Sport And Racing Cars

Rossi pleased with improved Qatar showing

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Having finished fifth at the Losail International Circuit last year Valentino Rossi was pleased to have started the 2009 season - and his MotoGP title defence - with an improved second place in Qatar.

World Champion Valentino Rossi was unable to prevent Casey Stoner running away with a third consecutive season-opening victory at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, but the brilliant Italian typically took the positives from his second place finish in the Arabian desert in Monday’s re-scheduled MotoGP race.

Rossi was amongst those who had stated after Sunday night’s rainfall that it was important to stay on at the floodlit Losail track to put on a show for the fans on Monday evening, and whilst he was unable to catch Stoner at the front of the race he did his level best at trying to hunt down the Ducati Marlboro poleman.

Starting from second on the grid Fiat Yamaha’s Rossi was unable to go with Stoner from the first lap and had to get past his own team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and his old friend Loris Capirossi - who eventually crashed - before he could attempt to pull back the Australian.

A three second gap between the leading pair was cut down to two by Rossi midway through the race but he could not make further progress against Stoner, who has a superb record at Qatar and dominated every session over the weekend – the 2007 World Champion eventually winning by nearly eight seconds.

Afterwards Rossi commented, “Today the conditions of the track were quite different to before and this evening in warm-up we encountered a couple of small problems related to tyres, so our strategy had to change slightly tonight. It’s a pity because I think last night we could have put up more of a fight, but anyway this is a good result to start the season, much better than last year.”

Analysing the race in more detail he continued, “I knew I needed a good start in order to go with Stoner but unfortunately I didn’t get one and I lost some time fighting with Lorenzo and Capirossi and by then Stoner had already gone! The middle part of the race was great fun and I made six or seven good laps to come much closer, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to continue in that rhythm, it was too risky for the tyres and I decided it was more important to take the 20 points.”

Summarising the first GP of the season in general and looking ahead to visiting Japan for round two – where he clinched the title last season – Rossi concluded, “Casey was very strong but he is always fast here and I believe that our potential is very good; I think that we can be back fighting again in Motegi. I am so glad we could race today after yesterday and I am satisfied to be leaving here having made a good start to the season. There is a long way to go!”

Takahashi completes first step of learning process

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Scot Racing Team’s Yuki Takahashi picked up his first MotoGP point on his debut in Qatar.

The 2009 season will be a matter of learning as quickly as possible for Yuki Takahashi in MotoGP, the Scot Racing Team rider who has moved up into the premier class from the 250cc category this year.

The 24 year-old found the going tough at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, qualifying down in 17th position as he continues to acquire the art of 800cc riding. He nonetheless rode a steady race on Monday night, concentrating on avoiding errors, gaining experience from the competitors around him and ultimately picking his first – albeit solitary – MotoGP point in the process.

On his run to 15th place at the Losail International Circuit, in his first MotoGP appearance, the Japanese rider commented, “The best came at the end, when I had a chance to follow Marco Melandri for a long while. I studied him, and I got a lot of information about how to deal with the front tyre and about braking points. Obviously this was just my first race in the class. Not only that, but I’d never done a long run before.”

Reviewing his maiden Grand Prix amongst the big boys overall, the former 250cc race-winner added, “I'm satisfied. My target was learning the bike and how to compete against the best riders in the world. How to deal in the heat of the first laps, and strategies, and tactics. At the beginning of the race I lost a little time, but I didn’t want to make any silly mistakes. And at the end I was able to keep the same pace of the riders who were in the first groups. Now I can prepare for my home race, in just over a week, in Japan.”

United attitude spot on for Rooney

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:18:00 +0000

Christiano Ronaldo's spectacular winning goal will have grabbed the headlines but Wayne Rooney was quick to commend Manchester United FC's all-round team performance after their 1-0 quarter-final win at FC Porto on Wednesday night.

'More solid'
United put their recent defensive wobbles behind them to earn their first shutout since 11 March and, in truth, they seldom looked like losing the lead given them by Ronaldo's sixth-minute strike. Rooney told uefa.com: "I thought we looked a lot more solid tonight. The last few weeks defensively we have been open and have conceded a lot of sloppy goals. We'd looked at the goals we conceded and they were poor goals to give away. We knew we had to get it right if we wanted to win the trophies we are involved in. Tonight was a bit similar to [the semi-final against] Barcelona last season where we defended really well, but we nicked a goal tonight to win the game."

Compact
Porto may have had 17 goal attempts but they managed only four on target – compared with ten in the 2-2 first-leg draw in Manchester. Nemanja Vidić said: "The difference between the first and the second leg was we defended as a team, we were compact." The Serbian also underlined the importance of defensive partner Rio Ferdinand's return from injury, adding: "Rio brought confidence to the team, he played well. I was happy to have him next to me."

Confidence
It was not just at the back that United impressed. The defending champions looked dangerous when they attacked, with both Ryan Giggs and Rooney himself – tireless in a wide role – catching the eye. "If you defend well then you always have opportunities on the counterattack," said Rooney. "I thought we had two or three good opportunities in the second half and maybe could have nicked another goal but the main thing is we went through. We have two difficult games against Arsenal [in the semi-finals] who we know are a good team but you have to be confident in yourself and hopefully we can get to that final."

