MSNBC reports the tabloid was sued for invasion of privacy, with Mosley saying that, yes, he did have sexual relations, but that there were no Nazi overtones, and besides, the whole thing was just some good, clean fun in someone's basement. Good, clean fun involving throwing down with hookers and whips. We're still wondering what Max thinks is dirty fun. But we digress: Judge David Eady ruled in Mosley's favor, ordering the News of the World to pay $120,000 in damages. Which should, in turn, keep London's Nazi fetish hooker community busy. [MSNBC]

While Team Honda is believed to be the first organization racing with an active KERS system, the fact that Toyota, acknowledged as world leaders in hybrid technology, is admitting potentially insurmountable problems may lend credibility to calls for postponing KERS implementation. The system is intended to recover energy during braking, allowing it to be stored for later use as an electrical "boost" when needed.

We think the introduction of KERS could provide a new reason to watch what's become a rather dull sport, at least for the first season, as fans tune in to see how things play out. At the same time, if the system can't be proven safe above all else — not just for the drivers and mechanics, but also safe for track workers, rescue personnel, and spectators who could be in the vicinity of an accident — then rushing KERS into the program is a recipe for disaster. And, of course, higher TV ratings.
[Autosport.com; Photo Credit: AutoCult.com.au]

About a week ago, Red Bull Racing was forced to evacuate their garage as the battery pack associated with their KERS system went wrong, threatening fire and explosion. Of course, this kind of news makes us think the next F1 season may actually be interesting to watch. Sure, the sport is great fun when guys other than Schumi are winning, but nothing draws eyeballs like fireballs. [AutoSport]

Mosley's Case: British laws protecting the rights of individuals against the press extend to him and this was a completely private affair.

News Of The World's Case: Mosley is a public figure and he committed a serious act of "depravity" and the public has a right to know about it.

X Factor: The witness who was the biggest part of the setup, Woman E, was supposed to testify that there was a specific request for a Nazi theme. She never showed up.

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: Because British laws are so strong on this point, we're pretty sure NOTW is going to lose this case. But it isn't going to make problems like this go away.

[NY Times]

Formula DRIFT Announces Red Bull Drifting World Championship

LONG BEACH, Calif. - July 14, 2008 - Formula DRIFT, North America's premier drifting Sanctioning Body, has partnered with Red Bull Energy Drink, the world's leading energy drink, to create one of the world's most anticipated drifting events ever - the Red Bull Drifting World Championship. The event, which will feature 32 of the world's best drifters, will be held on the docks at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, November 15, 2008.

The Red Bull Drifting World Championship will bring the best drifting drivers in the world together to compete in a single historic event. Drivers from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe and Canada will participate, but only one will claim the title of Red Bull Drifting World Champion. Current and past champions from the world's top professional drifting series will receive an exclusive invitation to showcase their skills and compete for the largest drifting prize purse ever offered.

"Formula DRIFT has worked over the last five years to bring the drifting world closer together via our partnered events in Singapore and Mexico as well as our open door/open dialogue with the top professional drifting leagues from each corner of the world. We are excited to be able to team up with Red Bull to bring the world together and stage the toughest competition with the best drivers," stated Jim Liaw, President/Co-Founder of Formula DRIFT.

The purpose-built course will include unprecedented features that will test the limits of the drivers and their cars such as a long straight to ensure triple-digit entry speeds, a big, sweeping first turn for high-speed drifting and multiple, technically challenging turns. Trackside viewing areas will allow spectators to get up close and personal with the competition.

"It is an exciting time for the sport of drifting. Red Bull is the leader for innovative sporting events worldwide and now drivers will be challenged like never before in a completely different environment than we're used to," said Rhys Millen, 2005 Formula DRIFT champion. "I'm proud to be flying the Red Bull colors heading into the Red Bull Drifting World Championship."

Formula DRIFT, North America's professional drifting championship series, will play the role of organizer, co-promoter, and sanctioning body for the World Championship event. Judging will be based on current Formula DRIFT rules and regulations with the possible addition of two international judges.

More information will be disclosed at a later date including brand and media partners and participating drivers.

[Source: Formula DRIFT]

In his libel suit against NOTW for publishing the story, Mosely told the judge:

"It's just more - fun is probably the wrong word - but it's much better if accompanied by something which seems to justify what is going on."

Don't you see everyone? We're the sick ones. The prison uniforms, the SS-style guard uniforms, the speaking in a weirdo German accent. How dare we think that's in any way related to Nazism! [SkyNews]

In addition to the exhibition lap, the Toyota cars will adopt special Dark Knight paint schemes, while the Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock's overalls will be made to look like Batsuits (no word on nipples). The Bat-Pod will also be in attendance, but possible due to its extremely un-motorcycle-like handling characteristics, it won't be ridden.

