I am here going to explain You my First Ever Trip to ooty With my Colleques.We are a Team of 6 comprising of Me,Yazar,Vinod,Anil,Anoop and Sybin.Actually we didn't planned for a trip there but happened to go there unexpectedly.Actually our Travel's Main Purpose was to Attend one of our Office mate named Mohammed Ali 's Brother Marriage at Malappuram.
We Started our Journey after our Office hour's are over and as per our Planning i was waiting for a White Toyota Innova driven by Yazar who is my friend from my School Days.Even though he told me to wait at PMG(Trivandrum) for 7.30 pm he arrived there in the car by only 8.30 pm.He picked me from there and our Journey starts from there.Two other's who other than me in the car were vinod whom i know from my degree and Sybin Yazar's friend.We then picked 2 others too Anoop from Kesavadasapuram and anil from Sreekaryam.we then started our journey to Malappuram(that time we have only that idea).Our Trout was through Kochi reach Palakkad and my morning reach Malappuram and took room there and go some where else for Sight Seeing.But our plans went on Reshuffling when our friend drives his car with the best he can and made us reach by 1.00 am .We took a gap there and have a black tea there as vinod went on sleeping in the back Seat of the car.We 5 discussed and made a conclusion that if we goes by this Speed we will reach Malappuram by 3.00 and we Changed the Plan there and thought of Selecting ooty or Nilamboor from there and decided to Go for OOTY.OOTY the heaven for lovers from all over the world.Place where Malayalam Super Hit Film Kilukkam and lot others were Shooted.
Thus Our Narein Karthikeyan(Yazar) drives his car to OOTY through Coimbatore.Anyhow my sleep Changed to a Shiva Rathri in the Car while vinod was sleeping in Cool without Knowing What was going Around him.We saw Coimbatore was Slowely waking at that time while our Car was smashing through the Road.We Reached OOTY after driving through the hairpin curves on the road were lots of Accidents happens daily.By 5.30 am we reached OOTY.While we stopped the car for an enquiry one guide approached us and get into the car and led us to a HOTEL there in the Town.We spend Time there for Refreshing and some amoung us including me tries for a small sleep in the middle.The Bed there was so cool by the cold Climate there and the blankets there on the bed can't alone help us from escaping from the Climate there and i have had my small sleep for nearly an Hour.When i get into the Bath room there it was almost fully covere with smog i was astonished to see such a Bath room.I was the last one to have the Bath and the hot water supply was stopped by that time.Some how i took my bath there , dressed and vacated the room there for Sight Seeing OOTY.There Started our journey for OOTy.we have had our break fast from a Hotel there and it was occupied by some foriegners and some other tourists too.some Couples i saw there were taking photographs as if they came there for some Shooting.I ordered for Masal Dosai and a set of Poory there.After having our breakfast there we parked our car in a near by place and saw some peoples were grouped together with Banners in there hand.After close watching i understood that it was a protest made by the followers of Dailalamma.Both Men and Women were there in that Group.We Passed off them and reached the BOTANICAL GArden there.
BOTANICAL GARDEN in OOTY is a place You should surely Visit we took the ticket from the counter there.Seperate Charges was there for Allowing Cameras inside.After getting the tickets we brought some fresh Tomattos with leaves(very nice to see them as a bunch) for Chewing for a While.Inside the Garden was Marvellous with words caanot alone describe as our photogrpahs will show you how it is....
We wanders there inside and took Photographs at different locations.The Very Common thing
which we found there was the meeting of lovers and couples every where there.In one Place we saw an Aunty from North India with her Husband following the instructions of the Photo grapher there inside.They were posing as if they are going to be the Cover Page of any Magazine.You may see some in our Photographs too.After Finishing the visit there as we have only limited time left with us we started for a place Called Rose Garden there which is the land for Roses there.But since it was not the season there we can't see a single bud of roses there and After taking our Photographs there we left that place too in a sudden.
After that we went for a Reserved Forest Area there(I don't Remember the name) which actually is also a Hill station too.Lots of Students from different places whom went for a trip was seen there enjoying there trip.At that time some among us refreshed there trip too with there college mates(About me nothing to Remember as i didn't went for any Trip until then).We took Some Photographs there and we saw that it was almost the time for Lunch ans since there was no more Hotels found there we went happy with having ice creams.After that we went to the Planitoriam there which consists of 2 Telescopes
for Viewing OOTY PATTANAM in full in a much closer Way.we saw the small greeny Land of OOTY with a distinct view of the Bus stand and all.After that we drived our Car throught the Lake there which was also provided with Boating facilities too and since we lack time we didn't get down there and started our journey from there to Malappuram.
