrilling race in prospect around the streets of Montreal, 13 June.
F1 Quali Turkey
After the thrills and spills of Monaco the F1 circus moves to a totally different circuit in Istanbul Park in Turkey. It's tight, it's twisty and sometimes frustrating when coming to overtaking. The discussions about Michael's overtake at the last corner has caused a lot of controversy and it appears there was a Green flag telling Michael he could overtake but at least now the rules are clear for all which is a result.
There is much talk of who is to partner Fernando for 2011 and there are three drivers in the fray as the silly season starts. Mark (Webber), Felipe (Massa) and Robert (Kubica) are now rumoured to be in the fight for what must be the most iconic driver on the F1 grid.
After the problem of the blanket left in the air duct on Jenson's car has caused a complete rethink of the procedures prior to the race. The blanket left in the air duct caused the engine to overheat on his way to the grid and the engine was actually destroyed prior to the start of the race.
Today is the 800th race for Ferrari and what a history they have in the sport. The Mclaren F Duct, which appears to be huge benefit to Mclaren is still causing the other teams to catch up and Force India are the latest team to adopt it. The lap record here has stood since 2005 in a 1.24 set by Montoya, a name which seems history now and a 1.27 seems to be the pole target in 2010.
The Red Bull's and Mclaren's are both quick here which hopefully will create a good fight at the head of the field. So here we go into quali and it could be very interesting as the drivers all love it here. The track temp at 39 degrees and the changing wind direction will make it a challenge for all the drivers.
Both Mclaren's set the early pace in the 1.27's but the Red Bull's hadn't set a time at that point. Half way through the session there were 23 cars on circuit and then came the Mark & Sebastian who blitzed their way to one and two and once again who can catch them.
After Quali 1 out went Vitantonio, Jarno, Heikki, Timo, Bruno, Karun and Lucas which seems to be the set standard for the season so far.
All the cars were running on hard tyres through quali one and two and they will no doubt switch to the softer compound for the pole shoot out. As usual it was Red Bull and Mclaren in the top four followed by both Renault's with Vitaly ahead of Robert with 5 minutes to go. Both Ferrari's are not shining yet as well as Nico (R) and still out of the top ten albeit they will come.
Then came a shock as Fernando went out in Q2 which is surprising. Michael seems to becoming more as one with the Mercedes and maybe we all expected too much after his three year out of the sport. So we lost Adrian, Fernando, Pedro, Sebastian (B), Rubens, Jamie and Nico (H).
So the launch for pole started and this will be interesting as the Mclaren's are apparently getting closer to the Red Bull's. Turkey is the first of the four anti clockwise circuits on the calendar and pole appears to be in the mid 1.26's.
Lewis set the early pace but Mark once again put his Red Bull into P1 followed by Lewis, Sebastian and Jenson. Lewis is really throwing the Mclaren around the circuit and turn eight is exhilarating to watch with most on full throttle. It seems incredible to think the soft tyres are struggling to cover one lap at full speed.
So the grid looks like this, Mark, Lewis, Sebastian, Jenson, Michael, Nico (R), Robert, Felipe, Vitaly and Kamui. The Mclarens are getting closer and at least have split the Red Bull's. The Mclaren's speed down the straights may just give them a chance in the race.
So Mark does it again and he really is on a high after is last two wins.
There is much talk of who is to partner Fernando for 2011 and there are three drivers in the fray as the silly season starts. Mark (Webber), Felipe (Massa) and Robert (Kubica) are now rumoured to be in the fight for what must be the most iconic driver on the F1 grid.
After the problem of the blanket left in the air duct on Jenson's car has caused a complete rethink of the procedures prior to the race. The blanket left in the air duct caused the engine to overheat on his way to the grid and the engine was actually destroyed prior to the start of the race.
Today is the 800th race for Ferrari and what a history they have in the sport. The Mclaren F Duct, which appears to be huge benefit to Mclaren is still causing the other teams to catch up and Force India are the latest team to adopt it. The lap record here has stood since 2005 in a 1.24 set by Montoya, a name which seems history now and a 1.27 seems to be the pole target in 2010.
The Red Bull's and Mclaren's are both quick here which hopefully will create a good fight at the head of the field. So here we go into quali and it could be very interesting as the drivers all love it here. The track temp at 39 degrees and the changing wind direction will make it a challenge for all the drivers.
Both Mclaren's set the early pace in the 1.27's but the Red Bull's hadn't set a time at that point. Half way through the session there were 23 cars on circuit and then came the Mark & Sebastian who blitzed their way to one and two and once again who can catch them.