PRESS RELEASE

Panasonic Toyota Racing joins forces with The Dark Knight at Silverstone

Thanks to a partnership between Panasonic Toyota Racing and Warner Bros. Pictures, Hollywood is coming to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix weekend to celebrate the release of the event movie of the summer: The Dark Knight.

The much-anticipated film, which releases in cinemas across the UK on 25 July, is the follow up to the 2005 action hit Batman Begins. The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who again portrays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

To mark the release of The Dark Knight, Panasonic Toyota Racing will adopt a new look at Silverstone this weekend. The Dark Knight artwork will feature on the TF108s and the overalls of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, as well as the team's motor home.

But The Dark Knight theme does not stop there. On show at Silverstone will be the iconic Batmobile and Bat-Pod vehicles, while some very special media events will bring the excitement of The Dark Knight to life.

The Batmobile will even take to the Silverstone track on Thursday evening for a demonstration run alongside the TF108, followed by some unique photo opportunities with the Bat-Pod and Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock.

Dean Attew, who The Times describes as a "London-based business intelligence consultant", uncovered the plot. Attew formerly assisted Ecclestone with "a wide variety of issues concerning...business and family affairs," and still feels some loyalty to the Formula One owner. Now employed by Titon International, the company that was employing ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko when he was poisoned and in whose office traces of Polonium-210 were found, Attew was approached to assist in the plot to bring down Mosley by unnamed parties. Fearing that the plot could harm his former boss as well, he then brought that information to Ecclestone.

"Dean, you are not going to find anything because there's nothing there - he's Mr Boring in that sense," Ecclestone told Attew upon learning of the plot. Since the release of the Max Mosley sex video, Mosley has done nothing to address suggestions that Ecclestone was involved with the attempt to publicly discredit him, leaving Attew to feel under-appreciated for his efforts. [via The Times]

To be fair, Bin Sulayem is a former rally driver and mover-and-shaker in the racing scene in that part of the world and could very well view this on moral grounds, but we don't think he should have called the setup a "terrorist attack on his personal life." How did he do it? Bin Sulayem claims to have controlled around 40 votes, mostly from African countries, which swayed the decision in favor of Mosley. Bin Sulayem is actually the guy behind the SLR-powered Mercedes SLK and, apparently, a big Michael Jackson fan. Just when you started to think F1 was actually about the racing. (h/t to PhkMark)

[Photo: Getty Images, GMM via F1-Live]

Shredding Tires with Tanner Foust - Garage419

"lost control of the 205mph £330,000 ($643,600) supercar just after he left home with wife Linda yesterday."

It SPUN through 180 degrees and HURTLED backwards through a wooden fence and a thick hawthorn hedge before coming to rest in a children's playground.

One witness claimed Anthony...lost it as he showed off to onlookers by revving the engine of the Carrera GT - which can do 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds.

Letter From Mosley To Clubs

Dear Presidents

Thank you for your letter of 28 May.

I will use your numbering in this reply.

1. I did not accept the proposal from some (but not, as you incorrectly suggest, all) members of the Mobility World Council because it was the worst possible solution. I would have resigned, yet still spent the summer carrying out all the day-to-day work with neither the time nor the authority to complete the major outstanding tasks. Better to stop immediately than accept this muddled compromise.

Your suggestion of a "crisis" is nonsense. Although I am personally embarrassed and greatly regret that this affair has become public, no one fails to call for roadside assistance because of it.

As I said in my earlier letters, the communications I received from club presidents were overwhelmingly in favour of my remaining as president. I therefore had no choice but to submit the question to the FIA membership as a whole. I certainly could not have simply ignored the majority and resigned.

2. Some of the larger clubs among those who have signed your letter have previously contradicted their claimed commitment to the FIA. See the sample responses of the AAA, ADAC, ANWB, JAF, and TCS to the FIA Survey of 5 February 2008 attached. These same clubs have, of course, been trying to change the structure of the FIA since well before the events they now seek to exploit.

As stated in my letter of 23 May, several of these same clubs have formed groups separate from the FIA from which the wider FIA membership is excluded. Worse, they have obstructed our efforts to improve cooperation between all clubs. Combined with a complete lack of transparency, I believe these activities are contrary to the interests of the FIA.

3. Mr Ecclestone is willing to continue working with the FIA because he has a binding contract to do so. In his letter to the clubs, he says he is now willing to live with this contract. That is a sudden and major change in position.