Our Narein Smashed his car and during that trip i feel some what unhealthy and rested in a high range there for a while.But that place was Acutually wonderfull with a Beautiful sceneries all around as we were standing at the Top of a
Mountain.some Monkeys were also seen there whom seems to be making there evening Jokes with their lovers and expressing there feelings.After some time we continued our Journey and was able to reach the bottom and get into some Hotel there.As My Stomach was paining some what due to this Travel i took a Soup from there while Others went on having there Special Items out there.After an Enquiry we made there we under stood that there was an easy way from OOTy to Malappuram which we missed and was Forced to go all the ways back to Coimbatore.It was almost 5 pm our Narein was in a mood that he will be the next F1 Champian and was beating all the Vehicles there.But It Happened Suddenly While we signed a Govt Bus that we are going to over take a lorry which was moving for a Tortoise Race the Biggy Bus Driver didn't Showed mercy to us and without slowing his bus speed hit the front Part of the car with the Back End of the Bus.(it was by god grace that our Narein suddenly turned the Steering wheel so that we only got our glasses lost with the door else it would be another fate).When the Bus hit the one side the car loses it's control and was strongly hit by a lorry on the other side whom we are about to over take.Thus our trip went on for a tragedy.My friend Called his 
Relative out there who was in police in a higher position near by there and went to report to the near by police station and succeded in getting a certificate from there for insurence clearence and for crossing the Valayar Check post and all.One of my friend who knows Tamil well managed the situation in the police station there and get out there by about 8 o clock.thus our 3 to 4 hrs were lost there alone and we reached Malappuram by 12 o'clock.
My friend was waiting there for us as he was also some what troubled when he heard of our accident on the way and the news was spread out there by that time.He arrnaged us for a room there after having a mid night supper there.As our Narein was called every minute by his Bappa and Umma as there were worried about his condition we before atttending the Nikhah(Marriage) went out of there after having our Food out of there and my friend Packed some food for us to have on the way.In such a tense situation we managed to get out of that by saying jokes and other comments and some how reached Kochi.On the way to Kochi we saw a bus accident as bus lost it's control and fell into a well there with the wheels remains in the road and it jumped through a wall alomost 1 feet high and fell down almost 20 feet and Body alone was there.After seeing that accident we relaxed that our's is much much better than that.
when we reached Kochi some other Narein were playing the game and yazar when happened to meet them at a signal tried to show them by hand that Best Of Luck my Boys i Also tried the same and see my Car Condition and u too are going in my way.....
In Kochi we get into Toyota's Show room there to calculate the loss and from there reached Trivandrum back by 9 o' clock .After that car Owner came there to see his car condition while we managed to get it into the garriage of Toyoto here.After that his Friend came with a Maruthi there and he dropped us in our own Homes..Thus the End of Our Journey..
If this incident doesn't happens we may have also visited Nilamboor and Silent Valley too.What to do Fate will change a day's plan.....
Friday, April 13, 2007
A TRAVEL To OOTY WENT TO TRAGEDY.......
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Vishu Recepies........
Before Going on to the Recepies First of all I dedicate this Preperations For all those Bachelors
who are thriving with the Busy world where they Lives in.April 15 th According to Malayali's is their prospherous day of Vishu and the Arrival of Malayali's New Year Chingam.Most of the Today Generations won't often get Enough Time to Celebrate the Vishu Festivals.So I specially Dedicate this recepies for those who doesn't obtain a Chance to gettogether with their Friends and relatives in their Home Town or Panchayat.Also I Request Modern Ladies Should Know that there was something like this which were prepared in the House in Olden Days than their Chicken Tikka and Tandori and Burglers often they use to have today.
Kani-Kanal' is the main event of the day. The night before Vishu, the mistress of the h
ouse prepare the Kani. In a big pot, coconuts, a gold ornament, a new cloth, fruits, cereals and Konna (cassia fistula) flower is kept. Behind the pot a mirror and the garlanded deity of Krishna is kept. Around the deity, lighted lamps will be arranged. Early morning on the Vishu day, the master of the house sees the Kani and then the rest of the family follows. Children's are brought blind folded from their beds to where the Kani is kept. The elder in the family give money to the youngsters (Vishu kaineetam) and bless them. It is believed that the Kani we see and its good tidings will stay with you till the year ends. In Kerala, the Kani in the temples ofGuruvayor Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala are famous. Special pujas are held in these temples where the people go to worship and pray for a prosperous New Year.
Vishukanji
Ingredients :
* Red Rice - 3cups
* Raw Rice - 1cup
* Jaggery - 1cup
* Grated Coconut - 1
* Water - 20cups
* Salt - to taste
Method of Preparation :
Heat jaggery with some water. Strain the content and keep aside. Boil rice with 20 cups of water and cook well. When it is done, add salt and jaggery solution. Allow the content to thicken. Add grated coconut. Boil for about 5 minutes and remove from fire.
