Month: March 2010

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Formula 1 Lotus

It was a marvellous day

Ayrton Senna

Yesterday would have been Ayrton Senna‘s 50th birthday. A fact that came to my attention via autosport.com who honoured the day with an image gallery of Senna’s career. To complement those images there is a YouTube clip after the break featuring Senna talking about his maiden F1 victory, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix. Senna marked his arrival as a Grand Prix winner in true domineering style, by also claiming pole position and the fastest lap of the race.

Life in F1 was so much simpler then, as the footage shows. And a few years later you were either in the Alain Prost corner, or the Ayrton Senna corner. I was, and am, still very much in the Prost corner, ‘The Professor’ remains my favourite driver of all time. That said, I still recall the sadness I felt as I watched Senna’s accident on 1 May 1994—a date forever etched in my mind—and later learned of his untimely death.

Approaching sixteen years since his passing it is clear Senna still holds the respect of his peers, a fact highlighted by being voted the best driver of all time in a poll of over 200 former and current F1 drivers. May he rest in peace.

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Formula 1

2010 Bahrain GP in pictures

2010 Bahrain GP

Ugh, I’ve finally woken up after the Bahrain Grand Prix. For an off-season that managed to keep Formula One fans on the edge of their seats, the season opener was a rather dull affair. That cannot be questioned, as evidenced by the chorus of criticism, from team principals, drivers and fans across the globe.

I’ve been told that Fernando Alonso won the race in his debut outing with Ferrari. Teammate Felipe Massa reminded us there’s more than one driver returning to F1 this year by claiming second. And 2008 champ Lewis Hamilton grabbed the last podium. A podium all three men owed to a wilting RB6 under Sebastien Vettel’s otherwise expert command (or perhaps his car was just running out of petrol)

We’ve heard from the likes of Mark Webber that the dullness in Bahrain was due to the new rule changes in force for 2010. With a full season, and off-season, of development behind them it would seem the double diffusers are even more effective in 2010 and the dirty air they create behind each car makes it impossible for the car behind to overtake. Or so we are being told.

We’re also being told the track layout at Bahrain is to blame and that other more passing friendly circuits will liven things up. Mind, it’s a bit dismal that a track with 23 corners cannot illicit any overtaking opportunities.

The refuelling ban and tyres that have reasonable life in them seems to ensure single pit stop strategies for the entire field. There’s been talk of introducing two mandatory stops in a bid to bring some life into F1 v2010. Not sure about you, but if the best idea to increase on track action is to increase the number of pit stops, well, Formula One is in more trouble than it cares to admit.

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Lamborghini

Sweet dreams are made of this

Lamborghini Gallardo 550-2 Balboni

Oh yes! Is there a better way to start your Sunday morning than with this clip of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Balboni being driven along empty winding mountain roads? The clip is all yours after the jump. There’s a few short words at the start of the video, then you’re safe to turn the volume up to 11 and enjoy the sounds of the Lamborghini orchestra.

[Source: Motor Trend]

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McLaren

Highlights from McLaren Automotive launch

McLaren Automotive launch

If you haven’t read all 30,000+ words from the press release on the McLaren Automotive launch, and who could blame you, then you can watch a four and a half minute highlights package straight after the break. In fact, you’d probably be well advised to watch this, and if any of the MP4-12C‘s technology grabs your fancy you can refer back to the full press release and read some more detail.

For example, the Seamless Shift Gearbox uses a semi-pressed state to prime the transmission prior to its next change, in much the same way a digital SLR camera will auto focus with a light press of the shutter release. Then there’s Brake Steer technology. Not to mention the on-board diagnostics system that can contact McLaren headquarters as soon as a fault arises, and the list goes on.

McLaren has initial plans to set up a dealer network in 19 countries, including Australia. No official pricing on the company’s first model, the MP4-12C, has been announced yet, other than to say the twin-turbo 3.8 litre V8 powered coupé will be priced between £125,000-175,000 (AU$205,000–287,000). Similarly, no official performance figures have been declared, but during the launch Managing Director Antony Sherrif did reveal the 12C’s expected key performance data.

There is little doubt this latest development for the Woking-based company is the realisation of a life goal for Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. He uses the term “pure McLaren” quite a lot when describing the new venture. Dennis is one that often polarises opinion, but, like him or loathe him, you have to admire the drive and passion he has invested in creating Britain’s newest automotive manufacturer.

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Porsche

Renn Sport

Porsche RS gallery

Mention the model name Porsche 911 GT3 to any car person and chances are they’ll start to go weak at the knees. Add two more letters to that model, namely RS (for Renn Sport) and you’ll complete the task of turning an otherwise sane looking person into a drooling mess. The RS is the quintessential road and track weapon. Well, the quintessential German road and track weapon, at the very least.

So, then, what better way than to have all that explained to you by a Scottish bloke driving around the Porsche Experience UK test facility in England. You can see said video after the jump, and as an added bonus you will also see an extensive range of RS models, starting right back with the original 1970s version and finishing off with the latest 997.2 iteration. Ladies and gentlemen, start your downloads.

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Motorsports Toyota Video

Tanner Foust – Street Drift: Mulholland

Tanner Foust - Street Drift: Mulholland

If you know a little bit about the competitive drifting scene then you’ll know the name Tanner Foust. If you’ve never heard of him, watch and learn as he drifts his 600hp V8 powered Scion tC around a two-mile closed section of LA’s renowned Mulholland Drive.

If you didn’t know, the Scion tC is actually a Toyota, would you believe. Why don’t we get these in Australia?

