I’m not a Shumi fanatic, but I just can’t help but sympathy with him. What happened in the Japanese GP will forever hunt him and his fans specially the tifosi’s. But Michael Schumacher is still Michael Schumacher, No matter how I dislike him, I still can’t stop myself from admiring his performance in every race. The “Michael Magic” will surely be miss. There might be no one who can top what he have done in Formula 1. Not in this life time that is.
Last Italian GP™, Michael Schumacher announced his retirement at the end of this season at the press conference held right after he won the race. Now, with just 2 points behind race leader Fernando Alonso, Schumacher will do anything to get that top spot. With his new engine for this race weekend, Ferrari™ is all set to win yet another race in Shanghai.
But Renault™ will do everything to stop their rival. With their R26 engine and a new aero, Fernando and Giancarlo will do their very best to win this same race. Fernando is trying to defend his title while Giancarlo is aiming for third spot. With last years title here in Shanghai, Fernando have more experience here than Schumacher who have not yet finished on this track. While Giancarlo who finished here 4th last year have more advantage over his former teammate Felipe Massa who have been awarded 10 grid penalty for an engine change.
Shanghai International Circuit™ debut last 2004 as a modern Circuit, with its Grandstand viewing almost 80% of the circuit. The shape of the circuit was based on a Chinese kanji character Shang, meaning “above” or “high”.
Rubens Barrichello a former Ferrari driver now on Honda won its inaugural race debut last 2004, but his then teammate Michael Schumacher still holds the fastest lap here at 1’32.238”. With 56 laps and 5.451km ahead this race weekend is definitely worth watching.
How to get a Formula One team to China
27 September 2006
by: www.f1.com
http://www.formula1.com/race/news/5012/767.html
In line with the upcoming race to Shanghai, here’s an interesting article from the formula 1™ website.
The Italian Grand Prix marked the last race of the European leg of the season, and now McLaren, along with the other 10 teams, face the logistical challenge of getting to Shanghai for the first of the final three flyaway races. To enable McLaren to compete in China, 33 tonnes of equipment has been transported by the team to Asia, as outlined below:
What:
• Five tonnes of equipment is sent by sea freight. This includes items that can be produced or purchased easily such as screens, wiring, trolleys, generators, and tables. This is in addition to all fuels and hazardous consumables which are sent by sea freight, packaged in a different container to the other items.
• The McLaren equipment fills a 40-foot sea container.
• 27 tonnes of freight and three complete cars are sent by air. This includes items such as spare components, pit equipment, tool cabinets, fuel trolleys, timing stands and radio systems.
• Mercedes will send seven engines to China. Three are sent as part of the complete cars and four spare engines are sent out on a different airfreight, which leaves on the morning of Tuesday, September 26, arriving in China on Wednesday, September 27.
• Mercedes use a 3500-kilogram shipping container to transport all spares, tools and equipment for flyaway races. The weight of the spare engines is additional to this.
When:
• The sea freight for the Chinese Grand Prix left the UK the week beginning August 7, from Tilbury in Essex, arriving in China the week beginning September 11.
• The air freight is managed by FOM (Formula One Management), and it departs London Stansted on Thursday, September 21, arriving in Shanghai on Friday, September 22.
• All freight is delivered to the Shanghai International Circuit by midday on Sunday, September 24.
• The air freight does not return to the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK until Tuesday, October 24, as it travels directly on to Japan and Brazil.
• Certain parts, such as gearboxes, uprights, steering racks, dampers and front and rear wings do return to the team’s Woking base following the Japanese Grand Prix on October 8 in order for them to be serviced.
How:
• For the sea freight there are three different sets that are sent separately to each race.
• There is one collection of air freight that is flown to all three flyaway races.
• The air freight is packed into six igloos, metal packing containers that measure 3 metres x 3 metres x 2 metres, in addition to two pallets of stacked boxes that are the same size as the igloos and a spare chassis box.
• Three complete MP4-21s and a spare chassis are transported by air to the race.
• To transport the MP4-21s the front and rear wings, steering wheels, wing mirrors and the side deflector panels are removed. A protective wooden floor and sides are put in place around the cars with a bumper on the back to protect the gearbox.
• There is a travel nosebox to protect the steering rack and front of the chassis.
• Bespoke covers are then put on the cars before being strapped onto double-decker pallets and loaded onto the FOM charter plane.
