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Eid in the Square - Trafalgar square - London 26/09/2009
Celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
© 2008 Santosh Sharma.
This photo belongs to Santosh Sharma. Copying this or publishing on the internet or use by any other means is strictly prohibited. Team members, please do not download this photo to your office computer. You may, however, download and save on home computer; but again, publishing on the internet or blogs is strictly prohibited.
- Steve
© 2008 Santosh Sharma.
This photo belongs to Santosh Sharma. Copying this or publishing on the internet or use by any other means is strictly prohibited. Team members, please do not download this photo to your office computer. You may, however, download and save on home computer; but again, publishing on the internet or blogs is strictly prohibited.
- Steve
Wajah yakin TGNa dlm setiap penyampaian... membuatkan kita senang dgn apa yg dperkatakan... Qaululhaqq walau Kana Murra
UN at Reconciliation Meeting Urges Iraqis to Seize the Momentum of Victory over Daesh to Build a Better Future
Najaf, 13 December 2017 - Iraq’s victory over the Daesh terrorists provides an opportunity for the country to shed its painful past and confidently embark on the road to peace and development, the United Nations emphasised at a conference on national reconciliation in Najaf today, urging Iraqis of all affiliations to seize the momentum and build on it to ensure a prosperous future for the younger generation.
The call came at a roundtable discussion that brought together tribal, religious, academic, political party and civil society actors from the Najaf and Diwaniyah Governorates to gauge the opinion of Iraqis from all corners of the country and tackle challenges to the Iraqi national reconciliation in the post-Daesh phase.
This is the sixth and last of such regional roundtables to convene under the theme “National Settlement: Prospects and Challenges” since September. Their recommendations will enhance the process that will lead to an inclusive National Settlement to take Iraq into the future after years of conflict and divisions. The meetings were organised jointly by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Implementation and Follow-up Committee for National Reconciliation at the Office of the Prime Minister, with funding from the Governments of Germany and the Netherlands.
The representative of the Implementation and Follow-up Committee for National Reconciliation at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Ali Abbas, opened the meeting in Najaf with an overview of the National Settlement document, which he explained forms the basis for national reconciliation.
“There is no alternative to the settlement, or to reconciliation. It is a necessity. The other choices are: No stability, No security, No development.”
He said the National Settlement discussion should involve all components and groups and is open to ideas and proposals, but all should be in line with the Constitution.
Addressing the participants - 68 men and 28 women from Najaf and Diwaniyah Governorates - the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Political and Electoral Affairs, Ms. Alice Walpole, alluded to Najaf’s significance in reconciliation, a city she described as renowned for its spirit of tolerance and acceptance.
Ms. Walpole said the defeat of Daesh provides the opportunity to press forward on the course towards permanent peace, so that the country can focus all its energies and resources on reconstruction.
“Reconciliation is a long process. We need to work together to develop a clear vision for Iraq’s better future,” the Deputy Special Representative emphasised. “We believe that all Iraqis need to capitalise on this momentum and build a basis for peaceful coexistence.”
Participants highlighted post-Daesh challenges with regard to national reconciliation. Opinions were diverse, from diagnosing the ills of the country and ways to move forward, to calls to combat corruption, ensure justice, hold perpetrators of crimes accountable, enact political reforms and work towards economic development.
They called for robust engagement of the United Nations in the political and development fields, including on elections and education, as well as in capacity building, pointing to UN experience in other countries and how this can be applied to Iraq.
Ms. Walpole underlined that the United Nations is committed to assisting the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people in overcoming the many challenges.
“There is a real need for constructive dialogue at every level,” the Deputy Special Representative said. “I am certain that, with the concerted efforts of Iraq’s leaders, political forces and its people of all ethnic and religious groups and their patriotism, assisted by the continued support of the international community, Iraq will be able to surmount post-Daesh challenges and build a better future.”
Photos by UNAMI PIO.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM at 65 mm | ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/4,0 | ISO 100 | no flash. I'm on Twitter: @raiben
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
In the beginning -
One of Miami barrier island’s millionaire pioneers was James H. Snowden. He made his fortune in the oil industry in Oklahoma and Texas. He also understood beach-side opportunities. In 1916 Snowden began clearing property about a mile and a half north of Miami's Collins wooden span bridge for his new winter home, Snowden Place. It was known as one of the handsomest mansions in early Miami Beach. Snowden spent about $250,000 to landscape and build his palatial home.
In 1923 Akron tire magnate Harvey Firestone bought Snowden Place for about $250,000 and renamed the 15-bedroom mansion at 44st and Collins Ave., Harbel Villa - derived from Harvey and Idabelle, his wife's name. After Firestone's death the house served as officer's quarters" during World War II.
Novack Years - 1954 - 1978
The Firestone estate was sold in 1952 for $2,300,000 to a group led by Ben Novack who planned a 15-story resort to cost upwards of 14 million dollars with 554 rooms. Novack was the proprietor at the Sans Souci Hotel, now the Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach.
