Let's Do The News! (February 21, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The Honor Code of the Philippine Military Academy states that no cadet shall cheat, lie, steal, or tolerate. Any cadet who violate the Honor Code will face a terrible consequence. There was a big news regarding a PMA cadet named Aldrin Jeff Cudia, who violated the Honor Code for being 2 minutes late for class and lying. He's on the risk of being dismissed by the PMA...

- Former PMA cadets, especially dismissed ones, are supporting on the PMA Honor Code by making their cadet photos as Facebook profile pics in the midst of criticisms after Cadet Cudia was dismissed when he was going to lie about the reason why he arrived to class two minutes late.

- The expansion of Volkswagen's presence in the Philippines continues as Automobile Central Enterprise, the official PH distributor of Volkswagen, will open a Cebu VW showroom at the end of 2014.

- Volkswagen revealed a PHEV equivalent of the Golf GTi called the Golf GTE. Set for its Geneva premiere, the Golf GTE comes with the 1.4L TSi engine connected to a 101HP electric motor mated to a double clutch gearbox.

2015 VW Golf GTE

- Audi gave us a teaser for the upcoming third-generation TT. It's set for Geneva Motor Show premiere next month.

- Lotus makes motorcycles and the C-01 is the pilot product set to be produced soon.

Lotus C-01

- Citroen will showcase the brand new C5 CrossTourer for next month's Geneva Motor Show and unlike any other sport utility wagons like the 508 RXH or the Outback or the Country Tourer or whatever...the C5 CrossTourer is available only in front-wheel drive. Not a great challenge for this particular C5.

2015 Citroen C5 CrossTourer

- The Zettai Karen Children manga will reach its final arc this Summer. Is this goodbye to The Children?

TTFN!!!

Gran Turismo 6: A fitting tribute to the third-generation WRX STi

For many years, the WRX has become the pinnacle of the history of Subaru. From its God-given talent tried and tested for rally racing to the twists and turns at the Nurburgring, this Subie has been a favorite among Subarists everywhere.



According to some dealership print ads from Japan, the third-generation WRX STi will be phased out late February 2014 and some say, it will make room for the next model. However, we're not letting this third-generation STi go without a proper sendoff so here in GT6, a good send-off to the current and outgoing WRX STi, available in GR-spec hatchback and GV-spec sedan forms, lies to the question of...Which is the best of the third-generation STi? The winner will face off against...the last Subaru ever entered the WRC before its withdrawal from the World Rally Championship.



Here she is. Now all I have to do is to gather round four different flavors of the WRX STi and meet up at the Ascari.



First off, the GRB-spec hatchback STi. For a quick background, this car was launched at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and sales of this model commenced moments later. Unlike its predecessors, which are comprised of high-performance saloons, the GRB WRX STi is a hatchback and this model do thrown a curve to the enthusiasts. Even though it's based on a hatchback Impreza, it's still a high-performance Subie that behaves just like its predecessors. Unlike the Evo X, this STi tries to be more of a comfortable car on the long road ahead rather than showing off its razor-sharp reflexes on the corners. Despite that, it sure loves to cut through corners even though this car was born from the rally bloodlines.

Two years later, a Spec C was offered and for this model, it sheds off 20kg of weight, making it a driver-focused WRX STi hatch that you can use it on the road or on the track. Anyway, can the 20kg advantage of the WRX STi Spec C do better?





These two STi hatches gave it a good thrashing round the Ascari and again, thanks to the Spec C's 20kg weight loss and the host of numerous improvements such as the sport-tuned chassis, it means it can scamper away from the standard model. The only downside is that since they wore hard tires, they can tend to understeer in some parts of the Ascari track. In just a few minutes later...I have the result...

GRB - 2:27.962
GRB Spec C - 2:26.473

The Spec C ate the normal STi before tea time in a second. So, what about the sedan models?



In response from numerous Subies because they still prefer the styling of the sedan because of its clean shape and long history as the top model of the Impreza, they unveiled the much-awaited 4-door version at the 2010 New York Auto Show and sales in Japan commenced in the Summer of 2010, just a few moments before Gran Turismo 5 hit stores late November 2010 after double delays. It may have the same mechanical stuff from the 5-door model but for this 4-door model, this is by no means the ultimate Subie ever made because it went round the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 55 seconds. This Subaru managed to broke the 8-minute barrier at the fabled German race track and thanks to its sleek aerodynamic styling, it feels more well-balanced.

