Jenson Button, Current Honda Driver, Doubts that Danica Can Do Well in F1

Danica Patrick, hailed one of the sexiest female in auto racing, has already gained several victories that prove her worth to be look up in the arena that has long been dominated by men. In this IndyCar Series season, Danica has won one race and three pole positions.

 

In the couple of days ago, several reports have been released about Danica’s offer to test drive in Honda team but recently that was cleared by Honda. (just read my previous posts about that matter) If ever Danica would test in Honda team and if ever she does well and showed ho fast she is, she could possibly race at the start of Formula 1 next season.

 

Granting she got the chance of racing in F1, she would be the first female Formula 1 racer since Lella Lombardi, who is one of the five women in the sport who joined the Grand Prix circuit in 1974.

 

In any field that we are into, criticisms are inevitable, isn’t it? Likewise, Danica has been receiving thousands of such. Jenson Button, the current Honda driver, doubts Danica’s competence and has even said statements that are somehow demeaning.

 

Jenson said that a girl (Danica) who has big boobs would never be comfortable in the car and the mechanics wouldn’t concentrate. And that a person wouldn’t wish to be on the circuit with her.

 

Though Danica had posed on FHM, that doesn’t give other people the license to treat her like that and said demeaning statements like what Jenson said because what Danica is outside the race is different from how she performs whenever she is in a race.

 

No matter what other people’s criticisms are, Danica would still be the best in every race she is into. Besides, Danica surely knows that upon entering the portals of motor sports, such criticisms are just around the corner, waiting for someone who has showed some flaws.

 

 

225 million Is Almost Impossible for Mauricia Grant to Receive

The lawsuit that Mauricia Grant has filed, wherein Mauricia sited series of racial and sexual harassment by her co-employees and tolerance by supervisors, is said to be lost often than won. Such type of case will took more or less two years before a jury hears a single word of evidence.

Regardless of whatever the outcome maybe, the case that Maurice Grant had filed is certain to have a lasting effect in the racing world. Jeff Hayes, a Wauwatosa lawyer, stated that Mauricia’s case is fascinating to both the legal community and the racing community. In the sports world, any case is always placed under thorough examination and studied 10,000 times.

In the case that Grant had filed, she sited twenty-three specific incidents of claimed sexual harassment and thirty-four incidents of alleged racial and gender discrimination.

Defending the side of NASCAR is Chairman Brian France; he stated that the sanctioning body of NASCAR was never aware of Grant’s complaints before Grant filed the lawsuit. NASCAR would have been done their part if they knew it. Further, Hayes said that Grant had sited several slurs and the step that Grant had made, which is bringing her complaint to court, is a very good step. If ever Grant’s lawsuit succeeds the request of dismissal, it will definitely be a huge wake-up call to the racing world.

The impact of lawsuit in professional sports greatly differs from the rest of the business world. Once a lawsuit arises in professional sports such as auto racing in NASCAR, it usually gains too much attention.

James Scott, a lawyer for Lindner & Marsack, who represents the NASCAR employers, said that usually, sexual and/or racial discrimination cases, like what Grant had filed, don’t generally come to the number that Grant had stated in her charge. Even egregious situation only gets $2 million.

Scott further stated that seventy percent of such type of cases is won by employers, twenty-five percent is settled, and only five percent go to trial.

Based from Scott, NASCAR will request dismissal. If ever the judge doesn’t grant their request, NASCAR surely has a great chance on the trial or it could just settle. The step that NASCAR would make would depend on the chance of winning and its tolerance for the negative publicity that definitely will hang around for years.

Such discrimination and harassment have never been new to racing industry. Several decades before, organizational discrimination and killings were realities. However, those happenings had brought disappointment to those sponsors, which is the lifeblood of the industry. That is why NASCAR has changed. Slowly, it reached wider audience. The industry has become more tolerant, enlightened, and more considerate of women and minorities. To achieve such, manufacturers, teams, and NASCAR itself have done several programs to attract, train, and retain minority job candidates who might have possibilities in making it in the sports.