Jackfruit Erissery
Ingredients :
* Ripe jackfruit pieces sliced into small pieces - 4cups
* Sliced jackfruit seeds - 1cup
* Chilly powder - 1tsp
* Turmeric powder - 1tsp
* Grated Coconut - 1cup
* Coconut Oil - 4tbs
* Split Dry chillies - 2nos
* Curry Leaves - few
* Mustard - 1tsp
* Salt - to taste
Method of Preparation :
Cook jackfruit and seed of jackfruit with sufficient water. Stir occasionally while cooking. When it is well cooked, add salt and smash the content with a ladle.
Grind chilly powder and turmeric powder and keep aside. Heat coconut oil and pop mustard seeds. Add grated coconut and dry chillies and stir till brown. Add curry leaves and ground masala. Sauté well. Add jackfruit mixture to this. Mix well and remove from fire.
Kuzhi Appam (Unni Appam)
Ingredients :
* Raw rice - 500gm
* Jaggery - 200gm
* Thinly sliced coconut pieces - 1/2 cup
* Plantain - 1 no
* Cardamom - 6 nos
* Salt - to taste
Method of Preparation :
Soak rice for 1 to 2 hours and grind to the consistency of dosa batter. Mix well by adding all the other ingredients and keep for half an hour. Heat the appa kuzhi and pour oil in each portion until it is half full. After oil is heated, pour a small amount of this batter into the oil in each portion. Turn over with the help of a ladle and cook until the appams are fried well, and become golden brown on both sides.
Vishupuzhukku
Ingredients :
* Bread fruit - 1/2quantity
* Ripe Pumpkin - 1piece
* White Peas - 1/4cup
* Raw Plantain - 1no
* Long runner beans - 5nos
* Salt - to taste
* Chilly powder - 1tsp
* Turmeric powder - 1tsp For Masala
* Green Chillies - 2nos
* Grated Coconut - 1/2quantity
* Curry leaves - few
Method of Preparation :
Cook peas and keep aside. Slice all the vegetables into medium pieces. Coarsely grind the ingredients for the masala and keep aside.
Cook bread fruit and plantain with sufficient water. When it is half done, add pumpkin, runner beans and salt. When it is done, add cooked peas, chilly powder, turmeric powder, ground masala and mix well. Before removing from fire, mix well by adding little coconut oil and few curry leaves.
Pineapple Sweet Curry
Ingredient :
* Pineapple - 1/2
* Tamarind - 50gm
* Turmeric powder - 1/2tsp
* Chilli powder - 1/2tsp
* Pepper powder - 1/2tsp
* Ground Jaggery - 1/2kg
* Salt - to taste
* Udid Dal - 1/2kg
* Pepper - 1tbs
* Thick Coconut milk - 1/2cup
* Coconut oil - 2tbs
* Mustard seeds - 1/2tsp
* Dry chillies - 2nos
* Curry leaves - 2-3 sprigs
Method of Preparation :
Remove the skin of pineapple and slice into thin pieces. Fry udid dal in little oil till red colour. Grind it with pepper. Keep it aside.
Squeeze tamarind in water. Add pineapple, turmeric powder and salt to the tamarind water and boil. When it is half cooked, add chilli, pepper and jaggery powder. Mix well and boil until the mixture thickens. Add dal-pepper paste and boil again. Pour the coconut milk and stir well. When the mixture becomes curdy remove from fire. Season mustard, dry chilllies and curry leaves in coconut oil and pour it over the pineapple curry.
Wheat Dal Payasam
Ingredients :
* Broken Wheat - 300gm
* Fried green gram dal - 100gm
* Jaggery - 1kg
* Ghee - 1/2cup
* Coconut milk - 5cups (second extract)
* Coconut milk - 2cups (first extract)
* Cashew nuts - 25gm
* Raisins - 25gm
* Powdered Cardamom - 5nos
* Water - 5cups
Method of Preparation :
Heat and melt jaggery in some water, strain and keep aside. Boil water and add wheat and fried dal. Cook well by removing water intermittently and adding fresh boiled water. This is done so as to remove the starch of the wheat.
Add the jaggery syrup to this and mix well. Pour required ghee to it and make it thick by stirring continuously.
When its consistency thickens, add second extract of coconut milk. Boil well and when it thickens, add first extract of milk. Sprinkle cardamom powder and stir well.
Fry cashewnuts and raisins in ghee. Spread it over the payasam and remove from fire.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Free is too expensive... Own the Internet!
This is AGLOCO™ 's proposition, just three words: Own the Internet.
Whenever you are online, either surfing, blogging, clicking on an ad, making a purchase, all the money generated by your activities is pocketed by a small number of players. At AGLOCO™ they say not anymore!
AGLOCO™ is a global community, whose owners are its Members (you and potentially the millions of internet users out there). Their goal is to capture a significant portion of the value generated by our online activities and return it to Members in cash. Best of all, it is totally free, Members will NEVER have to pay anything, nor will they have to disclose ANY personal information!