This Subie racked up class wins at the Nurburgring 24 Hour and to commemorate this achievement, STi made a special S206 NBR Challenge Package which features numerous upgrades including a carbon fiber roof and a rear spoiler. They even updated the engine so that now, it develops 315HP of power and this model is limited to 100 units, available exclusively to the Japanese market.





Both of them are track-focused and usable on the road. These two STi sedans sure knew how to shake it up in the midst of their prime and it's kinda odd because I thought the S206 NBR was supposed to be the swan song for this current-generation STi but in general, the tS Type RA is the real swan song. Anyway, while the tS Type RA is not here, it seems that the S206 NBR gave the normal STi sedan a good roasting and moments later, I have the time. Let's see...

GVB - 2:26.593
GVB S206 - 2:24.764

This leaves now to the Spec C hatchback and the S206 NBR saloon and now, let's move to the Brands Hatch GP Circuit to see which of these two will be facing off against the WRC 2008 rally car.



Look at these two, all primed up and pumped up for their one last vow. Remember, I'm using the GP version of the Brands Hatch just to add a little challenge to these two STi models. For an added twist; let's not forget that the Spec C hatchback is a few kilos lighter than the S206 NBR saloon but because this S206 NBR saloon has more power than the Spec C hatchback, I'd expect this to be more of a similarity.





In the first half of Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, both of the Spec C hatchback and the S206 NBR Saloon are doing pretty well while in the latter half of the track, things are looking to get a bit more struggling and it seems that a small mistake from the Spec C's understeer cost two seconds behind the S206 NBR. After one lap, there can only be one winner...

GRB Spec C - 1:44.755
GVB S206 - 1:42.899

The GVB-spec Subaru S206 NBR Challenge Package is definitely the best of the third-generation WRX STis offered on GT6 but will it be enough to take on the Impreza WRC 2008 Rally Car?



To find out, I went to Monaco Cote d'Azur and this is where the stage is set for the ultimate send-off for our third-generation WRX STi. Who will triumph? Road car or rally car?





Both the S206 and the Impreza Rally Car are like playing a game of cat and mouse as while the rally car can outrun the S206 on a straight line, the S206 found some advantages when it faces a corner, sneaking past the Impreza rally car! As they approached to the final parts of the Monaco Cote d'Azur, it's a fight to the finish and it's kill or be killed.

In this kill or be killed match, the S206 came out a second slower than the Impreza rally car.

Impreza WRC 2008 - 1:47.664
GVB S206 - 1:48.421



So there we are, even though it came a second slower against the Impreza WRC 2008 Rally Car, I can therefore conclude that here on GT6, the S206 NBR CHALLENGE PACKAGE is the best of the third-generation WRX STi models. Now the only idea left for me is...how can I say goodbye to this and waiting for the new model to arrive in the Japanese market and in GT6 as well...

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day 14

February 20, 2014 - DAY 14

It's been quite a ride for this day as the climax of the 2014 Winter Games draws near and things are shaking up for the athletes.

First up is the curling match and in the Women's Bronze Medal Game; Great Britain beats Switzerland at the score of 6 to 5, therefore the Brits snagged the bronze medal while in the Women's Gold Medal Game, the champions of curling come courtesy of the Canadians after they won the match against Sweden at the score of 3-6. That's Sweden 3, Canada 6.

Meanwhile in the Ladies' Free Skating, Russia's very own Adelina Sotnikova is the champion, beating the likes of South Korea's favorite, Kim Yuna, and Italy's own Carolina Kostner.

In the Men's Ski Cross Finals, the French got a 1-2-3 finish as Jean Frederic Chapuis placed 1st while Arnaud Bovolenta placed 2nd and Jonathan Midol placed 3rd.

Team USA scored a gold from the Ladies' Ski Halfpipe final courtesy of Maddie Bowman.

