常春藤解析英语【11】The Fast and Furious of Formula（在线收听）

by Jerri Graham

In a blaze of color and noise, millions of dollars' worth of cars speed around the course. Fans leap to their feet and cheer as the world-class drivers put their pedals to the metal on the city streets. Nowhere else but on the Formula One circuit can this scene be played out. For over half a century, Formula One has been the quintessential sport for those with a need for speed, roaring engines, and excitement.

Auto racing started to take shape back in 1894, when the first race was held in Paris. A year later in the US, Frank Duryea set a record when he traveled 87.48 km in 10 hours and 23 minutes. This record is nothing in comparison to the death-defying speeds of Formula One (F1) racing today, where cars can travel in excess of 300 km/h. F1 is the world's premier class of automobile racing that outshines all the others. The races are part of a series known as the Grand Prix. Held in various countries, these races are either held on tracks built specifically for racing or on closed-off city streets. In 2007, 17 countries will play host to Grand Prix races with the season opener taking place in Australia.

Formula One racecars are a far cry from what the average driver has parked in their garage. With an open cockpit, single seat, and high-tech gadgets, they do not come cheap. Building a car can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and a maintenance crew can annually cost millions. Teams are either owned by the super-wealthy or sponsored by major corporations with very deep pockets.

单字小铺

1. furious a. 猛烈的

2. circuit n. 跑道

3. quintessential a. 经典的

4. death-defying a. 挑战死亡的

5. premier a. 首要的，第一的

6. specifically adv. 特别地

7. closed-off a. 封锁的

8. cockpit n. 驾驶员坐舱

9. gadget n. 精巧的机械或装置

10. maintenance n. 维修

11. corporation n. 大企业，大型公司

12. deep pockets n. 财富
　　have deep pockets　　财力雄厚

词组小铺

1.millions of dollars' worth of...　　价值数百万元的……

2.put the pedal to the metal　　风驰电掣

3.be played out　　上演，演出

4.set a record　　创纪录
　break a record　　打破纪录

5.in comparison to/with...　　和……相比

精解字词词组

1. blaze n. 火焰；光辉；（感情的）爆发
in a blaze of anger/fury　　在愤怒∕盛怒之下
例： In a blaze of anger, the actor threw down his script and walked off the set.
（盛怒之下，那名演员丢下剧本，走出拍摄现场。）

2. leap to one's feet　　跳起来
例： My mother leapt to her feet when the doorbell rang.
（我妈妈一听到门铃就跳了起来。）

3. take shape　　成形
例： Our vacation plans are finally taking shape.
（我们的渡假计划终于成形了。）

4. in excess of...　　超过……
例： The pitcher's fastball traveled at speeds in excess of 90 mph.
（那名投手的快速球超过时速九十英里。）

5. outshine　vt. 胜过，使黯然失色
例： When it comes to academics, Walter outshines everyone in our class.
（说到学业成绩，华特比我们班上任何人都好。）

6. play host to...　　主办……
例： China will play host to the Olympics in 2008.
（中国将主办二○○八年奥运。）

7. be a far cry from...　　和……大不相同
例： The sashimi we get here is a far cry from what we can get in Japan.
（这里的生鱼片和日本的截然不同。）

8. sponsor vt. 赞助
例： Our company sponsored the young scholar's trip overseas.
（本公司赞助那位年轻学者的海外之旅。）

中文翻译

爆发色彩与声音，价值数百万元的赛车在场上奔驰。当世界级的车手在街道上风驰电掣之际，赛车迷们兴奋地雀跃喝采。这样的景象只有在一级方程式赛车的比赛现场才看得到。超过半个世纪以来，一级方程式赛车对那些追求速度、狂啸的引擎和刺激的人而言一直是经典的运动。
　　
第一场比赛于 1894 年在巴黎举办，赛车竞赛于是成形。一年后在美国，法兰克.杜依尔以十小时二十三分跑出 87.48 公里打破纪录。这个纪录和现在时速超过三百公里，挑战死亡速度的一级方程式赛车（F1）比起来当然是小巫见大巫。F1 是世界首级的四轮赛车，傲视所有同类型的其它比赛。这项比赛是格兰披治大赛系列赛的一部分。这些比赛在不同国家展开，不是在比赛专用的跑道上举行就是在城市中封街举办。2007 年，有十七个国家将合办格兰披治大赛，而季开幕赛将于澳洲举行。
　　
一级方程式的赛车和一般驾驶在自家车库里停放的车子大相径庭。方程式赛车有开放式驾驶座、单人坐椅和高科技的仪器，所费不赀。一辆车的造价可能高达数十万美元，而维修团队可能每年要花上数百万元。赛车队不是超级富翁所持有，就是由财力雄厚的大公司所赞助。