The Fontainebleau was named after the Château de Fontainebleau, which once belonged to the kings of France, in Fontainebleau, France.
The original ownership syndicate put together by Ben Novack included his father Hyman and brother Joe. Dozens of other investors included Sam Friedland, president of the nation-wide chain of Food Fair Markets, Sam Giancana, Joseph Fischetti, Joe Cherner, Herbert Glassman, Jules M. Gorlitz, Ben Jaffe, Sam Lane, Abe M. Parker and Abe Rosenberg. It was rumored big money Mafia boss Sam Giancana had taken control of the Fontainebleau for a while and was paying Novack $2 million a year to be the frontman. Noted mobster Joseph Fischetti was actually on Novack's payroll in charge of leasing gift shop space.
Ben Novack ran the Fontainebleau for 24 years from the time it was built until it was bankrupt and sold in 1978. He and his wife, Bernice, resided in a palatial 14th floor apartment in the Hotel’s Chateau building, called the Governor’s Suite, where they raised their son, Ben Jr.
Ben Novack wanted to build the biggest, most luxurious hotel in Miami Beach. Novack contracted Morris Lapidus for a very small fee and by1954 Lapidus had moved his drafting office into the living room of the Firestone mansion and work on the dream hotel commenced. Novack and Lapidus set out to create the Fontainebleau under the concept of the "hotel as a show". Not surprising a couple of features of the Novack family-owned Laurel Hotel and Country Club in the Catskills were made prominent in the Fontainebleau - an extra-large swimming pool and multiple bars. Lapidus was quoted as saying he was not looking for a profit - just the opportunity to design a great hotel that would be comparable to the Waldorf Astoria.
After the Fontainebleau Morris Lapidus was the lead architect for the Eden Roc Hotel (1955), The Summit Hotel, now Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel, New York, (1960), The Americana of New York Hotel, now Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York, (1961), The Americana of San Juan Hotel, now InterContinental San Juan, San Juan, (1961) and the El Conquistador Resort, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, (1965).
A Fontainebleau architecture feature is the 'Staircase to Nowhere' (formally called the "floating staircase"), which merely led to a mezzanine-level coat check and ladies' powder-room, but offered the opportunity to make a glittering descent into the hotel lobby. The Fontainebleau wanted to become more than just a hotel fronting a beach. Its immense pool abutted a four‐acre copy of the formal French gardens at Fontainebleau, France. There was the La Ronde Room, the showroom where famous entertainers appeared each night and the winter home to Frank Sinatra. There was the Poodle Lounge, where quiet cocktails could be enjoyed. There was the Boom-Boom Room, where not-so-quiet cocktails could be enjoyed. There was the mammoth coffee shop--except it wasn`t called a coffee shop, it was called Chez Bon-Bon - open all night.
On Dec 20, 1954 the Fontainebleau hotel officially opened with a grand ball for 1,600 invited guests. The guest of honor was the mayor of Fontainebleau, France, Homer Pajot. Duke Stewart, the former manager of the Roney Plaza Hotel was the Fontainebleau's opening general manager. The hotel opened with 45 PBX operators, 8 kitchens with over 160 chefs, butchers and cooks. Opening room rates were $33.00.
For nearly 25 years, the Fontainebleau Hotel was so well-known that no outdoor signage was necessary to identify it. Celebrities and entertainers, ranging from Elvis Presley and Bob Hope to Lucille Ball and Judy Garland, made the hotel so popular that Novack was once forced to post armed guards to bar non-guests from entering. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the hotel reigned as Miami’s leading resort and some called it the most famous hotel in the world.
One of the most iconic moments in the history of popular music occurred at the Fontainebleau when Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presly shared the same stage for a televised special for ABC, filmed in March 1960 It was Elvis’ comeback after a stint in the army and as a result netted him $125,000.
By the early 1970's the Fontainebleau started to turn shabby and common. The former Sorrento Hotel, was purchased and added to the Fontainebleau complex in 1970. Novack was politically well-known in Miami. His many efforts to enhance the beach and his desperation efforts to receive a gambling license all were met with resistance. By the mid 70's co-ed nude sunbathing was promoted on a restricted top floor solarium. The Fontainebleau even considered going time-share. Hawaii, Disney World and cruise ships were new competitors. Ben Novack filed for bankruptcy in 1977 after falling behind on $1.6 million in back taxes and $16 million in bank debts.
In 1978, Hotelerama, owned by Stephen Muss and Joel Friedland and Gerald Robins dba Roland International, a $4 million lienholder, purchased the Fontainebleau out of bankruptcy for $27 million. Connecticut General Life Insurance Company had a 12.2 million mortgage.