To date however, NASCAR is still dominated by males and still somehow selective.

To cut this short, the bottom of Mauricia Grant’s lawsuit is whether NASCAR has the ability to detach the culture of antagonism from the culture of racism and sexism. That is based from Haynes.

Regardless whether Mauricia wins on the court or not, Mauricia is already a winner in herself since she does stand on her claim and her right not like other women who also experienced humiliation, harassment, and discrimination from people who has high standing in our society but failed to express their sentiments and fight for their rights as a woman and as a person. Though Mauricia has been receiving several negative reactions from those people who support NASCAR and from those people who are also judgmental in themselves, Mauricia Grant will not back out from the fight she is in now.

For those who do not believe that Mauricia will not get the $225 million, just wait and see what a determined person can do!

 

GINA (Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptions): A Fascinating car covered with Fabric

It is part of human nature to be artistic and for the imagination to run wild. There are countless of concrete examples where men used their ideas from their wide imagination. Millions of vehicles on the road can be the best example. As you may observe, vehicles are of different designs. All come from men’s ideas. Indeed, there is a great disparity, as far as the design and style of vehicles are concerned, between vehicles during the days of yore and vehicle of today. And that is because men have been thinking of what could still be enhanced. Thus, more and more developments are continuously discovered like this newest and most unique vehicle which I think will catch everybody’s attention.

 

Now, the moment my eyes rested on this intriguing and very much unique vehicle, I was amazed and realized that men can have ideas and concepts that are truly strange. Well, for a vehicle this is definitely strange.

 

Normally, vehicles are made from steel, carbon fiber, or aluminum, right? That is the materials of vehicles that we used to see. However, BMW has just come up with its own strange and innovative vehicle that is covered with fabric. Yes, dear, a vehicle that is entirely covered with fabric. Well, just take a look at the picture above.

 

The GINA Light Visionary Model has a flawless fabric extended over a movable metal frame that permits its shape to be altered as the driver wishes to. Now, if you are eager in seeing this car on the road and hopefully owning one, just be contented in seeing it in pictures. How sad. :,(

 

Chris Bangle, head of design for BMW, stated that GINA made his team to test existing principles and conventional processes. BMW mainly wants to maneuver research and creativity into new dimensions. Mass production of GINA is not part of BMW’s vision. The chance that Bangle and his team had in designing GINA aids in reaching the once implausible and innovative potential in widening the boundaries of style and materials and so as purposes and the manufacturing process.

 

Based from the data I gathered, BMW built GINA, which actually stands for Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptions, about six years ago. However, BMW just kept it secret until it was revealed last Tuesday. GINA is constructed on the Z8 framework and has 4.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. The fabric covering of GINA, which is polyurethane-coated Lycra, based from BMW, is resilient, durable, and waterproof. The fabric extends over an aluminum frame managed by electric and hydraulic actuators which permit the driver to change its shape.

For those who prefer huge spoiler on the rear and wider fenders, BMW said that drivers have an absolutely new experience when they handle their car because of the drastic reinterpretation of familiar functionality and structure. Further, GINA has four panels: the front, two sides, and the rear deck. If you will notice, its doors open in jack-knife fashion and are absolutely smooth when closed. The slit in the center of the hood would be the access to the engine. In changing the shape of GINA, the fabric cover will definitely not be affected. When using the lighting components, the fabric covering will not be a hindrance since it is translucent thus, the lights shines through.

 

The interior of GINA is equally fascinating as its exterior. The steering wheel and gauge swing into place and the headrest rises from the seat each time the driver is seated so getting in and out of it would be a lot easier.

 

BMW said that there is a great chance that GINA can influence future designs of vehicles.

 

 

Tesla Motors lawsuit against Henrick Fisker has gone Arbitration

The lawsuit of Tesla Motors against Henrick Fisker has gone several miles starting from its beginning. Presently, the case is scheduled to go to arbitration. Fisker was the one who requested for arbitration which was granted by San Mateo Superior Court last Wednesday. Anyway, arbitration is a private settling of any dispute instead of going to court via one or more arbitrators that make binding decision on the dispute. Later in August is the schedule of the case management conference.

