Top Five Australian Motorsport Events Of 2014

This is a guest post from Pure Performance Motorsport, one of the leading manufacturers of connecting rods for high performance engines.


Aussies love their motorsports and as a country, we’ve produced some of the world’s finest racers as well as technologies. For example, companies such as Pure Performance Motorsport in Victoria, have become world famous for their forged pistons, along with H & I beam connecting rods. If you want to see these drivers and home-grown technologies at their best, get along to any one of the top five Australian Motorsport Events in 2014, including:

1. Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

March - Melbourne, Victoria Each March, Melbourne draws visitors from all over the world to host the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit. The four day event kicks off the Formula 1 season and will get your blood pumping as you watch the world's fastest drivers and cars fly by almost 300km/hour. Renowned for providing breathtaking trackside action as well as fantastic off-track exhibitions and demonstrations, this is one of Australia’s top three motorsport races.

2. V8 Supercars

March, April, May, June, November, December – various locations Drawing crowds of up to 250,000, the V8 Supercars is a touring car race with events in all states. Based on the two most popular passenger cars in Australia; the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon, the V8 Supercars do battle in Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Launceston, the Gold Coast, Bathurst and Phillip Island, Victoria. Each race offers a family-friendly, festival atmosphere. The series finale is held over three days at Sydney’s Olympic Park, a challenging, champion-designed course that puts the world’s best to the test.

3. Australasian Safari

September - Regional Western Australia Covering more than 4,000km of some of the country’s toughest terrain, the Australasian Safari runs for seven days and stretches from Perth to Kalgoorlie. Set in Western Australia’s outback, this endurance race pushes even the most gutsy 4WDs, motorbikes and quad bikes to their limits. A great feature of this event is that spectators get the opportunity to follow parts of the course on your very own motorbike or 4WD!

4. Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

October: Phillip Island, Victoria As one of Australia’s top three motorsport events, the MotoGP is an unforgettable experience. Bike enthusiasts from all walks of life converge on Phillip Island to enjoy this world-class racing event and the nation’s key bike race event of the year. The Island’s circuit is one of the most unique and exciting racing tracks in the world, offering stunning panoramic ocean views and superb spectator viewing across the whole course.

5. V8 Supercars Bathurst 1000

October: Bathurst, NSW This punishing 1,000 km endurance track race held at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama is the jewel of the Australian motorsports industry. For over 50 years, the world’s best have battled to take out the prestigious ‘King of the Mountain’ title. As one of Australia’s most renowned sporting events, you’ll be joining motorsport sport fans from around the world for a huge programme of awesome entertainment, both on and off the track.

Love motorsports? Planning your next holidays? Make sure you get yourself to one of Australia’s premier motorsport events this year and live, breath, eat motor racing!

Russian Meteor & Impact Crash Site Crater

I know that I don't usually do these kind of posts, but it's freakin' me out.

Here is a video of the meteor over Russia falling from the sky.




Here is a video that will blow your mind, a sonic boom that would give me a heart attack, trying to figure out WTF is going on!





Here is the most amazing video of them all.  The Russian Meteor Crater, the impact zone where it has hit the ground.





Is it real?  I dunno, it actually looks like the crater might be a bit small.

What do you reckon, is this the real deal?  Could this be where the meteor made it's hole in the Earth? Could it be a video of something else maybe? It does look older and not very good quality.

My guess is... real!

Either way, that's some freaky stuff.  Especially with a bigger one passing lower than satellites very soon!

...eep...

- tork

People Are Awesome again..

Sometimes, you just feel like watching something that makes you feel good.

I posted one of these vids in my first month of blogging.  A new one is out..


PEOPLE ARE AWESOME.

never forget, you are people too :-)

Enjoy!

My Old Australia Day - A Poem

It's a purple, dusky sky, with the hot air drying clothes on the hoist,
Mum's dinner's on the barbie, with the lamb roast looking moist.

Us kids are done playing cricket, with Gramps behind the stumps,
I bowled bouncers at my brother, now I'm laughing at his lumps.

The grass is crying from the heat, it needs to get some water on it,
The sprinkler would work better if my little brother would get off it.

The yell goes out "Come get it!", time to dig in to our grub,
But Mum has overcooked it and Dad's dreaming of his pub.

