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Perfectly Placed Donuts

dmeierfeld — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:55:03 +0000

Mustang Cobra Annihilates Old Tires

dmeierfeld — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:25:27 +0000

VW Scirocco WRC “Number Zero” Run

mikespin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:05:57 +0000

Don’t get too excited — it was mainly a photo op, so the floggings were minimal. Nonetheless, Rally Deutschland this past weekend was the venue for Carlos Sainz’s exhibition burn in Volkswagen Motorsports’ Scirocco GT24-CNG. That’s the 275-hp, race version of the Scirocco R-Cup powered by bio-natural-gas. Sainz piloted the “number zero” car as a course opener during Friday’s stages, while VW teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah ran it on Saturday and Sunday.

Volkswagen calls the GT24-CNG — which also ran at the the Nürburgring 24-hour race earlier this year — cleanest car in the field, claiming it cuts CO2 emissions by 80 percent over the Gasoline-powered R-Cup. Sainz, a two-time WRC champ and Dakar 2010 winner, finished his last motorsport competition in Germany in third place: six years ago Sainz mounted the podium at the ADAC Rally Germany. Al-Attiyah, who finished second at Dakar this year in — like Sainz — a Diesel-powered Race Touareg 2, is contesting the WRC Super 2000 category.

VW’s playing to the eco-conscious crowd with this one. But tell me you wouldn’t love to see 500-hp Sciroccos in WRC. Sadly, it’s too big for the latest WRC rules. Don’t rule out its next pint-sized sibling — in a couple of years.

Ferrari 458 Challenge Hits Vallelunga

mikespin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:53:15 +0000

FIA GT driver Maurizio Mediani and Risi Competizione wheelsman Jaime Melo were seen this week giving the new Ferrari customer racer a stern talking-to at Rome’s Vallelunga circuit. And by “were seen” we of course mean for PR purposes. No matter, considering any word on the latest challenge car from Maranello is worth noting. The lighter track model is based on the production 458 Italia, which 0-60′s Chris Harris recently called “a paradigm shift in the way Ferrari approaches the subject of performance cars.” Look for the first 458 Challenge to grace future rounds of Ferrari’s one-make championship series. [via Ferrari]

Press Release:
The Ferrari 458 Challenge on track at Vallelunga

Maranello, 28 July 2010 – The fine tuning of the newly born Ferrari 458 Challenge continues and, as from yesterday, it was at the Vallelunga circuit for a test, with two drivers, the Italian Maurizio Mediani and the Argentine Jaime Melo, taking on the role of test driver, as they took turns at the wheel of the Prancing Horse sports car.

At the end of two days at the Roman circuit, both men were pleased with what had been achieved. According to Mediani the 458 Challenge is “very quick and extremely good fun,” its handling inherited from the road going car from which it is derived, combined with modifications made for its specific use in racing. Melo, just back from the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series, in which he races a F430 GT2 run by Team Risi Competizione, highlighted how much the driving experience is enhanced by the electronics systems operated with the now classic manettino on the steering wheel, a first for a car used in the Ferrari one-make series. “I am sure that Prancing Horse competition owners will be very pleased with this car,” commented the Argentine before leaving the circuit to prepare for the next ALMS round, which takes place on 7 August at the Mid Ohio circuit.

Mini Confirms Return to Rally

mikespin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:05:05 +0000

It was 43 years ago that Mini last took a world rally championship. Now, the brand of diminutive Brits will return to the big stage with the Prodrive-built Countryman WRC. BMW officials in Munich confirmed the deal, which will see Mini compete in a limited number of championship rounds next year before a full-season campaign in 2012. Speculation has been high that Mini will make its debut Rally d’Italia-Sardegna in May 2011, though company officials did not confirm any dates, or who will be behind the wheel. The Prodrive-built Countryman WRC will get power from a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from BMW Motorsport, as per new S2000 rules, and begin testing this fall. The car, in development since 2009, will also be available to customer teams. [via Crash.net]

Press Release:
MINI set to join World Rally Championship from 2011.

Munich. MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit. From 2011, the brand will compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. This involvement is planned for several years.

The car charged with this task is the MINI Countryman WRC, which is being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and is based on the production model. The powerful heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies. The result is a significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.

This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: “I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying. The MINI Countryman provides an excellent basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the project on track right from the word go.”

“This is a very exciting new motorsport programme,” said Prodrive Chairman, David Richards. “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally. I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.”

Prodrive has been working on developing the MINI Countryman WRC since early 2009. The company was formed in 1984 by Richards, who won the World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen (FI) three years earlier. Based in Banbury (GB), Prodrive has developed into a leading independent company in the motorsport and automobile sector under Richards’ guidance, and today employs over 500 staff. Prodrive’s many successes currently include six overall victories in the World Rally Championship, five titles in the British Touring Car Championship and three class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR).

