Raikkonen Given Penalty

Kimi Raikkonen has been given a three-place grid penalty for tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix. 
The Finn was expected to line up 7th on the grid, but has now been dragged back to 10th after being deemed to have blocked Nico Rosberg in the final session of today's Qualifying. 
Despite claims from the team that their man was suffering from hydraulic-issues, the FIA stood by Rosberg's view that he was indeed blocked. The move means Raikkonen will have to fight through the top ten if he is to repeat his race victory in last weekends Australian Grand Prix.

10 Minutes With: Jack Goff

The month of March is a big one for Motorsport. One of excitement, build-up, and anxiety among fans, teams, media and drivers alike. It was no surprise then, that British Touring Car Championship newcomer Jack Goff is raring and ready to go. I caught up with Jack during this weeks BTCC Media Day at Donington Park. With a new car, team, championship and challenge, 2013 is staring him down the barrel:

"Yeah im really excited. Me and Tony Gilham (team boss of Team HARD) started to discuss joining the BTCC throughout last season. Tony gave us a really good deal and opportunity to do Touring Cars this year with Team HARD."

This season will see Team HARD embark on the commendable journey of fielding a four-car team, with two brand-new, in-house designed Volkswagen Passat CC's, and two Vauxhall Insignia's. Goff, along with fellow debutant James Cole, will field an Insignia under the banner of RCIB Insurance Racing. Despite the size of the task, Goff is highly optimistic about this seasons hopes:
"The Vauxhall Insignia is new, remoulded, and reshaped for 2013. Both the Vauxhall and the Volkswagen have similar dimensions, which stack up very well on paper and should on the track! The level of detail and hard work that has gone into the cars is simply amazing. It's been done perfectly, it's a shame we couldn't bring the car today (Team HARD's quartet of cars were still being built and  absent from Media Day), but there's no need to rush perfection."

Jack's progression through the ranks of British Motorsport to one of the pinnacle classes, began in typical fashion. Following the stereotypical yet successful karting years that many professional race drivers endure, Jack found himself ready to leap into the world of gears, headlights and dashboards in 2008:
"I started karting when I was six-years old, in 1996. I then started out car racing in the MG Trophy. I actually won my first race here at Donington park and never really looked back!"

With three impressive years racing an MG ZR 190, Jack found himself signing a contract to race for Team Pyro in the 2010 Renault Clio Cup UK; a series that to this day, has put the High Wickham-resident on the radar. I ask Goff whether in hindsight, 2010 came too soon?
" Certainly, looking back I was far too gung-ho in 2010 and '11! In fact, one of my only real regrets is that in those two years I should have really settled down. In 2011, I should have won the Championship."
Fortunes soon changed however. In 2012, Jack lifted his Clio-curse and stormed to the title, following the realisation that the gung-ho attitude needed toning down: "In 2012 we finished every single race by being more consistent. I think my win at Oulton Park in 2011 was really the race that set the rhythm for my title last season."

With past mistakes, lessons, performances and raised eyebrows all propelling the 22-year old into the BTCC, Jack comes across as a man absolutely ready to go wheel-to-wheel with some of the sports most prolific characters, in a series that few would argue he isn't worthy of.
"I grew-up watching the likes of (Jason) Plato and (Matt) Neal, and now im racing with them! It's a dream come true, but it always seemed like the natural step for me. If you don't aim high, you're kidding yourself. Always push for more."

You can keep up-to-date with Jack's progress this season by following him on Twitter: @jgmotorsport

Nissan to Enter WTCC in 2014?

With Citroen all but confirmed to be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, could Japanese manufacturer Nissan be ready to follow suit? 
Earlier this week reports began to circulate that Nissan Chief Carlos Ghosen is due to make an announcement regarding the future of the marque's Motorsport-division, Nismo. In the same forty-eight hours came the news from Touring Car specialists RML, that they were due to announce their plans for the foreseeable future within the 'next two weeks.' 
The team successfully recorded their third consecutive driver and team championship titles in 2012, but were left in the doldrums at the end of last season after Chevrolet brought it's factory programme to an end. 
Should their be any substance to my suspected link between Nissan and RML, then the partnership would surely be with a a view to enter the 2014 WTCC championship, with rule-changes allowing machines to be more powerful and more aerodynamically efficient. Such changes bring the series' closer to Nismo's current interests the Nissan's homeland, where the division runs a number of heavily race-modified Nissan GTR's in the Super GT series. 
RML and Nissan last worked together between 1997 and 1999, when the latter successfully contracted RML to run it's British Touring Car Championship assault with a pair of Nissan Primera's. 
With success in the past, and a promising WTCC future, many & me will be hoping that these two stalwarts are about to launch each other back into the motorsport limelight.

