Kovalainen calls out McLaren's unequal treatment of drivers

For the second time a partner to Lewis Hamilton has spoken out regarding the unequal treatment of race drivers at the McLaren Mercedes squad, first it was Fernando Alonso now it's Heikki Kovalainen. And with Kovalainen's F1 future still not publicly known, this might be a last word before he leaves the Woking based outfit.

Speaking to Finlands "Helsingin Sanomat' newspaper, Kovalainen said, "It was always difficult to accept that Lewis was always the first to receive the new parts. I have never wanted to make a big deal about it, but it would have been nice to just once had the new parts on my car, particularly after we lost the chance of winning the championship.

"I could have complained publicly but instead wanted to show the team that I always give maximum effort with the car that I have, and I think they realise that."

While also adding, "Every time this season - when Hamilton and I are in the third part of qualifying - I had to do it with more fuel. If you take into account the quantities of fuel, I would have had pole position several times."

Raikkonen: McLaren is my only option

Kimi Raikkonen may have just given McLaren the upper hands in negotiations after revealing that the Woking team is his "only" option to remain in F1.

Raikkonen is without a race-seat for next year's Championship having agreed to part ways with Ferrari a year earlier than expected.

And although Toyota have made it clear they want the former World Champ, Raikkonen says he's only interested in racing for McLaren.

"Toyota has not even been discussed," Raikkonen told Finland's MTV3. "If I want to drive (F1) cars, then McLaren in the only option. I should know the situation in the next few days."

The Finn was also asked about his future in Thursday's Abu Dhabi press conference, where he confirmed that leaving F1 for rallying is a possibility.

"Basically I have a few different options and we will see what is the best one overall and then make my decision," he said.

However, Raikkonen could also opt for a year on the sidelines, revealing that too is available to him.

"I can if I want. I can do whatever I want, but like I said before, I haven't made my decision what I want to do yet."

Fisichella: I don’t regret switching to Ferrari

When Giancarlo Fisichella imagined himself driving for Ferrari, he probably didn’t envisage he’d end up further down the grid than he had been at Force India. But unfortunately that is what has transpired for Fisichella since he switched teams in September to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa.

Fresh from scoring Force India’s first pole position and podium finish at August's Belgian Grand Prix, the 36 year-old decided to fulfil his boyhood fantasy and drive for the Scuderia. However, with his best qualifying position 14th and his best race result ninth, things haven’t quite gone to plan. The Italian, however, insisted on Thursday that he doesn’t have any regrets.

“I think for me, the opportunity to race for Ferrari was a dream I’d had since I was a child,” he said. “In the end it came true, when I had given up hope that it would ever happen. So you should never say never! I am very happy with what I have done and I would not turn back the clock, even if I have struggled in these last few races with Ferrari.”

Since making his debut almost two months ago, Fisichella's difficulties have been well documented. However, at the recent Brazilian Grand Prix he was within four tenths of his team mate Kimi Raikkonen’s fastest lap, and he’s hopeful he may be able to make amends in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

“It is not easy to get into a car you don’t know, which was made even more complex because of the use of KERS, and the fact it handled very differently under braking,” he explained. “Recently, I was able to match Kimi’s pace in the race, so this weekend, I hope to have a better qualifying which would be the first step to getting some points. I will give it my best shot.”

After his spell racing for Ferrari, Fisichella has been contracted to become the team’s third driver for the 2010 season. But the veteran hasn’t quite given up on a return to a Formula One race seat just yet.

“I have a contract with Ferrari for next year,” he said. “But If there was an offer from another team, I would along with Ferrari and evaluate whether or not it would be feasible to be the third driver and race for another team in F1. At the moment, there is no decision. But to be the third driver for a top team like Ferrari is already something to be very proud of. The atmosphere is fantastic here and I really feel at home.”

With current Renault driver Fernando Alonso set to partner a returning Massa at Ferrari next season, this weekend’s Yas Marina race will also be Raikkonen’s last for the team. And ahead of the on-track action in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo paid tribute to the departing Finn.

“Kimi entered the history of the Scuderia, winning the world title in his first year,” said Montezemolo. “He has always been an honest boy, transparent and loyal and we will always remember him with joy. I’m glad that I can be here with him and the team on the occasion of his last Grand Prix in this particularly difficult year. Let’s hope we can gain a good result.”

Raikkonen has yet to reveal his plans for 2010.

2009 Nissan GT-R Base Coupe Review

All-new performance car instant hit in America.
The Nissan GT-R boasts performance of far more expensive cars. Its super slick, all-wheel-drive dutifully and invisibly channels the engine's 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque to whichever tires offer the most grip. This is most remarkable when enlisted in the Launch Control algorithm, which lets drivers make like Michael Schumacher in their own Stop Light Grands Prix. A twin-clutch, sequential-shifting, six-speed manumatic transaxle is competitive with the best prancing horse logoed car's and the equal of or better than the best of either Stuttgart or Munich.

