Forza Motorsport 5 - 2014 Renault Spark SRT_01E at Yas Marina Circuit

Continuing on the Spark-Renault SRT_01E's global shakedown experiments on Forza Motorsport 5, it's time for this electric racing machine to take on the Yas Marina Circuit, located at the man-made Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Opened in late 2009, this racetrack was heavily influenced by the vividness of the city of Abu Dhabi itself and it has become one of the melting pots of the Abu Dhabi experience. It is the second F1 track in the Middle East with the first in Bahrain. The Yas Marina Circuit has 5.554km of length, 21 corners, and little known fact that the fastest lap in this track was set by Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel since the first Abu Dhabi GP took part in the F1 2009 season, with the time of 1:40.279.






This is probably one of the trickiest tracks in the game and judging how far the SRT_01E can push through, looks like there has been some struggling while facing tight corners. On the straights, it's electric power doesn't give the oomph like you would expect on the normal F1 car. Despite its struggle, looks like the Spark-Renault SRT_01E has done a pretty good job taking its first steps in the Middle Eastern racetrack.

Next time, the SRT_01E will take on the Land Down Under. That's Australia to you and me but which part of Australia? One answer: Bathurst! If Bathurst is one of the natural home of the V8 Supercars, will the SRT_01E like it there?

How I spent my Summer 2014 vacation

So, Summer 2014 is officially well and truly over and kids from all over the world are getting on their beds and ready for their first day of school. It's back to our boring lives working, studying, and more busy stuff rather than spending our own free time doing everything. Still, this season brought us lots and lots of memories so what's it all about for me? How did I spent my summer 2014 vacation?

- We "Rode the Ducks" in Seattle's "Ride The Ducks" moving attraction that roams around the roads and the seas of Seattle.



- Got myself some Graduation pics from our mailbox.



- Reading some Lonely Planet books we borrowed from the library



- Enjoying the Vintage Races at Pacific Raceways because I love cars



- Had to attend my cousin Marie's baby shower



- Enjoying my time alone at DragonFest at Seattle's Chinatown district...



- I discovered myself playing the PS3-exclusive, free-to-play Ace Combat Infinity game and I found my newfound likeness for aviation...



- I dressed myself as Gravity Falls' Dipper Pines and took part at the Seattle Chinatown Seafair Parade.



- Attended my cousin Marie's baby shower...again...



- Attended the annual Pista sa Nayon at the Seward Park Amphitheater because most Filipinos are having a good time there...



- Enjoyed the Seafair and watch the Blue Angels dancing through the skies...



- I bought some Pokemon plushes such as Sylveon, Espurr, Dedenne, and Goomy...and ended up sharing to my sister Cecille because she loves Pokemon.





- Watching the Ninja Turtles movie with my mom and dad...



- Bought myself a new bed and frame and ended up being too high...



- Introducing my cousin Marie's newborn baby Kobe...



- Enjoying the annual Aki Matsuri at Bellevue College



- I bought myself a 2DS, a copy of Pokemon Y (because my little sis has Pokemon X), some more Pokemon toys, and my new Chespin plush because Chespin's very cute.



- Eating at a steak house I never heard of called Sizzler...



- And to top it all off, me and my family went to Puyallup for the Washington State Fair.



These are the things I have done in my whole summer vacation. What's yours?

Let's Do The News! (September 22, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- After winning the elections, newly-elected New Zealand PM John Key said that he wants this nation to vote next year on changing the national flag.

- The Australian government is proposing a ban on torturing suspected terrorists from Secret Service agents for interrogation purposes.

- The government officials from Yemen had signed a peace deal with the Shiite rebels following days of violence that killed over 140 people and sent thousands evacuating from their homes.

- The legendary Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 Zagato is this week's feature on the latest Jay Leno's Garage webisode. Check it out!

