Mutate Now » mut8 http://www.mut8.org mutation = survival Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:17:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Jamie Anderson’s Record Breaking Slopestyle Run @ X Games 2012 http://www.mut8.org/jamie-anderson-x-game-gold/01/2012/ http://www.mut8.org/jamie-anderson-x-game-gold/01/2012/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:52:29 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=2435 She makes it look so simple, she lands everything with grace. It’s no wonder Jamie Anderson earned the highest score in X Games history with this beautiful Slopestyle run:

Snowboarding at its finest!

]]> http://www.mut8.org/jamie-anderson-x-game-gold/01/2012/feed/ 0 24 Hours Of Daytona Coverage – Live Stream, Updates http://www.mut8.org/daytona-500-coverage/01/2012/ http://www.mut8.org/daytona-500-coverage/01/2012/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:42:10 +0000 MotoJo http://www.mut8.org/?p=2453 It may seem odd that Mut8 isn’t doing live coverage of the biggest Grand-Am race of the year… We figure this is one of those races that enjoys such great coverage by other websites, that we’ll just sit back and watch the show. If you’re looking for some online coverage, here’s a few links we like:

Live Stream of the 2012 24 At Daytona

THE LIVE STREAM – ALL 24 hours of it from multiple spotters and corner cams!! Thanks SPEED TV!

Live commentary from the booth on Ustream.com

Full Entry list on Grand-Am.com

Live Timing and Scoring

Rolex 24 at Daytona – Hour 6 Report on Grand-Am.com

Rolex 24 at Daytona – Hour 7 Report

Rolex 24 at Daytona – Hour 8 Report

Rolex 24 at Daytona – Hour 8 Report

Rolex 24 at Daytona – Hour 9 Report

2012 24 Hours of Daytona Schedule

Saturday, January 28:
2:15 p.m. Grid opens for the Rolex 24 At Daytona
3:30 p.m. START 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona

Sunday, January 29:
3:30 p.m. FINISH 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona

]]> http://www.mut8.org/daytona-500-coverage/01/2012/feed/ 0 1st Look At Caterham 2012 F1 Car [Photos] http://www.mut8.org/caterham-2012-f1-car/01/2012/ http://www.mut8.org/caterham-2012-f1-car/01/2012/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:20:00 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=2279 Caterham unveiled detailed pix today of the CT01 – their 1st Formula One car under the team’s new moniker. Based on what we’ve seen thus far, our crew unanimously agrees – “it’s the ugliest F1 car ever built…” Dyaaaaaam! that’s pretty bad! Everyone hates the nose, in particular. What say you? Leave comments if you have an opinion.

The car still features a Lotus Racing Green colour scheme plus Renault power:

Kovalainen in the Caterham car

 

 

F1 Racing magazine has big glossy fotos of the car featured on its cover which hit newsstands on Thursday the 26th. So go buy a mag and support the journalism industry ;)

More pix, especially cool macro fotos @ “Caterham CT01: Das erste Auto der Formel 1-Saison 2012″ on Auto Motor Und Sport.

Artist’s rendition of the car:

Check back for more pix!

Official 2012 F1 Car Unveilings:

Jan 26 Caterham
Feb 1 McLaren
Feb 3 Ferrari
Feb 3 Force India
Feb 5 Lotus
Feb 6 Sauber
Feb 6 Red Bull
Feb 21 Mercedes

]]> http://www.mut8.org/caterham-2012-f1-car/01/2012/feed/ 1 F1 News: Williams Seats Another Senna http://www.mut8.org/bruno-senna-williams-seat/01/2012/ http://www.mut8.org/bruno-senna-williams-seat/01/2012/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:27:55 +0000 MotoJo http://www.mut8.org/?p=2250 It’s official – Bruno Senna will replace Rubens Barrichello for the 2012 F1 season.

close up of Bruno Senna's head, wearing mask and HANS device

18 years after his uncle Ayrton died in a Williams car, Bruno will attempt to dispel the idea that he’s merely a pay-driver and unleash some of the raw talent he carries in his genes. He’ll be teamed up with the 2010 GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado.