This car is so good, so much fun to drive, whether slogging and, when the opportunity presents, darting through rush hour traffic or blurring telephone poles on empty back roads.

The GT-R comes with every comfort and convenience a driver and passenger need, and most of what a driver and passenger could want. The sports car-like cabin is climate controlled. The navigation system responds to voice commands. Behind the navigation system's LCD lie 11 pages of data, graphs and virtual gauges that tell the tale on more of the car's dynamics than most drivers can, or want to, be bothered knowing. All this makes even the infernal red start/stop button that takes the place of a perfectly functional key tolerable. At least, most of the time.


The Nissan GT-R comes in one body style, a two-door, 2+2 quasi-coupe. There's also but one powertrain offered, a twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter V6 driving all four wheels through a six-speed, twin-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle. Shifts are managed either by computer or by steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

The 2009 Nissan GT-R comes in two trim levels. The standard GT-R ($69,850) doesn't lack for much: Dual-zone, automatic climate control, cruise control, power mirrors, windows and locks, eight-way adjustable driver's seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat, AM/FM/XM/CD stereo with MP3 and WMA playback and six speakers, 30GB hard disk that supports voice recognition, seven-inch color-LCD, GPS-based navigation system with 9.3 GB for personalized audio tracks, dash-mounted Compact Flash card reader, Bluetooth phone system for hands-free operation. Run-flat summer compound Dunlop tires wrap around high-luster, smoke-gray, aluminum alloy wheels.


The GT-R Premium model ($71,900) adds heated front seats, a Bose audio system with 11 speakers, including two subwoofers stacked vertically in a panel separating the rear seats, and run-flat summer Bridgestones.

2009 Nissan GT-R Base Coupe Specs

Vehicle Category - Sports Cars
Editor - Tom Lankard
Model Lineup - Nissan GT-R ($69,850); Premium ($71,900)
Engines (standard) - 3.8-liter, dohc, 24-valve, twin-turbocharged V6
Engines (optional) - 480-hp 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6
Transmissions (standard) - 6-speed, dual-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle
Transmissions (optional)- 6-speed, dual-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle
Safety Equipment (standard) - dual-stage frontal airbags; front seat-mounted, side-impact airbags (Premium only); roof-mounted, side air curtains (Premium only); electronic stability and traction control; ABS; EBD; brake assist; tire pressure monitoring system; child safety seat anchors (LATCH)
Safety Equipment (optional) - Basic Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In - Tochigi, Japan
Manufacturer Phone - 800-647-7261
Manufacturer URL - www.nissanusa.com/gt-r/
Base Price MSRP - 69850

Lexus Supercar to Finally Be Revealed in Production Trim

After years and years of development, testing and endless spy photos, the Lexus LF-A will finally make its production debut at the 2009 Tokyo show. Details are slim, but the first Lexus supercar is expected to carry a price as big as its performance.


For as much as we’ve seen the LF-A, we still don’t know much about it. The car is believed to be powered by a 500-plus horsepower 4.8L V-10 engine powering the rear wheels through a rear-mounted transaxle. The pricing is said to run in the $200,000-plus range, making it both the most-powerful and most-expensive car Lexus has ever offered.


What we do know about the LF-A is what we can glean from pictures of it. Barely-disguised cars have been caught running around the famous Nurburgring during testing and have revealed massive brakes, multiple carbon-fiber body parts including the front splitter and rear diffuser, an active rear wing and enough scoops to make Baskin Robbins jealous. All will be revealed on Oct. 21.

By Scott Evans

Turbo Four for BMW Z4

But Will There Be an M? Engine Also Slated for 1 Series M Car.

BMW is seriously considering launching its new turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Z4 sports car, Motor Trend has learned, even after M Division chief Ludwig Willisch said before retiring last summer that the engine was designed for a 1 Series M.

Why the Z4 before the 1? Product cadence. BMW won't have an all-new 1 Series until calendar 2012, the 2013 model year in North America. The turbo four is being readied, and BMW isn't in the habit of launching an all-new engine in an all-new car at the same time. BMW is basing its turbo four on the 2.0-liter gas direct-injection four, rated 170 horsepower and 155 pound-feet in normally aspirated form.

The 1 Series M will reportedly weigh less than 2900 pounds and, to be a proper M car, the new engine must make more than 300 horsepower, Willisch told MT earlier this year ("Trend," June 2009). The name we're hearing for it, by the way, is 1M, to avoid confusion with the iconic BMW M1 supercar.


So the Z4 turbo four will be an M too, right? Hold on: Willisch was adamant that there would be no M version of the new Z4, which has been repositioned slightly to compete more directly with the Mercedes-Benz SLK. He said that just as BMW was revealing its X5 M and X6 M and just before he retired.