Reading Lewis Hamilton.

I wonder, I wonder if Hamilton has pondered an acting career recently... 
With two reasonably faultless test sessions behind him at the wheel of his new Mercedes W04, both of which displayed at least a hint of raw pace, the former champ comes across as a man truly and utterly downbeat and despondent, almost beyond belief. Take, for example, the featured interview with Sky Sports F1's Craig Slater: http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/video/24068/8517047
It's common knowledge that drivers and teams tend to 'sandbag' during pre-season testing, but comments from Hamilton such as "we'll be fighting for points" and completely writing off ALREADY any title or race-win hopes, seem to me and many others im sure, to be stretching the limits of 'playing down expectation'. 
But hey, Formula One is all about pushing boundaries, right?

Should Sutil be Sat?

Today (Thursday 14th January), it has emerged that erstwhile Sahara Force India driver Adrian Sutil, has returned to his former teams factory for a seat-fitting. While it remains unclear whether or not the fitting puts the German in pole-position for the final seat on the 2013 F1 grid, it will, and has, undoubtedly raised many eyebrows.
As is common knowledge now throughout the F1 fraternity, justice is a word not particularly understood within the sport. You only have to consider for example, the prolific names who have found themselves heading for the sports exit-door in recent history; Heikki Kovalainen, Timo Glock, Jamie Alguersuari, Nick Heidfeld, to name but a few. All incredibly talented drivers with a proven speed-credentials in Motorsports' pinnacle class, yet sidelined through above all else, a lack of funding.
Of course, it's not the funding that has caused a stir with the Sutil-Situation, it's strangely enough, his criminal record. Should a man previously convicted of GBH really be given a second chance in the Sport? Many will say no, of course he shouldn't. Formula One in the grand scheme of things, maintains a clean-cut image, with the intense level of sponsorship and role-model occupation of it's drivers, being essential to the very cornerstone of the sport. So with Sutil's tainted reputation, it's a surprise to many that Force India team boss Vijay Mallya is at least considering giving the German a second chance, whether it be merely a pre-season test next week in Barcalona, or a season-long drive back in the big-time.
Now back to the issue of funding... despite not being the do-all and end-all in this conundrum, it does still play a colossal part. As in Sutil's first impressive spell in Formula One, he carries with him significant backing from sponsors such as Medion, Einstein & Newton, and Capri-Sonne, resulting in a sufficient level of pennies to fuel Sutil in Formula One. Dig a little further, and it comes to stand that Mallya's own wealth is somewhat in danger, with his primary buisness interest, Kingfisher Airlines on the brink of folding. Sutil's backing might not only be sufficient for himself, but also a safety net for the team as a whole, one must feel.
Sutil's main rival for the race-seat is Jules Bianchi; a man who himself carries a strong argument warranting him the drive. Having already tested the all-new VJM06, and carrying backing from the juggernaut that is Ferrari, Bianchi is far from an ugly option for Force India. Having displayed raw pace in numerous 2012 Friday test-sessions, the Frenchman is embedded within the team set-up, which must be seen as an important factor considering the lack of time between now and the first race in Melbourne, just over a month away.
With so many variables at play, it's easy to see why the final driver-announcement for 2013 has become a somewhat saga. A man who much Mallya in terms of giving the nod/guidance to fast men, Peter Coe (Seb Coe's father and trainer), once said that one of the biggest factors in being successful in sport, is 'managing the variables'surrounding the event itself. I hope for the teams sake, that such variables don't begin to underpin a successful and well-loved operation, such as Sahara Force India.

WRC: VW Win, What Now For Citroen?

