Category: Motorsports

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Motorsports Video WRC

WRC is for boys. Group B was for men.

Group B madness

There’s not really much that can be added in written form about the two videos included here. Both focus on the halcyon days of rallying, the Group B era (1982–86).

The first clip runs for seven minutes and includes some super slo-mo footage perfectly complemented by a dramatic music score. The second is for the real enthusiasts and runs for 11 minutes. It features the sound of the Group B cars in all their high-revving glory. You might want to flick the volume to 11 for that one.

You may remember the video we featured last year “This is rallying”, these two clips have been compiled by the same guy. Nice work, hey!

[via Autoblog | Thanks to Richard for the tip]

Continue reading “WRC is for boys. Group B was for men.”
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Motorsports

More ways to keep up to date with Dakar 2011

Carlos Sainz, Dakar 2011

If you want to keep up to date with Dakar 2011 here’s two methods you might consider. Firstly, the official Dakar Rally YouTube channel is posting daily highlights; clips from Stages 1 and 2 can be viewed right here after the break.

Those who prefer to sit on their couch can tune in to the SBS TV highlights show broadcast at 5:30 every afternoon (thanks to Tim for the tip). If that timing is not suitable for you, then fear not, you can watch the extended highlights at your leisure online via the SBS Dakar website.

Volkswagen also has a free Dakar 2011 App available on the Australian iTunes Store. There is an official Dakar 2011 App available, too, but only via the French iTunes Store and, of course, not it’s in English anyway.

Continue reading “More ways to keep up to date with Dakar 2011”
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BMW MINI Motorsports Volkswagen

Dakar 2011 underway – follow it live

MINI Countryman Dakar promo

Dakar 2011 is underway and after Stage 1 it looks like business as usual with defending champion Carlos Sainz and his Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 in the lead, holding a 90 second advantage over the X-Raid BMW X5 of Stéphane Peterhansel.

Of course, X-Raid are the guys responsible for the MINI Countryman which is making its Dakar debut. So far things don’t appear to be going as smooth as their promo piece, with the big little MINI almost one hour behind Sainz.

You can watch the X-Raid MINI promo via Facebook. But, more importantly, you can keep up to date with Dakar 2011 via live timing on the official website and also with regular updates on twitter.

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F1 in pictures Formula 1

The 2010 Formula One season in pictures

2010 Brazilian Grand Prix

The addition of photo galleries following each Grand Prix during the 2010 Formula One season was something new to AUSmotive this year. To help celebrate Christmas with you all here is a handy reference page that provides links to the galleries for all 19 Grands Prix.

It’s intended as a small present to say thank you to our loyal readers out there. Stay safe and all the best for 2011.

Continue reading “The 2010 Formula One season in pictures”
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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Craig Lowndes to drive factory Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst 12 hour

Team Audi Penfold

Some ripping news for local Audi fans, with word from Speedcafe telling us that Audi Race Experience Team Joest will be sending two 2010 spec R8 LMS machines to compete in the 2011 Bathurst 12 hour.

Team Joest is effectively the Audi factory team responsible for the company’s nine Le Mans 24 hour victories. This is big news for local endurance racing. Lowndes will be joined by fellow V8 Supercar driver Warren Luff and Australian GT racer Mark Eddy. Of course, Eddy is already known to Audi after competing this year at the wheel of a 2009 spec R8 LMS (pictured above).

The second R8 will be crewed by Audi sportscar regular Marc Basseng, WTCC driver driver Darryl O’Young and 2009 FIA GT3 European Champion Christopher Heis. As you can see Audi means business.

“Racing in the Bathurst 12 Hour has been on the ‘to-do’ list for some time,” said five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Lowndes. “The R8 looks like a fantastic car and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel in February.”

The 2011 Bathurst 12 hour is scheduled for the weekend of 4–6 February.

[Source: Speedcafe]

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MINI Challenge

2010 MINI Challenge – Round 7, Sydney

2010 MINI Challenge

They say all good things must come to an end, and for those who like watching MINIs fanging around Australian race tracks that’s exactly what has happened. Following BMW Australia’s decision to withdraw its support for the category, despite beginning with a five-year plan back in 2008, the Round 7 action at Sydney’s Olympic Park was the last MINI Challenge race on local soil for the foreseeable future.

Chris Alajajian led the points table before the final round of the year at Homebush and he had to fend off the category’s most consistent competitor and reigning champ, Paul Stokell, to wrap up the title. “The Chris” was good enough to do just that and in doing so became the third man crowned Australian MINI Challenge champion.

To see how he did it just watch the highlights package after the break.

Continue reading “2010 MINI Challenge – Round 7, Sydney”
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Ferrari Formula 1

Alonso: We will have a better show for everybody in 2011

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari

The Ferrari Press Office has released this interview with its top dog Fernando Alonso. For now, Ferrari’s apparent number two driver, Felipe Massa, is nowhere to be seen.

Alonso starts by reflecting on the 2010 season, stating, “we had a very good integration in the team, from day one I felt at home.” In regards to 2011, Fernando expects to improve and said, “when you drive for Ferrari, there is only one goal, which is fighting for the World Championship.”

