...autosport.com, is every bit as good as its paper version. However the maxim that more is less appears to be sadly true, as autosport.com seems to spread itself too thinkly on occasions, still clearly focussing on Formula One when there are in fact other series of merit, but which of course ... Read review
Advantages: very comprehensive, good subscription rates for the magazine Disadvantages: a dog of a site, slow to load
...to be sadly true, as autosport.com seems to spread itself too thinkly on occasions, still clearly focussing on Formula One when there are in fact other series of merit, but which of course lack the global appeal that F1 has, and is gaining even more of.
As well as concentrating on Formula 1, the other principle competitions covered aer the British and German Touring Car Championships (BTCC and DTM respectively), NASCAR, Indy Racing ... ...Mans Series (ALMS), Sportscars series, as well as other international series.
The coverage of Formula 1 is exceptionally detailed, although not every series is covered in the same level of detail. For F1, which is what I generally use it for, the site is exceptional, often providing some of the quickest updates at the end of qualifying sessions, and with the most extensive coverage of each Grand Prix that I have seen.
I originally started reading Autosport as a 17 year old, interested in F1, and found that it was clearly a lot more than just a F1 magazine, as the title suggests it should be. In terms of the breadth of different series covered, the online version, at www.autosport.com, is every bit as good as its paper version. However the maxim that more is less appears to be sadly true, as autosport.com seems to spread itself too thinkly on occasions, still clearly focussing on Formula One when there are in fact other series of merit, but which of course lack the global appeal that F1 has, and is gaining even more of.
As well as concentrating on Formula 1, the other principle competitions covered aer the British and German Touring Car Championships (BTCC and DTM respectively), NASCAR, Indy Racing League, ChampCart, Formula 3 and Formula 3000, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), Sportscars series, as well as other international series.
The coverage of Formula 1 is exceptionally detailed, although not every series is covered in the same level of detail. For F1, which is what I generally use it for, the site is exceptional, often providing some of the quickest updates at the end of qualifying sessions, and with the most extensive coverage of each Grand Prix that I have seen.
The directory section is a buyers guide, and has lists of stockists for every necessary for the motorsport enthusiast, from overalls to telemetry equipment. This is an online version of the directory that is included with Autosport magazine at the start of the year.
Radio Autosport is a service that effectively runs an audio round-up of the happenings of the latest Grand Prix, however it is slightly restricted in that it is only broadcast once, as 8pm in the evening (BST) on the Tuesday after the Grand Prix has taken place. I have yet to remember to tune in for this one, but it is possible to listen to old broadcasts, via real media player. The sound quality is not too bad, especially given the fact that the stream is only 8.6kps which makes it a possibility for those accessing via dial-up. However it is great if you want to listen to a full Grand Prix from start to finish, although Grand Prix commentary is not outstanding, and the spectacle is better viewed on television.
If you are a reader of Autosport magazine, then the online subcription service will be for you. Ordering via the website will entitle you to a 20% discount on the cover price if you take out a subscription (15% for orders to Mainland Europe, 10% for the Rest of the World). A subscription lasts for six months, and that is 26 editions of the magazine (it is weekly)
The site layout however is very clumsy. The use of italic fonts in the navigation fails badly, and looks very tacky, and the layout of using headlines down the right hand side of the articles will frustrate anyone wanting to print an article, as they will get massive swaths of blank white space. Too much of the frontpage is beneath the first page, which means that it would be very easy to miss out on a lot of the information, such as news headlines that should be in a prominent place.
I have also found that it is very heavy and takes a while to load, even over a cable connection, so I wouldn’t like to use to have to use this one over a dial-up connection, and that is without the site being particularly fancy. Given the amount of information on the site, this is an excellent service, but the website could do with an overhaul to make it load quicker, and aesthetically it could do with a few nips and tucks.
Advantages: Wide range of news items Disadvantages: But not a huge number of news items in each section.