How does this work? Once you sign up on their website, when available you will be able to download the Viewbar software, a free toolbar-sized application (half the size of a traditional Windows tool bar) that quietly sits on your desktop without ever hampering your online habits. That’s all you need to do! Just continue using the Internet as you used to… no need to change your habits!
Do you have several individuals using one computer? You can have different AGLOCO™ viewbars to fit the profile of each user.
Don’t want to see or use the Viewbar at any given time? Just minimize it and the Viewbar stops working!
There are different ways AGLOCO™ can make money for its Members:
- Cash: You get cash by surfing the Internet while the Viewbar is running. AGLOCO™ ’s profits are distributed back to its Members. And you can also receive real-time discounts should you choose to purchase from AGLOCO™ ’s partners. They will never include gambling or adult entertainment sites as partners.
- Shares: In addition to cash, AGLOCO™ will give out shares in the company to its Members. Eventually, AGLOCO™ plans to go public and will be traded on the London Stock Exchange AIM. You can start earning stock options by keeping Viewbar active while you surf. In addition, you will gain extra shares by referring active users to AGLOCO™ (they lose nothing). Click here to see the calculator.
Remember, this is all free, you don’t lose anything, all you have to do is sign up, download the Viewbar and that’s it. Build your network and refer friends, family and colleagues to AGLOCO™ and earn even more!
The guys behind this idea include several Stanford MBA’s and a few individuals who started AllAdvantage back in 1998, which gave over $100 million to its users before falling victim to the burst of the internet bubble. Today, the context is much more favorable: The sophistication of on-line commerce, the rapid emergence of communities, the wealth of advertising revenue sources, etc. Isn’t it time you got your share of the Internet?
Don't wait any longer. This is a win-win opportunity, and you’ll make it even more profitable for yourself when you start referring friends and relatives before others get to them! Since I assume you learned about AGLOCO™ thanks to my website*, please don’t forget to add my referee ID when signing up:http://www.agloco.com/r/BBDC8263
Monday, April 2, 2007
കള്ാസ്മ്മെറ്റേസ്
താനാനാ നാനാ... തനനാനാ നാനാ ...
താനാനാ താനാനാ താനാനാ നാ...
കാറ്റാടിത്തണലും തണലത്തരമതിലും
മതിലില്ലാ മനസ്സുകളുടെ പ്രണയക്കുളിരും
മാറ്റുള്ളൊരു പെണ്ണും മറയത്തൊളികണ്ണും
കളിയൂഞ്ഞാലാടുന്നേ ഇടനാഴിയിലായ്
മതിയാവില്ലൊരുനാളിലുമീ നല്ലൊരു നേരം
ഇനിയില്ലിതുപോലെ സുഖമറിയൊന്നൊരു കാലം
(കാറ്റാടിത്തണലും)
മഞ്ഞിന് കവിള് ചേരുന്നൊരു പൊന്വെയിലായ് മാറാന്
നെഞ്ചം കണികണ്ടേ നിറയേ (മഞ്ഞിന്)
കാണുന്നതിലെല്ലാം മഴവില്ലുള്ളതുപോലെ
ചേലുള്ളവയെല്ലാം വരമാകുന്നതുപോലെ
പുലരൊളിയുടെ കസവണിയണ
മലരുകളുടെ രസനടനം
(കാറ്റാടിത്തണലും)
വിണ്ണില് മിഴിപാകുന്നൊരു പെണ്മയിലായ് മാറാന്
ഉള്ളില് കൊതിയില്ലേ സഖിയേ (വിണ്ണില്)
കാണാതൊരു കിളിയെങ്ങോ കൊഞ്ചുന്നതുപോലെ
കണ്ണീരിനു കയ്പ്പില്ലെന്നറിയുന്നതുപോലെ
പുതുമഴയുടെ കൊലുസിളകിയ
കനവുകളുടെ പദചലനം
(കാറ്റാടിത്തണലും -2)
Sunday, April 1, 2007
A Real Story Happened in Chennai....
Shankar. Both of them are true lovers. They always hang on the phone. You can
never see her without her handphone.
In fact she also changed her phone from Airtel to Hutch, so both of them
can be on the same network, and save
on the cost.
She spends half of the day talking with shankar. Priya's family knows
about their relationship. Shankar is very close with
Priya's family. (just imagine their love) . Before she passed away she
always told her friends "If I pass away please burn
me with my handphone" she also said the same thing to her parents.
After her death, people cant carry her body, I was there. A lot of
them tried to do so but still cant , everybody including me, had tried
to carry the body, the result is still the same. Eventually, they
called a person who know to one of their neighbours, who can speak with the soul of dead person , who is a
friend of her father. He took a stick and started speaking to himself
slowly.
After a few minutes, he said "this girl misses something here". then her
friends told that person about her intentions to burn her with her phone. He
then opened the grave box and place her phone and SIM card inside the
casket. after that they tried to carry the body. It could be moved and
they carried it into the van easily. All of us were shocked.
