Tag: Australia

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MINI MINI Challenge News

Australian MINI CHALLENGE under new management

MINI CHALLENGEGood news from the world of the Australian MINI CHALLENGE today with confirmation of a new management team securing the future of the series. Toleman Motorsport has been given the seal of approval from MINI Australia and CAMS to act as Category Management Agency for the rest of the year. All racing dates and television schedules will remain as advertised. Further highlighting the future of the MINI CHALLENGE is word that plans for the 2009 calendar are in full swing with seven rounds already locked in as negotiations continue.

With the demise of Sherrin Motorsport, subsidary company Motorsport Event Management (MEM) was forced to put the management rights for the MINI CHALLENGE up for sale last May.

Toleman Motosport is headed by Ted Toleman who was the person responsible for giving Ayrton Senna his start in Formula 1. Toleman’s last Grand Prix was Australia’s first, Adelaide 1985. It’s great to see Australia’s MINI CHALLENGE series in good hands and I’m sure all fans of the series will be looking forward to racing this weekend for Round 5 at Phillip Island, including live action from Race 3 to be broadcast on Channel 7 on Sunday (check your local guides).

For the full details on the Toleman Motorsport news the press release from MINI CHALLENGE has been included below. Don’t forget, you can keep up to date with the series and its personalties by joining the Aussie MINI CHALLENGE Army on facebook.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Australia launches Golf GTI Pirelli microsite

Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli coming to Australia

As revealed on AUSmotive last month the Golf GTI Pirelli will be coming to Australia.

Volkswagen Australia has all but confirmed the Pirelli’s arrival by launching a new microsite seeking registrations of interest. Indeed, if our sources are to be believed, there are already 300 of these Golfs in a Sydney warehouse waiting for delivery. Volkswagen’s silky smooth 2-litre TFSI engine has been tweaked to give extra performance with the Pirelli models now yielding 169kW/300Nm. All models are fitted with Pirelli P-Zero rubber and come with DSG transmissions—no manual transmissions will be available in the Australian allocation. Volkswagen claims the Golf GTI Pirelli will take you from rest to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. Colours available will be Sunflower Yellow, Black Magic, Blue Graphite and Reflex Silver. Both 3 door and 5 door models will be available, although the allocation of each is unknown at this stage. Pricing is expected to be around $47,500 for the 3 door and $49,000 for the 5 door.

A screen grab of the Pirelli’s vital figures is shown below, or you can simply check out the microsite for yourself.

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Subaru

Subaru to give Impreza the boot

Subaru Impreza sedanWell, maybe that shoud read ‘Subaru to give Impreza a boot’. Or so the lads at CarAdvice reckon, and they have the pics to prove it as well. They say the entry level pricing will come in under $25K and by the sounds of it we could see booted Imprezas on the road before Christmas now, apparently (thanks Revhed!).

As noted in Revhed’s comment below, check out the Subaru website for more details.

Source: CarAdvice.com.au

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Carmageddon Ford Holden News Toyota

Discussion on Australia’s car industry

ABC Radio - Australia Talks on Radio National

On my drive home from work the other day I caught the start of Paul Barclay’s Australia Talks program on Radio National. The focus of discussion was on Australia’s car industry, with topics canvassed including:

  • Ford’s decision to cut 350 jobs and the broader impact that will have on local employment
  • The planned cut in tariffs from 10% down to 5%
  • How effective are the Holden and Toyota export programs?
  • Should the Australian car manufacturing industry be protected, and why has it been protected in the past?
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News Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia to premiere on 29 September

TopGear logoLadies and gentlemen start your televisions! SBS has announced a premiere date for the Australian production of Top Gear—7:30pm Monday 29 September. Series 1 will run for 8 episodes.

Many fans of the original UK version of Top Gear remain skeptical about the merits of the Australian production. However, on paper at least, I think the Aussie cast looks very promising. Snippets I’ve read in the press also give me confidence with Executive Producer Andy Wilman acknowledging they have a hard road ahead of them to keep the spirit of the original show with the new efforts here and in the US. All signs to date indicate this production will be done, and done well.

From the SBS Top Gear website: Calling themselves “the ugliest men on television” the comical Australian larrikins have tested a diverse range of cars, talked, joked and sung their way through countless hours behind the wheel, have donned wool vests, top hats and goggles for stories—although not all in one outing, and have competed against each other in amusing, and sometimes bordering on the side of ridiculous, challenges. But most importantly, they have had a “darn good time”.

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News Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia audience call

Top Gear AustraliaThe debut of Top Gear Australia is getting closer by the day. So much so that SBS has started an audience call for Series 1. If you are over 18, can easily get yourself to Top Gear Australia’s Sydney studio in September/October and don’t mind if your mug gets on the telly then this could be the gig for you! Follow THIS LINK to register your interest and you’ll be in with a chance to join Charlie, Warren and Steve for the studio filming.

Good luck!

Oh, a quick reminder that starting at 7:30 tonight SBS delves into the vault to bring us Series 2 of Top Gear UK. This is James May’s debut series and well worth a sticky beak if you’ve not already seen it.

(Thanks to Wes for the tip.)

