The battle for the FIA leadership heats up ahead of election; Singapore nightmare and celebration for Renault in F1; Fiat launches its 500 rally car; it's all in the name, and lubricants that bring back memories.
With the leadership election of the FIA, motoring and motorsport's governing body, set for 23 October 2009, the heat was dramatically turned up for the two candidates. As previously reported, Jean Todt and Ari Vatanen are both standing for the Presidency.
Todt is seen by many as part of the existing regime of current President Max Moseley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, a view strengthened by open statements of support for Todt by both men in recent weeks. Vatanen is campaigning as a reformist, promising a fresh start if he comes to power. In a further twist at the beginning of October, it was revealed that Moseley had sent a letter to Prince Feisal of Jordan, one of Vatanen's potential officers, criticising Vatanen and stating he would lose the election - a statement Vatanen refuted.
Vatanen and Todt came face to face in an apparently friendly encounter in the pitlane at the recent Singapore Grand Prix, where another off-track drama was also unfolding.
A week before the Grand Prix, Renault was handed a two-year suspended ban from Formula 1 after the team were accused of fixing the result of the 2008 Singapore race by their own former driver Nelson Piquet Jr. Piquet claimed he was instructed to crash his car on lap 14 of the race by Renault team boss, and Piquet's personal manager, Flavio Briatore. This allowed team-mate Fernando Alonso to drive from last to first place while the safety car was on the track and eventually clinch an unlikely win.
After investigations, Renault sacked both Briatore and Engineering Director Pat Symonds, while the FIA handed Briatore an indefinite ban from any form of motorsport and Symonds a five year ban. Despite also losing their main sponsor, ING, over the affair, the team overcame the drama and Alonso finished a legitimate third in this year's race.
The famous Arbarth name is returning to rallying with the launch of the new Fiat Arbath 500 R3T. The tiny car will be homologated for a one-make rally championship. Not only does it look the part, but it boasts a 180bhp engine with six-speed gearbox and locking front differential.
The name on lubricant packaging is a good indication of quality for many consumers, according to research organisation NPD Group. In a survey of US auto parts stores, they discovered that 56% of consumers believe that name brand motor oils are better quality than own brand, while 38% do not believe there is a difference. However, the study also shows that they do not always equate value with quality. When it comes to fuels, another NPD study showed that brand loyalty is age-related. The younger the consumer, the less loyalty to a brand.
The research will be good news for British lubricants manufacturers Morris, who are going back to the future with a new, old range of engine oils. The company, renowned for its traditional oils for classic, vintage and veteran cars, have relaunched their "Golden Film" brand. The design evokes memories of the olden days, although the oil combines the traditional with the latest additives to make it suitable for low emission engines. Morris are even offering a set of metal oil jugs for the real enthusiast.