Category: Motorsports

Audi R8 wins 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 February, 2011
2 Comments on Audi R8 wins 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

2011 Bathurst 12 hour

The factory-backed Audi assault on the Bathurst 12 hour has borne fruit with the team crossing the line in first and second place. The only major drama faced by the Audi R8s was which car would cross the line first.

The #8 car, with Darryl Oâ€™Young at the wheel, was leading by just under a minute with around 10 minutes left to race when it needed to pit for a quick fuel stop. However, O’Young was able to maintain his winning position and rejoined the race with 15 second margin.

In the end, despite Craig Lowndes setting a new Bathurst 12 hour lap record (2:09.0861), the Australian crew in car #7 had to settle for second place and a dream finish for the Audi team.

Claiming the final podium place was the #29 VIP Petfoods Porsche GT3 R led by Tony Quinn. A cracking result from a local team that has solid European enduro experience.

A three hour highlights package of the race is scheduled for broadcast on OneHD at 7:30pm, Saturday 19 February (check your local guides).

Tags R8 GT3

Formula 1

Force India to unveil VLJM04 via the internet

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 February, 2011

Word has come through that Force India will follow the Team Lotus approach and release details of its 2011 Formula One car online. Known as the VJM04, the car will be revealed on Tuesday and will make its real-world debut later in the week when F1 testing resumes at Jerez.

At the recent test window in Valencia the 2010 Force India machine regularly found itself at the pointy end of the field. They’ll be hoping the new car can take off where the old one left off.

[Source: PlanetF1]

Bathurst 12 Hour

LIVE STREAM: 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 February, 2011
2 Comments on LIVE STREAM: 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

2011 Bathurst 12 hour

The Bathurst 12 hour has been running for around three hours now and if you want to keep up to date with the live action you can do so right here on AUSmotive.

Currently the two Audi R8 LMS cars are leading the race, with the #8 car in front and the #7 polesitting car close behind.

Live timing for the event can be seen HERE and you can also follow the race via twitter using the #12hour hashtag.

Take the jump to watch the live stream.

Formula 1 McLaren

McLaren unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 5 February, 2011
5 Comments on McLaren unveils 2011 F1 car

McLaren chose the Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin as the location for their reveal of the MP4-26. The team used the first test at Valencia earlier this week to focus on gathering tyre data and the real test for the 2011 will begin in earnest at Jerez next week.

More studio pics are available below including selected material from McLaren’s press releases.

Of note is the comment on the design of the MP4-26 from Tim Goss, Director or Engineering, “I think there are some novel features on the carâ€”the long wheelbase and U-shaped sidepods are probably the most obvious examples.

“The thinking behind that is to feed as much good-quality air as possible to the rear-lower mainplane and the floor of the car. We want to get the rear-end working as well as possible following the loss of performance caused by the banning of the double-diffuser.”

[Source: McLaren]

UPDATE 6 February: HERE is an interesting take on McLaren’s launch from Peter Windsor.

Motorsports Renault

Red Bull Race Off coming to Australian Grand Prix

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 February, 2011
6 Comments on Red Bull Race Off coming to Australian Grand Prix

Ian Thorpe may have used yesterday’s comeback press conference, written and authorised by the other local airline that’s not Qantas, to heighten our cynicism towards events wanting to mix business and sport. However, Renault and Red Bull have combined to bring us a promo event for the Australian Grand Prix that is both relevant and interesting.

The relevance is there, of course, because of the engine supply deal Renault has with Red Bull Racing. The interest comes from preparing a handful of Megane RS 250 hot hatches for circuit racing and then handing the keys to a few racing drivers and saying “go for it boys!”

The event is called the Red Bull Race Off and will be a five-lap challenge featuring 13 times F1 race winner David Coulthard, current F1 hopeful Daniel Ricciardo, V8 racer Rick Kelly and motorbike madman Robbie Maddison.

Sounds like fun to us.

Formula 1

Watch the Sauber C30 moveable rear wing in action

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 February, 2011
7 Comments on Watch the Sauber C30 moveable rear wing in action

This is the rear wing of the new Sauber C30. Revised aero regulations are one of the biggest changes in the regulations from 2010 to 2011. Chief among those is the moveable rear wing concept, which, in theory will allow for more overtaking opportunities. At least, by lifting the rear wing on straight sections of track, where downforce is not crucial, a driver can go faster by reducing drag.