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Motorsports News

Eastern Creek reveals plans for new ‘supercircuit’

Eastern Creek Raceway, proposed redevelopments

The Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) has revealed major redevelopment plans for Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway in a bid to make it Australia’s premier closed circuit motor racing facility. If the plans go ahead the new circuit would have six different racing layouts, including the main ‘International’ circuit at 4.7km in length. As many as three of the layouts could be used simultaneously. The redesign, carried out by UK-based Apex Circuit Design, would meet the FIA’s strict regulations for Formula One racing.

Despite Melbourne extending its deal for Albert Park to host the Australian Grand Prix until 2015, could we see F1 in western Sydney? Four-time Australian touring car champion and ARDC board member, Allan Moffat, seems to think so. “Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne’s refusal to host a night race,” Moffat told the Daily Telegraph. “We would be in a position to take advantage. It would cost three times as much to develop a suitable facility on virgin land. We have the basis for it right here in the middle of Blacktown, Australia’s fastest growing area.”

“The circuit would be one of the most exciting and demanding in this country, and the equal of many internationally,” Apex managing director Clive Bowen said. “It has been designed to challenge the most accomplished driver, yet also appeal to corporate users.”

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Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Happy 50th birthday to Mercedes-Benz Australia! July 1958 marked the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz brand to Australia. From humble beginnings back in the late 50s Australia is now the world’s tenth largest market for the brand. Along the way the three pointed star has claimed three Wheels Car of the Year gongs and is on track to sell 30,000 cars in 2008.

Mercedes-Benz Australia’s full press release for this announcement follows. It’s actually quite an interesting potted history.

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Audi

Audi TTS adds brawn to beauty

Audi TTS Roadster
Audi TTS Roadster

Australian pricing and equipment for the new Audi TTS has just been confirmed. Powered by a 200kW/350Nm 2.0 TFSI engine, pricing for the 6 speed manual TTS Coupe (pictured top) starts at $92,000 and $97,100 for the TTS Roadster. Add another $3600 to those prices for the double clutch S tronic option. The TTS also gets a revised body kit and the front end treatment, especially, has been executed to near perfection. It looks fantastic—simultaneously agressive and understated. Classic Audi.

The beefed up engine takes an S tronic equipped 1395kg TTS Coupe from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, while a similarly specced Roadster at 1455kgs takes 5.4 seconds. Audi’s all wheel drive quattro system and advanced magnetic ride suspension should ensure the TTS harnesses that power for good.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, is pleased with the addition of an S model to the TT range, “As with all Audi S models, the new TTS will be the sporty top model in its family. It not only looks more aggressive and dynamic, its performance is second-to-none and continues the success story of the brand which focuses on reducing consumption whilst maintaining performance,” Mr Hofmann said.

“The new Audi TT is not only bigger and bolder, it is also lighter and more efficient – the Audi TT is a sportscar you can drive without regret.”

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Audi

Audi adds new cab to its ranks

Audi A3 Cabriolet

Audi Australia has just launched its newest addition to the A3 range—the all-new A3 Cabriolet—and they’re pretty chuffed, by the looks.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says “The A3 Cabriolet clearly reflects Audi’s brand values of sporty, progressive and sophisticated—with two dynamic turbocharged direct injection engines, Audi achieves the seemingly opposite goals of excellent performance combined with fuel efficiency, matched with an elegant design which is equally attractive in roof-up or roof-down modes. We expect the A3 Cabriolet to be extremely successful in Australia because it offers a multitude of flexible features—from the fun of driving with the roof down, to space for four people, excellent safety features, plenty of luggage space and genuine good looks.”

Well, he has to say all those nice things doesn’t he. I do agree, however, that the A3 Cabrio looks great—it is a stunning car—although I’m not sure how well it will sell down under. Though, I expect Audi Australia has realistic expectations on that front.

At launch, the A3 Cabriolet is available with two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. Pricing starts at $49,900 for the 118kW 1.8 TFSI Attraction, fitted with Audi’s 6-speed double clutch S tronic transmission. The Ambition models, featuring the 147kW 2.0 TFSI, start at $54,900 for the 6-speed manual and $57,500 for the S tronic. The first sign of cost saving with the A3 Cabriolet is evident with the roof being soft top only. The second, and most likely the last, is that the standard roof is semi-automatic only, although it does open in an impressive 9 seconds. However, for an extra $1300 a fully automatic soft top is available, and your extra cash also gets you a bit more sound proofing.

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MINI MINI Challenge

The Aussie MINI CHALLENGE Army

The Aussie MINI CHALLENGE Army - facebook page

Yes, that’s right, the Australian MINI CHALLENGE has its own facebook page. Join in and you can see and share your images, video clips and experiences with fans from around the country, and, probably the world! A lot of the drivers are also hooked up to the page so it presents a great opportunity to further extend your MINI CHALLENGE experience.

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MINI Challenge

Ben Tune on a roll in the MINI Challenge

With all the MINI CHALLENGE highlights we couldn’t forget Ben Tune’s rollover! Tune is a former Australian test rugby player and was part of the UBER-STAR CAR program at Round 3, held at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway. This accident happened in Race 1 and while he did spend the night in hospital he was released with no serious injuries. A full statement from the MINI CHALLENGE organisers can be read HERE. Further commentary and a brief pre-race interview with the former Wallaby international can be seen HERE.