Autoblog

Sony picks GT Academy winners to race in Dubai 24 Hours

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-09-06T12:39:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Nissan, Toys, Lifestyle

First art imitates life and now video games do the same, with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Nissan having joined forces to create the GT Academy. Over the course of eight months, the academy culled a group of wannabe racers from a field of entrants who posted the best lap times in GT5 Prologue. Then, for five days at Silverstone, the finalists competed in the game and on the actual track, watched by ex-F1 racer Johnny Herbert and a panel of five judges.

The two winners were just announced, and Top Gun status went to Lars Schlomer and Luis Ordonez. Schlomer is a taxi driver in Bonn, Germany; Ordonez is an MBA student from Spain. Now that they've won, they'll be thrown into boot camp for four months to learn to how to race for real silver: in four months, they'll have to earn their racing licenses and get ready to drive a factory-backed Nissan 350Z in the 24 Hours of Dubai this coming January.The rest of us will have to be content with GT5 Prologue for now...

[Source: Sony]

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Takuma Sato gatecrashes Autocar's party

Justin Gardiner — 2008-09-05T07:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Supercars, UK

Steve Sutcliffe was wrapping up Autocar's annual 0-100-0 test when a well spoken Japanese gentleman wandered over and started checking out the cars. Now what would you do if you had a car park full of supercars, a private track rented for the day and a Formula 1 driver hove in to view?

Give him the keys then grab a video camera? Evidently Steve thinks the same way. Rather than let Taku embarrass Steve's 0-100-0 times "because he's small and lighter" (yes Steve, we're sure that's the only reason he'd be quicker...) Autocar let him off the leash on the full track. Click through to see what Taku, who drives a classic Mini Cooper in the UK and a Honda Beat when in Japan, got up to in his first few minutes in a real supercar -- and why he got red flagged all too early.

Taku, who lost his F1 drive when Super Aguri folded earlier this year, has an official test with Scuderia Toro Rosso on September 18th. On the basis of this video alone, it's a fair bet that Red Bull will finally have a popular spokesperson for the Japanese market next year.

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Schumacher gets caught speeding off the track

Dan Roth — 2008-09-04T08:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Celebrities

More speeding in products from the Volkswagen corporate empire; only this time, the driver was smart and didn't try to run. The driver in this Italian incident, none other than Michael Schumacher, is probably capable of evading the Caribinieri -- though maybe he's not as adept at handling a real car as he is behind the wheel of a four-wheeled fighter jet. Schumi exercised fine judgement and politely accepted his 75 Euro fine, which carries a three-point penalty on his license.

The racing champ told German newspaper Bild that he was "very sorry" and that "it's out of character" because "speeding is for racetracks only." Maybe something's lost in translation, but we have this urge to say "now we know, and knowing is half the battle" after that sparely worded statement. Thanks for the tip, Ahmet!

[Source: F1-Live]

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Audi's Luhr/Werner clinch ALMS LMP1 class championship

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-09-03T15:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi

click the R10 for a high res gallery from the Detroit race

The only real question in the P1 class of the American Le Mans Series this year was which Audi driver pairing would capture the championship. Audi only faced one actual challenger all season long in the LMP1 class from the Intersport Racing team, and they weren't really in the same class, if you know what we mean. Going into this past weekend's Detroit Sports Car Challenge, the pairing of Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner were leading their teammates Marcel Fässler and Emanuele Pirro with an opportunity to clinch the drivers' championship. Some mishaps for the Luhr/Werner team early on, however, suggested the battle would go on until at least the Petit Le Mans next month. Luhr hit a tire wall hard on lap 13 and Fässler went on to cross the finish line third behind a pair of Acuras in the LMP2 class. But the Fässler/Pirro car was disqualified after the race for being underweight, leaving the LMP1 drivers' title to Luhr and Werner. Hopefully the entry of Acura and Corsa Motorsports' hybrid racer in the LMP1 class for 2009 will give Audi a real challenge. If only we could convince Peugeot to run the full ALMS schedule with its diesel-powered 908s, LMP1 would be as much fun as the P2 and GT classes.

Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi's Luhr/Werner clinch ALMS LMP1 class championship

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Colin McRae tribute convoy reaches 30-miles long

Justin Gardiner — 2008-09-02T08:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Subaru, Celebrities

Click above for high-res gallery of Colin McRae's tribute

Oh, those Brits. When they're not ~~faking~~ making corn circles they're writing a rally legend's name using 1,086 Subaru Imprezas as pixels. This, of course, was the finale to the weekend long celebration of Colin McRae's life, which saw over 1,100 Scoobys converge on Prodrive's test track in Warwickshire. Precisely how many cars took part in the ensuing 30-mile convoy is unknown, but if you don't have anything better to do right now, you can have a go at counting them in the video after the jump (and look out for the near miss at 6:42). Even the local constabulary showed up in a WRX pursuit car.

