The Legendary Phil Hill, America's only born Formula One Champion, dies

Phil Hill, the only American-born F1 champion in history, who suffered from Parkinson's and a different degenerative neurological disorder, died at the Community Hospital of The Monterray Peninsula at 81 years old on Thursday, August 28, 2008.
Phillip Toll Hill Jr. was born into a middle-class family in Miami, Florida, on April 20, 1927, one of three children. His family moved to Santa Monica, California, and he later went on to study business administration at University of California from 1945 to 1947 before dropping out to pursue his growing love of motorsport.
Initially working as a mechanic and salesman in Los Angeles, Hill began competing in sportscar races in the U.S.
In 1955 he joined Ferrari's line-up at the Le Mans 24 Hours and went on to win the endurance classic three times in 1958, '61 and '62.
He made his Formula 1 debut in a Maserati 250F at the French Grand Prix shortly after his first Le Mans victory and was soon promoted to chief driver for Ferrari following the deaths of Luigi Musso and Peter Collins who died in separate accidents in 1958.
Hill spent the next four years at Ferrari, taking each of his three grand prix victories with the team (the first in 1960 at Monza)-two of which came in his 1961 championship-winning campaign.
In 1961, Phil Hill won the Formula One championship by a single point over his German teammate Count Wolfgang von Trips, who died in Ferrari's final race that season.
After leaving Ferrari in 1962, he spent two more seasons in the sport before retiring in 1964 with 48 starts, three victories, six pole positions and 16 podiums to his name.
He went on to establish America's leading vintage car restoration company, Hill & Vaughn with partner, Ken Vaughn in his native California after his retirement. He was later joined by Mario Andretti as an American to have won the F1 world championship, who remains the only U.S.-born winner.
Ferrari, the team with which he enjoyed so much success during his career, issued a statement paying tribute to Hill's achievements.
Its president Luca di Montezemolo said: "I, as well as all employees of Ferrari are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Phil Hill, a man and a champion who gave so much to Ferrari and who has always greatly represented the company's values inside and outside the racing track.
"Phil Hill raced and won many competitions both with prototype cars, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, won three times each, as well as with F1 single seaters.
With our car, Phil won the Formula 1 Championship title in 1961 as the first American-born to reach this result.
"Phil and I have always kept in touch throughout the years and I know I will miss his passion and love for Ferrari very much.
"My deepest sympathies are with his wife Alma and son Derek in this sad moment."

Source: http://www.itv-f1.com/, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/, http://bleacherreport.com/

Stick shift option for Ferrari California

The Ferrari California is going to have available a manual gearbox. It not only will be able to hit 62 mph in less than four seconds from standstill, but the suspension has been honed by none other than seven-time world Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher. It features such track-friendly features as a tightened suspension and carbon-ceramic brake discs. The car will also get a set of lightweight wheels.
With a 4.3 liter V-8 (set in the front of the car, as opposed to being mid-mounted like many Ferraris) and developing 454 horsepower that drives the rear wheels, the California looks like it has plenty of go to back up the show. It should reach the dealers next spring.

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Videos and a problem with the Adsense ads

I'm sorry if I haven't been posting more, but I've been busy watching videos from Yaro Starak of Entrepreneurs-Journey.com and Kevin Wilke of Nitro Quattro.com gathering information about how to monetize my blog more. I found out by watching some videos by Yaro Starak that I can rent a server for Wordpress.org and it doesn't cost as much as I thought to buy besides a domain and hosting.
Last Tuesday I went to see my friend, the reference librarian as usual, because my blog was showing Public Service Ads instead of Google Adsense ads. He refreshed the page a few times and the Adsense ads showed up again.
The Adsense code was still in the HTML Source code of the blog because I checked it by going to 'View' of the toolbar at the top of the webpage of the blog, then 'Source'. I tried, "Switch to a different publisher ID," but that didn't work either when I went to 'Edit' of the Adsense ad of "Add and Arrange Page Elements." The problem was resolved though, that is all I care about.
There hasn't been much news lately that I've been interested in on Ferrari News from Google News Alert. It has primarily been about Formula 1 racing and auctions of old Ferraris.

