Team Nigeria gears up for motorsports debut

(CNN) -- Could motorsports become a major industry in football-obsessed Nigeria? It will be if one Nigerian businessman has his way.

London-based entrepreneur Ribi Adeshokan has entered his country into the lavish and highly-competitive world of car racing and has ambitious plans to drive African motorsport and build a multi-million dollar racing industry on the continent.

Called Nigeria Racing Eagle (NRE), the team says it hopes to compete at major motor racing events over the next few months, including the FIA GT3 series and sports car endurance races.

"My philosophy is whatever I want to do, I go for the best," Adeshokan, team principal and owner of NRE said Monday, moments after unveiling a green and silver Audi R8 LMS as the team's car at the Africa Village, a London Olympics exhibition site designed to highlight the continent's cultural, artistic and sport assets.

Adeshokan says his team will proudly "fly the flag of Africa," being the first Nigerian racing team to represent the continent at world motorsports.

"The idea of a racing team called Nigeria Racing Eagle is to use African drivers and gradually develop African mechanics and engineers," he says.

"In the motorsport community I've been asked so many times, 'oh what if they are no good,' or 'you might be, maybe, the last on the grid,' and I say 'yes, I don't care, let's be the last on the grid but we are developing, we are growing,' so that's our main goal for this project."

See also: EasyJet founder to launch low-cost airline in Africa

An engineer by training, Adeshokan's association with motorsport first started as a hobby in early 2000. But he soon turned his passion into business and in 2007 he set up a racing company called GRC Motorsport.

Adeshokan initially put together a racing side to compete as "Team Nigeria" at the World Cup of Motorsport. But right before he was about to realize his dream, the World Cup series went bankrupt.

Determined Adeshokan devoted further time and money to create NRE. He says his business venture has been solely financed by himself and a few friends who had faith in his vision.

"The biggest challenge is people believing in my dream," he says. "I found out that people struggle to understand and most people never can imagine that motorsport can come to Africa or to Nigeria."

Adeshokan, who recently appointed veteran British motorsport executive John Wickham as team manager, says that right now there is a "50-50" chance for NRE to be ready for the GT3 race in Moscow in early September.

Yet, for Adeshokan and his team, competing at the international motorsport arena is only one part of their goal.

"One of the key pillars of this project is not just about putting together a racing team -- it's about introducing motorsport to West Africa and that means we have to create circuits, we have to create series and, most importantly, we have to create drivers," says Sam Collins, NRE's lead driver.

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12BET | Sunderland make £10m Fletcher bid

The offer is understood to be under consideration, with Wolves waiting to see whether Aston Villa decide to firm up their interest in the 25-year-old.

Fletcher’s former club Burnley will be due 15% of any profit Wolves make on a player they paid £7m for in 2010.

Sunderland are short of attacking options following the departures of Asamoah Gyan and Nicklas Bendtner. Fulham and Stoke are also interested.

“We are not getting drawn on offers for players in or out,” Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey told the

“Our best players are not for sale; we want to keep them and build the strongest possible team for the season ahead. We will do everything we can to retain the players we want to keep and continue to look to strengthen with new signings.”

Sunderland suffered defeat by Hartlepool on Friday, with none of manager Martin O’Neill’s three strikers – Fraizer Campbell, Connor Wickham and Ryan Noble – able to find the net.

Fletcher has two years remaining on his contract at Molineux, leaving Moxey in a strong position to negotiate the best possible deal.

No Sunderland striker reached double figures in the goal tally last season, with Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon the top-scorers with eight.

“We know where the problem is. You just need to look at our scoring record last season,” O’Neill said last week. “This puts pressure on other players to score, either from set-pieces or midfield.

“Eventually centre-forwards have to weigh in and, at the moment, you would want to know who and when someone is going to score 15 goals in a Premier League season.”