The half-mile-long sign you see above broke the Guiness World Record for, err, writing signs with cars by a cool 800, but more importantly Colin's fans raised over $80,000 for the McRae family's chosen charities.

Gallery: Colin McRae's tribute convoy

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Ferrari confirms Kimi and Felipe for 2009

Noah Joseph — 2008-09-01T13:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ferrari

The closer we get to the end of this season and to the start of the next, the clearer the picture will become as to which drivers will be where for the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. While his team was undergoing testing alongside its competitors at the Monza track in Italy, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo placed one of the bigger pieces in the puzzle in confirming that Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa would both be back in scarlet for next season. Although towards the beginning of the season it was onto Massa's future which doubt was cast, by now the tides have changed in that Kimi's performance has lagged behind his team-mate and it's Raikkonen's future that was being debated in the press. However Montezemolo confirmed that neither driver would be replaced for the coming season.

While in the paddock, Montezemolo also visited former champion Fernando Alonso and current leader Lewis Hamilton, but insisted that Alonso, who has been rumored to be angling for a seat with Ferrari, would have to wait at least a little while longer. Montezemolo also took the opportunity to express his displeasure with the new tracks being mixed into the calendar, stating that because overtaking is so difficult on these new circuits, the winner is often pre-determined in qualifying.

[Source: F1-Live Image: Andreas Solaro/Getty]

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SPOILER ALERT - Detroit Grand Prix 2008: The IndyCars take to the track

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-09-01T09:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

Click on Helio Castroneves for a high res gallery

As the first season of the reunited IndyCar series winds down, the open wheel racers took to the Belle Isle track to close out the Detroit Grand Prix weekend. Scott Dixon sat on the pole holding a slim lead over Helio Castroneves in the season standings with three races to go including this one. If the race is still sitting on your DVR and you don't want to spoil the surprise, just enjoy the gallery for now, it won't spoil your appetite. Otherwise follow the jump for the results.

Gallery: Detroit Grand Prix 08: IndyCars

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT - Detroit Grand Prix 2008: The IndyCars take to the track

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Ultimate rally car collection hits the block

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-08-31T12:09:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Euro, Audi, UK

Click above for a gallery of David Sutton's rally car collection

In the eighties, the late David Sutton owned the company that prepared rally cars for Audi UK. It turns out he was collecting cars at the same time as he was preparing them, and putting them in his Historic Motors Ltd museum. The assortment includes seven Audis, some of which are Group B monsters, as well as an RS200 Cosworth, a couple of Lancias, a 1944 Volvo, and even a Skoda. Now the lot's being sold, 22 cars in all, through Morris & Welford. It's the kind of collection that, even if you had the time, money, and connections, would probably take you years to assemble individually. But you can have it all, right now... if you have what is likely to be an enormous sum of cash. Check out the other items on offer in the gallery below.

Gallery: David Sutton's Rally Collection

[Source: Motive Magazine]

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Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert)

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-08-31T09:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Chevrolet

Click the C6.R for a high-res gallery from the race

As part of the revival of the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle last year, the Detroit Sports Car Challenge was added as the highlight of Saturday's activities. The sports car race is back this year as the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series. For those who have never checked out an ALMS race, it's one of the best and most exciting forms of motorsport anywhere. Highcroft Racing's Acura ARX-01B captured the pole and led much of the first half of the race ahead of the De Ferran Racing Acura. If you TiVoed the race and don't want to ruin the surprise, you can just check out the gallery and come back later to see the full results after the jump. Otherwise, you know what to do.

Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08

Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert)

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VIDEO: Hubinette's BFG Charger kicks like a mule

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-30T12:12:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Dodge

Pro motor sports may draw immense crowds, but on the boob tube, the football is king. That could be the reason Team Mopar and BFGoodrich utilized the pigskin in its latest TV ad showcasing controlled drifting. Hit the jump to see Samuel Hubinette pilot the Mopar drift Charger to and through a tee'd-up football as the rear quarter panel plays placekicker. Though not as cool as the commercial that shows Hubinette sliding the Charger through an aircraft hanger, it's definitely worth a look.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hubinette's BFG Charger kicks like a mule

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Detroit Grand Prix 08: Acura racing with the big boys, enters LMP1 for 09

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-08-29T14:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura

Acura has announced at the Detroit Grand Prix that they will enter the LMP1 class in the American Le Mans Series in 2009, adding to its existing LMP2 effort. Honda's premium brand entered ALMS in the lighter LMP2 class at the beginning of 2007 with the Highcroft, Fernandez and Andretti-Green teams and won a single race that year. This year De Ferran motorsports has joined the lineup and Acura has four victories, including an overall win at Lime Rock in early July.