The Championship runner-up says new rule changes in Formula One for the 2011 season, specifically the re-introduction of KERS and moveable rear wings, are expected to make overtaking easier. “I’m confident that next year, finally, the rules will help the overtaking and we will have a better show for everybody,” Alonso claimed.

Fernando also confirmed Ferrari will reveal their 2011 F1 car at Maranello in the last week of January. You can watch the full interview after the break.

Continue reading “Alonso: We will have a better show for everybody in 2011”
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McLaren Motorsports

McLaren announces return to sports car racing in 2012

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren Automotive has announced they will return to sports car racing in 2012. CRS Racing, in partnership with McLaren, will develop a GT3 version of the new MP4-12C. Targetted to European-based privateer entries, CRS will also coordinate sales and support for the 12C GT3.

Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal reckons their return to GT competition with the MP4-12C was an obvious move, “Racing is in our blood—it was natural to develop a GT3 car alongside the 12C road car.

“The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance—two key criteria for potential customers.”

As part of the development process McLaren and CRS will compete in a handful of GT races across Europe in 2011, with a view to offering a small number of cars ready to race in the 2012 FIA GT Championship.

More information will be posted in due course on a dedicated McLaren GT website. For now, you can read the official press release after the break. This is accompanied by an impressive promo video, based on McLaren’s last foray into GT racing, where they won the 1995 Le Mans 24 hour race on debut with the legendary McLaren F1 GTR.

Continue reading “McLaren announces return to sports car racing in 2012”
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MINI Motorsports

MINI All4 Racing at Dakar

MINI All4 Racing

More detail on the MINI Countryman-based Dakar racer has come to light, including a handful pics of what we now know is called the MINI All4 Racing. The car is being prepared by the X-raid team, who have been competing in the Dakar since 2005.

They’ve just completed a couple of days testing in the Burgundy region of France with driver Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn.

Chicherit, a four-time world extreme skiing champion, finished fifth at this year’s Dakar in January and said, “The handling is excellent, the engine is very responsive and it is well balanced at jumps because of the improved centre of gravity. The view out of the car is much better than we were led to believe when the car was being built. Visibility is good and there is no disadvantage compared to the BMW X3CC.”

There’s more pics after the break. You can also download the team’s press release HERE (290kb PDF).

[Source: x-raid via MotoringFile]

Continue reading “MINI All4 Racing at Dakar”
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Formula 1 Lotus Renault

Dany Bahar talks about Lotus Renault GP

Lotus Renault GP

Amid all the controversy about the use of the Lotus name in Formula One, Group Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, took the time out to speak to the press to explain, among other things, his company’s reasons for entering into a title sponsorship role with Lotus Renault GP.

Here’s a little of what Bahar had to say:

Q. You have also said RIP to Team Lotus. So will you be disappointed if there is a Team Lotus on the grid next season, and are you surprised Tony Fernandes is pursuing the route he is going?

DB: No. I cannot comment for Mr Fernandes, but if he believes he has all the legal grounds to own this brand, then he should use it. I don’t believe we are fighting this. What we are 100 per cent certain of is that we own the brand that is called Lotus, which is associated with the car manufacturer. And that Lotus brand has the right to enter in any sports activity. And if any chassis will be called a Lotus then it is our chassis, and no one else’s.

We don’t claim to have the name Team Lotus or to use the name Team Lotus. That is not what it is all about. We just don’t want other people to call their car a Lotus because the Lotus car is our brand and that is all.

Autosport has a full Q&A article on Bahar’s meeting, so follow the source link below for the complete text.

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber interview with BBC 5 Live

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber, by any measure, had a great season in Formula One this year. He led the championship for the majority of the year and won four races—Spain, Monaco, Britain and Hungary—but there were also some lowlights, as well. In a typically candid interview with BBC 5 Live Webber opened up about all manner of subjects, including Ricky Ponting’s captaincy, the health of his pet chooks and, of course F1, too.

No topic was left untouched and Mark discussed openly about the procedure the team went through following the crash with Sebastian Vettel in Turkey. He praised Red Bull Racing’s chief designer Adrian Newey. Webber also explained in more detail about his late season shoulder injury and the reasons why he kept it quiet. And he also discussed that spectacular crash at Valencia, where he pressed the brake pedal so hard he snapped the pedal!

It’s a fascinating insight and rare opportunity to hear an F1 driver speak his mind. It was also a rare chance for the public to be involved with most of the topics discussed in direct response to questions from callers.

The good news is you can still listen to the interview via the BBC website. Just follow the link below for the full 60 minutes of audio. It seems the link will only be active for a few more days, so make sure you tune in soon.

[Source: BBC 5 Live Formula 1]

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Formula 1 Volkswagen

Wind changes and Volkswagen reignites interest in F1

Daniel Ricciardo in Volkswagen powered F3 winning car

It’s barely been a month since the Volkswagen Chairman supposedly put a stop to rumours linking Volkswagen to Formula One in the role of engine supplier. But with new engine regulations for 2013 recently confirmed Hans Stuck, at least, reckons VW might be keen to build on its Formula 3 commitments.

Speaking to Welt am Sonntag Herr Stuck said, “The conditions for a possible entrance of the Volkswagen group have been created.”

The former F1 driver is also on record at rp-online.de, saying, “We have not decided anything, but we very much welcome the FIA’s decision.”

[Source: ESPN]