Let’s here what the chap has to say for himself:

Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna

More info:

The Telegraph UK story

Reuters

]]> http://www.mut8.org/bruno-senna-williams-seat/01/2012/feed/ 0 25 Hours Of Thunderhill 2011 Race Action [Video + Photos] http://www.mut8.org/25-hour-race-video-photos/12/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/25-hour-race-video-photos/12/2011/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:15:25 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=2083 A growing collection of moments from the longest road race in North America – NASA’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill enduro.

On board Factory 48′s wicked Radical SR3 w/ Jeff Shafer @ the 2011 25 Hours of Thunderhill:

949Racing’s video of the 1st lap with over 80 cars starting the race:
Nick: Turn 5 of the first lap. Man there are a lot of cars out here
(Embed code doesn’t seem to work)

The latest incarnation of SNT/Genoa Racing Ford GT project:

front right wheel view of black and red racecar

CJ Wilson Racing/Tyler McQuarrie Mazda gets Humpty Dumptied:

rear view of white Mazda racecar with body damage on right corner

Honda Research and their Acura RSX leading E1:

rear view of blue and white racecar racing on track

Guardian Angel Motorsports at the start of the day:

drivers and team stand next to blue and white race car

Also check out: When the Going Gets Tough..The Tough Get Guardian Angel Motorsports

949Racing displays their spoils:

3 trophies on display

Clearly they know what they’re doing… Here’s how 949Racing Survives The 25:

a mechanic sleeping on parts crates

red race car

Click here for loads more 949Racing pix.

NASA has posted a gallery of awesome photos on their Facebook Wall, like this one of Scion Racing (click to see more):

mechanics gather under the hood of Scion racecar

Mothers Polish also has a nice gallery of pix from this weekend like this one of their IT department:

row of laptops set up under giant canopy with racecar being worked on in background

Latest Photos

Some of my fave pix of the bunch are these night shots of Achilles Motorsport:

blue race car with big rear wing on stands

mechanics work by shop light under the hood

inspecting suspension by flashlight

Check out more E36 photos in their Facebook Gallery – ApexRaceParts sponsored Achillies Motorsport team

APEX also has killer photos of Nitto, Edge Motorsports and Tiger/Bavarian at the 25 –

#95 Team Nitto Tire E36 running in E0 class, sponsored by ApexRaceParts.com

Edge Motorsports has 83 fabulous photos in their gallery, be sure to check them out!

#22 Tiger/Bavarian Tuning ES class BMW E46 running APEX ARC-8 wheels

Nitto:

the race team surrounds their green and black race car

Team Edge Motorsports:

racing team practice pit stops on their white racecar with big spoiler

The Bavarian Tiger:

black and orange race car with spoiler on track in the sun

And we fiiiiinally found a pic of the Porterville High School Motorsports’ 1988 BMW 325 painted in the Porterville Panthers’ team colours:

white BMW with orange wheels & green number 7 on door

Click the pic to read the full story of the only high school in the US who offers a varsity letter for auto racing – too cool!! (Thanks E for the photo :)

Videos From Thunderhill

Some of these link to recordings of on-board cameras filming from the cockpit – relive all the excitement!

Mazda Racing videos

Team RDR camera 1

Team RDR camera 2

Team RDR camera 3

Links To More Posts, More Photos

THE 25 Hour Race Results – Mazda Racers

CRUSHER & Team 949 Racing Thunderhill 25 Hours – Miata Turbo Forum

The Official NASA 25 Hour Results By Class (pdf link)

The Official NASA 25 Hour Overall Results (pdf link)

The Honda Civic that flipped on Friday – pix and info from their whole weekend

]]> http://www.mut8.org/25-hour-race-video-photos/12/2011/feed/ 1 Kimi Raikkonen Is Back! [Video] http://www.mut8.org/kimi-raikkonen-returns/11/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/kimi-raikkonen-returns/11/2011/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:52:37 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=2051 We are soooooo excited that Kimi is finally ready to drive in Formula 1 again!!! Personally, I loved him as a rally racer, but I also feel F1 needs a Raikkonen injection to become exciting again. Really hoping to see Kimi kick some ass out there next year!