Volkswagen have won their maiden World Rally event, with Sebastian Ogier driving the marque to victory in Rally Sweden. 
The well documented victory adds fuel to the fire concerning Ogier and VW's title credentials, and certainly supplies an unwelcome migraine to rival teams Citroen and Qatar M-Sport. However, does the win have further implications? 
Well, a brief pondering-session would suggest so. A maiden victory for any team/driver combination is always a popular one, even if it comes courtesy of one of the worlds largest car company's. However, it's taken less than two-events for VW to achieve success.With almost-guaranteed car development thanks to the marques deep pockets, and arguably the finest driver line-up in Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastian Ogier, is it probable more than possible that VW might about to completely steam-roll the WRC? 
Should this illusion of mine take shape, it leaves the series' most prolific competitor, Citroen, with a number of huge decisions to make. Do they invest more into their rallying-programme to try and compete? Do they bide their time as second best, in an obviously struggling series? With all important TV-Rights/airtime going quite frankly arse-over-tit in the WRC at the moment, and an expected assault in World Touring Cars on the horizon, fans, the F.I.A, and indeed Motorsport as whole, should be worried. 
Should Citroen leave the sport as a factory-backed team, it leaves the newbies VW, as the only factory-representatives, which is good for no-one.In a nutshell: less sponsorship, less broadcasting appeal, reduction of competition, and in tough economic times (yawn), a high doubt-factor of any other manufactures rushing to the rescue of the WRC. 
A final key-catalyst of potential destruction, is the part-retirement of a certain Frenchman, Sebastian Loeb. Loeb is quite simply the most successful rally driver of all time, and is to rally what Tiger Woods is (well, was...) to Golf, and what David Beckham is to Football.Take away such a name from a sport in such a fragile state as the WRC is now, and it could be potentially be disastrous. Citroen have lost their champion, massive brand identity and elder statesman responsible for all their WRC success, and fans around the world have lost a man truly worshipped by admirers of sideways-action. A legend removed, and an ever gaping hole left behind, could well see the the WRC go head on into a tree, at what is a tight icey turn in the series' illustrious existence.

2013: Sauber's Year?

Sauber today took the wraps off of their 2013-challenger, the C32-Ferrari.
The all new car appears to be the most radical looking yet, ahead of the all-new McLaren, Ferrari, and Lotus machines that have been revealed over previous days.
The inclusion of noticeably small sidepods is the cars most striking feature, with the space reserved by the tiny-pods being taken up by large vanes, in an attempt to channel air towards to the vital-area of the exhaust outlets and diffuser at the rear of the C32.
A pleasing feature of the new car is the absence of the pig-ugly conventional  stepped-nose, with so-called 'modesty fairings' protruding past the the step itself, much like as seen on the Red Bull RB8 from yesteryear.
Not-so-radical is the car's new-for-2013 colour scheme, with a predominant shade of grey sprawled across the carbon-fibre in twine with lashes of white and red, the colours most synonymous with the Hinwil-based team.
With an all-new driver line-up in Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez, hopes are high for Sauber, as new team principal Monisha Kaltenborn states:  "The aim is very clear and simple: we want to continue to improve ourselves."
With a radical looking design, and an upwards trend of performance on the their CV over previous seasons, 2013 looks to be a potentially jubilant season, with nothing short of regular top five performances and occasional  wins, a widely held expectation.

Kubica Conundrum

If reports are to be true, Robert Kubica's DTM test with Mercedes today (Thursday 24th January) left the Pole 0.5 seconds faster around the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia than ex-DTM champion, Gary Paffett. 
Should Kubica's rumoured pace prove fruitful, it adds yet more fuel to the fire that the man once considered one of the greatest drivers in the world, could be about to press on further with his road back to Formula One by entering the DTM fraternity. So where would such a move leave him? Well, as with everyone, it's a battle royale to join, or rejoin in Kubica's case, the big league. With budget becoming ever-more decisive in a driver's career in and around the sport, talent is forever taking a more settled position on the backbench. With talent undoubtedly present but budget questionable, this ugly-truth could work either way for the former BMW-Sauber and Lotus-Renault driver. 
Should Mercedes clinch Kubica's signature for the forthcoming DTM season, the pairing would face a mammoth task of overcoming such an already strong grid line-up, with Paffett, Bruno Spengler, Jamie Green, Mattias Ekstrom, and Martin Tomczyk to name but a few, all far more experienced and proven race-winners in the series. 
Should the Polish racer thrive, his potential ties with Mercedes should open up a whole host of avenues in Formula One, the marque's own works-team being one of three teams powered by 'Merc' engines. 2014 see's the introduction of brand-new engine technology in F1, and teams will be desperate for their respective drivers to offer valuable feedback and advice regarding engine performance and behaviour. With years of experience in Formula One already, this could stand Kubica in good stead, with customer-Mercedes teams Sahara Force India, maybe McLaren, and even former supplier Sauber, who are rumoured to be in discussions with Mercedes for 2014. 
It's all if's and but's for Kubica right now, and this extends to his current physical condition, which since his horrific rally accident two years ago, remains short of what is needed to pilot a Formula One car, despite vast improvement. Having declared 'no problems whatsoever' in the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe, bags of proven talent, a massive fan-base and substantial determination to get back to his best, Robert Kubica is a man who deserves to have the pro's growing, and the con's shrinking, in his mission back to the top.