 

- Bandai Namco Games announced their 5th DLC Catalog for the PS3-exclusive THE iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL video game, which will go on sale at the Playstation Store on the 25th of September. First up, there's a brand new scenario where all 765 PRO idols are wearing the scenario-exclusive Relish Autumn outfit and they're performing the scenario-exclusive song titled Thank You!. In addition, Kana Yabuki and Nao Yokoyama from THE iDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE mobile game will be making a special guest appearances on this DLC catalog. Additional clothes you say? Yes, there are! Additional costumes for this catalog include Lady Grisaille, Pastel Bikini, My Dear Vampire, Starlight Agent, Scent Iris, Twilight Safari, Jungle Survivor, Sky Puzzler, Baby Blue Jaguar, Desert Traveler, and Horoscope Caster. Additional songs include 99 Nights, きゅんっ！ヴァンパイアガール, Ｌ・Ｏ・Ｂ・Ｍ, and my song.

765SHOP CATALOG Vol. 5 Thank You!

- Kotori Minami from Love Live! School Idol Project now has her very own Nendoroid! Sweet! She'll be available to you this January at the price of 3,241 Japanese Yen plus tax.

Nendoroid Kotori Minami

- Nissan's Infiniti brand confirms a production version of a brand new, two-door coupe by 2015. Could it be the Q50-based Q60 or better known as the Skyline Coupe in the making?

- Group Lotus PLC may lost over 325 jobs as part of a new plan for the British sportscar maker.

- Lamborghini teases a mysterious machine for its Paris Motor Show debut but what is it?

- Comedian Nick Frost will be making a guest appearance on the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas Special.

Forza Motorsport 5 - 2014 Renault Spark SRT_01E at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Part of the Spark-Renault SRT_01E taking on the world on Forza Motorsport 5, it's time for this zero-emission racing machine to take on one of the most challenging racetracks in the world, probably known as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the racetrack used as the venue for the Formula 1's Belgian GP as well as the Spa 24 Hour endurance and other races. This racetrack has a very challenging Eau Rouge corner at the start and racers need to be very careful with their speed and mobility while trying to survive the corner's dreaded elevation. One small mistake will cost them more.






Even though the Spark-Renault SRT_01E has faced some minor mishaps while trying to survive one of Spa's nastiest corners and elevations, I believed that one quick lap round the Spa with this zero-emission racer is a profound success. I know that this game had me sending this racer halfway round the world and its progress after taking on Europe's finest racetracks is looking pretty good. Looks like we need to move out from the Europe and next time, let's bring this one to the Middle East. Specifically, the Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. You know that racetrack used for the Abu Dhabi GP? Yeah, that's what we're tackling next.

F1 2014: Singapore GP

Nico Rosberg's unfortunate turn of events in the form of a faulty gearbox problems that sent him stranded at the start of the formation lap gave Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes the upper hand in the Singapore GP race at Marina Bay. With no Rosberg in sight, Hamilton's now focused on catching up against the likes of two Red Bull Racing's finest; Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo. His victory sent Vettel in 2nd place and Ricciardo in 3rd place.

Other racers that faced the same fate as Rosberg in this race were McLaren's Jenson Button for his car's power box problems, two racers from Sauber, and Kamui Kobayashi from Caterham for his car's power unit failure.

On the driver's ranking aside, looks like Hamilton's now in the lead and he's three points ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg. This is going to be very one sided.

The next race will be at Japan this 5th of October.

Report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/9/16385.html

Image: Top Gear

Hub Network to be renamed as Discovery Family?

Hub Network

Bronies from all over the world got shocked when they heard the news about Discovery Communications renaming the family-oriented Hub Network, the one with My Little Pony and other great kid shows on it, into Discovery Family. This report occurred when Discovery Communications and one of the world's biggest toy companies, Hasbro, terminated their partnership. Under the terms, Discovery will take over The Hub's interest and rebranding it as a family-oriented network while Hasbro will retain their large stake and control six hours of daytime TV on the network from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The renaming is expected to happen this year and it will be placed in a business unit overseen by Henry Schleiff, the group president of Discovery Communication's rapidly-expanding channels.

Report: http://www.awn.com/news/discovery-rebrand-kids-network-hub

Park Sang-Myun in Banana Split

In case you've really missed last night's episode of Banana Split: Extra Scoop, one of South Korea's famed comedians made a special guest appearance in front of the Music Museum audience! Yes, that's Park Sang-Myun, an actor who appeared in the Green Rose Korean drama and movies like My Wife is a Gangster and Miracle on Cell No. 7.

Very nice to see a foreign celeb guesting on this show!