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Just 7 days after the Australian GP the F1 teams will be on the grid this Sunday for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang in Kuala Lumpur (= 'muddy estuary').

Sepang International Circuit was built under the Vision 2020 Plan to develop Malaysia into a modern industrialised country. The Plan included the building of a multimedia 'super corridor', linking Kuala Lumpur's international airport with the capital city. The then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also ordered that a Grand Prix track be constructed. A track that "would be the envy of the world in terms of its facilities and technology". The circuit including 5,000 new palm trees was built in just 14 months and opened for the 1999 Malaysian F1 GP (won by Eddie Irwine in a Ferrari).

Designed by Hermann Tilke, Sepang is one of the most technical circuits in F1. It is also Tilke's first 'greenfield' circuit design. The 15 turn Circuit features two adjacent straights separated by a 1300m long 32,000 capacity double sided grandstand. It can also be split in to two circuits when required. A  three-storey pit building houses all the main facilities including 33 pit garages, race control, paddock clubs and management offices. The combination of long high-speed straights, low and high speed turns make the track complicated, but its generous width (16-22m) helps overtaking. The drivers reportedly love it. Sepang is also the home of the Malaysian MotoGP.

The 300kmh (830m 12s) start-finish straight leads to a right-left, downhill 90kmh hairpin Turns 1 and 2. Turn 3 is a 270kmh sweeper and Turn 4 a 110kmh right hander. A series of 200 to 260kmh sweepers at Turns 5, 6, 7 and 8 lead to a 90kmh hairpin at Turn 9. Sweepers at Turns 10, 12 and 13 lead to 115kmh Turn 14 for the start of the second 290kmh long straight. The final hairpin 95kmh Turn 15 leads back to the start-finish straight. The heavy braking zones are at Turn 1 (300 to 75kmh), Turn 4 (290 to 110kmh), Turn 9 (280 to 70kmh) and Turn 15 (300 to 85kmh). The best overtaking areas are at Turn 1, 3 and 15. The Lap Record is 1:34.223 (211.783kmh) by JP Montoya (2004).

Previous winners of the Malaysian F1 GP include Kimi Raikkonen (2 wins). Of the 2010 drivers Michael Schumacher (2000, 2001, 2004), Fernando Alonso (2007, 2005) and Jenson Button (2009) have won at Sepang.

Sepang circuit is hard on every component of the car, particularly cooling systems, brakes and tyres. The two long straights, slow and high speed corners require medium to high downforce / low drag setup for good exit speed from the corners onto the straights. The track surface is described as old, rough and hot, and with temperatures in the low-mid 30's and 70% humidity the GP is considered one of the hardest races of the season. 65% of the lap is run at full throttle. At the 2009 2.64kg of fuel per lap a full tank needs to carry 156kg of fuel. 

Pit stops should follow the 2010 standard single-stop strategy of 16-18 (soft tyre) laps followed by 38-40 (hard tyre) laps. In Melbourne it was obvious that the soft tyre could be made to last 50+ laps if driven well. Sepang has higher tyre wear due to the rougher track surface and higher ambient temperatures so some drivers may struggle with a one-stopper.

Melbourne GP had more race action than Bahrain but it was the rain and the safety car periods, not the cars, that contributed to the show. In Sepang run-off areas are vast so the safety car should stay parked for the race. However rain is almost guaranteed although perhaps not in time for the race. Sepang is known for its daily tropical thunderstorms like the one that stopped last year's race on lap 31. This year's race start has been brought forward by one hour so perhaps we'll see a full 56 lap GP.

With no time for car development Sepang should provide similar results to Melbourne. McLaren had a surprise win due to a good pit stop call (and Button's silky driving) and Kubica / Renault scored a rewarding podium. Red Bull failed to follow up the 1-2 in qualifying with Vettel's wheel nut issue and Webber's 'inconsistent' driving but is now overdue for a better result. Ferrari again could not match Vettel but Massa beat Alonso. Mercedes showed little improvement, Schumacher tangled early, but just about everyone else followed the set script. Force India and Williams scored minor points, Kovalainen finished the race but Trulli scored a rare DNS. The Virgins did not finish but Chandhok was classified finishing 5 laps down. There were just 14 finishers.   

The Malaysian GP is the home race for Lotus (Proton) and Mercedes main sponsor Petronas. The organisers are promising 'the best ever F1 race in the history of the event' so we just have to wait. Perhaps they meant to refer to the off-track entertainment.