Stephen Muss Years - 1978-2005
In the late 1970's Stephen Muss was the largest property owner on Miami Beach and was the head of Miami's Redevelopment Agency. Hotelerama Associates, Ltd was formed and controlled by Stephen Muss, to own and operate the Fontainebleau. At the time Muss was the president of Alexander Muss and Sons, which owned the five Seacoast Towers. Muss, in partnership with his father, Alexander, developed some 20,000 houses in New York from 1952 to 1968. The Muss family moved to Florida, where his father built the Seacoast Towers in Miami Beach. Stephen took over the Florida business, now named the Muss Organization, becoming Miami Beach's single largest landlord. Stephen and Sandra Muss are among the most prominent philanthropists in Miami. They are pillars of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He sold the Seacoast Towers for $94 million. Stephen Muss pioneered a vision for the renaissance of Miami Beach as the owner of the Fontainebleau from 1978 until 2005.
So, it was in 1978 Stephen Muss bought the ageing Fontainebleau for $27 million rescuing it from bankruptcy. Muss signed a multi-year contract with the Hilton company to operate and market the hotel. By 1982 Muss had put $45 million in improvements to the Fontainebleau. By 1988 news accounts put the Muss renovation total to $70 million.
Some say that Muss saved the Miami Beach hotel industry by buying the Fontainebleau. Muss was prominent in getting Miami Beach to implement a 3% "bed" tax to rebuild the city's aging infrastructure which included refurbishing and expanding the convention center.
In 1985, Stephen Muss chose the muralist Richard Haas to give the property’s Sorrento building a face-lift with a grand visual statement. A six-story trompe l'oeil on Collins Avenue tricked viewers into thinking they could see the property’s iconic Château building through an enormous arch in a wall flanked by columns. From 1985 until 2002 drivers traveling northbound on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach from South Beach got the impression that they could walk through the Sorrento building to the Fontainebleau Hotel's Chateau building. The mural was destroyed when the Sorrento building was torn down in 2002 to make room for the new Fontainebleau II (Tresor) condominium/hotel.
In 1948 the Sorrento Hotel was built by Harry Simberg who at the time also owned the Miami Colonial Hotel and the Mayflower Hotel and Shore Club in Plymouth, Mass. The location was 4391 Collins Ave. just south of the Firestone Estate. This art-deco hotel was set right on the ocean. Named after the coastal Italian town, the Sorrento was later acquired by Fontainebleau.
Muss turned to his daughter, Melanie Muss, to head up the partnership with Turnberry Associates to build two condo-hotel towers on the Fontainebleau's 18-acre oceanfront compound. The new buildings were financed as condominium projects, with each unit ranging in size from 500 to 1,000 square feet selling for $350,000 to $1 million.
The partnership brought together two of South Florida's prominent developers, Fontainebleau owner, Stephen Muss and Turnberry Associates Managing Partner, Don Soffer. Directing the project was the Fontainebleau Vice President of Development, Melanie Muss and Turnberry Associates Principal, Jeffrey Soffer, the daughter of Stephen Muss and son of Don Soffer, respectively. Turnberry Associates had created Turnberry Isle Resort and Golf Club, Porto Vita and the 3rd largest mall in the United States - the Aventura Mall.
To build the first condo-hotel, the Fontainebleau II (Tresor), 44th Street was moved 130 feet to the south. Fontainebleau II (Tresor) with 36 stories and 462 designer-furnished suites, was completed in 2005. Condo owners could add their unit to the Fontainebleau Hilton guest room inventory.
Fontainebleau III (Sorrento) opened in 2008 with 18 floors and 311 condo/suites. Fontainebleau III (Sorrento) brings the hotel complex back to its original room count at about 1,200 rooms, The 300-room Sorrento was closed when construction on Fontainebleau II began.
Turnberry Associates - 2005 to Now
In 2005, Turnberry Associates purchased the Fontainebleau Hotel from Stephen Muss for $165 million. Turnberry was expected to launch an estimated two-year, $150 million campaign to include new signature restaurants, a world-class spa, Las Vegas-style entertainment amenities and a complete refurbishment of the hotel's expansive meeting/banquet and public space. The renovation (which grew to $1 billion dollars) was conceived, in part, to lure back fashionable crowds, which have drifted down to South Beach. The renovation included stripping away ’70s-era lobby carpeting to expose the original marble floor with its signature bow tie design.
Turnberry and the Muss family have been involved in a joint-venture, steered by Turnberry's Jeffrey Soffer and Fontainebleau's Melanie Muss to develop the two condominium-hotel towers on the south end of the resort's 18-acre property.
Stephen Muss is quoted as saying "It's been an incredibly wonderful ride and selling the Fontainebleau is bittersweet, The Muss and Soffer families share the same vision for this property and I am confident it will continue as one of the strongest and most exciting convention resort hotels in the country." Soffer added that Melanie Muss will remain in her current position and play an active role in bringing Turnberry's plans to fruition.