Willisch's replacement, former Mini chief Kay Segler, has been silent on the Z4 M issue. He confirmed M's plan for a turbo four and said the next M3 would switch back to a six-cylinder engine. The Z4 turbo four may be called a Z4 M or simply, a Z4 with M Power. The turbo four is said to be so much lighter than the twin-turbo six that its weight may overcome the 10-percent power deficit.

By Todd Lassa

Sex and scandal fused under Mosley's F1 reign

MADRID (AP) -For all the achievements of his 16 years as head of the FIA, Max Mosley steps aside this week with his impact upon auto sports being questioned rather than celebrated.

With favored successor Jean Todt or outsider Ari Vatanen set to replace Mosley as FIA president after Friday's vote, Mosley will leave as a divisive figure, most remembered for his appetitive for political battle and personal indiscretions.

Mosley would prefer that his reign be remembered for the enormous commercial growth of its flagship event, Formula One, and for the enhanced and strict safety conditions he had helped implement.

But instead, it is reports of the 70-year-old Englishman's participation in a sadomasochistic sex session with five prostitutes last year that is most likely to be the enduring image.

Mosley's ability to survive that sex scandal was a testament to his shrewd political abilities, deft maneuvering and brazen personality that had helped him long preside over a sport of constantly shifting alliances and rivalries.

His stubborn nature proved to be his biggest asset, as he rode out a scandal that left many labeling the sport's governing body a mockery.

Instead of stepping aside when the sex sting was revealed 18 months ago, Mosley sued the British tabloid which broke the story and won the case while cleverly delaying any judgment upon his conduct.

He then U-turned on a promise not to run for a fifth term as the economic crisis hit F1 and manufacturers' such as Honda and BMW, and sponsors Credit Suisse and ING all pulled out. His drastic proposals for cost cutting in F1 put the teams on the verge of setting up a breakaway series and their anger over the FIA's role ultimately precipitated his departure.

``Everyone should know their part,'' said F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who alongside Mosley formed a duo that controlled both the business and regulatory sides of motor racing. ``The governing body should govern, we should look after the commercial side and the teams should race.''

Mosley's early ambitions toward a career in politics proved impossible given his family history - he is the son of Oswald Mosley, who ran the British Union of Fascists. With that option denied him, Mosley seemed to relish the intense brinkmanship and infighting that was offered by F1 and the FIA.

``They say that I compromised the image of Formula One and that of its sponsors but I don't even know any sponsors and, another thing, how many fans has Formula One lost because of me? None I believe,'' he said.

Mosley's appetite for political battle irritated many as bickering became more prevalent.

``He is more general secretary than a president really, which upsets a lot of people because he does get involved in everything,'' Ecclestone said earlier this year. ``He's a remarkable individual and he's mischievous.''

Under Mosley, the glaring inconsistencies of disciplinary measures brought accusations of FIA favoritism.

Renault this year received only a suspended two-year ban for ordering one of its drivers to crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help his teammate win the race. The driver, Nelson Piquet Jr., received immunity for his testimony while team principal Flavio Briatore - one of those who sought to oust Mosley - was banned from the sport indefinitely.

Renault was also let off without penalty in 2007 following a spying scandal, while McLaren received a record $100 million fine. McLaren then received only a suspended race ban for lying to stewards this year, after team boss Ron Dennis stepped aside.

``You have to put this in the context of inconsistencies in the way in which the FIA has treated breaches of the regulations over the years,'' former F1 champion Damon Hill said. ``Is it just a very expensive form of entertainment or a proper sport? There is a whole book on what's wrong with Formula One.''

Mosley denied the controversies were an indictment on how the sport is managed.

``Despite the inevitable controversies ... it continues to be one of the world's great sporting contests and a testament to the work of the FIA team,'' Mosley said.

But fighting so many battles maybe took its toll, perhaps more so after Mosley lost one of his sons to a drug overdose earlier this year.

``Some days I wake up thinking 'Do I really care about spending all day long trying to solve other peoples' problems, in effect stop people going bust while allowing them to make money, in return for which I get roundly abused?' Do I really want to do this?''

By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Auto Racing Writer

Montoya sets precedent with Gordon at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) -Juan Pablo Montoya had had it with Jeff Gordon, and when he felt Gordon began crowding him in the turns on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, he got physical. And he made no apologies afterward.

``It's just every time we've been around racing against him, he runs the hell out of me,'' Montoya said. ``He moved me out of the way before, and he was starting to do the same here today. I was running the outside of him, and every time he was just getting wider and wider.''

Montoya's car finished the race with several tired-sized black doughnuts on it.

``It got to a point, it's like, `Hey, I'm here and you're not going to push me around,' you know what I mean,'' Montoya said. ``If you give me room, I'll give you room.

