Month: September 2010

Categories
Motor Shows News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber to headline Australian Festival of Speed

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Australia will be getting its own Festival of Speed later this year and Mark Webber will be the headline act. The event is scheduled for 28 November and will be held at Barbagallo Raceway, 50km north of Perth.

Not only will Webber be in attendance, but so will a team of Red Bull Racing mechanics and, crucially, they will be bringing an F1 car which Webber will drive at the event.

Other motorsport categories will be represented, including V8 Supercars, rallying, motorbikes, historics and more.

But it will be Webber who will draw the crowds. The Festival of Speed will be held two weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final Formula One race of the year. If things go well for Mark on track between now and then it could be his first Australian appearance after being crowned F1 world champion. If so that should provide the impetus to really put this event on the Australian motorsport map.

The Australian Festival of Speed is promoted by the Australian Automobile Club and tickets are currently on sale, starting at $35 for adults and $20 for concession. You can visit the official website for more information, or read the press release after the break. Apparently this will be “The Fastest Day of Your Life.”

[via CarAdvice | Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Continue reading “Mark Webber to headline Australian Festival of Speed”
Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari recalls flaming 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari has issued a recall on all 458 Italia models built before July this year following numerous examples of 458s being destroyed by fire. The recall was confirmed by a Ferrari spokesperson, “Our dealers are going to call clients and tell them to bring back their cars so that the necessary modifications can be carried out.”

Worldwide sales of the 458 Italia currently number around 1250. The recall is a result of an internal Ferrari investigation which revealed problems with the adhesive used to mount heat shields in the rear wheel arch assemblies.

Ferrari’s spokesperson explained, “High outside temperatures and intensive use of the vehicle cause a distortion and the vehicle catches fire.” Essentially high exhaust temps can cause the adhesive used to overheat to the point of ignition. Recalled models will have their heat shields replaced.

It has been reported by Autocar that Ferrari will be replacing any cars that have been damaged as a result of this issue.

[Source: AFP]

Categories
Porsche

Would you buy one if you had the money?

Porsche 911 Turbo

The Porsche 911 Turbo—if you’re reading this site it’s a fair bet this car is in your Top 5. At well over 400 large there’s only a select few who will ever get to know what it’s really like to own one. But, if you did have the money, would you actually buy one?

Comedian Merrick Watts was lucky enough to be given the keys to a Turbo for 24 hours to try and find out. In that time he felt equal parts self-loathing and equal parts superhero.

He penned an article for the Fairfax papers about the experience. Here’s a taster, “The feeling of power was intoxicating, and as I motored along, watching other people watching me, I truly began to live the lie that this was my car. I wound down the window and said to a bloke in a ute: ‘I should have got it in black.'”

One thing is certain, I wouldn’t get one in yellow! Follow the link below for the full article.

[Source: The Age | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Ayrton Senna movie preview

Ayrton Senna

A trailer for the upcoming Ayrton Senna movie has been posted to YouTube. You can see the clip after the jump. The movie is sure to be compelling viewing and, as in life, the movie about Senna will most likely polarise opinions, too. On talent alone Senna is clearly one of the best drivers we have ever seen. But he was a complex character. Was he hero or villain?

[Thanks to Micky for the tip]

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Categories
Top Gear

UK court says Ben Collins can tell the world he is The Stig

Ben Collins

The High Court in Britain today overruled the BBC’s bid to protect the identity of Top Gear test driver The Stig. Ben Collins has got his way, then, and his autobiography, titled The man in the white suit, can be released later this month as planned.

Speaking after the ruling a BBC spokesperson said, “The BBC brought this action as we believe it is vital to protect the character of the Stig which ultimately belongs to the licence fee payer.

“Today’s judgement does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and the BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise.”

A brief news report from Sky News can be seen after the break.

[Source: Sky News]

UPDATE: Here is a link to a BBC report. Apparently James May is a bit perplexed by the news, “Obviously I’m now going to have to take some legal action of my own, because I have been the Stig for the past seven years, and I don’t know who this bloke is, who’s mincing around in the High Court pretending it’s him.”

Continue reading “UK court says Ben Collins can tell the world he is The Stig”
Categories
Formula 1

Draft layout for new US Grand Prix track revealed

US GP draft track layout

A draft layout for the new United States Grand Prix track has been revealed by Tilke GmbH (click the above image for a larger version). The course has a US$200m budget and will be located at Austin, Texas. The first race is scheduled for the 2012 Formula One season.

The course runs in a counter-clockwise direction and contains 20 turns, many of which have been inspired by existing F1 tracks. Turns 3–6 are similar to the Maggots–Becketts section at Silverstone. Corners 12–15 are reminiscent of Hockenheim. While turn 8 and turns 16–18 are similar to sections of Istanbul Park.

Supposedly there are four ideal places for overtaking. Race promoter Tavo Hellmund, expects Turn 1 to be the track’s signature corner, “Everybody will pull out and probably go three-wide into that braking turn.”

[Source: American-Statesman]

UPDATE: Further information is now available from the Formula 1 United States website. Also included below is a new map of the circuit illustrating elevation changes.

Continue reading “Draft layout for new US Grand Prix track revealed”
Categories
Volkswagen

VW Touareg R rendering

Volkswagen Touareg R rendering

Following the last week’s news that Volkswagen’s R GmbH division is expected to add some herbs to the new Touareg comes this rendering courtesy of the Motor Authority website. All the key “R” exterior features are there; huge air intakes in the lower grille, signature blue paint and gloss black mirrors.

It seems the 5.0 litre V8 will feature twin turbo technology to help it reach 500bhp, an engine likely to be found elsewhere in the VAG line up; Audi S8, for example. Of course, the Touareg R hybrid will have an electric motor providing another 50bhp or so.

The Touareg R is expected to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2011.

[Source: Motor Authority]

UPDATE 3 September: Car and Driver have thrown something different into the mix by reporting the Touareg R will be powered by a 4.2 litre V8 diesel.

Categories
Accessories & Tech Porsche

Porsche themed iPad wallpapers

Total 911 - Porsche iPad wallpapers

Got an iPad? Like Porsches? Your task is simple, go to the Total 911 website and knock yourself out. There’s over 20 images available for free download.

Categories
Ford News

Coming soon: Gymkhana 3

Ken Block's latest weapon

It’s been over a year now since we first saw Ken Block light up the screens with his Gymkhana 2 video. Ken has now switched from Subaru to Ford power for his next feature. In fact, his new Fiesta has 650 horsepower. It can reach 100km/h in a staggering 1.9 seconds!

Filming for Block’s Gymkhana 3 film has taken place. For the first time Ken has ventured away from home shores to a secret European location. Chris Harris from Evo was there to experience it first hand:

“Rubber scrubbed, he runs me through one of the scenes they’re about to shoot. And no, I’m not going to tell you what it is, but it involves horsepower, immense skill and tyre death. Ken’s control centre is simple, but very effective. He sits way back in the chassis, has a paddle shifter for the first time on a Gymkhana-steed and a massive, I mean MASSIVE handbrake lever embossed with the Ken Block logo, which he deploys at any opportunity. After which, he always grins.”

Follow the link below for more pics and the full report from Harris.

[Source: Evo]

UPDATE 15 September: Click HERE to watch Gymkhana Three.