Founded in 1967, Turnberry Associates has developed more than $5 billion in commercial and residential real estate, including approximately 20 million square feet of retail development, in excess of 5,000 luxury condominium and condominium-hotel residences, 1.5 million square feet of Class A office space and more than 1,640 hotel and luxury resort rooms.
Some background - In the early 60's Don Soffer's father Harry turned a store into a shopping center in Pittsburgh and those shopping centers led to malls. The Soffer family would visit the Fontainebleau often in the winters. It occurred to Harry Soffer that renting an apartment on the beach was more ideal and less costly than a suite at the Fontainebleau. In 1967 the Sofer's bought some 785 acres of swamp land in Dade County which they developed in to the Aventura. Harry Soffer died in 1972 at the age of 63.
Today the site has the Aventura Mall, Turnberry Isle Resort and Club and Turnberry Isle - a complex of high-rise condos, waterfront villas and a marina. Don Sofer’s kids are Jackie, Marsha and Jeff. Jeff Soffer headed up the development of Fontainebleau II and Fontainebleau III and led the renovation and the 2008 grand re-opening of the Fontainebleau Hotel at a cost of a billion dollars. To help pay for the renovations in 2008 Nakheel Hotels purchased 50% of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for $375 million. In 2013 the Jeffrey Soffer-led ownership of Fontainebleau Miami Beach bought out Nakheel;s partnership interest in the resort. Soffer claims the Fontaineleau Miami is one of the most profitable non-casino hotels in the country.
And finally -
After selling the Fontainebleau Novack kept himself busy by creating a restaurant with franchise possibilities called Alacatraz. The Boynton Beach restaurant was short lived. The booths were jail cells. He lost upwards of a million dollars on the venture. Ben Novack died of a heart attack in 1985 at age 78.
In 2009, Ben Novack's only son Benjamin Jr. and former wife Bernice Novack (16 yr marriage ended in 1968) were both murdered. Convicted was Ben Jr's estranged wife, Narcy Novack, who was disinherited from the Novack estate.
Melanie Muss has been selling real estate in Aspen, CO since 2010.
Jeffrey Soffer, chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Development, has now taken the Fontainebleau brand to Las Vegas. The 67-story, 3,600 room, $3.7 billion Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino/resort opens in Dec, 2023. Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be the sister property of Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
In 1985, when critics still did not appreciate his work, Morris Lapidus burned the designs of his life’s work, including the drawings and plans of the Fontainebleau. He died a millionaire at age 93.
After talking with these boys, I am confident that each of them has a bright future indeed -- one doctor, one engineer, and two policemen!
This is the buck that Steve Gelakoski shot the first time I met him. Actually, I had spooked some deer a prior evening in the field behind town when, unbeknownst to me, Steve was nearby having stalked up to them. The next afternoon I hunted an isolated tract between 2nd and 3rd Mountain. I worked the edge and then hunted across the tree line. As I popped out of the thicket, I was surprised to see a bowhunter across the gully on 2nd. He waved for me to cross back over. Steve was a little annoyed at first and let me know that I had blown it for him the prior evening and had now just trampled his secret spot. But soon bygones were bygones and he took me under his wing.
We took his old tin can light blue Suzuki jeep up to Last Mountain. Last Mountain or Last Bench is a slightly inclined level throwaway pineapple field that spans a few hundred yards. Old roads and rows crisscross throughout the waist high to overhead brush. Back then in 1987, it was ideal for bowhunting. Anyhow, Steve hunted on the left side of the field and I stayed to the right. At least this way I couldn't ruin his evening hunt. I hunted until dark and didn't see a thing. When Steve returned to his jeep I asked him if he saw any deer. I was surprised when he said he'd seen about 25, and was astonished when told he shot a buck. His arrow had some paunch fluid on it so he opted to back out and recover the deer in the morning, but he felt confident that he'd made a good hit. I stayed at Steve & Jane's house that night (and every night on Lanai thereafter for the next 25 years-to-life). This photo was taken the following morning and was Steve's 8th axis deer taken with a bow (Hoyt Rambo model shown here). The buck didn't go far, and the entry wound was tight behind the foreleg.
Later this day at Last Bench for the golden hour, he guided me down an overgrown row. Steve paused and we silently waited. Nothing... and then a little sound... Five minutes later the neck, head and antlers of two adolescent axis bucks loomed before us just three yards away. We tried for a simultaneous double whammy which never culminated, but the heart pounding excitement of that encounter hooked me for life. The next evening again at Last Mountain he guided through the field and in similar point blank fashion I bagged my first axis deer from just five yards away.
I am fairly confident this is some sort of Japanese quince.
Hase-dera is a Jodo (Pure Land) temple in Kamakura with beautiful views of the sea. Established in the 700's, Hase-dera was originally a Tendai temple founded by Tokudo Shonin. Tokudo is said to have been responsible for creating the large wooden Kannon which resides inside Hase-dera's Kannon-do. It is the largest wooden statue in Japan. The twin statue, also created by Tokudo (carved from the same tree) is located in Nara.
