We thank everyone for a great season so far for making it out to join us - and for the Italian Grand Prix we'll be enjoying the sights and sounds from Monza:

More right foot, less rear wing, and plenty of tifosi!

Our raffle following the race will be featuring shots from Spa - and as always big thanks to Paul-Henri and Terry Griffin for their continued support of F1 in San Francisco.

What: The Grand Prix of Italy and GP Brunch (RSVP)

When: Sunday September 14th, 9:00 am pre-race, the flag drops at 9:30!

Where: Overtime Sports Bar and Grill, 398 7th @ Harrison, (415) 863-1688 in San Francisco

"I had a very exciting life and learned an awful lot about myself and others that I might never have learned. Racing sort of forced a confrontation with reality. Lots of people spend their lives in a state that is never really destined to go anywhere."

Phil Hill's first Grand Prix in a Ferrari: Nurburgring, August 1958

Californian and first American F1 World Champion Phil Hill passed away last week and racing's loss is great. Our thoughts go out to the Hill family as the racing community mourns the loss of an American racing legend.

For our last race from Valencia over 40 F1 fans turned up for an awesome event out at Overtime, and we invite you to join us again this Sunday for the Belgian Grand Prix. We ask that you please RSVP to help chef James get breakfast in order for the morning's race, and as always, all are welcome, so bring a friend and keep your foot down for Eau Rouge!

Massa's win on new turf in Valencia brings the title chase closer . . .

. . but Hamilton's strong finish keeps him on top in points.

Meanwhile . . .

. . . Kubica maintains momentum with consistency and plenty of drive.

Our raffle following the race will be featuring these shots - and as always big thanks to Paul-Henri and Terry Griffin for their continued support of F1 in San Francisco. Extra thanks go out to Joe and James at Overtime for getting it done for the SFF1 faithful and raising the roof that much more last time!

What: The Grand Prix of Belgium and GP Brunch (RSVP)

When: Sunday September 7th, 9:30 am pre-race, the flag drops at 10:00!

Where: Overtime Sports Bar and Grill, 398 7th @ Harrison, (415) 863-1688 in San Francisco

The GP of Europe is over two weeks away, but this weekend the show's coming to us! The Gumball 3000 rally is celebrating it's 10th year in action around the globe with the official launch this Saturday in San Francsico, and will be a motoring tour de force. 120 cars will be kicking off their 8 day world tour right here, and the cars are arriving in town now - recent sightings in the area have included several exotics you may not see on the road together again in quite some time!

The Gumball 3000 Rally kicks off Saturday on Nob Hill at 1pm!

What: The Gumball 3000 Rally Kickoff Event

When: Saturday August 9th, grid at 10:00am, the flag drops at 1pm!

Where: Nob Hill in San Francisco

www.flickr.com SFF1_'s The Gumball 3000 Rally photoset

"Following the incident involving Kimi Raikkonen and Paul-Henri Cahier on the starting grid of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, that saw the finnish driver assault the photographer, we decided that it was necessary to clarify a few points.

There never was any contact between the two men, nor did Paul-Henri ever touch Kimi's equipment. Furthermore, the distance at which Paul-Henri Cahier was taking a picture, although close, was completely standard. The photographers who take pictures at Grand Prix races are all professionals who have been accredited by the FIA, and as the dozen other photographers who were standing next to Paul-Henri Cahier prove, there was nothing unusual or unethical about this situation.

Finally, Paul-Henri Cahier has been an F1 photographer for almost fourty years and has been close to the greatest champions, but none of them has ever behaved in such a rude manner. It is understandable that drivers might get irritable because of the pressure they undergo, but Kimi Raikkonen never even attempted to express his discontent in a non violent way. Paul-Henri Cahier luckily did not suffer any injury, and so does not intend to take any action, but he regrets the arrogance with which Kimi Raikkonen treated someone who was merely doing his job."

Dan Gurney, Bernard Cahier, and Phil Hill in France, 1962

Bernard Cahier, father of Paul-Henri, passed away having left a legacy of photo journalism in motorsport behind for all to enjoy. A native of France, Bernard studied at UCLA where he met his wife, Joan Updike, and became involved in the Southern California sports car scene working alongside then unknowns Phil Hill and Ritchie Ginther before building a career in journalism covering racing. Motorsport's loss is great with Bernard's passing, and for more on Bernard's life, please visit Grandprix.com, and F1-Photo.com. Our thoughts and best wishes go to Paul-Henri and his family at this time.

My blog can be found off site on my personal web-page, by clicking on my M coupe:

Ciao,
Byron
A.K.A. "Nivola"

Whaaa whaaa whaaa . . . what's up with this guy? All pay and no podium makes Fernando - well, slower . . .

An amazing event at the Mallya Collection

On April 15, a gathering from San Francisco Formula 1 Group took a tour of Vijay Mallya's personal car collection. We wish to thank collection curator Malcolm Page and Force India F1 Team owner Vijay Mallya for their kindness in allowing our members access. All were overwhelmed at the staggering beauty and condition of these running, road-going automobiles, and we are very grateful to have had the opportunity to view this important collection.

www.flickr.com SFF1_'s 2008 Mallya Collection Tour photoset

If you would like to share your experience on the tour, login to submit your comments below this post.

Just who is this kid? With Lewis Hamilton's story now out, it looks like Honda have placed their bets in a big way on a 16 year old from Britain. Youngest future race winner ever in the making? Whoever he is, it certainly shows Honda's commitment to the future of their team in the sport bringing drivers up through their development program. Wonder when Marco Andretti's going to get his career behind the wheel of one of Honda's F1 cars . . .

The Official Shirt of the San Francisco Formula 1 Group is here!

We've got an awesome black tee for you and yours for sale today! Currently we're taking orders for the United States, but will be preparing a point of sale for international customers shortly.

The shirt features our distinctive 'chase' logo screenprinted in two tones across the chest - lots of detail with this dynamic image.

Screenprinting is also on sleeves and back of shirt. Griffin Motorwerke logo on right sleeve.

Made from 100% combed cotton by American Apparel:

Mens (S, M, L, XL, XXL) and ladies (S, M, L) sizes are now available, price is $25 plus USPS postage.

Handling? Like it's on rails - we walk it to the post office for ya, no extra charge.

Email your order to shirts@sff1.com, include shipping address and we'll contact you with payment details and paypal information.

Over 25 SFF1 members enjoyed a full tour of the Canepa Design facilities in Scotts Valley, California, a world-class restoration and preparation facilty. Canepa's specialty: The Porsche 959. One quarter of the world's Porsche 959's are serviced, tuned, restored here. Cars from the photographs below are from Canepa's permanent design collection, as well as customer cars currently offered for sale. Thanks to Llew and the staff at Canepa for opening their museum and shop floor for our tour, it was one to remember!

Add your comments/tour feedback below!