Engines Used > Massa, Alonso (3); Button, Hamilton, Schumacher, Rosberg, Vettel, Sutil, Liuzzi, Buemi, Alguersuari, Trulli, Kovalainen, Senna, di Grassi (2); Webber, Barrichello, Hulkenberg, Kubica, Petrov, Chandhok, De La Rosa, Kobayashi, Glock (1)
Gearboxes > Buemi, Chandhok, Senna, De La Rosa, Kobayashi, di Grassi (2nd race); others (3rd race)
Tyres > Soft and Hard (2009 Soft and Hard)

Sepang Circuit home page > http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/
Circuit map > http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/files/u1/images/circuits-track/sic_map.gif
Programme > http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/story/formula-1-2010-f1-race-schedule
FIA page > http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/championships/f1/2010/malaysia/Pages/circuit.aspx
Google Satellite > http://bit.ly/dngMr4
Weather forecast > http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/153 > Friday - heavy rain shower and 32 deg

Friday 02 April
13:00 - 14:30 - Practice 1
17:00 - 18:30 - Practice 2
 
Saturday 03 April
16:00 - 17:00 - Practice 3
19:00 - 20:00 - Qualifying (Q1 20min; Q2 15min; Q3 10min)
 
Sunday 04 April
18:00 - 19:45 - Race (56 laps x 5.543km = 310.408km)
(race starts 16.00 local)

(all times are AEDST)

ONE / ONE HD (check local guides)
Saturday 03 April > Qualifying - 18:55 - 20:05 (LIVE)
Sunday 04 April > Pre-race - 17:00 - 17:50 (LIVE)
Sunday 04 April > Race - 17:50 - 20:05 (LIVE)

TEN (check local guides)
Sunday 04 April > Race - 22:40 - 00:40

Below is a review of the upcoming F1 GP in Melbourne this weekend compliled by a long time friend of mine.  If you are interested in F1 they are a good read but dont take any notice of the telecast times as we dont get One HD here in Griffith.


The second race of the 60th Anniversary FIA Formula One World Championship season takes place this Sunday at the Albert Park GP Circuit in Melbourne for the QANTAS Australian F1 GP.

The GP has been held at Albert Park in Melbourne since 1996. The circuit is made up of upgraded public roads within the 225ha Park and is similar to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.  Albert Park is named after Prince Albert, the Consort of Queen Victoria and was proclaimed as a public park in 1864. The only permanent F1 facility is the two story pit lane building. The rest, including the barriers, grandstands and corporate facilities are temporary and are constructed each year.

The 16 turn Albert Park circuit is characterised by long sweeping curves, tight chicanes and corners and is described as a 'stop-go' circuit. Top speed is 300kmh at the end of the start-finish straight. Short straights or fast sweeping turns lead to heavy braking zones at Turns 3, 6, 9, 13 and 15 with the 290kmh to 90kmh Turn 3 the heaviest with G-forces up to 3.5G. A short 285kmh straight leads to braking area at the 120kmh Turn 6, a 275kmh sweeper ends at the 110kmh Turn 9. Two long left and right sweepers taken at up to 280kmh lead to the 140kmh Turn 13. Turns 14, 15 (the slowest at 90kmh) and 16 lead back to the start finish straight. The circuit is considered fast and relatively easy to drive but the best lap time requires precise apexes, braking and kerb hopping. The Lap Record is 1:24.125 by Michael Schumacher (2004).

Previous winners of the Australian F1 GP include Ayrton Senna, David Coulthard and Alain Prost (2 wins). Of the 2010 drivers Jenson Button (2009), Lewis Hamilton (2008), Fernando Alonso (2006) and Michael Schumacher (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004) have won in Melbourne.

The teams should choose a 2010 version of a high downforce aero setup for speed through the corners rather than the straights. Other setup factors include braking stability (and brake cooling) and traction out of slow corners. The circuit is described as 'high' for brake wear and 'medium to low' for tyre wear. 65% of the lap is run at full throttle. Based on last year's fuel consumption of 2.63kg / lap a full tank should weigh 160kg. As with any public road based circuit used for racing once a year, the circuit will be dirty on Friday but grip and lap times will improve as the weekend progresses.

If the Bahrain pit stop strategies continue in Melbourne expect the race be divided into 3 parts of 18, 20 and 20 laps. To get a good starting position the six laps of Q3 are run on the 'soft' tyre (and near empty tanks) which should also last the first stint of the race. The teams then run the last 40 laps on the 'hard' tyre while saving fuel. If the 'soft' tyre is significantly superior the teams may consider a second stop especially if they are stuck in traffic. Lesser teams will look to be more creative to win lesser battles and mix their tyre stints. Sutil ran a stint of 34 laps on the 'super soft' tyre in Bahrain.

It was no surprise to see Red Bull and Ferrari go well in Bahrain but McLaren (+23s) and Mecedes (+40s) were off the pace. Vettel's mystery engine issue (related to the computer fuel use ?) gifted Alonso the win. Massa beat Alonso in qualifying but followed him for most of the race. It was good to see Force India (+53s) lead the midfield from Williams and Renault. STR managed P13 (+92s). After the promising pre-season testing Sauber was disappointing with a double DNF. A very small victory for Lotus (+2laps) to beat Hispania and Virgin who failed to finish. Of the new drivers Hulkenberg finished a creditable P14. Within the teams Vettel beat Webber, Rosberg beat Schumacher and Hamilton beat Button. Expect the runners up to try to reverse the results.