• McLaren will send around 95 people to the Chinese Grand Prix. This includes drivers, team management, engineers, race team, marketing and catering.
As written on my previous blog, here are the pics from my trip to Singapore. All thanks to Xaves Nikon D50.
2011 Executive Suite at Phoenix Hotel along Orchard road has been our official residence for our stay in Singapore.
It is situated right in front of Singtel building.
On an early Saturday morning this is what Orchard road looks like. But on a Sunday, you’ll be amaze that this whole street can be packed by a lot of Pinoys working here at Singapore. They are all trying to enjoy each others company so as they wont get "home sick"
This is how Singaporean get to their destination.
But they also have an MRT that is very efficient, as well as taxis that are reasonably priced. Notice the double decker bus, along side the "stretched" bus. Nice shot here Xaves!
On our walk along Orchard road, we came across this 7-11 store, bet you can’t find this kind of 7-11 here in the Philippines.
From our Hotel, we are met at the lobby by the Animax representative,
all three of us winners together with our friends went to Suntec by
riding an MRT.
The main reason I go to Singapore is to be part of the WORLD CYBER GAMES ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, the venue was held at Suntec convention hall 2, at
the Suntec Plaza. Games like DATO, Counter Strike, DAO, and FIFA 2006
were played, as well as side games in the Xbox 360 console were played.
This is the score board for the Tournament, the Philippine team didn’t fare well (sad, but true!)
To be continued…
Aug 3, 2006 12:45 pm, I received a call from a lady. The lady on the other line said “good afternoon this is _____(to hid who she is) from Animax™, may I speak with Glenn Fabian” so I said “ speaking” then she said “ hi Glenn congratulations you just won a free trip to Singapore to witness the biggest cyber gaming event in Asia, when I heard that I thought it was just a hoax, a crank from a friend who don’t have anything to do, or a scam that a lot of people are encountering.
But then again, my mind took me a month before that , it had been vivid in my memory that I have indeed entered a contest, and this contest is for the WCG, and it did indeed said a free trip to Singapore, so while I was tight lipped for a few seconds all I could utter was “ Oh! Really!? That’s great!” and then she said “ so are you excited now” then I said “yes I am”, but then I said “ Oh men, I don’t have a passport!” why in the hell I don’t have a passport, I should have applied for one ages ago, damn you Glenn how could you let slip this great opportunity. So I ask if it will be possible for me to give my contact details to her next week because I told her I will apply for a passport the next day. She said yes to my delight, but she is only giving me until Tuesday (Aug 
to get it or not it will be forfeited, because she said the event will be on Aug 12 -13.
After that conversation I immediately went back to my post and look at the Animax ™ website www.animax-asia.com. The winners are not yet listed there. But in my mind there is no doubt that I indeed have won! Then I went to my Senior Engineer and ask if I could take a leave for the next day. I told to him what have just happened and he said yes I can take my leave.
Just I was all happy that I can now apply for a passport , I have encountered another problem. While asking my office mates for the requirements for the passport it come to my attention that I should have a birth certificate. How in the hell I’m going to get it at NSO by this time. Damn, it’s a big problem. But it seems my pot of gold is still full, because when I called my Mom at home she told me that she have got me a new birth certificate a month ago at NSO. So it seems that all things are set. I indeed am a lucky guy.
So the next day, I went to DFA to process my papers. And to my amazement it only took me less than an hour to process it. That’s right folks, it is indeed very fast. Just go there at around 6 am, then they will start the processing at 7am, and if your luck is good your papers could be process in just under an hour.
But do you think my luck is at its limits already? Think again. For what will follow is again a strings of luck.
It was Sunday Aug 6, just after we celebrated my grandmother’s birthday I went to Mezze™ bar at Makati to join an F1™ activity for the Hungarian GP™ which was organized by ESPN™ and STARSPORTS™ with principal sponsor Johnny Walker. So, all that I have consumed that night was Black Label and some buffet that they have, and it’s all for FREE! Yup, you read it right, it was free, and all I just did was go there.
But the fun is just beginning, it’s not just in the circuit that the excitement is being anticipated. For the organizer have set a game for the guests to play. So if there is a game, there is a price. And guess what? I have won amazing goodies, a gym bag and a wrist watch. And I have to wrestle my way just to get it. The competitors are tough but I welcome competition well, thus I prevailed.
