Bob Barnard Track Engineering

I watched the live streaming of the qualifying at the San Luis track and it looked much better seen from the driver's perspective than the aerial shots. Like an Argentinian Bathurst. Still some dodgy corners, but I am pleasantly surprised that the FIA licensed this. One of the discussions at the recent Forum was about how to bring spectators back, especially in the US, and focused on making the racing more exciting by making the tracks more challenging. The FIA guidelines proscribe things like maximum grades and cross slopes, which can make the tracks bland and uninteresting. This discussion is going to continue formally at the LA Forum, so perhaps San Luis can be part of that discussion.

Not much else going on so I'll update you with my activities. Writing the book of course and up to Chapter Nine and my time back in Australia in the mid nineties and then returning to the US and Road Atlanta. Had one publisher knock it back, which surprised me given the books they are putting out, but that's his loss. We found how Borders will let us publish electronically, which is about 25% of the market these days, so it is going to get out there one way or another.

The Grand Bayou track in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, has contacted me again about a new layout for the old "No Problems" track, so I look forward to designing again in the New Year. The All Surface Racing guys are progressing with their project and we have been chatting via Skype about a typical ASR facility and how the races could run. This will be fun and will borrow ideas from other sports to make it a test of intellect and not just speed.

A very dear friend from France, Jean-Marc Bonnay, "Snoopy," is going to be in town later this month and we are really looking forward to seeing him again.

On the Arizona front the Sol Real project is undergoing a major rethink so it is back to the drawing board. Waiting on a comprehensive plan approval for the new site which should come this Wednesday. Then we shall see what works and what does not.

In the meantime, kicking back and enjoying the sunshine while most of our friends freeze, or drown, sorry, could not resist that.

What to write? Red Bull, will they or won't they? I say they won't, how can they after their stance all year, and I still say they do not want Mark to win. If Alonso wins by less than seven points does he deserve it? I say no, but champions in the past have taken over others cars to win let alone been allowed past on the track, so who is right? I think you can make a case of team orders for the manufacturers championship as that is a team trophy, but then again that would not make any difference who's in front, so you pays your money and takes your choice. Have we ever seen team orders in motorcycle racing does anyone recall?

I've not mentioned Sol Real lately as we have been going through a series of meetings with potential collaborators, another meeting this afternoon, so until we finalize things I do not want to say too much.

So Carlos Checa managed half the race at Estoril, that was a really good move putting him on the bike. He "worked" his way up to 11th, maybe that was because three guys fell off before he quit. Well done Lorenzo, beat the Doctor in a straight fight, and very good to see young Bradl winning, I was a big fan of his Dad.

Sounds like Talledega was its usual mess, and Jimmie is still in front for the chase. DTM put on a show in Adria in a shortened race due to Premat's huge crash, I'd like to see more of that. Hard to see but did he hit the end of that safety fence?

Spent a wonderful day with my wife Xan exploring this great State of Arizona. Some spectacular scenery. Sol Real very quiet at the moment, analyzing some different sites. Reconnected with a great guy from my past, the TV Director from Sanctuary Cove, Phil Olsman. I thought of Phil while writing the chapter of my book on Sanctuary Cove and thought I need to find him, and there he is on LinkedIn, ain't the internet wonderful.

I have commented often on the ongoing hydraulic problems that beset the new teams, and their seeming inability to get on top of it. Well Tony Fernandes has found the answer, buy the gearbox and hydraulics from Red Bull to go with the new Renault engine. Job done. As I have said recently Tony is a man who is committed to doing F1 right, despite his comments on blue flags, and with this combination, a stable team, and more announcements coming, it seems he will not have to worry about the flags for long. Now, if we could just get the name sorted.

So, 7-Eleven have pulled the plug on Tony Kanaan's car in the Andretti-Green stable. They have been with Tony and Andretti a long time. Is it the lack of results? They are staying with Danica who has no better results, but I guess she has other attributes. Who knows, other than their marketing chief, maybe it was just time for a change or the economy still is a problem. Tony is now looking for sponsors or another drive, either way not easy I would suspect.

