Seasons Greetings Sports Fans

Hi guys, just a quick one here:
Noticeably it's gone a hit quiet on TracksideOffside over the past week or so. This, as im sure is apparent, is because A)There's minimal Sport activity, B) Durr, it's Christmas, and C) well okay, there's probably not a third reason.
Anyway, just a quick post to assure readers of the blog that come 2013, normal service shall be resumed, and in anyway possible improved. I have a few plans and ideas in the pipeline, but any feedback, guest writers, or just general tips are as always, appreciated!
In the meantime, check out my recent series of my top 10 2012 Sporting Memories.
Im going abroad for a week or so now as of tomorrow (Don't be mad, please), so hoping you've all had a fantastic Christmas and wishing you all a Happy New Year !

2012 Sporting Memories: BBC SPOTY 2012

Seasons greetings guys,

For my tenth and final edition of 2012 Sporting Memories, I have chosen a memory that not only stands out for me over the past year, but one that will stay with me forever. In an numerically ideal kind of sense, it's this memory in question that is my favourite of the ten I have documented.
As with every year in recent history, the sporting year is celebrated by the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony; an awards show that recognises the British  and to a lesser extent foreign sporting-exploits over the past twelve months. Luckily, in 2012, I was offered the opportunity to help out with rehearsals for the show, an opportunity which a seized and relished like no other.
Having spent the night in a Travelodge, I made my way to the London ExCeL Arena on a brisk Saturday morning in December, still fighting-off a severe bout of tiredness throughout my walk. I hardly a perked up when I did eventually arrive, with a health & safety briefing hardly helping my situation. To be honest, the excitement hadn't quite yet kicked in.
It didn't take long though. Before long I was issued with my own 'access all areas' type pass-card, stating my name and role as a 'Contractor'. Very professional. My road to excitement soon reached fever-pitch soon after, as I walked into the SPOTY arena for the first time, an arena that come Sunday at 7:30 pm, would hold 16,000 live audience members and be entertaining BBC One's viewers at prime time.
It soon became apparent that my role as a volunteer would be crucial to the shows rehearsal. Michael Jackson (snigger now, and get over it) as lead Floor Manager explained that I would be representing the identity of certain sporting athletes that would be present during the actual show. This was in order to allow the cameramen, visual-mixers, sound and floor manager themselves, to create a real-sense of how the ceremony would pan out, and fine-tune every single last detail to proceedings. For example, 760 camera shots were planned for SPOTY 2012, with every single one needing to be practised.
Throughout the weekend, I was issued with the task of 'being' some biggest sporting stars of 2012 and, well ever. For example, Christian Horner, Boris Becker, David Brailsford, Mo Farah, and the man himself, Bradley Wiggins. It's these last two names that required the most effort and thought, with both having to take to the stage at one point and deliver speeches, thoughts, answers, and the occasional joke. No joke.
Im not going to lie, it was scary. With 60+ cameras looking you in the eye, it's hard to think of intelligent things to say, especially in the case of the 'winning' the main SPOTY award during rehearsals, with the persona of Wiggins... which was very much the case. Despite cracking the joke of: 'Ive won more Tours than Lance Armstrong', I doubt I got anywhere near the levels of excellence that Wiggo excelled to himself on Sunday evening.
The highlights? Standing on stage, being interviews by Gary Lineker and Sue Barker, whilst chatting away to David Beckham. Absolutely, surreal. It's still not sunk in, and I doubt it ever will! Regarding 'surreal', standing on stage with a performing Emeli Sande a matter of meters away, was also off-the-scale.
Come show-time, I'd spent nigh on 20 hours as part of rehearsals, and seen the Awards performed no less than five times! Despite this, the show was an absolute treat, and a privilege to have been a part of, especially in 2012. Our Olympic year.
I'll gloss over the shows' after-party details and leave this post with the notion that having suffered minimal sleep, endless hours of rehearsals, and the horror of London's transport and food pricing, it was one of the best weekends I've ever had. Im sure to take the experience I gained and the insight into the operation-required to pull such a show off, into the rest of my life. A great way to round 2012 off, a year that has without hesitation been the finest in, Britain's, and Sport-in-general's,and my, lifetime.

