Green Technology. Online Learning. Sport...

Today, I read a Joe Saward blog on green technolgy in F1.

Why F1 is heading hybrid
August 31, 2011 by joesaward

There are already some hybrid technology in F1, with Williams’s relationships with Porsche and Jaguar and the new link between Team Lotus and General Electric seems to be heading down the same path. And even Ferrari, which is not in favour of electric cars, is putting KERS into its latest models.

The times are changing – and F1 needs to keep up.

Green technology is a growing field (sorry about that). Enviromentmental agency's abound. Lawyers specialise in environmental law.

The site I have identified in the USA has permission to be turned into a solar farm, obviously the site has the potential for track and academic studies as well.

http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/CA/South+Bay+LA/Property/hondatesttrack.htm?pageid=2

http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com/index.php?id=29


What a lovely synergy!


CB Ellis still have the site for sale.

I have had some interesting feedback in recent weeks. The UK has a free research centre I have utilised!

Mark my researcher recently sent me this site to check.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

Statistically since year 2000, internet usage has grown 480.4 %

30.2 % of the worlds population has internet access.

360,985,492 people had internet access in year 2000 today that figure is 2,095,006,005

This why I feel that online study is so important. It crosses borders. It makes the revenue stream potentially huge.

My dad spends about £ 55 on Sky TV, a subscription service that delivers programming over the internet and Satellite.

Why does he pay so much? He has two tv's... loves sports... and likes the Gold channel that shows old programming. Fortuneately he can afford it!

Thats about £600 per year for a subscription.

Interestingly, you can study online for £3000 and get a degree. So over three years, this is only £400 per year more than my dad spends on SKY!
http://www.rdi.co.uk/about-us-%7C-distance-learning.html

I would expect the on Campus portion of the learning experience to be far more expensive.

I must say that Phoenix University in the states charge far more than this for full online degrees.

Sadly, we aren't opening for business next week! Maybe next year...

Lotus range extender. Fagor Ederlan to productionise engine. F1 intoduces 107% rule

Well Proton and Lotus management have now been locked in a room for two days. Brainstorming.
I was not in the room. So nothing to report!
A couple of years ago I went to the Geneva motor show. I was supposed to meet Mike Kimberley, at that time Group lotus CEO. Mike got called away.
I was fortunate enough to speak with a few of the engineers. A version of the range extender engine was on show then. It is nice to see it is being productionised.
pic borrowed fron Automotiveworld.com

The BBC reports that F1 will reapply the 107% rule for qualifying.
Among other changes are a re-introduction of the 107% rule, which prevents any driver whose quickest time in the first qualifying session is slower than 107% of the fastest from taking part in the race.
I believe that Lotus F1 are too strong to fall foul of this rule. It will keep the new boys on their collective toes.
Sitting in the paddock watching the race as a spectator would be a very embarassing situation for any team or Driver.
It be interested to hear Alex Yoong talk about this rule on the weekend.  I like Alex, but sadly he has some negative experience with this...

Returning to the range extender engine. I have just viewed a video of Mark Reuss discussing GM's Volt. GM have built their own range extender.
I worked with Mark in the past. I'm pleased he has done well for himself. General Motors appear to be making a good recovery from their bankruptcy.
Here's the video:

Tony Fernanades leaves more questions than answers!

Today I read the autocar article on the web.
Lotus F1 to stay in Norfolk
It would appear that most of the design work is done by 'Toyota' in Cologne.
Toyota having been the employer of present Litespeed/Lotus director.
The design will for the moment remain in Europe. It will not in the near future move to Malaysia.
I quote from the autocar article here:

Although the team is based at Hingham, much of the design of Lotus’s T127 has been undertaken in Cologne, Germany. Many of Lotus’s staff have been appointed from Toyota, which closed down its F1 operation late last year.

I then read another aricle in crash.net entitled Lotus F3 unlikely
Tony went on to talk about his training plans...
Similarly, when I looked at [taking over] West Ham [football club], the thing I liked about them most was the academy, so we are putting a lot of effort into the development side of the team."