BMW was present when the World Rally Championship made its debut back in 1973. Achim Warmbold (DE) and Jean Todt (FR) tasted victory in their BMW 2002 at the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria. However, MINI’s tradition in this discipline stretches back even further: Pat Moss (GB) clinched the first victory with the MINI 850 at the 1959 Mini Miglia National Rally. MINI ultimately enjoyed its finest hours at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967: the MINI Cooper S celebrated three overall victories at the most iconic rallying event in the world. Paddy Hopkirk (IR, 1964), Timo Mäkinen (FI, 1965) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI, 1967) joined the list of winners at this prestigious event. In 1965, “Rally Professor” Aaltonen also won the European Rally Championship. Tony Ambrose (GB) and Mäkinen finished second and third to round off an excellent overall result for the MINI Cooper S. In addition, MINI drivers also enjoyed many individual wins at renowned rallies throughout Europe. The last BMW World Rally Championship victory was achieved in 1987 in Corsica by Bernard Béguin (FR) driving a BMW M3 which was built and run by Prodrive.

From 2011, over 40 years down the line, the MINI Countryman WRC will be charged with adding further chapters to this success story. It bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle. The brand’s first model to feature four doors and a wide-opening tailgate, it offers more space – which can be used in a wide variety of ways – to go with its raised seating position and optimised ride comfort. Plus, the “go-kart” feeling for which MINI is a byword has been preserved and takes on a new dimension with the optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Countryman expresses the defining virtues of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and the scope for customisation – and does so in an absorbingly individual way.

The next step down from the racing version is the MINI Cooper S Countryman. With its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection now complemented by fully variable valve management, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the range-topping model offers by far the best balance between output and fuel consumption in its displacement class. The engine generates an impressive 135 kW/184 bhp and allows the MINI Cooper S Countryman to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. Furthermore, the MINIMALISM concept sees wide-ranging technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display and the need-based operation of ancillary components – fitted as standard and in model-specific combinations.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman can be ordered as an option with MINI ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive. Here, an electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final drive varies the distribution of power seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the drive is sent to the rear wheels, in extreme situations as much as 100 per cent. The result is a new, traction-led expression of the agile handling for which MINI is famed.

Mini Planning WRC Bid?

mikespin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:23:05 +0000

The boys from Prodrive aren’t talking, but Autosport reports the UK motorsports firm will confirm its Mini WRC effort this week. Mini’s first World Rally Championship entry will reportedly be a Countryman, the company’s upcoming crossover SUV powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged bit from BMW. Prodrive is expected to turn a rolling shell from the house of Mini into a full-blown rally competitor, with testing set to begin soon. Autosport sources say the new car could launch in Rome ahead of the Rally d’Italia-Sardegna in May next season — the car will sit out the first four rounds of next year’s World Rally Championship. Word is Norway’s Mads Ostberg, whose last WRC outings in 2009 were in an Adapta World Rally Team Subaru, has been tapped to drive.

[via Autosport]

Paul Walker BMW M3: Shakedown

mikespin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:52:42 +0000

“Fast and Furious” franchise player Paul Walker is actually a decent wheelman in the material world (or so we’re told). Walker’s been competing in the Redline Time Attack series with a lightened, caged-out and track-modded BMW M3 by Chino Cali’s AE Performance. The shop’s new video documents the car’s recent shakedown session at Big Willow last week, with “G-Stig” of GST motorsports at the helm. The test focused on the car’s new Gintani supercharger kit. The E92 also has a mess of non-drivetrain mods including Ohlins coilovers, Brembo calipers (six-piston front, four-piston rear) gripping slotted rotors, a functional carbon fiber wing, Volk wheels and Hankook RS3 tires. He’s down in the West coast standings, but give him a break: it’s his development year.

[via M3 Post]

Audi A4 Pair, Armed Gang Steal Millions

mikespin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:58:57 +0000

Answer this question: If you and your gang of French thugs needed a getaway car for your daylight heist of an armored cash wagon, would it be a previous-gen Audi A4? Think about it; the B7 A4 has everything a discerning, Gallic bad guy could want: stealth, handling (and did I mention stealth?), oh and legroom. Ok, make that two Audi A4s. Audi fan site Fourtitude uncovered this bit of video showing a gang of masked bandits, aided by two B7 A4s, stole 2.1 million Euros from a Loomis Cash Transit van near Marseilles in the South of France. Apparently, they later set fire to the two Audis. They also got away with the loot. The only thing missing was the de rigueur car chase through the Bouches-du-Rhône. Where’s Luc Besson when you need him?

[via Fourtitude]

That ** with his * out

Ron — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:10:00 +0000

It’s not often that sports fans have an actual influence on the result of a race. Rallying, however, is a very different sport in more ways than one.
For example, in the WRC’s most recent race (2010′s Rally New Zealand) P-WRC driver Mark Tapper was leading the pack when, out of the woods, came a surprise spectator–dropping trou to reveal what some may call the “brown eye”. With his attention thrown off, Mark’s next corner was compromised by going wide, clipping a bank, then rolling the car for $20k worth of damage. He must have been feeling pretty “bummed” out.

As a fair warning, the video below is NSFW due to language – not pixelated arse.

Citroen’s Mini-Veyron: The Survolt Concept

Alex — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:44:34 +0000

At this years Geneva Motor Show, the trend seems to have been concept vehicles (no drivetrain), hybrids (less fuel) and concept hybrids (a mixture of the two most annoying automotive trends).

Citroen is trying to turn over a new leaf and push for development on the supermini category — tiny cars packing a big punch — think, Lotus Exige.

We’re not 100% tossing this idea to the dumpster, but at first glance, all we see is a Veyron with an even more flamboyant color scheme, that’s been squished in a vice. What do you think?

[Source: Jalopnik]