Anyway, you might remember Jay Leno included Mulholland Drive in his home-grown Nürburgring clip. It’s a great looking piece of road, as the aerial shots from the Tanner Foust video show.

Tanner’s video is burning up after the jump. Just remember kids, this film was completed on a closed road with Police supervision, so don’t go trying this at home, okay.

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Motorsports Video

Top guns

Old skool rally compilation

If you were a fan of the video ‘This is rallying’, then you will love this clip as well. There’s eight minutes of thrills, spills and non-stop action. All your favourites are featured including Audi, Datsun, Ford, Lancia, Porshe, Toyota, many more. The video is all yours after the break.

[Thanks to Tom for the tip]

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Categories
McLaren

Jenson Button & Lewis Hamilton test the McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

Formula One world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton recently got their hands on a pair of prototype McLaren MP4-12Cs and were given an empty Goodwood track to test the car. With a 3.8 litre V8 ‘M838T’ engine producing 600bhp and an impressive 600Nm of torque, coupled to a, F1-like Seamless Shift Gearbox with seven gears, the lads were sure to have some fun.

Given their current employment status it’s no surprise that Button and Hamilton reckon the 12C is a tidy bit of kit. Jenson exclaims, “I was amazed by the car’s great stability at high speeds. It’s very quick in a straight line, too. In fact, the biggest problem with driving this car on a circuit is that sometimes you forget it’s a road car!”Meanwhile, Lewis says, “The 12C is a real driver’s car; it delivered on all my expectations. The visibility is great from the driver’s seat. You really appreciate that in tight corners. I loved the McLaren F1 when I drove it and, like that car, the huge front windscreen of the 12C allows you to take in all the information needed for perfect lines through apex turns.”

By the time the MP4-12C goes into final production more than 50 engineers will have driven 40-plus development cars in excess of 1,000,000 miles. That’s a lot of testing. Around 12 venues were used for testing, including the Top Gear test track and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 12C has also been pushed to extremes of another kind by being tested at temperatures of -50°C and +50°C.

There’s more after the break, including video of Jenson and Lewis at the wheel of the MP4-12C.

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren Automotive – The launch of a new car company

McLaren MP4-12C

The live launch of McLaren Automotive has just finished and with it comes a plethora of press material. There is a lot of information included in the official press release, including transcripts from today’s launch. Actually, the amount of material below is overwhelming. I suggest you get yourself a nice warm cuppa and sit yourself down for a while.

However, McLaren is approaching their new sportscar venture, and the MP4-12C, in a methodical and considered way. As such there are numerous interesting factoids below and if you missed the launch I recommend you take in as much of the material as you can.

To close here before making the jump, the 12C is simply the first of McLaren’s new sportscar range. There’s already two other cars undergoing development. No rest for the wicked, hey.

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C key performance stats

McLaren MP4-12C

Antony Sheriff, speaking at the launch of McLaren Automotive, has just revealed the key performance data for the company’s new road car, the MP4-12C. Outright acceleration of such a car is a given, as the under 10 second claim for 0-200km/h time suggests. However, take a look at the deceleration numbers. The MP4-12C can come to a complete halt from 200km/h in under five seconds. From 100km/h the 12C can come to a stop in under 30 metres, that’s around seven car lengths. That’s impressive!

So, too, is the news that Sheriff just confirmed the MP4-12C will be coming to Australia.

Categories
Audi

Audi considers road-going R8 GT3 hypercar

Audi R8 LMS 'GT3'

Audi is readying itself to tackle Porsche head on with plans to produce a road-going R8 GT3, based on the V10 powered LMS racecar. The R8 LMS made a successful motorsport debut in 2009 very nearly winning the Nürburgring 24 hour race at its first attempt as well as delivering the 2009 FIA European GT3 drivers title to Phoenix Racing.

The racecar program is over subscribed, with an extra 30 cars set to be made this year, in addition to the 24 made in 2009. Audi insiders have confirmed a road-going prototype is currently under going evaluation, but a final decision on series production has yet to be made.

So, what do you reckon—should Audi add to the already impressive R8 production line up? I know what my answer is. If you’re struggling to make a decision check out the images after the jump and see if they can inspire to come to a conclusion.

[Source: Autocar]

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Categories
Formula 1 News

Mark Webber to be honoured with civic reception

Mark Webber

Earlier this week Mark Webber arrived in Australia ahead of the Australian Grand Prix (25–28 March). As you might expect his time in Australia is full of promotional engagements, but Queanbeyan City Council has managed to get dibbs on Mark for a civic reception next Monday, 22 March.

A motorcade will travel down Queanbeyan’s main drag, Monaro Street, at 12:30pm before a reception is held at Council Chambers on Crawford Street. Queanbeyan Mayor Cr Tim Overall has invited the public to come along to support Mark and says, “Queanbeyan is proud of all of its sporting stars and is honoured to have such high-quality sports people representing it on all levels.

“The people of Queanbeyan have followed Mark’s career closely and the town celebrated as one when he crossed the finish line in Germany to record his first Grand Prix victory.”

Webber has also been acknowledged by Australian Grand Prix organsiers after they named a grandstand in his honour. The Webber Stand, just announced today, is situated in between the Fangio and Senna stands, near Turn 16.

You can relive Webber’s finest moments from the 2009 season, by checking out AUSmotive’s German and Brazilian Grand Prix galleries. Let’s hope there is more to come in 2010.

[Source: markwebber.com & grandprix.com.au]