Kaikozan Hase-dera. Kamakura, Kanagawa.
Day 2 at Brands Hatch for the British Truck Racing Championship Season of 2021 and after Some Very Intense Battles and Superb Victories from Each of the Drivers on Saturday it was time Once again for Each Driver to Strap in and Get the Hammer Down.
The Weather Unlike Saturday was Beautiful with a bright Blue Sky during the Morning which no Doubt Lifted a lot of the Drivers Moods after Saturday had seen Very Grey and Overcast Conditions.
With Four British Truck Races Making Up the Largest Portion of the Days Events it will be interesting to see what Each Driver can do and How they Will Have to Preserve their Machinery to make it through Each Race.
With All Drivers Ready Having gotten up Early to do Final Checks and Adjustments to their Respective Cars it was Time to Get to Work and Take to the Race Track for Another Day of High Sped High Adrenaline Fuelled Action around the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.
Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup (Qualifying)
Starting the Day off was the Hyundai Coupe Cup A Racing Series Dedicated to the 2.0 Engine Hyundai Cars and a Large Grid of 22 Cars was Present as Qualifying Began.
Lets Take a Look and Find out who Made it to Pole and Took the Fastest Lap.
In First Place Taking Pole Position and the Fastest Lap was (Alistair Dendy) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.735 and a Top Speed of 74.03mph. Brilliant Work from Alistair Really Pushing Hard and Keeping his Car Under Control The Entire Time.
In Second Place was (Wayne Rockett) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.123 and a Top Speed of 73.55mph. Amazing Job there Wayne Really Going for it and Pushing Hard.
In Third Place was (Alex Cursley) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.148 and a Top Speed of 73.52mph. Great Work there Alex Fantastic Driving to take P3 on the Grid for Race 1.
A Superb Flying Start to the Days Action with the Top Three Drivers in Alistair Wayne and Alex All Sitting Quite Close Together in Qualifying and no Doubt Other Drivers will also Be Looking to Fight their way Through the Field in order to try and take that Glory away from them.
With Qualifying Over Lets Turn Our Attention to the Racing and See out of Alistair Wayne or Alex who Had managed to hold their Composure and take that All Important First Victory.
Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup (Race 1 Results)
In First Place Taking the Victory was (Alistair Dendy) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.151 and an Average Speed of 55.27mph. Congratulations Alistair a Brilliant Lights to Flag Victory and The Drive and Bravery of a True Champion Well Done.
In Second Place was (Alex Cursley) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Bets Lap Time of 59.022 and an Average Speed of 55.21mph. Brilliant Driving from Alex and Some Amazing Close Racing at Times with Alistair at The Front of the Grid. A Well Deserved Second Place Finnish.
In Third Place was (Wayne Rockett) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.085 and an Average Speed of 55.16mph. Nice Work Wayne Fighting Hard and Taking the Final Step on the Podium with a Fantastic Drive and Defence of P3.
What a Brilliant First Race to Kick Start the Day Off with Alistair Dendy in First Place Alex Cursley in Second Place and Wayne Rockett in Third Place. Fantastic Driving from All of you as Well as All the other Drivers in the Race who Were Battling their way Through the Field.
Lets See what Race 2 and the Final Race Brings for the Top Three Drivers and Can Any of them Improve or will Someone Sneak in at the Last Minute to Grab P1 P2 and P3 away from them.
Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup (Race 2 Results)
In First Place Taking the Final Race Victory of the Day for the Hyundai Coupe Championship was (Alistair Dendy) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.800 and an Average Speed of 71.74mph. Another Heroic Drive from Alistair Sees Him Take Both Race Wins for The Weekend and No Doubt in my Mind his Family Friends and Team Will be more than Happy for Him. A Truly Deserving Driver of P1.
In Second Place was (Alex Cursley) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.795 and an Average Speed of 71.70mph. Another Incredible Drive from Alex Has seen him Take P2 Once Again Brilliant Work to Him and the Team who no Doubt Will be Celebrating this One for a Long Time Coming.
In Third Place was (Johnny Rockett) in his Hyundai Coupe 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.372 and an Average Speed of 71.28mph. Amazing Drive there from Johnny Holding off the Charging Wayne Rockett to take P3 and a Proud Moment for The Entire Rocket Family.
Fantastic Racing Today from the Hyundai Coupe 2000 Championship with Some Fierce Competition from The Likes of Wayne Johnny Alex and Alistair Along with The Rest of the Other Drivers as they Fought Hard to Push their Points Tally Even Higher in the Championship. Congratulations Everybody and Good Luck for the Rest of the Season.
CTCRC All-Comers - Racing for Marshals (Race 2 Results)
CTRC was Up Next and After a Great Race Yesterday All of the Drivers were Ready to Strap in and Get to Work.
