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Gabriele Tarquini says he never had the "slightest doubt" over his desire to continue racing when he was dropped from Honda's WTCC line-up due to his advancing years.
The 53-year-old was dropped by the Japanese manufacturer in December, before being chosen to join Lada when the Russian marque lost Rob Huff to Honda.
However, Tarquini said he was always completely committed to finding a way to continue racing, even though he admitted his chances of a reprieve with Lada looked bleak before Huff joined an expanded Honda squad.
"When Honda told me its choice [to drop me], I never had the slightest doubt to continue racing," Tarquini said.
"I'd already had some contact with Viktor [Shapovalov, Lada boss] when I realised that there would be no possibility of continuing with Honda.
"At that time they didn't seem interested in me, but things probably changed when Rob Huff informed Lada he was going to Honda, leaving them a little wrong-footed.
"At that I point I imagine they were thinking about replacing him with an experienced driver, and they thought of me."
Tarquini revealed that the new deal with Lada was only for a single season, owing to his age – but that he is open to renewing it if all goes well in 2016.
"I wanted to sign an annual agreement because it seemed unreasonable to make special requests, especially considering that I am nearly 54," he said.
"At the end of the season we will evaluate how things have gone, and if we are happy with each other we will work out how to proceed."
Nonetheless, Tarquini vowed to remain realistic about his prospects of success, given the recent dominance of Citroen.
"When I first spoke to Viktor, it struck me that he was someone with his feet on the ground," he said. "We know that we must not think about the title because Citroen is on another planet.
"We are in the chasing group, so we have to be able to get good results by exploiting unusual situations, such as reverse grids or some mess resulting from collisions."
Interview by Francesco Corghi


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Birmingham to pilot adult social work scheme
Cabinet is being asked to approve a scheme that will see Birmingham City Council pilot a new type of adult social work practice.
The council successfully bid to run the two year pilot in conjunction with the Department of Health, which aims at testing new ways of working at arms-length from local authorities.
The Birmingham pilot, one of seven across the country, will focus on people with physical disabilities and is aimed at encouraging better joint working across social care and health, and giving people more control over their own care.
A report to cabinet on Monday 26 September seeks to set up an independent, not-for-profit social work practice (or 'social enterprise') using Department of Health and council funding. It will develop social work practice to augment and complement the skills within the local authority.
Expected benefits include:
• Earlier and more proactive identifications of opportunities to maximise independence
• Increased use of community resources and wider range of opportunities
• Increased take-up of enablement activities
• Maximising the potential of personalised budgets
• Reduced dependence on long-term social care funding
Councillor Sue Anderson, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: "This pilot will allow us to try out an innovative approach which is in line with our own personalisation agenda; social workers will work far more closely with individuals and in communities. They will no longer be simply the gatekeepers of the public purse but catalysts within local communities, creating new opportunities for disabled people to be independent and encouraging people to become active citizens."
The Social Care Institute for Excellence, an independent charity, will oversee the project on behalf of the Department of Health.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Facing TV Problems? Ask a TV Technician.
Hello, and sorry you're having problems. Nathan is not online, and we also have no way of seeing the original question you're referring to.
Please postback with exactly what the problem is you're having and we can proceed.
Thanks for the reply. You also mentioned something about an "on/off problem"- can you elaborate on that?
Okay, again- I have no idea what on/off problem that would be since we cannot see the question you referenced in your original post.
Anyhow, regarding the internet connection- WAS the TV connected previously and working, or is this the first time trying to connect it to the internet?
Also, how far away from the TV is your router?
How many other devices in the home are using Wi-Fi (you may need a better router)?
Additionally what is the Brand and Model of the router?


text:
Kroombit Tops National Park
Drive the path less travelled
For 4WD enthusiasts, you can't beat the 35km 4WD-only track through Kroombit Tops National Park, which offers exceptional scenery and rugged terrain, and that true 'off the beaten track' feeling. If you're a history buff, stop along the way to see the resting place of the World War II B-24D Liberator Bomber nicknamed 'Beautiful Betsy'. She tragically crashed here on a rainy night in 1945. If you are looking to explore some of the waterfalls and magnificent sandstone cliffs in the region, why not pack a tent and spend a few nights camping away from the crowds?
Location and getting there
85km SW of Gladstone. Access is via Tableland and Gladstone-Monto roads, off the Dawson Hwy, via Calliope from Gladstone.
Visitor facilities and opportunities
Key to symbols


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This is the shocking moment a Salvation Army carer was filmed stealing from a war veteran – but he still works for the charity.
The CCTV footage shows Drew Murphy, 47, rifling through the man's wallet and stealing a marked £20 note.
His 45-year-old victim, who does not want to be named, said he planted the hidden camera because he never trusted the charity worker.
The man, from Inverclyde, said: "I left the army in 2004 and I had problems. I drank a bit and he bought me drink.
"I absolutely never trusted the guy from the moment I met him."
The pair are shown on camera sitting together on the sofa.
The victim, who is wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a green jumper, gets up to walk into another room.
Murphy is heard saying: "Do you want me to shop for you?"
But the victim replies: "No, no my legs are fine."
Murphy asks if he's sure but later agrees that he "needs to stretch" his legs.
A kettle and a television can be heard in the background.
Seconds after the veteran leaves the room, Murphy ducks onto the floor and snatches his camouflage print wallet.
The thief, who is seen wearing tan trousers, trainers and a blue puff jacket, has to reach under the sofa to pull out the wallet.
He quickly rifles through it and pulls out a £20 note, sliding it into his pocket before sitting back down on the couch.
The victim has had the wallet for 25 years.
He said: "I had the wallet since I was in the army. It is a case that I've been using as a wallet. I suppose it has sentimental value, I've had it for 25 years. It's pretty battered."
Murphy has been caring for the veteran since 2008.
Murphy's victim bought a security camera from eBay, which he hid in a flowerpot and had stuck leaves on it as camouflage.
He also initialled the notes in his wallet.
The veteran said: "When I called the police they said that the video was enough to charge him.
"I said 'I don't want him charged, I want him caught and convicted'."
Murphy was charged with stealing a £20 note.
He was found guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court on August 19 and was fined £750, to be paid over three months.
His victim said: "He's been banged to rights. It's justice after years."
But shockingly, the thief is still employed by the Salvation Army.
He now works with homeless people for the Christian charity.
The war veteran said: "He's got a nice little job.
"I'm going to go to the care inspectorate and ask for an explanation.
"A convicted thief is caught stealing and they transfer him.
"I rang the welfare officer for the Salvation Army Scotland and at no point did he apologise to me.
"It's a Christian organisation and he had the gall to come into my home and steal from me."
The veteran was first involved with the Salvation Army when he was admitted to a Greenock rehab centre run by the charity.
He struggled with alcoholism after he left the army in 2004.
He was a corporal in the Royal Corps of Transport for 15 years and served tours in Bosnia and Kosovo.
When the centre shut down, he said he felt "obliged" to sign up for carers to come into his home.
He said: "They didn't help. I sorted myself out."
A spokesman for the Salvation Army said: "We have strict policies and procedures in place and are aware that a member of staff has been convicted of theft following his failure to follow these procedures.
"The action that we promised to take was to continually monitor Mr Murphy in line with the policies and procedures of our homelessness services unit.
"In light of the outcome of the recent court case , we have held a further disciplinary hearing.
"While we recognise that Mr Murphy failed to follow our agreed working protocols, we have an obligation to follow legal process so therefore are not a position to provide any more details at this time."