Kimi wearing Lotus Renault jacket and smiling

The news comes via KimiRaikkonen.com that Kimi secured a seat with Lotus Renault GP for the 2012 F1 season, signing a 2-year agreement with the team.

Räikkönen explains his decision:

“I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming. It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team’s ambition. Now I’m looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid.”

We’d heard whispers of Raikkonen joining Renault as early as September 2010 (see Raikkonen In The Running For F1 Renault Seat) but I guess these things take a while to play out…

Read more @ KimiRaikkonen.com

Or: Lotus Renault GP news.

Kimi dons his new Lotus Renault official team wear for a quick interview:

]]> http://www.mut8.org/kimi-raikkonen-returns/11/2011/feed/ 1 Toyota V6 3VZE Engine Rebuild [Photos] http://www.mut8.org/3vze-engine-rebuild/11/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/3vze-engine-rebuild/11/2011/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:32:52 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=1900 A whole lot of pix from the rebuild and restoration of my 1988 Toyota 4 Runner engine and engine compartment. From fresh paint to brand new pistons!!

For “before” pix of the same engine, go to this older post:

(BIG) High Quality Photos Of 3VZE Engine Before Rebuild

High Quality Photos Of 3VZE Engine Being Rebuilt For 1988 Toyota 4Runner Truck:

3VZE V6 engine on engine stand

[Click on thumbnails to see larger image, then click on big image if you want to see full size image...]

3VZE engine disassembled tool for compressing valve springs tool for compressing valve springs 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled 3VZE engine disassembled Toyota V6 3VZE engine disassembled new piston rings for the 3VZE engine various new and old parts for 3VZE engine used pistons and connecting rods on workbench used connecting rods with new pistons used connecting rods with new pistons on workbench crankshaft visible in V6 block crankshaft visible in V6 block crankshaft bearing girdle for V6 engine crankshaft in 3VZE V6 engine crankshaft visible in V6 block 3VZE V6 engine on engine stand girdle & crankshaft installed in engine block girdle & crankshaft installed in engine block freshly painted engine compartment freshly painted engine compartment freshly painted engine compartment with wire harness black exhaust manifold with metal gasket black exhaust manifold on workbench engine block and oil pump sitting on workbench silver intake plenum & head on workbench engine block with crankshaft on bench engine block upside down on workbench engine block upside down on workbench engine block upside down on workbench rear view of engine block upside down on workbench oil sump filter sticking out of upside down engine block oil sump with pick-up on upside down block oil sump with pick-up on upside down block green engine block with silver heads installed empty heads installed on engine block empty heads installed on engine block heads without camshafts installed side view of engine with block and heads but no cams oil pump, oil pan, block and heads installed heads open and empty on freshly painted engine block engine on engine stand in shop right side and front of V6 engine freshly painted top view of rebuilt engine installed in engine bay of truck top view of rebuilt engine installed in engine bay of truck top view of rebuilt engine installed in engine bay of truck top view of rebuilt engine installed in engine bay of truck ]]> http://www.mut8.org/3vze-engine-rebuild/11/2011/feed/ 0 Sears Point Raceway Now Solar Powered! http://www.mut8.org/sears-point-solar-power/04/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/sears-point-solar-power/04/2011/#comments Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:40:19 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=1874 Our local big circuit – Infineon Raceway in Sonoma California (formerly known as Sears Point) – is celebrating Earth Day in a very special way this year:

Through a partnership with Panasonic Corporation of North America, the raceway has completed an installation of nearly 1,700 solar panels as well as a new dual-sided, solar-powered LED display board along Highway 37. The installation will offset approximately 41-percent of the raceway’s total energy use.

solar panels at raceway

How beautiful is that?! We love a sunny day at Sears Point, now even more so!

