Harrington to play waiting game on neck surgery

Pádraig Harrington is encouraging the public to buy a lollipop and support Lollipop Day in aid of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, this Friday and Saturday, March 3-4. http://lollipopday.ie/

Pádraig Harrington is keeping his fingers crossed that his neck improves over the coming day so he can avoid surgery.

The Dubliner, 45, has been battling a trapped nerve in his neck since the end of last season and fears that he may need to go under the knife sooner rather than later in order to avoid a layoff that could affect his summer schedule and planned return to Royal Birkdale for The Open, where he won his second Claret Jug in 2008.

Having missed his fourth cut from five outings since he came back from his nine-week winter lay-off, Harrington knows that delaying surgery for too long could mean missing events such as The Open and the US PGA, which he is desperate to play.

Writing in his Facebook diary, Harrington said: "The frustrating thing for me now is that I am not sure what awaits me. I am on holidays with my family this week and then when I get home I will get my neck looked at again and make the decision as to having an operation or not. 

"Everything is up in the air for the next week or so. The really frustrating thing for me is that I hit the ball great on Friday and know that it is a case of working on my wedges and short game to improve my scoring, but for the moment I can't do anything.

"It's a waiting game for the moment and a case of keeping my fingers crossed that there will be an enough of an improvement to mean no operation is needed."

Harrington fell five spots to 153rd in the world after he missed the cut by five strokes in the Honda Classic last week.

But he sounded familiarly optimistic about his game after a combination of mental and physical practice with Dr Bob Rotella after his two-over-par opening round.

"We worked on my routine and also on my technique," Harrington explained. "I was hitting shots using an old drill of mine, where I step with my left foot and then hit, which made a big difference to my strike.

"On Friday I hit the ball the best I have in the five weeks. I played using the step drill and added in some waggles into my routine. I would have to say if I hit the ball as I did Friday for the rest of my life I would be very happy. 

"The problem I had on Friday was an age-old one for me - anytime I spend a lot of time practising the evening before a round I tend to hit the ball well but lose my scoring ability and I misjudged a number of chip shots and putts. The score I shot was the worst possible score I could have shot the way I struck the ball."

Harrington will be home in time to support Lollipop Day in aid of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

The fund-raising drive will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4 with volunteers from all over Ireland selling €2 lollipops in aid of cancer research, awareness and patient services in Ireland. 

"Having lost my Dad to this cancer I know how important it is to educate people about the warning signs and promote early detection," Harrington wrote. "So, please buy a lolly and help Ireland stand up to oesophageal cancer."

http://lollipopday.ie/

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DRIVEN: Ford Focus RS – a BMW M2 Competitor

If there is one surprising car that came out of the Detroit last year, then it has to be the all-new Ford Focus RS, a performance car that many has put it head-to-head with the likes of Mercedes’ AMG, BMW’s M or Audi’s RS line. 

The wait, enthusiasts, is over. We watched helplessly as Ford’s European division launched the first Focus RS in 2002 and greedily kept it to themselves. Again, we were spurned with the launch of the European-only second generation Focus RS in 2009. Ford’s return to a single, all-new Focus platform in 2011 brought hope for performance-oriented Focus ST and RS variants in North America. That first step was achieved in 2012 with the North American debut of an all-new Focus ST. Finally, at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, Ford debuted the third generation Focus RS. This time, we’re allowed to partake. Will it be worth the wait?

The news only continued to get better. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine originally estimated to make around 315 horsepower and 320 lb-ft torque was actually going to produce 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft torque! A six-speed manual would be the only transmission available and, for the first time ever on a Focus, power would go to all four wheels with a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system. Finally, that new system would have a special Drift Mode allowing for extra slip angle before traction control kicked in. To fans of the Blue Oval, this was music to their ears.

Climbing into the new RS, only the blue contrast stitching and smattering of RS logos will clue you into the uniqueness of this new Focus. There’s no escaping the budget-minded interior components from the standard Focus that remain in this $40k example. Outside, however, is a different story altogether. The RS’s unique body kit includes an entirely redesigned front fascia for more airflow. Around back, a rear roof spoiler sits high over the roofline, far more prominently than the ST. The rear diffuser is also unique with two large sections carved out for the RS’s girthy dual split exhaust. Our tester also was equipped with the optional 19” wheels shod in ultra-high performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. There’s no doubt that this is the most aggressive-looking Focus to date. To stand out from the crowd even more, option the RS-only highly-metallic Nitrous Blue paint. The extra cost is well worth it.

An all-wheel-drive hot hatchback is the ideal all-year car and the conditions we experienced undoubtedly support that conclusion. Our late October week with the Focus RS ranged from an unseasonably high 84 to an unseasonably snowy 32. Surprisingly, even on the Sport Cup 2 tires, the Focus RS’ character remains unchanged. The warm-weather grip of the tires predictably gave way to the cold-weather intelligence of the new all-wheel-drive system. On warm, dry roads the grip is astonishing; it’s virtually impossible to unsettle the car even with traction control disabled. On snow-covered roads, the RS acted as if it was already shod in all-season tires. In a snowy parking lot, the new Drift Mode makes for some impressive antics. The RS finally answers the question as to why the Fiesta ST and Focus ST’s Recaro seats are so heavily bolstered.