Priya's parents did not inform Shankar that Priya had passed away. After
2 weeks Shankar called Priya's mom.
Shankar :...."Atte, I'm coming home today. Cook something nice for me.
Dont tell Priya that I'm coming home
today, i wanna surprise her." Her mother replied..... "You come home
first, I wanna tell you something very important." after he came, they
told him the truth about Priya.
Shankar thinks that they were playing a fool. He was laughing and said
"dont try to fool me - tell Priya to come out, i have a gift for her
Please stop this nonsense". then they show him the original death
certificate to him.
They gave him proof to make him believe. (Shankar started to sweat)
He said... "Its not true. we spoke yesterday. She still calls me.
Shankar was shaking. Suddenly, Shankar's phone rang. "see this is from
Priya, see this..." he showed the phone to priya's family. all of them
told him to answer.he talked using the loudspeaker mode. all of them
heard his conversation.
Loud and clear, no cross lines, no humming. It is the actual voice of
Priya & there is no way others could use her SIM card since it is nailed
inside the grave box they were so shocked and asked for the same person's (who can speak with
the soul of deal perosns) help again.
He brought his master to solve this matter. He & his master
worked for 5 hours. Then they discovered one thing which really shocked them...
Hutch has the best coverage. Whereever you go, our network will follows!!!
Never in your life you have wasted ten minutes coz of
this....Becoz TODAY IS >>>>GUESS WHAT APRIL 1--Hiiiii april fool
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano... Only in .M.H.O.
5,999 reasons to fall in love, and just two freckles to ignore
Vehicle Tested:
2007 Ferrari 599 2dr Coupe
First Impressions:
The 599 is the exotic Gran Turismo you expect from Ferrari, but it also succeeds in exceeding our expectations as a sports car.
Featured Specs:
- Brilliant 612-horsepower V12
- Lightning-quick paddle-shifted six-speed
- Electromagnetic suspension dampers
- Traditionally impeccable Ferrari interior
It's difficult to discuss a Ferrari without a twinge of reverent nostalgia. In some cases, blind praise for all things red and Italian has been misplaced, but in other ones, the superlatives and hyperbole are well-deserved. That said, the 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will go down in history as one of the greatest Ferrari road cars ever. There, we said it.
Rated at 612 horsepower, the 3,722-pound 599 GTB rivals many barely legal, slightly disguised racecars with its 6.1-pound/hp weight-to-power ratio. Launched properly and shifted via the improved F1-Superfast six-speed transmission, Ferrari claims a 3.7-second 0-to-62 mph (100 km/h) time. The wind-tunnel-tested Pininfarina-sculpted body and undercarriage produce more than 400 pounds of downforce at 186 mph on the way to a claimed top speed in excess of 200 mph. The optional carbon-ceramic brake discs look like they came directly from a Le Mans racer. The semiactive suspension works miracles on nearly any surface. Yet the two-seat coupe can be driven comfortably, safely and with confidence all day, every day while it carries 11.3 cubic feet of luggage — custom-tailored, if you wish.
While the car hides a wealth of trickle-down racing technology, it also pampers like a luxury Grand Tourer. Latent fury, dormant volatility, elegant violence all sum up the newest creation from the dedicated marque that's about to enter its 60th year. For between $250,000 and $260,000 and after a two-year wait, you, too, could enjoy one of the world's most advanced and coveted cars.
In the Ferrari tradition
In the richest Ferrari tradition, the "Cheen-quay, no-vay, no-vay, Gran Turismo Berlinetta Fiorano" (599 GTB Fiorano) showcases the classic front-engine V12 rear-drive configuration that began with the very first production car to bear the founder's name in 1947. While that formula has more or less remained, Enzo himself may never have been able to fathom to what extreme it would one day be exploited in the 599 GTB.
Or maybe he did. Writ large below a smiling portrait of Enzo Ferrari on a poster in one of the trackside briefing rooms deep within the company's Maranello, Italy testing facility called Pista di Fiorano (track of Fiorano) is a quote that reads, "…if I had to say that when I started, I thought of making more than just one car, I would be lying." It is with this dedicated stance that each Ferrari seems to be conceived, designed and built; as if each creation is to be the first and last car to ever bear the name Ferrari. Each car represents the absolute best the legendary maker can produce at that time (cost no object), but at the same time, leaves the door open for yet unimagined improvements. Such is the case with the 599 GTB Fiorano.
Lofty goal
The challenge put to the engineering team on the 599 GTB was to surpass the brutal performance of the twin-turbocharged midengine F40 supercar (1987-1992), never mind the 575M Maranello, which the 599 GTB technically replaces. Once the undisputed supercar of record, the F40 remains on many (published and personal) lists as one of the best performance cars of all time. Does the 599 eclipse the F40? We have to take Ferrari's word for it because the carmaker didn't provide us a side-by-side comparison drive, but it appears so.