In the Ice Hockey match, female athletes from Switzerland got the bronze medal after beating Sweden at the score of 4 to 3 while in the Gold Medal Game, two North American countries clashed themselves in the game of hockey and the Canadians stood victorious against Team USA at the score of 3-2.

And finally, at the Team Gundersen LH 4x5km Cross-Country, Team Norway is the winner.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-14

Let's Do The News! (February 20, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Think you're finished with NFS Rivals? Think again because there are two brand new DLC Packs now available on Rivals. First up is the Ferrari Edizioni Speciali DLC Pack which features two flavors of two special edition Ferraris like the F40 and the F50, in cop or racer guise. Then, there's the Simply Jaguar DLC Pack which comes with the fabled XJ220 and the C-X75 concept car.

- Even though they sell less cars, Ferrari is recognized as one of the world's most powerful brands, beating the likes of BMW and Porsche. They maybe sold fewer volumes but they had high profits. They done this because they want to maintain its exclusivity and increase their car's value over time.

- Disney posted another BTS video for the upcoming Disney XD series; Star Wars Rebels. This time, the staff highlights one of the newest characters of the Star Wars history; Sabine. She's a graffiti artist/weapons expert and she's voiced by Tiya Sircar.

- Check out clips from the upcoming PS3-exclusive sequel from the Dream Club franchise titled Dream Club Gogo.

- Actor John Lloyd Cruz got involved in a minor biking accident in Tarlac. He's in stable condition and he's fine, as told by Star Magic.

- Despite truce, protesters continue clash against Ukrainian police forces in the capital city of Kiev.

- It's another one of the tuning masterpieces from Vorsteiner and this time, welcome the new Vorsteiner V-CT based on the second-generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

2014 Vorsteiner V-CT

- There has been a leakage of toxic water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant but workers managed to stopped it to avoid contaminating the nearby oceans surrounding it.

- Four senators seek to decriminalize libel in the wake of the controversial anti-cybercrime law.

- DOTC announced that the MRT3 will extend its operating hours in order to give commuters more time during the rush hour.

- Forza Motorsport 5 has its first track add-on and the Road America DLC is free of charge! Download it on your XBOX One and take on this racetrack with yourself or your friends!

TTFN!!!

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - Tommykaira ZZII

Today, it's a Tommykaira ZZ-II. To pick up where the lightweight ZZ-S left off, the folks at Tommykaira envisioned its successor and powered by the Tommykaira-tuned RB26DETT engine that you find in the Skyline GT-Rs of the 90's, this is more of Japan's half-decent supercar of the new millennium but sadly, the ZZII never seen the light of its day and then Autobacs took over for the Garaiya project.

The ZZII will run straight through the Goodwood Hillclimb but at what time will it post?









It posted a 0:49.320 lap time! Although it may look gaudy thanks to its gold wheels but the 550HP straight-six engine and 4WD drivetrain made it quite an astonishing performer! Perhaps this is the kind of car Japan would have made to compete against the Europeans if it saw the light in its day.

Your hopes of seeing this car in another game is zero because it has a Gran Turismo exclusivity on it.

Tommykaira ZZII - A GRAN TURISMO-EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day 13

February 19, 2014 - DAY 13

While the climax of Sochi 2014 draws near, the competitors still vying for the gold medal and on that day, Ted Ligety from Team USA won the Men's Giant Slalom Run 2 at the time of 2:45.29 while in the 2x6km Women + 2x7 5 km Men Mixed Relay, Norway is the winning country. In the Women's Heat 4, Canadians Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse won the match, edging out against any female bobsledders from the USA.

The female athletes from Norway won the Ladies' Team Spring Classic finals while the male athletes from Finland won the Men's Team Sprint Classic finals.

In the Ladies' Parallel Giant Slalom finals, Patrizia Kummer from Switzerland is the victor while in the Men's Parallel Giant Slalom finals, Russia's Vic Wild is the champion.

Martina Sablikova from the Czech Republic won the Ladies' 5000m Speed Skating at the time of 6:51.54.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-13

Let's Do The News! (February 19, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The politician's favorite, the Ford Expedition, is now refreshed for the 2015 model year and it's loaded with even more luxury and convenience fit for the politicians. For the first time ever, the old 5.4L Triton V8 engine has been thrown away for good and replaced by 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. No specs have been told but Ford promises it will develop V8-like power output on a turbocharged V6 engine.