Glock Leaves Marussia?

Today (Sunday), rumours have been rife concerning Timo Glock's place within the Marussia F1 team.
the rumour became widespread after German newspaper 'Sport Bild' (http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1/2013/01/20/sport-bild-plus/glock-und-marussia-gehen-getrennte-wege.html) ran the story this evening on their website, claiming an official announcement will be made tomorrow (monday).
 Glock is quoted as stating: "I have experienced three great years with Marussia, we part in friendship". Whether the rumour becomes justified or not is still to be seen, but one would presume that the use of direct quotation and indefinite language, would suggest a manner of truth in the story.
My thoughts? Not surprising. Glock stunned the Formula One world when he committed to the then 'Virgin F1' team for the squad's inaugural season in 2010. As a former consistent points scorer and erstwhile podium finisher, you have to feel that Marussia/Virgin's extended three year baptism of fire in the sport has left Glock ruing the day he signed on the dotted line.
So what are his options? His apparent departure leaves three seats available on the grid for the coming season, the other two of course being at Force India and Caterham. With Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil apparently in a two horse race for the seat alongside Paul Di Resta, it would seem the German's chances lie more realistically with Caterham. That, or perhaps a seat outside of F1... DTM perhaps? Lets not forget Glock's previous role as a BMW-Sauber test driver, the marque would surely be interested in taking on-board the undoubtedly talented and experienced Glock, should he wish to walk away from the F1 paddock.

Looking Good Sideways: WRC's Hottest Cars

This weekend sees the Monte Carlo Rally maintain it's curtain-raising tradition, in kick-starting this seasons World Rally Championship. It gives unparalleled opportunity for petrol heads to witness driver and machine on the limit for the first time this calendar year, and increases the desire and want for all Motorsport series' to once again fire up around the world.
Despite dropping audience figures, the WRC undoubtedly carries with a truly astonishing visual aspect, carried almost at will through the medium of moving-image and photography. This left me thinking... what are the best looking Rally Cars of all time? Here's my conclusions:

Subaru Impreza WRC06

It wouldn't be a list of beautiful rally cars without a Subaru featuring at some point, so lets get it out of the way first (not that you'd want to hurry it out of the way of course). You'd struggle to find anyone unfamiliar with the iconic 555 branding sprawled across the Impreza rally car, and despite it's various editions and revisions, it goes without saying that the Blue and striking Yellow colour scheme speaks for itself. Undoubtedly, one of, if not the most famous race-liveries every to grace the sport.

Ford RS2000

Time to get it off of my chest... I absolutely adore the whole 'big engine small car' concept. Whether it's a tricked-out Saxo on an council estate in Leeds or a rally-prepared Ford RS2000 from yesteryear, I love the idea of a so-called pocket rocket. Of course, between the Saxo and the RS2000, I'd pick the latter, not only because of it's pedigree, but because of it's aggressive, yet simplistic styling. That stern rear-wing, those Mini-esque round head lamp, the short wheel base. All of which, complimented by the blue and white colour scheme representing Ford themselves. I like.

Lancia 037

Lancia were creators of some of the most jaw-dropping cars ever seen. The Delta, the Stratos, the Fulvia... all stunners in their own unique way. One of the rare ugly-ducklings was of course the 037, which wasn't even deserving of a proper name. Harsh. However, apply raised suspension, remove the rear bumper, insert two gigantic mud flaps along with a striking Martini livery, and the 037 all of a sudden can mix it with it's beautiful brothers. With the car baring it's intricate internals via the exposed rear, a fire-spitting 2-litre supercharged engine, and enough hair-raising video clips of it airborne, the 037 wasn't a 'car' as such. It was more of a  purpose-built machine for going sideways, fast.