For 2009, De Ferran and Highcroft will run the all new ARX-02A LMP1 car, while Fernandez and possibly one other team will continue with the LMP2 program. No mention was made of AGR. The new car is being developed in cooperation with existing partner Wirth Research in the UK. Honda Performance Development president Erik Berkman declined to reveal any other details about the new car. However, with the currently dominant P1 cars in North America and Europe being the diesel powered Audis and Peugeots, and a production diesel joining the Acura lineup next spring, a diesel powered ARX-02A would seem a likely choice. The new car will debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring in March, but Berkman said no decision has been made on a Le Mans run yet.

[Source: Acura]

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American racing legend, Phil Hill, dies at 81

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-28T15:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports

Phil Hill, the only American-born driver to win a Formula One title, passed away last night of complications associated with Parkinson's disease at the age of 81. Aside from his success with Ferrari in F1 during the 1961 season, Hill was also the first American to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans, taking the title twice more and winning the 12-hours of Sebring three times.

Described by friends and colleagues as reserved and genteel, Hill was a breath of fresh air in the international racing scene and finally inducted into the International Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1991.

He is survived by his wife Alma, son, two daughters and four grandchildren, all of whom have our heartfelt condolences.

[Source: Autoweek]

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Unofficial: Dodge Viper ACR laps 'Ring in record 7:22.1 [w/VIDEO]

Dan Roth — 2008-08-27T23:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Supercars, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge

We're not terribly surprised that the Dodge Viper ACR has apparently made it around the famed German racing circuit faster than pretty much anything else you'll find on a dealer's lot. After all, the ACR is a race car, as evidenced by the video that Motor Trend has posted. The most venomous Viper has done the deed in 7:22, fast enough to make grown men cry. To this blogger, the Viper is dead gorgeous, even with that yucky-but-functional rear wing on the ACR, and it definitely carries the spirit of hairy-chested cars of yore. The shifter wobbles around horrendously when the driver kisses the rev limiter a few times, and there even appears to be a flubbed shift near the end, so the ACR may have faster laps left in it. We're waiting on confirmation on whether or not this is an official lap, but it's certainly creating a stir, and the Viper wants to know, V-Spec who? Thanks for the tip, Rob.

[Source: Viper Alley]

Thanks for the tip, Rob!

video of run at MotorTrend

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Audi develops R8 GT3 racer

Alex Nunez — 2008-08-27T10:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Euro, Audi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 GT3 car

The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has officially begun with the automaker's announcement that it has developed a GT3 version of the R8 sports car dubbed "R16" internally by its project overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 regulations prohibit AWD) features a six-speed sequential gearbox, mostly production-spec suspension components, plus an updated front end and a large rear wing designed to keep it planted to the tarmac. No additional tech specs have been revealed at this time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the wheel for the prototype's roll-out, and customer deliveries are expected to take place next fall. Look for the car to see wheel-to-wheel action against the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 during the 2009 European racing season. We patiently await its inclusion in a future Gran Turismo update so that we can try it out, too.

Gallery: Audi R8 GT3 Racer

[Source: Audi]

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F1 musical chairs depends on where Alonso sits

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-26T18:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Every year towards the end of the season, the world of Formula One racing plays a big game of musical chairs as drivers' contracts come up for renewal and seats open up. Sometimes drivers end up in the same chair they were in before, but this season we've got reason to believe there'll be a big switch. And the key to that switch depends on Fernando Alonso more than anyone else, according to Ross Brawn.

The former Ferrari technical guru and current head of Honda's F1 racing program points towards the lackluster performance of Renault this year as clear evidence that Alonso will seek out a new team. Where he will end up remains a big question mark, however, as almost all the teams would welcome the two-time world champion to their ranks, and would be willing to hold off signing their other drivers until Alonso has sat down.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty]

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Penske Racing: to Infineon and Beyond (SPOILER ALERT)

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-26T09:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports

Click above image for high-res gallery of Grand Prix of Sonoma

Motor racing is, of course, highly competitive, and the logistics highly complicated. The higher the level of racing, the more competitive and the more complicated. But racing fans expect to see it duked out on the track, not on the way there. That's why it was so disappointing when the transporter carrying Penske's Indy racing team to Infineon (formerly known as Sears Point) in Sonoma, California, went up in flames on the interstate.