This led me to leave a comment on the crash site...
It is interesting to see that Tony is not moving the project to Malaysia in the near future.
Most of the design is done in Cologne by the 'Toyota' team. What are they doing in Norfolk? Is it a corporate headquarters, whilst Cologne is the technical centre?
Where does Tony intend to set up his training centre? Cologne? Norfolk? Malaysia?
John Mansfield Motorsport University Malaysia strategist
I thought I'd stick my TV interview on today...

Litespeed buy Team Lotus... Malaysia buys litespeed...SepangF1 to be their home

Today it is reported in many media outlets that the Malaysian government along with Naza and Air Asia plus others now own Team Lotus. They will compete in F1 next year. They will be based in Sepang F1Litespeed to use Lotus name for F1 bid
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75903
By Matt Beer Sunday, June 7th 2009, 03:12 GMT

Litespeed has announced that it will use the historic Lotus name for its attempt to enter Formula 1 next season.

Lotus F1 will initially be set up in the RTN centre at Hingham (Norfolk, England), a 50,000 square foot facility most recently used by Bentley for its Le Mans programme.

I am assuming that the (Litespeed) Lotus team is being paid to move to SepangF1 circuit.

It will be the first F1 team based in Malaysia.
The long term view, in my opinion, will be to swap out Litespeed members and replace them with local Team Lotus members.
...
Malaysian car manufacture Proton Chairman Nadzmi Salleh shows an F1 racing car model during a press conference at Putrajaya , Malaysia, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.



The following is copied from an associated press article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJfycDCKhZOjAmCRcO9ge2qadlCwD9ANNU880
Click here to access article
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak held a news conference Tuesday to outline details of what was called the 1Malaysia F1 team.

"The 1Malaysia F1 team is a government and private sector initiative combining the collaborative experience of Proton and Lotus, coupled with world class expertise," a Malaysian government statement said ahead of the news conference.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said the team would integrate Malaysian technical and pit crew, with the future design, research and development, manufacturing and testing conducted near the Malaysian capital. The driving lineup is set to be announced by Oct. 31 from a short list of six candidates.

Najib declined to give investment costs or other details, but said the future design and testing would be conducted in Malaysia.

He said the venture would be a big boost to local automaker Proton, a government-owned company which has suffered in recent years because of increased competition from foreign car makers after the liberalization of the auto market.

"If we want to export Proton we need to establish our brand name so that it is accepted globally," Najib said. "We are determined to do our best to make our mark in this arena."

The investors in the venture are Proton, budget airline AirAsia and Naza Motors, a local auto group.

Najib said the creation of the team is a "natural progression" since Malaysia has hosted a leg of the F1 race since 1999 and national oil company Petronas has been a sponsor of BMW Sauber team for the last four years.

Traditional Lotus supporters will be a little sad that the brand considered as British as bacon and eggs are now firmly based in Malaysia.
F1 will soon see the Lotus brand again. However nasi lemak is probably more appropriate than bacon and eggs!

This development does compliment my MUM project. In earlier times I have tried to set up in SepangF1 when I was based in Malaysia.

A quote from Tony Fernanades:



"It will help brand Malaysia and spur excellence in sports and education," he told AFP.


I have embeded my slideshare presentation. It was initially based around SepangF1.
Click here to get my latest proposal based in Johor.

Motorsport University Malaysia

View more presentations from johnsean.

Lotus post £15 million loss. Still no CEO

The Norfolk Evening News 24 today reports that Lotus have posted a £15 million loss for the year.


Lotus currently have no CEO. Mike Kimberley having left in July. I wish them well.

A video of the first Lotus CEO. Colin Chapman

The secret life of Colin Chapman

Still no feedback on Motorsport University Malaysia. I know that all interested parties are aware of the project. I have posted The Plan online (google: motorsport university malaysia).
I'm enjoying the British summer (yes honestly!) and can't wait to start annoying the new guy with The Plan...

It's F1 this weekend so I'll be in front of the box.
Once again thanks to everyone who has supported me on the project.
Alex yoong will be busy for ESPN this weekend. Thanks to Alex for your visible support.

Talking of Alex. This video gives an overview of A1GP team Malaysia. Alex introduces the team, among other things.
This was made prior to Tengku Djan coming onboard.