That concludes my top ten 2012 Sporting Memories. Feel free to share your own favourite memories with me either on TracksideOffside or Twitter. Have a happy festive season readers!

2012 Sporting Memories: Brazilian Grand Prix

As my blog almost certainly shows, I am a huge fan of Motorsport. Most namely, I am a fan of Formula One, so it's without surprise that the 2012 season finale of what has been a phenomenal season, has managed to creep it's way into my top ten memories from 2012.
It's a rarity in recent years for a Formula One season to be decided at any time other than at the final race of the season, and 2012 was no exception. With Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso both vying for glory heading into the race, it was definetly a continental affair in the title race concerning Red Bull Racing and Ferrari's lead drivers.
However, as per, the Brit's were hardly down and out, with McLaren sticking their departing man Lewis Hamilton on pole heading into the race... hardly 'going quietly' was he. As for second place? Jenson Button. A man deprived of a win since the first race of the season in Australia...
On the grid Vettel found himself in an oddly-low fourth place, yet still four places ahead of title contender Alonso. As was the case for the entire season, the Spaniard was competing with Vettel et al in a evidentially under-developed car compared to Ferrari's rivals, and would seemingly have to dig deep and display his outstanding race-craft to overturn the deficit to the young-German. Oh, and run into some luck...
He did. With the race under way and the rain beginning to fall, Vettel soon found himself facing the wrong way, following a hefty clash with Bruno Senna. Alonso to be champion then? This is Vettel we're talking about; a man who which ever way you look at it, could find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in his sleep. Despite substantial damage to his Red Bull's exhaust cross-section, he was able to continue in hot-pursuit of climbing back up the order.
What followed that unbelievable first-lap was a truly breathtaking race. With the rain changing it's mind more than Grosjean changes front-wings, the teams on the pit-wall were engaged in tactical warfare; second-guessing the changing weather and chomping at the bit to see their drivers on the right tyres at the right time.
On track, and it was the McLaren-duo leading proceedings, switching positions occasionally and demonstrating just what a strong driver partnership McLaren have been blessed with for three years. Perhaps the strongest? I think so.
Nico Hulkenberg however, dropped by to spoil Hamilton's swansong. Having worked his way through the madness, the Force India found himself in combat for the lead of the race, all until he under-steered dramatically into the side of leader Hamilton,  leaving Lewis with imminent retirement and himself with a drive-through penalty, This left the rain-drenched path wide open for Button, to waltz through and stride to a comfortable win at Interlagos.
Strangely enough, the race winner was reasonably irelevent, with everyone's eyes on the two title contenders. A faultless driver from Alonso, for me the most complete driver in 2012, saw him clinch a fantastic second place in a poor machine, leaving it up to Vettel to finish seventh or higher in a truly battered car... which he duly did.
 Once again, the season finale had kicked up an absolute treat in Sao Paulo. Vettel took his third consecutive drivers title, McLaren finished the season with the quickest car, Caterham sealed 10th place in the championship and with it, a whole lot of money, crashes, penalties, rain, pain, overtaking , swansongs... you name it, it had it.

2012 Sporting Memories: Wiggo Mania

As the recent BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards showed, 2012 was a year for Britain. It was our year and our time. This was relevant to no-one more than Bradley Wiggins: Blighty's first Tour De France victor.
You'd have to walk, or ride, many miles to find a sceptical sports fan who'd describe Wiggins' win as anything less than popular, and even if you did, they'd probably be guilty of doping. Yes, 'Wiggo' continued the upwards trend of Cycling's appeal as a sport in 2012, by living up to his tag as favourite for the prestigious event, and leaving the field quite frankly for dead.
However, Wiggo's victory on the Tour had far bigger implications that merely bringing the title to Britain; for instance, had the Brit not sealed a memorable and popular victory, would Cycling's reputation be in tatters after the Lance Armstrong affair this year? Would, as confirmed today, the sport receive a 17.5% increase in funding for Rio 2016? Would we look back with greater regret on Team GB's failed Gold Medal attempt for success in the London 2012 Road Race? Would the 2013 Tour De France be launched in Yorkshire? The answer to all those questions I feel, is a straight no.
So, popular, important, but what else? Well more than anything, stunning. Bradley Wiggins, the Londoner, a man who upon first impressions is a typical 'bloke'; likes a pint, enjoys a pub-sense of humour, and isn't afraid to be himself and voice opinion. NOT, you'd presume, the worlds current greatest road cyclist. I for one, can look back on 2012 as the year Cycling (beyond Velodrome events) for me became a sport I genuinely began to follow, and I owe this thanks to watching Wiggins' rise to success in the Media and of course the Tour De France. That iconic moment witnessed on my TV, of Bradley Wiggins standing atop of the podium in Paris, is one im likely to never forget. 
To add to the amazement, Wiggo didn't simply take to an open-top bus to revel in his glory when he arrived back on home turf. Instead, he went out and monstered the cycling Time trial at London 2012, a matter of days after returning home from France! That gold medal in London now sits next to not only his Yellow Jersey, but the small total six gold medals won in previous Games'. He's not too bad on two wheels is he really...
The summer of 2012 then, saw Bradley Wiggins become one of the nations most cherished athletes. Following in the footsteps of Mark Cavendish, Wiggo picked up BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2012, and you really need look no further than the word 'personality' to see why. His frank, 'mod', comical, grounded and honest persona was for me, the key to his awe-inspiring year. A year that saw Bradley Wiggins lead the way in well and truly bringing Cycling, to the people.

