Entries categorized as ‘F1’
Dunedin firm wins Formula One bid
March 31, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Source: drivesouth.co.nz
Dunedin computer graphics company Animation Research Ltd has taken the chequered flag in a race to win a contract to provide graphics for this year’s Formula One series for the BBC.
The contract is a coup for the company, as it hooks up with what managing director Ian Taylor called “a major, major event”.
“To be delivering this from Dunedin, let alone New Zealand . . . it’s a big deal,” he said.
Staff had been working 16- to 18-hour days to put together a graphics package for Sunday’s Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and yesterday, Mr Taylor proudly showed off the fruits of their labour.
That included a detailed 3-D depiction of the Melbourne track and, as the series progressed, it was hoped data from the vehicles would be used for graphics showing lines the drivers took; where they accelerated; braked; their speed; gear choices, and the G-forces they had to deal with.
As well, commentators would be able to “drive” the virtual cars during analysis before or after race coverage, choosing the lines they would take into corners, and how they might have dealt with crashes.
The contract had stretched the limits of the company, as it worked to “build” 17 virtual tracks, as well as all the vehicles involved, their drivers, and had a level of detail down to bumps on the track.
“We said the time-frame could not be done; they said that’s not an option.
“In the end, if they say they want it done, it’s got to be done.
“Our job was to put everything we could into it to get it done on time.”
Mr Taylor said the company heard the good news just before Christmas and seven staff had worked “flat out” since then.
Once Melbourne had been completed, staff would begin work on Kuala Lumpur, then the rest of the tracks used in the series.
Staff members were already overseas photographing the tracks.
The detail was important, from showing reflections on water to getting the track measured to the millimetre.
He said he was unable to disclose the cost of the contract, but its success had hinged on personal relationships he had forged with members of the McLaren racing team.
McLaren had recommended the company for the job, and data it was providing had proved invaluable in completing it. – David Loughrey
Motorsport: F1 street race for Rome?
January 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
ROME – A Roman industrialist has presented a plan to host a Formula One race in the Italian capital starting in 2011.
Maurizio Flammini, one of the inventors of the Superbike motorcycling division, presented his plan to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone at Ferrari’s annual winter retreat in Madonna di Campiglio earlier this month and Ecclestone was receptive to the idea, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
The race would be run on a city circuit in the EUR section of the city built by Benito Mussolini in the 1930s.
Flammini already made an attempt to bring an F1 race to Rome in 1984, but the bid fell apart.
The Italian Grand Prix is held each September in Monza. There used to be two races held in Italy each year, but the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola hasn’t been contested since 2006.
Organising an F1 race in Rome would cost 100-150 million ($130-$200 million), according to the Gazzetta.
Source: NZ Herald
