John Hugenholtz

Johannes Bernhardus Theodorus "Hans" Hugenholtz, in English-speaking countries a.k.a. John Hugenholtz (October 31, 1914, Vledder – March 25, 1995, Bentveld) was a Dutch designer of race tracks and cars.

Hugenholtz's father, of the same name, was a Protestant minister and peace activist who moved his family to Purmerend in 1918 and Ammerstol in 1924. Hugenholtz studied to be a lawyer and became a journalist by profession, but his interests were in cars. As a young man he was an (amateur) motorcycle racer. He founded the Nederlandse Auto Race Club in 1936 and was director of the Zandvoort racing circuit from 1949 to 1974. He further founded the Association Internationale de Circuits Permanents in Paris, and the Pionier Automobielen Club in 1956, leading to the Fédération Internationale des Voitures Anciennes (FIVA). Hugenholtz is best known as the designer of a variety of circuits used for Formula One which have been praised for their challenging nature and innovative features. The latter includes the use of multiple layers of stretching, chainlink fences ("catch fences") to slow down and catch cars running off the track, decreasing the chance of driver injury compared to the customary solid barriers. Such a concept was ultimately perfected for oval tracks (and some road courses) in the early 2000s in the form of the SAFER barrier; Hugenholtz's system is an arguable predecessor to the steel and foam barriers. Amongst others, he designed the circuits Suzuka in Japan (1962), Zolder in Belgium (1963), the Hockenheimring's "Motodrom" stadium section in Germany (1965), Jarama in Spain (1967), Ontario Motor Speedway (together with Portland-based architect Michael Parker) in California (1970), and Nivelles in Belgium (1971). Although often credited with designing the Zandvoort circuit as well, the layout was largely dictated by the existing road layout with Sammy Davis acting as the principal design consultant.

BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M.

M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46, E90/E92/E93, and F80 3-series, and sold with coupe, saloon and convertible body styles. Upgrades over the "standard" 3-Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, lightweight components, and interior/exterior accents with the tri-colour "M" (Motorsport) emblem.

The last M3 coupe was produced in Germany on 5 July 2013, replaced by the F82/F83 M4 Coupe and convertible starting with the 2015 model year, but the M3 name will remain in use for the saloon version.

The BMW M3 remains the only car ever to have earned more titles than the venerable Porsche 911 in Motorsport, and also is the most successful touring, and grand touring car ever to have participated in racing.

E30 M3

Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the E30 M3 used the BMW S14 engine.

2013 Formula One season

The 2013 Formula One season was the 64th season of the FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship which was open to Formula One cars, recognised by the sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. Eleven teams and twenty-three drivers contest the nineteen Grands Prix that made up the calendar for the 2013 season, with the winning driver being crowned the World Drivers' Champion and the winning team the World Constructors' Champions. The season started in Australia on 17 March 2013 and ended in Brazil on 24 November 2013.

The 2013 season was the final year the series used the 2.4 litre V8 engine configuration which was introduced in 2006; a 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine formula came into force for 2014.

Sebastian Vettel successfully defended his World Championship, winning his fourth consecutive title in the fourth to last race of 2013. In doing so he became just the third driver in Formula One's sixty-four years to win four consecutive World Drivers' Championships. Vettel's 2013 season performance additionally saw him recognised by the Laureus World Sports Awards as the Sportsman of the Year, just the second racing driver to be so recognised.

Formula One

Formula One (also Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of single-seat auto racing that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been the premier form of racing since the inaugural season in 1950, although other Formula One races were regularly held until 1983. The "formula", designated in the name, refers to a set of rules, to which all participants' cars must conform. The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix (from French, originally meaning great prizes), held throughout the world on purpose-built F1 circuits and public roads.

The results of each race are evaluated using a points system to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers, one for constructors. The racing drivers are required to be holders of valid Super Licences, the highest class of racing licence issued by the FIA. The races are required to be held on tracks graded 1 (formerly A), the highest grade a track can receive by the FIA. Most events are held in rural locations on purpose-built tracks, but there are several events in city centres throughout the world, with the Monaco Grand Prix being the most obvious and famous example.