But I still scoff down my meal, on another Aussie Day.
And remind my Pop of his bad jokes like any other day.

But then says Pop "Hey what you get crossin' an Elephant with a Roo?"
"Big holes across Australia" I say, "You need jokes that are new!"

The mozzies start to bite from that river out the back.
You know the night is over when they all start to attack.

The sky is still that purple, dusky sky when night is dry.
There's nothing like the sight, past them gum trees, to the sky.

Bring all the fam into the house to have a drink infront the telly.
An Aussie Day kept in my mind, in my heart and in my belly.

- tork

Christmas with a Toddler - Keeping Away from the Tree

Oh god, I just realised that my little one is going to be a terror this year. Not because he is older or steadily reaching the terrible two's, but because he is getting into absolutely everything.

Drawers...

Boxes..

Cupboards..

Toilets.. (don't ask)

Everything must be investigated and tested just in case it might be ice cream.

I've realised it is going to be impossible having a Christmas tree up this year. With the Christmas pageant now finished, tradition says the tree's gotta go up too.

It's just a plastic one that we've always had. Last year it sat atop a table out of harms way to a crawling child. This year there is no way it wont be left alone.

It will become the greatest play thing this kid has yet to see.

With a child that is cheeky as hell and without the understanding of the word 'No', it is going to be tasted and pulled faster than you can say "don't touch that or it's reindeer for dinner!".

I asked the wife "What are we doing with the Christmas tree this year? How are we going to keep the young fella away from it?"

She said leave it in the box.  Smart thinking that wife of mine...

Any suggestions? How are you keeping a toddler out of the tree this year?

- tork

3 Ways To Be More Financially Fit

A Guest Post from Jake Saunders..

As a parent, it always seems like there is an endless list of things to pay for: groceries, bills, school fees, and kids toys all add up and before you know it, you can end up in a bit of a financial pickle. However, there are ways to juggle your finances and keep everyone in the family happy.

You don't need to learn the ins and outs of dividend yields, investment banking, and stock broking to be more financially fit- all it takes is a bit of planning and you too can be (almost) as money savvy as Warren Buffet  Take a look at these three ways to manage your money in a family-friendly way and before you know it, you'll be able to save up for that new car or boat that you've always wanted.

Grab a bargain

Bargains are everywhere - you just need to know where to look. If you're planning a family meal over the weekend, don't spend copious amounts of money to keep everybody's tummy happy. Instead, plan a restaurant that works for your budget. Many restaurants offer "kids eat for free" deals or package deals on certain days, and if you visit during lunch then meals are often cheaper. For fun activities over the weekend, choose a free venue like the park or the art gallery (many of these offer events for kids over the weekend as well), or take advantage of websites like Groupon to pick up a deal for your family. Don't forget to check your local council's listing for events - many states have festivals running monthly, such as Sydney's Aroma Festival or Canberra's Floriade Nightfest.

Make home loans work for you

One of the biggest money-drainers is your home. Regardless of whether you're renting or buying, living costs eat a significant chunk from your income every week. However, there are opportunities to be smart with your money when it comes to property as well. If you are looking to buy your first home, remember that Australia has the First Home Owner's Grant, where the government will give you a grant to help offset the effect of GST on home ownership. The amount given depends on which state, so make sure to do your research for the state where you want to buy property. When it comes to your actual mortgage, choose a home loan with mixed floating and fixed repayments - this way, you can take advantage of low-interest periods but you still have the security of a fixed rate as well.

Find alternative avenues of income

While a full-time job definitely pays the bills, it's always nice to have a little extra cash to spend on your family or to save for the next trip overseas. Alternative avenues of income are a great way to earn some more money so you can have some stashed away for a rainy day. If you have a particular skill set, then try freelancing or finding some private clients. You can also keep your eye out for any odd jobs on Seek or Gumtree - many of these pay well and only require a short term commitment, which is perfect for anyone with a family.


Jake Saunders is a writer who is currently saving for a new car. To help his savings grow, he's taken up a casual job as a fruitpicker - it helps save money on the grocery bills as well! In partnership with Clime

I Don't Udderstand

A doodle!

Drew this today, I don't udderstand why..   :-)

Give me your best interpretations!  Tell me what you think!