2012 Sporting Memories: Chelsea in Europe

*First off, an apology; it may have been noticed that yesterday I didn't post one of my 2012 memories (cue gasp). My lame excuse? I simply didn't have time, and im dreadfully sorry, honest.*

Anyway lets dust myself off and state my seventh 2012 Sporting Memory of 2012. It's one that will linger in the mind for years to come, big and blue: Chelsea's UEFA Champions League title.
Stamford Bridge certainly wasn't a happy place early on in the tournament, with Andre Villas-Boas' team struggling to adapt the Portuguese gaffer's preference to 'beautiful', carpet-football, Barcalona-esque. Their struggle finally reached breaking point in their first leg final-16 tie against Napoli, with the Italians running out convincing 3-1 victors, leaving Chelsea in turmoil, and AVB's head rolling after a stuttering 6-month campaign at the helm.
And so, enter Roberto Di Matteo. A man who not only boasts a solid managerial record after spells at West Brom Albion and the MK Dons, but also an affinity with the Chelsea-faithful, after a prolific playing career at Stamford Bridge. It's a culmination of these two aspects to Di Matteo that vitalised Chelsea, and saw them waste no time in overturning a two-goal deficit to Napoli in the second-leg, to reach the Champions League Quarter-final; a feat almost unbelievable after such a turbulent season.
Having put Benfica to bed in the Quarter-Final round, The Revolution soldiered on into the Semi-Finals.  Their opposition? Barcalona. Just the name sends a shiver of disappointment down any awaiting teams spine, but despite this, Chelsea held out in the first-leg to ensure a goalless affair... or at least they would have had they not fielded a certain Didier Drogba, who put the home side ahead on the brink of half-time in the only goal of the match. This left it all to play for in the second-leg at the Nou Camp... John Terry sent off, a full-strength Barca side, a Messi penalty... All of these factors would surely equate to to an absolute riot in the home-sides favour, right? In a game that for me, matched the excitement of any Champions League match previous, Chelsea dug deep, defended admirably, held possession, and struck on the counter-attack without panic, to do the unthinkable and draw 2-2 courtesy of a Ramires wonder-goal and a calmly taken effort by under-fire striker, Fernando Torres. Two vital away goals, in a game that for me, remains the second finest football match of 2012.
...So what's the finest match of 2012 I hear you say? Surely it doesn't get bigger than defeating Barcalona on their turf? Oh it did. In a Champions League Final, with a severely weakened team absent of Terry, Ivanovic and Ramires, Di Matteo's transformed men faced  Bayern Munich, in Munich. Surrounded by Chelsea fans, I watched the game with my eyes firmly on stalks, heart in my mouth and an alcohol-solution the only antidote. Two late goals left the game in the balance going into extra-time, with Drogba's late headed effort the savour for the Blues in a 90 minutes that Bayern absolutely dominated.
Extra-time proved ineffective,  with neither team able to successfully unlock one-another, with tiredness, a degree of desperation, and conflict between ranks leaving the players, fans and management at their absolute wits-end.
With England watching with baited breath,  the shoot-out began, and distributed it's usual dose of pandemonium and mental-fraying, until two men rose to the fore: Petr Cech and Didier Drogba. The latter of which, calmly tucked away THAT penalty to the left of the goalmouth, in a shot that will be be remembered, savoured, and idolised as one of the greatest of all-time in club football history. As for Cech? He was the architect, saving two penalties from Sebastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben, to set the stage for Drogba to send Di Matteo's Chelsea F.C to Champions League stardom.
You'd be forgiven for titling Chelsea's Champions League victory a 'fairy-tale', but from my perspective, Stamford Bridge's hold on European football's most sought after trophy, is down to one man who stepped-in, took control, and restored order to such an extent that bought eventual success. Hats-off Roberto Di Matteo.