The power of Enzo
Contrary to an earlier Inside Line prediction, the 5,999cc/612-hp V12 that sits deep under the hood of the aluminum space-framed 599 GTB is not an evolution of the 5,748cc/508-hp V12 found in the nose of a 575M. Under the guidance of Ferrari powertrain director Jean-Jacque His (former Formula 1 engine guru), the "6.0-liter" 65-degree V12 from the million-dollar Enzo supercar has been evolved, refined and tamed for everyday road-car use. The Enzo's engine produces 650 hp at 7,800 rpm, whereas the one in the 599 GTB makes 612 hp at 7,600 rpm (with an 8,400-rpm redline). That's hardly tame, and according to Ferrari, it's the most powerful naturally aspirated two-seat production road car in the world (the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a 617-hp supercharged V8).
Another goal His set was to tune the intake and exhaust for resonant effect, but to reduce unwanted mechanical noise at the same time. Mission accomplished. The unmistakable 12-cylinder shriek of the V12 under hard acceleration changes to a guttural hum at part throttle and nearly disappears at cruising speeds where wind noise is the only indication of pace. With 11 airflow paths through and around the car helping to create the discernable downforce, it seems only natural to hear the wind rushing over the car when traveling over 100 mph.
Italian roads
Next to the smooth, well-maintained autostrade, Italian roads are notoriously inconsistent. Our drive route took us up the historic 2,400-foot hill climb from Fornovo di Taro to Berceto. It was here, in 1919, that Enzo Ferrari entered his first race, the "Parma Poggio di Berceto Hill Climb," and earned 12th place overall and 3rd in class — years before he built his own car. Tight, bumpy unguarded switchbacks are set apart by several long sweepers where the 599 GTB could exploit its engine and semiactive suspension, a Ferrari production car first. Co-developed with Delphi, the magnetorheological dampers are similar to those used on some Corvettes; however, the software that controls them is unique to Ferrari, which owns the specific programming for two years.
In lay terms, the dampers contain a fluid which can change viscosity (from more watery to more syrupy) in the presence of an electric current, rather than relying on the single viscosity of oil. Four sensors mounted to each suspension control arm report individual wheel movements, which are processed in one millisecond (0.001 second). In turn, the processor sends an electronic charge to the dampers, which react in 10 milliseconds, or about four times quicker than a traditional oil-filled shock absorber. Compared to the traditional suspension in the 575M, Ferrari says the average variation in vertical wheel movements on undulating roads (or caused by hitting a pothole) is decreased by 30 percent, while the vertical acceleration felt by the driver through the steering wheel or seat bottom is reduced by 10 percent.
In other words, the car reads the road and reacts with an appropriate amount of damping to reduce harshness. And it works. We've driven this same stretch of road in both a 575M and an F430 and we would've guessed (incorrectly) that the route had been repaved.
Track suited
Of course, there are other benefits from the new suspension that can be observed on the racetrack. The Fiorano circuit is a demanding 1.9-mile, 15-turn course used by Ferrari to test both racecars and production cars alike. Yes, one M. Schumacher holds the lap record. Each section of track has a purpose. For example, one area checks the drivability of the engine out of a corner, while another measures the ability of a car to turn while under braking; yet another shows how well a car soaks up undulations while at maximum lateral G-forces.
The new suspension on the 599 GTB Fiorano is almost too good in this dynamic laboratory. The car remains so flat while cornering and so connected to the surface that all the usual indicators (body roll, tire squeal, sliding) of a car "being out of shape" are virtually erased. We found the only method to determine the traction envelope was by gauging neck muscle strain under braking and cornering.
Excessive wheelspin out of corners is quashed by Ferrari's new "F1-Trac" traction control system, which limits the engine's torque output by first cutting spark, then throttle. With the 599's steering-wheel-mounted "manettino" vehicle controller switch set to "RACE" mode, we found the traction control system useful, but ultimately not as pleasurable as regulating wheelspin with one's own organic gray-matter traction control when the system is shut off.
With 90 percent of the engine's total 448 lb-ft of torque available at a mere 3,500 rpm, the 599's ability to light the specially designed Pirelli P Zero tires (305/35ZR20) ablaze is expected. However, with the engine's low reciprocating mass and high compression ratio, it's relatively easy to breathe off the throttle just enough to keep an exact amount of spin or grip. Who knew a 600-plus-horsepower V12 would be so tractable and responsive to pedal modulation?
Shifty business
As the track opens up to its longest 0.48-mile straight, we could sample the improved F1-SuperFast paddle shifter (a traditional six-speed manual transmission is also available). As with other F1-equipped Ferraris (almost 90 percent), the car has a true "manual" transmission but there's no clutch pedal. In simple terms, the paddles (right shifts up, left shifts down) actuate the clutch electronically and the gears shift hydraulically. Depending on throttle position and vehicle mode, the system automatically adjusts clutching smoothness and shift speed.