After Quali 1 out went Vitantonio, Jarno, Heikki, Timo, Bruno, Karun and Lucas which seems to be the set standard for the season so far.
All the cars were running on hard tyres through quali one and two and they will no doubt switch to the softer compound for the pole shoot out. As usual it was Red Bull and Mclaren in the top four followed by both Renault's with Vitaly ahead of Robert with 5 minutes to go. Both Ferrari's are not shining yet as well as Nico (R) and still out of the top ten albeit they will come.
Then came a shock as Fernando went out in Q2 which is surprising. Michael seems to becoming more as one with the Mercedes and maybe we all expected too much after his three year out of the sport. So we lost Adrian, Fernando, Pedro, Sebastian (B), Rubens, Jamie and Nico (H).
So the launch for pole started and this will be interesting as the Mclaren's are apparently getting closer to the Red Bull's. Turkey is the first of the four anti clockwise circuits on the calendar and pole appears to be in the mid 1.26's.
Lewis set the early pace but Mark once again put his Red Bull into P1 followed by Lewis, Sebastian and Jenson. Lewis is really throwing the Mclaren around the circuit and turn eight is exhilarating to watch with most on full throttle. It seems incredible to think the soft tyres are struggling to cover one lap at full speed.
So the grid looks like this, Mark, Lewis, Sebastian, Jenson, Michael, Nico (R), Robert, Felipe, Vitaly and Kamui. The Mclarens are getting closer and at least have split the Red Bull's. The Mclaren's speed down the straights may just give them a chance in the race.
So Mark does it again and he really is on a high after is last two wins.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
F1 Monaco Update & Amended Result
Michael Schumacher's last minute dive to pass Fernando into Anthony Noades corner on the last lap at Monaco after the safety car went into the pits was deemed an illegal act and has earned him a 20 second penalty dropping out of the points down the twelfth. Any appeal against the judgement has now been ruled out by Mercedes.
The ruling for this year is covered by section 40.123 of the FIA Sporting Regulations and reads as follows and I quote "If the race ends whilst the safety car is deployed, it will enter the pit-lane at the end of the last lap and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal without overtaking". That seems to make it clear for all concerned and you can rely on Michael to test the rule book.
It was thought Ruben's accident was caused by the suspected loose drain cover but that has now been denied by the team . It appears his car had a left rear suspension failure. Patrick Head commented the was some sort of failure in the left rear suspension either in the suspension itself or something in the drive train.
The decision about the tyre manufacturer/s for 2010 is to be announced shortly. The teams need to know as quickly as possible allowing them to continue purposeful development of the cars for 2011. It appears Michelin and/or Pirelli are both in contention.
It would appear Dietrich Mateschitz is convinced that Mark Webber's dominant runs and back to back wins in Spain and Monaco has persuaded him to retain Mark and partner Sebastian Vettel for next season. There have been rumours that Mark would go across to Ferrari to replace Massa for 2011 so we will have to await developments and confirmation of who goes where.
There was talk of Kimi Raikkonen taking Mark's place at Red Bull but the Finn has yet to decide whether he wants to return or not and in any case Mark's retention at Red Bull would now appear to rule that out. The silly season will start shortly and we will have to ait and see.
The ruling for this year is covered by section 40.123 of the FIA Sporting Regulations and reads as follows and I quote "If the race ends whilst the safety car is deployed, it will enter the pit-lane at the end of the last lap and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal without overtaking". That seems to make it clear for all concerned and you can rely on Michael to test the rule book.
It was thought Ruben's accident was caused by the suspected loose drain cover but that has now been denied by the team . It appears his car had a left rear suspension failure. Patrick Head commented the was some sort of failure in the left rear suspension either in the suspension itself or something in the drive train.
The decision about the tyre manufacturer/s for 2010 is to be announced shortly. The teams need to know as quickly as possible allowing them to continue purposeful development of the cars for 2011. It appears Michelin and/or Pirelli are both in contention.
It would appear Dietrich Mateschitz is convinced that Mark Webber's dominant runs and back to back wins in Spain and Monaco has persuaded him to retain Mark and partner Sebastian Vettel for next season. There have been rumours that Mark would go across to Ferrari to replace Massa for 2011 so we will have to await developments and confirmation of who goes where.
There was talk of Kimi Raikkonen taking Mark's place at Red Bull but the Finn has yet to decide whether he wants to return or not and in any case Mark's retention at Red Bull would now appear to rule that out. The silly season will start shortly and we will have to ait and see.
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