To help get you in the mood for Ron Howard’s F1 movie Rush, here’s a recap of the 1976 Formula 1 season as presented by Dickie Davies on ITV ahead of the title-deciding Japanese Grand Prix.
After watching this it’s easy to see the appeal for Ron Howard to turn this story into big budget movie. The season had everything, speed, danger, explosions, sex, protests and, of course, an unpredictable climax.
For many of us our introduction to James Hunt was behind the microphone and not behind the wheel. But that doesn’t make him any less a hero to those of us born too late to remember Hunt’s swashbuckling racing career, as this commentary exchange with the equally loveable Murray Walker from the 1989 Monaco Grand Prix shows.
Now, that you’ve learnt something about James Hunt’s undeniable charisma on the day Ron Howard’s F1 movie Rush opens across Australia, why not head over to AUSringers and get some background on Niki Lauda’s accident (here and here), which plays a central role in the Hunt–Lauda story.
Another high profile 50th birthday bash is being celebrated this year, for the Porsche 911. To help get you in the mood for singing happy birthday to the world’s favourite rear-engined sportscar Porsche has employed a member of each generation to sing you a tune.
The McLaren Formula 1 team is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and this short video has captured the spirit of Bruce McLaren and the all-conquering racing team he began. Below we list the world titles McLaren has won in F1:
Red Bull Racing brings us the third part in the puzzle of making the RB9 Formula 1 car. This episode is all about machining. And painting! Performance painting at that. Next week’s video on assembly we expect to be very cool.
Video of a Shelby Daytona Cobra, filmed at full noise on a race track is a very rare thing indeed. Especially when you consider only six of these American muscle cars were made (between 1964–65). Powered by a Ford 289 V8 this example sounds like thunder. We thank Marchettino for sharing this video with the world!
According to the 14th Annual Best Global Brands Report, issued by Interbrand, Toyota is the world’s most valuable automotive brand.
The report states Toyota’s brand worth climbed 17% over the last year, to a value of US$35,346 million. The Japanese automotive giant sits 10th on the global list of 100, and has German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW hot on its heels in 11th and 12th place respectively.
A total of 13 car companies are rated in the top 100. Interbrand states: “The auto industry has been on a steady path to recovery after experiencing production setbacks due to two natural disasters, both of which led to severe shortages of vehicles and parts. Nonetheless, US car sales jumped by more than 13 percent in 2012, the fastest growth rate in more than two decades.
“For the second consecutive year, Toyota is the top ranking brand within the automotive sector. The Japanese automaker, a fuel economy leader, also topped Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking and continues to demonstrate strength in driving customers to dealerships. While Toyota suffered a number of setbacks this year (including a boycott in China and its largest single recall ever), it quickly recovered and went on to reclaim its global sales leadership position—a testament to the automaker’s resilience, leadership position, and enduring appeal.”
The rankings make for some interesting reading. Do you think Volkswagen would like being ranked behind, well, Toyota firstly, but also Honda as well? For the record the company ranked first was Apple, knocking Coca-Cola from top spot for the first time since the report was first published in 2000.
To learn how Interbrand forms its rankings, read about the methodology used.
[Source: Interbrand]
Lamborghini has released a short teaser video for its Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse. It’s probably not the best clip of a Lambo you’ll see. They’ve not been terribly sublte by mixing crowd shots from Spa while the car drives around an empty racetrack that’s not Spa. And we also like the Mercedes logo which can be seen in the frame above.
That said, we’d certainly say yes to an opportunity to drive the Squadra Corse around a racetrack, with or without fans in the stand!
Last year we brought your attention to McLaren’s animated series Tooned, showcasing the exploits of their Formula 1 team. The series is still running and the Woking wonders have immersed themselves in a bit of fantasy by celebrating the life and times of James Hunt. Of course, there’s not so subtle references to Ron Howard’s F1 movie Rush which opens in cinemas across Australia tomorrow.
Pirelli could be set to put all of this year’s controversies behind it and sign a five-year extension to be the exclusive tyre supplier to Formula 1. The news follows last week’s WMSC meeting which cleared the way for Pirelli to stay in the sport.
It’s believed Pirelli has worked behind the scenes to sign contracts with each of the 11 F1 teams, as well as Formula One Management. Add this to locked in advertising deals at F1 circuits around the world and the FIA may not have much choice but to rubber stamp Pirelli’s extension until the end of the 2018 season.
If nothing else a long-term tyre deal would remove one variable from the sport as it enters a new technical era from next year, when new regulations require a switch 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines.
[Source: Pitpass | Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]
Following today’s earlier article on the Australian pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI here’s the official guff direct from Volkswagen. There’s a heap of information for you, especially if you download the full press kit we have made available.
A quick recap on the pricing and basic specs. An entry level GTI will cost you $41,490 and includes a 6-speed manual and a 162kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder engine.
A host of new standard technology and features have been packed into the GTI for the first time, including start/stop, Driver Fatigue Detection, Driving Profile Selection/Adaptive Chassis Control, Multi-collision brake, Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), ESP Sport, progressive steering and Discover Media satellite navigation.
You can order your GTI in the following flat paint colours, Tornado Red and Pure White. If you like sparkles your choices are Carbon Steel Grey, Reflex Silver, Night Blue and Deep Black Pearl Effect, and they’ll set you back another $500.
Other optional equipment includes a 6-speed DSG ($2500), panoramic sunroof ($1850), bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights ($2150), heated leather seats ($3150) and the driver assistance package ($1300).
The driver assistance package consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Proactive occupant protection system and Park Assist 2.
From the second quarter of next year you’ll also be able to buy the Performance Pack GTI. Priced from $47,990 the PP GTI includes an electronically controlled mechanical limited slip diff, bi-xenon headlights, LED tail lights, 6-speed DSG, 19″ Santiago alloy wheels and uprated brakes as standard equipment. Of course, the engine has also been tuned for a modest 7kW increase to a new peak of 169kW. Maximum torque remains at 350Nm.
The new GTI will be rolled out across dealerships nationwide this week and you should definitely be able to see one for yourself by this weekend, if not sooner.
One of the most unlikely results from the 2013 federal election has been confirmed by the Australian Electoral Commission today with word that Ricky Muir, Senate candidate for the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party (AMEP) in Victoria, has been elected to Parliament.
We’re not sure what effect, if any, Muir’s six-year term in office will mean for motoring enthusiasts across the country. Speaking before the result was announced Muir said: “It’s an awesome responsibility; exciting and daunting at the same time.
“I am a committed supporter of the AMEP and the freedoms it seeks, but also very conscious of the responsibility I will be taking on if elected to the Senate.â€
Aiming to quickly dispel fears the AMEP is all about giving a voice to so-called hoon drivers, Muir stated: “I want to emphasise from the outset that driving which endangers life is not acceptable to our Party, nor the people who represent it.â€
He further added driver education would be on his agenda: “The previous Government laid out an ambitious plan to improve our education system Australia-wide, but no one has taken a similar national approach to equipping young drivers with the skills needed to survive on our roads.
“Other countries have dedicated programs that gradually expose young people to the dynamics and responsibilities of driving. I believe this country owes it to our kids and their parents to instil an attitude that driving is a serious responsibility and a privilege.â€
If you want to find more about the policies of the AMEP, then check out the party’s official website.
[Pic: News Ltd]