Ferrari opens office in Dubai

Ferrari opens office in Dubai airport free zone.
"Sales have been in double digits in the last couple of years"-Fenech Premier Motors, the distributors of Ferrari in the Middle East region, announced the opening of their regional office recently to expand its business in the area.
"It is only natural to open a regional office in Dubai which is experiencing rapid economic growth along with the UAE and the entire Gulf region," said Mr. Edwin Fenech, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa of Ferrari. "Being at the Dubai Airport Free Zone, we can take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities and high quality of service which ranks amongst the best in the world. It is phenomenal and there is nothing like it."
Mr. Fenech added that the UAE is one of the most exciting markets for the international automobile industry and our sales have been in "double digits in the last couple of years."
He stated that although the Gulf countries account for less than one percent of the world's population, the market is especially important for luxury car makers" as this market generates demand for the most luxurious cars."
"Although there is a general economic downturn in most parts of the world, the Gulf economy is not affected and is in fact the beneficiary of soaring high oil prices. Oil prices and high per capita are helping to support our sales in the region. Customers in the Gulf wants the latest automobile models that often, they are delivered directly to customers after it arrives in the country without even reaching our showrooms."
Mr. Ibrahim Ahli, Director of marketing, Dubai Airport Free Zone, said, "We are quite pleased to have one of the world's leading automobile manufacturer Ferrari on board. We shall spare no effort to assure them of our support and back their growth strategy in every way," added Ahli.
"The obvious savings in time and the world class facilities and services that we offer are a boon to companies located at the Dubai Airport Free Zone," said Mr. Ahli.

Source: albawaba.com

Ferrari's first store in the United Kingdom

Ferrari is set to open its first UK store before the end of the year, on London's Regent Street.
Italy-based architect and design company Iosa Ghini is designing the interior of the new store, which will occupy over two floors. The pair have worked together since 1995.
A spokesperson for Iosa Ghini, Milena Mussi says, "There was no competition. Worldwide we have designed many other stores for them."
It will have two distinctive areas for the display and sale of the products, integrated to reflect the world of competitive sport.
The designers were required to address the dual focus of sport and private motoring in their design.
In the luxury area, glossy coatings, leather surfaces and attention to lighting will help display the projects.
It will stock the entire range of Prancing Horse products, aimed at Formula One fans, GT enthusiasts, children and collectors.
President and founder of the company Massimo Iosa Ghini is leading the project.

Source: designweek.co.uk

Two of Three Ferrari FXX Evolutions delivered to Hong Kong customers

Hong Kong, Aug. 11- China Premium Lifestyle Enterprise, Inc. today announced that Auto Italia Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of its 49%-owned entity Technorient Ltd., delivered two of only three FXX Evolution models to be built by Ferrari to Hong Kong customers during a handover ceremony in Fiorano, Italy, near the Italian car company's factory on Wednesday, July 23rd. The third car was presented to a European client.

Even though demand for the (approx.) US $2.8 million super-sports car from numerous Ferrari collectors around the world, Auto Italia Ltd. proved successful in its bid to have two of the three allocated to its customers. Both clients exceeded the strict criteria set by Ferrari for ownership of this addition to its limited series range.

The FXX Evolution is a more extreme development of Ferrari's track-based FXX (of which 30 examples exist), itself a derivative of its coveted Enzo (total production of 400). Powered by a hand-built 6.2 litre V12 motor producing 860 bhp, the FXX Evolution has been developed to enable the three fortunate owners to participate in a development program conceived by Ferrari to test new technology in its cars.

Chairman and CEO of China Premium Lifestyle Enterprise, Ltd., Mr. Richard Lee, said: "The fact that Auto Italia Ltd. proved successful in achieving an allocation of two of only three of these magnificent cars is testimony not only to the high esteem in which Ferrari holds our customers, but also the close relationship that we enjoy with the Company. Our Principals also fully recognize the importance of Hong Kong and thus China, and indeed the whole Asia region, and its ability to produce such devoted customers with the necessary financial strength to participate in such an exciting program."

China Premium Lifestyle Enterprise, Inc., has established itself as a leading Ferrari and Maserati importer, distributor and dealer in Hong Kong and dealer in China, having been affiliated with Ferrari and Maserati since 1992 and 1994 respectively. The Company is expanding its offerings to include other luxury brands and goods from around the world, which it markets to its already established base of wealthy Chinese individuals.

Source: money.cnn.com

Ferrari design firm CEO dies in Vespa crash

Andrea Pininfarina, 51, head of the famed company that designs Ferraris, Fiats and the Ford Focus, died in a collision while riding his Vespa motor scooter last Thursday at about 8:15 am in Trofarello near the northern city of Turin, Italy said police official Luigi Semenzato. A company spokeswoman declined to give details.

Andrea was the third generation to run Pininfarina SpA, founded in 1930 by his grandfather Battista "Pinin" Farina, which is a car body design company that became known for some of the most iconic automobile body shells not only in Italy, but throughout the world.

His father, Sergio Pininfarina, is a senator in the Italian parliament.

"I'm deeply saddened," Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in an emailed statement. Italy " loses a leading personality of the country's industrial life and the representative of a dynasty that did so much for the made-in-Italy brand around the world."

Fiat and Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo praised his business acumen.

Mr. di Montezemolo said: "Italy, Turin and the entire Fiat group have lost a symbol of entrepreneurship, a man who carried on, and introduced innovations to, the work of his grandfather Pinin and his father Sergio."