``He wasn't giving me any, so I played the same game. Right at the end we ran together and he gave me some room and I gave him some room. I mean, you can do it.

``Sometimes you've got to set a precedent so people back off a little.''


Gordon had a different view of things, seeing Montoya as the instigator.

``He's an aggressive driver. We've seen it from him before,'' he said. ``I thought I did something to make him mad because I didn't understand why he was just driving into me for no reason. But hey, that is Martinsville. That is kind off the way he drives.''

As the race was winding down, they raced each other clean, both said.

``We're good,'' Montoya said. ``I talked to him afterwards.''

Montoya finished third, Gordon fifth.

---

MONTOYA AND GRIESE: Juan Pablo Montoya had said he didn't have much to say about ABC football announcer Bob Griese's ill-conceived comment about him on television Saturday.

But he couldn't resist given the chance to say something after Sunday's race.

During a promotion for ESPN's NASCAR coverage of the race Saturday, a graphic showing the top five drivers in the Chase for the championship was displayed, prompting this exchange:

``Where's Juan Pablo Montoya,'' announcer Chris Spielman asked.

``He's out getting a taco,'' Griese replied. He later apologized twice.

Montoya said he doesn't really care about what Griese said, but added with a grin: ``I could say I spent the last three hours eating tacos, but I was actually driving the car.''

---

DON'T ASK, PLEASE: The normally cool Jimmie Johnson is fed up with questions about how comfortable he is with his sizable points lead and only four more races to go.

``I think you guys can all figure it out,'' Johnson said. ``Talladega, there's no telling, and I feel good with the other tracks after that as long as we don't have any mechanicals.''

Later, he said the wild card is stuff he can't control, or foresee.

``The stuff we can control, I feel we're going to be great,'' he said. ``Four good tracks coming up for us. If we have no issues, I feel that we can race for this championship and things will turn out as we want. ... I'm tired of talking about all the what-ifs.''

---

CHASERS: Chase participants Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne had forgettable days.

Biffle went a lap down early in the race, rallied to even lead once when he stayed on the track while the leaders headed for pit road but then faded to finish 25th.

Biffle said having Saturday's practice rained out hurt his preparation.

``That happened in the spring, so that makes it tough,'' said Biffle, who started the day seventh, 268 points back. ``Someday when we get to test or practice here, we'll be all right.''

Kahne helped cause three cautions while getting bounced around and finished 32nd.

Each dropped one spot in the point standings, Biffle to eighth, Kahne to 11th.

--

CLOCK WORK: The grandfather clocks that Martinsville Speedway has been giving race winners in its premier series since 1964 will have an educational origin beginning in 2010.

The track is partnering with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and several area schools to have students design and produce the clocks as part of their curriculum.

Students from Halifax County High School in Virginia and Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsboro, N.C., who are involved with the Wood Product Design and Development Program, will work with other school systems and private sector businesses and companies in the process, learning business skills as they produce a concept for a clock and then the final product.

The first student-produced trophy clock will be presented next March.

By HANK KURZ Jr. AP Sports Writer

'FERRARI TO PAY-OFF RAIKKONEN'

Ferrari are reportedly set to dump Kimi Raikkonen at the end of this season, offering the Finn a massive pay-off to step aside for Fernando Alonso.

Rumours of Raikkonen's pending dismissal began last season when poor results and what appeared to be a lack of motivation on the 2007 World Champion's behalf grabbed headlines.

The speculation grew this year as the Finn competed in his debut World Rally Championship event, even revealing that rallying could be his future line of work when his current Ferrari deal expires at the end of 2010.

According to The Sun, a Formula One insider has revealed that the Scuderia are intent on dumping Raikkonen, offering him a massive pay-off.

'They say the Italian giants have told the 2007 World Champion he can have half the value of his 2010 contract - thought to be worth £25million - to end it one year early,' the tabloid has reported.

Should Raikkonen part ways with Ferrari at the end of the season it would pave the way for Alonso's arrival with the double World Champion believed to already have a contract for 2011.

Schumacher congratulates Brawn, consoles Vettel

There’s not much seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher doesn’t know about what it takes to win Formula One titles. And following the success of Brawn GP and Jenson Button in Brazil on Sunday, Schumacher has taken time out to pass on his good wishes as the team celebrate wrapping up the 2009 drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

The German was particularly keen to praise long-time friend - and Brawn GP team principal - Ross Brawn. Alongside Brawn, Schumacher won back-to-back drivers’ championships in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton. The pair later reunited at Ferrari and together clinched successive constructors’ titles from 1999 to 2004, and a run of five consecutive driver crowns for Schumacher from 2000.

“Congratulations to Jenson and Ross and the whole team - what they managed to achieve this year has my full respect,” said Schumacher on his official website. “If you only look at what they have been through you realize what an incredible story this is: just one year ago they did think everything was over. I am extremely happy for Ross who I’ve known for such a long time now. He deserves this success.”