 

Ford Fiesta RS WRC (Monster World Rally team)
In the case of the Ford Fiesta RS, I find that it isn't the car itself that strikes me as being damn hot, but instead, the livery. More specifically, the livery of the 2012 Monster World Rally Team contender as piloted and made iconic by Mr.Sideways himself, Ken Block. The bonkers 'off the wall' design is a farcry from the often regimented and coordinated layout sprawled across many racing cars, many of which the Fiesta competes against. But then again, 'regimented' and 'coordinated' are hardly words you'd associate with Block's vocabulary...

Volkswagen Polo R WRC
This weekends Monte-Carlo Rally see's the debut of the long awaited Polo R on the rallying scene, with VW having spent all of 2012 developing and fine-tuning the car that they and lead driver Sebastian Ogier will hope, can land them title success at the first time of asking. The car in question, is an eye-catcher. A huge spoiler  bold headlights, wide-wheel arches, and a whole lot of promise and pressure on the German cars, ermm, shoulders. Unlike the Fiesta RS, the Polo for me is much more concentrated on the car itself in terms of visual appeal, and not the the discreet and subtle simplistic Red Bull induced livery. A looker and a favourite, watch out in 2013, the Germans are coming.

Volkswagen Race-Touareg 2
Now to finish off with something a little bit out of a loop, I've gone for the Dakar Rally-prepared Volkswagen Touareg. By no means a 'pretty' car when seen on the M25, the Touareg was sensationally adapted to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally from 2003 onwards, with much success. Just look at it. Wide and still regarded a fat, yet draped in a rally-overcoat that makes you look twice, at least. It reminds me of those im fat and have no dress sense but I want to look stunning yet still visit KFC daily programs really; still far from a peach, but striking and interesting to look at. When Desert Rallying, met Gok Wan.

Think I've overlooked something? Disagree with any of my choices? Leave comments below and I'll be sure to answer and debate!

*Sorry for the somewhat random photo layout; struggling massively to format it all correctly!

Ducati Launch Moto GP Recovery Mission

Under new-ownership from Audi, the prospect of life without Valentino Rossi, and mounting pressure from the marque's legion of tifosi, todays unveiling of Ducati's 2013 Moto GP challenger marks an important date in the manufacturers history. 
The Italian-team launched the new Desmosedici GP13 in usual fashion, during the annual Wrooom event held at the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio, with both Andrea Dovizioso and established team leader Nicky Hayden in attendance. 
Following a torrid couple of seasons, Ducati, and more so Audi, will be nigh-on desperate to see a seemingly fresh start bring a fresh set of results on-track, for a team that once dominated Moto GP during the Stoner-era. 
Alongside Dovizioso and Hayden, stood Pramac Racing's new-look rider line up of Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone, as Pramac again launch their season as Ducati's satellite squad. However, for the first time, the team will enjoy full-factory machinery and support throughout 2013... A sure sign that Audi's financial clout and ambition is already beginning to seep through. 
As has been the case for over a decade now, Valentino Rossi remains at the heart of discussion throughout Moto GP, and this season is no different. Having failed to bring success to Ducati, 'Vale46' has moved on to pastures new (or old) at Yamaha, in the team that has bought him 4 of his 7 world titles to date. 
The faltering relationship and consequential divorce between Rossi and Ducati has however left the door open for Dovizioso to straddle the bike of the departed Rossi, in a move that he, Ducati, and the majority of Italy will hope brings about success and race-wins. 
As for Dovizioso's team-mate Hayden, it could well be last-chance saloon. The Kentucky-rider enters his fifth season with Ducati in 2013, and can honestly look back on the past four seasons with limited joy with regards to on-track joy. The former world champion was widely expected to leave the marque after last season, but a will to finish what he initially set out to do with Ducati, has seemingly descended throughout Hayden 
Ducati have all the ingredients to be successful in 2013, but can they overcome the lingering hangover of disastrous 2011-2012 campaigns, and the departure of the sports finest ever rider? Hayden's last hoorah, Dovizioso has a point-to-prove, Audi bring expectation, and everyone knows success at Ducati, is overdue.

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.