2012 Sporting Memories: Opening of the Games

Okay, first things first, this is going to be a short one. Im in a hotel for the night, minus a laptop. This means im left to text today's Sporting Memory. Oh fun.
So to the point now, and the Olympic Opening Ceremony. I don't think anyone who watched it can say that it was nothing less than amazing to the eye, with goosebumps to the skin. David Beckham on a speedboat, the Queen errr, 'parachuting' her way into the Olympic Stadium, NHS nurses bouncing on hospital beds... pretty memorable.
Okay, so the start was somewhat slow, with a portrayal of historic stages in Britain's illustrious history, proving somewhat odd and perhaps boring (dare I say?). But thankfully, it picked up, and soon became the brilliant, witty, bonkers 'Britain in a nutshell' we all anticipated and enjoyed.
The highlight? The music. A rendition of Come Together by the Arctic Monkeys, and a closing explosive serenade by The Who to name a few, but in truth the musical influence well and truly matched the visual masterpiece in the ceremony, and all but overshadowed the sport that would follow the Boyle-directed show. The sport, that would soon have it's time to shine, as we can now say, it did.
It friday night show that would deter even the most dedicated soap-opera fans from tuning into Eastenders. The London 2012 Opening Ceremony did more than open the Games and light the famous flame, but also ignited a passion of sport for a generation.

2012 Sporting Memories: Super Saturday

For anyone (everyone) who watched the London 2012 Olympics, it was a sporting event that defined a generation. One that will forever be credited as giving the nation the right to call 2012, 'our year'. At the heart of the event though, was one historic day that nigh on any British resident will remember above and beyond all.
Super Saturday will forever go down as one of Britain's finest sporting days in history. A day that yielded no less than six gold medals for Team GB, caused a million rapturous applauses and screams around the nation, and numerous BBC commentators to be dangerously close to exploding with elation. 
First off, it was Team GB's rowers doing us proud with gold in the men's four and the women's lightweight double sculls at Eton Dorney, of Great Britain's most prolific hunting grounds in terms of medals throughout the Olympics.
Speaking of prolific hunting grounds... the nations women's team pursuiters added a third gold of the day from the Velodrome, and doing so reinforcing the notion that Blighty is king in terms of cycling. 
The following three gold medals from that historic Saturday came from the Olympic stadium, and all within the space of just one hour! One hour that was spent by yours truly, aswell as im sure half the nation, sitting in the living room along with the rest of the household going quite frankly ballistic. 
First to christen the hour was Sheffield's golden girl Jessica Ennis, who was crowned Olympic Heptathlon  Champion after establishing  a landslide victory in front of her adoring fans. Fans that, not ten minutes later, had yet more success to go wild about, with Greg Rutherford claiming Gold for Team GB in the men's long jump, ahead of Australian competitor, Mitchell Watt. Pure, sporting ecstasy.
Surely, no more success? But wait... here comes Mo Farah, well and truly placing the golden cherry on top of the Olympic cake by winning the men's 10,000m race within the stadium, in front of 80,000 ecstatic supporters and millions of viewers watching through the Beeb. It wasn't 'just' a gold, but a gold won with Farah displaying a sense of determination and gritted teeth to claw his way through the field and to the front with one lap to go, a place he maintained with the backing of the nation and the heart of man clearly desperate for Olympic success.
Six medals, all gold, on summers Saturday in London. Thank you London 2012, and Saturday August 4th, 2012.