I had it in my mind to shoot and try to score and that's what I didCristiano Ronaldo

'Unbelievable strike'
It can only help United if Ronaldo keeps producing special goals just when it mattters. The Portuguese attacker gave United the perfect start when he struck for the third successive UEFA Champions League game with that early long-range effort. "One of those moments that decides whether you win or lose," was the verdict of Dimitar Berbatov. Michael Carrick concurred: "It was an unbelievable strike. It put us in a good position because we started the game very well and I thought the goal was a big bonus for us and gave us something to hold on to." As for Ronaldo's own response, he was as direct as his shot: "I had it in my mind to shoot and try to score and that's what I did. It's the best goal I've ever scored. I've just seen the replay and I didn't realise it was 40 yards [36.5 metres] out and I hit it at 65mph - wow! This victory will give us confidence. The last five games we didn't play great, but I hope this will change that."

Drama in store in the last four

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Victories for Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC last night guarantee an English presence in the UEFA Champions League showpiece in Rome on 27 May, while a second successive all-English final would be on the cards if Chelsea FC were to get the better of FC Barcelona in the other tie. uefa.com looks at the history behind the fixtures ahead of the eagerly awaited last-four ties.

FC Barcelona v Chelsea FC
Tuesday 28 April – Camp Nou
Wednesday 6 May – Stamford Bridge

It is the third time the clubs have met in the latter stages. Barcelona won an epic quarter-final in 1999/00, 6-4 on aggregate after scoring twice in extra time, and also had the edge in the first knockout round in 2005/06 en route to winning a second European Champion Clubs' Cup. Twelve months earlier at the same stage John Terry headed a late winner to send the Blues through 5-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona have won four of the nine previous semi-finals they have contested – those successes coming in 1960/61, 1985/86, 1993/94 and 2005/06 – in addition to advancing to the 1991/92 final as winners of their last-eight group.

Barcelona's home record against English opposition is impressive, with 13 wins, nine draws and just two losses from 24 previous meetings. Both those defeats came against Liverpool: a 1-0 reverse in the 1975/76 UEFA Cup semi-final first leg, and then a 2-1 defeat in the 2006/07 first knockout round.

Last season's semi-final defeat by Manchester United means the Spanish club have won seven and lost nine of 16 two-legged contests against English opponents.

Chelsea are in the semi-finals for the fifth time in six seasons. Their victory against Liverpool last season followed two previous defeats by the Reds, while they also lost at this stage in 2003/04, succumbing 5-3 on aggregate against AS Monaco FC.

Manchester United FC v Arsenal FC
Wednesday 29 April – Old Trafford
Tuesday 5 May – Arsenal Stadium

Since meeting for the first time on 13 October 1894, the clubs have played 204 times. The Gunners have 77 wins to United's 82.

Apart from last season's final, Manchester United have never met an English club in the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal have faced English opposition in Europe on two previous occasions, losing quarter-finals to Chelsea in 2003/04 and Liverpool last season.

United's ten preceding semi-final appearances have brought just three victories, the most recent being last season when they eliminated Barcelona on their way to a final victory against Chelsea in Moscow.

Arsenal have a 100 per cent record in UEFA Champions League semi-finals, having beaten Villarreal CF in their only previous appearance in 2005/06.

The clubs are the only teams to win the English league and FA Cup double three times. United did it in 1994, 1996 and 1999; Arsenal in 1971, 1998 and 2002.

Source :

UEFA Champions League : Quarter-finals

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Semi-finals

	Agg.		First leg	Second leg
Barcelona	-	Chelsea	28/04 »	06/05 »
Man. United	-	Arsenal	29/04 »	05/05 »

First-leg home team shown first.
First-leg home team score shown first for both legs.

Photo gallery

Top scorers »

8	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
7	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool
7	Miroslav Klose	Bayern
6	Lisandro	Porto
5	Emmanuel Adebayor	Arsenal
5	Thierry Henry	Barcelona
5	Alessandro Del Piero	Juventus
5	Karim Benzema	Lyon

Assists |
Shots on goal |
Shots wide |
Ruled offside |
Red card |
Yellow card |
Fouls committed |
Fouls suffered

Last updated: 15/04/2009 23:11 CET

UEFA Champions League
Quarter-finals
14 April 2009
Bayern - Barcelona
Chelsea - Liverpool
15 April 2009
Arsenal - Villarreal
Porto - Man. United

07 April 2009
Man. United - Porto
Villarreal - Arsenal

Fantasy-Highest scoring players

Value	Player	Team
59	Franck Ribéry	Bayern
59	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool
58	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
53	Frank Lampard	Chelsea
52	Miroslav Klose	Bayern
49	Lisandro	Porto
45	Xavi Hernández	Barcelona
43	John O'Shea	Man. United
42	Thierry Henry	Barcelona
41	John Terry	Chelsea

Porsche : Porsche 911 - 964 Printable version Porsche 911 - 964 Turbo S Leichtbau 1 of 80

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:51:00 +0000

This car has been delivered new in France. It has only known 3 owners, the history is very well known and documented, and it is in a perfect shape and working order. We have tried to find some defaults on the car, but after close inspection, we have only noted five tiny stone chips on the front. The paint has received a Teflon treatment, and is very nice and neither the upholstery not the carpets show any trace of wear. The interior is a factory special order and is like the 959 comfort's ones. Apart from that the car is fully compliant with its original leichtbau specifications
It is very difficult to find a genuine 964 Leichtbau, as only 80 units have been produced to comply with the homologation regulations of the USA IMSA championship. Remarkably, Porsche has won this championship with this car. This is an opportunity not to be missed in a car collector's life. The few other cars available on the market are offered between 180.000 to 200.000 euros. This car is a real good deal.
We have not cleaned the car before the pictures were taken, and the car had just been driven on a 500 Km trip with bad weather. It is now far more beautiful after cleaning and polishing, and the paint shines like a new one.