The 40 year-old also advised fellow German driver Sebastian Vettel not to feel too downhearted about missing out on the title this year, but to instead take pleasure from his achievements. Vettel was still in the running for the drivers’ crown ahead of the Brazilian race, but his fourth-place finish at Interlagos ended his hopes.

“What a pity obviously for Sebastian, but he still has a lot of time,” concluded Schumacher. “He had a fantastic season and showed that he has everything to become world champion. He must not forget that with all the disappointment now. Of course he will see that differently at the moment and will need some days to digest this weekend. But I am sure we will see a lot of good stuff from him in the future."

F1: Red Bull Confirms Webber For 2010

RED BULL RACING has confirmed it will retain Mark Webber for next season after rumours emerged linking Kimi Raikkonen with the Australian’s seat at the team.

With Raikkonen suitors McLaren and Toyota reportedly baulking at the Finn’s astronomical pay demands, Red Bull emerged as potential contender to snare the former World Champion.
Red Bull was believed to be considering pitching for Raikkonen as a result of the team’s frustration with Webber’s continued loyalty to disgraced former Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore.

However, team boss Christian Horner has moved to quash the speculation, denying Red Bull was interested and confirming Webber will remain with the team next season.

“That’s a rumour that does not exist within our team,” he said. “We all know where we stand with Mark next year, and he does too.

“He’s a great team player, we’re very happy with his performance, so there is no doubt that Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber will be our race drivers next year.”



Webber’s storming victory in Brazil was largely overlooked in the aftermath of Jenson Button’s championship triumph, but Horner said Red Bull hadn’t ignored the 33-year-old’s stellar display despite the disappointment of Vettel missing out on the driver’s crown.

He said: “A great race, unfortunately the championship came to a close, but Mark drove a sensational race - he was totally dominant. I was really pleased with his performance.”

As McLaren and Ferrari are expected to re-emerge next season as the dominant forces in Formula 1, it has been suggested Red Bull and Brawn GP may struggle to remain in the championship fight.

But with Adrian Newey in charge of development, Horner believes Red Bull is capable of remaining at the front of the pack.

“I don’t see any reason why we won’t be able to build on the continuity and success that we have enjoyed this year, but for sure we have got some formidable opponents,” he said.

“We must remember that we are still an independent team and I think the team can be very proud of what it has achieved this year. As I said, we will only get stronger as a group going into next year.”

Raikkonen 'too dear' for Toyota

Toyota Team President John Howett admits that Kimi Raikkonen is unlikely to join the team because the driver is asking for too much money.

Having admitted to approaching the Finn with what they believed to be a "serious offer in the current market", Howett seems resigned to missing out on the former World Champion's service unless he drops his wage demands significantly.

"He gave us back a figure that is much too high," the Briton told Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

"He says he has two options, so we are going to wait," he added.

It is believed that Raikkonen is also in talks with McLaren, the team he spent five years with before joining Ferrari. It is reported that the 30-year-old is requesting 25 million Euros to secure his services.

'Chinese Democracy' world tour dates

Guns N' Roses are set to play a string of tour dates in Canada which are due to take place at the start of next year.

The shows have been billed as part of the 'Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy World Tour'. Gigs in Asia have also been rumoured, with shows in Taiwan (Dec 11), Seoul (13), Osaka (16) and Tokyo (19) reportedly on the cards, reports Rolling Stone.

Guns N' Roses will reportedly play:

Winnipeg MTS Centre (Jan 13)
Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome (16)
Edmonton Rexall Place (17)
Saskatoon Credit Union Centre (19)
Regina Brandt Centre (20)
Hamilton Copps Coliseum (24)
London John Labatt Centre (25)
Montreal Bell Centre (27)
Toronto Air Canada Centre (28)
Ottawa Scotiabank Place (31)
Quebec City Colisee Pepsi (Feb 1)
Moncton Coliseum (3)
Halifax Metro Centre (4)

Singer blames venue for Roses riot!

Gun N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose has blamed a venue in Vancouver, Canada for the concert riot that led to damage estimated at $100,000 (£42,500) on Thursday night.

Disgruntled fans used planters, steel barricades and concrete rubbish bins to smash glass doors at the city's General Motors Place when the concert - the first on the North American leg of the band's Chinese Democracy tour - was cancelled minutes before it was due to start.


Police arrested 12 rioters and are still seeking other ringleaders.

Around 8,000 fans had arrived to watch the band, without knowing that Rose was still hours away, stuck in Los Angeles.


Cancelled


With his backing group warming up but no sign of the lead singer, venue staff announced the show's cancellation.

GM Place general manager Harvey Jones said the decision to cancel this show was made only when it was recognised the band could not take to the stage at a reasonable time.

Rose says he only learned about the cancellation when he was on the plane heading to Vancouver.