 

If you would remember, the reason why Tesla Motors sued Henrick was because of allegations that Henrick and his company, Fisker Couchbuild, copied the information and specifications of Whitestar, an electric vehicle that Tesla is making. Tesla hired Fisker to design the Whitestar however his design was rejected. Further, based from the case, Fisker and the chief operating officer of Fisker Couchbuild, Bernhard Koehler, accepted the contract just to have an access to the confidential design information and trade secrets of Tesla Motor’s Whitestar. After they’ve got the confidential info, Fisker also announced his own Karma, which is identical to Tesla motor’s Whitestar.  

 

 

Last month, Fisker Automotive responded by filing for arbitration. Based from the contract between Tesla Motors and Henrick Fisker, possible disputes are required to be settled through arbitration in Orange County, California within ninety days, Fisker said. In contrary, Tesla filed the case in San Mateo Superior Court.

 

Last Thursday, Fisker released his statement saying that his company, Fisker Automotive, is extremely pleased about the court’s decision because the court has allowed to have a prompt and economical resolution of Tesla’s allegations, which Fisker believed to be worthless and was brought for improper purposes.  On one hand, Tesla Motors has not yet responded to Fisker’s statement and so as the court’s decision.

 

In the meantime, let’s just wait for further details and hope that the case would have a positive outcome for both of them can give great contribution in the development of auto industry. Tesla Motor’s Whitestar looks fascinating, even just in pictures, and likewise Henrick Fisker’s Karma. Now, if both Whitestar and Karma fascinates people through pictures, how much more in reality and even more when they are tested? So, let’s just keep our fingers crossed and firmly hope that soon they will reconcile and just have healthy competition.

 

 

Father’s Day Celebration!

Parents have been highly honored in every country. That’s why both mothers and fathers have given one very special day. Mother’s Day has already celebrated. This coming weekend, specifically on Sunday, would be Father’s Day. Though it is true that everyday in our lives, we should always give our care, love, and respect to our parents, it would not be wrong to celebrate Father’s Day.

 

I think, it is just proper to give them such special day. So, what are your plans? Since it a special day for our fathers, we should make them feel they are special. Now, if you don’t have yet an idea on how you will celebrate Father’s Day, I read about RIDEMAKERZ, which offers $10 discount on every $30 purchase for your orders on or before June 15. RIDEMAKERZ offers fun and cool activity for fathers and the rest of family. They can assemble and modify a “model” car.

 

If you happen to live near RIDEMAKERZ, take time to visit their shop where you and your husband or dad can make a car together, right at RIDEMAKERZ’s shop. At present, the newest of their RIDES includes the 2008 Dodge Viper. With the numerous accessories available, you can make an exceptional souvenir.  

 

Among several things that you can do this Father’s Day, doing something together like building a model car is indeed the greatest. In doing such, you don’t just celebrate and make your fathers or husbands special but also builds your relationship with them and so as your memories together.

 

Honda is Considering Danica Patrick to Test with Honda F! Team

Few days ago, several articles had been released that Danica Patrick is going to test for Honda F1 team. However, Honda Racing CEO, Nick Fry, stated that they are only considering her to do so but there is no confirmation and there is no agreement done yet. The two parties have never even talked. Though Danica admitted that she want to test one of their cars, its just it. Nothing more, nothing less. Fry added that if that is what Danica really wants, then they would be very mush happy to discuss it to her.

 

When I read some of the articles about that matter, there are those who refute such idea. Whatever their reasons are, I personally do not contest it since we are all subject to our own judgment. Well, I would feel happy for her.

 

 

Add Shannon McIntosh in the Growing List of Female Race Car Drivers

Basically, when one mentions a woman, the thing that enters someone’s mind is elegant clothes, fine hairdo, sophisticated stilettos, glamorous bags, and so on and so forth that every woman gives priority to. In contrary, in some cases, such is not applicable because some women don’t give much attention to that matter like Shannon McIntosh, whose priority is to gain experience in racing.

