Williams technical director Pat Symonds suspects Formula Ones new-look cars are on course for a lap time improvement of four seconds per lap at high-downforce circuits next year.F1s new regulations will see wider cars with wider wings and wider tyres in 2017, with the aim of increasing cornering speeds and lowering lap times. The hope is that the faster cars will create more excitement for fans, with FIA simulations earlier this year indicating a four- to five-second reduction in lap time.Although Symonds may be inclined to play down the lap time improvement so as not to give Williams 2017 development level away, he expects the final result will be in the lower range of the FIA estimate at high-downforce circuits such as Barcelona, and much less at low-downforce tracks like Monza.The performance is getting more like the mid-2000 cars but not really there, he said. You remember the target was five seconds a lap quicker, well Im not sure we will achieve that.Weve got this big unknown of the tyres, of course, we really dont know where we are there. But making some sensible assumptions with the tyres I think were going to see more like the four-second mark.A place like Barcelona where this type of car will be quite performant, I think it will be a bit more than that but some places like Monza for example, where actually youll be taking a lot of downforce off because youve inherently got a bit more drag from the wider tyres, I dont think well see much difference in lap time at a track like that. Or nowhere near that amount.Asked if drivers could struggle with the extra physical demands of driving the 2017 cars, Symonds said he is not expecting any more of a challenge than drivers had in the mid-2000s.Theyve driven cars like this before, its like what we had in in 2004/5, around then. To give you an example of a sort of typical 200km/h corner, its probably going to go up by 30 or 35 km/h, which adds a G to it. Yeah, its going to be a bit more physical but its not mindblowing I dont think. Stitched NHL Jerseys . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Stitched NHL Jerseys . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. http://www.cheapnhlcustomjerseys.com/ . JOHNS, N. Wholesale NHL Jerseys Online . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Fake Adidas NHL Jerseys . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets were determined to get off to a fast start and keep the pressure on Philadelphia after seeing the 76ers rally after trailing big on several occasions this season.They executed that plan perfectly.James Harden scored 23 of his 33 points in the first quarter, and the Rockets cruised to a 115-88 win over the 76ers on Monday night.We came in, made shots and defensively really locked in and didnt give them any confidence early in the game, Harden said. Theyve had a couple of games where theyve lost down the stretch against some really good teams, especially at home. So it was important for us to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity.Harden, who posted a triple-double in his previous two games, added nine assists and seven rebounds.The Rockets had a three-point lead with five minutes left in the first quarter when Harden took over, scoring all of Houstons points in a 17-9 surge to make it 35-24. Harden, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, made a pair of 3s, all three shots after being fouled on a 3-pointer and a nifty reverse layup in that span.He made each of the eight shots he attempted in the quarter to set a career high for points in a period.The first quarter was ridiculous, Houston coach Mike DAntoni said.The Sixers were led by Joel Embiid and Ersan Ilyasova, who had 13 points apiece.Harden cooled off after his huge first quarter and didnt score in the second period, but the Rockets still had a 65-52 lead at the break.The 76ers made just five of 19 shots in the third quarter, and Houston stretched its lead to 93-68 entering the fourth.We felt like it was still in us to make this into a game, but the game got away from us, coach Brett Brown said. We saw a great player dominate the first period and we dug ourselves a hole from the beginning.Harden is off to a stellar start this season in his first season in DAntonis fast-paced offense. He has scored at least 24 points in each of Houstons first 10 games this season.ddddddddddddTIP-INS76ers: Embiid, who returned after sitting out the last game to rest, led Philadelphia with 10 rebounds. ... Nik Stauskas scored 12 points, and Dario Saric and Gerald Henderson each had 11.Rockets: The Rockets made 17 3-pointers and have made at least 10 3s in nine straight games, which ties a franchise record. ... Nene had 13 points for his third double-digit game this season. He added a block to give him at least one in six straight games. ... Clint Capela had 13 rebounds.BLOCK PARTYThe Rockets had a season-high 10 blocks. Capela led the way with a career-high five and five other players, including Harden, had one apiece. Harden raved about the work of Capela, who took over for Dwight Howard at center this season.If he plays like that were going to be really good, Harden said.THEY SAID ITPhiladelphias Robert Covington on the struggles of the 76ers, who have won just one game: We are still trying to figure things out. A lot of guys havent played a lot of basketball together. We see a lot of what were capable of, its just a matter of time before all things come together.BEVERLEYS RETURNHouston guard Patrick Beverley is nearing a return after missing all season after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. DAntoni said he expects him to play sometime this week and there is a possibility he could make his debut as early as Thursday. DAntoni said he would start when he returns.Beverley averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 71 games last season.UP NEXT76ers: Host Washington on Wednesday as the team begins a stretch of four of the next five at home.Rockets: Will make a one-game road trip to Oklahoma City on Wednesday before returning for two at home against Portland and Utah. ' ' '