This extremely rare 964 Turbo S Leichtbau is available in Paris with a french registration.

Source : www.carclassic.com

Cadillac 1933 V-16 convertible coupe

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Cadillac 1933 V-16 convertible coupe

Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 222

1932 Hupmobile Model 216-B Roadster

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:49:00 +0000

This beautiful 1932 Hupmobile was an entry in the Pierce Park Car Show in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1992.

Classic Car Collection : Crosley Hot Shot 1950

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:45:00 +0000

The most comprehensive Classic Cars & Collector Cars resources available to ... Other Classic Cars. CHRYSLER CORPERATION. Chrysler. DeSoto. Dodge. Mopar Muscle ...

Micro car classic car : Harding invalid carriage 1961

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Seller's description

Harding Model IV Bespoke invalid carriage extremely rare one of only 5 electric ones made and there are only 3 left

in known existence 2 of which are thought to run
Very nicely restored and 99% original this one runs perfectly with everything working as it should.

Item specifics - Cars & Other Vehicles
Manufacturer:	--	Colour:	Green
Model:	--	Engine Size:	1 cc
Type:	Three wheel invalid	Power:	--
Mileage:	--	Seats:	1
Doors:	--	MOT Expiry:	--
Reg. Date:	--	Drive Side:	--
Road Tax:	--	Previous Owners:	--
Exterior:	--	Transmission:	Automatic
V5 Document:	--	Fuel:	Electricity
Manufacturer's Warranty:	--	Service History:	--
In-Car Audio:	--	Safety Features:	--
Interior/Comfort Options:	--

mINI cARS : Microcar Minicar Classic Event

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Tags: bmw, boston, citroen, classic, fiat, gould, Isetta, massachusetts, messerschmitt, microcar, minicar

13th Annual Microcar Minicar Classic Event
n Newton MA.
A reporter for The Boston Globe filed a report on the meet (but mostly about Smart Cars)

Extreem Photo : SkateBoard Style

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Quiksilver King Of Snow

This innovative online snowboarding competition gives riders from all over the world the chance to pit their skills against each other

O'Neill Evolution......
The Evolution has begun and the training session are generating

Aston Martin V8 Coupe Automatic

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Price: 70 694 USD (52 000 EUR)

Year: 1982

Location: Europe

Mileage: 76 700 km (47 659 ml)

Chassis N.: V8SOL12334

Engine N.: V580/2334/S

Colour: Green

Interior: Beige leather

A very nice example of the now classic V8 coupe finished in British Racing Green with beige leather interior and green trimmings. A series IV (Oscar India V580) with an automatic transmission and AC and according to the current owner the vehicle was sold new in France and the first owner exported the vehicle to the US which explains the presence of additional side reflectors. The speedometer is however still in kilometres in conformity with the original specifications.

The paintjob was redone in 2004 as well as some important panel work including taking the body work to naked metal and a new bottom and a new base for the rear window between the two fuel tanks. The vehicle also underwent an extensive mechanical overhaul including a new radiator and a new stainless steel exhaust. An invoice for more than EUR 20 000 is available which details the work realised on both the mechanical and cosmetic elements.

The interior is in beautiful condition with the leather, carpet and woodwork all in in a beautiful state. The paintwork is very nice but we noticed some micro-scratches certainly caused by washing the vehicle. We also noticed the presence of some impacts on the corners of the front and rear bumpers. The engine runs perfectly and the stainless steel exhaust is pleasure to hear.

This vehicle presents an opportunity to acquire a very healthy and perfectly maintained car which has also undergone important work on both the mechanics and cosmetic elements.

Registered and available in France.

The price includes all European Union taxes and commissions.

Alfa Romeo RZ Zagato Spider

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Price: 55 060 USD (40 500 EUR)

Year: 1996

Location: Europe

Mileage: 24 000 km (14 913 ml)

Chassis N.: Upon request

Engine N.: Upon request

Colour: Yellow

Interior: Black leather

Very rare Alfa Romeo RZ Zagato roadster with production number 250 and one of the just 278 examples built. Delivered new to its first owner in France who soon sold it to its current owner a collector of fine Italian automobiles. The vehicle has just 24000 original kilometres and has been perfectly maintained by the official Alfa Romeo service network. The most recent service was completed at 19 475 km and the vehicle is today in perfect condition. Its full history is known and the vehicle will be delivered with its original manuals and books including the maintenance booklet.

Registered and available in France.

This vehicle is available immediately. The price includes all European Union taxes and commissions.