 

Unlike other female racers whose family is into racing, Shandon McIntosh has no any racing history in her family. Her father just has an intense interest in racing which influence her. When she was just 4, her father took her to a local Quarter Midget race where her interest starts. Her parents had seen her interest so they bought her Quarter Midget. That’s how she got into racing.

 

From Quarter Midget, she had driven micro-sprint cars, and now a 360 Sprint car. Since she was just 18 now, most of her friends do not understand her, how racing means to her, and long-term goal of being a full-time race car driver in NASCAR. However, McIntosh knows how to deal with it.

 

Meanwhile, among her accomplishments, her victory in Brennan Kaylor Memorial race at Lawrenceburg Speedway was the one she considered as her proudest accomplishment because it was a great privileged for her to be part of the said race which is held to commemorate a boy who loved racing.  

 

When asked about her racing idol, she said Tony Stewart. She admired most Tony Stewart not only because he can and will drive anything under the sun and do his best to be fast in it but also because of his attitude and innate talent that has formed him to be exceptional driver that he is.

 

This year, Shandon McIntosh will be racing 360 Sprint cars at neighboring dirt tracks like Limaland Speedway and Waynesfield Motorsports Park and so as Dirt Late models in Illinois. She might also do some Ford Focus Midget races with USAC.

 

Like other racers, one of her goals is to race in NASCAR and hopefully to get hooked in stock cars. Well, would there be anyone racer who doesn’t dream to reach NASCAR? No one, right? Indeed, NASCAR is a great opportunity in any racer and an immense progress in one’s racing career.

Good thing for Shannon McIntosh because she has a vision for herself, she has a goal to reach. She said that ten years from now, by then she is already 28, she wants to have several years of experience in stock car racing. She wants people to see her breaching fences as a woman and a driver in NASCAR and other types of racing as well.

 

To make herself fit for whatever race she join, she always give herself time to be at the gym for her to do some exercise like cardio and weight training and so as yoga and kick boxing.

 

 

A $250 million lawsuit was filed by Mauricia Grant against NASCAR Yesterday!

Yes, indeed! It is widely known that NASCAR has been designed for men. The culture has been dictating that NASCAR is for men. That is perhaps where racism and sexism arises. Or men are just naturally discriminating.

 

Yesterday, Mauricia Grant, a former employee working as a technical inspector in charge for certifying cars in NASCAR’s second-tier Nationwide Series from January 2005 until late October, filed a $250 million lawsuit against NASCAR in U.S. District Court. The complaint that Grant filed in the U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York contains several incidents of alleged sexual harassment and so as alleged racial discrimination that begins the moment she started in NASCAR in January 2005 until late October last year.  

 

Grant contends that she was fired last year just because she complained about the treatment that she receives on the job and because “poor work performance”. In contrary, Grant firmly stated that she had obtained positive performance evaluations and had never received any warnings except the one about her use of “street” language.

 

Moreover, Grant alleges that she was given racially charged names by her co-employees such as “Nappy Headed Mo” and “Queen Sheba”. She was frequently told that she worked on “colored people time”. Likewise, Grant complained that she was sexually harasses by having some male body parts showed in her presence. Grant added in her allegations that when she complained about those said matters, NASCAR officials just told her to deal with it since majority of the men she’s working with are “military men” and also told her she needed to learn how to adjust on how they act for her to be successful Unfortunately, Grant’s suit never progressed because it was not even directed to any single individual and only to those NASCAR officials and supervisors.

 

Grant is hurt by such happenings in her life. (Who wouldn’t be?) She felt alone in such struggle in her life yet she had to do the necessary adjustments. The thing that hurts her more is the fact that she tried her best to her job and avoid her co-workers yet she was and is still appalled by the entire thing. Grant further related that in 2006, she another female co-worker drafted an unidentified letter to NASCAR’s Human Resource department stating their complaint. The letter was discussed but unfortunately, her female co-worker was fired.