Together with other member clubs of the FIA you will be free to express your views to the Assembly next Tuesday.

In the interest of transparency, I am sending a copy of your letter together with this reply to all the member clubs of the FIA.

Yours sincerely

Max Mosley

FIA SURVEY

The FIA launched the first major online survey of its member clubs on 5 February 2008. The survey received a very positive response to its detailed questions from 57 leading clubs around the world.

The majority of the responses endorsed the FIA's plans to improve cooperation and coordination throughout the FIA club network in both motoring and motor sport, for example, 87 per cent agreed that the FIA brand added value to member clubs and 82% also agreed that sport can be used to promote mobility issues.

However, a small minority of clubs, representing the major individual membership markets of America, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan demonstrated a consistently negative view to their involvement and interaction within the FIA community.

The following are some examples of the negative responses made to the member survey. They highlight a disagreement with some of the fundamental objectives set by both World Councils following the merger of the AIT and the FIA.

When asked if the FIA was the best forum to bring together the policy expertise of clubs worldwide, the ADAC disagreed.

When asked if FIA Sport could help to promote FIA Mobility issues, particularly in terms of safety and the environment, the ADAC disagreed.

When asked if the promotional links between the sporting side of the FIA and the non-sporting side should be strengthened, the ANWB, the ADAC and the TCS disagreed.

When asked if your club would be interested in more active support from the FIA in developing and communicating policy campaigns the ADAC and the ANWB disagreed.

When asked if a Working Group with representatives from all FIA Regions would help to strengthen the link between the sporting and mobility sides of the FIA and its sister organisations, JAF, the ANWB and the TCS disagreed.

When asked if your club would like to use the FIA brand on its website and other external communications material, JAF, the AAA and the ADAC disagreed. (Emphasis in original)

He then ended the letter with "Zank You Very Much!"

[Autosport]

According to AutoSport, a group of FIA chiefs drafted a letter offering Mosley a rigged vote of confidence in order for him to be able to save face if he'd just drop out. He could have the votes, but he couldn't stay in the race. Sorry, we mean as an official for the races. Not surprisingly, Mosley rejected this too-kind offer because he think he's going to win a vote of confidence on June 3rd, despite the fact that officials representing 24 clubs in 22 countries recently indicated they are against keeping him in power. (h/t PhkMark)

[AutoSport, F1-Live, AutoSport, Photo: Getty]

[My Earth Dream]

The agent has been fired, of course, if only for the fact that the head of MI5 had to have a meeting to tell PM Gordon Brown that they weren't involved in the Nazi-style sex orgy. This also ties in weirdly to Mosley's father, the infamous British fascist, who was spied on and turned in by MI5. This is totally going to turn Mosley's Nixon-esque persecution paranoia, clearly on display in Mosley's letter to the FIA, up to 11. We can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. Thanks to all the sick, sick individuals who sent in tips [The Times]

Just as a little background, Bernie Ecclestone is the commercial rights holder to Formula One and he's been trying to get more control of the sport from FIA. Obviously, FIA wants to be able to maintain some control of the sport. But we think it's maybe taking it a bit far to say that Mosley is the only person that can stop Ecclestone, that he actually cares to stop Ecclestone or that Ecclestone can be stopped at all. And now, for your Nixon-speak:

"Anyone could stand and there would be no list to stabilise the process and ensure that each candidate had the support of a real cross-section of FIA member clubs. During the two to four month election period, the complex negotiations (with Ecclestone/CVC) ....would necessarily slow or even cease. A new president would then take over with no knowledge of the background and, worse, might perhaps have been elected with the support of the very people with whom we are negotiating."

"I have been determined to fight for the rights and role of the FIA in F1 and it is possibly for this reason that the media have been encouraged by those who have an interest in undermining my Presidency."

"I believe, therefore, that whatever the Extraordinary General Assembly decides, it should not reward those who have deliberately set out to destabilise the FIA at such a crucial time in its history."

"This will give me the time I need to progress the current negotiations to the point where proposals safeguarding the fundamental interests of the FIA can be submitted to the WMSC (World Motor Sport Council) and the General Assembly."

"It will also give me time to pursue the legal proceedings I have started against those who have caused so much unnecessary trouble and embarrassment. Above all, it will allow a smooth and orderly transition to a new presidency satisfactory to the membership as a whole."

"I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life I have never obstructed justice. People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got."