Car wheel close up

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:10:00 +0000

auto automobile automotive background black car change circular clean closeup detail drive equipment fast garage gauges grip isolated lane mechanic new part pit pneumatic prepare presentation professional profile race radial rain recycle row rubber ruler shop spare speed stop texture tire traction transport tread tyre wheel winter yarns

2008 Audi R8 Aftermarket Audio System - Comple Mentary

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:54:00 +0000

When An Audi R8's High-End Factory System Wasn't Up To Par, Aftermarket Was The Only Way To Go.

Outstanding cars don't always have the audio systems to match. Moise E. Hendeles learned this truth when he bought an '08 Audi R8. "After purchasing my Audi R8, I was extremely dissatisfied with the factory Bang & Olufssen upgrade audio system," he reveals. Even the car's sticker price of $140,000 isn't enough to overcome the limitations of a factory audio system. The disgruntled Hendeles stopped by Al & Ed's Autosound in West Hollywood, Calif., to see what could be done.
Meeting with installer Elie Rothstein, Hendeles learned about some solutions that would greatly improve upon the OEM sound system. Confident that Al and Ed's could meet his expectations, he gave Rothstein the go-ahead for the $10,000 install. After all, if you're spending $140K on a car, what's an extra 10 grand?

Subwoofer Enclosure And AMP RackEmbedded in the rear wall behind the seats, a subwoofer and amps add some powerful lows to the system. "The goal was to achieve a nice, tight bass response to complement the front speakers," Rothstein explains. "This was definitely achieved!" Flushed into the wall and hidden by the seats, you won't even know the Alpine amps and Pioneer subs are back there until you turn on the stereo. Carbon fiber by Sly Machines covers the custom enclosure, coordinating with the Audi's sleek aesthetics.

AMPS

wo Alpine PDX amplifiers power the system. For the front Focals, a four-channel PDX-4.100 pumps out 400 watts of power. Handling the subwoofer, a two-channel PDX-2.150 brings 300 watts.

Sub

Pioneer TS-SW104D slim line subwoofer pumps the bass from Hendeles' favorite rock songs right into the occupants' midsections. The new upgrades by Al & Ed's Autosound blow the original audio system out of the water and Hendeles couldn't be happier. The OEM system may have let him down, but the aftermarket sound met his expectations and then some.

art of Rothstein's plan was to retain the factory source unit by using a Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 processor as an integration device. "This is the best way to integrate with the factory system," Rothstein says. "The built-in time alignment and EQ features truly made this system sound amazing."

Shifter Knob

on keeping with the carbon fiber on the vehicle's exterior, Rothstein used Sly Machines carbon-fiber trim liberally in the cabin. In addition to framing the factory head unit, the material adds some lightweight flair to the doors, the sub enclosure/amp rack, and, of course, the trim around the shifter.

Radar Detector

With a performer like the Audi R8, you know Hendeles can't possibly stick to the speed limit. The Passport radar detector helps keep traffic tickets to a minimum.

Doors

Keeping things simple, Rothstein disconnected the center channel and rear speakers. He then focused on the front only, mounting new speakers in the factory locations. A Focal K2 Power series three-way component set creates the soundstage. The 6.5-inch midbass and 4-inch woofer lodge in the doors, while the tweeter sits up in the sail panel.

Exterior

The '08 Audi R8 is gorgeous as is. Hendeles left the original body and wheels alone, making his only change in the engine compartment. There, he had the engine walls replaced with carbon fiber.

Massimo Moratti: "A very good year"

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:09:00 +0000

MILAN - President Massimo Moratti gave a brief interview to journalists outside the Saras offices on Monday lunchtime.

President Moratti. It has been a wonderful 2008 for Inter. It's a pity about everything that was said after Siena...
"No, it's not. It's you who spoke badly of us. We deserve this first place in the table, just like we deserved to win the Scudetto. What happened in Siena was an incident that we admitted to, I don't know what more we could have done. It was in good faith, and this is very different to what happened years ago. The same thing happened to Juventus yesterday."

The two-legged tie with Manchester United is on the horizon.
"It's an interesting tie and we need it to verify our potential. And it's great for the fans because there will be a lot of interesting players on the pitch."

Are you expecting a full stadium at last in the first leg?
"What do you mean by at last? The stadium has already been full this season when they haven't banned the fans of other teams. So it will be full..."

Do Inter have a good chance of winning the Scudetto early and concentrating on the Champions League, or will Milan and Juventus make it harder for Inter than they have in past years?
"It was Roma that did this in past years and I always consider Roma a great team that play beautiful football. I think it will be a hard championship until the end because Milan have great quality and Juventus have great character, and we can't underestimate this. We have to continue with the same tempo. It won't be easy, but it's a duty, so let's hope we do well."

A lot has been said about Zlatan Ibrahimovic and José Mourinho, and a lot always will be said about them, but is there another player you want to say something about at the end of this year?
"Cambiasso is always to be taken into consideration. He doesn't always make the news, but he has certainly done well this year, too. Cordoba and Samuel have also done their best since returning from serious injuries, like Cruz, for example. But I want to name all of them because they have all done very well, and I'm very grateful to this team."

An adjective to describe this 2008?
"It has been a very good year that will enter football history with an Inter that has dominated, and now we have to show that we can do more. And perhaps with a bit more luck than last season so we can do better on the international stage."