So the night seems to be over, they are already on their post show, Chequered Flag™, Jenson Button have won his first GP and Honda™ was in euphoria. Both Renaults™ was out of the race as well as Kimi Raikkonen who started at the front of the grid , Michael Schumacher quit the race 3 laps remaining (but later on he was awarded 1 point because Sauber-BMW’s Robert Kubica was disqualified). Just as I was preparing to go home, they where featuring O2 Apex™, one of their fantasy games in Chequered Flag™. And guess what? MY name was there , flashing on the screen, being viewed by people around SE Asia. You might have seen it if you’re watching F1™ on Star Sports™. Thus my luck keeps on rolling! I feel lucky indeed!
How would you feel if you’re in my shoes? I’m one hell of a lucky guys indeed!
So I went home in ecstasy! And the next day I checked the website (http://www.espnstar.com/games/formula1/o2apex/winners.jsp), and there indeed is my name! 
Now back to the Singapore trip. Tuesday (Aug I went back to DFA to get my passport then send a scan copy of it to Animax™. And that same afternoon they have send me my plane ticket. So, I told myself this is indeed real, but the real confirmation of it was Wednesday, when they post my name in their website. I ‘m telling you, it really feels good!
Watch out for my blog regarding my Singapore trip, I’ll post it right after I got my pictures.
For the third time in a row, Shumi have done it again. winning his 89th GP in his home town. On an interview after the race, he said that what matter now is "11", for this is the only lead Alonso got from him. The podium was also shared with fellow teammate F. Massa, making it the second 1-2 win for the Ferrari. The last podium position was grab by Kimi of Mclaren, from first at the start of the race.
After 70 laps of nonstop action, the
scarlet Ferrari™ of Michael Schumacher has dominated again the Nevers Magny-Cours™
for the French GP, thus cutting the lead of Alonso to 17 points, who in turn
finished 2nd for the Renaults. While teammate F. Massa complete the
last podium place.
Next race is the German GP™ (July 30).
Will Michael be on the top for his home GP?
Ok, I know this might be a week late, but heck, what could I
do ,I was at work the whole week. Anyway, last week at the Indianapolis circuit,
Michael Schumacher and teammate Felipe Massa have dominated the circuit, from
start to finish they have shown their winning pace. The FERRI’s™ are back… Renault’s ™ Giancarlo
Fisichella got the third podium slot, moving him third on the drivers’
championship table, behind teammate Alonso and Michael. But last race weekend was
Jarno Trulli’s day, from 20th
slot in the qualifying to 4th place on the race day. I ‘m sure the Toyota™ crews are very happy with that. On this race as well a lot of
accident occurred, for only 9 out of 22
cars have finished the race. And a lot
of it happened in lap 1. Next stop is
the Magny-Cours in France, home GP for the Renault™, will they convert it to
victory? I just hope so. Au revoir.
Last week at Silverstone™ another record has been made by Alonso. A grand slam win, Pole position, Race winner and the Fastest Lap for the race. It seems that no one can stop his winning streak.
Shumi, in return have also shown an impresive run, passing Kimi on the pits. His pit crews are still the best in the game. Kimi finnished the race to grab the last podium place. While Alonso’s team mate Fisico finnished fourth, from 5th on the start of the grid.
Next week, the race will commence in Montreal, taking it away from Europe (due to the World cup), as that part of the globe is not into soccer.
I just hope that last years double retirement for the two Renults™ wont happend this time.
After Canada the race will then go to Indianapolis, here we will see if last years "BIG JOKE-RACE" will not be repeated, its the host for Ferrari’s ™ BIG JOKE win last season.
Then after that the race will then go back to Europe (France) the home GP for Renault™.
On the other development, Fisico’s F1™ career is now secured for 2007, as Renault™ officially announed his contract extension. The question now is, "WHO WILL BE HIS NEW TEAMMATE?", for everyone knew that Alonso is due to move to McLaren™ next season.
Tonight(manila) will be the 8th round for the 2006 World Formula1™ Grand Prix, Alonso is still on the lead way ahead of the second placer M. Schumacher.
Will Alonso’s pole position means another 10 points for him and Renault’s™, or will ice man Kimi have his chance this time for the top spot of the podium. Or will it the the ragging Scuderia Ferarri™ Marlboro’s man steal the day?