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Motor Sports Match List

Time	EVENT	ODDS
	Motor Sport - F1 - Constructors Championship 2012 (Winner)
07/20/2012	Red Bull	1.25
07/20/2012	McLaren	5.50
07/20/2012	Ferrari	16.00
07/20/2012	Lotus	16.00
07/20/2012	Mercedes GP	81.00
07/20/2012	Any Other Team	101.00
	Motor Sport - F1 - World Drivers Championship 2012 (Winner)
07/20/2012	Fernando Alonso	2.50
07/20/2012	Sebastian Vettel	3.00
07/20/2012	Lewis Hamilton	5.00
07/20/2012	Mark Webber	6.00
07/20/2012	Kimi Raikkonen	31.00
07/20/2012	Any Other Driver	34.00
07/20/2012	Nico Rosberg	61.00
07/20/2012	Jenson Button	61.00
07/20/2012	Michael Schumacher	151.00
07/20/2012	Felipe Massa	501.00
	Motor Sport - Moto GP - World Championship 2012 (Winner)
07/13/2012	Jorge Lorenzo	1.60
07/13/2012	Casey Stoner	2.80
07/13/2012	Dani Pedrosa	7.00
07/13/2012	Any Other Rider	101.00
07/13/2012	Valentino Rossi	301.00
07/13/2012	Ben Spies	301.00
	Motor Sport - MotoGP - Italy Grand Prix Race (Winner)
07/13/2012	Jorge Lorenzo	2.70
07/13/2012	Casey Stoner	2.80
07/13/2012	Dani Pedrosa	3.70
07/13/2012	Andrea Dovizioso	17.00
07/13/2012	Ben Spies	21.00
07/13/2012	Any Other Rider	26.00
07/13/2012	Cal Crutchlow	31.00
07/13/2012	Valentino Rossi	34.00

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Clubs push for online casino games monopoly

CLUBS should be the sole operator of online casino games if they are legalised, with the community-benefit model of pokies revenue flowing to local clubs to be applied, the pokies lobby says.
Online casino games, including poker, are at present illegal, but a recent interim review of interactive gambling laws recommends a liberalisation of online gambling, with online poker hosted by Australian companies to be trialled over five years. Other casino-style games would remain banned.
Conservative estimates show at least 130,000 are playing online poker on overseas websites despite the current law.
Clubs Australia - the group that spearheaded the campaign against mandatory precommitment on pokies machines - says prohibition is failing, with Australians estimated to spend $1 billion on illegal overseas gambling websites every year.

Modelling for the group shows that over the next decade local punters are expected to spend more than $17.9 billion on these sites.
In a submission to the review, Clubs Australia says that should casino games be allowed, clubs should be the sole operator because they are best placed to provide effective harm minimisation.
''Such a model would at the least feature existing club gambling policies such as a ban on credit card betting, a ban on inducements to gamble and a ban on advertising to non-club members.''
''A locally based, club operated online gaming model would provide Australians a legitimate avenue for consumers to exercise their gambling preferences, and engage in an enjoyable activity within a safe and regulated environment.''
There is also an economic argument for legal online sites, with Clubs Australia's modelling estimating the government could make $4.7 billion in tax revenue over the next 10 years, with club-operated gaming to generate $34 million in community funding over five years.
A major argument against proposed pokies reform last year was the damage mandatory precommitment would do to funding of local sports clubs, which receive money from pokies revenues.
''Unlike gambling in a licensed venue where gambling occurs in a social context and under the supervision of trained staff, online gambling takes place in social isolation without any supervision,'' the submissions says.
Clubs Australia executive director Anthony Ball made it clear that the group was not lobbying to allow casino-style gambling online.
''However, we strongly believe that if the federal and state governments choose to go down that path, then the safest way is through a club-based, not-for profit-model.''

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Consequences Of Giving Misleading Information In Online Casinos

There are instances where potential members give misleading information when registering to online casinos. Some have hesitations in divulging their true identity due to the cybercrimes that proliferate in the world wide web. However, these acts will only lead them to further troubles.

Withdrawal difficulties

Providing misleading information results to withdrawal difficulties. Always remember that online casinos verify the credentials and identity of their players.  This is one of the many methods that they use to protect their players’ rights and their reputation. Giving misleading information will only hurt you. Well this is not just because, withdrawals become a difficult task (when it should be easy); rather, it is more of going through all the hassles of finding proof to support your “made-up” identity.

Voided winnings

Should online casinos find out that they receive misleading information, expect winnings to be voided. The mere act of submitting fabricated details is already considered fraudulent and online casinos never tolerate this act. It will be unfair to other players. Moreover, due to rampant cases of phishing and identity theft, casino sites will not take the risk of having players that are directly involved in such cybercrimes. Thus, voiding the winnings is more of a precautionary measure.

You will be banned

As discussed, providing misleading information is fraudulent. Being banned is highly possible. This is performed not only to penalize the involved player but also to prevent the latter from posting further security threats into the whole system.

You invade the privacy of another

Those who refuse to reveal their true identity and use the name of another is actually breaching somebody else’s privacy. This is a serious matter for it is not only the name that is used, but also other confidential information such as credit card details and bank account numbers.

Always practice honesty when you register in online casinos. Never resort to fabricating information for you will be penalized for it. However, more than anything else, this does not reflect a good practice or impression. 

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4 Solid Proofs That 12BET Casino Is The Safest Online Casino

In general, online casinos are safe. Yet, you should never forget that its safety and security are likewise determined by the provider’s history and reputation.