Autosport, jack of all virtually matters concerned with racing and wheels and sadly master of none. But then a generic motorsport website will never reach the same coverage levels as almighty websites like Planet F1 or www.cart.com. Anyway, what does Autosport cover? Well, you have the mainstream well known championships; namely the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship), Formula One, WRC (World Rally Championship), the Fedex Championship (Or CART ... ...today – it’s the big open wheeled formula in America that ISN’T Indy cars and that DOES race on tracks other than ovals). It also covers some lesser known championships, IRL (The big open wheeled formula in America that IS Indy cars and DOESN’T race on tracks other than ovals), DTM (German Touring Cars), American Lemans Series (A stupid name for what is in essence American GT racing), Formula Three and Formula Three Thousand. ...
yhwman 09.02.2001
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Advantages: Fast, well presented and clear. Disadvantages: Doesn't cover articles in the same depth as the magazine
There are few - indeed no - faster sports than those that are covered by www.autosport.com. Therefore it is quite fitting that the emphasis of this site lies with providing rapid access to the top motorsports news of the day.
Autosport.com, like its established magazine counterpart from Haymarket publishing, provides covaergae of the international and national level motosport events. Everything from Formula One down to Formula Ford and smaller club ... ...more.
The site's front page is very straightforward, clear, and low on high-quality graphics to minimise loading times: Compare with ITV-F1, for example, and the difference is startling. Autosport.com, however, looks a lot more appealing than its low-graphics rival AtlasF1.com, which resembles a broadsheet newspaper.
The more popular and important items receive top billing: usually F1 related topics, but others from time to time, especially CART. ...
SkyscraperFanClub 19.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of autosport.com
Advantages: saves money Disadvantages: not enough f1 news
This is well worth checking out rather than the magazine. Its updated everyday and your get the news fastest than the magazine (duh). Your get all the latest news on F1, BTCC, DTM, Cart etc and many more. During the grand prix your get there special radio which will give updates on the race along with interviews with drivers from other championships. They lack on photographs which I think makes a good site and I think they could add abit more news ...
Advantages: well designed, comprehensive Disadvantages: not as much as the mag
Autosport is a first class magazine, so it is only fitting that their website should be as good. Magazine websites often tread a fine line, they want to provide information, but not prevent sales of the mag. Autosport is certainly less cut down than many, News is the main issue, and that is up to the minute, and covers all the major series around the world, with additional coverage of smaller British series. The site is simple and easy to navigate, ... ...section with the latest news, usually from F1 on the right. The writing is generally very good with respected journalists such as Nigel Roebuck employed. results and standings is a very useful feature, and tends to be very thorough. A comprehensive online directory of motorsport services is also provided, and is very useful. The only slight critiicsm I would have is that the audio service is provided by a separate website, and it is hard to get back ...
gshughes 08.08.2000
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Here's a real must for all motorsport fans or petrol heads. An online motorsport site that caters for all your motoring needs, whether you are a boy racer - excuse the phrase - or, a die hard racer, there are most things that you could need to improve your cars looks or performnce, from spark plugs to race suits. I have used the site on a regulr basis, and even if they are not showing availability, a short e-mail to the company is usually enough ...
Slideways 12.02.2001
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Advantages: Excellent coverage of all aspects of motor racing Disadvantages: None
a lay person.
In addition to Formula 1 the feeder single seater championships such as Formula 3 are well covered. But it is not only single seaters which get coverage. The sports car championships and touring cars get full coverage as does the World Rally Championship withy previews, reviews and leading articles on the progression of these championships.
The magazine carries full coverage of all main motor sport event held throughout the UK each weekend. At £2.60 every week Autosport can run out a costly magazine to be every week and the discerning buyer may choose to be selective on which editions he or she chooses to buy. Alternatively much of the main covergae and news can be found on Autosports execellent web site at www.autosport.com. ...
polydeuces 12.11.2000
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Advantages: Up to date news, well informed writers Disadvantages: Heavy F1 bias
a year in advance (by credit card) to have the magazine delivered with my post, although this offer isn?t now available to new subscribers. The current price for new UK subscribers is £58.20 for 26 issues, a saving of 20% over the cover price. There are varying rates for elsewhere in the World all with savings of at least 15%. You can pay by posting a cheque (UK banks only) or by credit/debit card via post, phone, fax or e-mail. Full details are in the magazine and at www.autosport.com where you can also subscribe online.
WHAT?S IT LOOK LIKE?
The magazine is usually just over 100 pages, with the 2002 Christmas issue weighing in at a hefty 188 pages. It is printed on thin, slightly glossy paper, with the cover and centre pages being on thicker, glossier paper. It measures approx. 12.9 by 9.0 inches, or if you have gone all continental ...
jez_taylor 08.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Autosport