2012 Sporting Memories: Hooray & dismay for Murray at Wimbledon

For my fourth Sporting Memory from 2012, I had to get out my shovel and dig deep; way past all the Football, Motorsport, and Olympic memories, and right down to the depths of that pokey little tennis Championship held in London every year...

Yes, Wimbledon. In your average year, Wimbledon is one of the highlights on the sporting calendar, one of the few true blue ribboned events that the U.K and the world can look forward to. Despite London 2012 hanging over this years event, Wimbledon carried on this traditional reputation, and somewhat surpassed it, thanks to one man by the name of Andy Murray. 

Scotland's golden boy has been knocking on the door of a Wimbledon final for nigh on five years now, and in 2012, his persistence got him what he wanted, in a crack at the Wimbledon title. Just one man stood in Murray's way, in the form of a certain Roger Federer, who for me is the undisputed king of mens-singles Tennis in recent years, even more so than Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, of whom make up the sports 'big four'.

For many, including me, funnily enough it wasn't the final contest itself that stands out as a favourite memory from 2012, but instead the aftermath of the encounter. Having been quite frankly given a masterclass by one of the sports all-time greats, Murray failed to give his nation(s) the home-title they craved, one that has deprived Britain since Fred Perry's title at SW19 way back in 1936. 

But it's not the match we all remember, is it? I mean, who could forget the emotionally charged speech from Murray afterwards? Here we have Andy Murray, a man portrayed in the media and prejudiced to be a hard-nosed, emotionless, somewhat-grumpy and cold competitor. It's the runners-up speech in question on the 8th July 2012 that completely changed that. One that, both visually and through hearing, was one charged with pure heart and emotion, as he acknowledged fans, team and family alike, through a tear-jerked presentation on Centre Court. 

Needless to say that for myself watching at home, it was far from comfortable to watch, as I witnessed a man fighting through his critics and cynics against him to deliver to the world and more specifically Britain, a confession of love and passionate-drive for the sport, the competition, and all those behind him. The 2012 Wimbledon men's final won't be remembered for the final Murray lost, but for the final he made.

2012 Sporting Memories: THAT Aguero Goal

Okay, so for my third post in a 10-part series of 2012 sporting memories, I decided to stop beating about the bush and discuss the greatest goal in Premier League history. Greatest, not because of the finish, build-up play, individual brilliance or outright outrageousness, but because of the shockwave-causing implications it caused...
Sergio Aguero. Where do we even start. it's often said that you remember where you were when you heard a significant news story break... for any sports fan, this goal provokes the same statement. I was on the edge of my sofa, grinning like a goon at Jeff Sterling on Sky Sports News, as he neared inevitable explosion thanks to his animated excitement. With the Premier League in the balance at both ends of the table, all eyes were on the Etihad Stadium with title-challengers Manchester City facing QPR, a team battling for Premier League survival. Despite the two teams contrasting fortunes... they had some definitive similarities. In fact, its the word 'fortune' that causes the most significant similarity between them, with bibilically rich owners, high investment rates, and intense expectation resting on the the shoulders of both teams managers, Roberto Mancini and Mark Hughes.
Anyway, back to the point. That goal. Who could forget the scenes of desperation? City were drawing level with QPR, in stoppage time, and facing not the Premier League title, but that all to familiar title of 'Manchester's second best', with rivals United beating Sunderland and heading for another championship. BUT THEN; in it went. Sergio Aguero scores from close range to put City ahead, give City the title, and send every single City and neutral fan into absolute pandemonium. Through the thick, ugly, unpleasant smoke-screen of  'money in Football', came a goal that bought out scenes of pure passion and joy. A moment which when the net behind Paddy Kenny's goal was disturbed,  caused the most outrageous and joyous scenes ever witnessed in the Premier Leagues 20 seasons, and perhaps even the finest in world football as a whole.
I for one, was beyond words, laughing in disbelief! For one thing, I prefer United if im brutally honest! And for that, I came to a conclusion that day: If (here comes an idiotic statement) 'money bought the league', and caused such a climatic finish to it, then shake the sheikh's hand for doing so. That wasn't money, that was football, at it's finest.

