Year: 2013

Categories
Mazda Motorsports Video

Waiting for the karma bus to arrive

Mazda MX-5 crash at Croft

More often than not track days are fun. If you like them the next step is amateur level club racing. That can be fun too. You get out on track, with like minded souls wanting to push themselves and their cars to the limits.

Sadly, sometimes some club racers confuse ambition for talent. Sometimes they confuse fun for win at all costs. And sometimes that ends up in arsehole moves like you can see in this video.

Thankfully, the affected driver walked away unharmed from this totally unavoidable incident which took place recently at Croft in the UK. Just make sure you watch the video again, and pay special attention to the head movements of the red baron.

This happened on lap three of a schedule which consisted of two 30 minute races. We’re only seeing one side of the story here, of course, but it’s pretty hard to mount a defence for the dickhead in the red MX-5.

Unfortunately the camera car ended up as a total write off. If you feel strongly enough about the plight of our unsuspecting victim, follow this link and lend a hand.

[Thanks to Pete for the tip]

Continue reading “Waiting for the karma bus to arrive”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren

Scroll through 50 years of McLaren F1 heritage

1968 McLaren M7A

The McLaren F1 team is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013 and to help bring you closer to the team’s history go to the McLaren website where you can scroll through a list of some of Formula 1’s most iconic cars.

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Not everyone loves Kimi

Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen

Former Ferrari sporting director (1989–91) Cesare Fiorio has shared his views on the return of Kimi Raikkonen to the Scuderia. And it’s fair to say he’s not happy.

“I’m not a fan of the new hiring,” Fiorio told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I admire his talent, but I don’t agree with his lifestyle and his technical approach. I wouldn’t have gone for him.

“In my opinion it’s a conservative choice. I would have gone for an emerging driver rather than one at the tail end of his career.

“He doesn’t live like an athlete and to be champion in F1 talent is not enough. You need physical, technical and psychological effort and, from what I know and have seen, he’s the type of guy who takes his bag and leaves shortly after the sessions.

“I don’t know how much technical contribution he can bring.”

Regarding the relationship between Kimi and current number one driver Fernando Alonso, Fiorio doesn’t think there’ll be any dramas. “In my opinion Alonso is happy: his worth will grow by beating him [Raikkonen],” Fiorio added.

And while he was on a roll Fiorio took the opportunity to lay the slipper into Felipe Massa, as well.

“I think that it’s better to have two champions and having to deal with a rivalry problem three or even ten times a year, in the knowledge that both are able to win races and championships, than having a useless number two race driver,” he said.

When asked to expand on his views of Massa, Fioro replied: “I’m just saying that in the last four years Massa has waned a lot.

“His only strength was the single lap, but he has no race quality, has no rhythm, and he often fades in the races.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Ferrari]

Categories
Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce may enter Toorak Tractor pull

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

“We are intensively thinking about entering the SUV segment,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes.

Sigh.

Mueller-Oetvoes made his comments at the Frankfurt Motor Show and added, “The SUV segment is very interesting. It has been incredibly stable during the crisis, and I think a luxury niche will develop.”

For two reasons, reluctantly, we can see why a Rolls-Royce SUV may make sense. First, Bentley looks like beating them to the party and BMW-owned Rolls-Royce probably can’t afford to be left behind.

Secondly, you are responsible! Yes, you. All the punters out there who continue to buy SUVs are giving the manufacturers little choice but to keep making them.

If nothing else, we’d expect Rolls-Royce to lead the way in step accessories to make it easier for Sir and Lady to access their LUV (luxury utility vehicle).

[Source: Automotive News]

Categories
Audi

Please Audi, just build it this time

Audi sport quattro concept

Word going into the Frankfurt Motor Show said Audi could very well make its new sport quattro concept a production reality. And the word coming out of Frankfurt only heightens that expectation.

Audi boss Rupert Stadler said Ingolstadt could sign off on production plans for the sport quattro and that he would like to see that happen. “But we have to fix some numbers first,” Stadler added. “I think the car is really terrific and it’s worthwhile to think about.”

Wolfgang Egger, head of Audi design, gave a more sterile answer, “With every design concept we do we are thinking about everything becoming reality.”

Interestingly, Egger, hasn’t ruled out reviving the original 2010 quattro concept as the one to be sent down the production line. “We have done one (designed for MQB platform) and now we have done the other (on larger MLB platform) so now we need to make a decision.”

A choice between a 300kW turbocharged inline five cylinder, or a 515kW petrol-electric hybrid with a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8? Remember the 2010 model was seriously looked at for production before being ruled out.

Egger also reminded us that whatever happens, the latest concept will influence future Audi designs, including, “The C-pillar, the sexy blisters on the wheelarches and the interesting front.“We wanted to clean up the interior by removing buttons and functions. It is a complete reduction, designed to make it feel lightweight.”

