Female First Motorsport roundup

30 November -0001

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23rd August

The weeks events in Formula 1, Rallying and World Superbikes

Formula 1
The Turkish grand prix is over and the new track has taken it's first pounding from the 20 F1 cars. According to Jenson Button, it didn't stand up too well. During qualifying, he noticed that the track was getting bumpy, around turn eight, and he became one of several drivers to fall foul of the corner.

Eventually, Mclaren's Kimi Raikkonen scored the fastest lap, leaving him to start in pole, followed by Fisichella, Alonso, then Montoya. Jenson Button started 13th.

He did well to gain much of that dismal start back by the end of the race, however, clawing his way back up to 5th place. Raikkonen let his lead slip for a matter of seconds in lap one, but quickly regained first place and held on to it, to finish with rather a large gap of over 18 seconds between himself and Renault's Alonso, in second place.

Schumacher, who is in third place in the champoinship dropped out because he was in last place for most of the race.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Ferrari, who are about to take on Sauber's Fillipe Massa, are defending their descision, after he was slammed by bosses. Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said: "I'm quite happy with the choice. It looks to us like he has always had the speed. He just needed experience."

Button, who finished turkey in 5th place says it was his best race of the season, despite his starting in 13th place.

It looks like there's going to be a battle for BAR test driver, Anthony Davidson, next season, too, as both BMW and Jordan have shown interest in the driver. Though Davidson is hoping that he would get to race alongside Barichello at BAR.

Rallying
This weekend sees Rallye Deutschland and teams are pushing their expectations for the race.
Mitshubishi are cautious, despite the fact that the German rally is on Asphalt - the only surface in which the Japanese team have scored a podium finish, so far.
Skoda are feeling the pressure, as driver Schwartz has a high profile in his home country, as well as the fact that Germany is one of the biggest markets for the Skoda.
Citroen are wary. Driver Sebastian Loeb realises that the chances of a fourth win in a row on the German circuit, may be slim. Although he's favourite to win, he prefers not to rest on his laurels. Duvall, meanwhile, is a little less wary of the event, saying he wants a podium place.

The rally promises to be an exciting event as, it may be on asphalt, but it's one of the wildest varieties of surfaces on the calendar. rain is predicted for two out of the three days, so this years Rallye Deutschland promises to demand the very best from the drivers.

British Superbikes
Grand prix was not the only action at the weekend, as Silverstone saw the British Superbikes put in a blinding race and it saw the return of an old hero. Neil Hodgson decided to take time out from the AMA championships to come to the race at Silverstone. Only to sign a few autographs, though.

Reigning champion, Rutter was expected to take pole, but he was beaten to it by a tenth of a second. Who by? His team mate Ryuichi Kiyonari. The Japanese rider recorded the fastest time on two wheels around the 2.2 mile circuit

Rutter saw his 45 point advantage slashed, as he suffered a problematic race. Rivals Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari each took a victory. Having set the pace for most of the first race, a rare error, in response to a 3 bike crash allowed Lavilla to nose ahead.

Lavilla hoped to go for a winning double, but Kiyonari, who finished eight in race one, soon set the Spaniard straight, with a brilliant front running performance.

This leads the current top rider under pressure to keep his advantage as he heads for Cadwell park, on 29 August.

Meanwhile, riders are taking time out to show young motorcyclists that racing should stay on the track, by supporting the THINK! Motorcycle skills campaign.
Glen Richards of Hawk Kawasaki, Leon Haslam of Airwaves Ducati, John Reynolds of Rizla Suzuki and Michael Rutter of HM Plant Honda are all backing the campaign.

Sean Emmett of the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha team, who appears in one of the new posters, comments; 'Riding on the track is very different to riding on the road, when you just don't know what's round the next corner. Having confidence in your bike and your ability is crucial. Take pride in riding with control and skill.'

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