Female First Motorsport roundup

Missed a race? Catch up with the week's events in Formula one, Rallying and British superbikes, here.

Formula one
Since the last race, when Alonso was declared the youngest F1 champion ever, the teams have been looking toward the manufacturers championship, and the final two races of the season. The two far east extravaganzas promise to provide some spectacular racing as, with only two points separating the top two constructors, the crown could go to either of them.

McLaren are the ones in the top spot at the moment, with 164 points, but should something go wrong, Renault could be up for taking the crown as they are just two points behind.
If McLaren score a one two, and Renault only manage to bring home one point, Mclaren will win the crown in Japan. Of course, the chances of Renault, as one of the top teams on the grid, only scoring one point are fairly slim, and it's certain that they'll be doing all they can to prevent McLaren from taking the crown.
Kimi Raikkonen said: "The Drivers’ title fight is over for this year and now we want to win the Constructors’. Suzuka is a great track; it is fun to drive and really allows you to push the limits."

Of course, the chances of Renault, as one of the top teams on the grid, only scoring one point are fairly slim, and it's certain that they'll be doing all they can to prevent McLaren from taking the crown.
Current F1 Champion Fernando Alonso says: "We have a race to do, and another championship to win. I believe the truth is that we have been the best in this 2005 season, and I will be working at full power now, with Fisi, to win the constructors’ title too. I think we can do it."

Of course, they won't be the only teams racing in Suzuka. Toyota, on their home turf are going to be trying out their new toy, the TF105B, at the weekend. Despite some previous teething prbolems, Toyota are now confident that the car will enhance their racing and place them on track for a strong result in Japan, as they continue the battel for third place.

BAR Honda are in the battle for 5th place as they gear up for net season, and Honda's full ownership of the team.
Honda's operating officer Hiroshi Oshima said: "We want to race as Honda and we want to take the team in a better direction."

The Motor giant is also considering supplying the engines to an 11th F1 team, next year. The tean is unnamed as yet, but it looks as though they will have Ex BAR Takuma Soto on their side.

Ralying
After an eventful and tragic Rally GB, fans were relieved to see Rally Japan go off without any major hitches, and it's not only F1 who discovered their champion in the last race.

Citroen ace, Sebastian Loeb took the title out of the way of his rivals in Japan, after securing second place.
The new double champion said:"Now that the championship has been decided, it will be tough for the rest of the year, because everybody will be going for all out wins. I was trying to win every rally before the championship was won! It's not always possible to win" "Each time out, Citroen have given us a reliable and competitive car. this triumph is also theirs and we intend to do all that we can to make sure that the team keeps the manufacturers title" he added.

The Rally in Japan was won, of course by Peugeot star Marcus Gronholm, the Finn's second victory of the year. Both Gronholm and team boss Jean Pierre Nicholas took the tine to dedicate the win to their departed team mate Michael Park, who died in Rally GB.
Gronholm said "First and foremost, this was the perfect way to celebrate the memory of 'beef', we want this to be for him, really"
"As far as the thing with Petter retiring was concerned, we both deserved the win"

Solberg, of Subaru was on course for the number on spot at the Japanese rally, but was forced to retire by a rock.
"It's shocking, I can't believe it" said the Norwegian.
"Things had been perfect for the 24 stages before and we were so close to the result we wanted, but then it just went in an instant. There was nothing we could do to avoid the rock, it was right in the line. It just happened so fast and I'm absolutely gutted."

However, despite the disappointing end to the race, Subaru seem to have got back on top in terms of performance, after the changes that were made to the suspension for Rally Japan.

Solberg's Team mate at Subaru, Chris Atkinson helped to ease the pain of his retirement, however, by gaining his first podium place, gaining 6 points.

The WRC is now gearing up for Rally de France in Corsica, an incredibly tough race for both car and driver. The Abrasive tar, from which the roads are made cause excessive wear on the tyres, and the dirty surfaces mean that the divers can expect even less grip. Extreme skill on asphalt, as well as a good pair of iron balls will be what's required to win Rally de France.

British Superbikes
October 7-9. The date of the final round in the Bennett's British superbike championship.

Lavilla, with a 13 point advantage over nearest rival, Kiyonari, heads into the weekend as the favourite for the crown and can afford to ride tactically to rack up sufficient points. The pair will do battle over the two 20 lap races of the Kent circuit, this weekend.
Kiyonari, on the other hand will be going all out for a double victory at Brands Hatch.

Lavilla knows that nothing can be taken for granted in this series, which was given top rating for entertainment in a recent Daily Telegraph report on top sporting events, and he will be maintaining his hard working ethos as he goes into the final stages, with Kiyonari equally determined.

Around them, there is certain to be determined challenges coming in as riders and teams begin to consider options for next season – John Reynolds, who hands over the ‘number one’ plates at the meeting is determined to give Rizla Suzuki a victory, as is is Haydon, while in the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha team Sean Emmett needs a strong finish, while Tommy Hill chases a second victory of the season. Scott Smart is keen to impress aboard the Vivaldi Kawasaki, while both Hawk Kawasaki riders Glen Richards and Dean Thomas are overdue success. Aiming to embarrass them all is British Superbike Cup winner James Buckingham who is hungry for more successes in his pursuit of a factory ride for next season.