2012 Sporting Memories: Austrailian Grand Prix

Okay, so I could hardly miss out the curtain-raising race in the 2012 Formula One season, could I? Well, I haven't, and more so, it helps that the race was an absolute peach.
The opening race of any Motorsport series is of course, riddled with excitement, but non-more so than the Australian Grand Prix, the spiritual home of the sports opening race weekend. The 2012 edition was certainly worthy of that title, with a whole host of factors going into the race gripping audiences, teams, fans and drivers alike, and creating a sense of tension and anxiety in and around F1 that can only really be matched by the final, and normally title deciding race of the season.
Even tuning into the event on your TV, was interesting enough in itself, with the BBC and Sky going head-to-head for the first time in terms of broadcasting. For me, I decided to ride the waves of change and go with Sky's all-new coverage. I wasn't disappointed.
Back to the on-track antics, and a soon established pecking order to came to the fore, with McLaren leading the way. Red Bull, without the blown-diffuser as banned for 2012, struggled with their contender early-doors, but nothing compared to Ferrari, who's pre-season testing fears were confirmed at the first race, with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa finding themselves over 2.5 seconds off of the pace in Qualifying. Drama already.
Race day itself, summoned millions of U.K viewers to set their alarms for early-Sunday morning, in preparation for lights-out down under. With McLaren front-row, the end result looked ominous.It wasn't. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton found himself in second behind teammate Jenson Button after a poor get away, but clear of the rest of the competing field. At this point... ENTER Sebastian Vettel, who despite a evidently under developed car, was in third. Introduce and timely safety car period and a fortunately timed pit stop for the German amd yes, you've got it, Vettel's rub of green got him ahead of Hamilton's McLaren and into second. Come the end of the race however, neither the Red Bull of McLaren driver could do nothing about the victorious Button.
Somehow, Alonso dragged his pig-of-a-car to a fourth place finish, and in doing so would set the tone for a number of staggering drives in a genuinely poor car, for the rest of the season.
With DRS and KERS providing a whole host of overtaking moves throughout the field, the race left Martin Brundle and David Croft breathless in the Sky Sports commentary box, and myself very much awake and smiling in the early hours of an early Sunday morning back in the U.K.
A great race, and one that stood out for me looking back on a year of sport in 2012. Roll on F1 2013.

2012 Sporting Memories: Autosport International Show

As with the start of every calendar year, the Autosport International Show gets the wheels in motion for the up and coming Motorsport season. Held at the the N.E.C in Birmingham, race-series from across the world are represented and displayed across the worlds biggest Motorsport exhibition, and 2012 was no exception.
With literally hundreds of Stands, cars, bikes, and entertainment features on offer, it's certainly one of my most fond memories from the year, with the chance to meet McLaren-Mercedes driver Jenson Button and F1 commentary god Martin Brundle, only adding to the pleasure of the day. 
One of the greatest aspects to the show, is the sheer diversity in Motorsport on show, with Touring Cars to Stock Cars, and the World Rally Championship to British Superbikes. But at the centre of the show, was the Autosport Central Stage, showcasing a whole host of infamous names both from inside and outside the cockpit, but all from the world of Motorsport. Such examples from 2012 stand as: F1 stars Anthony Davidson (pictured) & Paul Di Resta, Sportscar legend Allan McNish,  and double BTCC champion Matt Neal.
One of the greatest highlights for me in 2012, was the Lotus stand (pictured top-right), which showcased some of the companies finest examples of machinery from across it's international involvement in Motorsport, from race-prepared Lotus Exige's all the way up to the brands flagship machine, it's Formula One car.
Without intending to be a PR agent for the show... I'd genuinely recommend the 2013 ASI show to anyone with even the vaguest whiff of interest in sport. Any sport. I know first hand how it helps bring new fans in, thanks to members of my own family coming away from the show with a newly lit passion for Motorsport!
But back to the task in hand, and as a vivid memory from 2012, I can safely say that the 2012 Autosport International Show was one of my personal highlights from the past year of sport.

2012 Sporting Memories

With 2012 drawing quickly to a festive end, I figured it would be an ideal time to look back on a year of sport, that to whoever it may concern, has been truly outstanding. Starting as of tomorrow (Monday 10th December), I will be counting down my top 10 favourite sporting highlights from 2012, by posting one of these highlights on TracksideOffside for the next ten days in the run up to Christmas. Stay tuned, festive and ready to discuss these highlights over the coming days!

Formula E. Electric Ecstasy or Sorry Silence?

