Month: June 2011

Categories
BMW

Is the BMW M5 really the fastest production sedan to lap the Nürburgring?

BMW M5

The interwebs brings word that the new F10 BMW M5 has set what is being claimed as a new lap record at the Nürburgring for a production model four-door sedan. The time has been set, apparently, by a BMW test driver. The time being bandied about is 7 minutes 55 seconds.

That’s pretty quick, but it’s actually no quicker than the time claimed by Subaru; former world rally champ Tommi Mäkinen posted a 7:55 lap at the wheel of a WRX STI sedan around this time last year.

Let’s put that aside for a moment, then, and compare the F10 M5 against its older brothers:

  • F10 M5 7:55 (claimed)
  • E60 M5 8:13 (Sport Auto time)
  • E39 M5 8:28 (Sport Auto time)

Steady improvements there for each new generation. Either way, we’re certain the new M5 will be up to Ring-Taxi duties when it returns in 2012.

[Source: Bimmerboost via BimmerFile]

Categories
BMW Top Gear

BMW 1M reviewed by Top Gear

It’s the review all fans and owners of the BMW 1M have been waiting for. And, expecting the BBC lawyers to shut down this YouTube link any moment now, you’d better make sure you watch it soon.

[Thanks to Matt for the tip]

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2011 European GP: Post-race press release

2011 European Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) won the 2011 European Grand Prix in Valenica overnight. It was his sixth win of the year. He has quite a large lead on the championship leaderboard.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) finished second. It was his equal best finish for the year.

Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) finished third. He had problems with his gearbox.

Pretty exciting report so far? Well, it matches the lack of excitement in the race. If you didn’t, perhaps you should have watched the Nürburgring 24 hour race instead.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

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Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Porsche wins the 2011 Nürburgring 24 hour race

Porsche wins 2011 Nurburgring 24 hour race

After qualifying below expectations and being considered by some to be too far behind the newer Audis, BMWs and Mercedes-Benz machines the #18 Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR has won the 2011 Nürburgring 24 hour race.

The driving crew of Romain Dumas, Lucas Luhr, Marc Lieb and Timo Bernhard did it in style, too, leading for most of the day on Sunday. The distance covered of 156 laps is a new record as well. It’s the fifth N24 victory in six years for Manthey Racing. and the tenth win for Porsche overall.

Finishing second was the #1 BMW M3 GT with the #14 Audi R8 LMS claiming the final podium step. Due to the everyone-wins-a-prize categories at the N24 all three cars on the podium are class winners as well.

Official images and text from Porsche and the other leading manufacturers will be posted to AUSringers.com in the next 24-48 hours.

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Categories
Formula 1

Charlie Whiting talks about mid-season changes

Charlie Whiting

The FIA has taken the unusual step of release a Q&A transcript from a press conference held with Charlie Whiting, Formula One Race Director ahead of tonight’s European GP in Valencia.

We’ve already been updated by Whiting once this year when he discussed the banning of off-throttle exhaust gasses. That topic is mentioned again here, along with new changes to engine mapping, safety car use and the drag reduction system.

Continue reading “Charlie Whiting talks about mid-season changes”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 European GP: Qualifying press conference

2011 European GP

The qualifying dominance of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing has continued again at the 2011 European Grand Prix. Vettel’s best time (1:36.975) was a couple of tenths ahead of teammate Mark Webber (1:37.163).

Webber needed to bites at the cherry, though, as his first flying lap in Q3 placed him on the third row of the grid. All drivers came out again for a second timed run, but most aborted when it was clear they could not match the pace of the Red Bulls. Nick Heidfeld (Renault) and Adrian Sutil (Force India) elected to conserve tyres and didn’t even bother to post a time in Q3.

That leaves Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 1:37.380) as the fastest challenger to Red Bull, ahead of the two Ferraris and teammate Jenson Button.

The transcript of the post-quali press conference can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
MINI Motorsports

MINI JCW Endurance ready for ‘Green Hell’

MINI motorsport has released this short video showing the John Cooper Works Endurance in action and behind the scenes during preparations for the Nürburgring 24 hour race. The race kicks off at midnight tonight (Australian eastern time) and for more coverage head over to AUSringers.com.