Read more about this solar initiative @ Infineon Raceway Marks Earth Day with ‘Solarbration’.

But solar isn’t the only way that Infineon has gone green – the track which hosts NASCAR, Indy, vintage Formula 1, NHRA, AMA Motorcycles and weekly drag races, also keeps sheep, refines used oil, plants trees and more! For example:

Infineon Raceway participates in NASCAR’s “Green Clean Air” project, a unique program that plants ten trees for each green flag dropped during NASCAR races, capturing 100% of the carbon produced by the on track racing at the events. Infineon Raceway has planted more than 100 trees in Petaluma and Vallejo.

Read more about the Sears Point’s sustainable practices @ “Accelerating Sustainable Performance” on InfineonRaceway.com

]]> http://www.mut8.org/sears-point-solar-power/04/2011/feed/ 0 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Results + Action http://www.mut8.org/f1-chinese-gp-results/04/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/f1-chinese-gp-results/04/2011/#comments Sun, 17 Apr 2011 06:27:54 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=1852 Yet another exciting Formula 1 race full of successes & surprises in Shanghai China!

Shanghai China Circuit Map

Final Results of Shanghai Grand Prix:

F1 GP China Results 2011

Chinese Grand Prix Play-By-Play Action

Via Mut8org twitter feed:

KERS = the time it takes for 1 pit stop according to BBC reports. that’s quite an advantage, or disadvantage if your KERS isn’t working.

Sauber cars being pushed down pit lane – can’t wait to see how Perez and Kobayashi do this round! Will be a very exciting race.

McLaren having a fuel problem – petrol can be smelled outside the garage. can techs fix Hamilton’s car before the start of the race?!

the McLaren’s pull ahead of Vettel! What a fantastic start!!!

both McLarens pull away from the pack, including Vettel and put distance between them and the lot

Perez falls behind in the start from 12th to 16th and Webber is RIGHT on his tail!

Webber passes Perez in Lap 2 despite the fact that Perez is at full throttle…

Lap 3: Hamilton has fastest lap thus far, but Button is over 1 second ahead of his team mate.

Lap 7: Is there still something wrong w/ Perez’s Sauber car? New chassis not on par, Kobayashi in top 10 but Perez continues to fall behind.

Lap 9: Perez easily passes Barichello and Webber to slip into 15th place. BeAuTiful pass around Barichello on the inside line. Go Checo!!

Lap 10: Toro Rosso just lost a right rear wheel! Algersuari’s wheel flies off precariously after a poor pit stop.

Lap 11: Slow/poor pit stop for Webber. poor guy just can’t catch a break this season.

Lap 12: Perez up to P12! now he’s making a move on Toro Rosso. almost slides by on the inside, but passes Buemi on 13th lap.

Perez 3 seconds behind Rosberg in P10 but I’ve seen Checo pull 16 seconds out of a hat, so he has plenty of opportunity in the next 40 laps

Lap 14: Vettel squeezes into 2nd place, but Button and Vettel both pit for fresh tyres. Hamilton in lead for a moment.

Button pulled into the wrong pit box! unbelievable amateur move. he stopped in Vettel’s spot and Vettel had to wait for him to clear out.

Hamilton made a mistake somewhere & Massa has got ahead of the McLaren. Even Perez is ahead of Hamilton in the 16th lap! Perez P9 – Top 10!

Lap 17: Schumacher now ahead of Alonso and Perez, not sure how he did it. Rosberg in the lead, Petrov 2nd Vettel 3rd Button 4th Massa 5th!

Button sets fastest lap, sitting in 3rd place at the moment. 8 seconds covers the top 5 drivers.