After a Hectic Day of Qualifying for The CRTC Yesterday it was Samuel Wilson who Grabbed The Pole with Gary Prebble in Second and Mike Saunders in Third Place with the Top Three Separated by Less than A Second Between Them.
Lets Find Out who Has Won in this Last Race of the Weekend for the CTRC Racing For Marshalls Race.
In First Place taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Colin Claxton) in his Ford Escort MK1 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 55.365 and an Average Speed of 76.44mph. Brilliant Driving from Colin Working that Steering Wheel Hard and Putting in some Incredible Flying Laps to Maintain the Gap and Take a Deserving Victory.
In Second Place was (Samuel Wilson) in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage with a Best Lap Time of 51.471 and an Average Speed of 82.44mph. Really Great Drive from Samuel Pushing His Aston Martin as Hard as Possible to try and Catch the Speedy Colin Claxton.
In Third Place was (Malcom Harding) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed with a Best Lap Time of 51.682 and an Average Speed of 82.38mph. Really Amazing Work there from Malcom A Beautiful Looking Car Paired with a Confident and Determined Driver. A Well Deserved P3.
Amazing Racing from the CTRC as Always at Brands Hatch with the Likes of Colin Samuel and Malcom all taking Superb Victories and Cementing their Names into the Books of History at the Circuit. Fantastic Work to all the other Drivers and Teams out there too Keep Trying and Never Give Up.
Junior Saloon Car Championship (Race 2 Results)
A Fan Favourite Up Next with the Junior Saloon Car Championship and After Some of the Most Incredible Racing Witnessed Yesterday During Race 1 Between the likes of Jamie and Ruben who Went Side by Side for Nearly Four Whole Laps Continuously This Next Race was for Sure Going to be a Head Turner.
Lets Take a Look at the Results and Find Out if Charlie Hand has managed to Come Back Stronger Than Yesterday.
In First Place Taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Charlie Hand) in his Citron Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.614 and an Average Speed of 61.94mph. Congratulations Charlie Another Brilliant Drive for the Final Race Win of the Weekend in Junior Saloon Cars and a Well Deserved Comeback Drive After Yesterdays Race.
In Second Place was (Harvey Caton) in his Citron Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.573 and an Average Speed of 61.89mph. Brilliant Driving there Harvey Pushing the Car Hard through Paddock Hill Bend and Hanging onto that P2 Spot. Amazing Job.
In Third Place was (Will Redford) in his Citron Saxo 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.830 and an Average Speed of 61.85mph. Well Done Will A Great Drive to Finnish The Weekend off and No Doubt his Family and Team Will be Celebrating All Thought the Night for that Performance.
Another Brilliant Final Day of Action from the Junior Saloon Car Championship, A Huge Congratulations to the Likes of Charlie Harvey and Will for their Performances and to All of their Fellow Drivers who are also Chasing their Dreams. Keep Working Hard and Improving as much as you can.
Pickup Truck Racing Championship (Race 2 Results)
Now it was the Turn of the Pickup Trucks Championship and with a Large Grid of 20 Light Weight Space Frame Pickup Trucks the Action from Yesterdays Qualifying Proved that This Race for going to be a Very Fast and Hectic One.
During Qualifying Second Fastest Yesterday it was Mark Wilson who Took Pole with Matt Simpson and Tom Jenkins Close Behind him in Second and Third Place. But out of All Three of thease Drivers who will be Brave Enough to Put their Foot Down and Go for it During the Race to take Victory?
In First Place Taking the Race Win and The Fastest Lap was (David O' Regan) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.463 and an Average Speed of 65.64mph. Amazing Driving there from David Especially through Paddock Hill Bend as the Trucks tend to Slide a lot through there but He was Keeping His Pickup Truck on Corse for a Very Well Deserved P1 Finish for the Weekend.
In Second Place was (George Turiccki) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.425 and an Average Speed of 65.61mph. Great Drive there by George Defending His Position Thought the Race and Hanging onto take an Impressive P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Allen Cooper) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.265 and an Average Speed of 65.52mph. Really Well Driven from Allen to Take that Final P3 Spot on the Podium and to End what Has Been a Fantastic Weekend for the Pickup Trucks Racing Championship.
Brilliant Racing from the Pickup Truck Championship and some Fantastic Winners Across the Weekend with the likes of David George and Allen all Takin Victories. A Huge Well Done to All of the other Drivers who Also were pushing Hard for Victory Don't Give Up and Keep Fighting and Making Improvements to the Pickup Truck.
Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres (Race 4 Results)
Next Up The Legends Cars Championship and During Qualifying Yesterday each Driver was Working Hard out on Track using the Slip Stream Technique in order to Give Themselves a Boost down the Main Straight in order to take Pole Position.
After Qualifying it was The Legends Car of Chris Needham who took that All Important Pole Position with Will Gibson and John Mickel Following Closely Behind in Second and Third Place Respectively.
With Three Races Ahead who would come out on Top in Race 4 and Take Victory.