2015 Ford Expedition

- General Motors Thailand celebrated the production of its millionth vehicle since operations began 14 years ago at the Rayong plant. This plant houses 4,300 employees and it's one of the five GM plants built outside North America in the late 90's.

- Opel and Vauxhall revealed the production Adam Rocks micro crossover and it's set for its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. It will be powered by an all new 1.0L Ecotec three-cylinder turbo engine developing 113HP of power.

2015 Vauxhall/Opel Adam Rocks

- On the Fiat side, they have their own nippy little crossover based on the new Panda. Called the Panda Cross, it's based on the 4x4 model but with some offroad-inspired bits that makes it thing it's ready for adventure.

2015 Fiat Panda Cross

- Last February 16 (US Time), Miley Cyrus stuffed a fan's thong in her mouth while performing at her Bangerz Tour show. The tour kicked off in Vancouver, Canada in the 14th of February and hey, there's no stopping Miley being a bad influence to many. He he he...

- Senator Tito Sotto was pleased about the decision from the Supreme Court about legalizing online libel. He said that "with or without the cybercrime law, libel is libel". Even President Noynoy Aquino supported the Court's ruling.

- Despite controversies between them, Kris Aquino decides to allow her ex-husband James Yap to have better relationship with her son Bimby. She explained this from the February 17 episode of Aquino & Abunda after reporting about her ex-husband's 32nd birthday along with Bimby and Josh last Saturday.

- A report from Top Gear PH pointed out that one of the readers told about a mysterious Facebook page claiming that it was organizing some kind of illegal racing happening on the 22nd of February at the TURF BGC.

- Sad news for BioShock fans that the developer Irrational Games is shutting down for good. The recent BioShock game was BioShock Infinite, which was released by 2K Games last year.

- The first trailer of MARVEL'S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY has arrived!

TTFN!!!

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day 12

February 18, 2014 - DAY 12

In just a few days before Sochi 2014 concludes this 23rd of February, the battle for the nations continues as numerous athletes continue for the quest of scoring more gold medals.

Tina Maze from Slovenia won the Women's Giant Slalom at the time of 2:36.87 while Emil Hegle Svendsen from Norway won the Men's 15km Mass Start.

David Wise from Team USA scored another gold for the nation as he won the Men's Ski Halfpipe Final.

In the Individual Gundersen LH 10km Cross-Country Nordic Combined, Norwegians got a 1-2 finish as Joergen Graabak is the champion while Magnus Hovdal Moan placed 2nd.

South Koreans won the Ladies' 3000m Relay Finals at the time of 4:09.498, beating against every Western nations including Canada and Italy.

French snowboarder Pierre Vaultier is declared the victor of the Men's Snowboard Cross Finals while at the Men's 10000m Speed Skating, it's another 1-2-3 finish for the Dutch athletes as Jorrit Bergsma won this match while Sven Kramer placed 2nd and Bob De Jong placed 3rd.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-12

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 60

SUPER BOWL XLVIII may be well over (and congrats to the Seahawks by the way) but for my "DRIVING MUSIC" segment, it's just getting started. There have been so many many Big Game Ads and nothing's more interesting were the car commercials played during the big game. I've handpicked the Big Game car ads based on my sense of hearing and now...the list of some of the songs you've heard in some of the big game car ads.

5) You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate - from the Chevrolet Silverado HD "Romance" Big Game Ad

4) Bob Dylan's Things Have Changed - from Chrysler's America's Import ad with Bob Dylan.

3) Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo by Giorgio Moroder - from VW USA's "Wings" Big Game ad.

2) Count on Me by Bruno Mars - from Hyundai Genesis "Dad's Sixth Sense" Big Game ad.

1) Evil Woman by Electric Light Orchestra - from Hyundai Elantra "Nice" Big Game ad.

So, that's it for this segment but I'll leave you with the question: WHICH SB48 BIG GAME AD YOU THINK IS THE BEST? If you're the 12th Man, let me know...

Let's Do The News! (February 18, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Jimmy Fallon starts his first late night of being the new host of The Tonight Show on NBC.