On the home front, I have thought for a long time about writing my experiences, particularly the Adelaide F1 and Phillip Island sagas, but there is so much more with Sinatra at Sanctuary Cove, Daytona, Road Atlanta and other projects. I have been encouraged, mainly by my lovely wife Xan, to write a book, and have started a couple of times, only to become annoyed at the outcomes all over again, so I stop. I now find the time is likely to be available and I think I have the right attitude to do it. I've solicited advice from friends and acquaintances in the business, and the response so far is encouraging. I will keep you posted.

Potentially three good meetings this week for Sol Real, one this afternoon before our usual presentation, which looks like being accompanied by the usual thunderstorms. Amazing how that happens on Tuesdays.

Not much else going on, Japanese F1 GP and Malaysian MotoGp both on this weekend. Lorenzo can wrap up the motorcycle title by finishing tenth or better, which barring Rossi punting him off should be doable. Apparently the Yamaha management has taken a very dim view of last weekends events, enough so that Valentino is now likely to make Malaysia his last race, spit the dummy and go and get his shoulder fixed.

The F1 race is extremely unlikely to decide anything, other than maybe eliminate  one of the "gang of five." One thing is for sure though, being Suzuka it will be a good race.

Had a great audience for our presentation last evening, room was full and buzzing. Nice to see the interest level, and it spurs a good performance by us presenters. The lap record for the Rahal BMW on the simulator was lowered to 2 minutes dead, and the ultimate record lowered in a BMW Sauber F1 car, which seemed easier to drive on this layout than the touring car for some reason, to 1 minute 50 seconds. Top speed was where I thought it would be at over 180mph, and saw over 170 at several other points. The average lap speed is now up to 111 mph even with some very tight and slow sections. I am sure that this time will be lowered as the driver was no expert, but drove surprisingly well. It will be fun to upgrade the model with the cross-falls and elevation changes I have designed.

Otherwise we are moving on with the permitting process, which seems to be going well, but it is early days. It is looking like next April/May to break ground, so end of 2011 to run on.

Been making the final arrangements for my travel to the International Circuit Owners Forum in Cologne (Koln) Germany in November. Some great sessions covering all aspects from conception, design and construction through operations and how to make money, the hard part. If you want to see the program log on to:

http://www.professionalmotorsportcircuit-forum.com/downloads/2010_programme.pdf

I can arrange a discount on the forum fee, so if you are interested in going contact me via a comment and I will respond.

Elsewhere the F1 circus is setting up camp in Singapore. Singapore says it wants to be a "must have" F1 race. Good luck with that, ask the French who invented this stuff, and Spa, Imola and other great tracks how that works and they will tell you it's all about the money. So, as long as your Government is happy losing megabucks every year then you probably can be a "must have" with CVC.

Rumors resurface about Kubica to Ferrari. As I have asked before, why would he want to do that? Alonso is not going to relinquish his number one status, and certainly not welcome someone as quick as Kubica. I can't see Kubica going there a number two, can you? I know he says all drivers want to drive for Ferrari, but is that correct, and under what situation? I can't quite see Lewis at Ferrari can you?

I thought the announcement of a new Russian sponsor for Renault would have secured Petrov's seat for next year, but it turns out they are only in for the remaining races this year, so maybe Kimi can still spring it. Or is Kimi replacing Kubica? The plot thickens.

It seems the boys in Austin are not getting the smooth ride through the planning process as they probably expected, bringing all that economic benefit to Austin after all. Seems the road system needs $15m spent on it to allow for the huge crowd that's going to turn up, and the State DOT wants to know who's paying. The Planning Board is also saying they do not have enough information to even start considering the project. I liked the lawyers comment, "We heard loud and clear … the information flow is going to open up." As they want to break ground by the end of the year you would have thought it would have been flowing thick and fast by now. You can read the whole story on ESPNF1 web site.