In First Place Setting the Fastest Lap and Taking the Victory was (Miles Rudmann) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 56.042 and an Average Speed of 76.13mph. Fantastic Driving from Miles who was Really Pushing Hard at the Front of the Grid and Making sure he was Keeping as Many other Drivers Behind him as Possible. Great Drive.
In Second Place was (Will Gibson) in his Legends 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 56.127 and an Average Speed of 76.12mph. Great Driving from Will Who Always knows a Thing or to About How to Control a Legends Car around the Circuit.
In Third Place was (Jack Parker) in his Legends 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 56.085 and an Average Speed of 76.12mph. Fantastic Driving from Jack to Keep Himself in that P3 Position and take a Well Deserved Victory. Great Work there Jack.
An Exciting First Race from the Legends Championship which Currently sees the likes of Miles Will and Jack all Taking Superb Victories During the Corse of Race 4 But With Race 5 About to Start Will Anyone Else Surprise them by Taking Those Positions Away.
Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres (Race 5 Results)
In First Place taking the Victory and Fastest Lap was (Daniel Clark) in his Legends Chevy Sedan 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.775 and an Average Speed of 76.90mph. Congratulations Daniel a Fantastic Drive for Victory and A Turley Deserving Victory too after a Storming Drive through the Field.
In Second Place was (Miles Rudman) in his Legends 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.524 and an Average Speed of 76.88mph. Another Superb Drive from Miles to take Second Place Showing his Incredible Speed and Commitment to Remain as Close as he Can to Race Winner Daniel.
In Third Place was (Andy Bird) in his Legends Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.847 and an Average Speed of 76.85mph. Brilliant Driving there from Andy and Pushing Hard thought the Race to Defend his P3 Position.
What a Race from The Legends Cars with Two New Winners in Daniel Clark and Any Brid both Taking Victories on the Podium during the Race. With One Last Race to go for The Legends Championship can Miles Rudman Redeem Himself and take that Last Race Victory for the Weekend?
Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres (Race 6 Results)
In First Place Taking the Final Race Victory of the Days for The Legends Cras was (John Mickel) in his Legends Ford 34 Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 56.068 and an Average Speed of 66.12mph. Congratulations John a Really Brilliant Final Drive to take the Victory in the Last Race of the Day for Legends His Family no Doubt will be Very Proud of What He has Achieved.
In Second Place was (Will Gibson) in his Legends 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.700 and an Average Speed of 66.11mph. Great Driving there from Will Who Has Really Shown All Weekend Why he is More than Deserving to be sitting in that Legends Seat and Racing it. Fantastic P2 Finnish.
In Third Place was (Sean Smith) in his Legends 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.839 and an Average Speed of 66.08mph. Congratulations Sean a Really Fantastic Way to Round of the Weekend for You with the Final Spot on the Podium.
What an Incredible Weekend it has been for the Legends Cars national Championship with so Many Different Race Winners in Sean Will Miles Daniel Jack and Andy All Fighting Hard and Taking Home Some Memorable Trophies and Cementing their Statuses in the History Books for Future Generations to See and Become Inspired by. Congratulations to All of the other Drivers who were out there Racing too Keep Working Hard and I Know that you will Achieve your Own Goals with Enough Determination.
British Truck Racing Championship (Race 2 Results)
Finally it was The Time for the Heavy Weights of Motorsport to Make their way out onto the Circuit for the Last Time this Weekend in the British Truck Racing Championship.
After Qualifying Yesterday Which saw Ryan Smith Dominate The Times with Stuart Oliver in Second and David Jenkins in Third Place All Three Drivers were Once Again Ready to Battle it out for The Last Time this Season to Determined who The Champion of 2021 Will Be.
Lets Dive Straight into Race 2 and See who is going to Strike First and Make their Mark on the Race Track.
In First Place Taking the Fastest Lap and The Race Victory was (Ryan Smith) in his Mercedes Actros 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.232 and an Average Speed of 72.19mph. Congratulations Ryan Really Incredible Drive and in Dominant Fashion to take The Win in Race 1 Superb Job.
In Second Place was (Stuart Oliver) in his Volvo VNL 13000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.949 and an Average Speed of 71.34mph. Fantastic Drive there Stuart Fighting Hard and More Determined than Ever Judging by the Way he Threw that Truck Round Paddock Hill Bend Really going for it.
In Third Place was (David Jenkins) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.146 and an Average Speed of 71.11mph. Fantastic Work there David P3 and a Superb Effort to try and Take Third Place from Stuart Oliver.
What an Incredible First Race with the Top Three in Ryan Stuart and David All Really Pushing Hard and Making their Mark on the Race Track. With Race 3 Coming Up Next who Will be able to try and Overtake Ryan Smith and Stop his Incredible Domination?