Can you exclude resorting to the transfer market in January?
"Personally, I would exclude it."

Are you talking with Mourinho about Adriano? Does the player need a tutor?
"More than a tutor, he has had a crisis that he is trying to overcome. He has the qualities, so he's a player to always keep in consideration. He's one of the best in the world. It is our constant duty to recover him and we have to help him make the best possible recovery."

Sir Alex Ferguson : Boss relishing Jose Mourinho reunion

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing a reunion with Jose Mourinho after the Reds were paired with Internazionale in the Champions League knock-out stages.

Talking exclusively to MUTV in Japan, the boss said: "They kept us hanging being last out of the hat, but its interesting to come up against Jose again. He's a character with a good personality and I've always got on well with him.

"He knocked us out of the competition with Porto, so I hope we have the luck they had in that tie this time round. Inter have had a tremendous domestic record recently and that speaks volumes for the consistency of their team.

"They've got a lot of experience which includes a few South American players. In fact, I think they've only two Italians in their team. That represents a challenge because you know South American players are very tough defensively and resilient players.

"We've played against most of their players over the years and met them in a friendly last year at Old Trafford. So we know about them. Hopefully we'll do the job in the first game and give ourselves a platform to take back to Old Trafford.

"Playing against bigger teams always brings focus to our game, as we showed against Barcelona last season. The most important thing in that tie was to concentrate, and our concentration was terrific.

"The San Siro is a great stadium. We played Inter in the quarter-final in '99 and there were problems with the pitch, it had been relaid a couple of weeks before. But now it's much better. We've been knocked out twice there by AC Milan so we want to go there and do better. Now the competition really gets going and all the English teams have a good chance. I'm happy with our draw."

2008 - The year in women's football

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:59:00 +0000

Next year is set to be a watershed in European women's football but there was plenty to remember in 2008.

EURO excitement
UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ runs from 23 August until 10 September next year, with a record 12 teams involved in the finals and hosts Finland hoping for an average attendance of more than 10,000. The organisers will no doubt hope for as much excitement as there was in the qualifying group stage. While first holders Germany and then Sweden clinched automatic finals places with games to spare and ultimately perfect records, the other four groups went to last-match deciders where the teams in second were at home to the leaders. In two the home sides overtook their opponents, France beating Iceland 2-1 and Denmark defeating Ukraine 1-0, while England came from two goals down to get the 2-2 draw they needed in Spain and Norway held Russia 0-0.

Play-offs
At that point, only one of the eight 2005 finalists, Italy, were not already through but they defeated the Czech Republic 3-1 on aggregate in the play-offs to put that right. Iceland, Ukraine and the Netherlands reached the finals for the first time, defeating the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia and Spain respectively, while Russia repeated their 2001 feat but needed away goals to see off Scotland. The draw was held in Helsinki on 18 November: the full fixture list can be seen by clicking here.

German success
Prior to the end of qualifying, Germany, Sweden and Norway travelled to China for the Olympics. Sweden and Norway fell in the quarter-finals and after losing to Brazil, Germany clinched a third consecutive bronze medal 2-0 against Japan while the United States pipped Brazil for gold. Still, Germany will aim for a third straight FIFA Women's World Cup at home after being named 2011 hosts.

Youth events
At youth level Germany won the first UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship in May in Nyon but two months later lost their grip on the U19 title, Italy beating Norway in the final in France. In the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand, Germany beat England 3-0 for third place while North Korea took the title against the United States. Similarly, in the U20 event in Chile, Germany overcame France to claim the bronze medal, while the US turned the tables on holders North Korea in the final.

Women's Champions League
At club level, the UEFA Women's Cup will be transformed in 2009/10 after it was announced in December that a new UEFA Women's Champions League will take its place, with more entries, more two-legged knockout rounds, and a one-off decider on the eve of the UEFA Champions League final in the same city. That said, the 2007/08 UEFA Women's Cup final was memorable enough after 1. FFC Frankfurt and Umeå IK beat ASD CF Bardolino Verona and Olympique Lyonnais in the last four.

Frankfurt thrill fans
With the victors to become the first three-time winners, Marta scored in the opening seconds of Umeå's home leg only for Frankfurt to peg back to 1-1 and in the return a week later a competition record crowd of 27,640 was thrilled by the German side's 3-2 victory. However, Frankfurt departed the 2008/09 edition in the quarter-finals against league rivals FCR Duisburg. Duisburg will meet Lyon in the semi-finals in the spring while another club new to the tournament, Zvezda-2005 of Russia, face Umeå.

Future bright for Europa League

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:56:00 +0000

One of European football's most historic competitions is being given a total makeover in 2009. The UEFA Cup, which was launched in the 1971/72 season, is to become the UEFA Europa League for the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign as work continues to enhance the image and profile of European club football's second club competition.

New logo
The competition will have a new 48-team group stage with centralised marketing of media rights, a presenting sponsor and an official match ball. It will also have centralised sponsorship from the knockout stage and a new logo and visual identity. The revamping of the competition follows the decision by the UEFA Executive Committee on 30 November 2007 to alter the format of the UEFA Cup and create a group stage in which teams play each other on a home-and-away basis.