As with most things Formula One the regulations covering the use of adjustable bodywork are complex. Here’s the relevant text from the Technical Regulations as issued by the FIA:

The adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed a minimum of two laps after the race start or following a safety car period.

The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics (see Article 8.2) that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled by the control electronics the first time the driver uses the brakes after he has activated the system.

The FIA may, after consulting all competitors, adjust the above time proximity in order to ensure the stated purpose of the adjustable bodywork is met.

Will this work, both in theory and practice? Until proper racing kicks off in Bahrain we won’t know for sure. For now, just watch the clip and see an example of what a moveable rear wing looks like in action.

[via motorcentral]

Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Don’t forget the Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst this weekend

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 February, 2011
1 Comment on Don’t forget the Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst this weekend

We’ve already brought you the news that Craig Lowndes, five-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, will be racing an Audi R8 LMS at the Bathurst 12 hour race this year. Just like the cars above which filled the first four positions on the grid at last year’s NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race. In case you may have missed the news first time around, Audi has just sent out a new press release.

Lowndes will be joined by Warren Luff and Mark Eddy in the #7 Team Joest entry, which will be boasting green and gold Australian themed paintwork for the race.

Further showcasing the wonderful support from Audi Motorsport they will be bringing another R8 LMS from their overseas base. Car #8 will be driven by Germans Marc Basseng and Christopher Mies as well as Hong Kong-based Briton, Darryl Oâ€™Young.

Follow all the action via the official race website.

Formula 1

Toro Rosso unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 February, 2011

Toro Rosso has also joined in the fun at Valencia today by showing off its new STR6. Obvious pant scheme differences aside, the STR6 doesn’t seem to share too much with its RB7 cross-garage cousin.

More pics and tech specs after the break. The 2011 Toro Rosso press kit is available HERE (864kb PDF).

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 February, 2011
5 Comments on Mercedes GP unveils 2011 F1 car

The wraps have come of the new Mercedes GP W02, although, for now, this is the only pic we have. From the cars we have seen so far the W02 has the least conventional front nose, while still being quite high like the others.

Last year was a less than optimum performance from what was essentially the reigning Constructors’ champion. This year, though, Ross Brawn is hopeful they will enjoy better days in 2011, “The concept development for the MGP W02 started early and we have set challenging targets for the design, combined with a robust plan to ensure that the pace of development can continue throughout the long 2011 season.

“We have two excellent drivers in Michael and Nico, both of whom capable of winning races in a good car, and we look forward to seeing them push each other and the development of the new Silver Arrow during the season.

“We want to be setting the standard right from the start but if we are not, we will respond very strongly to get ourselves into the game. Everyone is excitedly waiting to see what the new season will reveal.”

UPDATE: New pics added below.

[Pics: Mercedes GP & Daimler AG]

Formula 1

Williams unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 February, 2011
4 Comments on Williams unveils 2011 F1 car

Williams F1 will be running at Valencia later today with an interim livery. Under those temporary clothes, though, will be the new FW33, which you see here.

There’s been no firm date given for the new livery reveal, or a reason as to why it has been held back. No doubt it will be tied to a sponsorship arrangement.

More details when available.

UPDATE: Details on the FW33 launch are now available on the Williams F1 website. Tech specs have been added below.

Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 February, 2011
9 Comments on Red Bull Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Red Bull Racing has just unveiled its new RB7 racecar at Valencia. For now, there’s just a few studio pics. Once their media portal has been updated with images from Valencia and press releases we’ll have the material here for you.

For now, you can view the above image as a 4000px mega image, while the following pics can be viewed at 2000px. Simply click on the images to launch the larger sizing.

UPDATE: Launch pics and RB7 tech specs have been added below. The 2011 Red Bull Racing press pack can be downloaded HERE (4mb PDF).

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing shows how to make a modern F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 February, 2011

Images of the new Red Bull Racing RB7 aren’t too far away now. While you’re waiting check out this lighthearted video from Red Bull explaining how they go, go, go about making a Formula One car.