[Source: Auto Express & CarAdvice]

Categories
MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Meet Project Binky

Project Binky

We’d like to introduce you to what we hope will become a YouTube sensation. Looking at the view count three weeks after this video was published it looks like there’s a way to go, but the ingredients are certainly there.

So what are those ingredients. We start with the crusty, rusty Austin Mini 1000 you see above and just out of picture is a slightly less crusty Toyota Celica GT4. Nik Blackhurst and Richard Brunning, from the appropriately named Bad Obsession Motorsport, have decided it might be a good idea to take the running gear from the Toyota and attempt to stuff it into the Mini.

The video you see after the break is the first episode in what we we expect will be a long, painful, but most of all, rewarding journey. From what we’ve seen so far it looks like Nik is the type of guy who doesn’t give up until he gets the result he wants.

This YouTube clip has elements of Wheeler Dealers, Beetle Crisis and An MG is Born, and is every bit as entertaining and educational. So tune in, and enjoy.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Categories
Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2013 Italian Grand Prix in pictures

2013 Italian Grand Prix

Here’s your photo reminder of the Italian Grand Prix. The many goings on at the Frankfurt Motor Show mean you’ve had to wait a few extra days, which is why we’ve assembled over 110 photos for you to enjoy.

We liked the pics of McLaren’s 50th anniversary celebrations. And we’d have loved to score an invite to hear Mark Webber talking about his last European grand prix too.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari reflects on Felipe Massa

2013 Italian Grand Prix

In the wake of Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the Scuderia, Ferrari has taken time to reflect on the achievements of Felipe Massa. The 32-year-old Brazilian has long been the whipping boy in the red garage, certainly since 2010 and the arrival of Fernando Alonso anyway.

And yet, Massa’s longevity with Ferrari affords him some enviable records. His 11 GP wins places him fourth on Ferrari’s all time winners’ list, behind Schumacher (72), Lauda (23) and Ascari (13). His 15 pole positions puts him third in Ferrari’s record books, behind Schumacher (58) and Lauda (23).

Due to the change in F1 points scoring system in 2010 it’s impossible to compare him with generations past, but his 756 points achieved in red are going to take some time to be reeled in by any other Ferrari driver.

And with seven races to go this year, the man who was world champion for a few seconds, has the opportunity to add to his list of achievements.

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Categories
Ford Renault Video

VIDEO: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune v Renault Clio Sport

Ford Fiesta ST v Renault Clio Sport

It’s back to earth with a thud for Chris Harris who has followed his epic Ferrari film with a test in a couple of mini hot hatchbacks. Not that he seems to mind too much. And after finishing his duties in the road cars, Harris has a nice surprise for Renault fans at the end.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari confirms Raikkonen return on 2 year deal

Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Stefano Domenicali, Felipe Massa

Oh, isn’t that nice, a lovely family snap to usher in the return of Ferrari’s most recent world champion. The body language is superb, too.

As expected Ferrari has announced it has signed Kimi Raikkonen for next year. Slightly against expectations he is signed on a firm two-year contract. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons,” a short statement on the Ferrari website confirmed.

After the break you’ll see three brief statements from Kimi, his teammate in waiting Fernando Alonso and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali. Make sure you play the reading between the lines game with Fernando’s quotes.

All are very polite at the moment and we cannot wait for the fireworks to commence next year.  Our tantrumeter has been set to extreme!

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Categories
Lamborghini Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse

There’s a major motor show on right now, so that means it’s the launch of yet another Lamborghini Gallardo. This one is called the LP 570-4 Squadra Corse.

It’s based on the Super Trofeo Stradale which was the last Gallardo ever. That was released two years ago and we’ve had not one, but two new Gallardos since then. And now we have three.

The Squadra Corse has been named after the recently created department of Lamborghini which handles the company’s motorsport activities. The newest Gallardo is powered by a 570hp V10 taken straight from the Super Trofeo racecar. Even the massive rear wing comes straight from the track.

The use of aluminium and carbon fibre construction helps keep the dry weight down to 1340kg, giving the car a power to weight ratio of 2.35hp/kg. The Squadra Corse does the 100km/h dash in 3.4 seconds and the 200km/h sprint in 10.4 seconds, before topping out at 320km/h.

Only a limited number will be built and if you’ve got a spare €191,000 plus some change for taxes you can have one all to yourself.

Continue reading “Frankfurt 2013: Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse”
Categories
Porsche Video

Watch the 918 Spyder break 7 mins at the Ring

Porsche 918 Spyder Nurburgring record

After the break you can see onboard video of Marc Lieb’s full 6:57 lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife set in a Porsche 918 Spyder ‘Weissach Package’.

Continue reading “Watch the 918 Spyder break 7 mins at the Ring”