Sporting appeal
The new name and logo is designed to emphasise the special character and unique sporting appeal of a competition that has proved its worth over more than three decades. Europa is an ancient Greek word which is understandable in all languages. UEFA's ambition in making these changes is to rejuvenate the competition in the light of the new European football landscape, which has shifted significantly with the continued success of the UEFA Champions League, so that the UEFA Europa League can establish itself as a major competition. "We believe that a new name and a new brand identity will help with sponsors and with the whole identity of the competition," UEFA General Secretary David Taylor told uefa.com when the new name was announced at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Bordeaux in September.

Twelve groups
The UEFA Europa League will feature 204 matches plus the final. The group stage will comprise 48 sides, split into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout phase and will be joined by the eight clubs that finish the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in third place. The knockout stage, with 32 sides and four rounds, will lead to the final, played in a single match at a neutral venue. There will be four qualifying rounds instead of the current two, with an increased number of clubs as a result of the incorporation of places from the discontinued UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Thursday matches
UEFA Europa League ties will be played on a Thursday night – or on a Wednesday night during exclusive UEFA Europa League weeks – with two kick-off times, in principle at 19.00 and 21.05CET according to local situations. The final will take place on a Wednesday at 20.45CET.

UEFA Champions League

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:53:00 +0000

Group stage
09 December 2008
Barcelona - Shakhtar
Basel - Sporting
Chelsea - CFR Cluj
Marseille - Atlético
Panathinaikos - Anorthosis
PSV - Liverpool
Roma - Bordeaux
Bremen - Internazionale
10 December 2008
Celtic - Villarreal
Dynamo Kyiv - Fenerbahçe
Juventus - BATE
Lyon - Bayern
Man. United - AaB
Porto - Arsenal
Real Madrid - Zenit
Steaua - Fiorentina

2009 Dodge Journey

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:38:00 +0000

Chrysler’s first crack at a crossover, the minivan-based Pacifica was neither roomy, inexpensive, nor fuel efficient ended up a bust after five years on the market aand was quietly put out of its misery this year.

Humbled by the car-buying public’s total lack of enthusiasm for its luxurious self-styled “segment buster,” Chrysler returned again to the crossover segment with its 2009 Dodge Journey.

The Journey, like the Pacifica, is also a mid-size crossover available with three-row seating. But that’s about the only common ground between the two.

Built using Dodge Avenger bones, the Journey is similar in size to the $26,870 Chevrolet Equinox. Its rivals in this crowded segment are not only the General Motors crossovers, but also the $23,999 Ford Escape and $25,995 Hyundai Santa Fe (and others). Yet the new Dodge crossover’s pricing is more in line with less expensive compact cars.

Unlike the Pacifica, which Chrysler tried to sell in the $40,000-plus range, a front-wheel-drive/four-cylinder/five-passenger base Journey SE can be had for $19,995. That includes air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, power windows, door locks, stability control and six-CD stereo.

Even a fully loaded AWD V6 R/T Journey with a DVD screen, three-row leather seating and a personal masseuse (okay, no personal masseuse) can be rolled out of Dodge showrooms for under $35,000 — about the price of a mid-range Honda CR-V.

So right away, Dodge has everyone’s attention with its dollar store pricing. My Journey SE, even with the Plus package (floor mats, a cargo cover, illuminated vanity mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, security alarm, roof rail crossbars) came to only $20,995.

But what — if any — are the compromises of a vehicle that can be had for thousands less than its competition?

First off: based purely on roominess and unique storage solutions, the interior is hard to fault.

Stealing from Chrysler’s clever minivans, useful touches include a hideaway compartment under the front passenger seat cushion and in-floor storage bins in the second row. With removable plastic liners, you can add ice and use them like coolers. And the middle section of the second-row seat drops for long items to pass through.

If that’s not enough, five-passenger models possess 1,121 litres of cargo room with the rear seats up. Fold them down, and you get 1,915 litres, plus a large storage compartment under the cargo floor that three-row Journeys don’t have.

Just don’t expect any of the luxury touches or refined driving qualities from the late Pacifica showing up in the new Journey.

Not only does the Dodge’s cabin scream “cost cutting” with bland plastics and a back-to-the-Seventies cubist design theme, some of its ergonomic solutions are downright abominable — right up (down?) there with Dodge’s lamentable Nitro:

• The Journey’s standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps you find a good driving position, but the seats are Saskatchewan-flat and prairie hard;

• Its four-speed automatic’s shift lever is positioned too far back from the driver;

• Perhaps the most egregious ergonomic error is the obstruction of the driver’s instrumentation by the steering wheel. It blocks the temperature gauge and the right half of the tach. The irony here is that there’s room in the panel for both gauges to be located lower, where they would be seen.

What gives? Didn’t anyone at Chrysler sit in the Journey before the final design sign-off?

I’d like to say the Journey SE Plus test car made up for its ergonomic mess by inspiring the driver in me. But sadly, that wasn’t the case either.

Definitely, with its pillowy ride and balloon 70-series Hankook all-seasons, the Journey SE Plus delivers a serene and quiet ride on smooth pavement. Bumps and potholes are nicely absorbed, too.

It’s all perfect if your idea of a spirited drive is getting a great parking spot at the grocery store.