Lap 34: Perez in top 10 again! P9 for the Sauber rookie, just behind Webber. Rosberg in the lead again, Button Hamilton Vettel Massa next

Perez battling Alonso for position nose to tail! Will he pit and fall behind or pull off another amazing strategic move like Australia?

Lap 36: Hamilton blazes past Button by using his slipstream to gain speed. Rosberg still ahead of both McLarens, Massa just behind them

Lap 37: Perez pits after all, returns to track in P14. Kobayashi in P11, Sutil in 12th, Heidfeld in 13th between the 2 Sauber cars.

Lap 41: Rosberg just received word that his fuel level is CRITICAL! he now has to switch to fuel-saving mode and slow down to finish.

Lap 44: Hamilton passes Massa to take 2nd place behind Vettel. Massa still on course to be on podium, Button trying to get past him…

Lap 46: Webber in P6! Finally gaining ground and taking his proper place in this race. Good to see he’s almost back to his normal pace.

Expecting Vettel’s tires to fall off and Hamilton to take the lead. Perez & Sutil make contact during a passing situation, Perez gains a Position!

Sutil in the pit to get his wing replaced after contact w/ Perez. Perez receives a drive-thru penalty for bumping into Sutil. what a shame!

Lap 51: Hamilton and Vettel battling fiercely for the win! Vettel tries to defend, but can’t keep it up for 5 whole laps.

Hamilton charging Vettel at every corner. Hamilton smoothly passes Vettel, makes it look casual and effortless! Vettel doomed.

Lap 53: Will Button get past Vettel as well? Button only 4 seconds behind, 3 laps left and anything is possible today.

Lap 54: Webber passes Rosberg on the inside line and squeezed into 4th place. An amazing effort, starting in 18th position and now in 4th!

Final lap: Webber passes Button, they were neck & neck for a sec, made contact tyre to tyre and then Webber was clearly ahead in 3rd place.

Chequered flag – Hamilton WINS!!! Absolutely magnificent race! So exciting to watch! Vettel Webber Button Rosberg in top 5…

]]> http://www.mut8.org/f1-chinese-gp-results/04/2011/feed/ 1 Sauber Cars Disqualified, Perez & Kobayashi Lose Points http://www.mut8.org/sauber-disqualified-australia-gp/03/2011/ http://www.mut8.org/sauber-disqualified-australia-gp/03/2011/#comments Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:11:52 +0000 Molli Fire http://www.mut8.org/?p=1810 Sergio Perez drove brilliantly during the Australian Grand Prix last night earning his wings as Rookie of the Race and building a solid start to a strong F1 career, only to have his top ten finish wiped from the history books by the FIA.  Kobayashi also held his ground right behind his teammate and helped Sauber to celebrate both of their cars winning points towards the championship.  But those points were taken away by the FIA after the race when inspectors determined that the cars’ rear wings were in violation of the technical regulations for the amount of concave curvature. 

Sergio Perez Sauber 2011 Car

It seems to be an oversight on Sauber’s part or maybe even an overzealous inspector, rather than overt attempt to cheat, as the shape of the wing offers no performance advantage whatsoever!  Sauber says they will appeal the decision and do their best to have the points and standings reinstated.

ITV.com reported:

FIA officials were checking the concave radius of sections of the three rear wing elements that are in contact with the external air stream on several cars including the Saubers.

The Swiss cars were disqualified for breaching articles 3.10.1 and 3.10.2 of the technical regulations, which state that “the local concave radius of the curvature may not be smaller that 100mm.”

Sauber’s technical director James Key told reporters:

“It appears that there is a question over the top surface of the uppermost rear wing element, this area is not the working surface of the component and therefore relatively unimportant to its function.

“Certainly this has not led to any performance advantage.

“We are checking the design of the parts now to better understand the situation and we intend to appeal the decision made by the stewards.”

Read more @ Saubers Disqualified For Wing Infringement via ITV Sport.

]]> http://www.mut8.org/sauber-disqualified-australia-gp/03/2011/feed/ 0