At its most aggressive, the 599 GTB's F1-SuperFast transmission is able to shift gears in 100 milliseconds (0.1 second), compared to the 575M's 250 ms, or even the F430's 150 ms. To put this in perspective, current Formula 1 racecars shift in about 50 ms. The biggest complaints we've had with so-called "auto-clutch manual" gearboxes (as in BMW's SMG or Lamborghini's e-gear) is that the faster the shifts occur, the harsher the resulting whiplash from the dip in the acceleration curve. Now, Ferrari has not only the quickest shifter, but the smoothest as well. They've figured out a way to overlap the clutching and shifting tasks to reduce harshness and shift time simultaneously. From the pit wall, the 599 sounds like an F1 racecar as it pops off upshifts in a tenth of a second. From inside the car, the only indication that an upshift has occurred is the drop in engine rpm because your neck muscles don't have enough time to relax between shifts. The only transmission that rivals the F1-SuperFast in terms of seamlessness is VW/Audi's DSG double-clutcher.
Those two freckles
OK, so what's not to love about the otherwise stunning 599 GTB Fiorano? They're small complaints, but they may mean something to those few fortunate people (250 per year after November 2006) who will ever drive one.
First, the steering weight is out of whack with the rest of the car. At 160 mph on the autostrada, the steering wasn't nailed down tight like it would be in, say, a Porsche on the autobahn. If I'm going transcontinental, I don't want to be steering down a straightaway at triple digits with feather-light steering. There should be an exponential increase in the amount of resistance to errant input at that speed. Despite the 599 GTB's rather quick steering ratio (13.5:1), we found an unexpected amount of steering input was required to drive through tighter turns at Fiorano (turns 9 and 13); almost needing to un-hand the wheel and grab again. This understeering effect might be a result of the car's long-ish wheelbase, front axle weight, and relatively narrow-width of its 245mm front tires, compared to a similarly endowed car that comes to mind — the Corvette Z06. A possible solution to both idiosyncrasies would be to reduce the diameter of the steering wheel, making it physically harder to turn and more "flickable" in either direction.
The second blemish, and we blush to even call it that, is that the "RACE" mode on the manettino summons too much nannying, or control over the car through stability control and traction control. We had expected the F1-Trac and RACE-spec stability to be far more lenient than it was. Instead of coming on like a dimmer switch making minute adjustments/corrections, both the traction and stability controls behaved more like an on/off light switch. Sure, the RACE mode allows some oversteer out of a corner and even recognizes corrective countersteering input, but the safety systems intervene just at the point where a skilled driver could manage to pilot the car even quicker and more adeptly. Once we had moved the selector to CST (control of stability and traction) off, the car came to life as if it just had its lungs filled with oxygen. "Ah-ha!" I exclaimed to myself on the last lap of the day. The car was alive and managing to do exactly as I conducted it to do, and with confidence and authority.
If the "SPORT" settings were replaced with those from the "RACE" mode, and a decidedly more permissive set of parameters were written for "RACE," the top of the 599's performance envelope still would be secure while offering track-day participants room to play in relative safety. For the rest of the millionaires, the settings are appropriate to protect the quarter-million-dollar investment. There, that's it: light/slow steering and a somewhat conservative "RACE" mode. Hardly the kind of criticism the best Ferrari road car of all time deserves.
Consumer Protection Rights!!You should Read This Customers
This is a mail which was forwarded to me.but i think it has a lot more importance as the current world is around cheating others and becomming bigger than the biggest.
BEWARE OF THESE BANKS
Looking at the rising complaints against ICICI Bank, Citibank, and Standard Chartered Bank , we request consumers to properly read their documents and keep a record when dealing with these banks, especially regarding credit card and housing loan. These three banks are biggest defaulters and do not resolve consumer problems easily. Be aware of their terms in writing. Keep a perfect record of all correspondence with them. If they do not agree to written communication, immediately stop their services. If you ask some nationalised bank to take over the housing loan from ICICI Bank, even after paying full amount, you will not get back your original documents for months. You will be told that the documents are in Mumbai and they are trying to retrieve the same. This is the answer you get everyday.
BEWARE OF NOKIA
Nokia assures that their handset is covered under insurance. They even provide a certificate of insurance. But the condition is that if the handset is lost/stolen, you have to lodge an FIR to seek claims. The catch here is that the police station does not lodge FIR for loss of handsets, they only register NC. So you will never get insurance claims on basis of NC.
Nokia is selling some of its degraded products that have software problems. If you come across such problem in a new set, do not waste your time in running around service centres as it is not going to help much, ask for a replacement with a new set. All those who have purchased 3230 set, have experienced that there was software problem in every set. Nokia is simply dumping the sets, which can not be sold in other countries.