- Earlier, a nearly 900-foot wide asteroid travelled at approximately 27,000mph slip past Earth as observed by the Slooh Community Observatory. Called mNEA 2000 EM26, this asteroid came no closer than 8.8 lunar distances from the Earth, posing no threat. Stargazers observed that.

- The UN commission of inquiry is likely to condemn North Korea over human rights issues.

- Mary Grace Canfield, the actress from Green Acres, died at the age of 89.

- Porsche suspends deliveries of brand new 911 GT3 in the midst of spontaneous combustion fears that occurred in five 991 GT3 units on its timeframe.

- Reports indicate that Formula One mogul, Bernie Ecclestone, in the midst of numerous scandals, is no longer trying to buy the cash-stripped Nurburgring.

- The Land Rover Discovery is now 25 years old and to celebrate its occasion, they've released the special XXV model.

- The Range Rover Evoque gets a flagship Autobiography model for the 2015 model year and its powerful version, the Autobiography Dynamic, is powered by a turbocharged engine developing 285PS of power output as well as refined chassis for handling feel like no other.

- Due to poor sales, Honda Europe will stop European sales for the Insight and CR-Z hybrids.

- The 2015 McLaren 650S is finally revealed ahead of its 2014 Geneva Motor Show debut. A P1 face in a 12C's body, the new 650S comes with uprooted version of the same 3.8L V8 turbo engine from the MP4-12C so that now, it develops a namesake 650PS of power output. 0-60mph takes three seconds and a top speed of over 207mph. It's made to outrival against Ferrari's 458 Speciale and the new Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4.

2015 McLaren 650S

- Advanced work for the Skyway Stage 3 has started and the MMDA routed out the alternate routes over the course of the roadworks.

- The Electric Vehicle Summit is now scheduled at February 27 to 28, 2014 at the Multipurpose Hall of Meralco in Pasig City. It was postponed last year in the wake of Superstorm Yolanda that hit the Visayas region of the Philippines.

- Jolina Magdanal-Escueta and Mark Escueta welcomed the birth of their baby boy. PEP reports.

TTFN!!!

Top Gear S21E03

Top Gear S21E03

The Ukrainian small car road trip is the highlight of the third episode of Top Gear Series 21 but first, the Danish supercar called the Zenvo ST1 was featured. This twincharged thousand-horsepower viking was tested by Jeremy Clarkson right until to the part where the Zenvo was literally set on fire. After that, The Stig set a lap time of 1:29.9 on a very wet lap.

Anyway, on to that Ukrainian small car road trip, Jeremy Clarkson goes for the VW up!, while Richard Hammond drives the brand new Ford Fiesta, and James May...finally realizing the dream by driving the brand new Dacia Sandero. Great news for him but bad news for them as they're driving their way to the nuclear-stricken Chernobyl.

Singer James Blunt was the STAR IN A REASONABLY PRICED CAR and he posted a lap time of 1:49.4 on a wet condition.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day 11

February 17, 2014 - DAY 11

As the Sochi 2014 nears to its epic climax, the competitors are still heating up to go for the gold just for the pride of their nations. In the Women's 12.5km Mass Start, Belarus' Darya Domracheva is the winner while in the Two-Man Heat 4, Russians Alexey Voevoda and Alexander Zubkov were declared the victors. That's another gold medal for the Russians.

The USA Figure Skating duo of Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the Ice Dance Free Dance after nabbing the overall score of 195.52 points from the judges.

At the Men's Aerials Final 3 of Freestyle Skiing category, Anton Kushnir from Belarus is the winner with the score of 134.50 points.

The Germans were the winning team at the final round of the Men's Team Ski Jumping after scoring an overall 1041.1 from the judges.

The Men's Snowboard Cross Seeding was cancelled.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-11

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - DOME ZERO

Today, let's take a look at what is was supposed to be Japan's first supercar known as the Dome Zero. A vision from the Kyoto-based racing team, the Dome Zero was introduced at the 48th Geneva Motor Show and they have high hopes to produce this car. However, government standards rejected Dome from producing it and this concept car remains a memory as of now. It's powered by a 2.8L 6-cylinder engine generating 142HP of power and because it weighs less than a ton, the power-to-weight ratio is 6.48kg/HP.