(h/t PhkMark) [A full account at Autosport.com]

Mosley will still probably attend the actual race at Moncao, but in no official capacity. In fact, the Monaco Royal Family has pretty much made clear that they're happy with the idea of old Max keeping his distance from parties, paddocks and especially princes. This effectively means that Mosley won't be acting as the head of the FIA, though he still doesn't seem to be poised to resign. We guess that it's the whole stiff upper lip (and whatever else) thing going on. (h/t PhkMark) [F1 Live]

Sadly, despite reportedly well advanced plans for a race at Disneyland Resort Paris, the current word on the street boulevard is that the project is short about $31 million in funding. Another fantastical French Grand Prix possibility would be a race actually in Paris, whereas the Disney resort is about a half-hour drive from the city. Of course, the most realistic possibility at this point seems to be simply dropping the French event off the calendar altogether. Though if we had our say (and unlimited funds) we'd like to see a F1 race at Circuit de la Sarthe, where they hold the 24 Hours of LeMans endurance race, or in and around The Louvre.
[F1-Live]

The Times goes on to report that "the clear majority of team managers" think that Mosley's refusal to resign is hurting the sport. According to the paper, the Monaco Royal Family have expressed similar concerns. Mosley was ordered by the Royal family of Bahrain not to attend their F1 round, didn't attend the Spanish Grand Prix for fear of embarrassing King Juan Carlos and the Turkish Prime Minister's office approached Bernie Ecclestone to ensure their boss wouldn't encounter the besieged FIA President.

FIA's general assembly will meet on June 3rd for a vote of no confidence in their President. [via The Times]

Codemasters has said that the F1 game will be multi-platform—meaning if you own any next-generation console, portable gaming system or even a PC capable of gaming, there's a really good chance you'll be able to pick up the new F1 game from Codemasters. The deal locks up the rights to all Grand Prix circuits, F1 teams, cars and drive likenesses. The cherry on top of it all is that the deal is multi-year, so we can expect solid F1 games for years to come.

It's not too surprising that Codemasters would fork over the dough for the license. This is the same developer responsible for the Colin McRae and Race Driver games.

The game, currently going by the name FIA Formula One World Championship is looking at a 2009 release date. (Thanks to everyone who sent in tips on this)[Kotaku]

It's Sony Computer Entertainment that is looking to win the bid, and if they don't reach an agreement with Formula 1, other game manufacturers may jump in and be willing to pay whatever Ecclestone wants for licensing. We don't think F1 gaming is done for, but those waiting for a hot and exciting next-generation racing title may have to wait a little while. [Kotaku]

The accusation was made by Radovan Novak, head of the Czech Automobile Association and one of Mosley's close friends. Speaking during a radio interview he's quoted as saying, "When the FIA, from the proposal of Mosley, fined someone significantly, then it gives you the feeling that it could be like that."

Dennis was quick to issue a response:

"I categorically deny that I have anything to do with the News of the World investigation into Mr. Mosley. Neither does anyone connected with the McLaren Group or the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, and neither does any agent or any other party acting on my behalf or anyone connected with the McLaren Group or the team. We are writing to Mr. Novak and are currently considering the appropriate route via which the remarks that have been attributed to him may be withdrawn or corrected."

According to F1-Live, the 37-year old de la Rosa said:

"There are less and less obstacles because there are now many women in kart racing ... The base of the pyramid is expanding ... I would be delighted to see it happen sooner or later, but it is more difficult for women because of the important physical elements of racing in Formula One,"

Well, the car is allegedly made of carbon-fiber. Though we're not too sure how much time (if any) has been spent refining the aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. Power comes from a 3.5-liter engine, which is pretty impressive, considering that F1 cars only have 2.4-liters. Thing is, while the 2.4 in Ferrari or McLaren racer is a V8 estimated as making around 800 HP, the Geely's 3.5 is a V6 that we estimate as making around 80 HP— ok, maybe a little more than that. We're not saying we'd turn down a chance to take it around a track and play with its 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox, but until it gets a fancy nose piercing like Ferrari's race car, we're not so excited by the GF.
[thetycho]

"a channel joins the lower section of the nose to the upper, with an inverted profile wing inserted at the channel's exit. The basic purpose of this configuration is to relieve the negative effects of the high pressure area under the nose which creates an aerodynamic obstruction as the speed increases."

[via China Car Times]

The audio stream has Mosley talking like ze Germans he seemingly fantasizes about — except since his understanding of the German language is at about the ninth-grade high school level, he ends up talking mitt ze accent zan mitt ze German vords. That's right, he says some lines which we're sure will now become classic, like:

"Ze need more of ze punishment I think."

"You are doing good job. Zank you."