Now that the majority of the Motorsport calendar for 2012 has come to a close, it's time for the sport to do one of two things; ease the foot off of the gas and get all festive, or pent-up and looking ahead to the future, and the return of the green light and chequered flag. Oh, and this can also involve getting festive.
I am doing the latter, and perhaps being too eager. For you see, it's not 2013 at the moment that im particularly excited about, but 2014, and the introduction of Formula E.
This new-for-2014 series is perhaps one of the most important Motorsport ventures of our generation, well mine at least, and could possibly help significantly shape the future of Motorsport around the world. The 'E', as maybe guessed, stands for electric (cue the booing over no noise, from me included). Yes, that word thats creeping into the automotive world like a Bull in China Shop. Not welcome, but there. So put two and two together, and  you've got it; a racing series  comprising of all-electric, single-seater machinery.
It's not the first attempt to launch a series based on similarly environment-friendly principles, but unlike previous failed efforts, the project has a severe amount of backing behind it, leaving failure as a practically  redundant option. The single most important aspect to Formula E, is it's FIA-granted License, which in itself grabs the attention of anyone with even a vague whiff of Motorsport knowledge.
Perhaps more interesting and insightful however, is the more hands-on features of the series. For example, McLaren have themselves agreed with series CEO Alejandro Agag, to supply the motor, transmission, and electronics, or in Queens English  the cars essentials. Speaking of cars, no-less than 42 of them have been ordered, with ex-Formula One and GP2 driver Lucas Di Grassi tasked with the vital job of testing and fine-tuning the radical new car.
So just why does this bode so significantly on Motorsport as a whole? Well the first key point to remember, is that FIA President Jean Todt has publicly expressed his wish for a greater influence of 'green technology' to be used not just in Formula One, but across the FIA spectrum. When you consider that Formula E's inaugural series in 2014 coincides with dramatic technical rule changes taking place in Formula One (new engines, more environmentally friendly aspects throughout the cars),  it could be judged that the new Formula could stand as a so-called 'guinea-pig' series for the next set of technical regulation changes after 2014 in the premier-class, which one would predict to be yet more 'green' focused.
McLaren's involvement stands in itself, as a significant indication of just how  seriously Formula E is being taken, with the Woking-based team seemingly chomping at the bit to move-in and begin development on electric-Motorsport solutions. Such development would surely benefit not only their Formula One outfit, but also the brands road car-division and overall reputation as industry-leaders when it comes to environmentally -aware technology. After all, their Formula E endeavour was announced only a matter of months after McLaren was officially confirmed as being carbon-neutral, in February 2012.
The creation of Formula E as a whole is clearly one fuelled by ambition, technological-advance and long-term focus for Motorsport as a whole, and despite the inevitable loss of the noise-aspect, should be at least welcomed cautiously by all. With the series already confirming events in Rome and Rio di Janeiro, aswell as promising a calendar filled only by street-races, Formula E certainly can be commended for being nothing short of promising and exciting, and certainly one to keep an eye on during it's 2013 pregnancy.

The Becks Factor

So after 6 years at L.A Galaxy, David Beckham yesterday waved goodbye to the MLS on the back of a second consecutive MLS Cup Final victory. 
Beckham's move to America back in 2007 was one shrouded in raised eyebrows and cynical reception, the money, the publicity, the influence from a celebrity wife... all overshadowed the heart of his move state-side, the football. 
Despite a shakey start to his time in L.A, with injury and a lacklustre string of performances, Beckham eventually began to up his game, seemingly after the immediate attention and intensity of the media spotlight on him dimmed. 
With the influence of the former England-Captain, Galaxy can now boast two Cup Final victories, three victorious league campaigns, and a whole host of minor competition wins. 
But above and beyond all, David Beckham's American endeavour has significantly enhanced the health of American soccer, a sport which alongside national sports such as Baseball, NASCAR, Basketball and American Football, has always struggled. The MLS League itself has inflated in size, with 12 teams becoming 19 teams due to the increased interest in the sport. Merchandise sales across the globe are up 231%, as is undoubtedly the profile of American soccer as a whole. After all, you don’t attract names such as Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane to a league on the other-side of the world, without an incentive and catalyst figure such as David Beckham and his role in North America. Well done Becks.