But the Dodge’s engine roar, when you accelerate to highway speeds, enhanced by the long gaps between the mandatory four-speed automatic ratios, negates any driving serenity when pushing on it.

Throw in finger-light steering, a predilection to roll in tight corners, brake pedal feel that rivals the Hankook’s compliant sidewalls and it’s easy to see the Journey SE Plus’s ride-and-drive paradigm was the vehicle it theoretically replaces in Dodge’s lineup — the short wheelbase Caravan minivan.

At least the Journey’s 173 hp 2.4 L four delivers decent fuel economy. It’s rated at 11.0 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway, with an as-tested 10.5. That’s better than the Hyundai and Chevy V6s, but about the same as the four-banger Ford and Honda.

Dealers and crossover buyers have had to wait a long time for a competitive Dodge crossover. And in the areas of roominess and low pricing, the new Journey certainly delivers — and then some.

In the ensuing years, however, between the launch of the Pacifica and the debut of the Journey, the mid-sized crossover segment has rapidly matured.

Customers aren’t impressed anymore by one or two clever packaging tricks. They can now get functionality, human-friendly ergonomics, decent performance and fuel economy all wrapped in if not one, but several crossover offerings that are rivals to the new Dodge.

American Racing Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:26:00 +0000

American Racing

are now available from Custom Wheels Distributing. American Racing builds wheels that are of the highest quality custom wheels available today. American Racing offes some of the hottest new styles available, in the sizes you need, at a price you can afford. You can purchase your American Racing or a custom wheels and tire package online or over the phone. We offer live help from 8am to 8pm central standard time. Our experts are here to assist you in selecting the correct American Racing for your car, truck, or SUV. With our low price guarantee, You can feel confident you are getting the best price available as all of our American Racing are at discounted wholesale prices. We offer American Racing in all sizes, and offer the best selection of American Racing available today.

American Racing Wheels - Cannon / 1091

American Racing Wheels - Burn / 337

American Racing Wheels - Black Trench / 320

American Racing Wheels - Black RT-S / 311

American Racing Wheels - Black Razor 6 / 300

American Racing Wheels - Black Fuel / 321

American Racing Wheels - Baja Polished / 172

American Racing Wheels - Atlas Polished / 160

American Racing Wheels - Assault / 324

American Racing Wheels - AR-23

Dub Custom Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:08:00 +0000

Brand: Dub Custom Wheels

Model: Dub Custom Wheels - X180 Custom finishes available

are now available from Custom Wheels Distributing. Dub Custom Wheels builds wheels that are of the highest quality custom wheels available today. Dub Custom Wheels offes some of the hottest new styles available, in the sizes you need, at a price you can afford. You can purchase your Dub Custom Wheels or a custom wheels and tire package online or over the phone. We offer live help from 8am to 8pm central standard time. Our experts are here to assist you in selecting the correct Dub Custom Wheels for your car, truck, or SUV. With our low price guarantee, You can feel confident you are getting the best price available as all of our Dub Custom Wheels are at discounted wholesale prices. We offer Dub Custom Wheels in all sizes, and offer the best selection of Dub Custom Wheels available today.

For more information or to place an order please call toll free.............Customwheel.com - 1.888.266.5177

Best Car Deals for December 2008

noreply@blogger.com (disinilah) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:06:00 +0000

November sales results showed the American auto industry in a tailspin, and auto company executives are driving (not flying) to Washington to beg for federal aid.

Trust us, this is terrific news for deal seekers.

More from U.S. News & World Report

» December Car Lease Deals

» 5 Ways to Get the Best Car Deal in a Down Market

Just as automaker CEOs are desperate for bailout money, auto dealers are desperate for your money - and they're willing to bend over backwards and even alter the calendar to get it.

General Motors began its holiday special -- the Red Tag Event -- early this year, and it continues through December. That means no-haggle pricing and significant discounts on everything GM makes. Ford is offering employee pricing to everyone, interest-free financing and cash-back deals -- often all three in combination.

And luxury automakers are in on the act, too. Lexus started its "December to Remember" sale in November, and has extended it into January. Infiniti has beaten what Lexus has to offer, with zero-percent financing on many models. Even BMW is offering finance rates below 1 percent on many cars.

Whatever automakers tell the press about car prices, keep in mind that the best incentive may be the one you negotiate yourself. Dealers are reporting a 50 percent drop off in showroom foot traffic as compared to last year. Low traffic means low sales and the potential to negotiate a great deal. Also, more and more 2009 models are hitting dealer lots, which means they have a need to unload the remaining 2008s. Before heading out, be sure to check out our guide to negotiating in a down market and use our online tool to get price quotes from multiple dealers.