For any other team, even a lesser incident would have called the curtain on their race weekend. But as we reported on Thursday, Penske has a history of turning adverse circumstances like these into victory. Was the team able to perpetuate the legacy, or did it succumb to the circumstances? For the sake of those who have this past weekend's Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County cued up on TiVo, we'll keep the results after the jump. Follow along to read on.

Gallery: IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Sonoma

Continue reading Penske Racing: to Infineon and Beyond (SPOILER ALERT)

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Paul Newman takes last laps at Lime Rock

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-08-26T09:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

In the world of Hollywood where so many people are vacuous prima donnas, Paul Newman is one of the great exceptions. He is considered one of the greatest American actors and one of the classiest human beings. However, after 83 years, the Newman era is drawing to a close. About 18 months ago, Newman was diagnosed with lung cancer and he's not expected to live past the end of September.

Many fans of his acting are not aware of Newman's nearly four-decade long involvement in motorsports. Over the years he has racked up a second place finish at the 24 hours of Le Mans and a GTS class victory at the 1995 Daytona 24 hours... at the age of 74. For the last 25 years he and Carl Haas have owned one of the most successful IndyCar/ChampCar teams of the era, as well. Off the track and sound stage he has also raised over $200 million for charity through the Newman's Own brand of foods.

On August 13, the Lime Rock Park race track near his Connecticut home shut down for a couple hours so that Newman could take a few final laps in his GT1 Corvette. The world will certainly be a poorer place with his passing. If you haven't watched The Hustler, The Sting, or Butch and Sundance recently, now's probably a good time to put them in your NetFlix queue. Thanks for the tip, Luke!

[Source: SpeedTV]

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It's official: Team HUMMER driver Emily Miller is an Ironwoman

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-08-26T08:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports

Last weekend, Emily Miller of Rod Hall Racing was out to become the first Ironwoman in the history of the TSCO Vegas to Reno off-road race to finish the grueling competition solo. To do so, she'd have to drive the her H2 the entire 457-mile distance. She did it in a time of 16:40.30 after having lost the front passenger wheel at mile 80 and having to rebuild the front end. And she still came in third in the stock-full class. Teammate Chad Hall took first in an H3 Alpha, and was the first production vehicle to cross the line. The other Halls -- Rod and Josh -- also took first in their respective classes. Congratulations to Emily, -- and if you're looking for her at future races, she'll probably be the one wearing a cape. Thanks for the tip, 4x4 King!

[Source: Hummer Guy]

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Suspension problem on Ferrari A1GP car delays season opener

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-25T17:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

Click above to view a high-resolution gallery of the new Ferrari A1GP car

It was an ambitious target to design, develop, shake down and launch an all-new spec car across the series in less than a full year, but that's what the organizers of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport set out to do. Unfortunately, the first major setback inevitably meant that the series would have to be postponed, and that's just what happened.

The new car has been under development with Ferrari for the past ten months or so - based on Ferrari's Formula One racing car design - and things had been going well. However, when test driver Patrick Friesacher was injured after a vital suspension component failed, it was back to the drawing board. The delay means that the start of the fourth season, which was originally scheduled for September 21 at the Mugello track in Italy, will now be pushed back to Zandvoort, Holland, for October 4, which was initially planned as the second race of the season.

Check out the press release after the jump, and the new high-resolution gallery of the Ferrari-developed and -powered A1GP spec racer by clicking the thumbnails below.

Gallery: A1GP - Powered by Ferrari

[Source: A1GP]

Continue reading Suspension problem on Ferrari A1GP car delays season opener

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SPOILER ALERT: the new European Grand Prix at Valencia

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-25T13:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Motorsports, Euro

Click above for high-res gallery of the European Grand Prix

There are many grands prix in Europe, but there is only one European Grand Pix. Although the title was originally awarded as a badge of prestige to one race on the continent each year, over the last quarter century the name has allowed a second round in the Formula One World Championship to be held in a country that already hosts a race under its own name. With the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix already behind us, this year's European Grand Prix was held at the new street course in Valencia, Spain.

Not to be confused with the Circuit de Valencia that is often used as an F1 test track, the new Circuito Urbano Valencia was designed by prolific track architect Hermann Tilke and is lauded for combining a highly challenging set of 25 turns with a Monaco-like atmosphere - complete with views of the Mediterranean and a marina - and a unique bridge straight. The new location made for a an exciting setting for this past weekend's race, jam packed with race action to throw this year's championship further into flux. Follow the jump to see how it unfolded.

Gallery: F1 Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia, Spain

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: the new European Grand Prix at Valencia

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