Motorsports News
| The F1 Olympics: Bernie wants to scrap points, use a medal system in 2009 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports  The points system used by Formula 1 has been the subject of debate for years. When the system was expanded after 2002 and began offering points up to eighth position, people thought that would create more suspense since Michael Schumacher was running off with the trophies every year. It didn't work, and now with Schumacher gone, all the points system tends to reward is consistency over winning. Lewis Hamilton won five races this year and Felipe Massa won six, but Lewis Hamilton is the world champion because he scored more points. F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone wants to move to a medal system next year, awarding gold, bronze and silver to the top three finishers. The guy with the most gold at the end wins the championship. If that had been in place for this year, Felipe would have won the championship. If Lewis had won the last race in Brazil, he and Felipe would have been tied on gold medals and tied on silver medals, but Lewis has one more bronze medal (third place) than Felipe, so Hamilton would be champion. Will it happen? Bernie says the teams are behind it, so it only awaits a vote from the World Motorsport Council. [Source: F1 Live] The F1 Olympics: Bernie wants to scrap points, use a medal system in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsLA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:02:00 EST Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Volkswagen  Click above for high-res image gallery of the Race Touareg 2
This is Volkswagens entrant in this weekend's Baja 1000: a spaceframe-chassis Touareg TDI with 75 cm of suspension travel competing in the top-dog Trophy Truck class and utilizing an oil-burning V12 with nearly 550 hp. That's a long way from the first VW win in 1967 that came courtesy of a VW Beetle converted into one of the soon-to-be-ubiquitous dune monsters. Driver Mark Miller won the Baja 500 last year in the first Race Touareg. Aided by helicopters and eight support vehicles, we'll find out on Sunday if he and navigator Ryan Arciero can take The Big One this year. Live photos copyright (C)2008 Sebastian Blanco, Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading LA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2 LA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsWait'll they get a load of... the 2009 F1 cars http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:57:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports   What you see above is a shot of BMW's Formula 1 racer built to 2009 specs. Slicks are back for mechanical grip, but to reduce downforce and speeds -- and supposedly increase passing -- the rear wing has been trimmed down so much that it looks like a shelf from IKEA. The front wing on the car is also larger and wider, and extras like flip-ups and winglets on the front wing, nosecone and bodywork are prohibited next year. BMW has also been testing its KERS hybrid system, where other teams are using ballast while they sort out when they'll introduce their own systems. Frankly, that system could be just as shocking as the car itself. If the on-track action gets better, then we're all for it. But for now, these cars remind us of ugly things.[Source: F1 Live] Wait'll they get a load of... the 2009 F1 cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, UK
The race will pit Hamilton in a Mercedes road car against Hoy on his bike on parallel winding tracks. Although Lewis won't be driving his championship winning McLaren, he'll be running a few demonstration laps around the stadium for the fans in his first major public appearance after securing the championship. Since both Hoy and Hamilton will have to rush off to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, scheduled at the same time as the race, the showdown will take place as an opening act. And that's one heck of an opening act. Press release after the jump. [Source: Race of Champions] Continue reading Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSpy Shots: Audi R8 GT3 caught lapping the 'Ring http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Supercars, Audi  Click above for high-res spy shots of the Audi R8 GT3
Take one Audi R8, add a pinch of Satan's dandruff (it's potent stuff) and you get this: the R8 GT3. Spy photographers have caught this racing version of Audi's R8 supercar, which itself is named after the very successful diesel-powered R8 LeMans racer, circling the famed Nurburgring in Germany. As you can see in our gallery below, it looks all business with a Boeing-sized rear wing out back and asphalt-scraping carbon fiber splitter up front. Other mods made for racing include the large vent in the "hood" behind the grille, larger air scoops in the blades behind the doors, a plexiglass rear window and significantly wider track both front and rear. Our sources tell us that the suspension is supposedly entirely stock and the quattro all-wheel-drive system has been ditched in favor of rear-wheel-drive to meet current FIA GT3 regulations. As for the engine, the 4.2L V8 has supposedly been tweaked to produce 500 horsepower (up from 420). For all its wings, vents and fender flares, this R8 GT3 prototype reportedly only managed to lap the 'Ring in 8:41.00 due to slippery-when-wet conditions. Pay attention folks, as this is the turn-key racing R8 that Audi will soon unleash on teams who wish to crash the GT3 class in style. [Source: KGP Photography] Spy Shots: Audi R8 GT3 caught lapping the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsShow Me The Money: Attempts to rescue Canadian GP failed http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials  Organizers, fans and media alike were shocked when the news broke that Formula One Management and the FIA had canceled the perennial Canadian Grand Prix, but the prospect remained open for local officials to renegotiate the contract. We're disappointed to report, however, that those prospects have now all but completely dissipated, as negotiations between the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone and representatives from the Canadian federal, Quebec provincial and Montreal municipal governments have broken down. And everyone's fingers are pointing at Bernie.