Grant declared that she doesn’t want this to be her legacy as the first African-American female to do such (the lawsuit). Having worked in NASCAR was a great opportunity for her. In fact, she loved her job, she felt great, excited. However the harassment that she suffered everyday from the people who have it in them naturally dropped down from the top.

 

Ramsey Piston, NASCAR spokesman, said that the organization had not yet studied the suit. He said that NASCAR doesn’t tolerate such kind of harassment.

 

Benidict P. Morelli of Morelli Ratmer PC, Grant’s lawyer, stated that this is the time for NASCAR to realize that they can not buy everybody to keep silent and that they can not just intimidate everybody and not file a complaint.

 

Mauricia said that her supervisors all praised her. She knew from the very start that once she gets terminated, she doesn’t have an opportunity anymore to find an industry where she can practice her craft yet she firmly stands for her right.

 

Mauricia Grant is truly an athletic woman who went over the wall and faced mean co-workers and competitive chiefs. She was right, totally right, about her decision to stand and fight for her right to be properly treated regardless of her race, her physical appearance, and her gender.

 

Safe Kids Buckle Up program will be Held Tomorrow, June 12

General Motors and Chevrolet are the sponsors of the program titled, Safe Kids Buckle Up, Safe Kids USA which will be held tomorrow, June 12 at Parking Lot #6 of the Los Angeles Arena,3939 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90037. The program id designed to alert families and children about the safety in and around the car.

 

Part of the activity’s rationale rooted from the alarming deaths of children under fourteen caused by motor vehicle crashes. Statistics shows that from 1998 to 2007, about 365 children (aged three and below) died because of heat stroke after being trapped inside a car. This specific data and many others are truly distressing primarily because most of the cases could have been prevented if parents were aware and properly educated about the right safety precautions for children inside a vehicle. It is a saddening fact that the significance of child safety seats is not highly recognized by most parents. In fact, child safety seats are very much effective in reducing the risk of deaths by as much as 71%.

 

Now, who would want to risk the life of their children? No one, right? Therefore, join the said activity wherein the safety seats will be inspected for numerous families in Los Angeles area. Also, one attraction in the event will include the milestone one-millionth seat, which the organization has checked for proper installation. Moreover, aside from the car seat inspection, there will be an interactive display that will provide families essential information about prevention from other dangers such as leaving children in hot cars, back-over accidents, and trunk entrapment.

 

Though Safe Kids Buckle Up program is sponsored by General Motors and Chevrolet, it is open for all car owners even those who own different car makes. The event does not care about what the make of your is but the program is highly concerned with the protection of children.

 

For those who really can’t make it to the day’s event in Los Angeles, you can still participate since the program is part of the ongoing national program founded by Safe Kids USA to educate parents and others around the United States about the essence of proper and right control of children on every single ride.

 

After tomorrow’s event, the said program will still inspect car seats. To date, the program has held about 45,000 car seat checkup around the country, had donated roughly 365,000 car seats to families in need, and had taught over 15 million parents and caregivers since 1997.

 

Toyoda Gosie’s 360-degree Airbag Protection

Since safety has been one of the top priorities of both auto makers and consumers, countless safety features can be widely seen everywhere. Airbags alone are of several types. The first type was the driver airbags then followed by passenger airbags, curtain airbags, and knee airbags. Most vehicles nowadays have six or more air bags for both the driver and passenger safety.

 

In the picture above is the Toyoda Gosie, presenting a model equipped with airbags to protect not solely the occupants but also the pedestrians. In the exterior part is the huge airbag on each end of the hood- the one is designed for the initial hit on the thigh while the other one is to protect the secondary impact. Further, inside the prototype is another airbag in the rear hatch.

 

With this model, Toyoda Gosie is flaunting the concept of “360-degree airbag protection”. Though, this kind of concept is viewed by some as negative, questioning why the responsibility of pedestrians’ safety is given to drivers behind the wheel, it is still a good idea since both pedestrians and drivers have their own responsibility in making themselves safe. However, pedestrians must still do the necessary precaution in crossing the street to avoid every possible collision.