Andrea Pininfarina was married to Cristina Maddalena Pellion di Persano. She and their three children survive him. His father, Sergio, is still honorary chairman of the company.

Source: theaustralian.news.com.au, bloomberg.com, news.scotsman.com

Business Ventures

I understand that I may be confusing when I talk other than about Ferraris, but I want to write about things that are happening to me also when I'm making the blog. I'll try to keep to the subject of Ferraris.
I stopped using BeBiz, a fully-automated Internet business creating software, from the Internet Marketing Center on July 11, 2008 because I couldn't afford the membership no more and it was taking too long to create a website by using the software. It is the best I've seen for a comprehensive software package though.
I was also a student working in the Success Team Program in the John Beck's Free and Clear course for six coaching sessions and I was taught by a coach. I started on May 21, 2008 to July 11, 2008. I discontinued because it took too long to get a return and I am on a budget where I can't keep investing waiting to make a profit.
Right now I'm concentrating all my attention on the Ferrari blog and learning as much as possible about blogging and Ferraris.
Take care and I wish you a great day.

Google image search, Wordpress and Google Analytics

I got help from my friend that is a reference librarian again last Saturday on how to download an image from Google image search correctly. I have to rename the image because it is a long row of numbers otherwise when I download an image, instead of the way with a webpage that I was doing before. I wasn't having problems before when I first started out downloading webpages using, " save target as" when I right clicked to download to my desktop. Now though I use, "save picture as" to do that.
I found out that if I want to make more money, I need a blog with not only Google Adsense on Blogger.com, but more like Wordpress.org with more than one type of ads. I need Wordpress.org and not Wordpress.com because Wordpress.com doesn't allow you really to put ads on that blog platform. I found out about this from Problogger.net. I need to get my own domain and server which right now I can't afford yet.
I was trying to activate Google Analytics after I created the code earlier this week, but was having problems again so I contacted my friend who I met once more yesterday to help me. As always, he solved my problem.
Take care and I wish you a good day.

Custom Ferrari F430 spotted

Last week's sighting of a mysterious Ferrari photographed running development laps around the Fiorano test track at Maranello, Italy was apparently a modified F430 which is from Ferrari's recently announced coachbuilding service. It was at first suggested that it was the successor to the present model.
Ferrari has a strict rule to keeping undercover design details secret. It was a surprise then to a photographer to find that the car was completely undisguised being driven also around the factory boundaries. It is not to be confused with the latest prototype which remains covered in thick dark plastic. This car bears closely the signature of the Italian design house Fioravanti, a company now celebrating its 20th anniversary. It's the latest coachbuilding program started by Ferrari with official rights being extended to a handful of companies to produce the likes of Pininfarina's P4/5, Giugiaro's GG50 and Zagato's 575 GTZ.
This program is estimated to cost $3.1 million-but you get to use the F430, 612 Scaglietti or Enzo as a starting point. Ferrari says cutomers cannot change certain things, such as the drivetrain, front windshield and the fundamental crumple zone structure. In this case, the lighting units from the original F430 have been retained.
The back takes circular lights from the Ferrari 599, which have been installed on either side of the mesh cooling grille. Shallow flying buttresses are also evident, an obvious Pininfarina styling element. The front is a mildly re-sculpted front end of the base F430 and there is considerable use of carbon fiber-it's on the side skirts, mirrors, roof and lower front spoiler. Large vents are placed in the rear-wheel arches, possibly for performance.
The supercar is thought to be destined for an Asian collector.

Source: leftlanenews.com, autoweek.com, and autoblog.com

Schumacher mistakenly accused of crashing a Ferrari

Ferrari is adamant about denying claims that the 39-year-old F1 champ Michael Schumacher crashed a 430 Scuderia prototype on the Nordschleife circuit at Nurburgring last week, saying their test driver was responsible for the unexpected guardrail collision during a private high speed run under damp conditions.

As reported by F1-Live, Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni stated factory driver Raffaele de Simone was driving the test car while the seven time F1 champion sat shotgun when it crashed.

"It is normal that test drivers swap seats to compare opinions," Colajanni stated to the German publication Bild. In a report published by the newspaper, eyewitnesses maintain their claims to see Schumacher to be the one who crashed the car. Prior to the crash run, Michael was reportedly spotted giving his young son a ride in the car. Neither one were wearing a helmet supposedly.

As reported by F1-Live, Schumacher was suspected to be running upwards of 250km/h (155mph) in the prototype at the closed track test session. Luckily, the former racer turned Ferrari roadcar tester walked away unharmed.

"Michael called me and said 'We have crashed the car, but are going to continue with another one'," Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm stated to F1-Live.

I wish I had a better picture of Michael Schumacher, but I get my images from Google image search and I don't want to break some copyright law from copying a picture from another website. I would like a large portrait to show him.

Source: F1-Live.com, motortrend.com, and wheels 24.co.za