The Dome Zero will run through the Goodwood Hill Climb but what time will this car post on a wet lap?









It posted a 1:06.083 lap time on a wet track!

Once a vision failed against all odds, it managed to brave through the rain with instrumental precision most sportscars had. But still, don't expect the Dome Zero to show up on any other game rather than the Gran Turismo series because why? Ahem...

1978 DOME ZERO - A GRAN TURISMO-EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Let's Do The News! (February 17, 2014)

The big scoop today:

- Authorities revealed the details of the Xinjiang attack occurred last week as those attacks were carried out by terrorists. Some reports said that this attack was done by an Uygur who started spreading religious extremism 3 years ago, who headed 13 suspected terrorists since September last year.

- A bus explosion in Egypt killed 3 South Korean tourists, their Egyptian bus driver, and left 15 others badly wounded. Locals said that the South Koreans were on their way to Israel after visiting Mount Sinai.

- TPP talks between Japan and the US are stepping up efforts to settle their differences and agreed to tell their negotiating teams to work faster to bridge the gap between farm tariffs and other trade-related issues.

- The space thriller film GRAVITY scored six awards from the 2014 BAFTA while 12 Years A Slave won the best film award.

- A documentary film called Manny is set for its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas from March 7 to 15, 2014 and this documentary flick is directed by Ryan Moore and Academy Award winner Leon Gast. This film was narrated by Liam Neeson while it also features interviews from notable celebs including Mark Wahlberg, Jimmy Kimmel, and much more.

- Returning to the Vhong Navarro case, Atty. Alma Mallonga is highly confident that the two alleged people behind the beating, Deniece Cornejo and Cedric Lee, won't get away from this case aside from the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court rejecting the TPO Deniece implemented against Vhong.

TTFN!!!

The Good Luck Charlie finale

For after four seasons hanging out with the Duncans and watching all of Teddy Duncan's video diaries from start to finish, not to mention special episodes featuring Shake It Up, the Muppets, and Jessie, it's all down to this as our favorite teen comedy series come to the climax. Titled "Good Bye Charlie", this really is the ending every Mendies worth watching and hey, let's forget about the whole thing happened in the last episode of the series, we're talking about the most interesting bit of the episode...



Spencer, played by Shane Harper, made his final appearance of the show where Teddy's friends are throwing a farewell party to her as she's heading to college. And guess what? While nearing to the ending, here's what every Mendies or every Shidgit shippers worth waiting for...



Yes! It's a farewell kiss for both Spencer and Teddy! Fans of Bridgit Mendler and Shane Harper, as well as those Shidgit shippers have been waiting for this moment to come and that's what we called the best send-off to Good Luck Charlie.

Anyway, here's what Teddy said on her final video diary at the ending:

"Well Charlie, I guess this is it. You know I started making those video diaries to help you survive our crazy family. And after four years of doing them, I've realized how lucky we are to be a part of this family. And just to know that as long as you've got us, you always will have -- come on guys, say it with me -- GOOD LUCK CHARLIE!"



And that's the end of Good Luck Charlie. After four seasons, we bid farewell to the Duncan family after several hilarious spills came in each and every corners of their lives and I guess our Mendie Time is over. Thank you, Bridgit Mendler. Guess we're going to miss you...

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day 10

February 16, 2014 - DAY 10

European athletes are becoming the dominant force in Day 10 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. At the Men's Super-G Alpine Skiing, Norweigian athlete Kjetil Jansrud is the victor with the time of 1:18.14.

The Swedish Cross Country Team won the Men's Relay 4x10km with the time of 1:28:42.

In the Ladies' Snowboard Cross Finals, Czech's Eva Samkova is the winner.

And lastly, at the Ladies' 150mm speed skating, it's another 1-2-3 finish from the Dutch as Jorien Ter Mors is declared the victor while Ireen Wust placed 2nd place and Lotte Van Beek placed 3rd.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-10

Let's Do The News! (February 16, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Iglesia Ni Cristo's charity walk for the benefit of Yolanda victims broke the Guinness World Record for the longest charity walk, drawing at least 175,000 participants. Congratulations!

