NEWS: Mark Webber says farewell to F1

Mark Webber says farewell to F1
and joins Porsche's LMP1 Sportscar Programme

For those of you that have followed Mark's F1 career since 2002 and Minardi, you'll know it's been 12 years of successes, challenges and at times disappointment.  Not that I'm bragging but Mark has achieved nine grands prix victories, 36 podium finishes, 11 pole positions and 15 fastest laps and has twice finished third in the world championship, not a bloody bad effort mate!

For me as an Australian, Mark's best year in F1 was in 2010 when for 80 percent of the season I could watch as an Aussie dominated the F1 driver's championship leader-board.

Mark now moves onto driving for the Porsche LMP1 endurance programme in 2014 and as a enduro fanatic I'm very excited for Mark's future.  Porsche's return to Le Mans also signals a big wake-up call,  get ready Audi, the king of Le Mans is returning.

This from Mark of the future with Porsche: 'It's an honour for me to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports-car World Endurance Championship and be part of the team, Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding technology and performance at the highest level.

I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in formula one.  Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals.  I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.' (auto123.com)

Of course this will not be the first time Mark has raced in enduro motor-sport, in 1998 and 1999 Mark raced for Mercedes Benz (in the CLR proto-type no less) at Le Mans and while the cars suffered from aerodynamic problems, Mark's performance was excellent.

The below video shows how the Mercedes CLR of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck's 1999 Le Mans race can to a spectacular ending.  Fortunately both drivers walked away but Mercedes pulled it's remaining cars from the 1999 race and the Mercedes Benz CLR programme was ended.



Below is a photo of the 2013 Porsche's hybrid LMP1.

Thanks for the wonderful memories Mark, now go make some more at Porsche and Le Mans!

Want to find out more about LeMans and slot cars?

Be our guest and CLICK HERE

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EVENT: Mark Webber Wins!

Mark Webber wins the German Formula 1!

After 130 races over a career of 8 years and 4 F1 teams, Mark Webber has won his first formula 1, the German F1! An Australian has not won a formula one race is almost 30 years so Mark's victory is not only an amazing personnel landmark but a huge milestone for Australian motorsport.

This from Formula1.com: ""Mark Webber you are a Grand Prix winner. Well done! Brilliant drive!" Those words, from Red Bull's engineers, told you all you needed to know about Sunday's German Grand Prix. No matter what they threw at the Australian, including a drive-through penalty for a brush off the startline with Brawn's Rubens Barrichello, Webber came through and delivered in devastating style. The day, belonged to Webber as Advance Australia Fair played at the end of a Grand Prix for the first time since Alan Jones won in Las Vegas back in 1981. It was superb victory in the most trying circumstances, and Webber thoroughly deserved his maiden success."

Congratulations Mark, now bring on Hungary and your next F1 victory! Aussie, Aussie, AUSSIE!!!

You can read the full story at Formula1.com Here

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EVENT: Mark Webber gets Pole in German F1

Mark Webber gets Pole Position!

German Formula 1

After 130 race starts, Mark Webber has achieved his first Pole Position at the German Formula 1! In an exciting and weather affected qualifying, Mark finally accomplished his career ambition to achieve a F1 pole position. Mark has had 4 podium finishes in 2009 and is currently in 4th place in the 2009 F1 season on 35.5 points after 9 rounds.

This from Formula1.com: "Mark Webber took his first pole position after changeable weather contributed to a gripping Q3 shootout at the Nurburgring on Saturday, which saw the Australian, Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel, the Brawns of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren all in contention for the top slot. First it was Hamilton’s. Then Button’s, before Webber’s 1m 32.230s put him ahead. Vettel’s 1m 32.480s momentarily placed him second before Button’s 1m 32.473s earned him P2, but immediately Barrichello’s 1m 32.357s lap finally gave the Brazilian second place."

Now the big question is after 3 second place finishes this year can Mark go number 1? We certainly think so! Aussie, Aussie, AUSSIE!!!

You can read more about Mark and the German F1 at Formula1.com Here

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GALLERY: Fly March 761

Fly March 761

GP West USA 1976

The ManicSlot Mini Review

Strengths:

• The 761 is a very popular slot, (will be a collectible slot)
• Excellent 'from the box' performance
• Extreme high level of detail (one of the highest I have ever seen)
• Front wheels 'steer' as slot moves through corners
• Suspension on front end
• Excellent paint and decal job
• Excellent non-magnetic performer

Weaknesses:

• Fly rear rubber compound is hard to 'true' well
• Fine model detail easily damaged if driven hard

Verdict:

Just wonderful to drive, smooth and very fast! Amazing, AMAZING slot car - Get one at least!

Return to the ManicSlot's Gallery Here

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