In a weekend interview with Seattle rock radio station KISW, Rose said the band was able to play and the decision to cancel was made solely by the venue manager without telling anybody.

Some fans - many of whom remembered the band cancelling a Vancouver show in 1992 - began to riot after the last-minute announcement.

'Riot'

Doors and windows around the venue were attacked before more than 120 police officers arrived on the scene.

Some rioters were involved in pitched battles with police, and concrete blocks were dropped on some officers from a nearby overpass.

While no fans were reported injured, several police received cuts and bruises.

"At 7:35, it was a crowd milling about. At 7:36, it was a full-blown riot," said Vancouver Deputy Chief Constable Gary Greer.

Rose said his band is looking at possible legal action against the venue.

"We were going to play a show and the plug got pulled on us. We don't really know what happened," he told KISW listeners.

Technical difficulties hit Guns N' Roses' next show at Tacoma, Washington State on Friday night, which Rose did make it on time to.

Reports said the sound system was so distorted Rose strained his voice trying to make himself heard.

By John Lee
In Vancouver

Apple's Magic Mouse

It began with iPhone. Then came iPod touch. Then MacBook Pro. Intuitive, smart, dynamic. Multi-Touch technology introduced a remarkably better way to interact with your portable devices — all using gestures. Now we’ve reached another milestone by bringing gestures to the desktop with a mouse that’s unlike anything ever before. It's called Magic Mouse. It's the world's first Multi-Touch mouse. And while it comes standard with every new iMac, you can also add it to any Bluetooth-enabled Mac for a Multi-Touch makeover.

Seamless Multi-Touch Surface

Magic Mouse — with its low-profile design and seamless top shell — is so sleek and dramatically different, it brings a whole new feel to the way you get around on your Mac. You can’t help but marvel at its smooth, buttonless appearance. Then you touch it and instantly appreciate how good it feels in your hand. But it’s when you start using Magic Mouse that everything comes together.



The Multi-Touch area covers the top surface of Magic Mouse, and the mouse itself is the button. Scroll in any direction with one finger, swipe through web pages and photos with two, and click and double-click anywhere. Inside Magic Mouse is a chip that tells it exactly what you want to do. Which means Magic Mouse won’t confuse a scroll with a swipe. It even knows when you’re just resting your hand on it.

Laser-Tracking Engine



Magic Mouse uses powerful laser tracking that’s far more sensitive and responsive on more surfaces than traditional optical tracking. That means it tracks with precision on nearly every surface — whether it’s a table at your favorite cafe or the desk in your home office — without the need for a mousepad.

there’s no wire or separate adapter to worry about. Pair Magic Mouse with your Bluetooth-enabled Mac and enjoy a reliable and secure connection up to 33 feet away. When you combine Magic Mouse with the Apple Wireless Keyboard, you create a workspace free of annoying cables.

And because Magic Mouse is wireless, it can venture beyond the confines of your desk. A quick flick of the on/off switch helps conserve battery power while Magic Mouse is tucked in your bag. Even when it’s on, Magic Mouse manages power efficiently, by detecting periods of inactivity automatically.

Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action

On November 10, 2009, Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 will strike worldwide. The most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse.

Game Features:

Epic single-player campaign picks up immediately following the thrilling events from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The definitive multiplayer experience returns, with a host of new perks and enhancements.

New cooperative SpecOps mode, the perfect combination of Modern Warfare's single-player intensity and the addictive replayability of its multiplayer.

IGN and Eurogamer have posted their hands-on previews of MW2.

Eurogamer: "With Elimination, shooting exactly 40 Russian terrorists dead is the order of the day, in a game mode that randomises spawns and pacing, and pads out the regular grunts you'll be taking down with a range of special classes, including Ghillie-suited snipers who will try and keep their distance unless successfully flanked."

IGN: "Special Ops mode is no pushover either. Rivaling the size of the single-player campaign, Special Ops has specific scenarios and set pieces built specifically for that mode. The Juggernaut, a new "heavy" unit that comes out to the sound of a beating drum much like Left 4 Dead's tank unit, is exclusive to just Spec Ops mode. In addition, a second player can jump into the game at any time, but there are also two player exclusive levels as well, which require a second player."

More MW2 information has also been revealed by Robert Bowling:

■The spawning system has been improved to prevent spawns in danger, in front of enemies, etc.
■Some new videos will be released before the game ships.
■There are single shot rifles that start with just iron sights, but there are more unlockable attachments.
■Mines won't be featured in multiplayer.
■Mounted MG’s still remain on certain maps.
■Infinity Ward is working on some Xbox avatar clothes.
■In Special Ops, there will be secret war rooms in certain missions where you can swap out/reload weapons.
■You can't customize your multiplayer character model, because it's determined by the classes’ loadout.


Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Bundle Revealed

Microsoft and Infinity Ward have just announced the new Modern Warfare 2-themed Xbox 360 console bundle in Los Angeles. The bundle comes with a somewhat reasonable $399 price tag, which includes the brand new 250GB hard drive, themed console, Modern Warfare 2 (duh), two wireless controllers and everything else that comes with the normal Xbox 360 SKU.

If you are interested in pre-ordering it, check out Amazon.com.

Meteor Shower Peaks Overnight

The Orionid meteor shower is expected to put on a good show tonight into the predawn hours Wednesday, weather permitting.

"Flakes of comet dust hitting the atmosphere should give us dozens of meteors per hour," said Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.
People in cities and suburbs will see far fewer meteors, because all but the brightest of them will be overpowered by light pollution. The best view will be from rural areas (the moon will not be a factor, so dark skies will make for ideal viewing).

When and how to watch

The best time to watch will be between 1 a.m. and dawn local time Wednesday morning, regardless of your location. That's when the patch of Earth you are standing on is barreling headlong into space on Earth's orbital track, and meteors get scooped up like bugs on a windshield.

Peak activity, when Earth wades into the densest part of the debris, is expected around 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT).

Richard Castle's 'Heat Wave' novel: Not bad!

Heat Wave, the book crime author Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) has been writing on ABC’s Castle, has begun to roll out on ABC.com, and though I’m still not sure I’ll be buying it when it’s released in print on Sept. 29, I am eagerly awaiting the second chapter tease.

In Heat Wave, Pulitzer Prize-winning magazine journalist Jameson Rook researches an article on New York’s Finest by tailing homicide detective Nikki Heat as she investigates the murder of a real estate mogul. The first chapter finds a reference to Heat having sat in “The Loss Chair” herself (a nod to Castle’s Det. Kate Beckett having lost her mother to a homicide) and to her love of animated movies (so I guess Castle is taking inspiration from elsewhere, unless I missed an episode).

What I find the most fun — besides looking for snippets of dialogue we heard in Season 1 — is reading how Castle plays up the sexual tension between Heat and Rook: “They turned to face each other, and she was a little startled by his proximity but didn’t pull back. Nose-to-nose with him in the heat, she held his gaze and watched the dance of reflected sunlight playing off his eyes. And then she blinked. Oh s—, she thought, what was that? I can’t be attracted to this guy. No way.” Castle creator Andrew Marlowe says specific page numbers will be referenced on the show in Season 2, I suspect that will be one of them.

As for who is the real author of Heat Wave, Marlowe insists there’s no mystery: “Richard Castle. The roguishly handsome best-selling author of the Derek Storm mystery series. He’s charming. He’s a good writer. And I don’t know why you’re trying to take credit away from him. The guy worked hard on it.” As hard as he’s working on solving a murder in the Hamptons via his Twitter page no doubt.

by Mandi Bierly

Mitsubishi Evo Going Hybrid?

Britain’s Autocar magazine says Mitsubishi may use the "Concept PX-MiEV" drivetrain in the upcoming Lancer Evo XI. This will be great news for the tuner crowd, a group that has long adored the Evo series.

The drivetrain in the Concept PX features a pair of 81-horsepower electric motors driving the front and rear wheels. A conventional 1.6-liter gasoline engine producing 114 horsepower provides additional power to the front wheels, and it also serves as a generator for the lithium-ion battery. Tuning the system to boost performance could be as easy as flipping a switch since the AWD system is fully electric.

Car & Driver says the PX is good for 117 mpg.

There’s another reason to believe we’ll see such a system in the next-gen Evo: the electric motors in the Concept PX uses Mitsubishi’s Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) active yaw control all-wheel drive system. It’s an off-the-shelf unit taken directly from the current Evo.

Autocar says Mitsubishi hopes to have the plug-in technology on the market by 2013 and cites unnamed “company insiders” saying it could be directed at the next-gen Evo. Should such a car appear, it would go a long way toward making eco-friendlier cars that are a blast to drive. Building hybrids that are as fun as they are efficient is a sure way to make them popular with consumers.

Porsche Panamera

Porsche says that the Panamera is 76 inches in width, making it an especially wide sedan. A Mercedes-Benz S-Class, by comparison, is less than 74 inches wide. The Panamera measures 55.8 inches in height and 195.7 inches in length. This makes for a roomy interior, especially for just four passengers. The cabin is complete with 18-way adjustable front seats, and 8-way adjustable rear seats.

The entry-level powerplant will be Volkswagen's 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower. The 'S' model will deliver 400 hp from a 4.8-liter V8, and the Turbo variant will offer an estimated 500 horses. The Panamera S will start at $89,000, while the all-wheel-drive 4S will cost $93,800. The Turbo will ring in at $132,600, which is slightly more than a Cayenne Turbo. U.S. sales are to begin in October.