According to Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay, Ecclestone put forward an outrageous proposal extorting exorbitant multi-million-dollar fees from the race organizers, who receive backing from the three levels of government. The Canadian representatives then began considering levying a new tax over local hotels to cover the cost and planning to establish a non-profit organization to come up with a fiscally sound counter-offer, but even those prospects were completely shut down when Ecclestone stated his refusal to budge from his terms whatsoever. And so, with the US Grand Prix still out of the running - for the time being, at least - the top level of motor racing has completely abandoned North America altogether. [Source: Autosport | Image: Lluis Gene/Getty] Show Me The Money: Attempts to rescue Canadian GP failed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRhys Millen victorious at inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:27:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports
Like Ferrari winning the Italian Grand Prix or a Mazda atop the podium at Laguna Seca, Rhys Millen scored a fitting victory in his Red Bull Pontiac Solstice GXP at the very first Red Bull Drifting World Championship over the weekend. The event featured the top thirty-two drifters from around the world at a purpose-built track at the ports of Long Beach, CA. Formula Drift drivers dominated the event, taking six of the eight spots in the quarter finals and all four places in the semi finals. Millen survived five knockout rounds, defeating the likes of Ken Gushi, Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gitten, and eventually beat out teammate Daijiro Yoshihara in the all-Pontiac finals. More details on the event are in the press release following the jump, and we weathered the tire smoke and flying bits of rubber to bring you plenty of fantastic high resolution photos in the gallery below. All photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading Rhys Millen victorious at inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship Rhys Millen victorious at inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: RMR Genesis Coupe runs, turns and poses for pictures http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA, Sports/GTs, Videos, Hyundai  Click above for a high-res gallery of the RMR Genesis Coupe
Rhys Millen Racing's Hyundai Genesis Coupe enjoyed some time in the spotlight at SEMA, but it's hard to see the potential of the new coupe sitting stationary on the show stand. So RMR brought out the Genesis Coupe to take up space in their pit during the Red Bull Drifting World Championship and the crew at Streetfire.net captured some video of the Genesis running around, posing or pics. In the clip, the pilot of the coupe never put his boot down, but it still sounded mean with a deep gurgle and the Turbonetics turbocharger whirring at low rpms. In person, the build also came across as very well constructed with a lot of attention to detail. Regardless of the advertised build time, it was carefully pieced together by a knowledgeable bunch. Be sure and check out the galleries below for the whole collection of RMR Genesis Coupe images and hit the jump to check out the video. Continue reading VIDEO: RMR Genesis Coupe runs, turns and poses for pictures VIDEO: RMR Genesis Coupe runs, turns and poses for pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsHonda offers Michael Schumacher a ride in World Superbike Championship http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Motorcycles  Formula One champ Michael Schumacher has been enjoying his new gigs working with Ferrari's development team and hooning Honda Fireblades in various Superbike racing events, and he's proven to beabout as adept racing around on two wheels as he is on four. The seven-time F1 champion from Germany has been extended an open invitation by Honda racing officials to pilot one of its factory-prepped literbikes on the world stage. For his part, Schumacher has stated that he has no intentions to make a second career out of racing motorcycles, but his actions often seem to indicate otherwise, and he's apparently scheduled to take part in the German championship for 2009. We can only hope that our "retirement" is half as much fun as Michael Schumacher's. Thanks for the tip, Chris! [Source: Autosport] Honda offers Michael Schumacher a ride in World Superbike Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsPoll: In what spec racing series would you want to race? http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:07:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports
So you have a dilemma. You've got an itch for racing sports cars and cash to burn. Taking on Porsches and Ferraris in the GT2 category sounds fun, but the competition is pretty stiff and a spec series with a level playing field sounds more appealing. What are your options? If Porsches are your thing you might want to try the Porsche Supercup, featuring the 911 GT3 Cup, that runs in support of Formula 1. Rather go Italian? You can race an F430 in the Ferrari Challenge in North American, European, and Italian series, or try your hand in the brand new Lamborghini Super Trofeo series racing the Gallardo. American muscle more your style? You can race the FR500S Mustang in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at eight of America's best race tracks. We think each of them sounds like a ton of fun, but tell us which one you would pick in the poll below. Poll: In what spec racing series would you want to race? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsNASCAR to implement a no-testing policy for 2009 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota  With the domestic auto industry hurting like never before, most analysts expect budgets for motorsports activities to drop dramatically in the coming few months. This slowdown of funds will surely impact NASCAR, which sees participation from each of the Detroit 3 along with Toyota. Despite being one of the most visible racing organizations in the United States, it's also one of the most expensive for teams to operate, with some estimates pegging a single day's worth of track testing at over $100,000 per car. Large teams can expect to save a few million bucks per year in expenses due to the new policy. Just a few months back, however, NASCAR teams were pushing for more testing sessions at more tracks, and officials had proposed a new plan that would have increased testing sessions to 24 per year. That tactic would have increased the amount of money that teams and sponsors would need to spend by a substantial figure. Although we're not big NASCAR watchers, we tend to think that the change could actually benefit the series, since it could level the playing field and make for better racing. We'll see if we're right in just a few months. [Source: NASCAR] NASCAR to implement a no-testing policy for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAston Martin Racing reveals new Vantage GT4 to replace N24 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin  Click above for high-res gallery of the Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4
At the Dubai Autodrome this week, Aston Martin revealed the car that will replace the Vantage N24, which has raced successfully in the FIA GT4 class and endurance events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for the past two years. Named the Vantage GT4, the new racer will employ a racing version of the production car's 4.7L V8 in place of the N24's slightly smaller 4.3L V8. Other race-bred modifications include a free-flow exhaust system, dry sump lubrication and new engine management software calibrated for racing. The new GT4 is hand-built by Aston Martin and can be ordered by race teams from the factory with a six-speed manual transmission or Sportshift tranny with paddle shifters. The production car's interior gets gutted and replaced with a molding of the dash that's covered in Alcantara suede (which also covers the steering wheel), a steel roll cage and Recaro competition seats. The suspension has been beefed up for race duty and the wheels are now cast magnesium wrapped in Yokohama race rubber, but Aston has carried over all of the production car's active safety systems like stability control, traction control and ABS. If you're a gentleman racer, you can order the new Vantage GT4 from the factory for £96,645 and have it ready to race by this January. [Source: Aston Martin Racing] Continue reading Aston Martin Racing reveals new Vantage GT4 to replace N24 Aston Martin Racing reveals new Vantage GT4 to replace N24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGreat Moments in Motorsports: Adventures in throttle cable replacement http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Renault  Click above to view the video
From our friends at the Axis of Oversteer comes a story of determination, fortitude, and a healthy dose of Darwinian law. With less than a mile left in a stage of the Ralley de Serrians in France, the throttle cable in our hero's Renault finally gives up the ghost. Does he give up? No! Does the team try to push their way to the finish? Hell no! The driver tells his co-pilot to man the wheel while he hops into the engine bay, pulls the hood over himself and then manually controls the throttle cable bracket to a heroic finish. The picture above speaks for itself, but the video after the jump tells the whole tale. [Source: Axis of Oversteer] Continue reading Great Moments in Motorsports: Adventures in throttle cable replacement Great Moments in Motorsports: Adventures in throttle cable replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsPirelli debuts 2009-spec racing slick at Grand-Am testing session in Daytona http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:27:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports
While the motorsports season is coming to a close, manufacturers and teams are already preparing for the 2009 season. Pirelli is getting a jump start by debuting their new P Zero racing slick this week at Daytona International Speedway for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona test session. Both prototype and GT cars will run the upgraded rubber next season, and reports are coming back that the new tire has both a higher level of performance and increased longevity. The Rolex 24 Hours will kick off the 2009 Grand-Am series from January 24-25. More info on Pirelli's new racing slick can be seen in the press release after the jump. [Source: Pirelli] Continue reading Pirelli debuts 2009-spec racing slick at Grand-Am testing session in Daytona Pirelli debuts 2009-spec racing slick at Grand-Am testing session in Daytona originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsCastroneves gets court date, IndyCar season in jeopardy http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal  IndyCar great Helio Castroneves is in the legal fight of his life, and the timing couldn't be worse (like seven felony counts ever come at a good time). Castroneves goes on trial for tax evasion charges on March 2 in Miami, just one month before the IndyCar season begins in St. Petersberg, Florida.Castroneves was indicted by the IRS on October 2 along with his sister/business manager and his lawyer, and the list of charges is substantial. Castroneves is going up against six tax evasion counts and one count of conspiracy with up to 35 years of jail time. Team Penske would undoubtedly love for the two-time Indy 500 champ to be free and clear of these allegations, but the successful race team is in a holding pattern due to its star racer's quandary. Helio's fame from racing and Dancing with the Stars will turn the case into a very big deal, and the courts will handle the case as such. That could mean a very lengthy trial for Helio and his crew, and a potentially embarrassing situation for Team Penske. [Source: Auto Week | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty] Castroneves gets court date, IndyCar season in jeopardy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsLA Preview: VW to unveil diesel-powered Touareg TDI Trophy Truck http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:52:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen  Click above for high-res images and renderings of VW's Touareg TDI Trophy Truck
If Formula 1 is the pinnacle of on-road motorsports, competitive off-roading hits its apogee with the Baja Trophy Truck series. With vehicles sporting over 20 inches of suspension travel both front and rear, along with massive power provided by V8 engines, these trucks travel over the worst terrain imaginable at ludicrous speeds. Sounds like fun, right? Volkswagen thinks so, and while it's older Beetle-based buggies often make it through the race unscathed, albeit much slower than their big brothers, the automaker has decided to enter the top rung of the SCORE series and will debut its latest Touareg TDI to tackle the course at the upcoming LA Auto Show. Boasting a turbocharged diesel 5.5L V12 engine that puts out 550 horsepower and a stump-pulling 625 lb-ft of torque, the 5,650-pound race-prepped Touareg should have the guts to keep up with the rest of the field. This will be the first turbo-diesel ever to compete at the Baja 1000 in the Trophy Truck class. Custom double A-arms up front and a four-link rear suspension provide 25 and 30 inches of wheel travel, respectively, and 37-inch BFG's will do their best to provide traction. VeeDub is set to officially unveil the truck on November 19th, just ahead of the 41st running of the big race. [Source: Volkswagen] Continue reading LA Preview: VW to unveil diesel-powered Touareg TDI Trophy Truck LA Preview: VW to unveil diesel-powered Touareg TDI Trophy Truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFormula Drift ramping up for Red Bull Drifting World Championship this weekend http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports
Formula Drift first announced the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship back in July, and the final preparations are being made for the event this weekend. The top thirty-two drifters from around the world will slide their way around a specially-built six-turn course including a high-speed entry turn that should have many of the cars in excess of 100 mph. Things will get kicked off tomorrow, Thursday, November 13, with a parade of the competitors' cars and an autograph session in downtown Long Beach. The drivers will hit the track on Saturday for practice and qualifying, and on Sunday they will compete in a knockout-style bracket tournament with the winner taking home the largest purse in drifting history. Full details in the press release after the jump. [Source: Formula Drift] Continue reading Formula Drift ramping up for Red Bull Drifting World Championship this weekend Formula Drift ramping up for Red Bull Drifting World Championship this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsShelby to sponsor Las Vegas NASCAR race, offer 427 package for GT500 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:31:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Shelby
In the hustle and bustle of SEMA last week we missed the announcement that Shelby Automobiles will be sponsoring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March. The race will actually be lengthened to 427 miles and will be called the 'Shelby 427'. We think it would be more historically appropriate for Shelby to sponsor a road racing event, but the company's proximity to the race track and the better marketing reach make NASCAR a logical choice. In conjunction with the sponsorship, Shelby will be offering a 427 package for the GT500. Hoping for a 427ci engine conversion? So were we, but prepare to be disappointed. The 427 package will be a simple badge job and will include "Mr. Shelby's personal autograph as well as many other event-related add-ons." Those who purchase the package will also receive race tickets and the possibility to serve as the race's honorary starter. Full details on the race and the 427 upgrade package are in the press release after the jump. [Source: Shelby] Continue reading Shelby to sponsor Las Vegas NASCAR race, offer 427 package for GT500 Shelby to sponsor Las Vegas NASCAR race, offer 427 package for GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: Ken Block Gymkhana practice, or one hoon to rule them all http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Subaru  Click above to watch Ken Block, master hoon
There are a remarkable number of crap car videos floating around the intertubes, so it takes a special breed of driving deity to make something that catches our attention. Card-carrying member of the automotive master race, Ken Block, did just that by setting up an utterly insane Gymkhana course around El Toro and then proceeds to flog the life out of his Crawford-prepped Subaru Impreza STI through countless turns, drifts and 360s to create over four minutes of pure motoring bliss. The video speaks for itself, so hit the jump to check it out. And if you want to get inside the mind of the man, head over to 0-60 to read a brief interview of Block and his madcap run. [Source: 0-60] Continue reading VIDEO: Ken Block Gymkhana practice, or one hoon to rule them all VIDEO: Ken Block Gymkhana practice, or one hoon to rule them all originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus Sport reveals 270-hp 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport racer http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus  Click image above to enlarge
In 2007, Lotus released the 2-Eleven track car for customers who wanted an affordable club racer for their weekend fun time. Now the gang at Lotus Sport, the motorsports and tuning arm of the English sports car maker, has created an even more ferocious 2-Eleven, dubbed the GT4 Supersport. As the name implies, this one is designed to conform to the SRO GT4 Supersport technical rules. The modified body work is accompanied by more power, a sequential gearbox and full roll cage. The GT4 gets an extra 15 horsepower taking it to 270 with 181 lb-ft of torque. Power is put down to the ground through a new 6-speed sequential gearbox with a fore-aft shift lever. Lotus has also tied the gear position and shift indicator into the engine management system to manage torque output during shifts. Racers can upshift without lifting their foot while the engine automatically blips the throttle for downshifts. Lotus is only planning to build 10 cars initially for delivery in March 2009. This professional race car will run £78,255, although Lotus says some of the changes can be applied to existing cars for those looking to improve performance. Gallery: Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport  [Source: Lotus] Continue reading Lotus Sport reveals 270-hp 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport racer Lotus Sport reveals 270-hp 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
British racing fans had lots of reason to celebrate this year. Not only did their golden boy Lewis Hamilton win the Formula One World Championship, but their star cyclist Chris Hoy took home three Olympic gold medals from the Beijing Olympics. But the ultimate face-off between man and machine is just gearing up as organizers of the annual Race of Champions have announced the two will face off next month at Wembley.