..and before you say it, yes I am a little weird hehehe

- tork

Air Fresheners That Should Exist

You know, I've been thinking...

Stuff Lemon Air Fresheners, Lavender, or whatever the hell Sea Breeze Freshener is, there should be real fresheners that people can sniff and go "ooh, your place smells great!".

I knocked up a few air fresheners that should exist. What do you think?

Nothing better than the smell of freshly baked cookies!!! Ohh hell yeah..

Chocolate!  Mmmm.. gimme summa that!

Can't be bothered mowing but want that cut grass smell? Oh yeah! I can smell it now..

Sea Fresh.. WTF is that?  Sea Fresh Meat.. now that's what I'm talking about.  The smell of a BBQ by the beach, why not fill your house with that!?

If you could make your own Air Freshener, what would it be?

Share a Dad - RaisingAmelie.com

I'm well overdue in sharing with you another dad blogger.  And look, an Australian!

Alejandro from Raising Amelie was the first dad blogger that I stumbled across.  He writes about his ventures as a dad and sharing a few piccies along the way.  Was great to see another dad when I was first starting out blogging.

Anyway, go visit! :-)

- tork

Help me win the Lotto!

Go with me on this... I need your help!

See, I'd love to be a millionaire (derr) and I've always been intrigued by the idea that problems can be solved in numbers.

What does that mean? Two different things actually. The Crowd and The Numbers.

The Crowd

The crowd is you. My readers.

So my problem is I'm not a millionaire ;-)  A problem winning the lotto would fix!

With a problem solved better with two heads, a few hundred heads such as you guys is even better! Different backgrounds, different knowledge, different answers.

The Numbers

Argh! Those terrible numbers.

I'm a stats man. Love my stats. One of my only great abilities is to recall mobile numbers with ease. But numbers are no good when you don't have the right ones! Damn me always picking terrible numbers..

The Problem

By now you may have figured out what I'm talking about. I need your help picking numbers in x-lotto to help make me a millionaire... WOO!

I'm allowed to dream aren't I? :-)  Being the sole wage earner is a tough gig!


But what the crap am I talking about?

Well, like I said earlier, I've been intriugued about the power of the crowd. That any problem can be solved in numbers. So that being said, surely if a whole bunch of people pick a whole bunch of numbers, we can solve the problem of picking wrong numbers by picking the right ones!

So I need as many people as possible to give me a number between 1 and 45 inclusive. This number must be a number that you insist will be drawn in the lotto. A number that you are 100% sure will make the grade.

Don't read any of the other comments.  Pick a number you think will definitely be drawn.

I will tally all these numbers, do some fancy Tork tricks with them, and buy a x-lotto ticket in Tuesday's $70 million Oz Lotto Jackpot.

I Hope You'll Help Me Out

Hopefully you'll do something silly like give me a number between 1 and 45 inclusive in the comments below. I've always wanted to try this and I've always wanted to be a rich fat bastard instead of a poor semi-fat bastard.

I know it's not going to help you become a millionaire, but it feeds my nerdy, maths boy, hidden inside me. You don't want that nerdy little boy to go hungry now, do you? :-)

Check out this video to see why this idea always had me thinking. I know it's an illusion, but I hope it helps to make you comment! It would be amazing if it actually works!

Thanks for commenting!

- tork

Just Random Thoughts to Share With You

Really uncertain where this post is going to go.

Exciting!


Facebook.  A site where I push like upon a whole bunch of pages similar to my own site.  The success of other parent's sites is amazing.

But jealousy is one cruel mother.

It's just a stupid like on a page for gods sake!

I should be doing real work at home and not counting all these likes on popular sites!

Anyway.. the delving I did into requesting friends to hit like upon my page.. it grew to the knowing of friends once liking my page now no longer liking it.

Man, I wish I never saw that.  Honest people, lovely folk. I wonder just how annoying I sometimes might be that they took the effort to unlike me.


I hate Facebook.  You bastard.

Twitter!  Now there is a lovely friend.  Never a day passes where a little "tweet" noise hits my phone.  I love getting tweets.

Love it.

Facebook... Grrrr! You ugly step sister *shakes fist*

Why can't you be more like Twitter where people love following me and saying "Hi! How's the family?"