- Actress Ellen Page is confirmed that she is a lesbian during a speech at the Human Rights Campaign's THRIVE conference in Las Vegas.

- Volvo's participant to the Australian V8 Supercars race looks pretty interesting...

- According to a report from The Sunday Times, McLaren's brand new 650S supercar, set for next month's Geneva debut, could succeed from the MP4-12C and the V8 turbo engine that powers it, well, it produces 650PS of power output. That's more than what you get from the 458 Speciale or the Huracan LP610-4. I'm not quite sure but for a quick tidbit, F1 racer Jenson Button was contributed to the 650S.

- Volkswagen's Scirocco hatchback gets a light facelift for the 2015 model year.

- G Power tunes a late-model BMW M5 Touring to have a power output of 820PS and a top speed of over 362kph! Now that's what I called a power wagon! They called this the Hurricane RR Touring and what they did to the extinct V10 engine is rigged it with a Bi-Compressor system priced at 8,687 Euros.

- Are you ready? It's almost time to say goodbye to Bridgit Mendler and the rest of the cast as Good Luck Charlie ends with an hour-long series finale titled "Good Bye Charlie" where in the finale, Teddy Duncan heads to college and before that, she has to make one final video diary. Check local listings.

TTFN!!!

Forza 5: The Toyobaru Coupes

Well, I maybe a bit three months late for that but hey, better late than never to have myself an XBOX One and a game of Forza Motorsport 5 so how can I start this? Oh yeah!

YES! Top racers everywhere are wetting their pants down to excitement as Forza Motorsport 5, exclusively on XBOX One, is now in commission and here I am, investigating stuff like...REALLY LOUD STUFF! REALLY FAST STUFF! REALLY SLOW STUFF...ASIAN STUFF...AMERICAN STUFF...EUROPEAN STUFF...AND REALLY PAINFUL STUFF!!!



Let's begin with those Toyobaru coupes in question; the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ. Since their debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and sales in Japan started in the spring of 2012, these two RWD sports coupes shared one thing they had in mind; to bring a smile on any boy racer's face.

Some myths pointed out that even though they looked the same, the mechanicals are meant to be the same, like Galileo's theory of falling bodies where objects, regardless of size and weight, will fall at the same pace. Sure, they both have the same FA20 boxer engine but the thing is...what's the difference between them? Oh come on, some people pointed out that the suspensions are different between the 86 and the BRZ and to find out, let's head out to my only lab I called the Top Gear Test Track. Let's find out...

First up, the GT86. This is the car Jeremy Clarkson described as one of the best handling cars in ages, probably thanks to those skinny tires that made it a bit less grippy but how does it fare?



So, what about the Subaru BRZ? I'd reckon it could do the same thing...



Both of my drives are complete and I had the result. In the 86, I posted myself a 1:35.580 lap time while in the BRZ, my lap time round the Top Gear Track was 1:33.368? Oh that can't be right...probably because of my iffy driving but if my iffy driving ways were out in the equation, both of these cars would be neck-and-neck but still, there is a main reason why because for the BRZ, they want the suspension to be more matured and more honed for cornering while the 86 wants to be more less grippy and more tail-happy.

Perhaps no wonder both of these cars do participated in different motorsports but nevertheless, I think it's safe to say that both the 86 and the BRZ are a good start to FM5.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Nine

15th of February, 2014 - DAY 9

Continuing on the Sochi action where I left off; in the Women's Super-G Alpine Skiing, Anna Fenninger from Austria scored a gold medal after achieving a time of 1:25.52 while in the Ladies' Relay 4x5km, the Swedish took home the gold medal.

China scored another gold medal in the Sochi 2014 as Yang Zhou won the Ladies' 1500m finals while at the Men's 1000m Finals, Russia scored a 1-2 finish as Victor An won the match while Vladimir Grigorev placed 2nd place.

Also for Team Russia, Alexander Tretiakov won the Men's Heat of the Skeleton match with the time of 3:44.29.

Kamil Stoch, representing Poland, won the final round of the Men's Large Hill Individual with the score of 278.7 points from the judges and also from Poland, Zbigniew Brodka won the Men's 1500m speed skating.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-9