BEWARE OF AIR
Their confirmed bookings are highly unreliable and of no guarantee that you will be allowed to fly . The booked tickets get cancelled without intimation to consumer only to be known by him when he goes to the airport to catch his flight. You will not get refund immediately, if you have booked your ticket through credit card. If you call up their call centre, if you press numbers relating to refund, you will not be attended at all even if you try for hours together. If you talk to somebody regarding refund, you have to press options relating to ticket booking, so that someone will attend to you. Then you can ask for refund. They are following very good trick.
BEWARE OF COUNTRY CLUB,
They advertise that if you take their membership, a plot of land will be given free of cost near Golden Spa at Coconut Grove. Please note Golden Spa is 35 Kms from
BEWARE OF PRIVATE BUS OPERATORS/TRAVEL AGENTS
If you book your ticket in a private bus operator, you will find that your seat is allotted to somebody else also. Many a times, though you have booked your ticket to some destination, you will dropped few kilometres away, if there are not enough passengers for your destination. Then you will have to depend on other services to reach your destination. Keep the records/proofs and give a complaint to the nearest police station, when you come back. If you find that the police is supporting the travel agent, immediately inform his higher ups or give a complaint to consumer forum. Always try to use government transportation services. They may be bad in service but will never cheat you.
BOOK TELESALES & RECOVERY AGENTS
If you receive unwanted advertisement / telemarketing call from any company or recovery agents. You will find it annoying especially when you are on roaming network. Ask their telephone number and report to the police. File a police complaint against the Chairman of the company.
BEWARE OF SOME HOSPITALS
If you happen to get admitted (or admit your family person/friend/relative) for any operation in any hospital, keep all the records. Even if the doctor scribbles any information on a piece of paper and give it you, please keep it with you. In future, for your bad luck, if some adverse thing happens due to wrong dialysis or wrong operation, these things will come handy to fight it in a court. Please be clear that consumer forums are not of much help to you because they do not have good doctors in their panel. Many a times they do not have any doctors in their panel and even if they have, a doctor in the panel will try to help a doctor. In such a case you will have to fight tooth and nail. Hence keep all the records/proofs with you carefully.
BEWARE OF TATAINDICOM BROADBAND and WIRELESS FIXED TELEPHONE
Their promises to get you a broadband connection within a week is not to be relied upon. Once your money is stuck (about Rs. 2000), it takes lot of pains to recover it back. If you book Wireless fixed telephone, the Tataindicom sales person will tell you that you can send/receive fax, send/receive e-mails in other service providers' account also (for example vsnl, touchtel etc). Once you install the telephone, you will find that the instrument can not support fax machine even if connected through EPABX, you will find that you can receive e-mails in other accounts and can not send e-mails at all. You have to send e-mails only through Tataindicom e-mail service.
CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH THESE COMPANIES / PRODUCTS
LIST OF WORST COMPANIES AGAINST WHOM WE RECEIVE COMPLAINTS VERY FREQUENTLY
AIRLINES: Air Deccan
BANKS: ICICI bank, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank
BUILDERS: Parimiti Buildcon (Thane), Madras City Co-op Bldg. Soc (Chennai)
CARS: Tata motors, Hyundai
CREDIT CARDS: SBI credit card, Citibank, Standard Chartered
CELLPHONE SERVICES: Tata Indicom Broadband, Airtel, BPL mobile
HOME APPLIANCES: Videocon,
HOME BUSINESS: Kenya Star Tea
INSURANCE: National Insurance Co., New India Assurance, generally all private/Multinational Insurance Companies
MOBILE PHONES: Nokia 6260, 3230
TIMESHARE: Royal Goan Beach Club (Goa), Happy Home Constructions (Bangalore), Country Club India Ltd. (Bangalore)
TRANSPORTERS: Sky Packers and Movers (Mumbai), Packways Pvt. Ltd.(Mumbai), Sai Packers and Movers (Mumbai)
ARE U BEING HARASSED BY CONSUMER COURTS?
WE ARE GATHERING INFORMATION ON CORRUPT JUDGES, REGISTRARS & CLERKS
We have received many complaints from consumers that they are being harassed in the consumer courts when they go there to submit consumer complaint and attend hearings. They are not being served properly by the clerks, and the judges keep on giving hearing dates without arriving to judgment. These acts are contrary to the purpose of setting up of consumer courts that were basically meant to help the consumers. Please inform us if you have experienced or witnessed harassment or corruption. Inform us the exact time, date, and location of the incident in writing through duly signed letter. Your details will not be disclosed on this website, but you should be ready to co-operate when action against these people is initiated by nabbing them through proper channel.
For further clarifications you may contact:
Sri.ARUN SAXENA
International Consumer Rights Protection Council
B-9/55, Vijay Nagari,
P.O . Kasarvadavali,
Thane (West) 400601
Mumbai -
PLEASE PASS IT ON.