I wish I understood you better Facebook, but like family, I must accept you for who you are.

That annoying half cousin that always asks you what colour shoes you are wearing.


You don't make sense to me but I suppose I'll still play ball with you in the park..


Yeah.. so.. ok.. that was weird.

If you know how Facebook works, hit LIKE on my facebook page :-)

Think I might have a wee beverage with bubbles in it.

- tork

Subscribe and never miss a Giveaway!

Every now and then I have the opportunity to run giveaways for my awesomely fantastic readers like yourself. So I was thinking, there should be a way to provide every reader with an email of whenever a giveaway is being run at Tork's blog.

So I've provided to you Tork's Giveaway newsletter. An email subscription where I will send you a neat little email in your inbox whenever I run a giveaway so you never miss one!

You might not be interested in some of the bollocks I write here at Tork's blog, so this is a great way to stay informed for giveaways without all that boring stuff!

Fyi Tork, your stuff isn't boring. Your stuff is better than sliced bread. Sliced gold bread. Sliced gold bread made by 14 blonde beauties with ample bosom and soothing bread massage hands. From your pal, Tork.

Thanks Tork!

So click subscribe, or that monkey there, so you never miss out on a giveaway.

That's only if you like winning free stuff!

Click the Monkey!

..and don't worry, I hate SPAM as much as you do.  You'll only ever receive info for giveaways run from this blog!

The next giveaway is soon, so make sure you sign up and don't miss it!

- tork

I am a nominee for Sydney Writer's Blogger of the Year

It would seem I am a nomiee for the Sydney Writer's Australian blog of the year!

Sure I am one of many, but, well, that's still exciting now, isn't it?

I'm up for the people's choice award. It goes to the most popular. So, won't you vote for me? :-)

Click me --->

<--- Click me

I'm on page 5 in the T-Z section.. (once your past every blog that starts with "THE" heheehe)

I just want an honourable mention of some description!

Let's see how we go.. let me know if you vote for me and I'll tweet your blog (if you have one) in return.

If the beautiful and/or handsome judges are reading this, thanks for simply honouring me with your eyes to read upon this stuff that I write. ...mum always told me, flattery will get you everywhere. :-)

 Wish me luck! And good luck all the others in the Parenting category.

- tork

Celebrity Beard Stubble

Lazy? That's me. That's why I sport beard stubble.

That's right, beard stubble.  Because, apparently, laziness is attractive to women.

I'm here to prove it wrong to stop the attention I get in the street.  Damn crazy girls, I'm a married man for god's sake! :-)

So here is my homage to beard stubble with...

Famous Celebrity People Beard Stubble

Actor Beards

Ohhh look at me.  I'm Brad Pitt, apparently the most desirable hand bag on the face of this planet.  I've got beard stubble and don't you know it!








Check me out, I'm George Clooney, I've got grey bits in my beardy stubble that makes all gals of all ages smile. Aren't I devilishly debonair and fancy.














I cut my own hair, don't shave every day of the week and talk in a silly accent. I'm Gerard Butler! Ain't I a peach?















Look at me, I like to call myself Hugh Laurie and be really funny in shows like Blackadder. Sometimes I speak in an English accent, other times in American. It confuses me, so I use my stubbly beard to scratch and ponder which voice I'll use today.













I'm the other Hugh that can dance and sing and slice your guts open with my awesome bones of steel.  But please don't call me Wolverine.  I'm Hugh Jackman and aren't I lovely?

Am I making you girls not like man beard stubble yet?

No?  Hmmm.. maybe I need to take it to the next level

Musician Beards

They call me Keith Urban. My famous man beard stubble helped me land Nicole Kidman, otherwise she might have confused me for a girl, what with my long flowing lady locks.









I'm an awesome singer (really, I am), but sometimes I forget whether my name is Prince or if I am that weird symbol thing.  Just to make sure though, I draw teeny little dots on my upper lip to notify the hot chicky babes that I am masculine and ready for special cuddles.

Still not convincing enough to stop fondling my face forest?

Here's the big one then..

Scientology Beards

My work here is done.

- tork

Happy Australia Day 2012!

Happy Australia Day everyone!

Today it's just a simple post, a couple of lines wishing all Aussies a great day off work!! Yeeha!