Categories
Motorsports Subaru

Mark Higgins talks about Isle of Man tank slapper

Mark Higgins, Subaru WRX STi

A few weeks ago Mark Higgins set a new lap record for cars around the 37 mile (approx 60km) Isle of Man TT course. It’s a frightening stretch of road and Higgins averaged in excess of 180km/h in a US-spec Subaru WRX STi on his way to breaking the previous 21-year-old record. Higgins’ new mark is 19 minutes 37 seconds.

During one of his practice runs, with a motoring journo on board, Higgins had an almighty scare when he very nearly found himself facing a solid stone wall while travelling over 200km/h. To save the car from that moment is one of the better displays of driving you are likely to see. Subaru of America has released a new video with highlights of the record-breaking run and a short voiceover at the end where Higgins talks about his tank slapper.

It’s quite amazing to hear him explain his thoughts at a time when most of us would have run out of talent and, perhaps, much more.

[Source: YouTube]

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Categories
Saab

Saab heading back to the future

Saab PhoeniX concept

“Saab is a company that builds cars that cannot make money.”

They are the words of Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Hardly a ringing endorsement for one of Sweden’s most iconic brands. The comment was made yesterday following a press release on Thursday from Saab announcing they were unable to meet their salary obligations.

“Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swedish Automobile, formerly Spyker Cars N.V.) announces that Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile) will be unable to pay the wages to employees as it has not yet obtained the necessary short-term funding,” reads the statement.

Saab is currently negotiating to sell off some of its real estate to raise funds. But the following words from Thursday’s press statement can’t be filling unpaid employees with much hope.

“These discussions are ongoing. There can however be no assurance that these discussions will be successful or that the necessary funding will be obtained.”

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Categories
Holden Motorsports News

Shannons Supercar Showdown chases V8 talent

Shannons Supercar Showdown

Grant Denyer’s latest television adventure will see him join forces with Kelly Racing in the hunt for a new V8 Supercar driver. The program, titled Shannons Supercar Showdown, will run on 7mate and premieres on Saturday 23 July.

There will be 10 drivers—including three females, one Kiwi and one Briton—fighting for the chance to drive with Denyer at this year’s Bathurst 1000.

The show promises a true behind the scenes look at a top line V8 Supercar team. As well as showcasing the on-track action it will bring viewers closer to the engineers and mechanics, designers, dieticians and personal trainers.

We’re not sure if this will be a hit or a total flop, but it’s sure to be fun finding out. Read more in the official press release after the break.

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Categories
BMW

BMW reveals limited edition M3 CRT

BMW M3 CRT

BMW has lifted the lid on its latest M3 iteration. Limited to just 67 models worldwide the M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) features a 4.4 litre V8 producing 331kW (450hp) and 440Nm. That’s an extra 0.4 litres of capacity, 22kW and 40Nm over the standard model. Think of the CRT as a more practical every day M3 GTS.

The use of CFRP and a lightweight titanium exhaust has allowed BMW to shed 70kg from the weight of an M3 Sedan, bringing the CRT to a more lithe 1580kg. The car’s overall power to weight ratio is 3.5kg/hp.

Fitted with 19″ alloys and using the car’s 7-speed dual clutch transmission the CRT can reach 100km/h in 4.4 seconds (0.5s faster than standard).

More from BMW after the break.

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Categories
MINI Motorsports

MINI John Cooper Works Endurance

MINI John Cooper Works Endurance

The new MINI Coupé is not even a week old and its already living up to its “another day, another adventure” advertising slogan. You’re looking at the purpose-built MINI John Cooper Works Endurance and it’s looking forward to 24 hours of green hell this weekend.

As we reported yesterday, the JCW Endurance has a healthy 250hp (184kW). We now also know the official weight of the car is just 965kg.

Power is sourced from a tuned MINI Challenge 1.6 litre engine (225hp), itself closely related to the JCW road car. A roll cage, HANS system and six-point safety harness complete the transition to racecar.

MINI has entered two JCW Endurance cars into the 24 hour race, they’ll wear numbers 146 and 147. The driver line up can be seen on the MINI motorsport website.

More from MINI after the break, including tech specs and 10 more studio images.

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