British Truck Racing Championship (Race 3 Results)
In First Place Taking the Victory and the Fastest Lap was (Ryan Smith) in his Mercedes Actros 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.984 and an Average Speed of 71.78mph. Congratulations Ryan Another Incredible Drive an a Real Determined Charge to Keep that Truck as Far Ahead of All the other Competitors as Possible. Extraordinary Performance.
In Second Place was (Mark Taylor) in his Man TGA 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.395 and an Average Speed of 71.15mph. Great Driving there from Mark who was Pushing Hard and Keeping the Gap to Ensure He got that All Important P2. Fantastic Drive.
In Third Place was (Steven Thomas) in his Man TGA 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.021 and an Average Speed of 71.05mph. Well Done Steven Driving Really Well and Making Sure to Defend from Fourth Place John Newell to Hold onto that P3 Finish.
Another Daring and Exciting Race in which Ryan Smith Once Again Dominates at The Top of the Standings by being an Insane 2 Seconds Faster a Lap Compared to Mark Taylor. A Big Congratulations to Both Mark and Steven for their Respective Finishes too.
Race 4 is up next and This Could be The Race Which Decides the Championship. Will Ryan Smith be able to Hold on or Will David Jenkins in Second Place in the Standings Have other Ideas.
British Truck Racing Championship (Race 4 Results)
In First Place taking the Victory and the Fastest Lap was (David Jenkins) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 59.282 and an Average Speed of 71.68mph. Congratulations David a Superb Victory and that Puts Him a Step Closer to Winning the Championship Over Rival Ryan Smith.
In Second Place was (Tom O' Rourke) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.985 and an Average Speed of 70.66mph. Congratulations To A Fantastic Drive and so Great to See a New Face in P2 on the Podium Phenomenal Job.
In Third Place was (Martin Gibson) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.985 and an Average Speed of 70.59mph. Fantastic Job there Martin Super Driving and Defending Well for that P3 Finish.
With David Jenkins Having Just Won that Last Race it Looks like Race 5 and The Final Race of the Weekend is going to Determine who The Champion for 2021 is in British Truck Racing. Will it be David Jenkins or Will it be Ryan Smith?
British Truck Racing Championship (Race 5 Results)
In First Place Taking The Championship and The Final Race Win of the Weekend is (Ryan Smith) in his Mercedes Actros 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.711 and an Average Speed of 72.07mph. Congratulations Ryan you are the 2021 British Truck Racing Champion a Phenomenal Drive All Weekend and through the Season.
In Second Place was (John Newell) in his Man TGS 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.047 and an Average Speed of 70.85mph. Fantastic Race there John Finishing in P2 to Round off the Weekends Racing no Doubt Many Celebrations will be Happening down in the Paddock.
In Third Place was (Shane Brereton) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.072 and an Average Speed of 70.82mph. Great Work there Shane Taking a Well Deserved P3 spot on the Podium and Racing with Such Accuracy and Craft thought.
What An Incredible Weekend it has Been for Ryan Smith who is Your British Truck Racing Champion of 2021 on 390 Points. Congratulations Ryan Go out and Celebrate This Moment In Style.
In Second Place in the Standings is David Jenkins on 380 Points who put up one Hell of a Good Fight All Thought the Season with Ryan Smith Non the Less a Well Deserving Second Place in the Championship from Such a Committed Driver.
And Finally In Third Place in the Standings was Martin Gibson on 350 Points who Also Put up an Incredible Fight All Season Having Been Fighting his way Through the Field on More than One Occasion.
A Fantastic End to a Weekend of Incredible Racing and as The Truck Parade and Fireworks Went off I can Imagine that Each Driver Reflected on what they Have Achieved this Year and the Countless People they May have Inspired to go out and Challenge their Dreams of Becoming a Racing Driver.
Until The Next One Keep Racing !
Hoy te recorde bajo la luna...Hablo tanquilo, soy confidente, hay soplos en nostalgias pasadas, sigues ruborizando mi presente.
Ver tu rostro tras la luz, tus cabellos reflejando mi rostro, acarísio tu tumba muerta, mordiscos, llanto, placer. Soplando a tus orejas me dices:
_ ! HA !... He aquí a tu lado, a tu lado y al costado, soy tu sombra desnuda, en tus sueños ausente...se que no he quedado. ! Susurrame, hoy estoy aquí !
Alborotada, no conocio dueño alguno, el pudor solo miro el infierno, el placer no se nego asi mismo.
_ ! Ven aca ! - me dijo exaltada y mirando por la ventana al oscuro cielo - No apages la lampara, comtemplame entera.
_ Yo cumplo mis propios deseos. Soy un egoísta. Sí, egoísta, al igual que el mar necesita ser comtemplada al amanecer para no sentirse sola. Al llenar en otrxs el placer que la comtempla, ella misma se cubre de placer.
Mi placer, ojos puesto a la luna... es ser egoísta al ver alardear tu cuerpo sobre Mi
_ ! Egoísmo...hazme tuya !... ! Deseo...Ven amí ! - me replico -.