The rear-wheel drive Panamera S can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 175 mph. The Panamera 4S can hit 60 in 4.8 seconds and achieves the same top speed. The all-wheel drive Panamera Turbo sets a zero to 60 time of 4 seconds flat and a top track speed of 188 mph.

All models are equipped with Porsche's new PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Porsche is also planning a hybrid variant of the Panamera, though the automaker failed to disclose any further details. The turbocharged version will come standard with all-wheel-drive. Rear-wheel-drive will be standard otherwise with four-wheel propulsion a line-wide option.

Guns 'N Roses Tour News Expected On Monday

According to Internet rumours and several newspapers, elusive rockers Guns N' Roses and concert promoters are expected to make a tour announcement on Monday (Oct. 19) involving the long awaited Chinese Democracy tour. All rumours are pointing to a Canadian tour.

Asian concert promoters have already confirmed that Guns N' Roses will perform a mini-tour of Asia later this year. The gigs will be their first shows in support of last year's Chinese Democracy. Universal Music Japan confirmed two of the dates, while advertisements for two additional stops have reportedly appeared in the confirmed cities.

The tour begins in Taiwan on Dec. 11 with stops in South Korea and Japan. The four-date trek will conclude with two stadium dates in Japan, including a Dec. 19 date at the Tokyo Dome. The Japanese shows go on sale Oct. 3. The shows will be the band's first gigs since they last performed in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

Guns N' Roses' Asian tour dates:

Dec. 11 Taipei, Taiwan @ Taipei County Stadium
Dec. 13 Seoul, South Korea @ Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium
Dec. 16 Osaka, Japan @ Osaka Dome
Dec. 19 Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Dome

Jenson Button. World Champion.

Jenson Button completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of sport last night by becoming Formula One world champion after a thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix.

Just 11 months ago Button, 29, was out of a job and facing the prospect of never driving in Formula One again after Honda quit the sport. The team was rescued by Ross Brawn, who asked Button to stay to lead the revival. Brawn produced a spectacularly fast car and Button won six of the first seven races. He has led the world championship from the first race of the season and yesterday only had to keep Rubens Barrichello, his team-mate, in his sights to make sure of the championship with one race still to run in a fortnight in Abu Dhabi.


Q. Can you describe your emotions?

Jenson Button: It feels like I’m still racing. It has been flat out since I have got out the car, it is more of a relief. You feel ecstatic, all the bad memories and the good memories go through your mind, not just from this year but previous years in the sport. Especially this year you know, such a great start to the season, then the last races pretty stressful for me because pace was there, but for whatever problem in qualifying we struggled. It made it very difficult for me, bit just because mentally that hurts when you can’t get the best out of the car, but also I read too many papers and magazines and there were some negative comments. It’s tough when you are a driver and you know that you are at the top of your game, but there has been a lot of good stuff written about us this year and so there should be.

This was my best race I’ve driven in my life, I know because of the emotion that’s involved in it, but also because I knew what I had to do - I did it, and that is why I am sat up here as world champion. I am going to enjoy this moment very much. The people around me have been so supportive. I might have come across like I don’t care about this in the past, but that was just me keeping a face. It shows a weakness if you show it is hurting or stressful, but I can say it now, it was very a tough few months and I needed the people around me, especially the team to fight for this.



The race saw plenty of drama, including a massive shunt for Nakajima, who tried it on with Koboyashi only to lose his front wing and then go airborne into the wall at Turn 1 and a dangerous incident in the pitlane when Kovalainen drove out of his box with the fuel hose still attached. That petrol spewed out of the end and caused a fireball under Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari as the Iceman’s brakes ignited the vapour. Fortunately the Finn was not injured.

While Button drove to glory in fifth place, Barrichello endured another disappointing afternoon at his home track, where he has been dogged by bad luck. In his first stint he could not get far enough ahead of Mark Webber, the eventual race winner, in the Red Bull to stay ahead after his first stop and then, in the closing stages he had to pit after his car developed a puncture in its front left tyre. Thus Barrichello’s last chance at a world championship ground to a halt in the closing days of his seventeenth season in Formula One.

Results and final positions

Result
1, M Webber 1hr 32min 23.081sec (Aus, Red Bull Renault)
2, R Kubica at 7.626sec (Pol, BMW Sauber)
3, L Hamilton 18.944 (GB, McLaren Mercedes)
4, S Vettel 19.652 (Ger, Red Bull Renault)
5, J Button 29.005 (GB, Brawn GP Mercedes)

Leading positions Drivers
1, Button 89pts
2, Vettel 74
3, R Barrichello 72 (Br, Brawn GP Mercedes)
4, Webber 61.5
5, Hamilton 49

Constructors
1, Brawn GP Mercedes 161
2, Red Bull Renault 135.5
3, McLaren Mercedes 71
4, Ferrari 70
5, Toyota 54.5.