Carmaker	Car Deal	Expires
BMW	0.9% APR financing on most 2008 models	12/31/08
Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab	Red Tag Event Sale "no haggle pricing" on most cars, including discounts up to 10%, plus cash back offers on many models	1/5/09
Ford	Employee pricing discounts, can be combined with 0% financing offers on many 2009s	1/5/09
Infiniti	0% Financing on most 2009 models	1/5/09
Lexus	Low lease rates on certain models	1/5/09
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep	Up to $6,000 cash back on selected models	TBA
Kia	0% financing on 2008s Up to $5,000 cash back on Sedona, Sorento and Amanti	1/1/09
Acura	0.9% financing rates for 24 to 36 months on most models	1/4/09
Mercedes Benz	Low lease rates or 3.9% financing on most models	1/2/09

The Best Deals we found in December are listed below:

2009 Hyundai Accent GS

$9,470 after $500 cash back

There is a fight brewing over who can build the least expensive car in America. Last month, Nissan priced the most stripped-down edition of its Versa subcompact under $10,000 for the first time. This month, Hyundai has undercut Nissan's price - by exactly $20. Sure, it's only $20, but for those looking for inexpensive transportation, we think the Hyundai Accent is actually a better deal. According to J.D. Power and Associates, it's the Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car, and it comes with a 10-year,/100,000-mile powertrain warranty -- nearly double Nissan's coverage. This month, the 2008 Accent GS is available with $1,000 cash back -- bringing the price of a new car, under warranty, to below $9,500. Members of the military can even cut the price by another $500.

MSRP: $11,070-$15,870

Invoice: $10,822-$15,406

2009 Ford Fusion

Employee Pricing + up to $2,500 cash back or 0% APR

Six months ago, $15,500 would have bought you a nice small car. Today, it will buy you a nice midsize car. If you were to max out Ford's current Employee Pricing Plus deal and bring in outside financing so that you could take advantage of $2,500 cash back, you could pay just $15,492 for one of our highest-ranked midsize cars -- about what you would expect to pay for its smaller Focus sibling in an ordinary year. The Fusion ranks highly against the competition for its cornering prowess and stylish look -- and it's never been so inexpensive to own.

MSRP: $19,035-$25,605

Invoice: $10,822-$15,406

2008 Infiniti EX

0% APR for 36 months

The Infiniti EX is the driving enthusiast's SUV. It's the only rear-wheel-drive compact SUV, making it feel more responsive and balanced than many rivals. Its powerful V6 is quick, its richly-appointed interior is a nice place to spend time, and its "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives drivers confidence. As part of Infiniti's Limited Engagement Winter Event, the EX can be purchased without interest -- but polish up your credit score before applying. The offer is only for "well qualified buyers."

MSRP: $31,900-$36,850

Invoice: $29,343-$33,880

2008 Saturn Outlook

Red Tag Sale Pricing Plus $2,750 Cash Back

The Outlook handles like a much smaller vehicle and is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick" for its strong crash test scores and standard stability control. It's also a serious family hauler -- while the third-row seats of many SUVs are just token gestures, this one is comfortable even for adults. Right now, GM's no-haggle Red Tag Sale, combined with a generous cash rebate, knocks almost $4,000 off the price of a 2008 Outlook. A comparable 2009 will set you back almost $4,000 more -- but there's no significant difference between the two. Head straight for the '08 -- and in this tough time for car dealers, you might want to try haggling down that no-haggle price.

MSRP: $28,625-$33,035

Invoice: $27,051-$31,218

2008 Chevy Tahoe

Red Tag Sale discount plus up to $7,500 cash back

GM built too many Chevy Tahoes, and is now discounting them heavily just to move them off of dealer lots. The manufacturer's Red Tag Sale plus several cash-back offers that can be combined means buyers can now drive off the lot in a Tahoe at a discount of more than $10,000. Those who need the towing capability and seating capacity of a large SUV know that few trucks combine utility and comfort like this one -- and that discount is hard to beat.

MSRP: $34,630-$39,560

Invoice: $31,686-$36,197

2008 Chevy Silverado

Red Tag Sale pricing plus up to $5,500 cash back

New Ford F-150 and Doge Ram trucks are stealing all of the headlines, but the 2009 Chevy Silverado still beats them both in our rankings. It combines rugged strength with everyday comfort and five-star crash test ratings. With GM's no-haggle Red Tag Sale this December, some Silverado models of (trust us, there are more configurations than you can count) are available at nearly $10,000 off MSRP. Maybe fewer of us buy trucks as toys these days -- but they are necessary tools and everyday transportation for millions of Americans. Heavy discounts on the top truck on the market make this a great time to buy.

MSRP: $17,590-$38,950

Invoice: $16,623-$35,639

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10

$5,000 cash back

A 12-mile stretch of twisting asphalt outside Nürburg, Germany is the toughest test in the world for performance cars. The 2008 Viper SRT10 is now the master of it, having posted the fastest lap time ever achieved by a production car on the ‘Ring earlier this year. But Dodge, a unit of struggling Chrysler, can't sell Vipers no matter how hard it tries. The company has considered selling off or just ending the Viper line of cars because, in these hard times, few people want to buy a world-class performance car. But if you do, Dodge is now offering $5,000 off the car before you even walk in the door -- and since you may be the first potential Viper buyer the dealer has met in quite a while, there's even room to negotiate from there.

MSRP: $85,545-$86,295

Invoice: $78,380-$79,048

More Info About The Cars Mentioned in This Article

2008 Saturn OUTLOOK

MSRP:$28,625 - $33,035
2009 Hyundai Accent

MSRP:$11,070 - $15,070
2009 Ford Fusion

MSRP:$19,035 - $25,605
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

MSRP:$34,630 - $48,490
2008 Chevrolet Truck Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab 4WD