From a standing start, there’s noticeable turbo lag. It’s not a car that feels quick off the line or in a straight line even though 60 mph arrives in 4.7 seconds. Keep the turbo spooled and you’re rewarded with readily available power and a blend of intake and exhaust rumble. Shift abruptly while the engine is under full boost and the RS emits a satisfying pop or two from the exhaust, rally car style. Speaking of shifting, whereas the ST’s clutch lacked a clear engagement point, the RS is much more straightforward. There’s a sense that this car is eager to be driven hard and put away wet, the kind of car where every run to the shop is a rally special stage. And even after spending nearly 600 miles pretending to be Tanner Foust, the RS still managed to return 19.8mpg.

The RS’s advantages are much more noticeable in corners and under braking. The Focus RS has a completely revised suspension system that includes electronically controlled dampers. Under normal operation, the RS ride is firm. Activate the Sport damper setting by toggling the Drive Mode to Track or by pressing button on the left column stalk and you can count every expansion joint on the highway. The RS is much stiffer than the ST, and rightly so, but the Sport damper setting is probably best left for timed events only. Even without it, body roll is so easily kept in check that you’ll just barely need to brush the brakes to keep weight on the nose of the car into the corner. When it does come time to stop, the blue Brembo brakes offer phenomenal bite and great pedal feel.

The plucky hatchback packs more charisma than the sterile Volkswagen Golf R and more practicality than the sedan-only Subaru WRX STi. The only thing it can’t escape is its budget-minded origins. Both the Golf R and STi come from similarly humble models but manage to have more refined interiors. Despite this, the supercar levels of grip and rallycross good looks make the RS is one potent package. One that was worth the wait.

2017 Ford Focus RS – As Tested MSRP$42,465

Story by LimitedSlipBlog

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BMW M4 in Speed Yellow shows up at Abu Dhabi dealership

After a BMW M3 Speed Yellow project, BMW Abu Dhabi dealership now delivers to the world an M4 Coupe featuring the same polarizing color. And just like its twin brother, this M4 comes equipped with the Competition Package and a series of aero upgrades from the M Performance catalog.

The Competition Package takes the power output of the 3-liter straight six twin-turbo engine up from 425 HP to 444 HP bring a small bump in this department. If you think that’s not enough to make a difference, you’d be wrong as the DCT-fitted BMW M4 with the Competition Package can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds flat.

New springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, along with reconfigured driving modes make sure you get the most out of your car. You also get new wheels on the outside, Style 666 without the Acid Orange details you can spot on a BMW M4 GTS but with the same size and weight. The exhaust is different as well, with a meaner sound.

At the front, the Speed Yellow M4 features a carbon fiber splitter with its outer edge also painted in Speed Yellow. A set of side skirts also painted partially in the yellow color give the M4 that extra sporty flair. Carbon fiber is also the name of the game in the rear where a trunk spoiler in the lightweight material ensures that additional downforce is given to the sporty coupe. The carbon fiber diffuser rounds up the aero upgrades.

The flashy yellow is available for any BMW, as long as yo shell out between $2,000 and $5,000 – depending on the market. Despite the hefty price tag, the BMW Individual paint jobs are one of the easiest ways to differentiate your super sporty M car from others in the crowd.

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BMW EVO i8 “Dark Knight” Edition is the Batmobile we all want

This BMW i8 is by far the darkest, roughest and most aggressive i8 model we’ve ever seen. The tuning project was put together by Japan-based ENERGY MOTOR SPORT, a company known for another exotic i8 build featured here back in 2016. This new i8 is called the Dark Knight Edition and the company says it’s a tribute to the iconic “Batman Dark Knight” movie.

The Batcar started as a based BMW i8 plug-in hybrid which was paired with the aggressive and dynamic kit made by EVO. The i8 Carbon Edition kit includes a highly redesigned front bumper, front and rear over fenders, a massive rear wing and rear flippers.

Other upgrades include a new set of wheels, the ENERGY Individual TYPE4 in 21 inches and painted in – you guessed – black. Inside, the EVO i8 features all red leather and a full carbon fiber panel.

The sound department was hard at work as well and the Batmobile gets a custom exhaust system which will enhance the acoustics of that 1.5 liter three cylinder engine.

While Batman’s car of choice always stays true to its black color, this i8 goes for the bang with a flashy wrap. There is actually a combination of a matte purple and gloss purple, paired with brushed purple film. The end result is a BMW i8 which is likely the only one in the world in this shape or color.

[Photos: TAKANORI ARIMA]

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