I hope the barbie's light well and your glass never empties.  Cheers!

Here's my Australia Day poem shown last year to celebrate the occasion.  Love it.

- tork

So, Sleepless in Seattle is on tonight..

So, Sleepless in Seattle is on tonight.. I am watching it. (at least, it was at the time I was writing this).

I think I've watched it maybe, hmmm, five times?

Why am I asking you for?  hehehe

*ahem*

Anyway, what a great movie.  Yes, I have the courage to tell you that I love this movie.  Why?  It is beautifully written. It all flows amazingly together, with gentle surprises added into the mix.

Is it weird for me to like the odd romance movie? Yes.. sometimes.

I bet you didn't know that my favourite movie of all time is 'La Vita e Bella', otherwise known as 'Life Is Beautiful'.  I'm sure I spelt that wrong. But, that movie has a mix of everything.  Laughter, love, surprises, sadness. Watch it.  I mean it!

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it.

Fyi, if you're concerned I'm some wussy, soppy, lovy dovey dude that loves rom-coms, you'd be happy no know that my second favourite movie of all time is 'Billy Madison'.  I shit you not.  I know that movie back to front.

I THOUGHT I WAS YOUR SNACK PACK!

....

Don't judge me.

:-)

- tork

If Shakespeare Was Australian

I love poetry and writing.

A great inspiration to me (and many) is William Shakespeare.

Imagine if Shakespeare was an Australian.  A true blue, fair dinkum Aussie.

Hmmmm.. this is how I'd imagine he'd write like:


Oi! What bloody light through that window there breaks!  It is the east!  And Juliet is a great sheila!




---------------

What's in a name? That we call Bruce.. By any other name would smell as bonza bewdy.



---------------

Hamlet:
G'day chicky babe, how'd you like this play?
Queenie:
The lady does bloody protest too much, I reckon.




---------------

All the world's a stadium,
And all the blokes and sheilas are merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
They call him Gary Ablett Jnr.




---------------

To beer or not to beer, that is the question.
Whether it's no beer in the hand, you'd suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous pub prices.




---------------

Fartin' is such sweet sorrow




---------------

Oi Robbo, Robbo.. where the bloody hell are you Robbo!?



---------------

Alas poor Bazza, I knew him well.




---------------

A plague on both your houses!  Oi mate!  You're fucked!




---------------

I really should put my time to better use :-)

What do you think?  Have you got your own Shakespeare quote turned Aussie?

- tork

Best Dad Jokes

The definition of a dad joke.

• One that is embarrassingly bad
• One that only the dad finds funny

Here are my best dad jokes.

Click to purchase The Very Best Dad Jokes eBook for $2.99!!!

I was once a pantomime cow.  I mooved the audience to tears.

---

I've just been diagnosed as colorblind.

I know, it certainly has come out of the purple!

---

Want to hear a cat joke?

No?

Ohh, you gotta be kitten me!

---

6 out of 7 dwarves aren't happy.

---

Last night I dreamt I was a muffler.

I woke up exhausted.

---

Why don't you play any games with the God of Thunder?

Because he's a Thor loser.

---

I just watched a program about beavers.

It was the best dam program I've ever seen.

---

What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea.

What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs? Still no idea..

---

Son: "I feel Hungry"

Dad: "As long as you're not feeling Jordan too then that's ok with me"

Click to purchase The Very Best Dad Jokes eBook for $2.99!!!

I've told you a million times, stop over exaggerating!

---

Man, my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be.

Also, my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be.

---

Why is it always in the last place you look?

---

I'd never have more than one wife.  But if I did, that would be big of me.

---

You know why they call it Rhinoplasty?

Well, have you ever seen a sexy Rhino?

---

What does a pirate say when he's having a heart attack?

Argh me arteries!!

---

I've got a dentist appointment.

It's at 2.30

---

Son: "Back shortly"

Dad: "Ok, but don't call me shortly"

---

Mum: "Ohh look, free baby samples"

Dad: "No thanks, already like the one we got"

These jokes are just the tip of the dad jokes iceberg! :-)

Click to purchase The Very Best Dad Jokes eBook for $2.99!!!

Have you got a dad joke?  What is your favorite?

- tork