It is much easier for online casinos to gain trust and confidence if they have already carved their names into the industry. They are fully aware of the different threats that can breach system security and compromise the players’ accounts. Their experienced taught them well. They are aware of the dangers and how to handle them.

But still, if you are not convinced, here are concrete proofs that playing in an online casino is safe. This is most especially true if this is 12BET Casino.

Regulatory boards and licensing bodies

Before an online casino can begin its operations, they need to secure a license first. They can obtain this from regulatory boards and licensing bodies. These organizations ensure that the players’ rights are readily protected. As for 12BET Casino, it has obtained its licenses from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and the Cagayan Economic Zone Area. With not only one (1), but two (2) licensing bodies.

Sophisticated security systems

Online casino sites use state of the art security systems. They run sophisticated encryption programs to see to it that shared confidential information are not leaked and abused. If you scroll down the 12BET Casino site, you will see the “Thawte” logo underneath. Thawte is one of the most secured and trusted certificate authorities worldwide.

A dedicated department

Similar to banks, online casinos have dedicated departments that monitor fraud and other related activities. 12BET Casino, for one, has a team of experts that work together to prevent fraud.

KYC and AML

KYC stands for “know your customer” while AML represents anti-money laundering. In simpler terms, KYC is the act of verifying relevant information about a particular customer. Others describe KYC as performing background check.

AML, on the other hand see to it that the money came from a credible source. These two are strictly observed by 12BET Casino.

There is nothing wrong with questioning the safety and security of online casinos. It is the right of every player. But they should always remember that along with their right to question the casino site’s safety and security, they also hold the responsibility of choosing trusted online casinos.

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Brammo Motorsports forges ahead with production

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — The drive to become the world's top electric motorcycle maker has led Craig Bramscher around the globe — up twisting roads, off-road and face-to-face with corporate heads who share belief in the future of Brammo Motorsports' Enertia and Empulse.
It's also made those closest to him question his sanity at times.
In the days after Bramscher decided to develop and build electric motorcycles in Southern Oregon, he shared his vision with his wife. Jennifer Bramscher nodded and smiled reassuringly. Much later and millions of dollars down the road, she admitted what she really thought of the venture.
"She recently told some friends that she thought it was insane," Bramscher said.
At that point, Brammo had the American license to manufacture the Ariel Atom, a light-weight, high-speed, gas-powered automobile, and electric automaker Tesla had yet to debut its pricey products.

"Here we were with one of the fastest cars in the world and we were going to develop a relatively low-speed, battery-powered vehicle," he said. "Like everyone else, she thought motorcycles were supposed to make noise. She didn't tell me what she thought and let me pursue it.
"Once we got going she told me, 'You actually have a pretty good vision of the future.' I went from heel to hero."
Enertia models are now in production in Hungary, while the Empulse is going through final tweaks before assembly begins in July and production ramps up in August.
That should boost the company's Ashland employee count from 55 to 75 by year's end.
The journey has been anything but a straight shot, veering all over the globe as innovations and changing market conditions scrapped incumbent plans.
"We like disruptive ideas," Bramscher said. "They may not all work exactly the way we planned, but we learn so much each time."

There's an inside joke at Brammo's Clover Lane headquarters born of the company's pragmatic flexibility.
"Whenever we make a strong statement of what we are not going to do, everyone assumes we're going to get there very soon," Bramscher said. "You tell engineers something is not possible, they come back in a couple weeks and say here it is."
Batteries weren't on Bramscher's radar. After all, there were plenty of major players in the field.
"We said we would never build our own batteries. It was too research-intensive and too competitive," Bramscher said. "Clearly, there were billions of dollars invested in battery technology, why would we do that?"
It soon became apparent those billions of research dollars were targeted for automobiles. Promises of batteries with a higher energy density and lower costs failed to materialize. It turned out the battery packs Brammo developed for testing bikes in races on both sides of the Atlantic were a step or two ahead of what anyone else was making.

"We had developed the batteries specifically for racing — never with the intent of bringing them into production," he said. "But once we started, we saw that was what differentiates us from other bikes."
Likewise, Brammo didn't plan on engineering a gearbox into its bikes.
"Everyone talked about how we didn't need a gear box because electric motors had more torque and RPMs available," Bramscher said. "We believed it, too, and in many cases it's probably true."
But widespread efforts had proven a multiple-speed gear box provides early acceleration and high-speed performance. Brammo's Empulse has a 6-speed gear box.
"Doing the math, we found it would improve motorcyclists' control over the bike and give more regenerative braking (charging the battery while applying the brakes)."
After 2 1/2 years of development, Brammo has just brought the gear box into production, Bramscher said.
"At first, not everyone on our team liked it until we realized we had a good thing here," he said.

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