Melbourne weather can be 'famously variable' and the art of heavy-car-poor-grip-lack-of-downforce throttle control on a wet track may decide final race placings. Let's hope the first few corners of the first lap are not the only interesting part of the race.

Engines Used > Alonso, Massa (2); all others (1)
Gearboxes > everyone (2nd race)
Tyres > Soft and Hard (2009 Super Soft and Medium)

Australian GP home page > http://www.grandprix.com.au/
Circuit map > http://www.grandprix.com.au/site/_content/document/00000854-source.pdf
Programme > http://www.grandprix.com.au/site/_content/document/00000916-source.pdf
FIA page > http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/championships/f1/2010/australia/Pages/circuit.aspx
Google Satellite > http://bit.ly/cMz8KM
Weather forecast > http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml - Sunday - cloudy, patchy rain later in the day and 28deg
Albert Park Visitor Guide > http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0451.pdf

Friday 26 March
12:30 - 14:00 - Practice 1
16:30 - 18:00 - Practice 2
 
Saturday 27 March
14:00 - 15:00 - Practice 3
17:00 - 18:00 - Qualifying (Q1 20min; Q2 15min; Q3 10min)
 
Sunday 28 March
17:00 - 18:40 - Race (58 laps x 5.303km = 307.574km)
(race starts 17:00 local)

(all times are AEDST)

ONE / ONE HD (check local guides)
Friday 26 March > Practice > 12:00 - 19:00 LIVE
Saturday 27 March > Qualifying > 16:00 - 19:00 LIVE
Sunday 28 March > Pre-race; Race > 12:00 - 19:30 LIVE

TEN (check local guides)
Saturday 27 March > Qualifying > 12:00 - 18:00 LIVE
Sunday 28 March > Race > 12:00 - 19:00 LIVE

All discussions are welcome. That's what the forums are for.

There is a petition floating around town about the TV situation. I am not sure who is behind it.

Im not sure if its the appropriate forum to raise the local television station fiasco that we have lived with for many years  (although I have only recently returned to the area and will not object if the moderator decides to remove), but I read with interest that more and more people are tuning into free to air digital channels.... pity we can not get the one that covers sport 24/7 because its broadcast by 10.  Who does one need to lobby to get the situation changed?

http://www.news.com.au/technology/more-australians-tune-in-to-free-to-air-digital-tv-channels/story-e6frfro0-1225838864690

I just think we are all to lazy.
Parking meters are not the answer to any problem. Parking or Congestion.
There are enough parking spaces in the main street, but sometimes we may need to park a little bit further away, from the shop we want to go to. So we might need to walk a bit further. Is that so bad?
The poll on parking meters is going well, please visit    cdcginc.weebly.com    and have your say, so Council can stop wasting time on this and focus on  something to make the Griffith and Villages better to live in.
 

I agree that nose in parking does work and does provide the highest number of parking spots however with the number of large 4WD (and Im not being critical of the drivers of them) that we have in Griffith that park in the centre sections, if you are on the left of them attempting to reverse out at 90 degrees it is often dangerous.  With that said however, can anybody provide statistics on the number of accidents along Banna Av as a result of cars reversing out?

Thanks.

Make sure that you tell all your friends! The more here the better.

Johanna

It seems to me that there are a few issues here.

Parking metres are revenue raisers. There is no other way to look at it. They are not about regulating parking. My attitude to them is the same as my response to traffic lights. We don't need them.

Nose in parking works in Griffith. Traffic on Banna Ave moves slowly. If it is not busy, there is plenty of parking. If it is busy, there is always someone who wants your place. It's just a matter of taking a bit of time and looking. It's not hard.

Council's attitude to roadworks is appalling. That they can keep THE main railway crossing closed for so long is inexcusable. And to block off the next best 'alternate route' - Railway St - is adding pressure on Banna Ave.

As a bike rider, I make sure that I take up a whole car park space because I can. And to get back at whoever it is who parks over the only deisgnated bike parking at the pool.

Congratulations to Johanna on what I hope becomes a useful forum for people to air any concerns that they may have and also provide useful information on positive issues and events as well. 

The reaction to the poll circulating by email is clear that Griffith residents dont believe that parking meters on Banna Avenue are appropriate.  If they have been proposed to reduce the flow of traffic up the main street Im sure that is the last thing that the shop keepers want.  We need better traffic flow not less.  Having the top railway crossing closed for so long has been the main contributing factor to the poor traffic flow along with blocking the crossover on Yambil Street.  Once the roudabout is open lets see what the flow of traffic is like and then maybe the next option is to adjust the parking to 45 degree as apart from the danger aspects which have been presented as a reason for a change to 45 degrees, the current configuation slows traffic abit more.  Parking meters sound simply like a money raising ploy.

Another idea, how about they pave a just some of the grassed areas that are rarely used and allow motorcycles to park on them rather than sometimes taking up a full car parking spot.